Happy Birthday!!!

This year, my Grandpa's birthday and Thanksgiving fall on the same day (I always thought he was lucky to have a birthday on a holiday - once in awhile). It would be 90 years ago today he was born in this world. He is an amazing person, who always had a story to share, a deck of cards or dominoes to play, the ability to make ANYTHING grow (oh the questions I would ask now), could build anything, fix anything, hike anywhere, take an ATC up any mountain (with a lot of grandkids hanging on the back) and could always seem to find a way to make me laugh. I still remember watching him turn on his record player doing the hokey pokey about 10 years ago. I thought I had one of the coolest grandpa's around :)

Happy Birthday Grandpa!!!

Update - birthday, Payson, DDD/DES, carrots

As I am currently going on Day 3 of living with a broken water heater, overcoming a complicated week and coming down with another cold Saturday night, I decided that this gives me a great opportunity to catch up on my blog.

As I have been sipping hot lemon drink, savoring comforting mung beans, and homemade chicken and rice soup, I have been able to think of the many blessings that have come to my life despite my thinking that life has been in chaos.

This week has been a difficult week for me to experience for some reason. Friday with the water heater breaking and other things occuring, I decided that I needed a day off. I was blessed with all my clients being able to switch their session times from Friday to Saturday. After getting in a warm shower at my parent's home, I drove up to Payson area (about an hour away). I realized how much I miss being in the mountains and just away from city life. It was the break I needed - to just take a break, listen to old, fun traveling music (Backstreet Boys are still the great!), and being amongst trees and mountains. I had told my friend I was going up there and they told me that I wouldn't be able to see any snow. There is something amazing about just driving without a specific destination. Sometimes you go where you don't realize you are going, but it's good to go. Not realizing I missed my last destination (town was smaller than I remembered), I was able to drive where there was snow on the sides. It was so beautiful!... ok this picture doesn't have much snow, but it was the only place I could pull off to take the picture. There were some areas with a lot more snow on the sides... but then this is Arizona...
Friday night I received a call from my Supervisor who told me that DDD/DES was court-orderd that they are not allowed to make the cuts that they did in March. It was good to heart that my paycheck won't get cut 55%. Thank you to everyone who wrote, called and allowed themselves to be educated on what has been going on with the government and those dealing with developmental disabilities.

A few weeks ago I celebrated my 30th Birthday! It was a really nice day. The day before, my family surprised me with a cake and song:) The first picture of this blog is one that was given to me of that night. It looks like the cake is just fire... it's way cool!

I didn't really do much for my birthday, but it was nice to keep it simple. That is what I was needing at that time. My sister sent me a list of all the free things you can do on your birthday. It would have been fun to take the day off work and just do free things, but that wasn't an option. I did discover a new favorite restaurant "Jim's FarmGrill." It's in Gilbert. They grow their own organic vegetables/fruits and the prices are reasonable. If you go there on your birthday they give you $10 off your meal.
I have also discovered a new snack I make regularly. I place carrots and broccoli in a glass dish. I pour a bit of lemon juice and garlic on top and then cook it in the over for about 30 minutes. It's been the perfect pick me up snack during work. I tried to take a picture of it, but it didn't turn out the way I was hoping...

30

Yesterday I received a Hallmark card notification from my brother. As I opened it, I was surprised to see a hoops and yoyo birthday card...and it was one I had never seen before. It was hilarious. At the end, my brother wished me a "happy 30 more days till my 30th birthday!" What a great way to celebrate a day! Too bad I didn't realize this until the end of the day. Or else a 30 fiesta may have been in order... what does one serve at a 30 fiesta though?

It's coming!!! - January 2nd....

In case you were wanting to know... my birthday is in 2 months, or 57 days from today!

Wow! Do I need to catch up

So I realize that it has been awhile since I last blogged. I'm sorry to say that I will have to stop the "do something new everyday" entries as a lot of things are going on in my life. I will though continue to look to do new things continually though. I must say though, those who thought I couldn't last a month... I made it for 6 months!!! But here are some things that I have been doing the past 3 weeks (presented in bullet point form and sporadic pictures):

• Took work off just for a "mental day"
• Taught my supervisor how to do something on her computer e-mail without really knowing how to do it myself. (luckily it was successful)
  
• Decided the morning of to travel with my friend, Krystal, to Arizona for the weekend (plus a few more days) ... sorry no pictures of the trip, I forgot to take pictures... again!
• Stayed in Snowflake, Arizona for a few days... that is a beautiful and peaceful place, I've only been there once before and that was about 7 years ago for the Temple open house. That trip was just a quick trip as well.
• Bought a Universal Television Remote (mine has decided to choose when it wants to work and not work... became really annoying)
• Had 8 additional people (the amazing Sharp family) stay in my 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment for a couple days (did I mention 1 bathroom). It was fun and everyone had enough space to sleep. I'm sorry I didn't get a picture of the sleeping arrangement.
• Went on a hike with the Sharps to Stewart Falls (here come the pictures... aren't you excited!)

the group on the Stewart Falls trail

There were some beautiful flowers, trees and bugs that we were able to see on the hike

The views on the hike were amazingSo was the group going on the hikeWe all felt like super heroes when we made it to the top

• Went and saw Kung Fu Panda with 6 kids! (I recommend this movie... it is hilarious!)
• Performed my version of opera for the kids as I drove the Suburban home from the movies
• Celebrated with my family my Grandma's 80th Birthday!!!! She looks amazing for only being 80. I'm glad we have the young gene's in our family :) - here come the pictures
  

I was able to see my newest nephew, Calvin, again after he's been away for 2 months!!! He's REALLY cute and talented :)

I think I may be retitling my blog "why my nephew, Calvin, is one of the cutest and smartest guys around" Here he is with his tigger. This kid is only 3 months old!!! yet another reason....Here he is again with is mom, my cool dad, and beautiful Grandma

• Went to my sister's ward to see my really cute nephew, Calvin, be blessed. He didn't cry at all, and in fact he laughed and smiled at his dad. After we had a family luncheon.

4 generations in the picture.. with 3 sets of great - grandparent's!The family after Church

• Made some sporadic yet INCREDIBLE nachos for a luncheon... by the way my brother-in -law, Trevor, makes some killer guacamole!
• Ran 10 MILES!!! - unfortunately it was only on the treadmill.... but I did it!
  
• Managed to go to work after spending the holiday break with family (aka: receiving very little sleep, in addition to the adventurous embarked upon during the past several weeks of little sleep).
• Bought an external hard drive
• Gave my 2 week notice at work
• Made a decision to move to Arizona in 2 weeks
• Accepted two job offers.. yes 2!
  
• Am slowly starting to pack my apartment and am wondering why I have so much stuff!
• Rented a moving truck... and was able to develop my bartering skills
• Am realizing that I am embarking on a new phase in my life as I am closing this chapter in my life and will begin a new one.