New Years Eve

I can't believe 2014 has come to a close! I have to admit that this was a much better year than 2013. 2013 was amazing in the fact that I found my soul mate and one true love, but it was also filled with lots of bumps in the road as Jeff and I bumbled our way through blending a family. 2014 seemed to go a lot smoother. That's not to say that there still weren't bumps in the road, but those bumps seemed smaller and less frequent. I can't say that we are completely "blended", but I'm not sure there will ever be an end to that journey. We are not the "normal" family, but we are a family. We are our own imperfectly perfect family. I felt very blessed as I reflected over the last year. The Lord showered gifts in abundance on me. Some of those gifts came after the trials and tribulations, but others were simply given. As I look toward the new year, I am determined to return some gifts to Him. My gifts may be meager in comparison to what He has bestowed on me, but they come from my heart. I know I have a long way to go before I could ever reach a state of perfection, but I know He doesn't care about that. He simply wants to see that I'm progressing toward that goal...and to get there, I have set new goals for this year. I want to change. I want to be better...and I know, with His help, I can.

Well to start off this last day of 2014, I attended the marriage and sealing ceremony of one of my best friends, Johnny Jones. I have known Johnny since I was about 18. We met at ASU while completing our undergrad degrees. He was always my go-to guy friend when I was having guy troubles and couldn't understand why guys were so dumb! He and I always found time to have fun as we muddled through the adventures of single life after 25 years old (which most would consider young, but in the church culture you're practically a spinster by that age). He was there as I cried and he was there as I rejoiced in finding my ultimate best friend, Jeff. I was so happy to be there to see him finally find his one true love. Aubrey is such a beautiful person - inside and out. I am so extremely happy for them. Aubrey was married once before and has three kids. Each of them has had their difficult journeys to get to this point, but I am so glad that neither of them gave up. I know what a true blessing it is to have found your eternal companion and to have that best friend to journey through life. Congrats Johnny and Aubrey!

Jeff and I attended their reception that evening then got the party started at Nichole's house! Each year, Nichole plans and executes the best New Years party. She has activities for the kids (and adults) to do every hour on the hour so we keep ourselves awake and busy and having fun all night! This year her theme was "New Years around the World". Each game was related to a different country. She is so creative. The kids had a blast as we welcomed in 2015! I am so excited to welcome this New Year and all the adventures that lay ahead!

4 out of the 5 of us: Me, Michael, Nichole, Krystle

Gotta love my boys!

Happy New Year 2015!!!