Hibernation.

I was at my girl Starlee's house the other day and she told me I have been blog slacking.  So here I am.  Back at it again.  I guess you could say I have been hibernating.  I have decided that I HATE the cold of Utah.  It's frigid and makes a girl bitter about life.  January and February weren't my fave months of the year, and I don't expect that they ever will be.  But when March 1 rolled around and the sun was out and Utah was boasting 55 degrees, I was happier than ever.  How sad is that?! 55 is still pretty freaken cold!  But I decided I am putting away the boots and bringing out the flats for now, and sandals soon! Ah sweet springtime.  It is truly my favorite.  Mainly because school ends and that means summer lovin is around the corner.

Speaking of summer, that means no school.  I am so looking forward to having no school.  Except for one part...I have decided that I might not want to be a teacher anymore.  As a child, I always just thought there was the typical "Game of Life" careers.  A teacher, a doctor, a lawyer, a mailman, a grocer, and so on.  I didn't realize until a little while ago that there is so much more out there! So I am not counting out teaching indefinitely, but I want to explore my options.  I am going to see a counselor at UVU and take an interest test and figure all this out! I'll keep y'all in the loop ;) I am out of hibernation and headed to Vegas this weekend! Yee haw!

two thousand twelve.

2012 was a trying year for me.  A growing year I guess you could say.  I am glad I had this year to re group and figure out what I want to do.  It will be interesting to see where 2013 takes me. 

In 2012....
-I quit 1 job
-Took 2 vacations.
-Went to Vegas 3 times.
-Totaled out to 4 nieces.
-Took 5 classes a semester.
-Got my car washed only 6 times.
-Went on 7 dates.
-Had 8 different roommates.
-Ate at Chipotle 9 times.
-Saw 10 movies in the theater.

2012 was good. But 2013 will be better.  I have a word for the year.  It is PUSH. I want to push myself closer to my Savior, push myself to eat healthier, push myself to workout, push myself to finish my time and LDSBC, and push myself to get into the education program at UVU. I am so excited for what this year holds and I can't wait to see what happens!!

changing my crappy attitude.

I cannot believe that fall is over. I went to Vegas last weekend and when I left it was a crisp cool fall feeling outside.  When I came back however, there was WHITE everywhere.  Snow is not my thing.  I'm a California/Vegas girl so I don't like it.  AND I commute to school and work so it scares me.  Anyway, as I was driving home today, I was surprised how pretty the snow actually was.  As long as it's sunny and not freezing cold, this white stuff can stick around for awhile. Here go the random pics....

 

Julie's last soccer game. So proud of our J!

 

Day at the farm.

 

This pumpkin spice apple from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is to die for. TO DIE FOR.

 

Pretty Gemzy.

 

Katy Perry & Black Widow take on the HOWL!

 

Pumpkin carving gets intense with the Tatom fam.

 

Our little diva turned 4. Happy Birthday Clairey! We sure do love you.

 

I love her.  Don't know if she feels the same though..

 

Happy Gems last weekend!

 

Our favorite find at Marshall's.

Do you have God in your heart?

I have had an interesting and busy few weeks.  I started out by making a quick weekend trip to Vegas with some of my best friends.  We were able to attend the Homecoming football game and see everyone from high school. It was a blast catching up, seeing the floats and the boys even won!

That night, D and I went to stay at the Marriott because her aunt had a free room that she gave us.  Even though it was short, it was nice to be in luxury for a night. The next day I spent with my sister and her little family hanging out.  Sunday was another busy day.  We went to our good friend Brandon Fish's farewell.  He is going to Madrid, Spain for 2 years and we all are so proud of him.  I used to fight with Brandon til the death when we were younger and now it's so odd he is so grown up!

After church we headed over to see our best friend Julie Owens play her senior soccer game at UNLV.  I cannot believe we are that old.  I feel like we should be watching her play Centennial soccer and making T. Swift music videos.  So proud of you Jay!!!

The next weekend I went back to Quincy, CA to see my old team at Feather River play their arch nemesis, Butte College.  They kicked butt in 3 games.  FRC girls are so good this year.  The trip out to Quincy was a blast and I am sure glad I went.  It gave me a lot of perspective and helped me realize what my future plans are. 

On the way back, I was in the airport wearing my FRC Volleyball sweatshirt.  I sat down and an older man started talking to me and asking how my season was going.  I explained I didn't play there anymore but I used to and I liked it when I was there.  He asked a few questions and then at the end he said, "Can I ask you a personal question? Do you have God in your heart?" I instantly said yes, but I will admit I felt kind of uneasy and uncomfortable.  We talked for a second longer and then he got up and boarded his plane.  As soon as he left I felt weak.  Of course I have God in my heart.  All day, everyday, all the time.  It was an easy question that I answered honestly, but I didn't expand. I had an ample opportunity to have a missionary moment and because of my uneasiness I let it pass me up.  Now if this happens again, I won't let the opportunity pass.  I always have God in my heart.

it's party time.

