snapshot: winter is upon us

This jeep was once my oldest niece's. It was a pink barbie jeep. At some point it was passed down to one of my nephews, spray painted camo-style, and evolved into a more manly means of transportation. Eventually it fell into disrepair. My sister was planning on giving it to DI but I optimistically took it off her hands, thinking we might be able to fix the battery problem. And some day we may. Until that day, the boys don't realize the toy is supposed to move and they spend hours playing in it.

Here we've got my two rascals, half dressed, playing in the back yard. Mason is singing and Eli is on the phone getting directions for their adventure. This was probably one of our last days playing in the yard without bundling up. It's gotten cold. Really cold. A few days ago I had to de-ice the plane in the wee hours of the morning. That marks the official beginning of winter for me.

Highlights of life: We refinished our new/old kitchen table that used to be out in the garden. I'll get around to posting pictures eventually but this table is the one I grew up with. It's sort of the reclaimed farm table type that I've been seeing everywhere. It's beautiful. I love sitting down for family dinner at it with Jason at one end and Eli at the other.



We've loved the harvest season. Even more than the sense of self sufficiency, I've most loved the sense of community. It seemed like the neighborhood was in a constant state of giving. Each shared their surplus and the produce was distributed from house to house. We enjoyed apples, pears, and peaches that our neighbors had in abundance. We shared our radishes, squash, corn and even carrot tops (for the chickens). I don't want to spoil it, but I discovered the most nifty kitchen appliance in the world. My friend Lisa lent me hers and I now stay awake at night dreaming of owning my own. More on this to come.


Mason has memorized the Pledge of Allegiance and recites it at least a dozen times a day. I have video of it I'll be putting on his blog. He's so darling. He also got a new bed and stayed in it ALL NIGHT LONG last night.

All weekend Eli has suddenly been standing up on his own. Today at church he kept doing it. He was certainly showing off. If any of the ladies in Relief Society weren't watching him (although most were) he would cough or call to them until he regained their attention. At one point he was standing, not holding onto anything, and suddenly took a little step. I almost shrieked with excitement, which would have surely sent half the room into cardiac arrest and awoken the other half. Good thing I held it in.


Mostly our lives revolve around waiting for Jason to get home from work, scheduling the day around nap time, and preparing for the next trip out of town. I fill my extra minutes with reading the Great and Terrible series which leads me to counting and recounting our food storage. Mason dresses up in Halloween costumes and plays with the Harris kids. Eli is happy. Always happy. Well, except for when Mason attacks his feet which drives us all crazy. Jason builds fires to keep us cozy. Life  is cozy.

Strange are the events that place me at a truck stop, waiting to meet up with a biker gang, with a very large amount of cash.

sneak peak

I went somewhere.
I have a lot of organizing,
editing,
and writing to do.

I can't wait to get it all put together.
And I will,
after
the dishes,
laundry,
and catching up on the past four months of blogging I slacked on.

Letter from Great Grandma to her cousin

We are among the mountains, as of course you know, with beautiful gray and pink cliffs, and ledges on the north and east, with far off blue hills in the south and on the west a most beautiful gray clay hill by which I live, and on which I often roam for many a long hour, gathering wild flowers, and studying the science of nature, which is one of the most pleasing and beneficial studies that can be learned, also watching the many different kinds of birds, and their way of making their homes. O! It is one of the most pleasantest places in Utah.

Maggie (written from Orderville, age 17)

Charles and Maggie at the Heaton Ranch

“We no longer have the luxury of spending our energy on anything that does not lead us and our families to Christ." 

Sheri Dew - 2000

Sometimes 

the best part 

of an 

adventure 

is coming

home  

and

throwing the kids

in the 

tub.

snapshot

A post titled "snapshot" with no pictures. Yup. I miss writing. I will eventually find a way to keep all the balls in the air. Until then, blogging has taken a back seat. However, I need to write. For my sake, for recording, for whatever. So I'm introducing "snapshots". They'll be quick, dirty, and grammatically incorrect. Just enough to record what life is like. Just enough to let a little steam out of the kettle so I don't explode.

Today. Mason slept in for the first time in ages. Mason slept in his own bed, all night for the first time in AGES people! Eli coughed a bit during the night but also slept really well. Jason, wounded from another grueling game of church basketball, didn't sleep so well. Yet he was off to work so early it still felt like night. He's always so good at saying goodbye. It scares the heck out of me every time (quick joke my mom told me tonight: a boy asks his father "What is heck?" the wise father responds "it's a place where there is no Gosh").

