This morning Ella wanted to write a letter to Santa. In my surprise, I told her that maybe Santa hasn't started working yet because Halloween isn't even here. She didn't buy that and insisted that we get started on her Christmas list right away. So I got her a piece of paper, intrigued to hear what she needed to tell Santa this early.
I guess I better tell Santa that his vacation is officially over.
i know the classic phrase for moms to say is how did they grow up that fast? here i am joining the ranks and asking that very same question.
he's eight. he's baptized. and it happened just like that.
it was a wonderful day for him and for us. we were able to get granny and grandpa here from guatemala and grandma and grandpa here from utah and even the thunells from california…along with all our loved ones here in arizona. i can't think of anything more special for an 8-year-old boy–to feel loved and feel the Spirit.
i am grateful to be his mom and watch him make choices that will guide and bless him. and i'm sure that he is making these decisions because he wants to. he told us about a year ago that he wanted to read the Book of Mormon before he was eight. i was blown away by that. but he wanted to do it and he did. one of the sweetest things is seeing his testimony beginning to form and mine continuing to grow along with his. i love the gospel of Jesus Christ.
three cousins baptized together.
receiving a special gift from granny and grandpa
and us…always in sunday clothes and always in the same pose 🙂
Words can't describe the love I have for this family.
I met Alexis more than seven years ago at just the right time. We had just moved to a new city. A new state. A new world. I was feeling completely lost and afraid when she showed up at my door. It wasn't by chance that she came into my home and my life at that time. She didn't waste time with the usual get-to-know-you small talk. She went straight to the punch. "How are you really doing?" she asked sincerely. I was inclined to just say fine. But I could tell that wasn't going to cut it with her. I talked. She listened. And a friendship began…one of those friendships that changes you forever.
And boy, have we have changed since then.
I've had three children. She's had three children.
They've moved twice. We've moved twice.
With the way I communicate (i.e., lousy), you might think our friendship wouldn't weather the distance. But she's good that way. She still calls at just the right time to say, "How are you really doing?" I love her for that.
We've talked about family photos for years, but the timing has never seemed to work out. Last week, the stars aligned and all was magical. It worked something like this:
In California on a Saturday
1:00 pm – We are sitting in her kitchen talking while she is cooking up a delicious pot of potato soup. Everyone is getting excited because we are going to the pumpkin patch in a little bit.
1:15 pm – I ask if she wants to attempt family photos before we head back to Arizona. It seems way too complicated but I can see her wheels turning.
1:30 pm – She asks Adam (husband) if he thinks they could make it work. I could see his wheels turning too but in the other direction. 🙂
1:45 pm – A decision has been made. Skip the pumpkin patch. We are going to make it happen! (But we only have 2 hours to do it)
2:00 pm – Alexis and I are on a mission to see what clothes we can pull together.
2:30 pm – Still throwing stuff together. Outfitting 8 people is tricky!
2:45 pm – Now where do we take the pictures? We are driving back to their house when we both glance over at a spot of evergreen trees and fields right by their home. We both let out an audible gasp! That's it!
3:00 pm – Kids dressed. Hair combed. Barely. Faces still a little sticky but that's ok.
3:10 pm – Her family piles out of their van while my family waits behind in ours. No need to have an extra 4 hoodlums running around.
3:10-4:00 pm – Pure heaven. This is why I love doing this. I can think of few things better than being with one of my favorite families in the whole world, documenting their family relationships and love for each other. I get all emotional just thinking about it. I love them. And it doesn't hurt that Jeff was behind me making them laugh and smile like he always does. I will just let you guess what kind of noises he was making. 🙂
Mission accomplished. And here are the treasures! By the way, I think it was more than serendipitous that Kate (cutie with the heart sweater on) ended up in the middle. That heart ties it all together perfectly.
here is a bit more of this lovely little family in which:
a) they are as wonderfully kind and genuine as they are beautiful
b) they tolerated my obnoxious animal sounds
c) and still laughed and thought i was funny. or crazy. one of the two!
i spent a little time with these girls (and their dad too) this past weekend. these shots are topping my list of favorites. positively gorgeous!
