That's a Wrap on 2021

2021 . . . . the year we all hoped everything would start to resemble "normal" again. I feel like hope is like going on a very long trek. There are so many ups and downs. You have to have hope along the entire journey. I wanted to be hopeful in 2021. Lots of good things happened but it was also a very hard year. Professionally the start of the 2021-2022 school year has been my hardest year teaching. There have been so many things to figure out, respect for teachers is at an all time low, students don't seem to care about school, parents are less involved. COVID is still very REAL! It has been really hard. I am not sure what to do or how to change anything I just know my job has seemed so HARD and I am exhausted.

I did get to travel some this year. Trips to Ecuador and Africa. Ecuador was absolutely amazing and made for such a fun spring break. To finally cross Kilimanjaro off my bucket list was a dream come true. It already feels like a dream that I was standing on top of one of the 7 summits. It was a trip that was physically challenging, especially getting to the summit.

I enjoyed a lot of time with family. I had multiple trips to California and was able to visit with so many loved ones. Aaron and Jacklyn gave birth to the sweetest little baby girl, Tyla. She has been such a joy to spend time with and to watch grow. My other nieces and nephews are getting so big. They are all so smart and I love them so much. They make the wold a better place and I am so happy to have them all in my life. 

Moki and I got to hike so many miles this year. We hiked pretty much weekly with Amber on Saturdays, and then with Eric and Jacquie Carter on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. We also snuck in hikes with Jana, Erica, Aaron and Jacklyn and even Anthony. I love being able to enjoy the beautiful outdoors with people I love. 

Marco Polo. . . . my high school friends have a group and it has been the best. It has been so fun to stay in touch with the girls who I grew up with. We cry, we laugh and we celebrate one another through videos. I always listen to the daily Polos on my way home from work and it makes my day! It is also a way that I stay in touch with my Aunt Virginia which has been fun too.

I am hopeful that 2022 will be better than 2021. I know I need to rely on the Savior to find peace and happiness in this life. I really want to work at turning more towards him as I attempt to navigate this crazy world.