Christmas Carol

There is something you should know. I love Charles Dicken's book The Christmas Carol. I love the play even more! It was a family Christmas tradition to go see Hale Center Theatre's version for multiple years, and then sadly - it suddenly faded away.

When I married my husband, I got a wealth of blessings in his friendships. One of whom is Eric. Eric has known Jaren for his entire life - you should ask Jaren about the story - it's quite Halmark movie-ish. Anyhow, Eric is a Thespian (love that word) - and has been an Actor at Hale Center Theatre for... well... forever. For the past two years Eric has played the role of Jacob Marley (you remember- Scrooge's dead as a door nail business partner). Last year, Jaren and I got sick the night of our tickets - and we didn't get to see it. This year - Joy of Joys - we weren't sick and got to go!

Eric was amazing. Clarissa - his wife, was also in the play and was amazing as well.

I won't get into all of their parts they had to play - but suffice it to say - it's incredible that they can remember so many lines, songs, directions, etc.

The play last night really got me thinking - why do I love this so much? I've seen it well over a dozen times in my life, and still - I can not wait to see it each year.

Last night as the chorus group was singing Silent Night, I was moved by the Spirit. The proclamation of Christ as our Savior accompanied by a story of repentance, humility, and re-birth... this is Christmas for me! It's a beautiful and touching reminder of what the Savior is, and has done for me.

Jaren has been saying a lot lately that he wants to make this Christmas what it was like when he was a kid. He wanted that Christmas feeling that was inescapable as a child. As I watched Scrooge jump around after he realized that all was not lost - and that there was still time to change... I was taken back to my living room as a child - listening to my Dad and Mom read me Luke 2. The Christmas Spirit wet my eyes, and my heart was full.

I also want to say that for those that know Clarissa and her family's story - the play was even more touching. To see her play the role of a sister that loses tiny Tim - and to watch the role once played by her father of Mr. Cratchet... I was humbled. She continues to find hope in this world, and it was ... well I'm not sure what the word is that I'm looking for here. Hmmm... I think I'm still going with "humbling." My heart again mourned for her family and their loss, and prayed for continued peace for them.

In the end - I am so grateful for friends that share their talents with us, and for the blessing it was to feel so close to my Savior.

See you in 6 years party

In case your just joining us - Jaren and I are leaving for Alabama.

Quite soon actually. Jaren leaves Dec 29th... so that doesn't leave much time for party planning.

Now - I am asking for your forgiveness. I do realize that we are asking you to attend yet another party in the Holiday season.

The party will be held Saturday December 20th. It's an open house from 5 pm - 10 pm at Jaren's parents' house (I'm not putting that address online - if you want it - email me). For those of you that already have a something scheduled that night - well I made my party long enough to give you time to come to both!

One benefit of having it near Christmas is the hope that some of my dear out-of-towner friends will be in town for other, more family-like, reasons. I have no qualms about taking advantage of this timing.

Who knows... maybe I'll be passing out I heart Alabama t-shirts.

Or maybe this one...

Don't lie - you know you want one.

Failure

Need a self esteem crash? I thought so. Come on ... watch it!







Now I'm not the only person that feels like a complete waste of flesh.

Hunter Green

Do you guys remember when Hunter Green (or sometimes called Forrest Green) hit big in Utah? I do. 8th grade. I had an entire outfit of Forrest green clothes. Pants, shirt, vest (!!!), and even a huge bow to go with it.

Boys may not remember it as well - because they were too busy wearing their Catch and Release shirts, or their No Fear shirts.

A friend of mine said something about her Hunter Green ski gloves, and I was instantly transported into a wave of nostalgia.

Go ahead, I know your dying to share your favorite nostalgic memory in your comment - Forrest Green related or not.

Halloween

There is one holiday that truly reigns supreme in the workplace. Christmas? Valentines Day?
No!
It's Halloween!! It is the one day at DCFS that our office really gets into things, and just decides to have fun. It takes a little bit of planning (all client contact should really be limited to phone calls and emails) - and definitely no court. But if you can get your schedule right - who doesn't like to go to work as a rotting corpse from Alabama (yes - a joke referencing the loss of my career "life" as I head to Alabama)

I owe a big thanks to Kirk for coming to work and doing my makeup. Man, I'm hot!

My love for Halloween has grown as I've been a supervisor. Its such a great excuse for team bonding. And let's face it, in my line of work - my workers need to take a little break from the stress and heartache of daily crisis. Here is a dessert my worker, Beth (a new addition to my team), made for our potluck! Read the headstones... they are hilarious!

Each year we have a contest to see who has the best team office space decorations. This year we made our little annex into a graveyard! I really do need a before an after shot. It's hard to tell how truly amazing this transformation was. It's hard to see from this picture, but the orange lights are actually a tree. There are gravestones and leaves all over the room.

This is a coffin that Jaren and my father helped me make. It was super creepy. A little weird to transport around I might add. You should see the looks you get on the road when you have a coffin in your car.

Ruben (right) was our undertaker. The rest of the girls were dead cowgirls (like me). Unfortunately my camera died right before the team photo. Boo Hiss!