Yo, Mama!

Holy Moses! Almost a year since I've written on here. Just shows it was a CRAZY year! But in the present happening, I must give a shout-out ("Hi, MOM!") before I go on to the nitty-gritty... I mean, the events of the year...

I think you all know my mom, and that we haven't always had the greatest of moments (I think when I was 13, she really might have wanted to send me somewhere. I wouldn't blame her). But over the years, she has become a great strength to me, someone I can go to for practical advice and to hear a joke or two. She proves to me that she really does know who I am deep down, and that she knows exactly what I want to hear. She's a great support, and I love my Mama! Happy Mother's Day!

So, almost exactly a year ago, I quit my bank job and took a month break (so needed!) before I started work at Gozzer Ranch as a camp counselor. Working there provided the busiest, craziest, most fun and adventure-filled summer I could dream up in CDA. I met some super awesome people, hung out with some fun kids, and learned to wake board and wake surf. I spent the whole summer outside and I am stoked to do it again!

Right after the last day of Gozzer (literally, the very next day), I moved to Moscow, Idaho to continue my education at U of I. God has totally blessed me in this area of my life and I am so happy where I am in my education and the great plans God has for them! Through this, He has filled my life with amazing supportive people who really believe in me, push me to grow

deeper in my learning, and I am a better person because of it.

I finally got to a place where I didn't want a relationship and was totally content on where I stood in this area of my life. Cue Rob. It was the first day of class, in the first class (7:30 am! Yikes!) and as I walked in I saw some emo dude flirting with the professor. He caught my eye simply because he was a guy dressed in all black, with a beard, in a classroom full of girls... And he talked a lot. Right after class I went to work at the Bagel Shop and who walks in? Rob. Come to find out, we also go to the same church, work almost every shift together and have class together every day. At first he thought I was the annoying new girl and I thought he was a jerk. But with my magical and unobservant ways, I had him asking me out by the end of the day- which I didnt realize at first. He kept asking until a week later we went on our first date. And, voi-la! We started dating and it has been 9 months. We couldn't be happier! (Plus: his baby girl, Abbie, is an incredible joy in my life! God has filled my life with love, an ever-growing ability to love, and there is no

way I can ever repay Him!)

Precious Miss Abbie!

This summer I am heading home and continuing with summer session (12 credits. Lord, help me!), working at Gozzer, and looking forward to spending a lot of free time with my amazing family, catching up with my dear friends, training for half-marathons (goal!), and helping out with Think Pink, Inc. (http://www.thinkpinkboise.com/). Rob will be down in southern Idaho working at a YMCA camp as a director. 3.5 months apart! It will be hard, but we know we can do it!

Well, blah blah blah, I know, but thank you so much for reading! I love you all, and thank my family and friends for their love and support.

XOXO,

Alaina