Finding myself through The Office

These were some thoughts I wrote down after finishing The Office--which I started over a decade after it first aired, the first show I ever watched through on my own:


Pam becomes much more attractive after she is married; her appearance has a striking difference to her early years. It gives hope that I, not yet 30, will still be able to shape my appearance to fit who I become, and that my best years can still be ahead of me.

Wanting to hold onto people forever. Interesting the part Michael Scott plays in the finale. I thought his return would be a huge factor, the pinnacle of the episode. But it isn't. They are glad to see him, and they welcome him with hugs and tears, but he isn't even invited to the final gathering.

What a perfect, ordinary, special special love story Pam and Jim have. It mirrors my own and gives me a lot to strive for at the same time.

Pam is eager to stretch herself, to live her dream, and to anchor her family. I have admired her character's struggle to promote her talents and opinions, and her innate goodness that pushes her outside of her comfort zone.

Kevin says that if you film anyone long enough, you eventually will come to love them. I want to pay more attention to people and the details of their lives. I shouldn't need a 9-season show to help me fall in love with those around me.

A room full of the un-ideal, the ridiculous, the laughable, the pathetic. And yet, through serving each other and enduring, they are able to forge a community bond. Such an enviable outcome. It's why I want a large family--to have someone to share that with. But not just for a decade or for a career--it seems like graduations, interstate moves, life's twists and turns all seem to bring an end to these relationships--that's how The Office ends, with Pam and Jim leaving and thus the "documentary" itself drawing to a close...so many faces leave. But a family can be together forever. I want that. I crave it: sowing connections that will never have to fizzle or fade across time and memory. In family, something will always stay. Jim and Pam get that, with their daughter and son. I want that with my own family.

California Beach and Disneyland 2016

We splurged on a Disneyland trip in February, and it was a total success. Reasons for this: 1. we went the week before Disney jacked up their prices yet again and 2. everything on the trip was perfect. How often does that happen?

At home, prepping for our trip.

We drove, and, thanks to books-on-tape and other CD songs, it was actually a fun roadtrip. 

Like our naptime blanket tents?

Our first afternoon we spent at the beach. Both girls' first beach experience. I think I was the most excited (I haven't been to a beach in five years—too long!!! Curse the desert!)

Dustin's mom came with us and the girls loved having Grandma around! We spent Friday in California Adventure. 

And it so happened that no one at Disneyland wore yellow the day I dressed my girls in their matching shirts, which made it so much easier to keep track of my sprinters.

We ran home after lunch and took naps (the kids were wiped out!). I worried beforehand that once we left the park we would never make it back, but after naps we jumped back on the bus and headed back for more fun--our little girls kept going strong through World of Color and fireworks.

The next day was solely for the Disneyland half of the park--Fantasyland, Adventureland, the whole shebang. We brought an Elsa and a Cinderella to the parks.

And we got some classic cameos of our little blondies:

I attribute a lot of the magic of Disney and the enchanting atmosphere, but really, the trip was wonderful because it was me and my family, spending time away from our day-to-day duties, making memories and reveling in the magic of a family made of best friends. 

P.S.—Sara can't wait until the next Disneyland trip...which will probably be in a decade or so :)

Easter, Swimming, and Other Such Niceties

I just couldn't help but add a quick photo blitz to the blog covering quarter 1 of a great 2016 year. We've had a lot of ups and downs in our lives lately, but January through March were basically the best. Here are some highlights:

We were able to see the inside of the new Provo City Center LDS Temple as a family--twice! The kids were well behaved and allowed us to feel the peace and spirit available in temples.

Dustin's work provided tickets and hot dogs at a Utah Grizzlies hockey game. The noise was a bit overwhelming for the girls' ears, but we had a blast.

Next, a few mug shots of the belles of our golden house. From sun-up to sun-down we have a rockin' time:

And picnics are a new favorite activity--there are weeks where five of our seven lunches are spent outside (many thanks to Dustin's co-worker Chris who gifted the girls matching lunchboxes and fueled this fetish).

I had to include a shout out to the preschool our neighborhood organized and pulled off with spectacular success.

Rosie dove into swim lessons this winter and, after some tears and terror, managed to transform into a water-loving A+ student.

Easter with cousins was smashing good fun all around. 

We finish up with a wonderful LDS General Conference weekend, complete with sweet roll making with Nana.

Moab 2016

This blog began as a type of travelogue, and was hopefully going to document our world travels. We DO have an international trip coming up (yay!) but first here's a record of our traditional, closer-to-home travel. Moab, UT is a fantastic place for outdoor activities, be that porch-sitting or canyoneering. It's a family tradition (thank you, Grandma and Grandpa Fuller) to participate in their Spring 5-mile/Half marathon race and then head to Arches National Park, the La Sal mountain range, or any number of lesser-known hiking/site-seeing spots.