Wordless Wednesday...A Touch of Summer

Front Yard Foilage

My Front yard this weekend...

This yellow tree that I can't figure out what it is.  We had one in Hillsboro too...anyone know?

And of course the best part of my front yard is this cute little boy that carries around his Hot Wheels, needs his mommy, and loves to give hugs.

Downtown in the Fall

Madeline had a free day from school and everyone else had to attend, so guess what we did?

Downtown Portland!!

Iconic Portland drinking fountains were running.

Gorgeous old churches with intricate stained glass line the park blocks.  

The history speaks to me.

Of course we went to Powells to check out the overwhelming amount of books for sale.  Madeline is sick to death of all the remakes made into vampire adaptions.  Doesn't she look like she needs a book to read on this park bench?

We had a great time.  Next time your in need of something free to do, wander downtown and check out Powells, the Central Library, The flying Scottsman Food Cart, and the Park blocks.  It wont disappoint.

Yes....I Can (And no this is not an Obama Post)

Yep, these beauties are like love in a bottle.  They only come out on special occasions and must not be touched!  I repeat....Step away from the PEARS!  In my humble opinion, these fruits are the hardest to can.  You have to painstakingly peel them by hand so every bottle is rationed in our house.  I even hide them in a cupboard than no one ever goes into.  

My neighbor fixed a door for me the other day and in return for his helpfulness, I gave him a can of peaches.  He was astonished because he didn't realize that anyone still canned.  To which I replied, Yes...I Can!

It's Black and White

I might be good at it...but it doesn't mean that I like it...

Chuggin Down The Track

Our Staycation on the Hood River Train

We sat in the "old" car with the old fashioned "air conditioning".  It's called windows!   Needless to say, most of the other passengers were wimps and stayed in the more modern car with the domed ceiling.  My kids loved having the car to themselves as you can see....

It was relaxing for some of us...

mesmorizing for others....

Just plain fun!

 Contemplative for some...

Informative for the smarty pants

Stories illustrated at every turn...

The thrill was intense...

The peace, profound...

Life comes at you fast...

The key is to keep your face in the sunshine...and all the shadows fall behind.  (Helen Keller)

Conference Traditions: Shoe Shining

During the break between sessions of LDS conference, my daughters and I go on a walk.  We talk.  We laugh.  We bond Oregonian style by looking at all the pretty flowers and trees that surround us.  I showed my inquisitive daughters the "secret" paths that conjoin the streets behind their schools.  It's creepy and cool at the same time.  I remember going to my friends houses through those secret passages and loved showing them the forest hidden between.

What do the boys do?  Well they stay at home and shine shoes.  It's a tradition that my husband loves and Christian is starting to get into as well.  I must admit, that a good shoe shine will help even the homeliest footwear look fabulous.  I'd venture to guess that half of my husbands footwear was purchased second hand.  Mine is probably 1/3 of my total shoe population.   

These guys I have had since my mission.  They've been resoled and have new shoelaces, but are in amazing condition otherwise.  I call them my Laura Ingalls Wilder Crap Kickers!  I love them and wear them in the fall and winter more than once a week. 

Saying Goodbye to September

Everything is whizzing past us this month....

It's hard to take time to stop...and smell the roses...

And enjoy the fruits of our labor.

The lazy days of summer are gone...

Happy Fall Everyone!

Picture Day (Hair Art)

My daughter has a healthy head of hair.  It's almost down to her waist and she doesn't want to cut it anytime soon.  Recently, she has asked to get it permed like Taylor Swift.

So I set about to make her wish come true for Picture Day.  Rather than spend an unholy amount of time in the morning, I thought I'd give rag rolling a try.  And what goes best with rag rolling waist length hair?  Of course, watching Pride and Prejudice!  While I patiently rolled each section, we enjoyed the ramblings of Mr. Darcy and the Bennetts.

We also discussed our latest read, Catching Fire.  Oh how I love teenagers!  In fact both my son and my daughter read, I Am Number 4, with me.  Ok...I digress...

So this morning I woke up bright and early to "unroll" and see how it turned out.  This was the result...

Let me tell you, this picture does not do it justice!  She liked it.  But when she got home, she was practically bouncing off the walls like Tigger and his amazing corkscrew tail!!  "Mom, I loooove curly hair.  I want to wear it like this all the time.  Mom, I don't care that I didn't buy pics this year....here, look at my Student ID."  She was giddy.  Her only complaint was that she wanted to wear her hair like this all the time and if putting up in a bun for ballet would ruin her new found love.  

My how I love being creative and giving my daughter even more reason to love me.  :)

My Art

                        My "Creations" and their unique personalities...

