Andrea's Amazing Adventures

2011-07-06T08:24:00.000-07:00

In May Jeff and I took some engagement pictures down at Lake Las Vegas. Our friend CJ did an amazing job. Here are some of my faves. Oh, and I get married in 3 days, so I will be sure to post some pictures from the wedding soon!

ENGAGED!!!

2011-04-22T22:23:00.000-07:00

Jeff proposed! After 10 1/2 months of dating, he proposed! Jeff asked me on Monday, April 11. We went hiking up on Lone Mountain in the NW area of Vegas. We hiked up at sunset so that we could see the city lights come on. It was so romantic and beautiful. We got Capriotti's for dinner up on the mountain. The lights were bright and it was absolutely beautiful. As we were going to leave Jeff told me that he thought he ripped his jacket, so he was fiddling with it. Next thing I know he gets down on his knee and asks me to marry him! Of course I said yes!

So, we are getting married Saturday, July 9, in the San Diego Temple. I feel so incredibly lucky to have found him. I love Jeff so much and I cannot wait to be his wife!

Brianhead Weekend!

2011-03-01T21:33:00.000-08:00

Jeff and I headed up to Cedar City this past weekend with his sister and her family. We drove up so that we could go sledding up at Brianhead. We had a blast. It was freezing cold, even all geared up in snow pants, a coat, and boots. It was fun hanging out with my future family. We headed back to Cedar and had dinner together at his aunt and uncle's house. We played the Kinect and Rockband. It was a great 3-day weekend.

2011-01-12T16:53:00.000-08:00

Holy cow! It has been forever since I last updated my blog. Life is moving along. Sometimes fast, and sometimes slow.

I cannot believe that Jeff and I have been dating for 7 1/2 months now. It seems like we just started dating. I am so in love with him. We are planning on getting married, sometime this summer. Nothing is official yet, but it's going to happen. So exciting. I cannot imagine my life without him. He makes me feel beautiful and like I am the only one in the room. He is amazing. I can never get enough of being with him.

2010-07-25T20:10:00.001-07:00

I love my boy! He is so good to me. We have been having an amazing summer! Movies, bowling, playing pool, and just hanging out. He is such a great guy and is always telling me how amazing and beautiful I am. I am not usually the gushing type, so I apologize now, but he is wonderful and I love him.

Summer Fun!

2010-06-22T10:12:00.000-07:00

So this summer has been so amazing thus far! I am not even a month into my vacation, but it has been so great! I have been able to spend a lot of time with my boy, Jeff. We have been to several movies (Toy Story 3, A-Team, Killers), played Frisbee golf, gone out to eat, played pool, and just spending time at our houses has been great.

My friends Chris, Kristen and Nick, came into town this last week and so we all met up for bowling and then Golden Spoon. I met them in the Singles' Ward years ago. They now live on the other side of the country going to school and being a doctor, so it was fun to catch up with them this last week.

I am heading off to San Francisco with some friends this week as well. We have a lot of fun things planned. In July I am flying to Boise to visit a great friend who I used to teach with. It will be fun seeing her in a couple of weeks!

2010-05-03T15:08:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to post some family pictures that we took in December. Enjoy!

Spring Break and Easter

2010-04-04T14:53:00.000-07:00

I just got back from my spring break to Utah. I won't lie in saying that I initially came up to see a boy. But that didn't even happen in the end. Regardless, I went up and I was able to see my two of my brothers and both my sisters. I was also able to see many old friends.

It was so great seeing my family, half of them, anyway. I was able to see them all at my aunt and uncle's house my first day there. They had all of us over for dinner. Then throughout the week I was able to see Joey, Justin, and Rachel. And of course, food was involved. It was great seeing them and being able to catch up with them. I was also able to see my cousins Alex and Becca and their families. Both Becca and Alex's wife, Becky are expecting, and it was fun to see them. Thanks Alex and Becky for having me over for dinner!

I took Justin to a Peruvian restaurant and he was in high heaven! It was delicious!

I stayed with my grandparents in Pleasant Grove. They are always so wonderful to let me stay with them whenever I come into town. It was nice being able to have some home cooked meals and good conversation with them. It was nice to be able to relax this spring break. Usually I go somewhere where I am busy and on the go, IE Washington, D.C. The reason I say this is because I got sick my first day there with a lovely cold and cough, which really wiped me out. So being able to read and relax was really nice.

I was able to see my old friends Carrie, Tiffany, Amanda, Melissa, and Michelle. It was so nice to see them. Carrie used to babysit me when I lived in Chico. Tiffany and Melissa were old roommates and it was so great seeing them again and to hear about their lives. I met Amanda and Michelle in Vegas. They have since moved out to Utah to go to school and to work. I love my friends and feel so blessed to have them all in my life!

