Friday, July 31, 2009

20 Years . . .

Has it really been 20 years since High School graduation? Twenty years since that magical summer of '89 . . . that last summer of my youth, the last summer I lived in the same house as my parents, the last summer I walked the quiet streets of my childhood neighborhood after dark talking and laughing with girlfriends, the last summer of complete freedom, the last summer driving aimlessly with the windows down and the music much too loud . . . the last summer of no responsibility??


Fast forward twenty years to the summer of 2009 . . . responsibility is now an understatement, long walks chatting with girlfriends is a guilty pleasure I relish rather than take for granted, and there is definitely no time to drive aimlessly or to have the music louder than is tolerable!

A couple of weeks ago we, the Bountiful High School class of '89 celebrated those 20 years, and I realized that although we've all grown up, we've also collectively experienced so much joy, pain, happiness, and heartache during those years of growing up. It was a beautiful experience. It seemed no one was afraid to mention the divorce, the separation, the lost job, the illness, the loneliness, the loss of a child or spouse, the fear of moving yet again, or the fear of what lies ahead. As much as I resent the word, we have become adults. However, for a couple of evenings we reminisced, laughed, and shared stories from years past that made each one of us feel young once again.





There is something to be said about those people who share your history, who knew you when you were 7, or 12, or 15 years old. We all seem to remember certain aspects of each other and when you see one another again after so many years, you have a clearer picture of who that person is and how much they really meant to you during those crucial years, and how much more they mean to you now. It was a wonderful weekend to reunite with old friends and classmates, and I am eternally grateful to Kristen and her committee for all the hours they put in to making it come together as beautifully as it did - thank you!


Click here for more fun pictures of the event!

Monday, July 27, 2009

My weakness

Expectations. Just something I've been thinking about today. I expect too much from people, especially those closest to me. Sometimes I am too hard on the people I love the most. That is my weakness. I found these quotes today - just something for me and others like me to ponder:

"The way to achieve happiness is to have a high standard for yourself,
and a medium one for everyone else."
- Marcelene Cox

"Because you're not what I would have you be, I blind myself to who, in truth, you are."
- Madeleine L'Engle

Thursday, July 23, 2009

4 years

It was 4 years ago this past weekend that we moved from our quaint, humble neighborhood nestled in the Provo foothills to our home here in Little Cottonwood. Really, four years doesn't seem like that much time in the grand scheme of things, but when you have children, it can be a lifetime. I think the pictures say it all . . .

Our final picture at 2950 N. 650 E. - the home where each child was brought home as a newborn.

The first weekend at our new home, on the front porch - July 2005

Fast forward four years to the same front porch - July 2009.

It's been a wonderful journey watching my children grow up, but at the same time looking at these pictures and realizing that in another four years, July 2013, I'll have a child preparing for college, a 16-year old daughter beginning to date and drive, another daughter turning 12 and beginning the YW program, and realizing that my baby will begin 4th grade.


I think I'm going to cry.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

I know, I'm slow . . .

but some things I guess are worth the wait! OK, so yes, my latest find (last post - Regina Spektor) apparently has been around for a few years, and yes, I just discovered her. Well, you'll laugh that my other latest find has been around for YEARS (35 to be exact) and although I've heard of it and had a vague idea that the program existed and could recognize the name and face of its writer, I've never actually listened to it. Well, a trip to the bookstore a couple of weeks ago changed all that when I noticed a clearance shelf of audio tapes and grabbed Garrison Keillor's 25th Anniversary A Prairie Home Companion Collection for $3.99 . . . 12 hours worth!

I'm hooked, I love the show because the monologues make me smile, the ancedotes make me laugh, cry, and think; I love Keillor's dry wit, his extraordinary writing, and most of all the feeling that Lake Wobegon is now part of my daily life . . . seriously, I think I'm going to have a sign near our front door that says:

Welcome to 9865 Alta Ridge
where all the women are strong,
all the men are good-looking,
and all the children are above average . . .

