I almost forgot...

... that I have a blog. Thanksgiving is over, Christmas is up, shopping is almost complete, wrapping is not, Scentsy is busy, the kids are full of energy, loving the gospel and life is good... I'll be ready soon to resume blog activity... I can feel it. Can't wait to sneek a peek at all the blogs I've missed reading. Until then... let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. I'm ready.

Don't be afraid...

He must really love me to forgive me for this...

Alex wanted a haircut around 10:30 pm last night.... I agreed. As he well knows, I am NOT a night person! I far prefer the crisp clean air of the morning hours. I'm still not sure what I was thinking...or not thinking... but while I was doing a little clean up around his ears, I shaved a VERY large bald spot on the side of his head. I gave out a big "OOPS" and couldn't stop laughing (I do that when I am tired) There was no other option... I think he is secretly happy... he has been trying to get me to shave his head all summer. Elli came into our bedroom this morning and her eyes got very big when she saw Alex sleeping. She wispered to me, "Mom, did you shave dad's head while he was sleeping?!"

Anyone else need a haircut?!

Shine...

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

~Nelson Mandela

***

I have thought about this quote a lot in the last couple of weeks and wanted to share it. Too often I feel inadequate and afraid of letting my light shine in fear that I may fail..and fail miserably...in front of what feels like the whole world. I want to shrink. I often tell Alex... surely you must get sick of me, because I'm pretty sick of myself. I do enjoy watching others. I see those that are kind... especially when they've been treated unkindly... those that are forgiving... especially when things really aren't fair... those that don't complain...especially when they have good reason too...and those that SHINE... especially on a dark, cloudy day...

Thanks to those who aren't afraid to SHINE... as a Child of God does... it makes me want to do the same!!

More summer fun...

I thought I would have more time to do blog posts during the summer. So far, it hasn't worked out that way. Where is the summer going?!

In June we made our way to Logan and visited this cute family...

The Atwoods. Sandi was the first person I met when I started school at Utah State University and we became fast friends. She has been an amazing part of my life. I want to be like her when I grow up.

We had a great time relaxing and hanging out. We went hiking, played at a park and visited the Gossner Cheese Factory. The cheese factory was Ben's favorite part. They had endless samples of different kinds of cheeses, flavored milk (my favorite was cookies and cream) and cheese dips.

Can't wait to visit again soon...

We also took the kids to Lagoon a few weeks ago. It was their first time going and we had a blast!! The weather was nice and the crowds were small! When you visit Lagoon you might actually think, "Hey, I'm a little bit sexy!" Good people watchin', that's for sure. Stacy and Clint from "What Not to Wear" would be in over their heads!!

P.S. This may be the last of my photos for awhile... my camera was dropped and it will take 4-6 weeks for it to be repaired...uggh!! I'm in mourning...

Flowers...

"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck."

-Emma Goldman

More amazing than an ice cream truck...

What can draw a crowd of children faster than an ice cream truck?

I found out today...

We inherited this on Saturday from my brother, Taylor, and his wife, Amy. The kids begged me to try it out after their swimming lessons today. I gave in and then a miraculous thing happened. As it was filling with air, children began coming out of the woodwork. Children in swimsuits, children fully clothed, children waking from naps...they appeared before our very eyes. Fun was had by all! (maybe with the exception of Owen, Brady and Ashley...sorry my little ones!)

Now I know what you where talking about, Taylor...

This and that...

A little bit of May...

For Mother's Day Rachel, Elli and Ben planted some flowers in our front yard. They were so excited to tell me that they bought all yellow flowers because it is my favorite color. What a happy gift!!


I was sick on Mother's Day and had to stay home from church. I took a picture as the kids were leaving... at least they brought me back a GIANT sized chocolate bar from the ward! :)

Ben went fishing at school. When he got home he pulled a fish out of his backpack...head, tail and all! We cooked it on the BBQ and it was pretty tasty!

June 22, 2009 marked Ben's graduation day from kindergarten. This is one of his teachers, Mrs. Nielsen. All his teachers at Mt. Loafer were AMAZING and we will miss them! Ben will attending Cherry Creek for 1st Grade next year. Can't wait to have him a little closer to home!

They put on such a fun, entertaining graduation program!

One of our dogs, Zelda, dug out of the backyard and was hit by a car three weeks ago. She broke her leg and I'm still feeling guilty for not being a more vigilant pet owner. It was a nasty break and we were worried it wouldn't heal. Had it x-rayed a few days ago and everything is looking good. Thank goodness for the faith and prayers of children who love their dog!!! She kept chewing through the cast, so as you can see it is now a duct tape cast. Duct tape CAN fix anything!!

Caught this beautiful bumble bee gathering nectar.


Elli reminded me that we still didn't have a picture of her in her baptism dress. Her Grandma Melanie made this for her. We love our Elli!

And the wine barrel... I finally filled it with some of my favorite things!

The kids are out of school now... more posts to come!

Citizen of the month...

Elli received an award for citizen of the month for April in her class. This award is for demonstrating outstanding character traits. Way to go, sunshine!!

* * *

Self-proclaimed daddy's girl.

The windy city...

I had a great time in Chicago! Had no idea it was such a beautiful city! Spent the weekend hanging out with my friend, Annette, who lives in Illinois. She was a great tour guide...even if she was completely dependent on her GPS! We saw "Jersey Boys" on Broadway, attended the Scentsy World Tour, shopped, and chatted, chatted, chatted!!

This is a statue inspired from the painting "American Gothic". You can't tell from the picture but it is HUGE.

We were surrounded by stunning archetecture.

The ceiling of a resturant

We spotted these little puffball gooselings at the condo where we were staying. They were soooo cute! I tried to get close, but goosey here on the left kept sqwaking at me and I was afraid he was going to peck me to death.

And the food...

to die for Chicago style pizza!

everything we ate in Chicago tasted amazing!!

freckles...

I love their noses and cheeks of freckles...it makes their faces taste so much better when you kiss them.

Thank goodness they didn't get my ocean of freckles, but were blessed with just a sampling.

*Just a side note...

Yes, this is what I've been doing during Spring Break...taking pictures. It's not all bad for the kids though...we've gone to see Monsters vs. Aliens in 3D, ordered pizza, played Picturequa, played in the snow, had piano lessons, visited friends, and avoided cleaning (just ask Alex). I should be packing for my trip to Chicago tomorrow, but what's the rush?...