You should only do something when you are truly inspired to do so, otherwise, it just won’t be great.  I’ve been a little MIA as I had been throwing a pity party for myself the last few weeks.  I was so tired, and felt so big, and overwhelmed with the fact that I was having two babies at one time.  After a recent doctor’s visit, she convinced me to do something I had been on the fence about for the last few months, quit my job.  It was a very difficult decision to make, but the supportive Rockstar Hubby and I felt it was the right time.  Though I was still uncertain during my last two weeks of work, I am now going on my second week as a SAHM (Stay At Home Mom, for those of you unfamiliar with the term), and I don’t miss working one bit.  I take that back, the steady paycheck was nice, but there is something oddly challenging and exciting about making it all work on one paycheck.

Anyhow, was feeling a bit down and not inspired to write anything.  Then my girlfriend came to town.  One of my best college buddies, who was also my sorority sister (my “Diamond” sister, aka: Big sister).  She recently moved back to Chi-town with her hubby and baby boy, and came out to Vegas for a girls’ weekend with her sister-in-laws.  I don’t care how or why she came, all I know it was fantastic to spend time with her!  Whether she knew it or not, she came at the right time, because she spent the entire two days telling me how fabulous I was.  How she loved my blog, and how great of a writer I am.  She told her sister-in-law that I was a great organic food shopper and a terrific cook (wow!  thanks for that one!).  Went on about how impressed she was that I was handling marriage and kids so well in the midst of my sudden departure from my career and news about the twins, and how gracefully I handle Rockstar Hubby’s career.  I told her, it’s all a big facade, if you only knew how much we have been fighting recently, or how I constantly yell at my children, and feed them, gasp, frozen foods for dinner lately because I am too tired and hot to cook.  She listened as only a best friend would do, and despite all of this, looked at me with a sympathetic smile, but would not back down from thinking I was amazing.

It is such an incredible thing to experience, a change in emotion.  How does one’s world go from being so bleak and dark and scary, and with one visit from a girlfriend, the world is conquerable again?  It’s bright and cheery and well, not so bad.  Perhaps it’s the friend you seek the support from.  I didn’t solicit this type of admiration from my friend, she gave it to me without knowing how down I had been on myself lately.  Whatever the reason, she was not stingy with me with her feelings.  This is something I learned while working for lululemon, as a manager, not to be stingy with gratitude and compliments.  I have friends and family who have been saying these things to me, supporting me with my decisions, all along, but for some reason, this was the first time I really heard it.  Even my husband and I had a long talk the other night about how great I have been in my career, as a mom, as a wife, and it was still hard for me to believe -and I don’t say this with ego.  I say it because I believe there are others out there, just like me.  Probably, you are one of them, reading this now and totally relating to what I am saying.  Why is it so hard to believe that we are amazing? That we are great?  That we are doing enough, and our enough really is good enough!

The one thing that comes to mind, comes again from what I learned at the Guru Fitness Company…live your life with intention.  Live your best life.  I guess it’s the question of, “is my best good enough?”  It always seems to be for everyone else but me.  Though it sounds like an over-achiever, it is also my greatest downfall as it plays with my self-confidence and keeps me from truly being great.  Something I imagine I will struggle with for awhile.  In the meantime, I am inspired to write again!  And for now, that makes me happy.

Maybe it’s the hormones, or maybe I really am just feeling grateful.  I’ve been contemplating the last few days about how lucky I am to have a partner who truly adores me.  That may sound a little over confident, but I am pretty sure I am right about this one. 

I met my husband 10 years ago, December of 1999.  At that time, my future husband-to-be had been divorced for two years, and I had just moved back from Los Angeles after a devastating break up with my college boyfriend.  Our mothers are friends, and they took a trip to China and Japan with a group of girlfriends in the summer of 1998.  What do our mother’s have to do with us meeting?  Well, a lot.  They sat on the plane ride over to China and discussed the possibility of introducing us and what our future together would look like.  When they came home, my mom excitedly talked about Suzanne’s son, Kelly.  She told me broken bits and pieces about him- he had been married very young, right out of college, didn’t work out, and had been divorced for two years now, dating off and on.  For months, I was dying to meet this Prince Charming, and kept wondering when it would happen, knowing deep down inside that once I met him, it would be all over- my single life that is.  I had this feeling he would be the boy I was going to marry. 

