A Sentence

Lindy surprised us this morning by making the following declaration using the magnet alphabet letters:

(Translation: "Lindy is 5 years old")

Additional proof that she's smarter than we sometimes give her credit for. Notice the use of the "v" and the line to compensate for the lack of another "y". I don't think I would have been able to come up with that. I think we're in trouble.

Parade!

One of our favorite community events is the parade held each year. For a "small" town we sure do have a lot of parade! Two and a half hours in the hot sun...whew! Thank heavens for shade umbrellas!

As our girls get older their excitement increases. This year was no exception. Lindy's favorite part was little Sadie. A total stranger lent Lindy her puppy for several minutes. Lindy was in HEAVEN! Now, if we can only bide our time by "borrowing" dogs now and then we might have all the benefits of having a dog with none of the drawbacks! (Sweet plan!)

Ellie's favorite part was the floats. She was literally yelling at me to "hurry up and take a picture" of each and every float that passed us by. Her favorite was Hansel and Gretel's gingerbread house. My favorite? The CV2nd Ward float, of course! 

Here's Ian teaching the girls to clap along to the hot and sweaty marching bands. 

Jody and I tried to keep little Curtis in the shade as much as possible. He did great. He was kept from taking a decent nap by all the clapping and cheering (mostly by his mom) but was still a relatively happy baby. So, all things considered, he had a great first parade day.

Which Jane Austen Heroine Are You?

You are Elizabeth Bennet. Clever, headstrong, and just a little proud, Elizabeth doesn't put up with posturing or prejudice. When she makes up her mind to care for someone, she is unwavering. However, it can be hard for her to see people's true worth sometimes.

For the record...I took a different quiz and was told I was Elinor Dashwood. I just don't know if I agree with either option. Perhaps it depends entirely on situations. Maybe I'm a different character for the different aspects of my life.

You are Elinor Dashwood. Wise beyond your years, you are all too aware of the folly of those around you. You are "sense" personified, and without you, things would certainly fall apart."

Which Disney Princess Are You?

You are Pocahontas!

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

If only I could pull off that little deerskin number...

"Reminiscing" Tag

20 Years Ago

I was a four-eyed 15 year-old just out of braces with a haircut I never should have had. Or was it a perm? (In my anxiousness to block that period of my life out I forget.) In June of 1988 I was graduating from "grade nine" (to use Canadian vernacular) and wore a pink puffy-sleeved nightmarish creation to "the dance" at which I spent most of the time standing on the sidelines desperately wishing I was cute enough to be noticed by the boys, but knowing I wasn't.

10 Years Ago

I was a single 25-year old working girl. I had a candy bar and a Diet Coke for breakfast practically every morning. I believe that was the year of my WORST BLIND DATE EVER. Ian and I went on our first date and I decided he wasn't my type (famous last words).  

5 Years Ago

I was a new mom to baby Lindy. I didn't get any sleep that year. I found out that breast-feeding makes me crave chocolate like an addiction. And, for the first couple months of that year, I fought the postpartum demon. I lost the battle until discovering a little pill I like to call "contentment". (Thank you modern medicine!) Eventually I started figuring the whole motherhood thing out. Somewhat. Ian, Lindy, and I went to Florida that fall with Jody and Mike. What a GREAT trip!

3 Years Ago

I was seriously pregnant with our second, Ellie. I was cursing the weather and bearing my testimony of the beauty of air conditioning. I was busy with my calling in Relief Society and trying to keep my head above water. We finally were able to afford sod and began the still on-going process of finishing our backyard.

1 Year Ago

I honestly don't remember. At some point last year I know I read the three Twilight series books and ignored my kids and my household duties while doing so. I got pregnant and puked my guts out for at least 5 months of the year. We risked life and limb to cut down our own Christmas tree. Other than that my memory fails me.

So Far This Year

I went to Disney Princesses on Ice with Lindy. I made it through my third pregnancy and gave birth to our cutest baby boy, Curtis. (Which means I'm not getting any sleep and I'm still struggling with that chocolate addiction mentioned earlier.) I planted a garden. I've tried to remember to water aforementioned garden. I read some fabulous books. Lindy graduated from preschool. All of my siblings plus my mom and dad have been to visit (some more than once). We've been to the dinosaur museum, Cabella's with grandpa, and the zoo. Wahoo!

Yesterday

I actually got a shower. What a fabulous start to my day. I went grocery shopping and to Costco without the kids. I finally took the dry-cleaning in. I went to Lindy's ballet performance and clapped. Then we all went out to dinner with Mike and Jody afterward.

Today

I walked to church and taught my primary lesson on faith. I felt increased gratitude for the wonderful people who accept callings in Nursery. I got out of saying the closing prayer in R.S. because I had 2 children having breakdowns at the same time. We ate dessert with the Browns and had a wonderful evening (thanks for the brownies, Jon).

Tomorrow

I will still be tired and would still crawl through a torturously hot desert and choose chocolate over water. I will try to finish my project for our Enrichment Service Auction on Tuesday. I will once again say goodbye to my husband as he leaves for another trip. Hopefully I can finish the laundry and the vacuuming. I will look for "The Importance of Being Ernest" on DVD or VHS to watch while Ian's out of town.

In the Next Year

I will send my oldest off to kindergarten. I will wish that I could go with Ian to the U.K. I will probably still be tired. I will be anxiously planning our family trip to Disneyland. I will still be several pounds away from my desired weight and wonder why I can't get motivated to work-out. I will also be a mother of three beautiful children. I will be a wife to a wonderful husband. I will be a neighbor to some amazing people. I will try to be the type of friend that I would like others to be for me. I will try to pray more, read scriptures more, and learn more about my Savior. I will try to be happy.

I'm tagging Heather B., Marci B., and Jen Pro.