Did you know I have an adopted brother?

Richard's youngest brother Christopher came from Oklahoma to visit us in 2010. He was fresh out of high school and trying to decide what to do with his life. We were just about to move back to San Diego from St. George and convinced him to come with us. 

Christopher was so much fun to have around. I taught him how to cook and drive and how to check out girls at the beach with out being a creeper. We went to the hot tub every night to talk about all kinds of deep intellectual things.We became really close and helped make life bearable for me. He also became close with my mom when she came to visit a couple of time. Mom loves him like its her own son!

Christopher stayed with us for about 6 months before he decided that he wanted to join the military. {Lets be honest and say it was my idea cause it was!} 

When he joined the ARMY, he found out there was going to be about 6 months before he would leave, so he stayed with us all the way until we moved away. Christopher stayed in San Diego,worked long hours at McDonalds close to our house and worked out like a beast to get prepared. That boy was ready to go!

He left for boot camp in February and graduated last week!

I could not be more proud than if it was me graduating from boot camp!

Seriously the best decision of his life. He has a full time job, full benefits, college paid for.. what could be better?

Christopher got his order to be stationed in Korea! HELLO! That's some serious stuff!

So I couldn't go out to Georgia for his graduation, but he was in San Diego for a couple of weeks before he left the states. My mom and I went over for a quick trip to spend some quality time before he leaves.

Mom and I made him a fleece blanket to take with him... you know... a little piece of home to keep with him.

We got to spend time at the beach and go to Old Town and see a movie. 

So proud of my little brother!

Please keep him and our other troops in your prayers as they protect our country!

Desert Hills High Class of...

I may or may not be a YITTLE YINY BIT behind in my blogging... so what if I am?

 That's none of your business! So here is what you might have missed out in my life...

SOOOO... my little baby sister graduated from HIGH SCHOOL!

Excuse me! She's 5... how did that happen?

I'm not even going to mention how old that makes me, bleh.

Isn't she a beaut?

Her frackin school decided to have the graduation on a TUESDAY! Hello! There are normal people in the world that work for a living and CANNOT take 3 days off to attend a graduation in the frackin middle of the week!

So we missed the graduation of death but headed down to St.G that weekend to throw her an AWESOME party... you know how we like to do it up real nice.

I would tell you all about it, but I don't feel like it... so go check out all the details HERE on my other sister's blog. She is way more entertaining than me anyway.

  We are amazing BTW! And our parties are awesome! Only the best for our 5 year old Doogie Houser sister graduating High School.

Birthday Boy!

Can you believe that the first time I met this boy, he was just a tiny sweet cheeked miracle?

 

My baby Kobe has turned TWO! Wow how time flies. 

Kobe got a nice birthday buzz cut... to battle to Arizona heat. 

Come Sunday, we we're ready to PARTY!

And by party I mean, give Kobe a HUGEMONGOUS bone and let him enjoy the day!

HAHA!! He was not tryin to share that bone with ANYONE!

I love my Kobe pup... he has been with me through a lot of stuff and brings joy to my life everyday!

HAPPY 2nd BABY CHEEKS!

One Little Light in the Darkness

How will you be remembered?

If you died, what would people say about you?

Have you made an impact on the world?

My sweet cousin JaKelle went home to her Father in Heaven this week. JaKelle spent several months in the hospital battling for her life. I truly believe that those long 12 weeks in the hospital were part of her mission here on the earth. During that time, JaKelle brought together so many people, families, and communities. People had the opportunity to fast and pray and do service. For me, that time built my testimony of the atonement, of prayer, of the plan of salvation. My faith was strengthened tremendously.

Just to think that one small girl, one sweet spirit, had that impact on me... but also thousands of others!

If I died today, that would not be the case... not even a little. 

At her funeral service, I realized that this 17 year old girl was an amazing example. Every memory and thought was full of light and joy and happiness. JaKelle is a light to this world. She left behind no negative memories or feelings. She left an impact on the world. There were hundreds of people at her service, from all walks of life, and all faiths, sharing similar stories of the impact JaKelle made during her 17 short years on this earth. 

