Grandma's funeral

Grandma's obituary read: "Betty Lou Sorenson Rose, 90, of Pleasant Grove, Utah passed away peacefully in her home on Friday November 28, 2014.  The second of nine children, she was born September 24, 1924** to Floyd Rancel and Ruth Fawcett Sorensen.  She married Jay C Rose on April 14, 1941.  She has been missing him since he passed away in 2002.

Betty is survived by her siblings, Lois Combest, Larry Sorenson, and Linda Bowers.  She was the loving mother of 6 children; Gary (Naomi) Rose, Ruth Ann (Mike) Perkins, Connie McMonigle, Eileen Lopez, John (Janet) Rose, and David (Anita) Rose.  She had 23 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren, and 10 great-great grandchildren.

Betty worked hard and loved to do handy work.  She was known for her beautiful embroidery, crochet, and quilting work.  She loved to play games and had a green thumb.  She especially had a knack for growing roses.

She will be remembered for her devotion to her family. Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 4, 2014...in Pleasant Grove." (**Grandma's birth date was often disputed, as she was born right at/near midnight. Although her birth certificate says she was born on the 24th, she always celebrated it on the 25th.)

My cousin Mysti painted the rose on the casket

There was a viewing for Grandma before the funeral, and I was so grateful for the opportunity to be with family that I haven't seen in over 10 years. It was a nice reunion for me seeing so many cousins in one place. I am ashamed to admit that I haven't seen most members of my Rose family for 12+ years. I remember when our family lived in Ogden when I was in the 3rd grade, and it was so awesome to be close to Grandma and all my cousins in Pleasant Grove. We had always lived in other states before that, and I didn't know any of my cousins until then. When our family moved to Tremonton the next year, we didn't go to Grandma's house as often, and I remember making genealogy charts quite frequently that showed all the branches of Grandma and Grandpa's posterity so that I would remember everyone's names and how I was related to them. I was so happy to finally know so many members of my extended family, and even though I didn't grow up in Pleasant Grove like the majority of my cousins did, at least I felt connected to them through the charts that I made. Eventually, I graduated high school, went to college, got married, and moved even further away. The last Rose reunion I went to was the Christmas one in 1997. I have become disconnected to this family because of distance, and although I have kept in contact with some of my cousins and aunts and uncles, the majority of the cousins I have not seen since Grandpa's funeral in 2002. As more and more of my cousins showed up to the viewing, I tried to recall all of their names, I met newer spouses and also some of the great-grandchildren. I heard one of my cousin's kids saying "which of the Perkins girls is which?" after she looked at the program that named my sisters and I as the musical number. I instantly told her who was who, and felt a little sad that everyone else seemed to know everyone so well, as they all grew up together, but we have always been the outsiders because we never lived there. When my grandpa and grandma built their house, they bought an acre to put it on, then as their children grew up, they separated the acre into 4 lots, so each of the sons could also build a house right by them. I've always appreciated that they understood the importance of having family close by, and that they purchased the ground for their own house with the foresight to include their family in the future.  But my grandparents also knew that when their daughters married, they would go where their husbands had jobs, and that's exactly what they did. I love my Rose family, and cherish all the memories I have with them; I'm just sad that I don't have more! Because it's been so long since I've seen them, and it will probably will be a long time before I see them all again, I took lots of pictures to help me remember my cousins better!

Ashley, Patrick, Shayne, Shayne's daughter, Caleb, and Kenny

Mick, Patrick, Patrick's wife, Jamie, Angie, Ashley's son, Riley

Back row: Cody, BreAnne, Kelly, Kayce, Kayce's husband
Front row: Eileen, Connie, Aunt Linda, and someone I don't know

