My Official Face on my Official Facebook

I have now officially joined the world of Facebook and I don't know what I was worried about...it is fun and easy and I already have 6 friends! At any time, you can look and see exactly how many friends you have, and I have 6 so far. I am not sure at what number I will feel popular, but if you have a Facebook and want to be my friend, I will say yes.
Also, random thing that happened today...my co-worker came marching up to my desk and asked, "Do you think I need Prozac?" (my first reaction was every instinct in my body yelling "yes" because I think that she does) SO I said, "Why?" and she softened up a little and said that her brother is on Prozac and thinks that she should be too. So then I decided to lighten up the mood and explain that I think EVERYONE should be on Prozac so that then we could all be happy all the time, but my point to repeating this story today is this: Please be careful if you ever ask someone if they think you need Prozac because if you have to ask, you probably do.

To Facebook or to not Facebook?

That really is the question! So lately I have been hearing a lot about how everyone is on Facebook and I still don't really know if I should make a Facebook page for myself. All I ever hear is how I would be surprised at how many people can find me on Facebook and that I should totally do it because I am missing out on mass invites and catching up with people I haven't talked to in years. I am dragging my feet a little because I am not sure that I really want to talk to people I haven't talked to in years and I think that putting myself on Facebook would make it that much easier for a stalker to find me. I am sure that there is a stalker lurking on Facebook that doesn't know how to blog because he hasn't found me yet, but I am sure that he is out there. And along with my fear of stalkers, I also have a fear that no one will want to be my friend on Facebook. (That's how it works, apparently, is that you request to be someone's friend and they say yes or no-kind of feels like waiting to be picked for the team in PE and hoping beyond all hopes that you won't be picked last after Stacey Snottynose).
So, anyways, I will probably give in...but is it worth it?

Happy Birthday Bubba!

I am a little late with this but yesterday was my brother Mike's Birthday and I figured that I would list some of my favorite things about him:1. He has always been a fun, crazy kid! There are plenty of stories that I am sure will embarrass him, but I will not share in honor of his birthday. But let's just say he better be nice to me...
2. He has a very tender heart and is always watching out for others. He will do anything for anyone. I loved having him in Provo because he was close enough to call when I needed something (usually related to car repairs).
3. He is a really good athlete and has a lot of determination to get better at everything he does. He decided he wanted to be a pitcher, so he went out and threw pitches over and over and over again until all he threw was strikes. He decided that he wanted to be in shape, so he started to swim and bike and run and even competed in a triathalon. He always impresses me with his ability to be good at anything.
4. He is a really good father. Although Sammie is only a couple of weeks old, you can tell she has her daddy wrapped around her little fingers! It is good to see him step up and be a great husband and father. He is working really hard in the Highway Patrol Academy because it will be good for his family when he is done. It is an impressive man who will work so hard for those he loves.
5. Last but not least, he is a good friend. Although we had our moments when we couldn't stand eachother growing up (who hasn't had those moments with their siblings?) it is good to be adults now. I know that if I need to talk, or advice, or basically anything, my brother will be there. He has always been an incredible example to me and I consider him one of my blessings.
SO, Happy Birthday Brother-I love you:)

What the World Needs Now...

...is another Barlow Girl! We got to go home this weekend to meet Samantha Rose Barlow and she is the cutest thing ever! She is only 12 days old as of today and she is perfect. I never think that newborns are that cute, but this one is the exception. We loved loved loved hanging out with our new little spirit and can't wait to go visit next month to see her again. It is fun to see Mike and Chel be new parents-they are naturals! Now, we just have to see what we can do from far away to become her favorite Aunties:)

Sister, St. George, Squished Lizard and Sammie

I decided that there were a few things that happenings in June that I haven't shared yet, so here are some fun things we did:

1. Went to Salt Lake to celebrate Laura's bday with my Mom and stayed at the mansion. We had a ton of fun watching random movies like "Honeymoon in Vegas" and pretty much anything on the Lifetime channel, at ribs at the Porcupine Grill and made the favorite enchiladas. It was an all around fun and well rested weekend.

