No pictures today, just this thought..

Why does it feel like you need a parent so much more when you're done being parented?

Is it just one of life's cruel little mysteries?

It's Been Awhile...

In my defense, summer has FINALLY hit the 801. Therefore, I have been spending way more time outdoors than indoors, so my blogging productivity have decreased. Love me anyways?

In an effort to play catch-up, here is some proof that we have the MOST stellar nephew and niece in the world. Try as you may, you won't find better kids anywhere. I fell even deeper in love with them while we were out there, to the point where my heart physically aches for them as I type this. Yep, I've always been this much of a drama queen. I hear it's one of my better qualities.



These guys went camping. I think this may have been the highlight of Christian's trip, if not his entire life. He lives for things like father-son camp outs. Especially with a kid as awesome as Michael. The played, got dirty, ate junk food, stayed up all night, and arose with the sun. Meanwhile, Hannah, Amy and I went shopping, out to dinner, and painted our toenails while watching Modern Family. Success? I'd say so.



Seriously?? This kid is the bomb.com. He has the most spunky little 'tude, and is the best big brother Amy could ever ask for. And, smart as a whip, I tell you. Just ask the Angry Birds and Monkey games on your cell phone. Plus? He's pretty easy on the eyes.

This one?



She WILL melt your heart. You don't stand a chance. She is the prettiest little girl, with the most loving, sweet smile. And the best is when you get her up from a nap. It almost seems like her face will break, she smiles so big. And she gives you the biggest hug, as though she is saying "THANK YOU! You saved me! I am so happy it's you! I was hoping you would be the one to come and get me! You're my very favorite Auntie, ever. And the prettiest. I want to be just like you." Okay, maybe my imagination went off a bit with that last part. Minor details. Amy sleeps like a dream, is a crawling machine, eats like a rockstar, and we didn't hear her cry 1 one time while we were out there. Includes when she was tired, hungry, whatever.



I like to think she loves me, too.



Seriously? I wish there was a word more meaningful that Love. Because that's how I feel about them. I'm a little scared that when I have my own children, I won't love them like I love these 2 rug rats.



And these 2 became the best of friends. Christian was in heaven playing with Michael. He still cannot get over how much FUN he is!



They both had smiles this big. Christan brought out his slackline so that Michael could play, and play he did! I think every other phrase out of Michael's mouth was "Oh, Michael's turn!" or "My Turn!" All of my favorite people, playing outside, laughing our heads off, on a perfect summer night? I had to pinch myself, it was just so perfect.



The kid is all BOY!

Sadly, there aren't as many pictures with Amy. Reason being is that I was too busy cuddling her, kissing her, and smooching her little cheeks (yep, all 4 of them!) to worry about pictures. I had to soak up all of the precious Amy time I could get. Something about that girlie girl just makes you feel like you could hang the moon.

There you have it. The photo documentation of our favorite people. The trip was a dream. More NYC pics to come. I'll be honest, Eric, Hannah, Michael, and Amy were the highlight, though.

He's cute.



This is us on our Friday night date. The husb. asked me out for a picnic... sadly Utah-friggin-weather had other plans for us. So we went to eat at the most lovely of all dive diners, followed by a movie. Water for Elephants. My expert opinion? Don't go if you want a feel good movie. 2 hours of depressing, with the last 5 minutes being uplifting. So you leave happy, BUT you just spent 2 hours being depressed! The lovely gem above was post movie. Also post eyebrow wax, so don't judge.

My east-coast-happyplace trip is on the horizon. Meaning, that if I check the 10 day forecast, there is a better chance that the prediction is correct. Neat, huh!! I think about going out there alldaylong. Michael and His Goober-face, Amy and Her Cute-ness. Yep, that is their official titles. Don't be jealous. Only Aunt Lisa can give such honors.

I am oddly thrilled to be gone for so long, and come back to my google reader all filled up with blog posts to read. I usually check compulsively, never knowing which blog will be telling me what the summer-must-haves are. I have GOT to be up-to-date on these things. My eternal salvation is on the line. Heavenly Father won't be letting any ill dressed girlies in.

