I DiD iT i pAsSeD, oNE dOWn OnE tO go.

I am sure all my blog followers are soooooooo sick of my gloating & bragging about my Gregory. I love to write & I love to write about things I feel passionate about ,I also love to show off & brag about my loved ones & all I have blessed with. Gregory Brian Burke is someone I feel very passionate about & have been blessed with!!!

So if your sick of the cheesy over the top admiration I have for my husband no need to read my blog. Ok so yesterday June 25,2010 was a big big day for me, as I am preparing to graduate cosmetology school there are two tests we are required to take to receive our State License. For weeks I have been studying and preparing for these tests. Everybody  prefers to do the practicle test first, the practicle is where you actually demonstrate haircuts,facials,perms,color ...etc. The written is a huge 110  question test about cosmetology & for those of you who think it sounds easy IT IS NOT. Anyways I decided to do it backwards & do my written test first. I arrived at the test center and the first 5 questions on the test were "what do the stripes on the american flag represent?" "What do the stars on the american flag represent?" I was like wait a minute am I at the right place? I didn't study this I mean its common knowledge for some people but for me I can't remember back to jr high. Ya laugh all you want but guess what, I answered those questions correctly. I was so nervous throughout the test, I kept thinking "ok ok Katie you can do this, you have to...it means so much"  at the end of the test there it was in huge Letters PASS!!! I was shaking I was so happy they handed me my certificate with the huge letters PASS on it and I wanted to frame it ,I called Greg & my mom immediately & just freaked out. This meant so much to me because I seriously had doubts I would not pass. I really want to do hair for a living , it is very important to me & it is something I take pride & joy in,besides my heavenly father,husband,Jax,and Family it is one of the things I value very much. when I finish with a clients hair & she or he looks in that mirror and has a huge smile on her face saying how much she or he loves it , it instantly brings me happiness & fullfillment.

 I went back to school and the girls were great they were all congradulating me and I just could not stop smiling. I kept thinking ok one test down one to go. Than Greg called and said pick any place for lunch we are going to celebrate, so I picked Chili's because it was close to my school and we didn't have that much time for lunch.  I was waiting for him at Chili's and I was on the phone with my mom sharing all my happiness & was just in tears ,I am such a baby. I had my sunglasses on and this truck pulls up to me and there is this guy just staring at me I locked my doors because well it was creepy, I took off the glasses and there he was my Amazing husband he than said "come here beautiful" " than I told my mom I would call her back, because I am always on my phone when me and greg go out and it irritates him which is understandable.I looked at him and said  "No I am freaking  starving let's go eat" he said "just come here please" I went over and he pulled out red roses, gave me a huge kiss and hug and said "I am so proud of you  gorgeous, I knew you would pass.You are so wonderful & are going to be the best hairstylist on this planet" Again the tears ran & ran. I am so happy for the people in my life who support me & believe in me. I know my husband is my biggest fan. He hates when I say this but he is my cheerleader.

I also want to thank my parents & brother & sisters, they may not know it but they give me so much happiness & it means the world when they text me and tell me good luck & how much they love me. I look up to all of them they are amazing brother & sisters & friends.

 One person in perticular I would like to  aknowledge is my sister in law Katee, we are the same age and she is now the "new" Katee Payne ha ha ha but she recently graduated dental hygiene and I am so proud of her, her example is what is keeping me going, and her hard work & determination has set such a great example for me.

 I am not going to go into my past, but as soon as I graduate and accomplish all I have worked hard for I am not only going to be showing myself I can do anything I put my mind to but also in my heart show those who all told me I could never accomplish anything in my life and I was nothing. In my heart that will bring so much closure & peace.It's amazing when somebody tells you ,you can't do something how much of a fire that sets off in you & pushes you to prove them wrong. Sorry to make this post sappy & emotional everybody. Thank you for all of you who stand by me & support me. p.s thank you hubby for the new swiming suit :)

A FaThEr'S dAY bLeSsInG

My dad is an amazing father, he has been to all us kids. I cannot put into words how much love I have for him. Some would say I am a "daddy's girl" . As my dad has been getting older he has experienced some health issues the biggest health issue of all is his gout I can imagine how painful that must be for him because if anybody has ever seen somebody with gout it looks very painful, he had it in his arm & I kid you not his hand looked like a blown up balloon hand.it has made me very sad. A week before this last fathers day , he had some problems where he could not get out of bed. Greg & I prayed & prayed  for the lord to comfort him & watch over him. One Monday night I went down to do hair as I always do & Greg was working up north like he does every night. I walked into my mom's house & just could see the hurt & worry in my dad's eyes. I proceeded to do hair & while my dad went in 7 took a bath. Than my mom ,I and my dad had this amazing idea to call up my brother to come over to give my dad a blessing of comfort, luckily Greg was just finishing up with work & walked in literally 2 minutes after my brother arrived . As my mom & I watched (as my mom's hair was processing) ha ha. we saw two preisthood holders perform a blessing so powerful , the tears ran & ran. To sitt there & watch my brother & wonderful husband perform such an amazing blessing touched my heart. I am so thankful for the priesthood and that my husband holds it. He is an amazing man as well as my brother. That night I will never forget. A week later just in time for father's day my dad was feeling amazing, he was playing with the grandchildren & back to his old self. Dad I would just like to tell you how much I love you, you do so much for us kids & love us all very much. Happy fathers day.

