it's that time again

it's that time again to rake up those wretched leaves from our wretched tree...

shhhhh don't let the girls know that we actually don't like to rake leaves until our backs break....shhhhhhh...leaves are cool....leaves are so fun to play in and take great pictures with...oohhhh how I love leaves...falling leaves.....

ok- since it is only once a year I guess I sort of do look forward to raking leaves- it is a nice change up to the outside chores...and the girls really do love it...so we do too. Don't we Chay?

It really is a great time of the year...

one year

one year ago today Mom died...Thursday October 16th, 2008 2:30ish in the afternoon

Am I dealing with it ok? oh sort of I suppose. I just can't believe how time has passed so quickly. Pretty soon she will be dead for 5 years and then 10...and then 20. She will only be a memory to so many- including my girls.

My dad is going to get married to a wonderful lady. She is the perfect pick for my Dad- a little scary how nicely they go together. I would say it is divine intervention.

She will be a lovely Grandma to my girls. I am happy for my Dad. I am so glad he will live his days out with a beautiful companion.

I don't want to forget Mom. Sometimes it feels so good to have those heartbreaking missing mom days- because with that pain she becomes alive again- a flood of memories come back, she almost feels tangible- I can almost hear her laugh. Even though it is hard, I'd rather have the pain of missing her, than to never know what it was like to have her as my mother. I would take this pain any day.

I am so grateful she was a part of my life. I am pretty sure I will live more days without her than with her- which is hard to imagine right now.

For my birthday I wondered what she was doing up there in heaven...and if she'd be around somehow to wish me a happy birthday. Later that day I went down to my laundry room and I found her gratitude journal. I bought the journal for Mom about 3-4 years ago--right around the time she was diagnosed the second time with stage 4 cancer. We still had a ton of hope at this time and so the words written on the cover of the journal were so fitting for this time in her life:

"just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly."



Now those words seem even more fitting...she did become a butterfly...she is finally free from sickness and on she goes to her next step of life-

I opened up the journal to a random page to read what my mom was grateful for that day. The date on top of the page was October 13th. (my birthday) It read:

"Grateful that it is April's birthday and what a light she is in our lives."



She wrote that about 3 years ago. I knew this was her way of wishing me a happy birthday. It was a special moment for me...

and a huge lesson: ALWAYS WRITE IN YOUR JOURNAL!!!! You never know when someone is going to desperately need your words.



Love you Mom.

thirty

this little girl has turned 30...

mrs. hammond

on the 12th day of thirty I have decided to finally write my 5th grade teacher and tell her thank you. I have wanted to find Mrs. Hammond for some time now. I think about her a lot and the influence she had in my life. Well ironically enough when I was home last year saying good bye to Mom, I ran into Mrs. Hammond at Ross in the parking lot. It was wonderful. And she remembered me! But we only talked for a minute and so I felt like I still needed to write to her and tell her thank you. So you don't have to read the letter...BORING!!! But for the record here it is. Do you think I should email her the letter or write it out in good old fashion penmanship? What do you think?

This is a picture of her now!!! I wish I could find a 5th grade picture and scan it...somewhere in a big box downstairs...20 years later she is just as classy as ever.


Dear Mrs. Hammond,

What an honor it is to write you.

I am so grateful for our little encounter at the Ross parking lot in Coeur d' Alene one year ago. As I think about my life as a whole and about those certain people in my life who have made the biggest impact, my thoughts always lead to you. Now that I am grown and have children myself, I am starting to realize how precious and vital the childhood years are. I was only 10 when I was your student--just a little 5th grader and yet that year with you as my teacher has never left my memory. I believe your little time of influence played a significant part in the shaping and moulding of who I am today. I knew as a 5th grader that you sincerely believed in me and your students. We knew we were important to you. You cared about our education, you cared that we made good choices, and you cared that we knew how to believe in ourselves.

I think I told you at Ross that it was a goal of mine to find you and thank you for everything you did for me as a teacher. Our conversation was short that day and I left feeling there was still more to say.

I remember 5th grade to be a hard year. I remember feeling worried about school and having friends. My mom always taught me to pray and to have faith that Heavenly Father would comfort me when times became hard. I went into the year feeling confident yet apprehensive. For some reason you looked passed my doubts and saw my true potential. I think you saw it more than I ever could at the time. I was awarded the "East Farms Optimism Award" by you and other teachers. I think something stirred inside me that gave me the idea that I was special and deserving of such an award.

