Catch up post: Carmel's Birthday

Carmel's 38th Birthday: November 26, 2010

My birthday fell on the day after Thanksgiving this time. We had already celebrated the day before (for Thanksgiving), but my family was nice enough to still help me have a great day. Jason and Nalani woke up extra early. They went to one of the stores for Black Friday shopping (and vowed to never do it again). I was grateful, because I got a new iPod Touch out of their experience!

Later in the evening we had the ASL Sister missionaries--Sister Lovejoy and Sister Davis--over for dinner. They were happy to help us celebrate with good food and a birthday cake. Of course, we had a nice spiritual message in the end. :)

I can't believe I'm getting so old!

Catch up post: Thanksgiving 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am grateful for my family;

I am grateful for no school;

I am grateful for lots of food...

...and many more things.

We had a great Thanksgiving holiday, just with our own family. It was quiet and uneventful, but we enjoyed our time together.

Catch up post: ASL Silent Dinner

Our ward, the Oviedo Ward, has become the ward for ASL (American Sign Language) members in our Stake (the Orlando Stake). The members who need sign language interpreting or who are able to sign for the members come to our ward from where ever they live.

Today, November 20, 2010, the ASL members organized a silent dinner. Silent because they are all signing one another; however, it was still noisy from all of us speaking attendees. Whoever attended was asked to provide potatoes and a dessert. I also volunteered to make a turkey, because they didn't have enough people to make them.

We had a great time eating delicious food and visiting with others. Brother Hurdich taught us some signs, particularly that go with Thanksgiving. It was neat to learn some signs! Unfortunately, I've forgotten them already. :(

Catch up post: Return to the Temple

On November 9, 2010 I was able to attend the LDS Temple in Orlando after not being able to go for SO LONG. I was so happy to go. The Relief Society has a temple day on the first Tuesday of every month, and I was able to get someone to watch Leiohu for me.

What's even more amazing about being able to attend the temple after so long? I got to do Initiatory rather than the regular Endowment session. I had not done that since my first time, many years ago. What an experience!

I'm grateful for the opportunity to attend the temple.

Catch up post: Gifts from the Heart

I have been really bad about blogging, but still want to document some things I did or my family did. This post is from November 4, 2010.

I went to the Relief Society meeting of the Oviedo Ward, and we got ideas for making Christmas gifts that were less expensive and/or could be done from home and the heart. It was a great activity. The sisters who shared ideas had so many great ones.

Here are some pictures.