Friday, December 31, 2010

Poor 2010

I hate to say it, but 90% of the people I've talked to are HAPPY that 2010 is about over. 2010 has gotten quite the bad wrap! There have been SO many trials or heartbreaks this past year, that most of us are excited to change that calendar over:

- Back mishap in April (on my birthday) that caused intense pain for 6 weeks.....

- Playing Volleyball in July and snapped my Achilles Tendon which has lead to 5 months of Physical Therapy and pain..... NO sports for another 8 months (mandated by Dr)

-Lost 3 grandparents this year

-Rough and awkward work situation with bosses that makes me look forward to May....

-Adam's dad fell off a ladder and broke his back (through miracles he WASN'T paralyzed)

-SEVERAL loved ones are getting divorces, which entails tons of changes and heartbreaks....

-The ever present fertility issue just gets more and more complicated. Now there is another surgery needed before we can even think of starting in-vitro.....

As you can see, it's been a memorable year :) I've pondered this past 12 months and I can see the hardships that have been present, but every step of the way I can also see the blessings. I struggled SO much with my leg being out of commission for so many months, but having my sweet hubby, parents, siblings, and friends there to help me along the way has really made me feel SO loved! With the passing of loved ones, I've been able to look at and be grateful for the eternal perspective we have... The knowledge that our Heavenly Father and Savior are there for us, is truly priceless. As I've been praying heavily the past 6 weeks to forgive others, I've been able to grow in my appreciation of a loving Heavenly Father..... I know this is all temporary, but he continues to listen to my prayers and tears and comfort me. And through all this other chaos, he has whispered to us repeatedly that we will one day have children in our home. Having the patience to not know when this will happen, is another area of growth, but no matter how many times we ask, he comforts us.... This past week we celebrated our 5th anniversary and I continue to be amazed that he is my husband. How can a girl be so lucky? He is one of the greatest blessings in my life and I appreciate that the Lord has us together to get through all this craziness we call life.

So, I hope you all have a fantastic New Year's celebration and an even better 2011! May we all continue to grow and survive that growth :)

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all! I love this time of year. I really can't believe it's come around again, but it truly makes me feel like a kid again. I love the traditions, the music, and the peacefulness that comes with this wonderful holiday. My favorite part is that we can finally stop and think of the birth and life of our Savior Jesus Christ. His life and love of us hits me every day in a multitude of different ways, but this time of year it seems to overwhelm me at times.....

I loved this section of a talk that was given by President Monson: "Brothers and sisters, this joyful season brings to all of us a measure of happiness that corresponds to the degree to which we have turned our minds, feelings, and actions to the Savior, whose birth we celebrate.

There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus the Christ. Let it be a time that lights the eyes of children and puts laughter on their lips. Let it be a time for lifting the lives of those who live in loneliness. Let it be a time for calling our families together, for feeling a closeness to those who are near to us and a closeness also to those who are absent.

Let it be a time of prayers for peace, for the preservation of free principles, and for the protection of those who are far from us. Let it be a time of forgetting self and finding time for others. Let it be a time for discarding the meaningless and for stressing the true values. Let it be a time of peace because we have found peace in His teachings.

Most of all, let it be a time to remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the Wise Men."

I'm so grateful for our Heavenly Father and his Son. Merry Christmas everyone! Thank you all for being such great people. We are so lucky to have such wonderful people we are related to and have been able to meet such great friends. Wonderful blessings.....

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Whirlwind

Whirlwind is kind of an understatement. We've been ALL over the countryside the past couple of weeks having a ton of fun, but the blog has been neglected :) (Come to think of it, so has our house.... NO Christmas decorations are up yet.... HOPEFULLY tomorrow for Family Home Evening...)

To start everything off, we had a fantastic Thanksgiving at my parent's house in Nevada. The food was great and the warm 70 degree temperature was just right :) Unfortunately I had a terrible meeting right before the break, and I spent too much time crying over the long weekend. It has been a huge struggle for me to forgive some of the awful things that were said, but I've been able to pray a ton and see a few miracles come out of all this. Not what I had in mind when I prayed for 'growth' :)

After talking with a few people when we came back, I was able to clear up a few things and head out on our next adventure with a little less weight on my shoulders. For our 5th anniversary, we had talked about checking another item off of our 'Bucket List'. Going to a professional football game was that exciting item. Then we found out that a few cousins/best friends were going around the same time and that sounded even better! So, we headed down to Phoenix and watched the Cardinals play the Rams. Honestly, I was like a child on Christmas morning. I had never been to a professional game before and I was pleasantly surprised that it was almost like a carnival! SO much was going on at all times, that I would sometimes forget to watch the game :) Unfortunately I forgot the camera, but Scott and Deanna took a few and I'll post some of those when they catch up to the curve ball life has thrown at them recently.....

We rolled home late Monday night and have been slaving away ever since with 2 Christmas parties, Adam working until 10:00 a few nights and juggling Tithing Settlement, and ward conference thrown in there as well (Now you might be able to see why the Christmas deco hasn't made it up yet :) Like I said, 'Whirlwind'. With all of the craziness, we've felt a bit overwhelmed, but then we've been able to find small snatches of time together that have been priceless. Driving the 18 hour round trip from Phoenix or even driving down to Eden for Adam's Christmas party, has helped me 'recharge my Adam battery' :) Those little moments of stolen time are what keep us afloat. I'm so grateful to our Heavenly Father for this guy. Seriously, one amazing kid, and I appreciate his love and support through all the trials that get thrown at us. This past year has been difficult with all the health problems and trials, but Adam has always been so strong. Let's hope 2011 isn't as crazy :)