CALIFORNIA!!!

California was amazing!  It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited.  I love all the palm trees, beaches, and the houses on the hills.  Bryan and I had a great time!

When we got there on Sunday, we just explored the area.  These are shots from the Pacific Coast Highway.

Downtown Huntington Beach, Surf City USA!!  Our hotel was in Huntington Beach.

We couldn't believe all the volleyball nets!

The view from Huntington Beach pier.

Monday we drove to Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Hollywood for the day.

Rodeo Drive

Hollywood

Climbing the steps to the Kodak Theater

That's for you mom!

Tuesday we ate lunch at In-N-Out burger which is a must in California.

View from Balboa Island

Wonderful shopping in Newport Beach.  It was a huge, open mall with some amazing stores.

Laguna Beach

View from the hills.  All of the houses have ocean views.

That's all for tonight because I am exhausted and I have to return to work tomorrow.  I am going to bed early.  I have a few more things I want to share with you but I will get to them later.  

Our trip was amazing!

Spring Adoption Conference

Bryan and I attended our Adoption Agency's Spring Conference today.  Our agency is so good about keeping us informed and making sure we are prepared for placement.  Today they had a birthmother talk to us and some other couples that adopted babies through the agency.  Each adoption story is different and unique and I feel like I could listen to their stories all day long.  Usually there is not a dry eye in the crowd! 

 This was our third conference and we left there today feeling very ready for placement.  Bryan and I talked about how we are ready to be the ones to come back and share our adoption story.

It is always great to see all of the adoption agency families.  Some are waiting and some already have their children but we all have so much in common with each other.  It's very easy to talk to these people because we have all walked in each other's shoes. All of our journeys are different but we all have the same goal:  to become parents.

I just want to thank Gretchen and Doris who always work so hard to plan these meetings for us.  You guys are great at making sure we are prepared and ready for our little miracles!

  

The Vintage Pearl

I can't wait until I can order one of these necklaces with Baby Pruitt's name on it!  I think it would make an awesome gift for a new mother. These designs are from The Vintage Pearl.  They have a wonderful blog, check it out.

What I love right now...

I love my new earrings that I got for $8 from Avon!

I love electricity! 

We had some terrible storms come through last night and we lost power.  For the first time this morning, I had to get ready for work with no power.  It was not fun!  I had to shine the flashlight towards the shower while I tried to take a bath.  Then I had to pick out my clothes in the dark.  Finally, I decided to pack it up and finish at school.  I don't know when it came back on but we have power now.  Electricity is something you really take for granted until you don't have it.

I love all my upcoming plans!

Bryan and I have a very busy schedule coming up.  We have our Spring Adoption Conference, a trip to California, and a trip to the beach.  I can't wait!  Right now in our lives, we really like to stay busy so that we can keep our minds busy.

I love Bethenny Frankel!

Yes, I watch her reality show on the Bravo channel and she makes me laugh out loud.

I hope everyone is loving something right now!

Update on Grandmother

My grandmother is doing so much better!  They have changed her medication and she is getting back to normal. They really think the first medication they had her on caused her to become dehydrated.  Her speech is still a little slurred but overall she is doing much better.  The doctor has recommended for her to do some rehab just for about a week to work on her balance. 

Thanks for your prayers!

I hope everyone has a great week!

Last night & Today

Last night, we met for dinner to celebrate a special woman's 50th birthday!  Rhonda is a wonderful friend of mine who I have worked with for a long time.  Rhonda was my mentor my first year of teaching.  She is a great  person and I love working with her everyday.  

Her party was a surprise!

Rhonda actually started crying she was so surprised!

Angela, Rhonda, & Phil

Karen, Rhonda, & Rachel

Emily, Truman, & Dana

Angela & Me

We had a great time and I can't believe we pulled off the surprise!

Today I decorated the house for Spring.  I went to Target and got some new pillows for my front porch and I hung my spring wreath on the front door. 

Bryan had to cut the grass for the first time and he loves how green it is growing!  It is looking really good.

While I was at Target, I picked up a little outfit for Baby P.  I always look through the baby section and thought this little outfit would work for boy or girl.

I love the little bear on it.

Tomorrow I am going to visit my grandmother who is back in the hospital.  She was admitted on Friday due to dehydration but they have found some more problems.  I will update you tomorrow on her progress.  Please keep her in your prayers.