The process

In college, I took a beginner Industrial Design course to explore my options and see what was out there as far as education and job opportunities. At the time, I was a biology major (and eventually graduated as one) but I wanted to make sure the sciences was where I wanted to stay. This art class was new to me because we didn’t just jump into creating something like I’d done in the past. Instead we talked about the artists, what inspired them, what motivated them, what they were trying to communicate, what kind of process it took to create a piece weeks before we even started our own stuff. We discussed huge art pieces like the Typewriter Eraser, Scale X by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Brugge, the balancing mobiles of Calder, and the metal works around the campus. To make these creations there was a process. A big one. Artists had to really figure out how to obtain the goods, master the material, balance the form, and at the same time capture a look, a feeling, a thought and communicate something. This was work! It took time. And this time and learning and figuring it all out was the process. The process, I was taught, was as important as the completed piece itself. 

When I sit down to draw something or set pastels to paper, it is a process. However, there is always something inside of me that wants to hurry and finish. I am a completion person. An individual who wants to check off the figurative box and move onto the next thing. Still, I’ve learned over the years that when I get into creating something, it’s therapeutic. I get lost in the process and all my worry, my “what’s next” mentality tends to subside for a bit. It’s the process that is good for my soul. 

Life is all about the process. Sometimes we want to get to the end of the list and complete this or that (big or small), to say “done!” But if we could remember that it is in the process that we complete ourselves or our lives, the day in and day out become better. 

bird art above courtesy of Oliver

School’s about to begin

Is it bad that I’m not ready for my kids to go back to school? I mean, they really love it and they will mutiny if they don’t go back, but I’m really sad this era is over. 

Truth is, however, we may be back to this era in about two weeks or around the beginning of October. We shall see. 

Things we’ve done during the pandemic

Here we are in month five of safety measures to stay healthy amidst COVID-19. Here’s the latest. 

We did a chocolate chip cookie taste test. My brother’s family has been taste testing everything from Oreo flavors to Root Beer brands every Sunday. One Sunday, when they were gone and we didn’t have it to look forward to, we did our cookie taste test. Peanut butter chocolate chip was the best. 

The boys have played hard with family and neighborhood friends. Ian crashes about one day a week (and sometimes with naan in his hands). 

We’ve made homemade ink and quill pens, thanks to my sister who sent out a cousin club activity box full of neat things to do. 

We had a bike parade for the 24th of July. Our whole neighborhood was involved. Old came out to cheer on the young. It was a lot of fun! And all social distancing compliant. 

We did a mega slip-n-slide with Grandpa T and cousins. It was so fun especially on a hot day. 

We had a great time in Bear Lake with my sister’s family. We felt normal for a week. Vacation is so good for the soul. 

Growing and smiling is Elsie’s jam these days. 

We went minnow catching in a nearby stream. 

Mini golfing when the course had no one on it was a plus. Ollie and Ansel brought their own putters. We take this game very seriously, can’t you tell?

I remember back in March, I mentally prepared myself to do this quarantine stuff until May. Now we’re in August with many more months of the same to come. I didn’t think I could do it, but I know I can. We can do this. We have to do this. My kids having smoothly transitioned to the changes but school is starting. We shall see how it goes. We can do this. We have to do this. I know we can. 

16 years married, 20 years since we met

I love it when Jess is telling a joke and I know it’s funny, he knows it’s funny, he’s making a group laugh and we look at each other and it’s quick. But right there, we connect because I know what he’s feeling and I’m loving that he’s feeling it. Here’s to 16 years. I love this man. 

Summer heat + family needs activity = East Canyon visit

The other day we took the kids to East Canyon reservoir, a place we’ve never visited. This pandemic is causing us to venture into parts of our state that probably would have been looked over in other situations. It’s been neat to explore and makes me realize what I’ve been missing.

We found ourselves a more secluded part of the beach (the marina was packed!) and set out our umbrella. The kids swam. 

And played in the sand, I mean mud. 

We all enjoyed the afternoon, cooling off in the water when temperatures were 100+ back at home. 

Here’s to making the most of restricted travel and social distancing. 

