An Attitude of Gratitude

Thanksgiving has become a favorite feast for psychologists studying the consequence of giving thanks. A year ago November, the New York Times reported on a recent study that's findings join those of many other like studies over the years to show the quantitative benefits to those who have a general attitude of gratitude. Some of those bennies, when compared to control group counterparts, include better sleep, improved general health, less anxiety, less likely to become aggressive when provoked, higher long-term satisfaction in life, kinder behavior towards others – including your significant other.

The AZ Dilles have found plenty to be grateful for this Thanksgiving and holiday season. I'm still gainfully employed, despite the environment of political turmoil and uncertainty in which I work; love abounds in our home; and the kids are are well; physically, mentally and otherwise. In deed, life is good. Below is a quick caption of our November doings as well as a list of things each of us are grateful for. Love you all very much.

NOVEMBER DOINGS:

JT attended a merit badge clinic in Tucson. Being in Nogales, these clinics don't come around all that often, so we take advantage of them when they do. In this clinic JT earned his Citizenship in the Nation merit badge. For those of you who've been there, you know that this is no easy task. Fortunately for JT, in his homeschooling over the past year he's learned a lot about the Constitution, the federal government as envisioned by the Founding Fathers with proper checks and balances existing between the three federal branches, and the stark contrast that is found in what we have by way of the federal government today. He enjoyed his day.

I stayed home with the two boys while Camille and Kayla took time in Tucson to tour Ley's Piano, a new piano manufacturing plant in Tucson. Ever since moving into what would be considered a real home, as opposed to what we lived in throughout our schooling years, a piano has occupied prime square footage on our living room floors. But oh, the joy that comes from the music that constantly flows in our home!

Camille spoke in church on the topic of family and children, which is definitely right up her alley.  She did a fantastic job! I spoke in stake conference a week earlier on developing a strong personal foundation in the gospel. I was told I did a good job, but all the praise in the world could come and I'd still be glad that it's over.

Finally, we spent the Thanksgiving holiday with the Millers, our dear friends in Wickenburg. We were not able to get there last year, because of the new arrival just a month earlier, and we missed it terribly. The weekend was filled with the Turkey bowl, volleyball games with old friends, concerts, paint ball, movies and FOOD! It was great (especially the pecan pie – ala mode :-). Grandpa Miller made sugar cookies every morning! But the company was even better – and, to top it all off, we had karaoke going to the wee hours of the morning. Great times making great memories.

On the way home from Wickenburg we stopped at the temple and enjoyed the spirit there. Cam and I did sealings and were lucky enough to have a talkative sealer who spoke of coming to the temple early in the morning when the only other person there was a security guard. He spoke of the amazing peace that filled the temple... UNTIL you got to the baptistry. There, he said, it was electric! There were many there who knew that there work would be done that day and that if they could get that done, the rest would be accomplished. A great reminder to keep working on our Family History!

What follows are inserts by Kayla & JT of what they are thankful for, followed by an update on what makes the two little Dille boys click:

From Kayla: What I'm most grateful for...can't be contained to just four things, no matter how many times my parents tell me to shorten it. SO I SHALL DO FIVE. (Mwahaha!) It took some time to narrow things down..about three seconds.. to the top four “gratefuls.”: JT's breakfasts, Joseph's smile, Thomas's crazy, random, not-so-innocent innocence, Mom's home-made bread (and patience) and my Dad's daddy-daughter dates. ;)

From JT:  I am grateful for having a family who is there for me always. Also, for having a dad who has a good job and can pay for our finances. And for a mother who is understanding and will help me through any trials that may come my way. Also for Kayla, Thomas, and Joseph for giving me something to do all the time; they show me what real joy is. I am also grateful for a Godhead who loves me and cares for me each day. Other loved ones: Grandmas and grandpas and uncles and aunts. Even cousins seem to only do the best for me and I love you all.

Thomas loves his tricycle, his cars, his little brother, his mom and dad, his Kayla and his JT. He loves it when Joseph gives him tight hug squeezes. He loves it when it is his turn to talk. He is going to ask Santa for a big boy bicycle for Christmas and asks to open presents every day. He is learning that sharing makes him feel happy in his heart. He loves to make “t's”. He loves to play outside for “just a few more minutes.” He likes to clean his own teeth at the dentist, three times. He is excited to be a big kid and go to primary. He loves to watch movies about Jesus. He is learning to be a nice friend. And most of all, he LOVES to read stories, aaaaaaaaaaaaaall daaaaaaaaaaaaaaay looooooooooooooooooong.

Joseph is big on smiling; learning to throw a fit; easy to laugh and tickle. He loves to sit and play with his toys, stick his finger into little holes, yell at the doggies to "Get down!"; stack his stacking cups and squeal with joy when knocking them over, and be chased and toddle as fast as he can to get away.  He is working on many new words, but our favorite is "dampa dampa deeeee."  We think he is saying "Grandpa and Grandma Dille!"  He is a JOY!

