Lexy Plexy

Shoe Love

2011-10-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

{ ? }

{Anthropologie}

{ ? }

{Anthropologie}

{LULU's}

{?}

{ LULU's }

The List

2010-07-28T15:39:00.004-07:00

So I have a list of projects and things to do that is miles long. The top of the list and also what will probably take me awhile because I have to collect the bottles is new lighting for my kitchen. I can't find the picture that best depicts what I will be doing but this top one is closest to it. Just imagine two rows of bottles spread out and in straight line of varying greens and blues.

{this one}

{as outdoor lighting in my trees for garden parties}

{this is so awesome}

{ I might use this idea instead }

{YES}

stRipEs sTriPes StrIpeS

2010-07-11T15:19:00.004-07:00

{I would love these chevron stripes in the dining room but I'm not sure I want to commit the time}

{This one is for you Jessica!}

{I adore this nursery ceiling}

Having to decide on paint colors has proven more difficult than first imagined, greys, aqua, yellow's and oranges oh my. What if I spend the money and end up hating it or in a few months change my mind? What if the color turns out all wrong? I guess it just comes down to the face that I love color and I am excited to paint walls that are mine so I am going to do what I want and have fun! p.s. I love these stripes and have been dreaming of them all night long.

2010-07-08T13:04:00.001-07:00

I just painted my bike which was my mom's I believe from forever ago. This bike seat would be the perfect addition to the sky blue bike.

2010-06-25T08:46:00.002-07:00

Te Amo, mi mejor amigo!

{Grateful}

2010-05-06T16:28:00.003-07:00

"Trust in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path." -Proverbs 3:5

So very grateful for an understanding God whom I can turn to when I need him most and also to share my greatest joys with. This has always been one of my favorite scriptures.

2010-05-03T10:39:00.002-07:00

Check out lexyplexy.com

2010-04-23T16:11:00.002-07:00

In recent months I have been able to be explore some of my "talents" (i use that term loosely) and spend some of my time sewing, thrifting and trying to be creative. With lots of encouragement from my hubs and hours of thinking, planning, sketching and sewing I have started to make headbands and hair pieces. And I've decided to attempt to sell them to make a little extra cash. I have an ETSY shop set up but nothing posted YET, but soon will and when I do I will be sure to let all know. Thanks in advance and more to come.

Alexis

Spring Fever

2010-03-08T18:00:00.007-07:00

Dear Spring, I'm am looking forward to all the beauty that you will unfurl. I'm looking forward to fresh starts, new beginnings and beautiful changes that blooming flowers, warmer weather and sweet smelling breezes will bring! I'm excited for good concerts, road trips both long and short, morning hikes, bike rides, lazy Saturdays(always), movie marathons, anything 3D, visiting family, weddings, anniversaries, game nights, sunbathing, popsicles and QT runs. We tend to do as the bears do and keep indoors and to ourselves, a hibernation of sorts during the winter months and I am ready to be out of the cave (smile*).
Please stay awhile Spring and let us enjoy your cool breezes and even cooler evenings for a few weeks more.
Thx

2010-03-08T17:46:00.002-07:00

“I am like a falling star who has finally found her place next to another in a lovely constellation, where we will sparkle in the heavens forever.”
- Amy Tan

2010-03-01T13:16:00.003-07:00

out of the night that covers me,
black as the pit from pole to pole,
i thank whatever gods may be,
for my unconquerable soul.

in the fell clutch of circumstance,
i have not winced nor cried aloud,
under the bludgeonings of chance,
my head is bloody, but unbowed.

beyond this place of wrath and tears,
looms but the horror of the shade,
and yet in menace of the years
finds and shall find me unafraid.

it matters not how straight the gate,
how charged with punishments the scroll,
i am the master of my fate:
i am the captain of my soul.

-william ernest henley

Amen!

2010-02-12T17:28:00.000-07:00

“Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend … when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present—love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]—the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.”

-Sarah Ban Breathnach

2010-02-05T15:23:00.002-07:00

I myself am made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions. - Augusten Burroughs

Oh how I'd love a holiday to Neverland, or England or Ireland. I suppose I'll have to make due with Dreamland for now :)

Casey O'Connell

2010-01-26T16:24:00.003-07:00

Wish you were here

Deep Down

Where we end up

I just love Casey O'Connell, these are some of her new 2010

All our Memories

2009-12-31T11:40:00.003-07:00

“The time is ripe for looking back over the day, the week, the year, and trying to figure out where we have come from and where we are going to, for sifting through the things we have done and the things we have left undone for a clue to who we are and who, for better or worse, we are becoming. But again and again we avoid the long thoughts….We cling to the present out of wariness of the past. And why not, after all? We get confused. We need such escape as we can find. But there is a deeper need yet, I think, and that is the need—not all the time, surely, but from time to time—to enter that still room within us all where the past lives on as a part of the present, where the dead are alive again, where we are most alive ourselves to turnings and to where our journeys have brought us. The name of the room is Remember—the room where with patience, with charity, with quietness of heart, we remember consciously to remember the lives we have lived.”
— Frederick Buechner (A Room Called Remember: Uncollected Pieces)

The "New Year" tends to push us all into that room thinking, reflecting, reeling outward and diving inward of where the paths we've taken have led and in all respects are leading.
Each and everyday I am presented with thousands of choices, I only acknowledge a few of them and depending on what they may be my days may be full and fulfilling or empty and lackluster. I strive to have days of meaning but I have been known to get caught up in the noise, the static the chaos and miss out on the beauty that could have otherwise enlivened this soul of mine. Instead of dwelling on what if's I hope to be able to enter that room of thought more often then not in the coming year. To see more of my plans, hopes and dreams materialize as I consciously and diligently seek to be more of the person I can be, the good honest hard working go getter that can at times be buried deep inside. I'm grateful for the year that is passed, for the lessons learned from the experiences lived, for smiles and laughter and tears of both joy and heartache for all such tears can bring us closer to our creator in understanding and love. I am ever grateful for Grace light and truth and that it can still be found if eyes, hearts and minds are left wide open to humbly receive them. Happy New Year, we love you all and thank our Father in Heaven for blessing us so often in spite of ourselves.

2009-12-02T14:24:00.001-07:00

“Imagination was given man to compensate for what he is not, and a sense of humor to console him for what he is.”

- Francis Bacon

Casey O'Connell

2009-11-29T16:27:00.001-07:00

All in a Kiss

2009-11-26T08:39:00.003-07:00

We know kissing as a social pleasantry, the appropriate ending to a date and a means of connecting with our main squeeze. The collision of lips and tongues that we often take for granted has a whole lot more bubbling under the surface than what meets the eye. Swine flu scares and mono aside, kissing actually does a body very, very good.

1. Kissing boosts immunity. A recent study reported in the journal Medical Hypotheses says kissing may increase a woman's immunity from Cytomegalovirus. Cytomegalovirus, contracted through mouth to mouth contact, can cause infant blindness and other birth defects if the mother is a carrier during pregnancy. Otherwise, the bug is relatively harmless in adults. Kissing has long been thought to be a way to pass along bugs and thus strengthen the body's defenses.

2. Kissing helps you pick the best mate. Anthropologist Helen Fisher describes kissing as a "mate assessment tool."
Much of the cortex is devoted to picking up sensations from around the lips, cheeks, tongue and nose. Out of 12 cranial nerves, five of them are picking up the data from around the mouth. It is built to pick up the most sensitive feelings—the most intricate tastes and smells and touch and temperature. And when you're kissing somebody, you can really hear them and see them and feel them. So kissing is not just kissing. It is a profound advertisement of who you are, what you want and what you can give.

Other researchers note that kissing is biology's way of determining who in nature you are most genetically compatible with. "At the moment of the kiss, there are hard-wired mechanisms that assess health, reproductive status and genetic compatibility," says Gordon G. Gallup Jr., a professor of evolutionary psychology at the State University of New York at Albany who studies reproductive competition and the biology of interpersonal attraction. "Therefore, what happens during that first kiss can be a make-or-break proposition."

3. Kissing burns calories! Depending on different reports, anywhere from 2 to 6 calories a minute. Not quite a jog on the treadmill, but an hours worth of smooching may burn off half a handful of M&Ms or half a glass of wine. Hey, it's something.

4. Kissing keeps facial muscles strong. Sure tight abs or cellulite-free thighs may be first on the Tone Up list, but don't underestimate the workout your mouth gets during a makeout session. Researchers say you use 30 muscles while kissing and the smooching helps keep your cheeks tight. Nice. We'll take what we can get.

5. Kissing naturally relaxes you. Scientific reports say kissing increases the levels of oxytocin, the body's natural calming chemical and also increased endorphins, the body's feel-good chemicals. Swapping spit is also noted to increase dopamine, which aids in feelings of romantic attachment.

--Written by Melissa Noble

}{Starfish}{

2009-11-07T22:53:00.001-07:00

This is what life does. It lets you walk up to
the store to buy breakfast and the paper, on a
stiff knee. It lets you choose the way you have
your eggs, your coffee. Then it sits a fisherman
down beside you at the counter who say, Last night,
the channel was full of starfish. And you wonder,
is this a message, finally, or just another day?

