"The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch 1961-2008

For those of you who know me...when I'm inspired by something I want to share it with the world! Last October I first saw Randy Pausch, a professor from Carnegie Mellon University, on Oprah repsrising his last lecture.

Back up...who is Randy Pausch you ask? Randy Pausch is a married father of three, a very popular professor at Carnegie Mellon University—and he is dying. He is suffering from pancreatic cancer, which he says returned after surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Doctors gave him only a few months to live.

So, what is the "Last Lecture"? "There's an academic tradition called the 'Last Lecture.' Hypothetically, if you knew you were going to die and you had one last lecture, what would you say to your students?"

About the lecture in Randy's words...Despite the lecture's wide popularity, Randy says he really only intended his words for his three small children. "I think it's great that so many people have benefited from this lecture, but the truth of the matter is that I didn't really even give it to the 400 people at Carnegie Mellon who came. I only wrote this lecture for three people, and when they're older, they'll watch it," he says.

This was about the time I saw him on Oprah. As I sat and watched him speak of his family,life, work, diagnosis etc...I cried. All I could think was how courageous and strong this man was...this man who knew his fate that lie ahead! How can someone be so strong, so uplifting, so positive...and yet terminally ill? I'm saddened today by the news that Randy Pausch lost his fight with Cancer on Friday, July 25th. However, I am forever changed by him and his "Last Lecture". Please take a few minutes and click on the link below to watch his "Last Lecture". You will be truly inspired by this man.
May God Bless You!!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8577255250907450469
(this is the short version seen on Oprah)

http://www.youtube.com/user/carnegiemellonu
(this is the one he gave at the University to his students...1 hour and 16 mins.)

Thinking out loud for the world to hear!

So, the other day I got an instant message from my sister-in-law, Stacy, telling me that she thought she found her birth mother. Yes, Stacy was adopted at birth and for 36 years has wondered where she came from, who were biological parents are, and her ancestors history. Well, I was so excited for her that I told her to call, that I would be there for her no matter what. Well, I couldn't believe it but she eventually did make that phone call, hands shaking, voice cracking...all the anxiousness I can only imagine!! Later that night Stacy calls me at home and as I say hello to her on the other side, all I hear is..."it was her". I knew right then she found her birth mother! How exciting...I had all the questions, all these emotions...I felt so excited for her like it was me!(Wow...sidenote, but Stacy and I have come a long way and to be that excited for someone like it was yourself is truely amazing! Complete selflessness.) She went on to tell me the whole story about her biological parents, where they came from, how they met, her birth! Incredible! Stacy finally had the answers to the questions that she carried with her her entire life. And as if that wasn't enough...two days later I get another call. This time telling me, "it was him". She not only had found her birth mother but now her birth father. This is almost too much to take in all in one week! She shared with me all about him and his family and history! She even shared his myspace with me so that I could see pictures! She looks so much like him and one his youngest daughters is a spitching image of Stacy when she was a girl! I couldn't believe it! I was in shock and I could only imagine how she was feeling...excited, anxious, overwhelmed! Imagine going 36 years of your life without resembling someone, or seeing yourself in someone else(well until she had her own children, of course), but still. Stacy now has some peace of mind and can move on with all this information and start friendships with these people who gave her life. She has two entire families full of half siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles...holy cow! And they all live here in San Diego except for her birth mother. I'm so excited to share this new chapter of her life with her...she is the sister I never had and wanted and it took us a long time to get here, but we're here!! I can't wait to see the years ahead unfold with all this new found information. Am I scared...not at all...she'll always be my sissy!!! xoso

Pub Crawl with the OC office!!

So, last Sunday we headed down to PB with with some our partners and employees of the OC office for an informal pub crawl. However, this just wasn't any pub crawl...this was a "dive bar" pub crawl. We met up at the Sandbar, then off to the Open Bar, then lunch at Taco Surf. From there we went a block down the street to Thrusters for $2.00 Mimosas!!! We then went to the another bar, which I don't really remember the name because me, Heidi, Cathi & Traci left to go find a peircing place. :) That was so much fun! and yes I'm 35, omg that sounds old, but I've always wanted my nose peirced. So Traci and I took the plunge! We then ended our day at the Silver Fox with a game of pool with Duane and Traci...who joined us even though it was their anniversary weekend!! What a great day and great fun with friends!!

