Inaugural S'mores

We're almost ready for summer around our house. 

We've been working on taming our yard.  It was quite the jungle!  We still have work to do, but we're getting there.  It is SO much better than it was a few weeks ago.

One of the things we did to celebrate reclaiming our yard was to have a fire.  We bought a fire pit a few years ago and have never used it.  How sad is that?

Usually we go to our neighbor's house for a fire.  The Jacobsons have a great yard and fabulous fire pit.  They invite us over every year and the kids LOVE it.  Diane always has an endless supply of marshmallows for the kids and chocolate for me. :) 

When they invited us this year (well... actually, Izzy invited herself over to their house), I insisted it was our turn to host.

So... Monday night, for FHE we had our first cookout.  It was so fun.  But then again, how can gooey marshmallows and chocolate ever be bad?

I guess the only bad thing is the smoke.  At one point, our neighbor, Scott, made the comment, "Smoke Follows Beauty."  Jackson cracked up when he heard that.  He has a hard time understanding catch phrases.  He kept saying, "Smoke / beauty"  - and then laughing his little cackle laugh.  So funny."

Collin knew how to get away from the smoke.  Just get in the toy car, drive away, and cover your mouth with your shirt.

Izzy was a pro marshmallow roaster.  The kids LOVE the fire.  We had to finally tell them to step away.  I think we have a few pyros on our hands.  I guess they get that from their mom.  I may or may not have had to write, "It will burn the house down!" on a whole sheet of paper when I was young.  - nuff said. :)

The December wind storm twisted our swing set.  Because we are almost past the swing set stage of life, we opted for a porch swing as a replacement.  The kids love it.  It really is a peaceful part of the yard.  It is completely shady and surrounded by lovely ferns.  The previous owner of our home, Colleen, would be happy to see her ferns have survived my four kids.  :)  They know not to enter that part of the yard.  If you trample the ferns, they are done for the year - and possibly for good.  The first year we were here,  pinata breakage and loot landed in the ferns.  It took a few years for them to recover.

This time of year makes us truly appreciate the beauty of our neighborhood.  Our yard is the main reason we purchased this home six years ago.  We knew it was a jewel.  We love being so close to the mountain and having nature all around us.  Even though there are homes right next door, the trees make us feel secluded and in our own little paradise.  We have big plans for the yard.  I think it will only get better from here - as long as we can maintain our jungle.

The many faces of Izzy!  She would not smile for me.  Every face was a little more crazed than the last!

Handsome Collin!  We sure love this boy.  I'm still trying to figure out all the pieces that make him tick - but we sure love him!

Miss Diane.  She loves our kids and are so good to them.  She has been Izzy's primary teacher and is now Jackson's teacher.  We are so grateful for her patience and the love she shows them.  The kids love her swing set and the forest paths in her yard.  She says she loves their visits, but I'm not too sure.  They can be SUPER talkative. :)

Scott.... Mr. I can do anything.  He skis, he works hard, he always has a project going, he is always up for an adventure, and he is patient with my failing efforts to cross the wake of his boat on the wake board.  At this point, I think we've all given up hope and I'm resigned to ski on the right side forever! :)

Ben and his "smoulder".  I'm not sure how much longer we'll have Ben around - wink, but we sure love him.  Izzy especially!  Isabella is quite disappointed that Ben has "Caitlin" in his life.  She thinks Ben should wait a few year for her to grow up.  However, we don't think Ben wants to wait that long! :)

Thanks Jacobson family.  We had a great time and are so glad you stopped by to help us Christen our fire pit and back yard oasis.  Who's next?  Anyone?  The kids think we should do that EVERY night.

Derby...

My friend, Tiffany, hosted lunch this week.  It was amazing.  Not only was the food delicious, but her theme lunch was over the top, fun!  We even had Derby hats to celebrate the Running of the Roses.  Mini horses adorned our plates and the chandelier.  And rose accents were on our take home favor. 

I'm so lucky to have friends who are creative.  Maybe one of these days a smidgen of their talent will rub off on me.  I can only hope.

For a complete recap including pictures.... go HERE.

