The month of July

So it has been a while since I last blogged, and I can only attribute it to being lazy. I usually do my blogging from my laptop while reclining on my couch, but unfortunately for me, my computer crashed and is being rehabed right now. All of my files and pictures were lost on the computer, but subconsciously I must have known this would happen, because just two months ago I signed up for an online system that backs up your computer for you called Mozy.com (totally recommend it). I almost cancelled it one day, but was like "heck it's only $5 a month, I might as well keep it a bit longer"....and viola! look what happened. I think I would have died if I had lost all my pictures especially my mom's family pictures that I spent a month on converting them all from slides....just the thought.....(shudder)

I don't think I have ever been so freaking hot in my life as I have been today. Okay, Portland?? Not supposed to get to 106 degrees!!! And add the humidity into that, and add the fact that my house is on the second level directly facing the sun. It is now 8 p.m. and still 100 degrees! There was no chance of me cooking, so we went to a lovely air conditioned restaurant, and then walked around the mall for an hour to stay cool. For lunch we went downtown by Dave's building and swam in the fountain. That was nice and refreshing, especially being next to the sweaty hobos taking their monthly bath next to us. One thing about being in a public place like that is you feel so much better about your own body image. Instead of having only one layer of blubber around their midsection, some had five or six. It was like a bunch of sea lions sunbathing around the fountain while lighting up, and taking their meds while chasing it with some kind of cognac. ahhhhh.....Portland....what an interesting place. It has been a very busy month besides going on vacation without Dave, doing apartments stuff, and celebrating Sam's 2nd birthday! Oh my gosh I have a two year old! Although I think that whole terrible two's thing starts early. Okay she's really not that bad, but does have some temper tantrums. It's the whole, throw my head back, open my mouth wide, and fall to the ground dramatically!! Then, peek through my fake tears to make sure mom and dad are looking at me! I'll show them for trying to help me eat my food. I have to do it myself! She is little miss independent, and sometimes it drives me crazy. But she is also very sweet most of the time, and very helpful. Her new favorite thing is to help me with the laundry. Yesterday she went to the bathroom and grabbed her stool (the thing you stand on) and took it to the kitchen where all the dirty laundry was. She then proceeded to sort the laundry and put it in the washing machine. It was funny and sweet. Here is the video if you are so inclined.



For her birthday she was spoiled because she had 2 parties. One on the last night we were in Utah with my family. It was fun being able to celebrate with my family, since I rarely get to do so anymore. We had pizza and cake/cupcakes, and then her cousins very generously helped her open all her presents, and then helped her break them all in by playing with them :) She's good at sharing though.




On Monday on her actual birthday, we had a little party where Dave's siblings were nice to come over and party with us, and she was spoiled some more. It was a fun birthday celebration.
I am so happy and blessed to have a happy, healthy little girl who is lively, and brings so much happiness to Dave and me. The other day I was sitting on the floor and asked Sammy for a kiss but my head was down. She came up close to me, bent down, and grabbed my head in both her hands lifting it up, saying "mom" and gave me a big kiss on the lips...so sweet