By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them

We live in a community of humble, good people. People who love us despite our faults and give to us just because they are good. Everyone knows that summer's end is the harvest. Nate and I, unfortunately, have never had a harvest. But we reap the benefits of many others hard work. We have had numerous neighbors give to us from their gardens this year. Every time I thank them heartily because, really, you can't beat garden tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, green peppers, and on and on. Just today I was given a bag full of ripe beautiful vegetables. I have eaten a quarter of the tomatoes by myself in the last hour. This blog is just to say thank you to him who giveth. . . and I hope to remind me someday. . .when I have a beautiful garden. . . because I will one day. . . oh yes. . I will. . . that I need to give back to someone else. That's what makes people neighbors and neighbors friends.

Pets and Princesses

This past week has been interesting. Ben went back to school and Nathan was at work. So, for the first time in about a year it was just me and the girls again. The first day was nightmarish. Rachel was very tired from waking early and whined most to the day. My reaction to this was less then patient and loving. The second day we did much better and by the third day I was on a role. When the girls were annoying me I suggested they have a tea party. And then to make it really attractive I told them we would make cookies for our tea party. It worked like a charm. They were entertained by something besides TV and I got to feel like I was a good mom.


This Monday is Ben's 7th birthday. Time flies. Anyway, the other night I had a dream. In my dream I was at walmart where there were teachers with their classroom pets. One of the teachers had two tree frogs. I was so excited to hold these and play with them. I woke up and I thought, Ben needs a pet. So, tonight, for his birthday he went to Petco and found a hamster. . . which he lovingly name Orie. . . short for orange because his hamster is kind of orange. This is also Ben's favorite color. We actually went to Pets Mart first but they only carried female hamsters. I was thinking that Ben wouldn't know the difference but he can read. He found no "male" hamsters. So we had to go to another store. A boy needs a boy pet. We have all spent the evening facinated by Orie's amazing feats. He is quite talented and can even hang from the top of his cage grasping on with all fours. Ben says this is the best present he has ever had. I think it kind of stinks. . . literally. But Orie is a great present.
Sorry about the X rated nature of this photo. At first I thought that Orie was relieving himself but then after several of the same shots it dawned on me that maybe Orie is just well endowed.

What a Handsome Little Devil

Ben's first day of second grade. I am still as protective of him as the day he went to kindergarten. I worry and worry. I don't know why. He has always shown me he can handle things. Anyway, he went back to Lincoln Elementary where he went in kindergarten. I was unsuccessful at getting him into the other school. That's a long story. I am sure he will do just fine at Lincoln anyway. He is just happy to be back surrounded by kids all day. He is funny. Last year we created a little tradition on the way home from school. I would say,"So, Ben, do you want to tell me about your day?" He would always say yes. I would turn off the radio and listen to him talk all the way home. This year, I am not working so we don't have the long drive home. . . but the first thing he said when he got in the van on the first day was "Let me tell you about my day." I am glad that tradition is holding strong.

What Goes Up Must Come Down

Well, I did it. I finally got up the courage to go over to this brand new elementary school in my area. . . but not in my district. . .to try to get Ben enrolled there. I have been such a chicken thinking they would just stare at me. Anyway, I went in and told the secretary I wanted to enroll my boy there. She said that they were really full and the only way he would even have a chance would be if he was a second grader. I think I screamed for joy at her "He is a second grader!" I know I was just beaming. I am sure it was funny. Anyway, tomorrow I will go fill out some paperwork and get Ben in. I am really excited.

In other news, I got a call on this job I am hoping to get. I have an interview Thursday. I think this is a great option and will leave me some time to be a mom still. Your prayers are appreciated seeing as they want a spanish speaker. Perhaps you can all pray for me to get the gift tongues. HEHEHE.

