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.

Good Ol' T.O.

I'm so happy my parents decided to stay!! This is seriously the best place to grow up. So, in tribute of quite an emotional roller-coaster this last week thinking I'd never get to go back and have a "home" in Thousand Oaks. I've decided to list some things I love about it!

1) WEATHER - Seeing as I'm roasting in 100+ degree weather right now, it's no surprise, this would be on the list. Plus, you really can't beat the great utside-all-the-time environment!

2) FAMILY & FRIENDS - These are coupled, because you can't have one without the other. Especially in a place where everyone truly feels more like family than just friends.

3) SCENERY - Beautiful blue skies, Oak trees (of course), green grass, gardens, fountains, lakes, ponds, rolling hills, (Tarantula mountain), parks, hiking trails, sunsets (can't beat AZ, though), I'm sure there's more, just getting tired.

4) BEACH - Just 30-minute drive to Malibu. It was great! I can't tell you how many times I just wanted to get out of school early on Friday and go to the beach. It was almost like an itch in the air to get done with school and go to the beach, especially with the surfers.

5) TOPPER'S PIZZA - I loved hanging out there after football games. I have a lot of memories there! Plus, the pizza is good!!

6) SHOPPING - Topanga, Santa Monica, Ventura, Westlake,
7) ENTERTAINMENT - Not much to do right in Thousand Oaks, (Jack in the Box) but your surrounded with options: Santa Barbara, Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade, Universal City Walk, Disneyland, Magic Mountain, Comedy Clubs.

8) CELEBRITIES - I'll never forgot how fun it was when we T-P'd Will Smith's house...well we couldn't get to his house of course, but we made sure to decorate the fence. :)

and maybe I'll add on 2 more when I'm not so tired. :) Please, all you T.O. people out there, add to the list about your favorite things. Shout out to my best friends..you know who you are.

Friendly Update

So, I figured it was time for another post, however, without a working camera, I'm a little shy of cute pictures to display. Lately Jace has been showing his sensitive side. It's so sweet! Like yesterday, he saw someone crying on a movie and he walked over to the box of tissues, grabbed them, sat down and started wiping his eyes while fake crying. How funny is that!!! And any time he sees a baby, he says, baby, ohhhh. I love it. Other news, his mimi and bumpa got him a GUITAR! So, now he doesn't have to pretend with a drumstick, wooden spoon, crayon, etc. I'll be sure to post pics when I can of him rocking out.

As for me, work is going along smoothly. I've been busy at work doing what I enjoy most, which is the marketing/PR side of things. We'll be moving to a new showroom in September so I'll be going part-time so I can be with Jace! I can't wait. The real job I love is being a mother and seems like I will appreciate it so much when i finally get to do it full-time. :) So, until next time, nothing too exciting here, but life seems to always be changing.

The Power of...

MUSIC
Most anyone that knows me, also knows that I love music...singing it, dancing to it, listening to it, playing it on the piano...etc. However, lately I've realized how much I've missed music. It's crazy, before I was married, I can't count how many times I would just listen to music for the fun of it... studying the scriptures, just to rock out all alone in my bedroom, blast it while driving or motivate me while I'm cleaning the bathroom.

But, somewhere along the way I stopped letting music move me. Whether it was not having as many opportunities to dance around with a fake microphone, not driving as much or getting too busy with life itself, I'm not sure. But, I have these fleeting moments when I remember why I love music so much.

You can be having the worst day or have so much on your mind, and a song comes on the radio that just makes you feel alive again and reminds you of everything you have around you. It's like the sky wasn't as blue before you heard that song. And, isn't it crazy how one song can take you all the way back in time to that one moment or that exact feeling years before?

So, that's my profound thought for the day...music has the power to make you smile and see the world from a new perspective. And by the way, a couple songs that have made me smile lately are.... Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie, Put Your Records On - Corinne Bailey Rae & Do You Know- Enrique Iglesias. Funny huh, but seriously, these songs just get under your skin and you can't help but love life. So, maybe listen to one, count your blessings and rock out!

P.S. Just watched Jill's blog with Paul Potts and THAT was moving!!!!

Picture Perfect

Just a week ago, our digital camera broke. We've had it for over 2 years, but still...it seems like it should last longer than that. But just like all things in life, a closed door...opens a window. And in this case, a new camera! So, has anyone heard anything about the Cannon Power Shot A710 IS? It seems like an excellent camera with a lot of great features! So, if any of you out there have a recommendation for a great digital camera...I'm all ears. Price is obviously a large factor. :) Thanks. Can't wait to hear what you all use.

Sprawling From Grace, Driven To Madness

I like this video because it points out what is wrong with our cities and society. As a Planner, this is what I study, and I love it. It is a promo to a movie coming out soon about how we build, what it cost etc. It brings out the fundamental problems in how we think we should live the "American Dream". Enjoy, and if anyone has questions about this, I would love to share.