Octobler is almost here!

Tomorrow is Octobler. Time for Octoblerfest!

I'm looking forward to fall weather, crunchy leaves, crisp mornings

I'm looking forward to visiting Minnesota friends and family in a few weeks!

I'm looking forward to time with my own grandma.

I'm looking forward to pumpkins, pumpkin squares, Halloween!

I'm looking forward to General Conference and hearing the prophet speak.

I'm looking forward to some closure with the house, a new niece just in time for Halloween, and watching my sister in law grow cute fat babies!

Forget Me Nots

I am so thankful for inspired apostles of the Lord.
And creative women who help us remember their words better.

lately

Lately, I've been working on catching up...

...on sleep. We have had two bouts of a stomach virus hit each girl, plus nasty colds and fevers that just won't quit!

...on laundry.  I've missed work staying home with the girls, but the upside is my dishes and laundry are caught up!

...on sewing.  My sewing machine is back in the shop, so I've been cutting and piecing and assembling and serging as much as I can and then I take a stack to sew at Mom's.  

My Mom always said if she wasn't working on Christmas by September, she was in trouble. So I'm hoping my machine is back and working well soon so I can get busy!! 

I made a skirt and a doll skirt for one of my coworker's girls. We missed her party, but the girls and I wanted to get her a gift anyway. I had to totally guess on the doll's size so I may be revamping that one a bit!

 I also finished my September 12squared block.  I used some of my favorite fabrics on this one.  It's cobblestones and bricks, and she gave us the stripes to coordinate with.  I hope she likes it!

Seattle

I had the choice opportunity to go to Seattle as you may recall.

The weather was sunny and beautiful with crispy cold mornings, warm afternoons, and cool evenings. I got to wear pants! :)

Wonderful friends of my aunt and uncle took us in. Their home and its surroundings are idyllic. They belong in a magazine! They had private rooms for my parents and my Dad's brother and his wife. Then the "kids" (the youngest being my 18 year old brother and 4/6 of us being married!) slept in a large room full of trundle beds. They fed us, they opened their homes, these people were wonderful!

We enjoyed the scenery and I remembered why I loved my visits to Seattle so much all those years ago!
We sat outside in the evenings, playing games, sharing stories, enjoying time together as family and rebuilding bonds.
One of the many things we have missed about Utah are our weekend game night buddies.
We enjoyed a day at the lake, complete with a barge race, clogging, Rage, and crawfish-ing. Is that a word?
My beautiful cousin and I created beautiful arrangements for the funeral.
The crawfish were cooked. The boys were quite fixated on these crawfish. It was funny to watch them all.

Our wonderful hostess created these beautiful arrangements from contributions from my aunt and uncles' friends' gardens.

Our family is so spread out that this is the first time I've seen them in three years. I'm thankful for the bonds of family that make it possible to get together like no time has passed, play games, share tears and hugs and support and love each other. I'm so thankful for them.

This is my uncle's obituary from his local paper. It's more for my records to post it here, but if you care to, enjoy. He was a remarkable man with a remarkable family. I love them.

Dr. Christian Arthur Vikari completed his mortal journey on Aug. 31, 2011, after a long and difficult illness. To those of us who knew and loved Art, it seems too soon to say goodbye, yet, there is comfort in knowing this wonderful, compassionate man is now free of the pain and suffering he endured these last few years.

Christian Arthur Vikari

Art leaves behind a great legacy of love for family and friends; caring, compassionate service to others; and an unfailing love of God. All who came within the reach of his smile and warm embrace will long remember how good they felt when they were with him.

Art was raised in Washington, yet his life journey truly began the day he married his sweet companion, Valine. They have been devoted partners in life for 27 years and will be companions forever in the eternities. Art and Valine have been blessed with five beautiful and talented children.

Dr. Vikari practiced oral surgery in Issaquah, and was loved and admired by his patients, staff and colleagues. He cared deeply for his patients and they loved and respected him in return. Art found many ways to help others. He regularly shared his time and talents, and gave generously to others in need.

As a bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he ministered to the members of his congregation. He opened the scriptures to the hearts of those searching for answers; he counseled those with heartache and loss; he visited the sick and weary; and encouraged the youth to live up to the best within them. Art was a true friend to all who came within the sphere of his influence.

Art accomplished much in life and enjoyed a variety of interests, however, his greatest joy and satisfaction came from his family. Home was where he most longed to be. Above all else he will be remembered as a devoted husband and father who loved the Lord and did his best to serve those around him. He lived a life of selfless service and optimism for a brighter day. Throughout his life and even when suffering from difficult medical issues, Art would share his life’s motto: “It’s my best day yet!”

the much-less-frustrated-potty-diaries

we have made several breakthroughs this week.

she has been actually requesting to go to the bathroom.

when she goes, it doesn't take FOREVER anymore.

accidents are greatly decreasing.

she wants to wear panties at nap and is staying dry.

she begged to wear panties overnight last night and she woke up DRY!

she has actually made #2 in the pot, more than once!

sorry if that's too much information, i'm just so stinkin proud of this girl!

what title?

My extended family was shocked by a tragedy this week. My brilliant, funny, loving uncle has passed away. My sweet husband has encouraged me to use my frequent flyer miles and go with my parents and brother, and so I'm going to Seattle tomorrow for a funeral.

I'm so thankful for my wonderful husband who immediately jumped into action to take over this weekend and encouraging me to use miles that we've carefully hoarded for a "rainy day". Seattle's rainy, right?

I'm thankful for loving friends and coworkers who have continued to send me texts and prayers ever since I stumbled into the office after talking to my mother, in shock.

I'm thankful for my understanding girls, who have recovered from Mom losing it when Lulu had an accident and I became a puddle of tears.

I'm so eternally thankful for Heavenly Father's plan of salvation, that gives me peace in the knowledge that families are forever.