And the finishing touches to a great trip...

Fishing with Grandpa.

Although they didn't catch anything.

But like my brother Craig always says,

"That's why they call it fishin' and not catchin'."

And if you are not familiar with this wonderful place...

...I'm so sorry.

You must take a trip to Perry and enjoy yourself one of the most wonderful, melt in your mouth meals you will ever partake of. (some of that raspberry whipped butter slathered on their homemade rolls would really hit the spot right about now.)

Coming home is always a good thing.

A big squeeze for my Dad!

The exploding outhouse is still a hit.

Thanks for a fun visit and all the love.

Within these walls...

It was a wonderful trip back to Lynnwood Drive.

Spending time with my brothers means something so much deeper now.
They always took care of me when I was small.
I remember the relentless teasing but with faded edges...
like the time I had a crush on a boy named Steven Underwood.
My brother Jim would chant things about underwear I think.
And he had a nickname for my best friend Carrie - Pipe the Snipe.
Where did that come from? He still calls her that now.
And there was a nickname for me but somehow I don't really remember it.
Faded edges.


But I do remember vividly the time I was walking home from school as a first grader.
With a hairdo I loved.
Mom always fixed my hair just so.
It was a perfectly Dippity Do'd slicked back ponytail,
spun into a beautifully rolled bun,
bobbypinned to stay in place with a hair never to come undone.
I arrived home from school with tears streaming down my round, rosy cheeks.
Along the way some mean, ugly boys told me I looked like I had a piece of poop laying on my head.
Oh the hurt to my seven year old heart!
I retold the story to my brothers.
They immediately asked who it was and marched back along the route,
intending to "destroy those little jerks!"
I didn't know who they were...
lucky for them.
'Cuz my brothers would have carried out their threat.
It's one of my favorite memories of Lynnwood Drive.

I also remember the night before I was to leave on my mission.
I was sitting on the bed in my mom and dad's room.
Jim came in and closed the door.
He sat down on the bed beside me and we just talked.
Having served a mission to France he knew a lot about the journey I was about to take.
He talked about being in a foreign land,
living among strangers,
not speaking their language,
about being homesick,
and about the feeling of wondering "what in the world am I doing here??"
But then he talked to me of faith,
of prayer,
of scripture study,
and of love.
His love, my parents love and the Savior's love.
It's one of my favorite memories of Lynnwood Drive.

I also remember a time when I was a sassy preteen.
I had spoken something or used a tone of voice that was not acceptable.
My dad had sent me to my room with a promise to give me the "lickin' of my life."
I sat in my room waiting for the punishment.
My dad came in and told me to bend over and touch my toes.
Oh man, this was going to be bad.
I hesitated, staring at him with pleading eyes.
Once again he told me to bend over.
So I did but suddenly I was wrapped up in his arms.
Enfolded in strong arms of love and forgiveness.
Both of us gushing "I'm sorry's" and "I love you's".
It's one of my favorite memories of Lynnwood Drive.

Mostly I remember Mom.
Everywhere...
whether physically there or not.
Once we were mad at each other.
Or rather I was mad at her.
Now that I'm a mom, I'm sure she was trying to help me.
But I couldn't see it that way through my young, inexperienced eyes.
I stomped dramatically to my room.
Yelling. Crying.
And I slammed the door.
LOUD!!
I threatened to run away.
I opened my closet door trying to decide what I would take.
All the while, rambling about how mean and unfair my mom was.
She let me get it all out.
It took awhile.
And then with the perfect timing of my mom,
she quietly knocked on my door,
peeked her head inside and asked very gently,
"Do you need some help packing?"
I threw myself into her arms.
It's one of my favorite memories of Lynnwood Drive.

And I saw that smile and heard that laughter twice upon this visit with her.
It makes going home so bittersweet.
She is everywhere...
Within these walls.

4th of July highlights

The happy day began with a small town parade.

How can you not love the old cars,

the cheesy floats,

the great floats,

the cowgirl princesses on their horses

and don't forget the marching band!

Add in some salt water taffy thrown to the waving crowd,

ice cold snow cones

and the F-16 flyover in formation!

It gives me the chills every time.

Our niece/cousin was riding in the parade with her dance team. Go Chelsea!!

A BBQ with Brent's sister Becky and her family was lots of fun.

There was yummy food and then we jumped into their pool for a vicious game of volleyball.

And the illegal firework show right in the front yard.

Although I was against the trip to Evanston to purchase the contraband,

it was pure delight to see them burst into the sky ~ just as lovely as any city firework

display. And seeing my boys grin with adrenalin and excitement as they lit

their first firecracker was pretty great too.

Boys. Gotta love 'em.

I just love the 4th in Utah!!

GREEN with delight!!

 

Such a great evening!
Such an incredible show!
Such a wonderful daughter!
So going again!!

my week is looking soooo good!!!

Tuesday!!

Maddie and I have been looking forward to this for months!!!!

and then Friday is triple goodness...

It will start with dinner here.

My taste buds are already dancing for the
Macadamia Nut Crusted Chicken...OH MY!!

then it's off to enjoy this...

All the while holding hands and sneaking kisses with him...

...'cuz we are celebrating

18 incredible years together!

such a darling piece of our Utah visit

I've posted pictures of this cutie before but here she is again...

Sophie Joan! My sweet niece Kami's baby.
(that's my brother. um, I mean Sophie's grandpa that can't hide his love for this little one)

A bit unsure of all this attention from our family...

Starting to enjoy the attention...

Yeah, lovin' it now! And Cooper's antics are definitely helping bring on the smiles and laughter.

This one is for Fishy

About the beginning of summer I saw a change come over my middle child.

It was during the bedtime routine and I was becoming increasingly frustrated with my youngest child. He will remain nameless.

This youngest child has manipulated his bedtime routine since...

since...

FOREVER!!
See already I'm getting worked up.

As my voice began to rise and my youngest child continued to cause distress for the both of us, my middle child was lying in his top bunk ever so quiet.
When I had had enough of the child in the lower bunk, I turned my eyes up to the child above me.
His eyes were filled were tears.
My heart was breaking.
I'd let him down.
I fear I do that way too often with this child.
I asked if he was sad because of me getting upset or if he was sad about his little brother's behavior. (silently praying it was the latter)
And then he said ever so bravely,
"Well, kinda both."
Wow! I felt so small.
And then he said,
"I just wish he would obey so that it wouldn't upset you so much."

And that is when it started.
Suddenly this boy emerged as the OLDER BROTHER
or rather his little brother's SHEPHERD.
He is ever so gentle in his reminders to help his brother listen and obey.
He guides him away from the "wolf" (aka: mom) when he sees me getting frazzled.
He offers alternatives to choices which could bring the wolf from hiding.
He sacrifices (nearly always - I mean he IS 10 after all) his own desires to that of this little brother.
It happens time and time again.
I have even taken this shepherd boy of mine aside and expressed my gratitude for his selflessness. Reminding him also that it is okay to make his OWN choice and not be influenced by the need to protect, guide or lead his little brother who we enable too much already.
But of course he responds with,
"It's okay. Really."

I've seen these brothers embrace more than ever before.
I think the little one knows he is being watched over.
And finally I saw my youngest offer his gratitude.
He asked for minimal help with this offering...

and my shepherd boy, being the treat-lover that he is, gave it back to his little brother.

And what did little brother say??

"He wanted me to have it. But I let him have a bite."

And before you get all caught up in the sweetness of it all, here is what the little brother said when he saw this in his bowl of sugar coated cereal:

"Hey, mom! Can you guess what this is??"

No, I couldn't guess.

"Come on Mom! Can't you see it? It's a toilet!"