How to Escape Education's Death Valley

Ken Robinson continues to make so much sense.

TED - Do Schools Kill Creativity?

Just listened to this presentation and had to share the thoughts. Excellent talk by Sir Ken Robinson.

Fill-In Math Word Problems

I just wanted to give a big "HUZZAH!" to Scholastic's Fill-In Math Word Problems. While they are ultimately math problems, they also reinforce grammar and build reading comprehension skills. I use these as a fun supplement to do with my child, one on one, for extra practice. These are especially great if you have a child who struggles with story problems.

What To Do Guides for Kids' Problems and Emotions

A big shout out to my friend, Audrey, for telling me about these books!

There is actually a whole series of these books written by Dawn Huebner, Ph.D., a "clinical psychologist in Exeter, New Hampshire, specializing in the treatment of children and their parents." (Because parents are part of the equation!) While the books say they are written for children ages 6-12, I've found the simple, straightforward, honest presentation good for older kids and myself as well. It is written in a way that children totally understand the concepts and it gives parents a vocabulary to have in common with their children in trying to help them (and themselves!) overcome challenges.

There are drawing activities inside that are probably helpful for younger children but feel too elementary for older ones. Some of these things we skip over because they are super obvious, some things I adapt into more of a writing exercise, and some things we just talk about. Because there are truths in these books, they lend themselves to coinciding with scripture, also, which we find to go along. I feel like I've been able to have some very good one on one discussions with family members as a result of reading these books together, and I've also had some introspective moments reflecting on my own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

F.R.O.G. - A Chocolate Acronym of Faith

F.R.O.G.

Fully Rely On God

It's Easter candy time. What I like about that is the variety of really cute (and yummy) spring and nature candies, especially Lindt's chocolate insects, frogs, ducks, and bunnies.

The chocolate frogs lend themselves nicely as accompaniment to an acronym that would fit a Family Home Evening or Church lesson, or homeschool devotional. They're also a great meaningful treat for Visiting Teaching, a pick-me-up for a neighbor or friend, or an addition to an Easter basket.  I created the tags below and sent a package of chocolate frogs to my missionary with one of the tags attached:

Happy Spring!

Imagination, Creative Freedom, and a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz

I remember the first time I was frustrated with the way one of my children was coloring. We'd been doing a unit study on salmon and I had carefully drawn blank shapes of salmon for my kids to color, fully expecting them to color the picture the way salmon actually are. That isn't the way one of them chose to color. I had one of those split personality moments--the kind where I heard myself speaking in a tone and volume not reflective of the kind of mother or teacher I wanted to be, while simultaneously saying to myself inside my own brain, "Well, you are kind of justified. I mean, salmon are so obviously not yellow and purple," while simultaneously arguing with myself inside my own head that I don't want to stifle my children's creativity or be so rigid that learning isn't fun, while simultaneously counter arguing inside my head that this task was not meant to be especially creative, but demonstrate awareness and learning--it was science, not art. It was an exhausting two minutes. I finally calmed down, made more copies of the salmon drawing, and settled on telling my children they needed to color one the way salmon actually look in real life and then they could color one any way they wanted. 

While cleaning out a file of papers today, I came across this poem I found long ago and had forgotten about. It's definitely food for thought.

                    The Little Boy

                    by Helen E. Buckley

                    Once a little boy went to school.

                    He was quite a little boy.

                    And it was quite a big school.

                    But when the little boy

                    Found that he could to go his room

                    By walking right in from the door outside,

                    He was happy.

                    And the school did not seem 

                    Quite so big anymore.

                    One morning,

                    When the little boy had been in school awhile,

                    The teacher said:

                    "Today we are going to make a picture."

                    "Good," thought the little boy.

                    He liked to make pictures.

                    Lions and tigers,

                    Chickens and cows,

                    Trains and boats--

                    And he took out his box of crayons and he began to draw.

                    But the teacher said, "Wait!

                    "It's not the time to begin!"

                    And she waited until everyone looked ready.

                    

                    "Now," said the teacher,

                    "We are going to make flowers."

                    "Good," thought the little boy. He liked to make flowers.

                    And he began to make beautiful ones

                    With his pink and orange and blue crayons.

                     But the teacher said, "Wait!

                     "And I will show you how."

