One single shard

The glass shard that has been wedged between Miriam's toes (a pickle jar accident) for 4 years is finally out. Such a relief since we have been trying to get someone...anyone to cut it out for awhile. It was right on the surface, you could feel it. We were concerned it might cause her problems later, build up too much scar tissue or keep her from wearing shoes or something. Her pediatrician (despite 7 + years of medical school) wouldn't touch it, but agreed it needed to come out. He said we needed a podiatrist. So I called a few and they won't see anyone under the age of 12, they said we need a pediatric podiatrist, and gave me a referral a practice in Salt Lake. I called the said practice, which had just closed a month earlier they said the only pediatric podiatrist would now be a Primary children's. So I called them, but you can't just make an appointment willy nilly at Primary's, it has to be a referral through your doctor. I called my doctor back so that he could call, so that I could call again. I called again and the Primary's doctor was very very busy, and very very expensive...and then there was a question about insurance.

All this and it seemed so simple, just get out that scalpel thingy and slice. Voila.

Every time Darin would see Miriam barefoot you could tell he was bugged. Miriam would hide her foot, and he would say "it's got to come out Miriam". One night it became too much for him, he stared poking around at it with a toy magnifying glass tool (the long poky one). I need to add that it was MY idea to put orajel on her toe so she wouldn't feel as much (brilliant no?). The glass wouldn't pull free so he did what any superhero technical geek would do. He skipped 7 years of medical school, and jumped on the internet to buy some scalpels.

They came a week ago and we all, including Miriam, knew the surgery was looming. She was oddly brave about it, I think Darin had won her trust with the poky toy.

But yesterday Miriam scratched me with the top of her foot and said "The glass is coming out". Sure enough, when we met Darin at the bus stop he just popped it right out in time for the Girls Night Out Fiesta she and I were attending.

So if anyone needs a scalpel, we have a box of 25.

Bawsten Sistas

So happy I was a Bawsten Sista.
So happy Archibalds makes such great fried green tomatoes.
So happy I served with these amazing sistas

wouldn't it be fun to see my other mission companions...Stull, Wright, Terry, Milly, Clark, Wilken, Williamson, Dalton, Jensen, Harris....are you out there? Do you hear me?

Pioneer Day 2009

Darin, my father-in-law, and I are taking a kayaking class.
Strange right?.... but kind of cool of us too I think.
It wasn't my idea, no cool ideas ever are, but I am glad I was talked into it (mainly with the promise of 2 hours free babysitting...thank you G'ma C).

I will take pictures as soon as I get over the feeling of being a nerd-face taking pictures in class. Well, the nerd-face thing AND after I get my cool new rash guard shirt. The kayak skirt kind of acts like a corset, and although I am no Dolly P, I feel a bit uncomfortable.

So because of the class we were up north for the big Utah 24th.

We visited the famous Blue Bird Cafe and then attended an American West Heritage Center concert at the tabernacle. This included songs from their Wild West Shakespeare performance of Romeo and Juliet.

SPARKLERS!

Bub didn't enjoy them...

but we did!

The next day a pioneer day miracle occurred. Miss wake up early, never take a nap, and beg to go to bed late fell asleep while watching the food network.

So Sweet

Celebrate!

We received a package from CP & Co that will help us CELEBRATE all year long (and for many years to come). We especially loved the princess picture Anna!

Thank You!

My favorite!

I love that my in-laws have a raspberry bush!

We made it!

Thanks to Sarah and her kids (and a trip up to see Harry Potter) we made time to go to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house.

Bub liked it.
There was a very sweet moment when one of the temple volunteers picked him up to show him how a painting of Christ refected through etchings on a glass doorway to create tons of tiny pictures of Christ. "Who is that?" she asked, and I was happy Bub said "Sheesuss"

I remember way back when I was uninhibited enough to dance around in public on a happy whim. Gone are the days.....

The cookie tent!

KUER: 7/14/09: Cheap - The High Cost of Discount Culture (2009-07-13)

KUER: 7/14/09: Cheap - The High Cost of Discount Culture (2009-07-13)

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Amen.

Produce Update

We have been eating cherry tomatoes as they ripen...one at a time. We are going to have to get some self control if we want a full salad!

We have been picking lettuce for a few weeks, and enjoyed a dinner that included beets. They were so good I immediately planted some more. I guess I don't like radishes. We had some but I wasn't impressed.

The peas died, but our green thumb neighbor said the quails ate his so we probably wouldn't have had any anyway. I love the quails though...I would try to grow them again next year just to feed them.

Still waiting for cucumbers, carrots, basil, cilantro, and of course the tomatoes to ripen.
Anticipation!

Miriam's Talk

The Primary theme for July is 'I Will Strengthen My Family'.

M's talk:
(holding picture of Sermon on the Mount) "This is Jesus saying the Sermon on the Mount. He said Blessed are the Peacemakers for they will become the Children of God. I can strengthen my family by being a peacemaker. (shows above picture) I can get things for Bub that he needs, I can help him do things, and I can entertain him so he doesn't bug my mom. Amen."

We had a long list of ways she could be a peacemaker: not whining, doing chores, not complaining etc but, I guess entertaining Bub is what it comes down to...I'll take it.

Serenity

As you can imagine, with 10 adults and 8 children under the age of 11 under one roof, the cabin can be a loud rowdy place. There is a constant bustle of activity, which is wonderful, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

But, sometimes you want peace and quiet.
The great thing about the cabin is that if you wake up early enough, walk, ride, or paddle far enough, you will find it. Since Bub is an early riser, and I don't want to disturb the others lucky enough to sleep in, he and I would go on quiet nature walks every morning.

