Oh how I love my babies.

Simple things

I can remember a time when I thought "happiness" or "heaven" meant traveling to some exotic city, laying on a beach with a book, and stuffing myself full of food.

And while I do enjoy and look forward to traveling to some exotic place, in the months since Charlotte has joined our life, I have found a new, much more FULFILLING HAPPINESS.

I've had a couple of these moments of happiness lately that as my sister Mandy would say,

I want to LOCK IT IN.

The first one was about a month ago when Mike and I took Charlotte to a local elementary school to play on the playground. I had no idea Charlotte would love it so much.

My bug loved it all. The slide, the swings, being with her dad, and a friendly, small dog who was also enjoying the playground .

I've never seen the girl so ecstatic.

I'm sitting here smiling thinking back to that afternoon we spent at the playground.

It was blissful.

Why did we wait so long to take her to a playground?

Another noteworthy moment of happiness was over the weekend. On a whim Mike and I took Charlotte to PETCO. We just walked around showing C all of the animals for sale. May not sound like a lot of fun but it was "heaven" listening to Charlotte squeal in delight as she looked at all of the animals. She was giddy my friends. Giddy. I wish we would have had our camera with us to capture her eyes light up as she looked at the animals.

So simple but so much fun.

Other moments of happiness:

Watching the movie "Babies" while talking to my sister in CT about our babies who are only a couple of months apart.

Watching Charlotte clap. I love when babies learn how to clap.

Going for a run on a brisk fall day with Charlotte in the BOB.

Laughing with my mom and sister Katherine while helping Katherine put things together for Pretty Little Me open house.

Watching a movie on Mikes' laptop in bed together.

Laughing, laughing and laughing some more with my little sister Emily.

Sanding my dining room table with Carol, my mother in law.

SIMPLE? Yes.

But really isn't the simple way better?

Yes I still want to travel, lay on the beach and stuff myself full of food,

but for now I'll take these moments of happiness over anything.

What's making you happy these days?

Are you a dog or cat person?

Have you taken time to play on a playground lately? (If not I highly recommend it)

Do you think simple is better?

Please share!

Thank you

Photos are of such poor quality due to the fact they were taken my with phone on my camera.

Giddy as a kid at Christmas was I last night at the Dave Matthews Band Concert.

I've seen him in concert before, and he once again did not disappoint.

He's always a great performer.

They played old classics like, Ants Marching and Jimi Thing

They played some of my favorites including Crush, Grey Street, Stay or Leave and Don't drink the water.

From their new album they played only the best including, You and Me, Lying in the Hands of God, Seven, and Why I Am.

They even played two news songs that aren't on record and had never been played before a live audience.

Can you tell it was an amazing concert? It was. Thank you Dave Matthews Band for finally coming back after two years of cancelling your Salt Lake City visits. We all especially appreciated your sincere apology at the beginning of the concert.

You were loved last night.

Man, Mike and I have had two great dates in one week without the babus. All made possible by two excellent grandmas. Who says you can't have a life after a baby?

What concerts have you been to recently?

Who's you favorite person to see in concert?

Dave Matthews Band fan?

Who watches your kids when you need a night out?

Please share!

Numbers

Picture taken on our wedding day June 24, 2005, right before we left to go to the temple.

Today in numbers...

68 months ago (exactly to the day) Mike and I met

6 years ago (exactly to the day) Mike told me he loved me for the first time

3 years of medical school

2 years of residency

3 different homes

1 beautiful baby

countless days of laughing

an eternity to hang out

0 fights (ha ha, just kidding...although I could probably count on my hand the number of times Mike and I have been upset with one another)

30 more hours until Mike comes home from work and we can celebrate...

5 years (60 months; 260 weeks; 1,825) days of true, blissful marriage

Love you Mikey. So glad we get to spend forever together.

Let the games begin

Four years ago Mike and I watched the World Cup. It was the first year I ever watched any World Cup games. I got so into it, thanks to Mike taking the time to explain everything to me. I didn't have brothers, I have a lot to learn when it comes to sports. Anyway we loved watching the games. We planned everything around the World Cup. I learned the names of players, had my favorite teams; we couldn't get enough soccer. Now four years later I'm so excited to watch them again!

It's crazy to think where we were four years ago when the world cup was going on.....

Mike had just finished his second year of medical school.

We celebrated our first wedding anniversary.

We were moving from Lake Bluff, IL to Skokie IL.

