.Birthday Man

Air is 27 today. (Wow, we’re getting old lately)

Happy Birthday my love!

I love you more than.... love.

.today I miss

some of the best people I know.

and please don't tell me these guys are growing up. I just couldn't bear it.

.

.these wintery days

Oh, hey you guys!

It's Winter here!

And it's still Winter

And it's Winter some more

And then it keeps on being Winter

Winter is beautiful... and so I like it

Without it, I wouldn't like Summer at all

And I like Summer so much

Here, enjoy this dorky video:

Happy Winter!!

I love you.

.Have I mentioned

…that I like wearing costumes?

I do

Thanks to our cousin Katherine for throwing such a fun surprise party last weekend and inviting us!

I think I danced around with the girls enough to make up for Air not being able to.

Oh, and Happy Birthday to Kevin! An amazing person.

*Air’s cousins Shay, Kevin and Garrett. Brothers singing karaoke.

.released

A little while ago my Air-bear was released from his church calling as a seminary teacher, because of his illness and inability to be there to teach early every morning.

...surprise!

To be honest, I haven't talked about it on here because we're very very sad. Its pretty much the saddest thing yet, aside from Air being so sick. Air loves teaching more than anything and it was perfect for us to prepare our lessons together, go to seminary and teach our classes together. His students love him and miss him too.

I'll be teaching alone from now on. That's a difficult thing to know.

Life throws us curve balls and we just work through them. It can't always go how we plan or how we expect.
Well, maybe it does for some people? But it definitely hasn't for us.

We can't complain though. We manage to be happy through whatever pathways life takes us. I love my life. So much. I'm incredibly blessed even though I can easily tell you that I didn't think I'd be where I am now at the age of (almost) 26. I'm still in a very good place at the age of (almost) 26. (Yikes! Am I really almost 26?)

There is just nothing to complain about here.

We have faith that everything happens for a reason. Most of the time that reason is unknown to us.

And I still have a feeling that things will get even better eventually. And that gives me hope. And hope gives me peace. And having peace brings me even more happiness. And having happiness is the best thing ever.

So, for now I'll just be teaching a class every day on my own, and Air will be enjoying his new calling as the ward employment and welfare specialist. He's gonna be great at it.

He's incredible at everything he does.

.Always some food for some money

We've been eating meal after meal at Swiss Chalet this month.

Not because we love the place or anything... I mean it's a pretty good restaurant; but I don't think we'd be going there if it weren't for *2-for-1 coupons* and *Christmas gift cards*.

Free meals? Surely anyone would accept that offer.

I’ve been obsessing over this upside-down picture they’ve got hanging on the wall.

It drives me crazy! Bonkers insane crazy!

I’m sorry guys, but radishes do not grow that way.

I had to flip it over with Photoshop to appease my mind.

So much better…

But yeah… it’s still a picture of radishes ?

.Diagnosis resolution

This is one of the tests the doctors have been putting Air through lately. Poor guy.

Sadly none of the tests he's done so far have shown anything wrong with him, so we still don't know. We're proactively working on finding the problem with his health and I'm pretty glad about that. I spent so many months just trying to convince him to see a doctor. It's been a long time coming.

Air's new years resolution this year is to get diagnosed. Here's hoping!

Oh, have you pulled out your flannel sheets this winter? Ours are mamazing! And they have the BEST wintery pattern ever!

.Talent

Welcome to the Second Annual Seminary Talent Show!

Last year I decided to have a talent show at Christmas time so we could think of the gifts that God has given us as we think of the gifts that Santa is giving us. We wanted to celebrate our talents and each other. Knowing these kids has been the best gift for Air and me.

And they have so much talent!

Sharissa played the piano beautifully

Daniel showed us his incredible k’nex creations

Ava and Karissa sang us a song and played the guitar. They are amazing!

Corey is really fast at solving a rubik’s cube… 00:01:09

Riley showed us all how to do a plié.

Grant played and sang us a couple of ridiculously good songs

Jared sculpted a chameleon (his favorite) out of clay while Barbara played a classical song

And Sharissa remembered she could hula-hoop just before everyone left.

Air and I sorta shared talents... we didn’t want to take time from the kids though.

I “made” cookies for everyone

And Air took a picture of all the kids who were there.

There were way too many kids absent for this day, and they definitely missed out. It was so much fun!!!

.Celebrating a New Year

A whole new year of possibilities is beginning. It's a wonderful and refreshing feeling.

I don't personally like to set resolutions, instead I like to think I can try to be a better person throughout the year. I commit myself to being better, and then I start slacking, and then I recommit myself and try harder again. It's a cycle.

Self improvement and mastery should be a part of life every day. Not just once at the beginning of a year. But it doesn’t hurt to think of how we can be better at this time of year. It’s a really great reminder.

How did we bring in the new year?

Dance party.

hahaha... Tara

Pyramids.

Food, Fun and Games.

Watching the Ball Drop at Times Square and KISSING!

Because we’re in love.

Happy New Year!!