goodbye august

We enjoyed many movie nights,


and far too many trips to the local bread store.


We spent time with cousins at Lolo's work fair, where Tess won a $10 gift card to cold stone,


and celebrated my nephew, Landon's birthday.


We had a good time up in the mountains camping, the girls enjoyed a daddy daughter one too,


and a fun weenie roast with friends.


We played lots of games, they won,


and spent time in the garden after it cooled down in the evenings. (this photo counts for my 52photoproject | week 18| in the garden)


The girls started school, but then I already told you that. Of course I didn't tell you that they were matching that first day. Their shirt says, "we stick together". When they saw the mouse on top of the cat on top of the dog holding a "bff" sign they just had to have it. I love that they are the best of friends.

And we watched the craziest thunderstorm Sunday night. The noise alone was enough to make you take pause, but it was amazing the way the sky lite up. I haven't seen an electric storm like that in years.


Anyone else baffled that it's already September?

evolve

I remember like it was yesterday, the conversation I had with a very experienced friend, who tried to convince me that one day life would seem busier than it was right then. I admit, it was hard to believe her. I guess you can never fully understand exactly what that means until you're there. I'm pretty sure I'm there, or at least it feels like I am. Days are blurring together, and amidst the morning bustle and after school activities/homework, I'm making every attempt to spend as much time with my girls as possible.

You know, it's always been important to me to spend quality time with my girls, but it's become apparently clear the last few days that the older they become it's not only important, but vital to get that one on one time together. I know that sounds like a no brainer, but I know days could easily go by without a meaningful connection unless you make an effort to make it happen.


[self portrait while driving bumper cars=a good time]

Recently I've learned four things: 1) It's amazing the types of feeling, thoughts, questions an eleven year old has--definitely much more thoughtful than I ever was at that age. 2) What's even more amazing is these thoughts and feelings change frequently, sometimes daily. 3) You won't always have the answers, and most likely won't be able to make it right. Gone are the days of putting a bandaid on the wound and kissing it better--seriously what happened to those days? 4) It doesn't matter if you don't have the answers. They want to be validated, heard, they want to be loved.

Above all else I've learned, motherhood changes as your children change and so I'm doing my best to evolve to be what my girls need me to be right now. For some reason "right now" is different than it was last week, go figure. So I'm learning to take queues, to listen, and patiently understand as we again enter another stage of mother and daughter.

52 photo project | weeks 18 | Silhouette

BBQ Chicken Pizza

This week I chose BBQ Chicken Pizza. My friend Meili made it for our friends one night, unfortunately I had to miss her gourmet cooking, and it got rave reviews. So I let my bookclub be my guinea pigs this time and I believe it was a hit. I really liked it and will definitely make it for my family. I'm not sure how it will go over with my girls, they are not one for bbq sauces, but this whole "try new recipes" goal is to expand our palate so I hope they'll try.

Meili's recipe reminded me a lot of Pioneer Woman so for ease & more delightful photos here is
PW Recipe.

Minor changes from the recipe Meili gave me ::
-Cook the chicken on the BBQ with salt and pepper. Cut up chicken and add to a bowl with bbq sauce. I used Dave's Sweet and Tangy. Love it!
-Instead of sprinkling bbq sauce on top like PW, I added a very light layer to the bottom, like you would marinara. Then precede with cheese...etc.
-I used regular shredded Mozzarella, I didn't have fresh.
-And for the best addition, add blue cheese and bacon to the top.

mmmm, now my mouth is watering. I'm getting excited about this new goal of mine.

Of course never be afraid, when you comment, to share with me your favorite recipe. I'm always on the look out for something I've never tried before.

Have a great day!!

cleaning house

Like I've said too many times, we had a delightfully busy summer, and while it wasn't all the fun kind of summer busy, lazy days by the pool we all know and love, it was full enough where there were certainly many areas in my life that fell to the wayside over the past few months that need my attention now. It's time to regroup and get back to my "in school" routine now that my girls are back to theirs. Here are a few things I'm hoping to do and accomplish this fall--trying to be accountable.



