Summer Time: Craft Time

Summer time is craft time! We have been super busy refinishing most of the furniture in our house as well as creating a few new pieces. This is what we built.

Before Paint

Painting Process

Finished Product

This was a fun project and the best part was we got to work on it together. Pinterest was the inspiration. We made our own twist by using the french doors. 

May and June Update

I can't believe that busiest part of my summer has already come and gone (I think).

In May my sister Hannah got married. She married a great guy. The guy she has always dreamed about and it was so great to see her so happy and make those eternal covenants in the temple.

This same weekend, yes we are crazy, was my sister Katy's mission farewell. She arrived early this morning in the Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Mission. Can't believe her stay at the MTC has also already come and gone and she serving the Lord in her mission.

Also this same weekend, after Katy's luncheon we had Cody's Eagle Scout Court of Honor.

It was such a neat weekend for my family. I know they are all doing what is right and will be blessed for their efforts.

I had the wonderful privilege to take Katy's mission pictures and Cody's Eagle pictures. I forget sometimes how much I like being behind the camera. Especially when it's been awhile. These are my favorites.

Katy wears her young womanhood award everywhere. 

Jared and I were even able to make it up to Nephi for Katy's setting apart. It was a nice day. We even had time to take some family pictures. Jared just so happens to be the best assistant when it comes to photography. Not sure what I would do without him. This is my mom's favorite. 

It turned out really nice. The lighting was great and we were able to fit it all in with all of us together. 

All in all this has been a great summer. Jared and I were even able to go on a little trip to California before I started working with the Utah Shakespeare Festival. I've been there for about two weeks now and I love it. 

Relizations

Today, as I went to a going away party for a lady who is responsible for my ending up at the school I am working at, in the position I am, I realized something very very important.

This year after graduation has not been a failure, as I have often classified it. No it hasn't been what I wanted it to be, planned for it to be, or expected life after graduation to be. It has been quite the opposite. Perhaps the biggest blessing I could have received.

I know this lady, was divinely inspired to fight for me to have a place, not a position at this school. I belong, I have friends, the kids are my kids. It is where I was meant to be.

This year of part time work, I have just come to realize is not a failure at all, but a wonderful journey. A journey that will change my life forever. All because she fought for me and my place at her school.

I am grateful to her and the impact she has had on my life. For now I will continue to find joy in the journey, realizing there is a plan for me.

Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen Neil Sedaka

Today is my little brother's 16th birthday. This song was played for me on my 16th birthday so I had to share it with him and you.

 

 Seems like the perfect song for a 16th birthday. Enjoy!

Goodbye Daisy

This post is a little delayed. I said goodbye to my Daisy in the end of November. She was my first. We went through a lot together. We even reached 100,000 miles this summer on yet another trip back to Cedar City. Of course I had to stop and document.

Daisy was a great car. I will miss her deeply. As I have grown up I needed a grownup car.

I would now like to introduce you to the newest member of the Hamilton Family:

She is a 2007 Honda Accord. I have caught myself calling this car Daisy a few times. I miss Daisy. We are still trying to come up with just the right name for her. Jared thinks the Blue Tuna is a good name. I disagree. It just isn't the grown up, mature, name I had in mind. If you have a suggestion please let us know.

Blessed

Recently I have had the time to look back on the years I spent in college. The lessons I learned, the friends I made, and all the things I have accomplished. 

I can pinpoint exact moments in my life when I was truly on track with the Lord's plan for my life. Once again, the Lord has been pointing me in the way he wanted me to go. All summer long I searched and searched for jobs. I applied for more than I wish to remember and interviewed for not nearly enough. To only be in the right place as the right time talking to a friend who pointed me in the direction the Lord wanted me. 

I have since been hired by the Iron County School District to be a Special Ed Teachers Aide. This was not a job I had a strong desire to apply for, but Jared and I both felt as though I needed to. Sure enough, it was in fact the one job, out of all the others, I needed to apply for. I interviewed on a Monday. They called and hired me Monday night. There was training on Tuesday and Wednesday. Then school started Thursday. 

It is a challenging job. I can't remember the last time I came home from four hours of work so tired, but I know it is where I need to be. I am grateful for the Lord's guidance in my life and for all the many opportunities that have been awarded to me and to Jared. 

Jared starts school on Monday. Neither of us are looking forward to the semester he has ahead of him, but I know he will do great. As for me, I work about 20 hours a week at Iron Springs Elementary and about 20 hours a week for the SUU Athletic Department. I am so grateful to have jobs that fill my time so I don't lose my mind. 

We are so blessed and couldn't be more happy for where we are at in life. 

Couples

Did you know every time Jared and I go on a trip we meet another couple doing the exact same thing we are? It sounds a little silly and you are probably thinking duh? But seriously, on our honeymoon, we met this couple, Christian and Kristy.

It is kinda hard to tell, but they are sitting next to Jared and I. Christian next to Jared and Kristy next to me.

They were camping in Montana and decided to do the same ziplining and river rafting day of adventure we did. They were even on their honeymoon too!

Then when my family hiked the Subway in Zion National Park a few weeks ago, we met this couple. They were from Switzerland and visiting the US for 4 weeks. They were so nice. Their names were Alexandra and Stephen.

They are the two wearing blue in the back.

Who have you met on your  travels and adventures?