She's Going to Have a Ball...

at Timpview's Homecoming!

Our yard was littered with bouncy balls and the invitation.

Yippee, she is so excited :)

And This is My Child

Emily has always been my quiet child. 

I patiently learned over the years that in the right moment, and on her own terms, 

she would converse freely and openly with me. I believe it is this quiet fortitude that has resulted in a strong and independent young woman.

Emily's keen mind, pensive thoughts and love of the written word and writing, have resulted in many inspiring, interesting and thought provoking soliloquies.

I love clicking over to her blog and reading and looking into her thoughts and understanding that what I have been observing in her as of late, is indeed what she is feeling.

Truly, I am in awe that she is my child.

It's in the Air

That is, fall is in the air and I LOVE it!

It is hands down my favorite time of year. 

We can't get enough of Utah peaches...

garden tomatoes...

cool evenings...

brisk mornings...

most BYU football games.

And this poor dog probably dislikes this season the most.

She gets horrible allergies...no matter what we try.

The kids are back in school...

lonely days but happier afternoons when the house comes alive again.

Here is hoping to a nice, long fall season!

Disaster Practice

At the crack of dawn Saturday morning,

Hilary and Hannah headed to a local hospital to participate in 

Utah County's Disaster Drill.

 They are both taking Physiology at school (with concurrent enrollment at UVU) 

and they were encouraged to volunteer for the drill.

Every volunteer was randomly assigned an age, injury and medical status.

Hilary was a 72 year old who was wheeled into the ER unconscious and critical with a few wounds.

GROSS!

 I couldn't believe how real their wounds looked and neither could the local firemen at Cafe Rio

(where they ate lunch afterwards with their friends). The firemen apparently had no prior knowledge of the drill and were genuinely concerned about what had happened to all of them. 

Hannah's assignment was a 38 year old woman in serious condition.

After unveiling her wound, I was glad she had it wrapped when she came home...like I said...the make-up artists did an amazing job!

Fun high school memories for sure!

Unpacking her Personality

I've never had to balance being a mom with a real job and I'm still trying to get the hang of it. Throw a little strep throat in the mix and I'm feeling quite unbalanced at the moment.

While my kids can attest that I spend a whole lot of time preparing for a part-time job, I honestly don't think of it as work. Dan calls it an expensive hobby...I'm a sucker for books :)

But, I digress...I'm trying to keep this blog from dying a slow death.

 So, today my topic is my favorite 6th grader... JULIA

 She got to bring the coveted "blue bag" home from school last week. 

The purpose...to bring it back filled with some specific items about herself and then a few surprises too.

Among some favorite photos, she threw in an African doll and a Spanish one we picked up for her  birthday (she collects dolls from different countries). And for the life of me, I can't remember what else :) 

The most important thing is that we love this girl so much!

Happy Weekend

So glad to have a LONG weekend!

I especially love Sundays when you know that you have no where you have to be the next day and when the kids and husband are all home together.

Balloons and Roses

Yesterday evening while the neighborhood was still brimming with activity, 

we noticed two young men on our porch with a large bouquet of colorful balloons and a whole lot of masking tape. We decided not to disturb them...they were frantic and trying to not get caught in the act of attempting to anchor helium balloons to our porch bench.

Finally, the doorbell rang and two large bouquets of balloons and beautiful peach roses were by the door with an invitation to Homecoming

for Hannah.

She is so excited!