Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

How many of you remember this book? Well, I lived it today. I went to bed last night hoping that the pain in my back tooth would subside...but it didn't. I woke up with a splitting headache and headed off to the dentist. But, it get's worse. On my way to the dentist, I got pulled over...not for speeding...but for crossing a police barricade (which, by the way was not even marked clearly) And, for me, it was traumatic because of two things: 1) I wasn't driving my own car and 2) I had never been pulled over before. So, after waiting about 40 minutes while the cop wrote 3 other drivers a ticket for doing the same thing I did, I went to my appointment...LATE. After talking to the doctor and some quick x-rays, I figured it was a simple fix. Boy, was I wrong. No, Stacey, you need a root canal...today. GREAT!!! That's just what I had planned for the day. :) I write to you with a half swollen face, an empty stomach because all I can eat is milkshakes and some lingering mouth pain from an emergency root canal. It can only go up from here and it is...now I'm home with my boys, and it's raining! I love the rain. The one thing I again concluded about bad days, is it makes you appreciate the good ones so much more!!!! Happy Days to You!

Hairspray!!!

I loved it!!!! I went and saw Hairspray with a group of girlfriends last night and we had such a great time. You seriously can't help falling in love with Tracy, the main character!! I loved the music and I can't wait to get the soundrack or when I someday can afford an Ipod I can put those songs on there. :) If you haven't seen it, go see it! I seriously didn't stop smiling the whole movie. It puts you in the best mood. I was a little concerned about the John Travolta being a woman thing and surprisingly it didn't really bother me and just added so much to the laughs! After it was over, I wanted to watch it again. But, I'm not surprised. I'm a sucker for musicals!!! So, I decided to list my favorite musicals of all time.
1. Sound of Music
2. West Side Story
3. The Music Man
4. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
5. Bye Bye Birdie
6. My Fair Lady

Socc it to me...

So, I guess I'm bragging a bit on this but I'm just so proud of Heath. Most of you know that Heath has been interning at a company called West Mesa Community Development for over a year now. It has been a great experience for him and more than that, it has presented some great opportunities for the future. He has made so many great contacts... like Waveyard, city leaders, development groups, Westcor, etc and now this... Last month, Heath was reading through some articles about the MLS (Major League Soccer) considering a stadium in Arizona. He immediately called the contact on the article and presented West Mesa as an idea for a potential location. This developer hadn't even considered any part of Mesa before this. (Side note: Heath's been working on a land-use plan for the new Fiesta District and this was already in his plan) So, anyways, after a meeting that next day, the MLS guy contacted MCC in talking about a joint agreement for a new renovated stadium....and most likely privately funded. So, to make a long story short, Heath talked to a news reporter last week about the potential project and here's the link for the article. Enjoy! They are now looking at multiple locations in Mesa. But, in lieu of the new Fiesta District design, it could become an urban mix-use development! Wouldn't it be great to have that here and bring some life back to this area!

http://www.azcentral.com

Plus!!! How could I forget....ladies, I guess that means we could go watch David Beckham!!!! Come on...I know you all secretely think he's hot. :)

It's Been a While...

Okay, so if you haven't noticed already, I've changed my header like a thousand times. Seriously, being in design makes you a perfectionist. So...I think I got it the way I like it now. It only took me a bagillion times to get it right. I've been trying the digital scrapbooking and it's been quite an adventure considering I have the same problem as the banner....I just keep changing it because there are sooo many options. Anyways, it's been fun, though. I love doing that stuff. So, for my "journal purpose" I'll let you in on what's been going on in my life.
Most of it is taken up by work right now, which isn't that bad considering I'm doing some fun things right now like hiring for a new position, redesigning our web site and writing. I miss writing so much! In school, I loved it. So, in lieu of this, I have fallen into a "freelance activity" I've been helping people revamp their resumes, which I am loving! There's a great sensation in knowing what you're doing could help land someone a job and I get to use my editing skills too. It's funny I never realized it, but maybe I love doing it so much because it's a form of marketing....it takes thought and strategy to market yourself.

Last weekend we went to see Transformer's with some friends and it was sold out except the front row...so we'll have to leave that one for another date night. Instead we went and watched the Illusionist, which I liked. It was surprisingly dark but still very intriguing and I totally didn't figure out the end. Saturday, we had a major cleaning day at the house, which paid off big time...we were able to enjoy it for the couple hours it was clean. :) That night, we went to the Pioneer activity and had a great time. Heath and I tag teamed Jace and got to talk to our friends and we even cut a rug in the cultural hall.

Jace has been adorable recently...well he's always adorable. He is in this habit of saying "I'm sorry." It's so cute. He does something wrong and he knows it, and says, "I'm sorry" and then hugs you. Oh...I just love him! His latest interests include coloring....everything sometimes, reading books, making big messes, still cooking and an occasional rock out on the guitar. I have pictures that I'll post too. I miss a lot of what's going on during the day, which will change soon. He's been learning his letter sounds and he's got A and B down to a T. Still working on colors but today he pointed out brown, so it must be working. He's getting so big so fast. I need a little baby again!!! Anyways...this is long so I'll end.

ACM 2007 Tim McGraw If You're Reading This

I love this song!!!! It hits you to the core. Thank you to all the men and women who serve our country!!! Your sacrifice is not unnoticed. My cousin's husband just went over to Iraq.

