Full Circle? Maybe.......

I saw a quote on a blog that I read mostly everyday and I felt it pretty much sums up the way I feel about what has been happening with my heart lately.

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow!

Spring has definitely sprung in me! I am happy again, the sparkle is back! I didn't think that it would ever happen, but it did. Time really does heal us. Now...... bring on some Spring weather outside, please!

Happy Birthday Sharon!

Ava made this cute little video last year for Sharon's birthday but I couldn't get it to post last year. My intention was to record a new video for this year before Ava headed to California, but I didn't get it done. It is fun to see how much Ava has changed and grown over the last year though! So, Happy Birthday Sharon. Ava and I both love you very much! Thanks for all you do for us :)

Things like this.........

make me question my intelligence. This is now what the back of my car looks like after backing into another car in the Smiths parking lot. More than likely I looked behind me before starting to back up, right? I think I did but apparently a Royal Blue car snuck in behind me and I backed into it. Luckily the other car wasn't to injured and the owner was not worried about it! Luckily for me I will not be paying to fix up his beat up and very ugly Royal Blue car. :)

Then again today, another instance to make me question if I have a brain at all! I had a repeat of leaving my lights on this when I parked for school and when I got to the car it was dead. I know! I just did this in the very recent past. So, I was stranded in the parking lot again. I did learn something new though! One is that I have an awesome neighbor who was willing to come help if needed! The second is that the University of Utah has a really cool old guy that you can call to come jump start your car for you! Thanks to my friend Alex I discovered this helpful thing today. I called commuter services and it is more than likely that people actually do this quite often because the automated system had a special option for needing a jump start! I also figured out to open the hood of my car! Yes, I had to learn this small skill today and I was successful at figuring it out!

Thumbs up!

Frustration!

And, back in business!

I also learned one more thing: never leave home without your wallet or some form of $$$$$ it makes being stranded even more stressful! I seriously need a handbook entitled HOW TO DEAL WITH AND RECOVER FROM YOUR OWN STUPIDITY!

Family Pictures

I am really due for a blog update, but don't feel like doing much talking, so here are a few of our most recent family pictures. I pretty much love them!

It's all about me, myself and I......

So this last week in my child and adolescent development class we learned about how we develop self concept over the course of life. It was so interesting to see how at different ages we will describe ourselves so differently, very intriguing and thought provoking. I tested the book and asked Ava to describe herself, she was pretty right on with how the book said she would do it.... mostly describing her possessions and everyday activities. This is what she said " I like it when I am good and friendly at school. I went to Disneyland for my birthday and my favorite ride was Dumbo. I loved that ride so much. I love my mom and she takes care of me everyday. I role around in my sleep a lot and sometimes I fall out of bed. I have a Winnie the Pooh blanket that I have to sleep with or I cry. I like to go to the zoo and the movie theatre. I love my Grandma's and my Grandpa's. I like to hug my mom." I was cracking up the whole time she was listing of this stuff. It was all so random, but very interesting to hear the things that she identifies as being part of her.
So I have been thinking about what my self concept is. I have a hard time writing about me..... it feels hard to think about how to accurately describe just who I am. So, here is my concept of me........

See I am sitting here thinking how do I start.........

