2011 was such an Amazing Year for me, and I sometimes wonder how could that be? Our little family went through alot of struggle, but that, I believe, is why it was so great. I feel like I've grown so much this year, in every way. I really want to list all of the Best and Worst moments of 2011, so I will always remember what happened in this year of my life:
April 2nd- I became an Aunt for the First Time! Sarah and Brian adopted a baby girl; Addison Sophia.
April 9th- Dave had his 28th Birthday!
April 28th- We celebrated Dylan's 1st Birthday! Such a smart and ridiculously good looking little boy!
April 30th- We celebrated our 3rd Wedding Anniversary! (even though it's really May 2nd) Time really does fly by!
Mid-May- Dave loses his job. :( I gained more humility in my life. This made me realize what is really important, which I already "thought" I knew, but I now know with full intent of my heart and mind.
July 20th- My 26th Birthday! I had so much fun going camping at Bear Lake and seeing a Pickleville Play for the first time!
August (end of)- I attended college for the first time!
Mid-October- Dave gets a new job! :) Those were some hard months, but a great learning and growing experience.
November 26th- Our 2nd niece came! Ben and Chelise's baby Brooke!
December 16th- Our 1st time getting nephews and twins! Mike and Traci had Logan and Liam! First ones on my side!!
December 25th- Such a great Christmas filled with each other and our extended families!
It doesn't seem like alot, but those were the main points of the year! I can't wait for what's in store for 2012....maybe baby #2? maybe running a half marathon? Who knows!?? Bring it on!
School
Going back to school was a great learning experience in many ways. First, I learned alot in my classes and second, I learned that I still have the attention span of a ten year old. Now I know why I flew through Beauty School so easily and quickly- it was 90% hands on stuff. I probably didn't like USU because I wasn't super interested in what I was learning, which made it more difficult. I'm hoping that once I get through generals I will eventually find my new passion.
I am quite proud of at least one of my grades, I received an A in my Humanities class, probably because it was cake. Then, I received a C+ (I really hate admitting this) in my Journalism class. I must say though, that I learned about studying with my Journalism class, which is that I need to do it more often. Both of the classes I took were completely different in testing, assignments, and reading. It was good though, so I know what to look forward to when I return to school.....one day. Yes, one day. It was super hard being a mom with a husband gone all day, and being a student. I probably would've gotten two A's if my husband was home more, and I didn't have any children. But, I'm proud of what I did under these circumstances.
Merry Christmas ya'll!
I am quite proud of at least one of my grades, I received an A in my Humanities class, probably because it was cake. Then, I received a C+ (I really hate admitting this) in my Journalism class. I must say though, that I learned about studying with my Journalism class, which is that I need to do it more often. Both of the classes I took were completely different in testing, assignments, and reading. It was good though, so I know what to look forward to when I return to school.....one day. Yes, one day. It was super hard being a mom with a husband gone all day, and being a student. I probably would've gotten two A's if my husband was home more, and I didn't have any children. But, I'm proud of what I did under these circumstances.
Merry Christmas ya'll!
The Twins!
While we were busy doing this...
Two little angels decided to come into the world.
Liam
Logan
What perfect timing, since they were born at Utah University hospital in Salt Lake and we were in Salt Lake. :)
Liam
Face Plant...
I better post about this event in history. About a week ago Dylan decided to get into his big tonka dump truck and tip it over so that he could slam his face onto the tile floor. Sad day. Poor little guy was crying in pain and his nose started to bleed just a little bit, and it became bruised and swollen. We were worried that he had broken it, but it's so hard to tell with all the swelling. We just decided to wait until the swelling went down to decide whether or not to take him into the doctor. They would've told us to wait and come back anyways. A few doses of Children's Tylenol throughout the week, and some time for the swelling to go down, Dylan's nose looks fine, except for the slight bruising that still lingers. We are so glad it wasn't worse!
At least he was still smiling just hours after it happened....
December
I have been MIA here on the ole blogger. Finals week is this week, and I have been busy with class and my toddler! I just wanted to quickly post some pics and mention a few things we've been up to.
The annual Purser Family Christmas Party was a few days ago and Santa came! Whenever Dylan see's a Santa he says-"HO HO HO", so we would only assume that he would enjoy sitting on his lap....
...and now you can see what assuming gets you....nothin.
He didn't even give Santa a chance. Dylan did get an awesome present though, a speedy little truck! He loves it.
