TEN YEARS!

Have you ever stopped to wonder what it was that made so many of the great musicians in this world great? Talent, yes that is one aspect that I don't discount, however, I have met many with talent that are not great, and yet others that are brilliant. To illustrate my point further I relate a story I once heard about a piano recital that was well attended. As the story goes one young man got up and played beautifully. His mom happened to be sitting next to a woman that was tremendously impressed who, then leaned over and said, "I would give my life if my son could play like that." The son's mother smiled and softly replied, "We have."

Why bother with telling you this, my reasoning is simple. I just had my ten year anniversary and I draw a simularity between great music and marriage. When I began, well, lets just say that much like a new violin to be played, it was not pretty. Many of the notes were sour and sadly flat. What changed those notes, practice, good old fashioned hard work and practice, practice, practice. While I fully admit our marriage is not akin to Handel's Messiah, it isn't Mary Had a Little Lamb either. There are sour and sharp notes, but they are played less and less frequently. I'm not certain that I had inherent talent for marriage, and I am not afraid to say that marriage is hard work. I am not afraid because beauty is created from all of the hard work. Sonatas, concertos and overtures are the result of hours, months and years of hard work. I remember the hours and the hours of practice, the callouses formed, the automatic notes and the melody that comes easier and easier and, unlike the beginning, it is sweet.

So thanks D. Thanks for stuffing your ears with cotton the first bit. Thanks for being there. Thanks for listening, and learning. Most importantly, thanks for working. Thanks for trying, trying, trying and trying some more. We've had lots of high and low notes, but they have created our beautiful unique melody and have somehow made it sweeter. Love You!

It's a crying shame...

Mental note to self...shop early and quickly. Apparently the economic crisis has yet to trickle down to the snow clothing department. I hurried to the store in a panic after the snow dumped upon us only to find that everywhere is apparently out of snow clothing. Boots gone, hats sparse, gloves almost non-existent. Finding the boots was a long process indeed. I scoffed when I saw the price tag attached to a small pair of boots that will only be worn for a short season, 24.95----left that store thinking they are crazy, who pays 24.95 for a pair of boots for a two-year old. Apparently I do-after checking 3 other stores I found this to be the going rate. 34.95 happens to be the going rate for boys boots that are even harder to find. I finally loaded all the equipment up and headed to check-out. I almost choked when I heard the total, but I kept it together and held tightly to the counter in case my knees buckled and I went down. Made it home, dressed the kids and went outside for some fun.Wyatt dressed to the "t"-what's that you say, his boots look amazing-oh wait you can't even see them-you would think that for 24.95 they would repel the snow!

he is rather cute running away.

Oh look he found the lost shovel, that means I can take the money I would have paid for a new shovel and put it toward the second mortgage I had to take out just to provide snow clothes.

Bridger having a great time.

Here's Ethan, his mom was nowhere to be found, probably because she got hand-me-downs and didn't have to follow/stalk her kids out in the snow to make sure they were going to use all the clothing so she could get her moneys worth.

Here they are sledding down the sidewalk to the ground. I feel bad these kids don't know what a real sledding hill looks like.

Wyatt decided to take a try.

And here he is after-not loving it, at which point he turned around and came inside, yes that is right I said inside. Oh and take a good look at the gloves on Bridger's hands in the picture, he took them to school today and didn't return with them. I am not sure if you or I will get to see them again. **SIGH**

Golgie comes to play...

Wyatt's favorite person in life right now is our neighbor, Gracie, more affectionately known in our home as "Golgie". He loves her. They are best buds. We try to get them together once a week, if not more because they play so well. They played monster blankie...

Played with all the toys in Wyatt's room...

Ate yummy fruit snacks...

And colored each other blue at which point I became mortified and the camera became the furthest thing from my mind. Wish I would have snapped a few picts. We were downstairs and I was jogging on the treadmill whilst they were coloring on the white eraser board with a blue marker. Then it grew quiet-I know should have keyed into the silence. Finished my workout came around the corner and met smurfs. I hurried Gracie upstairs, shock turning to horror as I looked in her hair and noticed that these two had not spared scalps. After what seemed like hours of scrubbing I returned a red and blotchy faced child to her understanding parents. Gotta love those two!