Some Things Never Change

Just got back from girl's camp on Sunday. I had a blast!!! I was so sad I had to leave early, but I was kind of happy I didn't have to sleep in the squeeky, bug-infested bed again. :) I think being up in the mountains has got to be one of my favorite places. I really do feel closer to God somehow. I just love the stillness in the air, and the sound when the wind blows through the top of the trees like the sound of rushing water, I love the cooler temperatures, random rainfall, and all the nature that surrounds me. I know, I'm getting sappy, but seriously I love that feeling. I had a couple chances to just escape and have some quiet time, which I rarely get at home, and it was so nice just to ponder life and all of my blessings. I have to add that I love my girls!! They are seriously the best! I am lucky to be their leader. It's been over 10 years since I've been at Girl's Camp but some things never change:

You Can't Have Girl's Camp Without the Following:
lots of....bugs, trees, hikes, crying girls, drama, strong spirit, music, screaming, pranks, dancing, late-night games, amazing talks, laughing-attacks, crazy cheers, early mornings, yummy food, endless snacks, moments of clarity, bonding experiences, & hillarious skits. P.S. I forgot to add a bishop who dresses up as Sally Mae and Joe Dirt :)

Please add on if you can think of anything else. I'll be posting some pictures very soon. :)

4 Things

I've been tagged by Jill.

4 Jobs I've held:
1. Concessions Counter at Harkins Theatre
2. Accounts Payable Associate for Jafra Cosmetics
3. Front Desk Receptionist for Covid Cable Company
4. Secretary at BYU Women's Research Institute (WRI)

4 Places to go for a weekend getaway:
1. Thousand Oaks, CA (home)
2. Scottsdale Resort
3. Flagstaff or The Rim
4. Las Vegas - grandpa's house

Movies I Can Watch Over & Over:
1. While you were Sleeping
2. Hitch
3. Pride and Prejudice
4. Return to Me

My Guilty Pleasures:
1. Lately, blogging
2. Fish Food ice cream
3. HGTV
4. Any kind of shopping

Places I Have Lived:
1. Rexburg, ID
2. Provo, UT
3. Thousand Oaks, CA
4. Mesa, AZ

What were most likely the first things you thought of when you saw your significant other for the first time?
1. "He's hot! A lot cuter than his picture"
2. "I hope he likes me because I am already head over heals."
3. "He's not too tall, at all!"
4. "Finally, we get to meet!"

Places I have Been on Vacation:
1. Nauvoo, IL
2. Lake Powell
3. Denver, CO
4. Sundance, UT

Favorite Foods
1. Mexican - shredded beef tacos
2. Chicken Fettucine Alfredo
3. Lemon Bars
4. 100 Grand Candy Bar

If in a "jam" with your spouse, what tactics do you use to get out of the doghouse?
1. Let go of my pride and say I'm sorry
2. The puppy dog eyes seem to work sometimes
3. Try to make him laugh - he can never stay mad long
4. Serve him somehow.

Websites I visit (almost daily)
1. hotmail.com
2. sportcourt.com
3. blog site
4. thisweekfordinner.com

Best 1st kisses landmark.
1. Spook Hill


Places I'd Rather Be right now
1. With Jace and Heath
2. Thousand Oaks - home with family
3. A beach anywhere
4. In the mountains

I tag Tiffany, Amy and Abby

Me and My Little Water Bug

Courtesty of Beka for the cute picture!! Thanks. :) Thanks for the great BBQ too!

I'm so lucky Jace likes or LOVES the water because I'm not sure what else we would do on those hot hot summer days! He looks so cute there! He wanted to just let go and swim on his own and he LOVES jumping off the side. This child has no fear! I guess it's time to invest in some great floaties so he can explore the "pool space" (sorry, I just watched the more cow bell Sat. night live video the other day, it never fails to crack me up)

Let Freedom Ring..

Happy 4th of July! We woke up to a very HOT morning. It was already around 95 degrees at 9 p.m. (118 high) Daddy made his famous french toast breakfast and then Jace and I were off. We ran errands together and had fun at Target...especially looking at some fun Thomas the Train toys. Jace put up with me while I tried some clothes on in the dressing room. It can be quite a feat to do something so simple with a rambunctious 2yr old, but I figured it out--shopping carts can work great as a barricade :) After that, we had a pretty relaxing day around the house. Then it was off to the fun BBQ at the Pickett's! This too was eventful with a son who seems to never run out of energy! I chased him around and in and out of the pool most of the time. I didn't get to chat much with the other mom's but maybe next time. His floaties weren't working great so I had to watch him every second! He seemed to really like watching people play billiard pool too. This boy just can't get enough of sports. I love him so much! We went back and watched the MCC fireworks and he, of course, ooed and awed and wow'd, just like in Heber. Yet, these were closer than the ones last weekend and he seemed to enjoy the accompanying "boom!" This was clear when afterwords he wouldn't stop saying boom and pop! Hope all of your 4th was fun!!! It's Independence Day!!

Recycle, Reduce, Reuse....

So, Heath's kind of got me on this "green movement" kick lately. Although it seems to be a recent trend, it's a good one. :) Why not do what's right for our environment? I can remember when I was in elementary school in CA, we had to watch the recycling movie. It was just pretty much drilled into us so it would be second nature. So, I guess it worked. Even though our lame HOA doesn't provide a recycling bin, we store it in a separate place and take it to our neighbors. It works that way too :)

In light of this discussion, I went through my "annual purge of magazines" phase and realized I didn't want to just throw them away. I did some research and realized I could try and donate them to an office, school, gym, or recycle them. I also came upon a new initiative by the MPA (Magazine Publishers of America). Just this last month, they've launched a major educational campaign placing the above recycle sign on all issues. If you didn't already know, YOU CAN RECYCLE magazines. Apparently, there's been a misconception among readers that you can't recycle them because of the glossy finish. So, do something for the environment this week. Something small can still make a big difference.