It's been busy around here. A good busy filled with much anticipated events, house guests, and lots of friend & family time. I love having a full house but with that comes the departures that leave me standing at the door way in tears. This is part of our life that I'm still not used to. Even though we've been through it over and over again, it still stings every time we have to say goodbye.
September came and left and I find myself struggling to remember what happened. I think there have been so many things on my mind lately that I can only concentrate on a few days at a time. Anything too far in the past or future is blurry. I'm glad I started doing this project because it forces me to reflect on things that I otherwise might forget. And I don't want to forget.
Our picture was a quick one during a trip to the temple the last Sunday in September. I love the peace I feel there. And I love going as a family and seeing how excited the kids are to be at the temple. I am looking forward to having one a little closer to home.
We had a birthday this month. It was a big one. Number 8. Dallin has been anticipating it for a long time. Somehow I always end up staying up to the wee hours to decorate or do something special. I don't mind though. I never want them to feel like their birthday is just another day. This one was definitely a success. He is still basking in his 8-ness. Which he should. It's a great age to be. Awkward teeth and all.
I feel like we've gotten into the swing of school. I have been so worried about how Ella would do in Kindergarten. I worried about what school would be like for her period. I think all my worries were in vain. She loves it. And I am so grateful. Granted, she's only there half day. But we're off to a good start. Only one thing she doesn't like, her teacher said they couldn't hum while they worked. I had a good laugh at that.
Lincoln is still Lincoln. We still have tantrums and screaming daily but I also get squeeze hugs and that sweet, sweet dimpled smile. He loves to sit on the couch with his sippy cup of milk, blanket in hand, and watch his favorite buddies, The Wonder Pets. I love the time we have each day when the older ones are at school and the little one is asleep. Just us.
Christian started walking. He also threw a phone in the toilet. Oh man, I'm not ready for this stage of constant trouble. How do you keep a bathroom locked down when you have a 3-year old that is still trying to figure out the potty training thing? Needless to say, I've found Christian toilet fishing on more than 10 occasions. Other than that not-so-fun thing, I love this age of Frankenstein toddling. I also love to smother his cheeks with kisses. He usually doesn't mind until the 20th time and then he starts to whine a little. I just can't help myself.
Jeff spent lots of time scouting and I spent lots of time primary-ing. I was recently called to be the Primary chorister just in time for the Primary program at the end of September. I stepped in right after they had already learned all the songs. Phew! 😉 I am completely exhausted when I come home from church each Sunday, but truly it is one of the most fulfilling places to be. There is nothing sweeter than hearing children sing and feeling the truthfulness of the simple messages in those words.
While I can't quite remember every detail of September, I do know that we spent time as a family loving each other. Dinner around the table is still my favorite time of day. Even if someone is usually crying or whining that they don't like what I've made. Even so, I love that we love each other. Now I need to take counsel from Pres. Uchtdorf in General Conference and focus on loving myself more. I've spent way too many years struggling with this one thing. September was a low point for me in that regard. I'm grateful for his words that spoke to my soul and I'm determined to put them into practice.
September is gone. October is here. I'm ready for it.
What a treat to start off the photo season with this bunch. Yummy fields of trees and sunflowers…and ants. But what I really loved was these two little ones in the last few shots. Twins. Man, they are cute! Complete with squeeze hugs & kisses that bordered on a choke hold, giggles, and whispered secrets. Love this family!
sometimes I feel quite literally like my head is in the clouds…or that my brain is slowly meandering up, up, and away from me.
some weeks there are many intelligent thoughts floating around in there.
other weeks, all i can seem to find is mush and maybe a side of corn bread.
today i've managed to locate a few dust bunnies where my memory once was.
and i want to say, "come back, ralphie, come baaaaack."
Scenes from our trip to Utah last month.
There were lots of favorites from our visit but I had no idea how much they'd love the trip to This Is The Place monument. You would have thought we were at an amusement park, that's how much they were into the place. Making arrowhead necklaces, getting a shave, pioneer school, dipping candles, riding trains and horses. I'm thinking we'll be back this way again.