Odds and ends

1.  You might wonder whether Matt contributes to our family blog.  Besides reading the posts and comments, he also fixes all the html problems I manage to create.  In addition, Matt will be responsible for any widgets you see in the future.  

2.  Because a friend recently told me that the following information made her feel better, I will share my secret with the world:  I bathe my children only on Wednesday and Saturdays.  

3.  I just saved 20 cents at the grocery store simply by bringing my own re-usable grocery bags.  Our local Smith's surprised me by applying their "bag refund" to my bill, at a rate of 5 cents per bag.  I had no idea that I had technically been paying for those plastic sacks, and I am glad to have the bonus pennies...in addition to the good, environmentally-responsible feelings, of course. 

4.  Yesterday, a woman had just sat down on the pew in front of us when Dallin tapped her shoulder and said, "You are in my way.  I cannot see Sister Trujillo." (He really loves his Primary teacher and wants to be sure she notices him.)  The woman kindly and laughingly scooted a few inches to give Dallin a better view.  

5.  I really need to make another batch of plum jam before the bucket of plums rots away in the refrigerator.  The result is always so gorgeous, gratifying, and of course delicious; I just need a little more get-up-and-go (or maybe a little less laundry) to start the process.

Poor thing

School has again provided us with the opportunity to stretch our immune systems. Sick, sick, sick...that best describes out last 11 days. The problem starts with an upset stomach (you know what that means...and it's always the middle of the night!), and then continues with a fever that forces my energetic kids into their beds for hours. Worst of all is the relapse a couple days later. Jamie Beth has been down three separate times, Matthew twice, Dallin once, and luckily, Nate has been fine (so far). The latest patient was little Jamie Beth, starting at 4:30 this morning. She is much better now and just complained that she hasn't had enough to eat today. So, I thought that while she is on my mind, I might post some recent pictures of the munchkin. Here's to happier, healthier days...both past and future!

At cousin Scott & Amie's home in Idaho, August

With cousin Gaby, July

At Tracy Aviary, July

Lady Liberty on the Fourth of July

After her first dance recital, May

Sunflower at sunrise

Wait at Walmart at 3am on the day after Thanksgiving so I can save $20 on a bike? Go to RC Willey on a Saturday afternoon, not to buy furniture, but to get the free hot dogs and drinks? Stand in line for hours to get tickets for the first showing of some movie? I don't do that. (Okay, once years ago I did wait in shifts with friends for two days to see the re-release of Star Wars...but I was single and crazy, so that doesn't count.)

So what was this urge I felt to awake before dawn, carpool with two sisters-in-law to Sunflower Farmer's Market, and eagerly join the long line of customers who gathered for the grand opening...just for the chance to be one of the "first 200 who will receive a free bag of groceries (with in-store purchase)"? We pulled up around 6:40am, and immediately wondered whether we would make the cut. Who knew so many people actually read those small words on the mail flyer? Despite our mounting doubts, we joined the line and waited for an employee to approve or reject us. We assured each other that, even if we didn't receive the reward, we had made the trip (possibly one mile!) and might as well stay. But then, oh yes, that good employee handed us our cards...numbers 147, 148, and 149. We were in.

It's really just another health food store selling organic products that I would like to buy, but can't afford to buy on a regular basis. But then, they entice me with their inexpensive produce; that alone pulls at my frugal-and-trying-to-be-healthy side. In addition, today they generously handed out all sorts of free samples--including chocolate--thus creating a friendly atmosphere (or addiction) designed to welcome me and the rest of the early-riser community. I loved it. And that wonderful, mysterious, birthday surprise-like bag of groceries? I loved that, too; it was simply fun. There was something, something, about that gimmick that made the waking and the waiting worthwhile.

After all, aside from the bread, baby carrots, and shampoo, I have definitely been needing bottled "firehot" red peppers.

Dang it! I nearly had the laundry done before more laundry piled up! The last load is in the dryer and I see in the dirty hamper: Matt's softball uniform, two bibs, one errant T-shirt that I found in my "clean" pile. So close...
(This is amusing today only because I am in a good mood...otherwise, a little discouraging.)

Tales beneath Timp

On Saturday evening Matthew and I went on a "date" to the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival. We went to the Laughin' Night and loved it (despite our poor blanket location--precariously perched on the far, far stage right slope, hoping gravity didn't launch me into somersaults). The storytellers perform with such ease and comfortable friendliness that they ignite a little spark within me. "These people are great and I love these stories," I think. "I tell stories to my children sometimes...I like to talk...I should try telling stories to a small audience...maybe I could go professional...that's it! That's how I can pursue my dream of traveling! Yes! This can work!" And so the tiny flame grows out of control into a bonfire, until I remember..."Oh, I don't like to be the center of attention, and it is likely that large groups of people would stare at me if I were a professional storyteller." So, as I come back to reality, truly the talent and atmosphere at the festival inspires me to tell more of my own stories to my children, and even, dare I hope, to write down some of those memories. Those are worthy and attainable goals for me. And, maybe next year I could even volunteer. Be still, my dreamy, storytelling heart.

Favorite Books

A Christmas Carol
A Tale of Two Cities
A Town Like Alice
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Agnes Grey

All But My Life
All Creatures Great and Small (series)
Anne of Green Gables (series)
Big Stone Gap

Circle of Friends
Don't Bite Me, I'm Santa Claus

The Forgotten Garden
The Glass Castle
The Giver
Glimpses into the Life and Heart of Marjorie Hinckley
Gods and Generals
Good Families Don't Just Happen
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Help

I Capture the Castle

The Ladies' Auxiliary
Little Men
Little Women
Persuasion
Precious Bane
Pride & Prejudice
Sense & Sensibility
Silas Marner
These is My Words
Thoughts of a Grasshopper
Truman

The Unlikely Romance of Kate Bjorkman

Wives & Daughters

The Little Basics

MATTHEW

Age 9, in the fourth grade; almost as tall as his mother.

Three great loves are BYU football, golf, and books (a little of me in him, much more of Matt).

Enjoyed playing in his first golf tournament this past summer.

Just started tackle football for the first time (Matt: "That's my boy." Cissy: "I think flag football was just fine.").

Happy, easygoing, bounces back quickly from upset, helpful, smart, eager.

JAMIE BETH
Age 5 1/2; in kindergarten; sweet and petite.

Loves dress-up, princesses, fairy tales, coloring, and her purple bike.

Would like to have girlfriends over to play every day.

Took her first dance class earlier this year; loved the practices, the recital, and of course, the purple dance costume.

Giggly, creative, sensitive, helpful, wants to copy mom in everything (cooking, sewing, putting on makeup, etc.)

DALLIN
Almost 4; big kid at home with mom; as tall as sister, at least 10 pounds heavier.

Loves cars, new scooter, playing make-believe with Jamie Beth (she's the mom, he's the big bad race car), animals and bugs and all things outdoors.

Has a unique way of pronouncing words, a unique way of phrasing his thoughts, and unique (hilarious) facial expressions.

Makes us laugh, super-sensitive soul, very friendly, fast learner. Everyone needs a Dallin.

NATHANIEL

18 months; runs faster than his mom.

Loves animals, especially birds in our backyard; draws and colors on the walls (!!!); enjoys being outside, even just for a stroller-walk; already likes golf and throwing balls.

Unusual way of voicing in the back of his throat, but does say mama, dada, wawa (water), wow, and "set, go!"; takes everything apart (see post on outlet covers); wants to be with the big kids.

Sweet, sweet, sweet, absolutely loveable and cuddly; fearless and a little crazy; curious (aka: gets into things faster than we can blink); fanastic, giggly laugh that makes us laugh, too.