Today, two metro trains crashed in Washington, DC. I am shocked, scared and devastated at this. It happened on the red line by the DC/Maryland border. This line is one of, if not, the busiest metro lines in DC and as of this moment, six people have died with scores more injured.

I have such a strong love for Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland that I'm struggling with feelings of helplessness. It is completely unfathomable to me how this could have happened, the metro authority does an excellent job at schedules and maintenance.  I know I couldn't do anything out there, I still wish I was there to lend a hand any way possible.

Please remember those effected in your prayers. It will be a tough time in DC for a while.

Happy Birthday Haven!

This little ball of amazingness turned 4 yesterday! We are so lucky to have Haven in our family, she makes us all laugh and smile and has done a fantastic job being the first grandchild/niece. I love talking to her on the phone; she's so animated and funny! She's also quite the sassy pants, which I'm not sure my sister loves too much, but it makes me laugh.

I love you Haven! I'm so glad you were born into our family, we are the luckiest family on Earth because we have you!

Secret Wish

Do you have a secret wish? I have too many. About two years ago I asked my friend if she had one and if so, what is it? She always felt dumb telling anyone, but luckily she told me. She always wanted to be an aerobics instructor. When she told me, I encouraged her to go for it. We spoke recently and she is only a few weeks away from being a certified instructor.

Why do we hold back? Why is it that when we are children, we are fearless? What is it about adulthood that scares us from living out our dreams?

Here are some of my secret wishes:
- I have always wanted to be a good enough singer to sing a solo in church
- I want to have the kind of confidence that would allow me to flirt without feeling stupid and self conscious
- I want to work retail
- I want to go to culinary arts school

What is your secret wish?

Photo found here

Introducing.....

...UVU's newest student athlete!  My brother, Taylor, will be on the UVU track team starting in the Fall.  We are all thrilled for this new chapter in his life!  

"I am not a has-been. I am a will be."

- Lauren Bacall

Have a lovely Sunday. I love you!

Photo from Flickr

Taylor Made It!

This stud graduated from high school last week!  

Which, unfortunately meant sitting through a graduation. So, Meghan and I did what any normal, supportive sisters would so. We made fun of the speakers and played M.A.S.H. The way we play, the person whose fate is being determined gets to pick only one option per category. The person whose fate is not at stake gets to fill in two. It's awesome! Here are the results, the options that didn't make it are in parentheses:

Meghan:

Lives in- House
Married to - Adrien Grenier (Rosie O'Donnell and Screech)
Lives - With the creepy newlywed couple sitting behind us (Costa Rica and with our parent's dog)
Job - Port-A-Potty Cleaner (lottery winner and wash woman)
Kids - 12 (7 and 0)
Car - a 300 (Logan bus system and Taylor's Razor scooter)

Me:

Lives in - House
Married to - Bradley Cooper (our cousin Paul and a kid in the school choir with an afro)
Live - with the stinky neighbor kid (Malibu and a public restroom)
Job - Servant of the valedictorian (socialite and high school teacher)
Children - 10 stepkids (3 and 2)
Car - Toby, my first super lame car (roller skates and a Jaguar)

Best Day Ever!

I had the most fabulous birthday yesterday! My sneaky friends and sister planned a dinner at The Cheesecake Factory and invited some of my favorite people. I also got 2 bits of fabulous news yesterday, read to the bottom to learn what they are!

Thank you Eliza, Shanna and Maria for putting everything together! You ladies are awesome!

Some of the party people.  Thanks for looking at the camera Jason, thanks a lot.

My mom and sister, Meghan, surprised me when they walked in!  Of course, I cried.  Which made Shanna cry because she's a sympathetic crier like me.

The grossest round of the "Happy Birthday" song ever sung.

I don't remember why I'm laughing like a horse.

Eliza got me a birthday princess crown because she knew I would hate it.  So I made everyone wear it.  As you can see, Shanna also hated it!

Birthdays + best friends = big smiles!

Eliza bought everyone silly string and they ambushed me on the way out!  

This time I'm laughing like a donkey, not a horse!

My mom, two of my sisters and me!  It was amazing!

The silly stringed group

Went back to Lindsey's house where we always eat, laugh, play Rock Band and SIGN.  I'm either saying "oh, I see" with my left hand or I'm in the middle of moving from one sign to another.  Who knows?!?

Eliza rocking the vocals and NOT eating the mic ;)

This is a very loving group

See!!!!

