tour de east coast...DC

I'm on a 10 day tour of the east coast for a little bit of work and a little bit of fun. First stop...Washington, DC to visit Amanda and baby Cole and attend a work training. I had a great time with Amanda and learned a lot at my training. Next stop...Philadelphia.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.1

Halloween 2011

Things I love about Halloween...

dressing up as a group

decorations

pumpkin anything (except pie)

Things I don't love as much...

spending lots of money to make a costume

going to big parties i don't really want to go to

Halloween 2011

dressed up as a group twice (work and chaperone stake youth dance)

made new decorations

had a pumpkin shake (after the month of no sugar was over of course)

spent a total of $1.27 on costumes

went to a total of 0 parties (hit the married friend's ward trunk or treat instead)

work costume (box of squeeze it drinks)

chaperon the stake dance (flight attendants)

complete success

more inspiration

I promise I'm not turning into a deep thinker. Things keep happening in my life that cause me to think on a much deeper level. So, here goes another pictureless post. Sorry!

I had the opportunity today to attend the funeral of an acquaintance. I met her in my singles ward several years ago, and I haven't been in touch with her much since. I almost didn't go, but someone convinced me I should. I am so glad I went.

I remember the day I met Sarah at church. She was so warm and friendly. Later on in the Sunday meetings a note passed down the aisle inviting us to a cupcake party at her place later that evening. Looking back now, I remember feeling completely comfortable. She was so genuine that no one really felt awkward being there. That is the kind of person she was- genuine and kind and friendly to anyone she came in contact with.

As I have watched Sarah battle this disease, mostly from afar, I have been so impressed. From the beginning, she was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal cancer, but she didn't let that stop her from living life. She lived everyday to the fullest. She approached this trial with optimism. She is such an example and an inspiration to me and so many others of how to rise above a trial.

There was definitely a theme at the funeral that Sarah had accomplished her mission here on earth. She learned the lessons she needed to learn, and she is now needed on the other side. Her short 30 years were a success, and her life, work, and learning continue.

Sarah touched so many lives in the short time she was here, and I consider myself extremely lucky to be one of those people. My hope is now in honor of Sarah and the life she lived I can strive to be a better person, to be more genuine and kind to those around me, and to approach each day with optimism.

inspired

group photo with Kim Peek's dad and the Oscar for Rainman

Temple Grandin

co-worker Linda and husband getting book signed by Temple

I love my job! I love the children and families I work with. I love that I have the potential to change lives. I hope everyday that I actually make that difference. Tonight I saw what it really means to make that difference. The Utah Film Center presented Temple Grandin the Peek Award for Disability in Media. The award is named in honor of Kim Peek (the real rainman). We heard stories and saw videos of these 2 individuals with Autism who had a parent that pushed them to succeed. My eyes filled with tears several times as I saw the love and devotion between parent and child. I was so inspired! Thank you Kids on the Move for providing this unique opportunity.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0.1

the rest of Vegas

The rest of the trip was less eventful but still fun. Karlee and I had matchy matchy fishtail braids. We made PF Changs lettuce wraps. Karlee had dance, and we played. It was a lot of fun. I didn't want to come home.

Published with Blogger-droid v2.0

working late

one of the only perks of working until 7. you don't see stuff like this when leaving work at normal hours.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4

ya never know

Please excuse the pictureless post. I'm supposed to be working right now (It's 7pm though so I don't feel too guilty), but this is blog worthy if you ask me. I've kind of been dying over the blog world lately. Confession...I'm a little jealous of all the bloggers who have tons of followers. I kind of want to be one of those, but I usually feel like only 2.5 people read my blogs. Well, I guest posted last week over on roommate Suzie's blog. Only 2 people commented which made me think less than 2.5 people actually read my blog. Roommate Suzie just called to inform me that 66 people viewed my post and in her words "you're way cooler than you think you are". Way to make a girl's day! I feel so popular even if it really is only for a minute. Thanks for reading people (whoever you are).

Vegas Adventures

Suzie and friends are running Vegas Ragnar this weekend so I came along for the ride. The ride just got a little more exciting when we got a flat tire in the middle of nowhere, Utah. Gracias to Cameron for knowing how to change a tire and doing it in 10 minutes. 45 minutes and 2 new tires later, we're back on the road. Let the adventures continue.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4

Guest Posting... about Winter

We all know I LOVE summer and HATE winter. I know I know. I live in Utah, and Utah has winter and snow...lots of snow. I'm guest posting over on Suzie's blog today on my plans for surviving winter and beating my seasonal anger disorder this year. Check it out here.

Missouri Catch Up Part 2...Cape

The fun didn't stop once we got to Cape. We took the kids to feed the ducks and play at the park. Even Jordan and Zach came. We also went to a bounce place. We all had a great time playing with the kids.
how cute is Zach with the kids???

i love that the boys are swinging the kids


playing at the park


the kids loved jumping and sliding down the big slides


we even got grandma to go down the slide

Missouri Catch Up Part 1...St. Louis 2

PICTURE POST...We left the zoo, got some lunch, and went to the Magic House (a discovery type place). There are so many pictures, but the kids are so dang cute.

playing in the sand table. karson wasn't too sure about it at first.

playing with huge blocks


these kids are so cute playing in the house


shopping


fishing


is this the cutest little doctor you've ever seen???


the kids and maybe the grownups loved this


karlee was a little freaked out






playing with sand


We had such a fun day at the zoo and Magic House. The kids were completely worn out which was perfect for the drive home to Cape.

Missouri Catch Up Part 1...St. Louis 1

Somehow I got back to Utah missing half the pictures from the Missouri trip. I finally have all the pictures so here's part 1 of the rest of the trip.

We flew into St. Louis in the late afternoon. It was too late to really do much so we went to dinner and took the kids swimming at the hotel.

We got up the next morning and went to the zoo. St. Louis has a really cool zoo, and it's free. We spent the morning seeing all the animals. The kids loved it although Karson's favorite part might have been chasing the birds.

this huge hippo was one of the first things we saw

Karson loved looking at the animals so close to him








Karlee was so excited to ride the carousel


We have practically the same picture of Jake and Karlee looking at the penguins over 2 years ago.

October=Breast Cancer Awareness=No Sugar

october is breast cancer awareness month

co-worker michelle and i have been pretty good about not eating sugar

it's already 3 days into the month

cancer (especially breast caner) has hit a little too close to home the past couple years

this post from homemade grits

what do all these things have to do with anything???

i started reading this random blog (homemade grits) through some other random blog i read. i mostly love everything about it. she's pretty healthy and i love that. she posted this post the other day and i was immediately inspired. cancer has hit way too close to home for me the past several years between friends, family of friends, and others fighting, surviving, and losing battles with cancer. i'm mostly good about not eating sugar, but in support of breast cancer awareness month and the inspiration from lesley, i'm done with sugar for the rest of the month. who's with me??? (don't worry that it's practically oct. 4...start now) and you might even see me sporting a little more pink this month.

BYU vs Utah State

The parentals are in town with another couple so we went to the BYU game last night. Co-worker Emily is a huge USU fan/BYU hater so it's been a fun week of trash talk. For most of the game (starting with a USU touchdown in the first 14 seconds) I thought we'd be getting payback this week. Somehow BYU got it together and scored 2 touchdowns at the last second. It was a beautiful night, intense game, good times with the parents, and it looks like Emily will be sporting BYU blue on Monday. Go Cougars!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4