Halloween

Halloween was a blast! Celebrating with friends, some beer pong and a warm cozy fire was just the prefect way to spend the evening. From hippies, a nurse, gansters and pirates to a mexican and Flavor Flav, we saw some of the best costumes yet!

Waiting For Superman

I am sitting here watching Oprah in her last season and I had to get on my blog to reflect on this episode. Public Education. I am a substitue teacher studying to get my credential. I am completely appalled at what I am hearing about public education. It is absolutely disheartening that 1.2 MILLION children do not get a diploma every single year. Growing up, I do not remember public education sucking so incredibly bad or teachers stating that they will get paid whether their class learns anything or not. "Waiting for Superman" is a documentary that any person with a child in the public education system, or going into it someday, HAS to see. For the first time in history, our next generation is not as educated as the one before....Is anyone gasping?

"Children's lives are hanging in the balance. We, the adults, are the problem-NOT the children."

It irks me to hear people talk so badly about pub ed. I have been put into a horrible situation by opening my mouth in defense of the teachers and public education; unfortunately to no avail. The children are not the problem-Teachers being shitty teachers is the problem. I have never once in my life thought that I would think twice before sending my children to a public school and I have high hopes that there will be changes implemented before I get there.

AND....I am adding this last bit after watching the viewers reactions on Friday's Oprah....What responsibility do the parents hold? My response-just as much as the teachers. A child cannot simply go home and do homework; parents needs to ensure they are studying. And they need to be an active part as well. No one can blame teachers, blame parents, unions etc. Everyone needs to take responsibility and take the leap into paving the way. Asking "who is going to help?" isn't the answer. Being the change you want to see, is.

Coming to a close

We have had such an amazing summer full of big changes! From graduating college to golf dates to bachelor/bachelorette parties to new jobs to getting married, it has been the best thus far. We didn't have as many lake trips with friends as we would've liked but, the few we did get in were great! We also missed out on our 14th Fourth of July in Tahoe but for a gooood reason, our wedding! I can't wait for next July already! I feel like this summer has been one of changes for all around us. New beginnings, new babies and new friends have been in abundance! Trevor and I feel so lucky to love our jobs (I am now officially a substitute teacher!!), be so close to all of our family and have amazing friends that keep us laughing and enjoying life. We look forward to next summer which will be full of weddings and love! But, most of all I am looking forward to Fall and a first holiday season as husband and wife.

7.24.10

.Our wedding day was simply the best day of our lives thus far.
.We were surrounded by immense love, huge smiles & lots of laughter.
.I am so looking forward to this great chapter and new journey together.

Just 3 more days...

...until I walk down the aisle to greatest man I've ever known (well...my pops is pretty dang awesome too) and my best friend! WOO HOO! I couldn't be more thrilled that the countdown is getting smaller and smaller. I can't wait to spend the day with my best girls and then spend the evening with everyone we love....there will be some people missing and they will be GREATLY missed! Thus far this will be the biggest day of my life and I am so ready!! A friend *typed* to me earlier this evening that she 'wished she was in my shoes this week and would do it all over again in a heartbeat....and OF COURSE marry Josh' and it made my heart crack open in a huge smile! I know years down the road I will say the exact same thing :)

Showered with Love

*The bridal shower was filled with the best of friends showering me with love and well wishes*
* It was an absolutely beautiful day with lots of sunshine and fun!*
*Thank you to everyone for making for making it special*

Brushing up on some skills

Well, here I am all graduated and getting married in 7 weeks. Yes, we are down to counting weeks!!! No more months! AH! We couldn't be more excited with all the wedding events coming up in the next few weeks-time is going to fly. With all this free time on my hands, I can't help but feel bored. Bored. Ugh. I don't like using the word but there it is...no school, I don't want to get on the computer, the only thing I can think of is shopping lol. And I can't do that either. So....what to do. What to do. Welp, I've come to the idea of practicing being a better friend...person in general. Getting all wrapped up in the process of school and all that comes with life, I think we forget that being a good friend to our friends and our family members is of utmost importance.


