the written word...

As a little exciting update, I received a letter in the mail last week from my dad.  He sent me a hand written letter thanking me for his Father's Day card.  By the second sentence I was in tears.  I will most likely frame it... it is truly one of my favorite things now and just established a place on my "Don't Forget if our House is Engulfed in Flames List." 

When Father's Day cards suddenly appear on the shelf every year, I tend to spend about a half hour reading multiple cards, trying to narrow it down to the best one, seriously consider purchasing three instead of one, and trying not to become too much of a blubbering mess while in the middle of Target.  I always end up crying by the shelf.... EVERY YEAR.

This year I found one that I thought truly captured what I wanted to say.  It was a thank you note.  A thank you note for being the kind of father that makes sure I ALWAYS know I am loved.  A thank you for the constant support both mentally and emotionally and for letting me run away to chase the dream that I found in J.  I think all the time about how he actually let me move away to a state 20 hours away for a man he had only met twice.  He wrote me a letter when I moved and it is still one of my favorite things.   I don't read it as often as I should because it makes me cry but it is cherished none the less.  He trusted me and my decision and that meant more than anything.

The song we danced to at my wedding was "My Little Girl" by Tim McGraw.  My favorite line from the song is...

"You're beautiful baby from the outside in
Chase your dreams but always know the road that'll lead you home again
Go on, take on this whole world
But to me you know you'll always be, my little girl"

I cry every time it comes on the radio because it is so accurate to me moving away and my dad's response.... yeah I am definitely a Daddy's Girl and very proud of it. 

When I gave my parents my two weeks notice (it was actually 8 days but 2 weeks sounds a little more considerate) that I was moving across the country for a boy they didn't know, J wrote them a song in reference to how I felt.  This is that song....

J calls it his "American Idol Song" ... I played it for my parents the day before I moved.  I cry each time I hear this original version.  My favorite lines are:

"You were there to see me laugh, so hard sometimes I cried.
You stood with me through the test and forgot about the rest so I'm saying my goodbye.
I wouldn't be here without you, You were as solid as stone.
And as hard as I've been trying for someone as proud as I am, I couldn't make it on my own....


I'll tell the world, tell the world your story....


I'm sure the days will pass.  And one day I will go.
But on my dying day, I know I'll hear you say that I made it on my own"



I'm a sap... but proud of it :)

Poppa Pack .... 80 and counting

A couple weeks ago, J and I celebrated his dad's 80th bday.  His mom had planned a surprise party and since he never gets steak, the destination was Texas Road House.

5 of the siblings were able to make it (2 live out of state).

We ate and talked and joked and laughed.  His siblings have this random light hearted goofiness that is so much fun to be around.  We even got his dad to sit on the saddle... the Texas Road House birthday tradition.

We don't get everyone together very often, especially without all the grandkids so it was a special evening to me.  I love spending time with his siblings and find them so fun to be around.  It was an overall fabulous evening and it was so great to see how thrilled J's dad was that we all planned the dinner and surprise!  Definitely a fun evening with great company!

UPDATE!

Well folks, I officially have my laptop back!  Up and running!  Unfortunately, I lost all of my music and all of my docs.... not to mention, a handful of photos.  So just a quick reminder... BACK UP YOUR CRAP!

This past week was non-stop!  I went to Chicago for my first National Meeting with my new company.  There were about 85 other reps there and then all the office staff.   Our company is pretty unique and I immensely enjoyed getting to meet my co-workers.  Since it's been non-stop crazy and I just barely am working on putting my laptop back to it's original state, I'll leave you with some amazing photos of my talented husband...

Our good friend took them in our living room.  I love how it's our piano in the photos.  I also LOVE how my grandpa's trunk and book are in the photos.  If you ever come up to the Rocky Mountain area, I definitely recommend Mr. Brandon Vincent!  He did our engagement photos and has taken several band photos for J over the years.  You can check his stuff out HERE.

"My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it." -Clarence Budington Kelland

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to the most WONDERFUL Father in the world.  Thank you for being the most loving father I could ever hope for and for setting such a high standard for men in my life. 

I love you Daddy

Disney down to the bone!

