Aunt Char's Camp Booty

Yesterday I picked up my nephew Spencer. I just adore this little guy he is age seven he and Chandler hang out quite a bit. When I went to get Spencer I could tell Meredith (his mother) was not her cheerful self. I sensed it had been a challenging morning with three kids and was practically in tears when I asked. She stated it and been a rough morning and some implication about Spencer giving her a little grief. As Spencer and I got in the car, I asked him if he was helping his mom and being obedient to her.

There is a standing joke that kids come to aunt Char's for fun and reform(aunt Char's boot camp). I was teasing Spencer that if he wasn't being obedient to his Mom, he would have to come to aunt Char's boot camp. He giggled and we went about our daily activities.

While we were driving, it was rush hour and the passenger seats were loaded with little people. All of the sudden I heard a big thud, Chandler had thrown a water bottle from the back seat up to the middle seat. It alarmed me a little and I chewed on Chandler a little. Chandler is a sensitive little soul and began to let loose the tears of me being upset with him. I began to tell him it just scared me in the stress of driving.Spencer pipped up and said "Chandler your going to have to go to aunt Char's Camp Booty." We laughed the whole way home about Camp Booty.


I sure love spending time with my nieces and nephews!

At the end of the day Stephen and I took Chandler and Spencer to their first rodeo, It was the Lehi Round up Rodeo.

Chandler wasn't sure what to think of the calf roping, he loves animals and is a unofficial PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) member. He asked Stephen if the cowboys were just rough housing with the calf's like dads do with their boys to make them into tough bulls.

Gremlin Camp Out *BEWARE*

My Children and cousins Savannah and Shiloh, decided they where going to have a back yard camp out. They set up their tent, gathered sleeping bags, pillows and flashlights. I contemplated giving them carmel popcorn, for worry it might attract ants.

Stephen and I tucked the little campers in and gave them instructions to whisper, beware of the sprinklers and the bed bugs.

It was a rough night for the troops. I woke the next morning around 6:20am to check on the kids. Tents had been moved and abandoned. As I looked out the window I sighted a doe a couple feet away from the kid's tents. I ran to grab my camera, but was not fast enough.

I got Stephen off to work and then went to find where the kids ended up. All bedrooms where empty, except Alexis's bedroom. I peeked in only to find three of the five campers. It quickly became a mystery to where the other two children could be, I had checked the tents earlier, right after Stephen left, only found bedding and no heads. Instantly I became frantic to find Chandler, Olivia and Latte. I checked all the bedrooms again and back out to the tent, looking very carefully I found two bobble heads covered with mounds of blankets and pillows. Mystery solved!

As the kids began to tell their stories of the night, I discovered the sprinklers went off, the little campers moved their tent as instructed but, Alexis and Savannah moved their tent, but not far enough. The tent was soaked and they made a run for the house to sleep in for the rest of the night, Shiloh must have followed. Olivia and Chandler moved their tent and went back to sleep.

The kids had sneaked a midnight snack of Hershey's chocolate syrup, Doritos, Zingers and fruit snacks during the night. Stephen and I where up taking a bubble bath with the window open and kept hearing the kids making such a ruckus. Dad went down to silence them.



The next morning during clean up I discovered why the kids had been so loud...
They where trying to divvy up treats amongst the all the little gremlins.

Summer Time

Summer is the most wonderful time of the year for me. I am a true sun worshiper. First thing I will do in the morning, I crack the blinds to find the sun. I get a sense of internal warmth when I see sunshine. Seeing the sun releases brightness and cheer in my day, life becomes more vibrant.

What else is it I enjoy so much about summer?



















- The feel of grass between my bare toes.

- My favorite trees(the Aspen)dance in the mountain breeze.

- The smell of a barbecue cook out, makes my mouth salivate.

- Swimming at the pool and water fights, just to get cool.

- The excitement of the kids when the ice cream man chimes through the neighborhood.

- The styles of Summer: Sundress's, skirts, shorts, sandals, wicker bags and fashionable hats.

- Flavors of Summer: Ice cold lemonade, watermelon on the rind,
7-11 Slurpee's, summer pasta salads, corn on the cob smothered with butter and salt, cold tastes to the tounge and never enough ice cream.

- Camp outs with my children as they discover a small taste of adventure.

- Romps in the mountains like a scene from Sound of Music, allowing the feeling of freedom to unleash.

