New Year!

Wow! 2008 was quite a year!
It was a year ago that I received an email from some young guy in Arizona, saying he was "Interested" in Me. And, from there we began occasionally emailing each other. On February 14th, after having a particularly BAD day at work, I received a text message from a number I didn't recognize saying, "Happy Valentines Day" and of course my poetic response was, "Who is this?" the response was, "Ryan Allred." the emails continued until St. Patrick's Day, which happened to be Ryan's Birthday, (hmm... I'm noticing a holiday theme,) when we started 'chatting' online every night. And pretty much the rest is history...
We spent a weekend in Tucson, May 2nd, 3rd & 4th; then met again in Phoenix for Memorial Day Weekend, and after that I was hooked.
We have been married for almost 5 months now. Our lives are crazy and at times it feels like we're spinning out of control, but overall it is great!
Ryan is a great guy, and I completely adore him. And to quote a plaque I was given on my birthday, "It's never too late to live happily ever after."

Alone

For the first time since we were married in August, Ryan and I had a night at home without any children. It was a little strange going to bed without the hall light on and not hearing anyone bang on the wall in bed, but I think we'll survive a week!
Saturday we drove to Kingman, AZ to drop off Grant, Hayley and Zack for their Christmas visit with their Mom. Sunday we took Chloe, Darby and Sadie to meet their Dad in Fillmore, UT.
We will be doing quite a bit more driving this weekend to pick-up the kids in Arizona. But for now, I am just going to enjoy my time with Ryan.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I absolutely LOVE Christmas. I love decorating, I love shopping, I love the anticipation of what people will think of their gifts... But most of all, I love the spirit of the season.
Last Friday night, Ryan and I went to see "The Forgotten Carols" and I truly believe the Shepard's Carol when it says, "And if you feel the spirit in the air, then just like me you'll know that he was here... And he will come again, 'cause he was here!"
What better message could there be for a confused world? The Savior of the world was here and he will come again.

Merry Christmas!

Snow Day?

Normally sitting at my desk, I can look out and see desert, red rocks, and off in the distance snow on Pine Valley Mountain, but, not today. Today, I see snow everywhere, including the usually red rocks and Pine Valley Mountain is entirely hidden by clouds. I drove to work in a slushy, one lane mess. The kids are out of school for a snow day. Most of Washington County is under 6+ inches of snow. The one redeeming factor is that as bothersome as the snow was to me this morning, I am fairly sure that it will be almost completely gone by the time I go home from work.
I know the kids are home playing in the snow and loving it! And, Ryan is wishing it would stay around awhile for him to be able to 'play' in. So, I guess when it comes to the powdery white stuff, I am seriously out-numbered in my dislike. Oh well!

Busy! Busy! Busy!

Not that our normal lives aren't busy enough, with the Christmas parties and programs, this week and next are more crazy than normal.
Monday Ryan had his company party in Vegas and didn't get home until almost 9:00p.m. Tuesday, Darby and Sadie had dance, Grant had scouts, Zack had pack meeting, Chloe had Young Women, Hayley stayed home sick and Ryan had Elders Quorum Presidency meeting. Wednesday was my Mom's birthday as well as Darby & Hayley's choir concert. Tonight, we have Grant's band concert. Friday, Chloe is singing the national Anthem at the Girls' High School basketball game. Saturday is Darby & Sadie's dance Christmas party and our Ward Christmas party. (Which Ryan and I are in charge of the nativity/program.)
Next week, Darby is Mrs. Claus in the 4th grade Christmas play, Chloe has a choir concert (both on Wednesday night) and Zack has a Christmas program on Thursday.

Ahhhhhhh!

Zack's Baptism

Saturday night Zachary was baptized. Hayley gave a talk about the Holy Ghost and Ryan Baptized and confirmed Zack.

It was a really nice night, and a great weekend. We had a so much support from family, it was great.

It was crazy at our house this weekend with all the family, but it was so much fun! We are so grateful for the love and strength of our family.

Thank you all so much!

Give Thanks

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday!
I love the chance to spend time with family cooking, eating, cleaning up and just hanging around without the pressure of commercialization that goes along with Christmas.
As a little girl, I remember getting dressed up and having Thanksgiving with all of my cousins. I looked forward to it every year.
Yesterday, Sadie's class had a Thanksgiving program and sitting there listening to 1st Graders give their meaning of Thanksgiving gave me a renewed appreciation for what is good and right with the world.
I truly am thankful for so many things...
My Savior, my incredibly handsome, sweet husband, our beautiful children, the incredible place we live, the love and support of such great family and the endless blessings of the restored gospel. (I will end there, but the list goes on and on.)
Happy Thanksgiving!