The Artist

GO. SEE. IT.

Mustache Bash

I'm back from Arizona and wishing I was still there! I can't believe our trip is over. It was way too short in my opinion. The weather was sunny and 80 degrees while we were home-utter perfection.

The weekend was packed with non-stop activities. My mom kept us busy with lots party preparations. I was absolutely exhausted by Sunday but I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat if I could! I can't say that my dad was shocked or surprised (he definitely knew about the party the whole time) but everyone had a blast!

Here are a few of my favorite stache's from the evening-

As you can see the party was mustache themed in honor of the killer mustache my dad rocked for most of his life. My mom went all out and it turned out extraordinary.

It was so good being home with the one's I love. My family means the world to me so being able to spend time together this past weekend was something really special. Celebrating my dad's 50th birthday is definitely something I'll never forget.

The Man. The Myth. The Mustache.

We're off to Arizona this weekend to celebrate my dad's 50th! It'll be a quick trip but I'm beyond excited to go. I'm looking forward to warm weather, lots of family, an Elmer's bean burrito and a killer birthday bash that's gonna knock everyone's socks off.

Get ready for some amazing mustache pictures next week. I can't wait to share!

Have a lovely weekend! xoxo

Authenticity

Let's slow it down here for a sec. As fun as it is blogging about the joys in my life, the last thing I want to do is come off as phony. My life is far from rainbows and roses. I try to be genuine on this blog. Along with sharing my happiness on this journey through life I also find it important to discuss my inner thoughts, doubts, experiences and even some of my personal hardships.

One of my goals for this new year was to become a more authentic person. It's been on my mind and I've been pondering how to address it. Today Cup of Jo brought up the exact same subject. In an earlier post, she quoted something her mother said about authenticity which I absolutely love-

"It seems to me that being authentic is being brave enough or just candid enough to be honest about what you are experiencing or who you are, whether it is popular are not. A person gives a gift to other people when they say, 'This is what happened to me or this is how I truly feel, no matter what the popular belief is about what I should feel.' Whenever you are honest, you are speaking for a thousand silent people who don't have the voice to say what they really feel or are really experiencing. So, if you ever talk about [the thing you went through], you will touch a million hearts. Because you are speaking for more than just yourself. You are never alone in what you are feeling."

2011 was full of amazing times. Some great memories I will never forget! I also experienced some heartache-trials that affected me so much it has made me take a step back and examine every aspect in my life. Somedays I feel strong and unshakeable. Other days I feel like I'm suffocating-anxiety is high and spirits are low.

I share this with you now because it's you, my beautiful friends, who help me see the splendor in life. I find so much happiness in the people I love. I find great joy in seeing the beauty in others. I'm trying to gain perspective from not only my own experiences but of those who are closest to me. That's why I find the "blogging world" such a blessing! Reading the experiences of others helps me to realize that I am not alone. The love and support from those I care about helps me wake up every morning with hope, a smile on my face and confidence that everything is going to be ok.

Arizona-Happy 100!

Happy belated birthday to my favorite state! How ironic that the place I love was made a state on the day OF love. 100 years of the most glorious sunshine I've ever known...now that's something to be proud of. In honor the Zona's bday I've compiled a list of some of things I love about her. Here goes-

1. The sunsets. Oh my, the sunsets. They've been ranked in the top 10 best sunsets in the WORLD. And rightly so.

2. The red rock. Nothing beats a nice drive through Sedona while admiring the gorgeous red rocks around every bend and turn.

3. 75 degree winters-enough said.

4. Night swimming in the summer. The water is so warm! It feels like you're swimming in a giant hot tub.

5. The Freeways. AZ has the best freeways I've ever driven on! I know that may seem silly but after living in Utah and Washington and having to drive on their sorry excuses for roads, I reallyyyy miss AZ driving. I'm talking smooth, well lit, 6 lanes on EACH side, beautiful freeways. Not to mention a carpool lane that's only a carpool lane during rush hour. All other times it's just a bonus lane. :)

6. The mexican food. Oh the things I would give for an Elmer's bean and cheese burrito right now!

7. Suburbia. You might be saying to yourself, "are you crazy?!"... but I'm not. I loved living in the east valley where all the cities are touching. I loved that if I went out to eat in Chandler and the restaurant was too busy, I'd just hop on over to Mesa to eat at the same exact restaurant without a wait. I love that there are almost 10 major malls within a 50 mile radius. I'm just a city girl at heart, what can I say...

8. Getting a healthy dose of vitamin D all year round.

9. The desert landscape. If you didn't grow up in Arizona you might think it was the ugliest place in the world but I find cactus and jacaranda trees pretty dang beautiful.

10. The Grand Canyon.

11. The reservations. You won't find a better deal on turquoise jewelry, woven blankets or pottery anywhere else.

12.Quick Trip! aka QT! You don't know the glory of a fountain drink until you've visited a QT.

