THE Real Gritty Blog

Camping Adventure - Sans Bug Spray

2011-10-04T20:52:00.000-07:00

Sunshine? Check.

No wind? Check.

Full tank of gas in the boat? Check.

Camping Gear? Check.

Food? Check.

Star Locator Map? Check.

Bug Spray? Ummm....

Let's just say this past weekend was an absolute blast! Ryan and I took the opportunity to go camping out on the lake. The weather was amazing and the water was perfect. We headed out Saturday afternoon and crossed through the narrows to a lake basin with nearly no one else in it. He found a great island and we decided to set-up camp. It was a great adventure.

We brought in some firewood and were able to get kindling from the area on the little atoll. The tent was a breeze to get up, and am I ever so grateful that he talked me into brining and air mattress because that island was rocky!

The boat anchored in nicely and once camp was set, we relaxed! It was quiet except for the sound of jumping fish and the water lapping against the sides of the boat.

The sunset was absolutely amazing - with pinks and purples painting the sky.

I pulled out my star locator (thanks to the nice guy at Rebel Books) and we went to work locating stars above us. The next morning, Ryan had the fire going before the sunrise.

We had previosly decided to bring donuts for breakfast, but somehow ants managed to get on the island overnight and invaded our food supply! It was a good thing there were some left over brats from the night before and we had a tasty breakfast over the fire.

After cleaning up camp, we set out to enjoy the adventures of the lake. It was a fun and relaxing adventure. I am marking 'Camping on an Island in the middle of a lake.' off of my bucket list and will be sure to add BUG SPRAY to my next camping gear list!

KAYLA'S TOP 30 before I turn 30 - Celebrate 14 more amazing memories!

2011-09-23T08:26:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day that I am 29 years old. Goodbye 20's. Hello 30's. A little scary to say. A little hard to swallow. But in the true essence of how my father raised me, there's not time for tears. Just time for moving on.
So, in the spirit of enjoying the last day before I turn 30, I still have 14 more memories to count down! Wow, what a slacker! I am going to be a true slacker and put all of them in the same post.

14. San Antonio Trip - I made this trip on a whim back in 2007 and had an absolute blast! There isn't time for all of the details, but it's an amazing city with some great memories!

15. Charleston, SC Trip - This trip was planned. Between Rainbow Row, the Angel Oak, swimming in the ocean, eating amazing southern food and southern hospitality, it's still one of my fav cities!

16. Anytime fishing, hunting, camping or trapping with my dad - I am a daddy's girl (sorry mom - it's true) and have been since I was very little. I have very fond memories of spending time with my dad. He taught me how to fish from the shore and from the boat and we event went ice fishing once. I don't know if I'll ever go ice fishing again, but it was a good time. The first time I went duck hunting with him, I didn't tie my boots up to my belt loops and ended up in a serious mud hole with water covering every inch of my body, including my gun. I don't particularly like duck hunting so much either, but I did enjoy sitting in the reeds as quiet as could be, doing duck calls with my dad. Then there were the other hunting trips. The first year I drew a deer tag it was for area 10. We were up at like 3 a.m. every day to get to the mountains and into our spot before the sun came up. Have you ever climbed up one side of the Ruby mountains and looked down onto the other? I have - and all before the sun came up. It was probably the most beautiful site ever. The sun coming up over the valley as we're sitting there, with our binoculars and guns, trying not to get forst bite! Anyway, we didn't get anything that year, but we did have a lot of fun listening to the quakies, driving all over those mountains and just sitting and watching. I learned how to read tracks, listen to nature and hold still (which as Ryan will attest to any movie watching adventures, is very difficult for me to do for long periods of time). Then of course there was the time we got shot - literally, with a shotgun. Luckily it was long range and it wasn't too serious, but we were both hit. He was hurt, but he checked on me before anything else. We certainly have a complicated relationship, but I have enjoyed all of my time with him.

17. Horseback riding - anytime.

18. Caribbean Cruise.

19. Cruise to Mexico.

20. Summertime - So many summers were spent with my dad and many with my mom growing up. I have fond memories with both of them. With my mom, I made friends in Carlin where she lived and we would do al kinds of crazy things like trestle jumping into the Humbolt River, camping out and shooting hoops at the park. My mom loved to help us do crafts and I learned some great recipes from her during our summers together. The summers with my dad were spent working in the fields chopping cockle burs, swimming in the irrigation ditches, swimming at ash, fishing, doing yard work or working on the drill rig. There were times when we were building forts and adventuring all over our little hiko valley in the mountains. Those were all great times!

21. High School Graduation and after party.

22 - 25. All of the service projects and great work we did with our Civitan Clubs. The first, Civitan Accelerated, Chartered January 19, 2006. Then Lovely Ladies Bruncheon Club chartered in August 2008. Then Civitan on the Greens in 2009 and Diverse City Civitan Club in 2010. Some of my bestest friends in the world have come from my volunteer work with Civitan!

26. Civitan Conventions to Detroit, Orlando and NYC to Nova Scotia on a cruise. Civitans ROCK!

27. My first road trip with Ryan to Tempe for Halloween last year. This is one of my favorite memories for many reasons - and they include fun, friends and relaxation!

28. The Novel Completion party in Atlanta with Julie and the gang after we completed the NANOWRIMO Competition in 2007. My novel was lost - all 10,000 words of it - when my usb drive went kaput - but the memory of working, going to school, taking care of a family and still writing a novel in 30 days reminds me that I can do anything I set my mind to, have good friends to support me, and take baby steps to get there.

29. Spending time with my grandparents. A lot of people had a hand in raising my siblings and me. I have some great memories of trips to Hurricane, UT from Fredonia with Grandma Carolyn and Grandpa Johnny for apples and then the memory of canning homemade apple sauce, of playing in grandpa's yard, learning to sew from grandma and watching Transformers (the cartoons) and He-Man with my cousin Josh at their house. My grandma Alice and Grandpa Davis also carry some special memories in my heart. Grandma always took us shopping, let us read to her and play beauty shop with her. She also had an endless supply of grapes and other fruit at her house, which I loved. Grandpa had great stories, staunch opinions (about everything) and always seemed to have a pot of beans on the stove.

30. Last but not least. I hope my birthday celebration this weekend with my friends and family counts as one of my top 30 memories of the past 30 years.

Here's to 30 great ones and to 30 more!

KAYLA'S TOP 30 before I turn 30 - Celebrate Varsity Basketball

2011-09-19T16:58:00.000-07:00

After winning the championship game for the "A" State Title.

I am quite behind in my Top 30 before I turn 30 Count down...so here is another post for today. Today, I celebrate the memories of Varsity Basketball. I played 8th grade basketball and two years on Junior Varsity. My third year of HS ball was an interesting one. There were 14 players on team, which made for a deep bench. In addition, there were a lot of really good players on the team. Gals who worked hard to be really good at the sport (KUDOS to Haley who walked on to the UNR Ladies Basketball Team and to Sarah who played for Snow College). During my Junior year, I thought I was going to be GREAT! I ran my guts out at every practice. I spent the summer before practicing at the park; dribbling the ball, shooting hoops and practicing free throws. But, as it turns out I had run my course as a player and was a better bard. (If you don't know what a bard is, look it up). What I loved about that year was playing with some truly inspirational players, running my guts out at late night practices and being part of something truly amazing. I had the opportunity to share some pretty cool poems and words of inspiration to the team (MIP) but I also learned some hard lessons. The first, and probably the most profound, was when I had a sit down with the coach. No, I wasn't the best. In fact, I would probably sit the bench most of the season. No, it didn't matter how hard I worked, I would never measure up. No, you can't cry - you gotta suck it up. For all of the hard work I had ever put into anything else, I had reaped some valuable reward. This reward was not what I had been looking for - it was a very real message that I was part of a team, but I wasn't the best on the team. I think that this lesson, although a big and bitter pill to swallow, was one of the best lessons I learned in my years playing basketball. Sometimes, I won't be the best. But it's sure fun playing on a the best team.

THREE-PEAT CHAMPIONS! Posing for pictures after the game.

Celebrating upon our return home...

KAYLA'S TOP 30 before I turn 30 - Celebrate Our Capitol

2011-09-19T16:46:00.000-07:00

Me, Skyler, Sadie, Autumn, Jared, Dathan, Missy, Kinsey and RC.

At the Reflecting Pool in DC

Today is another beautiful day in my Top 30 before I turn 30 Count Down! Today - I celebrate our beautiful nation and Washington DC. In the fall of my Junior year, a group of students from my High School went to Washington DC for a Close-Up trip.
There were students from across the country who attended this conference. There were panel discussions, meetings with Senators and of course, lots of sight seeing. This trip provided me with a hands-on and very real perspective of our country and of democracy. I also feel forever grateful for the memories made with my classmates and the roommates we had on the trip. Thanks to the people who put it together - Deanna Jenkins and Coach Andher - you ROCK! I hope kids from PVHS get to go on Close-Up trips forever.

It was my first time on an airplane - which was super cool - and a fantastic trip across the country. Not pictured here are photos of our group sleeping on the floor of DSW and adventuring through the subway systems to our hotel. Also not pictured here are the feelings I felt when I saw The Wall and began to cry ...or any of the other beautiful memories commemorating the harsh, inspiring and often blood drenched history of our country. Humbled, sorrowful and small is exactly how I felt when I ran my hand across the names of all of the fallen. May we never forget our blessings or our fallen heroes.

KAYLA'S TOP 30 before I turn 30 - Celebrate HOBY 1997

2011-09-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

Today, In my top 30 before I turn 30 countdown, I celebrate HOBY! In the summer of 1997, I attended the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Conference at UNLV. We had small groups that we worked with - mine was pretty dang awesome and then a larger group. It is a favorite for a couple of reasons. First, I was working in Winnemucca for the summer and got to take the long road trip to Vegas for the conference with my grandmother. I think she almost died of a heart attack a few times because I also happened to be learning how to drive and she let me drive her little sportscar - the Acura - and even then I had a lead foot. She wanted me to have a good time. We stayed at the showboat and ate at a fancy restaurant - the first time I had ever seen butter shaped into roses - and of course, got to spend some great time together.

In addition to my adventure with Grandma, I got to stay at the campus. I loved the UNLV campus, dining commons and the dorms. I was so excited to be there that I couldn't sleep. I also met some truly amazing people. I can remember most of the names of the people who were in my small group - Ryan Hess from Mesquite or Virgin Valley HS, Adrianna Evans from Durango HS, Justin Kanoff from Procter Hugg HS in Reno, Leslie Brethauer from Gabbs HS and Cheyenne from Trinity Christian HS. The other kid in the photo I believe was from Round Mountain HS, but I honestly cannot remember his name. Anyway, we did team building activities, went to classes, prepared skits and also had a great time going to the Knights of the Round Table dinner show. Here's to youth leadership, team building and my first time at the UNLV Campus and the only time I stayed in those crazy dorms! Here's to 30 more years of HOBY in our beautiful state of Nevada!

KAYLA'S TOP 30 before I turn 30 - Celebrating Siblings

2011-09-14T16:20:00.000-07:00

Today, I celebrate the people I grew up with - all of the siblings that I had the opportunity to spend time with growing up. Brant and TJ - my two brothers, Annie - my sister, Chet and Kurtis, my two stepbrothers and September and Stevie - my two step sisters.

Annie and I sure did have some knock down, drag out fights growing up, but we also depended on each other for a lot through the years. Over the years, I've learned a lot from my little sister - mostly related to her compassion, patience and iron will in the face of adversity. She's also a bit of a rebel and I always admired her for that because I can be such a kiljoy with all of my rule following! But I also have to give Kudo's to my two brothers, who will still be young when I am old. They make me laugh and also have hearts of gold - a true testiment to my mother raising them.

There are great memories with all of my step siblings - whether it was making crafts, driving our parents crazy, or building forts and going on major adventures out in the hills. I have several memories of misadventures with my sister and two step brothers.

At one point during some winter together, we decided to turn an truck hood from an old international truck into a sled. We waxed the hood of it and took it across the road to the hill and had a blast. Then we took it up in the mountains and pulled it behind the old ford pick up truck with all of the kids in it. It reached serious speeds when we catapulted off the side of the road and down a hill with all of us in it! It was great until your pants froze to the bottom of it! I am still laughing thinking about it! And we had half a dozen forts that we built in old burned out trees, out of old wooden crates and an old boxcar. Some of my favorite memories growing up are with my siblings - blood related or not. I'm so blessed and so glad to have them in my life! love to the siblings and here's to day 14 in my Top 30 before I turn 30 countdown. spelling and grammar aside!

Annie and Me

Annie's HS Graduation

Brant, Annie, Me, TJ, September and Stevie

Brant

KAYLA'S TOP 30 before I turn 30 - Celebrate Seattle

2011-09-13T07:43:00.000-07:00

At the Space Needle

At Pikes Market

Adventuring outside city

Gum Wall at Pikes Market

Seattle View

Today is another day in the Top 30 before I turn 30 countdown. Today, I celebrate Seattle! Traveling to Seattle for work and then having the opportunity to stay over for the weekend to see my uncle Chris (I didn't get a photo with him - but it was so great to see him since I hadn't seen since High School graduation), have an amazing adventure with Ryan and his family and enjoy the culture of the city lands in my top 30 memories over the last 30 years. BTW - this should have been Saturday's post.

KAYLA'S TOP 30 before I turn 30 - Celebrate Childhood Friendships that Last

2011-09-09T15:15:00.000-07:00

Today is day 14 in my Top 30 before I turn 30 Countdown. Today, I am celebrating some favorite memories of childhood friends! I mentioned two very special friends in my first post - and they are just the start of some very special people I have come to know from my time growing up in Hiko, Nevada. Here's to great friends, great memories and greatness altogether!

One of my best friends and what I consider my childhood, first love, Morgan Brown came to LV on a Rugby trip with a few friends. While we don't stay in close contact, we do keep in touch. Taken October 2001.