So, it was a fabulous day. I was so excited I decided to take the kids to the mall. On the way I called my mom to tell her my good news. I was grinning ear to ear when I heard gagging noises from the back seat followed by full heaving. Emily threw up like 5 times. Oh well, it's impossible to go up without coming back down at some point. Not everything can go perfect. :)

It's No Wonder Making Bread Makes Happy Kids

Another Change

Last week Nathan's parents came right from the airport to our house so Nate's Dad could ordain Nathan a High Priest. I thought there would be some magical change. . . but he seems the same. :) He will, however, be starting his job Tuesday. We are so excited and looking forward to that. I will miss him and his incredible skills with the dish washer. Although, he seems to think I will still save dishes for him to do after work. I will have to think about that one. What am I saying. . . what is there to think about. Of course I will save the dishes for him. He just wants to be able to contribute to the household. How could I deny him that.

Can You Do This?

Ben seems to have incredible flexibility. Even my girls can't surpass his crazy talents. He sometimes does this amazing Yoga pose at the dinner table. He also likes to move from one place to another by somersaulting backwards. I think there is a good chance of him making some kind of living in the circus.

Birthday Wishes.

Today is my dad's 65th birthday. This year is Smokey the Bear's 65th birthday as well. So, it was suitable that we spent some time with my dad in the mountains. . . Smokey would also have loved this. We tried to do our part in preventing Forest Fires. . . but I think that Nathan built the world's biggest pit fire last night. . . so maybe that was not true.
Anyways, my parents have been serving as missionaries this summer by being camp hosts at their Stake Camp, Aspen Lakes. It is a great place to go with canoeing, a ropes course, hiking, zip lines and best of all. . . hot showers. I just love my dad and I am really proud of he and my mom for giving up most of there summer so lots and lots of girls, boys, wards, and families could go to Aspen Lakes and have an awesome time. Happy Birthday Dad!

Waiting for the Dust to Settle!

What a week. O.k. I really don't know where to begin. About 2 weeks ago Nathan interviewed for a job. It sounded great, the interview went fantastic, and we thought for sure he would get it. It was in Salt Lake. Yea! I would get to move closer to the fam. Well, as you have already probably put together, things did not pan out. We were really disappointed. I mean really disappointed.
Well, the day before we found out that we didn't get that job another company called Nate. This is a company Nate toured about 6 weeks ago just for fun. They didn't have any job openings but he really hit it off with the engineer who gave him the tour. Anyways, this guy called Nate and asked him to drop by because he wanted to introduce Nathan to the senior engineer. So, Monday, Nate dropped by and they offered him a job. The company is called Setpoint USA here in Ogden. Nate is excited about it.
Here's the funny part. Tuesday Nate got a call from the Stake President's office. They asked him to come on down for an appointment. Okey Dokey. Well, we couldn't get there until Friday. Anyway, long story short, Nate got asked to serve as a counselor in the Bishopric. I just find the timing so funny. I mean, Nate has been looking for a job for months. The day after he gets the long awaited blessing God gets him right to work and seals our fate as far as any moving. . . I see that there will be no moving in the near future.
So, our life feels kind of exciting this week. Which is nice for a change after a summer of really doing a lot of entertaining the kids and not much else. I know Nathan is really excited to get back to work and be busy. A year at home taking care of the kids will do that to a man. I hope everything works out. There is still a lot up in the air about Nates job (mainly a salary). I have been looking for a job and I am planning on doing something for the time being but I think that I have come to the conclusion that I want to stay with the girls during the day so I won't be going back to teaching. Really, I have spent all summer trying to see the end from where we are and I still just can't make it out. But, at the very least, it seems that the end will be here in Ogden for now. :)

In other news:

First annual puzzle contest. The girls win it!


Man Bakes homemade bread. It's miraculous.


Swimming at Auntie Allyson's right before the move.


Goodbye Auntie Allyson. They are off to Phoenix so Matt can become a Podiatrist.



And last but not least. What is Emily pretending to be in these pictures. We may never know.