Summer fun!!!!!!

This weekend we got family pictures. It was so fun. It's so amazing to see our family grow and for the personalities that come with our growing family. This year we had our annual "Aunt Crystal" party. Instead of doing popcorn and movies we had a camp out. I arrived on Friday and took the kids swimming all seven of them...obviously Kendrick is too small to come...but I'm sure he will join the fun someday. We went to the water park... Let's just say that having 3 three year olds, a five year old, a 8, 9, and 10 year old is a chore. It went pretty smoothly though. After the water park I took all of them to the store. Another challenge...but so fun. We built a camp fire in grandma's and grandpa's back yard, and then slept out under the stars. I love my nieces and nephews...they make me laugh. It's fun to spend time with them and watch them grow. I think that their parents have done an exceptional job of raising their beautiful children...I'm so glad to be a part of their lives....I truly am blessed.

Back To Normal

So, I graduated for the third time in my life time, and I can't tell you how wonderful it finally feels to be done. This journey has tested my limits, and has been amazingly tough. Through it all I have learned so much, and amazed at the potiental that god has blessed me with. I'm so excited to see where my future will lead. As for work I will begin therapy work at the agency that I am currently working. That should start shortly. I took my licensure test and passed!! Yea!!! I just have to wait for grades to post and submit my offical transcript to the social work board...and then I will be an offical LMSW. Then....I will be counselign people. Oh! Goodness. It shoudl defintely be a challenge. I'm kinda scared... not sure if I will be good at it or not. I guess only time will tell. I go on my first vacation in over a year, and will be leaving to Vegas on Thursday. I will post pictures when I get back. I guess that's it for now. Hope all is going well for everyone. Love ya

Joy

My life has been so crazy lately I thought that I would focus on the things that have brought me joy in my life. I want to start with my wonderful parents who have taught me so much about life and the importance of family. They are wonderful parents who's love has taught me so much. I have never met two people more in love then my parents. I know that they came from goodly parents who's importance of family love has rubbed off on them. I'm so grateful for my grandparents who have also brought me such joy. I love that I have a tight knit family, and that I know my aunts, uncles, and cousins who's words and example have taught me so much about enjoying the small joys in life. I'm find so much joy in having a brother and sister who I am close to. Although we have our differences and disagrements I love them. My sister is so beautiful and is a wonderful mother, and I hope to be half the woman that she is growing to be. My brother is also a good example, and has grown so much. He is so smart and has so much determination, and I know that he will go far in life. Then there are my in-laws Tiffany and Tracy. Tiffany is a great person with the biggest heart that I know. SHe is a great mother and someone I admire. I'm so excited for my new nephew who I know will be brought into a wonderful home. Tracy is a hard worker, and a good father. I'm also so grateful for my wonderful friends. My friends keep me sane....make me laugh....and are so amazing. I want to appoligize to everyone for beening so onery and irritable lately. I have a lot on my plate right now. I know things will slow down, but no matter how busy I get I will never forget the things in my life that bring me true joy. I've posted some pictures of my beautiful neices and nephews.... hope you enjoy. Love you all

I'm so sad that I don't get to see these two beautiful children very often. This means that I don't get very many pictures either. I rememer when we first watched Mathew he was a beautiful little boy. I remember his fat rolls and chubby cheeks....I can't believe how much he has grown. Mathew has brought so much joy in our lives, and I'm so grateful that he is part of our family in an unconvetional sort of way. Then came Kristin. I remember the first time she was put in my arms. I have never felt such a connection to someone. I knew that she was special. I knew that she would bless our lives, and she has. I'm so grateful for her wonderful personality and for the time I get to spend with her. She is so beautiful inside and out, and brings so much joy in my life.

Caroline is so fun to be around, and makes me laugh so much. She just has a quite way of reaching out and touching your heart. Although, she tries to get her brother Quienton in trouble alot.....she brings me so much joy in my life.

Quienton is such a smart boy, and has more love then I have ever seen. His hugs make me feel so good, and he has a bright spirit about him. I'm so grateful that he has blessed my life the way that he has. He too brings me joy.

