Beng rational vs. rationalizing

I'm reading Bonds That Make Us Free right now. I'm not a big self-help book reader, but this one is resonating with me big time. One point the author makes is that every time we feel like we should or should not do something and then act oppositely it is a self-betrayal because we then begin to rationalize our action or non-action, and that usually creates unfounded anger towards others. I've realized I really do this a lot. Even when I'm just driving in my car and I make a stupid mistake driving, I tell myself it's the other driver's fault and then I get in a really bad mood and stay in it for awhile. I really hate driving. (But really, Utah has some truly awful drivers. Can I say that without making a self-betrayal?)

The next time I find myself mad at someone, I am going to seriously examine why I'm mad, and I bet it will be because I'm rationalizing my own behavior. This probably sounds like such a simple concept, but it's one that I really need to recognize in my life.

We look Sharp

A Mr. Chuck E. Cheese graciously "sketched" our family portrait today. I think he really captured the moment beautifully. Don't you?





P.S. I ruled the school at Ski Ball.

Hail the conquering graduate!

Bachelor of Arts in History, Chinese Language Minor

I am immensely proud of Jamie! He has worked so hard for this.

Today was commencement. He chose long ago not to walk, but wouldn't you know it, today he was wishing he had. D'oh. Oh well. He'll still get that beautiful piece of paper in the mail that's worth thousands by now.

I love myself.

"Emily," says I, "Sometimes blogging feels so narcissistic."

"Abby," she says, "Everything we do in life is narcissistic- wearing makeup, buying certain clothes, talking about ourselves... Just embrace it."
So I'm embracing it. Just thought you should know.

On that note, here is a picture that is ALL ME. I'm on a camel in Morocco. Sweet.

Back from AZ...

After six days away, we arrived home Monday to an immaculate house and a very happy husband/dad.

On Friday night the kids made Nana a big happy birthday banner, cards, and vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting. I didn't get pictures of the surprise when she walked in the door, but she was very pleased! So nice of her to spend her birthday night helping me and playing with the kids...

Molly is so beautiful.

Grace loved using the glitter pens and made a beautiful, sparkly picture for Nana.

Jonah and I played Sorry and/or Candyland everyday (and he beat me almost every time!)

This picture describes the week for Milo perfectly...CLINGY!!!

Pretty art

The new BYU alumni magazine has a cover story about artist James Christensen's two daughters who are also talented artists. I especially like Emily McPhie's work. I think I might try to persuade Jamie to paint something similar for me. It would be such perfect baby nursery art.

Is this the city of angels or demons?

Random Concert Memory #1

While Jamie and I were engaged, Death Cab for Cutie happened to be coming to Salt Lake on my birthday. He bought tickets and it was a really fun night and an awesome, intimate concert venue. Post-show we chatted with lead singer Ben Gibbard and he signed a dollar bill for me. He reminded me of my brother, Ryan. I overheard someone asking Ben if they got their name from such and such, and he said yes. I was disappointed because I couldn't hear what they were saying. (Does anyone know where they got their name? Neil?) Also, Jamie finagled a guitar pick from the curly-haired guitarist for me. I bought a cool poster, too. It was quite the concert swag-fest.


Random Concert Memory #2

In high school, my friends and I were really really really into Incubus. Brandon Boyd was such a babe. Oh, and the music was good, too. They came to Utah my freshman year of college, so we all shelled out the bucks and elbowed our way to the middle of the pit. It was the most draining experience of my life, and I don't think I could breathe the whole time, but they put on a great concert. We were seriously squished. I remember this tall kid with a huge mop of curly blonde hair wedged his way in front of me halfway through. He was banging his sweaty head in my face the whole time and I finally got so fed up I "accidentally" whacked him with my elbow a few times. He was really annoying.



Random Concert Memory #3

A few days after our honeymoon, Jamie and I went to the Cure concert in Phoenix as part of my birthday present to him. The Cure is his all-time favorite band. We had seats rather than rocking the pit (much too old for that now), but it was still awesome. Our favorite part was that Robert Smith would say "Cure!" after every song (but it sounded like "Kyuh!") Jamie still has me mimic that sometimes. He thinks it's really funny.


The point of these memories is that I really enjoy concerts and I really miss going to them and Emily and Steve are going to The Police reunion concert and I think that's so awesome. The end.

What the Easter bunny brought us (even though- shhhh!- we don't believe in him!)

Vibrant tulips.

Two pounds and 49 luscious flavors of Jelly Bellies.

(For Milo, along with a sweet plastic bat and ball.)

And perhaps best of all...

An awesome midday bath in Grammy's sink after an unfortunate diaper incident at church. (Wasn't so nice, but definitely Milo's favorite part of the day!)


Many thanks, Easter bunny.

One fierce animal

Opinions wanted

What do you think of this dress? Jamie is giving me an Anthropologie dress of my choosing for the ol' birthday, but it is hard to decide, namely because they are so much moola. This one is on the "cheaper" side. But do I like it only because it is cheap? I would love some opinions. (And is the hips factor unavoidable with this dress?)

Milo won't give me a shot of it, but he has major grandpa pants tonight + Nana would be proud (+ that's sadly the most exciting thing about our day)

On that note...

We miss you Nana! Come back to Utah soon!

The Great Easter Egg Hunt of '07

Milo had a ball.

Discussing the game plan with Dad.

And he's off!

Success!

Risking life and limb for the sweet stuff.

Comparing loot with his cousins.

Milo's proud family. (Note: We're smiling because we know we get to eat his candy.)