#Blessed

I had the most amazing weekend.  It kicked off with me taking Arianna to a movie on Friday afternoon - I took her to one of those dollar theaters and we saw Kung Fu Panda 2.  She loved the first one, and the 2nd one was finally in the dollar theater (I'm not big on paying 18$ for us to see a movie because I just never know if we're gonna have to leave early because of how she gets so overstimulated sometimes). She loved it, I think. Got kinda bored at the end, and so she ended up running down the isle up to the very front row, and then ran around the other side of the theater seats once she realized I was hot on her tail. She is so funny.

Saturday was typical. Shopping, Starbucks, Snooze, Date.
We went on a late date and caught a late showing of Moneyball down at the Gateway.  Which had Alex briefly interested in baseball..... <3 

Today we picked up Arianna and went to a friends baby's 1st birthday party (SO darling).  She had a blast, but of course wanted to explore EVERYTHING. I chased her from one end of the condo to the other between trying to keep her out of the presents, and to not finger all the cupcakes on the cupcake tower.  She did a lot better than I thought she would, though.  She always amazes me.
We saw Sam and her little baby niece, Vivian so that was a bonus of course.

Then to top it all off.....
Came home just in time for the 4th quarter of the TIED Steelers vs. Colts game....

Steelers took it in the last minute 23-20. WOOHOO *whew*....Losing sucks, but losing to the Colts would have been devastating......

 #D8NightSwag

 Showin love for Boston, and Mac picked up a sick lid.

 For the second time....Double fisting Starbucks mmmmm

 My heart.

Thank you, Lord for all the blessings you've given me.
I need to start recognizing what I have, and not what I don't.
I'm so incredibly blessed.

Common Courtesy

OK - I think it's just really FREAKING rude when people use the dumbells at the gym, and don't wipe them down afterwards.  You should wipe down any equipment you use at the gym, but I think especially the dumbell weights!  Think about it: You've got RogerRoids pumping iron an hour at a time, increasing the weight with each set he does, and getting his nasty ass hands that are super sweaty from gripping the weights all over them....and then, he doesn't even have the decency to wipe them down with the complimentary sanitation wipes that can be found at any gym (if your gym doesn't have them...I'd probably switch).
So, I'm basically a mad ranter right now about this because I am not your effing mother at the gym. Wipe down your stuff or I'm within my rights to chuck one of those dumbells at your dumbface.

#imdone

BEBES.

Hunter and Maycee were blessed last weekend.  I just wanted to post this picture because they are sooooo beautiful :)

Wheels on the bus...

Well, Arianna rode the school bus to school for the first time last week.  It's a special bus that is just for kids with special needs - like Arianna.  She was a champ, and handled it way better than WE did.

She knew exactly what the bus was, and went right on without any hesitation.  She was excited.  The only thing that kind of made us wonder if she was ok was when she turned around and looked at us waving .......

The look on her face, like..."You're not coming with me??"  Keep in mind she has never seen these two people on the bus before, but even still she trucked right along and made it to school.  

We parked at the school until she got there (I know...) just so we could see how it was when she got off and how they proceeded to get her inside and what not.  It was awesome.  Arianna, along with her other friends, piled off the bus and each of them were met with their own separate aids to escort them into school.  She was happy and skipping the whole way in.  

She rode the bus home.....

...And as you can see, was tuckered out by the time she got home.  She did so great, and is such a big girl.  It was hard sending her away on the bus - but as mom pointed out; we've sent Arianna on scarier journeys before (i.e., open heart surgery).  

Her bus driver told mom the next day that the whole ride to school (40 minutes) Arianna was a joy, and so happy, and kept saying "This is amazing! This is amazing!"

It's so funny looking at these pics, and thinking back to last Monday and how scared we were, and how brave she is!  I learn so much from her every single day, and am so blessed to have such a wonderful angel in my life.

I love you baby girl!