Celeste and Shari are friends I have known since Joy School. We were only 4 years old when our mom's hosted community activities in their homes. We were re-united when I went to live with my dad in the 5th grade and ended up being college roommates during my second semester at SUU. Taken July 2011.

Anna (banana) and her brother Silas are two good friends from Childhood. Anna is one of my personal heroes and I love her guts - thank goodness for good friends who keep in touch and have medical degrees to answer distressed questions in strangest hours of the day!

Our FHA Group at International Competition in Boston, MA. Nicole, Carrie, Sadie, Missy, Lexy and Jess are all people who I usually get to see on fb or at home during the July 4th Holiday. We played sports together, laughed together, jumped in Ash Springs together fully clothed on graduation day and did another million crazy things together.

Carrie, me and NIcole in Boston. This was an amazing adventure for three recent HS grads!

Jolee (who will always be Jolsin to me) and Sadie at our HS Reunion a few summers ago.

Lexy and I met in the 7th grade and became friends. We caused poor Mrs. Poulsen some serious stress I am sure between us and Chet, Dathan and Morgan. But Lexy is a shining star in my life! We were roommates after I moved to Vegas and she helped me get through a very dark time in my family's lives and then some! I'll never forget her teaching me how to rollerblade, playing basketball together and reading the bible with her family when I stayed the night in HS. Her family basically adopted me, much like many of the other families in the community. There are too many cool memories to list!

This is a photo of most of the peeps from our graduating HS Class during our HS reunion in 2009.

KAYLA'S TOP 30 before I turn 30 - Celebrate Katy

2011-09-08T07:44:00.000-07:00

Today is another beautiful day in the Top 30 before I turn 30 countdown. Today, I celebrate my favorite memories of a little girl named Katy. I met Katy through volunteer work with a local hippotherapy program called Spirit Therapies. Every time I think of that little girl, my heart warms and my eyes tear up. She had a very rare disease that has a grim diagnosis at a very young age. She had a very gentle spirit. She didn't talk, but together with all of the volunteers, we learned sign language for things like stop, go, horse and thirsty. One time though, she said my name. I was blown away! It was the last time I saw her. Her little spirit was so precious and loving. I loved that little girl so much - and was very sad when my volunteer commitments took me elsewhere. But, for those who wish to participate in the program, here are some more details about it.

The program utilizes horses to provide physical therapy to individuals with disabilities. The horses pick up on the needs of the rider and with help from volutneers that act as spotters, the horse leader and the follower (I am sure there is more to it than that) the client gets special attention on specific needs. The motion of riding the horse also provides great muscle strengthening opportunities, especially for core muscle groups.

We had several smaller children that we worked with - in the ballpark age of about 4 or 5 years old - and some older individuals. On Saturday mornings, I spent time cleaning stalls, brushing and getting horses ready and then the rest of the morning learning from the people at the site. The Executive Director was amazing and truly had a heart for what she was doing. The volutneers were amazing, too! For a short time I got to work with a couple wives from Britian (whose husbands were stationed at Nellis). You complete training to work with the horses and with the clients. You also learn a lot about team work and listening to directions. I totally recommend volunteering at a hippotherapy program!

So today, in my countdown, I celebrate a beautiful little angel named Katy and the power of connection through volunteerism!

KAYLA'S TOP 30 before I turn 30 - Celebrate Building Houses in Mexico

2011-09-07T14:32:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been to Heaven?

No?

That's too bad. I have - so let me tell you about it.

First of all, it's in located deep in the heart of what some would call Hell. A tiny shack with a stove outside the house to cook food. Dirt floors. running water bootlegged from a neighbor. ditto on the power. Hardly

any worldly possessions. Heaven is in a little place called La Mision, Baja Mexico. There is an amazing family that lives there - Fabian and his 8 or so children. He and the two oldest sons work to provide for the rest of the family. This is the story of how I went to heaven one weekend in October.

Despite the language barrier, the group from Legacy Vineyard Church (the group I travelled with) and the people who run the Door of Faith Orphanage (super amazing place with the coolest family atmosphere ever - where we also stayed in the visitor's area in bunkhouses and tents) we were able to construct a house in a single weekend for this family. it had a bathroom with running water, the stove was moved inside, and the family finally had a real door to their home.

The group worked like dogs all weekend from before the sun came up until sun down. On Saturday night, the roofing crew (part of the job I got to help with) was finishing up the shingles. Fabian was holding the drop light so we could see. The smell of the ocean breeze tickled my nose. The stray dog who quickly became our friend stayed close. The whole group pitched in and did an amazing job. I hope that someday, if I do get to go to heaven, that there are houses to build, hours of work to do to help others, and smiles to share with everyone. Today, I celebrate the gift of heaven, a little south of hell.

KAYLA'S TOP 30 before I turn 30 - Celebrate Chicago

2011-09-07T14:19:00.000-07:00

Today would normally be Tuesday's post - so I am yet another day behind - but today is day #11 in my Top 30 before I turn 30 countdown of my top 30 memories from the last 30 years.

So here's to Chicago...I've only been there once, for a quick weekend trip some April a few years ago, but it was beautiful! All of the Tulips on Miracle Mile were blooming and everyone in the city center was out and about. I must have walked 20 miles around that city. It was the same weekend that the Freedom of Speech museum opened, which I toured and loved. I ate in Little Italy - super awesome - and enjoyed some serious shopping and picture taking. Here's to a beautiful city - and to a serious turning point in my life.

KAYLA'S TOP 30 before I turn 30 - Celebrate NYC

2011-09-07T14:15:00.000-07:00

This is technically the post that should have been posted on Monday - but I've been super busy - so here it is!

Today is day #10 in my Top 30 before I turn 30 count down. Today, I am celebrating my first trip to the Big Apple! I fell in love with Manhattan's food, culture, people and of course, the architecture and the views. I travelled there for work, but had the opportunity to do a lot of sight seeing. In addition, one of the business contacts we had got us in to see a couple of the fashion shows during Fashion Week in Bryant Park. Super cool! Here's to NYC, the resilience and beauty of the city, and to adventures of my single days!

KAYLA'S TOP 30 BEFORE 30 - CELEBRATE BEST BUDDIES

2011-09-04T18:48:00.000-07:00

ONE OF THE FIRST BEST BUDDIES CHAPTER MATCHING PARTIES - AT OPPORTUNITY VILLAGE

MIKE, MIA, ME AND KATIE AT THE FINAL STAFF LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE I ATTENDED IN 2010

AT THE FIRST STAFF LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE THAT I ATTENDED AS A STAFF MEMBER AT BBNV

AT THE GRANT A GIFT AUTISM WALK AT TOWN SQUARE - 2010 WITH JULIA AND ANN

AT BEST BUDDIES LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY IN 2009. WE WERE WORKING ON LEADERSHIP AND TEAM WORK OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM WITH THE STUDENTS.

ME, LINDSAY AND MAGGIE AT OUR SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD BOOTH AT THE FESTIVAL OF FRIENDSHIP IN 2010. THESE TWO LADIES ARE AMAZING AND I LOVED WORKING WITH THEM ON THE SPREAD THE WORD INITIATIVE.


THIS WAS FROM OUR LOCAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE BEFORE THE 2009-10 SCHOOL YEAR. WE HAD OVER 70 STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AT THE TRAINING. OUR STAFF WAS AMAZING AND DID A GREAT JOB OF PUTTING IT TOGETHER!

Today is Day 10 in my Top 30 before I Turn 30 Celebration. Today, I celebrate Best Buddies. Who knew that this job would be so fulfilling? I had a feeling - but I could never explain to someone who has never worked in non-profit just how fulfilling it is to work for a fantastic and much needed cause. The social integration movement and the work that is done by this organization and it's staff is making history - and I truly loved being a part of it. I could never pick just one favorite memory from working at this organization, but I do have to say that I loved working with the staff, the people and being part of the movement. Here's to equality, compassion and fighting the good fight! Here's to Best Buddies!

KAYLA'S TOP 30 BEFORE 30 - CELEBRATE CANADA

2011-09-04T18:36:00.000-07:00

So I am a day behind in posting, but today would be day 9, technically speaking, in my Top 30 before I turn 30 Count Down. Today I celebrate Canada. While the photos in this post are not from my first trip to Canada, they are certainly from my most memorable one. While there are many memories from this trip that will stay with me forever, some of my favorites were the amazing people I met in St. John and my friends from Civitan who were on the trip with me. The people of Canada are warm, generous and very laid back. That is, except for one man who I met who I am convinced was inhabited by the devil himself, but that's another post altogether. I had a blast taking pictures of the beautiful architecture, scenery and the other aspects to St. John. I also had a blast at the Canadian Party, which is a ton of fun at every Civitan Convention. So here's to Canada - and a great time in my count down before I turned 30.

KAYLA'S TOP 30 before I turn 30 - Celebrate Surfing and other crazy fears

2011-09-02T10:05:00.000-07:00

Today is actually a two-fer since I missed posting yesterday. So today, in my top 30 before I turn 30 countdown, I celebrate the several opportunities I've had over the last 10 or so years to face my crazy fears.

So let's start with surfing...So I usually like to face a fear on my birthday. One partifular year, I did a two-fer and tried surfing (facing my fear of being caught in an undertow and drowning) and skydiving (I think that's pretty self explanatory) and it turns out that I loved them both. Skydiving was an amazing experience and it's also one of my top 30 memories of my last 30 years. I can't wait until Mikaela turns 18 so I can feel comfortable doing ita gain!

One year, sometime after the surfing and skydiving, courtesty of beautiful Southern California, I had the opporutnity to 'fly' a plane. Now, there was a pilot in the front of the plane, but I got to sit in the back and fly (yes, you could see the grown under your feet because the floor petals were funky) and it was just a little two seater, but it was a great feeling!

Finally, this year, I got over my crazy fear of lake water. Thanks to my sweetie, who bought a boat and pretty much forced me to go out on the lake in (eek!) a bathing suite, I finally got over my fear of lake water and did pretty well this past weekend on the innertube. So today, in my countdown, I celebrete major outdoor adventuers and facing crazy fears! Here's to turning 30 in less 30!

KAYLA'S TOP 30 before I turn 30 - Celebrate the Birth of Mikaela Isabel

2011-08-31T16:39:00.000-07:00

Today is day #7 in my countdown of my Top 30 before I turn 30. I am counting down my top 30 (or more) of my favorite memories of the last 30 years. I'd have to say that I had planned to countdown and leave this one to the end, you know, save the best for last, but I couldn't wait any longer. She has become the keeper of my heart (and sometimes my patience) and I have been ever so blessed by her! So here's a few pictuers of the pregnancy journey and of her on her 1 year birthday. Here's to Mikaela Isabel - I love you little girl!

Wow - that's one good reason this girl didn't like being pregnant - seriously swollen legs!

I gained over 50 pounds with this kid - and she only weighed in at 7 Lbs and 5 oz...

I was back down to my 'fat' jeans from before I got pregnant within a few days; that's just how much water I retained during the pregnancy. Of course, that didn't last long.

Here she is the day after she was born. She was absolutely perfect in every way - all swaddled up in blankies and ready to eat some good food! I don't know how I could have possibly done this whole experience without the support of my girlfriends Belinda Veloz, Melanie Morgan and Penny Robertson, not to mention my mom and sister. I was a terribly angry pregnant woman, so I wasn't very nice to Mike at the ttime, but without Amy Helton going to Lamaze and birthing classes with me, I would have been even more scared to give birth to her!

I did her birth photos on some of my favorite books from my library collection. My hope is that she'll become an avid reader and seeker of knowledge - outside of the internet and gossip world - but on her own. My goal is that she'll become one who asks questions, seeks more than one answer and never stops fighting the good fight.

This is my little punkin on her 1st birthday. She's digging in to the red velvet cake.

Thank you for all of the awesome memories little munchkin!

KAYLA'S TOP 30 before I turn 30 - Celebrate San Diego Vacation April 2010

2011-08-30T16:59:00.000-07:00

Today is day #5 (or 6 - I've already lost count) in my Top 30 before I turn 30 countdown. I am counting down my fav memories of the last 30 years of my life. Today, I am celebrating the first vacation Mischa and I took to California. It is one of my favorite memories of the last 30 years because we shared so much discovery on adventure on a dime sized budget - almost literally - and Mikaela absolutely loved the Wild Animal Park, the beach and Balboa Park. I am looking forward to going again with her the weekend before my 30th Birthday. It will be our special tradition - sharing sunshine, laughter, picnics and adventures.

KAYLA'S TOP 30 before I turn 30 - Celebrate Rest

2011-08-29T20:45:00.000-07:00

Today is day 5 in my Top 30 before i turn 30 count down. Today, I celebrate the gift of rest. For most of my life I have worked - and with some darned amazing people I might add - but today I celebrate some of my favorite memories from my last year of life, which has been one of rest. A year ago this october, I decided to take a year off of 2nd jobs and major volunteer commitments to enjoy life, enjoy time with my daughter and spend time with friends and family. It's interesting to note that I think the past year has been one of great soul searching, great discovery and a greater sense of self - and of peace. The moment I forced myself down, I found love, peace and deep joy in just living. Today, I celebrate the gift of relaxation and rest.

KAYLA'S TOP 30 before I turn 30 - Celebrate Graduating from College

2011-08-29T20:41:00.000-07:00

Today is day 4 in my Top 30 before I turn 30 countdown. Today, I celebrate graduating from College. It took only 9 years (1999-2008) to finish my 4 year degree, but every long day of work and going to class was worth it when I got my diploma.

KAYLA'S TOP 30 before I turn 30 - Celebrate Family

2011-08-27T19:48:00.000-07:00

Today is day 3 in my Top 30 before I turn 30 count down. Today, I celebrate Family. I have been so blessed to have such wonderful family - blood relatives and the adopted ones alike. Thank goodness for my parents, grandparents, aunts uncles and all of the community members who incluenced my life so deeply.
Today was especially wonderful because I started the day with three people who I just met a little over a year ago, and then spent the rest of the day with them and my daughter. So, I'll start from the beginning...

