MHS 10 Year Reunion

This past weekend I got to celebrate my 10 year high school reunion from Mesa High...where in the world has the time flown?! In fact, I was talking to this kid (I say kid because he just graduated from Highland High School this year) and somehow we got on the subject of school and I told him that I graduated 10 years ago. He was like "WHOA...that was forever ago"...way to make a girl feel old! Anyways, it was a fun weekend of catching up with old friends and reminiscing about old memories...most of them probably better left in the past:) Brett, the kids and I decided to meet up with everyone at the MHS Homecoming football game on Friday night. The kids loved it and it was fun hanging out with our ol' crew again. Saturday was the actual reunion, which was held at the Encantera Golf Resort in Queen Creek. We had an awesome dinner and fun chatting with everyone. It's amazing how far we have come with technology in the last 10 years. I had to scan a ton of my old high school pics for the slide show they presented and I think with blogging and facebook we are able to keep in touch with people a whole lot better, so it's not as big of a deal to see people at the reunion when you've seen their pics online. Oh well, I'm still glad we went and had a great time.

Since knowing about the reunion I have been thinking a lot about what I have accomplished, experienced and done in the last ten years. I think these last ten years have really shaped me into the person I am today and am thankful for all the people that have played a huge role in my journey. Here is the list of what I have been up to since May 2000, in no particular order:
-Lived in Mesa and Queen Creek, AZ, Boise, ID and Provo, UT
-Graduated from ASU with a B.S. in Food & Nutrition Management
-Got married and am celebrating my 8 year anniversary in Nov
-Began a successful career as a Regional Safety Manager at the corporate office of the second largest blood bank in the world
-Traveled all across the U.S. for both business and pleasure including a few international trips to Mexico, Canada and South America
-Supported Brett through all of his schooling including a B.A. from ASU in Business Admin. and through 4 years (as of right now) of Dental School
-Experienced the pain and frustration of infertility, but was blessed to adopt both of my beautiful children; Bradock in 2007 and Raylee in 2008
-Quit my successful career at Blood Systems, Inc and decided to stay home with my kids...which I will admit is a much harder job than anything I have ever done
-Did contract work for my old company, participate in research studies, clean a dental office, helped with food prep and service for weddings, and pretty much do anything to earn a little extra money while getting Brett through school
-Currently work at Fitness Works gym at the front desk Mon and Wed mornings and teach 4 classes of Water in Motion a week
-Have made some amazing friends that I thank my Heavenly Father for everyday because without them I don't know where I would be
-Am currently an Aunt to 6 nieces and nephews and one on the way...congrats Mindi:)
-Serve/ed as primary teacher, relief society instructor, cub scout committee member, young women's leader, cub scout den leader and visiting teacher for my church
-Have been a homeowner of two different homes
-Have never had a car payment...silly I know, but I'm pretty proud of this one...it's all about driving the older, used cars...which takes me back to my first car, a yellow 1978 B210 Datsun, which cost a whopping $500
-Have ran 10ks, a half-marathon and am currently training for my first marathon in January...woot woot!!!
I know there are other things that could be added to this list, but these were the "big" things that really stood out to me. Just when you think your life is kind of "blah" and you wonder what you have done with it...make a list and boy you will instantly feel pretty proud of yourself.

Now I just wonder what the next 10 years will bring. Here are a few of my goals:
-Run a marathon, maybe even a triathlon
-Witness Brett's dental school graduation and begin a successful dental career
-Go back to school and receive my Masters in Public Health or possibly nutrition related...not sure yet, but school is on the agenda
-Travel to all of the continents...ok maybe not Antarctica because that just doesn't appeal to me whatsoever
-Possibly adopt more children...verdict is still out on this one, but maybe I will get that "baby itch" again:) I think I'm loving my kids being potty-trained too much to think about starting all over again
-Be a better wife, mom, daughter, sister and friend (I have lots of goals that relate to this one, but I'm going to have to work on those things one step at a time...too overwhelming to think of all the things I need to change in myself...baby steps:)
-Own (maybe build) the home I want to raise my children in
-Own and drive my perfect family car...which right now is the Buick Enclave, Chevy Traverse or GMC Acadia...might be different by the time that goal is reached
-Visit and attend as many temples as possible
-Read the Book of Mormon at least twice a year
Well, it looks like my list is exactly 10 things, which is so fitting for my 10 year goals. Well, here's to another happy, exciting, crazy 10 years...I wish me luck!