Life lets you take the dog for a walk down to the
pond, where whole generations of biological
processes are boiling beneath the mud. Reeds
speak to you of the natural world: they whisper,
they sing. And herons pass by. Are you old
enough to appreciate the moment? Too old?
There is movement beneath the water, but it
may be nothing. There may be nothing going on.

And then life suggests that you remember the
years you ran around, the years you developed
a shocking lifestyle, advocated careless abandon,
owned a chilly heart. Upon reflection, you are
genuinely surprised to find how quiet you have
become. And then life lets you go home to think
about all this. Which you do, for quite a long time.

Later, you wake up beside your old love, the one
who never had any conditions, the one who waited
you out. This is life’s way of letting you know that
you are lucky. (It won’t give you smart or brave,
so you’ll have to settle for lucky.) Because you
were born at a good time. Because you were able
to listen when people spoke to you. Because you
stopped when you should have and started again.

So life lets you have a sandwich, and pie for your
late night dessert. (Pie for the dog, as well.) And
then life sends you back to bed, to dreamland,
while outside, the starfish drift through the channel,
with smiles on their starry faces as they head
out to deep water, to the far and boundless sea.

by: Eleanor Lerman

2009-11-05T16:34:00.009-07:00

I love that the smell of his cologne clings in my nose after he has embraced me just before walking out the door for work.

I love that he devours my home cooked meals and always, always tells me what a great cook I am and he means it,( he's put on 20 lbs to prove it).

I love when he smiles and his eyes crinkle because of his cheeks (Squints)

I love it when he snores, even when it wakes me up because I know he is actually sleeping

I love how patient he is with me

I love how he is changing, growing, "maturing", and that he is my Man-Child

I love to rub my face in his beard and that he let's me

I absolutely love talking to him in the middle of the night when all else is quiet and nothing is pressing aside from sleep, and we can hash through the meat of life, belief, dreams, fears and in those moments when all else is still we can truly feel as one!

I love his willingness to teach me, I love how he loves me, how tender and sweet he can be and how willing he is to make me happy.
I love that whenever I ask him what I can do to help him he tells me "be happy, that's all"

I love how he loves me, he knows I need to feel his arms around me when he gets home. I love how tender and sweet he can be, how when I've had a bad day or am in a bad mood he is his silliest self and can always make make me smile even if I don't want to. I love that he knows I sometimes all he needs to do is listen and that sometimes I just need him and nothing else to feel better.

I love the insight he gives into matters of a spiritual and eternal nature, into life, that he always questions and not to instill doubt but to encourage me to dig deeper, think more, search and understand in a simplified way.

I love that he lets me have it my way, way more then I let him have his way, I think it is because I am more persistent but really I know it is because he loves me and I really appreciate that sacrifice even if it is just the movie we are going to watch just before bed (Jaws is not a good idea by the way... lesson learned).

I love that we can argue without really arguing and that we can agree to disagree, I am grateful to have someone who supports me and respects my opinions even if he doesn't always agree with them. I believe it keeps the relationship fresh and fun, give and take and open mindedness are some of our stronger traits and I love him for that!

I love him for his desire to be good, to be better and to be his best in what he does.
I love his strength, that amid difficulty and stress he can still reassure me that all will work out, that everything will be okay and that we are stronger for the things we experience in life and from life.

I have a tendency to focus on the negative in life and forget all the wonderful blessings we have, he never ceases to remind me of just how beautiful life is and together everyday can be gorgeous.

I love that he is my best friend and that I can always count on him to be honest, to make me laugh that he let's me be me and that he is just as silly as I am, a kid at heart. and I love love to make him laugh and that he does laugh at the ridiculous ideas that I share with him, he never judges me and takes me for who I am. I have so much to learn with him and so much to share with him and I am so glad that I get that chance each and everyday to have him in my life.

Life truly is so beautiful if we allow it to be such.

2009-10-04T11:54:00.002-07:00

Liz Tran is my new favorite artist.

If I could have a few of her pieces to brighten my home I would!

SOMEDAY!!!...
{image from: Jessica Gonacha Swift who happens to be another artist I love}

Meandering in the Maze of Mediocrity

2009-09-25T11:16:00.003-07:00

Sometimes people you have never even met before can help you out in ways you never imagined, even if it is just that they are sitting next to you on a bus... minding their own business, or are feeling what you feel and have put it so precisely into words that you think they have read your mind and spoken for you. Your thoughts become their voice and you realize you aren't alone in this big crazy world. Or someone you love tells you exactly what you needed to hear and it reminds you once again why you love them so and that there exists a power that truly does bind you together, heart, mind, body and soul, and it is real!
There is a reason men are inspired and there is a reason we are meant to "Love one Another", and serve one another! We all have different ways to help and uplift each other, to relate to those who feel isolated and alone in their frustrations, it's because we aren't alone and WE have the responsibility to understand that truth and share it through our life's experiences.

My title was taken from a wise man's life creed, I don't have a link to it but I do have it written down.

The Fellowship of the Unashamed

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast! I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made; I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tainted visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, positions, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I now live by faith, lean on His
presence, walk with patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power. My face is set, my gait is fast, and my goal is Heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear! I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, or let up, until I have stayed up stored up, and paid up of the cause of Christ. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till I know, and work till He stops me. And when He returns for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear.
Henry B. Eyring

For more info on this and other great men please visit lds.org
i.e.:Adversity

A few years ago I began to write my own life creed, studying everything I could to figure out what direction I needed to be moving in so that I didn't feel so much like a wanderlust. I have always been a wanderer, always daydreaming and imagining but having a hard time putting those daydreams into practical use. It is a large part of my creative side but it is also responsible for my inability to stick to one plan and see it through namely in regards to my education. I enjoy so many things and get easily frustrated when I don't see immediate progress/results. Lately I have felt very useless and helpless a sign that I need to better myself!
My other half has been a great support in motivating me in the right direction, I need to see things to feel that they are securely before me so we sat down and wrote out a plan, not with any specific time frame but a Life Plan of sorts. We wrote down what we wanted, what was important and what we could be working on right now to put us in a better position to progress in the near future and be better prepared for what we truly desire. On the top of our list was Family, followed by our desires to be continually educated, to make a difference in the world around us. Then we got into the silly things I like to think of as the frosting on out cake of life, like wanting to build our own home, have a music room, a library of our very own, a pool, a large yard with a garden and plenty of room for our children to roam and have adventures of there very own. We continued to discuss how we would educate our children, how we would raise them the ideals and standards we wish to teach through wise example. Sure we have discussed these sorts of things a million times before we were even married but we wrote it all down and have a place we can refer to if we ever feel like we are 'meandering in the maze of mediocrity'! I guess I am just emptying my head for now so that I have something to which I can refer back to when I am feeling particularly uninspired.

p.s. thanks Jasmine you were what I needed today

Happy Autumn ....

2009-09-22T17:53:00.003-07:00

All!

Looking forward to cooler weather, long evening walks, warm meals that don't make me sweat in the kitchen while making them, new opportunities, growth, progress, laughter, family gathering, new nephew(s) and/or niece, Halloween decorations, General Conference, healthier happier times, new adventures, learning and the like.

Kindness

2009-08-10T14:37:00.002-07:00

So I was at Goodwill today parroosing the many wonderous things that others have deemed unusable and have donated to be sold at a very discounted price. As of late my visits to these types of stores has been a taxing ordeal because all of a sudden everyone shops at thrift stores. I assume it has something to do with the economy but really it has been a stressful to manouver in and out of overcrowded ailes, kids running around, no carts to hold my treasures etc. So in lieu of this most unpleasant develpoment I have decided to become a weekday thrifter and a sparse one at that seeing as I am unemplyed and shouldn't be spending money no matter how little it may be. Save save save!
Well whilst I was filling my cart and gasping at the excellent things I was finding a nice old gentlemen stopped me and pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and asked if I had one. It was a 20% discount ticket. I politely and maybe with a little anticipation said no i do not. And with that he handed it to me while pointing to his cart that had only a drinking mug within, "there's no way i will be able to spend $10 to get the discount" and so he gave it to me. I thanked him in all sincerity and walked around the store smiling from ear to ear. Pondering upon the difference that man had been not only to my shopping experience but to my day and quite possibly my entire week! This may seem inconsequential but it meant so very much to me and I felt compelled to share!

I love them to pieces!

2009-08-02T21:04:00.002-07:00

We went camping with these two (+ allen, wesley, chad, aubrey, jj & kayla) and they found these lovely flowers whilst skipping to the loo. Seriously could they be any cuter? I think not!

I'm obsessing over...

2009-07-31T11:24:00.007-07:00

...glass jar canisters for my countertop to store stuff like flour, rice and pasta which I use most often!

{Example of what I want}

Below: Places i found what I want for prices I would be willing to pay for them!

Glass Jars @ Target

Crate&Barrel: wouldn't let me borry their photos boo! But they have my favorite ones!!!

The Canister Store also has a very good option for a very reasonable price.

