The Lightbulb Came On...

Handsome asked me if I wanted to speak during our series "A Blockbuster Summer", sounded like a good idea at the time, so I said yes. Well now with t-minus 2 days to go I am reconsidering my commitment. I am excited to speak--yet there is a pressure that comes with it. Not to perform well, but to give your heart and convey what you feel you want to express without screwing it up somehow. In my heart if feels pure, simple- like I know just what I need to say and then putting it down on paper becomes a whole different story.

For me, things are usually fuzzy or dim- and then in one instant the picture comes into focus or the light comes on and I know what I am to do. Well it happened again. I had been agonizing over this messge and suddenly the one key that brought it into focus finally hit me. Now the trick is just getting it out to the people the way it is inside of me.

I'm off to study!

She Cleaned Out The Fridge...

I got a call from Momba yesterday (that's my mother-in-law, at least that's what we call her...) She cleaned out her fridge, cooked up what was in there and invited us over for dinner. I LOVE to hear her say those words. For most of us, the mental picture we get of cleaning out the fridge brings up images of moldy bread, smelly old roast, empty pickle jars (who is the culprit who takes the last pickle and leaves the jar of juice??? do they think I need the juice for something?!!!!) -- but not Momba. When she cleans out the fridge this is what we get:

The menu included the heavenly salad with grilled chicken (pictured above), stuffed artichokes, angel hair pasta with fresh vegtables in a light sauce, something that is fabulous but I don't know how to spell...here goes beurachs (if you know the spelling, please correct me!), and for dessert, a lemon Italian Love Cake. If you've never had an Italian Love Cake, you are missing out on one of the most delicious, moist and down right YUMMY desserts ever. The lemon was an experiment for her, and it was divine. A slice of heaven right there on the plate.

We had a great time just hanging out, we went home feeling blessed and FULL.

Good Bye Happy Fish

It was a sad moment. (well sort of) We said our goodbyes to Happy Fish and then he had to leave to go swim in the ocean with Nemo (no Denise you are NOT a bad mom...) There were a few tears shed, and then she said, "I want to swim in the ocean with Nemo." "I'm sorry honey, you can't fit in the toilet."

Why don't they teach us how to handle this kind of stuff in school?

The Viewing

The Ceremony

May He Rest In Peace

I am sorry to report that this morning, Happy Fish left this cold cruel world, and has gone on to a more stiff albeit "happier" place. He lived a long month and died, leaving behind a sad 2 year old, and bewildered parents (of the 2 year old, not the fish.)

Ceremony to be held later this evening. If I am able to snap a picture at the viewing I will send it your way.

Sweet Dreams

Ok, I know I'm going a little crazy with this picture thing...but here is Handsome with my little Angel. I don't know really how to describe the feeling of "completeness" I feel when I watch my great husband be a great dad. It just feels good.

Summer Nights

I am more than 1/2 way into my first Arizona summer, although last night I could have sworn I was in Tulsa...

I think the hottest we've seen is somewhere around 111 so far. Most days it's somewhere between 105-108, and yeah, it's HOT. But I must have prepared myself for it, because it's not as bad as I had been anticipating. The thing I notice the most is you need endurance. It's not that the heat is completely unbearable...it's that it is EVERYDAY. So you adjust, try to find the beauty.

A few nights ago on the softball field I captured this photo. It truly was a beautiful night- (aside from losing by over 20 runs.)

The Slap of Rejection

Ok, so today I felt like I did in Junior High when I ran for Vice President....Rejected. I submitted an application to fill an opening on our events committee here at the company I work for. It's just a volunteer thing, but I thought I could use some spare brain cells (since I'm not sure if these people even know that posses them...), and fill up some of my spare time here at work. Alas, Kate Hudson (or the girl that looks just like her) came and tried to break the news gently that they had selected someone else.

I always hate those awkward moments. Someone feels bad and is trying extra hard to be nice, because they don't want to hurt your feelings...and you really don't care all that much but just the awkwardness itself is sort of well...awkward and there's the silence and you overcompensate with faux-cheeriness to act like it's no big deal (which it isn't-but you know there's just this awkwardness, have I already mentioned that it's kind of awkward?). Whew, anyway, I just felt like I wanted to wear a sign that said, "I didn't really care anyway, who cares if you didn't want me."

Nothing like a little rejection to bring out the 12 year old in me.