Miracle on Ice

This posting is mostly for my sake and posterity as well. It is going to be long and detailed, just warning you...

I always thought that doing a good deed brought blessings, but sometimes we need to learn a lesson before the blessings come. The day before we headed out to Utah for Christmas, I was taking a gift to a lady I visit teach. I have never met her since I only visit her through letters. I thought for Christmas I might take a little something to her and at least put a face to this lady I knew nothing about except her address and birthday.

It was a very cold, snowy day and we were going to head up to Jason's parent's home so that they could take us to the airport in the morning. Of course I had waited until it was last minute to take this gift. I bundled Aliyah up in her coat, hat, and gloves and shoved her into her almost too small carseat just to drive two minutes down the road. I brushed off all the snow and scraped all the ice without any gloves since Jason had taken the car I usually drive since the roads were bad. By the time I was finished my hands had no feeling in them. I hurried off to this lady's apartment, unloaded the child, dropped off the gift without her even being there (so much for the actual reason of going), got Aliyah back in the car and drove away. As I was driving home I was finally getting feeling back into my fingers and immediately I noticed my wedding ring was missing. I didn't worry too much because I had made some cookies that morning and knew I had taken it off to roll the dough.

I rushed inside and looked in my usual place for my ring. Nothing. I started to panic, but thought that I would find it since I had only been two places. I got Aliyah bundled up again, looked around the car where I had brushed off the snow and ice, found nothing so I looked in the car, but when the ring wasn't showing I strapped Aliyah in the carseat again and drove back to the other apartment complex. I retraced all my steps, even up to her door but didn't knock. I was sure it was outside somewhere. The sun was beginning to set and I knew I had very little time to continue to look. I went back to our house and thought maybe it was in my pant pocket since I was cleaning the kitchen and bathroom and had changed out of them since then. No such luck!

Jason walked in from work and I just broke down. It wasn't so much about the ring as it was what it meant to me. I love it and Jason chose it for me all by himself. He was reassuring and let me know everything would be okay, but being himself also had to tease me about throwing it away so I could upgrade to a better ring. Thanks for that, dear! He looked outside for a little, but with the sun gone there wasn't much chance for finding it.

We headed out, had a great Christmas, and all the while I continued to think about the ring. We came back to snow and ice and I thought I wouldn't look for it until it had melted. But each day I couldn't help just checking around our parking lot to see if I could see anything. I figured it would sparkle in the sunlight and would just catch my eye. Too bad everything was covered in ice and already sparkled in the sun.

Wednesday came and I needed to head to the grocery store. When I was heading back, I was thinking about my ring and had a calming feeling that it would be found. I pulled up into the parking lot and was going to pull into a spot but had a feeling to park where I had been that day I lost the ring. I opened my door and looked down on the ground only to find my ring frozen in the ice. I immediately started chipping away at it with my fingers. Finally, my prayers and gratefully the prayers of others had been answered. It was dirty and scratched, yet adds to the stories it already has.

So, what do we learn from this...never scrape a car without gloves. Okay, really it gave me a great Christmas memory of what really matters. Our Heavenly Father is always mindful of His children and will answer our prayers, but makes sure it hurts just a little before the blessings come.

Merry Christmas!

We wish you all a Merry Christmas full of family and joy. This year we have been blessed with so much. We have witnessed the hand of God in our lives many times, and are grateful to be in his watchful care. We hope that you all feel the spirit of Christmas at this time and throughout the new year. May you be blessed and feel of our Savior's peace.

We love you all! Merry Christmas!

Love, The Winkel Family

Christmas photo bloopers...

Can I just say how grateful I am for digital photos?

Enjoy the torture...

Let it Snow!

We have had a cold week with snow, chilling winds and well below zero weather. Aliyah and I stayed inside for three days straight and had to find some new things to entertain us.

We got the Christmas tree set up recently and Aliyah wanted to help out by decorating.







She loves riding around on her car now, and we went down the hall I don't know how many times with it and also in boxes. Hey, you have to get creative! I also learned through this time that Aliyah is afraid of shadow puppets. They tried to eat her fingers and so she doesn't trust them anymore. I feel like a mean mom, but at the same time I laughed so hard.



