Dear Santa

We have been really good this year! We have been staying out of trouble. Eating our veggies. Going to bed early. Working two jobs. Trying to save money. And being nice to everyone. So now as we reflect on the many things we are thankful for this month, let us also take a minute to tell you what we really want..

All we really want is world peace and to help those in need.

(If I say that it means I get more presents, right?) j/k

Let us being with the littlest of the Lyman family, Sophie. She has simple needs.. a fancy fountain. Mostly because her mother forgets to give her water. She does not want bones because she does not have many teeth to enjoy them and no toys as her youth is fading quickly. Perhaps a bag of soft treats would be just right. She will also take anything from the Sky Mall magazine. In fact so would I! That thing has it all!

This is the one she picked out, its $80 bucks! Ha, she's not getting it.

Mr. Lyman actually has a list this year, which is great because I never know what to get him. It is a bummer because we are extremely low on funds this year and will have to make due.

His list includes:

SCRUBS - Size Top Med pant med. He really like the "digital navy " found here He would also like Plain scrubs; any color maybe darker colors the SET , Found Here
MCAT study books - Because he will be taking those in just a few short months and anything helps. Found Here

Additional things He has not said he wanted but I think he might need/like: Newest Pirates of the Caribbean movie. A year of Xbox live. New white church shirts (french cut). New church shoes. He could always use a new sweater for church too.

My list this year is quite literally a "wish list". I know everything on here I will not be getting but it is fun to dream and once I save up some money I will hopefully get them The Shark Steam Lift Away Mop - Amazing. Bigger house means more to clean. Sadly I feel lame asking for it but its more of a need then anything else. I'm still trying to find a coupon for it.

Black flats and everyday shoes. These I do not have specific ones picked out but they would be nice. The ones I currently have are warn away and are starting to have holes.

Filtrate water station because I go through water bottles like they are going out of style.

An angel for my willow tree nativity , this one its technically not the one that goes with the set but I like it so much more!

but my biggest wish of all is my digital camera. I really really really would love this one .

My laptop will survive another year, duct tape and love are still holding it together.

Gifts that are always good for US: Board games, DVD's, and maybe a mini DVD player for out bedroom or something, and gift cards to movies or dinner.
So Santa, you jolly old guy, these are are hopes and wishes for this year. Our stockings are hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that you will soon be there....
Love, Zach, Sara and Sophie.

Thankful

This month as kind of a tradition I like to pick one thing a day to be thankful for:
1- Zach home early
2- my brother for being there when dad fell
3- skilled surgeons
4- air travel
5 friends that care
6- as always on November 6 my mother
7- being home with my wonderful husband
8- jobs and income
9- technology
10 - My new skill of sewing.
11 - Dinner with friends, sushi
12- The Gospel and the knowledge that families can be together forever, Goodbye Joan.
13 my nieces and nephews sleeping in till 930
14- my home with more space
15 Sophie for being a good dog and not complaining when I'm sick in bed all day.
16 FaceTime with family in CA
17 An education for my husband
18 Candace cheering me up
19 day date with Zach. Crepes in movie
20 extended family get togethers.
21 being sealed forever!
22 buying christmas gifts
23. A healthy body. Aside from the flu this month
24 food!

Check this out!

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted you to check out my amazing friend Heather. She is a new and upcoming photographer and her work is amazing. We grew up together and she is just so much fun to work with! A while back I did a mock bridal shoot with her and this week I was featured on her blog , you have to scroll down a bit but take a look and tell me what you think.

It's that time of year again

That's right dear readers, it's time for our 2nd annual "spot the deer" game! Are you as excited as me?!


This one is tough but look hard and see if you can find him!

I know

Scriptures that are falling apart, usually belong to someone who isn't.

These are the scriptures given to me at age 8 when I was baptised and became a member of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I have cherished and highlighted them for many years.

They are one of my most priceless possessions.

I am grateful for the gospel in my life. I have been so blessed because of it.

