One Fine Morning...

One dark and snowy night in February, Trent came home from work very late. It had been a long day (for both of us) and I was exhausted. In fact, I was so tired, I was just laying in bed, waiting for him to get home. I heard him come in the door, but then he rustled around in the kitchen just a bit. When he walked into our room, he had a sparkle in his eye, along with a little basket of goods in his hands. He told me that he had a surprise for me, but I had to figure it out. One by one he pulled the following out of the basket: EXHIBIT A: EXHIBIT B: EXHIBIT C: It took me a little while to figure out his riddle, but soon enough I got it. And all through February, March, and April, I've been on a count down. Now the much anticipated day is here. First, I've got to drop of my little lady at a place where she'll be watched over, nurtured, and loved to pieces. Then we're off. I'll try to post a couple of pictures, but, if I don't, I'll see you in a couple weeks.

About a month ago Lillian and I were having our daily bowl of cereal together in the big chair. I was still in my pajamas--plaid pants and an old Deseret News 10k/Marathon T-shirt. Lillian gulped down a bite of Rice Krispies, turned to my shirt, and with one long extended pointer finger, pointed to the O in "Marathon" and said, milk dribbling down her chin, "O." Huh? She pointed again and repeated. "O. Oh. Ohhhhh." "Yes, honey," I said, surprised, "that is an O." And suddenly I discovered that the world of letters and words had opened up to my daughter in bright and dazzling glory. Lillian began pointing out the letter O everywhere. And 99% of the time, she was right. She saw it in the mall when we passed "RadiO Shack." She saw it on the sweatshirt of a friend, "BrOckpOrt." She saw it in the signs painted on the road, "StOp." Everytime she saw it, she'd call out, merrily, "O!" A near obsession...

When it comes to yard care, we are novices. We've had some hits, we've had some misses. And this spring, we have learned some things the hard way. Specifically, we've learned about grass. Here's what I now know: though it appears to sort of take care of itself, grass does not. It needs stuff. Like fertilizer and aeration and grub control. Duly noted. Only, a bit too late. Our house lawn now looks a little bit like what I imagine the Ewells' yard (you know, the Ewell family from To Kill A Mockingbird ? You remember, right?) must have looked like. Okay, okay, maybe not that bad, but I kinda feel Ewell-like when I look out on our grass. And then I see our neighbors walk by and fight the urge to run up to them and apologize. Yesterday we decided to commit the entire day to the yard. At 10 a.m. we skipped out bright and happy to get our fingers in the dirt. We were greeted with a blast of cold, icy wind. We were not daunted. 40 degrees is fine weather for weed pulling, f...

Once upon a time a girl named Kim Moody dreamed a dream. Kim's dream was to gather together the 1992 Timpview High School A Capella choir for a reunion where they could reprise their rendition of the hit, "I Dreamed A Dream" (you know, the one made famous by Fantine, made a little worse for wear by Neil Diamond, and made famous again by Susan Boyle?) Now, maybe it goes without saying that Kim's dream was a little more unusual than others, but we all have our dreams, you know? I don't know how many years Kim dreamed her dream, but I do know that one glorious summer day in 2005, Kim's dream came true. I don't know how she did it, because I have never talked to her about it. I wasn't in the choir, so I wasn't invited. But my best friend, Steffani was invited. And a nice boy named Trent was invited, too. A nice boy named Trent who never had gone to one high school reunion/get together since his graduation in 1992. The same Trent who lived about a quart...

Easter Weekend was glorious. The sun shone brightly. We spent the weekend with dear friends at their home settled on one of the fabulous Fingerlakes. Lillian and her small friends enjoyed a marvelous Easter egg hunt. Then we found our way to the lake. Lillian (fearless child of the water) jumped right in and the rest of us followed. We just couldn't resist. And if all of that weren't enough to fill our souls, General Conference (wedged in between trips to the lake, the sandbox, and a delicious meal) tipped us right into overflowing with reminders of all good things. Oh, I do just love my church, its leaders, and its beautiful teachings. In all, Easter was a time of rebirth, remembrance, and a resurrection of the soul. We hope your Easter was lovely. And, Happy, Happy, Happy Spring!

March sort of felt like this: April is feeling more like this: I took a little hiatus. I'm back. Good times to come.

Yesterday was Perfect . Significantly, it was the closest thing To a perfect day I've had in a long while. It's been a stressful several weeks in my life. People I know experiencing Divorce and Loss of faith and Abandonment of hope and Health crises and The effects of others' bad choices. I feel sad about it. Yesterday, though, dawned bright and sunny. The daffodils are all in bloom And the forsythia popped in golden glory. Yesterday afternoon, Trent and I spoke together at Youth Conference. In the middle of our presentation, I paused, And felt honored that I get to be by his side Not only at that moment, but forever. After we were done signing autographs ( please , not really!) We went to pick up Lillian who was at our friends' home. They have a farm of sorts. And when we arrived Lillian was busy tromping through the fields and playing with baby chicks and watering plants with a giant hose. But not too busy to melt in our arms--just for a moment-- Before she remembered...