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I am much to scared to attempt changing my template on my blog because I don't know what will happen. I have already abandoned the music because I can't sign back into my music site thing and I can't remember how I put it on my blog to begin with. So just hum your favorite tune when you get to my blog and then you will have music playing while you browse my site!

Anyway, I just checked out the blog of a new friend and loved her idea of a best and worst list of 2008. Mostly because all I can think of lately are the worst things about last year and I need to focus on more positive things. So, I am poaching her idea.
Best of 2008 in no particular order

1. I have a bigger house and all of our stuff fits in it without having to manuever around things anymore. I also don't have bruises on my hips and upper thighs from constantly bumping into stuff. Although, those of you that know me well know that I have other injuries elsewhere on my body because I am not terribly graceful.
2. I got to see my kids excitemet the first time it snowed and they got to go outside and play in it. It makes being a mom worthwhile to see the people you love the most in the world have that much happiness over the weather. And bonus, snow is free entertainment.

3. I got to attend the Women's General Broadcast this year in the Conference Center. It was amazing to be there with the Prophet and all of those women. I got all pumped up about being a woman. I also have developed a deeper appreciaion and testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. The church does so much good the world over and it is inspiring to live so close to the inner workings of the church. What a wonderful thing to be apart of.

4. I got a new van for Christmas! Our other van was getting worn out so I traded it in and got a new one. It is so great except I can't drive it in the snow because we don't have snow tires on it yet. But every time the snow melts on the street, I drive it.

5. I have mastered the art of baking whole wheat bread and my family likes it. Practice makes perfect. I love not having to buy it at the store all the time.

6. I got to see my Grandma Ada for her 91st birthday and spent a week in Cedar City with her. She is an amazing woman. I hope I can live a life as full and loving as she has. She embodies the pure love of Christ and I love her.

7. I have 2 apple trees and a plum tree in my yard. Food in my yard! How cool is that?

8. I get to hang out with my cousins on a pretty regular basis. It is so much fun and our kids are having a grand time getting to know one another. I can't wait for the next get together.

9. We have the best and most amazing friends ever. Moving has made me appreciate and love them even more than I did before. Thanks for being there!

10. The D.I. here is like a shopping mall here and I have scored big since living here. The best deal of the year was definitely my Health Rider (to be discussed in another post). I got it for $10 and it is awesome! I use it too which makes it even better.

As for the worst of 2008, I can't really put together a worst list without the caviat that the worst things that happened ended up being the biggest blessing of all for the year. So let me change the title to the Most Stressful things of 2008:

1. The smoke damage to our house. Which led to living in a hotel for a month while our house was being renovated. Which led to the house looking really good when Alan got his transfer notice a week before we were supposed to move back into our shiny new house. Which helped us sell the house quickly so the kids and I didn't have to live without Alan for longer than the two months we did.

2. Not being able to buy a house immediately led us on a wild goose chase of home selections that fell through until we found lucky number 7 and were able to purchase it and move in. We love our neighbors, our ward, the kids' school, the close proximatey of a Walmart, the trees in our yard, the view of the mountains and the lake, etc....

3. We moved. We wanted to move, it was the right thing to do. But, we moved. I don't want to do it again.........ever.

4. The kids and I, mostly me, learned that we are not very good at climbing stairs quickly. It really hurts your toes to just clip the stair and it makes you fall right on the sweet spot on your shin bone. So, we have learned to really pick up our feet and slow down.

5. Shoveling snow is no fun no matter how you try to work it. And you have to do it which in turn makes you better about not procrastinating.

6. As romantic as the snow looks in those chic movies with the log cabins, it is really just cold and wet. I can't wait for it to melt so I can see the grass again. Watching it snow is really peaceful though. But then I remember it must be shoveled. Yea for the boys! They don't mind it so much.

7. We had to get rid of our dog Shadow. I hope he is happy where ever he is. We love him very much and it has been hard to get past his absence. It has amazed me how much you can love a pet.

That is all I've got. All in all, being happy comes from within and from knowing you are loved. Here's to a peaceful 2009 with new discoveries about myself and less debt hanging over my head!