Typical end of the year post...

2014, you've been a good one. My life has changed pretty drastically over the past year, and I'm definitely in favor of those changes. :) My very own little family unit grew by one small human, and my handsome partner in crime is finishing up his last year at SUU. I started a new opportunity, and I think I'm loving it. 

Jaden babe is now TEN months old. We've got two more months until we plan a birthday for this kid. Is that crazy or what?? I think his joining our family was definitely the biggest highlight for our family. He came already showing us his personality- he was born an hour after his due date. Just enough late to show us he's an independent little guy, but close enough to on time to show us what a happy and easy going baby he is. ;)
I remember when I was in labor and delivery there was the quote from Winnie the Pooh on the wall: "Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." This little boy has definitely taken us on a crazy journey this year to learn who we are as parents and how much we do (and don't) know about it all. :) It has been so much fun to get to know this little guy and his big personality. Right now he loves to spin anything that he can, talking all day long, touching heaters especially after we tell him not to... ;)  We're super excited to see how much more he'll learn and grow in the next year! :)

Matt has worked super hard this year (as always) and is graduating from SUU with his Bachelor's degree in May. He applied to grad schools to become a Physician Assistant, and although we didn't get in this year I'm so proud of him for all the effort he's put into his applications and making himself competitive. He's done countless hours of patient exposure hours, shadowed PA's at a couple different offices, volunteered at the clinic in Beaver, and practically lived in the library on campus to get the great grades he's pulled in. This semester he's taking an EMT course, and is hoping to find a job as an EMT (or at least one outside of a nursing home for a change...) 

The past few weeks he's been playing basketball with some friends 3 days a week, which has been an awesome chance to get some stress relief in during all the craziness.

He was called to be the first counselor in the Bishopric in April, just before Jaden turned 2 months old. That seemed overwhelming to have both of us needing to be on the stand, even though we had a tiny baby- but Matt has done an incredible job at balancing his calling, job, school, and being a dad and husband. Jaden loves it when daddy comes through the door for his lunch breaks. :)

As of right now Matt is planning on moving to either St. George or somewhere up north this summer to re-take Organic Chemistry and take another science class to boost his science GPA on applications. (Dixie and UVU are definitely cheaper than SUU.) He also is planning on taking the advanced EMT course over the summer as well. He'll have more time this next year to re-apply which will be nice, because it's pretty time consuming! 

I'm so proud of everything Matt works towards, he has made lots of sacrifices this year to be able to do everything that is asked of him. Jaden and I are so lucky to have him- no matter how much he's had on his plate Matt has always made sure he's spent time with us. :) He's had a great year!

This year has been full of adjustments for me. Good ones and difficult ones. :) I went from being a student to being done with my Pharmacy Tech certification, and just working. I went from thinking about myself to thinking about how every decision I make would affect my tiny human. I went from working to staying at home with that tiny human who I love. It's been kind of weird trying to figure out what my 'identity' is through all the changes, but I've loved it. I don't always know what I'm doing as a mom, but I felt like this year I really came into myself when I became a mom. Jaden teaches me a lot about myself and about the gospel every day. I love the perspective that being a parent has given me. 

This year I found a jogging stroller; Jaden and I enjoyed lots of 'plodding' while the weather was still nice. I discovered the hospital's walking path right next to our apartments... why haven't I been walking there this whole time?? It's been fun to take Jaden out of the house now that he's older and more interactive. I've missed going to the public library and so I've ventured out there with Jaden a few times now. It's a different experience in the kids section. ;) 

I started as an Independent Consultant with Jamberry Nails in November. It was kind of a surprise to all of us. I haven't ever been a huge fan of direct sales- or working sales in general. I'm not a pushy person and that's how I viewed sales positions. Turns out, this has been a fun 'hobby' for me, and I earn money from it too. So, ya know. Double good news and such. I honestly have really liked doing parties- and I did my first home party last month. It didn't have a very good turn out, but it made me think I'd like to do more home parties. 

I've decided that I'm way more attached to this drafty, noisy apartment than I thought. Every time we talk about moving I get a little twinge of sadness. :p This is where we started our family, this is where Matt and I lived first. I'm excited for this next year's moves and new adventures, but I'm feeling sentimental about leaving here. :)



We hope you all have had a great year too, and Happy New year to you all! Bring on 2015!!