2014 in Review

*Sigh*  New Year's Eve.

I was standing all alone in the kitchen, peering into the fridge in search of an afternoon snack, and mumbling under my breath, "Another year has come and gone and here I am standing in the exact same spot I was last year wearing my same stupid work clothes and eating another stupid snack!"  I slammed the fridge door, a little perturbed by the lack of fulfilling change in my life, and turned to my fish in the sink window.  "And what about you, Staccato. What have you done with your life this year?  Still sitting in your same stupid spot in the windowsill?!?  Well, congrats to you too."

(Yes, I do verbally abuse my beta fish.  I'm really working on it.  I know it's not healthy)

But then I tilted my head to the side the way a puzzled golden retriever would turn after hearing an unfamiliar whistle and examined my little Staccato fishy.  His year had changed...  He got a new fish bowl. 

I nodded my head to myself and looked around.  My life had adjusted too.  They may be the littlest of details, but they have changed none the less.  I started glancing through our family pictures from 2014 and cheered up.  What wonderful memories we made this year.  I turned my attitude around and quickly apologized to the fish.  Anyone experiencing similar feelings without dramatic changes in their lives over the last 365 days, I suggest sitting down and making a list of the little things that made your year special.  

Here's mine...

We took a trip to the coast.  A couple actually.  We had gone camping with friends and one time found an adorable Air B&B right by the water.  The ocean just does things to your soul.  I love sitting in the sand and soaking up the mystery.

Spent time with the Fam-Bam and friends.  We didn't get to do that much traveling this year but were blessed to have quite a few visitors come to The Dalles.  Lots of trips from my parents, Kenny came for a soccer game with Mitch, Mary came for a job interview, Mo&So, Matt&Keri, Scott&Melissa, Klint&Kim, Adam&Lisa, and Ben&Lydia.  Anyone I'm missing?  Wonderful memories.

A lot of exploring in the gorge.  Mitchell was on a new hike every week it seemed like and we fell more and more in love with the beautiful northwest.

My work got first place in the Cherry Festival Lip Sync Contest.  It was my first year winning and so much fun.

We celebrated the life of my dear, sweet grandma Hutchings.  She was an amazing woman and since she has been gone I have felt closer to her now than ever before.  I think she has been pretty busy this year as my guardian angel.  I've needed the help.

Congrats Mitchell!!!  He finished school and got his degree.  I am so proud of all of his hard work he put into his education and the wonderful man that he is.

Crockett family reunion.  All. of. us.  So many bright and wonderful personalities all rolled into one spot.  This was by far one of the best memories of the year for me.

Mitchell hiked across Oregon.  THIS IS HUGE!!!  I am so proud of my husband for following his dreams.  He trekked the Pacific Crest Trail starting from the California border and finishing in Washington.  I can never fully comprehend the pain and endurance, planning and preparation, or determination and courage it took to accomplish this task.  This man is my hero.

Attended my first college football game.  GO DUCKS.  It was a cold and rainy day, but I came prepared with my six layers of bottoms, six layers of tops, and four pairs of socks.

The hubby got a job.  Again, I am so proud of Mitchell this year and all he accomplished.  He had a big year.  I am so thankful for all his hard work he does for our family.

I have had so much fun writing this year.  It has been the most amazing outlet and has saved me.  I am ridiculously excited to go back to school and get a degree as soon as I can so my words can actually make sense when I write them out.

Thinking back to who I was a year ago, I have realized that I am so much different.  There have been so many experiences that have shaped me into me at this moment and I am so excited to see where I will be a year from now.  Happy New Year everybody!!!

New Year's Resolution

We all know her.  The woman of flawlessness who on her worst day rushes out the door without putting on makeup and still presents herself as absolutely impeccable.  Because she looks amazing without makeup and she seems more beautiful in her cute sweats than you felt on your prom night.  I can go on and on about her gorgeous children or her unbreakable charm, her beautifully manicured fingernails and her unbelievably delicious smelling homemade cookies.  No seriously, I don't believe it.  Even the store-bought bakery ones don't smell that good.  What is her secret?!

They come in all shapes and sizes and they are different to each individual.  But no matter who we are, no one can deny the existence of the "Perfect Patricia."

In comparison, here's how good I am at things...

I remember my P.P. growing up.  She was the mom of one of my best friends.  Her hair was always fabulous and flipped out like she just had it shaped at a salon.  She was my seminary teacher and I remember trying to pay attention to the lesson, but kept finding my mind wondering to her cute shoes and where she must have purchased them.  She was an interior designer, so her home looked like it was featured in a Better Homes and Gardens magazine, but even better than that.  It was too good for BH&G.  The guest bathroom was themed after Book of Mormon heroes with big green ferns and low lighting to make you feel like you were deep in the jungle with the exploring Nephites.

Oh yes, she was my role model.  When I grew up, I wanted to be Sister Perfect Patricia.

We've all heard this story countless times.  How we shouldn't get down on ourselves and compare lives.  And how we shouldn't stress over our worst qualities and liken them to our heroes' best ones.  It's unhealthy!  But it's also really easy to catch yourself doing.

Another time showing me being good at things... Like making collapsing gingerbread houses.

I remember sharing these feelings with my husband once.  I explained to him my Perfect Patricia and asked why I couldn't be just like her, why she made it look so easy to do and here I was feeling helpless.  And I LOVED the advice that Mitchell responded with.

He said, "Baby girl (because that's what he calls me), don't EVER desire to be somebody else.  That's coveting and that's breaking one of the big ten.  You can look at the qualities that you admire about a person and in a healthy way desire to improve those in yourself, but never want to be anyone except for you. If you want to dream of being a better person, dream of a perfect version of yourself to shoot toward."

Isn't he awesome.

Just be your best YOU.  No more comparing yourself to others!  I think that's why I have always loved non-team sports.  Like track.  When I run or jump, I don't have to think about the person competing beside me.  I could get last place in an event one day and be in the best mood because, guess what, I broke my own personal record!  I could take literal measurements and see a new improvement in myself and that was all that mattered.

For the last lesson of the year I am going to give the YW this handout at the beginning of class and have them constantly thinking and recording all of the ways they want to improve themselves.  At the conclusion, I'll hand out color pencils so they can fill in the boxes to label each goal.  Then they can underline and select a time when they want to begin working on them.

Download HERE

I started filling one out as an example to show how I color labeled each category.

Happy New Year everyone!!

Be your best you!!

Forget about the Perfect Patricias!

P.S. We still love you Perfect Patricias.  Thank you for always giving us hope that maybe someday we can all look like we have everything together.