find joy in the journey

one last look at summer

sifting through my summer pictures, a few favorites that I never got to share . . . 

from our hike at the audubon society -

gold panning in the old western town of Columbia, California - 
   

cooked crawdads at the ward campout - 
 

another one at Columbia (I have tons of great pictures from that day) - 
 

our last visit to the zoo - 
  

The calendar tells me that fall is officially here, the month of october begins tomorrow, and my fall/halloween decorations are coming out very soon.  

I'm thankful for the 85 degree weather that is forecasted for today . . . it will be the last 80 degree day for the year, I am sure.  Ahh, sweet sunshine.  We are definitely going to head outside and enjoy the nice weather.  That said, I better get off this computer and make it happen!

Have a great day!

i {heart} . . . . jam

 . . . Dark kiss.  Last fall it was Twilight Woods.  I think this year it is going to be all about Dark Kiss - lotion, shower gel, hand cream, and body spray.  Feminine, enticing, warm, just perfect.

 
 . . . all the creative eye-candy goodness from Spark.  And Elizabeth Kartchner is just so adorable.  Would love to attend this event someday that is all about discovering and sharing your creative spark.  (photo above from Rhonna Farrer's blog)

   . . . my homemade, canned boysenberry jam.  The kids turn their nose up at it (they prefer raspberry).  But, my oh my, I am back on a PB&J kick and loving it.  Looking for any excuse to spread a little jam on something.

. . . Scott being home.

. . . the google reader "Next" bookmark.  It's so nice to see blogs in their entirety & get the feel, rather than just catching the plain old text in a feed.  Each time I click "Next" it refreshes to a new post so it's also a little surprise . . . you just never know what is going to come next.   Here are details on how to set it up.

. . . having a second freezer.  Right now it's empty.  Because we just got it on Tuesday.  And it's the end of the month so I don't have $$ in my budget to fill it.  But no longer will a lack of freezer space be the reason for . . . . passing up frozen food deals, waiting to buy my turkey 3 days before Thanksgiving because it will have to go straight into the fridge, skimping on my freezer jam production, or running out of bread (I can guarantee there will always be 3-5 loaves on hand in the new freezer).

Now, one thing I do not {heart} this month . . . 

 

This time, every year, we get the spider invasion.  I found 4 giant webs just like this in one flower bed.  And a couple weeks ago we woke up to a hobo spider in our bathroom sink.  We now have spider traps in every room of the house.
 

preschool, 2nd, 4th, and 17th

Hey all!  It's time for the obligatory back-to-school blog post!  Even though the kids have been in school for two weeks I couldn't let these cute pictures go unshared. Let's go from youngest to oldest . . . . 

preschool - Anna, age 4

Anna started her 2nd year of preschool.  (Which will also be our family's 6th and final year at our favorite preschool - it is bittersweet.)

She seems so BIG for pre-school!  She will be 5 in just five days, so she misses that September 1st cut-off.  She already knows her letters (by sight, their sounds, and how to write them) and her numbers, but I know I don't need to worry about boredom because there is just too much fun to be had there!

She loves circle time -- time for stories and songs.

She gives me a big hug when I pick her up each day.  (Last year it was, "hi mom" and run to the car.)

She continues to bring notes and letters to her teacher and classmates each day.  

She came home on the second day and said, very excited, "Olivia isn't mean anymore!" (not-from-church Olivia).  Last year Anna gave me daily behavioral reports on this little girl.  Apparently it's been a good summer.

 

2nd grade - Payton, age 7

 

What a cutie!

His favorite part of 2nd grade is reading groups at the end of the day.

One day he got yogurt squirted in his hair at lunch time.

He also gives me a regular report of classroom behavior.

He can't wait for P.E. and music to start next week.

He started out sitting in the back row.  Now he's in the middle row, by Amanda (his very good friend).  I just hope he doesn't spend the whole day talking to her.  He tells me that he has been good.

