In March we found a babysitter for Emmeline and took the four oldest kids to see Peter and the Wolf. A small group of the Utah Symphony, and Ballet West II performed it. It was awesome! Every last one of us really enjoyed it. There was a narrator that told the story, which helped the kids to follow what was going on.

My ten-year high school reunion is this month. It's thousands of miles away, so I have a great excuse not to go. There are a few people I might've liked to say hi to, but that's about it. It seems to me that class reunions are an opportunity to judge, at a glance, what people have made of themselves. Are they 300 pounds fatter? Are they rich and successful? What are they wearing? Not really my scene in the first place, but as I've thought about it here and there, what would I have to say for myself? I got a bachelor's degree, got married, followed him to a job, and now stay at home with my three, count 'em, three (!) children. That's it in a nutshell. Let the Mormon jokes ensue and the silent dismissal begin. The life of a stay-at-home mother is observed by many as bland, demeaning, a waste. But as such, I'm here to say that yeah, things are hard sometimes and not very glamorous, but I find motherhood, at least my particular brand of it, to be deep,...

My friend Melissa invited the kids and I over to her parents' farm today so we could watch the combine cutting the wheat. The kids were thrilled. Her dad was nice enough to even let them ride with him while he cut a row! They got to watch the grain coming out of the arm and going into the truck at the end of the ride. They were telling me all about their ride and both were very specific when they were talking about the "sharpies" that turned to cut the wheat. They were pretty sweaty after the ride, so we went in the shade and they had popsicles and played for awhile while they cooled off. It was a really fun outing and the kids had a blast.  I forgot my camera, so Melissa saved the day and took these pictures for us. Thanks again Melissa! We had a great time!