Top 10 memories of 2008

2008 was a good year--not unlike every year before that. I live a good life and have very little to complain about. However, as I look back at the past year and think about the progress I am slowly making in my life, it's exciting to recognize a few monumental milestones. I will try to document them in the Top 10 Memories of 2008 Countdown:

1) Paying off my car.
This may seem trivial, but for me, it was a welcome accomplishment. It feels good to actually own something so substantial. And though I realize this may last only a short time, I am happy to be car-payment free!
2) Getting a 2:03.00 in a half marathon.
I have been running for a couple of years now, but it hasn't come easily or quickly for that matter. But after a few sad attempts are completing a half marathon, I finally did rather well during my race in April. It was an exhilarating feeling to accomplish this distance in a decent time (for me). My next goal is to break 2 hours, we'll see how that goes in 2009.

3) Being called to teach the Sunbeams in our new ward.
This is uplifting, spiritual, hilarious, and fun. I especially like teaching with Stu, he really is so good with the little kids and each Sunday, we leave with a new funny experience or saying from one of our kids that keeps us going all week. It has been a big boost for us spiritually to move to a ward where we feel so welcome and to have callings that we can really lose ourselves in.

4) McLaws siblings living together in Provo.
I have really enjoyed being able to spend time with both Camille and Jace this past couple of months. I love being able to count them as some of by best friends and to watch them both grow in their various ventures. They are great people and I feel lucky to be able to spend this precious time with them.


5) Mega awesome family trips.
We were fortunate to be invited on two great family vacations with two of the best families in the world. We enjoyed cruising through Alaska with the McLaws clan and lounging on the beach in Southern California with the Maxfields. We made some cherished memories and realize we are so lucky to be able to be treated to such wonderful vacations.

6) Fictionist.
This year Stuart's band grew up. They changed their name from Good Morning Maxfield to Fictionist and it's a whole new ball game. The band has gelled, becoming increasingly tight and polished and now play with a newfound maturity. They were good before, but now...they're amazing. I can't wait to see what the future holds for these guys.

7) Finishing a new album.
Along those lines, the band finished recording a stellar album.The album, "Invisible Hand," will be released on January 9th 2009 in Provo and is a CD everyone should add to their rock and roll library. So many long hours and sleepless nights went into this album and the work and effort really shows. This music will blow your mind.

8) Getting a promotion at work.
At the beginning ot 2008, I got promoted to manage the Public Relations at VitalSmarts. This was a role I was happy to take on, but with it came a lot of challenges and our PR results really struggled for the first half of 2008. I felt the added responsibility for turning this around and through some trial and error, and a lot of hard work, I had some great success. Some results I'm really proud of include a TV interview on ABC News, a nearly-feature article in USA Today, two graphs on the front page of USA Today, articles in the Washington Post, US News and World Report, Chicago Tribune, MSN.com, and several local TV appearances.

9) Buying a new house.
Perhaps the crowning achievement of 2008 was purchasing our duplex. We officially signed our lives away to home ownership on May 14th. It was a big step and after signing the contract I had an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach that hasn't completely gone away. However, since that time, Stuart and I remodeled the basement apartment by ourselves (with help from our family members). This was a monumental task which included sleeping in Stuart's band bus, showering at the gym, living in sheetrock dust for weeks and weeks, spending every waking moment (and some moments where we should have been sleeping) working on the house. It was intense, hard, trying, and rewarding all at the same time. And now, we have a duplex to show for it that is turning our to be our home. I am so happy to have taken this step in our lives and believe it will pay off in the long run. I'm especially greatful to parents and family who helped to make all of this possible!

10) Learning life doesn't always work out as planned.
I remember awhile ago I said to Stuart, "I need to learn more patience in my life." He turned to me and said, "That is something you should never hope for." I think in hindsight, he was probably right because this year I have found myself having to succomb to this lesson many many times. I am the type of person who likes to be in control of myself and my life and I have learned this year that I cannot always be the one in control. We often have to surrender ourselves to a greater plan--one that we may not have anticipated. This has happened to me this year and it has been trying. However, I know that my life is in the control of my Father in Heaven and things will work out. I am learning patience, and I guess, I'm glad.

This has been a great year and part of me is sad to see it go. However, 2009 will hold great things for me and Stu. I look forward to those experiences.