The "Diva"

The "Athlete"

The "Scientist"

The "Lover"

The "Star Student"

What I love about these shots is they are totally unplanned but showcase all of their different styles...this is as real as it gets...

Mother Knows Best

I know you hear of mother's that think there kid is the cutest child ever put on earth, the smartest, the most talented, etc....well I hate those mothers. They give us moms who actually know that our kids have faults, a bad name. I'm here today to redeem myself....I think my daughter is gifted. I think all my children are gifted in some way but today I want to talk about Brighten. Brighten has been in dance since she was 3. She is coordinated and not shy in front of an audience. As she grew, I noticed that although she is a really good dancer, she held herself a little differently than my other daughter. She is very flexible and a great monkey bar afficionado. In my mom brain, I just knew that she was a natural gymnast. As she grew (or didn't grow for that matter) her little frame was built like Mary Lou Retton.

Now that we live very close to a great gymnastics center, I enrolled her in a beginning summer class to try it out. Of course, it was very evident to me that she was the best of the best in her class. You should have seen her dismount off of the balance beam today! Anyway, the teacher recommended that I place her in an intermediate class.

This would be skipping a class. I promptly signed her up. She had to go back later today for a makeup class because of her recent bout of shingles, so I dropped her off this afternoon in an intermediate class with a different teacher. I came in a few minutes before it ended, and it was evident that she was better than all the girls that were in that class...but who am I to judge right? I'm just the mom who thinks her kid can do no wrong right? Apparently, that was not the case. The teacher pulled me aside and told me that not only should Brighten skip intermediate, but Advanced as well and move straight into Training for competition...yes that is right folks...my kid is a natural! So now I will have a little gymnast on my hands. She hopefully will be competing in the spring and I will be one proud mom for pegging my kid's natural talent. So I guess I'm not a freaky mom after all...

Keeping it in Perspective

It's all about perspective, is it not?

Today, I'm unpacking my office.  Yes, for the first time in a few years and several moves, I have an office.  Somewhere to really hang my hat in.  Room for all my books, graph paper, tear sheets (design lingo for magazine pages you love) colored pencils and two desks.  I unpacked the scrapbook paper and brads.  Have way too much artwork to hang, but I will edit as best as I can.

It's amazing what a little perspective can accomplish.  It would have taken me weeks to get done what I have done in days, but since going to school, I feel like I can cram so much more into my day.  I didn't get perfect grades, but 3 A's and a B is fine for this mom of 5 who actually has a life and has to cook every meal.  

It boggles my mind that I couldn't get straight A's in college when it was just little old me.  I mean really?  I think I just do better with no time on my hands than too much.  

And as a last thought, I want to share this talk....this man moves me on a regular basis.  He speaks volumes to me and I can always read between his lines.  A remarkable mind and a spiritual giant...

Great talk by Neal A Maxwell

"Such longing for a heavenly home is real, especially in view of how this life is designed. After all, brothers and sisters, when we rejoice in beautiful scenery, great art, and great music, it is but the flexing of instincts acquired in another place and another time."

Grateful for Today

(One of the flowers in my yard...a dahlia I believe)

Sometimes life can be pretty overwhelming.  Thinking back on the last 4 weeks and what I have accomplished since my kids got out of school gives me a sense of satisfaction that can only be reached when you do really hard things.  Rather than give you the big long list, just know that I accomplished more than was humanly possible.

But today, I'm just grateful that I have made it.

I am grateful that I am ok with just 90% instead of 100%.

I am grateful for the spine that I have grown.

I am grateful for my yard.

I am grateful for the overwhelming love I have for my ward.

I am grateful for all the friends I made in Sherwood.

I am grateful for the development of patience.

I am grateful for this gorgeous home.

I am grateful that my husband makes a good living.

I am grateful that I know my Savior lives and loves me.

I am grateful for forgiveness and the healing that it brings.

I am grateful that I get a month off of school.

I am grateful that the kids have found new friends already.

I am grateful that our cat waited to have babies until we moved.

I am grateful that I am strong and that I did it.  And that I know, I will never be given more than I can handle....

(A lily right outside my kitchen window)

City of Roses

We've had 3 sunny days in 3 months...literally. It doesn't seem to affect the roses that I love so much. Not a fan of hybrids but love a good garden variety shrub rose or cabbage rose. Can't get enough of these beauties.

My Rain

Deliver me from it.

Running from it.

Endless sound of it.

Mess of it.

Sick of it....

Letting it finally sink in.

Drinking it.

Absorbing it.

Purified by it.

Rejoicing in it.