The True meaning of Christmas

As Jenny explained in her last post; we had the opportunity to help two less fortunate children this year. While Jenny was working last week, I went to the mall to find someone to help for Christmas. As I was looking through the ornaments that contained the information of the persons in need. I came a cross a little girl who was six years old and instantly felt a connection with her. All she wanted was a Bratz doll and clothes for Christmas. I knew right away she was a good candidate.

I decided to keep looking to see if I came across someone else I might feel more inspired to help. I soon found an ornament for a 17 year old girl who spends her time after school volunteering for a latch key program in her neighborhood. All she wanted was a gift certificate. What could I do? I was torn! Who should we help out. I felt attached to both of the girls right away. I felt like both girls could use the help. The decision was made to help them both.

Jenny and I went out and shopped for the little girl. We bought her clothes and the Bratz doll. The gift card for the older girl was easy. We wrapped all the gifts and placed the gift card in a stocking with some candy. Again, Jenny was at work so it was up to me to deliver the gifts. So I was off to the mall to drop them off. I made it to the mall with no trouble. The delivery was completed and as I was walking out of the mall, I became teary eyed. I was over whelmed with the spirit. My heart was warmed by the opportunity to help others. That is when this idea struck me. What we give is not important, for gifts will fade. But, what we learn by giving is the true gift of Christmas. Those girls may not remember the gifts, but I will for the rest of my life remember how it felt to give a little and receive so much in return. In Moroni seven it speaks of giving a gift and that one must give for the right reasons. I now see why giving has to come from the heart. I know that I have been given back tenfold compared to what was given. I will be warmed by the memory of this Christmas for years to come.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!

What about you..have you been NAUGHTY or NICE?

Believe it or not, this isn't the real Santa Claus. It really is TODD at our ward Christmas party. Our friend asked if he would do it and with a little persuasion he finally agreed. After it was all said and done he admitted that he had a fun time playing "Jolly Ol' Saint Nick" and he didn't even get peed on once. He did have a couple of criers and some that were just too shocked to know what to do. One kid admitted to being nughty when he asked if they have been good. The whole experience was quite hillarious if you ask me.

Other than his beard, I think he pulled it off without too many raised eyebrows. Except, his nieces knew right away that it was him. Celeste, the 4 year old, had a hard time believing her sister when she told her he wasn't the "real Santa" and then later she asked Todd to confirm it for her. He said, "what do you think" when she asked if he was really Santa and she said "no it couldn't have been Uncle Todd." Poor girl has been hit with the disturbing possibility that there really is no such thing as Santa Claus at such a young age. She stewed over that for all of three seconds, I imagine.

I still have the unpleasent experience of learning that there was no such person as Santa permenantly ingrained in my memory. I can't remember how old I was, but we were in the car and I remember asking my Mom and she said something to the effect of, "who do you think goes to the mall and does all the shopping for their kids?" I was astonished to say the least! I remeber being mad that she didn't lie to me or at least let me go on being misled a little while longer. I guess because we all have to focuss on what the true meaning of Christmas is all about sooner in life rather than later.

Speaking of the true meaning of Christmas, this year we decided to try and follow Christ's example and show more Charity for others. So we had the idea of doing a "Sub for Santa" for children, which we got their names from the Christmas Tree at the Mall. I will let Todd finish telling the story since he was the one who took their wrapped gifts to the Mall so they could get them before Christmas......

Grades

Ok, so I have received my grades from last semester. I must say I pulled one over on most of my teachers. I have three A's and a c. I earned a c in my "Texas Gov." class. So lame! I hated that class, it was ridiculous. Texas is so pretentious that they force you to take a state government class. I don't know about the rest of you but, I believe I took my state government class in elementary school. At the beginning of the class my professor was telling us how great Texas is and everyone in the nation thinks Texas is wonderful. The whole time I am sitting at my desk thinking have you ever been out of the state of Texas? Everyone outside of Texas thinks it is lame! So I acted out in open rebellion and never went to class. How can I take this class seriously? I can't, it was ridiculous! But I can't complain about the rest of my grades because I don't go to those classes ether. SHHH don't tell Jenny!

Let it Rain

It was a beautiful day! It rained all day long and I loved it. This is the second time this year it almost felt like winter. Not only that but school is over. I can't tell you how glad I am that it is all over. This weekend Jenny and I went to Mexico with my sister for her brother-in-law wedding, (he's the youngest of the seven Hatch bros.) we helped with the food and had a good time. Now for some sad news, we will not be coming home for Christmas. We are stuck here in El Paso for the holidays. The good news is that Jenny's mother, Jone will be in town to visit. We are excited to show her old El Paso. I need to brush up on the history of this great state. It will be a good time.

