I feel like our lives have been a roller coaster over the last year and a half. Because, really it has. I have to vent a little in saying I was not particularly too excited to come back to Utah. Which is so very ironic in that it was really hard to leave. Hmmm. I have to give a little background.
I was excited to go to Missouri for the new adventure, new start, new place, new people. I was sad to leave family, all the shopping you ever need and endless options. Living just out of the city life. The mountains a short drive away. The many Temples so close. leaving to a small place that I related to somewhat of a hick town. And quite a few other things... It was hard. But, the area, people and everything it offered grew on me much more than I ever expected. It actually was not a hick town, (maybe some of the close by surrounding areas) I love the people I really got to know and I will never forget them. I learned to not take anything I have for granted. You really have to work a little harder at a lot of things living so far away from a bigger city, in a smaller area. Everyone seams to stick together, work together more.
You just have to.
The hard part about coming back is the chaotic atmosphere. Everyone is in a rush it seams. People in general are less courteous. People are friendly but not as outgoing and friendly as I had been used to. It is just different here. I can't quite put my finger on it all.
It's really not all bad. It is great to be close to family again, and all of the first mentioned things I would miss about Utah. I feel like I have had a lot of time to think about things. One thing that has been on my mind after getting here is, no matter where you are, you can make the best or worst out of it. It is what you make of it. I remembered someone said something like that in a talk at church once and how home is where your family is, where you let your heart be. It doesn't matter where. You will have different opportunities and will be needed wherever you go. Just about anything can work when you have set your heart on it and have faith.
I have been thinking about what I can do here to get people to just get together (not too big on playgroups and such) or, are there activities in the community that I can get involved in with the kids, where are places that I can meet new people outside of our little neighborhood/ward.
Although, a great thing I do have to add, is that Brandon has quite the number of friends to play with in the neighborhood.
Which he has so desperately needed.
I am sure there is so much I can do, I just have to force myself to get out and do something. I know that is what I should be doing anyway.
All of this stuff, and much more has been going through my head and I needed a way to put it into one little context. Then I heard it from a friend.
Bloom where you are planted.
It then made sense to me. I need to let myself bloom and just be the best that I can and just get out and do what I can. My sister always told me that when you move to a new place, it's a new start, new beginning, and you can be anyone you decide to be. It's so true.
There are so many opportunities out there waiting to happen, we (meaning I) just need to be active and open minded and prayerful in all that we do to let them happen.
No matter where we are planted, no matter how hard it may seam, if we are strong enough, we can grow and bloom, probably in ways we wouldn't ever imagine.
My siblings came over to hang out and we watched the BYU, Utah game 
another fun day with my family.
These tractors were the best part for them!
A bunch of Finley boys and a girl.
Grandpa Hastings with the kids. I think they were done with pictures.
Two of my handsome boys.
Boys being boys.
It was fun watching them together.
I wish Hayden wasn't hiding behind the sun. oops.
It was so good spending Thanksgiving with all of the family again, even though we were all over the place. I love everyone in our family and am thankful for all that they do.
We have had quite a bit of snow lately... 
Buckets and buckets of snow to the bathtub.
He thought he could handle it being inside. He did not realize it would still be freezing.
He went and got on shoes. (mine)
If only we had a bigger tub. or... one of those baby swimming pools! That would be fun.
Clean up is nice also... down the drain it goes, and then just a little mopping up of the floor. They were happy.
I love this girls sense of humor and fun personality.
Normally I say No! to jumping on the bed. But, she was so happy and it was just her, and it was fun to photograph it. So, I guess I bent the rules this time.
I took these pictures a little while ago and I was thinking how well they portray her & I just wanted to share that.
I feel like our lives have been a roller coaster over the last year and a half. Because, really it has. I have to vent a little in saying I was not particularly too excited to come back to Utah. Which is so very ironic in that it was really hard to leave. Hmmm. I have to give a little background.
