Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Day of Gluttony...also known as, Thanksgiving! All joking aside, I am truly grateful for this holiday. This year, I put up a little branch from one of our peach trees, and each day, we would have the opportunity to place a "thankful leaf" on the branches. Each day, I was able to take a moment to reflect on all the things, big or small, that I am thankful for. Some were silly...others more heartfelt; yet, all of them were meaningful to the person who wrote it. I enjoy having Thanksgiving right before Christmas. For me, it sets the tone on which to end the year and celebrate the birth of our Savior.

This year, we were blessed to have so many family members join our little family for our Thanksgiving traditions. Last year, we decided to start some of our own traditions. Since Laurin is engaged and Amber is married, we felt the need to begin our own Jeff and Alisha Southwick family traditions. We know our little family is evolving to the point that we will need to share our kids with in-laws and allow them to make their own traditions. Still, we want to have diverse activities at different times so perhaps they can always join in on some aspect of the holiday. And...just like this year, some immediate and extended family stayed for all of our activities and some joined us for just a few, but we all had fun. Stan, Kristi and their little family drove down on Wednesday afternoon to join us! Casey even came to participate in Wednesday night and Thursday morning's activities. I told him he deserved a medal of honor for bravery to come down without Laurin (she's in Europe). That evening, we went ice skating (just like last year). I think this is a favorite activity for everyone (even though I don't skate). The older kids caused trouble by playing tag and throwing ice shavings at each other. Oh boy! Jonas was initially discouraged that he couldn't simply get on the ice and skate fast, but he didn't give up and by the end he could skate a little on his own.

The following morning we started with an early breakfast at Cracker Barrel. We did this last year as well. I enjoy not needing to fix two large meals and everyone gets to enjoy whatever they choose for breakfast. 

Following breakfast, we raced home to talk to Dallin. It's been different having a missionary out now with all the communication changes. When Laurin and Amber (and Jeff and I served), we only received phone calls on Mother's Day and Christmas. Now we get to talk to Dallin every week and he gets to call on special holidays and birthdays! It was fun to chat with him. Following the call, we went to see the movie, Frozen 2. I thought the movie was super cute...and it seems most everyone else enjoyed it as well. 

After the movie, Casey, Amber, and Jacob went their separate way and we ran home to finish our last-minute Thanksgiving meal prep. For our Thanksgiving feast, Gma Thompson, Gma Penny, Grumpy, Katie, Greg, Aunt Tracy, and Scott joined us. We had 3 banquet tables full of yummy food but only 17 people to eat it! Needless to say, we had plenty left over! I enjoyed hanging out with the family, enjoying yummy food, and great conversations.

Finally, that evening, we loaded into the dump trailer and went to see the Festival of Lights in Spanish Fork. This time, Krystle, Jordan and their boys joined us. It was cold and a little snowy but fun! I loved watching Nolan and Jonas experience the lights. I love the magic that little kids experience this time of the year (and let's be honest...me too!). 

Afterward, we went back to our house for a hot cocoa bar.

It was a busy day. There was plenty to do. for everyone. We were so grateful to be able to see everyone at some point (even Brad came over on Friday morning to join us for a couple hours). We are truly blessed to surrounded by family. I couldn't ask for a better family of origin or by marriage. I am grateful to have a home big enough to welcome everyone into it. I am grateful to have traditions that entice everyone to come home for part of the holidays. I am grateful for the holiday season and look forward to more time with family and friends!

Southwick siblings...minus Julie (and Greg).

