You are my habit

Writing these letters over our deployment has changed the way I think of communicating with you and as a family. It has also taught me some of the inner ways you think and experience your day. I do now declare that I want family letter writing to be a consistent thing throughout our life. (Just maybe not everyday - as we can see, even when deployed, thats hard to keep up. But once a week or even month would be fun to read and look back on...hey? - I threw that in for you).

Another habit I want to keep going: ponderizing scriptures. Yes, I already fell by the wayside doing it but I loved doing it and love the idea and I think we need to hold each other accountable for it. There is no doubt that a habit like that will only be a good thing down the road.

Tomorrow is Christmas eve eve. I can't believe it. It really doesn't feel much like Christmas here. Mostly because there isn't all the preparations and travel, and of course family and traditions. They do try to make it somewhat holiday like with a few decorations and some extra activities. I found my new talent and calling at BINGO. Can bingo be a talent? Well I got lucky anyways and one two weeks in a row. I guess I should stop there while ahead.

I think you are the best. I love the stocking and 12 days of Christmas you sent me. I have them decorated all about my desk and with the pictures of the family you sent me, my desk is like a little haven/shrine to the family. I feel comfortable sitting at my desk and looking at all the treasures and reminders of the people most important to me.

I know you know the story but for posterity sake: SSG Hoff shares an office with me. He has felt over the 9 months deployed under appreciated and forgotten. His unit didn't support them or show any love or concern for them at any point let alone during the holidays. I noticed he would get very annoyed when I got packages especially from my work. So we talked about how it would be nice to send him a Christmas gift. When I walked in one morning, he was sitting there with the box in his lap. "CPT Pilgrim, do you know anything about this?". "Well, I think it's for you." He replied "When I saw who this is from I was really moved and touched by that." I could tell he really meant that as he looked at me and held his box. I went to the mail room and got mine and then we opened it together (bonding moment!). When he say all the individually wrapped presents and stocking in there this guy, who is fairly intimidating at first impression, got teary eyed and said something to the effect that it meant a lot to him with all the feelings he has had over the past several months. So, that's my wife. My wife does wonderful things that make a difference to people. She doesn't even get the direct credit for them because she does it quietly and without public pomp or circumstance. She is a great example of simple, quiet, dignity and Christlike service. I love you!!

Stuff like that DOES make it feel like Christmas.

We had the stake president visit us. It was really cool to hear about the status of the church in the middle east. He brought something like 72ish dozen cookies made by the stake. Some of them were GOOD!. I decided to take a bunch and hand them out at clinic. It was fun passing them around. Someone had made some really good cookies and tied a little note about the Savior to them. Also there were letters from the primary that I handed out to everyone. Again, another little Christmas bonus.

I'm grateful that also I have been the recipient of tremendous Christmas service. Our house was flooded while we were gone and being away we were helpless to do anything to care for it. Fortunately we had some good friends and neighbors who willingly stepped in to help. Charley, our elderly neighbor, checked in on the house every week and after the flood, personally put sandbags outside the back doors, removed the inside doors from the frames, and placed a dehumidifier in the house. Then the Farringtons went in and moved all our furniture, tore up the carpet, cleaned the floors, and raked the backyard with something like 25 industrial sized garbage bags of debris. I am so amazed at folks who step up to do service and am grateful for good people everywhere!

I guess, now that I'm writing this and reflecting on the holidays, it really has been a good Christmas holiday and perhaps one of the more meaningful ones I've had. Isn't it funny which moment in life become the meaningful ones. Usually they never are those ideal moments, but the hard times filled with struggle and sacrifice and stresses. Those, after the fact sometimes, seem to produce the most memorable changing experiences.

It's really late and I need to get up to talk to you in only a few hours. But do know that I certainly love you. I think I made one fantastic decision in my life and that was you! To be honest, I really lucked out. I'm grateful for how similar and alike I feel we are. I'm also grateful for the strengths that you bring that support me in my weaknesses. We are a great team and I want to finish the whole race together.

If we had something to toast I'd toast to a great Christmas that can be memorable and happy and where we can feel closer together as a family even though we are thousands of miles apart. I love you and miss you but know I will see you soon.

