At the beginning of this month, Jaren and I set some goals for the new year. These goals are in the different domains of our overall wellness. We set physical, emotional/mental, financial, and spiritual goals. We have noticed our lives and overall wellness improving as we have tried to make changes this month. Today I have been thinking about our spiritual goals and how they have helped us this month. I have noticed that it is very easy to fall out of the habit of doing spiritually important and uplifting things. For some, this may because doing such things takes extra time and effort. For others, it may be because when we slowly get out of a habit, we don't recognize what we are missing. For me, it is probably a mixture of both. That is one of the reasons why my new goals have been such a good experience for me. I feel closer to my Savior. He has taught me different things this month that I would not have learned otherwise. He, through the Spirit, has showed me some ways that I can improve as a person.
My goals are small but have made a large difference in my life. I'm so grateful for my Savior and what he has taught me.
Life is a journey; an adventure. There are ups and downs, twists and turns. Everyone is on a journey and this blog shares a bit about mine.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Top 12 of '12
Just like I did last year, I want to document some of the highlights of the year 2012. It was a really good year. I feel like I have grown and learned a lot. So here are our "top 12 of '12"!
12. Back in April, Jaren and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary. We we able to spend it at a cabin in Island Park. It was such a special few days! Because we didn't have homework (it was in between semesters), we spent that days playing with dart guns, eating, watching movies, playing card games, and just being together. Jaren is my prince.
11. We made some new friends these past months. I am currently in a presidency with some other women in my church and have served with some great women throughout the year 2012. This has given Jaren and I the opportunity to make some new friendships this year.
10. Because Jaren's younger brother was graduating from Marine boot camp, we went to San Diego CA with Jaren's family. It was a great trip! It is always special to spend quality time with family. Memories were made!
9. Jaren played intramural competitive football at BYUI for the last season. I LOVE watching my cute hubby play and he loves playing so much! It was a great season.
8. I auditioned for a religious vocal group called "From the Heart". I had the opportunity to be in this group in 2010 for two semesters and so I was really excited to make the cut again! From the Heart was a life changing experience for me. Friendships were made and my testimony of Jesus Christ was strengthened.
7. Jaren and I's best friends, Hans and Stephanie Petrich, moved across the country this year. We become friends with them back in 2009 and their friendship means so much to us. Hans and Steph recently lost their sweet baby twins after they were born at 21 weeks along. It was heartbreaking. I learned even more about what Jesus Christ meant when He said that we should "mourn with those that mourn." We are grateful for this friendship and have seen it continue even with Hans and Stephanie living across the country from us.
6. My family saved our money this year to go on our first cruise! We went this past November and it was so much fun! I want to write another post specifically about our cruise but it was a really special and fun time for us as a family.
5. Jaren applied for medical school this year. Talk about a long and stressful process! Although he scored in the 92nd percentile on the MCAT (medical college admissions test), because we applied late we aren't positive we will be accepted to start this coming fall. Luckily, we feel at peace about whatever happens. Exciting times!
4. I finished my Masters program this past December! I was a hard and stressful process but I learned and grew so much. There were was a lot of tears, relief, work, and money that went into that program. I feel at peace knowing that I could easily support my family financially if I ever needed to. I also am grateful that I have been able to set an example of education for my children. I'll officially "walk" in graduation this coming May.
3. After finishing my Masters program, I had to pass the Idaho Social Work Licensing Exam. Luckily, I passed it :) It was such a relief! I can now start my new job as a therapist this next week!
2. Jaren graduated from BYU-Idaho this past December with a Bachelors degree in Exercise Physiology. He worked so dang hard throughout these past years in school and I am so proud of him. I look up to him so much!
1. Back in July we found out that we are pregnant! A few months later we learned that our baby was a sweet little girl. We can't wait to meet her in person. She moves around inside of me constantly. Jaren loves to put it mouth up to my belly to talk to his little princess. She will be here in about 2 1/2 months.
Although 2012 has been a year full of these fun and exciting things, there were also trials that learning experiences that are bound to happen during any year of life. I never want this blog to look like things are perfect, because life isn't like that. There are ups and downs. Without the lows, these "top 12 of '12" wouldn't have seemed nearly as great! Excited to see what 2013 holds! Bring it on :)
12. Back in April, Jaren and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary. We we able to spend it at a cabin in Island Park. It was such a special few days! Because we didn't have homework (it was in between semesters), we spent that days playing with dart guns, eating, watching movies, playing card games, and just being together. Jaren is my prince.
11. We made some new friends these past months. I am currently in a presidency with some other women in my church and have served with some great women throughout the year 2012. This has given Jaren and I the opportunity to make some new friendships this year.
10. Because Jaren's younger brother was graduating from Marine boot camp, we went to San Diego CA with Jaren's family. It was a great trip! It is always special to spend quality time with family. Memories were made!
9. Jaren played intramural competitive football at BYUI for the last season. I LOVE watching my cute hubby play and he loves playing so much! It was a great season.
8. I auditioned for a religious vocal group called "From the Heart". I had the opportunity to be in this group in 2010 for two semesters and so I was really excited to make the cut again! From the Heart was a life changing experience for me. Friendships were made and my testimony of Jesus Christ was strengthened.
7. Jaren and I's best friends, Hans and Stephanie Petrich, moved across the country this year. We become friends with them back in 2009 and their friendship means so much to us. Hans and Steph recently lost their sweet baby twins after they were born at 21 weeks along. It was heartbreaking. I learned even more about what Jesus Christ meant when He said that we should "mourn with those that mourn." We are grateful for this friendship and have seen it continue even with Hans and Stephanie living across the country from us.
6. My family saved our money this year to go on our first cruise! We went this past November and it was so much fun! I want to write another post specifically about our cruise but it was a really special and fun time for us as a family.
5. Jaren applied for medical school this year. Talk about a long and stressful process! Although he scored in the 92nd percentile on the MCAT (medical college admissions test), because we applied late we aren't positive we will be accepted to start this coming fall. Luckily, we feel at peace about whatever happens. Exciting times!
4. I finished my Masters program this past December! I was a hard and stressful process but I learned and grew so much. There were was a lot of tears, relief, work, and money that went into that program. I feel at peace knowing that I could easily support my family financially if I ever needed to. I also am grateful that I have been able to set an example of education for my children. I'll officially "walk" in graduation this coming May.
 |
| Celebrating the last day of school with classmates and spouses :) |
 |
| After the test, Jaren and I came home to this. Thanks Mom! |
1. Back in July we found out that we are pregnant! A few months later we learned that our baby was a sweet little girl. We can't wait to meet her in person. She moves around inside of me constantly. Jaren loves to put it mouth up to my belly to talk to his little princess. She will be here in about 2 1/2 months.
 |
| Isn't she pretty? :) |
Although 2012 has been a year full of these fun and exciting things, there were also trials that learning experiences that are bound to happen during any year of life. I never want this blog to look like things are perfect, because life isn't like that. There are ups and downs. Without the lows, these "top 12 of '12" wouldn't have seemed nearly as great! Excited to see what 2013 holds! Bring it on :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)