Reflecting on 2015

Apparently one year ago today I posted about 2014, so I thought it was only fitting that I do the same today. 2015 has been an adventure-filled year, that's for sure. It's been filled with some heartbreak: losing three grandparents and your childhood pet all in one year is not exactly ideal or enjoyable. But it happened, and the best part is that it can never happen again!

2015 was also the year of travel. I went back to California twice by myself, and Jake and I took our fun trip to Texas to stay with his family.

Going home for a funeral wasn't a pleasant reason, but it was still nice to see people like my cute baby brother again!

My next trip home was MUCH happier, since it was because Carly got home from her mission! Being her first hug after coming home was the best thing ever.

Our trip to Texas was definitely an adventure! It was SO HOT and I managed not to get sunburned, which is something I will probably be proud of for the rest of my life.

Aside from traveling, a lot of other things were accomplished in 2015. Jake and I celebrated our one year anniversary, I honed my crafting skills, and Jake and I moved into our current apartment which we absolutely adore.

One year down, eternity to go!

One of my embroidery projects

Not only have we done a lot of traveling this year, but we've had several visits from family and friends traveling to see us here in Idaho. My mom came up to visit us in July, and my whole family spent Thanksgiving with us. Carly came and stayed for Christmas!

My favorite adventure of 2015 would (of course) be finally adopting our furbaby, Zoe. We've made so many fun memories, laughed a LOT, and taken hundreds of pictures with this goofy little girl. We never thought she would have such a big impact on our lives, but she has definitely become an irreplaceable part of our world!

Our first family photo, right after picking Zoe up from a home in Utah and finally starting our road trip back home after visiting Texas!

I'm glad that 2015 is ending, because of how rough the year has been overall for my family and I. I'm sure 2016 will hold many challenges and heartbreaks, but it will also be filled with more fun memories and lots and lots of laughter. I can't wait to see what I have to write for my "Reflecting on 2016" post on this day next year!

The ABCs of Gratitude

A is for appetizers you split with good friends.

B is for blankets you can snuggle til the end.

C is for Carly, cuz she's just so great,

D is for dinner even if it's late.

E is for embraces that warm you to the bone

F is for family, because you're never alone 

G is for games, especially when auspicious 

H is for horchata that tastes like Christmas

I is for ice cream; it doesn't need an explanation,

J is for Jake without second consideration!

K is for Krispies, of the Rice variety

L is for love, an act of piety

M is for music, a sound quite inviting

N is for notebooks, because stationery is enticing!

O is for omelets made with precision

P is for purple, it's not a hard decision!

Q is for quacking of ducks as they waddle

R is for roses when you're being coddled

S is for sleep when I'm weary and tired,

T is for teaching, I hope I get hired!

U is for umbrellas to shelter from rain

V is for vacations when they help ease the pain!

W is for water, though that might sound absurd

X is for xylidin cuz it's such a fun word.

Y is for yearbooks, since they always crack us up 

Z is for Zoe our sweet little pup.

Gratitude

Gratitude turns what I have into enough.

Chocolate and books that change the way I think,

Laughter and Netflix,

Photographs and rocking chairs.

The gospel.

Zoe and her cuddles under microplush blankets.

Heaters and eternal marriage, beanies and warm sweaters.

Cheeseburgers and music and babies.

Empathy.

Good friends and wool socks, puppy videos and dance.

Snail mail, school, long hugs and memories.

Gratitude turns what I have into enough.

"Grateful Hearts" Freebies

November is HERE! And you know what that means...Thanksgiving is coming! 

Option 1:

Option 2:

I got the antler graphics from welivedhappilyeverafter and the wreath from puresweetjoy, and I am SO grateful for the talented creations made by these awesome women! I'm definitely not talented enough to make computer graphics on my own, so thank goodness for the talents of others.