Soon after, you implemented a great idea into the classroom where as students we would run and operate the class as a mock city. You appointed me to be the first president of the city. I felt important and capable. Around this time I decided I would run for secretary of the school. I remember coming into class early one morning to show you the campaign posters my mom and I had made the night before. You looked me right in the eye and said something I will never forget, "I don't think you should run for secretary April, I think you should run for president." That small moment with you has stuck with me through the years. That year as your student I felt like I could do and accomplish anything. You trusted me and the rest of the class with hard tasks and challenges that always made us grow and feel more confident. You expanded my learning process by teaching me to ask the real questions. You didn't teach with an agenda in mind, you taught us how to teach ourselves.

At the end of the year I was sort of lost with peer pressure. I had made some "not so good" friends and for some reason their acceptance was more important than my strengthening and maintaining of my self esteem and my education. I didn't really know what was happening at the time, I was only 10 or 11, but as I look back, it is more clear to me how life started to make some changes at this time. I remember you were either interning, doing some extra credit hours- I'm not sure, but you took the place of the principal for several weeks. I remember I was in music class with Mrs. Brown when she stopped the class and told me that you wanted to see me. I came into your office thinking I was in trouble. I was not in trouble. You were kind and concerned. You expressed your faith in me as a person. You knew I was going through a difficult time with friends and you gently warned me, "April, you don't have to save everyone, you don't have to be friends with everyone, especially with those who tend to make poor choices." I wished I would have listened to your kind advice that day. But despite the rocky road that lay ahead that I could have avoided, I'm still amazed at your willingness to manifest to me that you genuinely cared about me.

Life's up and downs come and go and they teach us great things. Now that I look at my elementary years with a greater perspective, I am so honored and blessed to have a teacher like you. Whenever I want to doubt the public school system, I think of Mrs. Hammond and how amazing you were. You taught Bryon and Joette also. We have sat together and praised you more than once these past many many years. My mom absolutely loved you.

I know most of these memories of mine are probably non existent to you after being a teacher to so many hundreds of students throughout the years, but they are prized memories of mine that I will cherish forever. You definitely have made a mark in my life. Thank you for being the person you are. I know teaching was more than just a job for you. I felt it as a 10 year old and I felt it when I saw you at Ross (that is a great store by the way).

Thank you thank you. There, I did it. I found you and I have thanked you- the pressure is off my shoulders now- I just had to make sure you knew how much you have affected my life for the better. Your teaching skills are embedded in my mind as how I want to teach my children. I loved how most subjects were taught 'hands-on' and how they related to real life scenarios. You made stories come alive. A wonderful teacher. Thank you.

And one more thing--I turned out great. Your advice finally made more sense to me some years later! I also stopped depending on my parent's faith and found my own in God. I started to realize my divinity as a child of God and it has been my anchor for most of my life. After high school I served a mission for my church in Brazil and then graduated with my bachelors at BYU-Idaho. I have now been married for almost 6 years and I'm a stay at home Mommy to two beautiful girls and to hopefully more on the way.

Thank you Mrs. Hammond. I know you told me to call you Cyndie, but you will always be Mrs. Hammond to me.

Yours Truly,

April Tomblin Clark

gift of love

ok so my 13 days of thirty are all messed up- today is supposed to be the 11th day of thirty- oh who really cares...

I am so grateful for church.

Today I taught Gospel Doctrine. I didn't do very well. I could feel it.

I asked Chay today during Sacrament Meeting what I could do to be a better teacher. He responded, "Scratch my back for at least 20 minutes and you'll be filled with all sorts of inspiration." very funny

While I was sulking about my calling, I quickly discovered that a young man in our ward who left a week and 1/2 ago for his 2 year mission was sitting in the chapel with his family. This young man was sent home for reasons no one needs to know. But to serve a mission, you must be clean and pure before the Lord.

It was fast and testimony meeting today. This young man got up and bore his testimony. His mom then got up after him and bore her testimony. She said, "2 weeks ago our son was dressed in the armour of God ready to serve the Lord and little did we know he was already wounded." She then continued to bear witness that through the power of the atonement her son will be stronger and more faithful. She expressed her love for him and expressed gratitude for the heartache they were going through- she knew God's love was infinite and great lessons were being taught at this time in their life.

