And December Begins

Thanksgiving barely gets over and we start preparing for December.  The first tradition?  Putting up Christmas lights.

With Aly gone, it wasn't quite the same, but Jacque enlisted the help of Kade and Brittany and Jade was all about helping.  I love our house at Christmastime.  We drive around the corner and with the white lights....it's just about perfect.  Many thanks to those who helped out this year!!

So Much to be Thankful for....

This Thanksgiving, I realized that I have many things to be grateful for.  My sweetest and dearest blessings are close to me and each day I kneel  and give thanks to my Heavenly Father.  President Monson's admonition helps to make each day a little brighter and each trial a little easier.  He said:

"Do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love."

Here are some of the things I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving:

A "good-morning" call from a son and daughter-in-law, wishing us a wonderful day.  Aaron and Savannah braved the weather and arrived safely (another blessing) in Henriville, where they are enjoying time with Savannah's family.  They are good examples of people who look for ways to serve and their example is a blessing in my life!

Even though I felt bad that Tyler, Jenny, and Jade couldn't spend time with Jenny's family this Thanksgiving, I am so thankful they are so close and share their lives with us.  We get to see our beautiful grand-daughter very often, and as they work on their new little home, Jade blesses our home with many fun visits.  Thanksgiving was at our house this year, but it was a small, intimate gathering.  Tyler, Jenny, and Jade came over early to help.  Well....Jenny helped us in the kitchen.  Tyler helped Brad watch a movie and Jade helped by....well....she just makes us happy!!

I'm thankful for a daughter who helped in every aspect of our Thanksgiving dinner.  We watched Food Network to get amazing ideas for our Thanksgiving menu, shopped the night before for all the best ingredients, and made a very detailed list of just when this "culinary masterpieces the likes of which we have only glimpsed tonight!" would happen.  Woke up early and enjoyed cooking together.  That was a great memory I'll treasure for a very long time!

Our Menu:
Turkey - my first attempt at cooking one all by myself  (yes, I know)
Noodle Gravy - a much requested item served up by Grampy

"Grampy's rolls" - yes, the whole pan was GONE - and there were only 8 of us!!

Mashed Potatoes - whipped to perfection by Jenny

Cornbread Dressing with Pancetta, Apples and Mushrooms - Jacque's creation
Frisee Salad with Maple-Bacon Vinaigrette - Jacque's culinary masterpiece

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranates and Vanilla-Pecan Butter - my attempt at a new recipe
Ginger-glazed carrots - my contribution
Cranberry Sauce - compliments of Pam's yummy recipe
New York Cheesecake - Jenny's
Pumpkin Pie - Jacque's first attempt at the famous "Grammy Payne's Recipe"

It was a wonderful feast, but the best part was doing it with my beautiful daughter, Jacque.  I had so much fun cooking all morning with her.  I love the way she cooks - so different from me, but everything tastes so delicious!  We also had fun watching Grampy teach Tyler how to carve a turkey....passing the tradition down!

I'm also grateful for our youngest daughter.  Aly was not forgotten and we all missed her smile and humor.  She has faced some "interesting" challenges and with courage and faith met them all.  I am thankful for her example of commitment and perseverance thru trials.

We have been admonished to NOT wait to express our gratitude.  So today, I want my family to know how much I love them and how much I appreciated each of them in my life.  Our family, my family, Brad's family, and all our friends help to make my life wonderful.  I am blessed indeed.  

It was a wonderful Thanksgiving!! 

Brad's Birthday

This post is a little late because life happened, and I wanted to have all the pictures.  (That's the story I'm sticking by!!)

Brad celebrated another birthday last week.  Since his "special" day fell on Saturday - which was the Gilbert Temple Ground-Breaking Ceremony, World-Wide Leadership Training AND Regional Conference, Saturday seemed too busy to get the family together.
We celebrated Friday evening at our house.  Jade and Jenny came over early which always brightens my day.  I introduced her to my piano and quite frankly...she is going to be a natural!!  We also took a walk outside waiting for family to come home.

Most times we go out as a family, but Brad is always saying he doesn't care and just wants his family to be happy.  But sometimes, he will say: "I sure like steak and shrimp!"
So, the cooks in the family got together and whipped up a wonderful dinner of steak, shrimp, and all the trimmings.  It was a hit and Brad enjoyed the evening mostly because he was surrounded by those he loves the most. (And Aly, of course!!)

