Sundance cabin

Saturday night we ended our day roasting smores in our backyard.  We sat around talking- just us, Danny, the girls and I.  Our conversation was casual and relaxed.  Our campfire stories turned into stories of how our family began...our dating, engagement and marriage.  Part of that story includes a cabin tucked into the woods at Sundance.  This cabin was built by Danny's grandpa.  He has so many memories helping him maintain this spot in the woods.  We hadn't realized that these three girls had never been there.  We decided to change that the next day.  After dinner we piled in the car and took the drive.

Danny told them about the totem pole that grandpa had commissioned.  A tree had died on the property and grandpa found a man to carve this structure from that tree trunk.  Danny remembered the artist being from Montana who was a chainsaw carver.  This was his first "in place" totem pole.

Grandpa laid rock all around the property.  Danny helped him with mortar and carrying stones when he was young.  

recreating the picture where our bridals were taken...over 18 years ago...love this guy!

There is a hole in this tree.  When grandpa worked up on this mountain, herding sheep, they would leave his mail and correspondence in this very tree.

 The cabin needs some work inside...like a lot of work.  Maybe the love and enthusiasm of this younger generation will inspire some more time spent in this beautiful spot!

back to school bash

Cousins, aunts+uncles, and grandparents gathered to celebrate going back to school!  Inspired by this family---we decided to have a "cafeteria fear factor."  Although I can't imagine any of these items being served in a school cafeteria, my girls and I roamed the grocery store filling our cart with what we imagined the most difficult things to swallow---

dragon fruit and spiny melon

chicken+waffles potato chips

seaweed biscuits

shrimp chips

goats milk (unflavored)

pork rinds

chicken, rice + vegetable baby food

tofurkey

marinated mushrooms

green olives

smoked oysters

pickled okra

marinated spicy bean curd

marinated cactus

creamed corn

sardines (in water +louisanna hot sauce)

Grandma Sally, Cameron, Dede and Randy!!!!

 THE WINNERS!!!!!!!!!
(looks like it will be just kids next year!)

a back to school white elephant gift exchange!
loved this!

LOVE all of these kids even more!!!!!!!
I hope they have a FABULOUS school year!!!

edge of sleep

"We can write down, and act upon, more of those accumulating resolutions for self improvement that we so often leave, unrecovered, at the edge of sleep."  -Neal A. Maxwell

There is so much that I want to do, learn, read, organize and experience.  Sunday I decided (for the 1,000,000 time) I was going to rise early this week (month....year) and begin my day.  I was motivated by books, goals and a desire for greater order in my life.  Yet, when my head hits the pillow at 12 or 1, instead of the 10 p.m. I had planned, I choose not to set the alarm.  Instead, I wake up with the sun...and my day begins.  I am studying the New Testament right now, and this message from Neal A. Maxwell was referenced (I love Citation Index from BYU).   So here it goes (the 1,000,001 time) I am setting my alarm tonight.   

his phone book

My dad has a love for personal history.  I inherited that from him.  He laboriously wrote his life history, which he completed in 2007.  It took him years to finish it.  Although he prefers the comforts of his own home, he loves to reach out to friends and family, generally by phone.  On Father's day, as soon as he realized he missed Annie's call he grabbed his phone book, to call her back.  As he sat at the table looking up her number it reminded me of the many times he called Granny...or one of his sisters--- as soon as he heard their voice he would say, "hey kid!"



From his history, the day he became a father-

"It was about one in the morning on January 11, 1971 when Mom woke me up and said it was time to go to the hospital and check into the maternity ward.  The hospital was only a few blocks from our house and we got there in a hurry.  Mom was in labor for several hours and then our little "Dolly" Carin was born in the early morning hours.  I can remember Dr. Miller coming in the waiting room and informing me that I had a baby girl.  They did not have sonograms in those days to tell the gender of a baby but neither Mom nor I had expressed and preferences as to a boy or girl.  We were delighted to just have a child.  Mom was just glowing and I couldn't stop smiling."

Thanks for writing this for us dad....
I feel so lucky to have you as a guiding influence in my life.
Happy Father's day!

our routine

It has been her routine almost every school day this year-
wake up between 9 or 10...
eat breakfast...
take a bath...
get dressed...
head out the door for afternoon kindergarten.

