Good Things to Come

January 1, 2014:

This morning I woke up to face my beautiful, sleeping wife. I gently touched her shoulder, and pondered the last 38 hours leading up to the new year. 

2013 was eventful. We chased dreams and in doing so felt elation, anticipation, disappointment, and anxiety. We have worked hard and made sacrifices, having faith that things will work out as they should.

And they have. But this does not make things easy.

At 12 weeks, Kenz miscarried the baby which has been a difficult experience. We just announced over the holidays to the family and extended families that we were expecting, even sending out the announcement in our Christmas cards. We thought we were in the safe zone to announce.

Leonel, our car of many years, a car that has journeyed across the country a couple of times and gotten us around town began to have problems, died on the freeway. One light came on, then all the lights came on, then we just coasted. And luckily we coasted right off the off ramp and there was a place to turn off of the main road to a side road immediately so we did not lose much momentum. Then a kind passerby gave us a jump and we made it back to my parents' house.

We made some repairs, but when we estimated costs going forward we knew it was time to say goodbye. Luckily, Kenz's parents have a truck they have generously offered us to use until we know where life will take us in the next few months.

What a trying few days we had. Uncertainty is part of life, yet we still make plans and move forward. 

There are good things yet to come. 

Oh dear, another year!

At the end of each year, I look back at what Ryan and I have done and accomplished and am quite often overwhelmed. And while this year had it's joys and struggles, it has definitely been the best. year. yet.

Here's a recap of the year with some fun stats at the end!

In January, Adrielle started mommy and me swimming lessons for the first time. I know Adi loved it, but I'm pretty sure that I liked it even more than she did. Ryan continued classes at the University of Utah and started volunteering for the American Red Cross.

In February, we celebrated Adi's 1st birthday with friends and family. It was exciting, fun, and memorable, we can't believe she's almost two! Also, in February, Erin came to visit!

In March, Ryan and I made the decision to honor friends and family with cancer and ran the Rex Lee Run for Cancer Research. I also had the opportunity to travel to Arizona on business.

In April, Ryan finished his "spring semester" finals at the University of Utah while simultaneously starting "spring term" at BYU. That was a busy two weeks. In addition, I happened to travel to DC during that finals experience.

In May, Ryan and I celebrated three years of marriage! We also locked ourselves out for the first and had a spontaneous dance party. Ryan also continued with Red Cross stuff and started interpreting at the hospital.

In June, Ryan and I blogged 48 times! That's almost as many times as we blogged during the entire year of 2008. It was a pretty eventful month. Ryan and I spent time at the cabin with friends, and Ryan's volunteerism at the Red Cross was awarded. I attempted a photography challenge, and took a BYU Photography class. I also traveled to Las Vegas with colleagues.

In July, we lost our good friend and classmate, Wes Truman. We had the opportunity to attend his funeral and learn even more from his example. Adi had a fun month; she visited Sundance for the first time, developed an obsession with Grandpa's Jeep, and snuck into Nursery for the first time. We also ran in the Farmington Festival Days 10k and Half Marathon.

In August, we were busy, but highlights included a trip to the Zoo and a Kaplan scholarship.

In September, Ryan started Fall semester and I had a big month. I visited Washington for the first time, ran the 2011 Red Rock Relay, and became a published author!

In October, we had fun trick-or-treating and celebrating the big 2-5! I also changed my hair!

In November, we celebrated weddings! First was Austin and Bri's happy day: 11.11.11. (: Then it was Erin and Mark's happy day: 11:13:11. (: Such a fun-filled, happy, mushy, lovely weekend.

The cutest picture ever. Ever.

In December... I, Ryan, was assigned to finish this post since it was started a week or two ago and I guess with December Kenz lost motivation. Or she figured it's my month anyway since I get extra spoiled considering my birthday is in December.

Yes, I did just post a picture of a random, albeit happy, old guy to reflect my aging self.

So here it goes: I finally finished OChem, faced a childhood fear, hit the big 30 in all its glory and misery (aches and pain with the realization that I have vivid memories of 25 years ago?!?), Binx's Christmas was so much more fun than last year, and we discovered the snuggy texts. Speaking of the snuggy texts, the second conversation he messed up hard core by trying too hard to be funny. The conversation ended up being obnoxious and plain rude. I can't believe the girl put up with it.

Year Fun Stats:

1. This was the first year we did not move more than twice. In fact, we didn't move at all. I guess it's about time to find some greener pastures... med school anyone?
2. Kenz held one job, and an awesome one at that. She also happens to be awesome at her job.
3. Ryan almost took the MCAT once on a whim, but then decided against it and has not regretted that decision at all. Preparation is confidence, friends.
4. Adi learned her ABC's, how to count to 10, and a million different songs and several books we frequently read to her.
5. Ryan interpreted at UVRMC and completed certification, then moved on to Radiology, and will now be in Pediatrics this next semester. He also developed an Hispanic community outreach program for the local American Red Cross chapter and interpreted at a free care clinic.
   
