Little pieces of history....

Today I am wearing an antique crystal necklace I recently inherited from one of my favorite people - my Nana. It rests daintily across my collarbone - where I can easily play with it throughout the day. Each time my fingers twirl the hand-carved pink beads I am reminded of the history of this heirloom - not only where it came from but also who. I feel blessed to share a bond with someone who fancies the same beautiful pieces of jewelry as me - and that she is generous enough to bestow them upon myself and my mother and sister. It's nice to wear a little piece of family history around my neck - reminding me of the strength in my heritage.

Do you have any such pieces that make you smile and feel warm and fuzzy? Please share.....

Tis the start of the season of giving!!

It's that time of year - and during a rare blogstalk opportunity I stumbled upon this fabulous page (and awesome jewelry designer). All you ladies - check out the beginning of your Christmas list!

Lisa Leonard Designs Jewelry GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Summer fun

So this has been quite a summer - too busy for blogging obviously. I figured I would just round up all the fun pics from our crazy months and do a photo blog - so here goes!

Danielle came down before the summer started up - and we had so much fun seeing the Dallas sites - including the zoo and downtown.....

Yell had to wade through a pond to get this photo - and then we almost got caught by a zoo worker. But it was worth it!

I want a butterfly bench in my backyard one day - I love it!

Danielle tried to get a picture with all the statues - and there were a lot of them

Ted the Tortuous

A horny toad - and two crazy girls!

This is the squirrel that Danielle made us watch for 20 minutes because it was eating a candy bar - and she was trying to figure out how to get the candy wrapper from him so he wouldn't choke and die....we couldn't ever reach him so the zoo might be down a squirrel

Yummy expensive ice cream - back when I could still eat it

Girls Camp 2009 was a blast - we went to a ranch in East Texas with buffalo, horses, water slides and tornados. It was quite the adventure!

On our way up to Girls Camp!

The girls choreographed a skit after the HAKA - and it was hilarious!

In front of our non-AC, bug filled, rickety cabins.

We fished in a stocked pond - and got some huge catfish

Some of the girls during down time.....

Amanda and Raechel getting ready for the 4th year hike

The shaving cream fight - man was that messy!

Amanda just walked out of the cabin like this - she is so funny

Malibe Magic - we went to Malibu for 5 days. It was such a blast staying in a beach house with the other Griffith's, attending a cousin's wedding and enjoying the ocean!

Danny surfin' it up!

Here's my wedding outfit - I made that skirt!

Shopping with Jordan @ the Santa Monica pier - ♡ the hat!♡

YUM - In'n'Out burger - Oh how I miss you!!

Danny dancing with the bride

Zuma beach was SO cold - but Danny still went in. Jordan and I froze

The Hollywood sign is behind us - we drove all the way up to it - but it's not lit up at night.

All in all it was a GREAT few months - a lot of fun memories. As the summer and another

trimester draws to a close - I'm excited for the coming months of holiday fun!!

Happy Birthday to the Bestest Mom in da whole wide world

Today is my Mother's birthday - and though I am not known for my tributes I probably should be because there is a lot of great people who have made my life what it is (I just rarely leave the world in my head to appreciate them - but enough about me). So, here's to the first one.....

Momma - Thanks so much for being an example of strength and peace all in the same beautiful being. You never hesitate to let out the mama-bear and stand up for your children...all the while putting your own interests away to keep the peace in our home. Thank you for building up my testimony by sharing yours often and always living as an example of Christ. Growing up - you were my rock even when I was slipping on sand everywhere else. I have so many fond, hilarious and crazy memories of our times together.

Remember the time we pretended to be German tourists in Target

and Uncle **** wouldn't even acknowledge he knew us?

Remember the early morning chats when you made me breakfast before Seminary?

Remember when I got my first kiss and you were waiting on the couch

that night ready to hear ALL about it? You just knew before I even got home.

Remember when I ran into that pole and you were the ONLY one

who kept a straight head - even better than Dr. Hammond?