--Organize my studio. Want to get rid of most of it. I desperately need to declutter this room big time. It stresses me out to be in here. May need some professional help. Anyone?
--Organize and declutter my closet. More than 1/2 needs to go as well.
--Work on a few Christmas gifts--trying to think ahead.
--Clean out and organize photos from the years 2007 & 2008.
--Make it to the Temple at least twice a month.
--Volunteer at the school. Already signed up for Thursdays.
--Get back to doing my creative Wednesdays. I want to do more projects I've seen on pinterest.
--Make bread.
--Drink more water.
--Make and plan our weekly menu. It works wonders. I never get asked what's for dinner anymore, plus I love already knowing ahead of time. That's 1/2 my problem with dinner, deciding what to make.
--With that in mind I have a goal to make at least one new recipe a week. Hoping to share said recipes with you all. First on my list, tonight, BBQ Chicken Pizza.
--Use my time wisely, but enjoy the hours I have.

checklist

Meeting teachers | 18 AUG


 new haircuts
 outfits laid out
 backpacks packed
 forms signed
 alarms set
 8pm bed time
 cinnamon rolls prepped
 back to school anticipation & jitters

Looks like we're all set for the first day back, well, that is except for me. I'm not really looking forward to them going back. The summer raced by and I truly am sad to see it end. Partly because I'm not ready for the winter to come, the light to fade, but mostly I'm not ready to be without them. Don't get me wrong, I don't think it will take long to settle into my new schedule, there is a lot I want to do and accomplish, but this summer has been such a wonderful 11 weeks I just wish I could have a few more. Plus, every time a new year starts it just means they're one year older and I'm not ready for them to be "older". Crazy to think this is the last year they will all be at the same school together. Oh well, as they say, all good things must come to an end and so here we are a few hours from a new school year, excited to see what this year will hold.

I heard a lot of chattering today/tonight about seeing friends again and getting started on this new year. I don't blame them. I always loved the first day of school. I can so remember going to bed, trying to sleep, waking up with butterflies in my stomach, getting the best breakfast of the school year, walking to school in the coolish morning air, and taking my seat for the very first time while looking around at what would be the next 9 months of my life. I loved it and so do they.


--Did you love the first day of school?
--Do you wish you had a few weeks longer? (maybe you do)

52 photo project | weeks 15-17

Trying to catching up a little with the 52 photo project that I've been participating in.

Week 15 | Vintage

[iphone image taken with instagram]

Week 16 | reflection


Week 17 | black & white

19 years

I woke this morning, the 19th anniversary of my brother's death, to a full heart. It wasn't one of sadness, rather I had a lot on my mind. My good friend's brother died last week and she has constantly been in my thoughts and prayers. I am devastated for her and her family knowing, to some extent, what she's going through. It's interesting, this experience with my friend, has given me better perspective and I'm left feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Grateful for God's plan that I will see my brother again. Grateful time heals. Grateful for an eternal family. Grateful to have had the opportunity to know him. He truly lived an amazingly full life in his 18 years.



While I sat in front of the computer this evening looking over images of him with my girls, I shared and celebrated with them the person he was. This was not the first time I've done this, but it does seem no matter how much we talk about their uncle Alan they always have another question to ask. I told them how he use to tease me, how he made me laugh and even cry. I told them how he looked after me and the times he included me in his fun--and boy did he know how to have fun. I told them how he had a testimony in Jesus Christ and how excited he was to serve a mission. I told them how he was compassionate and loving and good.

He always lived life to the fullest--never worrying about tomorrow and fearing nothing. I will forever be grateful for his example in my life.

the last two weeks | photos

12of12 | august

[click here to enlarge]

01. I got a late start on my day, 9:30 is when I woke up (late night). Luckily it was a slow morning and I was still able to get a workout in. P90x legs.
02. Taking all the kids, my girls + cousins, back to my moms.
03. Every time I tried to take a picture, Alan would fling his sticky hand at my lens. He never did get it, but it was sure fun watching him try.
04. My sister Jeni and I after some shopping.
05. The kids shucking the corn.
06. Alan was helping Megan ride his new Rip Stick. I actually want one for myself.
07. Flowers that greet me every time I pull into my mom's driveway.
08. Little baby Lewis. It was fun to watch his subtle changes over a two week period.
09. Caprese salad for dinner.
10. Megan and Estee making water balloons.
11. My last chance to get our annual photo of Tess and Alan together.
12. Taking a late evening walk to the park.

