TODAY

Outside my window...hammer hammer; bang bang; buzz buzz. The workers are steadily making progress on our new garage. Can't wait to have a place to park bikes next summer and cars this winter. Simple pleasures.

I am thinking...how much I've enjoyed taking a few minutes each morning BEFORE the kids wake up to gather myself and my thoughts - to meditate and pray. It's been easier to allow myself this time in the summer when the kids are extra tired and sleeping in a little longer.

I am thankful for...a brain FULL and a heart FULL of summertime memories with my kids.

From the kitchen...nothing since Saturday. I made cake pops as part of the centerpieces for Christina's surprise birthday party and haven't wanted to set foot in the kitchen since. Thankfully the fam ate Sunday dinner with Grammy and Paca; I think I'll swindle Bryce into grilling fish tonight.

I am wearing...workout clothes - at 2:56 in the afternoon. I opted to take Kalli to another Apple Camp session instead of the gym this morning so I haven't worked out yet. Hoping to get the gym before sundown.

I am creating...a list of ideas on how to celebrate our Utah pioneer heritage this week. The 24th of July (this Friday) is a huge holiday here in Utah and is the very date we celebrate the settling of this beautiful valley we call home.

I am going...to swim lessons this evening with Max. One of my favorite ways to wind down a summer day: ask Bryce and the girls to clean up dinner while I go one on one with my favorite five year old.

I am reading...a few newspaper clippings I recieved from my mom last week in the mail. She has been doing this for 15 years - since I first moved away from home. The topics vary from child rearing to the latest herbal mosquito bite remedy. They usually come complete with highlighted sections and her personal comments hand written in between the columns. I don't know if she knows how much I treasure them. (I love them mom - keep them coming!)

I am hoping...for a wardrobe "crisis" like Bryce is experiencing. Nothing in his closet fits him anymore since he went a got all skinny. Hence the reason I'm still in my workout clothes I suppose. :)

I am hearing...Novela in A minor - pianist Kalli Jensen Roberts

Around the house...dress-ups are everywhere. We had some serious wins at the D.I. (local thrift store) last week and the kids have dressed up as everything from oompa loompas to Sharpay Evans. Need to kill a bored summer afternoon? Head to your local thrift store and let your imaginations take over.

One of my favorite things...friends. These are just a few of them; but they are ALL wonderful, beautiful, kind, generous, talented, and amazing. I have the BEST friends.

A few plans for the rest of the week...shopping for a birthday gift, another Apple camp (that makes 3!), Discovery Gateway, our favorite neighborhood BBQ of the year, laundry laundry laundry, greeting one of our favorite cousins at the airport after not seeing her for 1 1/2 years!

Now dear blogging friends...its your turn. What does TODAY look like for you?