I actually had to wake Mace up to get ready for school. On Monday the bus driver said they'd be coming later since the route was pretty short. By later she must have meant even earlier. We ran out to the bus, which was blocking the way of the garbage truck, which was blocking the way of another bus. Our street has never been so busy. As the bus pulled away I realized Mason hadn't brushed his teeth. It bugged me so much I was tempted to show up at his classroom with a toothbrush. I'm not even going to admit that for the first/last/only time ever he also had a pop tart for breakfast. I didn't go grocery shopping as planned since Jason was out late (waaaaay late) getting beat up playing ball. We were out of milk. What a way to start the day.

Visiting teaching, grocery shopping, phone calls, errand running, and then home to meet Mason getting off the bus. He said "My teacher said: Mason you don't talk very much". Oh Mace. I also spent about 20 minutes at the gas station discussing the best way to get to the Grand Canyon and rating the "curviness" of hwy 14. Spent part of the middle of the day falling dozing on the floor while the boys threw blocks at my head. I love having two. I'll say it a million times. I love how they make each other laugh. I love how Mason will run into their room squealing "Good Morning Eli!". I love how Eli brightens at the sight of his brother.

More time spent washing bottles full of peaches and jam, cleaning out a few dresser drawers, resubscribing to the newspaper, and playing tag. 

Jason came home, still limping. We talked about our plans for the long weekend, the end of the summer, the rest of the year, the rest of our lives. Yep, have it all planned out. Don't be jealous.

I ran to work. It was so hot. I try not to complain. I hate wearing shoes though. I'd never complain if I could just wear flip flops. Ditching the hideous uniform all together would be nice. Mom's flying standby to Reno tomorrow. Checked the flights. Listed her. Checked her in.

Ran home. Made dinner. Bathed the boys. Ran back to work. Talked with Kacy. He's a very calming influence. And we work well together. Drove to mom's to drop off her tickets. Sat around telling jokes with mom and dad and pretended we weren't tired. Came home. Everyone is asleep but my head is racing so I type.

The end.

I never want to forget mom retelling a spectacular scene she saw flying back from Oregon. So amazing she wanted to stand and proclaim "Behold!" to all the passengers too busy on their iPhones to notice the miracle outside the window.

I always want to remember dad's pleased expression when I retold one of his classic jokes and made mom burst out laughing. You know the one. The man goes into his therapist and says "What is wrong with me? I'm a wigwam I'm a teepee I'm a wigwam I'm a teepee". The Therapist says "Well it is clear that you are two tense!"

I love the way the kids look when they are sleeping. Curled up or splayed out. Pouty lips and stillness.

I love the catharsis of purging words out of my head. Fingers move without thought. Too fast at first. Slowing down and I think I can rest now. Perhaps unedited thought dumping is the answer to my insomnia.

The Great Debate

Here's Jason, Joe, Mason, and Eli headed out for a quick spin. Which seems less safe/legal? To just hold a baby on your lap, or strap in a car seat in the back of the Rhino? The car seat seems so out of place and I think draws more attention to the situation. But, as Jason points out, it is probably the safer way and he is on paved roads for a few blocks.


I love that we have this toy. It fits the whole family, compared to the bike Jason traded which only held him... wait... I know I have an awesome picture to insert here. Searching... searching... Here it is. Proof that from time to time there were two on it. Speaking of safe and legal...

Summer List # 9: Skate Park

It was on the list so we had to do it. I purposefully took the kids early in the day hoping to avoid it during the crowded parts of the day. Mostly, I just didn't want to be in the way. There were only three teens there and the kids were so enthusiastic and amazed by their "sick skills" that I don't think they minded we were there.

the down side

It's just after two and Mason and I have already tried sleeping in his room, his tent, the couch, and my bed. My bed is officially off limits to sneaky rugrats so that location was very very temporary. Mason has decided he's thirsty and for orange juice. I don't have any orange juice. Water, milk, apple juice will not do. I'm considering busting out the food coloring just so I can go back to bed. Finally the boss decides apple juice is an acceptable substitute. He wants to pour it himself. It's spilling, he's screaming, I'm groaning. I've tried patience, I've tried reasoning, I've tried ignoring, I've tried cuddling, I've tried helping, I've tried walking away. He's still screaming. Juice is everywhere. He's running down the hall he's so mad he can't stand to be near me. He's running back because he still wants his juice. Since I'm up I'm doing dishes and preparing Eli's bottle that he will inevitably need with all this racket. I finally reach my no nonsense stage. The juice is in the fridge where he can't reach it. There is a cup, poured by me, if he chooses he wants it. More screaming. I'm pretty sure he's more asleep than awake. Mason runs again, this time screaming for his dad. Even though Jason has an early morning, this is a little bit good. Mason and Jason clash a lot and he doesn't usually go to him for comfort. After things quiet down I manage to drag myself off the couch and go check on the situation. Mason is whimpering. Jason...Jason wants a drink. He doesn't know what's been going on so the request isn't as conniving as it sounds. I get both boys juice. Mason still won't drink his and starts screaming again and it almost spills all over our bed. My bed. Off limits? I'm so tired.

