just arrived

Welcome our new addition:

Morgan Dawn

born Feb. 26

weighing 8 lbs. 14 oz.

Mommy & Morgan

Feeling a little pain; pre-epidural

Little miss Morgan is more than a pound larger than my last two kids. I also have a funky tailbone that would not flatten out, so my doctor had to use forceps. My epidural had worn off in the pelvic region so I was able to feel pretty much everything, as far as the crowning & pulling went. Ouch! But, I only pushed for about 40 minutes and was in labor a total of 3 hours (having arrived at the hospital already dilated to 6). Still, no complaints--she's beautiful and healthy. Gene & I are officially out numbered--let the juggling begin!

Our three girls!

Emma, Morgan & Sarah

because i'm bored

Two weekends ago we attended a birthday/swimming party for Sarah's cousins Madysen & Annie (who are moving in a couple weeks to Austin, Texas). :(

Here are some cute pics from the swimming pool. I tried to get the girls together, but it was so loud I could hardly hear myself, let alone expect them to hear me. It was a really nice pool and they had lots of fun.

Sarah heading up the stairs.

Sarah smiling for the camera, Emma over her shoulder (r).

Emma trying to resist scratching her eczema.

Daddy playing with his girls.

(They don't make a swimming suit big enough for this preggy!)

anticipation

This is starting to get depressing. Or, at least, very boring! Still no baby yet, though I am dilated 3 cm and 50% effaced. And that was at my last appointment last week, so I might (thinking optimistically here) actually be dilated even more now. ???.....

We have everything ready...and waiting...and waiting. Anymore waiting and things will no longer be ready. I'm referring to the cleanliness of my house. One can only keep a house "ready-for-baby-clean" for so long, before one has to clean again.

I guess it's just as well, my OB is out of town until Tuesday anyway.

Update: February 22,

Today my OB said that I'm dilated 4 cm and 60% effaced, and then he NOT so gently stripped the membranes (irritated the cervix). He expects me to go into labor sometime this weekend, and wants me to call him Saturday morning. Keep your fingers crossed!

And, on the name front, we are back to square one. Gene doesn't want Lynn as a middle name (he has a bad association w/ a Lynn from his childhood) and I'm not as crazy about Sophia as I thought I'd be. I still like Morgan though. Ugh!...

superbowl weekend

The location: my brother's house in Logan, UT. The date: February 3-4, 2007. The event: The XLI Superbowl (Bears vs. Colts).

It's one of the most anticipated weekends of the year for our family! Every year we make the trek to Logan and stay all weekend playing games, games, games and eating food, food, food. This year I debated even going given that I'm 9 months pregnant--the thought of going into labor 2 hours away from home didn't sound fun. It's a testament to how fun the party is that, barring severe contractions, I'd still go.

Sarah & Emma: "Are we there yet?"

Saturday we hit some factory stores and then the adults went out to dinner while all the munchkins stayed home being watched by our very capable teenage nieces. After dinner we headed to the elementary school, where Laura works, for some black-light volleyball. I wish I could've played--I love volleyball! I sat out and watched everyone else play and have fun, that is until my poor niece sprained her ankle. Ouch! We took that opportunity to go back and put the kids to bed.

Me, Laura & Felicia outside the restaurant Saturday. (Cheryl was off buying yarn on a bet that she couldn't do it in under 10 minutes...I still owe you that $5...show off.) ;)

The next morning we attended Don's ward, and heard my other bro, Jeff, bare a beautiful testimony. After church there was a group attitude of "let the games begin!" Here's where it gets really fun! My brother, Don, puts so much time, money & energy into these games. Last year it was "American Idol". Two years ago it was "Fear Factor". This year we played "Deal or No Deal". Sarah and her six cousins were the models, with Jeff as "Howie" and Don as "the banker". Each family got a turn to play for "the million" (ie: a $25 gift card to Best Buy). Unfortunately, each family knocked out the million within the first six cases.

