So excited for my b-day!

I cried when I turned 16. I cried when I turned 18. I cried when I turned 21. I have always been very very emotional at the thought of losing the past and getting older.

Now, 30 is only 3 days away. Yes, I'm old. But- I don't think I'm going to cry this year. I am excited to be 30! It means people can tell me that I still look 21 (hee hee).

I am most excited about my 30th birthday party! My super friends are throwing a little party in a couple of weeks.... we're going to start off with "the amazing race" and then have dinner/socializing. I was a little skeptical about the race part, but I've overheard some of the challenges, and they are seriously hilarious. We're having the dinner in our housing project. Of course, it will not be even 50% done, but we're thinking of hanging lanterns... lots of colors from the rafters... it will be awesome. And- people will have to go the bathroom in the port o potty!!!! YIPEE!!

The only thing I requested is that we all wear birthday hats. (maybe we'll make them, i'm not sure), and that we have cupcakes. I love cupcakes for some reason. Lemon cupcakes, chocolate cupcakes, vanilla cupcakes... OH YUM!!! And- they are so beautiful.

Photo shoot, new job, house

I have had a great week. On Monday, I started out with a photo shoot in the morning that was so much fun. I LOVE taking pictures. I could do it all day. I never thought I would ever find something like it in my life, but I did. I look forward to every photo shoot, and feel so great when I finish.

Some of their pics are posted on http://alieleeflangphotography.blogspot.com/

It also didn't hurt that they were a beautiful family!

On Tuesday, I started my new job. I was a little hesitant to leave Maddie, but I was really excited when I got there, and was extremely impressed at how put together they were. I already have an office with my name plate. It was a little overwhelming. I'll be working mostly from there to start and learn... and then transition to home. I missed Maddie (of course), but hopefully when I have it all scheduled, I'll only be away from her for 2 waking hours. That will leave us most of the time to be together!!

The rest of the week I did the normal routines, and am going to try and brave the smoke filled air (from the Santa Cruz fire)... and head to Happy Hollow!!!

Noth'n like a little David Hasselhoff to start a week

This video is so hilarious-- enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJQVlVHsFF8

A lot of changes!

My dad came in last week, so we spent most of the days exploring places Maddie might like. (Children's Museum, SF, parks, zoos). It was a lot of fun.

Here's a pic taken by him of Maddie and me~ I was greatful for it- because Steve never takes pictures, so it's always of Steve and Maddie.

Last week there were major changes on our house! The roof is done, the exterior walls are done, the interior walls are done! WHOO HOOO. I am so excited. The windows are hopefully going to be put in this week which is AWESOME. After the windows are in, the serious stuff can start (electrical, sheetrock, kitchen cabinets). YAY!

I haven't taken any pictures?! I don't know why. But- I'll post them soon.

Last week was also a big one for Maddie-- My dad brought her a baby doll. I didn't think she would like it, but she LOVED it. No- was ENAMORED by it. So much so, that her first two syllable word was BABY. (aside from the usual mama, dada ) It is so cute, I just can't get enough of it. I ask her all day to say Baby. This is what makes parenthood so great.

I also finished a book called "The Host." I started reading it because it's the second book series that Stephanie Myer wrote (the author of Twilight which I'm obsessed about). Let me just say, that I really wish I hadn't spent the $25 and the hours and hours that it took to read it. I should have stopped, but I thought it was going to get better. Oh, well. You win some, you lose some. I'm also reading "A new Earth- Awakening to Your Life's Purpose." I really like it.

I start my new job next Tuesday-- I'll be working on some immigration law stuff, which I am really interested in. The job is perfect for me. The firm is 1 exit away from my house, I can work mostly from home, and we're starting my hours around 10 hours a week. It is a huge blessing that I am greatful for everyday.

And, finally.... my new favorite song is "Starlight" by Muse. It's not a new song, but inspired by Twilight.... (I know, I'm obsessed.) I'm not really obsessed as much as I was... so I'm doing better!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-c94VVU7zc

Trusses and Framing

This weekend, Steve's brothers and sister came to help frame and put up the trusses on the roof. It was so nice of them to come, and Steve really appreciated the help. Just to give you an idea of how tired he is- by 4:00 on Saturday, he had to lay on the ground... he immediately fell asleep and couldn't get up for 45 minutes. I felt so bad for him.
We also had a couple of friends come too- thank you so much! It takes a village...
Here are some pics:

Steve and Maddie in our future kitchen...

Maddie loves the worksite, because she knows she will always get a granola bar.

The house framed with the external walls. This is what it looked on Friday.



The big truck came with all the trusses for the roof. All of the neighbors came out- and were bringing lawn chairs to watch the show. It was so funny.

The big crane that lifted them on.

The two beverages that fueled the crew.

Why anyone goes into contstruction, I don't know. It is seriously hard work. These are Steve's brothers taking a break after 10 hours of work?

Moving ladders...

The house with most of the trusses up.

The front with the trusses.

The crew dolled up.

A summer of weddings

It seems as though a lot of people always go to weddings. But- I haven't been to THAT many weddings. So, I am PSYCHED that 4 of my friends are getting married this summer.

1) Wedding #1 is at the end of May- she was one of my best friends in high school, and it's going to be at La Caille in Salt Lake City. This place is beautiful. Amazing food, amazing grounds. Imagine the little town in Beauty and the Beast... in real life. Dinner and dancing!! Yippee. I am so excited for her.

2) Wedding #2 is in July for my best friend in Law school. They are throwing it at the Thomas Fogerty winery in Woodside. (It's a small world, because Steve used to work for Fogerty). This place is beautiful- overlooking the bay area. This picture doesn't do it justice. This will be bitter sweet for me- because she is moving to Texas after the wedding.

3) Wedding #3-- I just was e-mailed that another best friend from high school is marrying her law school sweetheart (they have been dating for seriously forever?!!!). They are getting married in August- I'm not sure of the details yet-- but I AM SOOOO EXCITED FOR HER.

4) Wedding #4-- Friend from church who found the perfect guy for her after a long time of searching. I actually have no idea when it's going to be, but I'm sure it will be a very sweet/beautiful wedding. IT WILL BE SO GREAT to celebrate with her.

Dont' get me wrong- I LOVED my wedding, but it is nice to be a guest at a wedding- where you don't have to have permagrin the entire time, and you can just sit back and relax and have a good time. You can relive the moments of your wedding, but without the stress.

My day of pampering

I spent an afternoon at Juut spa in Palo Alto. I went there in college, but I haven't been there for 10 years! I had such a great time. I had my hair cut, and then I got a makeup lesson. Yes- it was over indulgent, and I was eating up every minute of it.



This is what I look like now:

Hee hee. Don't I look great? They can do amazing things at this place.

Ok- seriously- my haircut kind of looks like this:

A friend wants me to post a picture of myself, and I say "no way dude." It's better to just imagine it!!! Even though it's not a huge transformation, it was nice for a little change. Lighter, a longer bang, a part... I like it.

For the makeup session, I was eating up everything she said (well, she was gorgeous, so that was easy). I got a lot of good tips... it was so well worth it.

I would highly recommend the hairstylist and the makeup artist. It was a great afternoon. After it was over, I wanted to ask them where the massage room was! I didn't want to leave.