"S"-Car-Go

Last night Austin decided that our van needed a name. He came up with "The Silver Line." Kurt didn't like it so Austin thought some more. His second idea was "S" Car ("S" for silver.) And Kurt built upon that idea with "S"-Car-Go.

Yes, our silver car can go.

I explained to Austin that escargot means snail in French. Is our car fast or slow? So many great plays on words. It was definitely the winner. And now our van has officially joined our family with it's own name. Welcome "S"-Car-Go!

Spencer's Prayer

"Please help me to learn Spanish."

A Mother's Ear

There are so many sounds that are music to a mother's ear. The sound of laughter from your children as they play happily together. The sound of your children singing songs they know and new ones they've just made up. The sound of chores being done quickly and without compliant. The sound of a prayer being said unrehearsed, without hesitation, and full of faith. The sound of your child learning to read. And even the quiet sound of peaceful slumber.

I have a new favorite sound. The sound of my children practicing music.

Austin has been learning how to play the piano this summer. He has done well and I enjoy our time together as he practices daily. Today he finished his first piano book. I love the sound of Austin on the piano.



On Tuesday Emma had her first violin lesson. She was expressing some interest as I was learning so I acted on it. We now go together. She was painfully shy at the lesson but as done well the past few days as she practices. I'm excited to share this with her. I love the sound of Emma Lynn on the violin.



My mom sent me my french horn and we received it today. The kids and I had so much fun this morning blaring like elephants as we experimented with a brass instrument. The boys definitely like this! :)



It brought back lots of great memories of being in band and choir and the importance of music in my life. I am excited to share that love with my children, help them develop self mastery and their own love to create something beautiful and sweet. Until then we'll continue screeching, plunking and blaring away - music to this mother's ears.

Austin said today...

"Mom, you have a pattern with your babies. Boy, girl, boy, girl. So the next baby will be a boy. I really like the name Webster. You should name our baby boy Webster, mom. Do you like that name?

Not really. What if we don't have any more babies in our family?

We will."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The magical thing about books is that you can imagine. There is nothing magic about TV."

Let Freedom Ring!

We had a wonderful 4th.

This morning I ran my first 10K (6 miles.) My goal was to run it under an hour. My time was 50:11 so I was definitely happy with that. It was a faster pace and I was ready to be done which means..............I have SO MUCH training to do to prepare for my 1/2 marathon in August!

Kurt and the kids were waiting for me at the finish line. It was exciting to see them cheering me on. I appreciate their support. Then Austin ran the 1 mile kid run. A little boy tripped right at the beginning so I helped him up and when I looked up Austin was gone. I seriously had to run (not jog) to catch up with him. He ran the whole way!!! I was so proud of him. I loved running with him, hand in hand, pushing each other a little bit farther until we reached the finish line. Totally symbolic of life lessons.



finishing the 10K


Austin and I running to the finish line


The racers

We rode in the parade also. It was our ward's turn to do the float. Kurt pulled the trailer with Ruth on his lap. He told me she was waving and talking and smiling to everyone. Even blowing some kisses, how cute! The other three kids were riding in the back of the pick-up throwing candy. Emma was overwhelmed with all the people and didn't throw a single piece (or smile) while the boys went crazy and chucked it by the hand fulls. After they finished their bag they grabbed Emma's and depleted her stash too. Spencer was even searching the bottom of the pick-up for any left over candy he could throw. I was on the trailer with my violin teacher, Iran Trenkel playing patriotic songs (Battle Hymn, America the Beautiful, Yankee Doodle, This Land is Your Land, My Country tis of Thee, and Star Spangled Banner.) It really gave me a sense of patriotism, and brought the spirit of freedom to my day. I'm grateful for a nation to worship how, where and what I may. I am honored to have been born in a place that allows such freedom. Let freedom ring!

Good-bye June

I'm not sure where June went.

Does this mean my summer is half over?

With this knowledge the need to play intensified yesterday. With Marti, Braxton and Brooke we checked out the Lakeview Water Park in Nampa. The prices were great and the pool was even better. It was a beach entrance and had lots of different fountains, spray toys and a water slide. We played hard and had lots of fun. I could see us returning ... :)

More Reunion Pics

My previous post froze up so here are a few more pictures from our trip.