Sleeping Beauty

This is my cute little sleeping beauty.  I think that most parents will agree with me that there is just something special about seeing your kids sleeping soundly.  This picture gives you a pretty good idea about how close Ava sleeps to me all night.  Right on the edge of my pillow and keeps her hand on me pretty much all night.  When we go to bed she insists on cuddling and that I squeeze her really tight.  Last night she was getting mad because I wasn't squeezing tight enough! She is such a joy to have around.  The down side to having her sleep with me is that I can't get a good nights sleep when she is in California!  I know I need to start working on getting her to sleep in her own bed, but I have to admit I just like having her with me.  Last night she was up crying with an ear ache so we will be heading to Kids Care right after I go to my math class.  I have a mid term on Thursday so there is no way I am missing class today.  Wish me luck, cause if you know much about my math skills I really need a miracle on this one :)

Food for Thought

I have been thinking about how President Hinckley has had an affect on my life through out the past week and the biggest thing that I could think of to share is the book Stand a Little Taller. Three years ago I made the choice to become an active Latter Day Saint and it was a HUGE change for me.   Not only was I changing the way I lived my life on a day to day basis but I had changed my surroundings as well and add to that a 2 month old baby.  WOW, talk about identity crisis!  I found this book in my Grandpa's office and was really drawn to it.  It became a part of my daily life.  I was spiritually hungry and this fed my hunger and gave me something to ponder the teachings of the gospel.  We are so blessed to live in time where we have the teachings of a latter day prophet and the many wonderful prophets who where here on the earth before us right at our finger tips.  This book has truly made a difference in my life and my testimony.  If you don't have your own copy I recommend you put it on your list of must haves. I want to share the thought from yesterday, cause it is one of my favorites.

Life in Christ

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Luke 9:23

The Lord declared: "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it" (Matthew 10:39).  These words have something more than a cold theological meaning.  They are a statement of a law of life - that as we lose ourselves in a great cause we find ourselves - and there is no greater cause than that of the Master. 

Wow!  Isn't that an amazing and true concept.  I want to thank the many people who have taken the opportunity to give service to me and Ava.  Our lives have truly been enriched by your service and I could not make it without the many act of love and kindness that have been offered on our behalf.

Long Over Due!

I can't believe that it has really been more than two months since my last post!  I can't believe how quickly time flies by.  I have been a busy girl.  My life is in the process of some MAJOR changes and I am feeling really overwhelmed.  I quit my job at Jamba Juice (well my official last day is next week, but I have only been working 1 or 2 days a week ) and started back to college at the University of Utah.  I am officially a Ute! I have been in school for three weeks and I am wondering what I got myself into.  I am definitely out of my element.  College seemed so much easier right out of high school than it does now.  I am not in the learning mode any more and I feel really out of my league.  I am hoping that things start coming back to me, but I am having to spend a lot of time re learning a lot of stuff (ex: math).  I have no clue what APA format is and have to write all my research papers using it ( i used MLA in my writing class at SDSU, not that i would remember it now!).  I am amazed at how quickly I made this decision and just jumped into this new life.  I am so excited for the adventures that are waiting in the future.  I am going to apply to the social work program and get my BSW.  If all goes according to plan I will be a college graduate in May 2011.  Mark your calendars for one big party, cause you know I will be having one!

Happy Birthday Ava !

Ava i s 3 years old today! I can't believe how fast the time has flown by! She is the joy of my life and definitely keeps my life interesting . I love her with all my heart. Happy Birthday Ava!

Flashback Friday

Belly shot before heading to the hospital

Me and my nurse. She checked me in stayed with me all day, went home and came back 12 hours later just in time to help with Ava's delivery

Giving somebody an update, don't I look enthusiastic?

3 years ago today I checked into Fountain Valley Hospital to have labor induced. I was 5 day over due with Ava and very anxious to be done with pregnancy and move onto mother hood. Little did I know what I was getting into! I definitely didn't expect to not have a baby on November 16th, but after close to 23 long hours of labor I delivered a beautiful baby girl on the November 17th. More on that tomorrow......

Frosting

Monday morning as Ava and I were pulling out of the drive way to start our day I noticed all the frost on the grass and commented to Ava "look, it must have been really cold last night there is frost on the grass!" Ava immediately replied "mom, you are so silly, frosting is for cookies!" It made me laugh all day.

Tag a long

My cousin Kori tagged me to get me out of my blogging rut, so here goes!

