Ivan + Sarah = Love

Blog of the Week

Word of the Week: Optimism.
I felt a very fresh posi vibe from the blogosphere this week; people must have received their new crystals.

Really though, I felt a collective sense of calm and good looking at every one's blogs this week and it really made my day.

Ryan. The pictures from Omaha. Love.

SuperBeast dudes/dudettes. The "am I right or am I right" link is especially nice.

Roxie. For her adorable post which led to this awesome site about lego ads.

Sam. I think reading this really set the tone for how I felt about all of the rest of them. Nicely enunciated dude.

Louisa. Damn the girl has a way with the camera (she's got a romantic eye).

Juri. This might sound slightly negative, but I know Juri and I don't think that's what he means by it. Live your life. Ignore all the bullshit and stop making rules for how it's supposed to go.

Lauren. I'm glad you shared some Yeats. Very nice. Pretty birthday desires too.

Roomie. BSE. Sam & me high-fiving. I will own this print, just need dollars.

Crista Bell loves to travel. I love that about her. She also loves hip hop and tattoos and we're going to see the gaslight anthem this weekend. I told her I'm stealing her most recent tattoo. She didn't mind.

Cody. She and Sam definitely win on the posi-crystal-vibes this week. LOVE.

I feel like a lot of us have had a crazy couple of days/weeks/months/year(s). I don't think any of that will be over any time soon, but I'm glad to see that through it all we remain a happy, thoughtful, creative group of people who push ourselves and each other to be those things.

posi-fresh ya'll.

With that being said. It's a TIE. Never before in the history of BOTW have I declared a tie.

Sam & Cody. Keeping it real.

Family and Memories of Family

My grandmother was an amazing woman. She and my grandfather helped raise me as my parents struggled through late adolescence and early adulthood having me, going to school, and working. She was diagnosed with an insanely aggressive brain tumor on Christmas Eve 2008 and passed away just months later. My grandfather keeps an amazing Caring Bridge journal, which I haven't read since she passed away. I'm easily susceptible to tears, and I'm already crying as I write this. I miss her and regret all of the days I didn't spend with her during my life. You really don't know what you have until it's gone.

My grandma was a compassionate woman who gave her time, energy and money to the local hospice organization in her home town. When she was in her final days hospice was there for her and my family and for that we are incredibly grateful. Last week there was a golf tournament (my grandma LOVED to golf), and fundraiser for the local hospice group and my family attended. A lot of people had a lot to say about her, and I can only hope that my life touches as many people in as positive a manner as hers did. My grandpa was able to say a few words to those at the dinner, and it was the first time I've seen him publicly address a room without breaking down himself since her passing. Maybe that's part of the healing process? Anyway. Point of all of this is simple. Love the people in your life and show them you do as much as you possibly can. Make a difference to others. Be caring and compassionate and give all that you have to make yourself and those you care about happy. These are the things that matter.

My absolutely adorable grandpa ^

Cousins. Such a funny, smart group of boys. ^

My cousin Kaitlyn and her boyfriend. She's the bees knees. ^

Elly ^ Hearts for this girl.

This is what it looks like when you run around a golf course with your cousins ^

My aunt Julie, my uncle Darren, and my Mom.

Being themselves. ^

Brother. Dad. Mom.

<3

My Dad and I. I look especially greasy which I'm sure he loved. That's what happens when you don't sleep, fly home, and drive an hour to be with your family.

I look like a nerd in this photo, but my mom looks like a total babe so I'm going to post it. Those are motorcycle jackets for those who are wondering why my Dad and brother look like they're glowing.

So. Thank you for reading the above if you did. Hope you take it to heart.

Love you all.

Stealing Other People's Creativity (and acting like it's my own).

Courtesy of Benjamin Edward Madison on his photos of our trip to New York. ^

Source. ^

Source. ^

Source. ^

Source: Facebook. Don't know these people, but I want to.

Ben's photos, NYC ^

Source. ^