Today I like...

2009-07-29T15:26:00.009-07:00

this PAINTING:
by this Artist

this DRESS...

(looking for a pattern to make my own!)

this QUOTE:

“A person will worship something, have no doubt about that. We may think our tribute is paid in secret in the dark recesses of our hearts, but it will out. That which dominates our imaginations and our thoughts will determine our lives, and our character. Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshipping we are becoming.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

this NAILPOLISH:

(i've been wearing it all summer long)

Alice in Wonderland

2009-07-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

I'm getting really excited for THIS... March 5, 2010

2009-07-21T15:12:00.000-07:00

If I weren't going camping this weekend, I would most definately want to wear this!

T-shirt, Belt, Skirt, Sunglasses and Earrings : Forever 21, Shoe's: Lulu's

...

2009-07-16T10:02:00.000-07:00

Zooey Deschanel

We should be friends, BECAUSE:

She's super cute

She can play the piano, xylophone, banjo, guitar, and ukulele

She is a singer/songwriter and actress (AND SHE'S GOOD AT ALL 3!)

She has impecable style

She's beautiful/CLASSIC

She is getting married to Ben Gibbard who is the singer/songwriter of one of my favorite bands (Death Cab for Cutie and also Postal Service)

She is Talented

We would have fun together I am sure

She's down to earth

And I am sure some of her goodness would rub off on me and I would become an overall more enjoyable person =))!

This is my new project...

2009-07-14T14:45:00.000-07:00

Since I have yet to find a quilt/comforter for my bedroom that suits me just so, I think I am going to make my very own using the pattern I got from here.

I love blogging, you can get the greatest ideas on here!

I'll post pictures when I am all done!

THE END

Home

2009-06-25T09:43:00.000-07:00

Back from vacation. It was so nice to get away with Riley even though the drive was long, the adventures were many and the laughter was uncontrollable at times. Seeing family was wonderful, and cousins and babies was equally fun!

Happy 1 year Ri Ri!

I love you!

Oh and we got to spend the day with these folks, so so much fun!

I wish...

2009-06-12T09:42:00.000-07:00

So I found the perfect curtains for the living room!

Unfortunately for me I found them at Anthropologie!

Seriously I should stop window shopping there because they are way out of my "budget".

But just for fun and inspiration for me to find some lovely, soft, yellow, linen, floraly fabric to make my very own imitation of this my ideal living room curtain, for hopefully a third of the cost of these lovelies! Wish me luck

Anthropologie- COQO FLORAL CURTAIN,Rich color that still allows the sun to shine in and warm my house.

2009-06-10T12:56:00.000-07:00

tagged by Jazmine.

Instructions: "with as much creativity as you can muster, SHOW YOUR HEART in: a picture, a poem, a song (or piece of music), a phrase (or quote), an item of clothing, a place, and (just for fun) a disney princess. if you want to join in, tag 6 more blogs."

A Picture:

I love Peter Pan and these are my favorite little people, living and breathing Peter Pans adventures and treasures!

"Seriously Guys"!!!

A Poem:
{Where the sidewalk ends}

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
and before the street begins,
and there the grass grows soft and white
and there the sun burns crimson bright,
and there the moon-bird rests from his flight
to cool in the peppermint wind.
let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
and the dark street winds and bends.
past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
we shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
and watch where the chalk-white arrows go
to the place where the sidewalk ends.
yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
and we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
for the children, they mark, and the children, they know
the place where the sidewalk ends.

Shel Silverstein

A Song:

Iron & Wine- my lady's house

A Quote:

"Changing the world is good for those who want their names in books. But being happy, that is for those who write their names in the lives of others, and hold the hearts of others as the treasure most dear"

Orson Scott Card

An item of Clothing:

A Place:

This is OUR place!

A Disney Princess:

2009-05-18T08:47:00.001-07:00

“And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.”
- Kahlil Gibran

2009-05-05T11:14:00.000-07:00

I would love to have this print in my bathroom!

Melissa Moss art, check her out she is pretty amazing

Happy Weekend!

2009-05-01T11:03:00.000-07:00

What I wish I was wearing this weekend!

Feels like it's time to do some serious spring shopping ='/ ...especially since most of my spring cleaning is done!

2009-04-22T12:24:00.000-07:00

"In order to seek one's own direction, one must simplify the mechanics of ordinary, everyday life."
-Plato
~

{This probably explains what I have been doing wrong. I believe my new years plan involved simplifying life and however hard we may or may not try new years plans don't make it very far if we don't really really make a special effort. Spring feels like a good time to start really really trying }

Summer Wishlist

2009-04-21T14:39:00.000-07:00

{for Starters I would Like...}

{T's, Skirt, Wedges}

{Dress, Hat, Shoes }

{ Dresse(s), earrings, Shades}

{ Sandals, Flip Flops, feet w/sandals }

Seriously I am in need of a tan, a vacation and some of these super cute outfits that represent the utter waste of hours upon hours and days of surfing the web and click click clicking. Of course all of these amazing things are waaaay to expensive and if I put my mind to it and collaborated with my mother and her endless seamstress talents I might be able to sew some of these summery lovelies myself {Sigh...}

My wish lists are usually fleeting anyway and so it is better to browse then to spend ridiculously, plus I am working on wants VS. needs.

I am weak and so wants tend to trump needs as far as shopping is concerned, oh well!

{Gone}

2009-04-15T09:21:00.000-07:00

So remember that post about growing my hair out blah blah blah... spring came and I caved and chopped it and then had to go see my friend Amy so that she could repair it and make it look nice. And the good part is I can still pull it into a ponytail with the aide of lots of bobby pins, albeit a stub of a pony but nonetheless I can pull it back!

My new goal: Not to cut my own hair, I'm not a professional! And honestly, seriously, truly, I am growing it out again FOR REAL this time! Give me 2 years and maybe I'll have back what was once lovely long hair!

{Get Away}

2009-04-08T10:11:00.000-07:00

Somedays you just want to get away...

And planning on it very very soon!

{Looking forward to...}

2009-04-02T11:19:00.000-07:00

Where the Wild things are, Alice in Wonderland, and Harry Potter I haven't been excited about a movie let alone three movies this much in way too long.

Hooray for summer!

p.s. Alice in Wonderland isn't due out until 2010 but still Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, to say the least but nuff said!

{TO DO}

2009-04-02T09:35:00.000-07:00

I don't know what it is about the changing seasons but I get really ansy about life and like to make changes in my home and my daily routine.

Yesterday after work I decided I wanted to be out and about and as I drove to nowhere in particular I found myself at Anthropologie, which come to find out is a sister company of Urban Outfiters, and Free People no wonder I love it all so much. I had in mind to look at thier hardware for drawers and such since I am planning on sanding and either re-staining and/or painting a few key pieces of furniture in our house soon (on the to do list). Well I grabbed a basket and as I placed lovely things within it I found myself wanting it all. I continued into the linens area, since we are in need of new bedding for our new bigger bed and I just couldn't stand it, I loved it all too. Feeling a little overwhelmed I started looking at there clothes!
My downfall was that, I wanted everything and so I left with nothing. I can admit I enjoy shopping probably A LOT more then the normal person but I am learning when to say no. I also understand that I am fickle and because I like change so much I have a hard time choosing something that will ultimately be a semi-perminate fixture in my home/life. You'd think a quilt or comforter wouldn't be such a big deal but when you have to look at it all the time and be comfy cozy well, then it becomes a big deal. I have a different favorite color every week so you can imagine the difficulty in finding one thing I can take home. So what is the solution to this madness?... Go for simple colors not to bright and accesorize of course. Bright fun pillows for a bed or couch. Vases, flowers, wall frames etc... (things I can move around the house and change the scenery a bit if ever I get "bored" of it). I have learned that if I get sick of something in my closet I just have to find a new way to wear it or if I am tired of the color of something I can repaint it. I have so many ideas but not enough time, not enough space and clearly not enough funds to bring them all to fruition, but I figure I'll do a little here and there and all will work out in time.

on the top of my TO DO LIST :

-Curtains for bedrooms and living room ( made by me)

-recover old throw pillow

-put new tires and a fresh coat of spray paint on my old bike,

-finally frame that lovely embroidered piece of 60's art (it needs a custom frame that's why I'm dragging my feet about that one)

- finish decorating the guest bathroom so that I can start with my own bathroom...

-Sand down kitchen table, night stands and dresser

-Find paint and stain samples for kitchen table, nightstands and dresser

-paint kitchen table, night stands and dresser

-Find hardware for night stands and dresser

-rent rug doctor and clean my carpets

-refurbish an old chest that ML gave me

-buy more fresh flowers for the patio... and also for the milk vase I found a few weeks ago etc etc etc.

I suppose with spring/summer I want to brighten my life a bit to aide in coming out of "hibernation"

2009-03-29T17:43:00.001-07:00

I love days like these when I don't come home empty handed from thrifting. And the even bigger bonus is when Riley really like the bowls that I bought because they are sweet, but mostly because they are extra large and thus can be filled to the brim once so as to avoid getting up for seconds. That can either be considered resourcefulness or lazyness (smile).

