and suddenly I'm 32

Dear Me,

Suddenly you're one year older and hopefully wiser too. So, Happy Birthday to you! I haven't written anything on this blog in one year, and it's amazing to think of all that has made up my year of 31.

I have taught another year of junior high. I have avoided doing my hair the majority of those days. I've wondered about going back to school and thought about a future family. I've been to more rodeos this past year than most people will ever attend in a life time. I am grateful for each day, and the opportunities I have as a wife, daughter, sister, teacher, friend, neighbor, aunt, and work-in-progress.

32 Details about Me

1. I currently live in Arco, Idaho

2. I enjoy and require at least an hour all to myself each day - it's me being an introvert

3. I designed and made a queen size denim quilt out of Cowboy's worn out britches, except some help tying it and reminding me how to bind it

4. I still get bothered the most at school by 8th grade boys who like to whine

5. I am teaching seven piano students

6. I drive a Subaru Outback

7. I can load a couple ton of hay with my husband, and yes, I can actually pick up the bales of hay and hoist them on and off a trailer

8. I successfully completed hunters safety in the state of Idaho, and went hunting this past fall

9. I own camouflage

10. I am reading Unbroken with my 8th grade students and we all can't wait to see what happens each day in class

11. I serve as a counselor in the Relief Society Presidency

12. I love reading about Abraham Lincoln and his courage and confidence in God

12. I am reading the Book of Mormon and highlight thoughts and ideas about the Savior

13. I drink a huge glass of ice water each morning

14. I commute two hours, daily

15. I finally appreciate prime rib and choose to order it

16. I pulled out my crochet items and designed and created two baby hats for my sisters' new babies

Ada's Hat

Harrison's Hat

17. I am really getting spurs for my birthday

18. I am glad I am Cowboy's and that he's mine

19. I avoid grocery shopping and have gotten pretty creative at creating meals out of cheese and tortillas

20. I have hair that is longer than it's ever been

21. I got addicted to playing Trivia Crack today, and Cowboy won the first game by a land slide

22. I am trying to write handwritten letters to friends every once in awhile

23. I still hate tomatoes

24. I own more shoes than I can count

25. I am trying to be faithful when it comes to having a future family and Heavenly Father's plan

26. I am working on being a missionary and so far I have struck out

27. I wore mascara twice this week

28. I have returned to writing in a journal

29. I like talking to my mom

30. I am healthy and strong

31. I laugh, even if the 7th grade girls can't get me to chuckle

32. I have every blessing a girl could ask for - a good husband, faith, family, a home, clothing, a testimony, friends, a job, a working car, the ability to read, the ability to clean, the love of work, a smile, a desire to follow the prophet, a sound mind, common sense, an amazing heritage, and temple covenants.

Here's to another year!

-A

Remember, "Yea...the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him...Wherefore, let us be faithful to him."  (1 Nephi 7:12)