Today was my sister's last day--she leaves town tomorrow. I can't even tell you how sad I am to see them all go. My girls were teary all the way home--every year they get a little bit closer and every year it's harder to say goodbye. I was really grateful today was the 12th so I could document a bit of our time together. Man, I'm going to miss them.

I hope it was an equally great day for all of you. Looking forward to seeing what your day was made of.

12of12 reminder

This is as much a reminder to me as to all of you. With my sister in town I have been unaware of the date and if it weren't for my two nephews who had a birthday yesterday I wouldn't have realized how close it was to the 12th. It's tomorrow! So get ready for another day of capturing your everyday.

Enjoy!

Lately

--My sister's in town with her family and I've been MIA because of it. I always enjoyed this portion of our summer, but it seems this time has gone by too fast and I don't want it to end.
--I've been listening to a lot of Selena Gomez & Justin Bieber in the last week thanks to my niece Taylor.
--Our big primary parade has now come & gone, it was over the weekend, and I'm feeling like I'm breathing a bit easier now.
--Megan and I have been butting heads this last week. I feel like she's testing my resolve and consistency, luckily though, I have yet to give in. Hoping it's just a stage.
--Just made a Texas sheet cake and accidently left out 1/2 a stick of butter. Such a bummer when you're craving chocolate cake.
--School registration is tomorrow. I'm still in a bit of shock summer is on it's way out.
--I've been re-watching Downton Abbey with my sister and I'm enjoying it just as much as the first time.
--Just finalized my travel plans for New Hampshire. Cannot wait to go!

On Sunday afternoon I was peacefully lying in bed when Megan burst in with a folder full of old photos from when she was a wee little one. It was photos I had always intended to scrapbook, there were even sticky notes on a few of them, but have still yet to get around to--it's been 7 years. Funny how things change.

All the photos were taken in 2004, which means I was still shooting with my pentax. And while there is nothing wrong with shooting with film, in fact I would love to get serious about learning that art again, these photos by today standards certainly left something to be desired.

It's interesting though, as the four of us poured over the images, laughing & giggling at Meg's silly faces, the girls holding onto every word as I told them stories from that time, not one of us thought one second about the quality of the image. Aside from my original assessment about how old the images were, I didn't give it a second thought--I was so grateful to have them. That's definitely what its like for me when I look at the old photographs from my childhood. I love the stories they tell from my life and honestly never consider how "picture perfect" the image is.

Nowadays, with the rise of digital I think we get caught up in "perfection" that we forget what our purpose is--preserving memories. I hear countless times, "my camera is not that good", "I'm not a photographer", "I'm not inspired by my pictures", or "I only have my cell phone". To that I say, phooey, leave the excuses behind. You can do it. All you need is the desire and the skies the limit.

After the girls ran out of the room I sat thinking about how much it doesn't matter what you capture or how you capture it just as long as you're preserving your memories. My girls don't know the difference and when they do I know it won't matter--it doesn't matter to me now. Don't let your insecurities keep you from sharing memories that will last your family a lifetime.

Take a good look at your life with camera in hand (or whatever you have) and see how beautiful it truly is.

xo

Since then...

Tess brought her friend Buddy to life and has thus far been enjoying trimming his locks and keeping him alive.


the girls have enjoyed endless play dates together,


and evenings at the park.


we've watched countless sunsets,


and have continued to spend time writing in our journals, well at least they have. I haven't been as good as I'd hoped.


we've caught a Bees game,


and had a bbq in the lovely outdoors with our friends at their cabin.


the girls had the chance to dress up like pioneers for our annual church meeting at This Is The Place bowery,


and learned to play the game of life, they love it.


we've enjoyed probably too many nights at Nielsen's Frozen Custard. mmmmm delicious!


Bella's been doing a bit of babysitting, at home, with the ween little ones,


and thankfully Adam has been helping me get ready for our primary parade this weekend. thanks love.


Happy Monday!