LOVE YOU!

Halo's, High Heels, Honor, Halloween, History & More

We had a wonderful and busy October!

Kayla turned 15! I finally accepted the fact that she will be able to drive in one short year and so we started practicing. I'm very proud of my calm and collected demeanor. She tries not to show how excited she really is. We had a “white quinceanera” birthday party. There are some really cool traditions for this very important birthday for Spanish girls turning 15. They are brought out into society as a woman and to symbolize this they are given their first pair of heels and a crown. As I looked into the symbolism of the crown I learned that it originally symbolized a halo representing deity or a source of light or the sun which gives life to all things. This is especially significant to a woman because she is, body and soul, a source of life. We symbolically “pass down the crown of light” from mother to daughter. It was a fun and beautiful moment when I placed the crown on her head. She will make a great queen. The high heels tradition was passed down from European men who wanted to look taller. Women liked the look and have kept the tradition going simply for aesthetic purposes that I think we all understand:) The girls made some adorable paper shoes from a template I found online.

And yes, baby Joseph also turned 1 year old on the same day, but we waited for the visitors to come for his party. And it was worth the wait. It was wonderful to have family here to celebrate a birthday. That never happens!

JT is continuing to earn merit badges and grows closer to his Eagle. I was asked to speak at his Court of Honor and it really was an honor. He's doing really awesome in school though it gets harder each week with the pressures and struggles to maintain his standards. As long as he keeps up his personal scripture study he handles it well.

The kids participated in the Mexican Consulate Concert again this year. JT knocked everyone's socks off. They had to take a deep breath when he was done! Kayla choose a very difficult Mozart piece and did really well. She looked like a movie star, with actual talent.

The trunk or treat was fun this year. Simple and over with before dark. Love it! Thomas was Thomas the Train and Joseph was a train engineer.

The highlight of the month was Mom & Dad & G&G Nielsen here for a visit. The best night was sitting around telling stories. Here are a couple you may not have heard before:

Grandma Nielsen got a little Shetland Pony one day for her girls to use out on the farm. However, there was only one way to get it home. They put a diaper on it and put it in the back seat of the car! It was so small that Grandma's feet nearly touched the ground as she sat on it. I love that picture in my mind.

Once, the girls (Sandy & sisters) caught a chipmunk, but it got out and was around the basement for about a month. One morning Sandy woke up and that chipmunk was sitting right on her chest looking at her.

Grandma Nielsen's Great Grandfather, John Jones Williams, joined the church in Wales. Before they joined the church they had gone to london to work as apprentice blacksmith's in the kings stable. He met and married Jane Emma Merrified, who was a lady in waiting for the court. When she joined the chruch her family disowned her. They worked and saved to go to America and their first baby was born on the ship to America. They soon had everyone on the ship converted to the gospel. At one point, the wind completely stalled and they were in danger becasue of short supplies. So, the captain said, “Well, you're supposed to be Mormons. Do something!” So, they fasted and prayed and the winds came up and they made it to America.

Other highlights and picture explanations: Kayla got to try on a dress from Spain; I got to try on an Alpaca sweater from Brazil; and JT wore a Brazilian poncho that a friend wore to school each day as a nine year old.

We went on a trip to a pumpkin patch to ride a hayride that Thomas still talks about and to buy a $7 pumpkin that I could have bought at Walmart for $3.50!

2011 The First Half

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September 2012

It seems the more active my little boys become, the less I pull out the camera!

Coolest things:
JT turned 13 and even though we had 2 bday parties, I didn't get a single picture!

Shane baptized a new investigator, Yareli Lopez, and we have stayed close to them. Her mom was baptized
when she was 8, but doesn't remember it and was never active, but has found great peace in the gospel and is trying to align her life with gospel teachings. She keeps saying “I just don't want Him to let go of me now that I've found Him!”

The baptism was a little scary. When we got there Yareli was scared to death and in tears and didn't want to
do it. So, I told her we would have the talk and musical number and then she would tell me if she wanted to go through with it. The week before, they had come over to choose the opening and closing songs and we played through a few hymns. She ended up choosing the hymn “When Faith Endures.”

I will not doubt, I will not fear; God’s love and strength are always near.
His promised gift helps me to find An inner strength and peace of mind.
I give the Father willingly My trust, my prayers, humility.
His Spirit guides; his love assures That fear departs when faith endures.

Wow! After we sang that song, she gave me a nod and got into the water! Whew! But, no pics.

Louis is JT's new friend that lives just down the road. We've had them over for dinner and FHE and Louis has been coming to scouts with us for about a month now. Their family is coming to church with us this Sunday.  We're very excited!

