What's IN my cup?

Well, i'm back. Not that many people (maybe none, actually) ever were following this since I think I did 2 posts last year...but i'm back. I'm back by way of a little personal revelation and a little bit of just wanting to get into this fun blog world.

So today marks the first of hopefully many, weekly updates on "what's in my cup."

I have been thinking about how I look at my cup and realizing that when life gets busy, and the stress increases (which let's be honest, when is this NOT my life), I tend to forget to notice what's in my cup...and just see what ISN'T in it. So I am using the good ol' method of saying it outloud (or to others via technology) to make sure it really sticks.

Today's isn't a list of things, but rather THE one thing that fills my cup more than anything else,the one & only Ryan (or ry-ry, or superhero, or my tandem boy).

And WHY? you ask, is he the first to be highlighted on here? Well let me show you just a little bit of what he has done for this chica's life in the last 7 months (yes! it's been over 7 months)

He's not too macho for this...

(This was our first "Tandem" ride (Newport Beach.) Our goal is to one day do a real tandem race!)

He motivates me to get out and work it!

He is officially now my super hero spandex boy!

LOTOJA 2009!

First Triathlon Relay (Echo Lake)

He keeps me in line and focused on what matters.

Oh yeah, and I can't forget...he cleaned the ENTIRE house this weekend since I was working (yes, that includes laundry, vacuuming AND cleaning the kitchen with bleach!). I know...who IS this guy?!

Most of all, he loves me for me.

I'm not sure I even do that all of the time. But he does. He makes me a better me. He completes little miss chrislyn jean.

This week, my cup is full because I have Ryan.

Love you babes!

NY: Day 1-2 (Going home to Long Island)

So we did it. The long awaited and planned for summer vacation with my girlfriends to New York City FINALLY happened. And it ended up being one of the best vacations I have ever taken and one of the best trips back to NY I have experienced.

Since I know you all just want to see the pictures, I will keep the words few, and let them tell their own story.

Enjoy the trip!

DAY 1- Beaches on Long Island with the girls, Terri (nanny friend), her kiddos and Ryan Hamilton (friend from SLC, now living in NYC)

I LOVE Terri. 8 years ago we were 19-year-old nanny's from Idaho trying to figure out life in NY. I'll never forget the long Sundays together (our only time away from our nanny families), our fun adventures in the city, the many boys that chased her, and our first time serving in the RS presidency. She is one of my REAL BFF's. (And she even named her little girl Chrislyn...awe!).

Erika (Betty), Rachel (Twiggy), Me (Polly)

Also known as "SSS"

Yes, definitely two of the coolest litle dudes I know!

DAY 2: Long Island with the Katzmann's (family I nannied for in '99-'01)

It was SO great to see my boys who are getting SO big! They have grown up to be the most respectful, smart and handsome boys! I wish I could say I had some influence in that, but I think all they really remember about me is the fun music I played in the car, and how I loved to play baseball with them. They are definitely like nephews to me, and I have felt SO blessed that the family has wanted to stay in close touch with me and let's me continue to feel like family. (They even still call the room I stayed in "Chrislyn's room"...awe.)

Kevin (14), Nanny Chrislyn, Scotty (12), Christopher (16)

The amazing mother, Kathleen, who is the reason those boys are so great!

The Kathleen Maria

Don't you think this would be a great calendar pic? ;)

Captain Scott & the ladies!

Just an average house on Long Island...

Next: Into the city we go!

For the Little People in My Life

So I will admit, starting a blog has been a goal of mine since, well, yep, last November. But for some reason there was never a big enough drive for me to actually do it. It had become just "something to do for myself" and so, consequently, got put on the back burner. But as with most things that I actually end up doing in life, I finally realized this week that this blog isn't "just for me." As I was trying to explain to a good friend the other day my struggle with starting a blog, I shared my "real reason" for wanting to start a blog, and to my surprise, it was really good. And so here I am today, with a drive to finally publish my blog...for the little people in my life: Daryl, Elijah, Kailee, Brandon, Jasmin, Dylan, Levi, Charisma, David & Tommy....the ones who call me "their favorite aunt."
So here it goes. This blog is my attempt at documenting the fun, the adventurous, the educational, and maybe even a few of the hard or sad things that make life 3-dimensional for me and that make it all worth it. Here's to sharing my JOY with the ones I love. And if you're not one of those "little people" in my life, I hope you'll still find a reason, or two, to come back and visit every once in a while. Maybe one day i'll write something for you, too!

Oh The Places I Go...

A lot of my life is spent traveling around the country, which I love, but rarely get to share with others. So this is an attempt to share the fun I get to see experience with those I love.

Here's just a quick summary of this Spring, and a few of the favorite places I visited...
(sorry i don't have pictures for all of them)

• Idaho Falls, ID
• Fresno, CA
• Spokane, WA
• Seattle, WA
• San Diego, CA
• Toronto, Ontario

Seattle in February: Steve, Erika, Ryan & I set out for an escape weekend...which it was! I was able to visit my mission companion, Nicole Ponder (Crisenberry), now known as "mommy", my favorite little sister, Jessica and enjoy a rare day of sun in Seattle. Probably one of the best trips I have taken in a long time.

We're always up for a little posing in front of the camera!

Prego Nicole and Me at her place in Federal Way

Last TOFW event of the season: TORONTO, ONTARIO, Canada

My boss, Laurel, and I at the CN TOWER (we were too cheap to go up, but cool shot, huh?).

That's me in the cool city of Toronto. Very neat architecture all over. Loved it. Felt like a mini NYC.

A Chrislyn pose...meditating in the Labrynth.

I'm always up for a HUG and these boys were giving out FREE HUGS! Happy Day for ME!