Seasons of Life

Oh, hello Blog! Long time, no see!

There are two main reasons for my absence:

1.  I’ve been having a love affair with Instagram. Unfortunately for you, I think he will be sticking around for a while.
For this season of my life, it is just more convenient. But don’t worry, I’ll still visit on occasion.

2.  I have actually had this post written since February, but for some reason Blogger wasn't letting me post anything. Lame.
So pretend this was 2 months ago  :)

My life is quite different now.

I’ve decided that I don’t really like change.

I like to find my place, find my people, and then settle down there…. maybe forever  :)  

But, for better or for worse, life is not usually like that.

.  .  .  .  .

By my senior year of high school, I had found that spot in life.  
I was busy with Yearbook deadlines, choir trips, play rehearsals, and wandering the high school halls.
I was comfortable with my friends and who I was. I loved high school.

 

When I began college, I had a little bit of a rough start.
Someone (who will remain anonymous) offered her words of wisdom to me,
and I am so glad that she did because I have reflected on them several times throughout my life.

She told me: “You don’t like college because you liked high school.”
She continued, “It’s true! You either get to like high school, or college. You liked high school, so you’re not going to like college.
That’s just how it goes.”

My first thought was, “Well why didn’t someone tell me this before I decided to like High School!
I think I would have rather liked college, and now I will never get the chance!”

Then, my ever-logical brain kicked in. Why can’t I enjoy high school and college? Is it so crazy to believe that you can enjoy two parts of your life?
Yes, they were different, but I was sure there could be good in both.

Thankfully, I realized this was some pretty bad advice.
I’m glad that she said it though, because I decided right then and there that I would always enjoy whatever stage of life I was in.

Like the seasons, each has something unique to offer, but all are beautiful.

.  .  .  .  .

I grew to love college! I had my place and my people who were like my second family. I had experiences that made me stretch and grow as a person.
I organized activities, went to concerts, had prank wars, made toilet bombs, and traveled around Europe.
It was even better than high school!

As graduation came closer, I started to panic.
I was losing my place. I was losing my people! I didn’t want things to change!
My life would never be this good again.

And then I remembered that bad advice…. And I remembered how stupid it was.
I thought, “Allison, your life is going to be different, yes. But your life can still be good.”

.  .  .  .  .

So, I moved to Logan.
That was a hard transition.

My 23^rd Birthday was a few months after I moved there, and it was the worst ever.
I was nowhere near where I always thought I would be when I turned 23. I was supposed to be an “adult” and I had no idea what was going on!
I was struggling to find direction and purpose in my life.

I had no place. I had no people.

But I held onto the thought that it could still be good. I worked hard for that good.

Again, I found a new place, and a new second family. I grew in ways that I would not have been able to otherwise.
I loved meeting new people, potluck, movie nights, game nights, impulsive adventures, Murder In The Dark, and talking with roommates until 2am.
I loved this stage of my life! It was the best!

And then I got engaged.

.  .  .  .  .

Don't get me wrong, I wanted to get married! But it was change.
And the biggest change that I had yet to experience!

I remember one night, sitting in the car and crying to Clayson.
I loved living with roommates! Who would help me put together an outfit for church?

Again, I heard those stupid words going through my head.

I didn’t have to choose between my single life and married life. This was just a new season.
Both could be good! Different, yes, but soo good.

.  .  .  .  .

I settled into married life.

I love spending every day with Clayson! We made dinner together, took walks, weekend trips, and watched the Jazz play basketball.
He has even gotten pretty good at helping me with my Sunday outfits! 
Life was perfect!

I loved going to work. It was my place and they were my people.
We had inside jokes, went to lunch, flew to Denver, and had girls days.
I loved it!

And then I found out I was pregnant.

.  .  .  .  .

Like marriage, this is a happy change, but it is change.

I have always wanted to stay home and raise my children.
I have never questioned that, and we have been blessed to be in a situation where my dream could come true!

But, I suddenly wasn’t sure if I was ready for that.

The idea of being solely responsible for the life of a tiny human was fine.
But, not working? That was scary!

I had been working for so long that I couldn’t imagine my life without it anymore. It sounded so boring just to stay home all day!
What would I do with myself? Who would I talk to? I need human interaction!
I can’t just talk to a baby all day!

And then the thought came: “It will be different, but oh so good!”

.  .  .  .  .

That change came September 30, 2015 and I am so grateful that he did!

I now spend my days talking to a baby – Telling him our plans for the day, making deals with him if he will sleep, and celebrating when he rolls over, takes a spoonful of rice cereal, or I am able to suck a particularly large booger from my sons nose.

