ditto what Sarah said...

Sarah said it perfectly - it was one of the best shows any of us had seen in a long time. Paul and the guys were amazing. It was pretty cool to sit there watching the night unfold - remembering back to the first gigs I saw Paul play in small dark venues in little ol' Provo - now here he was, practically exploding off the stage.

Paul has always been an amazing musician, but Saturday night took the cake. They have seemed to have found a perfect combination of talent as well - Paul, Scott, George, Pat, Dylan and Ryan - you DID get chills during songs like "You're the Song" and "At that Day". They were incredible. And the live version of "Proper Noun" was wicked.

The benefit raffle for Stephanie and Christian raised over $500 - Sarah and I both won amazing Leia Bell original prints and poor Holly (Paul's wife) even managed to attend with our little adorable Leo refusing to take a nap for the last 12 hours. It was a great night, a great CD release party - and I encourage all to go purchase Paul's new CD - I can't stop listening to it, and neither will you.

I miss you ... I always do

if you are busy tomorrow night, you should cancel your plans and come up to the fort douglas theatre to celebrate the release of Paul Jacobsen and the Madison Arm. 10 dollars will get you in the door and get you your very own copy of the record. Also ... there will be raffle prizes, ray lamontagne & leona naess tickets, leia bell posters, loads of cd's and other goodies to be had. All raffle proceeds will be donated to help with the medical costs of friends stephanie and christian nielson who were in a plane crash last month. you can read more about that here.

let's face it ... your taste in music is sometimes questionable. it's time for redemption. it's time for change. it's time for Paul Jacobsen.

Here are the details of the show ...

Paul Jacobsen and the Madison Arm

Saturday, September 27 7pm

with Dominic Moore and Sarah Sample

Post Theatre, Fort Douglas, University of Utah

ending the summer on a good note

Saturday the boys and I went out to Thanksgiving Point to see Ryan play with our friend Paul. They were opening for Peter Brienholt - who, I have to say, is a really nice human being, but I am not really a fan of the music - so when Ryan announced we were staying until the whole show was over, I realized I had been tricked into taking only one car so I couldn't make a quick getaway after Paul's set was over.

The weather threatened to pour down on us - and during sound check there were a few showers, but then it turned out to be a perfect night. The cool cat Wileys came (our friend Scott is also in the band), along with the adoring Holly and Leo. Jack shoved his face full of popcorn, hotdogs, and all sorts of treats while our men did their thing up on stage.

Paul just came out with a new CD - his CD release party is actually this upcoming Saturday and I invite all to come. The CD is amazing and the boys and I have been listening to it non stop in the car this last week (although the new Leona Naess might be getting some extra air time as well... another CD you should all purchase right away).

It was a really fun weekend to end the summer on.

just some thoughts

I don't really know what this blog is about.

I have been thinking so much about the woman (Nie Nie) that was in the plane accident. I am addicted to her sister's blog - she is an amazing writer, and makes every word sound so delicious that I just can't stop.

I read it for updates on her sister or just to see what thoughts she has on being a new mom, and today was another one of those days that I was sucked in. Sometimes I think I try to hard to do too many things on top of being a mom. I have my moments of frustration sometimes, when Cash won't sit still as I try and google a recipe for dinner or fit in some design work, or when Jack insists I sit on the couch to watch cartoons with him as I stare at the loads of laundry to do, dishes to wash, and beds to make. Then I think of Nie Nie. I think of how these little moments are on hold for her right now and I feel extremely guilty for even letting them cross my mind.

So tonight after I cleaned up the stairs from Cash upchucking his prunes all over our carpet, got the boys in the bath and ready for bed, I snuggled them a little extra tighter. Kissed each of the boys a few more times before saying goodnight, and will pray just a little more harder tonight that Nie Nie will continue to recover and become closer to the day she can cozy her own little angels.

