Music

I have seen this a bit on Facebook, and thought it would be fun to blog about music that had an impact on me throughout the years! Now, don't make fun. This isn't necessarily a compilation of my all-time favorite music, but more of an example of how music has impacted me in chronological order. The journey starts with:

Jewel: Pieces of Me album. I was 13 when I purchased this at the mall - my VERY first CD purchase. I came home and listened to it over and over and over again. I loved every song on it, and would listen to each repeatedly while typing the lyrics to send to my "boyfriend" from camp. I'm sure he was just as moved by it as I was :) This really was my introduction to how much I loved music, and I started listening to the radio once I bought this CD, which opened up a WORLD of musical possibilities!

Britney Spears: Baby One More Time hit me in 8th grade. How could I not include this in my selection? I loved everything Britney - I wanted to BE Britney! Her "Sometimes" video totally spoke to me! I even watched the video enough to memorize all the dance moves - and then yes, I performed them at church dances. I'm so embarrassed for myself!

I'm sure this might be confusing, as this follows Jewel and Britney Spears, but Dave Matthews' album made me realize there was more to music than pop. Dave has a questionable voice, but his lyrics and use of instruments is moving. My friends and I were obsessed with this album, and it seemed we always had this in the background while hanging out.

This album came out when I was 20, and I was at such a difficult point in my life. This album was all about learning how to stand up for yourself and, more importantly, about hating on men - which I fully supported at the time! It was therapeutic to listen to. Plus, she has a flawless voice. So much fun to sing a long with!

Unlike Kelly's album, I started listen to Fray's How to save a life just as life was looking up for me. I had just started dating Billy again, and I had started to go back to college in Provo. It wasn't so much the lyrics or anything that moved me, but the feel of the music. To this day, I can't listen to it without getting that warm feeling of how every thing's going to be alright!

Billy introduced me to Dave Barnes, and we even had one of his songs as our wedding song. I included him because this is when I learned to love again. Like The Fray, I included Dave because his album brings me back to a pivotal point in my life.

A little out of place maybe? Lady Gaga is an artist that has helped me branch out in my music selection. She's completely weird and out there, not afraid to take risks, which I feel is so important in life. Plus, how can you listen to her and not want to "Just dance?"

I'd love for anyone else to join in on this Music Experiment!

Girls' Night!

I absolutely love my "sisters" in Salem. Life is so much better with great friends!

We started the night by getting ready together, listening to tunes.

Okay, so going to a club on the East side of town was kind of scary, but soooo worth it!

This pretty much sums up the people who frequent this place of business! Can't believe I didn't find Billy here..

So, Sarah nor I had ever experienced a mechanical bull, so we talked the owner into letting us pay half to ride Black Thunder! It was so worth it. And also, Sarah was amazing.

This was way harder than I thought, but I also think it's probably a lot harder if you're wasted. Mostly, it just really hurt! Glad I did it, but I probably won't be doing it again.

Classy. Christmas lights in September, in the shape of a heart, with a dead animal in the background.

Getting our groove on. Billy asked me if anyone hit on me at the club. I should have shown him this picture as his answer! That's a huge NO.

E's "Gift"

The other night, we were rushing to get our babysitter (thanks, Gail!) and get ready in time to meet friends for dinner. E had taken a bath, we drained the water, and he still seemed content to play with his toys. I figured that's awesome! Now I can put some makeup on!

What I saw staring at me from the tub. I knew he was being quiet, but he just seemed SO content! Then I looked at his hands...

So. Disgusting. Seriously, I had to keep telling myself over and over again, "This isn't poop. This isn't poop."

I am reminded daily that if a child E's age is quiet. something BAD is going down!

Triathlon

Our church organized a sprint triathlon for all the women a few months ago, which I was so stoked about! However, we had a wedding to go to in Arizona, so I never signed up. Long story short, we ended up NOT going to the wedding. It was too late for me to sign up for the triathlon, so my friend Ashley and I decided we'd complete one on our own. It really was an amazing experience to set a goal like that and ACTUALLY accomplish it!

Before the race..

AFTER!

