A sigh of relief

Guys. A one million ton weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
For the past month I have been working on my final for an English course. We had to write a big research paper and give a presentation on our findings. I chose to argue the benefits of natural childbirth against all of the hospital interventions that happen...all of this applying to normal, low risk pregnancies.
Know this, I'm not a technology or medicine hater....I know that technology saves lives and that we are lucky to have it. However, I feel like our perception of childbirth has become really, really skewed.
Anyway, I was super nervous to give my presentation. My class is full of people who are too smart for their own good and who love to argue and create confrontation. I wasn't sure how my views would be received; there were mothers/fathers and college boys in the class for crying out loud! I've been stressing for two weeks, just wanting it to be over.
So this morning, I got up at 5 and exercised and then spent the remaining 2 hours until my class getting ready, stressing, tweaking my presentation, stressing....
Finally, I give my presentation. I remembered everything I wanted to say and it went fairly well. At the end of my presentation the professor asked the class if there were any questions or comments for me--and 75% of the class raised their hand.
Long story short, everybody was super positive about my presentation and most of my questions were people who wanted to know more or wanted to know my thoughts on similar subjects. One guy from my class even asked for my presentation so he could learn more (he and his wife are trying to get pregnant).
I am so glad that it went well and that, for the next two weeks, I get to sit and relax through the rest of the presentations.
Here is a clip from my presentation that got a lot of feedback, if you're interested:

Climb Away

"If you are on the right path, it will always be uphill."

This makes me feel like less of a wuss when I curl up in a ball and cry when I get home from school. 

"Act, and I will strengthen you. Speak, and I will make your words strong. Awake and study, and I will inspire you."

Thanks to my Stats professor who gave us this awesome (busywork) assignment. Read the talk here.

Blogger's Block

Hey. It's been awhile. I really miss blogging, but to be honest I don't feel like I have much worthwhile to say...even if it's not really true. I'm in a funk, that's for sure.
It's not that I'm not doing anything with my life--quite the opposite. I'm overwhelmed by school and wish I could spend my days pinteresting or painting my nails. I feel guilty when I'm not doing homework or being productive. I need balance back in my life. I need to find the joy in this journey...easier said than done. Working on a group project and doing all the work & barely keeping your head above water in your Energy/Science class can really suck the fun out of life.

On a happier note...I have found comfort in these things, they help take the edge off...

-Hanging out with my family. Chris and I were lucky enough to get a couple days off to go down to Utah. We saw Red Dawn at midnight with his brothers and my sister. It was AWESOME. Josh Peck has blossomed into a handsome young man. Any other Drake and Josh fans out there?

-Running. It's hard to say it....and it's still a little bittersweet. I hate the way I feel while I'm running, I'm sure I look like I'm having a stroke or something. I love the way I feel after; healthy, clean, and happy. With time, I'm sure I hate the actual running part less. Anyway, the whole fam ran a 5K on Thanksgiving. It was good times.

-Castle. Such a great TV show. I haven't been this addicted to a show since Lost.
-Taylor Swift's new album, Red. She speaks to my soul.
-Thanksgiving. I got to see my Grandma & Grandpa Jenkins and talk with them. I got to see two of my cousins who I hardly ever see. Good food and good people. I am truly blessed.
-Games with my family. We're a little crazy and are Nazi's when it comes to the rules...but we have a blast and laugh constantly.
-Flannel Jammies from Victoria's Secret: they make being lazy a little more glamorous.

Now, all I need is to get through the next few weeks and it'll be party time all over again!

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

On Saturday I took a test. It didn't go very well and I know that without having to see my score. After I finished taking it, I called my poor husband in hysteria. He calmed me down, told me that everything was going to be ok...then proceeded to tell me that while I was in my test he witnessed a car accident on his way to work.
It was snowing really hard and the car in front of him swerved off the road and rolled twice. Chris pulled over, ran to the car, and kicked in the windshield and pulled a father and daughter out of the wreckage. 
That shut me up pretty quick & made me feel pretty lame about being so ridiculous over one test. I am so grateful that my husband wasn't in the accident and is safe. I'm also grateful I'm married to such a winner--I am not sure how I would have handled that sort of a situation.

Tender Mercy: I go to the class where the bad test came from and the teacher tells us that he had accidentally shredded half of the tests before he had graded them-he had mixed our tests up with another class. So, to be fair, he is giving the whole class the chance to retake the (same) test if we want. I'm going to rock it this time.

My husband didn't get in a car accident and saved the day and I get to retake a test. Life is good.

Slacker

This morning, I slept in. I didn't go to the gym or do anything...I just slept. Until 7am.

I am not ashamed.

Sometimes, you just need to sleep.

And cuddle.

Thoughts on the next four years...

Jefferson says it best...

I know. I know. You are all sick of hearing anything politics related...I am too. BUT I thought I would share what has given me peace of mind since hearing the results:

-Everything happens for a reason & God's hand is in everything. Have faith.

-Although the election didn't go my way (and about 48% of the country's way), America is still a great nation and we enjoy many privileges and luxuries that some countries can't even fathom.

-The first Presidency still urges us to support and pray for the President.

-There is a living prophet alive and well; he will not abandon us and always has us in mind. He gives us advice to keep us out of bad situations...food storage, savings, being debt free, etc.

I also thought it was really cool to see how many people were actively involved in the election process--my age group has had a bad rep in the past for voting turn out...this year I'm sure we blew it out of the water. 

Be of good cheer, fellow Romney supporters and/or Republicans. Life is good. 

From 20 to 21

(This post is going up today, because tomorrow is the busiest day ever (school from 8-5, voting, and a test)...not the ideal day for your birthday, but I still get a birthday date!)

I can't believe I'm 21. Tomorrow. I feel so old.

Last year, I did a year in review post. Looking back, year 20 wasn't as obviously monumental as 19 was, but there have been big changes and lots of fun times. In the last year....

-Chris changed his major from Paramedics to Physical Therapy.

-We had our first Christmas and New Years (married).

-I became an aunt.

 -1st Married Valentines day. The best!!!

-We went from being painfully unemployed, to having more jobs than we knew what to do with. Blessing.

-We have moved. Twice.

-Chris turned 24.

-We hit our one year mark.  

-We went on our first vacation as a couple (other than our honeymoon).

-I started running & ran in my first race. 

 -We have fun together every day.

If every year is as good as the last one...I'm set!