A Christmas Chain

Countdown till Christmas!

So fun to see that Suzie makes
Christmas Chains with Natalie.
Traditions are wunnerful!

Buterfly Factories

I remember the day I took Jeremy to first grade. My very last to begin their first day of first grade. I was fine, really. Until I walked past the kindergarten classrooms and looked above the door to his classroom from last year, and read: Butterfly Factory.

The tears, the flood of emotion. I ran to my car, it couldn't have been seconds before I was crying uncontrollably. I should be able to handle this. I have done this three times. But alas, this was the worst.

Gavin started 7th grade that day as well, I remember when it was he who was beginning his venture in education, public at that. I knew that he was no longer all mine. I had to put aside all the selfishness that I was so good at, and let others enjoy this creation, the beauty of his life.

There would be no more snack, nap, caterpillars in the classroom. Why did I blink?

What happened that I was sending my fourth off to first grade, it all happened so fast.

blobs and blogs

Okay, time to re-enter the world of sharing what little sense I have about life.

I love life. I have had some of the most awful experiences, which means that my most wonderful experiences are even sweeter than most. My tears have been full of salt and sweet. I have loved and laughed, and landed on my feet.

I have written books, burned them, paid way too much for therapy, and gone back to school.

Now I find myself discovering what all the broken pieces laying at my feet mean; and I have found that when I choose how to put the puzzel together I like what I see before me.

I am a mother, a wife, a friend, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a grand-daughter, a student, a lover, a future lawyer, and I like me. I have a past, but more important I have a future.

I like dancing in the rain, watching movies, going out with my man, taking pictures, reading, watching football, art and music of all kinds, especially drawing/painting/photography, traveling, Fish Lake, native people, history, family home evening, playing games with my kids. I love writing. I have one publication, which honors my grandparents. I don't like war, but I understand it's necessity. I love politics, and don't like government. I am my own dichotomy; in so many ways. I am getting to know me.

Thanksgiving:

Odd Way of Giving Thanks!

I am extremely restless. Can't really describe why. It's like my mind is rushing with all my regrets: my impatience with my kids, not celebrating each day, gritting my teeth, forgetting to breathe, and to smile.

I wonder if they know just how delighted I am with each of them. How much I love them, and how I wish that instead of being grumpy and expressing my irritated feelings, how I wish I was better at letting them in on the pleasure, happiness and peace they bring into my life. I love them.

Absolutely and so much. May I learn to enjoy each moment, and better show my delight in each of them. My gratitude for Gavin, Clarissa, Samuel, and Jeremy. The warmth that fills my soul at the sound of their names, each name chosen specific and with a love between their daddy and me.

Speaking of Brian, oh how can I ever express just how much he means to me. How I love him and my absolute enduring appreciation for him. He is my amazing friend, my life long eternal love.

He is worth working for an eternal promise. He and my four beautiful children; how blessed I feel.

Halloween Adventures

With the Speakman family at the Dunn cabin for hotdogs and scary stories.

During scary stories this year Brian dressed as a warewolf and came down off the mountain side with a very scary mask and sound effects that had all the kids in tears.

We drove home with them all crying and not one of them finds it funny still today.

What was he thinking?
The Adamson Family has witch blood.

Every halloween the cousins have a party and the witches cast spells.

On the porch at the Dunns cabin.
Going Trunk or Treating. (with Aunts Colleen and Maureen)

Cutest little devil.

Gavin, the lovely cheerleader.

Do these shoes make me look fat?

Natalie was getting ready to go out with her daddy.
She put on Suzie's shoes and came into Kevin and said,
"Do these shoes make me look fat?"
What a monkey!

Gavin's Birthday, #13

Happy Birthday Gavin, We love you!!!!

See you again-

Strawberry with Gary!

Strawberry in August, an amazing adventure.

The boys little tent, which they abandoned in the rainstorm!

Sam, Jeremy, Gary, Gavin, Clarissa, Brian (with too many hotdogs.)


Gary, Brian and Jeremy!

On our Hike.

Gavins BIG catch.

My catch!

Jeremy's Dance (see the video).

Sams Big Catch.

A photographers dream.

This was an amazing trip. Camping by the lake, fishing. Long hikes, a pretty drive (quiet, as you can see the embarrassing picture of the kids as they "napped" during the long drive we took). Sleeping in the tent with the amazing rain storm, which made a lake around our tent. Lucky that we didn't end up with water inside. FISHING, amazing deep water fishing with the kids.

From the ride...see the video for the snoring in unison.
check out the drool bubble!

Gary cuts the boys hair, he had an old fashioned barber shop for years. Now we go to his home, he is retired, he cuts hair and we get to have a wonderful dinner with him and his wife, Sherry. They are so kind to us and to the kids. Alway too many treats! Keeps us coming back for more of their love and friendship.

Videos not available for your viewing pleasure. Archived by Brian (staying on top of my picture addiction). I will find them and post later. You have to hear the snoring, all four. It was like a rhapsody. We really enjoyed the moment.

Gavins paper - What America Means To Me

America means to me that I have the opportunity to enjoy freedom. America will

allow me to have my freedoms if I choose to obey the laws of this wonderful country.

The freedom in which I desire to have can be taken away from if I choose not to follow

the regulations of living here. When people come to America from a different country

they have to learn the rules of living in a new country.


Our country has the human rights which explain our freedoms. One of our rights

as a person is: we have the opportunity to worship who we want and when we

would like to. Another grand opportunity that we enjoy is being able to receive education.

The last one I will say is that we are all treated equal, no one before another. So each

person deserves to receive education, worship how they want, and we should all treat

each other as equal, because we are.



Freedom means so much to me because it means I get to choose how I would like

to spend my lifetime upon this earth. My ancestors came to America because they wanted

Freedom, they wanted to be treated equal and to choose who they wanted to be. If my

grandparents would not have came to America when they did I would probably be living

in an entire different country, I’d probably be living a completely different life. I’m glad

I live in America.

Jesse, Jessica and Nate come to Utah

I can't believe I am admitting this but I did not take a single picture while they were in town. I had that cute little baby for so many days and not a single snapshot, and not one of him with my kids. I am at your mercy. Please send me copies of the pictures you took!!!