2. Went to St George with my office for a conference of all of the Admissions, Recruiting and Registrar's offices in the state of Utah. It was my first trip to the southern part of the State, so I was pretty in awe of the beautiful surroundings. We got to go to some good seminars, do some good shopping (I got 5 shirts and 2 pairs of flats for $35.00), and got to see the Temple. We even got to see how the University's mini-van would handle in the torrential downpour that was the weather on the ride home. I have to say it handled like a champ! Best part of the trip: it was free and we had a blast being out of the office for a few days!

3. Whilst in St George, I learned something that I had already suspected, but had never seen before: they have lizards everywhere! We saw one that was roadkill in the parking lot and it was huge! It was at least as big as two of my flip-flops with a little more tail to spare...one girl saw it and ran away. I just took a picture of it on my phone and sent it to all of my friends that would appreciate it! Yuck! I added it to the side of the blog, so you can check it out. It was cool.

4. The best part of the month-we got a new neice in our family! Samantha Rose Barlow entered the world on June 27 weighing in at 7 lbs 1 oz and stretching to 21 inches. I have only seen pictures so far, but from what I can tell, she is a knock-out! My parents are gushing about how perfect she is and I totally believe them. Now her Aunties that are the farthest away have to meet her...which we will do over the 4th of July weekend at our immediate family reunion. Looks like she arrived just in time to meet everyone. I will post more when I have pictures of her with her favorite curly-haired aunt:)

Flashback Friday

So, one of my students who has rockin' 80's hair (Yeah, he's 42 and has feathered hair that goes down his back and a faded denim shirt unbuttoned to reveal a very hairy chest with a gold chain nestled among the dark hair) just came in and after some reflection of the Awesome 80's I figured I would share that at one time I too had a love of the spandex pants. Although I still have the big hair-which is probably going to be with me for a long time, so I have learned to love it-this picture also shows the "Sun-In" highlights which are long gone. And yes, that is a wave of hair atop my forehead with the greatest bangs ever. Some of my favorite things about the '80's: Neon, leggings, LA Gear shoes, Pop Rocks, all things Oakland A's (this is when the greatest years of my lifetime occured with Jose, Mark and Walt), TV shows like Misfits in Science, The Incredible Hulk, Wonder Woman and Scooby Doo, movies like Flight of the Navigator, Mannequin, and Pee Wee's Big Adventure and of course the music! Depeche Mode, Bon Jovi, The B52's and Pat Benatar made every youth dance the most rockin place ever!
While the days of big hair, rubber bracelets, pegged pants, shirt clips and giant bangs are over, I will always look back on all of those things with fondness. And a little thankful prayer in my heart that not all of it was captured on camera!

The Wonder that is Steve

I know that I am a little late for Father's Day, but I would like to share why it is that my Dad is the greatest! Here are a few of the reasons why:

1. He has the magic touch in more ways than one. He can take a sliver out without it hurting. He can fix anything with gorilla snot glue that wouldn't otherwise stick. He can start the unstartable car. He can pack up a house in record time and nothing gets broken. He can listen when it feels like your world is going to fall apart and bring it all back into perspective. He can make you feel like he is your biggest fan even when you are in hot water. He can calm nerves just by being in the room when you are giving a talk, performance or recital.
2. He instilled in his girls a love of sports. Many would think that being in a family where there are more females than males would make for lots of ballet and playing with dolls. Well, some of the most fun memories that I have of growing up Barlow is going to many many A's games, watching football with Dad on the big screen and most of all-the best years of softball when he was my coach. I still have my mitt in the Jeep at all times just so I can play whenever the occasion allows and I get that from my Dad.
3. He is the knower of all things when it comes to cars. I still discuss all things related to my vehicle with him, because I know that he will know the answer. We all have a special love and appreciation when it comes to vehicles...especially the classic ones!
4. He is an incredible example to all who are around him of how to be a worthy Priesthood holder and a worthy member of the church. All growing up, he was off to meetings or to help someone in need and never complained. Not once.

So, here are just a few of the many examples as to why my Dad is the greatest. Happy Father's Day, Dad and thanks for everything you do for me and for our family. You are an incredible example of a husband, father, leader, business man, and most importantly, friend. I love you and I am proud to call you my Dad.