THE SIMPLE LIFE

WILLIE IN DA HOUSE

2009-02-19T20:46:00.001-08:00

There's something about an evening out with Willie Nelson that brings out the inner outlaw. For many, I suspect it was their anthem. He must have been one hundred and five- but his voice didn't give away his age. His raw sound, melodic guitar lines, and undeniable talent for song-writing have the power to alert you to a side of yourself you may not have known existed, or has simply been dormant (as in my case) for too long. The real stories of simple people, one-liners, and memorable melodies connected me with humanity on a level that I imagine unite many a different background. While Boone has a knack for drawing an interestingly Rastafarian-hippy crowd, tonight the cowboys, professionals, moms, grandpas, teens, and rednecks joined in. There was real music and heartfelt stories of tragedy and excess that took me back to the days of my childhood when my mother played his records. Here's to authenticity, passion, and real musicians. Go Willie!

THE PRINCIPLE OF COMPENSATION

2009-02-18T18:18:00.000-08:00

"The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude."

Joseph B. Wirthlin

This is such a beautiful principle--one that is not considered often enough.

YOU TUBE: MORMON MESSAGES CHANNEL

2009-02-16T16:29:00.000-08:00

These are so cool and inspiring.

http://www.youtube.com/user/MormonMessages

THE WEDDING SINGER

2009-02-15T18:36:00.000-08:00

Perhaps the red tuxedo shirt, perm, and Lionel Richie elevator music should have been our first clue. It was our own dang fault for buying into the Valentine's Day hype, but come on--is it too much to ask for a little romance unscathed by bad music, geriatrics and karaoke?

The answer is yes--it is too much to ask in the town of West Jefferson (home to Walmart and Lowes). If nothing else, we shared a romantic evening of laughs--the best kind of romance anyway. And the food was actually better than mediocre.

I'm not sure what started it, but I know where it ended. There is nothing like a little karaoke backup and a woman over 65 with a sparkly dress and mic in hand to get you out of the conversation doldrums. I think it was the theme from Ice Castles that officially broke the ice. Ice from 2 babies, 70 hour work weeks, and in general-- life's reality.

Thank you Ice Castles and Nashville tributes. I no longer feel the need to submit to pre fix menus and overly refrigerated roses on Valentine's day. And on top of it all, we had an amazingly romantic (albeit humorous) evening on the town.

WOOOO HOOOOO!

2009-02-13T10:22:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited, I just have to write a new post. Plus, it's been months since I've updated my blog. This has been a fabulous week meeting new friends and keeping up with old. We have been busy with Valentine's cookies and cards, playing at the Playhouse, various play dates, swimming lessons and dance to boot. The sun came out if but for a brief moment and the weather lightened up. What else is there to get excited about?

Yay! I'm pregnant again. No--I'm not kidding. I think I'm on an adrenaline kick that won't die. The good news is I'm not sick...yet. That will make 3 little babies, but what better time than now, even if it wasn't on the radar. What a blessing. Life is good. What more is there to say?

Happy Valentine's Day!

YEARBOOK YOURSELF .COM

2008-11-22T07:56:00.001-08:00

Does anyone remember the Church Lady on SNL?

Could you die?

NO REST FOR THE WEARY

2008-11-15T08:17:00.000-08:00

Things are crazy here as usual and I continue to have an unsettled feeling about the future of our economy, the future of our moral standing as a country, and the trickle down effect of all of this on our little business and family. These are some seriously uncertain times and I wonder if most people don't feel the same way? The only thing that keeps my head above water right now are the principles of faith, hope and charity. Literally. Every morning, I wake up and tell myself that I have to have hope that things will be OK, which leads me to put my trust in Heavenly Father and increase my faith and finally to let go of all the inadequacies and follies of myself and those with most meaningful impact in my life around me. I think charity is a learned behavior and it truly isn't until after the trial of these principles, that they are understood. I don't know if I'll ever get my weak little mind around it. But seriously-- what is there, if we can't anchor ourselves to these principles?

HALLOWEEN!

2008-11-12T13:30:00.001-08:00

WINTER

2008-11-10T11:17:00.000-08:00

It's officially winter in the mountains! Our heat mysteriously didn't work yesterday, and so we headed for DiDi's for some relief! Orlando, Phoenix, here we come!

The girls are so cute--especially anywhere but our house. They've been running in circles, playing together, and Lexi's personality has truly emerged. She tells me "no" in a mean voice all the time, amongst other cute things that a 1 year old shouldn't say. Looks like we'll be spending night number 2 here in Independence. Did I mention that I love having my mother in law cook amazing meals, wake up to Anna's chitter chatter at the crack of dawn, and watch Snow White like a broken record? Gibson had a real breakfast for the first time in ages, including ice cream and brownies for a chaser. Mmmmm.

