Yesterday was a great day.

I had a quiet, slow and easy morning. Leftover spicy green curry for breakfast. Kept working on the "not-now" piles stacked up in laundry baskets in my bedroom. Had a not-quite-warm-enough-shower before getting ready to head up to the temple for the sealing of my friend Melody's son Luke to the love of his life Rachel early, in order to do some initiatory. Drove my Luke up there with me, as he had some studying to do on campus.

Sat by my friend Meridith in the long line waiting to do initiatory. Re-memberized Moroni 7:45.

Loved seeing the marriage waiting room full of love and support for Luke and Rachel. Met up with Shane, who'd been at the Klondike, there. The sealing was beautiful. I especially loved sharing in Melody's joy at having her last child sealed in the temple to someone wonderful and good to him and for him. Each one of her kids has chosen well and is doing well. What a beautiful thing!

Dashed off to the Provo City Library where I got to see my friend Sue (who is, almost literally, like a ray of sunshine), pick up the next book by Leif Enger, and then have him sign my copy of Peace Like a River, the newest title--So Brave, Young, and Handsome, and a program: "Zack--good luck in the U.K. --Leif," which I later mailed off in a letter to Zack. The best part of meeting Enger was being able to show him how much we love Peace Like a River. The book is well worn and I had to explain, "I had to retrieve it from my son's ex-girlfriend's little sister--that's how much we love your book at my house." He wrote "To my favorite kind of readers--" in that one. Awesome.

Dashed home to greet Kyle (who'd returned from the frozen Klondike Derby and more or less said, "I went. It was cold. I don't have to do that again," and pick up Lindsay before running back to BYU to fetch Luke. Quick trip to Macey's, where, amongst other things, I sample a smooth buttery slice of Havarti). Got what I needed from Wal-Mart without having to go there myself (either of the last two items would make a day a banner day in and of themselves). Thanks husband!

Drove out to the Springville Art Museum for Luke and Rachel's reception. It was lovely. Great location. Soups and snacks from Marvellous Catering. Good music by a local band. Good friends. Packed the dance floor and danced the Tunac (it's tradition). As we were leaving the band played my favorite song ever, Sweet Home Alabama.

Dropped by to visit my mother on the way home, which made her very happy. Then as we were coming through Provo I texted Melody to let her know if she needed to tell someone about her day I would be available. She texted back and told me she was already almost to my house. She beat us home, but then got to tell me about her day. And I got to listen. And we looked at the photos Shane had taken of the reception (especially a sweet photo of Rachel's wedding dress that she designed and made herself, of Luke showing off how happy he is, and of how much fun everyone had dancing the Tunac).

Hung out in my pjs for a bit, listening to the party downstairs, appreciating the fact that my Luke had once again planned and hosted a social event all by himself. Started the first chapter of Enger's next book before drifting off to sleep at 11.

The dishes weren't done and the kitchen floor wasn't mopped, but the important stuff happened. I did a lot of things, but mostly I got to be where and with whom I needed to be.

Those are my favorite kinds of days.

Things I have loved of late:

How Suze wanted to help make the pies for our annual re-Thanksgiving the Sunday after. She did a good job, too. I'm going to have to start keeping pie ingredients on hand because she wanted to bake another one this afternoon.

How K~has become Decorator in Chief around our house. He did an awesome job with Halloween and has been a super helper with Christmas as well. In fact, he's just been a super helper, also pitching in for the big turkey dinner and peeling ALL the potatoes.

Luke telling me how this girl he likes reminds him somewhat of me because she likes to read good books and also telling me (upon my appreciating his gratitude for the little things), "Thanks, I got that from you."

That Shane put in a new faucet for the kitchen when the old one fell apart and also hooking up a warming light for my chickens.

How everyone seems to be making extra efforts to keep the house in relative order.

How my co-workers keep inviting us to their parties even though we are old enough to be parents of most of them and even though our lives are, in many ways, worlds apart. Being greeted with a hug at the grocery store at at one such party, in true pleasure at my presence. I love the people with whom I work. It's nice that they love me back.