What an experience!

After the service, we each tied a message to JaKelle on a yellow balloon. My message was this:

"Thank you JaKelle for being such an amazing example to me and so many others. Your life has inspired me to stay strong, and be more positive and grateful for everything in this life. May your spirit continue to bless those of us you left behind."

I know that JaKelle returned to her Father with honor, having completed her mission on this earth. 

She will not be forgotten.

I love you JaKelle...until we meet again!

See some of her impact here:

http://www.bunkerfuneral.com/#top

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTwbuu_bqa4&feature=share

http://chrisandmelissahayes.blogspot.com/2012/06/jakelle.html?spref=fb

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Pfk28vEtgw&feature=related

HAB-ie HAB day!

This weekend in St. George, we had an opportunity to H {hot} A {air} B {balloon} it up. And we did... I went kicking and screaming. I am terrified of heights and was fully planning on being the photographer, but they talked me into going. 

As you can tell below, I may have been holding on for dear life.

I am glad that I went. Its something that you can check off your bucket list. Would I go again? Not likely... Would I recommend it for people who are not afraid of heights? Absolutely!

Day in, Day out

What is on my TO DO list:
- self manicure
- give my eyebrows some attention
- bathe the dogs
- serious stock up grocery shopping
- organize self in bedroom
- shave legs
- swimsuit shopping
- sell car
- vacuum and clean white rug
- update Menu board
- revisit my Pilates class... it may have been 2 weeks since that happened...
- get snacks for nursery
- write a letter to Christopher {Army boot camp}
- order new checks

What I will actually do when I get home from work everyday:
Sit on the couch with my computer and catch up on my DVR'd shows while eating chips and salsa...

Such is the life of a working woman. I hate it, but my bills love getting paid

This Week... Life Goes On

This Week is all about moving on!

Last week, my divorce was final... ugh. I miss Richard every day and still wish that things could have gone differently. I don't regret our decision, but I'm still feel the loss in a big way. Getting those papers was a sad/scary realization that I have to move on. That chapter of my life is closed and I need to start the next chapter.

First step, get a job. Early on I decided that I am going to set my standard of the kind of job I want, with the pay that I want and not settle. That's not an easy thing in this job market. Over the past 4 months I've had a lot of interviews and even some job offers. I started getting nervous thinking I should just take a job, what if I didn't get the job I thought I deserved?

Two days after my divorce was final I got offered a job! It reaffirms the fact that we ALWAYS need to have faith in God's timing. I am so grateful for the 5 months that I've had to not work and spend time with my family, preparing myself to start over fresh. To really focus on myself and figure out the things that are important to the kind of life I'm creating for myself.

I got a job at Everest University as the Student Services Coordinator. Basically a school counselor type of position. Its exactly the kind of job I was hoping for, with the kind of pay I was hoping for. It gives me hope, and maybe courage to go ahead and get started on my new life... ooooooooohhhhhh... wish me luck!

Oh P.S... its sisties {Meico} BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK! Yippe for celebrations and Hunger Games this weekend!

Song of the week:




Recipe of the week:
Let me just say that I had never been to Cafe Rio before I moved to Arizona. Every one in Utah is raving about it, so I had to try it. This recipe has been one of my faves for a while and now I realize how close to Cafe Rio it actually is! It's so great to make a use for multiple meals, lunches, whatever!

CAFE RIO CHICKEN

·                     2 lbs chicken breasts

·                     1/2 a small bottle of zesty Italian dressing

·                     1/2 Tbsp. minced garlic

·                     1 pkt ranch dressing mix (mixed with 1/2 cup of water)

·                     1/2 Tbsp. chili powder

·                     1/2 Tbsp. ground cumin

Place all ingredients in a crock pot. Cook on High 5-6 hours OR on Low 8 hours. Shred with fork and serve in salads, burritos, tacos...etc. You can also double or triple this to make extras for freezing. Then simply thaw and reheat for a fast and delicious meal.