- Majestic flags of our nation seem to fly more as festive summer parades, fire works and the Fourth of July triggers patriotism of our preeminent country and the founding fathers.


Yes, this is what I love most about summer.

Ode to Father's Day

It was a nice Father's Day weekend. Friday, we did a camp out. It was a blast! Stephen and I took the kids to a park and did golf and cartwheels. It was so hilarious to watch the kids trying to do cartwheels.


We played laser tag, had a steak brunch with Grandpa Gus at The Texas Roadhouse and to top it off, a family BBQ at Jason's.

With all the fun we had and the cute cards the kids made for Stephen, I made certain to tell my husband how much I appreciate him and my Dad too.

I have always teased and called Stephen my Superman. He may think it's all chuckles, but there is truth behind the name of my Superman.


After my divorce it was most important to find a man that would not only be amazingly good to me, but also to Chandler. When I met Stephen I observed carefully the interaction he displayed with Alexis and Olivia. I grew to admire his extreme patience, huge heart and caring personality. I married Stephen and always have known from the day we met it was meant to be. I can never express in words how full my heart is everyday for the great man I married. He has so loving and such a role model for our children. He is such an incredibly hard worker and the kids often wish there was more of Dad to go around, but I know some day they will admire his ethics, while encompassing right conduct and will acquire a good life. I like the story behind the song Cats In The Cradle. (Click on the title above to view music video)


What Makes a Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it ... Dad

Heaven on Earth

I spent the weekend at Snowbird (a local ski resort). The first day I spent with Alexis and Olivia. As we drove up the mountain bopping and singing with the radio song Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog I became aware of my surroundings. The sky suddenly looked close enough to touch, my heart burst with overwhelming warmth and it was almost like we could touch heaven. I turned off the radio and offered a prayer of gratitude for the beauty of the Earth, for my precious little family and for all God has blessed us with. But, it didn't end there...
The girls and I woke the next morning, I drew the curtains and with inspiring delight saw the grandeur mountains, in front of my face glorious green, tall pines. Taking it all in I breathed deep enought to fill my lungs with content. I then did a running somersault on to the bed to get the blood flowing. The girls giggled with delight that this ol lady could do a somersault. The twinkle in their soul as they copied the act was so cherished. The morning became just me and the girls, no distractions like TV, computer, household chores, ringing telephones, friends or neighbors. The whole day was ours. Is this not heaven? Being with little one's who are so touched with life. We shared chats, songs and lots of giggles, my heart felt so much delight. The girls left to spend some time with Emily, I was sad to see them go after such a bonding day. Stephen,Alexis and one of my Sister's asked me what I would do for the remaining days. The thing I have come to find is I actually like me, so much I don't mind being with myself. I dug into a new book A New Earth. As I sat in the perfectly quiet room I became mesmerized by the scenery all around me once again. I stood staring for countless hours as I listened to my book on disc. I couldn't help but notice every detail of the trees and the new falling snow that sparkled like small diamonds on the lush green of the trees. The colors of the mountains changed by the movement of the gray and white clouds. It all felt so spiritually elevating, like a euphoric vision. A New Earth was such a great pick for the ambiance.

Does it take being away from chaos to notice that there can be heaven among us in every day hustle and bustle? It's in the warm and waking sun, in my children's eyes, it's a meaningful embrace from my husband, who loves me so deep it touches my core. In the beauty all around.

God’s beauty requires a response on our part. As God is beautiful, so we too must actualise beauty in our own lives. As God loves beauty, so we too must find, appreciate and love the beauty of creation. Indeed, we must bring beauty into being ourselves.

Be A Fountain Not A Drain

Saturday, May 31, 2008 Chandler was baptised. He made this step with much assurity, I could see it in his eyes as we would share words. He is a boy who believes in himself, even at the young age of eight, he has a glimpse of who he is. Chandler with out a doubt has great purpose to fulfill, he is an amazing young man. He looked so angelic on this day. How anxious I wait to see the shaping of Chandler's life, what he will one day become. Chandler holds such a special place in my heart. The love I feel for him he may never fully understand until he has children of his own. My son is a growing miracle from God, constantly touching my life.

My Mom sent me a text with this saying "Be a fountain not a drain" and It has stuck with me for days. I really like the saying and found myself pondering this little saying during Chandler's baptism.

I thought... how I want to live my life as a fountain that gives to others and glows with purpose, never to be a drain, wasting away my existence, gifts and talents.

Chandler has such a large family, it would be hard to feel loved!