L to R: Chelsea, Madysen, Annie, Sarah modeling & Cheryl (playing)

L to R: Jessica, Alyssa, Chelsea, Madysen & Annie modeling (Lysette out of modeling due to her sprained ankle)

Don also provides a questionnaire for each person to fill out with fun questions about the superbowl, like: What company will sponsor the first commercial after kickoff? What color outfit will Prince wear? Which team will make the first touchdown? etc. Whoever gets the most questions right by the end of the game wins a prize. Also, we play 100-square, with signatures in each square & numbers drawn out and assigned before the game begins. Whoever matches the numbers at score changes and quarter scores gets some big prizes. It makes watching the superbowl so much fun even for the little ones! This year we didn't win any quarter prizes, but that's okay because last year we won 3 out of the 4 quarters!

Felicia cooking up a storm of her famous egg rolls.

We had a blast! Thanks, Don & Laura, for yet another great weekend and opportunity for all of us to do some sibling bonding! We love you!

daddy daughter dance '07

Last Friday Gene took Sarah to their second annual Daddy Daughter Valentines Dance. It's a non-secular dance for the whole community (girls 3-18 and their dad's), and many of our friends from our homeschooling group attend. Sarah was looking forward to it all week and Gene sure delivered! He gave her a rose (and Emma too--even though Emma will be three in only a few days, we decided it might be better for her to stay home this year) and got dressed up in shirt & tie and took her to IHOP for dinner. Sarah wanted to wear pink with her hair down this year.



Gene said the turn out was just as big as last year, but they opened up another room so it wasn't so stuffy. They also had craft booths & a balloon artist this year.

Gene & Sarah at home

(on the right you'll see a glimpse of my family heirloom piano that we just inherited)

"Super Daddy" with his girls

(Emma pouting a bit that she's not going to the dance)

Before everyone arrived at the dance (Sarah in the middle wearing pink)

Sarah and her friend twirling...

Junie (from our HS group) and Sarah giving Valentine hugs! :)

As I tucked Sarah into bed that night I asked her if she had a good time. This is our conversation...

Sarah: "Oh yes! It was sooo romantic Mom! They played Aladdin & Mary Poppins music while Daddy & I danced. Have you ever had a romantic date like that with Daddy?"

Me: "Actually yes. Daddy took me to a very nice hotel just a couple weeks ago, remember?"

Sarah: "But did you guys have pink cookies with sprinkles and a disco ball?"

Me: "Well, no."

Sarah: "Well, we did--have cookies with sprinkles and a disco ball that was super sparkly!"

Me: "Oh my! It sounds like your date tops them all!"

Sarah: "Mom, it was the BEST! I love Daddy!"

Ugggh! My heart could just burst on days like this. Love, love, love.....

off to a good start

Well, the holidays have come & gone without any pics--sorry. Lots of video, but it's always one thing or the other. We did have family over on Christmas Eve for dinner and a movie, and we had a blast at my sister's house on New Year's Eve for a party--complete with strobe light and fog machine and loud music. Good times!

The weekend of January 12th Gene and I checked into the Grand America Hotel. Gene had won the Romance Package which included a night's stay in the executive suite, dinner credit, spa and valet parking. This is the same hotel that the President stayed at when he visited, and our only 5-star hotel. Can I just say that the service was impeccable. At check-in we were greeted by the concierge holding a silver tray with bottled water and warm cookies. Around every turn a staff member greeted us by name. It was a little creepy, but kind of felt like royalty. Anywho, our dinner was great and the breakfast was fabulous and our hotel room was...WOW! We stayed up til 2am just enjoying our surroundings and ordering room service. It was a lot of fun and very "romantic". Thanks sweetie!

The front lobby at the Grand America Hotel.

Waiting for us in the sitting room of our suite was this personalized letter, roses & a plate of white chocolate swans filled with berries & truffles.

The view from the sitting room looking into the bedroom. I loved their color scheme!

The view (NE) from our 16th floor balcony.

Looking through the vanity/dressing room into the marble bathroom.

That's me taking the picture and Gene watching TV.

Of course the best part of the entire stay is that it was FREE! Oh,... and being with my hubby (haha). :) The next week we celebrated my birthday--kind of a bitter-sweet day for me. For some reason the thought of turning another year older while being pregnant gave me an emotional breakdown for a moment. I'm so feeling old and fat right now! And actually I've only gained 18 pounds with this pregnancy. The due date being February 19th, it could be any day now--post Superbowl party please! No name yet, but we have narrowed it down to two... weigh in with your opinion:

Sophia Lynn or Morgan Lynn???

