TWO YEARS

     Happy Anniversary!

Photo courtesy of Brandi Ginn Photography

Two years and going strong!!!

They have been the best two years of my life!

Announcement. . .

My handsome brother,

who is now all grown up

Is shipping out to

San Bernadino, California in August

where he will serve the Lord in Spanish!

Left my heart in New York

Well,

this is it

I am sitting near Gate 9, at JFK

Getting ready to fly to North Carolina to begin another adventure.

I am excited to be a wife again,

and see Adam daily instead of on the weekends. 

I am also excited to live by friends and family,

and let's be honest: lay by the pool every morning,

but as  I sit here, my heart aches a bit,

this crazy city has become a part of my life and a bit of who I am.

This has been such an incredible experience,

one that I thank my Heavenly Father for daily.

There is something so exciting and thrilling to ride the subway to work every morning,

and then walk along Madison Avenue and pass millions of other people walking to work. 

I loved having our door men greet me by name and with a smile. 

I have learned so much about myself,

not only about who I am, but about what I really want in life.

I also learned that I have been blessed with a lot of good things and that I should never take them for granted, or let them define my life,

because it could all be gone in a moment.

I cherish the friendships I have made here,

Workings along side some of the most talented people in advertising,

and Sunday night games in the "Spooky Room."

When you are bored in the city. . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . .You dye your hair

(Caitlin, don't be mad)

Before:

During:

After:

Nothing too drastic, just a lot darker, the pictures don't do the real color justice.

Story from the Weekend

I went to visit a boy who lives here........

His house has a cute yellow door, and wrap around porch.

Here is the boy who lives in the house

with his cute grin.

This is the pool and pool house

where we took a nap while we soaked up some rays.

Here he is slicing up some fresh watermelon,

and kindly eliminating the black seeds!

Nothing like fresh lime juice on watermelon

Here is the boy getting ready to get beat at Wii tennis.

Here is our picture as we prepared to say our goodbyes.

The End

Dedication to my Mom

Today is a day dedicated to celebrating Mothers.

I have been very blessed and fortunate to have an incredible mom. 

She has done so much for me, and has influenced my life in so many ways.

Today I wanted to share 20 reasons why I love and am grateful to you, Mom:

1. Your decision to join the LDS church while she was in college,

This is such an incredible blessing that not only affected me, but my children.

2. Your testimony

3. Your laugh

4. Your willingness to play

You were always down on your knees playing with us when we were children,

imagining all kinds of stories,

and you still like to play games with us

5. Your smile,

It is very contagious!

6. Your love of reading

We grew up watching you read, and you instilled that love in all of us

7. Our late night talks

8. Your patience

9. Your sewing talent

10. Your desire to help others

11. Your decorating style

12. Watching you at work

You are so great with the kids, so patient, I can wait to see you with our children

13. The support you give each one of us

Sports, school, life, you have always been there cheering

14. Your cooking talent

15. Your ability to make friends

16. Your righteous example

17. Your patience

18. Your drive to always do better

19. Your loving disposition

20. The sacrifices that you have willingly made for me, as your daughter.

Week in Review

My first week in New York has been great!

We have done a lot of walking and discovering.

I have adjusted well to living in the I House, 

and am really enjoying being here.

I am having a hard time adjusting to the humidity, 

I am averaging at least two showers a day, 

and have kissed my straight hair goodbye!!

I am excited to start work tomorrow!

Here are some pics from the week,

(thanks go to Lindsay our group photographer!)

Fuss Ball tournament at the I-House Pub.

Can you feel the intensity

We enjoyed some delicious Arepas with Pat and Lindsay,

my favorite was beef and cheese!

We went to the Sony Wonder museum.

It was amazing, and I even got to try my skills 

as a news anchor.

We rode the Ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Both incredible sights, and take your breath away as you see and learn

about how the immigrants came across the ocean.