I love being a mother to these little monsters. Nothing could ever compare to all the joy and happiness they bring me. And while it may not sound that great to others, I love that tonight I sit here with dried up prunes and oatmeal on my clothes, that my day was spent playing with a T-Rex and a matchbox $2 van around my living room and that most of my conversations throught the day involved topics such as: how cool train tracks are, how fast a bus can drive, and what hot dogs do once they are in your belly.

It doesn't get much better then this.

welcome little man

Tonight my friends and I took my friend Alicia dinner to welcome new baby boy Jacob to the neighborhood. The little man could not have been cuter. You really forget how small these little jellybeans start out as. Cash looked like Godzilla next to him. Jacob was so fun to cozy and squeeze, and Alicia looked amazing. Motherhood suits her just fine. Overall, it was a fun afternoon... plus, as always, it was fun getting cokes with Lizzy and catching up.

Here are some pics for all to enjoy:


It took awhile for Jack to warm up to the group. He stood in the corner for a good 5 minutes pretending to be interested in Alicia's library of classic literature.





Cash putting the moves on the Ladies with his "blue steel" look. It is too much for Janelle to resist!


Cash wasted no time as he tried to take his relationship with Lizzy to the next level. Come on Cash... No means no!


Little man Jacob Carter - so cozy in those pjs.

Me and Alicia. If you are wondering where I am looking in this picture - I am looking off in the distance remembering all the nights of sleep deprivation that comes with new baby. Good luck LeeSha! You can do it!

P.S. I think it is time to cut me hair.

spreading the word

While I am getting to this much later then most of the other blogs out there - I have so many people asking about it, I figured I should officially spread the word.

An old friend of mine was in a recent plane crash with his beautiful wife. You can learn more about their story in the links below - there is also serveral links on any of these sites, where you can donate to help with their recovery costs.

Christian was burned over 30% of his body, while his wife suffered over 80% burns. There are so many details to which I will not attempt to involve in this blog, but if you want to know more, or be part of the amazing online donation charity that is going on in their behalf, go to some of these links.

Our friend Jonathan Canlas, one of the most amazing photographers I will ever know, has also started up a donation in their behalf. For the month of September - he is donating all the proceeds from from his family portraits sessions - to the foundation set up for Christian and his wife.

Jon took our wedding photos - as well as countless of our friends weddings and most of the brides we have done invitations for. He is phenominal. Check out his work and then book him to take your family photo - it's a good cause and you will have amazing photos to show for it.

Here is a link to my friend Sarah Wiley's family photos he recently took.

Links:
> benefit blog
> NY Times article
> Nie Nie (stephanie's) blog
> Nie Nie sister's blog (updates on their recovery)

Happy Birthday to the JackAttack

Friday we celebrated the JackAttack turning the big 3. In the word's of Spongebob, "it was the best day evvvvveeerrr"!

Jack had all the grandma's, grandpa's, aunts, uncles and cousins over to celebrate, eat pizza and help him blow out the candles on his cupcakes.

Thanks to all for the great gifts. Jack has been toting them around with him wherever he goes and singing the Happy Birthday song to himself over and over again all weekend long (as seen in top right hand photo).

We love us some Jack! Happy Birthday little man!

You know you're a nerd

You know you are a nerd when you get really excited to get color swatch books in the mail. But I really don't care.

These pantone swatch books are about as turned on as I get with design. I have never owned my own set - since I had Jack and left my job at the design firm in salt lake, I have always wanted them. I finally ponied up last week and bought some. I might just have to take them to dinner, I am so in love.

Yes, I am a total nerd.

i really don't know what to say ...

but i had to post this photo. honestly ... the shirt is a joke, that kid never helps with anything.

R.I.P

My sister-in-law Aly gave Jack a fish for Christmas. We managed to keep him happy and alive for an amazing 8 months, but this morning he had moved on to big ocean in the sky. 

Jack took it really well. I just told him "fish" went home to his mom and he seemed okay with it. He recovered from the loss of "Fish" even faster when he learned we were going to find a replacement fish.

We asked Jack what he wanted to name it. Ryan suggested "Penelope". I suggested "Javier".  Jack chose: "Fish".

We will miss you Fish #1. Welcome to the family Fish #2.