New York, New York

We took a red eye flight out of Salt Lake on Tuesday night...and arrived in New York City Wednesday morning around 7. We took a shuttle to our hotel, The Salisbury on 57th Street and 6th Avenue, right in downtown Manhattan by Rockefeller Center and Central Park. It was old...the elevator had a maximum capacity of 10 people (10 people with NO luggage). We got breakfast at a little place called Fresh Co. just down the street. It offered high quality ingredients and organic foods, with a healthy theme. It was delicious! After that, we explored the city until we could check into our rooms, then we got ready and rode the subway down to Battery Park. Half of our group went on the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. Since we had all done that already, we went with Alicia (Chic On A Shoestring) and her friend Angie to the Century 21 department store. It was like Nordstrom Rack...times 57. It had 5 floors of designer everything at a much-discounted price. Later on, we met up with the rest of the group to go see the 9/11 Memorial Museum. You could feel a special spirit as you walked around Ground Zero; it was very humbling and touching.

Thursday, we went to a taping of the Nate Berkus show at the CBS Broadcast Center. Nate was short, and wore really tight pants. The audience coordinator’s name was Dena and she was hilarious. She does comedy on the side and her title is "One Funny Mother". She told us to "sit up, suck it in, fix your hair, look pretty and don't pick, itch, or rub anything". She kept us laughing. After the show, we went to the Serendipity Restaurant (where the movie was filmed) and had lunch. It was the cutest little place ever and the food was really yummy. We all tried their signature "frozen hot chocolate" and then shopped in the little gift shop before heading to the H&M store on 5th Avenue. Later than night, we got all dressed up and went to the Shubert Theater where we saw the Broadway show, Memphis. I loved it; I'd say it was one of the biggest highlights of the trip for me. After the show, we went across the street to an Italian restaurant called Carmine's. We shared a pasta dish with broccoli and sausage- and I even ate a stuffed mushroom. It was creepy, but I did it.

Friday, we went to the original Macy's department store at Herald Square (it had like 10 levels, restaurants, and even a lounge to rest in between shopping). They hosted a delightful breakfast and fashion show for us before the store even opened. I felt like a VIP. :) We shopped most of the day, and Alicia helped us all pick out an outfit that made us look fabulous - I got lots of good tips- like what to wear when you're a midget...:) It rained hard this day, but we wanted to see the Empire State Building, so we took a break from shopping and walked up a few blocks with our umbrellas - the guy at the door told us there was zero visibility and there were no refunds if we went up and couldn't see anything. He talked us into going on a ride that simulated being in a helicopter flying over the city instead. It sucked. We were all a little disappointed, but at least we tried. On our walk back, we stopped at one of my favorite stores, Forever 21 and made a few purchases, then back to Macy's to pick up all our bags. We had LOTS of bags. It was rush hour in NY and we couldn't get a taxi. So when the guy on the bike asked us if we wanted a ride, we took him up on it. He was pulling a little car seat behind him that would really only fit two people, but we squeezed in anyway. I sat on the edge with my feet on the bike's bumper as we zigzagged through busy traffic. It was a thrill ride for sure...I was afraid we weren't going to make it bag in one piece. We figured it wouldn't cost more than a taxi, which would have been about $10, but when he dropped us off, he told us it was $20 a person for the ride. WHAT????!!! Then he gave us a "really good deal" and charged us $40. We got totally jipped, but we learned our lesson. We were all soaking wet and our bodies were aching from all that shopping, so we ate snacks for dinner and went to bed.

Saturday was "tour bus" day! A biiiiig shuttle bus picked all 13 of us outside our hotel that morning. The driver's name was Frank and we liked him. He drove us all over the city and we would get off and shop for a while, then drop off our bags and shop some more until it was time to go to the next stop.

We went back to Century 21 where I hit the jackpot...(it’s there that I bought a whole new set of luggage to get all my other treasures home in). Then we visited Topshop, H&M, Uniqlo, and Chinatown.

This trip was a girl's dream! I'm so glad I got to go. It was so fun being with Lisa and Joyce, and getting to spend quality time with them. Several of the girls commented on how neat it was to see my relationship with them. I feel very blessed to be a part of their family, and I feel very blessed to have my sweet husband who I missed so much while I was gone. He is so supportive of me and everything I do. He gives me so much and makes opportunities like this possible and fun. Next trip better to be to Moab in the buggy...and hopefully soon!

