[falling for you]

have you seen them yet? oh, they are spectacular right now! within this next week, i believe they will be at their peak. so pretty! i fall in love every year with these bright bold colorful leaves; somehow they suck me right in to their thin green veins.

doctor doctor give me the news i've got a bad case of loving you!

that is exactly what the doctor prescribed... cool crisp air and some good music
while sam was off at scout camp friday night, i had all the kids tucked promptly in bed and was set to get working on an exciting web design project that i have been asked to help with, and will hopefully reveal soon. YAY!

gross story short, my two youngest woke up with the stomach flu and didn't stop hurling all night. i didn't get a wink of sleep. a few of you have already heard this story, but all my bedding ended up in a gigantic heap and thrown out on the back patio. too busy cleaning up the floor and faces, i figured i'd rinse it all out the next morning. well, after baking in the sun for several hours, sam and i both couldn't stand the thoughts and smells of washing it, so into the dumpster it went. totally worth it! luckily i never spend too much on linens; for exactly this reason.

as we drove up american fork canyon, the sun dipped low and our light faded very quickly. i anxiously snapped a few shots before she set, but would have liked to caught these leaves in a brighter light (i can't seem to get enough of it lately).

the days are getting shorter. if you haven't had the opportunity or don't live near the mountains, hopefully you will enjoy a few of these pictures i share!

take a glance here

[the influence of righteous women]

i just loved this article from this month's ensign article by President Uchtdorf and felt impressed to share a few of my favorite parts.

We are living in a great season for all women in the Church. Sisters, you are an essential part of our Heavenly Father’s plan for eternal happiness; you are endowed with a divine birthright. You are the real builders of nations wherever you live, because strong homes of love and peace will bring security to any nation. I hope you understand that, and I hope the men of the Church understand it too.

What you sisters do today will determine how the principles of the restored gospel can influence the nations of the world tomorrow. It will determine how these heavenly rays of the gospel will light every land in the future.

Though we often speak of the influence of women on future generations, please do not underestimate the influence you can have today. President David O. McKay (1873–1970) said that the principal reason the Church was organized is “to make life sweet today, to give contentment to the heart today, to bring salvation today. …

“Some of us look forward to a time in the future—salvation and exaltation in the world to come—but today is part of eternity.”

take a look: notice samantha (left) is focused more than susannah. bummer! i decided to still use it because these two ladies are so cute here! .brightsides photography.

President Gordon B. Hinckley counseled the women of the Church:

“It is so tremendously important that the women of the Church stand strong and immovable for that which is correct and proper under the plan of the Lord. …

“We call upon the women of the Church to stand together for righteousness. They must begin in their own homes. They can teach it in their classes. They can voice it in their communities.”

There is a saying that big gates move on small hinges. Sisters, your example in seemingly small things will make a big difference in the lives of our young people. The way you dress and groom yourselves, the way you talk, the way you pray, the way you testify, the way you live every day will make the difference. This includes which TV shows you watch, which music you prefer, and how you use the Internet. If you love to go to the temple, the young people who value your example will also love to go. If you adapt your wardrobe to the temple garment and not the other way around, they will know what you consider important, and they will learn from you.

read entire article here

p.s. if you have a copy of this month's ensign, the second article fidelity in marriage was very insightful too. okay, all the articles were great like always - take a read!

[the music in me]

don't ya just hate it when...



you don't quite feel yourself?
yesterday i finally snapped out of some sort of funk. i just wasn't "me".
where did i go?
i wondered.
i was exhausted, un-motivated, achy and just felt like, well, shit!
more importantly, it bewildered me.
"am i blue because i'm sick? or am i sick because i'm depressed?" i questioned.
i've never suffered from depression before... my r.a. sometimes gets me down and sucks the life out of me, but usually i'm pretty "up"! it started to make me a little nervous.

as i drove lulu to her dance class, ironically elton john's i guess that's why they call it the blues came on the radio and of course i turned it up super loud (i love to blast music, it's not good unless it's loud) and it just helped.

suddenly my head started hurting right through my sinuses and then i knew i was home free. "hooray!" i beamed "i just have a little cold! i'm okay!"

isn't music just amazing! it brings back so many reflections - smells, emotions, people, places, you name it.
what is the first song you remember hearing as a child?
it's been driving me crazy, because i can recollect so vividly one warm night in california at a restaurant when i was about four years old with my parents, sister, uncle turney and his wife verna. there was a song on the radio that played and caught my attention. i think it was smooth operator by sade. but i don't know for sure. if it wasn't sade's song, than it would be one that sounds very similar to hers.
funny huh?
so random!

thankfully, after a little extra rest, some sudafed and jamming out to the beat with sam's large headphones, i finally had my brain and body back.

hallelujah!

[GRANDFATHER SIR]

make a wish!
isn't this picture priceless? i have to say, i am proud [smile]
we grew up always knowing we were to call my mom's father GRANDFATHER SIR. none of this grandpa, pop, papa, etc. as a retired engineer and veteran, he demands respect! no, he may sound strict and uptight, but he's really not... he's a sweetheart. he actually finds it quite humorous (the fact that he asked us to call him that!) and even more hilarious that we do and it really stuck. he definitely has an different sense of humor-i love it!

after many years of reciting his long name, we have shortened his title to GFS.
the family gathered to celebrate his 79th birthday over dinner, cake and homemade ice cream. delish!

.the birthday boy and his great grandsons.

my mom's yummy homemade cupcakes!



i was able to take a few shots of my cousin's little boy during the party too! isn't he so darling?
.to see more go here.

[an artistic icon]

.bessie pease gutmann is my artistic idol.
learn more about her here

maybe it is because i am a mother, but i just love and admire her work!
she captured the essence of children and their most precious moments.
i have a few numbered prints my mother passed down to me. i will forever cherish them.
hung on my nursery walls, their soft nostalgic warmth always comfort me as i rock my little ones.
i would someday love to collect more! i fear my children will outgrow these and insist on hanging up posters of rock bands and boys.
i better just keep having lots of babies! yeah right... my siblings can do that!

wouldn't one these make the sweetest little baby gift? her small prints are surprisingly very reasonably priced.
you can view and purchase them here