my little man

Sunday night I received this text:

Well, how can anyone resist that face!?  My heart melted fast and I made plans to visit my Ryder.  I spent Monday night at the Bennet's house, never letting him go.  Exactly 4 weeks before my visit on Monday, I was in the hospital meeting Ryder for the first time!  I cannot believe how fast this month has flown by.  I also can't believe how natural it is to see Alyse as a mom.  I always knew she would be great, but it is so weird to see her changing HER baby's diaper, talking about mommy schedule, parenting, and future plans with baby boy.  As I was memorized oohhing and aaahing over Ryder, she made me dinner and dessert.  She was so excited to use her food processor and, as always, the food was delicious.

She took a few pictures of me and Ryder while I was visiting.  Nothing makes my heart happier than seeing that cute face!!  He is currently my favorite person in the whole world and I have the hardest time leaving him!

baby sister's birthday

Best reason to blog is a BIRTHDAY!

That's right.  It is Hannah's birthday!  She has become a teenager.  (Don't we all remember what a big deal it was to turn 13!)

I love my beans a lot.  So much that this lucky girl has had three previous birthday posts (That even shocks me - I didn't realize my blog had been around for that long!):

• post 1
• post 2
• post 3

Pretty much, she has and always will melt my heart.  She is the sweetest.  The cutest.  The funniest. Baby sister any big sister could ask for.

For at least a year, she did not go anywhere without her tiara...

Hannah got the curly hair I always wished for.

 I will never forget how she would cry every time I had to leave for BYU.  No one else did that.  I missed a lot of Hannah's little girl years - everything from the time she was 7 to 12.  But now, lucky for my whole family, I get to be a part of it all again...probably more than they would like.  I have to say, that is the best part about moving back home.  Sharing the memories of my siblings growing up.

My hannah banana,

There is no one like you.  You are unique.  You grew up with three older sisters, that you followed with all the love a little girl could have, and have become the best mix of us all.  No one can dance like you, laugh like you, or dress like you - at least not as well as you can.  You don't complain.  You give your all.  And I know you won't trade me for the Utes like one of our sisters has...Thank you for your shining example.  Thank you for the love that you have always given me, especially when I don't deserve it.

I love you my beans.  I love you a lot.

Another post about...

how much I love my job.

I wish that I could post all the amazing pictures I took today of one of my students. We went on a field trip and he was being ridiculously hilarious on the bus today. He was getting all thug like and then being really lovey.

It made me smile. Not just an I-am-laughing-so-I-smile type smile, but an I-am-full-of-pure-joy type smile. And that's how I have been feeling about work A LOT lately.

Granted, the last three days were so jam packed full that I was having anxiety attacks last weekend. But once I get to school and see their smiling faces (for the most part) that stress fades.

They have all been so happy lately and there is nothing I enjoy more than seeing that in their eyes.

On a side note, I am heading to San Diego as we speak. Melanie is driving me and her mom through St. George right now! I know. You are thinking only in St. George at 9 pm? That's a late night. Well, don't worry. We are staying at the one and only Virgin River tonight. A place I have only ventured in the safety of my Burley men...should be an adventure.

Can't wait to see this beautifulness again...

flying

I am terribly afraid of heights/falling (I can't even handle a glass elevator), but when my friend Jeff asked if I'd like to go flying with him and his pilot roommate...I had to say yes.  And, for the most part (all except for when we experienced a few seconds of zero gravity) I am so glad I did.  The whole free falling thing had me screaming like a mad woman - a few who have witnessed me on blast off rides know the screams I am talking about.

It was stunningly beautiful.  We started in Spanish Fork, flew up and around Temple Square, and then back down to Spanish.  We were in the air for 1.3 hours - just enough time for my ears to ache from the headphones.  I can't believe I did it.  It almost seems like a dream...