My name is Julie Clark, and obviously I have no middle name, it makes me special and unique. I am a Mother, a daughter, a sister, a student, an auntie, a friend and so much more! I consider my biggest strength to also be my biggest weakness. It is my heart. It is so big and wants to love everyone and help everyone. This has brought me much joy and much sorrow. I am just now trying to understand how to filter who I let into my heart and who to close it off to. I used to be a little more self conscious and shy, but lately I am coming out of my shell more and I am liking it. I can be very assertive at times and other times my mouth seems to stop working and usually it is when it comes time to express emotions. I hate crying in front of people, it makes me feel like such an idiot. I have a hard time letting people help me because I feel the need to constantly prove myself as capable. I am learning to ask for help and accepting it when offered. Every morning I wake up and live through one of my worst fears, so not much scares me. At the beginning of the semester my teacher had us go around the room and share what our dream job would be. Guess what I said? I said that I have my dream job, being a Mom. As far back as I can remember I have wanted to be a Mom and although it did not quite happen the way I pictured it, I am still a Mom and more days than not I love it.
I love hugs, the beach, trees, boots, blue jeans (I mean really really love blue jeans!), holding hands, boys (or at my age men), reading a good book (it is the best way to escape reality), kissing, pedicures, cheesecake, singing really loud in my car (it never fails to cheer me up or depending on the song it can give me a good excuse to cry like a fool), swimming, laughing (but who doesn't?), my family, anything that smells good, talking on the phone, driving (it calms me when I am stressed and helps me clear my mind), going to restaurants, being outside at night, the smell of rain, hangin with my sista's, the wind, the gospel of Jesus Christ, tulips, hot water, sunglasses, bracelets and earings(these are very new loves for me), fuzzy warm socks, my bathrobe (even though I feel like an old lady when I wear it), Cher, sleeping, flip flops, hot pink toe nail polish, lipstick, self portraits, and so many many more things!
I believe in love! I believe in never giving up or giving in. I am a fighter. I have so many dreams that I have never shared with anyone or that anyone would ever even guess at. I can only hope that I get to make them all come true. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I love music, but don't have a favorite "kind". You never know what you will get from me with music. I like to make people laugh and can be pretty silly some times, but very few people see this whole side of me. I can do the dinner scene from the Nutty Professor almost word for word, but only for my mom and sisters :) I love the movie Steel Magnolias, it is pretty much perfect in every way. I am still deciding what I want to be when I am done with school, there are just so many possibilities! But I guess I had better decide on something soon.
Everyday I learn more about myself! That is the beauty of life....... we can choose everyday what kind of person we want to become. Everyday is a fresh start and a clean canvas. We can live in the moment, create the moments we want to live in, choose happiness or sadness, make a difference or let some one make the difference for us.
I am simply complicated and I love being me!

???????

I know this is totally random but I have no motivation to blog about anything. I don't feel like myself at ALL! Not one little bit. I am all over the place lately and don't really know what to expect from myself as a person from minute to minute. The best way to some it up is that I just feel like a little freaky. Like more crazy than I have ever felt. So, there you have it. Me in a nutshell. At least lately.

Bug Tag......

How it works...... write down 10 things that bug you and 10 people you tag...

Not in any particular order, mind you.....

1. People who drive with their turn signals on but are clearly not turning.
2. When Ava asks me the same question over and over again even though I have answered it several times.
3. People who talk during class as if no one else cares what the teacher is saying. Annoying!
4. Losing my keys only to find they have been in my pocket the whole time.
5. Being late
6. The grocery store. I just don't like going there, everything about it bugs me. The smell, people who just mosy along, waiting in line......
7. People who walk their dogs and don't put a leash on them. Not everyone wants your dog to jump on them! (this happened to me at school last week, I was not happy, not happy at ALL!)
8. Tests that only have 8 questions and are worth 100 points. Seriously that leaves no room for any error!
9. My frizz ball hair
10. Walking to class in the snow


I am copying Tammy and just tagging the next ten people who read my blog. Leave a comment if you want to play so I can check out your answers.

Happy Sunday!

What can I say? It's tradition........

Growing up my Dad and I used to wrestle quite often. Everyone in the family had their own wrestling name and yes I remember them all. Me = Reddy Spaghetti, Katie = Sicky Nicky, Mom = Go Mamma Go, and Dad was The Crusher. We even gave my Clark Grandparents their own names when they lived near by. Grandpa was Hot Dog Bully and my Grandma was Go Granny Go. Yes I know all of this is completely random, but I remember these wrestling matches as being so fun when I was a kid of 6 or 7. I still enjoy a little rumble every now and then. Sometime I take on Cooper, and boy does that little guy have some moves. His favorite one for awhile was the body slam. He would run and just throw himself right on my stomach! Well on Sunday I decided that Becca needed some family wrestling memories! We had new wrestling names though. Becca was Dairy Bear and I was Wigdal Pillow. It was quite the match, but really people if you must know I totally won! No one has moves like me, seriously. I did get a few rug burns on my arm so I will give Becca credit, she put up a good fight. The best part is that my mom was snapping pictures the whole time! Enjoy!

This made my Day!

Friday morning I was just relaxing in my bathrobe have a quiet morning at home when I heard a knock on my screen door.  I was a little weirded out cause no one ever comes to my house.  I opened the door to find this box.....
My first reaction upon seeing a flower box on my door step was that they must be for my neighbor next door, but then I saw my name on the box. I immediately started getting a little teary eyed. When I opened the box there was this card on top.....
This is when the tears really started flowing! I was so touched that some one thought of me and would do something so sweet for me! Seriously it was so amazing and restored some of my faith in humankind. I don't know who sent the flowers or if they read my blog, but THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!

