Learning to Dance in the Rain

Archive for August, 2011

I love to create!  I am my happiest when I am sewing, cooking (except on a Summer’s evening in my hot, hot kitchen), decorating, or cleaning.  I get so much joy out of making something better, cleaner, or more beautiful.  I would love to pass this love on to my children.  In the Spring, Luke and I planted some sunflower seeds, and in spite of the snails, they actually grew to be several feet tall and now to his great delight they are blooming!  Every day he comes running back inside insisting they are growing faster than the day before.  It is so fun to see the joy in his face!

Emily got her joy from making raspberry freezer jam.  I had hoped to wake up early Wednesday morning (6:15) and drive up north to pick them fresh off the farm.  Yeah…we were spotted later that day purchasing a flat from the farmer’s market…I refuse under any circumstances to wake sleeping children!!  Despite Emily’s persistence to “eat one more” we managed to make 7 delectable jars of sweet raspberry elixir.  Oh yeah, Summer in the Northwest is..one of the best creations ever.  Tomorrow?  BLUEBERRIES!!!!

My children often create a “robot” from the laundry basket – here is a rare shot of the “tricycle riding robot” – I wish I had my children’s imagination.

Last weekend we had the privilege of having a family photo shoot courtesy of a wonderful new friend, Brittany, who also happens to be a very talented photographer.  The weather was gorgeous and might I add so were the subjects.  Good hair day all around – YEAH!  I just love the pictures of my sweet son giving me flowers, because that is one thing he does that I just cherish – and they always come with a kiss.  Little Emily had an attitude as big as her blue eyes but did comply for a few shots especially when lollipops were suggested. 

Full resolution photos (print quality) (if you don’t have access, email me)

		Family Photos 2011 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

This year’s Fourth we journeyed down to Portland to spend it with the Webbs as has been the tradition.  As the cousins are growing up, they are learning to play together.  They spent many hours riding around on bikes in the culdesac, and wrestling with sweet Uncle Andrew.  The weather obliged quite nicely, allowing us a trip to Lake Oswego, the farmer’s market, a trip to the firestation, and of course a Fourth of July celebration at the Church.  We decorated bikes, played old carnival games (Luke was really into the ring toss) and had the most amazing breakfast.  I just love watching those young boy Scouts saluting the flag as it rises to the top of the pole, and singing America the Beautiful.  Despite the politicians fighting and the movie stars breaking up, at the end of the day when hard working Americans get together, the heart of this country is still the same, and I love it.  God Bless America!

I taught my class of teen girls today at Church on the power of Hope.  It was based on a talk given by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf who is a leader of the Church.  We talked about the danger in having hope or trusting in the things of this world and in what the world thinks of us.  “You’re not smart or pretty enough to do this or that”  “your lousy upbringing, or whatever circumstance are why you’ll never amount to much.”  It can be down right tough to go through the challenges of life without hope in something greater than ourselves.  Hope in the principles of the Gospel, and hope that our trials are for our good and can make us stronger rather than bitter, will get us through, and give us the strength to lift others.

This Youtube video sums it up as only he can in his wonderful German accent

To read the full text of his talk, go here – it has a tear jerker story right at the beginning about his sweet mother during World War II.

Got Hope?  You’re gonna need it!