"Scrip-tions"

Mementos, whether material objects or snap shots in time, have always been something that I have held onto. Something to remember a place, a person, or simply a memory by. As a child I used to collect these material mementos. A shell. A rock. A brochure. A note. A scrap of fabric. I had an entire box full of them that I kept under my bed. Little reminders of events in my life. I had an almost superstitious view of my mementos, believing that if I let that little piece of history go, I would somehow lose the memory.
It wasn't  until I began packing up my life in preparation of my marriage that I re-visited the dusty box under my bed. Pieces that may have seemed like trash to many, had been the lovingly collected treasures of a child. I knew where each of them had come from, and the memory attached to them.
As an adult, I still collect those memories. Just in different ways.
My sister left today. She left and took my little babies with her. That sounds a lot more dramatic than it is. Logically, my brain knows that she simply moved to another city only five hours away and that I will see her with regularity. But my emotional heart is honestly breaking. I gathered those mementos as snapshots in my mind as we hugged and said goodbye. But the memento that I will cherish?

This picture that Charlie drew today. It's of the people that she loves. That's me on the top right. She calls these drawings her "scrip-tions." To me, it's another treasured memento.

City and Colour

For those who have heard City and Colour...I commend you. For those who haven't...I pity you. Ha. That was a little harsh. But seriously, if you haven't had the privilege of being serenaded by the lovely lyricism of Dallas Green, then you're MISSING OUT! Want to check out City and Colour??? Go here  or here or here or even here or if you're really diggin' it...here. I know, I got carried away. But it's hard to pick just one song!
I've been looking forward to this show for months, and the day finally came this Wednesday. The whole crew journeyed down to House of Blues, and needless to say, it was one of the best shows I have been to in a LONG time.
We were excited to get there early enough to be right in front...but unfortunately (or so we thought), we were on the far left of the stage. Not front and center. So imagine our DELIGHT when Dallas Green (the mastermind behind City and Colour) came out, not in the center of the stage, but on the far left. We had the BEST spot in the house!

Attitudes...

I gave a young women's lesson at church last year about attitude. I remember the handout I made for the girls: "attitudes are contagious...is yours worth catching?" I have always prided myself on my positive attitude; a glass half full kind of girl. That was until this semester hit me. Oh my gosh, I've never been so overwhelmed in my life. Now I've become quite the negative Nancy. I guess my husband kind of noticed, because he sent me this text today:

"What's the good news for today?" 

A gentle reminder from my love to count my MANY blessings (he's definitely at the top of my list). I needed that. Now my attitude, which was pretty sullen this morning, has become quite sunny...despite the rainy weather. 

Even when life seems insurmountable it is SO important to remain positive when confronted with challenges. I love this quote from President Kimball:

"...you are building your life; … it can be full of joy and happiness, or it can be full of misery. It all depends upon you and your attitudes, for your altitude, or the height you climb, is dependent upon your attitude or your response to situations.”

Besides, how could I not stay positive when I have this guy to make me happy???

Love, Lord, Husband, Friend...

Is there anything more beautiful than Shakespeare's lyrical language? I think not. His ability to tweak the English language into music, without one note being struck, seriously leaves me scratching my head. How did he do it? If I had even an OUNCE of that ability, I would be one happy lady.

So imagine my delight when Graham informed me that we were going to attend the San Diego Shakespeare Society's informal reading of Romeo and Juliet in Seaport Village last night. I was giddy.
Five minutes into the reading, after noticing the goofy grin on my face, Graham leaned over to me and whispered, "I knew you would love this crap. You're such a dork," (I chose to take that as a compliment).

To Graham's horror, he was even asked to read a couple of lines. I wish I had gotten a picture of the look on his face. Deer in the headlights about sums it up. He played the HIGHLY integral part of "1st Citizen." The play would not have been a success without him! His lines you ask?

1st citizen: Which way ran he that kill'd Mercutio? Tybalt, that murderer, which way ran he?

Benvolio: There lies that Tybalt.

1st citizen: Up, sir, go with me; I charge thee in the Prince's name, obey.

He was a hit. I was hoping he would read them with a British accent, but alas...he did not. I may or may not have spoken with an English accent myself for the remainder of the night. I also may or may not have walked through Seaport village afterwards quoting Romeo and Juliet while using VERY expressive hand gestures. My husband may or may not have been embarrassed.

While we attended last night for Graham to receive extra credit in his English class, I think it will become a monthly tradition! It's going to take some time to convince my husband of this...but I have my heart set on reading the part of Juliet. In the meantime, I'll be practicing my accent...Graham will be thrilled!

On a funny side note...my dad began a conversation today with this statement...
"So, last night I was watching weimaraner videos on youtube..." That's about as far as he got before I lost it laughing. My dad is SO obsessed with his dog. 
Over and out.

Halloween...Part Deux

One day I'll have my own children to take trick-or-treating...but for now I get to enjoy my cute nieces and nephews! 

Noah and Charlie were Tinker Bell and Captain Hook...arrrrrrg!

 And Sophia was Alice...

 Little Grunters was also a pirate...and had SO much fun getting his candy!

 And of course...they all enjoyed the spoils, even Bonnie!