sunshine & gravity

he was ready.

we had practiced at home since we found Mr. Skateboard at a garage sale last summer for 50 cents ...and I was about 99% sure we could make it without broken limbs.

he was confident.


but as soon as we got to the skate park and he climbed the concrete mountains he decided that a little "bum sliding" might be a better idea. he is cautious by nature.

ok- so now he gets the nerves.
I try my best to coach him. {insert loud, raucous laughter here}Not being a proficient skateboarding aficionado.. I fake my way through. "Bend your knees, lean forward, put your arms out..." is that right???

no. no it is not.
hmph. pout. no tears. aaaaand back to bum sliding.

Mr. Skateboard will have to wait for another round of confidence to come around.

On a beautiful side note, I got to bask in the warmth of the sunshine. It really felt grand. I swear I could feel the absorption of happiness as the sun warmed my bear feet.

and I digress... I think I have a little budding photographer ion my hands. He snapped this on V-day, I think it's lovely.

newest addition to my fridge:

missing Trisha

It has been twelve years today since I lost my sister.

{In her honor}
I exercised and made a healthy dinner.
I took a drive by myself out to the wetlands to listen to good music and pause in nature to reflect on life.
I was patient and loving and cuddled and kissed my son.

One of my favorite memories of her is when she was in High School she and some friends decided to go without chocolate for a year for a resolution. She of course made it almost the entire year and then one Saturday morning, I think it was October or November, without thinking ate 1/2 a chocolate donut. She started crying and then got so mad at herself. Who would have thought that would stick in my 10-year-old memory as one of the things I remember most? So also in her honor today I baked a big beautiful homemade chocolate cake.


I miss her every single day. I see her beauty in my little boys blue eyes. I feel her inside the temple and dream that next time will embrace we will both be in white...hopefully without puffy sleeveds and sequins.

~A Domestic Dispute~

Derek spent the entire weekend at a review for National Boards so I decided to take on about 5 projects to keep myself busy…

Valentines pillow- done.
Valentines mobile- done.
Sew tablecloths for young women- done.

Man I was on a ROLL.





Well- that was yesterday. Derek spends Tuesday afternoons at an eye clinic and since the wives are always sending goodies with their husbands, one of the students suggested a “Mormon Wife Bake-Off” this week.

That is where the story gets ugly people.

You see, where the Lord giveth he taketh away also. Feeling like a confident domestic diva, I called my mom for a recipe, and ran to the store this morning to get a few more supplies I need for 7-layer cookie bars. You’ve made them right? They are easy.

Except when they came out of the oven I realized that the graham cracker crust didn’t set and they completely crumbled to pieces. Ok- pressure is now on because remember these are for the “Mormon Wife Bake-Off” and I got to represent. So as Derek and I tried to salvage and make another crust I took the bowl of hot butter out of the microwave and it dropped out of my hand and went on pretty much every surface of my kitchen. Not to mention burning my hand and splattering all over my boots. My “took all winter to finally get them and this is only the 3rd time I’ve worn them perfect color and now splattered with butter oil boots.” Grrrrrrrr……

Ok- so I say forget the cookies right? Oh, no. I am no quitter. We do our best and I send Derek off with not the most beautiful cookies, but they sure are yum. And that actually made it all better for a moment. Well, about 30 seconds after we get done mopping butter and Derek is off to clinic I go back to the kitchen to start dishes and when I pick up the cookie sheet full of crumbs I forget it is STILL HOT and as a reflex- yep I dropped it. All over. Yet again every surface covered. I am just standing in my kitchen once again looking at the huge mess I have created. So I laugh right out loud and wonder what my parents or sisters would say if they were in this moment with me. I am notorious for spilling things, but even for me this was a new level of clumsiness. I am talking full blown Bella moment. (Your welcome Twilight lovers). why oh why didn't take a picture?

So I left it there. The huge mess and took Easton to the library. Isn’t that so irresponsible of me? Sometimes you just have to walk away. Get out of the kitchen.

Now I need to go make dinner. Heaven help me.

Just another Tuesday night.

If you called last night I ignored it.
If you talked to me I didn't pay attention.
I was really busy...
watching tv.

I am such a couch potato on Tuesday night...how can I not be with the Biggest Loser and American Idol on at the same time? I am like a maniac with the remote switching the chanel back and forth.

Now, if your not up on your TV viewing you'll be a little in the dark when I say how happy I am that a certain space cadet on Biggest Loser went home. Oh man- finally!



Another really funny moment was when good old Barry Manolo showed up AGAIN on American Idol. Now- if you know anything about Derek you probably know that he is exactly into Pop culture... to say the least. Anyways- when this guy popped up in the show he let out a big "Oh I HATE him!!!"

which completely floored me.

you hate him? hate? that's very strong language for you hubby. hate?

oh yes. it's true he not only knows who he is- he hates him. that was so incredibly funny to me. I can't even remember a time I heard Derek say anything bad about anyone. ever. too funny.

I guess I'll have to sell those Barry Manolo tickets I got him for Valentines Day on Craigslist. he. he. he.