I was preparing to teach my third year of second grade.

I was in my "early twenties".

Mike was in his "mid twenties"

I can distinctly remember Mike and I having a conversation during that time wondering where we would be in four years, predicting what life would be like when the World Cup would be on again. Little did I know in the next four years....

I would start a blog. :)

Mike would graduate from medical school.

We would move back to Utah for Mike's medical residency.

I would teach second grade for another three years.

We would buy a house.

Travel to Europe and Mexico.

Run a handful of half marathons.

Mike would finish two years of residency and be asked to be a chief resident.

And have a beautiful baby.

Four years ago doesn't seem that long ago but when I think about all that has happened, and how different life is, it actually does seem like a long time ago.

Now it's time to play that game again. Where will we be when the next World Cup games begin?

-Mike could be in the middle of a fellowship or out of residency working as a hospitalist for two years.

-We may or may not be in Utah

-There could be another child in the mix, maybe even 2...this is not some sort of announcement by any means.

-Charlotte will be four years old. Wow, hard to imagine.

-I will be older than 30 by a couple of years! (gasp!)

-We may or may not have a mini van. This is one I hope hasn't come true. I would prefer a Range Rover, but lets be honest even if I could ever afford one, I'm too practical to buy one. One can dream right?

-I will still be running and maybe, just maybe Mike will have become a runner. Again one can dream right?

-Mike and I will be celebrating our 9 year anniversary.

And perhaps nothing on this list will come to pass, I guess only time will tell.

Cheers to the WORLD CUP!

GO USA!

-Do you watch the World Cup Games?

-Are you a soccer fan?

-Do you have a favorite soccer team?

-Where do you think you will be in four years?

-Have the last four years turned out differently than you expected?

Please share!

Summer Tease

We got a little taste of summer this weekend. I wish it would be here to stay but don't worry in true, finicky, Utah fashion it supposed to be cold and rainy again by the weekend.

We took full advantage of this fine weather by doing the typical "summer" activities.

Mike finally had a day off and the sweet boy that he is, spent most of his day off working in the yard. He worked so hard while Charlotte and I enjoyed watching. Mike did a great job and our yard looks fantastic thanks to him.

My wonderful in laws, whom I love dearly, came by to join in the yard work fun. Steve and Carol even treated us to popsicles from the ice cream man; there's nothing that says it's summer than the ice cream man driving down your street.

We finished off the evening in true summer style by having a BBQ with our fabulous friends, the Stringhams.

The mommies.

Love my little bug. (Seeing Charlotte next to me in this picture makes me realize she doesn't look a thing like me!) Katie and her sweet boy Drew. He is just two months younger than Charlotte and is the cutest, most chill baby. We can't wait for Charlotte and Drew to be in love some day.

The daddies.

Such proud papas. I love it.

As you can see in the picture above, Charlotte is already making the moves on Drew.

*The Stringham's darling daughter was also in attendance, I neglected to get a picture of her. Bummer.

Ahhhh summer. I wish you would stay, we are all ready for you to be here!

What are your favorite summer activities?

What's your favorite treat from the ice cream man?

Do you love/loathe yard work?

Do your babies look more like you or your spouse?

Vacation Mike

I love all sides of Mike, "church Mike", "Dr. Mike", "funny Mike", "yard work Mike", "serious Mike", "singing Mike", but I REALLY love "VACATION MIKE". Three weeks out of the year Mike gets work off and becomes VACATION MIKE. A week with no responsibilities, no appointments, no patients; he's completely off the hook. Mike totally lets loose and relaxes. I look forward to his weeks off and count down until they arrive.

One of his weeks off was a couple of weeks ago and it was pure bliss.

The week off included heading down to St. George for a few days, staying up late and watching movies (of course staying up late means 11:00 p.m.) working in the yard, playing ladder ball (our new favorite game), going out to eat, just hanging out.

I have to say the best part of the week was seeing Mike spend quality time with Charlotte. He's so darling with her and she absolutely adores him.

Just woke up. Both have awesome bed head.

Bath time. Charlotte's legs are blurry in the picture since she was kicking with excitement.

Laughing at Mike. She thinks he is so funny.

I love how much Mike adores Charlotte.

Hanging out at home together.

Laughing again.

Getting her first haircut.

Yes we cut some of her hair. It had to be done.

Can't wait for the next week off, hopefully in November.

