Life is Good

These are the lyrics from one of my favorite songs. Some of the verses are a little strange but I like the message of the chorus. I consider my music taste to be quite eclectic. I really like all different types of music and as I get older I'm liking new stuff all the time. I like the pop music and listen to a lot of alternative rock. I love country music but that comes in big phases. I used to hate Jazz but I think I like it more now. Anyway, this song is from one of the bands that Colin thinks is my favorite. I do love almost all of the songs on the two CDs I think this band ever produced, LFO is a band that I like- maybe one of my favorites but not THE FAVE if you know what I mean. Shakira and DMB are much higher up on the list.

So what is LFO? LFO is probably the most obscure of the "boy band" phase. They never really got much more popular than the hit I Like Girls that Wear Abercrombie and Fitch which is actually called, Summer Girls. I have to give credit where credit is due however, and say that my friend Heather from the DR introduced me to the band, or perhaps just shared a common love for them. It's been too long to remember. All I can say is, "American Dance Party?" Yeah, we were a bit over-cultured by that time in our trip if you know what I mean.

But aren't boy bands just the greatest? Probably started way back with the Beatles but in my time there were Boyz 2 Men, New Kids On The Block (oh the memories from grade school), then later N'Sync and the Backstreet Boys. Right about the latter end of those two bands you have the LFO. Anyway, enough reminiscing, here are the lyrics.

life is good
life is great
life is unbelievable
life is hard,
life is cruel
life is so beautiful
ooh yeah ooh yeah
la life is unbelievable
oh yeah oh yeah
la life is unbelievable

somewhere in life and yet
on my way to anywhere
a woman named Betris serves me coffee
and she smiled as if she cares
it reminds me of this painting
that I think I've often seen
the kings behind the counter
serving coffee to James dean

life is good
life is great
life is unbelievable
life is hard,
life is cruel
life is so beautiful
ooh yeah ooh yeah
la life is unbelievable
oh yeah oh yeah
la life is unbelievable

On my way to garden city
On my way to anywhere
A guy named Patrick gives me directions
and he smiles as if he cares
it reminds me of this movie
that I think I've often seen
pretty much this situation except I'd still be Steve McQween

So what would you do if you wake tomorrow
no more sorrows, your dreams came true
so knock on wood and cross your fingers
and count your blessings it might be you
So what would you do if you wake tomorrow
All your gray sky's turned blue
how many days do you think your given
so get on livin it's up to you

life is good
life is great
life is unbelievable
life is hard,
life is cruel
life is so beautiful
ooh yeah ooh yeah
la life is unbelievable
oh yeah oh yeah
la life is unbelievable

he so loves the sun
rock rock on yo I be slippin a rippin the party till the break of dawn
if you love rich nice
or you hate rich nice
take my advice and just live up your life ('cause it's your's)

[M.O.P]Hey if your mess'n with the sacred world
It's a never ending test
I don't know where to begin
And I feel I'm at an end
I don't wanna live life doing petty nonsense
It's hard to sleep at night With a guilty conscience
You know It's really a mess
Now I feel blessed
When 20 Minutes from now
It'll all turn to stress
I'm 27 years, All those Brownsville cheers
I'm stuck with all the blood, the sweat and the tears
baby It's on, A mother sheds tears at the same time a baby is born
On the other side of town a life is lost
A young thug was knocked off and the heat was tossed
damn Life is real, it's so trife
but don't stop now Live your life
I know it's hell for the rough
but don't talk down on your man, unless your helping him out
It's yours
So what would you do if you wake tomorrow
no more sorrows, your dreams came true
so knock on wood and cross your fingers
now count your blessings
It might be you
So what would you do if you wake tomorrow
all your gray sky's have turned blue
how many days do you think your given
so get on livin , it's up to you

