Jessica just came out of her room at bedtime & handed me this:


"Hewe mom, foun dis in my woom."

Great item for a 2 year old to be storing in her room.

To blog or not to blog

I blog because I want to create a legacy to leave behind, for my children. I want to record those precious moments that are so easily forgotten if they're not recorded. Blogging makes that easy. I don't remember details, so I try to record them. So much so, that I'm admittedly crazy. I have my own journal, a journal for each of my kids, scrapbooks for each child, as well as one for the family, and my blog. Ohh, typing that makes me recognize my insanity. I'm wondering if it's time to simplify.

I also blog because I recognize it as a way to share goodness with people I love, and maybe even some complete strangers. I hope that my life experience have value to people other than myself; that my insights might lift another soul or that challenges might make someone else feel a little more normal. But the naked truth is, I also blog for my own esteem. I want to feel that what I have to say has value and that I have a circle of influence. When I see that my blog posts only have 1-2 comments, or even none at all, I feel defective, unloved, unsuccessful at life. Why do we do things like this to ourselves? Blogging is a little painful for me. I write, re-read, delete, & rewrite way too much. My creativity is slow in coming & I screen what I post and how I post it, choosing what information I choose to give people to just me on. I may prefer paper journaling. I don't worry so much about screening what I write. I just write.

Blogging is good. But, I'm trying to determine my level of commitment.

Grand Teton National Park

During Potato Harvest Break we took a day trip to Jackson Hole & Grand Teton National Park. Our fabulous babysitter Sonya joined us. I love days like this. Although we had to endure too much cajoling for movie watching when I felt kids should be appreciating nature, and pleading to leave the park to go swimming, I still have fond memories of the day.

This girl likes dancing on the beach.
I had to laugh when the rocks she threw went completely the wrong direction.
Learning to throw can be like that.

I'm watching you big sister & I want to be just like you. . .even if you're goofy.

Well, this shot had great potential.

I simply love our babysitter, Sonya.

Sleepin' on the beach, a frigid beach.

Kate, silly?

Parents take kids to lakes just to let them throw rocks.
At least, I do.
The bigger the splash the better.

Amber & Sonya went on the world's shortest hike while the siblings caught a nap.

I love it when people stop to see the wildlife & ask "What is that?" I feel special when I can identify an animal for them. But, I'm surprised when people can't identify a moose.

We finished the day by swimming at the Jackson Hole Rec center. We can't wait to go back. The indoor water slide & water features, plus the warm water made it a grand success. Ironically, we ran into two families from our ward there. I was especially grateful for Sonya at the pool, because Jessica has no fear of the water.

Halloween