Pinch Me, Please

Here are some shots of some of the beautiful views we get to enjoy from the place we're staying. Could it be any more beautiful? Grant took these pictures -- turned out nice, huh?

The view out the family room/kitchen windows. Probably the number one thing I'm going to miss when we leave. I love sitting next to the huge windows in the morning and reading my scriptures as the sun is coming up over these beautiful trees.

Absolutely love the hydrangeas.

I wish I could say we're the ones responsible for keeping the yard so nice. There's actually a wonderful man, Milo, who keeps the yard in gorgeous shape. I should be watching and taking notes, since I'm clueless when it comes to yard work/gardening.

This time in blue. These are probably my favorites.

Just a hint of color. The chill is in the air now and autumn's on its way in. Can't wait to see the beautiful Oregon evergreens against the fall colors.

And yes, we're still trying to bribe people through pictures to come see us! We promise you can't beat the view!

Armies of Helaman

On Sunday afternoon, I experienced a sweet moment with Eliot. Grant had left for a church assignment, so it was just me and Eliot, getting dinner together and enjoying a peaceful afternoon. I had some music playing in the background, and as I scooped Eliot up to get him a snack, I realized the song that was playing was a piano solo version of "The Armies of Helaman." In that moment I felt the great strength of my little son and the missionary we hope he will someday be. And I felt the strength of all of the other little "warriors" in my life that make up a part of the modern-day Armies of Helaman.

As many of you know, Eliot has a little "twin" cousin, Michael, who was born within the hour that Eliot was born. The experience of expecting our little boys together was quite spiritually significant for me and my oldest sister, Sherri. But to have them literally come to us from heaven, practically hand in hand, has led us to believe that there is a special connection between those two little boys. I can't wait for the day when we can dress them up in oversized suit jackets and put their daddies' name tags on them and take pictures of them as our future little missionaries. And I await with even greater anticipation the day when Elder Dickinson and Elder Wiltbank will serve missions, simultaneously we hope, just as they entered their mission into mortality together. And they, along with all the other swarm of baby boys that seem to have come into the world within the last little while -- Jackson, Bryce, Benson, Charlie, Jack, Trevor, Cole, Lach, Crew, Morgen, Zayne, Everett -- and those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head -- that will go out someday as a powerful force for good in a world that desperately needs them. They WILL bring the world our Savior's truth.

When I was pregnant, I expressed somewhat bashfully to an aunt that I was a little disappointed that my first wasn't the sweet little girl I'd always dreamed of. My aunt wisely assured me that my heart would change forever once I held that little future missionary in my arms for the first time. And my heart did and has changed forever. I am so proud to have that little future missionary in my life. I feel the strength of his spirit. I now watch and reverence with greater appreciation the deacons and priests as they attend to their sacrament duties each week in church. As I am blessed by the priesthood power that Grant holds and uses righteously in our home, I am in awe that my son will possess and bless with that same power someday. As will all of those other sweet little members of the Armies of Helaman.

Thank heaven for little boys.

Seriously So Creative

We had the funnest, most creative Enrichment last night, and I thought I'd share the pictures that we all received this morning from our R.S. Secretary, most of all for any of you who need or will need in the future a really creative idea for Enrichment. We had a "Back to School" night, and got to relive our past by having a cafeteria-style meal of Sloppy Joes, carrot and celery sticks, applesauce, cookies in individual paper sleeves, and even a carton of milk! The rest of the evening included a spelling bee, oral reports from various "students," in which sisters shared memories of a favorite teacher, what school was like in a different country where they grew up, etc. We even played "Heads Up Seven Up" and had a pop quiz from our "student teacher." It was too cute, but the pictures really show off all the hard work and creativity that went into it. A great and fun reminder of President Hinckley's challenge to "Be Smart" and to keep learning throughout your life! Way to go, ladies! You are seriously so creative!

