To increase in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

After some great talks on Sunday it's time for my yearly goals post. Last year, I waited until July to post some goals, and they weren't really resolutions. This year, I feel I need to be more specific, but before I do, how about another goals update of the big five.

Goals Review
1. Amateur astronomy - Well, I got my laser pointer - two in fact, and binoculars - now I just have to keep a steady stream of batteries, and get away from the city lights a little more often. Actually, I feel like I've done a good job with this one. I'm more familiar with the sky, and it constantly fascinates me. However, I don't think this goal is the type that can ever be "checked off" the list. :)
2. Get out of debt and become financially stable - Uh, I made huge payments with my Christmas bonus and gifts. :/ However, I haven't touched the personal finance class. Lame, I know. However, all my payments are now successfully set up for automatic withdrawal, and I make extra payments when I can. Yay me!
3. Italy - I started a savings account again. I guess this kind of goes along with #2, but, yeah, I drained my previous one during college, and now I've started one again. Back to Italy, I have no immediate time frame, but, I figure saving money is a good start.
4. A Master's Degree - Well, I quit both a reading and math endorsement program over the course of 2 months. I apparently can't hack it as teacher and student, at least not right now with the extra stuff I'm doing at school. I did, however, take a serious look at the University of Northern Colorado when we were down there. Now I'm just trying to decide if I should quit teaching and go back to school, or find a program I can do while teaching, if this is still as important to me as it was. And I'm trying to decide what to specialize in. I'm leaning more toward Special Education than anything else, actually.
5. Spanish - Yep, absolutely no movement on this one yet. I'm all about baby steps.

This Year's Resolutions
After some particularly wonderful talks on Sunday, I've decided that I will have 4 main goals this year, in four categories, with plans attached. So, here we go.

Increase in Wisdom - For this one, I've decided that I need to study for at least an hour 3 days a week. The Plan: I've got those two Independent Study courses I'm working on - astronomy and personal finance - not to mention a book study at work and other education research I could be doing. So, I figure if I spend Tuesdays on Astronomy, Wednesdays on Personal Finance, and Thursdays on Education (book study or other topics), then I've got a good study habit going that may help me with goal #4 above.

Increase in Stature - I know this is cliche, but, I want to be healthier. I have this habit of eating out a lot, but I'd like to get over that, and exercise more. I love going hiking and stuff, but it's not always particularly pleasant. The Plan: I need to get healthier, easy-to-make stuff at home - and eat it! And I need to find something I enjoy doing - swimming, biking, walking - and do it for 30 minutes at least 3 days a week. Again, it's all about the baby steps. Or maybe I'll start using my pedometer again. That was a fun little motivator.

In Favor with God - Lately, I've felt this urgency to prepare to go to the temple. There's lots of little aspects to that, but, that is my over-all goal. The Plan: The baby steps with that are 1) keep up with our family BoM reading schedule (part of helping Ty prepare for his mission), 2)go to the temple at least monthly, 3)keep up with tithing, fasting, etc., 4) work on the prayer report-back thing by writing briefly, twice-daily in my journal - once in the morning, once in the evening, setting goals and reporting back, and 5) include the Lord in all aspects of my life (not which can of food I'll buy, but, especially in my work life).

In Favor with Man - That sounds a little different, but let's simplify it to a social goal. I want to work on having better language. Now, I don't curse like a sailor, but, I could improve the words I use in frustration and anger, and work on avoiding the appearance of gossip and other negative forms of talk. The Plan: This one's my favorite plan! The first part of the plan, is to be fully active in my old/new ward. Yep, I'm having my records transferred back - at least that's the idea - we'll get the official word on Sunday. Phase one of the plan includes attending all Sunday meetings, FHE, Institute, and as many of the other activities as I can, with the idea being that I will develop and improve lasting relationships, and surround myself with people who uplift and encourage me to be my best self. Phase two of the plan is just to be more aware of myself and my speech, and to consciously make it as positive and uplifting as possible, especially with my students and co-workers.

Reflections of an Oldest Child

There are a few choice blessings afforded to those of us privileged enough to be the oldest in the family. Granted, some are definitely blessings in disguise - having stricter curfews and "harsher" rules. But others are pretty nice perks - getting undivided Mom & Dad time for years, building the parent-child friendship first, generally being first at just about everything (driving, college, etc.). Also, if you're LDS and your parents are cool enough to have eternal callings in the youth program, you get some more undivided parent time, not to mention daddy daughter dances. As you get older, there is the added bonus of getting to chapperone your younger siblings' dances.

Yes, it's true. I am old enough to do that - the privilege is afforded to anyone over the age of 21. Now, as much as I complained and poked fun (because truly the music hasn't changed in the almost 10 years since I first started coming; but the stake "mixer intervention" ratio has drastically increased!) it was pretty entertaining!

I was also made aware of how cool it really was to have my dad at stake dances. As I watched him with my sister tonight, swooping in at the exact right moment, I wondered how many times he did that for me.

Yep, it's true. I have the coolest dad ever. And when I come home, I still get daddy-daughter dance privileges. How's that for oldest child privileges?

Yes, I stole this from Marae...

