future chef

I usually let Abbey and Lauren watch a cartoon in the morning while I'm getting ready for the day.  Because my children turn into zombies as soon as the tv turns on, I know they won't be getting into trouble for that thirty minutes I'm not with them.  The other morning I came out to find Abbey had changed the channel from cartoons to a cooking show. She then told me all about the meat pie they were making, flakey crust and all.  Now, I know Abbey loves food, but she was passionate about this show!  I sat down with her and we watched them make trifle and then dip pretzels in carmel.  Later that night we made a little trifle of our own.  Mmmm!

Friends

Brent reminded me the other day that my fifteen year high school reunion will be this summer.  Am I seriously that old!?  There are times when I still feel eighteen, and then I look in the mirror.  Hmmm...an awesome husband, four lovely children, and twenty extra (not so lovely) pounds tell me differently.  My childhood best friend called the other day.  I met her at a beach house nearby and spent the afternoon catching up.  It really was wonderful to see her.  We were inseparable as children but grew apart after high school.  She moved to Oregon and married while I went to college and...er..studied for the next seven years.  I really did study.. a little.  I also had a whole lot of fun.  My college years were such a defining time for me.  I guess the simplest way to say it is..I grew up.  I became an adult.  My identity and my life goals became clear to me. And then I was blessed to find a companion who shared those same goals.  Now we are six and life is so good!  I quite literally thank God for every day.  For anybody reading this who doesn't already know it, let me tell you, FAMILY is where it's at. Even with the big, bad, ugly days that come now and then, it just doesn't get any better than this.

And here's my childhood best friend and I,  thirty plus years and four children each later.  Look closely.  Can you see the two rowdy ten year olds we used to be?

She growing up!

I've been trying for months to convince Lauren to let me braid her hair. On Sunday, out of the blue, she asked me for braids.  I think it had to be her idea.  Doesn't she look so grown up?!

Sisters

I've been thinking about my sister today.   We spent almost two weeks at her house over spring break and had so much fun!!  I really, really, REALLY love my sister!  Funny thing is, it wasn't always this way.  I don't think I really appreciated my sister until after she left for college. In fact, upon her leaving, I recall feelings of great joy.  Freedom from tyranny and all that.  No, we were definitely not close growing up.  But I always admired her and wanted very much to be like her.   She seemed so popular and confident.  Not to mention beautiful, intelligent, independent, etc., etc.  After I graduated from high school, we lived near each other at BYU.  And now, aside from my husband, she is my very best friend.  I tell this to my daughters when they fight.  Quite frankly, they adore their aunt and don't believe me when I tell them it took us twenty years to become friends.  I adore their aunt too.  Our lives have thrown us so many curves!  She has taken hers head on and is honestly one of the strongest, kindest women I have ever known.  

We came from sunny Cal to snow nearly every day.  The kids had a blast with their cousins and regularly beg to go back!
I love this picture!  My sister can't sit down without one of my girls claiming her lap.  I don't think she minds.