To the old AND the new.

I love the Holidays. Something about them is just magical, isn't it?

I got to spend the Holiday's this year with my family in St George. It was a warmer Christmas than usual, and I missed the snow, but I didn't miss out on my family time which is what matters most. 

With the New Year approaching, I thought it would be best to dedicate this post to a couple of things. 

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First off, I want to take the time to remember a very special man that left our lives 4 years ago yesterday. I can't believe it's been 4 years already. I feel like so much has changed, while at the same time--everything feels just the same! I miss him every day, and think about him just as much. I know he watches over us and puts special people in our lives to remind us of him, and tangibly feel him. 

I was really close to Matt, so it was really hard for me to lose him. And, when my mom began dating again, I was a bit learly to let someone new in. However, this break I had the opportunity to really bond with the latest addition to our family--Paul. 

Now, he's been there for a while, and we've always gotten along, but those few days I stayed with him and Mom I saw first hand just how truly lucky Mom really is. He treats her like every woman should be treated, just like Matt did. He makes us giggle just like Matt did. He is so easy to tease, and is quick on the return just like Matt was. 

It really feels as if Matt stuck him right in my Mom's and our lifes at the right time and for the right reasons. Not only does he love my mom, but he loves us, and he shows us in the sweetest ways. 

So grateful! Thank you Matt for putting a piece of you in our lives. 

We love you and miss you always!

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Secondly, I want to reflect on my year. I have had a couple friends come home from their missions in the past few months, and needless to say--it's been a little unnerving to be sitting there in the same chapel that you did 2 years ago and realizing that really the only major change in your life is half of your wardrobe is pretty freaky. I really started to feel pretty inadequate, and that I had all of these friends getting married, having babies, and returning from an honorable service to the Lord--and then there's just me.

What the heck have I done with my life? 

These past few weeks of the break I have had some awesome blessings come through, and some serious epiphanies. Of course things have changed for me in two years! I am a completely different person. I have fallen, scraped up my pride a little, bruised my heart, but i'm alive. 

The scrapes heal, the bruises lose color. 

Life. Goes. On. 

Really right under our noses, too. We don't realize our accomplishments enough, and so this year, along with my resolutions, I am making a list of the things that I have overcome. The experiences that have shaped me, and caused growth in my life. 

I am going to be grateful for the mishaps along with the miracles, the heartbreaks along with the heart warmers, and the friend lost with the friends gained. 

I am going to anticipate the New Year with ALL that it brings me. No matter what!

It's important to start over, yes, with new goals and anticipations. However, we need to remember the things that maybe hurt a little, but helped a lot in the long run. 

Here's to a fresh start because of the old shaping the new!!