You are the apple in my pie.

Forever!!

I am sorry I have been so bad at this. I don't know why sometimes I just can't get myself to do the things I want to do or know I should do.

Some random things that our kids say and do.

Avar- Mom do you have an r in your name?
Me- nope I don't
Avar- Go Fish!!

Izaac has been trying really hard to get along with others and is making an effort to stay calm when playing with the boys. Izaac loves skating and asks to go constantly. He really wants to play hockey but is also intimidated by the thought. He is cute when he runs around town with his little buddies. Orin across the street, who is like 5 looks up to him so much an wants to do everything Izaac does, unfortunately that means some crazy schemes sometimes but they both seem to enjoy it.

Avar has been amazingly sweet to Preston and has been a great peacemaker in our house. She tries hard not to fight about the color of bowl, or chair, or who pushes buttons when we are out. She is very sweet and is trying to be kind. It is nice to watch and as she does it Preston quickly follows suit.

Have you noticed that Ava how has an extra letter in her name?? well that is because she is 4 now and so she has 4 letters in her name. She will tell anyone they forgot the r when writing her name on things. The sister missionaries were concerned when helping her at the christmas party. I love it, it cracks me up, hopefully it does;t have too many permanent damaging effects. and next year she can be Avari up until the glorious 9th birthday when she gets her full name.

CoraLynn has been a drawing machine. She is actually really good. She looks at pictures, or cats, or things and then draws them. It is fun to see how much she has progressed since we have been here.
Cora is also reading a lot. She is liking her chapter puppy books and enjoys reading them with Grandma.

Preston is coming along with pretty much everything. He is amazing to watch. He knows many letters and numbers. He got his diaper wipes and cream for me to change him yesterday and said " I have 3 things mom!" I was impressed.
He is super silly and loves to do anything the other kids are doing.

I am trying to make a special small christmas. I am torn between not wanting to haul a bunch of junk and wanting them to feel loved and excited on christmas morning. It really is hard!

Things are winding down here. Parent Preschool is finished, school only has one more week, Scouts if finished for the year. It is all winding down. I think we chose a good transition point to leave. It seems a natural brake from most things and a good starting place when we get home.

I am so ready to get back to our house. I am so excited to be home. I love being her and I love that the kids get to explore Magrath but I am ready to get back to our reality. I am ready for you to come home to me:)

I have been pretty consistent with reading my scriptures for the past 2 weeks which for me is a big deal. I have been using the BOM manual and it helps me a lot to write out something and answer questions for each chapter. I need a focus and this helps me with one. I am enjoying it.

I am once again late for stay n play but I didn't want to put this off any longer. I love reading your letters It is the best part of my day. and I am sorry for not giving you letters to read for a few weeks. I love you so much. I want to be better for you. I want to be my best self, whatever that is.

You are the rabbit to my magic top hat.
Love always!!
Ali

The fire

Dear Favorite of Mine,

In 8 days will mark 4 months since I last saw you and only 1 month until I see you again, 80% done! I am trying to reflect on what accomplishments have been made in these last 4 months:

• We started a trend and new tradition of writing each other letters which has opened up a new means of communication and method of sharing our feelings and thoughts and insights with each other.
• We have spent many hours on the phone talking deeply about our feelings about our relationship, our family, and our faith and have strengthened and deepened our unity and love for each other
• We have had a re-birth of our desires and ambitions in regards to parenting by thinking about the long term success of our children and what really matters in their life and ours and recognizing that our sole primary responsibility is to raise good faithful happy children
• Our attraction for each other has increased as we have stayed true to our covenants and faithful to each other and our desires for one another have only intensified
• We have set new goals of being more fit and active and nutritionally conscious 
• We have demonstrated our desires to our children to be consistent in scripture study and prayer by making it a priority in our day and being consistent in what time we have it and doing it each day

I think we have made great accomplishments in our life together as we have been apart. Truly I feel more connected to you then I have before and I'm grateful very much for that. This deployment I think could be considered a success because of these great accomplishments in the meaningful parts of our lives. 