This morning as I was driving, I decided to check my voicemails, probably for the first time in 2 weeks, and of course all of my old voice mails came up and asked to be deleted or re-saved. The first was a voicemail from Mikaela in May 2008. She wasn't talking yet, just making joyful noises into the receiver - trying to tell me she missed me while I was in Birmingham, AL for my internship. It was the first time I had to travel for work/school and be away from her for a week. Thank goodness for the voicemail and I'll never delete the message.

Then of course, there were about 10 additional messages that I have saved over the last three years from her - and her little personality has really developed. I hear her voice and my heart smiles. The reason I bring this up is because after I hit my early 20's and learned more about myself, I decided that I should never get married or have children. Simply because I have many personality traits that I didn't want to pass on to some poor soul. But somewhere between my early and mid 20's, someone somewhere saw fit to give me a beautiful little surprise - the greatest gift I have ever received - my daughter. The love I feel for her is greater than any love I have ever experienced before. The love I have for her is deeper than any love I can imagine a person can feel for anyone other than their child oror a spouse. So, I thought I shouldn't have children and then the greater plan dictated that I should, and I have been ever so blessed by her and everything she is and will eventually become. It wasn't until much later that I determined that I wanted another child. I was a bit angry that I was never able to have another for awhile, but then I decided I make a terribly ugly and angry pregnant lady, and no one should have to endure that.

But, a greater plan brought two additional children into my life. Now, I didn't get to give birth to them, some other beautiful woman did, but I do get to spend quite a bit of time with them and have come to love them very deeply as well. The great thing is that they come with an amazing father, who I love and admire deeply as well. Our lilttle conglomerate is a bit odd - but very special to me. Today when we went to Mt. Charleston for hiking and to have a picnic lunch, it was perfect. We were enjoying the outdoors together, eating together, and fighting and laughing together (well, that was mostly the kids as they got tired), but it was just as I imagined my future family would be when I was in high school, long before I decided I didn't deserve to have a family because I am so pig headed and self righteous, and certainly long before a greater plan determined that I was being silly.

Thank goodness for the family this great Universe and God give us - blood related or not.

KAYLA'S TOP 30 before I turn 30 - Celebrate LeaderShape

2011-08-26T07:46:00.000-07:00

Today is day #2 in the Top 30 before I turn 30 countdown. Today, I celebrate being a UNLV LeaderShape Alumnus. My last year at UNLV was interesting...I was the epitome of non-traditional student with a full load, two jobs and a husband and baby at home. Despite all of that, I decided to apply for a program called LeaderShape and was accepted, along with about 50 other UNLV Students. LeaderShape is a week long leadership course/camp. To my surprise, and also to one my greatest memories as a UNLV Student, I was accepted.
Our LeaderShape was held in CA in January 2008. The people I met there were truly amazing individuals - I won't spill the beans, but one of these guys in this photo is a DJ on 98.5 KLUC now and a few others in here have moved on to other amazing adventures. Leen, who is in this photo, is a PhD now and doing quite well in Leadership and Business development work out in this great big world. Not in this photo is one of my dear friends, Kee Choi, along with several others who have become great friends.
Anyway, I celebrate LeaderShape mostly because of the amazing people and friends I met during the week and all that I learned about myself. My Life Vision came back to life after I felt like it was lost (marriage and kids and everything that wears you down can do that) and I got back on track with my dreams of helping people and creating a world of abundance - a vision of a world where everyone has enough to shelter to live, enough food to keep them healthy and enough love and joy and of course, enough self confidence to follow their dreams. Thanks to the selection committee for allowing me to go and hang with the younger UNLV crowd and thank you for the amazing opportunity to learn so much about vision, team work and focusing on goals. LeaderShape - you ROCK!

KAYLA'S TOP 30 before I turn 30 - Celebrate Friendship and High School Athletics

2011-08-25T07:29:00.000-07:00

It's countdown time to my 30th birthday - Just 30 days until I turn the BIG 30!!!!

Today is day 1 in the countdown. I've decided to post 30 (or maybe more if I so choose) of my favorite memories over the last 30 years. They are in no particular order - just whatever I feel like posting from my top 30 list.
Today I celebrate friendship and high school athletics. For someone who grew up very shy and somewhat introverted, athletics and the friendships that came with them meant a lot to my personal development. I'll never forget the first time I was asked to come and play at recess by two of my still very good friends, Kinsey Dahl (Zinser) and Sadie Perkins (Lyman) in the 5th grade. It felt so good to be included - especially by such cool gals! To say the least, I loved doing middle school track (and this girl is not a runner - more of a shot put thrower) and I thoroughly enjoyed playing basketball (again begin invited to join in by some very cool friends). Basketball was a great ice breaker for me. I put in some seriously hard work and ran my guts out and played for some truly amazing coaches with some seriously awesome people! Some of my fondest memories are basketball camp and basketball practice with Coach Varlin and Coach Ken. Thank goodness for Coach Andher as well! Anyway, I'll talk more basketball on the day I celebrate just that - but today, my biggest and fondest memories of high school athletics lie in my softball experiences.

It's the one sport that I truly loved to play, the sport I was decent at and the sport that I got to play with coaches and people who were committed to practicing and playing hard. This is a photo of the inaugural ladies softball team at my high school. Thanks to awesome crusaders like Mary Castleton, we had a softball team in our school for the first time when I started my freshman year. The first year I played, there were only two freshman on the team: myself and Kinsey. We played all four years, went to state tournament three of the four years and managed to be co-MVP's our senior year.
It wasn't until my sophomore year (I played utility my first year) that I found my favorite position - Catcher. No one else really cared to play it, but I loved it. I think I finally got pretty decent at it by the time I graduated.

So today, on Day 1 of my countdown, I celebrate friends who include shy, newcomers in their recess activities and high school athletics and to Coach Andher, Wood and Higbee for an aweseome first year and to Coach Ken and Coach Hansen the last and all of the years inbetween - and to the Lady Panthers Softball Team - 1996-1999!

Mischa's Graduation Celebration

2011-08-18T16:10:00.000-07:00

My little angel is growing up! She graduated from her class on Tuesday and is on to Pre-K(2). The celebration was heartwarming - with the graduates entering to pomp and circumstance with their little hats on their heads. Mikaela came in last, carrying the American Flag. She stood on the platform and held it for the Pledge of Allegiance. Then they all sang songs - and she can seriously carry a tune! She did a great job with all of the songs and knew the words. The school put together a great slideshow of photos from the year to music....which made me cry! Her teachers and the staff are awesome - and I am really glad that they have been there to help her learn and grow. They have a saying at Mikaela's school about 'bubbles in our mouths' to keep the kids from talking. She takes the expression very seriously, as you can see by this photo of the group entering the room for the celebration.

Despite our differences, I think we've done a good job of raising Mikaela so far. I am really glad that our focus has been on doing what is best for our daughter.

Mikaela has become quite the little daddy's girl lately...

She is so amazing - I am so proud to be her mom! I love love love her so much!

Here are the graduates with their diplomas...

My heart was full of pride watching my little girl up there, singing with her friends, clearly a leader and a very special person to the people she goes to school with every day.

Knocking the Pins Down

2011-08-15T17:09:00.000-07:00

Mischa and I went bowling (her first time at real lanes) with Heather and Sara this past weekend. Mischa did exceptionally well with carrying and rolling the ball down the lane. It was so neat to see her get into the game, to cheer on the other ones and to get excited when she did well. I think we'll be doing this again very soon - thank you to Heather for making the suggestion.

Mischa was being a ham bone!

My favorite little girl in the whole wide world!

Mischa loved the pattern on the floor and insisted that I take a picture of it!

We bowled at Sunset Station and bowled two games. We all used the 8 lb, pink bowling balls (is it sad that my 4 year old uses the same bowling ball that I do) and did well. She watched the ball all the way to the end.
The bumpers helped me bowl, too! I think it was the best yet - I broke 100 both times!

Hometown 4th of July

2011-08-01T12:26:00.000-07:00

Going home to Hiko/Alamo for 4th of July has become a tradition for Mikaela and me. I love the parade (and so does Mikaela - I'm sure it has nothing to do with the candy), seeing all of the people I grew up with and spending time where there's really no internet and mediocre cell service. The weather was great - and we enjoyed some hometown fireworks, watermelon with grandpa and lot's of fun with friends.

Two Decades of Grape Vines

2011-07-07T15:26:00.000-07:00

Many years ago, about two decades ago, all of us kids helped my stepmom, Bibs, plant these grapevines in our yard in Hiko. I can't believe how they've grown! Despite being cut back twice to nearly nothing, they always rebound with the most beautiful bunches of little, green grapes!

As demonstrated by this picture, the grapevines reach from the fence, up a lattice, to the roof of the house.

Lake Trip!

2011-07-07T15:19:00.000-07:00

Mikaela loves rocks - she's a complete rock collector! Who can blame her with this cute, heart shaped rock?

Yes...Ryan talked me into wearing a bathing suit in public!

My daughter hates having her picture taken...as evidenced by this photo.

But she did take time to ham it up with Alex.

We had an absolute blast at the lake. Until this summer, I had a phobia of lake water. As far as I was concerned, lakes were for fishing and kayaking. I am certainly glad that Ryan proved me wrong. We have enjoyed a couple of trips out to the lake and on his boat and I've really come to enjoy the peaceful waves and time to think. Here's to more time at the lake!

A trip to Sunset Park

2011-04-05T16:54:00.000-07:00

Weekend before last, we took the kids to Sunset Park. Mikaela is getting better at riding her bike and did a great job on the trails. We stopped to play at the playground and to feed the ducks. The kids had a great time in the spring weather !

What is peace?

2011-04-05T16:48:00.000-07:00

If peace is the absence of pain and fear,

Is it also the absence of joy?

Is it that singular moment on a Saturday morning,

When you awake with nothing in your heart and nothing on your mind,

No thoughts churning your stomach,

No worries clouding your mind?

Is it the feeling that comes with being ok with where you are,

Being who you are,

And not apologizing?

LaBlanch Noreen

2011-03-25T08:05:00.001-07:00

Aunt Noreen was strong and sassy and stubborn. She was Welsh from the top of her head to the tip of her toes. She was funny and straitforward, stout and impatient. She was loving and compassionate. She was a woman of my family who will be truly missed. I remember holding her hand, feeling its warmth and hoping that somehow my presence would ease her pain and that I could transfer good energy to her, to give her strength. I remember hearing her labored breathing; her fight for life. I remember praying for her, silently in my mind, that she would find peace soon. My mind wandered through the years, walking through a menagerie of figures who have touched my life…picking up memories of my childhood and thinking of her. Thinking of who she was to me. Thinking of who she was to everyone who was in her life. Thinking about how we look so much alike, with the ski-slope nose, blue eyes and mousey-brown hair. I was thinking of her hard life, of her struggle through so much sorry, and about how her laugh will never leave me. I was thinking that it was unfair for her to struggle so much in the end when she spent so much of the journey struggling. I was thinking about the John Wayne movie playing on the television in the background and how fitting it was that day. So many old school values – work hard, love and take care of your family, take care of others in need, fight for what’s right, living by your own means without an attitude of entitlement – they were as much a part of her as they were good old John Wayne. I remember thinking about her garden – how she always had something growing. I thought about her rose bushes and wondered what would happen to them. What will happen to all of the years of loving and tender care that she gave them…it made me wonder. I thought about the fruit trees and her canning skills. It made me not miss being in the same house as the canning – it was too hot. I remember the treasure hunts in her yard and in the old junk pile across the road – the search for shiny rocks and bits of sun-colored glass and peacock feathers. I thought about her smile. I remembered that I had never seen her cry. Not that she didn’t have tears. She had them, I am quite sure, but she never showed them. I remember the dogs and animals she had. I remember who she took everyone in who needed care. I remember her always being there. Now, there is a hole in my heart.

All Those Things - 3.22.11

2011-03-25T08:04:00.001-07:00

All those things I wish I could have heard her say,

A longing for those hours of

Listening to her paint the air between us and around us,

Above us and within us,

Consuming us

With stories of old, dreams of new and the joys and sorrows of the current.

All those things she held close to her heart,

As if life were a high stakes poker game,

Or as if it were too precious or perhaps, unimportant, to share.

But now,

The Journey’s been taken, hearts were broken, words will forever remain unspoken…

KINDNESS by Naomi Shihab Nye

2011-03-25T08:02:00.000-07:00

Before you know what kindness really is

You must lose things,

Feel the future dissolve in a moment

like salt in a weakened broth.

What you held in your hand,

What you counted and carefully saved,

All this must go so you know

How desolate the landscape can be

Between the regions of kindness

How you ride and ride

Thinking the bus ill never stop,

The passengers eating maize and chicken

Will stare out the window forever.

Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness,

You must travel where the Indian in a white poncho

Lies dead by the side of the road.

You must see how this could be you,

How he too was someone

Who journeyed through the night with plans

And the simple breath that kept him alive.

Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,

You must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.

You must wake up with sorrow.

You must speak to it till your voice

Catches the thread of all sorrows

And you see the size of the cloth.;

Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,

Only kindness that ties your shoes

And sends you out into the day to mail letters and

Purchase bread,

Only kindness that raises its head

From the crowd of the world to say

It is I you have been looking for
And then goes with you everywhere like a shadow or a friend.

This Is What I Do...

2011-03-16T16:31:00.000-07:00

So, what is it that I do all day? I get paid to solve problems...lighting problems that is. Not a bad gig, huh? Well, technically, I get paid to do Specification Sales. This means it is my job to work with architects, engineers, designers and lighting designers to share information about lighting technology and products, with the intention of having my company's product on the final fixture schedule for the building plans. While the construction market is slow, I am having many opportunities to create a bit of a niche for myself as a solutions person for the fixtures and projects that are starting to age (and in some cases stop working) from that very boom that built Vegas to the megacity it is today. Some days are tough. There are some serious dirt bags out there in my business. But I've definitely grown a thicker skin in the last year or so, and can take the good with the bad. That is, until someone steals a job from me that I've worked on very hard. So far, I've had the opportunity to work intimately on the lighting layout/design of a Baptist church and some other small, design/build projects and remodels. This week has been all about chasing work and creating solutions.

