Life Couldn't Possibly Better Be..

Even though it's been a rough week...



Things don't seem to be getting worse... gotta be thankful for that! It's interesting how one second you're so hopeful for the future, and the next you feel pretty hopeless. By March we were going to be almost debt free, and by the next year we were going to be completely debt free. (by almost debt free, that meant all we had to pay was the above car.) On Sunday, after the wreck, I broke down and wondered how we could deal with this right now. Our other car is a Chevy Metro, which besides being the dumbest car ever created- is HORRIBLE in snow. Our work schedules are exactly the same, which poses a problem with dropping off and picking up. Financially, we aren't prepared for it- what with Alex and I both in school, and Alex just starting a helpful- but expensive- tutoring program for math next week. It all seemed to happen at the wrong time.

But after the initial shock wore off, we started to look at the situation, and realized we are extremely blessed. Both of our families have been supportive and caring, and we're lucky that the accident wasn't worse. Plus the Lord works in mysterious ways... and we both have a feeling that everything will work out. (Besides, we were on our way to tithing settlement when the accident occurred. Surely we'll be blessed for that.........)

Things aren't going to be easy, but it will eventually be worth it.

It's the Holiday Season!

Alex and I are coming up on our second Christmas as a married love birds. We've found that we're enjoying this Christmas much more than last... particularly because last year we were just so excited to be married, we kind-of skipped over the "savoring Christmas" thing. Also we are both SO bad at surprises that we inevitably spoiled almost all of our gifts for eachother. We're not proud of it.. but we both grew from that experience, and this year we're doing much better!


We've been watching Christmas movies and enjoying the cold weather. (Yep, I said enjoying.) :) It makes the holiday season much more Christmas-y when there's snow on the ground. Agree? I love everything about this time of year.


Due to budget cuts and unable to work around work... this will be year #2 spent away from Oklahoma. Sigh. It's hard but I know that it will make the year we get to go back even more special. I'm crossing my fingers for next year, but if for some reason it doesn't work out- we're definitely going the year after. My brother will be home from the mish that year and hopefully the whole fam will be able to get together. You really learn to cherish the moments spent together when you don't see your family whenever you want.


Anyway, to update on our lives- our callings are going well. I'm gradually becoming more comfortable on the piano and I'm trying to help Alex get into his calling a little more. (On my day off this week, I spent 2 and a half hours cutting, coloring, pasting and creating little activities that went with his lesson. I also bought candy canes and taped a sign saying Merry Christmas on each little one. Alex was more than thrilled when he came home and even went as far as calling me a "life saver". Best wife? I think so!) I think after having a solid game plan, he gained more confidence and hopefully this Sunday he won't be over-run by little maniacs. Time will tell.


I want to post pictures of my decorated apartment, so that will come in a latter post. I also just realized that I haven't posted pictures of our new apartment (we've only been here since what, March!?)


Hello. My name is Rachel.. and I'm a procrastinator.


BUT on a much happier note, I have ideas for each and every one of my names on my little gift list, and I'm very proud of myself for the choices I've made. I pride myself on finding a thoughtful and personable gift, so I was stressing for a while about it. Not to fear, I prevailed and I'm so excited to give them out!

Don't you love this season? Mm..mm..mm.

Introducing:

Our new toy. :) We have needed a new digital camera since we've been married. Alex's old one accompanied him on his mission (in a very hot, humid place where Alex frequently dropped it). SO, drum roll please...

I've already played around and taken a couple pictures, and it's amazing what a difference it makes. It's nothing incredible, but it's a huge step up. Not quite sure what to make of this face. I do see it quite often though. ;)
I'm just starting to get over what has been one of THE worst colds I've ever had. A co-worker developed a bad cough early last week, and by Wednesday I woke up with a slight sore throat. I was so nervous- with good reason. By mid afternoon I was developing a bad cough and it was all downhill from there. I called in sick 3 days in a row, missed church, went to work on Monday- realized that was a stupid idea and called in sick yesterday. It has been a long weekend. On Saturday Alex forced me to go to an Instacare where they said I had an upper respiratory infection and that I 'just needed to drink a lot of fluids and ride it out.' I thought they were just gonna give me the boot without any drugs to numb the pain, but they ended up giving me A-MAYY-ZING cough syrup that without a doubt changed my life. (To cough syrup: I couldn't have made it without ya. My lungs/throat/head/tired husband owe you one!)