Dear Fococcia Bread,

You ruined my resolution to eat healthy today. I was really going to do it today, too. I Went to the store, bought healthy things, did so great this AM. I was all grapes and hydration. I brought steamed broccoli for lunch. Enter the office catering. Darn you, free fococcia bread. Darn you to heck. (I know, I'm such a rebel with my cursing and such).

In other news, the countdown to My Happiest Place On Earth is growing smaller. One week from tomorrow!!! EEEeeEEE! And, all you avid readers, (Hi Mom!) there is going to be an Alexander McQueen exhibit at the MET while we are there (I just had to change I to we. Still adjusting to married life, I see). Oh, and there is the ever expanding list of things I HAVE to buy while I'm (WE) out there. Maybe I'm taking an extra empty suitcase out there with me, for the sole purpose of bringing it back full. :) Expect full facebook play by plays.

I feel like this entire blog post is a waste, due to my lack of pictures. In my defense, the camera on my phone is lame. Apparently I don't have enough memory for pictures on my phone. Whatev. Is anyone still reading this? Oh, comments... please be there when I check back for you. Really, this is my only highlight until next week. Christian has been studying all week. I saw him yesterday for 45 min... that included driving time. Oh, finals. We have a love/hate relationship.

Loving

This Guy:



Things come at you, you don't expect them to. In a perfect world, all would be well, no curve balls, no raining on parades, you get the image. We have our plan, and OUR plan works out. Nevermind His plan. But we are in this life to learn, to grow, to better ourselves and the ones around us. To be good people, and to love the life that we are blessed to live. I am loving the peace that has been in my soul the past few days knowing that I am His daughter, that He loves me, and will give me no burdens that I am not equipped to bear (no matter how it may feel at the time). How fantastic, to have someone who knows you THAT well? I am blessed to know that things will work out as they are meant to, we are just along for the journey. How fantastic! I am loving Him today, and feeling especially grateful for Him.

Random Happenings

Christian and I have become American Idol fanatics. Something about Jenny from the Block mixing with Steven Tyler makes my heart beat just a little faster. Our favorite? This guy...



Seeing as America disagreed with me this week, and the stud of a mad above was kicked off, I'm not sure if we will be watching this week. Paul had all the p-zazz. Well, and Scotty. But he holds the mike like a chicken wing, and I'm not diggin that.

In other news, the countdown to MY Happiest Place on Earth has begun. I hate Disneyland, so don't fool yourselves... we are going to Maryland to visit my family out there! I am so darn excited. We are spending some time with them, and then Christian and I are going to have a little adventure of our own in the Big Apple. We don't have a whole lot planned to do out there as of right now, so any suggestions would be fab.

My no spending policy kind of went out the window... I nabbed these bad boys.



BUT... my justification is... they are FOR my east coast trip! i needed some good walking shoes, what with all of the walking we will be doing!

Also, I bought these:




for $9.99. Yep. Only $200 LESS that what they retail for. I couldn't say no. Thank you, Savers.

So that has been my life lately. America Idol heartbreaks, online shopping, working, and watching Christian study. Wow. The fun just never stops.

My Treasure is Your Treasure

Once a year comes with a minor panic attach from choosing the BEST, most WONDERFUL Mothers Day gift for the BEST most WONDERFUL Mother. Some years, she makes it really nice, and sends my brother and I a link saying "This is what I want. Buy this, and I will be happy." Makes for a really easy gift, but the lack of surprise kills me. I LOVE getting a great gift, that I had NO idea what it was. And, my mom and I are a lot a like.

Anyhow... I found it. This year, I found the PERFECT gift for. NO, I am not going to post it on here (yet) because I know Mommie Dearest stalks my blog, and it would ruin the whole surprise. I just want to do some totally shameless marketing for Christian's most awesome Aunt. She made said "gift". And I don't even think I am doing it justice by saying it is "cute". It is DARLING. Anyways, in case there is anyone looking for the perfect gift for their perfect Mom... look no further.

Her name is Teri, and her email is bead-a-licious@hotmail.com. Or you can comment, and I will send you a picture of the gift (unless you're my Mom) and you will see how great it is.

Plus, she is a super fun gal. And I love her. And so will you. :)

Happy Monday!