On an extra positive note--we finally made it to the temple this weekend after a 2 year kid-drought. It was such a great experience and I felt recharged and ready to go! Going always changes my perspective for good and helps me to want to "do better". It was nice to have my husband captive in the car for 3 hours each way too.

COULDA, WOULDA, SHOULDA

2008-11-06T18:59:00.001-08:00

ARE YOU STILL MARRIED?

2008-11-03T18:44:00.000-08:00

Sweet Anna had asked what temple Gibson and I were married in and I told her that someday, she could get married to her prince just like I did. When asked who she wanted to marry, she thought really hard and said, "Daddy will be old, so I can't marry him, (pause). I want to marry Evan (her cousin)." I told her that would be fine, but why didn't she want to marry her other cousin, Mason? She said, "No--I just want to marry Evan." I got out my wedding pictures, which she poured over intently and asked a million questions, like why did my hair have curls in it, and why didn't daddy have a dress on, and finally made the statement, "You get married because you're in love." She quickly fastened the book up and then asked, "Mom, are you still married?" I love her innocence!

MEMORIES

2008-11-01T20:50:00.001-07:00

BLOGGING AGAIN....WE'LL SEE!

2008-11-01T20:06:00.000-07:00

Good news! Furniture market (held twice a year in High Point, NC) was a huge success! I am so relieved that the good 3 months of single-motherhood paid off. Leith put together an amazing collection of rugs, and Gibson fine tuned our marketing, website and overall presentation. Designers were going nuts over the new designs and Veranda was excited to do an editorial in an upcoming issue featuring our product. It was the best market we've had in at least 4 years. People were excited about the new simplified line of rugs. I am thrilled to say the least--but more importantly--happy to have my husband back. Let's just say, my kids were no stranger to meals on the go, late bedtimes, and a cranky mother.

Babe is about to have her new baby girl anytime in the next month. We are so excited to have a new cousin to add to the brood of girls. Right now she is breech and is going to try to be turned around on Monday. Youch.

Did anyone else have as hectic a Halloween as us? At last count, we had 4 parties/events to attend. I am so over the wild candy syndrome that all candy is being flushed tomorrow and the diet can resume Monday. Too much fun for one week.

Summer Fun

2007-07-27T19:15:00.000-07:00

We are well into the fun that only summer can bring in the mountains! The weather is a temperate 85 degrees, and there is plenty of Southern porch time to enjoy our day. Anna is turning 2 in a week, and Lexi is nearly 4 months old. We are having a "Carnival" party for Anna and she talks about it every day, "Anna want bert-day".

I recently invested in the Living Scriptures (Book of Mormon edition) via the discounted Ebay route, and Anna has been (much to my surprise) enjoying them. She holds her Book of "Mornin'" while she watches and recites the happenings as she goes. "Jesus is cute". "He let go of the rod". She is just too much fun!

Mason spent 2 days with us while Daddy and Bonner were on the road selling rugs in Florida. He affectionately calls Anna "Nina". He's a dolly and is much more boy-like than Anna. He grunts and investigates while Anna chases him around the house chatting the whole way. She is all girl.

Lexi is nearly rolling over both ways and is grabbing ahold of her toys with both hands. She is starting to really interact a lot more and is THE best baby in the world. Not a peep from our Lexi--she is so good natured and loves her mommy.

LIFE IN THE CAN

2007-06-22T11:50:00.000-07:00

Well--we are in "the Can" right now visiting grandma and papa and having so much fun! We've been hitting the local water park almost every day and Anna is in absolute kid-heaven. This part of the world is referred to fondly as "the Truman Show" with its perfectly kept track-homes and neatly manicured yards. We are loving contact with the real world--a park on every corner, friendly families close by, and Albertson's to boot. Nothing beats a built in babysitter and summer at the lake. Daddy gets into town tomorrow--we miss him so much. Tomorrow, we'll head out to the lake cabin in Couer d'Alene for even more rest and relaxation.

Lexi, 2 months

2007-06-10T14:17:00.000-07:00

Today Mason came over with Bonner from Boone. Cynthia and Bonner just arrived back in North Carolina for the summer and Cynthia is due with baby #2 in a couple of months. Anna and Mason are in the front yard playing with the garden hose and squirting each other silly. My mom and dad are in town and we plan to fly back to Spokane on Tuesday for 3 weeks as our rental house is being occupied by its Florida owners. Lexi was blessed today and we've enjoyed a nice Sunday afternoon with family. It's so nice to be around family. Gibson gave her a touching blessing and it was nice to be in our little branch.