He has had a very seamless transition into 2nd grade.  He comes home so happy everyday.  I think that 2nd grade is my favorite school year.  At this age both of my boys have been so happy, helpful, agreeable, and fun!  I need to remember this and really soak in Payton's awesomeness.

Boo-ya!  (Payton's favorite exclamation)

 

4th grade - Conner, age 9

He loves his teacher because she is funny.  "By funny I mean really funny."

He loves his {male} math teacher.  I keep hearing stories about all the laughter and fun in math class.

His recess report on the first day of school included this snippet:  "At first recess I played with the ladies." (emphasis on "ladies")

He'll be learning about the branches of government, Oregon state history, and the states and capitols among many other things.

I learned today that at some point the desks were rearranged from rows into groups of 5.

So who sits in your group?

Brady, Mason, Katelynn, um . . . . Thomas.  maybe.  I can't remember.

You can't remember who you sit with all day?!

(laughs) Mom.  I don't pay attention.

(giving the eye) Really, Conner . . . 

(all in a spirit of good fun) Mom.  Three words.  I. Don't. Care.

Oh my goodness.  He sounds just like his dad.  This is scary!

 

Speaking of his dad . . . 

1st year MBA program - Scott, age 34

 

(this was taken during residency week in July)

I figure that Scott is starting grade 17.  

So far things are going well.  He flies to Utah for classes.  He does homework.  He has a weekly conference call with his team in Utah. He's already had mid-terms.  He enjoys his professors.

He's devised a clothing rotation system so he never has to check a bag on his flights.  He has a stash of toiletries that wait for him there (so no worries about 3 oz. bottles and ziploc baggies through security).  He's just 3 TRAX stops away from classes.  He shares a hotel room with another traveling student.  Crazy as it sounds, he's only gone for about 36 hours.

 

So I just realized . . . I'm the only one who isn't in school!  I guess my job is to make sure everyone gets to class on time, make the lunches, wash and iron the clothes, give kisses on their way out the door, and be ready to ask "how was your day?" when they all return.

living life the way you picture it

Epiphanie (maker of ultra hip & stylish camera bags) is having their first birthday, and they are giving away a Canon 5D Mark II.  Pretty much a totally awesome prize.  I figured what the heck, I'll play around with my camera a little bit and throw my name in the hat.  Plus, I've had a pretty lucky summer when it comes to giveaways.

I do have to say I'm quite pleased with how these pictures turned out.  The teal and yellow and white is oh so soothing.  Makes me long for that ever illusive afternoon nap.  I thought about it all day, my brain was dragging, and my eye-lids were drooping . . . but, it never happened.

Here are the photo requirements:  1) you, 2) "Happy birthday Epiphanie" written somewhere, 3) some kind of cake or cupcake with one candle, and 4) an Epiphanie bag

 
 Happy first birthday Epiphanie!  My birthday wish for you . . . . pick me!

birthday week 2010: indulge

I am now 31 years old.  My dad made sure to inform me that I am more than half-way to 60.

My mantra for birthday week 2010 has been:  No exercise.  Eat whatever I want.

Ahhhh. Blizzards for an afternoon snack.  No big deal.  Sleeping in until 5:45am.  Jealous?  1500 calories for lunch at Burgerville.  That's how I roll, baby.  (But, what is up with them printing the calorie/fat content of your meal right on the receipt?!  I don't need to see that.) 

Tomorrow begins a new week.  A week called "Time to Crack the Whip."  {Said with a handful of Dove chocolates at my side.}  But the indulgence was fun while it lasted.  Let's take a look back . . .

Monday & Tuesday:

My mom came to visit for a few days.  She was awesome and helped me to further the master bath beautification project.  We She installed new light fixtures and painted the cabinets white.

 

{There are a few more little projects I want to tackle before I give the final reveal.  And a color for the bedroom needs to be decided.  Ignore the swatches on the wall.  They were both vetoed.}

In addition, we hit up the local antique stores and both came out with great finds.  So, so excited.  A metal drawer unit, retro breadbox, and a small metal rotating stand that we've discovered can hold either hard-boiled eggs or craft paints (not sure what it's original purpose was).  But, some spray-painting is in my future.  I will definitely share the results later.

