extra, extra

Read all about it.

The newest issue of Utah Valley Magazine is out, and in my completely biased opinion, it's a downright delicious read. You can take a gander here.

Yours truly wrote two feature packages — one on the angels among us, and another on women and the "doors" we walk through. I got to interview the most beautiful, inspiring people. The kind of people who remind me why I'm a writer.

I have the best job. Ever.

last week ...

I might have gone to a Kelly Clarkson concert.

I might have stood in the rain with Fellow Fanatic/BFF Alison — swaying and singing all the while.

I might have screamed such sentiments as "I love you, Kelly!" and the ever-classic "woo hoo."

I might have gotten jiggy with it.

I might have purchased a totally rockadelic Kelly Clarkson T-Shirt. (That I will so totally wear, Adam.)
I might be 25 years old.

And I might have made a pact with Fellow Fanatic/BFF Alison to see our girl Kelly every time she has a concert in Utah. Yes, a pact.

Shhhhhh.

Don't tell Adam.

you say goodbye, i say hello

It's moving week around these parts, which means Adam has turned into Sir Pack-a-lot.

Me: If we pack three more boxes, THEN can we get frozen yogurt?
Sir Pack-a-lot: Yogurt-schmogurt. Pack, woman, pack!

But amidst all the boxes and bargaining (and frozen yogurt), I started to think about the goodbyes and hellos to come.

Let's take a look-see, shall we?
Goodbye Pleasant Grove ... Hello Lehi.

Goodbye rent check ... Hello mortgage payment.

Goodbye lengthy commute for Adam ... Hello lengthy commute for Bri. (A whole 15 minutes!)

Goodbye car port ... Hello garage (you blessed thing).

Goodbye three-minute walk to Maceys ... Hello grocery shopping for more than one meal at a time (sigh).

Goodbye walking up three flights of stairs every day ... Hello search for a new form of passive exercise (as sister Kara calls it).

Goodbye fancy people that take care of our grass (we'll miss you, Lawn Ranger) ... Hello yard work by Adam and Bri.

Goodbye not knowing how to decorate ... Hello magical knowledge of divine decor. (This comes with the purchase of the house, right? I mean, right?)

Goodbye Bajio Grill across the street ... Hello Cabela's down the street — aka elk burger heaven. Jeaaalous?

Goodbye singing in the shower ... Hello belting in the shower (with nary a neighbor in earshot).

Goodbye walls we can't paint ... Hello cans of color.

Goodbye condo ... Hello house to call our own.

gilmore girls night in

The only plus to Adam being in L.A. on business (aside from my husband sounding ridiculously important), is I get to marathon it with Lorelai and Rory — with nary a "they talk too fast and no one is that witty" rant in sight.

I love you, babe, but you have no taste in gushingly girly TV.

Love those Gilmore Girls.

my glasses were SO BIG as a kid ...

... they had to rest on my cheeks. True story.

about last month

You might say it's been an eventful month. So eventful, in fact, that I feel a list coming on. (I can't help myself.)

In the last 30 days ...

1. I went to Hawaii for my Grandpa's funeral. It was a perfect weekend celebrating an amazing man with a family I absolutely, totally adore.

I heart Hallstroms ...
... and Uncle Jim's Kalbi ribs ...
... and work parties at Grandpa's house ...
... and the "return-me rhyme" in Grandpa's
books, found at said work party ...
... and terrifying quantities of KFC ...
... and cousin Chris eating this entire plate of Chantilly Cake,
all because someone said, "I dare you" ...
... and self-portraits — Hawaiian-style ...
... and cool cousins ...
... and the loveliest of grandparents.

2. My hair has returned to its blonde roots — however artificial they may be. It's good to be back.

3. We went to Idaho Falls to help Adam's parents move into their beautiful new home. It was so fun to be a part of the transition (not to mention show off my brute strength), and we can't wait to make millions of new memories on Strawberry Lane. By the by, don't you just love that street name? My inner 4-year-old was hoping Strawberry Shortcake would show up with a plate of cookies welcoming them to the neighborhood.

4. We found out these two crazy kids are coming home.

Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!

5. We attended General Conference, which was completely special and completely inspiring. Remember Elder Holland's talk? I remember.

6. Oh, and we bought a house. Adam and Briana Stewart are, you know, homeowners.

7. I know, right?

the golden boy

It's Adam's golden birthday today (turning 29 on the 29th), and since I can't be with him on this most happy of days (I'm in Hawaii for my Grandpa's funeral), I want him to know that I love him more than the 29 Kalbi Ribs I plan to eat for dinner tonight.

That's true love, right Uncle Jim?

Happy Birthday, honey. Miss you like crazy.

Hawaii loves itself some Adam Stewart.