Life Update (January 2018)

We didn't send out a Christmas or New Year's Card this year (okay, well, we haven't sent out a card since our first year being married..that will happen when we have children. Maybe), so I wanted to give you an update of what's happening in our lives.

School: 

Tanner: is still working on his marketing degree and going to school part time this semester. He hates school (ha) and trying to plow through. I keep telling him he shouldn't have married a teacher because I value education far too much :). He is working hard and doing what we can to get that degree! 

Sierra: I, on the other hand, love school. I just started my master's degree in educational leadership part time. I am going to school to become a vice principal, principal, teach teachers' at a college level, or to become a TSA (teacher leader for new teachers). I have not decided what exactly I want to do with this degree, but I felt it was time to progress in my career and to open other doors. I'm not sure if I will be able to leave the classroom though! If that's the case, I will just get paid more (because, you know, teachers get such a large salary). 

Work

Tanner: is working at a digital marketing agency full time. Unlike school, he absolutely loves it. I have never seen someone get so many promotions in a year so quickly. I am proud of his hard work in his career. 

Sierra: I still love teaching Sixth Grade (I know, what's wrong with me?!). This year has been such a breath of fresh air! Even though it's been an adjustment and there has been a learning curve because I started the English side of the Chinese Immersion, I love both of my classes. Going to school and working definitely causes a little bit of stress, but I am managing my best to stay organized (which I actually love to do...Ha!).

Church
We finally graduated from primary! Haha. 

Tanner: Called to the Young Men's (the youth/boys). It's a good thing he's so "cool" ;) 

Sierra: I am the Cub Scout Committee Chair. Yikes. I basically have to help plan pack meeting and organization of paperwork for leaders and the boys. Fun...


Other
Tanner: Playing in a soccer league. He loves to run and play soccer for cardio! It's fun to see him learn a new sport!
I don't think I've seen someone as into sports as he is. Well, okay, maybe my dad.
Hunting and fishing, as usual, are included in his life. I'll take fishing, but I haven't been able to catch the hunting bug yet. Ha!

Sierra: I opened an Etsy shop of my nature photography cards! I don't know how much longer I'll keep it open, but it was fun to have people be able to see all of my photos and message me if they are interested. I am working out and continuously working on my stupid PCOS. Health issues are honestly so exhausting.  I am still hiking with Saylor a ton! I joined a choir called Utah Millenial Choir. It is so awesome (and so time consuming!). It is so awesome to be a part of something so musically powerful again! And, of course, it feels so good to sing again!

Both: We both have so much family here in Utah, (most of my siblings moved here!!) so we are spending so much time with both of families. It is fun, but definitely an adjustment for us! We have, this past year, become huge game people. We love strategic, funny board, card, and other games. We both still love to travel and have some fun adventures planned for the year. We both love to be outside enjoying nature with our Saylor doggy and watching some good quality movies at the theatre. We are trying to be patient for the next step of our lives to happen (cough, baby cough), but it just isn't going as I had planned (Stupid PCOS), which, if you know me, I do NOT like. I think I need to learn something. Alas, we have so much to be grateful for!

As always, follow Instagram for more updates!! 

"Best Of" 2017 & 2018 Word/Goals!

Best Nine on Instagram 

Happy New Year!
Does anyone else hate New Year's Eve as much as I do?  staying up late is not one of my favorite things. I'm old now. It's fine.

Obviously, writing on this blog was not a priority to me in 2017. I felt guilty about that, but, honestly, because my word for 2017 was patience, I decided to be patient with myself and let the blog go. And that's okay. I tried to document the best moments of the year, which, ultimately, is all you guys care about, right?

2017 was an interesting year. It definitely had some incredibly positive moments, but, also, it was a difficult one for me in many facets of my life. I am looking forward to starting a new year and having 2018 be even better!

Before I tell you my word for 2018 and some of my goals, I wanted to review the "Best Of" from 2017.


Best Overall Moments of 2017: 

Hikes!!!! (This one is Cecret Lake). (Every Month!) 

4th Anniversary Interview with T Money (July) 

Flying in Grandpa's Plane on the 4th of July 

Strawberry Days Rodeo (June) 

Started my New photography etsy shop!!!!!! (November)



Auditioning, making singing, and performing with Utah Millenial Choir!

Best Travel Experience of 2017: 

Florence & Cinque Terre, Italy (January

St. George/ Palm Springs, California (Spring Break) (April)

Joshua Tree National Park (May) 

Capitol Reef National Park (June) 

Glacier National Park (July)

Waterton National Park (Canada) (July)

Charlesworth Reunion-Flaming Gorge, Utah (July)

Crescent Lake, Oregon--Cabin w/ Ainge Family Reunion (August) 

Best Books Read in 2017: 

BOOK REVIEWS HERE 
(and on goodreads) 

And now...my word for 2018 is: 





I am doing a lot of things in 2018 that I am excited, nervous and a little stressed about. I am starting my master's degree in educational leadership while teaching full time. I will be teaching teachers about the new science core and helping write the new core for the state of Utah. I am going to continue to deal with my PCOS and work on being healthy. We are working on starting a family (which is a battle with PCOS...and no, I don't want to go into it). I am singing in MCO Choir, continuing my Etsy shop of photography, and working on my church calling. I will be busy, but a lot of doing those things requires stepping outside of my comfort zone. I am working on using that courage to be more self-confident in my spiritual life, physical life, emotional life, my relationships, and my career. I am planning on traveling alone this summer and doing things to better myself, which, ultimately takes courage. I have some goals for 2018, but there are personal so I don't feel comfortable sharing them. But all of the goals surround my word: courage. I want to progress and grow this year!

Here's to 2018!!