Autumnal Glee!

"Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you bouquets of sharpened pencils, if I knew your name and address. "

~Joe Fox to Kathleen Kelly in "You've Got Mail"

Tomorrow is October 1st and I am thrilled to announce that I will officially be displaying my fall decor. I force myself to wait every year, even though I am itching to do it as soon as two things happen simultaneously: 1)football season begins and 2) back-to-school supplies invade the stores. This is the time of year when I actually, physically ache for some semblance of a season change. Because while the majority of the country can enjoy changing leaves, foggy breath, and warm layers, we southwesterners are still suffering as the temp hovers around the 100 degree mark.

Oh, Fall, Autumn and Harvest, how I adore you. You are cool and fresh and vibrant AND you are just the beginning of annual greatness that is The Holiday Season.

So, I will thoroughly enjoy myself tomorrow as I do the following:

*Bring out the berries, leaves, wreaths and pumpkins.

*Bake an Apple Crisp with my children.

*Make a Fall-inspired craft with them, too. (coincidentally, it is also Craft Wednesday)

*Sip Stephen's Hot Cocoa.

*Turn the A/C down to 70 and wear fleece and slippers...is that taking it too far?

Last week's run-down.

1. Steve had his 32nd birthday--Happy Birthday person of great awesomeness. Another year better.

2. I watched the Relief Society General Broadcast and was sufficiently inspired to become a better mother, wife, servant, and daughter of God.

3. We had our primary presentation at church, and it went great. Trevor owned the mic as he recited his memorized part. Our sweet Paige had a tender moment as she was reciting her part and had many people digging for their Kleenex. Love you Paigie.

4. Let's see, what else, what else...Oh that's right, I got stung by a scorpion. I have now dubbed the area, "Numb Thumb". It happened while I was doing dishes and grabbed a damp rag from the counter. Steve has now vowed to take over dish duty so he can get stung next time...

5. Steve and I saw a fantastic movie, Forever Strong, this weekend. We HIGHLY recommend it. It was entertaining, inspirational, funny, tear-inducing, motivational...and nary a swear word. Loved it. It's on a bit of a test run, so go see it so they won't pull it from the theatres.

6. Our funny family inspired a funny cartoon, so check it out at BeckstromBuzz. He has been published in "The New Era" and also has some other "comical" websites, inspired by LDS culture. (Because of this, I'm now re-thinking the idea of going private--I mean, I'm the last person who would want to inhibit our chances at fame.)

Birthday fun for the husband and the munchkins. Man, do I have a crush on this guy! Among his gifts: A marvelous book by Jeffrey R. Holland and this picture that he's always loved.

Taking names.

Yes, we are taking names. It's privacy time. So, friends and family, please leave your email address in the comments and we will add you to our VIP list :)

And, here's the deal. Even if you are a friend of a friend of a friend who has stumbled upon our blog and like to check in, that's cool. We all go a-lurking, so I get it. If you would like to keep peeking in on us, please leave your email address in our comments.

I have loved this avenue of finding friends and being found. It's awesome. But, alas, there is opposition in all things and the opposite of awesome is identity theft (oh, and also wierdos).

Thanks!

Do this at picnik.com

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FHE Chronicles: Get Goliath

Have you ever played, "Pin the stone on Goliath"?

It's empowering.

{Artistry by Mom}

We beat him!

Yes, children. You beat him. You are small, but you are strong--David strong. And we will keep having these irreverant Family Nights, where it is difficult to get the majority to sit for 17 seconds, so that you can learn more ways to be "strong". We will keep doing it because we want you to have the "ammunition" to defeat the "Goliaths" of our day. We will keep doing it because you are precious and mighty. We will keep doing it because you beat him once and you will do it again.

I've always liked chocolate...

Per requests:

Be-fo.

Now.

Rich, yummy chocolate.

My photographer and me.

Crafty.

I've decided to start doing a craft with the kids one day a week. This time, Paige chose clippies. We saw some similar ones here and, in true fashion, I thought to myself, "I can do that."

{Paige declined being photographed}

Supplies needed:

clips {those brown or black ones with clasp}

any 1/2 inch grosgrain ribbons

any buttons or other embellishments

hot glue gun {for buttons and to seal the ends of the ribbon under the clips}

double-sided permanent craft tape {I used this to adhere the ribbon instead of the glue. It made the ribbon lie flat}

I will say that this was a craft that I had more of a role in making. The hot-glue--not so child-friendly. But she made all the design choices.