I guess there's nothing else too exciting going on. My brother and his wife are having their twins in the next couple of weeks, and our little family will be heading down to see the lights at temple square this weekend. So after finals, I will be posting more exciting things! I hope everyone's holiday season is full of joy and love!
The annual Purser Family Christmas Party was a few days ago and Santa came! Whenever Dylan see's a Santa he says-"HO HO HO", so we would only assume that he would enjoy sitting on his lap....
He didn't even give Santa a chance. Dylan did get an awesome present though, a speedy little truck! He loves it.
For the love of a Lawn Mower
I bundled Dylan up in his snow gear and expected some fun in the snow, but he wanted to mow the snow instead....I need to hide this lawn mower, he is officially obsessed with mowing.
We can see the light at the end of the tunnel...
Early this morning Dave signed up for his final college courses! He is planned to graduate this upcoming spring. I am extremely over-joyed and Dave is relieved as well. Although he is planning on getting a Masters, we are just happy that this long overdue Bachelor's Degree is on it's way!
I have also decided to not continue with school this spring semester. Dave will be taking 5 classes and it would be best if I was there to support him and Dylan while he is taking alot of time out of his life to finish school. I do plan on returning next fall, I'm not sure which college, it just depends on our plans of living and a job for Dave. It would be ideal to be near Weber State since they offer what my original plan for schooling was, but I'll just be happy to have a college degree. So depending on which college will depend on which degree I choose.
I actually found this blog post from about 14 months ago, it makes me smile-
"I've been thinking about going to college for a loooooong time now. I think the time has come. It will be good too because we are so poor and have a child, so pell grants are easy to get. I might as well go now when I can go for free! I'm not 100% sure what I want to go into yet, but I figure I can get my generals done at least. And maybe one of those classes will catch my interest!? And I already have 2 college classes covered from when I was in high school. English 1010, and Speech 2600. I also took Math 1050, but my teacher wasn't too great to work with and I got a bad grade. :( Here are some of the degrees I'm interested in...
X-Ray Technician (Only Weber State offers that though.)
-Business
-Psychology
-Interior Design
-Accounting
-FHD
-Journalism
-Communications
-Do you see why I have such a hard time deciding!!
Wish me luck!! "
It's fun to look back at this and know now that I am in college and that alot of these degrees of interest of changed already for me. I guess we'll all be surprised with what I end up doing in the end!
But Awhh. The light is near and we are almost out of the tunnel. Perma-grin. :)
I have also decided to not continue with school this spring semester. Dave will be taking 5 classes and it would be best if I was there to support him and Dylan while he is taking alot of time out of his life to finish school. I do plan on returning next fall, I'm not sure which college, it just depends on our plans of living and a job for Dave. It would be ideal to be near Weber State since they offer what my original plan for schooling was, but I'll just be happy to have a college degree. So depending on which college will depend on which degree I choose.
I actually found this blog post from about 14 months ago, it makes me smile-
"I've been thinking about going to college for a loooooong time now. I think the time has come. It will be good too because we are so poor and have a child, so pell grants are easy to get. I might as well go now when I can go for free! I'm not 100% sure what I want to go into yet, but I figure I can get my generals done at least. And maybe one of those classes will catch my interest!? And I already have 2 college classes covered from when I was in high school. English 1010, and Speech 2600. I also took Math 1050, but my teacher wasn't too great to work with and I got a bad grade. :( Here are some of the degrees I'm interested in...
X-Ray Technician (Only Weber State offers that though.)
-Business
-Psychology
-Interior Design
-Accounting
-FHD
-Journalism
-Communications
-Do you see why I have such a hard time deciding!!
Wish me luck!! "
It's fun to look back at this and know now that I am in college and that alot of these degrees of interest of changed already for me. I guess we'll all be surprised with what I end up doing in the end!
But Awhh. The light is near and we are almost out of the tunnel. Perma-grin. :)
Our Life as of Lately...
This weekend Dave and I left Dylan with my parents and headed down to Draper to see Dave's sister, her husband and their sweet little Addison be sealed as a family, together forever. I have always been a huge supporter of adoption (I have even thought about it myself for my future family) and to actually be apart of an adoption experience in the family has been wonderful! Here is a picture of all of Dave's family who could make it, and sweet little Addie all in white.
