Family, Food & Football

Fall = family memories, good food, and football and this week was jam packed with all three. 

Family Memories

As I've grown older I've realized family is something you are born into and marry into but also something you create with the people you are closest to. I feel like I am part of many families. I have a work family, church family, friend family, Tennessee family, Pittsburgh family, school family, in addition to the Hall and Richins families. I love all of my families and am so so grateful for the relationships I share with each of them. I also feel so grateful to have families who want to cultivate relationships with me because it's a two way street. 

That being said here are some memories from our different families throughout the week:

Mine and Jaden's family: Jade and I have been saying we need to get to the temple so last week I scheduled an appointment for sealings. They have been on my mind a lot lately and Jaden and I have only done them a handful of times. After listening to one of President Nelson's talks on the importance and blessings of family history work I felt inspired to bring family names. Family Search has gotten so advanced literally all I had to do was go into the section that says find family names and there are dozens waiting and ready to print. When we were in Chicago a temple worker shared a quote with us from President Hinckley I loved, "Just as our Redeemer gave His life as a vicarious sacrifice for all men, and in so doing became our Savior, even so we, in a small measure, when we engage in proxy work in the temple, become as saviors to those on the other side." I love the thought that temple work is the most Christlike work because we are doing something for someone they can't do for themselves. 

It's pretty sweet when you realize the people you are doing the work for are part of your family. I like to think that one day when I meet them they'll run up and hug me for helping them. I'm not trying to take credit but that's what motivates me to do work for family. They made it possible for me to be here and I want to make it possible for us all to be there: in heaven together as a family. Who do you want in your greeting party in the next life? I want as much family in mine as possible. 

The temple is obviously a big part of mine and Jade's relationship. It's ultimately where we got married but also it's where we first started talking about getting married in the first place. I know I've written this in a journal somewhere but this has basically become my journal and I see both myself and future kids reading this (probably because it has pictures) more than a dusty old book. So I'm going to write it here too. 

When I was living in Salt Lake and going to the U, Jaden was working downtown and one night we decided we'd meet up and do a session at the Salt Lake temple. I don't remember exactly when it was, I want to say some time in October but it very well could have been September. Either way we had only been dating a few months but we were dating exclusively, I know that much. After completing the endowment session we met up in the celestial room to quietly sit and talk and ponder. 

I remember the couch where we were sitting on like it was yesterday. Jaden had his arm around me and I remember we were looking across the room at a cute elderly couple sitting just like us, his arm around her smiling and taking in the peace of the temple. I remember Jaden leaning over and whispering in my ear, "you know, they get it... those two understand how to keep the love alive even after years and years." Something in my heart took such comfort in those words. Before getting married keeping the love alive was a huge fear of mine. People talk all the time about the "newlywed phase" and how people "drift apart" in a marriage after kids. There are mentions of "midlife crises," and "falling out of love" and "divorce rates skyrocketing" everywhere you turn. I knew when I got married I wanted a love that is kept alive and as cheesy as it sounds I didn't want the newlywed phase to ever end. In that moment I knew that Jaden valued that same thing. 

We sat there until the couple got up to leave. After a few more minutes we got up to do the same and as we did a temple worker approached us. As he got closer he asked us, "Are you two married?," we said "No." And then he (very boldly I might add) said, "Well have you talked about it?" I started to panic not knowing what to say, because no we hadn't. I had thought about it plenty but neither me or Jade had ever said anything to each other about marriage. After glancing sideways at me Jade responded to Laman (I can picture his face and nametag just not his last name. I mean honestly how can you forget a temple worker named Laman asking you if you are married and if not have you talked about it?!;) and said "We haven't but we've thought about it a lot." 

Then Laman said something like "well you should, remember Heavenly Father wants to send His spirit children to good happy homes with the gospel." And with that he smiled, patted Jaden on the shoulder and walked away. To what I'm sure would be Laman's delight we did talk about marriage that night and over the course of the next few months kept talking about it until Jaden proposed in December and we got married in March. 

