Remember when you followed me?

Friends! I blog! I promise! I am just blogging in more than one spot. After Jojo was born I went to work for Faulkner Media Group as their social media marketer. We make marketing materials for financial advisors and real estate agents that feature motion graphic videos. I write their blogs, as well as run their Facebook and Twitter pages. Come follow us to show your support, it would mean a lot.

Follow us on Facebook

Tweet with us on Twitter

Follow our blog, Market in Motion: The Revolution in Financial Marketing

One of the greatest things about the internet is the ability to share the things that are most important to us with our friends and family. I feel like supporting blogs and businesses of my friends has been so fulfilling and enriching. Here are a few other sites I think you might enjoy following:

Roxy and Sam are the most stylish couple we know started an Etsy shop selling all of their best vintage finds.

The most physically fit person I know Liz (who is actually in the hospital delivering as I type!), has a fitness blog with great health living tips.

And on a more serious note, our friends Matt and Ani lost their little girl Ruby to a liver disease a few weeks ago and started the Ruby Jane Taylor Foundation in her honor. The foundation will work to get legislation put in place that will save lives through making organ donations more accessible.

Here is a picture of Jojo and I playing this morning after our walk to remind you of how I feel about you.

xoxo

Nathan Carter Williams

I wrote this post almost a month ago and was not quite ready to post it. But, I wanted to share this sweet little guy with you. I hope you enjoy.

Friends,

This past week on May 28, my nephew Nathan passed away suddenly. It was a hard week here at the Williams home as we prepared for the funeral and reflected on the meaning of life. Nate was one of my dearest friends. He, his parents, Stephen and Jenny and sister, Ashley, have been nothing but wonderful to Brian and I as we have started our own family. They are such great friends.

Below are a few of my favorite photos of Nate. He LOVED his Uncle Brian (he called him "Bian") and I know Brian felt similarly.

This last photo of Nate holding Baby Jo is a killer. We will cherish it forever.

The funeral was amazing. It was filled with memories of Nathan and the amazing life he lived. He loved to tease, joke and play. As I have thought about Nate this week I feel nothing but love. It makes me consider my life and my relationships with those closest to me. He was never offended or moody but always treated everyone the same. What a tribute. It was great to see people come from all over to honor a boy who had touched their lives.

We love Nate and miss him dearly. We know that he, his parents and sister will be together as a family after this life, we know he will live free of any physical challenges he had while here on the earth, we know he is watching over us and sending us love daily. Believing in God and believing in a plan of what happens after life here ends really means a lot when you loose someone you love. I have felt God's love and peace this week, it has been wonderful and hard all at the same time.

We will miss our Nato always, we love him so much. Thanks for letting me share. Love you.

Andrea

(Or as Nate would say, "Anea.")

You go, girlfriend!

Today I am in love with the internet and the opportunities it offers us. Since having Jo I have been working from home for my Dad doing research and other marketing projects. It has been the best thing for my mental health, has kept me away from the baby blues, and I feel like a better mom every time I take a few hours to work on projects that help me learn. Today I stumbled across this video, a presentation given by Facebook's COO Sheryl Sandberg. I thoroughly enjoyed the advice she gives to women everywhere who are balancing work and home life. Not only is her presentation flawless, she gives the whole thing in 4 inch heels. Impressive!

PS My religious views on gender roles are found here. (Did you know I'm Mormon!?!?)

PSS I wrote a post on Latin feminism a few years ago that I feel like you should read here.

Remember this week?

Liz came to town and took Jenna away with her. :(
Jo got an Easter package from Gammy.
Jo got more adorable.
Brian was sick so he got to stay home from work a few days and play with us on the couch!
Ali and I took a picture together. This NEVER happens. We realized that although we are always together we never hug and never take pictures together. Get ready for lots of Faulkner sister photos to come. There will definitely be coordinated outfits and maybe even some hugging.Gigi and Jo hung out!
Gigi was interested in Jo for the first time! She immediately grabbed Jo's hair and so we will have to distance them until Jo can defend herself, or until Gigi grows more hair.
The six of us went to Park City on an overnighter. We played Settlers and Brian and I dominated.
Jo was a pretty little Easter egg.
We took a family photo which made our child look enormous.

I love our little family. I also love Motherhood Mondays and this talk about marriage. I also love you. Have a good week.

Remember when I had a baby? Two months ago?

Can you believe it? Me, a mom!?! Well you better, because although I may never ride a bike again I do have to say that Brian and I made a pretty cute baby. I mean, she is like killer.

We are the total classic new parents. We are beyond worried about every little thing Jo does. We spend HOURS a day holding her, staring at her, talking about how cute we think she is. Brian has her on an exercise routine (this is not a joke in the slightest) and I have created a voice for her that she talks to me in (or in other words, I talk to myself all day). It would be impossible to be more in love.

Love you all.

xoxo

Andrea and Jo too!

