Stepping Stones

Wow, I guess it's been a couple of weeks since my last post. Life has been kinda hectic (although good) lately, so I haven't had the chance to sit down and actually write an update. Here goes:

My trip to Colorado was phenomenally exquisite! I can't even put into words the beauty of that state. It's much more than I expected and more magnificent than a simple picture can explain. I'll share some pictures anyway since that's as close as you'll get until you plan a trip for yourself. :) I highly encourage it! Besides the fact that I got to spend a long weekend with some great friends, the highlights of the trip consisted of a trip to the New Belgium Brewery (awesomeness), a dog park, Red Rocks Amphitheatre (where I fully intend to attend a concert some day), some neat places in Downtown Denver, a hike to the top of Three Sisters Peaks, and a drive up to the top of Loveland Pass at the Continental Divide approximately 12,000 ft above sea level. Here are a few photos for you to enjoy:

Red Rocks Amphitheater:

Three Sisters Peaks:

Loveland Pass:

I had to pick my jaw up off the ground everywhere we went. I was truly in awe. I love Colorado and will be visiting Lynsey & Mike again very soon. In fact, I will be visiting them in August along my drive to California.

Yep, that's right. I cancelled the moving company for my car (still having my furniture & stuff shipped out) and will be taking a road trip with my dad & hopefully my sister too. We are planning to drive through the Rockies & stay a night in Morrison, CO & continue on to stay a night or two in Las Vegas -woo! I'm sure we will be making other stops along the way, but these are the main ones we're planning our trip around. Oh, and we will try to see the Grand Canyon too.

Speaking of moving..... and packing..... ummmm, well I haven't done much of that, LOL. The moving company will be here in 5 days, and I keep staring at empty boxes sitting in my living room floor, hoping that if I take a nap & wake up they will magically be filled with my belongings. It hasn't happened yet, but there's still time! :) I'll get around to it eventually. HAH!

So where am I moving? I have officially accepted a job working in Santa Barbara County Schools in Santa Maria, CA. I'm finally doing it!!!! My caseload will be ALL preschool-age kids, and I will be doing a lot of play-based assessment and intervention in preschools as well as homes. This is perfect for me. Seriously. Awesome! I finally get to hone in on early childhood development and concentrate on the area of my field that interests me the most. I am stoked about this job! I will be working 40 hours/week (unlike my job now where I only get 35 hours/week) and will continue to get a housing stipend through the holidays (also unlike my job now). A major pro of working as a contracted therapist in the schools is the fact that you get so many days off (holidays, weather/snow days, spring break, etc.). The con is that you get those days without pay if you are hourly instead of salary. This next job will be better, and I won't have to worry as much when I get those 10-12 days off for Christmas. Anyway, I think I have made the right choice. I start work out there August 23rd. Until then -I am finishing up my last 3 weeks in Jacksonville & then truckin' it home to good 'ol WV!

I am definitely going to miss my friends here in Jax -I've met some really great people. They will come and visit me in CA, and I know will be back to visit here at some point as well. My good friend, Laura, asked me to be a bridesmaid in her & Josh's wedding next summer. That's how close we have become, and we have only known each other for about 9 months now. God put me here for a reason, and I'm glad he did. It's been a stepping stone and an eye-opening experience in many ways. I will write a "What I've learned during my time in Jax" post a little later. I think it will do me some good to write & then read it for myself.

Off to continue NOT packing. Maybe when I wake up in the morning the boxes will be.................................... ;)

New Kicks at 26

Another fulfilling year down with an an equally eventful one to come, I'm sure. I'm 26 years old. While there is nothing specifically exciting about this age it was, by far, the best birthday I've had in quite a while. The past 7 b-days were spent studying for or taking final exams with a little celebration dinner on the side. This year was very different. I actually felt like I was celebrating!

My gifts: Well, I've already mentioned my trip to Colorado (which takes place this weekend, yay!) from my family. I also got a new Fossil watch from my dad, a box sent from Wine Country (filled with wine, cheese, crackers, & lots of other goodies) from my sis, some salad plates & coffee cups to go with my dish collection from Laura & Josh, some flowers from them as well (which I managed to kill in a day & a half because I forgot to put water in the vase -that tells ya how often I get flowers, lol), some new running shoes and an outfit from myself, dinner & a gift card from my supervisor Stacie -adding to the $55 worth of existing gift cards to my favorite place on earth, Starbucks! :) People know me oh so well. I also got $25 to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory where I bought the best caramel apples in the world. This was from the Lovejoys whom I love dearly. I shared the apples with my friends, & Arnie got some special treats from there too, of course.

Now for the best gift: MY FAMILY!!!!!!!

As I mentioned in my last post, my sister & cousin with their boyfriends flew down to Orlando for the weekend to celebrate with me. I pulled up to the airport, got out & gave them the biggest hugs, & popped the trunk of my car. As I helped load their bags, my sister said, "there's one more behind you." I turned right around, & there was my aunt Jeanetta standing right there with open arms. Needless to say, I was a big ball of tears. I don't know how they pulled it off because nobody in my family can keep secrets from one another, but they managed to successfully surprise me. I couldn't have been happier (well, maybe a little had I seen my daddy too). We had a 3-bedroom suite for the night, so nobody had to sleep on the couch! :) Josh & Laura drove down, and our friend Chris from home who now lives in Orlando met us out later that night. The 9 of us had a fun and memorable time. I thank God everyday for these people. How lucky am I!?!?

Cheers to another year of living life to the fullest!