Our Salem "5th Grade/5th Ward" class picture! I'm not in it (sad!) 'cause I had to leave early. I have to give credit to the evening's photographer/our R.S. Secretary, Laura, for these pictures and collages! Wish I were this good at photography!

Some samples of our yummy school lunch and Deb, our Enrichment Counselor/P.E. teacher. Too cute!

Here's Martha (our bishop's wife and another of the counselors in the R.S. Presidency that I serve with), our trouble-maker in the corner with her dunce cap and all, as well as the cafeteria line and Pippa (and baby) getting her tardy slip from the student teacher for coming in late! Over the course of the evening, Martha almost got sent to the principal's office (aka the bishop's/her husband's office!), I got in trouble for passing notes, and our R.S. President almost started up a food fight. Way too funny!

More of the creative touches that made the night so fun. Don't you LOVE the lunch ladies, especially their hair nets?! In the middle is Ruth, our R.S. President.

Round 2, Take 3

Here we are again! Grant's no longer a lowly "1L" and has moved up to the impressive ranks of a "2L" or second-year law school student. So, in our tradition, we took our picture at the beginning of the year, and will take another next April when he finishes his second year. Only 3 more of these photos to go . . . practically half-way there! Right?!

A Day at the Beach

I'm a beach girl at heart. Don't get me wrong, I'm obsessed with my Utah mountains, but I also love the ocean. One of my favorite times of life was when I was in college and had a few roommates from southern California, one of whom was generous enough to invite me down to visit every summer, where we would usually stay in her aunt's beach house. It was heaven. So now I've got the perfect setup living in Oregon, where I've got mountains AND the beach! Though the water is almost never warm enough to do more than dip your feet in (and even that is FREEZING!), I still welcome any chance to go soak in some sunshine, hear the lull of the ocean waves, and just enjoy the view of crashing waves against a beautiful blue horizon. Our ward had a beach activity over Labor Day weekend, and here are some of our favorite pictures:





Me and Eliot playing in the surf. Until it got too cold, Eliot thought this was the best! He would giggle and squeal when the tide rushed out from under him. So much fun to share those big "firsts" with my little boy! And what a lucky kid to get to live in such a beautiful place for the first few years of his life!

A view of Neskowin Beach, just north of Lincoln City.

"Proposal Rock." Apparently lots of couples hike to the top and get engaged here. Grant told me that one of the other men in the ward weirded him out by inviting him to climb it with him . . . fortunately, he was joking (I'm so gullible).

My little beach bum buddy. Once he got used to it, he thought the sand was great ('til it got in his eyes, but even then, he couldn't seem to get enough!).

Our First House Guest!

My sister Mary was the first person to come visit us in Oregon now that we actually have room for visitors! She came for several days in mid August, and we had such a great time. We ran all over the place and had picnic lunches at the park, shopped the outlets and finally found berries at the farmers' market after a long, somewhat disappointing quest, went out to the coast, drove through Portland and went hiking in The Gorge -- it was a whirlwind, blast of a few days!

The best part of Mary's visit was the news she gave me right after I picked her up from the airport . . . she and her hubbie Scott ("Louie") are expecting their first baby in March! I was the first of all my sisters to find out about Baby "Raffi," which is what they're calling him/her for now because of all of the baby giraffe decor and clothes they've fallen in love with. He/she could not be a more fortunate baby -- he/she (which we won't know 'til Baby Raffi's born . . . it's killing me!) will have the best parents ever! Mary is truly remarkable with children, and Eliot had an absolute ball with his Aunt Mar Mar, who's much more of a natural when it comes to interacting with little ones!

We are so grateful you came to see us, Mar! And hopefully these highlights will tempt more of you to come visit us!

Eliot with his buddy Aunt Mary. Eliot could not get enough of his Aunt Mar Mar. He especially loved playing with her in "his corner" at the house every morning after breakfast. We sure missed her the morning after she left!