*blogger is having problems uploading pictures...more to come...

christmas stuff and updates

Sorry I've been so lame about posting. I'm either physically tired or brain dead lately and just can't seem to muster up the energy to update this blog. Sadly another side effect of being tired is that I haven't taken advantage of the many photo ops that we've had, so hence I have very few pics to post. Shortly after the Art Co-op ended here at my house the girls and I came down with a head cold; mine went to my chest and turned into bronchitis. The good news is that we are better now. We've enjoyed a homeschool Christmas craft day (complete with hot cocoa and cookies), a homeschool fieldtrip to the Nutcracker ballet and a family trip to Midway, UT to visit the Creche exhibits and Swiss days gingerbread house displays/silent auction.

This one was my favorite! The entire thing is edible, made with gingerbread and royal frosting. Last I saw it was going for $750 dollars!

We let Sarah take some pictures of some nativity exhibits, but they turned out a little too blurry. It was fascinating to see over 900 displays from all over the world. The smallest nativity scene was whittled on top of a match-stick, and you needed a magnifying glass to view it. There was one made from mud & dung from the Congo, and another made from the volcanic ashes of Mt. Saint Helen's. There were nativities carved from olive wood from Israel, and ones hand painted on eggs from Asia; all very incredible.

Last Friday we had our ward Christmas party and Primary program in which Sarah sang (songs that I didn't even recognize). Then the next day we visited Santa and two of his eight reindeer. Only Santa left promptly at 3:00 leaving half the line stranded & feeling like we were on his "naughty" list. So we will have to make another attempt to see him at the mall or somewhere.

I've also had my doctor check-up. My blood pressure was better than it's been a couple times before-yay! And I'm measuring (both with the tape and the ultrasound) earlier than my original due date. So now I'm "due" February 20-something. Emma's birthday (she'll turn three) is February 11th. I think it's going to be close! We still don't have a name picked out. Seriously, this is where I could use some help!!! I like names that end with an "a" (long or short sound) or a consonant, and I try to stay away from "e, ie, ey" sounds -given that our last name ends in that. Any suggestions?

middle aged man

Remember the part in the movie where Mr. Incredible puts his back out? Ironically that is the condition Gene is in currently --so I think the title fits him even more. :)



My hubby, Gene, is having his 38th birthday today. He is very incredible in many ways to me and to our girls! He has a seemingly endless supply of energy to play with our kids and let them romp all over him -and they luv him for it! He is also willing to try almost anything to make me happy, which can be difficult at times (I admit it), and I'm grateful for his efforts. He loves nothing more than to see our family unit happy!

Happy Birthday!

halloween fun

My children are nestled all snug in their beds, while mounds of candy dance in their tummies.

Halloween is officially over (unless some kids knocks on our door at eleven o'clock tonight). I can't believe how fast this month has flown by. I wanted to make a few more crafts and dip caramel apples, but have been under the weather and now the season is past. I guess there's always next year.

Sarah was a purple unicorn. She wanted to be a Pegasus, but I couldn't bring myself to cut the horn off a perfectly good costume (and apparently that's the only difference between a unicorn and a Pegasus--that and "life saving" powers). Emma was a pink flamingo (the same costume I made for Sarah when she was two years old--and I plan on making this baby get good use out of it as well). Emma would knock on the doors and say "tweet tweet, trick or treat", and was SOOO excited to have so much candy to herself, she just kept saying all night "Ooooo, mine!" :)

Front view of Emma holding up her goods.

Side view of Emma in her pink flamingo costume while at Aunt Felicia's house.

Sarah the purple unicorn holding up her goods: about 5 lbs. of candy!

So, when it comes to dealing with the Halloween candy from here on out what's best? Let them eat as much as they want and get it over with/get rid of it quickly...or restrict their eating to only a few pieces a day/making it last. Not for the sake of "savoring" the candy, but what do I try to avoid...dental cavities or tummy aches. I've heard it's best for the teeth to let them eat it quickly, but of course that would lead to nights of vomit clean-up. Ick! And we've already "been there, done that"!

