Twilight Trains and Cooking Perks

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . sitting on a bench with Daniel and Anna (Joy was on a date with Daddy), watching the trains go by in the cool evening air.

And another thing . . .

. . . being the family cook is a lot of work, but it has at least three major benefits: 1) You get to cook the food you feel like eating, within reason, 2) If a recipe turns out well, you have the dual satisfaction of eating good food and knowing you created it, and 3) If you don't like how a recipe turns out, you never have to worry about it being cooked in your home again.

A Picnic, Preschool, and Popsicles

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . attending an orientation meeting at Daniel's preschool, and learning about all the exciting things he'll be doing this school year.

. . . sharing homemade popsicles with the kids on a summer afternoon.

 . . . taking the kids to a back-to-school picnic at Joy's school, then walking home in the cool twilight.

. . . smooching my sweetie when he got home.

Hot Spots and Milkproof

Today's not-so-favorite moments included . . .

. . .  accidentally dropping my battery-powered instant read thermometer into some milk I'd heated.  I had always kind of wondered if the thing was waterproof.  Apparently it is not.  It certainly isn't milkproof, at any rate.

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . eating fruit salad.  It was refreshing on a hot day.

. . . snuggling Anna, and hearing her use the new words she's learning.

And another thing . . .

. . . you know your child has geeky parents when she asks you, "Which is hotter: Death Valley or Tatooine?"

Simon Says Jump and Sleep

Today's not-so-favorite moments included . . .

. . . waking up feeling really, really tired.  I need to get to sleep earlier tonight.

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . sharing some chocolate zucchini bread with Joy.  We both agree it's one of our favorite treats.

. . . Anna gleefully jumping and spinning with us as we played Simon Says.

. . . chatting with other women at a Relief Society tonight.

Simple Gifts on a Holiday

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . enjoying a lazy holiday morning at home.

. . . dinner working out to everyone's satisfaction.  That sounds so simple, but when I think about it that seems like a small miracle.

. . . feeling a cool, evening breeze after a hot day.

Hot Weather and Ham Sandwiches

Today's not-so-favorite moments included . . .

. . . waking up to a very warm bedroom.  Even when you've had a full night's sleep, it's hard to feel really rested when you wake up hot.

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . hearing Phillip bear his testimony in church that the Savior knows him personally, and knows how to help him overcome his individual challenges.

. . . a young boy in Primary giving a very thoughtful talk about how God comforted him when a favorite uncle died.

. . . having friends over to dinner.  The dinner was good, the dessert was great, but above all it was a pleasure to just spend hours talking with friends.

. . . another friend learning that Phillip loves ham sandwiches, and commenting "I hope you know you're worth every ham sandwich I can make."  It was both amusing and touching.

Cleaning and Talking

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . Joy helping me stack chairs as we cleaned the church this morning.  I really appreciate her willingness to help out.

. . . talking for hours with Phillip tonight.  I sure love him.