Christmas 2010 was...

a great time.

And I didn't get one. picture. of. me. and. my. mother. Now, before you chastise me-- the first half of her beloved arrival, she was sleeping. A lot. Like, 17 hour days a lot. Then she got better [but not fully well]. We had to literally cram as many activities we could into a couple days. I remember on Christmas day thinking I should take a picture.... but I didn't. Moving on.

We did a lot of baking, catching up, laughing, more baking, and it couldn't have been better. I do wish she were feeling better, but to be honest- I didn't mind staying in a chatting for hours on end. It was much needed!

I was extremely excited with the gifts I received this year. Nothing huge, but everything much appreciated. Alex knows me well... he got me the Forrest Gump Soundtrack [Seriously. Best bunch of songs ever.], Michael J. Fox's newest book, Beatles cd, and a few other things. My grandmother purchased a fabulous chess set [which we are eager to use] and the in-laws are responsible for the new set of scriptures with my married name engraved on them. I LOVE getting new scriptures. No markings, no worn out pages... it's a perfect new start.

My mom also made us these unique coasters that I fell in love with....

....but I can't forget a certain parting gift my dear sweet mother gave us before traveling back to the rolling hills:

We named him Jimmy.

I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas as we did. Hope your New Years is just as wonderful!

Mission Statement

My friend Catie told me about a website she found [http://www.franklincovey.com/msb/] in where you build your own personal mission statement. I've heard the benefits of having your own, so I decided to give it a whirl for 2011. So, without further adieu, here she is--

Rachel Teran's Personal Mission Statement

I am at my best when I look my best.I will try to prevent times when I don't get enough sleep and eat poorly.
I will enjoy my work by finding employment where I can genuinely help people and fill my time with worthwhile tasks.
I will find enjoyment in my personal life through finding something each day to make my husband's day better, exercise, and seek activities that will uplift me spiritually.

I will find opportunities to use my natural talents and gifts such as caring about people, going the extra mile, cooking, and looking for ways to be more creative.
I can do anything I set my mind to. I will learn to be truly comfortable in my own skin.
My life's journey is one of simplicity. I want to be happy. I want to love and be loved. I want to strengthen my testimony and knowledge of the scriptures each day. I simply want to enjoy life and love myself in the process.

I will be a person who at 80 years old, will be content with the life I led, and happy to be alive still.
My most important future contribution to others will be that I want to be remembered as someone who was happy--no matter what.
I will stop procrastinating and start working on:

• Lack of organization
• Self-Doubt
• Poor health decisions

I will strive to incorporate the following attributes into my life:

• Optimism
• Christ-like attitude toward life
• Pure joy in being a wife, future mother, and daughter of God

I will constantly renew myself by focusing on the four dimensions of my life:

• Exercise not to lose weight, but to gain confidence and care for my body
• Read scriptures everyday and be in constant prayer so I can develop a deeper relationship with my Heavenly Father
• Have more moments of pure meditation so I can clear my mind and be ready for whatever life throws at me
• Make an effort to get to know those around me, and try to be a beacon of light to all I come in contact with

Yes, it is a bit long-winded. But never-the-less, it is very important. Here's to the upcoming year!

Please Send Cookies.

My mom came into town on Thursday. She wasn't feeling good. She thought it was a kidney infection... with a hint of flu-like symptoms. She really wasn't feeling good.

And then.... after a day and a half of getting worse and feeling like utter crap- we took her to an Instacare. While waiting for her turn to go see the doctor, I noticed her right eye was quite red. Alex said [jokingly], "Maybe you have pink eye, too!"

She does. And she has strep throat, urinary tract infection, respiratory infection, and the flu. Seriously? So over Sunday and today, she will be doing nothing but sleeping and sleeping some more. Hopefully all this nonsense goes away soon so she can half-way enjoy the vacation. :)


And I'd really appreciate some snow! Utah has been upsetting me with the rainy winter situation. Grrrrr. Once the madre is feeling better and we are all looking cute, pictures will be taken. Until then, your imaginations will have to be sufficient.

January 1st, 2011.

Starting 01.01.11, I will:

BUY SOME NEW GLASSES. Maybe ones like the ones pictured below... if Alex doesn't think I look like too much of a dork in them. Regardless, I need a change. And soon.

Write a positive note to myself and put it somewhere where I see it daily. I'm really wanting to develop a more positive outlook not only on life, but myself as well. Maybe something like this? I'm sure throughout the year, my message will vary.

