Happy birthday, Sister!

Dear Laura,

23 was a crazy year, huh?

You finished school and got a real job...

You got to be the hot teacher...


You got a dog...(and named him Wu Tang. Seriously??)


You've dealt with more loss...(and embraced life a little harder).

You did things that scared your pants off...

Thanks for going with me, by the way!

I'd say you've accomplished a lot.

Happy birthday!!
The Hill girls love you!!

Love,
Ginny

30+2

Bennys,

Thank you for being born 32 years ago.

And thank you for calling Polly back 23 years later.

Thank you for loving all of me.

Thank you for two perfect babies.

Thank you for reminding me that you love me still. I'm sorry I was was a bottomless pit there, for a while...

I love you. I love you. I love you.

Happy birthday.

Love,
Ginnys

A Typical In-Flight Meal

"It's all about the Hamiltons, baby!"


(Note: If anyone gets this, you are my hero.)

:)

Sometimes, I jump out of airplanes...

Here's the deal... With Ben's birthday creeping up on me, I haven't quite known what to do with myself.

So, my solution?? Something totally out of character. Something to get me way outside of my comfort zone. (For five minutes, I even contemplated a tattoo. But I'm too...noncommittal. And I can just picture the girls eventually wanting one...or 50. Yikes!)

Anway! Jumping out of a perfectly good plane, (while strapped to a guy, strapped to a parachute) made perfect sense! ;) And I kind of always wanted to. It's one of those bucket list items.


Dad and Laura jumped, too!
He has wanted to for...forever, and she actually went two weeks before we did (and loved it).


When I first met my instructor, and he was going over the basics with me, I asked him, "So, can we do a back flip?! I think that will help me be less nervous!"

He just kind of looked at me confused and slowly nodded, "We...can do a flip..."
(Maybe he wasn't expecting that! But eventually I think he got me. :))

I've decided that skydiving people are the funnest people! It was impossible to not have fun, too! Everyone laughed, joked, and chugged Red Bull on the way up!


Actually jumping was crazy, and too fun for words!

Once the parachute deployed, he told me I did really good. He even complimented me on not screaming. Ha!! I got to steer, too!

THEN he told me that I should look into getting certified, because I have the personality for it (??!!). After brushing him off, I realized he was completely serious! So most of the conversation down was about what it takes to jump alone. How much ground time... How many jumps... How safe it really is...

I think he talked me into it!


Anyway, I have over 100 amazing photos, but this video will have to do!


Apart from marrying Ben, and having two perfect babies....
Funnest thing ever!

:)

Ben & Laura

A while back, when my sister knew that I was looking at Ben's FB profile (and laughing), she told me to go look at their wall conversations. Maybe it's only funny if you know how Ben and my sister could be. But I'm posting it here.

:)

Ben >> Laura
And I was like, Yeah Whatever
September 24, 2007 11:25pm

Laura >> Ben
C.R.E.A.M. cash rules everything around me. dolla dolla bills yall. MONEY, POWER, RESPECT.
September 25,2007 11:37pm
----------------------------------------------------------------
Ben >> Laura
"Laura sucks at cars, phones, and black eyes."

Laura is good at adderol.
October 31, 2007 at 11:31pm

Laura >> Ben
hahahahahaha! I FREAKING LOVE YOU MAN.
November 1, 2007 at 11:59 am
----------------------------------------------------------------
Ben >> Laura
Do we need to take you to Sexburg? My current plane can do it in about an hour an 15 minutes.
November 17, 2007 at 10:04 pm

Laura >> Ben
okay, i'll be there in about an hour and ten.
November 18, 2007 at 1:30 pm
----------------------------------------------------------------
Laura >> Ben
it's thanksgiving and you have my family. awesome.
November 22, 2007 at 12:00 pm

Ben >> Laura
They are my family now
November 23, 2007 at 12:12 pm

Laura >> Ben
honestly if you want to be like that, then just be like that okay.
November 25, 2007 at 12:03 pm
----------------------------------------------------------------
Laura >> Ben
so you have signing time with jocee..as in sign language? wtf is this!
December 15, 2007 at 11:57 am

