Monday, August 22, 2011

Get back here Summer! I'm not done with you yet!

To say this summer has been busy would be an understatement.  School is starting up again this week and no, we did not get a yard put in this year.  Not even close.  And it's not going to happen this year either- thanks to our new member of the family, the 2007 white Dodge Caravan.  That reminds me, we need to give that beauty a car wash and thorough vacuuming.

Well, I believe we spent more time (and money) away from home than actually at home this summer.  I love having summers off and the flexibility it gives our family!   This summer gave us so much~ our belated anniversary getaway to Salt Lake, multiple baby showers, multiple baby blessings, multi-city traveling, family reunions, a week of pioneer trek, a funeral, car issues, a new used vehicle, my sister's newborn, birthday celebrations, holiday celebrations, a little garden, road construction everywhere, and seemingly endless dining out and probably a few extra inches around my waistline.

It's been crazy-busy and so enjoyable.  I didn't document everything, but I did download my camera and compile some of this summer's doings in the following smilebox photo book for your enjoyment:

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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Poetry and Pictures

Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do, if you only knew how.
I study the scriptures one hour each day;
I bake, I upholster, I scrub, and I pray.
I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.
I help in their classrooms!  I sew all they wear!

Above is what Lily chose to bring to her first Kindergarten show-n-tell.
Yup, homemade costumes.  Amara is sporting the girl's throw pillows from their bed, and Lily is a ladybug (in case you couldn't tell) with a painted piece of cardboard duct taped to a backpack.
I drive them to practice; I cut all their hair!
I memorize names of the General Authorities;
I focus on things to be done by priorities.
I play the piano!  I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle, my checkbooks all balance!
Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time!  Never late!)
I am taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But that is not all!  Oh no.  That is not all.
I track my bad habits ‘til each is abolished;
Our t-shirts are ironed, my toenails are polished!
Our family home evenings are always delightful,
The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.
I do genealogy, faithfully too.
It’s easy to do all the things that I do!
I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;

Good morning!  Daddy, can you cut my waffles?

I know all the names of each youth in my stake!
I read to my children! I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too, with my labors.
I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day!
(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
It’s the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.) 
I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each “lost lamb” on my Primary roll.
I can homegrown produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all!  Oh no!  That is not all.
I write in my journal! I sing in the choir!
Each day I write “thank you’s” to those I admire.
My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
My kids get straight A’s!  And their bedrooms are clean!
I have a home business to help make some money;
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.

In our old apartment- If I wasn't leaving the house, I was usually wearing this robe all day long.
I go to the temple at least once a week;
I change the car’s tires; I fix the sink’s leak!
I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;
I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.
I make sure I rotate our two-years’ supply;
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!
These things are not hard;
It’s good if you do them.  You can if you try!
Just set goals and pursue them!
It’s easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan and work smart, you can do them all too!
“It’s easy!” she said……

            And then she dropped dead.

    Author:  Vickie Gunther

I love this poem.  And I love my family and our imperfect lives.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Great-Great Grandma Okelberry's Cookbook and Photos

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I wanted a family history project to work on yesterday, and this seemed perfect.  I made a recipe/scrapbook from the pics I had taken of my great-great grandmother's cookbook.  I loved getting to know her a little better through pictures and the recipes she deemed worthy enough of writing down.

I have many family history projects on my "to do" list.  This was one that was nice to know I could finish it in a couple hours.  Well, that couple of hours turned into more like 6 hours, but it was time well spent.