Today is my Birthday

I had intended to wait until March to update this (nothing like going a full year without updating the ol' blog). But, to honor the day of my birth, I will regale you with tales of our life..... Lucky you. You might want to get comfortable, a lot happens in 10 months.
I can't think of a word to sum up the last year so, I'll just tell you about it and maybe you can help me with an appropriate adjective.
About a year ago I chose to try a gluten free diet in an attempt to alleviate my horrid stomach problems. It was a huge adjustment, but I love to cook, and I really enjoyed working through new and old recipes finding what worked and tasted best. I am super happy to tell you that making that change has literally changed my life. I feel SO much better now. I know my health has improved and I eat much healthier now. One side effect that I didn't anticipate was the terrible nightmares that accompany such a huge life change. I have dreams where I've eaten a cracker, or piece of bread and wake up terrified. It keeps me motivated to be sure.
I had my tonsils taken out in April. A few years ago, I got the worst strep infection and since then, my throat has never been the same. It seemed like I constantly had a sore throat and I could have an active strep infection without even knowing it- the only way I would know that I had another infection was if the kids tested positive. So, major surgery and major pain later, my throat is better. Fantastic side effect for that was losing 15 pounds, and I've managed to keep 10 of those from coming back- yay me!
We traveled to Alaska this Summer on a cruise. It was one of the best vacations of my life. I absolutely love Alaska. I am still in awe at the beauty. I would give anything to go back (for a visit, couldn't live there). The cruise was great, we went with another couple from Cedar City. I think having our friends there with us made it about a billion times more fun.
This Summer, we also spent a week in Northern Cali with my family. Two of my brothers live there so the family that is still here in Utah boogied on up to play with them. My youngest brother has a pool in his backyard with a diving board. We had two or three awesome pool days. He also has a boat, so we got to play on the wakeboard and tube. I'm proud to report my first attempt at wakeboarding was a HUGE success, the second attempt- not so much (OUCH). We spent a day in Santa Cruz at the boardwalk amusement park. It was one of the best family vacations I can remember.
The kids both played soccer this Fall. I coached Jade's team. Both kids finished the season undefeated. It was a lot of fun. Soccer in Cedar City is always interesting. Fall and Spring seasons bring both freezing and sweltering weather. We freeze, sunburn, and have a blast!
I had a job (HAD being the operative word). I am now happily unemployed- again. I was the outreach worker for Iron County Council on Aging. It was a good job, I had a lot of fun and met some really wonderful people. I decided though that my kids are still just a little too young for me to be away from home that much. Since I quit, I am a very happy Mamma and that makes a huge difference in our family.
Ayden is in second grade and doing very well. He's experiencing his first frustration with girls. It's funny. There are a couple of girls in his class that are teasing him relentlessly. Mind you these girls have been his friends since Kindergarten. My conclusion is that they have a little crush on him and this is how they're dealing with it (his teacher said pretty much the same thing). He just doesn't get why someone would tease you if they like you. The only thing I can tell him is that girls are crazy and now is a good time to accept it and move on.
Jade is in Kindergarten and also doing well. She isn't as academically inclined as Ayden is. But, she is hanging in there. She just doesn't see the point of learning, makes me laugh. She is only in school for 1/2 a day, so we get plenty of time together. I help in both of their classes and it is a lot of fun. I love getting to know their friends. Today, Jade's class sang me Happy Birthday and it honestly made my day. Such sweeties.
We have a dog, we've actually had her for over a year. She is a Shih-tzu and her name is Missy. We absolutely adore her. She completes our family quite nicely.
Tomorrow is the anniversary of me and Steve's first date. 13 years ago. Goodness. Can that be right? Yup, sure is. 13 years. I can't quite process that right now, but I thought you should know.
I'd like to say I'll do better updating this here blog. But, I know myself and I would hate to set the bar too high. I will say that it's been a fantastic and challenging year, but all in all, it's been good.