One morning, when Darin had joined us, we traded our walking for paddling.

Can't you just hear the dragonflies buzzing, see the fish jumping??

As much as I complain, I have to admit there are benefits to having kids who refuse to sleep in.

Happy Birthday Dad and America!

For my sista'

Some Adventure

Miriam conquered some fears on the zipline and bungee tramp.

The boys hiked from Zion Ponderosa to Observation Point down into Zion Canyon ending at Weeping Rock. The girls and little boys drove through the canyon and then a few of us took the shuttle back through to Weeping Rock to meet them.

There was perfect hiking conditions....overcast with a cooling breeze, and the Weeping Rock was positively waling from all the rain.

On to Annie at Tuachan and then a midnight thrill ride back through Zion Park (have you been on that road?) where Sarah singlehandedly kept my parents truck on the road by squeezing her thighs together in terror.

Lisa and Craig...we can't thank you enough for yet another wonderful visit to your home.

Hey Cuz

Two straight weeks 24 hours a day with cousins.

Miriam heaven.....

especially all the time she got to spend with Madison. Adoration is the perfect word to describe Miriam's feelings for her older cousin.

Just In Case....

Just in case something goes wrong, I wanted to document how beautifully the garden is growing.

We have 4 more tomato plants and 6 giant sunflowers flourishing as well {thanks Diedre}! If things continue, we should have tomatoes to share with everyone come August!

The one thorn in my side is the miniature rose bush. I don't love roses enough to put up with it's constant care schedule {special concoctions dusk and dawn, never ending dead heading, the blasted thorns}....as Anne of Green Gables would say "Give me flowers I can live with".

It's a W. D. Miracle

Cute Wyler Dean was blessed last Saturday. Although it was forecast to be a pleasant day for a BBQ there was rain all day. It rained and rained right up until the blessing was completed and the BBQ began. For 2 hours there was sunshine while we ate, talked, laughed, and little girls gathered worms.

Then the rains began again, I think it was Heaven's way of telling us we had eaten more than enough.

I haven't seen a rainbow in forever it seems, but this double, extra vivid, beauty popped out right before we headed back home.

Father's Day 2007

Father's Day 2009

One of Darin's most favorite things to do with the kids is snuggle. He likes playing games and getting rowdy with the kids, but he LOVES when they are sleepy. While I go crazy thinking of everything going undone, he can hold and snuggle sick kiddos for as long as they would like. So, on the day where Darin gets to choose what we do, there is usually a bit of snuggling involved.

Today wasn't my best attempt at Father's Day, I will admit. I was busy filling in for Young Women's and today was my last opportunity to do my visiting teaching. We did make him a favorite meal, and gave him a soft warm robe. Someone in our ward donated ties for all the men so he got to pick out a new tie as well {see above photos}.

After letting Miriam take over the camera, we sent the kids upstairs to watch a movie while we took a snuggle nap. That robe really is soft and snuggly.
Then I had to run off and do more visiting teaching.

Happy Father's Day to our Grandpas too!!

Young Women activity this week.

Thanks Bakerella!

The Week

We experienced a little piece of Hawaii when our friend Lindsey turned 5.
Isn't that cake so cute, my friend Mirissa is so talented.

This week, playtime has been all about the yard sale. Miriam decided hospitals needed more money so Monday and Tuesday she hauled out old toys and artwork to be sold in order to help out those poor hospitals. Other kids in the neighborhood got involved and they made signs, included face painting, and even sold (ate) candy. Of course no one came, it was held in our back yard with no notice, but the kids seemed to have fun whether or not things sold.

Until things actually did get sold.
There were tears about the photo on the right (M's favorite fairy she painstakingly water colored to match a picture in her fairy book). Luckily, her friends, even though they bought it fair and square, gave it back.
I think the yard sale facination is offically over.

I was dreading youth conference. I cried to Darin on the phone driving over until, as my cousin Kristi would say "I put on my big girl panties".

It was exhausting.

But so amazing as well. When was the last time you: got flung out of a human rubber band, played hi li, sand volleyball, crab soccer, missionary tag, red rover, duck duck goose with water, caught water balloons with a tarp, slide down a water slide, AND participated in a ropes course in 3 days?? (and I sat out of some of the activities). We stayed up past midnight playing more sand volleyball, cards, or just talking. I didn't think I would make it through the ending testimony meeting, but we did and now I am sad it's all over.

I love my ward more and more the longer we stay here. This is exactly the type of neighborhood I hope we find when we move somewhere permanently. You can tell these kids come from good homes...they aren't spoiled and greedy. They know how to work, to have fun, how to participate in silliness without rolling their eyes (an important quality in my book). Most importantly, they are good to each other. There are occasional squabbles but for the most part, they look out for each other.

Bub was excited to see me when I picked up the kids but Miriam was more disapointed that she had to leave Grandma's house. That drive over to Youth Conference would have been ten times worse if I hadn't seen my kids happily settled at my parents house.

They day before I left I took the kiddos to Stake Lagoon Day.

Not happy.

Pleased but ready for more

It wasn't such a hit this year....Miriam says she is ready for the real rides, and Bub isn't all that impressed with merry-go-rounds. The train ride was a highlight, but the coupon for ice cream brought us to a shop right next to the Terror Ride which had Miriam covering her eyes in... well, terror. Being married to Darin has brought to my attention how germ infested everything is and that has taken a bit of foot lose and fancy freeness out of me. I think we need to go at night when I can't see the grime.

I could use a good day of roller coster riding....I wonder if I would love it as much as I did when I was younger.