I am super excited about a solution that I worked out today to be specific. I got a call about two weeks ago from an architect who had a client that decided he wanted to replace some track lighting in his office and that she'd have him get in touch with me directly. So this week, I finally got the call and started working on a solution. While I would havel oved to sell him three new track lights, I didn't really think that the fixtures were the problem. So we went on a bit of a Q&A or solution treasure hunt if you will. Final solultion: replace the current lamp (made in China by a low-end manufacturer who shall remain nameless) with a Philips Halogen Energy Advantage IR Lamp in a 36° Flood. The new lamp provides nearly the same amount of lumens, or light, but because the beam spread is more concentrated, and managed by a reflector system, there is actually more light on the work surface than with the current 50 Watt lamp. Not only is the Philips lamp providing the same amount of light, it is saving him 15 Watts of energy per light; a total of 45 Watts! This new lamp will save the maintenance guy twice as many trips to purchase lamps, because it lasts more than twice as long! To say the least, I saved the customer about $500 in fixture costs with a $7.50 lamp!

Not all days are as exciting as today, when I get to meet with several clients, come up with solutions and connect with them in a great way, but for the most part, I am definitely enjoying what I do all day. I never thought I'd be selling lights in a million years. But what I am pleased with is that I am creating solutions and helping people - plus, I get nights and weekends off to enjoy time with the ones I love. Very cool, indeed!

NOVICE NASCAR FAN

2011-03-16T16:17:00.000-07:00

I am a little behind in my postings...But this one is mostly photos.

Ryan had free tickets to the Sams Town 300 when NASCAR was in town. I have to be honest, I wasn't really looking forward to going but I had an absolute blast while I was there. Now, I am a big Dannika Patrick fan!

9 COW WOMAN

2011-02-25T16:38:00.000-08:00

ANYONE ELSE LOVE THE STORY OF THE 9 COW WOMAN?

Well, I happen to really love this story - because it's about holding someone high and placing value in who they are, rather than basing their value on what others think of them. I have referenced this story (I heard a different version when I was going through THE WORK) many times in my dealings with others and determined that the ultimate measure of a man (or woman) is how they treat you.

Here's the story:

The young chieftan wanted to start his own sub-villiage, so he approached the tribe’s king to get his blessing and advice. The king liked the young man, adding that several wives would be needed if he were to succeed in the venture. It would be important that he built many huts, a pen to keep livestock, and farm enough grain to support the people and animals.

The warrior knew this, and carefully laid out his plan for a village. He explained that there were other young men who wanted to join him, and he pointed to a site on a nearby hill where he planned to live. The king consented. ”When the times comes, may I purchase one of your daughters to start a family?” he asked. The buying of women was the way of that Africian tribes in that place and that time, and cattle was the primary means of barter.

The king had always liked the young man, and was glad about the news. “Absolutely,” the king responded enthusiastically. “Get your villiage built, raise some cattle, then come back to see me. I have many daughters, and I will give you a good value for your money.”
A year passed. The young chieftan arrived at the king’s hut with a small herd of cattle, indicating that he was ready to purchase a wife. “Take your pick; all of my daughters are over there, in that special maiden’s hut.

After a short while, the younger chief returned, bringing with him a young woman who stood in dirty clothes, bent over, and dirty. “This is the woman I want to purchase, Your Highness,” said the suitor. “I will offer you nine cows for her."
The king was taken aback. “Are you mad? Of all the daughters I have, this one is the most miserable and disagreeable. She is always frowning and moody; she does not sing nor does she dress well. She is certainly not worth nine cows! Two, three cows at best, but not nine cows.

“Sire,” said the chieftan, “I know what I am doing. I insist on giving you nine cows for her. She will be my queen.”
Reluctantly, the king accepted the offer, insisting that the younger man deliver the payment in increments of two or three cows at a time. “I do not want anyone to know that I charged you so much for such a miserable bride.” The young man made his payment, and took the woman, unimpressive as she was, back to his village.

He said, “She was always beautiful;

You saw her as worthless, and I saw her as a nine-cow woman.”

Several years passed. As was his custom, the king wandered among the subvillages, to see how things were progressing and to gather knowledge of his people. He happened upon the same young chieftian’s group of huts, and was immediately impressed with all the prosperity and upbeat mood there. He couldn’t help notice a beautiful woman walking head held high through the townspeople, smiling broadly. Her warmth and energy was clearly spreading to those around her. “I see you are doing well, son,” said the king. “And that woman — she’s absolutely beautiful. Who is she? Is that my daughter — the one you paid so much for?”

“I always saw her as worth much more, Sire,” said the younger man. “And when I treated her like she had greater value, she became a queen. She’s my nine-cow wife. She was never anything less, in my eyes.”

Thanks to Jim Cook, my LifeSpring instructor, who passed this story on to me many years ago. –RN. taken from http://knobstock.wordpress.com/2007/10/13/the-nine-cow-woman/

Zion Weekend Adventure

2011-02-15T17:52:00.000-08:00

When we arrived on Saturday, the kiddos wanted to play in the river. The weather was awesome and so we let them - soon they were completely soaked, but toally loving every minute of it!

If the true test of a relationship isn't a vacation, it is certainly a road trip with (2) 4 year olds and a 5 year old...not only did we survive the chaos of mealtimes, hiking on icy paths and the chaos of bedtime, but we had a great time. Here's to future adventures!

On Sunday, we did the Emeral Pools hike and had a great time hiking together.

We did some off trail adventuring...

Here we are at the water fall - there was a lot of ice as you can see - but it was still beautiful!

Ryan and the kids survived me and my high strung self...thank goodness for their patience!

Mikaela's 4th Birthday Bash

2011-02-11T16:06:00.000-08:00

Mikaela's Strawberry Shortcake Birthday Bash!

She had a blast with all of the family and friends who came to the party on Saturday, February 4. We had a bouncy house in the backyard, a treasure hunt for all of the kiddos, pin the strawberry on the picnic blanket and sliders and hotdogs. This year, it was 'modern family' teamwork - with Ryan allowing us to use the bouncy house, Mike making all of the food and of course, me baking this monstorous cake and making the games for the party. She had friends from daycare and then from our family friends who came - she had a blast!

Maggie and Gabbie...

Mischa decided to sit on the front porch and wait for her best friend to arrive, Abby, even though the party was going on inside without her. She really loves Abby and wouldn't do cake or ice cream without her!

Here is a pic of Mischa and me - I look like a very tired dork!

with Mimi and Papa - her godparents...

Opening her RC Car from Jazmin and the girls...

playing the hammock with jake, bella, abby and alex

mischa and abby

hugging - so cute!

this is how the cake started...I used foam posterboard, covered it with checkered paper, and then cut out strawberries and letters to make the decorations. Then, I covered it with plastic wrap....I made a total of three cakes; white, chocolate and yellow cake.

When I finally finished, they sort of looked like strawberries...

And just in case there wasn't enough cake, I made cupcakes, too!

I didn't want to pay $5 for 10 little leaves at the store, so I used regular frosting, shaped it on wax paper and froze it in the freezer and peeled it off, kinda like fondant, only much easier.

Melanie and Belinda came to the party - two of my besties - a huge thank you to both of you for coming to her party every year and for always being there to help with the party chaos!

Alex was princess for the day in this chair!

The kids loved, loved, loved the bouncy house.

Mischa's Birthday Dinner

2011-02-02T07:33:00.000-08:00

Mike and I share Mischa's birthday - and last night she wanted Pizza for dinner. We met at Pizza Hut and opened presents. She is such a good kid - so polite! She waited to even ask to open presents until everyone was done eating! Then, there were no holds barred, she was digging in to the gifts!

Hello Little Birthday Girl!

Mischa opened her presents from day care's party at dinner...

Silly Bandz...whoever thought of charging $5 for a pack of rubber bands shaped like copyrighted characters is brilliant!

Mischa and I at dinner...

She was being difficult about keeping her eyes open for the picture...

And of course, our little daddy's girl took a great picture wit her daddy!

Mischa's Party at Daycare

2011-02-01T17:18:00.000-08:00

Mikaela's Birthday Party at Daycare today...Thanks to Mike for paying for it!

I got to go to the party...

Cute little cupcakes

Ms. Deena dressed up was Cat in the Hat and gave Mischa a hug...

Reading Cat in the Hat

yummy!

Doing the Freeze Dance...

Arizona Trip

2011-02-01T17:02:00.000-08:00

Ryan and I went to Arizona for the weekend a couple of weeks ago...A few pictures (thanks to Marisa) from the adventure of PLB's birthday on Saturday...the more fun part of the trip. We went to the race track (where I won money!) and the casino. Ryan has a great group of friends from college who have been so kind to me and totally included me! Thanks, guys and gals!

me, michelle and rochelle

ryan and i on the bus

Joey's Homecoming and G-Ma's 69th Birthday

2011-02-01T16:55:00.000-08:00

My cousin Joey is home on leave for a month. He was just in S. Korea and will be stationed at Ft. Bliss. We took the opportunity to host a mini-family reunion in Utah and family came in from all over the west! Here are a few pictures of our adventures together - I am leaving out the incriminating ones! So proud of you Joey and so glad you're home safe! Also, a HUGE HUGE Happy 69th Birthday to Grandma Carolyn!

Annie and I hamming it up on Saturday...

With my mom - the weather was so nice that we visited outside.

Mischa was in heaven with cousin Makenzie to play with.

Annie, Mom and me

"Home on Leave" - perfect photo of an old mustang and his army gear.

Erica, Keith and Joey

All Smiles for the G-Ma B-Day Girl!

Keith, John, Brenda, Jaymee and Joey

Mischa and Makenzie

Keith, Me, Joey and Jaymee - they don't look happy about this photo op!

Grandma Carolyn cutting her birthday cake.

Stopping for a bit of rainbow sherbet...

Me and Mischa

Me, Grandpa El, Grandma Carolyn, Annie and Makenzie

Mischa opening her Christmas and Birthday presents at the hotel

The G-Parents with the Great Grand Kids

Jayme, Me and Makenzie

If anyone can pull off a sour face, it's my grandma - love it!

Makenzie with Grandpa El

Can anyone say, OXYMORON? A tough biker dude with a fluffy poodle - that has pink bows! WOW! Way to go Uncle Mike!

making meatballs

2011-01-25T09:29:00.000-08:00

mischa taught me how to make meatballs for dinner.

For E.A.T.

2011-01-20T16:04:00.000-08:00

Celebrate the Joy of a Life Well Lived
first written 10/01/2004 - KDD

What words can explain, the joy of a life well lived
and what sentiments could ever express
the beauty of that person -
who truly lived to give?
No mountain peak, nor soaring dove -
could mirror the freedom that a heart feels
when its beat was only with that of love.
no amount of wild poppies
or sunbaked, desert sands
could stand the tests of time like a set of charitable hands
no amount of tears today, nor in years to come
could bring this heaven bound soul
to its earthly home.
"dry those eyes" the mountains say
and live YOUR best life and choose instead
to follow this same path or love and service
Choose instead to seize the moment and to seize the day.

Saying goodbye to the dress...

2011-01-09T23:11:00.000-08:00

It's time I bid farewell to the wedding dress...

It's been in the closet for years and it's time for someone else to wear it...It was perfect for an outdoor wedding and the minimal, but intricate beading are just right. The back is corset style, which is very forgiving and very sexy. There is a bustle already sewn-in, so it's ready to go if your 5'6" or shorter. As you can see, it is a lovely and well made dress and looking for just the right, new owner!

I do have to say that I still can't believe how long its been since I've worn it...I was so young, in so many ways. So naive, so altruistic, so hopeful for the future and for what I believed I could do and be for someone else. But alas, life is never what I had planned it to be...and it turns out that I'm very different than I thought I was, and different still than I thought I would turn out to be. I am grateful in many ways for the lessons this dress has brought me, but also grateful to bid the dress, and those years of so many ups and downs, goodbye.

The Bucket List...

2011-01-01T23:48:00.000-08:00

Saying goodbye to the last decade inspired me dig up an old notebook with my bucket list (most of it is pre-baby, marriage, etc. probably around 2003 or 2004) and I thought it would be fun to list the ones I've accomplished this last decade, list the ones I haven't and of course, add to it. In an upcoming post, I plan to share photos and poems and journal entries from the last decade, to sum it up and bid it a proper goodbye.

Completed Bucket List Items

Travel to Puerto Rico and explore the Rain Forest
See Washington D.C. again
Visit Canada in the summer (completed twice, actually)
Finish College
Publish one more poem or short story
Find God
Swim with dolphins
Volunteer at Spirit Therapies (hippotherapy program)
Mexico Mission Trip(s)
(Do income goals count if I've reached them, then started over and reached them again? I think they do...)
Take an HR/Management Course
Read Good to Great
Skydiving
Surfing
Read Mastery
Visit one new place each month (not sure if this counts, as this was a goal where I intendend to actually travel somewhere new each month, but I do go somewhere new each month...so we're counting it)
Own a home
Write a Novel
Fly an airplane (with assistance, of course)!
Skinny Dipping
Dance in the rain
Take a Astronomy class
Live Audaciously!!!

