I'm Off!

I got my passport. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the envelope in the mail box. It came just in time. I'm off to Paris on Wednesday, finally getting the amazing opportunity to go somewhere that requires a passport. It feels indulgent and I know I'm so lucky.

I'm not going to lie. I have a few butterflies in my stomach thinking about leaving my husband and kids and going so far away, but, mostly I'm just excited. I'm going to make the most of this trip, knowing it's a once in a life time. I just pray and that everything goes okay at home while I'm gone. So....

Au revior, et salut!

Twin Band-aids

A couple days ago Jeffrey fell down the porch steps at the neighbor's house and landed on his head. Then last night he accidentally (at least he says it was an accident) hit Jonathan in the forehead with the Firm Sculpting Stick. Ouch! We spent the evening in the doctor's office getting Jonathan some stitches. Now the boys both have band-aids in exactly the same spot on their foreheads. Now they're more twins than ever.

March Madness

They say everyone has a twin, someone out there in the world that looks just like them. During the March Madness basketball tournament that comes around every year we get to see Mike's twin coaching Duke University's basketball team. Here he is, Mr. Coach K, a.k.a Mike's twin.

Mike is a bit younger and has a little less hair than Coach K but the likeness is definitely there. The boys see Coach K on the screen during a game and want to know why their daddy is at a basketball game on the TV. Last night Jonathan saw some pictures of Coach K on the Internet and called Jeffrey to come see all the pictures of daddy on the computer.

Not only do Mike and Coach K look alike, but they share the same first name and an obsessive love for the game of basketball. Maybe they were separated at birth?

Intuitive Eating blog people...

I know it's been awhile, but if you're still around there's a new post today. We'll finish up Rethinking Thin this time and we're on Chapter 10 of Intuitive Eating. I'll post again about the middle of April. Only three more chapters and we're done. You'll have plenty of time to catch up if you're interested. Thanks for all your great comments!

Love in the Desert

Mike went down to Moab last weekend with Laura, Tim, Dave and Lynette to run the Canyonlands half marathon. He took Mary Kate with him. They had a grand time together.





Mary Kate also got tons of love from Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Laura and Tim. Thanks you guys for showing her such a great time.



One thing's for sure, Mary Kate might look like me, but she is her daddy's girl. She LOVES the great outdoors. She did not get this trait from me. Sure, I like nature, but Mary Kate is right as home in it. Just like her dad. She has nothing but love for the beautiful earth! That kind of love is in the Dickey blood!






And here's some true love: Mike and his Bike - real BFFs





Here's Mike crossing the finish line. He said he didn't love the last two miles of this race but he made it!

I love you guys and missed you! Glad you're back safely!

Happy Birthday Stephen!

My cousin Stephen is one of my most favorite people in the whole world. He's a total gem! Here we are in Wisconsin, ages 19 and 12 respectively. I lived with Stephen and his family in Minnesota a few summers during collage and ever since then we have been bosom friends. He was delightful then and he's delightful now.


Stephen and I - summer #2 in Minnesota

Stephen moved to Utah and attended BYU for college. I loved having him live nearby. We had all kinds of great times together, especially planting my flower beds and vegetable garden. Stephen has an amazing green thumb (among many other incredible talents).

When he got a real job and moved to New York I cried for a solid week. I still miss him everyday.

One of my favorite things to do, and one I wish I could afford to do more, is visit Stephen in New York. He is the perfect host and always bends over backwards to make the trip extra great. When I visit Stephen I wake up to breakfasts of Greek yogurt, granola, and sliced cherries, drizzled with honey, and get to enjoy New York with one of the most fun people on the planet.


Amy, Stephen and I on top the Empire State Building



On a bridge in Central Park

Stephen works as a senior art director for Martha Stewart Living magazine. He's amazing at what he does. I love getting a little bit of Stephen in the mail every month when I receive my magazine and occasionally when I'm the recipient of a fabulous and thoughtful gift from him. I have two Martha books signed by the women herself, and my favorite gift of all was a beautiful, delicate, blue, chicken's egg with a card attached that said, "Straight from the a#* of one of Martha's chickens!" I still have the egg and the card. Stephen knows what I like.



