Doggie Friday: i think my mom needs more real grandchildren

My mom was visiting my grandma the other day when my grandma mentioned she had received this little stuff dog that moved and barked. She asked my mom who she thought she should give it to. My mom immediately perked up and said “Oh Abbi would love it!” My grandma gave my mom a funny look. My mom forgets Abbi is just a dog. Not a real grandchild.

Thanks mom (and grandma) for the new toy. They love it.

Actually, Abbi is scared of it, and Briggs just wants to attack it. Typical.

summer, please don't go

i didn't get to enjoy you near as much as i wanted to.  we only went here a couple of times.  usually we go much more than that.  our pictures and memories will just have to do until next year i suppose.

summer, we'll miss you.

blah

I like to think of myself as a pretty positive, upbeat person. People tell me I’m always smiling, always happy, nice to be around. (and to this Gordon says “are you talking about my wife?”…sadly he doesn’t always get the best of me). But for the past couple of weeks I’ve just been feeling like blah. Not sad. Not blue. Just blah. And there wasn’t really any reason for me to be feeling this way. And really it’s out of the ordinary.

And then the weekend came.

Saturday we went to the temple (on Gordon’s grandma Peterson’s birthday…very sweet). His cousin took out his endowments in preparation for his mission. We went to the Salt Lake Temple with him. I had never done a session there before. They are different. Live. I felt a reaffirmation of the truths I know about the gospel. And why I’m here. And what an amazing eternal family I have. And an eternal companion that I too often take for granted. And how I am loved.

And then Sunday came. I’m not a huge fan of Sundays (I’ve had a bit of a bad attitude towards our new ward, making it that much harder for me to want to go – we do go, we’re not inactive or anything). I sat in Relief Society and had an amazing lesson on faith in Jesus Christ. And in Sunday school I actually understood what the teacher was teaching and enjoyed learning about the Old Testament. And sacrament meeting…wow. It was fantastic. A brother spoke about his conversion from the Islam religion to Mormonism. He was inspiring. And helped me realize what an amazing church I belong to. The freedoms we enjoy. The blessing we get to have. I was uplifted, to say the least.

It always amazes me that when I go through these blah moments in life that things like this always happen. Helps me get back to my normal self. With a strengthened testimony and zest for life. I love this gospel. And I’m so happy it’s such a huge part of my life.

fresh

we finally went to our local farmers market this couple weekends ago.  we ate crepes filled with fresh local ingredients, and bought fresh whole wheat pasta (amongst other local goods).  i've never had homemade pasta before.  the lady that made and sold it asked me how i normally cook my pasta.  i felt like an idiot because i have no idea how i normally cook my pasta.  from the box, in boiling water, with sauce out of a jar.  well, next time i buy pasta (and there will be a next time) i will tell her with garden zucchini & tomato, fresh parmesan cheese, and garlic.

are you ready for some football?

we all sure are!  my nephew made his junior high's football team (again) but this time he's a big tough 9th grader so he gets to start and play the entire game.  his position is offensive lineman.  he's pretty dang good, if i say so myself.  and i would know.  i've been watching the boy since he was little in peewee football.  that seems like ages ago.  this was the first game of the season.  they played their rivals.  because it was such a hyped up game they were able to play on the local high school's football field.  it was nice to see where he'll be playing next year (yes, he'll make the high school team.  no doubt about it.)  his team won with a final score of 50-0.

way to go Sky!  i'm pretty sure we're your biggest fans!  t-shirts and all.

doggie friday: just a taste

abbi & her 'uncle' travis, bear lake, august 2010

the best of friends

they finally met each other.  and went on a beautiful ride along a river parkway.  their owners are so excited for all the journeys they'll have on them.  hopefully the weather continues to stay nice and they take them to saturday morning yoga.

owners: me (blue murray) & jenny (yellow schwinn)

swiss days & park city

i went on the Hardcastle girls annual Swiss Days/Park City trip over Labor Day weekend.  it was fun.  stayed in a very nice condo at Park City Resort (thanks LeeAnn).  and did what we went up there to do: lots of shopping.  but can you believe that i only came home with a pair of earrings, and 2 t-shirts?!  neither can i.  that's what a new windshield, and 3 car registrations all due in the same month will do to you.

oh the crowds at Swiss Days...Jodi said it best: "this is where crafts go to die."

i really want Gordon to make one of these snowboarding chairs for our house...

he said he would if i got him the snowboards.  he knows i'll never do that.  but won't he be surprised when i do. (i will be too)

there's something about city's main streets that i love.  they have so much charm and character.  tell such a story.

cooling off & needing to heat up

with this cooler weather we are having, we had the chance to enjoy the outdoors by campfire.  having a campfire is one of my most favorite things.  they bring together friends that haven't seen each other in awhile.

campfire with the Purser's.  it's amazing how time flies.  even though they live close, we haven't seen them for a few months.  little Jovi is 1 now.  she's adorable.  i could hold her all night if she'd let me.  but she loves being held by her mama.

and Chris & Kit, we miss you...wish you didn't love St. George so much a & wanted to move back North. 

it would be nice to see you more than once a year.

have you ever kissed anyone in a cave before?

i may have used that line recently on my husband.  it worked.  i now can say i have kissed someone (a very special someone) in a cave.

wishing you had as much faith in yourself as we have in you

skyler & travis, bear lake, august 2010

i will never know what you are going through or what it feels like to need something so bad that you're willing to destroy your life and the lives of those that love you just to have it.  do you know how much we love you?  did you know that we all would have done anything for this not to happen again?  for you to fall.  for you to turn to something so ugly.  something that makes you someone you're not.  because you're not weak.  you're strong.  don't you know that?  why don't you know that?  why don't you learn?  why do you keep going backwards?  when life seems to be going your way, you turn around and leave those that care and love you more than you will ever know behind.  and for what?  absolutely nothing.  because that's what you have right now.  nothing.  i want you to be the brother i was just coming to know.  the one that made me laugh in the swimming pool.  that teases me for being his little sister.  makes up ridiculous songs to get me to do what he wants.  makes me pick him up from work at the busiest time of day and we're stuck in traffic, making up stories about everyone around us.  the one that went on a bike ride, remember it was just the two of us, talking and laughing the entire time.  i want that brother back.  i love you.  please come back.