BIG NEWS FROM NEVIS!!!

My sister and her boyfriend, David Hoffman are officially engaged to be married. Stacy and David met while working at the Montage Laguna Beach and have been dating for two years. We have been anxiously awaiting this day for a little while now! And, it's all caught on film!

Just to set up this clip: We rode a catamaran from Nevis to a bay near St. Kitts for some snorkeling and had just gotten out of the water. Reed is filming, and that is me asking, "why are you filming" because Dave had just asked me to stand there next to them and I wanted to take a picture! Dave's mom, Nancy, is in the green dress to the left of the shot and neither of us had any idea!! I realized what was happening when Dave's father, Ken, brought over the treasure box....he also had just gotten done snorkeling and he said he "found it in the rocks." The Hoffman family are a bunch of big jokesters, which is why Stacy is a little skeptical at first...



We had the darnedest time uploading the video since it's pretty long, so if it gives you trouble, click here.

Reed and I are overjoyed and honored to be a part of this big moment in their lives. It was a very special moment which brought tears to my eyes. We love Dave and are so happy to have him as a part of our family.

Congratulations, Stacy and Dave. We love you. Let the celebration in Nevis resume!

Greetings From Nevis, West Indies

Ahhhhhh.

Bon Voyage.

As this is posted, I will officially be landing on the island of St. Kitts. Then we will take a little ferry ride to our final destination-the island of Nevis. Most people I have told about our lovely vacation to the West Indies have responded with an immediate, "huh?" So here is the best explanation I can find :)

What are the Lesser Antillies?

See you when we get back. But for now, I see a lot of beautiful, peaceful beach time in our future, not to mention some much needed quality time with this girl and her boyfriend (and his family too :))

Many fun times to be enjoyed and photos to be shared in the future.

Over and Out.

Graduated Mood.

Last Saturday officially concluded my graduate career as I finally participated in my school's graduation exercises! Why in October, you ask? Argosy has clinical interns who have a full-year internship as opposed to a school-year like yours truly and for some reason, they make us all wait until they are done. We all gathered in the nearby downtown Orpheum Theater for a lovely ceremony. The keynote speak was Jack Lengyel who is the famous coach and athletic director that the movie, We are Marshall was based upon.

Beforehand we had photo-ops with our classmates and professors. This is John, Allyssa, and me. aka 3/5 of Team Awesome. The other 2/5, Trevor and Ashley are going forward to pursue their doctorate degrees. I have to admit, I was a little jealous of the doctoral candidates and they new titles and neat-0 graduation robes and hats...perhaps there is a re-certification in my future? Well, not anytime soon, anyway...) Either way, I would definitely not have made it through this program without these four friends/now "colleagues!"

My entire graduating School Psychology Cohort.

My parents, Reed's parents, Reed and Taylor all gathered to see do this:

And of course, get one of these:

Afterward was the usual cookies, juice and photo ops.

My proud parents and me.

My proud hubby, momma, and Bob and Gay.

Then, it was off to our place (YES-FINALLY FINISHED...MORE DETAILS TO COME) where we had just spent our first night sleeping for a little graduation reception. What a great way to celebrate graduation and finally getting back into our home: With great friends, family, colleagues, and school mates to celebrate! Not to mention that mimosas and Oregano's always makes for a special treat :)

Ahhhh, all in all, a fantastic day. I really didn't think that graduation was going to be a big deal. But, putting on that cool robe with the Merlin-the-Magician sleeves and that multi-colored hood felt extremely rewarding to me and I found myself standing up a little taller (or was the that 4-inch heels?).

Even though I have been done with school since May, I guess I hadn't really reflected about how much hard work this took studying and working at the same time and how how gratifying and enjoying my career choice has turned out to be. I found myself feeling nervous as I walked across that stage and a little misty-eyed when they had us look at our families as we turned our tassels. Suddenly, all of the late classes, multiple jobs in multiple places, reductions in force, loss of contact with friends and the rest of the outside world, all-nighters, stress, and bad housewife guilt went away.

