Jenn's Escapes and Everyday Life

Merry Christmas Everyone!

So, I am new to the "blogging thing" (even though I have had an account for over a year). I think it is a great idea but I also am realistic and know that I don't have much time. Oh well . . . we all have to fall sometime! :)

I decided this year that I would try out my blog and send my Christmas card this way. Hopefully the purpose will be served. If not you can always email me for updates at jennced@yahoo.com or send a message on Facebook (I don't check that all the time either but I try!).

Life is moving along as usual. Work, work, sleep, work, work, sleep, work out, work, work, work . . . are you noticing the pattern? Lucky for me I am able to find reprieve from my slave labor by taking mini-vacations ever-so-often and a few not so mini-vacations as well. I tried to post as many things from my travels as I could quickly find and (maybe) I will continue to update as time permits.

To start the year off, I decided to do something radical and changed my hair color from (natural) blonde to brunette. I really enjoy being a brunette and I think most people like it (except for my mother who is constantly asking me to change it back).

For my birthday, in January, I went on a spur of the moment trip to Los Angeles. It was nice to get away and thaw-out. It was so peaceful to spend the night of my birthday looking out over Los Angeles from Griffth Observatory.

In February I worked long and hard on my "side business" of party planning and pulled off my first wedding reception. It was exhausting since I do work a full time job (I do accounting) but it was nice to see the end result.

March found me at home celebrating with the whole family, my father's birthday (do not use ALL the candles if the person is 50 or older--you can see the fire bomb that created below)! April, I was in Portland with my sister for a wedding of one of her investigators in the Portland Temple. It was nice to be back "home" again.

May found me in Idaho at the cabin celebrating my little niece's birthday. It was nice to be up by the Tetons enjoying the beautiful scenery (even if it snowed on us while we were golfing).

June, I was in Las Vegas visiting a friend before she underwent some major surgery (she is doing wonderful now).

July, I was in China for the entire month helping at the Starfish Foster Home. While in transit to China I was able to visit Japan and Korea all of which are BEAUTIFUL places to see.

August brought me back home to our annual visit to Bear Lake and Pickleville Playhouse which is always fun to see the wonderful shows put on by my cousins. I was also back in Las Vegas spending time with friends and enjoying the warmth of the summer.

September found me planning the entire month for my annual Halloween party (it was Wizard of Oz themed this year) but unfortunately I was unable to see the fruits of my labors when in October, I found myself in California at my Grandfather's funeral. This was the first time that I have ever felt peaceful about death. My Grandfather was ready to go and we were excited to see him once again be with our Grandmother.

At the end of October and beginning of November I was back in Portland for a baptism (what an amazing thing to see).

December has had me in Idaho for my brother's graduation from BYU-Idaho and that brings me up to today. I am on my way out the door to the cabin to spend Christmas with my family. I am looking forward to having a few days off at the office and spending time with my family. Hopefully I won't be snowed out of the pass or snowed in for that matter!

I hope that all is well with you and your families. Always know that I do think about everyone of you often and I am saddened that time does not permit me to be in better contact. I am looking forward to the next year and all the wonderful places it will take me. I hope that all of you will have an exciting new year as well. Enjoy looking at the items on the blog and have a WONDERFUL AND VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS tomorrow!

With all my love,

Jennifer

President David O McKay declared: "True happiness comes only by making others happy--the practical application of the Savior's doctrine of losing one's life to gain it. In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow with brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service.

It is the spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ, obedience to which will bring 'peace on earth,' because it means--good will toward all men."

Giving, not getting, brings to full bloom the Christmas spirit. Enemies are forgiven, friends remembered, and God obeyed. The spirit of Christmas illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we can look out upon the world's busy life and become more interested in people than things. To catch the real meaning of the "sprit of Christmas," we need only drop the last syllable, and it becomes the "Sprit of Christ".