6. Kenz traveled to Tucson, Phoenix, Seattle, DC, Maryland, and Las Vegas for work. Her trip to Seattle marked her first trip ever to Washington. One more state checked off the list!
7. Ryan cut his own hair with scissors. This is more exciting than one might think.
8. And, no speeding tickets this year! (See 2009 and 2010. In 2008 there was also a speeding ticket. Prior to that, neither of us had ever received a ticket...)

In 2012 we hope to achieve some major goals and look forward to what surprises life has in store for us all! Hopefully there are some really good ones!

Dave Barry's 2010 in Review

I read Dave Barry a lot when I was younger. In fact, I preferred reading his column to the comics and that says a lot. Since that time, I have lost touch with good old Dave and have spent my time catching up on current events, or reading for classes. Today a friend reminded me why I love Dave Barry by sharing this:

Dave Barry's 2010 Year in Review

Thank you. What more can I say? (click on the subtitle to go to the column in the Miami Herald)

2010 in Review

Wow. Another year has flown by... 2010 has definitely been challenging, exciting, and a year full of blessings. Here is yet another year-in-review list for our 2010 adventures!

January: Andrew and Hannah got married in Bountiful, Utah. Kenz and I began our last semester of grad school.

February: We welcomed Adrielle to our family! Other than that, due to sleep deprivation and trying to stay on top of school, we don't remember anything else.


March: Kenz received a job offer from the Partnership for Public Service and we had the go-ahead to move on with our plans to move back to Washington! We spent the rest of the month busy with school, finding a place to live in Alexandria, VA, and dreaming about what our life would hold on the East Coast.

We also blessed this little cutie!

April: A whirlwind of final papers, projects, presentations, and moving. Kenz started her job before graduation (leaving Ryan a single parent for a few days) and then flew back to pick up the baby and fly back to our new home in VA. Ryan and Adam drove the truck cross-country (a very long 3 days in a moving truck).

Missing her Mama.

Finally in DC!

May: Somewhat settled down in our new life in the D.C. metro area with our photo in the Ward Directory and everything! Celebrated our second year anniversary. We unexpectedly lost Grandpa Clark, and flew back to Utah for his funeral. We still miss him dearly, and think of him often.

Kenz's first Mother's Day!

June: Went to support Kenz's cousins in the Susan G. Koman race for the cure on the National Mall. (Ryan felt that he should pursue medical school and we started to consider different options and how to make it work in VA.)



We spent some time swinging, running, and going to Eastern Market for breakfast.

Adi's first trip to Eastern Market.

July: Fireworks on the helipad of the Pentagon. There's nothing like the 4th of July in Washington! Kenz applied for one job at BYU, and they flew her out for an interview. Luckily, our nephew was born that same weekend so we could meet him!

First Fourth!

Plenty of swimming for this little girl.

Another cross-country flight for this little girl.

Little Jacob! (And who looks that amazing after giving birth!?!)

FDR Memorial

Enjoying the monuments.


And who could forget this storm that ripped apart the trees in our neighborhood? (Although this may have happened in early August -- see what I'm saying about sleep deprivation?)

August: Picnics, and waiting on BYU for a job offer that would determine whether or not we stayed in VA or pursued med school via moving back to Utah. Then, another whirlwind move back to Utah just in time for school to start the Monday after we arrived. Exhausted yet? We are still trying to recover.

We love the National Mall.

Yes, there was some time for an outing or two to the park.

Partnership for Public Service Picnic.

September: Ryan started classes at the University of Utah, Kenz started her job at BYU. Life just doesn't seem to settle down at all, does it?

Adi's first boat ride.

Enjoying some down time at the park after Ryan's first trig test.

More park time on a Sunday afternoon.

Extended family pictures.

And last, but not least, Ryan discovers the joys of public transportation.

October: Pumpkin patches, cougars, Halloween parties in which the little one was a lamb and an improvised vampire.

Oh, and fuzzy bunny boots. (Thanks, Amy!)

November: We left the little girl for the first time and I met Kenz in Washington for the weekend.

We love this city!

December: Lights at Temple Square, Christmas Devotional, Adi met Santa, family pictures, and Adi's first Christmas!





To sum it all up: it has been an adventure! It has been a year of firsts, we have been stressed and excited out of our minds, tired, rejuvenated, had gains and experienced losses. The Lord has continually blessed us and manifested His almighty hand in our life, and we are very grateful. Here's to what 2011 will bring!