29 Things for 29 Years!

It's my birthday! It's my last "20's" year which is good and bad. I feel a little old, but at the same time I hear that life doesn't start until the 30's so I'm looking forward to them:) I don't mind being 29. I feel like even if I'm getting up there in age, I earned every last one of them. I've learned a lot and experienced a lot, and though I'm not where I pictured myself being at this age, I still have a lot of years left to get where I want to be. So here are 29 little known facts about me...

1. I am left handed. When I was in elementary school we had a "handicapped week" where we learned about different handicaps and special needs. We got to walk around blindfolded, wear ear plugs, ride in wheelchairs, etc. The lady who was in charge of the activities, Miss Debbie, was talking to the school one day and said that being left handed is a handicap. Well, in a school of 23 kids everyone knew that I was left handed so all the kids laughed and called me "retard" for several weeks after that. To this day I'm a little self conscious when someone notices I'm left handed. Also, I still don't like Miss Debbie very much.:)

2. My drink of preference is hot water. Not kidding. And the very best form of it is when I leave my water bottle in the car on a super hot summer day. There is just something about that taste. I also like hot flat Dr. Pepper.

3. If I dream something more than once it will usually come true.

4. I'm a hugger. I hug everyone, even people I don't know. Sometimes it gets out of hand. I am NOT, however a fan of the social kiss. That creeps me out.

5. I have a cell phone, but I never answer it. In fact, when I moved to La Sal over a year ago I was with a company that didn't provide service here. I only got around to changing providers last week.

6. I love to take old things and make something new out of them.

7. The thing that makes me happy even on a super bad day is clean sheets on the bed.

8. I'm a list maker. I make lists about everything. EVERYTHING. I love to check things off when they get done.

9. I have monkey feet. They are wide at the ball and really flat. My kids have the exact same feet. See?

10. Right after we adopted our kids, out of the blue sometimes I would be so overwhelmed with love and gratefulness that I would burst into tears. I thought I would grow out of that, but so far I haven't.

11. I love history. My idea of a super fun vacation would be to learn all about a place, and then go there and tour it.

12. I love traditions. My little family has a million of them. I love it when my kids remember them and get excited about them too.

13. In the town where I grew up there was one teeny tiny grocery store. When I was young the things they sold there weren't always fresh, (though it's much better now) so when we would buy gum it would be crispy and shatter when we would bite into it, and then soften up as you chewed it. I thought that was how gum was supposed to be. I was honestly in college before I knew gum was supposed to be soft. It kind of ruined gum for me.

14. I get really irritated when people use incorrect grammar.

15. I HATE the words hubby and swoon even though they are both really "in" right now in blogland.

16. I use various forms of the word "crap" too much (crappy, crapilicious, craptastic etc.) It is evidently a real problem as I was recently told that my excessive use of that word is the reason I'm still single.

17. I love it when my kids tell people about adoption and their birth family, even though it makes a lot of people uncomfortable.

18. I ruined my sister's 5th birthday... by being born:) Happy Birthday tomorrow Bobbi!

19. When we were struggling with infertility a "friend" was complaining that his wife was pregnant with a girl. (he wanted a boy) I literally offered to buy his baby. That isn't socially appropriate.:)

20. My celebrity crush is Adam Levine. MMMM!

21. I hate being rude. Just the other day a person at the pharmacy said something unbelievably rude to me. Super rude, I won't go into it, but I will say that even just thinking about it makes me cry all over again. I was so angry about it I stormed away from the counter without saying thank you. It bothered me so badly that I later went back and apologized. (He said not to worry about it, it happens all the time. SHOCKER Mr. Crappy McRuderson!!!)

22. I am a HUGE fan of the strongly worded letter.:)

23. Once when I was in second grade there was a kid who suffered with poor hygiene and nose picking. Everyone picked on him, and he sat next to the pencil sharpener at school. Whenever someone would get done sharpening their pencil they would bop him on the head with it as they walked past. I never got the point of it, but one day I determined to find out what the fun was all about. I bopped him on the head, and he looked up at me with the saddest look on his face. I was so ashamed I ran to the bathroom and pretended to be sick so my mom would come take me home. I cried about it every time I thought about it. I apologized to him for it, but it didn't change the fact that I had done it. To this day it still makes me tear up to think about it, and it is one of the things I am most ashamed of in my whole life.

