Grandpa Pace
Tonight we visited grandpa Pace. A couple weeks ago he fell & was recently put on hospice. The last couple of days he hasn't gotten out of bed much. So we hurried down to visit him, maybe for the last time.
we walked in at 12:15 while grandma was still at church and he told us story after story.
Something I've learned from Pj's grandparents the few times I met them are
1. Their family means everything to them
2. Temple work & missionary work & the church was their #1 priority in life
These two amazing people have traveled the world together. Grandma can't even name her great-grandkids anymore. But she has so many great family members & so many great memories.
These two served several missions together. They went to Arizona and served on a reservation in New Mexico. They went to the Phillipines for a while then didn't want to go home to Utah for the winter so they asked if they could go to Atlanta for six months and serve in the temple. They served there for six months and spent all their time off with their only daughter. Then they went home to Utah after six months. Two months later their daughter died in a drowning accident.
It was a blessing that they spent the last part of her life so closely with her and her family. They were in tune with the spirit and where the Lord wanted to be.
They accepted these calls without hesitation. They are amazing examples of missionary work and eternal love.
Grandma does everything for Grandpa now. and he loves her just as ever before. He said she's the sweetest thing he's ever met.
These grandparents of Pj's make me want to grow old with my husband. I love hearing about the life they lived and the faith they kept.
2014
2014 was an amazing year.
It started off with working at the child development center as an assistant teacher.
It was so nice to not have homework, to just have work.
In May, we went to Taiwan for a few weeks.
Traveling to Asia was an unforgettable experience.
I had so much fun being with PJ and traveling the world for those few weeks.
After we got back from Taiwan we got a puppy.
I had been begging for a puppy for over a year and PJ decided I could have one.
It was the best day ever.
I seriously couldn't even believe it.
He has added so much joy to our family.
We laugh at what he does, and he's a constant companion.
It's cheesy, and yes I know it's a dog.
But until you're a true dog lover, you won't even understand.
We love the little guy.
I started working as the head kindergarten teacher at the center.
It was nice to get my own class and classroom & also to teach more.
I love my kids a lot & they are so fun to work with each day.
The summer was full of soccer games, weekend trips and chilling.
I love the summer heat and the summer nights.
This year was awesome because my family came to visit lots.
Brooklyn came and stayed for a little, my whole family came a few times.
In August we were able to go on a horse back trip of the Tetons for a five days.
That trip was absolutely amazing.
The people we met were incredible.
When my family was here we went boating and had such a fun family reunion.
In the fall I traveled home for Brooklyn's endowment. It was great to see family for a weekend and getaway.
In October, we went to California and saw Minnie Mouse & crew in Disneyland.
That trip was AWESOME.
I didn't know I loved rides, until I was able to get myself to ride them.
I loved it.
We went home for Brooklyn's farewell.
That was bittersweet!
We are so excited that Brooklyn is a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
She is doing great in Perth, Australia.
In December, we had Christmas at home.
That was nice.
We were able to see both families on Christmas.
And celebrate with the extended family around too.
We had our same Christmas traditions, in a new place.
This year was amazing because we traveled & experienced the world.
But we also enjoyed the cozy walls of our own home.
I tested my boundaries & learned more about myself.
I pushed myself in business and at work.
We had trials, and through our trials found an outpouring of blessings.
Not everything always goes as planned, but the Lord is looking our for me & my little family.
Christmas Traditions
I love Christmas time because as my cousin stated so nicely, it naturally brings Jesus Christ and family all together and that is the reason for so much love, charity, happiness and service in this season. The traditions we do around Christmas time are either centered around Jesus Christ or family.
I love taking traditions from each of our families growing up and adapting them to our own family now. I love PJ so much and we have so much fun together all the time! These last few weeks of traditions have been especially fun.
1. oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree
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We love cutting down a real tree for many reasons. First of all, it's our fun little weekend excursion. We drive up to Idaho to the Brady's… we hike up in the snow and pick our tree. This year it snowed so much so we didn't get to pick it out, but we still got the weekend excursion to the Brady's. There are usually hats, gloves and hot chocolate involved. The hunt is awesome, sawing off even more in the driveway is awesome (ps, that was my muscles doing the job this year) and decorating the tree is so much fun. This year we did gold and red, and duke helped SO much with it all. Not.
Surprisingly, he hasn't tried to eat the tree and ornaments too much.
2. temple lights
I love to see the lights on temple square, and the most beautiful part of all is the temple itself. Temple square is filled with the spirit & the true meaning of Christmas. We also made a few trips inside the temple during the month of december. I love being in the temple. I love the feeling inside, and the feeling after we leave the temple. I am grateful for revelation that I receive in the temple. I am grateful the the Lord hears and answers my prayers. This testimony can be learned and felt all through visiting these Holy Grounds. Which is why we love this tradition to visit temple square at Christmas time.
3. Santa visits
We love dressing up as Santa & his elf being Santas helpers. This is how we deliver our treats & cards. We usually choose a few families each then start on the list. One family we were way excited to get missed because their young kids were asleep. The little girl told her mom we were the real Santa & that he has a sparkly elf. The next family PJ chose, the young boy spoke chinese. Santa spoke chinese with him & the boy was impressed Santa knew more than english. He said does Santa know Spanish? Santa said, "hola"
"Wow, he's good"
It was hilarious.
Brody was excited to see Santa at the next house. Then pj got a work call for those of you who know what he does on call know... He had to changeout of Santa into a Suit then back to Santa. -1hrlater- we finished with the Mechams and Ava was not excited to see Santa. But the boys were good sports even though they knew it was me & pj hahaha! Sydney has a grudge with Santa because he didn't know what she wanted ;) ;).
After our few more treat deliveries, we went to coldstone. They gave it to Santas helpers on the house.
Some people just add to the Christmas spirit. It made our days.
4. Christmas cards
This is our first year of Christmas cards. But I started designing cards for pace made designs, so I had to design my own. I hand painted all the artwork on my card and hand lettered the joy. Pictures were taken by my lovely sister. Sorry if you didn't get one. :) there were a limited amount.
5. As a bonus this year we went to the live nativity. This probably won't be a yearly tradition. But it was pretty cool petting a camel & spending the night focused on a the gift of Jesus Christ this Christmas season.
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