Merry Christmas

It's Christmas Eve and I am overwhelmed with gratitude for so many reasons.

first, I just want to thanks my parents.  Dad gave us a Christmas thought tonight that really brought the spirit into the holiday.  We have gone through a lot as a family over the last few years and it has taught us so much.  It is amazing to see how we have grown.  Dad said the closing prayer after his thought - I am so blessed to have such a wonderful priesthood leader in my life.  And my mom.  She gives everything for us and doesn't receive half the recognition she deserves.  I wish you could all feel the Christmasy of our home because she does such an amazing job bringing the season to life.

Now, to the meaning of Christmas.  On the last day of school, right before our Christmas break, on of my students said, "Christmas is about family, friends, and Jesus's birthday."  Coming from a kid, this is pretty profound and he isn't just a typical 6th grader, he is one who has special needs.

I am so grateful for my Savior.  Here are some amazing videos that the church has recently made about Christ's birth.  You can also read the stories as they are written in the New Testament.  Either way, take the time to study out the wonderful reason we celebrate this time of year.

I have such a strong testimony in my Savior, Jesus Christ.  Ever since I was a girl, I always felt a close relationship with him.  I have no doubt in my mind that he lives.  I know that he suffered through the atonement so that we could return to live with him and our Heavenly Father again.  He made it possible for us to not only repent and be freed from sin, but he also gave us life after death.  He suffered, not only feeling the pains of our sins, but all pains. Alma 7:11-13 talks of all that he went through for me and you.  He is the only person who truly understands all that we feel, whether it be heartbreak, loneliness, or just having a bum day.  I rely on him so much and I am so grateful for the love that I feel from him and the way I have learned to love through him.  I love my Savior.  I know he lives and I know that he loves me and you.  I know that he is "my kind, wise, heavenly friend" like it says in the hymn I Know That My Redeemer Lives.  I cannot wait for the day when I will see him again.  I cannot wait for that reunion.

What is Christmas with no snow?

No white Christmas with no snow...  And that is exactly what we've got in Utah.

I am watching White Christmas.  My third time for today.  AND I still can't get enough of it!

Last weekend, my default best friend and I took an adventure trip to San Diego, Disneyland, and Vegas.

Nick (that lucky man) caught a ride down with us.  We surprised him by getting him to Irvine in just over 8 hours!  The kid thought we'd be driving for 12 hours since he was with girls...ha!  We sure proved him wrong.

We were driving down the 5 and the beach looked amazing.  We stopped in Oceanside to take pictures.  It was close to 4, so not quite sunset, but the colors, rays of sunlight, and big dark clouds, made for a beautiful day on the pier.

 I told you.  Isn't it stunning.

When we got back to my car, we were reminded of the ginormous tumbleweed that Cami had driven over as we were driving in the middle of nowhere.

My poor baby had tumbleweed all up in his grill!

Of course, we had to get dinner at my favorite KILLER PIZZA FROM MARS.

sooooo good!  Love me some Cluck Rogers!

Jackie was our host.  I am just the luckiest girl to have such a wonderful friend in my life.  Jackie just moved into her new apartment and it is looking so cute!  Sadly, we didn't take any pictures together - something we used to do nonstop.  But we did make a quick stop so that we could buy our favorite game...

Love Sequence.  Jackie kicked our trash all three rounds.

The next day, Cami and I kept it pretty laid back.  We went to the Palomar ward and got to watch their Christmas program.  Then we visited with Jackie's family.  They are so sweet, loud, hilarious, and honest.  After lunch, we took Sunday naps and then made another stop at Killer Pizza just to visit my high school friends and watch the Chargers win!

love them.

And of course we had to get my favorite Mr. Taco...

sopes sopes sopes!

Monday was our designated Disneyland day...those pictures are coming soon!

another Thork Christmas card.

Check it!

tis the season

So, if you don't know already, Utah hasn't really gotten much snow for this time of year.  It doesn't even feel like Christmas and it is just around the corner.  School also gets out a lot earlier this year than it did last year and I am definitely scrambling to get everything in my class ready for a TWO WEEK Christmas break!

It started to hit me this weekend, so...

I remembered how I have been listening to Christmas music since November 1st when JB's Christmas album came out.

I remembered how I have visited Temple Square approximately three times already.

Then I...

 made a gingerbread house/castle

and I...

decorated my classroom with snowflakes.

I also...

made lots and lots of toffee,

followed by...

a few batches of oreo rice krispies (or santa's coal as Brady so cleverly named it!).

While watching White Christmas on repeat.

Now, if those things don't just scream Christmas, I don't know what else can!

P.S. I am going home to San Diego for a few days on Saturday! yayyyyy