Happy Birthday to one of my oldest and dearest friends

When I was in 2nd grade I met my best friend Tami Jewkes.  She had long dark hair, the sweetest disposition and I knew right away that we were going to be friends for a long time.  However, after a year in Mrs. Houser's class in 2nd grade they split our school and we'd be going to different schools for 3rd grade!  It was devastating, but we still played together all the time and kept our friendship going strong.  However, in 4th grade my family moved to Orem and chances of us seeing each other all the time seemed slim....BUT - we managed!  We'd spend long weekends together, meet 1/2 way to swap off where we stayed.  I went camping, hunting and on trips to Lake Powell or Green River with her family.  I LOVED the times we'd go on trips together!  We managed to stay great friends through college, we had our first babies within a week of each other and I love that we have facebook and email to keep up with each other.

One of my favorite things about Tami and my friendship was that our birthdays were just 2 days apart.  We had several birthady celebrations together and I remember getting matching pajamas one year for our birthdays.  (we also had miniature ones for our "My Child" dolls).  So when our birthday week comes up it makes me happy to know I get to celebrate it with one of the greatest girls there is!

This year Tami is doing something I'm SOOOOO proud of her for doing!  She's going to be running in the Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay!!!  I wish like heck that I could be there to cheer her on and to give her a huge hug at the end.  Having her come cheer me on at the Top of Utah 1/2 Marathon this past summer was one of the greatest things ever and I wish I could return the favor.  So good luck sweet friend, I can't wait till January when we do get to run together!  (YAY!)



I LOVED that I stumbled on this quote.  When we were in Jr. High Tami gave me a little tiny frame
with this same picture in it and I saved it all these years.  Love that girl!

Friday Favorites - BLOGS

I am in awe of the creativity and amazing talent that is out there in internet-land.  Just take a few minutes to browse through these cute and crafty blogs for awesome ideas.  Everything from crafts to church activities and contests to win goodies, pie in a jar to household cleaning tips - it's awesome!  Here are a few of my favorites:

Brown Paper Packages - This blog is one with a variety of fun projects and information.  Crafts, phototgraphy posts (by a friend of mine Leilani), food - you name it.

Kevin & Amanda - This girl goes on the most amazing looking trips and reports on the fantastic food finds she runs into.  She also creates cute scrapbook fonts, gets crafty and takes great pictures.  The recipes she posts always leave me hungry and feeling like I need to go on a diet just for reading through the tasty treats.  Just check out her post from today and the recipes she linked to.  WOW - I need to wash it down with a big glass of milk.

Eighteen25 - awesome craft ideas, food, darling wall hangings, giveaways

Our Best Bites - (ok, this blog will be mentioned repeatedly, I promise - it's a new addiction!)  These guys have AMAZING recipes.  Not just amazing, but easy to make too.  Check out the recipe index as well as the craft ideas.  You'll never want to leave the kitchen after checking out this site!!!

Tatertots and Jellos - another blog full of giveaways, darling craft and do-it-your-self projects. 

Bee In Our Bonnet - This blogger has the most gorgeous cookies I've ever seen.  I wish I had 1/2 of her cookie decorating talent!  She also posts super cute projects, goodies and check out the lady bug birthday party! (WOW!)  I loved the idea for the "edible paints".

Smilemonsters - Rootbeer Float on a Stick - I started salivating when I saw this picture.  Perfect for a blistering hot summer day (which we have plenty of around here).  Can't wait to try them. 

Keep Falling Up - A friend of ours from our Ricks College days.  Jodi has a great attitude as she is tackling huge trials in her life.  She is funny, touching, and sweet.  I promise you'll feel a bit more grateful for your life after learning from her.

It Matters - This is a blogger who is a friend of a friend.  She has great advice for healthy living, being a cool mom and getting active.  Love her encouragement for her 5K Fridays.

Create

I don't know if I've ever shared this video message before....if not - check it out.  I LOVE everything about this video.  The message, the music, the images - most of all, the feeling that my heart feels.  I know that our Heavenly Father wants us to create - whether it be works of art, families, beautiful living spaces, friendships, love.....So don't listen to the critics that might keep you down.  Rely on the spirit and your capacity to create will grow!

One of my favorites...

