Poem of the Month

Dear Emily D,
I finally get it. I think I understand why you want retreat into your home and write wonderful poetry--with dashes--and random Capitalization.
I've always loved your work.  I mean, you are a genius, and one of the best American poets--ever.  It's hard not to be swept away with your words, but I've never understood you and the root of your crazy mind.  Why were you cut off from the world?  What could happen?  I mean, they are just people, they aren't going to bite your head off...
...  The fear is real, though.  And it's paralyzing.  Such fear can cripple the soul.  I've only had a few experiences with it--just this summer, in fact--but it's made me so much more aware of people, like you, dear Emily.
I'm sorry you didn't live in a time with 21st century doctors, councilors, helpful medication, etc.   I'm sorry that you had to suffer so.
You are appreciate, and you speak to so many people.  So thank you.  I'll now share a poem of yours, picked at random, for my blog.  

Shannon


Forever -- is composed of Nows -- (690)
Emily Dickinson 

Forever -- is composed of Nows --
'Tis not a different time --
Except for Infiniteness --
And Latitude of Home --

From this -- experienced Here --
Remove the Dates -- to These --
Let Months dissolve in further Months --
And Years -- exhale in Years --

Without Debate -- or Pause --
Or Celebrated Days --
No different Our Years would be 
From Anno Dominies --

A Weekend in Rexburg

The Thursday before we left for Bama, my sister in Rexburg calls saying that there is a bridal shower for my other sister... On Saturday.  In Rexburg.  My dear parents in law were so great and awesome and gladly kept the boys for 2.5 days, so that I was able to drive to Rexburg by myself and enjoy some much needed sister-time!  (Boise to Rexburg is like a 4.5 hour drive.  They're opposite sides of the enormous Gem State.)

So I took my drive Friday night, and loved the views of the High Desert.  Seriously good stuff.

I arrived Friday night at Sister Ashley's home.  Then next day me and her prepared, and prepared, and decorated for Sister Madison's bridal shower!  So fun!  (I'm the oldest of 3 girls, fyi.)

Ashley put together some fabulous cakes, using heart shaped pans for the beautiful beauties.  We all had a really good time together at the shower.  Madison's friends and roommates were soo fun, and really helped make the evening enjoyable.  After the roommates left me, Madison, Spencer (the soon to be husband of Madison), Ashley, and David (Ashley's husband) hung out for HOURS.  I don't think bed time was till almost 2am.  But it's awesome, cause we have an amazing family.

During my awful Rexburg Run, I tried to take some pictures.
(Going up hill, at 4800 elevation, with wind in the face = no good terrible exhausting "running")
Behold, Rexburg vistas!

AND, then I had to leave.  Alas, my boys needed me.  (And so did Darren and Deanne, haha)  I drove back to Boise on Sunday, arriving around 5 or 6 in the evening.   Of course I took some more photos of Idaho, cause who doesn't love Idaho photos?
Wind mills.  Holy smokes, they're everywhere!  Very new, compared to when we lived there.
And an American flag, flying in the wind.  I've seen this flag for sooo many years and have always wanted to take a picture.  So this time I did--getting out of the car, walking up the crest, and my foot sliding and scrapping into a hole.  Not so awesome.  But the picture was great!  "'Merica!!"

PS, the boys had a blast with their Nana and Mume.  Lots of fun, including swimming, pizza, movies, and a friends birthday party.  I was not missed, I'm sure of it.

Alright, Here's the Deal [Idaho Recap]

It's been really hard for me to blog during this summer.  I'm not exactly sure what is the root cause, but what I do know is that when "the voices in my head" aren't talking to me it's like pulling teeth to publish something.  The voices have been quiet, and the narrative just hasn't been flowing.  Possibly I just need to do it, then things will start coming more easily.

There are 2 things about "blogging fog" which bother me.  1)  I can always tell the blog posts that aren't inspired.  And I think: lame-o.  2) I love keeping up-dated on the blog, seeing the pictures and reading the stories.  And I think:  neat-o.   It's all conflicting!  **I hates being conflicted**

Here's to finding my voice!  Here's to keeping up-dated!  Here's to talking to myself at 11:30 at night!

