One Down....

We have some very exciting news!! Heath got accepted to the Urban Planning Graduate Program at PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY. We are so thrilled! I guess we might become true tree-huggers here pretty soon. Heath is flying up for the orientation in a few weeks. We have yet to hear from Colorado and we've decided to forgo the CA applications, which makes me happy and sad. Happy that we don't have to do any more apps. because this was his top choice and sad because I won't be living near my family. :( If he does get accepted to Colorado, then we'll have to be making a choice--it has a more specialized program. As for me, I think I want to go to Portland. I hear it's beautiful and everyone loves it! I've been to Denver and loved it too, but I don't think I want to live in the snow again just yet! So, yes, we will be saying farewell to Arizona some time this summer. I have mixed feelings of course about leaving. We've made some good friends and Jace has too...and we won't be living by heath's family anymore. :( Change is usually hard but rewarding in many ways. We'll sure miss a lot of people. Thank goodness for email and blogs :) But AZ...you aren't getting rid of us quite yet!

Simple Joy of Sewing

For the last 6 months or so, I've been watching my secret stitch club sisters finish apron after apron. I had yet to finish one. But, now, yeah!! My first one. I love it! It wasn't that difficult either. It's lemon fabric and it just makes me smile. I have found a simple joy in doing this and I can't wait to figure out my next project. If you have any suggestions, let me know. I might start a baby blanket next. And by the way mom, I'm loving my machine! It works great. I guess that first fabric was just difficult to work with. :)

A Bunch of Monkeys

This last Monday, we went to the zoo with some friends from our ward. The kids had a blast! Jace loved the monkeys, turtles and elephants. This was one of the days that I LOVE living in AZ. Everywhere else in the country is mostly cold and snowy, but here it was in the 70's. Perfect weather to be outside! Thanks for inviting us!

Monet in the Making

Since I've been home with Jace, I've been trying to incorporate CRAFT TIME. Because we can't afford preschool anymore, he misses creating and playing this way. A couple weeks ago we were playing around with some glue and paper and felt and stickers and I tried to help him situate pieces here and there but he wouldn't have it. this was HIS project. He proceeded to place shapes and a dot of glue on the top. Finally, after getting frustrated that I kept trying to "fix" his mistake. He pointed to his picture and said, "See, this is art." How cute!! I couldn't believe he just said that. He already was expressing his own version of art. Who am I or anyone to tell him it wasn't. It made me think of how each of us have our own version of what "art" is and what's beautiful. But, yes, to me that day, that was art because Jace created it. I thought about posting it on EBAY and getting $1,000 for his masterpiece. :)

Fun With G'ma and G'Pa

A couple weekends ago, my parents came to visit and we had a great time! Jace was under the weather with bronchitis so he was much more tame than usual. But, we still had a fun time. We went to the NATURAL HISTORY museum. Jace loved the DINOSAURS and the waterfall area...what a surprise. ( This boy LOVES water. We went to the zoo just yesterday and he liked all the animals, but anytime there's water, "LOOK MOM, Water." Yes, quite amazing for the gajillianth time.)

Also, thanks to Jessie and Casey, we were able to introduce my parents to Wii! Needless to say, my mom and dad had a quite a few matches and rematches and such. We had a great time playing that. THANK YOU! It was nice to do something different than just watching a movie. And Dad, I think you and mom need a tennis rematch-you might be better in real life but she put you away a couple times in Wii. :) Thanks for coming. I love you guys! Jace loved having you here too.

Pat Tillman Foundation

I'm doing some independent sales consulting with a company called Sandbox Creative, whose client is the Pat Tillman Foundation. They just introduced an incredible promotion!!!

Check out the news coverage below. Just wanted to let you in on some work I'm doing and give you an opportunity to donate for a great cause...and a chance to win. You can purchase your tickets online at: http://www.tillmanchopper.com/ When asked where you heard about it, check the box STACEY REED.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/articles/0214tr-tillman0208.html

One-of-a-kind Tillman Chopper

Custom Black Metallic Paint
U.S. Army Ranger 2nd Battalion flag on the front fender
NFL Honor Patch on gas tank
Silver Star Award for Valor
Purple Heart awarded by the President of the United States
Military dog tag rear view mirrors
Chrome football headlight
NFL embossed logo
ASU Sun Devil embossed logo
ASU mascot – Sparky on rear fender
Official NFL leather football seat
Football kicking-tee for kickstand
$85,000 value

P.S. pass it along. we're still looking for a MAJOR SPONSOR

Buble' Away

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY.

Ours was a simple one with a simple delight. Heath and I love Michael Buble. He just came out with his new CD, Call Me Irresponsible. I gave it to him that morning and we've been listening to it ever since. It's the best old school jazz and classic tunes. We've never had a song, but this has become "ours". I love being able to share in the same things with Heath. Everyone knows men and women are so different in so many ways, so I really LOVE when Heath and I can find something we both enjoy!