People That Have Babies

Roll on Babe Vetiver

The old roomies gathered together after  Lil' Elijah's baby blessing.

I got to hold little EJ. Sorry, Megan. I know you don't like that nickname, but it's already gown on me.

It's either that or "Eazy E."

TJ- Luke, I am your father!

Also, my brother's first child was just born on May 24th. 

He and Tressa named him Luke Bauer Hale.

I can't wait to meet him.

LOST.

Lost! Coldplay

Thanks for the journey. 

I love you and miss you already.

House Show

So Thursday night, I played my first house show. Being the sit-in-my-room-and-play-my-songs-to-myself kind of person that I am, it was pretty monumental for me. I owe a lot to my roomies for the encouragement and Weston (from Archer's Apple) for inviting me to play. It was a really neat experience.

I played five songs and got to open for some cool bands. 

And isn't that a nice backdrop?

Archer's Apple headlined the show and played a killer set. Check Weston's new electric guitar-- that bright blue beauty. I love it.

Here' a little taste of Archer's Apple from the Provo Acoustic Sessions. A real talented and charming bunch of fellows, if I do say so myself:

I'd Dance For You

I'd Dance For You What Laura Says

The best slow dance song of 2010.

I just wanna hang a disco ball in my living room and sway with somebody.

our sweet little nest

Honey Won't You Let Me In? The Tallest Man on Earth

I live in a little white house with a porch and a trampoline.

I find it to be the perfect summer abode.

Prancer

Chasing After Deer Midlake

It was late at night. We were nearing the suspenseful end of "The Lovely Bones" when my roommate, Amy, walked and announced that there was someone in our backyard and had walked right past her window. She dared to go face the intruder on her own, but Alison and I nervously followed to provide her backup.

Suddenly I hear, "THERE'S A DEER IN OUR BACKYARD!!!!!"

Indeed, there was.

The homicidal-maniac-killer that crept into our backyard was merely just a lost baby deer that found its way into our neighborhood. We named it Prancer because of the darling way it frolicked around our yard searching for a way out. It was gone the next morning. I hope it found its way home.

The One and Only Diane Hale

 There's only one Diane Hale, and I'm one of the few who is lucky enough to call her "Mom."

In honor of Mother's Day, here are a few things I love about this inspiring woman . . .

 

-She always reminds me that I owe her for my good calves. . .  except hers are better than mine.

-In high school, people always told me that I looked like Hillary Duff, but my mom thought differently. "What? Hillary Duff?? No, no. You are WAAAY prettier than she is!!" (I never believed it, but it was still nice to hear)

-She's a pro tennis player. She's even met John McEnroe, and there's a picture to prove it.

-Her cheerleading days were long ago, but she can still do a killer toe-touch, and she never hesitates to show off her SPLITS. Honestly, how am I supposed to keep up with this woman??

-She is my constant health mentor/guru. She inspires me to love nutritious food, exercise, and take proper care of myself.

-She's the cool "band mom" and wears Beatles shirts.

-She's been to a Led Zeppelin concert, and always reminds us when we are listening to her music from her era.

- On New Year's Eve, she drove all the way out to Tempe so that my brother could be escorted into to 21+ area to watch the Doobie Brothers perform. She stayed for a few songs, but left early so that she would make it home in time to give my dad his New Year's kiss.

-She's a gifted musician and songwriter, and has always made music and performance an important part of our family.

-My mom is full of creativity and vision. She is full of inspiring ideas always, and often uses those ideas to solve problems. One of my favorite stories is when she marched to the Phoenix Suns arena, persuaded security to let her talk to someone from the Phoenix Suns staff, and convinced the Suns' Customer Relations of her brilliant promotional/charity idea she had for the Team Shop in exchange for 50 Suns jerseys to use for our stake's Dance Festival. . . How does she do it?!?!

-She is a savvy businesswoman.

-She is truly inspirational. She single-handedly put together Taylor Junior High's girls tennis team (consisting of mostly of girls who had never played tennis before) and coached them to victory. She gave them extra tennis lessons at our house during her free time and led them to win the city championship. And that's just one of many examples.

-My mom dreams BIG. She believes in herself and inspires confidence in everyone around her. In Diane Hale's world, anything is possible.

-My mom has an eternal and loving perspective on life. One my most touching memories of my mom happened when I was really down. I had just crashed her car, and it was completely my fault. I felt awful, humiliated, and dejected because of my mistake. The moment I came home, I went into my room, closed the door, and buried my face in my arms and cried for an hour. She came into the room and asked me why I was crying (she already knew about the wreck and had seen the damage to her car at this point). "Because I'm an idiot! I wrecked your car!!!" I bawled. She simply laughed and told me that I was more important than the car. She was just happy that I was safe. "A car is just a thing. People are more important than things. You are more important," she said. I still cried for awhile after, but I will never forget my amazement at her loving words. She had every right to be infuriated with me, but all she did was express love and teach me a valuable life lesson.

-She is the most optimistic person I know. Nothing can get this woman down! No matter how bleak things seem, my mom has a smile on her face. She never complains. She just works harder and expresses gratitude for all she has.

-She is one of the most selfless and Christ-like people I have ever known. She always puts others first. Wherever she can help or serve-- she is there. She is full of love and always sees the good in people. Her arms are always open. My mom has been a constant example to me of lifting others through kindness and charity.

This list is truly insufficient. I could go on and on about this lady. I owe so much to her and am so lucky to have her in my life. 

I LOVE YOU MOM!!!!

friends that get married.

Another two off the list.

I've known Chad since 4th grade--

He was the scarecrow. I was Dorothy.

I've known Whitney since 7th grade,

and we were even roomies last Winter.

Last week they were married in holy matrimony, 

and it gave me a really good reason to hang out in Mesa--

and miss my first day of summer classes.

 

Congrats Whitney & Chad!

 

Our main function as bridesmaids was to look cute and match the centerpieces at the reception.

Mission accomplished.

WLS @ Yucca Taproom

Training What Laura Says

While I was down in Arizona last week, I had the pleasure of seeing one of my favorite bands, What Laura Says, before they headed out on a national tour with Annuals. They played an extended set at a small venue in Tempe called The Yucca Taproom, and my-oh-my was it an awesome show!

So much love for this band.