CA Girl

My baby turned 21 yesterday.  I am not sure where the time went, but she is now 21. Her eyes are still crazy big just like her heart.  It's true what they say, blink and they are all grown up. There are times now and then when I long for the days of kiddie shows and barbies. However, as it was told me to recently, the trade off is quite nice. They are right. We share secrets--it's true. We laugh...a lot. I have spent years building this relationship and I would not change it; even if it meant I could have her little again. Nope. They are such a pure treasure when they are little, but who they become is an even greater one.  I have truly enjoyed the first 21 years, (and yes I have two others) I cannot wait to see what comes next not only for her, but for each of my kids as they forge their way.

I'm going to take you back about 16 years and all the way back east to VA, when a certain Barbershop Quartet was formed. It was known as: 66 West! The above picture isn't the original 4, but it is darn close. Not only is the picture close to the original group, they were also close and remain close to this day. Our families do as well. The lead left first (for work) and moved to CA. It was a sad day. But the remaining three insisted on staying together so they found another lead. 66 West carried on and our families celebrated together throughout the years. The quartet was annually invited to the Little League World Series to sing the National Anthem and was also regularly invited to sing it at the minors at our local team. I may or may not have downed two and half hot dogs while pregnant with my son at one of the games. After 5 years, my family was the next to go. It was a bittersweet day as we left VA. I had become so close to friends in the area, and leaving our quartet ...

I'm dusting off my blog! It really needs a makeover. That will come in time. For now, I will just stick with writing and trying to remember how things work around here. I miss blogging and I think I need to get back to it. I will start with a quick recap: A few years ago, I made the decision to go back to school. It was a scary decision to make, but I did it. I was able to obtain my degree online. I had moments when I just wanted to throw the towel in--particularly when I was in math classes--but I soldiered through. I earned my Bachelor's degree in English. I am proud of that accomplishment. During my time in school, I took a break from blogging as it was too much to keep up with both. Education first!  During my time away we had a total of three graduations counting my own. While I chose not to walk, I still have the honor of holding the degree. Kristin graduated in 2015 Emily graduated this past June I completed school May of 2017 On Nov...

AWOL or MIA call it what you want, but I am back. Life throws curve balls, crap storms, and all other things horrible. When it does, you just have to look for the rainbows and silver linings. Today I am playing along with my bestie Emmy and her Friday Five link up! 1.  My van started acting funny. It had no giddyup. I took it into a shop recommended to me. I thought it was the transmission. It wasn't. Instead, it turned out to be the catalytic converter. These are very expensive because they are made up of precious metals such as gold and platinum. However, it still didn't explain the $1,000 price tag on the labor. My niece's boyfriend is a mechanic he explained that they probably would have to take apart the suspension to get to the cat. He also said that the car is likely not worth saving. Oh goody. Silver lining and rainbow: he is looking at some places to fix it cheaper, and he knows a dealership that is taking any car no matter what condition for 3K. I ha...

I made it back! If I only blog once a week, it is a start. Of course, it is Emmy who is bringing me back.  1.  Anxiety is a terrible thing. It is very real. You cannot see it, and it is also hard to describe. I want to write about this more. I have a feeling I would either go off on a tangent or I would derail...a lot. I still want to talk about it here. 2.  School is back in session and we are finishing up week two. No major dramas so far. The hardest part is pick up because it has been so hot and there is space of about 30 minutes between the two pick up times. 3.  The Olympics are winding down, and I am still just a couch potato while they excel to the absolute extreme. I do get excited for the ones who medal for the first time.  4.  I have been in a funk lately, and I am working to turn that around.  5.  Ryan's schedule has changed at least three times in these first two weeks of school. Not really a drama, more of ...

So it is Friday and I am playing along with my bestie, Emmy and her Friday Five where you share five thoughts and five pictures. 1. School is back in session for the kids and it feels like summer just started. My oldest is in the process of registering for BYUI (online). We have a few more steps before the process is complete. As for me, I am still trucking along to earn my degree. I want to be done so bad. The finish line is coming up. 2.  Been watching the Olympics.  I like diving, gymnastics, swimming and that is about it. What are your go to events? 3.  Finding work is hard when you haven't done it in almost ten years.  4.  We have only been to the beach once this summer. That is unusual for us.  5.  I need time to stand still for a while so that I can catch up on things like sleep. Sometimes I see weird stuff when I am out and about...this was one of the weirdest.  Now that's a roll back! Hello Da...

I am linking up with my bestie Emmy  to share Ten Things that made me smile in July! 1.   Two zoo trips in one month! Season passes!  2.  35 pounds down and counting! 3. Walking a 5K with my church on the 4th. Look at all those steps! 4. Bittersweet as we always laughed and smiled with our hairdresser (Center) She is moving away.  5. If this doesn't make you happy, you are not living. 6. This moment from the cats.  7. This girl completing the Pathways program. Next stop: BYUI 8. This handsome devil 9. Walking and capturing this sunset. 10. A weekend getaway with my bestie--you know the one I am linking up with today. We had a blast! What made you smile this month?