Life is good
life is great
life is unbelievable
life is hard, life is cruel
life is so beautiful
ooh yeah ooh yeah

the walk

We had a lot of fun on the Diabetes walk today. It felt good to get out and do something to support research for finding a cure. I was proud of the money that we raised this year and had a good sense of pride while walking. There were so many people at the walk today. I would guess a couple thousand. I was surprized that there would be so many people, this being my first walk. Some of the teams were so large. Discover card had about 450 walkers. One boy named Jake had a huge team maybe 100 people. A lot of the larger teams had team t-shirts. The rest of us wore the walk shirts you get if you raise $100 or more. Ryan rode in his new tricycle and had a lot of fun. He loves the outdoors and anything with wheels so it was a perfect combination. We got a lot of comments about the trike.
Thanks again to those who have supported our team this year on the walk! I hope next year we'll raise more money and have more walkers come with us.


Right before the walk began, the balloon arch was the entrance to the trail. The orange shirts are Discover Card.
Mommy helping Ryan with a snack just before the walk started.

The walk is under way.

Daddy pushing Ryan on the walk.
Mommy pushing Ryan on the walk, near the end of the walk- almost finished.

Birthday Celebrations

Happy 2nd Birthday, Ryan!

Today is your Birthday!

Happy Birthday RyRy. We love you! Today you are two years old. I can't believe how fast the time has gone by, before we know it you'll be 16. From the day you came into our family, you have changed our lives and we don't know how we ever lived without you. Thank you for being the ray of sunshine that lights up my face and life each day. I can't believe how much you've grown this year. You are getting taller and bigger each day, and your hair is finally growing well too. I love your laughter and your fun sense of humor. You are learning so many words and sentences I can hardly keep up with you. You are very smart. You are so special to us and there are so many people who love you. You are a Child of God and I thank Him each day for the wonderful gift that you are to me.

Love, Mommy

I love his surprized face.

pictures courtesy of Brooke Dean

Goal Reached

We've surpassed our goal to raise $100. for the JDRF Walk to Cure. I am so excited and never thought it would be as easy as sending a few emails.

A huge thank you to

Mom

Dad

Jon

Bonnie

Colin

and Teresa

for supporting me in the walk this Saturday.

We've had a run of tough times lately but it seems as if we are starting to come out of it. After enduring a major strand of flu with Ryan and then Colin, two car accidents, washing the cell phone in the flu laundry, the terrible twos (okay this one isn't over yet and I am dying for suggestions), battle with insurance companies (also not over yet), internet problems, and the extra worry of starting a new school year, we are ready for our lives to be worry free. My Birthday was nice, but since then it's been a tough couple of weeks.

I am really liking my new schedule of teaching half time. It is so nice to be home in the afternoons. My house is somewhat clean, and I've had enough time to do the things I need to with work and Ryan.

Sorry it has taken me so long to post and update. I know some of you have been worrying about me. All is well, its just been a bit crazy around the Dean house lately.

Walk to Cure

As many of you know, one of my lifes' challenges is Juvenile Diabetes. Millions of Americans are affected by the disease and, like me, hope to one day see a cure. I believe we are closer than ever. Scientists, Researchers, and Doctors have come a long way to help those of us with Diabetes. Having been diagnosed in 2001, I have greatly benefited from their research gains. Living with diabetes, however difficult, is now somewhat manageable thanks to progress made over the years. Each year the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) puts on a "Walk to Cure" in many cities throughout the country. The aims of the walk are to raise money and awareness for Juvenile Diabetes. I've decided to join them this year in Salt Lake City. The walk will be held at Wheeler Farm on Saturday, August 25, 2007. Registration begins at 8:00 am and the walk will start at 9:00am. We're planning on making a small donation. If you'd like to add to our donation, please let me know and I can tell you how to do so. If you'd like to join us on the walk here in SLC, click register. Our team is called "Dean Family" and I am the team leader. There are also walks happening later this year throughout the country that you may be able to join. JDRF is a good foundation to donate to because the money goes specifically to Type 1 Diabetes.