Rocky Road, Keeping Chin UP!

 So, I have to say that besides January being full of Birthdays for my family, it was a pretty tough month for me. We experienced 3 deaths in the month, starting with my uncle's mother, Helen McInelly. Though I only met her a few times, she was a nice lady and will be missed. The 2nd death was my Great Uncle Robert. He was my Grandpa's brother, and just an awesome man to be around. I wanted so bad to go to his funeral, but because it was in Oregon and there was a nasty winter storm comming, his widow, Great Aunt JoAnn, requested we stay here, so we honored her wishes. The last passing really shocked me, and I can honestly say that I still don't believe it to this day. The 3rd person to pass away was a great man, a longtime friend of my mom's, and a "2nd Father" to me, was Stuart Wray.  Mom says she knew Stuart since she was 14, that his mother was her Mia Maid teacher, and somehow they got back in touch with each other a little over 3yrs ago.

 I say that Stuart was my 2nd Father because I could talk to him about ANYTHING and he'd really

sit down and listen. It was easier to talk to him than my own dad, and he really let his light shine. I have a lot of fond memories of him, and will NEVER forget what a great man he was. I can remember being at home on a hot summer day only to hear the doorbell ring. When I answered the door, there stood Stuart, in his bike gear just biking over for a visit. If he wasn't riding, he drove and we would just talk about anything. BUNCO was always fun when Stu was your partner, he would joke around or if the mood seemed right, ask how things were going. Once, I found a recipe for a unique cake online and wanted to give it a try. Mom said I could make it for a dessert at BUNCO, so I did. Almost everyone thought it looked quite disgusting, but Stuart got a kick out of it, ate it, and LOVED it. He asked for it a few times after that, today, I regret not making it for him again. Stuart was a great man, and I will truly miss him and his extreme kindness. As February ends and we enter March, I pray that the months just get better and better.                                                                        

 

Happily Welcoming The New Year!

  Well, I'm thinking this year is going to be a good one, at least I'm PRAYING it will. Don't get me wrong, 2012 may have started out rocky, but it was definately full of firsts. It was my first time visiting/living in Texas, first time I've been away from Dave longer than a day or 2, and first time seeing the Gulf Coast up close and personal so to speak. It was the first time I was called to Young Womens, Dave's First time speaking in church EVER, and Heather wanting to get back into church and going through the temple, for herself.
  I will admit this year gave me a lot of anxiety. I wasn't sure how it will be with how last year started, but since day 1, it's been fairly good. I received 2 gift cards for $85 each, for turning in my phone to T-mobile, which came in handy for a few things. We have budgeted our funds so well this first paycheck that we're actually ahead of our bills for the month. When my Birthday rolled around, I was nervous, last year it was HORRIBLE and I wanted so much to make this one better.
  I started it out by taking Dave out to breakfast on my last gift card. After breakfast, we went to see The Hobbit. It was a 3hr movie, but well worth it.  We spent the whole day together and weren't very bothered by anyone. On the 6th, we celebrated it with family. We had Upsidedown Spaghetti for dinner and Heather made me a cake. It wasn't as "all-out" as she's done with everyone else prior, but it was nice and I liked it. I haven't really had much tension or fighting this year and don't plan on it. I have a lot of "resolutions" or goals for this year, starting with finding the positive in everything at least once a day.
  I'm also trying to drop the remaining 30lbs I need to and am starting to cut drastically back on soda. I am drinking more water, and am trying to listen to my body more.  We're working hard on our budget and saving, and hope to be able to move out onto our own again SOON! We'll see where this year takes us, if we're blessed with kids of our own or what kind of other callings we'll be in. I look forward to many more firsts and a very good year, it is what you make it, right?