Oh Baby!

Did you think for a second it was ours? Not yet. My brother Ray is having his first child and I am beyond happy for him and his wife. They had a rough time (to say the least) trying to have a child together and they were basically told she wasn't going to be able to get pregnant again (she has 3 from a previous marriage). But they are the epitome of positive energy. In fact, his very intelligent wife lectures globally and has written a few books on this subject. Well they kept the positive thinking going and they are PREGNANT and everything is going along great, the only drawback... They live in England! Way too far away.

I am so happy for them. They are such a great couple and I have so so many fond memories of Ray. He has taught me so much about being your own person. He truly just doesnt care about who you are, where you came from or what you have; He doesnt care what your book cover looks like. I hope Baby Sky River [they're earth lovers:)] inherits that quality. Shamanka, his wife, already has 3 children and I know she's an amazing mother. She is so loving and extremely thoughtful and Ray's perfect compliment!

Sending them Love and Angel Kisses!!

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD AND THE BIG BAD WOLF

I told you this was genius. Jean Paul Gaultier is so artistic and "out there" but always within reason.
PETA LOVERS...CLOSE YOUR EYES.

Good...Not So Good...Somewhere in the Middle

These are my personal thoughts on what is GOOD and NOT SO GOOD and Somewhere in the middle.

• Stephanie Meyer's The Host and Emily Griffin's Love The One Your With; and - both very good beach reads- not that I'm near the beach. Someone play a violin for me. Also Urban Outfitters rad edition of Little Women. The cover is outrageously fantastic. Cant find it on the internet but its on sale for ridiculously cheap at the Mandalay store.
  
• D&G's new line (not that I can afford it) the plaid is a toss up between classy and cutting edge.
  
• Magazines... Elle tops Vogue (Dare I say...)?
• Vegas Nights, the days are brutal but the nights are perfect!
• Sunshine...My happiness depends on it. Okay maybe not that extreme but close.
• Family Home Evening with the Treese's. My sister in law Nikki keeps it perfectly organized and I cannot think of a better way to start the week. I get to see my all Casey's family (my family) and it fills my heart and I get to be around my nieces and nephews which bring me pure joy.
• Pier One's Patchouli incense and fresh Oriental lilies. The smells of happiness,
• Jean Paul Gaultier's recent fashion show... Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf... He's a genius...

• Obama or McCain, I'm having a tough time. The more I learn the harder it is.
  
• Staying in Vegas for the rest of my life...hmmmm... not sure about that.
• My Job...Graveyard is awwwwwful but I can have a somewhat summer vacay.
  

• FLDS in the media...oy... Just having LDS in the name pains me.
  
• Cops posted up on Paradise (a major street in Las Vegas for those of you who dont live here) nightly. I need that road to go to work. 5 lanes...35 miles an hour speed limit: RIDICULOUS. So far 1 speeding ticket, 2 warnings. Thanks for the warnings.
  
• Blogger... having 8 fonts and very limited room for creativity.
  
• Where's my dream job? Motherhood is a no-brainer, but in the meantime...
• Still not being able to pay for my wedding pics. Just like my eyes our bigger than my stomach, my desires are bigger then my wallet. Theyre posted here. Incidentally, event name Casey and Alexis, password 9597, just in case you want to check out the wedding of my dreams.
• Julia Roberts and her private jet to Cannes, Al Gore and his personal energy crisis. The hypocrisy kills me. I'm all for green and Casey and I are taking baby steps to do our part (trust me we've got a long ways to go) but if youre going to be on a platform and preach or win a dang noble peace prize. Just put your passion into practice.

Hello Luxury... It's Nice To Meet You

ITS OUR ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!

Let me first start with this... We were so amazingly blessed this weekend. I hope that in no way this comes of as bragging but more out of a place of total gratitude.

