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.