Post It Notes

I have yet to find an organized system to store and use all of those wonderful little thoughts or quotes I run across in life. If it's something I am trying to make a part of my character, I will jot it on a sticky note and post it on the fridge or bathroom mirror. The trouble is I can never seem to throw them away, even after they've outlived their use. I ran across this one today in an unlikely stack of papers I was sorting, and I decided to give it a home on my blog so that I can throw the note away in good conscience.

This thought is a wonderful little eye opener to me when I find myself explaining a certain concept of kindness to my children for the hundred and ninety sixth time:

"The Teacher has not taught until the Learner has learned."

(Disclaimer: I have since repented of not always giving credit where credit is due. Alas, I am sad to say this is one of my very old sticky notes whereupon I included no reference.)

Roommates & Journals

I spent a wonderful 3 or 4 hours with five out of seven Snow College roommates last Saturday. I must confess that I felt a little nervous and very strange driving up to Sandy that day. I guess it had something to do with trying to fit the "current" me into an "old" situation. Whatever the reason...I was surprised and pleased to find the relationships unchanged--almost as if no time had passed at all (albeit 10 years ago I left Ephraim, UT). I came home feeling very blessed to have spent part of my very formative years with seven such amazing women. I spent the next few days reading over my journals from those years (experiencing the broad spectrum of emotions that comes from reviewing one's past) and realizing that I have left a huge gap in my life's history; beginning almost with getting married. The sad part is, there have been recent times in my life when I know I would have benefited from the lessons learned and reminders of special memories during that period of my life. So here is my commitment to renew my personal journal keeping, as well as keeping this record to preserve family memories.

Some favorite memories of 2008

Christmas

Checking out what Santa brought. (The kids are already asking us when Christmas will be here again).

Watching Daddy's train was a nightly bedtime ritual at our house for the whole month of December.

Did I say watching? What would a train be without tunnels?

Priceless playtime with daddy

Playing "helicopter . So far we've had no catastrophic landings...just a lot of laughter.

Halloween

Tane is our second year #6 player for BYU. Miriam was Queen Isabella (for history themed dress up at school) and Sleeping Beauty (for trick-or-treating) --same costume. And Tait is our "Big Green Monster" from a favorite storybook.

Our annual excursion to CornBelly's at Thanksgiving Point.

I love to watch my kids at their creative play

Dancing at the Ball.One of their favorite games is "naptime"--how lucky am I to have such mello children?
This is Tane's "firetruck". I haven't quite figured out how that works yet.
Professor Tait.
Doctor Tane.
Did I mention I love having mello kiddos?

We love learning

Tane and I are in our second year of preschool together at home. He is a very detail-oriented & meticulous 3 year old. Preschool is our special one on one time 3 times a week.

Miriam started Kindergarten this year. We opted for the morning schedule at a wonderful Charter school. She loves it enough that it makes the half hour chauffeur job worth it to me.

Special One on One dates

Blair and Tane coloring "Cars" posters.

Mimi and I on a girl's night out at the salon.

Summer Activities

Our first real attempt at camping on our own as a family. We had fun...except for the rain, the heat, the cold, and the bugs (including 3 ticks we brought home with us).

FHE picnic up the canyon. I love this picture!

Henke reunion at Lake Powell. Wish we had a picture of the waterfall that poured right on top of the houseboat all night long.

Miriam as our little ballerina.

What's up, Tane? "Just Chillin'".

Taking Uncle Matt to the MTC.

Working in the Yard is fast becoming a favorite pastime for me...and Tane. He will often leave his play with Miriam to come and ask if he can pull weeds or transplant with me.

Sweet big brother moments

I happened upon this moment one evening when Tane was supposedly getting ready for bed. It melted my heart.

Tane asked me to hitch up the wagon so that he could pull Tait around in the "trailer".

Tait and Tane laughing and stomping in the "sunny" rain we had one day.

Tane is always willing to lay by Tait in the mornings when I'm not quite ready to get up. It's fun to wake up to their giggles.