March Madness

March Madness officially began last week and I love it. This year we had tickets to the 1st and 2nd rounds of the tournament, so my dad and step mom made the trip from Montana. Watching the games in person is so much better than watching on TV. The only thing that would have made it better would have been if Arizona had played here, but I was just happy they made into the tourney at all. Friday night I watched the girls so Becky could go to some games too. But I also just wanted a chance to see Arizona play and that wasn't going to happen on my dad's little TV in the Taco Bell Arena. Its fun having the grandparents in town, Lindsey sure loves her grandma and grandpa. Saturday was even nice enough to take the girls to the park. It's always wonderful when family comes to town. Here's to hoping Arizona can keep it together long enough to keep their winning streak alive.

It's Here!!!!!!!

About a month ago my friend sent me a chain letter. I suppose I have probably racked up about 9 years bad luck in my lifetime of ignoring chain letters. Huh, maybe I should stop breaking them. Anyway this chain letter seemed too fun to pass up, it's an informal book club. You send a form letter to 6 friends and in return you hopefully receive 36 back. You don't have to go out and buy a book you just share one you enjoyed with the person at the bottom of the letter. Yada, yada, yada.

My first book came in the mail today! It was like Christmas I was so excited. I had to prepare for my class tonight and make dinner before hand. It took all I had not to plop down on the couch and immediately start reading.

I sent my 6 letters to my girlfriends I already know love books as much as me. So if you didn't get a letter I apologize, but let me know that you would like to be included and if it comes back around I will be sure to keep you in the loop. To everyone who kept the chain going, happy reading!

No More TODAY

For years and years I have gotten ready in the morning watching/listening to the Today Show. But I have decided to say good bye to the show. Lately it seems that the show focuses so much on the negative and how bad the economy is and how horrible our country's state of affairs are in. I realize that things are tough, but to talk about it every day for hours and hours gets old and I can't take it anymore. I would like to start my day off a little more optimistic and cheerful, less doom and gloom.

So good bye Today Show, thanks for keeping me informed for so many years. I'm sure I'll check in every once in a while to make sure Al's still telling me what the weather is like in "my neck of the woods".

February

I swear it was just January and now we're almost into March. Where did February go? I have mentioned this to a few people, but lately I feel that if my head were not attached I would lose it. It's quite possible that my brain has run off a few times regardless.

Some may be aware that due to the amazing real estate market in Idaho at the end of August I was given the choice to look for new employment or be demoted. After much thought I chose to stay with the company and take the demotion. Boise is not the place you want to be right now if you are looking for a job. In late November I decided to go back to school.

So here I am, this semester I only have one class at night twice a week, and in May I will start back full time. I really didn't think one class would be a big deal, but when I consider that I am at work all day then in school twice a week, plus time for studying and homework time seems to fly by. My stack of books that I want to read is starting to stack up, I have empty canvases that have yet to be painted, but I'm loving it. I really am excited about school and think Heavenly Father was trying to steer me in this direction last spring, but as I stated before I can be pretty dense/stubborn. But he WILL find a way to get you out of your comfort zone when needed to get you headed where you should be.

As a side not, my mom recently sent me a CD with some old pictures she had on her computer. Since you can't have a post without pictures I have attached some for the viewing pleasure of some of my regular blog readers. Hope you enjoy.










I suppose I may have gotten carried away with the pictures, but they were so fun.

Florida, when it's cold out.

I'm in Florida right now, Ft. Lauderdale to be exact. I was really looking forward to the warm sun and laying on the beach. But since we got here it has been nothing but cold, windy, and cloudy. So what do you do in Florida when it's cold out? Well, I guess you hang out at the spa and go to the Everglades. Or at least that's what we did. We also stopped by Miami South Beach tonight and I think I'm in love with that place. I love all the diversity and the Hispanic influence. I got to speak Spanish to two handsome men when we left our restaurant and I loved it. It made me a little homesick for Arizona, I realize it's the desert and not tropical but the Hispanic part of me can't help but feel at home around all the people, food and music. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that tomorrow is nice like the forecast says so I can get to the beach.





My lovely toes after my pedicure by a lovely Russian lady

Love This Family

A couple months ago I wrote about how great my brother is. Well, I can't help myself, my love for Ben spills over onto his wonderful family. Becky and I had a rough start and I take full responsibility. I have been known to be a little hard on my brothers' girlfriends. I don't really remember it but making her sit in the backseat on their first date might have been a little overboard. Anyway, it took a little time and me moving in with Ben and Becky for the summer, (I can only imagine the dread she must have been feeling) but we have grown to be very close. She is such a wonderful mother and wife and the fact that she not only puts up with my crazy brother but loves him for his craziness speak volumes. I am such a lucky girl to have her as a sister in law and one of my best friends. I feel very blessed knowing I have such a wonderful person in my corner.

My little nieces, Lindsey and Courtney, are my most favorite little girls in the whole world. Lindsey is so much fun and so sweet. She loves life and you have to love her independence. Little Courtin is such a pretty baby, I lover her little curls. I could just sit and watch her for hours.

In the last couple months I have considered leaving Boise a couple times. Move back to Utah to be with all my girlfriends or maybe Arizona, I miss that place. But I can't do it. Now I really can't do it because I'm back in school, but I can't leave them. I love that in a matter of 20 minutes I can be with some of the people I love most in this world. When days are rough, and I've had a few of those, or I'm totally bored all I have to do is see those 4 faces and life is good.

Weekend in McCall

Last weekend I went up to McCall for a girls weekend with some gal pals and it was so much fun. Saturday night we went tubing on a sweet hill with a tow rope and everything. I think that was my favorite part. Instead of spending most of my time trudging up a huge hill I got to lounge in my tube all the way up. I think my lips got a little wind burned though. Afterward we went to Lardo's, my favorite eatery in McCall for Lardo's Fries mmmmm love them.

Yesterday after church we went on a sleigh ride, but not just any sleigh ride. It was an elk feeding ride, which of course Jill didn't tell us until we got there. It was fun and kind of gross all at the same time. The elk didn't mind sneezing or getting right under your behind to get at the food, so rude they really don't know the meaning of personal boundaries.

All in all it was a great weekend. I got to know some friends better and make new ones all in the same weekend, what else could I have asked for. I even almost got some action from some large furry animals.