Dakota and Santa

This was taken in Utah after much coaxing to get him up there.. He had a blast telling Santa all the TRANSFORMERS he wanted. It was super cute. I love this picture. He just looks so happy in it. My little boy is growing up.

Thanksgiving... not just one day a year

This was my first Thanksgiving without Dakota. He spent November in Utah with his dad... and had a great time. I was supposed to go to Montrose to be with mom and dad.. but a storm hit the mountains and I wasn't about to drive in that crap by myself. So I stayed home. Thank goodness for great friends. I enjoyed a wonderful meal with some from friends from the Grandview ward, and watched the Cowboys lose to the Saints. I was sad to not be with family... but after some long and lonely nights. I have come to realize all that I am THANKFUL for this year. This has been a rough year. So it's been hard for me to find things to be thankful for. But here is my list this year of things I am Thankful for....

My Family

Dakota

My Families Health

My Uncle Johnnie is still with us

My faith

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

My brothers and sister in uniform

New roads to be traveled

Amazing Friends

May we always be truly grateful for the precious things in our lives. Let us not take for granted what we have. And embrace the trials we are faced with.

My big 3-0 and FUN-tober is here

Recap of my birthday really quick- I have awesome friends. The night I was supposed to have my party... EVERYTHING went wrong.. so I canceled.. I fully planned on staying home in my "comfy" clothes.. eating ice cream and watching some sappy movie.. but would that be allowed.. oh no.. my wonderful friend Kelly wouldn't let the happen.. so I had to get dressed up (in my sunday best) and went to Women's Conference with her.. SO glad I did.. than off to Village inn, for what I thought was going to be dinner and pie with just Kelly.. oh no..all my great girlfriends showed up to celebrate my birthday with me. Than.. on the 30th..I took the day off of work.. ( I NEVER WORK ON MY BIRTHDAY.. even out too sea.. somehow I have always had the day off).. I came downtown to say goodbye to some wonderful people at a pot luck at work.. than went home and did NOTHING!.. Dinner with Rachael and Kelly at Hickory House (it's way yum).. then Kelly made me the cutest cake. Again just a great day! The weekend was great with Conference... and Tuesday Dakota came home! So it has been a wonderful birthday! I have amazing friends and family... I am one blessed girl! Life is always changing.. you have to learn to change with it. It's never what you thought it would..

I LOVE OCTOBER!! Yes I am not one for cold weather.. but October seems to be a good cooling off month. I love the crisp-ness in the air. The fall festivals, the cool nights, apple cider, Halloween (my favorite holiday), and something new this year.. we (Dakota and I) are going to "Boo at the Zoo". This time of year the world around us is changing, seems to fit well with the status in life right now.. Change is word for the month.
Change is attitude
Change in jobs
Change in living arrangements
Change in life
Just change all around.
Life is good right now. Looking forward to the next few months... but also just taking things one day at a time.
Happy October everyone~~

Approching 30!

It is getting closer to my birthday. At first I was not looking forward to turning 30. My life is NOT what I thought it would be at 30, but now.. I am excited for this new decade. As I enter a new decade, I am also entering a new chapter. One I never thought I would write in my life story, but it is being written. I look forward to the future. New challenges, new adventures, and new beginings. My life has taken many twist and turns, ups and downs, I feel like I have experienced life... that I take opportunites and run with them, sometimes I fail, and sometimes I succeed, but I always have one heck of a ride.
As I look to turning 30, I also think about my baby boy! what is best for him, what is it that will bring him the most joy and happiness. So I have made the decision to move. To move to a place I never thought I would live, but swallowing my pride, and eating my words, I am packing up and heading to Utah. now I don't do this without thinking it through... I will be once again donning the uniform of a United States Sailor. I am applying to be a recruiter out of Fort Douglas, for Navy Reserves. I do not make this decision or any decision I have made in the last year without a lot of thought and consideration on all involved. I will miss my friends.. those that have stood by me and helped me over the last year. Not casting judgement, not asking for answers to question like "why?" or "what happened?"... I will miss a lot of people... but have no fear.. I will be back. And I know a lot of you go to and through Utah.. so I expect a lot of vistors.. LOL..
I look forward to this new chapter with my head held high and knowing that God is good. No matter how many times I slip and fall He is my consist friend. No matter if others can forgive or not, He will always welcome me with open arms!