The dress.

Let's talk about this amazing dress, shall we?

{source}

No, I didn't stay up to watch the Royal Wedding, but I'm a good Googler. I think Princess Kate looked perfect. What say ye?

Live Your Best: Challenge #2

University Chorale performance at the Provo Tabernacle, April 2008. Do you see me?

I love music. And I love to make music. To me, very few experiences enrich the soul like being part of a musical ensemble. During high school, I was very involved in my school's choral program and loved (almost) every second of it. My favorite part by far was performing. Get me up on a stage with a huge choir of accomplished singers and I am a happy girl. Some of my best memories include performing with the Arizona All-State Choirs throughout high school. I was on top of the world back then.

While at BYU, I decided to minor in music. I sang with the University Chorale for four semesters and I just ate it up. See, in college, you don't have whiny, drama-laden teenagers to deal with. Everyone puts their whole heart into the music and the performances. There were some truly magical moments in those rehearsals. Moments that gave me chills and brought me to tears. I know, that sounded so music-geek, didn't it? But I am what I am.

I AM A MUSIC GEEK!

Since then, I haven't done much with my vocal talent. I do sing with my church's choir, which is wholly uplifting and enjoyable. But other than that, I can't classify myself as much more than a shower/car/kitchen singer.

And it's time to change that.

Out here, we have what's call the East Valley Mormon Choral Organization. It's a group of ensembles (choirs and orchestras) that rehearse weekly and perform a few times a year. The adult choir and orchestra are audition-only, so they are obviously high-caliber ensembles. I've wanted to be in the EVCMO choir ever since I moved back to Arizona, but between my internship, pregnancy and nursing, I just knew it wouldn't work out. Another time, another season.

A few people in my church congregation happen to be members of the choir. Last month at choir practice, one of them told me I needed to audition. Coincidentally (or maybe not), this incident took place only a few days after I had weaned Smush. I'm not pregnant and I don't have a nursing baby, I thought. I have no excuses. It's time.

But I put it off even still. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but the only thing holding me back was the fear of getting into something that was too hard to commit to, and then having to give up. I hate giving up. I can't admit defeat. It kills me.

Tonight, faith conquered fear. I finally took the plunge. With Eric Whitacre's virtual choir as my soundtrack, I filled out an audition request form and sent it in.

I'm doing this and I'm not looking back!



Here's your challenge: Find one thing you really want to do but are afraid to do and do it (or start doing it) anyway.



Some examples: Propose to your girlfriend. Sign up for a class. Hike the Superstitions. Run in a race. Host a dinner party. Talk to someone you really want to get to know better. Audition for a play or musical group. Sing karaoke. Ad-match something at Wal-Mart. Potty train your kid. Go skydiving. Go no-poo! It doesn't have to be big; the only criteria are it has to be something you're scared of doing and it has to be something you WANT to do it.

And like last time, you have ONE WEEK to complete the challenge.

Who's in?

Flying kites.

{source}

 Yesterday was another rare day of perfect late April weather (we're normally suffering through the upper '90's - low 100's by now). I took the kids to the park in the morning and we met up with a bunch of other moms (and a dad!) and their kids for a play date. It was seriously blissful. The wind was blowing, the air was cool, the kids were (mostly) happy. I almost didn't go because I was so sure I'd have to chase Smush up and down the playground and intercept rocks from his mouth, but I was wrong! He played happily in the sand with the rest of the kids, and I got to enjoy some much needed adult conversation.

The day was so perfect, I decided that Dill and I should take the kids back to the park to do a little kite flying after dinner. The wind was whipping around quite a bit by that point, but we rarely even get a slight breeze here so we took advantage of it. Everything was going perfectly -- Bubby and Dill ran through the grass, throwing the kite into the wind and watching it dive and zoom around. Smush and I sat on the sidelines in the prickly Bermuda grass, watching intently. Smush wasn't trying to crawl or eat leaves -- he was just happy and calm. I soaked it all up. I was living a perfect moment.