Wednesday:

I sat myself down in a salon chair for two hours and came out with this.

 

a blonder and shorter version of my current do.

Thursday:

A pre-birthday breakfast celebration with friends . . . what could be better!  Christmas morning rolls, PW's breakfast casserole, fruit, and a perfectly set table.  The kids played and the moms talked school, braces, temple maintenance, wardrobe color palettes (or lack thereof), disneyland, when snuggling goes too far, babies, and mullets.

Friday:

Today's the happy day!  My day to be a princess . . . 

 

The sparkly Cinderella card from Sheila with cut-out crown made this picture possible.  Thanks.

Sheila and I share a birthday so it has become tradition to kick off our special day with a trip to the nail salon for pedicures.  We chat, exchange gifts, and laugh at each other when the pumice stone becomes just too much for our ticklish feet to bear.

The rest of the day . . . 

Anna and I spent a fair amount of time playing with my camera in the mirror.

 

Then lunch at Subway, put everything back into the bathroom drawers, pick up the boys from school, and open presents. 

Oh goody, goody.  There was good stuff to be had.  

1) Mockingjay - Looking forward to reading this.

2) Glee, Season One, Volume 2 on DVD - yes!  Can't wait for Season 2 to start on Tuesday!

3) Camera bag perfection by Kelly Moore -  I am in LOVE with my new bag.  It gives me everything I want - stylish look, camera security & safety, room for my regular purse stuff, and the choice between a short or cross-body strap.  It is perfect!

side-story . . . as soon as I took the camera bag out of the box Payton & Anna stole the box away and ran off to the kitchen.  I didn't notice at first because I was too wrapped up in my new baby.  A few minutes later I discovered them crouched on the floor, furiously coloring the box with markers.  Alright, have fun with that kids.  Later, Scott and I are in the bedroom getting ready to head out for dinner.  Then Scott walks into the hallway just in time to catch a glimpse of Anna, seated in the box, zooming down the stairs as if she's riding a sled.  Payton is just beside himself and so excited with what they just invented.  Probably not the safest activity, seeing as there is a wall two feet in front of the stairs . . . . but we let them each take one supervised turn, as memories were stirred of similar attempts in our childhoods.  Our "sled" of choice was the crib mattress.
 

In no mood this week to think of a birthday dinner menu, cook it, or bake a cake I opted for a family night out.  It was dinner at the Cheesecake Factory where Conner made sure to tell the waitress that I was the birthday girl.  And as we left the restaurant, trying to make it through the crowds he said, "make way for the birthday girl" over and over.  Way to take care of me, kid.  

Then we made our way into downtown for dessert at Saint Cupcake.

 

This was definitely a labor of love, on Scott's part.  He suggested it because "you have to have cake on your birthday" and he knows that I think the place is so cute.  This is an area of town where parking is no small feat.  Circling the block and extreme parallel parking is part of the experience.  It was a great evening and I felt so spoiled.

So now I'm one year older and wiser too.  Maybe.  ;)

Definitely happy.  Surely blessed.

sunday thoughts: celebrate

I enjoyed this story and teachings from Music and the Spoken Word this morning.  Maybe you will too.

Three mothers were sitting together at a school ball game.  Two of them were gushing about their childrens' talents and latest achievements.  One son had recently won an athletic scholarship.  And anothers daughter had just been chosen as valedictorian.  The third mother's son had no such accompishments but she seemed unruffled, even happy about the success of the other two.  She almost sounded as proud of those other children as their own mothers were. 

Later, when asked why she hadn't felt jealous she simply explained that is was much easier to celebrate than to compete.  She certainly wanted success for her own child as well, but she knew that victories for others don't meant failures for us.  She felt confident that her son would excel in his own way and in his own time.

