Confession.

I've been hiding this for way too long. I am quite a fan (and have been since the early 90's. Saw Titanic 5 times in the movie theater. Yikes.) of Leonardo DiCaprio. I'll spare you the embarrasing details. Yes, I thought the crush might fade but it evolved. I got over the pre-teen obsession as I got older (and had real boyfriends), but have always carried a little torch for him.



Lest you think I exaggerate, here is a photo of the bottom inside corner of my '96-'98 journal.


Luckily, I have found a like soul in my cousin Truly and we are able to share our hidden crush and not judge each other:) We've both seen all his movies, we both wrote about him in our pre-teen journals, both know a little too much about his bio, and when she saw Shutter Island before me--she was kind enough to hold off on the details until I was able to see it (today). On our way home from the theater Matt knew I'd want to stop by their place so we could discuss his performance. Scary, I know. Matt and Shane are definitely not impressed but they're nice enough to let us indulge the squealing teenage girls inside us.

Now it's all out in the open and I am not ashamed haha.



And yes, I thought he was great in Shutter Island. Don't judge me.

A quarter of a century...

HAPPY 25th birthday to this guy! We spent the weekend with Grandpa Dave in Inkom, Idaho snowmobiling, shooting, snowshoeing and relaxing in Lava hotsprings. A nice way to celebrate the milestone.


One thing I'm most proud of Matt for is his ambition. In such rough times in the job market, he was able to land a job back in November. I know it's because of his hardwork and sacrifice. He hasn't had one summer off since high school. I don't know many other people who have completed over 4 internships, AND worked on a farm for a whole summer (just to raise money for an engagement ring for his girlfriend.) The hardwork has paid off, as of May we will be returning to the land of my father's childhood. The place where I spent every summer of my childhood. A place that Steve Perry sang so beautifully about.



Here California, here I come. Right back where I started from.



Now, all we need is a place to live!! Any suggestions?

Happy 80th Joyce-Baby

This is my grandmother. What a fox eh?! I chose this picture because right after she took it, she wowed the crowd by jumping into glacier water. It's a story I can relate to, and it is just one of the many connections between our personalities. I love having proof that my grandparents were once just like me, in this same stage of life.



Today is her 80th birthday and we are going to party! Sometime soon I want to post about my all grandparents, because really I consider them one of the absolute greatest blessings in my life. I don't know anyone else, ANYONE, who is as close to their grandparents as me and my sisters. We can talk to them about anything. Grandma and Grandpa Stauffer have been my 'stand-in' parents while I've lived in Utah and I have had some wonderful memories with them. I've truly enjoyed getting to know them on an adult level. For now, I just want to wish my Grandmother a very happy birthday! You are one of my heroes and I strive to be like you in many, many ways. Hopefully someday I will get there:)

thoughts while waiting

I had some posts planned but I'm trying to upload pictures and it is taking way too long. No patience for that tonight. Anyway, life is busy busy but we've got some exciting changes coming up. It's nice to have some variety on the horizon. More on that later.

For now, this random thought. I am convinced that Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta sold her soul to the devil to become Lady Gaga. I swear, every time I happen onto one of her music videos or award show performances I get a creeped out feeling. But, can I change the station when she comes on the radio? Rarely. Her music is so catchy, but it's gotta be mind control! How do you go from being a cute, brunette, Roman Catholic 17 yr old attending NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, to a scary, dirty, face mask-wearing sex zombie pop superstar? Sell your soul to Satan, I tell you. Oh well. I'm still listening. Anyway that's all until I can upload my own pictures.