Sledding in the Backyard

 

Fashion Show: Blast from the Past!

Kate tried on a few of my old clothes that my mom had saved for me.

I remember LOVING this skirt with the little kitten on it! I think I wore it in first grade. 

 I wore this shirt with a jumper on the first day of Kindergarten (the pants are Katie's)

Here I am with the jumper and that shirt. Oh, and I curled my bangs myself!

A favorite puzzle sweater (Kate is such a sport to try these on for me - any normal kid would be too good for these old 80's rags)

Here's the puzzle sweater. I'm wearing my new eye glasses and holding a new Cabbage Patch doll. My mom was afraid that I would feel different because I had to wear eyeglasses due to a failed eye exam before first grade so she bought me a Cabbage Patch doll that had purple glasses just like me. The sad thing is, I lied during the eye exam in order to get glasses because I wanted the attention-I've already apologized repeatedly to my parents.

I don't have any pictures of me in this cutie but it was supposed to be worn as a dress but this girl of mine is much too tall already. I think I wore this when I was 6!

 This was my FAVE nightgown! It says "Kiss the Koosa!" Kate loves it too and plans to wear it tonight to bed.

 

I owned several suspender dresses. This one was a favorite. I wore it when I was about 7-it fits Kate perfectly!

Here I am in the dress with Chris, Jill, and Jeni my siblings.

Seriously, I wore this when I was 8! This was my baptism dress! 

Me, in that dress, Christmas 1987 or so, just before my baptism in March of 1988.

Finally, something that is too big for her. I wore this when I was 10. Kate said the ruffle part was "wierd". Yes, it's very 80's. 

Dad and me in West Virginia in that dress and a goofy face in 1990.

What a super-fun walk down memory lane with Kate. She was so sweet to do this with me and to act interested and play along. I see a lot of my goofiness in Kate. She is exquisite and adorable to me.

merry christmas

this is the best christmas ever! kate has been adorable and has made everything so magical. what would we do without her? yesterday kate asked me about 7 times, "mommy, have i been good this year?" i would answer "yes" the first 5 times and then i started saying, "what did i answer the last time you asked me?"

we spent christmas eve-eve with my family and christmas eve with scott's. today we spent the morning with scott's family and now we are about to head to my family. not everyone has family close by. i love being so close in proximity to all our siblings and parents. i hope everyone has a safe, magical holiday.

The North Pole Express

We rode the North Pole Express Train Christmas Eve-Eve with all of my family. We had a magical time. Kate truly believes we went to the North Pole and back. We drank piping-hot chocolate {that spilled all over Kate's leg} and ate chocolate-chocolate chip cookies, we sang Christmas carols, and visited with Santa, Mrs. Santa, and the elves.

 Kate with Mrs. Claus

 Santa asking all the young ones what they wanted for Christmas. This is Brooke, Sam, and Taylor

Kate taking her turn with Santa {James & Taylor in the background}

Some of the children scattered when the camera came out. This is Zack, Sam, Brooke, James, Justin, & Kate

After our trip to the Pole, we drove to my parents' house and had a lovely dinner and played Rollick, a new game developed by a friend of ours. Once some of the family left and it was just Jeni, Cameron, Sam, Scott, Kate, me, and my parents, we sang Christmas carols around the piano. Super Fun!



The Things She Says

On Tuesday, Kate overheard Scott and I talking to Scott's brother about his wife's recent miscarriage. We were asking how she was doing and as Scott continued to listen to his brother Kate pulled at me so she could whisper something in my ear. Her little words were: "Mommy, aren't you glad I didn't die in your tummy?" My face lit up with joy and a resounding "Yes!" came out with a twinkle in her eyes and mine. What a dear, sweet girl. We talked quietly about all the wonderful things we have together, all because she lived.

A week ago, while I was rushing to get Kate ready for preschool and fearing that we would be late again, I rushed her even more and with all my, "Hurry, brush your teeth... Hurry, brush your hair... Hurry, get your coat..." Kate stopped me and softly said, "You know Mom, sometimes you just have to miss it."

I was pulling our clothes out of the washer to hang on the line in our laundry room and I pulled out Scott's pants thinking they were mine. When I realized they were his, I said something about it and then mentioned how silly it would be if I could fit Daddy's pants. Kate told me how "some moms are that big and have really big bum bums." And then she said, "But that's okay, that's just the way God made them."

