It has been a wonderful Christmas day. It was stressful, yet so nice, to have church and Christmas all bundled into the same day. I loved hearing our ward choir's Christmas program. It really helped me keep my mind on the true reason for Christmas. And now that our family is back to the comfort of our home after spending the last two days running to different parties and such, I felt that the perfect ending to the Christmas season would be to watch A Gift to the World from the new The Life of Jesus Christ Bible Videos put out by my Church. They are so well done and a perfect way to view the scripture stories.
Merry Christmas, and may you, too, remember that He is the reason for the season. What a great gift for each of us!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Christmas Greetings!
We sent out our very first Christmas card this year because this year was the first Christmas since we've been married that we haven't been living on a student budget! Woohoo for that! But I know I missed a lot of people since I'm new at this and some people just haven't received theirs because I accidentally left a stack of cards by my computer, ready-to-go, and they haven't been mailed yet. Sorry! So, for those I missed or those who haven't gotten theirs or just those who want to see it again, here's our family Christmas card.
But you already know that last part because you are reading this from my blog already, right?
Merry Christmas, everyone!!
And here's our Christmas letter, minus the cute paper.
The Marshall Family
· 2011 Highlights ·
· Owen completed his semester-long senior internship in Woods Cross, Utah while Haylee and the girls braved another Rexburg, Idaho winter. Owen came home for the weekends.
· Haylee made Owen a huge star-patterned quilt as an anniversary surprise while he was gone to Utah.
· Liesl celebrated her first birthday on March 4th.
· Owen & Haylee celebrated their 5th anniversary on April 29th.
· In July, Owen graduated from BYU-Idaho with his bachelor’s in construction management.
· The next day we packed up everything we own and moved it all to Greensboro, North Carolina where Owen grew up.
· We officially entered the “real world” when Owen was hired to be the sales manager for the BH Group of North Carolina in August. He bids and estimates gypsum concrete and roof deck projects.
· After spending the first month in North Carolina with family, we moved into our own apartment September 3rd.
· Liesl entered nursery in September, so naturally Owen and Haylee were called to be the nursery leaders shortly after.
· Haylee stays busy doing activities with the girls, completing an occasional craft and reading when she can squeeze it in.
· Miriam will be 4, December 31st. She is learning to read and is a brainy whiz. Her memory retention always amazes us and she learns new skills and information very quickly.
· Liesl is developing rapidly, learning new words daily and trying her best to get her way by using them. She has a strong personality and should be a really fun 2-year-old.
Lots of love from Owen, Haylee, Miriam & Liesl!
We still have a family blog ·herewegoroundagain.blogspot.com·
It is poorly updated now, but Haylee hopes 2012 will be the year of the blog.
But you already know that last part because you are reading this from my blog already, right?
Merry Christmas, everyone!!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Gratitude Challenge - Day 10
10 Things About the Gospel You are Grateful for:
Since it's Christmas Eve Eve and I am busy working like one of Santa's elves and spending time with my family you just get the simplified version tonight.
1. The Atonement
2. Eternal Families
3. The Book of Mormon
4. Living Prophets
5. Knowledge of the Plan of Salvation
6. My Testimony
7. Prayer
8. The Church Organization
9. Bible, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price
10. Simplicity
Bonus -- The Music - I love hymns and the children's songbook hymns.
Since it's Christmas Eve Eve and I am busy working like one of Santa's elves and spending time with my family you just get the simplified version tonight.
1. The Atonement
2. Eternal Families
3. The Book of Mormon
4. Living Prophets
5. Knowledge of the Plan of Salvation
6. My Testimony
7. Prayer
8. The Church Organization
9. Bible, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price
10. Simplicity
Bonus -- The Music - I love hymns and the children's songbook hymns.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Gratitude Challenge - Day 9
10 Foods You are Grateful for:
This one is going to be so hard for me. I really love food so narrowing it all down to just 10 should definitely be a challenge. Maybe I will have to put in a few extras or do big groups of food for some things.
