I've been SO bored at work lately. Work-work, the one I get paid for. Because of the sluggish market, we're doing some serious downsizing. I, fortunately, am one of the lucky ones that they are keeping around. Thank You! But, even so, there is not very much for us to do because we've reduced the amount of services we provide the brokers. So, I’ve been doing a lot of this….

And this….

And this...

Sitting in front of this…

Should I feel guilty?

Just a few reasons...

why I've loved my life lately. This last Sunday, the stake theme was on righteous traditions. Well, I love traditions! I love old traditions. I love making new traditions. Traditions give me a sense of purpose and something to look forward to.



Love this place! No where else do I feel as beautiful or more like a princess as I do inside the temple. I really can't describe it. This past weekend, I splurged and went twice just because I can and I was overwhelmed by the love that I felt being poured all over me as well as the love that I felt coming from the inside out. I just loved everyone and everything. This is why we're here. It's so easy for me to forget that.

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Can I call this a tradition? Maybe. Girlfriends. Love these girls (and James)!! I forgot for awhile how important it is to have girlies in my life and I am LOVING having them back.

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Not quite as purposeful, but oh so entertaining...I've fallen for this man. Last night, at the HOB, Greg Laswell won all of us over. This was the second time I've seen him on the HOB stage and I must say, I'm keeping with my tradition of loving musicians. What is it about them? I know what it is, it's that they wear their hearts on their sleeves. They write poetry about how they feel and who they love and put it to music. I want to be loved out loud like that!

Musicians make great crushes, but I'm not so sure they make great husbands. Too emotional. So, I'll keep my crushes, thank you very much. Yes, the HOB is a favorite tradition.

Thank you...

To all the Fathers in my life!

That's my dad at the bottom of the dog pile, if you can't tell. I wonder how often he feels like this?? He such a wonderful provider and works so hard for our family--always has! Even through the busyness, he still found time to *attempt* to teach me how to throw, dig, set, catch a grounder. If I had only been a little more coordinated :). But, the life's lessons he has taught me through example and conversation have meant the world to me. Thank you for the counsel, for the Father's blessings, for all the hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial support, for putting me through undergrad and helping so much during grad school. The list could go on and on...

My grandpas...and brothers who are now daddy's. My heart is very full today with gratitude for your examples, for setting a high standard for the man who I'll choose to be the dad for my kids.

Whoever he is, I do have faith that he's out there somewhere, you better be getting ready to be the best dad in the world!


Most importantly, I am eternally grateful for a Heavenly Father whose love for me is shown in so many ways.

"Fatherhood has the potential to make you better than you are." ~Lloyd Newell (this morning's music and the spoken word) And I would like to add, fathers have the potential to make all of us better than we are. I know the fathers in my life have helped and are helping me become the best I can be.

All my love and respect...

Half Dome

Last weekend, I was talked into going on a little excursion to Yosemite--camping with the bears and hiking Half Dome. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. All in all, I think I hiked/walked a total of 20miles. It's been a really long time since I've done any hiking. I am so proud of myself.

T-Bear: "It's tough but the scenery just pulls you along." An understatement on two counts. The photos tell it better.

So much good came out of this trip! Not only did I make new friends and strengthen bonds with old ones, I also gained renewed faith in the single mormon male. Thanks for the chivalry.

That night, we had some of the best pizza I've ever eaten. Maybe because of the needed calories, maybe because it was really great pizza. Who knows?

Thanks, Lisa for making me come! Unforgettable weekend!

True Blue...

I'm so punk. This post is long over due...by about 2 moons. I'm not sure how much longer I'll keep the wild streak, but it's been fun! It looks a lot better now that my hair has lightened up.

My teenage clients LOVE it.

see some super cute photos here.

Quincey Rose...

Good Afternoon, Qunice! Look at those cheeks! I just keep staring at this photo.

If I wasn't baby hungry before, I am now.

Welcome Baby Girl!!!

Hurray for being an auntie!!!

My sister-in-law, Elizabeth, will be induced early tomorrow morning and give birth to my new niece, hopefully, shortly thereafter.

And even though I am more than 700 miles away, I wanted to be one of the first to welcome her into this crazy world.

Liz, I'm so proud of you, hot mama!!

Happy Birthday, Chad!!

My older bro is turning 31 today!

I hope you'll humor me while I reminisce....

He is 100% boy and I wanted so much to be like him. I think I followed him and his friends around way too much. But they were always doing the coolest stuff! Playing G.I. Joes, blowing things up with black cats, riding bikes through dirt dunes.

Everytime we went to California to visit our grandparents, we would have to go to Olivera Street in Downtown LA so Chad could get a bullwhip and pretend to be indiana jones. He also had a rambo knife.

When we were younger, and I'd get mad at him for something, he would sing "you are so beautiful....to me" and it would make me more mad on the outside, but secretly I loved it.

He has always been such a great example and really set the bar! I don't think he ever gave my parents anything to worry about.

And as the oldest, he has rightfully done pretty much everything first. The guinea pig. First to climb that rope we tied across our driveway, first to fall off the rope and break his arm, first to try bungee jumping, first to drive, first to total his first car, first to serve a mission, first to move out, first to get married, first to have kids.

He's an amazing dad to Adam and Brinly and I hope I find someone with his level of patience and understanding and spirituality.

Chad, you're one of my heros! Thanks for always giving great advice and always caring about me! I hope you have a great day!

One Eventful Weekend!

29 had the potential to be a hard one. But, thanks to my amazing family and roomies, it was a blast of a weekend!

A little ritual called commencement on Friday, followed by a bbq bash at the beach house started it all off just right.

My mom, Emily, Bethany, & Casey hung out for the whole weekend through till the actual day of my birth. We played, shopped, laid out, and ate.

On the evening of the 27th, we ate great sushi at Riptide and I was officially inducted into the locals club as my roomies gave me my first pair of Rainbows.

I had so much fun (even sitting through the extra long graduation) and it was so great to feel so loved! Our house is still donning fresh flowers and our counter is covered with newly washed vases since I finally got around to throwing out the dead ones. Thank you to everyone who wished me well! It meant so much to have loved ones near and far drop me a line!