It's the First Day of the School Year

If I don't document today now I don't know if it will ever get done before Tate starts school. 

I woke up at 6 and had a lovely time studying my scriptures without worrying about getting ready before everyone wakes up like I normally do. I'm trying things a bit different this year. At 6:45 I woke up Easton and spent a few moments with him as he said his prayers and fully awakened. As he got ready for school, I packed his lunch and by the. Tate and Maylie were up too and we all ate breakfast. Easton has been asking to use the golden plate every day for a week and today was finally the day. 

After breakfast and teeth brushing we knelt as a family in family prayer just as we always do and petitioned the Lord to bless our day. I whispered to my sweet oldest boy how much I love him and how much the Savior loves him. I reminded him to be strong and courageous and to remember who he is. He flexed his muscles and proceeded to the door. Then I snapped a picture of him and we waved goodbye as Patrick and Easton drove away to catch the bus.

The three of us still at home waited by our back window like we usually do to wave to the bus as it goes up the road. 

We cleaned up breakfast, did yoga, got ready for the day, and had a chat with Nana. Then we played with blocks, making roads and towers and temples and then picked up the toys strewn all about the house. We folded the clothes and did the dishes and now we're outside enjoying this warm early afternoon. 

I'm sitting here on the grass in our front yard watching my two little ones ride their bikes and wondering where our summer went. How can school be started already?? Thank heavens Tate starts a week later than Easton. At least I get to hold onto him a little bit longer.

I'm much more prepared than I was last year--routine-wise. I have my schedule all mapped out and for once it's actually realistic and I think I will be able to stick with it. But I don't know if my heart is prepared this year. Summer slipped away so swiftly I barely even had time to enjoy it. I know it's common for everyone to say how fast summer passes, but I'm being completely sincere in saying it felt like it was only a month long and faster than any other summer of my entire life. I attribute this to the fact that we were busier than we usually are with putting our yard in, family trips, baseball, potty training, and swim lessons, but still--it's hard to believe. Last summer we spent every morning outside. This summer our outside excursions were few and far between. It was a wonder-filled summer, bit it was FULL. And now it's officially over. 

Strangely though, while my heart is saddened to think of both my boys in school, my heart is happy and ready for the change of seasons. Autumn is coming and along with it, harvests and baking and cinnamon smells, as well as a more regular daily rhythm, heartwarming family holidays and a slower pace. I love summer at it's golden hour of old age. And today I am completely content in my heart. 

8 Years and Counting...

I'm having a hard time believing that 8 years ago I married the love of my life, my sweetheart, my knight in shining armor. It really was the perfect day. Sunshine and blue skies. We couldn't have asked for better weather. I'll never forget, for as long as I live, looking across the altar, into his deep blue eyes and feeling the reality of the whole thing. I had finally found my best friend. And I was his, for forever. It was indescribable. There are just no words. It was the best day of my entire life.

And looking back at these past 8 years, how swiftly they've passed, and yet I can hardly remember how I lived my life without him. He is my very best friend. The best listener. The best confidante. The best encourager and inspirer. The best of everything.

We have passed through so much together. The trials, the miracles, the joys, the sorrows, the failures, the triumphs, they have all bound us together and to the Lord.

There is nothing quite like the anticipation of looking forward to a date night every night--even and especially when we do the simplest traditions...talking, eating ice cream, watching an Andy Griffith or Dick Van Dyke episode, reading a book together. These simple moments at the end of the day, when it's just the two of us, make my heart dance. They provide me the motivation to do yet another load of laundry and sweep the floor again. These magical, simple evenings make all the struggles of young motherhood worth it.

I am happier than I have ever been. Each day my love grows stronger and my joy more beautiful.

Maylie stayed with my parents and the boys stayed with Patrick's parents so we could celebrate our anniversary this year. And thanks to my parent's generosity, they picked up Maylie so we could take the boys down to Riverton together and spend one extra evening together.  After dropping the boys off, we stopped at U-Swirl Yogurt and each made a blended, delicious, yogurt waffle cone. Whenever we begin our anniversary trips, it's always so unreal that it's just the two of us. We keep waiting for fighting, whining and "I'm Tungry!"'s from the backseat. But it's so refreshing to be instantly transported to our dating days and reminisce on all of the memories. The funny thing is, though, when they're away from us, we find ourselves constantly quoting and reminiscing about our children. They've become such a part of our hearts that we can never completely be perfectly happy without them. But still, these past few days were perfect!