{Happy Spring}

2009-03-23T16:37:00.000-07:00

Following a ridiculously loud St. Patricks Day "celebration" that thundered from almost a mile up the road (I love the Irish and lepricons and rainbows just as much as the next but it was pretty obnoxious) and a sweet "Happy Spring" from Riley the morning of March 20th a conversation spurred about all the various traditions that we celebrate as a people. In conversing we decided that we wanted to start our own little traditions, to celebrate things that were meaningful to us. To remember that life changes like the weather sometimes and there is always something to look forward to just around the corner, maybe not tomorrow but next week or next month... That if we can find ways to survive the heat of an Arizona Summer then we can face any challenge in life with a positive attitude and eternal outlook. Isn't it important to remember creation and the Creator, and in celebrating each equinox and solstice, learning the histories of each passing season won't we be celebrating creation and beauty and God for that matter?!

We both love the outdoors and nature's beauty so why not celebrate it with mother nature herself! I was thinking for Summer Solstice perhaps we should take a trip to the beach since that is also a super special day to us, and then for Fall Equinox maybe camping, Winter Solstice an escape to somewhere chilly with snow maybe snowboarding, and Spring Equinox well we just enjoyed the natural splendor that was all around us, flowers in bloom and such, but we were just getting started this year continuing to plan our life together and how we will share and teach out children someday! So even though it is a little late HAPPY SPRING, may the orange blossoms fill your soul with sweet citrusy joy, and the smell of fresh cut grass mixed with gasoline take you back to the days when summer days consisted of yard work, cartoons, and sleeping in!

2009-03-18T14:23:00.000-07:00

I have been growing my hair out, basically since the instant I cut it super short last June. And while in that process of monotonous, boring, and tedious hair growth I decided once again that it would be a good idea to cut bangs. Not long sweepy bangs but short ones. Well like the aforementioned regretable hair cut months ago I hated myself shortly after the deed was done and I once again had bangs to short to tuck behind my ears. Bobby pins have become my new best friends and I have also been experimenting with different braid/twist options to nicely hide the fact that I am growing them out along with the rest of my tresses. It has been fun trying different things with them most mornings and I found these pics as a little extra inspiration!

{headbands}

2009-03-12T09:07:00.000-07:00

These Headbands are sooo lovely!

{Most listened to Songs of the week}

2009-03-07T15:33:00.000-07:00

Minus the Bear- Guns & Amo (acoustic)
Ingrid Michealson- Keep Breathing
Iron & Wine- Resurrection Fern
Muse- Exo Politics
Dustin Kensrue-Pistol
Pinback-How we Breath
Death Cab for Cutie- Title & registration
Copeland- On the Safest Legde
The Beatles- Maxwell Silver's hammer
Muse- Glorious
Aqualung- Mr. universe

{Good Mornings}

2009-03-05T10:17:00.000-07:00

“Sometimes you climb out of bed in the morning and you think, I’m not going to make it, but you laugh inside — remembering all the times you’ve felt that way.”
- Charles Bukowski

I love this time of year for a few reasons: 1) The mornings are so cool and crisp and delicious. It is the perfect temperature to be dreamily cozy and tucked in bed until an hour other then the one you have become acustomed to arrising. I am a morning person by nature and love existing when most of the surrounding world is quiet and bright. Before the chaos begins and the hustle and bustles washes away the tranquility that an Arizona sunrise brings. I love this time of year for the beautiful cool mornings but I hate it because of the struggle it is to get out of bed because it just feels like that is precisely where I am meant to mellow. But I suppose it is worth it to share in the opening of a new day and a chance to make a difference in the world!

Soooooo Kool!

2009-03-03T22:55:00.000-07:00

DRUMS

Remembering when...

2009-02-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

“If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.”- Mark Twain

I found this quote and it made me think of My Grandma Johnson. She used to tell us that if we forgot what we were going to say then it must have been a lie. She had a lot of little saying and she taught me a lot as far as card games go and winning then of course. Both My grandparents past away quite a few years ago My grandfather the last day of my jr. year of high school and my grandmother I think 5 years before that. I spent a lot of weekends with my grandpa helping him clean house and doing yard work after grandma passed away and I loved being able to spend time with him. I still can hear his chuckle and the way his whole body participated when he laughed. He had old records and old movies and lots and lots of books I suppose that is why I felt so at home with him. He was such a kind man and I love him. I think about his sometimes and miss him a lot. My mom always said I was a lot like him especially when I would eat the toast that got a little too toasty, apparently Grandpa loved him some burnt toast. And as I already mentioned my grandma was a card shark and taught me all she knew about speed and how to win at puzzles. She died her hair green once and I asked her about it and I don't remember her being too happy about my observant nature. She couldn't really cook, not for a lack of trying, and she swept the table and vacummed the linolium. She made us brownies once while she was watching us as my parents were out of town and when they had cooled and we went to dig in we found that an army of ants had found the tasty treat before we could. They must have known the Roussel mantra, "there are two kinds of people in this house, the fast, and the hungry" They happened to be the fast that time. I got a chance to read a few different things about them both after my grandpa died and I could feel the love that they had shared for so many years and was so grateful to have been able to know them. I guess it is good to remember my grandparents for a few different reasons, I hope to pass on some of those same qualities someday and so that my children can know a little bit about some great people that they will have to wait to meet. I guess I am really just happy to know that God knows us, has big plans for us and can't wait to reunite us and the ones we love.

V-Day

2009-02-17T21:39:00.001-07:00

So apparently this is our new tradition, February 14th is officially go to a GAME day! Thank Jen & Jim we had so much fun!!! And we love you Coyotes, you make us happy most of the time.

2009-02-10T09:14:00.001-07:00

“When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew.”
- William Shakespeare

The Zoo

2009-02-02T19:41:00.000-07:00

We have been wanting to go to the Zoo for awhile now and after a lack of live animals at the Zoo Lights we decided a daytime trip was in order. And as we were debating the Zoo we decided to buy a membership to get the most for our money. We can go as often as we like for the next year and also get some pretty sweet discounts at other Zoos and things around the country so we will be taking advantage for sure.

I put a few of my favorite animals up to share with you all

Can you believe that animals this huge exist, it is almost unbelievable, so prehistoric and really Amazing! We watched this Elephant try to get hay from this perch it was fun, they seem so happy to just exist. I definately can learn a lesson from them, Relax, Eat, Nap, Play, Repeat! Oh yeah and bathe occasionally, Done and Done.

This cheetah just kept pacing back and forth it was sort of creepy but such a beautiful cat!

Ah the Giant Desert Tortoise.
I think we spent 15 minutes watching this guy in awe. This one is over 100 years old and it was amazing to see her interact with her keepers it was very sweet. I really really have been trying to convince Riley to get some sort of pet. I really want a turtle they are so cute and relatively easy to take care of like a fish but they apparently can carry salmonella as babies. I have tried to wear him down with various tactics and at different times but to no avail. It is better that way though because the desire is always fleeting. But wouldn't it be awesome to go in your back yard to feed your Giant Desert Tortoise? I still haven't given up completely!!!

Um I would also love some otters of my very own they are just so cute

We had a lot of fun taking in a little bit of nature and reflecting on the beautiful things that we are surrounded by. Creation truly is an astounding thing and although we can't always grasp the depth of it all it was a wonderful experience to share in it for a few hours. Well worth the trip. I started out the day trying to convince Riley to go hiking with me, the Zoo was his compromise {Smile}.

2009-02-02T09:48:00.001-07:00

“So come with me, where dreams are born, and time is never planned. Just think of happy things, and your heart will fly on wings, forever.”
- Peter Pan

Booyah Achieved

2009-01-13T22:21:00.000-07:00

So when we got called to Primary and were given the 11 years there was a silent sigh of relief. With the new year a new calling? The 5 year olds, we have been holding our breath ever since. Tonight we got a call from a bishopric member asking us to serve in a stake calling... Can you guess what might be the cherry on top of all this madness? We have been asked to chaperon a stake youth dance in a couple of weeks. What??? I said yes and upon agreeing I began plotting. The following conditions were put into place to which Riley agreed with a grin. 1) that we can take pictures, 2) that we post those pictures on a blog and 3) that we slow dance since I don't think we have ever really done that. I'm awkward in a crowd so we did not do the whole wedding dance thing. I remember what it was like to be so giddy and boy crazy, nervous not to mention awkward now i am all of a sudden grown up enough to chaperon such non-sense? I ask you when did this happen?? Like how I avoided the word old in that sentence? haha

p.s. my new little 5 year old friend who will remain nameless volunteered for the opening prayer in class on Sunday and basically asked for 2 more siblings because he didn't have any and really really wanted some and so on and so forth. I laughed! I couldn't help it I have never heard such a sincere plea for siblings, if only he knew ha ha.
Pictures to follow in a couple weeks!

to be 23

2009-01-09T20:33:00.000-07:00

January 8, 2009
Happy Birthday to you!

23 reasons why I love you...