Bon Fire for My Old Flames

This might shock some but, until three days ago, I still had a somewhat large collection of old love letters from boyfriends past. I would take out the box every couple years - about the time that I retried on my wedding dress to ensure that I haven't completely let myself go - and reread some of the letters. In this moment of reverie, I could once again relive those years before Scott and I were married and think with fondness of the kind boys who showed me I was worthy of being loved.
On Monday, I read a snippet from a Feng Shui Book that had lots of really good tips on organization and ideas to help ch'i flow through your home easier. One of the things the mentioned was that keeping old love letters can prevent new love from filling your whole heart. Holding on to anything that reminds you of the past is just plain bad ch'i. I realize that now. I have been holding on to my box of letters mainly out of fear - I was afraid that no one could ever love me that well and that no one could ever say sweeter things to me.
What added to my need to hoard these pieces of paper was my mom who always recommended I keep them. I think she wished she had kept all of her old love letters from her main flame during her late teens and she always reminded me to hold on to them. She said that even if I didn't want them, my children someday would get a kick out of them. And I bought into that for all these years. But, after reading that piece of the Feng Shui Book, I spoke to my wise friend who helped me see that my dear Kate will want to see the love letters between her parents, not old flames. My old love letters would only show her that I never really loved her dad fully. And we have a substantial collection of well-worded, loving cards and notes from our many years together and they are collected in a binder as well as a journal so when I want to reminisce with fondness on my past love, I can begin and end there, in those two books, full of the love I enjoy right now.

So, I lovingly opened the black, photo box of letters and cards and touched a few of them for the last time. I saw the names of the several authors and said a prayer of gratitude for God sending those good boys into my life. And after I thanked Him, I told Him that I was ready to let them go and give my whole self to my husband. I first tried a small bonfire in a #10 can as a royal Bon Voyage but the flames were too big and the smoke overwhelmed the kitchen - HA! So, I placed the unlit pile in the recycling bin and said farewell. I think recycling has a more positive connotation than burning anyway.
And when I called my mom that day to tell her that I had finally let them all go, she said, "Are you sure you don't want to store them at my house, just in case?" Too late mom - they are already gone.

OK Go - This Too Shall Pass - Rube Goldberg Machine version - Official

Icicles & Snow

Kate found a collection of icicles under the trampoline. Kate thinks icicles are for eating - no matter where they come from. She knows that we don't eat yellow snow or brown snow but she thinks all other snow is fair game and regularly goes outside with a bowl and fills it full of her snow treat. I even caught her piling snow onto saltine crackers and eating them.

Cyber Monday

I totally took advantage of Cyber Monday shopping today. Just finished buying ALL of Kate's Christmas and even helped out Santa a little as well. Gotta love the Disney Store's 25% off on my entire purchase plus free shipping! Wahoo!

The Law of Abundance

I am feeling AMAZING! I took the advice of a dear friend and started giving away some of Kate's baby things to people I know who can use them right now.

You see, I believe in the Law of Abundance. In my understanding of it, all things are available to us. The Earth, contrary to some political parties, has an over-sufficient supply of all things and that supply is available to us - especially if we understand the law and how to work with it. 

1. D&C 104: 17
   
   

     17 For the ^aearth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be ^bagents unto themselves. 

   2.	D&C 59: 16 (16-20)  16 Verily I say, that inasmuch as ye do this, the afulness of the earth is yours, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which climbeth upon the trees and walketh upon the earth;

      17 Yea, and the herb, and the ^agood things which come of the earth, whether for food or for ^braiment, or for houses, or for barns, or for orchards, or for gardens, or for vineyards;

   
   

     18 Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the ^abenefit and the ^buse of man, both to please the eye and to ^cgladden the heart;

   
   

     19 Yea, for ^afood and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to ^bstrengthen the body and to enliven the soul.

   
   

     20 And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to ^aexcess, neither by extortion.

I believe the law works best when you give of your abundance to others. When you find yourself in need, and you are always giving of what you have, you will receive what you need. This is a spiritual law that I believe God uses to bless us. I've learned various aspects of this from a mentor, other friends, my mom, other family, The Secret, and Oprah.

Anyway, I've been holding on to Kate's baby things and all her clothes that she has outgrown because I thought I would need all of it for "the next one". I was telling my friend that one of the reasons I am so impatient to have more children is because of all the stuff I am saving for the next child. I want to use it or move on and get rid of it. Before I could even finish my thought she said, "Get rid of it then!" And she was right. I believe in the law of abundance but in this aspect, I haven't been following it. I have been holding on to these things and my actions have exhibited my feelings of scarcity. I've been through a journey with all this so it might not make any sense to anyone but me.

