Happy Valentine's Day

This Valentine's weekend has been a great one!

I received lots of love from my amazing students. Maybe a little too much love... I've got candy to last for months. One of the best things was when a student handed me a Valentine and said, "Thanks for being the nicest teacher, who has ever been nice to me. You seriously are the nicest to me." It always feels good when you can be a positive influence in a child's life.

Nathan and I celebrated by eating some delicious Cafe Rio for dinner while watching a Pretty Little Liars. We are so addicted! Then we got together with Karly and Wade. We headed over to Wade's parents to get me some much needed snow gear for our snowboarding adventure the next day.  They were a little bit too big, but they were pretty awesome! I totally looked like a sweet 90's chick! We really enjoyed relaxing on V-day and just enjoying it together with friends. I loved how simple it was.

Snowboarding the next night was a blast! It's so scary at first! Especially the lift! Why don't those things have seat belts or lap bars?! haha With the help of Karly and Wade we were cruzin' down the mountain in no time! I was actually quite pleased with myself! Especially since it was only my second time ever going, and the first time was over 5 years before. Karly's sister, Katee, and her boyfriend, Mike, met up with us a couple of runs later. It was fun to all hang out together for a fun date night. We didn't have any major wipe outs and by the end I even went down the face of the mountain! We saw that side of the mountain when we first arrived and people were flying down it... I said I would not do that!! Well Karly is a great motivator and I went down it on our last run of the night! I felt pretty accomplished! 

The two days after our fun night skiing adventure.... sore. Sore. SORE!!! Oh my! I knew it would happen. I remember my entire body screaming at me after my first time snowboarding. This time my legs seriously weren't bad, but my arms and back were super sore and tired. I guess running has helped build up my leg endurance and strength, but my arms and back are wusses! I need to exercise them more.

We also had fun this weekend rearranging our bedroom. Sometimes you just need to change things up a bit. And we were tired of the window as our backrest. We needed a wall. 

All in all it was an incredible weekend and I'm glad I got to spend every minute of it with my best friend!

Happy 50th Birthday Mom

Today my Mom is turning 50! What an amazing 50 years she has had. My mom is an amazing woman, whom I greatly look up to. I am beyond grateful to have her as my mom and as an example in my life.

Last weekend we surprised my mom with a birthday party. (The surprise backfired a tiny bit because she saw Nathan and I at the Jazz game the night before her surprise party. I didn't want her to know we were in town so it would be a super big surprise... but it all still worked out in the end.) 

I recruited one of my best friends, Jenny, to help make the birthday cake. She made it the night before and then we decorated it before the party. IT TURNED OUT PERFECT!!! I cannot take any credit for the beautiful cake. Jenny is amazing! Thanks times a million Jenny!

While I was watching the cake decorating, Nathan worked on my mom's birthday present. I stained it a couple of days before, and he did all of the hard work making the lines perfect. I took pictures of him working on it, and of Jenny decorating the cake, but sadly the card wasn't in the camera and I didn't notice until it was too late.

Once the cake and present were finished I had my Dad and brother get my Mom out of the house so we could decorate and make dinner. I worked on dinner (Chicken Cordon Bleu) while Nathan and my siblings decorated. Everything turned out great!

My mom got home and everyone had to help with the groceries while Nathan and I hid. She was very surprised when she got inside. We enjoyed a yummy dinner and birthday cake, and played an intense game of scum. We all had a great time celebrating!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! 

50 Reasons Why I Love You!

 And why I think you are awesome!

1. You are my Mom!!!
2. You have always put our needs first.
3. You are super crafty and talented!
4. You made me an awesome First Christmas Blanket that I look forward to using every year!
5. You make yummy food.
6. You raised me in the gospel.
7. You are a great example of love.
8. You took care of me when I was sick.
9. You make amazing Halloween costumes!
10. You taught me to love everyone.
11. You taught me to be a friend to everyone.
12. You taught me to work hard in school from the very beginning.
13. You are my BEST FRIEND!
14. You comfort me whenever needed.
15. You are always ready for adventure.
16. You helped me gain a love of nature.
17. You encouraged me to always do my best and have fun.
18. You taught me how to try new things.
19. You always plan awesome parties!
20. You celebrate our successes.
21. You are an example of strength.
22. You are an example of faith.
23. You stayed up late helping me finish school projects I procrastinated....
24. You taught me how to sew.
25. You encouraged me to follow my passions.
26. You let me decide what lessons I wanted to take and practice.
27. You drove me and went to many practices, recitals, games and more for: dance, tumbling, voice, piano, basketball, softball, and sewing. Thank you!
28. You are always laughing.
29. You drove me everywhere before I got my license.
30. You always let me have friends over.
31. You make the coolest Halloween dinners.
32. You taught me how to cook.
33. You taught me to start doing my own laundry.
34. You made me be brave and call the pizza guy.
35. You taught me that beauty comes from within.
36. You taught me how to drive.
37. You would always take us to the church parking lot to spin donuts.
38. You sat through many choir concerts.
39. You encouraged me to get a job.
40. You make super delicious salsa and spaghetti! Mmm! My favorites!
41. You prepared me to live on my own up at Utah State.
42. You are the first person I call to answer random questions about cooking, or where things might be located in Walmart... 
43. You always let me know how proud you are of me.
44. You help me with projects.
45. You plan awesome vacations!
46. You made my wedding dress absolutely perfect!!!!!!! And wedding day as well!
47. You give me awesome things for my classroom that my students always love!
48. You love me no matter what.
49. You have helped me become who I am today.
50. YOU ARE THE BEST MOM EVER!!!