1. When you smile out of pure joy and your eyes get all squinty
2. You don't really like football but can talk about it like you've followed it for years you seem to be able to do that with just about anything and everything.
3. Your love of Star Wars, light sabers and wookiee-pedia
4. Your desire for light and knowledge
5. that you love hockey and most sports for that matter
6. the love you show through service to others
7. that you are All-ways listening and very patient especially when I am stubborn
8. I love your mind, your soul, your light!
9. I love your different laughs, especially the silent hysterical laughter that comes when your funny bone has been seriously tickled and you crumble to the floor
10. I love your wit and humor, that you make me laugh daily
11. I love you even when you are a cranky old man, which is typically in the morning
12. I love your words, they are poetry
13. I love how insanely talented you are
14. I love how you keep me grounded
15. that you love nature as much if not more then I do
16. I love your light, that you exude kindness
17. I love to learn from you and feel my mind expand as we experience life together
18. I love love your kisses!!!
19. I love the kid in you that is silly, and fun and willing to dance every now and again
20. When I say "the kids"you know I'm talking about Allen, Wesley, Ashley & Madison, i love that you just know...!
21. Impeccable taste in Music and talent when it comes to making it
22. No one can air drum like you, and drive at the same time
23. I love how you love me...

there are of course thousands of reasons why I love you and I am sure to find more as the days go by. Happy Birthday to the boy who makes me laugh daily, weak in the knees, happier than I ever thought I deserved, Happy Birthday to my best Friend!!

I love you Ri!

ha ha ha

2009-01-06T15:27:00.001-07:00

For those of you who know me well know I can at times be very much the person in the above diagram. Which leads me into a story: So we have been teaching primary for the last 6+ months the 11 year olds and it has been fun, we had some good kids, and some goods times. With the new year we had a meeting with the primary presidency and low and behold we got a transfer from Sr. Primary to Jr. Primary,the CTR 5's are our new class. Well this past Sunday was our first in Jr. Primary and I seriously haven't laughed so hard in a long time. Some of the things those kids said cracked me up. Anyway we sat down at the end of a row I asked the little boy if I could sit by him to which he replied no. I was already seated and so I offered up my husband as an alternate he wasn't having that either but with no other options we stayed seated and the little boy moved as far over in his chair as possible. I like to pride myself on being good with kids but every child is different and so I didn't take it to personally. Well within two minutes this little boy was practically sitting in my lap, giving me high fives, sticking his hands in my face, talking my ear off, asking me questions, singing at me, and he slapped my chest once and when I say chest I mean boob which was a little shocking. Riley reacted by reminding him he needed to sit in his own chair and observe the bubble ha ha. Anywho it turns out this little boy was in our new class and is a bundle of energy and not the he-man-woman-hater that he first led us to believe, who kind of got in my bubble. Needless to say with six 5 year olds we have our hands full and need to brush up on our skills so as to keep these kidos entertained, and of course attempt to feed them spiritually. I plan on having corresponding coloring activities for each lesson, that worked well this week :) What an adventure we have found ourselves on!!!

2009-01-05T15:12:00.001-07:00

so this is the new year?

2009-01-01T15:31:00.000-07:00

With a kiss and a sip of sparkling cider we rang in a new year with some great friends and most importantly each other!
An eventful year for the both of us and I couldn't help but reflect on how quickly 2008 has escaped me especially since there were moments that seemed like eternity anticipating the weekends so we could see each other, the Rizutto's cross country move, Ri's move to the valley, and his new job and of course our wedding. In my family we celebrated 3 weddings. Hannah & Greg in January, Jeremy & Kayla in May and Riley and I in June. Allen my nephew was baptized in March and Meghan added two goats to her menagerie in the back yard. My parents yard has become a little farm with 3 chickens, 2 goats and a dog.

I am so blessed with great family and friends and especially to spend my days with my best friend learning new things, growing, seeking understanding together, discussing our future, cooking new things together, teaching together, experiencing him bear testimony of God's love and Christ has been an amazing gift and I love to grow with him, I love to be by his side and I love to love him!

these are some things to enhance my life in{2009} much easier then those pesky resolutions that don't make it past January

Laugh
because that's where those great wrinkles on our faces come from, because that's how we make it through the hard stuff, because we shouldn't take ourselves or others too seriously, because it is a beautiful noise that resonates and it looks better then a frown, because we can.

Simplify
simplify: days
simplify: thoughts (don't overthink)
simplify: evaluations/reactions (relax)
simplify: relationships
simplify: life (enjoy it)

Balance
...of self,environment,mind,body,soul,heart,LOVE,work, spiritually,home,play,thoughts/reactions.

{illusion of control}
"If you hold on to the handle, she said, it's easier to maintain the illusion of control. But it's more fun if you just let the wind carry you.".

-Brian Andreas

Happy New Year!

Feliz Navidad

2008-12-24T14:39:00.000-07:00

Our first Christmas together.

We opened our gifts to each other on Christmas Eve because we were too excited and couldn't wait, and on Christmas morning we went to my parents for breakfast and our Secret Santa gift exchange. It was so fun seeing all the new additions to the family there Riley, Kayla, JJ's wife and Greg, Hannah's husband. And especially to see the kids so excited for what santa brought them. I just love seeing my nieces and nephews and they always add to the fun of the holidays.

Our next stop was Grandma Tilly's for dinner with the Alexanders and Woods:) They are always a lot of fun especially all the cousins running around wanting to play dress up and hide and seek. And we all sat down and watched a video called reflections about Christ. The reason we commemorate this time of year. I am so very grateful to know Christ and to understand what his life means and makes possible for us all. It was nice to have everyone together for that. Me and Ri were a little bummed out that Chad Michelle and the kids weren't there but we got some exciting news... Michelle is pregnant and so in June or July there will be another addition to the family. Yay! Congrats guys!

After making the rounds from Gilbert to Glendale we finally made it home to snuggle up to a movie to enjoy our time together and the lights and decorations one last time because they are all coming down tomorrow.

{Holiday Baking}

2008-12-20T11:24:00.000-07:00

Peach & Blackberry Pie

I have been watching cooking shows galore lately and that along with the holiday season has inspired me to a more domestic lifestyle. Don't get me wrong I cook often but I am definitely looking to branch out and awaken the Betty Crocker within. Hopefully it tastes alright. I'll let Riley sample it first and let you all know! ;)

Things to work on: My crust, not quite like mammas. Presentation, I tried to make a little birdie on the crust but it sort of melted. And last but not least buy a real pie pan, maybe even a smaller one for a family of two.

http://www.foodtv.ca/recipes/recipedetails.aspx?dishid=2710

Puzzled

2008-12-16T16:30:00.000-07:00

What to do on a Sunday evening after the most wonderful, cozy, restful nap?? Start a puzzle of course, good thing we had one

it's very important to take care of the borders first I'm glad Ri has similar puzzle strategy

we had snacks, peanut butter and saltines Yum tum
And as you can tell from the pictures it took us a little while to really focus soley on the puzzle, between the David Blaine marathon that had Riley enthrawled and Steve Carrell making me laugh it took us a bit longer then expected. Truth be told it was hard, but very fun. I thought I always had something funny to say until I met Riley and I truly met my match in him even when doing something seaminly simple as a puzzle!

This is quite a few hours after we had started and Riley had already told me several times that pieces were missing because he couldn't find the one corner piece closest to his right wrist in this picture. Also a little background my Grandma was an avid puzzler she was always putting together puzzles but she also liked to win at things namely cards but anyway she was known to hide pieces even in her mouth so as to be the last person with a puzzle piece. Riley may have accused me of pulling a "Grandma Johnson" once or twice. I don't blame him, everything I know about the game of speed I learned from Grandma at a young age and I killed Riley at cards a few times thanks to her!

We just kept going and going and I would stop to stretch or rest my eyes because the pieces were all starting to look the same after 6 hours at it and Ri would make comments like "well, I guess I am just going to have to finish this thing all by myself ..." It was like 2 in the morning and he was still going, he really wanted to finish but I called it quits and he soon followed. He jumped out of bed a few hours later when the sun came up and went right back to the puzzle. Lucky for me he had some errands to run and so I got to finish it off, except I saved him the very last piece.

As you can see no pieces were missing and it glows in the dark too! Thanks Ken & Laura!!! I plan on buying more so as to always have a back up for rainy days!

Total number of pieces 500
Total man hours to complete puzzle like 15 (seriously)
Fun times had while puzzling... Priceless

Muse

2008-12-04T07:30:00.000-07:00

This is the first Muse song that filled my soul with amazement and wonder in 2001 and it opened a door to my great love of this band, they are in one word AAAmazing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDDCieKfrvY

5 months later

2008-11-12T10:10:00.001-07:00

I'm official, in case you can't read it because it is blurry I finally went to the DMV and changed my name! Feels good, plus this is the best picture I have ever taken for a drivers license ;)

beautiful

2008-11-11T13:42:00.001-07:00

"When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream".
Paulo Coehlo

photo by 14 year old olivia bee

to pieces

2008-11-10T15:50:00.001-07:00

This is Ashley & Madison, they are my nieces and I love them to pieces. I borrowed these pictures off of my sisters blog I just couldn't help it. They are so stinkin cute!!!! And no they aren't twins they get that a lot

as soon as it's cold enough...

