She's growing up too fast & too beautiful...

This picture and a few others I took this morning just blow my mind. I still remember when she was a little chubby cheek baby babbling and making everyone laugh and now...(GULP) she's a young lady. See what happens when you go back to work. Just kidding.

So there isn't much to report... if you are reading this you should check out Jon and I's new pages... Mine is HERE and if you need a quick laugh Jon's is HERE

And here are some pictures to get you through your week...lol!

A great message for a Saturday Morning

So I am a big fan of OPB (other people's blogs) and I stumbled across www.b-splendid.blogspot.com just recently and absolutely love the posts there. Today's just happens to really grab me.. could be that I am a huge Einstein fan, especially since the bobble heads on Night at the Museum 2...

So although the following was written by Mr. Einstein himself, I give credit to Ms. Arsila for reposting it so that I could find it and share it with the 3 of you :).



Love & Life by Albert Einstein


Sometimes in our relentless effort to find the person we love, we fail to recognize and appreciate the people who love us. We miss out on so many beautiful things simply because we allow ourselves to be enslaved by our own selfish concerns.

Go for the man/woman of deeds and not for the man/woman of words, for you will find rewarding happiness, not with the man/woman you love but with the man/woman who loves you more.
The best lovers are those capable of loving from a distance far enough to allow the person to grow but never too far to feel the love within your being.

To let go of someone doesn’t mean you have to stop loving; it only means that you allow that person to find his/her own happiness without expecting him/her to come back. Letting go is not just setting the other person free, but is also setting yourself free from all the bitterness, hatred, and anger that you keep in your heart. Do not let the bitterness take away your strength and weaken your faith, and never allow pain to dishearten you; but rather let yourself grow with wisdom in bearing it.

You may find peace in loving someone from a distance not expecting something in return. But be careful, for this can sustain life but can never give enough room for us to grow. We can all survive with just beautiful memories of the past, but real peace and happiness come only with open acceptance of what reality is today.

There comes a time in our lives when we chance upon someone so nice and beautiful and we just find ourselves so intensely attracted to that person. This feeling soon becomes a part of our everyday lives and eventually consumes our thoughts and actions. The sad part of it is when we begin to realize that this person feels nothing more for us than just a friendship. We start our desperate attempt to get noticed and be closer, but in the end our efforts are still unrewarded and we end up being sorry for ourselves. You don’t have to forget someone you love. What you need to learn is how to accept the verdict of reality without being bitter or sorry for yourself. Believe me, you would be better off giving that dedication and love to someone more deserving.

Don’t let your heart run your life, be sensible and let your mind speak for itself. Listen not only to your feelings but to reason as well.

Always remember that if you lose someone today, it means that someone better is coming tomorrow. If you lose love, that doesn’t mean you failed in love.
Cry if you have to, but make sure that tears wash away the hurt and the bitterness that the past has left with you. Let go of yesterday and love will find its way back to you. And when it does, pray that it may be the love that will stay and last a lifetime.

There are two ways to live your life: One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.

There is no mistake so painful that love cannot forgive, no past so bitter that love cannot accept, and no love so little that we cannot start all over with.

Thank you for taking the time to read...

Somedays it just feels like my soul is on fire...

Yes I know. I am about as geeky as they come. But for those that know my old blogging style when I would basically write a novel about what is wrong with the world and everyone (except me of course) these kind of blogs are a breath of fresh-air. Probably way more boring though.

So I know you will stay tuned.. here is a picture...
Pretty random but if I can never have my top floor penthouse loft in San Fran or Denver or some other super cool city.. I'll take this.


So back to my soul because I am sure you are sooo interested. But anyhow it has just been one of those weeks where everything feels just a little sweeter than usual. The kdis miss me these days so when they see me they are wayyyyy happier than usual, even Jon is quoting love songs for me and work is well- feels like home. My computer is running sufficiently, House is back on and well... life is GOOD.

Ok wait... I'll give you another picture. Just don't go...