....................


Recap of Idaho:  The Last Two Weeks

To sum up, they were pretty fun!  Caitlin was dropped off to the MTC,  Marcie and Tyson went home to TX, and me and Darren and Deanne tried to figure out ways to keep the boys entertained.  Mostly involving water--sprinkler, swimming at the Y, swimming at Ivy Wild pool, etc.

Man, Boise was hot this summer.  Some of the time the boys liked to stay inside and build "houses."  They all got really into The Three Little Pigs, told by their Mume (Matt's dad, Darren) almost every night, and in the morning the boys would wake up with new vigor and vim in home building!  Houses were built from couch cushions, blankets, chairs.  Nothing to code, but still creative.


Trying to figure out my style, as usual it's a hot mess of everywhere and everything.

Naked, in the back of a pick-up truck, playing in the sprinkler.  Their mama is from Bama--they can't help but be red-neck with their fun!

Park time!  This adventure with the fountain was on a 110 day.  Oh, joyous!

Ran a ton.  On this week I was going to get 30 miles!  Then the damn new shoes messed my knees up, but busted my plan.  Got 20 instead, and the next week wasn't able to run.  Knees are still aching, actually.   Sticking with my sticky, smelly, old toe shoes!  Love those girls. 

So much cuteness, I may die.

Checking out the movie props, after seeing Despicable Me 2 on the 4th of July!

 MMMmmm.... Deanne's cooking.

Spray painted gravel is for keeps.  Treasure is everywhere.

 Eli, the Hulk-Man-Guy!   (Who lets me cuddle, if I let him take selfies)

Eli boxing a box.  To be honest, sometimes the box won.

It's soooo dang bright!  Why must we look at the camera?!  

Lots of sidewalk chalk activities.  (And the boys learned that mama can "draw.")

PS, Garbage Day is amazing.  Not to be missed, people.

And last, but not least, Titus wrote all over himself.   Lovely!

Rad Run, Boise ID

So Caitlin and I ran a Color Me Rad 5k.  And it was fun!  We did this the day before her farewell, like a week before she entered the MTC.  Caitlin hadn't ran a straight 5k in like 2 years, so she was nervous.  But with me by her side we were able to run the whole way!  And under 30 minutes too!  It was pretty fun stuff.  Dad came and took our pictures.

Really fun to do this with her.  Run races are worth it when they make memories with good people.

The beginning!  All white and ready for color! 

Family Time before Farewell

Oh, Miss Caitlin!  You went on a mission!  How proud we all are of you!  She's been in the MTC for almost 2 weeks, but before she left all the family got together to spend some time with one another, and also to send her off with a farewell.

A farewell usually has on the future missionary speaking in church, maybe a special musical number, and lots of food/"party" with friends and family at the missionary's home following church.  That's what happened!  To a "t"!  Caitlin spoke, and it was wonderful.  She's so real, and funny, and charming.  Then Deanne played piano and Caitlin, Darren, Marcie, and Chase gave a wonderful special music number.  (If you guys don't know, this family I married into is SSOOOO very musically talented!!)  After church lots of family visiting and in the area came over and we had a lovely time spending time together.  Maybe 40 of us??

Caitlin entered the MTC (missionary training center) on July 3rd.   She's spanish speaking, in eastern Canada.  Weird, and awesome!  And she's doing great.  We're getting lots of letters, and she's really positive.

So here's a ton of pictures from that week (minus the ones in which we were all sick. boo.).


Get your puzzle on!  Us adults had a fun time putting together a puzzle after the kids went down.  I'm serious.  I was exceptional proud, since this was my first 500 piece puzzle... And I really liked it!

THE ZOO!!!

The whole family at the zoo!
Except me, since I wasn't feeling that great that day. 

Apparently there are dinosaurs at the Boise Zoo!  Isaac and Titus loved it, but Eli was scared to death. 

Caitlin!  Future missionary!

Family eating, which yields a frog. 

A corporate picnic, sponsored by Darren's work, which was really hot and at this faux wild west town.