the coolest grocery store around these parts

harmons

farmington, utah

they have a healthy check out line with fresh fruit and beverages without high fructose corn syrup lining the aisles. (want a treat kids? grab an apple.)

samples galore.

knowledgeable staff.

a cafe, yummy looking buffets, and an upstairs that makes you think you're not in a grocery store. yes, those are leather couches in that photo.

oh, and gelato, which just might be my new favorite treat right now.

over the weekend

gordon went on a short trip to st. george - utah to visit his best friend chris.  they went camping, boating, jet skiing, and night wheelin'.

while he was gone i kept myself busy...

went to the big city (slc!) to go shopping at gateway and have dinner at vinto.  go there.  their pizza and gelato are fantastic!

 

 

my sister and i went to a few yard sales, stopped by the farmers market to buy a couple of fresh mint limeades and some green tea scones, and went thrifting.

sunday was family dinner at the hardcastle's where we found out that gordon's dad has also received quite a big service calling in his ward. 
and i got to play with the little man.  he's pretty much the most adorable almost 3 year old i know.

fun, busy weekend.  maybe one of these weekend posts i'll tell you what gordon and i did together...hopefully sooner than later.  but so far, it doesn't look like good.  stupid scouts.

famous.

and a paparazzi photo to prove it

my sister and i were joking with each other all saturday about how we were treated like royalty while shopping at the farmers market.  the limeade man with all his cheerfulness and doing a little dance while i took his photo.  the cherry man who gave us a deal because we bought 2 bags.  the plant lady for telling someone that was eyeing the plant i wanted to buy that i was there first so if i wanted it i had first choice.  the boutique owner that hugged us multiple times telling us how much he missed us and how fun we are being sisters.  the crepe lady who offered us water and no one else.  i'm sure this is just people being friendly and nice but we like to think that all of our many appearances there are paying off. 

but this photo that was not taken by us and it was taken without us evening know it and ended up online...makes us think it is true.

what will this weekend bring?!

what heroes are made of

these girls are my heroes.  mothers.  wives.  strong.  independent.  loving.  caring.  smart.  beautiful.

one of them recently told me i was her hero.  she was going through a loss of unborn child and told me she thought about me the entire time.  i have never lost a child.  but i knew what she meant.  little does she know she is my hero.  during that experience we visited with her.  the way she was handling everything was remarkable.  she gave me strength.  and made me realize how wonderful our friends are.

katherine, shelli, and keri...i love you girls.  thanks for being some of my closest friends.  and being the strong women you are.  each of you are examples to me.

you are not alone in this

"and you are not alone in this, and you are not alone in this. as brothers we will stand and we'll hold your hand...hold your hand." mumford and sons - timshel

i talked to my brother on the phone on sunday.  he wanted me to know how sorry he is for the grief he has caused and is causing his family...me.  he told me how much he loved his family.  and then he told me how much he loved me.  he said "i love you jess".  i told him i loved him very much.  and that i pray for him daily.  and put his name in the temple prayer box each time i go.  he thanked me.  and said it was nice to know i had his back.

this was the first time we had ever told each other we loved each other.  he's 35 and i'm 27.  it was a day i will never forget.  words i never thought i needed to hear from him i realized i needed to hear my whole life.  i'm glad we didn't go any longer without letting each other know how much we care about each other.

he continues to struggle with his addiction.  but where he is now is helping him.  he's attends AA and NA faithfully.  and as equally important he attends a weekly lds institute class.  he told me that once he gets his life straighten out he wanted his life to be filled with work and church.  i told him he should ask to be the relief society president.

i love my brother very much.  i know that if he does his part to do what is right the lord will lift him up and make his burdens light.  i pray that this is the last time he has to go through what he is going through.  and he becomes the man we all know he can be.  for his family.  my mom. my dad. and most importantly his daughter.

it's always nice to getaway

to celebrate my birthday...

white chocolate banana cream cake from vintage tea room...mouth watering!

hang out on the beach with family...

ride our bikes into town for milk shakes...

have a taco night (my sister and i even cooked!)...

spend a week without any outside duties calling for me...

aw, i love bear lake.

the weekend

went to the farmer's market with my sister.  if you go this year find the guy selling the fresh mint limeade...it is one of the best drinks i've ever had!  and the guy is super nice so show your support.

spent time with my dad at a raptor's game (rain or shine, they still play).

and had sunday dinner with my family.  my mom got fancy and grilled peaches with other fresh fruit for dessert.  i love fruit for dessert.

another wonderful weekend spent with the people i love most.