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!