Finding Joy In The Journey: Great Start to a New Year: 2013!!!

Tomorrow, January 12th marks Matthew's 15 months out in the mission field. I can't say this month went by quickly, but time is definitely moving along at a steady pace. I can assure you that my love for Matthew has only continued to grow in this past month and I get excited each and every day for the day when he comes home.

To give you an update of what's happened since I last blogged, all I have to say is Christmas!!! It was one of the most wonderful and yet sad days since he's been gone. First of all, that morning I opened one of my presents from under the tree and it was a package from Matthew. Mom and Dad had hidden it and wrapped it as a present without me having the slightest idea! That was just amazing by itself. In his package was a zebra striped electric blanket (which comes in handy quite often actually), and a book called, "Cajun Night Before Christmas" and it is absolutely hilarious! Later that evening, I went over to his family's house to talk to him when he called home. It wasn't nervous, just excited. While awaiting his phone call, me and a few of his family members played the game "Apples to Apples". All of a sudden the phone rang and his younger brother, Jeremy, answered it. Okay just so you know, this is when I became a nervous mess. I would say "wreck" but I would say it would've had to be worse to be called a "wreck". :) Anyway, I pretty much couldn't play the game anymore because I was not the least bit focused. :p When it was my turn for the phone, I was ready! He sounded good, yet our conversation seemed a bit formal at the beginning (which is understandable seeing as how we hadn't talked in 14 months). We hadn't talked but maybe five minutes when I realized we were having normal conversations like we did before he left and for the twenty minutes we talked, it really truly felt like he had never left; like it hadn't been over a year since the last time we spoke. It was indescribable. Amazing is the best word I can think of, maybe surreal... Anyway, getting off the phone was the hardest part, but when he said he loved me, I knew I could make it through the remaining months. I was kind of glad to get in my car and drive home afterwards because I just wanted to have a good cry (which by the way didn't even last five minutes). Unfortunately, for the next week (it seemed alot longer) I was in a slump and was afraid it was going to take forever to get back emotionally where I had been before the phone call.

For New Year's my family went up to my grandparents' house in Kentucky. It snowed on the way up there and there was a light coating of snow on the ground when we arrived. Being there with all of the extended family was nice and got my mind off of things and was a nice way to transition into the new year. I'm happy to say that as soon as we returned home I felt like I was back to normal. :)

I am so excited about 2013, especially since Matthew will be home this October. I know it's still months away, but just knowing I will see him this year makes it all seem so wonderful.

This past week I got really excited about making goals for the remaining months Matthew is away (perfect time of year to do so as well). Here is what I came up with:

Goals for 2013:

Try a new recipe each week

Read a "fun" book once a month

Finish the Book of Mormon

Try a new hairstyle and makeup technique each month.

Read a conference/Ensign talk every Sunday-- RULE: Read a talk on MARRIAGE once a month. :)

That is what I have so far. It's a good start, and I'm sure I'll more to it before the year is up.

In addition to my goals for the year, I came up with some "fun" goals for each month until Matthew comes home. (For example: buy a movie, buy a book, buy something for future home, etc.) I know they're all pretty much buying something, but I don't work for nothing! Haha. :) Anyway, for this month I'm doing this project I've seen people do on Facebook called, "30 Day Photo Challenge". I will start it tomorrow and for the next 30 days I will take a picture or find a picture that corresponds with the item for the day, on my list. I think the first one is something like... my favorite animal... so that's the kind of items that are on the list. I am so excited to get started!! I will definitely be devoting a post all to those pictures. :)

I found a treasure in the website picmonkey.com, which is a site for photo editing. Let's just say I've spent a good amount of time editing pictures because it is so much fun!! Well, because my sister likes, actually I should say loves the Beatles, (I like them, but she loves them) we decided to re-create one of the Beatles' pictures. It isn't a perfect match by any means, but I would say it's pretty good for a couple of amateurs. :) I have uploaded it below.

Well, I guess this is the end of my post for today... I'm just living life and doing my best to continue to improve and refine myself through both spiritual study as well as real life situations. As always I try to put my trust in Heavenly Father and stay close to Him. I can say it makes life a whole lot more happy and fulfilling. Until next time!! :D