                     And it was a red flower with a green stem.

                     "There," said the teacher.

                     "Now you may begin."

                     The little boy looked at the teacher's flower.

                     Then he looked at his own flower.

                     He liked his flower better than the teacher's.

                     But he did not say this.

                     He just turned his paper over.

                     And made a flower like the teacher's.

                     It was red with a green stem.

                     On another day,

                     When the little boy had opened

                     The door from the outside all by himself,

                     The teacher said:

                     "Today we are going to make something with clay."

                     "Good," thought the little boy. 

                     He liked clay.

                     He could make all kinds of things with clay:

                     Snakes and snowmen,

                     Elephants and mice,

                     Cars and trucks--

                     And he began to pull and pinch

                     His ball of clay.

                     But the teacher said: 

                     "Wait! It's not time to begin!"

                     And she waited until everyone looked ready.

                    "Now," said the teacher.

                    "We are going to make a dish."

                    "Good," thought the little boy.

                    He liked to make dishes,

                    And he began to make some

                    That were all shapes and sizes.

                    But the teacher said, "Wait!

                    "And I will show you how."

                    And she showed everyone how to make

                    One deep dish.

                   "There," said the teacher.

                   "Now you may begin."

                   The little boy looked at the teacher's dish.

                   Then he looked at his own.

                   He liked his dishes better than the teacher's.

                   But he did not say this.

                   He just rolled his clay into a big ball again.

                   And made a dish like the teacher's.

                   It was a deep dish.

                   And pretty soon

                  The little boy learned to wait.

                   And to watch.

                   And to make things just like the teacher.

                   And pretty soon

                  He didn't make things of his own anymore.

                  Then it happened

                  That the little boy and his family

                  Moved to another house

                  In another city.

                  And the little boy

                  Had to go to another school.

                  This school was even bigger

                  Than the other.

                  And there was no door from the outside

                  Into his room.

                  He had to go up some big steps

                  To get to his room.

                  And the first day

                  He was there,

                  The teacher said:

                  "Today we are going to make a picture."

                  "Good," thought the little boy.

                  And he waited for the teacher

                  To tell him what to do.

                  But the teacher didn't say anything.

                  She just walked around the room.

                  When she came to the little boy,

                  She said, "Don't you want to make a picture?"

                  "Yes" said the little boy.

                  "What are we going to make?"

                  "I don't know until you make it," said the teacher.

                  "How shall I make it?" asked the little boy.

                  "Why, any way you like," said the teacher.

                  "And any color?" asked the little boy.

                  "Any color," said the teacher.

                  "If everyone made the same picture, 

                  And used the same colors,

                  How would I know who made what,

                  And which was which?"

                 "I don't know," said the little boy.

                 And he began to make a red flower with a green stem.

Obviously, there are times in life when precision or exactness or sameness are what is called for. Art isn't one of them. Neither is writing. Sometimes teachers think the only way to properly teach is to have children merely copy them. Because we're trying to teach, help, better, challenge, grow children into educated, capable people and, because it's our job to show them and be examples, we think our example is THE way to do it. But there is a difference between teaching technique, form, rules, etc. and dominating a mind or an outcome. We can teach that flowers have petals, pistils, stems, and leaves and let children draw their own based on a live flower. We can give guided assignments/challenges without dictating. We can demonstrate watercolors or shading or any other medium or technique and let children practice and experiment. We can observe great art and artists or great writing and writers and point out what makes it so. And we can still give children creative freedom.

Just think--what would the world be like if someone had stifled Dr. Seuss and he never created pink trees or a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz because they just don't exist?  What would the world be like if no one ever thought outside the box? We'd have no Mary Poppins, no Star Wars, no Narnia. We'd all be huddled around campfires--not because we want to be but because we have to be. No one would be reading this blog (though maybe they aren't anyway!). We'd live dark, bleak, hard lives. It's the purple-and-yellow-salmon-colorers and the wiggly-can't-sit-still-botherers and the "I-like-mine-betterers" that do most of the inventing and problem solving in this world. 

Just think about that.

