Obama '08

This is one of the most inspiring & passionate speeches I have heard in a very long time. I think that it's time for change in this country and I don't think that will happen with McCain. I can't say that I agree 100% with Obama on all of the issues, but come November 4th, I think he's my guy. (the movie is long but worth a watch.)

oh and if you don't agree with my political views, that's ok. We don't have to agree, that's the beauty of a democracy--everyone has a voice. It's just the first election where I've actually felt strongly about a canidate and that the issues and concerns are staring me and my family in the face. Hope you all vote Nov 4. . .no matter who it's for!!

Looking Forward to Fall

I'm sad that the summer is almost to an end. Trent goes back to school in 2 weeks and the pools shut down in 3 weeks. This summer has really flown by. It's been a blast and I really don't want to see cooler weather(esp. snow) but there are some things that I'm looking forward to this fall. . .

September brings back my favorite show of all time. . . The Office. It makes me laugh so hard I pee! Dwight K. Shrute is the best!


The first part of October my little Bro Jonny is coming home from his mission. I have missed that guy so much and I fear he will come home more mature than he left :( He was my joke around buddy and I hope to rope him back into being silly as soon as he sets foot off the plane!

November brings a most blessed event. . . the 6th HARRY POTTER MOVIE!!!! That's right, get your red and gold scarfs ready and head to the theaters. I know I'll be there opening night with my wand and scarf shaking with excitment!!! (I'm a nerd, get over it)

A Shady Deal

So we needed to fill up the other day and we found a gas station who's sign said $4.15 a gallon. This is not a spectacular price but we were on empty and the other gas stations around it had the same price so we pulled in and filled up the tank. When it was done pumping and the reciept printed, Trent noticed that we had paid $4.20 a gallon instead. He went into the cashier to explain the over charge and the cashier told him to look closer at the sign. in tiny little letters, only legible if you are feet from the sign, it read "cash". So you only got that gas at $4.15 a gallon if you paid in cash. RIP OFF!!! I think that is so shady especially in a time where gas prices are outrageous and hurting everyone to advertise like that. And who has over $50 in cash off hand to get gas? Blah. I need a bike.

And for all you Twilight fans out there, I hope Jocob gets the girl! :) Can't wait for the new book! Happy Reading.

Happy 3 Years!

Trent and I have been married for three years now! It's our Anniversary today! We met through a very blind date through the Institute in October 2004 and were married 9 months later. We have had such a wonderful 3 years with my graduation, moving to student housing, vacations, holidays, Trent getting into nursing school, having a sweet little girl, and making wonderful friends. Thanks to everyone who has made these years so fun and enjoyable! We look forward to many, many more and are excited to see what they will bring.

Pearls and Pregos

On our recent trip to the pier at Redondo Beach we went to a little pearl shop where they let you pic an oyster from a tank and they open it and you get the pearl inside. Sometimes they are big, sometimes small, sometimes black, sometimes white, sometimes there are two or three instead of the usual one. And what's interesting is that you can't tell what size/shape/color of pearl you are going to get by looking at the outside of the oyster. Some big ones have small pearls; some small ones have big pearls. And thinking about how pearls come to be: a very small particle of sand gets into the oyster and it irritates it, and the oyster coats the sand over and over with its "saliva" and over time you get a beautiful, one of a kind, pearl.

I have had the privilege of being around some beautiful pregnant women lately. And I think that they are like Oysters making pearls. Hear me out. It all starts with a small little "particle" and the mothers body makes it into a beautiful baby. Sometimes that little "particle" irritates/makes the mother sick/uncomfortable. And when I look at these wonderful pregnant women, I think, "I wonder what their pearl will look like?" You can't tell by looking at the outside of the woman how big the baby is (most of the time. . I was HUGE and Jane was small.) or the shape or the unique characteristics that the baby will have. But each woman produces their own beautiful, one of a kind, pearl. So long story short. . .that's what I think about now when I see a pregnant woman waddling around: what will her pearl look like? I love the way that God works!


Oh, and if you are wondering. . . .I am NOT pregnant, just admiring those that are :)

California Vacation! Whoo Hoo!

Hello all, we just got home from our weeklong family vacation in California and it was a blast! We left last Saturday night and drove straight through to L.A. My Grandma lives in LA county about a 1/2 mile from the beach so we were able to stay with her. Trent's birthday was on Monday so we celebrated at the beach. He rented a surf board and Jane and I dug holes in the sand. It was a marvelous way to spend his Birthday :) The rest of the week we went to the beach (almost every single day), strolled the baordwalk at Venice Beach observing the strange folks, bought bamboo in Chinatown, and cut open an oyster for a pearl at the pier at Redondo Beach. Jane loved the beach--digging in the sand, squashing Trent's castles, and yelling at the waves. She even started walking more and more as the week went on. Trent did go to the beach everyday (sometimes while Jane and I were taking a nap) and got to be quite the surfer/skim-boarder/body-surfer. The guy is part fish, I'm convinced. And I loved shopping at the little trinket shops in Venice and Chinatown and soaking up the sun. It was a wonderful visit and we already miss the care-free atmosphere. Darn that reality and responsibility! :) Here are some pictures from the week

Jane's first view of the beach. . .at 5:30 am after driving all night

Trent the surfer-bum Bassett enjoying his birthday! Happy Brithday, Love!

Jane and Trent making a sandy creature. . .yikes!

Sand-Baby Jane noticing that she may be bit dirty. . .

Picking oranges from Great Grandma's tree. They are the juiciest oranges I have ever tasted!

Venice Beach. What a crazy place!

Chinatown. . .the food there is GREAT and the shopping is a blast but the traffic getting to/from there is a nightmare!

Jane and Great-Grandma Larsen. Two happy girls!

Walking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jane is starting to really walk!! She has been standing up on her own for a while now but she will either just stand there or take a step and fall down. Today, for reasons unknown to both Trent and I, she jsut started walking! She would pull a magnetic letter off the fridge and then walk across the kitchen with it until she fell. Then she'd get back up and go for another letter. She was going strong there for a while and as soon as I got the camera (it was temporarily lost) she stopped. But we were still able to catch a bit of it on film. Go Jane!! We are so proud of you!!!!