It is very, very hard to shop and buy something that Brad wants.  That's the key word.  Brad doesn't really want anything, but just focuses on what he needs or could use.  That makes the shopping very limited.  Very often, his best gifts are the ones that include a heartfelt note from his children.  He keeps all of those in a special place and holds them very dear to his heart.  This note was from his daughter in Mexico and tugged at his heart.
Sometimes, we can find something that will delight and surprise him and this year we did!!

While in Mexico, Aly gave me the best idea for a birthday present.  I came home and worked on it and with the help of our artistic friends, we gave Brad something very special.  This phrase has been in the Weech family since I can remember.  It epitomizes the love and acceptance that Grandma and Grandpa Weech have shown their whole lives.  Now, it's something Brad and I try to live by in our family.  It's over his office door and personalizes "his space" perfectly!!

Another tradition is celebrating over at Grammy and Grampys house.  Since Brad and Russ both have birthday's so close, theirs is always a joint celebration.  Again, wonderful food is prepared and enjoyed by all.  Brad received a few more gifts he could "use" and it ended with his family around him......perfect!!

I am so blessed to have Brad in my life.  I have learned to serve and love unconditionally by his example.  He is patient with my flaws and supportive in everything I do.  I'm very glad we were able to celebrate another birthday of my very best friend!

Learning about Boutiques

I'm so grateful that I can continue to learn, grow, and have "new" experiences!! Hmmmmmm

During the summer, my sister-in-law Yvette- who is one of the most creative people I know - wanted to put on a boutique.  That sounded like fun, so I offered our house as the Boutique house.  Then life happened.  As we started to plan and create, our visit to Mexico just happened to land on the week BEFORE the boutique.
Enter stress level #1
So I try to plan, try to get my crafts done, and try to plan a week in Mexico - having great anxiety that just maybe I wouldn't be returning (see, that was UN-due stress!!)
Enter stress level #2
We arrive back in the USA and I have one day to get it all together before everyone who is participating in the boutique arrives - in our house - and also, to create oh, about 15 bottles of salsa, and help Savannah with cinnamon rolls, soup, and other minor things.  This was our kitchen the night before:

We actually had fun that last evening.  Jenny and Tiffany came to help, Savannah and I were in the kitchen, and Jacque helped in between studying and other school activities. We decided that we have some pretty crafty people in our family!

We had about 10 crafters with their very creative items to sell. 

(my sister Pam is amazing!!)

We learned alot.  Mostly, that items under $10 sell very well.  We learned that advertising is a BIG part of a successful boutique.  We learned that having "models" is a very good idea!!

(Sydney was more into the toys...and the drawer)

We learned that crafters, in general, don't make very much money per hour, and that you really really need to enjoy your hobby.  I learned that my family will always rally around me and my big ideas and that I always need them and they are ALWAYS there for me! 
Thank goodness for that!

Muchas Gracias, Mexico!!

Mexico was very kind to us.  I'm sure it was due to the prayers of family and friends, but Brad and I had a wonderful, safe trip as we spent the week with Aly in Teuacan, Mexico this past week.  It was a long first day, as we started at 9:30 a.m., and after a 3 hour flight, a bus ride of 2 hours, a wait and a 2nd bus ride of another 2 hours - arriving in Tehuacan around 10:30 p.m.  Hugs and tears came as we embraced our daughter in a very foreign country and was introduced to her "family".  After taking our luggage to our room, we headed out to dinner....3 doors down to one of Aly's favorite eating places and had our first taste of Mexican cuisine.  The final meal is usually eaten very, very late, but we enjoyed learning about our hosts for the next few days.
The next morning, "Magda" took Aly, Brad, and myself for a walk in one of their parks.  Since the streets are very crowded, very small, and cars in general do NOT stop for pedestrians, they travel to a park-like area for a nice relaxing walk in the cool morning.

Afterwards, we delivered flowers to "Chio", the 15-yr. old sister, who was creating her own "offering" for their celebration Dia de los Muertos - a grand celebration of sorts for all those who have passed on to the next life.  It's a 5-day celebration with each day focusing on a group to honor and remember.  Little children, accident victims, adults, all the saints, and a culmination of all who have died are the honorees of this celebration.  Chio attends a private school, which was very nice and very clean.  She is in a high school of about 500.  We came home to a very delicious breakfast, truly Mexican in flavors and textures and oh-so-delicious!

Aly's group of teachers she works with...and a few extra kids on the right!

