Pink Shoes

So I once said how every girl needs a pair of red shoes. I still hold to this sentiment. I have two pairs of red shoes actually and love them both. This is rather funny because growing up, my fashion is what you might have called conservative... REALLY conservative. I don't think I ever let the thought cross my mind to have shoes any color other than brown, black or white. Tan was pushing it.

Seriously.

No longer do I hold such a conservative view on fashion. My newest favorite thing is to own colored shoes. They spark up an outfit and brighten my day every time I look down and see a nice bright color on my feet. I have purple, yellow and of course, red shoes. Well, if you saw the picture from Valentines Day (see previous post), two of my favorite people and I wore a pink cardigan in honor of love day. As I got dressed that morning, I thought how fun it would be to have fun pink shoes to wear with my pink cardigan. Well, this of course came out in conversation throughout love day as Beka, Jamie and I discussed our collaborative efforts with the pink cardigan.

Today was Jamie's last day as a student teacher at our school. She brought Beka and I a gift. You'll never guess what it was...

okay, maybe you will...

Yes, it was pink shoes. Talk about a good start to a good day. I think that tomorrow I will wear pink shoes, regardless of whatever else I decide to wear on top. The pink shoes will make me happy. Beka got a pair of purple shoes just for the record. The three of us scheduled a time to meet up together at the mall in a few weeks. The purpose just being a reason to get together and see each other, but who knows, we might go shopping for some shoes... orange perhaps?

Thanks Jamie.

Living like Louis no longer...

So some of you may remember my post from last year when I dressed up like Louis Armstrong for my students to model how to give a monologue. Well I decided to be someone else this year. Rather than a black man with a raspy voice, I dressed as a women born in the mid 1800's that was an author and artist... Any ideas on who I am? The prop in my hands is a clue...

Valentine's Day... Good or Bad?

If you read my post earlier this month, you would know that I have not always been a huge fan of Valentine's Day. However, I was determined to enjoy it this year and celebrate all of the people I love. Well, the day proved to be wonderful. Here are a few reasons why... in no apparent order...


I got this beautiful and lovely smelling bottle of perfume in the mail from my amazing sister. When I went to Seattle over New Years, we went shopping together and found this perfume. I fell in love with it, but didn't get it seeing it was not a need. Jody, knowing I loved it, but wouldn't buy it for myself, purchased it and sent it to me for Valentine's Day. I was so excited! Plus, isn't that the coolest looking perfume bottle you've ever seen?


This picture shows just some of the Valentine goodies that I got from my students. The goodies aren't what made the day great, but being able to celebrate with my students was wonderful. (However, it probably isn't a great idea to post pictures with my students... so the goodie picture had to represent.) Our class party went fantastically... in fact, one of my all time favorite class parties and it was just a great day. Nothing like having little kids around to make a girl feel loved.


I enjoyed a visit from some of my previous students. These three kids in particular come visit me regularly, but it was extra special seeing them on the holiday. I love my students, present and past. Madi, the one of the right, comes to visit almost daily, bringing me a high five and hug with her. It doesn't get much better than that. (Oh, and don't worry, I got permission from all three parents to post this picture.)


I ate sugar. For those of you who know me well, I try to stay away from sugar. Don't get me wrong, I love it, but I try to refrain for a plethora of reasons. However, I decided not to care, seeing it was a holiday, and I ate a ton of it!! It however, proved to be to my benefit because later in the evening when I went running, I felt like bionic women! I was able to run farther and faster than I normally do and I felt great! Maybe sometimes sugar can do the body good!


I got to wear pink. However, I wanted to spread the cheer of pink with the rest of my team at school and we made plans to all wear the same pink. Yes, we're the bomb teachers. The kids thought it was great.

One of the best parts of the day (no picture for this one) was that I was out at 5:30 AM dropping off some special Valentine's for some special friends of mine. I wanted to be to work shortly after 6, so I had to get an early start, but it put me in a great mood for the day. Then for dinner, I participated in what I like to call a "biker chick" reunion. I have a few friends that I go to Moab with each year for a biking weekend. The four of us take our mountain bikes down, get a hotel, bike all day and then relax. We decided that a once a year biking trip in Moab wasn't enough however, so periodically, we get together and go to dinner. It was so great to see them and get the update on the wonderful things that are going on in their lives.

I am so blessed to have so many people to love. Thank you all who took a part in making the day such a great one!

My thoughts on Valentine's Day...

So I'll be honest... Valentine's Day has never been a favorite of mine. In fact, I have never liked it at any age or time in my life... not even when I was little. It generally always brought disappointment of one sort or another and I think the whole pretense behind it is kind of... well... lame. Setting aside one day that is meant for celebrating those you love? How about celebrating those you love every day?

Just a thought...

However, while I would really rather the day pass as quickly as possible, I decided that I should change my attitude about it a little. Many people think of Valentine's day as a day to celebrate only "romantic" relationships... Maybe this perception comes from the fact that most of my friends refer to it as "single's awareness day"...

Not this year.

Not for me.

Am I single? Yes.

Does that matter? No

Valentine's Day this year is going to be different. I want to use this day as a chance to tell all of my incredible, unique and devoted friends and family, that love, care and support me so intensely, that I love you.

I love you deeply.

I love that you are willing to love me regardless of my weaknesses.
I love that you put up with me, even when I may be having a hard day.
I love that we can laugh together.
I love that I can call you for no particular reason, but we can still talk for hours.
I love that we have things in common.
I love that we are unique and like different things.
I love that we can remain friends even if I don't see you every day, week, month or even every year for that matter...
I love your sense of humor.
I love that we can have fun together when doing absolutely nothing.
I love your willingness to follow the Savior.
I love you for being a good example.

I could go on and on, but at this time I want to say thank you. I TRULY am grateful for the many mortal angels that God has placed in my life that help me in my weaknesses and imperfections. This Valentine's Day, I truly have much to celebrate.