Where have I been?

Have you guys seen this?


I don't know about you but I thought kids these days were still jamming out to the original (I mean with gems like Zoot Suit Riot and Barbie Girl and MMMBop why wouldn't they be?!) But they're on #36 now?!? This is crazy! The worst part is that I just listened to a few of the songs and don't know most of them. I'm becoming an old woman! I need to start listening to the radio STAT.

Now, my question is, what happened to Jock Jams? Now THAT was quality music. You can buy the "audio cassette" here if you are missing the old days...It's $4 for used or $6 for new (new?!).

This is for you sister. I remember listening to this over and over again when we were teenagers.

Do you guys read Nie Nie's blog? She inspires me a whole lot so if you don't read it you should check it out along with this mormon messages video that shares her story.

Today when I was checking my reader I found a new post on Nie's blog. She posted a video of her husband singing with Mindy Gledhill and for some reason it brought a whole lot of joy to my heart. So today I want to share it.

Life is a blessing, enjoy the small moments.

I missed a day but it was worth it! :) I was busy playing with my niece and nephew and Maya and hanging out with my sister and Lora and Ben. It was a lovely 24ish hours and a needed "get away". If you can call it that.

This past week was hard and draining and it's making this whole blogging every day thing a real challenge. I guess it's a good reminder that life isn't perfect but with a little faith you can do anything. I'm trying to be a little bit stronger. I'm trying not to think too much or regret too much. I'm trying to make the most of my weekend and see what Monday brings. Hopefully it will bring goodness but if not, I know where to find the strength that I need. Now if only this pit in my stomach and ache inside of me will just go away I'll be all set! I just need to remember that I'm not perfect but I'm doing my best and so is everyone else.

Today I'm thankful for my Emmy who was super cuddly and lovey with me today. She has no idea how much I needed it. I'm grateful to Austin for playing the "hittin' game" (where we ram cars into each other and then laugh really hard) and to my sister for letting me sleep in her bed after I got carsick and to Jerr for grilling really yummy hot dogs and to Lora for distracting me from life and being an amazing friend and to Ben for letting me stay at his house and making steak and egg burritos for breakfast. And for lots more...

So You Think You Can...

Dance!!!

I went to their show tonight and it was so great! For all you SYTYCD fans, I'll share the highlights!

-Robert (doi)
-If you watch the show and remember the betrayal dance that Neil and Kent did and loved it...well, you missed out because Kent and Robert danced it together tonight and it was incredible!



-Russell, Dominick and Jose dancing together. It was amazing! And so funny! I think the producers made the right choice letting Dominick go on tour he added a lot of humor that wouldn't have been there otherwise.

(Found a video of it on youtube!)


-The group Bollywood dance. It was so fun!
-The group Disco dance, ALSO so fun!



-Robert and Allison's Fix You. Maybe it is because I'm super emotional today or maybe it's because that dance touches me but I cried a whole lot. It was beautiful.
-Kent and Lauren's prom dance going directly into the My First Kiss dance (which was originally danced by Kent and Anya) It was so fun!



-Lauren and Russell doing My Chick Bad...Russell doesn't hold a candle to Twitch but it was a fun dance to see again.

Oh and I can't forget, they showed a video of Alex and Twitch's hip hop. I love it every time.

There was tons more and it was all amazing but those were my favorite parts! And for your viewing pleasure, a video or two.

(They won't let me embed these...how about some links! :)


Fix You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TsR1yiAe9g

Twitch & Alex
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLtSfYX8tJk


Some of the first videos were other people's recordings so they aren't great but there it is!! Going was worth every penny and I'm so glad I got to go!

1??

My niece is 1 today! I kind of can't believe it! I'll be honest, I was a little worried that I wouldn't be able to love another niece or nephew as much as I love Austin but sweet Emmy proved me wrong. I guess your heart really does grow! :)

I don't get to spend as much time with those two kiddos as much as I would like BUT there are some things that I super love about Emmy!

I love that when she smiles her ENTIRE face lights up.
I love that she can be super friendly and walk around saying hi to people that she doesn't know and that she can also be shy and cuddle up to her mommy and daddy.
I love that she recognizes my voice when she hears it on the answering machine.
I love that she makes a funny breathing noise when she's excited.
I love that she is getting old enough to remember me and will come to me with no reservations (and very very very occasionally will choose for me to hold her instead of her mom...it's rare).

I love that she is a fiery little thing. She may be the second child but she makes her presence known.
I love getting her out of her crib and holding her when she first wakes up. She is always happy to see you and she can be really cuddly too.

Happy Birthday Emily Mae! I love you!

Auntie Beff

Life

Today life kind of distracted me from the idea of blogging. For years I have been wanting to be busy and to feel fulfilled and it makes me so happy when I get home at night feeling like I had a great day filled with hard work, good people and a little bit of relaxation too. I come home at night to a place that feels like home. I have a roommate that is the best "fit" I could imagine for my life where it is right now. I have a job that, although busy and sometimes stressful, I can't wait to go to the next morning. I live close to a real city and I absolutely love the location. I have great friends and have tons of fun with them. I work with people that teach me how to love more than I knew was possible. I am in a very small ward and it reminds me that my presence there matters. I can make a difference and make some great friends too.

Is life perfect? Of course not. Do I complain more than I should? Definitely. When life gets hard or overwhelming these days the best thing to me is that when I stop and think about things all I can feel is gratitude. Now I just hope that I can do everything I can to keep this feeling no matter what happens around me. I was reminded of this when someone spoke in church and shared a story from high school. He said that his institute teacher asked them if they felt like their lives would end if their girlfriend/boyfriend broke up with them or if they couldn't play their favorite sport or if they lost a friend. He told them that if they did feel that way their lives weren't based on the right thing. When I put my trust in the Lord I know I can feel stronger in any situation than I would if I wasn't.

This is a huge jumble of thoughts, but really what's new? I think I'll go read Harry Potter now. :)

Dedicated to Corinnie

I've been thinking lately that it might be fun to do another month long blog-a-thon and that idea is becoming a reality because of Corinnie. Yesterday she wrote on my facebook that I need to update my blog more often. So Corinnie, I dedicate this month of blogging to YOU! (Could you ask for a better birthday present? I'm so generous, I know.) I will do my very best to post every day. It's kind of fun being an every day blogger. Life suddenly becomes more interesting and I have more moments of "I could blog about this" than I do when I'm not thinking about blogging.

Can't wait to see what this month has in store for my life! :)