A Spanish Proverb states “Only an Aunt can give hugs like a mother, can keep secrets like a sister, and share love like a friend.”

I am the proudest aunt of these three adopted children. They are my entire life and I love them with all of my heart. My sister and her sweet husband are hoping to be parents of another newborn as soon as possible. This is there portfolio for their journey to parenthood, created by none other than the dynamic duo at MadMarie Photography. They should win an Academy Award for their hard work. If you know any birth mothers who are looking for families, please send them our way!

The Rose Family from Mad Marie Photography on Vimeo.

Guilty Pleasure...

So I realize that this is maybe an inopportune time to post this as I just recently posted about New Year's goals and aspirations, but I am obsessed with Tillamook Dairy products at the moment. My sisters and I discovered that we have a Winco about 15 to 20 minutes away from my parents house. I typically don't like cheese and crackers but my sister in law, Ashley Heather, introduced me to Tilammook Dairy products a few years ago. It's the only cheese I like to eat now and when we were at Winco on New Years eve we found that Tilammook is a main distributor for Winco. They have the milk, the cheese, the sour cream and the yogurt. Oh the yogurt! The Lemon Squeeze yogurt is an inspired little cup of goodness and the only way I can get through my morning these days. If you get the chance to go to the very inexpensive Winco or another supermarket that carries Tillamook products, make sure you get the yogurt and ice cream. The Peanut Butter Chocolate is amazing, but they also had one called Cinnamon Banana Bliss that I cannot wait to try. Thank goodness for Tillamook County Cows Y'all!

New year, new thoughts...

The January blues or "doldrums" as my mother has put it, have become that incessant thought that I find inescapable this season. Although I have yet to find the exact source of all my woes every January one I find myself disappointed that it has come. Though my attempts to embrace this seasonal transition have been feeble at best, I had the best of intentions this year...I think?
I imagine that every year I just become overwhelmed with the ubiquitous New Year's spirit that seems to be welcomed as fast as the Christmas spirit is dismissed at exactly noon on December 25th! Being one that hates change I feel like I stumbled upon something this year. It's two fold actually and the first part involves stopping the immense pressure I put on "resolutions" for myself and instead just celebrating the things I learned and loved in the previous year. With this attitude I feel more like I can take those things with me through the next year. It feels less like "change" and more like an addition of months to an already incredible chapter of my life. So I will in this post list my favorite things of 2010 and the things I look forward to in 2011. Please bear with me as some will be more or less superficial than others.

Things I Love 2010:
...Peach Coke- Sonic, ask them to put a little peach syrup in your Coke next time.
...Graduating from college feels awesome!
...Eclipse- the movie was all I expected and more from I am pretty sure The Twilight Saga's biggest fan.
...Thanksgiving in Texas
...conquering that Haunted Forest!
...reuniting with my "shisters"
...large and small tribulations- because the large ones make you grateful for the small ones.
...moving back to the only "hometown"I could ever claim.
...working for the greatest bank in Utah!
...lessons in love I learned.
...the birth of my newest nephew Oliver Grey Kearns (was there ever a cuter little baby, I submit that there was not. Oh wait except for the other five nieces and nephews I have)
...Sun Valley with a few of my sisters.
...Sisterpalooza
...Frogurt
...Zupas
...Park City family reunions
...being in close proximity to my sister Julie the entire time she was here
...Cedar City and all of my friends there!
...Hunger Games, Catching Fire

Things I look forward to 2011:
...getting healthier
...being more confident and all that comes with that.
...strengthening my relationship with and my faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
...England, Ireland
...Cousin reunion
...Kearns sister's weekend 2011
...BREAKING DAWN PART ONE!
...Mockingjay
...getting organized.
...new apartment
...more consistent temple attendance
...buying a dog
...Christmas with all my sibs (hopefully)
...transforming from ruins
...new opportunities at work

Happy New Year folks!

National Adoption Awareness Month

Have you ever seen a Miracle?

by Sue Saladino

Have you ever seen a miracle, Beheld one with your eyes?

Seen the magic & the mystery, The wonder & suprise?

Have you ever touched a miracle, With your fingertips?

Have you ever kissed a miracle, Brushed one with your lips?
Have you ever held a miracle, Gently in your arms?

Knowing that you must protect, This precious gift from harm?

Have you ever loved a miracle, Loved right from the start,

Loved with all your being, Loved with all your heart?

I have done all these things, I do them everyday,

I see miracles grow & learn, I see them laugh & play.

I'm an ordinary person, Not special at all, you see.

God gave me not one miracle, He saw fit to give me three.

This post is dedicated to the greatest parents M and J, their three little ones T, T, and W, and three of the bravest, most courageous women I have ever heard of M, L, and R! Thank you for sharing your hearts with our family, your sacrifice has changed our lives!

Ryan Southwell Films

Balboa Island from Ryan Southwell on Vimeo

My sister introduced me to this photographer/videographer. He is amazing. I am really not sure of his pricing, but to get a product like this, anything might just be worth it. I love this Video. If you would like to see more of his work please visit this SITE.

Softball season has officially begun!

I am so excited that the time has come. I played last season with my office and had more fun than I knew I could have. I love this sport I only wish I would have figured out this love a little earlier. It's a lot of fun to dress down and go play a good game of softball with your team. We started the season out a little rough but we are hoping for the best. We will be happy if make it to the tournament. "Let's play ball"

It's that time of year again...

Annie Leibovitz is a Genius! I love this issue of Vanity Fair!