Happy Birthday Sheyla!

Ten things about Sheyla:

1. She is a big reason I wanted more children.

She was such a great kid

I could easily see having more.

2. She is super duper smart.

She memorized the book Madeline

when she was two

and with the cutest voice;

she could say all the words 

and turn the pages 

at precisely the right moment.
It was precious!

3. She has a pitch perfect voice.

4. She can play the piano really well

(and she can sight read amazingly well)

but she doesn't play nearly enough.

5. She got glasses when she was 10.

She has horrible eye sight 

and I didn't believe she couldn't see well

because she read so many books

(I'm not always the smartest Mom).

6. She volunteered at Timpanogos Caves 

when she was 16 years old.

She hiked 1 1/2 miles each way

with a 1,065 foot climb,

several times a week 

during that dry hot summer.

7. She went on a mission

(for our church)

to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

She worked hard and was very brave.

8. She is almost done with

Massage Therapy School.

9.  She deserves to be happy.

10. She wants to work in Hawaii

after she graduates.

I think she can do anything she puts her mind to.

Memorial Day.

Thank you!

Almost 9 week old Pippin trying to jump on couch.

Confessions from an out of shape walker.

This week the health challenge is 

to increase aerobic exercise to 45 minutes,

3 times a week.

So, yesterday I walked up and down the hills of our neighborhood.

Pretty awesome views

(pictures taken via cell phone).

Lucky, I know.

Here's the confession:

1. I am so out of shape. 

Not a surprise if you know me.

Adding one thing each week to this challenge is perfect.

I know I wouldn't be able to do all at once.

I need that extra time.

I am determined to continue with this 12 week challenge

and then after it's all done

continue exercising and trying to be healthier.

If I had been walking the hills religiously

for all the nearly 11 years that we've lived here

I'd be in amazing shape.

It often hurts to walk hills for me

and I give up.

We sometimes drive somewhere else 

to walk on flatter terrain.

I will continue to walk the hills

(maybe not every time I walk)

because I think this will be really good for me.

If it doesn't kill me first.

2. The heavy breathing of walking up hills

is how I felt when I was trying to surf

(paddling, trying to stand up and the ever falling 

and fighting to get back up on the board).

If I can get better on hills

I hope to get better at surfing.

3. I feel my body and mind is falling apart.

I am hoping this health challenge helps them both.

4.. I won the worst parent of the year award yesterday.

We didn't pay for the year book at the beginning of the year

and they don't have anymore.

In my defense the first of the school year

was a crazy crazy time 

(the bike accident and everything else

that came with it and

the helping him to recover and 

all that came with that.

I may get one bonus point for

driving him to and from school 

for close to three months.

Another bonus point for taking him

to the InstaCare yesterday

to check his swollen finger 

that he just started complaining about

but injured it a couple of weeks ago.

Luckily it's not broken).

Still he doesn't get a yearbook

and I feel really bad about that.

5.  I don't want to watch American Idol this week.

The people I liked are gone

and they didn't even invite the winner from last year.

 The end

or on it goes.

Beautiful Date.

We don't get to go out on dates by ourselves often enough.

So we jumped at the chance to do something to enjoy 

the beautiful non-raining day that was Saturday.

We walked on the trail to see Bridal Veil Falls

and we went a little further

(and we went to dinner

and tried to watch a movie at home

and then Davis came home).

A pretty great date!

Lamb and Wool Festival.

I enjoyed seeing the dogs

heard the sheep and ducks.

I was hoping for more wool.

It seemed to be good for little kids

and my kid was 6 foot 3 inches.

I did love the sign 

after leaving the barn.

Live and learn.

First Date and Bravery.

Yes. It was his first date.

Yes. She had to do the asking.

Yes. It took bravery

and courage to say yes,

to go,

and to have fun.

Yes. She is sweet and knew 

that Davis is Autistic

and has severe Anxiety

and other things.

Yes. He came home early.

Yes. He was exhausted.

Yes. He took a shower 

to wash the paint (they had a paint fight)
and sweat (he danced and danced)
off his body.

Yes. He went right to sleep.

Yes. He had a smile on his face.

Love Mindy Gledhill

Pretty little potholder.

I bought this book ages ago.

I am finally making one

(actually I am going to make about six

or more).

I'm not completely finished with the first.

By the way:

1.  I do not sew nearly often enough 

so I am not nearly comfortable enough

to even think to know what I'm doing.

