Hey, Soul Sister...

Last week a couple of my friends and I went to Red Rocks to the Train concert!   I wasn't sure how it was going to be, but it was a great concert!!!  Train, himself was a little awkward, but his guitarist was eye candy!!!  The music, beverages, and company was great and I love hanging out with these girls!  Not to mention the venue...Red Rocks is AMAZING!!! It's amazing that when you start a new job somewhere, how you can become such great friends with the people that you work with!  These girls are part of the reason I look forward to going to work!  They make it fun to go to work and are great nurses that truly love what they do! Even though Rosa abandoned us and went to day shift! Outside of work they are like my best friends!  We have had some great times between going to sporting events, out for sushi, to concerts, to the mountains, or just hanging out at each others houses!

Sabra, Rosa, and I waiting for the concert to start!

Sabra and I

Rosa and Sabra

Rosa and I

Stella Pour Contest

A couple weeks ago  my friend Karisa and her boyfriend came out a day early for her sister's wedding to spend an evening with me!  We went out to sushi in Cherry Creek and then to a tavern afterward to have a few more cocktails!  We took our seats at the tavern and a lady came up to us and asked us if we want to enter into a Stella beer pour contest...and of course we jumped at the chance!  We were instructed on how to pour the beer perfectly and then it was our turn!  They recorded us as we poured and we were entered into a database for review...if we are chosen we go to Chicago to pour more Stella!  So, we'll see if Chicago will be our future...we may even quit our day job and become professional pourers!!!!
Here is a picture after we poured our perfect Stellas!!!!

Love this girl!!!!! 

Miss Mia

Miss Mia that first month I got her!

It's time to celebrate one year with my sweet little Miss Mia!  She is truly the sweetest little thing that ever did exist!  There is nothing better than the welcome home squeals, jumps up the leg, and kisses that I get from her every time I walk through the door!  She knows my deepest secrets and she is the best at catching tears with her tongue!  

Mia with her sister Gia

Mia's favorites:

*Breathies chicken strips

*her fleece cherry printed blanket

*natural raw hide sticks

*her friend Pike...the neighbors massive wolf dog

*the open windows...she loves standing at them and watching everyone outside

*the neighbor lady Donna...Mia always peeks over the rocks to see if she's on her patio

*Bentley the cat...my friend Rosa's cat...Mia loves tormenting him

*the pillows on my bed

*her sister and BFF Gia

*going on a car rides

*afternoon naps with a little scratching of the belly

I love my mama's pillows

Mia's dislikes:

*bathes

*men

*big dogs with the exception of Pike

*doorbells on the TV

*being in a room without me...she's my little shadow

*the bag that her breathies come in...she is deathly afraid of the bag, but can't wait to get the treat

*bows in her hair...it takes her about 30 seconds to get a bow out of her hair

Mia's Nicknames:  Over the last year Mia has adopted severe different nicknames...

*Miza

*Mama

*pretty girl

*Mizer

*Beaner...my friend Rosa thinks it's funny that she calls her beaner...she says it's because she's small like a bean...and well I hate it!!!  

I love milk and cookies!!!

I have the longest tongue known to dog-kind!!!

Mia last week...she loves the bed!!!!

Venus de Miles

All summer long my friend Sabra and I were planning, training, anticipating, dreading, looking forward to, and ultimately counting down the days until our big bike ride of the summer...Venus de Miles!
Venus de Miles sponsors the Greenhouse scholars which helps under privileged kids go to college.  These kids have mentors that guide them to their decisions of higher education.
Sabra came up with the idea to sign up for this ride that was 67 miles...at the time I was like..."oh, yea, I will be able to ride 67 miles by the end of August", and I am not going to lie, when we were driving up to the parking lot I was so freaking nervous!
We started this ride and at first I was thinking that I have to put the pedal to the metal....but after the first 10 miles and the first rest stop, it was such a relaxing, go as fast as you want ride!  Sabra and I were able to ride side by side and talk about life events!  I do have to say that the state of Colorado is amazing!!!  During our 67 mile ride we encountered an amazing view of 10 hot air balloons, gorgeous mountains, fabulous weather, nice people, beautiful views, and cute wildlife.  We rode through 3 towns, climbed an 8 mile canyon, travelled down several highways, encountered lots of traffic, and ultimately had a blast!  Once I started this ride, I never regretted it!

Our first rest stop...we loved this Bike Caffe! 

The little bear cub that we saw!  Quick pictures and then we were outta there...who knows where mama bear was!

67 miles...we were so done!!!  Exhausted!!!

