I Have a Feeling..

a feelin' deep inside, oh yeah.... that 2010 is going to be a great year for me.


I don't know how to describe this feeling I have... but I just feel good and hopeful. I don't have too many goals this year, solely because I didn't want to set a million goals and not acheive a good portion of them. So I set reachable goals that I do intend on keeping.


First, I want to take more pictures. Since the purchase of our new camera, I was set on taking more pictures. I haven't. I want to fill our apartment with pictures of people I love and places I've been. It's something I've never been very good at, but I intend to change that with the new year.


Second? I want to make more time for the temple. I only live what? 10 minutes away from one? And 15-20 minutes away from 2 others? Yeah, I think that's do-able..
Put more focus on the significant other. Yes, I know we're newlyweds--that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement. :)


There are other things that I'd like to work on and I do intend to do just that. But at the end of 2010, I want to look back and feel I accomplished what I wanted to, put what's most important first, and be able to be proud of myself for doing so. I've learned a lot from 2009- and I intend to learn even more in 2010. :) Don't you love new years?

It's Official.

We're adults now.

We made our first big purchase together. A 2008 Kia Spectra. The price was reasonable, and even though we mourn the loss of the Mazda (may he rest in peace) we're excited to see what new experiences we'll have with our new car :) It was a minor financial set back, but we're determined to make the most of it and pay off everything BUT the car by March. Yes sir, I think things are looking up!

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!