But!

I am working on it.

2.  I liked making this log cabin pattern

and I am not a quilter.

4.. Davis got asked to MORP.

Prom backwards.

This will be his first date.

4.  Little Pippin will be going to his new home

in two weeks and it makes me a little sad

but we cannot keep three dogs.

He is soooo cute.

5.  Dear Husband and I started a health challenge last week.
There is a new challenge each week
and then a new one is added each week
(it goes on for 12 weeks
and we are going to continue to work on it forever.
Well.
That's the plan).
It really is brilliant.
Last week was exercise three times a week for 30 minutes.
This week is to have at least 3 fruits/vegetables a day.
The idea is to continue to do each challenge
and add or increase them each week.
We want to get healthier
and in better shape.
I want to be able to stand up
on a surfboard the next time I go surfing
(among other things).

Eat it or Starve.

Couldn't resist.

Love it!

Eye to eye and cheek to cheek with bold beautiful rainbow.

"May God give you...

For every storm a rainbow, 

for every tear a smile,

for every care a promise

and a blessing in each trial.

For every problem life sends,

a faithful friend to share,

for every sigh a sweet song

and an answer for each prayer."

Irish Blessing.

Rainbow,

beyond my own backyard.

Look who got his braces off!

Random Wednesday...

 

Mother's Day.

Flowers and cards.

I love those beautiful flowers and soothing words.

Married daughter and son-in-law

gave me a used pink cashmere sweater to felt.

Very thoughtful.

One daughter prayed for me.

I can always use that.

Son and daughter-in-law gave me these sweet flowers.

Jeff taught my lesson for me at church

and got someone to help him in class.

Those three year old's can be an adorable but tough crowd.

He also made dinner

and gave me flowers.
We had almost all of the family
most of the day.

That is what it's all about.

So, I thank you!

Liat Yaniv, Paper Worker and Amazing!

I've shown this one before.

I've drawn cartoons (badly)

ever since I was about 10 years old.

 I know I really need to make another one.

A while ago I saw online

some art work from someone

named Liat Yaniv.

I was mesmerized.

Understandably so.

She uses cut pieces of newspaper 

to make amazing art work.

This is so adorable.

Made with cut pieces of newspaper.

Amazing.

Find her here.

She offered to send me a post card

and a catalog of her work.

I got it in the mail yesterday.

Now I have a Israel blog friend!

This is a picture of what she sent me.

Both of the pictures I got from her blog

and used with permission.

I love it!

She also recommended the name of Tobias 

(or Toby for short)

for our little puppy.

We were very tempted to name him that.

 A very sweet and distinguished name.

Gracie doll from Ninimakes.

A while ago I received a large envelope in the mail.

 I bought a sweet fabric Gracie doll from

Ninimakes.

I once won a giveaway from her

and I was mesmerized not only by the prize

but also by the way she wrapped the gifts.

This time was no different

in the fact that the wrapping is so sweet.

Look at those buttons.

And look at her card.

How sweet is that!

The last picture shows the adorable doll.

It's downstairs in the tv room.

Next to the pillow I made.

She also sent the sweet flower.

Just because she is so neat!

She is so very talented!

Go check out her blog here,

I call her my England blog friend.

Because that's where she now lives.

I've never met her before

but she grew up close to where I did

in Northern California.

Small world.

You can order kits from her website here.

She also gives a few of her embroidery patterns for free.

They are just as amazing.

This is one of her patterns

that I embroidered.

I told you she is so talented!

Happy Mother's Day!

 http://notevenclosetoempty.blogspot.com/2010/05/few-thoughts-on-being-mother.html
This is an old post.
I might add,  "An old but classic post".
Here is just a little extra:
Free of charge!

The Heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom

of which you will always find forgiveness.

"Honor de Balzac" (1799-1850)

"A mother is the truest friend we have, 

when trials, heavy and sudden,

fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity;

when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine,

desert us when troubles thicken around us, 

still will she cling to us, 

and endeavour by her kind precepts and counsels 

to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace 

to return to our hearts."

Washington Irving

Tulip, Muscari, Daffodils, beautiful mountains and little pink hyacinth

All the while in my own garden.

I love Spring.

5 and a half week old pappi-poo.

Harry Tobias Jimmer Pippen Potter.

Pippen for short.

Adorable.