Ben >> Laura
Sign language for babies. WTF did you think it was?
December 15, 2007 12:48 pm

Laura >> Ben
your status said baby signing time, maybe it should say singing? singing as in sign language yo.
December 16, 2007 9:50 pm

Ben >> Laura
it is SIGNING, as in sign language; are you snorting pixie sticks or something?
December 16, 2007 10:39 pm

Laura >> Ben
pop rocks ben, pixie sticks are for kids.
December 16, 2007 10:41 pm

Ben >> Laura
smoking beer is bad for you as well
December 16, 2007 at 11:51 pm

Laura >> Ben
well i guess it's a good thing I only smoke vodka. didn't you know i was hardcore?
December 17, 2007 at 9:38pm

Laura >> Ben
i'm a lightweight? you wrote on your own wall! hahahahaha!
December 23, 2007 1:37am

Laura >> Ben
howdy ho.
December 23, 2007 at 1:37am
----------------------------------------------------------------
Ben >> Laura
When the crap are you coming again?
December 26, 2007 at 9:27pm

Laura >> Ben
hey, my plane comes in on january 7 at 4:20, coincidence? i think not.
December 30, 2007 at 3:56pm

Ben >> Laura
Stoner
December 30, 2007 at 10:48pm
----------------------------------------------------------------
Ben >> Laura
Trapped like rats.
February 18, 2007 at 10:51pm
----------------------------------------------------------------
Laura >> Ben
happy birthday yo
August 18, 2008 10:33am
----------------------------------------------------------------
Ben >> Laura
...and I was like. Yeah whatever.
September 23, 2008 at 9:32am

Laura >> Ben
thank you kind sir.
September 23, 2008 at 11:59am
----------------------------------------------------------------
Laura >> Ben
original gangster, olive garden, orangutan gay, anything you want, but mostly original gangster.
March 15, 2009 at 8:52pm
----------------------------------------------------------------
Laura >> Ben
happy birthday dawg.
August 18, 2009 at 9:38am

It gets sad after that. But I'm keeping this one light.

Nothing made him happier.

He'd gush to anyone who would listen. He'd tell you how much he loved being a dad, how it was the best thing to ever happen to him, how he had the sweetest girls ever.

I took this one on Terisa's wedding day. Jocee was four months old. He was watching her so that I could get ready that morning. They fell asleep watching kiddie shows on PBS.

Jocee was seven months in this one... He had bought her that outfit while I was pregnant, and was so happy when she was old enough to wear it. This was just one of those sweet, lazy Saturday mornings.



Not a Saturday morning. But I remember taking it. Jocee always got so excited when he came home from work.



This was right after we had moved from Lehi to Springville. He had obviously just come home from work. Oh my gosh, how I miss that.

The day after Sophie was born... I have another with Jocee just like it.

I will never stop wishing that they had more time with their Daddy.
One of my main concerns for this life, is that they have a genuine understanding of just how much they are loved, adored, and looked after by him. I will never speak of his love for them in the past tense. This kind of love never goes away.

I love August.

It's Ben's birthday month.

And if there's any month in my life worth celebrating, it should be this one. Seriously. Because of that pivotal day in the universe, I got to meet him 23 years (and 4 months) later.

I've been looking at pictures a lot. It brings the memories attached to the moment.


Like one of the first times he took me flying with him....just to show me what he could do. January, 2006. I loved his focus as he went over his checklist, three times before he even got in the cockpit with me. He was so cute when he was serious about something.


Or the time I quickly snapped this one, without him knowing. He was radioing some tower, and looking so happy and in his element. It was the moment when I was sure that he genuinely loved what he did.


Here's a Benny quirk! Whenever he planned on going fly fishing, he'd scout the bugs to see what the fish were eating. (Gross, I know!) Sometimes he'd bring little vials to put them in. That way he could study them and tie a perfect replica. He treated fly tying like a science. I'm sure no one tied them better or caught more fish.
And after being skeezed out...I thought it was adorable for him to be so hardcore about it.



I love him.

It's what BFFs with blogs do.

They blog about you for your birthday.
And since they are T. Thorpe... They do it with the most fashionable kind of lateness. ;)

(And since this is my favorite, and sweetest birthday present, I just had to copy&paste!)

