Christmas

Matt and I had been looking forward to Christmas break for a long time! We were excited to head to CA to get a little sun and warmth on us. Happy to have a break, for him, from school. And I was happy to get a way for a bit as well. 

I thought I would still be in limbo with receiving my test scores before I could become licensed in CA. But fortunately I got my scores back extremely earlier than expected and had an extra nice Christmas break. 

I knew this Christmas would be a little difficult with it being my first one spend away from my family. So I was extra happy that we stayed a few days longer than planned in Provo to spend time with my family (since they spent Christmas in Utah this year.)

We had two nieces born within two days. 

Sweet Sohpie

Love me some baby cuddles

All the boys went shooting, which Matt thoroughly enjoyed. I thoroughly enjoyed staying warm inside in the negative degree weather. So happy we are moving out of this cold soon! 

Unfortunately this is the only picture I took in CA...whoops. 

We enjoyed decorating gingerbread houses though! Derrick picked ours as the winner! 

Matt's family has a tradition of giving an ornament every Christas, this was ours this year. Perfect! 

Graduation

Graduation was a bittersweet day. Obvious excitement to be done with school, for now, but sad to not see the same girls everyday and all day long. We all became like a family in that year and a half. And I miss many of them dearly.

Graduation

I cannot seem to believe that I graduate in a week. It is still so surreal. 

Last night Matt and I went to my graduation dinner. Its so bittersweet. Over the last year and a half, I've met some of my closest friends. And without them I probably would not have made it through that year and a half. I am so grateful for all my girls! And I will miss them dearly. 

Green Team, Dream Team! 

Some of my favorites

Definitely our class ray of sunshine! 

However bittersweet it is, I know the best is yet to come. And I am so happy quite a few are moving to CA with me. 

This next week is a big week! Clinicals and anesthesia boards! 

And a big thank you to my lovely husband who is being my patient for anesthesia! He is such a trooper! (Who willingly volunteers to get shots?!) 

Grateful Hearts

Meet our "Grateful Jar"

We started a new tradition this year. Everyday from the start of November until Thanksgiving we wrote down at least one thing we were grateful for. 

We read them together today. It was very fulfilling and was a great reminder that there is always something to be grateful for each day. 

And since we enjoyed it so much we decided to continue the tradition throughout the year, who says a grateful jar just has to be in November? 

After we had Thanksgiving with our family, Matt surprised me by taking me on a little getaway. He thought I needed a little reward after taking three of my five national board exams. (Only have the results back on one of them, passed anesthesia!) 

We were able to spend the rest of Thanksgiving break up at our friends cabin just the two of us. It was absolutely perfect. And it was just what I needed after an exhausting and stressful few weeks. 

I am so grateful for my loving husband. I am grateful for his example to me and how much he supports me each and every day. He shows me daily how to be a better person and the importance of the gospel in our lives and in our home. I am grateful that he is such a strong member of the church and a worthy priesthood holder who is able to give me blessings when I need them. I'm grateful for his drive and dedication to receive an education and a great career in return. I'm grateful that he reminds me often to let the little things go and to enjoy life daily. He is my daily dose of laughter and always there when I need reassurance or a shoulder to cry on. He was the best decision I have ever made and so happy we are together forever. I love you Matt! 

ABC's of Life

Its funny how things always work out, and how they always work out the way they should. I find myself often times geting caught up in the trivial things of everyday life. I am often reminded by the spirit and my husband that those things don't matter. Things that, at the time, seem very important, yet in all reality do not matter one bit. Yet I am shown everyday how much Heavenly Father cares for me, and how much He is looking out for me. I see His hand in my everyday life and I am so grateful for that.

Today was no different. I felt as though Heavenly Father made sure the speakers in church said all the things I needed to hear today. He prompted my husband to have me read something during sacrament meeting that was exactly what I needed. He even showed me that my primary class does in fact learn something from me each week. He shows me that I have purpose here and that I am of great worth.

I recently read a message President Monson gave earlier this year. In it he gave the ABC's to live a more abundant life. A stands for attitude. "So much in our life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference." B stands for believe, to believe in yourself, those around you and eternal principles. And lastly, C stands for courage. "Have the determination to make the effort, the single-mindedness to work toward a worthy goal, and the courage not only to face the challenges that inevitably come but also to make a second effort, should such be required. "Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.'"

Recently it seems I have been having to repeat that last sentence daily. And I have learned that that is okay, as long as I am trying my best that day.

One Year

After my parents left, we spent the rest of the weekend up in Park City for our anniversary.

We decided to take the scenic route from Midway to Park City up the back through Deer Valley.

It was beautiful...

The night before our anniversary we dined at the Cheesecake Factory.

We also ate at Ruth's Diner for breakfast up in Salt Lake.
It is beautiful up there. We were hoping to sit outside, but decided to pass on the two hour wait and dine inside.

 He was one happy boy!

We cannot believe it has already been one year and we are very anxious for this next year and all of its changes.

Midway Stay

The last few days of my parents visit we all stayed up in Midway. 

For some reason I fall in love with Midway everytime I go there and always tell Matt I want to live there one day. And right after I told him that this time we saw the cutest house. We fell in love.

We of course had to stop by Dairy Keen in Heber. 

Growing up my family would spend a good part of summer in Park City and we would always go to Dairy Keen. 

The resort we stayed at had goats to feed... So naturally we went to feed them one day. 

I wasn't a huge fan of the goats, but I did fall in love with the little baby goat. 

Matt riding the carousel. 

We also went to this little dairy mart place in Midway. 

They had the best raspberry sherbet.