Front row: Jordan, Dustin, Dustin's wife, Mysti, Anita's mom, Anita, Lacey

Uncle Gary, Kenny's wife, Melissa, someone I don't know, & Uncle David

The funeral was nice: Mick gave the opening prayer, Kayce spoke, my sisters and I sang, Angie spoke, the Bishop gave remarks, and Kenny said the closing prayer. Kayce gave a life sketch of Grandma, and talked about so many of her choice memories; she did an amazing job! One of the most memorable parts of that talk was when she said "Grandma and Grandpa weren't always active in the church, but they were always active in the gospel". My sisters and I sang one of Grandma's favorite songs: "In the Garden". Tawna sent me a link to the song as Elvis performed it, and we instantly knew why Grandma had loved that song so much (she was a huge fan of Elvis)! Unfortunately, Tawna got strep throat and Tabbi got laryngitis, so our plans for how we would sing it got changed at the last minute. Thankfully, Tawna was still able to play the piano for us, and Tabbi switched to the alto part and I sang soprano during the verses and came up with a 2nd soprano part for the chorus as Trina sang soprano during the chorus. We practiced it over and over that morning until we felt good about it. Even though we made some small errors while performing it, I was so grateful that we were able to do it. Angie talked about memories with grandma as well, and how grandma was a good example of sharing her love with others and living selflessly. Something that stood out to me during her talk was when she said that every memory we each have with grandma is a blessing and a gift from Heavenly Father. The Bishop gave some nice comments, and I liked how he said that every moment in this life we are either teaching or learning, and how Grandma was always teaching by example. I really felt the peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit during the funeral. 

After the funeral, we headed to the nearby Pleasant Grove cemetery for the burial, and were blessed to have such beautiful weather in December! Uncle John gave the dedicatory prayer, and then the family hung around for a while, taking photos together, before eating the meal that the church women provided and going our separate ways. 

My mom looked so pretty in her nice, new black dress.

Mick and Cody outside the church,
donning their pallbearer bouttonnieres. 

My sisters and I: Tabbi, Trina, Me, and Tawna

All the grandson pallbearers: (Back row) Kenny, Kyle, Mick, Dustin
(Front row) Shayne, Patrick, Jordan, Cody (Jeramie couldn't come)

Seriously so blessed with the blue skies!

The bouquet that the grandchildren bought

I loved all the floral arrangements and how they all incorporated roses.

The Rose children (from oldest to youngest):
Gary, Ruth, Connie, John, David

My grandparents also adopted their foster daughter Eileen,
who joined the picture at the end!

A lot of the grandkids, and some of the great-grandkids, too.

I like to see the differences between my sisters and I at my grandparents' funerals, 12 years apart. I like that we're unknowingly standing in the same order, too!

My sisters and I at Grandma's funeral in 2014

My sisters and I at Grandpa's funeral in 2002

I'm grateful for the knowledge that families can be forever. I know that my grandma is with my grandpa again, and that they are happy together after being apart. I know I will see them again someday, too!

My Grandma, Betty Lou Rose

The day after Thanksgiving, my Grandma Rose passed away peacefully in her home in Pleasant Grove. It was the same home that Grandpa built, and the one they raised all their children in. I've loved that "Grandma's House" has always been the same place my whole life.

My grandma has been at the most important events of my life, right from the start. After my birth, she flew out to North Carolina (where we were living at the time) for a few weeks to be with my mom, help with my 2 older brothers, and to spend time with me as an infant. My brothers nicknamed me "Sissy" after I came home from the hospital, and since she was there at that time, the nickname stuck, and she called me "Sissy" the rest of my life. She's the only one who I even allowed to call me that after I started elementary school because I always felt special when she called me it, so I never once told her to stop. 

When I was 7 years old, our family moved to Ogden, which was MUCH closer to Pleasant Grove. I remember going down to Grandma's House several times that year on Sundays, when they had family dinners at their house, and all the family would come over. I remember eating mashed potatoes and meatloaf and being surrounded by tons of cousins and chaos and loving every second of it. I wish we were able to go more to those dinners, because a few years later, they stopped having their traditional Sunday family meal as the extended family grew too large to host in their small home.

When I turned 8, my grandparents came to my baptism in Ogden. My Grandpa even baptized me, and it was the first time he'd baptized anyone. He was nervous, so we practiced several times at my house. I remember standing with him in the living room on the main level of our town house, and he kept practicing holding my arms the right way. I loved that my grandparents were involved in that day.