Remember when I was really pregnant?

Hi! Remember when I used to blog? Well here I am, a stay at home wife, ready to give it another go. I have been told by medical professionals that this pregnancy thing will be over fairly soon (although I hardly believe them) and so I feel it necessary to write a few of my thoughts about pregnancy. Here are some people/things who have meant so much to me these past 9 months:

NPR.
Nicolitalias Pizza AND buffalo wings.
My work GFs who always told me I looked pretty and went with me for french toast sticks when I had to have them.
The Snoogle.
My mom and mom-in-law. Both have told me such sweet stories of what being a mom means to them.
Ali, thank you for making things for my baby and being as excited about her coming as I am.
KFC mashed potatoes.
My bathtub.
And of course, my cute husband. In the first trimester he never complained that I only left the house for work. In the second trimester he said things like, "The only place you have gained weight is your stomach." And now, after we get done reading about the stages of labor and I couldn't feel more scared he'll lean over and tell me, "You're going to do awesome." What a guy.


Our original due date was the 15th of this month but was moved to the 25th after our first appointment. Last week they told me she could now come at any time. Yikes. Although I can't wait to have her here to hold and to be with, there is so much of me that wants her to stay in my tummy forever. I just love that right now we do everything together, best of friends.

I really think you are going to want to see her when she gets here, I have a feeling she will be pretty cute. I'll keep you posted, wish me luck!

Here I am, pregnant

My amazing friend, Heather Norton Mildenstein, took these family photos for us. Thanks Heather, we had so much fun!

So here I am in all of my pregnant glory... enjoy!

Janelle Monáe - Tightrope [feat. Big Boi] (Video)

I'm back bloggers! I will share more shortly. Enjoy this today!

After a year and a half...

We have finally hung pictures on our walls! I felt it was worth blogging about. A milestone in our marriage.
Happy June! xo Andrea

fiery hot

Today I got really worked up. Long day at the office, oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico, traffic, Arizona immigration legislation, that's enough to drive a girl crazy! I came home to a relaxed husband watching Arrested Development reruns on the couch. He was having such a great time I was so happy that he was there and that I am his wife and that he helps me not feel like a crazy. And so I say to all of you: watch more netflix, and love your rommies, it helps with the craziness.

sunday bbq

We work a lot these days, drive a lot, ride our bikes a lot, and today we even had a bbq with friends. Love you dearly. Happy Summer!

little brother blake and pie and his mission call!

South Provo can get kinda lonely when your husband is out of town on business. Fortunately I have a little brother at the dorms to come play with me. And fortunately little brother Blake is taking Food 101 at BYU. And fortunately they teach him how to make things like apple pie which he comes and bakes at my house. And fortunately I have an Iphone to document the whole thing.

I got so excited about the pie that I did the pie dance...

Blake whipped the pie out of the oven and then with his hot mitts on did a little pie dance of his own!

Go B-dawg!

And best news of all... Yesterday we found out that this little guy will be reporting July 28th to the MTC to go to the Chile, Vina Del Mar mission! We are thrilled for him and all of those Chilenos who get to enjoy him for two whole years.

Q and A with The Williams

A spicy interview with The Williams Family to catch up on their lives after months and months of dull posts. Enjoy!

Blogger: We heard you and Brian have new jobs! Where are you working now?
Williams: This is true! Brian started working for City Deals last month doing sales and marketing. He really likes it and is doing awesome there. You should go and check out the site because there are some dreamy deals for those of you in the Utah area. And last week I started at Maggie Sottero. I will also be working on the Sales and Marketing team, but more specifically with the Quinceanera gown line. It will incorporate all of my favorite things: Fluffy dresses, Latinas, and high waisted pencil skirts.

B: That is great! How have you adapted to this life style change? From what I understand you were averaging a few hours a day on Netflix. Will you be able to handle a real job?

W: That is a valid concern, but I am embracing the increased demands on my schedule. Plus, season 4 of Friday Night Lights isn't even on Netflix yet so I figure I might as well work full time until then. Thank you for your concern though.

B: What is this I hear about The Williams Family in a video with over half a million views on YouTube?

W: Oh, well yes that is true! Our friends Eddie and Bree made the video to enter a contest for the best spoof on a Kesha video. If you haven't seen the final product yet, I'll post it below. Brian is C3P0 and I am one of the Trekkie girls who fights at the end. While watching make sure you notice little brother Blake as the security guard and older sister Ali, a Trekkie, with a dance solo!

B: Anything else we should know about? It has been quite some time since you have blogged...

W: Yes, it has been awhile. But we do have more news! Brian was released last week from the Bishopric in our student ward. It is a year long calling that went oh so quickly. He has been such a Bishopric all-star, it will be a definite change not having him serving there any longer. Other than that, I was accepted into the Masters Program at the University of Utah for this upcoming Fall 2010 in Linguistics. Obviously the letter came the same day I got my new fabulous job, so we will just have to see where 2010 takes us. But I am thrilled about the program, and I really like being a Ute. No offense Cosmo.

