It's about time I get my butt back to typing and sharing what's inside my head!
I did take a small hiatus from being online and I do apologize.. to my mom that is. She's been beggin' me for more and I think it's about time too.
November was a lovely month. I hit my 1 year anniversary of working at my job as a legal assistant and won $50 to iTunes. I also had the privilege of making Thanksgiving dinner with my mother in law! I will give a little advice to anyone out there who has never cooked a turkey: DO NOT USE AN OVEN BAG IN A ROASTER OVEN!!! I learned this the hard way and ended up buying a new roaster oven for my aunt since I was not willing to give hers back covered in melted plastic. The turkey did not suffer any major damage and it was delicious. I am so grateful to my in laws for being such wonderful and fun people. Even though I was miles away from my own family and old traditions I felt every bit at home with my hubbys family.
December had some ups and it had some downs. There was a tragedy that happened in my husbands family on December 4, 2013. My husbands sweet second cousin, Ashlyn, was run over in a crosswalk and killed. We didn't know her well but our hearts broke for her and for her parents, grandparents, siblings and classmates. We had the opportunity to fly to South California for her funeral and burial. I was amazed at the turn out and the kind words shared by all that were a testament to her heart and soul of only 9 years old. I feel at peace with my belief of forever families, of God, eternity and resurrection. This was a beautiful and sad occasion. I plead that every single person who reads this, please, be so so careful when you drive, when you turn left, when you turn right on red, when you're ANYWHERE near a school. Too many lives have been take from thoughtless driving. Make an extra effort to be aware of your surroundings as you are maneuvering huge machines made of metal that are cars. Please help to spread the word and take extra care.
On a lighter note I was able to go HOME for Christmas for the first time in 3 years! I had quite a list of things I had to do while I was home for Christmas! We watched Christmas movies, drove around and looked at lights, made and decorated cookies, donated toys to children who were in the hospital, went last minute shopping with my dad for my mom, went out to eat with my grandparents, decorated the tree, made a sad attempt at sledding, went to a hot spring in the mountains, and celebrated the life of Jesus Christ. It was one incredible week. My husband, my dad and I all drove in the Jeep up through the mountains to find some snow to sled in. Unfortunately there really wasn't much and the stuff we were finding was rock hard ice.. We decided to stop at one place and walked up a road that looked like it might lead somewhere promising. It didn't end up to be what we were looking for but it was even better! As we were walking we kept seeing tons and tons of elk and deer tracks and droppings. I felt like they were to crisp and clear to be from very long ago. We looked up the hill from where we were and sure enough on the ridge of the hill you could see two elk. One was huge with antlers. I stopped hiking through the crunchy snow and slowed my breathing and sure enough I heard a genuine elk call... like, from the elk himself! I was in awe that I got to hear nature for real. Not a man made elk call but one from the real deal elk! Then I decided I wanted a closer look. I hiked up more and more but eventually when I looked up the elk were gone from sight. To the left was a huge herd of deer! I watched them while I hiked so I wouldn't lose them.. but I did.. those things are so stealthy and fast! We enjoyed our somewhat close encounter with these beautiful creatures and decided that no sledding was to be found so we were going to hit up the hot springs! To say that it was cold is an understatement. It was freezing.. literally. EVERYTHING was crystallized and the river was freezing over and what wasn't freezing had chunks of ice floating through it. We got in to our swim suits, which was not an easy task, and clambered down to the hot springs, again not an easy task at ALL! Unfortunately if you wanted the warm water you had to be directly under the cascade of water that fell into a pool that I imagine would be warm for the rest of the time of the year except for when its in the single digits. It was an adventure and I wouldn't trade these memories for the world. Christmas was very good to me because I was able to spend it with those I love and we spent it worshipping the Son of God, whom we love.
Now this next part, I'm not meaning to offend people when I say this because I know I've seen it on many facebook statuses... It has been a huge pet peeve of mine when people say "Can't wait to see what the new year will bring me!" Why does the new year have to bring me anything? Life happens, yes, but we make things happen.. not the new year. I'd like to say for myself, "Can't wait to see what I will do this new year. What will I learn. What will I do that will result in an improved me?" I believe for myself, in order to make resolutions or goals, I need to acknowledge a very important fact. I will mess up. I will mess up and that is ok. I know this doesn't apply to some people but I think that so many people make resolutions and goals and end up not following through because they do not acknowledge that they will mess up. It's ok to trip up as long as we always persevere and get back up and go at it again.
My main themes for this year:
1) Keep breathing. Learn how to take control of my anxiety and fears and not let them get me worked up to the point where they rule me.
2) Become healthy. A little general and cliche, I know, but I would like to be healthy, not just skinny. I want to run and play with my husband and dogs and not feel like I'm 15 years older than I am. I want to quit hating running and exercise and embrace a more energized and confident self.
3) To be a better disciple of Christ. I am not always diligent in emulating Christ and love everyone. In fact, I plain suck at it.. but I know that it is the way to happiness and eternal life and so it's a worthy goal.
I wish everyone a safe and happy and life changing New Year! I love you friends and family! Thank you for being my teachers day in and day out.
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