In the past I've done my share of stashing bits away (for a future movie night) when they were asleep, but Sarah is getting old enough now to notice when something is missing. Suggestions?

long lost photos

Some pics from the last 5 months...

This is a "before" picture of Emma's tooth back in May. Her tooth actually grew in like this, but it slowly started to affect the nerve, so we decided to get her dental surgery to prevent anymore decay.

This is very early in the morning at the hospital. I think she is so adorable in her little hospital gown, though I never want to see her in another one again!

This is Emma's cute little mug a couple days after her dental surgery (her gums were a little swollen still). This procedure has made a big difference in her eating & speaking.

At the end of August Sarah fell off her cousin's top bunk-bed, while asleep, and smacked her forehead on a table below and needed 6 stitches. This is after she had to endure the *numbing needle* and, obviously, a terrible night's sleep.

This is after our second trip to the doctor and, after finding out that her stitches couldn't come out yet, I decided to take them to Leatherby's ice cream shop. That cheered them up!

I just love this picture of Emma! (at least now she can sink her teeth into some cold without it hurting.)

**Blogger won't let me download anymore for now, so I'll post the before & after of our basement later, as well as the ultrasound pics we just got.**

mixed emotions

I love this time of year! I am usually giddy with fall fever, baking and holiday preparations. However, this year I'm finding myself in a bit of a blue mood. It's unfortunate, but true, that I get a bit depressed when I'm pregnant or have just had a baby. They say this is "normal" ...whatever. (I refuse to take meds while pregnant or early nursing.) But this year it seems unbearable sometimes. I've been crying at the drop of a hat...at the thought of the hat dropping.

I have no doubt that some of this is due to extenuating circumstances that I have no control over. People that I shouldn't have control over (but previously thought I had) making stupid choices. And realizing some unpleasant truths about myself (eating humble pie doesn't taste so good). Then there's my *imagination* when I'm pregnant--it can really get out of hand! I have a tendency to imagine 15, very elaborate, steps into the future instead of living in the present. Anyway....

That all said, I am having a lot of fun doing Halloween crafts and homeschool co-op art classes (that I'm currently hosting at my house until mid November). Sarah is turning into quite the young artist! She is currently writing and illustrating her own princess book. Her favorite subject continues to be math (I wonder how she ever became MY daughter). Emma is constantly following Sarah and doing everything Sarah does, only re-doing it so that it feels like she did it "first". She's big into "me do!" They play surprisingly well most of the time. Although, this week art class is canceled due to a stomach bug that we've all had the pleasure of having. I'm running on such little sleep that I'm dizzy. And nauseous. And weepy.

Well, I finally got my palm to sync with this computer again, so I think I'll post some long over-due pictures from this summer. Nothing huge; for some reason I didn't get a single pic of when Kathleen & family were here or any of our camping trips, but better late than never.

**Blogger is having problems, so the pics will have to wait yet some more**

BTW, we found out that we're having another girl. The baby looks good & healthy, and aside from my stretching muscles and aching back this pregnancy is coming along fairly well.

song of the week

Walking Alone-

Come together like a foot in a shoe
Only this time I think I stuck my foot in my mouth.
Thinking out loud and acting in vain.
Knocking over anyone that stands in my way.

Sometimes I need to apologize.
Sometimes I need to admit that I ain't right.
Sometimes I should just keep my mouth shut, or only say hello.
Sometimes I still feel I'm walking alone.

Walk on eggshells on my old stomping ground,
Yet there's really no one left, that's hanging around.
Isn't that another familiar face?
Too drunk to figure out they're fading away.

--Green Day

Plans have been postponed. The future is uncertain. More is changing than just the weather.

update and ramblings without pics

It seems longer than just a few weeks since I've posted. I hate the month of August; so hot I could kill someone, and of course, this month has just dragged on! Tomorrow it's over--yay! Heat and morning sickness don't mix well...come to think of it, nothing mixes well with morning sickness.

