Table for Eight

I'm trying my best to expand the content on my blog--not because I have some crazy amount of traffic, but because I realize my blog is kind of part personal, part not-personal. And I'm just not sure how to combine "Happy Birthdays" to close friends and family WITH a recipe or a "Q & A on Fostering." I'm realizing that my life isn't really contained to one subject (ME!). No, I'm more like an onion: I got layers. (I'm like Shrek.) One idea I had was to create a separate blog for journaling and family things and another for more "public matters." But I really don't know that I can write on more than one blog each day. (Something about raising 6 kids tells me that's a lot to juggle.) So for now, my plan is to kind of expand the blog by adding subtopic pages. So here's my question of the day: What would the subtopics on your BLOG be? (It's deep stuff here, I tell ya.) I'm struggling with that...

When I turned ten I remember thinking that I was old. No, really. I vividly remember sitting on the steps leading from our house to our driveway--on the actual day of my 10th birthday--and thinking, "Most Olympic Athletes started learning/training for their sport before they were 10. And I'm 10." I knew that very day that I would never be in the Olympics. And honestly, that realization kind of crushed me. It's funny. Flash forward 30 years . . . I hardly recognize that crushed 10 year old. How's that? Well, I guess in 30 years of living, I've adopted two perspectives that have changed my life: 1. Nothing is impossible. 2. Everything is going to be okay, even if it's not okay. Okay? You see, I don't really want to be an Olympic athlete (and I'm not really sure the ten year old ME wanted to either), but I fully believe that if someone had the goal of being in the Olympics, that's possible. What's even more funny? Th...

No, we didn't adopt a baby (that's our friend's beautiful baby!) . . . Dave threw me not ONE, but TWO, SURPRISE Birthday parties this weekend. The first came Saturday when my brother, sister-in-law, niece, nephew, mom AND dad, suprised me by coming up from California. (They were literally hiding in a room and came walking in . . . which shocked me to no-end!) The second came Sunday when I answered the door to find 40+ friends on our doorstep with a cake and potluck dishes in-hand ready to celebrate. Is that too much? ( Yes .) But that wasn't all. Dave also made me a tribute slideshow with photos of me from babyhood up to now. It was really so kind and thoughtful. And so embarrassing. (Let's just say I have a lot of hair. And apparently I like to color it. Heaven forbid OK! Magazine ever does a "through the years" spread on my hair. Woo!) Thank you Dave, our kids, mom, dad, Dane, Juany, Lil' Dane, Kate, and all of our friends! You made me...

This week one of my absolute favorite people on the planet had a massive stroke. He's still holding on, but the future does seem uncertain (and, at this point, difficult to imagine). I'm sad. I'm sorry. I'm worried. But, I'm grateful for his life. And I'm thankful he's been an influence in my life. So, in honor of Gpa Huck, I've decided to go ahead and create what Maggie Mason calls my "Life List--100+ Things To Do Before You Go." Why? Because I think Gpa Huck has this kind of list laying around someone. He may not have written it down, but he has certainly done some incredible, inspiring, and exciting things with the time he's been granted here on Planet E. And I think everyone should live a life like Gpa Huck's. (Love you Gpa Huck. You get out of that hospital now, you hear!) PS: You should create a Life List, too. It doesn't matter whether you complete everything on the list, Ms. Mason says just the act of writing it...

Did you know there's a theatre company that puts on complete productions of Shakespeare using tiny ninjas? I think some people are so cool. http://www.tinyninjatheater.com/

Living in Utah, away from family, isn't always easy. But, we've met some really really amazing people here, and that helps. So many people/families/friends have made us feel like a part of their family. We are really fortunate. But my point! Today is the birthday of not one, but TWO guys--in TWO of our favorite families: 1. Gpa Austin Garner --who I believe is turning 212 today. Yet, he looks like he's in his 70s. It's amazing. 2. Dane B .--who is turning 5 today. And he definitely doesn't look a day over 5. I hope you both have great birthdays! We love your guts. (What is the plural of gut? Gutii?  Gutss? The guts of both of you?) ***** ***** A lways serving (He stepped in as LuLu's grandpa for a school event . . . after serving in the Temple that day!). U p early (And usually weeding our joined strip of grass--oh, the guilt!). S o generous (He always wants to pay finders-fee to the kids when they see Dog-Boston "escape."). ...

