Oh how much you learn in a year.....

So my sister Jenna has inspired me to start writing on here again. I signed on and realized the last time I posted was OVER A YEAR AGO.

As I read the post I realized how much I have learned and grown in the last year and a half. I've had some of MY biggest life defining moments during that time.

I joked with some friends last night that I should write a book. I feel so inspired lately. I haven't seen them in several months and I began to tell them how I wasn't the same person. I have learned SOOO much (I realize I keep repeating that). I absolutely hurt going through some of the things I did but I cannot say definitively enough that I am so very grateful for everything I went through. I am not the same person. I am so much better for the things I have learned. And I've never been so happy.

Here are a few of the thing I have learned:

1. I REALLY like me. I know that sounds weird and/or conceited. But I had lost sight of who I was over the last few years. I am really an amazing person. I'm comfortable in my own skin and I've had so many comments from people who have known me over the years that they've noticed my glow is back. I LOVE that. I am social. I am involved. I am friendly. I am confident. I am goofy and funny and pretty dang hysterical. And just pretty :)

2. I can do hard things. I mean this with trials but I also mean this with my running. I have run two half marathons since I last wrote. My dad challenged me to run one and I worked my butt off and ran my first half last June. It was one of the most spiritual experiences I have ever had. I cried at the finish line seeing the people who loved me cheering me on. I ran my second one with my sister Rachel in DC in March. It was a great sister moment for us.

3. Life is hard! We all go through things. But guess what...if you're going through something hard you have two choices: have a negative attitude (which just adds to the crappy situation) or be happy and positive and make the situation at least a little better! I have been amazed at the power of good thoughts. Now...I am about as real as it gets. I am NOT suggesting that you don't have days when you just think "I CANNOT do this anymore" but give yourself some time and then get up and move on.

4. We are given trials and experiences to help those around us. We can take two things with us when we leave this life and one of them are our relationships. We should constantly be looking out and lifting those around us. I have been amazed at how many people I have helped by sharing lessons that I've learned in the last year. I'm not saying you share all the personal details. But listen to the spirit and ask the right questions and share the right amount and you're bringing hope to others.

5. Find time to do stuff for YOU. Maybe this doesn't apply to everyone. But I have found that I am happier as I pursue worthwhile things that interest me. I think forgetting this resulted in me losing sight of who I was for so long. I love my running. I love reading. I love cooking. I love gardening. I love trying new things and have done a LOT of that recently.

At the end of this past year and a half...I look back at March 2012 Carly and I think...wow girl. You are gonna cry harder than you knew possible. You're going to be uncomfortable. You're going to pray like crazy to get through certain situations or days. But man...given the right attitude you are going to rock it. And you are gonna LOVE who you are on August 26, 2013.

Here's to more of those uncomfortable defining moments. I hope I have many more to come :)

Update #1-Disneyland

I realize I haven't written yet this year. Which is crazy cause I have had so much happen. So I am going to write several posts in the next few days with some highlights.

January- took a trip with Laura, Becca and Paul to Disneyland. We left work early on a Friday, drove and stayed with Paul's aunt on Friday night. Woke up and were some of the first in line to get into the park. It was perfect because it was raining that morning so most people didn't come that day and so the lines were short and spirits were high! We decided our theme for the trip was "Dreams realized. It all started with a football game. With Techron." We had lots of "moments" that were documented. But I'll stick to the highlights and personal awards.

Best food moment - Cookies and milk at Paul's aunt's house
Best observation - some little girls dancing at Electronica
Best face - Paul in the Peter Pan line - "ladies...you can touch me whenever you want......"
Best music moment - not listening to music for the first three hours of our trip because we were talking

Personal Awards
Paul- keystone award (knew all the secrets of the park and we wouldn't have made the trip without him)
Becca- most in tune (knew ALL the songs played in the park)
Laura - most brave (overcame her fear and rode California Screamin)
Carly - most touched (definitely got teary during World of Color)

You Choose

The Velveteen Rabbit

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

It All Works Out

“It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It all works out in the end. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers.”

-Gordon B. Hinckley

Thanksgiving Change of Plans

So for Thanksgiving this year I was going to go to Hawaii with Laura and Becca. We all bought our tickets and we were ready to go. But after much discussion and prayers and such....we changed our plans. And everyone went home.

My trip home was wonderful. I have a wonderful boss who let me take off a whole week to be there. There were so many happy things while I was there but I'll just give a few highlights.

1-Mario Kart wars. Cassie and I did the battles which resulted in me doing so much screaming that I got a headache. Shane getting last place five times in a row :) Mom TRYING her best to play and falling off all the bridges. And Dad standing by and laughing.
2-I was in the shower one morning when all of a sudden Sesame Street music starts blasting outside the bathroom door. Cassie had turned it on for my enjoyment in the shower.
3-Thanksgiving dinner at the G-Rents. Pompa telling his usual jokes and his smoked turkey. Going around the table and saying what we're thankful for. Grandma playing the piano and all of us singing. Football and nap times after.
4-My bestest friend Karrie and Austin calling me and catching up after not talking in a LONG time and making plans for me to be out there when my little niece is born!!
5-One night just going out with the parentals and walking around the mall together and then testing out all the couches in Macy's.
6-Going to my mom's school and meeting her friends and professor and seeing her work up on the wall.
7-Late night talks with Shane and sleeping in the same room as Cassie.
8-Menah eating half the bag of Hershey's kisses.
9-Watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas and making gingerbread houses.

I'm so glad I went home!

Uncharted

When my mom was here she showed me the song "Uncharted" by Sara Bareillas. I'd never heard it before and its become a favorite. But I've had a line from it on my mind all week.

"Compare where you are and where you want to be and you'll get nowhere."

Its given me a lot to think about. Love it.