Today

 Felt a little like this today:

Something that made me laugh:

Yes, so after a 2 + month hiatus this post is what I have to offer you folks ;). Hope to return with something of substance soon. Peace.

A Dream to Share

So to start with a little humor, this is what it's looked like on my way to work lately:

Construction looked like it was finished up today... we'll see :)

 

 

And now onto my dream...

It's not a big dream. It's actually quite small. However, it has always been meaningful to me. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to something in a legal/political realm that directly impacts children. One of my first thoughts on how to turn this dream into a reality was through adoption. I am adamantly against abortion and see adoption as a far better option. Especially since there are SO many couples who desire children and are unable to conceive. I remember writing papers about adoption/abortion in high school and college years.

I started out as a Social Work major to bring me closer to the adoption world. Unfortunately, that route did not work out. Even though I chose a different major, adoption would enter my mind often. Spending a summer in D.C. allowed me to meet with some non-profits and individuals who had experiences (sometimes quite personal) with adoption and/or abortion. One conversation in particular reminded me that while adoption is the better choice, it still is not all rainbows and roses. Hearing her story intrigued me even more. I am not sure what yet, but I am certain I will do something pertaining to adoption in this life.

I'm not 100% that Curtis and I will adopt children, but I do know that I thought about it even more in my travels abroad. Specifically in visiting an orphanage in China. However, even though some foreign countries have an abundance of children to be adopted, the need is great in the U.S. as well.

Last summer when I was engaged I started exploring another path that related to my dream of helping children. I am not entirely sure how I happened upon it:

Guardians ad litem are often appointed in divorce cases or in parenting time disputes to represent the interests of the minor children. Guardians ad litem are also used in other family matters involving grandparents obtaining custody or grandparenting time as well as protection orders where one parent is attempting to get an order against another party with a legal connection to the mother of the child. The kinds of people appointed as a guardian ad litem vary by state, ranging from volunteers to social workers to regular attorneys to others with the appropriate qualifications...The guardian ad litem's only job is to represent the minor children's best interests.

I love that last line...."the minor children's best interests."

That's what my dream has been about.
Making sure that each child is taken care of. No matter the situation (divorce, adoption, foster care, abuse, neglect, etc.) the utmost effort should be made to protect the child. In my eyes, the child has done no wrong and usually does not have the capability of protecting him/herself. Therefore, he/she deserves to be understood, protected, and loved.

From what I can find, a Guardian ad litem in Utah must be an attorney (which, stating the obvious, I am not). However there is a Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program, which allows volunteers to be appointed by the Guardian ad litem. Read more about CASA here. Because I do not know how long Curtis and I will remain in Utah (he graduates in April) I do not qualify to apply for CASA just yet (it is usually a year and a half commitment). I am actively looking more into opportunities relating to CASA/GAL.

My hope is that sharing this dream publicly 

will encourage me to DO something about it TODAY! 

{Can I get a little credit for the fact that your reading this now? Please?} 

The need exists. Children everywhere need advocates in a variety of ways.

Yes... I'm aware these model children look FAR from being less fortunate, but you get the picture.

Off to make a dream come true!

The little luxuries of life....

Nothing profound here, but after having no internet at our condo for over 2 weeks I am especially grateful for it. Isn't it funny how we sometimes take the little luxuries in life for granted?

On a more personal note...  I spent time with 2 of my nieces and 1 of my nephews yesterday. I love kids and how much confidence they possess in their youth. I consider that a luxury -- to be carefree, happy, optimistic, and confident as a kid. Maybe they haven't realized who's faster, brighter, stronger, more attractive, or more popular than them. What a great blessing!

Life can get you down when you compare yourself to others. I love this advice from Dr. Seuss:

Reflect on the miracle that is YOU.

Today's Favorite Discovery?

Listening to free audio books while I work.

Goodbye Pandora.

Hello classics I've been meaning to read for a lifetime.

So... I wish it was "printed word" reading, but I'll settle for audio today.

I can pretend like I'm here:

Even though I'm here:

Happy Monday, Friends!

Summer 2011 - Philipp Family Time

Ty's Homecoming

Curt's youngest brother, Ty, came back from his mission to Campinas Brazil on July 12. It was a great celebration for the Philipp family. Curtis and I started dating two months after Ty left so it was my first time meeting him. It's been fun getting to know him this past month.

Philipp Family Picture taken the night Ty returned

 Time with the Family

So... I'm slightly biased, but really... my nieces and nephews are the CUTEST.

Nixon and Halle Kate

Little Landon, my youngest nephew :)

Nixon's 1st Birthday. What a stud!

Lexi Lou

Nixon and Mace Face

Halle and Marlee (I'm bummed that this is the only "summer" pic I have of Marlee 

and I don't have any of Jocie.... see her in the video below)

Lex and Mace playing soccer

Nice kick, Mason!

St. George

The week after Ty came back some of the family headed down to the Saint George house. Curt hit the links and we spent time hiking and swimming. Craig introduced us to some great places to eat and amazing smoothies at Orange Peel. Check out these videos of our cute nephew Stockton:

Stockton's funny face when he eats a lemon.

Stockton, Jocie, Halle, and Lex dancing to "Single Ladies"

Hiking with Lexi

Curt and I

Dinner at Player's Club

Orem Owlz Game

We purchased the "Pass of All Passes" this year and one of the many perks is going to the Orem Owlz games for free. The other week we watched the Orem Owlz play the Ogden Raptors. We had fun watching the game with Craig & Amanda (and their kids), Chris & Becky (and their kids), Ty, and Andy Romney.

