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! ;)

Little by Little

One of the best and most profound books I have ever read is The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. It is a very short read but one that takes some time because it is quite deep. I read it about two years ago and and am planning on reading it again after I finish Mocking Jay. For those of you who haven't read it, The Screwtape Letters are basically letters from a "devil" to his nephew in training. The book basically details how Satan tries bring us down and how he works. It is one of the most spiritually enlightening books I have ever read other than the scriptures. C.S. Lewis is often quoted by the General Authorities because of his deep spiritual thoughts. Here is a quote I love from the book:

“All these, as I find from the record office, are thoroughly reliable people; steady, consistent scoffers and worldlings who without any spectacular crimes are progressing quietly and comfortably towards our father’s house.”

This really serves as a reminder to me that it is the very simple things that can lead us astray. Most of us will not become murderers overnight but little tiny things slowly build into bigger and more destructive things. It makes me want to recommit to being better because I fail at being who I should on a daily basis. I need to dedicate my life 100% to become the person I strive to be. So from now on I will commit to the following:

1) Do what I believe is right no matter who is listening/watching. Be a better example in word and in deed.

2) Stand up for myself and not let people use me

3) Put my whole heart into doing good and not get distracted by unimportant things

This post is mostly for my benefit, because I am at work and do not have my journal to write in. But I also love C.S. Lewis and think you should all try his books out to. ;)

And on a side note, I have begun my grad school applications and am SO excited for this opportunity next fall, provided somebody accepts me. I feel like I finally know what the next step in my life will be and I can stop waiting around! Oh please let me get into the school(s) of my choice!!

Boook Worm

I just realized that my last post was my 100th! Wahoo! hah anyway, I just wanted to say that lately I have been really into books and reading. Well the past two years or so really. I loved to read as a kid but once I started school it was not my favorite thing, especially in college. Ever since I have been out of school, I have rediscovered my passion for books and learning. I love to do things when they are not forced upon me. I even love reading my Sociology books now that it is not required. Anyway, I am currently reading the Hunger Games series and am halfway through the second book. I highly recommend them! I really enjoy the story and the writing style of the author, Suzanne Collins.

Also, when I was at Borders the other day, I was pointing out to my friend all my favorite children's books. I get soooo excited every time I step into that colorful corner in Borders. It makes me happy. Someday I hope to have a library full of books. For my children I want all of the books by: Shel Silverstein, Dr. Suess, Eric Carle, Mercer Mayer, andThe Berenstain Bear books. I also love Corduroy, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, and Where the Wild Things Are.

Make a Difference!

"...Being in the Lord’s house can help us to

be different from the world in order to

make more difference in the world.”

~Elder Russell M. Nelson~

quoted in the Temple Magazine