12of12 | October | hybrid (canon+iphone)

01. Early morning walk with Adam. It's so hard to find the motivation to wake up early these days when it's so dark out.
02. Tess watching as her dad left for the airport.
03. Feeling, not quite myself, this morning.
04. Heading out to school.
05. I have a thing for spiderwebs.
06. My view looking east from the temple this morning. I was hopeful it would help change my mood.
07. Rainy rainy Friday
08. Tess pointed out this flower as we walked home from school. It was stunningly bright and colorful, in clear opposition to what was around us. Tender mercy.
09. It was a struggle all day not to sleep.
10. Meandered though Target today. Love when I get a chance to browse.
11. Our trees are quickly loosing their leaves. I had forgotten, until today, how many bags we filled last fall.
12. View from today's reading spot.

Today was hard. I think it was the rain that got me or I guess it could have been the grey skies. I mean, I can't think of anything else that would have thrown me off so much (which is strange because I do love the rain). I was tired, more tired than usual, emotionally spent, and struggled to want to pick up my camera. So grateful I had my phone with me -- i just couldn't bare carrying the extra weight around. So unlike me.

I suppose these days comes, and well, it's interesting to see what you make of it -- in photos that is.

I do hope your day was a lot better than mine. I'd love to see what you were up to.

the party

We wanted Bella to have a party she wouldn't soon forget so we decided to have Adam create one of his elaborate scavenger hunts. He does this on a whim all the time for our girls, creating demanding clues (he desperately wants them think), which usually includes the feelings fear, humor, and fun. He was excited for the challenge. It took way more work than I ever thought (he got so into it making a map, clues, getting neighbors involved, etc.), but as we soon found out it was well worth it.





He had the girls trekking around the neighborhood, entering backyards looking for clues (we talked to all of our neighbors ahead of time, but they didn't know that), big dogs to create fear, mazes, deciphering riddles and even french.



He had them calling grandparents, looking for clues online, using a compass, climbing trees, working through mathematical equations, and sabotaging innocent candies with sour. I think that was his favorite part and too bad he didn't get to see their reaction -- not even I got the full reaction, but heard afterward how disgusting it was.




Of course it all ended with a treasure box full of girly treasures they had to unearth.



She said it was her best birthday yet -- somehow i don't doubt it.

It's sure is good to be twelve!

grateful for him.

One of my favorite things about being an observer is witnessing a moment like this between a father and his daughter. I wonder if she knows as she sits there talking and laughing with her dad that she is the luckiest girl in the world.

I like to think his childhood, growing up with three sisters, really helped him in his roll now as a father of three girls. He is gentle and tender with them, he knows exactly what they need, and yet there is always an element of surprise and jokiness to his behavior that keeps us on our toes and guessing what he'll do next.

He is the type of father that not only talks, but listens and hears what his girls need from him. He not only plays, he gets down on the floor at their level. He not only tells them how to do something, he shows them. He's the type of father to drop whatever he's doing to go read a story with his girls merely because they asked him to. He introduces them to programs like Nova and is constantly sharing his love of music, art, and books.

He is everything to them and they are everything to him.

It does make me wonder a bit what the future holds, I mean, once hormones, friends, and boys enter their life it makes me wonder how things will flow. But I do know one thing for sure, he is going to be their constant, the one they can count on, and I hope the man in which all other men will be compared.

This month as I've been thinking about all the things in my life I'm grateful for he is the top of my list--and I suspect theirs as well. We owe so much of the greatness in our life to him. Simply put, we would not be where we are today without his loving support, encouragement, and light hearted laughter. We are forever grateful he is ours.

quiet morning

Wanting him to come back before anyone notices a part of the world has not moved since he left -storypeople

With Adam hopping on a plane today, bound for Las Vegas and home this weekend, this morning was a gift for us. You wouldn't think with Adam not sleeping well and my friend cancelling our walk that my morning would be so nice, but it was those two changes that made our morning delightful. Well, that, and the fact that my girls had a sleepover with cousins/nana.

And we needed a delightful morning after a busy day of meetings yesterday and only a brief moment to go to dinner before his evening meeting begun. We were so exhausted last night we didn't last more than minutes once we hit the pillow so it was perfect to be home this morning, present, not letting our thoughts drift to the "have tos & needs tos" of the day. We talked and laughed and enjoyed our quiet home together drowned in morning light...

