Oh Thank Heaven for 7-11

I watched the girls Monday night when Tami and Brandon were gone. We went to 7-11 to help celebrate the store's birthday. We went to the school playground to enjoy our cherry Slurpee's and play before bedtime.

Baby, You're a Firework!

We had a fun 4th in Heber.  It rained off and on but it was still fun to set off a few fireworks and watch the Midway firework show from Brandon and Tami's house. 

Salt Lake or Bust!

Insomnia, Floaters and Hives, Oh My! – The Story of the Big Move

The last month or so has been pretty hectic.  For those of you who don’t know that my life has changed drastically, I made the decision to move to Utah around February.  I turned in my paperwork to take a year leave of absence from my job and was granted the leave in April which is when I went public with the move.  Over the last several years, I have wondered what I was going to do with my life.  Utah has always been in the back of my mind, but I never got the sense that it was my time to move.   So, I switched jobs a couple times and got my Masters.  I got that wondering feeling again this year…what am I going to do with my life?  I started researching apartments in Utah around October (possibly freaking out that I turned 30?)  just for fun.  I made spreadsheets of what I would need to buy to live on my own and how much everything would cost, just for fun.  I set all of that aside after a short while. 

Sometime around December, we found out that my aunt and uncle were going to be mission presidents for our church.  Many of you know that our church sends young men and women on missions…but did you ever think about who oversees all of them?  My aunt and uncle will be in Minneapolis, Minnesota for the next three years overseeing the mission there.  What a huge service they are providing!  They will be in charge of hundreds of young men and women while they are away from their homes and families.  While they are serving in this position, they asked if I would like to move and help take care of their house in Salt Lake….right around where I was looking at apartments prior to hearing about this.  Hmmm….was I being prepared for this?

To make a long story even longer, it took me awhile to make a final decision, but once I decided to move, I never wavered.  I applied for my Utah teaching license and started closing up my life in Washington.  Four months has passed and I am about to embark in a new journey, a new adventure, a new life.  It hasn’t come without a lot of stress and emotions.  I look forward to the day when I can sleep through the night.  To get everything done before the big move, I think I did most of the work during the night since I was still working full time during the day up until last week.  Maybe moving 6 days after school getting out wasn’t a good idea?  As for the floaters…it’s not what you may be thinking…I had an eye appointment this month (along with every other appointment one would need moving away from all their trusted doctors) and complained of having black spots in my left eye affecting my vision.  The actual term I was given was “floaters” which is activated by stress and lack of sleep.  You know what else can occur when you are stressed?  Hives and/or rashes. Yep.  I have been a tired zombie walking around with limited vision and red bumps on my arms.  Can you picture it?  I know the men in Utah can’t wait for me to get there!  How could one pass up a partially blind, itchy, blood shot eyed girl? 

With the stress, there has been overwhelming kindness and support.  I am truly blessed to have the best friends, colleagues, and family.  I’ll tell you what; this whole moving thing has made me see that I have many people who care about me.  It has been overwhelming and at times, incomprehensible.  The love and support has given me the strength to conquer anything put in my way this year.  Much needed and truly grateful.  I had many wonderful luncheons, dinners, and get togethers with old friends that have helped me become the person I am today.  The last week or so has been very touching for me to be with the amazing people in my life.  Luckily, my heart is big enough that they will all be with me during this journey.  I know, I know, enough of the sappiness, but my heart is full and I have to express gratitude for the amazing support I have in my life.  Thank you to everyone who came to a get together, said a kind or encouraging word, carried a heavy box, and supported me in my decision.

Friends that I have worked with at Woodin Elementary.

Friends that I have worked with at Evergreen Academy.

So, it’s been about 8 months since my last post.  With a new adventure ahead of me, I believe it is only appropriate to start this old blog back up.  The Life of Fife is reinventing itself and hope you will follow along to see where my new journey takes me.  Thanks to those who have helped get me on this path and here’s to those I will meet that will help me expand my trail.

Vegas Adventures - Day 3

The last day in Vegas was mostly spent at The Forum Shops.  Not a lot of pictures to post but I had to share this poster that I had to take.  Seriously!?!

We had a great time celebrating my birthday!  Hope the next 30 years are just as great. 

Vegas Adventures - Day 2

Our 2nd day was my 30th birthday.  We woke up and went to an amazing breakfast buffet at The Mirage.  I could have stayed there all day.  I was surprised with just how good the food really was.  I don't expect much at buffets so this one was at the top of the charts.

  

After breakfast, we went shopping in the Venetian and stopped to get a gondola ride.  Our driver (what would you call the man steering the boat?) was actually from Italy and had an amazing voice.  Before departing, he sang Happy Birthday to me in Italian which was pretty neat.  Later on we went to Madame Tussauds wax museum.  This could have been one of my favorite parts of the trip. 



 Just hanging with Cameron.

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas! 

Just letting Tiger know what I think of those who cheat on their wife.

 All the single ladies!

For my birthday, my dad got all of us tickets to see LOVE.  Let me just say, I have seen a lot of shows in my life and this was by far the best show I have ever seen!  From the moment it started to the last, I was in awe and wishing it would never end. 

Afterwards, we went to Serendipity to get a birthday treat.  I couldn't have asked for anything better.  Their frozen hot chocolate is to die for...along with their ice cream sundaes.  Wish there was one closer!

Afterwards, we went and watched a few fountain shows at the Bellagio.  I have seen them on tv, seen them at the end of Oceans 11, but experiencing it in real life is so much cooler!  I loved it!  It was also fun watching all the different types of people on the strip between the shows. 

Vegas Adventures - Day 1

For my 30th birthday, I was able to go to Vegas with my mom and sister.  I had never been before and wanted to do something fun.  We were there for 2 1/2 days and crammed in as much as we could.

Although we are Pepsi drinkers, this Diet Coke in a bottle quenched our thirst in the 102 degree weather.



Made out of jellybeans!  

We did a lot of walking and watching the first day.  We went to the M&M Factory and the Miracle Mile Mall before dinner.  We went to the Tournament of Kings at the Excalibur where we got to eat with our hands and cheer on the knights.  I've always wanted to do this since I was a kid so it was a fun to go and experience.

Afterwards, Vanessa and I went on the New York, New York roller coaster.  It was great but my body temperature jumped to about 500 degrees afterwards.  What a rush!

We ended the day going back to the Mile Mall to buy some new shoes for me since my foot started hurting due to too much walking in bad (but cute) shoes.  That was the first sign I was getting old.