Daily Dose......

Quiet.......

My house is quiet.  Way too quiet.  I miss my girl.  In fact my heart is aching for her.  I was greatly feeling the need for a break in the days before she left.  But now I am just wishing she were here because in all reality she keeps me going.  She keeps a smile on my face, and laughter in our house.  She keeps me moving, and when she is gone my world seems to stand still.  I know that taking care of her is my most important job, but really, taking care of her takes care of me.  Isn't it strange how the things that bring us the most happiness can also bring us the most sorrow as well.  Isn't it ironic?  I think so.

It was one of those days....

You know those kind of days where everything seems to be wrong.  Well that was yesterday.  I woke up late, again.  I am blaming this new regular occurrence on the new bed and sheets. I just can't seem to drag myself out of that heavenly place.  I am also sure that the cold weather is contributing as well.  We are scheduled to leave the house at 8 every morning and waking up at 7:15 is not acceptable.  It results in way too much rushing for a four year old to happily endure. We made it out the door close enough to on time, but Ava didn't have her hair combed or her teeth brushed.  Bad Mommy!

As I was driving down the street to school I saw three cute little girls running down the hill to school.  One of them fell so hard I don't know how her feet didn't topple over her head.  I slowed down enough to notice that she was crying hysterically.  The mother in me said you better stop and help.  So I did.  This poor girls hands were just scraped to pieces.  I got some wipes from my car and helped her clean off some of the blood and dirt and then dried her tears.  They were all just staring at me like I was a crazy lady, but I couldn't just drive by.  I told myself that that is what I would want someone to do for my sweet girl, so even though I was feeling really rushed for time I stopped to help and felt better about myself for it.

I some how made it to my class on time and suffered through a rather boring political sociology class.  I can't even tell you one thing I learned during that hour and a half because after a certain point I stop listening and my mind wonders.  Lucky for me the tests in that class are take home. Whew!  After my Women and Crime class, which is always interesting, I decided to ditch Research Methods and go home for lunch instead.  When I managed to remember where I had parked I got in to discover that the stupid thing wouldn't start.  My first reaction was "am in the right car?"  Stupid I know, but I really did look around to make sure I was really in my car. Next I checked the lights and sure enough in all my rushing I had left them on.  My car was completely dead.  I stepped outside of my comfort zone far enough to ask a few people passing by if they had jumper cables, but everyone just looked at me like I was crazy and said no.  So, I called Brad and he drove all the way up to help me.

Seriously I don't know what I would do with out people who are willing to sacrifice their time to help me.  Brad finally got there and after some sweat and breaking up of snow drifts and ice we got the cars close enough that we could connect the jumper cables.  But, my car wouldn't budge.  The battery was done.  We headed down the road to buy a new battery and some tools.  Ninety-two dollars and two hours later, I was back in business.  I am proud to say that I didn't even cry, not once, because the "old" me would have cried.  I hate having car issues, it makes me feel so helpless!  Big thanks to Brad for helping me!!!

While driving home I just started feeling gross.  I am happy to say that that is all it turned out to be, just feeling gross.  The rest of the day was pretty neutral, but the morning and afternoon left me tired and drained.  Hopefully I will not be leaving my lights on again any time soon!  I think I learned my lesson on double checking things and not being so rushed that I leave my brain behind!

On Hope......

I got what I think is a really cool book at Christmas time. I really wanted to share the thoughts in it. It is inspired by the song I Hope You Dance. I loved the thoughts in it that went along with the lyrics of this song. All of them correspond with the hopes and dreams I have for myself, my little Ava, and of course all the other people I love so much. So today the thoughts are on Hope.

What is Hope?

To want? To Desire?

To expect that what's envisioned

may indeed happen?

YES to all of the above.

Is hope that gut feeling that it's 

worth holding out

and hanging on for just a little longer?

ABSOLUTELY.

Is hope the core of the human condition?

CERTAINLY

Can you have hope without

faith and humility and wonder?

THAT'S TOUGH

Just the thought that there's something bigger, 

something truer, something totally surprising

out there waiting for us is......

priceless.

What would you be without hope

growing deep in your bones,

thriving in every inch of you?

NOTHING.

What does it take to hope?

EVERYTHING!

Hope takes never ceasing

to be amazed.....