I think that I brought bad weather with me. That's what everyone kept telling me, anyway. It snowed 3 of the days that I was there. Yikes! And I had to drive in it too. Being from California, and now Vegas, I don't see snow. I lived in Rexburg for 5 years, but never had a car, so I never had to drive in it. Thank goodness that the snow didn't stick to the roads, but it sure made for wet and cold conditions. It was a little scarier at night because you couldn't see the lines on the road. I am grateful to live in Vegas where I rarely see snow!

It is also General Conference weekend and Easter. It has been so great to hear from the Prophet and the Apostles and other church leaders. It is one of my favorite times of the year. Not only is it great to stay in pjs all day, but I feel so refreshed and uplifted after hearing from the Lord's servants. As today is Easter, I also reflect on the life of my Savior and what he did for all of us. It is because of his pure and unconditional love that we are able to return to live with Him and our loving Father in Heaven. I am grateful for His sacrifice and only wish that I can be worthy of His selfless sacrifice.

And off to work I go tomorrow. I am not ready to go back. It feels like forever ago that I was at work. This break has been so needed; I was going crazy with students and teachers. Hopefully I will be good now til school gets out in June!

Woohoo!

2010-03-13T19:47:00.000-08:00

So here is a shot of my new glasses. Can I just say "LOVE them!"

New Do!

2010-03-03T18:20:00.000-08:00

So after months of having an icky haircut, I decided to go for it and get it layered all over. I absolutely LOVE it. When the girl finished with my hair, I couldn't believe how different I looked. It is super short in the back and I am still getting used to styling it in the mornings, but I absolutely love it! I have gotten so many compliments on it. I am so glad that I did it!

Arizona Weekend!

2010-01-24T11:33:00.000-08:00

I love my friends! I went down to the Mesa/Gilbert area last weekend to see my friends. It was great hanging out with Crystal, Autumn, and Brittany. We had a girl's night out Saturday. We went to Dave's Fresh Farm Grill. Talk about a yummy shake. Anyway...it was so great being with my girls again. It will be nice being a little closer to them when I make the move this summer.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-09T15:27:00.000-08:00

So I was home the entire time for Christmas break! It was great. What made it perfect was having all of my brothers and sisters home for the holidays. It had been 3 years in the making. Even though it was a houseful-7 kids and Mom and Dad, it was great. We even managed to all get along, and if you knew my and my family, you would know that that in and of itself, is a miracle!

On New Year's Day we headed down to the beach in Carlsbad to see the tidal pools. The tide was crazy-low, so we went out. We saw a ton of starfish-purple ones and orange ones. They were HUGE. We say sea slugs and crabs. Two of them were even mating! Yikes. It was fun spending time with my family there at the beach.

FINALLY!

2009-12-21T17:35:00.001-08:00

Finally! My application for Arizona licensing is in! My application to Mesa is in! I was able to have the DARE officer at my school do my fingerprinting-it helps that his daughter and nephew are in my class. And then I was able to send it on in! Now I just have to work on more applications! Gilbert and Higley are the next on the list. Once those are in I will work on Chandler, Kyrene, Queens Creek, and ...lots of work! I'll keep everyone updated on the application process and any job offers!

ARIZONA, Here I Come!

2009-11-22T17:47:00.000-08:00

Last year I was going to move to Arizona, but I felt that I needed to stay in Las Vegas one more year so that I could get my retirement benefits. I am really glad that I decided to stay. I have made some good friends and had some good experiences.

We are coming upon a year again, and I so I started to think about moving to Arizona again. I went down to Mesa/Gilbert over the Halloween weekend to see if those same feelings were there. After praying and fasting about it, I have decided that I am going to take the plunge and do it-move to Arizona!

So I am currently working on applications to several districts: Mesa, Gilbert, Higley, and I am considering Queen's Creek, Chandler, and Kyrene. I am also working on my license to teach in Arizona. It has been stressful, but I know that it is what I am supposed to be doing.

I have been scared in the past to think about moving. When I sat down to apply to the first district, I had a mini-panic attack to think that I was actually doing this. Now I am just afraid that I won't get hired down there. But, I am letting go, and putting it in my Heavenly Father's hands. If he wants me in Arizona, He will provide. There have been so many times in my early years of teaching where I was facing surplus and I just couldn't stress: if he wanted me there, he would keep me there. 5 years later, I am still at my same school that I started.

As I was contemplating the move, I had a pro/con list. Of course there were more PRO's than CON's. Here is my list.

PRO's:

1. Good Friends
Autumn and Brittany have really been a driving force to my decision. Of course it is going to be hard moving to a new place, but Autumn and Britt will be there for me as I transition to this new chapter in my life. It will be nice having them nearby.

It is so nice to spend time with them because they make me feel valued as a friend. I haven't had that in a REALLY long time. I haven't been happy in a REALLY long time.

