Easton, Will, Ryan, and Ellis

Today the boys and I went to see my best friend from college, Jenny, who lives about 45 minutes from us. It is such a shame that in the 3 years we have lived here we have only seen each other a few times. She has 2 little boys as well, so our kids had lots of fun. They have a great house with an awesome backyard and a really nice swimming pool. She made us delicious sandwiches for lunch with her fancy panini maker. I was so glad to see her. I wanted to get more pictures, but my camera is officially "messed up" (I am very sad about this.)

Friends like Jenny are rare. It doesn't matter how long it has been since we have talked, when we are together it can seem like just yesterday we were living in good ole Elam at Lipscomb. I only have a few people like that in my life, but I am grateful for those rare friendships. She is so easy to be around and perpetually positive. Thanks, Jenny. I love you!

Recent Read

Wow! I just finished reading "Escape" by Carolyn Jessop. Few books have affected me like this one. It is the true story of how she (with her 8 children) escaped the polygamist FLDS cult. I almost had to stop reading it for a few reasons. One, I could barely take the stories of horrible abuse and two, it was making me tired because I couldn't put it down at night. But, I had to keep reading it because I had to find out how she eventually escaped. Now, one might ask "why didn't she just get in her car and leave?" Good question. Women in the cult are property, nothing more. She had no access to a working car (cars were left empty of gas so women could not go anywhere) and she had no access to money. One of her 8 children was severely handicapped and needed around the clock medication and oxygen support. This was another strike against her. But, she made it.

A couple things here are extremely disturbing. One, this bizzare and horrific world is in our backyard. This is not happening in a foreign, third-world nation. It is here in the United States. Two, the abuse and degradation is all taking place in the name of God. Blasphemy at its absolute worst. The FLDS members are brainwashed from birth. They are commanded to be home-schooled and only a very few have ever been allowed to attend college.

Carolyn Jessop is an inspiration. Once she escaped, it was just the beginning. She still had to fight court battles and acclimate herself and her children to living in a society she had been sheltered from her entire life. She is a living testimony to what a woman will endure and triumph over for her children.

Check out this cute ball sprinkler I found at Big Lots for $9. There is one like it in the Pottery Barn Kids catalog for $39. Have I ever mentioned before how much I love Big Lots? Well, I really love Big Lots. I find all kinds of wonderful things there. The one here in K-town is the best one I have ever been to and I am really going to miss it.

Fun Summer Stuff

Check out this cute flag dessert I made a few nights ago. I found the recipe here.
JW and I enjoyed it, but the boys would rather have this for dessert:

Ice cream cones in the backyard. What could be better! Check out the yummy chocolate dipped cones I found at the grocery store.

Recent Read

I just finished reading "An Irish Country Doctor" by Patrick Taylor. I absolutely loved it! It was a delightful tale of a young doctor, fresh out of medical school, who goes to a tiny Irish village to work under an older, eccentric doctor. It was full of charming Irish dialect, interesting medical stories, and lots and lots of crazy Irish characters. I highly recommend this book. It made me want to visit Ireland (even more than I already want to) and also reminded me I must have missed my calling as a doctor.

Happy Fathers Day to the 3 best Dads in the world:

My Dad, aka "BB," flier of airplanes and player of golf

John, aka "John," builder of birdhouses and canoes

JW, aka "daddy," giver of baths, reader of stories, player of freeze tag, teacher of "the force," watcher of Charlie Brown and Star Wars (over and over,) maker of pancakes, participant of the slip n' slide, doer of everything.

We Love You All !!

Boys Camping Trip

JW and his Dad took the boys camping yesterday. It was some great male bonding time so I agreed to stay at home. If you know me, you know I am not a camper. I have given it a try a few times and have decided at the age of 32 that I don't have to give it a try anymore!
It was a good Fathers Day trip for the four of them and they had a great time.
What did I do with almost 24 hours of alone time? Well, it was really exciting, let me tell you. I should have stayed home and cleaned and packed, but I didn't. I ran a few errands yesterday afternoon, then came home and finished up the last 4 pages in Ryan's 1st year scrapbook. (yes, I know he has turned 2, but I'm behind.) This morning I had a hair appt. Nothing much exciting. I didn't like being at home alone last night. The house was too quiet. I had 2 t.v.'s going just for noise. At least Greta was with me. As good as alone time sounds, I prefer the noise and activity of my boys! I'm glad they are home safe with me now!

Getting ready to leave (notice Ryan's cute camping vest from John)

Eating supper at the campsite

There was even a playground on the way home from the campsite

The tent where Will, Ryan, and JW slept. He said they slept amazingly well!

Hiking in the morning

UT Gardens

I took the boys to the UT Gardens this morning. I had heard about the Gardens for 3 years but had never made it down there. I had high hopes of getting some pictures of the boys. Now I know why professional photographers are worth the money. The boys kind of ignore me and then get tired and wander off! Here are a couple shots I got that turned out pretty cute.

Fun at the Park

This picture is evidence of how much fun my kids had at the park last night. I had never seen Ryan so dirty and sweaty. Proof that he is all boy now. No baby left in him!! April, thanks for organizing! I know everyone had so much fun- the kids running and playing and the parents just visiting.

Cute Kids

Have you ever seen a cuter bunch of kids? Let's try to get another picture Sunday night at the park because a few are missing from this picture. Anyway, just wanted to share this because I thought it turned out so cute.