simple inspiration

today

1. Loaf is sick again.  Poor thing catches every germ that comes into our home.  She mopes around saying, "I sick. I so sad. I sick." It's pretty cute even if it is quite pathetic.  The nice thing about her illness is she likes to snuggle. 

2. New art for my studio.  Frog by Fred (darling, darling, darling!). 

Mask by Arnold (mixed media might be her thing, these photos don't do the piece justice). 

3. Marshmallow project from a few months ago. Last month they pulled apart a computer.  Scouting is great fun.

4. He is the WORST back seat driver you have EVER met.  Seriously annoying and stressful, especially if you are just learning to drive, ask Arnold.  

5. Trying something new, a little difficult and succeeding!  

6. She is still sassy, even when she is sick.

eating

Dash loves to show off his muscles and he is the strongest little guy I have ever seen with surprising muscle definition.  However, every time he runs around without his shirt and I see all those little ribs I want to give him something to eat.

Of course that it not a problem, because he eats CONSTANTLY. He can be hungry 10 minutes after finishing dinner. 

He always has crumbs around his lips.

18 light sabers + 9 children =

 

18 light sabers + 9 children = fun for everyone.  It's not often that all 9 children participate in an activity together (unless it's dinner), primarily because we have such a wide range of ages and interests. However the light sabers proved to be AWESOME!

There were spinning moves, duels, a "ninja" tournament, and games I had never heard of, not to mention sound effects and reenactments.  The older children dueled with the younger providing an uncommon interaction that the younger children cherished. Of course Loaf was not going to miss out on all the fun, even if the light saber was difficult to carry.

digitial scrapbooking 101

My darling friend Kayla is an expert digital scrapbooker and runs Digital Scrapbooking 101. I have learned a great deal from her, she is a computer genius.

We met many years ago when out children were in preschool together, back when I was still heavily involved in the paper industry.  I knew nothing of the digital industry and slowly learned (because of course she would never tell me how wonderful she is) of her breadth, knowledge, and reputation.

I have the fun opportunity to be featured on her site today.  Thanks Kayla.

do not despair

"There are times when you simply have to righteously hang on and outlast the devil until his depressive spirit leaves you. As the Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith: “Thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

“And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high.” (D&C 121:7–8.)

Pressing on in noble endeavors, even while surrounded by a cloud of depression, will eventually bring you out on top into the sunshine. Even our master Jesus the Christ, while facing that supreme test of being temporarily left alone by our Father during the crucifixion, continued performing his labors for the children of men, and then shortly thereafter he was glorified and received a fulness of joy. While you are going through your trial, you can recall your past victories and count the blessings that you do have with a sure hope of greater ones to follow if you are faithful. And you can have that certain knowledge that in due time God will wipe away all tears and that “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Cor. 2:9.)

(President Ezra Taft Benson, Do Not Despair, Ensign, October 1986)

grease (a conversation)

The little girls watched the movie Grease last night and right now in my kitchen this conversation is happening.

Rock:  "They did not name the movie Grease because the boys were grease monkeys.  Did you see the amount of grease in that boy's hair?!  It's disgusting, does he ever bathe?"

(Makes me giggle that he knows what a "grease monkey" is.)

Fred (in an indignant tone): "Of course it's named after the hair, it was the style back then."

Before she can finish her sentence he interrupts,

"I don't get it, why would you have a pocket knife that turns into a comb?."

"I don't get it, what's with the awkward car dance?   

 
"I don't get it, why are they making fun of her because she doesn't smoke or drink."

Fred, "It's just the way the movie is. It's a musical, but your right the car dance is awkward."

Of course he just walked into the office and asked, 

"Mom, I wonder if Loafie is a mutant?  She could be like "Infectra" where her dangerous kiss gives people different plagues."

The day is starting out great, especially with everyone breaking out into song:

"I got chills, they're multiplying; and I'm losing control...."

butterfly quilt

A couple of months ago I received a call to come quick to the location where they were working and take pictures of a lovely embroidered quilt created by a woman who is 91 years old. 

The pattern was a preprinted block which she altered and embellished with amazing embroidery stitches. Each block is different and beautiful.  If you click on the small images they should pop up bigger and your can see her beautiful handiwork. It was a treasure not only for her family but for everyone and I was grateful to be able to photograph her work.

                                 

Loafa

She calls herself "Loafa".  She loves to eat everyone else's food and most of all she loves to wear not one, but two tutus for added fluff.  

 
Love seeing her little chubby legs peaking out of all those ruffles.  

from afar...

While the boys waited for their respective swimming lessons they had a chance to jump on a trampoline.  We are big mean parents, because we haven't purchased one. I'm okay with our current status: mean.  If it isn't the lack of trampoline that makes us horrible it will be something else.

Of topic once again.

It's interesting to watch the boys when they think no one is looking, a blow to the head or a kick that takes out someone's feet.  Sometimes there is retaliation, sometimes their is laughter.  I'm not sure how the laughter trigger works or when it's time to seek revenge.

I often wonder what is going through their minds and the conversations they are having.  Are they different than the things I hear them say?  Someone once told me that boys don't talk as much as girls... they were wrong.  

As a mother, I have found that  it is vital for me to sit back and just watch.  To notice the small things that interest my children and to realize that no matter how many times they move from point A to point B they will each walk the path differently.  Some will march straight ahead with the end result in their sights.  Others might not make it ever, because they were distracted along the way. A few more will be somewhere in between picking up rocks to inspect the insects underneath along the way.

Watching, learning, growing.

And, I get some lovely photographs of my beautiful boys in the process!

together

Brick and Dash are inseparable.  They play and fight then play some more.

When I walked into the family room this was the sight I found.  Heads pressed together, feet together, and Brick's arm around Dash.

They were completely engrossed in their game they didn't even notice or acknowledge my presence.

Fifteen minutes after these photographs the family room was filled with hot lava and the throw pillows and cushions were the only safe places.  There was jumping and giggles, tackling and fighting, but above everything else there were two brothers who love and adore one another.