I love it!

Yes – Sometimes I miss work. Sometimes I miss my roommates. Sometimes I miss college.

But, I would never change where I am at for anything.

.  .  .  .  .

I can honestly say that I have loved every stage of my life.

And if, at any point in my life, you would have asked me which stage was the best? I would honestly have said whatever stage I was currently in.
It doesn’t mean that any time was better or worse, just different. And all good.

I am blessed to still be in contact with all my “second families” and to relive those moments on occasion.
They have helped to mold me into who I am today.

Each stage was perfect for me at that time.

The seasons of my life will continue to change, each fading into the next. I’m sure I will be stretched, pushed, pulled, and tested – and it will be beautiful.  Although it is hard for me to imagine at the moment, I am sure I will grow to love each new season just as much, and even more!

Life doesn't stay the same forever.
And I am learning that it is a good thing.

.  .  .  .  .

But today, I don’t want to wander the high school halls, have a prank war, or explain insurance benefits.

Today I want to rock my baby to sleep and play cards with my husband.

Scouts & Laundry Rooms

Ever since we moved into our house, we have wanted to put up a shelf in our laundry room. 

We went to Home Depot and got the shelf, but it needed to be cut to fit our wall - A simple enough task, but one that we lacked motivation to complete.

So it sat in our garage for a while, and life moved on.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .

Clayson and I have been called to work with the Boy Scouts on Thursday nights. 

Specifically, the Bears (3rd Grade). 

Let me tell you, those boys have energy!

The boys love Clayson! 

They tolerate me because I bribe them with treats.

They refer to us as Brother and Sister Squirrel  :)

I work later on Thursdays, so I usually show up a little after the activity has started. 

This particular night, the lesson was on tools and fixing things.

When I walked into the room, I just had to laugh.

Clayson had all the boys helping to cut the shelf for our laundry room.

They were very into it.

I guess that's one way to get the job done!

I love my shelf  :)

Conforming

For some reason, when you get married, everyone suddenly thinks you like to make crafts.

I guess I'm conforming.

Remember this post about how I was getting all crafty and what not?
Well, I have been crafting some more! (and more then just buying a piece of metal)

First up, Thanksgiving Turkey!

The beginning of November we made a trip to Burley so Clayson could kill a turkey. 

While he and his brothers killed, I opted to stay home and create a turkey with his mom and sisters. 

Much more uplifting. And cute  :)

Next, Christmas Trees!

The girls in our neighborhood get together once a month and have a craft night.
I've started going to these, mostly in an attempt to make friends.
It's fun and I am slowly finding my inner craft.

Also, I'm too cheap right now to buy decorations that will only be up for 1 month, so it's a good alternative. 

This is literally all the Christmas decorations we have. 

Call us Scrooge. 

Last, the Christmas Penguin!

On one of our visits to Rexburg, my mom got craft ornaments for the grandkids to make. 

Addy got the Penguin, which was probably the most complex, so I helped her out a little. 

Please excuse my appearance.

She was the boss and I was the labor.

We make a good team.

I'm so proud of my crafty little self  

(lets not talk about the fact that all the above had all the materials provided, an example/picture to follow, and step-by-step instructions/instructor)

Bring on the next craft!

Learning to Love My Calling

It was my turn to teach sunday school and I really didn't want to teach on the priesthood. I swear, we have been talking about the priesthood for the past two months. And not just in sunday school, but also in Elders Quorum / Relief Society. As great as the priesthood is, I think we're all a little burned out on the subject. So I presented my case and asked if I could please teach something other than the priesthood. Anything! I was granted permission to choose my topic. Hallelujah!

About a year ago I started listening to conference talks as I'm getting ready in the morning.

I love doing this! It always starts my day out right and I would highly recommend it to everyone.

Anyway, remember how my last General Conference experience was kind of shot?

Well, I have now officially listened to and/or read every talk in the conference Ensign! (some multiple times)

So in choosing my topic to teach on, I immediately turned to two of my favorite conference talks that I had just marked the day before.


Listen to the full talk here

Listen to the full talk here
My favorite!

I actually really enjoyed preparing for this lesson and I think it went over really well!
We were combined with another ward and I was the only teacher, so it was a huge class. I received several compliments, and am still receiving compliments! It's good for me to hear because I honestly feel so inadequate! I think I'm finally getting it down though.

I strongly encourage you to listen to the full talks.
They are amazing.

Can I just say how much I really do love General Conference?

I really do. It is so great!

Ok, that's all.

Life is good.

:)