it's a gift

She takes after him...

she has his eyes

she is persistent

she plans ahead

she loves to work

she likes other people to count on her

she likes to help

she loves to laugh

...and she can touch her nose with her tongue. 

fallen leaves

sun warming our faces
fragrance of fallen leaves
my girls turning a chore into a game...

i am so glad i hesitated my first response
("NO", "we're in a hurry", "just get it done")
and replaced it with "YES!"
Ellie created that whole pile with her rake!
when they were ready for jumping they even grabbed my camera!
i am so much better off when i stop and listen to them.

his fall

On November 7th my father-in-law was installing a light panel in what we "lovingly" call the "shed."   This is his life's work place.  He was standing in a wooden bin (see right) on top of his forklift (see left).  He was lifted approximately 20 feet in the air.  He had a terrible fall (which details aren't clear).  He fell those steep 20 feet and landed on the cement floor while hitting other debris on his way down.

His accident has caused broken bones in two legs, one arm, one wrist, rib, patella and possibly his hand and an ankle.  He also had serious injuries to his face, teeth, cheek and mouth.  Thanks to our good friend Shane + Danny's sister Michel---he went straight to the hospital via ambulance.

He is doing amazingly well considering the distance of his fall.  The medical staff said today that it was as though he fell so much closer to ground level...not 20 feet...they joked that "somebody must have carried him down."  I am not sure Papa feels like he was carried down.  But he did pull through his first surgery well.  Today in fact, the trauma ER floor was talking about how he took the suctioning tube from the nurse as they were treating him and suctioned his own mouth when he first arrived at the hospital. 

His next surgery is tomorrow...his femur plate and another plate in his wrist.  He has a long road to recovery ahead of him---but he is strong and surrounded by many people who love him...a few extra prayers wouldn't hurt.  xo

Election day 2012

Election day holds so much anticipation!
We have been enjoying the process immensely at our house!
We have watched debates together (primary, presidential and vice-presidential).
I don't care for the sparring, fighting and name calling that are prevalent in politics---
but I do love the enthusiasm for country and freedom.
I love when ideas are shared and encouraged that promote growth and optimism in our country.

Ellie has been learning a lot in fifth grade about elections.
I have been surprised at her interest level.
Last week she participated in a math competition.
After it was over she commented---"I was so nervous today about my math competition.  I can't imagine if I was running for president I would be too nervous to sleep."

On our way to church on Sunday she mentioned something her teacher taught about voting.
"Did you know you could vote for all republican or all democrat when you vote?"  I responded that I did...but haven't ever done that. She continued, "I don't think anybody would vote all democrat."  I asked her why..."Who would vote for Joe Biden?"  Poor Joe.  She must not have been impressed with him in the VP debates...I promise I am not slandering any candidates to my children.

It has been a great opportunity to remind them that we respect and value the opinions of others---especially when they differ from their own.  I have made a conscious effort to share my opinion (especially when they ask) but then ask them their opinion.  I have made it clear to them (I know they are young...but I will keep saying it) that their opinions are safe here and I expect them to respect the opinions of others (whether they are political...or as trivial as BYU vs. UT).  Ellie mentioned a friend of hers was hoping President Obama would win re-election.  I asked her what she liked about him and she didn't know.  Most of the class expressed a different opinion and she didn't want to put her on the spot.  Yesterday they talked again and her friend shared with her, "My family supports President Obama because my sister and parents weren't born here and they might have to go back if President Obama isn't president."  I was glad that Ellie had another issue to think about...a real concern that brings a different perspective from my own.

I hope that our girls will always hold a love of country, a feeling a patriotism and a duty to vote that Danny and I share.  Tonight we will be huddled around the tv as a family holding our breath...crossing our fingers...and saying a little prayer as we watch the election day excitement around the country.  Our hope is that Mitt Romney will be the 45th President of the United States of America.  Regardless of the outcome we will be celebrating the gift of democracy.  Happy election day!

Images found here and here.

family pictures: 2012

We went out to Antelope Island for family pictures...

with the hopes of having pictures for a Christmas card.

I am grateful to have Christmas cards for a motivation to get this done at least once a year!

I will be completely honest...

these pictures give me a sense of serenity---

but as I reflect back it was a lot more frustration than serenity!

My friend Jenny and I had decided to take each others pictures to avoid timers, tripods and self-timers!

Their family was fabulous and being with them was the highlight of our adventure!

Unfortunately, half way through the photo shoot my camera batteries were dying faster than I could switch them.

My girls went straight into the water as soon as I suggested walking in that direction.

Sophie had to go to the bathroom once she hit the water.

In the midst of my camera/dying batteries distraction I dismissed it.

She didn't make it back to the car dry....

in fact, once the sun went down she was freezing...

wet from the water and her accident...

crying...

refusing to walk...

and our friend Tom rescued us and carried her back to the car while I carried my gear.

(I should have traded him!)

He is a SAINT!

And I am SO grateful for these pictures...

and these memories!

Thank goodness for good friends!

THANK YOU JENNY!!!!!!!!!