Our mothers formally met through a charitable organization called, Assistance League of Las Vegas, though they had lived on the same street in the same neighborhood for years (and still do), and my younger brother and sister went to school with Kelly’s younger brother.  We all grew up in Las Vegas, and have the same memories growing up here.  And our paths may have crossed here and there, we had the same swim coach and attended the same cotillion, but I was four years younger (I love saying that!) then Kelly, so we never officially met.  The closest I ever came to meeting him before we were destined to, happened when I was a 6th grader at St. Anne’s Elementary School, and he and his best friend, Steve Garhardt, were juniors at Gorman High School.  Everyone knew Steve because he was the hot guy who played football and everyone wanted to date him.  Plus, he and his girlfriend went to my church, and later taught religious studies to my younger siblings.   One day I was at my best friend’s house, and we were visiting one of her neighbors, who was a sophomore at Gorman, and that night, was also attending the Girls Reverse Dance with Steve Garhardt!  We were so jealous and excited…we went over to her house to see her dress.  Come to find out, years later, when I was going through one of Kelly’s old photo books, I came across a picture of that neighbor, in that same dress, with Steve, and another couple…her friend and Kelly.  They all went to the dance together.  It was the closest I came to running into my future hubby.

Fast forward to Christmas of 1999.  The Assistance League of Las Vegas was dedicating their new building, and all the families were invited.  This is where I briefly met Kelly, stuffing my face with Swedish meatballs (I was hungry, and food has never gotten in the way of anything for me!).  I say briefly because true to KVA form, he was off and running to the next thing, usually something for work, or maybe he had a date, who knows really, I’ve actually never asked him.  And I didn’t see him again until July 2, 2000, at a mutual friends’ wedding.  That was it.  I never dated another person again.  We married May 4, 20002.

In exactly one week, we will have been married for eight years.  And though I am totally head over heels for him right now, it hasn’t been the easiest road the whole time.  It is true though, what people say, if you can make it through the hard times, you grow closer, wiser and stronger.  It’s been eight years and thanks to the fabulous economy, we have learned some very valuable lessons.  We have both achieved amazing results in our careers. Kelly left one career for another and has been very successful at it, loving every minute of his job and his life.  We have travelled to great places: Bali, Thailand, Anguilla, Hawaii…and when we couldn’t afford our own trips, we were still able to road trip it to Telluride and Dana Point, thanks to our parents.  Eight years later we have two beautiful children and two more on the way.  We’ve bought and sold four houses between the two of us, and six cars. 

So why is he so amazing?  For starters, he takes so much pride in his work.  And he does so with the intention that he is making a life for his family.  I trust him completely.  I know when he has to go out with the boys (his bosses), and have drinks at the nightclubs, he is doing it to further his career, not meet some power hungry hoochie mama.  I know he really wants to come home and be in bed with his son and his daughter.  He loves to show them off at work, when he gets the chance.  Everywhere I go people congratulate me on the twins, and this is because Kelly is so excited about it, he can’t help but tell everyone we meet.  At the ACMAs, I got up to use the restroom, when I came back the rows in front and behind us were wishing me best of luck with the babies!  He is the most attentive man I know, so much that sometimes it drives me a bit crazy.  But he’s the man…he gets the drinks, he gets the cars, he gets the doors, he makes sure everyone is happy and having a good time.  This is why he is so great at his job, and why I feel bad when we go out because he doesn’t skip a beat with me, but this is what he loves to do.  Take care of people.  When I had to stay in the hospital for dehydration (not to mention both hospital stays with my children), he slept on the most uncomfortable “couch” in the room with me for two nights in a row.  Guilty confession, I am not sure I would have done the same thing.  Now, yes.  Two months ago, I don’t know.  He never complained.  He packed his bag and said, “OK, let’s go.”  I told him to go home and sleep, but he said he wouldn’t leave me there alone.  If I ask him to do something, he does it.  It may take me nagging him for weeks, sometimes months if it is something he truly has no interest in, but when he gets it done, he really gets it done.  On the other hand, if I ask him to run to the store in the middle of the night for peanut butter cookie dough, or a burrito from Taco Bell, I don’t have to ask twice.  To top it all off, he still thinks I’m hot in my 4 months-pregnant with twins-glory, and keeps bringing me home nighties from the lingerie store at his work.  I think, “Really??? I can’t possibly look amazing in this right now,” and he thinks, “Really! You do!” 