But, c'mon, it's not that personal, and why not send a to-do list out into the void. Maybe it'll help keep me straight, in lieu of having my nifty sticky note/to-do list widgets on my computer that I no longer use daily. So, in no particular order:

Before I leave
Go to Monticello and purchase a thimble.
Pack to head back to Utah
Plan ahead 2 weeks for school (including next week's newsletter).
Make emergency sub plans
Get a haircut
Ship some of my stuff back to Utah (ridiculous, I know, but I've never, ever, been a light packer - have bag, will fill to the brim!)
Finish mom's book
Make a skirt with my new sewing machine!!!
Return the sewing machine bag that is probably not necessary to get my aforementioned gift back to Utah via carry-on luggage!
See the grandparents, and as many uncles and cousins as possible at least one more time before leaving
Find a ride from the airport

When I get back
Clean my car
Revamp the emergency supplies at school and in the vehicle.
Unpack
Figure out when church is and settle that whole arrangement.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Ok, I'm pretty this point has already been made - many times. That aside, it's still very, very true! As much as I have loved Heber (or at least one particular part of it), I love being home in Virginia! I was texting a friend from Heber on my way home from the airport, and we were joking around, but then I realized - and it has continued to be true - that we are finally getting to the point where the eternal families thing is no longer hypothetical, but, more frequently feels like a literal and immediate reality!

This Christmas has been wonderful! I've enjoyed the time with my brother, sister, parents, and extended family. We've enjoyed watching old home movies, and just telling stories and laughing! I've played with my adorable puppies, and my sweet cousins. It's just how it should be!

What an amazing blessing this time of year is! A time to spend with cherished family and friends - to reminisce about Christmases past, and to make new memories. Yes, my friends, Walla Balla is coming back!!!

This Christmas has been made particularly special thanks to dear friends, and the fact that we, as a family were not focused on the getting. We gave few, but thoughtful gifts, and spent time coming up with fun activities that we could do together, and with our extended family! It's been just wonderful! So, thank you everyone for making it such a special holiday, and Merry Christmas!

The point

I've had some great experiences this week. A friend and I went on a date up to our former Bishop's house and helped them decorate for Christmas. Our date was lots of fun! My friend wasn't quite ready when I came over, and I had the opportunity to sit and wait in a very quiet apartment. My apartment is never quiet, and that was a really nice change. During that time I felt prompted to call a family that I've become really close to in Heber, and offer to watch their kids so the parents could go on a date. It's something I've been thinking about for awhile, but this time I finally resolved to do it.

So, on Friday, after coming home briefly, I drove back to Heber and took their kids to Swiss Christmas, while their parents went to dinner and a couple of book stores in Provo. The kids were SO good, and we had so much fun! I especially loved taking them to the creche exhibit and feeling the Spirit there. Their parents came home around 10:30 and we showed off the gingerbread house we had made, and they showed us the books they got. The kids went to bed at midnight, and then we adults stayed up talking until 3 am, and then we finally all went to bed. I stayed in their spare room.

Saturday, we all slept in and then got up and had breakfast, watched movies, played games, ran errands, and even worked on a truck. It felt like a quiet, relaxing Saturday. Finally, at 5:30, we got in our separate vehicles, me heading to Provo, them to Spanish Fork for a nephew's baptism. Well, around 10:30, I got a text from them, saying that they had seen my car in the parking lot. It turned out that they had missed the baptism because they had been told the wrong time, and had gone to the family dinner and then geocaching instead. I told them that sounded like fun. She sarcastically responded, "Yea everyone squished in the truck screaming and crying. Such a peaceful life!" I laughed and responded, "Maybe not peaceful but still always an adventure and so worth it! Thanks for letting me come this weekend! Be safe on your drive back!" She said, "Come anytime! Yes they are worth it! I told [my 4-year-old] to go to sleep. He said he can't cause there is water in his eyes. I told him there is water in his eyes because he is tired. So now he is going to sleep!" I laughed.

As I have struggled with other relationships in my life, their family has been a constant source of joy and absolute belonging for me. It's interesting, but I finally know what it feels like to have an older brother that got married, now complete with nieces and nephews. It feels so good to feel like a part of a family while I'm so far away from my own. I have cousins that aren't too far away, but, feeling that way with people I see almost daily is different, but so nice.

All of these experiences coupled with Christmas decorations and Christmas music has helped me to re-focus myself on the Savior and the point of this season. What a glorious thing it is to have the gospel and to understand the eternal nature of families and relationships. I've noticed the things that make all relationships and specifically marriages work, and the qualities that I need to develop in my own life. I have learned what it is to serve faithfully and without seeking recognition. I have learned what it means to be faithful and diligent in living the gospel - and then to be able to not only desire, but to expect blessings because of that faithful diligence.

Not one of the people I have learned from is perfect. But, they are striving, and they have impacted my life greatly. I am forever grateful for their friendship, and my opportunity to learn from them. This truly is the point. The point of life, and especially, the purpose of a Babe born in a stable far away, who taught us all, by example, the principles of a happy, joyous life both here, and in the life to come. For Him, His Atonement and His unfailing love for me, and each of us I am grateful, and of them I bear witness, with the hope that you may seek to know Him better this Christmas season - for it is Him we celebrate.