Long time

I have not written here in so long. It's a week to Christmas, and once again, a lot of changes have happened in my life. I'm finishing the first semester back at school, and I hope to graduate in spring 2013. I am engaged now, and planning to marry in March. Not sure if I'll write again before the wedding.

So many things have happened. I am a student, a father, and once again soon, a husband. Not a bad place to be. I started this blog as a cathartic exercise to get my thoughts out after some fairly traumatic things happened to me, but my life has changed so much since I started writing this blog. I am endowed now at my church, which itself is a long time in coming. I have someone that I love very much. My children are with me frequently. So many things that didn't happen are happening now. The part of my life that was so difficult now actually seems far away. I don't like looking in the rear-view mirror. Yet if I don't, perhaps I'll never learn from the past, and the past mistakes I made. Those mistakes are never really far from me. They keep me honest and teach me never to take life for granted.

My life is not perfect; it probably never will and never should be. I should always be striving for the best no matter what. One moment of triumph should be spent seeking out the next, for I never should be satisfied. I also know that life and good times can be fleeting; for me not to cherish the good times and remember them would be foolhardy.

I am blessed, though, to be where I am, and it is the product of many people and not just one man. It is through my faith as well that I believe these things have happened to me. Without getting overt, without Heavenly Father very little of my good fortune is possible; He is also prompting me to never rest on that and to always move forward.

With that, I'll simply close by saying thank you to all who have made this possible and for making me the man that I am. I truly am blessed.

So many changes

I have not written here in such a long time, and so much has happened to me. The biggest news: I am returning to school in the fall at Idaho State University, to begin the teaching credential program. I have wanted to go back to school since forever, and a patriarchal blessing confirmed in 2005 what I have known for a long time. I want to go back to school and teach.

The biggest personal news I have is that I have met the love of my life. Hollie and I met in February and I love her more than anyone I can ever imagine. We are looking at a March 2012 wedding. I love her so much, and she complements me in ways I can't even comprehend. She completes me. Simple as that. She is smart, irreverent, and loves me, which is perhaps the most important thing of all. She loves my children, who are warming up to her, and I absolutely love her family, most of whom are local. I tell Hollie that I got the better end of the deal, and I won't ever forget that. She is the best thing that ever happened to me, and I thank my Heavenly Father for bringing her into my life.

We are planning a trip to California to meet my sister and parents in July.

I don't know how much I will continue to write here. My life has improved so much in the time I have been in Idaho. It is a struggle every day, but with the Lord's help and the love and support of people close to me, I am making it work. I cannot believe how lucky I am.

Getting started on the book

Ever since I moved to Idaho, a number of friends of mine have suggested that I begin writing a book. The idea is very intriguing, but honestly, who outside my family wants to read a me-centric, self-aggrandizing book about...me? And then I got to thinking -- maybe it doesn't matter if anyone reads it. I'm not doing it for money, I'm doing it for memoirs, for my children and my family and friends. I've never even so much as written a pamphlet, let alone a book. I suppose I could do it. I'm not David Sedaris or anything like that, but maybe it might be worthwhile to start reading him.

So last night, I decided that I would begin in earnest to at least explore the idea of writing the book. So that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to write a book about my experiences in Idaho. I even have a working title: "Searching for Satellite Signal," which is the most common tech complaint I get at work. It has a double meaning -- the obvious nod to my current workplace, and my wanting to find my place in a new land, with new responsibilities and all. I'm just not sure where to start.

I hope to leave no stone unturned should I actually see this book through. Wish me luck.