HALT! WHO AM I! OUR OWN IDENTITY

These were the words of the talk from Mary Ellen Edmunds on Friday evening at Time Out For Women.  Time Out For Women is a weekend full of motivational talks, singing, sharing, laughing, crying and growing.  Mary Ellen Edmunds is one of my favorite people.  I have known her since I was 4.  She went to nursing school with my Aunt Julie and she used to bring her guitar and come to my grandparents home and sing silly songs to my sister Lynette and I.  Over the years, I have seen her at different family events and Friday evening I was honored and blessed to hear her uplifting words.  She likened us to a carrot.  When you plant a carrot seed, it knows it is a carrot.  It doesn't decide to be a turnip or a potato.  It is destined to be a carrot.  With care and nourishment, it grows and becomes something beautiful and tasty. 

We each have our own identity and nobody can take that away from us.  We are each different and unique.That is what we are meant to be.  With the proper nourishment and caring, we are daughters of a Heavenly Father who loves us.  Throughout the thorns of life, sometimes we are lost and we don't appear to be who we are destined to be.  The world gives us many reasons not to be beautiful and reach our full potential. 

Over the past weekend, I realized I am very dusty and covered with weeds.  It is time to come out, remove the dust and weeds and be my full potential.  This is not an overnight process or a week long process, but the rest of my lifetime process.  One step at a time.

Senior Dinner

Tyler's grad slide.  This is hard to see.  I am going to try to get a copy from the school and I will repost.  The yellow background on the slide means he graduated with HONORS. 

Garrett Crabb.  This is Tyler's best buddy.  He got an English award and they honored Garrett by giving him a Kindle.  He loves to read and was so very excited.

Tyler with his SENIOR ROSE!

As they called each senior up to receive their rose, they asked each student if they wanted to thank anyone.  This is Tyler standing next to Edee, his absolute favorite teacher at VPHS.

Tyler thanking the staff.

Tyler gave a heartfelt thank you to each one of the staff members who had helped him make it through this year.

My Tyler.

Kira Aarestad and Tyler.  She played a very influential part in his classes this year.  She was his Poetry / English teacher.

Tyler and Maura.  Tyler did not have her as a teacher, but he really liked her.

Tyler and Taylor Watkins - his girlfriend.

Taylor and Tyler. 

Tyler and Meredith Changeoux.  She is an amazing teacher and Tyler will always remember her.  Her husband is from Haiti and they have a foundation.  Tyler helped with their fundraiser a week ago and hopes to someday go to Haiti with Meredith and her husband to volunteer at their boys home/school.

Tyler went to Vantage Point High School for his senior year.  It is the alternative school in Adams 5 Star School District.  Unfortunately "ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOLS" get a bad name.  Let me put a plug in for this school - SIMPLY AMAZING.  There are only approximately 240 kids in the entire school.  It is NOT for bad kids, just kids to have a hard time coping in a traditional school setting.  It is the best school ever!  Tyler had an amazing experience at this school, which allowed him to graduate on time.  Wednesday, May 18th was his senior dinner.  All the seniors were invited to share with two people of their choosing to come, have dinner and honor the graduating seniors.  One of the teachers, Tracy Schuster, created a slide show presentation of all the graduating seniors.  Each had a picture of their choosing, had their senior quote and a couple facts about each student.  Of the 63 graduates, three students graduated with "HONORS", Tyler being one of them. 

Update

The last month has been crazy busy.  My sister, Janet (the Boss) turned 40.  It was low key because I was getting prepared for Tyler's Graduation.  This summer will be a make up party for her.  We took her to Macaroni Grill for her birthday dinner.  It was YUMMY!  I got her 3 slices of cheesecake from the Cheesecake factory - Key Lime (her favorite), Vanilla Bean and Peanut Butter Cup. 

She has always been there for me, to support me, to help me in raising Tyler.  She loves Tyler so much and would do anything for him.  She works two jobs, she is funny, loves shopping and shoes.

Dogs love Janet.  Once when she went to the groomers with me to pick up Sadee, all of the dogs that were there to be groomed rolled over for a belly rub.  She is the queen of belly rubs for dogs.  There is something about her that dogs can sense.  We call her Cesarita Milana (the female version of Cesar Milan, the dog whisperer).  She talks to them and they listen.  It is so funny.  My dogs LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her.

I love her and can always count on her to make me laugh no matter what is going on!  Happy Birthday to the BOSS.

Introducing...

Britlee Rayne Packer
April 10th, 2011
11:00 p.m.
7 pounds, 20 inches

Proud parents: Justin and Kelli Packer.

I am a great aunt! Justin is my oldest nephew, the son of my sister and brother-in-law Lynette and Terry Packer.  Justin and his wife Kelli live in Rexburg, Idaho while Justin is working and going to school. 

 Proud Mom, Kelli, with new daughter Britlee

Britlee

I want my dad!