Happy 27th Birthday Stephen. I love you to death and wish I could be there to celebrate with you. Thanks for being such a significant and excellent part of my existence. You da bomb!

Happy Anniversary!

It's easy to see from the bad hairdos (me with my sausage roll bangs and Mike with that rim around his head) that we deserved each other, but despite the hair, that was the happiest day of my life. We're celebrating 13 years today. We've been married long enough that when I look at our wedding pictures I'm shocked by how young we were then.

I can say, with 100% certainty, that Mike is the best thing that ever happened to me. Sometimes when I stop to think about it, my heart feels like it's going to explode (in a good way). I'm lucky and blessed that after 3 kids, a dog, a mortgage, and 13 years of marriage, I can still feel that way. Thanks Mike, for being so incredibly easy to live with. You're a good man and I love you!

I think we've come a long way in the hair department too....thank goodness!

She's One Year Old....7 in Dog Years

Had to post a birthday tribute to the best dog on the planet. I love this furry little girl, even though she barks really loud when someone's at the door!


Mike's lap was a safe place from the boys



She actually ate the tulip right after we snapped this picture



Lovin' the mountains!



Modeling her pink panda sweater - she hates it!

Home from the groomers

Snow beard

I realize this post is a bit obnoxious, but it's my blog, so there!

Afternoon Tea

Question: What's more girly than a bunny themed tea party?
Answer: Nothing!!!

Mary Kate has a few friends who needed cheering up and one celebrating a birthday so we decided to throw an afternoon tea party. We decked out the table with everything bunny, served cheese and crackers, pink cookies, and mini muffins and even had real herbal tea. A lovely time was had by all.



The girls dressed up in their finest. Lauren really went all out wearing her lace shawl and crocheted gloves. Whitney came in he 'Belle' dress, and almost everyone came wearing a little lip stick.

Manners were practiced. The girls called each other Lady and discussed their latest reads and favorite outfits. They made sure that as they sipped their tea, their pinkies were properly sticking out. They did a fine job passing things and not reaching over the table.

After tea, the girls got to open little gift bags filled with bunny items.

It's fun doing girl stuff.

A Healthy Dose of Perspective

Yesterday I went to visit my friend Jana and her little 4 year old boy Ben, who is being treated for cancer. A few months ago Ben blacked out at home and was life flighted to Primary Children's Medical Center where they found a tumor in his brain. After a long fight on the operating table the doctors were able to remove the tumor, but Ben is having to learn most things all over again. He can move a bit, but can't talk, eat, or walk. He communitcates with a thumbs up when he needs to. He has now started his cancer treatments. He's lost his hair and is very sick. His mom and dad are doing a wonderful job caring for him and giving him all the love he needs to get well. We pray for them everyday.

Visiting Ben was just what I needed. Thank you Ben (and Jana) for the healthy dose of perspective you offered me. Thanks Ben for your smiles and for being such a fighter. And Jana, for enduring this trial with such grace.

In light of my last post, all about the boys and their shenanigans, and my subsequent visit with Ben, let's just say that I'm happy that my boys can still do all of the terrible things they do. Of course I'm not excusing bad behavior and they should be choosing the right a little more often, but at least they can take bites out of every apple in the box and run to the neighbors for the gas can. I'm sure Jana would love for Ben to be getting into little boy mischeif. Sometimes I take so much for granted, not appreciating what is going right in my life. I get so wrapped up in trivial things. I want to do better at remembering what is important, embracing and being grateful for what I have. I found myself hugging my boys a little tighter today, being a little more patient. Enjoying them more. I want that to last.

Just minutes before Ben was life flighted to the hospital he was in Primary, a brand new Sunbeam, singing Once There was A Snowman with me at the top of his lungs. He was so carried away in the song that he couldn't stay with the rest of his class and was right at my feet, staring up into my face with a huge grin. Yesterday I sang that song with him again and he was grinning just as big. Thanks again Ben and family, for the inspiration.