2008-11-10T15:50:00.000-07:00

I would adore a pair of these please by Kate Spade

last straws

2008-11-09T14:03:00.000-07:00

So I thought our ant problem was over and done with seeing as we used ever form of insecticide possible and winter is fast approaching, hibernation... etc etc. But not so. My first mistake was one that Riley would never had made. I used a seemingly clean cup that had been sitting on the counter without rinsing it out first. I grabbed it and filled it with cold, filtered water to quench my thirst. It was delicious. I then set the cut down and went to the other room to grab some Advil, came back took another swig to down the pills and then continued into the bedroom to share with Riley, i know he is always thirsty and loves water just as much as I do if not more. Upon reaching the doorway however I noticed that the contents of my glass had something floating in it. Upon closer inspection i became angry and disgusted all in the same breath. You guessed it my cup was full of ants. Swimming for there lives and some not so much swimming as they were floating. Riley asked what was wrong and after hesitating in disbelief at what had just occurred I told him i think i just drank ants. Scratch that I drank ants! Seriously. Even today I still cant believe it. Gross

{Holiday}

2008-11-05T18:35:00.000-07:00

Right now i would like nothing more then to get away for awhile! The places that i would most like to go would be an England/UK back packing excursion, a long camping weekend maybe by the beach and/or DisneyLand. The latter two are of course much more within my grasp, the first will have to wait but hopefully not too long. I've got an itch to travel as always to fill my eyes with sights unseen and explore. With Fingers crossed, i'll be saving all my pennies and maybe just maybe i'll find myself with my best friend in a foreign place loving every minute.

2008-11-02T19:06:00.000-07:00

full circle...

2008-10-25T17:52:00.000-07:00

SO we've had crickets and ants and cockroaches and I should have been expecting the spiders to make a return. This morning I restarted the spider death poll. I smashed a medium sized one on the wall and did some tidying up so as to find any possible partners he brought along but found none thankfully. I hope that was the last of them!

HaLLoWEeN

2008-10-20T18:03:00.000-07:00

Although I have felt uninspired and extremely drained lately there are still little things that make me ever so happy. HALLOWEEN is one of them. I have been looking forward to decorating for months and as the month and days have passed and I have been eyeing things in the store that I woud love to adorn or should I say haunt my little nook I just can't bring myself to spend what they the sellers ask. I always think i could make something better or more creative. That always seems to be the plan but it rarely is brought to fruition. So I have devised a plan that I know many a people swear by. I will wait until the day after and hit the clearance ailes with coupons in hand! Yes next year halloween will be more haunting and spooky and spectacular for sure! Until then I must show off the gems that my mother made me because she knows how much i have always loved all hallows eve. She hand painted the faces, made up the pattern after seeing something similar in a magazine and vuaala!

I'm not certain if it is the feel of fall that hangs in the air teasing me with days of sweater weather and then not or the dress up or what but I love love love this time of year.

{The Halloween sign I painted, just for the record}

hairs cut; for Laura

2008-09-28T16:17:00.001-07:00

The before picture, Riley has been moving up at work and was encouraged to trim his hair, normally he has it nicely combed but the windblown look was done for a more effective before shot.

and so... he got to trimming, and trimming...

and more trimming...

until finally we got this look

{The after, don't ya want to just pinch his cheeks!}

I didn't realize how much hair was on his head until this point. Also he got lots and lots of comments at church about how good his cut looked. I can't take any credit of course, i'm still on probation from the last cut i gave him(only kidding) I only took care of the trimming around the ears. My favorite comment came from one of the our primary kids in class, Jacob said he looked older with his hair shorter. I guess it was just funnier coming from a kid rather then an adult since he normally looks as old as they do, or so he says.

I'm in love with...

2008-09-26T14:57:00.000-07:00

dont ask where I found these lovelies because I couldn't even tell you, if I could remember or retrace my steps then I would buy them and put them up in my house today!

The ants go marching one by one.. .. .. ..

2008-09-25T13:13:00.001-07:00

Ok so the spiders were one thing, crickets a whole different ball game and now, now we have a mad infestation of ants. What the heck? It's like the fall equinox happened and then the ants started marching. There will be no ants whatsoever on any surface of the kitchen and then as soon as I'm done cooking they come out in search of a feast. I have been especially careful lately to not leave even the smallest crumb anywhere, in fact I disinfect after every meal these days and still they come and still they find. Now if we were complete slobs I couldn't have room to complain but come on. To add to it all the crickets have mutated and now they fly! I kid you not!

My normally animal friendly husband has been turned into a insect killing machine, since maintenance has yet to come and take care of our pests. That being said and Riley sick of the extra cleaning and killing not o mention the swarm of ants we found in our garbage can under the sink on thursday we went to buy any and all sorts of ant/insect remover possible. We placed them under the sink and under the stove and let it work its magic and work it did. The ants have all but disappeared, but if they come back we will be ready.

{this is what is was starting to feel like at our place =}

Picture of the week

2008-09-23T13:02:00.001-07:00

Since I post random pictures all the time I've decided to have a picture of the week or day or just post a picture without having to include it in some sort of specific topic of discussion on my blog.
Todays winner is...

{seriously nature is B.E.A.utiful!}

2008-09-19T15:52:00.001-07:00

{to love is to place our happiness in the happiness of another}

2008-09-19T15:30:00.000-07:00

“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” - Steve Jobs

{where I want to be}

2008-09-17T09:10:00.000-07:00

"Shared joy is a double joy;

shared sorrow is a half sorrow"

-swedish preoverb

ode to FaLL

2008-09-09T11:44:00.000-07:00

Dear Fall,
I am looking forward to your return. It seems like forever since I have last felt your chill. I am excited for sweater weather, for my beloved cardigans to get the wear they most assuredly deserve, to on occasion wear closed toed shoes, scarfs, hats, and even jackets. To, at my leisure and comfort on those perfectly warm fall days sport the sandals that make me smile always and have faithfully carried me through yet another wonderful and very sunny summer. To watch the nations weather at it's finest/coldest and snowiest and be reminded how wonderful it is to live in Arizona and enjoy the most ideal winter weather around (my opinion).

I vibrate at the thought of campouts, becoming more unified with Mother nature with nothing but my sleeping bag and the stars (maybe a tent would help with the warmth), camp fires, smores, snuggling next to the fire with my sweetie, road trips north, a little bit of snow and of course the long awaited cooler weather that tends to be perfection during sunshining hours. Family gatherings and the mayhem that ensues when the Roussel's get together and eat. The hints of the upcoming winter with hot chocolate, christmas lights, long evening walks, crunchy leaves beneath my feet, and the like.

I have already had hints of your arrival as the mornings seem to be cooler then normal, the current 80 degrees is heavenly.

Oh yeah, and I hope that my new family will be able to make it this far west sometime in the coming months for Riley and I are missing them a lot these days.

I can hardly wait, please make haste!

Sincerly,

your ever patient Arizonian

p.s. here are a few somethings to entice you further...

{yes and yes}

{perhaps the weather might permit one of these}

{where can I find this lovely dress?!!!}

{ok so these aren't really fall attire but they are super cute and I would wear them often especially with the above formentioned dress}

{i adore boots but just can't seem to find an excuse to justify spending the money on them}

{and I may dust off these...}

{so as to make one or two of these}

She's so strange...

2008-09-07T18:55:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I spend hours and hours looking at pictures. Why was I looking at stairs? I don't know, but I found some amazing pictures just the same and that is what really matters. Maybe just a glimpse into my imagination and where I like to hang out, Riley is there of couse which is all the more reason to love him.

{didn't led zeppelin write a song about this place?... the stairway to heaven! I would live here if only I knew where it was}

{I love the wood stairs with the tile details}

{Swiss Family Robinson had the right idea, Tree Houses! sleep under the stars, wake up to nature, long walks, fresh wildberries, cool streams, nothing but the wind in the trees. As long as the spiders keep to themselves this would be divine}

{this one for obvious reasons is my favorite, old book shop with a secret stash of only the finest vintage, musty books imaginable... yeah i could live here or at least walk here daily}

{i think of the labyrinth and david bowie, a stairway to nowhere and everywhere}

{our place}

{oh let me just go for a swim in the sea, as I only have to step out side my back door, good idea for now bad idea once the sea level really starts to rise}

someday# 5

2008-09-02T12:25:00.001-07:00

"A room without books is like a body without a soul." —Marcus Tullius Cicero

Ok so I love books, not just the reading of but the smell of old books. Yep that musty old smell that most people can't stand I love it. The fabrics and colors and textures, the print and the yellowing of pages that have been turned and thoughts and ideas that have been imagined through someone elses mind a long time ago. I and my husband plan on having a library and we already have a pretty good start.

Here are some possible ideas for future book shelves, in future rooms, in a future home where we will most assuredly learn, laugh and love in.