Then, the scene suddenly turned tragic. Bubby was gradually drifting toward the perimeter of the park, which is lined by mature trees. We noticed the kite was swirling dangerously close to a particularly tall tree. I yelled, "Run the other way!" and motioned away from the edge of the park, but she didn't understand. It was too late. Sure enough, the string twisted around the highest branch; the kite fought to break free. I yanked hard on the string in an effort to pull the kite down, but to no avail -- the string snapped, unforgiving. Bubby was sure that Grammy, or Daddy, or Amber's mommy -- SOMEONE -- could fix the kite, could retrieve it from the tippy-tip-top of the tree and bring it back to safety. But we sadly assured her it was stuck for good. She cried the whole way home. I cried inside.

When you're little, events like this, which are mildly disappointing to adults, are heartbreaking. Little children can't see the big picture. They don't understand that the kite only cost $1.00 and can easily be replaced. They don't realize that kites get stuck in trees all the time; it happens to the best of people. When you're little, a kite is not just a kite. It's pure joy, it's excitement, it's achievement. It's magical; it's a toy that can fly. So when it becomes tangled in a tree and you are forced to abandon it, it's not just a minor misfortune like it is for adults. It's pure tragedy. It's the end of the world.

The kite incident caused me to think about how we, as adults, are really just children -- God's children -- running around on Earth, losing kites. We struggle to make ends meet. We lose our jobs. We suffer illness and disease. We watch our loved ones endure hardship. And perhaps the saddest of all, we sometimes have to put our loved ones in the grave. And when these things happen, we feel the same acute sorrow in our hearts that Bubby felt when her kite got stuck. It's just as real. But even though God, our model Parent, sees the big picture and knows every tragedy can be overcome through Jesus Christ, He doesn't discount our suffering. He cries with us and comforts us as we mourn our losses, no matter how trivial.

I'm starting to see the seemingly insignificant challenges I faced as a child have prepared me for the ones I've encountered as an adult. The pain we felt then -- when our pet fish died or when our ice cream cone toppled to the ground -- is the same pain we feel now when worse things occur. None of us are strangers to that knife-through-the-heart feeling, but when did we originally feel it? As children, when our happiness first took a sudden turn towards grief.

As I realized this, I committed myself to being the kind of parent who comforts her sad children instead of minimizing their pain or expecting them to just "get over it." Sorrow is sorrow. It knows no age. And it hurts, no matter what.

I once read an astute musing on suffering: If everyone was allowed to put their trials into one big pile and take out different ones, we'd all race to grab our own back out. Everyone has challenges in life; it's part of the deal. Sadly, we often assume those who are suffering are being overly sensitive or blowing things out of proportion. But who are we to judge the severity of another's afflictions? We should comfort, sympathize and mourn with our hurting brothers and sisters, not seek to undermine their pain or question their sincerity. Instead of wondering if someone's pain is justified, help them rise above it. Lighten their load; don't add to it.

Today is the last day of challenge #1. Did you find someone whose spirits needed lifting? I did. It was an amazing experience. I listened to my heart and found a person who needed to know another cared. It was no big act; just a little thing to convey my concern. But it's the little things that make a difference.

Tomorrow: Challenge #2.

It's all too sweet.

Whew, what a weekend. Way too much sugar, if I do say so myself. Our Easter was fantastic; how was yours? My mom put on a simple yet scrumptious ham dinner. The weather was surprisingly beautiful, so we went to the park, had an egg hunt, and Bubby flew her first kite. An Ariel kite, of course. She did a great job and didn't even fly it into any trees. Baby Guy crawled around in the grass and ate leaves. Different strokes for different folks.

