I just have to ask...

I confess - I blog stalk. During my average 12-14 hours at work/school each day, glancing at blog updates provides me a few moments of distraction. But I just have to ask - are people really like that? Am I the only person that reads blogs and sees smiling families with stories about how wonderful every day is and how much they love their lives? I don't want to tear any of that down, and deep inside I hope they are sincere, but I just have to ask... do people really live like that?

Give Me Sweet Virginia for the Fireworks of Fall

This time of the year I can't help but think about Emily. I don't hear from her much lately, but my thoughts are with her more than ever. The last post she put up before John died was titled "Give Me Sweet Virginia for the Fireworks of Fall" and had beautiful pictures of John and little Lizzie enjoying the beautiful fall leaves of Virginia.

TJ and I took the chidwinks and Buddy up the canyon on Sunday - an awful lot like two years ago - to take pictures. I suppose those girls will probably never know just how much I miss them, and spending time with them as much as I used to. I miss our weekly Friday night dates and am so grateful for the memories we made each week.

One Year Older...

Decorating the mantle - a Milar tradition that I've gladly carried on. Thanks to Moo and Maddi for rescuing me last night and helping. PS Got that scarecrow girl for free. :)
Took our primary kids cupcakes. Couldn't believe how much frosting ended up on their faces.

In his pajamas, right after waking up -he just wanted to open his presents. :) That shirt was a whopping $6.

I asked Gem to take this picture of us because "we're not well documented! :)"

Family effort to light the candles -

I'm always more excited for TJ's birthday than he is; this one was no exception. :) It was a great day.

Fashionable

I admit it, I want to be fashionable. I confess I find myself chasing these silly fashion blogs all over the place, trying to figure out what it is that makes some so in touch and others (like me...) so distastefully distant.

I'm starting to pick up on some trends and habits, it's just so weird to wear something that's not "me!"

Here's to hoping that someday I'll get the art down -

Granny Morris

Granny and Dad

Grandpa Morris passed away August 8. I've never known Grandpa Morris without Alzheimer's, so it was wonderful to hear all the stories of his remarkable life. Perhaps the best part of his passing away is the greater love and admiration I've gained for Granny Morris.

:) This is her shooing someone away after she was done talking with them.

Granny Morris is truly a remarkable woman. In her mid 80s she has the vigor that many in their 30s are missing. Each day she goes from one task to the next, working as hard as she can on her daily to do list. Because of a medical issue some months ago, she couldn't use her right (dominant) hand - so she went out and hand painted the hop scotch back onto her sidewalk with her left hand, because that's something she could do without her writing hand! She got in a pretty bad car wreck in the spring (hit a barricade at 60 mph) and walked away with nothing but a few scratches. Granny's doctor has lied about her age before so that he could do surgery on her, because she is such a solid woman she can handle it!

Most impressive, of course, is Granny's faith. She is a stalwart woman with an unshakable testimony. She lives the gospel each and every day, because she knows of its truth and lives with faith. After the family prayer at the funeral everybody got a last chance to say goodbye to Grandpa before closing the casket - she gave him a quick kiss and said "I've already said my goodbyes that other day - you all can take over. I know he's gone to heaven and now all I want is for each of you to help me get there too." And she walked away. That was it. Certainly she misses him, but she knows where he is and that she'll see him again soon.

Granny and Carol - adore both of them

We got to sit with Granny and Bonnie at Aunt Dixie's performance of The Music Man a couple weeks after the funeral. How many other women in their mid 80s go to big performances, first of all, and stay out until 10 doing it? She was great company - so quick, fun to talk to, focused on what really matters.


The more I get to know her, the more I admire sweet Granny Morris.

This is Emily

Actually, I really love her. I sincerely wish she lived closer. I hate not knowing when I'll see her again.

12 and counting...

We were bored yesterday, so after hitting up Menchie's we bought five new trees. :) That makes twelve, and we love them all!

3 Chanticleer Flowering Pears
1 Bloodgood Japanese Maple
1 Kwanzan Flowering Cherry
1 Malus Spring Snow
2 Blue Spruces
1 Norweigan Sunset Maple
2 Canada Red Chokecherry
1 Double Flowering Weeping Cherry

:) From the window, as I type this, I can see three trees. This is so exciting! Trees make such a HUGE difference in the yard. Opa!