Deans List

Here's a photo of the certificate I got.

Drum roll please....



Okay! So I am not the best photographer, but there it is.
I found out that I can qualify for this honor in the Fall and the Spring, provided I am enrolled Full-Time and achieve a 3.7 GPA or better.

My plan now... To get one of these each semester from here on out!!

Guess What?!?!?!

Today, I received the following letter in my UVU email box:


Dear Samantha,

Congratulations!

I received the Spring 2010 grade report and I am please to inform you of your place of honor on the Dean's List in University College at Utah Valley University. I take great pleasure recognizing you for your hard work to achieve academic excellence.

By attaining this honor, you have shown dedication, perseverance, commitment, and intellectual capability. But, more importantly, you have demonstrated a desire to learn.

If you would like a certificate to mark this accomplishment, please stop by the dean's suite during regular campus office hours by September 1, 2010, and we will be happy to provide that for you. The dean's suite is located in room 210 of the Liberal Arts building. If there is anything else the dean's staff may assist you with, please let us know.

Best Wishes,

Bonnie G. Henrie, Ph.D.
Dean, University College


I was so excited when I read this. I am DEFINITELY going to get a certificate to celebrate this occasion. I am guessing this may not be that big of a deal to some students, but to me; a Single-Mother to five children who is working, and struggling, and fighting all sorts of challenges each and every day, AND going to school; this is a MOMENTOUS occasion.
In this moment I am happy! At this crossroads, I know I have chosen the correct path and am moving into my amazing future. YEAH!!!

A Bucket Worthy Event!!

This morning the kids and I went up to the Strawberry Days Parade in Pleasant Grove. It was a good parade filled with all of the good stuff. Lots of people. Lots of candy. Lots of freebies and coupons. Lots of kids running around everywhere hopped up on sugar and excitement. It was a good morning adventure, and something that I will have to make sure gets put on our bucket list for next year.
The day is still young and we have more adventures to experience today. Talk to you all later!!!

Summer Bucket List

So I have an AWESOME blogger friend and she created a post wherein she described her family's bucket list for the summer and how they work it all out. She took her list and cut the items into strips and they got placed in a bucket and are drawn out to create a plan for their day. I think the is the the BEST idea ever.

So forgive me Lola, for stealing your idea, and for using quite a few things that you had on your Summer Bucket List. Here is what I have come up with for my family. I think that I am going to wait to officially start doing things on our list until I have decided if there are any other things I would like to add.

Here it is...

The Tilton’s Summer Bucket List:

Go to the zoo
Visit an Aquarium
Go Fishing
Go to the Utah County Fair
Go to Seven Peaks Water Park
Go visit Family far away
Volunteer Service Project
Go “caroling” patriotic songs to the neighbors near 4th of July
Have a neighborhood Cookie exchange
Plan a potluck picnic with the neighbors
Go Bowling
Drive the Nebo Loop
Go on a picnic
Go to an outdoor movie
Go for ice cream
Visit a playground
Go to the Art City Museum
Go to a concert in the park
Go to an activity day at the library
Visit Krispy Kreme
Fire Station Tour
Complete 4-H projects for the fair
Go to yard sales
Go Camping
Go Feed Ducks
Have an art party
Have a Karaoke Party
Roast marshmallows
Have a backyard campout
Make popsicles
Make s’mores
Make treats to take to neighbors
Go to the Reservoir
Go to a fun Swimming Pool

I know some of these things may be used multiple times, but that is Perfect! As I work to create a rigid structure in my home, I am also working to create better and happier memories for my children. And I am a Need-to-plan-things-out sort of girl.
Please, please, PLEASE, let me know of any other FUN and FAMILY FRIENDLY activities my family can enjoy. Just remember we are on an extremely limited budget, so we gotta get a bit creative here!

There's always a message!

I went visiting teaching this past weekend and was so grateful for the opportunity, as well as for the lesson that my incredible VT companion shared with our Sister. It was very meaningful and touched my heart. Along with that great message, I was reminded of another message that was written upon the wall of the home in which I was visiting. I can't remember the exact words, but I have heard it many times before.
It is something like,

"It's not about waiting for the storm to pass, but about learning how to dance in the rain."

I love this statement and completely agree with it. As my head is becoming more and more clear each day, I had a moment in which this message came streaming into my thoughts.
This is where I am. This is how I feel...

...And for just a moment, the storm ceased, the clouds parted, and the delicate rays of sunshine revealed a fresh beginning. All manner of plants perked up as they stretched and reached for the life giving light and warmth those beams brought forth... and She was there.
She was all alone and surrounded on nearly every side by what appeared to be great darkness, overwhelming hardship, and intense sadness; yet She remained. With a gleam of determination in her eyes, and a ring of Faith surrounding her soul, she was joyously Dancing. Through both rain and shine, her graceful movements continued. In her mind, she knew nothing could hold her back, and in her heart, she knew the hurt would eventually fall away, and she would again be complete.
Life is truly Amazing! Even in those times when it leaves you a little bit wet!