a blended life

Today my mom and I made a great discovery: Payson Lakes. It's a campground/hikingswimming/biking place not too far away. It was a very welcome surprise for us because it actually had TREES. And if you know anything about me, I consider myself a true Washingtonian and have never left the green paradise too far behind. Utah has some incredible beauty (Dead Horse Point, anyone?) but it is very different, being a desert and all. Most of the lakes are sandy and tree-free and are actually man-made. Anyway, mom and I were scouting a place for a family gathering and something for the kids to do besides watch Yo Gabba Gabba. Payson Lakes has three lakes. The girls had never been to a lake (!). They were so excited. The beach is small, but the scenery was nice and clearly we weren't the only ones that were looking for some green-the place was packed. Lots of paddling around in small boats. Leah kept asking whose boat we were going to borrow. My little fishies loved it! Until we saw some...

I'm experimenting with blogger's new template designer. It seems to be a good way to waste time tonight. This is kind of a loud background, but it goes well with my 'Spanish' summer.

I don't feel like posting this on Facebook. It's too long and I don't want suggestions or sympathy. If I have learned anything this past year, it's to talk about what I'm feeling. I feel better almost as soon as I vent. Sounds simple, eh? So, it's 7:15 pm. Both girls are asleep for the night. Leah went to bed with an allergic reaction to something on her foot (we don't know what it was). She's fine but crabby. Hannah fell asleep a few minutes later. I appreciate so much their early bedtime, but tonight I am so exhausted and spent that I can't make myself get off my sorry butt. There's so much I could do on my Friday night of solitude-clean, homework, exercise, watch whatever the heck I want on t.v., but I don't think any of it will happen. I'm anticipating sitting here and wasting away. 'Cause that's what I wanna do, that's why. Yep, I feel better already.

Good-bye, Van Go. Today we pushed the rusty old blue van out on the street to make way for cars that actually run. I don't think I'm ready to let it go--Van Go has a lot of stories to tell. My parents bought it when I was a junior in high school and I drove it to its death a few weeks ago. It's an old friend. I think in some corny way I wanted it to hang on longer, because it's death means to me one more thing that has fallen apart this year. If cars could talk, I would tell it "Hang on until I get a real job. Prove to me that even though something is worn out and broken, it can still be salvaged." But instead we need to let it go. This picture was taken when Leah was three and Hannah was a fussy newborn. We were living in an area of Logan referred to as the "island", which is highly ironic because living there was extremely difficult and isolating for me. Leah put her Elmo and Cookie Monster in the car without being prompted to do so. For most peopl...

My parents came back from a trip to Europe with one of my favorite things--Cadbury Roses. It's a box of chocolates sold in the U.K. I could consume the entire box in one weekend....actually, I just did. I only have a sliver of regret :) They are so good!

I'm not asking for any advice, I just need to get this off my chest. Leah has been asking to go to rodeos. She's found her calling in life--cowgirl--and is pursuing it with full blown interest. On one hand, I think it's great that she knows what she wants, knows what she's good at, and found something that she'll enjoy for years and years. However, I strongly oppose the mistreatment of animals, especially at rodeos (tie downs? bucking whatevers? Please!) so it's hard for me to want to support that. But I know it's a lifestyle she really loves, so I'll probably just keep my opinion to myself, take her, and let her decide when she's old enough to understand. And once again, if I've offended anyone with my opinion, let's not let this come in the way of our friendship. If you are a rodeo-going kind of person, than maybe you can help me get it. Cuz I don't.

Today we had 'Book Day'. I brought home some clearance books from the BYU bookstore (hardback children's books for under $7). We went to the library and did puppet shows for each other of our favorite books. I did one for the girls of The Giving Tree-which I still think is one of the best books I've ever read. Anyway, at the library, Leah found a really old Peanuts book called "Happiness is a Warm Puppy." (Isn't it, though?) We've read it 3 times today. It's not like me to be excessively corny, but I wanted to write a few of my 'happy' things. I also totally recognize that this is one of those posts that's more for me than anybody, since it's kind of long. Happiness is... *having a place to live *watching a 6 year old ride a horse *Hannah's dancing *my favorite blanket *chocolate covered cinnamon bears *the neighbors *2 great Spanish classes *incredibly loyal and supportive friends *even more supportive and loving family *pilat...