Meghan and I after eating Tucano's for my birthday dinner.

 

So last weekend, I bought a new car.  I had to drive my old car (newly painted ServPro green) down to St. George and pick up the new car.  I drove Katy and Gemma there so Brooklynn coud pick them up there.  Gemma sure is a cutie.

 

I said goodbye to Zippy, and I now introduce....

RUBY!!!!! She is the best thing ever.  I love her like more than Zippy. And I totally feel bad cause Zip was so good to me, but Ruby will be better. I can already tell.

Just another day on the farm. Prissy and Monty love eachother to pieces.  And Charlotte could sit in that stroller for days watching them.  (This is what we do when its almost nap time and she is reaching her breaking point.)

And just a little note I found while cleaning out Zippy.  Sky Guy left this on my car after seminary one day. Love love love this!!

 

Sorry this post is kinda out of sorts.  But this has been life for the past 2 weeks. Oh and one more thing.... VEGAS BOUND THIS WEEKEND!!! Hallelujah!!!!

fall.

Fall has always been my favorite season since I can remember.  The fresh new start of school, the crisp autumn air, the pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, volleyball, football, and my birthday.  Growing up in Vegas, we had about two weeks of fall and then it got cold. But last year I lived in the mountains in Quincy where my favorite season truly came to life.  It was beautiful.  I really came to appreciate all my favorite things.  I made tons of pumpkin flavored treats, played volleyball and watched football.  Now, I am hoping that living in Utah will bring me some sense of the crisp feeling I desire as well.

 

Missing my FRC ladies.  Only 26 more days!!

 

These two made it to their 28th Anniversary last week.  And to celebrate? They jetted off to NYC today. Love you both!!

 

Last week we ventured out to Richfield, UT to have Gemma blessed.  It was a perfect day! We sure do love our little Gemsicle.

 

Visiting my Little Liam.

 

Lately, my favorite thing has just been taking walks around the country in Lehi.  Babygirl is in there, don't worry.  She zones out and loves to go on walks more than anything.  I truly have the best job in the whole world.

 

As much as I am loving life right now, this is my first year since I was about 12 that I didn't attend volleyball camps in August and didn't start a season in September.  I miss volleyball but on the other hand, life has been good and I cannot complain right now.  That being said, my birthday is in twelve days!! Lucky me, I get to go to school for 10 hours and take 2 tests.  But thats growing up right?  All I want is a pumpkin chocolate chip cookie and maybe a carmel apple cider on that day.  Is that too much to ask?!

reflection.

This year has been such a crazy ride.  I know I have said that before, but between moving from Vegas, to California, to Utah, it has been a whirlwind of emotions both bad and good.  No one ever wants to leave home.  Especially when I knew my parents were also departing our humble abode.  It was hard to know they wouldn't be in the place I grew up, the place I called home.

Then I ventured to Quincy of all places.  It was fun.  I have wonderful memories from there and I truly grew as a person.  It was also the hardest thing I have ever done to date. It sounds dramatic, but you try moving to a town of about three thousand people and being one of eighty LDS citizens.  Then throw in some stomach pain and an emotional rollercoaster and call it good.  At the very least, it built me.  It is part of who I am and I will always treasure it as a wonderful time in my life.  (Even if I didn't feel that way at the time. Time gives you perspective people.)

Next chapter.  Off to Utah I came in December.  Moving in with your parents after not living with them for six months is not exactly a joy ride.  It was hard and I think it's safe to say we all struggled a bit, but it made us closer in the end.  In April I decided to take the plunge and move to Provo. The marriage capitol of the world I would say. (Just kidding....kinda.)  Although this summer wasn't what I expected, it was another one of those treacherous "growing experiences".  I may not have had a ton of friends or had a complete blast, but I became close to a few people who I believe truly matter.  They always have been a big part of my life, but it took me awhile to realize that I really needed them. 

It's weird how things work out sometimes.  Everyone says that your freshmen year is the latest and greatest.  Although mine seemed to be pretty rocky, I wouldn't change any of it.  I know that is such a cliche, but it's so true.  Now as I go into my sophomore year of college, I am excited beyond belief for what's in store. I have a few fun things planned up my sleeve for this fall as well; a trip to Lake Powell with the fam, birthday trip to Quincy to see my girls play, and even some time spent in Mexico in December.  This is going to be such a great year, I can feel it!!