My Best Friends

Our fall drive... finally a Sunday we didn't have 1:00 church! It was Regional Conference. We went to see Matt and Misti and had a lovely day with them. The end.

The New Driver

Whitney is passionate about driving. We love riding with her. Shaylee loves to correct her; Whitney hates to be corrected. Love having teenagers -- I really do.

Keep on Running...

I ran 12.5 miles this morning!  Yea!  I ran with Kim Richards.  We have such a good time figuring out life and coming up with some new healthy food to try.  It is one of my favorite times.  We ran past waterfalls, cows, cute houses.  We ran in our neighborhood, Valley Hills, the North Fields, out on the Legacy trail to the covered bridge and back home.  Perfect running weather. 

Kim picked up a penny and said that she picked it up because I always did :)  Then she told me a story that she had heard during a church meeting.  A man picked up a penny from the ground, rubbed it, smiled and put it in his pocket.  He was a wealthy man and the young woman watching him, later questioned him about it. 
She asked him why he bothered, he had so much money, and most people don't bother with pennies.  He replied with a question.  "What does it say on a penny?"  In God we trust.  He credited God with everything he had ever been blessed with would trust God to lead and direct his life. 

Sometime after the meeting, Kim was doing some laundry and three pennies dropped out of the pants.  She felt like it was one of Heavenly Father's tender mercies.  Never look at a penny the same again.  She is so inspirational to me.  Thanks, Kim for sharing and for being such a great part of my life.

The penny story reminds me of when I was in the MTC. They told us to have a continual prayer in our hearts. How do you do that? They suggested putting a penny in the bottom of our shoe, so that with every step, you feel the penny and remember, to "trust God" and continually "pray".

Shaylee's Answer for New Era

Question:   

“How should I respond when my friends say that no man can see God?”

Answer:   

 I heard a talk by Brother John Bytheway that addressed this question.  He related a story about a returned missionary that was asked this question by one of his professors. The professor said, “Since we learn with our five senses, and you have never seen, smelled, tasted, touched, or heard God, He does not exist.” The returned missionary said, “Professor, have you ever seen, smelled, tasted, touched, or heard your own brain? Then it must not exist.”  It seems a silly way to answer this question, but it’s true! We know God is real because of the Holy Ghost and the witness that He gives to us, not because we can prove that He exists. If you first believe that God exists, then He will give you that witness and you will know it in your heart.

She also wrote a poem for the New Era:

Life…

Sometimes it seems

That life is like butterflies’ wings

When there is no wind

No trials or storms

The wings can soar

Happy and free.

But a strong breeze,

A hurricane-like storm,

Can rip the wings of the butterfly

And everything seems hopeless.

The Savior came for us

He can heal the wings

And calm the stormy seas.

He can help us through our trials,

Through those winds and storms,

If only we will ask of Him.

Coming Soon!

Pear Leather, Molasses wheat bread and 12.5 miles!

What's the "Bustle" About?!

Somebody really should have moved me out of the way at Travis's graduation.... take a look at that behind!

Football Medal

This is Parker's newest wound from football!  I think he got plastered by someone's cleat.  Sorry, Mom.  The rest of the team didn't get your message not to hurt Parker:)

Huckleberries

You should see the huckleberries in our garden. They are so beautiful. They don't taste good now, but, I read on the internet that when they are cooked, a culinary miracle occurs. Yippee!   Ihope it's true and even if it's not, I still love looking at the stunningly beautiful berries.

What?! Nothing new on my blog?

As much as I am enjoying my new blog, I am a little disappointed.  Daily, I go to my new blog expecting to see something new.  Some new great picture or fabulous thought.  I am surprised everytime I do, that there is nothing, now nothing.  I don't get it.  I've been reading other people's blogs and it seems that everyday there is something new to see or read.  Not mine.  Something is wrong.  Really?  I have to do all the work? 

It reminds me of my cousin when she got a new horse.  She said that she was so surprised when her horse didn't emerge from the barn with a bridle and saddle on just waiting for her to ride.  What?  Really?  She was supposed to do all the work?  What's going on with this world!

Rhubarb Crisp

I love harvest season!  Parker went out and picked the last of our rhubarb.  He made rhubarb crisp.  Someone teased that it should be for his cooking merit badge--is there such a thing?  He was so proud of it.  I love it when someone else cooks.  It was soooo delicious!

Watercress Salad

Today I sliced cucumbers and onions and put them in vinegar, water, sugar, salt and pepper.  It reminds me of family reunions.  Parker came along and said, "looks like watercress salad".  He nudged Jaren and reminded him of a book they had read.  It was from the book, Diary of a Whimpy Kid.  He ran and got the book and came to show me.  It had a cartoon of this salad and everything.  They had greenbeans in theirs.  Sounds good.

What in the world is a "mosh pit"?!

Trav and I were asked to chaperone at the stake dance the other night.  We were told to walk around and make sure the kids weren't "moshing".  What in the world?  Where have I been?  I am officially old.  Bummer.  So... if you don't know what moshing is either, you must be old like me.  ha ha.  Moshing, is, if I understand it, is jumping and pushing and shoving each other.  Nice, huh?  Something to pass on to our grandkids. 

Jaren's New Love

Jaren is starting his first football season.  He is thrilled with his pads.  Today I walked into the laundry room and caught a glimpse of his sheepish grin trying on his shoulder pads.  It was so cute.  I wish Travis was here to see it.  I tried to buy $60 cleats yesterday, but, luckily they didn't have his size.  Today I went to the thrift store and found them for $4.00!  Yea!

Red and Butter Quilting

Above is my first try at sourdough bread. Yum!
Right is my cute Red and Butter quilt. :)

  Today I found my "Red and Butter" quilt that I had forgotten about. It's lovely! It was a Round Robin I made with my quilting friends. Since my new love is bread baking, I especially love the title of my "Red and Butter" quilt. :)

  Today is my anniversary - 19 years... 19 blissful years. My husband's in Florida. :(

 Happy Anniversary.