I have this really talented friend

I have this really talented friend and she just opened an etsy shop with her really talented mommy  - so check it out its really cute

and while you are surfing the web, check out my walk page and check on my progress, and join my army of 1000.  Already a member... check out Spread the word for charity    and see how you can raise another $20 for my walk - and it won't cost you a thing

and then tell ALL your friends about this really cute etsy shop, my avon walk and spread the word for charity

don't forget the charity this is all going for is www.avonwalk.org/goto/joywilliams - you have to let them know so the money goes to the right place...

now what are you waiting for... go go go

5 years ...

  

Has it really been 5 years... (well 6 if you ask Ryan).  Yep, that is right Ryan and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary on May 14th.  I can't believe we have been married 5 years, it seems like just yesterday- but they have been 5 amazing years.  I love being married to my best friend and I love that no matter where we are or what we are doing - I always have a good time if Ryan is there with me.  He is the best husband, and partner and Daddy I could ever ask for. He is a hard worker and he knows how to have fun.  I love his relaxed, carefree attitude, and I love watching him play with Ari.  

Ryan and I have been missing Utah a lot lately.....WHAT.!?! okay not really Utah - but Utah dining.  Seems to us, that while we lived in Utah we had restaurants that fulfilled all of our cravings, - and well since moving to California - that just isn't as easy to do.  (Funny little side note- when we used to visit Cali or even Vegas we HAD to go to IN-N-OUT, we would eat there all the time while on vacation.... now that I live here and it's down the street - well- I just don't really crave it anymore.....) 

Oh, but lately I have been missing pupusas from center street in Provo, burritos from bajio, pork salads from Cafe Rio or Costa Vita, pot stickers from David's kitchen, sticky rice from 5 star restaurant,  and Mongolian BBQ from China Buffet.  

I talk to Ryan all the time about how, even though the weather here is 100% better and we have Disneyland and etc. etc.  every once and a while I get Utah sick .... 

So for our anniversary Ryan surprised me dinner at Cafe Rio!!!!!!! 

That's right - Ryan found out that a Cafe Rio had opened up in Manhattan Beach which is only like an hour away - so we drove down there for our dinner.  Cafe Rio pork salad has never tasted so good.  It may not have been a fancy dinner - and it definitely wasn't our most expensive meal- but it was perfect - exactly what my Utah sick heart needed.  Now we just need to find a pupusa place ???

I love you Ryan - I love you more today than I did yesterday, if that is even possible - and I will love you forever, without a doubt.  

Then to finish off our completely un-fancy but PERFECT evening - Ryan and I went to see Iron Man,  - it's a little known fact that Robert Downey Jr. is my #1 celebrity crush - (what you think that is weird... well I think you're weird!!!) 

   

  

But even on his best days..... I crush on Ryan more..... 

yeah, you might say I am pretty happy with the way things turned out 

Here's to forever Ryan.... Love you !
p.s. have you joined my Army of 1000 strong - well, I think you better  1000 Strong
p.p.s.  it would make a great anniversary gift.... you know, if you haven't bought us anything yet- hint, hint.... go now!!!!

Ari & Mary

On Friday, I babysat for a friend of ours, who has a six week old little girl named Mary- Elizabeth.  I was a little curious about how Ari would react to the baby - and I was pleasantly surprised.  (Although I don't know why since he is so gentle with everything else - of course he was going to be gentle and helpful.) but he was down right adorable...

 Ari helping Mary- Elizabeth play Legos with him. 

Ari showing Mary- Elizabeth how tall he can build.

Ari and Mary-Elizabeth

Sweet Kisses 

such a sweet boy - he was a great helper! 

Love you Ari.... you have such a sweet heart ! 

here's the deal

Some of you may know that I am participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.  This is a two day 39.1 mile walk.  I know it will be hard- but I also know it is nothing compared to the battle cancer patients fight to survive. I wanted to be a part of the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer because I wanted an opportunity to be part of something so much more important than myself- I wanted to really make a difference and I feel that this is an important and worthy cause.  I have pledged to raise $1800 for the fight against breast cancer by September - and I can not do that without the support of my friends and family and to be completely honest .... complete strangers who want to help.
Which brings me to this - My birthday is July 22nd - and I have been brainstorming on how I am going to come up with the money and ways that I can get all the emotions support needed to walk 39 miles - and I started to think about those who donate to the cause in my name.  I thought about how if I got 39 people to donate- in my head I would have 39 people cheering me on mile after mile, so if I got 50 people to donate ... WOW what a cheering crowd - I kept thinking about how while I am walking I will be thinking of all those effected by this horrible disease, and how I will feel all the support and love from those who have donated and it hit me --- WHAT IF I COULD GET 1000 PEOPLE TO DONATE - what if I could get 1000 people to donate just $1.00 each for my birthday - with all that love and support - I am sure I could do anything
SO that is the challange I have decided to take on - I want to see if I can get 1000 people to donate by my birthday July 22nd.  Now I don't even think I know 1000 people and that is where YOU come in.  I need you to be part of my Breast Cancer Army - I need you to send links to this post to all your friends and urge them to send it on to their friends ... All I am asking for is a $1.00 donation  (If you feel inspired and have more that you can donate.... please do - this cause is so worth it)
I will be writing the names of each of my "sponsors" on my shirt for the walk - and I would love to fill it up with a 1000 names of people who are in it to end it too.
If you were planning on sending me a birthday card, present or well wishes please do so here  What were your going to spend on a birthday card $2.95 ?  How about a donation of $2.95 towards something so amazing instead....

This is my challenge - to get 1000 donations by July 22nd - it's my own way of proving that ever LITTLE bit counts - and small steps can make a big difference - it's my way of giving 1000 people the opportunity to be part of this amazing cause - and it's my way of having my own personal cheering crowd, 1000 strong - as I cross the finish line on September 12th....

Pass it along -