Post Seven

Post Seven: A Bible Verse

My mom is probably the most religious person I know and there have been times in my life as a kid when as a family we prayed the rosary. I always loved this reading from the rosary, it just resonates with me, even today.

Acts 2: 1-4

"When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each of them. And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim".

Why does she have to be so darn cute?!

So-in February I spent a ton of money getting Lauren's annual birthday pictures taken. Then a couple of weeks later-they had "personality pictures" taken at school. They send them home for you to check out before you buy them. I was secretly hoping that her pictures would turn out horrible so that I wouldn't feel pressured to buy them and I could feel good about the chunk of change I laid down for her 7 year pics. Well...and then she comes home with this beauty: In her new fitted jacket from her "Grandma Tee-Tee" it matches the background perfectly! Her hair looks cute and she is smiling so well! What to do!?

Post Six

Post Six: A place I've traveled to.
I tried to think of a really exotic and cool place that I have been to...and I did go to the Bahamas for my honeymoon...but it was not quite what I had pictured and was actually quite scary. So, I thought of my favorite place to visit and really the only other cool place I've been. LOUISIANA! My grandma and grandpa and most of my mom's side of the family live there, so it makes it a special place to visit. Growing up we would spend summers there (the beauty of having a dad in the education business). Matt has even visited four times, and Lauren twice, AND Jamie went just once.
Louisiana has Parishes instead of Counties. My family lives in Iberia Parish which is southern Louisiana. It is very hot and humid. It is succeptable to hurricanes and there have been some very SCARY hurricanes in the last 20 years: Andrew, Rita, Katrina and Gustav (to name a few).

One of the coolest places to visit in Louisiana is New Orleans (in the Orleans parish). It is about 2 hours away from my family. I am not a crazy partier-but I do enjoy laughing at and being entertained by crazy partiers. The city has so much history-it is an amazing place to be. There is so much energy in the city! Bourbon street is a very famous street-there is a party there every night!

During the day, one of the MUST DOs in New Orleans is to visit Cafe Du Monde and eat these delicious morsels called Beignets. A French Doughnut. I want one of these SOO bad right now. The best is the loads of powdered sugar on top...don't inhale!

There are also some neat places to visit in New Iberia (where my family lives). One of them is called Shadows on the Teche, an old plantation house. It is amazing to see the history in this place.

The world famous Tabasco is made right in New Iberia! There is even a part of town that smells like vinegar, I am not kidding!

AND one of my MOST favorite thing to do there is, well, EAT! They have the best seafood there. It is so fresh. My favorite is when we have a crawfish boil. Imagine picnic tables lined up and covered with newspaper, then the chef (usually one of my uncles) dumps this out in front of you...to crack, peel and eat..ALL with your hands. FUN and delicious! In addition to the crawfish, there is usually corn, potatoes, onion, and sausage...(similar to the picture below).

There are a ton of bayou's (like a river) in Louisiana...the main one in New Iberia is the Bayou Teche. It is so beautiful.

The best part of Louisiana is my wonderful family there. I wish that I had a picture of them...but my family is GYNORMOUS! My mom is one of nine and most of them live there. I have so many wonderful memories there too! The last time I visited was 2008. I REALLY REALLY want to go in October for my cousin's wedding....we will see if it happens. For now, the memories will have to keep me satisfied.

Post Five

Post Five: A picture of something that makes you happy.

I never seem to have my camera ready at the right time. I guess I am too busy enjoying the moment. My goal was to get a picture of Lauren reading to Jamie because it melts my heart-but I never seemed to catch it! SO...I thought about a picture that makes me super happy too. My favorite people doing what I love in a beautiful place. I just love backwards pictures, I don't know quite why.

Lauren, Jamie and Matt on our boat at Jordanelle 2009. I can't wait to get back there! Summer get here soon!

My tanned kiddos on the boat in 2010, just a year later. How they grow! I love it when they get along!

Post Four

Post Four: A Song to Match My Mood

Hmmm...been thinking about this one for a while.

I usually don't get in the "mood" for a certain song. BUT this song has been in my head for the past month. It may have something to do with Lauren's upcoming dance performance to this little medley. I had to research the words and I think it has beautiful lyrics. I never appreciated the poetry as a child.

It is Kermit the Frog and "The Rainbow Connection". It is from the Muppet Movie and was an Academy Award nominated song from 1979. Good stuff.



Lyrics:
Why are there so many songs about rainbows
and what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
and rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we've been told and some choose to believe it.
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Who said that every wish would be heard
and answered when wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that and someone believed it.
Look what it's done so far.
What's so amazing that keeps us star gazing
and what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

All of us under its spell. We know that it's probably magic.

Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that called the young sailors.
The voice might be one and the same.
I've heard it too many times to ignore it.
It's something that I'm supposed to be.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

The crazy thing about this song is that I don't know if it is a sad song, a happy song, a hopeful song...maybe it is all of those. I love it, it gives me chills. What about you? Does it take any of you back to your childhood?

Post Three

Post Three: My Parents


I am sure that I am not the only person who thinks they have the best parents in the world-but I really do!
I''ll share some of the defining characteristics..at least the ones I remember and probably will forever.

My Dad's name is Mark John Lovato. He is the one of seven kids. He looks just like his two brothers. I joke that he looks like a cross between Cheech and Chong. He loves sports. I can always tell when he is mad because he creases his forehead. He was a strict dad-but he is easy going now. He has always stressed education-he was a High School teacher and guidance counselor for over 30 years. He has the ability to make you feel like you are the coolest person in the world-he did it to me as a kid and it melts my heart to see him do it with my children. He loves black licorice. He says "wubba wubba" when he burps. He is the best listener you'll ever meet. He is a home-body. He is left-handed. He always loves a good deal. I have his hands and his feet. He hates Green Peppers. He is a night owl. I don't think he ever once yelled at anyone...just sort of talked loudly and calmy. I have never seen him cry. Now that he is retired he thinks his full time job is to find ways to annoy my mom (currently the mullet that he is growing). After he takes a sip of a drink he says "good whiskey", even if it is just a cola. He has a knack for trivia-any type of trivia-he has the most amazing memory. He kicks my butt at any game...even Croquet and he takes no prisoners. I thought of myself as a daddy's girl, and maybe I still do.

My Mom's name is Anne Cecile Duplantis Lovato. She is the oldest of nine children. She grew up all over the country with my grandpa being in the Air Force. My grandma only had one arm so my mom was literally her left arm. She left her family to marry my dad and I have always admired the fact that she gave up living near her family to be with him. She is the most amazing cook. She always keeps things cleaned and organized. She never drives on the freeway. She is the closest thing to perfect I know. She loves Red Lobster. She doesn't get emotional like me. She has long, thick, beautiful hair. She always tries to see both sides of the story. She can't let my kids out of her door without kisses, hugs, and treats. She has had the same, amazing cursive since High School-exact same! She is very religious and often told me a prayer heals everything-especially nightmares. I think she really believes that the world is ending in 2012. She loves coffee. She is the most forgiving person I know. I can't really think of anything she "hates". She always puts everyone else first. She is my hero.

Both of my parents are just plain wonderful. I had such a great and happy childhood full of so many great memories. They have always been so supportive, encouraging, and forgiving. They both made tremendous sacrifices for me and all my siblings-I guess they still do.

I am so glad that they have extended their scope of influence onto my kids, I am grateful for all the time they have with my children. I love that I get to see them nearly everyday. All of my time spent with them is truly enjoyable. I love them so very much.

Post Two

*disclaimer-I am having way too much fun with my new toy-the scanner*

Post Two: My first love

My obvious first thought was DUH its MATT...because that was my first TRUE and REAL love.

But then I think that the post was meant to be about my first "puppy" love. I think back about all the silly little crushes that I had and how minor they seem now when back then they were SUCH a big deal. I think I was a boy crazy girl...starting around 3rd grade...I always had a list of crushes!!

So..one particular 4th grade crush was Jeff Ahrens. He lived up the street from me. He was so cute. He actually liked me back. His sister had a crush on my brother so I think she encouraged him a bit. ALSO..HIS best friend was boyfriend/girlfriend with my best friend-so there you have it. He brought me a rose, wrote me notes...we even had a song (his choice) Def Leppard's LOVEBITES. Even today everytime I hear it, I think of him and giggle. He introduced me to MTV and the songs of the moment were "Don't Need Nothin' But a Good Time" and "Pour Some Sugar On Me"...to this day I still know every word to both of those songs. Our romance didn't last long, but we did remain friends. We went to Jr High and High school together and graduated together. After that I lost track until I was planning my 10 year reunion and I found him, he moved away to Washington and...I found out he is, well, Gay. I had no idea and I don't judge. He was such a sweet guy and I wish him the best.

Jeff and his family circa 1989

My first "real" kiss was Cameron Candelaria. I had a crush on him all year during my 8th grade year and he sort of strung me along until finally at the end of the year he kissed me one weekend. BUT on Monday it was back to being "just" friends. I think that I was a bit devastaed. A few years later, right after I met Matt he called me to go out on a date. HA! I told him that I had a boyfriend, sort of sweet revenge, I guess.

