Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom! It was great this week to celebrate my Mom's birthday and reflect on our relationship. I started thinking of all the reasons I just love my Mom to pieces and thought it appropriate to let the world know how great I think she is:) Here are just a few of the highlights:

1. Her example - My mom is truly an inspiration to me. She persevered through some pretty rough stuff I wonder sometimes if I could handle. Through a difficult divorce with three little girls, to going to college when we were little, through a second marriage and trying to negotiate the stuff that blended families have to deal with, she has just done it all with grace and selflessness. She always reminded me that going to college right after high school was basically non-negotiable, and after seeing her slug her way through with kids, it really made me want to get it done while I had no other responsibilities other than myself. I am soooo grateful for that now. Can't even imagine for a second being in college right now with a job, husband and child.

Her devotion to religion also makes me admire her so much. She has never wavered from what she knows to be true, and gives every ounce of herself to whatever calling she is asked to do. It has made me strive to also put the same effort and love into church as well.

2. Her attitude - I know that Winston Churchill coined the euphemism that you should never, ever, ever, give up, but my mom just personifies that. Growing up, she always drilled into us that if you choose to accept a task, you give it everything you have got. She never let us just do anything half way, and was just there every step of the way pushing us. I have also learned from her that a smile and being gracious to people is just about the best beauty secret out there. People seem to gravitate to my mom because of her amazing attitude and sunnyness.

3. Her sacrifice - When I was 16, I didn't get that Guess jeans, cheerleading uniforms and hair products were lots of money. My mom worked her guts out to supply us with the latest, and I feel awful now I didn't understand then what stress this probably put her under. She recently vowed last year to get rid of all debt, and it has been awesome watching that. Guilt has definitely arisen as I figure lots of those dollars were probably spent on me at some point. I also loved how my mom taught me that being poor as long as you are happy is totally okay. I was thinking back the other day to my college days, and how great it was sitting in an art history class in the Museum of Fine Arts basement at the U at 2:00 in the afternoon. When will I ever get to do that again?! Shane and I were crazy poor, but we were happy and loving what we were doing. Thanks Mom for making me realize that was okay:) I am also really grateful to my mom for her career choice. I know that when my mom went back to school after her divorce, her dream was to be an attorney. Realizing that would probably be super hard with four kids, she opted to teach school so she could be home more. While I know this job sometimes drives her over the edge, I am grateful that she was there for us in the evenings and weekends. Hang in there mom--just a little longer!

4. Being a working mom will not make your kids crazy - This is often a subject I am really sensitive about as I am a working mom out of the home. I often wonder if Mack will turn out to be some serial killer because I wasn't at home with him all of the time. I find solace in my mom's example that with a little extra creativity and help, things can work out okay. I guess I always admired my mom's career outside of the home, and always dreamed about what I would do when I grew up too outside of being a wife and mom. I guess I have learned from my mom that everyone is a little bit different, and that is perfectly acceptable.

Mom--love you so much:) Thanks for all you do for me!

Mack makes the Deseret News!

Wanted to include this little link from Tuesday's Deseret News. We went to see Shane's K-9 demo for the Night Aganist Crime festivities this week, and got lucky a reporter noticed Mack and Stockton.

West Valley City party is a blast!

A Wii Invasiion

We were just getting ready to walk in to see the Bourne Ultimatium when we got the call. Karla had tracked down a Wii for us at Costco. We had been vaciliating between getting one for a few months. Was it worth it, would Mack be on it nonstop, would this be a more suitable Christmas gift that just getting one for no reason...the list went on and on. We really could never find one anywhere, so it seemed like our fate was sealed that we would not be getting one. After a bit of discussion at the popcorn counter, we decided to get it. We have had lots of fun the last few days playing on it. Bowling so far as been the biggest hit, and we had fun hosting a BBQ tonight with my family to celebrate our new techie addition. My favorite thing other than having fun watch everyone play was Kaela's Mii survey. On the Wii, you make your own Mii to play games. You fashion the person after your likeness with the same facial shape, hair, eyes, height--you get the idea. Kaela decided to draw her own Mii survey, and went around talking to everyone about their preferences. Luckily, she left it here tonight, so I am including it! It also had a fun Bratz twist to it as well:)


Only one accident so far. Keith hit his head on the ceiling fan and burned off part of his hair playing Smooth Moves with Mack. Maybe not the most attractive look for his first week at his new law clerk job (Congrats Keith!), but some things in life are just a sacrifice:) Thanks again Karla for the find--we are having a blast!

Keith--hope your head gets better and you don't get too angry I posted this pic (forgot to take anything of us actually playing!), and go see the Bourne Ultimatium. Simply amazing!

What lip gloss I would be--if I were lipgloss

You Are Strawberry Kiss Lip Gloss

When it comes to life, you want the best of everything: The best clothes, the best friends, the best guy - and you usually get all three. You impress most people you meet with your genuine class and style Strawberry is a classic, admired flavor that goes with many things. Sound familar?

