New photos of Riley and me...

To celebrate Riley (and my) upcoming birthday, our awesome friend Carrie took photos of us.  I posted my favorites of Riley's on her blog, but wanted to post my favorites of the two of us together here.  She did a great job...I love how they turned out. 

Obviously, this isn't a photo of Riley and I, but I love how it turned out.  Goofy, silly, fun...

MORE GREAT NEWS!

The secret I've been keeping for a while....Becky and Joey are going to be parents!

The secret that caught everyone off guard....

TWINS!!!

Feeling Groovy!

Hallee and I on my Mac photobooth...she definitely is one groovy kid!

I have so much to be happy and excited about lately.  Thought I'd share a few things that are making me especially happy today....

-  Secrets that only I know....much more to come on that in the near future!

-  My daughter is growing so much every day....talking non-stop, singing, clapping, high-fives, goofy smiley faces, trying to walk, big wet sloppy kisses, into everything...I love it and it totally makes up for the two molars she has on the way. 

- Time with my family...sleepovers with my nieces, visits with my sister, late night mani/pedis with my sister in law, birthday parties, planning holiday trips...i can't get enough!

-Amazing friends, old and new...there are a lot of wonderful people in this world.  I am lucky enough to count a bunch of them as friends!  So enjoying the familiarity and security of old relationships and the excitement and anticipation that is part of making new friends.  

-  Productive, meaningful work....I mean, it's work, but I still enjoy it, look forward to it, and feel good about it..how many people can say that?

- Feeling happy and healthy and alive...between a rough pregnancy and the rather intense year that followed, it's been a while since I felt totally on top of things, mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually...  But I'm getting there, feeling great, and enjoying it...and that is so awesome!

-  Lots of good writing going on...some just for me, some just for Riley, some to be published (*fingers crossed*) but it's been going really well lately.  

- Upcoming writing workshop...I'm really looking forward to this...new places, new people, new ideas...just exactly what I need right now!

I know I have taken a rather long break from blogging, but it's because I have so much to do and so much to enjoy that I haven't had time to get it all down.  Not a bad reason to be absent, but still, I'm trying to do better.  

What are you happy about these days?  Leave it on my comments so we can all enjoy!

Update post

Sorry for my absence from the blogging world. My work world and mom world and visiting my sister world and trying to have a life world have sucked up all my time lately. I have plans for a new post in the very near future! I promise....

And the award for Best Aunt Ever goes to....

I spent this Fourth Of July gettin' down and groovy to MILEY CYRUS with my neice, Shawnee. A few months ago, I scored (with Joey's help) tickets to the Stadium of Fire, starring MILEY CYRUS! The BlueMan Group performed, as well, but for Neen, the night was all about MILEY!

The day began with a trip to Bear Lake to switch kids. I picked up Shawnee and we headed for Provo. She was SUPER EXCITED...I've never seen her so amped about anything in my life. She even said it was better than Christmas.


holding her ticket up outside of the Stadium. She practically danced from the car to the stadium!



After much deliberation, she picked out her first concert T-shirt. This was my favorite one, too.



View from our seats. Not the best in the house, but not bad.



The whole night was worth it for this smile. She was so enthralled with the whole event!



Sky-divers from the Military brought in the service flags.


Glenn Beck talked about the meaning of the colors of the flag.




Members of the National Guard led the National Anthem.




F-16s from the 419th Fighter Squadron (my old unit!) flew over the stadium, much to Shawnee's delight!



The BlueMan Group performed, which was a lot of fun!



Shawnee "Raisin' the Roof" to the BlueMan Group!



Finally, Miley Cyrus took the stage. Shawnee was so excited that she started to cry. So cute!

The concert was a lot of fun. Neen's favorite song was "Girl's Night Out" because Miley had the girl's stand up and sing with her. I liked "See You Again" best, but probably because it's the only song I know.

The night ended with an AMAZING firework's display that lasted a long, long time.





On the way out of the stadium, Shawnee ended up standing about 2 feet away from the BlueMan Group members as they went back into their dressing room. She was so tired that she didn't even notice until I nudged her and pointed it out. They all looked right at her with their weird, freaky eyes! She was out cold almost immediately once we got on the road, but not until she called her Dad and Grandma Nita.

It was such a fun night, and I'm so glad I got to do this with Shawnee. Plus, she paid me the ultimate compliment.

"I'm so glad you are my aunt. You are totally in the Now Version..."

High praise, indeed.

Tagged by Beck

5 places I go over and over:
1. Work
2. Gym
3. Grocery store
4. 7-11 with the good ice and Diet DP
5. Library

(I have a pretty boring life)

5 people who email me regularly:
1. Boss
2. Co-workers
3. Grandma Beckie
4. NR
5. Writing group members

(some of you reading this owe me an email or two)

5 places I like to eat at
1. Home
2. Whole Foods
3. Mazza
4. Keith and Jamie's
5. Grandma Lanes

( I don't get out much due to 10 month old, but I'm starting to dislike eating out, anyway)

5 places I would rather be:
1. Bay area visiting my frister
2. Vacation- preferably somewhere on a beach
3. Bear Lake
4. Jackson Hole
5. Asleep in bed

(Going to a few of these places in the next few weeks...YAY!)


5 TV shows I watch all the time:
1. So you think you can dance (my summer obsession)
2. Army Wives (Lame, I know, but I love it)
3. The Next Food Network Star (don't know why but I love this show)
4. Gilmore Girls (my all time favorite TV show)
5. Bunny Town (I have a 10 month old - give me a break....)

A Little Gift

This afternoon, I took Riley for a walk in a beautiful little town not far from where we live. As I walked along, enjoying the gorgeous surroundings, the sunny day and my baby's happy laughter, I realized that I am delighted with where I am right now. Geographically, yes, but also physically, emotionally, spiritually....in many, many ways, I am very lucky and very blessed. I also contemplated some decisions I am trying to make and pondered how the results would impact my life, Riley's life and the lives of other's I love and care for. Ultimately, I came to the conclusion that I have a lot to be grateful for and whatever I choose to do needs to give back in some way.

When we arrived home, I put Bug down for her nap. She was tired out from the sun and from taking in all the new surroundings, and was content to go right to sleep. Before I settled down for a Sunday afternoon nap, which is becoming a much anticipated weekly tradition for me, I took Harley outside. Still thinking about my day so far, and about the utter contentment I had felt while walking with Riley, I noticed something right by my foot: a small card, printed with this message:




Hmmm....coincidence? I don't think so. I think it's a little gift, put into my path, to let me know that i was right on in my thinking and I need to follow those thoughts with action. Which i plan on doing, right after I take a nap.