Round 2

2007-05-28T07:36:00.000-07:00

Sweet baby Lexi at 2 weeks

We have a new baby, Alexa Grace, born April 2 and weighing in at 8 pounds 15 ounces. She is a sweetheart with a gentle disposition. She rarely cries and almost sleeps through the night. Anna loves her although has taken to biting her and hitting her when she is taking up too much of mommy's time. Lexi has white hair and eyebrows and has rolls of fat everywhere! She is cute enough to eat. Who knew two babies under 2 could be so rewarding?

Anna, 20 months.

After reminding her of the picture of Jesus by her bed, she said, "Jesus--can't hold him. Jesus big man." Everything is divided into 2 categories in Anna's mind - the things you can hold, and the things you can't.

"Daddy's orange". Referring to daddy's hair and comparing it to the orange magnet on the fridge. "Anna's white".

Anna on our swing.

Lexi at the hospital.

Family Pictures, 8 months

2006-04-26T07:12:00.000-07:00

Fun in the Sun, 8 1/2 months

2006-04-21T09:05:00.000-07:00

I'm 8 1/2 months now and this is me playing at the pool! I just learned to crawl last week and I love to sit in my highchair at the piano. My first and only word is Mama, but I make all kinds of crazy sounds and am very talkative.

Here's me getting into trouble again. My Daddi is the best in the whole world. I get so excited to see him when he gets home from school. Now that I'm mobile, I love to make my Mama chase me everywhere. We play hide and seek and I scoot to find her. I got 5 teeth last week and an infection on my neck from drooling so much. That wasn't fun. Mama and Daddi got a big dose of reality and had a chance to learn patience.

Getting ready to go surfing at the pool. :) My mom says I'm pretty much the cutest thing she's ever seen. She's not biased at all.

Let's Play Ball, 7 1/2 months

2006-03-27T10:35:00.000-08:00

I'm nearing 8 months now and I love to scoot all over the place! I especially love my books and crawl over to the corner to read several times a day. Daddy says I'm a little bit nerdy.

I love my new dress!

See...I told you I'm trying to crawl. It's so dang hard!

I love to play baby soccer with my daddy too!

We went to see Margie and Evan's new house in Richmond! There's a lot of flava in that city and we had some of the best soul food ever! Evan's my good friend and I was so excited to see him!

Sittin' Purdy, 7 months

2006-02-26T13:15:00.000-08:00

I'm almost 7 months old now! I've been in Arizona visiting Grandma and Grandpa, Meldrum's, my Rodeo riding Uncle Bill, my Aunt Ruth, and my cousins-once-removed for 2 weeks now. Although it's 80 degrees and I spend my days sipping milk by the pool, I miss my daddy terribly!

On a lighter note, I'm learning all sorts of new tricks. After a series of sitting lessons, and many botched attempts, I am now sitting like a lady. My mama is so proud of me. And I must say, I'm becoming a big girl. If I could just figure out how to crawl, I'd have it all.

This is my Uncle Bill holding me. He's the number 2 over-50 Cowboy in the country. He's a tough old cowboy, but he's such a softy for baby girls!

Grandpa Clinger

Practicing my Geisha moves...
With my fan club!

At the Mesa temple.

My sweet cousins!

Won't U B Mine? 6 months

2006-02-09T08:44:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

Anna is 6 months now and already trying to talk back to us by saying BABABABABABA all day. She really thinks she's talking to us! I also discovered her inherited love for back massages. She rolled her eyes into the back of her head the other day when I started rubbing her shoulders. Too cute! What could be better?

Chowhound, 5 1/2 months

2006-01-24T04:50:00.000-08:00

Mama makes me eat real food now, but nothing will ever beat milk!

I love my playtime saucer!

Busy Playtime, 5 months

2006-01-15T11:57:00.000-08:00

Out walking with momma!

My sweet cousin, Evan

Posing in my crib

Spencer got to come over and play!

I love bathtime!

Happy New Year!

2005-12-27T17:39:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends~

In an effort to recover from the giant faux pas of not getting cards out for Anna's first Christmas, I decided to get ultra nerdy and create a web blog. Yes, I do have much better things I could be doing with my time but I thought my parents would enjoy this and hey, it's more rewarding than journaling or going to the dentist. I promise, I'll keep it short and sweet.

This year, we are so grateful for family, friends, and the gospel. You make our lives richer, fuller, and just plain better. We wish you the very best for the new year!

Cousins, Maddi and Evan

Anna and Mama

DeeDee (Grandma) and Anna

3 month photos

2005-12-17T13:30:00.000-08:00