TWO TIME NCAA BRACKET CHAMPION, yep that's right me!

I work in an office of all men; they spend months planning their NCAA brackets, they research, and strategize. Then there is me! I had to be talked into filling out my bracket and completed it in five minutes with no skill whatsoever involved. I completed it by simply looking at the two teams and making the most random guess I could. Somehow I ended up with Kansas winning! The funny thing is not only was I the only one to pick Kansas but I actually did really good before then. Hank was like, "where did you come up with Kansas?" and I was like "I don't know"! Well Kansas served me well and I am now $65 richer. The best part is that I totally won by chance last year; so that makes me the TWO TIME REIGNING CHAMPION. I would be more excited but I think every guy in the office wants to kill me right now especially when I tell them I am going to spend the money on bridal shower gifts and pedicures!


THE WINNING SHOT!

INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN

Lately I have been sitting back and looking at the women in my life. Some are always around me and some I am only in aquantince with for a brief time. However, I have realized that I am surrounded by strong women that truly inspire me. Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to spend some time with the woman below in my pictures. Her name is Tara Skaggs and her husband, a former player of the Blaze, passed away unexpectedly from a brain tumor last season. As you can see in the pictures below we did a game dedicated to the celebration of Justin's life as well as retired his number with the trademark camo(he was an avid hunter). This last week I spent time getting to know Tara and she truly inspired me. She is one of the strongest women I know. She has taken on the trial of losing her young husband and being left a lone to raise her two small children. It has only been nine months since her loss, yet Tara has made the best out of the situation and has such a positive attitude. Just being around her made me want to be a better person. I didn't want to make this post sad but I did want to honor Justin as well as thank the inspiring women in my life. I really started thinking about what a strength Tara is and how I can become a strong woman like her and the other women in my life. Thank you all for being inspiring women to me!


Tara and her cute kids Jake and Abbie

Framed Jersey, those are my legs and polka dot shirt behind, they told me don't let you head stick out. I think I did a good job of hiding!

Retired Number 3. This will hang at all of our games!

How to Date Your Spouse...

Ok so I was driving into work today and the author of this book came on to promote it. While it is probably kind of cheesy I was really impressed by some of her ideas that she had for fun, easy, romantic and cheap dates to keep the marriage and spice alive, which I know we all LOVE! I looked it up and her book is only twelve dollars so not too bad. Her website is www.howtodateyourspouse.com
I think I am going to pick up a copy so you might see some future posts on my new found dating life. And for those of you with kids she had great dates for even when you can't find a babysitter. Anyways I thought you all might enjoy because I definately thought she did a good job.

BLAZE EVENT

I had another Blaze Event this weekend and my family is so sweet and came to support me. They had a great time meeting the players and dancers, but most of all getting free lunch from Jason's Deli. We got some great pics so I decided to make a slideshow!

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Well we survived. We are back safe and sound from our second adventure in the Dominican Republic. While I love the expriences and memories we made there truly is no place like home. Coming home to my wonderful house and running water 24 hours a day makes me so grateful for what we have and the country that we live in. I have millions of pics and I might do a slideshow but I wanted to get up a couple of the pictures that sum up our trip. Probably the highlight of our trip was being able to take our special boy Jaquin to spend 2 days with us. His grandma had to take a bus to go get his papers and we volunteered to take him for the time. We thought six adults one child NO BIGGIE, WOW were we wrong. He is a wild child but that is what makes him so special. He has grown up on the streets so when we are like stay by our sides, don't run, be quiet he is like what is wrong with these people. However, we survived the 24-48 hours and will have memories to last a lifetime. We took him to the pool and to the buffet. I don't know if I have ever seen someones eyes light up so big when we said you can eat as much as you want. We told him to never forget the day he was King for the Day and he grinned from ear to ear. I could on and on about the great experiences and the not so great but hopefully some of the pics do the trick. Our random group was a blast and we will never forget our trip!

BOCA DE YUMA a little beach town we stayed in!

Boat Ride to a Private Beach and our D.R. Hookup Juan Carlos

Jaquin having the time of his life, splashing all the old people laying by the pool!

Saying Goodbye to Jaquin, a very hard day for everyone!

The Group, we bonded so much and will have memories to last a lifetime!

Dominican Cuties

Hank and Jaquin

D.R Take TWO!

So we are taking a kind-of spur of the moment trip to the Dominican Republic! I know not a place that you just say hey lets go to a foreign country, but after our amazing experience last time we have kept in touch with some poeple, got a hook-up on flights and said why not! Also we have made a very special bond with one little boy. His name is Jaquin Trinidad (pictured below) and I love him. He is ten years old and a special boy. Hank and I along with some other generous contributors got him set up to go to school and at 10 years old he is finally going to school for the first time in his life, can you believe it? We don't really know why we feel such a connection to this boy but I hope that we can make a difference in his life. I am so excited to see him this week and I hope that we can make some more progress in putting his life in the right direction. He is a special kid with a special spirit and a lot of potential!
I will definately be posting pictures when I return, but in the meantime. ADIOS AMIGOS!

ABC TAG

A- Attached or Single? Attached
B- Best Friend? Hank and my Sisters
C- Cake or pie? Cake all the way!
D- Day of choice? Friday, no work for 2 days
E- Essential Item? Lip Gloss
F- Favorite Color? Yellow today could be Blue tommorow
G- Gummy Bears or Worms? Worms, but I would take them both
H- Hometown? Bountiful Utah
I- Favorite Indulgence? Cookies. Chocolote Chip
J- January or July? July, warm weather and my birthday!
K- Kids? Not Yet!
L- Life isn't complete without? Family, I love them.
M- Marriage date? September 21st, 2006
N- Number of brothers and sisters? One big brother and 3 big sisters. I'm the baby and love it.
O- Oranges or Apples? Apples, lately I have an obsession with apples. I have at least one a day.
P- Phobia and fears? I'm not really scared of very many things, but I guess I fear losing someone close to be me. I have been pretty lucky so far.
Q- Quote? "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending"
R- Reason to smile? Coming home to my wonderful husband!
S- Season of choice? Spring, you appreciate the sunshine and green grass.
T- Tag three people? Adrien, Sara Jane, Bekah, Jackie!
U- Unknown fact about me? This isn't unknown but maybe a random fact-I didn't get my ears pierced until I was a sophomore in College.
V- Vegetable? Cucumbers
W- Worst habit? Biting my nails. I am horrible and my mom says I have been doing it basically since I was born. Some day I will conquer it.
X-Ray or Ultrasound? Only had an x-ray
Y- Your favorite food? I love soup from Zupas, or Sushi from Mikado
Z- Zodiac sign? Cancer