So the holidays are here, and they are soon to pass. It's Christmas day, but our family Christmas won't be until the 30th. When you are from a big family, and many of the siblings have families of their own it gets harder and harder to have Christmas on the actual date. I learned early on Christmas is whenever you make it.

December is an emotional month for me. It is my time to take personal inventory. I evaluate what my goals are, what my hopes and dreams are for the coming year, and what I've made of myself in the current year. I think about loved ones that have gone on, and wonder if they would be proud of me and the choices I've made. Which always leads to the bigger questions.. Have I been all that my father in heaven wants me to be? How can I improve? What more can I learn? What can I help other people learn? the list goes on and on.

2009 Has been a year of assessment for me. I've never been the type to go forward aimlessly without a goal, but rather one that thinks through things, plans them out in my head, and then whole heartily goes forward.

I'm very fortunate to have the family that I do. My family is always there supporting me, catching my back when I fall, and loving me when I need love. I was involved in my first auto

accident this year. Which was pretty scary for me given the severely of the accident. My brother, Rusty and my sister Lori were there in a matter of minutes to help get me to the hospital and deal with things at the scene. I was overcome with the love I felt from my siblings. It was then I understood why Satan is trying so hard to rip families apart. Family is constantly giving us love that the savior would give us if he were with us, and helping us understand our divine potential. I mean how many brothers do you know that would take their sister to the hospital and due to a broken arm help button her pants and learn all about her menstrual cycle?! Then when I finally got to a mirror I realized I had mascara running down my face. I asked him why he didn't tell me I looked like a joker, and he responded "Why you so serious" bringing humor into the situation is always a plus!

I don't want to focus on the negative things, but I notice them because they are what help mold us into who we need to be. Trials really stink, but they are what helps us become what god intends us to be. I've been a very blessed and fortunate young lady, and am reminded constantly that the Lord is by my side, and wants me to succeed in whatever challenge he puts in front of me. No matter how challenged we feel, we must know that the Lord never sent us here to fail. When we feel that the Lord is tearing us apart, just know he is creating you. He will always be here for us, and I've found that over and over again in my life.

I hope we will always remember why we celebrate Christmas, and it is not about that fancy computer we wish for, that amazing camera that takes 8 pics in one second flat. It truly is about our savior Jesus Christ. I hope when we are all gathered with our families we will remember him, and his love for all of us.

No matter what 2010 has in store for us, may we all go forward with faith in him, and praise to him for our never ending blessings.

Much love to you and yours this holiday season.

Merry Christmas!

What a weekend to remember!!

Weekend of October 24th My dad and brother, Adam came down to do a Canoe race at a local festival called "Pioneer Days". To anyone else this looks stupid that someone would travel all the way from Indiana to come be in a canoe race. So here is the behind the screen info.. My dad has ALWAYS loved canoeing, rowing, white water rafting.. Anything like that. Last year, just 2 weeks after he found out he was cancer free (after having stage 4 cancer), he was in the canoe race with my brother, Rusty and they were 10 seconds from first place. It has been his goal to become stronger and healthier, and organize a team to win it the following year. I'm happy to report, I was among his team, and we proudly brought home the first place trophy. :) It was an incredible weekend. Friday night I swung from the "skycoaster" in Orlando with Mike and Boots it is 350ft high (tallest one of its kind) and they pull you all the way up there, and I pulled the cord to drop us.. It was quite exciting!! Since they were only here the weekend, we all went to Sea World on Sunday, and It was one of my most memorable visits yet. It was my dad's first time post chemo to get on a roller coaster, and I think we bought every picture on every ride just because we wanted to capture that day, and remember it for years to come. My dad is a trooper, and very much my hero. In spite of all the opposition he has faced with his health over these past couple years, he has remained positive, and continues to have a desire to live a long healthy life, and be the best "Pappy" (Grandpa) that the kids could ever ask for. He makes me smile, and tear up too at his amazing zest and zeal for life. I'm so proud to call him my dad!

We sat in the "Splash Zone" at the Shamu show.. They were not kidding about the splash!

HALLOWEEN!!