Canning peaches and pears – These AZ people know the best peaches come from Brigham City and they have truck loads shipped down every year. I'm always in on it. Just wish I could grow my own! No pics.

JT public school – JT is going to Desert Shadows Middle School, 7th grade. He's learning a lot of interesting
things. It is the right place for him right now. His main reason for going was to make some friends. There has
been no one around his age for quite a while and a boy needs some buddies! No pics.

Father's blessings – the sweet gift of a Father's blessing is always a comfort in our home. No pics.

Cleaned the church, fed the missionaries, (there are 3 sets of Elders and 1 set of Sisters), dentist/ortho, seminary (I get to exercise during this hour! Dropping the poundage, baby!), rained out at the lake, attended an education seminar on Mormons in Mexico, and the AZ Homeschool Convention. (It was refreshing!) No pics.

Things that Shane was at and so got a quick couple pictures with his phone:

Backpacking – Our family has begun a new hobby of backpacking. Our goal is to be able to go out on a 72 hour hike. I've been taking the baby with me in the morning and walking around the church with him in my backpack.  He's one heavy little dude! But the training is a blast. The hash brown containers at Costco were the biggest hit!  Just add hot water! They were delicious! Got a couple pics of this outing.

Shane killed our first rattle snake. Scary! We went to the Biosphere. Cool! Hit one fair with snakes and tractors.  And, Kayla is looking into dairy goats. We'll see!

Love ya!

There and Back Again, A Dille Family Tale

July

Malad Fireworks!  THE BEST.  Saying goodbye and heading for home.  Annual pilgrimage to the “Y” and a stop at Pete & Colleen's.  Plus an exciting PG-13 Hawaiian party at Nathan and Heather's.  But it was worth it for Thomas and Zach to finally make friends!  We also took Trent & Kayla to BYU Idaho.  Wow!  Lot's of change over the last 15 years.  But somehow the spirit of Ricks College still remains!

Back at home we've had almost daily showers.  Some major down pooring and it looks like Ireland with Ocotillo.  Weird, but a nice change from the constant look of death. We are surrounded by Mesquite trees, and they are BLACK.  We live in an area called Sleepy Hollow and it is rightly named because it looks like the old Disney movie by the same name with the pumpkin headed guy with dark, spooky looking trees.  Then, every July - green leaves pop out on all the black trees.  It's so strange.  I still miss Oregon.

ACMA - Every year we have the great priviledge of attending Shane's Arizona City Manager Association Conference.  But this year was a special treat because Shane, JT and Thomas got SICK!  If you have not been cooped up in a hotel room with three sick people, you have not lived!  The best part was that I got to go to Shane's banquet for him and eat the most delicious food and visit with the wives of the CM's that I've known for 12 years now, since the beginning of Shane's career.

EFY - Kayla's report:  This month I went to EFY, Especially For Youth.  It was so much fun to be able to hang with a bunch of other teens and share fun and clean jokes! What a nice break from everything worldly!  We all were put into companies, with about 12 girls and 12 boys.  Every company had a scripture to base their chant and their flag off of, and ours was John 10:16.  Our flag was a bunch of sheep being held in one hand, and our company name was 'Hold to the Fold'.  In the course of the week we had activities, such as the Variety show (like a talent show) and the Music Program.  Four girls and I tried out for the Variety show, and we got in!  I also participated in the Music Program. It was so spiritual and so much fun to be able to sing as pretty as we could!  We sang things like, "As Zion's Youth In Latter Days," and "Arise and Shine Forth,".  Every song was so pretty, and we all had really good voices, even the boys!  Over all, EFY was amazing, and I can't wait for next year!!

Thomas is becoming quite the toilet-time story teller.  Here's the latest: A farmer came in the house and gave him a camel to ride on.  But the camel had two (or maybe "too") poky ears.  So he had to hold his tail for a ride.  But then he could not hold his tail because there was poo-poo on it and so he held his tusks.  Then the camel fell into a big pit and he had to fill it with water to get the camel out.  Then the farmer said he could look in his door and he saw whole bunches of apples and carrots and he ate ALL the carrots and they were so yummy.  But then the farmer was sad that he ate all the carrots.  

Quite a plot, with a moral to boot - don't eat all the farmer's carrots.  

Baby Go Fish is trying to get "big tooth on top" number two.  But also talking!  Mamma, Dadda, Num Num, Uh Oh!, Tat Tat Tat, (Kitty cat), and I LOVE YOU!  It's so cute!  He is like a little puppy just crawling around the house.  And if we roll a ball he runs after it, throws it and runs after it, throws it and runs after it some more.  He's quite good at entertaining himself.  It's lovely!

The "Y" on the mountain! 

Love you all!