1. Fruits - If I had to pick an overall favorite I would choose fresh raspberries (has to be fresh). Mmmm. But I also really love strawberries and blueberries (only fresh blueberries though -- something about the texture of frozen blueberries icks me out) and all melons (especially cantaloupe, food poisoning risks and all, I will still eat it) peaches and pineapple. I eat apples, bananas and oranges regularly because they are always available and always pretty good regardless of the season. I also love mangoes, cherries and pomegranates but they are expensive and not readily available so they are definitely a treat. I am not a fan of coconut at all. I'm still grateful for it though because Indian food would just not be the same without coconut milk. Oh, and we can't forget avocados or tomatoes; they are both technically fruit and I LOVE both, so I am very grateful for them.
2. Vegetables - Mmmm...vegetables. I will never understand people who say they don't like vegetables. I L.O.V.E. veggies. Favorites are asparagus, broccoli, onions, zucchini, bell peppers, yellow (summer) squash, spaghetti squash, romaine/red/green/iceberg lettuce (I love salads), artichokes (fresh, not the yucky canned things), cauliflower, cucumbers and green beans.
3. Italian Food - Lasagna is probably my top favorite, but I love it all.
4. Americanized Chinese Food - I've never had PF Changs or anything like that and I hear those are more authentic Chinese. I just like a good plate of sweet and sour chicken, fried rice and an egg roll. I'm a big fan of moo goo gai pan, broccoli chicken or beef, lemon chicken, cashew chicken and chicken almond-ding.
5. Yogurt - No matter how much other meat and dairy I give up, I can never totally give up yogurt. It is my indulgence.
6. Beans - The perfect protein boost for vegans, vegetarians and whatever we are (which is neither - but we definitely eat less meat than the average American. My favorite will always be black beans but I have come to love most of them. Chickpeas are probably at the bottom of my list, but I have even found some yummy recipes with those.
7. Chocolate - Enough said.
8. Soups - I grew up in a soup household and mine will be the same. In fact, my mom is so pro-soup and has that so well ingrained in me that I didn't even know some people weren't soup families until I was in my early 20s! Apparently some people don't consider soup meal-worthy. It's like a side dish or an appetizer or something. Not at our house. We love minestrone, bean soups, lentil soups, taco soup, all manner of veggie soups and even some naughty ones like broccoli-cheese, cheddar chowder and zuppa toscana (homemade, of course).
9. The Almighty Cheeseburger - I will always enjoy a good, juicy (read fatty) burger decked with all the trimmings...lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, mustard and mayo. A good "gourmet" burger is always good too. I love switching things up and having a Bonsai Burger from Red Robin or any other fun switch up to the traditional cheeseburger. But really, sometimes, it's best to not mess with tried and true.
10. Bread and other Grains - I love bread and I love grains. All sorts. They are just delicious and I am grateful for them all.
This one is going to be so hard for me. I really love food so narrowing it all down to just 10 should definitely be a challenge. Maybe I will have to put in a few extras or do big groups of food for some things.
1. Fruits - If I had to pick an overall favorite I would choose fresh raspberries (has to be fresh). Mmmm. But I also really love strawberries and blueberries (only fresh blueberries though -- something about the texture of frozen blueberries icks me out) and all melons (especially cantaloupe, food poisoning risks and all, I will still eat it) peaches and pineapple. I eat apples, bananas and oranges regularly because they are always available and always pretty good regardless of the season. I also love mangoes, cherries and pomegranates but they are expensive and not readily available so they are definitely a treat. I am not a fan of coconut at all. I'm still grateful for it though because Indian food would just not be the same without coconut milk. Oh, and we can't forget avocados or tomatoes; they are both technically fruit and I LOVE both, so I am very grateful for them.
2. Vegetables - Mmmm...vegetables. I will never understand people who say they don't like vegetables. I L.O.V.E. veggies. Favorites are asparagus, broccoli, onions, zucchini, bell peppers, yellow (summer) squash, spaghetti squash, romaine/red/green/iceberg lettuce (I love salads), artichokes (fresh, not the yucky canned things), cauliflower, cucumbers and green beans.