{ I love the shape of this little nook and how perfectly placed this book shelf is}

{wall to ceiling books, divine}

{the yellow wall behind this book case is perfect and brightens everything}

{I love love how these shelves frame the doorway, no end in sight}

{I have this weird yellow fetish going on. well yellow, red and grey}

I love you Sunday Sun

2008-09-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

Warm hearts and forevers

I have come to appreciate Sundays more then I think I ever have. Not only can I be uplifted in spirit, associate with others who share my faith but I get to spend the entire day with Riley. Church, nap, dinner, the occasional visitor or visit ahhh I can feel my muscles relax just thinking about it.

Tickle fights and cuddling occur in mass and we can relax and rest and talk and just be without worrying about where we have to be and when. We discuss our thoughts on what we took from our church meetings that day and what we would like to give. We talk about this and that and the other, we read and we write and we exist together with a greater harmony it seems with the weeks chaos behind us.

Grateful for Sundays

round 2, 2am

2008-09-01T17:23:00.000-07:00

I don't know what it is about 2am, but those crickets are like clock work!
So we had a couple of weeks of silent nights, our loud friends stayed out of our bathroom and there was sleep.
The other night we were rudely awoken at 2am again by what could only be new comer crickets because I figured the word had spread that 2am wake up calls didn't go over so well in apt #2235. Riley instead of his usually grunt simply asks me to take care of them. What? Really? Ok! So i took care of the male and female cricket problems in the bathroom and was back to sleep within minutes. Ahh sweetpeace.
Next morning...
Ri:Hey, what is my sandal doing in the bathroom with cricket gut all over it?
ME:Don't you remeber asking me to "take care of them last night"?
Ri: No!... really? I did? Ah man now my sandals have bad vibes on them
Me: Hey you asked and I delivered

{I'm convinced I was an assasin in a previous life because of how easy it is to take care of those pesky problems that seem to keep popping up. Spiders and crickets and flies oh my... Maybe I'm just in the wrong career path, maybe I should call up Orkin and see what they have to offer me =) }
Don't get me wrong I feel bad for killing them but they just shouldn't be in my house. And they sure as heck shouldn't be waking me up at all hours of the night. I am sure there will be some sort of bug justice for all the flying critters that flew into my windshield or grill, or crickets, spiders, flies etc that found the bottom of my shoe and I am preparing for the day when I will wake up covered in these grossly gross creepy crawlers all over me giving me my just desert. I just pray that it doens't come to that.
sincerly
spiders bane

round one, 2am

2008-09-01T17:22:00.000-07:00

So I got a wake up call at 2am the other morning by a noise that turned out to be Riley's disgusted grunt. He was awoken by an insanely loud cricket chirping in our bathroom that woke him up and then his grunt woke me up, awesome. (They really like it in there I've decided because it echos super loud).

I groggily ask what is wrong but retract the question as soon as my mind wakes up enough to understand that the chirping is the problem. Being awake at 2am is not my favorite thing and after a minute I get up to close the bathroom door thinking it will muffle the sound. It worked even better they stopped all together. Ah sweet victory, i crawl back into bed with a thank you from Riley and it's back to my weird dream? 5 Minutes later they are at it again. I get up open the bathroom door turn on the light and I see the culprit. Instict kicks in, kill the bug, bug belongs outside and since it is 2am bug doesn't get any mercy. I grab a sandal and after a few near close shots and chasing it into the bedroom I get the little noise maker. I go back to turn off the bathroom light only to find the largest cricket I've ever seen hanging out on the wall about eye level with me, i swear out loud. From the Other room "what's wrong?" Oh nothing, i've got this one. He was fast, he jumped off the wall onto the counter as I swung at him, I swung again at his perch on the counter missed him again and then into the sink he went. That was his fatal flaw. Although I have found crickets are agile on carpet, linolium and even walls their little legs have no hope when it comes to smooth bathroom sinks. Splat and that was that. Guts on my sandal and skeleton in the sink and I am off to bed, again.
Something that is important to understand Riley has this soft place in his heart for crickets that stems from his studies on Buddism or Daoism or something like that. They are supposidly good luck. He would much rather carefully gather the bug and set him free outside, which basically only makes the bug mad so that he goes and invites all of his little baby making buddies to sneak back into our house and now our problem has multiplied 10 fold. So you can imagine it didn't go over so well when I got back to bed after the massacre

Here is the dialogue:

Ri: I'm calling maintenance tomorrow
Me: K
Me: I got two and one was really big
Ri: yeah, well you swore
Me: sorry bout that but it surprised me
Ri: you killed two of god's creatures
Me: aren't the maintenance people going to kill them when they spray
Ri: there's a difference, they get to enjoy some yummy food or something and then they die
Me: oh yeah much better, they suffer and then meet there demise
Me: My way, the noise stops, and the death is instantaneous. Plus my way is fun for them too, they like to hop and hop they did.
Ri: lets stop talking so my brain won't turn on
Me: sounds good

Riley was wide awake on this occasion but typically says some pretty funny stuff in is sleep

visits

2008-09-01T17:11:00.000-07:00

I almost forgot... We were lucky enough to spend some time in Glendale early last month and go to see Chelsey and Clint. We got to celebrate Lily's birthday with grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. They are a lot of fun. Also Clint told us that he is planning on serving a mission. We couldn't be happier for them.

{Ri & Chelsey}

{summer love}

2008-08-22T14:05:00.001-07:00

My friday has been "well" spent wandering the mazes of the internet, finding things that I like and looking for the exact replicas for a fraction of the price. Oh and also I have managed to squeeze some real work in.

I love Arizona for many reasons, most of which include; it doesn't snow, I can wear sandals all year long, all that is necesary is a light jacket or sweatshirt in the fall, t-shirts are always ok etc etc. Now I love shoes especially sandals and although I would prefer to be barefoot it isn't very sanitary and so if my resources were such and my barganing skills perfected I would probabaly own at least one of each of these beauties:

Also I found this bag but it is real leather and ridiculously priced. I saw the same purse in New York for $20.00 last spring. I should have bought it

And of course something new for the bathroom never hurt either. Very earthy right?

Something new. . .

2008-08-22T09:44:00.001-07:00

{the dress is perfect especially since I have some weird love of cardigan sweaters and own a million of them, I have just the perfect one for this dress. Of course I only want this dress I do not own it, oh and the shoes I would wear them everyday! =)}

guess what???

2008-08-22T08:56:00.000-07:00

So a couple of weeks ago I was up doing my hair getting ready for work just like any other day and as I was straitening away I found quite a surprise. A stark white slightly curly hair had taken up residence in the lower layer of my brownish blond locks. Yup, I pulled it out right away because I couldn't believe my eyes I needed a closer look. As soon as it was out there was no denying it, White as fresh fallen snow! I quickly woke Riley to show him and first he said "that's hot" then he said "maybe a sign you should stop stressing". Needless to say I quickly grabbed a ziplock baggy and stored it away, for posterities sake. My first grey hair at 25, well I guess I bypassed the grey and went right for the white! I thought women went grey when they started having kids? Nope not me, I like to get a head start on things.

{picture to follow shortly}

{on the radio}

2008-08-19T12:47:00.000-07:00

. . .

This is how it works

You're young until you're not

You love until you don't

You try until you can't

You laugh until you cry

You cry until you laugh

And everyone must breathe

Until their dying breath

No, this is how it works

You peer inside yourself

You take the things you like

And try to love the things you took

And then you take that love you made

And stick it into some

Someone else's heart

Pumping someone else's blood

And walking arm in arm

You hope it don't get harmed

But even if it does

You'll just do it all again

dun dun dunnn...

2008-08-19T07:28:00.000-07:00

So Riley and I were called to meet with the bishopric this past Sunday after church. Upon our arrival we found various new couples deliberating what there fate would be, a calling or speaking assignment? We waited our turn and after the typical chit chat we were extended a calling to team teach in the primary. My first reaction was to see how Riley had reacted because he kept saying anything but... he had a grin of defeat on his face but of course is more then willing to serve. It will be fun and challenging of course a huge learning experience. Plus since there are two of us we will still have the opportunity to go to relief society and the like from time to time. Plus we have the oportunity to serve with children you all know I'm not complaining, not yet at least =)

uS&thEm

2008-08-09T19:54:00.001-07:00

{Mr. & MrS. Smith}

{We are so grateful that so many family and friends could be there. We love you all}

{my brothers}

{I wasn't sure who had licked my face. . . until now, paybacks JJ, paybacks}

{Megs and torrey weren't there:( but these are my siblings}

{Chelsey & Natalie; My new sisters! aren't they gorgeous}

{The utter chaos of the Roussel's}. . .

