'Tis The Season

Last year we went apple picking four times.
We'll see how many times we make it this year.

You may be thinking
"What do they do with all those apples?"

I'll let you in on a little secret...
...we don't pick apples every time.
We go for the hay ride, the animals, the play places, and the apple cider and cider donut lunch.

I hope we aren't picking in shorts and t-shirts next time.
It just doesn't feel quite right.

Forget Me Not

I love this talk. After I heard it, I wanted to send a bouquet of "Forget Me Not" flowers to every woman who has touched my life (you know who you are).

I also love this quote from Marianne Williamson

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.' We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Happy Birthday

Dearest Little Bug,

This month you turned six. How is it possible that you are already 1/3 the way thru your childhood? It seems like yesterday I was holding you in the hospital. I felt so inadequate. I was. I had no idea how to be a mom. I still don't, but I am grateful you are patient and forgiving.

I can't believe how capable you are. I am amazed by your abilities. My favorite things to do with you are to swim and ride bikes. You have mastered both. I love to watch you read. You hated reading, but you stuck with it, and now the world is yours. Math comes so easily to you. I love watching you think. I love your imagination. I love how you construct things.

You are my conqueror. The world is yours. My heart is yours. I love you Daniel.

love,

Mom

Through the Looking Glass

Perspective

Being outside on a sunny, crisp day,
admiring these ocean beauties...

...makes me grateful for life and this mortal experience.

One

Dear Little Anna,

Sometimes I can't believe your little body houses such a grand spirit. You pack a punch...a pure, beautiful, and unconquerable punch. You've stolen my heart, and you make it melt every time I squeeze you.

I love your cheesy smile.

I love your insatiable curiosity.

I love that you cuddle with me. I love how you battle the world, and don't let anything hold you back (not even two older brothers). I love how you haven't fully experienced something until you've tasted it. I love to watch your little fingers pick up Cheerios and how you use your fingers to figure out what is in every hole or crevice you come across. I love how you scream for me at the foot of your crib and how excited you are to see me when I pick you up. I love how you smell after a refreshing bath. But mostly, I love that you are my little girl and I am your mommy.

Happy Birthday little one.

love,

Mom

The Sound of Crickets

Do you know what I love about camping?

Well, the s'mores, and the starry sky, but...

...I mostly love how time seems to slow down.

Back to School

This school year our family theme is...

· “ Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.” (D&C 19:23)

We had a feast to celebrate the beginning of this momentous occasion.
These little guys stole the evening spotlight.

"Education is not filling a pail but the lighting of a fire."
-William Butler Yeats

The evening was spent dining on...

greens, beets, walnuts, blue cheese, lemon vinaigrette salad
almond-crusted salmon with caramelized onions
tomato dill couscous

and...

delicious conversations.

So watch out world, here they come...

...after dessert of course.

Cheers to this year!