Home for the Holidays

There are few things in life that I really really love.

Ok, I take that back. I do love quite a lot of things.

And easily get excited over things I love.

However, towards the top of the list is California and my nieces and nephews.

Combine those things, and you've got one happy Leigh.

I also love working for a school. Giving me the opportunity to be home with my little California kiddies for a long time.

Upon arrival to Los Angeles, the first thing I ditched were my Uggs.

 No need for those when temps are in the 70s and I need to soak up as much warm weather as much as possible.

The Christmas days were spent at Laura's new home in the OC. Its a little weird that she lives there now. But since I have still seen her everyday since I've been here, it hasn't completely affected me.

 

I love spending Christmas Eve with the kids. I love that as soon as they go to bed so excited, we turn into Santa's Workshop. I really don't do much except watch the real adults put together the toys. But I do love to be Santa and eat his cookies and carrots.

 

I got the privilege of sleeping with Chase on Christmas Eve. He woke up three times in the night in excitement. After the fact, it was really cute and I loved how sweet and excited he was. During the night it wasn't so fun.

 

Christmas morning is always so exciting with the kids. I loved seeing how happy they were. And was perfectly content to hold Lyla throughout most of the morning.

I was able to spend the next few days at Laura's house enjoying time with the kids.

We stayed in our jammies till noon, watched movies and cuddled.

 

Rode bikes and scooters to the park,

swam in the pool

 and even went to the beach.

It was so perfect.

I am still trying to get in as much cuddles, short-wearing and sun soaking in as much as possible.



baby you're a firework.

The 4th of July is a really great holiday. 

An opportunity to celebrate all things American. 

I have a special place in my heart for this holiday and all the freedoms that we have. 

I just love America. 

Through my years, I have realized there is one great place to celebrate this holiday: Provo, UT. 

This place just loves the 4th. 

Our day was fun filled with every American thing I could have asked for. 

Parade. 

Pool. 

Hot dogs. 

Family. 

Friends. 

Baseball. 

Grand Slam Finale. 

Fireworks. 

Thanks America. 

Memorial Day.

My school focus a lot on American patriotism... Which of course I loooove. 

On Friday, we had a special Assembly for Memorial Day.

 I love that we go all out to commemorate a special day and its true meaning.

 Nowadays Memorial Day means the end of school, the beginning of summer, pools opening, holiday weekend, camping or barbecuing with family and friends and sales at the mall. But just like any holiday, its always important to reflect on its purpose and meaning.

 I know for me I forget that it should be a day to remember all of the fallen soldiers that have fought for our freedoms and sacrificed their lives for this country, for us. Our Assembly reminded me of this and taught each of our students to honor those and show our upmost respect on Monday. 

It made me reflect on the brothers, sons and fathers who fought against each other in the Civil War. We had the most casualties in that war, a war we fought against our fellow Americans on ideas of equality and freedom. At the Battle of Gettysburg it is estimated that 46,000-51,000 soldiers between the two sides were killed in that battle alone. A grand total of 1,030,000 Americans lost their lives, which was 3% of the population at that time.  I thought of the horrible conditions of World War I. The diseases and infections in the trenches alone cost countless amount of lives. And then World War II that captivated and destroyed so many nations and had lasting affects at home as well. In WWII, 131,028,000 American casualties, thats including the 416,800 military deaths. And today people continue to serve our country, continue to fight valiantly when the call comes in Afghanistan and Iraq. 

I was so touched in our Assembly when our students, all hailing from different countries and ethnicities, stood together and recited the Gettysburg Address, given by Abraham Lincoln in November 1863:

"Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forthn on this continent a new nations, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. 

Now we are engaged in a great vicil war, testing whether that nation, or any nations so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. 

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the las full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain--that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom--and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth"

President Lincoln, we have not forgotten what was said on that solemn day. We will remember all those that have died for this nation. 

the spirit of Christmas.

I have a really big confession.

I have not felt very Christmas-y this year.

I have always loved parties, celebrations and holidays. But this year I just have not gotten into the spirit of Christmas.

This year has just gone by way too fast. I guess thats what happens when you get older right? Time flies by even faster.

{Wasn't it just Thanksgiving? Didnt I just move to Utah? Shoot, wasnt it just my birthday!?}

 

So Ive been in denial that its really Christmas time.

My mind set has always been if I pretend its not happening then its not going to happen.

Ive always had this mentality.

For instance, I hate cold weather. So during my BYU winter days, I wouldnt wear a coat to school. Cause if I didnt wear a coat or gloves then it would mean that its not cold out. I could pretend it wasnt cold so that I wouldnt have to face the fact that I now lived 30 degree climate. {Ive been scolding too many times by my family to stop wearing flip flops in cold weather}

So accordingly, if I refuse to listen to my Christmas music and I dont look at any lights that means Christmas wont be coming this year. Or at least not so fast, right?

Wrong-o.

