Time for a change?

Today is a day that is definitely bittersweet. I got to spend time with some friends, eat good food, and laugh more than is probably appropriate. However, today also marks my last day as an LPS employee. I've been with the school district for 4 years and have learned so much about life, technology, and myself during that time. I've grown and changed a lot in those years and I am remarkably proud of where I am today. I have also been blessed with some amazing friends. This job has been my stability even when the rest of my life felt like total chaos. I loved this job and I am so proud that I got to be a part of the LPS Computing Services team.

Monday I start a brand new adventure, working for Westside Community Schools. I have been offered a position with more challenges and responsibility that I just could not resist. Not only will this position allow me to work in Omaha and end my 100 mile/day commute, but it also allows me to work with the school district that my son will be attending in the fall. I am very excited for this opportunity and look forward to learning and growing even more. Thank you to everyone for your love and support. I will miss my LPS family very much because I have learned so much from all of you

5th Birthday...where has the time gone??

Five years ago today my life changed completely as I welcomed my beautiful son into the world.  I couldn't imagine then how much my life would change forever.  Each and every day has been incredibly interesting, sometimes remarkable, and sometimes challenging, but always completely worth it.  Orion is the most exceptional, extraordinary person I have ever met.  His smile can warm the hearts of strangers, and his laughter is contagious.  He is so kind and loving, even towards those that I have a hard time appreciating as an adult.  There are definitely a few things that my son has taught me.  He has helped me to become a better person.  There are not nearly enough words to express how much I love this boy.  But today is his day.  We will eat too much, play too much, and laugh as much as we can.  Happy birthday, Orion.  You are the greatest thing that has ever happened in  my life.  You encourage me to a better person.  Happy birthday, Bubby.  I love you!

2013 Movies

In 2013 I also decided to keep a running list of all of the "new" movies that I watched.  A majority of these were seen in theater, but some of them were rentals.  Unfortunately, I did not keep track of which was which for 2013.  I simply kept a running list of the movies I saw.  For 2014 I would like to expand on this project, including where I saw the movie (theater, netflix, rental, etc) and my impressions of it.  It should make it a much more interesting read and project than this list.  I watched 27 new movies, which is about 1 every 2 weeks, which I think is pretty good.  I'm sure we'll sit at about the same number for next year.  Here is my list for 2013.


Life of Pi 

Oz

The Croods

Mama

Star Trek: Into Darkness

Man of Steel 

Warm bodies 

Hansel & Gretel
Identity Thief
Escape from Planet Earth
Jack the Giant Slayer
Burt Wonderstone
Iron Man 3
Epic
Despicable Me 2
Planes
World War Z
Ender's Game
The World's End
The Heat
Monsters University
Thor: The Dark World
Olympus Has Fallen
Hangover 3
Man of Steel
Hobbit 2
Walking with the Dinosaurs 

2013 Books

This year I decided to try something new, so I took the time to track all of the books that I read this year.  It was an interesting progression to watch, and I am definitely going to repeat it again for 2014. For 2013 I just kept a list of the books in order as I read them, so it's not a very exciting post.  I think for 2014 I will try to describe the story briefly and my feelings about the book.  We'll see how that goes.  Overall, I read 29 books last year, which isn't terrible considering all I had on my plate.  This year I would definitely like to increase that number. My goal is 40, but I would love to actually have a book a week, so 52 by 1/1/15.  We'll see how that goes!  So, without further ado, here is the list of books that I managed to read in 2013.

Steamscape by Deb Dalton
Seeing Red by Frank Bedder
Hunting the Snark by Mainak Dhar

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
A Brief History of the Druids by Peter Berresford Ellis
Being a Pagan:  Druids, Wiccans, and Witches Today by Ellen Everett Hopman
Deadland: Untold Stories of Alice in Deadland by Mainak Dhar
Discord's Apple by Carrie Vaughn
Grimoire of the Lamb by Kevin Hearne

World War Z by Max Brooks

All Things Impossible by D.  Dalton 

Heart-shaped Box by Joe Hill 

American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Phantoms of the North by Mainak Dhar
God Touched by John Conroy
Demon Driven by John Conroy
Brutal Asset by John Conroy
House of Hades by Rick Riordan
Dust by Hugh Howey
Unhinged by Brigid D'Souza
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire
Fallen Stars by John Conroy
Midnight Blue-Light Special by Seanan McGuire
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Allegiant by Veronica Roth