My family has always been pretty into Disney!  The first time I went to Disney World, I was so young I barely remember it!  I was 5 and wore this little Snow White dress because she was the bees knees!  And during the parade, Snow White saw me and waved to me and made this big production of the fact that we matched.  I loved EVERY minute of it!  The last time I went, I was 19.  I would love to go back!  My whole family went to Disney World a couple weeks ago.  J and I unfortunately couldn't afford the flights mixed in with 5 days of Disney Park Hopper Passes... so sadly we missed all the fun :(


My niece is now 3 and is every bit a Disney lover as my sister and I were.  For her first Christmas, I got her the Little Mermaid DVD.  My sis and I watched that movie religiously!  We actually won the movie and soundtrack (both on tapes of course) by winning a coloring contest.  We were hard core.  And you better believe that was the soundtrack to our lives.  It never fails that Little Mermaid songs happen to just burst out of us during holidays (with hand movements in perfect synchronization).  It's no surprise that my niece's first song was the "awwww awwww awwww awwwww awwwwwwwww" song where Ariel loses her voice in the film.  Not kidding.  She sings it quite often.

Anyways, moving on with the story....

They all went to Disney World and my brother-in-law kept me included by texting me photos of her from his iPhone.   Thank the Lord for technology!  Seriously!  Made me feel included and I enjoyed seeing the photos as the week went along.

Reese even wore my Snow White dress.... which she always tells people is "Aunt Meg's dress!"

I really wish we could have been there!  But I am so glad she had such a wonderful time!  I hope some of these memories stay with her.  I just read an article (surprise surprise) that says 3 year olds can retain their memories of events if their parents keep them talking about them.  I have a feeling that this little lady will retain some of the magic :)

Disco Night... at the roller rink!

Since moving to Utah, I have made a VERY dear and AMAZING and overall HILARIOUS friend named MK.  Or MK Ultra, as we like to call her.

MK is one of a kind and has this special zest for life that is refreshing to be around.  More than anything, she LOVES to dress up!  Costumes are her thing!  So for her 29th bday she had a Disco Roller Skating Party.

Man oh man, it was groovy.

We started out at Texas Roadhouse to get us all fed energized for the evening.

We then traveled to the Roller Rink where it was DISCO NIGHT!  Now...  we all had a more workout themed disco thing going on ...

... but my husband was quick to point out that all the "disco" outfits at the rink were in fact 80's and not 70's.  The rink looked like it threw up Miami Vice with Don Johnson look-a-likes.... not to mention, lots of men in biker shorts..... yes... BIKER SHORTS.


The night was a HUGE success!  We had SUCH a good time! Who knew roller skating could still be a hoot in late twenties/early thirties?!  

 And what's that saying?  Like Mother, like daughter?  ;)

And... after three years of marriage, I have learned that my husband is a PRO roller skater.  That boy got moves!   He was skating in and out and down and up and fast and tricky and all sorts of IMPRESSIVE. Most of the night was him skating backwards and pulling me along haha!  Again... IMPRESSIVE.  

We even got worn out ;)    ......

Overall it was a fabulous birthday!  And it even gave me a little roller skating bug... I want to go back SO BAD!  So Happy Birthday MK! I love you bunches!

Redemption of the Self

I've thought a lot lately about my friends both here and there... I've thought about the ones I still talk to regularly, the ones I never speak with unfortunately and the ones that I can pick up right where we left off even if we haven't spoken in months/years.  

I've blogged about it before but I really do hope that anyone who reads this, stops... and listens to The Avett Brothers - "The Perfect Space" .... sometimes I hear a song that stops me in my tracks and makes me hope that if I had to choose a song to be played at my funeral that my friends/fam would choose it... This is THAT song.  Morbid? Maybe.   But it is THAT song. 

To me, it's a song of redemption.   A song of forgiving who you were and loving who you've become. 

"I wanna have pride like my mother has,
And not like the kind in the bible that turns you bad.
And I wanna have friends that I can trust,
that love me for the man I've become and not the man that I was."

