Grandma and Grandpa back in town for a quick visit...

It was really fun to get to visit with Grandma and Grandpa while they were here.

Aunt and Uncle let us come feed the fish in their little pond, and take home yummy grapes (they look small and sour, but don't let looks deceive you, they are the sweetest grapes I've ever tasted right off the vine), and some fresh veggies from the garden, Thanks Auntie!!! Grandma made her famous cinnamon rolls for us... YUM YUM (not on my diet, but I HAD to try one, I will just walk extra to make up for it!)

Only in Idaho...

My "strong silent mysterious man" and I have a new regular date... it sounds weird, but I really look forward to it about every 8 weeks or so.... we drive out to a little town near us to get his hair cut, and eat lunch at the local drive-in burger place.

You see the whole hair maintenance thing really isn't his thing... it doesn't mean that much to him, long hair short hair... whatever. He knows I like it clean so he used to make the effort to keep it short, but went to the cheap walk in clip joint in town. I usually spent more time either trying to fix it, or groaning about it until it grew out, that it was never worth it.

So I found "Katie"... she has a small shop in a really small town headed out towards the boonies not too far from us. She takes care of all the men and ladies in this little town and does a fabulous job. I found her a few years ago, and hated to drive that far to get my hair cut, so I left and went to several places close by, and ended up back with her after a short time and would rather drive to get a good haircut, than pay for a bad one close to home.

So I convinced my hunk to let me take him there, and it has been a tradition ever since. I do all the work, make the appointment, go pick him up from work and drive him out there... and he agrees to it. We have turned it into a little date, and it is short and sweet because he always has to go right back to work, but I do look forward to the time with him.

It really is in the boonies, and for some reason yesterday we hit traffic! It was the strangest sight to see cars lined up on this road to nowhere (which they just repaved by the way ??). We thought maybe there was an accident, until we came to a corner and could see it was a tractor holding up the line. Not really a strange sight in Idaho... but after just coming from the City in Seattle and seeing how much traffic they have going on there... it kind of made me chuckle. Only in Idaho....

I love men in uniforms...

I read a really scary email about "my space" this morning and bad people using the internet for evil... so I am going back through my blog and changing the names to protect the innocent. I am trying to come up with a new endearing pet name to refer to my husband... I love Pioneer Woman's "Marboro Man", and the kids are "Punks".

I was teasing him last night that I had a date with a man in a uniform... it was scout night and they were holding a court of honor. So I got to be with my boys in uniform, one of my favorite Kodak moments.

The program was wonderful... my son (I will call him 2J's) is waiting for his Eagle paperwork to come back from National so he can schedule his Eagle Court of Honor... it has been 9 weeks and it was only supposed to take 2-4 weeks so the waiting has been stressful in our house (not as stressful as waiting for a mission call, so we are trying not to complain). So this was to be the night to combine the court of honors.... it is all OK that we have to put it off, we just hope to be able to pick a date that our family who wants to come can be here.

Morgan is learning a new trick to add to her repertoire! My strong silent mysterious man (it's a little long... but it fits him well) thinks it's great... Morgan however, I get the feeling doesn't like it much... I don't know maybe the sad face and the droopy ears gave it away!

Sophomore Sign Ups...

We went over to the High School and got 2J's all signed up for classes next week. He actually likes his classes and teachers on his schedule... that is always a challenge! He was so cute getting ready to go... spends more time worrying about what he looks like than I ever do! (there is something wrong with that) There will be a new Seminary teacher, which he is sad about losing Mr. V... he was awesome! But he got into a computer animation elective class, so he is pretty excited about that.

It is sad to think another little milestone in life goes by... I only have two more sign up days left in High School. My son is growing up right before my eyes. I hope to stay focused on the mportant things, and not let moments go by without taking time to cherish them.

A friend of our family, who works in the Seminary bldg was talking to 2J's about signing up for Mayors Youth Council... so he went over and talked to the girl in charge of the sign ups... I had gotten to know her at Laurels Camp this summer. She was telling us about her last 3 years on the council and the job she got working during the summer at City Hall. They get to travel during the year to other Youth Councils around the nation to learn about what they are doing in their communities. She told 2J's about working with the Mayor and what a great guy he is. 2J's had met him when he was working on his Eagle Project at the Train Depot for the City and agreed he is Awesome!! I think he might actually consider this youth council... it would be so good for him, and add extra experience to his resume and college application.

I am such a proud Mom, and happy 2J's is having great experiences in High School... it was NOT my favorite place in life. It is fun to watch him, and how much he loves it and has such great opportunities and leaders that help him enjoy this time in his life!

I am so grateful for the beautiful gifts I have in my life! I am so grateful I am not in High School anymore! I have a loving husband, a son who grows and strengthens me in motherhood everyday, a caring and supportive family, and a Father in Heaven who loves me and blesses me daily with his grace and love!

"Re-Entry"

I was talking with our Stake YW President this morning and was trying not to complain, but describing what I was experiencing trying to get back in the grove of things.

She said, yes that is called "Re-Entry"... it can be tough, and the burn (or burn out) that goes along with it is horrible.

That just totally described what I am feeling Re-Entry!

My dogs have been at my feet every second, and they are totally pooped out!

They are ready for things to get back to normal too... they have not gotten nearly enough naps or snacks around here for the past 10 days!

Auburn Good Ol' Days...

2J's was a big hit as the State Farm "Neigh-Bear"...

mostly the kids loved him.

Only a few thought he was a "scary" bear.

Even a few adults came up to him and gave him big hugs.

The best part for me was that Jacob couldn't talk while he

was inside the bear suit. Quiet bear! Whew!!!

The bear always had to have a handler, that was one of the rules

that came with the costume... you never knew when a kid

would come running up for a hug. And they mostly just hit around

the knee's and 2J's couldn't see that far down from inside the suit.

The handler would just keep him upright and tell him to put out his

arms for a hug.

The babies in strollers were usually too young to know

what was going on... but they would smile when bear

would wave to them.

The bands in the parade thought it was really funny to look over and see

the bear imitating them playing the drums. It was

always good for a smile.

A good time was had by all!!!