So lets get on with it! Casey and I wanted to celebrate our anniversary by going to the Four Seasons. His parents so graciously gave us a wonderful room there our wedding weekend prior to our honeymoon. We thought it would be sweet and sentimental to go back there for our one year. So we SAVED. Not an easy task seeing as how the word is so foreign to me. When I opened the double french doors to a suite with a 180 degree view of the strip, that was larger then our loft I nearly lost my mind. I got there first and I just went from room to room, talking to myself; saying Holy Crap! No Way! You Gotta Be Kidding!" and every other tacky, full of shock phrase you can think of. Here's a taste of what we were so blessed to get:

• I am so so grateful for year one, for all you that say the first year is the best- you're either lying or lucky. We had ups and downs, trials and blessings, laughs and (gasp!) disagreements. We triumphed and fell flat on our faces but we learned.
• I have an overwhelming feeling Year two will be amazing, we have gained so much understanding (of course, we still have a ways to go) on how to be married. How to sacrifice your own needs for someone else, how to compromise, how to take time outs to do simple things that bring a smile to our spouse's faces, we've learned to forgive sooner then later, laugh at ourselves. TO NAME A FEW. I could go on and on about the lessons weve learned!
• I am one lucky girl. I have a husband that honors his priesthood and has an overwhelmingly strong testimony of the gospel, He treats me as his equal, He goes out of his way to make me happy. He makes me strive to be a better person every day- and he tries to be a better person every day . I am so grateful.
  

What lessons have you married folks learned thus far?

Happy Birthday Peggy!!!

Well, anyone who knows my mother in law-Peggy knows...This is a woman who has it together. She has tremendous confidence, unwavering faith and a great sense of humor. The boys (four boys in the family!) will sit around the dinner table and tell their everyday stories (they're all hilarious in their own right) and no matter how outrageous or ridiculous the story- she will just laugh this wonderful genuine laugh (which is a quality I really love in a person). She's an amazing woman that Casey credits for so much of his tremendous qualities- all learned from her example. She's generous and kind and loving. She makes a great roast amongst many other meals and this is a woman tht can put together a fabulous dinner party. And the standing joke (although quite true) is... Boy, can she accessorize! Im constantly coveting her fabulous new Tory Burch shoes or Isabella Fiore handbag. But I saw the true Peggy when I faced the worst trial of my life... I will never forget her empathy and love and support during this most difficult time. She could have easily gone the other way, which was a natural response, but she didn't. She took me to lunch one day and assured me I was going to get through it and gave me great advice... always pray for peace and calm in your heart. And I left knowing I will get through this. I hope that part is not too much info but it really shows the real HER.

So even though she is not in the blogging world, I just wanted to publicly wish her a happy birthday and acknowledge all her amazing qualities.

Wherefore, you must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ and endure to the end Behold thus saith the Father ye shall have eternal life. 2 Ne 31:20

I took a class where we were to think these words... I'm going home. That was super powerful. I got goosebumps when I said it to myself and cannot think or say it without a smile coming across my face and a calming peace in my heart. So if your down, have confidence in yourself and say IM GOING HOME. Not in a morbid way haha but when the day comes...thats where Im going... this is not home.

Ahhhhhh a break to breathe

K (sister) graduated, lots of fam came into fabulous, hot LV and of course Father's Day. We were going non-stop-good non-stop.

It was a beautiful and exciting weekend but I have to admit that being here at Club Couch, just me, my husband and my two children (dogs- whatev- yes I still say whatev, even if it is a H.S. text thing to do), watching Jerry Maguire (which I forgot how good it is, especially the Cuba Gooding Jr "Show me the Money" scene), sucking on a 7up pop... is pure bliss.

Things to do to Mañana...

• Download new coldplay album Update: Cd's are typically released way sooner in Russia then US so I get them sooner but Coldplay yet? Nooooo. freak. and whatever other albums that deem worthy of downloading.
• Go to Smiths to buy Moses' preferred treats (Albertson's didn't have them) I know-pathetic.
• Go to the pool and read for at least 2 hours. Books- no magazines. That's going to be hard- I like my magazines as much as books but books are betta and I have 7- literally 7 I need to finish.
• Laundry: ewww, gross, disgusting, awful, terrible. I'd rather drink bleach
• Clean my floors... again rather drink bleach.
• FHE
• Work- Wahoo!

Best picture of the weekend...

My Dad and Casey and their attempt to look "tough".

PS. Can you believe what I consider "the best picture of the weekend" does not include me?
I know I'm shocked too.


Happy Father's Day to my Precious Daddy, My sweet Father in Law- Steve and also to my amazing husband- the future father of our children! I love and adore you guys.

