Light at the end of the tunnel

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Last night my classmates and I met with a few of our professors in Idaho Falls. It was a meeting for the "second and third year students" (I can't believe that's me). The subject of the meeting was a "capstone" class that we will be taking our last semester. Our last semester, is NEXT semester. This means that I will be done with this masters program in December. It has been the hardest thing I have ever done and man am I ready to be done.

Even though I am ready to be done, I don't want to spend my life "waiting" for the next stage of life to come. I feel like it is so easy to do that. I want to enjoy each stage of life instead of saying "When I finish this semester then life will be better..." "When I graduate, then I'll be happy..." "When we have a family..." "When my husband graduates from medical school... " "When...". The list could go on and on. Each stage of life is precious. I catch myself saying the "when-then" statements at times, but I'm trying to have a more positive mindset. Life is WAY to short.

It's days like this past Saturday, that remind me of the simple things that make life awesome. Jaren and I decided that we needed a break from all we need to do. A real break, not just our classic 2 hour break per day. Our day consisted of an Air Show, pizza at the park, drawing with sidewalk chalk, eating snow-cones, renting and watching a movie, and sleeping outside under the stars. Simple pleasures with my best friend. Life is good.

Air Show

Pizza at the park

Sidewalk Chalk

No, a 5 year old didn't draw this... I did

Jaren is the artist of the family. He is good!

Snow-cones

Sleeping under the stars :)

Jaren wrote this on our "I love you because" board that day. Such a true statement :)

A Tribute to My Mom

Selfless service. Contagious smile. Good example. Unfailing faith in Jesus Christ. These are phrases that describe my mom. I've been thinking a lot about her lately. She is my best friend. We talk on the phone every day (usually more than once) and we love going to Costa Vida to share a big order of deep dish nachos during the week. Why do I love her so much? She is the type of woman that, even when she has about a million things to do, she will spend the day doing service for a friend. She views motherhood as literally the best, most rewarding job in the world. She celebrates when her kids get out of school for the summer and cries when school starts again. She praises my dad and thinks he is the funniest and cutest guy in the world. She makes holidays amazing at our house (even ones like St. Patricks day). She is an amazing homemaker. She loves her kids and lets us know it. She loves learning and knowledge. She takes advantage of every possible moment to bear her testimony to her children. She loves her Savior; nothing shakes this faith.

If I can become half the woman my mom is, I'm set for life. I hope to take her example of motherhood and faith and use them in my own family. She might not realize that she has created a legacy. I love you mom!

Running to the temple :)



24 years of real love

Snow storm forced us to stay at a creepy hotel... AHHH! :)

Valentines dance 2011

Making candy with an emergency stove during a power outage (2003 or so)

2009