I want my family and my future family to know what I know to be true. I have a firm testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet and Thomas S. Monson is our living prophet today. He receives revelation for us and through his guidance we will be able to return to our Father in Heaven. I know that my Heavenly Father knows me personally and loves me. He listens to my prayers and is my biggest cheerleader in all things. I have a testimony of tithing and the blessings that come from it. I know it may not always be easy to "give up" a portion of your money, but I can promise that you will ALWAYS be taken care of if you do. This does not mean you will win the lotto and have excess cash, this means you will always have enough for your needs. Time and time again that has proven true to me. I am so grateful for temples and the knowledge that families can be together forever. I know that I am sealed to Zach for eternity and have comfort knowing that we can visit the temple any time to be able to have a place on earth where we can feel so close to our Heavenly Father and receive answers to our prayers. What a blessing it is to know that we will be together even after this life. Zach is my best friend and I can not imagine life with out him. I am thankful that he is a strong priesthood leader in our home. That he is able to give me blessings when I am sick and to listen to the guidance of our church leaders and make wonderful decisions for our home. I pray that my future sons grow up to serve full time missions and be worthy priesthood holders in their homes as well and be able to share those blessings with their future families. I know that Jesus Christ died for our sins so that we may be able to return to heaven again. I know the Book of Mormon is true, through this book we will find answers to everything. I love the feeling I get when I read the Scriptures, the inner peace and teachings in its words. I love to read the stories of Prophets of old standing up for what they believe in. I can not help but say it again and again, I know this church is true.

Zach also wanted to share his testimony.

I want to share what I know to be true. The gospel of Jesus Christ holds the power on Earth to bless lives. I know because it has blessed my life in so many ways. I have been able to see it bless my life and those I have shared it with. I know that God is my loving Heavenly Father. That he knows me in my life, cares for me, and watches over me. He has blessed my life in so many ways. He reaches out in his love into my life every day. One of the greatest ways that he has shown his love for me was by restoring the church in these modern days. God did call Joseph Smith to be a prophet of God. He called him to restore the truth and translate the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is another testament of the Truth. It testifies of the Savior and his divine role. It truly provides away for us to be happy in this life and the life to come. I also know that through the restoration of the Gospel, our Loving Father provided temples for us to do work for the eternities. I know that I will never have to say good bye to Sara. We are sealed to each other forever and eternity, This is the promise God gave to us in his holy temple. No promise has ever made me happier and I know that it is true. Lastly, I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I know that he came to Earth showed us the way we should live and ascended to heaven again. I know that he suffered and died for my sins. I know that my brother Jesus Christ knows my pain, my affliction, my heart ache and sorrow. I know that he is always there for me. Most of all I know that he lives now I know that he will always be there for me. and for this I'm eternally grateful.

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Could there be anything more wonderful?

If you're interested, click here to find out more of what we believe in.

It is my personal promise if you read and pray about the Book of Mormon,

you too will feel those blessings in your life.

Adventure and Surprises

I took a vacation once again without my husband. I know what you're thinking... what an awful wife! But judge not, because he actually let me go. He is a very wonderful and understanding man.

On November 4th, I flew out all the way to Indiana to surprise this girl for her birthday!

Jena had no idea I was coming, thanks to sneaky work on the part of her husband and I. And though she will admit it was "just pregnancy hormones" she cried when she saw me standing there. Talk about melt my heart... so of course I cried too. Sheesh, such girls. We went out to dinner that night with her brother and his family then drove back to their house. I got to meet Hoosier, their beautiful husky and was finally reunited with my amazing friend. We stayed up till 3 in the morning just talking. It was fantastic! Saturday rolled around and we finally rolled out of bed. We went to Sam's Club and ate samples for lunch, this girl knows the way to my heart. Ran a few other errands, attempted to watch a movie and ended up just talking the whole time. Then drove down to Baby's R Us and did a little price matching. That's right, my childhood friend is half way done with her pregnancy! I still can't believe were "big kids" now. She is having a little girl due March 20.

It is beautiful there. It reminds me of Utah, but smaller. I loved everything about it.
This was Hoosier, and he was always hanging around hoping we would drop something to eat or stop and rub his tummy. We became good friends.

This was at dinner Saturday night. Jena will most likely hate this picture and demand that it be taken down right away, but no. I think its cute and you can finally see her little tummy. Her tummy is so small you can barely tell she is pregnant. It's adorable.

Sunday we went to church and came home and did what else but talk! We finally convinced ourselves to take a nap, and when we woke up, Ryan was making us dinner! What a nice guy! It was very yummy too, Zach will have to take notes. Then we took just about anything we could find in the fridge, and covered it with chocolate. Yum!

So the weekend was fantastic and I miss her already. Thank you Ryan for all your help and opening your home to me. You are wonderful! I can't wait for another girls weekend, or perhaps a trip down here with peanut this spring?