Make more of an effort with mi familia. More phone calls... letters... cards. Just more.

Save up and actually buy a nice camera so I can put my wishes for photography into action. I've put it off for too long... no longer I say!

And try to see the beauty in every day life.
...because that is part of our reason for being here... for being alive. To recognize all that God has created specifically for us.

Maybe I'll start a photo journal. Take a picture of something beautiful each day.
{You better believe that Alex will make a repeat appearance.}

He's good looking.

Until then, I will thoroughly enjoy the company of my beautiful mother {who arrives here in approximately one and a half hours}.

Hope you all are enjoying the Christmas season!

California Dreamin'

I kinda wish that Al and I lived on the coast so we could have a picture just. like. this.

Christmas

is almost here.

It's coming fast... 11 days and counting... or rather, trying not to count... don't want it to be here just yet.

I really, REALLY want to just savor these next few weeks.

Christmas.... slow down. Let me enjoy the season just a few weeks extra.

And SNOW would be nice, too....

knock it off with this rain nonsense.

Be Proud

I enjoy talking about what I believe and why. I love to have deep, religious discussions with people. I enjoy hearing different experiences and views from those around me-- Mormon or not.


...But there are times when I am viewed as 'ignorant'... or even worse, unintelligent for believing in a higher power than myself. For following a strict moral code. For relying on answer to prayer. Surely I can't be smart if I believe in something that is improbable, impossible, a story from the Bible that is more like a 'fairytale' then real life.


Well.


I am happy. I am smart. I am confident. I have high self-esteem. I care about others. I try to do service. I pray. I read the scriptures. I have faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I have no doubt of the things I know. This does not make me ignorant, nor unintelligent. This makes me whole. It makes me a better person. It makes me who I am... which hopefully-- is a better person than yesterday. It helps me to perfect myself. It helps me to look at others more than myself, and care for my fellow man.


I am not perfect... but I am always trying. Do I fail? Absolutely. Do I get back up and try again? You bet.


I've come to the point where I deem it necessary to stand up and fight for what I know. I won't let critics decide my happiness or my faith. I won't be contentious, but I will be proud.

Baby, you can take my car.

WELL. It's official. The Metro is gone.

After a pain in the butt couple months [it really, really was...] between requesting a duplicate title, and waiting for said title, and getting in contact with KidneyKars, it finally happened. They took the car away and it is officially gone forever. I can't say it's not bittersweet, but not nearly enough to be too sad about it. After all, this car was a crime to drive. No power steering? No air conditioning? No power windows? A drivers side window that was wrecked, but then halfway put back together with a mirror that didn't even fit in the holder? Yeah, the tears are flowing like rain........


I do admit, however, I miss the lack of car payment. We purchased a Hyundai Elantra for the mister... which means another car payment. Yet I know that in the summer when he's turning the steering wheel with minimal effort and his hair is blowing in the air-conditioned breeze, he won't be complaining too much. ;)


We've had a lot of good times, Metro. I really enjoyed it when you got broken into multiple times, and things were stolen. I also look back fondly on the time you were stolen and totalled. I also gained quite the muscle in my biceps from our drives together, plus lost a few LBs from the free sauna you created just for me....but it is time to part ways. Goodbye, and good luck.

Two Turtledoves

Alex and I went to Temple Square to see the lights over the weekend. This won't be the only time we end up going, but I don't mind repeating it. I love it. Thankfully there was some snow left over from the "blizzard" when we went so it was more Christmas-y. :) We went with a couple newly married love birds, Jamie and Teralee. Whilst walking among the lights, I told the said newly married love birds to pose for a picture on a bench nearby.


When I turned around, this is what I saw.

It was too sweet [and by sweet, I mean uncomfortable] to pass up a taking a picture...

This is the real significant other. So, since they took their love picture, we thought we'd take ours. :) Love this lady!

All in all, great night. Went to IHOP afterwards, had good conversation, had a good time. This weekend, Alex and I are going to the 'Dickens Festival'. I have never been, but Alex says it's great. From what I gather, there will be food [most important], carolers, ghosts of Christmas past, present and future wandering around, Father Christmas, cute gift shops.... sounds like my kind-of place.

Hopefully pictures will follow.

Saw This...

... and thought it fit me pretty well.

A lot of people [mostly men] ask Alex and I why I "allowed" him to have a full, thick, beautiful beard on our wedding day.

My only response?

Just look at him! Yummm.. I do admit though, on our wedding day was the thickest I've ever

seen it....

...not that I'm complaining one bit! ;)