Maybe I Should Stop Hating On January

So many people dread January (me included). Long, cold nights; short days, snow, cold, inversion. It’s the “Christmas is over and we’re back to reality” kick in the butt. I do not like January.

As is customary in January, I started a little cleaning. You know, if the weather is yucky and you don’t want to be outside because you have to be all bundled up, you might as well be productive indoors. And did I mention the inversion? Because it’s terrible. So instead, I’ve been cleaning those noxious closets and bookshelves and pantries that get neglected the rest of the year.

I was cleaning one of my bookshelves the other day and I discovered a treasure. I found an email that my grandpa sent me in January of 2002. This is what the email said.

“Since January is such an important month in our family, I thought I’d share these dates.

January 14, 1934…the grandparents first date.

January 28, 1940…the grandparents got engaged.

January 15, 1950…we left Switzerland.

January 21, 1950…arrived in the USA.

January 19, 1951…sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.

Grandpa”

I always knew January was an important month in my family, but I had forgotten how many important family dates occur this month. I also got to thinking about keeping family records and recording important information. The one that especially hit me was January 14, 1934…the grandparents first date. You never know when that first date will be the last first date. In the last 2 weeks, I’ve had two first dates (one of them I hope and pray never occurs again). Now, keep in mind, nothing really memorable happened on these dates (except for the chopsticks in my purse), but I’m sure my grandparents’ first date wasn’t all that memorable either. I mean, I don’t think either one of them had divine revelation that day or fell in love at first sight or anything like that.

I guess what I’m getting at here is remember the little things. Remember the details. And write them down. You never know when you’ll go on your last first date or who will treasure a little email 8 years later.

Maybe I’ll stop hating on January.

I Love to See the Temple

On January 21, 1950, my grandparents, aunt, and father arrived in the United States. They came to this country from Switzerland so they could be sealed in the temple of the Lord and become an eternal family. Leaving everything they knew and loved, they came to the United States because they loved the temple and they wanted to be together forever as a family. They loved the temple even though they had never been inside one of the buildings. They knew this place was the House and the Lord and they knew they needed to be inside the walls.

Two years after they arrived on July 1, 1952, the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced a temple would be built in Switzerland. On September 11, 1955, the Bern Switzerland temple was dedicated as the 9^th operating LDS temple. My grandfather was the President of the Swiss Temple in the ‘80s.

It’s a beautiful temple, built in a beautiful country. I once asked my grandpa why he left Switzerland to come to the United States. He said, very matter of factly, “I came for you.”

I find it only fitting, that 60 years later, on January 25, 2010, a temple was announced in the city where two of my grandfather’s sons raised their families. The Payson Utah temple will be added to the 152 already operating LDS temples around the world.

I think about what the temple means to my family and the sacrifices my grandparents made for our family, for me, and I’m overwhelmed by the feelings. I’m thrilled there will be a temple in the city that I call home. I’m anxious to watch the temple be built, to see the ground broken, to watch the construction, to be a part of the dedication. I think of the wonderful teaching opportunities this will be for my two nephews. I think of the blessing a temple so nearby will mean to my family. How grateful I am. How blessed I am.

Days Like These

This



Got me this



With this view.



But this



and this



help the days go by.

I really hate my new desk configuration.

A Favorite Quote

"God expects you to have enough faith and determination and enough trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. In fact, He expects you not simply to face the future (that sounds pretty grim and stoic); He expects you to embrace and shape the future - to love it and rejoice in it and delight in your opportunities. God is anxiously waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can't if you don't pray, and He can't if you don't dream. In short, He can't if you don't believe."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Life's Lessons

It's important to remember that...



Take time to...



And to...



And when life gets tough, remember to...

Baby, It's Cold Outside

I'm ready for Spring!

Bowling Madness

Mr. CMan loves a good bowling game. He also likes to "kick the pants off" of everyone who is competing with him. We went bowling on New Year's Eve and enjoyed our time.



Mr. Mster really got into bowling. He had a blast!



Love the little bowling shoes.



He beat grandma's score!



This picture with his little eyes poking up cracks me up!



The CMan also had an impressive bowling score.



And his dad didn't do too shabby either!



Pops had great form. I'm pretty sure he had the high score of the afternoon.

And my favorite part of the day? Bowling next to Randy Horiuchi.



I know you can't tell from this picture, but I promise, that's him. My favorite City Councilman!

New Moon

I went tubing at Solider Hollow on Saturday night. It was fun, extremely cold, and even a bit dangerous (think icy trails and fences...ya, fun.) I didn't take my camera, which I wish I would have now, but I did snap this gorgeous picture of the moon with my phone on my way back up to another run. The moon was the most gorgeous I have ever seen it.




I think I'll take another trip to Solider Hollow before the winter is over. It's so lovely up there.