"Hands in the air for Aunt Mar Mar!" Eliot practicing the trick his Uncle Louie (Mary's husband) taught him back in Utah. Unfortunately, Louie couldn't make this trip because of work, but we're so grateful he was willing to share Mary (and Baby Raffi!) with us for several days. We had a great time!

A sweet moment before the trauma. On Mary's first afternoon here, we went down to the Riverfront Park and had a picnic, played on the playground and then took Eliot for a ride on the carousel. I figured he likes the bouncy horse at his grandma and grandpa's house, so he might really like the carousel. Well, he did . . . until it started! The lights, music, and up-and-down was a little too much for him, and he started bawling! Poor Mary had to try to calm him down until it stopped. Good idea . . . sad ending!

One of the lighthouses in Newport. We stopped here and had a picnic lunch before heading off to the aquarium.

"Swimmin' with the fishies." We took a trip to Newport, where they have a nice marine life aquarium. Here, Eliot and Grant are inside a display where you can put your heads into a glass inset of one of the huge fish tanks so it looks like you're in with the fish! Eliot thought it was pretty cool, but I think Grant had the best time of all of us!

Grant touching a Manta Ray (kind of like a sting ray, which we also touched) at the aquarium.

A shot of one of the super-cool jellyfish exhibits (yes, they're real!).

Beautiful Multnomah Falls, just outside of Portland, on your way into the Columbia River Gorge. We had driven by the falls lots of times before this trip with Mary, but never got out to hike! It was so gorgeous!

Grant and Eliot at Multnomah Falls.

Mary and Me at the falls. Mar, you were one serious trooper letting us haul you all over Oregon!

Mary and me at the outlets in Woodburn. The flowers were amazing!!

My Latest Faves and Craves!

Here's a random post for ya . . . some of the latest things I'm loving, from cleaning products to lotions to . . . of course, food!

MARIONBERRY . . . ANYTHING! Probably my favorite thing right now. This, if you can't tell, is a picture of pancakes with Marionberry jam. My friend Deb gave me a huge jar of her fabulous jam after we got back to Oregon, and the first time I cracked it open, I put it on a waffle with whipped cream. It was heavenly. More like dessert than breakfast! Can't wait to go berry picking and learn to make jam on my own . . . and syrup, and ice cream, and smoothies, and sorbet, etc. . . . SO tasty!

BATH AND BODY WORKS SHIMMERY LOTION. Got a pedicure with my mom a few weeks back, and they used some of this shimmery lotion from Bath and Body Works. I loved it! It made my legs feel so pretty! :) The Cucumber Melon scent featured here, just to clarify, would be my LEAST favorite scent, thanks to an old college roomie. It always makes me think of good ol' Chan Chan. (That, mixed with rotten milk.) I know, not nice, but neither was the smell.


TOSTITOS CREAMY SPINACH DIP. My sister Mary brought this stuff to a family function this summer, and I have not been able to stop thinking about it. I know, pathetic, but it is SOOOOOO good! I like to heat it up a little bit. Ashamed to admit that the most recent jar, which we bought only a little over a week ago, is almost gone, and I can't credit Grant with eating very much of it. He's not a huge fan. I, on the other hand, am hooked. (P.S. I like that in this photo, which I got off the Internet, the dip has been gotten into. Makes me feel like I've got a friend out there.)

SWIFFER SWEEPER/DUSTER/MOPPER. (Pardon the informercial moment on this one!) K, I know I'm WAY behind in catching on to this one, but the Swiffer is my new best friend! I've got a lot more floors to keep clean, and the Swiffer starter kit I picked up has been wonderful! The funniest thing about it was when I was looking at it at Costco, I literally had two other women come and give me unsolicited testimonials about how much they love their Swiffers. No, seriously. One lady went on and on about how she has this hundred-and-some-ridiculous-number pound Great Dane that she uses her Swiffer to clean up after, at which point her testimonial was negated in my book on grounds of insanity (Who lets a Great Dane in their house?!? Oh yeah, my neighbors when I was little did, and it used to knock over their toddler.), but the nicer, less flamboyant woman who smiled and assured me that yes, it's much easier than regular mopping, re-convinced me to make the purchase.