Back to the sugar. It started when Dill randomly decided to make crème brûlée on Saturday (yes, my husband makes crème brûlée, and he's practically a pro at it now). He made five ramekins' worth and we had no choice but to eat one each that night ("They'll go bad in the next few days," he said). Earlier that day, I sang in a church function that was followed by a brunch which, of course, included delicious sweets made by the culinary students at EVIT. Later, we had a neighborhood egg hunt and one of the hostesses made a batch of DEE-LICIOUS cupcakes which I could not help but devour. Throw in a basket full of mini Twix and Snickers, Starburst jellybeans and Easter-themed Swedish fish + Peeps + brownies + a full-sized Symphony bar ... we're bursting at the seams here, people. Please, no one bring us sugar for at least a week!

Anyway, here are my kids with their little Easter buckets.

Rubber ducky, Peeps, two board books, candy-filled eggs

Peeps, chocolate bunny, candy eggs, Dora watercolor book

 And in other news, Smush got his first BIG BOY HAIRCUT yesterday, courtesy of his Pa (my dad).

 Who said this kid was allowed to grow up?

It really ended up being a perfect Easter. I love this time of year when I get to reflect on my Savior's love for all of us, His great sacrifice and the miracle of His resurrection.

How are you all doing on the first Live Your Best challenge? I still haven't completed it; I've got a plan, now it's time to execute it. You have until Wednesday when I will reveal the next challenge! It's gonna be good so get ready.

The comfiest shooz around.

Remember how I had a birthday a few weeks ago? It was glorious! One of my favorite presents was from my mom: these flip-flops (or thongs, or slippers, or whatever you choose to call them):

The Yoga Mat sandals from Sanuk!

I have always been a sandal lover. How can you not when you live in Arizona? However, I must say, when my mom first told me about these (she always tells me what she's getting me beforehand -- I don't really like surprises), I was a tad skeptical. Could they really be THAT comfy? Well, I slipped my feet in those bad boys and figured it out for myself right away. They really ARE the most comfortable shoe I've ever owned. Hands -- er, feet down.

First off, every flip-flop I've had in the past, even expensive Reefs and Roxy's, hurt between my toes for the first few days or weeks. Some even gave me blisters! Not these. From the moment I first put them on, they felt like they'd been mine forever. No ouchies, no getting used to them. No adjustment period -- that's always a plus in my book.

Second: have you ever stood on a yoga mat? It's so squishy and delightful, yet supportive. Well, the footbed of these sandals are actually made from a yoga mat, so that's exactly what they feel like. Yes, it's like every where you go, there is a yoga mat under your tootsies. Um, does it get any better than that? I submit that it canNOT!

I've had lower back pain for over half of my life, but when I wear these -- no matter for how long -- my back feels just dandy. It's a Festivus miracle.

So, if you're looking for an awesome flip-flop/sandal/thong to get you through this summer (and probably many more, since Sanuks are known for their outstanding quality), go get these now! I promise, you won't regret it. And look at all the pretty colors they come in! You're bound to find something you love.

*The views in this post are solely (no pun intended) mine and this is not a paid advertisement. In other words, I'm not secretly a Sanuk employee. I just really love these shoes. Over and out!

Live Your Best: Challenge 1

I have a lot of ideas. Great ideas. Ideas that will change the world. Something tells me you do, too.

Then life gets busy, or you don't feel confident, or maybe someone really awful tells you your ideas are worthless and you put them on the back burner of your mind. The way-back burner. And you might even forget about them while they boil over and make a huge mess inside your head. Sadly, you only remember them when someone else gets the same idea, actually makes something out of it and everyone else loves it.

Today, I am rescuing one of my ideas from that awful place known as Someday Land and I'm sharing it with you all.

I am a firm believer that change is best made in small, manageable bites. Baby steps. If you wake up one day and say to yourself, "I want to be Supermom" or "I want to be a star" or "I want to be the next Oprah," well, good for you! Pat yourself on the back -- you just determined your goal. Step 1. But, how are you going to get there? Odds are, you're not going to teleport to success or even take the fast track. You're going to have to persevere and it's going to take a long time. It's going to require patience.