I found these dresses at shopko for 10.00 a peice. I couldn't resist so I bought them for the girls. They put them on and were dancing in the kitchen saying "I'm a pretty princess." I thought aren't we all. When do we forget how beautiful and amazing we are as women. I love how these two beautiful children reminded me how all women are princesses. I love these girls.

This is such a beautiful picuture of the twins. I love how Jonah appears to be admiring his sister, and Isabelle is just chillin. They are such loving children, and I'm so grateful to have them in my life. I love how they love me so much. I love being an auntie it brings me so much happiness.

Isabelle must get her stubbornness and independence from me...just don't tell anyone. We sure had fun sledding. I had so much fun spending time with my family....this too brings me joy.

Gavin is growing up so much. I love him and how smart he is. I can have a conversation with him like an adult. Yet he has such an imagination and brings such joy in my life. He is so amazing and I'm so grateful for him and his personality.

I love this picture of Caroline it brings out her eyes.

What a day

It's been one of those weeks....I don't know if there is something in the air. I'm cranky irritable...pissy....you name it. On these days...or weeks....it's hard not to focus on the negative..... so that's what I'm going to do

1) I lost my purse (luckily after a 1 hour search I found it)
2) I did some paperwork for work, and the one time I don't make a copy they lose it.
3) I haven't got enough sleep (which makes me so very cranky)
4) I have homework up the wazoo
5) feel un appreciated and un loved
6) I'm behind on my work notes
7) I keep saying random things....and have no idea where it comes from.
8) I have so many things happening in my life, and I don't feel that I have anyone to share them with....partly because I'm so busy....tired....and random.........that I can't even get out a half decent sentence.

I could go on....but I'll stop.....on the brightside of things....I know things will get better!!! Thanks for listening. Wishing and hoping for a brighter and better day tomorrow.

2010!!!!!!

It has been a wonderful break from school so far. It was fun to be with my family for the holidays. I love my family so much, and am grateful for the wonderful people that they are. In 2009, I left the small town of Rexburg, left the job I loved, and moved to Boise. In Boise, I started a new job, met new friends, and started grad school. School has been a interesting experience, and I have learned that I have more tolerance and potential then I thought. As for now I have a 4.0, and ma on my last semster. YEA!!!! Graduation in 5 months!!!! I'm looking forward to the many blessings this year will bring. I'm excited for my new nephew who will come in April. I'm also looking forward to learning more, and experiencing 2010 with more changes and opportunites. It's a new year with new beginnings, new joys, and new hardships. I'm so excited to see where life takes me this Year. I will post christmas pictures later. Love ya all.

Blessings

Life has been so crazy busy lately. I can't believe that this year is almost over. It has been a year of unexpected surprises and changes. This year has been full of blessings along with many trials. It has been a time of reflection and growth. I want to take a few moments to express my gratitude for all the amazing things that have happened this year. I'm thankful for a wonderful family who is so supportive, and who loves me more then I could imagine. I'm so grateful for my friends who have been more than willing to stand by me and offer support and guidance when I most needed it. I'm grateful for a wonderful heavenly father and savior who have given me strength in times of trial and growth. I'm thankful for the opportunity to live in this country that I love. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to obtain an education in a profession that I have such passion for. The one thing that I have learned this year is that everyday is a blessing that we shouldn't take for granted. I'm so optimistic about the future and am so excited to see where it takes me. I love you all and hope that you have a happy thanksgiving.

You look to old for your age!!

As part of my practicum I am working in the Day Treatment. I was facilitating group the other day, and during one of the breaks a client turned to me and said "Crystal, your about 40 right?". I was like "No"....and thinking how dare he think I was forty. He then said "Are you 35?" Again, I said no I'm 28. His EYES got really big and he said "REALLY!!! wow....you look old for your age." I was thinking..........what???......but said "I'm sorry." He then said....You really shouldn't look that old. I said i'll try not to look so old next time.

That day I went home and looked in the mirror and all I said for about an hour is 40 really!!! I think I might have a complex now....because I'm looking at pictures of my high school and even college friends and realizing how much they have aged. I guess we all age......I just didn't realize how fast it happened...........The other thing I realized is there is not much I can do about aging....so I guess I will have to cope.

Life has been pretty busy for me, but I love every minute of it. I'm so excited for the future and to see where my life takes me. Anyways, I love you all....and I'll talk with ya later !!