Have I ever mentioned my love for...

Vermeer


Morisot


Da Vinci


Rembrandt


Rothko

And much, much more. Oh, how I would love to live in a museum.

Samuel update

Samuel has hit some pretty major milestones that I have failed to report. Let me redeem myself.

First Samuel loves to dance:


He also shares his toys (even when they are covered in slobber).
He says Mom and Dad separate from his general babbling - sometimes my name is also Nanan.
He has started to move his way into chunkier foods which makes me happy (I won't have to puree everything).
He likes to play peek-a-boo:



And the most important one of all - he has started walking. Right now it is pretty evenly split between crawling and walking, depends on what mood he is in.



He thinks he's sooooo cool.

Happy 25th Anniversary

My parents are celebrating 25 years of marriage today. In their honor I would like to list 25 things about my parents:

1. Their song is Groovy Kind of Love by Phil Collins - so this one's for you two!
2. The first time my Dad kissed my Mom she started crying and took off running down the street. My Dad wasn't sure what to do so he just left. Obviously, they worked through it.
3. The first thing they noticed about each other: Dad loved Mom's smile and Mom loved Dad's hair.
4. My parents love to dance and will break out in Disco at anytime (public or private) much to the dismay and embarrassment of their children.
5. My Dad thinks my Mom has the cutest laugh.
6. I heard my first pick-up line from my Dad when my Mom walked by him one day and he said "Would you like some fries with that shake?"
7. Mom thinks Dad's butt is "sexy."
8. After putting us down to bed for the night my parents used to turn on VH1 and dance in the living room together - Dallin and I had fun watching them from our bedroom.
9. All of our friends think our parents are the "coolest" and it's a badge they wear with honor.
10. After 25 years of marriage they still hold hands while walking in the store, down the street, or wherever.
11. Dad has always been a good example of a husband: helping around the house, supporting my mother in everything she wanted to do (school, work, hobbies), giving her respect.
12. Mom has always shown us how to laugh through adversities.
13. About 5 years into their marriage all of our furniture was stolen.
14. A few years ago Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo radiation treatments.
15. Dad worked and went to school so that Mom could stay home with us when we were younger.
16. Through all of their trials they looked to each other for strength and kept their marriage strong.
17. Carlin and I look to them often as an example of how we want our marriage to be.
18. My parents love to find interesting ways to spend family time, because of that we have been to every fair, festival, historical site, odd-ball tourist destination in the mid-western United States.
19. They have strong testimonies of their Savior, temples, and the Gospel.
20. Most people think my Dad is the austere, intimidating one when really he is just as goofy as my Mom.
21. My Mom takes full credit for bringing this goofy side out in my Dad.
22. They love to play card games and board games.
23. On Saturday mornings they used to come into my room and start jumping on my bed, singing at the top of their lungs (off-key), and giving me "heart massages" to get me up.
24. We would then all go attack Dallin next.
25. And last, but not least, they are the best parents a girl could ask for - always showing me love and patience.

He Lives!

On this Good Friday I would like to take the opportunity to bare my testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the Savior of the world. By Him and through Him repentance is made possible, so that we may return to live in the presence of our Heavenly Father. Christ suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane for our sins. Through His Atonement we find mercy and repentance. Betrayed by one of his own apostles and condemned to death by the very people he had preached and served among, he suffered on the cross. He was laid to rest in a tomb and three days later the angels came and rolled the stone away for Christ had risen. He was resurrected and made resurrection possible for all. Through him we may obtain immortality and eternal life.

I know that He lives. I have an understanding, albeit a small understanding, of the love He has for each one of us. I have felt His love in my life. I am so grateful for His guiding hand in my life. My soul rejoices this Easter season in the Savior of the World.

"That's How You Know"

"It's not enough to take the one you love for granted
You must remind her, or she'll be inclined to say...
'How do I know he loves me?'
'How do I know he's mine?'

'Well does he leave a little note to tell you you are on his mind?
Send you yellow flowers when the sky is grey? Hey!
He'll find a new way to show you, a little bit everyday
That's how you know, that's how you know!
He's your love... "

How do I know? He finds out a production of Pride and Prejudice the play is appearing in Oklahoma City and buys tickets to take me on a date! Takes me to a fancy Italian restaurant and buys a Chocolate Cream Pie from Marie Callender's for my birthday. Kicks me out of the house when I get cabin fever and tells me to go to Barnes and Noble and buy a book. Gives constant support and encouragement (and patience). Watches Twilight with me because it means spending time with me. Holds me when I am sad and laughs when I laugh. Dances with me to the made up music in my head.

"He'll find his own way to tell you
With the little things he'll do
That's how you know "

Lyrics From Enchanted

Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging...

Is now a movie! My husband found this for me. Unfortunately it has not been released in the U.S. It's been released everywhere else but here! I feel so left out. So, who wants to petition Hollywood with me to get the movie here? Anybody?

Click here for the official website and more info. Isn't it just fabbity-fab!

The Stars at Night, Are Big and Bright...

Deep in the Heart of Texas! I'm headed to Texas this weekend to visit my Grandparents. My Mom, sister, Samuel and I are all driving down there together. Road trips remind me of music, so, I thought I would add a little bit of music to my blog for you to listen to while I am gone. I may or may not leave the play list there. These songs were handpicked by yours truly.

Right now one of my favorite groups is Coldplay. I pretty much love everything they produce and have included a few of my favorites. I fell in love with John Mayer in high school and in my eyes, he can do no wrong. "Love Song for No One" used to be my theme song until I met Carlin. :) Another one I fell in love with in high school was Jack Johnson. His recent release of Banana Pancakes confirmed that he is awesome and this song reminds me of Carlin. In college a friend of mine introduced me to David Gray. He is "landscape music" - you know, when you're driving through open country and you have a great CD and your imagination as companions. Regina Spektor is an acquired taste for some but an absolute must for me. The list goes on... as I'm sure you can see and hear.

I love my music and for me it describes bits of my personality. Each song has a memory associated with it. I won't bore you with the details, although one thing will probably become apparent as you listen - I'm a hopeless romantic.

P.S. Can you guess which one is "our" song?