Bye Bye Binkie!

So, we did it. Lucy bid a fond farewell to her beloved binkies. Whew. I am so relieved! We should have done it sooner, but amid road trips and sickness, we decided to prolong the inevitable---the big goodbye. Last night she did it! We tied her binkies to some helium balloons and let her say goodbye. Then we gave her a big girl present...a radio flyer scooter. Last night we hardly heard a whimper about the missing binkies. Lucy keeps saying, "My binkie went in the sky. I'm a big girl." Yes she is!

Remember Lazy River Days?

I remember the days soaking in the sun at what my family called "The River". AKA Lake Havasu. When I was a kid we went at least 4 times a year. But it's been a long time since we've done "the river" as a family, and I miss it. So--

Last week we took our little family to Utah Lake, and I had the same feelings creep up from when I was a kid. Here are some of the great things about boating:
1. You have to do something as a family...and you can't get away from one another. The only way to get away, is to get out on the wake board. :)
2. You resign yourself to a bad hair day, and that's not always a bad thing.
3. You figure out how brave you are. (Or who the daredevil children are...which can be extremely good to know for the teenage years. Sometimes parents need to know what they're getting into.)
4. No DS's, DSi's, cell phones allowed.
5. You get to laugh, talk people into doing things they don't want to (like wake boarding for the first time(bring along a lot of Twix bars, they work wonders for incentive)).
6. You get to plan your next trip...So. When is our next trip?

A Little Jaunt to California

Our trip to CA was just what Adam and I needed...a little getaway in a fun place, with great friends, and some much needed "alone time". :) And Adam's 20 year high school reunion wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. He had some really nice friends, and of course he has kept his boyish good looks and charm. :)




We also had a really fun date up Provo Canyon at Sundance. We went to the "Bluebird Cafe" (a place in Nashville well known for Country song writers to peform.) Sundance put on their version of the Bluebird and invited Country song writers to come and perform. We enjoyed great music and a lot of laughter.

Family Pictures

Fourth of July Frenzie...and Grace's 10th

Tinkerbell---Total Rock Star

So I know I've complained up and down about losing our camera at Disneyland. But we did find our flip camera. So here's a choice little morsel of the kids meeting Tinkerbell. BTW, we only had to wait in line for an hour to meet her. Totally worth it (do you sense the sarcasm in my voice?) Well it was worth it for them. :)

What's Really Important

I just got back from Girls Camp with our ward and also a family reunion with Adam's family. Whew. But over this week I was reminded of what's really important...The Gospel, My Testimony, My Family, and My Friends. How lucky am I to live in this world, surrounded by truth, love, and security?

Truly Lucky.

And I'm grateful I have moments where I remember what is important. When I can lift my head from the mundane things of life and realize the beauty around me. Thank goodness for moments of clarity. If only I could always be aware of my blessings and live in a constant state of gratitude.

Check out this Morman Message, My-New-Life , it reminds me of how good life really is, and how lucky I am to be a mother.



xo Jen