3. Italian Food - Lasagna is probably my top favorite, but I love it all.
4. Americanized Chinese Food - I've never had PF Changs or anything like that and I hear those are more authentic Chinese. I just like a good plate of sweet and sour chicken, fried rice and an egg roll. I'm a big fan of moo goo gai pan, broccoli chicken or beef, lemon chicken, cashew chicken and chicken almond-ding.
5. Yogurt - No matter how much other meat and dairy I give up, I can never totally give up yogurt. It is my indulgence.
6. Beans - The perfect protein boost for vegans, vegetarians and whatever we are (which is neither - but we definitely eat less meat than the average American. My favorite will always be black beans but I have come to love most of them. Chickpeas are probably at the bottom of my list, but I have even found some yummy recipes with those.
7. Chocolate - Enough said.
8. Soups - I grew up in a soup household and mine will be the same. In fact, my mom is so pro-soup and has that so well ingrained in me that I didn't even know some people weren't soup families until I was in my early 20s! Apparently some people don't consider soup meal-worthy. It's like a side dish or an appetizer or something. Not at our house. We love minestrone, bean soups, lentil soups, taco soup, all manner of veggie soups and even some naughty ones like broccoli-cheese, cheddar chowder and zuppa toscana (homemade, of course).
9. The Almighty Cheeseburger - I will always enjoy a good, juicy (read fatty) burger decked with all the trimmings...lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, ketchup, mustard and mayo. A good "gourmet" burger is always good too. I love switching things up and having a Bonsai Burger from Red Robin or any other fun switch up to the traditional cheeseburger. But really, sometimes, it's best to not mess with tried and true.
10. Bread and other Grains - I love bread and I love grains. All sorts. They are just delicious and I am grateful for them all.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Gratitude Challenge - Day 8
10 Modern Inventions You are Grateful for:
1. Music Listening Devices - I love, love, love to listen to music and I can't imagine how sad my life would be without the ability to do this. I can listen to the radio, to CDs and mp3 files, directly from the internet and even on my TV (and we don't even have cable!). Music is so readily available these days and I love it...although there is definitely some trashy music I could do without.
2. Plumbing - It is a good thing I was born during this time period of the world. I would be a wreck without showers and flush toilets and all the other great things that come by having running water.
3. Water Heaters - As great as having a shower is, it would really stink if they were all cold showers. Owen experienced that almost his entire mission and I think I would almost rather go without a shower than have a cold one every day. So, I'm grateful for hot water and you should probably be grateful for it too, because you don't want to smell me when I haven't showered in a few days.
4. Heat - I am a total wimp when it comes to my body temperature not feeling just right. I don't like to be cold at all.
5. Air Conditioning and Ceiling Fans - As much as I dislike being cold, I don't like being hot either. It may take a good 75+ degrees for me to actually call a house hot inside, but once it gets to that point, I am grateful for AC. Owen and I spent our first summer married without AC and I remember our 3rd floor apartment regularly reaching 90+ degrees, and all our windows were North/South facing. Last summer our apartment was East/West facing and even with our AC unit cranking we still got up to 80 degrees on occasion. I was very grateful for AC then and I'm sure I will be grateful for air conditioning more than even for my first full summer in North Carolina.
6. Cars and Good Roadways - I can't even imagine life without cars. I think it would take me all day to get to and from the nearest grocery store if I had to walk and a good couple hours on bike. And the grocery store is one of the closer destinations to our house. Church would be really hard to travel to without a car, so I'm grateful I don't have to.
7. Airplanes - Without airplanes, it is a lot less likely Owen and I would have ever gone to the same University. On the off-chance we still had (maybe he would have made it by train?) visiting our families would be a rarity for sure. So I'm grateful for airplanes bringing Owen and I together and grateful that because of them we can continue to see our families.
8. Household Appliances (Washer, Dryer, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Stove/Oven, etc.) - My life is so much easier because of all of these.
9. Phones - I have always been far away from someone I love. I grew up with both sets of grandparents far away and the phone was always the way we talked because the internet was unheard of back then still. When I was younger the telephone was our only option. Phones have have changed and improved so much since then and now I can call family and friends while I am out running errands or doing whatever. Plus, with cell phones I can call long distance and have it be no different than any other call I make. Sure beats crazy high long distance bills or using those pre-paid long distance calling cards (remember those? -- they probably still exist, but I don't use them anymore).