I received a phone call the other evening, I am glad you called :), that really made me wonder what a family, and friends, are for. I feel that I am a genuine friend who will treat others like I want to be treated. And of course I have my faults and have made mistakes in friendships-I am not blind to that whatsoever. Family is simply that; FAMILY. This situation has made me realize that no, not everyone can be someone to vent to or ask for advice from (a bit disappointing). And that is OK. I hope that I can be a great friend to YOU. Anyone who reads this. And if I'm not, just call me. I am perfectly fine talking to you about anything. Along with finishing up my wedding plans, my goal is to fix up my friendship skills this summer...and for a life time.

Camp trip

*BIG SUR*

Our camping trip to Big Sur was amazing. We had a beautiful campsite right across from the river and under great shade trees. We hiked, relaxed, soaked up the sun, drank mimosas, did some intense laughing, napped and just simply enjoyed every minute.

...One Year Ago....

...Tomorrow, Trevor asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. And I couldn't be happier that I said YES! He has the character, uniqueness, laughter, sense of humor, kindness, snuggly-ness and every other quality possible, of a man I had only dreamed of. He is my best friend. He is my shoulder to lean on, my strong when I am weak, my smile when I am sad and my light when I am lost. Our wedding is just less than 3 months away and I am so filled with joy I could burst!!!

Roo. Swimming. News.

These are our latest happenings. Roo has been quite the handful-yes, she is just a puppy but I am beginning to think we have a 'Marlie' on our hands! Notice that she is sitting with the screen on her back....she charged through it! She likes to sleep on the patio furniture...dig holes in my just watered plants....and try to take showers with daddy. But oh how we love her!!!

We had our opening season pool party and BBQ yesterday and the kiddos sure enjoyed the heated pool! Rylan did great with her kicking and Gabe loves to throw in any toy, shoe or bottle of sunscreen he can find! "Ready... GOOOO!" All in all we are doing well around here. Only three weeks left of school and less than three months until our wedding. We couldn't be more excited!!! Well, I am sure I will be more excited a day before and even more after I say 'I Do' and become Mrs. Trevor Marks!!!!!!!!!

Who Knows

My journey through life as a student has just about come to an end. There are only four weeks left in my college career and I can't help but to feel a bit nervous and lost. My role for the last six years, yes, I said six, has been a student. Filling out papers-circle student, having conversations-what do you do? Oh, I am a student.... Now what am I going to say? Graduate? Nothing? Wife? I will be proud to call myself Trevor's wife but I am not going to let that define me. A degree is such a huge accomplishment and I want to use it. I want to be able to say "I am a teacher." In my relationship with T, I am the student. We have decided that I am to focus on school to get the degree...I barely add any income to the household which is OK for the time being but what about when it isn't OK anymore?

I haven't applied for the credential program. I didn't pass the CSET by one point. ONE POINT! T keeps telling me to think of it as a great and expensive practice test. Ha. I guess it is a good point but still. Starting all over on something that takes like eight hours and sucks well...sucks. I can apply for the program online which costs almost double and takes longer but they will accept me without the CSET.

Being in the inbetween is torture. But, I am getting married, going on an amazing honeymoon and couldn't be happier. That day will be the best day of many in my life and I am thrilled it is coming up so quick. And who knows after that.

Running. Girls. Falafels.

Beginning my third week of running and well, lets just say I didn't do any running. My shins are shot. For the time being....the man told me I need to run on the track. So, I still burned my goal of calories but did like 5 machines to get there. The first fitting is 3 weeks away-wedding is 3 1/2 months away. How times flies....

We had a girls night on Saturday and it was so much fun. I felt safe and that I was truly friends with them. We made, Rachel actually made it, an awesome dinner! Falafel....mmmmm, it was amazing. We then chatted and drank too much wine and watched Food Inc. I highly recommend that movie to everyone. And not for the fact that it will gross you out or make you not want to eat meat. It simply just opens your eyes to the way our food is made, where it comes from and how it affects your health and the economy. In short, I was shocked. It was very informational and I am so glad I watched it. It made me wonder "Where do we go from here?" We can go backwards. And honestly that seems to be the only place we can go to make this situation a better one. If everyone can just do their part; it would make it better.