Cameron 1992 (This is not the best picture of him-but the only one I had)

But I guess if I think about my first "bite" of love was when I was in the 9th grade. I had never, ever thought of myself as pretty. I always felt awkward, goofy, and different. Then in my drama class I met John Roberts. He was gorgeous, funny, smart, and athletic. He was the most popular boy in 8th grade. AND he had a crush on ME!! He liked ME first. He flirted with me, we talked on the phone all the time. Our relationship never quite bloomed to that boyfriend/girlfriend status, but I would like to think it became MORE than that...we became BEST FRIENDS. We would talk on the phone all the time, give each other advice, etc. There was always a bit of underlying flirting-but we each dated other people but always stayed super close. I have to say that his friendship changed my life. The experience gave me confidence that I have kept my entire life. I was also close with his family and hung out with his family on a few occassions. His parents were so kind, his dad even used to be the mayor of West Jordan. His sister was a year older than me and was a beautiful, popular, and sweet girl who was always kind to me. John and I met in 1992 and then once in the summer of 1994 I went to visit him while I waited for a friend to get off of work. And we kissed. It was a great kiss and totally unexpected. When it was over, I literally RAN out of his house. I was so upset, worried that I had lost my "friend". Well, it didn't. We teased each other about who kissed who and we remained friends, whew. Then I met Matt in 1995 and John and I remained friends but we slowly became more and more distant. Since I was a year older in school, after I graduated we lost touch. I heard that he had got in some trouble, I don't know quite the details. I sent his parents wedding announcements and graduation announcements. A couple of years ago I ran into him and his wife at The Pie, when Matt and I were out on a date. He recognized me before I recognized him-but he looked exactly the same. He was really good looking still. I was a bit embarassed that I had gained so much weight since High School (something that usually happens to me whenever I run into someone from High School). The memories came flooding back, the highs and lows of our relationship. There are some people who have big impacts on your life and he was one of them.

John Roberts-okay NOW it is a bit creepy to be talking about a 14 year old.

My first real boyfriend was Rusty Warner. He was the first person to tell me that he loved me. We met in our Lab 2000 class (it sounded so futuristic in the year 1994). He had his own car. He loved Metallica. He was easy going and funny. We only dated for a few months but it really taught me about being in a relationship and helped me determine what I really wanted in a "boyfriend".

Rusty and I at Morp 1994

Well, that is a lot of info. What can I say, I am a share-er. I hope Matt isn't mad at me for sharing these details. I am not a girl of regrets, my past has made me who I am and has prepared me for my TRUE love that has lasted going on 16 years (or the age of a newly drivers-licensed teen-ager yikes!). I just couldn't imagine my life without my soul-mate, Mathew, LOVE YA BABE!

Matt and I's FIRST picture July 4th 1995 and
Our Engagement Picture April 1999

The cutest girl in the world (well in MY opinion)

Yipee for me! I finally figured out how to SCAN pictures. I can't wait to play more with that fun new toy. I am excited also to share Lauren's SEVEN year pictures. So much has changed in a year!

I think this first pic is my favorite. She begged me to buy her these glasses. I have glasses and I HATE them and always feel ugly in them. I thought it was sweet that she wanted glasses like me and I think she looks adorable in them. She also wanted a picture with her Lenny the Scentsy Lamb.
These pics I liked because they remind me of the faces we see from her around the house. She is a daddy's girl and I can just hear her saying "please Daddy". She certainly has him wrapped around her finger.
JC Penney always does such a good job with the photos. These were taken the day before her birthday, she is sooo easy to take pictures of, she is such a poser...I loved all the pics-it was so hard to pick out my favorites.

I think these photos show her spunky side. She is a girl with attitude, she cracks me up on a daily basis. She is my little buddy who loves to snuggle up and watch the Bachelor with me. I hope that we are always such good friends.

I think this picture captures her sweet side. "Sweet" is always the word that comes to my mind when I think of her. She is always drawing us pictures, writing us notes, hugging us-anything to let us know that she loves us. AND we certainly LOVE her....precious girl.

I probably bought the most of this shot, some in black in white and some in color. I think you can see how much she has changed in the year-she is growing up so fast. I am so proud of her. She definitely is the best thing ever.
I am now looking forward to Jamie's photo session in April. My brain is already swimming with ideas and that is a dangerous thing.

Post 1

Post One: Recent picture, introduction, and 15 random facts:

The most recent picture I have.

My daughter's birthday party: My mom Anne, my daughter Lauren, my son Jamie, my nephew Zander, me, and my puppy Pepper in the back.

My name is Mrs. Rachel Marie Lovato. I am a proud West Valley, Utah resident. I am happily married to my handsome husband Matt. We've been married for almost 12 years, and known each other for 16 years. I am a University of Utah graduate. I am a Manager at Discover Card-it means the world to me. My family is there, my friends are there...and well, my self-esteem is there too. I am the proud mama of two of the best kids on the planet...7 year old Lauren and 3 year old Jamie. They melt my heart and content my soul. I love my family, both my tight immediate family and my gynormous extended family. I love everything to do with dance. I love reality television. I am the happiest when I am out on the lake holding my two kiddos with my hubby by my side. I like to keep myself busy scrapbooking, making jewelery and selling Scentsy.



