Eleven.

1. Changed my major from teaching to Business Management and decided to be a part of the family business.
2. Spent a week of my Summer at Hume Lake as a Counselor with a cabin full of wonderful young junior Highers that changed my outlook on life.
3. Got the news that I will be welcoming two members to the family: a nephew and a sister in law.
4. Worked and completed an entire catalog for work with my sister.
5. Began my second year of college.
6. Changed my direction of life... Let go of some people that were bringing me down and was blessed with a handful of some incredible people.
7. Said goodbye to my Grandpa Dave, who I was able to spend some time with and get to know in the last year.
8. Turned 20 years old!
9. Got my braces off. Now my jaw is practically healed and my smile is bigger... Whether that has to do with the man in my life or not... ;)
10. Met Cory Sass, who I have been blessed with to have all to myself and share memories and adventures with.
11. Fulfilled a dream of mine when I went to see Wicked at Pantages Theatre in LA with Cory.

Eleven things... Only eleven of the things that came into my mind when I thought about the past year. Just like every year, we make mistakes, we gain something, we lose something, and we ALWAYS learn at least one thing. This year, I've learned two things... One, that regardless of the circumstances, God won't ever leave your side and he always has control. Second, is to never settle for less than you deserve. I put myself through a lot this past year, and when I finally gave God the reigns... He started me on an adventure I would have never gone for alone. He has brought people into my life, people like Cory, who have been behind the scenes for such a long time until God knew it would be best timing for the both of us. And now, with an incredible family, astounding friends, an exquisite boyfriend, and a perfect God... I couldn't be more thankful for the past year... Because even amidst the difficulties and trials... I was blessed with sunshine in my life and true happiness. So thank you 2011, for what you had to offer me and for the trials that you gave me to strengthen me.

"Here is to the nights this turned into mornings.

The friends that turned into family.

The dreams that turned into reality,

And the likes that turned into love."

Happy New Year!!!

Oh the Holiday's

"A moment later, he plopped down on the sand beside her, and when the accidentally touched Gabby had the briefest flash of them sitting together just like this on a hundred different weekends in the future." -Nicholas Sparks from The Choice 

Now that I have finished finals and school for the semester, I have done nothing but enjoy myself and losing myself in a novel lent to me by Cory. I couldn't even begin to explain how wonderful the past week has been for me, even amidst a week of finals... there was just too much happiness in my heart to bring me down. 

Last Saturday, I spent the evening with Cory's family attending his Dad's firemen dinner where he received fireman of the year. After some time in the spa and a Christmas movie, Cory figured it was just about time to celebrate my birthday and surprise me with something he had planned. We jumped in his truck which was filled with blankets, and grabbed some warm coffee. After driving, he explained that he was taking me up to Palomar Mountain. We made our way to a perfect spot after seeing a deer and an owl, and he threw some blankets and pillows in the back of his truck. We laid there with warm coffee and looked out at the beautiful sight: a full sky of stars and a completely full moon. After enjoying a perfect sight, he put on some music and we danced under the stars. I felt as though I was living in my own Nicholas Sparks novel, that somewhere someone was writing my story down because it was that perfect. 

After the clock struck 12, I turned 20. As we made our way down the mountain, Cory pulled out my present... a CD that said, "Happy Birthday!" on it. He went on to explain he had spent the past couple weeks working on a song he had written me. He put in the disc in and I sat back and listened. I was completely taken back and had goosebumps all over... it was just perfect. 

After getting some rest, I woke up and celebrated my birthday with my family and some close friends. It was small and perfect, just what I love. The rest of the week studying and taking finals, and on Friday celebrated with friends. I couldn't be more blessed with this life that I am living out. Christmas is right around the corner, and I can't imagine being in a better place that I am right now to enjoy it. 

Becks <3

Ugly Christmas Sweaters, Handsome Boyfriend :)

My Best Friend <3 

Christmas Lights Galore!

God is Able

Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, "The sun shines and warms and lights us and we have no curiosity to know why this is so; but we ask the reason of all evil, of pain, and hunger, and mosquitoes, and silly people." This past week has been a challenge for me, in the light that I didn't let the struggle outweigh the blessings that were placed upon me. I had some issues with friends this past week which are still clearly not dealt with. I am the type of person who needs confrontation, someone who will come to me and talk with me to my face and resolve issues... a HUGE pet peeve of mine is trying to deal with issues over the phone or over a text message and that is how this issue grew. Yesterday, hurtful words were said to me. While I was eating lunch with friends yesterday, I received messages with words that broke me down to a low point. I tried my best to brush it off my shoulder and not let those words keep me down. When I had some alone time on the way home from school, I simply prayed that God would guide my thoughts and words to his will. 

I carried on with my evening with a group of friends to go see Hillsong at The Rock Church in San Diego. We listened to Frank Sinatra the whole ride up and enjoyed each others company. The concert was incredible... we were about 3 feet away from the stage where we stood worshipping our forgiving God. It was an incredible experience to be able to stand with people that I love and worship the God of love. In those moments I realized how truly blessed I am to be able to come and worship God with my friends. With all that was on my heart, all anger, all hurt, all resentment... I let it go and trusted that God will use it towards his will. Just as people question why there is evil, or why there is pain in this world... we never ask why there is happiness or joy. We are blessed ... and sometimes, we take that for granted. I have so many wonderful things going well in my life, and this weekend I get to celebrate my birthday with the people that truly care for me.

Cory and I after Hillsong

Feet away from the stage, worshipping God. 

Christopher lol

It's the most wonderful time of the year

As Christmas creeps around the corner, I can't help but be excited. This month is probably one of my favorites out of the whole year. Around Christmastime, everyone is happier, friendlier, and full of joy. As school begins to come to an end, the stress of finals and last projects keeps creeping closer to me. This is probably the first semester that I'm not completely buried in stress over finishing school, because I know that it will fall into place. This past weekend has been simply wonderful... Friday night Cory took me to the Cafe at North Coast to listen to some Christmas music and drink some delicious coffee. We grabbed a table near the front and just enjoyed our surroundings. Within minutes, we were accompanied by Steven and Natalie. We had such a good time socializing and laughing about random things, I didn't want the night to end. I finished off the evening with a Christmas movie with Cory's Family, following some great conversations with him, and a few dances to conclude our night :) 

The rest of the weekend was full of Christmas festivities, like getting our christmas tree and going to a church Christmas tea :) Then last night I went to see Cory play worship at Day Break church, where we listened to a sermon on Joy. I am very joyful and happy with where I am at. I am looking forward to this next week, with a Hillsong concert on Tuesday, closing up school, and my birthday on Sunday :)

My weekend events :)

Playing Christmas songs on the Grand Piano at Church.