Thank you Hello Kitty!!

My sassy 3+ year old finally decided that Hello Kitty undies would be enough to give up diapers and take the Big Potty plunge. (no pun intended) She was willing last week to try the potty again and she hasn't looked back. Now she loves to proudly let everyone know she peed. We are so proud and relieved cuz diapers are not cheap. To think that she once was this small and helpless...

Love you Maddie! Thanks for being so awesome!

It's begining to look a little like Christmas...

We got our tree up last weekend. I love that Christmas is on the way. Family traditions and lots of fun. Can't wait to spend time with the fam and enjoy the season.

Are you enjoying the season?

What are your traditions?

Tra la la, please!!!!

Any time we sit down to the computer, Madison asks to hear this... Enjoy!

I've been to the Dark Side of the Moon...

Last night, Mark and I, finally went on a much needed date. We invited our fabulous friends, Erin and Ryan, and tripped out at 2 Laser Pink Floyd shows. They were awesome!! So glad for the time away from it all.

A fun story about going to the Planetarium for Laser Floyd...

June 1998...My good, good friend Mark and I decided to make a trip up to SLC to catch the midnight showing of Laser Floyd. We had been hanging out for the last 6 months as the "goodest" of friends. Later I will call this our 1st official date.

Anyhow, we got to Salt Lake early and stopped by Mark's folks house. First meeting. I was a lot nervous. Bill and Judy...Mom was already in bed and Dad was happy to keep us company and chat awhile. Even offered to let us watch some of the National Geographic videos. He was awesome! But we had to head out to catch the show.

Waiting in line... couldn't wait to get into the theater with Mark. Man I loved him! Once inside we chose our seats and settled in. After about a minute, I proceeded to place my hand on Mark's and do the interlocking finger hand hold. This was SERIOUS!

Well the rest they say is history... We did have our 1st kiss that night, but that'll be another story.

Lyrics...

I love music. Many kinds. I am not usually picky. I usually say that I don't like country music, but I really don't know it so I choose something else. Nothing against it.

Today I realized there are a ton of lyrics from songs that move me. In all directions.

Sad...Happy...Giddy...Interested...Contemplative...Sexy

Here are some that I thought of today...

"Walk with me now under the stars. It's a clear and easy pleasure. And be happy in my company, for I love you without measure." Nick Cave

"Time passes slowly, our hearts entwined. All of the dark times left behind." David Gilmour

"I don't believe in Beatles. I just believe in me. Yoko and me... and what we are." John Lennon

"Your eyes are like a diamond mine...deep and dark inside." Mark Sandman

"I hope that when you step out into the air your skin looks like oatmeal. And when you order a burger and fries it all tastes like glass and rocks." Mark Chapman

"You know that I care what happens to you and I know that you care for me too." Pink Floyd

That is all for now. But I think I will start posting lyrics on the side of my blog...Yes, that will do.

Family photos...

Last Saturday we went to Wheeler Farm and had some pictures taken. Caroline Drake was our photographer. She did an awesome job and was great to work with. Check out some cute photos here. So excited to do Christmas cards this year...

Like black holes in the sky...

First of all, this may seem silly, but I wanted to make note of the LOVE I have for David Gilmour (mostly of Pink Floyd fame) and the song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond". Of course, it should be noted that I do feel the kind of love that, come what may I will always love you for Mark. I could not be more in love with Mark at this very moment. Although when I get home from work and see that he has been playing and hanging out with our sweet Maddie and that he is excited to go today and take family pictures, I will love him a little more. It is amazing and always happens.

Okay, back to the other love...This morning as I drove to work I listened to the version of SOYCD from the Live at Gdansk album. It is a concert Gilmour did in 2006. I have loved Pink Floyd and especially the Wish You Were Here album since I was less than a decade old. My parents were quite the music lovers...