Tag #1 3 facts/habits about me

#1. I LOVE to read! I am always reading something. My mom says its cause I feel the need to escape my own life and I totally agree. It is so nice to just get wrapped up in another world for awhile. I just finished the 3 books of the twilight series and I can't wait until the next book is out. I also like John Grisham, James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Stephen King, David Baldacci.... anything that sucks me in!

#2. I bite my fingernails! Still at age 26, I just can't seem to kick this bad habit once and for all. I have quit periodically for months at a time, but I always start back up again. I try not to bite in public though because I do know that it is a dirty disgusting habit!

#3. I am a cokaholic(if that is even a word)! Seriously I usually have my first one by 7am. We role through the Jardine drive thru and filler up. I just have to have it. It makes my day all that much better. I try and drink the diet stuff as much as I can, but it just doesn't cut my craving as much as the real thing. So, if anybody is wondering why I am holding on to an extra 30lbs this is the reason. I LOVE COKE!!!!

Tag #2 The Senses

Favorite Smell: I will try and keep this one to a minimum :) Ava, she just has a smell all her own and it is so comforting to me. I really miss her when she is away and I always sleep with her blankie cause it smells like her. A few other favorites: my grandma Clarks house, Warm Vanilla Sugar and Breathe Romance from Bath and Body, Sunsilk shampoo, and Body by Victoria Secret and they have a new scent it is awesome too, it is called Desire.

Favorite Site: There is this place in Southern California on the drive from Long Beach to San Diego were you come around this bend and there is the ocean, right their in front of you. It is amazing! I remember the first time that I saw it and thought WOW! that is my favorite place in California. I love it and just got to see it in August. I wanted to stop and take a picture but Ava was sleeping and I didn't want to wake her up

Favorite Taste: This is a hard one too! Here is a short list: Lemon Sour Cream pie from Marie Calendars, company potatoes, carmel (especially from Grandma Clark), COKE, homemade orange rolls (and I don't even like oranges), anything that qualifies as candy

Favorite Sound: I love to hear Ava talking or singing to herself when she plays. I just sit in the other room and crack up!

Favorite Touch: cuddles from my girl, warm fuzzy socks, flannel sheets (clean ones are the best), and hugs!

Katie, Carly Blasco, and Becca it your turn. Tag your it!

Flashback Friday

It has been forever since my last post! So, I decided to do a flashback Friday. These are a few pictures from the trip to Disneyland we took last October. I can't believe how much Ava has changed in just a year! She even has her binki in this picture ;)

Happy 26th to me!

Two Special Guys

Ava and Brad cleaning the mirror!

Being a single mother I have often worried about who will be a great male role model for her. I know that of course her father will be, he just doesn't have all the characteristics that I think she need in an awesome role model. I am so lucky that Katie is married to such an awesome guy, who lets us tag along on their family outings and spend so much time. Not only does he like us but he has been willing on many occasions to be an example for me and to Ava. I really look up to Ryan and hope that one day my life will be blessed with someone so fun to be around. Ava and I have also been blessed to have Brad become a part of our lives. He is so wonderful to Ava, and to me. He spends time with Ava, giving her much needed attention that I can't always give her. He just plays with her doing whatever she wants . He lets her wash her hands as long as she wants, wash the mirror using as much windex as she want (I never do this), he teases her too! I just love when they get to spend time together. I feel like it fills a gap in her life. Last Sunday Ava and I went to Sharon and Brads for lunch after church. Brad and Ava made silly hats for us all to wear. Then after lunch they disappeared into the bathroom (one of Ava's favorite places to play). They cleaned, which she also very strangely likes to do, then when Sharon inquired on what exactly they were doing for so long Brad's reply was "We've moved on to face washing!" I went to see what exactly this meant, and Ava was wiping his face with a paper towel. It was just too funny. So, Thank you Brad for giving Ava some much needed "fatherly" attention! It means more to me than words can ever express.

Memory Monday!

I thought I would post this picture of Becca on her first day of Second Grade. Becca had her first day of Eight Grade last Monday and I can't believe how grown up she is! This is the way I will always remember my cute little Doobie.

Silly Girl

Ava is definitely going through a fun stage right now. She likes to pick her own clothes, put them on all by herself (after asking me which way the go), pick her own shoes, and fix her own hair. She is actually pretty good at getting her hair into little ponytails, they aren't very cute but it just amazes me how she keeps trying and trying to do it until finally she masters it. She is obsessed with fixing hair right now and stands on her stool in the bathroom getting the comb wet and combing her hair into the funniest little ponytails. She wears her princess shoes most places. Last Saturday I asked her to get ready to go grocery shopping, these are a few pictures of what she came up with. Keep in mind she did all of this on her own, the clothes the shoes, the hair and the accessories. She cracks me and while letting her express herself might be a little embarrassing I feel inclined to just go with the flow and pick my battles!