Meet My Best Friend GINNY

Part II

In honor of Ginny's Birthday Month! ;)

1. Your Best Friend’s name. Introduce her/him.
Ginny Hill (click on her name)


2. Their Characteristic Traits...
Ginny is the most genuine person you will ever meet. What you see is really what you get. Factual... always has her facts together/straight. She still wears makeup even though there is no one to impress (and trust me in Massachusetts, that is BIG deal!!!!). She has great witty comebacks. Health conscious always aware what she is putting in her body. Yoga & Pilates buff. Intuitive In-tune... we are always on the same wave length.

3. Long-Distance or Close-Distance?
Long distance for right now...

4. What you do with you Best Friend when you hang out?
Eat Soy Ice Cream or eat a artichoke(without butter) while watching old movies or chick flicks. Hit up a health food shop. Laugh until we are crying. Go get Energy Massages.

5. Common Interests...
We are Boston Girls, Mommy of 2 (kids same ages), We both married guys that challenged us to be a little less girly, Health Conscious, Old Movies, holistic alternatives, Blood Type Diets, Exercising, Same Tv Shows, Makeup and Hair Care, Paranormal, Bloggers, Reiki,

6. Different Interests...
I really like Meat and I LOVE a great Steak... Ginny not so much aka she's vegetarian.
I LOVE Makeup... Ginny would rather have amazing Hair products.
I LOVE doing Cardio workouts...Ginny LOVES Yoga.
I LOVE Oprah... Ginny LOVES Dr.OZ.
I LOVE Cookie Dough Soy Ice Cream... Ginny LOVES Pomegranate Chocolate Chip Soy Ice Cream.
I have a built in GPS In my head... Ginny has one on her dash board!(Garmin is her bf! ;))
I have never shot a animal... Ginny has!!
I like Classic timeless clothes/colors...think Ralph Lauren... Ginny wears more bright & takes a chance on what she wears, think Color Block!
Ginny is more likely to read a Book... I'm more likey to watch it on TV.
GO SOX!!!... Ginny is more whatev!

7. Recall any fights you’ve had?
Let's just say dogs and pregnancy don't mix well.


8. Best Memory?
Honestly there are to many to choose from... Every time we get together is a Best Memory!!

9. A Letter to your Best Friend...

Dear Ginny,

It's Summer time again which means You & I turn another year older. Thankfully we are able to do so gracefully! ;) Whether its hair, makeup, skin, weight, eating habits, emotional, mental, or even spiritual I believe we will always keep each other young!!

We have both grown a lot in the past year. Unfortunately not all by choice. There has been a lot of heartaches, tears, and disappointments. Some how in the midst of all that, we have seemed to keep ourselves some what grounded. Help keep each other in balance, and most importantly laugh most of the way through it. :) Naturally we have had alot of fun & great Memories too!!! Some of the best times/ highlights this past year has included you visiting.

I can truly say you are one of the very few who knows me best. Even though we are so different, we are so much alike. Sometimes we are so in tune with each other its scary! (A good scary of course!) Its not a good week without spending a few hours on the phone talking and laughing after kids have gone to bed! Even Alan would agree... hes able to catch up on his shows and read! ;) I love how no topic is silly or dumb. And how most people would probably feel stupid if they talked about the things we discuss.

Whenever I think of our friendship a quote from William Shakespeare always comes to mind.. "A friend is one that knows you as you are, Understands where you have been, Accepts what you have become, and still, Gently allows you to grow." My Mother always told me its always best to have 1 friend who gets you than to have a whole group of people who don't. I am so grateful and fortunate that I have a BFF like you!! :) And extremely thankful that our kids are following in our footsteps with each other! I have no doubt we will be friends for the rest of our lives!!

~Fire & Air~
Tiffany

10. Any Photo's of You and your Best Friend?

Thank you so much, T. Thorpe!!

I hope I can live up to all the sweet things you say about me! Love you, chicky!!

Before my birthday month is over...

Since I've pretty much boycotted the New Year's resolution for two consecutive years, I need to compensate somewhere else. If I don't, I may never make a goal publicly again. And if I don't, who's going to call me out when I slack??

