Guest Blogger: Kimsey

I have spoken about Sassy Scoops before. They have even featured The R House Couture a few times! (including in their Valentine's Day Round-up going on right now--get a 10% off coupon code!)

In case you haven't heard by now, Sassy Scoops is looking for ONE more Sassy to join their team. You heard that right. One. I have known for some time that Lindsey would make a great Sassy. As we discussed over work Tuesday night, somehow or another the idea of a conjoined twin came to mind. At first it was just a joke, but it snowballed into actual glitter, unicorns, diet Coke and Snuggie goodness.

Then, the forces of the universe invented a new persona of bliss and wonder.

KIMSEY KIMSEY KIMSEY



Yes, it's ridiculously awesome, I know.

Yes, Lindsey and I both have glitter stuck to our eye balls. Yes, it would have been better with Leisha in it (Leisha is not so much into blogging ...but she IS into being the birthday girl today! happy birthday, Leisha!) Yes, we are probably disqualified because there are two people in the audition if we are getting technical (although the posted rules said nothing about persons joined at the hip!), but the persona of KIMSEY is worth it!


So, want to help us win? It's sooooo easy.

1. Go to the Sassy Scoops Facebook Page. (You will have to 'like' it to participate.) This also means that you will have to have a Facebook page to vote--which means Lindsey' mom won't be able to vote for us seeing as she hates Facebook. (Is she winning your sympathy vote yet?) My mom however has recently found the light and indeed likes our video on the Sassy Scoops Facebook Page.
2. Click on the 'Just Others' tab.
3. The above video will show up. If you feel so inclined, 'LIKE' our video--that's how you cast your vote.

As of right now we are in the lead ...because we are the only entry! HA! But, seriously, if you support rule bending (spirit of the law!), persons joined at the hip, diet coke, unicorns, glitter and snuggies--well then--your vote seems pretty clear.

Do it for the children.

Voting ends on Valentine's Day. Don't worry, I won't be harassing you for your vote for too long.

...and glitter.

***Edited to say that if indeed Kimsey must be disqualified and the Sassies can only take one winner, I truly think it should be Mrs. R. She is a great lady and would make a super wonderful Sassy.***

Of Moosh's, Mozzi's, and amazing friends.

Dear Casey,

8 years ago. Can you believe it has been that long?

It all started with you taking over being Princess of Ladies Tops while I was downgraded to Wench of Men's Tops. I would have much rather fondled the male bottoms all day, then I wouldn't have had to look over and wonder, "Who is that new girl?" I would ask around, "So who is this Casey girl? What was the name of that bundle handler? Oh, you know the older one with longish hair and nails for days, my mind escapes me. She was my source of info. You were loved and adored, and somehow I had to get in on it.

Then, oh! One day a treat, it was a late summer treat in the break room. Orangesicles, and fudgesicles. You took the last orange. I was obviously pregnant and on a rage, and opened my big mouth! "Way to go and take the last orangesicle, Casey!"

That was it. We have been friends ever since. This is how most of my amazing friendships start, and I am thankful you were no stranger to my tremendously odd ways of, "Oh my goodness, I could NEVER be friends with her." *giggle*

I have watched you become a mother once, and happily, now twice. I know the journey has been long and stressful and one full of tears. Sadly, I know that journey too. My heart has ached with yours, when I found out much too late about some of your bouts with depression while pregnant with Moosh, and now with Mozzi. It doesn't help that I am so far away from you that there isn't much I can do but check up on you through email, text, and phone calls. It just isn't the same. Please know massive amounts of thoughts (ALL good now) and prayers are coming from this home all across the country on your behalf. The Big Man loves you tremendously, tremendously.

So today, today my gift is all about you. It is about the strength and ability to keep our cool, keep our heads in the heat of the battle, in the depths of depression. It is about recognizing our strengths in the turmoil of our weaknesses. YOU are strong. You are fighting the battle...and winning. You are going to be an amazing new mother to this Mozzi girl. (Gift is in the mail, you should have gotten it with STRICT instructions not to open it until today. I don't know if I could have waited, but I hope you did, it will make it funner. Sorry it isn't raw bacon.)

That is what we BFFs do. We stick together and fight, with the occasional hard words to be said and chocolate cake, sausages, and vacations along the way.

Love you to the moon and back and onto Pluto. Enjoy the next 15 weeks of Mozzi love.

Mwah.

xoxo,

Kim

Follow along on Twitter, hashtag #mozzi.

Do ya wanna?

...participate in a surprise?

For the r house?

Baby G's adoption is officially finalized...
and we, her friends want to do something special for her and her sweet little family.