{and the sheer composure of my new family}

{I Love my family}

{Kaylee and my brother sean}

{The Wessman's}

{The joining of two families, I couldn't have been more blessed}

{I absolutely Love this pic w/ my parents}

{My second family, The Rizzutos!}

{the "traditional" giving the bride away, doesn't my dad look torn up?}

{Ri with his parents, they are amazing}

{Ken & Laura, I love them!}

{Grandma & Grandpa Alexander}

{aunts & uncles & grandparents & people that really love Riley and have helped him through so much}

{Ella not used to the heat, look at those cute little rosy cheeks}

{Sisters}

{Chad & Michelle Alexander, "uncle Chad"}

{aunt Judy & uncle Roger; I still can't decide if they were going for bunny ears or devils horns Riley may look innocent... ;) as you can tell they are a lot of fun, they flew in from Utah for the wedding!}

wEdDinG PiCs

2008-08-04T13:12:00.000-07:00

{When I first met him, I knew in a moment I would have to spend the next few days re-arranging my mind so there'd be room for him to stay}-brian andreas

{When he held out his arms, the world itself wrapped around me & held me tight}-brian andreas

{I know more kissing. . .}

{I LOVE love this picture!}

{wowza!}

{They came to sit & dangle their feet off the edge of the world & after awhile they forgot everything but the good & true things they would do someday}-Brian Andreas

{this is where we talked for hours on our first date}

{look we can be normal}

{We sat side by side in the morning light & looked out at the future together}-brian andreas

::{the end has no end. . .}::

someday...

2008-08-01T11:26:00.001-07:00

A new couch...

So many to choose,

p.s. I really love all the the patterns featured above I couldn't choose just one

and... a room just for books, wall to wall to wall of the most wondeful, wondrous books

and... a comfy chair to sit and read them in

and just for good measure.... one of these

and one of these....

and maybe one of these...

as you can see I have been daydreaming and looking at pottery barn online, and trying to figure out how I can legally and rather quickly earn about $10,000 to pay for all this stuff. Any suggestions would be appreciated, but remember the stipulation of having to be a legal.

Nifty little things

2008-07-28T09:43:00.000-07:00

I really love the green ones .

I have always had this strange love for things that are a little out of the ordinary, I am probably a little out of the ordinary myself?!!? I have always been a picky & fickle shopper/person when it comes to ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING I like what I like and I know what I like the minute I see it. And when I find something that I actually like I have to have it. My mom has gotten to the point when I show her such things she'll just say"yeah, that looks like YOU". I brought some stuff home on Saturday and Riley asked me if I was from the 60's? I WISH. The cheaper it is the more likely I am to buy it and the more unique it is the better. The last few years I have gotten some pretty sweet deals and collected some pretty cool stuff, and I feel the need to share some of my newest finds with you all since I'm in a blogging mood and have nothing more pressing to impart.

For example, The stoneware plates pictured above. I just love these dishes. The colors, the patterns the style. I was showing my sister a set of plates I just picked up and my brother in law was taken down memory lane for they were the exact pattern of plates that he had eaten on as a child. Another set I have, my friend Russ had the same set in his house growing up. Come to find out back in the day you could get these plates for somewhere around one dollar a piece at Fry's if you bought a certain amount of groceries, $1! Really cheap dinnerware for buying groceries, seriously guys I wish they still had such promotions! Needless to say I will probably make my kids eat off of these dishes someday, that is if Riley doesn't take a stack and use them as clay pigeons for shooting practice. ha ha, I'm not sure how serious he was about that comment but any future puchases will be hidden in unused cupboards and blended into the mix over time =) only kidding

It's a race..

2008-07-25T08:29:00.000-07:00

So the game that was so hard to get a hold of has been gotten! Maybe my lack of gramatical clarity is due to my current trips to Walmart to endeavor to find a wii and mario cart. Riley thinks we have been able to find the unfindable because we are good people, maybe (shoulder shrug and wink)?!*? but either way he is happy and now "it's a race". GAME ON!

p.s. I don't really play that much but it makes Riley soo happy so we play and he plays and playing occurs and it is fun fun.

p.p.s. Mimi my training has begun, I will let you know when I'm ready for battle

Check mate

2008-07-24T11:02:00.001-07:00

Is it sad that I am excited for this book to come out? ...

It's a good thing I don't care. I have been trying to re-read the other series books, New Moon inparticular to get ready but to no avail. I can't seem to focus on the Bella & Jacob playful bantering, I just want to know if she will become a vampire via Edward, kill herself because He leaves her again in a lame and rather twisted ending, marries Jacob who accidentally eats her on their honeymoon, etc etc. All you who have hashed & rehased the bajillion possible ending and plot lines know that it is something worth loosing sleep over and I know that many of us probably already have in the past and willingly sacrifice a few hours here and there to know how it all ends or doesn't end. . . Either way I am in this instance a sheeple following the masses of swooning girls, women and grannies aliketo book stores August 2, and I'm ok with that. From a imagination as wild and far fetched as mine I look forward to what colorful scenes and schemes Stephanie has in store.

things

2008-07-18T07:56:00.000-07:00

A List of 100 things in no particular order

1. I love pizza

2. I could eat pizza weekly

3. Mushrooms are delicious

4. I really like to go for jogs

5. Bikes

6. I love beards and being able to rub my face in them (Riley's that is)

7. I like boy bands like all american rejects and dashboard confessionals (they harmonize)

8. But only sometimes, i could easily live without boy bands as well

9. I used to hate dark chocolate,

10. I can't get enough of it now

11. I love Music, especially folk rock it is oh soo good lately

12. I love classic Rock

13. I love fish, both as pet and as food

14. When I was younger I wanted to be an FBI agent that chased aliens (thanks X-files)

15. I still want to be an FBI agent

16. Space facinates me

17. I want to really learn how to sew and knit, not just the amateur stuff I do now

18. I wish I had listened to my mom when I was 10 and she wanted to teach me to sew

19. I love that kids bring out the best in me

20. I never want to grow up (growing old is fine by me,bring on the wrinkles, I'll always be young at heart)

21. Long boarding is a fav past time of mine.

22. I wish I could long board more often

22. I love musical instruments

23. Music is soo fufilling to me

24. I love musicals, (lets tell a story in song, ok with me!)

25. I used to hate vegetable, I absolutely love them

26. I wish I had stuck with the piano

27. I want to learn to play the piano well

28. I want to take voice lessons

27. Bugs are attracted to me (I hate it, spiders and crickets as of late)

28. I want to run a mini marathon( a turkey trot or something for a good cause)

29. Did I mention I love kids already?

30. I love to mow the lawn

31. I love to clean (when i'm in the mood that is)

32. I wish I could live in the mountains

33. I wish I didn't have to wear shoes being barefoot is divine

34. I used to prefer climbing trees and ninja turtles to dolls and dresses

35. I still kind of do

36. I love to read

37. In case you haven't noticed I love to write

38. Sometimes I blog at work (like now for instance)

39. I have read all of the Goosebumbs books, or at least a large majority of them

40. Satuday mornings used to consist of cartoons and cereal in my pj's

41. I miss those days

42. Sometimes I have so much going on in my head I don't know what I'm thinking

44. I consider myself realatively witty

45. I really like Sci-Fi

46. This is a really long list!

47. I love that I have an overactive & vivid imagination

48. I sometimes have a hard time paying attention, must have something to do with wanting to be on a beach somewhere

49. I love picturing myself someplace else, a secluded beach for instance...

50. As much as I dont like reality tv, if I sit down to watch for a few minutes I can usually find myself sucked in. Not to worry though I can just as easily avoid it.

51. I love to laugh

52. I love people that make me laugh

53. My friends are important to me even though I can be a bum sometimes

54. I love my family

55. I am blessed with an amazing set of second parents (The Rizzutos)

56. I love people watching, observing etc..

57. I hate to be the center of attention

58. I love to make others laugh

59. I appreciate the silly and serious in myself

60. I know I can be stubborn

61. I love love to learn

62. I always have a million questions for any given situation

63. I like kids more then adults sometimes

64. I enjoy learning how to do thing for myself i.e. simple car maintenance, house repairs etc

65. I think if my parents were one person they would probably be super human, seriously though!

66. Politics both intrigue and infuriate me

67. I love soccer

68. I love Riley Richards S

69. I love to hike

70. I was a book worm when I was young, old habits die hard

71. I Love Books

72. I Love old book shops

73. I love thrift stores

74. I like overalls and think more pregnant women should wear them

75. I am my own worst critic

76. I have a strange affiliation with yarns

77. I have a knitting needle collection which I hardly use

78. I would like to rectify both 76 & 77 by knitting up some sweet scarves

79. I would like to think more positivley

80. I think therefore I am

81. I love place...

82. Smells...

83. Cultures

84. I look forward to learning at least one other language in this life

85. either italian or portugease

86. Maybe even French

87. I have always dreamed of scuba diving the great barrier reef

89. which would included a trip to Australia

90. As much as I hate purses I love them

91. I love long bike rides, the wind in my hair

92. I love playing Rock Band, it makes me feel like I can really play the guitar while I know the truth

93. I am glad I have so many things i enjoy

94. I know I mentioned a love of children But I am going to be specific and drop some names: Allen, Wesley, Ashley, Madison and Kaylee!!!

95. I love being out side, camping, walking, biking playing

96. I would watch a live Soccer match over football any day of the week

97. I love Sunday naps

98. I love bubble baths

99. I long spring drives with the windows down and the music up

100. I love playing worms with Riley

Do you remember. . .

2008-07-17T08:49:00.000-07:00

Here are the directions:
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.