Others are GOLD

There are just some people in your life that you'll know you'll be friends with forever. This was at my best friend's baby shower and I can't tell you how great it was to all get together! I felt right at home. So, this is a shout-out to all those T.O.friends out there, and though we may live in different places, when we get together, it's like nothing has ever changed. I love you guys! I can't believe so much time has passed since high school, and where we all are in our lives. Thanks for your friendship. I think I understood the saying a lot better after this weekend:

Make new friends but keep the old ones..some are silver and the others are gold.

P.S. Even though it looks like it, we truly didn't eat that cake by ourselves :)

Cooking with Cousins

How cute are they in their aprons!!! Sydney, Haley and Jace. I was so excited Jace actually wore it! When I first made it, he wanted nothing to do with it. Now, when he wants to cook or clean the dishes, he asks me to wear the apron!!! I couldn't be happier. They were helping grandma make banana bread! I love how intently they are watching. Jace is so funny, he tries to crack the egg by crushing it in his hands. He doesn't have the chef's touch just yet:) Some of the best parts of the weekend were seeing him interact with his couins and I found so much joy in watching them play together. Imagine what I'll feel like when he has a sibling. I just know he'll be such a good big brother when that day comes.

Thank Heaven for Little Boys

Last weekend, I went home for my best friend's baby shower. While there, I got to see one of my other best friends! I was so excited because we haven't seen eachother for 2 years and I've never seen her little boy. The second I saw Owen, I fell in love! He's so adorable! He and Jace were so cute together and strangely, they look so similar! They both have fair complexions, blue eyes, blond hair and these cute small features. Jace is a year older than him and you can tell, but they could be brothers! Oh, yeah...one more thing....neither of them ever stops! They both keep their mommy's on their toes :) Thank heaven for little boys.

Who's that Spartan...It's Me, it's Me

A few weekends ago, we had our couples Bunko Halloween party! It was quite the event! We had some fun with the Spartan Cheerleaders. Heath is such a good sport. This was pretty low-key compared to other who went all out (you know who you are Dopey :) We had so much fun that night, ate yummy food, spent time with some great friends and won certificates to Coldstone Ice Cream! (Heath's favorite, so that was nice:) The hubbys got a taste of what us girls do on Bunko night and now they can see why it's just so much fun!

YES ON 300

I wanted to post this for all to read. Most of you know that I am very active in political issues and redevelopment in our community. I really enjoy it and take pride in knowing what is going on. Most of us are so busy with our own lives that we don’t take the time to make sure we have the full truth on certain issues and just listen to hearsay. For the last year, I have been active in helping a development called Waveyard come to Mesa. This is a world-class development that does not exist in the world.

First off, for those of you who get scared every time they hear, “tax”, this is the project for you because….. this is what is called a “USER TAX” subsidy. This is not a traditional tax subsidy where the citizens give money to the developer. A User tax allows the city to sell the land for 30 million; Waveyard pays 10 mil up front and pays the remainder off with sales tax. If you do not use the facility, your money or taxes will NOT go to it, which is why it is called a user tax. Second, tourism in this state is Huge; however, not much exists in Mesa to draw tourists, which equals more $$$$$ for our city. Really, there is no reason for out of state or even other cities to come and spend their money in Mesa, which in return pays for important city services.

I have done A LOT of research on this project and have spoken with the developers and city officials numerous times concerning the issue. This is also switching one recreation use (golf) that is tax subsidized by city of Mesa tax payers for multiple recreation uses. It will use a little more than the amount of water the golf course uses right now. Waveyard will have Mesa’s first 4 Star Hotel/Conference Center, also an indoor water park, amphitheater, scuba, wake boarding, U.S. largest wave pool for surfing, kayaking, white river rafting, specialized retain that does not exist in Arizona, offices and residential all in one which makes it a true mix use project.

And I am just stating a few of the rec. uses that will be available. Just think, you could get certified for scuba diving around the corner. It will also have beautiful architecture in a beautiful Mediterranean setting and theme. Not to mention, location location, location!! This will be positioned next to Mesa Riverview, next to two major freeways, and will raise property values in the area and spur redevelopment into our community. This will finally put Mesa on the map, and bring valuable funding to our city.

