Maryn whose busy, little ADHD mind is constantly running, has the uncanny ability to articulate exactly how her brain feels. You can see her mind working a mile a minute from the second her eyes pop open to the moment she succumbs to sleep. Sometimes she expresses her brain's frustration, or inability to slow down or verbalize the thought she is thinking. Tonight though after watching a show on GPB about the neurological effect of music on the brain with me, she turned and smiled and said as she stretched her hands out like a held note, "I love Beethoven because it just makes my brain smooooooth." I just love that kid and her brain.

I think I have some sort of mental disconnect when it comes to weddings and remembering to take pictures. This time was no exception. But let me assure you that the bride was gorgeous! Like the day before it was really wonderful to have the whole family there to witness Adam and Amanda being sealed to one another for time and all eternity. Later that evening they had a beautiful outdoor reception. It was picture perfect (again, too bad I didn't take any pictures) but it was great just hanging out in the comfortable night air, beneath twinkling lights, enjoying the company of some of my most favorite people! We even got to meet Daniel's girlfriend, Melissa. Let me just say, I really like her, in fact I hope the next reason we all get together is to welcome her into the fam! (Haha, no pressure Daniel!)

Justin and I were talking later about how the family is entering a new chapter. It seemed forever that Justin and I were the only 'old married' ones. Then after seven years Kristen and Adam B. joined the club. Then Aaron and Megan. Now Adam and Amanda. I have no doubt that in time Daniel and Kevin will be joining the 'old married' club too. It's been fun to see the family dynamic change. Instead of us being the kids, we are now the adults, forming families of our own. I can just imagine holidays at Phil and Jody's all together, the next generation running around, the house filled with happy noise. I know that as life reveals the many stories yet to be written we will still all be tightly knit together in love and support. So here's to you, Adam & Amanda, welcome to the club! May you find many joys in this new chapter together!

P.S. Okay folks, my sister-in-law Megan is WAY better about taking pictures! Check out her blog for more pics of the big day! http://aaronandmeganyoung.blogspot.com/

Let the Catch-Up Begin!

I had almost forgotten what it felt like to board a plane without a making sure there were snacks, toys, diapers, and books. It was so nice to sail through security without having to struggle to get shoes off and on yourself and kids and try not to be super annoyed by the hold up of doing pH tests on every liquid item in the diaper bag. I had almost forgot what it was like to read and even doze off on the airplane and not have to worry about those screaming kids...because they're not mine! Yes, it was all possible due to my sweet, generous mother who flew out from Oregon to watch the girls for us while Justin and I sneaked away to Arizona for Adam and Amanda's wedding. Let me just tell you, it was DIVINE!!!

After we landed we had to hurry over to the hotel to change. On the way there I spied a Whataburger sign and Justin immediately planned a quick detour. I have heard many times over the years of the wonder and delight of the Whataburger experience and I finally got my first one. (It was okay for Justin as a Texan, but since I'm a little Northwesterner, I think I'll stick to Burgerville!) The reason we had to hurry and change was because Justin's brother, Kevin had decided to take out his endowments and go through the temple for the first time. We were so happy that we were able to be there for the special occasion. It was so wonderful to have the whole family together in the temple at the same time.

It was great to be there seeing Amanda as part of our family circle and know that the very next day, she too would officially be a member of the family!

10 Years Ago Today...

...was a day that blessed the rest of my life

because I married this guy!

Happy Anniversary Justin, I love you!

Still Alive!!!

Adam and Amanda are married. Grand Canyon was hiked. Cupcakes were frosted. Flowers were arranged. Nana has come and gone. Adamson's too. Justin's eyes have been checked. Suitcases have not been unpacked. I am back at work. Life has fell back into it's cuckoo, crazy self and I have a lot of catching up to do. Including this poor neglected blog! I promise I'll post some pictures...just as soon as I can locate my stinkin' camera!

The Difference a Week Can Make

Justin surprised me with a night at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Arizona to celebrate our 10th Anniversary. It is so beautiful and peaceful here. Any cares I had a week ago today have since melted away. I feel so blessed to have a husband who is just so, so good to me.

I'll post pictures of our adventures once we get back home!

Sunday Series: Nurture Daily

I like to think of myself as one who can be strong. One who can handle it. One who can take care of those around me. This week though, brought me down. I was so tired. Tired of being strong. Tired of having to have all the answers. Tired of the questions and worry and doubt. I just didn't think my body and mind could take one more ounce of pressure. I have had so much weighing me down. Worrying about the balance between work and home. Worrying about some health concerns that have been scaring me with Justin. Worried about the continual roadblocks that keep getting thrown up in front of Justin in his efforts to find a job or even go back to school. I went to Maryn's Kindergarten program and was painfully aware of what I had given up to go back to work. I missed being there, volunteering each week in her classroom and being a room parent. Little things like coming home from work and seeing Brynna's hair in her eyes and knowing I wasn't there to do it in the morning bothered me. Not being the one to get Lauryn out of her crib in the morning. I missed being a mom, I missed the security of having my life planned out, I was sick with worry for Justin. Then on Friday, I just couldn't take it any more. I went in my room, pulled the covers over my head and sobbed. Sobbed out of anger, sobbed out of frustration, sobbed for everything that had been taken away from me. I wasn't angry at God. But I was angry at the world. Angry at circumstance. I didn't understand why we couldn't catch a break. Hadn't we been humbled? Hadn't we learned? Weren't we worthy of blessings? Even my dreams at night were restless. I would dream I was running as hard as I could, chest pounding, lungs gasping for breath, but my legs could muster no more than a stride, paralyzed in slow motion. As I sobbed I felt feelings creeping in that I don't usually struggle with. But this time I didn't have the strength to fight them off.

Then Justin came in and sat at the end of the bed and said "Sarah, let's talk." I hadn't wanted to burden him. I hadn't wanted to hurt him by expressing how burdened I felt, because I know he would never want me to feel that way. So I had bottled it up. But as I let it all come out, the anger started to melt away. It wasn't me alone, fighting the world to make sense out of every discouragement that came my way. It was me and him, as a team, weathering these storms, together. He was there to relate and encourage and lift me up. At Justin's suggestion, the next day we dropped the kids off at his parents and went to the temple together. It was just what I needed. A break from the hurry, the worry, the noise, the burden. A chance to think and refocus. I took away from it the thought that, it is better that we pass through sorrow in this life so that we may recognize the joys. The pressure I have felt is a stark contrast to the many joys I also have to be thankful for. It has made the good things in my life that much sweeter, because I know what their opposite is. I try much harder everyday to recognize them and not to take the good for granted.
This afternoon I went to make my daily check on my little garden. I was amazed at how it had grown. Just four weeks ago I had planted these tiny seeds in the soil and now they had just exploded with growth. As I picked a few strawberries off the plants for the girls to eat, I was reminded of what a little daily nurturing can do to a plant's life... and to mine. As diligent as I have been about checking my little dirt patch, watering it, making sure it is getting sun. I recognized the need to make sure I am doing the same with my spirit. Taking the opportunity daily to pluck out the weeds of bitterness, anger and fear from my soul. And to carry the same faith I have, that just as a nurtured plant will grow, so too can I, out of these adversities.