Ungrateful Recipient

So my sweet mother taught my how to sew when I was about thirteen and I haven't touched a sewing machine since. Until just now. I decided I wanted to retake up the hobby. I got a machine on craigslist and read a few tutorials online. And I sewed a little skirt for Libby. It was very simple, has several mistakes and looks quite homemade, but its a start and I am kinda proud of it. Libby was not so thrilled with my endeavor. In fact, here is her reaction to my homesewn garment:

"TAKE OFF! TAKE OFF!"

C'mon, Libbs, its not like you have to wear it to the prom...

I'm Not Too Proud Of This...

I thought I had stopped doing that after college. Guess I won't do that in front of the kids anymore.

A Bit Sentimental

So if you would have asked me a few years ago if I could picture myself getting sentimental over Provo, Utah, I would have scoffed. But that is exactly what happened this summer while we were visiting out west. Eric and I took a trip down with our kids to visit BYU, see my brother Darrell's new house and to experience a few old haunts. As we walked around campus I was overwhelmed with nostalgia. I can feel it now as I picture walking through the Wilk, driving by my first apartment, and eating at Brick Oven. As cheesy as it sounds, this is probably the place I found myself. This is where I met some of my dearest friends. Its where I learned to live on my own, to use my own resources and depend on my own testimony. Its where I attended many BYU football games, fell in love with several freshman boys, worked shifts that started at 5 AM, stayed up till the wee hours of the morning. Provo is where I met my sweet husband, got married and had my first child. It is where I met my goal of graduating from college. No wonder Provo brings a lot emotion. Its a big part of my life. I believe that part of the attraction of Provo for me is the difference between it and other places. Henefer, the tiny town where I grew up, seems like it never changes. In Henefer, everyone in town always remembers me when I visit, there are all the friendly familiar faces and there will always be (plus or minus a few). BYU isn't that way. As I stood on campus and watched students walk by, I realized that my spot here had been taken. BYU had moved on. As sorry as I was to realize that I was also glad in a way, because it meant that BYU was affording someone else to have the experiences I was able to have. Bittersweet feeling.

Eric and I have talked on and off about moving back to Provo someday. I'd like to think that if we do the experiences we have could compare to those of our "Salad Days!"

I've Been Workin' on the Railroad

Thank You Note IV & V

Dear Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook,
Thank you for inspiring me with delicious meals for my family and teaching an air head like me to prepare them (since when my mom tried to teach me years ago it went in one ear and out the other).
'Preciate ya!
Natalie

Dear Mom,
Thank you for purchasing said Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook and attempting to teach me how to cook!
Love,
Natalie

Her Real Name is ME TOO

Libby is the biggest me too-er. Oh my goodness, it is so funny. She does everything Ethan does. Ethan jumps off the bed, Libby jumps off the bed. Ethan refuses to eat carrots, Libby refuses to eat carrots. Ethan says, "Hi Daddy," Libby says, "Hi Daddy." About a thousand times a day I hear out of her little mouth, " Me too, Momma" or "My turn Momma" or a repetition of whatever Ethie just said.

Ethan said to me today, "Libby does everything I do because she loves me so much." That about sums it up.