Graduation-

I finally graduated!
YAY-

The best part of it was my dad flew in and surprised me.

I had absolutely no clue he was coming.

When I was looking for my mom {and fam} in the stands,

I noticed my mom pointing to someone and it was my DAD!

I started crying... I swear I am too emotional.

Here is my father and I after the ceremony~

My mom and I~

Morgan and I~

finally, Faith and I~

After the ceremony... there as the "annual" hunting bbq at my aunt and uncle's house. So we all headed out for a bit. I ended up leaving early for dinner with Dara, Melanie, Simone, and Amy. {Unfortunately we didn't get pictures with Amy}

Dara had been outside decorating my car and I had to drive hom in this...

Friday Night Fun

So my wonderfully, terrific, awesome friend

Dara is getting married

and what better way to celebrate than a girls night out...

So here are some fun photos of last Friday night (April 17).

{Dara above at RA}

Melanie, Simone, and I before our night out.

I like this picture better, so does Melanie~

however, it's not Simone's favorite.

I almost posted the other one but decided... it's my blog!

{love ya Simone!}

Dara had no idea we were going out in style. She was informed it was going to be a casual night with 6 of us for dinner and a drink or two. To her surprise, there were about 15 of us and hummer taking us to RA and then Mist for dancing. This was when she realized we'd be going out in the hummer (picture below).

Dara and I on our way to RA. Melanie wanted everyone to make goofy poses for photos so they were not so boring. Dara and I do a good job but we are still way too cute!

Inside the Hummer. Who knows what we were doing at this time. Melanie is at the end probably singing her heart out!

Missy and Melanie.

Missy and Amy planned this great night out. Unfortunately, Amy got the Flu on Wednesday and was unable to go. We all felt so bad because she did so much to plan all of this. Amy is awesome and I know we are all thankful for her effort to put this together. We definitely missed Amy that night!

Our drink at RA. It was huge and we got to share it but I have no clue what was in the drink. I didn't think it tasted good at all but it was fun to drink out of it.

{from l-r: Melanie, Simone, Dara, and Missy}

Melanie- enough said

Margie and I

Melanie and I

Missy, Simone, Kristin, and Melanie at Mist

End of the night outside of our Hummer!

We made it home safe and sound~

Tri for the Cure

Melanie, Simone, and I completed the relay sprint triathlon for Tri for the Cure this morning. I swam, Mel biked, and Simone ran. We had a lot of fun and it was a great experience for my first "tri". Here are some photos~

Melanie and I outside the bathroom. They wanted us there by 6 am and we were suppose to start around 7:15. We ended up starting at 8:20ish. It was insanely unorganized!!!

Melanie, Simone, and I waiting for the event to start!

Taking a quick breath before I go under the lane marker for my next lap.

Me swimming~ a 400

Simone taking the chip off Melanie's ankle so she could begin the run- I was so occupied trying to get a great photo that Melanie almost fell off her bike trying to balance herself after an 8 mile ride. Luckily she didn't fall and I got this awesome photo!

Simone on her 2 mile run. This was a walk in the park for her!

After the race ~ We finished and came in 2nd place for the relay! YAY US!!!

Paradise Hotel 2 {secret addiction}

Ok- I have to let you all in on a little secret. I am OBSESSED with Paradise Hotel 2. It is seriously smut television at it's best. Single men and women out to eliminate one another for a grand prize {I have no idea what it even is}. I have come to love: James, Mike, Krista, Lauren, and Tanya {she was eliminated in the last show!} Anyways- thought I'd share my newest obsession of smut television.

Sad thing is... it's the only show I watch!

April 12

I woke up yesterday and did not feel so well. Thought maybe it was because I never ate dinner and my body was just weak. So I kept my plans with the girls and decided to take them to the Maricopa County Fair. I lasted 4 rides, 1 game, and walking through the livestock. I felt bad for leaving so promised them we'd go to Border's bookstore. Morgan has been wanting a book {Dragonology}. I told her she had to save her own money to buy it- and she DID! By the time we got back to my house, I was 10 times worse and wiped out. I called Stac and he was going to come pick the girls up. I felt horrible for promising to take them to Border's but knew there was no way I'd make it. So, Stac took them {whew} and I slept from about 2:30 in the afternoon until 6 am in the morning. Finally feeling a bit better so it's all good. What a day! Here is the only picture I got of the girls at the fair. You can see how cute Faith looks in her new glasses! She said none of the kids have made fun of her, they tell her she looks cute! Hope you all had a great weekend!

Update-

“I'm selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control, and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.” -Marilyn Monroe


As for life, it is good. Almost done with school. Just finished the last assignment for my final core class and next will be a 5 week math class. {Wish me luck, math gives me anxiety}. I'm finally to a point were I feel guilty if I do not work out, so that is good. I'm doing a relay tri in 3 weeks. I will be doing the swimming, only 400 meters, but it will be fun. Planning to go see my dad this June too.

The girls are doing well. Took Faith to get her eyes checked out and she is now wearing glasses. I don't have a picture of her in them yet, but will post a photo as soon as I can. She looks adorable though! She struggles in school a little but hopefully things will be working out for the better very soon. Had to do some talking with teachers but the outcome looks good. Morgan is doing well in school, straight A's with the exception of one B.

These photos are from New Year's Day- I know, a little late. My cousin's kids and Morgan and Faith. We always go to my mom's house on New Year's Day for black eyed peas, pork, and saurekraut.

