Sinatra, eat your heart out.

These are some ol' blue eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*more shots to come from my little photo shoot with Mr. Gavin.

growing pains

Paige playing a piece at our Family Reunion variety show.

She's 8.

And good at it.

Clenches her fist in determination to wear gym shorts to school.

And to do her own hair.

Could be worse, I keep thinking.

Keeps her scatter-brained mother organized.

Just yesterday, replied to something or other with a thoughtful, "Touche." and it was an appropriate response at the time.

Yes, comedic timing.

Loves her brothers.

Hides from her brothers.

Singing and singing and singing....

and singing.

"Please, honey. Let's not sing at the dinner table."

1.7 minutes later

she reminds me the same thing.

{I think I'll change that rule.}

Wears scarves and bandanas and hats...

has her own sense of style.

Growing up too fast--

it's hard on me, hard on her.

Still wants to be tucked in

forever, I hope.

view from here

Later, after the balloon gave way to physics....

Wishing...

...that I was taking a stroll along this little path here.

...that milk still showed up at the door every morning in a lovely glass jar.

...that this room existed in my home.

...that helium never ran out.

...that I could listen to my parents speak this Sunday.

Oh, did I mention? They were called to the Canada Halifax Mission and report on Sep. 7th. And, yes, Prince Edward Island of Anne of Green Gables' fame is in their mission!

weirdlove

I dunno. Kinda poignant...

in a weird way...

Happy Haiku to you.

I have a crush on last year's anniversary post, but I wanted to convey some true romance this year for #10. And I think I heard somewhere that nothing says romance like a haiku*...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

steve (my husband's name

short for biblical Stephen)

endears me to him

when we made a vow

he promised to make me laugh

each day while we're alive

reminded to speak

with soft words in our fam'ly

by a man of God

del mar room service

danish with donny and m'rie

beach walks lots and lots of love

BYU marrieds

studio with green carpet

and a big hole in the door

fun driving the champ

sitting on the floor all year

livin on love sweet

he taught MTC

teaching in our blood

i taught second grade

villa maria

stolen bike teaching english

laundry up 2 flights

baby paige graced us

with pink and curls and joy

new parenting scares

time at grandma o's

valley of sun here we come

hot hot hot hot hot

a first house we built

preemie trevor boy
bedrest baby preston t

m & d o serve

islands a far they did go

we stayed in a vintage house

'nother boy ahead

lots of shots and TLC

here he comes but wait

must find a new home

gavin joins this family

six people live here

keeping out the world

loving teaching laugh and sing

letting in the light

we stand here now us

ten years of eternity

holding hands tightly

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* an non-rhyming poem using a syllabic pattern of 5-7-5.

We're going green.

I just bought a hybrid...

...fruit, that is.

I discovered this cross between a plum and an apricot.

A pluot.

And it's delicious and nutritious.

And our offspring can't get enough.

And they're currently on sale at our local market.

On my list:

• a full bag of pluots
• 3 gallons of skim milk
• 1 gallon of Vitamin D milk
• 1 gallon of 1% milk
  

{Not that milk and pluots accompany each other well, but I cringe to have a shortage of milk in our fridge--and our 2nd fridge--but that is another story.}

I even have a marketing slogan for the hybrid:

You-ot to try a pluot.

Post-edit: I've just learned that this delicious, mixed-up fruit goes by many names--Pluots, Plucots and Apriums. So, I guess Shakespeare still knows his metaphors, and "A {fruit} by any other name would {taste} as sweet." It's good, whatever you call it.

A dinner conversation.

Trevor: Mom, what is this?
Me: It's broccoli slaw.
Trevor: Oh...it tastes like wood.
Steve: Have you ever tasted wood before?
Trevor: (pause) I have now.

Just because...

...sometimes goggle-faced-sprinkler-water-drinking can be fun.

...sometimes it's about the journey. {Notice: Preston had black connect 4 long ago, but what's the fun in winning right away?}

...sometimes life at sea requires a lot of nautical decor.

...sometimes it's comical when corn starts randomly sprouting up in your front yard, thanks to a nearby obliging cornfield.

...sometimes when you have 4 kids, everyone has to pull their weight around the house.

celebrating the day that I made my debut upon this planet

Here we are, celebrating my debut at our favorite local restaurant, BJ's and enjoying their famed "Pizookie"

This is Gavin saying "cheese"

and this is Gavin who can't be bothered for he sees a ball on the TV screen above.

School Daze

Stats:

Paige

3rd grade

Mrs. S

Loves math, reading and horses

Trevor

Kindergarten

Mrs. G

Loves buddies, inventing, and green

Preston

Preschool

Mrs. C

Loves knights, pirates and the letter P

The first week back was a success with just a few mishaps:

* Paige's shoe broke on the first day

* Mommy went to the school to have lunch with 2 big kids and missed Paige's lunch altogether

* Mommy had anxiety about her kiddos making friends and being happy

* Trevor adores school, but collapsed physically (and emotionally) at the end of very-long-for-a-kindergartener-days

* Preston's cheeks exploded from smiling too much

* and Gavin felt quite beside himself with his older sibs gone.....

other than that, we are off to a strong start on week two!