Cherry Hill

Well, Ava made it back from a two week visit in California on Saturday and I was definitely glad to have her home. On Monday Katie and I loaded up the kids and headed to Cherry Hill. The kids had a blast. Ava and Cooper didn't spend as much time going down the slide this trip like they usually do. Instead they tried to sit on the fountains and wrestling with each other in the water. I must admit that at certain times I was worried that one of them was going to hit their head or scrape their face on the bottom of the pool because they were pushing each other around so much and laying on each other in the water. But they had fun, and that is really all that matters. It always amazes me how well Cooper and Ava can get a long and then within a minute they can be fighting like crazy. I am really glad the we all got to spend the day together.

Ava Shakin her Bacon

Savannah, Cooper and Ava were all sitting in the kitchen last Saturday taking turns "shakin their butts". They would each take a turn while the other two watched and sing shake my butt, shake my butt. None of them really have any rhythm but they sure are funny to watch!

A Fun Weekend

Sharon and Ava sitting on the deck looking at the ducks.
There was a beautiful swan too.



A few weekends ago Ava and I got to go on a little getaway with Sharon and Brad and stay in their condo near Heber. We had so much fun just being away from home. We got their late in the afternoon on Friday and played outside, Ava got to blow bubbles which is one of her favorite things to do right now. We went to a really good restaurant and had gelato for dessert. On Saturday we went to the Homestead for breakfast. There was a big deck outside that went out over a little pond that had fish and ducks. Ava was very excited about the ducks. She calls the gucks and says pack, pack, pack. It cracked us up! We sat in the hot tub for awhile and then we all went to see Surf's Up. It was a cute movie! Thanks Sharon and Brad for a fun weekend!

Flashback Friday

I am officially joining the Flashback Friday group. This week we are going back 7 years to my High School graduation. I thought now would be a good time of year for this with school ending, so today I dug up some old pictures. It was kinda fun to take a little trip down memory land and look through my old scrapbooks that are just collecting dust on the top shelf of my closet. I had to laugh today thinking about how differently my life has turned out that I planned it would seven years ago. I am so happy that is had turned out differently though because I feel like I am in a pretty good place right now. I have a beautiful daughter and I love being her mother. I am on the road to having a career that I really love and would have never imagined myself capable of doing. LIFE IS GOOD!

Hats

Lately I have been working a 9-7 shift so I have some time with Ava in the mornings. I really enjoy getting to spend time with her in the mornings. She loves to cuddle when she first wakes up so we usually just lay around for a little while. We get to eat breakfast together too! I try and cherish every moment that I get with her because there doesn't seem to be enough of them lately. In my perfect world I would get to be with her all day every day, but that isn't the case right now. I can't believe how much I miss while I am at work. I try not to think about this very much because it breaks my heart. I am just so thankful that she spends her time somewhere where she is happy and loved! Anyway, I had Heidi take this picture of us this morning with our hats. Ava wanted to wear a hat like me today. She is just so dang cute!

Interesting Night

Ava holding the yogo after we got home
The recovered yogo! Anybody hungry?

Last night Cooper came over while Katie and Ryan went to dinner. All was going well, Ava and Cooper were actually getting along without any fights or mischief. After there bath they wanted some Yogo's so I gave them each there own little bowl full. They were sitting together on the coach when all of a sudden Ava starts yelling "Get it out, get it out". So I run over to find out what she is talking about to find that her and Cooper had both put a yogo up there nose. I managed to get Coopers out but Ava just kept pushing hers further and further up her nose. It wasn't coming out! I scooped up both the kids and headed to insta care. Katie and Ryan met us there the get Cooper. Katie stayed to help me and it was a good thing cause it took three people to hold Ava down while the Dr. fished the yogo out of her nose. I can't believe how far up there is was! On the way to the Dr. Ava was crying and saying that she didn' want to go to the Dr. and Cooper just kept telling her it will be all right and be right next you the whole time. Hopefully Ava learned her lesson and won't be putting anything else in her nose!

New Hair Do

Last Tuesday I finally took Ava to get her hair cut. I had been wanting to do this for awhile now, with the hope that it will grow in a little bit thicker. The last time Ava went for her monthly visit with her Dad I got my hair cut. She noticed immediately and just kept telling me that she wanted a hair cut too. She requested to have a pink hair cut like mine. I don't know what this means to her, but I told her she was getting one. She sat so good during the whole thing and was excited about her new look. I think it turned out really cute!

