Fullness

Have I mentioned my boys' love of pretend combat? Oh yes, that little post right here. It is commonplace for Trevor to start his day, by dressing himself, shirt tucked in, belt on and sword or arrows in place as seen here:

Even if there is no fight on the horizon, he just wants to be prepared. {That cute little man will be a star in Scouts someday--he already counts down the years to when he will be a Scout and get to try out a real bow and arrow for his Archery patch}.

Though Trevor and Preston store their arrows this way, they have also been found with their arrows down the back of their shirt, because they don't have that "arrow holder like Robin Hood":

Of course, they are referring to a quiver.

Robin Hood, Legolas, Hercules--all good arrow-carrying archers have them. Trevor wants one. I have suggested he continue to use his imagination or we could just jimmy-rig one for him.

All this quiver-talk reminded me of a scripture:

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord...As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them..." Psalms 127:3-5

Our quiver is full and happy are we.

What Jason's camera saw. {aka more from the Florida Chronicles}

The following photos are proof that I:

1. Really went to Florida.
2. Have not lost my baby weight.
3. Obviously wear sunscreen.
4. Need more quality time with the sand and surf--it's good stuff.

Me & Steph

Gavin's toes grace the ocean with their bitty-ness...

...and they like it...



...a regular sea-farer, that Gavin.


He's a big fan of this place.

Big cousin, Chase, showing Gavin the ropes.

A couple-who-isn't-so-sure-about-how-to-pose-on-beach-boulders. {Also, they are not savvy on the ways of avoiding waves before they get drenched.}



Coral and Stephanie show me how to pose.

Wet family=happy family.

A picture of a picture.

A candid moment.

Me and my big brother.

{Sorry, Steve. I had to edit you out of this one on account of your eyes being closed.}

Sand. A good diet.

See how curly my hair gets in the humidity? Eating sand and curly hair--pretty much a perfect day.

Love these "rinse-off" pics. It takes so little to please a little person.

The chef in front of his fancy grill.

Rockband time, Chase on bass.

I wish I was this cool when I was ten.

I told you it was tropical in there!

I'm really serious about my music, man.

Thanks for the good times guys!

My pictures. {aka Florida Chronicles}

Remember, I told you about those pillow mints? Well, there was a goodnight "thought" to go with it. Something about your sleep being restful and dreaming of seashells....

I took this picture for the boys. This was an ice cream shop called the "Jolly Roger". Arrggh!

Love ya big brother!

My recent whereabouts.

I was here:

But, more specifically, here:

And here:

Also spent some time here:

{I do not know these people.}

Steve had a business conference in Clearwater Beach last week, and after I batted my eyes a few times, he bought me a plane ticket too. {Including lap-child, Gavey-Goo}. We left our other 3 munchkins with Steve's parents, {bless 'em}, and off we went.

We spent 2 1/2 days at this uh-may-zing resort, and while daddy worked, we played. Gavin and I enjoyed much laziness and gluttony...shame on us.

White beach, white shells, white bathrobes, white slippers.

Chocolate mousse, chocolate cheesecake, chocolate-covered strawberries, chocolate pillow mints.

So, this is how the other half lives....interesting.

And yet, the best part of our trip was still to come!

Next was 2 days, well, 24 hours really {quality vs. quantity}, with my big brother, Jason, and his family in Coconut Creek outside of Fort Lauderdale. This is where the fun began! If you are looking for some fun in Coconut Creek, this is what you do:

* You find my brother and his fam. {Please don't really do this because they don't appreciate stalkers--but let's move on.}

* Get a tour of their beach-themed home, right down to the light-switch covers and shower curtain hooks.

* Then you go and play at the beach when it's real misty-like, and get nice and wet from the tide. {Also, have my brother bring his fancy camera and take lots of pictures of your cute little, blue-eyed baby}

* Then go home, get in warm, dry clothes and play "Rockband" and get schooled by my niece and nephew.

* Keep playing "Rockband" until the tendons in your hands and forearms are sore while my brother grills/smokes a mouth-watering dinner of steak, chicken and red potatoes. Stephanie will also make delicious asparagus on the side. Ask him about when he was a chef in the Coast Guard. Then ask if he will share his bodacious marinade secret with you. {Also, find out how he learned to sing in that Rock-Falsetto like that!}

* Then see if my brother will tell you and your husband story after story of his death-defying childhood and thrill-seeking antics {front flips off the roof anyone?}, and marvel that he is still alive to serve you Banana's Foster dessert. Oh. My. Good. Ness. I'm still dreaming of it.

* Oh, don't forget to sit on their back porch {in the hammock swing if you want} and listen to the rain and breathe in the healthy moist air.

* Then stay up late talking--and wondering why you haven't come sooner.

{Pictures of this bodacious trip are forthcoming. I'm going to bed}

Benefit Concert that will benefit you.

I have been so inspired by the story of the Nielson family. I check Stephanie's sister's blog frequently to check on their progress and healing. I have a pretty bracelet that I bid on for their fundraiser that reminds of being a better mother, a mother like Stephanie. Her blog is now being updated by her family with favorite posts that remind me to enjoy the mundane beauty that is the life of a mother. Next weekend, Mindy Gledhill, amazing LDS singer/songwriter (friend of Stephanie) is having a benefit concert at Mountain View HS in Mesa. It will be October 25th at 7pm. All proceeds to go to their fund for healing and rehabilitation.

Honk shoo...honk shoo...

Last night, there was only one person in our house that kept his head on his pillow all night:

See?

This one...
...was walking in his sleep.

This one...
...ate something that didn't agree with him. The end.

This one...

...well, I'm used to this one, but our nightly rendezvous are usually more pleasant. Last night, poor baby Goo was kept awake by his stuffy nose and aching ear.

This one...
...had a bad dream. Something about a volleyball...

And now, this is me:

Except for not so stylish and vintage.

Can't....stop....laughing...

For sale on Craigslist, if you're interested.

An autumn portrait.