After she was done bearing her testimony she walked down and gave her son the biggest hug. It was so beautiful to feel this mother's love for her boy. I was so touched. I was convinced at that very moment that Love heals all...it has to. I don't know this young man very well but I got up and bore testimony that we've all been wounded- we all need Christ. We all need each other to get back to our Father in Heaven. The rest of the testimony meeting was so powerful. Members in the ward embraced this young man with love. I was witnessing a miracle. United we joined in this young man's healing adventure. There was no room in our hearts to judge. The spirit was so strong. It felt good to be surrounded by those who are trying their best to serve God and who love this young man the way he should be loved by a ward family.

In a world where we fall so easily to judge and belittle those around us, I experienced a true miracle of love today. By far the best gift yet.

11th day

today was a nice relaxing day...

it was Souper Saturday for our ward's Relief Society and so I made some fun magnets for the girls...but it was mainly just nice to talk to women face to face. The soup was good too.

Chay went riding today...again. :)

Chay Chay Chay...he is like a dream boy for most girls I'd say...not overly romantic or talkative but he's tough you know...and a little mysterious...and smiley. Great smile. He is a big strong hands type of guy. And those hands...are scarred from riding and fixing 4 wheelers and dirt bikes his whole life. If I wasn't married and I met Chay on a day like today- where he was wearing his fox riding shirt while loading up his motorcycle on to the trailer and he happened to flash a smile my way, I'd be after him in a second.

I remember my Family Counseling Teacher at school told the class once that women tend to marry men who resemble certain traits their father and big brothers have. Sometimes these traits women don't necessarily love or relate to, but it gives the woman a sense of protectiveness and a home bound feeling.

I wonder why I fell in love with Chay...


This is me and my big brother Bryon...

I do enjoy riding dirt bikes and 4 wheelers...I have to, it is a part of my blood. I really love seeing how excited Chay gets when he gets to go riding.

So on the 11th day of 30, after Chay got home from spending the afternoon with his second love, He made his first love (that would be me) wear an old tie as a blindfold.



We got in the car. He told me we were going somewhere special. I told him I have a really good sense of direction. He didn't believe me. When he finally stopped the car I said, "We aren't at McGrath's Fish House are we?" We were.

There is nothing meaningful about this restaurant...nor was it a big surprise...but now it means something to me- this random restaurant will always make me smile and giggle when I drive past it. Thanks Chay for making the night special...and thanks for telling the waitress it was my birthday...so I could wear the fish hat.









I'm not sure why we keep bringing the children to restaurants. We always promise ourselves never again...

and they still ate all my birthday ice cream.

13 days of thirty are going fast....

on the eighth day of thirty my true love gave to me...

um...a front porch with cool pumpkin fall stuff.



I decided to support the community and get some pumpkins at a local farmer's market downtown...but then again, this farmer's market also sells papayas...so maybe not so local...

anyway so while Kenzie and Gage (my nephew) were going buck wild running up and down the rows of pumpkins and throwing straw into their hair and Julia with her head wedged between two hay bails, I shopped around for the perfect pumpkins.
...and you know, the traditional orange jack-o-latern pumpkins just didn't do it for me this year...unless I spray paint them white...maybe I will do that??? Does anybody know the name or type of these cool red pumpkins??? I'm planting them next year for sure.



And then I couldn't pass up the all the cute little pumpkin squash thingies- so I bought a bunch and threw them in my hanging flower baskets...



and of course my mums are in full swing and spreading like crazy...love mums.



I like my little front porch...

On the 9th day of thirty...I'd say my greatest gift was reading a C.S. Lewis journal that I purchased on clearance a couple weeks ago. I am still thinking about this quote:

"No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good. A silly idea is current that good people do not know what temptation means. This is an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is. After all, you find out the strength of the German army by fighting against it, not by giving in. You find out the strength of a wind by trying to talk against it, not by lying down. A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes simply does not know what it would have been like an hour later...We never find out the strength of the evil impulse inside us until we try to fight it. ~from Mere Christianity

I have fallen for temptation before and I always wonder about that God-given strength that was waiting right around the corner if I would have just held true to my principles...I love this quote. A great gift. A great reminder to keep holding on.

On the 10th day of 30...

THRIFT STORE TREASURES!!!!! I have absolutely no idea what I am going to do with this stuff...but it will all fit in somewhere at sometime-







Janna, you secretly want this lamp. I thought of you and your all white house when I saw it.






happy birthday to me...

entertainment centers

Slowly fading away...35MM film, handwritten letters, VHS, tape cassette, antennas, incandescent light bulbs, and entertainment centers.