hOW hE dOeS iT i WiLL nEvEr KnOW

 Greg lives a very busy life, I do as well but not half as busy as my husband works. Monday through Saturday he works 8am to 10 at the earliest and usually midnight on weekends. We try to see each other as much as possible. Sundays are our favorite days we have all day to spend together with out little Jax as well. We will go swimming,picnics,walks or sometimes just relax at home & watch movies. I have been preparing to graduate , I am finished at the end of July :)  finally. but there are 2 tests involved that I have to pass to recieve my license. This Friday I take my written & and the next Friday I will take my Practicle. To say the least Greg & I are both very very stressed. However, my husband still makes time somewhere to remember the small things. I wouldn't even think he would remember. Just the other day I was going on about a package deal of sebastian hair product I wanted that was on sale & sure enough I got home & there it was waiting for me. Than one day after school these yummy chocolates were waiting for me to. He is so good to me. When he is not getting me surprises he is letting me shop which I love, not all the time but sometimes he lets me :) here are some pics of a couple things he has surprised me with, within the last two weeks . I know we all have amazing husbands but I am not going to lie mine is pretty close to PERFECT!!!!

2010 TaYlOr AnDrEwS 7th AnNuAl hAiRsHoW-"OnCe UpOn A TiMe"

 This has been my second Hairshow I have done with my school Taylor Andrews, Last year was AMAZING. This year meant so much more to me though. I got to help do models hair plus I modeled myself in the show. As many of you know I have a rough past with Domestic Violence, My husband & I to this day are fighting battles from what has happened to me in my past. For 7 yrs I have gone everyday Knowing this will always be apart of me.Now my eternal companion is here to support me & help me overcome things that still haunt me. It was awful what happened to me & it is awful what happens to many woman out there. Taylor Andrews hairshow donates money to the YWCA  against domestic violence. This year we donated nearly $4000 to the YWCA. This meant so much to me. I am so proud.

“Domestic  violence causes far more pain than the visible marks of bruises and scars. It is devastating to be abused by someone that you love and think loves you in return. It is estimated that approximately 3 million incidents of domestic violence are reported each year in the United States.”

When I was asked to model in the Pocohontis segment I was very hesitant, I have never modeled & I am a shy person. Because of the cause & what this hairshow meant to me I decided to accept. I was nervous of course . I am a very clumsy person. However something came over me that amazed me, I felt so much comfort knowing I would do ok modeling in front of a thousand people. I remember telling Greg how scared I was than as the days went by of preparing & practicing he asked me "are you still scared do you think you can do this?" I turned to him & said "I know I can do this & I am so excited" he was so surprised because I never had that much faith in myself. This was a new experience that brought me so much joy. I am so happy I accepted the offer & modeled in the show. I wasn't able to help my partner Josh with the Toy story segment as much as I had liked to but I still did what I could do & both segments turned out fantastic. I just want to say how proud of myself I am , I never say that & I never give myself enough credit but I feel such accomplishment & gained so much confidence from being couragious & taking on this new adventure. I did this for all the woman &children who experience domestic Violence & the pain & hurt they go through and what it causes them. After I went through it as a 16 year old girl I promised myself that one day I would do everything it took to help those who go through the same thing know there is hope & a way out. I hope to do more one day & be a motivational speaker to help those in need. here are pics and slide shows of the shows , and a couple of quotes I love.Thank you all who came & supported me.

“If God sends us on strong paths, we are provided strong shoes.”

“Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.”

GrEg's PaRk cItY tRiP

 This last weekend I finally got to give Greg his birthday present a getaway to Park City. We stayed at the westgate resort up by canyons. It was AMAZING, we left Jax at my parents ( I missed him so much) & we headed up for a great time. Our room was awesome. We got all dressed up went to a fancy dinner at a steak place on Main street , I love main street Park city its soooo cute actually I love all of park city it has the cutest & coziest little houses,big houses & condos. After dinner we went a little shopping on main street grabbed some yummy candy apples & headed back to the hotel to sitt in the hott tub than snuggle ,eat our candy apples & watch Avatar. It was so good for just the two of us to get away & spend time away alone ,especially for Greg he works so much & deserved to just relax. I am so happy he had fun. He for sure deserved all of it, and I for sure deserve best wifey award this year for giving the best birthday gift ever ha ha ha jk. Happy birthday baby I love you very much.

My NeW bEsT fRiEnD

I AM OBSESSED!! Sebastian (hair products) just came out with Sebastian Volupt shampoo,conditioner & a spray root lift to make your hair big ,sexy & full. First of all I am a huge Redken fan,their color line, their products & everything else of there's. However after buying these sebastain products I have seen the light ha ha ha jk but it sure does work like magic as far as giving u extreme volume & I recommend it to all u girls who are sick of your flat hair & want some body & fullness. It has become my new best friend ha ha , I have tried all these products that say they volumize the hair & some of them do work but this one is AMAZING!!

I suggest it & love it. All my clients who I have recomended it to were not disapointed & wanted more. I just sold the shampoo,conditioner & the root pump to my client last night because when I washed her hair & we were done with her haircut she was shocked with how full it had made her hair. We are selling them at the school in packages where u get all 3 for 40.00 if I remember right. its around there but way good deal consdering how much they run for indiviually.

I know I can't live without it ,I am hooked & so try it and believe me you will love it. You can purchase those packages of all 3 products at any Taylor Andrews there is one in Layton,West Jordan, & Orem. Family & friends I would be more than happy to pick u up one if u cannot make it to Taylor Andrews & will bring them down this weekend,when Greg & I come & visit. This stuff is to die for & one of my new best friends :) I have some pics of my hair here on this post some its way big others its not but thats because Greg doesn't like way to big of Utah girl bump hair ha ha ha.Below is the link to the sebastian site that tells more about the products.

http://www.sebastianprofessional.com/en_US/index.jsp?gclid=CMfs3Y_tmqECFQpcbQodOST9VA