After ice cream, we made it home and kick-offed our first night of our glamorous staycation by reading an extra chapter in "The Beyonders" (our current story we're reading together.) The next morning we got to sleep in! How wonderful it was to wake up when my eyes opened, instead of the usual weekend wake ups of the boys whispering loudly to each other, or Maylie calling me from her room. We took our time in the morning and pretty much did a "Jamie's idea of a relaxing vacation" all day long. I couldn't believe how still the house was and how relaxing it was to have quiet and peace and a day to take our time and flow through the day at a relaxing pace. We started with yoga and meditation (both of which I usually do by myself), and then made omelets for breakfast and I told Patrick all about learning to make true omelets from the chef at the Savoy.

After breakfast we had our personal scripture studies and then shared our inspirations with each other. After that, we went into town to do some window shopping. You see, we have this quaint little main street downtown that is so old and historic with little shops all around. I've always wanted to walk the streets and go through all the shops, and I finally got my wish. We strolled through the shops and found the cutest little old museum. We stayed there for nearly an hour. I was truly amazed at all the history and treasures I found in one tiny little museum. I was even asked by the sweet little old lady who showed us around if I would be a model for next year's fashion show when they model all of the old vintage dresses. I was delighted!

After making a few purchases here and there we sat on the shaded benches around the town square and heard the old clock chime while we ate our Perry peaches.

Then we went home, made Creme Brûlée, bought dinner at the hospital, and ate it on our patio listening to all of our favorite songs from "our day."

Later we watched a shark documentary, did some more reading and yoga before crawling into bed to sleep in again. The next morning we did another meditation, made oatmeal and then drove to the Logan temple to do a session. That was the highlight of the weekend. It always is. Afterwards, we ate lunch at Elements, ran a few errands, and then spent the next several hours on the road picking up our sweeties and getting home just in time to give them a bowl of cereal and tuck them into bed. 

I think I rather liked this simple staycation this year. We didn't go anywhere grand or spend much money, we just slowed down and enjoyed the simplicity of being together. It was perfect in every way.

I love you Patrick Alan Johnson!!!!!!!

A Birthday Letter.

Dear Easton,

You've been 7 for just over 3 weeks now. And my letter to you this year is one of gratitude. Gratitude for the young man you've grown into this past year. You really are like a little man--my right hand man actually--always there to offer your help, always responsible to follow through, always there to ask "what's wrong" when I feel a bit sad. In short, you're just always there. You've been by my side through the thick and the thin, through the ups and the downs, through our 7 moves in two states, both of your parent's bachelor's degrees, Dad's doctorate, the birth of your brother and sister, and every step of the way on my journey to learn how to be a mother. You made me a mother, and I loved every single thing about you from the very start.

It's funny how I knew your personality before you were even born (just like I did Tate and Maylie too). I would describe you to others as a vibrantly energetic little boy who had just enough mischief to keep things interesting and just enough sweetness to melt my heart. And that's who are you. To a T.

That very first moment of holding you in my arms, and you looking up at me with those deep blue eyes of yours, you captivated me. I remember nearly gasping with the realization of how familiar you looked to me. A similar story had been told to me my whole life--about how when my dad looked into my eyes for the first time, he was amazed at how familiar I was to him. And though I knew this story all my life, I wasn't prepared to have the very same experience, more real than I could have imagined. I knew at that moment that my Father wasn't exaggerating. There was a connection that I'll never forget. We were meant to be together, Easton. You were hand-selected by Heavenly Father to come to our family for a very special reason. And I don't believe I've even seen the tip of the iceberg when it comes to your potential, your gifts, and who you will become. Seeds of divinity lie within your soul, and I will be eternally grateful that your Dad and I made the life-changing decision to invite you to our family.

This next year is going to be awesome! May I be blessed to prepare you for your baptism as well as my mother prepared me. I'm so grateful we get to travel this life journey together. You're everything I ever dreamed of having in a son...and more.

I echo the words from a song by Mindy Gledhill:

"Oh, I've loved you from the start, in every single way, and more each passing day."

Love,
Mom

Lagoon!

We met at Natalie and Jon's in the morning to eat lunch and have a family home evening lesson. Papa taught us about spiritual gifts and encouraged us to help our children know what spiritual gifts they have as well as nudge them gently in the direction of the spiritual gifts we perceive they could develop. It was a simple but profound lesson and it's been on my mind ever since. I felt very inspired during his lesson, that this is one of the primary objectives of a mother's nurturing. And I felt called to pursue this mission actively while my children are little and all throughout their growing up years. I have far to go as I begin this process, but the journey excites me. It's always been my deepest, most poignant desire to help my children discover who they are, love who they are and those around them, grow their talents and gifts, point them to the temple, and return home to Heavenly Father. And this charge to recognize and encourage the development of spiritual gifts fits right in with what I feel my motherhood purpose is. Thank you Dad.

