In 1994, I moved from San Diego to Provo, Utah for college. I lived in an incredible condo community ~ beautiful homes, views, close to everything, and great people. It was there that I met a truly wonderful friend, Marnie. We became instant friends and were inseparable for the next two years. We had many adventures, from sleeping in a truck in Las Vegas to cow herding in Idaho, touring Park City (see picture above) and fighting off the bone-stealing squirrels in Fairview. Now, almost twenty years later, we remain the greatest of friends and I am proud and grateful to be an honorary aunt to her four beautiful children (Lydia, Ethan and Braxton pictured here, Emma took the picture). Marnie has a heart of pure gold, can make me laugh with just a look and will forever be one of most favorite people in my life. I love you, Mo. Happy Birthday (yes, I know, this post is day late).

Phoenix with my boys!

Spent this weekend in Phoenix visiting Cheryl and the boys. We went swimming, out to lunch (Paradise Bakery ~ Fuji Apple Chicken Salad is amazing!), out to dinner (old favorite, Olive Garden), swimming, visited friends, and just enjoyed spending time together. The boys (Marshall 7, Carson 6, Charlie 4) constantly wanted to "play a game", which meant on my iPhone or iPad. We watched Disney's Robin Hood about seven times (I kid you not) and I still have that darn song in my head. Despite the 108 degree temperature, it was a fabulous weekend that went by much too quickly ~ as it always does.

Upon arriving back home safely in Sacramento, I asked Cheryl if Carson had stopped crying over my departure. She said when she tucked him, the conversation went something like this:

Carson: Why did she have to leave?
Cheryl: Because she had to go back to work.
Carson: But why?
Cheryl: Because she needs to work to earn money to pay for a place to live and food and things like that.
Carson: But why did she have to leave?
Cheryl: Well, who else is going to take care of her if she doesn't work?
Carson: Can't Jesus just take care of her?

And then a few minutes later, he emerged from his bed and bedroom asked, "Can, can I, I, I go to, to, to Sacramento for my, my birthday?"

I'm in love ... being an aunt and being so loved is an incredible blessing! I love you boys and will see you in San Diego very soon!

Bonnie Scotland

Random photos of my trip to Scotland a few weeks ago. I found myself snapping more landscape photos this trip as opposed to of misc people. I can't wait to get back to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire next May! So many more photos just waiting for me to take! These were all taken in and around Aberdeen (with the exception of the peacock, which I spotted at Warwick Castle in England). Enjoy!

Weekend in Montana

I spent this Memorial Day weekend in Billings, Montana. My nephew, Mitchell, graduated from 8th grade on Friday and I couldn't be more proud of him. He was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" and received the school's top computer applications award. The rest of the weekend was spent hanging around the house, watching movies and shows on Netflix, shopping, and eating way too much of Caren's great home-cooked food. Bronwyn, my niece, turned 7 on Saturday and she wanted a day of shopping and to go out to lunch. Mid-way through our lunch at the Olive Garden, she decided she'd rather go home and take a nap. Funny gal! I so love being with my family ... surrounded in their warmth is my happy place.

Junior High Graduation - Mitchell

 Mitchell Cyrus, my incredible nephew, will graduate tomorrow evening from junior high school. I will be there, camera in hand, ready to document the memory for him. Mitchell is an amazing young man. He is beyond intelligent, incredibly creative and just plain awesome. He has promised me that when I am old and need a place to live, he will save the east wing of his mansion just for me. I love you, Mitchell, and am so proud of you and all you do! Always know that!

She's my person!

"I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar." (Robert Brault)

I selected this quote as I reach out to thank my person. Why? Simple. She has a calendar like nobody else I know! Five kids, husband, full-time job for two associations, room mother, team mom, volunteer for everything, and so many other things going on that I can't even list them all! And yet, when I asked her out of the blue one day many months ago if she would be my campaign manager, she instantly said yes. No questions, no checking calendars. Just a yes. That's a best friend for you.

Julia and I have known each other for ten years or so. Can't recall exactly when we met. I just know she's been there for as long as I can remember. She's my person, and I'm honored to be her person. (This means nothing if you are not a Grey's Anatomy fan and don't get the reference.) We are family. She's my sister and I get to be another aunt to her kids. We vacation together, text one another all day long, can read the other person's thoughts and looks, and just know what the other is going to do or say well before it's done. When, three years ago, I found a lump in my breast, she was the first person I told. It took about three seconds for me to text to her, "I found a lump. Give me the speech. I'm too young, it's nothing, etc." And she did. And then she was there for my surgery and all the battles of cancer. She cooked for me, watched my dog(s), brought me magazines, and just took care of my soul the way only a best friend could. She makes me cookies just because I ask...or often before I ask! She makes me whatever I want to eat for my birthday and she knows I love cupcakes. She knows I hate coconut. We understand muffin-tops and have a vow about that. Seriously, we do. She knows the names and hobbies of all my nieces and nephews and I get to love her children as my own. She trusts me with her kids and even to pick up her son from school most days. I'm rambling, but there is a reason for this post today. I just want to say thank you to my person. I don't tell you often enough how amazing, talented, selfless, considerate, and just plain awesome you are. So, I'm taking a moment to do that now. Thanks for all you do, Wonder Woman. Thanks for being my person and for just knowing ... me.

So life is a game. Each day we get a new spin o' the dice and a chance to play again. I love that! I love that each day brings something new, possibly exciting and wonderful.

I recently returned from a trip to England and Scotland with my Mother and our family friend, Susan. Our time in England was wonderful (as I'd never been there and got to experience new things). However, it was my time in Scotland that truly warmed my heart. The Scottish heritage and pride run deep in my veins. I am connected to my Mother's homeland in a way I can't even explain. I feel at home there, even though I was born here in the States. When I'm in Scotland, my heart feels right, I'm at peace and the chaos of my everyday world escapes. I want to go back. I want to watch the waves crash on the shore of Pennan or Aberdeen Beach; I want to sit in a quiet wee pub, savoring the smells of tea and scones; I want to watch the boats off the shore of Portsoy and the clothes swinging dry in the sea breeze; I want to see the contrasting green landscape with the bright yellow gorse of the countryside; I want to take my camera and document every inch of the country; I want to take Avery and show her the land of our heritage and hope that she finds the Scottish blood runs deep within her heart, too. I want to go home.