What Flavor Lip Gloss Are You?

More random thoughts. Try this survey out and let me know what lip gloss you are!

Ode to Sunday Morning Waffles and questions for long car rides

Is there anything more luxurious than a slow, relaxing breakfast? Mack and I made homemade waffles before church this past Sunday, and just savored their yumminess! Mack, Shane and I had them for breakfast (with blueberry syrup), for lunch (made into sandwiches with turkey and provolone) and this morning for a quick breakfast. Thanks for inspiring me with these waffles Joey! I am including this recipe from Joey's famous cookbook for all to enjoy.

The best Waffles ever
2 eggs
1 and 3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 cups flour
4 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt

Beat eggs until fluffy. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Batter should be lumpy. Pour into hot waffle iron.

On another just plain random note, got this little survey emailed to me to make those long summer car trips more interesting. Hope it comes in handy!

If you had a car that could go anywhere on earth, where would you drive to?
If you could eat only one thing the whole trip, what would it be?
What is your all-time favorite song to sing along to while in the car?
If you could pick anyone to be your personal chauffeur, who would you pick?
If you could paint a car any way you wanted, what would it look like?
What sort of special feature would your dream car have? A hot tub? A roller coaster? An ice cream parlor?
If you had to guess … How many times do you think you’ve been in a car in your life? (Think of a number and see if anyone can guess it!)
How long do you think you could spend in a car without ever getting out?
If you could design the ultimate drive-thru restaurant, what would it serve?
What is the one thing you always take with you when you go on vacation?
Of all the animals on earth, which would you least like to share the back seat with?
If you were going to give your car a nickname, what would it be?

My top five favorite things right now...

Thanks Joey for the inspiration on your current Top 5. Here is mine...

1. Summer - used to be my most unfavorite season. The heat alone just seemed awful. But, have just loved the last couple summer seasons. Ashley's pool has definitely been an added highlight to beat the warmth. It has been great to feel lazy. Laying around by the ac vents, wearing summer skirts and eating Snowies just can't be beat lately. I have been telling Shane I want to retire to St George or Mesa. Can't wait for year long heat:)

2. Mack's little friends - love this circle we live in. Mack had a built in friend base when we moved in last year. Each friend that comes over has such a unique personality and outlook on life. From the reserved, thoughtful Stockton, to the brash, hilarious Brakin, they have just made our life so sweet. Love you guys!

3. The Assault on Reason - have been reading Al Gore's book this summer. Really inspiring and interesting. Can't wait for the election season to begin! Man, it is looking so interesting. Can't wait to hear the debates and platforms. Really want an Obama for peace shirt I have seen a couple people wearing.

4. Philosophy Melon Daiquiri lipgloss - oh, just so yummy. I could live on the smell alone. Never gets gross even when I leave it in my car on a hot day. Shimmery, fun and just the best beauty product I have used in a while.

5. autotrader.com - I have been looking for a car to replace my Jeep I have to turn in next month. I have been obsessing over mileage, options and prices for the last month. I think we have settled on a BMW X3. Ian has proclaimed it one of the ugliest cars on the road, but I love it's solidness and gritiness with a little splash of style. We test drove one this week and really liked it. Okay, I agree, it is a bit of a soccer mom car, but I think it will totally suit our purposes great. Will post a pic of the one we end up with.

Thanks again Jo for the inspiration!

Happy Birthday Shaner:)

We celebrated Shane's birthday last weekend. Had so much fun hanging out with family. We went to Tepanyaki with Shane's family on Friday night. I seriously can't remember the last time we went out with them. So glad we did. Had a blast laughing at all the craziness of the meal (fires, onion volcanoes, shrimp catches). I tried all weekend to attempt to make homemade ice cream with my cute new Cusinart ice cream maker just for Shaner. Bad news--it was kind of hard :( From having to freeze the bowl, to preparing the "custard" (separating eggs, boiling everything on low for 30 minutes, the $5 cream), to figuring out an accurate consistency--WOW! Made me really grateful for those hard working guys at Ben and Jerry's. For $3 you can save yourself quite a bit of headache. Thank heaven Smith's had some great ice cream deals this week. It completely bailed me out!

Thanks to all our friends and family for their support of Shane. It is nice to have birthdays to celebrate people. It made me reflect on all the reasons I love my Shaner and why I think he is just fab. This last couple of years he has just worked so hard at work. I guess being in HR and doing employment, sincere engagement in what you do just inspires me. This last year he has won the Officer of the Year for West Valley City, placed first place in a building search in a local K-9 competition, and started teaching at the Police Academy as an adjunct professor. He truly loves what he does, and it really defines who he is. He has also been so wonderful with Mack. What would I do without him?! Our schedules sometimes get hectic and crazy, but I know I can always count on him to be there for Mack, clean our house and take care of our yard. I am so blessed! Love ya hon!