It has been a while

This is for you Lizzy for thinking that I've fallen off the face of the earth. OK, so I am not so good at being consistant with my posts...don't be a hater BABY!! Things with Todd and I are a little stressful right now, this week at least, between Todds finals and my boss telling me I can't go home for Christmas. I about decked him when he denied my request. I'll have to explain it all in a later post because I have to get back to work. Sorry that this is such a crappy short post today. SERENITY NOW (as Mr. Castanza would say from the TV show Sienfield) I miss that freakin' show!!

God's Hands

So I was on the Brog blog and was inspired by Liz's Thanksgiving message. I had to go and reread President Eyring talk, "O Remember, Remember". Near the end of his talk about the light of Christ and how all men are born with this light. I must say that I agree and believe it is true. We are born with an inherent ability to know right from wrong. Elder Erying also spoke about remembering God’s hands in all things. I started to think about Gods hand in my life and how he has guided me through life to this point.

The good influence of family and friends to get me on a mission
Jobs, the Lord guided me to BISYS for two reason
T0 be able to attain my gastric by pass
To meet Katie Stone
Katie Stone lead me to Jenny
Finally, to now, where he has lead us to El Paso for school. I am still not sure why El Paso. But, as time passes I know it will become evident.

This is brief list of how the lord has helped me down my path. Jenny is clearly the most important piece of the puzzle. I am grateful that I have done what I can to be on the path that God has placed before me. I just hope that I will do better to stay on the path.

Road Map to Life

So, my last two post where a bit on the negative side. I decided to make this one lighter than the before mentioned post. I am no longer worried about why I didn't get into the program this spring. I decided this is in God’s hands; after all he is the reason we are here in El Paso. He knows the plan and has the map of our lives laid before him. In God we must trust. Our trials are made to strengthen us and prepare us for a greater challenge. I hope that I will be ready for the next one. God is love!

Light at the End of the Tunnel

OK, so I went and spoke with Nina (RN school counselor) so she said that there was a freakishly high average of grades this semester, any other semester I would have at least been on the waiting list, but not this semester. Also UTEP will not take my B in anatomy that I received after taking it for the second time. So what I am doing next semester is taking anatomy AGAIN! When I get an A in that class I will be admitted in the fall for sure. It is basically because of bureaucracy that I am not in the program this semester. LAME! Good news, if I start in the fall I can take summer school in the summer of 09, this will put me back in pace with the spring class. Ugh!

AWWW CRAP!

Well kids, I am the recipient of some bad news. I received an email telling me I am too stupid to be admitted into the nursing program. So it is back to the drawing board. I will take a couple of classes that will help my cause for next fall. For the recovery process I will have a few drinks, eat lots of chocolate, write my paper for TX Government and maybe go for some tacos. "If it doesn't kill you it will only make you stronger". I think that rapper Kanye West said that.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

So if you know Jenny, then you know that she loves Halloween more than she loves me. Therefore she has asked me to publish this pumpkin's backside. So on our behalf please enjoy Halloween! (P.S. we didn't do the carving)

PUMPKIN ANYONE?

Brinnly

This is my neice Brinnly. Isn't she cute? I think so

Sunrise , SUNSET!

Enjoy a nice desert sunset. I took this while we where in St. George a couple of weeks ago.

Jennifer's Wedding

Last weekend we where in Salt Lake for my sister wedding and we had a great time. Here we are looking hot! Well here Jenny is looking hot, I am more like an accessory.

I GOT A JOB!!

Basicly, this is going out to you Liz since you are the only one who will see or read it. I got a job working for the Church in maintaining the LDS owned buildings near us. I don't start 'til the tenth of October because I am in St. George right now and will be until the nineth of October. We will finally have health benefits again. Hooray!! and I'll be making more than I have since I moved here.

St. George is beautiful right now. The weather is perfect! I am looking forward to spending 2 whole weeks here since it doesn't look promising that I'll be coming home for Christmas this year. With my new job I only get 1 sick/vacation day per pay period. That doesn't add up to much by the time December rolls around. First and foremost is Halloween which I absolutely LOVE! Now, if I could just get Todd to be as stoked as I am.

Holy White Legs Batman

How about a farmers tan anyone? This is me looking scarred the first time wake surfing. It was more like lower level wake boarding. Me needs to spend more time on the lake that is for sure.

Our First Post

Hey all,

I came home from school today and found Jenny busy on the computer. I was surprised to find out she had started a blog all our own. This can be a good way for friends and family to keep in touch and found out what is going on in our lives here is Texas. I hope people will keep us posted through here as well.

The Summer is Almost Over

I have been meaning to post this for a couple of days. I must say time flies when you are having fun. This whole summer has been a whirl wind. London and Paris went by in a blur. I still say that is because Jenny is a taskmaster when it comes to site seeing. Bear Lake is a distant memory and now I am back in the clutches of a formal education. What this teaches me is that I need to slow down and take live in as it goes or it is going to pass me by. Make the most of the time I have and spend the time wisely!