Coloring Therapy

The sisters were bummed last night when they came to take me teaching with them. A baptism fell through (for Today) and they needed a taste of heaven. We served them ice cream and a coloring book. While making phone calls cancelling those who were to participate in the baptism program, the sisters got in some coloring therapy. They left their masterpieces with me. They even sang us the song they were going to sing at the baptism which I put on video and will be forwarding to their mamas. Poor sisters--this experience "did not meet their expectations" (Sister Smith's phrasing for "this sucks").

Zooming Around the Zoo

Even the bird posed for the camera when I told Coco to look at me for the picture!

Coco the. . .giraffe?

Yesterday we went to the Nashville Zoo with Jill and her girls, Reagan and Alyx. The girls had a great time looking at the monkeys and feeding the birds. It was a beautiful day and we hope to go back soon! Thanks Jill for the fun times!

That's the Ticket

I am THRILLED that an ALASKAN WOMAN is McCain's VEEP! WOO-HOO!!! Go McCain/Palin!

Deep Thoughts

Here is an email I received from the hard-working Managing Editor of a high-stress newsroom, Mr. Turner:

FYI - I like Chinese food, in case you need to know. I haven't had Chinese food since the Weinheimers, but I like it none the less.

You always tell people that I don't like it, but I do. I like sweet & sour chicken, orange chicken, lemon chicken, egg rolls, broccolli & beef, cashew chicken.. etc, etc, etc.

I like Thai food, as well.

So we don't eat it as often... we don't really eat out much at all as it is, so it makes sense that we don't have it as often. Now that we know of a Chinese place in Mt. Juliet, we may have it more often.

Now you know.

Good thing he's working so hard, eh? This must have been around lunchtime when he realized I didn't pack him a lunch?

We Seek After These Things

Taylor and Bryn are virtuous, lovely, of good report and praiseworthy. Taylor is so honest and sweet. If another child does something wrong and is embarrassed, Tay always says, "It's okay. Everybody makes mistakes. Don't worry about it." She is always trying to make others feel happy and wanted. She has a sensitivity to others that I've never seen in a child her age. Bryn, also, exhibits the quality of integrity. She took a test the other day and got a 100%. As they went over the test in class she noticed that her teacher didn't mark an answer wrong that she had missed so she told her about it and the teacher amended the grade. I feel so happy that she chose to choose the right instead of getting a better grade. Great girls!

Putting It On

I was doing this squishy number to Coco's face and she told me, "Mommy, put this on you b-lll-aw-gggg!"

10

Bryn turns 10 today. Where did this decade go? I can't believe I have a double-digit kid! Wow! This is one of my favorite pictures of Bryn. Here are 10 facts about Bryn at age 10:

1. She loves pink.
2. She loves High School Musical. (That's why the contest with EHS)
3. She has a quick wit.
4. She makes and keeps friends easily.
5. She's got a sweet testimony of the Gospel and it's hard for her to share it with others without crying.
6. She's not only book smart, but she reads people easily and can see things as more than just "black & white".
7. She's got a contagious giggle.
8. She likes jokes and riddles.
9. She wants to be a pop star and act on Disney Channel.
10. She loves to swim.

Happy Birthday, Brynnles! We love and adore you!

Numeral Uno

The winner of the latest giveaway is Holly Turner! Stay tuned for other giveaways!

GIVEAWAY

What do these letters stand for? Whoever guesses correctly by 7 p.m. (central) Sunday, August 17 will be entered to win a homemade craft from yours truly. You do not have to have a blog to enter and you can enter family members or send them to my site. I will choose the winner by using the scientifically correct method of having my 3 year-old daughter draw a number from a hat. So, getcha head in the game! (That was a hint!)

It's You and Me, Kid

It's weird to have the girls gone all day again. I don't think Coco knows what to think about all that. She asks me several times a day if "Bin and Cotlyn at cool?". I guess she wants to make sure they aren't out partying without her. I can't wait to spend the school year forming an even stronger bond with her. It's just you and me, kid!

These Boots Were Made For Walking

And that's just what they'll do. . .As I was looking through my pictures, I found another one of Scotty in those cowboy boots. She wears them with everything even in the hot, humid heat. Coco has taken after her fashion sense. I think she may take after Grandpa. He even wears his to church!

Slipping Through My Fingers

The girls started school today. Bryn's a 5th Grader and Scotty's a 1st Grader. The time is going so fast. Pretty soon I'll be posting pictures outside their dorms at college. YIKES!!! I need to find a way to unwind the clock.

Beijing 2008

Our friends from the ward, the Weinheimers, invited us over to watch the Opening Ceremonies. The McCray's and Dubravac's were there, too, and we ate Chinese take-out. It was so fun and exciting to watch the world come together all in the name of athletics. We were very sad to learn the next day that a former BYU volleyball player, BYU Men's Volleyball Coach and current U.S. Men's Volleyball Coach lost his father-in-law in a fatal stabbing in Beijing. It seems so surreal after seeing the peace and worldly love that was exhibited in the Opening Ceremonies.

Cedars of Lebanon

The other day we went on a family hike to Cedars of Lebanon State Park. It was so beautiful and lush and green. We had a great time! A lot of walking in the humid heat for my little ones but they did great. We found out that the cedars have been used to make pencils at a factory in Lebanon, TN.

I've Been Tagged

Thanks Holly! Ok, here's what i'm supposed to do: list 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 surprising facts and then tag 5 other people. Leave a comment for the people you tag so they know they have been tagged.

joys
1. My giggly girls
2. Jared, who holds his Estrogen Gang together
3. My knowledge that my Father in Heaven knows and loves me.

fears
1. Me, Jared or one of my girls dying
2. One of my girls being abducted
3. Natural disasters

current obsessions
1. blogging
2. crafting (I get giddy when I step into Hobby Lobby)
3. Reading books

facts
1. I grew up in beautiful Anchorage, Alaska.
2. I graudated from BYU BEFORE I met and married my eternal companion. (That's quite a feat for some in Happy Valley).
3. I am happy!

now i have to tag five people:
1. Jill
2. Joanna
3. Candice
4. Sally
5. Kristi
6. Gail This will force you to blog, woman! Tee-hee!

Fodder

Websters Dictionary: fod-er (noun) 1. Feed for livestock, especially coarsely chopped hay or straw. 2. Raw material, as for artistic creation.
Coco's Definition: fod-der (noun) 1. The guy who I've got wrapped around my finger. 2. The guy who comes home from work just to let me boss him around and call him "The Beast" as I spin around and call myself "Booty".

Three (3)

Have you ever noticed that when there are 3 girls in a group one of them inevitably gets left out? Today it occurred to me that not only has this happened between my girls and their friends, but between these 3 sweet daughters of mine as well. Inevitably, one of my girls acts grumpy or hurt at any given moment and the other 2 are buddy-buddy. I hope that someday these sisters will be the best of friends like I am with my 2 sisters. After all the fights about hogging the bathroom, borrowing clothes, boys. . .I'm no dummy. I know it's going to get worse before it hopefully gets better.