Secret Valentines - Emulating God's Love

Growing up, February 1-14 was always a little extra exciting in my house. At some point during my childhood, I forget when, my mother instituted Secret Valentines. Everyone in the family drew names on February first and from then until Valentines Day we did secret acts of service for whomever we drew and made Valentines to leave them. My mother would make huge heart-shaped sugar cookies and we would each get solitary time in the kitchen (so as not to be seen and figured out) decorating one for our Secret Valentine. There would be a Valentine making station and a pool of treats to incorporate into our Valentines. For two weeks we'd dote on a family member daily and then on Valentines Day we'd have a nice family dinner where the table was set with some little gift at each place setting that each of us had secretly purchased for our Secret Valentine and then before eating we'd each try to guess who had drawn our name. I especially remember when my father drew my name because he sent me flowers at school!

This year I wanted to incorporate Secret Valentines into our Love and Home Month, but we are just doing it for one week. This morning we drew names and I distributed a paper bag with goodies inside for us each to use in our Valentine capers.

Of course, treats are nice, but the real meat of this activity is to learn to serve each other. We sang the hymn "Come, Follow Me" and discussed each line of verse. Jesus Christ didn't just say he loved us, he showed us in everything he did through acts of service, including the greatest service of them all when he atoned for each and every one of us. 

This week we are revisiting lessons past when we learned about God's love using "14 Days of God's Love" from Not Consumed. This time, we're getting very specific in discussing how we can emulate God's love among each other within our family relationships.

Happy February!

Sarcasm--Corrupt Communication

We had a most excellent Family Home Evening lesson tonight. I have felt for some time that the communication in our family was drifting further and further from the uplifting "Love at Home" kind of talk needed and wanted, instead sinking into a muddy, swampy, stinging, biting mess of sarcasm and meanness. After a series of particularly sharp jabs by one family member that led to some tears in another, I told the family member issuing the jabs to find what the Lord's apostles have said regarding sarcasm and to share it with us during FHE.

The full article the lesson was based on, "No Corrupt Communication" by Jennifer Grace Jones, can be found here. I just want to share a few of the things that stood out most to me and/or us.

The most attention grabbing thing we learned was that the Greek root for sarcasm is sarkazein and means "to tear flesh like dogs." That really brought us all up short. One dictionary definition defines sarcasm as irony designed to "give pain." Oftentimes teens and adults alike consider sarcasm as a way to demonstrate smarts or cleverness and humor. If we all thought of sarcasm as a bestial tearing of emotional flesh that was sure to give pain, I think we'd be more careful. 

From the article:  "Parents and siblings who use sarcasm against young children often cause more damage than they ever intend. Studies show that children as young as five years old can detect sarcasm immediately. Although children discern sarcasm, they don't have the ability to understand it fully. Parents are much more proficient at using sarcasm than children and it can become a veil for undisclosed anger, annoyance, even jealousy. This unequal power changes parental sarcasm from a joke into a form of bullying." 

Jeffrey R. Holland has taught:  "Be constructive in your comments to a child--always. Never tell them, even in whimsy, that they are fat or dumb or lazy or homely. You would never do that maliciously, but they remember and may struggle for years trying to forget--and to forgive."

Also from the article:  "Eliminating hurtful sarcasm doesn't mean our homes need to be empty of humor or necessary correction. Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught that 'a good sense of humor helps revelation' and that it 'is an escape valve for the pressures of life.' Whereas sarcasm stems from light-mindedness where nothing is taken seriously, true humor blossoms from lightheartedness and helps cultivate beautiful, healthy family cultures."

I LOVE that comparison of light-mindedness with lightheartedness!

President Gordon B. Hinckley said:  "Everywhere is heard the snide remark, the sarcastic gibe, the cutting down of associates. Sadly, these are too often the essence of our conversation. In our homes, wives weep and children finally give up under the barrage of criticism leveled by husbands and fathers. Criticism is the forerunner of divorce, the cultivator of rebellion, sometimes a catalyst that leads to failure..."

As a reminder for my family, I've just created a couple of visuals to put up in our home. Feel free to use them in yours. And check out and share the entire article mentioned above.

Why Art?

The next time you hear that the arts are being cut in your local schools, think of this quote. 

If you're a homeschool mom who is tempted to not make time for art or who gets frustrated with the mess of art, think of this quote.

