Sweet 16

Little brothers are so much fun. Last week Clayton got his License in the mail. He was rather confused when he opened the envelope and found registration forms for organ donation.  My mom and I kept telling him it was a good thing and that thousands of sick people are waiting for organs to be donated. He was disgusted with us and looked a little bit terrified. He asked "Why would anyone do that?? Would you do that?!" Well yeah, mom is already signed up. They only take it when you're dead. Clayton, suddenly much more subdued with the new knowledge that his organs would only be removed once he was done with them just responded with "...Oh."

For The Beauty of The Earth

  

 When someone tells me they like my pictures I am extremely complimented.  And not because I've followed the rule of thirds or set my aperture and f-stop to make a well composed photo. I feel like they are actually saying "the way you see the world is beautiful".  I think beauty is a thing of perspective, and a good perspective is beautiful. But it can't be that hard to see things as beautiful when we live among creations of the divine. I'm just grateful to document them. The world didn't have to be pretty so we could live in it. The sky doesn't have to turn orange, pink and purple when the sun goes down. Who ever said that leaves had to be all shades of autumn before falling? Somehow I just can't believe it came together in perfect harmony by coincidence or mistake. 

 In fact I think the man upstairs sure knows what He's doing.

All things that come of the earth, in the season thereof, are...both to please the eye...

                                                      ...to gladden the heart...

                                           ...to strengthen the body and enliven the soul D&C59:18-19

PS. Thanks Addie for the picture info! 

Je Veux Gambader

 
Last week I crossed another item off my summer bucket list. Two in fact. I hiked up to Golden Ears Lower Falls and took my besties along with me for a picnic. I'd done the trail several times before but I suppose I might have underestimated it when I told my friends we were going on a 20 minute walk...which turned out to be a 40 minute hike. Oops. Did I mention they had to carry food laden coolers and bags? And cross treacherous mud swamps?

This is from our adventures today when we had a picnic in a field.  Everyday in grade 11 Socials we asked Mme. Terrillon "Est-ce qu'on peut gambader aujourd'hui?" Today we finally did.

Little did she know...

But because my friends are the best they still loved me after I made them spend an afternoon hiking and swimming unprepared. The view wasn't too bad either.

Oh Darlin' Don't You Ever Grow Up.

A midst all the paper work and financial planning for school I've somehow had the time to purge my 'stuff' laden room.  After a year of being away from my supposedly important clutter, most of it was easy to part with. I go on these purges and try to throw out everything I can while I'm in a non-sentimental mood. I was doing really well this time filling garbage bags left and right. But a few stumbled upon memories and keepsakes left me a hopeless hoarder. 

My teapot. It has been super-glued  back together so many times I'm surprised it's more than just a pile of dust. I remember making my mom sit down with me and sipping hot chocolate from our little teacups and eating dainty treats. 

This is the backpack I took on every road trip my family ever went on. Mostly to our cousin's farm or Grandma's ranch.  We loaded up with tons of Archie comics and paper to color on. Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites tapes played as we stuffed ourselves with trail mix and granola bars.

This Seashell I picked up on the perfect day trip to the beach with my family. We had just moved to the West coast from the prairies and it was one of the first times I swam in the Pacific Ocean. The shell was pristine and didn't have a single crack or chip in it.

These lovely ladies were handcrafted by my mother (left) and my Grandmother (right). The one from  my grandmother was first introduced to me when I had a bad sliver. I was scared and crying and my mom introduced 'Alice' to me and said if I held her tight I would be ok. The doll on the left, who went unnamed, had matching pj's and waited on my bed for me while I went to school.

Princess Wishing Star has been one of my treasured companions since age 4.  It has all been video documented. It was my 4th birthday and my brothers were kindly helping me un-wrap a large box. I screeched over and over when I saw she had come home to me from where I had admired her at the store. When I was subdued I cooed over the pink princess and said 'she's so pretty'

When you tap the wand on her star and make a wish her crown lights up and tells you how your wish will turn out. Sometimes in my dark room at nights I would take her out and watch her light up my blackened room.

     I've been horribly sidetracked in my de-junking process. And it appears as though my parents are doomed to have a shrine forever dedicated to my childhood. I was glad to spend the day as one happy, little again girl.

It was the summer of...'11

Summer has been moving so fast and I can't believe that July has plowed its way through to August. But I can't complain because, although the weather has been October worthy half the time, I've loved every minute of it. I'm so happy to be home. I'm storing away this family time for when I'll be hitting the books hard. Here's a taste of my summer lovin'.

Got mail

Had a baby shower..

With lots of interesting activities

Celebrated Will and Kate at the best Drive in  ever.

Danced on roofs

Took pictures on roofs

Went in Parades with important people

met curious beasts

Photographed pretty things :)