10

The best thing about 10 was being in Mrs. Savitsky's class. She cared so much about each one of us finding our own way and being creative individuals. She was such an encouraging teacher and we had so much fun in her class...in spite of a lot of strong personalities. Good things about 5th grade: Future Problem Solving Internationals, our pirates unit, the secret little nook where I stuck my desk for a day...then, I had to rejoin the rest of the class.

A Tiny Tribute

Montise Jones Biber

She was a feisty, fast-driving woman who spoke her mind and had a dramatic flair. She was beautiful. And, she was my grandmother. At

91 years old, she lived a longer life than most. She saw almost a century's worth of changes and events, but more importantly she was a part of our lives. We will remember her for her generosity. We will remember her incredible skill with crossword puzzles. We will remember her dry sense of humor and how she liked to laugh.

While I am overwhelmed by the idea that she is no longer on this earth, I feel a calm, as well. Gram is in a place of peace and joy. And, she knew that she was loved. While I would have cherished the opportunity to tell her how much I loved and appreciated her one more time, I know I didn't need to. Every time I told her that I loved her so much, she would respond, "I know, honey. I love you, too." It was as if I didn't even need to tell her in the first place.

I know Gram saw a bit of herself in me. I could tell by they way she looked at me with a shared mischief in her eyes. I will miss her, but I will carry her with me for the rest of my life.

We love you, Gram.

Two by Two

13...The best thing about 13 was singing. I discovered that I was actually good at something that I loved doing. I joined choir and started taking voice lessons. Although I found the competitive nature of singing/choir a bit off-putting, I loved learning how to sing well. After taking a long break from really doing any singing, I've started singing again at church. It's amazing and strange how I feel like that 13 year-old all over again.

12...The best thing about 12 was English with Mrs. Potts. She was so delightful and encouraging. I remember being so passionate and excited about the writing we did in that class.

The Men I Love

Bah!

I'm about to quit...seriously.

Okay.

15...Diving. I joined my first swim team at Azionaqua when I was 6. I remember asking my mom if I should tell them that I was 7, since I would be in July. We swam competitively through every summer and many winters. When we hung out at the pool, though, the diving well was my favorite to be. After a freshman swimming season spent envying what the divers were doing at the other end of the pool, I quit swimming. I was so excited to be a diver. Of course, it kind of stunk to hear on the announcements every week, "Amy Reckel won diving."

14...hmm. The best thing about 14 was being in the incredibly awkward freshman English class with Dana Bacon. She talked about inappropriate dreams, hit on Mike Anderson, and talked about being college roommates with my mom. So awesomely weird.

This is funny...

Go to this link and watch the video. This blog always makes me smile or laugh out loud.

Sweet 16

The best thing about 16 was the pair of sweet K2 skates I got for my birthday. That, and driving Baby!

I'm going to try to find a photo to scan from my high school photo box...

Countdowns are tricky.

I don't know why I thought doing a daily countdown was a good idea. I am a procrastinator. I keep thinking that I'll get to the blogging later. Then, I don't. It's the classic story of pretty much every school assignment I ever had. So, I guess we'll play catch up again...

19...The best thing about 19 was living with Court in an apartment with a crazy person. Seriously. Crazy. Who knew I'd mention kuteflute on my blog?! Example of the crazy: She began to remove vital items from our kitchen that she had contributed...can opener, spatula, etc. When asked about it, she had no idea. We later accidentally found all of the missing items under her desk.

18...The best thing about 18 was finally being able to buy my own tobacco products. Just kidding! It was the anticipation of starting college. Even if the reality didn't match up with the excitement.

17...The best thing about 17 was being awarded the prestigious "Best Actress" award for my stirring interpretation of the mom in "Father of the Bride." That award has clearly taken me far.

My Husband

Jose once asked me if I could take a whole series of pictures of him doing his day to day activities to hang up all over our house. It's not that he's a particularly vain person. He just loves looking at photos of himself. So, here is Jose hitting on the tennis ball machine.

Boys

It's good to have people that you can count on nearby. Mo is one of those people. She babysits for Griff, she was my go-to person at school, and I always have fun when we're together. So, I was so happy to be able to do something for her. We had the pleasure of having a sleepover with her boys. Jose took them to a movie and rode bikes with them. And, they gave us plenty of laughs. Today we even spent time at the tennis courts.

20 Days to Go

Spending time with family is the best. We've had some good time with Jose's side of the family recently. As I type, Joe and Georgia are at the Rockies game. We spent a lovely afternoon sitting outside and chatting. We are excited to head back to Indiana at the end of the month for Becca's wedding (Hooray!). And, it will be so fun to spend my birthday with my family.

Along the same lines, the best thing about 20 was hiking on the Appalachian Trail with Court. We hiked through lots of rain and slept with cold, dirty toes, but nothing beats some quality sister time!

Underwater Adventure

We had a little family date to the aquarium today. Griffin seemed quite fascinated by all of the floating creatures.

21

Woohoo! It may seem a little peculiar, but the best thing about 21 was all of the busyness of my senior year of college. Traveling with the speech team. Taking 22 credit hours. Planning my someday classroom. Observing in the laboratory/preschool on campus. Going to kickboxing. Sometimes...busy is good.

21 days to go!

And, I just had my 100th blog post!

Griffin

You wanted a little more, didn't you?

A Bit Behind

Let's get caught up, shall we?

25 Days: The best thing about 25 was, of course, meeting Jose. Who knew that a few marginally awkward emails, several laugh-inducing phone calls and a lengthy dinner at Piscos would lead to such a happy life? I had several people tell me that they met their husbands at 25 and that 25 is just a good age. It was!

24 Days: The best thing about 24 was going to Kenya...not the camera getting stolen, sitting in the police station part, but the walking with giraffes, meeting beautiful people, and singing with the children part. And, it was a dream come true.

23 Days: The best thing about 23 was the act of moving to Denver. Even though my mom and I almost ran out of gas in Kansas and Ike peed all over the floor in that bed and breakfast downtown (I can still see that guilty look on his face!), I felt like I was stepping straight into an adventure.

22 Days: The best thing about 22 was Court and Ryan's wedding. Come one, remember how good it was. The dress. That huge tent in the backyard. The rain. And, how it stopped. Dancing late into the night. So good.

Phew.

And, a little Griff for good measure.

Happy 4th of July!

It was a bit of a drag for Griffin's first Fourth of July. It's cold and rainy. We couldn't even grill. But, Griff still ate well!

And...26 days...the best thing about 26 was Jose and my beautiful wedding in Rosemary Beach. We just had our 2 year anniversary. Hooray!

27 Days

The best thing about being 27 was coming home from work every day to my husband!

And, I think I need a pedicure.

28 Days...

The best thing about 28 was, of course, December 3. We love this sweet boy so very much. Griff can bring a tear to Jose's eye, make me smile in the middle of the night, and, I'm sure, can win Ike over.

It's July, Everybody!

I do love summer! I know so many people treasure spring...but, oh, summer! I love it.

29 days until I turn 29. Where did 28 go? I feel like I just got comfortable saying that I'm 28. Ask Jose. He doesn't know that I'm 28. He still thinks that I'm 25. Well, I'm going to do a little countdown to 29. Why? Why not?!

So...29 days to go. Another page turns...

I think that one of the best things about 29 will be all of the milestones that I'll witness in Griff's life.