Yes, entertainment centers, those big chunky pieces of furniture that were made to hold a smaller TV, VHS player, CD players and huge speakers...

I always see those poor entertainment centers sitting at garage sales...they are huge and useless. I often see them on the side of the road with a "FREE" sign stuck to them.

The plasma is chasing them out of existence. But since we don't have an enormous flat screen up on the wall, we still have an entertainment center. It eats up half the basement.

Well look what some amazing lady from Sutton Grace is doing with these once no longer needed pieces of furniture. These pictures are taken from her blog.







what an awesome good resourceful idea!...I'm already thinking about how I could maybe finally have my dream kitchen... only in a much much smaller scale...

well actually- the size of these kitchens are somewhat comparable to mine...the counter space anyway...

love these play kitchens!!!

7th day

feeling grateful...

loving the sunshine and the snow capped mountains...

can't get over how cute it is to watch the girls make believe together

love the fact that I am approaching 30 and still feel healthy and energetic about life...it was 6 years ago a neurologist told me I would be in a wheelchair by age 30 if I didn't take medication...the evil side of me wants to go find him and give him...the finger. Can I say that?? I can say that right??

I am thankful for the Holy Ghost and His constant reminders...man, I get them a lot- and when I don't listen right away, He is still there, speaking even louder and louder- He won't leave me alone thank goodness.

Chay is really catching on to this whole 13 days of 30 thing. But he somehow thinks he is going to get 20 days of 29 in March...

Chay brought home a classic for me- wrapped in notebook paper with "for my beautiful wife" written on it.



oh the memories of watching this a million times over when I was younger...this is the best John Cusack of all John Cusack's films. We all wanted a boyfriend like Lloyd didn't we???

thirteen days of thirty continues

ok so on the 2nd day of 30 I was in Helena, Montana. And I have never been to Helena, Montana before so it was a lovely 2nd day of 30 experience. The people are by far the nicest most kindest people I have ever met. Janna and I made a trip to the Good Samaritan thrift store. I am addicted to thrift stores.

After about 6 or so kind folks started up a conversation with Janna and I, we were finally able to leave the store with our found treasures. Let's just say there wasn't any room for Janna in my car after I got my treasures in.



But check out this cool chair- it needs some major updating but it was a 'you had me at hello' piece of furniture- and then of course only a small town would have a retro window for $7 dollars. Janna snagged one too.



To finish out my 2nd day of thirty, I drove with Janna to Spokane and spent the evening with my siblings- being obnoxious at Appplebees and loving every minute of it. Came home and walked aimlessly around my house- cried till 2 am. missed my mommy...

3rd day of 30- CONFERENCE!!!!!! Oh how grateful I am for the special gift of conference. -Where God's hand is manifested clearly in my life once again and I can do nothing but trust. Although I am gently reminded what I could do better I am more reminded of God's love for me.



That night we ate at a ghetto but good restaurant with Jaynee...and yes, she did Chris Farley for us...oh man I love that girl. Then we took off at 9:30 for Helena. Thank goodness Janna was with me. She kept me awake by trying to convince me to read or watch Twilight...and then she started to tell me about a book she wants to write and I was so intrigued...it was better than book on tape.

on the 4th day of 30

Drove A LOT!!! Thank goodness the Subaru was fixed already. Oh clarification- it wasn't our clunker the Jeep that broke down in Oregon a couple weeks ago- it was the Subaru. Jeep still going strong. Watched Conference again. Drove Drove Drove....resolved some much needed business...drove drove drove and finally made it home...had quite the reunion with my husband...:)

5th Day of 30 I woke up to my children. Oh my beautiful children. I missed them so much. I grabbed them so quickly and put them in bed with me so quickly. Oh the glorious snuggle time and giggles galore. I was in HEAVEN. I love my girls. Oh blessed little girlies.

Chay also gave me an early birthday gift. I am now ready for my own tools... so I will always know where they are...and so I told Chay they had to be pink tools so they wouldn't ever get lost in with his. And they probably won't ever get used by anyone but me because of an embarrassing...pink tool factor.

So here is tool number #1 to my new collection. I can't wait to get a pink drill...I think I will just spray paint it pink for now. ok I'm totally kidding Thanks Honey for the Leathermen.