Sunny Sundays

*
The Chapel was quite a hike.
Straight up.
Through beautiful olive trees, green grass mountains
&
nothing but blue skies.
*

*
Today we ventured to Chapel Hill in Shandon.
I am not really sure how I have never been there before...
It was absolutely amazing.
Beautiful.
*

*
The breezes smelled of wildflowers.
The church bells sang.
The sunny sun was shining oh so bright.
*

Sweat Sessions

Interval running on the treadmill really sucks. Running really sucks period. I have my first wedding dress fitting in T-minus 6 weeks.....YIKES. I am only up a few pounds from when I bought my dress but still.... I want to look my best. So I get SELF magazine every month in the mail, hopelessly browse through it and find a workout plan. I stick to it for ummmm about two days and then give it the finger. Welp, this time I do not have the option to give it the finger. I am going to stick too it. I know I wont' see a huge number change on the scale and I am obsessed with the number but if my clothes start fitting better I guess that means it's working.

My shins hurt. My claves hurt. My abs hurt. My arms hurt. Why didn't anyone tell me running would make everything hurt? But, when it is all said and done, I feel like a million bucks. Besides everything hurting. Go me.

And I just realized how naughty my title sounds.

Walk in the park

*
Unconditional love.
She is always excited to see us, wagggggging her tail.
She doesn't know what mad or disappointing is.
Life is just a walk in the park. Literally.
*
If only we could all live this way.
Always wagging when our significant other walks through the door.
Make them feel your unconditional love today.
It will make you feel good too.
Make their life a walk in the park.
*

And puppy makes 3!

*Meet Roo*
Our Newest Love

Peaks&Valleys

These last few months, basically all of 2010, has been in a valley. Or at least that is what it feels like. I received an apology recently that was quite surprising and I was expecting it to bring more relief that it did. Expectations. Expectations take so much out of life. Of course there are expectations that come with certain aspects of a relationship or friendship but when they go beyond that...you are usually going to be let down. Being let down isn't such a bad thing. I think it teaches us to stop wanting wanting wanting. And to just let life take the lead. I am always trying to plan and make the situation go the way I want it. Ok ok, control. I hate that word and I hate being associated with it but its true. I give.

My goal for today, the rest of this week, is to just let go of the expectations I have of people. Friends, family, people I don't even know. Revel in the things that really matter. My life is pretty great. I am going to start by dropping off food at the Prado Day Center. I need a little give in my life :)

Have a good day everyone!

SPRINGhasSPRUNG

Well...sort of....
all this warm weather has confused my trees I think...
but non-the-less, they are beautiful.
And...I love my Trevor.

Wonder&Wait

I am feeling a little lost. Sometimes it's just those moments that make me wonder. The wedding is stressing me out-not because of the wedding itself but because of things surrounding it. Planning has been a great experience and I am trying to enjoy every second of it! But... I am ready for the day. Ready to start our life and not be in this stage of wonder and wait. Wondering about jobs...wondering about friends...wondering about basically everything. I feel that so much time is lost in waiting but what else is there to do?


I guess I will do just that. Wait.

Be My Valentine

Love is....Kisses....

...Three heart clovers...

& Blueberry heart pancakes....

Painting.Pottery.Cupcakes.

*Today was a great day of laughs and fun*
I picked up my nieces from school and we spent the afternoon playing hide&seek
Painting Pottery&Little girl toes
Eating frozen yogurt

Family

Trevor and I got my dad tickets to the Lakers V Nuggets this last weekend and it was the best time we have had together as a family in so long. He was the happiest I have ever seen him!! Well, not ever but he was veeerrrryyyy happy. His smile was uncontrollable and he was giddy like a kid. I couldn't have been happier to be there with him and my mom, brother and his gf. It was pure happiness. I love my family:)

Beautiful Sun

*Sunset at Morro Rock*