Constanza, Dominican Republic

For the past 3 months, Dallin has been serving in Constanza in the Dominican Republic with Elder Leemaster from Georgia. Today he left! I can't believe he's already on to his second area and second companion. He has loved Constanza. It's the highest altitude in all the island. The landscape is a lush green with beautiful waterfalls and crazy agricultural fields on the hillsides. He has loved that the weather hasn't been too hot or humid. He arrived on the island during hurricane season so there was tons of rain and thunderstorms. On one occasion, a mudslide inundated a few houses. Dallin was so excited because it gave him an opportunity to do something that didn't require language fluency. He loved the opportunities he got to shovel mud out of houses or make concrete to pour into tires to create poles for a volleyball net. The language has been his most difficult struggle. He expressed discouragement as he sat in hour long branch council meetings (as the second counselor in the branch presidency) and not understand what was going on, r try to teach a lesson only to have his companion have to repeat everything he said so the people would understand. He loved the people and the branch but found it challenging to create organizations and motivate attendance without the command of the language. However, he discovered ways to connect with the youth through sports (and his ever present positive, optimistic, infectious attitude). He met people whose hearts were open to the gospel message, even if life circumstances prevented them from being baptized or provided an obstacle to activity (e.g., Melvin and Dorca, Carina, etc.). He was able to perform his first baptism of a young girl named, Isarie. He of course had other adventures including getting schooled in basketball (after saying if he won, his opponents would have to go to church...needless to say, he and his companion went solo that Sunday), having a man answer the door with a shot gun, watching a boxing match...on Sunday, teaching English lessons, getting "kissed" (cheek besos), riding a bike then having his companion break said bike, and so much more! More than any of that, Dallin has experienced a subtle spiritual growth. He desire to study, learn, and teach is ingrained into every part of his being. His love for the people of that island has increased exponentially, but more than that, his love and dedication to his Savior is enviable. He is in the right place at this time in his life...and we couldn't be more proud of his service and sacrifice. Now on to the next adventure!

 

Quick trip to AZ!

On Monday (November 4), I made a quick trip to AZ. While driving back from Utah, Mom and Dad were in a car accident. Since that time, they have decided to replace both of their vehicles. Dad agreed to buy our Honda Ridgeline...hence my quick trip. I got to drive the Ridgeline down to AZ then flew back on Wednesady (November 6) morning. Now most people would think a 10-hour trip alone would be torture, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! I listened to Christmas music (yes, it's November now and yes, I am already in full on Christmas mode) and simply enjoyed the solitude. I actually have many fond memories of that drive. I've been coming to Utah for vacations (and even lived here for about 18 months) since I was a teenager. I loved quietly reminiscing as I drove through the little towns along the US89. I even stopped in Orderville to see my third great-grandfather's grave. I'm sad to say that was my first time stopping. All these years, I've driven by and didn't even realize he was there. He lived there when the early saints were practicing the United Order. I actually didn't know much about him until I visited his grave site (which Krystle had done on one of her trips and inspired me to do the same) and decided to read up on him on the Family Tree website. I am grateful for my pioneer heritage. Many of my ancestors were part of the early Saints who were driven West. Many of them settled areas of Utah and Arizona. Many of them were leaders...and all of them were incredibly amazing in their faith and strength! As I left the grave site, I wondered who would visit my grave. What kind of legacy would I leave behind? Or will I simply be forgotten? I guess the quest of our lives is to live a life worth remembering. I hope I can be that person that my third great grandchild will someday visit.

Next stop, Flagstaff! Tyler is going to school at NAU and had pity on his old aunt to find time in his schedule for a free lunch. I enjoyed catching up with him. I can't believe that my siblings and I are entering that stage of life where we have adult children. Thankfully, our adult kids are making positive choices and still think we're worthy of their time.

Finally, I made it "home". I know AZ hasn't been my home for nearly 7 years, but it will always be in my heart. AZ contains 90% of all my childhood memories. It was good to be home, even if only for about 36 hours. In that time, I hit a couple of my favorite food places, got a pedicure with Nichole, visited my grandma and aunt's grave, and watched a couple Hallmark Christmas movies with my mom. It may have been a quick trip and I may not have done anything super exciting, but it was just what I needed to realize "home" isn't really the place as much as it is the space it occupies in my heart.