The point is, I pulled bins out of the downstairs storage room and gave them to several dear moms who I thought could really enjoy Kate's special things for their own children. This was incredibly healing for me. I felt rejuvenated as I let go of these things that were in essence weighing me down. Now I feel free. I am not finished giving, I have more bins to go through, but these things will soon have a new life in other people's homes. Don't worry mom (not that you have time to read all of this!), I will keep Kate's crib, a few favorite things, as well as some essentials for babysitting purposes.

But I feel at peace!

Yes, I feel that element of fear that this feeling of joy, peace, and contentment won't last forever but I feel confident this time that God loves me and that He has a purpose for me and a plan. I know that if I just hold on my way, I will, in time, understand. So bravo to my circle of people who have helped me this far through my journey. I am filled with gratitude for my friends and family who have, in their own way, expressed their love and support. I hope I will soon return the favors.

And hey, maybe you guys can tell me more of what you know about the law of abundance.

Mommy & Me: Music Makers

 We had such a fun time at our Mommy & Me activity last week. "Miss Erin" put on a fun program and all the little ones loved it. I especially love having an excuse to be silly and a chance to see the little ones sparkle.

 

Oh, and we have so much beautiful snow! I love it.

Kate's Thanksgiving Preschool Program

 Kate with two of her Preschool classmates - Michael and Henry

Kate has 11 other children in her class. She says her best friend is Claire, who is the little sister of Kate's best friend from last year's preschool class. She has a lot of other friends but Claire is evidently the one she plays with during free time. I love Henry on the right of Kate in the picture. He is so adorable. When I pick Kate up from preschool and we start walking away he calls out, "I LOVE you, Katie!"  One day last week, I went to pick up Kate and saw Henry crying by the wall. He was pitiful. Kate's teacher told me that he was so upset because he couldn't stand in line with Kate because it was someone else's turn.

 They sang cute songs. This one was about emotions and the faces they see in mirror. {Cute Henry again.}

Scott, Julie, Kate

Scott was able to pull away from work {one benefit of being self-employed!} and he and I were just giggling through the whole program at this cute bunch of kids - and our super-doll-face, Kate.

Time for Big Girl Panties

I'm so confused today. All day I've been mulling through my mind all the options I have and I just don't know which direction to go. I feel lost and I wish someone else could make these decisions for me. I've decided that this is ABSOLUTELY the LAST month that I will EVER try to have a baby. At the beginning of the month, Scott suggested that we give it 6 more months before we consider adoption again but after the last couple weeks, we both agree that we are DONE.

But I still have all the hard choices to make of whether to adopt, or foster, or not do anything at all. This is so hard and so personal and I don't even know which direction I'm headed. I don't know what the RIGHT decision is. I have a feeling that this will be a lot like my college decision - when I was trying to decide which degree to pursue I was in a cunundrum and I couldn't choose between three degrees and I finally heard my mom say, "Maybe it doesn't matter." And that bugged me at first because I wanted so badly to do what I was MEANT to do. But it gave me the freedom to just make a choice and I graduated. So, maybe this is the same thing. Maybe whether I adopt, foster, or just have Kate doesn't really matter. I could probably pick one out of a hat. In fact, I might just do that tonight.

With all of these thoughts today I began to feel an urgency to research and pursue a Master's Degree. I feel like this should wait, at least the classes and coursework, until Kate is in first grade, 2012. But thoughts came to me of things I want to research now so I can prepare and get everything ready. This is not what I had planned at all.

I had some conversations with my family over the last weekend (all of which say they are too busy to read my blog). And I mentioned to them what I am going through and I think they thought I needed to put on my big girl panties and just be grateful for what I have. I know they can't understand why I'm having such a dilemma with this. While bucking up and braving the hard with a cheerful face is a good idea, I don't know how to stop the wanting, the feeling of loss, and the impression that I am not as blessed.

Argh! I need to get over this and I just don't know how. This is getting so old and obnoxious. It is consuming me. I feel completely annoyed. I think I need to go CLEAN SOMETHING! I will begin in the bathroom.

"Everyone Has A Wii"

That's what a neighbor boy told me today.

He asked Kate, "Do you have a Wii?"
She said, "No."
So the boy said, "Every boy I know has a Wii."

All I could do was chuckle. {Has everyone else my age already made this connection? I remember thinking how poorly named that gaming system is when it came out but having this little boy say all that reminded me.}


"Wii" just sounds so much like the word we used for potty talk as kids. You know, "wee" and "wee-wee".

