For Dad

I owe so much to you. The older I get, the more of you I see in me. "I am so sorry, Eliz..." is probably how you would respond that statement, but you know what Dad? I most definitely am not sorry. I am so grateful for all the lessons I've learned and qualities I've inherited from you.

Thanks, Dad:

For teaching me how to throw, catch, and hit.

For showing me how to work hard, and that every job should be done right, and well--the first time!

For setting an example of being a life-long learner, and loving it!

For helping me gain a solid appreciation for an often-overlooked dessert: Pie.

For making me feel important, loved, and worth-while.

For teaching me the importance of trust and integrity.

For sharing the joy that comes from getting to know new people and learning their stories.

For working so hard to support our family.

For showing me how to properly and efficiently wash a car--just like the professionals.
For taking me to the Grand Canyon, and helping me to appreciate all the natural beauty in the world!

For contributing to my broad tastes in music.

For always singing loud and proud, even though you knew you weren't the best at it.

For teaching me what was most important in life--mainly, living the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

For sincerely complimenting me and helping me feel beautiful.

For all the hugs and kisses over the years.

For passing down your silliness. (There's no doubt in my mind where I got it all from...)

For always making family the most important priority.

For teaching me how to analyze, evaluate, and make smart life decisions.

Showing me the satisfaction (and culinary delight) that comes from growing your own food.

For always encouraging a good doughnut party.
For loving our country, being a real patriot, and teaching me all I need to know to be the same.

For your humility, tenderness, humor, brains, love, dedication, and testimony.

You have taught me to live with conviction, purpose, and confidence. You are one in a million, M. Kent. Truly. And I'm so glad you're my "Dad Dad Daddy-O."

Findings from Two-Thousand 'n Fourteen

Happy New Year!! I know I'm about three days late with this post... looks like you'll just have to get over it. It has been ages since I've written a post, so three days late with my yearly re-cap looks okay to me. :)

I'm sitting here in my bed, on this beautiful Sunday afternoon, listening to the rhythmic breathing of my sleeping husband. (Yep--I said husband. I have one of those now, and the title is almost two months old. Weird. And awesome.) When I reflect on this last year, I just keep thinking, "Whaaaaaaaat...? How did I...? What if we...?" My mind is literally boggled.

How could your mind not be in a fog,
 when this is the face you get to wake up to every day?
Hummina hummina hummina...

And yet, I'm at complete peace. Things have changed drastically, but I feel at home in this new phase of life. This year was such a journey and I feel like I've learned so much through it all.

Here are some of my Findings from 2014:

1. We can never, ever judge anyone else until we have been in their same shoes and situation. (Something I learned from being in a serious committed relationship and transitioning to being a wife. I had no idea the sort of time and effort this sort of relationship took.) 
2. Planning a wedding is hard. And nearly impossible to do on your own. (I struggled! Your brain does not shut off for months because of constant wedding thoughts. It's exhausting. Thank goodness for mothers and sisters-in-law.)
3. The breakfast at Chick-Fil-A is greasy and delicious. 
4. Balloons are way underrated.
5. Travel. It helps us to see that the world is bigger than we are. Everyone should do it. 
6. Journaling is important. You never know when something/someone big might happen in your life, and you'll really regret not having kept a better record of all the small moments leading up to the big ones. Please believe me on this one.
7. "H-Anger" (or to be "h-angry"-hungry+angry) is a real thing. (I will be in a bad mood, husband can't do anything right, and it's all because I need sustenance.) Be aware!! Stay fed! 
8. Take a honeymoon. You will never regret a honeymoon. (We sacrificed to take a short trip after our wedding and it was such a blissful time that I will always cherish.)
9. It is our own personal responsibility to choose happiness. Nobody else can provide it for us. We must always look for ways to be happy and choose that joy!
10. Snap Pea Crisps are delicious. This is not a joke.
11. Hold on to your favorite friends. Cherish them. They are not easily replaced. (I have not always felt this way... I'm SO glad I see things differently now.)
12. Love is a choice. And it's scary sometimes. But it's the right choice.
13. Satan uses fear to paralyze us and keep us from making decisions that will bring us joy and progression. We MUST reach out in faith to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ so that we are not led astray. Do not make decisions out of fear. (If I had listened to fear, I might not be married right now. Thinking that I might have taken a different path out of fear makes me sick to my stomach.)
14. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is real. Repentance is real. The Savior of the World can truly change hearts and lead us to becoming our best selves.

This year will be a tough one to beat! Good thing it's not a competition. I can't wait for another year of a great life, and I'm so glad I now get to share it all with the person I love most!