Leap of Faith

Thinking back 3 years ago, I was starting back at the U for my final semester of college. I had just a few classes to take and I was so excited to be done. What was funny is I had no idea what I was going to do once December of 2006 came. I knew I would get a job, but I had no idea where to start. I went through the semester having the time of my life! I had just started dating Brian, I was serving on Lambda Delta Sigma's Interchapter Council, and living it up! Reality hit me that winter when January came and I had no school and no job.

Here I sit 3 years later a completely different person! If you would have told me then that in August 2009, you would be starting your second year as a Special Education teacher, I would have laughed in your face! I can not believe how much I have grown and learned in these past few years. Even looking back last year, I was a brand new teacher having NO IDEA what I was doing. Today as I walked around the halls of Sprucewood Elementary, I found myself excited for the new year. I know what to expect (to a point, being a teacher brings new experiences every day) and I feel like I kind of know what I am talking about. It is a great feeling!

I am so thankful for this windy road I have been down over the past 3 years. I have gone from a naive college graduate, to a fill-in aide, to a Literacy coordinator, to a potential Social Work Graduate Student and now a 2nd year Resource teacher. I have complete faith that you have to pick something and do it, and if it is not what you are suppose to be doing, something (or someone) will come and let you know. I can honestly tell you that all of those decisions were never "confirmed" to me that it was what I should be doing at the time. But I can tell you that every one of the choices I have made have lead me exactly to the point I am at right now.

So to all of those people who are in my shoes right now, hang in there! Everything will work out...don't wait around for someone or something to tell you it's right, just take the leap of faith and do it! You never know where it might take you and who knows, maybe 3 years from now you will be writing this exact same post on your blog. Happy Back-to-School time to everyone!!!

Utah Football...

...Where Amazing Happens...

Let's...Go...Utah!!!!

Yes I know....

He has to be one of the cutest babies on the planet...and he's my nephew!!!

I LOVE July!!!

July could be one of my favorite months of the year! There is so much to do and celebrate and I find myself loving it more and more each year. This year my summer didn't start until July 2 due to teaching in a year-round school, but I was easily able to get right into the summer mood once school let out. Here is a run down of our fun July celebrations...

Late June--I never wrote a post on the trip to my cabin, and since it was the last weekend of June, I consider it July. We spent the weekend relaxing, playing games, eating, and of course Fishing! Andrew, Kerri, Heidi and Heather went with us and it was so much fun! My cabin is one of my most favorite places in the world. Here are some pictures of the trip...

(These pictures were so funny! Andrew brought a blow-up canoe and the first time they took it out it filled up with water...you see the results above)

July 4th- This was my first free Independence Day in about 5 years so I was excited to get to go to the Murray Parade again with the family. I spent the entire parade helping the little kids around me get candy (mainly teaching them how to be aggressive with the other kids around them), but because of it I did not get many pictures. But this was one of the coolest parts of the parade. These jeeps all climbed up on each other! I loved it!!!

We finished the night up with a BBQ with some friends and then fireworks!

Draper Days- Now 3 years ago if you would have told me I would be saying Draper Days is one of my favorite parts of summer, I would think you were crazy. In fact, the first time Brian and I met I told him he was crazy for not going on a road trip to Vegas to see Rascal Flatts because Draper Days was that weekend. But from dating Brian and being around it now 4 times, I absolutely love it! It is so much fun to hang around the park, listen to bands play, shop at the little stands, BBQ, and finish the night with AMAZING fireworks! I love Draper Days and consider it a highlight of the summer!

Bri and I enjoying the fireworks

July 24th-I am so glad that I live in Utah! We have so many reasons to celebrate our great country and to remember those who came before us. The 24th of July started out with the traditional Days of '47 Parade. I love it!!! My favorite part is seeing the member of the First Presidency leading the parade. I get tears in my eyes every time I see it is not President Hinckley, but I am still so happy to see who it will be. This year it was President Eyring! What an amazing man!

Later that night, Brian and I went on a triple date with Heather and McKay and Bri and Mike to the Bees game, or what was suppose to be a Bees game. The other team got sick and couldn't travel, so there was a homerun derby and a exhibition game instead. Luckily there were fireworks at the end

The next night, some of our best friends Andrew and Kerri invited us to another Bees game. It ended up being much more enjoyable! They took us to Andrew's cabin for a BBQ and brownies and then we headed to the Bees game. Andrew had SWEET tickets behind home plate. Unfortunately the Bees lost, but the fireworks made up for it! Thanks Andrew and Kerri for an AWESOME night!!!

Overall, summer has been FANTASTIC! With my obsession over College Football, I usually can not wait until Fall. But this year, I am hoping summer lasts extra long! I can't wait for a few more camping trips, BBQ's, and those fantastic summer nights!

Birthday #25

This past weekend was my birthday weekend and it was absolutely fabulous!!! It started Saturday with a triple date with Brian's brother and wife, and their friend Jeff and his date Shannon. We went to dinner at Gecko's, which is a really yummy Mexican restaurant. Then we headed over to Mulligan's to hit a bucket of balls. I am not really good at it but its something I will definately do more of this summer. We finished the night off with some good ole' Arctic Circle milk shakes and sitting around the fire in Brian's backyard. It was a perfect date night!