B: Is there anything you want to leave your readers with?

W: Yes there is! Thank you for not giving up on us these past few months. We love your blogging guts.

if you're wondering where i've been...

tutoring programs

Some of you know that I help organize tutoring programs in Utah County. The programs are opportunities for Spanish Speaking congregations, or communities, to bring their children to a chapel or a community center to be tutored. Student wards or individual volunteers who are interested come and volunteer their time weekly to help these kids with homework. The program has grown so much this past year, I have felt lucky to be a part of it. This week BYU Television is airing a program on us! Here are the times:

BYU Television:
Sunday 12:00 am
Wednesday 12:00 pm and 6:00 pm

It will also air on Channel 11 KBYU-TV:
Sunday 3:00 pm
Monday 5:00 am

If any of you are interested in participating or getting your ward involved please email me. The program provides opportunity for service, missionary work, to serve as a mentor, and countless opportunities to play with small Latin children.

Here is a list and the times of the programs we already have in place. Feel free to stop by at any of them to check it out. We would love it!

PROVO

Provo Seventh-day
Adventist Community Center
255 South 700 East
Thursday, 7- 8 p.m.

South LDS Stake Center
440 West 1200 South
Wednesday, 6- 7 p.m.

Grandview East LDS Stake Center
1081 West 1060 North
Wednesday, 6- 7 p.m.

Bonneville LDS Stake Center
85 South 900 East
Tuesday, 7- 8 p.m.

East LDS Stake Center
502 East 200 North
Wednesday 7- 8 p.m.

Franklin Community Center
(Inside the Boulders Apartments)
750 South 650 West
Tuesaday and Thursday, 7- 8 p.m.

Parkway LDS Stake Center
225 West 620 North
Thursday, 6:45- 7:45 p.m.

Provo LDS Stake Center
1745 South State Street
Tuesday, 7- 8 p.m.

HEBER
Heber LDS Stake Center
Chapel 600 South 715 East
Tuesday, 7- 8 p.m.

OREM
Suncrest LDS Stake Center
95 North 600 West
Tuesday, 6:30- 7:30 p.m.

let's hear it for new york

Friends! We just got home last night from New York and we are so excited to share with you our fun. Confession: we can't get enough of the Jay Z Empire State of Mind video. Feel free to watch it as you view these photos.

Brian's parents and his sister Kim are serving a mission in Queens, New York. They teach classes to young adults on scripture in the evenings and during the day they visit families from a ward they have been assigned to. We spent Christmas day with some of their friends from that ward.

Above: Tim and Alice.

Below: Anita, Mark, and Kim!
While visiting Bob, Carol, and Kim we got to:

Ride into the city and see the Off Broadway Show "Ragtime".

Eat the yummiest Japanese ramen, Kim seriously dominated the chopsticks.

The next day we got to go to church and meet all of the members of the Jamaica Queens ward where our "fearless threesome" serves. They were all as friendly and darling as Briana, Brian's new friend shown above. It touched our hearts to see how they truly love Bob, Carol, and Kim. But it was even more touching to see the way our missionaries loved the people in Queens. We are so proud of them for serving.

We left NYC for a few days to take a short trip to Puerto Rico on the Jetblue. We LOVED Puerto Rico and highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for sunshine, warm water, quaint cities, and an easy getaway. While there we found:

Adorable cobblestone streets filled with little boutiques in Old San Juan. It reminded me of Espana!

The old Spanish military forts.

We were amazed that I can do this!

Beaches, beaches, and more beaches.

We headed back to New York after a small 24 hour detour at the San Juan airport. A volcano erupted on Montserrat, an island nearby in the Caribbean. Our gentle Utah skin was so scorched we couldn't dare brave the beach another day but with some persistence we got ourselves back on another flight to New York so we could spend the New Year with our New York family.

New Years dinner with cute Kirk.

And like true New York tourists, we decided to go to Times Square to watch the ball drop. We didn't go down into Times Square area until almost 10:00 p.m. when there were already 1 million people there. Fortunately we made a few friends and we were able to get close enough to at least see the ball at midnight. Embarrassingly enough I got all choked up at midnight. There were so many people from all over the world with their loved ones, celebrating together. It was really sweet!

I already said it: We are alright being tourists!

My cute cousin Matt let us stay in his apartment in the city (shown above) and so we spent a few days there playing with Kirk and Bob, Carol, and Kim as well. We got to go to the temple, the Empire State Building, dancing in the city, and to H&M of course. We also were invited to eat a traditional German meal at the home of the Bishop out in Queens. It was so delicious it blew my mind! Don't let Brian's face fool you here.

And now we are home, feeling really good about 2010. We can't wait to spend it with you here, or wherever you are vicariously through your blogs! Love, love, love to you this New Year!