2. New Ward
I have had a hard time in the ward that I have been attending over the last 1 1/2 years. It is a higher-end economic area, not to mention young. I have had a hard time relating to people and making friends. It will be nice to be in a new ward, and hopefully the members will be kinder and a little bit older-nearer to my age. I have heard great things about the wards there.

3. Living on my OWN
I am getting to that age where I want my own place and no roommates. Don't get me wrong; I LOVE living with Kara. She will probably be getting married next summer and so it is just perfect. Living expenses in AZ will be a little cheaper, so that will be nice!

4. Same Pay
The pay between CCSD and Arizona will be comparable. That will be nice. I am hoping that the district I get hired in will be able to give me years or my pay-steps. We'll see.

5. Change of Scene
I have lived in the LV valley for almost 6 years and although I love it, I have become complacent. I wake up, work, go to the gym, eat dinner, watch TV, go to bed, and then I repeat. Being in a new area will be great. Meeting new people, having a life will be amazing!

6. TWO Temples
I love being near the temple, and so it will be nice to be near the Mesa Temple and soon the Gilbert Temple.

CON's:
1. I absolutely LOVE my job
I have been at the same school for 5 years and I love it. The people I work with are amazing and so helpful. The kids are fun. I have made a name for myself in the community and I don't want to start over.

2. Farther from Home and Utah
Instead of being 4 1/2 hours from home, I will now be 6 hours. Not major, but still. AND, instead of being 5 hours from Utah to visit my brothers and sisters and relatives, I will be good 12 hours. I can always fly.

I've Been Thinking...

2009-10-25T14:48:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been thinking about things that I need to change or possibly change. Last year I decided that moving to Mesa, AZ was what I was supposed to do, but I decided that I needed to get my retirement years in, so I am in Vegas one last year.
Now that it is time to start thinking about this move again, it scares me. My job in Boulder City is VERY secure. This may seem very selfish and stuck-up, but now that a couple 5th grade teachers are gone at my school, I am getting requests and good kids. I am one of the popular teachers to have. I have a lot of LDS kids in my class and it has made all the difference in the world. I feel important at my school and valued in the community, and I don't want to start over again.
However, I don't like my ward. I am getting "older" and my options are dwindling. My friends all seem to be moving away and/or getting married. My own roommate is dating, and who knows, they may end up getting hitched soon.
I have a few friends in Arizona and I know that it would be so great to see them more often and they would be able to help me "adjust" to my new life and they could help me meet new people. I have heard that there are great single's wards out there.
If I would just know that YES, I am supposed to go there. I'll have a great job and I'll meet my husband there, then sign me up. But I have lived in Vegas, going on 6 years. The people I work with have become my greatest friends and my family away from home. That may sound cliche, but it's true and I don't want to start over again.
What's a girl to do? I know what I need to do; I am just afraid I'll get the answer that will make life scarier for a little bit. Oh to be an adult!

28 is GREAT!

2009-10-11T20:37:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I turned the big 2-8! It was an awesome day. It was great not having to work and being able to do whatever I wanted to do! I woke up earlier than I normally would and made myself some blueberry pancakes. Yummy! Then my roommate and I went and got pedicures. We now have cute toes.

In the afternoon we had friends over for pizza and cake. Then it was off to the BYU-UNLV game here in Henderson! It was so much fun to be with friends and being able to see BYU play. Of course they creamed UNLV, 59-21. It was so fun!

Then I today I made the birthday dinner that my mom would always make when I lived at home: pot roast, mashed potatoes, corn, and blueberry muffins! It was so delicious, but it wasn't as good as my mom's!

Justin's Home!

2009-07-31T11:15:00.000-07:00

My brother Justin just got back from serving a two year mission in the Peru Lima Central Mission. We picked him up from the airport on Wednesday. It was so great seeing him again. I won't even try to hide the fact that I got a little teary-eyed as he came down the escalator. It was so great seeing my brothers see each other again. Kevin and Kyle have been so excited for Jay to come home. Kyle actually jumped up on Justin. Kevin and Justin compared heights with each other. Justin still has some height on Kevin. It may not look like it in the pictures; that is because Justin had jumped into their arms.
Justin really misses Peru and still speaks Spanish to everyone. I am grateful that I took Spanish in high school so that I can translate for everyone else and I can also converse with Justin. It has been really fun, and my Spanish skills are rusty, but they get the job done.
Joey comes home next Friday, and that will be a happy reunion as well. He has been serving in the Taiwan Taipei Mission. It will be fun to see Joey and Justin see each other again! What a blessing it has been to have these missionaries out serving our church. Our family has definitely been blessed because of their hard work! Viva a Peru!

Summer fun!

2009-07-02T11:58:00.000-07:00

So I went to Chico for one of my best friend's wedding. I have known Ali since I was probably 4 or 5. I moved away when I was 12 years old, but we have remained the best of friends over the years. She married Dan Phelps on June 19 in the Sacramento Temple. It was incredible being with her in the sealing room as I saw her be sealed to her one and only.