For details and information on how you can participate, please e-mail:

FinallyRsForever@gmail.com

Shhh, it is a surprise, no trying to find out what it is either Lindsey, you just let us a'ight?

Loving and missing her...

Moosh in Indy a.k.a My BFFIRL

Loving this post from her.
Thank you Casey.

Go read her blog and enter her giveaway.

BFF's and Blogging

Moosh in Indy, Hedder, Simply Me. A store window in San Francisco. July 2008

Just finished reading this post at Moosh in Indy.

And now I am bawling.

Been doing that a lot the past two days.

Firstly, thank you to Casey for posting these beautiful words about Heather.

Thank you for actually editing your photos from one of the funnest weekends of my life...photos I have yet to even edit from my own eye.

Thank you for the opportunity to go to BlogHer last year, which allowed me to meet "Hedder" (although I still don't understand a thing you ladies say when speaking lol.) in real life.

I remember when I first started following Heather's blog.

It was when Maddie was about four months old. Back when Heather was still posting at her blogspot. I laugh, I STILL have a blogspot. Go Heather for upgrading!

I remember being so impressed by her wit, her charm, her love, her stamina to face such difficult things and hard trials like that of having a sick bebe.

She did it and she did it with laughter and a smile on her face.
To actually get to meet her in real life was a blessing to me.
Her husband is one of the funniest people I have ever met. They went with Casey and I while we tried on coats, and he had a way of making me feel smokin'. Thanks Mike!
It came at a very dark time in my own life, which is my reasoning for this post.

I am amazed by the outpouring of LOVE that this wonderous blogging community provides. From dealing with my own heartache and trial this past year, to watching the story of Nie Nie unfold, to Tuesday evening when bloggers all over the world united in love to Heather, Mike and Maddie.

Tears overflow. As they should.
This is a Sisterhood of gigantic proportions.
(Okay, brotherhood too.)
What did we do before we had such a strong tie to one another? To people many of us haven't ever met, and probably will never in this life?

I am amazed. See over there <----- just since TUESDAY night, people have given so selflessly in honor of sweet Maddie. Over $20,000. Tears.

I wish with all of my heart that I could have worked life out so that I could be there to support Mike and Heather on Tuesday. To happily wear my purple and show my love to them. I can't. Many, many people cannot. But let's show our love to them in any way that we can blogging friends. Send them a card, a thought, a kind word, anything...show them how much we love them!

Heather & Mike Spohr
11870 Santa Monica Blvd #106-514
Los Angeles, CA 90025


Oh how we need eachother in this realm more than we realize. What a comfort to know that in times such as these that we are no longer alone.

BFFriending. Definition.

This is a story about befriending. Not just "befriending" but "BFFriending". What is BFFriending you ask? It is the fine art of creating a friend, but not just any friend, a BFF.

A "Best Friend Forever".

When I was growing up, I never had a "best friend". My early childhood was spent moving around a bit, and trying to find myself along with my family...when I hit high school, I finally met some of the most dearest people in the world, to this day, are still some of my best friends. How can I have so many you ask? Well, this is why:

Over the course of the past year, we have been hit and hit and hit with trials...and over this past year I have again been reminded of everything I have been given, especially this gift of friends.

Take J-Man...who along with his sister is one of the greatest gifts of all time. His optimism and look on life has blessed me tremendously.

Or how about Trist? Who just a few weeks ago brought me by a sweet, sweet card with the most beautiful flowers (my fave btw) just because.

Then there is Myra bo Byra...who is the bomb diggity bomb...who thought of me in the most special of ways last week when I attended a baby shower. Myra...thank you...you have no idea how much your sweet gift, and tremendous hug held me together this past week.

Let's talk church...Miss Amy and Miss Shannon (pictured right above) have been the most awesomest of friends to me since moving into my ward...they get why I eat snacks and take naps in RS...and they are still my friends because I am cool...and speaking of Shannon, this brings me to the whole thing behind my "BFF" theories.

Almost EVERY single person I love and consider on my list of BFF's (and they will not all be mentioned here today...because I have a mil...and we don't have the rest of your day to talk about them all)...Anyway...I didn't like almost ALL of them when I first met them. I sound UBER stuck up, but let's take Shannon for instance (hi Shannon!) I thought she was BEAUTIFUL...and perfect, and mature...and I never thought in a bazillion years that we would EVER be friends...wow was I wrong...she is kind, generous, fun and inspiring...as is:

'mrs. r' a.k.a. the hottie with the bottie...whenever i think of mrs. r...i think of lower case typing, and big hair, and fierce heels. heck, "i" am practically a celebrity because i. know. her. in. REAL. life! and i milk THAT for all it is worth...believe you me.

