The Art of Asking

He'd already gone to bed on his 16th birthday when there was a knock at the door. No one was there. Yet, the doorstep was not empty. Attached to two green helium balloons was a small white Cupcake Chic take-out container and a note.

An embarrassed yet happy grin appeared on his face the next morning when he discovered that he had been asked to the Sadie Hawkins dance. Clues written on the balloon strings were quickly deciphered as he figured out who his date would be.

"How are you going to answer her?" his mom queried. "I don't know. That's why I have sisters," he replied.

The next night his reply found its way to her doorstep--a red velvet cupcake from The Sweet Tooth Fairy complete with homemade "YES" flag.

Luckily this asking/replying interchange was relatively simple (not to mention delicious.)

Do they do this where you live?

Often the "asking" can be quite elaborate in these parts, and it really is only done for the bigger school-sponsored dances like PROM, MORP, Homecoming, etc. The concept was foreign to me until I came to BYU as a college freshman. Once again I live in Provo, and the practice is as strong as ever.

Anyone know how and when this even started?

"Curiouser and Curiouser"

Dear Rachel (#3)

Dear Rachel,

What does Fall look like in Atlanta? Take some pictures and post them on your blog when you can. Here's a peek at our yard this year. You know I love all the red. :)

(Our apples are few, but the ones we do have are big and beautiful.)

(burning bushes in the backyard)

(Too many leaves! We are waiting for a windstorm to blow them into the Ogden's yard--just kidding!)

(Virginia Creeper edging up the front of the house)

(Remember the little bird nibbling on the apple in my last letter? This blue bird is finishing the job.)

******************

Abby had the toughest time deciding what to be for Halloween this year. In fact, she wasn't even sure she was going trick or treating until the very last minute. She wore her poodle skirt from last year to school, but when she got home, she got to work on her original idea--a Rubik's Cube. She cut, designed, and painted it all by herself.

The kids' pumpkins were pretty spooky. Travis' toothy snarl was especially intimidating.

We love you and miss you--especially since it was the first year we didn't get to see you in your traditional "poor sailor boy" costume. Have a good weekend!

Mom

Startling my Mother Heart

My mother heart caught its breath, stared, wondered, and smiled as I listened to their exchange, then witnessed it with my own eyes. Travis was successfully helping Abby with her Algebra homework!

These two have had quite a history. They can be the best of friends, and then . . . let's just say they know exactly how to "push each other's buttons." Travis' first attempt at helping Abby didn't go very well. Her frustration at not understanding took control and she was in no mood to be teachable. At that point I intervened and insisted she move to a different room and work on her Utah Studies homework for a while until she cooled down.
When that assignment was complete round two began. I sat quietly in a neighboring room listening to their interchange. I was utterly amazed at how well it went. Travis was calm, patient, and perfectly pedagogical. He asked Abby questions to gauge her understanding and rephrased explanations when she didn't get it. Abby did her part too, by listening and keeping her tone in check.

I peeked around the corner and snuck a picture. It was awesome. I love it when the rewards come.

Dear Rachel (#2)

Dear Rachel,

I think it's time for another pictorial update. Abby followed your lead and has made a number of headbands since you left. The majority haven't been very successful, but this one made her very happy. She created it completely by herself. She did end up with a nice hot-glue gun blister on the tip of her finger, though, which she nursed for several days.

******************

Cross-country has officially ended for Travis. I had no idea what a cross-country meet entailed until this Fall. The number of runners in this invitational in Murray was particularly overwhelming. I tried to capture the scene with my iPhone.

Travis loves running now and has improved significantly over the season. He basically PR'd (set a personal record) at almost every meet. These pictures are from Regionals where he ran Varsity. It was a cold and rainy day, but he had a great morning.

******************

Guess what I saw outside our kitchen window today? I grabbed my camera and shot these through the glass and screen. It made me smile.

We miss you and love you lots!

Mom

Hello Halloween

It's a good thing I still have children around here who want me to decorate for Halloween, otherwise, those boxes under the stairs might never see the light of day.

Here is my version of a Halloween centerpiece. I combined two ideas from my Pinterest Halloween board.

At first Travis was disgusted that I nestled perfectly good candy next to flower stems. When I explained that the flowers were in a vase within a vase, he eagerly reached in and stole a few. Over the past couple of days the top layer has gradually disappeared. I've replenished it a time or two.

Our entryway is the same as last year. I'm glad I took of picture of it so it could be replicated. It's too hard to be creative every year. I did find a free printable (here) which I printed and hung on the wall.

Hello Halloween!

Vatican City

We spent our last day in Rome exploring the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica.

(A Vatican guard)

The Vatican Museums were overwhelming. There was just too much to see. Mazes of rooms housed sculptures, paintings, tapestries, maps, ancient artifacts, books, and much more. The audio tour was a life saver, but we could have easily spend days there. Eventually, I had to just put my camera down and attempt to absorb it all with my own eyes.

(Rachel, this flutist is for you.)

(looking down)

(looking up)

(How would you like a bathtub like this?)

I can honestly say that the Sistine Chapel was my favorite place of our entire trip. As we entered the room, it was literally packed with people. Carefully we made our way to one of the side walls and waited a few minutes until a bench was available. It was a welcome relief to finally sit down. We entered the corresponding number on our audio player, gazed up at the ceiling, and were filled with awe.

There it was--right above me.  That iconic image of the creation of Adam.

Source

Source

I was so impressed with the shared truth between the Catholic church (as viewed through Michelangelo's frescoes) and my own church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or Mormons). It was all there--the Creation of the World, the Creation of Adam and Eve, the Fall, and the need for a Savior and Redeemer in Jesus Christ.

For a few moments I was in my own world of wonder and inspiration. I knew and felt (once again) that God loved and knew me and that His plan was the way, the truth, and the light.

Source

Michelangelo's painting of The Last Judgement on the wall above the main doors is so complex, yet so symbolic of what I believe.

I have much to learn from these masterpieces. It was a true blessing to see them for myself.

As our day in Rome came to a close we lined up for a tour of Saint Peter's Basilica and Square.

(The remains (with mask) of pope Blessed Innocent XI)

(A baptismal font)

It was all quite magnificent.