Only 4 days left...

...for me to spend time with my kids before school starts.

This is why I am not a super-blogger lately.

I do want to post photos from our recent Utah family reunion...maybe tonight while they're snoozing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

For fun, here is some reading that I've amused myself with this summer:

Who knew Goop was so Good?

I am trying to work on feeling better these days.

Maybe I'm getting older {32 on Friday} or just not taking care of myself as I should...but I am taking wisdom where I can and trying to incorporate it. At the New Year, I was all puffed up about this whole program, but have since slacked.

I came across Gwyneth Paltrow's website Goop and I love it. I have been most interested in her wellness advice and ideas--ways to incorporate the holistic and organic...but there are also great insights into parenting, relationships, optimism...I like it. My parents {who are very healthy and holistic} would say, "We've been trying to tell you about this for years!"...sometimes it is from many witnesses that truth can finally stick!

**I have no idea why it is called Goop. Gwyneth is so intelligent and lovely, I am sure there must be a good reason for it. I hope.

wicked awesome.

{photo courtesy of Stephen Owens, New York Trip, May 2009--ooh, and look! I'm in green!}

Last night we saw Wicked.

The Famous: Wicked.

THE Wicked.

How can something so wicked be so goooooood?

First, there was the--

Then, all the--

Oh! And the part when she--

Their voices, oh, their voices--

And then, at the end, when they--

{sigh}

I guess you had to be there.

Alls I'm sayin' is: If I believed in reincarnation, I would come back as Elphaba.

And then Glinda--after that.

The Fourth that could have been.

I wish I could say that on the Fourth of July, my family sported these:

Or that I decorated my house like this:

Or that I made a festive treat like this:

Or that I saw some of this:

{photo by my big brother, Jason Leonard}

But I truly cannot. I cannot say these things because I was a party pooper on this most wonderful holiday. This was the first year, in years, that we have not been in Utah for the 4th, and believe you me, we felt it. We felt it in the heat. We felt it in the lack of flags adorning our neighborhood. We felt it in the absence of the Provo Freedom Festival--oh, the parades! It's just not the same.

I will say that we made sure to do this:

For what is this day without a waving flag?

And, well, don't expect any photos of my darling children.

Because, well, that's what a dud I was on this day.

I will say we enjoyed swimming, playing, laughing, and eating good summerific food with some of our family and of that I am thankful. I am thankful that this holiday represents my freedom to do that. To be, and to laugh, and to pray, and to be with family.

As for next year, I will dream of making these:

--and will most certainly be rolling in red, white and blue, and basking in the breeze of Utah's patriotic spirit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

**Yes, I know how to bloom where I'm planted. I realize I can be just as patriotic here as anywhere. Alas, I'm all about the down-home, small-town celebrations. Nuthin' quite like it.

Children are literal beings.

Scene: A brave and willing man of the house, obliges his wife in capturing and ultimately terminating an unwanted pest. His oldest son observes.

Steve: Well, I think it's time to put this spider out of his misery.

Trevor: Dad? (pause) Where is his misery?

A few questions...

Why was this packaging for a stapler so difficult to open? As if a shoplifter is thinking, "If only I could get my hands on a Swingline, I could really make some bank..."

Why do I have the best eagle eye when ironically, without the aid of glasses or contacts, I only have 20/200 vision? (Yes, I spotted this scorpion out of the corner of my eye as I was laying Gavin down to bed.)

Why does wearing goggles make any meal taste better?

Why did I paint this--like this? I don't get it now. It does nothing for me...




Why am I so blessed to look into faces like this everyday?

Just wondering.

Utah respite

While at BYU, forever ago, I roomed with two amazing and hilarious gals, Josi and Molly. Well, a couple of weeks ago, I had a fun and quick trip to Utah (me, myself & I!) to attend Josi's wedding reception. She and Molly were at my wedding 10 years ago:

and here we are now:After the reception, Molly and I spent the rest of the day together, and she insisted we fill it with things I don't get to do very often: go shopping, get a pedicure, and eat Cafe Rio!!! I had the best time with my Molly...can she be my next door neighbor, please?

And, of course, I got to stay with my parents and see my sis, Christi.

Can't wait to go back in a few weeks and get out of this oven!!

The Preston Post

Preston, our third,

I've realized now...

no poem for you is penned,

and so it's time to endow

your little self with a rhyme--

be it short or long.

Here, from me to you,

is your un-musical song.

Now "what to write, what to say"...

should I capture your cheeks?
Maybe that would be fun,

for they go on for weeks...

or your hips that can shake

like no other force.

Must be momma's genes--

yes, they must be the source.

There's those envied eyelashes,

just begging for mascara.

But your a boy so I won't.

Still--it's just plain unfair...

I could talk of your charm--

a personality for days.

You love people, your friendly,

timidity never in your way.

I love how you link

arm-in-arm when we sit.

You grab my cheeks and kiss me--

fishy-style--heavy on the spit.

You're always on hand

for a thumbs up and a wink.