A few weeks after my 8th birthday, my family moved to Tremonton, Utah. I have several random memories of my Grandma being at my home, and times of me at hers during the next 5 years. One time she came to stay a few days at our house, and she slept in my bed (at that time, I had a double bed, and my own room). I remember giving her my favorite pillow-which was a super lumpy one that had already been put through the washing machine--and telling her that she could use my favorite pillow while she stayed with us. She looked at the pillow, and told me how kind that was that I would let her use it. My mom didn't realize grandma had the lumpy pillow until the next day, and she made me take it back so grandma could have a nicer pillow. I didn't realize my lumpy pillow wasn't a "nice" pillow until then, but I hold this memory most tender because my grandma didn't once criticize me for giving her a lumpy pillow, and didn't complain after using my lumpy pillow, either.

Another strong memory I have is when I was allowed to stay at her house one full week during the summer. I can't even remember how old I was, but I was soooo happy to have the chance to stay there (I grew up in a strict home, and wasn't allowed to do a lot of things when I was a child)! It was the only time I ever got to stay there alone, and I've treasured that week my entire life. I think there was one other time when I got to spend two or three nights there, and my sister Tawna was with me that time, but I don't remember much about it like I do the week-long one. During that week, I remember playing night games with cousins outside several nights, something I'd never done before, and I just loved running around in the dark playing games with other kids, and feeling free. It felt like what summers are supposed to be, and I felt so overjoyed to be experiencing it. I remember staying up late one night in the living room with my cousin Ashley and eating a whole bag of Cool Ranch Doritos (a novelty for me!) on the couch, and then being sick to my stomach and throwing it all up in the middle of the night. I remember going to the grocery story in Orem with Grandma, and having her drive me there and I was kind of worried because she wasn't the best driver. I remember watching Grandpa cook in the kitchen, and talking to him as he made meals. I remember Grandma teaching me how to play card games like King's Corner and Solitaire, and making "Midnight Dreams" tea for me to drink as I played. I remember getting to go to my cousin's friend's house and swimming in their outdoor pool with them, and feeling so cool. I remember getting sick, and so snuffly, and my face all swollen and after a couple days, Grandpa said I had "hay fever". It was the first time I'd ever exhibited the symptoms, being so close to fields of hay, and I've had it the rest of my life.

I remember when Grandpa got a shop built, which enabled him to expand on his excellent carpentry skills, and he started making lots of wooden gifts for his family and grandchildren: shelves, heart wall hangings, rocking horses, and miniature benches, just to name a few. My grandparents were both amazing and skilled with their hands: Grandpa was an excellent cook and a master carpenter, and Grandma was an amazing crocheter and doll-maker.  When I was 10 years old, they worked together to make gifts for all the granddaughters: grandpa made a bench, and grandma made a doll (mine had a blue dress--my favorite color!). I loved both so much! In fact, I still have both: the bench is currently in Kanyon's room, and this doll and another one she made later are on display in my bedroom. After I received these gifts for Christmas in 1989, I put all my new gifts on display to have my picture taken, and it started the annual tradition of having Christmas gifts arranged as I sat on the bench for a picture every Christmas after! 

My grandparents came to my wedding, and I remember walking around the Logan temple grounds after the ceremony with the photographer, and having Grandpa cracking lots of jokes. He always knew how to lighten the mood around him! Look how happy everyone in this picture is as he's pulling my train around behind me!! ;)

My grandparents came to my reception, and I love this picture of them going through my reception line: my mom is kissing my grandma as she's looking at me, and I'm looking at my grandpa as he's saying something sweet.

My grandma looked so pretty at my wedding. She had such beautiful physical features as well as a beautiful spirit: she never complained, never talked ill of others, and she gave so freely of her love to her family. I've never once doubted or questioned her love for me: I've always felt it.

My grandparents came to my first child's baby blessing in Tremonton. It was a wonderful day with so much family and friends at my parents' home after church, and I'm so grateful that my grandma and grandpa could came, especially since this photo from that day is the last one I have with my grandpa. He died a year and a half later. 

Grandpa's funeral was in August of 2002, and after the burial, we had a posterity photo with Grandma. She had an individual relationship with all of us, and I am so blessed to be among this group.

After Grandpa died, she struggled and lost her will to do a lot of things that she had done before. Unfortunately, I didn't see Grandma during the first few years after his death. Josh and I moved to Salmon in 2001, and it was a long distance to travel with little children to visit her. In 2008, I wanted to change that, so Josh and I decided we would have a family vacation once a year to visit one of our grandparents, so that our kids could know their great-grandparents better. And we started that annual tradition by visiting Grandma Rose. 