Thankfully, I will be in good enough spirits to enjoy Thanksgiving. I was starting to get anxious. I absolutely love this time of year and was going to be extremely bummed if I had to miss out. Nothing like having great family and friends around a table full of delicious. Ya know!?

Life is great.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

New Thang

I've been having an internal struggle with my hair over the past few months. I have enjoyed it being longer than I've ever had it, and when I put the time and effort into it, I really loved it. However... it is truly a pain in the butt, and since my hair is so thin and fine- it takes me 30-45 minutes to get my hair the way I want it, and within 20 minutes it's stringy, flat and tangly.

But even with this, the thought of chopping it off gave me anxiety. I've come close a couple of times, but when I sat in the chair.. I quickly changed my mind to only a trim. I'd go home shortly liberated and proud of myself for not cutting it, but soon after I'd be kicking myself.

So I finally did it. I made an appointment for 9:00 this morning, and didn't look back! I have to admit, I became quite emotional afterwards (a little during, too..) I called Alex in tears- completely overreacting and saying that he's going to hate it over and over. (Not building his confidence in the haircut, I'm sure...) It's a lot to get used to, but here she is... "The New Do":

Blessings

I love this time of year. It gives me another reason to be thankful for the many, many blessings I have.

• Alex. I can't ever start a "thankful" list without him. I don't think I truly understand just how good I have it. I have a man who loves a clean house, is sensitive, who will watch chick fliks with me (and not complain), is affectionate, says I love you at LEAST twice a day, has a strong testimony, served a mission, is a hardworker, is a good singer, is extremely loyal to his beliefs and friends, can walk through home decor stores for hours with me and ENJOY it, cares about looking nice, is ridiculously good looking, is organized, is thoughtful, is funny, is smart, who is NOT quick to anger, who hates to fight, and who is just the greatest guy I've ever known. Take all of this and add to that he loves me? I know what you're thinking... this can't be a real human being. But it is. And I am darned lucky.
  Did I mention ridiculously good looking? Mmm..mm..mmm..
  • Family. I know this is a generic one that is probably on everyone's lists. But I don't care. Like the preceding blessing, I can't forget this one either. As I have grown older, I've realized that I have a fantastic family. My family has evolved so much in these last couple years. At one point, I figured that everyone in my family would stay within an hours distance from eachother. We'd all live in Oklahoma for the rest of our lives, and even one day- we'd all have houses right next door to eachother. (I know that sounds crazy....) The Lord didn't have that in mind for us, but I think that He knew we'd all stay in touch, no matter the distance. That is why I am living in Utah, I have a sister in OH, soon to be FL, I have another sister who will be in another country by the end of next year, a brother in TX and a brother on a mission. There is only one sibling that will be left in OK. Pretty spread out... but I know that even though we are starting our own eternal units, we are still an eternal family. Which brings me to my next blessing....
  • The Gospel. Without it I would not be who I am. Without it I wouldn't have survived the darkest days following my dad passing away. Without it I wouldn't have met my husband and been sealed to him for time and all eternity. Without it I wouldn't have the comfort and peace that comes with the occasional trial. Without it I wouldn't have any reason to challenge myself and strengthen my weaknesses. Without it I wouldn't be truly happy. I love it, and my life is anchored to it.
  
• Christmas Music. Yep. I said it. I am not ashamed! I enjoy listening to Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. :) Nothing quite compares to the feelings you get when you hear the first Christmas song of the season. Ahhhhh.. I love this time of year!
• Seeing those you care about turn tragedy into triumph. My brother, Coulter, is currently serving a mission in Dominican Republic. I won't go into great detail, but it has been a long road to get here, and he has always had a positive attitude. Many times the outlook seemed bleak, but he perservered and made it through. Now he is a worthy, happy, successful missionary and I literally get giddy when I think about him.

• Good friends. There are only a few who I still remain in constant contact with, and I don't mind it. I love the friends I have and I'm very blessed to have them in my life.
• Great examples. My mom and uncle both joined the church in college. Their parents still aren't members, yet they don't let this dwindle their testimonies. They are rock solid people and I know I can call both of them whenever I need anything.

And furthermore, I'm grateful for (deep breath): Pumpkin pie, hot chocolate, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, a great relationship with Alex, blankets, twinkly lights on garland, Christmas Trees, random acts of kindness, a job, a healthy body, repentance, piano, great music, talking about old times with friends, anticipation for the season, planning for the future, being almost debt free by March (a personal favorite), Cafe Rio, Dr. Pepper, and the list could go on and on and on......