a December to Remember & a Happy New Year!

Umm, where did 2013 go?!

first of all, because I failed and didn't post this on Christmas...

We hope you all had a magical Christmas with family and/or friends!

But seriously, 

2013 seemed to fly by and I'm already struggling to keep up with 2014.

R and I went to the Atlanta temple; while there my prayers focused a lot on knowing how to be better at imitating Christ's selflessness and also to not have so much anxiety/fear about life trials that could happen. 

(most of my worst fears are what ifs -- examples: something happening to R, having unhealthy kids, R or parents/in laws getting alzheimers, some kind of freak accident...you get the picture.)

Don't get me wrong - I know that hard is good and that trials can lead to so much growth and compassion and paradigm shifting - but if I think on it too much it can really cause a sister to worry.

That Sunday we went to church with Jessica and Jared and their boys and the last speaker only had about negative 5 minutes to share his talk...the brother who spoke about his mission just prior had the last words of "there is no reason to fear" 

...and I thought that was for ME to hear. 

...and I was pretty satisfied with that little tender mercy. 

but then the last speaker spoke for a few minutes and it brought me to silent tears because I knew every word he said was for me...

& that my Heavenly Father knew exactly what I needed.

The speaker shared John 16:33 with us, 

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." 

He talked about service and that as we serve others in any capacity, that is when we feel peace. 

'None of us makes it through this life without problems and challenges—and sometimes tragedies and misfortunes. After all, in large part we are here to learn and grow from such events in our lives. We know that there are times when we will suffer, when we will grieve, and when we will be saddened. However, we are told, “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.” ' (Pres Thomas S. Monson - Be of Good Cheer)

 “Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you.” (D&C 68:6)

Afterwards, while on vacation at the farm, we worked on a few furniture projects: 

 including the mirror R made me that I'm still obsessed with.

I hate that I let Christmas just wizz on by me...like I didn't soak in all its magic. 

Especially since Christmases are sure to be much different for the next lot of years with R in residency. It was pretty low key this year - as in it was just R and me at his parent's house. 

Everybody else had dispersed by Christmas Eve.

So we ran down the hall Christmas morning, opened presents, and skyped with family.

We decided to head down a day early to my parent's house and surprised my mom -

I don't think I've ever seen her so excited so that was pretty much awesome.

We ate lots of delicious food - 

always a cheese plate.

this little french bistrot was AMAZING.

& took R to a Mexican posada for a real cultural experience - where there was of course more delicious food.

We have this neat binder my aunt Eve made us with a Christmas song and story for the 24 days before Christmas - we started out the first couple of days pretty well but then got lost in the shuffle and traveling that we failed at getting through the binder. 

Next year I am bound and determined to get through that binder. 

I just love the songs and the stories that make you feel the essence of Christmas & remind you of the true joys in life.

I want to start traditions now so that when we have kids we can really ingrain the spirit of Christmas within their hearts.

Just like November, I felt like we were gone a lot of December. 

Mostly I think R was just gone a lot for interviews.

All the family time we had was great.

& as much as I love the rush of the holidays, it is nice to be in one place for a while.

& since I wasn't a good goal maker , I at least chose a motto for the year.

Happy New Year! 

Life lesson of December: traffic is worse than you'd expect on Christmas day. We need to take more pictures of occasions such as Christmas day!

Things we're looking forward to in January: R is finally done with interviews!!!