5K

Yes, I walked a 5K around BYU campus with James. It wasn't the most exciting thing I did while I was out there but it was nice to see James a little embarassed. Most of the parents and families took this very seriously. They were in their running clothes and doing warm up stretches. The gun went off and so did they. Crazy people. We crossed the finish line in 53 minutes. James, who has been running a lot lately, though it silly to cross the line walking. Oh well, it was worth it, free bagels, fruit and water.

PS Yesterday was my mom 72 birthday. I still miss her. I want to live a life that allows me to see her again.

BYU 2010

Hard to believe I am in Utah visiting this little baby boy.

Where has the time gone?

From this life of fun and games.....

To this life of fun and games? I sure have enjoyed visiting him even though I cannot keep up with his lifestyle. Late night concert on Friday night, dinner for 13 on Saturday night, dinner for roommates on Sunday. Tomorrow, he works and I can rest.

South Webster High waves Banner of Excellence with distinction

This would have made my mom so very proud. My brother is the principal, Bob Johnson.


Portsmouth Daily Times - South Webster High waves Banner of Excellence with distinction

Our front yard

I forgot to blog about the deer I saw in the front yard one morning. It was about 8:00 and there were three deer in our yard. They were enjoying a snack but I couldn't for the life of me figure out what they were eating.

We haven't had any rain to speak of since the beginning of August so we only have dead grass. I thought maybe they were eating the acorns that have fallen off of the trees but I don't know.

This picture is a little clearer but you can also see how terribly dead our grass is. I really wish the grandkids were here so they could see these cute deer but I am sure the deer would have heard the noise a mile away and stayed clear of this house.

Introducing.... Princess Addie

Poor Addie is staying with me for a few days and today I had to serve the food for a funeral at church. Addie was so good so I took her to Target to get a 'surprise'. Being the girl she is, she picked out a glow stick wand. Yep, glow in the dark. What a cutie. I put her to bed in my bed and this is what I saw when I went upstairs.
She is crashed with that wand in her hand. How cute is that?
This is for James. We had someone paint the foyer this weekend. I love LOVE that color. It is darker than these pictures look so, don't judge.
The color is darker and richer than these pictures look. Maybe I can see if it is a better picture tomorrow in the natural light.

I LOVE YOU

I just finished a book that was recommended by my son James. It had a few bad parts so I wouldn't recommend it but I came away with the overwhelming feeling to tell those I love that I love them. I am sure the people that read my blog are the people I love most. I love you.

I love my friends. I thought about listing them but I know I would forget someone. I have special friends that can truly bring me out of a funk when we get together. I always feel better about myself when I am with them. I have friends that have taught me things like how to can fruit, how to sew, how to cook, how to share, how to make the gospel the center of my life.

I love my sister and brothers. I wish we lived closer (my fault) and I wish life weren't so demanding that I could talk to them every day, and I wish we were close enough to talk every day. That love never leaves though. They are forever connected to me and we share so much past. My siblings got the best of the gene-pool and I got the left-overs. They are all talented, smart, beautiful. I love them.

I love my mom. She gave so much so her kids could have so much more. All my life I have wanted to make her proud of me. I want to be a good mom and I wanted her to recognize it. Her impact on my role as a mother has been immeasurable. Until 5 months ago, I still called her on a regular basis with questions. I miss her.

I love my husband. I don't think I ever realized how much I loved him until recently. With the loss of my mom, I have realized how much I need and love him. He is my strength. I don't do so well without him by my side. He is the greatest.

I love my husbands family. He has great parents that raised a great man. They love us and our family. They have taught us so much and have been so patient with us as we have struggled to raise our family.

I love my children. This love is so deep and woven throughout every fiber of my being. I love them so much it hurts. I love them so much that I find myself continually thinking of them and saying little prayers for them. Lord, please bless Amanda as she struggles to raise her little ones with a husband in a demanding grad program. Please bless Sarah with strength during this pregnancy, bless Brad on his school work, in his new marriage. Bless James so far away. Please bless him to know how much I love him over this distance between us. Bless Hannah that she won't be exposed to so many evils in the world. Bless her to be strong. Bless them all to be happy, right where they are in life. Bless them to know what is important and seek after those things. Bless them to know I would do anything within my power to help them and I love them. That love fills my chest until it truly hurts. It aches for them, it swells with pride to the point of pain, it rejoices in their successes and I sometimes wonder how my body holds all the love I have for them. They are my life, they are what I have lived for and what keeps me going. They are the greatest and I want them to know, I LOVE YOU!

I love other things and people too. I love deeply but find it hard to express that love to others. I tend to bury it in the day to day activities that I busy myself with. Just because I don't say it, doesn't mean it isn't true.

What have I been doing???

The beginning of summer I ordered a new couch and rocking chair for the living room. I gave the old (crappy) stuff to Brad and Jessica (hahaha, they got stuck with it). So finally the furniture came it. The one wall got a fresh coat of paint (from green to yellow) the old blinds were removed and new ones put up. We got rid of the carpet Larry hated and got new carpet.

Today, I spent the morning in the basement working on curtains for the windows. I am getting ready to hang them now (should have waited to take the photos). I love the more simple living room. Not as much clutter. I still have a bookshelf to clean off but so far, so good.

Now, on to Tuesday's project. I made this quilted placemat. Scrap fabric but it was easy and actually fun to do. I think I will do a couple of more. Maybe I will choose fabric I actually like or would use. Anyway, I really should get around to working on my Block of the Month squares.

Maybe tomorrow.......


PS For James. Living room with Curtains but nothing on the walls yet