The day we flew home was our 2-year anniversary. Chad and his dad picked us up at the airport, and after we dropped off our luggage, the two of went out to dinner at Ruby River to celebrate. I can't believe it's been two years. I am so happy! I have found my place in this world, I know where I belong, and it's right next to Chad. Wherever he goes, I want to be there holding his hand.

Have yourself a happy little birthday...

Cliff&Grandma Roach

Our Guests

My Sassy Little Cake

Telling him how amazing he is...

Kelli, Will, Brant, Kloe, Me

Grandma&Grandpa Hancock

I'm officially 27. Twenty seven. Just when you think you've had the best birthday (or birthday week), the next one comes along and you say it all over again. I love building up to the big day with little celebrations the week before, I just think birthdays are so important and fun, that you can't possibly celebrate it all in only one day. Saturday night we went out with our friends to Gracie's in Salt Lake - we ate out on the upstairs patio that over-looked the busy streets and tall buildings. It was relaxing and fun- I love good company.

Sunday was the day of the big birthday BBQ, and it was a pretty perfect day. Little things make me happy… Like Chad going to Costco with me to get stuff for the party. We weren't in a hurry, even though I would have been if I was by myself. When I'm with Chad, I want to enjoy every second with him, he makes me laugh - he is my happy pill, he is my sparkle...

We goofed around, loaded the cart with all kinds of things, even a small toy helicopter. He tested out the mattresses, and then rushed me out of the towel and rug aisle (he knows I love buying new towels and rugs for no reason). We stopped and got cola's on the way home, and listened to the music up loud with the windows rolled down. He flew his helicopter all over the living room while I made some things for the party, then he helped me do a few things around the house...and it was fun to just be hanging out. We headed out to Dennis and Lisa's around 5, got set up, and the fun began. Chad surprised me with coordinating an amazing cake to be made just for me...it was fabulous, I loved it and was so excited (thanks to Maris and Weston, and Weston's mom as well).

And here is the "thankamony" for this year...I am so grateful for all the special people in my life. I have three families and I just don't know how I got so lucky. Just so you know, I think you are all so amazing, and the best birthday present is having you all in the same room, together, you all make me so happy.

And thank you to my sweetheart: I love that you spoil me, I love that you get as excited for my birthdays as I do, I love that you plan surprises, and I absolutely love that you let me open my presents early. :) I love you so much. You have gone above and beyond yet again.

Our Summer So Far

July 4th at Chad's Parent's House

At Ruth's Chris

My favorite time of year...for so many reasons is…the 4th of July. I've always liked it more than the other holidays because it's summer, it's hot outside, school is out, and so many fun things are happening (like the carnival, the rodeo, the shops at the park, baseball games, bbqs, etc.)

And...the cherry on top...it's the time of Chad and my first date. That's what makes it the sweetest. We have celebrated our "first date anniversary" the last two years now because it's so special to us. It reminds us both, individually, of one of the most trying times we had in our lives... which then led us to come together to share the mark of a new beginning. When one door closes, another door opens...we just have to be brave enough to close the first one.

So this 4th of July weekend, Chad had just come home from a two-week job in Washington, and that Saturday, we spent the afternoon at Dennis and Lisa's. Chad helped work on the dock and then we bbq’d and rode wave runners all over Utah Lake. I never knew how much fun that could be because I am so terrified of the water and new to the water sports. It took some coaxing to get me on one by myself, but I did it and we had a blast. Sunday, I had planned to surprise Chad with a little get-a-way...we packed our over night bags and went to Ruth's Chris in Salt Lake for dinner. I've never been to any restaurant that nice, or expensive. The memories are priceless, so the money spent was well worth it. After dinner, I had reserved a room at the Anniversary Inn. I'm not complaining, but the minute we stepped inside, the whole place just smelled OLD (and "haunted" Chad said). Chad gave me the stink face as he carried our bags up the stairs. Our "suite" was called "The Enchanted Forest"...and it was very much smaller than the pictures made it look. Chad is 6'3. The bed was probably 5' by 5'. The TV was a good 10-year-old Panasonic 32 incher, and the plastic plants all over the room dated it even more. I have to say; I was a little disappointed at first. They left us a complimentary bottle of sparkling cider and two pieces of cheesecake...so we climbed up into the bed and had dessert. As it got darker outside, it kind of felt like we were in a tree house...(the bed frame was a big tree with the branches going up to the ceiling the (fake) leaves hung down). It really was relaxing, just to be away from home and not have to think about anything...except we couldn't help but think that at home, we had a big bed, with a big screen TV. The next morning, they left a warm breakfast outside the door, which we ate in bed also, and then we packed our things and headed home. It was the 4th of July! Later that evening, we went back out to Saratoga; we had a BBQ with the family, played out on the water, and then lit our fireworks off the dock. We had such a fun weekend!