Anyway! Here's a list of random goals to begin my 29th year of life.

• Eat more Indian food. Not only is it delicious, but curry is super healthy. I need more.

• Go back to school for real. I have a direction. I just need to follow through with that initiative part.
  

• Potty train Sophie. (She knows how it works. She can be a pro when she wants. She just needs a little initiative, too...)
  

• Eat chocolate in moderation. (Ya know, instead of recognizing it as a major food group.)
  

• Meditate at least every other day.

• Yoga more.

• Stop sleeping with the TV on. (Those infomercials can wreak havoc on my sleep cycle.)
  

• Take more photos.

• Be a funner mom.
  

28 really useless Ginny facts

Ya know, the kind that are soo random that even I haven't blogged about them.
It is my birthday month; in case you forgot. ;)

1. This is hard. I feel like I've blogged it all. Hmm...

2. I've been wearing the same toe ring on my right foot since June, 2003.

3. I feel antsy when my toes aren't painted. (They're currently in dire need of a touch up.)

4. I'm pretty hesitant to embrace new technologies. Like smart phones... I'm sure it's nice to stay connected to the internet (and everyone else) all day. But I cringe at the thought of being so accessible.

5. Oh, and Twitter just seems like the never ending FB status. Blahhh. I doubt I'll ever get an account.

6. Lately I've been the worst ever at checking my email. If I check it once a day, I'm doing really good. And I love turning my cellphone off sometimes, too. Silence is sweet.

7. I love real books with real bindings and paper. I hope they never get totally replaced by those e-reader thingies.

8. And with all this talk of tech-ish things... I just have to go to Indonesia. When the girls leave for college, so am I! I'd be so content to just live with monks for a few months. (I am serious.) That probably sounds Eat, Pray, Love-ish. But, whatever. I wanted to before I saw the movie.

9. I hate crew neck tops. Ben hated turtle necks. So now, I mostly only wear scoop or v-necks.

10. I'm completely convinced that the Canadian geese in Sharon, MA should be added to the "birds of prey" list. If I win this battle (that I kind of started with them...), I will blog about it.

11. When I was little, I used to envision myself growing into a tall woman with long, straight, brown hair. Hahh!!

12. So many people have told me that when they first met me, they thought I was snobby (and how I'm so not). Weird, right?!! It kind of bugs me when I hear that.

13. I take like 6 supplements a day. Love them.

14. LLB calls me a Dr. Oz worshiper. I wouldn't go that far, but I do take almost all of his advice to heart. (I say "almost all" because he has a lot of stuff for the middle-aged Oprah fans. It doesn't apply to me yet.)

15. One of my goals for this next year, is to meditate at least 3 times a week.

16. Another goal is to stop falling asleep with the TV on. (That makes me sound like such a hypocrite with all the technology bashing I've done in this post! Haha)

17. I have not finished a single book I've started in the last...21 months.

18. I'm a horrible liar. The guilt just eats at me, and I'm not convincing at all.

19. I'm starting to realize that I can't shop at Forever XXI, forever...

20. Today a 21 year old kid asked me where I go to college. He thought I was like his age! Hahahah :) It was a good day...

21. Jocee knows that my favorite number is 21. She thinks that your favorite number should be your age, so she often asks me if I wish I was 21. I always tell her that I'm happy to be my age. But when I stop and think about where I was back then, sometimes I do.

22. I'm more of a cat person, than a dog person. I appreciate they're independence.

23. I'm not a fan of jerky pickup truck drivers. I feel that they are overcompensating for something...small.

24. I never watch scary movies. And if I ever do, I'm notorious for covering my eyes.

25. Sometimes I feel kind of bad for all the people who search for bloopers from that MTV show, and land on my blog instead. But seriously, do you really think a series that poses as a reality show, is going to post bloopers on the internet??

26. I LOVE that the story of how Ben and I met, gets the most hits. That makes me happy. :)

27. I've been trying extra hard to be happy lately. I definitely don't always want to be branded as that sad little blonde widow, with that sad widowed blog. It'd be like playing the same 3 cords for the rest of my life. I've stumbled across blogs like that, and I cannot stand them.