Next up was following Aly to her "school" where they were also holding holiday celebrations.  We took a Combi - a gutted out van - and made it alive to our destination.  I can't explain the driving in Mexico.  Brad was enjoying the similarities to his experiences in Korea as a missionary, but for me....I counted it as a blessing we are alive and well.  Enough said!  At these celebrations, the offerings are very elaborate.
Brad and I got the grand tour of the ILP School where Aly spends most of her days:

Did you know that bobbing for apples in not a tradition in Mexico?  Aly and her friend, April, showed the kids how to grab an apple with their teeth and then they had fun trying it on their own.

April, as a mad scientist

a beautiful young girl, who tried so hard, but did not like getting her face wet!

After the celebrations, we were all very tired and came home, enjoyed some down time and spent the rest of the evening all snuggled together in Aly's bed watching "FireProof" on Aly's laptop.  We shared headphones and it was absolutely wonderful!!
Saturday was Market Day.  Magda took Brad, Aly, Fanny (the older daughter), and myself to Market for another yummy breakfast and some good bartering/shopping.  I loved all the smells of the market, especially the peppers - which turned into some amazing salsas!  Again, we ate delicious tacos with blue corn tortillas and beans.  Brad and I also tasted one of their "snacks" - a cricket...legs and all.  It wasn't too bad, but the thought of eating a cricket was a little too much for me to enjoy and want more.  Afterwards, Magda wanted to share her love for crafting with me, so Brad and Aly headed for her room for some needed computer clean-up.  Magda has a small craft shop she is intending to open someday, but for today, she taught me the art of "quilling".  She laughed - quite politely - at my first attempt, and promptly told me to "practice" while she petered around her shop.  With her broken English and my very broken Spanish, we were able to communicate very well.  Sometimes, I would have to say:  "Lo Siento - no entiendo!"  She would try to explain with her hands and we got along splendidly

Hers is on the left - mine on the right

Later that evening, we traveled with their whole family to Oaxaca, about a 3 hour drive.  It was a beautiful drive and we made a few stops to enjoy the view.  The family was very considerate and played both American and Spanish music.  They love the Beetles and played versions of their songs!

We arrived in Oaxaca later that evening, went to our hotel, where Aly found a tub she could enjoy, and we had air condition!  We all went to dinner (which is usually around 10:30 or 11:00 p.m.), then went to the city square to look at all the offerings and other art that was created and bought a few goodies for the family.  We ended up back at the hotel sometime after midnight.

These were made out of dirt, then spray painted...amazing!

The next morning - Brad, Aly and myself took a taxi to the Oaxaca Temple, where we enjoy some alone time, took time to read from the scriptures, talked to some missionaries who thought we might "want to know more", and headed back to meet up with the other family for breakfast.  The temple is so beautiful in a city where the buildings are close and crowded and the streets are very noisy.  Not this place.  There was a peace and calm that was felt by all of us.  We couldn't get into the gates, but enjoyed looking at one of the many "Houses of the Lord".



Next up was to Monte Alban and the ruins. This place was absolutely amazing. We happen to be there on a holiday for the Mexican people, along with the Dia de los Muertos holiday. Also, were some "sun worshippers" who were getting "charged" from the sun, and laying on the ground releasing the negative energy into the ground....weird! We all had to get hats because it was a very hot day....we look like such tourists!!

BUT - it was a lot of fun to imagine what Book of Mormon stories took place at this place.  It would be easy to see King Benjamin standing in the middle, with all the families and their tents in this huge temple area.  The acoustics are amazing and you can really hear across the flat area.  Or looking across the valley and being able to see the Lamanites coming in for an attack.  You can see forever from the top of these towers/ruins.  It was inspiring!!

(Can you see the Lamanites marching up the valley here??)

We traveled home late that evening.  One driving rule we learned:  A blinking green light really means "run!" or speed thru because the yellow is basically a nanosecond before the red.  It was a long day and we promptly headed to bed after arriving back home.  The next morning we went to the town square and had a look-around, visited the grocery store, and then enjoyed a very delicious breakfast with the family.  They were so excited for us to try one of their delicacies.  I tried one first and then, Brad followed.  It was a first, that was for sure!

Mexicans are very proud of their town squares!

Yes, you are looking a worms - a delicacy!!