Mommy & Me: Mrs. Cavanaugh's Chocolate Factory Tour

 Front Row: Another Katie, India, My Katie, Elliot, Archer

In the back is India's little sis, Maya, Celine, and John Michael

We went to the chocolate factory with some of our neighbor friends and moms. Kate was so excited to go with her friends and talked about the chocolate factory with everyone we saw for two days.

 We were watching a cool movie on the history of chocolate and the process from cocoa bean to chocolate treat. All the while, the kids made cute comments like they were watching fireworks, "Ewww", "Yummy," "Mmmm."

 

Elliot, Kate, Archer, Kate, India

After we saw all the different areas of the factory through upstairs windows, we watched the I Love Lucy Episode when Lucy and Ethel are working at a chocolate factory. No matter how many times I see that episode I slap my knee and laugh hysterically.

-To watch that episode of I Love Lucy, Click HERE-

We picked out a bunch of treats after the tour. Kate bought one of those Jelly Belly rats and a huge, gold-wrapped, chocolate coin. I bought an 8 oz. package of Mindy Mints to share with Scott! YUM!

Sometimes There's Calm

Over the years, especially the last three, I have felt like I've been bobbing along in the ocean; sometimes there's calm, sometimes the storms rage. For now, the wave of pain is gone. I see a glassy sea all around me and the dark clouds are lifting. I am no longer about to be swallowed up into the depths of the sea.

I had a special moment on Sunday. Scott and I went to a baby blessing for my brother's fourth daughter and afterward, we went to his home for a luncheon. I was doing all I could to hold it together and make this day about my brother, and his wife, and their precious children. I did not want to fall apart in tears for my lack of children. I'd made it through and we were about to leave and I was just gazing thoughtfully at my brother and sister-in-law as another family member took adorable pictures of them with their newest baby girl in her white blessing dress. My thoughts were heading toward that dangerous place - of me focusing on what I lack. I was in that moment right before despair took over and then I shifted my eyes just a couple of degrees to the left and saw Scott just behind the happy family and he was gazing at me knowingly with a soft, loving smile on his face. I was instantly well. The look on his face told me that he knew. I didn't have to tell him how hard this all was. I didn't have to say anything. He knew. And he was there for me. I knew in that moment that he was and is my forever companion through all the ups and downs and that he will always be pulling for me. I knew that nothing could tear us apart or take away the reality of what we have together. 

After my last post, I received comfort from comments on the blog, a call from a wonderful home teacher, and an email from a dear friend. A couple people have even told me they are praying for me. I cannot begin to express the gratitude in my heart to know that someone would care enough to pray for me. I have answers and direction that I didn't have before. I know I'm not alone. I know God hasn't abandoned me. I know this isn't out of meanness or some horrible punishment from God. I know God loves me as He does all of His children. I know He aches for me. I also know that I can do more good in the world if I survive.

Devastated

***WARNING TO MALE READERS*** You might not want to read this post. You might feel unalterably uncomfortable if you continue perusing. I mean, we're talking about monthly visitors and all that girly-stuff so... I'm just warning you.


I'm pretty much dragging along today. Life is good and I know I could be happy if I just let this go but I'm holding on for right now. I feel tricked! I feel like God is just taunting me. I go along okay. I'm managing. In the back of my mind, I think about how fun it would be to have a few children and I look at how easy it is for so many people and I wonder why it is hard for Scott and I.

My visitor, on average, comes every 30 days. This month, I was 8 days late and I thought for sure this was THE month. I told Scott and we agreed to test on Wednesday, the 10th if I was still late that would make me 12-whole days late. That's never happened to me before. Surely I would be pregnant and the test would be positive and we would have this UBER-special surprise to share with everyone for Thanksgiving or if I really had patience, Christmas. What a special moment that would be.

I felt the joy of each new day, seeing that still, my visitor wasn't coming. Scott was cautiously excited for us. I was everyday, begging God to make this the real thing. I was afraid to test because I was afraid that it was just a fluke. Just hormones gone array. Just me showing my 30-something, too old for babies, age. But than I had moments of shear joy, thinking this must be it! This must be my dream finally realized. Finally, a sibling for Kate. Finally I'm not the unfavored daughter of God waiting, eternally in the mushpot. Finally, finally something exciting for me! Finally...

But, as luck would have it, the test was negative. I came out calm. Only one small tear down my cheek and an extremely long hug from Scott. We went to bed. Scott immediately fell asleep upon hitting the pillow - as he most often does - and I laid there beginning my whine to God. 