One of my favorite places to go in the summer is to take the Scenic Chair Lift to the top of the mountain at a local ski resort - just ride the chairlift up, walk around a bit, and ride it back down. I've especially enjoyed it on the times we've done it when it's super HOT and we can escape the nasty heat for a bit up in the mountains with some cooler air. We have gone up on it several times over the years - but the last time was when I was huge and pregnant with Gabe (we went with my inlaws Ashley & Spencer and Chase & Kori).

Well, today Cory had some work to do at a condo unit up across from the ski-resort so we decided that we'd take the boys up for a ride after Cory finished his work. It wasn't much of a hot day down in town, so it was even chillier up on the top of the mountain, with a little breeze. But it was worth the chilly air (which I thought was invigorating actually). I don't think the boys "loved it" - but they had fun and we all enjoyed the time together.

---

Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync. Check it out.

Favorites

Thought I'd do a list of some of my favorites for 2008. Not much new - but just a record of things I love right now:

• Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Shampoo - this is one of my favorite shampoos and conditioners of all time! It has the most invigorating mint smell and makes your head tingle (in a good way - not in a "my hair is falling out" way). It wakes me up and makes me feel great. And a lot of times if I have a bad headache I'll soak in a bubble bath with some of this on my hair and it really makes my headaches feel better. It's great stuff! (I haven't used the other Tea Tree products - just the shampoo and conditioner).
• Loreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara - I just started using this a short while ago and I'm HOOKED! This is the first mascara that I haven't had racoon eyes with. I have tried SO many, and it seems like I end up with smears under my eyes just a couple hours after wearing it. But with this stuff I don't have any problems with it at all. It's awesome.
• Disneyland - This was a great trip with the kids. Yeah - it was busy (SOOOOO BUSY!) and we didn't get to do all we wanted to - but it made great memories for Gabe. He seriously talks about Disneyland almost every day and the magical place it is. That alone was worth it! Can't wait to go again someday. (someday soon....? I wish!)
• Lip Smackers - You'd think I'd out-grown this by the time I am almost 30 - but I still love tasty chapsticks. I got a new one this year called Candy Cane Treat. I love it because it's a little sweet, and a little minty - perfect! Now if they'd just go back to making the ones with just a tiny bit of glitter in them - I'd be happy.
• Diet Dr Pepper - LOVE IT! Wish I could break the habit - but it's just so tasty....
• Scentsy scents - YUM! I LOVE most of the Scentsy scents - but my favorites right now are Black Raspberry Vanilla, Verbena Berry, and Cinnamon Cider.
• Scentsy sprays - I am so addicted to yummy smells and these sprays are the BEST! They have the same smells as the scentsy warmers - but it's instant (no waiting for the wax to melt) and I can spray around my house and it INSTANTLY smells great. Now I don't have to worry about having a stinky bathroom, or Hunter's room stinking after changing a diaper. They have multi-packs too - so you can save money when buying them.
• Pizza Hut Tuscani pasta - this might sound silly - but we had it for dinner a couple of months ago and it was great! The boys really liked it and so did Cory and I - that doesn't always happen. We only tried the alfredo one - but it was good.
• Redbox - man, whoever invented this is GENIUS! I love that I don't have a set time to take them back, I love that I can reserve online and then go pick them up. I LOVE REDBOX!
• Facebook - This darn site is addicting! But it's fun to see what people are up to and reconnect with old friends.
• Digital Scrapbooking - I have just loved this more and more! I think if I had to pick one favorite Digital Scrapbook thing this year it would be templates - they have made my life so much easier!
• Our BLOG - I love that I have a place to journal, with pictures, and be a bit creative. I could care less if anyone read it (because I doubt anyone other than my mom does most of the time) - but I do love that I'm leaving a mark, saying I was here, and keeping a record for the future. It makes it easier for me to scrapbook things later too - because I've journaled ahead of time - I love it!
• MY FAMILY - Ok - I know this shouldn't appear last on the list - but think of it as a countdown - I've listed them last because they are by far the most important thing in my life - a definite favorite! I love having a family of 2 boys, I love doing things the 4 of us, and I love being a mom. Yeah - it's hard, really hard - but I love it. I love the times at night when I get to snuggle with Gabe in his bed, or when Hunter gives me kisses instead of saying "thank you". I love it.

another happy thing to add to the list....

SUNSETS