Winter Goodness

Time seems to be slipping out from under me...where did December get to? December was good to the Hoffman's; we got a lot done and we were exceptionally blessed. The following is just a few of the things we've filled December with.

- After a 2 year hiatus, I got to use my board again. Spent the day with Jess re-learning the finer points of snowboarding..Jess gearing up

-Enjoyed nieces and nephews!

Tom totally stoked about the bouncy ball the size of his head

-All things Sullivan Christmas (which always includes the live nativity).

Roy the Sheppard and his flock (Tom & Cooper)-Stressing about handmade gifts.

Picture I drew of my father roping chickens as a child...proof that if you don't use your talents you can loose them.

-Visiting old friends and remembering our yesteryear's. The sisters Child...Colette and Carla

Even without kids of our own December and Christmas were wonderful. Here's to hoping the new year brings as much progress and happiness!

The Long and Winding Road

Only one week until Christmas and where do I find myself.....only half way through the list that needs to be completed. On top of the stress of the Holidays, our computer took it's last breath. Not really sad to see that thing go, but it just adds one more expense to the pile. So last night we brought home our new computer...nothing fancy, but a whole lot better than the stone age relic we were using. So the Hoffman's are for the second time this year re-connected to the world. It's a strange thing though, because last night after spending more than we should have on the new computer, I wasn't stressed about our finances. I just felt that we were ok and that we would manage to make ends meet. As silly and as insignificant as that sounds...that's just how it was. I figured we would just continue to hunker down and work like we always do. But today we received a wonderful monetary gift from Roy's work and it literally made me cry...not because I was so excited for the money, but because my peace was re-affirmed. So now I realize that it's not just us making the ends meet...it's our father. It's beautiful how some of life's seemingly insignificant events can make the impact that they do, isn't it?

Holy Snow Batman

A winter wonderland greeted us this morning. I was planning on driving this morning until Roy pulled back the blinds and said, "Maybe Jill should drive this morning."

What usually takes 5-10 minutes took 25 today, and everybody looked defeated. Jill turned up the heat and the tunes as we crept into work.

Day's like today remind me of my childhood. Those mornings when you would wake early and turn on the radio wishing beyond all hope that the snow had bought you freedom from another day of school. And when those days came it was magical; a day free of teachers, math problems, English theory, and all other school nonsense. You were free to bundle up, trudge out, and play. It was those unexpected days of freedom that brought a little extra light into the cold winter months. So now I sit watching the flakes being blown every which way, and in the back of my mind I think maybe it will snow so much that we will have to go home. We will have to go home, change into some comfy flannel Pj's, bring the water to a boil, and grab a good book. I know it's wishful thinking, but maybe just maybe....

Easy Silence

My goodness what a fabulous week its been...dare I say blissful. Turkey day was spent with friends and family and thoroughly enjoyed. We were up at 5:30 putting flags out with the scouts. This isn't the norm for Thanksgiving, but when your making up for Veterans Day you do what you can. Turkey Bowl convened at 9:00 and Roy and I returned to our ol' singles ward stomping grounds. Many a Thursday evening were spent transversing Brown's Meadow park playing ultimate Frisbee, and pick up games of soccer and football. It was fun to be back there if only for a few hours with old friends. With all the wonderful food that was indulged in, Roy and I decided that perhaps we should give a new work-out regimen a try. (Well lets be honest, I thought it would be a good idea. Roy is being a good sport and doing it with me). We are making our way through the first week of the P90X. If you can get past how annoying Tony Horton is and the fact that you can't quite do everything they are doing...it's a great workout! It's kicking my butt and I think even Roy's a little.

I don't know if this workout routine has anything to do with how wonderful this past week has been or if I'm just in sync with something deeper, but whatever it is I'm not wanting it to end.

So if I've been silent for awhile now, it's because I'm enjoying the happiness of life.

Jo Jo

I spend time a lot of time with this girl....a lot of time. I see her at least 8 hours a day 5 days a week, and sometimes more. The amazing thing about that is, we have not grown sick of each other yet (at least on my part that is). Jo Jo to me is:
A problem solver. I ask her what I should get Roy for his birthday, where we should go to eat, how do I get myself out of a predicament? And without fail she's got an answer and usually more than one solution.

Imaginative. The girl can go with me on any kind of strange tangent. Unrealistic scenarios is just how we roll. And roll they do.

