Yea summer!

We had an absolutely gorgeous weekend- upper 70s, low 80s, sunny and beautiful. Here's a couple of pics. You know you want to visit!

YOU would love this book...

And I mean you.
Because He Loves Me by Elyse Fitzpatrick (Click here)
The ladies at our church just went through this book the past couple of months. It has been life-changing for me. And I particularly recommend it to those of you who grew up in a Christian home: even if the hypocrisy ran rampant and you are justifiably jaded now, or if your home was all about tradition and legalism: this book takes what you know (head knowledge, intellectual assent: the gospel), and shows us how to inform our hearts (apply the gospel). So, there's my commercial. Let me know if you read it and what you think!!

The pendulum swings back...

So...I am thinking about midwifery school again. Seriously thinking about it. Kent always supports me and thinks it is a great idea. He loves to see me all passionate and energized like I get about birth. I am looking at the distance program for the Midwives College of Utah. Here is a link to their philosophy. I like it. I really should start on some of my requirements here at the community college, at least.
A large reason I have hesitated about school in the past, is because I tell myself that I still don't have my household under control, and I shouldn't devote myself to outside things when the house is in shambles. BUT, I do think that I often do better with more time restrictions and structure. Kinda crazy, but sometimes I do a better job at home when I'm crazy busy running around, and know that I only have two hours to do a load of laundry and clean up the kitchen, rather than all day.
Do I sound like I'm justifying?

An apology post....

I have been sorely negligent to my little blog here, and I apologize. I have lovely pictures of Easter and Lindy's 4th birthday to post, and they will be coming soon. I promise. (I have this little issue with my laptop, and have to use Kent's to download pics...)
But, please enjoy this picture on the day after Mother's Day. This scene resembles Lin and I today, as she is sick with a fever, but I am so enjoying being home with her to cuddle and soothe her.

Make a Smilebox invite

Quotes on Troubles-

“Often the same thing that makes one person bitter makes another better.” J.C. Ryle

“God often digs the wells of joy with the spades of affliction.” Isaac Watts

“To scale great heights, we must come out of the lowermost depths. The way to heaven all too often leads through hell.” Herman Melville

“Affliction is often that thing which prepares an ordinary person for some sort of an extraordinary destiny.” C.S. Lewis

(I did not pull these together myself, I lifted them from George Grant's blog here.)

Dance Recital

The little blond next to Lindy is Ella, my cousin's daughter, and Lindy's best friend. And yes, she looks like a professional ballerina. They are really cute together!

Brother and Sister

They have been playing together really well lately. In fact, the past two days Lindy has been in a dragon costume while Corbin is dressed as a pirate and they've been tromping through the house on all kinds of fun adventures. Here's some pics of Corbin as a Jedi (?) and Lindy as a princess. Dad took these pics- I would've washed the peanut butter off of their faces. ;-)

Winter Fun

Nate, Renae and Suga (their dog) were out visiting in early March and we went for a walk across the lake at mom and dad's. This bottom picture is of Ella, Lily and Lindy on New Year's Day at great-grandma's house.

Frugal and Thrifty-

(I'm back- sorry for the long hiatus, and thank you Cassie for noticing. I feel loved! :-)
I will be posting photos soon: I have some good ones on the camera, waiting to be downloaded.)

I wanted to mention something I've been pondering the past couple of days. I'm boiling homemaker thriftiness down to two camps- stay with me here- and trying to decide where I fall. Times are tight right now for everybody, and we all need to tighten up our spending, right? Well, I think there are two ways to do that:
1. Make everything from scratch. Bake your own bread, make homemade laundry soap, and put juice or milk in thermoses for your kids' lunches. These frugal masters do NOT buy pre-packaged food, because you pay for the individual packaging. Also- this kind of living is healthier because you use less preservatives and chemicals in your food, and you control what is in your house cleaning products. (OK- I'm convincing myself as I write this...)
OR
2. Work the system by following sales, clipping coupons and earning rebates. I have friends that do this and have reduced their monthly grocery bill down to ONE THIRD of what it was! It is amazing- and I am finding that it is not nearly as intimidating as I thought it was to clip coupons and find great deals.
So, here I am again- being all black and white, and bogged down in my perfectionism. I feel like I need to pick a "system" and do it all the way in order for it to work. Arg! Any advice?

