Bikers, Goofballs, & Wannabes

I've discovered something wonderful.

Summer bike rides in the evening.

They are truly wonderful and I'm in love. I wondered out loud the other day

at why I hadn't discovered this before.

Then I realized that you kind of need nice weather to make it enjoyable

{which we haven't exactly been having...}

So I'm going to get my fill of them on the days when the sun

chooses to make an appearance.

That being said, here are my obligatory pictures to show just how much I enjoyed the bike rides.

 

No head..

just plain awkward

{Now for the "We wish we were Sydney shots"}

Hehe :)

Grateful heart

I think {...know} I've been a little ungrateful lately. And it took a recent incident to remind me of all I have.  So I reminded myself of the little things that I knew would cheer me up. But these things helped too :)

Isn't this hilarious? Let me tell you, this kid can {and does} on a daily basis drive me crazy. But the fact that this sneaky child took my camera and took pictures of himself cracks me up to no end. I could've been mad that he touched my camera and could have broken it. But he didn't. So I'm glad that it made me laugh; grateful moment number 1.

Aren't these strawberries beautiful? They taste great, too! Heavenly Father has some amazing {and delish} creations. But getting this kid to pick them was like asking him for a million bucks. He seriously did NOT want to. But he did and I'm grateful that he did.

These were today's loot and it was great! It was literally a miracle; the kids actually wanted to work in the garden. And I actually heard an 8 year old say, "You know, weeding is kind of fun.." Whoa, what?! Either a miracle or the heat was doing something to his head. But I wasn't complaining. This little one loves picking berries and usually eats along the way :)

I hope one day they'll look back and remember the good times and not all the times I put them in time out...or yelled at them...or got mad...or didn't feel like making mac&cheese for the billionth time. You get the picture.

But you know, I'll probably yell at them a couple more times, give a couple more time outs, and not let them have candy. Oh well.

 

 

Oh and yep, still don't want children for another 10 years.

Oh hello again

Man = Me

Monkey = Reality

I've heard it's a chronic condition...

It's official. I have been bitten by the travel bug {the two British guys I spent the last week with could have had something to do with that as well...} But I think I have come up with a plan to satisfy this new desire. It's all very rough and still up in the air but this is what I really want to do.

PLAN:

-Attend BYU for Fall 2011 semester

-Skip Winter 2012 semester

-Go to China for 4 months and teach and TRAVEL

-From China, go to Japan and visit family

-Come home to Enumclaw and visit for a couple weeks

-Go back to Provo and work my little tushie off

From there...I have no idea. I probably should attend BYU Fall 2012 semester. But skipping that winter semester and traveling to Ukraine is sounding quite appealing... who knows. Right now I'm at a point where my responsibility  as an adult is at its lowest so I might as well take advantage of this chance. Plus, having my mother tell me (strongly, I might add) that I should travel instead of go to school is sounding more and more appealing...

But for now, I will just dream of this---

And hopefully that will make the next few months go by quickly.

a day in the life

Pike Place Market

Nannying

Office Work

My life is glamorous.



As of late

I've never really been a fan of the word nostalgic. But somethings, like a few of the events in the past few weeks, can only be described with that word.

First one was Enumclaw High School's graduation. My best friend Aubrey graduated as well as a bunch of other friends. I know that I have changed quite a bit (hopefully for the better) from the me when I graduated and I am so excited for my newly graduated friends and their transition from high school to "the real world." They're going to experience so much in the next year (especially those going to BYU) and I can't wait to hear stories. And yet... I know that the divide between my non-LDS friends and I will grow even deeper. Our college experiences and outlook on life is just too different. I want to be friends but I'm slowly losing grasp on how to be friends with them. It seemed so much easier in high school and now I have to make an effort. People were right when they said that high school is such a small part of your life and that it won't matter when you're an adult. People also said that you would see only a few people from high school ever again and boom, they were right again. But I've maintained a few important relationships and I'm glad I have.

Over a year ago. Oh how things have changed so much.

Best friends from high school.
Aubrey and Nerissa :)

Bedda and Julia
BYU bound!

Rachael! BYU-I bound :)

The next was the Academy of Ballet's performance. Last year was supposed to be my last year. I worked my hiney off and earned the star lead in the show (being a senior helped as well), cried after the show was over, and said good-bye. I was NOT going to be the college returnee and come back and steal the light from the girls who deserved it. And yet, I came back. But I can honestly say it wasn't for the glory of being on stage again. Far from it. I did it for a different reason. It gave me time to spend with Aubrey. Dance has always been OUR time. She's one of the few friends I've danced with and the only other girl my age who stuck with it. It was her senior year and I knew that I might regret not taking the extra time to spend with her. So I decided yes. I know I posted a while back on deciding to be in the recital and I can't remember what I wrote. But at end of the performance when the curtains closed and I was tired and ready to be done, I knew that she was the reason why I did it. And okay, I'll admit, it also got my lazy tushy to exercise.

So many of my thoughts rushed to last year. The end of high school, graduating, graduation parties, my dance performance, and saying goodbyes. I think my attachment to Enumclaw has grown less, which I'm kind of glad since I don't plan on sticking around. But I'll visit. So there you have it, my nostalgic moments.