Just cuz she's so cute...

29

Yep, that's right, 29. I have a feeling this is going to be my vintage year. I'll look back and say, "29, now that was a good year."

I just happen to have been born on the greatest holiday ever to have a Birthday on, Pioneer Day. Here is why:

1. There is a parade EVERY year.

2. Most everyone has the day off.

3. It's not such a big holiday that it ruins your birthday.

4. Rodeo + Pioneer heritage = I can wear my cowboy hat and not feel like a poser.

5. Fireworks

Do YOU get all that on your birthday? Didn't think so.

First in the parade were these guys:

I cried when they marched pass.

They were followed by these guys:

More crying.

Isla, perfecting her wave as the Beauty Queens passed.

My sweet neicies walked around the Farmer's Market with us and couldn't resist the face painting. Do you blame them?

Ah, yes, the Rodeo. What can I say, I love the rodeo. It's exciting and funny and they sell real navajo taco's on fry bread. I couldn't have asked for more.

p.s. check out the photo bomb in the background! Thanks guy for making this one photo picture perfect.

p.p.s. Ben is my hero. He is the real reason I enjoy my Birthday every year because he does all the little things that make it special. Thanks hon, I love you.

Bluegrass Baby

In an attempt to resurrect some of my musical capabilities I have decided to take guitar lessons. Of course who better to take guitar from than Danielle Vaughn. She suggested that I go the the Snowbird Song School at the Mountain Music Festival. It was taught be Steve Seskin, a master song writer and wonderful teacher. It was an amazing class and things really started to click for me there and inspired me to start writing for myself more. It was just what I needed to fill my cup with. Ben and Isla came along for fun and we got a condo with a kitchen. Ooh la la, we felt so fancy with our accommodations in the Snowbird Lodge, thank goodness for summer rates! The view alone was worth it, not to mention the amazing musicians bouncing around carrying their instruments to the festival. Isla was an angel the whole time and we had so much fun as a family at the festival. We think Isla is going to be our little Bluegrass Baby, she seemed to like it so much. I think Ben and I are officially searching the market for a mandolin or a banjo. Let us know if you have one you want to sell!

Steve Seskin and I

Marny Proudfit, me, Danielle Vaughn

Isla conked out during Catie Curtis and slept all through The Badly Bent

At the top of Mineral Basin. I'd never been to Snowbird before, but I can tell you that view had me craving snow season like never before. We'll be back in January armed with our snowboards.

The view from our room.

And of course, no post is complete without a little Isla love. I think she had a pretty good vacation too seeing as she was hamming it up for us every time we got back to the room. We can't get enough of our sweet little girl.

4th of July Shenanigans

Isla's lil' cousin D having a snack, yum!

Huntsville is still considered somewhat of a small town, which means they are a little short on regulation.I'm pretty sure no one has ever been skewered by a dum-dum or slapped silly by an otter-pop being flung at them from an overloaded 4th of July parade float i.e. tractor full of underage kids, but there is a first for everything. For now, they win the prize for best treats thrown at a crowd, ever. Lil' E was happy to share, after the first lick of course.

Seriously, is there ANYTHING cuter than a baby in a swimsuit?

Aww, babies first fireworks...I think she liked it...

Oh, yeah, rockin the sparklers with the nieces!

P.S. I missed my brothers more than ever on the 4th. Jeff is serving in the Air Force as a flight medic and Levi is with the Army in Iraq. I am humbled and grateful for their decision to serve our country and protect our freedoms. Keep them in your prayers. Thanks guys! We love you!

Everything's coming up roses...

Can I tell you how much I heart being a mom? I LOVE it. Truly. Even the stinky parts of it. Isla is my buddy, we are attached at the hip. I love watching her eyes get bright when there is a sudden shift in light or a change in atmosphere, everything a new experience. I love comforting her when she's unsure or scared, or even just hungry and tired. I love cooing with her in the mornings when she's bright eyed and well rested. Her personality is emerging everyday and we are sure there are implications that we may have a confident and strong little girl on our hands, traits we couldn't be fonder of. I also love who she is helping me to become. The constant care and attention she needs has been a humbling way for me to learn how to serve more selflessly. I find myself suddenly more sympathetic and patient of others, now that I would give everything I am for the well being of this tiny human. I consider being child-like a humble and perfect trait to nurture within, how strange and wonderful that we should be stewards over our mentors in this matter. God is a master play-write and irony makes for an intriguing plot I suppose. Everything looks rosy these days now that we have her in our lives. I am so grateful. And Happy.