Items I have yet to complete, but that I intend to in the next decade (or at least in the next two decades):

Be my contract - every day.
Take myself less seriously and live a little.
Apologize more. Hurt less.
Love more, judge less.
Be part of something great.
Be someone my daughter can look up to.
Make a difference to 1 million people
Make the 5 week trek on my own spiritual journey - the Road to Santiago
Join PeaceCorps (probably after retirement)
Travel to Italy and see the leaning tower of Piza
Participate in Red Cross Disaster Relief efforts
Hike the Grand Canyon
Hike and camp in the Redwood Forest
Spend a week in Tuscany in a country farm house
Travel to Kenya and offer assistance to the people there
Go to Matzatlan, Mexico and explore the Mayan ruins
Ride the rapids in a raft on a rafting weekend trip
Climb to the top of Mt. Everest
Become a certified skydiver (after Mischa is 18 and her college fund is secure, of course)
Visit all 50 states (28 down...only 22 to go)
Paris in the spring
Ireland in the fall
Prague in the summer
Learn to surf - correctly
Learn to speak a foreign language
Learn sign language
Learn to ride and work a horse properly
Own two dogs on my own ranch - name them Bosty and Callisto and have a horse named Hero
Ride horses in the ocean
Run a crafty crafting business
Build a Rat Rod
Drive a race car
Ride a live Bull
Ride in a hot air balloon
Fall in love and stay in love and get married to a loving, giving, honest and hardworking man (now when I wrote this list, I didn't get the value of 'source' and should now also include many other traits that I now look for, such as patient, good listener, great lover and great provider and willing to help around the house, but given that I am not sure I'd like to get married again, I'll leave it at this for now)
Bring my family closer than ever before through prayer, thoughtfulness, listening and love
Learn how to snowboard
Learn how to kayak - own a kayak
Read War and Peace
Learn the geography of the world
Take a Photography class
Learn to dance - Salsa, Flamenco and Swing
Learn to Box
Hike in Zion National Park
Go to the Giants Causeway
Create a foundation to facilitate the educational support of at least 1,000 children - resulting in their sucess - in my lifetime
Be a fabulous friend
Learn how to swim
Learn to play guitar
Read Gandhi's Autobiography
Compile my family history/genaeology
Learn to shoot a handgun and become a good target shooter
Be a kind and caring person until I die
Learn to vent anger without being visibly angry
Read Lifespring by JH Jr.
Read the New Testament
Study Jesus' teachings
Enjoy each day and strive to see the miracles even in the tragedy
Learn how to meditate
Learn Yoga - and do it
Plan, facilitate and expedite the Teen Quilt Challenge (like the one I did in 2004)
Payoff all unsecured debt
Do a weekend horseriding campout with friends in the mountains
Graffiti clean-up project in North Las Vegas
Hike to The Falls at Mt. Charleston
Live on the Beach
Graduate from Law School
Get my Master's Degree
Fight for World Peace
Create inner peace
Take an Italian Course
Run in a competitive Race (1/2 or Full Marathon)
Read The Tenth Insight
Read Management by Objectives
Trip to Yosimite
Buy another home - with a patio and garden and a hammock
Get a tattoo
Zip Line - to just about anywhere
Hike through Peru
Visit India
Eat more sushi
Enjoy more desserts
Be an amazing mom
Trust everyone
Be a great Aunt to Makenzie
Finish learning to weld
Be a loving and strong sister and daughter
Be honest in all of my dealings
Learn how to cook seafood
Make an impact
Own a Kharmen Ghia and a Wagoneer
Speak my mind - and be true to myself, always.
Live even more AUDACIOUSLY!!!

Painting Cupcakes

2011-01-01T18:01:00.000-08:00

Mikaela received a cupcake party decorating set from her Aunt B for Christmas. On Tuesday we baked the cupcakes and on Wednesday, we decorated them. Since mommy had used all of the red food coloring for red velvet cake and never replaced it, our choice of colors for the frosting was blue or green. She chose green (has anyone ever eaten green frosting?) and was quite pleased with herself.

The edible paper and paint made this project truly fun and she enjoyed it for awhile....

She got to use her apron while she painted...

A huge thank you to my very good friend, Belinda...aka Aunt B.

Christmas Goings On...

2010-12-26T21:47:00.000-08:00

Mischa opened her gifts on Thursday night. She walked in from daycare and saw the bike and the Belle doll first...she was totally in love!

Then I had her try on the helmet with the bike...

And then it was time for presents. Connie and my dad sent her pajamas and a gift card.

She loved the fairy skirt! As soon as she pulled it out of the bag...she ran upstairs and put it on over her leotard. She wore it for the rest of the night.

When she came back downstairs, she was all smiles in her new skirt!

Nana sent her Sugar Bunnies ballet set which she carried around with her all day on Friday.

Showing off a ballet move...

Mike got us free tickets to see The Nutcracker at Paris on Christmas Eve. She had a great time, but only made it through Act I...and she slept for the last 10 minutes of it on my lap. She loves to watch the ballet dancers. She is constantly walking around on the balls of her feet and her tippy-toes. I hope that she continues to enjoy dancing as she grows older. Since we had an opportunity to see parts of The Nutcracker this year and last (by two different ballet companies with two very different choreography styles), I hope that she also sees that its OK to interpret stories in different ways.

You can't see them in this picture, but my little princess insisted on wearing her Twinkle Toes sneakers (yes, they are pink and sparkly) with this dress. I love that she has her own sense of style. I hope she continues on with it and ignores what other people say and do as she gets older.

We took a picture together outside of the Theatre Des Arts in The Paris...and after we got home, finished up our activities for Christmas Eve, it was time to take her to her dads house. She was so excited to see him and barely noticed that I left....I am glad she had such a great Christmas with him, too.

On Christmas Eve after the little one was dropped off, Ryan and I had a fantastic dinner together at Lawry's. The carolers were singing at each table and they sang two songs for us - one that they chose and then one of my favorites. The song is so pretty, it always brings tears to my eyes. After dinner, we went down to the strip and walked around Bellagio. The Conservatory was full of people, but we managed to get a picture...too bad his head is cut off! The fountains were set to lovely holiday music as well and we enjoyed a show before returning to open presents. I forgot to take a picture of the 'master pieces' but part of my holiday crafting projects included scrapbooks for each of his children. I am looking forward to helping him put the pictures on the pre-made pages so that he and the kids can enjoy them together.

Ryan's mom has been ill and is in ICU this holiday season. He and the kids left on Christmas Day to be with her in Arizona. Even though I don't pray as often as I should, I am praying for (and sending good energy to) her and the entire family.

For those of you who read this blog, I hope you will keep them in your prayers, too!

I know it was only 10 years ago next spring when my own mother was in a hospital in SLC for kidney failure and some very special prayers by some very special people and a special blessing from the Elders brought her home. If ever a miracle was in order, I believe this would be it!

Mischa's new bike

2010-12-26T20:45:00.000-08:00

Mischa's new bike wasn't difficult to assemble. I had planned for it to take a whole evening and it took just about an hour...giving me plenty of time to do some baking and other fun activities around the house for the holidays.

We opened gifts on Thursday night because she spent Christmas with Mike. First thing on Friday morning, we went outside to try out her bike. She really liked it, except for the part where her training wheels were adjusted too low and her back tire kept spinning rather than gaining traction.

She can't wait to try it out on the trails with her little friends, Aaron and Alex.

Some Musings about Christmases Past and Present....

2010-12-18T09:14:00.000-08:00

This holiday season started with a bang! Literally.

The tree fell down just a few days after we put it up and when I got home from work and a hard work-out and saw it, I can't lie, I was almost my fathers daughter! My first thought was to drag it out the door and to the dumpster, with lights and bulbs and the whole bit! I was so utterly frustrated that I would have to spend an additional couple of hours cleaning up the broken bulbs, fixing the stand and repairing the broken branches (yes, it's a fake tree) that it was almost the end of the tree, and the tree tradition altogether at my house.

But, I refrained, ignored the tree for 24 hours so that I could address it with the patience and care it deserved, and had it back up before Mikaela got home from Mike's house. The tree is still up (and thanks to some serious wire strapping, duct tape and a hot glue gun, the stand is nice and sturdy again) and will stay up until I take it down, in part, thanks to it being anchored to the wall.

Red Neck Engineered...and still standing

This whole adventure gave me plenty of time to consider my feelings about the hum-drum surrounding Christmas. And I came to the conclusion that if it weren't for getting to spend it with loved ones, I wouldn't celebrate it at all. I know it sounds terrible. After my last post about my Christmas wish list, I thought about some past Christmases and realized that Christmas was special because of seeing my family and friends. (I can't lie here either, I also love cooking all day for people I love and making homemade gifts for people)...and of course when it comes to Christmas, it's not my absolute favorite. Don't get me wrong, I like it, but not as much as I like Fourth of July.

But anyway Christmases past... Grandpa Johnny and Grandma Carolyn used to host it at their house and when Uncle John was stationed in Okinawa, we'd get up early, talk to him on the phone, all of the kids and grand kids would open presents, many were hand-made, and then we'd eat a wonderful dinner together with homemade pies. (Wow, my sentences are becoming run on sentences!!!!!!) The year that Grandpa Johnny passed away we were scattered across the countryside, trying to figure out how to recreate what could never be recreated. Today it's the same - we're all scattered from here to Afghanistan.

Christmases with Aunt Vonnie... And then of course, there is always the anticipation of Christmas morning, which is almost always more fun than the actual Christmas morning. I remember one year, when we lived with my Aunt Vonnie, that I didn't want to open my presents. It was more fun to think about what might be under that shiny wrapping paper than to open it and finally find out. (where does that show up in my life? hmmm....)

There were Christmases with my dad...which I guess when I was little, were awkward, because he didn't know how to celebrate it. He'd grown up not being allowed to celebrate because of my grandmother's religous beliefs, so when we went to live with him during the school year, it could have been awkward again. But this time, Christmas included my step mom and two step brothers. They had experience celebrating Christmas the right way - with holiday music, a tree cut down from our own valley, baking Christmas goodies and sledding.

The sledding was always fun - we didn't actually own sleds. We used hoods off of old International pick-up trucks. We waxed the hood and tied a rope to it and with a blanket in the bottom of it so our knees wouldn't freeze to it. We'd drag it behind the pick-up through the hills. It could fit all four of us! Imagine! Four kids in a waxed truck hood and you can imagine how fast the whole ensemble flew over the snow! One time the rope broke and we went down a long hill off the side of the road. That was a fun adventure. I know my step mom was scared to death, but I am pretty sure we asked to do it again - even after it hit some rough patches and we toppled over and crashed! The hard part was pulling it back up the hills. The best part was that in the smaller rocky areas where the plastic sleds would have buckled, we were well protected by the thick metal hood that was under us.

Then there were Christmases with my mom, which included Christmases living with my grandparents and aunt Vonnie and so on...but since that time, she's hosted all of her kids and grand kids at her house and it's been enjoyable as well. Last year Mikaela and I drove up and surprised her and spent Christmas morning up there. Mikaela loved it because Santa came to the hotel room and then she opened presents again at Nana's house (my mom). Now she asks to stay at hotels all the time! I try to tell her Santa comes to wherever you are on Christmas Eve, but she's not buying it.

This year, I will be spending Christmas Eve day at The Nutcracker with Mischa. She'll be spending Christmas with her dad and will get to open presents at my house later in the week.

Every year, I make her something for Christmas, in addition to her purchased gifts. Two years ago, I customized her little guitar with a fairy and butterflies (I'd have to say it was a pretty cool drawing). She pulled it out the other night and I have the cutest video of her singing and strumming! Last year, I made her a castle out of a Xerox box. It's pretty cool!

Mischa's castle was pretty cool for costing me less than $10 to make between paint, fake flowers and glue for the Styrofoam turrets.

This year, I made her a fairy skirt (I worked on it last night) with cream chiffon and flower petals inside the rousching and it's going to be really cute when I finish it. I am also making her a fairy treasure box.

Step One: Double up material, add ribbon and use an upholstery needle to connect all of it...I was sure missing my sewing machine!

Step Two: Connect the ends - WOW! Talk about fluffy skirt!

This is a top view of it...I still have some work to do, but it will be cool when I am done.

This year, Christmas will be different, but it will be wonderful! I have two other, very special people I plan to spend my holiday with this year. I am looking forward to dinner on Christmas Eve with Ryan. I am in the process of making one of his presents now and I am really excited about that! (but since he sometimes reads this blog, I can't say what it is, now can I?) It will be nice to make something special for someone who is special to me and know that he will appreciate it. I also have some fun ideas for gifts that will be purchased, but I can't talk about those either...so just stay tuned for photos! On Christmas Day, I'll be spending it with one of my best friends, Belinda, and making a yummy pot roast for dinner. I am sure we will fit in a movie or two or a board game or two in there as well.

So Christmas won't be a celebration at Grandpa and Grandma's house this year, but I am sure that in 20 or so years, I'll be hosting it at my house...using the same pie crust recipes my grandma and her grandma before her used, and still making holiday gifts for the grand kids.

Here's to a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

My Christmas Wish List

2010-12-14T21:32:00.000-08:00

Did you ever make a Christmas wish list as a kid? I was thinking about this the other day, and quite honestly, I am sure I did, but I don't remember doing it. For some reason, receiving gifts has always felt awkward...and everyone knows I hate feeling that way! I love giving gifts. But since I know I will be receiving at least a couple gifts this year, I thought I'd make it easy on everyone and make a list:

1) World Peace - Yes, it is possible.
2) Mischa's guitar re-strung and tuned.
3) The brakes fixed - could someone wave a magic wand? I would also be willing to do a trade on this one.
4) Sewing Machine Fixed - Its probably cheaper to buy a new one, but I've had this one a long time and I am partial to it.
5) My computer fixed - I'll trade home baked goodies!

I think that's pretty easy.

Creating Luggage Tags

2010-12-14T21:12:00.000-08:00

I don't know if it's the reason, the season or the weather, but I have fighting a creative itch for the last month or so. The last couple of days have allowed me to do some much needed itching, or crafting if you will, and the result is luggage tags. All of the luggage tags have been hand sewn with sequins, beads (and in one case, buttons) and were custom made for four very special little people.

This one is for a little one who is a bit of a tomboy and hates the color pink. I stuck with purple, turquoise and silver for this one.