I recently finished reading the behavioral economics book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. It's amazing and full of evident truths that we're afraid to acknowledge. In it, Gladwell asserts that the formula for success is simply this: Opportunity + Hard Work. He cites a large number of well-known and oft-acknowledged examples (including Bill Gates) and every single one of them follows the formula. No one makes it big only because they rose above adversity. They all had a golden opportunity and the determination (including effort) to make it happen.

In connection with reading Outliers, I have been thinking I need to change. Everything is fine; don't worry. I've just found myself in a weird place: contentment. I always get a little uncomfortable when I'm content with life because it means I'm not going anywhere. I'm not improving, I'm not making an impact. I'm stuck! And I don't want to be stuck  (I'm claustrophobic).

So, I've devised a little game plan to help me (and maybe you, too) to get out of Contentment Land and on my way up to bigger and better things. I'm calling it Live Your Best. And every so often, I'm going to create a challenge for myself and document the completion of said project. Here's where you come in: I have to be accountable to someone. And who better than the World Wide Web? After all, I'm still making homemade bread every week, still eating 50% raw and still no-pooing because I committed myself to it on this blog. Here's a secret about me: I'm a little flaky, unless I know someone is counting on me. Then, I'm 100% loyal. I'll do whatever it takes to follow through. Maybe you are the same way.

I'm also sharing this challenge with you because it might be easier to complete them if I know I'm in good company. I often find the journey is easier when you have travel mate. So, feel free to participate as much as you want in this challenge, too. I think it could be especially awesome if you blogged about your experiences too, and then shared the link with everyone. This is your official invite!

Here's our first challenge. Are you ready?

Choose a person (neighbor, friend, family member) you know could use a little pick-me-up. Give them a call, write them a letter, bring them a potted plant or a special treat or just your sweet face to show them you care.

That's it!

Now, be aware that the more difficult you make the challenge, the more you will grow as you complete it. I advise you not to pick your best friend or your closest sister or someone popular you want to impress. Choose a person you might not see eye to eye with, or someone you feel you need to get to know better.

Listen to your heart. It might be telling you right now who you need to choose.

You (and I) have one week to complete the challenge. When you're finished, write about your experience and link up here.

Great things don't happen just because we want them to. Be the change you want to see.

Are you in?

Can a group of white Mormon girls win a hip-hop competition?

Why yes, yes they can. Don't believe it? Watch the video for yourself.



BYU's dance team, the Cougarettes, recently took home the National Hip Hop Champions title at the NCA/NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Competition in Daytona Beach. Those chicks can throw DOWN.

Goooooo Cougars!

The days are longer and the nights are shorter.

Are your kids waking up at unholy hours due to the passing of the vernal equinox? Mine are. And Bubby is not OK with going to bed while the sun is out even a tiny bit. "The sky isn't black yet; it's still purple," she says. Smarty.

Yesterday, Dill's parents hosted an early family Easter dinner since they will be out of town for the real deal. My mother-in-law goes all out with an egg hunt, Robin Eggs and jelly beans on the table and goody-bags for the kids. So, we dolled up the babies and took some pictures. I edited them in Photoshop Elements with MCP Actions' Mini Fusion action. It's free, so if you like what you see, go download it from them (don't forget the instructions, too)! I think it adds just the right amount of saturation (color) and contrast and makes any picture amazing.

Top ten reasons I choose to stay at home.

My #2 reason(s).

I'm a stay-at-home mom. It's 100% true. I don't really like that term, though. What I am, in reality, is CEO of this family. I am running the show, people. Not Dill -- bless his heart, he does work hard, but he's not here all day to manage this operation. And it's a full-time job. I need a business card like Mark Zuckerberg's. That way, when people are all like, "What do you do?" I can say, "Here, let me give you my card." Can you imagine the look on people's faces when they read it? "That's ... nice ..." or maybe just dumbfounded blankness.

(If you don't know about Mark Zuckerberg's business cards, you should really click on the link.)