10. Computers and Internet - Wow, have these changed how we live! My kids are going to grow up in a crazy computer-filled world. Miriam already knows how to do a million things on the computer and on Owen's smart-phone. Little kids soak up all the technology so fast! It really is a good thing, although it can be quite dangerous, and I am grateful for all the benefits of computers and the internet.
1. Music Listening Devices - I love, love, love to listen to music and I can't imagine how sad my life would be without the ability to do this. I can listen to the radio, to CDs and mp3 files, directly from the internet and even on my TV (and we don't even have cable!). Music is so readily available these days and I love it...although there is definitely some trashy music I could do without.
2. Plumbing - It is a good thing I was born during this time period of the world. I would be a wreck without showers and flush toilets and all the other great things that come by having running water.
3. Water Heaters - As great as having a shower is, it would really stink if they were all cold showers. Owen experienced that almost his entire mission and I think I would almost rather go without a shower than have a cold one every day. So, I'm grateful for hot water and you should probably be grateful for it too, because you don't want to smell me when I haven't showered in a few days.
4. Heat - I am a total wimp when it comes to my body temperature not feeling just right. I don't like to be cold at all.
5. Air Conditioning and Ceiling Fans - As much as I dislike being cold, I don't like being hot either. It may take a good 75+ degrees for me to actually call a house hot inside, but once it gets to that point, I am grateful for AC. Owen and I spent our first summer married without AC and I remember our 3rd floor apartment regularly reaching 90+ degrees, and all our windows were North/South facing. Last summer our apartment was East/West facing and even with our AC unit cranking we still got up to 80 degrees on occasion. I was very grateful for AC then and I'm sure I will be grateful for air conditioning more than even for my first full summer in North Carolina.
6. Cars and Good Roadways - I can't even imagine life without cars. I think it would take me all day to get to and from the nearest grocery store if I had to walk and a good couple hours on bike. And the grocery store is one of the closer destinations to our house. Church would be really hard to travel to without a car, so I'm grateful I don't have to.
7. Airplanes - Without airplanes, it is a lot less likely Owen and I would have ever gone to the same University. On the off-chance we still had (maybe he would have made it by train?) visiting our families would be a rarity for sure. So I'm grateful for airplanes bringing Owen and I together and grateful that because of them we can continue to see our families.
8. Household Appliances (Washer, Dryer, Dishwasher, Refrigerator, Stove/Oven, etc.) - My life is so much easier because of all of these.
9. Phones - I have always been far away from someone I love. I grew up with both sets of grandparents far away and the phone was always the way we talked because the internet was unheard of back then still. When I was younger the telephone was our only option. Phones have have changed and improved so much since then and now I can call family and friends while I am out running errands or doing whatever. Plus, with cell phones I can call long distance and have it be no different than any other call I make. Sure beats crazy high long distance bills or using those pre-paid long distance calling cards (remember those? -- they probably still exist, but I don't use them anymore).
10. Computers and Internet - Wow, have these changed how we live! My kids are going to grow up in a crazy computer-filled world. Miriam already knows how to do a million things on the computer and on Owen's smart-phone. Little kids soak up all the technology so fast! It really is a good thing, although it can be quite dangerous, and I am grateful for all the benefits of computers and the internet.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Gratitude Challenge - Day 7
10 Places on Earth You are Grateful for:
1. Idaho - I'm Idaho born and raised and there is just something about the wide open brown spaces that I will always love.
2. North Carolina - My new home. I love the trees and the much warmer weather. I even like the humidity and heat.
3. BYU-Idaho - Owen and I met there. We started our family there. Both earned degrees from there. There will always be a piece of my heart in Rexburg, on the BYU-Idaho campus and at University Village, the place we called home for 5+ years.
