Flippin' Freekin' Sweet!

The other night, after Family Home Evening, we drove to the Provo Temple and walked around.

We love to do this. Well, I do. The kids think it's a park that they're shushed a lot at. No - they actually all really like it. We did have to grab Baby as he nearly fell (thrust himself) into the fountains several times.

While there, we found a beautiful, yellow, dead bird. We all wanted to bring it home for the freezer. (if you don't know this about us, I'll tell later) BUT, it was pretty big. And Peter decided, "If you have to die, I always say the best place is the Temple."

So we left her there.

Much to the chagrin of Ruby, who woke up crying in the night, asking about the 'girl-bird.' I convinced her it was an 'old-lady-grandma' bird and she was ready to die. After more questions about where the mama was and was the daddy at work, I reminded her of a play date today and she smiled back to sleep.

We've been several times for an evening stroll around the temple grounds. This time though, we had a funny experience that we laughed at for a while. While sitting on a bench, enjoying these amazing 'air pollution from the fires' sunsets, a girl jumped out of a car, sticker with her name on her, and asked if we were married. "Yep." (I sure as heck hope so, lady. With all these kids at the temple - I'd hate to just be dating this guy.) "I'm on a scavenger hunt and need a picture of a couple holding hands walking in front of the temple."

Done.

Who are we to stop the cyntrifical forces of FHE groups?

A few minutes later, now at the other end of the temple yard, another car pulls up and another girl with a name tag hops out. (who wants to be in an FHE group where you have to wear a name tag? That's why Central Washington, while small, is the greatest place to go to school!) Anyway, she starts walking toward us and Peter grabs my hand and yells - "Just take the picture." I think it caught her off guard. Then she says, "Oh. Uh, okay. Thanks!" Jumps back in her car and speeds off.

We're going to be famous! (hahaha)

It brought back so many funny Family Home Evenings of being single. Tag, the orange and the neck game, sardines at the Wilson's farm, skits, musical chairs with the boys being the chairs, firesides at Lion's Rock...oh, I loved those times. Anyway, I was reminded of one of my favorite little diddy's on You Tube. It's from the BYU Film Contest a few years ago. Even if you didn't go to BYU (WHICH I DIDN'T AND AM PROUD OF IT!!!) - It's hilarious. If you had any kind of Mormon Single life, you'll laugh your head off at this.

So enjoy.

(you may have to watch it a couple of times to catch all of the funny lines)

Sleep Love of a Mother

My scripture marker is moved every day. No matter where I leave it, little hands find other places for it.

'Shoes on or socks off'. I say this to my kids, to keep their socks from getting holes. But they get holes anyway. And their 'no-socked' feet leave my carpet dirtier than if they had just left their shoes on.

I pretty much need a jack hammer to get all of the hand prints off of my stainless steel appliances. I just cleaned them, and one would hardly know.

No matter how hard I try to keep track, I continue to find stinky, gloopy, old smelly sippy's. Lost in some corner of the nether world.

I pick up Ruby's closet several times each day, and at the end of the day - after ten outfits - it still looks like a tornado ran though.

One word: LEGOS! They're everywhere!

This week I have found my kids toothbrushes: on the diaper changer, in the TV room, on the floor of the garage, on the back steps, and hidden in various drawers. No matter how high I put them out of reach, Chubbers will find them - and distribute them via his mouth to an unknown location.

Mt. St. Laundry is STILL Mt. St. Laundry...forever.

Snacks go 24/7 at this house. Just when one is done, another wants one. "Can I have milk in a sippy? I want some pretzels. Can I have a snack? I want something else?....."

Oh, the list goes on and on.

And I love each one SO much! I can't imagine my life without them - but boy, they make me tired.

Many Thanks!

Wow.

I've never had so many comments as my aprons post. And not only that, THANK YOU. My goodness, I received so many compliments I didn't know what to do with myself - it's been feeding my ego for a week now!

But seriously, I really do want to thank all of you that read this blog. I recently reached my 200 mark and couldn't believe it. But looking back over the year, I'm so glad I did. I love seeing such a fun detailed account of the life and times around here. And really, without an audience reading, it's so boring to write. Isn't it? Knowing at least one person reads every now and then really gives one reason to keep going.

So again, thank you.

Remember when I was a faithful blogger? I posted like five times a week? Those were the days, huh? I have big goals to get there again. My computer is in the shop as we speak - so...hopefully things will be looking up soon. I have been using Peters, for now. Which trust me, is very nice. But not mine. All of my photos and drafts are on mine. Well, not any more thanks to a severe virus. But they will be again, soon! Fingers crossed.

So, until later - have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy these last few weeks of summer. The boys caught their first praying mantis of the year, which means fall is soon to follow. Oh, I can't wait. I can smell the air. Mmmm. Bright fall colors, sweaters (hooray!!), crisp mornings, oohhh - I love fall!!

