30, Flirty, and Thriving!

I've decided to take an idea from one of my favorite people, Michelle Denney, who wrote 40 life stories to mark her 40th birthday. I'm turning 30 this year (and proud of it!). However, as much as I loved reading all of Michelle's 40 stories, I'm starting a bit late and really don't have the literary yearnings to write 30 stories. So, instead I give you my 30 most magical/meaningful moments. (in no particular order!) Enjoy!

1. Saying "I do" to my soul mate.

2. Seeing Indy on the ultra sound, despite all the odds saying she shouldn't have been there.

3. Finally seeing 2 lines on the pregnancy test instead of just the one that I'd seen for over 2 years.

4. Taking a family picture and having it feel complete.

5. Skiing at Deer Valley resort before the lifts open. So peaceful.

6. Hanging out at the gazebo in middle school. (we were so cool!)

7. Watching DMB from the front row in Austin, TX.

8. Driving by myself in my own car for the first time.

9. Realizing that I'd forever be tied to my high school friends because of February 12th.

10. Swimming at night.

11. Watching the sunrise, while sitting on the sidewalk with my future husband. (now current hubby!)

12. Singing "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" in the church at the cluster concerts.

13. My first kiss. (unfortunately, not too romantic... on a school bus with a bunch my friends starring! but still a "moment"!)

14. Seeing Indy's face when she finished her first swim race.

15. Rocking my kids to sleep.

16. Realizing that I was in charge of my life, and my choices.

17. Watching "Watcher in the Woods" in the woods, on a pile of leaves.

18. Watching a lightning storm from the top of a mountain in my jeep.

19. My soccer team winning city champs.

20. Sitting in the middle of a field, in a rusted out old car, with my childhood best friend.

21. Talking in the garden with my grandpa.

22. Every "family hug," every night.

23. Finally learning and understanding, "what other people think about me is none of my business."

24. Stealing the gnome.

25. The Cure concert...

26. Letting "I love you" slip out the first time to Eric.

27. Holding Gage for the first time.

28. Holding Indy for the first time.

29. When Eric sat in my lap and kissed me for the first time!
30. Watching fireworks with my kids.

WOW! Long time no blog...

So here are a few things you may have missed... (but probably not!)

Gage was born. Indy has been a VERY attentive sister. I couldn't ask for a better helper!

Indy started her last year of preschool! (and she started it in style, as you can see!) Where has the time gone? We went to Lagoon with cousin Cassy. It didn't quite compare to Disneyland from last year, but it was still fun!
Gage got bigger!

Indy had her 5th birthday. This was her celebration on a field trip for school.

HALLOWEEN!!! This is Indy's class on their "Honk for Halloween!" parade!
And Gage still got bigger! (and apparently a little flashier, too!)

She's the Magic

Just a quick update to the castle story.

We unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, depending how you look at it!) weren't able to make it to the castle that day. (thanks to a lovely unexpected trip to my doc for high blood pressure that lasted 3-ish hours... did I mention I'm SO ready for this baby to come!!)

Indy was of course beyond bummed that we didn't get to go but I told her we'd go ASAP. A day or so later she came to me with this.

"I think there is princesses at the castle. You've just never seen them. I think if you went all the way to the top, you'd see them."

To which I replied, "I think you're exactly right!"

Reality is Harsh

If you've never seen it, this is the Salt Lake City building. It houses different city offices and I'm pretty sure the mayor's office (I could just be saying that?!?!!) The building is on one of the main roads downtown. Its a road Indy and I take often including every time we go to school.

Since I can remember, Indy has called this "her castle." (Eric and mine castle is the Grand America for those of you that are interested!) She's always wanted to go inside. So yesterday, I decided we would go and take a look inside. I've been there plenty of times, and while its nothing but offices, its still pretty cool inside. Granite everywhere, pillars, brass stairwells. No princesses but still pretty regal in there.

So here's our conversation today:

Indy: did you and daddy dance there when you were married?

Me: no, not there.

Indy: will there be a princess there today?

Me: nope. you know what's actually in there, offices with people working.

Indy: (nothing but a sad look.)

Me: but its still beautiful

Indy: but its not a REAL castle?

Me: it looks like a castle, but no, we don't have a "real" castle in Utah.

Indy: (with tears flowing) but I just want it to be a real castle.

So tell me, should I have just kept my big mouth shut and let her figure it out on her own? I feel like I crushed her dream and took away the magic. Now I can never get it back for her...

We'll see how it goes when we get there. She says she still wants to go. I told her she could wear her princess dress so that she'd be the princess and she just tearfully answered, "no thanks..."

Art For Sale!

Tonight while I was cooking dinner, Indy came into the kitchen and showed me this picture.

Me: Oh, its beautiful!

Indy: Its for you.

Me: Thank you! (reaching for picture)

Indy: (pulling picture back) It costs $7.

Me: (pretending to hand her some money) Here ya go.

Indy: (still holding the picture back) No, Mom... Real money!

When did this happen?!?!!?

A Soapbox...

Some of you may or may not know this about me. From the time I can remember I wanted to be a marine biologist until I was a freshman in high school. This occupation was chosen simply because of my love for dolphins. (It was only the realization of how much math and science I would need to take in order to obtain this job that deterred me as a high schooler... come on, I was in high school!)

But regardless, my love for this animal has never wained. I find them not only beautiful, intelligent and amazing, but also feel that there is SO much more to these animals than meets the eye.

Which brings me to my newest heartbreak... a friend of mine recommended this documentary to me. I checked out the trailers online and was instantly intrigued. Thanks to netflix it arrived shortly at my house.

I have NEVER been so moved by a film. I cried countless times and still get a "butterfly-ish" feeling in my gut every time I think about it.

If you have any appreciation for sea life, or just LIFE for that matter, take the time to watch this. I'm not going to sugar coat it, its not a pleasant, happy-go-lucky film, but its definitely worth every one's time just to learn what's going on.

Oh Yeah... I almost forgot to mention....

With all the excitement and drama of last week, I just realized I hadn't posted this.

So there ya go!!!