boys, boys, and more boys!

Confession:

I have thousands of pictures on my phone.

I won't delete them & you can't make me.

My husband thinks I'm crazy. 

I don't care.

Here are a few that I either took or one of the kids sent me of my darling Grandsons last year 2014. 

Peter

Crew with Uncle Jack

Charlie

 Megan's boys, Trent & I at the aquarium.

Babysitting the twins.

My boys after last year's Priesthood Session of General Conference.

Guess what?

This summer Trent is actually as tall as Brett!

One year and all that growth- that's one of the many reasons why I have so many photos.

a year off~

I took a YEAR off of blogging.

 A whole year. 

Why? 

It has been a long, hard, couple of years... or more than a couple.

Last year life in our home started to get better- then I started to fall apart.

 I started therapy, specifically with one of Chloe's therapists, (so that I wouldn't have to hash over her story & others- it's so hard to believe- that I didn't want to spend weeks working on just telling what happened to all of us.)

I went weekly, then bi-weekly, then once every three weeks.... I did that from August through December. I then decided to stop & see how I did. I did okay- had a few really rough spots- but I am good. I am really good for now. 

I am sad I quit blogging because a lot of GREAT things & hard things happened and are missed here. I am glad I quit blogging because for a while my attitude & outlook were a bit out of wack. It was good to get some help & take some time.

Now- 

The year is up & I have so much to catch up on!

1. My sweet mother in law passed away last November after a long battle with Alzheimer's. I was asked not to blog about it- in fear that she would read it. It was a long, sad journey.

2. In December Jack got married to the most darling girl named Dolly! Jack & Dolly- they sound like a couple from the 50's. She is so good for him & is helping him try to stay on top of his health issues. I feel a great sense of relief having her in our lives. I love her. In April he graduated from BYU.

3. Hailey went to Ecuador for 4 months to work in the same orphanage Megan worked in 9 years ago! She just got home last Saturday. It was a great adventure & definitely life changing.

4. My son Trent- he is growing! He is nearly taller than his dad, turns 16 in less than a month, and is learning to drive.... EEEK!

5. My grand sons! They are getting so big. They are absolute joy, happiness & have given me more joy than I even thought possible.

6. Chloe-- YES CHLOE- is engaged! She is getting married on August 15, 2015. So yes we are busy getting that ready. 

But- for today

I am back- and I hope after this year I am better version of myself.

I look forward to writing & catching up.

I love this blog & hope to publish it someday as my personal history. Even though - it's just one version of my history- (it's the sweetened less honest version, but there's still a lot here)

I hope this attempt to start up again is not a fail!

zoo days

It's no secret that if you know me...

You know I LOVE a trip to the zoo.

I have fond memories of walking to the The Woodland Park Zoo with my cousins- no adults- when I was a kid. Can you even believe that? In the winter (if I remember right?) the admission was free. We would wander around & one time we even got to feed the elephants peanuts by hand. It is a sweet memory for me. It's amazing how much the world has changed.

This year for the first time in over a decade- we bought a zoo pass again!

I am so excited about it.

When we first moved to Utah 18 years ago I bought a zoo pass & was so- very- disappointed.

We had a zoo pass when we lived in Washington & Denver-- great zoos.

Utah's Hogle Zoo was in deep need of improvements

GUESS WHAT?

They have done it--- it's so good now!

They have truly done a fantastic job with the remodel.

 It's been a long time coming & it is fantastic.

 I really mean that- and I am a tough zoo critic.

(first up-- a ride on the train of course- these boys were so excited)

Two weeks ago we met up with Megan & the boys & had the best time!

We had so much fun- later in the week after running errands in Salt Lake City- Chloe, Trent & I went again! Just to see some things we missed & go to the bird show. Loved it. It's so nice to have a pass & no pressure about seeing everything etc.

Most of the animals were out - they have improved the habitats so much it was great.

The carousel was an absolute joy.

Just look at this face!

He was beaming the whole time, loved it. 

There are fun little water areas & statues to climb on- 

we had a blast.

As we were getting ready to leave we spied the rhinoceroses eating just outside a little secret underground window. It was awesome.

I'm looking forward to going more this year.

It's a good thing.

It's a good year.

women's conference 2014

I know it's been a couple of months since Women's conference... back in May...

but I just have to document it & I am playing catch up here.

Plus I am just now seeing that you can watch some of the conference on TV!

Here are the listings- I am going to schedule some on the DVR- love that.

This year's Women's Conference- a definition and information can be found here-

was really good for me. I was so lucky to have my darling sister in law Beth & Ruthie go with me!

We had a ball- truly it is such a great time.

The speakers were fantastic & it was such a great way to fill my cup.

The first night we met up with all these guys for dinner-

they are all busy working & raising babies.

It's hard to get away... but one of these days they will make it.

-Special - Special-

I got to see my dear friend Stephanie & her mom!

She & I have been friends since we were sunbeams (3 years old!)

I adore her- and her mom is fabulous... love them both.

What a treat- to get to see them!!

Ruthie took these pictures of us. 

Before conference was over we were lucky enough to get tickets to see 

Sacred Gifts

an amazing art exhibit at the Museum of Art there at BYU.

It was incredible. I hate to even bring it up- because it's over now.

But really it was such an amazing opportunity to see this art work up close & in real life. 

I love that I have been lucky enough to go to this conference multiple times in my life.

In March

I added bunting to the play area...

Peter had his new born photo shoot-

I am absolutely in love with this boy!

He is a sweet as he is handsome.

We celebrated at our annual R.S. Birthday dinner!

 Jack turned 23!!!

I printed out his mission emails that he wrote home & put them in a binder for him.

The twins have Jack's EXACT same hair color!

We are in love with it-

 Chloe asked a friend to Morp-

and got her reply.

Fun times

and just for fun I put in this picture of a raspberry tart I made sometime in the month of March.

I am not journaling about all the healing going on in this house.

How do you take a picture of mental illness/wellness?

But- this winter we are all getting better & healing. It's been a long, hard road.

In March we were still seeing doctors & therapists & taking lots of meds- not just Chloe- exercising & learning to balance & make baby steps....

it's all a lot of work actually. But it is working & that is what's important.

This life- it's such a privilege but some parts are harder than others.