In 2011, we went on vacation to visit her again. She played games with the kids this time, and taught Ammon how to play King's Corner. I adored this visit. The boys and I had such a peaceful time playing and talking with grandma. After this visit, they remembered her as the "Grandma who plays cards". I'm glad they remember her as that, because that's who she was: she just loved games! Her favorites were cards and Aggravation, which my Uncle David made a large board for her so she could play it even after her eyesight began failing in the last couple of years.

In the last 7 years, whenever I have been down that way, I have stopped by Grandma's house to see her. I've noticed her health declining, and have always worried that when I left, it would be the last time I would see her. She has surprised me, and I've been able to have lots of visits with her, for which I am so glad!

 Our family visited her again this year in the spring. This time, she didn't get up. I sat on the floor next to the couch where she laid, and told her how things were going with my family. Then I started reminiscing, and I told her of fond memories I have from my childhood in her home with her and grandpa. She didn't say a lot this last visit, there was a lot of "uh-huhs" mostly, but after sharing with her some of my memories that made me feel loved in her home when I was a child, she said to me "Well...nothing ever stays the same". And I instantly got teary-eyed. I felt like it was a farewell conversation. And it was. This was the last time I saw my grandma alive.

My grandma has been an important part of my life. She's been at all the important events, and she's been my grandma who shared her love for me all the simple days of life, too. She was with me shortly after birth, and I was with her months before her death. Now she gets to be with the love of her life, who she's missed terribly the last 12 years. I'm so glad she doesn't have to be sad anymore in his absence, but I'm saddened with her loss. She was my last living grandma, and I miss her already.

Here's what I know about my Grandma Rose, and what I will never forget about her--this is her legacy that resides in me:
She loved Grandpa with all her heart.
She also loved Elvis and John F. Kennedy, and her dog Chewy.
She loved her children and grandchildren with all her soul, and she gave everything she had to them.
She was devoted to using her talents to bless others: crocheting pillowcases, making afghans and blankets, creating knitted dolls, making floral arrangements to decorate homes and gravesites.
She made the best canned peaches ever.
She was a fierce competitor and enjoyed playing games: especially King's Corner and Aggravation.
She knew what the most important things in life were: relationships, and she let everyone know they were valued by her actions.

I'm so glad that she was my grandma! I love her so much!

2015 Family Goals

On Monday night, our family reviewed last year's individual and family goals, and made new goals for 2015.

KALA:
I already listed my review of last year's goals on my previous blog post. I am a goal-oriented person, and I love when I am able to accomplish everything that I hoped to!

April 2014 in Seattle

My goals for 2015 are:
1. PHYSICAL: Lose 25 more pounds to earn my hoped-for Mexico vacation (I started this weight-loss journey last summer and want to finish it!)
2. SPIRITUAL: Go to the temple 6x, and go to at least one new temple I've never been to before
3. EDUCATIONAL: Complete 30 college credits (I've got to push myself harder to achieve more)
4. SOCIAL: Do at least 2 acts of service each month (I really liked my service goal last year, and wanted to increase the amount)
5. PERSONAL: Do 10 blog posts each month, including one personal monthly post that I talk about my feelings, thoughts, or personal experiences (I want to make sure I'm journaling and recording more than just our family's activities)
6. FAMILY: Take one boy on a date each month (I did this two years ago and really liked it, and missed doing it last year)
7. FINANCIAL: Pay for a trip to visit my sister and her family in Virginia


JOSH:
These were his 2014 goals (and his terrible report of completing them!):
1. Get at least 50% Home Teaching done this year--fail
2. Pay off car and credit card--paid off car, but not the credit card
3. Get weight under 200 lbs.--fail
4. Read Old Testament--fail
5. Climb at least 1 mountain--fail 
6. Get to a 20 handicap or less--fail
7. Break our horse Mia to ride--fail
8. Spend one-on-one time with boys each month--fail

August 2014 in Yellowstone Nat'l Park

And a list of his 2015 goals:
1. Lose 2 inches off waist
2. Run in one competitive race
3. Climb a new mountain
4. Fast once a month
5. Pay fast offerings
6. Pay off credit card
7. Camp in a new spot
8. Do something individual with one of our boys each month