10 years of adulthood

As I look back on the last 10 years there have been many ups, downs, new friends, old friends, boyfriends, pledgings, recruitments, moves, funerals, new experiences, new jobs, tears, smiles, laughs, hugs, "I need you" phone calls, graduations, vacations, weddings, babies, and I could go on and on! Even though some of these memories are not all glamorous, I wouldn't change any of them!  Instead I cherish each and every memory and emotion because it has helped me grow!
Ten years ago I was packing up my little white Mercury Mystique that sat in the driveway of 510 Royal waiting to head to Hays, KS where I would spend the next 4 years of my life as a college student at Fort Hays State University.  I was that small town girl that wasn't quite sure that I wanted to leave my mom and be out on my own, but that quickly changed when I met the girl down the hall in the dorms...next thing I knew she was moving her things into my dorm room and we became roommates, sorority sisters, and best friends!  Those 4 years of my college career were some of the best times in my life.  However, after getting into nursing school and reconnecting with a high school friend that spent countless hours studying with me, praying that we would pass our next exam, starting IV's on each other, and practicing her wedding...those years seemed to come to close faster that anticipated!  Then, as I looked ahead at my future I knew it was time to be an adult and grow up...leaving me with more fantastic years!
Growing up came just 1 month after I graduated college with the death of my grandfather, the only grandfather that I knew...and the person that taught me so many life lessons. I remember getting that phone call from my mom after spending a weekend with my entire family at my grandpa's side when he was brought home from the hospital...that phone call was one that gave me feelings that I never knew existed.  Then 11 months later, I received a similar phone call telling me that my grandma had passed away...and boy, I never knew that growing up was so hard.  My grandma was one of grace and passion who loved her 6 grandchildren more than life itself...and the absence of her existent was one that was hard to believe.  This first year out in the this great big world was one of sorrow, but it helped me to realize that I couldn't take things for granted.  I know that all these years later, my grandparents are still looking done me and there are times I hear their voices in my heart giving me the advice that I need.
Here I am 6 years after graduating college and I have been across the country doing what I love in many different specialties of my career!  Through all the good times and bad...I can truly say that I LOVE MY LIFE!!!!
In July, the Delta Zeta Denver Alumnae chapter hosted a happy hour and surprised me with a pink rose to celebrate my 10 year membership in the Delta Zeta Sorority!  That pink rose and card made my think back to the last 10 years of adulthood remembering all the memories, and whether they caused my heart to stir or be satisifed, I smiled!

Lindsey and I with our roses to celebrate being in Delta Zeta for 10 years!

A fun lovin' weekend in western KS

At the end of July Mia and I loaded the car and went back to western KS for a weekend full of family, wedding, class reunions, and fun!  We were greeted by my handsome nephew Hudson sitting on the patio table in his bumbo full of smiles!!!  Nothing like the best greeting ever!!!  The rest of the weekend was full of a family friend's wedding, and my 10 yr. class reunion!  It was such a fun weekend!!!

Isn't this the cutest little face you ever did see??

My godson loves the camera!!!

The wedding was beautiful!  We had a great time!!  I can't believe the cute little girl that was always at our house for my little sister's sleepovers, was beautiful bride and all grown up!!  The memories with have with her and her family are ones that I will always remember!

Both my nephews ready for a night full of dancing!

My big sister...love her!

A person has to love the reminder that they continue to get older...but there's nothing like celebrating a 10 yr. class reunion with the people that you grew up with and have known since kindergarten!!!  Everyone's life has changed so much...some are married, some have kids, some are pregnant, some live states away while others still live in our home town!  It was interesting to watch us all interact with each other like we never graduated high school...it was like we were back in the years of 1999-2002 walking through the hallways of Oakley High School without a care in the world!  If only we didn't have to grow up!!!  

A group photo of the people that were there

Lookout Mountain

I have gotten into to road biking and I have great friends that I have helped me to understand what gear I needed, where the trails are and where they go, how to get out of my clips without falling on my face, and they are always willing to go on a ride!  After a month of figuring this road biking out my friends decided it was time to climb Lookout Mountain.  So, we had this brilliant idea of starting at Morrison and riding to the base of Lookout Mountain for a warm-up...and well it was definitely a warm-up...7 miles later we were finally at the base of Lookout Mountain!

Sabra and I at the base of Lookout Mountain...we were happy, but soon to have a change of mood when we started climbing!

We climbed this 5 mile, 1,600 elevation gain mountain in about an hour...and when we got to the top we hated the world!!!  It was difficult and to top it off by the time we got to the top it was over 100 degrees!  Not only were our legs burning, butts aching, and shoulders screaming we were over-heated!!!  I know that 5 miles doesn't seems that far, since you have read my Facebook and saw that I have recently done a 67 mile ride, but when you are climbing and it's your first time climbing...it's not fun!!!  Even though I was cussing the whole time I was climbing this mountain, I was also looking at the views that the beautiful state of CO has to offer and I said to myself multiple times..."I love Colorado!"