Anyhow, as I let myself get lost this morning in the song, I cried. It is the most beautiful time I think David has ever sang it. I thought about being young and feeling something unexplainable in the music. It reminds me of finding Mark and discovering that we both had a fondness for the Floyd and it wasn't something that I liked just so he'd like me and we would have something in common. One night while Mark and I were hanging out in our 'just friends' stage, one of us suddenly blurted out "like black holes in the sky", which is exactly what the other had been thinking. It was funny and some how profound.

Today I thought about the unconditional love I feel for Mark and how grateful I am to be a part of his life and to have him as a part of mine. Thank you David Gilmour and Roger Waters for caring enough about your good friend, Syd Barrett, to write about what it may have been like for him to be who he was. I am forever in love and will shine on...

Every parent deserves a break...

I want to tell you about an experience I had last week when my little chica and I went to lunch.

I love Cancun Cafe in South Salt Lake...it is one of my favorites in Utah. Maddie has been so much more independent these days and sometimes I get pretty frustrated to go out alone with her. Mark is always so good at calming her down. But I really wanted my #6 so we stopped.

As soon as they showed us to our table Maddie freaked out. She wanted to run around and check everything out. Granted they have made a little cantina on the other side of the restaurant and it was bright and inviting, but still...So I calmly asked her to stop and decide if she wanted to sit in the booth by me or have her own side. While I looked around and noticed that I was the only one in there with a kid, I hoped she'd quickly and quietly decide. She chose her own side of the booth and took a seat, for which I was thankful.

I started ordering and Madison was diving into the chips and salsa, which are DELISH. After the server left I thanked maddie Girl for calming down and told her that I had gotten her the ice cream she was asking for. By the way, she had just come from lunch at Denny's with Nana and Papa. A weekly tradition...

Anyway, our server returned and let me know that the lady sitting 2 tables over had just paid for my #6. I asked why and she said I would have to ask her. As the lady got up to leave she stopped by and said that I had handled Madison very well when we first got there and that every parent deserves a break. I said thank you and was in shock.

I will admit I teared up. I couldn't believe the thoughtful thing that had just happened to me. I have been thinking a lot lately about how many blessings I have received lately and what I can do for the people I see everyday. That was awesome!

I will look for a way to pay it forward...

Gavin...

My beautiful sister and her cute husband Conrad with my very precious nephew Gavin!! Holy Moly I can't wait until they come visit in a few weeks. Love and miss you all...

I'm in love...

I am so in love today! Here are a few of the many...

1. Mark...He is the BEST

2. Bexley...he was so cute this morning getting ready for school

3. Madison...she is adorable and funny and I wish I had her cute face

4. Fruit Leather...Orchard Cherry...can't get enough...

5. c jane...she is my favorite person that I haven't met...love her blog and family...

These are just a few of the things in my heart today...

I love my life...

I am so thankful for all that I have. I wish I could do more for those around me. My husband, Mark, is AMAZING and I love him A LOT!!! He is my very best friend and so fun to be with. He is an awesome dad...Bex and Maddie are very lucky. I am so glad that I persued and won. He is the best and today I am very thankful for him. I love you Mark!! Thanks for EVERYTHING!!

The last of the pictures...for now!

The Ladies...

The Dudes!!!

Seriously...more 80's...

Snacks a plenty

Me & Darlene...love the blue!!
Ariel & Dana...the Bopsy Twins!
Chris...nice Hawk! Such a sport...

80's continued...

Crazy Erin...She hearts NYC!
Wendy...WOW!!
Michelle, Me, & Echo
I know...I'm the Favorite!!
Bexley & Echo...ready to PARTY!!

THE 80'S...IT WAS AWESOME!!!!

It was so much fun...I have the best friends! Willing to make themselves look ridiculous to make the party a huge success. Can't wait for the next party...Anyone remember the 70's?

Looking oh so HOT!!

My cute BOYS...I am very LUCKY!

Tubbs called...He wants his jacket back...I love you Mark!!

More pictures to follow...

What was I thinking?...PTA Carnival

Cotton candy...bigger than his head...
My first dunk!! It was cold!!
Seriously...why am I doing this???
COLD!! Am I done yet!??!?!