Now after all that fun, the work began. The new OR pharmacy opened up and I've been working like crazy. I worked four 14-hour days in a row and by the last day, I was dead. It really made me appreciate all the hard work Chad puts in because he has days like that ALL the time. When he was in Washington, he worked 14-hour days for nine days in a row...and I didn't hear him complain once. He comes home and helps me, and spends time with me, works in the garage, or in the yard...I just don't know he does it. He's a lot stronger than me. I am so glad to have such a strong, and motivated man. I know he'll always take care of me and our family. I really don't know what I'd do without him. I am so lucky that he is mine.

My Happy Place

A couple years ago I took a psychology class from one of the most amazing professors UVU has to offer. She liked to be called Jan. Among her many talents were hypnotherapy and relaxation techniques. At the time, my life was hard and I was lost. One day, she let us experience this relaxation therapy in class. She turned down the lights, told us to get comfortable and rest our heads down on the desk. She talked to us, told us to think of our happy place and go there in our minds. She said we could create any kind of place we wanted. I thought mine would be somewhere in Hawaii by a waterfall. Somewhere beautiful, peaceful, warm, where I didn't have to worry about anything, and nothing could hurt me. I tried going there, but I couldn't stay. I kept being pulled back into reality by my troubles. Some other students in the class fell asleep, and she just let us be...but my mind was going a hundred miles an hour. Ever since that day, when I would find myself feeling anxious, panicked, scared, etc…I would try to find my happy place. But I didn't have one. I had no one where to go, nowhere that brought me peace, nowhere that I felt safe.

When Chad and I first started dating, we would go for Sunday drives up the canyon in his big truck. I can still remember it like it was yesterday...he would pull up to my house and as soon as I saw him get out of the truck, my heart literally skipped a beat. I remember how he looked, the way he moved, the way he smelled...and I couldn't help but smile once I saw him. Nothing has ever made me so happy. I'd climb in on his side and see two diet Dr. Pepper's in the cup holders, Lady A would be playing, he'd jump in, and off we would go. My favorite thing was riding next to him, and from time to time, I would lay my head on his shoulder...I just needed to be as close to him as possible.

Things were a little crazy for us at the beginning of our relationship, so it was nice to have a little place of our own to escape. Especially from the misunderstanding. The ones who loved us understood. But the rest of the world didn't. And how could they?

"Walk a mile in another man's shoes before you pass judgment." I wouldn't have wanted anyone to have to walk a mile in our shoes.

The drive was beautiful, almost spiritual. I felt closer to God up there in the mountains. Our spot was at a little park, there was a pavilion, and set of swings encircled by tall trees and a little creek. It was pretty far up the canyon, so we hardly ever saw any one else. It was just us. We would hold hands and walk around the park, then end up sitting at one of the picnic tables knee to knee, talking. His eyes were amazing (they still are); they were so honest, and when he looked at me, he REALLY looked at me. As if he was trying to memorize everything about me. We talked about everything, we laughed, and sometimes I wanted to cry because I was so gloriously overwhelmed in a moment that felt like a dream. We'd stay there for several hours, until we absolutely had to head home. The ride back always went by too fast, even though we drove slowly. I never wanted the night to end. I hated saying goodbye and watching him leave. Even though I would see him tomorrow, it just didn't feel right. That's how I knew I had to marry him. Then, I wouldn't have to say "good bye". And that made me happy.