It's been more than a couple months since Gene pulled the plug on our internet, (we tried, in vain, to get wireless going, really we did) and now that he's back in school it turns out that all his required reading is ONLINE. So hallalujah -we'll be getting internet again this weekend! I can't wait to post some pics about our downstairs rooms that are done, and most recently our new oak kitchen floor! I need to do a "before & after" to do it complete justice. The only sad news in the midst of our renovations is that the new carpet smell makes me sick, so I don't really spend a lot of time down there...yet. We're going to have to shampoo our brand new carpet. Stupid-ultra-sensitive-smell-preggy-wacko-nose!

We heard the heartbeat today. It was a good, strong & loud heartbeat. It is always reassuring to finally hear it, especially given that there are a few days that I don't even "feel" pregnant.

After my doctor appointment we drove out to the airport to watch President Bush arrive with his entorage & then watch Air Force One take off. More striking than the sight of the plane was the absolute silence coming from the airport, for at least an hour before hand, as they clear all air space around Air Force One. He stayed at the Grand America hotel last night, which just happens to be the same hotel Gene & I are staying in for our Anniversary (11 years on Sept. 7). He won (at work) a night stay in an executive suite w/ dinner AND spa treatment! Maybe we'll get to see the Presidential suite?!

One last thought. As soup has been a staple for me lately I have to praise one of my favorite kitchen utensils: a small standing wisk from Pampered Chef. Seriously I love this thing. It blends anything to the creamiest of textures. Gravy, soup, white sauce --no lumps! I'm just sayin'.

news

Notice anything different? :)

(a lilypie baby banner was installed under the blog title announcing our pregnancy with Morgan)

m.i.a.

Two fairly good reasons why I haven't posted in a few weeks are: 1) we finished the basement & are currently entertaining family from New Jersey, and 2) my dear husband decided to go wireless-yay! However we still need to buy the adapter, so we are presently OFFline. (I'm at Lorraine's house for this entry.)

I've been dying to post pictures of our remodeling, the cousin-kiddies playing together & even Emma's dental surgery from back in May, but for some reason my PDA isn't sync-ing with our computer (gotta get on that, I know).

The girls are having a fun summer with lots of jumping on the tramp, swimming at the pool & popsicles and LOTS of playing time with the cousins. Emma is absolutely addicted to popsicles, and is starting to enunciate her words a little better lately. Sarah cut in 2 adult teeth on the bottom, but the baby ones haven't fallen out yet--just very loose.

Our vegetable garden is out. of. control! We have 17 tomato plants that are HUGE & the squash is crazy. We plan on canning some, dehydrating some & then leaving bags full on our neighbors doorsteps & running away. Yes, soon, doorbell ditching will be in full swing!

The rest of July promises to be full of summer time fun with camping trips and water park excursions and barbecues... I hope to be ONline before then, but just in case we're not, and in the likely event that I'm gone to that "island in my mind" for the rest of the month, I wish y'all a wonderful & sunburn-free summer!

~Carla

swedish meatballs

My folks are off gallivanting in Sweden for the next 2 weeks! A good part of our family history comes from Sweden. My Mom has been dreaming about going for decades, and has been planning this trip for at least the last year. They plan on visiting some relatives and touring about 4 different cities. I hope they have the time of their lives!

"Zee de moofin? Ond ik will mit de boome shooten!"

One of the images that comes to mind when I think about Sweden is the Muppets Swedish Chef. I loved the way he talked, like: "Yorn desh born, der ritt de gitt der gue, Orn desh, Smorrgeborgen...Bork, Bork, Bork"!

Sometimes I would laugh myself to tears.

I have some lesson printouts about Sweden (maps, culture, basic child language) for Sarah, so that we can experience "where Grandma is" simultaneously. And, like in our homeschool Culture Club, we can make Swedish cuisine and play native games to enhance the learning. Maybe I'll post her work here.

Another image that comes to mind is IKEA, and (Yay!) they have finally broken ground for the new store only 15 minutes from my house!!! I'm giddy with anticipation!

congratulations dean

We have been very busy. I've been wanting to post pictures about some of our experiences lately, but our computer isn't reading the digital camera connections (?ugh?), so until Gene fixes it, I can use the scanner.