P.S. It is irritating enough just hearing your recorded voice, let alone when you are doing baby-talk. What can we say, we love our kid. Feel free to turn down the volume to avoid the super annoying but completly enamored parents in the background!

How Provençal

Ben picked the first of our summer spoils a few days ago and I was delighted at the prospects. We had all the ingredients fresh from the garden for one of my FAVORITE mid afternoon snacks. On a side note, don't you love the word snack? It's so unassuming and insinuates a small amount, a bite if you will. I nearly ate an entire baguette slathered in cold butter, but if I call it a "snack" then I don't feel guilty about having dinner an hour later. "What, me? Full? Oh, no I only had a snack." I can rationalize eating most anything under the guise of "snack", I know I can't be the only one doing this...right? Anyone? Moving on, I found the simple recipe for this charming appetizer in Ina Garten's cook book entitled 'Barefoot in Paris' and it's quickly become one of our favorites that we quite literally eat as a light meal for dinner now. Keep it rustic and you will feel like you'd fit right in at a French villa in the countryside, even if your current location happens to be Ogden, UT or some other equally as charming town. Bon Apetit!

Fresh Radishes

Fresh Arugula

European Style Creamery Butter, cold and unsalted (good butter is a must for this)

Good, crusty French baguette

Sea salt

Slice the baguette cross-wise, spread butter on each slice, layer sliced radishes on top and sprinkle with sea salt, top with a couple leaves of arugula. Try not to eat entire baguette alone.

Also, fresh picked strawberries are as sweet as they come.

Heavy lifting

Is it me or is this the most amazing feat for a 2 week old? Yeah, we think she's pretty awesome.

Little Darling

And one more thing...

Sometimes it's rough being a baby.

Adoption Story Part 2

I realize that it's been some time since my last post. I have hesitated to write the second part of the story as it is so dear to my heart and hard to share such tender feelings. When people describe placement day in the adoption world more often than not you hear the word bittersweet. Such a fitting word to describe the heartbreak and overwhelming joy you experience simultaneously. No one prepares you for the emotion you will face when you sign those papers and walk into that room.

Ben and I sat in an empty conference room with our caseworker anxiously and nervously signing placement documents and trying not to cry, even though our eyes were already puffy and red from the drive. Luckily, a random woman in a hospital gown wandered into the room and sat down at the table with us and began listening intently. Our caseworker awkwardly slowed her speech as the three of us turned to inquire of the intrusion by another patient in the labor and delivery ward. She said, "Oh, keep going, I just have a question when your through..." To which we replied, "Um, about...adoption?" She turned all red and left in a hurry when it was finally established that the breastfeeding class slated for that room had indeed been cancelled. Comedic relief to lighten the anxiety of the moment. Our papers were signed so quickly it seemed odd that such a simple act could alter our course so profoundly. We left the room and walked down the hall to where Cassie stood, rocking little Isla back and forth with her family there for support. The spirit was so strong in that room, and I felt instantly that the hundreds of prayers from those we love were being fulfilled. It was peaceful, and emotional, and love filled the room up. I knew angels were there sustaining us all. We hugged and cried and made future plans with our new extended family. It felt like a little piece of heaven on earth had been restored in that room. Heaven as it should be, no pride or harshness, just unconditional love and mercy. I cannot tell you how it felt to leave that room where we all shared so much. My heart was bleeding for Cassie and her selfless act for us and this tiny baby we carried away. If it wasn't for the residing peace and comfort we all felt, I don't think it could be possible to have performed such an act, a testiment of Cassie's true character. We made it down the elevator and out to our waiting car with a nurse in tow to check out our carseat, a new mandate. We had planned to leave quickly so Cassie didn't have to see us drive away, but her Dad happened to be going out to get his car as well. He leaned in as we awkwardly strapped in the carseat for the first time and said,"So, how bout a BBQ in few weeks?" And it felt as natural as ever. Relief and assurance that indeed this was not a final goodbye, but a new start for a beautiful baby girl who has all the love in the world.