I hope she enjoyed her birthday and I hope she knows just how great she is. She's taught me so much and been such a great support to me through everything I've done in life. I love you mom!
"It seems to me that my mother was the most splendid woman I ever knew... I have met a lot of people knocking around the world since, but I have never met a more thoroughly refined woman than my mother. If I have amounted to anything, it will be due to her."
~ Charles Chaplin
"All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother."
~ Abraham Lincoln
"The noblest calling in the world is that of mother. True motherhood is the most beautiful of all arts, the greatest of all professions. She who can paint a masterpiece or who can write a book that will influence millions deserves the plaudits and admiration of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters whose immortal souls will be exerting an influence throughout the ages long after painting shall have faded, and books and statues shall have been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give."
~ David O. McKay
Okay, nevermind, I'm changing books. Page 123 of this book is simply a questionnaire/self-test about whether or not you can work things out. So, what's the next closest one. Hmmm... that one is for my human sexuality class. I'll skip that one too. :)
Okay, I'm ready now! "God Wants a Powerful People" by Sheri Dew. (Pretty much she's awesome.)
And, of course, other good times with the family. (Sorry you can't really see them. I downloaded them the wrong way and so they won't go any bigger. :) 
(I don't particularly love this picture, but my sister-in-law does. We were playing a game of P-I-G, and not very many people can make it backwards. :)
I was trying to get out and totally couldn't because the ramp was covered in ice. So, my car slid backwards and into the wall. I don't know if you can tell or not, but there's quite a dent, the tail light is broken, and all of that white is deeply scratched paint. I'm still trying to get them to pay for it since it's their responsibility. We'll see what happens.On a happier note, last week one of my favorite members from New York, Cari Burnell, was in Utah. Kathryn, who was one of my companions, and I got to drive up and see her and spend a few hours with her. I can't believe I've been home from my mission for 3 1/2 years. Wow. That's crazy! 
And, not that this is really a January thing. I have been working at my internship for 4 1/2 months now. And I've been doing therapy since last February. But today when I went into work, they had put my name on the door.
That was a little bit weird to me. It still sometimes scares me that I'm actually a therapist. That's like a grown-up job or something. Is that weird to anyone else?
Of course, I think all of us were a little shocked by the news of President Hinckley passing away. I was in a stake leadership training when they announced it. I was really sad for a minute, but then I was really happy for him to be with his wife again and to have a little bit of a rest. I know that he'll continue working on the other side, but he's given us so much and for so long. One of my friends made the comment that it's kind of selfish of us to want to keep him forever. We've been blessed to have him for such a long time. And when my mom told my grandma, my grandma responded by saying, "Well, good for him." And it's kind of true. I'm grateful for the service he has given and the teachings and example he has sent.
Steven is growing right up. I almost made him laugh. It was pretty darn cute. Apparently his neck is pretty ticklish. :)
Poor Hayley didn't feel very good. However, she wasn't about to put up with any nonsense from the cousins. Hannah, don't cross that line....
I guess it's a good thing that all of the kids like books so much. Here is Grandpa Rowley reading Karen, Jace, and Colton a story. Who knew that the Big Bad Wolf was so intense!
And, we have a couple of traditions at the Rowley household that I thought it could be fun to have some pictures of. My mom is very good at dipping chocolates and we have done it almost every year since before I can remember. So, here are some of our finished products this year.
And, of course, our New Year's Eve tradition (that just happens to occur most nights between Christmas and New Year's). Lots of yummy foods -crackers and cheese balls, chips and dip, fruit, etc. etc. etc. We eat that food and play lots of games and just have a good time all around.
So there's just a little sample of the Rowley Family Christmas break.
This is her with her two big sisters, Karen and Hannah.
And while there by the tabernacle, some kids were making a snowman. Since it was totally huge, we decided we probably better help out. The finished product.... (seriously over 7 ft. tall)
And then on Sunday, we decided to have a Christmas Turkey dinner because my roommate Hilary got some turkeys from work. We had to eat them. This is me and her breaking the wishbone. (Don't worry, I totally won both times! :) 
And because I've always wondered about those cartoons where they tear off the whole big drumstick, I had to have at it when I saw it sitting there. :)
Good times! 
And some of the ducks on campus might have forgotten to fly south for the winter....
