I have thoughts

So - the postings have been sparse. Everyone needs a break. I have just been doing other stuff. Not depressed or in crisis or anything. (I think Noble tried to post something on his blog about 3 times and you may have received a bunch of updates - sorry about that.)

I finally got to watch Julie and Julia. For some reason I had an itch to see that movie. (thanks Beth for bringing it to me on my birthday) -

It was alright. But my favorite line -  "I could have a blog. I have thoughts."

That's hilarious.

Random items of inspiration lately:

* This cUUUUUUmfy memory foam bath mat I gave to Mitch-darling for Valentines day.

* "Dust to Glory" - one of those adventure documentaries that makes you excited about living and all it's possibilities.

*Our commitment to get out of debt in the next 2 years. Some hard, focused work ahead.

*Sully has been throwing down some great quotes of late. Like:

"Robots are cool. And them have POWERS. And them have a beefy arm."

* For FHE last night we pulled out the telescope to look at Venus and Jupiter at dusk. They were about 3 degrees apart in the western sky. Venus was at about 3/4 gibbous. We looked at Jupiter's moons and cloud bands. (As usual - I wanted to hang out forever looking through the telescope while everyone else took a quick look, said, "cool" - and moved on.) Then Mike finished up with this YouTube on the tube.

Amazing.

Growing a baby and other things that are keeping me busy busy

This morning.

As I caught sight of myself in the bathroom mirror off the kitchen, I decided I don't have many pictures of this pregnancy. Coming up on 7 months.

A few weeks ago I was having anxiety about putting together this Relief Society anniversary celebration at church. I have NEVER organized anything like this. But I felt pretty good about it when it all came together - thanks to the help of many. I didn't take a lot of photos, but here is one of the tables.

The 3rd annual NPA 5K fundraiser is coming right up - and preparations are in full swing. I've been working on that too. I have been putting together the silent auction blog site, working out all the race and finish line logistics and timing issues with Elevated Racing  . (Thanks again Hoffmans for hooking us up there!) I'm excited about this year's event. If you want to run for a good cause, let me know before April 21, and we'll get a you a registration. It should be cool. 

And....I've been printing t-shirts for my Etsy shop - hoping to get that up soon. This has been fun, but it always seems like I'm trying to do the tricky parts in the middle of after-school bedlam. Which is a little stressful. I've messed up more than a couple of shirts. Stay tuned. We've had lots of requests for Noble's "Nachrool Resors" shirts over the years (a few are up for auction at the 5K), and they will finally be available to the world - with more awesome stuff to come.

 

The weather seems to have finally turned a corner, and I've had Mike till up our future garden area. I am SO excited to get back in the garden after a year's sabbatical. We'll see what our soil can do here. I'm a little unsure about pulling it off myself this season - being too slow and large to move much dirt or put in lots of hours out there. But I am thankful to be healthy enough to give it a go. We'll see what I can do. I love the garden so much. Especially after a long winter. I'll take pictures.

I think that covers most of the high points. Have a great week!

A two-year-old has been HERE

Rainy like Monday morning

Can you beat a morning...or a view like this? (Mike literally took this picture out the window while he was showering today. I made him thoroughly dry his hands first.)

You know, we laughed about this window in our shower at first...but I have to say it's been kind of nice. There's something really invigorating about a cool breeze and rain in your face at the same time you're standing in a warm shower. I wish I could start every day that way.

I Just Found Out it's Friday the 13th

 One of the last lazy Popsicle days of summer vacation.

Summer is wrapping up. So we're trying to check a few more items off the summer 'To-do' list. 

Today's accomplishments:

*Meet grandma Melton at her school for SCHOOL LUNCH (!!!).  (A rare treat for the kids - at their school everyone has to bring a packed lunch.)

* A visit to the County Fair to see the animals and stuff. (Noble got to check out the Lego Robotics booth...A neighbor told us about it & we're hoping they'll have room for him on the team this year.)

* Finish another 'together' book, Indian in the Cupboard.

We might find something fun and crazy to do for the 13th.

Maybe fold laundry...or go to bed early. he he he.

Happy Friday the 13th!

A Week to Remember (well, most of it)

We've been pretty busy this week. Jessie's had lots of horse show stuff (3 shows this week between her two horses). No pictures, because unfortunately one of the things that happened this week was that the boys got a hold of our camera and killed it. When the camera wouldn't switch on I removed the memory card and put it in the computer. ----> No surprise, the last photos on it were of two crazy boys jumping around blurry. Busted. Don't cry for us though - Canon is fixing it for FREE. The kids are covering the cost of shipping.

Anyway, back to Jessie. She did SO well this week. Today she flew on her speed events with Pumpkin. She clocked the fastest time in her division on an event called 'keyhole'. She went from like 11th place in her division earlier this week up to 4th today. We were way excited for her. This means she gets to go to state finals. We're not excited about the extra practices or long days at post-season shows. But really we can't complain. At least the state competition is being held in South Jordan this year and not St. George or something. Jessie is STOKED about 2 things:
1.) She gets one of those extra large sparkly cowboy belt buckles (I know what you're thinking: AWESOME!) as part of the state finalist regalia. 
2.) She gets to miss 2 days of school for the state competition.
I really think everything else is just secondary for her. (Honestly, competitiveness does not seem to run anywhere in her veins. We keep telling her a little bit doesn't hurt.)
Good work Jessie!

Also this week:
* Swimming lessons - everyone except Sully & Jessie (who is now a graduate of Shinsel Swim School.) Sully shows his solidarity by wearing his Shinsel Pool t-shirt - "30 years of teaching kids to be fish".
* A visit from the South Jordan police. If you want to know the details, you'll have to call me or something. I don't want to incriminate myself on the Internet. I'll just say this: Jupiter the Space Donkey has reverted in part to some old habits. And maybe our spotless first impression has been tarnished in the neighborhood. Oh well, I guess it was only a matter of time. :) (My Dad is still laughing about this.)
* Mike invented skateboard basketball tonight - and at this moment (10:15 PM) I can hear 4 enthusiastic children and one 35 year old man yelling loudly in the driveway. I suppose I should go put an end to it before we have another "incident" involving the police.
Just kidding about that.