But it isn't all rainbows. It's been an emo sort of week but thankfully it is ending on a happier note. As for the emo... well it is working itself out which is nice. I finally took my own advice in life and it is proving successful. So yeah.. words of wisdom- follow your gut!

Ok so I have completely gone on a flowery rant here and have not actually said anything. So I'll just end this with a bunch of pictures.
Ooh you see that top floor balcony.. that's mine! :0




Have a great week

Here's to Nine Years of Wedded Bliss~

Okay at least 7 years of wedded bliss and 2 years of wedded madness! <3

So I think Jon said it best when he ripped this quote off someone else this morning... see he does love me- enough to quote because he knows what they do to me.

“I don't pretend to know what love is for everyone, but I can tell you what it is for me; love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person, love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about... yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of, love is feeling comfortable and safe with someone, but still getting weak knees when they walk into a room and smile at you.”

Ah.. we are turning in to quite the old fart couple. This year for anniversary gifts I bought him the oh so scary purple, black lit zombee ghost lady he'd been eyeing along with a couple of tools so he could fandangle up some Halloween masterpieces like we know he loves. However- he rocked my world by not making me wait til November to get my ***sooooo awesome*** Nikon D60. Ok.. so yeah maybe the fancies are using a D90.. but I don't care.. this thing is magic! Even my ugly @$$ dogs look good with this thing! Many thank you's Kuppy for feeding my greedy side once in a while. ; )

Ah heck another picture reminiscent of our cuter days...



So to my Kuppy- the one man I can't live without... I love you, thank you, miss you (you are at work), want you, need you, dream about you, like you, adore you, think dirty thoughts of you (once in a while) and can't wait to have breakfast with you seeing how I won't be seeing you on our anniversary.... damn work! lol!

Oh I know you want another one... here!

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

My New Favorite Blog of All Time

Go here... because I said so and because I think everyone could use a happy thought. This chick is my idol of the day for being so fruity and so happy being fruity!

www.jenlemen.com/blog/

Thank you, now GO!

Makes you wonder~

So please forgive me for this one. I know you all prefer the light-hearted, picture ridden posts that I usually put up but something occurred to me today and I wanted to put it here- so there! Also thanks to mom for provoking this thought indirectly.

I am sure those of you that keep up with current events heard that DJAM was found dead of a drug overdose yesterday. For those that are going "who?" he is, forgive me was, a popular sought after DJ among that crowd. But he is even more well known (at least among the other crowds) as being one of two survivors in a plane crash about a year ago where he and Travis Barker (musician, Blink 182) jumped from a plane as it went up in flames!

So tell me what kind of world do we live in that a man can have the bravery and will-power to jump from a burning plane to save his life but this same man is weak over his demons which led to his drug use and ultimately his untimely death.

Moving on...

Still fresh on our minds is the recent loss of Michael Jackson. Now I was not a tremendous fan of Michael Jackson; however, I admired his free spirit and desire to create a more compassionate world. Michael Jackson had everything at his fingertips and was known by all and loved by many. And yet again.. could not find power over his demons which led to his drug use and ultimately his untimely death.

And yet another...

Billy Mays. Okay so maybe he was no DJAM or Michael Jackson but he had a niche and he worked it with pride in front of audiences - I'll call that bravery. And as with the others.. well you know the drill.

This really bothers me that some very influencial people with so much at their fingertips and so many people surrounding them could end up this way. How is it that such powerful and brave people can go down like this?

Anyway- thanks for hearing my rant. Feel free to comment- I dare ya!

Feeling a bit random here...

Oh Monday.. nothing exciting going on today except some cleaning and homework. Thought I'd take a minute to blog because well.. I <3 to blog.

SO... for those that don't know I have recently taken an interest in photography and through that interest I have discovered a hand full of really awesome web sites and/or blogs. I think you should check them out because you are obviously bored if you are reading this page..haha!

