Catching Up

I haven't posted in over a month. I say posted, because in my mind, I have written a lot.

I think in blog throughout the day.

I take trips and think...hmm...I should blog that.

I have a WONDERFUL day at work and think...hmm...I should blog that.

I make a yummy dinner and think...hmm...I should blog that.

I decide on goals for the new year and think...you guessed it, I should blog that. :)

Well, clearly, I haven' t been blogging. I have tons to write about, but I haven't. Don't know.

But, get excited...or remove me from your reader...because I am about to post post post. Lots of back posts so that I can get my blog updated on what has been going on in my life this past month. And...I'm even going to try to post what's currently going on so I won't find myself in the constant process of back-blogging. :)

More California...

The crowning glory of the trip out west was definitely the National Championship game, but I decided when I booked my ticket that if I was going to make a trip out there...I was going to cross a few other things off my list as well.

My sweet friend April and her hubby Jordan have lived in California for as long as I've known them. I love visiting my friends, so it made perfect sense to make a visit to San Marcos. They were such gracious hosts! Thank you both again for bei

ng so welcoming.

The game was on Thursday, but I didn't fly home until Mon

day. That gave us plenty of time to relax and take in the sights. Kevin and I made our list of things we w

anted to do and just kept driving until it was all accomplish

ed.

First on the list was to see and put my feet in the Pacific Ocean. It was a bit chilly, but I did it. One more thing checked off the bucket list!

About mid-way through last year, I stumbled across Marla's blog. I love her. She's so real and one of my favorite bloggers. Well, last year, she and her f

amily decided to visit 52 zoos in 52 weeks. That's 52 zoos in a year. The stories behind the trips are incredible...and Marla does a great job of sharing how God totally worked to make it happen.

Well, one of the zoos they went to was the World Famo

us San Diego Zoo. I decided right after I read that post that I wanted to go to that zoo one day.

We spent almost 5 hours at the zoo...and could have spent much longer. There was so much to do and see. Thank goodness there was a double decker bus that you could ride! They also had a fun sky ride that gave you a great view...and the animals, oh the animals.

The zoo was HUGE and you could tell they had really worked to keep the animals in something as close to their natural habit at as possible.

All in all, the zoo was great...worth every penny...and so many things I loved, but there is one thing that I had never gotten to do before that I know I will never forget...

Remember the Rose Bowl

I called my Dad frantically on December 5. Alabama was beating Florida in the SEC Championship and it looked as if we would be headed to the Rose Bowl. I wasn't able to get to a computer, so I needed him to do me a favor and book my plane ticket to the west coast. It took a little convincing. Since it was only the 3rd quarter, he wasn't quite as confident as I was, but by the end of the game, I could proudly proclaim that I would be going to California. It would take a few more days to find out if I got tickets to actually go to the game...thankfully, I did. :)

The trip out there was definitely one for the books. I'm so happy that I was able to cross Rose Bowl off of my bucket list. I've been an Alabama fan my entire life and for the longest time, I was afraid I would never get the chance to see my team play there. Now that the BCS is part of college football, the SEC gets the chance...but only every 4 years. Those aren't great odds, but apparently, they were just good enough.

Once I got to California, I met up with my friend Kevin. It was great to have someone else in charge of getting me places! I just gave the address and he figured it out. Loved it! Our flights came in the day of the game, so we didn't have a ton of time to walk around before, but I was just happy that we were there before the kickoff.

We got a great parking place about 5 minutes from the stadium and began our walk. I don't think I've ever anticipated seeing something as much as I anticipated seeing the Rose Bowl. That's probably why when I turned the corner and saw this sign, I almost started hyperventilating. No, but really.

Cell phone service was real spotty...not good when you're trying to meet up with people. So thankful that my calls were able to be received by sweet Abby. It had been almost a month since I had seen her last, so I was uber excited to find her! Isn't she just the cutest little Alabama fan??

Once we got into the stadium, it was even better than I could have ever imagined. I know it's called the Rose BOWL..but now I know why. It really is like a big bowl. Not near as high up as most of the stadiums that I've been to, but incredibly deep.

There were a few moments when things got pretty intense, but for the most part, I found myself enjoying it all and soaking it all up. I mean, it's not everyday that you get to watch your team win a National Championship...though, I'm hoping that this is something that we will get to do a lot more!

Thanks to my wonderful grandfather, we had excellent seats. I loved being able to sit with my grandparents, uncle and cousin. The reason I love Alabama so much is because of my family. It was only fitting that we cheer our team on sitting together. ROLL TIDE!!

I don't ski...but I love youth

Who says you have to ski to chaperone a youth ski trip?!?!

Ever since a little episode with me, some skiis and a black diamond mountain a few years ago, I have done my very best to stay far far away from anything to do with skiis. But, when it comes to youth and chaperoning, let's just say I can't get enough of it. I love spending time with them. Finding out what's going on in their minds...well, I don't know if I was able to actually succeed in that.

Over the course of 4 days, we only had two that had to be taken to ski patrol...only one of those went to the emergency room. Considering 3/4 of the group that went had never skied before, I'd say that's pretty good.

When it was all said and done, I was incredibly sleep deprived, but overflowing with love for my Savior and those kids. What a blessing it was to do life with them for a few days!