Freemont Street Parade

One of Chris' co-workers told us about a night parade in downtown Las Vegas that we went to a few weekends ago. It's good it wasn't held in the morning, since it was still in the 90's when we left around 8 p.m. We had a good time and met a nice couple with two kids. The Moby has already come in handy many times since we've gotten here. Cooper likes it and it's nice to have my hands free. I've decided it's my new "hands free kit" (Thanks, Mom!)

The Shriners were there in their little cars and motorcycles-- one guy was in a Jazzy chair and everyone cheered for him when he did a wheelie! Ian liked the horses and the fire engines, but when the sirens went off Cooper was a little freaked out.

This photo is all blurry because it's artistic, okay!


Ian decided that he was not going to take a nap that day until he fell asleep in the car on the way to downtown. He was happy to just sit in the stroller and watch the parade go by. One thing that was kind of weird was all of the big rolling billboards and decorated cars for judges seeking (re)election. It is kind of a far cry from seeing floats for the Such and Such 337th Ward and Community Bank of Nowhere.

P.S. Thanks Robyn! We've used the umbrella stroller a TON already! :p

Moving around

Cooper keeps getting himself into places that he can't get out of! The second I lay him on the floor on his back, he rolls over onto his tummy and kicks around, almost doing this worm thing; it's really funny to watch. He'll end up doing a 180 degree turn or across the room from where I left him. He's like a little inchworm.
The only problem--he makes himself mad when he can't roll the other way and ends up banging up against things!

Running Blog

So I am hoping to get back into running! It's one of those things that I know I enjoy and really want to have be a part of my life, but I tend to struggle with motivation and a list of excuses to why it's not the right time, I'm too tired, I'm too busy, the boys...this or that...whatever....blah, blah, blah (Ugh. I really sound like a whiner!). So after I seeing a running blog recently started by a friend, I decided I would start something to record my efforts to get back into running, hopefully for good this time. Chris and I bought new running shoes at an Adidas sale yesterday at the Las Vegas Premium Outlets (it was buy one, get one 1/2 off, so that was great!). Chris says he will buy me as many pairs of shoes as I will outrun. So...I better get started. If you ever have any interest, motivation, cheering on, words of wisdom, or anything of the sorts, you are welcome to check out my running blog at www.jennyrunning.blogspot.com. It won't be anything fancy, just me trying to keep a record and build a foundation that will hopefully motivate me and solidify a healthy habit. I am looking for some 5K's to run this summer while we in Vegas. I seem to do better when I have something to work toward, so when I am being a brat in the morning when I am trying to talk myself out of a run, I'll have a long-term goal that I'm working toward. I am already feeling better emotionally and physically since I started. Hopefully I will keep it up and I and my family will reap the benefits! :)

Catch of The Day

I was sitting at my desk a week ago when I got this picture on my phone:

That would be my Dad holding a 38.5 inch, 15 pound Northern Pike that he had just caught at Yuba Reservoir in Utah. I called him shortly thereafter, and he was busy reeling in another fish. He said that since he had his phone with him and was available for any of his clients to contact, that he felt no guilt for being out fishing on a Tuesday afternoon. I am glad that he had such a good time catching the fish, but he sure made my day at the office look boring by comparison!

Poll Results

It looks like we have a clear majority indicating that we should go to San Diego sometime this summer. Actually, this is about the first time that we have had a runaway winner in our polls; usually the voting is much closer than it was. San Diego got 61% and the closest runner-up was renting a boat on Lake Mead for a couple of days at 27%. Since we are slaves to whatever the poll tells us to do (note: we will never put up a poll asking how many more kids we should have), we'll have to get busy planning a California getaway for later this summer or maybe early in the fall. We'll keep everyone posted and make sure that we put up pictures of whatever it is that we do.

Some Thoughts About What We Should Be

I went to a Clark County Bar Association shindig last week—here in Nevada the judges are all elected, which I find to be really weird; it seems like it is a better idea to insulate the judges from the political process as best as possible, but I can see that back in the day when the mob ran most of Vegas that executive appointees would also be unpalatable. Anydangway, we were at a Meet Your Judges Mixer, at the Four Seasons and I got a chance to meet most of the Nevada Supreme Court Justices, quite a few municipal court judges, one Eighth District judge and quite a few attorneys.

