Where does the time go?

Wow, it has been forever since I have even looked at my blog.  I can't believe I haven't posted since April. So much has happened I'm not even sure where to begin.  Well May 26th, Finn had her first birthday.  I can't even remember what cake she had or what gifts she got, all I know is I think I have it on film somewhere.  I can't believe how big she has gotten and how much fun she is.  She has a cute little personality, stubborn, shy, funny....... and she loves food.  Sounds a little like someone else I know :) She says a lot more words now but doesn't use them unless she has too.  Her and Taytum are very different when it comes to social settings.  Taytum loves the attention and wants to tell everyone about everything (sometimes a little too much info) and Finny just wants to go off and do her own thing.  She doesn't mind being alone and not having anyone notice what she is doing.  It will be interesting to see if that changes.  She is super daring in other situations but not when it comes to talking.  She learned how to whistle a few weeks ago.  I love to whistle, especially during the holidays, and one day she started whistling right along.  I don't have that on video yet, because as I mentioned before, she doesn't like attention and she refuses to do anything that I ask her to do.  So hopefully I can sneak a video soon and put it on here.  Taytum is growing up so fast.  She is 3 now and I do remember her birthday because it was less than 6 months ago.  She had a big pink cupcake and "little tiny big cupcakes" as she would say.  She got books and toys and dress-ups.  She is by far the best gift receiver known to man!  I will post that video as soon as I figure out how to do that.  Every single present was like she just won a million bucks.  She did not get that from me, unfortunately I am terrible at receiving gifts and have a hard time changing my tone, even though I am truly excited.  Anyways, that was fun to watch.

Over the summer I decided to apply for a teaching job up here and got one at Woods Cross.  I get to teach on B-day's only and I also took the head basketball coaching job.  It has been super busy but extremely rewarding.  I teach at an amazing school with a great staff.  My principal should be a comedian on the side, he is hilarious and super nice.  My team is filled with amazing young ladies and I feel extremely blessed to have this opportunity.  Zach has been so great to help out with the kids.  He is the best father around and I couldn't do any of this without his support.  I am looking forward to the Christmas break and the time I will get to spend with my family.  I love the holidays and wish people would be this giving and caring all through the year.  Last thing and then I will add photos.  So we had a lesson in young women's about taking a picture of something you are grateful for every day.  So I decided to try this but write something down, because I knew I would forget the picture thing.  I just want to tell you all, please do this.  It has changed my life!  I have had some difficult challenges come to me over the past few years.  Things that I didn't think would ever happen to me.  This small and simple thing has brought me out of some very dark and lonely times and has changed my outlook on life.  I still face the same challenges but now I have hope, and now I have joy, and now I know without a shadow of a doubt that Jesus is the Christ and that through the atonement we can find peace and that every single day we can find something to be grateful for that God has put in our lives.  I am most grateful for my kids, they are the light of my world and I am so blessed to be their mom.  Anyways, there is the quick version of my last 8 months.  Hope you all have a Merry Christmas!