so long...

sweet summer.

Some highlights of summer '11:
-staying in Mazatlan 
-trip to the lake for my bday (love you Sparks!)
-True Foods for my bday with mom and sister
-road trip to Utah with sister and family 
-spending time with my Grandpa and other family members who I haven't seen in YEARS
-spending almost everyday swimming
-going to Lifetime...enjoying friends & classes
-running Usary..the back side (hardest run of my life!!!)
-Pita Jungle
-watching Dateline
-Frozen yogurt
-Spinatos
-friends
-cousins
-cabin

Bad: Summer is over! Driving back to Mexico was brutal. It took us way longer because we packed so much stuff to bring back. I did a terrible job of packing good food to eat during the drive so I ate like crap the whole way. Our stuff got rained on. I came home to mess, bugs, dirt, laundry, you know...all that fun stuff. I gained weight while I was home and I am so gross. I hate that I get homesick. SO LAME!
Good: We made it home safe and sound. It's always stressful to drive here. We brought home tons of food from AZ that will be so good to have since most of it I can't get in Mexico. And it will save us tremendously on our monthly food bill.  The kids start school this week! We had tacos and crepes tonight. I forgot how fun it is to drive here. It's like Mario Kart. I had a wonderful summer and I'm lucky to have been able to be home for so long and enjoy all the things I did. 

XO

happiness is...

1. music
2. newborn baby smell
3. a good book
4. modern technology
5. eternal families
6. dark chocolate
7. running
8. motherhood
9. trader joe's
10. pedicures
11. icecream cake
12. club four
13. magic bullet
14. general conference
15. slippers
16. LGO
17. magazines
18. sippy cups
19. the mixx
20. ASU
21. the beach
22. ipod
23. temple marriage
24. homemade bread
25. jimmy eat world (live)
26. pita jungle
27. essential oils
28. thanksgiving dinner
29. dance parties
30. mom's flan
31. a good deal
32. PMA
33. peanut butter
34. winter grass
35. sisters
36. lionhouse rolls
37. candles
38. air conditioning
39. holidays
40. thank you notes
41. American flag
42. cake batter frozen yogurt
43. BBQs
44. friendships
45. primary songs
46. momagendas
47. pumpkin
48. gap
49. Christmas lights
50. kisses
51. street tacos
52. camelback
53. football games
54. date night
55. Arizona

In the days preceding my return to Mexico, I found I was starting to feel kind of sad that my summer home was coming to an end. In order to avoid the self-pity, sadness, etc. I started thinking of all the things I love and that make me happy. I found this to be extremely therapeutic. There is no specific order in which I placed these things, they just all make me happy. 
It's been a great summer. I have loved being home. I have a lot of mixed feelings, but I am ready to conquer this semester with my family. I am happy I was able to stay at my mom's this summer. I am happy I was able to spend time with family and friends. I am lucky. 


Guadalajara or bust...


XO

nine.

July 12, 2002. 

It has been 9 years today. I married the perfect person for me. Let me explain why this day was amazing for me...

I really had a hard time during my youth. I had to make hard decisions. There came a day that I thought would be the worst day I would ever experience. It is definitely a day that I will never forget. It was on this day that my mom reminded me that I would be ok. And that I would remember this moment when I got married. That I would find someone and marry in the temple and my life would never be the same...

I met J in college. I did not think much of him at first, other than the fact that I was totally and completely attracted. Mostly, he was one of "those" guys. But then we hung out one day, and it was never going to be the same. We got married less than a year later.

I'm not into being super "mushy, sappy, cheesy, etc." But I will say this...I am lucky. I know I have a great man. I can say that he would do anything in his power to make me happy.  We aren't perfect. We struggle. Who cares...Who doesn't?! At the end of the day, I know he loves me no matter what. I know he's a good dad. I know he's honest. I know he's kind. I know he's compassionate. I know he works hard. When it comes to the things that matter most...J has successfully conquered.

We aren't together today. This might be the hardest anniversary ever. Some of the sacrifices we make to do this are harder than I can deal with. So I might just have to go out and get me a treat and remember why I love him so much.

happy nine.

XO

home.sweet.home.

Good: I am home. I have been enjoying the simple things I missed while away in another country. I have loved being with my family. My sister. My friends. Late nights :) The kids are having a blast. It is a party. We swim. We go to summer movies once a week. We eat yummy food. Yummy treats. I watch tv at night again. Well, sometimes. We go to church and I get to listen and understand everything! I love Arizona. I love the dry heat. It's comforting. I love every second of it.
Bad: Jaren isn't here with me. I'm not gonna lie. I didn't think I would miss him. Tonight it hit me. I miss him.

XO