I feel so boring....

I have nothing of any real interest to say, but somehow feel the need to blog? So, this is what's new around here these days.....

We got new neighbors upstairs and down. I have "met" the ones downstairs and haven't even seen the people living upstairs. We made cookies for both last night but only the downstairs people were home and the guy looked at us like we were freaks when we dropped of the cookies, so maybe we won't be best friends? Ava said his hair looks weird and scary.

Ava is taking piano lessons on Mondays which basically means that we fight all through her practicing. It's delightful and reminds me that patience is a virtue that I have yet to fully acquire.

I spent the day at a "career workshop" and I get to do it again tomorrow. Honestly I am in no way looking forward to it. There is this weird couple there today and the guy wouldn't stop touching the girl and it was driving me CRAZY! I wanted to yell across the room "stop yourself!" And I got to do fun stuff like Me in 30 Second statements.... barf. I am trying to be positive, really, I am.

Becca is coming this weekend! So excited to see my Doobie Doo and spend some time in Logan with the rest of the fam too.

I finished my first book of the summer last night! I have a big stack waiting for me and calling my name. LOVE IT!

Sex in the City 2 comes out on Thursday! I am seriously so excited for a girls night out with Anna to see it. It's gonna be good! Like really good cause I love me some Sex in the City.

Ava has only one more week of pre school and I need a job, but don't really want one. Huh, I am so glad to be done with school but wish I was starting another semester in August cause the "real world" just doesn't have very much appeal to me right now. Pray that this changes soon and that I can come to grips with reality sooner than later. Thanks in advance :)

And just for fun, Ava with her fancy eyelashes and a very typical "Ava" expression.....

Today was a good day.....

Today was so much fun! Katie and I spent the day together and it was a BLAST! We went out for sushi, shopped, lost the car, ate cookies and nearly peed our pants a few times from laughing.
I also got to spend the evening with Adam at my very first demolition derby.....

It was pretty fun, and pretty cold! Definitely not end of May weather, but then again I do live in Utah, where summer seems to never get here on time :)

Something I have been LOVING....

While blog surfing a few weeks ago I came across a blog that I fell in love with. I sat at my computer for far to long reading through past entries and was brought to tears by many of the posts. The blog is called Joy For Your Journey and I love it. The post from today really touched me and so click here, maybe you will be inspired as well. Just another reminder that we never know the domino affect one action, conversation, or a simple invitation might have on the lives of others. Enjoy! Reading this blog has definitely brought Joy to my Journey :)

California.....

We spent last week in California with Sharon. We hit Disneyland, the beach, and the Aquarium! It was a ton of fun, but then again I LOVE Disneyland and the beach :) My friend Anna found a place where we got Disney tickets for half price, so I used the $$ my Mom gave me for Christmas, Thanks Mom! (The fact that I didn't spend all of my Christmas cash from both parents until last week is an indication that I am actually being successful in changing my spending habits. Goals are good and actually accomplishing them is even better) We finally got to eat at Ariel's Grotto and it was so much fun! I called that morning and made a reservation and was so glad that I did because that place fills up fast! There were tons of people trying to get a table and we just walked right in. It was a little pricey, but Ava had so much fun having all the princesses come to our table and talk to her and take pictures with her. She also got to learn and do a cute little dance with them. It was way better than standing in line for 2 hours like we did in August just to see 3 princess, so in my opinion, money well spent if it saved me some sanity. Ava also got to see Tink (who is has become really into the last year) Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald Duck. There were no lines and not a ton of people there so we hit almost every single ride of relevance. It was a perfect Disney day (especially cause there was only one melt down from Miss Ava)

I didn't take any pictures at the beach, it was kinda cold and windy so we didn't stay for too long. We did eat lunch at Ruby's at the end of the pier and saw some dolphins, so that was fun. We also got a parking ticket, not so fun.

The living aquarium so much more fun than I thought. Ava loved, loved, loved it! They had an exhibit where they dad removed part of shark eggs and covered them with plastic so you could see the baby shark growing in side. They had four different ones all in different stages of development. You could see the shark inside of the egg moving around, very cool. It was my favorite part for sure. I took a few pictures so hopefully you can get an idea, the white blog is the yoke that provides the baby with the nourishment while growing and then when the yoke is gone the baby shark hatches. I also got to touch one of the shark who may have laid some of the eggs we say. They are smaller sharks, and have really rough skin.


We also got to touch some sting rays, star fish and sea anemones. Ava really got into this part and it was hard to pull her away when it was time to go...


I love her face in this last picture...


We also got to feed some birds. Ava wasn't too excited about birds landing on her arms so she fed them while they were sitting on the fence. One did land on her arm and she tried really hard to be all right with it, but in the end her fear won and she screamed and threw her bird food to get it off of her. It was kinda funny (doesn't it make me a mean mom to thinks it's funny?)