This one is for a little 'princess' who I think will ove the flowers, butterflies and the little heart.

This one belongs to Mischa. She felt left out when I was making luggage tags for everyone else, so I let her pick out all of the 'treasures' for hers. She has quite the plethora of goodies on there! Buttons, beads, sequins, charms, etc. She loves it!

This is for another princess. Im thinking of putting her initials in the open space in the top left of the front.

This is a better view of the one I made for the first princess.

All of the luggage tags have a pocket on the back for a name card of the owner.

I am thinking I should make these and sell them! I had such a good time! And I used only materials I already had around the house. The pink material is left over from a baby quilt I made for Mikaela before she was born, the ribbon from her room when it was still butterflies and the beads and sequins and used from our craft stash. I am pretty pleased with how they turned out. I have a couple more to make before Christmas, one for a little boy. I am thinking it might be trains! Wish me luck!

Mikaela Takes The Stage

2010-12-14T21:02:00.000-08:00

Mikaela had a dance performance on Friday night at Opportunity Village. Her school, Las Vegas School of Dance and Music, hosted an hour of entertainment at this year's Magical Forest. All of the students did a fantastic job and this time, I got some better stage shots of Mikaela dancing.

Mischa's Dance Performance

2010-12-05T21:49:00.000-08:00

Today was Mischa's Holiday Dance Performance at the Summerlin Performing Arts Center. Before the recital, we took a few pictures at home.

Can you tell that she's only humoring me with this picture?

As soon as I was on the phone, she started dancing, so luckily I got this shot.

No flash photography in combination with my seating arrangement equals terrible pictures. It's a good thing that Mike took video.

She is turning into quite the little Daddy's girl. She was very pleased to have her Daddy there and very sad when he had to leave to go back to work. I guess Mommy is just chopped liver.

More laughs with Daddy.

Outside of the theater, we got a couple of good shots. here she is with me.

My little Pumpkin, doing her own thing. Bless her in her dance endeavors, for I pray she doesn't get her lack of grace or rhythm from me!

Pictures from Thanksgiving

2010-12-05T21:31:00.000-08:00

Mischa and Makenzie

Mischa, Makenzie and Annie

Dag and his ball

Makenzie and Mischa picking apples off of grandpa's trees

Mischa eating one of her treasures

My dad had saved a few apples on the trees for the girls to pick

Makenzie is so beautiful and she always poses!

And - she's stylish!

Mischa hiding on the other side of the trees

Hamming it up

Makenzie, Dad and Mischa

Makenzie adding up her change from Grandpa's change jar

Everyone Played Nice

2010-12-05T20:52:00.000-08:00

Annie, Grandma Alice, Makenzie, Dad, Mikaela and Me

Thanksgiving weekend was truly relaxing and fun. Pictured above - four generations!!! Annie and Makenzie drove down from Elko and Mischa, Ryan and I drove up from Las Vegas. Connie and all of her family was there too, so we had a full house. We didn't have room in the house, actually, so we all gathered in dad's shop. He had the fireplace going and we enjoyed eachothers company. Surprisingly, no one played pool, but maybe next time. There were two turkeys, a ham and all of the wonderful sides I remember from my childhood. I was definitely worried about this trip. Our family gatherings usually end with at least one grudge and in this case, everyone played nice! I am looking forward to going up in the spring for some good fishing - and a game or two of pool!

I DID IT!

2010-12-03T10:21:00.000-08:00

I've spent the last 6 months in a training program for Philips Lightolier. Yesterday, I completed my final presentation in Fall River, MA. First, I can't believe it's been six months since I started this journey. Second, I can't believe I finally did it.

My background is in Ops and my education is in English and Communications. How did I ever get into lighting? I know that people are thinking this when I tell them what I am doing these days. They also probably wonder if I am going to survive the sales world (don't worry - I will fake it till I make it). And yet, I wondered the same thing myself.

Selling light fixtures is certainly not the thing I thought I would be doing with my life - but I am enjoying it.

First, it's challenging. I never expected to use what I learned in shop class from Rob Hansen about electrical calculations (that could also be why I didn't remember how to calculate load when it came time to do it and I had to call my favorite guys at Philips Controls). While I hate that I haven't mastered it yet, I am also loving that I haven't mastered it (and grown bored with it). There is still so much to learn about lighting and how much it impacts the usefulness and the mood of a given space.

Second, I also never expected to sell product. In my last job, I sold change. A social movement, with the end game being a global movement, was somehow easier to conceptualize. I don't think I ever had what they call 'Call Reluctance' in the sales world when I opened the BB Programs in NV. I am already nervous about visiting one of the engineering firms I will be calling on - but I suppose like anything else, I will just have to fake it till I make it. And just in case, I have made sure to schedule meetings with other electrical engineers that I know I will be comfortable with to help build my confidence.

Finally, there is another element that makes this job more difficult, but motivating. This job will require that I spend a great deal of my time strategizing every moment, every day and every week to create a successful year. I've done it for other businesses, for non-profits, and service projects, but never to make money for myself. It always seemed trite and somewhat greedy to put myself in a place to sell things that made me money. That's probably why I always sold Mary Kay at a discount and ended that adventure with a loss. a 50% profit margin just didn't seem fair at that point in time.

But now the game has changed. I have more bills to pay than ever before and a little one who I'd like to send to private school and ballet classes and music lessons and the like. Somehow, when the end game comes down to the most important person in my world, the stakes are higher. So, even though I also think it's ridiculous to pray for myself, this is the one thing I pray I will excel in. I want to be able to send her off to college someday and say, wow - I did it!

So, here's to lighting systems and controls, lighting design and working my tail off to be successful! Here's to 2011!

Attitude of Gratitude

2010-11-24T21:17:00.000-08:00

We made ginger bread houses out of tissue boxes, graham crackers and homemade frosting this past weekend and had a great time doing it. My daughter, for the most part, has an attitude of gratitude that I could surely learn from.
In the course of building the perfect, 'imperfect' house, she had fun adding gummy bears to the roof and exterior walls, with no worry of pattern, color matching or the like. She chose to build her house not based on internal, subconcious constraints of what she thought others would see when she finished, but on what made her the happiest during the course of it's construction.
In addition to decorating her little home with fearless abandon, she enjoyed the opportunity to eat many of these yummy treats (I learned my lesson last year with M&M's disappearing off of the house after she placed them). The best part? She stopped herself when she felt she had had enough sugar to eat. While this isn't always the case, I do have to say that I am proud of her for knowing when enough is enough.
While I am sure I didn't even know real gingerbread existed until I was well into my adulthood, (yes, I made gingerbread houses out of graham crackers when I was young, too), I am certainly glad that she appreciated the experience. Thank goodness for her attitude of gratitude.

I am thinking of making a list...

2010-11-04T18:14:00.000-07:00

I am thinking of making a list of all the things I believe, the [crazy] things I do, and the things I won't do - just so that I can keep track of who I am currently and the person I am becoming. Let's start with just one - yes, I am a freak about time. I even sleep with my watch on. I hate being late and I hate it when others are late. Don't waste my time and I won't waste yours. That's a good start. More to follow.

Chips and Salsa

2010-11-04T18:08:00.000-07:00

I am pretty sure that chips and salsa are the ultimate comfort food. They measure up with hot chocolate, steak and potatoes and tamale pie. Not that they should be eaten together, but they very well may be the one thing that I go to when I am not feeling well, physically or mentally. Sometimes I forget to check in with myself - just to see how I am really doing - but when I finished a bottle of salsa this week, I knew it had to be true...I need a little TLC.

LET'S MEET AN OLD TREE

2010-09-01T21:57:00.000-07:00

Always the patient subject, Mikaela let me take her to an old tree that holds many special memories for my childhood. I couldn't find the limb that we kids had carved our initials into, but it is still special.

MIKAELA

PICKING MORNING GLORIES

GRANDPA THINKS THAT EVERYONE SHOULD EAT LIKE A LUMBERJACK WHEN THEY COME TO VISIT, SO I HAD TO TAKE A PICTURE OF MIKAELA'S BREAKFAST ON SUNDAY MORNING. WE ENDED UP SHARING THE FOOD BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH! WHAT A GREAT GRANDPA HE IS TO MIKAELA!

I LOVE THESE FIELDS...AND MIKAELA DECIDED SHE KINDA LIKED THEM, TOO...

BECAUSE THERE WAS AN ABUNDANCE OF MORNING GLORIES, SHE FORGOT THAT THERE MIGHT BE SNAKES OUT IN THE FIELDS...

COLLECTING HER TREASURES IN THE EVER PRESENT TREASURE COMPARTMENT OR BUCKET...

SHOWING OFF HER TREASURERS...

THIS IS MY FAVORITE TREASURE OF ALL - A HAPPY, ADVENTUROUS 3 YEAR OLD.

THE MUD THAT SURROUNDED THIS TREE WHEN WAS A CHILD HAS LONG SINCE DRIED UP - AS YOU CAN SEE IN THIS PICTURE, THE CRACKS ARE OVER 6 INCHES DEEP.

MOMMY AND MISCHA

:( WE WERE ABLE TO RE-CAPTURE THE LOST TREASURE

AND A BEAUTIFUL SMILE FOR TINDING ALL OF THE TREASURE AGAIN

BY NOW SHE IS TIRED OF THE CAMERA...

THIS IS THE COOLEST OLD TREE!

2ND COOLEST OLD TREE! WHEN WE WERE KIDS, WE WOULD PLAY INSIDE THIS TREE. LIGHTENING HIT IT A LONG TIME AGO AND BURNED OUT THE INSIDE...WE CLEANED OUT THE PACKRAT NESTS AND PLAYED HOUSE AND ALL KINDS OF CRAZY THINGS.

BEAUTIFUL MISCHA BUG IN THE COUTNRY

ONE LAST PIC, MOM!

THIS WAS SUCH A FUN ADVENTURE! WE PLAYED HOUSE AT THE BIG TREE, PICKED FLOWERS AND SHE LEARNED WHAT A COW PATTY, STICKER (MEANING SAND BURS, GOAT HEADS, ETC.) AND BARBED WIRE WERE. SHE'LL BE A COUNTRY GIRL, YET!

Lizzie Borden & Co.

2010-09-01T21:38:00.000-07:00

Lizzie Borden B&B - Fall River, MA

So, if you were a spinster near the turn of the century, lived at home with the 'rents (the step mom and the really old dad), you were a cleptomaniac and even though your family could afford the modern conveniences of an indoor toilet and gas/electric lamps but your father would buy them, would you go crazy and kill them with an old hatchet?
So goes the story of Lizzie Borden, who was not found guilty because there was a lack of evidence. The museum that I visited in Fall River was not as 'scary' as I thought, although the crime scene photos were very gruesome.

This is or was, rather, the front door of the Borden home.

Ironically, there is a beautiful church nearly across the street from the home.

We stayed int he leeply little town of Westport, MA, just outside of Fall River for our training.

I was out for a run and couldn't help but notice this. So the next day, I took my camera on the jog and got a few pictures.

More lovliness in New England on a Saturday morning jog.

Concerning the Mosque near the site of 9/11

2010-08-17T21:03:00.000-07:00

There is much controversy concerning the building of a Mosque on private property near the site of 9/11.

I just wouldn't be me if I didn't weigh in on this subject and share my personal insights on this subject.

First, I believe that there are radicals in all religions and cultures.
Before we get our panties in a wad over this, we should also consider the fact that there are many believers - of all faiths - who are not radical or violent in their beliefs. This includes Muslims. I should also point out that it is unlikely that the building of a Mosque - anywhere in our country - will develop such radicals. I believe that these radicals are not the result of religious freedom, but the result of many factors, including underemployment, lack of education/miss education and are therefore highly suseptable to radically negative influences. It is also true for religious radicals who call themselves Christian. Does anyone who is Christian really want to be affiliated with radicals who misconstrue things to meet their own objectives?

The fear of the unknown....The flip side of fear is anger.
The 9/11 attacks were horrific and tragic. I myself remember crying over and over. I remember the quiet understanding between strangers, the random acts of kindness in our city and the gathering of strangers on the campus to share in process of grief and healing.
I also recall feeling very angry and upset at the situation - at not knowing all of the details and not being able to fly to NYC and help with the rescue efforts. I remember crying for the people who were lost and most of all, for the families they left behind. But what I can say, is that there have been many opportunities for me to look at this and learn that retaliation is not the same as reconsiliation.

Just because we don't understand Islam, we fear it. In addition, we have enjoyed a great deal of peace and safety in our country. We fear the unknown. We wonder, will this happen again? Are we putting ourselves at risk? We don't know the answers. They are unkown. Therefore, we can think to ourselves, I don't know what this is, I am afraid of what this is and therefore, it must be bad. All of this makes me angry. That is not the solution.

People are always people first.
Their religion is just a hat that they wear. It is their actions that define them, i.e. the stand that they take. In the case of radicals, yes we should be cautious and take actions accordingly. However, if our actions define us, then we should also consider all of the peaceloving people in our country who also happen to believe in Islam. They are people just like you and me. They have feelings, they work, they worry for their children, they pay taxes and they die, just like you and me.
I might also add that I would consider one of my Muslim friends to be the most lovely and knowledgeable citizen I know. She was a refugee when she was a child and has grown up in our country. She is an amazing mother and a kind woman. She is also a kind friend. She treats others with respect, and despite the fact that before I knew her, I had no idea what Ramadan was, she never treated me differently than her other friends. Just because her beliefs are different than mine should not exclude her from practicing her beliefs in this country. In fact, this country has cut its teeth on defending religious freedom.

Education and Understanding Erradicate Fear
We as Americans have been spoiled by Media conglomerates such as Fox and CNN and have forgotten how to read, how to look for additional information and how to think for ourselves! May we all use our heads and hearts and not count on the talking heads to make our decisions for us.Please people, watch the BBC, listen to NPR, read a variety of periodicals and do your research with many different sources.

