The Reunion

So my high school reunion was more enjoyable than expected. I really was using it as an excuse to see my mom and my cousin Amanda, but ended up reconnecting with some good friends. Amanda and I got ready together beforehand and it was so much fun. Totally reminded me of high school giggling in the bathroom, helping each other with our outfits, and going silent when my uncle came in the room and giggling when he left. Aw, I guess a part of us never grows up. Being a little nervous we wouldn't have anyone to talk to Amanda and I were ready to go as soon as we walked in the room, but ended up having a blast. I took a few pics but mostly was too busy chatting and laughing. I have known some of these people since I was like 5 or 6. I have to mention that seeing my mama was the best part though. She's wonderful and I miss her so enjoyed spending every minute with her.
Tara, Amy, me

Kristal, Amanda (with baby on board), me

A Long & Winding Road

Last weekend I went up to Montana for my high school reunion. The drive there was about as memorable as the reunion itself. Missoula sits in a valley and isn't that easy to get to no matter what time of the year. In the winter you have to go around the mountains and it takes 9 hours. In the summer you go over the mountains, but it's constant climbing and winding for 7.5 hours. Usually I drive with Ben and Becky so I don't pay much attention. But this time I drove all by myself. Between the constant weaving (at one point I got myself a little car sick, didn't even know that was possible), the steep drop offs into the river far below making me feel like I was about to fall in at any moment, the deer jumping in front of my car, and the rain I was a wreck when I pulled into town. I have also concluded that getting up at 5:45 to go to school for 5 hours and then work before hitting THAT road is less than ideal. Knowing the road a little better made the drive back a lot more enjoyable. If you can actually look around it is one of the most beautiful drives anyone can take. On a side note everyone in Idaho has always wondered how I could drive by Stanley and not marvel over the mountains. Now I am not at all down playing the beauty of those mountains because they are indeed breathtaking, but hello I grew up in Western Montana, there's mountains everywhere. I forget how amazing they are and what a small little valley Missoula really is. A lot greener than the sage brush of the foothills in Boise.

Hitten the Trails

My original bike buddy is my friend Scott, he worked at the bike shop with me and taught me how to downhill mountain bike. Last summer he got hit by a car while on his bike and broke his arm. He has a couple screws and a rod in his arm and a year later it still hasn't healed. We were hoping to hit Sundance while I was here but he still can't mountain bike. So we took a casual ride up to Bridal Veil falls. It was a perfect day for it and although less exciting it was still fun. I love the Utah mountains and had forgotten how beautiful they are in the spring. Again all these activities are going to make it very hard to go home and sit in a classroom all summer.


Amy and I love teeny bopper movies, they are so fun, innocent and make us giggle. We have been counting down the days until we saw 17 Again, and tonight was the night. I am a little embarrassed to say that we now have HUGE crushes on Zach Efron, is that even legal? We could not go to the theater without our usual kid combos, but tonight we must have been really hungry because we walked away with a lot more than either of us needed to eat. The best part was when two cute little old ladies walked in with their snacks excited as we were, I think our futures flashed before our eyes. Here's to being 70 Amy and still giggling over teeny bopper movies. All this for 2 people.

Fun in the Sun

I have been in Utah since Friday and have loved every minute of it. Amy and I have been so busy hitting up garage sales, consignment shops, eating, making jewelry, getting our tan on, eating, watching kids, latch work pillow making, eating more and of course chatting. It has been so much fun and I'm never going to want to leave. Yesterday we took Carson and Carlee, Amy's adorable kiddos to the pool and had such a blast. Why didn't they have such cool places when I was little? Last night I did take some time away and had dinner with my friend Clinton, who I love. We live in two very different realities and his remedy to all that bugs me is a trip to Europe, Panama or to just move back to Utah. He makes me laugh and I love when he can fit me into his busy schedule.

Sooooo Good!

So I have been impatiently waiting for the snow cone hut to open up near my house. Today I was on my way to the bank when to my pleasant surprise there it was sitting in the gas station parking lot. I promptly changed by course of direction, I was so excited. I don't think I even made it to the bank. Root beer and vanilla shaved ice is probably one of my most favorite things, I can never get enough. But the best part is to me this means summer. I don't care if I had to wear a sweater or that it's still rainy. The snow cone hut is open, so it is officially summer. Woohoo!

Happy Birthday To Me Numero 29!!!

Yikes, am I really 29? One more year until I leave my twenties in the dust. It was a great day spent with great people, whether on the phone or in person. This time last year I was excited about a new relationship, in denial about the dead end I was heading down at work and trying to figure out this "life" business. Now looking at things through my older 29 year old eyes ;), I am perfectly happy and content with life right now. My kids one day are going to read my journal and wonder what drug I was on during this time period because almost every entry seems to start out with, "I love life...". I have so many wonderful people in my life whom I love and I know they love me. I am so excited about my new career path and going back to school. I have really missed stressing my brain. Life is definitely not always easy, but it is all so worth it. Allowing time for Heavenly Father's plans for us to unfold can be so challanging. Living in a world of everything now is not conducive to this, but letting go and allowing his will to play out is the greatest feeling ever. Discovering how strong and resilient we can be is so amazing and I am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows us and loves us enough to push us to our limits so that we can grow and learn. The more I come to understand him, and myself, I am truly in awe of him and his love. What a gift. So Happy Birthday to me and here's to another year of growth, wonderful memories to look forward to, and continuing on this "life" journey.

Bursa What?

So about a month ago I had another check up for my redicoulus wrist which was just a bit frustrating so I won't go into details. I did however discover something fun. Since my mission back in oh, 2002 I have had this pesky pain in my hip. When I say pesky I mean I can't lay on my right side for extended periods of time, running has been a nightmare, you can see the inflamation (although they say you're not supposed to) and there have been times I have barely been able to lift my leg.

When I got home I went to a couple doctors and they couldn't figure out what was going on so I gave up and just dealt with it. I kind of have a push through the pain mentality which apparently wasn't such a hot idea.

Turns out my pesky pain is a little thing called bursitis. My new doc figured it out in minutes and I was elated that I finally knew what was wrong and what I needed to do to make it better. Such a good feeling. Turns out I am now in a club with my grandma and according to some googling many other elderly women, glad to know where I stand. Anyhoooo, I have been given a low impact workout regime and by brain is playing tricks on me because I feel the swelling going down already(at this stage of the game this is pretty unlikely). So if anyone is up for shuffle board or bingo you can join the ladies and I at the Senior Citizen Center.

Amy this picture is for you. Remember the good old days? "They are so stingy with their bones!"