Dawn's All Time Fave: www.pioneerwoman.com

Do you like photography too? How about cooking? This lady has a great perspective on life and is just really fun to read and there are always lots of pretty pictures to keep you interested too.

Dawn's New & Quickly Growing Fave: www.zenhabits.net

SO maybe we aren't all contemplating the switch to Buddhism but nonetheless this site offers some really simple tips to a less tramatic life. Love it. There are always good quotes on this page too and if you know me you are already aware of my addiction to quotes.

How about a few of my many inspiration pages:

www.gallerystandouts.com
www.beckyearlphotography.com
www.thedailydigi.com
www.sheyerosemeyerphotography.com/blog/

OOH my very favorite photography blog..

www.theblogisfound.com

And for those of us that often find ourselves walking that damn black dog..

www.walkingtheblackdog.com

Now I have about 50 subscriptions in my Google Reader and love them all but when I see a new post from one of these.. I smile a little bigger! :P

BTW speaking of things that make me smile...

mom.. this one~



OH wait... I could not get through my day without www.playlist.com either!!!

And in case you only come here for the pictures.. you know who you are..: )


THE END!

Because I love my blog so much more with music...

Here's some fun stuff to look at then it's off to the shower so I can go have spa day with the girlies at Natalie's. If your curious check out www.pinkpapayaparties.com/aubreym! Have a great weekend!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!




I'M OBSESSED WITH THIS PHOTOSHOP ACTION. THE ONLY WAY TO EXPLAIN IT IS "ALMOST BLACK & WHITE" BUT THEN YOU MESS WITH ALL THE OPACITY AND THAT'S WHAT YOU GET AND HERE'S A PAGE MADE WITH PHOTOS THAT WERE "ALMOST BLACK & WHITE."



CREDITS:
PAPER BY:KAFROUNETTE PAPIER DESIGNS,A TEETS AMERICANA AND SPLASH BY KIMDS DESIGNS @OSCRAPS AND PAPER DATE WHEEL BY GUNHILD STOREIDE AND MAKE A WISH BY WG JAYE DESIGNS @ SUNSHINESTUDIOSCRAPS.COM

Hope you enjoyed!

Don't you want to know how it went...?

Yes- of course she absolutely loves first grade, she has a new (and was happy to see her old) BFF, she is just breaking into the adventure of homework and test taking and she loves that her class mixes her with second graders as well. All is good!

Piper has been ornery as usual. We have decided to slowly begin the potty training process and she thinks it is a blast although she has yet to make any deposits into the potty. We'll keep you posted.

AND OMG... after 2 1/2 years I am going back to work starting next week. I couldn't be more excited. I will be working the desk for the brand-spankin' new Holiday Inn Express.. and can I just say it is GORGEOUS!!!! From leather wall paper to the pertiest head boards I've seen I wish I could show you how pretty right here... maybe one day I can post a link and you will see for yourself! Meanwhile... can you tell I am stoked?

As for Jon he is a busy man- plotting his Halloween takeover as usual. That' s my boy!So long as he can make our house look creepy he is a happy man.


Picture courtesy of Kimmie Herrera.

Well that is the low down... how about a quote.. or lyric rather... I <3 this song!

"sometimes i lay under the moon and thank God i'm breathing and (i) pray (He) don't take me soon, cause i'm here for a reason..."
-One Day by Matisyahu

Killin' Time

So.. tomorrow is the first day of school! Yippee! Today we met the teacher and liked her. Avalyn's class is a "big girl class" no more pretty blocks and counting bears.. it's the real deal here. She is so excited and sound asleep ! YAY for sleeping children!

On a more somber note... we were to return the kindergarten gerbil, Rosie tomorrow and I needed to get her cage cleaned today. Meanwhile Jon and I had noticed she hasn't been running the wheel every morning as usual... YUP, you guessed it. Rosie (probably out of fear of returning to the kindergarten class) passed away sometime in the last two days. SO how does that work? Do I need to replace her? Do you think they'd take a wiener dog as her fill in? Anyway... let us take a moment of silence in honor of dearly beloved Rosie the Gerbil.