So let's just start off by saying that Halloween is one of my FAVORITE holidays! -Mainly because my LOVE for dressing up. I have many baskets dedicated to my halloween costumes, so I figure that whenever the day comes for me to get married I'll have to have a closet dedicated to my dress-up clothes haha... I went to a couple of YSA (Young Single Adult) dances for my church dressed up as Michelle Obama.. Let me just tell you, it is some hard work dressing up as a black woman! It took me 30 min each time to "get my black on" (no offense). I'll provide some pictures...

Then Halloween came, and my brother Chris and his wife had a really fun Halloween party. It was lots of fun to see all the nieces and nephews dressed up in their costumes too. It was Cody and Chloe's first halloween, so it was cute to be there. At the party their were 4 State Farm agents, so I went dressed as a gecko (the mascot for Gieco, a huge competitor for SF).. Craig (my brother) had a fantastic costume! He went as a guy off the hangover (movie), and did such a GREAT JOB imitating him perfectly. He has always been amazing at that. We all had some funny costumes, and it was just great being with my other siblings sharing laughs and hanging out with some other mutual friends. Lori and I had made homemade cookies from scratch to bring to the party so the kids could decorate them, but by the time they went trick or treating they were BEAT!

I'm so blessed to have such a fun family to do so many fun things with! :)

These Are The Days Worth Living!

I will openly admit that I'm not so good at blogging, but I like the idea; therefore, I'll continue to try my best. September was such a GREAT month for me, and also for my family.

On the 12th of September little Chloe (Rusty's Daughter) was blessed into our church by Rusty and those Priesthood holders in my family all joined him (My dad, Adam, and Matt Brandt) it was especially moving because it was Rusty's first official blessing at church. Then an hour later we had Kayla's (Lori's daughter) baptism. Two of my very favorite girls looked beautiful all dressed in white, and my family all surrounded the building. It was quite a moving experience, and note worthy to say the least. I was asked by Kayla to give a talk on the Holy Ghost as well as sing. On the Monday before her baptism we all attended the FSU vs. Miami game in Tallahassee, and the game was back and forth the whole time and consequently, I ended up loosing my voice. I drank lots of herbal teas along with honey to help coat my throat. Kayla informed me I couldn't back out now (what a compassionate little one). I ended up singing, and luckily we pulled in a third person (Rachel Brandt) to help get the focus off of my voice which sounded much like a 13 year old boy going through puberty :) It turned out quite lovely as Cortney, Rachel and I all sang "Walk Tall You're a Daughter of God"

It was at the moment I was singing and the words that I was singing were sinking in.. I realized the high hopes I have for Kayla. I have lived with my sister and her 3 children since Kayla was 3 years old. As a result I feel very motherly towards all of her kids. I remember well the day Kayla was born. I heard her first cry, I was there the first day of school, I was there the first day she lost her tooth.. And now I looked at her all dressed in white, making such good decisions before our God. Kayla has always been a very spiritual young lady. She is always asking me questions about what it must be like to walk and talk with Jesus. She mentioned to me one day "You know Lydia, even if I didn't know what Jesus looked like, I would still miss him." How neat it is that even as a little child she can sense the divinity, and the withdraws of being out of our Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ's presence. I hope I will be able to be a source of goodness for my nieces and nephews, and they will be able to look to me to be a good example in their lives. I love my family so much, and am thankful to call them my own.

I'll leave the lyrics to the song we sang for her baptism.. Such a touching song that speaks to the heart.

Right now I have a prayer deep within my heart, A prayer for each of you there

is a special part. That you remember who you are and him who lives above.

Please seek for him and live his way; You'll feel his love.

(chorus) Walk tall, you're a daughter, a child of God, Be strong and remember

who you are, Try to understand, you're part of his great plan. He's closer than

you know, Reach up; he'll take your hand.

Long before the time you can remember, Our Father held you in his arms so

tender. Those loving arms released you as he sent you down to earth. He said,

"My child, I love you. Don't forget your great worth."

(chorus) Walk tall, you're a daughter, a child of God, Be strong and remember

who you are, Try to understand, you're part of his great plan. He's closer than

you know, Reach up; he'll take your hand.

This life on earth we knew would not be easy. At times we lose our way his path

we may not see. But remember always that you are not alone. He'll take your

hand, He loves you! He will guide you home.

