Holidays of 2019

I'm getting progressively more limited in time as it gets closer to my course starting. I need to brush up on my statistics and learn how to use SPSS (a statistical program) prior to the end of February. I'm also hoping to review my psychology terms and theory. It's actually been 8 years since I studied psychology! Luckily it's a topic I have stayed somewhat involved with. So I will likely be providing less detail in the blogs.

Because there were too many good photos to share... Christmas details are in this blog, and January is in a separate blog.

DECEMBER

We attended the annual Christmas Carnival in Griffin and Sakura had a blast and got to play with her friend Cristiano the whole time as well.

I donated blood for the first time in Australia. All went well and I was impressed they even had gluten free snacks available afterward.

We had a pool party after Sakuras swimming lesson and they had a petting zoo with piglets! She loved the animals, but also loved the blow up obstacle course with the slide at the end (see video).

I sewed new Christmas stockings so we had a complete set of three. I also got together with my ministering companion and we made cookies together for our sisters we visit. I also made muffins and muddy buddies and delivered them to my Sunday School class and neighbours. What is Christmas without lots of baking (GF/DF style by the way).

Sakura got to celebrate Cristiano's birthday by having fun at a pool party! This was the first time Matt got to see Sakura go down the water slides on her own - I'm just sad I never got a video.

Christmas

We had a pre-Christmas party with the Innis family. I was bummed my apple crisp didn't turn out right, but it was a fun day. 

Christmas Eve I made a honey glazed ham with potatoes and vegetables for dinner. Matt had to work late unfortunately, but I had a good night regardless and stayed up to watch Arthur Christmas.

Christmas morning we opened presents. Sakura got way too much stuff  - enough said. I got a Kitchenaid (with ice cream maker) thanks to an amazing Kogan sale, and Matt got a bidet (every man needs a proper throne hehe). Gifts are nice but maybe next year we will try to give more than get.

Bidets are AWESOME!

Later in the morning we had a big breakfast with the missionaries. I made a breakfast casserole and blueberry scones and we had lots of fruit! After they left we watched the Muppet Christmas Carol, too naps, and I made a pesto salad for our Christmas lunch/dinner with our friends the Arderns. It was a nice chill evening with plenty of food and some games. Sakura really enjoyed playing hide and seek as well as playing with Jackson's fishing game. We also played the new Disney Villains game.

The rest of the week was fun - I installed the bidet, Matt and I went and saw Star Wars, and lots of water play time.

New Years

Not much to report - we missed the fireworks, but stayed up late making homemade dairy free salted caramel ice cream and watching movies.

2019 Report

This year Matt and I have learned so much. We have learned how important it is to trust in the Lord and that all trials will be for our benefit. We both did extended water fasts and experienced the health benefits (it seriously wasn't near as hard as I thought it would be). I learned that we can find joy in the journey of life. We learned a lot about communication, having a growth mindset, and positive discipline. I have tried harder to learn about and practice mindfulness and grow stronger in mind and spirit. I've learned that I have a lot of room for growth and I'm grateful for friends and family that have accepted me with my flaws, but are not afraid to also help me know what I can do to improve.

2020 Goals

Matt and I hope to get a lot better at communicating as well as sticking to and setting up routines to help us reach our goals. We found a casual employee and are hoping that we can help the business grow so that Matt won't have to work 70 hours a week anymore. There are other options, but we feel we are on the path that will lead us to the greatest growth by Matt growing his business, and me going back to school. I imagine 2020 will be difficult, but I bet it will also be a very rewarding year. This year we have decided not to return to the US for any reason so we will be missing some weddings (sorry Lindsey, Laura, and perhaps one other?). We have offered people to come visit us instead of spending any money on us getting to the wedding - that way we can actually spend quality time with them. My schooling is taking up all of our extra funds so any travel will be done on the cheap - at least we have found a serious love of camping!

Oh and here are some cute Sakura moments...