12of12 | march

[click here to enlarge]

01. Started my morning off in bed reading Tinkers. Adam brought it home to me last time he was on a trip and raved about how good it was. I'm quite enjoying it myself so far.
02. Adam and I discussing the events of the day. He left town on Tuesday (last minute trip) and got home Friday and then left again today so we wanted to make Saturday a day together.
03. We had bursts of light rain during our outing.
04. Megan and Adam playing tic-tac-toe while we wait for our food.
05. Adam goofing off with the girls while eating.
06. The girls have been very fond of using my old alphabet templates lately.
07. Thought this was a cute moment between Megan and her dad.
08. After the few crazy storms we've had lately I was so surprised to see this tree full of dead leaves. Cannot wait for spring.
09. Tess and I playing around on the UofU campus waiting for her piano federation recital time. She got superior! (while we did that Adam and the other two went downtown to mess around).
10. Ended up having a discussion about car meters. She was quite surprised you had to pay to park on the street.
11. For a family who has decided to give up sugar (not mandatory: i was doing it, so adam did it, and then the girls decided to join us on their own) for a few weeks it was funny to see us in an ice-cream shop. I had promised Tess, and well, she did so good how could I deny her or her sisters.
12. Tess and I taking some quiet time to read, yet again, after a full day of outings.

There was much that happened at home after we read like making pizza, cookies, and late night movies, but suffice it to say, our day was full and best of all it was all together.

Hope it was another good one for you. If you played along make sure and share using the link below. Looking forward to seeing what you were all up to.

thirty-eight

This was us or I should say them this morning at our birthday breakfast for our favorite boy. They have been so excited for this day to come, they adore their father, as do I, and couldn't wait for his day to be special. The fact that his birthday landed on Saturday and they got to start the day off with him, at breakfast, was icing on the cake.

Our conversation began at Einsteins bagels with a question proposed by Adam, "What do you love most about me?"
Megan started declaring, "He always gives us presents."
Tess: "He's the best at tickle time and you make the best cookies."
Adam: "Yes, you're right, I do know my way around a 9x13 pan."
me: "He's very thoughtful, always thinks of others, and is a good father."
Bella: "I like it when he gives us riddles and he loves us for who we are."
me: "oh i like that, he definitely wants you do be your own person."
Megan: "oh and he's really really really really nice."

We all laughed and our breakfast celebration continued.

The girls have helped me write this post and reminded me about who said what and when. While we sit reminiscing about what happened an hour ago we all agree, we are so lucky and feel extremely blessed to have him--we are so happy he was born.

Happy Birthday luv!

long weekend

one word can sum up the whole of our holiday weekend...snow & lots of it.

**what did you do?

artist date | creative wednesday

It finally snowed after a few weeks of unseasonably warm weather. It was this snow that I couldn't stop thinking about and what got me outside yesterday afternoon. I was deep in them middle of trying to wrap, the outside only a short glimpse away, and each time I looked up the white pillowy softness caught my attention. I simply had to be out in it...and so i did.















The first thing that stood out to me was the quiet. The stillness. The snow softens the sounds and the crunching under my feet and my breath were the only two sounds present as I walked the trail. It was absolutely beautiful. No, breathtaking is a better word to describe it, and although my photographs can't do the moment justice, at least I will have them to remember the peace and solitude of that afternoon. You see, I've had a lot on my mind. With Adam gone my thoughts stay trapped in my head, waiting for him to be released. Poor guy. I always feel bad for him after he's come home from being away. There are four eager woman waiting to be heard--by him. It's a lot to come home to, but he does it with a smile.

I'm enjoying my artist dates very much and am finding quite a lot of wisdom in these few hours of escape. I certainly am beginning to understand why Julia Cameron insists upon them.

Hope all is well with you.

xoxo,
amy gretchen

12of 12 | December

Admittedly I was not too happy about having another Sunday. Not that I don't like Sundays, but around here they're just really low key. I had to laugh at myself because that's the exact reason why I started to do the 12of12 challenge. It allows you to capture your life on a normal, perhaps slow day, you wouldn't normally think to capture. I love the little pieces I ended up with today and hope you feel the same about your day.


[click here to enlarge]

01. Doing my normal Sunday "morning" routine--working on Primary business.
02. Adam made breakfast for us all before he left.
03. My primary binder. It sees a lot of action during the week, but especially on Sundays.
04. Watching Adam take his leave to Tennessee.
05. Primary kids singing, "Once There Was A Snowman".
06. Finally a blue sky. I've missed this sun this past week.
07. Adam and I saying our final goodbyes.
08. Bella enjoying her after church time.
09. The word of the day is: gallivant\ GAL-uh-vant, v; to wander about, seeking pleasure or diversion; -- The girls have been putting the word of the day on our chalkboard for a week or so now. They've been using my dictionary app to help them. I'm actually quite enjoying the reminders myself.
10. Went to see my parents today. They told me I made their day and here's proof--my dad being my dad playing with the girls. I so remember that as a little girl. Makes me so happy to see them together.
11. The gifts are beginning to fill up under the tree.
12. We stuck around to watch a movie with my parents. As per usual we had bowls and bowls of popcorn.