Wearing

your soul on your sleeve....

Holding

your breathe, waiting to hear

"I love you, too...."

Believing

that tomorrow could be better than today....

that you'll get a second chance....

That you'll make a difference...

that you matter.

Mark D. Sanders & Tia Sillers

On Anger......

One of my classes this semester is anger reduction and forgiveness. It has proven to be quite an interesting class! One of the books I have to read is Forgive for Good by Dr. Fred Luskin. At the beginning of each chapter there is a quote or thought by someone. This was at the beginning of the chapter I had to read this week. It is good food for thought so I thought I would share it!

Of the seven deadly sins, anger is possibly the most fun.

To lick your wounds, to smack your lips over grievances long past, to roll over your tongue the prospect of bitter confrontations still to come, to savor to the last toothsome morsel both the pain you are given and the pain you are giving back -- in many ways it is a feast fit for a king.

The chief drawback is what you are wolfing down is yourself.

The skeleton at the feast is you

Frederick Buechner

Cracked......

BLESSED ARE THE CRACKED FOR THEY ARE THE ONES WHO LET IN LIGHT!

LIfe is too short.......

To not tell the people you love the most that YOU LOVE them every chance you get!

Just some simple inspiration......

I found this quote from President Monson

“The sweetest experience I know in life is to feel a prompting and act upon it and later find out that it was the fulfillment of someone’s prayer or someone’s need. And I always want the Lord to know that if He needs an errand run, Tom Monson will run that errand for Him.”
–President Monson, “A Brand New Year”

This it really struck me because it kind of tied into what we talked about in my institute class today. We learned about how the Lord always has a plan, a purpose and a back up plan. For each of us personally as well as for the church. We discussed how sometimes we get an impression or an answer to prayer and we are not quite sure of the reasons behind them. My teacher asked if we had ever had any thing like this happen in our own lives. The best example I could think of in my own life was the promptings I had to move to Utah after Ava was born. In the months before she was born I had many experiences that pointed my heart in this direction. I was feeling obstinate and didn't want to move or make many necessary changes in my life. I wanted to prove that I could make my life work and still live in Long Beach. As you can see I gave in to all the pushing and submitted to what I can now see as the will of the Lord. Looking back I can see all the miracles and blessing that I have received because of this choice in my life. I have been so blessed to be walking the shoes I am walking in now. Going back to school has been such a blessing for me and for Ava. I can see that it has not only been for me to gain my education but to gain spiritual knowledge as well. It has taught me that some times in life we have to take that huge leap of faith and that in return the Lord will bless us. He will bless us beyond what we can even imagine. I am trying to hang on to this faith right now with all my might. Sometimes we don't always get the answers we want, and have to remember that there is a plan for each of us individually if we will just be patient enough to let it work. It is my hope that when I am asked to "run His errand" that I will be ready and willing to do so! Life truly is a blessing, thank you to all who have "run the errand" on my behalf!

Too Tired!

I really wanted to give the update on how the first week went, but seriously I am too tired to even think straight right now. Ava is still going full speed and I am just so tired I am sitting here pretending to listen to her when really I am just trying to hold my eyes open! I am feeling a little overwhelmed and hopefully I will get that under control tomorrow. I have to sit down and fill out a calendar for the next few weeks so that I know exactly everything I have to get done everyday. I will end by saying that I feel pretty successful with the week. I have kept most of my major goals for myself. My house is still clean. There is not one dirty dish in the sink, one piece of clothing on the floor, jackets are hung, shoes are put away, are you getting the picture? This is BIG for me. I even made my bed 3 out of 4 mornings and even cooked a few meals! I have made it to the gym. I am pretty caught up on reading for the week, but a big chunk of it will get done tomorrow! Most importantly I don't feel like I am running behind schedule.

OH, and one more thing! I totally slipped on a patch of ice while walking to class and fell! It was pretty embarrassing and my knee is a little red and bruised. So, if you needed a little chuckle just imagine me slipping down the hill with my 20lb back pack on. It is funny to me now, but not so much at the time of its happening!

Let the Fun Begin!

