Thanksgiving Menu

I'm attempting to cook my own Thanksgiving dinner for the first time. It's going to be just me and my sweet husband, Brenton. Here's our menu.
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Stuffed Cornish Hens

Vanilla Cornbread Stuffing

Some type of rolls (Brenton's in charge of that)

Cheesy Potatoes (Again, Brenton's assignment)

Assorted Relish Tray

Steamed Asparagus

Creamed Broccoli

Fresh apple, with a zest of orange, Cranberry Salad

Sweetened Sweet Potatoes with a brulee'd marshmallow coating

Crisp Sparkling Cider

Fresh Apple Cranberry Pie

Whipped Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie

Mulled, Spiced Cider (for dessert with the pies)

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I know it will be a challenge, but I think I can handle it, and I'm pretty excited to try. One of the greatest things about the Thanksgiving meal is that you can pile everything on your plate, let it all blend together, and it still tastes good. It also makes fantastic leftovers. We're going shopping for everything this weekend, and we've been really careful with our grocery budget this month so that we can go all out for Thanksgiving. If you would like any of the recipes for the dishes on the menu, let me know. My mom can make all of this completely gluten, dairy, nut, and fresh fruit free by the way. She's amazing like that.

Financial Security Begins with a Budget

I have often heard the council, "live within your means." Excellent advice. We live in a time where people use credit cards to pay of other credit cards. Everything is "buy now, pay later." Debt is a plague. It never sleeps, it never takes a holiday, and if not taken care of, it grows rapidly. If there's one thing my parents have taught me in addition to the gospel, it's how to budget. Because of their love, support, and good council, I managed to graduate from college debt free with money in the bank. Brenton and I were able to get married debt free. Now that I am working in a secure job, we are in a fantastic position to save and prepare for our exciting future. This past weekend we factored in my new salary, and created a budget based upon the system my mother taught me in college. It's fantastic advice, so I thought I'd share it with the rest of you.

Step 1. Pay your tithes and offerings. Before you even open the envelopes containing the bills, pay your tithing. Before you budget your monthly income, pay your tithing. Each month, contribute a generous fast offering. I can testify that as Brenton and I have done this, no matter what the situation we have always had enough. It is always the number one priority when it comes to finances. You cannot expect anything else to work out if you have neglected this crucial step.

Step 2. Make a list of everything you have to pay each month, no matter what. Rent/mortgage payments, utilities, cell phone bill, Internet, insurance, etc. These bills typically stay at a set rate, so next to each item, write out the price you pay each month.

Step 3. Add on to your list things that you have to pay for that are not at a specific rate. Things like groceries, gas, entertainment, and eating out. Commit to a reasonable amount that you know you can stick to. If you make a completely unreasonable goal, you won't keep it, and you might as well have not created the budget in the first place.

Step 4. Set aside money each month for your retirement fund. The earlier you start, the more it builds up. Next, set aside money each month for your emergency savings. This fund is for "rainy days," like when the car breaks down, or your basement floods, or you have to go to the hospital, an emergency root canal, etc. If you don't put aside money for this, life's little mishaps will catch up with you and you won't be prepared.

Step 5. Always have a miscellaneous category. Because every month you will have some random expense that you won't know where to factor in. You bought a new pair of shoes, or decorations for your home. It was somebody's birthday. You found a really great deal on windshield wipers, things like that. Give it a specific amount that fits within your means.

Step 6. Any money that you have leftover after everything else has been factored in, use as a "flux" category. Because let's face it, each month there's always something that needs more money than you thought. It's a family birthday, you need to buy new furniture, Christmas shopping, painting a bathroom, etc. If you plan in advance with the flux money, these expenditures won't throw you for a loop. Also, if you don't have anything that month that requires the flux money, put it in a separate fund for a vacation in the future.

Step 7. Once everything has been given a category and a specific amount has been assigned, MAKE SURE that it does NOT go over your monthly income. And double check that you have already taken out the money set aside for tithing and fast offerings when looking at the numbers for your monthly income.

Step 8. Next to the column that has each category's allotted amount to spend, create a column to enter in the amounts actually spent that month. Make sure that you are keeping good track of this. Use whatever system works for you. Track it online, in a checkbook, on a chart in your wallet, and always verify with receipts or spending reports.