We finally made it to the top!!!!!

Since the first time we climbed Lookout Mountain we have climbed it couple of more times...the second time it was a great ride that we turned into a 37 mile ride through Evergreen and back down through Bear Creek Canyon...Sabra and I decided it was an epic ride!  Then, we decided to do it a third time...and well it was kind of like the first time...

A beautiful place....

I have been back from Rome for over 2 months now, and I still find myself thinking about this gorgeous city and country every day! This trip was one that we had been looking forward to and I can't believe it has come and gone! I can't really find one word that describes the trip of a lifetime!

Waiting for the time to pass for our flight

Coffee time!!!

Day #1 June 26, 2012
 When we arrived in Rome we were a little less than desirable...we didn't get much sleep on the plane, we hadn't had a shower in about 36 hours, we were hot, and well not in the greatest mood! The tour guides swept us away from the airport straight to mass at the Basilica of Saint Paul outside the Walls...this basilica was absolutely gorgeous! We had mass and a tour of the church. We walked down the street a little ways and had lunch as a whole group. We were finally able to get to the hotel room at around 3pm...and I'm telling you that I was never so grateful for a shower and a nap. We had dinner as a family that night and headed to bed to prepare for our vacation to begin!! Now, since we were unable to shower until after we headed to the hotel, I didn't allow any pictures of me to be taken...so day #1 was a is a day of picture without people in them!!!!

St. Paul outside the Walls

The main alter at St. Paul outside the Walls

Day #2: June 27. 2012
 We had a wake-up call of a bright and early 6am...uuugggg when that phone rang I thought to myself..."I thought I was on vacation!" We loaded up the buses and head to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where we had mass and a guided tour. From this church we walked to another called the Church of Saint Alphonsus that houses the original icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. What a beautiful church this was with the mosaics and statues.  That afternoon we went to the catacombs outside the walls of Rome.  It is a 7 mile underground cemetery which people are no longer buried in, but where in the past because it was not allowed to bury people in the walls of Rome.  It was really interesting and actually nice and cool underground, compared to the 90 degree weather with out of this world humidity!  This evening we were invited to the Ambassador of the Holy Seas house for a reception for the 4 US Archbishops that received their palliums the week we were there!

St. Mary Major

The main alter in St. Mary Major

Darren, Rex, & Dad waiting patiently for Roberto to gather the troops!

St. Mary Major

The chapel we had mass in at St. Mary Major (pictures weren't allowed to be taking inside the chapel

Tori & I outside St. Mary Major

Church of St. Alphonsus

Beautiful mosaic above the main alter in St. Alphonsus

Entrance to the catacombs

Family group picture outside the catacombs

Uncle Chuck addressing the group with the Ambassador and his wife

Tori & I at the ambassador reception

Family photo

The whole group

The Chaput's

Board meeting has begun!

Uncle Rex & I at the board meeting

Day #3: June 28, 2012

We had another wake up call at the butt crack of dawn...it was a great trip, but we were always have to make sure we were down in the lobby for the bus at a certain time.  Today we headed to the Vatican and went on the Scavi tours.  We got to tour the graves under St. Peter's Bascilica and got to see where St. Peter's was buried.  It was amazing...and the different ways people were buried was very interesting!  We then got to go upstairs to the see the Vatican...all I can say about this place was it is breathtaking.  We went on a little shopping spree and my sisters and I got a cameo ring...just like my grandma Chaput bought in '97 when she was in Rome for my uncle's first pallium mass.  After seeing the Vatican (we come back a different day with more time) we loaded the bus and went to see the Holy Stairs and had mass at St. John Lateran.  Now the Vatican was a amazing and nothing could really compare to the beauty of it...but besides the Vatican my favorite church was St. John Lateran.  It just seemed more modern and it was beautiful in it's own way.  We didn't have time to climb the Holy Stairs the way most people climb them...on their knees one step at time with a prayer on each step, so we went around them and ended up in the chapel on top of them and had our own reflection time for a few minutes.  

The Vatican

Drinking water fountain outside the Vactican

The Pieta statue....so beautiful up close!

Pope John Paul II's resting place

The main alter in the Vatican with a statue of St. Paul on the right side

Tori & I in St. Peter's square

St. Peter's Square

St. John Lateran

A chapel in St. John Lateran

This mosaic was above the alter of the chapel we had mass in and quite frankly it was the most amazing mosaic I saw the whole trip!

