10 Pet Peeeeeves

We've all got them, right?  Some more than others.  Me? I'm one of those "more than" others.  Let's talk about them. 1. Unknowingly being kicked out of automatic bill pay and finding out when the renters insurance company sends you "termination of coverage" notices.  Then getting the bill on the 29th that was mailed on the 22nd but due on the 17th? I hope they have a time machine for me to borrow. 2. babies with name that have more than two vowels next to each other.  For example. Masaiah. Huh? This is coming from a teacher: If you love your children, make their name pronounceable. They will be less bitter as adults. I promise. 3. People that come into work hung over and all but useless. If I ruled the world, hung over people would be sent home and asked to not come back. 4. Arizona traffic when there is an accident on the freeway. 5. When your spouse eats all your Christmas chocolate. And then finds your secret stash of Dr. Pepper. 6. Paper cuts. 7. Small, creepy, eight-legged monsters living under my appliances. 8. Coyotes waking me up in the middle of the night howling at the ambulance siren (I don't know where they live, but yes, there is a pack of coyotes nearby.) 9. People who cannot alphabetize. 10. empty container left in the fridge/cabinets.  JUST THROW IT AWAY, DANGIT! Ten's a lot, and believe me, I have more.  However, I don't want you all to think I'm totally nuts, so we'll stop there.  What are your pet peeves?

Resolutions

I know I'm a little behind, but I just now decided I wanted to make some resolutions for this year.  I can't usually remember what they are by the end of the year, but, oh well.

Resolution 1: Get in at least 2 hours of exercise a week.  That's 30 minutes 4 times a week.  Or something like that.  I'm a terrible exerciser, and it's probably been a month or two since my feet have hit a treadmill.  I need to work out more for the sake of my poor, confused, messed-up body.

Resolution 2: Go to the temple at least twice a month.  I really don't live all that far away from the Mesa temple.  It's not like when we lived in Rexburg and I literally lived down the street from the temple, but I have good, reliable transportation and a current recommend, so there's no reason why I shouldn't go.  Plus, the Gilbert temple will be dedicated in March and since I live within the boundaries of that temple district, I will have two temples within 10 miles of me.

Resolution 3: Get a teaching job.  Or at least apply for my reciprocal licence.  I can have a hundred million interviews and no one can offer me a job, but I can at least be prepared if they do.

Resolution 4: Continue learning.  There's a lot I've missed about the education world since I've graduated (like common core), so I need to research some things and become better acquainted with all the new stuff that's going on.  Plus, it's hard for your students to be motivated to learn when you aren't willing to learn new things yourself.

Resolution 5: Read the Book of Mormon, ALL THE WAY THROUGH.  I don't know the last time I did this.  I always start, but like so many I'm sure, fizzle out around Alma.  I really want to study and become more familiar with the scriptures this year.

Five's a good number, right? I better stop now before I get too carried away.  I would like to say that I'm sharing all this with you so that I can remain accountable, but the truth is: you're going to forget it quicker than I am.  So, you know what they say.  "A goal unwritten is only a wish."

**UPDATE**

I forgot one of my other resolutions that I was going to do before I even thought of these other ones.  It's called Facebook Free Friday.  Fridays are my date night days with Brennen, and I used to not work Fridays.  Since I can get Facebook on my phone now, I kind of get on all the time.  So, in an effort to not appear addicted, I implemented Facebook Free Friday as a day where I can focus on my family and home and not be distracted by social media while spending time with Brennen.

Here's to 2014

I see all of you have written something about the new year, so here I am, too. Ah, where has the year gone? 2013 has been full of so many little surprises and ups and downs. In January, I started my very last semester at BYU-Idaho. In March, I turned the ripe old age of 23. In April, Brennen and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary, and I completed my student teaching and "officially" graduated from college (remember, I walked in December?). In June, we made the biggest move of our lives: 14 hours south to sunny Mesa, Arizona where Brennen began the 27-month Physician Assistant program at ATSU. In August we made a week-long trip back to Idaho to visit family and take the new boat out on the reservoir. We also made one of the biggest purchases we have ever made-a new car! In November, we headed to Vegas to spend Thanksgiving with the the Larsens, Brennen turned 28 and we went to a Phoenix Suns/Utah Jazz game. We also expanded our family-by 8! We committed to caring for 8 live fish. In December we headed back up to Idaho where the Christmas holiday was spent with family and friends. 2013 has been good to us, but we hope 2014 will be even better. Our lease is up in May, so we may be making another move! (I really, really want to find a house to rent in Gilbert!) Brennen will start rotations in August, and hopefully I will be able to quit my day job and be a teacher. I have a feeling that this year will be a big one for us with lots of growth and changes. And I'm excited to see what it will bring our way! And, my motto for the year. While I have a feeling it's going to be a big year for us, that doesn't mean it will be easy. Hoping to make the most of ever moment-good or bad-and keep moving forward.