Year in Review

2009 was a rough year for me and many of the people I love. It was a year filled with losing loved ones, financial struggle, and disappointment.

However, a few weeks ago, when I was sitting across the desk from my bishop during tithing settlement, he helped me to look at the past year with a fresh perspective. He asked me about serving in the Draper Temple. He asked about graduation and starting my career. “Gosh, you’ve had a pretty great year, haven’t you, Maggie?” he said.

So, now that it’s the end of 2009, and I’m looking back on twelve months of happiness and heartache, I’ll choose to take a brighter perspective and find all of the wonderful things I experienced this year. I’ll make a conscious choice to see the silver linings.

January
Served in the beautiful new Draper Temple and felt the peace of the Spirit inside its walls.

February
Was hired with an open contract for Granite School District.

March
Sang in a dedicatory session of the Draper Temple – it was a life changing experience. I also got to be of service to someone by driving him to the airport way before the break of dawn.

April
Saw thousands of gorgeous tulips at the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point. I decided I must return every year! I also sang in the Conference Center for General Conference. WOW!

May
Graduated from college!!!

June
Had an absolute blast dancing the night away at a YSA Conference.

July
Played with friends at a baseball game, The Fray concert, a backyard campfire, and IKEA.

August
Welcomed a good friend home and started teaching my cute 3rd graders.

September
Spent some time with my wonderful family at the annual Hortin Family Reunion.

October
Saw two incredibly awesome concerts – Colbie Caillat and Ingrid Michaelson.

November
FOOTBALL!!! And my birthday.

December
Sang and watched Christmas concerts. I saw Eclipse and the Tab Choir and I sang in the Assembly Hall and my ward. My ward choir rocked their program!

Now I’m more than ready to welcome in 2010 with the hope that it brings less tears and even more happiness for those I love.

Merry Christmas

My favorite part of the Bible Christmas Story comes near the end, "but Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart."

I picture Mary, a brand new mother, holding her beautiful new baby boy. I picture her exhausted from the pain of childbirth, but blissfully happy as she gazes into the eyes of her son and contemplates the years to come. I imagine her thanking God for her perfect son with his miniature fingers and toes and precious smile. I imagine her holding my Savior in her arms and gently rocking him to sleep. She would be the one to raise him and nurture him. She would teach him to walk and speak. She would wipe his tears so that many years later He could wash her sorrows away.

More than 2,000 years ago, Mary pondered these things in her heart. On this Christmas Day, surrounded by those I love, I ponder these things in mine. I ponder that my beloved Lord and Savior came to earth as an innocent and perfect baby. He came to earth to save me. He had my happiness and salvation in mind. This little baby grew to be the Lord who gave his life for me and for you.

I ponder all of the blessings in my life that I've received through him. Through Jesus Christ, I am blessed with my wonderful family who I am sealed to for all eternity. Through him, I am blessed with the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ which brings me peace and gives my life purpose and direction.

And, most of all, I am blessed with His unconditional love. Love that is manifested in His atonement. Love that reminds me that no matter how difficult the trial or how deep and dark the valley, He has been there before. Love that surrounds me and lifts me and never leaves me comfortless.

Have a Merry Christmas.

Tragedy at the Hortin House - but Yay for Bowl Games!

First, the tragedy. Kraft is no longer making the bottled Roka Blue Cheese that is one of the key ingredients in the classic Hortin Cheese Ball. Honestly! This is a serious tragedy! My mom almost started to cry, and she doesn't even eat cheese. What are we going to do? How can life go on?? What's a football party without cheese ball???

And, speaking of football... Who's excited for the game tonight? That would be ME!!! Go UTES!

On my wishlist

I work at a Title One school. We are blessed at our school to have many community partners and caring people who give generously to the school. Recently, new shoes and boots were distributed to children who need them.

One of the girls in my class received cute dark brown Bear Paw boots. She didn't seem terribly excited, but I was in love as soon as I looked at them. Dare I say I was even a little jealous...

So... There are Bear Paw boots at Smith's Marketplace. For $65. Worth it? Not? What do you think?

Deck the Halls

Here are a few things that have helped me get into the Christmas spirit:

1. Performing in the Institute Concert Choir at the Assembly Hall

2. Seeing the Forgotten Carols

3. Going to Ballet West's Nutcracker (twice, actually!)

4. Walking in a snowstorm with big, fat snowflakes

5. Listening to Karen Carpenter sing "He Came Here for Me"

6. Buying Christmas gifts for my darling third graders

7. Walking on Temple Square

8. Decorating the Christmas tree with my family

9. Setting up a cute little tree in the corner of my classroom

10. Going with friends to hear Natalie Cole sing with the Tab choir

Must. Change. Attitude.

This inspirational picture is on my Mom's calendar by the phone. Don't you just love it? This week, its message rang true for me. Considering my somewhat 'downer' post about Christmas, I've decided to change my attitude. Instead of letting all the demands of Christmas get to me, I'm going to look for bright spots in the season.

My sister Jenny bore her testimony in Sacrament Meeting today and really helped me refocus on the reason we celebrate Christmas. So... stay tuned for a new and improved (and more positive) me.

You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch

I have a confession to make. I, Maggie Hortin, do not especially care for Christmas. Now, I know there are many of my friends who think this is cause for me to be "boiled in Christmas pudding and buried with a stake of holly through my heart," (did you catch the reference?), but it's sadly the truth. Christmas is not my favorite holiday. I consider December the most stressful month of the year, and I am actually relieved when it's over.

December means the end of another year when I look back and ask myself, "Where did this year go?" December means stress from work and other places I'm supposed to be and things I'm supposed to do. My ideal Christmas holiday would be spent in a cabin in the mountains, drinking hot chocolate and listening to Christmas music with my family. Too bad this will never happen.

It's not that I enjoy being such a Grinch. I've actually tried to change my attitude, and this year will be no different. This year I'm trying to do something connected to the Christmas season each day. So far, I've gone to a concert at the Tabernacle, celebrated Sinterklaas with my family, and seen Ballet West's Nutcracker. I've really enjoyed all of these Christmas-y things. :)

So here is my question for you: What do you do to get in the Christmas mood? How do you escape the stress of the Christmas season? How do you stay focused on what Christmas is really about - the birth of our Savior?