As PTA President of the elementary school, it was my honor to be in the Dunk Tank for about 30-45 min. It was really cold, but an absolute BLAST!! Glad I could help out... Lots of people turned out to support the PTA. Thanks!!

Have you been in a Hot Air Balloon???

This is the picture on the cover of the Davis County Clipper!!

A view from inside the basket

the view from the top...we only went 40 ft in the air...

The pilot and me

Okay...so the balloon was tethered, but I got in a basket and went 40 feet into the air above Meadowbrook Elementary School as part of the assembly about balloons.

I am the PTA president and the pilot insisted I get a ride. The principal, Mrs. Fillmore, called me the morning of and said get over to the school. How could I say no and not do it in front of the whole student body.

I am actually terrified of heights...I won't let anyone I am with get near the windows in a tall building. I never look out the window when I fly. But I was brave and it was a big deal for me.

Because I was willing to do this I got my picture on the front page of the Davis County Clipper with Mrs. Fillmore. I am a celebrity in Bountiful :) Not really, but it was cool to buy the paper and tell the gal behind the counter that the picture was of me!

Needless to say, turning 31 has made me appreciate life a little more and be thankful for the little things I do.

Birthday stories...

Me and Mama Lu

Adriane, Phyillis, LuAnn, Elayne

Tomorrow (the 14th) is my birthday! I love birthdays and want to share about a couple of the most memorable. Okay...so the 1st one I don't actually remember, but I think it is worth talking about the day I was born. It is quite a remarkable little story.

On Wednesday, September 14th, 1977, a 15 year old girl did one of the bravest things she would ever do. I was born in the early morning. LuAnn Iturrino saw me for only a moment. She knew that at 15 she wasn't ready to raise a baby. I am sure that part of it was that her mom, Phyillis, wasn't ready for her 15 year old daughter to raise a baby.

LuAnn, all on her own I might add, took care of finding a family for her little girl. She kept her pregnancy a secret from everyone except her sister, Elayne, and her best friend. Phyillis found out only 1 week before I was born. It was too late for an abortion...thank goodness!!! Okay this may not all be clear and doesn't have much detail, but as a little girl I always knew I was adopted which in my mind made me extra special. Because I have always known, there was always a curiosity about where I had come from. Who did I look like...Did I have any other siblings?

When I was 18 or 19 my mom (Martha...she got me when I was 3 days old and raised me) gave me a letter that LuAnn had written for me when I was born. It is a beautiful letter. In it she explained why she wasn't with me and that it was not that she didn't love me, she just knew that she probably couldn't provide me all the things that I would need. In her mind adoption was an ugly word. (I understand what she meant) She loved me and wanted me. How incredibly amazing!!! She was so selfless. And beautiful...I say that because I had to get it somewhere... :)

Cut to 30 years later...

Because I have always known and because I knew her name and circumstances, it had crossed my mind numerous times to find her and thank her for giving me life and for being brave enought to give me more. So in July of 2007, while watching a special on VH1 about Darryl of Run DMC and his journey to find his birth mother, I was inspired to look LuAnn up. Hello...we have the internet and it can find just about anything!!

I googled her name...not much was coming up...Somehow I ended up on a peoplelookup.com. A LuAnn Iturrino was listed with a couple of different cities and states. It also listed a Pyhillis Iturrino (her mom) and Elayne Iturrino (her sister). Of course, if I wanted more info I would have to pay to get any actual addresses or phone #'s. Dang! I wasn't about to throw money away on potentially useless info. Now what?

I kept searching around and eventually ended up on freewhitepages.com with a listing for Phyillis Iturrino...in Miami. To make a long story longer...I wrote a quick note stating who I was, that I had been adopted and was looking for my birth mom. I just wanted to say thanks and learn about my family. Nothing more. I included my address, phone #, and email. Didn't really know what to expect, but what was the harm?