Birthday Blog: Meet Elise

Meet Elise.

She too gets the advantage of technical difficulties, in regards to not getting old scanned photos on her birthday blog. Lucky her. Not so lucky you.

Elise is my oldest sister, the second child, but oldest daughter. For the early years of my life, I thought she was my mother. She cared for me, loved me, and mothered me the best her little seven year old self could.

Elise blazed the trail for the rest of us girls, four in all. She pushed the limits on friends, clothing and music. She got the 'firm hand' of 'love.' So by the time my teenage years were around, my parents were much more relaxed. I'm sure this drove her CRAZY! Elise has always loved to laugh, nurture and help others.

Elise married young, and was a young mother. Which makes her a young mother of an almost 22 year old now. I'm sure no one believes she has children as old as she does, because she is still so young. She married Rory, my brother in law, I wrote about here. He's as much of our family as anyone and we're all glad he married her.

She is the mother of four wonderful children. Zach, 21, Andrew, 19, Dallas, 15, and Lexy 9. She loves her kids and always tries her best with them. Starting in my early teens, I spent a lot of time with these kids and my other nieces and nephews. They taught me much about mothering and I am so thankful for my sisters allowing me to learn with their children.

Elise has been through a lot. Both through experiences in and out of her control, she has had some very hard times, along with many good. She has become stronger in so many ways and continues to grow all the time. Elise is a great example and I love her.

Thank you for being my sister. I love you though thick and thin. Most of my childhood memories are of me wanting to be with you. From wanting to ride your horse, to peaking on you and Rory. I always wanted to spend time with you. I have always loved you. I hope you know this.

Happy birthday Elise, I love you.

Best Friend

Dear Ruby,

Want to be my friend? I like you and think we could be the best of friends. I like to ride bikes too.

I love dress up. Want to play play dough and read books? I like to play house, do you? Of course you do. What's your baby's name? Baby Brinley? I love that name. I love you how clap when you're excited and happy. Two claps means fun!

Want to do hair and wear a crown? Maybe we could cook. I love to cook, and I know you do too. How 'bout cookies? You can add the flour. Want to wear our matching aprons? I love to do that with you. Maybe we could sing and dance in the kitchen while they cook - that's always really fun.

I really want a pink beach cruiser to match yours. We could have a good time together, huh? I bet you like to wear dance costumes day and night, don't you? Sounds like fun! Write back soon and tell me if you want to be my best friend. I hope you say yes.

Love,

Mommy

Last hikes and aprons

Yesterday was Summer.

But today, Fall has begun.

Yesterday we took one last big family hike. Four miles round trip to Stewart Falls. They were lovely. Have you ever hiked four miles with a three year old? She did great, and fell fast asleep the minute we got home. Once again, we did hard things. This wasn't our most difficult hike this summer, but it was our longest.

And so, after a fun un-birthday dinner for our "Christmas" baby, Simon, at Pirate Island, we had our "Back to School Blessings." They were much needed, as my fourth grader was near to tears just THINKING about homework.

After their father and grandfather blessings, we talked about all their fears of school, and what they are looking forward to. Seems like math and recess are big topics, respectively. We talked about doing Hard Things, again. That this year, we can press forward, doing hard things. Just like on our many summer hikes, we can't give up. Just like Nephi, we can't give up. Where would we be today if he had given up? What might you be missing out on in life, if you give up?

We can do hard things!

And as Samuel knelt in prayer, ready for bed after a very tiring day, he cried. He cried and cried, asking his Heavenly Father to help him "find his Celestial plan that you have for me." He asked that he could be a good learner and that Heavenly Father could please help him with his homework. That it wouldn't be so hard and that he could get it done.

Yes. I cried.

I know that the Lord can answer these little prayers. I know that He hears each of our littleheart aches, no matter how big they seem to us. And to my little nine year old, they seem very big.

Simon couldn't wait for school to start. Of course, he's the kid that is always asking for more. What a gift. But he's also the child who nearly didn't make it on our last big hike for fear of the edge. He had to focus and be brave. He had to have faith that he wouldn't fall. He did a hard thing. And in the end, had a great time and got all wet in one of the Lord's beautiful, ice cold, creations.

And would you believe the real, true reason to the end of summer. (get ready to wipe a tear...) My sandals broke. (WAAAHHHH) Really. If you've seen me at all in the last year or so, I've most likely been wearing my orange Keen sandals. I LOVE THEM!!! Oh, rest their souls, today they died. One last trip to Costco, and upon arrival home, their strap broke and they died. It really must be the end of summer.

What could possibly make me feel better?

Just looking at this cute apron I made. I just love it. It's actually a gift for Katherine, shh. Don't tell. She's not a big reader of my blog, so she most likely won't see. But you can. Isn't it cute? I mean really. I love the fabric and think it's too dang cute! I spent a lovely gift card from my friend Aimee, and a full punch card all on this fabic. I had to do something with it. I think a fun apron will make me feel better. How 'bout you?