Step 9. If there is a difference from the amount planned or actually spent in a certain category whether negative or positive, write it in the column next to the amount actually spent. Make sure you mark whether it's leftover money, or if you're in the red.

Step. 10 Next to the difference column, make a column entitled, "Compensation" and for each category that has a negative or positive difference, write down where you are going to take the money from, or what you're doing with the surplus. For example, if you went over in the "eating out" category, in the compensation column write that you took money from the grocery fund to cover it. If for any reason at the end of the month you are still in the negative, factor that into the next months budget by decreasing the amount there.

I have found that this system works. If you don't keep a budget, it's so easy to lose track of your expenditures and fall into debt. By keeping track of everything, it disciplines you to live within your means, and save up for something better. As always, remember that tithing and fast offering always comes first. No exceptions. Even if that means you will not be able to pay for something mandatory. The Lord will provide a way. I know this to be true.

So happy spending! But remember to keep track and stick to the plan!

Top 10 Reasons to be Happy for Today, Nov. 5th, 2009

10. I finally set up an appointment today at work after literally hundreds of cold calls.
9. I discovered another one of my outfits that looks great with my new brown boots.
8. Did I mention that I have new brown boots? They're so cute.
7. Every time I look to the left of my desk, I see the D.C. temple, a picture of Christ, and a slideshow photo frame of pictures from my wedding.
6. My angelic niece left me a voicemail on my phone which I have now listened to over a dozen times.
5. Today was payday.
4. Tomorrow is Friday.
3. My sister celebrated her silver birthday today with my mom, and it made me smile every time I thought of them enjoying the day together.
2. I didn't lose my voice from the head cold I have until 6:45 this evening.
1. Today is the 2-year anniversary of the day I sat down next to a boy in the library who would one day become my eternal companion and very best friend. I love you, Brenton Adams Hoyos. Thanks for asking me for my number 2 years ago, today. I promise I'll spend the rest of forever showing you how grateful I am for that bold gesture.

Being Belle

As most of you know, I have been obsessed with Beauty and the Beast since my 5th birthday when my mom took me out on a special date, just me and her, to see the beloved Disney classic. I can still remember how awed I was when all the candles lit up in a giant chorus line during "Be Our Guest," and how exciting it was to watch it with my mother. It was so magical, and from that day on I knew who I wanted to be.

As the years went by I began collecting just about everything I could possibly get my hands on that had anything to do with Beauty and the Beast. The Christmas I turned six my mom sewed me my very own Belle dress, and I wore it every single day when I came home from school. I remember one time I was eating chocolate pudding in it, and spilled some on the left sleeve, leaving a permanent brown stain on the golden polyester. I treasured that dress because in my mind it truly defined who I was: a beautiful princess with long brown hair, and chocolaty brown eyes. I was Princess Katiebelle. Rider of imaginary horses named Philippe, and reader of books. I could conquer anything, and no beastly man was going to tell me what to do! I used to tell my parents, "When I grow up and go to dances I'm going to tell the boys, 'If you want to dance with a pretty girl, no beggars!'" Princesses never hang down their heads, and neither would I!

When it was time for my first high school prom there was no question in my mind of what my dress was going to look like. I had been devastated the year I turned 11 and could no longer wear my beautiful gold dress. So in the early spring of my junior year Mom took me out on a special date, just me and her, to buy fabric to make a new Belle dress. We scoured the rows and rows of fabric until we found the perfect combination, and then brought it to a seamstress to make my caparison dreams come true.

And then before I knew it I was in college, and looking for a way to make some extra cash without having to spend too much time doing it. I sat brainstorming, and then of course, there was the answer right in front of me. I would get paid to be myself. So I started entertaining little girls' birthday parties as Princess Belle. I can't tell you how amazing it is to walk into a room full of little girls and see their faces light up in delight because you are there. It still makes me tear up a little to think of their sweet hands reaching up to touch my face and to hear them exclaim, "I can't believe it's really you!" It often surprised me when at the end of the party the parents would hand me a check. I'd think, "Oh yeah! This is my job!"

