monday randoms

Just got done with dinner with my girls, Adam's out of town for the week so it's me and them til Friday. I'm not sure Bella, Tess or I got a word in edgewise as we listen to Megan prattle on about her school adventures. So far since school started 1 girl has broke her arm and another one broke her leg. I'm thinking they're going to get rid of the monkey bars.


So last weekend...what a mess. I knew it was going to rain and would have much rather spent the last night with my sister instead of wet outdoors, but Adam felt it necessary that we go to our ward camp-out, so we did. I admit it was more fun than I could have imagined watching 1/2 the tent fill up with water and all four adults smashing into the other half while we tried to stay dry. I guess there is something enjoyable about the sense of adventure...even when it does involve being uncomfortable. It was fun playing games while the rain pelted down and the thunder cracked on the outside. The next day was beautiful weather and if we didn't need to get home to Megan's soccer game I'm sure we would have stayed up there longer.

I've decided to give up candy again and you'll know I've already failed one day into it when I tell you the symphony chocolate bar Adam bought tastes like mint chocolate. I thought maybe he bought mint chocolate to try it out until I saw the candy bar sitting next to a pack of winter-mint gum. I never knew gum in a package could be strong enough to infuse with chocolate.


My dear friend Hannah sent me this one of a kind magnet. I've put it in my kitchen on my magnet board in a prominent place where I can look at it daily to remind myself not only of the good friends I have, but the gift I have to choose the life I want. Thank you Hannah!


Remember this post I did a few weeks ago? I haven't forgot you see, it's just I've had lots going on since then. I stole some time while my sister was busy shopping with her kids one day to tackle my studio. It was just too depressing to walk into and I couldn't take it any more. I got rid of the ugly costco table and utilized the table we use to have in our library. Then after cleaning off my desk I moved it around and wallah, I have a completely different look. I am quite pleased with what I've done so far. It is not complete, I have a lot of organizing and work to do on the walls, but I've already been inspired to be in here more and really that's what I was looking for.

I thoroughly enjoyed the 60-70 degree rainy weather today and can now say I'm ready for autumn. :)

friday & a holiday favorite part 1

I think not being able to sing along with music has got to be one of the hardest things about getting laryngitis. Oh, wait I'm changing my mind and going with the telephone. Each time the phone rings I look at the caller ID and hope it's not important. I guess whatever is worse, I'm not a fan of having no voice and feeling lousy. After the full day we had yesterday, not to mention week, I guess my body decided it needed a break.


[photo by jill]

We had the funeral for Adam's Grandma Dot who died Monday morning. Of all the experiences I've had with death and funerals it is much easier to go to the funeral of someone who's lived a long full life, but it is still sad to see someone pass. I enjoyed hearing her children and grandchildren share memories of her because I learned a lot about her that I had never known before. I am happy for her now that she is no longer in pain and with her loved ones on the other side.

After the funeral services, the grave dedication, and the luncheon we took Bella to her violin practice (she has a performance on Tuesday) and then instead of going home and back again (where she was going was far away from our home) we went to IKEA. I think this was our undoing. We were exhausted after walking around and I really felt as if I might not make it. Luckily the kids played in the kid care so we didn't have to deal with them. It had been a long hard day with Megan. So long by the time we were at our Ward party I was pawning her off on anyone I could think of.



I have to be honest I don't think I would have even gone to our ward party if I hadn't already committed to taking pictures of the kids with Santa. Despite how lousy I was feeling I'm really glad I went. Watching my kids interact with Santa is a favorite part of the holidays for me. It was a particularly sweet experience for me this year as I got to stand on the sidelines and hear the wishes and happy thoughts from each of the kids in my neighborhood who I adore. It was, how else can I say it, a magical feeling. It was a perfect end to the day.







My girls were excited and nervous to speak with Santa. It was cute to watch them and yes, I listened very carefully. Only Tess surprised me by saying she wanted a real guitar, oh, and of course Megan surprised me by declaring she had been good. Hmm...after the day I had with her I was questioning her logic.

Is visiting Santa on your list this year?

the fourth

has always been one of my favorite holidays. i think for sure it was the fireworks and being with family. now it is still for all of those reasons, but i am so much more aware of how grateful i am to live in this awesome country. to know i am free and have the right to live the way i choose. feel so lucky to be here.











That morning we went and had a ward breakfast that included a flag ceremony, 15 min speaker, breakfast (it was danishes and/or homemade omletes like at the resorts...awesome), and entertainment. The entertainment was brought to us by a group call "Synergy". They performed for so long. I got tired just watching them. It was so nice we were able to eat while we listened, apparently last year they ate afterwards.












That afternoon Adam's family came up to our house and we went swimming for a few hours,

then had a bbq, games, and when it got dark watched a lot of fireworks across the valley.

Very cool. It was a great holiday.