Possibilities

Well it's finally here the year 2014,never thought the day would come!

To be quite honest I thought it would have ended in 2009 when someone who will not be named became president. But shockingly enough we are still alive and for that I am thankful.

Twenty-Thirteen, as it is sometimes called, was a good year to me.

I did things I had never done before... and probably wouldn't ever do again...like go on a 12 mile hike in Canada to the top of a literal mountain

But I also did things that I would do again in a heart beat…paddle boarding in wet suits, yes please 

Live with the most spontaneous people you will ever meet…take me back 

Go to Hawaii for my best friends wedding... duh 

Send this gem of a friend on a mission…maybe not my first choice but I do love pen palls 

Travel to England, Austria, Germany, France, the Chez Republic, and Italy….i'd get on a plane tomorrow 

Be in another best fiends wedding…wouldn't miss it! 

Live with my Grandparents for a few months…wouldn't trade it for the world 

Go to Disneyland with my favorite people…any day

It has been a year of joy, opportunities I never thought possible, and experiences I wouldn't ever want to forget. 

But i'm ready for the new year. I may not know what lies ahead, but i'm ready for what ever life throws at me. I know the beginning of the year will start out with a bang as I get to be in more weddings (my cousin get's married in two days) and go to Africa (28 days in counting). But aside from that all I have are goals and possibilities. Maybe i'll...

Graduate from college 

Run a marathon 

Write a book 

Get in shape 

Get a boyfriend…maybe

Try new recipes 

Go back to Hawaii 

Do the Dirty Dash again 

Get to reunite with my best friends 

What ever the new year throws at me, i'm ready. 

Hello 2014! 

And of course i'll remember to be…

Positively Contagious 

A not so white Christmas

The typical Christmas for my family is located in California while the rest of my extended family is in Utah all having a party without us. But guess who party crashed this year….this girl!! I love everything about the Christmas season: Lights, baking cookies (over eating cookies), gift wrapping, gift giving, tree decorating, picture taking, memory creating. The list really could go on and on and that would make for a rather boring entry. 

It's hard to believe Christmas has already come and gone and another year is beginning. Call me cheesy, but the spirit of Christmas has seemed to linger a little longer this year. I was able to experience Christmas with all of my favorite people in Utah and then headed to California to the "Happiest place on Earth".

We ate bags of cotton candy while we raced through Cars land

lost our voices on California screamin (the name suits the ride well)  and lost our stomachs multiple times on Tower of Terror.

Among the pure joy I couldn't help but think about the little phrase that describes Disneyland so well. What is true happiness, what makes me happy, and how do I carry that happiness with me.

                                      

 Again I could make a list, but lets be honest that's the quickest way to loose people's interest...if I haven't already. Ultimately I came to the conclusion that our happiness depends on our attitude. Extremely profound and very creative I know. But it's true. 

Life is not always going to be easy and there are going to be times when we just want to be angry, annoyed, or frustrated. Which, granted, is sometimes healthy and necessary. But at the end of the day there is always something to be thankful for. I have come to realize this lately in my own life. No matter what happens during the day, I can find one thing that makes me happy, that brings a smile to my face, and helps me realize that I can be truly happy. 

The Holiday season can become overly hectic. As we take a step back all that matters is being with those you love and creating memories that last a life time. And above all remembering the true meaning of Christmas. To celebrate the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ and the perfect life he lived and who made this Christmas season possible.

So, make your own "happiest place on earth" where ever you go and what ever you do 

and in doing so you will be….

Positively Contagious 

Microwavable Lemons

I really can't complain..Utah has been good to me.

I get to live close to family

 I get to go to Temple Square with friends,which is  probably one of my favorite things in the entire world 

I have the lovely opportunity to wear a jacket thicker then a cardigan. Although I may look happy, I hate the snow... not only hate but "loath entirely" (tis' the season for Grinch quotes)

I get to live by the mountains and see picture perfect sunsets every night

I get to go on cousin dates to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in real life which is way better then on TV 

And last but not least, I get the experience of living with grandparents.

 I love these sweet grandparents of mine. They are the most kind, tender hearted, loving, generous people you will ever meet. However, after being alive for eighty-eight years, they pretty much have life all figured out, all down to the little things.

Let me give you a little glimpse into our lives here in the Brewerton home and how I am slowly discovering where many of my strong character traits come from.

There is a typical routine I go through before I leave for work in the morning, and laundry is always included. At first I went about doing laundry the way I typically do; sort into colors, change the warm/cold settings, add some detergent, softener, and throw in the little plastic detergent cup. I went about this for quite some time but one morning my grandpa beat me to the laundry room.

Time out, side story. Many of you know I have an internal alarm that goes off around 10pm. When that time hits, Courtney has a one track mind and it always includes going to bed (turns out I get that one from the G-pa). "Early to bed, early to rise" is his life motto. And sometimes that includes vacuuming…at 6am when everyone else is still asleep…there is such thing as too early Grandpa.

Now, back to the laundry…he was rather prompt this particular morning. I was surprised to find a load already done when I went in to start my morning routine. I could tell he was concerned so I asked what was wrong. All he did was hold up the plastic cup and I knew. Apparently left it in the washing machine from the last load I did. He just said, plastic doesn't need to get washed and I am to rinse it out and set it on the paper towel next to the detergent when I am done (where I get my weird habits). Point well made Grandpa. We haven't had laundry issues since that day don't worry.

Usually good ole' Grannie and I have a few hours of bonding time before I have to go to work. Most of the time it consists of making cookies. This week in the span of five days I think we made three batches of cookies…do you know how much butter that is!? Now let me give you a little background. My poor grandma can barley walk even with a walker and for some reason refuses to use it….go figure. Making cookies is hard enough and in the process, she suddenly gets the urge to address her christmas card envelopes, unload the dishwasher, and make fruit salad. Um…please tell me how any of those things fit together (my occasional ability to multi-task). As I scramble going from one activity to another she watches me like a hawk making sure I do things correctly. Let me remind you, I have been here for a good two months so I have a pretty good idea of how things go around here. As I make the fruit salad (she is still insistent on walking me through step by step, grandma its FRUIT SALAD) I don't microwave the lemon and she was not thrilled with that decision. Apparently it helps get the juice out? Last time I checked lemons have juice with or without a microwave so I did it my way. But her eighty years outshine my twenty-two (the lovely stubborn quality on both ends) and I eventually asked for forgiveness and promised to do it her way next time.

I have to admit, it has taken a lot of getting used to, and I have had many frustrating moments. But as time goes on, I learn to adapt, just as my grandparents do. Let's be honest, it's a whole new experience for both of us.

I really do love my grandparents so much and am so thankful for their examples. I wouldn't give up this time for anything and I know that I will look back and cherish these moments I have had to spend with them.

So for now, I laugh at the little things, adapt to their habits (as weird as they may be), and learn as much as I can from them.

Because in all reality they are just being….

Positively Contagious