Today we attended the high school graduation of my nephew, Dean. I can hardly believe that he's 18 and now done with school! I remember when he came to my high school graduation--at only 6 months old. I remember being his "Auntie Lala". Oh heck, let's embarrass him reeeal good...I remember changing his diaper! (hehehe *evil laugh*)

He can't decide if he wants to join the Army, go to the Oregon Culinary Institute (he's a very good cook), or jump straight into college. Whatever you decide, Dean, we wish you the very best!

Love you!
~Auntie Lala

Dean, 18 years old--

One heck of a cute guy!

baby Dean, 6 months old--

One heck of a cute baby!

procrastinating

We are sooo close to getting the basement done. We've been caulking, sanding, cutting, sanding, building, yada yada yada. When construction starts to infiltrate my dreams I take it as a sign that I need a break. I should be painting right now, and I will...I WILL...I just can't do it right now. I. just. can't!

I know in a month from now I will be sooo loving it. But when one's remodeling an older home one has to un-do all the stupid freakin' crappy mistakes that the previous owners did--and THEN build it right. It's a lot of work! So instead, here I am surfing the excruciating minutiae of the internet.....

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Your Brain's Pattern

Your mind is an incubator for good ideas, it just takes a while for them to develop. But when you think of something, watch out! Your thoughts tend to be huge, and they come on quickly - like an explosion. You tend to be quiet around others, unless you're inspired by your next big idea.

What Pattern Is Your Brain?

You Are Marge Simpson

You're a devoted family member who loves unconditionally. Sometimes, though, you dream about living a wild secret life! You will be remembered for: your good cooking and evading the police Your life philosophy: "You should listen to your heart, and not the voices in your head."

The Simpsons Personality Test

Your Personality Profile

You are dependable, popular, and observant. Deep and thoughtful, you are prone to moodiness. In fact, your emotions tend to influence everything you do. You are unique, creative, and expressive. You don't mind waving your freak flag every once and a while. And lucky for you, most people find your weird ways charming!

The World's Shortest Personality Test

Fine! I'm off to paint now...I'm going...going...........

dedicated to my mom & mom-in-law

Because I feel that in the heavens above

The angels, whispering one to another,

Can find among their burning terms of love,

None so devotional as that of "Mother,"...

~Edgar Allan Poe

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What is a Mother

A mother is someone to shelter and guide us,

To love us, whatever we do,

With a warm understanding and infinite patience,

And wonderful gentleness, too.

How often a mother means swift reassurance

In soothing our small, childish fears,

How tenderly mothers watch over their children

And treasure them all through the years!

The heart of a mother is full of forgiveness

For any mistake, big or small,

And generous always in helping her family

Whose needs she has placed above all.

A mother can utter a word of compassion

And make all our cares fall away,

She can brighten a home with the sound of her laughter

And make life delightful and gay.

A mother possesses incredible wisdom

And wonderful insight and skill -

In each human heart is that one special corner

Which only a mother can fill!

~Katherine Nelson Davis

my mother

In honor of my Mom on Mother's Day- a photo & memory montage:

This is one of my all-time favorite photos! On the right is my Grandma holding my Aunt's hand, and on the left is my Mom. I love the era & especially the movie marquee w/ Spencer Tracy and Lana Turner.

My mom taught me to appreciate old movies! She'd always say "They don't make 'em like that anymore." or "Actors just can't act these days." My favorite *old* movie is Singing in the Rain with Gene Kelly! Of course my mom would also say, in regards to a scenic movie, "Kids, come! Watch...it's just like being there." And, I can say with some assurety, after living in other places like the Big Apple, that it is most definitely NOT like being there. In a movie you don't get the smells & peripheral view & tastes of actually being there.

~~~~~~~~~~

This is a picture of my Mom when she was in third grade, or 8 years old. I love the dimple in her chin (she's still famous for it to this day).

My Mom always liked doing my hair. She'd gush over how easy it was to curl. After a bath she'd just comb it and then take sections of my hair and wrap it around the end of the comb or her finger so that I'd look like Shirley Temple. I think she was living vicariously through me as she always said that, growing up, she loved Shirley Temple.

~~~~~~~~~~

This is one of my favorite photos of my Mom. Isn't she pretty?! She's 17 here.