It was a good experience. I have not been to many cocktail parties and I think that I am somewhat predisposed to look down my nose at things with which I am unfamiliar. It’s a tendency that I am having to work against, and I am glad to have had some successes so far this year. I enjoyed the opportunity to meet quite a few people from the Nevada legal community (there were about 500 attorneys and judges in attendance) and to realize that I could have valuable opportunities to make acquaintances even in unfamiliar circumstances. I was far less awkward than I had feared that I would be, and it turns out that I was one of many who turned in his drink tickets for a San Pelegrino (rocks, with a lime, please). In my naïveté I had been worried that I would be the only one approaching the bar and not ordering a beer, cerveza, wine or cocktail. Duh.

I met up at the party with an attorney who interviewed me for a job at another firm, a job which I did not get. I had wondered often about the interviews which I had with that firm (I was interviewed with about a dozen people from this particular firm that day), and was perplexed as to why I did not receive an offer. I felt that my interviews had been largely positive and could not understand why this firm had chosen to blow me off. I took the opportunity to approach this attorney and ask what it was that I had done wrong—the only thing that I could think of was that I had said something which I considered innocuous which had displeased this attorney or the other attorney with whom I had dinner at the end of the day.

This attorney reassured me that I had done nothing wrong in the interview; in fact, based on our dinner interview, this attorney indicated that they had written a strong recommendation in my favor as had the other attorney present. I was gratified to hear that, but then pressed my question further and asked why it was, in this attorney’s opinion, that I had not received a job offer. Don’t get me wrong—I love, make that love, Jones Vargas and am very grateful that I have ended up where I did, but I had been bothered for nine months trying to figure out what it was that I had done wrong.

The response that I received surprised me. Of the two attorneys with whom I had dinner, one was a member of the LDS Church, originally from South Africa, and the other was not a member of the Church, but had spent a significant amount of time going to school in Utah with the predominantly LDS population. The attorney who is not LDS indicated to me their belief that I did not receive a job offer because of negative recommendations of two or three other LDS members of this firm with whom I interviewed. This attorney believes that because I was open and friendly, willing to engage in conversation and to recognize that LDS culture (not doctrine, but the popular lifestyles and cultural mores espoused by many members of the LDS Church) has many idiosyncrasies and inconsistencies that I offended these other members of my own faith.

I was, to be quite honest, flatly flabbergasted at this conclusion. After thinking on it for a week, however, I find it to be a plausible explanation. Of the dozen or so interviewers with whom I met that day, I would have to say that the people with whom I felt least comfortable were two or three who are members of my own faith who grew up in the LDS faith in Utah, and it was these attorneys who were implicated by my friend at the party. The other two church members with whom I met, and with whom I got on rather famously, were not from Utah. The Catholics, Jews and others of religion unknown to me seemed eager to find common ground and I honestly felt quite comfortable conversing with them.

I asked this attorney for an opinion as to why they believed that these LDS attorneys had difficulty with me and the answer that I received was that I did not fit into the preconceived notions which this attorney felt that these LDS attorneys held. I was expected to be more circumspect and less outgoing, I suppose. This attorney I met at the Mixer then went on to tell me how much they enjoyed meeting with me because it was refreshing to be around a Mormon who did not immediately judge them for ordering a glass of wine with their dinner. I found myself in the strange position of apologizing to this attorney for the injury that others of my faith had obviously caused by actions which this attorney felt were unjustly judgmental. I wanted them to know that, as far as I understand the doctrines of the gospel, it is inappropriate to judge others and to alienate and ostracize people just because they do not share the beliefs which are dear to me.

I am not sure whether the opinions of this attorney are the truth as to why I received some recommendations which were eventually fatal to my bid for a job at this particular firm. I hope, honestly, that the truth lies in some more innocuous place. Regardless, I am glad that I had the opportunity to apologize on behalf of the members of my faith to someone who feels that they have been belittled and looked down upon simply because they are a child of God who does not belong to the LDS Church. I am similarly glad to have had an opportunity to consider how my actions may communicate to others expectations which are neither reasonable nor doctrinal concerning the way in which they choose to live. In no way do I condone nor encourage doctrinal innovation, but I simply cannot understand why it is that we, as a people, should have a reputation for intolerance.

