My Mom

My mother doesn't read my blog but I wanted to post about her anyway and wish her a great day on this mother's day. I have learned many things from my mother and I love her dearly.

Here are just a few reasons why I think she's so great!

She has made me some killer Halloween costumes over the years! Here is a favorite from when I was little - I think I just loved having my face painted.

This year she out did herself with my Raggedy Ann costume. She took a children's pattern and made an adult size to fit me. She truly is so talented and every time we do a sewing project I think I should be learning so much more from her!

She LOVES to have her picture taken - only joking I'm not sure why she's not smiling and why I'm pulling a funny face.

We enjoy delicious food whenever we get together. Cooking is a love I got from her!

She loves each member in our family and loves to spend time with us.

More fun family time in Yellowstone. It is becoming a yearly tradition!

My mom will let me and every little cousin and grandchild roast marshmallows and catch them on fire and will not yell at us. She loves to eat them but doesn't care if I just want to roast them. I think I might eat one every camping trip. I would rather eat the cookies that we buy for smores without the marshmallow.

She'll cuddle you when you're cold and wet.

Watch the little ones while the "big kids" float the river.

My Mom loves to do humanitarian work. She is a great example of giving a little to make a big difference.

She always lets me taste test any goodie she ever made. - Usually we had to use spoons. I'm the one cooking here and that's why we're using our fingers.

I've been truly blessed to have such a wonderful mom. I hope I can be more like her. I'm trying my best to learn!

Graduation Day!!!

On Friday I did something I never thought I would do. Actually the whole doing something I'd never do all began 2 and 1/2 years ago. January of 2008 I decided to take the first of a series of classes that would certify me to teach gifted and talented learners. What is funny about this decision is I decided to take the class the day it began. It was a little spur of the moment which happens has happened with quite a few of my life changing decisions. To make this story short because a lot of the small details aren't that important I'll just say that by May of that year I had applied to Graduate school and was accepted in June. This meant a very busy four semesters as I went to school taking as many as 8 credits and as few as 3 at times.

Friday was celebration day as I finished all the requirements and have now earned another degree. Which really only means I'll get paid a little bit more over the years. Friday was a good day but it felt a little surreal. As I marched across campus with the other graduates and people clapped and cheered for us I thought that in reality what we had all done really wasn't a small deal. I kept thinking "Is this for real?" "Am I really done and do I really now have a Master's degree?" I felt grateful that I have had the opportunity to earn an advanced degree. Not only have I been able to juggle working full-time and school but I have been able to financially afford it.

When the ceremony was complete I was happy that I had chosen to walk in graduation. It helped me to feel like it was real and that I had really met my goal. It was a very exciting feeling and now I'm looking forward to new goals that will push me to grow and achieve other great things.

My wonderful family that came to support me!

My parents who instilled in me a desire to learn since I was very little. I was so happy they could be there to share the day with me.

My beautiful nieces who where so excited. They were jumping around and laughing and acting just how I felt inside. One of my favorite moments were when we were walking up some stairs and Emme was singing, "I'm going on a BEAR hunt goin' catch a little one!" She repeated it over and over and when we made it to the top of the stairs the professor that had been walking behind us chuckled and said, "Your graduating and she's going on a bear hunt."

Favorites...

I finally downloaded my pictures and instead of playing catch up I'm just going to upload my favorites. They won't be in any particular order and I'm not writing captions this week I'm going to bed early so I don't have time for it. I guess something has to give right - this week it's captions instead of rest. Have a lovely week!

For Marianna - So I don't get booed this week!

I wish I remembered the story behind this picture... I have no idea where we were when it was taken or why it looks like whoever took it was lying on the ground. I am still working on my computer issues. I updated my software and backed up everything but now I need to buy more ram form my computer so it'll run faster. I also found out that I really can't just move pictures to my external hard drive and delete them off of my computer. This means I have a big organization project to do in iphoto. Anyway I still won't be down loading this weeks pictures they aren't too exciting anyway:) I've been sick this week and I have my last paper due on Tuesday so my weekend has been focused on that. Hopefully next week all my computer stuff will be solved and I'll be back to normal!! In the mean time enjoy this great picture of Liz, Ronald and I.