Remember when I used to yell your name REALLY loud

in grocery stores just to freak out the other shoppers? And you always laughed.

Remember when I was 8 and so badly wanted a perm that made me

look like Frankenstein's wife - and you just smiled and paid the bill?

Remember senior ditch day when 20 seniors came over and you made

Belgian waffles with ALL the trimmings? You were the coolest.

Remember my wedding day?

Thank you for stepping in and saving my marriage before it was really even a marraige - and Danny thanks you for not taking my side. Thanks for always giving me the Lubecker Marzipan - even though you love it too. Thanks for reminding me to be better - even when I don't want to be. Thank you for instilling the importance of education into my brain. Thank you for building a relationship that allowed me to never want to lie to you.

I know we've had a rocky year but I love you. A little piece of my heart will always be bonded to yours.

Happy Birthday - I Love you

Puppies

Duke sired 14 cute littler doberman puppies - and we've gone to see them every week since birth. One died early on so now there are 13.  They are now 4 weeks old and are starting to show their little personalities so it's so fun to see them!  I can never remember how many boys and girls there are - I think 8 girls and 6 boys but don't quote me.  Here's some pics of them - they are such a blast (especially since I don't have to mess with the clean up and  all the feedings)!!!

Here they are at 4 weeks - and this is my new short haircut (2 birds with one blog!!)

I'm not bulging at the belly - that's a sleeping puppy under my shirt

These are the two biggest males - the one on the left is named Kong because he's HUGE!

They all clambered towards me when I entered the pen - so sweet

Now - we get into the 3 week pics.  Sorry we are working backwards....

the 6 boys (they were wiggly - Danny was trying not to drop one)

Here's 10 days old - eyes and ears still closed.  Sooo sweet.....

The poor mother!  But, the puppies are super sweet -- and they have that yummy puppy breath! I love 'em.

Back blogged....

So I am REALLY behind on my blogging - things I should be blogging about : my awesome sister Danielle's stay in Dallas, Duke's adorable 13 puppies (he sired over a dozen puppies!!), my new hair cut (super edgy and short)....however today I am going to do the tag Jordan hit me with almost 3 weeks ago.  Sorry for your luck....

5 things I was doing 5 years ago

1. Getting engaged to my hot hubby (May 2, 2004)

2.  Halfway through my college education

3. Looking for a house to purchase w/my hot hubby

4. Designing a beautiful wedding dress made by my talented Aunt Jen 

1. Probably still eating PBJ sandwiches every day - YUM

5 things on my to-do list

1. Start practicing the piano again - I miss it

2. Make a cool new dress out of this fabric I really like

3. Start & finish the stack of books on my night stand so I can get another stack

4. Call some of my in-active girls to see how they're doing

5.  Make a yummy dinner for my hot husband so he can relax

5 places I've lived

1. The great Las Vegas (love that place)

2. Utah (no comment)

3. Iowa (another 4 letter state)

4. Texas

5. I wish Germany but I've only visited and loved it.

5 things I want to be doing in 5 years

1. Have 5 kids...j/k not 5 just a few

2. Know spanish

3. Start my own business

4. Traveling the world 

5.  Be more spontaneous since I plan EVERYTHING

I tag : Betsie, Kara M., Jessica, um.......

Asian in the blood....

I think somewhere in my long history of German/Irish ancestry (of which I am very proud of) - I have some Thai blood mixed in because out of ANY food in the world - that is what I crave the most.

Not kidding you - I had a home-made stir-fry last Monday for dinner (very delicious) and then took the leftovers for lunch on Tuesday.

Then on Thursday I ordered take-out from the FANTASTIC Blue Ginger Cafe near my work as I headed out to a YW activity.

And now, it's Monday again and I am desperately trying NOT to go to Blue Ginger instead of going to the gym. AND - I'm trying to figure something else out for dinner tonight as I think Danny will question my sanity if I make Thai stir-fry AGAIN.

Am I the only crazy-craver - or do you have the same problem? Are you a Thai-devotee as well?