For My Own Benefit

I've stopped blogging for the past month or so for a few reasons. One- because I felt like no one was really reading it. And Two- because my life has been a crazy whirlwind! But I realized recently that blogging really helps me to sort out my own thoughts and I miss it when I get really behind. So for my own benefit, and lovely friends and family that do read, here is a massive update of my latest happenings.

First of all, I think this guy has been showing up in my pictures without a proper introduction. This is Matt. The adorable sweet boy that I spend all my time with. I kinda like him. And he treats me like a queen. Enough said there :)

Matt and I had tickets to fly to Wisconsin to have Thanksgiving with his family. However, a few days before we were scheduled to leave, Matt was admitted into the hospital after he had gone to the doctor to check on some chest pains and shortness of breath. Turns out his aortic valve was leaking a severe amount of blood and needed to be replaced immediately. So our plans quickly changed, we cancelled the plane tickets, and med flighted down to Salt Lake instead. The surgery was scary, the waiting room for 7 hours was torture, but when it was all said and done, things went smoothly. Matt's family was able to fly out to be with us, which was great comfort and a pleasure to meet them. I spent all of 10 days there with him, and he put in even more time in that hospital room after I had to come back to finish school. He is home now and doing so well.

It's amazing what an experience like that teaches a person. I learned so much about myself and about the kind of man Matt is. There is something very spiritual about a hospital, and I consistently welled up with tears as I walked the hallways and saw so many patients in need. I wept because of the pain I knew they must be experiencing, but also because of the realization of how fragile life really is and what a miracle it is to be alive. We are so dependent on our Heavenly Father to give us breath and life, I have never seen this so clearly before. The human body is incredible, and modern medicine and technology is a MIRACLE. I was nervous to see Matt right after he came out of surgery, everyone warned me that it wouldn't be pretty. I held my breath and walked into that ICU... but it was nothing like I expected. He looked so peaceful, and regardless of the tubes, IVs and machines, I felt so much love and gratitude that he was alive. I sat by his bed a while in that dark crowded room while he slept, and the spirit was so strong. God is so aware of each of His children and I caught a glimpse of how much love He has for all of us. There were many tender mercies and sweet experiences in those days at the hospital that I will never forget nor wish they hadn't happened. Little did I hear any complaints from this boy, never did he treat any of us crabby or cranky as I know I would have been in that hospital bed. I'm in awe of how he laid in that bed expressing concern for everyone else there visiting, making sure they were comfortable and staying busy. He is a gem.

He insisted that I go home for Thanksgiving and not spend it in the hospital. I didn't want to leave him there, but I was very grateful to be able to spend the holiday with my family. We enjoyed the best of food and company and I couldn't be more grateful for all the many blessings I have been recieving. Here is grandma with just a handful of her grandkids. I love these guys.

I was so excited to see my sweet cousins Alex and Mel. It's been a few years since the three of us have been together, so it was great to be reunited :)

When I came home from the hospital, I had just 2 weeks of the semester left before graduation! The majority of my semester has been spent in my internship as the Site Coordinator for the Afterschool Program. It was such a blast and we were able to come back from Thanksgiving break and finish with a bang. I was blessed to work with incredible girls and the most darling children. We had such a good time and I learned so much through my experiences. It was an opportunity to take everything I've studied the past 3 years and practice it all hands-on; really an incredible opportunity that I'll miss very much.

On a lighter note, we got Matt home and we've been able to get out of the house a little to do a few things. He so graciously accompanied me to "Project Runway." A fun fashion show planned and put on by my close friend up on campus. He was just thrilled to be there, can you tell? :)

In other news, I've been trying to figure out this PINTREST thing that everyone's been so worked up about :) It is pretty cool, I haven't spent too much time on it, but that's probably a good thing. I did get one idea for a homemade ornament, and made this for my grandma. I thought it was kinda fun.

Lastly, I graduated with my Bachelor's Degree! It feels so surreal, I keep forgetting that it even happened. I can't imagine really being done with school. It feels like all I've known yet it went by so fast! I have been blessed with so many incredible learning experiences it's hard to fathom it all and take it all in. Friday night was the Commencement where we got to listen to an apostle Quinton L. Cook speak.


Then Saturday morning was the actual convocation for my department. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Child Development. (Magna Cum Laude, which means in the top 5 percent of my graduating class :) I got to sit on the stand because I was on the program to give the invocation (opening prayer). That was kinda cool!

(Don't know where I'd be without my sisters! Best support ever.)

(Sweet friend Wuendy)

(Lookin pretty good after open heart surgery!)

(And of course my incredible parents. I love them so much and am so grateful for all they do for me!)


It's been a busy ride! But we made it and just in time for the holidays :) I love and look forward to Christmas so much. Hope everyone is able to enjoy family and celebrations!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!