And we are back...

We just got back from a trip to visit my sister Whitney in Arizona. We always do a lot of work on their house when we are there. They have added on to their loft since the last time I was there, so we painted some book shelves for the new computer room and managed to get their guest room closet with a better organizer. We also fixed up my nieces room with some nifty stuff from Ikea. THAT was a fun trip. I had never been to Ikea before. It was AMAZING. We didn't actually intend to buy anything while we were there, but, well, that went out the window pretty fast! I have been looking for a platform bed for Cadence for about 2 years now. We found one! and even better it was only $99. For a full size platform bed with head board. I was stoked! We also picked up a couple of other smaller items that will make my sister's life and my life much easier. I am totally in LOVE with that place. We also got to hang out with the Benson's which is always a blast! I want to go back soon!

We have had a couple of letters from Brady in the last week, as well as the paper work that will get the girls and I on base and get me an ID. I am nervous and excited about this! Brady is doing well. His flight is doing very well, but they have to earn the right to call home every week. I hope that they can keep it up, because I REALLY like getting to hear Brady's voice every Sunday. Being the only parent is really starting to catch up with me. I am officially exhausted by the end of every day. I miss my husband really bad on Saturday mornings. I'm not sure that I will remember how to sleep in once we finally get him back. :o)

School starts this week. I am taking three classes, one online and two in class. One doesn't start until March though so that is nice. I miss school and I am looking forward to being a student again. I have found that I really enjoy the learning part of most things. Plus school forces me to get out and take more pictures, which, sadly, I don't do as often as I should because of the effort that it takes with two kids and all my equipment these days.

I also have some resolutions for this new year. One of them is two lose some weight. I am participating in a weight loss challenge with a bunch of other women and I think it is going to pay off. It is 12 weeks long and my goal is to get 1.5 to 2 pounds off in a week. I really like the experience so far and so I hope that, with this extra motivation, I can get some of this extra weight off of me and keep it off! Changing how MUCH I eat has been challenging. I really like to snack and so things can get out of control pretty fast!

Another resolution is to read my scriptures every day. I can usually do pretty good a couple weeks in a row and then I let other things get in the way. I am reading with the kids now and I think that will help make a difference. I also am starting Family Home Evening again. We were doing it for a while and then Cadence started to become very difficult about it so we started to slack off. Cady is much more into it now so I think it will be easier.

I hope that the new year is going well for all of you! :o)