Happy New Year!

My last post was kind of depressing I must admit. I think it is completely important that I share some of my thoughts about this season, and how blessed I feel on a daily basis for the blessings I have in my life.

Going back to Christmas, I love the Christmas season. I love that it's a time to celebrate our Savior's birth. I am blessed to have the gospel in my life. I know that as complicated and difficult my life may seem right now, it will all work out. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have that there is a plan for me, and that as long as I try my best, the Lord will make up for the rest.

I am so grateful for my family and friends. I was going to be home alone for Christmas and the Lewis Family so kindly took me in so that I would have a family to be with. Thank you guys so much...and thanks to all of the other friends I had offers from to spend the holidays with them.

I am grateful that my back is getting better, and that I will hopefully be able to leave on my mission in February. I might need surgery, but I'm thinking I'll go without the surgery and hope that I will be able to get through my mission without need of surgery. All in all things are going well.

This post was kind of long, sorry about that, I just wanted to express my appreciation for the things I have that are so wonderful in my life!!

More Change

These days, I am realizing that my life is going to constantly change...I think forever. I have had a difficult time making a decision that has stuck...for the last year...or year and a half. Not always has my decision changed by my choice. For one reason or another, I find myself again trying to figure out what I'm supposed to do with my life.

My only prayer is that someday...I will have a constant in my life that I will be able to plan on, and know is never going to change. I know that everything will work out for me, but right now, I feel like that's still a far way off.

I'm so grateful for the knowledge I have, that all the trials I go through are for my benefit, and that I will learn and grow to be the woman my Heavenly Father wants me to be. I am also so grateful for my family and friends who ARE constant, and have been there for me, no matter what has been going on in my life.

Family Pictures

While the whole family was together last week, we took family pictures...they turned out to be fabulous. Here are some of the pics. of my family. I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful family. :)

Chrismiving...or Thanksmas

Last week my family was able to spend time all together for Thanksgiving. We celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas both because during Christmas all of us will be scattered. Mom and Dad will be in Costa Rica, Bryan, Melissa and the kids will be in St. George. Steph and Richard will be in Houston...and the others of us will be around Cedar. Taylor and I weren't supposed to be here for Christmas. Tay broke his finger before leaving for Basic Training for the Marines, and my back is still not 100% so I haven't left on my mission.

The food and company were awesome, and the presents weren't so bad either. ;)

Here's a few pictures of the week.Ky Man eating the ribbon...SO cute!

Steph, Rich and Dawson...with the car eating tractor. :)

Mom, Dad, Addy and Daws...what a cute bunch!

I'm a Doris Day...

So, I should be asleep, and instead...I have found out that I am Doris Day. Actually, for those of you who know me, this sounds pretty close to how I really am...oh boy!!

You are a Doris -- "I must help others."

Dorises are warm, concerned, nurturing, and sensitive to other people's needs.

How to Get Along with Me

• Tell me that you appreciate me. Be specific.
• Share fun times with me.
• Take an interest in my problems, though I will probably try to focus on yours.
• Let me know that I am important and special to you.
• Be gentle if you decide to criticize me.

In Intimate Relationships

• Reassure me that I am interesting to you.
• Reassure me often that you love me.
• Tell me I'm attractive and that you're glad to be seen with me.

What I Like About Being a Doris

• being able to relate easily to people and to make friends
• knowing what people need and being able to make their lives better
• being generous, caring, and warm
• being sensitive to and perceptive about others' feelings
• being enthusiastic and fun-loving, and having a good sense of humor

What's Hard About Being a Doris

• not being able to say no
• having low self-esteem
• feeling drained from overdoing for others
• not doing things I really like to do for myself for fear of being selfish
• criticizing myself for not feeling as loving as I think I should
• being upset that others don't tune in to me as much as I tume in to them
• working so hard to be tactful and considerate that I suppress my real feelings

Dorises as Children Often

• are very sensitive to disapproval and criticism
• try hard to please their parents by being helpful and understanding
• are outwardly compliant
• are popular or try to be popular with other children
• act coy, precocious, or dramatic in order to get attention
• are clowns and jokers (the more extroverted Dorises), or quiet and shy (the more introverted Dorises)

Dorises as Parents

• are good listeners, love their children unconditionally, and are warm and encouraging (or suffer guilt if they aren't)
• are often playful with their children
• wonder: "Am I doing it right?" "Am I giving enough?" "Have I caused irreparable damage?"
• can become fiercely protective

Spook Day....mu-ahahahaha!

Halloween this year was so much fun!

I didn't dress up, but had a great day...and night. First, I went to work at Enoch Elementary, and my kids were all well behaved. (Probably mostly because I bribed them with a treat at the end of their lesson...if they would behave.) Then I went to lunch with my family at Carl's Jr.

That evening, Steve and I took Addy and Dawson around the block to go trick-or-treating, and they were super funny. They wanted to run everywhere and at one point Daws goes, "Nanny...I'm getting tired. I can't run anymore. Will you carry me?" How could I refuse. Then, after we took a few steps, he seemed to be ready to go again. It was awesome.

We then went to the state playoff game at Cedar High against Ogden. Cedar won the game and will keep going in the tournament. It was fun to be with all my fam. and Steve at the game.

We came back to my house, played a couple rounds of hand and foot with mom and dad, and then Steve indulged my by playing DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) with me on the Wii. He did a good job, and it was a lot of fun. Then we played tennis, and we realize we're pretty good on the same tennis team. :)

All in all, Halloween was fantastic. I had a great time!

Steve and me at the game.

Grandma and Grandpa Morris-they are the best!

Mom and Dad-I love these guys too!

Steve and his scary fangs...watch out...he bites!

My nephews and niece-these are the cutest kids!

New Hair Cut

I got my hair cut the other day, and here's the result. Let me know what you think. :)