I really can't believe it's December already. Seriously, I feel like we just got started and we've already done this now 12 times. I hope you've enjoyed playing along with me this year. I have loved having all of you participate with me each month & hope you're ready for round two--definitely planning on 12of12 for 2011.

Don't forget to share!!

only santa could get my husband to dance....

Later he would say his motivation was his girls, that he only did it because he thought they would love to see him interact with Santa. All the while not knowing, never dreaming it would be dancing--in a tutu and tiara no less when Santa called him out of the crowd.

Tess and Megan, who laughed themselves silly, especially loved it while Bella, unsure, leaned over and said, "I'm having mixed feelings. I don't know if should be embarrassed or having the time of my life."

Me, I was loving it. He had no rhythm and sort of clueless as to what to do, but he was cute and mine and brought the biggest smile to my face. Man he makes me happy.

friday miscellany

We had to dig ourselves out earlier this week. Crazy to think I heard so much about a holiday storm a week ago that turned out to be a complete dud while this storm raged on and I was none the wiser. Why do we let the media play with our emotions so? I remember the whole swine flu incident--how they stressed me out. While I would never say there wasn't some cause for concern, they could of told us all the facts, like how people die of the regular flu everyday. Hmm, why do I suddenly not feel any better by that. Ha!

Christmas shopping is still ago. Why was I thinking I could be done the week after Thanksgiving by the latest? It seems each and every time I think I'm close I remember someone else I'm missing.

Creative Wednesdays. Yes, I am still doing them though, this week I actually did a bit from my bed Tuesday instead of Wednesday. At any rate, I can't share my projects because they're gifts, but I will after the holidays. Funny, it's sounds like the gifts are something new and excited. While I assure you that's not the case, I've definitely enjoyed making them and hope they'll be received the same.


Our advent calendar is fully underway here counting down to Christmas. It's one of my kids very favorite traditions. It's the first thing they talk to me about in the morning and I haven't yet figured out if it's because I let them eat candy in the morning or because they're seeing the days peel away one by one til Christmas comes. I for one am happy with all the days leading up. Anticipation is key.

I stated playing racquetball while in St. George last weekend. Sounds like a stretch to say "played", more like I "tried". Adam was quite easy on me so I was please to walk out of there 0-4---never reaching over 3 or 4 points a game. There was even a game he gave me two points for every one point & I still lost. Really fun though. I'm thinking I need to find someone more at my level. Any takers? It actually is more of a workout than you'd realize. I was sore in places I never knew I had muscles.

After using NyQuil the day I was sick to help me sleep & Tess getting a clearer understanding of why i took it she said, "I wish they made stuff like that for kids". Little does she know there are a lot of parents who are wondering the same thing.

We received our first Christmas card in the mail yesterday, thanks Dani it is fabulous, and it's got me thinking, for the first time this season, that I need to do Christmas cards. What? How on earth have I not thought of this before now? I'm usually so on top of our Christmas card and excited to do it. Weird.

quiet sunday

We came home in this last night, the winter storm we had been waiting for for weeks finally arrived. Winter took it's time getting here this year and can't say I'm let down by it. With an excellent fall behind me and Christmas on the way it feels like the perfect time, a quiet Sunday, to wake up to 10 inches of snow. And what a quiet Sunday it has been...I'm not sure whether or not it was the snow that caused church to be canceled, but apparently the meeting house power wasn't working...no power, no lights, no heat so they canceled.

So we all came home, got in our pjs again, and this is what we've been doing...some good old togetherness.


Adam read a short story to the girls. He's so great about sharing what he loves with them and I love to see, not only them together, but the girls soaking in all the goodness he shares with them.


With snow currently coming down with abandon, a fire going, and a quiet Sunday ahead of us we decided why not start decorating, especially since we're going to be gone for Thanksgiving and we usually do it the day after. We had some crazy moments of lights not working, TVs almost falling, & cords ripping (don't ask), but ever since we moved passed the crazy moments we've all been enjoying the warmth of the twinkling of the lights, me especially...it's one of my favorite parts of the holiday. I even put some up in my studio I don't think I'll never take down. There's just something about the lights that add to a home.

I hope it's been an equally fabulous day for you!

xoxo
amy

**so when are you decorating?

ramblings

I was up late last night, a little too late, being creative and spending time with friends. It's crazy how much you don't know how much you need those evenings with other women, creating, until it's been absent for a time. And over all, it hasn't been long at all, but I guess that's my point...i need those experiences to keep me sane. Crazy how I got along with out them.