Funny. Not many days go by where she hasn't brought me to tears or fits of hiccups from laughing to hard. Seriously, she thought she saw a dragon once (which really turned out to be a garbage bag). I still can't get over the fact that she actually thought for a split second....dragon. H.I.Larious!

Selfless. Jo Jo is a giver and there is nothing you can do about it.

Gamer. She loves her games...mostly word games, but she's pretty good at pretty much anything she plays, and she'll probably kick your trash.

Mostly Jo Jo is just a great person.

Happy Birthday JO JO!

On The Fritz

The "puter" is on the fritz so we have been seriously disconnected from the outside world. I find that computers (for those of us who aren't computer geniuses) are like cars. They are great when there are no problems, but once things start falling apart they become very inconvenient. So in the interim we will just have to work with what we have.

As of this past week we have in our possession some very expensive, and might I add very elaborate, timing equipment. We are very anxious to get going on our business, but in the mean time we are just trying to figure out how everything works. We may be calling on a few of you to come run some laps so we can get a feel for the beast.

Went ice-skating last night...probably the first time since I was 12. When I was younger I used to dream of being a professional ice skater, I begged my mom, unsuccessfully I might add, to sign me up for lessons. But in her defense I think my mother understood it was merely a childhood whim. Despite the fact I never took a lesson I was pretty good. (ok not like triple lutz good, but comfortable on the ice good). Last night I discovered that ice skating is like riding a bike...you never really forget how to do it. Best part of the night....beating Bro. Morgan off the line in our sprint race. And even if he says it was a tie, more than one person confirmed that I beat him. Worst part of the night....realizing I'm not a 12 year old girl anymore...I'm definitely feeling it this morning.
Hoping for some more snow here soon. Mid-November and it feels like September...even though its been lovely weather I'm needing me some snow. Planned a snowboarding day up to Solitude and wanting some good powder to enjoy. We will see.





Here's to hoping that the Hoffman's will be re-connected to the world soon.

Five Things

Five Things I don't leave the House without
-Purse
-Keys
-Phone(doesn't mean I'll always answer it...poor Roy)
-gum
-Clothes (I know it's an obvious one, but I couldn't think of anything else I always take with me...so deal)
Five Cartoons I watched when I was Younger
- Duck Tales
- Tiny Toons
- Animaniacs (seriously one of my favorites)
- Thunder Cats
- Gummy Bears (I can still remember that theme song...so catchy)

Five Things That Terrify Me
-Spiders
-Losing Roy
-War
-Screamer music (doesn't necessarily terrify me, but it gives me the willies)
-Listening to the ghost hunters on 101.9 the end during Halloween

Five Things I hate/dislike that everyone else seems to like
-diet soda (I'm with Haley on this one...I hate fake sugar)
-Twitter
-Scrap booking
-Miley Cyrus
-Skinny Jeans

5 Things I Want to do Before I Die
-Have children
-Go back to Scotland
-Go surfing in New Zealand
-Own a dog
-Being financially able to help others instead of myself.

Five People I tag
-Colette
-Jill
-And any one else who would like to do it.

Ohhh Come on....

Seriously, I think I might have a disorder of some kind...that is if there is a disorder for putting your clothes on wrong. I spent the greater portion of the day today with my shirt inside out. I finally noticed while looking in the mirror in the bathroom. This isn't the first time something like this has happened and I won't go into details of all the wardrobe malfunctions I've had, but know that they happen too often. Hopefully one of these days I will get my head on straight when I dress myself or I might have to revert back to someone dressing me.
That's all...

Good Tunes

Thanks to the Coles for this. I'm like'n it...you should check him out!

Another reason...

Today I have been dealing with some kind of pinched nerve in my back that is driving me to the idea of life without the left side of my body. The pain is especially acute when laughing, which is an almost impossible feat when you work with a girl like Jill. Maybe because I was in desperate need of a diversion, it was declared a "Kneaders" day We found ourselves at Kneaders trying to decide which dessert would do the least amount of damage when two police officers walked up and asked if we had worn our seat belts. Jill and I told the cops that we had indeed seat belted it up on our way to lunch. They than handed over a $20 gift card that someone had given to them so generously. Unfortunately, they could not except the gift while on the job so they offered it to us. So there you have it...another reason to love Kneaders...oh and to wear your seat belt. Free lunch @ Kneaders makes me very happy indeed. The only thing crappy about lunch is that I had to eat my salad with chopsticks...But putting aside the pinched nerve and the chopsticks, I'm loving Monday!

