Determination

Man oh man, how time changes. The past week has been a lot of fun. Let me start off with mentioning the fact that St. Gabriel's is starting this new "youth group" at church. However, instead of it being for the youth per say, it is technically for young adults. People ranging from college age to the beginning of starting a family. I went to it a few weeks ago but had not really mentioned it to anybody because it was just starting and I didn't really know how I'd feel about it. I think that's because I usually compare things (yes, I know, you can't compare people or things but I still sometimes do it) and in this case I started comparing this new church group to CCM. Anyone that knows me knows that CCM was basically my lifeline at times throughout college. I met some amazing people that have changed my life and despite the fact that things are a bit different now, well I will never forget any of the kids at CCM or our adventures. They truly brought out my own faith. Having said that, I went into this new youth group with a sense of "this is not gonna be as awesome as CCM so it sucks" mentality but I think it actually has some potential. I need to have that chance to talk about my faith a bit more with people that actually care and want to talk about it. I have some great friends that I am sure I can mention some stuff to, but I just need that support group too at times. IN CHARLOTTE. Haha, besides Father Pat is the best person ever and if he personally asks me to come I can't say no. Anyway, all of you also know that I was very involved at school...and since apparently I can't keep my mouth shut (sorry but when they ask for group activities/ice breakers...well...LT would kill me if I didn't speak up) and so I am now leading certain group activities especially outreach ones for our community. How so? RUNNING 5K's! Yep, I have told everyone that they should run 5K's and do walks and such to raise money for wonderful organizations in Charlotte. Dance Marathon style almost. I am very excited.

Speaking of 5K's I have been training hardcore for it and I am loving the results thus far.It has been so much fun to run this much and to really stretch my personal best. I think I have gathered up some more people to run (and walk, right Kathryn?) which I am very excited about. What else do I get this passionate and excited about? oh right, of course..my kids. On Thursday of last week I decided to go see my babies during lunch. So I woke up early and was productive before I decided to take some Subway to my CT. Lunch was so much fun to be at again, and again to have that same rockstar sensation when all the 3rd graders in that cafeteria want to run up and hug you. During lunch my CT told me that the kids were going to have a Wax Museum the next day. Unfortunately she had to miss it so guess who basically subbed that morning? ME!! The kids were so excited and the best part was that all the parents were also thrilled that I would be there and not some random sub. Did I mention I had to be at the school at 6:15 again that morning?! I truly did miss that. I saw all the parents and had so many wonderful things said to me, but my kids were the icing on the cake. I got to meet Albert Einstein, Billy Graham, Coretta Scott King, Amelia Earnhardt, and Queen Elizabeth all in the span of an hour. It's nice when Albert Einstein, her fake mustache and her parents say that Albert Einstein considers me her real hero.

I could just stop right there and have that be an amazing day, right? Hellllll no. Why stop there when my day just kept getting better? This was only from 6-8:30. I had to run to Lilly's school at 9 to get to go to her poetry reading! It was so cool to be on the other side going to Lilly's school. Playing the part of a bystander and not the teacher or student. She is so talented and her poems were soooo precious. Stop there? Nope. That Friday kept getting better. After this I got Lilly out for early dismissal and headed off to Boone. Boone? Yep. Boone. I had to attend the RCOE scholarship ceremony again and boy does it feel amazing to have Dr. Jacobson still poke you in the rib and say, "Ivette Gonzalez...still staying out of trouble?". It was nice to see old familiar faces again and be in Boone, not to mention ASU again. After the ceremony I decided to surprise Kathryn in the apartment. I really wish I could do that again. I did a great job! Haha, couldn't really surprise Corey as much but def got to see him. Where? At the Shoppes on the Parkway, duh. Now, before the rest of you get mad that I didn't tell you that I was coming to Boone, I am sorry but I was literally only there for 4 hours and my mom and Lilly were with me. SORRY! I will be back in Boone next Tuesday and this time for more than even 24 hours! Wahoo!

So this post is getting extremely long so I will leave you with these pictures to sum up the rest of the week

Henna tattoos! This was so much fun. Started with, "Wanna go to South Boulevard?" and ended with " You have no choice. Turn around and take off your shirt." Isn't my bff a great henna artist? On the shoulder it says "determination" in arabic. Fitting. This was all after a full day of eating at Newks with Jack, and lounging around watching TV. Man, I'm so glad Kathryn is home.

Check out the new plate! The Lincoln keeps getting even more baller every day.

"no one can make you feel inferior without your consent" Eleanor Roosevelt

dakota, i love you.

So...life has been very hectic lately. I don't really even know how to explain it all. It's already April!! To begin, I went up to Boone not too many weeks ago and as always, it was amazing. I had some great times with Kathryn and Corey as always. BB nights, what up! I had always wanted to leave a beer bottle right at the bottom of those stairs and I sure did just that. Anyway, I ate all my favorite things and got to hang out with some of my favorite people. The tweets from that night were pretty freaking awesome too. It was so nice to rekindle my friendship with my old roommates, Carla and Sarah. I do miss those girls so much. Anyway, back here in Charlotte I have been tutoring more than ever now and it is so exciting. I have wonderful kids and they just inspire me to do so much. Hard work...but it's so worth it. I have had a few setbacks lately in regards to things that I have literally no control over and all of you know how much I hate that. I think that lately though I have really been able to feel better about not knowing where I am heading. I wish with all my heart that I knew things would be ok...but I know that no one can tell me that. However, I've found ways of keeping myself busy and with short term goals at least. For instance, Showmars has been so much fun with Chris working there and Christine and Nick make it worth working there. I've learned so much more now after coming back from school and it's nice. Especially since now there is Yoforia right across the street! Aside from my Showmars and tutoring stuff going on, I have decided to sign up for my first 5K! I wanted to blog yesterday because I ran my best 4 mile yesterday and my best 3 mile today. It is so exhilarating! I cannot express how much I love running now. I was talking to Katie about it (I'm sure over some coffee or a soccer game), how I never really would have considered running to be a favorite anything for me, esp in high school but now that I don't have IM or any other kind of soccer running has become a great sport for me to stay active in. I have had my old shoes for such a long time and my knees progressively get worse so I decided that it was time to get new shoes...check these motherfuckers out!

Nice aren't they!? I am so excited. Oh and not only did I buy new shoes...my dad got us a new car. It's a Lincoln and it's apparently mine now. Yes, yes, I know what you are all thinking...what about Dakota? I am not even going to get started on how much I love Dakota because it literally gets me teary-eyed but I will say that it is in good hands. Dakota is now Chris' car. I couldn't have asked for a better owner and I am sure that as soon as this Lincoln has an App sticker on it, it will be fine. Still, I just need some time to get used to leaving Dakota. Boone this weekend and a busy week ahead...lets do this.

John 11:25-27