A New Year

School has started and I once again am busy running every where. This semester seems like it will be much more applied than my past semester. I don't have as many classes but the reading is still crazy. Can I just say that I love reading about 1,000 pages a week?!?! But at least it's reading that is interesting so it's not terrible but it still is not my idea of fun. I love all of my classes and am really enjoying this semester. For some more good news about the semester I saw my first clients this week. It was crazy to think that people are coming to me for answers to their problems. I felt so inadequate - there really is no way to describe the way that i felt. I was so tired after the session that I just went home and put on a pointless movie so I wouldn't have to think anymore. But the good thing is that I will never have a first first study.
The day was kind of crazy but I must say that I have the best husband in the world. When I got home there were flowers on the table with a note and my favorite treat - Queso and chips! I think that i'm the luckiest girl in the world! Thanks Honey!
Although I greatly enjoyed the break, I must say that there wasn't a huge feeling of worth while on break. It's good to be back in school and back to feeling like I have purpose again. I'm getting back into the groove of being stressed and feeling like I have 5 million things to do and no time to do it. Hopefully, by next week I will finally have my system back.
Natalie and Greg's house is almost done - just have to do the finishing things (cabinets, carpet, tile, plumbing, and finish electric work). And then we can start on the apartment in the basement and then we can get out to the country life soon! YEAH!!!! I'm looking forward to being out there but I'm not looking forward to the longer drives to school... The next few months are going to be SUPER busy but very satisfying.

Holiday Fun

This holiday season has been so good to us. We were able to spend a lot of time with our families and enjoy some much needed R&R. We were able to play hard with the Jones Family while they were visiting from Alaska. We weren't sure when we were going to see them again until Aleene (Zach's sister) got engaged. So good news - They will be back in MAY! YEAH! We had a wonderful Christmas Eve and morning with the Petersen family. It is so much fun to have 2 families to celebrate Christmas and other holidays with. Although at times it can be exhausting it is always a good time! On Christmas day we were also able to talk to my little brother Dillon who is serving a mission in Portland, Oregon. It was so good to get to talk with him. It's crazy how grown up he sounds in just 6 months of serving. I was also proud of my mom - she only got a little teary-eyed when we were hanging up the phone.

The rest of the Christmas break was full of games, great fun, and wonderful people. Probably the highlight of our parties was the New Year's Eve party that my parents had. It was an ungly sweater party and our family took it to the top. We not only had ugly sweaters but we had ugly hair-dos and make-up to top off the whole outfit. It was such a fun night. My nephew stopped by for a few minutes with his parents (Nat and Greg) and he did not recognize me. Brett name for the night was also "Petey the Pedophile". When you look at the pictures you will understand why he was so fortunate to receive that wonderful name. My name for the night was Loralynn. Quite fitting I would have to say. Here are some sweet pictures to document the night.

Petey the Pedophile and Loralynn

Our 80's rendition of photographs

Family Photo

We are sad to see the Joneses go home and the holiday season to come to an end. We have been back to school for a few days now and are getting settled back into the school life...
Here are some other pictures of the fun that we have had during our Christmas Break.

Seeing the lights on Temple Square

Elk at Hardware Ranch

Grandma Jones doesn't like to smile for the camera and it's my goal to catch her with a smile at least once.... You are SO welcome Lynette!

Garrett as a shepherd at the Wright Family Christmas Party - he was either trying to poke someone or something the entire time.

Sweet Brooklyn did a great job as Mother Mary

I love this picture of Garrett - the good shepherd caught doing something he's not supposed to! His face is priceless.

Christmas Morning. The G man loved his tool bench and is so serious every time that he plays with it.

Dax seemed to enjoy Christmas and opening lots of new toys! I miss the little guy!