I started out by telling Him that I just couldn't pray tonight, I'm just too hurt. I took this one personally because I thought the least He could do if He really didn't plan on sending me His greatest of all gifts is send my visitor at least somewhat on time so I didn't build up my hopes so high. But as I told Him that I didn't want to talk to Him. The tears flowed and I sobbed and sobbed. "What do I do now?, " I asked Him, "How do I overcome this devastation? How will I ever feel your (speaking to God still) love again? You couldn't possibly really love me. What is the point of all this? I know I said I would look into adoption if this month didn't work for us but I can't. I don't want to adopt."

A little after midnight, my prayer turned into a plea. I then I begged for comfort. "Please send me angels to carry me through this. Hold me. Please, I feel so alone." I begged for this in a silent chant for a few minutes with only my audible sobs giving me away. Scott heard and let out a quiet, "I'm sorry, Julie." And that was it. I got the message from God that He wasn't even going to send angels to comfort me. Honestly! Couldn't He have done that one small thing? Just to show that He gets it. I know He woke Scott to quasi-comfort me because why would He send angels when there is a perfectly able human lying beside me. But I wanted more. I wanted to be held the whole night through. I wanted promises of the better gift that was just around the corner.

So, now I'm doubly devastated. No angels, no baby. I'm not dead yet, that's good, but I'm pretty beat up from my rough night. I have no idea where to go from here.    

Some Fun

We had a super fun craft yesterday! I had James, Sam, and Kate at my house and I gave them some boxes and craft supplies and they created some beautiful things. They stayed busy with this for 3 hours! They might have continued but it came time for dinner.

Scott's Response...

Scott is such a good sport. He chuckled when he read my last post about the bathing thing. He still took his 20-30 minute bath but he snuck it in a little later in the evening so it wasn't so disruptive. I love that he didn't get defensive about it. And I love that my rant didn't even make him change his ways. He's such a strong character.

Feedback Please!

So, how many days a week should a grown man bathe?

{and by bathe, I mean, take a long, moderately hot bath, for 20 minutes or so - with a book}

Keep in mind that this bath is between 5:00 and 7:00 pm? When the man's family is either getting dinner ready or cleaning up after dinner.

I really need some feedback because I think there is something insanely wrong with a man who takes a bath. I always thought baths were for girls and girly men.

Ask anyone you know and add their feedback also. Thanks!

Kate on Halloween (Oct. 30th)

Mermaid Kate

Mommy & Me: Monster Mash at the Library

 Getting Ready for Story Time - Interspersed between the really fun Halloween stories were some fun activities and songs. We recited a Halloween poem, did the "Hooky Spooky" and sang "If you like Halloween & You Know it Just Say 'BOO!'"

 After story time, the children had a Parade through the library

 The End - Each child took home a small coloring book and a treat

 Kate in her Ariel (Mermaid) Costume

Kate and her friend, India, after the Monster Mash

A Few California Moments

 When we went to California just barely for our short, 5-day excursion, the object was to visit some places my family visited a lot when we were young. Living in California with all our extended family mainly in Utah and Idaho, we had more free time to spend doing day trips all along the coast. So this month, my oldest sister's family and my parents joined us as we went to a few of our favorite beaches and most loved cities. This trip, we only had time for Pismo and Avila Beaches, Solvang, San Luis Obispo, and Montana de Oro. We also drove by two of our former homes in Santa Maria and attended church in our old ward.

 

Here's Kate adding her contribution to Bubble Gum Alley in San Luis Obispo during the huge farmer's market SLO hosts every Thursday night. 

 

And this photo is dark but it's me and my very good friend, Bethani, from my Junior High school days. I stopped over in Paso Robles to see her and her cute family and they came along with us to SLO. I loved being with her and feeling that connection to my past. This was her virgin contribution to the alley and I was happy to be apart of this momentous occasion for her. I've left many wads of gum on these walls!

 Since Scott and I went alone to San Luis Obispo to hang with my friend, my family still wanted to revisit the alley so Scott, Kate and I went again with them another day. My Dad had to fly out for work, so he's missing from the picture and Scott is standing behind the camera for us.

 Between the three cars, the kids took turns riding with different people. On this day in Vegas Scott and I had Kate along with two of her cousins, James and Taylor. Kate LOVED having cousins around all the time. This picture is taken at a very cool McDonald's in Las Vegas. The whole place felt like a museum with statues of animals and safari motif throughout.

