I Love....

my creativity! This past weekend one of my best friend's son had a birthday. For his birthday he wanted Mickey Mouse and Elmo so we decided to make cupcakes for all the guests (I volunteered to make them). As a surprise to my friend and her son, I baked him a cake...I'll let the pictures show what I made!!!!

Saying Goodbye

Today was the second time in five years that I have had to bury a high school classmate. I went to school with this girl from kindergarten all the way to senior year of high school. She was amazing and even though we were not best friends and did not talk much to each other after graduation, it still was a tragic loss to me. Out of the 84 people that I graduated with just 5 years ago, my classmates and I have had to say good-bye to two of them. For me, that is two too many.

A week and a half ago she was involved in a car accident that left her with minimal brain function and thriving on life support. She gave her family a week to grieve and say good-bye then she took her final breath. Why did the accident occur or how, at this point it doesn't matter. She is gone and we are not.

Last night at the calling hours, the family held a prayer service. I was in utter astonishment when her mother walked up to speak. She spoke so gracefully about her baby girl, one she would never hug or hold again, and I couldn't keep back the tears. I honestly think her courage will always remind me in the times of despair that I can make it through anything.

I have a strong faith and while some of my classmates were praying for her healing in the real world, I was praying for both. For her to heal here physically on earth, but if it was her time that she would heal and go gracefully to the heaven's. I don't know why it was her time, but I do know she lived her life with purpose and fulfilled what God put her on the earth to do.

The past few days really has had me thinking that everything can be okay in one second and a complete 180 can happen the next.

Take time to tell ones you love, that you love them. Tell ones you don't see often that you are thinking of them, hold the ones close that you can, and be prepared for anything. Live your life with purpose and know that any decision made is one you wanted or needed.

God tells us in Jeremiah 29:11- "For I know the plans I have for you"

Holy Smokes!!!

It has been five months since I have written anything, five months!!!! It makes me sad that I haven't been able to sit down and just type away, which is something that I sincerely enjoy. Life has been extremely hectic for me, but 2011 has been an amazing year thus far. I currently am in my 2nd quarter of my OTA program and am starting to look at Master's programs so I can start applying in the summer. I also work in a daycare right by my house and it is so much fun. Besides class, I get to play with babies all day.
In a few weeks, I will be making my trip to Vero and I cannot wait to get away from this cold weather, although today was gorgeous and 57 degrees. A lot has gone on while being away from the blog, my brother is engaged, my dad took a new job, my sister is off at college, and my baby sister is a senior and got accepted to her #1 school as well. I have been able to watch movies, thank to Netflix, be more crafty thanks to a class I am taking and breathe every now in then. :)

Thomas the Train

A few weekends ago, I went with my friend and her three children to Cincinnati, OH to see Thomas the Train. We made this a big weekend for them considering that they are toddlers and besides swimming in the hotel pool, staying in a hotel for the night, and the quick drive down, we also visited the aquarium. It was awesome to see the sharks and to actually be able to touch them. After an exciting Saturday it was time to see Thomas the Train. The tickets are a little pricey but if you have children under 2 they are free. This includes a ride on the train that is pulled by Thomas, free bounce house, play tents that include tattoos, meeting Sir Topham Hatt, story time, a maze, and playing with toy trains. The train ride is about a half hour and it is loads of fun, they play the theme music to Thomas and they make it really exciting for kids. I would definitely recommend trying this if you have kids that are into trains. The railroad that put this spectacle on also does other fun kids rides throughout the year and we are already considering doing another one.

Walk Now for Autism Speaks 2010 Kick-Off Event

This year there was yet another fabulous kick-off event. An audience of autism advocates and some local celebrities in the autism world got together for two and a half hours to kick off the event for us to meet again in 10.10.10 to walk for Autism Speaks. It was extremely exciting to learn that Columbus, OH was the Top Walk event by beating our money raised in 2008 in 2009. What an astounding honor and I can say that I am a proud Central Ohioan and am really excited for 10.10.10 :)

Job Search

Since being a post graduate, finding a job can be difficult. I was on the hunt before I graduated and now am on the hunt again. The position that I took right before graduation only lasted the summer and now I am looking for a job that will last longer than a few months. I would love to hold a day job that worked around my class schedule and not a job that requires night and weekends, but I will have to see.
While looking for jobs and updating resumes I decided to give a few tips and hints to how I went about looking for my job and continuing to look for a job.

The first step is to get an updated resume including current references. I have never had a potential employer call my references but it smart to have an updated list for them to call just in case. For me, I have multiple resumes, an employment one, a childcare one, and one for all my experience with autism. Sometimes I think this is too many but at other times, I think it is necessary because one resume may not represent my experiences in that field. So suggestions from you, should I combine them all or should I leave it to multiple resumes handed out to appropriate employers?
After my resume was updated and completed, I started the search, mainly by asking friends and family if they knew anyone hiring and looking in the local newspaper, but I wasn't getting anywhere. So I decided to hit craigslist.com and it has offered me many interviews and many job offers. It is important however to make sure the ad is reputable and not a scam. I decided to decipher the ads based on the detailed information given. If the ad was generalized in the description and asking for a name, resume, and number I turned it away. It if offered a detailed description of the job, where the job would take place, the salary, and a reply to the post then I would send my information.
Besides craigslist.com, I also went into retail stores and filled out applications. I think it is important to fill out the application right then and there so that the store knows how interested you are and that you are willing to fill it out right away. I found that if I took it home with me, I did not fill it out and it stayed on my desk.

My last advice, apply to anywhere and everywhere. You many never know what you find.

Good Luck and happy job search.

New Puppy

My family and I recently got another dog, and to many this is a surprise. If you knew our family you would know that is a big step but we did it anyways. We got a seven week old mix of Rhodesian Ridge-back, Lab, and Shepherd. We decided to name her Riley (even though it should have been Grace since she is very graceful). My sisters and I have been taking turns keeping her at night since she is still little and is in the process of being trained. Our biggest fear was introducing our puppy to our other dog, which is a twelve year old pure bread beagle. She has ran the house since we got her and the little one was not taken likely by her. After about a week, our older dog jumped on board and now they like each other. She had her first vet appointment yesterday and we found out she weighs 8 pounds. She starts Puppy Preschool on Saturday. :) She is also scared of everything and anything; plastic bags, trash cans, cars, black shoes (really anything!).