The Lower Lights

We have a love of good music, especially from local musicians. Most of our favorite local musicians banded together to create a new project called The Lower Lights and recorded a bunch of hymns in a gospel/bluegrass/revival style. At the beginning of October, John and I went to a free Rooftop Concert in Provo (sponsored by CJane) and had a blast- the weather was warm, the people were fun and the music was great. We even met up with John's little sis, Anne, and her beau, Austin, which was a rare opportunity that we were glad to have! Even though this concert was almost two months ago, I'm still digging The Lower Lights and you should definitely check them out (the album would be an EXCELLENT Christmas gift!)

My weak attempt at capturing the action

Chatting up Miss Courtney "CJane" herself- we reminisced about old times (forgive the stalkerazzi pic that I made John take from a distance)

Anne and Austin- ah, young love

My handsome date for the evening- My favorite person to be stuck with in horrible I-15 traffic on the way home!

The night ended with the performers walking out into the crowd with their instruments and singing us out. It was so fun.

Grateful...

(Charlie is on to my paparazzo ways)

... for these two. The past couple of days have been hard ones for me- a lot of little worries suddenly seemed large and overwhelming all at once. In between moments of despair and tears, I kept coming back to the incredible gratitude I feel for my blessings (which of course just made me cry more!)

Two days ago, my really tall and determined toddler was able to reach up onto the kitchen counter and pulled off a plate and a glass. They both shattered into razor-like shards, completely surrounding him. I ran to him and he ran away from me through the glass. I reached him just as he put a piece of glass into his mouth. I pulled it out his mouth and picked him up and ran into the bedroom where I could examine him closely. I didn't know if I had gotten all of the glass out of his mouth. He was crying but I couldn't tell if he was hurt or just scared and mad. As I put him on the changing table, I heard him GULP. I was so terrified that he had swallowed a shard of glass and it was tearing its way through his body. I looked him over carefully while praying that he would be fine. His mouth wasn't bloody, his feet and hands seemed unharmed and he had stopped crying. Although I was still shaken, I felt the Holy Ghost comforting me and I knew he was fine. I watched him carefully the rest of the day, just to be sure. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father watches over this imperfect parent and helps me and Charlie when we need it.

Everywhere I turn I am reminded of the Lord's bounteous generosity in my life. I am heartsick and mindful of the really hard experiences of those around me- a friend who buried her son yesterday, family members struggling with health and personal problems, friends looking for work, a neighbor fighting cancer, sub for santa service projects for battered single moms, and on and on (and on and on).

It shouldn't be hard for me to be continually grateful. But sometimes it is.

I have a healthy family. Our family is employed. We have a home to live in and food to eat. I have family and friends around me. And I have a loving Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ who have given me everything.

Proudly rejecting traditional gender roles

Spider-Man t-shirt + diva hat + baby stroller = a perfect mixture of gender roles for a toddler

Little Buddies

We sure love cousin James!

A Day at the Farm

We visited Thanksgiving Point for a fun day with our best friends- Susie, Evelyn and Alyce and Michelle (also known as Boo) and Andrew! Charlie even got to ride on a pony for the very first time! I forgot the stroller but luckily, there was room in the wagon with Evelyn and Alyce.

Canyon cookout

When Richard and Catherine were here in October, we had to take advantage of the gorgeous lingering fall weather to have a canyon cookout. It was so fun to gather our family with Richard's family in sharing a meal and our love for the mountains! Charlie was in heaven throwing rocks in the river with Lily, Sam and Taylor (Richard and Catherine's niece). And of course, Baby Elizabeth was the star!

Still proud to be Utes

Despite two big losses, we're still proud to be Utes! We gathered to watch the Utes take on TCU and unfortunately, as the game went on, we weren't quite as chipper. But don't we look good in red?

Charlie- 19 months

Charlie has really loved getting to know his baby cousin, Elizabeth, this past month. Catherine and Elizabeth have been fun companions to have around. He's been practicing being soft to the baby (he needs a lot of practice). We ask him, "Where's baby Elizabeth?" and he loves to point to her and say, "There she is!" The other day, Cat asked him to give Elizabeth a hug and he gave her a big smooch instead. Precious.





He's gotten much more mischievous recently. He climbs on the couch, or ottoman, or my bed and loves to JUMP! I'm just waiting for the day that he takes a header off the couch- it's bound to happen one of these days. He also loves to sneak into the bathroom and play in the toilet or climb into the tub. With a house full of people, it's hard to make sure the bathroom doors are always closed.

He loves to wash his hands in the sink (maybe that's why he plays in the toilet?- he knows I'll wash his hands after.)

He's fearless on our (very tall and steep) backyard slide and at the park. He's tough, too- even when he goes down sideways, backwards or if he lands too hard at the end he's ready to go again!



He's becoming more and more interested in cars and trucks and trains. One of his favorite activities is watching the "diggers" (bulldozers and backhoes) at our next-door-neighbor's house under construction.



He recently watched his first Disney movie, Lady and the Tramp, one night when Sam and Lily slept over. He loved it because of all the "woof woof"s in it.



Charlie amazed me by sitting quietly and watching McKenzie and Emily play mancala for the longest time without interfering! And then when it was his turn to play with the marbles, he put them in each little spot carefully over and over (and none went into his mouth!)



Having some quiet time with James one day



Just cuddling with Daddy



Helping Grandma water the garden (one of the last warm days we had!)



Charlie in his super cozy nest that Grandpa made him



Borrowing Grandma's glasses- I think he looks like Chicken Little