Baby's First Halloween 2013

We always enjoy Halloween! Even though I don't do spooky and creepy very well, we keep it fun and sweet and have a blast!

This year we had: Izzy the Pirate

The Ladybug

Our tradition starts with visiting the "grandma's and grandpa's" at my mother-in-law's work where she is a nurse for longterm care patients. They pass out candy to the kids as we walk by. It's actually a really neat, humbling experience. There are many patients who can't pass out candy or talk, but their smiles say it all. Children have a way of bringing joy to young and old, especially old. 

We thought we forgot Brynlee's ladybug costume in the car, but ended up finding it later. *Sigh*. So here is Brenna, her cousins Matix & Ellyah, and sweet Brynlee:

Afterwards we went to our church's Harvest party. It's our second year and a lot of fun! Brenna had a little friend, Ava meet us there too which was neat! Brenna played games, got her face painted, (she chose a whale (HUH?) did a cupcake walk, bounced in the bounce house, and petted some animals. There was a large, movie star (really!) camel there and we got to go in and pet him with no worries. Brynlee did so well and was content being held and probably getting overstimulated with each second!

Next, we visit Granny Mary and Poppa Sam who live down the street. They always have a special treat for the girls and get some cuddle-time in with Brynlee of course! Brenna gets her chocolate milk and M&M's and then all is right with the world.

Last but not least, we trick-or-treat in our neighborhood circle. Kimmy, the neighbor across the street adores the girls and so we visited her last and let her enjoy them! 

It was a fun night and a cold night, but no snow so we didn't complain! We were exhausted by the end and I'm already deciding what the girls should be for next year, ha! ha! (Matching theme comes to mind…)

Here are some other fun pictures as we prepared for Halloween:

This cracked me up! She really thought he was going to put
"pumpkin guts" on her head!

Not sure about this. But tried it for the first time!

Ummm…. Myspace?!

Yes! Remember Myspace??

I was on Myspace! And my best friend just showed me how to find all my old photos and information because it had been YEARS since I logged into it. We had some good laughs looking at photos and reading our old blog posts.

Here are a few old photos "found":

Carly, Greg, me, Bekah

I am wearing my all-time FAVORITE pair of jeans EVER!

Joe and I at Liquid Joe's when we were dating! 

Below are a couple of old poems that I had written. The first one was during the time I was dating different people and realized pretty quickly how frustrating it was at times. (A lot of fun too though!)  I think it could have been about one in particular. The second poem was about a friend but I related to her at times and it was more of a metaphor.

Written: June 30, 2004

{The Mask of Love}
Unwanted desires
Selfish passions
Destructive motives
Slaves to fashion.

Greedy hearts
Suffocating demands
Lying lips
Deceitful hands.

Bitter emotions
Wounded healing
Devious behavior
Angry feelings.

Poisonous souls
Insincere truths
Empty words
Troubled youth.

Hopeless future
Disappointing fate
Time is over
Endless wait.
--------------------------------


Written: December 8, 2008

{From Black to Brown}

A memory is lost

Deep in her thoughts

She clenches her fists

Pain has been taught

Over and over it plays

A never-peaceful ending

Just a reminder to herself

Her heart is still mending

How long will it take?...

Where will it go?...

Until she finds out

No one will ever know

But there are times

Pain shows in her eyes

Consumed, they turn black

Too many tears, too many lies

A forever constant struggle

Between freedom and living

Her eyes tell the story

Of anger not giving

But a simple word

Or perhaps a phrase

Can be softly uttered

To change her ugly ways

From here her eyes

Turning from black to brown

A welcomed reminder

In her pain she will not drown.

What are the words that relieve you from your pain or heartache?

By: Brittany Rae

-------------------------------------

I even found a blog post I had written when I got engaged, graduated college and another one when I got my first teaching job! I had completely forgotten about writing these. It was so neat reliving how I felt!

Subject	ENGAGED!
DateCreated	4/27/2006 10:24:00 AM
PostedDate	4/27/2006 10:05:00 AM
Body	So last nite I got engaged to the man of my dreams!! It was so exciting too because I was actually surprised, which I thought was going to be impossible. My roommate brought me down to Thanksgiving Point to check out some locations against my will but I love her to death so I was just trying to calm her nerves since she was the partner-in-crime who had to make sure I liked the place enough. If you've never been to the Tulip Gardens there you HAVE TO go--it truly is so gorgeous. She led me to this one location to this beautiful waterfall and gazebo and Joe was standing in front of the waterfall dressed SO handsome. So I walked over there and he sat me on this cute bench and he got on one knee and said things I can't quite remember bc I was in shock  But I said yes and we took some pictures around the garden and then I met up with the b-crew. It was a perfect nite to have with such a perfect guy--I really am so blessed and can't wait to start my life with him.

