sunset on a dead sea

Rows is continuing to be the best true love ever!  And I realize you might get tired of stories about Rows...but she is currently my main squeeze and that is what people do when they have a significant other...talk about them and post pictures of their adventures together.

tonight I took her out on the Great Salt Lake with Shorts.  Shorts was a bit skeptical before we started, but by the end of the evening she was in love with Rows just as much as Candice and Annette.

It was a kind of windy off and on so that made for some interesting rowing experiences.  But where better to learn how to handle the wind than a place where I won't be drowning.

(I realize the pictures are not fantastic...but taking a picture on windy waters with a camera without a view finder or display is tough)

I didn't love the idea of being surrounded by seagulls...

 

and other various birds...but we were on their turf...plus...it was absolutely beautiful to watch them cruise over the water.  They came fairly close to the boat a couple times...and I may have had a small freak out moment...

although the bird freak out did not compare to the mini meltdown that occurred when this lovely lady mentioned Jaws...NOT FUNNY.  I don't care if I am on a dead sea.

kicked back and relaxed on the water

setting sun

almost gone

I did not hate being out on this dead sea.  not a bad way to spend an evening. 

Rows, Rows, Rows the boat...

 She has a name...and her name is Rows.  She is sea worthy (read: Pineview worthy).
She is a wonderful lady.  I am so happy to welcome her into my family and even more excited that she finally has a name.

Folks...I may have found my true love.  After a lovely maiden voyage today on the gorgeous waters of Pineview in beautiful Huntsville with the lovely Annette Blackham, I can honestly say that I am in love with Rows.

She had a different name when we headed out on the water.  I wasn't totally sold on it...though I was sold on the name's awesomeness...just not for my boat.  I had initially thought that I should wait to name her until I was out on the water...you know...so I could see how she handled...but I felt like that might be bad luck...to go out on the water without a name...so I gave her a name, but it was more a place holder kind of name.  Because there out on the water she told us her name...and her name is Rows.

I love Rows the boat. 

(It makes me laugh every time.)  

I think that Rows and I are going to have a wonderful life together.

about to set off on our maiden voyage

lovely Pineview.

lovelier Anette Blackham.

my new baby

As you may or may not know I have three...actually six kids...wow where does the time go?!

there is Millie...full name- Mildred Bernadette Macbook, Pro-one of my bffs for sure.  She ALWAYS has my back.

also-Canon..who got seriously injured last September, but still takes A-MAZING, B.E.A.U.T-FUL photos.

Then there is DJ B-rooke-my 125 GB iPod.  She is a wonderful little girl and I couldn't dance it out without her.

And of course we cannot forget the Champ...who was once stolen...that was a rough (almost) 4 weeks and began my STRONG disappointment and dislike of the NSLPD

And of course my two MOST FAVORITE KIDS OF ALL...

Well now there is a new kid on the block and I think my two most favorite kids of all...with parental permission of course and when they are old enough...I'm looking at you Lyla Lu...may end up loving the newest edition to my little family more than me.

Here she is...I am still working on a name...suggestions will be taken into consideration...

Can't wait for our adventures my friend!

hair today, gone tomorrow

As I may have mentioned previously my aunt Steph is one of my most favorite people on the planet...one of the most influential in my life.  She is currently battling ovarian cancer.  She was diagnosed back in February(?) and started chemo a few weeks ago and as often times happens with chemotherapy her hair started falling out.  So my cousin shaved the rest off for her this past week.

I've often thought that losing your hair while battle cancer is just adding insult to injury.  I mean, I do believe it is just hair, but come on...a life threatening disease AND you have to lose your hair?!  I mean it seems like such a small thing, the hair...but hair really is a huge part of our cultural.  We spend, hundreds, even thousands of dollars to get it "just right", only to decide after a while that a completely different style and color is "just right".  There are musicals (which is fantastic) and movies (which was then turned into a musical and then redone again as a movie musical) and documentaries (so, so interesting and awesome) and songs (WAY too many to comment on) all about hair.  When we describe someone we almost always refer to their hair color, length, style, bang, no bangs...hair is a HUGE part of our lives...so to lose it IS really a big deal.

My aunt Steph, like I said, has been so influential in my life...in helping me become the person I am today.  And so, as a kind of thank you to her, and because I know that no thank you will ever cover all that she has done for me and because I know it isn't easy for her to lose her hair...

my friend Erin was nice enough to do the honors.

As for the actual hair cutting experience itself...I loved it.  Erin and I were laughing and talking the whole time...about hair, about life, about love and the gospel and acceptance.  It was a great way to spend an evening.  We cut it outside so I didn't have a mirror to see the first cut or the many that came after...Erin took pictures while she cut and then we went in to the bathroom so I could take a look. I think she was a little nervous about my reaction...and if I'm being honest, I was a little nervous too...but I looked at it and rubbed my head (which I can't stop doing) and it was fine.  I mean, it really was just hair (which I am donating to locks of love because it is...was...long enough!!!)  Erin suggested we go get dinner and try it out in public...I kept forgetting I didn't have much hair anymore, until two girls at dinner could not stop staring at me.  Other than that...it was fine.

So Steph, anytime you want to go out in public, I am happy to go along so you don't feel so alone :)  I also went to the grocery store last night...I didn't really notice if people were looking...as you may or may not know I LOVE the grocery store and get a bit focused when I am there, so I was somewhat oblivious to whether or not people stared.

So there you have it...and here are a few more photos...

the first cut...

half a mullet

profile of half mullet...I think this was Erin's favorite stage...

ready for the razor!

and we're done!

In trying to come up with a title for this post, clever or not, I had no words...so I'm not really sure how this post will go...lacking for words and all...but here goes.

This little girl makes my heart melt anytime I lay eyes on her.  I feel like all true joy is bottled up inside of her and when you look at her you get a taste of it.  Seriously...I can be in the lowest of lows or foulest of all moods and one look at this little girl and I have a smile on my face.  

I don't know how to explain it and I feel as if there are no words to describe the awesome sauce that is this little lady.

Looking at her takes all the cares and stresses away, even if only from my mind...not in actual reality...although she very well may have super powers...so I will not put it past her. She is my little super hero...that is for sure...there is my title!  My little superhero.  I am so grateful for her.  I'm especially grateful that she FINALLY has warmed up to me...I've been warmed up to her since July 15th 2011, 10:00pm.

This is pre-warm to Brookie...

WARMED UP TO BROOKIE!


These two pictures were actually taken on the same day within seconds of each other, but they are such a good illustration of before and after.