a little personal

I don't really like to get too personal here ... but I'm going to today.

Do you ever have the worst day? Yesterday was the pits. It started out with me opening the mail the night before and getting our new insurance cards (yay!), but my little guy Wyatt was listed on the card. It's been a while since I had a good cry about things ... so I let myself. And Lucas let me (he's the best).

Then I had to drive to MONA. Don't get me wrong, I love the Impact Ranch, and I love Mona, but I don't love driving to Mona. Especially in the morning, to work. I used to work there, but it was when Lucas was working there. I'm just filling in for a cute gal that had a baby for a few weeks, so it's not bad. I just didn't feel like doing it. On the way down I thought I'd call Humana and get this insurance business straightened out. They had me explain my situation to 3 different people in 3 different departments, only to be told that my employer's HR department would have to call ... awesome.

So I got to the Ranch, did my thing for a couple of hours, realized that I need to write like 9 court reports for Ranch kids in the next few weeks, and drove back to Provo for more work. I emailed our HR lady (which really set my already crazy emotional levels off), then sat there at my desk for a good 30 minutes. I shuffled some papers around, checked my email a bunch, but didn't really check off anything on my list. So I left. I just went home.

Luckily when I got home, Brok was there to welcome me. I know it sounds crazy, but I think he gets it when I'm sad or upset. He didn't bug me to go to the park or anything, he just sat by me and watched Miami Ink until I fell asleep on the couch (I know, lazy). Don't worry, I slept for 2 hours. I can.

Then the other job. Usually I just love working in dispatch, but occasionally there's a shift I just dread. Some people are just hard to work with. This shift sucked. On the plus side, I did get a bunch of work done. So that's nice.

Luckily I have Lucas at home, waiting to put lotion on my sunburned back and kiss me goodnight. He is the best man.

Impact Ranch - Mona, UT

I know I'm a baby, this day doesn't sound nearly as awful as it is in my head. And don't worry, today has been much better.

Independence Day

My favorite things about Independence Day:

The Music





The Food

pulled pork - The Pioneer Woman

strawberries - Pro Craft Ideas

trifle - Fancy Frugal Life

spritzer - Apron Strings


The Flag

I love that the youth in our neighborhood put a flag on everyone's lawn, and I love what it means to me. I'm so grateful for those serving our country, and for those that have served in the past. I love my land, America.

Exciting News!

My dear friend, Blaine Cook Turk, has nominated me for an award.

If you haven't heard about it before, the Leibster is an award for inspiring bloggers with less than 200 followers. It’s a way of finding new blogs, new voices you may not have found otherwise. It works kind of like a chain letter ... if you get it, you pass it on to 5 blogs that you like, who can also pay it forward and we can all find new, awesome blogs to read!

The rules of the Liebster Award are:

1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog
2. Link back to the blogger who presented the award to you
3. Copy and paste the blog award on your blog
4. Present the Liebster Blog Award to 5 blogs of 200 followers or less who you feel deserve to be noticed (see below)
5. Let them know they have been chosen by leaving a comment at their blog.

Here goes:

1. Blaine, I love you for doing this (and a million other reasons)... but don't you know you're way more inspiring than me?! Thank you, thank you.

2. If you have a chance, head over to Blaine's blog and check it out. Laughs and enjoyment guaranteed.

3.

4. I am nominating the following blogs:

#1 Mike & Steph -- Maybe my favorite blog, but I might be a little biased. In fact, she could have 200 followers for all I know, she's very popular. Steph is my sister, and has the cutest little punks in the world. Plus, she is always great to share tips and ideas she comes across. Love it.

#2 Brandon & Jillyn Larsen -- Jillyn is a great friend of mine, a CANCER SURVIVOR!, and pretty hilarious. Not to mention, great photographer and pretty darn great in general.

#3 Ben & Amber Walunas -- I went to high school with Amber and she always had the cutest style and personality. Nothing has changed. Even though she lives far away, I still like to check out her cute style (and she has the best dog ever!)

#4 Live My Life Project (by Ela) -- Ela is the SIL of my dear friend Lorien, and is becoming quite a great friend. Her blogs are fun and inspirational, and she's the founder of the Hen Movie Club!

#5 Ashley & Dizzle -- Someone I don't know in real life, but I love her blog. Ashley is a serious runner and does Crossfit! She has an awesome attitude about everything, and always has the cutest running outfits ... what an inspiration!

Hopefully you have a chance to check some of these out - they're great!

PS Thanks again Blaine! Love you!

father's day

Happy Father's Day to the best men I know:





{my father-in-law, Pat (and Paula!), my dad (and mom!), and my wonderful husband practicing with Steph's kids}

I'm so lucky to have these men in my life, plus so many others. Happy Father's Day!

Look at these things

I found this website: wittlebee - like Birchbox, but for kids clothes! Now I just need a kid ...
Wait, everyone has joined Birchbox, right? Click here if you haven't ...

Here is a super awesome talk from Elder Ballard about the importance of families.

Hilarious craigslist ad. Chances are you've probably seen it, but it's super funny ... those hipsters ....

This website - discounts on gift cards!

More kids clothes shopping ... like Kid to Kid but online ... has anyone tried this?

A list of Birthday freebies - My birthday is coming right up, $30 Benihana gift card? Yes please.

Speaking of my birthday ... we're contemplating a family vacation for that week, to here:



We should go, right? Even if it's only to hang out with those punks.
PS Thanks Ellen for the pics :)