The 24th Weekend

This weekend was another fun filled weekend up at Bear Lake with friends and family. It was so warm and wonderful during the day. The water was just perfect, and it cooled off at night. I love to sit around the camp fire at night and watch all the fireworks. I love Bear Lake so much I could live there during the summer, not the winter. It is my break from reality, it's a small town feel. I don't think about anything when I am there, it is a great release from my busy and sometimes overwhelming life. Here are a few pictures from a great weekend.

This was my weekend wake boarding experience. It is still a work in progress. I am grateful to my dad who had the patience to let me try as many times as I wanted. I am grateful to my mom for taking this picture, she was so excited when I got up, she forgot to take a picture of that. I am a bit sore from being drug behind the boat, but I think I have the getting up part down now. I was even up long enough this year for my dad to turn around and see me!
Here are a few pictures of my new favorite lawn game. Lasso golf. This is my brother, me, and Ang. And yes drinking while playing lasso golf defiantly makes your game better...Ang and I are displaying that in this picture!
I think it is important that your shoes match the golf balls! Oh, and that your drink fits in your pocket! Hehe!! I know my clothes are a little big, but it's camping, no one cares.
Here is the family playing. My mom and dad beat Michael and I in this round. I love my family!
Here is what you throw the golf balls at. The top is one point, yellow is two points, and the bottom red is three points. Thanks to Ang and Michael, the best $15 dollars you spent.
Here is the crazy crew, Jeremy, Ang and Tracy. They are very entertaining, they made for a fun weekend.

Boys????

I just don't understand them. I'm sure they say the same thing about girls, but I just don't think I am that complicated. Now maybe I have some unrealistic expectations of boys, but is it that hard to be a gentleman? Is it that hard to understand that I want them to make the first move? I'm all for the strong, powerful, independent woman, but I still want to be treated like the princess that I am. I still want someone to open the door for me, or walk me to my car. I also want them to be the first one to call me or ask me out. I have a few friends that always tell me that if you like him "ask him out." No, I want him to ask ME out. I might be single for the rest of my life waiting for a boy to make the first move, but I am holding my ground! Just the other day a boy told me, "let me know if you want my number." If I want your number? Why don't you ask for my number? My mom thinks I am going to be single for the rest of my life because I am too picky. I am not picky, I just know what I want, I want a gentleman! I don't think I should settle for someone that won't treat me with the respect I deserve. I have provided a life for myself all on my own, I have proven that I don't "need" a man in my life. I would like a man in my life, but they need to add to my life not take away from it. I know they are few and far between, but I am still convinced that there is a gentleman out there for me.

I Hate Running

Why must I torture myself. I HATE running, but for some stupid reason I do it anyway. I have another 5k in my future. I will be running a 5k on August 16th to benefit the Salt Lake County Children's Justice Center. Although this maybe a good cause, I still HATE running. I thought I would start training again. I haven't ran since I finished my last 5k in April. I ventured out last night, and I think it was hotter than I thought. I was running along when I started to get a headache, and I still have a headache. I think I was dehydrated. I have had a headache and have felt nauseous since last night. And to make things worse, as I was running cursing every person I passed...what...what is that I see...a man walking on the Parkway with an Iceberg shake. I'm out here busting my ass and your eating a shake!!!! I pictured in slow motion...me running him down and taking his shake...I didn't...but I pictured it. As I passed that ass, what do I see...a very cute blonde woman, or should I say twenty something, that I'm not...she is not sweating at all. As I pass her, sweat pouring from me, I think to myself...the only thing that bounces like that on me is my stomach. Running brings out such anger in me. I should stop! But it is for a good cause right?!

Let's Eat Cake

I feel like I have been eating cake for the past month. July is filled with so many birthdays. I love to eat cake, and it is something that I can still eat alot of. I'm glad none of these cakes stayed at my house. I took a piece or two from each, so now I only have to workout an extra hour for each.

First up was my little Zach's birthday on July 1st. Zach turned 3 and loves trains. He was so excited for his cake, but didn't want to share with anyone else.
Next up was my best friend Weezer on July 10th. She is now the big 30, joining my club. Her husband did a great job selecting the grim reaper cake. We ate cake and then went to the Cheesecake Factory, I know a little backwards, but the husband was in charge. We also went to the movies on Saturday as a continuation of the big 30 celebration.

And finally it was my daddy's birthday on the 12th. We had a great family dinner prepared by my fabulous brother. He is a great cook, and all I had to do was pick up the cake and pick up my parents from the airport.

CASA

The background. I really thought that after I graduated college I would continue my work in the social service field. I worked with troubled youth all through college. Most of that time I worked at Valley Mental Health. I loved my work, and some days I really thought that I made a difference. Well making a difference doesn't pay the bills, so now I am a paralegal. I few years ago I started to miss the work. I started to look for volunteer work that would allow me to continue to try and make a difference in one child's life. I selected the CASA program through the Guardian Ad Litems office. There are some difficult cases, but it helps me keep a prospective on my life. Some of these kids have multiple strikes against them before they hit 16.

I was recently assigned a case involving a 4 month old baby. Mom and Dad are not capable of caring for this young child who needs extra medical care. I have been visiting the little one for approximately 1 month up at PCMC. Well today was the first court hearing I have attended. It was so hard to listen to the parent's lawyers try to convince the judge that they could care for this child. I didn't believe it, and I know the judge didn't either. As hard as it is for me to imagine a parent without there child, the judge said it best..."sometimes love just isn't enough." I agree that these parents love their child, I just don't think they have the capabilities to care for him in the manner the child needs. It's hard to imagine that I am making a difference by suggesting that a family be separated, but "sometimes love just isn't enough."

The Bachelorette...

Yes I watch it, and last night was the season finale. After returning from the gym, I turned on my Tivo and started watching. The Bachelorette chose Jesse...really Jesse?

That is not who I pictured her with. I watch this reality television show like I actually know these people. I just couldn't believe it, I'll say it again...Jesse? He just didn't seem to fit into her life, but yet they appeared sooooo happy. She explained that she never would have noticed I guy like Jesse in her actual dating life. Who would choose a pro snow boarder over a financial executive guy? It really had me thinking all day. I think the Bachelorette may have inspired me to venture out of my comfort zone, and start dating people I might not normally date.

I admit that I have a "type." Tall (at least 6 foot), blonde, skinny, kind of dorky looking. I have always been attracted to this "type." But what does that really mean? I guess I haven't really given the short, dark hair boys a chance. Well maybe it's about time...I'm 30 years old, single, with no prospects in sight. My friend Corri reminds me that my "type" has not really turned out so well for me. My "type" has, as of recent, turned out to be LDS, and me not being part of the predominate religion in Utah, things have not turned out. I just continually attract my "type", one in particular currently, but I know that nothing will materialize, and I will continue to remain a single 30 year old, still wondering if he is my "type." Well Bachelorette, not anymore, I will venture out for all my friends that still don't understand why I am single.