My house and Feelings!

Now that we have lived here TWO months, I thought I would post what I was finally able to get John to do or for myself to finish this last week. This is my shelf in my entry and living room. It is coming along quite well I think...If I do say so myself.

Here is my dining room table. It was my parents 40 years ago. When we were looking for one when we first moved here, all the ones I wanted were the trestle style, but we couldn't afford them. My mom found hers in the basement of the cottage at the old farm, and we refinished it. We purchased the benches to go with it. I Love how it turned out.

The hutch we picked up when we first moved to Oregon. It was white, we painted it red then, and just barely I refinished it black. I'm glad this is only a picture. After refinishing the table, I was pretty sick of it, but we had already sanded the hutch. Just don't look to closely when you come over.

It also had another adjustment made when we realized we had no where to put John's new computer that the U bought him. It is a 24 inch screen, and for some reason John thought it would fit on the kitchen counter. When I asked him if they had a 20 inch, he said,"Yeah but I could afford the 24 inch." So where to put it. I came up with this idea. I think it turned out fine, and It is in a very central place in our home, so we are following the prophets advice...otherwise it would have been down in the basement with the Christmas decorations. And for all of those who are saddened that I ruined this hutch in such a way, John has promised me a new one once all our loans are paid off...add it to the list!

These two pictures literally make my heart sing. This place really didn't feel like a home till we got these hung on the wall. The picture of the kids at the farm, will soon fill them. I LOVE IT!

So just some feelings I have been having lately...

• I am ECSTATIC that John got over his anxiety of putting holes in the wall . Our house feels so much more homey now.
• I am EXCITED for my oldest two to be back in school so that I can find a schedule, and a rhythm in our new home.
• I am HAPPY that my favorite season is coming! FALL!
• I'm FRUSTRATED with people who hold grudges, but won't tell you why they are.
• I'm SAD Noah is having some issues right now that I don't know how to help, besides pray.
• I'm super THANKFUL that when our whole family started to pray for Deeken to get potty trained, it happened!
• I'm BUGGED that little boys find that chanting mean things at my kids is funny and entertaining.
• I'm PUMPED to go spend Labor Day Weekend at my parents cabin with the fantabulous Willey's.
• I'm GLAD that my parents got to go on a trip to ALASKA, and that my dad is their now FISHING his heart out.
• I'm TICKLED at getting a mini me day at Swiss Days, yet will MISS Brenley, and My sister-in-love Debbie, who thought she might be able to make it this year.
• I am HUMBLED by the overwhelming love I felt from a Heavenly Father, who has made it very clear to me that I am his child and he will always be with me, in the good and especially the bad times.
• I am BUMMED to discover that for some reason Micah's two front teeth are going dark, and that Josie has already chipped one of her baby front teeth.
• I'm STOKED that My wonderful friend Sierra is choosing to spend her 30th Birthday with me.
• I LONG for Coastal Beaches, Blackberries, Awesome Oregonians, good Libraries and the walks to them, Tall Evergreens, understanding teachers, diversity, and just plain old OREGON.
• I DESIRE to have more faith, thus I am very excited about our Relief Society's 90 day challenge to read the Book Of Mormon.
• I CRAVE Chocolate all the time.
• I am OVERWHELMED sometimes when I think there are four people who depend a lot on me.
• I'm CRUSHED when I think about how I negatively effect my beautiful family.
• I'm CONFUSED by the word BEST FRIEND. Are the rest of us just not quite there?
• I'm DELIGHTED my children LOVE both sets of grandparents, even though we don't get to see the Farr's a lot.
• I ADORE anything about Jane Austin-ish stuff. Have you read Austenland by Shannon Hale? So good.
• I'm TIRED of feeling unsettled. I need a place to fit in.
• I'm JOYFUL when I hear the new primary songs they are bringing out. BEST part of being in primary!
• I'm DEVOTED to a good man, who works long hours, and still will come home and do the dishes.
• I'm PROUD of my forever family, especially when they are playing nicely together.

  (which isn't happening right now, so I will go.)

PS Last one--I'm BAFFLED by computers. Why the heck blogger did crazy things to my lettering I have no idea.

First Day of School

Well, I have never have been one of those mom's who cry when their kids start school. I have always loved school, and hope that my kids have great times there like I did. I think they will. I have been very blessed with kids who are very friendly. This will be Noah's third school and three years, but he really is such a friendly guy you don't have to worry about him too much that way. I thought my kids looked adorable for there first day. Noah in his transfomers shirt that cost $22!!! I don't even spend that kind of money on my own clothes, but he REALLY liked it. Micah is of course in one of my Bargin buys, and I think she looks all the cuter for it!

This is Noah in his cool second grader poise. I need to compare it to last year, I am going to guess they look pretty much the same.

This is Micah's cool Kindergartener poise. She looks about the same I am sure. We might have to work on it for next year.

Mrs. Barton and Noah. I hope he does well with her. I love Noah's K teacher she just understood him so well. I hope he loves this year and mets some great new friends.

He was not nervous at all. Time to work...he knew just what to do.

She, on the other hand, was a little more apprehensive, but did well. Here is her with the traditional first day of school apple. I am so glad my mom had some in her fridge, because I completely forgot.

Mrs. Piper, seems sweet as can be. I hope she can control 29 kids by herself. Teachers are sooo underpaid.

Micah picked up on things fast. I sure she will do amazing. She only got to go for an hour this day, and then had to wait a week. She is super excited. I hope she makes some good friends too. She is such a likeable girl.

What this year holds for them, I do not know. I am sure their will be scrapped knees, tears and broken hearts...I can always count on that, but with my kids I can also count on good grades, fantastic pictures, and a love of the school Chocolate Milk. Wahoo for chocolate milk!

My BEAUTIFUL kids at Grandpa's Farm!

Can I just say no matter how many pics I take of other people, non are more satisfying than feeling like I got great shots of my own kids. Utah is very concentrated with good photographers. The digital world has definitely made it much cheaper and more accesible to people. I don't want to compete, so for now, getting pics like this makes me feel great about my photography and really proud as a mom as well.

And that isn't half of the ones I love, and I only explored one tiny portion of the farm. Expect to see more of it. MUCH, MUCH more of it.

Fashion Show

Every year it has got to happen! Josie even joined in this year with her cute black Stiped outfit. I MC'd while Jack Johnson played.

Deeken was jamming out to the music...I believe twinkle, twinkle little star was playing on his MP3 player.

Here he is getting into a little more! He did have Batman on his shirt...I am sure their were some karate moves done.

Micah took to doing hand stands this year...not so great in a skirt, but she looked cute as ever. I am so glad I have my own little doll to dress.

and here is my man Noah. He loves to get into it. He can make us laugh with some of his smooth modeling stuff he pulls off.

Russell's LATE NIGHT shoot!

It is starting to get darker here a lot earlier. We just started taking photos a little too late. But I wanted them to see some of what I took. John says the third one is about the only one that looks my style. I think the dark just threw me off. But I can't wait to do some re-takes earlier in the day. Who wouldn't be excited, with a beautiful family like this? Danny, I am going to post some pics soon I took yesterday...hopefully you will see my potential.

I still think there are some great shots, but the flash just kills me. We will have some great ones soon, I promise.