Seven Months

It has been almost seven months since I have written a new post. Seven months since I have updated you on my life. So many things have happened since September 20th; some fun and exciting, others sad and trying. I'm not quite sure where to even begin.

At the end of September, I was back home in Kentucky following the loss of my second cousin, Joy. She was a wonderful person. I looked forward to family functions knowing I would get to see her smiling face. Joy was the one who would always talk to me.  She genuinely cared about what was going on in my life. She always asked what I had been up to and how I was doing. Now I'm not very close to anyone in my mom's extended family, so the fact that Joy would take the time to catch up with me meant a lot. I would leave our conversations with a smile on my face. I always told my parents that she was my favorite and she still is. Joy fought a long, hard battle with breast cancer. Even though she is no longer with us, she didn't lose her fight to cancer. She won. She is in Heaven. She no longer has cancer. She won the battle. She is one of the toughest, bravest women I know. She was a fighter. I will always admire her for that and look to her for strength when I need it.

No idea what happened in October, except I went to San Diego, carved pumpkins, toured the USS Midway and went to Balboa Park.

In November I moved to Mission Viejo. The living situation with the family of three boys just wasn't working out. The house was too small to have a live-in nanny. So I rented a room from a single mom and her 13 year old daughter. I have a huge room and my own bathroom. Plus they are gone most weekends, so I have the entire house to myself those days. It has worked out quite nicely. But with this new room came rent, which is not cheap in California. So I had to find a second part time nanny job.

I started watching Sumair, a two year old boy, at the end of November. I get to drive their Audi Q7...we go to the park, Gymboree, and story time at the San Clemente Library. Sumair is a great little boy too. Unfortunately, Tuesday will be my last day with him. They need someone full time and I was unable to commit.

On November 10th, I received one of the worst phone calls ever. I will never forget it. I was in Target about to check out when my ex-boyfriend called me. He had actually called me earlier but I missed it. So he had sent me a text message that said, "Call me back as soon as you can. Something really bad just happened." Numerous things were running through my mind, but I was not ready for what he was about to tell me. His step-mom, whom I knew, had been killed. He went on to tell me that a guy she had dated followed her to Walmart on that day and shot her in the head. I was in shock. I was shaking. I was crying. I didn't know what to say or do. I immediately called my mom to see if she had heard about this incident in the news. She said she had, but they hadn't released a name yet. I was just devastated. Michelle was an amazing woman. She was very caring and loving. She always gave me advice on dating. I hadn't seen her in a while though. The last time we had talked was last June when I was in town for my sister's wedding. Unfortunately, I did not get the chance to see her then. But I know that she, along with her husband Ricky, are looking down from Heaven and watching over us.

The rest of November was filled with kickball games and photography lessons. I spent Thanksgiving with the twins' family, which was great. I also painted my friend, Leila, a picture of a Stargazer Lily.

Then December came. My friend, Allison, was in town. Technically she was in San Diego visiting her sister, but we got the chance to hang out. It was great seeing her! I built a gingerbread house with Kayla, the 13 year old I live with. Mine was way better than hers. I also went to the Newport Beach Boat Parade. It was lame. My Betta fish, Gryffindor, passed away. He was over three years old and had made the trek from Kentucky to California with me. He had a gnarly tumor on his face though, which had to hurt, so it was his time. Later that month I made a last minute decision to surprise my family and friends for the holidays, which meant an expensive plane ticket home. It was worth it though. I showed up at my parents' door on Christmas day. They had no idea I was going to be there. They both freaked out, but not as much as my sisters did later that day. It was really nice being home for a while and getting the chance to see everyone.

Year 2013 came quicker than expected. That marked one year of being in California.

In January, I played another season of kickball, signed up to run the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon on June 2nd, the twins turned one and I worked a lot.

In February, I found out a guy on my kickball team had a major crush on me. It turned kind of creepy, but he is now out of my life. No worries. I did not have a Valentine's, although creepy guy did give me half dead flowers and a box of Girl Scout cookies. That's a whole nother story though. I took a painting class this month and went indoor rock climbing with Leila. I started frequenting the gym more often and bought tickets the see Justin Timberlake and Jay Z in Chicago on July 22nd!

March marked three months until the half marathon, so I began my training program. I purchased the Justin Timberlake CD. I filled out a bracket for March Madness. It sucks. Louisville is the only team I have left..Go Cards! Flat Stanley arrived from Kentucky for his visit. We went to Tanaka Farms for some strawberry pickin'. I did nothing for St. Patrick's Day, but wear green and go shopping. I got a fortune cookie. My fortune said, "Grand adventures await those who are willing to turn the corner", which happened to be very fitting for me. Kayla and I dyed Easter eggs. I made a Louisville Cardinal egg, which became my prized possession. I went to the gun range. The next day I went to Mariner's Church for Easter Sunday. I also watched the Louisville game.

Now it is April. I haven't been running much lately. I have shin splints. I watched the Louisville game yesterday. I was so nervous, but so stoked when we won!  I went back to Mariner's Church today. I also took a two hour nap. Tomorrow I'm off work, so I am taking Flat Stan to Disneyland and to get my car washed. I leave Thursday to go to Scottsdale, AZ with the twins. Their aunt is getting married this Saturday. I get back on Monday.

In May we are having a yard sale and I also have to move out. The lady I rent from is engaged, so her and her daughter will be moving in with her fiance'. Luckily, the twins' family loves me and said I could live with them for a month. They actually just found a new place and get the keys the beginning of May. It worked out perfectly.

June 2nd is my half marathon. Shortly after, I am road tripping back home to Kentucky! I will be home for about two months then traveling to Southeast Asia to volunteer...and you thought moving to California was crazy!

I am beyond excited for my upcoming adventures and can't wait to see what God has in store for me!