DIY Mini Terrarium

I know this isn't that original, I see it all over Pinterest, but I thought it would be fun anyway.

All it takes is:
~a jar ( I used a nice big pickle jar, although I've seen it done in lots of things --even big empty light bulbs.  I also have plans to take the paint off the lid),
~some rocks for drainage at the bottom (I got mine at the dollar store, and now I'm kicking myself because I should've just picked up pretty ones near the river instead of wasting money --especially since you can't see them very well anyway),
~some potting soil (I may have put too much in here, but maybe it will compress over time),
~some moss and other little plants. (I gleaned some from a nearby spring, but I know you can buy it all from the store as well.  Then maybe you won't get little stowaways --So far I've found small slugs, tiny beetles and some almost microscopic snails.  Oh, and a mosquito of all things, but I think he adds to the mesozoic theme we've got going, I'm sure they had giant bugs like that --or maybe I've been watching too much journey to the center of the earth).

Look closely, do you see it?

~a small figurine if you want. (I didn't have any cute woodland creatures, but I did have some dinosaurs, so that's what we put in there for fun.)

 ~Add some water and voila!  It's its own little ecosystem in there.  (Although, I open it up and blow in it every once in a while to give the plants some CO2 just in case).

It makes a nice centerpiece.

The kids think it's pretty cool (although it's hard not to want to get that dinosaur out).  We'll see how long it lasts.

Rainbows, Unicorns, and Something Just As Rare... A Controversial Topic..

I know this blog is usually just pretty pictures, funny stories, cool ideas, and thoughts about motherhood and such, but today we're going to take a break from all that.
Now, I'm not usually one to give my opinion on controversial subjects.  Partly it's because I acknowledge that I usually don't have enough of the facts about the subject, I fear that my ideas are half-formed or biased, not to mention that I am hopelessly naive. Plus I'm also aware that there are always exceptions to the rule and I don't like it when people speak in generalities... but mostly it's because I'm a very non-confrontational person and I don't like bringing up anything that could spark an argument with someone who has a different view.

That said, I'm going to bring up a controversial subject... homosexuality.

To be completely honest, this subject simply makes me uneasy, especially considering my faith and upbringing, not to mention various negative experiences I have had in relation to it. I still don't have a complete understanding, nor a strong opinion on this --mostly because I haven't been forced to think about it, and so I just avoid it (I know, I need to pull my head out of the sand), and because I am afraid that my own preconceived ideas and prejudices would probably get in the way of having a very open-minded and respectful discussion.  (Have I mentioned how tactless I can be sometimes?  It's a fault).
However, I was recently introduced to something which not only made me really think, but helped me understand some things, and begin to reconcile some of my erroneous notions (like for example that it's  a choice people make). After reading this together, my husband and I both feel that it has made us better people in some ways, and given us a better understanding of some things.

From a parental standpoint, I find this inspiring in quite a few ways as wise parents and other family members demonstrated love and acceptance while holding true to their beliefs; and from a marital standpoint I am inspired by the sheer faith and dedication, as well as the level of deep connectedness, commitment, understanding, and intimacy that is demonstrated by those involved.

That said, I am sharing this not as an end-all explanation or full description of this issue, it's merely one guy's experience, just another piece to the puzzle, and perhaps it may help someone else out there be a little more open-minded, and a little more charitable towards their fellow human beings.

So without further ado, here's a link to the story of a man who is a member in good standing of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, who is happily married to an amazing woman, has three daughters, and is gay.

I am so impressed by the strength of character and dedication to one's faith that this guy has. He doesn't let the world define who he is --by their definition of the word, nor does he try to cover up or deny who he really is.
The thing that strikes me the most is how he is able to make the distinction between physical feelings and desires, and spiritual conviction and eternal truths that he has come to know.
Isn't that the dilemma that all of us mortal beings struggle with daily?  The battle of the body vs. the spirit?  Don't we all have parts of ourselves that we must conquer or subdue?
I admire this guy's strength to choose and act according to his own conscience regardless of what others think or do themselves, and am inspired by the happy outcome.

One disclaimer that I'd like to throw out there: I admit that in my little world, the story in the link I have shared may seem ideal, but I realize that ideals are often the exception. I am by no means saying that this is the path I think every gay person should attempt to pursue.  The guy in the story equates himself to a unicorn --something rare and mythical, which is probably an apt description. You can put a sparkly horn on a horse, but it still won't be a unicorn.  I could see how trying to force such a situation could cause a lot of confusion, pain, and heartache.  So let's not use this knowledge to judge or set a standard for others who make different choices in their lives.  Let's instead share the message of love and acceptance that it has inspired.

(P.S. I also found this Q/A session with some of our church leaders to be really helpful.)

Naturally...

I love being surrounded by nature.

It invigorates me, fills me with hope, inspires and awes, and I am often overcome with gratitude to my Creator.

This is what I want for my kids --to be constantly filled with wonder. To learn to respect and appreciate the world around them. 

I want them to recognize God's love for them and see His power and majesty. It's in the details.

However, I also have to remember as they explore this world around them, that boys will be boys --and even if I tell them not to (especially if I tell them not to), they're going to touch it.

Ick. What can I do?

The baby appreciates nature in his own way (don't worry I washed it first).  This is why he's usually a  just a spectator.

For now anyways.

A Butcher a Baker, a Candlestick Maker...

Rub a Dub Dub, Three Men in a Tub...