I sit here reminiscing about all of this because today we had a big costume party at my work. Students and parents brought in their children to go trick-or-treating around the building. I wore my beautiful, sparkling Belle dress and greeted little princesses all over again. It was such a joy. As I watched them skipping up and down the halls in their shiny dresses, I could almost see a spunky, 5-year-old girl with two long brown, braided pig-tails, and chocolaty brown eyes. I imagined her rushing straight up at me with a look that said, "I'm Princess Katiebelle. Kindergartner. Rider of imaginary horses and reader of books!"

Angels Round About You

It's been about a week and a half since I came down with the dreaded swine flu, and it was no picnic. I'm back at work and feeling much better, but I still get tired very easily. These past few days at work I've had to hit the ground running to make up for the days I missed, and it's been a struggle, but I've also noticed some wonderful blessings that have helped me get through the particularly rough patches. For me, it has been the fulfillment of the scripture in D&C 84:88 which reads, "And my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you to bear you up."

First, it's been a miracle that Brenton hasn't gotten sick. After a week's worth of being my helpful nurse, he hasn't had a fever or any symptoms of the highly contagious virus. He was so sweet and took care of meals, dishes, cleaning the apartment, and even took me to the movies last Friday to celebrate when my fever finally broke, meaning I was no longer contagious. Saturday marked the one-year anniversary of the day we got engaged, and we celebrated with a bottle of sparkling cider and the last two "Hoyos Oreos" we'd frozen from our wedding reception.

Next, I have been so blessed by my family, friends, and good members of the ward. Last Thursday a sister from my Relief Society walked over a large package to my apartment so I didn't have to go and get it myself from the office. It may have seemed like a simple thing to her, but it meant so much to me to not have to go and get it when I felt so miserable. The package was from my sister, Liz, containing business clothes for me to wear to work. It was a thoughtful gesture that came just when I needed it. Then on Monday, my first day back from being sick, I had a particularly hard day. I came home during my lunch break to eat a quick sandwich and saw a card from my mother informing me that she was sending me two magazine subscriptions. I felt tears spill over my cheeks just seeing my angel mother's handwriting that I love so much. I'm always amazed at how my family knows just when I need help, even when they're on the other side of the country.

Finally, I am so blessed to have a worthy husband who can give me priesthood blessings whenever I need them. After work on Monday I knew that the next few months at my job were going to be very stressful. I asked my husband for a blessing of comfort to know that I would make it through the difficult weeks ahead and feel confident in my abilities. That powerful blessing has made all the difference this week. The very next day I felt like my burdens were lighter. Truly, I felt that there was another person next to me helping me stay calm, focused, and confident. The only other time I've felt that way was on May 10th, 2005 when I was taking my AP Psychology exam. I didn't know why there were angels helping take that exam until afterwards, when I came home to find our house taped off and gutted out from a fire that morning. Both of these experiences though have taught me that angels really do watch over us. Often times I like to think that the ones helping me are my ancestors, who take a few minutes of their time to help their great, great, great, great granddaughter/niece. Either way, I know they are real, and it helps me feel connected to them when I do temple work.

The Lord does love us, and most of the time the way He sends help to us is through His servants. I'm grateful for the angels in my life, whether on this side of the veil or the other, they are a continuous strength to me.

Even Hidden Treasures

I've told myself that I don't want another month to go by without putting down a new blog post. So while my husband is at Priesthood session I thought I'd take some time to tell you about the latest things I've learned in my exciting life.

For one thing, I am so grateful to have a job. The nation's current events have made this task somewhat of a challenge for anyone in the unemployed market. When my husband and I sat down and recognized the very real necessity that I find employment, I felt for perhaps the first time in my life the stress and anxiety of being poor. If my family was poor growing up, I never knew about it, because my parents were so wonderful at budgeting and keeping us happy. Now as newlyweds, Brenton and I are on our own in that department, and like so many newlyweds before us, are realizing how very expensive it is to live. We knew the day would come when we would discover that, but as I've said before, there is no substitute for experience.