It goes without saying that the boo-yas were not keen on "clippie-making" (phew!), and so, fast-forward to the quiet which was ours to enjoy while they cut, pasted and scribbled. Ahhh...
We also tried these ponytails, but just one was really time-consuming and I ended up doing most of it. Next craft will be less "mom-this-is-too-hard-you-do-it" style, and more "look-what-I-made-mom!" style.Here I am modeling it. Isn't it lovely? Not really my taste, but perfect for the tween-age and under {and, BONUS, a glimpse of my new hair color. Thanks, Jenny!)

Windy.

Hey Greater Phoenix Metro area residents--remember that big dust storm last week? That was awesome. If you weren't fortunate to witness it, I will explain. It was like a huge brown pillow that crossed the entire valley--and you could see it coming. It was fascinating. The kids and I took cover inside and watched it through the windows. Then when the worst of it was over, yet still so windy and 20 degrees COOLER, I let the kids outside to play in it. Paige had the brilliant idea of goggles so no one would get sand in their eyes.


I'm a big fan of any variety of inclimate weather these days (within reason). Any departure from those boring sunny, clear skies......

What my summer of 1979 looked like:

Just in case you needed a little flashback to brighten your day...

Dear Clara K. J.

Yes, this post is for you, friend. It was so fun hearing from you when you commented. Would you add me to your private blog so I can spy on you? ;) lisaowens99@msn.com . Thanks!

Love,
Lisa

Quote of the Day

"Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight."

~ Benjamin Franklin

Dreamin' of make-believe

Almost nightly, I find these sort of antics when I check on the boys. After we tuck them in, we can hear footsteps for a little while and then it gets very quiet. I have found them asleep with hats, belts, capes, shirtless...and it's awesome. I love the world of pretend that they live in 99% of the time--apparently, even in their sleep....

Over the rainbow...

This is what I saw in my backyard yesterday. Isn't it pretty? (The rainbow is nice, too.)
Preston and Paige have learned to float on air. Amazing. "Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high..."

Ahh, the secret behind their super-powers. Paige climbed over our fence and picked me some lovely flowers. I graciously thanked her, and then asked her to kindly dispose of the poisonous Oleanders and wash her hands...

Ballpark. Goodtimes.

Ball game stats:

*3 free tickets due to Owens' offspring reading lots of books this summer

*5 nosebleeder seats

*3 large puffs of pink cotton candy consumed

*1 awesome carmel appled covered in peanuts shared

*1 order of nachos purchased after the family in front of us tempted us with their glutonous ways

*7 innings sat through before the natives were restless (but at least we got to sing "Take me out to the ballgame" during 7th inning stretch--my only requirement for this game)

*0 cool souvenirs because the D-backs "cheerleaders" (??) don't have the same neat-o souvenir blaster guns that the Suns cheerleaders have so that the rolled up T-shirts can be shot up to the poor unfortunate souls who aren't sitting behind the dugout.

*?? points scored by the D-backs. We left early, but I do know they won-yay!

*4 happy children who know a good time when they see it.

* * * *

I love me some happy baby

Sunglasses, courtesy of Trevor Stephen Owens

Oh, he's just such a delicious 7 1/2 month old. Smiling is so easy for Gavin. If only sleeping through the night came as easily. It's my fault, really. If he wants to nurse in the night, I oblige. There's just something so wonderful about your baby wanting you and only you and knowing you can make it all better.

Still, sleeping is good too.

But when I wake up and cuddle him, I fall under his spell yet again...

Star-Spangled Goosebumps

I heard that these girls are between the ages of 6-8. They look a little older to me, but either way--wow. This is definitely worth a listen!

WWF (or just arm wrestling)

Grandpa Owens decides to give Trevor and Preston a lesson in arm-wrestling....




...poor Grandpa.

Giddy-up

I just ordered this darling handmade canvas for my boys' cowboy room. Except mine will be with blonde hair to match my guys. Isn't it fun? The artist has more on Etsy.com called Peekaboo Prints.

Just because.

Makin' me smile today...

Yes, that's a bagel on his "sword".

They're baa-aack....

...and I'm scared.