It has been replace with a sense of pride and gratitude and love. I couldn't have done it without Reed's support and patience, I could not. I could not! We really are a great team. And now, I pronounced via blackberry messenger during the ceremony, "it's his turn"

(more on that later too) :)

There is something missing from Scottsdale, Arizona

I was walking through Scottsdale Fashion Square the other day checking out the new Barney's wing when it hit me like a ton of bricks: A craving for an extra-large diet coke from Paradise Bakery. And, then I couldn't help but miss a dear friend.

When I first moved to Phoenix after College at NAU, I worked at J.Crew and there I met JuliAnna (then Camp, now Jelinek) who was the fastest moving saleslady in the west. The girl could sell everything. She and I became fast friends, got big-girl jobs at the same time, and were in each other's wedding. Lots of very special memories. Lots. I even lived with her and Ty once for a month Before Reed and I moved to Idaho. Such a sweet, sweet and funny couple.

Sadly, while I was in Connecticut this summer she and her adorable hubby moved to Houston, Texas. I am so happy for her because she gets to be close to her lovely family, but sad because she left Arizona. You are missed, JuliAnna!

Hey, did you know that they FINALLY re-opened our J.Crew in the new Barney's wing after almost 5 years in their "temporary store??" Congratulations on your new drop-dead gorgeous house! It is so very Gone with the Wind! A Theater-minor's delight :)

Happy Birthday, JuliAnna! I miss having you in good ole' AZ. I'm sending you Texas-sized love and these orange flowers on your day.

I hope all of your birthday wishes come true!

Much Love,

The other Ju.

Take care of your ENTIRE chest this October.

October and breast cancer month are almost over and I have to say, I am shocked every year about how during the tenth month of the year there is PINK PINK PINK everywhere! I really like pink a whole lot and I am the first to speak out in favor of breast health and regular screening having had a mini-scare myself. Not to mention that my grandmother was a 30-year breast cancer survivor. She had one of the first radical mastectomies in the late 1960's. I used to walk in her honor every year at the "for the cure" events. And still today, the pink cookies, slippers, water bottles, kitchenaid mixers, NFL uniforms, ipod cases...all the pink baffles me.

I admire the Susan G. Komen foundation, the American Cancer Society, and not to mention (shout out Aunt Linda Kay) the Center for Disease Control's incredible marketing, fundraising, and public health education efforts. I just worry that we are misleading some women. Why am I being such a downer, you ask? Because, that previously mentioned grandmother of mine? She was a 30-year breast cancer survivor when she died from heart disease. Heart Disease you say? Yeah, HEART DISEASE.

It is the leading cause of death for American women. Need some data? Well, here you go.

Consider this my public service of the year. Ladies, take care of your entire chest. Breast, heart, lungs, etc. Go here heck out the Knowledge is Power Go Red Heart Check Up and see where you can shop and support the American Heart Association. Know the risk factors you can control: cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking, physical activity, obesity, diabetes, stress, birth control pills, and alcohol and illegal drugs.

Direct from their website: "Your heart is in your hands. Heart disease and stroke are largely preventable if you work to lower your risks. It's important to know that there are a range of factors that can raise your risk of heart disease and stroke. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chances of developing heart disease and having a heart attack or stroke."

AND, wear red on February 5th to bring attention to this extremely important cause that effects us all. So, pink, red, purple, green...whatever color ribbon you are wearing on your lapel, I support you. But, PLEASE, Remember, heart disease is the leading cause of death in American women and check out your whole chest.

La Boda de Sam and Jack.

Reed and I recently headed to Rocky Point for our friends, Sam and Jack's wedding. I have never been to Rocky Point, and it definitely exceeded my expectations (Reed had me prepared for the worst). It was a great time and Jack and Sam were the most relaxed and happy bride and groom I have seen. It was wonderful to be a part of their special day. Here is the weekend in pictures.