Before and After: Backyard and Such.

A few weeks ago, my parents came to visit. Their visits are always fun, and they always go by much too quickly. On this visit, my mom announced that she wanted to get a backyard play set for Dylan. Ben and I didn't have any complaints about this one- we knew that he would love it!

After looking around at a few different options, we decided on a great set that was on display at Costco. The price was much better than anything else we had seen, and the look and features of the set was great. When we  got all 6 enormous boxes home from Costco, we saw the 110 page instruction manual (ouch), and the estimated assembly time: 10-12 hours for the main set, 2-3 hours for the slide. Ben initially laughed at this and said that he and my dad would get it together in a few hours. Famous last words. 

Here is the before shot of my backyard.... pay no attention to the dead grass, scraggly growth, etc. It's a work in progress, right?

During:

After!

Fun, right? Dylan absolutely loves it- he calls it "Dylan's house" and has played in it each day. The neighbor kids love it too- it's been a party in our backyard for the past week or two. 

A million thanks to my wonderfully generous parents- Dylan loves it!

Thirty Years.

Today I wanted to post about someone that I have never had the privilege to meet, Ben's father Mark Harris. Unfortunately, Mark is also someone that Ben has not been able to meet either. Thirty years ago today, Mark returned to heaven, while my mother-in-law Ann was about 4 months pregnant with Ben. 

Can you see the resemblance? Mark and Ben have the same eyes, which I just love.

Like father, like son.

Everyone says that Ben and Mark have very similar personalities. Both very loving, yet ornery, jokester, yet hardworking.

When Mark and Ann met while they were both in high school,  they fell in love right away. They were married on April 4, 1980. 

Ann, Mark, and Ben's older brother TJ.

Just a few days before his death, Mark announced that his unborn baby was going to be a boy and his name would be Ben. He died while performing routine cleaning/maintenance duties while serving on the Utah National Guard. 


There have been three specific instances when I have felt Mark's presence. Once, during Dylan's baby blessing, and twice while having quiet moments with Dylan in his room. I strongly feel that while Mark is no longer on this Earth, he has not missed anything with the growing up of his boys or his three grandchildren. 


Mark, you are remembered, missed, and loved, and I can't wait to meet you someday. 

My thoughts on The Hunger Games movie.

{Yes they were, Ryan!}

Let me start out by saying that the odds were definitely in my favor on Wednesday afternoon. I had just finished a meeting in Orem, and I decided to swing by Yogurtland for an afternoon pick-me-up. I follow them on Twitter, and I knew they had been doing tons of giveaways for a Thursday night Hunger Games showing, but I hadn't won any tickets.

I got my yogurt (mint and cookies & creme, no toppings) and the manager asked me if he could get me anything else. Jokingly, I said, "How about a few tickets for The Hunger Games?" Imagine my shock when he said, "Sure, I have two in the back for you." Whaaaaat? Seriously, just like that. 

My boss/friend Jorden and I were able to see the 6:15 pm showing on Thursday and were able to breeze by the crazy midnighters who were already waiting in line, some dressed up in hilarious Capitol clothes. 

I'm not going to  spoil much, but here are my some of my observations and thoughts:

-District 12 was much more depressing and dreary than I imagined. Actually, it's kind of how I imagine The Great Depression in a small country town.

- Gale is dreeeeeeeeeeeamy. 

- Little District 12 details were missed, like Prim's goat, Madge, and drunk Haymitch at the reaping.

-Lots of cool bits on how the arena works and the people working behind the scenes. Seneca Crane had a much bigger role in the movie than in the books.

- Capitol people were ridiculous looking

-Stanley Tucci as Cesar Flickerman was genius. He was so enjoyable!

- The Cornucopia reminded me of the Batmobile from The Dark Knight

- Not enough time spent on getting to know some of the other Tributes. Not that there was much on them in the books, but I wanted to know more about them!

-Cato is a lunatic

- Yes, there was a little romance, but not as much as I expected. 

- Peeta was perfect. Just loved him.

- The mutts were freaky, but didn't have the "tribute" look to them.

- The movie definitely showed the beginnings to a big uprising.

Overall, I loved it. Definitely planning on seeing it again!

A little list, a little ranting too.

Geez people, what is with me? I've become a sometimes blogger, which is soooo not what I'm going for. I'm going to keep swimming in the river of denial, and blame things on my lack of bloggerdom:

1. Work. 

Holy Moses.