In Other News...

Today could be one of those days were I could lay it all out there for you...work, calling, life...you name we got it. It's exhausting and makes me want to break down some days. But I can put that all aside because for the moment it's snowing outside...and no matter how many times I get to experience a first snow it never gets old. It's a puffy coat and hot chocolate day, a blanket and book day, basically a good day in my book. So lets focuse on that fact and perhaps fill you in on all the recent happenings....

We have a new member of the Hoffman brood: Introducing Bristow, our 82 Toyota Landcrusier.

This fire engine red addition can best be described by Roy, "It's like me... a little rough around the edges, but dependable". I think it fits in rather well with us.

Boring update: Roy talked to his paternal grandparents on his father's side for the first time. Really a cool experience to build those ties again! Also found out that the white trash gene goes deep.

The hair experiment: A first time for me.

Take a good look because this is the longest my hair has ever been, and probably ever will be. It's driving me nuts so I might just lose my determination one day a decide to chop it, however it does allow me to do some fun stuff for Halloween costumes...take a ganderThat's a Bendy original. Maybe I could handle girls after all.

New calling same as the first: I was released as 1st counselor in the YW and immediately put back in. Speaking again in 4 weeks...not so stoked about that.

New calling, New Scriptures: After 2 years of marriage, I finally got a set with the right name. I always forgot that my old scriptures had my old name. My yw would always point out the fact that my name wasn't Sullivan anymore.

New name...no problem!

I'm sure there is plenty more that I'm leaving out here, but that should do for now.

Cakes!

Some of the reasons why I think this person is pretty sweet!

She's tough...like run 26 miles tough.

She likes 70's music almost as much as I do.

She's got the best shocked reactions, trust me on this one. Sometimes we just do things to get a reaction from her.

She was a great visiting teaching partner. We had a girl we visited that had dozens of cats in her

house. Cake's hates cats....classic. Here katie katie katie!

For a Skier, she's a great snowboarder.

She's willing to pull her poor stranded friend with her ski pole so I don't have to strap out.

She makes great Sunday dinners.

She's willing to get up at the butt crack of dawn with me to go cheer Roy on.

She's very giving.

She comes from a Proud town.

She makes scary movies that much more scary.

She cheered me on at the hill.

She loves my nieces and nephews probably as much as I do.

She is patient

She is a great teacher

She is just a Fabulous person!

Happy Birthday Cakes!!

Sometimes all you can do is TRY!

Sometimes when you don't feel like enough

it's good to remember just to

TRY

"My dear brothers and sisters, don’t get discouraged if you stumble at times. Don’t feel downcast or despair if you don’t feel worthy to be a disciple of Christ at all times. The first step to walking in righteousness is simply to try. We must try to believe. Try to learn of God: read the scriptures; study the words of His latter-day prophets; choose to listen to the Father, and do the things He asks of us. Try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible—and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you."

Thank you President Uchdorf for reminding me

of this powerful truth!

Today I needed it, it has improved the day's attitude already, and

helped me focus on perfecting my many weaknesses.

I've resolved to just try and keep trying.

Gray Happiness

Today is one of those days when you wake up to the sound and smell of rain, and it's glorious! Living in UT, I crave these days. If I wasn't working I would bundle myself up in a blanket, grab a book and sit out on my porch just taking it all in. Man, just thinking about it makes me smile. But for now I'm just content to watch from my desk and listen as it pelts the roof. Ahhhh, beautiful, wonderful, cozy rain...thanks for making me so happy!

From The Archives

While getting ready for the "great carpet cleaning of 09" we were cleaning out Roy's room. I call it that because I don't go in it very often because when I do I have a strong desire to de-junk...I detest clutter! During the purge I happened across dozens of papers filled with Roy's thoughts, memories and the like. I read through them and determined that they would have to make an appearance on the blog because, although it is my blog, Roy is so very much apart of my life that it wouldn't make sense not to. So without further ado, here is the debute of the "Roy Papers"

"I remember lots of stories, and enjoying telling them. I find that I have had some unique experiences, as all of us do. I just enjoy sharing them and vise versa. One of my favorite scriptures is in 2 Nephi and it talks about remembering for that is the key to remaining faithful...remembering what you're doing down here. I think if we all remembered what we all came for things would be a lot different. But that would take all the fun of mortality away. Memory is tied like a web. Each idea is tied to another, so the more things are tied together the easier it is to recall...i.e. I have a hard time remembering music and even learning it. That, I believe, is because I have no way to tie it to anything. Were as if I can relate something to the gospel or to running I will never forget it. In fact I will think of it often. Always thinking, ever sharpening the mind and its reflexes. I remember a lot of things that I wish I could forget, they are dark and unpleasant, but if one learns to gain from these memories or events there is no loss only gain."

