Ready to Run.

I'm ready for this to be healed 100%:

I'm ready to spend my days doing this:

I'm ready to make more of this:

I'm ready for another night like this:

I wouldn't mind a week (paid vacation) somewhere like this:

I'm ready for warm weather, night games, shorts & sandals, softball, the lake, roadtrips, no school, concerts, volleyball, BBQ's...gosh darn it, I'm ready for summer!

Love, True Love.

Happy Valentine's Day, folks!

I don't particularly love or hate this day of the year. Some people call it "Single's Awareness Day" and like to focus on the fact that they're alone. Although it is nice to have the person you care about show you a little extra love on this special day, Valentine's Day doesn't make me feel bad that I don't have a boyfriend. To me, today is a day to be happy and thankful for the people, and things, you do have in your life.

Even though I won't be getting one of these today:

I will be getting one of these:

Now that's what I call true love. You never let me down, Chipotle.

Thank you, to the kind guest who gave me a very generous tip this morning, for dinner :)

Blog Buffet

You get a little bit of everything in this post.

I struggle. These last few weeks (especially at work) I have been incredibly irritable. I have had a lot on my mind, and I bottle it all up until I can't hold it in any longer.

I am grateful for opportunities to grow. Although I absolutely hate feeling weak, or not capable of completing something, I am thankful for little opportunities I have to become stronger and learn about myself. There are a few experiences in my life that have made me who I am today. We all face difficult challenges and, even though they're not the same for every person, we can relate in one way or another. (I struggle with A, you struggle with B. In the end, we both struggle.)

The challenges will never stop. When I was five it was staying inside the lines while coloring. Or learning how to share. And maybe I still struggle with those, but there are a few more things I'm dealing with, too. I'm grateful for learning experiences-I don't always enjoy the experience, but the important thing is the lesson learned.

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On to the next piece of business. This cute girl:

I had such a fun weekend in Colorado! Great food, a lot of laughter, a baby blessing, and quality time spent with family and friends. I can't think of a much better weekend. Nothing compares to time spent with that sweet little baby.

My mom made her blessing dress. The picture doesn't show the beautiful detail on the dress. My mom is so talented, and patient. Our family friend, Sheila, made the bonnet to match. Shelby looked beautiful on her blessing day.

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Girls night. I am so excited. There's nothing like spending an evening with 14 of your closest girl friends! :) There are a couple girls who are out of the state, or out of the country, that I wish could be there. No boys. Just food (and lots of it), dancing, movies, and girl time. There's never a dull moment with this group of fine ladies. It'll be refreshing. Nights like this are definitely needed-especially when the majority of our time together is spent with the boys. (Not that we don't love the boys, but we need our girl time.) I'm excited to get to know some of these girls a little better. You'll hear all about it later.

I'm pretty sure the majority of the people that read my blog will be there. So you'll already know all about it.

Tomorrow!

By this time tomorrow, I will be landing in Denver with Caitlin. We're going to visit my family for the weekend, and my niece will be blessed on Sunday. I can hardly wait to see this little munchkin.

Tomorrow she will be 8 weeks old--I can't believe it. My mom said she's starting to be more alert and interested in her surroundings. AND she smiles when you talk to her! I have missed her, and I'm so excited to spend the weekend with her.

Work or Play?

Today might be the best day of work I've ever had.

Why?

Because we're playing this and eating Mexican food.

Perfection.

Just because I only have one and a half working feet doesn't mean I'll be sitting out today. No way, Jose.

Amigos

I believe people come in and out of your life, for different reasons and times, when you need them most. I believe there are some people who will help you during certain situations, or get you where you need to be, and that's why (and when) they were meant to be in your life.

Obviously, we can't keep in touch with every person that has ever come into our lives. Your best friend from second grade probably isn't your best friend anymore (of course, there are exceptions). The people you hung out with in high school (who you promised to be best friends with forever and ever) are living their own lives, just like you, and maybe you "keep in touch" over Facebook. The people you hang out with now most likely won't be the same group you hang out with in 10, or even 5, years from now. People move, get married, have kids, get a new job, change schools, etc. Just because you're not BFF's with your best friend from high school doesn't mean that you would ever change the time you spent as friends. You grow up, grow apart, and move on.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the friends I used to have, the friends I have now, and the friends that got me where I am today. I am grateful for each friendship and the things I've learned from it-whether it be positive or negative. The saying "it takes one to know one" I find very true in this case. If you want a true friend, you have to know how to be a friend. It takes effort from both parties.

There are a few folks that I know I'll be friends with until I'm old and gray. And fat.

all you need is a few good friends...

...and that's exactly what I've got.

Probably more than I deserve and they're definitely better people than I am worthy of.

:)