One of Those Days

Today I had my first Higher-Steps tutor session at an Elementary. It did not go how I expected it to. I realized today just how much I don't know about teaching. I am overwhelmed and wonder how it will be to teach an entire class, when it's hard teaching one student a particular concept. With homework piling and a lot of other responsibilities beside school, I am definitely stressed. On my way home from school, I decided I needed some cheering up. I stopped by "Mrs. Backers Pastry Shop" on South Temple. (Probably not the best place to go when you've had a bad day). I ended up buying way more sweets than I ever intended to eat; they just all looked so wonderful.

It's a good thing I'm going to the gym for YW's tonight!

As always, Ziggy helps to cheer me up. He is such a great example to me. His character is so simple with only one emotion, "happiness." I just love him.

Life is Good

After a long day of school, I walked in my door and found this.

My sweet husband had cleaned the house and bought me some beautiful flowers.

{It made my day}

Shanghai

Kandice called last week to let us know she was in town for a few days, so we decided to go up Tuesday night to hang out with her. We played Shanghai, {the Muhlestein's favorite card game} and had fun talking and hanging out with one another. I can't remember who won the game, but that's not important, right? {obviously I didn't win, haha}

We're excited to have Mark and Kandice move back to Utah. It will be fun to have them live close by again.

Snowbird

A few days after new years, Michael and I got to go skiing with Marci at Snowbird. It was a blast and the snow was great! We took Marci through the tunnel in the mountain. {If you've never done it I suggest you do, it's kind of cool.} :) Michael took us on some crazy runs and although challenging, they were really fun. These pictures are at the top of Little Cloud. It was so beautiful up there with a brilliant blue sky; something I definitely missed when driving back down into the inversion.

It was fun to spend so much time with Marci over the break. We were able to see each other quite a bit this time! However, we did miss Dan. We can't wait until they come in February. :)

The New Year

On New Years Eve day, Michael decided to take Zig snowshoeing with him while I got a few things done at the house. After getting his little booties on, he put him in the kennel and off they went. Ziggy loves the snow and CRAVES the exercise. He has been pretty cooped up this winter because Michael and I are gone a majority of the day. We've learned to get him some exercise before leaving in the morning; he has been quite the mischievous one lately and I don't think his stomach can handle much more of it! In the past month he has eaten a loaf of (seeded) bread, a box of cookies, 8 fruit leathers, a package of gum and anything he can get his paws on from inside the garbage can. So needless to say, there has been quite the disciplinary action going on at our house. I feel bad getting mad at the poor boy though, he's just got a case of cabin fever!

That night we went up to my in-laws to celebrate ringing in the new year. Paula and Marci had made chicken enchiladas and Jess & Ryan made paella! It was a delicious meal paired with the best of company. We spent the night sharing our resolutions, laughing at Michael's mustache and playing with Gracie & Pearl. When the clock struck midnight, Jess & Ryan brought out the silly string and we all got covered in it. {I think Paula got the worst of it}

What a fun night it was and it got me thinking about the coming year. Thoughts of excitement, stress, reluctancy and renewal came into my mind. I'm never sure how to feel about starting a new year, but this year {I told myself} is going to be different. I am officially going into this year with all of the best hopes. I decided that I cannot and will not worry about things that I cannot change. I am going to relax and stop writing "lists," which have added almost too much order to my life. I am going to try and be flexible and take one day at a time. And last but not least, I'm going to try and take more time building relationships with those who matter most to me.

I just found the following quote on life and love it!

"Always remember to slow down in life; live, breathe, and learn; take a look around you whenever you have time and never forget everything and every person that has the least place within your heart." -Anonymous

Lucy

Nick, Carly and the family were sick on Christmas Day, so they ended up coming to my parents the day after Christmas. It was fun to see Nick & Carly and "especially" a treat to see little Lucy. Isn't she just adorable? I just love her.