Saturday, December 19, 2009

As I was just writing the title for this post I was reminded of a children's book called "Merry Christmas Mom and Dad". Remember it? If not- sorry for you. :)
Anyway- it's that time of year again, and I hope that by now you are all finished with your shopping, have all your Christmas trimmings up, and have had at least one cup of hot chocolate.
Hunter called me a couple of days ago to invite me to his 4th grade Christmas Program. Very cute. Here are a few pictures:





Farewell to an Old Friend


My very dear friend passed away this week. I met Jeremy when I was about 12, and there are so many things about him that I am going to miss. If you know me, you know how much I love to laugh. Jeremy was honestly the person who made me laugh more then anyone I have ever known. I loved his spontaneity. I loved his sarcasm and loved that he got mine as well. I love that our friendship was so easy. We could literally go years without a word, and then out of the blue he or I would call the other, and it was like no time had passed at all. I have so many memories of Jeremy that there is simply no way to put them all here so I'll just describe a few of my favorites for now, and maybe post a few more here and there.

-Years ago we used to go up to temple square and pretend we were from out of town. We did the whole tourist thing, even asked questions we knew the answers to. One time we were walking to the grave yard where Brigham Young is buried and there was a piece of sidewalk that the cement had been poured, but not quite set up yet. What else could we do? We made impressions of our hands and proudly declared it the Jeremy and Dawney monument. Another time we were sitting in front of the church office building and Jeremy suddenly became a talk show host who was interviewing me about my many (very made up) accomplishments. Because of the "show" we just missed the last elevator taking people up to the top to see the view overlooking SLC. Knowing that we were probably going to go to hell for lying to someone in that office, I pleaded with the lady there telling her that Jeremy had come from out of town (I wish I could remember where I said he was from), that this was his last day, and couldn't we please just go up for a few minutes. If you know me at all you know what a convincing liar I am. She let us go up. :)
On one visit we went through the Beehive house. I'm sure it was just the day- but we thought EVERYTHING was funny and couldn't stop laughing (common with Jeremy). I don't think they appreciated it very much. :)
-A friend of ours, Mark, was attending school in Logan and we had all gone up for a visit. (A shout out to Honey Pots and Ostrich Power for those in the know!) We were in the kitchen making spaghetti for dinner and I'm not sure which one of us started it, but suddenly we were VERY Italian. It was the best spaghetti I have ever had.
-Before Jeremy left for his mission we had some deep and serious conversations about life, about religion, about anything we were thinking really. I think that because we laughed so much, it was easier to share the serious side too.
-Once we were at Allyson's house and Jeremy told us that he had never slept out on a trampoline before- so we did. I think we were probably 25- I loved it.
-I love to sing- but few things in this world scare me more than singing in front of other people. But not with Jeremy. There were a few times when no one else was around that he would play his keyboard (actually I think it was Matt's keyboard) and I would sing. Loud. Strong. Off key. And loved every second of it.
-When he was getting ready for his mission He, Allyson, and I all planned this extravagant farewell show. Make no mistake about it my friends, this was not a program- this would have been an honest-to-goodness Toni award worthy, show stopping numbers show. Unfortunately, there are now rising pedestals or lighting racks in an LDS chapel so it was business as usual for the actual farewell.

-Lagoon (I admit that I was wrong)
-Bowling
-Vegas
-Clubbing
-Chinese Fire Drills
-Car accidents
-Deals ;0)

There are so many really great moments in my life that involve Jeremy. 20+ years of friendship make it impossible to put them all here. I love you. I miss you. I will try to be more aware of the people around me from now on. I will remember you always, and make sure that those around me know I love them. I will not take them for granted.













Thursday, December 17, 2009

Thanksgiving





I love my family! :) We had Thanksgiving dinner @ my little sister's house- Thanks Kim and Drew! It was so fun to get together. Being able to laugh and catch up over a great meal with family that you love is always a recipe for a great time! I am so thankful for:
*My family: I DO realize just how incredibly lucky I am to have such wonderful people surrounding me in my life.
*My friends: Old, new, those I speak with everyday, and those that I have not spoken to for a while. You have all had such an impact on my life, and I love you.
*My Freedom: We are all so very blessed to live in this country. I am grateful for the men and women who have made that possible in the past, present, and future.
*My Savior: I realize just how blessed I am to have the gospel in my life. I have been so fortunate to have grown up knowing that our Father in Heaven loves us individually, that families are forever, and that there is always someone I can turn to in times of trial.
*The little people in my life: you guys make me love life, and I get the most joy out of seeing you smile and laugh.
There are many many other things, but those are some of the main points. :) I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season, and that next year brings you only great things!