Engrossed

There is nothing sweeter to me than to find a good book to read that is so compelling that you cannot put it down until the last word is read.

Today, I had the kind of a day that I could spend indulging in my favorite past time:

A good book, a comfy couch, hot cocoa and yes, maybe even some pita chips and red vine licorice.

Heaven!

Love my Lulu

Back in May, Steve and I stayed in a very posh resort, the Arizona Biltmore.   It was heavenly to lay by the pool and soak up the warmth of the sun, especially considering that we still were not fully out of an extremely long and cold winter back home.  I was also in training for an upcoming Ragnar Relay race in June and was feeling the panic of being unprepared.  This time away from the children was not only recharging my batteries and adding an extra jolt to my marriage (love our getaways, baby!), but it was also giving me some much needed training time in the sun.  Unfortunately (or fortunately for me, as it turns out) I had failed to pack a good running bra.  Steve, my ultimate "athletic supporter" (haha, I couldn't resist) insisted that we check out the LuLu Lemon store at the nearby mall.  As I slipped on my first piece of LuLu athletic wear, I was in love.  The running skirts, tanks, shirts, bras...the fabric!  Not only functional, but SMART functional, and pretty.  The clothing is designed to take you from the gym and into your day. Everything I picked up that day has since become my favorite running gear.  Last month, on our little girl trip to St. George, Kelsey and I buzzed over to Las Vegas to do some shopping and I introduced her to LuLu Lemon.  She, too, was immediately sold on their products and I had her Christmas presents bought and wrapped for under the tree in that one short store visit.  Turns out that she went home and told her husband and in-laws also, because they all added to her LuLu Lemon collection.  Well, after seeing all of the cute things she got for Christmas, I had to go back to LuLu for myself.  Oh my, you should just see how smokin' hot I am in my new tights, long sleeved shirt and jacket...and it feels so incredibly good on! The best treat of all:  Lulu Lemon in coming to Trolley Square in February. Love my LuLu!

My 2011 Christmas Gift to Lily

Dear Lily,

I am so glad your family invited us to join them in giving gifts to you this year.  These are gifts from the heart, and I searched mine to discover what it was that you would want me to do for you this Christmas.  I thought that one thing you would want me to do was to follow the promptings of the Spirit, no matter how silly or illogical the prompting seemed to be.  As you know, we got a cute little puppy this past summer, and we named her Jesse.  She has brought our whole family so much happiness and joy, and every time I think about how much this sweet little soul has brought to our family, I immediately have the thought that I should thank her “birth parents”—the family that we bought her from.  I have had this thought—or prompting—many times over the past 6 months, and so my gift to you this year is to act on that prompting.  I bought a box of oranges and a bag of doggie treats and toys, wrote a card of gratitude and included the above picture and delivered it to Jesse’s pre-family (before she became ours).  I was a little nervous to take it to them because I thought they would think I was a little strange, but it turned out to be such a great experience.  We had a wonderful visit, and the kids were excited to see a picture of Jesse.  I wanted them to know that when she left their loving home, she came to a home that was just as loving and that we adored her.  When I left their home, I had a big smile on my face.  It turned out to be one the most fun things I did for Christmas this year!

We love and miss you Lily!

Love,

Your Aunt Karen