The kids are away for the week. Emma is with her Dad and Brax is on a canoe trip with his teacher's quorum. If I didn't have to work, I would go away until they come home.  (insert sad face here)

It is not fun. I miss them. 

 

at rock canyon park

Yesterday

This is what happens every time we get in the car to drive her to her Dad's.

After dropping off Em, Brax and I went to this.

I'm not sure if it was the highlight of Braxton's week, hanging out with his mom, but I had fun. The movie was alright. The special effects were great. I had low expectations, but Brax told me to ignore the critics. If the critics hated it, chances are "I will love it". 

3 posts in 1 day. wow.

When cooking, a fun apron and cute shoes are a must.

I absolutely love this. Note to self: This would be a great New Year's board.

Found here.

Notes.

I found this in the pocket of my jacket today. 
Love love notes.

Milestone

15 year old has Learner's Permit. He is thrilled. 

Not sure how I feel...

photo forthcoming.

MOM! COME DOWN AND SEE ME!!!

me: you come upstairs.

emma: no! come down here!

me: I'm folding clothes (also cleaning out my email from my phone), you come up here.

emma: mommmyyyy, please come down!

me: really?

emma: please mommy!

me: (sigh), ok. I will be right there.

self portrait, being oblivious

what I would have missed had I kept being a mom that wasn't really listening...

I'm glad I didn't miss it.

Another pretty print.

Available here

I want to walk down this street (and maybe live here)

England

beloved quote

“The real glory is being knocked to your knees and then coming back. That’s real glory. That’s the essence of it.” (Vince Lombardi)

a new year.

Yesterday, the kids and I did our annual 'what we want to do in 2011' FHE. Such fun. 

Brax had a great list. I reminded him to write down, 'driver's license'.  He was more interested in finishing his novel. Unfortunately we had to include scouts. I could be shot down for that one. Yes, I know, there is no wonderment where my children get certain personality traits.

I tried and tried to get Emma to write, "I'm going to be baptized". We 'debated' over it for a while. She didn't flinch. That kid is a rock. We finally settled on, "sharing her testimony more" - her idea. She does think it is important to be baptized. She understands it as she should, but she isn't 'going under water' mom.  And, honestly, I doesn't matter how many times I show her pictures of the Savior in the water with John or read her a book on baptism (really cute book, you can buy here. No it didn't work. 

She reminds me constantly of the time I dunked her in her grandparents swimming pool in St. George this past summer. For the record,I did not dunk her. I was holding her and merely took us under. Not a good move apparently.  Hank practiced with her a couple of months ago. I thought she was ready to go. Not so much. So we will wait until she is ready. She suggested 9 or 10 (years old). That means the missionaries have to come over to teach her. 

I wonder what the bishop will say. :)

I think we may have to try swimming lessons in the spring.

Anyway, it was a fun evening.