We have loved our mornings together!
There were days when I would wake her up with the rest of the family so that we could get more done...
but most mornings I let her sleep.
When will she be able to have leisure mornings on a regular basis...?

This morning was a special morning...
she was preparing for kindergarten graduation!
She tried on a few different shoes---to make sure they wouldn't fall off while she danced with the program.
Her teacher, at one point in the graduation program, cried when she described how much she loved the students---I cried too.
She has been the VERY BEST kindergarten teacher.
I will miss these mornings with my littlest girl---

• listening to the water fill the bathtub while I clean up breakfast.
• waking her up by kissing her cheeks
• lifting her out of bed with her arms wrapped around my neck
• finding her cheerful every single solitary morning

Happy graduation sweet Sophie!

a letter for Mother's day

To our daughters,

What I hope you know and always remember:

• my heart overflows with love for you
• when I tell dad about my favorite moments with you---a smile spreads over his face and he says "they're so cute"
• we wouldn't change one.single.solitary.thing about you
• the Mother's day gifts I received are special to me---but nothing makes me happier than the notes and card you have given me all week
• treasures you make with your hands are worth more than diamonds to me
• being cuddled on the couch, reading a book together---the five of us, is like heaven on earth to me
• you are each unique and special in your own ways and we love that you are so different from each other
• when you all want to sit beside me at the very same time---and I have two on each side and Sophie on my lap---I feel like I am doing something right as a mom
• I absolutely LOVE being your mother

How did I get SO lucky!?

xoxo

Mom

Sophie,

On Friday as I was doing your hair for school you mentioned that it was "mom show and tell" that day.  You weren't sure of any details and I had never heard anything about it from your teacher...so it went in one ear and out the other (does that ever happen to you?).  When I arrived at the school to pick you up at the end of your school day---tears were streaming down your face.  "You didn't come" was all that I could understand of the words you tried to get out through your sobs.  I was heart sick.  At the end of the school day your teacher invited the moms to come so that they could be your show and tell that day.    (How did I not get this invitation from your teacher?)  You wanted me there...and had I known that you were watching the door, waiting for me to come through, I would have been there.  I felt so sorry for not listening to you.  Thank you for wanting me there...and for telling me the "special thing about your mom" that you wanted to share with the class as we sat on the couch together after school.  (I am glad you like my chocolate chip cookies.)  Thank you for forgiving me...I love you with all my heart!

Mom

The important thing about mom is she's kind

she's pretty,

comforting,

and quiet,

She takes care of me,

she loves me,

she helps me play cello,

she gives me fun activities,

she teaches me things I need to know,

she's neat and orderly.

But the important thing about mom is she's kind.

From,

Kate

Sweet Kate---thank you for writing this poem for me.  I loved the hearts that you drew next to your poem.  I hope I can live up to these nice things you have said about me.  I know all of those nice things remind me of you- pretty, comforting, quiet, full of love and fun...and most of all kind!  I love you sweetheart

Dear Ellie,

Thank you for the sweet cards you wrote me...and for your enthusiasm for showering me with gifts on mother's day morning.  You were so excited and it brightened my day!  You make being a mom easy!  You are so good to me---helpful, hardworking and full of love.  You were the very first to make me a mom over 11 years ago!  I love you!

xo

lil' Finn

...a blessing straight from heaven...

our sweet nephew Finneus was born

on February 27th

 

first lost tooth!

she came into the world

Rose Aponi

entered the world on December 29th

weighing 8 lbs 4 oz

adored by her mother Lilly, her father Paul and her big sister Sage

She has many adoring aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents too...

within you there is a stillness

"Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself."

Hermann Hesse 

I have to remind myself over and over and over again...

to seek stillness and to make those things that bring real peace + joy my priorities

Instead I have been...

watching too much news

(especially political news)

over-scheduling myself

with the computer too close by

As much as I am not a winter person---

the quietness of snow falling throughout the day has inspired me to do better.

a little gift

Coming home from a walk a few weeks ago we found a gift for Kate on the doorstep.  There was a plate of cookies (snicker-doodles) and six small plants of red sedum creeper.  Sitting with this gift was a card.  The girls and I gathered on the porch...they ate snicker-doodles while I read the card aloud.