With that being said, I knew that the Lord would bless us because we were paying our tithing and fast offerings, and doing everything we could to remain worthy of His help. Each week while we went to the temple, I would leave that sacred building knowing that all would be well. Then while Brenton was in class, I would research jobs, send in applications, and practice interview questions in the mirror.

At last the return phone call arrived for me to be interviewed by a potential employer. Although it went well, once I had left the building all the fears and anxieties returned for the next week as I waited to hear back and still continued to search for other jobs. While I felt comfort from the Holy Ghost, I was still nervous and apprehensive. But the Lord did hear my prayers, and I was offered the position. Not only that but it's a position that addresses all the needs Brenton and I were praying so earnestly for. It is also a job that I can truly take pride in. I believe in what I'm doing there, and what the company stands for.

I was expecting this great answer to my prayers to fill the needs that I hoped it would. However, I have been continually surprised at how it is answering my other prayers, too. It often makes me think of the scripture in D&C 89:19 "And [he] shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures." Upon arriving back in Utah I felt out of place, almost like I had taken a step backwards for getting a degree, because my whole world was still back at school. This new job has given me a place where I feel comfortable, and proud of my accomplishments. I'm learning a great deal about self reliance, and several tasks in my training are helping me to solve other problems in my life outside the job. I have a reason to get up each morning, eat a decent breakfast, and I have somewhere to be each day. It has given me confidence because I feel needed. My husband is grateful for the efforts I'm making for our family, and we are more affectionate and kind to each other at home. I am discovering that my efforts in school and the dozens of humanities classes I took are a real asset to my job, and I'm grateful I chose that major. I am eating better, sleeping better, and finding great self-fulfillment, putting the stress off my husband to try and fill that need. All of these things are blessings that I was not expecting to receive from work. They are the fulfillment of that scripture for my life. They are my hidden treasures.

Most often, the greatest blessings in life require us to take a step in the dark before the Lord turns on the light. That is what faith is. It is obedience and work combined with a trust that the Lord's plan is far better than our own. It does require "all that we can do," in my case researching jobs, applying, practicing, etc. but then the final step is one of faith and trust. And when the Lord turns on the light revealing the next step in the path it is one of glorious surprise: our hidden treasures! He has so much more in store for us than we could ever have produced on our own, and I try to remember that when things still get stressful in my life; particularly at work when I'm trying my hardest to grasp every new concept in training.

I know that my Heavenly Father listens to my prayers. I know that He answers every single one in a time frame that works with His will, and not mine. I know that His will is infinitely better for me and for my family. I know He hears and loves me, and I know that there is no other way to find greater happiness than by following His path, for that is when the hidden treasures are found.

Mormon Messages

Recently, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has created a channel on Youtube entitled, "Mormon Messages." It is a collection of stories and short videos focusing on the lives of different members of the church and their experiences. The stories range from the importance of a good father, to recovery stories from 9/11 survivors, to testimonies of Jesus Christ. I hadn't really taken the time to view any of them when they first came out, but last night Brenton and I spent about two hours watching all of them and being emotionally moved with every story.

These short clips answer questions that many of us ponder during our lives. How do I overcome adversity? Why does life often take an unexpected turn? Are Mormons Christian? Is my Heavenly Father aware of me? Why do Mormons build temples? Each of the clips focus on a different member of the church, and how they have received answers to these questions. Each one is beautifully simple, yet very powerful. I was touched by all the testimonies of the strong and faithful people in this world, and how the love of the Savior reaches out to all of us.

I encourage all of you to take some time out from your day and view some of these messages. They are all touching and worth the few minutes it takes from your day. If you still have questions, feel free to visit www.mormon.org, where you can ask any question you would like through the phone or internet, and you can chat with a live administrator, or search frequently asked questions with video clip responses. You might be surprised by what you learn.

I know this church is true. I know that it has brought more happiness into my life than anything else possibly could. I know that this life is focused around families. I know that families can last forever through the blessings of the temple. I know that Jesus Christ is real, alive, and is aware of me. I know that each one of us can discover these truths for ourselves, and that Heavenly Father loves each of us enough to take the time to give a personal witness to all that He lives, and so does his Son.

These brief messages can fill your day with a bit more sunshine than you had before. You can access them by going to http://www.youtube.com/user/mormonmessages