Here is a sneak peak.  Aren't the hats fun?!  Oh, and look at the pink cherub in the corner.  Thanks for pointing her out, Tiff.  I thought it was fitting she was in the picture.  Annie is our little mascot.  I think of her and my girls when I hear the quote, "Good Women... May we know them, may we raise them, may we be them."  So true. 

Thanks ladies!  See you all next week.

Chinese Bumblebee...

A little over a month ago, Izzy and I were walking out the door to go and help a neighbor.  We decided to go through the garage.  As the door slowly opened, we could see the shadow of a car in our driveway.  It was a little like.... "What's behind curtain #1".  We weren't sure who we would meet.

To our great surprise, our friends, The Larkins, were standing in our driveway.  The reason we were SOOO surprised, was because the Larkins now live in CHINA!  I'm continually surprised at how small the world truly is. 

After the Larkins moved from our neighborhood to Shanghai, I e-mailed them to watch for another American ex-pat, my cousin, Nephi and his wife Kristin.  They were planning to move to Shanghai at the end of the summer.  Well..... Jay, e-mailed me right back to say they had already met my cousins while they were house hunting.  In fact, they had dinner just a few nights before my letter.  The two families are now in the same branch in Shanghai.  :)

Anyway, we had no idea the Larkins were coming to Utah for a visit.  We felt so blessed we were home.  Our family is frequently coming or going so catching us can be tricky.  Jay and Monique were on their way out of town to visit with more family.  This would have been my only chance to see Monique.  She brought me a beautiful little bracelet with Chinese charms.  She is always so thoughtful and such a dear friend.  I love her energy and zest for life.  She is extremely talented, has amazing vocal ability (I still smile when I think of her 'Where Can I turn for Peace' rendition), and she is beautiful (outside and in).

The Larkin's visit was only a few minutes, but Jay promised to return later in the week.  He wanted to catch Jackson home.

Jay was our home teacher prior to their move.  He also has a son with Down's Syndrome.  He has perspective into our lives that not everyone shares. 

When Jay returned as promised, he came with a gift.  He knew Jackson enjoyed transformers and though Bumblebee would be a perfect addition to Jackson's collection.

He was right.  Jackson loved it.  Jackson also thought the Chinese writing on the box was pretty cool.

 

We are so grateful for dear friends - even if they live on the other side of the world.  Jay feels a connection with Jackson and sends him e-mails from China from time to time.  Jackson has a hard time responding, but is always interested to hear what his friend, Jay, has to say.

After the Larkin's ex-pat adventure is complete, we're not sure where they will land next.  Perhaps a Chinese extension, Malaysia, or maybe the USA.  We just wish it were back in our neighborhood. 

There has been a hole in our lives since they left.  I think that is how you know you were truly blessed to know someone.  You feel their absence.  In the hymn, Each Life That Touches Ours For Good, there is a verse that reads:

When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.

I've felt this verse a little more strongly at certain times in my life.  For example, when our dear friends, the Kellys, moved from our first neighborhood in Layton to Lodi, CA.  I can still see all of us on the sidewalk waving to them, with tears in our eyes, as they drove away in the moving van.  Dear Friends!  A heart snapshot for a special time in our life.

The Larkins and so many of our other friends from over the years have a piece of those same feelings.  We have been truly blessed to have you in our lives - even if it were only for a time.

The Project...

This past month, this little blog of mine has been quite neglected.  Although it hasn't been because I didn't have anything to post.  In fact... there has been quite a bit going on.  Slowly but surely, we'll get caught up.

One of the reasons for my blog hiatus was a little project I was tackling - our 20 year high school reunion.  It seems a certain someone at our 10 year reunion nominated Ryan and I to chair the 20  year reunion.  It was all a blur really.  One moment Ryan and I were sitting there enjoying a program and the next we heard was, "Is there a second?" (on the vote to make us chairs).  What were we supposed to say, "Um, no thanks" ?  After all, 10 more years seemed like a while away.  It wouldn't take that much work to put a reunion together, right? 

Fast forward 10 years, 2011 is upon us, and now we found ourselves needing to track down over 500 people.  Wow... after 20 years, people can sure scatter.  But after hours searching for names on face book and calling parents, we were able to at least leave messages with a large majority of our class. 