When I wake this morning I don't remember how the drama was resolved. The cups are both empty, but Mason is in our bed. Jason sneaks out to work. He must have calmed us all down. My head hurts. Eli is stirring. If we're quiet he'll go back to sleep for another hour or so. Mason is sniffling in his sleep. Sniff. Again. Sniff. He's waking up. "My nose is runny!" he bellows. "My nose is runny!" Louder and more frantic. I know where this is going. I try my tricks to calm him down. They don't work. Nothing bothers Mason more than a stuffy nose. Eli is crying out. My body is begging to remain resting.

Sometimes it's just hard.
I'm not writing to complain. Just writing to remember.

#11: Fish at Wood's Ranch/Kid's Pond

Let's get real here. This is just another #22 but at least it has it's own number so I can feel like I'm actually making progress on the summer list.

We had plans to meet up with an old roommate of mine but they weren't able to make it last minute. We were literally headed up the mountain (can you be figuratively headed up the mountain???) when Jason got a text from our friends, the Johnsons, inviting us up to Kid's Pond. Crazy coincidence. So we said beat you there and kept driving. Dustin and Jason go back the college days where they played some manner of sports together or something. His wife Heather was one of the first people I met when me moved into our new ward and she ended up being my visiting teacher. She's the type of calm composed mom that makes me want to be nicer. The Johnsons are edifying to be around. They brought some relatives and friends, including Ryan and Lindy who just moved out of our ward. We went to Oak Grove with them a while ago and after this night I'm further convinced that they are my kind of people. They love the outdoors and find ways to keep having adventures while having kids. I'm seriously in love with their van/mobile campout set up. Also, I don't think I've ever heard Heather or Lindy complain about anything, ever.

Okay, I'll stop crushing and get on with the narration.

I lost my beloved sling and so we're using this monstrous contraption.
Oh well, Eli's still happy.
Random fact, Jason and I took some of our engagement pictures in almost this exact spot.
So... inexactly right there!

I think we're getting quite the collection of this pose.
Place: Kids Pond.
Subjects: Jason and Junior.
Action: Catching a fish.
Father beams with pride. Son wants to throw rocks in the water.
Frequency: Every 4-6 months.
At least this time Mason stayed clothed.

It's always great to meet new people, especially because I tend to be more reserved. But you can't help but make friends when you are sitting together enjoying the mountain together. Poor suckers... once I open my mouth. I can't shut up.

Aaaaaand, I had another chance to use my campfire cooker contraption. It's a hinged box with a handle that goes in the fire. I made cinnamon rolls this time and they were a smashing hit.

On a more personal note, I had a really beautiful moment that night. I had a passel of kids sitting with me and Mason at the water's edge away from the fire and adults. I was making up stories about dragons and had a contest going to see who could spot the first star reflecting in the water. As it got darker the day quickly slipped into night. My favorite time of day is twilight (curse you vampire crap literature for ruining that word for all of humanity). I love that small window of time where everything turns a shade of blue before all color smears into black. I was listening intently to the woes of an eight year old when I realized with an ache that I had missed that moment. The night was upon us and I missed the transition. I was truly sorrowful for a breath or two. Then I realized with great force that I hadn't missed anything. There was no better moment in all the world than to be right there, right then, with those people. I often fear as a parent that I'm missing the real parts of my children because I'm too consumed with the every day tasks and motions. I am often searching for the perfect moment, the perfect words, the perfect picture, not realizing the perfection is there if I could just embrace it. So I did. I held my boy tighter and relished in joy of childhood of the little ones around me. Life can be perfect, and delightful, and magical if we decide to believe in it.

As I type this I'm remembering a similar post of "the perfect moment". Was it a year or so ago? Once again at Woods Ranch. The Johnson's were there. Lindsey was there. Perfection was there. Or I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's always there. And sometimes I'm able to be aware of it.

all we do is #21 & #22: KOLOB!

#21: Take a scenic drive.

#22 Adventure into the great outdoors.

I guess it's good I have a list of other things I want to do or else we'd just keep doing the same things over and over! At least we switch up the location. This weekend we went to Kolob Reservoir with our good ol' friends the Hendricksons. We met Ken and Emily our first summer married doing APX. We lived in the bay area south of Oakland. Emily and I filled our days with trips to Costco, playing Dance Dance Revolution, eating her amazing cookies, and talking about the airline industry. She worked from home for SkyWest and *INSPIRED* me. I started taking online travel classes, applied to every job SkyWest posted and eventually got a job at the Travel Center a year or so later. Not only that, but Emily is inspiring in so many other ways. I learned a lot from her about marriage. She always prioritized time with Ken over anything else. She was a good example of supporting your husband and helping him get through a tough job even though it can be tough on the wives as well. Emily and I have a lot of things in common and it seems like every time she picks up a new hobby (couponing anyone?) it's something I'm dying to learn more about. Lucky me, she's always willing to teach me. She's also a great friend in the way that we can go months with out staying in touch and then just pick up where we left off.