We said our good-byes to this host family, and with Aly and her friend, April, headed on a bus to Puebla for 2 more days of sight-seeing and much needed relaxation.  After checking into our hotel, we headed to the Town Square for a 'historical' tour and some shopping.  Yes, we sent Brad back to the hotel while us girls did our shopping!!

A Holiday Express in Puebla, Mexico

One of the oldest Churches in Puebla

Inside - very ornate...but missing the "feeling" of something special

A historical monument - Puebla is rich in history and they are very proud of that!

A tip of one of two volcanoes surrounding Puebla....and  Burger King!

Shopping was quite the experience it went something like this:

I look around at all the beautiful stalls down the Artisans Market.

Ladies saying:  "Senora, Senora - mira!!  Muy bonita, si??"

Me - picking and choosing what I want and then turning to Aly and saying: "Do your thing"

Aly, in Spanish, barters a better price and pays.  Conversation in Spanish follows and I chime in "Gracias!!"

On the last day, Aly and April headed to the gym for a good work-out, and then with me,  spent the afternoon at the mall with a visit to Tony Romas, where the girls enjoyed some American ribs.  They ate a whole plate by themselves!!  Everyone who knows Aly will understand how much food that is!!  We met up with Brad at the town square in the evening and after our shopping.  Everyone was dressed up, parades of the dead, and so many people.  We found a place with yummy tacos and trimmings that we all enjoyed.  That is one thing I miss...the food was fantastic!

This was a wonderful experience for Brad, myself and even Aly.  We made a list of all the good things and not-so good things about Mexico.

Good things included the food at the top of the list - it was amazing, the salsas were delicious, and avocado was plentiful - which I loved!  Even though Breakfast wasn't served until 11:00 a.m., it was delicious and usually consisted of fresh fruit, fresh OJ juice and homemade tortillas - with salsa of course!!  The marketplace was filled with beautiful fresh flowers and all sorts of produce.  None of that preservative stuff we Americans eat.  Everything smelt fresh and yummy!

We took buses everywhere and they were surprisingly clean as were the streets.  Every morning you would see the shop owners cleaning and sweeping their spots. 

Another thing we noticed was the importance of families.  They were everywhere.  Even at night and in the square, the families were together.  At 11:00 p.m. or even later, the kids were out with their parents - which was mind boggling since school was the next day.  I asked the sister about that and she told me that was the custom.
The people of Mexico are generally laid back and quite mellow.  "This morning" could be 8:30 a.m. or as late as 11:00 a.m.  Even with the driving as crazy as it was (I just closed my eyes and offered a prayer), and basically no rules on the roads, the drivers are courteous of each other and actually help those who need to pass.  You would never see that in America!  Now, the taxi drivers do NOT wait for the people to cross the street AT ALL!  You had better be moving quickly if you cross the street and don't want to be hit.  They would travel down a small street - lickety split - and people just ran across the roads or waited.  Amazing!!

What did I miss??  Water!!  Not enough.  You could only buy water in the bottles and sometimes that was a little expensive.  I missed my ice machine!!  And also fresh salads.  I was too afraid to eat too much of that, so I passed and was fortunate to make it thru our vacation without any serious "side" effects. 

 It was hard to see the little ones, maybe 4 or 5 or maybe 6, pulling a wagon of miscellaneous goods to sell.  Some of these little ninos were up at midnight trying to sell some items for their families. 

There were a few Mexican customs that were hard to get used to.  Slamming the car doors is a no-no and trying to close the door and not slam it was an art.  Everyone in the house is very quite in the morning, so for us to arise early (you know, around 7:00 a.m or so), we would have to whisper, tip-toe and use the hair-dryer sparingly.  I also did NOT like the TP etiquette rules, but will not go into detail in this blog :) 

I was so impressed with Aly and her adjustments to the Mexican culture.  In reality, she only speaks Spanish about 5 hours a day with her host family.  The rest of her time is spent teaching English to the little Spanish kids.  She had to be the "take-charge" person while we were there.  She navigated each taxi ride, paid and bartered each time talking like a native Mexican.  After living in Mexico for just 2 months, it was amazing to see her communicate as well as she did.  She has learned so much and I am so proud of her for undertaking this challenge.  I think she missed us just a little and we enjoyed our time together more than words can express.  We relished the time we read scriptures together and prayed as a little family.  It strengthened me and gave me the reassurance that Aly will be okay for the next 6 weeks...and counting!!

 Muchas Gracias Mexico - for a wonderful experience without any mishaps and a memorable week with our beautiful daughter!!