Goodbye Minnesota

It is my last night in Minnesota. I should be packing, but my mind is busy thinking of the three years we spent here, and my heart is heavy as I prepare to leave this wonderful place and wonderful people. I am thankful for memories so I will never forget our time here.

I will miss...
Living "on our own", away from our roots. We solidified ourselves as a family here.
Cabins "up north".
Oxbow Zoo.
Apple Orchards in autumn.
Welcoming visitors and cherishing our time with them.
Our violin teacher.
Celebrating holidays in our first home.
The friends we've grown to love. You know who you are!
Every moment spent with Scott, Kara and Will. They are our best friends, always there for us to sympathize, laugh, and have fun. We're so lucky we are family too!

Here's to three years full of growth and wonderful memories.

Only in Minnesota

Gigantic Paul Bunyan, headwaters of the Mississippi (so cool), a cherry on a spoon...also gigantic, a little white church, a collection of hats on a screened porch (charming, charming, charming), chimney rock at Whitewater State Park, and Laura Ingalls Wilder's birthplace (well, it's actually in Pepin WI).

Farm Dreams

Minnesota is pristine farm country. I will miss it. I have always love farms, thanks to childhood memories of my father's farm. My father is a farmer...salt of the earth, hard working, industrious. When I drive out of the thriving metropolis of Rochester (which takes about 5 minutes), I enter a picturesque world of rolling hills, neatly planted crops, and immaculate farms consisting of red or white barns, silos, and neat homes. The farms here are so tidy. No broken, rusty tractors or tired fences. Just neat and tidy. I often imagine myself living on a farm in the middle of a wide open space with plenty of sunshine. I can see myself in the garden as the sun rises, reading a book on the porch swing while the breeze rustles the crops. I can smell the apple blossoms in the spring, hear the old screen door slam as the children run in and out, and see the crisp laundry hanging on the line to dry. It is quiet and peaceful.

Too bad Wes isn’t a farmer. Good thing, I suppose. I’m sure my dreams are more romantic than real farm life.

10 Years

Wesley and I have been married for 10 years, 3,650 days. If our happiness and love continues to grow at the same rate, I can't wait for the next 10 years!

I was very surprised by my gift of luscious pink roses and an anniversary band! I was surprised only because Wes has never given me jewelry. Except for the occasional bracelet, I'm not a jewelry gal.

When we became engaged I would walk across Utah State University campus, left arm outstretched so I could admire my ring. I often thought how beautiful it would look partnered with a band.

10 years later, it looks stunning.

I love you Wes.

1 Year

Newborn Norah



















Happy Cake-Eating Norah


Norah is ONE year old.
I have put her to bed 365 times and she has yanked me out of sleep at least a million times.
But she has made me smile multiple times daily and has brought much joy to our home, so I forgive her.
Time flies. What a cliche', but how true. Where does time go?
I suppose it is spent, much like money. Never to be seen again. Spent fixing pancakes and casseroles, singing children to sleep, going on walks, wandering around Target, coloring with Ivie, nursing babies, driving to school, listening to grand ideas, watching our garden grow, learning about Jesus Christ, reading, laughing, dancing.
Aren't we blessed to have memories of our time well spent?
I'm thankful for birthdays that remind me of how far we've come and the splendid time we've had along the way.
I love you Norah.

My Favs

My favorites at the moment...
"About a Boy" soundtrack. It's perfectly quirky.
Watching Caleb dance to the quirky music.
Dining outside on a blanket.
Lying on my back in the sunshine.
Pussywillows and crocus.
SPRING after 7 months of Minnesota winter.
Brian Regan. His comedy is not to be missed!
The BBC movie, "North and South". Excellent.
What are some of your favorites? Please share.

Clean

I was tired and wanted to go to bed, but then I remembered what Wes always says that his mom always said, "You'll sleep better after you shower." True. Not much better than being squeaky clean and settling into crisp sheets for a long snooze. I needed to shower after running 2 miles to Target and back pushing a double jogging stroller. BUT, I just returned home from a month in sunny warm Florida. It is April in Minnesota, which means I'm cold. I wore fleece pants and two thermal shirts today. I didn't want to shower. Not much worse than getting out of a warm shower when it's FREEZING.

Well, I showered. I bribed myself with a big bowl of chocolate icecream if I'd do it. Now I'm going to go eat it.