Roots and Wings

I'm not claiming to be wise, but I do seek after wisdom. I believe in the "what" of the wisdom of the Chinese Proverb above, and I believe with all my heart that The Family: A Proclamation to the World gives us the "how" and "why." I've just entered into a new phase of motherhood and I'm trying with all my heart to do it right. I am a mother-in-law! 

There were some faulty, emotional moments leading up to this new phase when I feared that in order for my son to fly, as I always hoped he would, he'd have to cut his roots, and I was troubled, wondering what was the point of all I'd done and all we'd shared. But fear is the opposite of faith and it clouds judgement. Roots are a foundation; they do not hold one back but give anchor, breathe life, and allow one to rise and grow. My son and new daughter will fly higher because of their roots. They will network those roots to grow their own family, and give wings to the new sweet spirits that will join them in time. 

I did not know what to expect from my son's wedding day. I wasn't sure what I would feel. I did not know I would experience such complete joy. There is no other word. There was no division of love, just a lot of multiplication. Love and joy. Roots and wings. It's all part of The Plan.

I Can Only Imagine

I was introduced to the song "I Can Only Imagine," written by Bart Millard and sung by Mercy Me at the closing keynote address of a homeschool conference several years ago. I don't remember a whole lot about the rest of the address, but the following video was shown and it had a TREMENDOUS impact on me. I was in tears.

At first it was the story and Dick Hoyt's incredible example that inspired me. Not only did I want to be a better mother, I wanted to be a better person in general. I also felt that if Dick could do what he did, I could do more, too, and get in better physical shape; not just for me but for my family so I could do things with them without physical limitations. I wanted to be strong. I downloaded "I Can Only Imagine" to my iPod for some motivation and it was the first song I ever ran to in its entirety.

As I ran to this song day after day, the lyrics engraved themselves on my heart. I believe in a living Father in Heaven and a living, resurrected Savior, Jesus Christ. What will it be like when I see them again? What will I feel? What will I say? What will I do? 

The Resurrection is going to be glorious and wonderful. Not just for people like Rick Hoyt, who will no longer be handicapped, but for everyone.  Running to this song makes me feel a little lighter, a little stronger, and a lot hopeful for that future day when my scars and pains and limitations are no more and when I'll see the Resurrected Lord. I can only imagine!

I Can Only Imagine

I can only imagine what it will be like

When I walk, by your side

I can only imagine what my eyes will see

When your face is before me

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

Surrounded by your glory

What will my heart feel?

Will I dance for you Jesus

Or in awe of you be still?

Will I stand in your presence

Or to my knees will I fall?

Will I sing hallelujah

Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine when that day comes

When I find myself standing in the son

I can only imagine when all I would do is forever

Forever worship you

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

Surrounded by your glory

What will my heart feel

Will I dance for you Jesus

Or in awe of you be still

Will I stand in your presence

Or to my knees will I fall

Will I sing hallelujah

Will I be able to speak at all

I can only imagine

I can only imagine 

Oldies Primary Music - Primary Colors

I have been the Primary Music Leader in my ward for over a year now and one thing I'm determined to do is bring back the "oldies." There have been many new songs written for children that are truly wonderful and I have fully embraced those. But I do believe it is a shame to grow up in the Church and not know the old staples. Further, there are ways to tie some of these older songs in with this new year's theme. "Primary Colors" is one such song. Here are the "Primary Colors" visual aids I just created to teach this song. I am going to make the last page (pictured above) into a flag.

*********************************************************************************
2/11/17 Update:  The Primary children LOVE the flag! I highly recommend making one if you're using this song. I just printed two copies of the last page, taped them back to back and affixed them to a dowel.

If you have trouble getting to the downloadable document, please let me know.

Left-Right Christmas Story

We played this game for Family Home Evening tonight. It's a fun little Christmas activity.

To prepare, have some small item for each person participating. I had candy bars, packages of gum, etc. and put each item in a separate brown paper lunch sack and stapled them shut. 

Have everyone who is playing sit in a circle and randomly hand out the bags/packages. Instruct everyone that when they hear the word "right" they must all pass their bags to the person on their right, and when they hear the word "left" they must pass their bags to the person on their left. This must be done each and every time they hear these words.

Read the following story aloud as everyone listens and follows directions. When the story is over, open up the bags and see the surprises.

