A Month

It's been nearly a month since I last posted, and like I told Todd yesterday, time is flying! It's hard to believe he graduates in less than two weeks, that Thanksgiving is already over, and that Christmas will be here in 3 weeks. We are hearing rumors swirling that our temple in Kansas City will have its dedication sometime in March, so we are getting really excited about that here!

November was a really busy and fun month. The first weekend, I went with about 16 other girls from our ward and the JRC to Time Out for Women. I just went to the Saturday sessions, but the speakers were fun, and our music was provided by Jericho Road. The overall message I found myself leaving with was that of wanting to serve others, to spend the time and resources I have helping others who have less than myself. I really remembered the love I have for the other countries I've visited, and I want to go back to them and do something for others someday. I think this will have to be a lifelong goal, as we're not in the position to take a lot of time and resources to do this now, but I hope Heavenly Father will bless us with those opportunities somewhere along the way.

Below is a picture of Jericho Road. My pictures didn't come out great, but I had a great time!

The following weekend, I traveled back East to see my family. Deklyn, my new nephew, made an early appearance, so we spent a lot of time at the hospital going in to see him, and supporting Jess and Joey while they were there. Every day, he got stronger, and he's now home, and we are so grateful.

I spent a lot of time being Auntie Megan, which I love. Ari is at an awesome age where he is talking a lot. He is a bright, happy kid and so fun to be around. We learned Spanish, played Mr. Potato Head, visited baby brother, and took lots of pictures!

 One day, we took a trip out to the local reservoir. I love the rolling mountains of Pennyslvania, and it was nice to take a drive like we would when I was little. We packed up the car, and did just a little bit of hiking (the perfect amount, haha). They were beginning to set up their Christmas lights, and it was a fun day.

After a very long and arduous return home--which came after a delayed/cancelled flight, a next day flight that was also delayed, a missed connection, and an 8-hour long stay in Cleveland's airport with a new-found traveling buddy, life started right back up again. I had a few days before Thanksgiving break, which was wonderful!

I slept in, spent time with Todd, ate dinner with some great friends here, and did some online shopping :) I've decided I just don't like the "trample or be trampled" mentality of shoppers in America, and I really don't need anything bad enough to stay up late or get up early and deal with the crazy. Todd and I instead went to a local Brazilian restaurant and got some very traditional Brazilian food, and Todd got to practice LOTS of his portuguese, so that was really neat. We hit the local bakery of one of my teaching teammates, and headed to Best Buy so Todd could get one of his Christmas presents :) Saturday and Sunday were spent relaxing and eating and eating some more...overall, it was a really great break!

This past weekend, we were both pretty worn out. Todd is in "finals mode" which means he has been at school late AND early, trying to finish up presentations and papers, and wrapping up his law school experience. We have been testing our little thirds to death at school, and frankly I am sick and worn out with it all. We had a 3L party last night, and it was good to see all of our law student friends in one place before we all start to move our different directions. The question that always comes up is "What's next?" Our answer is still, "Don't know, but we'll be here in Kansas figuring it out!"

So there's the update. Once I free my camera from its confines in my desk at school, I will hopefully be able to add some Thanksgiving pictures, and then....graduation pictures!