Come back...

Since my sister and her three kids left after a three week visit, I have done a lot of thinking. My house has grown quieter, somewhat cleaner, and our life has fallen back into our normal rhythm. Now normally, this would be a good thing, but the Secrist family is having a hard time adjusting. We are going through sister and cousin withdraw.

We are really missing...

And these are only a small snapshot of what we did. Tristen took charge of one of my Christmas projects, and I am still finishing up with the other. We cooked a TON of pulled pork for Hattie's baptism, went the zoo with cousins, took kids to the park a half dozen times, reenacted baptism pictures, cooked and ate the most delicious meals I've had in a long time, inadvertently offended a younger brother (Love you kevo!), finished the details of a Relief Society meeting I was in charged of, played on Craig and Diana's sand piles, went to a few Mac classes to learn about this new computer (!!!), just about completed all our Christmas shopping, trained for an upcoming 12K, and watched as much Everybody Loves Raymond as we could possibly squeeze in.

We have neighbor friends who are sisters and are about 13 and 16 years old. I watch them everyday go to the bus stop and never say a word to each other. They never talk, they never walk together, they don't even acknowledge the other. This breaks my heart. Sisters are supposed to take care of each other, watch out for the other and be each other's support and best friends. Ryan mentioned to me the other day that he never sees me giggle so much as when my sisters are around. We wish we could have had Tenille around to enjoy the full sistership but...she's busy doting on Remington. ;)

Sniff, sniff....I miss my sister. Come back??

A RANDOM ACT

We discovered this gem recently posted on YouTube. The Philly Opera company pulls off a great choice in song in the middle of a busy shopping day. We loved that they picked this song. Impressive and reminds of Marshall Fields Flagship store in Chicago (now Macy's too) - this would work in an old store like that. Enjoy! Wish we could have seen it.

Hattie's Baptism

What a great day! What a highlight in our family's history. What a spirit a baptism brings into a family! We are so proud of Hattie and her decision to be baptized. I've watched her closely these past few weeks and am impressed with her helpfulness, obedience and good nature. She makes great decisions and is a friend to all. We love you Hattie and your creative, sweet mind

Just checking

He's just making sure it is still there. Sometimes he needs a reminder.

GREAT to be 8!!

WE **HEART** our Hattie. Hattie turned eight years old and wanted to go to California to ride horses and go to the beach. Wish Granted!
I love Hattie's big spirit. She is a wonderful bright spot in our family. I can always count on Hattie to step up when I need an extra hand. She is smart as a whip and is every bit as charming and witty.

This was the most fun cake ever! Mom and I made the most delicious buttercream from scratch but we nearly passed out when mom dropped the entire pinch pot of PEPPER in the bowl. She saved it, but every now and then, we got a little reminder of the day's chaotic event.

I completely forgot to get pictures of horseback riding (something to do with Westy running all over,) but Hattie and Neeley are becoming so comfortable and proficient on the horses. They even rode the horse bareback back and forth through the sprinklers on a HOT day.

We headed to old town San Diego to see the Mormon Battalion display and WOW! Very fun. More to come on that.

La Jolla beach. BRRR.

ASU & My First Home

It's Ryan. Today is a great day. I am often invited to speak at ASU at least once a semester by a past client/professor. It's a great opportunity to explore why owning a home is part of the American Experience and why we seek so diligently after it. We also discuss how pricing impacts a community. During the boom many teachers, public servants and artists were priced out of communities (like Tempe) that they have always called home. And now, they can come back. Pricing has an interesting impact on a community. Well, today is the day I speak.

But today I get to add a bit about the first time home buying process. That led me back to this great pencil sketch our REALTOR had done for us before we moved from Chicago to Arizona. This picture hangs prominently in my office. I'm proud of this home.

That first night we spent without furniture and in sleeping bags. I remember Taani falling asleep and laying there wide-eyed with a very satisfied feeling that we owned a slice of the universe.

Ahhh...our beginnings of the American Dream.

Jealous??

I am a huge believer that the Universe smiled on me Saturday. I went running with Ryan and cursed him the entire time. Not only was it mostly UPHILL!!! (I swear, it was!), it was hot, he packed gatorade (EWWW-too sweet!), things were jiggling where they have never jiggled before, and the kids who were riding their bikes ahead of us, grumped the entire time. That is the last time I do any kind of family run. NOT my idea of exercise or family fun. I think I even considered bringing homemade dinner to my 5 am running partner, Lindsey, just to thank her for putting up with my slacking recently and just to bribe her to not give up on me.

I whole heartedly embraced our friend Jeremy Larkin's philosophy that the best thing about running is when it is over.

Anyway, I came home from running so grumpy and miserable and for some reason, stepped on the scale. I certainly am not one to ever really weigh myself. I had a dificult experience with an anorexic roommate in college and saw how an obsession with the scale can actually derail your life in such a sad way. I actually don't think we should even own a scale.

BUT, I got on the scale anyway, and THIS is what it said!!!!!!!!


Jealous? Every woman in the universe needs my scale. The thought ran through my mind that it is saying LO because it is lo on batteries but I dismissed that ridiculous thought immediately and just KNOW it is because my scale was trying to make up for the terribly, grumpy run I just endured. I love you scale, don't ever die.