No pictures this week.

I am not posting any pictures this week... NOT because I have not taken any - I'm still going strong taking one a day (the quality of the excitement of my life has decreased the last couple of weeks- I need to redouble my efforts of my creativity) but I have no pictures because my computer tells me it has had to much. I need to move a bunch of things off of my hard drive and make some more room. The good news is I bought an external hard drive and as soon as it comes in the mail I get things backed up and transfered over and then we will be back in business.

An Easter not so long ago

Here is a special treat. I think I may be 4 or 5 in this picture. I love that Liz and I have matching little pink dresses and purses but most of all I love Jonathan's sunglasses. I'm so glad that whoever was taking the picture didn't insist he take them off. Definitely one for the memory books.

Idaho

I spent the Easter weekend in Idaho with my family. I am so glad I live close enough that I can go home on holidays. I enjoy all of my family so much and am so happy that I get to share my life with them.

I brought Krispy Kreme donuts home with me. Not something I buy often but definitely a great treat every now and then.

And little Lucie was delighted that she got to enjoy some of the goodness as well.

A little April Fool's fun... Our "t.v. dinners" were super cute but I had no desire to eat one. Something about cupcakes not looking like cupcakes makes them not so tempting.

Playing a fun game with our Grandpa. I love my grandpa and am so happy he is always so willing to make time to spend with us.

Liz, Marianna, and I enjoyed a fun girls day out. I love to get a pedicure. How can having your toenails painted and filed make me feel so much better about life?

We also enjoyed yummy pizza at Craigo's. We had a great time laughing and talking and enjoying each other.

Gracee brought me a bunch of flowers to put in her hair. I told her to find all the flowers that they had I then put them all in her hair and of course Emme couldn't be left out so we decorated her with bows. The best thing about these hairdoes is the fact that Liz let them wear them out in public and the girls got many funny looks and a couple of compliments:)

Saturday morning I woke up not feeling good at all. I must have had a 24 hour bug. I hate being sick but I was so grateful Liz was there to take care of me.

Favorite of the week!

Just wanted all my "faithful" blog readers to know that I'm still alive... This week I went back to work after a nice 4 weeks of off track time. I've missed my kids and am glad to be back with them. I'm not uploading a bunch of pictures this week but thought I'd post my favorite one. One of the fourth grade teachers snapped a picture of me in library and turned it into this. I thought it was pretty funny and worth sharing. I haven't seen the movie but maybe I would have made a good extra - what do you think? Have a great week everybody!!

This is why...

I never have to feel bad about not having children of my own yet. The Lord has given me beautiful nieces who love me and are always excited to see me. Thanks Lilly for all the fun I had and thank you Annie and Jonathan for inviting me and making me feel at home. And thank you Ivy for being born so I could come and enjoy you! I love you all!

Day Eleven

Lilly and I spent an hour in the morning at the park. I put her in the swing and she said - go get your camera.

After I had taken a few pictures however she was done and let me know it.

I enjoyed the evening snuggling with little Ivy.

Day Ten

A few horsey rides before bed.

Day Nine

More fun girl stuff. Lilly let me paint her nails and then I let Lilly paint mine.

Not too bad of a job. Although I was glad it's still too cold to wear sandals.

And here Lilly is with hair like me. She decided she wanted it curly so we tried it out. We were both quite pleased with the results.

Day Eight

Fun shoulder rides... I love that you can get a child to go a lot of places by offering to give them a ride on your back. Kinda makes you wish you had never grown up huh?

AZ Day Seven continued

Such pretty little girls!

Lilly, Jonathan, and I enjoyed more time at the park and Lilly wore her fairy wings. I love that her hat, pants. and wings are all the same shade of pink! Little girls are so much fun!

Bathtime...
And enjoying the evening after the BYU victory.

AZ Day Seven

These are some of my favorite pictures! What a cutie who was so excited to use my blush. She's pretty serious about it and the rest of my stay when I headed to the bathroom get ready pretty soon there was a knock on the door and Lilly would join me to but blush on.