We don't have a bathtub in the employee housing here.  I don't know why. I guess it has something to do with it being a government institution and they are required to make it handicapped accessible or something (although I don't think they could really hire a person who is handicapped at this physically demanding job, but whatever).  The boys were begging for a bath, which they badly needed (more on that later), and to be honest, I didn't feel like sharing my shower, so this is what we came up with.

(And yes, you will have that song stuck in your head all day now.)

A Walk Down Memorial Lane

The kids and I went exploring.  The road to our favorite canyon was closed so we ended up here.  

How fitting since it was just a few days after Memorial Day.

FYI: Cemeteries are the most colorful right after Memorial Day.

The Jackson Hole Cemetery is the most beautiful cemetery I know.

It's on the side of a mountain, so all the plots are tiered.

It was a little boy paradise.

We talked a bit about mortality, and what happens after we die.  As I tried to avoid scaring them, I might have made it sound too good because both kids decided they wanted to die right now and go to Heaven.  Oops.  So then I had to talk up earth life, which was surprisingly hard to do.

You know what though, mortality isn't supposed to be easy.  It's not all fun and games.

In fact, we probably cried harder when we sent people off into mortality, knowing how difficult, and painful, and lonely it might be, and that some of them might succumb to Satan's lies, forget who they are, and lose the blessings God has in store for His children.
Of course, I didn't tell them that.

Instead, I told them how grateful I am for my life, for my body, for my family, for the things I get to learn and experience --things I couldn't do elsewhere, and for the knowledge we have of Heavenly Father's plan for us.

I'm so glad I get to be their mother, and that I have the opportunity (or rather, the responsibility), to impart to them the things I've come to know and cherish. I have hope that it will guide them throughout their lives, give them direction, and make things a little easier on their journey through this life,

...wherever their paths may take them.

What dreams may come...

When you have a dream about someone, do you tell them?

Is that weird?

I've had a lot of dreams recently about meeting people who's blogs I follow.  I've never met most of them in real life, and in my dreams I act so silly, like I'm meeting a really famous celebrity or something.  I feel so insignificant, as if I'm bothering them, or they're doing me a great favor to even talk to me.

I don't think that is how it really is.  Maybe they're just as needy for the small validation that comes from simple comments and views as I am.

Maybe I shouldn't compare myself to what other people put on their blogs either --it's not like everyone is going to hang out their dirty laundry for the whole world to see (--although, I generally stick to people who keep it real).

So why do I feel so inadequate in my dreams?

Maybe it has to do with the fact that I am often wearing nothing but my undergarments.

Another Monsterpiece

My 3 year old strikes again.  He really knows how to think outside the box.

Just drawing with chalk is so boring.  Making multicolored dust is way cooler.

"My hands are pretty pretty, huh mom?"

I have to admit, the rock is kinda cool.

You know, back in the day and maybe even now in third world countries, they would probably think such rudimentary use of tools quite a talent for a kid his age, and would put him to good use grinding wheat or something.

I'll try to remember what a talented, free-thinker I have.

(Of course, it's harder to appreciate his creativity after pulling 5 or 6 pieces of his chalk out of the washing machine --after it had already filled with water and soap.  I was just lucky I hadn't put clothes in yet.)

Meet the Neighbors

This was what I saw yesterday evening over the period of 1 hour, all within walking distance of my home. (Or maybe I should say this is what I captured, because there were many more things that I didn't manage to take pictures of.)

Canada Geese and goslings

I'm amazed at the difference in sizes these gosling come in. I mean, they were all born at the same time...

Osprey

Can't wait to get pictures of their babies. Right now they're just starting to build the nest.

Western Tanager (my favorite)

 Like a jewel in the trees.

Red-Tailed Hawk

 Soaring looks so fun.

Magpie

 An unfortunate name for such a pretty bird.

Robin

I know, pretty common, but unlike the little birds, the chickadees and finches, he posed and let me take his picture.


I think I could get used to this neighborhood.

Oooouuuuuuch...

E.T.?  

Nope.

This is what happens when your nearly 10 month old touches a wall mounted electric heater vent.

Ah, the joys of a new home, full of new hazards that you have yet to discover.

Don't worry, he's okay. Seriously, he was happy and smiley by the time we got to the Urgent Care clinic, and the Dr. sent us home saying, "Well, if it doesn't bother him, there's not much for me to do." Maybe babies his age don't have the attention span to focus on the pain like we adults do, or maybe he was simply blessed.

Move #13

Moving, in a nutshell:  

Compression...

And in our case, Compression again, as we tightly packed not only the truck but a storage unit as well...

Decompression...

(Sorry for the crappy pictures, we left the camera at my sister's with the kids.)

And finally, Compression.

My husband didn't bother mentioning the flour handprint on my behind before snapping this pic.
Thanks a lot.

Leaving half our stuff behind each Summer makes us realize how much stuff we could really do without.

Yes, our employers house us in a one bedroom apartment... all five of us... but hey, it's free, so I'm not complaining.

(On top of the unused bunk beds that come with the place is our only space for storage.  In case you were wondering what's up there. You may recognize the set up from last year, although this time the whole place is reversed.)

The boys are cozy in their "cave," and we sleep on a futon in the living room.  At least I'm not in my third trimester this time around.

It's not perfect, but it's liveable. At least for 3 months out of the year anyway.

Is it worth it?

Well, we get to swap this...

(Ignore the rainbow, and imagine barking dogs at 2 in the morning.
This is the only picture I have from our old balcony.)

...for this.

You be the judge.