Almost time...

So in 2 months, I am graduating! I have 5 more weeks of school left {that is not including the extra 5 weeks for a math class I still need}.

This has been a great 2-1/2 years. I have made some major changes in my life.
1: Going back to school. I was terrified and not sure if I could do it. I had no idea how much going back to school would change me.
2: Career change. This was huge because I left a job that I absolutely LOVED. I left great friends and I ventured out into an entire new world. I miss SB Etc a lot but I LOVE where I am now and the guys I work with... are awesome!
3: New friends. I have made some amazing friends that I spend every Wednesday night with. I think sometimes we know a bit too much about each other but it's definitely been a fantastic experience and I will miss our Wednesday night classes together!
4: New experiences. I had an opportunity to volunteer at 3 different agencies here in the valley: American Cancer Society, Juvenile Detention Center, and Terros {with their crisis team}. The experiences were absolutely incredible and definitely gave me knowledge to things I was unaware of. I have also made GREAT friends at the agencies- I heart them and their friendship.
5: I have grown as a person. The experiences I have had, the friends I have made {and lost}, the knowledge I have learned have helped me to grow into a better person.

I want to thank each of you who encouraged and supported me over the last several years. Without you all, I would not have made it to the point I am at today!

xoxoxox
ME

Tell her....

I found this and just wanted to share.... OH, and 11 weeks 'til I am done with school!!!

TAYLOR SWiFT: COLD AS YOU

Becky wanted me to update... this is all I have for now.

quote for the day

“A true champion is someone who wants to make a difference, who never gives up, and who gives everything she has no matter what the circumstances are. A true champion works hard and never loses sight of her dreams."
-Dot Richardson

Evolution of Dance

This is hilarious...

Volunteering

So for school, I am in my 3rd field experience {aka... volunteering}. I am going out with a crisis intervention team during, yes, crisis situations. As most of you remember, I volunteered the first time for the American Cancer Society {which I loved}. Then last Feb. I was at the juvenile detention center {loved even more} and continued volunteering there even when my class was finished. Now, I just had my second day {10 hour days on Saturdays} with crisis intervention. This is the best learning experience I think I will have. It has made me realize how lucky I am. Even if things do not work out the way I wish them to. If I am having a horrible day and want to curl up in bed, I have realized how blessed I am that I can communicate my feelings, I can run, scream, laugh, yell, sing... whatever it might be. Now to just decide what it is my path will be for a career... maybe over the next several weeks things will become a bit clearer. Thanks for listening...

Peace~

Happy New Year

Ok so it's a few days late. I hope that everyone had a good New Year's Eve and most joyful New Year"s Day- I'm just glad for a new year and happy that 07 is done. Thanks for being there for me over the last year...

08 will bring me to:
finishing my degree
possible changes in a career
possible changes in geography
cuter clothes and achieving goals (thanks to Cliff and the girls at Epiphany)

It is scary putting down your goals for everyone to see. So hopefully this means I will stick with them and make the right choices for myself.

Taylor Swift - Silent Night (Live at Rockefeller Center-xmas

What is Christmas?
It is tenderness for the past,
courage for the present,
hope for the future.
It is a fervent wish
that every cup may overflow
with blessings rich and eternal,
and that every path may lead to peace.
~Agnes M. Pharo

Merry Christmas~

Christmas Eve

Morgan and Faith on Christmas Eve-

My mom and I went to their house for church and dinner.

Then the girls open their gifts from me.

Playing video games while waiting for dinner!

Anticipating opening gifts...

Ronald McDonald House

Today my mom and I did a little supply shopping and made a donation to the Ronald McDonald house. I had been thinking of doing something charity wise and thought of buying gifts- One of my friends {Sarah} works for the RMH and she told me there was a bigger need for supplies. We bought detergent, dryer sheets, tons of cereal, crackers, and paper towels. My mom and I then headed to downtown Phoenix to drop off the supplies. Sarah gave us a tour of the facilities. I would love to make this a new tradition- to donate to RMHC.

For those of you who would like to do a little something- they collect pop tabs-

Here are a couple facts:

~Approximately 1,267 pop tabs make one pound and it all adds up!

~144 pounds helps one family stay one night at our House. (Statistics based on an average price of $0.50 per pound.)

If you are up for saving your pop tabs let me know when you'd like to have them picked up and I will add them to the collection.

PEACE~

Stand - Rascal Flatts

I believe everday we should live our lives to the fullest. I easily forget to do this. No matter what obstacle is set in my way, I know that I can over come it. You just have to believe....

{remind me of this tomorrow}

Peace

Luminarias

I took Haley and Nikkolina (my cousins daughters) Morgan and Faith to Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden. The girls said it was boring but we actually had fun. It was freezing cold outside and we laughed the entire way while trying to find the exit!

half hour til midnight

5 trips to the store

16 dozen (plus) cookies

(I made peanut butter cookies but ...

they turned out gross so I tossed them)

3 batches of rice krispy treats =

6 care packages

Good night and sleep well~

Baking for our Soldiers

Here is a quick look into my day today~
I am baking cookies to send over to Afghanistan and Kuwait.

My first batch of chocolate chip cookies:

10 dozen chocolate chip, 6 dozen m&m cookies and 3 batches of rice krispy treats.

Thanks for serving!