The Coma, the birthday, and the 21 day challenge

Last week we had a big birthday party for our roommate Jamie. So I decided to make this cake my mom told me about. Its like a triple chocolate, peanut butter, cream cheese frosting DREAM! It was gone in like 10 minutes and got the nickname "The Coma". It was delicious!

We also made another cake and these super easy candies. They are pretzels, topped with either rolos or caramel filled kisses, and we tried different combos of marshmallows and m&ms. You just melt the rolo or kiss on the pretzel at 200 degrees for 5-8 minutes and push them down with the m&m or marshmallow. They are really addicting.

Some of our friends who came, it was a blast!

I am super excited because I am going home TOMORROW for 10 whole days. I am so stoked to see my family! I cant even explain how much I love these people. I am so grateful to have them in my life. This has been the hardest year of my life, of their lives. If we didn't have each other I don't think any of us could have survived it. I also believe I have grown more as a person, that we have grown more as a family, than in any other year of our lives. So, for that I am truly grateful. I am grateful for the courage and never-ending faith my dad has shown through his toughest year. I love my mom for the support and strength she has given him and us. I love my brother and sisters (yes Syd, you too!) for always being willing to laugh and cry with me. You are all my very best friends! I would rather roll on the ground laughing with you guys, than do anything else the world! You are my HAPPY PLACE!

I can't believe it's almost Christmas. I've really tried to think about the true meaning of Christmas this year, trying to strengthen my relationship with Christ. I believe above all he wants us to be happy, he wants us to have joy. That's how I came up with the 21 day challenge. Everyone says it takes 21 days to create a habit. I want to have 21 great days. I figure then it will be a habit and I'll always have good days. So a few days ago I decided to try it. I've been coming down with the flu or something and I had to work yesterday so it was really difficult to stay positive and I figured the 21 day plan was going to fail miserably. I also just started having all these negative thoughts. Last night I realized that its when we are trying to be happy that Satan works the hardest to make us miserable. All I had to think about was Christ and the sacrifice He made for me. I realized then how immeasurably loved I truly was, and how important I am to my Heavenly Father and my Savior. How could it be a bad day after that!? I know that I am truly blessed. I know with this knowledge I will have 21 great days, 365 great days, and uncountable others, an eternity's worth. I know I chose the Savior's way before I came here. I still choose His way. I choose HAPPINESS.

I hope that all of your holidays are bright and joyful! Love you all!