College Life ...

has once again flooded Rexburg. Jam-packed Wal-mart (especially last Saturday - I made the mistake of going that day.) traffic, pedestrians, and a little bit of nostalgia. I took Dave up to class today and as I watched all the students walking around I started thinking about the last 4 Septembers. 2003 - my first semester at college. The first weekend my roomies and I went to the Rascal Flatts/Phil Vassar concert at the fair in Blackfoot. Way cool. We were instant friends. That year I made tons of friends, and we all went back to the same ward the next year. 2004 - The first weekend I went back to Pocatello to run a half-marathon. That year was a blast! Loved my roommates, and I got engaged! Great year. 2005 - newlywed. I mostly took night classes that fall because I was working. I got pregnant and changed my major that year. But I still knew tons of people up on campus and it was always fun to see them. 2006 - new baby. Most of the people I knew were graduated. I was too busy with my family to worry about it. Then I graduated.

2007 - stay at home mom. I saw a bunch of girls walking together the other day. I remember being one of those girls. I was loud and outgoing. I'm not like that as much anymore. Though I don't miss being single, sometimes I miss the "me" that I was back then. Carefree, outgoing, tons of stuff to do... I was reading my scriptures like I should and doing baptisms for the dead almost every month. I couldn't wait until I could go whenever I wanted. Now I can and don't go as often as I should. I just wanted to be married. Its funny, many of those girls just want to be in my shoes... stay at home mom in a regular family ward with a good husband. Its not that things are different than I thought they'd be. Its that I'm different than I thought I'd be. Its still good though.

For the sake of this walk down memory lane, here's a picture of my and one of my best friends, and roommate, Laura.

clean, clean, clean

filling my days with housework. soon dave will disappear into school/work-land; I wanted to get it all clean before that happened because I knew I'd never get on top of it if I didn't start out that way. I've just gotten past the "making it messier before you can clean it stage and now it actually looks straightened up. I'm going to Boise to watch my sister's kids on Thursday until Saturday. I hope to get the house all done before then.

Music to the soul...

Luciano Pavarotti died on Thursday. For those of you who are unfamiliar, let me introduce you...




Okay, admittingly, I have a weakness for tenors. And I mean, good tenors. I grew up listening to music from him, Placido Domingo, The Irish Tenors, and John Denver (although in a different category, he had a very amazing tenor voice - very clear and strong.) As well as music from Les Mis, Phantom of the Opera, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, etc, all of which feature real vocal talent. The voice is the most beautiful instrument and good music like this speaks to my soul like no other. In fact, as I listened to this song yesterday on my sister's blog, it brought tears to my eyes because it is so beautiful. Kinda weird, maybe, but I just love it! Music was always such a part of my life growing up. We all sang, loved to dance around the house, and many of us play the piano. I sang in our high school's audition choir (and it wasn't that easy to get into.) Usually these days if I choose the music, I choose Brad Paisley or the like, and really enjoy singing in the car to some good tunes. But when I hear good, pure voices like Pavarotti's, it touches me. And that's how you know it's really good music. His voice will be missed on earth, but I'm sure he's singing in heaven. ...

Reggie Is Cool

I am showing Erin how to do a you tube post since I am now an expert.

Insert Movie Here:


Wow, wasn't that easy?

Tryin to learn the u tube...

So, Rumor has it that somehow you can put text before a youtube video. Can I figure out how this is done?



Yep.

That was pretty good.

Who does Ana look more like?

This was a fun site!


I was kinda surprised by the results. What do you think? Who does Ana really look more like?

*i love*

good friends. Today I was sort of depressed since its been rainy and cool for 3 days. (I'm just not ready for summer to be over.) But I really needed some fresh air, so I put on a sweatshirt, pulled out the stroller and took Ana for a walk to see a friend that I hadn't seen in a few weeks. She was the Primary President before they split the ward and it was so good to talk to her again. It made me grateful for friends that you can just drop in on and they welcome you 100%.

also: good long conversations, especially with my husband. mexican food. eating out. sunshine. ice cream. (now I'm hungry)...

Adorable

I know, all parents think their child is the smartest and the cutest baby around, especially first timers, but I just can't help but think Ana really is the cutest! A little about my baby girl:

*she loves her mommy! She's full of hugs and loves and kisses for me all day. I love the smile I see when she sees me.

*she's learning to walk. She'll walk almost anywhere holding onto a willing finger, but crawling is still much faster.

*social butterfly. We went the library this morning. There is a section for toddlers with board books a toys and while she was playing a little boy a few months younger than her came around. She couldn't get enough of him. She kept saying "hi" and patting his back and hugging him and talking her little jabber to him. She even poked his eye and said "eye." He didn't like it at all, but she was so excited to see him. Anytime we're around little kids, she's like that. At church, she often wants to play with the kid behind us. One week she even gave a little baby a big kiss on the forehead. Most babies her age (including her two little cousins) don't really like her affections, but I think its adorable.

*she's starting to play by herself more, which is great for me. Because she does, I play with her more. Its really cute to watch her entertain herself.

*I am amazed at how much she can understand. When she's hungry and I mention food, she crawls into the kitchen. She knows what her blanky and sippy cup are, and she knows "outside" and that "arf-arf" means we're going to go outside to see a puppy. (she learned that at my parents house this weekend.) She waves bye-bye anytime someone walks out the door, too. She only says a few words, but she knows whats going on in her little world. She also knows when something is distracting me away from her - she'll push a book out of my hand if I've been reading all day.

Mostly, I just think she is the cutest and coolest baby around. She makes it fun to be a mommy!

Funny

This is funny...

Busy weekend ...

We've been visiting family for a few days. Of course, we don't have any pics since our camera is still in Boise (until Saturday). But we went to a wedding reception for a friend on Saturday night. I graduated with her 5 years ago. Its kinda crazy because its her 2nd marriage. But the guy she married this time is a good guy and I'm excited for her. I've seen a few people from high school that I havent seen in a while, so that has been fun. Its so crazy how think you'll always keep in touch and then life happens and before you know it you have no idea what is going on with anyone. We went to church with my parents yesterday and although I kinda missed being in primary, it was kinda nice to go to Sunday School and Relief Society again. Ana slept during most of church she I even got to pay attention. They had a really good testimony meeting too. There was a convert confirmation and she bore a very sweet testimony. She's 14 and her mom told my mom that she finally has a sense of belonging and confidence. I just thought - now that is what the Young Women's program is all about. It was cool. So today, Dave's gone fishing with my Dad and its just me and my sistas hanging out. Gotta love that!