Sunday, July 12, 2009

ART

Refreshing, quirky, talented, true, beautiful, poetic . . . I can't describe how I feel about my latest find - Regina Spektor. In the age of studio artists and glorified karaoke contests such as American Idol, it's indeed a breath of fresh air to find an artist that stays true to music and lyrics as a form of art. I think she's simply adorable and brilliant, and I can't get enough of her!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Comic relief

You all know how precocious our Elizabeth is, how utterly unreal some of the things are that escape her mouth, how family dinner time is literally a time for her stand-up comedy routines, and how she's the only five-year old we know who is obsessed with how teenagers become teenagers, or the fact that she might turn into a negro overnight, or the disgusting nature of "wiping" oneself.

To begin, let me explain that she is fascinated by the sudden appearance of body hair on Ryan. While at the pool a few weeks ago she was thrilled to tell everyone within earshot about her latest discovery: her brother's armpit hair. "Ryan, did you know you have hair growing under your arms? That's sooo gross . . . Mom, did you see Ryan's hair under his armpits . . . ewww, have you see all the hair on his legs . . . do girls get hair on under their arms and legs? . . . ok, so girls shave it off, but boys and dads get to keep it, right? . . . ok, so look at my legs, do I have hair, do I need to shave??!!" Seriously, she is obsessed and we haven't heard the end of it since swim season began, and now every time Ryan takes off his shirt, she immediately looks for the hair and informs anyone who will listen that it's still there. That is why I find this conversation we shared today so hilarious:

Liza: "Mom, you need to shave your armpits."

Me: "Yes Liza, you're right, I need to do that - I will when I take a shower this morning, thanks for the reminder."

Liza: "Ya, you better do it SOON because I really don't want a 'Momdad'?"

A "momdad" - nice one Liza, I suppose that means she doesn't want a manly mom - too much.


OK, next item of business, her obsession with turning into a negro. Yes, you heard it right, a black person, African American, whatever. It all started last weekend in St. George, when after our last day at the pool as she streaked through my parents' family room, both Ryan and Caroline pointed out that she was "black" - as in "you're so stinking tan that the contrast against your bright white butt makes your skin look SO dark." That's all it took, she went into hysterics, seriously, a complete tantrum (tears, screaming, etc.) that she didn't want to be "black" and that she shouldn't have stayed so long in the sun because now she is turning into a black person. I don't think we have ever laughed so hard - ever - it was absolutely the craziest, funniest thing I've ever experienced. Where that kid comes up with this stuff we'll never know, and she won't stop thinking about it either, every time she takes off her swimsuit she asks how close she is to becoming "black." You'll enjoy the conversation I had with her during sacrament meeting last Sunday:

Liza: (while reading the Friend magazine) "I think this little girl is what I'll end up looking like."

Me: (whispering) "Liza, for the 100th time, you're NOT going to turn into a black person!"

Liza: "Do you promise? Are you sure?"

Me: "Yes, I'm sure, will you stop with this already."

Liza: "OK, I think you're right, but I still need to not stay in the sun too long, just in case."

Alright, I just need to record this tidbit because it's just plain funny. Here's another enlightening conversation with our Elizabeth from a few months back:

Liza: "Mom, I want to be a horse."

Me: "Great Liza, a horse, why do you want to be a horse?" I'm thinking her answer would be something along the lines of: "I could jump and run through green pastures with the wind in my mane" or something quaint like that. Instead, this is what I got for an answer:

"So I won't have to wipe myself."

Go figure. Life would be so dull without this kid around!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Renewed

I went for a walk this evening with Caroline . . . this is what we saw, truly one of the most beautiful sunsets EVER. I'm renewed, refreshed, and strengthened. What is it about a breathtaking sunset, a walk through the neighborhood on a cool summer's evening, a conversation with a 12-year old, and coming home to mountains and stars that is so invigorating? I'm not exactly sure, but decided it needs to happen more often :-).


"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts."

~ Rachel Carsen ~