We simply must find more and better ways to reach out and include our neighbors, of whatever faith they may be, in our lives and in our circle of love. Some will, inevitably, not respond or even rebuff our efforts, but I am convinced that the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and indeed, the teachings of the Master behoove us to act with more tolerance, kindness and gratitude toward those who do not, or perhaps do not yet share our faith. I want to encourage all of you, family and friends, to be examples to your friends and neighbors of Christlike love and simple, honest friendship so that we as a people may enjoy the reputation of love and inclusion which should be the hallmark of those who are sincere followers of Christ.

P.S. To some of you who read this, my declaration of tolerance will probably seem hypocritical. I apologize. I agree that I have much ground to make up and many apologies yet to complete. I have been rough on quite a few people who do not measure up the nebulous standards to which I hold them. You are right. I have been a hypocrite, and I apologize. My eyes are being opened to a better understanding of what it means to live the gospel and I hope that you will both forgive me and help me to live up to my ideals.

My Mother, My Daughter

Thank goodness for the Church. I can't imagine what moving down here would be like without being a member of the Church. Everyone I talked to about coming down here reminded me that we would get in with our ward and meet people and start to feel comfortable here, and they are right. We've met a lot of great people already. And there was a Stake Relief Society Women's Conference on Saturday and it was wonderful. They had a great speaker (the wife of the former Las Vegas Temple president) and a musical program, "My Four White Dresses" performed by Lee Hughes (who was Elizabeth in Savior of the World), as well as the woman who played Mary in the production. The program was touching. One of the songs was "My Mother, My Daughter" by Janice Kapp Perry, which is a song from my childhood that reminds me of my mom.

I really have been doing pretty well since getting down here, but teared up during this song. So in tribute to her and to tell her how much I love her and to express my gratitude for her, I wanted to post the lyrics. I love you, Mom! We miss all of you, but are grateful for your love and support while we are here, as we learn new things and become better people.

Mother's part:
Sometimes when I see you, my daughter, my own
My heart fills with love seeing how you have grown.
Your hands once so small have remained clean and pure
Your heart filled with love helps my own soul endure.

The prayers that you speak give me faith to go on.
And the smile in your eyes gives me hope for the dawn,
Then I wonder why and give thanks that
I was chosen to be your mother.

Daughter's part:
I've watched you dear mother each day of my life.
I've seen how you smile through the joy and the strife.
I've needed your love and have known you were there.
I've seen how you help to bring answers to prayers.

The world that surrounds me is blind and unsure,
But with you as my mother, I'm safe and secure.
Then I wonder why, and give thanks that
I was chosen to be your daughter.

Dad’s 50th Surprise Party

It was kind of nuts to get this party put together amidst Chris’ finals and getting ready for the move. But it was worth it when we saw the look on my dad’s face. It was PERFECT evening. Everything came together beautifully--the decorations looked great, the weather held out, the newly finished backyard looked awesome! Thank you to everyone who helped and came. It is a memory I will cherish forever. We love you, Dad! Thanks for all you do and bring to our family!
Dad was slightly surprised when he walked out the back door and forty people yelled, "Surprise!" His reaction was perfect; the smile on his face priceless.

Mom was amused because she hadn't got the bill yet!John Wayne says, "Cards are for sissies!" We had all the guests sign it with gold or silver marker. John has been living at Mom & Dad's house for the last month and they keep putting him in closets and just outside of bathrooms to scare each other. Mom booby trapped the closet for Dad the other night and ended up scaring herself--too funny! The theme was old trucks and the colors black, orange, and silver. All the decorations were black, orange, and silver in honor of Valley High (my dad's high school in Orderville, Utah. Their colors are black and orange), as well as the new logo for International trucks. My dad loves old International trucks. The beds on the red Internationl trucks on the tables were full of treats. My dad had given one to Ian, Jefferson, and Isaac for Christmas a couple years ago.
The guests--we had many family, friends, and ward members who came. The new basketball court was a great place for the gathering.