Some of the gems that my Mom has taught me and that I'm passing on to my girls are:

• "Clean up as you go--it just makes life easier."
• "Makeup should accent your natural beauty, not be seen for what it is."
• "Play with one thing at a time and put it away before you play with something else."
• "When dying hair stay as close to the color that God gave you--He knew what would look good on you."
• "Eat lots of citrus fruit--it's good for the complexion."
• "Act lady-like; keep your knees together, your voice down & always say Thankyou."
• "If you want something done right do it yourself, and do it right the first time or you'll pay twice to have someone else do it."
• "Proof read proof read proof read!" (Again, this has made it impossible for me to write in a careless *freeing* style--sometimes I hate it.)

~~~~~~~~~~

This is my Mom & Dad with their first born, my brother Mike, circa 1960-61.

My Mom isn't perfect, but she never claimed to be. She's made some tough choices in life and has had to struggle at times, but who of us hasn't?! She's endured the loss of a child and both parents, and has been through a divorce, but she's also supported 5 kids, by herself, while graduating from college. I've never doubted that my Mom loves me. At fragile times it was the best she knew how. At other times she's down right smothering. But always loving!

I love you Mom! Happy Mother's Day. :)

love and statesmen

There were 3 wonderful parts to last week:

• Hard work on the basement.
• A wedding.
• An educational vacation.

We started out working in our basement; laying down Pergo flooring in the "school" room, finishing walls and in general trying to get things ready in the great room for the carpet installation in 5 weeks. The weather was so beautiful that we also worked outside and put in some of our garden; namely tomatoes, lettuce, squash & cucumbers. We were in the zone! Super focused! The rest of the house was super... neglected, but we were okay with that.

Then we got a phone call. My niece, Nicole, and her fiance', Cody, decided to elope and wondered if they could honeymoon at our house while we were on vacation. (We had already asked her if she could "house sit" while we were gone.)

Ummmm.....ok. Only if we get to go to the wedding -HELLO? Who's your favorite Aunt & Uncle??? So we pulled up our boot straps, grabbed a mop and bucket, and cleaned the sadly neglected remains of our house. After all, it's one thing to have a clean house and an entirely different thing to have one worthy of honeymoon-retreat status.

We cleaned like we've never cleaned before. Then I had fun making posters that said things like "Honeymoon suite" and "Hotel Newlywed" and "Cafe Amore". We put our lace runner on the kitchen table with roses in a vase and candles and our "good" dishes. I even made a "menu" and name cards. We put our down comforter in the "good" duvet cover and sprinkled rose petals on the bed and placed candles in the room.

The next day, Wednesday May 3, we met Cody & Nicole (and their families plus Grandma) in Tooele to watch them get married. (Only got video, sorry.) They were a bit nervous, but lovely, and we're so happy for them. And, no, she's not pregnant. It's an unfortunate forcing-the-hand issue from Cody's family --their loss! They stayed that night in a hotel, and came over the next day to see us off.

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We spent four days in Southern Utah for the Thomas Jefferson Education seminar. TJed is one of the many methods I use for homeschooling. It's about building statesmen. It was started by Dr. Oliver DeMille, who then co-founded the George Wythe College (George Wythe was Thomas Jefferson's mentor). The crux of the TJ method is 1) Classics, and 2) Mentors. A "classic" can be any medium, not just literature, that you learn something from over and over and over and over again. A "mentor" is someone that will INSPIRE you in a certain subject, not just "require" you to parrot back information. The TJ method also includes phases of learning and "steps" of methodology.

It is a very good book and can be used in any area of life- financial, marital relations, physical health, etc. This was the 3rd year I've heard Dr. DeMille speak and it absolutely reaffirms not only why I homeschool, but my love for our founding fathers and the wonderful statesmen that they were.

Gene and the girls stayed around the hotel and enjoyed the swimming pool while I attended the seminar. After the lectures we went out to eat and I got to join them a couple of times at the pool. Emma loved her little life jacket and hated it when we'd get too close or hold on to her. Sarah is getting really good at swimming & diving under water for objects & propelling herself.

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It was such a wonderful week on so many levels. Congratulations Cody & Nicole! We love you both and wish you the very best.