So long, Olympians

It's a bittersweet feeling for me that this is the last weekend of the Olympics. Bitter because I'll miss talking about the events with everybody. Sweet because they are taking a bite out of my sleeping time at night. I watched pole vaulting, high jump, rythmic gymnastics and synchronized swimming way too this weekend, mostly online. Did anybody else see the Japan swimmer faint in the water?

I'll also miss the volleyball events, and the feeling that I "could have been a contender!" I played in middle school but that was it. Could I have been the next Logan Tom? Maybe not; I am 5'7" and those girls are tall ("Amazons. How did you all find each other?" - Dwight, The Office).

By the way, why have I not been able to touch my nose to my shin by now? This would have helped me in so many events. Diving, gymnastics, synchronized swimming, long jump, etc. These Olympics have left me with a desire to take better care of myself -- either by running, swimming or at least stretching more.

Foodstuffs

I made these cookies for church later today, because I am teaching the Young Women's lesson. I want to showcase 1 Samuel 16:7, about how the Lord looketh on the heart. So I made heart-shaped cookies, but decorated them all differently to show how we are all different but all loved. Well, I think I got carried away. I count at least 10 different types of toppings, including Neutella, strawberry jam and caramel combinations. We'll see what the girls think!

Our tomatoes are flourishing. Max loves to go check on them with us.

The cherry tomatoes are going crazy. I'm warming up to cherry tomatoes now. I've always thought they were like raisens -- too much of a surprise when you pop them in your mouth.

Yes!

I feel fantastic. I had a long nap yesterday and today, because my three-year-old boy napped both days out of the blue.
Let's take a closer look at that sleepy face:

He was having quiet time on his bed and fell asleep. I think it shocked him that he fell asleep and he woke up grumpy after a half-hour, so I took him out to the couch so as to not wake up sleeping Ben, and Max fell back asleep on the couch. I feel compelled to share all of this with you because a) I have pictures and b)I got a nap b/c of this and feel, again, fantastic. That was yesterday. Today he took a short nap too after moving his books, bookshelf, toys, rocking chair and bed around the room. It tuckered him out!

We went to a BBQ festival downtown today but were disappointed. I know this state isn't known for its barbque but we thought the best of the best would be there. We sampled a few of the vendors but our favorite place, Pat's, wasn't represented there. Frankly I think JB's smoked ribs and pork are better than what we ate today. Mmmm, maybe it's time to make those again, hint hint.

Missouri on my mind

I grew up all over the world but I claim Missouri as home, because my family ended up moving there when I was a tween. They tried Utah and Colorado recently, but in the last month moved back to Missouri. Here's their new house in Northwest MO:
There are cornfields on all sides. Here's my youngest sister Sarah in the backyard.

It looks so green and lush out there! I can't wait to visit. But I'm not going in August, oh no. I remember all too well how humid Missouri is.

The Fall

All of a sudden I want to buy a new Y sweatshirt, some pencils, and overly-priced textbooks. I graduated years ago but every time the weather changes from hot to less-hot I feel like I'm a college student again.

Driving to work in the morning the temperature is cooler. It's been cooler during the day too. As I drove to Provo for my brother's recent graduation and saw the Y on the mountain, I got butterflies in my stomach, and felt like I should get ready for the first day of class. There's something about the fall. I may like it better than spring. It's a time of new beginnings and football and pumpkin pie and seeing friends again after the summer vacation.

I imagine as I get older these college-aged feelings will fade even more than they are fading now. I hear from parents that you get different feelings as fall approaches, because your kids will be going back to school (unless they are on the increasingly popular year-round schedule). By the way I'm sure I'll cry when my boys head off with their little backpacks. Thankfully that's still a few years away.

The weekend

It was a busy weekend, mainly supprting my family, my church and my country's athletes in the Olympics. Technically I was supprting NBC but I'd like to think our swimmers and tiny tumblers knew I was cheering them on from my couch.

On Friday my brother Michael graduated from BYU in Computer Science. His wife Bethany walked again with him, and they looked so great in their caps and gowns. We held Nathanael while their quite short ceremony took place in the Wilk. I had snacks for the babies and me and the whole row if needed in my new large purse. As I type they are driving to Seattle, where he has a new job with amazon.com. So proud!

On Friday night we had a church ward party at a nearby park. They bought too much Albertson's chicken for everyone. I went home with a whole plateful and am still licking my fingers. Will I ever get over my love of chicken? I hope not. We also had a bigger party Saturday night with different groups putting on plays they wrote in a day. It took me back to the days of church roadshows when I was younger.

On Saturday I watched the Olympics. Pretty much all day. Badmitton is awesome because of two words -- jump smash. It's quite the move. But has anyone else noticed that after watching the games, you start to think in the back of your mind, "Maybe I could do something like that!" I'm not talking about the huge tricks and spins and twists and turns the gymnasts do, just the smaller stuff like pulling yourself up on a bar and doing a handstand. I tried it at the park and couldn't quite get my feet off the ground. My arms hurt today. I also thought about jumping into a pool to try the butterfly but I think I'll leave that to the trained athletes. Same with running.

We may be watching too much. Max looked up at the beach volleyball players and announced that they were not wearing shirts. That's right, son -- let's go play with your blocks in the other room!

Bedtime adventures

I heard Ben squealing in a new way today -- like "Help me!" I went in and found him standing in his crib, apparently not knowing how to get back down. I've now rescued him three times, twice at naptime and once at bedtime. At 8 months old he wants to be like his older brother.

Other times I'll hear giggling in the boys' bedroom. I go in and find Max in the crib with Ben. This marks the fourth time he did this.

Hopefully this means they'll be best friends. But judging on how many times I hear Max yell "No Benny!" everyday I doubt they'll always get along.