     Something was wrong this Christmas. Mrs. Claus could tell RIGHT away that Santa was not his usual jolly self. Things just were not quite RIGHT. Why, just before Santa LEFT for the workshop, he put his LEFT foot in his RIGHT boot and his RIGHT foot in his LEFT boot. He stood RIGHT up and LEFT for work without even noticing what he had done.

     Now being the good wife that she was, Mrs. Claus decided she had better find out if all of Santa's good sense had LEFT him. Mrs. Claus LEFT all her Christmas baking until later. RIGHT now Santa needed her help.

     As she glanced out the window, she saw the line of elves marching like tin soldiers on their way to the workshop. She fell RIGHT in behind as the elves counted cadence, to the LEFT, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT. To the LEFT, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT. Turning the corner to the RIGHT, they marched RIGHT into their places and started RIGHT to work.

     On the shelves to the LEFT she saw Barbie dolls, baby dolls, porcelain dolls, Cabbage Patch dolls, and on her RIGHT she saw Ninja Turtles RIGHT between Batman cars and train sets. Never had she seen so many toys LEFT to finish. Never had she known Santa to wait RIGHT up to the last minute to finish just the RIGHT toy for each girl and boy. Even if the elves worked RIGHT around the clock and never LEFT for a break, she did not see how they could RIGHT this terrible wrong.

     Mrs. Claus LEFT the workshop and headed RIGHT back home. LEFT to herself to think, she LEFT the baking awhile longer when the time would be RIGHT.

     When Santa returned he found Mrs. Claus full of questions. Why had he LEFT things until the last minute? Even if they worked RIGHT around the clock and RIGHT until Christmas Eve, did he think they could make it without some child being LEFT out? Santa LEFT Mrs. Claus still talking and sat RIGHT down next to her. RIGHT she was! Things were a terrible mess all RIGHT! He could agree with almost everything she had said. But she was LEFT speechless as she listened to Santa's sad but RIGHTful tale.

     Why, children were not being taught RIGHT by their parents anymore. RIGHT after Thanksgiving, Santa would start RIGHT in receiving hug long lists of things kids wanted. He was sure they started on the RIGHT side of Toys R Us and wrote and inventory of the whole store, clear to the LEFT side. Why, kids were asking for so many things he did not see how he could possibly keep his RIGHT mind. LEFT too much to themselves, these little folks never even knew what was RIGHT. Getting RIGHT to the point he said, "These children have become very selfish, never thinking that I am an old man with only so much energy LEFT. Why RIGHT now? I'm so tired. I don't think I can do another thing even if all the toys are LEFT unfinished.

     Mrs. Claus's RIGHT eye twinkled. She knew what had to be done RIGHT away. Immediately she called Mr. WRIGHT, the assessor, who knew RIGHT what to do. Early the next morning, RIGHT after feeding their families a wonderful breakfast, all the workers of the North Pole Stake LEFT their homes and headed RIGHT to Santa's workshop to help RIGHT the wrong (of having selfish children) and help Santa finish the toys that were LEFT.

     Santa now had renewed faith in parents and he knew RIGHT down deep in his heart that next year parents would help their kids learn what was RIGHT.

     Santa sprang to his sleigh and to his team gave a whistle. Merry Christmas to all and everything is all RIGHT.

Math in Units - Biotic and Abiotic Dimensional Shapes

It is torture to spend gorgeous autumn days stuck at desks (or tables) especially when learning can (and often should!) take place outside. Here is an outdoor math AND science lesson I created for our BIO studies.  (A question I often get regarding unit studies is, "What about math?" We do have a separate math program we use daily, but I am always looking for ways to incorporate math into every single unit. It's important for children to see real world applications of math and to see that math is literally in everything.)

Above is the first page of the scavenger hunt I created. Download the full Biotic and Abiotic Dimensional Shapes Scavenger Hunt Worksheet here. Obviously, the science aspect is determining biotic (living) things from abiotic (nonliving), and the math is identifying shapes and their dimensions. 

Below are a few photos from our scavenger hunt. We were actually able to find most shapes.

Parallel and perpendicular lines

Oval

Sphere

Cylinder

Oval

Trapezoid

Circle, or octagon, if you draw a line to connect every 3 petals

Rectangle

Homeschool--the world is our classroom!

