Our Last Days of Summer

Its time to start our goodbyes to summer. When Madelyn and I went running the other morning she wore her winter hat and gloves. Goodbye summer.

Good thing we spent an afternoon at the fair, and had one of our last ice cream cones for the summer.

...and said hello and goodbye to the animals.

(see the cow bums in the back. Those are said animals.)

And an afternoon at my cousin BJ's homecoming. (My aunt has made their backyard beautiful. I hope ours looks this beautiful one day.)

The last two days have been chilly. I am looking forward to the cooler weather. I am really looking forward to making applesauce next month... and for Halloween...and Thanksgiving...I am really looking forward to Fall.

Putting Down Roots

I just read one of my younger friends blogs. She is in college. Her freshman roommates are going their separate ways which leaves her with some adjusting to do.

I was reminded of my time in college. It was so much fun in so many ways. There were a lot of freedoms that I had then that I don't have now, but there was an instability in that phase of my life that I didn't recognize until I was out of it. I moved frequently in college. I had many new roommates. The best semesters were when I was living with friends, but that only lasted a semester or two. I went on a mission and came home and felt like there was NO ONE around. I remember feeling lonely. I lived in an old house with three other girls that I didn't know. My friends were married, serving their own missions, living in Salt Lake (I was in Provo) or just busy with other things. Like I said, I really enjoyed college for the most part, but I didn't know what I was missing.

As you know, we recently bought our first home. We could live in this house for a long time, and it seems that consciously and subconsciously I recognize this. I have made more friends and been more involved with the ward than I ever was in our most recent ward (that does have a little to do with the fact that I have more time on my hands because I'm not working). I think about how many kids we will have and which rooms they will share.I think about my kids going to elementary, middle and high school out here. I think about celebrating holidays in our home and about ways that I can make them more meaningful. I think about local politics and what I can do to contribute. It is a good feeling to feel like I am in a place to stay. I will always have my husband as my roommate, and I really look forward to this. I think that eternal marriage is a fantastic part of the Plan of Salvation. Its exciting to think about.

In short, I am putting roots down, and it is a good feeling. I am really loving this phase of my life.

Feelin Kinda Crafty...

I haven't always felt crafty, but recently something has sparked my creative juices. I think it has to do with our empty walls and feeling like I need to decorate. It also has to do with Madelyn growing up and me wanting her to have things to do and play with.

So, this past week I did a few little things that I thought were fun.

I made some letter blocks that spell Madelyn's name. They are on top of the book shelf in her bedroom.

And the second items are some good 'ol sock puppets. I'm not sure why I thought to make these, but they turned out cute. I made four with supplies from Wal-Mart.

Madelyn laughs when she plays with them. She puts them on (they go all the way to her shoulder) and then shakes her arm around and laughs.

I'm sure that one day we will have some great puppet shows.