It's still hard for me to believe that 2013 has already passed us by. Every year past 2000 makes me feel older and older. This year was a huge milestone for me because I turned 30. I feel the same but my body totally feels different. For the first time in my life besides when I'm pregnant I've had to wake up to go to the bathroom. That's the worse especially when your trying not to wake up your kids and it's 6 am and so close to their waking times. I found another wrinkle between my eye brows and it totally sucks!
Worst of all I had Epstein Barr this year which was awful just having but also made me hit a wall when it came to my baby weight loss. Once I was recovered by May I've been working out usually 5 times a week and haven't dropped a pound, except for the 2 I lost when I had the flu this fall. And it wasn't worth it, blah! But now I'm trying to watch what I eat and Jake got me a fitbit for Christmas this year which will help me more with that. I've been trying to pursue more hobbies this year than probably ever before. I'm no longer in school so I can't use the excuse that I'm too busy reading for classes that I don't have time to read anything else. I've been trying to read more articles and books. I've currently been reading L. Tom Perry's autobiography. I became interested in it when I saw it on the New Arrivals shelf at the library. He recently spoke at a regional conference held a few months ago here in Logan so I decided to read it. It's funny how these things work, but it's actually helped me a lot. I really was not looking forward to moving here, and it was a little tough at first and I was dreading the winter months. But reading about this apostles life hear and hearing about his families history and even the pioneer heritage of cache valley forced me to like Logan and all the aspects of it that I had overlooked before. There really is a rich history here and so many place to explore.
Jake and I were called as Temple Prep teachers. I taught last week since it's the beginning of the year and I'm a bit intimidated. The concepts are so basic but I'm not sure what people already know considering no one will answer any of my questions. We just all need to warm up to each other. I think treats will be involved next week. I can teach Sunday school, primary, and relief society but temple prep is my Achilles Heal. What if I can't answer a question? The classroom will be so small who will help me fill the time. Jake will be helping me, but sometimes I will be alone. It's moments like this when I think of my Dad and wish he were still around to advise me. Usually I would just call him and he would tell me how or what to say, so sometimes I have to just think what would Jim Giometta do in this situation? And it isn't just in church callings but anything in life. I wish I had asked myself that question when I got bangs in October. They were hideous! They've grown on me, but they just really aren't for everyone, including myself.
Max turned 4 a few weeks ago and he's become quite the little comedian. We went to the doctor the other day and he was saying the funniest things to him, he's never wanted to talk to a doctor before, he's always been too scared. Max also started school this year. It's preschool and only a few time a week. He still has to repeat it next year since he has a late birthday and won't be in kindergarten until 2015. It seems so far away but preschool has been great for him socially. He's starting to talk to other kids and he's been signing a lot. Which I have never been able to get him to do. The other day he told Jake while he was taking a bath, "I'm swimming under the sea in an octopuses garden", I guess you had to be there but it was funny since it was random and a Beatles song. He was really excited for any holiday or event this year. He talked about his birthday for weeks and couldn't wait until it was Christmas. He really is growing up so much and he's gotten really tall. I worry about him less and less. Being my first child always made it easy for me to watch and stress about every little thing he did. Studying speech pathology and human development educated me but always made me aware of anything that could go wrong with his development. But he's doing great! I think sometime this year we are going to start trying to teach him to read, but we'll just take baby steps at that.
Dexter had an eventful year as well. He started walking, talking, and had surgery on his finger. He's a bit more adventurous than Max was, ever. He is also my friendly child. He is constantly waving hi to random strangers at the store. Unfortunately, he's been a pain to take to church, he really just can't sit still, and I know you shouldn't wish that your kids will just grow up already, but I can't wait until he can sit with me and just read a book, but he's way too wiggly for that. He's been sleeping really well and still takes one nap a day. We kept putting off taking away his binky. With Max we took it at 12 months, I hatted the thought of him using it until he was two. But with Dexter something always came up so it made it hard to take it away, until we were in Salt Lake during Thanksgiving and he threw it on the ground somewhere on temple square. That was his only binky so we just decided that was it and it was time. He cried for a bit but now he's over it. Dexter's finger healed perfectly, it's a little stumpy looking and we really have to take care of the nail so that it doesn't pinch his skin, but there's a chance it could fall off as he gets older. Now our goal is just getting him conditioned for Nursery on Sundays and to not be so grumpy. He definitely does not like to be ignored and he lets me know it.
Jacob had a good year as well. We were talking about our favorite memories this year and I told him mine was when he graduated with his Bachelor's. It was a huge milestone for him and something he had been working on since we were married. He's currently working on his MBA which he will finish this June. It's hard to believe that we are already half way done. He got a job working as a T.A which has been really good for his schedule. I couldn't really look for a job since Jacob's schedule is so ridiculous and most days he never knows when he is coming home. We started looking for jobs so hopefully he will have one by this summer. We've been able to see Jacob's family a lot this year which has been really great for us and the kids. We're not too sure where we will end up when he graduates which could make it difficult for us to see them if it's far away.
My goal this year is to find a word and make it my focus. This woman does it on a blog I read every week. I'm just having a hard time coming up with a good word that could help improve my life. I'm giving myself until Friday to figure it out.
I will post pictures soon!
