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

Photos with Troy

Thanksgiving is a time of family, food, fun, and lots of photobooth selfies.....ok, so maybe the last one is just me and my family, but today while sitting around the house Troy and I spent some quality time with Photobooth...these are the results.  :)

I love my uncle!!!

Day 28 -- Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful for the incredible people that I have in my life...all those friends and family who have been present in my life and bless me each day by sharing their lives with me and allowing me to learn, laugh, and love them.  There are so many people that fall into this category that there is no way that I could ever ever name all of them.  However, today there are two men in particular that I have been so incredibly impressed with the more I have gotten to know them, so today, I am thankful for my uncles, Forrest and Troy.  We've lived close to each other for nearly a decade, but in the last few months we have started to spend time together and to get to know each other.  They make me laugh and tell me stories about the past that put a smile on my face.  I hate that we haven't started this process sooner, but I am so pleased to have these two incredible men as a part of my life.  When they invited us to spend Thanksgiving with them, none of us were really sure what to expect, but I have to say that I am so glad that we did.  We ate more food than we needed (thanks Troy!) and shared so many laughs. The way that these men treat my son is enough to just bring me to tears.  They are so kind and loving to him (and maybe spoil him a little) and I am so happy to see Orion love them as much as I do.  Forrest is so amazing with my son and watching Orion and Forrest play and wrestle around just makes me happy.

Troy and I are kindred spirits.  We can laugh and share stories and it's like we've been friends for years.  Just a look between us can send me into giggles and he just makes me feel like I'm doing things right.  His approval means the world to me, and I'm so glad that we're getting the chance to get to know each other....and be silly.

It's hard to believe that these men haven't been in my life for longer than they have.  I've grown so incredibly attached to them both, and am so impressed by how loving and welcoming they have been to me and my family.  They share their space and food with us, and have welcomed us into their homes with open arms.  When we're together, it feels the way I think family should feel, and that means the world to me.  So today, I am so thankful for these two men, and so appreciative of everything they have done to make the holiday enjoyable.  Thank you for welcoming us into your home, for feeding us, entertaining us, and showing us so much love and kindness.  There are no words to express just how much those things mean to me.  I love you both very much!!

Day 27 -- Enthusiasm

Today I am thankful for the enthusiasm of my son for the world around him.  His sense of joy and appreciation for the world around him never ceases to make me proud.  Hearing his tiny voice shout out in excitement when he sees something new or exhilarating always puts a smile on my face.  Today, we left the house early to go grocery shopping (exciting stuff, I know) and as we were driving home, we saw about a dozen wild turkeys crossing the road in front of our drive.  We stopped and watched them until they were safely across the street, and then continued to pull into our driveway.  As we approached the house, we saw more and more turkeys in the yard all the way around the house.  I couldn't help but think that Thanksgiving had brought itself to my house, but Orion was SO excited to see them all.  He would sneak around the corner of the house and watch them jumping up on the fence and pecking around.  He would search the small piles of snow we have left until he found turkey tracks and try to figure out where they went.  We probably spent 30 minutes outside in the chilly morning air, giggling and watching the turkeys wander around the yard.  At one point we counted, and there was well over 30 of them...not including the ones that had crossed the street on our way home. Orion was so excited and when they finally decided to leave the yard, Orion waved his arms and yelled "Bye Turkeys!  Thanks for coming!!"  I love that boy so much, and seeing how excited he gets over the little things helps me remember to find my own type of joy in the world.  Today, I'm thankful for his excitement.