Spiritual Nourishment

This is some spiritual nourishment I received while listening to General Conference this weekend.  I think these words were spoken directly to me. 
neglecting prayer, scripture study, temple attendance, and visiting teaching jeopardizes our testimony.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Taken at Coors Field April 26th, 2010

Alas!  The 19th Season of Colorado Rockies Baseball begins today at 1:05 p.m. at Coors Field in LoDo.  Spring training was great this year and maybe this is the year the Rockies will be our home town heroes and bring us to the playoffs.  There is so much excitement downtown and working downtown makes it more fun.  Baseball is the talk of the town today and I wish I had tickets to this opening day game.  78 degrees is supposed to be the temperature here.  Wish I was headed to the game instead of working today.  GO ROCKIES!

March Madness 2011

Tyler & Daniel at the Pepsi Center

It pays to have friends who happen to be co-workers, who have lucky winning skills.  This picture of Tyler and his friend Daniel were the recipients of tickets to the BYU game on March 17th at the Pepsi Center.  BYU won and these young men were in heaven!

Self-Worth

One Flaw in Women -
Women have strengths that amaze men...
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they think there
is no strength left.
they know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or email you
to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what
makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their
family and friends.
Women have vital things to say
and everything to give...
HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Hard Work Pays Off!

I provide administrative support to several people at my job.  I was asked by a Vice President to assist in the absense of one of his team members.  I got this bouquet of flowers and the note attached to the bouquet that read: THANK YOU, Colleen - partnering with you has been specacular.  Thank you so very much for all your help.  I can't begin to tell you how much you are appreciated.  Ero Johnson & the entire Endowment Funds Team.

Valentine's Day

Growing up I looked forward to Valentine's Day - waiting to see the fanciest, sweetest, or silliest cards I would receive.  One time in my entire life I received the most gorgeous dozen pink roses from Tyler's dad.  I dried them and saved them for a very long time. 

Today my Valentine's post is dedicated to my son Tyler.  18 years ago, I was pregnant.  I worked at Stationers Distributing Company.  I used to take my lunch hour and go sit in my car and take a nap.  That day I felt Tyler move for the first time.  It was the so exciting to me.  Every Valentine's Day I think of being alone, pregnant, but feeling my baby move is my fondest memory of Valentine's Day, even 18 years later.

Happy Valentine's Day to my Tyler Scott!

Snow and Cold Go Away

Denver has hardly had any snow until the last month. Now we are in a deep freeze. This is the forecast high today. Only 93 days until Spring 2011 - please hurry and get here. I am ready for cool morning, warm days and perfect evenings.

What's In Your Bag?

I have been thinking about baggage and what we carry around. Just like our lives, sometimes our bags get cluttered with papers, receipts, notes, reminders and other things that we think we need.

I have alot of baggage - sometimes I think that my baggage has inhibited me from finding a mate. An opinionated, single mom with a strong-willed son are not always what men are looking for.

It is time to really evaluate what I am carrying around in my bag. Maybe it is time to unload my excess from my bags and only carry what is necessary.

Right now I am carrying around what seems to be a 2 ton suitcase. It is full of life's lessons learned, my strong-willed son and my beliefs. These are my most prized possessions.

What are you carrying in your bag?

Have Joy

Our path to full joy leads right through tribulation. This has been my life lately.
Endure the pressure.... not always easy.
Do not bail when life gets tough. I am trying to be strong.

Checking out the Snow

I love this dog. This picture says it all... as he is looking out the window checking on Sadee and the snow.

2011

Who am I...
A mother...
A daughter...
A sister...
A friend...
Loves fashion and shopping...
A Girly Girl....

What was 2010...

Full of challenges

Missing my son

Dealing with doctors

Learning to deal with Tyler's depression

Working too hard

Struggling personally

What I look forward to in 2011...
New business opportunities
Work hard...play harder
Tyler's high school graduation

Summer weather
Taking a real vacation
Working out
Reaching my goal weight
Reading more books
Worry less what others think of me
Learn to love myself more
Taking a real vacation
Continue my work outs
Reach my goal weight (-34 in 2010)
Finishing projects

Happy New Year

Tyler and Dulce
Tyler - December 29th

Welcome 2011.

I am excited for a new year. Good bye to 2010. It was a year full of challenges. I am looking forward to a new start and good things happening. Tyler is half way through his Senior year in High School. To date, this has been the best year of school for him. I am grateful for his new high school and the programs they have in place. It has made a world of difference for him and good things have happened for him. For the first quarter, he had a 3.5 grade point average and was on the honor roll. We have not received the final 2nd quarter grades, but I expect that they are very similar to the first quarter. Yeah Tyler! He will graduate from Vantage Point High School on May 19th, 2011!

He has a very nice girl friend he met at a concert. Her name is Dulce and she actually attends Northglenn High and remembered Tyler when he attended that school. He has made some really good friends in the singles ward in our stake and has decided to attend the singles ward. He went to Salt Lake the Saturday - Tuesday prior to Christmas with Beth, Jesse and Daniel - all friends he has been hanging out with from the singles ward. They are great kids and I am thankful for their example and friendship with Tyler.