Summer

It's come and gone so quickly as always. The years pass by so quickly the older I get. I look back and realize I can't remember all that happened...I feel like my memory fails me so much. It makes me sad. I sat and watched a movie with my mom the other day and snuggled up to her, and when I looked at her before I left I realized time moves swiftly. I didn't realize till now she has aged so much! It's happened so quickly, in my mind she's always the mom I was when I was younger. But I noticed she's a little more tired, a little older, times going by a little faster. It makes me think of that song "If I could save time in a bottle." If only it worked that way. I don't like the idea of life continuing as those I love die. It's a sad thought to me. My siblings are aging to...which means I'm aging. It's hard being the youngest I think...yes, I got spoiled more probably, but I also get the least amount of time with those I love who are so much older than me.

okay, enough of the sad. Just had "TIME" on my mind.

This summer has been busy. We have had a good time. I can't think of what we have done really...we have worked a lot. But we have spent time roasting marshmellows, hotdogs, spend time playing memory with Aspen - her new favorite game. We also went for a week to Trinidad California and saw the Redwoods! I've always wanted to go to the redwoods! It was BEAUTIFUL. I will post pics as soon as I pull them off my camera. We went to a place called Fern valley (I think) and it was my favorite, it was soooo beautiful. Most all Ashtons family was there, Travis, Nick, Jon, Alycia, Molly, mom call and dad call and us. and a couple grandkids. And if you know his family, that's a big deal for us to all get together like that. We had a great time. It wasn't warm california like I would have liked, but it was beautiful and right by the Ocean. We spent a lot of time every night visiting and laughing by the fire. I made a new friend, and I love her sooo much. She is Nicks girlfriend Lindsey, and she and I had the best time together. She isn't LDS, but she has a deep faith in God, and she was so sweet to be around. They smoke and drink, and Aspen being the sweetie she is asked them why they smoke and drink. She told them Jesus doesn't like us to do that. Haha. Instead of getting offended, they appreciated her honesty, and said it gave them something to think about. I was proud that what I have taught her has stuck. She's a smart girl, and she knows what is right and wrong, but she also knows how to love unconditionally even if others aren't doing what they should. I love that girl more than words can say. She's growing so fast, and I wish we had another one, she gets so lonely sometimes. Lyndsies brother was there too and they were drinking and he offered me one and I said "I don't drink" and he said "come on, your on vacation!" and I said "I'm on vacation, but my standards aren't." we all had a good laugh about it. But it's true, I'm glad I've been taught to have standards, and I'm glad for all the lessons I learned in life that lead me to know I wanted to have standards. I was sad because Lyndsie said she didn't have a high respect for mormons because mormons hadn't ever been very kind and accepting of her, but that us being there had opened her eyes and shown her that some mormons live what we believe and teach. I told her it's the gospel that's true, even if the people who say they are a part of it don't live it. I'm so glad to have the gospel in my life, and I do wish that more would live it and be kind and loving to those who don't, like we are taught to be. Everyone is a child of God. I hope she searches out the gospel for herself one day. I felt such a deep connection and love for her.

sorry so long. This was for journaling sake.

a quick run down of what's up with my baby
- she LOVES putting puzzles together and can do ones with 100 pieces almost by herself
-she likes to add up what our groceries will cost as I put them in the basket. def likes numbers...so much like her dad....nothin like me in that regard
- LOVES animals more than people. She can sit and pet a dog or cat for hours on end, and she doesn't care she is allergic, she loves them sooo much
-she prays every night #1 for a baby brother and sister #2 for us to sell our truck #3 for us to move to a house where she can have a cat, a dog, a horse, a sheep, a goat - the girl wants a farm #4 thanks for jesus Hanging on the cross so we can return to him. She says the most thoughtful long prayers. She doesn't forget anything.
-she likes to play memory and is better at it then me
-loves to sing. Sings and sings and sings...makes up her own songs, sings ones she knows. I'm shocked at all the songs she knows.
-likes to wear bracelets and soft pants
-likes to fish with daddy
-hates shoes
-loves to play 5 little ducks went out to play every morning by sitting on my tummy and bouncing up and down every morning
-loves her grandma peck - a TON
-when she has a hurt, or a sliver that needs taken care of, she will be crying and she will keep kissing you between cries...like she's trying to comfort YOU when she's the one that needs comforted. She feels really sad for YOU if you have to pull a sliver out and you tell her that you are so sorry and don't want it to hurt her.
-she smiles with her whole face and makes your heart light up
-she makes people laugh - and she LOVES people and gives great hugs
-she likes to help clean house and is really good at it
-She likes to say about ladies she sees "that lady is really pretty hu?" she says it about young people, grandmas, any girl
-she is STRONG minded....she does not like told what to do, she likes to do things her own way in her own time. She can be very stubborn. - but super sweet too
-she likes to dance
-poses fantastically for photos - likes to take photos herself
-cracks people up with the big words she uses like Stupendous,important, atually (actually - but it's so cute how she says it) and so many others. She likes big words

Like I said, she is my world. Love her more than anything. And Ashton of course. Those two are my whole world.