At any rate, I'm tired, wicked tired and I keep wondering how I'm going to do a midnight showing of harry potter tonight. Am I making a huge mistake? Of course not. I shouldn't talk silliness. I'm quite excited to see the movie and don't mind staying up for it. In preparation, I think after I'm done writing this a nap is in order, or two. Some caffeine perhaps...in the form of chocolate, though I think I'm going to have to go with caffeine in the version of a soda if I'm really going to get what I need.

So in my attempts to stay up I won't sit down. I've been trying to keep myself moving at all costs. My house has benefited greatly, though, listening to a book while working has been an utter failure...my mind is not all there. And so that has finally brought me to my point of my ramblings today. While working, while trying to keep myself up, I found this list or note or scribblings from one of the girls.


[if you can't read it is says "goals on massage dad: back, head, legs, back"]

I believe it's Tess' handwriting and I'm not surprised as she seems to be the one to head up these massages for her dad almost on a daily basis...she loves to please him. It goes something like this. All three of my girls unanimously squeal with excitement as Adam pronounces a daddy daughter movie night. Somehow those movie dates have turned into full on massages for Adam. He lays face down and one of the girls rubs his head, another his back, while the other rests, important to have the rest period, and then they switch. Sounds crazy I know, but they love it and so does he. In fact, there are nights that I have to break up the fun and force them all to bed.

At any rate, this note made me smile, on an otherwise tired, weirdish day, and reminded me how much i love my life.

xo
amy

**anyone else going to the midnight showing of HP?
**don't you just love what you find around the house?

interruption

We had plans Friday night to go out, but last minute changed our minds because really all we wanted to do was lounge around the house and be lazy. Adam read to me from a 1079 page book he simply can't get enough of (infinite jest by david foster wallace). He was telling me all about the crazy acronyms and explaining how he often doesn't know what the author is taking about until hundreds of pages later when finally it is revealed. Sounds absolutely ludicrous to me, but he loves DFW and never wants the book to end.

We hadn't been reading too long when the little ones began to arrive. First Tess then Megan.



Adam in his, playing way, quickly pushed over the ottoman causing Tess to tumble to the floor. Apparently it was "so cool" Megan was asking for a turn and before we knew it our ottoman had becomes the next big thing.



I'm not sure why we ever thought we'd be able to get away with such luxury. Reading together in a quiet room...we should have known we were ripe for getting interrupted. They always have a way of knowing when you're comfortable? They can sense when you're relaxing and they won't have it. They'll find you, they will and mess with what little quiet time you have.

Perhaps it was all the acronyms keeping me lost in the story or perhaps it was hearing the laughter from across the room, but somehow I didn't seem to mind the interruption.

xo

a happy space

Everything changed the day she figured out there was exactly enough time for the important things in her life. ~storypeople

missing

I think one of the best parts of being away is that it gives you a chance to miss your family. Sometimes you don't appreciate them as much as you could because you're with them everyday, all day. I don't think it's intentional, rather I think that's just how we humans are. It's easier to take thing for granted when you have them all the time. If you've read my blog for any amount of time you'll know I think about it a lot, appreciating my family, but even so, leaving & coming back gives me a different perspective I can't get when I'm around everyday. Being away helps remind me of what I really want, what's important & helps give me the motivation to be better & try harder when I get back.

It's good to get away from the everyday.
It's good to miss & I do miss my four.

xxox
Amy

Sent from my iPhone
(p.s. Have you ever used your email to post on your blog? It's pretty handy when you're out of town.)

\ˈmāk-ˌshift\ : a usually crude and temporary expedient : substitute

When I woke up this morning I found a pile of shoes stacked up by our back door and no red box to put them in. Wondering where the box went, thinking first of course what my girls had done with it, my eyes were drawn outdoors to something red.



It took me only a few seconds to register what I was looking at and realized, this is Adam's trap for the skunk. A red wooden box held up by a potato masher with a string tied to the end. On the other end is fastened a folded yellow post-it note with peanut butter on top. I would go into how ludicrous I think this is, the first being how trapping a skunk 6 feet from the house is never a good idea, but I think you can see for yourself this was not a well thought out plan. Oh, but I love him for trying.

He may not have caught our skunk, which was most likely for our benefit, but I will say, he did manage to start my day off the best way possible...with laughter. And that's really all that matters...right?


Have a great start to your weekend.
xoxo

made me smile

[click here for original note]

Dear Daddy,
I love you Daddy because when I hug and kiss you I feel happy about me.

I found this note from Tess to her Dad while cleaning out a stack of papers. I don't know how old it is, though her handwriting makes it look like it was written at least a year ago. It made me smile when I read it, in fact, I got a little chocked up.

You can never really underestimate the power of being loved.

I hope and pray she will always feel this way and know, no matter what's going on in her life we are always waiting in the wings ready to give her hugs and kisses.

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

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.