Beach Day with Nonna in Coronado!!

After several weeks in Georgia, Sarah is finally home, however we have still yet to see her! There was, however, a sighting of her in Coronado out at the beach with her Nonna and her two cousins...Gavin and Graham!! From the pictures below it appears that they had a great day!! However, I think nonna probably slept like a baby that night because after digging the whole to bury Sarah...she had to dig two more for Gavin and Graham!

My beautiful Sarahbear becoming so grown up!

These need no explanation!!! ;)

The Three Musketeers!!

Relaxing on Sunday!!

What a long weekend! It was nice to have 3 days off, but it's always so hard to go back to work come Monday! We spent the day relaxing outside by our pool. ;) We're high-class...don't kid yourself! the girls had a great time playing in the tube and the tent. Turns out Adyson liked the tent so much she slept in it that night in their room! Unfortunately, I didn't realize the importance of the Kodak moment at the time so I don't have a picture of that. But it was so cute, Cord fixed it all up with her pillow, blankets, and all her "friends". Although about 4am she did go into her own bed. Not sure if she was scared or just had enough of "roughing it". Sarah comes home late tomorrow night from Georgia. Well, not home home. Flies into San Diego, but then Thursday she's going with Nonna and Papa because Gavin and Graham are going to be here. Then on Saturday they have Taylor's birthday party at the bowling alley. Unfortunately, Cord and I won't be attending as we have the company planned "Pub Crawl"...don't ask! ;) Well, I'm off. Stay tuned for more peeks into the life of the Bakers... from my perspective!

Look at those faces!!

Oh there's mommy!! Finally I'm in some pics!

Kisses for daddy! xoxoxo

And yet another pose...I'm sure there will be one of these in every post!!


Notice the shoe?

The day was just too much for some of us!!

Happy 4th of July!!!

God Bless America!!!

We had such a fun day and celebrated just the way you're supposed to. Cord got up and left at normal time, 7:00am, to go surfing...even after being stung the day before by a sting ray! Go figure. I woke up around 8:00...because that's when Avery woke me up. We hung out for a little while, had breakfast and coffee, and then went up to get ready for our big day of fun. Jeff, Mel and the girls were coming over and we were going to head out to the pool then BBQ. We had all the typical 4th foods...ranch dip with carrots, onion dip with ruffles, hot dogs, pasta salad, corn on the cob, baked beans, oh and brownie's with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce for dessert! Anyone who knows me, knows it's not a party unless you have dessert. Oh and don't forget the liquid favorites...maggie-ritas, beer, wine...you get the picture! The pool was fun...Adyson is still a little unsure of it so we're going to start her in swim lessons soon! Avery, on the other hand, LOVED it! We couldn't keep her out of it! We had a great day...spending it with family and just relaxing. After all, that's what living in this country is about...being thankful for all that you have. God Bless!!

My Maggie-Rita!!! Well, the first one of the day! ;)


Avery just couldn't get enough!! CHEEEEEESSSE!

Our Bathing Beauty!

Jeff & Rylie and Melanie, Rylie and T!!

Jeff...Perfect form!! "10"

Cord...Separation of the legs! "9.0"


Faces only a mother could love!!!

Go Padres!!!!!!!

Adyson and Cord at the Padre Game!

Unfortunately this was the day after my water skiing mishap so I was unable to go. But Cord and Adyson still went and had some father/daughter bonding!!

Adyson waiting for the Trolly in Old Town!

Cord and Adyson in their seats! (Note Adyson Sitting on Cord's lap...the seats were too high up for her.)

What's a game without cotton candy!!!!????

Strike a pose...Vogue!

What a long day! A girl after my own heart...guarding her cotton candy even while sleeping!

I can't believe I'm doing this!!

Okay, so here is my first little message...I'm so lost with this whole thing!!!! I don't know what half of this stuff means, how to arrange anything, or the lingo!! I think I'm going to have to take a class from Cathi!!! I will add more later, but for now...I've arrived in the world of blogging!!