It's a wrap!

Well, it's official...summer vacation 2008 has come to an end.

School starts tomorrow and our days of staying up late, sleeping in (8:30 even 9 some days!), and planning our days as we go along are a thing of the past as we look toward ninth (LAST year of middle school!), seventh(FIRST year of middle school!), and fourth grades...as well as KINDERGARTEN!

We bid farewell to a lovely summer suffused with all of our traditional activities including Lagoon, the fountains at Gateway, irrigation, Sugarhouse Park, Draper Days, Scofield and St. George...and recall with fond memories American Idol and Chris's new pool. We revel in our expired status as "the new family," and will always count this summer as a turning point in establishing fabulous new friendships while forever preserving the old.



Little things will always remind us of summer 08'...any mention of Michael Phelps, or the theme song of Phineas and Ferb. Treyson's arrival, Aunt Linda's passing, anniversaries (eighteen years!), and birthdays...all encompassed within three months of relaxing, chaotic, frolicking, summertime bliss!

Adoption is a wondrous thing

I have had the opportunity to experience the joy, the uncertainty and the glorious miracle of adoption through my sister, Chris, and her husband and family.

Almost nineteen months ago Braxton entered our world and became my favorite soul on earth. He was adopted by Chris and Jas after they very faithfully followed the promptings that lead them in his sweet, dark-skinned direction. Satisfied with a realized life-long goal and desire to adopt a brown baby, Chris felt that her family was complete. After a short time, however, she and Jason both knew that there was another baby meant to join them by the same route that their fourth little one had arrived.
They never planned to have five children, but they knew they must have five children...three of their own making, Braxton, and one more to match their
chocolate-bunny baby.

Once their minds were made up, they left the rest up to Heavenly Father. They trusted that he would lay out a path for them to follow and would find the baby that belonged to their family. Once again they were led, and they followed without falter to the situation that would secure the presence of their fifth child.


Treyson was born last week, and what a miracle he is. His birth was complicated, but he is strong at a strapping five pounds eleven ounces. One look into his precious olive-toned face and it is so obvious that he is where he is supposed to be. The bond with these little ones that enter our family in a bit of an unconventional way is just as strong as with those that were actually, physically delivered by my sisters.
I am so grateful for a healthy, beautiful new nephew, and for his remarkably unselfish, constantly faithful parents who will serve as an example to me forever.

To be a vampire...or a writer...

Stephanie Meyer is my hero...for a couple of reasons...

First of all, she provided me with four fabulous days of distraction and pure vicariousness as I escaped almost unnoticed from the predictable chaos that is my life to the little town of Forks, Washington and into the enchanting and irresistible existence of the Cullens--a coven of vampires, and their long-haired neighbors/sworn enemies--the legendary werewolves of La Push.
Within my diversion I could visualize the Cullen's white house deep within the forest, I could see Edward's crooked smile and feel his icy touch. I could relate to Bella's conflicted pain as she attempted to maneuver her way through the maze of addled feelings she had for Jacob.

I found myself making frequent references to "imprinting," "Volturi," and "newborn vampire" like they were relevant to my everyday life. Discussions with friends were focused solely on the actions of our beloved vampires, and their immortal destinies.

As I made my way through each captivating chapter I found myself wondering at times why I was so enthralled by this novel series. I tend to gravitate toward "good literature." I enjoy books that are well written and life changing. I appreciate historical novels, and love a challenging book that tests my knowledge and expands my literary boundaries. But I am absolutely smitten (obsessed) with the Twilight series. I know that these books would be ripped to shreds in an English Lit class, and they bear no relevance to the real world, but they are fun...and entertaining...and addictive. They provide a respite from kids and cleaning, grocery shopping and carpooling. With an open mind and a little imagination even the most intellectual, astute reader may just find themselves wishing--even THIRSTING--(see there I go again with the lingo) to become a beautiful, indestructible immortal creature (aka...vampire!!).

Stehanie's heroic act number two in my mind is her success story. Five years ago Stephanie Meyer was just like us...stay-at-home LDS mom with three kids, lots of laundry and endless meals to fix. She never planned to become a writer--it just happened--literally overnight as she dreamt about Edward and Bella and their complicated and dangerous love affair. She is now a highly acclaimed author, compared to the likes of ...J.K. Rowling...!

I believe her story should serve as a motivating factor to all of us who love to express our thoughts and ideas through writing. Who knows who will come up with the next intriguing story to lure legions of fans into a fictional world derived from pure imagination, perseverance and tenacity...(personally, my money's on Brooke...)

I have a half-baked novel that has been rolling around in my head for ages that someday...sigh...I hope to put actual words to. I wouldn't expect overwhelming fortune as experienced by Miss Stephanie, but just a bit of recognition would be so sweet.

So...Read on...Write frequently...Dream big. There you go.