(chorus) Walk tall, you're a daughter, a child of God, Be strong and remember

who you are, Try to understand, you're part of his great plan. He's closer than

you know, Reach up; he'll take your hand.

Circle of life

I've been horrible about blogging, but I need to start somewhere I suppose. The past few months for me have been a whirlwind to say the least. I went to England with my best friend on May 21-31st.

It was after my return back to the States I was told if I wanted to see my grandfather alive again, I needed to go home to Indiana. 4 days after being back I boarded a plane to go home and meet up with the rest of my family. I had a few visits with him, but it was hard for him to speak due to his esophageal cancer. It was really hard to say goodbye to him because I didn't know if I would ever see him alive again or not. I sobbed when I left the hospital as I watched him look deep into my eyes and look at my hands clasped inside his and wonder what must be going through his mind.

I returned back to Florida for a week and a half, and after hearing how much he was deteriorating, my sister and I decided to go home to be with him as he prepared to leave his earthly journey. I drove from 8pm to 10am (all through the night) because I wanted to be with him so badly. I wanted to be next to him, telling him I loved him, holding him when he needed comfort. I just wanted to be there, so I pushed myself.

When I got to his house I couldn't believe the huge change in his failing health. Grandpa was 180 pounds healthy and now he was just barely over 100. It was one of the most difficult things of my life to watch him suffer so much. I drove over to see him everyday to sit with him and tell him how much I loved him, and my favorite memories with him. Towards the end I couldn't help but let the tears fall from my cheeks as I put liquid on a sponge stick to moisten his mouth because he couldn't eat or drink anything. His clothes hung from every bone, but I couldn't help but be so grateful for this man whom the Lord allowed into my life, and allowed all of us to call him "grandpa". It was so obvious as I sat with him that he was in between two worlds. I know he was seeing lots of things, people etc. but grandpa never shared. On my last visit with him before he went nonresponsive, when i went to leave I sat down and held his hand and rubbed his arm and he raised up and at this point he could hardly speak at all and he looked right at me and said "I love you, I love you." His voice was a faint whisper and it took everything he had to whisper. That was the last thing he said to me. On June 30th he passed in peace. There was a real worry about the cancer rupturing his aorta, and if that had happened he would of had blood spewing out of his mouth, and would have bled to death. We all prayed so hard that wouldn't be the way our grandpa would go, and the Lord answered our fervent prayers.

His funeral was the most touching one I've been to so far. At the gave site we had someone playing the bagpipes (Amazing Grace) and they released doves to symbolize his spirit being free. Grandpa loved to fly and had about 5 ultra light planes of his own. He was in many flying clubs etc. So to honor grandpa about 10 of his close flying buddies flew over the grave site and let out smoke flying over head. I'm sure grandpa was smiling as we all gathered to honor him, and the man that he was.

How grateful I am for my parents, for the way they have brought me up to the Lord. I know where I came from, I know where I am going, and I have my amazing parents to thank for that. When life throws me troubles and woes, I know where I can go. I know where to turn, and that it all works out in the end. We have a master who loves us individually, and will hold us when we can't walk with our own feet. I don't always understand why things happen, but I know that the Lord is looking out for me in all I do. I'm thankful for his comfort and his friendship. I would be nothing without his love.
I'll share a song that was written by a christian artist and it seems as if he took the lyrics right out of my heart and put them to music... Give it a listen!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doaHIOXIhH0

I'm back in Florida, and my bags are officially unpacked after more than a month on the go! :) In spite of rain, I'm learning to dance in the rain, and enjoy every minute.

Fun at the park!

It was an exceptionally beautiful day here in sunny Florida yesterday! I picked up my niece Gracie from school and we grabbed some lunch and ran home so she could be equiped with her dolls and buggy! :) What a great time we had enjoying each other and laughing at her crooked walking skills! --I love my nieces like they are my own!

Hit the dust cancer!

So Just an update---
Yesterday was my dad's three month check up with his cancer dr and he is CLEAR for another three months!! How exciting for my dad and the rest of us! My dad is such a trooper, and has such a positive outlook in life. I admire him and all the strength he has. He is so determined to rule over cancer and I just admire his strength. :) Great news for the Weaver Family!! YAY!