The ability to forget oneself and praise another's achievement is a key to contented living.  It's natural to feel pains of envy at another's success as if their success cancels out our own.  But, in reality, life is a roller coaster and we each have our ups and downs.  When we remember and cherish our own values and growth, we realize we wouldn't trade places with anyone else.  When we are confident in the motives of our own hearts, we can then reach out to commend others for a job well done or, good fortune that comes their way. 

This big-heartedness is also easier when we adopt the stance of the mother at the ball game.  If we can look upon others with an almost parental sense of love then we can rejoice in their achievements the same way a gardener rejoices in stunning flowers that bloom in the garden.  We discover that we have surrounded ourselves with winners.  And they inspire us, rather than threaten us.

It has been said that one of the marks of true greatness, is the ability to develop greatness in others.  If we make it our life's work to bring out the best in others how can we feel anything but personal success when they shine.

There is plenty of competition and jealousy in the world . . . . I say, let's all just be happy for each other.  :)

**********

 

The boys had their first soccer games yesterday.  School starts tomorrow.  As does piano lessons.  I am excited for the new schedule, new things to learn, new ups and downs, new opportunities for encouragement and teaching, and new celebrations.  Here's to a great school year.

   

 
 

you capture - signs . . . and the story of the goats

First off, I thought I'd join in with the weekly photo challenge, "You Capture" over at I Should Be Folding Laundry.  The theme this week is signs.  So I made one of my own . . . 

  . . . so I could show you our goats.

well, not our goats.  More like the neighborhood's goats, or the HOA's goats, or whoever the heck decided to put them into the fenced off water-drainage area last week.  I haven't asked around but I'm guessing that their purpose is weed/grass control.  And to serve as the neighborhood petting zoo.

The kids tried to touch the goats, and feed them weeds.  We came right home and washed our hands with antibacterial soap.

See that dirty goat giving me the evil eye?  He surely has diabolical plans to unleash on this street as soon as he is freed. 

So now you know why we have this inclination to yell "goats!" when pulling into the neighborhood.  

It probably stems from our tradition of yelling "hay!" whenever a hay truck is spotted.

today . . . september 2010

what I do just about everyday

• wake up at 5am for 20 minutes of Shred or Pilates
• shower, hair, make-up
• family scripture study and prayer
• watch last 10 minutes of local news for the weather forecast
• watch first 15 minutes of Good Morning America with a bowl of Special K granola
• try to accomplish 1 or 2 household chores
• check e-mail, google reader, facebook
• referee the chaos
• get spanked
• cook dinner (every other day - we do leftovers)
• take pictures
• yell "goats!" each time I turn into our neighborhood
• take someone to swimming lessons or soccer practice.  (Cub Scouts, ballet, and piano are just around the corner)

 

what's on my to-do list

• master bedroom/bath beautification project
• shop for Anna's birthday
• go visiting teaching
• back-up my hard drive
• order pictures
• clean the guest room
• get my hair cut.  Anna's too.

 

what I did today (friday, september 3rd)

• made it through 2/3 of Shred and then wimped out (usually I do finish. really, I do.)
• last day of swimming lessons, celebrated with Mint Dibs
• oil change in the van
• vacuumed the house, top to bottom
• 5 loads of laundry
• got spanked
• picked up paint and it is the perfect color (so glad the paint drama is over)
• back to the pool as a family for a last chance afternoon swim (they are draining it tonight)
• salmon, wild rice, broccoli, mango, and Red Lobster biscuits for dinner
• soccer practice
• yell, "goats!" 4 times
• work on this blog post
• watch How I Met Your Mother re-runs

 

 

what I'm responsible for

• the Wolves in Cub Scouts
• the 6-7 year old Primary class
• teaching piano lessons (starting up again soon) to two sweet girls

what I'm working on right now in my life

• trying to fit back into my jeans (see "what I know for sure" below).  Fall, jean season, is approaching.
• being a support to Scott in business school
• making healthy eating choices
• cleaning & organizing lots of things and keeping them clean & organized
• trying to get back into scrapbooking

what I know for sure

• That thing they say about your metabolism slowing down in your 30's?  . . . it's true.
• I'm ready for the kids to go back to school.
• Being a fun, happy, sassy, considerate, and nurturing spouse requires time, thought, and effort.  Good relationships don't just happen on their own.
• The sun will come up, tomorrow.

this day in blog history

Did you know that today is a big day for this blog?  Well, it is.  Today marks 5 years since I started this endeavor into web journaling.  My first entry was on September 1, 2005 and it really wasn't about anything special.  Just "hello, I'm entering blog-land. Come and read me if you have the time."

