So now you all know how well I keep a journal... I stink! Consistency is not my thing, even though Brett's life mission is to teach me this fine art. He was born consistent. Anyhow, I've been meaning to update my blog, but.... well, there's really no excuse I can think of right now on why I havn't.

I hate to say I'm sooooooo busy. Like when you ask someone how they are doing and they reply that they're sooooooooo busy. Like their life is sooooooooo important, and yours is sooooooo NOT! O.K. I'm sounding like a valley girl. So I have to say I've been a little busy just being a Mom and trying to be creative on the side. I thought I'd post some pic's from a home boutique I did a couple weeks ago. Nothing special, just fun stuff to fill my "creative need" as Brett calls it. I am so bad at taking pictures of what I make, sorry Meg, no pics of the Ladies aprons.

Just wanted to post some of our fun pics from Fall Break. We went home to the "motherland" (UT) as some call it, and had a wonderful time. We enjoyed the beautiful leaves, visiting with high school friends, and most of all just hangin' out at Coco's. I always love going home to my parents because my children live outside. It helps that their cousins live about 100 yards away and Uncle Cam had made them an awesome quad course. It scares Brett to death, but my kids love riding the quads!
I met up with my dear friends from high School, Brandy and Trish, and Brandy's mom, Brenda! We had lunch together at one of our favorite old time restaurants, Robintino's. Catching up with those gals was the highlight of my vacation!
These are Trish's daughters, Kendall and Aaron... Noelle and Camille hit it off with them right away!
... And it's rare that you will find Taft and I smiling at the same time. Neither one of us are famous for our smiles, usually you just see our furrowed brows!

The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night's sleep.
~E. Joseph Cossman

I came across this quote at the Y a couple of weeks ago... I've been meaning to post it since then. I had to chuckle when I read it because Brett (o.k., and myself) think I am basically disfunctional at night. Truth be told, I am impatient, unreasonable, and just plain tired. With that said, the morning always offers a new day to start over and try again. I remember reading my Grandmother Mary's journal and she would write about how at the end of the day she felt hopeless... after tending to 15 children I'm sure she was exausted. But, she always closed her evening remarks with a bit of optimism, usually referring to her witness of the Lord's hand in her life or stating that tommorow was a new day and she would be refreshed, invigorated, and motivated to improve herself and the lives of others. I'm sure so many Mothers have felt this way... so put your kiddies to bed early, avoid controverisial conversations with your spouse, and most of all, don't beat yourself up as you lay in bed, just rest assured that tommorow will come with a beautiful sunrise and a fresh start!

I just can't stand it any longer... I hate to be a show off, but I just had to post these pics of my family. Like most of the pictures on this blog, these were taken by my good friend, Megan, who is an amazing photographer. She does such awesome work! Noelle's the dramatic poser in our family (I'm sure you'll be able to see) and for Camille, well she fell backwards off the couch before we began shooting and we're happy she's wearing something other than a swimsuit... as for Taft, well at least he's looking at the camera. Shout out to Meg!!!

These photo's were taken by my great friend Megan Holdsworth.
She's a photographer and you can view her work at
megaphotoblog.blogspot.com

I can feel the season change in the air and I love it! I love fall... it reminds me of our days in Michigan. The leaves, apples, breezy weather, and fall colors were such a delight. I miss those days, but plan on heading home to the "motherland" (UT) for fall break and I know I'll get my Autumn fix then. But as we say goodbye to our summer days I thought I should post some of my favorite summer pics. Most of our summer days were filled with swimming and turning ourselves toasty brown... well as toasty brown as our pasty white skin can get. Of course, sunscreen is best, but sometimes a healthy glow just looks and feels so good!

Here's Jr. Miss Chili Sauce 2007! Camille and I have been peeling, chopping, and stewing tomato's for about the last 24 hours. Camille would slip the skins off the warm tomato's and then I would chop them. She was a great helper and loved being included in one of Mom's many projects.

By the way, this ain't your Grandma's county fair. I can't say much about what I preserve. Nobody cares today how well your peaches are peeled or how precise your tomato's are cut. Simply getting dinner on the table ( Ramen, Mac n'cheese, cheese crips,) hopefully will win me the crown. Sometimes ya just have to say "Get er'done!"

Making chili sauce is a tradition in my family and I'd like to continue it for as long as I can. For those of you who don't know what chili sauce is, it is like a sweet and tangy salsa. If you go to Dave's Diner you just have to have it on your tatties and eggs!

Here's some pics of my favorite things... Flowers! I love them, especially a beautiful rose. Some of my favorites are cherry brandy, king kong, sterling and jade roses. I love creating, but most of all I love creating with my sisters. Their the best even when I create something really ugly, they pretend to like it. If any of us really want the truth, we can always ask Coco!