How Karolyn made me cry today when she mentioned while bearing her testimony how Zack had challenged her family to read a page of the Book of Mormon each day so they could be done by the time he gets home.

The sweetest angel-faces in the world gazing up at me with rapt attention as I told the junior Primary children how prophets had testified of Jesus' birth and assured them He knows and love them each one.

Catching up with Robin--one of my former young women from almost 20 years ago. I love seeing how happy she is and hearing more about the miracle this past year has brought her.

Lil's quilts and friendship and early-morning rides to the gym.

Nancy's consistency as a walking partner--come rain or snow and as a friend--in days dark or sunny.

My long-lost and much-missed friend Sue being spontaneous enough to join me for a Costco run now that we can't ride to the lake together each week.

Melody's perfect timing--calling me for a show, lunch, a trip to the art museum. Perfect times, perfect places, perfect days.

Not having to cook dinner today--especially after two days of cooking last week--and now having a roast leftover in the fridge for a nice dinner tomorrow night!

Spending time making Christmas for my missionary. I think he will love it, but even if he didn't there was so much love and joy in the making. It truly is better to give than receive.

being able to be content just for the fact of making it to the gym, even though my workout was not stellar today (i'm a little under the weather). it happened. and that was enough.

having a friend who is steady and interesting and supportive who i know will meet me at the gym, even on those days i'd rather stay home in my jammies.

braking for quail on the way home this morning. i love quail. they make me happy.

loving the fresh blanket of snow and the calming quieting hush it brings to the world.

seeing a glimpse of brilliant blue set against all the white.

it's going to be a good day. such blessings make me anticipate more good and simple things blessing my days in the coming year.

it's been awhile. i left the fact that life isn't so simple get in my way.

enough of that.

lazy sunday.

not in that i didn't do a thing. i did. but having to be home with a sick child meant i spent the day in my pajamas. and did whatever i wanted to do whenever i wanted to do it.

a clean kitchen and a clean bedroom (clean is relative, you know).

the way the kittens cats are not as disinterested as their reputations would indicate. perhaps because i am not a cat person and, aside from being amused by their antics, am more or less disinterested in them, they try so obviously to attract my attention. if i walk past they stop whatever it is they are doing and roll over on their backs and try to play cute so i will scratch their stomachs. clever cats. but none too subtle.

apple/cherry fruit crisp--brown sugar, old-fashioned oats, pie cherries (not from a can), fresh apples. mmm. such a sweet taste of the harvest season.

windows open--sounds of children playing, families gathered, panic as the neighbor's hunting dog gets through the whole in the fence and goes after the cats--oblivious to the chickens who were out. they rushed to the rescue. no harm done. while relieved that blood was not shed, i feel no ill-will toward the bird dog--it's his nature. we need to fix that fence.

the calm of the sabbath-day music

a visit from melody and steve. melody bearing a gift. the perfect gift. melody knows me. the most perfect new jammies. for no reason but because she loves me.

fresh eggs--a dozen to a neighbor down on her luck. lucky seven laid fresh this morning for melody and steve. it's nice to have something to give.

70s. the warmth of the sun. the evenness in the breeze. the perfect shade of blue in the sky. the crisp vibrant colors of the leaves. i love this time of year.

Multnomah Falls

Cannon Beach

Saturday's Market

a rose garden

a castle (of sorts)

Structure (my little bro)

dessert

before dinner

Lately I've been struck by what a wonderful thing it is when one or more grown men take time out their busy schedules to help a teenage boy accomplish something whose worth is every bit as much in the process as it is in the end result.














this is only part one of a two-part project. next he gets to design the sign that will go there indicating what types of activities are allowed in this part of the canyon

Yesterday I was struck by how long it's been since I've been up Rock Canyon and how I've forgotten how much I loved the place when I first moved here. I often take for granted the amazing gifts of nature we have just 10-20 minutes from our home.

Eighteen years ago I was a struggling SAHM married to a struggling school teacher and we had just moved into this neighborhood when a new friend asked me if I was interested in babysitting her daughter.

I said no.

Then something inside my heart said, "Say yes."

So I went back to my new friend and did what I was told.

The late 20s me is not the best mom to little kids. She was mostly good, had moments of greatness, but was also a little stressed.