Birthday Blog: Meet Katherine

I think the blogging gods like Katherine more than many of my birthday-blog friends. Why, you ask? Because my computer life is FULL of technical difficulties right now. Meaning, NO PHOTOS. And believe, you - me, I've got good one's of her. But, for now. I'll just have to tell you about Kath.

Meet Katherine.

Kath has been my best friend for 23 years, this month. We met the summer before seventh grade, and haven't looked back. We often wonder what life would have been like without each other, and quite honestly, I don't want to know. Having a best friend through those VERY tough years of junior high and high school, meant everything to me.

Katherine (formerly to many of you, Kathy) moved to Bothell from Seattle. And she was cool. I mean, I lived in the suburbs, but she knew how to ride the CITY BUS! (by herself at 12!!) She introduced me to what would become the music of my youth. The Cure, Depeche Mode, Violent Femmes, INXS, etc. (my 'cool' sister Mindy helped in this area as well) She taught me that hot pink and turquoise were OUT. And no more listening to The Jets. (not that she told me this, she just didn't do these things herself)

And what was better than all of this? She was Mormon, too. She believed what I did, lived in my ward and needed a friend just as much as I did. Another GREAT perk for me was that she was the same height and weight as me. And when you're no small fry, having a best friend that wears the same size clothes and shoes is awesome!

We spent every second we could together. We took ballet together. (OH!! I have to get the scanner going. These pictures are NOT to be missed. Plus, she'll hate me for showing them) We drank Calistoga's and ate cool ranch Doritio's every weekend, after we walked to the Plaid Pantry to get them. We wrote SO many notes during school, it's not even funny. We still have ALL of them. I once wanted to start a blog of just our notes, they're very funny. (I guess texting has taken the place of note writing and folding them into little rectangles. What a shame.)

We had P.E. together with Ms. Lambley for first period of seventh grade. That was the start of many, many classes together. We were locker partners, on the Tennis team together, paper staff, took driver's-ed. together, hours of after seminary fun (although she missed A LOT of seminary :) ) . Basically, we spent our lives together.

As we grew up, got boyfriends, went to college and moved on, we stayed as close as ever. When her heart was broken by an un named boy, one cold January day, she showed up at my dorm to stay on the floor for a few days. I cried my heart out many a time over the loss of love, as well. And when we finally found our own "Price Charmings", it just so happened that they were childhood friends as well. (nice, huh?)

We were bride maids at each others weddings. Our first three years of marriage (we married 7 mos. apart) we spent most every weekend with the Smith's. When their first baby was born, I was one of the first to see him. I was standing in the hall, at the door, the minute he was born. Crying.

And then, long distance came into play. The Tennis' moved to Texas.

Nope. Not even a couple thousand miles could keep us apart. We talked weekly. The last two weeks before Samuel was born, Peter had to be out of town and I was afraid to be alone in case the baby came. Kath was first to volunteer to fly across the country to keep me company, her nine month old and all.

Aren't we lucky? Are you jealous? You should be, I pray Ruby can find a friend like this someday.

Moving to Utah made it much easier to keep in touch. And we do. We see each other a couple times a year and still talk all the time. We both have four kids, hers are all about 9 mos. older than mine. She still lives in Bothell, my hometown, and always welcomes us with open arms. My little family has spent more nights at their house then a family should. She NEVER, NEVER hesitates to open her house to us. (okay, neither does Jared) She feeds, clothes, and entertains to no end. (thank you, thank you, thank you - again!)

She never misses a birthday of mine. Sometimes the only present I get (other than my parents) will be from Kath. Something home made and wonderful, or something she knows I'll totally love! She is amazing and can do most anything. She taught me how to do flowers, garden, (which I totally stink at BTW) and many other fun hobbies I have. She and I have quilted around the world, TWICE! On each of these trips, she and I constantly PROJECT! (our favorite thing to do!) You think I'm kidding, huh? If only. We love it! This last trip, we weren't even in town more than a couple of hours and she had me at the church making pioneer clothing. (which funnily enough, wasn't our first time.)

And on occasion, when she can bear to, she comes to see me in Utah. (she hates Utah almost as much as I used to - ah, youth...) A few years ago we went to our 10 year class reunion together. (she paid for me, I didn't have the money at the time - see? Lucky, I know) We laughed until we almost wet our pants. We had such a great time together.

An old friend said, "You guys are still friends? Didn't you used to be connected at the hip?"

"Yep. We laughed. And we still are."

Thank you for the very many years of friendship Katherine. I love and appreciate you so much.

Happy Birthday!

There are SO many things I have to say about our 'life' together. I really should write it down. I know this is long, but I hope you know how much I love Kath. I still can't imagine my life without her.