Today I am feeling just a little anxious. I start school again tomorrow and life is about to get pretty crazy. I added a class last week so I will now have 19 units. I have been trying to decide wether or not to add the last class for about a month and finally decided to just do it. I sat down one afternoon and figured that after this semester I will only have 5 or 6 classes to complete after this semester which means that in December 2009 I will be a college graduate! That will make these next four crazy months all worth it. I am very blessed to not have to work right now, so I am just going to give school all my attention and make it work. I am feeling a little self doubt right now but I know that once I get the kinks worked out of my schedule everything will work out, But I will be one BUSY lady! My goal is to get more A's than B's this semester.

Here is what is on my schedule for the next semester:

Forgiveness and Anger Reduction
This class is online and all the course material is all ready posted. It is going to be pretty intense! Lots of reading and weekly writing assignments, group discussions and I get to teach a class at the end of the semester about letting going of grudges and forgiveness. I have to find my own group to do the class with so if anyone is interested let me know! I would really appreciate volunteers and I promise to not bore you to death :)

Childhood and Adolescent development
This class is on Wednesday nights at the Bountiful campus. I am really looking forward to this one! It should be really interesting. I am lucky enough to have Megan watch Ava while I attend this class.

Intro to Data Analysis
This is just a 1 unit online class. The class material is posted and it looks pretty doable. I will have weekly assignments due and the most daunting part of this class is I have to figure out how to instal the program needed onto my computer. The program is not Mac compatible but there are instructions to get around that and I am not looking forward to figuring it all out because I am really computer dumb!

Research Methods
This class is a requirement for a major in Sociology. My academic counselor said that it is pretty writing intensive, which I am honestly not looking forward to!

Political Sociology
This one should be interesting. I have the same professor that I had for my social structure class last semester. The down side to that is I missed an A by one point on every single exam! Hopefully that will not be the case again this semester.

Criminology
Should be interesting!

Women and Crime
I probably wouldn't have picked this one on my own, but my academic counselor said that the teacher was really good and that everyone who takes the class loves it. The text books look pretty interesting so I am actually looking forward to this one.


It is a pretty full load especially considering everything in my life besides school. Ava, running a half marathon in April, an institute class, counseling, my church calling.......... See why I am feeling just a little bit of anxiety! Wish me luck!!! I will keep you all posted with how things are going :)

Would you go out with this guy?

I have had some pretty interesting things happen to me with my latest attempts at dating. I think I have been pretty lucky to not have had strange things happen before now. Yes, I do know that it is easy to be something you are not on the internet, good or bad. But, I have never had people be so openly forward with things. I will be polite and not share my most offensive experience with you and just share the latest one. Tell me what you think. Here is the email I received Sunday exactly the way he wrote it with my own commentary added in! Laugh, it is kind of funny and then let me know what you think cause I'm curious.

Hi Hot Momy you look so good. (ok first, momy is spelled wrong and yes I notice stupid stuff like this and while I know we all make typos this one just annoyed me for some reason. Second I DO NOT want to be called mommy by anyone but Ava especially some one I might want to date, it just doesn't work for me. A hot mama here and there by my friends or people I know, yes, but not some one of the opposite sex, EVER!) I would like to take you out and kiss you all over. (WHAT? This is kind of where my jaw dropped. I want to kiss you all over? Is that really how you introduce yourself to some one you are attracted to? I don't know but I just sat here for a minute and was like ARE YOU KIDDING ME?) My name is some weirdo you have never met!........ (I will be polite and not put his name, but we can just call him WEIRDO because it seems fitting to me)

So my main question is: Would you go out with this guy?


Now just for fun the music video of the song I Want to Kiss You All Over by Excile (1978) and the best part is the guy who sent the email looks quite similar to the long haired lead singer, just with a black comb over hairstyle.

Uniquely Me!

We had an awesome lesson in young women's today about the divine nature we each have inside of us because we are each children of our Heavenly Father. I don't know why but today I think that in today's world we tend to look down upon loving ourselves for the things that make us each unique, special and beautiful in our own way. We talked about how knowing that we are daughters of God can affect our daily lives. I have been thinking about it a lot today. I am so lucky to know that I really am a daughter of God. He knows me. He knows my heart, the things I desire, the mistakes that I make, the mistakes that I think about making but don't make, and most of all he loves me in spite of it all. Knowing this makes me unique and special. That's right I can say it out loud and in public, I am unique and special. Here are just a few things that make me "uniquely me":

I am an in the closet picky person. I pretend to not be picky about things, but really I am. Stupid things like how I hate to eat food with my hands cause then your hands just smell like food and I think it is gross. Or how I will not walk any where bare foot. I hate being bare foot, it completely drives me crazy! Or how I would seriously consider not brushing my teeth if Colgate tooth paste is not available. There are million more but I can't tell you just how finicky I can be.

