Earlier this week I drove down to St George for a quick, solo work trip, secretly planning on ditching out on work and lounging around for a week in the warm southern Utah sun. Unfortunately it didn't work out that way, but I did take some time on Monday night for a quick slice of pizza and some cruising around the city. I've been to St George multiple times, usually with friends, but it's amazing what you notice when you're alone and having nothing but time.

As part of my sight-seeing I stopped by the St George temple...GORGEOUS! I snapped a few pics with my phone, wandered the grounds taking in the fresh scent of cherry blossoms, the warm setting sun and the palm trees. I love how peaceful the temple setting can be. I've forgotten how stunning it is in person, everything crisp white with a bright blue sky and red rock hills as a back drop. It may have risen to the top of my list!

Pay It Forward

The other night I dropped by Target on my way home to grab some milk and as usual ended up with a dress and tube of lipstick. I made my way to the checkout line, scoping for the shortest one and ended up behind a family of five buying the usual household necessities.  I set my purchases on the conveyor belt, but didn't put down one of those rectangle dividers as I was distracted digging for my wallet to find the coupon that would justify the dress. As my pile zipped up to the cashier I told her that was my stuff, I just forgot to divide it and JOKINGLY said to the mom in front of me, "unless you want to pay for it!" The cashier told us a story of someone doing that in her line during Christmas, paying for the items of the person behind them and how sweet is was. I guess this inspired the lady in front of me because she offered to do that same thing! I was embarrassed! Which is probably the opposite reaction you should have, but I was making a joke and she was taking it seriously! I tried to stop her, I even lightly threatened the cashier, but no deal. That sweet family bought my half gallon of milk and lipstick/dress splurge. Of course I got teary eyed telling myself NOT to cry and I can't even remember how many times I thanked her, I might even have called her crazy. As they walked away she said, "have a nice night and now you can pass it on!"

Pay it forward. You always hear of people doing amazing things for others in the news, but how often do you hear of them passing it on? How often do you have something like that happen to you, feel good about it for a few days then completely forget about it? Paying it forward is what I intend to do! I'm not sure how or where, but I will keep my eyes open for any opportunity and I encourage all of you to do the same!

Do you ever have times when you feel everything is different, but exactly the same? That's how my life has felt these past few months.

I have more responsibilities and have begun to travel more for work, which is great for breaking the usual office routine, but horrible for my waistline. Testing out the local restaurants is a must when you're out of town! I've also picked up a new hobby with Casey, though it's quite clear who is better between the two of us. Her natural athleticism puts me to shame, but I'm feeling stronger and braver each week so hopefully one day I can catch up. I've also forced  myself into a weekly gym schedule that has me aching every morning and asleep by ten o'clock almost every night. It's a little sad, but beats my original schedule of cookies and Netflix. Most exciting of all, baby McEntire is due really any day now and I am dying to meet him! Tiny nose? Soft, wispy hair? Peach fuzz? Baby smell? Intoxicating! 

Needless to say I keep busy. I've started a list of hopeful spring/summer plans, something I hesitated doing since I have a tendency to never check anything off of the list, but I've kept it small and simple, leaving room for something big and exciting should it come up. 

There's so much to do and look forward to!

City of Light

 "Lipstick on my belly button and music in the air—thaat's Paris, son. What a lovely city! What grenouilles à la provençale. What Châteauneuf-du-Pape, what white poodles and white chimneys, what charming waiters, and poules de luxe, and maîtres d'hôtel, what gardens and bridges and streets! How fascinating the crowds before ones café table, how quaint and charming and hidden the little courtyards with their wells and statues. Those garlic-filled belches! Those silk-stockinged legs! Those mascara'd eyelashes! Those electric switches and toilet chains that never work! Hola! Dites donc! Bouillabaisse! Au revoir!"

-Letter from Paul Child (Julia Child's husband) to his twin brother Charlie


Doesn't this letter make Paris sound dreamy and exciting?? Other than the garlic belches and broken toilets I'll take it! O a trip to sunny Paris, eating my weight in gelato, wandering in and out of one bakery to the next sinking my teeth into fresh, warm pastries. Trying to "dress French" and fit in even though I know I'd stick out like a sore American thumb and doing every other stereotypical act a Frenchman would do. Well, almost every other thing.

       

         

pictures via Pinterest

Snow Day

Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, He came forth from heaven to live on earth as a mortal man and to establish the kingdom of God.  During His earthly ministry, He taught men the higher law.  His glorious gospel reshaped the thinking of the world.  He blessed the sick.  He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear.  He even raised the dead to life.  To us He has said, 'Come, follow me.'

As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always.  We shall learn to forget ourselves.  We shall turn our thoughts to the greater benefit of others.

~Thomas S. Monson

Merry Christmas!

A Christmas Carol

For those who know me well, know I LOVE Christmas music.  Listening starts secretly sometime in October and publicly in November and just coasts on through December and then some.  I don't get tired of it and I'm not sure how that's possible, but I can listen to twenty different versions of I'll Be Home For Christmas and love every one.  I have my favorites and seeing as Christmas is a week away and it's prime time for carols I thought I would share a few of those favorites so you too can join in my love of the seasonal tunes.  Enjoy!

O and if you haven't heard the lyrics to Were You There? you can view them here, makes the song even better.