I’m going to try to highlight all of the Salt Lake stuff we’ve been doing… but I’m going to dedicate a blog to Titus Lopez. He is my newest 2nd cousin, and he is absolutely darling! He was born May 25th and was 6 pounds 15 ounces. He is a tiny little squirt! The internet at the hotel kind of sucks, so here are a few for you to enjoy now.
Look at that tiny foot! His little pinkies were so dang tiny. I didn’t want to give him back!!! Congrats Carrie!
Can you believe today is the last day of May? I can’t!
Well, Parker survived 8th grade! And so did I
Summer has officially started (well, maybe not weather wise). Saturday I will drop Parker with his dad, and head to Salt Lake with my mom and sister. My mom will have surgery on June 5th.
This year I turn 30, my sister turns 40 and my mom turns 60. So for several years we have planned a “30, 40, 60” celebration. As time passed we realized none of us had any money to do anything (my sister lives in California, so it takes travel money). So, although being together for a sucky thing like surgery, we are going to celebrate before the 5th… because honestly, a “31, 41, 61” celebration doesn’t sound very cool.
I just can’t believe how fast time is flying by! Before you know it Parker will be back and in HIGH SCHOOL!! He says he’s ready, but I’m not!
Nothing too fun has happened, so I don’t have any pictures… but I’ll blog while I’m in Utah and I’ll take a lot of pictures 
I am sitting her at work, waiting for a client to come in… feeling tired and a little annoyed (no-shows suck). I feel overwhelmed and wanting a pity party… Then I read a news story about a 24-year-old girl who has necrotizing fasciitis (flesh eating disease). She has had her left leg amputated at the hip, her right foot and both hands. She spoke for the first time after 3 weeks and was so grateful to hear her own voice. She didn’t utter a “why me”…. Wow. I feel kind of silly! It made me realize that I need to be much more grateful for everything I do have.
1. I am generally healthy
2. I have all of my limbs
3. I have a fabulous family
4. I have a job
5. I was fortunate to attend and graduate college and graduate school
6. I have a reliable car
7. I have a warm house and food in my fridge
8. I live in a country where I am free
9. I have access to modern medicine
10. I am alive
Okay, so there is much more, but I need to get more assessments written. Be happy, be grateful!
♥
Today was a very chill day! I went over to my mom’s house this morning and watched the recorded American Idol finale. Thanks to Facebook the results had been ruined for me, but I wanted to watch anyway because of my secret crush on Steven Tyler and Philip Phillips. Mom mowed the lawn while I watched because she had already seen it. While I watched I also attempted to fix her recliner that had broken underneath. Parker did the edging and picked up the fallen branches and tree. YES tree! He worked hard. Mom bought us all Subway sandwiches for lunch, YUM! Parker went home to do his chores and to call friends to see if they wanted to play hang out. Mom and I watched the House series finale, which was kind of a let down. I expected something pretty awesome, but it ended up being a little boring. Oh well!
Parker had gotten a free activity card for Fat Cats. He can choose one free activity a day for a week (minus movies). He decided to invite his friend Braigen and it ended up that Braigen’s 3 sisters tagged along. It was a little crazy! I didn’t bowl, but the kids did and they had a lot of fun.
Now Parker is playing at Braigen’s house, enjoying the fact that school is over and he can play without worrying about going to bed early!
I’m home thinking about all those that I’ve lost in my life. Wishing I had a few more minutes with each one. I’m starting to realize that life is way too short!
I have a LONG day of work tomorrow… but I’m glad I’m starting to get more clients and feel more comfortable in my new job. It was weird to give the key to the school back to my boss.
Happy Memorial Day!
P.S. It didn’t snow!! And it wasn’t FREEZING! Yay!
Princess has been with her new family since Monday night. I was extremely sad and worried after she left. I wondered if she would be okay and if I made the right choice. But, as they friended me on Facebook and have e-mailed/text pictures I know she is in safe and loving hands. They made the trek to South Dakota and I’m sure Princess will love it there. They say Princess is happy and warming up to them quickly. I knew this was true after they sent this photo:
She looks absolutely content in her new home. I am happy I was able to find a family that would love and spoil her as much as I did. They even bought her chicken nuggets for the road trip to South Dakota.
I still miss her like crazy, but I know she is in a good home and she’s happy and healthy. That eases the pain a little.
Tomorrow is the last day of school. Parker will have completed 8th grade with a 3.5 GPA. On June 2nd he will head to California for the summer. In August he will come back and start HIGH SCHOOL! I can’t believe this kid was in 6th grade when he came! Time is going by TOO fast!!
This is hard to see…. but this is how much he’s grown since September 16, 2011!!!!! Look at those growth spurts!! No wonder I can’t keep food in the house
Love you Parker!
Dear Princess,
I know you aren’t going to understand why you live in a new home. I know you are going to be scared and angry and confused. I know you will miss me and cry when you don’t get to come home. I know that no words could explain these things to you, because no matter what I say, you won’t understand. You have been the most incredible dog I’ve ever had. I love you more than any animal I’ve ever met and/or owned. You are smart and funny and you are so obedient. The last 4 1/2 years have been wonderful. I never thought of myself as a dog owner, but you have forever changed me. I love you Princess. Please know that your new family loves you and will take care of you just as much as I have. Please know that this decision was the hardest one to make. Be happy little doggy. Enjoy South Dakota. I will miss you everyday. Parker will miss you too. Don’t cry. I love you.
Love,
Mom.