More Summer 2011 updates coming soon!

Summer 2011 - Family Reunions

 Bear Lake Family Reunion

My apologies for not taking a single picture at the Ashton Family Reunion. The last week of June Curt's maternal grandparents rented the above 11,500 sq. ft. home for a family reunion. We had a lot of fun and I enjoyed meeting more of his extended family and getting better acquainted with those I had already met. We spent four days in Garden City/Bear Lake area. Our days were spent swimming, playing outdoor games, four wheeling, eating, reading, and relaxing. 

Oh... and did I mention eating one too many "famous" raspberry shakes?

Delicious.

Also delicious.

BIG thank you to Grandma and Grandpa Ashton for making the reunion possible. We are definitely looking forward to the next one!

Burley Family Reunion

The week after Bear Lake we drove with my mom from Provo to Burley, Idaho for the Lambert Family Reunion. The Lambert's have had annual family reunions for as long as I can remember. I loved seeing nearly all of my extended family and spending time with my immediate family. We enjoyed some great meals, went boating, bowling, and for the first time ever I was part of the annual "Elva Lambert Golf Scramble". We were there for the fourth and enjoyed watching fireworks on the outskirts of Burley.

The Hovey Place Reservoir

Us at the Hovey Place

The Kloepfer's took us boating one afternoon. Curt, Nate, and Joey jumped off a bridge into the Snake River. Check out the video by clicking here.

Quinn and Curt left this on the Kloepfer's fridge

Thanks family for the fun memories. Looking forward to the Albion reunion next year :)

Proudly Introducing....

Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Smith

One of my best friends, Katelyn Wettlaufer, got married today in Oregon. I am sad that I couldn't be there for her big day. I was lucky enough to be graced with her presence on my wedding day.

August 20, 2010

Funny story about the day I got sealed: Kyle was released from his 2 year LDS mission on August 19, 2010. Ironically, he is from the Sacramento area too (Loomis). He attended the Sacramento temple on August 20, 2010. Katelyn happened to be at my temple sealing at the same time... no, they did not meet then... but still... weird, right?

I first met Katelyn in my Glenwood ward sophomore year. We were insta-friends. Actually... Kate is insta-friends with most people. She is extremely likeable and has a sense of humor off-the-charts! The only person funnier than her is her sister, Melissa. Jk. But really, dynamic duo sisters that will have you laughing for days (that may sound like an exaggeration, but please believe me that it is not). Not only is Kate hilarious but also one of the most intelligent, logical, beautiful, spiritual, kind people I know. (Whew... that was a lot of adjectives...) When we both lived in Glenwood we also had our MFHD 210 (Human Development) class together. We would spend hours "studying" together. I got to know Katelyn well and gain great respect for her.

Let me share a few Katelynesque qualities/titles:

1) Amazing Listener
2) Hilarious
3) Valedictorian of Life
4) Beautiful Inside and Out
5) Lover of all things Japanese
6) Voice of an Angel (only better...)
7) Thoughtful-est
8) Best Facebook Commenter 07'-08'
9) Most Popular
10) Genuine
11) Jason Mraz Lover (I'm sure Kyle is #1 now)
12) Great Smile
13) Verbal Affirmation Queen
14) Spiritual & Best MTC Teacher
15) Best All Around Friend

... and that's the short list! Man, Kyle is one lucky guy!!!

As you may be able to tell from this post and the above picture, Katelyn brings out my preposterous side (another reason I love her). I am grateful to her for the example she is of many things I aspire. Congratulations Kyle and Katelyn!

 I love you, Kate! I hope you had a perfect wedding day!

Summer 2011 - Strawberry Days Rodeo

 Strawberry Days Rodeo

The first time I remember going to a rodeo was in college. 

It's a shame because rodeos are quite the red neck party and I missed out for 20 years.

Almost as funny as mutton bustin'.... a hundred kids chasing a cow with dollar bills

David and Lindsey

David made a cool mutton bustin' video of that night. It's definitely worth watching. Check it out here.

Heidi and Curtis

Leavitt and Amber

This made me want to go horseback riding. Which is strange for me.

Leavitt, Amber, Me, Curtis

I had heard great things about the Strawberry Days Rodeo in Pleasant Grove and I'm glad we made it this year. The Stauffer's and the Woodland's were kind enough to accompany us. It was a lot of fun! If you get the chance to go DO NOT pass up the strawberries and cream -- what a treat!

Summer 2011

It is safe (and sad) to say that I haven't blogged anything about our summer. This will be the first of a series of catch-up posts. We've had such a fun and amazing summer... and I'm glad it's not yet over :). We've been lucky this summer to spend time with both of our families and take a few more road trips than we expected.

We started off our summer with a hike to 

Bridal Veil Falls

Soccer Games

We got to see Mason's last soccer game of his season:

He is quite the athlete! In one game he scored 12 goals.

Mace with Nana and Papa

Curt, Mason, Me

We also got to see Lexi play her last game:

She played well! Lex is in the far back right.

Amanda and Stockton

Alexis after the game with cute Halle in the background

Us with Lex

I know I haven't been in the Philipp family long, but in the past two years I've seen Lexi and Mason grow a ton. It's so fun to see them grow and watch their personalities change. We are fortunate to live close!