AMMON: 
These were his 2014 goals: 
1. Get straight A's in school--achieved
2. Write in my journal at least once a week--failed
3. Beat my lowest score at golf--achieved
4. Don't hurt my brothers more than once a week--failed
5. Teach at least 4 lessons in Young Men's at church--failed
6. Be able to play at least 10 hymns on the piano--failed
7. Save $2,000 and spend less than $500--saved $2k, but spent more than $500
8. Play with the extras in Men's Golf League twice a month in summer--achieved
9. Do a service for someone every day--failed
10. Be the 3rd runner on the cross country team--achieved

July 2014 at Big 8 Mile Creek

And a list of his 2015 goals: 
1. PHYSICAL: Run a mile in 5:15
2. PHYSICAL: Break even in golf (get par on course)

3. SPIRITUAL: Read the Book of Mormon

4. EDUCATIONAL: Get straight A's
5. PERSONAL: Save $3,000
6. HOME/FAMILY: Clean room every week


JONAH:
These were his 2014 goals: 
1. SCHOOL: Earn AR Goal (Accelerated Reading) every quarter--achieved
2. HOME: Play less than 2 hours a day on video games--failed
3. FAMILY: Don't call brothers names--failed
4. CHURCH: Actually sing in primary--failed
5. CHURCH: Pay attention in Sacrament meeting and Primary class--achieved
6. PHYSICAL: Exercise 5 days a week--achieved

June 2014 at Craters of the Moon

And a list of his 2015 goals: 
1. SPIRITUAL: Learn how to tie a tie
2. EDUCATIONAL: Get all A's
3. PHYSICAL: Run in a fun run race
4. PERSONAL: Don't make anymore annoying sounds
5. HOME/FAMILY: Give everyone a gift for their birthday


MICAH:
These were his 2014 goals:
1. Don't name call--failed
2. Listen in Sacrament meeting and Primary class--failed 
3. Read at least 2 books a month--achieved
4. Save $200--achieved
5. Get all A's in school--achieved
6. Don't say "freaking" or "frick"--failed
7. Exercise 2 times a week--achieved

March 2014 at Arches Nat'l Park

And a list of his 2015 goals:
1. PHYSICAL: Run in a fun run face
2. PHYSICAL: Join the Cross Country team
3. SPIRITUAL: Go to the temple when I turn 12
4. EDUCATIONAL: Get straight A's
5. PERSONAL: Save money and don't spend more than $20 a month
6. HOME/FAMILY: Don't say "frick" or "frickin"

KANYON:

These were his 2014 goals:

1. Don't be mean at school--achieved

2. Brush my teeth every night--failed

3. Get ready by myself every morning--achieved

4. Weed garden row by myself--achieved

March 2014 in Moab

And a list of his 2015 goals:

1. PHYSICAL: Swim in the deep end without a life jacket

2. EDUCATIONAL: Learn to tie my shoes

3. SPIRITUAL: Don't play dad's phone more than half of Sacrament meeting

4. PERSONAL: Buy a laptop

5. HOME/FAMILY: Do laundry by myself

Last year, we started having family goals, too. I'm so glad, as I feel that working on common goals together brings us unity and strength. Here's a review of our family goals from 2014:

FAMILY GOAL #1: Finish reading the Book of Mormon by the end of the year--failed. We read it on weekday nights, rather than just on Monday nights at Family Home Evening like we used to, but we still didn't get all the way through it. 

FAMILY GOAL #2: Have family prayer and  family scripture study every weekday night (this is in conjunction with the first goal)--achieved.

FAMILY GOAL #3: Have a lesson from the "Preach my Gospel" manual at every Family Home Evening--achieved. Josh, Kala, and Ammon alternated between teaching the lessons. Sometimes we did a special activity together instead of the lesson, but I don't count that as a fail in the least!

September 2014 in Salmon

We talked about our 2015 goals together, and here's what we decided on:

FAMILY GOAL #1: Finish reading the Book of Mormon. We are currently in 3rd Nephi, and I know obtaining this goal (that we started in 2013) is possible!

