Gratitude for a change of heart...

Marisa called me this afternoon to tell me she had some news for me. News that someone had left a message on her phone to return the camera they believed belonged to her. I had swapped some memory cards with her, thank goodness, and they had her name on them. So the guy called her. She said she was almost crying when she called him back. I was in complete disbelief when she told me. I had wondered how I would react if I found out it was being returned to me. I thought I would jump up and down screaming and crying. I actually felt nothing. I was kind of in shock. He told her that he had been looking to buy a camera when he found it but his mom told him that he had to give it back. THANK GOODNESS - literally. When I went to pick it up his friend said, "It's funny cuz Nick was actually in the market for a camera and I told him that that camera was WAY nicer than any camera he would have bought. But by then he had already called your friend so ..." So, luckily Nick follows his mom's advice more than his friend's. I am so giddy now. I am absolutely HAPPY. A great weight had lifted from my shoulders. When I got home I found some pictures the guy had taken with the camera. He obviously really enjoyed having it for a couple of days. And I figure since he took them with my camera - they belong to me.
This says to me - look at the freaking awesome camera I just scored!
She's pretty stoked too...


There were more of random stuff - images that were obviously taken as he started a new life with his great camera. I really really think that all of your prayers helped him tell his mom, her tell him to return it, and him to listen. So thank you a million times. And thank you, Nick - you have made my year.


HOOOORAY!

One of the greatest things I've ever seen...

I just read about this on another blog and it really is the best. You are suppossed to take an old photo of yourself and try and recreate it as accurately as possible. Isn't this like the greatest thing EVER? I want everyone to do this! I can't wait to recreate some when Spencer gets up here! I only skimmed through but this one is my favorite so far:


And this one is just great for history's sake:

Keeping my mind busy...

My friend has this on her blog and I thought it would be kinda fun to do...

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

I just went up the canyon with the boys to enjoy playing in a creek up there. After we were done I loaded dirty shoes, shorts, trash, babies & bags into the van and left. But one thing I failed to load into the car was my camera. When I got home I realized it and went right back up there, but it was gone. I don't know what to do. Marisa & I were just about to announce our new photography business. We have a website that's almost complete and we've already begun shooting. I just can't believe people would care so little about others that they are willing to take your misfortune and turn it into their gain.

I have no idea what to do next...


*****update*****

I made a report with the sheriff's office tonight and it made me feel a little better. Now let's all pray(literally) that the loser who stole it will be a stupid loser and try and sell it to a pawn shop. if he/she does then my serial number will show up and I'll get it back. and they'll get in trouble. I also thought I'd add some images I was working on today...just in case i don't ever get to take pics like this again. btw - they're of jamie's cute cute little boy. so, if you are a praying person - really pray that they will take it to a pawn shop.

Visiting Alaska

Mike found these tips on staying safe around bears on some National Forest Website. We really enjoyed it and it's matter of fact description of being attacked by a bear. I laugh but really - I'm never going to camp in Alaska because of this.

Identify Yourself
Let the bear know you are human. Talk to the bear in a normal voice. Wave your arms. Help the bear recognize you. If a bear cannot tell what you are, it may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious, not threatening. You may try to back away slowly diagonally, but if the bear follows, stop and hold your ground.

Don't Run
You can't outrun a bear. They have been clocked at speeds up to 35 mph, and like dogs, they will chase fleeing animals. Bears often make bluff charges, sometimes to within 10 feet of their adversary, without making contact. Continue waving your arms and talking to the bear. If the bear gets too close, raise your voice and be more aggressive. Bang pots and pans. Use noisemakers. Never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitched squeal.

If Attacked
If a bear actually makes contact, surrender! Fall to the ground and play dead. Lie flat on your stomach, or curl up in a ball with your hands behind your neck. Typically, a bear will break off it's attack once it feels the threat has been eliminated. Remain motionless for as long as possible. If you move, and the bear sees or hears you, it may return and renew its attack.In rare instances, particularly with black bears, an attacking bear may perceive a person as food. If the bear continues biting you long after you assume a defensive posture, it likely is a predatory attack. Fight back vigorously.

Essentially - you're dead.

Pioneer Day...

For the holiday we decided to hike up to first falls on the Timpanogas trail. It was much harder than our Texan legs remembered. Strangely though - we met some people from The Woodlands on the way down - small world, eh?

Here are some images:
Andrew & Elijah - Elijah is a little dirty. Don't you love that mist? It felt so good after the hard hike up.
I didn't think I was getting anything special when I took this but when I saw it tonight I loved it.I've always wanted to take one of these...guess it hearkens back to all of the hours spent sitting in dentist offices...
Self Portrait
This is stinging nettle - which I discovered a split second after I took this image when my arm erupted in hot pain. Nice, Megan.
Elijah took this on the way down. I didn't know until tonight that poor Peter had spit up on himself.
And this is tonight - I just love that boy.

Thank goodness for Amy Butler and Corn Wagon Quilt Co.

Today Megan died and went to heaven...


Well, not heaven, but close. I found this fabric store that was so great I really almost had tears in my eyes while I was there. It was full of the most beautiful fabrics - including many Amy Butler patterns and designs(click on that link - you won't be sorry). I was so so happy. So I bought a kit to start a little quilt. At church they are teaching a little basic quilting class and I had been wearily searching through the fabrics at Walmart and wasn't coming up with much. But I really could spend little 10,000 bucks at this store. So, here comes new pillows, a skirt, a quilt, and who knows what else...
p.s. no, this is not my quilt - I will show pictures of mine during the process. the class is next thursday. i think mine will be even cuter!

All hooked up...

I'm here! I have been using the weak internet signals of my neighbor's for the last few weeks until my internet could get hooked up. In other words - I was stealing broadband! Which means I could only really get email. But as of this morning I am hooked up and ready to go! In honor of that I thought I'd post a pic of p. who is now 2 1/2 months and so sweet. he's even sleeping through the night a lot of the time - if only we could now coordinate it with the other boys so we could actually sleep through the night too!