My first commenter was Kent, actually Elder Kent Andersen clear from the island of Madeira, Portugal.  (I think they've changed the internet rules for missionaries since then.)

My second post had zero comments.

My third post had zero comments.

And my fourth post had one comment from [email protected] Wisdom.  (My mom hadn't figured out how to comment yet.)

Today's stats

posts:  653

comments: 4779

        blog books (via Blurb): 2 completed, and about 2 more that I need to make

        giveaways:  7, I think

So, today I thought I'd do a little look back through blog history and see what we've been up to these last 5 years.  Here goes:

5 years ago . . . september 2005

Oh that pregnant belly.  Definitely sweet memories.  Anna and a whole lot of pink joined our family that month.  I was so happy to go into labor on my own, rather than having a 3rd induction.  This is back in the days of Blues Clues, toddlers who like to turn off the crockpot mid-cycle resulting in raw chicken for dinner, and pancake discipline (when Conner acted up in Primary he didn't get to have German pancakes after church).  I cropped with my friends at the scrapbook store on a regular basis, I was in charge of Enrichment (now Relief Society Meetings), and I got my fix of TLC's Baby Story every morning.  And if you're looking for a yummy summer time treat . . . make this ice cream sandwich torte.

4 years ago . . . september 2006

Looking back, I can see that this was just the beginning of the busy years.  Conner started kindergarten and Payton started preschool.  All the dropping off and picking up that is involved with half-day kindergarten & preschool 3 days a week and a baby who would really like to nap 2 times a day = busy.  Oh and we started soccer this year too.  Busy as it was, life was pretty simple then.  On the first day of school Conner told his teacher that he wants to be called Cut-In-Half.  Payton started preschool with zero separation anxiety issues.  Anna turned one and said her first word, "bubble."

3 years ago . . . september 2007

I wrote 100 things about me, hosted a baby shower, and decided to retire the green paint in our family room.  We took a family trip to Utah (on an airplane), melted at a BYU football game, and visited lots of temples.  Conner started at a new charter school, learned about the card pulling system, and just can't resist playing Crakers in the cubby of his desk.  Payton always seems to be the one getting hurt (and it continues today).

2 years ago . . . september 2008

Conner had his first stitches and Anna had her first salon haircut.  Both boys attended the charter school and there was much excitement over finally getting to use markers, playing vampires at recess, and seeing each other at school.  On my birthday I initiated a Q&A session and answered all your questions across 3 blog posts.  I found delight in hot dog on a stick, got photo busy with a Week in the Life project, and shared my gift wrapping staples. Anna turned 3, but told everyone she was 5.  And Payton melted my heart when he told me that he wanted to date the 4 year old version of myself.

1 year ago . . . september 2009

 big, busy, fun stuff going on here.  I celebrated my 30th birthday with awesome friends, TWO Twilight board games, and a trip to Maui.  Well, that trip was really to celebrate our 10 year anniversary earlier in the year . . . it just happened to fall the day after my bday.  ALL the kids started school.  Anna too.  I had 7 hours all to myself each week.  We threw an impromptu Pinklacious party/playdate for Anna & friends.  The birthday date tradition began it's second year run and I started reading The Hunger Games (highly recommend).

today . . . september 2010

So what are we up to today?  Well I think that just might be a post for tomorrow.  

----------------------------

5 happy blog years.

Signing off, the kids need some lunch.  Laundry needs to be folded.  And I need to go stare at paint on the wall.