Its Christmas Eve.  And I havent even listened to Justin Bieber's Christmas album.

Ive robbed myself and will have to wait a whole 'nother year to enjoy it.

Yesterday as I was getting ready for church I decided to bite the bullet and listen to some Christmas messages on my Mormon Channel app.

And of course that always helps put things into perspective.

I have been so busy trying to figure out life and just get by and adjust to a new life and a new job but of course its always important to remember the why of Chrismas.

I watched this video that brought my tears as I tried to do my Sunday make-up.

It was so sad and heartbreaking but with an incredible message to remember a baby that was brought into the world to give peace and joy to all.

Christ came into this world to hold us, carry us through trials, lead the way and guide us through this life. He knows us and loves us. Christmas isnt about being a bit of a bah humbug or the year flying by too fast but about celebrating the gift of the Savior into this world.

And what a special gift to have and more importantly, to know.

 

"To catch the real meaning of the 'spirit of Christmas', we need only drop the last syllable and it becomes the 'Spirit of Christ'."

Thomas S. Monson

The Best Christmas Ever, Dec. 2008



Halloweeeeeen!

I always say Halloween is one of my favorite holidays...you get to dress up in a fun costume and {when youre single} you just get to go out and dance. 

What could be better??

However, its also a holiday that always sneaks up on me. 

Before I know it, the big day is in like 2 days and I am always without a costume. 

Not too many other holidays do you have to do so much prep for, other than Christmas, and Im usually a last minute shopper anyway. 

This year my roommates were all going out to a party and I was about to sit home with no costume which is basically preposterous! So within minutes, with their help, I gathered a cat costume!

And it was a pretty dang good cat costume if I do say so myself...

So here are the White House roommates out dancing the weekend before Halloween

I LOVE my roommates. We all get along so well and I love that we are kind of a hodge podge put together but we all just fit so well with each other. 

And I love living with my cousin Angie. Sometimes I feel robbed of an extended family since I have grown up without much of grandparents and then since my family is so big and we have been the banished family members in California...so its just so fun to have my cousin here and share my last name with someone. 

However, on actual Halloween I had a pretty awesome costume...

At my school/job the students have to wear pretty strict uniforms everyday and were not allowed to wear costumes on the big day and so weeks prior the Jr High Staff decided dress as the students on Halloween! 

I will admit, I felt really ridiculous getting ready in the morning! 

{but at least my outfit was already planned out!}

But the students reactions were so worth it! They were so shocked and freaking out and loved it! However it was so difficult to tell the students and teachers apart all day! Especially as the youngest staff member, I was told by staff and students that they kept mixing me up with the only blonde student at the school. 

It was so much fun, and the staff enjoyed taking pictures together way too much!

I am still really loving my job and everyone that I work with. Like really love the staff everyone is so great and it just makes me extra happy to be at work. 

One month down and Ive already gotten a promotion too!

About three weeks ago I interviewed for a teaching opening at APA. I didnt get it....but its cause there was an opening as the director for the Character Development program at the school. The head school directors thought I would be a better fit and actually, I couldnt agree more. There are lots of parts of teaching that is just too stressful and although this position will be hard and stressful too its also really fun and I am so excited.  So starting in January I will be the Director and basically the #2 go to person at the Jr. High. 

Basically I really like my job. And Halloween. 

happy birthday America!

I LOVE 4th of July. 

And I love that it is a holiday that we dont forget the real meaning of the holiday. 

Sure we get wrapped up in BBQ's, baseball and fireworks. But isnt that what America is all about!? 

We dont forget that we are celebrating the birth of our great country. We love flying our flags, wearing as much red, white and blue as possible and stuffing ourselves with hot dogs. 

And it just makes me love America even more, that we can come together to celebrate our great nation! 

Ok so now for what I did on this great day...

My good friend Heather and I decided to kick off the 4th by going to Huntington Beach for the Surf City 5k. 

I didnt know HB was so decked for the 4th but it was a great place to be. 

Heather has been working towards this 5k and I couldnt have been more excited to do it alongside with her! {So proud of you girl! And love you even more!}

 It was patriotic and really fun. And we got shirts!!!

Lots of red, white and blue up in there and I loved it.

Then off to the Rose Bowl with Rudy, his family and Trevor and Ester for some relaxing, playing catch and eating carne asade {lets not talk about this. this all american girl wanted some hot dogs.} But we did get some good fireworks in. 

I love America. I love knowing that the founding fathers were foreordained to fight for our freedom in order to allow the gospel to be restored. Those men sacrificed their families, possessions and even their lives for this country. 