Cute Cousins

When I was leaving Katie's house one late afternoon the kids were playing on the tramp. I happened to have my camera and decided it might be an opportunity to get a good shot of the kids. I actually got a few good one (this is rare) so I thought I would share them with everyone!

Some Good News

I have some good news. Next Tuesday is my last day with Einsteins! I was offered an Assistant Manager position with Jamba Juice so I am going back. I am really excited about this change. Of course, as with any change I have a little anxiety, but I really feel that this job change is the right choice. I am really excited and hopefully if all goes according to my plan I will be promoted to a General Manager by the end of the year and have my own store. There are 3 new locations scheduled to open by October and I really want to get one of them.

Update

I know, I am a terrible blogger! But here is a small update on what is new in my world. I moved into a new apartment 2 months ago. I love it there. It is a two bedroom and I love having the extra space! Ava actually sleeping in her room is a whole different story though! I have tried to bribe with Cinderella sheets, Dora pillows, treats and she still just ends up in my bed cause I usually just don't have the energy stand firm. My latest attempt and sleeping in her own bed is her binki. She can no longer sleep in Mom's bed with her binki. She did sleep in her bed (most of the night) last night because she chose the binki. This angle might actually work! I know this problem is my fault, because I have always let her sleep with me, but I am ready for my own space now. Here are a few pics of Ava on her new "big girl bed".

Two two year olds+bathroom=disaster

This is what accured the other night while Katie and I let Cooper and Ava out of our radar for all of five minutes. Those two can get into trouble so quickly! They went into the bathroom and each with their own role of toilet paber managed to clog up th toilet and spred spit wads all over the bathroom and hallway wall just outside the bathroom. Ava was so soaking wet that I could ring the water out of her hair and clothes. What a fun surprise and mess for us!

A Fun Visit

I flew out to California to deliver Ava to Carlos for the holidays. I had a few hours before my flight headed back to Utah so my dear friend Tricia and her baby came to visit with me. I had never seen Lola yet, so it was an extra special treat to see both of them. I just love Tricia and have missed her so much since I move to Utah. It was fun to spend a few hours with them!

My Wish

All right I now that this may be a little over the top but their is a popular song out right now by Rascal Flats called My Wish and I love it. It is so right on the money for the way we want things to work out in life for our children, friends, family and even ourselves. As today is Ava's birthday I wanted to share the lyrics because they express all most perfectly what My Wish is for her!

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
and each road leads you where you want to go,
and if your faced with a choice and you have to choose,
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.
And if one door opens to another door closed,
I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window,
And if its cold outside show the world the warmth of you smile

(chorus)
But more than anything, more than anything,
my wish for you is that this life becomes all the you want it to,
that your dreams stay big, your worries stay small, that you never
need to carry more than you can hold, and while your out there getting where your getting to, I hope you know that somebody loves you, and wants the same things to,
yeah this, is my wish

I hope you never look back, but you never look back,
all the ones who love you, and the place you left,
I hope you all ways forgive, and you never regret,
and you help somebody every chance you get,
oh, you finds Gods grace in every mistake,
and you always give more than you take

(chorus)

I know this might be a little silly, but for some reason this song seems to move me, I really love!

Ava

Here are a few of my favorite pictures that I just got taken of Ava. They definitely show her cute personality!

What's New?

It seems likes Ava's birthday is kinda how I gauge time in my life. Since she is turning two next week and we celebrated her birthday this past week, I have been reflecting on how my life has changed over the past year and even over the past two years. Here are a few changes:

Change in the last year
1. My JOB! Whether this is good or bad at this point I can't really say today. There have been so many pluses to my new job, but it has been really stressful for me lately. I have been working between 55-60 hours a week, and it is wearing on Ava and I. The good news is I will probably be hiring a few people this week. Yeah!

2. My hair. It is longer and darker! Actually it is the longest it has been since I was 12.

3. I have gained 25 pounds. AHHHHH, what happened?

4. Ava, she is blossoming by the second! I can't believe how much a kid changes in just one year. It is amazing. There are days when I wish she was this little cuddly new born again, but I do love the person she is becoming. She has the funnest personality! She keeps me on my toes, and I don't know how I was ever even a little bit happy with out her.

Changes in the last two years

1. My area code. Ava was born in Cali and we now live in good old Utah. Definitely a good change. I have been so happy since making this change. I LOVE living near family!

