September 11

Of course I remember where I was and what I was doing on such a tragic day. Sneaking into the break room as often as possible to watch the news and seeing the second tower fall. Totally unable to concentrate on anything else. Instructed to keep working as usual. Calling the temple to see if I should still come and work my shift... of course, things are running as usual there... the first time I'd felt peace all day.

This year September 11 has given me both of those feelings yet again. Spent the morning with my mom at the temple, full of peace and joy. As I drove away I listened to my voice mail and learned that a friend had lost her baby during delivery, awestruck by tragedy once again. I went out to visit them as soon as I could and felt it an honor to be there with the family as they said both hello and goodbye to a beautiful, yet lifeless little boy.

I feel such a part of both world's at once. Having a beginning of an understanding of what is available to him on the other side... all of the peace and joy there. Feeling the pain of the world and all of the heartache at the loss on this side.

Girls

My life is not as girl-free this week. I am helping out a friend and watching two of her girls before and after school. They get along super well with the boys and they are so excited to have them here. These are the things that are cracking me up about having them around:

The girls suggested that they play "house." The boys had never done this. E says "I'll be the mom," L says, "I'll be the kitty, who wants to be the daddy?" There is a long silence. Neither of them have ever had the desire to pretend to be the dad. Finally Lincoln chimes in and agrees to be the dad. Jackson asks if he can be the emperor. There is a long silence. "If you are going to be the Emperor, then I'll be Princess Leia - Christine do you have any crowns I can wear?" Oh boy. So they ended up playing house with Star Wars characters. Hilarious.

Jackson can't wait for them to all get done with school so that he has someone to play with. He asked me ALL day today, starting at 9am when we could go and pick up the girls. He didn't mention Lincoln. He has been wearing his backpack all day everywhere he goes so that he looks like one of the big kids.

They are all playing together so well. I am watching them now from my computer as they play various things on the trampoline, just as happy as can be.

Admittedly Torn

I don't usually do much caring about how things are going in the football world. The only time I ever really paid attention was my freshman year of college when I went to most of the games. This week got my attention though - my state loyalty vs. my alma mater. I decided I really needed to root for BYU - I DO know their fight song and everything. I was hesitant though, seeing as my husband's side of the family is VERY pro-OU, and we were with them during the game! This picture of Jeff's brother Spencer and his wife Aimee (who wore these shirts to the game!) said it pretty well... OU bred, BYU grad. So hard to choose a side!

Bye Bye Tub, Hello Happiness

Out with the old tub and in with the new! We found this sweet deal on craigslist and wanted to test it out before installing it in the house. And if you are going to fill a bathtub in your front yard, you might as well have a swim party to REALLY test it out, right?