These two are crazier than ever. Jason can really get her going and their expressions are hilarious. She is just like her daddy!



The great thing about cold weather is more time for snuggling. Aliyah actually would snuggle under warm blankets and read multiple books at a time with me.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

I am so thankful for many things, but especially this year I am grateful for the Book of Mormon. I took the challenge given to the young women of our church to read the entire Book of Mormon and keep a scripture journal on my feelings or promptings of what I have learned from them. I cannot list all that I have gained from this experience, but I am grateful for those who were inspired by God to write down their experiences and teachings of Christ. That they were worthy to receive the word of God to be written and translated for our time so that we can learn of our Savior, Jesus Christ. To know how He loved and served, the blessings others received by being like Him, and the importance of obeying. I have loved the experiences I have gained from writing down my own feelings and testimony. It definitely was a struggle at times trying to get in a few chapters and then taking the time to write what I learned. Many times I would want to be doing something else while Aliyah napped, like cleaning or sewing. As I developed a habit of sitting down right when she went down for her first nap, I soon became anxious and excited to get to my daily scripture study. These people no longer became characters in a story, but real living heros who lived as I do, believed as I do, and had trials as I do. I am grateful for their courage and faith to follow Christ even when it was risking their lives or reputation. I am grateful for the truth in my life. I know that the Book of Mormon was inspired by God and that by reading it we can know and be like Him.

I am so grateful for my knowledge of my Savior and Heavenly Father, that they live and love me. I am thankful for a husband who has a strong testimony, who is patient with me, who loves our daughter, who makes sure I take the time to focus on what really matters, who is supportive in every way, and always reminds me of who I am. I am thankful for a giggly baby girl who always greets me with a cheesy grin, who teaches me to have the heart of a child, who makes me laugh, who loves taking walks with me to discover a rock or watch squirrels play, who loves to sing and dance, who loves me. I am grateful for family and friends, food for my family, a home that keeps us warm and safe, talents I have been given to share with others, the beauty of our surroundings, our health, the example of the missionaries serving from our families, Jason's job and the wonderful people he works with, for temples, and many more things that make my life wonderful. I have truly been blessed.

Snow and Fall Leaves??

We have had so much snow already this fall. Aliyah has made good use of the warm coat she got from Grammy and Grandpa Winkel for her birthday. I realized that winter is going to be long with a baby who loves being outside.

On a day that it snowed tons we decided to bring the snow indoors and make ourselves a snowman without getting completely cold. Aliyah mostly wanted to eat it!

Showing off her mini snowman.

Once Halloween past we had fall again and have been able to be out at the parks and playing in the leaves.

We recently went to Jason's parents to send Mark off on a mission. I feel sick that I didn't get one picture with him and Aliyah, but we were glad to be there to see him before he left. He is going to make one great missionary!

Aliyah loved being able to see her cousin, Brynlee.

Aliyah has become quite the bully and poor Brynlee was just so patient with her. This picture is a perfect example of their relationship. Aliyah hates wearing bows and made sure Brynlee was in on it with her.


The typical Aliyah face.


The next two are for Brynlee's mom, Laura. Isn't she a doll??



And of course you can never get too many pictures of this cutie. We sure love her...attitude and all!

Halloween

I guess it is better late than never, but Halloween was quite fun here at our home. We had parties, pumpkin carving, and making our child dress up for it all. On the Monday before Halloween we carved our pumpkin.

Daddy is already teaching Aliyah self defense or was it knife safety?


Here is our final product. Jason and I did this same one the first year of our marriage, and we still think it is hilarious.

I know this picture is blurry, but she was just so intrigued with the fire inside.


And here comes the torture but most fun of being a parent.... hey, at least she lasted through our church party.


I know too cute, huh!? What a great garage sale find.

Aliyah Turns One!!

We had a great celebration for Aliyah's 1st birthday. Some of Jason's family came down to have a party with us! She wasn't sure about the cake, but had no problems eating the ice cream.