I mailed the letter on Monday, July 16th, 2007. I almost forgot about it until the phone rang on Sunday of that same week. P Iturrino was calling...Holy CRAP!! Mark grabbed the phone. I couldn't believe it. What would I say?! I let the voice mail get it...

She left a message saying that she was calling in regards to a letter and that if I liked I could call her back. I cried! Well first I showered...then I cried...then I called her back...

AWESOME!!! I will write more about that later, but I want to get to my birthday.

On September 13th, 2007 I boarded a plane in Salt Lake City headed for Miami. I was going to spend my 30th birthday with the woman who had carried me for 9 months and seen me for 5 minutes before giving me up. I was very nervous and emotional. I bawled on the plane when we were about to land in Atlanta for a lay over. I was about to change my life forever!! After a 3+ hour delay in Atlanta...stupid rain...I got on a plane again for Miami. LuAnn was waiting patitiently at the gate for my arrival. We laughed and cried and hugged. I joked about the "long labor", but that I was finally there! It was BEAUTIFUL!! Mixed emotions and a lot more to tell about...later.

Bottom line...I am EXTREMELY blessed. I know that everything about LuAnn and I was arranged in heaven long before we were on this earth. I am so thankful everyday for who I am and where I have been. I love and adore all of my family. More about them all later too.

So...Happy Birthday to ME tomorrow!! 31 wonderful years under my belt so far...many more to come...

They're perfect...

I am so "stoked" about these shoes I found at Target...perfect for the big 80's bash. I have already worn them twice. Comfortable and cute!! Can't wait to show them off...

Like...totally...Dude!!

Jealous much?? I am going to look so AWESOME!!

Possibly one of the great movies of all time...for the genre.

It's all coming back to me now...oh the stinky feet I had growing up...could the 6 pair of socks per foot be to blame?

I am so flippin' excited in a far out kinda way for the Awesome 80's bash I am throwing for my birthday this year!! I love the 80's!! There will be big, crimped hair, lots of bright pink cheeks and wicked blue eyes, and of course, the best clothes ever!! Thanks for the skirt Dana! Can't wait to party like it's 1987!! And seeing how in 1987 I turned 10, it's "going to be so awesome" (as my cute Maddie says). If you want to be a part of this nostalgia email me arcbelievesATyahooDOTcom... "I know you are, but what am I?"

Cousin Gavin has arrived!!

Happy Birthday!!
Gavin Dale Steven Young
August 22, 2008
8:46 pm
6 pounds 12 ounces
19 inches
Proud parents Marian and Conrad Young

Welcome to the family Gavin! We can't wait to meet you!

http://www.conradfilm.com/gavin

A New Do...

Bexley before...still pretty good-lookin'
After...so HANDSOME!!

Before...what a mess!

After...so BEAUTIFUL!

Bexley needed a haircut before school starts next week so I took the kids to Cookie Cutters. Bex wanted to experience playing video games while getting a cut so I thought I could make it the annual back to school haircut tradition. It's really not worth the extra $ it cost, but it's a cute place. Madison didn't want her hair cut, but she hates getting her hair done so I think short is better. Plus she is so dang cute anyway...short or long...They both look great and I can't wait to see how much easier it is to get her ready in the morning.

Pictures...finally...

Here are some pictures from the recent camping trip. We had a great time! We already can't wait for next year! The big news is that Dave and Dar are adding another one to the fam! We are so happy. It is great to be an Aunt. Plus Isaac will have fun being a big brother!

Me and my amazing husband Mark!

Cute Darlene...She was sick with baby #2 all week...

Papa pretending to read while napping...He works too hard!

Helping to set up the tent...I have lost 42 pounds...check out my other blog

Papa, Nana, and Dave getting the fire going for our tin foil dinners...

Thanks Dar...they were yummy!

Madison being her cute self...she was jumping on the air mattresses.

It was FREEZING at night...all you can see of Bexley are his fingers!

I was so COLD!! But I still look good... :)

Crazy Isaac and his blue "Hitler" moustache...he is so fun!