Table for Eight

Many people who read the blog email me with questions about my faith, so when I saw this video today I thought it would be a great way to answer some of those questions. The video is brand new (just posted today on our church's global website: www.lds.org). PS: If you're in the USA, Happy Labor Day weekend!

Who knew a duck could bring so much JOY. I've been trying to spend a lot of time outdoors with the kids this month: 1.) Because Utah is beautiful in the fall/end of summer. 2.) Because we will be indoors a lot come winter. (A lot.) Anyway, yesterday we decided to keep it simple and just spent about 45 minutes feeding ducks at a nearby lake, when suddenly I heard Zu yelling ...   "Take a picture mom, I'm holding the duck." And before I could even register what she was saying, I looked up to find this:   Lu and Zu trying to cradle a duck. What in the honk? I swear, some people's kids! No regard for wildlife or Lake Rules. (Honestly, those were my first thoughts--vs. worrying about health/dirty duck feathers.) I was dying. For reals. Like, I thought the Duck Police were going to fine us. But once I calmed down, I realized the duck kinda liked Zu.  He/she really did. But my favorite part of the whole duck exchange was when I ask...

Lu and Zu made the bday cupcakes--all by themselves. And they were really good. Like, really! Jr. had a great bday--even though he had to go to school! He said he had 4 different classes sing to him. Then he opened some fun gifts, had a special dinner, and spent lots of time trying to figure out the code to his iTunes account (blasted memory!) so he could get Minecraft for his phone. LOL! We love you Jr. Can't believe in just two years you'll be driving. What the what? *** In other news, Bam and another student had their bikes stolen at church yesterday. Awesome sauce.  Not. Both bikes were just a week old.  Dangit. I hate stolen bikes. I guess it's part of life though. A crappy part of it. Bam and her BFF ... back when she had a bike.  

Happy Birthday, Jr.!  We love you so much.  You are SO special to so many people.  We are so grateful to celebrate this AWESOME day! (PS: And sorry your bday isn't a school holiday. Seems like that should be a rule, no?) *** PS: Dave's back from his trip to Tennessee. He had so much fun visiting his mom (on her farm).

German man catches 500lb+ Atlantic Halibut, Aug. 2013. (Over 8 ft. in length.) (c) imgur.com, 2013. Having spent a significant amount of time swimming in the South Pacific and South China Sea-- solo --photos like this scare the crap outta me. Yeah, I said it, " They scare the C-R-A-P out of ME !" How is it even possible for a halibut to get 8 ft. in length?   (I'm pretty sure t he last time I had halibut it fit on an 8 inch plate.) What the what is going on in the waters near Norway? **** Random Sidenote: On S23 Ozzy caught us a halibut and it was one of the best fish I ever ate. Oh man. Survivor South Pacific: Savaii Flashback Cochran and Jim Rice at Redemption Arena. (Two of my favorite people.) (PS: Jim's getting married next month to an incredible woman. So so so happy for him.) (c) Monty Brinton, 2011.  

Scout Troop atop King's Peak (Jr in back row, far right: Bandana Man-Child.).   Last weekend Jr and his Scout troop climbed/hiked King's Peak --the highest peak in Utah (13,500+ ft).  It really was a "Survivor-type" experience for Jr.: he was able to challenge himself on SO many levels. And he did such a great job (he's such a strong young man). We're proud of you for completing this GIGANTIC goal, Jr. (And we're so thankful to your leaders for preparing and guiding you along the way.)   **** PS: This morning's walk: Lu and Zu--up a little earlier than usual. This fella joined us. Psst: THE biggest bug I've seen since Survivor. Eeek! (PS: Zu begged me to let her hold it. I'm medium on bug-holding. How about you?)

Early morning walk today before school: Lu, Zu, me,and Harriet-the-Dog.  

 

Early morning seminary (Papaya, Bam, Jr). (*seminary = religious class) School doesn't begin until Wed. for Zu and Lu. (So we went on a walk after school drop-off--with Harriet.)

This has been the wonkiest year of my life. (Let's hope.) And yesterday I finally realized, "I've had IT." "I feel like a worn-out eraser." And so I did what I thought would be most useful, I cursed into my pillow for 15 minutes I sat down with a pencil and paper and wrote down all of the things that I thought we're making me feel/think I'm a worn-out eraser. And the list was LONG. Like, real LONG man! And then I worked out for 25 minutes and did 100 sit-ups.  And then I looked at the list again. And I realized, I'm really mad about this list: it feels like I can't really change the things on it (for the most part)!  Grrrrrrrrr. But I'm SO OVER being a worn out eraser! So, something's gotta change, right?  It does. It's time. That's it. I've decided; it's time for a change. So here's what 24 hours of talking to Dave, looking at my list, prayer, googling, reading, listening to The ...

  I began blogging March of 2006. That's right, March of 2006! (That's hard to believe.) So in honor of Throwback Thursday, I thought it would be fun(ny) to share a recipe from one of my earlier blogs (8/18/09).  Wow! A lot has changed since 2006 (For instance, our kids are GIANTS now.). And yet, not much has changed. (For instance, I'm still making Potato Leek Soup these days. See below.) ZuZu--the year I began blogging. (At BYU Bowling Alley--how hilarious is that? We were just there Monday!)   O riginally posted 8/18/2009: I didn't even know how to "categorize" the leek until I made Julia Child's potato and leek soup last night. How can I be in my late 30s and not know a thing about leeks? That's just crazy! And it makes me wonder how many other life experiences I've passed over so far? Eeek. That nearly gives me an anxiety attack, actually. But, back to the soup--which is actually called "Potage Parmentier...

Yesterday while we were out shopping for school supplies, we happened upon this this little fella: University of Utah Gnome And with just one quick glance, I knew what I had to do-- message our friends Liz and Whittney and tell them I couldn't wait for fall football season and the rivalry between The University of Utah (Utes) and Brigham Young University (Cougars) to begin. Translation: I told them to watch their backs--because this guy was gonna kick that gnome's can this year. BYU Cougar mask. What is it about athletic rivalry that makes grown women (moms!) TP each others' homes, stick plastic forks in their lawns, and plaster our teams' merchandise ALL OVER one anothers' porches? I have no idea. But I love it. And I have Liz and Whittney to thank for that--because they are the ones who gave our neighborhood the "Spirit Of Prank." I mean I wouldn't admit this to them, but I'm not really that invested in any one spo...

1. Spidey works in Provo. (On our drive up Center Street in Provo ... ran across this superhero.) 2. Provo is the one town where your mom doesn't say, "GET OUTTA THE GUTTER." (This water is released from the local mountain dam, for farms to channel. It's clean and COLD!) (I love this photo because I have one of Elder Meehan doing the same thing as Ray ... only 8 years ago!) 3. Provo has THE BEST bowling alley (at BYU). It's like the set of Happy Days here. Anyway, my point! When I first came to BYU 20+ years ago, Provo seemed so tiny.  But after our day here yesterday, the kids and I decided that Provo is pretty dang awesome. PS: Here's how the rest of the Meehans are getting along ... I was able to exchange emails with Elder Meehan! (He's on a service mission in Indiana, for those of you new to the blog.) Dave made us have a push u...