Here is her cake! She is obsessed with a certain pink bear of hers. She looked at the cake and said, "bea" which is her way of saying bear.


She loves fire!


She usually is a mess at the table, but was being so neat with her cake!

Eventually, it got a little messy!

This is a video of Aliyah showing how old she is.

Aliyah was definitely spoiled with presents. She received a book and toys from Grandma and Grandpa Harrison, a skirt from her aunt/uncle and cousins, a cute pink coat and book from Grammy and Grandpa Winkel, and toys and a dress from mom and dad.

Here she is showing off her new dress!


Aliyah went in for her 12 month appointment and she is very healthy, but still afraid of the doctor. She was jumping around and singing until he walked in and then was very serious until he left. Poor guy! Anyway here are her stats:

Weight: 18 lbs 8 oz
Height: 29 inch

We have loved the last year together with our adorable little girl. She is learning things so quickly and never seems to want to stop moving. Her favorite words are "bea" for bear, "dog", "num-num" for yummy, and "mama" and "dada". She also always says "wa dat" and points to everything. It is so cute! The other night she sang herself to sleep. How could life get any better?

She just walks all over carrying her pink bear.


I have learned a lot in the past year of being a mom. That her schedule is my schedule, something that worked one time most likely will never work again, singing and dancing keeps everyone sane, the longer you are a mom the goofier you get, cheerios are never meant to be eaten but thrown, a good nap can make a mom's day, your own clothes become an art canvas, anything that shouldn't be a toy is, but one thing is for sure, you never imagine that you could possibly love them more, but it only gets stronger. She is such a joy in our lives! She makes us smile everyday!

Autumn Days!

I just love fall and wish it would last much longer than it seems to. We have already had two days of snow so it looking like it may be a shorter fall than normal. I can't get enough of the changing colors around us. We live in such a gorgeous area and get to see some many amazing colors in the falling leaves.

I couldn't resist getting Aliyah in her adorable jacket and taking some pictures in the bright leaves. She is so gorgeous but really hates staying still for a picture.



Aliyah is a non-stop mover these days and walks all over the apartment. She doesn't crawl anymore unless she has shoes on. Aliyah HATES shoes! I don't know many girls who have this problem, but it may save us some money in the future.

Because she now walks all over, she is finding new places to explore in our small apartment. She has recently discovered our food storage which takes up all of Jason's side of the closet (sorry, dear). She doesn't ever attempt eating it luckily, but one day I found her sneaking some fruit snacks and she even found herself a rootbeer to go along with them. I had been busy scrubbing the floor and she came walking in holding the rootbeer trying to drink from it.

This is the best picture I could get of the guilty face since she tried running away so I couldn't take it away!


Don't you wish they would always wake up from a nap like this? Crazy bed-head yet so happy!!


She sure is fun to have in our family and she is such a daddy's girl. I have to hold her back when Jason leaves for work and deal with her crying and pounding on the door for him to come back. Jason is in heaven though!

Sunny California!

See our adventures of August in the following four posts!


We were able to stay a couple days after the wedding and went to Sea World with Jason's family. Aliyah seemed to enjoy it even though it was so hot.




The San Diego temple at night. It is such a gorgeous temple!

Jason, Aliyah and I then hit the beach for a little while before our plane left. Aliyah had to experience digging her toes in the sand and also eating it.






Aliyah saying goodbye to California as we head back home.

We really enjoyed our vacation, but are also glad to be back home and have some structure to our lives. We loved being able to see our families and spend some time with them.

Gerrit and Rebecca's Wedding

Jason and I met up in San Diego to attend his brother's wedding. It was a beautiful sealing ceremony. We wish you the best in life, Gerrit and Rebecca. Thanks for letting us be a part of your special day.

Gerrit and Rebecca coming out of the San Diego temple

Jason's brothers and sisters

Aliyah was trying to discover the secret garden during the reception.

I sure do love these two!

A cute moment with Grandpa and Brynlee.

Rebecca with her flower girls.

Brynlee and Aliyah having fun on the dance floor.

Jason looking handsome in his tux.

The food was delicious and Luke most definitely approves.

Cuddling with Grammy after a long day.