But speaking about mrs. r...when I met her...in my mind I was like..."Oh man...that girl and I...we will NEVER be friends...we will never EVER hang out...it just won't happen...nuh huh...not me...not her, not EVER!" Fast forward one year later. She is one of my BESTEST friends...she is hilarious...funny, smart, caring and teaches me SUPER much. So glad, as usual that I was wrong about my BFFriending abilities.

Ya...these go without saying that they are...my bestest friends...they keep me laughing and in tears of joy because of their examples and attitudes of love. How glorious it is to see their relationship...and how I long with all of my heart for them to remain close for all their lives...it is bliss.

It is real.

And these ladies! My "two" moms! The one on the right is single btw...so if any of you have HOTT single dads...PLEASE send them our way. These women have no idea how much they have meant to me throughout my life...especially this past year when I would call my mom in agony and tears and she always was on my side, always knew the right thing to say...as she always has when I needed her to. That is what mom's are for. I love you Momma...

Lorraine, thanks for all you do for us...and continue to do, and for loving your first grandchildren...e'n tho the blood that runs through their veins is not your own...you have shown us what REAL and intense love is...and for that you are my BFF forever.

Wendy! Wendy! a.k.a. "Dubbs". I can't begin to describe this woman...her influence and power for good she has been to my life. I remember when we were just young foo's...and we met and hung out for the first time at President Hinckley's birthday party. Where she learned that "Mormon's" can throw a kick 'a' party when they want to! But really, walking three blocks to and from the car with her...and dinner afterwards at what was it? Leatherby's! I remember some form of bacon being involved, I could be mistaken...that night was the beginning of one of my most cherished and most remarkable friendships. Wend...thanks for being amongst my BFF's...for making me feel like I was some form of missionary to you. I get tears in my eyes just thinking about your testimony...and you will never know how much your strength in all things strengthens me. Thank you for CONSTANTLY calling me (which I love and if you ever stop I might DIE!)...even when I don't answer the phone all the time because I know you are thinking about me...P.S. isn't she GORGEOUS? Makes me sick...just a little.

And for this dood...for NEVER giving up on asking me out. For your persistence and perservearance. Talk about not wanting to be friends with someone...in this case, "Special BFF's" I didn't like him WHATSOEVER in that regard when we first met. I was young, naive and didn't want to get married. 9 months later we WERE married...for ETERNITY I might add...and the last 8 years have been remarkable...spectacular...and I love you more and more and more each and every day. I adore and cherish you more than I let you know...but I secretly hope you DO know how much you mean to me. How in LOVE I am with you. How much I think about you and how grateful I am that I have YOU forever! Also, I think it is cute that you refuse to shave on vacation. Glad it is captured here.

Speaking on "Celebrities" let me just tell you the friends I have made just by mentioning that I know "Moosh" or "Moosh in Indy". Well, I knew her before she had a blog, before she ever had a 'moosh' and before she was ever affiliated with a place called "Indy". I knew her when she was just like me...a little depressed, a little jealous of the other person...basically refusing in our minds that we would "NEVER BE FRIENDS WITH HER!" Ick...srsly. One day...I got up the courage to get over my disdain for Case...and I just made a little funny jokie joke about her taking the last creamsicle...and that was that. She made Joth's birth announcements, borrowed my HUGELY huge maternity clothes that never got to fit her really...and has come to see me and bring me lasagna and mop my floor and love on my kids and my foster kids while I was healing emotionally and physically. She didn't have to. She just did. And it meant the world to me. And this post which made me bawl all sorts of ugly tears. (If you haven't clicked a link yet...you should cuz this one's all about me. :)

Oh. My. Gosh. This "Lady". When I first "met" her...I knew we could NEVER be friends. Seriously NEVER! I am so glad when I am proven wrong. It really is humbling. Tee hee. I need to tell Arianne how much I value my frienship with her...I was able to tell you, Arianne so many personal things before many, many people ever knew them. And because of you, I was re-introduced to "Leish" and was given the opportunity to humble myself and be proven wrong as two of the sweetest ladies I know became some of my dearest friends.

I am thankful I can call Leisha almost daily...and that I can SCREAM into the other end of the phone the second she picks up...and she SCREAMS with me and wakes up her sleeping kids. Now that is what I call a good BFF!