4. Outdoors - I love nature and being in it, just not sleeping in it. I value flush toilets, bug free living and cleanliness too much to enjoy camping. But I love to hike and be surrounded by trees and mountains and trails and streams and all that good outdoorsy stuff. It is so easy for me to see all the beauty God has placed on this earth for us when I am out in it.
5. My Own Little Apartment - It's quaint and homey and I love it. It's nice to have some space to call my own.
6. The Temple - I miss having one five minutes (probably not even that long) from me, but I am grateful to have one in the same state, at least.
7. My Parent's Home - I love being at my parent's house. It is cozy and calm and everyone who walks through the door feels at home (at least that's what everyone tells me -- because for me it was home so I imagine it will always have that feel to me).
8. Italy - My family has lots of roots to Sicily and I love having an Italian heritage. But my gratitude for Italy is a little more superficial than ancestry. I really love Italian food, so I am grateful for a place with so much good food. Hopefully I will get to visit someday and experience it all for real.
9. Restaurants - As much as Owen and I love to cook, we love to eat out too. It's just nice to have something different sometimes, not to mention, they clean up. I'm a huge fan of that part.
10. Craft/Fabric Stores - I'm a crafter through and through and I definitely feel a little pitter-patter in my heart when I walk through the doors of a craft or fabric store. I could spend hours and hours and hours in there if I could justify it. When I have my girls with me though, I'm usually on a mission to get what I need and get out before they break something or cause a scene. And really, that's probably a very good thing because I don't need to waste all my time or money on crafts.
1. Idaho - I'm Idaho born and raised and there is just something about the wide open brown spaces that I will always love.
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2. North Carolina - My new home. I love the trees and the much warmer weather. I even like the humidity and heat.
3. BYU-Idaho - Owen and I met there. We started our family there. Both earned degrees from there. There will always be a piece of my heart in Rexburg, on the BYU-Idaho campus and at University Village, the place we called home for 5+ years.
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4. Outdoors - I love nature and being in it, just not sleeping in it. I value flush toilets, bug free living and cleanliness too much to enjoy camping. But I love to hike and be surrounded by trees and mountains and trails and streams and all that good outdoorsy stuff. It is so easy for me to see all the beauty God has placed on this earth for us when I am out in it.
5. My Own Little Apartment - It's quaint and homey and I love it. It's nice to have some space to call my own.
6. The Temple - I miss having one five minutes (probably not even that long) from me, but I am grateful to have one in the same state, at least.
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7. My Parent's Home - I love being at my parent's house. It is cozy and calm and everyone who walks through the door feels at home (at least that's what everyone tells me -- because for me it was home so I imagine it will always have that feel to me).
8. Italy - My family has lots of roots to Sicily and I love having an Italian heritage. But my gratitude for Italy is a little more superficial than ancestry. I really love Italian food, so I am grateful for a place with so much good food. Hopefully I will get to visit someday and experience it all for real.
9. Restaurants - As much as Owen and I love to cook, we love to eat out too. It's just nice to have something different sometimes, not to mention, they clean up. I'm a huge fan of that part.
10. Craft/Fabric Stores - I'm a crafter through and through and I definitely feel a little pitter-patter in my heart when I walk through the doors of a craft or fabric store. I could spend hours and hours and hours in there if I could justify it. When I have my girls with me though, I'm usually on a mission to get what I need and get out before they break something or cause a scene. And really, that's probably a very good thing because I don't need to waste all my time or money on crafts.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Gratitude Challenge - Day 6
10 Things About Today You are Grateful for:
1. My Visiting Teacher - I have the best visiting teacher. I have been lucky enough to have an awesome teacher for the past 3 or 4 years (not all the same person even) and I love it. I love having someone who not only wants to come see me and genuinely cares how I'm doing but who talks to me frequently because I am a friend and not just a check on her to-do list.
2. Having Owen Home for Lunch - He doesn't always get to come home for lunch and lately he's been so busy at work that he is at work for lunch more days than he is home, but he was home today.
3. Good News - This one is technically from yesterday, but I got some really good news that still has me smiling today. I love getting good news, especially news that you've been hoping and praying and waiting for. Too bad I can't tell you what it is, huh?
