Caroling w/ the youth and missionary opps

Many leaders and many youth went out on a cold night and shared the message of the Savior's birth with the world. It was pretty magical to hear and watch. Since I work with the young women in my church ward, every Tuesday night we have an activity. Tonight's activity was to go to the Mission Inn & Hotel here in Riverside,CA, and go caroling. Over 20 youth and some leaders, sang about our Savior. About the night He was born. It was so neat to see people stop and listen. To see people clapping. Then to hear someone ask, "what school group is this?" Then someone's response was," Oh it's not a school, its a youth group, from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." The youth had the chance to had out pass along cards-with Mormon.org on it-, Joy to the World DVD's, and even Books of Mormon. Some accepted. Some didn't. But the neat thing is that these youth were able to experience inviting someone to come unto Christ. I enjoyed being behind the camera and witnessing them going forth and serving.

Holiday Wishes 2011

Festival of Lights

The day after Christmas the famous, Mission Inn & Hotel, has a festival of lights that goes through the new year. There are a million lights everywhere, carriage rides, tons of food, reindeer, booths selling everything, cute little mom & pop shops, and live entertainment. We drove around it, but we finally decided to walk around and check it out. We invited my friend, Chelsea and her baby Damon, to join us since they ahdn't seen it yet either. There were so many lights..probably more than at Disneyland and less than Temple Square in SLC, UT.

Attempt #1

 Attempt #2 {guy that walked into our picture was apologizing then posed with Evan}

Date with Hats

Yesterday, December 14th, was the first time all of 2011 holiday season that we have gone to the mall. We decided to have a little fun with our holiday shopping! These hats were some of the funniest hats we have ever seen. I love them! I love any time we spend together too!

josh's birthday celebration

All of us siblings that live in the area met up at Cafe Rio in Redlands, CA for a dinner to celebrate Josh's birthday. Our family is crazy but we sure have fun when were celebrating!! Happy Birthday Brother!

A reflection

As I was at work, I was working with my Grandpa {my favorite client} and he was on the bicep curl machine. I increased his repititions to 10 today instead of 8 because I feel he is getting stronger. He was lifting 0 pounds and doing a great job at it. I was so proud of him. He really is doing great. He looks better and stronger every time I see him. While he was working out, I looked at the glass window and I could see his reflection. My eyes started to swell with tears. I had to gather my composure. I continued looking at his reflection and my wondering mind started asking questions: I wonder if he see's how great he is doing? When he sees himself, does he think he looks good or does he get discouraged? Does he see his skin so fair and full of life experiences? What does he think about himself? Does he feel lonely? Does he applaud himself for doing something about his lack of strength and balance? Does he see his growth? Is he happy? Does he cry because Grandma B is no longer here on earth? What did he imagine his life to be like when he was younger and how did it compare to reality? His determined blue eyes caught my gaze and I smiled. Interesting to think about our own reflections from glass window or mirror. How do we see ourselves? Personal reflection has always been something I do because I like to improve myself and become better.I have always tried to see myself as God sees me-a virtuous daughter of God with great worth and many talents. I love that He sees me that way, I am thankful for his abiding love.

Christmas Spirit

{doggies stockings sent by Grandma Lolly from Hawaii}

Since our space is tight and our budget is even tighter, we decided that we would forego a traditional 7 foot tree like last year and go with a Michaels $4.50 discounted 18" fake tree {with adjustable metal branches}. We even have a couple gifts from family {set to the side of the tree-as they obviously wont fit under it}Instead of an angel on the top we have a heart {for all the love put into the tree} and a few ornaments that werent too heavy to pull our tree down. We put our stockings and nativity on the mantle and all the decorations brought a nice spirit to our home, centered on Christ.

family time

I love the girls focus and determination to make the wrong piece fit! My favorite moment of the night-Everytime Ru would get one side to fit she would throw her hands up in the air and yell, "I did it!". We laughed the rest of the night about that.

Sage's fauxhawk

Such good helpers these two!

Mom, Evs and I completed it after everyone left. It was very time consuming but worth it!

Friday funny

The Great Question?

After doing bills yesterday and having the monthly "ah-ha, wow we really don't have much bling left" moment, I realized {again} that there are many things we must sacrifice while living on one income while Evs is in school. During our scripture study last night, I felt the Lord was reaching out to me directly through a series of scriptures.
There is an amazing history to the book of Alma, but I want to highlight how the Lord was reaching out to my soul through one of the greatest chapters in the the Book of Mormon, Chapter 26.

"And now, I ask, what great blessings has he bestowed upon us? Can ye tell?"
"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself,but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things.."
"Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel."
"..We see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea he numbereth his people.."-Alma 26:2,12,16,37

The Great Question? "what great blessings has he bestowed upon us? can ye tell?"

Boy can I tell! I am grateful for that kind small elbow in the stomach from the Lord. I can't help but be reminded of all we have, I am almost selfish to be so greatly blessed by the Lord. Oh How Great Thou Art! My God blesses me. He gives me strength when I am weak and my hope is thinning. He has great power. He is merciful and long-suffering. Most of all my God is mindful of every people, especially the two of us. He knows us, knows our needs and loves us. My joy is full.

Time well spent

"I know your lives are busy. I know that you have much to do. But I make you a promise that if you will go to the house of the Lord, you will be blessed; life will be better for you."
—Gordon B. Hinckley

{Redlands California Temple-picture take by: Deryl K. Hatch}

Dear my amazing husband Evan,

Thank you for date night at the temple last night. We could have sat on the couch and caught up on all our shows that we DVR'd, but I am glad we didn't. Its always such a special time to be with you in the Holy Temple, to talk about life and laugh on the drive and to feel the Spirit together. I am thankful that we can become better together.

I love you!

love always,

your wifey

Meet Jack

This is my friend Jack. He is 7. He has autism. Yesterday, was my last day working with Jack. It was a hard decision to pull myself off the case, but I was just doing too much, spreading myself too thin. For the last 18 months, I have been Jack's ABA therapist. Every Tuesday and Thursday, for 2+ hours, I work on helping Jack in everyday situations {preferred/non-preferred}, eating non-preferred foods, social interactions, and giving him sensory {lots of sensory!}. I love this guy like he were my own nephew. I love his big bear hugs. I love his occasional "Mrs. Darcy you're my friend. I think it's time for a hug." He has grown leaps and bounds in the last year and a half and I will be forever grateful for him being put into my life. He is an amazing kid with an amazing family to support and love him. What an amazing adventure we had together!! Heavenly Father has so many ways of teaching us to love others. He helped teach me as I worked with Jack.

Why I love my job..

I work with cute little old people like this. They often boost myself esteem by telling me I am their beautiful angel okay mostly just the Senora pictured below does that.

 I get to exercise my Grandpa. I get to see him twice a week. More than I saw him growing up.

He is getting so much stronger each time he comes.

 My mom spoils him and hooks him up with Juice it Up, almost every Monday {oh & me too}.

7AM morning workouts filled with laughs, MaryAnn, Mr. Universe {Floyd-see below picture}, Priscila and a cold winter morning including cinnamon rolls & coffee {I brewed my very first pot of coffee at 26, didn't drink any, but my oldies seemed to like it}. They just sat down and chatted about life. I love to be one of the oldies.

There is something to be said about finding the right job for you. I love my job! Even if oldies are set in their ways!

Happy 90th Birthday...

Grandma Quon!

We wish we could have been there to celebrate with you! You are such a gem! We love you and hope you know how much you mean to us!