Planting...And Sharing

The best part about homeschooling is that it requires 

less than half a full day at a regular school.

This leaves us more free time for outdoor activities,

like today when Lottie and I planted over 100 spring daffodils in my garden.

Next, she'll learn to mow the lawn.

 We also removed the remaining zinnias hanging on to dear life

as cooler fall weather takes over.

 Until next spring, my dear girls!

However, my dahlias are still blossoming beautifully, so I left them in.

After planting and mowing, I started dinner.

The missionaries are joining us (three of them!).

I made Fettuccine Alfredo with my sourdough bread, and I also made 

a batch of chocolate chip pumpkin cookies (cream cheese frosting optional.

But who doesn't put frosting on their cookies?  It's the BEST part!).

We had really good conversations about how to invite people to Christ.

I also asked them to share their hot tips for future missionary Gigs.

They said:

Read the Book of Mormon.

Trust in God.

Pay attention more in seminary.

Don't be intimated of the doctrine; it will come.

We're having them over twice next week since two are headed home

on November 1st.  That will be sad.  I've loved these cute boys!

I can't wait for my missionary to come home!!!!!

111 days, but who's counting?

The Ballot Box!

 Today, we voted!
It was Gigs's first time!  After he turned in his ballot, 
everyone in the room clapped for him.  It was the best!  

Voting is SUCH a privilege!
Lottie also came with me to the ballot box and watched the whole process.

Jane requested an absentee ballot, and Claire

will come down next week and cast her vote (plus, it's her birthday!).

I love AMERICA!

We came home, and Lottie and Christian went to a youth activity

where they carved pumpkins. Gigs left for work, and I was 

home alone.  I love being home alone.

So, I mowed the lawn.

Autumn mowing is my favorite.

Where...

 It's good to be home!

Where Angus sleeps lazily on the porch (today, I found him 

resting his head on the pumpkins).

Where Kitty naps on anyone who will let her.

Where my Halloween ghosts sway hauntingly from the driveway trees.

Where the trees are changing into beautiful goldens, reds, and oranges.  

Where the air is cooler and smells good.

Where an empty fridge and a day's worth of laundry wait for my attention.

Where a 1970something motorcycle is in pieces on my driveway.

Tonight, Christian and Gigs started restoring the bike tank. 

Concocting some crazy liquid together that bubbled 

and smelled weird, but in the end, 

they seemed really happy with their progress.

And where I am most happy.

Together Forever And Never To Part....

This morning, we attended Alivia's wedding ceremony.

It was BEAUTIFUL!

I'm so excited for my own girls to someday 

experience their own wedding sealing!

While in the temple, I reflected on my sealing nearly 24 years ago!

TWENTY-FOUR YEARS?!

Wow.

Some parts of it feel like just yesterday.

While Christian and I were at the resort, we talked about weddings

and how we hope the sealing is the center of the 

wedding experience- everything else comes in a distant second.

We wish for their honeymoon to be a time of complete togetherness, 

free from distractions like phones and overscheduling activities, 

and fully centered on embracing each moment as it unfolds.

Our honeymoon and wedding were all those things

and it's been one of the greatest gifts in my life.

I came across these cute photos of the Jonesons over the years:

Then, I almost died flying home.

I HATE FLYING SO BAD!

I am determined to overcome my aversion to this

or I'll probably die from it.

At It's Peak In The Sky

 Have I already mentioned how much I love this resort?  

I never want to leave, and last night, really late, when the bright, 

full harvest moon was at its peak in the sky, Christian and 

I took a dip in the hot springs.  

We floated on the water, absorbing all the rejuvenating minerals 

the natural spring offers and enjoying the peace and calm that

 surrounded us in the darkness.

It was a core memory.  I'll never forget it.  Ever.

This morning, after another fantastic breakfast

(I'm resisting sharing ALL the photos).

We went on a farm tour of the grounds.

We saw rows and rows and rows of delicious vegetables, fruits,

herbs, and beautiful edible flowers.

The tour was finished with amazing tasty samplings

cut just seconds after the tour.

It was so hard to say goodbye.

But we were greeted by wild donkeys on the way out,

so that made me feel better.

Oh, donkeys!!

Christian and I attended a Barre3 class in Gilbert, 

we always make a point to visit a Barre3 studio when we travel. 

We've had the opportunity to visit several studios all over the country!

Gilbert is one of the best!

Then, we drove to the Jones residence to help set up for the wedding.

Lindsay's parties are always beautiful, and she 

pays great attention to detail, which always creates

the most magical events!

From the flowers to the food to the decorations,

Livvy's reception will be unforgettable!

I'm grateful for the unforgettable experience with Lindsay

as we set up for the wedding and occasionally commenting about

how weird that we were setting up for a child's wedding!

Weren't we just nursing babies in pool chairs while

our kids swam and splashed us?

I also got to spend time with Lindsay's cute sisters and Mom.

I love them, too.

Under The Moon & Stars

 Today's activities included:

FOOOOODDDDD

Paddleboard Yoga

FOOOODDDD

Swimming/napping in the sun

Desert Hike

FOOOOODDDDD

Late-night hot springs soak under the moon and stars.

AHHHmazing!