4. Shindigs with Family - My niece, Linlee, turned one on Saturday so we got together with family to celebrate tonight and eat cake.
5. A Nap - Both girls woke up at 5:30 because Liesl had pooped (which never happens in the middle of the night) and she was screaming...which is why Miriam was up too. After getting the problem solved, I got them both back to sleep, but I couldn't. So, by 10:30 when I was dragging, I knew I would need a nap. My sweet Miriam agreed to let me if I would let her watch TV.
6. Leftovers for Lunch - I love when lunchtime rolls around and I have leftovers all ready for me to eat. It makes lunch so fast and easy. I just make the girls sandwiches or quesadillas or something else fast and easy and I get to eat my leftovers.
7. Menu Planning - I actually don't mind menu planning like a lot of other people seem to, but that might be because I like to cook and I have a really large repertoire to work from. So, today, I knew exactly what I was making and had all my ingredients ready and it made dinner prep easy and fast. I'm not a fan of not knowing what to make for dinner or not having all the ingredients for something I want to make. I like when I feel organized and my life runs smoothly and it did today.
8. Early Mornings - As tired as I was from being awake earlier than usual, I was able to get showered and ready for the day before my kids woke up and that always makes my day go better.
10. Watching Miriam and Liesl Together - My girls really are best friends and like all best friends they have their moments where they fight and don't get along, but most of the time they are really sweet together. I love to watch them play and read and pretend together.
1. My Visiting Teacher - I have the best visiting teacher. I have been lucky enough to have an awesome teacher for the past 3 or 4 years (not all the same person even) and I love it. I love having someone who not only wants to come see me and genuinely cares how I'm doing but who talks to me frequently because I am a friend and not just a check on her to-do list.
2. Having Owen Home for Lunch - He doesn't always get to come home for lunch and lately he's been so busy at work that he is at work for lunch more days than he is home, but he was home today.
3. Good News - This one is technically from yesterday, but I got some really good news that still has me smiling today. I love getting good news, especially news that you've been hoping and praying and waiting for. Too bad I can't tell you what it is, huh?
4. Shindigs with Family - My niece, Linlee, turned one on Saturday so we got together with family to celebrate tonight and eat cake.
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| ice cream - yum |
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| white chocolate bunny ear - yum |
5. A Nap - Both girls woke up at 5:30 because Liesl had pooped (which never happens in the middle of the night) and she was screaming...which is why Miriam was up too. After getting the problem solved, I got them both back to sleep, but I couldn't. So, by 10:30 when I was dragging, I knew I would need a nap. My sweet Miriam agreed to let me if I would let her watch TV.
6. Leftovers for Lunch - I love when lunchtime rolls around and I have leftovers all ready for me to eat. It makes lunch so fast and easy. I just make the girls sandwiches or quesadillas or something else fast and easy and I get to eat my leftovers.
7. Menu Planning - I actually don't mind menu planning like a lot of other people seem to, but that might be because I like to cook and I have a really large repertoire to work from. So, today, I knew exactly what I was making and had all my ingredients ready and it made dinner prep easy and fast. I'm not a fan of not knowing what to make for dinner or not having all the ingredients for something I want to make. I like when I feel organized and my life runs smoothly and it did today.
8. Early Mornings - As tired as I was from being awake earlier than usual, I was able to get showered and ready for the day before my kids woke up and that always makes my day go better.
9. A Clean Kitchen - I wish I could say my kitchen was clean all the time, but Owen and I have a tendency to go in waves. Sometimes it is really clean and sometimes it is really messy, not ever in between though. Having a tight kitchen seems to amplify this. With only 3 or 4 feet of total counter space, it is easy to have them all covered and then the kitchen looks like a disaster. The blessing of this, though, is that even when the kitchen looks like a bomb went off, it usually only takes an hour or less to have everything spotless again (including the floor). And today it is clean already, so it should take about 10 minutes to clean up dinner.
10. Watching Miriam and Liesl Together - My girls really are best friends and like all best friends they have their moments where they fight and don't get along, but most of the time they are really sweet together. I love to watch them play and read and pretend together.
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