Deftalently!!!

Chase is right on the verge of giving up one of my favorite words in his vocabulary: DEFTALENTLY. Last night he asked me how to say it (correctly) and we sat there, taking the word syllable-by-syllable, DEF - IN - ITE - LY, with him copying what I said. Even though it's fun to see the sense of accomplishment kids have at moments like this, a part of me was sad to say goodbye to this word I've loved. It's been so cute to hear his excitement, when I ask him a question and the answer comes back, "Deftalently!"

"Should we go buy some groceries?" "Deftalently!"

"Do you want to wear your glow-in-the-dark shirt?" "Deftalently!"

"Want me to take your picture on the warthog?" "Deftalently!"

Oh, why do little people have to grow up?!? =(

Windstorm

It's been storming a lot this week, and the kids have (mostly) loved the rain.
I was in the kitchen tonight and Blake came running in hysterically, half laughing, half in shock, jumping around, grabbing his face and yelling, "Oh my gosh!" over and over and over. It shocked me too, and I was trying to get out of him what all the Oh my goshing was about. But that was all he could say.
I followed him as he ran out to the back yard, and then found out what all the excitement was about. He and Spencer had been in the office and had just said, "Let's go out and jump on the trampoline," (they thought it would be fun in the windstorm--there was no lightning or anything...) when they looked out and saw the trampoline BLOW AWAY!

It blew all the way from the middle of our yard, over the fence and to the opposite side of the yard next to us. From there it went on to blow over the fence behind that lot.

I think I'm really glad the boys weren't on it when this happened... or would their weight have kept it on the ground???

Craziness!!!

Young Women's Medallion

Ashlee recently completed her Personal Progress program. This is the poster Sis. Erickson, our Personal Progress specialist, made for her. Bishop Bourgeous will present her with her medallion in church as soon as it arrives from Salt Lake. Way to go, Ashlee! We love you!!!

Goofy Girls!

Last night Kaybree (7) & Ashlee (16) were sitting on the couch together, doing homework. Ashlee started talking to herself as she worked her math problem, and Kaybree turned to her and said, "Do you know how hard it's getting to tell people that we're related?!?" Then they both almost fell off the couch laughing.

Just thought I'd share--I know, no pictures... boring. lame.

Sorry! =/

Amen!!!

I don't know the person who wrote this, but she's a friend of a friend of mine, so that's good enough, right?!? I tried to share some of my own thoughts on this topic, but then decided it only detracted from her wonderful way of putting it. So I will simply say, "Amen!" I love, love, love it! Enjoy!

http://arizonaromneys.blogspot.com/2009/05/making-most-of-our-time.html

Hiking & Life: A Brilliant Analogy (if I do say so myself!)

As we were hiking today, I realized some parallels between a good hike and a good life (Sorry, haven't added the pictures to go with it yet!):

*Sometimes looking back is worthwhile, but most of the time looking forward is more productive.
*Sometimes you'll encounter others who are simply out to finish first. Let them go by.
*Stopping to smell the flowers might cost you some time, but you'll be glad you didn't miss the experience!
*Sometimes you're the leader. Sometimes you're the follower. Both positions have great value.
*Holding someone's hand as you go makes the whole experience much better.
*Sometimes what you think is a shortcut really ends up costing you!
*But... sometimes a shortcut leads you to things you never would have seen otherwise.
*Be prepared for the journey.
*The best things in life can't be $$$purchased$$$.
*Just when the path starts to smooth out, you come around a corner and find a boulder.
*But... after you make it past the boulder, the path will often be smooth again.
*Sometimes what you learn by climbing the rocks teaches you more than you would have learned by going around.
*Challenge yourself. Push yourself. But also allow yourself to rest occasionally along the way.
And last, but not least:
*If you can't find a potty when you need one, NOTHING ELSE MATTERS!!!