What says I love you...

This morning I had to be at work by 7am. David is normally up and gone by then, but lucky for him he was still in bed. I went to my client's house and got him up and ready for the day. He has cerebral palsy, so we have a routine we go through in the morning. He has to do a vest treatment for 20 minutes. Getting him to do the treatment takes a little bit of coaxing and some negotiating since he doesn't enjoy it. So, once we finally came to a compromise, I started the machine. Then I shaved him, washed his face and put some astringent on (he has a way better facial plan than me). I felt a sense of love for him as I did for him what he could not do for himself. Then I started thinking about David, and what I do for him. Am I as patient with him? Do I understand him even when he doesn't say anything (my client can not speak)? Do I love him unconditionally and would I be willing to do anything for him?
When I came home from work today, our bed was made. David does definitely prefer a tidy home, but I am the one that is a bit OCD about tidiness and everything being in it's place. So, when I walked into my room, I realized this simple act was a way that David showed his love for me.

Blazin' Christmas

When I flew home from St. Louis, David picked me up at the airport and we had our own little Christmas together. That evening we headed over to the Trailerblazer's game. David's boss gave us the tickets and we were excited to see a live NBA game. The Blazer's won and even scored over 100 pts, so we all got free Chalupa tickets! It was an awesome game.

Christmas in St. Louis

Christmas

This year David was on call during the holidays, so I ventured off to St. Louis without him. My whole family flew in minus my hubby and another brother-in-law. It was wonderful (not the part where two son-in-laws were missing).

It is harder and harder to get everyone together since we are spread out and have our own little families, so this was a real treat. And, to make the situation even more spectacular, my youngest sister, Ashley, went through the temple. When we were standing in the temple all together as a family, my heart was full. One of the greatest purposes of this life is to live our lives worthy to be together as a family for eternity. On a lighter note, I was reminded of why my mom and I were often separated during church when I was growing up. For some reason, the two of us can not sit next to each other and be reverent. I nonchalantly pointed something out to my mom while at the temple that sent her into hysterics with me quickly following. I don't think I have ever fought so hard to keep myself from laughing out loud.

The week before Christmas, we kept busy entertaining 7 little kiddos, or possibly it was the other way around.

Science Center

Lone Elk Park- saw Santa's reindeer the day before Christmas.

Magic House- Loved this place. Why wasn't this around when I was a kid?

Decorated a gingerbread house (although most of the candy might have been ingested prior to making it on the house.)

My nephews could have spent hours in the basement making forts, playing hide and go seek and collecting treasure chests. They asked Mimi why she had so many treasure chests.

We had a visit from Aunt Ginny, Aunt Barb and Uncle Larry

Got to eat my favorite pizza at Uno's.

Ate lots of Christmas goodies: Homemade caramels & white fudge.

Enjoyed a non-traditional Christmas Eve dinner, Bethlehem style.

The kiddos did a live nativity. The angel unfortunately had to slip out early due to illness and Jesus only stayed awhile because it was past his bedtime.

Thanks Mom and Dad for letting us ALL stay at your house and for making it a memorable Christmas! I can't wait to do it again.

Forever

We met Allan and Shannon a little over a year ago when they moved to Portland. They had been married for a short time and Allan had just been baptized. They lived here for a mere 8 or so months and then moved back to California. While they were here I loved watching them grow in the gospel and watching Shannon drill David with her inquisitive questions.
This past weekend they flew up from CA to go through the temple. Unfortunately David was still down at Stanford so he missed out on the all the festivities. Friday they went through the temple together for the first time and Saturday they were sealed for time and all eternity. I can not explain the sweet spirit that was in the sealing room, but it was one of the most tender experiences of my life. While in the temple I was reminded of how much our Heavenly Father loves us and wants to bless us with all that He has.

Silicon

Valley, that is.... After our trip to Vietnam, David headed to the heart of Silicon Valley to do a rotation through the Cardiac ICU at Stanford's Lucille Packard Children's Hospital. So, I ventured down there for part of his stay, hoping to catch at least a glimpse of him. David unfortunately lived at the hospital during his 3 week rotation, so that's about all I caught of him. (I think it was a wake up call to the life of a Cardiac Intensivist, so he may be rethinking his desire to pursue that sub-sub specialty.)

I stuck around Palo Alto the first few days and took in some of the local sights and entertainment. First off, there is not a pleathora of things to do in Palo Alto, so I did a few of the obvious. I went to a Standford basketball game. Stanford lost in the last 5 seconds, but it was a great ending to the game. They were tied when Stanford made their last shot at about 7 seconds and then the other team's player hustled down the court and made the play. Bravo.

I also visited Stanford campus and went to the Cantor Arts Center and saw Rodin's collection of bronze statues including "The Gates of Hell".   Lot's of nudes everywhere...

My first weekend in CA, I took the opportunity to visit some friends in Santa Cruz. While I was in Santa Cruz, I went to the beach. It wasn't the best beach weather, but rain or shine, I love the beach. I walked on the pier and then headed up the coast to the Surf Museum and the Lighthouse.



Then I met up with Shannon and we went to see "New Moon" with some of her friends. I can't remember the last time I went to a movie on opening night, let alone a movie where people actually ran into the theater to get the best seat. And, to make matters worse, the theater was full of "tweens" swooning over Edward and Jacob. I could have done without the screaming, hooting, giggling and drooling.

The next day Alan, Shannon and I went to the Oakland Temple.   From the temple, Oakland looks like a beautiful city.  I guess the temple really can make everything look more beautiful! It was the first time the Dyson's had been to a temple visitor center so it was really neat to be a part of that experience.


  

One night David was working late, I headed to downtown Palo Alto to the Stanford Theatre.  It is this swanky, vintage theatre that offers double features.  I Saw "My Man Godfrey" and "The Thin Man". 

We spent Thanksgiving with David's cousin Jared and his family in San Jose.  It was nice to actually be with family on Thanksgiving.