General Conference - Sorry It's Over but So Glad it Happened

THIS is how feasting on the Words of Christ should feel! When General Conference is over, I feel full, knowing I have a lot to digest, yet at the same time I'm still hungry for more because it tasted so good. I really was sad as the last session came to a close; I could have listened for several more hours. There is nothing more inspiring, comforting, motivating, reassuring, instructive, buoying, and peaceful than Conference Weekend.

I am so glad that years ago I decided to establish some traditions around General Conference. I wanted my children to look forward to it and relish it as much as I do, and they do. Over the years there have been some little adjustments as we have moved states and as technology has made it more accessible, but we treat it like the very special occasion it is.

For one thing, I want it to be a feast, both spiritually and physically. I have come to realize and appreciate that food plays a huge part in traditions and memories and in bringing and binding people together. It is a form of nurturing and the sensations involved in delicious feasting contribute to our sense of well being; we remember it long after it is over.  That said, I don't want to be stuck in the kitchen on the Sabbath, nor spending listening time doing too much cooking.

For this reason, I usually make Morning Buns, aka cinnamon and orange rolls. I can knock that out on Saturday and bake them fresh Sunday morning as we settle in for the feast. Then I lay out a simple but tasty nacho bar for the afternoon session.

My kids' other favorite tradition is to print off Conference Squares and try to get a blackout while listening. I have tried other activity/listening packs in the past, but my children weren't interested. Conference Squares is what they love. Even now, as they are older, they still have a blast getting a Bingo and listening carefully to make sure they don't miss a square. It's TRADITION!

Now that Conference is over, it's time to re-listen, read, and study the talks. I can't wait to get started! Already the internet is being filled with Conference quotes. It's interesting to see which phrases in each talk stood out to other people; sometimes I was hit with the same sentence, sometimes not, and there are other nuggets that meant more to me personally. Here are a couple of them.

There is one for every talk over at Chocolate on My Cranium and LDS Smile if you're looking for easy quotes for your fridge or mirror to begin pondering.

So, it's six more months until I get to enjoy another such blessed weekend of listening live to prophets and apostles, but I get six months to re-taste and digest this weekend's delicious feast.

Soy Yo (It's Me)

I just have to share this video!  I have watched it several times and it just makes me giggle in delight every time.

I love this girl's confidence!  She has confidence in who she is and isn't afraid to just go and do and try and be. I would love for everyone to live with that kind of confidence.

Thanks to Montserrat for sharing.

(P.S. My daughter can't stop commenting about her glasses.  From the 8th grade until after all of my children were born, I wore glasses that big! Once upon a time, that was normal!)

Self Worth--Crabs, Fleas, and Belief Windows

I love, love, love having a recently returned missionary at home. It's not just because I missed him like crazy and now I get to hear his laugh and see his smirks and smiles, either. It's because of the discussions we have and the ideas and lessons he's been sharing from his two years of amazing personal growth.

After some rousing family discussion today as I prepared and we ate Sunday dinner, my son said that he wanted us to listen to this talk on Self Worth from Hyrum W. Smith. I loved it and learned several new things. I'm going to have to listen to it a few times for all of it to sink in. (He had it mostly memorized!) I heartily recommend it for individuals, families, through personal study or homeschool or Family Home Evening or whatever.

There is no video, so just click it and listen.

Summer Highlights

"If odour were visible, as colour is,

I'd see the summer garden in rainbow clouds."

~Robert Bridges~

I always have mixed feelings about summer. First of all, I really don't enjoy temperatures anywhere above about 80 degrees, and even then I need a breeze. Somewhere in the back of my mind I have this ingrained idea that summertime should equate to "the lazy days of summer," yet I don't seem to have many of those, and that idea is in direct opposition to Aesop's fable of "The Grasshopper and the Ants," which is also ingrained in my head. This often leaves me feeling raw, as if I'm in the middle of a great tug of war between multiple personalities!

Being a baseball family, summertime is packed with travel, travel, and more travel, and a lot of late nights under the lights of ballfields. While I love the inspiring changeup of seeing the world through a roadtrip and being in different places, and I love watching my kids play ball, the work is stacked up when I get home and all those late nights make it hard to get up and get the outdoor chores done in the cooler morning hours.