And when, someday, you lose your lisp

my heart will just sink.

Too much to write, to say...

but wait, I just did!

Yes, here is your poem,

Mr. Prep, my big kid.

They all have one: of Paige ~ of Trevor ~ of Gavin

Deep thoughts

{Courtesy of Miss Paige, while spraying sunscreen on my back}

"Mom, I'm not sure how to say this, but...well, sometimes I think people who have a lot of freckles on their back, look like tortillas."

Sounds like?...

Me: Do you guys like this dinner? Quinoa is really good for you...

Trev: No, King Noah is one of the bad guys, Mom.

a happy opportunity.

I have been an admirer of Mark Mabry's photography "Reflections of Christ" since I first saw it at the Mesa Temple Visitor's Center. It is moving and reverent and inspired. So, I was excited when I recently heard that he was going to do another series of "Reflections of Christ in the Americas"...

I also heard they were looking for vocalists for it's soundtrack. After sending in a demo, I just found out I was selected to sing in the choir on the soundtrack CD--Yay! I'm beyond thrilled just to be a part of this beautiful project. I think the choir will consist of about a dozen people or so. The producer has yet to fill me in on the details, but I can't wait to take part in this experience.

I've posted this several times, but once again, here is the link to the beautiful video:

http://mabrystudios.typepad.com/reflections_of_christ/2008/03/reflections-sli.html

the perks of being a grown up.

Trevor: Mom, when you're a daddy, can you do whatever you want?

Me: Umm, well, it depends...

Trevor: Well, when I'm a daddy, can I go see a real Batman movie in the movie theatre?

Me: (relieved) Oh, yeah. Sure!

Trevor: (huge, gigantic grin) Yes! I want to go see it when I'm 31...Actually, I want to invent something really cool when I'm 31, and then I will go see it when I'm 32....Also, when I'm 10, I'm going to do science.

Me: Awesome, buddy.

Except, I forgot the part about how he's not allowed to grow up.

Good Gift: A tribute to my children's father.

Warning: I am about to spell it out, draw it out, and let it out, so if you are uninterested in the terrific nature of another woman's husband--or if you are Steve--then skip to the next post 'cause I'm in the mood to illustrate my providencial good fortune in marriage for the generations to come... or just because.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sometimes I think my husband is a better woman than I.

Let me clarify: As women, we are innately prone to unique and unselfish qualities--those giving and nurturing tendencies with which God sprinkled us. Right? Well, I am here to admit that, apparently, some of those sprinkles ricocheted off of my spirit and clung to the one with whom I would spend forever. Truly, he seems to possess more of the giving spirit that I feel I should be foreordained to claim. However, I see that this is what makes us a good fit. We are a team, and teams are best matched when each individual makes up for the deficits of another-- And, let's face it, I look better in a dress.

His generosity enriches my life, or sometimes just make it a little easier. When he:

makes the bed every morning,

does the dishes before I even come downstairs,

makes Paige's lunch before school,

or saves me the last bite of dessert,

I am reminded of his love for me.

Steve is the most generous person I know. He loves to serve and give and knows little boundaries in this area. He does not wait for someone else to get it done. He is anxiously engaged in a good cause, always volunteering. Someone moving? Count him in. Someone need their weeds pulled? He'll do it as he walks by their house. Often, he recognizes a need before it remotely even occurs to me. His ability to give is boundless, and I am learning a great deal from this innate gift.

His mom always tells me, "He just came that way, Lisa." I remember the first time she told me this when we were engaged, and she asked me what I loved most about her son. I told her it was that he has such a good heart. This was the first time she said, "Oh, yes. He just came that way."

This man is charitable, kind, patient. He mourns with those that mourn. He gives of himself, his time, his talents...he's just the kind of person I want to be yoked with. And I am.

"Every good gift...is from above." James 1:17

He is my good gift, indeed. Though I am often found sharing this good gift with others, I know it is a blessing for me and for my children who witness his giving spirit.

Now to the part where he is the father. I realize that as the mother, I truly set the tone of the home. Thankfully, I have my own personal Steve-- and he sets the tone of me. He reminds me of how to be a good mother, without actually reminding me. His presence can change my attitude from grim to graceful... He has the talent (and, truly, it is a talent) of smudging out the memories of a harried day. And, believe me, many a twisted day has been smoothed by his optimism.

He enjoys our children and they enjoy him. He produces much more exciting bubble baths for the boys than I do. His bedtime stories come alive with accents and dialects (who wouldn't enjoy a pirate who goes from Russian to Scottish in one story?) And, around our house, he is "The Man" according to our children, and they tell me so all the time. "You can't open that jar, Mom? Don't worry, Daddy will do it when he gets home 'cause he's The Man!"

Steve is intelligent, wise, and learned in the scriptures. He is capable and savvy is his career. He is a leader and a servant. He has righteous desires and an eternal perspective. He is clean and tidy. He is a soft place to land. And just so you are not convinced that I have a flawless husband, I will reassure you that sometimes he forgets to put the toilet paper on the roll...oh, wait--that's me...

Happy Father's Day (week) Steve.

You're the Man.