Hello, 2016!

Happy New Year, everyone!

What a year it has been!  I've been through quite an exhausting, but fulfilling year; one filled with ups and downs, but one that has left me ready to conquer some goals in 2016!

I kind of fell out of the habit of keeping my journal (both actual, and virtual) up to date, so here's my attempt to fill in the rest of last year...

Ezra and I were both taking classes last semester, so it was a pretty hectic semester - both of us working, going to school, and fulfilling our church callings.  I was taking a Computer Programming class, Zumba, and a Belly Dancing class.  I learned some pretty cool dance techniques/form and choreographed my own dance piece!  Being just a one credit course, it really challenged me!

In August, I was able to make my first trip to Yellowstone National Park with the youth of the McKay Ward (just some perks of being the Young Women's President in our ward).

It was quite an amazing experience!  We hiked a lot, fished, got to see elk, a bear, and heard a wolf pack howling!  We visited the Mammoth Hot Springs, stopped through Jackson Hole, Jenny Lake, and Bear Lake.  It was amazing being together with all of our youth for camp!

At the end of September, the stake we were in (Salt Lake Wells Stake) was dissolved, with some wards getting shifted into one of 4 existing stakes in the area.  The McKay Ward got absorbed into the Salt Lake Liberty Stake.  It was a historic time for the Wells Stake. 

Ezra ran his first 5k with me!  Well, there wasn't too much running involved, since this was more of a 5k with obstacles, but hey... I'll take it!  It was so much fun to have him, and lots of friends, participate in this race with me!

Around that same time, I had interviewed, and accepted, a new position at the University of Utah School of Medicine's DermatoPathology laboratory.

It was quite the change from working in a research lab for a majority of my time after college.  I had learned, awhile back, that I actually enjoyed working in Path, but Clinical Path was less familiar to me.  I look forward to the opportunities and knowledge I'll gain while in this department! 

At the end of October, Ezra and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary a little early by taking a trip down to Phoenix to watch the Ravens play the Cardinals.  We got to catch up with friends we haven't seen in awhile, and just spend some time away from the mundane of the day-to-day.

This year we really got to celebrate Halloween!  We went back to Nightmare on 13th (this time with John & Jessica), and went to the Haunted Forest with Jason, Betsy, and McKay.  We even visited the really creepy [former] home grounds of Ted Bundy!  Eeeeekkkk! 

Before we knew it, the holidays were about us!  We spent Thanksgiving with our family (The Smith's).  Jess and I ran the Thankful series (she ran the half, I ran the 5k with Jason) that morning, and then Ezra, Jessica (Ezra's sister), and I headed down to John & Jessica's where 2 of John's brothers and 1 of his sisters (along with their spouses) joined in the celebration.  It was so nice to be together.  Ezra [unfortunately] had to work that same night, so we headed out a little early.  I'm not the biggest fan of Black Friday, and I'm not keen on large crowds in shopping areas, so I tend to avoid going on these huge sale days.  However, there were a couple of items that we really needed in our home, and since Ezra was working, I figured I'd give it a go.  Jessica decided to join me as well that night.  We divided and conquered.  She helped me get a Ninja blender while I was waiting for a Shark vacuum.  But that's beside the point.  Despite the awful stories of people killing each other over material items, we both were able to connect and have great experience with those we were around.  The lady I was with even helped to make sure I was able to get a new vacuum without getting trampled.  Here was Jessica's experience:

"It depends what YOU are looking for. I've seen a lot of posts and heard a lot of crappy, horrible stories about Black Friday that are super negative. Well I'd like to share my experience this year in hopes that it will help you or inspire you to change your way of thinking.
I've heard things like "stay home with your family!" "Memories are better than saving a few bucks" "all this for saving a few dollars?" The list goes on and on.
I went to the Walmart 6pm Thanksgiving eve...nt with my sweet sister in law who had a couple things in mind that she wanted to purchase. We were all bundled up because it was freezing outside plus the wind was blowing. We got our cart and studied the map and came up with a game plan on how we could get what we came for.

I ended up chillin by all the peeps lined up for special deals on appliances. I was going to grab this awesome blender for Joyce. I ended up talking to the lady next to me. We quickly became friends (no joke) her and her husband were service missionaries for a Christian church and they were both there to gather 25 blenders and 25 crock pots to help with their "secret Santa" boxes. Their plan was to help these 25 families become more self reliant. They worked with more single mothers than anyone else! This brought her to ask me about my situation and why I was at Wal Mart that night. I humbly shared with her my journey of single parenthood over the past 8 years and by about 5:50 we were already giving each other hugs and had even shed a few tears. She was amazed by me and I was amazed by her! When the clock stroke 6 I got what I came for and then I helped her and her husband collect what they needed for these sweet families. Mission accomplished!
I prayed Thanksgiving morning to God to help me find someone to serve and it happened in the most unique way.
What are you looking for? Try not to criticize others for what they choose to do.
I'm grateful for this experience, it has helped me do more searching and ask more questions for find out someone's stories. It was a beautiful event in my life and it would not have happened if I hadn't participated in a "not so popular" day."

Though a little stressful, it was overall a good experience.  It's moments like these that restore my hope in humanity.

In December, we had a special Stake Conference in which 3 of the wards in our stake were dissolved, one being the McKay Ward.  This change was very hard for some.  Ezra and I, along with a few other families are to join the Whittier ward as of January 1st.  We were able to have a few more mutual activities with the youth before we went to our new wards.

This was a bit tough for me, emotionally, as all of the Young Women I've been working with for the past 2.5 years go to the Waterloo ward, and I head to the Whittier ward.  They are such spiritual giants, and have taught me much more than I could have ever taught them.  I'm grateful to have had this experience, and I'm grateful for the bonds I've made with them and my counselors and secretaries. 

And of course... Star Wars.  Must I say more?

We went to the Midnight showing of Opening Night.  John, Jessica, Mary, and Jessica joined us.  It was soooooooooooooo much fun!  I made sure to take a nap after work before heading out to the showing.  And I got another 1.5 hours of sleep, after the movie, before having to get up for work the next morning. 

We had a quiet Christmas this year.  Ezra and I actually got to spend both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day together!  We exchanged a few gifts on Christmas Day, and then went to dinner with John & Jessica.  I enjoyed getting some much needed rest on both of these days!

And that brings us to last night... New Year's Eve.  Yet another quiet holiday for us.  I got my last workout in for 2015, and spent the rest of my day cleaning up and cleaning out the house.  I got rid of lots of un-necessary and un-needed items in my house.  It was so cleansing to do this!  I have more to do, but it was a great start to end the year.  We lounged around the house for the rest of the day.  I took a little nap around 9pm, but got up in time to watch the ball drop.  The best was watching our cats get freaked out by the fireworks.  I'm glad they were safe inside though! 

And that, folks, sums up the rest of 2015.  I've definitely been blessed beyond measure.  I've learned a lot this year, and one in which has made me a better person.  I think I've also grown some tougher skin.  I have some goals I've written down, in which I plan to tackle and cross off my list this 2016!  I'm looking forward to whatever the year throws at me!