Cliches

Fire Hydrant
Sunset
Asphalt

John's 5th

He had a fun fun day. We started the party by going thought some mementos and photographs of John's life. I enjoyed talking about him, John enjoyed being in the spotlight, and the children enjoyed hearing about him. He is a unique and gifted boy. He makes me proud. Then we handed out the toy bags and spent time pulling out each toy and having a little competition with each one. We had tops and streamers, lip spinners and flyers, punching balloons and finger traps. It was exciting and loud! After opening presents we had popsicles and popcorn.
Later that day we had dinner with Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Rhonda. He chose stake and potatoes, corn on the cob and watermelon. For a cake he chose angel food cake. I love that he had his party popper ready so he could pop it after he blew out his candles.  He is very blessed and really had a great time.  We all love John.

Here is a little girly frivolity. Isn't that balloon wrapping paper the cutest birthday wrapping paper you have every seen!! 

Sympathy

Frequently Margaret freely joins John in time-out to show her sympathy. I wonder if there is a little guilt in there too?

Swim Lessons

 We are so blessed to have our good friend Lindsey teaching my kids swimming. They are having a great time and progressing so well.

Point of View

 It is fun to think about life though Margaret's perspective. The daughter, the little sister, the one that has to be patient and watch, the one that will follow, and the one that will join the group. She is a dear heart.

Margaret Sweeping

In reality, everything just gets spread around more. On the bright side I am glad to see her building her confidence.

Nicole

This is little angel is a delight. Congratulations to Dallin, Collen and Kendra.

Bunk Bed

It was a long and dusty process refinishing Kelly's childhood bunk bed set but already it has been worth it. I love the color and it has freed up so much space. It is a whole new room. Perfect for a Dad to read "Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase" to the kids in.

Jesus, Listening, Can Hear

Just as summer was getting rolling my camera broke. Ahh! 

With every day that past I saw so many things that I wanted to record—cute things John would build, Clara's birthday, the Residency Retreat where the cotton was stunningly falling like snow from the cottonwood trees, all the fund days of the Seaman Soiree, the last time Granite will have there fireworks show, Independence Day, Pioneer Day, and nice everyday things. 

It seemed like each day was a missed opportunity to capture and remember something wonderful. Then I had a thought that gave me sweet consolation—it came from a story about a little handicapped girl named Heather, who could only communicate by blinking. One time her speech therapist tried to find Heather’s favorite song, and after days of her blinking “no,” the therapist finally found it—There is Sunshine in My Soul Today. She started to sing it to Heather and came to the verse that says:

There is music in my soul today,
A carol to my King,

And Jesus listening can hear,
The songs I cannot sing.

And in the therapist’s words, “Heather’s reaction to that line was so strong that I stopped. I looked at her as the reality and significance of the moment pressed on my mind. ‘Heather, is that what you like about the song?’ I asked. ‘Is that what you want me to know? That Jesus is listening, and he can hear the songs you cannot sing?’ She lifted her head and looked me straight in the eyes. The testimony had been borne.” (This is the whole story.)

I like to think that the same thing is happening while I am without my camera—that the angels are capturing the images and memories that I love, but can’t record at this time. This gives me comfort, especially thinking that they undoubtedly do a better job.

 Our next door neighbor's tree is losing its seeds. I like seeing where they end up.

 We have gotten on the "flavored water" bandwagon for our evening meal beverage.

Sunflower Leafs

Tautphaus Park Zoo

The Warnock girls invited us to the zoo and we were only too happy to catch a ride. I was pleasantly surprised by this zoo. It was shady, there were plenty of fun big animals that were fun to watch, the staff was personable, and the show just right for my children. The biggest plus I wasn't exhausted by the end.  



Junie B. and Go Dog, Go!