Beautiful red rusted mountains

Engravings by the pioneers using the grease from their wheels' axles.

Deep thoughts.


"I am the king of this mountain."


"Aaaaahhh warmth."

We had such a fun time in St. George this weekend. Thanks to my parents for the room and fun company, and yes, the babysitting. :) We took the kids to the sand dunes earlier in the day but only had the video camera, so no pics of that...but Tessa loved the warm sand so much she was rolling in it and just laid in it and almost went to sleep. Malia dug for buried treasure with her patch on and all...arrrgghh.

Darrin and I went back to Snow Canyon later and climbed around on the rocks and went for a long walk along the goblin looking rocks.

It was good. It was restorative for us all. And I didn't throw up the entire time. Yay! I wish I could say it stayed that way, but darn it if cooking and cleaning my kitchen doesn't bring out the retching every time. Hello, baby, we're almost to 18 weeks. Did you not get the memo??? Let's stop making your mama sick and I promise to bathe you in kisses and warm milk when you make your entrance, deal?

Perspective

When I was little I loved to hang upside down from the couch or my bed and look at the ceiling, pretending that I lived up there. It was so clean and uncluttered. So white. Sometimes now as an adult I get that same desire to "live on the ceiling" so to speak. But, this goes deeper than having all the incessant toys and socks and clutter picked up. It's having a clear mind, a clear conscience. A mind that doesn't think about all that I am not doing, a mind that is clear and clean and able to focus. And, I think about times in my life when my life has felt the closest to this state. It always involves me on my knees sincerely pouring out my heart to my Maker. Why do I forget this? Why do my prayers become so repetitious? Note to self: Slow down, Alicen. Stay on your knees a little longer. Let the Lord clear your mind... "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Have I made it obvious I need for it to be Sunday tomorrow? Time to reset my week. Goodnight.

When your sister is taking too long to get her jammies on

Just put some pants on your head and go to sleep. No, really, she's asleep under there.

And when mom tries to take them off your face...

Just roll over on those pants and go right back to sleep. This girl takes her beauty sleep seriously. And she was really sick, poor thing.

When it's cold out

and you you want an ice cream cone for your FHE treat why not sit by the fire?