This has easily been one of the most amazing, unexpected, stressful, and wonderful years of my life!! Here’s a little month by month review to ring in the New Year!
January
In a word: Unknown
In a song: “(It’s Gonna Be) Okay” by The Piano Guys
In pictures:
This is a group of Spanish missionaries aka “Hermanas” from my LDS mission. My mission has yielded some of the very greatest and most cherished friendships of my life. We truly are sisters.
I don’t remember when this started, but my grandma adores Chinese New Year. I think it is a bigger celebration than our New Year!! I should point out, there is not an ounce of Chinese in our blood, but we just love this holiday!!
February
In a word: Adventure
In a song: “Set it All Free” by Scarlett Johansson
In pictures:
My friends and I took a road trip down to St. George, Utah to escape the cold and support one of our “hermanas” who was reporting on her mission in church. We had a wonderful, care-free time! It was one of those “typical college” weekends that I’m grateful I had since it ended up being a last hurrah of sorts.
March
In a word: Rejuvenating
In a song: “Brand New” by Ben Rector
In pictures:
In March I took my parents back to the great state of Texas. I took them around to meet the people I met during my time there. I showed them the sights and introduced them to REAL barbecue. And what’s a trip to Texas without Blue Bell ice cream?? I loved my time in Texas, because it was just my parents and I. The three of us have always been very close, and I think this was a blessing for me to have this time with them. I had no idea how soon my world was going to change.
April
In a word: Unexpected
In a song: “You’re Beginning to Get to Me” by Clay Walker
In pictures:
During the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, my mission president was called to serve in the First Quorum of the Seventy. It was a very humbling and miraculous time for me to witness a pure servant of the Lord called to minister to more people throughout the world. His light touched me and changed my life, and I love that he will be able to touch the lives of many more people.
April was the month I met my husband!! Our whirlwind romance began in the spring time and is certainly one of the highlights of my year. Toward the end of April, he met my family (but I don’t have a picture of that).
May
In a word: Magical
In a song: “Something Beautiful” by Tim Halperin
In pictures:
In May I met Al’s family who were in town for his graduation from the University. It was an exciting (and nerve wracking) time!
We took our first road trip together up to Idaho to meet some of his extended family and celebrate Mother’s Day.
The day after we got back from Idaho, he proposed!! Definitely another highlight of my year.
June
In a word: Preparation
In a song: “Where You Are” by Rascal Flatts
In pictures:
June was a month of love! We enjoyed our engagement and worked our tails off to be ready for our July wedding.
July
In a word: Surreal
In a song: “Then” by Brad Paisley
In pictures: wedding
July was the month that I got to marry my sweetheart. Is was completely surreal and spectacular! We were sealed for time and all eternity in the Payson Utah Temple, surrounded by dear friends and family members. Not only was our wedding one of the best days of the year, it was also one of the best days of my life!
August
In a word: Bliss
In a song: “Love Never Felt so Good” by Michael Jackson
In pictures:
In August we enjoyed a beautiful cruise for our honeymoon. It was so romantic and, in my opinion, the best thing for a honeymoon!! This was my first cruise and I loved how romantic the atmosphere was and how everything was included!! For a honeymoon, it was so nice to see multiple places without having to worry about all your hotels, dining, and activities. It was truly a treat.
August also brought with it a move to a new part of the state, new jobs, and our new favorite taco truck.
September
In a word: Change
In a song: “Geronimo” by Sheppard
In pictures:
In September my husband and I travelled to his hometown where I attended Time Out For Women with my mother in law and sisters in law. It was a wonderful weekend full of motivation, inspiration, laughter, tears, and bonding.
September also brought nights like these where my husband and I get to just be together, enjoying marriage and companionship, and doing the things we love.
At the end of the month we traveled with my family to California to celebrate my grandparent’s 50th Wedding Anniversary. It was a wonderful time for my husband to get to know members of my extended family even better. We also had a little secret, because we found out I was 4 weeks pregnant the day before we left.
October
In a word: Sacred
In a song: “Humble and Kind” by Tim McGraw
In pictures:
In October we celebrated my birthday, told our parents and siblings that we were expecting, and enjoyed our first Halloween together! We loved chasing our sister, niece, and nephews around the neighborhood as they literally ran from house to house.
November
In a word: Grateful
In a song: “I’ll Name the Dogs” by Blake Shelton
In pictures:
In November we announced our pregnancy to the rest of our family and friends. We announced it with the video above. It was so fun to finally have our secret out there!!
In mid November we got to go stay with my family and support my little brother in his school musical. He did a phenomenal job and it was fun to spend the weekend with them.
This year we spent Thanksgiving with my husband’s side of the family. It was so fun for me to experience new traditions and strengthen relationships with that side of our family. Right after Thanksgiving we came home and moved apartments! It was a busy month!!
December
In a word: Reflection
In a song: “Note to Self” by Ben Rector
In pictures:
In December I drove down to my hometown to see my sister off on her LDS mission. She is excited to be out serving the Lord and meeting new people. I loved my mission and it makes me so happy to see her desire to serve as well.
This year we spent Christmas with my side of the family. It was wonderful to show my husband our family traditions. I loved watching my brothers take him back to being a teenage boy. We had a wonderful weekend centered around family and the Savior, who it the true reason for the season.
This year has been one for the books. I have learned so much and grown so much! I have discovered things about myself that I never knew existed. I can’t imagine how another year could possibly top this one. 2018 is going to be a big year as we welcome our little man into the family. We are so excited for all this new year will bring. I am forever grateful to friends and family who have stood by me in 2017 and every year before that.
I just want to wish you a safe and happy New Year, wherever this post may find you. And happy Sabbath day today!! May God bless you this upcoming year, and for every year to come.
