Duh!

So I was sitting here pondering what I should blog about. duh! I have something very exciting to share:

no I am not engaged

no I did not hear back from grad school yet

BUT

I have a new nephew!! His name is Cameron Alexander...we will call him Xander. He was born last Saturday and was two weeks early weighing a mighty 6lbs, 3 oz. He was also born breech which was a shock to everyone, especially his mother. This is her second breech baby, the first one had to be C-section but Xander was born the good old fashioned way. Mom and baby and everyone else are doing great thanks to some help from Grandma and Grandpa throughout the week. I am so excited to meet him in April!

Also, I have been thinking about making my blog private....what are your thoughts on this? Please give me your email too just in case I make the switch....

Yuuuuuuumy!

Try these if you haven't.....they will change your life!

oh yesh

So....what's new with me you might ask. Or maybe you didn't ask or don't really care....but since you are currently blog stalking me, I shall do you a favor and tell you some things. Ready, set, go.

All of my grad school applications are in and I should hear back by them around the end of Feb/middle of March. I have changed my mind on my first choice school, so I am really really hoping and praying I get into my new number one pick now.

My friend made me some cds with some great new music and I have been listening to that almost non-stop. I love discovering new artists, especially ones that are lesser known...ok I didn't discover them, but they are new to me.

I was really burnt out from work and everything a few weeks ago, but things are looking up now...work was just insane for a few weeks but it seems a little less chaotic these days.

I am almost finished coaching basketball, only one practice and two games left...where has the time gone? I will miss my girls a lot, but will enjoy getting my Friday nights/Saturdays back.

I miss my family, love skype, and am so ready for summer, moving, and starting school among other things. Bring it on!

Things I Know:

• Life has been super busy
• Dodgeball is my new favorite sport
• Grad School applications are almost finished-I am kind of freaking out....I just want to know where I will be this fall, but on the other hand I am super excited and am just trying to be patient
• I will miss my job very much someday
• I love my family and miss them so much
• A random skype sesh from my sister-in-law and nephews was so fun today, it made my night
• I have to best, funniest, nicest, most amazing roommates on the planet
• I love making new friends
• I love coaching basketball
• I can't wait for summer, but I am embracing winter, sort of
• I love nature
• The Lord loves me and watches out for me daily, even in the smallest of ways

Can you believe another year has come and gone? It is really crazy how fast time passes when we look back, but sometimes it seems to move so slowly at the time. I hope you all had a great holiday season. I was able to go home the day after Christmas and spend and\ entire week at home. All of my family was there together for a few days except Brian and his family who were in Canada. My grandparents also came. It was one of the best weeks ever. I constantly would look around and just feel so happy. I have been really homesick lately and I just savored every single moment. I wrote in my journal the happenings of each day because I didn't want to forget a single detail. It was wonderful. Some highlights were: The Meineke Bowl Game, New Years Eve, Swimming at an indoor pool/park, hiking on ice and snow, presents, chimes, games, food, playing with all the kiddos, etc....

Now for the New Year:

I can't really remember too much of the past year, it is so strange how that happens. But for the next year my main goal/focus is to be starting grad school in August, somewhere closer to home. I also have other things but that is the biggest thing I will have going on. I am super duper excited to see what the next year brings!

So tonight I ran into one of my former residents from work. She called my name, ran up to me, and gave me a big hug and asked how I was doing. It made my night. I like running into some of my past kids because I always wonder about how they are doing and it is nice to see them, especially when they aren't afraid to talk to me. It made my night that she 1) remembered me and 2) went out of her way to see me and come talk to me.

It's the little things, really.

In Gratitude

I am happy to say I had a wonderful Thanksgiving. How was yours?? Unfortunately, I was unable to be with my family but I had a great day anyway. I worked on Thanksgiving for the third year in a row and honestly I loved it! Working on holidays are not that bad at my job because it is fun! Of course, I would rather be with my family but I am lucky to have such a wonderful job.

I started out the day by sleeping in until 10:30 or so. Then Kristen, Jackie, and I went to our friend Renae's family Thanksgiving for about an hour or so and then I had to head to work at 2. At work I loaded up on more food throughout the night. I had helped the kids prepare some food the night before and they cooked everything else Thanksgiving Day with the help of my boss and a coworker. They did a great job! The rest of the night we basically played games, watched football, and ate some more. We also played pool, ping-pong, and Playstation (well I watched that one). Around bedtime they had so much energy (too much soda!) and showed off their break dancing and handstand skills. It was so funny to watch them do all of their tricks. It was a great day.

And what may you ask, am I grateful for??

These are things I thank my Heavenly Father for quite often, most of them daily:

Family- each and every one of them

Church- The atonement, the resurrection, the happiness and peace, everything good it entails

Friends- so so many I have met throughout my life

Job- I am grateful everyday for a job I love and coworkers who are amazing. The kids I work with change me every single day. And hopefully someday they will change too.

Health and Safety- I am grateful that I rarely am sick and can do everything that I need to: physically, mentally, and emotionally. I am also grateful for health insurance and that my family is healthy and safe too.

Freedom- to be whoever and whatever I want to be....and of course gratitude for those who have made this possible

Trials- I have become the person I am because the Lord has molded me that way. Sure life has been hard at times, but everything that has happened has had a purpose.

Tender Mercies- all those little things that make each and every day special: ice cream, my car, sunshine, a good run, animals, nature, a phone call, a sports victory, music, funny youtube videos, etc...

Life is good and I hope each of us never forgets us. I hope you all had a great day! ;)