24. I can handle puke and blood and broken bones. I'm fine with dead animals and poop, but make me touch someone else's dirty sock and I get the heaves every time.

25. I often fall asleep at the end of movies and don't know it. It was years before I knew that Jenny dies at the end of Forest Gump (sorry if you didn't know that either) I thought the Sound of Music ended at the wedding, and I didn't know that Dorothy makes it home from OZ (that "there's no place like home" thing confused the heck out of me for most of my life)

26. I am always impressed with people who go the extra mile, like my kid's teachers attending their extracurricular activities, or my friends picking up the slack while I get the hang of this single mother things, or men who are positive male role models to my kids without me having to ask, or people who open the door or offer to carry heavy things, or write an encouraging note. I just really appreciate nice people.

27. I have crooked pinkies. I get them from my Grandma Fuller.

28. I think I'm super funny, but not everyone gets me.:)

29. I never sleep. Sometimes that's because Ethan won't let me and sometimes it's because I just have so much going on in my head I can't fall asleep. Either way, I think it's beginning to make me a little bit crazy.

And that's it. Happy birthday to me. Thanks for celebrating with me.

A Sweet Little Treat

In May I had the opportunity to attend a Kristen Duke photography class. We mostly learned the basics, but she did give a bunch of fun tips about setting up the shot, positioning, how to work in a variety of lighting and weather situations (which I totally needed because I live in Utah and there is no end to the crazy weather I have had to shoot in) how to shoot indoors (which is my least favorite thing, so I totally needed some help there) and even a little bit about shooting raw (though not as much as I had hoped...) Here are a few of my pictures to document the day. None of these have been edited, so check it out and see if you think I have improved at all...The class was held in Ogden at this darling little shop, The Vintage Cupcake. It was the cutest little place I have seen. The decor is to die for, and the atmosphere is so fun. I thought it was a crazy location at first, but it ended up being the best place ever for a photography class.
I also got to meet a bunch of ladies who's craft blogs I stalk all the time. Most of them are just as nice IRL as I hoped. (some were not:)

After learning about indoor shots we moved outside. The street the shop is on is darling too, so there were tons of things to take pictures of, like this cute church...

And then when it was all over we got to enjoy THESE! Mine is the chocolate one there in the front, and let me tell you, it was DE -VINE! So so good! If you are ever in Ogden, look this place up, you won't be sorry. (the guy who made the cupcakes was a doll too, but he declined a picture, so you will just have to trust me on that.:)

I'm going there someday...

I had the opportunity to go to one of my favorite places a few weeks ago. Brigham City. I love that place. I love the small town feel with the conveniences of things like gas stations, garbage pick-ups and midnight snack runs. I love the people there. I love how clean and darling, and charming the town is. I love the history and traditions that they have there. Even though one of the most traumatic things in my entire life happened there, I will always remember this sweet little place with fondness. I don't get to visit nearly as often as I would like to, but a few weeks ago a handful of good reasons popped up all in the same weekend, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to visit. One of my favorite buildings there is the tabernacle. I love the history of it, and the architecture and the way you can see it peeking out at you before you even get to Brigham City. I love that it's a "light on the hill" for me. For some very personal reasons it has a really special place in my heart. It is also one of my favorite places to shoot formal pictures in Brigham City. My good friend Miss E (who you can see pictures of on my photography blog adiebphotography.blogspot.com) just got baptized, and her family has a tradition of getting pictures taken of their girls in their pretty white dresses when they get baptized, so I had the opportunity to shoot her at my favorite place. While I was there testing the lighting I got a few shots of the Tabernacle.

Doesn't it look like a postcard here. This is without any editing, it is just perfect to photograph all the time.

