The Year of Us.

So today was the first day of the semester already! Those breaks sure do fly by.

But it has been the best day.

I got to...
Start my New Years' resolution (aka losing weight by waking up at 5:30am to go work out).
Have my first day at DCFS.
Go to court for my internship.
Watch Friends all afternoon on Netflix at work (goodbye homework time, hello procrastination).
Make a roast.
Cuddle up with my boy.
Study my scriptures.
Work on a quilt for my sister (pictures soon).
And blog.

Like I said, this has been the best day.

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Also, last night I was thinking about what 2015 means for the Marsee family. And I realized that I want to call it "The Year of Us".

This year, we will graduate with our Bachelor's degrees. We will move (who knows where) for graduate school. We will join the "real world" and have to get real jobs. We will make new traditions and follow old ones. And, most importantly, we will grow closer together and closer to our Father in Heaven.

I want to become the wife, daughter, sister, and friend that I've always wanted to be this year. I will make an honest effort to follow my mantra, "Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved." I will become like my Savior by following His example. I will try new things. I will laugh more. I will love more. I will yell less. I will take risks, and follow through. I will enjoy life. And I will come out better, happier, and stronger than ever before. Here's to a new year!

2014 was a great year, but 2015 will definitely be one for the books! I cannot wait for all that is in store this year.

It's a great day in the Marsee home. Happy Monday, friends!

Random Bits of Life.

It was WAY too good to go home and be with family for that glorious week. But now it is all over and I am back at home and back to work.

Highlights of my week:

Getting a real mom-hug.
Doing hair and makeup with my sister.
Crying over the homemade quilt rack that my brother made me.
Seeing my dad at 4 in the morning because he couldn't wait to see me.
Watching my hubby play football with my family. Twice.
Seeing my sweet puppies.
Taking family pictures.
Seeing my cousins.
Going to the temple and seeing my brother-in-law get sealed to my brand new sister-in-law.
Spending time at the farm.
Talking with my mother-in-law and her husband.
Skyping with my dear friend (and new sister) Sarah.
Games with Sammi and John.
Seeing a white donkey. And baby bulls.
Going to the movies twice in two days.
Playing Catch Phrase with all my in-laws.
Family Prayers.
Seeing my grandma and grandpa.
Watching my little 6-year-old cousin run as fast as she could to hug me.
Sitting with my great grandma Josie.

Also,
Steak n' Shake.
Puerto Vallarta.
Ribs.
Burgers.
Gumbo.
Jambalaya.

Worst Parts of my Week:

Not seeing my girl Jessica and her husband, Tyler.
Getting some awful sickness.
Driving home.

All in all, it was a great week at home. I miss all my family already, but I am ready for a new semester with new challenges and new opportunities!

And while we are talking about new opportunities, it's time for an announcement...

I got an internship for next semester with the Department of Child and Family Services!!! I am so excited for the things that I will be able to learn through this experience.

Oh, and...

My sweet husband got a call from Kansas State to schedule an interview for Graduate School! I couldn't be more proud of that guy. All his hard work is paying off.

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In other news,

My wonderful husband and I just passed our one year anniversary two days ago. Time sure flies when you're married to your best friend.

This year has been full of magic, memories, and fun. Everyone always says that the first year is the worst, and maybe that's true, but if it was the worst then I am one lucky girl! My sweet boy has done such a good job of making sure that I am taken care of in all aspects of my life. Spiritually, emotionally, physically, temporally, and mentally. He has encouraged me when I have been afraid, he has held my hand when I have taken leaps of faith, he has been a strength to me when I have felt weak. I am so glad that everything has unfolded the way it has. I sure hit the jackpot when I married this man!

We couldn't celebrate on our anniversary because we were a) sick, and b) stuck somewhere in Kansas. Yesterday was Sunday, and we were still sick, so that means tonight is our big celebration night! I'm sure pictures will come.

PS: Sorry I "guaranteed" pictures from our trip home and didn't take any... Forgive me!

Life.

In an effort to speed-catch you up on life in the Marsee household, here are pictures of all our fun adventures.

The time we went to Coldstone and had the best dark chocolate-peppermint ice cream in the universe.

The time my sister and brother-in-law drove across the country and stopped by to see me. With their dog, Sophie.

When we actually got a good picture together.

When we went to see the lights and this huge tree was REAL.

When I bought caramel candies and he turned it into facial hair.

When we went to see the "Tree of Life" in Draper.

When we got all artsy with this picture.

When we were reunited with our BFFs and took this cute picture on Temple Square.

And when my husband was a really bad photographer, but I liked this picture anyway. 

There's more to come! We leave today (ah!!) to go home, and big things are happening. Mat and Sarah are getting married, Christmas is coming, we get to see my whole family, etc. I guarantee there will be more pictures to come. Happy Thursday, and I'll see you all in about a week.

The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer is...

singing loud for all to hear.

Or sharing your testimony and a great video about the true meaning of Christmas. So make sure to watch this video that I love so much.

Jesus Christ really is the reason for the season and I am grateful for a time to celebrate His birth. He is the Savior of the world and He truly came to this earth to fulfill that divine mission of the Atonement. I am grateful for the Father's plan and for the Savior's willingness to come here and die for me. Christmastime is full of presents, family, lights, and traditions. But it is my aim this year to not forget the first gift that was given 2,000 years ago. #heisthegift

Look here to see how people are sharing the gift of Jesus Christ this year.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Congrats on Surviving Another Semester, and all the other Holiday phrases!

Advice for the Day.

Keep your chin up.

Press forward.

Do what you can.

Don't focus on the bad.

Smile.