Jonah and I were talking about swearing yesterday--not contemplating it, just talking about why some people swear, others don't etc. I found myself saying, "I think there are experiences in life that need an exclamation point. And swearing is a verbal way of adding an exclamation point to those experiences." (In addition to yelling, screaming, etc.) So it seems fitting that I would be faced with the "To Swear or Not to Swear Dilema" not even 18 hours after this coversation with Jonah. Here's what I'm talking about. I just came home to this: Note:  * That's melted plastic. * And that's my dishwasher. The kids thought it was hilarious. Me, all I could think was . . . Son. of .  A. BISCUIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PS: For a more detailed explanation, that was our Bed, Bath and Beyond cutting board that melted in our dishwasher. I've dishwashed it 1000s of times. Never had a problem. Well, until today when I came h...

I love pictures of couples who are older . . . and still in love with each other. It reminds me to be mindful of my marriage. To really love Dave. To be a good friend. To be loving. To be happy. To focus on the good. (And that really is an easier task for me than for Dave. Promise.) Happy 19th Wedding Anniversary, Dave. I love you.

Dave and I have been talking a lot about fear and regret lately. Like what causes it? Is it "real"? What 'good' comes from it? (Or what 'bad' comes from it?) Anyway, in true-to-Dave-form, he's been pulling together a whole bunch of quotes and books on the subject for me--and little by little, he pins them to a board in our room or mentions a story. And I have loved it. It's really made me think. (Note to new readers--Dave teaches way differently than me. Thirsty? Dave will bring you to a lot of water--in different cups, different amounts, etc. He'll probably never encourage you to drink. He will let you be YOU. But me? Tell me you are thirsty and I will grab a cup of whatever I'm having and say "DRINK." It's pretty funny--how different we are. Thank heaven.) So today, rather than hint at what I'm thinking, I thought I'd just post the quotes Dave gave me today. I love them. * "The first and great comm...

We have three reasons to celebrate today: 1. LuLu's B-day. 2. Father's Day for Dave. 3. Father's Day for Gpa Gary. LuLu--We hope you have a beautiful day! And . . . we love you to the moon and back.  Wishing you smiles, hearts, hugs, and chocolate!

I'm telling you, if my head wasn't attached, I'd lose it. Because in true-to-me-form, I am a DAY LATE wishing my favorite Whittney a Happy Birthday! Oh Whittney, I'm so sorry! Please forgive me! I know at your age, 22, birthdays are still a HUGE deal. (LOL!) I know, you aren't 22, but you are still a spring chicken in my book. And even more than that, you're a spring chicken that deserves a Bday Acrostic in their honor (AND some rainbows bday pancakes--maybe after the gall-bladder-ectomy?). Much love, chica! Happy Belated Birthday! W on't you please move back to Hysteria Lane? (Okay, that's more about me than you, but it fits!) H osts THE BEST Witches Tea Ever! I would book a flight from you and never complain. T houghtful. T otally amazing mom, friend, primary leader, and YW leader! N o one like you on the planet (it's true!). E xcellent taste/style in jewelry. Y ou're a giver--and you'd give your last cracker to a frie...

It's one HAPPY weekend here on Hysteria Lane. We're getting ready for LuLu's 7th bday AND Father's Day--all in one day. Sundays are the best day ever for bdays and holidays. Usually, no one works, there's lot of cooking, lots of lounging, and lots spending time together laughing. And, it's NOT RAINING. I repeat: It's NOT RAINING. Amen! I'm in heaven. Love you LuLu, Dave, and my Dad (It's your day, guys!)

I am so thankful that we added Jr. and LuLu to the clan. Not a day goes by when I don't see P and LuLu and realize that love sets all things right (not my phrase, but I can't recall source) . . . because the love they share with each other is pretty incredible. From almost the day LuLu came to live with us, she and P have been inseparable. (Okay, there was about a month transition of awkwardness--where LuLu seemed like a playdate to P.) The spend every waking--and snoozing hour--within a few feet of one another. They play together, swim together, read books together, and plot against the snails, slugs, and insects together. (They are 6 months apart and in the same school grade--despite P being 19 inches taller than LuLu. Literally. ) They are--for all intense and purposes--twins in our family. And seeing them play and spend time together has made me think that everyone deserves to have a twin. It's too FUN. PS: No idea how that bread photo slipped in there. LO...

1. Kaya's poetry reading day. (Poem below.) 2. Janae's garden lettuce. (Is that the most amazing green color? It made me want to eat it AND put it in a little bouquet.) *********** "The Earliest Evening" by Kaya, Winter 2010 Frost quietly sings hush, Turning the doves invisible. Vanilla ice cream petals turn The fields cool white. It is the earliest evening, With silently drifting snow And a tossed bitter gray sky. Now, millions of marshmallow dreams Suddenly resume. The beautiful frosty color of The fields and sky and the evening wind Have stirred them. Smell the warm snow Like ice cream trees. The bitter gray sky falls to white And the earliest day blossoms, Shining, Singing.