attitude of gratitude.

 when reflecting back on the past year i can't help but to let out a big sigh of relief. literally i sigh that it's over. it was a really difficult year for me. i felt like i lost so many things: love, two best friends (in a figurative way), one in a literal way, a job that meant the world to me, my health (mono), and my identity (when my entire purse was stolen). i learned to never say that at least things can't get worse than this, because some how when those words escaped my lips i immediately regretted them. but i also learned how strong of a testimony i have. i learned that i can do hard things and to have faith in His plan for me. so because i am a better, stronger, million bucks kind of girl, i would like to list eleven things that happened in the twenty eleventh year that i will never forget. and i owe it to this past year for growing up because it was the year that changed everything.
     * the month of april where cracker barrel was on speed dial and i sat in bed with my bffaeae, because i couldn't muster the courage to face to world.
     * "the brownies." haha this is most definitely not what you are thinking.
     * two girls carrying the following: a raft, two oars, 24" of turkey and cheese, two novels, a radio, firewood, marshmallows, blankets, two energy drinks, two bottles of water, chips and salsa, and lip gloss, 2 miles up hill to go to none other than ...THE maple lake. this is also known as the day we became mountain women.
     * seeing the fleet foxes in concert. please marry me. please please please.
     * running around the secret hideout with sparklers yelling, expelliarmus!
     * climbing a water tower that over looks utah county,  counting 12 shooting stars, reading a box of fortune cookies and wink wink.
     * diet coke runs after a hard workout at the gym
     * the fourth of july that was spent at a baseball game (according to wes: this is the day the beast was unleashed and the cocoon was destroyed) and that makes my cheeks hurt from smiling.
     * spending the day in my swimming suit, laying on the back of the boat while listening to this song.
     * a hike up to the grotto that left white shorts muddy and shoes that cost 39.95 down the drain.
     * and last but not least and probably the most important: a realization that although things change, life is only going to get better. based on my fortune happier days are definitely ahead and this time i have no doubt that 2012 is going to bring just that.