This is really something I never thought I'd be able to do. I came to the realization last year that for years I've sold myself short with my health. I decided that since I COULD attain physical goals, that I should. I'm not sure how many more years of good health I have left in me, but living for the moment like this is serving me really well. So so glad for my good fortune, my family, friends, and church for helping me attain my goals!

Portland Zoo

If you know me well, you know I LOVE the zoo! Oddly enough, I've lived here for 2 years and haven't visited the one in Portland yet. When Mema was in town for Labor Day, we decided it was time.

Us trying to entertain E.. but he was SO BORED!

Group pic with the kids.

Billy trying to entertain E by putting him on his shoulders. Billy in pain from all the pulling and tugging on his hair!

If you read this, you'll learn why I don't go camping.

My absolute favorite part of the zoo! I could've stayed there for hours.

Precious pic of Mema and babes. Mema's smart and always wears necklaces so she can get up close and personal with the E-dawg.

Brookings Beach

Brookings beach is one of my favorite beaches in Oregon. It brings back so many warm memories, since we visited Brookings every summer since I was 12. I can only hope E grows up to feel the same way I do about the ocean. Now, this trip was a while ago, but I figure better late than never!

Taya is one of E's favorites! She's so good with him, and it's always nice for me to have a break when she's around.

Mema trying to keep E from diving into the ocean. Doesn't matter how cold it is. He doesn't care!

This mom was kind enough to lend me a swim diaper. She also provided us our quote of the day! When her older son hounded her to come help him with something she yelled, "I'm busy burying your brother!"

What E does when we say "Cover yourself!"

Cute sequence of E. He couldn't keep still if you paid him in candy:

And the sand beard. Seems we can't leave the beach without one.

Letter to E

Dearest E,

You may try my patience at times. Like the one time in Nordstrom when you wouldn't go in your stroller, and you screamed and did that thing where your body bent backwards, and then you bit me, subsequently making me yell, making others stare at me like a crazy person?

Or those times when you act like you want me to hold you and you're all cute, but really you just want candy or something else you can't have that's on my level?

Or when you scream and yank your body back and forth when I hold you, but when Daddy holds you, you calm right down and fall asleep?

How about how you have ESP about when I'm going to change your diaper, and you wait until 30 seconds after I change it to take the biggest dump of your life?

Or when you wait to take that dump while napping, and then it blows out of your pants and gets all over the crib bedding? And it's so bad that I just have to stand back, take a second, and figure out where in the world I start cleaning up that amount of poop?

And how in the world can you take apart your sippy cups full of milk and dump them all over your pillow, bedding, and carpet? I can hardly even figure out how to take those apart to put them in the dishwasher!

Also, why is toilet paper so appealing?

And when I give you a container with goldfish or fruit, is it really necessary to chuck it at me (half full) when you're done?

Yes, you may try my patience, but you are my little boy, and you are so many other things to me! Sweet, compassionate, loving, and there is so much potential I see in you! You may be stubborn, but show me a successful person who doesn't have that trait! You are my most prized possession, I love you Burrito.

Adventures With My Sewing Machine

I MUST have this apron:

How amazing is this apron? So since I can't afford it, then I must make it! ...even though I don't know how to sew. Some friends and I pulled out our rusty sewing machines tonight and got to work. I might just pull my hair out after my little brush with thread and material. Has anyone else encountered this when trying to learn to sew?? Wow, it's so frustrating! I had to take a break tonight, but I will keep everyone updated as soon as the apron is finished.

In the meantime, click here to check out this girl's website, Jillie Willie. She's a genius with the stuff she's come up with!

Ikea Photo

I have been eyeing this photo at Ikea for weeks. It's pretty big.. and I'm thinking I will put it in our entryway. I can't get this photo out of my head, which means I need it, right?

New Wall

I'm so excited for my new wall! It took a while to finish, but I'm so happy with how it turned out.

Bookshelf

We just got a bookshelf from Target, and I'm so excited for Billy to assemble it! I've been trying to figure out how I want it to look, and I'm thinking it might go a little something like this:

Can't wait to get to work!