Now, four years later I think back to the temple that day and wish I could find Laman and thank him. I'm sure he has no idea his role in starting a conversation that truly changed both of our lives. There are seriously so many blessings found in the temple. Ours isn't unique. But as I thought about that experience this week I thought about how that is the answer to "keeping the love alive." It's the temple. Plain and simple. It's staying true to the covenants you made there and living a life worthy of going back. It's remembering the covenants you have made and then going to church on Sunday and renewing them during the sacrament. I love Jaden so much and can't even express how happy I am to be his wife and to be sealed to him for time and all eternity. I'm grateful for the promises we have made with God and the commitment we have made to each other to honor those covenantal promises so we can be together forever. 

I have noticed when President Nelson announces new temples during General Conference he'll often say, "the construction of these temples might not change your life but your time in the temple will." I could not agree more. My life has been profoundly blessed by my time in the temple. And I know it will bless yours too. 

Hall family: Had my parents and Bridge over for fish tacos and we spent the evening enjoying a meal and spending time together. The boys watched Thursday Night football while mom and I attempted freezer peach jam with the remaining peaches I had to get rid of before they go bad. I have 12 freezer bags full of frozen sliced peaches in my freezer as well as 6 pint jars full of peach jam. If you haven't noticed already our peach yield was seriously out of control! Dad came over to the kitchen when we were finished and asked if he could "reserve a jar for peach chutney with pork for a future Sunday dinner." It was funny the way he phrased it, of course I said yes. It was fun to hang out with my family I really love them so much. 

Work family: It was Major's birthday this week. The girls and I planned ahead this year and his gift got there like a week before his actual birthday but you know what the mentality is in the Hall fam: extend the celebration for as long as possible. I'm so grateful to work for and with some amazing people who value family the way that they do. We learned that Natalie is pregnant so that means the Flywheel crew is getting another new member. And Gretchen's due date is approaching so quickly so we're trying to prep for our first maternity leave other than Natalie's. Exciting times!

Friend family: We went to Cross E Ranch with the crew Friday night and it honestly was so much fun. It cooled off a lot and I had to unpack some of my fall/winter clothes to bundle up. Logan chose In-N-Out for dinner on our way down and then we got their fresh apple cider doughnuts once we got down there. So dang good! We spent a few hours walking through sunflower fields, playing cornhole, eating doughnuts and playing with Macky. Kids definitely make the experience way more fun and we for sure wouldn't have stayed as long as we did if he hadn't been there. A highlight of the night was without a doubt the pig races. The boys all decided to bet 5 dollars on the pig they thought would win and they got sooo into it it was hilarious to watch. Jaden's pig won the first heat and Sam's won the other two. They had bandanas tied around them so Jade's was yellow, Sam's was green, Logan's was blue and Landon's was red. It was such a fun and funny night out with friends we truly think of as family. 

Richins family: Spent Saturday with Amanda, Casey, Jeff and Jade at the Utah game. The whole family knows I get a kick out of Jeff's commentary and I love writing down his quips and one liners. I kid you not we had all been in the car for 5 minutes and I already had like 8 quotes written in my Jeff Quote Note on my phone. 

Church family: Sunday was the mission farewell of one of my young women from our Bountiful ward: Holland. Oh my gosh she seriously did SUCH a great job. She had such a powerful testimony about the power of prayer I was reminded again how much I love and admire the girls I got to meet and serve with in that ward. It was those two years after Jaden and I got married where I really learned to let go of the fear "how am I supposed to raise children in this crazy and scary world?" I would watch the girls and be left in awe at the challenges they faced and perspective they have. They truly are prepared for this day and time. We as parents and leaders get the opportunity to foster those innate gifts they already have and help them understand who they are and why they are here. 