Six months after we got married, I had to go to the doctor for a small procedure. I hate needles, they scare me to death. My anxiety was building and Chad wasn't with me. The doctor told me to relax (ha, yeah right), and I thought..."I need to go to my happy place." I started picturing Hawaii, and my waterfall...but it wasn't working. My anxiety was still climbing and I was afraid the panic was going to set in at any moment. Then I pictured Chad...climbing out of his truck, picking me up, driving up to our spot in the trees. I felt my heart start to beat slower, my grip on the chair loosened, and I got lost in those perfect moments.

I finally found my happy place. :)

Teamwork Makes The Dream Work

This last weekend, we decided it was time to revamp our front yard. It became a Schoonover family project day; after planting the garden at Shane and Stacie's, everyone headed up to our house. There were weeds to be pulled, holes to be filled, rocks to be moved, and sprinklers to be fixed. Everyone got their shovel and went to work. About an hour into it, the storm clouds came in and it started raining. The wind started blowing, and it got cold. No body said a word, just grabbed their jackets and kept on going. We got all the weeds dug up, and it was almost time to start filling up the flower beds with the stinky soil that Dennis delivered to our driveway the night before. The guys were trying to fix the sprinklers, so every now and then they would turn them on and we would get sprayed (I think they didn't warn us on purpose because they thought it was funny to hear us scream and try to run out of the way). Harley liked riding on Chad's lap in the mini loader as he brought the soil over and dumped it, while Lexi relaxed on the porch (every now and then she'd come out to say hi).

Once we got most everything in place, the girls ran to Home Depot to get some shrubs and flowers to plant. We filled up two big carts and made it out of there in less than 2 hours. I couldn't even have imagined doing all this work by myself! Watching our yard transform was like watching an episode of Extreme Home Makeover, with 6 sets of hands everything happened so fast. It was so awesome!

I've never experienced this kind of teamwork in all my life. The whole day, I was covered in dirt, (and probably poo particles), I had cuts and scrapes, and my body ached- but my heart was so full. I was proud and thankful to know these people, to call them my family. I hope they read this and they know how much I love them. I also hope I can be as good to them as they are to me. Nothing is more important to me than family, and I feel so blessed to have such camaraderie between all of us.

The Parable Of Horse Poop

The Parable of Horse Poop

I'm sure you've all heard of the story about the two boys; one was an optimist, the other a pessimist. Well I want to talk about the optimist...when put in a room full of horse manure, he started shoveling with excitement. Researchers were stunned. When they asked him what he was doing, he said "Sir, with all this manure I just know there is a pony in here somewhere and I'm going to find him!"

I believe that attitude can have the snow ball effect. One negative thought leads to another. I woke up the other day and I was still tired. I looked out the window and it was raining and cold outside. Couldn't find the shoes I wanted to wear, my hair was unmaneagable, and someone had to have stolen my eyeliner because I couldn't find it anywhere. I was running late, left for work and forgot my lunch, and what-do-ya-know, everyone driving a car that day in my vacinity was an IDIOT. I pulled into the parking lot..."Did I put my garage door down?" I thought to myself. STUPID BRAIN! Why can't I remember anything? I put it down everyday, but TODAY, I'm sure I didn't. I get out of my car, my purse strap gets stuck on the E-brake, and THAT just annoys me. Stupid car. Stupid purse. I get inside..."This day has GOT to get better...". Oh but it didn't. Everything went wrong. You get the idea.

I think back and wonder if it works the same with POSITIVITY. Surely it does. I am too blessed and priveleged to have such a bad attitude. While I am letting my day get ruined by insignificant, petty little things, some one else is homeless, getting divored, fighting addiction, battling illness, or grieving an immense loss. That slaps you back into reality. Fast. Life is too short to not look for the ponies.