And while I was there I decided to turn around and look across the street. What did I behold?...
The Brigham City Temple under construction. I remember how excited we were when the temple was announced. We are sad that we aren't there any longer to watch it's progression in real life, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take a few shots while I was there to bring back and show the kids. The week before I was there they started to put up the outside panels, and I can't even tell you how beautiful and majestic it looks.

Brigham City is often referred to as "Peach City" because they are famous for their peach orchards and their celebration each September, Peach Days, is legendary all over the state. It is only fitting that the sides of the temple be adorned with peach blossoms. I love that little detail more than I can express.:)



I love how no matter when you pass by you can see people stopping to take a look or snap some pictures. It makes me smile.
If you are interested in watching the progress of the temple there is a blog that I love HERE. He updated at least every week, and his pictures are wonderful. (he takes pictures of every little detail, which is exactly what I would do if I had the opportunity:)

We also love THIS little gem. It updates every five minutes (or maybe it's ten, I can't remember) so any time day or night you can see what is going on at the temple site. My kids love to check it out every so often especially when they are putting up panels and you can see some real progress really quickly. So check them out.

Dance

Remember how in Brigham City Adia had the most amazing dance teacher and company EVER?(here and here and here and here) Well, she did. Her teacher, Miss Michelle was fabulous. I really can't say enough good about her. She had quiet control over the entire company, every girl regardless of shape, size, ability or whatever felt like she was perfect, and she inspired excellence in all of the girls. She not only knew the girl's names, but she knew a little about them, their hobbies, interests, things that went on in their lives, she made a special effort to make each individual person feel special and loved. She taught in a way that was fun, but also informative, and she was an all around wonderful person. (seriously, if you are in the Brigham City area, you should really check her out, you won't be sorry.:)

Well, Adia loved dance so much, and had such a natural talent in it that I thought we would sign her up for a class in Moab. Two of her friends from school were also going, so I jumped on board and we took turns taking the girls in to town once a week. All I can say is, I WANT MISS MICHELLE BACK!!!

The girls had a lot of fun, and it was a great time for them, but as the mother I was less than impressed. By the end of the 5 months of class the teacher STILL DIDN'T KNOW THE GIRL'S NAMES!!! They were insanely disorganized, and did things like forgetting to tell us when class was canceled, not knowing the time of the final performance until the WEEK BEFORE!, and during the final performance all the girls who were not performing were aloud to run around the stage until it was their turn. Adia invited just about anybody she met, and several of them, bless their souls, came, and I was so embarrassed that they waisted their evening on the craziness. Plus, their (SUPER immodest) costumes that looked like they should have cost about $20 ended up costing $90. (I'm used to the cost of costumes, that is about what Adia's costumes cost the last two years, but those were professionally made and of excellent quality, and not silly little tutus made by the dance teacher worn over the top of booty shorts with a neon tank top.)All in all the girls loved it, but I have to say that I really appreciate Miss Michelle:) But enough of my complaining. At least we got a couple of cute pictures out of the mess, and you know how I think that almost anything is worth it if it produces good pictures, so here we go...

Payton, Adia, Lucie

That afternoon before the performance we all got together at Lucie's house for a "curl and twirl" party. We did makeup and hair and nails and got the girls all glammed up. (I was proud to get my Mary Kay on and be in charge of makeup. The girls looked so beautiful, but then we got there and realized that drag queen makeup was the order for the day, and our girls were WAY under hooker-ized. And then we looked around at the other moms who were wearing their daisy dukes and five inch heels and realized that we didn't fit in very well either. Yikes...)

Getting their sass on!

A random friend who's name I don't know. (hey, I'm no Miss Michelle either:)

Notice the difference in makeup...

And in other news, notice Adia got a sassy new hair cut for summer. She tells everyone that comments on it "it's an A-line" like that's supposed to matter to anyone other than her an Aunt Bobbi.:)

Graduation Celebration!

