Teenager!

Brynn wanted her hair highlighted. I told her that if she paid for it, she could. So she called "Little Mama" in our ward and asked her if she would be willing to do it. "Little Mama" jumped at the opportunity! She & Brynn worked out a deal. Thanks, "Little Mama"! Brynn LOVES it!

Watch out, boys!!

A Most Irreverent Mom

Today was one of those days that I just wanted to skip church and stay home all by myself. That's 2 weeks in a row now that I've had this problem. However, I thought last week was bad. Nope, today was much, much worse. I finally dragged my carcass out of bed at about 9:30 this morning. But I couldn't stand the thoughts of taking my earplugs out. Yes, I sleep with earplugs because I have a "snore logger" for a husband. But I also crave solitude lately. No noise, no people, just isolation. Once I was ready for church, I reluctantly removed my ear plugs. Even the air was noisy.

Sacrament meeting seemed awfully noisy today. Babies screaming and squealing, parents shushing them. I made it through the passing of the Sacrament before I finally gave in and leaned forward with my elbows on my knees and my fingers pressing my ears shut. I could still hear the speaker, but the other noise lessened immensely. My mind began to wander, rather than focusing on the speaker. But I had to keep in touch with the speaker so that I could get up to accompany some families for a musical number between speakers.

As I sat at the piano, waiting for the families to finish filing up to the podium, one of the adults looked at me as she headed up the stairs. I smiled at her and she totally rolled her eyes, showing her disgruntled feelings at having to participate. Because of my lack of reverence, this action produced a bubbling giggle to erupt from deep within my belly! It surprised me and to me it sounded very loud. I had to turn my head to stifle it. I succeeded and once I looked at my music, only a couple of little bubbles escaped.

The families did a great job. A soon as they were finished, I returned to my seat and continued to fight those silly giggle bubbles! I totally get that people really just endure those kind of assignments; getting up to perform in sacrament meeting isn't something that people beg to do. And in this case, all members of the families were dragged into it. It just hit my giggle button right on target today, that's all. I still can't help smiling when thinking about it.

The remainder of the meeting, I resumed my ear plugging. And to keep from giggling anymore, I concentrated on how to come up with my own piano solo arrangement with a specific hymn. It's something I've always wanted to try, but haven't had the time to devote myself to. So I made notes on the hymn page (in pen. I didn't have a pencil), and someday, I will refer to them and try to develop that talent.

So I had Terry bring me home after Sacrament Meeting. I just couldn't take anymore church. Or rather, I don't think the people at church would be able to handle me today. So I made dinner and did the dishes to repent of my hairy-carry I had last night. That's another post.

And that's my story of "A Most Irreverent Mom". I'm sure nobody else EVER feels like that!

I Love To See the Temple

Today I played "I Love To See the Temple" in Sacrament Meeting. It's arranged by Randy Cox. I've had this arrangement for at least 10 years and haven't ever been able to play it. Every couple of years I would pull it out and try to learn it. I just couldn't ever "get it". It didn't make sense to me. So with my release from Primary, I've spent a lot more time on my pianos. When I pulled this music out to try yet again, I found that I was getting somewhere with it. It wasn't long before I could connect with it and fell in love with the arrangement. Then with our experience at the Oquirrh Mt. Temple Open House, the song has even more meaning for our family. I am posting a recording I did a couple of days ago in our home. The sound isn't spectacular, but it's the best I could do. You can start the clip and listen to it as you continue to scroll down & look at the pictures we took of the Oquirrh Mt. Temple.

Brynn took this picture from the van as we were moving down Bangerter Hwy.

As we were walking toward the temple, I stopped to take a picture.

Then I noticed this sign. Oops! I'm such a rebel. Luckily there weren't many people around us. Actually, there weren't ANY. It was 8:30 on a Tuesday morning. I thought the sign was kind of funny. Who wouldn't want to stop and gawk at the awesome Temple?

This would be such a great picture if there weren't all the tents in the background. I love how the sun is just behind the spire.

If you look closely at the trumpet arm, you'll see a bit of discoloration. The poor guy got zapped by lightening last month. Some minor plastic surgery is in the makings, so I hear.

Mema went with us to the Open House.

There were plenty of people working the temple grounds to take pictures for us!

This is another of Brynn's fly-by shots from the Hwy.

The sun was directly in front of us. It was difficult to keep our eyes open AND not squint. After a few takes and the wiping away of tears running down our faces, we were fairly successful.

I took this picture as we exited the grounds.

Yes, I stopped again. I'm getting pretty good at all this rebel stuff!

We are so glad that Mema was able to come with us!

It was such a wonderful experience and we'll remember it forever.

As we were driving to the Oquirrh Mt. Temple, we caught a close glimpse of it from the road. I was surprised to see how small it was. I didn't realize it was to be one of the smaller Temples. When I mentioned my surprise, Brynn matter-of-factly stated:

"Small temple, big purpose"

Our Eternal Family

Emma's Lip Sync

As Terry & I were going through iMovie HD tonight, we found this SWEET lip sync that Emma recorded of herself. It's hilarious! We watched it 3 times, laughed our heads off, and peed our pants every time! It's a good thing tomorrow's a laundry day:) We have posted this without Emma's consent. Sorry Emma, but we just love it and had to share it with our family.

Love ya, Sweet Emma!

Boating

The day after we arrived in Utah, Joey & Stacia took us boating. The kids rode in the 3 man water tube and had a blast!

I went out on the boat with Brynn, Terry, Sally, and Joey. Brynn wanted to try the knee board. She's never even been water skiing! Joey showed her how do get on and stay on. On her third try, she did it! She even stayed on while struggling with the velcro strap that secures her legs. She's awesome!!

Brynn was so inspiring, I decided to jump in fully clothed and try the board, too. There's no video of my 3 attempts. I just flopped all over the water like a stupid whale, allowing myself to get beat up while hoping that I could get my knees up from under my boobie-do. It was a vain hope. I never made it all the way up to my knees. I have nicely bruised ribs on my right side to remind me of how fat and out of shape I am!

Apparently, Terry didn't fare any better than me.

Terry & I are now walking 4 days a week together.

We hope to be in better shape next summer.

Sally braved the tube! Lookin' good!

Thanks for the fun day, Joey & Stacia!

Ahhhhh!!

This is Utah's weather for this week. The weekend looks great, but I'm feeling pretty smug about next weeks weather here in the Northwest.

Today was great! It was cool, cloudy, yet no rain. I actually wore levi pants! I love it here. I'm now thinking that it wouldn't be worth moving to Utah just to get out of doing early morning seminary. It's a good thing I never say never:)

Bring.... it.....ON!

WHAAAAHOOOOO!

This is WAR!

These atrocious buggers (aka: fruit flies) have come to the wrong woman's domain. Armed with Apple Cider Vinegar and hand dish soap, I have declared war!

Mmmwhaaah-haaah-haaah-haaaah!

(Imagine me with armor and a helmet displaying horns, laughing menacingly)

As of 11:30 p.m., Monday the 3rd of August, 53 have been "cast into the sea". Yep, 53! I just counted each and every pesky one. And this is just the first 3 days of battle!

VICTORY!

Just a Girls' Day Out (part 2)

FINALLY!! Here is part 2 of "Just a Girls' Day Out" post. I'm only 6 or 7 weeks behind schedule:)

After visiting the Pacific Science Center, we went over to the Seattle Aquarium. It's been a few years since we'd last been there and it's had quite a face lift since then! Awesome fish tank, octopus, jelly fish, and of course the tide pools where we can touch all of the sea stars, sea urchins, cucumbers, anemones, and lots of other cool creatures!

Camping with Dad