Thankful for Thanksgiving

Thanks and giving-remembering to do both...

Thanksgiving-giving thanks for the abundance that we are blessed with. First there are the things that I am deeply profoundly grateful for: The Savior, His church, President Monson and his counselors, the apostles, the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, eternal families. And then there are those in my immediate family, Darin, who mostly makes me laugh and only occasionally cry. Darin works hard and has been blessed to provide for us. I love his cooking and that he does the dishes. I'm grateful for the righteous choices he has made in his life. I am grateful that he works by my side and shoulders family responsibilities with me.

Bridger, who keeps me honest and humble. Who has stretched me and not allowed a bit of hypocrisy to remain hidden. That loves so much with all his heart. That forgives me when my imperfections hurt him. That forgives others and tries so hard to be better. For all the work and sweat and tears in this earth life. For being the oldest and an example to Wyatt. For always giving so much to Wyatt and loving him. For an honest heart that always wants to do what is right.

And to Wyatt, who keeps me on my toes and helps me to remember how to find happiness in the simplest of ways. Who is passionate and excited and explores everything with a zest I have long since forgotten. For the "I sorry's" for the hugs and kisses and tender heart. For recognizing sadness in others and a willingness to try to help heal. For the late night laughs and the tickle wars.

And I am also grateful for religious freedom. For America and the founding fathers that sacrificed their freedom and happiness in giving their time, talents and life so that I could enjoy and live the dream they dreamed. For those sacrificing now for my freedom. For righteous people who are striving to live the best they know how. For smiles from passer-bys, conversations from sweet un-known children, for forgiving drivers, for loving neighbors and for our primary children that I get to be with every Sunday.

I am also grateful for practical things that make my life easier, heat that turns on with the touch of a button, indoor plumbing, sewage treatment plants, washers and dryers, microwaves, ovens, refrigerators, freezers, automobiles, insulation, home structures, clean water, clothes, Costco, packaged food, readily available fruit and vegetables, dishwashers, computers and gloves.

Even with all of the talk about the recession and how we are suffering, we are still surrounded by so many things to be grateful for this year. One of the ways we have been asked to show our gratitude is to give. We can ALL help, one way is to participate in the food drive that will be church-wide December 5th-please put out some cans for those that need some extra help-by small and simple things are great things brought to pass!

We missed you!

Several times during the day, I will get a sad little "I miss you" for Bridger. It is different not having him here with us all day. Wyatt really has been missing him, and we wanted to let him know that we appreciate and miss him. So, this afternoon, first we made a sign. Here is Wyatt's happy face-so happy that he got to put his picture up too!

Next, we made his favorite jumbo milk chocolate chip cookies-MMMMMMMMMM!

Then, we watched and waited...

Until, at last, his carpool came and here he is so happy, running inside, to administer hugs all around!

After that, we decided to recycle the sign, move it to the garage door, and change a key name. Celebrations all around!

It sure is nice to feel missed, loved and appreciated.

Halloween

Halloween went off remarkably well, considering that Friday was D's work party where Wyatt promptly learned costume equals candy. While getting him into his costume on Friday was a bit sticky, Saturday it felt like old hat, and he was a trick-or-treating pro. My favorite thing was that when he went to the door, instead of saying, "trick or treat" like we had practiced, he simply said, "I want a treat." He knocked for 2 hours. I couldn't believe it, HE LOVED IT! Bridger, on the other hand, couldn't stand the pace and took off. Halfway through the night, he decided that it wasn't too fun to be without your group, and thanks to a neighbor, was driven around until he found us. We weren't too far from where he left us. He reeled in the most candy. He ran from door to door, but was good to stay by us the rest of the night.

This is what his friend, Matthew wore for Halloween. He was a real trooper, staying right by Wyatt the entire night. The kids did great. We had trick-or-treated, and had both kids in bed by 8:30. Not bad for Halloween. Wyatt can't wait until next year, I bet he would even put his dragon costume on again and that sums it all up!

Welcome Fall And All It Brings!

