Liv's Birthday

So I'm finally getting around to letting you all know how super awesome mine & Liv's birthday party was! Okay, well in real life it was really all for her, but my name was on the announcements too ;) The theme was Princess! Of course it was, don't I just have the most pretty princess of all? (and just as spoiled ;)) Well, she loves Cinderella & I just thought that would be so perfect for her to get all dressed up. As the little girls came in they were also adorned with beautiful ribbon crown & the guys were given little swords that light up. At 7:30pm, just after cake & just before everyone could head to the desert buffet, Princess Cinderella called to wish Little Liv a happy birthday! She got all shy-like & was overwhelmed to hear this favorite person of hers on the phone. But shortly afterwards I said "was that Cinderella on the phone?" Then she gave me a great big smile & nodded her head... that's what I was waiting for! After we filled everyone with sugar, Liv was showered with gifts (some for me too, thanks!)... she was so excited for all the fun stuff she had to play with & the mom (me) was so grateful for the Dora movies especially since we have the four hour plane ride coming up! The pinata was a hoot & it just wouldn't be one of my parties w/out it! Although, this one was built real tough, so eventually Todd just ripped it open. I liked that every now and then a kid could just hit out a few, it made it last longer w/ excitement in between! It was a wonderful night & I'm grateful to all my friends that made the trip out to celebrate with us!

I Like Being 23!

Another birthday has come and gone, and it sure was a good one! My family did a really good job at making me feel extra special on such an occasion! A bunch of us gathered together at The Training Table, my choice... when my Grandma Norma called to ask if I'd like to be taken out for lunch on my birthday I knew right away where I wanted to go since I had been craving their turkey and bacon sandwich! So Grandma and Grandpa gathered together with me, my kids, Grandma Betty, Kim, Khaled, and my dad for a crazy and yummy lunch! After Todd got off work he brought home a cake and ice cream... all chocolate, of course! My dad and brothers came over & we had our own little celebration. I was very spoiled... the guys gave me a video ipod! Yay! And Todd totally broke the bank by buying me the Cannon Rebel! Remember the whole orange juice-mom moment? Well, it's really been a pain since then to borrow my brother's camera or use my old, stupid, slow, grr one. So Todd decided that this is what I needed most! I was so overwhelmed by these gifts, it was a real humbling moment. I have been going through a picked-on feeling phase & good grief, could this not prove me all wrong. I can't believe that I was so spoiled all day... surrounded by family & feeling so loved, what a PERFECT BIRTHDAY!

I Love Flowers

I got to where I was feeling real comfortable with dots, so I moved on to stringers and creating lines. This hasn't gone as smoothly, I haven 't posted the last couple bead sessions because they are a mess. But last night things were going real smooth, so here's what I did! Plus, I decided to give those flowers a try (the first ones posted). I love their look, but I do need practice on how much glass to place in the dot to be squished & the pressure applied to flatten cause, at least the white one, is too thin. Always learning... PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!

Independence Day LO

I'm working on balancing out my hobbies, so I've been working on some scrapbooking lately! Here's my Fourth of July Parade layout, I like it lots! I just have to comment that I'm falling in love with digital scrapbooking! I never thought I would, but the ease of it is so convenient! I don't have to haul all my crap out of my son's room into the front room to get pages done & I don't have to wait until the kids are asleep (cause they always get into the stuff when they are around). So nice!

Sunday Spotlight

So, I LOVE MUSIC! It has always been there for me... through the good and the bad! My true friend forever and ever, if anyone can stick with me through my bad singing they are devoted... trust me! So, I loved this movie, I thought it was really cute. At one point Drew Barrymore's character says:

"The melody is seeing someone for the first time, it's the physical attraction, sex. But then, when you get to know the person that's the lyrics, it's their story, who they are underneath. It's the combo that makes it magic."

It's so true. The melody gets your toe tapping, gets that tune stuck in you head all day. But as you learn the lyrics you fall in love, or decide to be just friends (as my little brother, Aaron, put it). Everyone can find a song to fit their mood, and no one can say that they don't like music... that'd just be weird. My favorite songs of all time are Drops of Jupiter by Train and Ocean by Blue October, and that's being very specific or else it'd be a real long list! I'd love to hear your guys' favorite songs, too... I think they can tell you a lot about a person.

What a Celebration

Happy Fourth of July everybody... a day late, as is normal for me now days! I hope it was an enjoyable and safe holiday for everyone. We started our day out quite early at the Murray parade. We have attended this parade for the last few years, since Nate (the older brother) joined the junior high marching band. Aaron carries on the tradition by marching the two miles and playing his trumpet! I love getting the kids dressed in red, white, and blue fashion & teaching them to gather candy & wave to the "pretty princesses" (as Liv calls the beauty queens)! Except it took a while for Liv to get into the whole candy catching & Gary just wanted to run and dance in the middle of the road... kids'll be kids :) Then we went home, crashed (sleeping) for a couple hours, hung out with my brother-in-law, Tyler, and let the kids swim. Reconvened at my Grandma and Grandpa's house for a traditional barbecue and fireworks! I was so amazed by how many illegal fireworks were on display by those not certified. Plus, between all that and the fire in the canyons, it was like driving through fog on the way home from the grandparents. Anyways, I really enjoyed the holiday & I love the annual traditions that have become foundations for my family!

Bad News

I've got sad news to report... usually when we go somewhere I put Minnie in the basement so her and the guinea pig don't get into trouble with each other. But yesterday we forgot to because we were in such a rush to get to church that we didn't even notice Minnie sneak past us and out the door. To get to the point, she got run over and her back to legs were paralyzed. So I took her to the 24 hour vet hospital & and had her put down. It was so tough to drive her out there, she's so cute and was so confused and it's frustrating not being able to do anything for her. Plus, I think it's amazing how in three weeks we have become so attached to her. I'm so used to her pouncing on my feet as I walk down the hall that the absence is very noticeable. Oh and don't worry, I took this picture the first day I got her, she's sleeping & I loved how stinkin' cute she was!