I love a rocking and rolling summer thunderstorm and the positively delicious aroma of rain on the wind as it kisses the dry earth. I love the heavy perfume of a patch of petunias and the invigorating smell of a just-mowed lawn or a field of cut hay. I don't like mosquitoes, earwigs, grasshoppers, and fruit flies. It's a mixed bag, for sure.

I wouldn't trade four distinct seasons for anything, though. Each has its blessings and banes. As always, gratitude and attempts at balance go a long way in a happy life.

As August slips away, I like to look back and see where I've been and what I've done so I know the summer didn't just pass me by and leave me wondering "Where did the summer go?" Even acknowledging small delights and happy surprises keeps the scales of joy and contentment tipped in my favor. Here are a few highlights of this year's summer.



A round of family Frisbee golf in a canyon park, with the inevitable retrieving of a stuck Frisbee,
which was followed by the inevitable Insta Care visit for a tetanus shot:

Ma and Pa Swallow, returned to raise another brood on my front porch:

Encountering an entire bush in motion with moths...

...and catching one!

Embracing gravity with friends:

Reflecting on the ways that God keeps his promises:

Seeing sacrifice and perseverance pay off:

Summer night lights:

Shoshone Falls:

Seeing, smelling, touching, tasting red:

Simple joy in a cute pair of festive shoes (and, no, I don't have another pair exactly like this :) )

Field trips and  bucket list destinations:

Watching my stars shine:

FINALLY having a close encounter with a muskrat, after nearly a dozen wetland field trips:

Being torn between watching the ball game and watching the osprey who were watching the ball game:

Experiencing triumph in tests and trials, gratitude for miracles and medicine, recognition and respect for the power and reality of the priesthood, and witnessing the wonder of the human body and its ability to heal:

My first (very cool) encounter with a Western Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar:

Apricots! Early spring weather finally cooperated to give us a great summer harvest:

Peachy paradise in crepes and smoothies and in juicy goodness dripping down my chin and wrist:

A sweet-tart plum harvest turned into jelly and fruit leather and more smoothies:

Watching my boy bloom where he's planted:

Celebrating another year of marriage:

Discovering a "new" swimming hole:...

...and meeting the swimming hole's local residents:

Conquering some personal fears and inhibitions and loving it:

Getting one missionary ready to leave:...

...and welcoming one missionary home:

Having the whole family together again:

Some additional highlights include some media that was particularly special this summer.

Here Comes the Boom is not a new movie; it's been around for a few years. We didn't know anything about it, though, until one of my kids saw it on the shelf at the library and checked it out. We. Love. This. Movie. Besides being funny and entertaining, it has some good messages and things to think about, especially in the realm of education and inspiration, as well as the American Dream and citizenship.

The following videos are to songs that meant a lot to me this summer. I'm not necessarily recommending the videos because as I've posted previously, videos often ruin songs for me (though I do like these ones). But they're the easiest and most legal way to share music. So, if you don't want your perception of the music influenced by the videos, play them and listen with your eyes closed.

The first song is "Humble and Kind" sung by Tim McGraw. I don't normally listen to country music, but I love, love, love this song and it has influenced me greatly this summer. I came to listen to it while driving my son to a doctor's appointment. The song came on the radio and not knowing it but realizing it was country, I switched the station. My son said, "Don't!  Go back. I like that song." Naturally I wanted to hear it if he was so insistent, just to see what he liked about it. And then my whole world changed, along with how I look at my son.

These next two songs are by Paul Cardall. Interestingly, they are on a CD I have had for years but not listened to. I got the CD for free during some promotion, listened to it once, and at the time decided there was only one decent song on the album. This summer I was cleaning out some things and was about to toss the disc in a giveaway pile when I decided to listen to it one more time to be sure it was junk. What I've come to believe is that I was meant to have this CD but I needed to really hear it for the first time now. I wouldn't have purchased it, then or now, so it was given to me. I think I had a sort of stupor over it when I received it so that when I needed the message in these songs, they'd be "new" to me and therefore have more of an impact.

Well, summer is over. It would be a sad, sad thing if summer ended and there was no autumn to trail it so gloriously. I hope your summer was blessed. If you think it wasn't, or that it was over too soon, make a highlight reel for yourself to count your summer blessings.