This Crazy Thing We Call Life!

Here it is. I cant believe that it is already New Year's Eve. This year has gone so fast and so slow. It has been happy and hard and different than I ever imagined it would be. This time last year, I was at my parent's house in Texas. So much has changed since I rung in the new year with little brothers and 60 degree weather, and as I have spent the day with just two cute puppies and my thoughts I have been overwhelmed with all that the last year has given me. So here it is, in no particular order...16 things that I learned in 2016. 16. Travel Often. Across the ocean or just a few hours away, take the time to see new places. It is ALWAYS worth it. 15. It's okay to say no. Sometimes, you can only give how much your heart will allow. You must take care of yourself before you can take care of others. I learned this through my job, but it is a lesson that I have needed to apply to my entire life for a very long time.

Over the last few months or so I have found myself on an emotional roller coaster. Lots of tears and laughter and new opportunities and firsts and lasts and a whole lot of middles. I have made new friends, found new passions, been to some new places, felt heartache, felt joy, ate A LOT of tacos, killed some plants, didn't buy more because it made me sad, and seen myself accomplish things that I didn't imagine happening for a few more years--all leading up to understanding myself as a human in a way that I never have before. Understanding how my heart works and why the relationships I have in my life exist in their current capacities. I understood why changing jobs was so hard for me, why saying goodbye is so hard, and why the actions of others can sometimes hurt so bad. I learned about the person I am, even though I have been here all along.  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I hav

It seems like it was forever ago, but really it was just last week, when a friend (who I look up to more than she'll ever understand) texted me and asked if I wanted to go on a weekend trip to Southern Utah with her and a group of friends. Without hesitation I immediately responded yes! And the next day met up with everyone to figure out the details. Friday afternoon our hodge-podge group of 11 kids (we aren't real adults) piled in cars and made our way down to St. George. And Saturday morning we headed to Zion National Park. *sighs of happiness because I adore that place* This is where it gets interesting. The original plan was to go and hike The Narrows and I, for one, was pumped because I have never done that hike before! So naturally since that was the plan discussed ahead of time, this is what I prepared for. SIDE NOTE: When someone asks me what my pet peeves are one of the things at the TOP of the list are SOGGY SOCKS! Literally no one in the history of the w