They were sealed on Saturday November 5th and Addison was blessed by her dad on Sunday November 6th.
More on my life...
Dave has been gone 5 days a week from 8am until 11:30pm, and I really thought it would be difficult, but in all reality it's nice to have a set schedule with Dylan and be able to get things done the way I like it. That might sound harsh, but it's only truth, and I don't like sugar coating or lying of any sort. Dave has worked most Fridays which used to be our "date night" but now it has turned into mine and Dylan's date night! We usually eat dinner together and rent or watch one of our own movies. We also blast music and dance around the living room for a while. It's fun and great cardio at the same time, ya can't beat that! Here we are on our last date-
I also find this picture super cute of my little "turkeyburger"
I bet you've never seen a burger mowing the lawn before....
More on my life...
Dave has been gone 5 days a week from 8am until 11:30pm, and I really thought it would be difficult, but in all reality it's nice to have a set schedule with Dylan and be able to get things done the way I like it. That might sound harsh, but it's only truth, and I don't like sugar coating or lying of any sort. Dave has worked most Fridays which used to be our "date night" but now it has turned into mine and Dylan's date night! We usually eat dinner together and rent or watch one of our own movies. We also blast music and dance around the living room for a while. It's fun and great cardio at the same time, ya can't beat that! Here we are on our last date-
End of the Year is Near
I decided that before it gets too crazy with the Holidays coming up I should do a self-check-in with my New Year Goals I wrote down in January.
#1: Make new friends, and spend more time with good friends.
**I definitely tried harder to keep in contact with some of my besties this past year and I have a few that have helped me through some really difficult times (you know who you are!) and I never realized how much I really needed friends in my life. I'm totally ok with just being alone, but I realized that I needed friends for encouragement and girl time! I also made a few new friends in my ward, and I even hosted a girls night at my place a couple of months ago that turned out to be a really good time! #1 was a success!
#2: Take better care of me. Eating healthier and exercising more frequently. **I have also been doing really good at watching what I eat and taking time out of my mommy schedule to take care of myself by exercising a couple times a week. I have lost around 20 lbs. since January, with no complaints and I can now wear more of my clothes that have been sitting and waiting for me. :) #2 was a success!
#3: Work on exercising my mind and gaining more knowledge of the gospel.
**I must say that this one I have slacked on, except for now that I'm in school my mind is exercised everyday with class and studies. I have also been soaking in some Ensign & Scripture reading, I was finally given a visiting teaching assignment, and I am hoping to listen to the lessons in church now that Dylan is officially in nursery! :) #3 Semi-success!
#4: Return to one of my loves- Music.
** This one was a hard one since I have literally no time on my hands. I have plucked around on a guitar, I still haven't gone to a choir practice, but hope to in a couple of Sundays. I did however try out a couple of different dance classes and I sing to my favorite music more often. Dylan has a love for music as well, so he keeps me dancing everyday. :) #4 a wee-bit of success!
Overall, I feel pretty good with this year's goals and hope to continue with them next year, and hopefully add a few more to my list!
#1: Make new friends, and spend more time with good friends.
**I definitely tried harder to keep in contact with some of my besties this past year and I have a few that have helped me through some really difficult times (you know who you are!) and I never realized how much I really needed friends in my life. I'm totally ok with just being alone, but I realized that I needed friends for encouragement and girl time! I also made a few new friends in my ward, and I even hosted a girls night at my place a couple of months ago that turned out to be a really good time! #1 was a success!
#2: Take better care of me. Eating healthier and exercising more frequently. **I have also been doing really good at watching what I eat and taking time out of my mommy schedule to take care of myself by exercising a couple times a week. I have lost around 20 lbs. since January, with no complaints and I can now wear more of my clothes that have been sitting and waiting for me. :) #2 was a success!
#3: Work on exercising my mind and gaining more knowledge of the gospel.
**I must say that this one I have slacked on, except for now that I'm in school my mind is exercised everyday with class and studies. I have also been soaking in some Ensign & Scripture reading, I was finally given a visiting teaching assignment, and I am hoping to listen to the lessons in church now that Dylan is officially in nursery! :) #3 Semi-success!
#4: Return to one of my loves- Music.
** This one was a hard one since I have literally no time on my hands. I have plucked around on a guitar, I still haven't gone to a choir practice, but hope to in a couple of Sundays. I did however try out a couple of different dance classes and I sing to my favorite music more often. Dylan has a love for music as well, so he keeps me dancing everyday. :) #4 a wee-bit of success!