I love watching him when he is so happy and in his element.  As you know, we get opportunities to see sold out concerts and shows,&nbsp
;get in to the most exclusive nightclubs and bars, eat at the best restaurants in town.  I am generally more excited about this than he is, but because he knows I love it, he makes it happen.  Even when he couldn’t care less.  Recently, we were invited to attend the Eagles concert with some guests.  My husband was so excited.  He’s definitely loosened up since we first met…he was singing the songs and standing up to rock out even if I wasn’t.  He was genuinely having a great time.  He looked great in the shirt I picked out for him, his Filmore jeans and his new cowboy boots.  He was mingling with “the boys” and enjoying spending time with his guests.  It was so good to see him this content.     

For a long time, I thought all husbands were this way.  What I’ve come to learn is that I am lucky.  I am fortunate.  I have a partner who in so many ways is my best friend and more.  I couldn’t imagine my life without him.  We are so equal in where we stand with each other, in how we make our decisions for our family and our goals for our lives.  I have come to realize that I don’t need anything.  I have everything I need.    

Though it felt a little like Nashville, I really was right here in Las Vegas.  I had the opportunity to spend the weekend with my husband and some of his guests at the Aria Resort on Sunday and Monday.  It is the one time of year that I am a country western music fan, when Las Vegas plays host to the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Artist of the Decade.  In 2009, I was fortunate enough to attend the Artist of the Decade when the Academy honored George Strait.  George and Johnny Cash are two of my faves, the rest I know if they are played on the mainstream stations.  I have nothing against country, I just never really grew up around it or loving it.  I take that back, about 15-20 years ago, I really did take it personally.  I hated how sad and victimized everyone sounded singing their country songs.  Now I have a true appreciation for the music and the talent, as there are so many talented country performers whose voices could bring down a stadium and guitar licks could kick some serious rapping ass.  This year, Brooks and Dunn were being honored as the Artist of the Decade, and though I was not familiar with most of their music, like I said, it’s hard not to be awed and inspired by truly talented people.  If you want to catch a glimpse, it airs sometime in May on CBS.  It was a pretty spectacular show, especially if you are a Brooks and Dunn fan.  As they are being honored, they get to sit on stage and listen to their music performed by top country vocalists like George Strait, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Reba McIntyre, Taylor Swift and Tim Mc Graw.  The singers also tell personal stories about their relationship to the duo, which I love because I feel like it gives them a human quality, it makes them more touchable. 

That took up the entertainment portion of my Stay-cation.  Sunday night, hair, make-up and limo ride over from Aria to MGM Grand Hotel to the ACMAs.  Monday night, hair, make-up and limo ride over to the MGM Grand Hotel for Artist of the Decade.  What happened in Vegas in-between all that excitement?  Lots of relaxing, more than I was expecting, and selfishly deserved. 

The one thing I look the most forward to when I get the sweet opportunity to stay at the Aria Resort…putting on my jammies and getting into bed.  I have never slept in a bed more comfortable.  It is literally like sleeping on clouds.  The mattress, the sheets, the pillows…it was the one thing keeping me going Sunday night as my belly was starting to ache and my feet were begging me to please take off the ungodly three inch Badgley Mishckas I was sporting.  My exhausted husband was invited to join some of his guests downstairs in the casino, while I was able to so politely opt out due to my “condition”.  The truth was that I wanted to lay in that bed and never get out!  After a quick trip to my favorite French bakery- Jean Phillipe Patisserie- for a Nuetella and banana crepe to-go, I practically bolted down the long corridor (damn this hotel is big!) dodging drunken tourists left and right, through the Sky Suites entrance and up the elevator.  Another 5 minutes more and I would be approaching my hotel room with the most insanely comfortable bed in town-including my own!  I have never more gladly traded a dress, maternity Spanx, and three inch heels for my pjs and a repeat face wash to make sure all the spackle from the airbrushing was off.  What else is so amazing about these rooms is the remote control everything.  There is basically a “brain” that controls the lighting, the blackout curtains, music, television, turn-down and maid service, and billing from the comfort of your bed.  When you first walk into the room after check-in, the curtains open and the television prompts the music channel to turn on…it’s a very luxurious experience, and you are immediately reminded that you are more in a model home on vacation versus a stinky, smokey Vegas hotel room. 