Mass at St. John Lateran

The statues in St. John Lateran were amazing!!!!

                                     

Aunt Jolene, Mom, Tori, & I in the bar at the hotel 

Day 4: June 29, 2012

This was the day that was the biggest highlight of the trip and the reason we went to Rome.  It was the Pallium mass with Pope Benedict.  Our wake-up call was the earliest yet on this day with that phone ringing bright and early at 5:00 am.  What an amazing day it was!  We had mass with the pope and all the Archbishops around the world that were receiving their pallium.  Tori & I were sitting with our parents, aunt & uncle, & Darren minding our own business when a guard walked right up to us and ushered us to a seat in the front row.  We were within 20 ft. of the Pope when he came around and addressed the Sisters of Calcutta.  I remember Tori saying as the mass was beginning that her heart was beating so fast and it was true for both of us...this was an experience of a lifetime to see the pope and attend mass that was said by him.  After the mass we had a reception at the North American College with all the Archbishops from the US.  We had dinner that night with the whole group of pilgrims that was amazing!!!

Good Morning St. Peter's Square!!! (it's 6:20 am)

I'm so glad we are all happy to get up at the butt crack of dawn!

Main alter at St. Peter's Basilica

Dome at St. Peter's

Guards and security guys were everywhere

Uncle Chuck processing into the mass

Pope Benedict

Pope Benedict saying mass

Uncle Chuck going up to receive his pallium

Addressing the Sister's of Calcutta

Leaving the mass

Pope Benedict addressed the people in St. Peter's Square due to it being a holiday...The Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul

Tori & I at the reception following the mass

Family photo at the reception...including my Dad's cousin MaryKay and her husband Don

Siblings!!!

Mom & Dad at dinner

Uncle Rex & Aunt Jolene

Day 5: June 30, 2012

Today we got to go back to Vatican City and to St. Peter's Basilica for a formal tour.  We celebrated mass at the Alter of the Chair of St. Peter...it was a great celebration!  After the guided tour of the basilica we were able to attend the Papal audience which was a private audience with the pope and all the archbishops and their groups that were in Rome for the pallium mass.  After the papal audience, Tori, Darren, & I boarded the bus and headed to ancient Rome with a guided tour...I was not exactly looking forward to going to ancient Rome because it was sooooo hot that day and in the middle of the afternoon...in fact, I was wishing that I would have taken the other bus and went back to the hotel with my mom and dad...but after the tour with one the best guides ever, I stood there and it all hit me and the whole trip was all brought together and I had this feeling come over me that I can't explain...but at that moment I understood just exactly why I was there and the meaning of the trip meant so much more. After, a quick shower we headed to the Sistine Chapel...now this place was also amazing!!  We had a private after-hours tour with the guide that took us to ancient Rome...and again she was phenomenal!!!  

St. Peter's Square 

The Alter of the Chair of St. Peter

St. Peter's Chair

The main alter at the entrance of the Basilica

Mom & Tori waiting for the Pope to make his entrance

Darren & Tori

Pope Benedict making his entrance into the Papal audience

Pope Benedict addressing the audience

Jolene and Dad waiting to meet the Pope

Ancient Rome

Ancient Rome

Tori & Darren in Ancient Rome

Tori & I in Ancient Rome

We were kind of fed up with the heat

Yup, we were done!

The last judgement in the Sistine Chapel

The alter at the Sistine Chapel

Archbishop Aquila enjoying the Sistine Chapel

Day 6: July 1, 2012

This day we had a day trip to Assisi! We visited the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, the Basilica of St. Clare, and celebrated mass at the Basilica of St. Francis.  We shopped around the city of Assisi a little bit then had lunch as a group!  Assisi was such a beautiful city and since we knew that it was the last day we had in Italy it was hard to leave this quiet little city!

The countryside in Italy was beautiful

Tori & Darren in Assisi

Tori & I in Assisi

St. Mary of Angels 

St. Francis Statue

Garden outside of St. Mary of Angels...the roses that you see were actually planted by St. Francis all those years ago

My godparents and I in Assisi

This picture does not do this view justice!

Basilica of St. Francis

Uncle Chuck saying mass in the Basilica of St. Francis

Uncle Chuck and Archbishop Aquila telling stories at lunch

Aunt Jolene, Tori, Mom, Aunt Virginia Mae, and me

Aunt Jolene and her fun lovin' nieces!

Darren and one of our amazing tour guides

Tori, Darren, Aunt Jolene and I with Father Brian

My dad's cousin Mary Kay and her husband Don

Day 7: July 2, 2012

Departing from Rome was bittersweet as we had the experience of a lifetime!!  What a great trip we had!  

Goodbye Italy!!!!!