Beautiful.

I was stopped in the car, waiting on road construction.
The dump truck ahead of me decided to do a U-Turn, the road construction engineer came to speak to me.
He said "Hi Gorgeous, wait just a minute then you can go."
Gorgeous. He must be referring to the 2 children in the back seat.
He came again, my window still rolled down. "You can go now. You really have a beautiful smile."

I blushed, then practically cried. A complete stranger. Why would this make me feel so good?

I'm going to start giving out more compliments. The woman at the market was amazingly grouchy and gruff. The orneriest I've met in a while. Is that a compliment?

Bossy!

I blogged over at Bossy! today. You should check it out. Put it on your reader, my sisters n law are clever, witty, wise and goofy. What a great combo!

Here is Robin's post about Bossy! She didn't give herself a shout out, but she is an amazing woman, a supportive wife, great hostess and phenomenal mother. I remember meeting her 12 1/2 years ago and being amazed. That goes for all my SIL's. I might have married Dave just to be related to all my in-laws! Not really, but a huge bonus.

anyway, read Bossy! See, I'm so bossy.

We did our part!

What does an Austin do with something sticky? Always on the forehead. Always.
Interesting to note that at 3:00 pm our voting place had 3 times more voters than 4 years ago --- and many people aren't off work yet to go vote! Hooray for educated voters!
Also, notice the colors! This is in our front yard... I love fall and I Love our neighborhood!

Only time will tell.

Who is it going to be?










I ran into these 2 Yahoos in Philly a while back. I wonder how it will all turn out....


Notice Obama's confident stance and posture and McCain's confused befuddled look? I don't know who created these, but there is some bias somewhere....

568

That is how many pictures I took during the month of October. That seems like a lot to me! Only a handful of them are "terrific" pictures with great composition, lighting and all that stuff, but they all represent our life and I treasure them.

Today is my Dad's Birthday. He turns 68 today. He is awesome. As I was thinking of things he has taught me through the years, the love of taking pictures is high up there.

5 things My Dad has taught me:

1. One great shot is worth taking a whole roll. Now that he converted me to digital I take gobs in hopes of getting one great shot. (He and Bev gave us a great camera 2 years ago... hoping for the occasional picture of grandchildren, I wonder if they regret it?)
2. The glass is half full.
   
3. Enjoy them. A few years ago Dad and Bev were visiting and he taught me this. He and Dave and Michael had gone to the hardware store (the "why the hardware store" will be clear, wait for #4.) and he noticed Michael was holding Dave's hand. He came home and told me to treasure the time that they hold your hand.--- Dad, if you read this, I'd hold your hand at Home Depot any day. :)
4. Put guests to work. No really, I think he taught me this. In the past 7 years, Dad and Bev have built a swing set / play structure (a terrific wooden one), installed a fridge, microwave, oven and dishwasher and built a TERRIFIC deck (the foundation was a killer, but we all know about the value of a firm foundation right?) They have also made and CLEANED Thanksgiving a few times when I had a month old baby in my arms and plans for Boston Market. ..... reading this I am realizing why they might have cancelled the last trip out here....
5. I am from good stock. Dad has told me this, he has sent me family histories of amazing, strong, courageous ancestors. He and Mom are good. I kid not, they are two of the healthiest people I know. I Cherish the fact that I am from good Idaho Stock (sounds cattle-ish, but I'm still lactating, so this doesn't rub me wrong.) I have known all my life the kind of people that came before me and what my potential and my obligation is.
   

So, Dad, if you read this. I hope you know that you have taught me well. I love you and miss you... and I'm planning on eating Pumpkin Pie in your honor this weekend.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Oh to Be a Fly

on the wall in the cafeteria tomorrow.

Think my girlie girls will scream in terror? :)

don't worry, there will be some veggie or fruit in there tomorrow morning. ;)

3 years ago.