They’re making a comeback

As I scroll through instagram photos of hip female teens I am totally surprised to see tight shirts and boot cut jeans making a comeback. Chunky sneakers too. Even puka shell necklaces. Is this happening everywhere? 

Back during my latter years of college, I was so happy to say goodbye to the (possible muffin top) combo of a tight top shirt with low rise pants. Now the style is coming back baby. 

I should have kept my chunky Doc Marten slip on sandals because I could pull them out right now and be on the edge of fashion. Heck, I should have kept a lot of things from my middle school and high school years. My glasses are coming back too. Actually, it’d be awesome to get my brother’s old glasses from the 90s and fill them with new lenses now. I would be so lit!

Truth is, I now know why mom jeans are called mom jeans. It’s because they hold you in when all those ab muscles have been stretched out. I’m liking that right about now. But the high rise is going out. That’s why the latest Madewell high rise jeans have such a good sale going on currently. Still, I’m going to stick with high rise as long as I can. 

I used to worry that I was dressing too young for my age. But now I know that’s never going to be a problem. 

For the beauty of the earth

One of the constants we have in this world is the beauty of the earth. Big (or little) sacred spots that make us feel whole.

Inspiring, fulfilling, peaceful. 

Amazing, awesome, grandiose!

So much of this beauty is seen in Yellowstone and the surrounding area. 

Scenes that took my breath away!

These spots provide a feeling a normalcy amid the evergreens and elk, where the hot pots meet the cold river. 

For the beauty of the earth. 

Still my favorite holiday

I love Independence Day. I love celebrating our country with family and fireworks and a round of “God Bless the USA.” 

Fun at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.

Lighting and watching fireworks late into the night. 

It’s all about the lead up

A couple of days before Fathers Day, Jess started prepping the boys on what he’d like the special day to look like, most specifically, the meals. “You guys will have a great time making me breakfast and lunch. Mom will make dinner. Then we’ll have cake.” Of course he was joking, but the kids took it to heart. We made menus (plus Ian did a drawing of dad). 

On Sunday morning, breakfast began and Jess sat down at his chair marked with a place card made by Oliver. He let Jess and the other kids choose what they wanted to eat for breakfast and the menu was extensive. It was then that I realized being a sous chef to my kids was going to be tough! Luckily, fresh orange juice, an omelet, blueberry pancakes, and sausage were ordered. I don’t know what I would have done if French toast and crepes were desired. 

Next up was lunch and Ansel took orders. His specialty was making drinks. He had a couple of basic beverages on the menu: milk, lemonade, juice; but then he made up a couple of his own concoctions including berry blast and lava drink. Jess chose the lava drink which was lemonade, orange juice and apple juice. 

For dinner, Jess actually ended up making Waygu burgers. He’s so good at using the Lodge skillet to get the right cook on the patty I asked him to treat us. Yum and yum! I was the sous chef again, making sure this food-filled day included vegetables. Haha!

Since we were all so full on Sunday, we enjoyed the cinnamon rolls he ordered off my menu on Monday. It was a great finale to a full (bellied) weekend celebrating a wonderful father to these kids and the wonderful dads Jess and I have. 

A hike up to Lisa Falls, beautiful!

Jess can get Elsie to smile at any time, she loves him so!

Today

Today I:

- rocked Elsie to sleep singing “every town,” “twinkle, twinkle little star,” and “go to sleep little Elsie (a nap song I made up).” She was comfy and cozy. 

- exercised with Ansel and Ian at my sides using large tomato cans as weights. The boys were quite good at the leg lifts and I loved watching them use the tomato cans, “these are heavy mom! But look at me lift them!”

- reminded Oliver he needed to go feed a friend’s dog. He asked for wipes and a plastic bag just in case the dog had an accident in the house. He wanted to be prepared for anything. Ha!

- played Scrabble with Oliver, Ansel, and Ian. They were all pretty into it except Ian. However, at the end, they were all pretty done. I remember this feeling playing as a kid with my mom. I couldn’t believe her patience! But now I am the mom, not even bothered, actually enjoying the game. How did I get here?