apron frenzy

Because I am really a middle aged woman, I have been spending my summer sewing away, creating aprons for everyone I know. I finished the first batch of 8 (6 for the roommates, 1 for the betrothed, and 1 for the lady with the master key). So, behold the fruits of my labors. My mother insisted on taking the picture outside so everyone could behold the beauty of Washington.

Roomies and extras, you can start your fight over who gets which one!

out of the mouths of babes

I officially work with the cutest kids around. Here's proof:

"When I grow up, I'm going to be a superhero"
"When I grow up, I'm going to be Jar Jar Binks"
"I want to be 13 because then I can start a band and be a rockstar"
"I want to be 19 because thats the perfect age"
"We're not goalies. We're defense"
"Sneak attack! Sneak attack!" (during soccer week. They have no idea what a sneak attack is)
"Look at my beard. Its as soft as a rabbit." -a 5 year old girl
"That banging noise must be a chicken running into the door." (it was construction)

whoops...

Logging onto facebook and seeing that 7 people had updated their website info reminded me that I, too have a blog that I should probably update. So, here is a quick update of a summer that is halfway through, by the numbers.

2 trips to Idaho
20 peeling appendages
1 week in singles ward
5 weeks in a row spent avoiding singles ward
2 times peed on my small children
6.5 aprons sewn
2 times breaking the sewing machine
1 Jonas Brothers party
3 mission farewells
8 long goodbyes
4 wisdom teeth removed
2.1 seasons of the West Wing watched (thanks to wisdom teeth)
3 jobs held at once
5 bouts of sickness
3 trips to the doctor
1 fainting episode
341 hymns played (that would be all of them)
39 very strange dreams
7 lotion samples on my hands at one time
53 Mariners games lost
76 lists made
312 references made to things not understood by people in this state
39 rainy days
2 apostles seen
2 BYU basketball players lost (to engagement or the draft)
2 small children I've made cry
97 cravings for chicken coeur d'bleu, the MOA, or a banana brownie shake
255 replies to the facebook thread
11 days until Christian Bale returns to the big screen. RIP Heath
36 days til the mother of all reunions!

"If we can't laugh at life, we are in big trouble."

Yesterday I finished a book of letters written by Sister Hinckley throughout her life, and I am truly amazed at such a wonderful woman she was. Her testimony and love for her family come though in her everyday actions, and her humor and love for life got her through many difficult times. She is definitely a woman I emulate to become.

"We each do the best we can. My best may not be as good as your best, but it's my best. The fact is that we know when we are doing our best and when we are not. If we are not doing our best, it leaves us with a gnawing hunger and frustration. But when we do our level best, we experience a peace."

The view from my window

The other day my mom came into my room and was amazed at the tree growing right outside my window. I didn't think much of it because I see that tree everyday, but ever since she mentioned it, I can't help but notice it. Although there are dozens of other trees I can see from my window, this one is the closest, and so often the most overlooked. Where else are there trees like this in my life? So often I go looking for help, when the people I really need are right in front of me. I focus so much on getting out and getting away from here and having a big adventure, when there are so many great opportunities and experiences just waiting to be had that are right outside my window. It is just a matter of changing perspective, looking at things differently, and seeing that what you need more than anything is the thing that was right there all along. Its all a matter of finding the true beauty in your life. I realized that I've been looking at these trees for years and the tree outside my window has always been my favorite, it just took some pointing out to get me to realize that and to take advantage of the wonderful things that are right in front of me. Bloom where you are planted, explore the close things, and don't overlook the beauty that surrounds you.