Monday, January 5, 2009

ramblings

i've been on a blogging hiatus. and i hope you haven't worried about me, since my last post was about consuming an entire bag of [semisweet] chocolate chips. but i'm here. and i've kicked my chocolate habit, all in the name of healthier me in 2009.

my december was marvelous. my goal was to be done with all of my shopping, wrapping, christmas cards, etc by december 10th. i was close...i think i was officially wrapped, sealed, and shipped by the 12th. i really wanted to enjoy the holiday season, and since i'm a procrastinator by nature i knew i had to give myself a deadline.

since i was done, i was open to do a lot of other things that i might not have otherwise. i spent an afternoon working with a sister in my ward who does sub-for-santa for over 90 kids. wow, i don't know how she keeps track of it all. her house is completely monopolized for the month of december. it was a really sweet experience for me. i've always participated in some way or another with sub-for-santa. but i grew up always in neighborhoods that didn't want for much. the gifts we gave always went blocks and blocks away to people i didn't know. as i sat and worked with these lists of gifts for these different children, i couldn't believe how many of my dear friends were on the list. i couldn't believe they were struggling, because they're some of the most honest, hard working, and optimistic people i know. i love my neighborhood. i love the people here--they're some of the most genuine people i've ever met. i've been here for three years, and each year i feel more privilaged to call them my friends and neighbors.

j, mae, and i spent the holidays with j's family. it was fantastic. i bonded with each member of the family. i feel so much more connected to them, i feel so much more love for them, and i have so much more respect for them. i don't have any pictures of things we did, because mostly we just spent time together. and that meant more to me than a trip to the beach or to powells.

and now i'm back in town, but only for a few days. i leave wednesday to philly to be with my sister. she's being induced on thursday, and since my mom and dad are bringing the house down in africa, i want to be there to help. i'll be gone for a week, and will leave my 2 favorites here. i'll miss them fiercly.

but it's ok, because anything i can do to make january go by faster, i'll do. i'm trying to have a good attitude about it, but this is really how i feel about it.


i hate it (the cold, the dark, the wet, the snow, the short days, the not leaving my house for fear i'll die on the road, the dirty car, etc). i'm not sure the california is out of me yet, because winter just ain't my thang.

i can't say it was exactly mae's thang either, but she sure had a blast sledding with (mae's words) "her favorite."

she actually refused to sled with anyone else besides stella. they flew down those hills, laughing all the way. we wish nyc wasn't so far away, because these two are besties.

and tonight, j, mae, and i all cuddled under a blanket and enjoyed charlottes web together. i cried, and mae wipped my tears. sometimes i think she's the sweetest and kindest thing i've ever met.

2009 might be the best year yet.

14 comments:

Joy said...

cute little family. I have some pictures from the trip that I can post. I had a great time too, however I am feeling like I have not seen you forever now! GOOD THING for Biggest Loser tomorrow.

Stephanie said...

please give Amy a big hug from me.

Sharalea said...

Have fun on your trip & good luck to your sister! It is great to "hear" from you again through your blog, I always hear your "voice" as I am reading it!

The Livingstones said...

have fun in philadelphia - don't worry about calling back. you'll have your hands full!

Connie. Widdison said...

Heidi,
i loved this blog. you are definitely one of the down to earth people. i hope you have fun on your trip. i'm sure you'll be missed severely. <3

janae said...

Philly ... so close and yet so far! I could see you in two hours, but your sister will definitely need you full time! :) I'm hoping we get a job in CA (I don't have snow blood either), so hopefully we'll stop in Utah this summer and I'll get to see you then. I'm super impressed with your kicking the procrastination nature this last Christmas! One of the things that I admire about you is that you really fight to overcome your ... weaknesses? nature? Whatever the right word is, THAT. You are amazing!

darcie said...

Have fun in Philadelphia with Amy and her family! What fun to be there to help out and to hold the new little baby! I hope that you have a good trip!

Kris and Kally said...

I love you and everything you write and say...it must be the hormones, cause after reading this post, I'm officially crying! You are so blessed!

Sarah Johnson said...

Yes,I was a little worried about the hiatus and the chocolate chips....but I can rest assured now that all is well. What a great December!! Hope you have a great trip

Jamie Meacham said...

Call me when you get back. I am glad the holidays were so fantastic! Have fun, and I will see you soon I hope. I agree on the whole January being the depressing month, but then I've made a resolution to be more optimistic, so no January is a great month! j/k love ya

k e n d r a said...

thank goodness for skype!

Jake Likes BYU said...

The sledding was fun, especially the jump. BTW, I'm blogging again! Woot! Woot!

Terry said...

Hi Heidi and Jayson! We SOOO missed you at Christmas. I was hoping to get you to a big Robert Family meal, but then we discovered that you were at Jayson's folks. Nice! : > I'm on board with you about the whole winter/January thing. Ugh! We still want to see you!!! Give us a call when you have nothing better to do. Ya right...
Anyway, I need your mailing address. The one I have was returned. Can you send it my way? Pretty pls??? Love love love you!
Lance and Ter

Jessi said...

It was so good to see you on Tuesday!! Your little girl is beautiful! I hope we all get together again soon!! :)