The cutest soccer player ever!!!

I'm pretty sure I saw the cutest soccer players EVER this last weekend! Seriously, he is not only cute but real good at running around the field (whether he touches the ball or not). His name is Joel and he is my nephew. Watching four year olds playing football is...priceless.

Joel getting pumped and ready for the big game.
Fighting Irish vs. The Killer Bees

Yeah Killer Bees! When you're 4 years old your coaches are allowed on the field in order to bring some help to the chaos.

The Fighting Irish's smallest fan, my neice, Abbey.

Joel getting to throw the ball in. Seriously...priceless!

Celebrating a friend, a bride, a marriage!

My friend Johanna got married last weekend and I had the priviledge to not only stand beside her at her wedding but also celebrate the commitment she would make! Thursday night we had a bachelorette party for her..."Pajama-arama" as called it. We all dressed up in pjs and enjoyed showering her with gifts, told stories of our friendships with Johanna and of course, laughed a lot! Amanda and I decided that we didn't want to "upstage" the bride with cute pjs so we wore "gramma-style" or "moomoo-esque" pjs and eye masks. Johanna got a good laugh!


Friday there was a bridesmaid lunch, rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. And Saturday was the big day. However, being a bridesmaid didn't allow for taking pics of the wedding. But, believe me it was BEAUTIFUL and Johanna was STUNNING! The wedding was at Cypress Church where Johanna and Josh met and attend church. The Reception was at the Grand Californian. If I can get my hands on pics I will most definitely post them.

I think I might become a surfer...or at least enjoy "trying" to surf!

A few weeks back I met my friends Stacy and Melissa (aka Kirsch) in Encinitas to go surfing. They both surf and I thought I would give it another shot, since I have only tried about 3 other times in my life. AND (drum role please)...I REALLY liked it.


Kirsch, Stacy and I after having dinner, watching the sunset and then off to a movie. They are great dates! :)


So beautiful! God done real good!

Stacy, Kirsch and I went surfing a little after I met them on Friday (they had been there since Thursday) and I got into and up onto several waves/post-breaking waves and road them successfully. In fact, one time I road a wave all the way into the shore and realized that I needed to actually get off the board before it baned itself into the sand. So, as brilliant as I am I decided to not jump off and onto my feet but jump off and land on my @$$. Wait, what?!?! Why the heck did I do that? I have no freakin clue but I pretty much layed there as the current tried to pull me out to sea and then push me back into the shore as I then lay on my back in about 2 inches of water. Yeah, it was brilliant. I am pretty sure the lady on her cell phone only feet away from me was thinking the same thing.


A few hours into surfing the leash somehow wrapped around my big toe and ripped my toe nail out from the root on the right side. I had to then cut as much of the nail off that had detached and voala...a beautiful toe I had/have. And yeah, it hurt!


After the toenail incident I wasn't able to surf anymore because I was scared I would bang my tender toe and say words that might offend ;). Which meant that Friday morning I was the photographer for Stacy as she road the waves and Kirsch stayed back at the hotel and slept.

During this trip I realized that all the other attempts I had made at surfing not to mention the times I turned down the chance to try and surf, I was REALLY scared. But I wasn't scared of surfing as much as I was of failing. I was scared to get out there and look like and idiot. But, as I am seeking freedom in life from the fears that grip me I decided that surfing could represent freedom if I let it. It has. I have since been one other time and can't wait to get out on a board again. I love the peace that sitting out in the ocean holds, the challenge that riding a waves represents and the fun of "trying" something new. I love the beauty of the ocean and the power of God that it represents.

I think I might become a surfer...or at least enjoy "trying" to surf!

A New Year...A New Team

The school year is officially in full swing. One-on-Ones, Office Hours, RD meetings, connecting with students, learning lots of new names and faces, Dawn's Dessert Nights, Staff meetings (aka Team Time), All-Halls, and more.
The first Dawn's Dessert Night happened last night. This is when I open up my apartment and invite my residents to stop by or come hang out and have dessert...usually cookies. Last night I made about 2 and a half tubs of chocolate chip cookies. It was alot of fun!
And now I need to remind myself that I am a student too and start working on my homework.

With a new school year comes a new team. So, here are a few pics beautiful and fun RAs of Alpha West 2008-2009. Thanks Shannon Leith for taking the pics...you rock!






Heather


Kristin (aka K.O.)


Amy


Joy


Kristen (aka Walker or K.W)


Jennifer


Me

Ummm...totally new to this and have no idea how to make the text go under the picture. Oops!