And Then I Have Moments Like This...

Trying to Stay Positive...

I have the best husband ever! And I'm not saying that to be cheesy, but because it's true, and...

I'm trying to stay positive...

Travis is starting a another night class this week. It's a half-semester class that's on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-9. So instead of going to class just Monday and Wednesday, he's now going to class Monday through Thursdays for the next 8 weeks... 8 killer weeks for both of us! So basically he'll say goodnight to the kids on Sunday night and not see them until Friday after work.... Oh man...writing it out like that sounds really horrible... :( Well, hopefully, he'll get to come home for dinner still on Tuesdays and Thursdays... he'll have like 30 minutes inbetween work and school... he could make it.... maybe.... Or maybe it will just be harder for the kids to have to say hello, and goodbye right after eachother.... Ohhh..... But....

I'm trying to stay positive....

Because I have the best husband ever! He sacrifices so much to provide a life for his family. He is so good helping with the kids when I need a little rest, and he still finds time to do the dishes for me once in a while, which I'm truly grateful for, thank you Travis! He is so diligent about getting his homework done, (even if I have to give him a little nudge to get back on schedule) He's started to apply to places to work after he graduates, and started interviewing.... And even if he doesn't get a job, I hope the interviewers see what kind of amazing man they are interviewing!We keep having to remind ourselves that this is only a short while.... Only 192 days left... or roughly 27 weeks.... or roughly 6.5 months..... until he's DONE with school! We will be having a major celebration, believe me!! You're invited to join in our celebration on May 1st, even if you can't come to the actual celebration with us, we can just have a big celebration together all over the country! Anyway, I just have to take a deep breath and get through the next day, week, month, 8 weeks, (then Christmas, YAY!), then the next semester, and then graduation, and then the rest of our life!! Endure to the end, right?

Here are two pictures of Travis being frustrated with homework 4 years ago....

I love you Travis!! Try to not be frustrated, and stay positive, will ya?

The Difference Between Dreams and Reality

"The Difference Between Dreams and Reality" (A Self-Portrait), Oil on Canvas, 18x24 inches, Cynthia Gough-2004

Well, after reading a post by my friend Sarah, I wrote a lengthy comment on her blog. So before you read any further, go there, http://cerrahs.blogspot.com/ and then you’ll understand more about what I’m about to write. And also, here is my comment to her.

"Oh Sarah... You're making me cry now... The best times of my life were when I was in Del's classes painting, was I in that first portrait painting class with you that time? And for a semester, my first at SUU, I thought of doing something besides painting -graphic design. It was the only semester I hadn't taken a painting or drawing class. I took a graphic design class, and I hated it! I thought that possibly I wanted to become a graphic artist, because it would be "easier, "more "stable", or "easier" to find work. But as I took the class, I realized I hated it! During that semester, at my apartment one day, I decided to paint again. I cried, and fell in love all over again... I realized what I really loved. So after that I decided to go for the "useless" drawing and painting BA. And I loved every minute of it. The thing is, all my roommates thought I had it easy... "Oh, she's just an art major," No, it was hard work! Anyway, I don't know why it's been so hard for me to pick it back up... (I think the kids may have something to do with it...) Anyway, I just tell this story because you have inspired me to keep at it. What you have done is truly inspirational, I'm proud of you. I want to be like you. I should shut up, and go finish my painting I've been working on for 4-1/2 years now... Thank you! I want to see your painting up close, It's beautiful, amazing, no words to describe it, that's why we have art... Maybe I'll be put this novel in a post now..."

So, I also wanted to add that Sarah’s painting is amazing! She did everything right! I love the style, the model, the expression, and she captured all that Sarah wanted to about Eve. I also wanted to say that I’m so proud of Sarah. I’ve known her since middle school, so I’ve seen many things that she’s drawn and painted. She has improved tremendously, as you have seen! I remember me, Karolee (my cousin), and Sarah all had this art thing going together. Sometimes it seemed like we were sort of competing against each other… But now, it’s clear that Sarah is “winning.” (Not that it’s a competition.)

