a new christmas song.

My friend, who will remain anonymous, is a Relief Society president in a nearby Provo ward. She came in my office today and said, 'I'm putting together Christmas for my ward'. 'Well, that sounds fun,' I replied, and she said...

'Hell on earth'

Braxton's blessing day

The years goes by so fast and I can't make them slow down. Sometimes I wish they would stop and let me rewind, just for a moment, so I could savor him as a little boy again. He is an amazing young man. Last night he asked me if I could name any talents he has. I rattled off ten in less than 30 seconds and could have kept going with many more, but he left my room smiling. As I was making dinner last night he came in and stood next to me. I had to glance up to look at his face and I asked him if he had grown again. He just shrugged and grinned. I felt a fleeting twinge of sadness. It came and left as different parts of him do everyday now. The small hands are gone, the small feet. The crooked teeth are straight, the toys he carried around now forgotten. There is a phone in his pocket, and he no longer has holes in his jeans from crawling around on the playground. I can't rest my chin on his head anymore, but the youthful face is still there. That's good. I'm not ready to let go of that yet.


Braxton. Baptism Day. Age: 8 years, 2 weeks.

Braxton. Blessing Day. Age: 13 years, 11 months, 1 week.
we have the same smile.

His blessing was beautiful and the Patriarch's home felt like a temple. We took Ryan and Alli with us of course. I can't wait to read it. I hope he lets me.

Emma would LOVE these.



Me too.

found here

Today I want to be her.

found here.

time for school

8th grade. sunburned (last two days of freedom spent at Lagoon and Seven Peaks). ready to rock school. sporting size 13 men's shoes. and towering over his mom at 5'7" (and still growing)... anyone know a good place to buy size 14 shoes?


1st grade. excited for her new school. teeth falling out and growing in. new soccer player. loves the jonas brothers. loves to dance. daddy's girl all the way. writing her lunch # on her wrist. has her own desk-cool! independent. walking home with cousins.

In my rearview mirror.

I had pie today, as a shake.

Finally got to Sammy's with Chelle today. It was SO good.



They actually cut a piece of pie and put into a blender with ice cream. YUM.

She said the sweet potato fries were better than guru's. I didn't believe, but she was right. She also ordered us a hamburger with guacamole and pico de gallo. It wasn't bad but I don't know...

Just in case you think I am completely gluttonous, we shared. Well... I may have eaten most of the pie shake thing.

Lunch at Sammy'... tonight only vegetables and 30 extra minutes on the treadmill. It was worth it.

From yesterday...new hair cut, courtesy of my friend and amazing hair stylist, Court.



I have bangs again. Brax said I looked weird with hair in my eyes. Emma thought I was pretty. 1 for 2.

A long time coming.

Today is the last day of daycare for Miss Emma. I've decided to keep her home for August. She will hang out with her brother, me, then her Dad for a few days. Daycare has taken its toll on me through Brax and then Emma. I hope, for all our sakes, that it is finished.

She is now registered for first grade. Incredible.

I so miss that little face, but the time to move on has come.

Hallelujah.

blessings and gratitude

today I am very grateful for our neighbor and elders quorum president bob and his lovely wife Angie. tonight he came over at 10:30 p.m. after what was a very long day at work and fixed our a/c.

it was sooo hot and we are extremely grateful to be sleeping in cool air again.

concern for the one.

Found this on the BYU CTL Web site today. Thought it was lovely.

“The Lord did not people the earth with a vibrant orchestra of personalities only to value the piccolos of the world. Every instrument is precious and adds to the complex beauty of the symphony. All of Heavenly Father’s children are different in some degree, yet each has his own beautiful sound that adds depth and richness to the whole.”


Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Concern for the One,” Ensign, May 2008.

Phone Photos

Least you think all I do is run youth programs...here are some photos from June and July.

More later...

With Cousins




Funny Faces







Tooth Free Grin



Temple Open House




Sunburn



Asleep... Finally




July 4th










Bright and Blurry Mom.




My friend Chelle (who works with me and still likes me :)

Oh, the sweet smell of blackmail

Today I picked up my baby from her fun 2 1/2 day visit with her Dad.
As he tried to strap her into her car seat she yelled at him to stop.

'Daddy! I'm hot!!! I want to take off my pants!!!'

Which she did.

Probably not behavior we want to encourage

and...

about 5 seconds after we had pulled on to I-15 she said to me,

'Mommy! I'm going to pee in 3 seconds!'


I'm so using this against her when she is 15.