Where my pitches at?!

Should I be embarrassed that my very first league happens to be when I'm 30 and it's kickball?

Let's just say, Thursday nights are a complete blast thanks to kickball.  

We have an awesome team and just yell and laugh our guts out. 

Our current standing our 5-2 and 5th in the league out of 24 teams. 

We have one more game in regular season and to the playoffs we go! 

Let's go, Pitches! 

My fictional love affair...

I am not a gal that reads excessively. 

But when I find a book that I love, I just read and read and read. 

For the month of April, some of my best included, Tris and my main squeeze, Tobias.

I'm embarrassed to admit how heart broken I was when I finished the series. 

Complete confession: I finished it at 1:30am on a Thursday night with tears streaming down my cheek. 

The ending shocked me. 

Slightly broke my heart. 

and I was sad it was over. 

I wanted more.

You know when you have a self identifying moment with a character?

That was me. 

With Tris during the beginning of Allegiant, with then quickly switched to Tobias. 

Things that I have felt years prior were written on the page. 

"We can be mended. We mend each other."

What a way to end a love affair.

Another semester.....

Finished.

How have I been an instructor for 14 semesters?  

Am I really that old?

Apparently.  

Wednesday, I finished the last day of class and am currently working on finalizing grades and submitting to be able to enjoy 3 weeks before summer semester starts. 

I never knew I would enjoy teaching as much as I do. 

Granted, each class is different. 

Out of my three classes I taught this semester. 

All three classes had such a different dynamic. 

I would keep my first two classes forever and trade a few students of my last class. 

I don't teach for the money. 

I don't teach for the experience. 

I teach to learn. 

I teach to help the students. 

They are sponges. 

Many of them will graduate and go on to do great things. 

Big things. 

I am lucky to be a very small part in their journey. 

Most days, I can say that I love my time in the classroom. 

I learn far more than any of the students do. 

Forever a gal pal

One thing that I am very aware of is, the fact that I have incredible people in my life. 

I have many long last relationships with many people. 

I have people that come into my life for a short time and make an extreme impact. 

Without a doubt, I can say they are all brought to me for a reason. 

I'm grateful. 

Rachael came into town for work and I was able to catch up with her over brunch. 

A good long chat, many laughs and shopping while this gal was in town. 

I am focused on quality over quantity in my life.

Right now, I am overwhelmed with the quantity of quality people I have around. 

My Little People

This little girl, who is not so little anymore, makes me laugh. 

Being an Auntie is basically the best thing ever. 

I am lucky enough to have eight of the best kiddos around and several adopted kiddos. 

My babies fill a spot in my life that I honestly thought I would have at this point. 

They bring laughter, innocence, magic and love that only comes from children. 

I'm thankful for all of these little people that bring so much love and joy to my life.

Hunger Games: Catching Fire

I have waited for quite sometime for the next installment of Hunger Games.

Catching Fire on the big screen exceeded my expectations. 

It was great and just how I pictured it in my head from reading the book. 

That is always the best. 

Jason, Ashley, Daph, Dan and I all braved an 11:30pm showing. 

Seemed like a good idea... until the next morning. 

Do we really have to wait another 2 years for the first installment of the Mockingjay?

The line.

Loyalty.

Is a huge part of who I am. 

Where is the line of loyalty and being taken advantage of?

When do you take lessons learned and memories made from people in your life and move on?

Poor Gracie

Desperate times. 

Calls for desperate measures.

Which I am sure that Gracie is not too happy about. 

Gracie was in need of a serious hair cut, but because of her upcoming surgery

 I didn't have the heart to take her to the groomers.  She hates it there.  

So....

She got her very own hair cut from me. 

Things were going very well, until they weren't.

She has a few shave lines in her and I blame the chunk missing on the top of her head on her.  

She got so antsy near the end.

You can tell right here that she completely hates her hair cut and me for that matter.

Good thing she loves me unconditionally.

Made with Love?

My dear friend, Ricky decided he wanted a quilt.  

After I made my first quilt he wanted in on the action. 

I told him he would have to help me.

He surprisingly was a good sport and helped every step of the way.  

(okay, maybe not every step, but kept me company.)

There may have been a fair share of unkind words exchanged while making this,

but we sure had a great time together. 

and this quilt is ONE OF A KIND. 

Note to self: never let a boy pick fabric.  You end up with a crazy looking quilt with neon green backing and hot pink yarn.  Super classy!  

He loves it and that is all that matters. 

Gettin' my hair did

Like every lady, I love going and getting my hair done. 

Who doesn't like someone else to dry their hair for them?!

Amazing.

Love getting to spend some quality time with one of my favorite people. 

I have gone to him for quite sometime and will never go anywhere else. 

We were talking to our friend Matt during my appointment and decided texting just wasn't good enough he needed to see our cute mugs!

I love this Baby B of mine and am so excited to be going to California next month together. 

He is one in a million and we can't wait to see our favorite California boy!

L O V E

  

Life is hard. 

It's safe to say, I have had it relatively easy.

I have two parents that love each other. 

Created a home of support and love. 

Have three wonderful sisters.

who I idolize and their families and love their kiddos more than anything. 

As humans, we are all quick to judge.

Essentially, many times through out the day we may feel we were "dealt the worst set of cards".

The truth is this. 

Everyone is fighting something hard. 

Life is hard enough. 

Be kind. 

Love each other. 

Love people that are different than you.

Regardless of the battles that I am personally fighting. 

How difficult some moments are. 