FAMILY GOAL #2: Have a lesson from "Preach my Gospel" at Family Home Evening. I want to be able to make it all the way through the manual!

FAMILY GOAL #3: Invite one family to join us for dinner once a month in our home. This will help us to get to know the families in our ward better, and we look forward to accomplishing this goal on a monthly basis!

2014 Goals Review

I set up page on my blog to keep track of my goals, and that has helped me so much this year! I've updated it monthly, and it's reminded me of what I'm supposed to be working on all year, and because of that, I feel like I was pretty successful in accomplishing what I set out to do this past year!

1. PERSONAL: Do at least 10 blog posts a month 
Although there were two months that I only got 9 posts done, I blogged extra in other months to make up for it, so I'm counting this as a success. I know that if I hadn't made this a goal, I wouldn't have kept up on my blog, because doing college class work has become a priority in my spare time, but since it was a goal, I always made sure to try to get my blogging done, too.

In December, I ordered printed blog books for
2012 and the first half of 2013's blog posts.

       January: 11
       February: 10
       March: 10
       April: 9
       May: 10
       June: 20
       July: 12
       August: 12
       September: 10
       October: 10
       November: 9
       December: 11

2. SPIRITUAL: Go to the temple 6 times
In the years that I haven't made this a goal, I've discovered that I don't find the time to attend the temple because it isn't a priority! I'm glad to say I was successful in accomplishing this goal this year, and I enjoyed attending different temples throughout the year!
       March: went once to Idaho Falls temple for Amanda's first time through

       May: went twice--once to Idaho Falls for cousin Kimberlee's wedding and once to Jordan River with Amanda and her sister-in-law Erica

     
June: went once to Logan temple for my sister Katrina's wedding.

       November: went once to Ogdan temple with Josh

       December: went once to the Rexburg temple alone

3. EDUCATIONAL: Complete 25 university credits
I only completed 24--but I'm still counting this as a success because I also completed my university orientation class which was a requirement for my university, but it wasn't worth any credits.
       April: completed 6 credits (3 in Critical Thinking, 3 in Math Appreciation)
       June: completed 6 credits (3 in U.S. Government/Constitution, 3 in Math for Elementary Educators I)
       July: completed 3 credits (Math for Elementary Educators II)
       September: completed 3 credits (Culture & Diversity)
       October: completed 3 credits (Math for Elementary Educators III)
       November: completed 3 credits (Foundational Perspectives in Education)

4. MARRIAGE: Go on a date with Josh once a month
I loved this goal because I love spending time with my favorite person in the world! We have some awesome friends in Salmon that we doubled with quite often, which makes it more worthwhile to go out, too!
       January: ate dinner at Costa Vida then saw P!NK in concert!

        February: went out 7 times!!! We went to karaoke/dancing with Amanda & John twice, ate dinner at Fuddrucker's in Boise then saw Imagine Dragons in concert, went to the hot springs twice, went to the relief society Valentine's dinner, and ate & danced at the HS band's fundraiser "Swing Night".

       March: went 3x: to the movie theater twice with Amanda & John, went to dinner at Junkyard Bistro once with Amanda & John & Krissy and went to the hot springs afterwards.

       April: went Easter shopping in Brigham City and ate afterwards at Sonic.
       May: went 3x: once to dinner at Hwy 28 with just Josh and I for Mother's Day, once to dinner at Hwy 28 (again!) & karaoke afterwards for John's birthday with Amanda & Krissy, and once to appetizers at Bertram's and dancing/karaoke after with John & Amanda.

       June: went 3x: went to Sharkey Hot Springs and ate ice cream with Krissy & Amanda, went to see the movie "Million ways to die in the west" and ate at Winger's with my high school friend Darcy and her husband David, and went to a dancing birthday party with Josh & Amanda and then John joined us afterwards for karaoke.

       July: Went out with Josh, Amanda and John. We watched "22 Jump Street" in the theater, went to dinner at Bertram's after the movie, and went to karaoke & dancing after dinner

       August: Went out 4x: once with Amanda & John to eat at Josephine's Pizza in North Fork, once with Amanda & John to Broken Arrow Restaurant in Gibbonsville & then karaoke afterwards, once with Amanda & Krissy to watch the movie "Let's Be Cops" at the theater, and once with Amanda & Krissy to dinner at Bertram's then the hot springs afterward with John.