Dad's cousin, Darlynn, and his wife, Arlene, stopped by. We told them that they did not have to get all dressed up just for us, but they did anyway. Or they had just come from a wedding. Take your pick. It was really fun that they were in town. They are from Orderville and Darlynn is Dad's International truck buddy. Long live Cozy Cab.
It's kinda hard to tell from the picture, but Laura ordered the cake with a cool border going around the edges that looked like a road. The picture in the middle is a sugar screen of Dad with Cozy Cab and his new (as-yet-unnamed) truck. The sugar screen was technically edible, but didn't taste very good.

We did put the fire department on speed dial, don't worry! There were 50 candles. I love the picture of my parents laughing; it was fun to watch them so happy together throughout the party.
Dad managed to clear out all of the candles in one whack. Not bad for a guy his age!
Dad couldn't handle getting the frosting off of that many candles by himself, so he enlisted a little bit of help. Actually, two little bits of help. Ian wanted to make sure that Isaac got his fair share!
Ian and Joseph. You know, for two kids who have pretty much unrestricted access to cake and soda, you'd think that they would have a little bit happier faces!
Isaac just adores Nicole. She kinda likes him, too. Note to any interested boys: Isaac is pretty stiff competition.
Cooper loves his Grandpa! Unfortunately it had not yet decided to warm up in Pleasant Grove at this point. Hard to believe we were freezing at this party less than a month ago when it was 107 in Vegas today!
Friends from their ward gave Dad an inflatable walker. Just about everyone thought it was pretty hilarious, but no one more than Joseph.
Jake and Andrea (and Jake's friend Colton, left) were in charge of putting up all of the crepe paper and drinking all of the sodas. They took one of their jobs very seriously.
This is one of Dad's old International trucks. We were really glad that the weather cooperated so that we could have the party out by the trucks in Mom & Dad's new backyard--it has been a long couple of years getting everything done, but the end result is just awesome!
Nancy and Tony Stephenson (my mom's sister and brother-in-law) gave this to my dad. They got it when they lived in Russia for a few years. He looks like an extra from the Red Green Show!
Jefferson LOVES hats, so he was happy to have a turn with Grandpa's new hat.
Grandpa playing with Ian. Yes, again, the signature Cooper mouth! The effect that cute kid has on all of us--why else would grown adults open their mouths like that!!

Cute Grandma

The boys were both AMAZING on the way down, which was lucky for me, as I had both boys in the Mazda with me and Chris drove the Subaru (which had the back seats laid down and was packed practically to the roof). Cooper slept from Provo to St. George! We pretty much just kept driving ‘cause the boys were both happy. Grammie was so nice and let us borrow her portable DVD player, which Ian figured out how to play with, so rather than watching multiple movies on the way down, I think we watched the beginning scenes of Cars at least six times. Unfortunately, Ian decided to fall asleep right before we got to St. George. Oh well, the ironies of life.

In St. George we stopped to visit Grandma Lamb Sorensen (my dad’s mom). It was so fun to watch her with Cooper. We don’t get to see her often enough, so are grateful we will see her on our trips in between Vegas and Provo.

Chris says Grandma is up to something in the picture below. With my grandma you never know. But she's usually pretty vocal and honest about her thoughts and opinions.
That reminded me of something funny Grandma said the first time she met Chris, which was after Chris and I had broken up, right before I left for the semester at Nauvoo. He unexpectedly stopped by my parent's house during Christmas break to bring me a pictures from our first date (Quick side note: Who shows up with pictures from your first date after dumping the poor girl a month before?! Talk about pouring salt in the wound!). After Chris left, I was feeling depressed because we had broken up and I was still in "love"...I am sure I was whining, possibly even crying, and Grandma said something to the effect of: "Jenny, I don't know why you are so upset; he's not that nice looking." LOL. I doubt she remembers saying that. Since then she has come to adore Chris and tells me often how lucky I am to be married to him. Grandma, I couldn't agree more.

