Missing You

For my birthday in June I got this:

I think it's safe to say he's my new best friend. Let's be honest. He's everyone's new best friend. He is a lover.

I started a new teaching job (which I love by the way!) and have been home sick for two days. Yuck. But this little guy has kept me company and being home feeling miserable has become more bearable with his great company. He follows me everywhere I go in the apartment. Need to get a drink of water from the kitchen? Oso wants to come along and will keep your feet warm while you fill your glass. Need to lay down on the couch? Oso wants to be right beside you on the hardwood.

Today Jameson took him on a long car trip to San Diego (I go later this weekend); so Oso is no longer following me around. And it feels so lonely without him. My little bear.

Spring

Jameson found a really awesome spot in Marin to hike so we went there a few weeks ago. The weather has been really nice and I think we'll be returning here a lot. It was right by the ocean.

One of Jenn's artists, Ellie, had a show at the W in SF on Thursday night. The three of us watched the show together. I am obsessed. She's such a talented musician and such a fun performer. I just learned that Ellie played at the Royal Wedding which makes me love her even more. She's huge in England right now.
Highlights from Jenn's visit included taking pictures in front of the Painted Ladies, harmonizing to the Full House theme song as we hiked up the hill.

We colored Easter eggs. My mom had the best Easters for us growing up--so I was sure not to disappoint my most special guest.

Our eggs weren't that elaborate.
Jameson's, on the other hand, was impressive (of course). He's kind of an over-achiever as you may remember from our Halloween pumpkin carving posts. No, I'm just jealous of his mad artistic skills.

Jameson and Jenn each got a special Easter basket. They even got to hunt for eggs. I got some pretty tulips :)

Jameson's birthday post will follow.

Nature is Pretty Neat

Two years ago, I took my students here. We went with this year's class a few weeks ago and had an amazing trip!

Some of them had never seen the ocean before.

They were all such troopers on the 3 mile hike!

Check out those battle wounds! This may have been an alpha. He was quite large.

Such wonderful kiddos.

Music to My Ears

Jameson tells me I have an uncanny ability remembering words of songs. It's true. Must have been all the love songs I listened to when I was young. :) Tonight we were listening to classical music on Pandora while picking up our apartment and a song came on. No lyrics this time, just instrumental. I knew I knew it! It was a song from my youth--one that I hadn't heard in ages. It was a song that made me think of ice skating with my mom as a young girl. I thought of the Olympics. Initially I thought it was Ekaterina Gordeeva who skated to it. But that wasn't right. Then I found it! The Swan. I was only 9 when my mom and I watched Oksana Baiul transform into the Swan. She was such an inspiration.

Hello Blog!

Have we mentioned we love living in the city?! Here's a recap of the last few months (crossing my fingers that I can keep things in chronological order).

On December 29, Jameson and I celebrated 3 years of marriage! We had really special dinner reservations but, because of an appointment mishap on my end (that's a funny story for another post), we couldn't make the reservation! Come what may and love it! Instead, we went out to one of our favorite sushi restaurants near Jameson's office that had an open table, and had a great time. Because, "It's not where you are, but who you're with that matters most" right? ;) I'm so grateful for Jameson and all we've learned and accomplished together over the past 3 years.

The next day, my sister Jenn came to visit--how I love spontaneous visits from my all time favorite visitor. The 3 of us celebrated New Years Eve in downtown SF (I gave myself a pretty big pat on the back since I managed to stay up so late), ate lots of delicious food, and shopped (of course)!

Jameson and I discovered that we have giant slides pretty much right in our backyard! Whoever knew that SF was the best place to be a big kid?! This is becoming my favorite pastime!

In January, Jameson's mom and youngest brother came to visit! It was so much fun! Highlights from their visit were going to Alcatraz for the first time (definitely going on my top 10 list of things to do when in SF) and visiting the Green Street Lab where Laurie's great uncle invented television. See here for more information. When Jameson and I were dating and he told me that his great great uncle invented TV, and I didn't believe him for a minute! Oops!

For Valentine's Day (my district had the day off for Lincoln's birthday), Jameson planned a weekend getaway in the mountains. He surprised me by taking me to see a dog breeder that we'd met at a dog show a few weeks prior--to take a look at her Bernese Mountain Dogs (we were most interested in the puppies)! Of course we fell in love. We both knew we couldn't take one home because we don't have the space right now, but hopefully sometime in the not too distant future! Then we went to the most adorable Bed & Breakfast I've ever stepped foot in. They delivered fresh scones to our door in the morning, followed by homemade gourmet breakfast an hour later. It was heavenly. I think we'll return every year if I have my way. I was so impressed with the hubby for finding this place!

We spent Valentine's Day skiing/snowboarding on a basically empty mountain which was incredible.

Most recently, we went to Park City to go skiing with all of the Haslams which was a real treat. Jameson is becoming quite the snowboarder with all of these trips to the snow (several of which did not even make it into this blog post!) It was so much fun to be around everyone in Utah!

Needless to say, we are loving life and all of the people we've been able to spend time with of late!

Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence

"Opposition turns up almost anyplace something good has happened...There are cautions and considerations to make, but once there has been genuine illumination, beware the temptation to retreat from a good thing. If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now. Don't give up when the pressure mounts…Face your doubts. Master your fears. 'Cast not away therefore your confidence.' Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you." -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

December 2010

Jameson and I began December with a trip to Texas to visit my Great Aunt "E" and some of our best friends, the Brownlows. Jameson and Jeff were missionary companions, and I just adore Jeff's wife, Charisse. We always have so much fun when the four of us are together. Jeff snuck us in to his company's dinner party. Delicious. Seriously, I can't remember enjoying food so much. Someday we'd love to be able to live in the same state as the Brownlows! Here are some pictures from that evening:

Carson (the Brownlow's son) adored "Big Jameson."

He insisted on being in our picture ;)

For Christmas we headed home to Carlsbad, of course. Highlights from the visit were going to see a special Christmas show by the San Diego Pops with Jameson's mom & dad and being home with our families. I always get a kick out of watching Jameson with all his brothers and I'm sure he feels the same observing me with my sisters. Such different worlds!

All the boys with their grandpa.

Unfortunately, I only captured a few pictures on Christmas Eve as I was sick in bed pretty much all week long. But, it was a wonderful trip home regardless. Stay tuned for the rest of December and January in another post.

Look Not Behind Thee

Love love love this video :)