Happy Birthday America! 

well thats a wrap.

i havent blogged in almost a month. 

since my birthday. 

i hate not blogging. 

i hate that i havent been automatically thinking about my life in blog posts. 

i hate that while im out doing things, im not already processing/ writing the blog post in my head whilst im still doing said activity. 

i hate that i have taking almost zero pictures in the last month. 

i hate that i havent gone out of town in..i almost dont want to admit it...months. 

and although none of this is exciting, and im almost blogging just to blog and since I also have almost forsaken my personal journal {its actually a big disappoint in my life}, here is a little wrap up of my life the past month:

1. my bachelor viewing parties have continued. although the group size has gone down, i think the quality has gone up. ive even allowed some boys to join {gasp! as i found out that they secretly watch it together. i would much rather them come watch with us then two boys watch it together. in secret...} but seriously, courtney!? ben your an idiot and you deserve that robotic demon of a woman. i really hope you choose her.

2. I went to the Griffith Observatory a few weeks ago with some good company. Havent been in...I dont know how long. Its really cool since they redid a few things. I liked learning about the planets, seeing how much i weigh on each, and how long it takes Pluto to circle the sun {its like over 100 years, whaaaat!?}

3. I had a really good Valentines Day. Im not not a fan of V Day. its hard for me to get super amped when its more about love and presents {which i now realize i suck at both} and not dancing. Although I did venture to three V Day themed dances in the past three weeks. On Tuesday, Rudy came to have lunch with me and surprised me BIG. he walked into my office with some balloons, a present and a Cafe Rio sack. He hates Rio and its almost an hour away in Manhattan Beach. He sneakily asked me last week what I get there just so he would know what to order. When I saw that bag I literally gasped, put my hands over my mouth and repeated "Is this for reals?" over and over again. Who knew a pork tostada would make me so happy! {ok well i did know that actually.}

4. I havent been running at all lately. Boo. I seem to always have an excuse ready. And its exactly two months till go time for Ragnar. 

5. Laura and Matt moved to Simi Valley over the weekend. Granted its only like 15 minutes of where we live but still 10 minutes too far. I already miss the luxury of being able to stop by their house for a short trip to say hello on my way home from work. Or crashing their dinner before I head to FHE. They moved on Saturday and while we were at the new casa I was on Lyla duty. I felt so not helpful since I wasnt unpacking and I was just holding a baby. But theres not too many things better than playing with her for three hours and then rocking her to sleep and holding a sleeping baby for an hour. 

6. And last but not least {If anyone is still reading} I continue to still have a mid-mid life crisis. The pain of not knowing what to do in life, where to live and happiness in general, etc... never goes away and always gets old. With the combination of it being the wrong time of the month, having a really bad cold, and crying most nights...it was just that, a really bad combination. And I aint looking for no pity parties here, but its been a rough couple of weeks. Weeks where I need to depend on my prayers to get my through it and have that faith and trust that I always talk about in my Sunday School lessons, but when you are scared for either answer that comes..well its just that. Its scary. 

and well, there you have. 

2nd Annual Secret Santa

On Friday we had our 2nd Annual Secret Santa gift exchange. 

Our good friend Trevor, who is our resident Mr. Holly Jolly, organized our gift exchange yet again. 

We picked names two weeks ago. 

Had our first Christmas party last Friday. 

And our gift exchange this past weekend.

{BTW. I was a busy bee on Friday night before the party. Getting home. Finishing up the brownies I made. Wrapping presents, get myself together. Going to my work Christmas party. Then heading to Shy's for our party. In the hustle and bustle I didnt bring my camera. Please bear with my phone photos.}

Before our exchange, a couple of us decorated gingerbread houses. 

Trevor and Rudy decorated one and obviously were a little jealous of how amazing the gingerbread house I made with Linden, Dean and Heather. 

But lets be real, who wouldnt be jealous of that work of art? 

Dean got real into the spirit of gingerbread making, which even included eating parts of our house at the end of the night. 

We then exchanged our presents!! 

I absolutely love our Secret Santa parties and I was so incredibly happy. 

We gather round and Trevor acts as Santa. He picks one gift at a time for someone to open. We get two guesses to pick our secret present giver. If not guessed accurately the secret Santa is revealed and Trevor requires {although lets be real we are all friends and its not really required} the two to hug in the "true spirit of Christmas." 

{Christina had the most creative way to wrap Duran's present. The tape around that box was never ending!! We were dying with laughter. And I still wish Tom would have gotten Trevor a Dodger shirt instead}

{Linden opening her present and accurately guessing her secret santa Lillie! Shy opening the present I got her!}

{Lillie got lots of earrings from Valerie.}

{Now we can tell by Shy's face that she was Brady's Secret Santa. He got a gift of a skinny tie and cool socks.}

{Moments after Tom and Trevor exchanged a hug}

I seriously just loved sitting in a big circle with 20 of my most favorite friends exchanging presents in this holiday season.

 Everyone was so excited. Everyone gave such thoughtful presents to each person. 

{And surprisingly most people guessed their Secret Santa after the first try.} 

And I sat there and was so happy that I have been blessed, once again, with an amazing group of friends. Friends that were all so excited about Christmas. That all cared about everyone so much to participate in such a fun party. 

It was pretty neat. and I loved it. Like a lot.