Moab is a Wonderland

We went to Moab this weekend. No buggy, no scamper; just the car, a tent, and us. There wasn't supposed to be a blizzard during our drive down, or freezing temps and 30 mph winds once we got there. So the tent idea was out. The town was packed and the hotels were practically sold out. After calling about a million places, we got one of the last rooms available at the Super 8 at a ridiculous rate. Saturday we went to Arches National Park. The sun came out and as long as the wind wasn't blowing, it was a perfect day for a hike. We hiked to the Double Arch; it was about 5 miles roundtrip and pretty strenuous in some parts. I got shin splints. It took us about an hour and a half to get to the double arch, and then we found a cool spot and had a picnic with Munch Mix and Dr. Pepper (I found a pube in the Munch Mix, but Chad said it was probably just one of his arm hairs. It wasn't. I got it out and we ate it anyway). Later that day we went back into town to get lunch at the Moab Brewery (one of my favorite new places) and find me a "Moab" hoodie. Both successes!

Our friends were out climbing the rocks in their jeeps all day, and as soon as they got back we met up with Calvin and Bre later at the famous Zax restaurant for a pizza buffet. They got engaged earlier out on one of the trails, so we celebrated at dinner with mardi gras beads and screaming. Sunday morning we had brunch at La Hacienda and hit the road for home. Car rides with Chad are always amusing...I must have reached a new comfort level with him because I don't sensor my terrible singing voice anymore, even though bursting into song only happens as a last resort for boredom...after we have talked about every random, absurd thing we can think of. Or if we are exhausted from disputing some meaningless debate, like "thaw vs. un-thaw", "tornadoes vs. hurricanes", and "where babies come from". (Don't even get me started.) I was reading an article in Psychology Today at the beginning of the ride home (Chad tells me to read because I get car-anxiety sometimes)...it was a really good article called Clues to Character, so I was highlighting the things I liked with a red pen.

Chad looks over at me and said, "Can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah..."

"Why are you underlining?" He laughed... "You're never going to read that again."

"I LIKE underlining." I said back. "And I am going to read this again."

So now I'm going to blog about it so I can show him the importance of UNDERLINING.

Clues to Character Article:

(This is some really good stuff, especially if relationships interest you.)

Intelligence.

It is the most stable quality over time, and primarily a product of genetic endowment - although stimulating environments allow it to blossom. More than any other trait, it is the great declarer of possibility, an indicator of the likelihood of doing well in life. Intelligence also allows for a deeper understanding of life, experiences, and other people. It underlies the ability to deal with complexity. The ability to generate humor is a robust sign of intelligence – it reflects language skills and abstract thinking.

Drive.

It is the engine of accomplishment. It allows a person to achieve whatever goals they set in life. And yet, persistence also begets passion. Further, both of them are made possible only by a sense of optimism.

Happiness.

It isn’t something you can pursue directly. It’s a byproduct of other things most notably working toward meaningful goals. There is no happiness without challenge, risk, and growth. It may be a feeling but in large measure it is a reflection of how we think. A tendency to attribute all setbacks to fate can cripple will. Believing everything is under one’s control likewise distorts reality and is a setup for misery.

Goodness.

How you do things is more important than whether you succeed.

Friendship.

What people like in others is kindness and assertiveness- the sense that someone will be available to help in a time of need and has the ability to stand up for oneself. An adult who has few peer relationships may be unkind, unable to relate to others, or too self-involved. Endurance is an important measure of friendship quality. The ability to build a history with someone tells about the value they place on loyalty, and how sustainable they are through the ups and downs of experience. A person who comes from a family where everyone was heard and each child had some say, is likely to be attuned to what others are thinking, while knowing how to assert his own needs.

Intimacy.

Consider this an important source of balance, the ultimate leavening in life, the deepest source of comfort. And because it is the root of psychic security, it is a firm foundation for approaching the new and a wellspring of willingness to engage in exploration of life. Gauge someone’s capacity for intimacy and you will understand something about their ability to trust another human being, reveal vulnerability, make a commitment of any kind, and regulate distress as well. The first relationship is the basis for all others- this is talking about one’s emotional attachment in the origin of the family. This is where one will develop a sense of connection and also a degree of security in later relationships. Sometimes the most essential need in a close relationship is the desire and ability to listen to another particularly during times of distress. It is equally important to communicate that one’s partner is being heard. The better the communication, the more satisfaction people feel. No human enterprise can operate soundly in the absence of trust; the alternative of constant wariness creates an atmosphere of unceasing suspicion.