My heart was literally so full as I got to reconnect with so many people I grew to love while living down there. I sat between my Grandpa Dave and Grandma Mavis during sacrament meeting and then ended up going to second hour relief society with Grandma. I saw so many dear friends and it was seriously so good for my soul. I wasn't planning on staying for both hours of church but when Grandma asked me if I would I decided why not. The relief society presidency was getting reorganized so they had all of the current presidency get up and speak and bare their testimonies and then had the new presidency get up and do the same. I was shocked when the newly released president stood up and said, "I'm surprised and happy to see McKenzie here because I wanted to start out my remarks today by sharing a quote she shared in Relief Society when she lived here." She went on to share a quote from my mission president's wife Sister Pickett, "The Lord will make a garden out of this wilderness." She talked about how much that resonated with her and how true it has been for her life. She is a woman whose life has been wrought with trials and difficulty but it was amazing to see her faith and hope radiate as she talked about her love and bore testimony of the Savior. Her Savior. 

I also think it is amazing that I got to see how the words you share can bless people years later. And they weren't actually even my words. Once again on of my favorite quotes rings true, "God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that He meets our needs." Spencer W. Kimball

Good Food

I already covered it, peach freezer jam, and apple cider doughnuts were the fall highlights this week. I also recently discovered the website Lillie Eats and Tells which has a ton of yummy and healthy recipes. This week we tried her chicken shawarma and fish tacos both were delicious. Going to be using her website a LOT more in the future. 

Football

Megan offered her two tickets to the Utah UCLA game to Jade and I this week so we went down with Amanda, Casey & Jeff. Salt Lake was jam packed due to X-Con (new name of Comic-Con) so that was some wild people watching. I was definitely overlayered for the game and our sunny seats (it was chilly the afternoon and evening the day before but definitely not on game day and I was overprepared and overheating) so that made a long game even longer. Full transparency, by the third quarter I was dying to go home. I feel like I have a long way to go to appreciate and dedicate so many hours to watching and loving football like the Richins do. That being said I do want to be better and I think the first step is understanding the game more.  I want to be a better fan, more supportive wife and ultimately a mom on the sideline who actually understands what is happening on the field. But like I said I've got a long way to go. 

After a long discussion with Jade after the game we are going to start football school this season. I bought some books and have committed to watching more games with him so I can learn more and be more confident in my knowledge of the game so I can enjoy it more. For a few years I have daydreamed about creating a digital guide/workbook for people who don't understand a sport but want to learn. I feel like there are lots of resources but I get overwhelmed by so much information and have a hard time digesting it so I just bag it entirely and pretend I know what's going on. I told Jaden that it's almost like going to a concert where you don't know the lyrics to most of the songs. So you dance and try to get into the energy of the crowd but you feel kind of awkward and just keep wishing you knew the songs... if you can relate to that, THAT is what I feel like when I watch football. And I kind of hate it. So I am going to change it. I have a lot of ideas flooding my mind on how to help other women like me learn football so they don't resent it. Problem is in order to create something like that I need to learn it myself. The best part is, (probably seems obvious) but I realized through this process that now that I'm done with school I can learn about and teach myself whatever I want which is so exciting. So my current subject I'm learning about is going to be football. More to come on that as the season goes on. 

Peaches:

• Youth activity this week was acting out scripture stories with random props and dress ups. It was entertaining to say the least

• Temple with Jaden
• Reflecting on blessings
• Feeling so grateful for the blessings of the gospel and my covenants
• Listening to President Nelson's talks. I have a goal to listen to all 110 talks he has ever given before this next session of General Conference
• Jaden saying as we approached the temple "are those onions?" Made me laugh, we had a gardening lesson and as we turned the corner saw a youth group helping plant next years tulip bulbs. Hopefully an opportunity we'll have closer to home when the Layton temple is finished

• Being at the Ogden temple
• Dinner with family
• Trying new recipes
• Cross E Ranch with our friends
• Macky's laugh
• Apple cider doughnuts
• Watching our friends be parents
• Playing corn hole with Jaden
• Pig races
• Adding to my Jeff quote note
• The Utes won
• Picking sunflowers
• Church in Bountiful
• Seeing old friends

Pits

• Overheating at the Utah game
• Losing momentum on some of the goals I had set
• Amy's yearly mammogram took longer to read and get results back than normal so we were all on edge for a few days. Everything is clear, we took her a sunflower back from Cross E ranch to celebrate