Expanding Corbett's

Back in September of 2009 at the Corbett Classic, Brittney introduced us to her fiance, Gregory. He fit in perfectly with our crazy family. We were all so excited to attend their wedding!

I could not be happier for these two:

Welcome to the family Gregory!

Mr. and Mrs. Moore:

All of the family, that was able to make it to Chattanooga for the wedding:

Also in September, the Corbett's found out that the first great grandchild was soon on it's way!

If you keep up with my blog, you already know why I'm in Omaha - for this little monster. (I promise you, she is NOT a monster, I just like to call her that sometimes)

Melanie Alysse Corbett was born May 24, 2010.

Not that I have anyone to compare her to, but she is seriously the most precious child.... EVER.

I apologize that I am such a procrastinator, and that for some of you, this is the first time you're getting to see her... I'm only a couple of months late ;) As of Monday (7/26) she will be 9 weeks old!

This was her announcement that they sent out to everyone; shot and designed by myself.

Melanie, 4 weeks old:

Melanie, 8 weeks old:

This is probably one of my most favorite pictures of Melanie. It is so much fun watching her grow everyday. I love the way she's looking at her fingers as if she's just discovering them for the first time. Trust me, that's not the case. Mommy Meg is doing everything she can to get that girl to forget about her fingers- she likes to suck on them, and Meg does not want a thumb/finger sucker.

These were actually just taken as a test before her 8 week shoot, but they turned out so good!! She's the happiest little baby I've ever known.

Look at those eyes!!! Isn't she just the most beautiful little baby girl you've ever seen!?

So there you have it, at long last! I again, apologize for keeping you in such suspense. (I bet a few of you just figured I had forgotten, and wouldn't be posting...?)

I'm very thankful for the opportunity my Uncle Tim and Aunt Barb have given me to live here this summer. I am very lucky. I know my time here is coming to a close soon, and will miss everyone. I'll do my best to post one more blog of Melanie at the end of my time here.

Well wishes to all, I love you!

Friday

Ahhhhhh...

Life is coming together at such a rapid pace.

It's like that saying, "be careful what you wish for"...

But it's all wonderful things.

Such a rush!

New York is SCREAMING my name!!!

Fear not fair City! I'll be with you soon!

I could not have asked for better roommates.

I am off, high on life...

Enjoy this Friday everyone!

Seven Pounds

I wish that I could hold onto the way I felt after watching "Seven Pounds" forever. If I could, I would have a much better outlook on life.

If you’ve never seen it, I think you should. It definitely goes on my list of movies I feel everyone should watch.

This man lost his wife. He was driving and checking his email at the same time. He drove into the opposite lane and caused 7 people to die, including his brand new fiance; the love of his life.

Because of this, he fell into a deep depression which encouraged him to steal his brothers identity. His brother was a IRS employee. He would use his stolen credentials to find people in need. Give a woman a lung. Give a man new eyes. Give a woman with a rare blood type, a new heart. He also gave a woman [and her two kids] who was constantly being beaten to a pulp by her boyfriend the home he and his former fiance had lived in so they could have a better life, without abuse. He never wanted anyone to know why he was doing the things that he did. Only one man knew his plan. His best friend knew exactly what he was to do with the remains of his body after he committed suicide so everything could be donated and put to the best of use.

This is the most generous and odd form of pay it forward I have ever encountered.

I feel that a lot of people (especially women) have issues with movies/Hollywood saying that they make everything look unreasonable. There is no frog that after a kiss from a princess will turn into a prince and sweep her off her feet so they can live happily ever after. That much is true, and I believe around the age of 13, I figured this out.

There are so many times where I find myself not being able to enjoy a movie because all I can think about is how unrealistic it is.

That was not the case with this movie. I don’t think that the majority of the population is anywhere near as generous as this character was- but deep down, I’d like to believe that it really could be true. It gave me hope, and inspiration. It also made me turn around and really take a look at myself and what I’m giving back to the world, or rather, the lack there of. As I stated above, I really wish I could hold onto this feeling for the rest of my life and always try to find a way to pay it forward each day no matter how small.

I don’t know how long this feeling will last. Maybe only a couple of hours? Maybe days, weeks, months? But I hope that no matter what, I can find it in myself to see the good in each person I meet.

If you have not yet seen “Seven Pounds”, please take my advise and do (if you are anything like me, I recommend watching it alone, or with people who won’t make fun of you for crying- I cried like a little baby). Keep an open mind.

Find the good in each person you meet.

ma digs

Many of you have been inquiring about what my new home looks like. Well friends... wait no longer. I know, I know, I've been here for almost two months- but better late than never right?

In addition to my home in Omaha, my aunt and uncle also own a home on Table Rock Lake (southern Missouri), so I found it only fitting that you got to view both places, especially since I think we all (my family) can agree we'd rather be at the lake any day over Omaha.

So, without further ado, enjoy your tour!

the front of the lake house:

The living room looking into the kitchen:

Windows to the right go out to the deck that they share with the Kulceski family. Hallway to the left leads to the half bath, downstairs, and front door.
Kitchen:

door to the left of the kitchen leads to Uncle Tim & Aunt Barb's room.
The downstairs "living room":

Door on the far left leads to the laundry room. Stairs lead... well, upstairs which you've already seen. The hall to the right leads to Meg and Brandon rooms and the bathroom.
Meg's room:

I chose to only show this room since it's also where I sleep (hence the bunk bed). Not shown- Meg's walk-in closet that I am very jealous of.

Back in Omaha!!

Here's where I spent the majority of my time :)

Welcome to Polk Street:
Kitchen view #1:

Meg and Aunt Barb are probably appalled that I posted this picture. As of Monday morning, this kitchen will have a whole new look sans kokopelli's and the southwestern themed wallpaper. I have promised them that I will do a "before & after" shoot. So check back soon to see the new kitchen!
Kitchen view #2:
The bathroom Meg and I share:
My room:

Don't you just love all the southwestern themed stuff?!

For those of you who had ever been to my house in Portland yes, it's much smaller. But it fits me perfectly right now and since I'll be living in NYC soon enough- I figure I'd better get used to cramped spaces!
So there you go! The roof(s) over my head... in all their glory!

I didn't include a photo of the Omaha living room, only because when I was shooting, Meg, Melanie, Uncle Tim, and Aunt Barb were all lounging and I didn't think they'd like being in my photo- even though we all know Aunt Barb's favorite thing to do is pose for pictures ;)

I promise soon I'll post pictures of Melanie, and the Moore wedding!!! The Corbett family is ever growing!

Cheers!

45 lessons life taught me

This was sent to me by my high school cheerleading coach (the text, not the video). I really love it. I wish I could keep these things in mind each day.

I have had much admiration for Jared Leto for quite sometime... it probably started back in the day with the show "My So-Called Life" (hmmm... I wonder where I got the inspiration for the name of my blog?) and continued when he became a part of the band "30 Seconds to Mars". I love this song, and I recommend that you play this video and listen to this song while reading the following text.

Enjoy :)

A lot of people have been asking to see my new digs. I'm actually at Table Rock right now, so I think my next post will include a comprehensive view of both homes, since I feel I'll be spending my time equally at both places.

Until next time....

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the local newspaper "The Plain Dealer", Cleveland , Ohio: To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer..

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.