6th day of 30...

Chay did the paper route and my little Ju Ju went pee pee in the toilet. We had a potty party. Hearing Julia's pee pee tinkle in the toilet water is probably one of the most beautiful sounds a mommy could ever hear. That and the sound of absolute silence of course. Any of you mommies out there agree????

I feel so blessed. Blessed to be me. Blessed to have a hot handsome hard working humble husband. Blessed to have a simple home full of love (most of the time).

thirteen days of thirty

I am approaching the days of true womanhood. 30 years old. 30. That is just sexy isn't it? 30. Not too young and innocent yet not too mature and sophisticated- just right in the middle highlight of life.

...ok honestly I am having a little bit of a hard time grasping the 30 concept. There it goes...say goodbye...the youthful days of the 20's are no longer yours...bye bye..what??? What is that on my face? Is that another mole???

The twenties were good years. I think that is why I will miss them so much...especially the first half of them when I was single... College memories, boyfriends, road trips, mission, girl friends, dancing, late nights, more road trips, triathlons, mountain biking, back packing, snowboarding-

I think year 26 hit me the hardest when miscarriage, MS, little Miss Kenzie, and Mom's diagnosis all came along in about a 6 month period. I think I turned 45 when I was 26. But onward we go...

ok so since true true womanhood is now at the door a knockin...I better start celebrating...

On the first day of thirty my true love (that would be Chay) gave to me: A ROAD TRIP to Spokane without children with Janna for the weekend. AHHHHH NO children????? Is that even possible??? I don't even know what I will do with myself. No one to feed but me- no poopy diapers to change...no tantrums, no more feeling like a bomb shell of a mother at the end of the day...

I only need to pack 1 bag!

Thank you Chay. Thank you thank you. This will be healthy for me. 30 here I come.

happy birthday Mom

Dear Mom,

Yesterday I yelled your name really loud...kind of like the way I used to yell your name at the bottom of the stairs growing up...:

"MOM???? I can't find the ketch-up in the fruit room!"

"MOM??? Does this look good on me?"

"Mom??? Do you have a button I could use???"

"Mom??? What time is it?"

"Mom??? What are you doing??? Can you help me down here????"

"Mom??? Do you know where any toe nail clippers are???"

"Mom??? Are you home???"

"MOM???"

No one answered when I yelled your name yesterday.- but I had a feeling you were listening and thinking how crazy I sound. Just calling your name reminded me how much I still need you.

Today is your birthday. You would be turning 60 years old. You probably feel better and younger than I do now. I can only imagine that young spirit of yours being free from that sick tired body. I bet you are annoyingly hyper up in heaven. I can just picture your face lighting up with laughter. I am sure many of our ancestors are rejoicing in your return.

I miss you. I think about you a lot. The other day I wanted to talk to you SOOOO bad. It was one of those "oh I have to call Mom" moments. It left a huge ache in my heart.

Maybe it is good you are gone. I think I am starting to grow up a little. I can finally put childhood away and start focusing on my own children. Traditions mean more to me now- holidays and seasons all rest upon me as a mother to create something special for my girls- I don't think I would ever really learn this unless you were gone. I was so depended upon you for so many things.

Your dear friend Melody stopped by a couple days ago and gave me a huge pot bouquet of mums for your birthday. It was one of the most thoughtful things anyone has ever done for me. I feel so alone sometimes being far away from family and friends but the flowers meant everything to me. Melody loves you so much. You have touched so many lives.

Last year on your birthday many came to see you. You laid peacefully on your bed in the front room. People came with gifts and cards. We all knew the time was short. Jaynee brought you a bouquet of gorgeous roses- and we placed them right in your view so you could see them when you opened your eyes.

Mom, I love you so much. I miss you terribly. This has been the hardest year of my life. I feel a very big void in my life now. I really liked you. Man- cause this has been so difficult to get over with. My good days are slowly passing up the hard days-but those hard days I tell you- are really hard.

I wish I could talk to you. Someday someday...I can't wait. I can't wait for that day. Happy Birthday Mommy.

Love always, April

i love my sister

oh my gosh Joette finally posted on her blog today...

it's going to be a good day

firm foundations

The ladies in my ward...oh the elderly ladies in my ward- cream of the crop I tell ya.

stalwart
steadfast
snappy.

Last night I was able to attend the General Relief Society Conference at the conference center in Salt Lake.