But I digress. I stay at home, make my home, run this company or whatever you want to call it because I have made a conscious decision to do so. No one has forced me to be a homemaker. It's a profession -- no, career -- I choose to call my own. I say 'choose' because I think it's a choice you don't make once. You have to make it every day when you wake up and every second after that. I could easily shut my eyes, say, "Nope, I'm not doing this today," neglect my kids, neglect my house, neglect my responsibilities. But I make the conscious effort to get up, change the baby, and get the ball rolling every day.

It's just how we do, folks. I put my all into everything. I'm committed.

In an effort to humorize (Blogger is telling me this isn't a word. I don't care) my career as a homemaker, here is my Letterman-style list of Top 10 Reasons I Choose to Stay at Home.

10. Flexible scheduling.

9. Candyland, trips to the park, coloring and "tickle time" are all part of the job description.

8. Unlimited pantry and fridge access.

7. No dress code. At all. Even nudity is acceptable (at times).

6. I can look at Facebook, check my e-mail and tweet without fear of being fired.

5. Commuting sucks. Been there, done that.

4. Staff meetings usually occur around the table, with food.

3. My employees are cute, funny, and highly entertaining.

2. No shortage of beds, couches and pillows.

And the number 1 reason I choose to stay at home can best be summed up by this quote, from Barbara Bush:  

"At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a child, a friend, or a parent .... Whatever the era, whatever the times, one thing will never change: fathers and mothers, if you have children, they must come first. You must read to your children, and you must hug your children, and you must love your children. Your success as a family, our success as a society, depends not on what happens in the White House, but on what happens inside your house."

Room.

I love to read (have you checked out my shelf, over there? -->). I didn't really like it when I was in school, I freely admit. Something about HAVING to read makes you less likely to read recreationally. Have you noticed? It's like, "Read? I just had to stomach 50 pages of Economics in the Global Marketplace. I'm taking a nap."

Anyway, I've realized I enjoy books about people escaping captivity. I find it fascinating how the characters (either real or fictional) survive their captor's oppression and manage to flee to freedom.

I just finished a compelling page-turner and I am writing to gush about it:

My friend Jae recommended it and I decided to give it a whirl. Very glad I did.

(For the record, I'm rarely disappointed by others' book suggestions. So if you have any good ones, feel free to lay 'em on me.)

Here's the gist: A woman is kidnapped as a young adult. While in captivity, she has a son. His name is Jack. When the story starts, he is 5 years old. He is the one telling the story.

I know, I know -- "Ugh, I don't want to read a story from some KID'S perspective. I'll pass."

But trust me. It. Is. Amazing. I laughed. I cried. I gasped in horror. I bit my nails off (all of them). I read it in approximately two days. I could not put it down.

Remember how much I loved The Help? I said (and I quote), "I think everyone in America should read it." Well, that's how I feel about Room. It will change you.

So, if you haven't read it, go to the library and put yourself on the waiting list (there probably is one) or heck -- just go buy it because you won't regret it. I promise.

Today is a special day.

Can you guess why? I'll give you some hints.

(happens to be one of my favorite shows ever)

(The Mom Store is open 24/7. That's true.)


(Dill's least favorite person {most favorite on April Fool's Day})

Still can't guess it? Well, I'm queen for the day ...

If only ...

That's right, it's my 24th birthday! Yippee!

I was thinking the other night how cool this birthday is, because 4 (April) plus 7 (the date) equals 11 (the year). I told Dill and he thought that was incredibly nerdy of me.

Ah, well.

Eat something sweet in my honor!

As for me, I'll be celebrating here (breakfast) and here (dinner).

Honest to Blog.

My friend Brittany (who has the most darling twin bebes ever! Go look if you don't believe me ...) did a Truth Tuesday post last week that I found very refreshing. I think a lot of the time, bloggers get caught up in making themselves look super-awesome and perfect, and that's just not reality. Nor is it particularly enjoyable to read, because -- at least for me -- when I'm done reading a "Look How Awesome My Life Is!" post, I want to curl up and cry. I know, I know ... "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent," yadda yadda yadda. And I believe that. But still.