Three weeks out of the year just isn't enough.

My Favorite Things

My cute friend Lauren did a post on a few of her favorite things. I liked her idea and since not much is going on these days I decided to copy her and do a post of my own favorite things. And I encourage you, blog reader, to do your own post of favorite things! I would love to see what you're enjoying these days.

Here are my favorites...

1. This guy. Can't get enough of him. He's the best husband/dad ever.

2. This girl. Seriously? Look at those cheeks, and that smile? How can you not love her?
3. Longer days. Have you noticed the sun is setting a little later each day? I love it. It means spring is coming! The sun does my soul good.
4. The BOB. Oh how I love the BOB. We've already had some great walks with this guy. This stroller has helped me stay sane this winter with a new babus.
5. Lady Antebellum, I need you now. I'm not usually a country fan, but I LOVE this song. I play it a few times a day, needless to say Mike is very sick of it.

6. Fiber One Bars. I'll let you figure out why I love these so much.

7. Baby Simply Saline Spray. My poor baby's nose gets stuffy on a regular basis. This stuff has helped us all sleep better!
8. The Help. Have you read this book? I'm almost done, and I'm enjoying it so much. I know it's going to be one of those books where I will be so sad when it's over.
9. Almonds. My new favorite tasty treat.

10. Canon FS20. Our new toy to record our baby. I know you can't wait to see video of our sweet Charlotte.
There you go, my favorite things. Life is good.

Thanks Lauren for the inspiration.

What are your favorites things?

Do we have anything in common?

Cha Cha Chief

The Department of Medicine is pleased to announce our Chief Medical Resident

selection for academic year 2011-2012 is complete. We are confident that

Christopher Brown (University of Virginia), Heather Howe (University of

Colorado), Jessica Johnson (University of South Florida), and Michael Walker

(Chicago Medical School) will continue to lead our training program in the

outstanding manner we have come to expect and enjoy.

(This means after Mike's three year residency at the University of Utah in internal medicine, he will work another year for the University of Utah as a Chief Resident)

It's a huge honor to be asked to be a Chief Resident.

I couldn't be more proud of this boy.

I know he will do an outstanding job!

Way to go Mike!

Most Thankful for....

Thanksgiving has crept up on me this year; I can't believe it's tomorrow. I was looking at my sister's blog and was inspired to do a Thanksgiving post myself. This is one of those sappy, sentimental posts that normally make me cringe. But for some reason today, I'm feelin the sappiness and wanting to put my cheesiness out there.

Here are a few things that make me especially grateful this year...

My darling husband. He works so hard to provide for our family and comes home, happy and pleasant regardless of how tired and overworked he is.

Good health, which allows me to run, be active and enjoy life. Having Mike work in the medical field, makes me realize how good health really is a gift and something to be treasured.

Family of course. I talk to all of my sisters almost daily. I love them dearly. My parents would do anything for me and love my unconditionally. I'm also grateful to have married into such a loving, fun family. Mike's parents are some of the most generous people I know. They have always made me feel as if I was their own daughter. I adore his siblings and love hanging out with them. I also have the most wonderful extended family. I love my grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins. I'm lucky to know them well and have close relationships with them.

Temples and the promise they give of eternal families.

Dear friends, near and far.

Living in a place that has all four seasons. I'm also so grateful for the mountains. I think I live in one of the most beautiful places on the earth.

Our sweet, baby girl soon to arrive. Being pregnant has made me realize how precious life is, and how having a healthy baby truly is a miracle. Being pregnant has also made my relationship with Mike stronger than ever. Just love him.

The knowledge that there is more after this life. That there is a greater being who knows me and has a plan for me. That I can be forgiven for the mistakes I make DAILY.

(Want to know more about this knowledge and gift? Read here.)

I realize these are simple, basic answers, but with all that is going on in the world around us, these things really ARE gifts and not something everyone has.

A couple of other random things I'm grateful for:

**Airplanes. I'm glad that we have the ability to visit those we love, who are far away, in a short amount of time.

**Internet. Much of the time the Internet sucks up way too much of my time, but I love being able to be connected to people through email and blogs.

**Good people. My mom had her purse stolen a couple of weeks ago. Some man found her purse on the side of the road while riding his bike home. He very easily could have left it there and kept going but he took the time to pick it up, call my mom, and give it back to her. Love when people go above and beyond to help others.

Your turn. What are you grateful for?