A good outlet

Let's face it. Being a mom is hard. Harder than I ever thought it would be. Pull out your hair- wanting to crawl into a deep abyss forever-losing your sanity hard. However, in all fairness, it's completely wonderful at the same time. Children practically smother you with love. They are caring and generous and thoughtful. Yet, in spite of all of this love, sometimes it's just good to get away. To get out and feel like and adult. To talk to other people about other things than bath time and the monthly budget.

Lots of the time, my sisters and cousins fill this need for me. The need to go clothes shopping without having to watch your toddler scramble under each clothing rack. The need to smell all sorts of yummy perfumes. The need to talk about books, and sheets, and trips, and kitchen gadgets.

Many other times, girl friends I have been blessed to get know give me the opportunity to play games, see the "chick-flick" movies, talk talk talk to my hearts content, and give me a sense of solidarity. That I am not alone in this world of women and mothers.

This is also completely wonderful.

My friend posted this picture on Facebook a few days ago and most of us reveled in it. I think it was taken about a year and a half ago. I was so glad she decided to share this moment of female bonding with us. I always forget to take my camera. Shocking, but it's true. Since my family thinks my camera is attached to my body.

The picture contains so many of the faces I rarely see anymore. This is due to lots of moves, new schedules, and just life happening. It's the way it works and is a beautiful thing. There are so many wonderful people that roam in and out of our lives to share little bits that they have learned and then wander out leaving us with a sense of nostalgia and remembrance.
If I was to take a picture today of my good friends, it would hold lots of new, beautiful faces that I can't wait to see.

I challenge all of you to somehow record all of the friends/family in your lives who give you a place to rest your cares, or a good joke to laugh about. Who brighten your days with their service and personality. Reflect on how good it feels to feel that others care about you. Then go and make a new friend. Invite someone new to your activity. Reach out and pass it forward. It feels so great. Because chances are, there are other mothers/girls/whoever that need a good outlet too. And all they need is the knowledge that they are wanted somewhere.

Neighbors

We are extremely lucky to have some wonderful neighbors. People to talk and laugh with and friends to play with. Every once in a while we wander across the street, or vice versa, and spend time catching up. We love where we live.





Check out the dark, lustrous eyes on this little one. I could just eat him up, and that is saying something for me.

Sky-Fest

This was the first year that we woke up early to go to our city's festival of the sky. At the crack of dawn, locally sponsored hot-air balloons begin filling up and by about 8:30, they are taking off into the sky. Last year we forgot about it, but were reminded when one flew directly over our house!

We made it to the park by 7:30 and moseyed around all of the balloons in the crisp morning air.

There were also lots of model airplanes and helicopters that were preparing to fly after the balloons landed. Later after dark, the balloons go back up and you can see their fires' glow in the night sky. Next year we'll have to do that part too.

Tyson really wanted to ride up in one. Can't say that I blame him.

Here's a glimpse into the middle and top of one that flew right above us by about 20 feet. It was so cool to see the sky filled with colorful magical things.

5 Things I Love Friday

• Today was we were heading out of the grocery store early this morning, Tyson spotted all the hot-air balloons participating in the local "sky-fest". He promptly began telling me how they were going to pick up all the presents for Santa's sleigh. Whhaatt? And then I remembered that in The Polar Express, that's exactly what the hot-air balloon does.

• Family members have been so generous with their sharing loads of peaches. Tomorrow we hope to get many bottles done... if all goes well, and if Dusty helps me.

• I just finished the new Dan Brown book, The Lost Symbol, which was a good read. Not as wonderful as I had hoped, to be honest, but definitely a page-turner. I recommend it.

• I got out all of my fall decorations a few days ago. I had actually debated whether or not I wanted to do it all this year but after taking a drive with my grandma and aunt up the mountain to see the fall colors, I went for it. Lauren came over and noticed the decor and said "Oh yeah...... Jess really loves fall..... I sometimes forget until all the stuff comes out".

• Today I received a big box in the mail full of printed pictures to do fun things with! After I read this book, I hope to get all of them sorted and the mind-juices flowing.

End of the Season Company

We had Dusty's parents visit just before it's going to start getting nasty up their way, and they will be snowed in for like....forever. It had been a long time since they came down. We had gobs of good times.

After quite the debate on where to go hiking, because let's face it people, there are a bazillion hikes down here, we settled for one up Kolob canyon. It is "officially" part of Zion but much closer to where we live.







Day Two of our adventure led us to the site of the Mountain Meadow Massacre. I remember my Grandpa taking us there when I was a little girl, and then I went for my Ecology class in college, but it had been a long time since then.






Day Three: the girls hit the craft store while the boys hit the sports store. Yep, that about sums up our family.

We are sure glad they came to visit. It's fun to have them down in our neck of the woods. Tyson sure acts a lot more normal down here and I'm sure he loved having his grandparents all to himself.

How grateful I am for

good friends.

We shared FHE with some friends tonight.

Friends that we have had for years. Friends who were there when Tyson was born and whom we've shared birthday after birthday with. Friends who click with us in every way. Friends who know our goals and our trials. Friends who help us become better people.

It's so important to have people like this in your life. Whit and Tiff, & Patrice and Brady, thanks for being so wonderful.

I remember when we were just us as adults; no small children running around demanding our attention. I remember when we gathered for dinner every month and learned new things about everyone. I remember when we talked about growing our families and moving into new houses. I remember setting up cribs, decorating cookies, dyeing eggs, roasting hotdogs, watching Super Bowls.... Such good memories.

I look forward to more nights like this. Many more special memories and photos to come.

It doesn't hurt that you guys are all so gorgeous either. :)

5 Things I Love Friday

• A Treasury of Children's Poetry that I found at a thrift store last week. It was calling out my name. I have been reading to Tyson out of it and have discovered that he loves listening to all the beautiful words. It has all of the classic nursery rhymes, short poems by well known authors, and lots of other poems that are dazzling.

• I have been quizzing Dusty down for the past few weeks about all aspects of his life. Random facts, quirks, favorite childhood memories, opinions etc. I am putting together an album full of ephemera, pictures, and words that I want to remember about him. It's fun looking out for things that he puts down to throw away or that seem inconsequential, but that will later be worth the saving. I like that it's a scrapbook that is going to be continually growing.

• Tyson has been wanting to watch all of our Christmas movies. Personally, I love it. We watch them during the day and just soak in the Christmasy feelings. It is making me want to create my December Daily for 2009. Last year I made it in advance and it made the compiling/documenting much less stressful.

• I am re-reading this book and this book by Ali Edwards. She is someone who I would love to meet in real life, and I've never really felt that way about anyone before. She completely inspires me. Everything from her artsy/graphic designer way of scrapbooking and crafting to her wonderful and balanced outlook on life. Her books are full of not only fabulous ideas, but also how to save and write down the things that are really going to matter later. So inspiring.

• Tyson has been coming up to me and while hugging and sighing whimsically, he says "I love you Mom". How do they learn what " I love you" really means? I don't know, but Tyson understands it and it totally melts my heart.