We drove up to Kolob and the trip was amazing! The wild flowers were covering the meadows. Jason and I both have an affinity for aspen trees so the view out the window was two thumbs up from both of us. Jason, Ken, and Ken's brother fished and spent time in Ken's cool little boat.

Here's Eli, who loves being outside. Yes, he is ALWAYS making this face:


Jason also spent some time catching crawdads. The kids were not grossed out nearly as much as their moms were! Mason let them pinch his fingers and didn't freak.


Mason is getting good at sharing... Here Shaylee, have a crawdad!

We made dinner on the fire and I got to try out my new fire baking contraption I got at a yard sale. I made rolls in the little box. The first batch a bit unevenly done. The second batch was better. I'm not complaining, everything is good with honey butter.

We didn't get any fish. But we got filthy. We got wet. Mason narrowly avoided falling into the fire and Eli pulled another one of his choking stunts. Since all ended well it was a great day. 

Finally it was time to head home and we were treated to this breathtaking moonrise:

#21: Take a scenic drive and #22 (again)

Right before Jason and I started dating we planned a big party up Parowan Canyon. Other than driving to Brian Head to ski, I wasn't familiar with the area. Jason got his buddy Wes to cook a huge dutch oven feast. I took up ropes and set up some rappels. We invited a bunch of people, had a campfire, and planned to camp over. (Misty, Caytee, and I did not end up staying over due to a certain loose cannon buddy of Jason's. Oh boy.) What I remember most about that night were the sparks. No, not the heat from the campfire. It was the first time Jason got bold and made it clear he wasn't spending time with me just to be another guy friend. It was sort of the beginning of the end.

So, I've always had fond feelings for the area.
Flash forward several years and there we are again.
Now, married.
Two kids.
Time for some fishing!

We drove up to Yankee Meadows and it was a gorgeous day. It was warm with big dramatic clouds. We met up with our friends, the Bunnells. The guys fished. We explored with the kids. It sprinkled a bit. It was all around beautiful.

On the way home we started having problems with the Jeep. "Javier" really is about to fall to pieces. Beau and Bonnie drove back to Parowan to get us transmission fluid, and the guys got us up and running again. I really don't think our vehicles are going to last us much longer. Why again did we sell Maxx??

We finished up the day by going to the movie 17 Miracles. Jason and I don't ever go to movies, so it was triple fun to do something out of the ordinary, see a good movie, and spend time with awesome people.

Be careful what you ask

Mason would be a millionaire if he got a penny for every question he asks. It's not just the WHY questions anymore but the WHAT KIND, WHICH ONE, HOW, and then when I've run out of intelligent responses he continues on with the WHYs.

Scene: Breakfast at the bar in our PJs, Mason insists on cuddling with me while we eat (not an easy way to eat).
Mason (touching my lovely bedhead hair): What is this?
Me: It's mom's hair.
Mason: What kind of hair is it?
Me: Um, it's a pony tail?
Mason: What is this?
Me: My bangs. They are the hair that is in front.
Mason: Ohhhhh. What kind?
Me (trying to change gears): Do you like my hair Mason? Does it look nice?
Mason: *pauses* ...maybe...( in a doubtful tone)

Independence Weekend

Jason has always talked about how much fun the events in Richfield are for the 4th of July. He hasn't been home for that holiday since high school (absent for 2 years during his mission and 7 years of APX). We went this year and all of his siblings did too!

We started out the weekend by doing a clean up project by the garage.
Isn't he handsome?

Jason has often talked about round flowers that his Grandma Starr would spray paint red, white, and blue every July. Richard has transplanted these bulbs to their house so the tradition can continue. They were really neat. I wish I knew what they were so I could plant some in Cedar. Mason thought the flowers were cool too.

I LOVE this picture. I had been told that the parade was a big deal, but I had no idea! Main street was lined with chairs the day before! I couldn't believe that it was that important, and also that no one was worried about their chairs disappearing or being damaged. Love small towns.

We had a fun time doing some "Minute to Win It" challenges as a family. Necia and Jeff are competing to get the cookie in their mouths without using their hands.

Jennifer's midair cookie and Pirate Joe.

Jason's dice stacking abilities just got smoked by Necia's superior balancing.

I wonder who Nelly was cheering for?

Noodle jousting? Nope, cooperative can commuting.

Janett and Jessica give it a go.

The parade. The grandkids: Jocelyn (pink hat), Jordan, Bridger, Carson, Mason, and Jackson

The fam

I also added more pictures of each of the boys on their sites.