So, the other awesome news I got yesterday - 

1.  Remember that photo shoot I did a month ago?  She's done and posted more pictures on her blog!  What a fun surprise on my birthday!  She is so talented, easy to work with, creative, fun (I could keep going!) Check them out here

2. I got my results back for my Utah Level II test and ......I passed 4 of the 5!  I found out at dinner and it could have totally ruined my night but it made it even better!  I am still in shock and denial but I'm also thrilled!

Thanks to all who made it such a special day.  I appreciate all of your love and friendship!  The notes and texts that I got throughout the day made me realize even more how blessed I am to have such incredible people in my life.  If you're reading this, you're one of them!

I love you!

Awesome People Born Today

Apparently, June 10th is a great day to be born. Please take a gander at all the famous people born today! Check it out...

Maurice Sendak, the author of the children's classic "Where the Wild Things Are"

Sasha Obama, first daughter extraordinaire

Shane West, hottie TV doctor

Tara Lipinski, gold medal winning ice skater princess

Judy Garland, child star and drama queen (love, love, love her)

and me!

June 24th

June 24th is the last day of school and if everything goes well (fingers crossed), I will pass my class and officially be a degree holding, graduated lady.

Please don't get me any of these cakes!

Have Mercy!

Yesterday was the official birthday of Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. It first opened for public tours on June 7th, 1982 (happy 27th!). I think I need to go there someday because I have always had an odd fascination with Elvis and all the memorabilia. I'm pretty sure I was supposed to have been born in the 40's because of the things I appreciate. Love you Elvis!

"Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain't goin' away."

- Elvis Presley

Nerd

Last week was the Scripps National Spelling Bee and I was able to unleash the giant nerd that resides in me. I only let it out on rare occasions and spelling bees always bring the nerd on strong. I was the William Howard Taft Junior High 7th grade spelling champ. I love words! This year was awesome, I watched as much of the Bee as possible, but it was on at bad times for me. By the way, does anyone else think it's weird that they show most of it on ESPN?

For you true spelling and documentary nerds, I would like to recommend "Spellbound". It follows eight kids on their journey to the National Bee and it is awesome! The dedication, knowledge and lack of social skills these kids possess is incredible.  

This kid is in the movie and he is the coolest. At one part he talks like a robot for no reason.  Love him.

“Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." 

-Christopher Robin to Pooh

I held a three week old baby raccoon today! It was darling and kept making cute noises. 

Sigh. I love. I want. I need? Maybe.

Dye Job

I dyed my eyelashes while up in Logan for my brother's graduation. I love having it done because if you don't want to wear mascara or don't have time, you already have a bit more color on them! I've done it twice before and love it. It's cheap, quick, easy and well worth it!

Photo found here

New Found Crush

This is Bear Grylls. He is the star of "Man vs. Wild" on the Discovery Channel. He is a nature survival expert and I love him. He is smart, funny, hot, witty and I just might give in and go camping if he would be there.

You're welcome ladies. Enjoy!

"Age does not diminish the extreme disappointment of having a scoop of ice cream fall from the cone."

- Jim Fiebig

Glee!

The Fox network has played with my heart and I don't appreciate it. They showed the pilot episode of Glee a few weeks ago but won't start the regular season until the Fall. No fair! I'm in love with this show. 

Music? Check. 

"Dancing"? Check. 

Costumes? Check. 

Attractive, yet semi-awkward high schoolers? Check.

Check out the videos below if you need more of a reason to make this your new favorite show and if needed, you can catch the pilot on Hulu

Re-Do

This is the literal (play-by-play) re-do to the video for Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler.  This was originally recorded and filmed in 1983, yikes.  It is awesome!  They took the original video, removed the song and re-recorded the words as to what was happening in the video.  It's pretty funny, take a look!

Sonic Boom

Free root beer floats this Wednesday from 8pm-midnight. 

I hate root beer floats but hopefully you enjoy them.

Twilight

I do not understand this obsession over these books!  I read the first book in the series and while I didn't hate it, it gave me no desire to read the rest. 

Some people are absolutely fanatical about it! (I fear that I may be referring to some of you blog readers) I saw the movie with my sisters and I thought the casting was all wrong! I'm not hating on you Twilight freaks (lovers? what do you prefer?), it just didn't strike me the same. I'm sure some of you don't like Harry Potter (which I totally don't get, Harry is amazing!)