Overall, I feel pretty good with this year's goals and hope to continue with them next year, and hopefully add a few more to my list!
Early Halloween
We decided to dress in our costumes and take Dylan trick or treating to family tonight instead of tomorrow. Dave has to work tomorrow night, and I like to hand out candy to the sweet little kiddos....hopefully some come to our place way back yonder...it was nice visiting my grandparents who I haven't seen in a long time. My grandpa Purser is having his 80th birthday this upcoming weekend which I can't make it to. :( So it was nice to see him this evening. Dylan is a Hamburger, Dave is Ketchup, and I am Mustard. This is the most Dave would get dressed up, and it was probably the cheapest costume too, which is nice when poor.
18 Months!
Dylan is now 18 months old! What a little stud we have on our hands. He has said many more words, but only says them like once a week. We ask him to say something or teach him a word and he just gives us his usual look like-"I don't think so." He is getting into more things, and it has been hard now that the weather is getting colder, because he loves being outside. He is still obsessed with books, and is breaking in another moler, which now makes 3. We're are so excited to have him officially in nursery now, so we can actually listen to the lessons being taught in church. :)
Twice as much to Love, Two Blessings from Above
My mother and I hosted a baby shower for Traci and twin boys. It was alot of fun to put it together!
Here is the invite- (I made it through Sam's Club)
Here is the food table...after it got devoured...
These are oreo suckers. You just use a sucker stick, one oreo, and dip it in chocolate and tie some ribbon around it. Cute eh? I did this for my other sis-in-laws' shower too.
I made these puff balls with tissue paper and learned how to make them online, but a couple of years ago from my other sis-in-law.
These were the plates and napkins, so cute!
Here are the hostesses and mommy to be.
Traci opening some presents. She got lots of cute stuff!
Later that night Dave left for work and my family went to Papa Kelsey's for sandwiches, yum, and us girls went and saw Footloose, great movie! Then we went to the pumpkin walk. Overall fun weekend with fam, and excited for more holiday parties coming up soon!
Here is the invite- (I made it through Sam's Club)
Later that night Dave left for work and my family went to Papa Kelsey's for sandwiches, yum, and us girls went and saw Footloose, great movie! Then we went to the pumpkin walk. Overall fun weekend with fam, and excited for more holiday parties coming up soon!
Pumpkin Walk 2011
I loved the pumpkin walk this year! I was lucky enough to go twice, once in the day with my little family and again at night with my family. It was bigger and better, and Dylan was amused with everything. He even said pumpkin! He is growing up so fast. Here are some of my favorites from the walk...
Gilligan's Island; so creative using the sand volleyball pit.
These snowmen were so cute!
Winnie the Pooh
This was really creative, they made a waterfall and painted some zucchinis to look like fish near the bottom.
Tangled (my favorite movie of all time)
Bambi
The ever classic "A Christmas Story" (got me even more excited for Christmas!)
Here are the attempts at poking Dylan's head through the pictures...
Gilligan's Island; so creative using the sand volleyball pit.
Energy Suckers
Do you have some energy suckers taking it all out of you in your life? I had one a few years ago and I finally took the responsibility to choose not to let them suck the energy out of me. I have accepted the fact that I'm not being rude, I'm just trying to move forward and live my life to the fullest. :) I have an amazing old roommate that I had a discussion with and she does what she does best, which is a big slap in the face into reality. She made me realize that I can only give so much with nothing in return for so long, and it's not worth it. You will never be able to live to your fullest potential if you don't let certain people go. YOU are responsible for the energy that you allow to bring into a space. Awh, I love this. :)
Blessed.