This is a valuable opportunity to educate ourselves, support the famililes of the victims of 9/11 in a loving and non-confrontational way, while also upholding the tenets of our country. Let's put our heads together to figure this one out! People can get along and they've done it before. For example, in Newport, the first Quaker Meeting house as built across the street from the nation's oldest Tavern...in the same community, the first Catholic Church was built (the one that Jackie and JFK share their vows in) and it also happens to be the home of the oldest Jewish Synagogue in our country. We can all live in peace and support eachother in our differences! Let's create an opportunity for COMMUNITY out of this very controversial situation.

Cruisin through Providence!

2010-08-14T21:11:00.000-07:00

Hello from Providence! I am staying in the Hotel Providence in downtown and lovin' the surroundings! I cruised through the area yesterday and took a ton of pics...basically anything I found interesting. So many cool things to notice in a city I haven't been in for over 10 years!

Here are some lovely vegetables that were at the Farmer's Market...I wished I had a stove so I could take some home with me!

I love childrens' artwork - especially as it relates to the freedom of expression on issues that can sometimes be tough to deal with. In downtown, near the park/train station, there is a beautiful wall of hope, in response to the 9/11 Terrorist Attack. The tiles are breathtaking! Here are a few...

aren't they beautiful?

One thing I have loved about all of New England is the support of our troops! This is a display in a used bookstore by my hotel. Since I have several family members and dear ones serving overseas right now, this display was especically touching.

This was another display in the same window.

Since I operate my adventures based on landmarks, this clock has been an absolute lifesaver! Isn't it rockin'?

Here I am in a store window - I thought this was pretty clever!

More sites of prov...

I found this tile in an obscure place, on the leg of a short bench, near a large church/cathedral near Johnson Wales University. If you can't read it, it says, "Disobedience Starts Diaglogue".

This was a run down fountain near the church..."Foundtain of Life - a memorial to the unknown child." It was a beautiful design, but I was disappointed to see it in such disrepair!

The brick pattern was very interresting - I made it my first 'foot shot' of the adventure.

This is the church where the tile and the fountain were located.

cool bridge!

So I finally found a street cap worthy of my second 'foot shot'.

I found a mural, one of my fav things to find in a city, and had to take some pics of it. As you can see, it demonstrates varying 'times' of the city, by showing the subjects in different states of dress and stature.

Next part of the mural...

...wow - this is only 1/2 a building! you can see the light from the sunset and other buildings - right through the building and the scaffolding!

Foot Shot #3

Can you see the three different buildings? I love reflections! So cool!

next to the Canal, there was a gazebo with some truly beautiful pillars. Each tile had been made by a student of a school...I believe from reading on them that they were all made by individuals with disabilities.

Go ABILITIES!!!!!

A very busy bee....

The first Baptist Church in US - founded by Roger Williams in 1600's.

Apparently fire and brimstone still exist today....!!!!

Another tile...near the Canal. It reads "Psychohopeographers For Change."

This locksmith had a serious lock display in his window! I wish the shop had been open, I would have purchased one from him to take home! There was quite the collection of skeleton keys in the locks!

Isn't it a bit early for leaves to change...?

This was the coolest thing i found in Prov - a dancce group practicing in a plaza. I took video of one of the dances and will try to upload it as well.

Part of Civil War Monument near the train station on my way back to the hotel. Isn't she regal?

More from the monument.

Signage for the Queen of Hearts boutique shop.

Queen of hearts? Like the reflection?

Another fun pic!

Totally diggin' providencec!

Newport, RI - August 14, 2010

2010-08-14T20:27:00.000-07:00

I saw this note on the tip jar at the Country Kettle Fudge Store in Newport.

This is a pic of two sisters, eating Ben & Jerry's Ice Ccream - so cute!

Photo of the greatest example of Tudor Architecture on the East Coast!

A 12 meter Schooner - a replica of what was used in Colonial Times.

A photo of a sailboat in Newport.

Corey Smith - As angels cry

2010-08-10T18:19:00.000-07:00

amazing song and video.

2010-08-10T17:38:00.000-07:00

Irena Sendler

There recently was a death of a 98 year-old lady named Irena. During WWII, Irena, got permission to work in the Warsaw Ghetto, as a Plumbing/Sewer specialist. She had an 'ulterior motive' ... She KNEW what the Nazi's plans were for the Jews, (being German.) Irena smuggled infants out in the bottom of the tool box she carried and she carried in the back of her truck a burlap sack, (for larger kids..) She also had a dog in the back that she trained to bark when the Nazi soldiers let her in and out of the ghetto. The soldiers of course wanted nothing to do with the dog and the barking covered the kids/infants noises.. During her time of doing this, she managed to smuggle out and save 2500 kids/infants. She was caught, and the Nazi's broke both her legs, arms and beat her severely. Irena kept a record of the names of all the kids she smuggled out and kept them in a glass jar, buried under a tree in her back yard. After the war, she tried to locate any parents that may have survived it and reunited the family.

Most had been gassed. Those kids she helped got placed into foster family homes or adopted.

Recently, Irena was up for the Nobel Peace Prize ... She was not selected.

However, Al Gore won, for a slide show on Global Warming and Barack Obama won for a speech on peace.

The Black Pearl, The Breakers and Dinner at Christies

2010-08-07T20:57:00.000-07:00

Some of the Lightolier trainees stayed in Fall River for the weekend. We decided to check out Newport, RI today and had a blast! We had lunch at the Black Pearl and then did a tour of the The Breakers House, one of the Vanderbilt Mansions. Can you believe they had gold leaf and platinum on their walls and ceilings? It was certainly a symbol of the guilded age. Then we took a cocktail cruise on the harbor, saw some amazing sites and ate dinner at Christie's. We had a great time and I definitly want to go back next time to try sailing!

dartmouth, ma

2010-08-06T20:36:00.001-07:00

best steak tips and chorizo you'll get this size of the mississippi!

Matisyahu - One Day (Official Version)

2010-08-06T20:02:00.000-07:00

One Day...so glad that many of our servicemen and women are wrapping up operations in Iraq...and can't wait until our world is free of hate and violence. One Day!

the training follows me everywhere!

2010-08-06T19:44:00.000-07:00

Wherever you go, there you are! This past week has been a mixture of good and not so good - and finding a life boat oar in the restaurant next to my hotel was a sign of good things to come! i was feeling a bit sorry for myself, eating alone and when i went to leave, i noticed this. sorry, kayla, it said, you don't get to be a loser and feel sorry for yourself. you have to be the kind of person that deserves to be on the boat. you get to go, it said. and i said to myself, you're darn right!

The Calling, Kurtis Rykovich, SciFi Fantasy Art

2010-08-06T19:24:00.000-07:00

The Calling, Kurtis Rykovich, SciFi Fantasy Art

This is the most amazing painting - the whole series is amazing! I am going to order one and frame it!

Father's Day

2010-06-21T16:34:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day!

Even though it's a day late, I must say that I was blessed with a great dad and some really great memories.

While I am often too much like my father (and sometimes not in a good way) I wouldn't be who I am today without him...so I wanted to make a list of all of the cool things I learned from him and some of my favorite memories:

- Some of the best cowboys aren't cowboys at all...ok, so my dad isn't garth brooks, but he definitely taught me to be self reliant and resilient. Thanks dad!

- He taught me how to fish, hunt and trap - how to live by the work of my own two hands. Some of my favorite memories are of fishing with him (like the time we went ice fishing and we had to cut through the ice with an axe!) and of deer hunting in the ruby mountains. we hiked like mountain goats, before dawn and didn't shoot a single thing! some seriously good times and some seriously beautiful terrain! I love that I know how to use a gun, fish like a champ and know just enough about tracking to keep me out of trouble!

- my dad taught me to use what I have available - the only man I know who has money in the bank and uses duct tape on his cowboy boots until its absolutely impossible to function in them.

- my dad passed on his incredible pain tolerance. I remember he showed up to our team shoe fitting for basketball my junior year, after he made a trip to the clinic to get his arm patched up. A grinder had kicked back and nearly cut all of the tendons in his arm - not one single pain pill and he was there to support me.

- my dad taught me to be the best and if I can't be the best, to work the hardest and the longest!

- my dad taught me that being able to look myself in the mirror is THE most important accomplishment in life.

- he took the time to explain things in laymens terms - like welding and the difference between gas and diesel engines.

- he couldn't help me with my algebra homework, but he was a geometry wiz! He built all of his shops and home additions from plans made in his head! I learned how to pour cement, swing a hammer, dig a ditch (or a 1,000 post holes), brand cattle, vaccinate calves, plant a garden, ride a horse, milk a cow, skip rocks, work like a dog and act like a lady.

- thanks to my dad, I made it through some seriously grave times in my life. I owe him more than money - his debt I can never repay. Thanks for making me tough, thoughtful, independent, creative and an ethical hardworker.

I am honored to be a Davis girl. Thanks, dad!

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T08:28:00.001-07:00

So lucky to have so many cool ladies as 'moms'! Happy Day to:
My mom! The most giving woman in the world! My strongest memory was when we lived in SLC. Things were so tight for us and we were eating dinner one night and there wasn't enough. She didn't eat so that my sister and I could.
My step mom! She was the coolest, toughest lady you've ever met! I miss her dearly!
To My Grandma Carolyn! She taught me how to bake, sew and crochet! She taught me how to be courageous and face the biggest unknowns with a smile on my face, like when Grandpa passed away.

To My Gram Alice! Annie and I spent many a days eating grapes, sitting on her floor and reading Dr. Suess - thanks for the special times!

To my COOL Aunt Vonnie - I got my sassy characteristics from her!
To all of the cool ladies in my home town! I have more surrogate mothers who took me in and fed me and looked out for me in high school than any other person I know! Wish I could repay you for all of your time and gas money! Thank you for picking me up/taking me to basketball, cheerleading and softball practice! Not to mention to church, choir practice and all of the other activities I was involved in. Thank you for reaching out in the tough times, for cooking the awesome food and bringing it to us in our darkest hour and thanks for all of the love!

Update

2010-05-05T22:42:00.000-07:00

So, I've never been unemployed before. It's so strange! While I have been freaking out on the inside, I am certainly in-action on the outside! For each bad thing that has happened over the last year, something good has taken its place and I believe that this is just one of those times. So, instead of complaining about not knowing what's next in my life, as a single mom with many obligations, I am going to count my blessings as a result of being laid off:

* More time with the mischa bug and less stress in the evenings. It's amazing how good I feel about not getting 50 emails a day and getting calls till late hours of the night. I loved my job, but I love my daughter more. Thanks for this bit of extra time with her. I pray/send good energy into the cosmos that I can continue to find the right words to explain this situation to the Buddies who are going to be the most affected by this change.

* I found out that the friends I haven't had a lot of time to spend with, as a result of the crazy hours I worked, are still awesome people. Thanks guys for all of the wonderful support and caring! Thanks for the shoulders to cry on, the pizza (and for letting me order it without cheese) the phone calls, the texts and the hugs!

* I found out who the real friends are.

* After the anger passed, I got to be accountable. That's the best kind of feeling.

* Even though I drive him crazy (and not in a good way) Mike has been so supportive! Despite our situation, he has been an amazing friend through all of this!

* I had time to shampoo the carpets, clean the house and organize just about every closet in the house. pretty awesome!

* I was finally forced to get my home PC set-up for the internet so I can complete job applications. Thank goodness that I had it - thank you to Mike for giving it to me when I left.

* I finallly found my name tag. Yep, missing for 6 months and I found it the afternoon after I got laid off. I think it will make a perfect addition to the scrapbook.

*I found my golf glove! As a result of all of the things I had to move out of my office, I cleaned out my garage and what should I find but my trusty golf glove. I have a feeling it will be put to work very soon.

* I found my batting gloves! Rock on - they've been missing for awhile now. Can't wait to hit the batting cages!

* I have slept very well ever since. No more nightmares about work or dreaming about Leadership Conference logistics for months before it happens!

* When my car started rattling on Saturday, a friend fixed it for free. The rattling was just there to let me know that the exhaust sytem needed work, but not as bad as the CV joint boot that needs to be replaced. So cool that my uncle is offering to fix it for free! Saving over $100 in labor fees!

* My creative juices are at work! I am repurposing things at my house like crazy! It's awesome and so fun!

* I can breathe without my chest feeling tight.

* The migraines are gone - at least for now. So glad that those cute little migraine pills will hopefully not be needed as they are $20 each when the insurance runs out.

* So grateful to still have insurance for a bit.

*So grateful for awesome, classy and friendly dentists. Thanks to Dr. Garhardt, I got my teeth cleaned and a cavity filled today. I havent had time to go to the dentist in over a year. So great to have time to take care of things and to be in the presence of positive and respectful staff! They were awesome!

* I rented a movie on Saturday night - and enjoyed it. It's nice to laugh!

* I have learned so much - and I will definitely listen to my gut about people more in the future. If something smells fishy, that's because it is. If someone seems shady...well, you get it.

* Despite not going to work in the morning, I have enjoyed my time to reflect on my basic principals and what I want out of life. A dear one to me was just shipped off to Iraq - again. It's nice to be able to appreciate the memories of times past and have time to have those memories!

* Last but not least, I am grateful that I have another possible job on the line....I am keeping my fingers crossed that it's the right thing to do and it's going to work out!

A reason, a season or a lifetime...my final thanks to Lou for dinner and for reminding me of this great quote!

Mikaela the Beautiful

2010-02-21T22:23:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Zinser Photography, I have a collection of beautiful pics of my beautiful 3 year old! Here is one of the pics that they took. (http://www.zinserphoto.com/).

Kinsey (Dahl) Zinser and I have been friends since we were in Joy School, which is roughly how old Mikaela is now!

Being a mom is by far the greatest, most rewarding job in the wide world! It is also the most trying and certainly provides the greatest opportunity for personal growth and development! Anyway, I love my little Mikaela more than anything!

