Merry Christmas!

Hey Everyone! I am not very good at the whole "christmas cards, holiday letter, gift giving" thing, so I decided that the best thing for me to do is just do a post on my blog to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and let you know what's been going on with me!

2010 has been both, the worst AND best year of my life! The first half was full of lessons to be learned, heartache, and pain. Even though it was very hard, I wouldn't trade it for anything because I am a stronger, better person because of it and I wouldn't want those experiences or knowledge taken away from me. Through it all, I was prompted to start Cosmetology school which I absolutely LOVE, and I am so glad I listened. It helped get through and find something that I am good at and enjoy doing. I spent the summer going to school, working part time, trying to workout regularly, throwing my best friend her bridal shower, and then going to California for her wedding in Oakland. :) It was beautiful and I am so happy for my bestie Sarah. Cuyler is an amazing guy who treats her so well and makes her so happy! They are truly perfect together. I am so glad that I have them, as well as Bethany and Doug, as such great examples to me of happy marriages and what I am striving to have one day myself.

I met Chris at the beginning of the summer. We hit it off right from the start. We went out and then became good friends. I really enjoyed talking to him every time he would show up at my ward's activities and sacrament meetings. I could tell there was something special about this guy and I wanted to get to know him better. Things started happening, he took me out for my birthday, and have been together ever since. He makes me so happy and makes me feel so special. I will be spending Christmas Eve as well as Christmas day with him and his family, who have also been so good to me and has taken me in like one of their daughters.

School is going well. By the end of the year I will have 1200 hours done, which means I only have 800 to go! It has flown by and makes me a little nervous to think about how NOT ready I am going to feel when I finish my hours in May. But I know that everything will work out how it's supposed to and I will find a place that I love. Chris and I are planning a trip to Vegas next month to visit Beth and Doug and see their baby boy they will be having at the beginning of the month. I am so excited! I haven't seen them since July and that is TOO LONG!

It's hard to be away from family, but I am truly loving it here in Idaho. Its a great place to live and I have awesome friends here. One of my goals this year was to lose 30 pounds, and so far I have lost 22 pounds! I don't think I will be able to lose 8 pounds in a week, but will try to lose it early on in the next year. Well, I wish I had a bunch of pictures to show you, but I promise to take some during christmas and put them up for you all to see. Hope your holidays are great! I miss you and love you all!