Snippets from my life recently...

Mae wanted some cereal for breakfast. She requested a kind we hadn't had in a while. As I handed over her bowl, I said, "Now, this cereal is a little old, so let me know if it's good, or if it's weird."

She said, "Mom, I don't like weird kids, but I like weird cereal."

______________________________________________________

Hal has been very dedicated to teaching Mae about "church" stuff. He writes out lessons on the white board, and even made up a worksheet for her to complete.

(He helped us. Every thing was not sins. He protects us. He has an angel. I love him.)

_________________________________________________________________________

Mae got a new stuffed tiger from her very first dentist visit. She has named it Alex Amy Honnold.

_______________________________________________________________________

My back went out a couple weeks ago, and it made me pretty focused on only the pain. Meaning- I wasn't much of a conversationalist, or very social. 

One morning, Gordon saw me putting on make-up before school drop-off. I guess it was a rare sight for him, because he said something like, "Doing something special?"

I said, "I'm trying to distract from my lack of social skills with make-up."

He said, "That's why I married you- what you lack in personality, you make up for with mascara."

____________________________________________________________________

I've been doing a lot of mothering from bed. One night, when Gordon was working late, I was up long enough to make dinner for the kids, but got back in bed to eat it. When the kids made their way back upstairs, I asked Hal if he finished his food. He took a camera, and took pictures of his bowl, and Mae's, to prove that he finished his food, but Mae did not. 

I guess I just have to trust which bowl is his, right?

Happy Birthday Tim!!!!!

Vivian
A while back I was listening to a radio talk show and they were asking people to call in and tell their claim to fame or a time that they were "famous". (Note the appropriately used quote marks there)

It reminded me of the time in Santa Barbara that Dad and Kathy had purchased a piece of furniture, a dresser I think, from a store on State Street. Tim was going to bring it back for them and when we went to pick it up, he had to bring his jeep around to the front of the store to load it.  On the way around he had to sweet talk some police officers to get around a blockade because of a 4th of July parade that was about to begin. Somehow, we got through. We thought the dresser might fit in the back of the jeep, but it was too big, so we had to strap it too the top.  All of this took a bit of time and all the while we could see horses and floats up the street getting ready to come down.  With the dresser firmly secured to the roof rack, Tim and I jumped in and as we started to drive it became clear from the crowds that there was no way to get off the parade route until... the end of the parade route.

There were hundreds of people lining the streets, waving flags, watching for something interesting to pass by.

Tim rolled down both windows and began to make announcements with his PA. "Helloooo Santa Barbara!!! Thanks for coming out on this beautiful day! The parade will begin in just a few moments! You're all looking great!" I waved and smiled at the crowd like the proud winner of a beauty pageant that was sponsored by a local budget moving company.

Sarah
I was going to the temple for the first time and Tim couldn't be there with us. He wrote me a nice note that I still have. I think the first time I really hung out with him is while he and Beth were dating - I went with them to San Luis to go rock climbing. I am also thinking of all the things he has done for me and others. 

Rachel
Tim is funny – remember when he put that Free Cat sign next to the dead cat on the side of the 41?

Tim is good in a fight – like when he brought a chainsaw to a snowball fight.

Tim is a hero – he stepped up and stomped his way through a frozen pond to rescue me and Sydney when all you schmucks were just watching.

Tim is a good brother– he baptized me, he made me stilts, he took me to hockey games, he gave me 100 $1 bills all taped together in an endless ribbon I got to unfurl when I was saving up for my first ever international trip.

Tim’s a pretty great guy.               

Carrie
Well, this is how I think of Tim.   Rocking a hammock after a big fishing adventure. I hope there are many more of both in your future.                                                                                         

Claire

Tim is such a likable guy, it was very easy to see him as family. It's probably good he was the first brother. I'm not the biggest fan of change, or interlopers, so I thought I'd be more wary of one of my sisters bringing home an addition for the first time. But when Beth and Tim woke me in the middle of the night to announce their engagement, I only remember happiness and excitement. 

I also have loved watching him interact with my kids over the years. He makes them feel at ease way faster than any 6'4" man should.

The first time I ever met Tim, he felt very familiar to me, and I asked him if we knew each other. We were at a young adult dance (even though I was only 17 at the time). He thought I was hitting on him, and was weirded out. He couldn't get rid of me that easy, though. Haha.

I know the sisters are a lot to take, so thanks for jumping in, Tim.

You're a charming, hardworking, interesting friend, and I'm glad to know you. Happy birthday!