OKAY.... moving on. I finally had that interview I have been holding my breath for. I spent an hour with the GM of the new hotel and I am sooooo excited and crossing every crossable part on my body. I'll keep you informed but it looks like I won't know anything for a couple weeks.

BTW I have just 3 short weeks left of these 2 classes, then one more 9-week class and HALLELUJAH I am done with this round of my education. Then I only get to look forward to paying for it.. oops!

That's about all the info I have for now. Please say a little wish, prayer, spell or whatever you prefer that this hotel gives me a spot. It's that time... time for me to be doing what it is I do best (next to blogging of course)... and making money doing it.



I learned something new!!! Picture in the middle of the blog wahoo... BTW this is my attempt at arty-fartsy...
Night, night!!

All over the board...

So first things first...

Avalyn goes back to school in a few days, a big bad first grader! Wow. It has turned out to be quite an excellent summer. I was concerned in the beginning that we would waste it away and I would go back to work and Av to school feeling as if I wasted the 2 1/2 years I was home-but I think I'm ready. I've learned some new things in the last couple years like how to photoshop pics and scrapbooks, how to take better pictures, and a bit more. I've read a hand full of books that I didn't get to do much of before. I've nearly completed my Associates degree. I've managed to get Piper to 21 months old with never having even a fever and I got Avalyn through 2 pageants one (this passed weekend) where she took first runner-up with no real training or experience. I have mowed a lawn, caulked a shower or two, baked a bit, cooked a little,spent more than my fair share and learned how to budget/ re-budget and re-budget some more. We've refied twice and consolidated more times than I could count. BUT the point of this rambling is that I took full advantage of the time at home with the girls and all the financial annoyances were well worth the headaches and hair-pulling.

So I think I am having an emo day that started with my trying to scrapbook our eventful summer and realizing that there was just too much and too many people to cram into a page or two! Made me realize I got exactly what I wanted- so YAY!

Now on a completely unrelated but equally (if not more) emo note I was reading a blog that I do not frequent but sometimes check out because I hear about it often it is some man who refers to himself as Fatty and he likes to bike ride. (the page is fatcyclist.com). well come to find out said fat cyclist's wife has been battling cancer for some time and I read (through the grape vine- pioneerwoman.com) that his wife just passed. Now- a lot of people have been losing people close to them which is obviously sad but a certain part of this man's blog hit me harder than I imagined. He said after 21 years of marriage to his wife he never imagined that he would be so grateful for the 2 he had with her recently. He wrote a whole entry about how out of her near coma his wife awoke completely clear minded and for roughly two hours he was able to have a talk with his wife about well- everything husbands and wives would talk about. It made me realize how we take for granted the time we have with our loved ones and how sometimes it is gone in an instant.

I am fortunate to not have to have faced this loss too often in my life but I hope that when I have to face loss I can feel like I took advantage of the time I had with my loved ones.

OK... how about some pictures. BTW I am sure everyone is saying "why's she got the beans above the frank?" (pictures above words) well... I haven't learned how to put pictures within my blog just yet... stay tuned!

I LOVE Denver!

Isn't this a beautiful view? This is the view from the Musuem of Nature & Science- which btw is where President Obama signed the stimulus bill. So Monday I took the girls here. It is a really big museum and although very kid friendly- not Piper friendly! She ended up melting down and we had to leave after about an hour and a half. This is pretty typical of most our outings.

So today we decided to try the Denver Botanical Gardens.. WOW. They are really beautiful- again I only wish we could have stayed longer. Here are some pictures!

Today I decided I am a photographer...

Oh Blog!

So I know I have been doing a terrible job of keeping this thing updated but I suppose it's because I keep in touch with my 3 followers on a different level... so- I think I am going to change up the blog page. I'm not sure what direction it will take yet- stay tuned! Meanwhile... who doesn't love pictures???