Half Full or Half Empty

There is nothing like getting up early on a summer morning and seeing the sprinklers glistening in the sunshine.  The sparkle reminds me of fireworks......well, fireworks on the ground, during the day, in only one color, and  less dangerous!  Okay - maybe not the best analogy.  Anyway, it's peaceful and beautiful.

I have quite a large yard and it takes a lot to keep it green.  You see, I still live in the dark ages and pull a half a dozen hoses around my yard.  About this time of year, I get pretty tired of my hourly irrigation duties and very jealous of those with sprinkling systems.  I try hard to appreciate the ritual and avoid becoming cynical.  This can be difficult.

This summer has been pretty dry and pretty much rain free.  The days have been hotter than average and summer temperatures came much earlier than expected.  This does not aid me in anyway in having a good attitude.  This morning I tried really hard to be grateful for the water I have.  It might be more difficult for me than for others, but I have the water to use.  What would my yard be like if I simply didn't have irrigation... dry and ugly.  So today I choose to be appreciative for the blessing of water.  It keeps my yard green, my flowers happy, and me busy.

Summer is Here!!

Even though we've had much higher than normal temperatures and the irrigation pipe have been going for a few months now, it hasn't truly felt like summer until just the other day.  The heat has been relentless - the animals don't even dare venture out into the sun.  We are all feeling drained, thirsty, and are wearing our traditional red cloak of the "sun burn" race.  All of this should/would make it feel like summer, but something was missing.........our henna tattoos!!

Just being honest, like most people, we tend to wear less in the summer than at other times.  I try really hard not to offend those around me by showing mostly just my feet.  With more skin on display, we all really enjoy getting hennaed.  We were first introduced to henna tattoos at our local gardener's market.  It was kind of expensive, but thankfully not permanent!!  It only lasts a week or so and it's slightly less noticeable than it's real counterpart, being that it ends up a few shades darker than your own skin.  We love them!

Last year, Emilee decided that she would try free-handing her own henna tattoo.  We found some henna at a local shop that offered different goods from around the world.  Just looking around the store was an adventure in itself!  The henna we found came in a kit with everything needed.  It was much less than getting just one done at the gardener's market so we figured, why not?  We googled some images and found the most amazing designs.  It's culturally so fascinating and beautiful!!

A year later and a few hennas under her belt, Em is quite good and we are all happy to decorate our pasty white skin with something other than a sunburn!!

Lottie had Em do a guitar......it's her love as of late!

Em working her magic on Hannah!!

Good job girl!!

A Moment to Breathe

 Today is the first day in a long time that I've found myself with some discretionary "free" time.  Ever since Emilee's graduation the end of May, life here as been slightly beyond busy and past the point of crazy.  We've all been busy working on the farm, in the yard, various school camps and lessons, and squeezing in some fun here and there.

I woke up this morning a little lost - wondering what to do with myself.  I took some time to roam around the yard and take some fun pictures.  It was so peaceful, nice, and......necessary!  I love it when in still moments, I can reflect on all the beauty around me.  I am so grateful for the small miracles of nature.  I am in awe....and inspired!!

I cannot lie.  Most of the time, I am happiest when I am busy - busy working, creating, or laughing - all done with my family right along side of me.  Along with working together, we have some awesome summer traditions that we do as a family.  We go to the flume, get ice cream, have cookouts, show cows, pick huckleberries, and watch episodes of our favorite T.V. shows on DVD.  It's so nice to do all of these things together.

Our most sacred of traditions is our celebration of Memorial Day.  David has proclaimed this is OUR holiday.  As the kids grow up and move on with their own families, we will always gather on Memorial Day to celebrate and remember our heritage, and take our traditional Memorial Day photos.  David and I take one kissing overlooking Bear Lake.  This is where we had our very first kiss.  It's fun to hear the kids giggle and gag as their parents relive this experience.  

The other photo that is important to us, is one of the kids at Strawberry Springs.  This year we looked back at all the photos of years previous.  We enjoyed seeing the changes we've all gone through.  It's amazing how time flies and I am amazed by what David and I have created together.  Whether the "busy" is for work or for play, I am truly grateful for every moment I get to spend with these awesome people!  I am truly blessed!