I’m so glad for her, but I’m jealous. Not jealous of her talent, but that I know I can do the same thing, but I’m not. Why haven’t I? I wanted to enter the same competition. I had plans, but didn’t follow through… I don’t think it’s because I have two kids, and Sarah has one. One or two, doesn’t make too big of a difference. I think I just lost the willpower when it comes to art, I just always figured that I’d pick up art again once the kids go to school. But thanks to Sarah, I’ve realized that I need to keep at it. Why wait? I at very least need the practice. But I also need to keep going with my talent, to feel all that comes with it on a regular basis. I’ve known this all along, but I lost sight of it.

Art is a journey. I was talking to a friend earlier about her sharing her talent of writing poetry. She said she didn’t feel like she could because her poems are too personal. I feel like art is personal too, but the viewer only sees part of it, or the fruits of it. The other part is the personal journey that the artist goes on, the battle, the good times and the bad times, and trying to get it just right (even though it is never “just right” but always, “almost right.”)

I want to keep this journey in my life. I’ve had the goal of being a working artist, but I’ve known it will take time, especially when I still have kids at home. I can do whatever I want, if I plan for it. There’s precious naptime, and after the kids go to bed. So there are small increments here and there. I love “painting” my masterpieces, my kids, but I have plans for more. I have plans, plans to continue on my journey of art. If I just decide to, and plan for it, I know I can do it. I’m working on another project (that I’m absolutely loving) at the moment, which will earn me money. But I have plans for my art to be part of that project in the future. I will be successful in whatever I dream because I know that, “Do or do not, there is no try”-Yoda. I have dreamed about my successful business as an artist, and if I endure to the end, and just do it, it will become reality. It will take time, but then my dreams right now will become my reality in the future. And my reality right now will turn into my dreams. It just depends on me.

And that, my friends, is the difference between dreams and reality.

Sorry for the novel, I just needed to get this out. And this seemed like a fine place...

What Happened To Autumn?

We had a long winter, hardly a spring, summer, then WINTER! What is up with this crazy weather??? On Saturday, it snowed off and on, but didn't stick...

Then on Sunday, when we got up, this is what it looked like...

And it kept snowing throughout the day! So this doesn't even show how high it got. By the afternoon though, it started to melt a little bit. But this morning, there was still some snow on the ground... I'm not looking forward to this long winter... I want my Autumn back!!

Funnies...

Ethan: "gshbxch sjakd dsjhyw! (I curse you!)"

TJ(Travis Jr.): "I am smiling..."

To Grandma's House We Go...

Last weekend we went to Travis' parents house, what a fun time! It was so good to see all the family. We went to Chad's Homecoming football game, ate cinnamon rolls, watched conference, and enjoyed a girl's night. The weather was perfect, because it rained in St. George on Saturday morning, and the rest of the weekend was clear and perfect.

Here's Max playing with Grandma's toys...

Max loves kisses...
Whenever the family gets together, they play "balance the babies..."
"Special" Chad
Here are all ELEVEN!!! Grandkids...

L to R: Ella, Nick, Ethan, Max, Trevor, Emma, Tanner, Brandon, Elora, Gavin, Jaci

Yes, that is Emma that was crying the whole time, and my Max with his mouth hanging open like always... The ages range from 7 years to 4 months.

Ethan, Max, and Trevor

We'll miss you guys until next time we see you at Thanksgiving...

Cinderella and Her Castle

During the day of Elora's birthday, I was busy decorating her cake. We did a princess castle cake, and Elora absolutely loved it! She kept asking when she could eat birthday cake, and I said after dinner. So before lunchtime, she said she wanted dinner, so she could eat cake. I told her we couldn't have dinner until Daddy got home... Very clever though... I was a little worried about how it would turn out, but I'd say it looks pretty good if I do say so myself...

It had ice cream cone towers, green (coconut) grass, and a moat to go around the castle.
Elora was eyeing the castle all day long.
The highlight of her birthday presents, was a Cinderella Barbie. Yes, Katie, I think it's awesome that Elora is old enough to play/like Barbies...
Ever since her birthday, she has carried around her Barbie everywhere around the house. She would sleep with her, if I let her. But before she goes to sleep, we put Cinderella away in the special doll box.
We had a few friends come over just for cake and ice cream, it was a mad house with ten kids age 6 or 7? and under...

One of my friends, who has a daughter Elora's age, gave some homemade flower hair clips. They're so cute! Elora has wanted to wear those all the time since her birthday as well...

And even now, Elora constantly tells me... "Me like birthday presents."