pictures

My friend Jai and I started a photo blog. She lives in Perth, Austraila and I live in Salt Lake City. I am excited to start this new way to share our "what's happening" through pictures. I invite you to take a peek.

http://tarajaiphoto.blogspot.com/

my cup runneth over

I have less than 2 weeks being a nanny left... chapter closing.

November 22, 2002 was my first day being a nanny. I thought that morning, as I woke up in a strange house with people I didn't know, on the opposite side of the country from everyone I knew- that I must be absolutely out of my mind. That was 8 years ago.

Since then I have "raised" 7 kids. 7 children that I have loved with my whole heart. 7.

When you become a nanny, I don't think you realize the road that you are embarking on. I don't think you really understand what is about to happen between you and the child you are going to be taking care of. You give a little bit of yourself to them. A small piece of your heart. You never get that bit of your heart back. But the wonderful thing is, that the child you give it to always has it with them. For the rest of their lives.

It could be a song that you sing when you are teaching them to tie their shoe. Or maybe a phrase you say when you are asking them to brush their teeth. Perhaps it is a movie that you see together. Years down the road, when maybe they are teaching someone to tie their shoe, they will remember how you taught them. When years from now they see that same movie, they will remember that you took them. I think right now if you lined all 7 of my kids up and asked them. "How much does Tara love you?" They would all answer, "As big as the sky". I don't know where I heard that phrase, but I have used it will all of my kids. These are the little things in my life that have made the past 8 years such a blessing. I have absolutely loved these 7 little spirits.

My heart aches with the knowledge of not spending my days with children. I have taught 3 kids how to ride a bike. 5 kids how to tie their shoes. I have done 6 science fair projects, 3 book reports, 18 parent/teacher conferences, 51 doctor appointments, 2 potty trainings, 5 field trips, kissed hundreds of boo boos, taught 5 kids how to read. And one very special little girl how to love Rascal Flatts. I will never forget my time that I have spent with each of these kids. Their laughter that in turn made me laugh and their tears that made my heart break. I have learned so much from these little ones. I have had 7 children love me unconditionally and without caution. And therefor taught me that a hug and an "I love you, Tara" will make almost any trial or heartbreak in my life seem, to pale in comparison. My heart overflows with emotion and adoration for these children that have come into my life. And as much as I have had the opportunity to spend the first years of their life with them, they have changed my "middle" years for the better.

So, Clem, Aubrey, Alex, Madeleine, Sophia, Alexandre and Lucas- I love you as big as the sky.

employed

It is amazing to me how my life has fallen into place. I feel very blessed for how things have worked out.
In August I decided that it was time to move on to "bigger and better things". And so it was once again time to jump. So I did. I had no idea where I was going to land, but I did it. I jumped.
Two weeks into quitting, I had a friend tell me that they had an idea for where I could move into.
My job needed me to stay a bit longer so I stayed with the family for 2 more months and while they found a replacement 2 weeks ago, I was on the search to find a job that would work with a school schedule. And, I found one that works! And to add to the amazing-ness of this story: I was stressed about there being a huge money-less time lapse between jobs. Not so, I end my nanny job on the 28th of October, and I start my new job November 1.

Thank you to all of my friends and family that have given me support and love. I truly appreciate it. There have been times during this process and life change that I have forgotten my faith. And you all have had it for me. Thank you. Truly.

fat girl

This was in front of me at a stop light last week. After all of my griping about the silver silhouettes of the "skinny" girls. I found this one. And I was in tears from laughing before the light turned green.

Subaru, I applaud you!

circus infused with nitro

I went to the Nitro Circus on Saturday night. Yup! Never heard of it before. But my 2 youngest brothers are obsessed with it. I guess it is a TV show? (I am so out of the loop!) And aside from my family maybe, might have, hinted at the fact that I wasn't dress correctly and were sneaky about bringing a "hoodie" for me to wear so I wouldn't "stand out" (I thought my cardi and scarf looked great!)... I hung with the best of them! (lol!)

So the Nitro Circus is a motocross stunt show. As you can see, they have these dirt bikes and do jumps off the huge mounds of dirt. There was a guy named Travis that is famous for doing these types of things. (sorry, don't know the last name, sounds like... pastrami). I had a great time! It was fun to be with my family and fun to watch. And for an added bonus, our section won the Tshirt. Yup, I am a proud owner of a Nitro Circus shirt. I will wear it proudly...... to bed.

the opposite of fun

I woke up on Friday with some serious pain in my left ear. As I sit here on Tuesday night- I still have it. It has been a lot of sleepless nights.

If anyone has any suggestions besides the usual Tylenol and Advil routine, lemme know.

little man

This is the guy I spend all of my time with. He's great...