January
Eh...nothing super special. I did go back to work for the 1st time since I had gotten laid off. I started teaching a math intervention program at the school I had taught at. I learned tons of new skills, including how to stay professional under extreme circumstances and also how to make 1 box of white board markers last until the end of the school year.
February
This was kind of a big month for me. I took a huge step that I had not anticipated taking at this point in my life. I went through the temple for the 1st time.
On February 12th, I went through the Newport Beach Temple. I am so grateful that my bishop was inspired to encourage me to go; it has been such a huge blessing in my life. Seriously, I have seen a difference in my everyday life and I really feel that it is because of the peace attending the temple regularly can bring. I also got a new calling to teach Temple Prep class for my ward and was called on Valentine's Day.March
In March, I got to go to San Francisco for the 1st time. My mom and I went while we were off-track from work and we had a great time. We got to go to a couple of different temples, see downtown San Fran, go to the Winchester Mystery House, and to Solvang too! This was a major trip of firsts. The main perk, however, was that I got to spend some time with my mom, whom I love so, so much.
I also learned something new this year! My sister, Nancy, whose birthday is March 16th had said that she wanted a Madhatter Tea Party for her birthday party, so in preparation, I learned how to make tiered cakes and fondant from scratch. This way, I could make her a way cool birthday cake.
Here are a couple shots of it. It's far from perfect, but I was pretty proud! : ) Not bad for a self-taught newbie!April
In April, we went up to Utah for General Conference and I got to go into the Salt Lake Temple for the 1st time. One word: Wow. It's so beautiful and it's amazing to think of how the pioneers created the amazing, ornate (but not over the top) decor without all of the technologies we have today. AND it snowed, which was crazy, but still beautiful.
Also on this trip, my brother proposed to his girlfriend and they announced their engagement later that day, on Easter Sunday. It sent shockwaves through the family, as it came quite unexpectedly. But...the important thing to note is that my baby brother decided to tell me first, before any parents, friends, or other siblings. I'm just special, I guess! lol ; )May
In May, my entire family went up to San Francisco for my cousin's wedding. It was awesome to be with so many people that are so important to me and it's always fun to go on a crazy Wheeler family road trip! This one was definitely NOT a disappointment either. Here we are at Alcatraz:
Between haunted hotel rooms, incompetent parking attendants, seagulls, Boudin's Bistro, seagulls, kilts, seagulls, trying to caravan in downtown San Fran (key word being TRYING), and seagulls, we had a fantastic trip.In May, I also went on my 1st fishing excursion! It was all the way across the street from my brother's house! I bought a cute pink pole and my brother showed me how it's done. I still haven't caught anything, but have definitely found a new hobby that helps me to relax a bit.
June
June was QUITE the month. I finished work for the year at the very beginning of the month and then went up to Utah with my parents, my brother, and his girlfriend (now his wife) for my cousin's wedding. However, I drove separately and when they went home, I went farther into Utah and spent a week or so there. I got to go to lots temples I had never been to before, spend time with old friends, visit with my sister, and experience some independence on my very first solo out-of-state venture. I loved it! I ,made sure to do some things that I don't normally do; for example, I stayed a night in St. George and then went to see Brigham Young's Winter Home and Jacob Hamblin's home. What worthwhile things they ended up being!
As soon as I came home, my parents and I went on our big vacay of the summer and we went to Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado. All of these were firsts for me. I had only been to Arizona once before and that was only to the River in Parker, which is just on the border. I was reminded, once again, what amazing parents I have, as they really have allowed me some absolutely wonderful, unforgettable experiences. I would include some pictures here, but I wouldn't even know where to begin or where to stop, so if you're interested, refer back to the post where I initially detailed the trip.
July
We came back from our trip during the second week of July and proceeded to sleep until work started again. I also got to do some cool day trips with David and Melissa's family. We went to Griffith Observatory in LA for the first time since it re-opened and then had some fancy cupcakes from Sprinkles in Beverly Hills. They were delish!
At the very end of the month, we went back up to Utah, once more, for my cousin Bradley's wedding. It was the first temple marriage I had ever been able to attend. So awesome! While there, we got to attend a session in the Manti Temple and got to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the Brigham City Temple.
August
Work started again in August, for which I am very grateful. I had the opportunity to start the year in a long-term sub position at one of my very favorite schools and actually got to team teach with one of my very favorite people! I taught 6th grade math and science at Almeria Middle School and LOVED it! Claudia Payne, who is absolutely wonderful, is a teacher for 6th grade language arts and social studies and we shared the same group of kiddos. It was great and I was sad to see it end at the end of the 6 weeks.
September
The month was mainly full of working (good thing!) and at the end of the month, my little brother married Tyisa McCook at the Redlands Temple on September 24th.
After the wedding, my sister and I went to San Diego and spent the night in the Westgate Hotel. She gets comped a certain amount of nights in the company hotels and she can bring a guest...in this case, me! It was amazingly fancy. Being used to Motel 6 and the like, I was especially awed by the place.
Here, I experienced my first room service, fancy bathrobe...just for my convenience, and my first (and probably only) time in such a fancy place.A few days later, I turned 26...
October
I got to hang out with my nephews alot, especially near the end of the month. I've been trying to do some new stuff with them, so I took them to the Mary Vagle Nature Center in Fontana, which is WAY cool! Then we made a cool chocolate chip cookie pizza which we frosted with orange frosting and then added candy to make a Jack 'O Lantern face on it. Then, we made home made root beer with dry ice! It was the first time I had ever tried it and it turned out delicious, thanks to my three adorable little assistants!
November
On November 3rd, David and Melissa had their 4th baby boy! He was a full 6 weeks early, but only had to spend 1 week in the NICU. What a miracle! He's such a strong little boy and he fits right in with his 3 big brothers!
Also, in November, Daniel announced that he and Tyisa would be adding one more kid (their first) to the mix in early August.
December
I was very fortunate to get a long-term position teaching Art at a high school in my district. That took me from the end of November to Christmas Break in mid-December. I really, really enjoyed it and am grateful for the opportunity I had to work with such a good group of kids!
Christmas Break came quickly and craziness ensued! The whole family was in town and it was awesome! As always, we're all insane, but I think that's what I love most about my family. We really are like a box of chocolates...never know what you're gonna get. : )
We got to:
see the Christmas lights at the Los Angeles Temple,
attend Baby Jonathan's blessing,
go to Sea World,
and to Universal Studios,
and, of course, just spend quality time together as a family. We played games, talked, laughed, caroled, and all of the other stuff we like to do when we get together.
As I look back at the year, I can easily say that it was, perhaps, the hardest year of my life so far. Lots of ups and downs, lots of challenges and triumphs, heartache and joy. Through it all, however, I can say, as I've said in years past, that my family is the reason that I've made it through. I cannot imagine my life without them, nor would I even like to try. I have been truly blessed.