This is me. The writer of this blog. A lover of all things sunflower-y, summer-y, and lovely. I have been on a no spending money kick, mostly by necessity, as we are going to be going to the East Coast next month, and it would be nice to have a bit of dough to throw away while I'm over there. Hence the exasperated smirk on my round little face. I've made it since Saturday. I can do it!

(please forgive my messy hair. Like clockwork, it seems to drive me nuts at 3pm every day. OH, and the cute little red zit on my chest? Don't be too jealous of my hottness.)




This is W. Christian. He's really excited in this Lyle Lovett-esque picture. He was going in to get Lasik! This is his look of concern. I'll show you why...



Yep, this was the door to enter to get the Lasik done. I saw the door, and started hysterically laughing. I mean, REALLY? I think after you sign your life (or just vision) away with the 30+ pages of "BEWARE" and "It's Not Our Fault If...", you kind-of GET that the whole procedure is dangerous. Hilarious.



This is how the handsome guy sleeps every night now. He has to wear his bug goggles! Apparently, some people are aggressive sleepers, and tend to try to scratch out their eyeballs sub-consciously. I don't really think W. Christian fits the bill, but what do I know. Although, last night, he took them off, threw them on the ground, and laid back down without even realizing it. He woke up totally confused about why they were off. :)

Anyhow, that, along with some rain, sleet, and snow, has been our week. I've been glad you have you along on this re-cap, cyber-world.

Till next time...

Oh, p.s... I tried on the Old Navy jeans while W. Christian was signing his life away at the Lasik center, and they did NOT live up to the hype. Which helped my no shopping pledge. :)

Self- Mastery

Picture this...

I'm at work, nothing to do but sit at the front desk and look cute. Check. I'm taking a stroll around some blogs, checking out the "must-have's" for the upcoming (hopefully) spring season. Everyone that seems to have a blog proclaiming "5 spring staples for 2011" seems to have the PERFECT Jessica Alba-esque figure, and the cash flow to support their habit. Me, on the other hand... I have a pretty face :). So in I go to fantasy land, filling up carts only to delete them before hitting"checkout now", and I see some skinny jeans proclaiming "BEST FIT EVER! Perfect for curvy girls! Old Navy!" Click-ity click click. I have got to see the review on these bad boys. 482 Reviews? 4 out of 5 stars overall? Sounds intriguing. On sale RIGHT NOW? Yes please!

I am in process of packing up my purse and hightailing it to the nearest ON in downtown Salt Lake, when I realize... I have let myself win. Again. I have a syndrome where as soon as I get something in my head, I have to do it NOW. No waiting, no loitering around, staring at the skyline, admiring the beauty that is slowing down, NOPE. Need to do it now. Need to get to ON now... nevermind the fact that there are 5 stores in the general vicinity of my house, and heaven knows there will be one pair still there later tonight, or heaven forbid... tomorrow (gasp! could I wait THAT long? I'm having a panic attack just imagining it)! Oh, and maybe I'm at WORK! I can't just leave... but maybe I could call Christian and have him pick up the jeans for me?? I mean, I have the car, but he could ride his bike?? Yep.. that's how sick and twisted this little land called my mind is. And the worst part?? He would do it! He loves me that much, he would ride his bike to Old Navy, just to get me a pair of jeans that I havent even seen in the flesh, and just have an inkling that I may like, cause the 482 reviews said I would. And chances are he would get the wrong size (just ate a piece of pizza... I should probably go for the one size up ;) and then I would be going back to the store to exchange them out anyways!!

I should probably mention that I ALREADY have one pair of skinny jeans that I love. But hey... so many cute flats to wear this summer... I neeeeed another one! (Am I really justifying myself to myself?? TWISTED, I TELL YOU!!)

This isn't just with shopping. This is with cleaning my house, too. Christian and I are eating dinner, he is the slowest eater EVER, so I WILL get up in the middle of him eating his meal and start cleaning the house. So rude! I can't believe it. He will be watching a movie will me, and I'll just get up and start doing something else that I thought of. And if I try not to, I get all fidgity and drive him nuts till he says FORGET IT! Just go, silly girl.

Eating dinner, going to friends' houses, making phone calls when something is on my mind... Is 11:30 pm too late to call? NO! Cause they need to know my opinion RIGHT NOW!