I love that even through separation we grow stronger together. I feel that we are inseparable and that trials only forge us and make us better and stronger. I love that we can do hard things and come out better from it. I know some trials will drop us to our knees, but I also know when we are on our knees together praying for the same thing that is right, we will have the help to build us up and bring us together and succeed in the end.

I love you so much. I am so grateful to be sealed to you and be your companion and to have you as my companion. I have cherished our life together so far, I look forward to the remainder of our lives together and beyond! I will forever be yours.

Have you ever wanted something so bad you'd give up anything and everything you had?

If that's the case put a smile on your face, you're mine, it's gonna be just fine.

I love you,

Justice

Still counting down

A Canadian Doc gives you an annual exam. What does he do first?
He body checks you.

So I got all the letters and loved them! Tell Riley that he's MY favorite brother in law and the cat on his card reminded me of his face - I could just nuzzle it. No don't tell him that part. Don't read that part either. I'm feeling awkward and no one is here. So...

How do you spot a Canadian abroad?
They're the ones that thank the ATM machine.

I've been trying hard to get all my goals but it is unreal how my body just says 'denied'. It's amazing out how tired my body can get and just no motivation when I'm forcing it to do things that I know I should do. I have it all measured out to a science of all that I need to do. When to sleep, what to eat, when to exercise, when to read. And all of those things are super good for me and if I did them all, I'd be awesome. And there are no distractions and I have the time so it seams, why not? Right? But no! I can make it like one day and the next day is like my brain is mush and body is dead and motivation is gone. What gives? Dang bodies!

What did the Albertan ask the tour guide at the Eiffel tower?
How many barrels a day does it produce?

Today I couldn't keep my eyes open so I came home and took a nap. I now have to work out and it is bed time. I;m going to bribe myself to do it by allowing myself some candy if I do. See...

How do you stop bacon from curling in the frying pan?
Take away their brooms.

44 days and counting. I should not have counted the days yesterday because now I know. And I probably won't forget and inadvertently keep counting. Poop stains.

How do you tell 50 Canadians to get out of the swimming pool?
Please get out of the swimming pool.

I think you are beautiful. I look forward to holding you again! I also look forward to wrestling and playing and fist bumping...fist bumping? Just being with you. I look forward to running in the marathon with you and training for that.

You know you might be Canadian if you've you designed a halloween costume to go over a snow suit.

I love your Canadian guts. I think you taste like maple syrup.

ciao

Tengo sueno. I guess it was noticeable because SSG Hof kept asking if I was okay. Staying up last night for those calls I guess did me in. I think I'm finally figuring out the affect sleep has on me. Now for one of the first (and probably only) times in my life I have the ability to actually sleep when I need to, I can notice a huge difference when I don't sleep. Thing is, I walk around most everyday with so much less sleep and went through entire dental school with no sleep. No wonder I was grumpy and couldn't remember anything! I wish I were that guy (i.e. your dad) that doesn't ever need to sleep. That sure saves a lot of time.

I had two patients today that were very dental phobic, one I never saw but was put at ease and became relaxed afterwards giving praise and thank you's, and the other I've been seeing that started out so apprehensive and now could sit through an entire hour and half appointment with little problems. She would be hypersensitive to everything, even when she was completely numb, and would jump and fidget but told us today how amazing of a difference it makes when you trust the people working on you. So there's my positive story.

I fell asleep at lunch.

I took a picture and sent it to Shira in my Santa Hat and with a sign saying "I love Shira DC (but not Dr Koo)" - He sent me this letter saying that I will be on DOD call for the next 3 months when I get back so I was just messing back with him.

I did I think 360 sit-ups and 360 pushups. Then I did 5 sets of 5 squats.

I ate chicken breasts, broccoli, carrots, and some tomato salad stuff.

I weighed myself today for the first time in about a month. I couldn't believe that I am ... the exact same weight as when I got here. How is that possible? I haven't more dramatically changed my diet and exercise routine in any other time of my life yet it has had zero change. Weird. Anyways, I'm not too woried about it, just want to keep the habits. It does make me really feel good and I enjoy that.

I was going to try to translate my entire letter into Italian but I am way too tired for that.

So, arrivederci e io ti amo! sei una bella anguria!

Tuo marito,

Giustizia