Family fun

We went to McDonald’s with Grandma, Isaac, Laura, Jefferson and Madelyn a few days before we left for Vegas.
It was fun to have one “last” time to play before we left for the summer. It is sad because we are gone until August and Laura will be moving to Oklahoma for Ben's medical school at the end of July. We are excited for them, but it will be sad to have someone actually move away from the family for an extended time. Our move to Vegas this summer is the first time either of our families have had kids leave the nest (other than missions, of course). The boys all actually did a pretty good job eating their lunch, which is pretty amazing. It's usually pretty hard to get them to sit down at Sunday dinner and eat when one or all of them is racing around, wanting to play and be crazy. Then we take them to play area and expect them to eat...what are we thinking? :) Just a recommendations, don't go fork out the bucks for Happy Meals anytime soon--or at least until they replace the current annoying American Idol toys!

Winger's with Grandie

Grandie is always so gracious and took us to lunch at Winger’s the day before we left for Las Vegas. We will miss seeing him so often this summer, though we told him it’s probably good we are leaving for awhile so his wallet can catch up to how often he so kindly takes us out to eat! We will miss his company this summer and will be excited to spend time with him again when we get back.
Chris was cute and entertained Ian while we waited for our food by folding him a paper frog. Ian thought it was pretty nifty how it jumped.
I had to post this one, since both our boys are definitely both taking after Chris...what you can't see in this picture is the TV they are both starting at...like father, like sons.

Baptism by Fire

We're not elderly, but you may want to check up on us to make sure we survive our first Las Vegas heat wave!

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LAS VEGAS HAS ISSUED AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 12 PM TO 7 PM MONDAY AND TUESDAY. THE EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH HAS BEEN UPGRADED.

A STRONG AREA OF HIGH PRESSURE WILL REMAIN OVER THE SOUTHWEST STATES AND PRODUCE TEMPERATURES AROUND 15 DEGREES OR MORE ABOVE NORMAL. HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO BE AROUND 107 MONDAY AND 105 TUESDAY IN LAS VEGAS. BARSTOW AND TWENTYNINE PALMS ARE EXPECTED TO BE BETWEEN 108 AND 110 MONDAY AND BETWEEN 105 AND 108 TUESDAY. THE LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA...LAUGHLIN...NEEDLES AND LAKE HAVASU CITY WILL SEE TEMPERATURES BETWEEN 110 AND 115 MONDAY AND BETWEEN 108 AND 113 TUESDAY. DEATH VALLEY WILL REACH UP TO 118 MONDAY AND 116 TUESDAY.

ALTHOUGH TEMPERATURES THIS HIGH ARE COMMON LATER IN THE SUMMER MONTHS...IT WILL SEEM WARMER NOW AS RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS ARE NOT YET ACCLIMATED TO THESE TEMPERATURES. THIS WILL BE THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF TRIPLE DIGIT HIGH TEMPERATURES FOR MANY LOCATIONS.

AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IS ISSUED WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE FORECAST TO REACH DANGEROUS LEVELS THAT WILL STRESS THE BODY IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN. HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES ARE POSSIBLE. REMEMBER TO DRINK PLENTY OF WATER...STAY OUT OF THE SUNSHINE AND IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM IF POSSIBLE AND CHECK UP ON ELDERLY RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS.

Laughing Their Heads Off!

Today Ian started a new "game" that Cooper REALLY likes. Ian took one of Cooper's toys and was throwing it up in the air so that Cooper could see it. Cooper loved watching the toy fly up in the air and then clonk down on the ground (or the table or the couch...). The sound of laughter from your children really is one of the most precious sounds in life.

Poll Results-- Celebrity Poll Deathmatch!

Okay, so the results of the last poll proved that only my sister thinks that going to see Bette Midler is a good idea, and that no one knows who Danny Gans is. Cool. The poll yielded a toss-up as to which show we should see between Cirque Du Soleil's Mystere and The Blue Man Group. I honestly don't know how to resolve that one. I kind of have my heart set on The Blue Man Group, so I might try to sway Jenny that direction. Check out the new poll with vacation ideas and let us know what you think!

P.S. Thanks for all of the comments-- it is really fun to hear from our family and friends. Love Ya!

Celebrate good times

We went out tonight for pizza to celebrate getting Chris’ first “real” paycheck. I think I could get used to this being married to a lawyer thing; I might regret saying that once he’s required to do billable hours and I never see him, but hopefully it won’t be too bad!
The food was pretty good, the service wasn't too great, but the company was fantastic! Mostly it was nice just to spend time together and talk with Chris...and wrestle Ian down from the booth next to us...oh well, we had a good time, regardless...the joys of having adorable, energetic children...who get attached to the restaurant's crayons and are sad when they can't take them home...

