Loving life.

Today is just one of those days when I am loving life.  Really every day should be like that.  Of course it won't be, but I've come to realize that we choose our attitude.  So I've been trying to be grateful, focus on Christ, and just love life.  Because we really are so incredibly blessed.

The holiday season is just so great!  First, Thanksgiving.  I'm pretty sure I appreciated Thanksgiving a ton more than usual.  Probably because it was the first week in an awful long time that I didn't have to do a news story.  But more than that, I got to go home and spend time with my family.  While it can get a little hectic in that Ostler household, I love it!  And I got to see so many people!  I swear I saw more people in the few days I was home than I see during my four month summers.  And I got to wear shorts.  Utah makes bad California weather seem glorious.  :)

After dinner with my mom and sister at the Americana.  :)

Leaves do change color in Southern California.

And now it's almost Christmas.  I LOVE CHRISTMAS!  Who doesn't?  We had our Christmas concert for choir.  I loved it.  It's amazing how spiritually uplifting Christmas music is.  And it's such a different experience to be singing about the birth of our Savior with 500ish people who understand the true meaning of Christmas.  Christ truly is the reason for the season.  I am so grateful for the Savior and his Atonement for every single person who ever lived.  What an incredible gift.  Here is an excellent quote from Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf in this year's First Presidency Christmas Devotional:

"He promises to be with us - to come to us when we need comfort, to lift us when we stumble, to carry us if needed, mourn and rejoice with us.  Every day He offers to take us by the hands and help transform ordinary life into extraordinary spiritual experiences...The celebrations of Christmas can help remind us of Him.  The hallowed Christmas season can be an opportunity, and should be one, to recommit to keep the fire of the spirit and the glory of the Son of God burning in our  hearts everyday throughout the year."  

And here is an amazing rendition of "Infant Holy" by Vocal Point:

Also, I get to go home in four short days.  Hurray!  This will be my third trip home in a month and a half.  And we made the long drive every time.  But it's all worth it!

Oh and did I mention it's basketball season again.  :)  So great.  I get to film sometimes meaning I get to sit on the court.  It's great.  Love my major.  :)  But sometimes it's great to just sit in the student section and cheer as loud as I please.  :)

And as if this post isn't long enough already...here are the rest of the stories from this semester.  :)

The following is my favorite (and probably best) story of the semester.

  

This was my "breaking news" story.  Everyone has to do one.  The press conference was at 11 a.m. and our news show airs at noon.  Enough said.

My last story and another favorite.

It has been one crazy semester.  And in case you're wondering.  I LOVE MY MAJOR!  Especially when I get to talk about sports.  Few things make me more happy.  :)

Well...Merry Christmas!  :)