Busy but blessed!

Between starting a new grade level, getting my Master's Degree, turning 40 years old and raising a 4 year old daughter, it's amazing I can hold my head above water. I am fighting for air everyday but at the end of every night when I lay my head down, I am very thankful for everything in my life. I have a beautiful daughter, great friends and family, a job I LOVE, and much, much more!

I turned 40 years old on July 29th. Turning 40 made me think about my life and what I have accomplished. I have done many great things so far. I have received my Associates Degree, my Bachelor's Degree, and now I am getting my Master's Degree. I have a fabulous daughter that I was able to adopt on my own. I struggle at times, but being Abby's mom is so worth it! I have a super job, my dream job as a matter of fact. I love every minute of it! There are a few things I still have to accomplish (i.e. getting married and having more children) but I would say, over all the first 40 years of my life has been wonderful!

Tiff threw me a surprise party for my birthday. It was so much fun! I do not have pictures yet, but my friend Rebecca took some pictures for me. I will post them when I get them. Many of my friends and family members chipped in money and bought me a new camera for my birthday. I love it! I have been taking pictures like crazy. I love it!

And last but not least, I was very blessed to have a visit from my new pseudo family Salina, Chris, Charlotte, and Cooper. Charlotte (Annabelle) and her family were in Colorado for a visit from California. They came over and we ordered pizza and got to know each other a little. Seeing Charlotte was a mixed bag for me. It was very emotional in the sense that she doesn't remember me (which I expected) but she is also at an age where she wanted her mom and dad and did not want to be held by strangers. So, as bad as I wanted to squeeze and hug her, she would not have it. that was the hardest part. The best part was meeting her new family. She is so lucky to have such a great family. I really enjoyed getting to know Chris and Salina and look forward to getting to know them more over the years.







Abby also started a new preschool year. One more year, and she will be in Kindergarten! I love her preschool, I am looking forward to another great year!

Loving First Grade!

Well, I have just finished my first two weeks of teaching 1st grade and I have to say, it is exhausting but SO much fun!! Not only did I have two weeks in a new grade level, but I had my Master's classes last weekend. So, I have not had one day to myself since July 4th! I know, poor pity me, but I am beat! I can hardly function right now...I am so tired! Oh, and we had Back to School night last night. That is always mentally stressful! I am looking forward to having all day tomorrow to just relax and not think about work. And then I have to go back to school for a few hours on Sunday, UGH! But if I don't, I will never get caught up!

Well, so enough whining from me! The girls have really been starting to like soccer. Abby scored her first goal last Saturday! (Of course I was at school, so I missed it but she called me and was very excited!) Hopefully she will score another one soon so I can see it! I am just glad she is really enjoying it. I am hoping to sign her up again, but I also want her in dance. I do not want her doing too much so I am trying to decide which one. Anyway, I will keep you updated!

I can not believe it but I am getting ready to turn the big 4-0! I can not believe I am going to be 40 years old on the 29th. I do not feel like I am 40. Well, maybe physically...lol But I will always be 25 at heart!!

We had a pretty eventful 4th of July but not in a good way. First we had NOTHING to do! So, then we decide to go shopping at Good Will (I can always find great books for the classroom!). Anyway, as soon as we got to Good Will, I had a migraine so I had to go sit in the car until my vision cleared up. Then it started pouring cats and dogs! So, we go to Walmart to pick up something for dinner and I accidentally locked my keys in the car WITH the car running! So, $75 dollars and a lock smith later I got my car keys. We then went to my moms house and watched her neighbors light fireworks. I decide to check my car because we had the interior light on for a while and I wanted to make sure the car would start...well, low and behold...the car was dead!! I had to have Lyal jump start me. And that was our 4th of July. Pretty exciting huh??

Waterpark Fun!

We actually had a nice day yesterday with beautiful sun in the morning. SO, we took the girls to Great Plains park (off of Tower and Iliff...if you have never been there...you should go soon!). Anyway, we packed some watermelon, a blanket, and sunscreen and headed out to the waterpark. The girls had a great time!

