randomness

*My minds awake, but not my body. I hate that. All I want to do is climb back in bed and wake up slowly. Sadly it's one of the first mornings in a long time where I don't need to get up early and I'm up.

*On my list today...making rolls. I have an assignment to make 6 dozen rolls for our Stake Trek which is next week. I thought long and hard about going again. Adam's going this time and thought it would be a great experience to have with him. Apparently so did everyone else. I was told, there are too many adults going, so I'm out. Admittedly once I remembered the hard uncomfortable moments, I wasn't let down.

*I received the kindest most thoughtful email over the weekend from a blog reader. Thank you Karli for reaching out...your words have made a difference.


*My skyline.

*Last week I was involved in a focus group for the Strength of Youth pamphlet. We were discussing photos/photo ideas which I could talk about all day long. It was crazy when Charlotte, who was at the meeting as well, recognized me and asked if I was related to Jill. It always surprises me when I run into individuals from the blog world, but I love it. She's related to Michelle and has participated in the 12of12 challenge. Once she told me that I recognized her immediately. Crazy how small the world is and how close our connections. So nice to meet you Charlotte.

*I've got 3 extra bodies at my house today. Robyn's kids are here and thankfully so far no injuries and everyone has gotten along. I feel lucky that they enjoy playing together so much that it's easy. In fact as long as there's extra food in the house you're good.


*Last but not least...a photo from father's day morning I'm fond of.

Have a great Tuesday.
xoxo

over the weekend...

I took the kids swimming. I didn't pull my camera out very much, but enough to remember from last year that what I want is to get my hands on some under water equipment for my camera so I can take photos below the surface. Unfortunately they don't rent it so I'm going to have to rely on Kodak disposables until I can figure something else out.

early morning hike

Nothing like starting your day off with a hike in the mountains. Sure I was up at 5:45 am, but the beautiful sights, the sound of rushing water, the smell of the earth, and my friend as company made it all worth it.

[most of these photos were taken while trying to keep up with my friend. I kid you not, she was running up the trail.]


















Have a great weekend!

while i wait

There are times I have a book with me to fill the passing of time while I wait, but it's always more enjoyable to wait with my camera. Took these at 9am yesterday while waiting for our swim car pool to arrive.

sorry so many photos, had a hard time choosing...

tuesday randoms

*It's not quite 7pm, but I'm already in my pjs ready to curl up with a good book and say good bye to this day. Not that is hasn't been a good one, quite the contrary, but even a good day can be an exhausting one.
*I think I'm extra giddy that I don't have anything going on tonight. Literally I think this was the first night we ate as a family in like two weeks. Honestly, I can't remember the last dinner I just made for the 5 of us.
*I've been needing to make banana bread for several days now. I keep looking at the pile of withering bananas wondering if they will hold off for another day.
*Don't fall asleep while reading a hard cover book. I found out the hard way last night when the book fell on my face and the dust jacket cut my face. Ya, seriously.
*Week 5 of P90X is underway. It sucks.
*The nest outside my window is empty now. I'm sad they moved on.
*Just asked Megan where Bella was and she said, "she's downstairs watching Nova...about dreams. It's a boring show."
*Went to Sephora for the first time last night while out with Adam's mom and sisters to celebrate my MIL birthday. Never really understood the allure until I went and saw that they carried Fresh products (love their sugar line). Now I'm happy they came to town.
*Speaking of being at the mall...we got lock in the mall last night with a bunch of other people. What? Seems like a serious hazard.


*I had a babysitter today for a few hours which turned into a neighborhood water balloon fight. Good times.

the best a girl can have

a conversation had a few weeks ago while I was removing nail polish from my toes...

Adam: Can I paint your nails?
me: I'm sorry, what did you say?
Adam: I want to paint your nails.
me: Are you serious?
Adam: Ya, I need the practice so when the girls are older I can do it for them.



This is the type of father Adam is...always thinking about ways he can spend meaningful time with his girls doing something for them. He tells them he loves them all the time, but it's how he shows them that speaks the loudest. I do not say this lightly, he is the greatest, most amazing father a girl could have. My girls are blessed indeed, and so am I.

Thank you Adam for being what your girls need, for loving us through the hard days and unbelievably good ones. We love you.



dad, I know Adam is such a good father because you are my example of what a father should be. Thank you for always making me feel loved and adored. You're the best! I love you dearly.

gateway outing

took the kids on a little outing this afternoon just to have something to do in the heat...it was a success on all accounts.

my future

I think it hits you in the moment, when you're doing it, and you think, this is it...this is my future.



At least that's what if felt like to me this morning, early, as I sat in a meeting discussing layouts, typography, and photos for the new LDS Strength of Youth pamphlet.

When my friend called to ask if I would come and give my "artist" opinion on the this new project, I laughed. At some point in our friendship I gave her the impression that I'm the artistic type, and for whatever reason she asked me when there's a plethora of trained artist/designers out there. I won't deny that I'm flattered, but it's a very intimating situation to be in when you feel completely unqualified to be there. This is not the first time I've been asked on a similar assignment, but it never does get any easier, especially when you feel like you're a poser.

When the meeting got underway the first thing I did was look at the work that had already been completed and the ideas they were working on. Then all eyes were on us (there was an interior designer there as well), a pause, and then I went for it. The words started flowing out of me like I knew what I was doing. I surprised myself, I really do know something about design, my friend wasn't crazy to ask me. I'm not schooled or trained (I have taken a couple online class though), but I know the satisfying feeling you get, deep down, when something looks right.

And it was then, in that moment, when I knew, without a doubt, design is what I want to do.

I love it, I love it, I love it. I cannot begin to describe how energizing it was to talk about design and bounce around options. I surprised myself with my ideas, with what I saw, with the changes I would make and to hear that they liked them too.

I don't know why this was such a revelation to me. I've always loved design and mentioned years ago, on my blog even, that I wanted to go back to school and get a BA in Graphic Design, but today was the first time I realized this isn't something I love as a hobby...it's something I love as part of who I am. I feel like I need it and for the first time in a while I no longer feel like I'm standing at the fork in the road. I'm moving.

My mind is swirling today at the possibilities for my time this fall. I know what to do and man does it feel good...it feels right.

Lagoon | a photo essay

Still one of my favorite rides...aka old rickety. Built in 1920.


















The incident: Megan pushed Tess into the water fountain.


This was right after "the incident". For a girl who wanted to play in the fountain she was not to pleased about getting wet. Sometimes I think I will never figure kids out.




This is such a Bella thing to do...wait patiently for her turn. Shouldn't she know by now it will be gone before she gets in?



Admittedly it was tiring like all amusement parks are, but we had fun. Actually it would probably be more accurate to say, I had fun watching them have fun. Isn't that usually the case? Too bad, it didn't have to be that way. My biggest mistake of the day was not getting a ride pass for myself. I didn't realize the girls could go on many of the bigger rides, which would mean we could go on rides together. DUH! I wasn't thinking. Despite not being so bright, because it was Stake Lagoon Day (which means many people from my neighborhood would be there), I ran into some friends so at least I had good company for a large portion of the day while I watched the kids on the rides.