I know some have family and friends here in Mesa. I hope you will educate yourself on this issue, share it with others in Mesa who you know and VOTE November 6th. Bring the Waveyard to Mesa. Vote YES on 300. If you have any questions, I’d be happy to talk to you or try to address your concerns. They also have two great web sites as resources

P.S. They aren’t tearing down the Riverview Park, and if this does pass, the city will be making improvements to the it with possible amenities such as adding splash zones, tennis courts, walking paths, etc. And the city will be in charge of relocating the softball fields to another place in West Mesa. It has to pass first to go forward with anything.

http://www.waveyard.com/
http://www.yesonwaveyard.com/

Turning Hollywood

I know.....I've been non-existent for a week and half...due to our computer being out of commission from a virus and the other from being sooo incredibly busy. But, now we're up and running! We've had some exciting events recently. The first thing is....last weekend Heath and I got to attend the Steve Nash Celebrity Roast Charity Event! For work, I've been working with the Steve Nash Foundation in putting together elements of the event and so they gave me 2 tickets!!! (valued at $3,000) It was quite the night! Right when we walked into Hotel Vally Ho, there was a Red Carpet. Needless to say, I quickly felt under dressed. Then as we proceeded down the carpet, the media lined the left wall...but I didn't have the unique sensation of posing from every angle and flashing a smile with my arm perfectly intertwined in my escort's arm. No....those people had no idea who the heck we were! :)
We got to meet some Suns Players and just enjoy the fun environment. Although, I have to say, we are not high-rollers by any means, and so we did feel a little out of place rubbing elbows with Marcus Banks, (literally...he bumped my shoulder) Shaun Marion, Raja Bell..etc. I worried, of course, from a girl's standpoint what I should wear that night and still today I'm not quite sure I played it up as much as I could've. Seriously...when's the next time I'm going to go to a fancy chic party. I just wasn't willing to spend the money for a new dress. I couldn't believe the food they had there! Wow....it was good! And they had a whole dessert bar that I was all over...chocolate covered strawberries, creme brule, mini fruit tarts, grilled bananas, cheesecake...you get the idea. We also enjoyed the live concert with John Legend. I'd never really heard his music before. And it was especially fun to hear all the funny and embarrassing stories and things about Nash. We had a great time and at the end of the night got a party gift...2 huge bottles of Belvedere Vodka....now....what am I going to do with that????














I think the highlight of the night was meeting Suns Coach Mike D'Antoni. He just stood there and talked with us for a few minutes while the other celebrities just let us take a quick picture. He was truly genuine and I was happy we had that opportunity to meet he and his wife. You notice Heath and I have separate pictures. You have to catch them at the perfect time and if you don't have your camera ready...the opportunity is quickly gone. I was happy I got Raja :) It was certainly a night to remember.

The whole night raised thousands of dollars for the Steve Nash Foundation, which will support educational initiatives in Arizona! What a great cause! Our Sport Court went for a pretty penny, along with other auction items. It's great to see the community and overall support for Nash and all that he does for kids!

It's a Hard Knock Life

I'm spent!! And poor little Jace has been through a lot this week! This has been one of the most taxing weeks so far for me in mommyhood. Just in the last couple days, Jace has managed to put a breath mint up his nose, fall off the couch and land a goose egg in the middle of his forehead, fall down the stairs and scratch his face, and yes, to top it all off....tonight he slipped in the tub and split open his lip! It's only Wednesday! I seriously am tempted to just make him sit on the couch and not move for the next couple days because there's a dark rain cloud over his head! Now, surprisingly enough I was right next to him when all of these things happened and I couldn't even prevent it! I think I just realized that even when you're there, you can't prevent bad things from happening. Plus, this whole week, we haven't seen Heath because of midterms and needless to say, I am exhausted and anxiously awaiting some better days. Whew...what a week...at least conference is this weekend and I can get recharged. :)