TO MY MOMMA

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! YOU ARE THE BEST MOM IN THE WORLD!!
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!

AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE... WHAT IS TRUE JOY?

I don't honestly know why, but I am SO OVERLY grateful for my family today- Russ included!

(I know, I should feel like this EVERYDAY!)

It may be because everyone is coming into town this weekend for Josh's "farewell", maybe its because Josh is leaving for 2 years, and I miss him already, or maybe its because there are SO many crazy things going on in the world that I am so blessed that we are all safe and loving each other's company?!?

I'm not really sure, I don't think I need a reason either.

But will give a few of the reasons I am so thankful today.

Right now, I want to let my heart do the talking.

My Uncle Greg, Aunt Kellie, cousins Taylor and Tanner got here last night. I haven't seen them in YEARS! Russ hadn't ever met them!! It is SO wonderful to see them! My Grandparents from California get in tonight, and my Aunt from Arizona gets here tomorrow. We are having a BIG party on Saturday with EVERYONE (Including Grandma and Grandpa Rinaldi- OK how weird was it to call them that, Renee and Penny and their WONDERFUL kids- and I am sure MANY MORE)! I have SO many people around me that I love that I can't see my life without them!

As I left for work this morning, everyone was in the kitchen chatting, and I really didn't want to leave! I wanted to spend as much time as I could there! Obviously I couldn't (cause here I sit at work). I was feeling so much love driving to work too, knowing that people at my house are wishing I was still there! Well that's how I felt anyway, LOL who knows if its true...

Ok I am sure it is! Who doesn't love when I am around! HA!!

Anyway, I walked into my office (little background info, my screen saver is pictures of my dear family, and I have over 150 pictures that rotate) and there was a picture of Julianne holding Bridger ever so tightly (see the pic below). It filled my heart to the brim! The emotions I have felt since cannot be described! I LOVE MY FAMILY!

I know over the last 5.5 years I have spent hardly any time at my house, and I am TRULY regretting it! I know I cannot take back those years, but I am really home sick- And I was just there! I was always told, "spend more time at home, or you will regret it", me and my stubborn pride didn't think so, I was fine with the amount of time I spent at home...

We are starting to hang out more there, and I love it!

Don't get my wrong, I love Russ's family!! I just love my family too!!

Julianne's dear friend, Stephanie Clark Neilson, was in a terrible plane crash this past weekend, and has been hospitalized with serious injuries. I have been reading her sister's blog for updates, and I can feel how much this family LOVES each other.

I don't want a serious accident have to happen to show how much I love my family!

I should show them everyday, while they are HEALTHY, that I love them.

I know this sweet family showed love even when Stephanie was healthy.

I think its just times like that, that you realize just how precious life is.

I know I am rambling, but I TRULY LOVE MY FAMILY WITH ALL MY HEART!

They are all I have, and they are all that matter!

Like Jen's blog says;

"It doesn't matter where we go, as long as we have our family we are always home!"

Speaking of the Allen family, I haven't met Roper, and I am LONGING TO! That adds to the feelings today, I know I get to meet him VERY soon, and can hardly contain myself!! I see pictures of him on her blog, and I just want to hold, squeeze and kiss him SO HARD!

I love my little men (Bridger and Roper), they bring me SO much joy!!

Ok, I will call it an end.

If you get anything from this, let it be that time is a precious thing.

We do have *Eternity* with our families, but don't let the time you spend on earth, be time you will regret later.

Let it be some of the best times EVER.

Let the after life just be a continuance of the joy you have here!!

That is why we are here....

2 Nephi 2:25

"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy"

(I know its not the "EXACT" meaning, but trust me, it works!)

To ALL my family-- I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU!!!

You are my "JOY"

ONE MORE TIME WITH THIS PHELPS GUY...

I know you are all missing him as much as I am.

So I thought I'd post a little eye candy.

(If not for you... definitely for me!)

HA HA HA Enjoy!!

(That's all, there is a lot going on in my life right now, and I hope to post about it soon!!)

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN

Ok, this is going to be short(ish)... but I hope A LOT of you got to watch history in the making lastnight! I was fortunate enough to see it LIVE (well, on TV) LOL.

Phelps won his 11th... count them 11... Gold Medal lastnight!

It was truly SO amazing to watch. Number 10 wasn't as great as 11 , so we'll focus on that.
He is now the most "Medal ed Olympian" at the ripe ol' age of 23!! (and he's pretty darn cute too!!)

And he's not even close to being done... 3 more to go!!

I am so proud to be able to say I watched him do it, and on top of that to say that I am an American!! I got SO into the games lastnight-heart racing and all!!

The USA teams are truly incredible.

So there we have it, I am Obsessed with the Olympics and LOVE watching Michael Phelps CRUSH the competition!!

THIS ONE'S FOR YOU CHRISTIE!

Russ's mom was commenting on one of our "old pictures" the other day.

(That was from 2004)
So I thought I'd really give her one to "gauk" over!

Enjoy!

This was our FIRST DATE!

Prom- 2003

ROPER ALLEN

On top of that *what a wonderful week it has been!*,

I HAVE to mention (I wanted to wait until my sister posted it) Jen had her baby!!

Roper Boone Allen was born on JULY *thanks Jen!* 28th at 8:09 AM. Weighing in at 8.9 pounds.

I CANNOT WAIT TO MEET HIM!! Man I love my family!!

I'M LIKE A DOG CHASING CARS

WE DID IT!!! We finally went and saw it!!!
Like I said, I wont tell you ANYTHING about it other then... of course... that it was PHENOMENAL!!
I loved EVERY STINKING MINUTE OF IT!
It was one of those "Please don't end" movies... For me anyway.
I like mentioned before Heath was, is, and probably ever will be my favorite actor. So that just added to the greatness of it.
Weird to say this, but he sure went out with a BANG! We want to see it again, and SOON!!! LOVE LOVE LOVED IT! I hope you all have seen it or will be able to see it soon, cause it was well worth it!