Favorite tag items

I had a really hard time with all of these except favorite touch because I immediately knew what I would say for that and then when I got right around to it, I realized that was kind of a random touch and maybe I had other "people" related touches that were better. So unfortunately, each of these come in multiples:

Favorite smell: Country Apple (Bath & Body works, too bad it is mostly retired) reminds me of Mel and BPA and high school and everything easy, fun and comfortable, Coconut Lime Verbena and Liz Sport (I don't think they make that anymore) and anything baking

Favorite sight: Watching Conner talk or sing to himself, especially if he is taking himself very seriously. Or his face as he yells, "Hide" everytime hear hears the garage door open (hiding from Steve)

Favorite taste- Really tough, but I love oreos and milk, and I survived in college on chips and salsa (pace picante mild is the only way to go) even when Steve would try to cook me dinner, oh and Cafe Sabor Pollo Durango and black beans and sour cream on chips (thanks a lot for that one Nikki) and something Jamie hates Doritos with tuna fish

Favorite sound- Singing with Steve and Conner at family night or with my family around the piano at Christmas. Actually, since I am not a big music person and I don't hardly ever turn on anything in the car, I could probably almost say silence, unless I am at home by myself doing anything but sleeping....and the sound of shoes and bouncing balls in a gym

Favorite touch- Clean, never been slept on, freshly made sheets, cold preferably and pulled so tight that if I made my bed that way every day I would have fantastic forearms. oh and in a more normal, less obsessive compulsive way I love holding hands with either one of my boys, Steve or Conner

I won't bother tagging anyone because I am fairly certain that those who would do this kind of stuff probably already have and those that don't, probably won't.

Full heart

I just heard of a friend who is going through some struggles in her quest to be a mother. It breaks my heart to hear of the struggles good, willing women go through to bring Gods' children into the world. But no one is alone.

One of the most poignant and lasting lessons that came from our experience with Bella was that so many in this world have heartache and loss. And no one can know or judge whether that loss is great or small in the lives of the people involved. Very often our most keen and personal losses can have great affect on all those who love us as well. As children of God, we are to be a support to one another and to lift each other up. Never be afraid to tell someone you are thinking of them and that you are sorry. Even though sometimes that can feel awkward and you wish you had more to say.

How can we do anything but hope for the faith to live our lives according to the plans and TIMING the Lord has for us? And yet we always have reason to have joy.

(Alma 26: 35-36)" Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my JOY is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name. 36 Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my JOY and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, ... yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, WHO HAS BEEN MINDFUL OF US, wanderers in a strange land. "

So much to blogggggg

Well, this is one of those blog posts that unless you really want to know the details of family trips, you probably just scan through the pics and leave the rest alone...

I don't even know where to begin. I guess I can just start at the first and see where I get.

DENVER
We had occassion to go to Denver because Steve's kind of distant (ok maybe only like 2nd cousin) but whose family is really-tight-with-them cousin (did that make any sense at all?) got married. We went with his brother and sister. You can see the extra details here (at Kristen & Dave's blog). I think I just have a few things to tell that will suffice.

Number 1: I am inexpressibly grateful that Bomma (see Terms you should know here) was able to take Conner for those 3 quick days. Because we drove (8 hrs) there Thurs, went to a nice family party in Denver that night, played wedding day all Friday (you know, the usual, ceremony, pics, family lunch with reception at night), managed to squeeze in a little (and I mean little) sight-seeing between the lunch and reception, and then got up and drove home Saturday.

I have to brag on Steve & I a bit (mostly Steve). They didn't have a professional photog so we took them around and got some shots. Some good ones too that I think they were grateful to have, even if we did have to beg them to go take them! I am particularly proud of Steve for capturing this one.
I feel justified in saying I KNOW that Conner would have hardly been happy with the arrangement especially since the very next day it was off (driving 14 hrs) to Nana & Papas.

LAYOVER AT HOME
Thanks to Nana, who was up moving Jo into school, Conner had a birthday party (kind of). She made cupcakes and dinner for when we got home. He got all his presents from mom and dad wrapped in brown-paper sacks (I know, I know) and his aunts and uncles from around the area were there. But lucky for us Bomma had given him his favorite spiderman costume when he stayed with her which he promptly put on to open the rest of his presents.

We slept like logs or at least tried to (Conner ended up in his big bed with me and steve ended up on the bunks because Nana & Papa were in our room)....poor steve, what an amazing man he is!

Well, I think I will save the updating of the next leg of our trip for another post. Don't want to bore anyone too quickly

Not Keira Knightley....

I thought this was fun, but maybe that is because I am a loyal Austen fan! Oh yeah, and I have always very easily put myself as Elizabeth Bennett. She is, after all, my favorite heroine and gets the best guy in all the books too...well, except for Emma Woodhouse.

Take the Quiz here!

Conner-isms

So today we were driving and we told Conner he needed to fall asleep and take a nap. So after a little bit of discussion he tips his head to the side and closes his eyes. However, I knew he was having a bit of trouble falling asleep because he was fidgety but he was trying mightily, squeezing his eyes shut.

Finally, I hear these two big sneezes and then I knew he was still awake so I tried not to acknowledge anything.

A small amount of silence followed by this comment:

"Mom, I had bless-yous."

I turned around and there he his bright eyed and bushy tailed. I promptly said bless you whereupon he tipped his head to the side and closed his eyes.

But alas, we were home before the sleep kicked in...