And then, there are bloggers who outright lie about their lives. These are called crazy people. This pretty much disgusts me, probably because I feel so strongly about journalistic integrity. And let's face it, bloggers of the world: we're self-made journalists. So, follow this link if you're committed to blogging with integrity and sharing truth. Get a fancy sidebar button like mine so you can spread the word.

Alright, here's a dose of truth for you. Feel free to cringe if it hurts.

-I am a wretched sleeper and I hate waking up in the morning. So most days, I put my kids in bed with me and turn on PBS so I can catch a few more Zzzz's while they watch television before breakfast.

-My kids don't really drink milk. Like, ever. I figure, milk is meant for baby cows, and humans can get vitamins in other ways. I do give it to Bubby if she asks.

-I probably should have changed my oil about a thousand miles ago.

-My kids are exposed to hip-hop on a regular basis.

-I check Facebook far too often.

-Dill and I sign up for free trial offers all the time and cancel before the trial period is over. We've earned a lot of free swag by doing this, including a portable DVD player, a video camera, and a $50 gift card to Kohl's. I call this practice, "Sticking it to The Man."

-My backyard is currently composed of dirt and weeds. Only. I'd like a garden, someday, but I'd also like a new kitchen table, a flat screen television and a trip to Disneyland. So ... white-trash weeds it is. Thankfully, we have a park about 100 yards away.

-I'm the biggest worry-wart ever.

-Emotional is my middle name. This makes life both complicated and interesting. But I am pretty easy to please, too.

-I like to shop, but I hate to buy things. I always feel guilty. So, I frequently buy things that aren't quite what I want just because they're cheaper. And then I seriously regret those purchases forevermore. It's exhausting.

-I get anxious when things start running out. Soap, bug spray, bathroom cleaner, milk ...

-I hate running.

-I don't really like cats, but the second I find a scorpion in this house, I'm getting one. Maybe two.

So ...

... I might have a tiny, embarrassing crush on a CG animation.

(credit)

Seriously, Disney. Job well done. Though I must admit, Flynn's cuteness was slightly distracting.

If you haven't seen Tangled, get on it! Simple, straightforward plot, plenty of visual eye candy (and not just of the handsome protagonist variety) and fun, singable score.

Oh, and this little guy wasn't too bad on the eyes, either.

Seen any other great movies lately?

The day we all get punk'd. Over and over again.

Do you like April Fool's Day? I have mixed feelings about it. I support cute, non-toxic food tricks (as long as you give the person the "real" food after the revelation), rearranging furniture and harmless pranks (like how I changed Dill's Facebook picture to one of Kobe Bryant, his most despised basketball player). But I don't like when there's even a possibility of physical injury and some jokes are taken way too far. I remember in 5th grade, some girls put white deodorant inside Oreos, put them back together and gave them to some boys. NOT COOL.

(though I admit, the look on their faces was priceless.)

And another thing: this new trend of starting in on the pranks a day or two early. Doesn't count, people!

April Fool's 2008 came about six months after I had Bubby. Naturally, I sent out a picture of a positive pregnancy test to close family members. The joke was awesome -- gave Dill's mom a heart attack until she realized the day. But my poor mom, she didn't get the e-mail until the next day. So she called me up while I was in the middle of producing a newscast, freaking out. I felt pretty bad.

I'm not really a fan of April Fool's jokes taking place on a day other than April Fool's.

Anyway, I do love having a little mealtime whimsy! I wish I had seen those cute cupcakes a little earlier. Check out how realistic they are!

courtesy of Our Best Bites

Follow the link to see how it's done! You won't believe it.

So, what pranks have you played today? Have you been doing the fooling, or are you amongst the fooled?

Also, here's what I'll be doing all weekend, along with a family Sunday brunch and girls' night out with my sisters-in-law and mother-in-law on Saturday.