Preperation

For all of us who want to be prepared for emergencies...especially in Utah-
you may like this blog.

http://www.utahpreppers.com/

To 9 Years!

Every other year, we take turns who plans our anniversary.
It was Brandon's year this year.
Somehow, the magic in him, can plan these incredible trips on a dime.
WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME!
To 9 years of marriage:

look at the size of this tree! (Grandfather Tree in the Redwoods.)

San Franscisco


Found our first SEA GLASS!

A Frover

My cousin Spencer recently got married.
At the end of their wedding picture book,
along with some funny picture, it said:

"Friend + Lover = Frover"

As this likely is some Satureday Night Live, or cinematic joke
I have never heard of (commonly the case with me),
it was new to me. Kind of funny! And awesome. A Frover.

A friend.
And a lover.
Not one without the other.
Just especially for the two of you.
Since I have only one lover....
I have one frover.

The Romanticist in me always believed this was possible.
The Idealist in me knew it was a reality.
And the Reality is, that we have it.

My dearest frover.
How I love you.
How true a friend you are.
Since we were kids-
Our friendship was true.
As lovers, it grows.

My dearest frover.
How I love you.
How true a lover you are.
Since we were kids-
Our love was true.
As friends, it grows.

You are my one and only.
Frover.

The Gink

Benny has one word that describes all that he loves most dear:

"Gink."

For Binki, Blankie, and Drink.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent

I have a few friends who have asked me for this laundry soap recipe...so here it is!

Ingredients:
4 C Hot Tap Water
1 Fels-Naptha Soap Bar
1 C Arm and Hammer laundry soda
1/2 C Borax

Grate bar of soap and add to a saucepan with water. Stir continuously over medium-low heat, until soap dissolves and is melted.

Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full with very hot tap water. Add melted mixture, Arm and Hammer soda, and borax. Stir well until powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover, and let sit overnight.

Once soap has cooled, you may add 10-15 drops essential oil per every 2 gallons, if desired for scent.

Amount to use:
Top loading machine: 5/8 C per load
High Efficiency Washer: 1/4 C per load (makes 400 loads!)

Luv Me Some Naugles

My sister-in-law Amy got married to Sam a couple of weeks ago! They are certainly in love, and certainly happy. I loved the event. God bless. I love me some Naugles..

louis' patent picture scowl.
little warmer...

did it!

Reusable Lunch Trays

The elementary school my children will go to, has applied for a grant from Pepsi for the purchase of reusable lunchtrays, utensils, bowls, plates, and a new dishwasher.

Please Vote For Us!

http://www.refresheverything.com/lunchtrays

Jelly Bean Thief

While I made pancakes this morning, I noticed my house get extremely quiet.
It was around 8 a.m.
I stopped, searched the house, searched the yard, and discovered my oldest boys (ages 5 and 3) where missing.
Nowhere to be found.
I trekked up the street. "Lou! DJ!" "Lou!... DJ!"
Finally, about 4 houses up, I spot them standing inside my neighbor's front door.
Lou- pajama pants and t-shirt, rubber batman boots, spiderman baseball hat, holding one of those old-fashioned wooden "pop-guns."
DJ- barefoot. Pajamas, with a batman cape velcroed around his neck, plastic hanger in hand.

Relief. And "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" ..."You know you have to tell me where you are going before you go somewhere!" "Plus, it is 8 in the morning! And you can't just walk into someone's house!"

"That's okay mom," (Louis) "they were just eating breakfast."

"What were you doing?"

"We were investigating who stole our jelly beans!"

I come to find now, they had successfully stopped at every house from here to there (around 8 houses)....looking for the thief.
(Whom happened to be B and I...having midnight snack.)

Em

We had a big family hoopla this weekend.
So happy to see my cousin Emily.

I loved the gathering.

MYO!

I am going back to school!
I am getting my Message Therapy License, and plan to certify in Cranial-Sacral.
CAN'T WAIT.

Father's Day Part II

(pictures of dad and louis)

This is my dad.

Before Grandma died, she told me that he "would give the shirt off his back to someone who needed it. Even if he didn't have another."
That is my dad.
My dad has kind and gentle hands.
My children love him, because he plays their games....For as long as they want.
(He played with Benny at the pool this week. They poured buckets of water back and forth, for 40 minutes straight.)
He pulls starbursts out of my kids ears. He covers every leftover with tinfoil. He supports every 7 year old, lemonade-selling entrepreneur. He loves his mom...And frequently visited her, to play a good game of Rook. He loves his dad. And frequently visits his grave to feel closer to him. Someday, when he is gone, I will miss my "dad gifts:" Like matchboxes from the hotel he stayed at last, or sunset texts from his long, work drives.

I have a good dad.
I love him.

Father's Day Part I

While I was pregnant with Benny, Brandon took the boys to the zoo.
This monkey was B's favorite exhibit.
He described it, something like this: "We came up to this big, ratty monkey. It was alone, perched on the limb. It had a big bald spot on the top of it's head...and the rest of the hairs were sticking up all over." When he read the plaque description, he realized that the reason being, was that the male monkeys in that species, were in charge of carrying their babies on their heads. They were so diligent in their task, it wore off their fur. He felt a little sentimental about it. And I know, it is because he can relate to that kind of caring, diligent loyalty.

Happy Father's Day B.

B's first picture in fatherhood. Brandon and Lou.

Brandon and DJ.

Brandon and Benny.

And some of my favorites...

The Big Horn Sheep

The other day, my brother, (whom lives in our basement) came out in the morning to go to work...

And saw a Big Horn Sheep in our backyard!

I was surprised. Especially, as from what I understand, it is an Endangered Species.

Although deer are a frequent appearance here, a Big Horn Sheep seems to be as familiar to me as a picture spread in a National Geographic.

It has provoked me to think about this animal.

This animal not only live on rocky ridges, and cliff ledges, they can scale the slippery, sharp, jagged rocks. Today, human beings use a system of latches, ropes, and pulleys to do what this animal can with HOOVES. I recall an IMAX film I saw once, of a helicopter view of the top of a rigid, snowy mountain. Along the highest, most jagged point, a Big Horn Sheep made it's way.

The hooves are hard on the outside, and soft and gripping on the inside. When they have a threat (and it is usually over a mate), they face it head on. (Sometimes running at full speed of up to 30 mile/hour.) Their thick skulls protect them. Their horns defend them.


Ancient Indian's believed that animals brought meaning into their lives. That the characteristics of that animal could teach you something that would help you out in your own journey.

In Indian totems the appearance of a Big Horn Sheep represents this:

"Bighorn sheep’s message is that of new beginnings. If you have this animal for your power ally, have confidence in your powers to land safely on your feet, in most circumstances. The spiral horn symbolizes your creativity, energy, and endurance. You can initiate new projects and have the strength to complete them. Defend your territory and test your strength, but do not lock horns just to prove your point. Think before you act. Stay in balance with your environment by hiking ,walking, or climbing. Take a class to expand your mind and use your imagination to reach new heights of achievement. Seek new opportunities in your work and relationship areas. Now is a good time to make changes . You can accomplish a lot if you are prepared. "

I like it.
And I'll take it.

The Chicken or the Egg

Recently we cared for our neighbors chickens.
Lou wanted so badly to keep the eggs and
watch them "turn into chicks."
I explained how it works, but he seemed
determined to "take care of them." (like shuttling them around in the back of a grass-filled, toy dump truck, while chatting with the little embryos...)

A few minutes later, I spotted him making a "nest" in the sandbox.
Turn around....and SIT.

To his surprise!