Dogs

are weird. But, I am doing much better with Niko. I take him with me when I drop off Corbin at school. He sits in the passenger side front seat, and lays his head on my arm as we drive. It amazes me how loving, loyal, and trainable he is! We have taught his to kennel up and this is huge. He will obey this command when we are leaving the house, or if someone is at the door, or if we need him to go away for whatever person.
He's growing on me. I like him.

Little House on the Prairie

Corbin's class read Little House in the Big woods in November-December. And, traditionally, the 2nd grade class at the Oaks has a "Little House on the Prairie"-style Christmas party the last day of school before break. Well, we got a lot of snow and with that, 2 extra snow days before break- so, no Christmas party. Well, the party was re-scheduled and here is the evidence. They ate johnnycakes like Pa used to make, danced to fiddle music, and got to milk a goat. Corbin was a natural at that! It was very fun!

Silver Mountain Indoor Water Park

We had SO much fun! Thanks Aunt Renae!!!

The Barker Road Bridge Project-

This (click here) is going on right next to our house. Quite interesting, really. And I think we're finally used to the amount of time and miles that the detour adds to our drive.

Mall Rats

Check out Lindy's $.99 new pink hat from Gymboree. So cute!
Corbin is wearing an Incredible Hulk sweatshirt.

Christmas Break, plus 3 snow days!!

We had so much fun and truly enjoyed our school break, just the four of us in the one car with the studded tires. I was not on call for any births, which also created a more relaxed mood. Here are some pics of the boys at home on break, after we got our new camera. (Thanks sisters!!)

Christmas 2008-

So, I'm running late. As usual.
We were at the lake house, my parents were in Arizona. The snow was beautiful, even magical at Christmastime this year. As you can see, the lake was gorgeous. And, we made it out there, with all our food, gifts and clothes on Christmas Eve, shortly after midnight. Some brave friends from church joined us for feasting and sledding on Christmas Day.
Note that Lindy is holding the Care Bear that Corbin sewed for her! (Thanks Nana!)

A Timely Post. . .

That I must pass on. May this minister to your soul, as it does to mine.
Click here.

My Four Favorites-

I wanted to share my four most favorite blogs. These are the ones that I have discovered through surfing around from blog to blog, and I check on them regularly. They are as follows:

• Method's Blog: A friend sent me this link, and I love it! This woman is an incredible baker. Since I've been following, she has mostly posted cookies and pastries, with occasional savories. A sweet tooth like me! But, I love how she substitutes wholesome ingredients into her creations. The pictures are always mouth-watering. So, for some kitchen inspiration, check it out!
• The Frugal Girl: A very practical site for homemakers. Kristen is so positive and encouraging. She blogs about being cheerfully frugal- mostly with groceries, but also other creative ideas. She posts her supper menu plan weekly, reports on her grocery costs, and every Friday takes a picture of her food waste that she throws out from her fridge. It is very motivating for me.
• Eyes of Wonder: This is the blog of a lovely wife and mother who live in the country somewhere. The photos and music on this blog are amazing. It makes you feel like you've been transported back in time at least 100 years. I think it's incredible to see families actually living like this in our day and age. Breath-taking.
  
• Anna Maria: My new ultimate favorite. If I had to describe my style, I would show people this blog. It is so gorgeous! Color, color, color. In fact, I discovered this blog off of a "10 Most Beautiful Blogs" list. My sewing skills are not quite up to par yet, but Anna Maria really inspires me to keep on creating beautiful things!

Quote I need to absorb into my skin-

"A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault."
By : John Henry Newman