28. I can't believe I'm 28 this month. Ben only got to be 30. He'd be 32 this year. This is bothering me a lot. I don't really know what to say, or how to say it. But I get sad when I think about it.

28 is the new 18!!

That's how old I'll be this month, friends!

(And since I'm feeling nostalgic....)

What was I doing 10 years ago??

Gym.
Tan.
Like totally, shaking my A to some Britney!

Not much has changed...

;)




Except...I'm not so much of a gym rat anymore.
Oh, and I'm not really into wrinkles and melanoma, so tanning is out, too...
And that Britney... Sheesh, she's been through A LOT.

The Jocee Quirks

It's so hard to believe that the perfect (not so) little 8 lb, 11 oz baby girl who turned me into a mother, is 4 years old today! Watching her grow into herself is complete joy. There are so many qualities that are unique to her.

And so, here is a list of my very favorite "Jocee Quirks"...
:)

• Jocee loves the dark. Nothing about it scares her. She refuses to sleep with a nightlight on.

• She loves music more than anyone I know. She sings all day long.
  

• She can recall song lyrics perfectly after hearing a song just once. In fact, she's better at this than I am! I have to be extra mindful when the radio is on, because she rarely ever gets words wrong. :)

• Just like Daddy, Jocee is becoming a trivia master. She soaks in all the little facts that she learns, and shocks people with how much she knows about something random.
  

• She is determined to learn how to use chopsticks perfectly. She tries using them when eating anything (even snow... :)).
  

• She is a total backseat driver! She has an opinion to share with whomever is driving. Haha!

• She is acutely observant! Absolutely nothing gets past her, and she's always willing to call people out. :)
  

• This sweet girl is resilient; perhaps the most resilient person I know. She has lost so much, and seems to understand far more than someone her age should have to. And yet she handles it all with astounding maturity and patience.
  

Oh, how I love this girl! She has added such dimension and meaning to my life. The opportunity to be her mother is an absolute blessing. There aren't words enough to express my gratitude for her.


Happy birthday, Jocelyn Michelle!!
Mommy & Daddy love you!

My Baby is TWO!!

It's so hard to believe this sweet baby of mine turns two years old today! I so enjoy this age, and I love the little person that Sophie is becoming.


She has the sweetest disposition, and the cutest sense of humor. She'll even laugh at her own jokes. Seriously!


She has some of the funniest facial expressions ever!

...all the time. :)


She LOVES playing with my hair, and always has. This was part of the reason for her Rapunzel costume for Halloween. (Yes, I know. She refused to wear the wig and the tiara).

Playing dress-up is one of her favorite things to do.

She carries a blanket everywhere. Her current favorite is a purple fleecy one.

She LOVES the color purple...and Tinkerbell....and Princesses....and firetrucks. ;)

She still talks about Daddy. More than anyone else can, she reminds me of him.

If there are words to express how grateful I am for this little girl, I can't find them. I could talk about her endlessly to anyone who would listen. I feel so blessed to have her. Our eternal family wouldn't be complete without her. She amazes me everyday.

Happy birthday, Buggy!!
Mommy & Daddy love you!

Happy Happy Birthday, Laura Dear!

Because I'm feeling soo grateful for my sister, on her 23rd birthday...

Dear Laura,
Thanks for being born 23 years ago, and sparing me from the horrors of being an only child. Maybe I should be thanking Mom for that one, but whatever.


Thank you for always getting me to try new foods. You make being vegetarian fun. But let's just agree to disagree on that whole spicy curry thing, okay??


Thank you for getting me to step out of my comfort zone. I always have fun.


Oh! And remember THOSE bangs???
Thank you so so much for growing them out! I know I had nothing to do with persuading you. And let's be honest; no one can. But thank you! That newish hair is more...you. :)

Thank you for always making fun of my clothes....
And then borrowing them....
And getting compliments on them.

Just so you know, I totally want to borrow this dress. Thanks!

Thank you for being such a...good influence on my girls. They adore you.

But most of all, thank you for always being you.
We may not ever see eye-to-eye, but that makes it fun.

Love you!!