I don't like to fight with people. I stay quiet during confrontation. Sometimes this is a good thing and sometimes it is a bad thing because often times not sticking up for myself means I get walked on a lot. I don't have any plans on changing this though, I will not become a fighter, I will stay a lover :)

I am strong. No I don't mean I have big muscles, but that I do hard things every day. When life throws me a fast one I keep my head up and face it head on. I might take a few days here and there to feel sorry for myself but for the most part I keep moving and try everyday to find a reason to smile or laugh.

I love to make people laugh and I love to laugh along with them!

I have a really big heart. I tend to love people really easily and once you are in with me you are in. I have come to consider this heart of mine a strength and weakness. While loving people is a good thing it can also lead to great heart ache. But with the good always comes the bad, right?

My sisters often times refer to me as the "brother" and I can own that. Every family needs one and as long as I can keep loving lipstick and shoes, they can call me the brother.

I have an obsession with "lotions and potions" (that is a term given by Sharon). Really I do! I cleaned out the cupboard in my bathroom and there were 27 bottles of lotion in there! I am officially grounded from making any further purchases at Bath and Body Works. It doesn't stop with the lotion. I have 6 different kinds of perfume. There are probably 5 different kinds of Shampoo and Conditioner in the hall closet. I have 4 different kinds of anti frizz hair products to choose from in the morning. My make up bag, seriously I don't even want to go there........

I make really yummy sugar cookies.

I love hugs and can never get enough of them.

I am really sentimental. I remember what some might consider stupid details, but to me they are special so I hold on to them.

I am in no way shape for form perfect. That being said I am learning to be perfectly ME and better every day.

The list could go on and on and bore you for days. These are just some of my favorite things about me.

Snow Fun!

Ava played outside with the neighbors today. The hill on the side of our house is perfect for sledding (at least for the kiddos). Thanks Anna for letting Ava play and sharing your sleds. Ava had a blast!

Looking back at 2008

I thought this would be fun way to remember some of the highlights from 2008! Have fun reading......

1. What did you do in 2008 that you had never done before?
I took a beginners weight training class this last semester. It was pretty interesting, but I didn't quite get all that I wanted to from it. I had two different teachers that did things very differently, so I didn't quite get a routine work out that I wanted to. But that being said it was still the perfect way to learn a few things that I would not have other wise learn and I it did help me step out of my comfort zone a little!

2. Did you keep any new years resolutions and will you make any new ones for 2009?
I did actually make and keep a few new years resolutions for 2008. I really wanted to lose some weight and get into shape. Katie, my Mom and I joined weight watchers the end of February and I was able to drop 20 pounds by June. I also made going to the gym a regular habit. Going to the gym has become a kind of "therapy" for me. It is a great way to clear my head and relieve a little stress. I also decided that I wanted to prepare for and go to the temple. It was a great learning process for me. I have grown to love and respect my bishop so much through this process. He has given me some great advice and words of wisdom this past year. The most recent insight he has given me is that no one progresses in a straight vertical line. We all have peaks and valleys along our paths and that as long as we can connect the peaks into that upward line of progression we will be okay. I really loved that and have thought of it very often over the past few months. As for 2009........ I really want to get more A's than B's next semester. I have also decided to run the Salt Lake City half marathon on April 18th. I start my official "training" next Monday. This is going to take A LOT of work for me to accomplish but I am really excited about it! Wish me luck!

Some of the many people who came to support me at the temple in June.

Me after losing 20 pounds

3. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, very sad to say that my sweet Grandma Clark passed away in November. It has been a really hard thing to go through. It is always hard to lose some one that you love dearly, but it has taught the great lesson of not taking the people we love for granted and to love them as fully as I can daily. My life was truly blessed by her and all the love that she has shown to me through out my life. I am so grateful that we are an eternal family and that I will one day be with her again. Love you Grandma!

4. What countries did you visit?
Well, I didn't travel outside of the country, but I did go on a few fun vacations. Sharon and I went to Hawaii in May and had soooooo much fun. I went to Arizona a few times to visit my Mom and Becca. I also to a fun trip river rafting with Katie, Ryan, Becca, Nick and Chris this summer. Ava and I also spent a fun weekend in California at Disneyland.