But she loved this little girl and enjoyed having her be part of her family by day.




Today that same little girl, now almost 19, showed up at my door to give me a big hug and see how I was doing. I was just getting ready to repack Shane's wound for the first time, so I asked her if she could come back in about 15--which she willing did--and we visited. I showed her the latest pictures of Luke. She wanted to go for a drive so I asked her to take me on an errand and then we drove up Provo Canyon.

Provo Canyon was grey and rainy and ruggedly lovely.

The ride and our visit and her hugs were just what I needed.

Becoming as much of a homebody as I possibly can given the fact I'm a work-outside-the-home mom.

The clearest purest blue sky this morning.

Packages in the mail (a hand-made scarf meant to give love and hug every time I wear it and a birthday present from my sister who was trying to come visit but was stopped by the storm).

Dinners and evenings with my kids and their fun friends.

Finding the perfect January wall planner/calendar well, before the middle of January!

Husband doing the dishes.

Post-holiday retail therapy.

Central heat, flannel sheets and my favorite Buggy Barn Log Cabin Crazy Quilt.

Not to mention my very own cozy pair of sheepskin slippers.

(Thank you dear friends--you know who you are--for the scarf and the slippers.)

Melody dropped by. I've missed her. I'm thankful Melody has found a good man to share her life with. I hope he knows how lucky and blessed he is. I'm thankful to know she is my sister-friend forever even though she moved to Highland. Which is almost like moving to Northern Idaho, only different. I'm thankful I had some leftover squash soup to share with her and that she raved about it. Especially since the rest of the family doesn't love it. I'm thankful for hugs from a good friend tonight.

Life is short.

Hug well and hug often.

This afternoon (after mailing a big box of silly stuff from America to my boy in England for Christmas) I donned my gardening gloves and grabbed a rake and headed over to the vast parking lot at our church. Our ward gathered there to do a fall clean-up. It was such a beautiful day--still warm enough for shirt sleeves--and the sky, in particular, was so lovely.

I usually fail to notice all the lovely trees that surround and dot the landscape of the parking lot (unless I am looking for a shady spot to park).

Those trees have lots of leaves.

(And only about half of them have fallen.)

But it was a great time. It felt good to enjoy the weather, be with friends who are like family to me, and do a bit of service.

I felt thankful and blessed to participate.

How 'bout a two-fer today?

This morning my friend Donnette called. She'd seen my post on Facebook and asked about my week. Then she made me the best offer. She didn't ask if there was anything she could do. She didn't even ask if maybe I needed dinner brought in. She said, "I'm making a big pot of chicken soup. I'll bring some over after church. And maybe some apple crisp. Would that be OK?

Yes, that's even better than OK.

Thanks Donnette! The soup was delicious and the rolls and apple crisp were might fine too. It was so nice not to have to cook today.

Bless you!

the best "little" band ever heard--and check out this season's hardware! (not pictured, my child, who was in a mood that night)

I stink at rock band.

I realize I shouldn't be grateful for that.

But I am grateful that at the marching band party the kids thought it was awesome that me, the band director and his wife completely stunk it up.

(If they'd have had vocals I could have totally rocked!)

Really great lunch with some really great friends.

The perfect crisp Gala apple.

Having only $2.40 library fine for overdue books and videos on the month I was finally going to get "the library mom" thing right and return things on time (I was expecting it to run me about $16).

good friends with good books

the rumble of thunder (let it rain let it rain let it rain!)

a flexible work schedule

that my husband did the dishes and brought me tomato basil soup w/ orzo pasta from Zupas last night

Puffs Plus w/ Lotion (again)

Having a friend spontaneous enough to cancel her plans for her day off and run up to SLC with me to

catch up on each other's lives

hear my kid solo in the State Jazz Fest

kick around with me, said son and one of his friends amongst the pigs and the chickens and the goats

munch on candied almonds and pecans

run over to the U of U

wander amongst the masterpieces of the Monet to Picasso Exhibit

partake of mango curry chicken salad at the f/stop cafe

appreciate the perfect day

Corn-on-the-cob for dinner last night (and tonight--only this time with fresh-off-the-vine tomatoes).