Ever Changing

For some reason, as I near my thirties, I'm finding that one of the most difficult things to get my mind around is the fact that I will make a pop-cultural reference and it's completely lost in the younger crowd. This concept has been magnified being in the calling I am. The poor young women are completely unaware of the all the coolness they have missed out on. Their universe revolves around the newest phone and face book quizzes. I do have one young women who does share an interest in 80's music, which I think is just fabulous. But beyond that everything is just blank stares. It's been great pulling out Roy's vintage Nintendo that has the original Mario Bro. and Duck Hunt. You wouldn't believe the stares we got when we pulled out the gray plastic gun the size of a shot gun. They were laughing in hysterics at the dark age technology that we grew up with. So yes I'm facing that moment where my references to life no longer make sense to those younger than me, and that makes me the tiniest bit sad. It makes me sad that these kids don't know about John Stockton, Mr. Rogers, The Cure, Bill & Ted's, Nintendo, etc. I guess it's just another one of those growing pains we all inevitably face.

In Preparation

For the coming wintry months we spent our Saturday cleaning carpets (and when I say "we" I mean "Roy"). Consequently, the house looked like this for most of the day.

But now we have fabulously clean carpets to enjoy in the interim. Thanks to Mr. Roy for usually going along with all my cleaning madness...next week...the windows!

The Epic Relay

Yesterday, the sisters's Sullivan participated in a Marathon relay, and for all intents and purposes it was indeed Epic! Last winter Roy got the idea in his head that all the brothers should do a race together, but for some reason the brother's missed the memo and the sisters took over the idea (sorry Roy). The race consisted of 5 legs each 5.2 miles, thus completing your Marathon distance with only 1/5 of the pain!

First sister up was Helen: (battling it out up front in the gray shorts)

Helen got us off on the first leg and really kicked trash. Roy may have referred to Helen as a freak of nature, but of course in a good way...all legs, and built for running! Thanks also has to be given to Helen for finding us such a sweet race to run.

Second leg was Bendy's to have:

Passing the baton off to sister Kay

Glad I got one of the cooler legs of the day which helped in turning out a decent time of 51 minutes.
The third leg was entrusted to sister Kay: Private Sullivan kicking it in cut off sweats...love it!

Tom waiting for mom with Katie...all cuteness

Having served a stint in the military, we knew Kay would be more than capable of running a strong leg. She was awesome!

Fourth runner up...Ang:

The temperature was starting to climb by the time Angie hit the course. But despite the heat, and a minor choking incident at the aid station, she still pulled off a great time of 48 minutes.


The anchor leg went to Honey:


Honey may not be an actual sister Sullivan, but she is definitely an honorary one. She owned the anchor leg even while stopping to provide aid to a passed out runner. She stayed helping the downed runner until the EMT's showed up, and than went on to pass all the runners that had not stopped to help. Just fabulous!

We had originally planned to have all 5 Sullivan sisters running, but with Holly and Bruce returning to Mexico for another dig we had to put that plan on the back burner for a little while.
So although Holly was missed, we officially completed our first sister's Sullivan "Epic Relay"

Much thanks to Katie "freak'n" Shaw, who spent the greater portion of the morning cheering us on and taking care of young nephews. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!



And of course to Mr. Roy who took my place for the morning and cheered me on. Thanks for the Love babe!

Snip Snip...

Last nights adventures included an over-due clipping...

Roy's hair has a tendency to grow big and thick, and Roy has a tendency to not care if his hair is groomed to a public standard. I started to comment that he was looking surly and scraggly, but lately I've just told him flat out he's giving me the Chester the Molester Vibe. So when Roy said, "Should I shave my head?" last night, I was more than thrilled to grab the clippers and assist. It seriously felt like I was shaving a thick animal pelt...NASTY!

So for now Roy has dropped his surly persona and has busted out the beanies to keep his naked head warm from the encroaching fall temperatures. Speaking of which, I'm so excited for some beautiful crisp autumnal weather....there is nothing better, in my meager opinion!