I have so much to fill you all in on that I don't really know where to start, so I guess first we will talk about what I am most proud of: School. This has been a year of huge accomplishments in the school area for the whole family. I went back to college this year, and am working on my social work degree. I still have a ways to go, but after breaking my back taking way too many credit hours, being a mom, being primary president, having an Ethan,:) and trying to heal and have a life at the same time I am thrilled to report that I am on the Deans List for this semester!!! I also got accepted for Social Work Advanced Standings which sounds cooler than it is. It basically means that I am accepted into the social work program, and can now take all of my depth classes. It was a giant process though. In addition to having all of my generals, electives and pre-reqs finished, I had to have a 3.5 overall GPA or higher, a 3.8 major GPA, write a killer long essay about why I want to be a social worker, how social work effects my life, what I have to offer to the social work community as a whole, and declare the area of social work I want to pursue. (I got a super nice letter from the head of the department and acceptance committee telling me how much they enjoyed my essay; something that according to my advisor happens rarely if ever. Yay!:) I had to have recommendations from my mentor and professors, and I had to take a hecka long scary test and pass with 75% or better (got a 98 thank you very much!) Out of the 300+ who applied they only accepted 75, so getting in is a big deal--to me anyway:)

Adia also had some huge accomplishments in school this year. She was in Kindergarten this year and really loved it. La Sal school is a little different than regular schools in that the class size is super small, and there are two grades in each class. She was in the k-1 class, and that was a great opportunity for her. She has always been really smart, and picks up on things so easily that I was worried she might get bored and hate school. She had a wonderful teacher though, and she would just give Adia the first grader's work when she would finish her own. Because of that she is a super reader great at writing, and does 2nd grade math!

Ethan had some real growth this year as well. As most of you know Ethan has been in a self contained (special ed) classroom full time up until this year. When we moved here that was no longer an option, so he was plopped into a regular classroom and expected to keep up with everyone. It started out rough because he was used to a lot of extra one on one time, and that wasn't available here, but he pulled out of it, and got really comfortable in his situation. He had a teacher that was really perfect for him. He understands the things that Ethan is going through outside of school, and was a great resource for Ethan to talk to. He is also very patient and kind, and was really exactly what Ethan needed this year. Ethan got a lot of awards and achievements at the end of the year assembly, but the biggest achievement was when he brought his report card home and he had 1 B and the rest A's!!! And in his first year of mainstreamed class!!! Take that you crazy "experts" who said he would never pass kindergarten! HA HA!!! I am so proud of him. He is such a hard worker, and had an excellent team this year to help him accomplish what I truly believe is nothing short of a miracle.

So now on to the pictures. Please don't judge. The picture quality is why I am such an advocate for manual settings on your camera. This is what auto will do for you!:)

Ethan got a lot of awards for his hard work, including reading improvement, attendance (yes, we are THOSE kids), turning in his homework, writing improvement, fitness, and some other crazy things I can't remember. He was super proud of himself.
Adia got a lot of awards as well for things like Math facts, attendance, super reader, read to the moon, walk around san juan county, fitness, citizenship, etc. She was so funny, every time they gave her an award she would duck her head in this shy kind of way. Every Single Time. It was weird because she totally isn't shy. Funny girl...
They both got super soaker squirt guns for attendance. Fun things about having a school this size...

Ethan also graduated this year. The school only goes to third grade in La Sal and then the kids are bussed to Monticello (one hour each way), so they got a special autographed graduation bear and a water bottle. Not sure about the crazy face he's making, but this was the best picture we got of him...
This is his graduating class of 9 (one little guy in the cowboy hat is hiding) This was the largest class they've had in years. NINE whole third graders:)
And this is Adia being goofy.:)

What have I been doing for the last couple of months?

Well,... this...

And this...

And some of this...

And a little of that...

And some good stuff like this...

And some REAL GOOD stuff like these...

And some other stuff like this...

Super happy stuff like this...

Some more of this...

Crazy stuff like this...

And fabulous stuff like this...
That's what! And that's only the stuff that I took a picture of! Needless to say I have had a case of the Mays and have been so busy I can't even blink. I will eventually try to get caught up, explain all of these pictures, and fill you in on all of the news. It just won't be today:) I just wanted to let you all know that I am still alive. I promise to be back again soon.