Am I alone in my dangerously OCD-esque habit? Blog world?? Ugh... just the crickets chirping. Oh, well.

P.S. They would be SO CUTE with my new boots!! They need to be mine!!

Dun du du DUH!!!

Drum roll please...

The boots!! I have been keeping these boots company in REI, Nordstroms, and any other place I can find them for a long time (ahem... years, maybe?). I could never seem to justify the hefty price tag that went with them, when I knew I had 4 pairs of BLACK boots waiting for me at home. But I wanted BROWN! (I know I am sounding like Verruca from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory... but really, I needed them). Cue another trip to REI to visit said boots... what??!! They are GONE? How could that be? Sure enough, the beautiful cherry brown lovlies were on CLEARANCE, with free shipping for REI members! OF course my husband is an REI member! Hooray! The little bad boys are now keeping my little toesies warm, while bringing happiness and sunshine to my soul at the same time. * Notice the awesome straps on the back for a little flair? Yeah, I love it, too. **Oh, and you saw that they are leather, come waterproof, and have kick butt tread on the bottom? Yep, I know. :) ***And they are the perfect fit for us of the small calves, with enough room to still stick skinny jeans into them? Yep. We were meant to be together. **** (Yes, I am aware that I haven't shaved. I sit under a desk, people only see my top half. Love me anyways?? Who am I kidding... OF COURSE you do!)

Urban Chic

Ah, the life of a working girl. I was recently blessed with the most BOMB job ever, for so many reasons! I am working as the receptionist for an environmental consulting firm. So many amazing people, doing amazing things. I get to wear jeans (AH-MAZING!). The do in house catering all the time, I'm never hungry. Take today... breakfast AND lunch. Oh, did I mention the gym? Yep, free gym access on the 1st floor. I have a great friend who I work with, she rocks. It's downtown, which I LOVE! So urban, ya know? ;)

Anyhow, welcome to my humble abode for 40 hours a week.

This is where I sit. Awesome, right? Off to the left, you see my smoothie made my my most loving husband for me this AM, next to my water bottle (the water bottle is awesome free schwag from my awesome job). Then there is my sweet dual screen monitors, proudly displaying the cuteness of Amy. And then the PHONE. My job security. That and my charming personality. Such a winning combination. :)

This is what everyone gets to see when they walk in. Envision ME in that chair. The candy jar is off to the left. Yep, I bribe my coworkers to be my friends with candy. Don't judge me. I'm a newbie.

Hope you loved the tour!

Maryland

This is the beginning of my valiant effort to resume blogging. I don't really have a ton to blog about, but here goes anyways.

About a month ago, I made an impromptu trip to the East Coast to visit with my family out there, as well as attend a funeral. My sweetest sister in law ever even said we could have Michael's 3rd Birthday party while I was out there, too! The week was jam packed full of playing, snuggling, laughing, chasing, dancing, and being the silliest little auntie and nephew/niece we could be. Alas, picture taking was not our first priority, so only the following two pictures came about.

The kid is a ton of fun. This was my valiant effort to show Christian that he was having fun with the toys that we got him. However, I think that the fact that I could hardly get him to sit still to take a picture while he played is more proof that he liked them.

Seriously? Could YOU ever say "no" to him?! I think not! This little stud of a boy got to come along on a fabric store trip with us, and what a trooper! He got to sit in the cart and play with Aunt Lisa's purse! Lucky dog. I look away for a second, and he had found my glasses, and was rockin' them like it was no big deal.

Hannah was sweet enough to let me sit in on a picture or two of the kids while they got their 3 year (Michael) and 6 month (Amy) pictures done. Those little gems are soon to follow. Don't you fret, my little pets.

Maybe

Maybe I'll come out of hibernation to say this, and only this. I love my niece. Exibit A:

Amy is the ultimate cuddle bug, and the best snuggler EVER. When i was out in Maryland for a week, I fell desperately in love with this little princess. I got this little gem on my phone last night, and it physically took my breath away. And since it's MY blog, you get to see it too. Lucky dog.

Maybe if Christian and I decide to document all of the exciting life changes that have been happening, I'll post about those too. Let's face it, though. Amy and Co. is where it's at.

So, on that note, goodbye my lovelies. Enjoy your St. Patty's Day!