2009: A Review

1. I joined Facebook and started a blog. I also have become a blog-stalker!

2. I got my Bachelor's of Science degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Portland State University (all done online...never set a foot on the actual campus)

3. I was accepted to the Graduate School of Forensic Psychology at the University of North Dakota to earn my Master's of the Arts.

4. Rachel and Dave moved back to Arizona AND bought a house in Maricopa so I can visit her WAY more often than when she was in CA.

5. Scott got home from his mission in Mexico.

6. The first Christmas with the whole family for 2 years.

7. Our dog, Gem, died. She had been with us for almost 15 years.

8. I got a boyfriend (named Dave) who is a wonderful man and brings me great joy.

This weekend....

WAS AWESOME!! I ran around like a crazy person (ok, I know nothing really new there), but everything got done...I actually got enough sleep to function, and the Christmas program is done and was FABULOUS. While I wouldn't say it was perfect, it did go off without a hitch. One of the narrators had some difficulty and the piano solo was a little rough, but otherwise...se magnifique! I know I'm using lots of exclamation points but I'm so thrilled with it. We had:

a piano solo
2 vocal solo (one with a viola accompaniment)
a vocal duet
a wood-wind quartet
a vocal quartet
2 choir numbers
and some congregational numbers

It was a three cry (at least) for our Bishop! That means it was a success! I'm so grateful it went so smoothly (and that it's done!)

T-8 days and 11 hours

So my ward Christmas program is on December 13th. Because I'm in a singles ward I've arranged for the program to be done the Sunday before the Sunday before Christmas (does that makes sense?). I am excited and at the same time nervous as all get out about it. Excited because it's an amazing program about finding Christ in Christmas (which does so seem to be a theme I'm seeing this year). Nervous because the music didn't get out as early as I had hoped and I delegated a lot more this year than in previous years. Wish us luck in practicing and execution!

GRAD SCHOOL

I'm so EXCITED. This week I FINALLY got a response to my application to the Graduate School of Forensic Psychology at the University of North Dakota.

I'VE BEEN ACCEPTED AND STARTING SCHOOL IN JANUARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Huzzah! I'd pretty much given up hope. Now I just need to fill out all my paperwork and get going on processing classes and financial aid (ugh! there).

There are TWO really GREAT things about this. The first is that UND is my first choice. The second is that IT'S ALL ONLINE (aka: distance learning), so I don't actually have to move. Thus I don't have to worry about finding a new place to live (though I'm ready for a change of scenery so maybe somewhere else around here), a new job, or giving up my friends and having family so close.

Ah, life is good!!

A Boy and friends

So, I've debated about making this "public" for a while, and have come to the conclusion, I should just go ahead with it...I'm dating someone. His name is Dave (which can be awkward considering that's my brother-in-law's name). That's him in the picture above with his hawk, Sonja. One of his hobbies is falconry. He's a good man, and I enjoy spending time with him. Though both of us have pretty much reached a consensus that a long-term relationship is fairly unlikely given both of our life circumstances. :( He definitely keeps life fun and interesting.

Now for the friends part of the post...one of my good friends, Kim, broke her leg in three places about 2 weeks ago. Fortunately she didn't have to have any major surgery, but she is not doing very well. She went home from the hospital earlier this week, but had to be readmitted because she can't keep anything down. Do me a favor and if you pray, add her to your prayers. She could use them, because this is just the latest in a series of trials in her life.

Hope ya'll had a GREAT Thanksgiving!