Utah: Caught on film.

Two weeks from right now everything in our house will be packed into a truck and we will be sitting on the floor.  We are really going to miss Utah.  We truly love her.  These were taken last Sunday evening up at Salamander Flat in the American Fork Canyon.  Isn't film creamy and beautiful?

Taken with a Canon AE-1 with a 50mm 1.4 lens.

Date Night

My little brother, who also happens to be one of my best friends, got engaged last week.    He is going to marry the perfect girl for him, Alison.  She is the perfect addition to our family and I can't wait to spend more time with her.  Last night we went out to the dollar theater(Movies 8) together but had some time to kill beforehand so we hung in Weston's backyard.   I love Provo, especially Provo in September. 

p.s.  Alison has THE most beautiful wedding ring ever.  Weston got it at a shop in SLC that sells vintage jewelry.  The guy said this ring was from the 1920's.  I love it.

p.p.s.  Mike and I both look really strange but I just think we should make an appearance on this blog every once in a while. 

My favorite Artist...

I have a favorite artist and his name is Brian Kershisnik.   His paintings never fail to move me - to speak to me - to speak to the experiences I am going through - all while never being cliched or redundant.  I love them.  If I were rich - even just a little - I'd buy many of them.  I love to go to his site and look through his work and let them talk to me - let them remind me - let them heal me, in a way. 

I recently saw a link to an interview he did and I was nervous about watching it because I didn't want to be disappointed by him or his manner - but instead I was so pleased.  He was better than I hoped he would be.  You should watch it too - he has a lot to say on art - and on the process of creation.  It was good to be reminded.

And he has a thing for angels and I kinda do too.

The end of the rainbow...

I tend to be a dreamer.  And my dreams tend to give me a slight case of wanderlust.  I have spent most of the ten years of my marriage dreaming of something else.  But yesterday evening as I sat on my front lawn I realized that I no longer yearn for something other than what I have.  As the sky turned golden and kids rode by on their bikes, I felt completely and positively happy with where I was.  Who would have thought it would be in the 'burbs?  I know that someday I might want something else but today I want exactly what I've got.  A green lawn, a cul-de-sac, swing sets, a bazillion kiddos running around, neighbors on their porch, and all that lovely neighborhoods like mine afford.  I just wanted to give a shout out for the suburbs.  Because from where I'm standing - they're perfect.

I'm so happy.  This has been my best year yet.  I feel like we've been lead to a period of green pastures by hand of the Lord.  I am so grateful for his wisdom and for his never-ending love.   Future girl and I are one in the same right now.

Taking care of the dead...

Last night for FHE we went over to the visit the grave sites of some of my husband's family.  We missed doing it on Memorial Day and wanted to get over there and show some respect for them by cleaning up their graves.  Growing up my family lived far away from everyone else so we weren't ever able to do things like this, so I really enjoyed being able to. 

We brought along some hand tools and trimmed up around the head stones and Mike's brother John brought some flowers. It was really nice.  I hope they feel loved when they see their grandchildren and great grandchildren coming to visit.

I really like GG's and Bud's headstone.  Families really can be together forever.

When was the last time you stuck your nose in a patch of clover?  It smells so sweet.  I hope clover grows over my grave some day.

Speaking of my future grave...it's so fun to walk through the cemetery and see all of the different styles. I totally want one with my photo on it.  Slightly creepy but awesome.

All in all it was a really nice night.  I'm so glad to live by family - living and dead.  I'm sure I've got some ancestors buried around here.  I really should find out so I can go and take care of their resting places as well.

Even Weird Homeschoolers Have Field Day...

I have to say that in elementary school field day was MY FAVORITE day of the year.  Snow cones(which I never had money for but usually bummed off of a friend), hot dirt, the 100 yard dash (which I often won), and no desks.  Memories like that make me wonder if homeschooling is a mean thing to do to my kids(only for a moment).  But this year we attended our first homeschooling field day and it was great.

I love my double the trouble babies.

And I was just snapping here - irresponsible photography - and caught this cute little hug.  Brothers gotta hug!  Elijah won first place overall for the sack race.  We're really hoping some day he can get a sack racing scholarship to one of the top schools in that sport. 

Meghie came with her darling kids since she is planning on homeschooling with K12 too...it was a good time.  And yes, Andrew and Flynn dominated the tug-of-war.

I love my K12 program.  I love the teachers, the programs, the free stuff, and the fact that I get to be with my boys so much.  I love them all immensely and they all make me so proud to call myself their mother.  I don't deserve them - really, I don't.  I love you, boys.

Good Day, Sunshine

Last week it was so warm and beautiful.  It was spring in all it's glory.  Here you can see the bing cherry tree in our front yard.  In a couple months this tree will be brimming with cherries.  I can't wait.  Seriously, my excitement for summer hearkens back to elementary school days when all you could do was dream of the last day of school and the beginning of freedom.  Now I'm excited for camping, vacations, no school, but most especially...FRUIT!

Last family night we bought a frisby and headed over to the park to play.  It was so dreamy and fun.  If it's been a while since you've thrown a frisby - get out there and do it.  It's one of life simple pleasures.

 

I love Andrew's dancing here.  These are his classic moves.

My oldest is the greatest helper.  He fastens seat belts and helps watch the babies.  And he honestly never complains about it.  I want to tell him how great I think that is but I don't want him to know that complaining is an option.  Isn't that terrible?

And here's my baby.  He looks so tiny to me - I guess that's the way of the youngest.

Best buds.  Three and a half years apart and they still love to play.  They're so different and still so good together.

Summer, here we come!

The hens have left the building...

Well, even though it has snowed twice in the last three days, it is spring.  And since our pullets are all about 5 weeks old - it was time for them to move on outside.   And thank heavens it was time because by day two I was sick of them being inside.    Don't judge me too harshly for the yard...it was snowing!  ...  Ok, it's time to mow and weed.

Their coop looks ginormous right now but these ladies are going to grow grow grow over the next few months until this place is quite cozy.  At that point this coop will be used mostly for sleeping and laying eggs - and they'll have a run to roam around in.  They're just so young and vulnerable right now that I think I'll just keep them inside for a couple months.

Already I can't help but just stare at them.  Gosh, I need a farm.  Peter feels the same way too.

In garden happenings, I 've got some good news and bad news.

The good news is that my oregano and sage are coming back on their own and are growing really well.  In fact, I think tonight we'll have some homemade pasta with sage and oregano, butter, and parmesan.  So tasty.

The bad news is that I was so frustrated that my 12 month old kept digging in my starters that I put them out too quickly and most of them haven't made it.  Hmpf.  Oh well, we'll see if I can't being a few of them back and buy the rest at the nursery.

I still have to get the rest of my starters out there but I've got way too much going on right now.  Welcome to the rest of my life, eh?

And, in other news, today we home-schoolers took a book run to the thrift store.  I love buying books.  New and old.  In fact, old books excite me even more than new ones.  And it doesn't hurt that they cost between fifty cents to a couple of bucks.

So, all in all, it was a good day.