All in the name of health...

The hubster and I have entered a health competition where we are required to exercise for at least 45 minutes a day... We have had our eye on waterfall canyon for some time and finally got around to an evening hike.... It was better than I could have expected!! The river (which runs right along the trail) was sooo full and kept things cool..

Right when I asked Jesse how much further the waterfall made an appearance...


with all the spring thaw the waterfall there was tonz of water.. for only a couple more weeks!!

We ate dinner with this view- better than any restaurant I've eaten at...

Lilah even joined us and she was quite the trooper... everyone else had labs, huskies.. much bigger dogs... but she held her own!

Us at the end.. we made it and can't wait to do it again!!

Seriously you should all get out there and do this- it's well worth it!!

We decided...

when we are 60 and No Doubt is on tour (probably at the Peppermill or USANA) we will be there and we will dance to every song.. Just like we did last week!!

We had amazing seats(thanks to shell bell)


And Gwen looked amazing.. especially for having 2 children

We even got to sing happy birthday to Kingston... He is covering his ears so we must not have sounded very good ;)And the best part was this cute guy tagged along with the girls (and maybe sang along to a quite a few of the songs~but was a bit more reserved in the dancing department!!)

When I grow up...

Image from google images

Sometime i daydream about all the things I would do if I had unlimited~money~time~opportunity~talent~

I would want to be a teacher- the fun type who instill in their students a love for learning...

I would want to be a professional makeup artist- a good one that movie stars would ask to do their makeup for big events like the oscars or a big movie premier....

I would want to be a doctor- who took time to listen to the patient and not just write some quick-fix prescription, that won't even fix the problem and cuz I want to know all about how the body works

I would want to be a full-time student- who took classes in French, history, German, interior decorating, culinary school... just because I want to know more!

I would want to be a professor- the kind that everyone fights to get in their class because they make even the most boring subject material exciting.....

I would want to be a personal shopper- using other people's money to put together fabulous outfits with no budget at all

I would want to own a Wedding Business- to watch people's dreams come to fruition each and every day!

I would want to be a librarian- reading all the books that I want-whenever I wanted

I would want to be a stay at home mom- so I could spend time with my children and teach them- the values that I hope they embrace as they become the our Future!!

Sountrack of life

For most of us our soundtrack started as an infant as our mothers or fathers softly sang their sweetest lullabies to usher us off to dreamland..(Mocking bird, bushel and a peck) Although we may not remember these exact moments, they started us on a path of music becoming a constant factor in our lives. As we grow- these songs are everywhere- they are the songs that your dad does the funky chicken to our your mom does her "finger dance"... songs that can take you back to that time and place in the blink of an eye..

Of course there are the songs of your childhood.. back when you wore spandex and one neon pink sock on top of your neon green one... cuz you were soooo cool! Or the music your babysitter would sing along to as she laid out on your deck (Soul Asylum- Runaway Train, Gin Blossoms- hey Jealousy).

We always hear people referring to "Old School" songs which, for you, conjures thoughts of elementary school days and your first purchased Cd's (Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Madonna-before she looked like a man, TLC). You probably still know all the words to some of the songs and distinctly remember the choreography that you and your friends made up at someone's house one day (Salt & Peppa- shoop and What a man, Tiffany- I think we're alone now).

Let's be honest.. will you ever forget your first concert?? Where for the first -but not the last-time you saw a guy in a fishnet shirt dancing and singing as if he should have been up on stage (Janet Jackson's-Velvet Rope Tour). What about your first boyfriend.. the one you thought could care less until he told you about this one song that reminds him of you (Tim McGraw- It's your love).

Oh and then came high school.. where you really hit your stride!! You and your friends may or may not have decided that you would pick your own theme for the stomps and all dress up according to the theme (cowgirl, crazy hair, gangsta, etc.) You never want forget about the senior guys (your sophomore year) that you couldn't wait for a good song to play so you could get your freak on (Next- too close, Nelly-Ride wit me) with them. High school is usually the time where you become familiar with the HOTTEST and NEWEST artists.. the ones all the girls want to be like (Brittany Spears) or just wanted (N'Sync, Backstreet Boys).

