The GREAT Harvest

I have been so blessed. Our garden turned out beautifully. We've had a daily practice of making sure the watering is plenty, the weeding and thinning is done and watching our garden. Now we have a daily practice of picking our harvest. There is so much joy in that. I remember talking with Blaine at dusk almost every night thinking that it may not turn out as well as other years. But together we worked daily and are enjoying a great harvest.

I can't help but think of our family like our garden. We work so hard daily to read the scriptures, practice the piano, read good books, speak kindly, and practice other skills. But it seems as though there is constant weeding that needs to be done. Is the watering just right?-or is it too much? Are we planting enough? I look forward to the great harvest when all is said and done.

My grandfather "Bo" just recently passed away and I look at the "garden" he grew with his beautiful wife. He has had a great harvest for many years now and will for eternity as his family has turned out great with a love for the gospel. What a great example they are to me and my family who strive to be like them.

As Seen by Me:

The First Day of School

If you've been following my blog it isn't hard to notice that I wasn't totally excited to send my kids off to school. I've mostly blogged about Ty, but he only symbolizes the tail end of my family. Really, I'm always hesitant to give my loved children to unfamiliar people for a third of their day. Why would I want to send them off to an outdated (not earthquake proof), germ filled, cold building? Why would I intentionally send them to be taught by kids who don't have the best values and end up teaching my kids as if they are experts and all knowing about subjects that really should be taught and spoken of only within the walls of a loving home? Why would I 'let them go'? My answer is in the question: I let them go because I need to 'let them go'.

Oh the tears I imagine our loving Heavenly Father crying as he intentionally lets us go to this cold world full of people who "know better" than us, unsafe as it is, knowing some may not return. Why? Because he loves us. He wants us to experience, grow and learn. That, I have determined, is why I 'let them go'. They need to learn to recognize the good and bad. They need to learn to tolerate others (and maybe realize that others are tolerating them :) ). They need to see how little steps lead to progression. And with all of that, I guess they need to learn a little ABC and 123.

Some may think I'm clinging onto them. I will take that compliment and say that to cling to something would imply that that object has something of value and worth. I will proudly admit that my children are of worth and have much value and I will cling to them with all my heart.

What a great example we find in our Heavenly Father (who I can feel clinging onto me) that lets us leave him knowing that we will change; some for good, some for bad. I guess that is my fear. How will they change? I'm keeping my fingers crossed and my arms folded that they will change for good. . .

?Where is the PAUSE button?

These last couple of weeks has been a blast but a whirlwind at the same time. First, Blaine and I started off the fun the Kenny Chesney concert. If you haven't done one yet-what are you waiting for?? So much fun. There Blaine dropped my pocket camera and shattered the screen from the inside-um, ya, that's a whole other post. Next, we had a great low key 24th of July day with the parade and fireworks with the cousins-great times :) At the same time we had a timeshare up in Park City so we spent the next day and hours, here and there, up there. Then my grandfather "Bo" had his birthday-more great family fun (love those days! Everyone seems to make time when it's for him, awesome!) The next day was Abbi's 9th birthday. What a blast! She wanted to switch rooms-ya, she's been talking about it for a year and a half. Blaine and I finally painted it for her. We were just dumb because we put it off until this crazy week. Anyway, it turned out great. It produced the best happy birthday surprise smile yet. (Keep in mind that we are still going back and forth through all this to the timeshare) Then the MLS soccer match was in town so we did that. Awesome date night! Love cheering on teams with Blaine, he's usually coaching, so that was nice. Next was another trip up to Park City for that weekend's main event: The Park City Extreme Cup. It was so much fun. Karli and Abbi participated with their teams and did great. Blaine and Abbi's team went to the finals vs. Sparta and took second place. Way to go Abbi!

Family fun on the 24th

Abbi and Bo's exciting birthdays. Oh, while up in Park City on Ab's birthday we decided to go on the Alpine Slide. . .so much fun!

Yay Murray Max Soccer!!

HAPPY 10

We highly recommend renting a Jeep, too much fun!

Here we are at a Luau on the beach. Blaine is here at Mama's Fish House-a 'must try'.

Here are some of many pictures Blaine and I took on our recent trip to Hawaii. We stayed the first three nights on Maui, which is a beautiful island. We did a little driving, ate a little sushi (I do have to say that the sushi is better at home just around the corner and up the street), and got a little sun.
The next five nights we stayed on Oahu. I have to say that I've experienced Oahu twice now and I still like it best. Once you get out of Waikiki you really can't beat it. North Shore is so beautiful. Love the beaches, love the atmosphere, love the snorkeling. I can't wait until we go back someday--maybe we'll take the kids!

Here Blaine is at Hanama Bay (not worth the cost anymore, it's changed too much :( ) Another 'Must try' = Matsumoto's shaved ice

Pic from the plane.

FIVE and ALIVE!

Tyler, Tyler, Tyler. Where do I begin? Like Karli he had a birthday a few months ago and he turned the magical age of five. Apparently at the age of five one isn't in so much need of their mother any longer. They magically become independent and resourceful. Learning new things and accomplishing great things all on their own. "Don't worry, Mom" Ty says, " I'll still let you help me with some things!" So when he calls for Mom and I come running just to see him standing there with one button left undone on his shirt, one button left just for me, I smile. In this moment he is letting me feel needed. How in the world can I willingly let my baby go off to school this fall. There will be no time to run "erins" together, no Mr. Incredible to help me lift those incredibly heavy items into the cart and then again into the car and once again into the house. Who's going to remind me to put on my seat belt? Or give me those 'just becuz hugz'? Who would be willing to take over dog time when the ball is as slobbery as anyone could imagine and I just can't stomach throwing it anymore? All of these things Tyler does for me and will now do the equivalent for his lucky new teacher. I'm not sad that they are over, I'm happy they happened!

Slipping Through My Fingers

She's seven now! Well, she's actually been seven for a while, but I think I've been in shock for the last couple months. Anyway, here's Karli in a nutshell. . .


K- Kind hearted. Let me just say that she was born with a built-in ability to sense when someone needs a hug, a kind word, or (in my case) some chocolate.

A- Athletic. Karli is good at everything she tries. The best thing about her is that she sticks to things and doesn't give up and is thus becoming a beautiful dancer and an outstanding soccer player.

R- Rich. She thinks she's rich with $$ ($50 saved is a lot to a 7 year old), but she doesn't realize that she is so rich with knowledge, love, and family/heritage. Do we ever actually realize all that we have?

L- Little. Yes, she is growing up but she has always had such a dainty petite frame. I will always look at her as "little Kar". It's so fun to see her get among the "big" girls on the soccer field and come out with the ball!

I- Inspiring. I am greatly influenced by Karli to be better, not only for her but for myself.

I love the fact that Karli is apart of this family. Being the middle child can be rough sometimes but I think she's figuring out how to manage it well. I just can't believe how grown up she is --she's just SLIPPING THROUGH MY FINGERS.

Tis the Season

Yes, it is soccer season again. For our family this means lots of fun. We try to go to a few ReAL games a year and last month half of the extended family was there with us. It was a good time, perfect weather and ReAL won!

Abbi with her cousin Evan

Karli with cute little Evan

Jacob, Abbi, Janae, Tyler and Karli.

Jacob and Janae are such good family friends we love them like family.

So many great memories made with them:)