I am very happy to announce that Dave has found a job! These past 5 months have been extremely stressful yet humbling. It has been especially difficult since both of us have been in school, and finding a job as a full time student was much harder for Dave as well. He will now be gone from 8 a.m. until 11 or 12 p.m. during weekdays, but his job also requires him to work weekends as well, with a couple days off during the week. So at least I'll see him a couple nights a week....maybe, depending on studying for school and other activities. It's definitely not going to be easy, but there wasn't very many other options. We are trying so hard to get Dave his degree, and I know that this small sacrifice of not being together as often for the next 7 months or so, will be worth it in the end. So if we decline any invitation from family or friends in an activity, you now know why. We're so grateful for this learning experience, and we're glad it's happening in our life now, so we can learn from it and be prepared for future struggles. One of the biggest things we have learned from this is that, we don't need things like a house, fancy cars, updated electronics, or any other thing the "world" thinks we should have. The most important thing in this life is our little family, and boy are we glad to have Dylan in this time of struggle, he has lifted our spirits and made us forget the stresses of life more than anything else ever could. We have alot to be grateful for and with the holidays approaching, it couldn't be better timing. :)
Undeclared
It has taken alot of thinking and consideration for my decision to be an undeclared USU student. There are so many things that I would like to get my degree in, and I thought that I had figured it all out...I talked to some people and did some research about my first decision, and realized that it would be really difficult, and I would be 40 by the time I started my career in the field I was pursuing. So here I am, back at undeclared, I have three main ideas of what I would be interested in, so I'm planning on taking classes next semester in a couple of those, just to see if they are something I would want to do. I also want to see my kids grow up, and school would take over my life, and I would miss out on so many great things. I'm so glad I am able to be a stay at home mom, it is an amazing opportunity to watch Dylan grow and learn, every minute of everyday.
Hopefully I can do some online classes next semester, it's been hard going to class and having to do out of class work with other students and other assignments. It would be nice to do the work on my time (while Dylan is sleeping), instead of on the Professor and other students' time. I'm also not a fan of your group determining your grade. I feel like it should be my work that's graded by the professor, not a combined effort, or graded by the group members. I understand that in most jobs, working with other people is required, but it would be nice not to deal with 18 year olds deciding my grade. :)
Hopefully I can do some online classes next semester, it's been hard going to class and having to do out of class work with other students and other assignments. It would be nice to do the work on my time (while Dylan is sleeping), instead of on the Professor and other students' time. I'm also not a fan of your group determining your grade. I feel like it should be my work that's graded by the professor, not a combined effort, or graded by the group members. I understand that in most jobs, working with other people is required, but it would be nice not to deal with 18 year olds deciding my grade. :)
Assumptions, and Confrontations
"If you didn't hear it with your own ears, or see it with your own eyes, don't invent it with your small mind and share it with your big mouth."
Making assumptions is one of my biggest annoyances, and I usually try to avoid the type of people who make them. I can't deny that I used to or even make the mistake now to assume as well, but it's something that I have worked on, and have found to be a good thing NOT to do. I find it less drama to actually confront the actual person you are making the assumption about, then to make the assumption in the first place. Confrontation is a good thing, it shows your ability to communicate as a mature adult, and it shows your confidence. So if you are afraid of confrontation, don't make assumptions. Easy as that. :)
Making assumptions is one of my biggest annoyances, and I usually try to avoid the type of people who make them. I can't deny that I used to or even make the mistake now to assume as well, but it's something that I have worked on, and have found to be a good thing NOT to do. I find it less drama to actually confront the actual person you are making the assumption about, then to make the assumption in the first place. Confrontation is a good thing, it shows your ability to communicate as a mature adult, and it shows your confidence. So if you are afraid of confrontation, don't make assumptions. Easy as that. :)
General Conference Fall 2011
Wowzer! What an AMAZING last couple of weeks! Conference felt a little different this time around, probably because I felt like at the Relief Society Meeting and all Conference sessions there was most definitely something that pertained to my life, and the struggles I have had these past couple of years. On a side note, did anyone else watch the news Saturday at 6p.m. about how President Monson had a security guard with him at all times, even right there next to him at the pulpit? And he was an hour late getting to the morning session on Saturday? Maybe this is normal and I just never knew it, but the security guard thing pretty much scared the living daylights out of me. I mean, I know President Monson had someone stalking him awhile ago, but I didn't know that these extreme measures needed to be taken. It made me think of the Prophet Joseph Smith and all of the mobs and people who were out to get him. It just makes me realize even more how terrible the world is becoming, and how much closer the Second Coming is. I hope he and his family are kept safe, and free from anymore stalkers.
With all of the trials that Dave and I have been facing lately, Conference is exactly what we needed to lift our spirits. We may not have any money, literally we have no money, but we have the Gospel and each other, and that's all that truly matters. :)
With all of the trials that Dave and I have been facing lately, Conference is exactly what we needed to lift our spirits. We may not have any money, literally we have no money, but we have the Gospel and each other, and that's all that truly matters. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)