Who Am I?

After our RS activity this last weekend - and my birthday - I've determined that I am BOTH 'witch and bootiful'! I am rich because I have been blessed with an amazing family and fantastic friends, (I was so spoiled for my birthday). I live in a country where we enjoy many freedoms. I have an eternal identity and promises because of the gospel of Jesus Christ which is such an integral part of my life. I have been blessed with talents and abilities - many of which I am just beginning to realize and/or appreciate. I have a husband who adores me and children who honor me. I now have the blessing of a son in the family and we love him as one of our own. I have good health, that would be better if I took better care of myself - and that is part of my new life plan. ....And I am 'bootiful' because I am a daughter of God. He knows me. He loves me - even with all of my imperfections and struggles. He strengthens me to continue to move forward and progress. His love motivates me to be better.

Another card!

Another card I can't take credit for! I'm hoping for some free time this weekend to sit in my family and work on projects....scrapbook pages, cards, etc. I need a little creative me time after all the pulls of the world this week. I'm looking forward to a great weekend and hope you are too!

I didn't do it!...

...the card I mean! I can't claim this card - but I saw it and really liked it - so it's here so I can share with you and also remember how to make one similar to it when I have the time! And really - what happened to having time to scrapbook and make cards? I think this working full-time business isn't all it's cracked up to be! But really, I can't complain....my job is pretty low-key and I have a lot of flexibility. I do have a scrapbook layout on my table that's been there since the middle of July! Someone asked me if I would start a scrapbook club - I'm thinking about it - maybe it would get me going.

Mockingjay

I wasn't sure about the Hunger Games series. Book one hooked me. Book two was a little harder - but still a good read. Don and I read them on our way to and from Utah. And now Mockingjay.....I recommend. Even though I am working full-time, I read it in two days.

VACATION

One of our first nights on vacation, we had a family gathering at Myrna & Steve's place. Porter provided lots of entertainment with his football stretches, his scrutinizing of a blade of grass when he was trying to ignore us and spiking the ball over the zip line!

This is one of the views from our camp ground. It was so amazingly peaceful and wonderful. I love Tony's Grove.

Making the hike to White Pine meant there were lots of times to stop and rest in the shade. We didn't get started until afternoon and it got hot.

I think these boys could have made the entire hike without stopping running! They were amazing!

This is looking down at Tony Grove lake after we had been hiking for a while.

This is White Pine. I didn't actually make it down to the lake. As I stood at the top and looked down, considered the number of switchbacks, and what that would all mean coming back up - I knew my legs were shot and I wouldn't make it. So I stayed at the top and enjoyed someone else's photo of the destination!

Millie took her mountain bike on the hike. She didn't go down to White Pine - but came back to be with me. And yes - I did a little mountainbiking.....very little. It wasn't long before the mountain and the bike won out.

And this is what happens when you lose to a mountain! I had a serious bruise from my fall! And it was truly a fall that should never have happened. I think I was being overly cautious.

Resting back at camp after the hike. Notice the icepack on my leg!

We also had a day at Bear Lake. We rented a boat, a water weinie, and had a great time.

Some stayed on the beach all day - some played in the water. It was a beautiful day at Bear Lake!

Amanda and Dustin's garden. We stopped to see it on our way to look for deer out past Clarkston.

At the 'Famous Preston Night Rodeo"!

A beautiful sunrise somewhere between Kemmerer and Little America as we headed back to Missouri after a wonderful 2 1/2 weeks. Can't wait to go again.

Tim McGraw and Girls Night

It was girl's night out and we went to SLC to see Love & Theft, Lady Antebellum and Tim McGraw. It was a fun concert - except for the drunk guy - but most of all it was just fun to be with 'the girls'!

Friends - Very Old Friends!

We celebrated 35 years since the class of '75 graduated from Grace High. It was great to see old friends.

We were able to visit with Jim and Dana Sorenson whom we knew in our married student ward at USU. Dana and I served in the RS presidency together. It's been many years since we've seen one another but it was like it hadn't been but just a few months. I love these two!