Tongue in Cheek

So my dad read about this in the news and referred me to this satirical blog that supposedly some "Mormon mommy" in Utah started up.

http://www.seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com/

Check it out if you've got a minute. It's hilarious! I can't believe the time and effort someone is putting into a joke, but unfortunately, she's a little bit too dead on at times (from the skimming I did in just a few minutes). And yes, I know I'm part of the phenomenon. And it's okay. Can't take ourselves too seriously, can we?

Safe and Sound

We made it back to Oregon. Our trip was smooth sailing, and after a few days of adjustment, Eliot is happy and perfectly content to have ample room to roam and play. Some of you may already know that we are house sitting this year for a couple in our ward who are on a mission in Hawaii. Needless to say, we are making quite the adjustment to so much space! It's going to be an amazing blessing to be in a house, even if it's just temporarily. We are loving the gorgeous view and yard, and it feels super strange to have more storage space than we can use! One of the great perks of staying in the house is that we have space for visitors. We already have people lined up to come see us, too, which makes us look forward to the weeks ahead! My sister Mary will be out in just a couple weeks, and then my parents are planning to come out for Labor Day. Hopefully a few of Grant's sisters will be able to make it for his fall break in October, along with others who are yet to "set a date"!! The fun visits from family and friends should hopefully make the year go faster (at least for me . . . I don't know that the visits will affect Grant too much, other than he'll be wishing he could be home with our visitors and not stuck at school for long hours!). It was definitely hard to leave family again after our very restful summer break. We had such a wonderful time in Utah, though. Grant's internship/clerkship could not have gone better, I was able to make some great accomplishments with piano lessons, getting my photos/scrapbooking organized, and also getting back into "running" shape, and Eliot had a ball being spoiled by grandparents and all of his adoring aunts. We'll miss ya, fam and friends! Come visit soon!

Healing My Heart

I made a huge first step this past week and made it back to the temple after over a year. Not only has having a newborn, nursing baby, along with a law student family schedule made it difficult to make it to the temple, I've also had some anxieties about going that resulted from some very painful and heartwrenching experiences. My feelings about the temple have not been the same this past year, which has been heartbreaking for me. I remember when I was first endowed, I would go all the time -- alone, with other friends preparing for missions, with anyone who would go with me. Because I had been endowed prior to my mission, Grant and I had the privilege of attending the temple together during our courtship and engagement, which was one of our favorite dates. That habit carried over into our marriage, and we have loved every opportunity we could go. When we would vacation, we would try to make a point of attending the temple if there was a temple nearby our destination or along the way. I felt like that safe haven was taken away from me over the past several months, and I wasn't sure what my experience would be like when I went back. Well, it was heaven. Simply stated, heaven. It was peaceful, perfect. I had prayed and prayed to have an experience to help me feel at ease and to feel reassured that my Heavenly Father knew my heart and my feelings, and that experience came in a sweet and simple way. It was so wonderful to go back. So wonderful to allow that part of my heart to be healed.

Family Pictures

We got family pictures done last night with the Grant's side of the family. We used the same photographer that did our wedding, who we just love, and we can't wait to get the official photos! The weather held out and wasn't too hot, and the backdrop was just beautiful (shot in the Riverwoods in Provo, for those of you familiar with Utah!). This is a "contraban" picture my sister-in-law took . . . a sneak peak of the real thing!

Mommy Moment

A recent sweet (and slobbery!) moment with Eliot. He's typically a pretty independent little soul with his own agenda these days, and does NOT like to be interrupted from discovering and playing, but every now and again, he satisfies his mommy with a sweet kiss or two! (Forgive the sideways video . . . though it made me feel better that my sister-in-law did it this way. At least I'm not the only one who forgets there's no such thing as "vertical video"!!)