I was also a bridesmaid for Ali's wedding. It was a lot of fun. I was able to be a bridesmaid with all of her sisters-Annette, Valerie, Carrie, and Tiffany. Her new sis-in-law, Amanda, was also a bridesmaid. We wore brown dresses with a cream tie. And my bouquet was absolutely gorgeous! It is laying in my room to remind me of what a fun time I had.

While I was in Chico I was also able to go out to lunch with my 6th grade teacher, Beth Sarcona. It was so fun to see her again and to be able to catch up with her. She is a huge reason that I became a teacher. Her example and her help since then has been so amazing.

I was also able to drive around Chico in my cute lil' rental car and drive around to the various parts of Chico. I went to Big Al's, where we used to get shakes and fries after soccer games and for fun treats. I was also able to drive to Chico One-mile where we used to go swimming in the creek. I went to Capre Acres Park where it was, I swear, the best park to play in. They had the best slide there and tunnels to play in. I also drove to my old houses-I hardly remember living there, but it was fun to drive by them. I have such fond memories of Chico. Like I said earlier, I moved away when I was 12 and as I have such good memories of living there. As I was driving back to the Sacramento Airport I started getting a little emotional about leaving Chico, because I honestly don't know when the next time I will be in town will be. It was a great vacation!

Pictures of MOI!

2009-06-11T19:46:00.000-07:00

Photo shoot

2009-06-11T12:19:00.000-07:00

So my old bishop's wife has recently taken up photography and she was doing free photo shoots. So, I asked if she could do some for me and she was more than willing to do it. So, we met at Acacia Park in Henderson and she shot over 70 pictures of me. I got to choose my top favorites. I will post them once I get them. It was really fun! Thanks, Sister Snow!

PICTURES of OLDE!

2009-05-23T21:13:00.000-07:00

So I thought that it would be fun to post some pictures of me from the yester-years. They are so fun, and I just have to say, man! I was a cute kid!

Spring Breakin'

2009-04-27T19:29:00.000-07:00

Being a teacher is the best. I get all the vacations and days off that my students do (minus the Staff Development days). Every year I try to go somewhere fun for spring break. You know...get out and experience life. Especially before I get married, whenever that is. My first year of teaching I went to San Francisco with the fam; the next year was NYC with two girlfriends; then Chicago with two roommates; last year was a cruise to Cabo and Ensenada, and this year...Washington, D.C. Three years ago when I went to NYC we were going to spend a day in D.C, but during the week my grandpa passed away and so I flew back to Utah for his funeral. I always wanted to make it back to DC, and this year was it! I was able to go with my friend, Carrie! It was a blast!

We went everywhere. The week started off with our flight being cancelled. Snow in Denver. Lame. We were too tired to care--it was 5:45 in the morning. We ended up taking a red-eye out that night. We slept most of that Sunday, and unfortunately, I missed most, if not all, of General Conference. Good thing for Ensigns!

While we were in D.C we went to Ford's Theatre where Lincoln was shot. We went to the Museum of American History, the Archive's Museum (where the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of Rights can be found). That was all on Monday.

Tuesday we took a guided tour out to Mt. Vernon; Christ Church; Alexandria, VA; the Pentagon and Air Force Memorials; Arlington Cemetery, where the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers takes place. I was also able to see JFK's grave there as well. We also went to the Iwo Jima memorial. It was an incredible day.

Wednesday we went to the Holocaust Museum. It wasn't as good as I thought it would be. I was bummed. We went to the Tidal Basin and saw all the cherry blossoms. We also went to the White House Visitor's Center.

Thursday was Gettysburg. Being a 5th grade teacher and doing a Civil War Reenactment every year, I was looking forward to this day the most. It was a lot different than I thought it would be. It was a lot of open land and farming area. A cute little town. We weren't able to get out of the bus much. Never got to see Cemetery Ridge where Abraham Lincoln gave the famous "Gettysburg Address" November 19, 1863. We did stop at Little Round Top, which is little hill and not a mountain.

Friday was out last day there. We saw all the monuments and memorials and then some! We saw Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, FDR Memorial, WWII Mem, and the Vietnam and Korean Memorials. We drove by the National Cathedral which is absolutely breathtaking. We went to the Capitol Building and the White House. It was my favorite tour by far.

It was so great being in Washington seeing where our nation has come so far and seen many changes in history. It was a memorable spring break!

This is all new to me

2009-04-18T12:18:00.000-07:00

So, I thougt that I would join the amazing world of blogging. All my friends seem to be doing it, so I decided, hey, why not? Now that I actually have a computer that has internet, hopefully I can be somewhat consisten in writing often, updating all my friends and family with my goings-on.