13. Monsoon season.

14. Haboobs.

15. Being able to wear flip flops and a light sweat shirt in the winter.

16. An Arizona drivers license...mine doesn't expire till 2053. LOL

17. Professional sports. We've got um all.

18. Cubs spring training games!

19. Desert hikes

and last but not least...in the words of my dad-

20. You never have to shovel sunshine!

*Picture from this etsy shop. I want!

Valentine's Day

Let's talk about Valentines Day. This one's for the books! ...or the blog for that matter. ;) Jason sure out did himself this year. I asked him all week long about what our plans were for the holiday but he kept his lips sealed. Usually I can get most surprises out of him but not this time. When I got home from work yesterday afternoon he told me to get all dolled up cause we were going out. We headed downtown and ended up at The Melting Pot! The evening was incredibly romantic. Look at the rose pedals lining the halls! The entire ambience of the place was strictly for lovers-dim lighting, a dozen roses on every table, dinner by candlelight...think as cliche as it gets. (but I LOVED it.)

Every year on Valentines Day The Melting Pot offers a special menu. It was a four course dining experience that was absolutely out of this world.

When we got home, the surprises continued. I walked inside and found our bedroom looking like this! (Notice how Jason incorporated the ipad into the romantic mix-that's totally my nerdy husband!)

This was one of the best Valentines Jason and I have ever had together. He swept me off my feet. He made me feel so adored. His love yesterday was almost tangible.

I felt it. I heard it. I knew it.

If there's one thing that I know is true it's this-His love for me is real. As is mine for him.

True love is not about simple hugs and kisses. It's not about being in the moment. It's about the deep, passionate feeling that runs through your body like fire. Once you feel it, you can never forget it. And as long as it's nurtured and respected it can change your life forever.

I love love.

Memory

Did you know that Jason and I spent the last two months of our courtship apart before we got married? That's right. Jason was off to law school and I was in Arizona planning our wedding. It was the LONGEST two months of my life! Phone chats weren't enough. I yearned for the warmth of his body and the clasp of his arms around me. I missed that electric touch that only engaged couples have. I remember one night on the phone spilling my heart out to him about how much I missed him. I just wanted to kiss him so badly! I NEEDED those soft lips against mine. Shortly after we hung up the phone I received these two picture text messages-

Oh boy, did I lose it once I saw these. Oscar worthy water works my friends. How thoughtful of him to send me the only kiss he could from 1500 miles away.

This is one of my favorite memories. Jason is such a thoughtful person. It's moments like these that I fall in love with him all over again.

Jason-

Whole Love

Spokane rarely has anything good to offer when it comes to music. Not a lot of good bands tour this town. Luckily this past week Wilco played a show here. Huzzah for good concerts! When it comes to my husband, there are few things less romantic to him than music. It keeps him inspired and feeling alive. Being that Wilco is in his top 5, I knew for sure we'd be going to this show. And I must say, it did not disappoint! This band is all American. Their alt-country sound is raw and majestic. I could listen to Jeff Tweedy sing all day long. His scratchy voice is strong and fervent. He's capable of singing straight into your soul...and that's exactly what he did.

I had such a great evening with Jason. It's so adorable seeing him in his element. He was on cloud 9 all night and I loved nothing more then being able to share this experience with him.

Here was my favorite song of the night. Listen to it with your lover-it'll make your swoon.

Collision Course

"Sometimes we're on a collision course and we just don't know it. Whether it's by accident or by design, there's not a thing we can do about it."

Recently The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was on television and I stayed up till 2 in the morning watching it. (That's a big deal for me, guys. Come 11 pm I'm out like a light!) This scene has been stuck in my head and I can't stop thinking about how incredibly true it is. Life is a crazy thing sometimes. We have to take the good with the bad. We laugh. We cry. We climb and we fall. Sometimes tragedy hits and there's not a damn thing we can do about it. In my life experiences, I've learned it's what we take from these events that shape us into the people we are. My dad once told me that when tragedy strikes we can either let it ruin us or let it be the best thing that ever happened to us. It can make us stronger then we ever thought we were. It can help us love deeper then we ever did. And it can make the things most important in our life shine like there's no tomorrow.

I've realized lately how huge this world is and how insignificantly small I am. Although my problems may seem immense and all encompassing, I know I'm not the only person who feels this way. I NEED to remember that. We are all here on earth fighting the same battle. Just like my blog says happiness is way of travel, not a destination. How can I make myself happy today? What can I change that will be for the better? -These are questions I should be asking myself daily. And not just asking but acting upon them. Nothing is constant, everything is continually changing. So here is to new beginnings. Here is to true happiness. Here is to making my life the best thing it can be. Because isn't that what we all deserve? The best. Every. Single. Day. We are all our own captains on this voyage called life. It's time to make it something worth living. Something worth remembering. Something that when some day my children ask me, "how can I be happy?" I know exactly how to tell them. Because I was. And because I am.

Watch out 2012. This year I'm committing to change. I am going to let my life experiences, whether good or bad, make me a better person. Make a stronger person. And most importantly, make me happy.