One of the many moments at the beach. With the weather on the cool side, the kids just played in their clothes and changed when they were done being wet.

I have more pictures but I just wanted to post these few that Scott had on his phone.

Little Wonders & Grandpa Von

I love this song. I know it's old and from a Disney movie but the words come to me often and remind me of what is important. That first line, "Let it go" resonates with me. Life is about the little moments. All that matters is your family.

My Grandpa, Von Peterson, always said in response to questions about his positive outlook that he felt he owed it to the world to be pleasant. He always had a ready chuckle and a funny comment about life. He was financially very poor and had poor health for a great long time but he was happy and that's what everyone remembers about him. He's been gone for-I don't even know, five years, I think. But he is in my thoughts often. Good thoughts.

We're Back from California

So, I spent the day putting our life back together after a too-quick trip to my old stomping grounds of Pismo Beach, California. We stayed in luxury condo and could've spent forever there. The fog, the waves, the pier everything was as it should be and just as it was when I was young!  I lived in Santa Maria until I was 16 so the beach is a huge part of who I am.

Well, after driving forever to get home Sunday and Monday, we were all pretty tired today. My sister {she also went with us on the trip along with her hubby and daughter and four other nieces and nephew and my parents} called me this morning at 8:30 to tell me that she was so tired and out of it that she had gone all the way to Park City for a work meeting and then realized she had forgotten to put on her bra that morning! She snuck away from the meeting to buy a new one at Walmart and made it back with only a little embarrassment.

Then, I had my very own walking zombie moment when I was trying to get Kate ready for preschool {which she missed because we just couldn't get it together} and I sprayed a bijillion sprays of hairspray in her hair, thinking it was detangler. Oops! 

So, we are all harried but it was worth it. I loved going back to my favorite places that I visited so much as a child. I enjoyed reliving some choice memories anew with my daughter and husband and having some of my family there to bring on all the giggles and joy again. We had a killer, fun time. We are already planning our next trip to Pismo for 2011 but this time we will fly in an airplane!

I want to get some pictures up soon.

Spontaneous Drive to Provo at 3:45 PM

 

Out of the blue, I decided to take Kate and Sam to Provo to get some pictures of the fall colors on 'Y' Mountain for a future collage. Kate, of course, fell asleep on the way there.

 Sam was never too far from her favorite companion, her cell phone. She was a trouper to come in her dress and not complain when I told her we didn't have time to run to her house so she could change her clothes. She had a morningside with Sister Ann Dibb earlier and was all dressed up from that.  I offered her some lounge clothes of mine (they were even size small-the ones I only wear exercising because they are too tight to wear out of the house) but after trying them on she said they were still too big - skinny brat! -just kidding Sam, I love you!

 I took loads of pictures of the mountain with different angles and foregrounds. For my purposes, the pictures don't even have to be spectacular because I'm just using the pictures for form so I can sketch the mountain on a canvas and then add collage or paint.

 Kate threw me a bunch of cute poses on the Waterfall by the clock tower. I don't know where she dug up these sultry poses of hers. She said she was being a mermaid.

 Sam borrowed my camera and took a dozen pictures of ducks.

 

Before long, Kate was in the water up to her waist and splashing. That was my cue to leave. 

We had a wonderful time in Provo. That place is definitely beautiful, especially the BYU campus. As we walked around the campus and saw all the college co-eds parading around, I felt a tinge of regret that my time of being a single, un-mother, college student was so far over. I would love to be that young again and go to college all over again. Even though my undergraduate degree is already behind me-I miss the energy of the university life. I miss classes and homework and textbooks. 

We stopped in at the Creamery and had some delicious ice cream cones and then stopped at In N Out for a burger. 

We danced to the radio in the car on the ride home and at one point, Sam and I were doing what would appear to be a replay of some Tae Bo workout. {This is what happens to us when it gets dark} As we were being silly, a cop passed me on the freeway. I told Sam in shock, "I can't believe that cop didn't pull me over, I was going 5 over the speed limit and flexing!" We were in such a goofy mood that Sam and I laughed hysterically for 10 miles or more. 

I had about 20 miles left in my tank so I stopped in Draper for gas. I never fill up the car, Scott always does that for me and this was evident when I made it to Sam's house to drop her off and my gas cap was hanging out with the little door wide open. {Thanks goodness for that clever chap who invented the connecting wire for the gas cap}I'm sure I made a number of people chuckle on the drive home from Draper-what with my gas cap flailing and Sam and I in the car dancing to the music.