A Single Girl's Christmas Letter

So, it's Christmas time which means only one thing...that's right, getting random cards from friends and family members you hardly speak to, with pictures and a 3 page front and back letter detailing every minute aspect of their lives. You never get them from us single people because lets be honest 1) single people aren't real people (that's why I go to church at 1pm!) 2) We have neither children or spouses to brag about, and bragging about yourself is not really socially acceptable. So here's my Christmas Blog letter. If you don't care about the details of my seemingly (to some) boring single life, you are free to leave. (And yes, that's my Christmas card picture!) 

January: 

-This was the start to the new year and I couldn't have been more excited! I was ready to set some new goals. I read Alma 29 and really pondered on being content with the things that are given to me. 

-This month was also the sad/happy passing of President Gordon B. Hinckley. As most would agree, he was the prophet of my generation, and I loved and admired this man more than words could express. He led and loved with every fiber of his being. He emulated Christ like love and was truly a giant among men. He will be loved and missed, but his lessons and legacy will live on.

February: 

-This is the month that my clumsiness finally caught up to me. For a funny story go here: KLUTZ. As a result, I had to wear a walking boot for like 4 weeks. Ok, it was supposed to be like 4 weeks, but I being impatient only wore it for about 3. You try hobbling after 2nd graders in that thing! 

-It was freezing cold in Utah, and my roommate Shannon and I decided to move to Arizona. I started planning, looking into getting my certification in AZ, and planning a trip down there. 

March: 

-I needed a little culture in my life so my roomates Brooke and Shannon and I headed down to the Hare Krishna Festival of Colors in Spanish Fork. I'm still not very cultured, because I still don't know why they celebrate this, but the jist of it is that you throw colored chalk at each other. Random. Let's just say I about choked to death, and realized that truly must be the most horrible way to die. I had chalk EVERYWHERE! Pretty sure I was sneezing chalk for about a week after that! 

April: 

-I went to Arizona for some much needed R&R and some job interviews. I stayed at a nice golf resort all by myself, went shopping and laid by the pool.  It was 80 degrees at 8am, and I was in heaven! I got offered three jobs, and had a week to decide. I came home and realized for some reason, the move just didn't feel right.  I had to call them back and decline the job offer. When I told my principal here that I was staying, he was just a little excited. :) And to tell you the truth, it just felt right. 

May: 

-I survived another school year. Actually this group of kids were some of my favorites. I loved having a little boy with down syndrome in my class and enjoyed watching the students interact with him. I bawled like a baby the last day of school, as did some of my kids. When Seth came up and gave me a big hug and said "I love you Peterson", I just couldn't hold back the tears any longer. It was hard to say goodbye to them, but I promised them we could have a reunion lunch! 

-I played on a ward intramural softball team and somehow I was the pitcher. I did alright, and we made it pretty far in the tournament. I got beaned in the calf one game by a line drive, and I couldn't walk for like 2 days. My calf was rock hard immediately after I got hit. I guess it was in shock.  It was the prettiest bruise I have ever had. I also played on an intramural kickball team... which was fun until the boys got WAY too intense about it. (Seriously? Practice kickball at 9am on a Saturday?)

June:

-I taught Summer School with my good friend Leslee. It made it bearable to be there with a friend. I vowed that it would be my last year teaching Summer School. We will see. The pay doesn't get much better for only working 3 hours a day! I also had to move classrooms, which I tried to complete before going home for my sister's wedding. I had to move to a smaller classroom, which made fitting all my stuff very interesting!  

-I presented at our district's Literacy Conference. I taught a 3 hour class to teachers that were very much my senior. I have never felt so inadequate in all my life. I have also never prayed harder than the night before. It went well, they asked me to do it again next year (which I took as a good sign), and realized that it wasn't as scary as I had anticipated. I kinda enjoyed it. 

July:

-My childhood best friend got married to another childhood best friend. It was a beautiful wedding and I was so lucky to be a part of it. Heath and I have shared some great times over the years (Joshy too!) and so it was fun to join in on their special day.  

-My birthday!!! I turned 23 this year, and somedays I feel like I'm 19 and others I feel like I'm 30. Can't I just feel my age? 

-My roomates (yes I had 8 roommates over the summer!) and I discovered the Snackster, and proceeded to make 80% of our meals in this little culinary wonder. Then one day it exploded. Literally. We got a new one, but it wasn't the same as the old one that we never cleaned...it was a rule. 

August: 

-Kels and Grant got married. I put my new IMOVIE skills to use and made their wedding video. Nothing professional, but it got the job done! 

-Moved into my new place in Lehi and fell absolutely in love with it. Most people thought I would hate living here, but I have loved it. Cows in the backyard, trains at 5:30am waking me up (right on schedule), and two great roommates. What could be better? 

September: 

-I got selected as an Alpine School District Associate. Pretty much we go every other month to the Canyons Resort in Park City for two days of meetings. I stay in $1,000 a night room all by myself. We get all meals for free, and I get to watch The Office and Grey's Anatomy from the comfort of my in room hot-tub. It's pretty much the best thing ever! 

-I got to go to St. George with some girlfriends. We went hiking and shopping, and I got to hang out with Nana and Papa for a while. They took me to a movie, out to eat and to Golden Spoon. It was such a fun weekend! 

October: 

-Kels, Grant, some friends, and I went to Snowbird for Conference weekend. We stayed at my Grandparents condo. When we woke up Sunday morning it was SNOWING! 

-Kacey and Brandon got married and I got to enjoy their special day. Jenna and Swavy Pants got married too! Congrats to both! 

-High School Musical III premiered and I went to the midnight showing with K and G and some of their friends. It was a rough day at work the next day, but it was fun to see my sister on the big screen! 

November: 

-I had a cyst drained on my toe, only to have it come back the next day! I also had a cortizone shot in my big toe, only to have it wear off a few days later. Not fun! 

-I went home for Thanksgiving and had a glorious time hanging out with family. Kels and Grant and I drove home together, and we had some good chats and some good laughs. 

December: 

-I am trying to survive the last few days of school before I get to GO HOME AGAIN!

This has been a wonderful year. I hope I didn't loose you somewhere along this disaster of a "Christmas letter". May we all have a wonderful holiday. I am so thankful for this season, and my elder brother Jesus Christ and his redeeming presence in my life. May we constantly remember his birth, life, and sacrifice in our behalf. Merry Christmas!