A New Year

We decided with all the running around we have done that we would spend a quiet night at home with just the 6 of us for our New Year's celebration this year. It was exactly what we needed. We rented some movies, laid a blanket on the floor in front of the t.v. so we could have an indoor picnic, then we got pillows and blankets out so we could snuggle and watch our movies. We ended up with 4 out of the 6 of us still awake when the ball dropped. Can you guess who fell asleep? NO! not me. Fletcher and Gregor went down. We woke up to 9 o'clock church and then came home and watched Soul Surfer and had my Mom and Cameron over for Navajos. On Monday morning we went over to my Mom's for "brunch" and we ended up going to the lake. I haven't been out on the ice in years. The weather was great. It was about 50 degrees and all sun. We soaked up alot of Vitamin D today:)

I have thought about the previous year and about the year to come alot the last couple of days. Did last year go as I had planned? Absolutely not. Last New Year's we were celebrating at our home in Las Vegas that we had come to love. We had no idea what this year had in store. Little did I know that in almost 8 months I would have to say goodbye to my Dad and in 10 months we would be living back in northern Utah.

I have had a struggle the last couple of months wondering why things have happened the way they did. I don't have any answers. One thing I do know is that I don't have any regrets with my relationship with my Dad. #2 that I know, Vegas was without a doubt one of the best times in my life and I will always be thankful for the year I had there. I was the person I always wanted to be. I hope I find that person again soon. I met the most amazing people. I made lifelong friends. I learned that I could live outside of Utah and absolutely love it. I came to love the Gospel in a way I had never done before. I also know that there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about my family in Vegas. I never thought I would love Vegas. I don't know how it happened but I feel like I have 2 homes. I miss my Vegas home everyday. I have thought lately that maybe because of the loss of my Dad I wasn't thinking clearly or wasn't listening to the promptings correctly, but....as hard as it has been Ben and I both know we were supposed to come to Logan. That is one of the things, the other being family is the reason I have not packed up and headed back. Some things I have learned. Enjoy your loved ones everyday. Love everyday. Try new things. Remember who you are and Return with Honor. I have always had a problem with people who go to church on Sunday and they aren't the same person during the week. I lost faith in that living here before but Vegas showed me that there are people who are Christlike all week long. And finally don't ever give up.

So what's the plan for this year? No plan. I am going to try to be thankful for all that I have and live my life the best I can. I am going to take my kids to Disneyland (finally!). I am not going to let negative people and other peoples bad choices affect me. I am going to love Ben as much as possible and I am going to treasure my kids everyday. Happy New Year.