Little miss Anna, sugar me

Alex and I went to Def Leppard on Wednesday night.  It was my 3rd time seeing them live, and Alex's very first.
We live just a block away from Usana amphitheater, which is cool because we can just walk to the venue when there's a show we are seeing.  But it can suck too because when we are trying to get home from work, and there is a concert, traffic is a mother effer.
They came with another 80's band, Heart, who I have never heard of and thought it was a dude singing the entire time.  I will say that when we were walking through the parking lot I did hear the lyrics and music that went like "These dreams . . . something something something . . . every moment of the night. . . .something something something. . . these dreams", and I got all excited and was like OH I KNOW THIS SONG! Turns out I only know like, 3 words. Oh well.
We then proceeded to find some lawn seats that were decent. It was easy because it was just the two of us, and we didn't bring our camping gear like everyone else.
Then we saw these guys

 a whole slew of dudes lookin like Def Leppard 80s style. So funny. Everyone was crowding around them to get pics with them, and this one one of the many drunk ladies must have gotten pissed because she chucked two cups of $8 beers at them! Yeah there was almost a fight, but there wasnt. 

Moving on. . . . 

Husband and I took this pic of ourselves having a jolly time

Then my brother Josh text and said "Hey just so you know, it's Def Leppard keeping you up tonight!" I thought he said that because where as I live so close to Usana, we can always hear it from inside the house.

I then, wanting to rub it in his face that I was there, sent him this picture

and I said "yeah I know..." I then found out that he was front row somewhere, and he generously offered me to take his ticket for one song.  The show was almost over so I passed.  But I was like, oh good thing I don't care that you didn't even bother telling anyone you were coming to SLC for Def Leppard. 

Anyway, it was a great time. These guys are so freakin old, I just love how they can still ROCK OUT!! Phil still plays guitar without his shirt on, and I can't help but el oh el.  The drummers arm still hasn't grown back.

Good times.

Warning: Corny

I can't explain what this song means to me.

Virginia Bluebell by Miranda Lambert

Carrying the weight on the end of a limb

You’re just waiting for somebody to pick you up again

Shaded by a tree, can’t live up to a rose

All you ever wanted was a sunny place to grow

Pretty little thing, sometimes you gotta look up

And let the world see all the beauty that you’re made of

‘Cause the way you hang your head nobody can tell

You’re my Virginia Bluebell

My Virginia Bluebell

Even through a stone a flower can bloom

You just need a little push, Spring is coming soon

Umbrella in the rain, let it roll off your back

Weather what you can, realize what you have

Pretty little thing, sometimes you gotta look up

And let the world see all the beauty that you’re made of

‘Cause the way you hang your head nobody can tell

You’re my Virginia Bluebell

My Virginia Bluebell

Put a little light in the darkest places

Put a little smile on the saddest faces

Pretty little thing, sometimes you gotta look up

And let the world see all the beauty that you’re made of

‘Cause the way you hang your head nobody can tell

You’re my Virginia Bluebell

My Virginia Bluebell

Dedicated to the 10 year old me <3

Free stuff and good things

Who hasn't experienced financial hardship at some point the last few years? Now I am so grateful and lucky to say that alex and I have never struggled to make sure the necessities are taken care of (house payment car payment other bills). But we definitely live pay check to pay check!! So I figure karma has decided to pay us our long overdue visit since it seems as though some financial relief has come our way. alex and I now have a savings.....yes I said SAVINGS!! We haven't had a savings since we were both full time college kids (I know, scary) and his parents paid for everything (those were the days LOL). We are planning a cruise in march to go back the Bahamas where we spent our honeymoon.
So to add to this accomplishment we were also informed that our Gap insurance from our previous car was refundable because the loan was paid off early since we traded in the 2010 Mazda to a 2011 Mazda (something else that has added financial relief, strangely enough!).
AND I got a 50$ gift card at work just for going to the GYM!! I knew all my hard work and sweat I've given that gym would pay off sometime! Hahahaha ;) I would have taken a 50$ to starbucks, which was an option, but instead I got it to walmart. That's groceries, yo!!
I know you were all expecting me to announce that I had won the lottery or got a huge raise at work or something, but no. Just thought I'd brag about my gym winnings, and visit from the karma angel :D
The Lord truly has blessed me with an amazing life, filled with amazing people. Thank you!!!!!