Me and Sharon in Hawaii


Thanksgiving in Arizona at my Mom's


Everyone in Jackson Hole

Disneyland with Tricia and Lola

5. What would you like to have more of in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
I would like to keep things a little more organized and less stressful.

6. What was your biggest achievement in 2008?
Definitely without a doubt it is going back to school. I just finished my second semester back. I am so glad that I made this huge decision and then followed through with it! I have learned so much and not just book smarts, but about myself too.

7. What do you wish you would have done more of in 2008?
Definitely would be spending more quality time with Ava. It is so easy to get wrapped up in doing other things. I want to spend more time with her playing games, reading stories, bowling, swimming, the park........ I guess just more of the things that she enjoys. She is growing so fast and I don't want to take having her for granted because I know that in the blink of an eye she will be all grown up!

8. What do you wish you would have done less of?
Worrying about things that I have no control of.

9. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Yes I did fall head over heels in love. And even though I got my heart broken I don't regret that I did fall in love. It was amazing.

10. What did you do on your birthday?
My birthday was my first day of school this year. So I went to school all day. Later Chris brought over a Nielsens frozen custard with a candle in it and him and Ava sang happy birthday to me. The day before Sharon and Co. took me and Ava to dinner at Bennihanna's which was way way way fun! I think that I will always remember my 27th birthday as one of my favorites!

Me blowing out my candle. The funny part is that they brought me banana ice cream and I HATE bananas!

11. What kept you sane?
Diet Dr. Pepper, Sharon, the gym, being able to escape into a good book!

12. What is the most valuable lesson you learned this year?
Oh my! How can I pick just one. I have learned so many! I have learned that some times you have to take a giant leap of faith even when you are scared out of your mind. I learned this through quitting my job and going back to school. I was totally scared when I realized I had just picked up my last pay check at Jamba Juice and had major second thoughts about what I was doing, but I stuck to the plan and it has been one of the best life changes I could have ever made. I have learned that if you have something really important to say to some one you should say it when you have the chance because you might not have a chance tomorrow, next week or next month. I am hoping to never have to regret not telling some one how I really feel ever again because it is a heavy load to carry. But I think that most important thing I have learned this year is to love myself!

13. Quote a song lyric that sums of the year: you can't give up when your looking for a diamond in the rough

Dancing with the Stars

I had the greatest night! Sharon treated me to a night out on the town to see Dancing with the Stars. I have to be honest and say that it was freakin awesome! We had seats on the floor right next to the stage right where we could see all the action. I am totally regretting not taking my camera in with me! We did take some pictures with our phones the quality of the pictures isn't the greatest, but they are still fun. Thanks Sharon I had a really great time!
Me and Sharon outside of the E Center after walking through snow drifts and me almost falling a few times!
Me and Sharon at our table inside
Toni Braxton was one of the "stars" she sang Un-break My Heart and Breathe Again.

My new room!

Saturday Brad and Sharon picked me about 10:30 in the morning and we headed to IKEA to have some fun! I got a new bed and matching dresser, a picture for my wall, new bedding, and a loft bed for Ava. It was so much fun picking out all the stuff! Then we headed to RC Willey outlet and I got a still of a deal on a new mattress. It was quite the job taking a part the two old beds and hauling them out. My old bed spent a few hours on my front lawn, it was pretty pwt, but gave a good laugh seeing it out there sitting in the snow. Brad went to work putting together the new stuff in my bedroom. Sharon and I cleaned out Ava's room and then we put her bed together. We did a pretty good job if I do say so myself. We finished about 8 pm that night. I love my new stuff. It looks like an adult lives in my room now! Thanks you Dad and Nan for such a wonderful Christmas present! And thanks Brad and Sharon for spending the whole day helping me with everything!

This is the before shot of my room. It was a complete disaster! It was the place I have abandoned in my apartment and the place I would toss all the stuff I didn't really have a spot for. This picture is an embarrasment, but I am vowing to never let it look like this again!

These are the after pictures. I love it!





And now for Ava's room! This is the before picture. I know, it was a complete disaster too.


I tried to take an after picture of what the room looks like with the new stuff, but lighting was bad and they just weren't looking so good. Here are few picture of me and Sharon putting the bed together. Having the loft bed really opens up the room. We set up her kitchen and table underneath it. I think she will really like it!

Just some pictures today

Me and Becca

Becca, Nan, Dad and me

Short and simple today with some cute pictures from Christmas Eve.