Dear Kate,


How exciting to be baptized...to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and receive the Holy Ghost.  Even though your baptism + confirmation only took a short time your life will be changed forever.  You have actually been working up to these steps for 8 years, walking + following your parent's example and the example of the Savior.  I'm pleased to know you and to watch you make this most important step in your life so far.


Now...I have given you a little gift- it is kind of a strange gift for an 8 year old but it is something I love.  It is a plant that you can plant anywhere in your garden that you have room for ground cover.  This is why I love this plant---It is like a testimony.


1.  It is easy to grow.  It doesn't need tons of sun or tons of water.  It just needs a little of both once it is planted.  Sun (prayer), water (scriptures)
2.  It changes throughout the spring + summer + into the fall.  Sometimes it grows little flowers + then in the fall it changes colors.  Just like our lives we will experience things that will add to our testimony- make it more beautiful, bigger + colorful
3.  It is reliable.  It comes back EVERY year as long as it has had some water + some sun in the summer.  Each year it will get stronger + bigger.  You might even need to divide it + spread it to another area in the garden.


I also made you some snickerdoodles.  First of all because your mother said they were one of your favorites.  The other reason is because I think you are sometimes a little snickerdoodle---cute, fun, giggly + sweet with a touch of cinnamon in your hair.  


May Heavenly Father bless you in this new part of your journey.
Love to you,
Betsy


After I finished reading Ellie responded "that is the best card we have ever read."  They loved the analogies made...and the cookies were delicious.  I loved the thoughtfulness and time a dear friend took to touch the heart of my daughter.

in the waters...

...of baptism

Kate chose to be baptized on July 7th.

I have created a photo book for my girls as a keepsake for their baptisms.  (See book here)  I have included a page for them to write their memories, for Danny + I to write our thoughts, special words given in the blessing as they receive the Holy Ghost, a few pages for family + friends to write thoughts and feelings to them on that day.

These books have been such treasures for Danny and I.  I hope the girls will love them as much as we do.  

Her memories as she wrote them....

"I thoght about how many time I would hear Holy gost.  I wondered If I would remember the tile.  And If I would have a memorey that gib Lowe was saying my name during the bllesing.  And that I was qieting him by putting my finger up to my mouth.  Kate"

As I read that I smiled.  I was right behind cute Gib and didn't hear one word :)  Sam Lowe and Kate were baptized on the same day.  They are wonderful friends and it was nice sharing the day together.  Kate and Sam wanted to play a song for their baptism.  Originally they planned on "I Wonder When He Comes Again."  As the time got closer and Sam returned from being in Europe for a month we realized they wouldn't be ready on their own to do that.  When Sam returned (4 days before the baptism) we got together and chose "I Know That My Redeemer Lives."  Sam (piano) and I played a prelude.  Ellie (guitar), Jake Lowe (guitar), Kate (cello) and I (guitar) accompanied as we all sang.  Heidi and Nana Miller sang with us too.

Aunt Sharon shared some thoughts on the Holy Ghost...

"Precious young people, make every decision you contemplate pass this test:  What does it do to me?  What does it do for me?  And let your code of conduct emphasize not What will others think? but rather What will I think of myself?  Be influenced by that still, small voice.  Remember that one with authority placed his hands on your head at the time of your confirmation and said, 'Receive the Holy Ghost.'  Open your hearts, even your very souls, to the sound of that special voice that testifies of truth."  

President Monson

 After the baptism we had family + friends gather at our home for lunch:  sandwiches, salads, beans, chips, drinks and Amanda's ice cream dessert.  I don't know what we would do with out our families!  They were SO helpful!  After lunch and visiting---those that were left---headed over to the pool with us for a few hours of swimming.  Then for dinner the kids ate at the house with Nana and the rest of the adults went out to dinner.  (Thank you Nana!!!!)  After eating...and picking apricots we set up a movie in the backyard with blankets and treats.  What a wonderful day!!!!!!!  A favorite of Kate's for sure!!!!