One Thing I have Learned from My College Career

I was recently thinking about my first semester of school.

I was a nervous 17 year old ready to conquer the world.  I was excited and nervous for what the next four years would hold.  If I could go back in time and offer that 17 year old girl one piece of advice before I began my long journey of education it would be this:

Do what you love. Even if it will never provide for your family financially, even if it seems like a “silly” degree.

I started school as a nursing major hoping to go to medical school. I wanted a successful career.  Through many trial and errors, including changing my major only 3 times.

I finally decided what I wanted to major in……

Marriage and Family Studies

Most people who know me would admit that this is not a field anyone EVER saw me going into.

To be honest I always saw it as the “mommy degree.”

Now that I am wrapping up my last semester of college with a

Bachelors of Science in Marriage and Family Studies

I can see the importance of following your heart and doing what you love.

I know it was divine intervention that lead me to this course of study, and I couldn’t be happier with my studies.  I have loved all of my classes and I know through my course work I am prepared to defend the traditional family and build our family.

When I was a freshman I saw myself chasing what I thought would be my dream.

I think many who enroll in college focus on what will bring them money and therefore “happiness”

But I give this advice as I prepare to graduate in THREE days.

Do what you love. Find something that you are passionate about and go forward with your education. It  was a sacrifice and definitely a long road but I am grateful I made the decision to continue with my education.

This weekend we had the opportunity to spend time in Utah with my family. 

My brother had a cheer competition on Saturday. 

Go Herriman Cheer!! 

I loved having the opportunity to watch the team perform. I know they had worked hard on their routine and they did great! 

(sorry my pictures are a little blurry)

Since we were practically downtown we took the time to go see the Temple Square Christmas Lights. 

We bundled up in our coats, hats, and gloves and decided to take the chance with the weather. 

I think we went at the perfect time, there was hardly anyone there and we just got to take in the scenery.  

I loved just being on Temple Grounds. There was such peace and I knew in  my heart that is was the house of the Lord where Families can be Forever.  It was an amazing time to reflect on the true reason for Christmas. It isn't for the presents under the tree, or for my favorite holiday treats. Instead it is a time to reflect on our Savior and His light in our lives. It's a time to do as He did and serve those around us. It's a time to spend with loved ones who mean the most to us. 

When it Rains it POURS

So the past couple weeks for our family have been a little rough. I guess we can say it’s the storm before the calm (i.e. graduation.)  

Let me explain a little…

Last week Tavo’s computer got knocked off the couch and the screen broke. After some handy repairs by Tavo. (I was impressed that was able to completely take apart his computer and put it back together again) We got his computer back up and working again.

But while his computer was broken, we were sharing my computer and it got knocked off the desk and completely broke. Nothing cosmetic was wrong but the hard-drive was bad and the motherboard was broken.  This ment that neither of us had a computer, and all of Tavo’s classes are online.

Having a very active 10 month little boy and trying to do all your homework in the library with him is extremely difficult. As we have proven it’s not impossible but it’s definitely not easy.

Luckily we only had a week of that mess then we got Tavo’s computer up and working again.

HALLELUJAH (being sung in an angelic voice)

Only to have it break again when we were in Utah visiting my family for a mini-Thanksgiving because we wouldn’t be spending Thanksgiving with them.

(yummy mini-Thanksgiving)

(I took Tavo to his FAVORITE Restaurant Tucanos

 for his big 26th birthday!)

We finally broke down and bought a new computer. It is so nice having a computer at the house again.

This trail has really taught me how important our attitude is. I am not going to lie there were quite a few tears shed by me these past few weeks trying to handle our course work with no computers.

In the middle of all this we found out that McKay had bronchitis. It just felt like things were slowly piling up.

(Snuggling when McKay was sick, but he's doing better now!)

Then I began to realize how blessed I am.  I have the opportunity to attend a wonderful university where I am learning about how to strengthen families, I have an amazing husband and little boy, I have made some amazing friends this semester.

I realized that I don’t have anything to complain about. I changed my attitude and it made all of this easier to handle. 

I learned the only difference between a good day and a bad day is my attitude.  

The Great Puppet

McKay's favorite toy in the WORLD is this puppet moose we have. It came from Ikea and every single time I get it out he hysterically laughs.

Hopefully you enjoy the video of us playing with the puppet. 

Also I have been loving the weather here in Rexburg. Usually by November it has snowed and feels like we are at the North Pole. 

But today this is what I wore: 

(Excuse the white legs, it  is November you know)

I am dressed up for the workshop I am teaching on campus, and last week I wore heals and my feet were seriously killing me by the end of the day. 

It wasn't even cold, and I don't feel guilty at all about wearing sandals in the middle of November!!!

Veterans Day and Ten Months

Today is Veterans Day, and according to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs there are about 23 million Veterans in our country. That’s 23 million reasons to be grateful for those who have sacrificed for our country. I am grateful for the opportunity that is provided for us because of the sacrifices of those who have and are currently serving our country. 

 Happy Veterans Day and Thank You to all who have served our country!

The other day we went to dinner with some friends after grocery shopping. 

McKay turned ten months old on the 6^th of November. I seriously cannot believe that my little monkey is ten months old. He has been such a fun addition to our family. He isn’t walking yet, but he is definitely mobile. When you set him on the floor he takes off crawling. 

He loves exploring and opening cabinets and drawers; because of this we tried to move the dangerous things out of the cabinet he can reach, which has resulted in our counters being very cluttered. 

He tries to feed himself, so instead of making a mess all over the kitchen I put him in the tub.

 The past 10 months has been so fun and exciting and life changing, I can’t wait to see what comes next.