Soul Carving

       Each year Richard gets an updated photo of the kids for his office. As Father's day approaches, I have fun thinkng up clever themes for a photo shoot. (You can see my first attempt  here .)        This time, we went with a sports theme. I envisioned a shot from behind, the kids lined up, with jersey numbers on their backs. Originally, I thought it would be easy enough for my two older boys to use their soccer uniforms, and then pick up some used jersey's from the thrift store for the remaining five. However, finding the right sizes and styles was a bit tricky, and even at thrift-store prices, a bit too expensive to justify a one-time use.         Then inspiration struck - no need for new clothes (or to convince the children to wear an outfit I had picked out). I would simply make a jersey number from masking tape and place it on the back of whichever shirt they wanted to wear! Bingo!      ...

  "This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it." - Ralph Waldo Emerson I am a contradiction. Spontaneous and thoughtful. Energetic, yet reserved. Dreamy, though realistic. Bubbly, but at the same time, grounded. I'm sure most of you have felt the same way at times. It makes for some interesting inner dialogue. And it's not about good vs. evil - I'm not referring to the light and dark in each of us. Just the simple quirks of personality which make our lives interesting, though sometimes irritating. You see, I'm not philosiphizing over moral issues so much as attempting to choose the best of the many good things that are at my fingertips. In this information age, the vast opportunities we have can be both a blessing and a curse. Friday is open. Should I take the kids to that new indoor playground to let them release some of that pent-up winter energy? Or maybe we could spend the day inside building a pillow fort? Oh...

       Free concerts are music to my ears - even more so when they are designed with families in mind! I was lucky enough to discover one such concert advertised on BYU's website last year. Even though admission was free, online registration was still required. I scored 7 tickets for the whole family (no ticket required for baby!) to enjoy a Saturday morning of Jazz music.        The concert hall was crowded with families. We encourage respectful and quiet attention from our children during performances like this, but it was a big stress-reliever, knowing that should any of the little ones grow restless, we'd have a more sympathetic audience this time! Usher's handed out booster seats so we each had a comfortable view of the band. And one added bonus which I love about attending BYU performances, was the opening prayer. I love that it helps my children recognize the source of all our blessings in...

The Problem We All Live With - painting by Norman Rockwell, 1964        Sitting in the half-light of the college classroom with 2 of my daughters, listening to Ms. Bridges' strong, soothing voice, I was thankful indeed that I hadn't given up. All the waiting and fretting had been worth it.        Weeks before, I had read about the opening night of the Norman Rockwell exhibit at the University's Museum of Art; how Civil Rights icon Ruby Bridges would be speaking, how the lecture was free and open to the public, but seating was limited. What a privilege, I had thought. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for my children. I decided to bring my oldest.        But then, of course, the challenges began to surface. Richard would be out of town that evening on a business trip, so I'd have to arrange for a sitter for the younger kiddos. Then there was a meeting - no, now two meetings I was expected to attend, schedu...

      Few things thrill me as much as an unexpected cloudburst. That initial surge of excitement that sweeps over me when I hear the rumbling of thunder, sense the clouds billowing in and see the wind lashing rain across the windows - it's pure magic. I don't ever remember being frightened by thunderstorms. My memories are of siblings congregating in sleeping bags while my mother opened the upstairs window and arranged the box fan in front of it. The flash of the lightening illuminated each individual fan blade - time standing still for one fleeting moment, again, and again. Even now, I always seem to sleep better with the rain. Whether it's the lullaby of pitter-patter on the roof or the brilliance and din of a full-fledged storm, I find it very soothing to the soul.      And then of course, there's the glimmering aftermath.       Everything is fresher, cleaner, brighter. The world seems new, vibrant with possibili...

       What to do for a date with your spouse when it's winter, you're 7 months pregnant, and you don't want to spend too much? Try the local nickelcade! There's one just down the road from us, and I found a printable coupon for discounted admission on their website. Of course, then we had to trade in some cash to get nickels in order to play. We cashed in enough that we had some left over for a follow-up date!         Pros: I'm too pregnant to play any type of indoor sport, but some of these arcade games required just enough physicality that I felt energized without overdoing it. The double player games added an element of friendly competition which Richard and I liked! Plus, unlike a date at the movies or a restaurant, we had a lot more control over how long it took. (When you've got little ones with a sitter, it's nice to have a flexible timetable).        Cons: Too many gory or sleazy games! They were pretty e...

This is what 34 weeks along with baby # 7 looks like: A big belly since baby girl is growing rapidly, (I've actually gained 4 lbs since this picture was taken) and a smirk, because I'm happy to be having another little one join the fam, but annoyed at pretty much anyone and everything else. Life is good, even though most of it is either too personal or too chaotic to allow me to share much of it here on the blog. But here are 2 truths (and no lies) I'm learning right now: 1. God is patient. And you should be, too. With yourself, your family, your co-workers, and that idiotic driver in front of you. Practice patience. Be happier. 2. Human bodies are a-maz-ing. Don't criticize them, and don't abuse them. Take some time to reflect and thank your body for all it does for you, even if it's not what you hoped it would do. (there's something else to be patient with - your own body!) That's all for now. Over and out. Choose happiness.