Personal Snowflakes

It has been a while since I have had enough time to justify sitting down to my computer and updating this thing...I suppose school occupied a fair amount of my time and Haylee took the rest. Sorry to those of you who may feel neglected or lacking in "Cody time." Know that I still do care about you and hope that things are going well for you!

Today, I had a great time skiing with my dad at Lookout Ski hill. We were lucky enough to have a bluebird day with a skiff of new snow to soften the blow of the not-so-new snow underneath.The mountain really was spectacular today. There is one thing that really will never get old for me and that is the mountains. Occasionally, I feel like living out in the mountains forever would be the greatest thing ever and then I remember that I have desires to be a contributing member of this world. Maybe in my next life right?

Anyhow, at one point my dad and I found a run nearly untouched by skis or dirty snowboards. We happily embarked down the hill enjoying the quietness the new snow brought with the stability of fresh groomer laying beneath. It was a high-speed powder rush, perfectly legal too. As I skied down this run I couldn't even begin to comprehend how awesome it all was. The snow sparkled, literally, like a million twinkling lights. I thought about how each one of those twinkles was really just one snowflake. How all of this snow I was gliding on was just a bunch of those single snowflakes piled together. It is pretty amazing how something so small, such as a snowflake, can create something incredibly large and beautiful. So large that it is impossible to completely comprehend.  Each individual snowflake perhaps not that remarkable to the casual observer, but stunning upon further investigation, created a scene that words simply cannot aptly portray.

While skiing I had the opportunity to reflect on events over the last year and I have realized that I have a few snowflakes of my own. While each individual snowflake may not be all that "amazing," combined they make something I call, 2013. So much has happened it is pointless to even try to describe the thousands of miles on the bike, the hundreds of miles ran/hiked/swam, the countless climbing routes, and the amazing people I have met (And I guess the things I learned in school). I am incredibly grateful for the memories that I have of 2013 thus far. I feel that it has created a great springboard for 2014 to be even better. I have a hunch that is is going to be a great year. One thing is for sure, there is a REALLY big snowflake on the horizon for Haylee and I at the first of the year.

I couldn't be happier thinking about the events which will occur in the next couple of weeks. I feel very blessed for the things which have led to this point. I suppose that I did not realize what each of those snowflakes was creating, but now it's quite clear what they've been up to. I wish I could describe it to you so you could begin to understand, but my selfish side wants to keep it private and yet another side of me is quite sure there are not strong enough words to describe such emotions. Suffice it to say, I am purely and utterly, completely, totally, and hopelessly in love with my best friend. I can't wait to spend eternity with her. It will be the greatest journey I have had yet.

May you all have a Merry Christmas! Please don't forget to stop and look at your personal snowflakes. Especially, don't forget to look at the fantastic portrait they create! You may be surprised by how much Heavenly Father has blessed you.