Riding Lessons

 For the past five Fridays we have been heading out by Grandma's and Grandpa's for riding lessons. I wanted them to have fun and to get comfortable dealing with horses. I shouldn't have even doubted that John would take to them. He loves animals. Buttermilk would sniff him and nuzzle him and he just loved it. He would really look forward to it every week. I was also pleased with the progress that Clara made. It is fun for me to have other people notice how fast she picks things up. She can ride with no hands already and even loped for a few seconds on her own. I wish we could do it all winter but it is no fun to ride a wet horse in the snowy wind. We will pick it back up in the spring when it is warmer and the ground is hard.

Some Love

It even has a broken heart.
I am thinking of printing this off and puting it on my wall for Valentines day.

Lots of White

Three pixaly photos of my three children.

I want to say something profound and wise about the experience of parenthood and motherhood. But alas! Everything I try to compose sounds preachy, cliché, condescending, hokey or could be misjudged. So in the sincerest of sentiment, with only love in my heart, I would like to say that I think parenthood will give a person a better perspective on love, sacrifice, and the world in general than any other experience you could have. No traveling, no career, no "freedom." Some people just want an easy life. You won't get an easy life by being a parent. You will get a perspective and experience that can cause amazement and wonder for the rest of your life.
I have deep respect for parents. I would choose a parents advice over an adult who has voluntarily opted out of parenthood. President David O McKay quoted, "No other success can compensate for failure in the home." I would argue that not even trying is complete failure. That is why I am a parent that tries every day. I am happy and I am better for it. I love being a parent!

Conference Weekend Party

 While the boys were at Priesthood session Aunt Brandy brought fun stuff. Face painting and supplies to make bows!
Samantha smiling for the photo. Maryn is sporting a Seaman tradition of love of Encinitas. John being uncooperative but memorable in the cousins photo.

Butterfly

With a 8 year run Butterfly is full.
See me and my family at the sequel Valderi Valdera here!

edit:
Pysch!!! Madeline told me of a way to get around it. So, maybe we are in it for another 8 years? I will my a post on Valderi Valdera saying that Butterfly is back on bored and then I will delete that blog.

Back to Ballet

When we named Clara, Clara, "The Nutcracker" didn't even cross my mind.
She is in a darling class. More particular than befor but still immensely enjoyable.
Clara and I had a ball getting her dressed up to take photos.

To a New Baby

Isn't she the cutest! Looking and her mouth, cheeks, wrists and thinking of all the mushy gushy feelings I have for this girl, I am reminded of this poem by Stickland W Gillialan titled "To a New Baby."

Little kicking, cuddling thing,
You don't cry-- you only sing!
Blinking eyes and stubby nose,
Mouth that mocks the budding rose,
Down for hair, peach-blows for hands--
Ah-h-h-h! Of all the "baby-grands"
Any one could wish to see,
You're the finest one for me!

Skin as soft as velvet is;
God (when you were only his)
Touched you on the cheek and chin--
Where he touched are dimples in.
Creases on you wrists, as though
Strings were fastened 'round them so
We could tie you tight and keep
You from leaving while we sleep.

Once I tried to look at you
From a stranger's point of view;
You were red and wrinkled; then
I just loved, and looked again;
What I saw was not the same;
In my eyes the blessed flame
Of a father's love consumed
Faults to strangers' eyes illumed.

Little squirming, cuddling thing!
Ere you shed each angel wing,
Did they tell you you were sent
With a cargo of content
To a home down here below
Where they hungered for you so?
Do you know, you flawless pearl,
How we love our baby girl?

Sick Days

They had all the bad stuff. I have never seen John and Clara sleep so much. Thank goodness Margaret was spared. Things are looking up and I am so glad.

Spuds

The best potatoes come from the Snake River Valley. This last Saturday they plowed the field leaving it ready for gleaning. Eileen knew the best places to go. I found a knobby wobby and a heart shaped potato (for Kelly.) Clara found a C shaped one. John and Clara had a great time filling their buckets. Margaret could have done better. We still had a great experience treasurer hunting and digging through the mud.

Olive Fingers

Retribution

My back backyard.
My front yard.

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Though the mills of God grind slowly
Yet they grind exceeding small;
Though with patience he stands waiting,
With exactness grinds he all.

 Margaret and I like to hide under blankets.
Her darling toe against the mirror.

Good Morning

It is fun for me to see how our mornings have changed here here and here. Now that Clara is in school I am not sure how often I will take photos before 8:00 am. I will be a busy miss lizzy.

It is drying out. :(

Ants in the Pants

 For a year now Kelly has been singing a song to John about ants in his pants. My birthday came and John gave me the Spongebob game "Ants in the Pants." Thanks Johnny!

1st Day of School

Clara is intelligent, articulate, capable, creative, exciting..... the list goes on and on. You will find her laughing and having a good time. She didn't know how ready (academically and socially) she was for school. Grown-ups kept asking her tons of questions about her feelings pertaining to school. She didn't quite know what to think so she was really weary about the first day. 
I over-estimated my time.
We forgot her backpack.
The car didn't start.
So, she was late!
I was mortified. My first time getting a child ready for school and I botched the whole thing.  I cried to my mom about losing my girl and ruining her school career. (I can be dramatic, but at least I know it!)
When I picked her up she was tight lipped and even had a good cry over not doing well at Ants in the Pants. But, by dinner time however, she exploded with info and excitement. When Kelly asked her how her day was she exclaimed "I loved it! I loved it! I loved it!" She communicated that when she was asked to tell something that she liked to see, or do, or eat, she replied that she like to "see parades." The other girls all said they like to "play with Barbies." She also said in her journal that "I was really nervous."

Amanda, FYI. She has a Braxton in her class!

Bubbles

 Taryn sent Clara a container of bubble solution. The bubbles last a long time. You can hold them in your hand, play with them and see how many you can catch. It was exactly my hearts desired as a child. I got the biggest kick out of them. Thanks Taryn and Tara! What were they called and were do you get them?

Butterfly Clips