Don't you just love when you can first feel the chill in the air, when you can start sipping hot chocolate, and take in all of the fall colors. I LOVE IT! I don't love being cold, but I enjoy spring and fall the most. I like the changing colors outside, and the excuse to cuddle tightly in a blanket all snug and warm.

I like getting out the coats and hats, mittens and scarves and just enjoying!

So, here is Wyatt's costume. Can you tell he HATES it. Doesn't want to wear it, won't put in on. Oh well, better luck next year.

Bridger wanted to be Troy Bolton from High School Musical. Go East High Wildcats!

Number 14-he loves it!

And here is the pumpkin design Bridger picked. He did it for his school carnival and his class picked a vampire theme.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Anatomy of a temper tantrum...

Every parent who has ever had a blessed two year old knows the ins and outs of a temper tantrum. Wyatt, as of late, has been having a few REAL doozies. Usually they start at the least importune times, i.e. the supermarket, church, anywhere there are countless people to watch. I was lucky enough to catch one, and this time, instead of trying to calm him, and reason with him, I went for the ultimate revenge...DOCUMENTATION with reserved blackmailing rights! Once the wailing starts, he begins with the "I hate yous"-you know, I hate you mom, I hate dad, I hate Bridger, with me responding, "Well, Wyatt that is OK, but I love you." To which he replies, "No, you can't, I hate you." Then he usually ends up kicking his shoes off, and if you are really lucky, he decides to practice his throwing arm, which I can attest is unusually strong for a two year old. At which point he is carried kicking and screaming to the "Time out chair" where he sits for an excruciating two minutes, oh the horror, and then comes the best part. The part that almost makes the tantrum worth it, the "I sorry mom" and the snuggles under his blue blankie on the couch, to which he usually adds, "I no hate you mom, I love you" and to which I add, "I know."

D.C.-yet again

Here is Darin standing right in front of the doors to the Supreme Court Building. This is just to give you scale, so you can see how big it really is. And here is the entire building itself.

This is the Neptune fountain that sits in front of the Library of Congress. I bet it is even more impressive when it has water running through it! Here is the Gutenberg bible on display in the Library of Congress.

An inside look at the entrance to the Library of Congress.

This is a placard inside of the Capital dedicated to those who lost their lives when they took the plane down that was headed for the Capital on September 11, saving the lives of those working and touring the capital that day.

Every state in the nation gets to send two statues to display at the capital. Here is one of Utah's statues, it is on display in the old senate chambers. Can you guess who it is? This is the relief that runs under the rotunda dome, it depicts different images from our history. This is George Washington defeating England.

Here is the dome itself. There is a portrait of George Washington ascending into heaven.

Here is the crypt. It is the first room you get to see when you enter the tour, immediately after the film.

Here is the cast they took of "Freedom" before they disassembled her and hauled her to the top of the capital.

This is the statue "Freedom" that tops the capital.



Here is a view walking up to the capital.

Here is a shot from the air and space museum.

Another shot from the air and space museum, this time a space shuttle.

Amelia's airplane. I love the shiny red.

The museum of natural history is the place to take kids!!! Mine would have loved it, since they were not with me I took the next closest thing-their dad! They had the most beautiful gems and jewels including...

The hope diamond. She is the largest blue diamond found to date. She sure is purdy!Great galleries of dinosaur bones abound.

Here is the beloved T-rex.

And the entrance, a full sized African elephant. They had a mammal wing with a wide array of stuffed mammals. A bug exhibit and an ocean exhibit. It was great!

I also spent an entire afternoon at the Holocaust museum. It was very interesting. I thought I knew all I could about the Holocaust. I was mistaken. I was able to hear a survivor give his chilling life story and learned that before WWII, Germany was a republic, complete with a Bill of Rights and everything. His Father served in the first world war and loved his German heritage. He said that he was German first and then Jewish, so imagine the betrayal you would feel when the country you loved and risked your life for didn't want you anymore. It was a very sobering museum. You are not allowed to take pictures inside because of the nature of the museum. You walk through an actual boxcar used to transport the Jews to concentration camps, saw actual beds taken from the concentration camps, saw all the shoes and hair taken from the Jews and the footage was just beyond description. It is sad to think how the world has sat by and watched all of the horrible annihilation of people throughout history. Lots to think about.