As you grow and change so does your taste in music.. your likes may increase and change as your dislikes decrease and music you once labeled as "boring" you discover is actually nice to listen to (Swell Season, Jota Quest, OneRepublic, Ingrid Michaelson, Adele, James Morrison.)

What about the songs that remind you of the special people in your life?!? Like your girls and your spring break road trip where you stayed in a house with guys you didn't really know and only thought afterwards how completely unsafe and unsmart that was (Gwen Stefani-Hollaback Girl.) Or the artist who your sister got a calendar of at the age of 35--cuz she thinks he is sooo HOT (Enrique Iglesias) or the song that you danced to at your sister's wedding (Michael Buble-Save the last dance for me.)

There are plenty of other situations that I'm sure evoke a variety of feelings withing you upon hearing them... Some you'd like to forget~ but some you'll treasure for always~ like the first time your husband sang his little heart out to what would eventually become "your song" (Jason Mraz- I'm Yours.)

Feel free to share a song that's forever a part of your life- for better or worse... and what memories does it bring to the surface??!!??

Bachelorette

I just had to say how excited I am to see Jillian and her suitors...
I always love to see that guys can be just as dramatic and emotional as women!!
(plus there appears to be several hotties this season)
Please tell me you watch this show????

Update: Some of my front runners...

1. Mathue-with the cowboy hat

2. Jake-the pilot

3. Kiptyn-the yummy surfer

4. Michael- the funny break dancer

5. Sasha- the sexy serbian

Some of my least favs...

1. Tanner- Mr. foot fetish guy

2. Juan- the jealous argentinian

3. Brad- the corny financial advisor

and what about those previews?!? looks like it's sure to be a exciting and intense season!!

(Click here to go to the website)
I saw one of these books on a friend's blog and I just had to share them... All of these products are personalized and so super cute...

The Fairy book for girls takes each individual letter of their name and concentrates on a quality that corresponds with that letter... i.e. E is enthusiastic or T is thoughtful..
The boys book is filled with adorable animals that likewise try and teach the importance of being a good person!
I thought this floor puzzle was soo cute and fun with their own little name on the bottom- I think I need someone to have a baby so I can buy them one of these books!!

They same time flies when you're having fun!

In the last 6 months

I Have....

*Gotten walked in on the honeymoon

*Learned to like my Mother-in-law

*Cooked one million times more than ever before (literally)

*Bought fewer clothes

*Understood what my mom always said about taking pride in a clean house

*Got a puppy

*Did one load of laundry (cuz the hubby does it!!)

*Hung out around a camp fire dozens of times

*Appreciated my mom's always well stocked fridge

*Worked through some misunderstandings

*DVR'd "man shows"

*Watched my husband become a fan of "girls shows"

*Fell in love more and more each day

and...

*Enjoyed every minute of it!!

honestly??

People always say that “honesty is the best policy” so why is it that whenever I tell the truth it ends up biting me in the a$*?!?

For example: my mother-in-law asked me if I liked pumpkin squares, it just so happens that I DO NOT like pumpkin squares, pumpkin pie, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and so I answered honestly and told her “NO”. My mother overheard the conversation and proceeded to tell me how rude it was and that for the sake of my MIL feelings I could have just told her yes!! Really?? So that the rest of my life she would have make me pumpkin squares, thinking I like them?? Hmm doesn't make much sense..

I am sorry if I hurt your feelings when I don’t pretend like we are best friends if.. I don’t really like you,

or if you ask what I think of your outfit and I tell you it’s not really flattering.

I don’t feel bad telling you that I don’t like pie or nuts in food or spicy food at all- it’s not your food it’s anyone’s!