Subject	THE END OF THE BEGINNING?...OR THE BEGINNING OF THE END??
DateCreated	4/25/2006 12:47:00 AM
PostedDate	4/25/2006 12:31:00 AM
Body	Graduation--A time for celebration and excitement. A time to look back on all your accomplishments and rejoice in the bright future ahead of you.. Starting that long-awaited career that forced you to get a college degree before entering its realm... But what comes to my mind is, OMG!!! I FEEL OLD!! My thinking is you know you're getting old when you are REFLECTING ON YOUR COLLEGE DAYS. I mean, isn't that some of the stories our parents have shared with us as an event that signified the end of their adolescence?----> Even if they didn't actually say that... it is definitely assumed I think. It is just one of those things that you can't help and you want to be excited about, but when you look in retrospect, you see the times you had as a 'kid' and what now lies ahead-- For me, I am graduating in TEN days. 'HOLY CRAP' are my thoughts every day. I don't feel ready... I don't want to almost!! But I am... I will... and then I get to do what I know God has called me to be--a teacher. WOW.. I feel like a student myself still today in this world.. God is so funny.. he likes to push us out of our comfort zone to do what HE knows we CAN do.  So here's to graduating college to all my other friends who are embarking on this endeavor- CHEERS!  and may you feel young forever!!

Subject	Finally a teacher!!!... Now what do I do?!?!
DateCreated	7/11/2006 4:53:00 PM
PostedDate	7/11/2006 4:46:00 PM
Body	So I can't believe it, but I got a job teaching at a brand new school in Herriman! I will be teaching 3rd grade at a year-round school that starts JULY 25th! So here are some updates since I don't have any time really to call all my friends and family to let you all know. Yesterday I started "new teachers to Jordan district" orientation. It is preeeetty boring so far, but they feed us free lunch and give us a TON of books and activities to do with the kids so it's not so bad. We also talked about payroll and found out that salary has increased somewhat... never again I'm sure :) BUT THE BEST PART about yesterday was that I met up with all the new teachers and the principal and she gave us a tour of the new school and showed us all the cool technology our classrooms have and let me just say that it's amazing--the best in the state! I was shown my very own classroom and it's so nice! It's big and has windows (sounds dumb but most don't!) and a sink/water fountain inside the room and lots of cupboard space. I was SOOOOOO excited to see it and to think of all I can do inside there. Today I didn't get to go up there bc I came into work (I'm still working pt. time), but tomorrow I'm meeting my 3rd grade team leader who will hopefully help me order supplies and help me plan on what to do these next couple weeks. So that's about it! I'll update if I can... but I don't have computer access really anymore!! Just know how happy and excited I am.. and how AWESOME my principal is!! :)

30 Things Before 30

Let's not get confused, I turn 29 in a few days, not 30! HA HA!

I have been making my "list" for a few months now... Basically figuring out 30 meaningful/attainable things I'd like to do in the next 12 months. It's kind of a new idea buzzing that people are making these lists before their next decade birthday. My best friend did hers and encouraged me to do mine, so I did!

My goal is to take pictures of each one (if possible) and post them periodically throughout the next year. Wish me luck! Here's my list in no particular order:

1. Bake bread
2. Drive Joe's truck (he's had it over a year and I have refused)
3. Run a 5K (this blows my mind, I'm an awful runner!)
4. Go on a hike with Joe
5. Learn to can (like, prepare canned fruit, etc.)
6. Make carmeled apples
7. MOVE OUT of my parents house!
8. Volunteer at a charity/organization
9. Read a book about marriage
10. Go to a live tour
11. Take Brenna sledding
12. Go on a family picnic
13. Learn how to pop a champagne cork
14. Read a classic novel
15. Plan and take a "girls only" trip
16. Make my own popsicles
17. Buy a strangers meal
18. Complete the 30-day "Squat Challenge" (I'm actually on day 7!)
19. B-crew photoshoot
20. Complete all 30 days of Jillian's 30-day Shred
21. Plan monthly date nights with hubby
22. Lose the baby weight!
23. Try new BlendTec recipes
24. Cook a turkey (never done it!)
25. Blog at least one time per month
26. Write a message in a bottle
27. Try archery
28. Get my concealed weapons permit (hope I can rally someone to come with!)
29. Save for a huge down payment on our future house
30. ….. For Joe's eyes only! Hahaha, I knew he'd appreciate it.


So that's what I came up with! With some things I've said, "One day I'll do that, or learn this, or go there, or challenge myself, or be disciplined, so I put some "verbs in my sentences"! (Thanks Dr. Phil) ;)