Love,
Ginny

30+1

Ben turned 30 years old last year. In sorting through things, I came across the original letter I wrote him.

He later told me that this was the nicest thing that anyone had ever done for him.

Happy Birthday, Bennys!

In celebration of you turning 30, I wanted to give you a list of 30 things that I love about you. I'm certain that I don't express them all enough.

Here they are, in a random order...

1. Thank you for being so easy to talk to. The entirety of our long-distance relationship would not have worked otherwise. When Marci teased me about marrying you, I remember telling her that I wanted to marry someone who I could talk so easily to.
2. Thank you for your confidence. It was one of the first things I noticed when we met in person.
3. Thank you for always being chivalrous. When you open doors or pull out chairs they are gestures that never go unnoticed or unappreciated.
4. Thank you for being sentimental about the little things. It means so much to me.
5. Thank you for being family oriented and for putting us first.
6. Thank you for all of the sweet thoughtful things you surprise me with to remind me how much you care (IE getting me a copy of Breaking Dawn at 5:30 am, taking me to see Twilight and being so good about it--just 2 of countless examples).
7. Thank you for giving me 2 beautiful, healthy, perfect babies. And thank you for being such a good daddy to them!
8. Thank you for always looking for ways to spend time with Jocee.
9. Thank you for being my best friend.
10. Thank you for never being judgmental or critical of others. I have always admired that about you, and strive to be the same way.
11. Thank you for not being a gossip. It seems like so many people are too caught up in the lives of others. I love that you are mainly just concerned with our little family.
12. Thank you for being such an amazing pilot. I never have to worry about you flying. It's the perfect profession for you, and I hope you always love it.
13. Thank you for being so level-headed about politics.
14. Thank you for being such a guy's guy! It's adorable.
15. Thank you for being articulate.
16. Thank you for being such a good shopper. I love that you're always able to find what you want at a third of the normal price. I never have to worry when you buy a new toy because I know you shopped around, for months in some cases, before you made a decision.
17. Thank you for being so down to earth. I have always loved that about you. That little red car named, Chewy was actually a selling point. I knew that you didn't get caught up in appearances.
18. Thank you for making me feel safe. There's always a sense of complete security when I see you walk through the door.
19. Thank you for being innovative. I think it's amazing that you can think of something and find a way to make it yourself. I've seen you do this with a lot of your different gun parts, but I know you can do it with almost anything.
20. Thank you for abiding by the boy scouts' motto. You thought of establishing food storage and 72-hour kits first. I love that you always think ahead.
21. Thank you for being so smart, in every sense of the word.
22. Thank you for having such a hands-on personality. I have always loved that about you. I'm confident that you can learn how to create or do anything if you have to use your hands
23. Thank you for being such a people person. You have a way of putting people at ease.
24. Thank you for being such a chance taker. I admire your ability to make decisions quickly.
25. Thank you for giving up caffeine. It makes me really happy that you're doing something to improve your overall health. I want you to be around as long as possible.
26. Thank you for supporting me with going back to school.
27. Thank you for all the new experiences you've given me (IE fishing, hiking, camping, shooting). You have gotten me to do things I would never choose to do myself.
28. Thank you for having such a good sense of humor. And it's especially adorable when you try to get me to laugh.
29. Thank you for your laugh. You have the best laugh ever! I can't watch funny shows or movies unless you're with me. I've tried when you're away...and it's not the same.
30. And lastly, (but definitely not least) thank you for being soo adorably attractive! (Yes, I could think of dozens of other qualities. But this one is important, too!)

Happy Birthday, Lover! I wish we could be there to celebrate with you. My love for you has only grown over time. You possess so many other qualities that I could add to this list. I am so grateful that I get to have you as my best friend, and that our girls get to have you for their daddy. You're my favorite. I love you!!

All my love,
Baby Ginnys

And if I could add just one more item to this list....

31. Thank you for continually reminding me that your love for me (and faith in me) is pure, unwavering, and eternal. Oh, how I wish you could have turned 31 today. I keep reminding myself that this time without your physical presence will someday be remembered as a small moment. Through it all, I can only love you more. Thank you for being the very best part of my heart and soul. All my love.