*****

Easton and Natalie and Nana rode most of the rides together--Easton's favorite was the Tidal Wave, the Swings,  and Bombora. (I think they went on the Swings 5 or 6 times in a row). Tate joined me and Patrick for most of the day--riding all the new rides he's grown into now that he's barely 46". He loved the Wild Mouse, the Turn of the Century, and most of all the Bumper Cars and Wicked. When we watched his face during Wicked the first time, both Patrick and I were scared. He looked like he was going to be sick or pass out. But as soon as the ride stopped, he got the biggest grin on his face and said, "Let's do it again!!!" And we did--4 more times that day. Easton decided very diplomatically that he didn't want to do Wicked this year (even though he'd been talking about how it was his favorite ride all year.) But that's okay. Maybe next year all 4 of us can go on it together. Maylie loved the Bumper Cars too and the Merry-go-Round and the boats. She didn't love the LadyBug Drop--she was so scared. So we didn't go on that one again. It was so much fun to go on rides with my children. It always is. I don't know why, but it always strikes a sense of wonder in me to see the childlike wonder of my children. They are mesmerized by everything and their enthusiasm bubbles over into my heart as well. It's so fun to take them on all the rides I loved growing up. It's always so magical.

As it turned out, rain was forecasted for our Lagoon trip too this year. But our sweet boys prayed in faith again and fully knew the Lord would bless the skies. And he did. Again. The weather was perfect for almost the entire day. And then around 8:00 pm the downpour began. We were drenched and huddling under shelter while Easton ran around with Jason (who had a jacket) and went on as many rides as he could. Easton wanted to stay and ride more until Lagoon closed, but the rest of us decided it was a good time to end our evening and barely made it to the car in-between downpours.

What a special day we had! I only wish that it wouldn't have been raining there at the end so we could have bought bounce back passes! Maybe next year.... :)

July Reflections.

I'm sitting here today wondering where July went. How can August be 1/3 of the way done too? We anticipated that this summer would be busier than last, and it was. But I never dreaded it because there were so many trips and family activities to look forward to. What I didn't anticipate was how the summer would not only be busy, but would feel like a whirlwind. A very good whirlwind, but tornado-ish nonetheless. It was a flurry of activity and now it's over. Well not quite, but close enough. We have three more things planned before school starts--our Anniversary, the boys' Grandma/Grandpa camp, and our family olympics/back-to-school party. And school is just two weeks away...Enough about that. It's not time to pull out the tissues yet--we still have TWO WEEKS OF SUMMER LEFT!!! YAY!!!!

So here are the photos I found on my phone today. Bits and pieces of July's memories.

Our clean garage came about as a result of a Saturday afternoon. I should have taken a before picture--it was a wreck!!

 I love walking in our garage now. It's so clean and even beautiful!

We've been enjoying our CSA shares of fruit from Perry this year.

Another highlight of July is starting my "Take a Daily Question to the Scriptures for 30 Days Experiment." I cannot believe how incredible the Lord is. How He intricately places our answers amidst the pages of scriptures amazes me every time.

This is one of the brilliant sunsets I captured this summer. It struck me the other night as I was driving home from the store and watching the sunset, how each day the Lord surprises us with a new sunset. Every single day's sunset is unique and different. I think I take for granted how kind and generous our Father is in providing us with this brilliant gift each and every day. It leaves me wonderstruck.

And this is just Flashlight in one of her temporary favorite beds (my travel bag).

When we drove Easton up to visit Gram and Pop a few weeks back, Maylie latched on to Gram and decided she had a found a new playmate. (And I was not invited :) She reminds me of someone I know... ;)

This is our beautiful dog Pola (aka Pola Bear according to me, aka the Grim/Sirius Black from Harry Potter according to Papa)

 I love my wolf dog!

 One day Tate and Maylie and I discovered this sweet little movie series on Netflix based on one of my absolute favorite books...

Last Satruday the boys and Patrick went on an Elder's Quorum 4-Wheeler ride. It lasted all day and they had a blast. They came home grimy but they shined up nicely! (Meanwhile, Maylie and I went over to Logan to do some shopping...the beginnings of my new decorating project).

And lastly, this was the day of the very first "Messy Buns" for Maylie. She loved them. and I thought they captured her personality so well...

 I think doing hair is one of the best things about having my little girl!

 And someday, she'll have her own...

THE END