I have been out of school for two weeks already. Time sure does go fast when you want it to slow down! I have really enjoyed spending everyday with Abby. She has grown up so much. I think she really likes have me home everyday. Every morning she says, "mom, you're not going to work today?" and I tell her, "no, I am staying home with you again," and she always says "yay!!" We have just enjoyed spending time together. She has run lots of errands with me...lol We have gone to the park a few times as well. I have really enjoyed the cooler weather. It makes park days more tolerable (I am not a hot weather person!!)






I am really looking forward to my new adventure as a 1st grade teacher. I have been shopping for things for the classroom several times since school has been out. I think I may just be ready. I am trying not to think too much about school and just enjoy my vacation but I can't help it. I am so excited. I know it is going to be a lot harder than 2nd grade (just because they are still such babies!) but it should be very rewarding. I am looking forward to watching them become readers!!

Abby and Brianna started soccer yesterday. I tried to have Abby play soccer last year and she hated it. I think she was just too young. But she had so much fun this time. I think she really likes having Brianna on her team. It was so much fun watching her. There is such a feeling of parent pride when you child is on the field. I was yelling and cheering. I hope I do not turn into one of those obnoxious moms! Ok, who am I kidding...I will be!!




Unfortunaetly, we al came down with the stomach flu this weekend. Brianna was first, then Abby, and then Tiff and I. Abby actually threw up in Joanne Fabric store yesterday. It was my first time experiencing that so it was a little overwhelming. She got it everywhere! And of course she was crying and scared and I was trying to run to the bathroom before it happened again. Luckily I had my mom and Tiff with me so they could help me. Poor baby! It broke my heart watching her get sick over and over again last night. I just wanted to take it away from her! So, when I started throwing up in the middle of the night and was sick all day today, Abby took really good care of me. She kept telling me to lay down and rest. Anyway, I think the worst is over now...man I hate the stomach flu!!

And the celebration goes on and on....

Abby had her celebration for her birthday at preschool today. She was once again the princess. I think it is officially over now....she can be knocked down a notch or two again...lol Until next year that is! :) Oh and by the way, for those of you that know me...this is big! I actually made the cupcakes to take to school. And they were not just regular cupcakes. They were ice cream cone cupcakes! I did it all by myself and they were yummy!! See, I am capable!




These are Abby's two best buddies at school, Cooper and Chloe!

Life is good!

We have had a fun filled weekend to say the least! Friday night we went up to my school for a carnival. We had a great time. Abby loved running around with her cousins. We also got to meet Tait, Josh and Ambyr's new addition. (of course I am jealous...what a silly question! I am trying to have faith that my "perfect" baby is not just ready for me yet!) Anyway, Tait is adorable and I wish Ambyr and Josh nothing but the best!




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Then on Saturday we had the girls joint birthday party at Chuck-e-Cheese. We had a lot of fun! We have such great friends and family! I can't believe Abby is 4 years old already. Time really flies!





Today is Abby's actual birthday! We play and play and played outside in the water , on our bikes, and with bubbles!! The weather was beautiful today. Tiff and I cleaned out the garage while the kids played with our neighbor Sophie. What a great weekend. Although, I have to say.....I am soooo tired!!

Busy Beavers!

Hi everyone! It has been forever since I have blogged! Things have been just crazy around here. Brianna just turned 3 years old and Abby will be 4 on Sunday. Brianna's birthday was fun. We had Grandparents and our neighbors over for a BBQ. Brianna had a great time.



Abby thought she would give drinking a try! Just kidding...she is so curious though. What is this papa bear??

I can't believe Abby is actually turning four! Where has the time gone? The girls will have a joint party on Saturday at Chuck-e-cheese. It was definitely not my choice. Abby kept bugging me and finally I gave in...lol Should be fun. Abby will love it!

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day! I actually had to go to school this weekend. It was not fun. I really wanted to be home with Abby on Mother's day! :( But we got out at 4:00, so we went over to my mom's house. It was nice. I feel so blessed to have such a great family!

Look how big my niece is getting. She is over 3 months old now. She is such a happy baby! I get smiles like this all the time!


Abby has decided she wants to try soccer again. Hopefully this time things will go better. She HATED it the first time. She was only 2 1/2 last time, now she is 4, so it should be better! :)