Some Paintings I've done:

I'm posting some of the paintings I have done (the paintings lose some of the details and color when photographed)--

This is one I just finished-

This is my copy of a Monet-

This is one of a pair of chefs I did for Alayna (of course)-

And this is a watercolor I did for Caleb (he likes fantasy stuff)-

I'm trying to get myself to spend more time painting! Hope you enjoyed them!

Give Me An Eagle!

Joel and Caleb just got back from a scout campout yesterday. I was thinking today how happy I am that they are both Eagle Scouts. Joel spent many years as a ScoutMaster and I never really resented the time it took him away from me- especially since he was guiding Caleb along his scouting path. (Caleb went on his first overnight at 18 months old.) His troop in Oregon has left us with many treasured memories. If any of you guys read this, we still laugh at the stories about your campouts!! :) I am amazed at the knowledge Joel has about scouting and the outdoors! I especially like the fact that he does all the cooking and pot scrubbing when we go camping....hehe... If I were ever stuck in the middle of nowhere.....please let the guy next to me be a good Eagle Scout!! It would be almost as good as having McGyver (you know-the 80's t.v. show?) Or better yet!! Please make it Joel!!! :)

“A Scout smiles and whistles under all circumstances.” --Sir Robert Baden-Powell

I'm Quirky- Tag

Okay... so I'm suppose to list 6 quirky things about me.....

1. I don't do well with messes. What I mean is that when the house isn't clean and mostly uncluttered, I'm not happy or comfortable. Just ask Alayna...when she's baking in our kitchen, I'm constantly cleaning up behind her. It drives her nuts sometimes because I'm putting things away before she's done with them. Hehe....

2. Along that same line, when Joel and I are done cleaning the house...I get the urge to bake some cookies or something. My kitchen is clean, and I get the urge to make a mess! I know! It means another mess to clean up. (I do make a big mess!)

3. I'm always reading something. I can't go to sleep at night unless I do at least a little reading. Sometimes this means a loud thud as my book falls to the floor because I've fallen asleep!

4. I hate to write on the chalkboard. Always have. Don't know why. Just ask the Young Women in our ward. I do avoid it when possible.....kind of weird....

5. I don't know my cell phone number! I never call it! But don't ask me for the number when I'm on my cell phone....Jeepers- haven't figured out how to handle that!

6. I'm constantly straightening things that are even slightly crooked. Like...pictures on the wall, scatter rugs, dining room chairs, etc. -although I'm not obsessive about it. I should have a little level attached to my hip for convenience. (That kind of sounds obsessive, doesn't it?!)

Okay, so I tag Lynne Blaisdell and Heidi-I know-it's only two!

Talents Take Courage

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up. ~Pablo Picasso

I can still remember the first time I was able to color a picture and actually stay within the lines. I was maybe 4 or 5. It was early on a quiet Saturday morning and my family was still asleep. I proudly showed everyone as soon as they got up. It's amazing I still remember! My whole life I've been finding creative outlets for myself. The one thing I don't spend enough time doing is drawing and painting. I could be so much better. I've always doubted myself and my abilities when it comes to art but I've come to learn that even the best of artists doubt themselves- especially when venturing in what is new territory for them. We all need to develop our talents. I am so glad that I have a family who appreciates and supports me. Thanks, Dad, for being the first one to actually pay me for one of my oil paintings. :)

All art requires courage. ~Anne Tucker

Pieces of My Heart

Home is a shelter from storms - all sorts of storms. ~William J. Bennett

I love this quote. Our home has always been my haven. When life is tough, hard or confusing, my refuge is home. Yes, I am a homebody but not because I avoid the world. I love people and serving others. I consider myself a homebody because I love the physical and emotional comfort home gives me- second only to what I feel inside the temple. Joel and I work hard to make our home the kind of place that tells others when they walk in the door-"Come on in, put your feet up, feel safe and comfortable." That is what we, ourselves, need to feel when we open the door to our home. When asked where we have lived that feels most like home, I have a hard time giving a definite answer. You see, any house we have lived in was home to us. But each place we have lived still has a part of my heart. I thought it would be fun to tell a little bit about the places we have lived and what I miss about them.

So, even though I was born in Washington, I was so young when my family left that I have no memory of it. I've lived the majority of my life in California. I do kind of consider myself a California girl and am kind of sad about some of the ways it has changed. But here are pictures of things I miss the most about California (besides the perfect weather).

One of our favorite places to go was the Monterey and Carmel area. It was only about a 45 min. drive. I will always miss those long walks along the shore and pier.

Another place we've lived which is very dear to us is Kalispell, Montana. Both our kids were born there and it was a wonderful place to live.

Glacier National Park was less than an hour away. It is beautiful and fun to do some hiking-just remember-there are grizzly bears there!


Some of the things I miss most about Montana are haying the fields, hiking up the snow covered mountains to cut our Christmas tree, and quiet moments in the middle of a lake in our fishing boat.

We also lived near Salem, Oregon where we found lifelong friends that we miss dearly.

It was so green and beautiful- of course that green comes at a price! Lots of rain!! I miss our 100 year old home that we renovated.

Now we live outside of Nashville, TN. I'm sure that I will find it unique and special in its own way. I'm anxious to see the historical sites in this part of our country.

Mostly, I wish I would have really treasured the time that we lived in those unique and pretty areas. Yeah....they each still own a piece of my heart......