Random facts...hmm..this is tough, I am so open it is hard to think of things I haven't said before.

1-I love Zombie movies. I don't know why-they just terrify me-and fascinate me at the same time.

2-I am super duper crabby in the morning. I am usually OK by the time I get to work-but I just grunt around in the early morning...good thing I am usually alone.

3-I loved to read as a kid. On Christmas vacations I would lay in my bed all day reading. On family vacations I would take a bag of books...my favorite as a kid...RL Stine books. I think I have read them all.

4-I am in awe of anyone who has other-than-brown eyes. I love Matt's hazel eyes. Little-known fact is that I once had colored contacts..they were green. I had them for a year, the year I met Matt. He hated them and loved my brown eyes. Sort of ironic, right?

5-I have never been able to do a pushup, a real boy pushup. I have weak T-Rex arms.

6-Me and my cousin Patrice have twin birthmarks on our hip, we used to tell people we were sisters because I look more like her than her own sister.

7-I hate peas. Canned peas. My mom used to make them all the time, I am not a picky eater but I hate peas.

8-I collect buttons. Weird, I know. I have just always kept the extra buttons that come with clothes, you would think that I have more than I do..but I just have a pitcher that is barely full and it is in the bathroom. Okay, that is weird-I never much thought about it.

9-For some reason I am fascinated by bruises. If someone tells me they have a bruise, I ask to see it.

10-I've always wanted a nickname, but have never really gotten one that sticks. My Sister-In-Law Alex's brother used to work with me at Discover Card and he used to call me R-lo (because I am a huge J-Lo fan) and it was so sweet. When he passed away it was one of the great things I remembered about him..I miss him dearly.

11-I am five foot three and a half..short by any other standard...except by my Lovato-side-standards. I am taller than my dad, my brother, mom, sisters AND all of the Lovato (my) side. I am like a giant. It is trippy.

12-I may be the last remaining human without any "Apple" merchandise. No IPod for me.

13-I don't get grossed out easily but I get sick to my stomache when people clip their nails in public. Especially at work-seriously I could vomit.

14-I hate BIG changes. But I love small changes..like new shampoo, a new shirt, etc. Call me OCD but I am the happiest when everything I am wearing coordinates. I am talking socks, underwear, jewelry, and even perfume and shampoo. And I hate and WILL not wear the same jewelry two days in a row or use the same shampoo or perfume two days in a row.

15-I get extremely attached to people and I have a hard time letting go of any relationship despite how toxic it may be. It drives Matt crazy. I guess that I am just really forgiving. I actually made it a New Years Resolution to only invest my time in people who are investing it back in me.



Well, that is some random business. Did any of my readers know any of those things? I am sort of an open book. I love to share. Thanks Misty for the great idea. Woot woot.

Because I am a copycat!

My friend Misty always has the best blog posts! So, I am copying her...well it is only fair as she is copying someone else...so I don't think she will mind.

Here is the plan...it is called "30 Days of Randomness". Well..mine will be called "30 Posts of Randomness" because I can't promise that I will have the time to get on and blog everyday!

Post 1: Introduction, recent picture of yourself, 15 interesting facts
Post 2: Your first love
Post 3: Your parents
Post 4: A song to match your mood
Post 5: A picture of something that makes you happy
Post 6: A place you've traveled to
Post 7: Bible verse
Post 8: Something you miss
Post 9: Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs that pop up (hmm..I don't have an IPod)
Post 10: Bullet your whole day
Post 11: Somewhere you'd like to move or visit
Post 12: Your highs and lows of this past year
Post 13: Give pictures of five guys who are famous who you find attractive
Post 14: Someone who fascinates you and why
Post 15: A photo of something you ate today
Post 16: A letter to someone who has hurt you lately
Post 17: A youtube video
Post 18: A photo of you ten years ago
Post 19: Your favorite quote
Post 20: A regret you have
Post 21: Explain how you got your scars
Post 22: Talk about the cuteness of your pet
Post 23: The last thing that made you cry
Post 24: Talk about the last "random act of kindess" you encountered
Post 25: Ten things you want to do before you die
Post 26: How do you think others view you?
Post 27: Picture of your family
Post 28: Your favorite musician and why
Post 29: A photo of you as a child
Post 30: Something you learned (if anything) about yourself in the last 30 posts

If anybody out there is up to the challenge, I'd love to see somebody try! Rachel Norris-I may or may not be talking to you!!