Work has been kicking my butt lately. Not because what I have been doing has been particularly hard or awful lately, but  because I'm currently going through the work blahs. Burnout, if you will.  I get to work and I am immediately annoyed at my clients or the paperwork or whatever. So often, I tell people what I do for my job and they say, "Oh goodness, I could never do what you do. I would come home from work crying every day." Lemme tell you, most days are fairly low key. Meet with some clients, do some paperwork, call it a day. Every once in awhile you get a doozy of a day and you say to yourself, "That's it. I can't take it anymore. Too many ridiculous people. Too much crazy. Too much dysfunction. I'm done. " But of course you aren't done. The health benefits are too good, there is too much flexibility, and you're frankly too lazy to look for something else. You just grit your teeth and go to work the next day. 

Whoops, accidental rant. 

What I meant to say is that I have a new, exciting outlook on work this week. Here it is:

That's right, work. You can't push me down, cause I'm just going be awesome.

2. Spring is here, spring is here!!!

While this winter has been nothing to whine about, I'm sososososo excited that it's finally spring. Dylan just loves playing outside and gets stir crazy when he's cooped up. 


3. Speaking of Dylan, he has been one funny kid lately. He is talking more and more each day, and he has been repeating a lot of funny phrases. He likes to say, "Holy cow, mommy!" and "Oh my goodness, oh my gosh." Being able to communicate with Dylan has been so nice and makes life even more fun. Right now Dylan is absolutely obsessed with the iPad app for  "The Monster at the End of this Book." He "reads" the book about 10 times every day. 

4. The Hunger Games
Just a few more days! Cannot wait!

March Birchbox + a little something extra.

Hello, friends! Long time, no post! I've been quite busy with life lately... work + parents visiting + Dylan and Ben = not much extra time for blogging. There are so many things that I want to share on zee blog, but what I'm currently ecstatic about is my March Birchbox. 

My love for Birchbox is no secret, as you know. $10 each month for an awesome assortment of beauty goodies? Yes please! I've been receiving Birchboxes once each month for the past 6 months or so, and let me tell you- this month's box was by far the best box that I've received! I'm in love with each item in my box!

What was so wonderful about this month's box? Take a look!

1. Essie nail polish "As Gold as it Gets"

Full size bottle! The above picture shows a pink polish, but this one is a bright and lovely gold. It's different from regular glitter polish- it looks much more like pretty flecks of gold Gorge.

2. Tarte Lip Tint "Lucky"

This is a lip stain that also boosts moisture levels in lips and has a yummy minty scent. This pink shade is absolutely lovely and I'm also thrilled to receive a full size stick!

3. Karastase Elixir Ultime

This stuff will make my hair smooth and sleek- I can't wait to try it out! I've heard great things about this brand, and I'm confident that it will be an amazing product. 

4. Kate Spade Twirl perfume

A fresh floral scent that will be perfect for spring!

5. Twistband hair tie

My ponytail will be pretty and snag-free

Plus: I received a coupon for $10 off a Modcloth purchase of $75... let's be honest, I doubt that I'll be using it, but it's nice to receive the coupon anyway. 

**Please let me know if you want to sign up for Birchbox, and I'll send you an invite! I get points for referring friends!**

Aaaaand you want someting extra?

How about a pitiful, hideous picture of me? Alright? Alright.

Today I went to the dentist for a #$&*$! root canal, and this is the picture I sent to the hubs before the drilling began. Mouth nice and numb, creating one lopsided smile. 

You're welcome. 

Just a few more weeks...

Dear J Crew...

I want to be friends with you. Like, best friends. You have the cutest clothes in the land, and I want them all. Unfortunately, your prices make me shudder. Some of your basics are reasonable-ish, but most of your pieces are at least double what I can justify paying for each item. Please magically transport your spring collection in my closet. I promise that I'd treat you well. 

Here are some of my favorites:

Overbloom Floral Cardigan

Crochet Lace-Front Tee

No. 2 Pencil Skirt

Bubble Necklace

Lucky Catherine at Small Town, Big Wardrobe has this necklace and it is fabulous!

Drea Leopard Patent Peep-Toe Pump

Classic Pave Link Bracelet

Sigh. 

Looks like I'm going to be on the hunt for less expensive versions of these pretties. Forever 21, here I come!