Three Years ago this very minute I had a "contraction". I didn't really think it was one, but my in-laws were here and I was tired of being pregnant, so we went to the hospital. Roughly 25 minutes and a handful of labor pains later Lily Katherine made her wonderful arrival into this world. She was in a hurry and hasn't stopped since.


Here are 3 things I love about Lily.

1. Lily has amazing eye brows. You don't really notice them because she is so blond, but they are amazing and expressive. She has many beautiful features, but they are my favorite. I love it when they are like straight little lines, angling up with a look of concern. So cute.
2. Lily is cuddly. Very cuddly. As a newborn she loved to swaddle. Tonight, on her 3rd Birthday, I can guarantee that her daddy wrapped her tight in a blanket. Cuddling is one of the things she does best. Hugging too, but that would be 4 things and she is only 3. They are kinda the same though right?
   
3. Lily is funny. She talks all.day.long. She keeps me company and laughing from morning till night. I love it when she wakes up at 3 a.m. and sings Give Said the Little Stream, then goes back to sleep. I love to hear her telling Herry (her "n" is ... um... subtle") That she To-ally (subtle "t") Loves him and he is a Beauful (subtle "t"and "i" again) Boy.
   

I found a journal entry from about 2 1/2 years ago, and I think it is true today. I wrote:

Lily is Like Sunshine in a body. She just radiates happiness, warmth and light, you can't help but feel better by being in her presence.

Happy Birthday Sweet Lily Cakes!

Let's blame my lack of blogging lately on Velcro Boy. (Hey, now there is a great idea for his halloween costume!) Henry has also discovered how to push the off button on my pc. He has turned it off 5 times this morning. Maybe he is sending me a message? hmmm.

Week in Review:

Birthday Party Practice

Lily and her friend shared a birthday celebration this week (we did it in between the two birthdays, Lily will be three tomorrow). It was fun. We made crowns, played games and had lunch and cake. What could be better? (maybe it would be better if I took clearer pictures, but her wink is so very Lily I posted it blurry or not.)

Oh, and yes, that is Eve. She goes to all day school, so how could she be at the mid-morning party? She had a tummy ache. She really did, she was horizontal on the kitchen floor moaning. I believed her!Dave believed her! She believed herself! The bus left and she was "home-sick".... but then minutes later, I saw her bouncing around in a princess dress and I asked what was up. She said, "Mom, I was feeling so horrible. I went and said a prayer and now I feel wonderful! Plus, I can enjoy Lily and Analeise's party!" hmmmm... moving on.

Mohawk Man

It was Red Ribbon Week. The kids wore red, crazy socks, hats and mohawks, mis-matched clothes and Jerseys. We also discusssed why we say NO to drugs.

Halloween is coming

We went and picked out pumpkins. More pics to follow after FHE tonight. Wish us luck.

Trunk or Treat
with Rapunzel, the Blushing Bride, Kitty Cat, Punkin Head and Cap'n Duct Tape with his side kick Duct Tape Kid.

Sacrament Program
Michael and 2 talented girls in our ward started our Primary Program off with a musical number, it was beautiful and I am so proud of him. The girls did a great job on their parts and sang so well. It is my favorite meeting all year long. :)

Don't cry.

Over spilled milk right?

Last night, at dinner, Jane reached for a very full milk jug and precariously began to pour it into her tipsy cup. I reached over just in time to rescue it from the spill. I then told her (probably too sternly,) "I'm going to do the pouring tonight, I'm not in the mood to deal with spilled milk. You can pour it when it is less full." She was a bit bummed, but chattered on.

No less than 10 seconds later I, dear little me, knock over my very full glass of milk and it spills all over the table,and the chair, and the floor.

We all laughed.
Hard.
It is good to laugh over spilled milk. Much better than crying.

Jane offered to take over milk duty after that.

That is a Big Girl

Holy Guacamole! This makes Hank the Tank seem itty bitty! Can you imagine?


http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article277535.ece

Look at that chub!