What Valentines Day Means To Me

I've thought more about this Valentines Day perhaps more than any other.  Maybe it is because I have heard some say they think Valentines Day is all about making money or maybe it is because of my partially reluctant husband in celebrating this somewhat controversial holiday.  In any case, it has made me think about what  Valentines Day means to me.  

A day of gratitude: it is a day to be grateful for the love we share for each other.  This year I am grateful for a loving husband and a loving family.  Things of which not all people have, I feel blessed to be one of the lucky ones.  

I have always been one who believes the love of a child is the greatest kind of love.  I am so grateful to have 10 wonderful toddlers in my class who love me and who I love so so much! I have the greatest job to be able to witness so much love all day long. I am also so lucky for having a co teacher who is amazing, a wonderful friend, and who loves my kids as much as I do. 

A day of simple reminders: it is a day to do something simple for the ones you love.  It is so easy to get into the routine of day to day activities and demands.  It is easy to forget to do simple things to make someone else happy.  Valentines day is the perfect reminder that throughout the year we need to pay attention to those we love and make them matter most. 

A day of celebration: it is a day to be happy.  Be happy with what you are given.  Share the joy you have with others.  Valentines day reminds us that we are alive in the world, with 7 billion other people.  Make every day special.  Smile, be happy, and love with all your heart.

HAVE A HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! 

One Year Down

My dear friend JaNae took these pictures for us for our one year anniversary.  Thank you JaNae!

My thoughts on year one:
-Yes, it was difficult.  Very difficult at times,  but it was also the best year of my life.
-I love having my best friend with me all day, every day.
-Life is more exciting when you share simple joys with someone.
-Sharing everything is so much better than doing everything on your own.
-I knew what I was getting into as far as marriage goes, but not as far as my husband goes.  I am still learning new things about him all the time.
-Change is permanent, but it is good!
-Sometimes the best days are in your pajamas, in your living room, relaxing.
-Be selfless, respectful, happy, supportive, honest.
-Sometimes life is crazy and you don't get to do anything exciting on your first anniversary, but it doesn't really matter because you have a million more to make up for it. (Also you can celebrate on Valentines Day, Birthdays, or really, ANY DAY YOU WANT!)
-God has blessed me with an amazing husband! We have witnessed miracles and so many blessings this last year.  I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father and his graciousness.

I have the most awful stance, but JaNae can make any picture look awesome. 

New Star

Meet Emma, the new star of this blog!

Last weekend my sister and I got to help Emma get ready for her school dance.  We really had no idea what we were doing, but we thought her hair turned out so cute!  Probably because she is gorgeous and can pull off anything!  Watch our progress:  

I seriously wish I had her hair...

Not exactly sure how this happened, but it looked awesome!

The Final Product... She is stunning!

P.S. This will not be the last you see of Emma! :) 

A heinous and happy combination...

Halfway through putting on my outfit, my husband told me wearing plaid and floral together was absolutely horrid.  But, when the outfit was complete, we both loved it. 

Where it all started: pants: American Eagle, plaid shirt: thrift, sweater: Cotton On (thanks to my sister in law), hat: target, boots: Steve Madden

As always, my handsome husband! 

Welcome to Colorado

Our lives have been busy busy busy for the past few weeks, but we are LOVING this Colorado weather!  I do not miss the desert at all! 

Rod is having a blast at his new job.  He has been able to create the company blog, create logos and banners, do some e-mail marketing and his favorite... play fussball. I am loving my new job as well,  I chose to stay in the Toddler class so I am teaching 1 and 2-year-olds and they are ADORABLE! They are so much fun, I am so happy going to work and getting to play and teach these little ones and not having the stress of work at home.  

One of the greatest blessings we have here in Denver is being close to my sister.  I haven't been close to family in years and it just doesn't get better than being close! 

The amphitheater

Rodrigo told me that we were going to be true Colorado fans when we moved (Broncos, Nuggets, Avalanche) and we came at a good time to be Broncos fans.  There are some hardcore fans here! 

Our ward is very different than our previous ward.  There are approximately zero young couples.  Everyone has at least three children or is over the age of 80.  It will be different to be sure, but everyone has been so kind and welcoming.  

The other day we went out to the Red Rock Amphitheater.  It was pretty and the amphitheater was huge! It was a blast just walking through the trails.

We are so blessed to be here and are excited to see what adventures are to come.  

Changes

These past months have come with some big decisions! We are so excited to announce we are moving to Colorado! As my dear friend Kathryn said it best... ski slopes or BUST!!!

How did this all come to happen?
Well Rodrigo and I both love the state, it's one of few that we both like! And when my sister Becca decided to move there instead of Virginia, Rodrigo and I really wanted to join the Van Leuven crew.  Rodrigo started applying for internships out of Las Vegas because he was afraid if he got a good internship here we would never get out.  I began applying for jobs in the Denver area as well.  I took a quick trip out a couple weeks ago for some interviews.  This past week I was offered jobs and finally chose and accepted one today! Rodrigo was offered the internship that he really wanted as well which we are hopeful will turn into a full time position.  Things fell into place, we found a place to live, our friends are taking over our contract here in Las Vegas, and somehow we are going o get everything done within the week!

A bittersweet time...
We are thrilled about our new adventure, but there are so many bittersweet moments.  We have amazing friends in Las Vegas and I am so sad to leave them.  We have an amazing ward and I have formed bonds I couldn't have even imagined with the girls I work with.
One of the hardest parts for me is telling my families that I work with that I am leaving.  I love and adore my kiddos and their families.  This last week I have come home just exhausted and depressed from telling my families.
However, we know that this change is best for us, and we can't wait to get out of the desert! I can't wait to see snow and Rodrigo is just itching to go snowboarding again since he hasn't been able to...practically since we met! We are both so excited to be by Becca and Sam, we haven't been close to family in far too long! And on top of all that we are both very anxious to start our new jobs!

We will have a short break for Christmas in Texas and then we are on to new adventures!

Fancy Pants

I wanted to get more pictures of these babies before I posted but we are seriously crunched for time in this household lately.  Here is a teaser and hopefully I will get more pictures with these pants... because they are my favorite!