Sunday was jam packed! It started with me having to speak in church. I don't really have a fear of public speaking so it was not too bad. We then headed up to my Grandma's for my family birthday dinner! Every year my Grandma makes our choice of dinner. With my love of BBQ's we had hamburgers, hot dogs, salad's, jello, scones and my all time favorite treat, Grandma's Chocolate Chip Cookies! After hanging out with my family for a few hours, we headed to Brian's family Father's Day BBQ. We had steak kabobs, salad and more jello! It was a fantastic day just to be with family.

Monday was my birthday! I'm 25! I am not very happy about getting older, but 2 positives come from this. 1) My car insurance was cut in HALF and 2) I can now successfully rent a car on my own. Yep thats the only good things that come from being 25. But the day was perfect!

I took work off so I was able to hit the gym early in the morning. Brian came to pick me up and brought me the cutest bouquet of daisies, carnations, and roses. I was already satisfied because I always complain he never buys me flowers and this time he came through.

Next we headed off to get my present. He surprised me by taking me to get a MOUNTAIN BIKE! I have wanted one forever but just have not been able to afford it. I was so excited! After almost 2 hours at the store, I finally decided on one!

After that, we picked up some lunch and went to see The Proposal. If you have not seen it yet, I highly recommend it. It is funny, cute, and overall a fun movie. Next we were off to the mall to shop for some new clothes. It wasn't very successful but I did come out with a new pair of jeans. Always a plus!

Then we went to dinner at Cafe Rio with my closest friends. Last Heather had us over for strawberry cake and presents! (More pictures might be coming soon)It really was the best day I could ask for!

I have had some real soul searching the past few days as I approached big 25! I have learned so much in my short life, especially the past 3 years while I have been dating Brian. I look back to my birthday right as we met (we met the day after I turned 22) and I can not believe how far I have come. I have come to realize what really is important in life. I am so grateful for my family and friends and the happiness they bring into my life. And most of all, I am grateful for Brian and for everything he has taught me.

Thanks everyone for all the birthday wishes and for making my birthday great!

I'm an AUNT!!!

It finally happened! Something I have been waiting for since I was 8 years old and I realized that some of my friends already were one. I am an aunt!

Anthony Adam Castleton was born Saturday June 6 at 2:52 am.

He weighed 9 lbs. 3 oz. and was 21 1/2 inches long.

You see all of the tubes because there were some complications during labor and the little guy came out in respiratory failure. He spent the first few hours of his life hooked up to a breathing tube.

He went on to spend the first 3 days in the NICU. But I am happy to say he is out of intensive care and up in the room with my Sister-in-Law. Both Anthony and mom will be going home tomorrow.

It is truly incredible how you can love something the INSTANT you see it. I have never felt anything like it, and it is only my nephew. I can only imagine what it feels like to be a mother. After the experience this weekend, I will admit I am absolutely terrified to have children, but I am sure it will happen one day. It has to be one of the most self-less acts a woman can do.

Congratulations to my brother Adam and his wife Danielle! Thank you for bringing my little Tank (yes I already nicknamed him) into my life. Love you both!!!

Wants vs. Needs

So I got this idea from Kate's blog and I thought it was an interesting idea. What do we NEED and what do we WANT? So here are the things I NEED...

 Family

I don't know how many times my family has bailed me out in my life. I love my family and wouldn't change them for anything

 Brian

He has always told me that I should be able to live my life without him, because you never know what will happen. But I can honestly say that I need him in my life. He keeps me centered on what I should be centered on and continually is patient with my imperfections, which I have come to find that I have a lot of. I am grateful for him every day of my life and I love him more every day. 

Sports

It's simple, I could not live without them. 

Music

I love all of my 5 senses, but I think that I enjoy my ability to hear the most (with seeing a close second) I absolutely love music. There is nothing in the world that can calm me down better than music. It is one of my favorite things in the world

Water with Ice

A couple months ago I gave up Diet Coke. But since then, I have come to LOVE water! I carry my Nalgene with me everywhere I go. There is nothing better than cold water with crushed up ice. Yummy!!!

Being prepared

I HAVE to be prepared for everything. Whether its lesson plans at school, finishing an assignment for school, going to the store with a list, packing to go somewhere, I absolute obsess over having everything I need. I go through a mental check list everytime I leave my house and then once again getting out of the car. It might be border line OCD.

Faith and my knowledge of the Gospel

In times like these, I don't know how people can survive without faith and the knowledge of why we are living here on earth. We are living in scary times, but I am eternally grateful for my knowledge of what is going to come. 

Exercise

This is something that I really don't love doing. It hurts, I sweat, and for the first hour or so after I am done I never feel good. But recently I have come to the knowledge I have no choice but to do it. It is necessary for me to live a healthy life.  

And here is a quick list of my wants...

1. A trip anywhere! Preferably Disneyland, New York, or a tropical location.

2. A bodybugg. Its this way cool armband that tracks your calories in/calories out. 

3. To go to my cabin

4. My nephew!!! Down to a couple of weeks

5. Answers...its a little personal, but the best I can give on my blog. 

6. New running shoes

7. A bike

8. A house of my own

Everyone take some time to do this, it really makes you think.