Lunch with friends (topped off by the perfect flourless cake) after a crazy day at work. (Thank you ladies!)

Having second son ask this of me as he is packing for a macho JEEP trip down in Moab for scout camp: "Mom, can I please take a bar of your soap with me?" YES!

Not feeling guilty about being AWOL from RS activities in a week where there are three planned in four days.

Puffs Plus with Lotion (again)!

Toasted Almond Fudge Ice Cream. In the form of a hand-stirred homemade shake. Yummy!

Movie nights. It's too hot outside or even upstairs so whoever is home hangs in the basement catching up on movies we are the last people on the planet to have seen. (I loved Batman Begins and I did not expect to all.)

The convenience of oral surgery. Wisdom teeth? Piece of cake. Someday I'll tell you the horror story of my wisdom teeth extraction, but Luke's went great. Whew! He can go to the U.K. now.

Getting bit by mosquitoes as I chatted on the front porch with my friend Tonya last night. (Really the chat part more than the getting bit part.) I love Tonya. She is one of my favorite people.

The fact that, at least until tonight (it's 1:40 a.m. and still 85 degrees out, and my AC is not even putting a dent in the 77 degrees it is inside--I need it about 68 to sleep), nights have been cool. I need air and it's been great to throw open my windows at bedtime each night and embrace the relatively fresh air. I think I may have to pack up the old cpap and head downstairs in a bit or I won't be good for anything tomorrow.

oh me of simple faith

Do you ever notice how faith is kind of relative? Like you're somewhere on a sliding scale and you hope you are working your way upwards on the scale and not sliding back? It's also relative compared to the next girl. On most days I have enough faith to get out of bed in the morning and face my life. That's good, right? But I don't have enough faith to completely turn things over to God like another friend mine does.

Another of my friends--she's kind of my boss, really, but also a friend--has the kind of faith and prayers that miracles are made of. I've seen it happen time and time again. She doesn't get everything she asks for (she has never been able to bear children) but her prayers have wrought mighty miracles. Her faith makes mine look like the equivalent of barely the thought of a grain of mustard seed. But that's OK, because sometimes she prays for me.

Yesterday I got an e-mail from home alerting me to the fact that our bunny, bunny #2, was ill and it didn't look good. I ran home from work to see my daughter's tearstained face as she held the almost-lifeless bunny and lovingly stroked its nose. She was trying to keep it responsive. The bunny was breathing, but barely. Partially relieved that, at least at this point, neither the bunny nor L~ seemed to be in uncontrollable pain, I patted them both on their respective heads and tried to comfort my stoic L~. As Shane was home to deal with the situation I went back to work for a meeting I needed to attend, fully expecting to come home to a freshly dug grave next to bunny #1.

When I arrived home I found L~ and the bunny outside. The bunny (no, we still don't have a name) while not exactly hopping around the cabbage patch was now breathing regularly and had her ears perked up and she was at least upright.

A short time later, the rest of the family left to go to Grandma's house and I began my watch, checking on the bunny hourly. And she seemed to improve by leaps and bounds (well, there hasn't been a lot of leaping about as of yet, but there is bound to be). By this morning there were definite hops.

A couple of hours ago I e-mailed Becky, who had the day off.

"Did you pray over my bunny? Because she's not dead."

"I prayed more specifically for L~ than for the bunny. I prayed that her faith would be strengthened. Sometimes that happens through miracles," was her response.

My life is blessed by friends and faith and by the faith of my friends.

spring--and with it hope, renewal, Easter, and did I mention hope?

friendship

order (or some semblance thereof)

0% interest

simplifying

weekends

flowers--even week-old funeral funeral flowers. currently I have week-old mums from Tonya on the table at the top of the stairs, two arrangements of recycled flowers from Mel's mother's service that Lynda arranged so beautifully for Julie's shower and left for me to enjoy and a vase of fresh and brightly colored mums Shane brought home tonight after a trip to the grocery store.

Oh Happy Day!

b.


You know what you did.


Thank you for making my week a little bit brighter and better.


You're the b-b-b-best!