A New Decade...

The year 2010 brings much hope and extreme excitement for me - a Brand New Decade. A chance for me to try harder in many areas and accomplish the goals I have set for myself. One of my favorite books is, "I am a Mother," written by the former Co-Host of The Early Show on CBS - Jane Clayson Johnson (Love Her!) It seems every time Jody finds me reading it, I have tears streaming down my face. He then replies, "Are you okay?...Oh you're reading that book again."
She says this in regards to the challenges and rewards of motherhood in her book,

"The poet William Ross Wallace wrote that, 'The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.' I love those words. I even believe them; but how can I rule the world when I can't keep my eyes open?"

My goals this new year include: being an influence for good, being a better mother and making sure I'm alert and awake enough to enjoy all the special moments 2010 has to offer! :)

One of my dear friends had a description of her life in the last decade on her blog. I'm going to follow in her footsteps and reflect on the past 10 years. If you want to, I tag you to do the same.

2000

I recently had graduated high school and was attending UVSC. Tried out for the Miss UVSC pageant, and was chosen the winner. (The judges saw something in me much beyond what I saw in myself. Really - for my talent, I danced with a cane and sang while wearing a top hat and tuxedo coat tails!) I found that now people listened to me when I spoke about my brother Michael and his disability. It became my new platform on which I stood.

2001

My parents moved from the home where I grew up in Orem. I moved in with roommates, and served in Student Government at UVSC as the Director of Service.

2002

Finished up at UVSC with my Associates Degree, had a new set of roommates who are still some of my dearest friends, dated some real unusual guys (understatement!) and won the Miss Orem Pageant. Advocated for those with Special Needs statewide - and learned some serious lessons in humility. Before attending class, I spoke at Elementary Schools about accepting differences and loved it!

2003

Transferred to the Y - officially a zoobie. Studied in the Broadcast Journalism program where a guy named Jody Tait started saving me a seat in class. I thought he was too good to be true. Got those amazing butterflies every time I saw him. Lucked out when he asked me to be his girlfriend at the end of the year.

2004


Competed at the Miss Utah Pageant and was named 1st Runner-up. Then competed at the National Sweetheart's Pageant in Illinois to represent UT. Walked hand in hand with my sweetheart Jody, at BYU's Graduation Commencement - We both graduated with our BA Degree in Broadcast Journalism. Traveled to South America, with Jody, to film a documentary on the banks of the Amazon River for my internship.



Jody proposed to me, on Halloween, by coming Trick-or-Treating with a ring in hand.


2005


Married for all time and eternity in February. Had a serious budget, ate Hamburger Helper ALOT, realized we didn't agree on everything - and that was okay. After seven months of renting an apartment - we made a daring jump and moved to Butte, Montana - where we bought our first house.

2006

I worked as the one-woman band at the tiny CBS affiliate in Butte. Jody woke up so early to make his shift at the Butte Airport. We froze for 10 months out of the year - built a snowman on Christmas Eve, and it was still there (all 6 feet of it) come May! We laughed alot, bought a truck (Jody convinced me we were living in MT) traveled four hours to get to a LDS temple and appreciated the gospel in our lives.


2007

Now living in Missoula, MT - we made new friends, bought another house, transferred jobs and found out we were expecting a baby. Gracie was born in November, and she brought a slice of heaven with her.


2008

Sleepless Nights. Learned Motherhood was no walk in the park - but the most fulfilling and marvelous walk I'd ever take. Still working at KPAX-TV...it was time to move HOME. Sold our Missoula house, packed up and headed home to Utah in October. Great to be back.

2009

Bought a home we plan to stay in for a long time. I work sporadically for channel 2 as a reporter. Jody still makes me walk on his back, and I still beg him to rub my feet. He tells me he loves me everyday before he leaves for work, and I still get those butterflies in my tummy when he holds my hand. Some things never change. This next decade is sure to bring new surprises, and I can't wait to see them unfold.