Let's not forget Cassie, and Amanda, and all my other dear ladies I have met through FSA. If not for them I would have never survived our adoption journey"s" with the stamina and learning that I have. Cassie has made us some KILLER casserole (and I KNOW she hates anything that has to do with making something yo'self). I love her because she swears...(like me) and she loves Pepsi...and she is an inspiration to me for loving one's husband...and never giving up on anything! Amanda...for calling me and being a "twin" of horrific circumstances...but for being able to relate and listen to me be ecstatic and weeks later crying and crying. It meant the world to me...just so you know.

Then these PEEPS...who when I met Chel, my 12 year old brain was convinced (is this getting old)...that this GORGEOUS lady...with the HILARIOUS hubby would ever be good friends with ME...and for how many years now? Almost 15?! She became my Young Women's pres...which reminds me of the time in my life when I met Marie...and Lana...and Tony G...and Lacie (who I have known forever now it seems...and who made me the best orange rolls and calls me and we can talk forever like we've never been apart) and Shanna, and Trina, and "Bec" with her beater car (who became my first and dearest BFF EVER...she knows this...now you do too) who picked me up on the "west side" for our first Seminary Council meeting. Also one of the greatest gifts I have gotten from Michelle was meeting this lady. Who unknowingly on one of my darkest of days...sent a package to me...with some of the sweetest notes and thoughts ever. I haven't even had the strength to write her back and let her know how much her love has helped me. I know she knows...thanks Heather. Really...thank you from the bottom of my soul.

There is Amy...who brought me the most yummy treats and flowers when she was UBER pregs, and it still means so much to me than she'll ever know. The photography book is THE best...and folding my laundry meant the world to me. You are...a BFF!

Oh and Holls, who is my "sensei". Who had taught me more about photography than I ever learned in school. Who put up with my crabby ol' self in the most beautiful place on EARTH...(which looking back I am sure you wanted to strangle me...blame it on the declining horomones racing through my body...and thank you for still being my friend!) But her example of motherhood and love of her child amazes me and inspires me. Thanks Hollz.

And there are many, many, many more. Lots of people out there, lots of people who are my friends who know they mean so much to me...even if I couldn't or didn't name you personally, you are in my heart. I love each of you. I thank you for your prayers. I want you to know that if you are reading this...you are special to me.

BFFriending is the BEST...I highly recommend never listening to yourself again.

Audrey Woulard Workshop

June 2008



It was neat to be able to meet one of photography's elite. Audrey was very down to earth, very open and very honest in her workshop. She is an incredibly talented woman. It was neat to hear about how she got into photography...and really great to see her in action.

She has a way of making anyone feel at ease.

It was totally awesome to see the famous 'loft' and to be where much of her stunning work is created.

This baby was delicious. I think she was five weeks old?! Seriously. Cute.

This image may not seem like much, we learned how to photograph a subject in full sun. Something not easily done.

This kid was stunning. Some back alley work.

And this one...nice.

And one of my BFF's.

Chicago was totally rawkin'. Stay tuned for the next while and I will show you just how rawkin' I thought it was. This seems like SO long ago...and yet it wasn't. Wow...I need to get back on track.

The best things about the workshop were learning some of Audrey's business savvy, and learning to trust myself shooting many people at a very wide open aperture. It can be done. Hello low light, you are no longer my demon friend...I welcome you.

I heart Moosh in Indy

I got a phone call from Moosh in Indy last week. She called to ask me if I would go to BlogHer with her. She won this AMAZING contest where she made quite a nice sum of money.

So, she called to invite ME to hang out with her for four days. ME. I am REALLY excited. I have never been to San Fran. I know I already heart San Fran.

19 days.




Thanks again Casey.

I heart Moosh in Utah.

Moosh in Indy is here in Utah. She came. She came to see ME! This is us. A very pathetic attempt at us...and a not so reflective surface. We're going to try again on Saturday. She is going to do it. It'll rock big time.
I think she is one of the most gorgeous people I have ever met. Through the years I have had the opportunity to get to know her, every bit of her. I think we both have the same problem. We are misunderstood at times, probably why we get along so well. We met eachother when we were both EXTREMELY overweight, and disgustingly jealous of eachother. I didn't like her so much. I am usually not a judger...we met over creamsicles. Gotta love a good fight over a creamsicle and a pregnant lady. You would think you would give the pregnant lady the creamsicle right? I had to eat fudge. The last one I have ever eaten.

As far as the weight. Casey looks way better than me though, she lost 60 (you can read about it on her site). I lost only 20, I still struggle a bit in that area.

She knows my innermost thoughts, and fears. Not many people hold that title. I love that we can not see eachother for months and it is okay that when we finally do, nothing HAS to be said. I heart Moosh in Indy's mom. Love her!

How about these girls? BFF's in training?

Love these cute girls. All three of them! It is good to have you back Case. We'll take what we can get.