I don’t think it’s wrong to admit that you’ve changed your mind about plans that you’ve made and would rather stay home with your husband.

What’s wrong with agreeing to disagree instead of just going with the flow?

Why is it that we feel that telling half truths or creating a “story” are a much better alternative to telling the truth?? Shouldn’t the person being told the truth be grateful that they are respected enough that they aren’t being told a blatant lie that the person feels they are emotionally mature enough to not overreact to the truth…

Don’t get me wrong, there is a respectful way to approach the “honesty” issue. People’s feeling must be taken into consideration and if the cold, hard truth would crush them- find an easy way around it.. lead into the conversation slowly but don’t chicken out… or else you will find yourself making excuses and telling more half-truths for a very long time!

Which do you prefer… A story to soften the blow or-
the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.. ?? Got any stories??

I Love when my husband

Sings in the car..

For those of you who have never (and probably never will) seen this side of Jesse.

Please ignore my high pitched voice and cackling in the background..

Beautiful

People magazine came out with their annual "Most Beautiful People" list this past week and Christina Applegate was their #1... I have to say that although I do think Christina is beautiful, it's not just her exterior that put her at the top this year. Inner beauty has got to be what pushed her to the front of the pack as she courageously fought a battle with breast cancer and ultimately had a double masectomy to prevent any future altercations. It made me happy to see that although all around us we see what the definition of beauty should be.. we can still take a step back to appreciate strength, courage, optimism, and the beauty that the eye can't see...

I want to talk about some of the most beautiful people in my life...

1. My sister Dawn (far left) is the most thoughtful and kindest person you will ever meet. She places the needs of her family and friends ahead of herself all of the time. She is constantly thinking of what she can do to help someone out, lighten their load, and be that shoulder you can rely on.

2. Carli- "the Blonde" is beautiful because she is constantly trying to better herself. She has had to endure some difficult trials in her life but has risen to the top and become a strong and independant person. Her constant growth- in various aspects of her life- amaze me and make me so proud of her!

3. Brandee- "the baby" is beautiful because she is what she is.... she will tell you what she thinks about anything- your clothes, hair, what you say, etc. but it's nice to know that you can count on her to be honest. She's an incredible athlete and has a talent for cosmetology.. she gives 110% to every endeavor that she pursues.

4.My mom is beautiful because she is strong. She has set an example to her girls that women can be independant, have an opinion, work hard, and stand up for what they believe. A big reason why all of us have been successful in life is due to my mom and the things she taught us. She is very selfless and will take time out of her day to help anyone out. She is creative and pays attention to detail.. making sure that anything she does is done perfectly!

5. Shelly- (who happens to be single if you know anyone) is a loyal friend, willing to joing me in any crazy adventure. She will laugh or cry with you and not judge you if it's the hundreth time she's seen you broken hearted. She is not afraid to speak her mind but does it with love and compassion. She's not ashamed of who she is- a sports loving, concert going, non-cooking, t.v. addicted girl that can hold a conversation with just about anybody. (thanks to her mom)

Although I think all of the women in my life are gorgeous from the outside.. it truly is the inner beauty that stands out to me.

So I am curious... who do you think is beautiful??? It can be anyone... your family, friends, celebrities.. Let's celebrate the inner beauty that we hear so much about but never focus on!!

Happiness..

I am feeling a little down today (i know it should be a crime cuz it's friday) so I thought I would steal an idea from this blog and think of things that make me happy in no particular order...

1. Lilah's puppy breath and kisses in the morning

2. the way Jesse "strips" his clothes off before bed ;)

3. Tulips, cala lillies, and lilac bushes

4. the smell of fresh cut grass

5. sleeping in on rainy saturday mornings

6. the take-off in airplanes

7. speaking/ hearing portuguese

8. new shoes

9. manicures and pedicures

10. "kitchen talks" with my sisters

What makes you happy?!?

Have a good weekend!!!

Mine will be spent trying to make this....

Look like this...

Wish me luck!!