Fun at our new house

It was so fun to have Chris home for a few days before he started his new job, to settle in and spend time playing as a family. We are enjoying having more time with him in the evenings after work.

Chris and the boys playing. I don't think anything is better than happy, smiling daddy and kids.

The living room and dining area in the condo. The unit is really nice; we are really enjoying it. And the A/C is nice and cold--I hear we'll need it! :)

Ian’s newfound play area—the cupboard next to the oven. He piled all his toys and blankets in there. We found a flashlight and he seems pretty happy to have a little space just for him.

Cool in the pool

Ian and Chris have had a great time swimming in the pool. Ian has been kind of skittish about the water, but Chris is doing a good job trying to teach him how to swim.
A pre-swim conversation with Grammie.
Ian thinks the little island is pretty cool. Jenny thinks the Big Bird floatie on Chris' head isn't quite as cool.
The pool is pretty dang cold, so Ian spends a far amount of time in the hottub.
Or splashing on the side.

TV Tipping

One of Ian's favorite scenes in Cars is tractor tipping...
My recommendation would be--please don't try this at home. Luckily they were both okay...thank goodness Cooper was in the middle of the bed when the TV landed and all Ian came away with was a couple of red marks on his face where the TV hit him as it fell onto the bed, since he was pinned between the fallen dresser drawers and the end of the bed as the TV tipped over. (Don't worry! Cooper isn't under the TV like this picture makes it look!)

Jones Vargas

Chris started at his new job on May 5th. He is loving it, which seriously makes me so happy. It is worth coming down to have him enjoy what he is doing. I am proud of all his hard work. It's so fun to hear about all he is doing and learning. I have to admit it was especially cool to get a pay check today. I think the 15th and 30th might become my favorite days of the month this summer :)
I think I'm realizing that Chris really just wants to be a lawyer so he can dress up and look good all the time. He does a good job at it, that's for sure.
Chris' office, which is located in the Howard Hughes Center. His office is on the third floor. It is a beautiful building and office.

Cooper's Blessing

We blessed Cooper in March (crazy that was 2 months ago!) It was really neat. He wore the blessing outfit from when Chris was blessed, which is the same one Ian wore. He looks handsome! Such a sweet boy.

Creepy Lobsters

We went to Red Lobster for Children's Hour with Law Partners in March. I thought Ian would be way excited about the lobsters. On the complete opposite, Ian was terrified!
His reply when I asked on our way home if he liked going to Red Lobster and seeing the lobsters: "They kind of creeped me out!" I love his expression in this picture. I felt bad for him because he was so scared, but I have to admit it was also really funny that he was so scared of it, since I had expected he'd think it was cool.
When I asked him if he liked the popcorn shrimp, he said it was "yucky!" He did eat one bite and swallowed it, even though he didn't like it. And to his credit, I had told him we were going to have popcorn shrimp, so when they brought us our food, he looked at me and said, "Where's the popcorn?"

Ian's Turn!

Since I am trying to clean out my picture folder (word of advice: don't let pictures pile up for 3 months; it takes a really, really long time to organize them) I have a few of Ian I have to show off, as well.
Ian thinks it's hilarious to empty Cooper's toys out of this mesh bag and run around the house with it over his head. He's right. It is pretty dang funny to watch. Ian never ceases to crack us up. Pretty creative 2 1/2 year old.
Arrr! Pirate Ian. I just love his cheesy smile and his cute 'lil chin.
One night we put Ian to bed and this is how we found him awhile later. Obviously he found this to be a comfy position.
Driving "Scoop" with Uncle Caleb
Helping Daddy plant the squash. Yes, it was a messy project for in the house.
Ian's first potty reward! He completed a full chart of "shiny stickers" and got to pick a toy at the store--he chose a three-pack of McQueen, The King and Charlie Checker.
Emily, Matt and Ian. We miss our cousins! We love you guys and are so excited for you to come visit us in our new house next week.
Ian has really gotten into painting with watercolors. He even has figured out a way to "wipe" the colors away if he doesn't quite like how it looks.