In addition to trying to find people, setting up a website, planning venues, food, holding meetings, etc, I also scanned pictures and converted old slides for the slide show.  Luckily one of our good friends is putting the slide show together.  We've also had several people helping in various aspects of the project, so that has been nice.

Here are a few of the pics of Ryan and I that I scanned for the show.

Memorial Day prior to our Sr. year.  Don't you love the pony with ribbon and the camera that required 110 film?  BTW - the hike we were on that day was the same one I just took my kids on this past week.  If only we knew then that in 20 years I would be hiking with our FOUR KIDS.  Crazy!

How about this one?  I have always loved this picture.  Those eyes!  They were a selling feature. :)  And... if I do say so myself, besides what is under the hat of course :), Ry doesn't look that much different today.  Maybe a few more wrinkles and glasses, but the base is still solid.  He is almost the same weight and is probably in better shape today than he was back then.  Way to go Ry!  You look awesome!

Prior to the Halloween Dance - Sr. year.  We were Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  This was such a fun dance.  No drama, great company (Natalie Curtis and Matt Taylor), easy and casual activities, no pressure, it was all good!

Ryan and I recently saw a cheesy chick flick movie a week or so ago (Something Borrowed).  The two girls in the movie were having a heart to heart about all their BIG moments in life.  One expressed to the other that she had been there for all the big moments.

Not to be too cheesy, but I felt the sentiment rang true for Ryan and I.  For almost all the big moments (minus the 2 years he was gone on his mission of course), he has been there for all of my big moments.  When I filled out my high school reunion questionnaire, I said something like - Married: Ryan (it's a good thing that all worked out.)  I really meant it.  I'm glad that all the memories we made together in high school will just be a portion of our lives together rather than a segment of time. 
Back in the day - post mish, this great thing we have together almost didn't happen.  I'm glad the stars aligned and that our big moments will continue for the rest of this life and the next. 

Ry and I and Heidi and Rob on our Senior trip to California.  One last hurrah before the boys left on their missons.

This next week is going to be a bit crazy.  Lots to do before the big reunion day is here.  Hopefully I can find someone who is willing to take some pics of the events.  It really will be fun to see everyone again and catch up with friends from once upon a time.

School song anyone....
Dear 'ole Davis High School, We'll fight for you......

D-H-S!

Women's Shelter

Thursday afternoons at "Women's Shelter" are a calm in the storm of each week.  It is a chance to get together, have a bit of lunch with a few girlfriends, and solve the problems of the world.  Or, at least solve the momentary woes we each may be facing that day.

I am an adopted friend of this group.  They took pity on me when I moved to this neck of the woods a few years ago.  They have been a gift.  Each woman in the lunch group teaches me a different lesson about life.  I am so grateful for their examples and influence.

This past week, although I was absent, I was still the recipient of this beautiful gift.  Tiffany, the talented owner of Love Boxes, made a peg girl for each of us.  Tiff takes custom orders and makes everything from treasure boxes, to wooden eggs, to cake toppers, to fairies, to note cards, etc.  She is beyond talented.  Tiffany was so careful to capture each of our qualities. (Click on this link to see all the girls.)  She has Brooke's vest, Michelle's blond hair and embellished sweater, Circe's pearl children's necklace, etc, etc.  Tiffany even nailed my blond highlights.  Now if only she could give me buff arms, ripped legs, and a six pack set of abs.  :)  Thank you Tiff.  I love it.  I have her perched on my shelf in my office where I can see her often and feel of the friendship and love from our friends.  Mwah!

 

Love Travels

What would it be like to sell your home, sell your cars, quit your job, pack and store most all of your possessions, say goodbye to your children and grandchildren, pack 2 suit cases, and hop a plane to Shanghai where you'll be living for the next 3ish years.  You don't speak Chinese, you don't know a soul, but...  you trust in the Lord and you trust in your husband, and you have an adventurous and fun loving spirit. 

Once you arrive there, you quickly learn how to find your way around your new neighborhood.  You also go to church and meet other Americans living in your city (Chinese and Americans worship separately).  After only a few weeks, you get called to be the Relief Society President of your little branch.  How would that be for a few tumultuous months? 

Our dear friends, The Larkins, recently moved to Shanghai, China.  They are having an amazing experience.  You can read about it HERE.