A bunch of us ladies from the ward carpooled together.

I was able to mingle with the amazing sisters in the ward whom I call my greatest examples. I feel like I am sitting upon the shoulders of giants when I am in their presence.

Fern
Opal
Vera
Wanda
Barbara
Helen

Those are really their names! so so perfect.

All of these ladies are widows. They are smart and articulate. They are classy...some wear pearls. They attend the temple weekly. Their foundations are firm.

Fern raised 7 children in a home exactly like mine! 7 children! She smiled sweetly as she reminisced about having 4 children in 1 bedroom- it was a sweet memory of hers to think about 4 of her kiddos all smashed in a 8X10 room. I thought to myself, "I want to have those types memories when I am 88. I would rather have those memories than the memories of having some elaborate house where all the children listened to their own Ipod in their own room next to their own computer..sounds a little boring hindsight don't you think?? It's the chaotic, faithful, loving, crisis, sacrifice family stories of the past we like to hear isn't it?-

Being with those sisters always opens up my perspective on life. After we parked the car in the conference center's parking lot, we had to still walk a little ways to get to the conference center. I was somewhat concerned for them, wondering if the long walk would be manageable for them to do. Then I quickly noticed how confident and strong these ladies were- and yet very compassionate for one another. They grabbed their cute little purses and some would hold hands and they made their way successfully to the Relief Society conference.

My eyes were watering up a little. I was witnessing pure love and faith. Here these old ladies could have easily stayed home, sat on their favorite recliner, and watched the conference on TV. But they didn't. They came. I'm so glad they did.

Last night made me think about the silly things I pay too much attention to in my life. These elderly sisters have a rich history of motherhood and service. They are so kind and loving. They don't have facebook accounts- they don't text each other, they aren't concerned about wrinkles or being a size 6 or wearing fashionable clothes- they are just centered on Christ and family. Their conversations reflect family stories of the past, being a grandma, working at the temple...I hope when I near the closing chapter of my life here on earth that I can resemble the character of these ladies.

The conference was amazing. We of course were stuck up in the nosebleed section- thank goodness for those huge TV screens...but it was a great feeling to be surrounded by sisters in the gospel. It felt good- it felt right. I knew I was where I was supposed to be.

The spirit most touched me when all 18 thousand plus of us sang "How Firm a Foundation" Holy smokes- POWERFUL! Then the choir would do their high octave thing while we sang and I just lost it...the tears...just beautiful. I got that feeling...that wondrous feeling that everything is in the Lord's hands and that I am not alone- there is an army of believers surrounding me.



favorite verses of the hymn:

3. Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

4. When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o’erflow,
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee, and sanctify to thee,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

5. When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, thy dross to consume,
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

7. The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, I’ll never, no never,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!

what matters most

Thanks Emily for posting this video. I found it on your blog this morning and it...well it was an answer to prayer.

I have been asking myself this question a lot lately. What matters most in my life?

I am so grateful for President Monson. I know he is our living prophet on this earth today.

summer in september

ok I have decided to not let go of Summer just yet. I know there is a bunch of you who just love Fall and are all giddy about the crisp air, the excitement of school, pumpkin pumpkin.

I love Fall too I suppose. I just don't love what follows Fall.

I know nothing compares to the first snowfall...where everything is quiet and the world turns white. It's just the whole cold factor that makes me uneasy...and getting my socks wet in the house from tracked in snow can really bother me too.--And the scraping of iced over windows...and the 4:30 A.M paper route nightmares that start out with putting on my socks, then bread bags over the socks, then shoes, 3 shirts, I-pod, and a coat.

Christmas however is magical. I love Christmas. Who doesn't?

Fall is very pretty. The colors are my favorite. And Fall attire is always fun to wear. And of course my terrifying addiction to any combination of pumpkin and sugar...

But as many of you already know and who have read my blog around this time of year: I don't like Halloween. I think it is creepy and unhealthy. Do we really have to stick bloody skeletons on our front porch? And why the murder scene on the front yard? Does that really make you happy? Let's just carve a pumpkin or two, dress up as princesses, and keep it lovely. Can we do that?

I honestly do not get Halloween.

ok back to Summer- I just love Summer. Don't go away Summer. Please! I want to play some more in the sun and let the girls go wild in the back yard. I just love the sock 'less' green grass riding bikes flower garden warm mornings sprinklers carefree days of summer...

I don't know about you but we are still holding out.