Or how alone or wronged I feel. 

I will remember we are all fighting hard battles. 

We all need love and understanding. 

Your Office has been Harlem'd

You know you have great co-workers if in literally less than 30 seconds this can happen in your bosses office.

We then sent him an email with the video attached saying, 

"Your office has been Harlem'd.  No office is safe!"

It is days like this that I really appreciate working with people that know how to have a good time. 

Once we started people wanting to keep joining in, including my favorite boss, Darris.  

IceSkating

Winter is officially here in Utah.  Which means lots of fun activities. 

Skiing, Ice Skating, Sledding!

Aubree had some friends from back home in town so we went to Temple Square

 and then headed to Gallivan Center for some ice skating! 

I'm almost disappointed to report that NONE of us fell.  Which knowing us, that is a little strange.  

Happy Winter!

The end of a Saga

  After several years of traditions, the Twilight Saga is complete. 

I'm a huge fan of the story and the books.

The movies not as much. 

But I will say, they did a great job on this one. 
Too bad it took them until the 5th movie to figure out 

I have always gone opening night with, Miss Stacy May and company.

and then the following day with my Mom, sisters and Preston, our favorite stylist.

A tradition that I am sad to see end, but looks like we will just have to replace the tradition with the Hunger Games.  

 

During the last 5 minutes of the movie, when Bella was able to show Edward all of the memories they had together made me remember how much I loved the story.  

Still years later, I love in New Moon with her running through the streets of Italy to save Edward. 

Best Twilight moment ever. 

And one of my favorite traditions ever.

Governor's Gala

 

Tyler and I was lucky enough to receive an invite to the Governor's Gala last weekend from my boss.  

For the record: My boss invited my date for me.  He loves Tyler and always is asking about him!  Tyler happened to stop in for a visit at my work.  We were all chatting at one of my co-workers desks and he pulled me aside to ask me if I wanted to go to the Gala.  Before he extended the invitation he said, "I need Tyler over here too."   Good thing Tyler would have been my first choice... otherwise it could have been REAL awkward.  

It was a great excuse to get a pretty new dress and have Mr. Wall in a suit.  

We had a great time at dinner, but I think we both agree that dinners like this our not our scene.  

Good thing we only have to play the part occasionally.  

Thanks, University of Phoenix for sending us to the Gala.

Because once was just not enough

We went back to the fair for a second time.  

I'm sure most of you are thinking... didn't she already go?

Sure did!

But we missed the diving show and wanted to see what this show was all about... 

Plus, I wanted to go on the slide again. 

So happens my dear friend, Jilly and her hubby were going that night too. 

So we meet up with them and played for a while.  

After watching the divers, eating tasty fair food and petting all the animals we naturally went over to the Big Yellow Slide to watch Breky go down for her first time. 

But what kind of Auntie would I be just watching?

I had to go down again... okay maybe three times!

Is it a bad sign when the people working the slide know you by name and recognize you from a couple nights earlier?

Already counting down until the fair comes back.... or should I say the Big Yellow Slide?

Either way, I am excited.

State Fair

To say I love the State Fair would be an understatement.

I REALLY LOVE the State Fair.

I mean, really, what is there not to love?

Incredibly unhealthy food, treasures you can only find at the fair, concerts, crazy shows with even crazier people in them and my favorite part... the BIG YELLOW SLIDE! 

This year did not disappoint.  

We initially went for the Lone Star concert and found ourselves wishing the fair wouldn't close. 

My wonderful friends not only went on the Big Yellow Slide with me once... but ALL six times!  

That is when you know you have true friends. 

Target & New Jammies!

Philly (Ashley) and I LOVE Target!  We may have read about our last trip here. 

We know how to have a great time. 

Last time it was hula hoops and bouncy balls.

This time....

Footed PJ's.

Thank you Target for providing yet another exciting evening for me and Philly!

Wicked

Wicked came to town!  

We bought our tickets nearly 12 months prior to the show coming... so it seemed like it took FOREVER to finally come!  

This was my third time seeing the show and I love it more and more with each time I see the show. 

LOVE.

Jennifer brought her girls to see the show this time and it was fun to watch them fall in love with the show.  

They knew all the music so it was fun to see watch them see the story come to life.

Come back soon Wicked!  I already want to see you again. 

Swimming, Snakes and my highlighted hair does not mix well

I was staying at my pal, Talia's house while she was away in London and took full advantage of her pool.  

I have swam in that pool more times than I can count and am aware that sometimes there is an encounter with a garden snake.  

This happened the first morning I was opening the pool.  It scared me a little bit, but wasn't too bad once I knew where it was.  

The next day, I was keeping my eye out for it and didn't see anything all afternoon.  

Later on that evening, I opened the pool for me and a friend to take a dip. 

Still no snake. 

We are swimming and having an excellent time and all of a sudden I look right in front while in the pool and there was the snake.  

I screamed the ugliest and most frightened scream of my life. 

I was texting Talia about it and there was a lot of confusion if the snake was in or out of the pool. 

For the record, pal,

The snake was IN the pool and still is NOT funny!  

Also, for the first time in my life, my hair turned green.  

The ends of my hair are pretty light this summer. 

But I have been swimming in several pools and have not had an issue with my coloring going green.

Until now...

My friend so kindly (uh, you're hair is green) before we got in the pool with the snake. 

I thought he was joking until I washed my hair after swimming and found this.

After a lot of purple shampoo, my blondes are finally resembling a golden cast.

Thanks for letting me use your pool, Talia!