So, back to the bed.  After drooling over this bed for months now, I finally decided to do some research and found they are actually available for purchase…brand new ones obviously, not the ones from the hotel rooms.  The whole set up is from the mattress to the pillows.   Thinking a possible push gift from the hubby?? I mean, I am having twins after all. I’m going to need a great place to relax and get very little sleep for the next 10 years.

I was in bed by 10pm that night, and stayed there until 10am the next morning. The only thing keeping me from staying there all day was the fact that I actually had to go back to reality for a few hours to my OB appointment. I was even late because I was finding it a challenge to talk myself out of bed. Bed was amazing…I think you got the picture.

Next indulgence…cabana by the pool. The day promised to be sunny and hot, and I promised my skin some much needed Vitamin D. We were invited by my husband’s guests to shar
e their cabana with them at the pool. I couldn’t wait to check it out as it was the one amenity at Aria I had not experienced yet. (Will chat about the spa next time, as I was not able to partake this time around. The spa is on my top 10 list for best spas around the world). Though his guests, the Cabana Manager and the Cabana Host spent the first 15 minutes complaining about their happenings at the pool on Saturday- apparently there is a section of the pool that turns into a club on Saturdays and anyone (meaning non-hotel guests) can attend if they pay a cover charge or the exorbitant amount for a cabana or table to listen to an over-rated European house DJ spin monotonous beats for several hours. Not only was the music and unwanted guests affecting the actual hotel guests who were unable to relax by the pool, but the spa is located directly above the said sectioned off pool and the insides were bumping to the house beats as well. I assured them that management would surely look into this situation, as clearly they did not want to affect their gaming and hotel business-it’s too sensitive right now to ignore these minor, yet major disruptions to paying hotel guests-as if I have some insider pull to management. But I was reassuring nonetheless. 
The overall feel of the Aria pool is that of simplistic and modern. Compared to the decor in some of the more traditional hotels like Mandalay Bay, MGM, and Bellagio, it lacks the tropical or European feel that many of them try to recreate, and some have done an excellent job in doing so. Though a bit more streamlined and trendy, it is what you would expect given the rest of the hotel is donned in the same decorative duds. The cabana was nice. It was a little crowded, as their is little privacy between each cabana. The cabana itself boasts a small flat screen TV, a basket full of munchies and small sample sized tanning oils, and a fridge filled with water, juice and an Evian spray mist can. You can also bring your own iPod and attach it to the dock to play your own tunes. A Cabana Host is on-hand to fetch food and drinks, and check your towels for wrinkles. Whatever problems there were on Saturday were not present at all on a Monday afternoon. In fact, I almost cancelled my hair and make-up appointments just to stay a little longer and lounge, catch up on my Vogue, and sip some lemon filled iced water.  But alas, duty calls, and someone had to make me look pretty.

My final indulgence of the trip was getting to eat a quick dinner before the Artist of the Decade show at Union Restaurant and Lounge.  One of the more trendy, less stuffy restaurants and bars at Aria.  It was created and is ran by the Light Group, who also own and operate many of the nightclubs and restaurants in other MGM Mirage properties.  Just as their counter-partners, Fix and Stacked, Union shows signs of similarity, which is fine by me because I love the menu options in all three places.  It is easy to order several appetizers for the table to to share that would easily replace a meal.  If you’re still hungry or want more sustenance than that, there are great menu items like fish and steak with side dishes a la carte.  Since I had been craving their Crispy Duck for some time now, that was my choice for the evening, though everything we ate was very good: Union Salad, Spicy Yellow Tail Crunch, Salmon Carpaccio, and Tuna Tartar were available for everyone at the table.  I skipped the raw fish and ordered myself a virgin mojito instead.  It was the perfect ending to a delightful stay!