Annie, Remember when we thought this scene was so cute you had to buy a framed poster of someone else's baby doing it?

It's even more fun when it's your very own isn't it!

Digital Phone!

My sister Lydia is starting a business involving these cool video phones. We tried them out and had a great time talking to Annie and her family. It made us a bit giddy to pick up the phone and see and been seen! The cousins really enjoyed talking, getting reacquainted with the "visual", talking about everything they could think of..things like: I have a lot of toys, we learned about this in FHE, I have black pants on. Such interesting topics! What makes me laugh is how they hang up. No apologizing or anything, just maybe, "I'm tired of talking to you. I'm going now." And no one's feelings are hurt or anything. So cute.

Anyway, Lydia is able to look for good deals for you if you are interested in cable TV, Internet serviced cell phone service, and of course the digital phone and service. I am hoping we can use her when we need to change stuff so we can help her get the business going. Here's her website!

http://www.lydiakc.acnrep.com/

Rainbows and Emma Sweetness.

The other day it was raining a bit, suddenly. I had that feeling that a rainbow was coming. Sure enough in a about a minute this one came blinking into existence. Then it became a double. It was quite bright and beautiful.

After a few minutes we got cold and came inside to watch the rainbow scene out our front window. I was busy talking about what the rainbow means and how it appeared after the flood for Noah and his ark. I thought I would teach the girls a little spiritual lesson.

Suddenly Emma said, "And THERE'S Jesus RIGHT there!!!!!" I looked out and saw this....

I admired the cloud with her for awhile and then reminded her that Jesus actually has a real body just like ours and that was just a cloud. She listened nicely but responded, continuing to look out at the cloud, "but he really is out there right now. "

Here I thought I was the spiritual one. Nope, I think it's Emma!

.

Gracie's the one in the umbrella, out enjoying the rain and the bow.

a favorite quote from Nie Nie

Starting today I am going to be better. I never had a basket-head mother, and I AM NOT GOING TO BE A BASKET-HEAD MOTHER! I am going to listen, love, communicate, cherish, enjoy, teach, preach and prepare my children. Time for everything else later.

Bath and Breakfast?

This is what my Kindergartner made me for breakfast.

On her own.

Oh my!

This is where I was served.

Couldn't get this luxury in a fancy motel now could I!

THIS is the reason I married this guy!

When John and I were dating, I had some doubt as to his qualifications to marry me. Oh, Yes Yes, of course he was super, scoring much higher than I in most departments. He was definitely mature enough, he had great style, devastating in his hansom-ness, fancy car, money smarts, fabulous family, good spirituality, nice smile, firm work ethics and determination. He seemed to have all of the important qualities. Just one I was a teeny bit unsure of. It was his ability to be a little Immature when occasion called for it. After all, that seemed to be my strength.

As I wondered if this was to be a problem for us, I watched as we dated, waiting to discover the silly John, if he existed. Well, I didn't have to wait too long.

One day I was shocked and delighted! I found as we were driving along the freeway, John was perfectly willing to engage in a conversation involving the production of animal calls. I think we took turns enthusiastically making authentic sounds; cats meowing, horses neighing, dogs barking (I had lot's of practice on that one), etc. John thoroughly impressed me with his spontaneous performance. I knew then that we could make it as a married couple.

The last 13 years have been great for us. Full of fun times, hard times, much in the "learning" department. Not really free from stress of course. We have tended to be much more serious all of the time. Occasionally, however, I am reminded of that last reason I married this great guy. My latest might have been last month during Family Home Evening. The girls' favorite song to sing during FHE would have to be "Give said the Little Stream", which involves standing up every time we sing the word "give". (about 10 times in the first verse). John gives particular attention to the standing up part, much to the girls' amusement!

Just LOOK at the height!

Who says white men can't jump!

Thanks for marrying me John! I love you and all those funny little things you do that make me happy! You're a great husband and Dad.

Peace

Walking

to the corner with Grace

to catch the noon bus to Kindergarden


that "fresh blanket of snow" quietness

Feet crunching

hoods together, face to face


Clara's eyes staring into mine as we walked

questioning

then peeking out at all the whiteness.

(nothing else I'd rather be doing)