2. I am now active in the church, and I am the Mai Maid advisor. What? Can you imagine me trying to teach 14 and 15 year olds. This seriously scares the crap out of me. Definitely very humbling.

3. The change from being a single 20 something to a being a single mother. Talk about identity crisis. But I have recovered and I am actually learning who I really am. Its weird how that happens. You lose yourself in someone else to find out who you are. Sounds backwards but it is how it really happens.

4. The strengthening of family ties. I think that I have reconnected with members of my family. Katie and I have become closer than ever. I don't know that I could have made it through the last two years without her. She has definitely been one of my biggest supporters and examples through all of these changes. Thanks Katie!

Happy Birthday, Early!

Ava's second birthday is next friday on the 17th, but she will be celebrating at her Dad's this year, so we are celebrating together today. I can't believe that it has been two years all ready!!! Time sure does fly by. Ava was born on a Wednesday morning after 22 hours of labor. I have never seen a baby with such a cone head, but she was still beautiful. I remember when the nurse brought her in later that morning after I had gotten some rest being timid to unwrap her, and then when I finally did I saw these beautiful little dainty fingers. She has the pretties long fingers! I fell in love with instantly. I think that the only love that is at first sight is between parents and their children. She was a great baby and is turning out to be a good toddler too! She is really into coloring, having her finger and toenails painted, books, her babies, necklaces and bracelets, and putting on lipstick. I could have never imagined that she would make my life so wonderful. I am so lucky to have her and I thank the heavens for her everyday!

A cute picture

Most of you have probably all ready seen this picture of Ava on Katie's blog, but it was just too cute to not post on my own blog. I swear that Ava just seems to get cuter and cuter with every passing day. She is starting to talk a ton! I can't believe some of the concepts that she is starting to grasp. Carly said that when she said "Mommy work, later". It makes me feel better to know that she knows where I am during the day and that I will be home later. She wasn't very cooperative during her picture shoot, but I think we got a few cute ones.!

Circus

We went to the circus on Saturday night. Ava had such a good time. She really got into it trying to clap at all the right times, dancing, and awwing when she saw something that really intrigued her. It was so much fun to watch her reaction to all the stuff that was going on. It is so fun getting to watch her experience things for the first time. She is just so dang cute!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Katie!!! I had so much fun with you this weekend. I truly cheris all the fun things that we do together. What did we ever do with our time when we lived apart??? Your life must have been pretty boring with out me around to spice things up! lol. Anyway, I love you so much and have looked up to you our whole lives. Thank you for all the love and kindness that you show to me and Ava.

I spent too many years believing that choices a made only affected my life. Boy was I wrong!! I have learned that what we may think are small insignificant things, really make a difference in the lives of people around us. I think that the biggest thing that we can do to positively affect the poeple that we come into contact with is to treat everyone the way Christ would. We tend to lose sight of this in our daily lives, but I am sure that if we keep it on our minds all the time that our lives will be blessed. Sometimes we are faced with situations where this may change the life of even one precious soul. I was talking with some women that I work with. They told me about some events where the actions of people adversly affected there lives and led them to make decisions that will affect their eternal lives. Yes, I know that we all make our own choices and that they ulitmately chose to make the decisions that they made, but I strongly believe that had certain individuals had taken the time to really care about them, the our Father in Heaven cares about them, they could have helped ease the burden of the trails they were facing. I am so blessed that my situation hasn't been similar. When I was dealing with consequences of poor decision in my own life my family and friends embraced me, and said what is yours is mine and we will bare it together. It is my prayer that the next time any of us is faced with a situation where someone is going through something in there lives, regardless of wether or not it is in accordance with our beliefs that we will help them and love them unconditionaly! Remeber, you have the opportunity to affect eternity everyday!

Special Friends

When making the decisions I had to make when Ava was born one of the factors in deciding to move to Utah was the desire for Ava to grow up with family close by. I love that she gets to spend so much time with her cousins. I think that Ava, Cooper and Savannah may feel a little more like siblings than cousins because they spend so much time together. Ava and Cooper have the cutes friendship! When Ava and I arrive Cooper always runs up yelling "Aya" and the embrace in the cutes little hug. They are best friends and sometimes enemies. Cooper likes to tease and Ava hasn't quite learned how to tease back. Today they got into mischief today and emptied Savannahs piggy bank. Katie said when she walked into the room they were throwing the money into the hair. It was seriously everywhere! I hope that there friendship will continue to grow throughout the years and that they will help strengthen each other in making right choices. I love Cooper and I am so glad that her is part of my life and Ava's too!