I wish I would have taken a picture of all three of us together, but I forgot to take my camera to Disneyland and the battery died while we were at the aquarium. Bummer. It was so nice to get away for a few days. I love going back to California because I really do miss living there, but every time I go back I am so happy that I moved to Utah. I love where I live and would never change it. Thanks Sharon for coming along!

Graduation!

Seriously, one of the best days of my life! It was fun to just be with the people I love the most all day. It was so fun to have everyone there so share such a special day with me. Becca and my Mom came early with me and saved seats for everyone. They picked the best seats, where I could see them the whole time and they could see where I was. It was fun to have Ava waving at me and blowing kisses to me. I was a little stressed about how she would behave during the graduation, but from what everyone said, she was good. We went to Cheesecake after to do my favorite thing, eat! It was fun although we had to wait 2 hours to get a table. That place was a zoo, my Mom even got sat on by some fat lady! Ahahahahaha! Here is the day in pictures.....
In my seat waiting for the graduation to startWalking down the stairs.....

Waiting for my turn.....

Got my fancy diploma holder.....
Shaking more hands.....
WooHoo!!! Typical cheesy smile :)
So Happy!
Dad and Nan. I could not have done this without the support of loving parents :)
Me and my girl! It was so fun to be able to see her and wave to her during the graduation. I hope she always remembers this day cause we got here together.
My sista's! I am so lucky to have sisters that are my best friends. We always have so much fun when we are together and I can't imagine my life without them.
My mama! I seriously have the greatest Mom! She is always standing behind me and has been there to catch me every time I fall. Love you Mom!
Katie and Ryan, two of my biggest supporters. My sister is married to the greatest guy. They have done so much for Ava and I. I am so thankful for them and all they do for my family :)
Sharon and Brad, or the family that adopted me. I love how typical this picture is. Ava and I are so lucky to have Brad and Sharon.
Typical..... Isn't Ava's face just so cute in this one?
Brad took Ava to Build A Bear during out two hour wait for dinner, and she made this cute graduation dog back for me. It has a cute little cap on and little banner that say Class of 2010, Ava also got to write a personal message to me on it. So cute (mostly cause she was so excited to give it to me, Thanks Brad)

The day wouldn't have been complete without any of these people to share it with. I am so thankful for all of them in different ways. Family really is everything! Now on to the next step..... Whatever it may be!

Mother's Day

Ava drew this picture of me for Mother's Day.........
Needless to say we all had a good laugh!

It was so fun to have my Mom here for Mother's Day. How convenient that graduation was the same weekend as such a special holiday. I am so thankful for the many women who guide and direct me on a daily basis. I have truly been blessed in that area. I am surrounded by strong, beautiful, and inspiring women.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

P.S. Graduation pictures coming tomorrow......

You Can Do Anything..........

I finished school on Friday, I am a college graduate. It will really be official on Friday, but can you believe it? I can't. I am a college graduate. Wow! I never thought it would happen. Well, I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel two and half years ago when I made the choice to go back to school. It's funny how life changing choices are made. I was talking to my Dad on the phone one day, and he just randomly says "I think you should go back to school, I will help you do it." I didn't agree right that moment but the suggestion was there in the back of my mind. I would get up and go to work day after day, spending 50+ hours there a week. In some ways I loved my job, and other ways I hated it with a passion. My feet and back ached everyday, I dropped Ava off at 7 and picked her up at 6. I was missing her life. What was the point of working such long hours to be missing the most important and best days of my life? So, I applied, got accepted, filled out more paper work for financial aid, got approved for financial aid, gave notice at my job, and then in January 2008 I started school. It was not as easy as it sounds. I will never forget the way I felt the first few weeks of school and when I got my last pay check. TERRIFIED. I wondered what I was thinking, and I was feeling so much self doubt. But guess what, the peace came. I knew I was making the right choice, for me and for Ava. Now, it is done, and the next chapter of my life is waiting to unfold. Once again, I am TERRIFIED. But more than anything I am happy, excited, and thankful.
When I got pregnant with Ava I didn't really know what to expect from my future. I just thought I would get a job, and make things work. But getting my college education seemed to drop off my radar for awhile. I was blessed to move up the ranks in my job, and make a good living. But it wasn't fulfilling me the way I needed it to after awhile. Going back to school happened for me when the time was right. I have learned more than what my professors have taught me. I have re-learned who I am. Most importantly I have been given a priceless gift. I have been present in Ava's life. No more 11 hour days with someone else. Priceless. Irreplaceable. I have also learned that Anything is possible, with the right attitude, the right support group, with enough hard work and perseverance, YOU CAN DO ANYTHING!