Hannah Banana

This is my lovely Hannah. She just returned from a difficult and wonderful mission to Slovenia and I am so happy she is home. I enjoyed her Homecoming talk more than I can say. I loved how the congregation sang the hymns. Like they believed it. Like they were praising. I loved hearing Hannah's stories about the people she taught. I loved her testimony that she bore in Slavic. It brought tears to my eyes, and I love that.

Also, I held a chicken. Yes, I am turning to quite the farm girl.

a dinner in my favorite backyard

Isn't Curtis' backyard dreamy? I've always loved it back there. Curtis and I planned a birthday dinner for two of our lovely friends. I will make the mashed potatoes. He will make the lasagna.

When I arrived to his house, I realized that mashed potatoes and lasagna don't even go together! We decided to pretend that it is a new trend all of the hip chefs are doing.. :) and, it worked! (who says they can't go together, anyway?)

I love, love sitting around a fire with friends. I am so blessed by knowing so many wonderful people.

Millie the monster

I am grateful for people like Allen & Jill who will do weird things with us.. Like paying $2 to milk a cow. It was quite the experience and I'm glad to say that I did it! (No matter how gross it really was..)
This picture was taken right before Millie exploded and shared some of her famous "cow pie" with Jill. It wasn't pleasant and it was disgusting but.. also pretty funny. :) After this, Allen opted out of the experience, as you can imagine.

Finding Hope

an evening in Midway

Summer has been so sweet to me. One night during August, Mr. and I went to my beloved Midway for pizza and an outdoor concert. It was a beautiful night. Along with Oregon, I dream of someday living in Midway. While eating at the outdoor pizza restaurant, we saw a tractor drive by. :) See.. adorable, isn't it?

lollipop lady

Today, I received a letter from my Whitney. She is still crazy.
She told me that I should be a "lollipop lady."

I have no idea what that means. But, it sounds like fun.

Is 8 months too early to start the countdown until we can go to the movies together?

:)

Jerm

A few weeks ago, I found old drawings and school assignments from when I was really young. It seems like every chance I got, I was drawing or telling a story about this little guy. He was my pride and joy. I loved showing him off to my friends. Today, Jeremy turns 16. I am nervous, excited, and in awe of how time works and how life changes.

Jerm, I know you must never tire when we tell the story of how you were afraid of my goldfish.. It makes me giggle to remember the times you would scream when you saw him. Or when I got my new little puppy and you were so scared that I had to carry you around the house.. :)

You are so sweet, generous, and funny. I love you to the moon and back. Happy 16th birthday.