       September: ate dinner at Costa Vida together then watched Katy Perry in concert in SLC!

       October: ate dinner at Josephine's Pizza, danced at the Gibbonsville Hunter's Ball, then came home and watched an episode of "Parenthood" on TV while laying in bed.
       November: Went out 5x: ate lunch at Josephine's Pizza and shopped at the High Country Trail where we purchased some photo prints from Joey, ate dinner at Hwy 28 Club with John, Brad, and Amanda and went to karaoke and dancing afterwards, watched the movie "Meet the Mormons" at the movie theater together and shared a popcorn, went out for dinner and then dessert with Josh, John, Amanda, and Krissy, and went Black Friday shopping in Ogden, had lunch at Costa Vida, went car shopping, and went to the temple in Ogden.

       December: Went out 4x: Ate at the Ranch Restaurant with friends at Amanda's Salon Christmas Party, went dancing & sang karaoke with John & Amanda (after I'd seen the high school play with them), went to the hot springs with John and Amanda and ate cheesy breadsticks on the way, and had dinner at Last Chance with Krissy and John.

5. PHYSICAL: Exercise every week
I consider this one a success! I was really getting into shape and enjoying the benefits from exercise! From July to November, I took it even further and exercised almost every single day!
       January: attended yoga classes every week
       February: attended yoga classes 3 weeks and went skiing one week  
       March: attended yoga class 1 week, rode bike during 2 weeks, and went walking/hiking in Arches National Park with the family 1 week
       April: attended yoga class 3 weeks, walked in Seattle 1 week
       May: walked for 2 weeks at 4th grade field trips, walked 1 week with Josh, planted & worked in garden 1 week
       June: went to water aerobics 1 week, ran around soccer field 1 week, hiked at Craters of the Moon one week, (and I missed a week of exercise)
       July: walked 1 mile one week, walked on treadmill 3 weeks
       August: walked on the treadmill almost every single day, walked/hiked at Yellowstone one week, and went to water aerobics 3 times
       September: walked on the treadmill almost every single day, rode bikes with the boys several times, and went to water aerobics twice
       October: walked on the treadmill almost every single day, took a bike ride around the 4 mile loop by our house once, and lifted & moved pumpkins on the weekends.
       November: walked on the treadmill
       December: walked on the treadmill, hiked up the mountain to get Christmas trees, went sledding, and went skiing.

6. FINANCIAL: Pay off my credit card
I've come a long way in my finances this year, and I'm so glad I can say that I accomplished this goal!
       March: I paid off my hospital bill from last year!  
       May: I paid off my Lane Bryant card AND my regular Credit Card this month. What a good feeling to go into summer (when there's no income for me from the school) without any debt! Yay!
       November: Paid off my Line of Credit bill after charging on it during the summer months when I had no income.

7. SOCIAL: Do a random act of kindness every month
I'm so glad I made this a goal! I kept reminding myself to look for opportunities to serve and I enjoyed providing service for others throughout the year!
       January: helped stack wood at the Beers' home
       February: gave a man a ride home one night after I saw him walking and carrying paint cans
       March: made and delivered cookies to a neighbor, volunteered to take several family photos of strangers while at Arches National Park
       April: made cookies for a woman in the ward who was having a birthday, gave money and food to students on the high school band/choir Seattle tour
       May: bought flowers for a woman who played guitar at one of my school musical programs
       June: helped serve Kid's Free Lunch 3x with the LASP program and babysit friends' babies while we were at the swimming pool
       July: volunteered at the finish line of an ultra marathon setting it up for hours, and assisted at the Stake Pioneer Day Activity with the primary games.
       August: volunteered as a guest reader at the Library Summer Reading Program twice, and drove a friend's kids from Salmon to Boise to be with her.
       September: donated clothes to the clothing fair and spent time putting clothes on tables there too, donated a computer monitor to the elementary school.
       October: volunteered at the elementary's Halloween Carnival
       November: delivered some fudge to Cajsa's home, gave flowers to a woman who did a nice gesture for me.
       December: made and delivered goodies to neighbors and friends, participated in the "Christmas is Sharing" program by purchasing 3 needed gifts for strangers.