More and more I notice that the friends that have remained... the friends I've kept so to speak .... are the ones that have continued to grow.  The ones that regardless of whatever rough spots we've endured, love me for who I am and who I continue to grow to be.  The me that is ever changing.  And I love them the same way.   I cherish the friends that test my views and voice their convictions but still accept me regardless.  

I've lost a lot of friends from college... something that has been hard for me to grasp.  I still do the occasional facebook message but never rarely receive a response.  I'm learning to accept it.  I grew one way and they grew the other.  It's just unfortunate that the friendship couldn't be salvaged due to those differences.  

Recently, I had a friend go through some major changes in her life.  I saw her grow as a woman and as a human being and I saw her relish every inch of life.  It was inspiring and exciting to see her grab life by both hands and jump in.  The other day, I messaged her to let her know how proud I am of her and how happy I am that she's discovered her potential and is following her dreams full force.  She responded to me:  "You are a big inspiration to me in terms of just living my life.  Hope you know that."

I was floored... I cried to be honest.  

It was surprising to hear that from someone who I feel is writing the book on living the life you desire.  I was honored.  

I realize now that some people choose not to grow.  They remain comforted with the same old thing, never reaching out for something new.  And the friends that remain are the ones that grew.... and continue to grow.  I took a big leap of faith when I moved to Utah after only seeing J 4 times ever.... but it worked out better than I could have ever imagined! Blindly following my heart and leaving everyone/everything I knew was beyond difficult.  I spent the first full year having a really hard time with so few friends and feeling completely displaced.  But I knew it was worth it.  Because J was worth it.  The friends that disagreed with my decision pushed me away... and I let them.   I didn't try to hold on to them because I was angry that they fought against my decision and what I feel was my "growth."  Who knows, maybe they felt threatened?  I've been there.  I've been the one that grasped onto everything and refused to let go.  Afraid of the change and afraid of the what ifs.  But I've learned so much since I decided to move forward and not be afraid of the journey.  To be able to look back at your life and truly know it was EXACTLY what you wanted it to be... that is the true gift, and that is what I hope to say someday. 

This song is that.  So to all my friends who have an amazing journey before you... I love you!  And I cherish you more than you know :)

"I wanna fit in to the perfect space,
feel natural and safe in a volatile place.
And I wanna grow old without the pain,
give my body back to the earth and not complain."

MIA MEG

Hello blog world!  I have been MIA, I know.  It is SO hard not having a computer.  I now have to do *all* my article reading on my phone and my facebooking on my iPod.  It is quite annoying.  I read A LOT of articles.  I usually read them once on my phone and then go look them up on the computer to see the pictures, take notes, or email it to myself for future reference.  nerd alert

Anyways, my computer is in the process of getting a new hard drive and the GOOD news is, I backed up ALL my photos up until Jan 8th 2011.  BAD news is that doesn't include any of J's bday photos.  Dang.  AND.... no computer means no current photo taking.... Double Dang. Unless you count my camera on my blackberry, but let's be honest, that camera is about as good as plastic flowers. 

So here's a little update to catch you up on the last month.  Went to New Mexico for a conference which was quite the experience and my first real experience for my new job.  I go to Chicago in a couple weeks to meet everyone at the National Meeting.  I always get so dang nervous for company meetings! When you work from home, it is SO weird to finally see people face-to-face! Not to mention the awkward navigation of the different cliques since I'm a newb.  ;)   I can't help but feel the awkward-mute-middle-schooler in me come out when trying to find a seat during each meal or activity.  I have been preparing myself for this and hope to stay my new outgoing self.  We shall see.

Other than that, I have been hitting up the Estate/Garage Sales around Salt Lake every Saturday morning!  I love getting up and scoping out the finds!  I got this little beauty last week:

For $2... and it works! Just needs film!  Pretty amazing little find.  Also got some nice silver vases/decor:

.....and many new records including Tom Waits, John Lennon, and Beatles. All for $1/each.   Not to mention these Disney Treasures!  Only $2 each and the graphics are actually embedded in the record.  I'm never seen records with pictures embedded... they are pretty neat! The pics you see below are the actual records with the cardboard cover outlining them. 

Oh how I love estate sales. :)

Since it is cloudy/cold outside, I'll write a few more updates so that I'm not so MIA ;)  Love you all!