International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA)

2010-02-14T20:34:00.001-08:00

I know that keeping women and girls around the world free from fear and harm is as important to you as it is to me. That's why I'm inviting you to use your power as an American citizen to empower the millions of women around the world who suffer from violence and abuse.

I recently contacted my Representative and Senators asking them to support the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA, H.R. 4594, S. 2982). I urge you to do the same by visiting www.WomenThrive.org/IVAWA where you can send an email to your Senators and Representative.

Just visit the following link: http://www.WomenThrive.org/IVAWA

This bill matters! Drafted in consultation with more than 150 groups around the world, the IVAWA (H.R. 4594, S. 2982) is a groundbreaking piece of legislation that incorporates proven solution for reducing violence into U.S. international assistance programs. It would impact millions of women, empowering them with tools to escape abuse.

Millions of concerned Americans like you and me are speaking up and taking action. Please add your voice by contacting your Congressperson!

Visit www.WomenThrive.org/IVAWA

Fashion for Friendship

2010-02-14T16:49:00.000-08:00

The Middle School Committee and I are working on Fashion for Friendship, our first ever, fashion show to benefit Best Buddies Nevada. It will feature our participants, local celebrities and an afternoon of awareness and fun! It is going to be held in June 2010. The venue is pending, but we do have several appeals out to various organizations. If anyone has any leads, email me at kaylabrowncestero@bestbuddies.org.

Mikaela's Birthday

2010-02-14T16:44:00.000-08:00

Saturday, February 6 at Mike's House. Her 'cake' was mde of red velvet cupcakes. There were princess statues on a few of them.

Softball Great

2010-02-09T19:04:00.000-08:00

Mikaela has taken quite a liking to softball...thanks to an inspiring gift from Auntie Amy and Crew! She got a bat and ball (all soft) with Disney Princesses printed on them for her birthday. She played with Mike on Saturday. Last night she dug out her mitt and we played catch. She picked it up pretty well, except that she wanted to throw the ball with her mitt! So cute!

2010-02-08T20:29:00.005-08:00

Today...

A lesson in living,
A lesson in giving,
A time for reflection,
A time for perfection,
A time for remorse,
A time for recourse,
A moment in s

2010-02-08T20:29:00.003-08:00

ilence,
An moment of defiance,
A lesson in taking,
A lesson in breaking,
A moment anger,
At the moment of danger,
A lesson in giving,
A lesson in giving.

2010-02-08T20:29:00.001-08:00

Kayla

3 fish + 2 frogs + 1 snail = 1 happy 3 year old!

2010-02-07T19:50:00.000-08:00

Mikaela recently went on her first pet adventure. She got to pick out three fish, two frogs and a snail for her birthday. As of yet, none or named, but all simply go by 'fishy, froggy and snail'. She loves to watch them in the tank and has become quite responsible about feeding them.

We'll see how well they do...the pump is out on the tank and I can't take it to the fish place until tomorrow during lunch. Say your prayers for the our little fish tank menagerie!

2010-02-07T19:44:00.001-08:00

Updating my blog for the first time in over a year!

Kayla

Miami

2009-01-25T16:20:00.000-08:00

I arrived in Miami on Monday afternoon. I couldn't resist a stroll down to South Beach. Of course, I couldn't forget my usual feet picture...I take one every time I go someplace new.

Back from Miami

2009-01-25T15:50:00.000-08:00

Hello from Las Vegas...direct from Miami...

Mike has had the joy of taking care of Mischa for an entire week without me...(I wonder if her teeth were brushed twice a day...?) while I was at Staff Leadership Conference in Miami. I think maybe he appreciates me more now. LoL. Who am I kidding? He cut her hair while I was gone. I think that he thought that I wouldn't notice, since I had cut it before I left. Men! LoL! What are you going to do with them? Anyway, I am glad to be home. The people that work for Best Buddies, all over the world, truly are amazing! We got to see a video that the BB Columbia group made to promote their programs and everyone in the room was crying! So Beautiful to see the lives that our work touches!

Anyway, back to mommy land. Mischa has a nasty cold from daycare and I will probably be staying home with her tomorrow. Good one to one time!

Loving the weather here in LV! Gotta love the desert!

Goings on at the Brown-Cestero House

2008-12-20T19:59:00.001-08:00

I can't believe it's been a month since I posted to this blog! So much has happened!
Let's see...Mischa has started saying sentences..."Mommy, I do it!" and "I like juice" and has been working on her counting and colors. She is such a joy and such a good little girl! Although, she wouldn't be my daughter without a few moments of absolute bratty brat brat, but everyone has that, right?
Santa was not a hit with her this year. As soon as her diapered bottom hit his velvet covered knee, she was bringing down the roof! I hear that's normal and can't wait until she sees the tree on Christmas morning! She is a little too young to get the full meaning of Christmas, but she will enjoy the time with the family and of course her new toys!
Work has been hectic! My goal was to open 15 of my own new High School Chapters and then we also wanted to bring on a new High School Program manager to open 15 more. So far this past week I've added two chapters and lost one...which puts me at 6 HS Chapters and 1 College Chapter. I was promoted earlier this month to Deputy Director of Programs, so I am really feeling the pressure to perform and finish opening my chapters before I can pass them on to a new hire. The friendship matches are so much fun! On Friday, students from UNLV finally met their buddies and students from The Meadows also got to meet buddies at ATTC. It's so cool to see these kids meet and start developing friendships!
Gram has been in the hospital since just after Thanksgiving. We thought we were going to lose her for awhile and I spent a lot of time at the hospital those first few days. She is doing better now, altough the road will be long and sad as the time passes. She has Parkinson's among many other ailements and has refused to enter any type of assisted living environment. She tried it for one night (last night) after being released from the hospital and the place was an absolute DUMP! Don't allow your loved ones to be sent to Home Sweet Home LLC on 2615 Lindell Road. The place stinks, there is dirt all over the place and the tiny rooms have two people to each one with nothing but beds, a dresser and a TV. The staff, while they might try to be nice, can't understand or speak English, so they got her medication all messed up and I spent the rest of today calling the pharmacist and meeting with the charge nurse at the hospital to figure out what is going on with her 13 medications! Yes, 13!!!! I can't believe these places are allowed to operate and take care of our loved ones! I told the lady so as I packed grams stuff out the door and to the car. I don't feel one ounce of guilt for not paying the bill and I am going to do my best to get them shut down. I wish I would have been there when she was released from the hospital and discharged to the facility....but the healthcare system stinks and having to work has been hard while trying to be there for her. Anyway, she is back home and we are working on getting her into a set regimen of taking her medication in the proper dosage and on time, with good nutrition and exercise.
Mike has been working very hard, but the economy has taken its toll on his company. He is finishing a few jobs that he has started and we will file the final paperwork to close it after the first of the year. My heart is sad for him because it really has been a love and a passion for him and I wish that times were better. I am hoping that he gets a job (offer) soon and is able to start enjoying time with us and his hobbies again. The stress has been immense and we have struggled through and are glad that we still have a roof over our heads and food in the cabinets.
My prayers also extend out to Charley, Keely and Bronte and their little family this season....and it's wierd to say that because I should be more like Lexy and actually get down on my knees to pray like I used to...but I think I am afraid the house might burn down! LOL! But I do love those little triplets and I know that there is a greater reason for their struggles and a lesson for all of us.
Can't wait for the new year! I am looking forward to a new beginning for all of us!

Saturday Family Time

2008-11-29T16:55:00.000-08:00

Mike had to work today, so Mishca and I headed to Sunset Park for a little fun.
We've been saving all of our bread crumbs and stale chips for this little
adventure....I think she enjoyed it almost as much as I did!

Thanksgiving Fun

2008-11-29T16:44:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures from our Thanksgiving adventures...

My mom made it down from Carlin and here she is with Mischa on Friday.

My sister drove down with my mom and her daughter, Makenzie, and so here is a pic of Mischa and her cousin, Mak.

We had an impromptu reunion with my two uncles and their families. My uncle Bob was in St. George from New Mexico with his daughters, visiting my uncle John and his family...so when they found out my mom was going to be in town, they made a quick trip to Vegas to see all of us. It was so much fun! We ate leftovers, roasted marshmallows over the fire pit in the backyard, and had a great time catching up! My cousin Joey goes into the Army on June 9. He wants to be a medic.

Brenda, Keith, Joey, Jaymey, Amanda, John, Teri (with Makenzie) Bob, Annie, Me, Mischa and Hayley.

I love my job! Making Friendships Happen!

2008-11-29T16:33:00.000-08:00

So, some of you might wonder what I am doing with all of my time...I get to create friendships! What better job that that? I work for an international nonprofit, Best Buddies, and I get to go around to all of the high schools and match students with and without disabilities into friendship matches....that's the easy way to say it. This is a picture of two students who were matched recently. One student attends The Meadows School and the other is a member of Opportunity Village's Job Discovery Program. The students come from completely different worlds....differnt socioeconomic backgrounds, parts of Las Vegas.....everything! But....they were born 1 year and 2 days apart, they both love to cook and their favorite Christmas song is Frosty the Snowman. These two do not attend the same school (since the Meadows is a private school, they don't have a Special Education Department) so this is not an ordinary circumstance, but the girls got along great! They are going to get together and bake Christmas cookies over the holidays! The other picture is of all the students who currently have Buddies from The Meadows and Job Discovery Program.
Some of the students I have met have never had a phone call on the weekend from anyone other than family! Now they have someone to call them every week! I love what I do!

Thanksgiving Thanks

2008-11-28T10:53:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving was awesome! The food turned out pretty good and the company was great! My mom, Annie and Makenzie drove down from Carlin/Elko and my dad, Connie and Ryan came in from Hiko and of course, Gram and Loaidyn and Carlos were here from Vegas...and Mike and Mischa and I completed the crazy bunch! I made corn flan for the first time - very simple to make and OHHH SOOO YUMMMY! I am so grateful for my family and for the efforts they made to come and spend time with us! I love my family and am so glad that everyone was here, got a long and enjoyed spending time with us. I am thankful for the cozy bed I slept in last night after cooking for three days and I am grateful for my husband who has spent the last two weeks taking down the old-lady wallpaper and repainting the 50's deco bathroom so that it would be complete in time for the arrival of family. I am grateful for my little mischa bug - who is my favorite person in the whole wide world!

Mischa the Zoo Keeper

2008-11-18T22:18:00.000-08:00

Our little Mischa Bug has turned into quite the little zoo keeper! She was once obsessed with a single stuffed bear, named 'Baby' and of course, Baby goes everywhere with us. Sometimes she tries to take the poor thing into bath time with her. About two weeks ago, she added a stuffed bunny, which she calls bunny and pronounces 'money' oddly enough...to the little menagerie....in the last week, she's also added a past favorite, a pink monkey, a little chick (complete with funny yellow down) which she lovingly refers to as tit-tee (no, not the dirty one) and today alone, has added baby, baby, which is a little rabbit the size of her hand and a grey elephant. All of these animals, or Mischa's zoo, are tucked into bed with her tonight. During bedtime reading, every single one of these little creatures must be wrapped up in her arms or propped somewhere on us as we read in the rocking chair. I love that she loves animals. She absolutley loves kitties and puppies, not to mention other animals, like birds. Maybe she'll grow up to be a vet or a zoologist or marine biologist...or someone even more famous like Jane Goodall! (Laugh) A mom can only hope, right?

Not so Halloween...and how do they do it?

2008-11-02T19:25:00.000-08:00

The nanny had a fun little get together for Mischa and all of her playmates and their parents from the park on Friday. I had to work, but snuck away to see her in her costume - but she wasn't wearing it. She had a ton of fun with her little friends and we are still picking up pieces of orange play dough out of the carpet.

I've been checking out all of the adorable photos of my friends' kids in Halloween costumes. I have to admit, I am a bit jealous. My little one threw an absolute fit when I tried to get her to wear the costume I made her (Lady Bug - and I was proud because I actually made it) so I got another costume from the thrift store, the scare crow from the Wizard of Oz and of course, she wouldn't wear that either. I am beginning to think she is more like her father than we originally thought. We didn't do trick-or-treating (no costume, no candy) but went over to Steve and Jodi's for their huge Pirate Haunted House. It was a HUGE production with close to 20 volunteers running it. They have a huge pirate ship already in their backyard with a pool and even a cannon! AMAZING! But we didn't stay long and came back home. Another not so halloween at our house...

Saturday was busy but uneventful. Mike had a DJ gig at Dillards, so Mischa and I did the grocery shopping, etc. When he got home, I ducked out of the house for some mommy time....missing the old days of being independent I guess. I went and got a mani/pedi and walked around Marshalls for a couple of hours. It was just like the old days. I was feeling rather refreshed until we went to put her down for bed. She managed to get a cold and was congested and feverish. I spent the whole night dozing on the floor of her bedroom and drowsily rocking her in the rocking chair. I kept telling myself that mommy alone time is never worth the price I pay afterward.

Mike took her this morning and let me sleep a few more hours. It was nice but the bags under my eyes have become permanent fixtures on my face. I look at other moms with two or three or even six kids and I wonder to myself, HOW DO THEY DO IT?

A Little Prayer

2008-10-16T21:17:00.001-07:00

After a long day of work and then my monthly Civitan meeting I came home to a sleeping baby. She was already snoozing away when I get home tonight and after the nanny had gone and I had settled in, I peaked in on her and thought to myself a little prayer - especially for her - because she is a little girl who will someday be a woman...who will someday face the same trials and tribulations that my mother experienced and I am experiencing today...I said, Please God, watch over her, help her to grow big and strong (and then of course I edited the big part to be petite, because I think God knows that being big is in and of itself a trial)...Please God, keep her safe, help her to be smarth, youthful all her days and positive in every way - please God, help per to be herself. That is my prayer tonight - that she will know one thing for sure - and that is who she is and what she stands for.

Growing Up!

2008-10-13T10:56:00.001-07:00

Our little Mischa Bug is growing up! She's been using the pottey for a little over a week - and today she went #2 in the toilet! She is really growing up!