K's Graduation

A Bit Of Randomness

• Let's play Fight Club, If I could fight anyone it would be Heidi Montag, shoot- I'd fight Spencer too and I'd probably whoop his pansy arse. I am tired of their staged photo opp's.
  
• I know it's belated but Good Riddance Hillary! All the talk of the first woman pres blah blah, she's as masculine as they get. But Im still on the health care band wagon- I just have some different ideas of approaching it.
  
• Thank you Casey, my sweetheart, for going all the way to the Burger Bar at Mandalay Bay to get Zucchini Fries. Simple gifts go a long way.
• I miss my nieces Keke and Deysha. I'm coming to kidnap you. And you too Tessa, I didn't get my weekly Tessa fix.
• Dear Dj's, please stop playing "American Boy" (Estelle and Kanye) I absolutly adore that song but you're playing it out!
  
• Arizona Raspberry Iced Tea... I Heart You.
• Congratulations to my sister Kaoni for graduating High School and also to my parents for becoming empty nesters- or close to it.
  
• Why are we still reading and hearing about Tori Spelling?
• How did we exist without DVR or Tivo?
• Jason Mraz- Love the new album and love you too.
• Come on Lakers... we can make it to the finals.
  

I'm sure everyone was on the edge of their seats waiting for my random thoughts. I hope you can sleep well tonight, now that you have them.

Amber and Ali Reunion

Amber and I were best friends in high school until- lets be frank- I got on my self-righteous high horse and we grew apart. But I finally hopped off the stupid horse and her and I are back on the same page.

Check out the Prom 99 picture-yikes- at least on my end... I had ME SOME BANGIN HAIR.

I cannot tell you how much we laughed together back in the day . And we both agreed that, Dang it! Were funny and if anyone doesn't agree- they don't have a sense of humor (wait- is that the horse speaking). I haven't seen her in four years! So of course the first time is "let me catch you up on our beautiful lives and of course the drama thats ensued in the meantime" but it was still filled with laughs. Amber is a no BS kind of girl- which is so refreshing- no filtering needed. So I cant wait until we get together again and have one of our ridiculous laugh sessions. She recently moved from Illinois to Utah- yay! closer.

So Amber, I love you. You're witty, smart, genuine, giving, beautiful and I hope that we can hang out more and more and more.

Ode to CS Lewis

Well I thought I'd give a little nod to Mr. Lewis, my family probably thinks Im obsessed but I cant help it. I've been reading one book after another so I keep quoting him.

The first book I ever read of his was- The Great Divorce- It was an idea of Heaven and Hell and the imagery he created was so different then anything I had ever read. It was prefaced with him saying it wasnt him prophesying what Heaven and Hell was but rather he was using a creative allegory to express some views he had about afterlife. These ideas (that I can remember) were 1. That God is loving and wants us to be with Him in Heaven and 2. That the only person that could stand in our way was ourselves and 3. He wanted to express that giving up our sins is a great trial for us and they can ultimately make up our identity and be extremely difficult to forsake.

I was hooked by his style of writing and his ideas and continued to read whatever I could get my hands on. I just finished reading- A Grief Observed- and I was blown away by his candidness. It is essentially a journal of his thoughts after his wife died. This great Christian writer's faith was so incredibly shaken and he is so forthcoming with his feelings and doubts. But at the end he paints this picture of Heavenly Father that I cant get out of my head and I know I'll never forget, after all of his questioning he imagines Heavenly Father shaking his head- not in a way of disdain but rather in a very loving and sympathetic way saying... "Peace Child, you do not understand." There are many things I dont understand and imagine in the future there will be many more but I feel I'll always think of that image of Heavenly Father and know that there are just some things we wont understand in this lifetime.

I am sad he is not alive to give us anymore of his insight. I feel the same way about other great writers and especially of LDS prophets. At any rate he's pushed Casey and me to push ourselves. Since everyone in my "blogging network" is LDS, Im sure you knows as members (generally speaking) we go through times when we just go through the motions and then there are times when we are filled with an overwhelming desire to be better and I am grateful for these times and try to make them last as long as possible. Awww man I hope this doesnt sound all high and mighty. OK just pick up a Lewis book.