More pictures from Idaho....

While we were in Menan, there was a huge brush fire. I'm not sure how many acres were destroyed, but it was pretty big. The wind was really blowing, whipping it out of control. Eric's brother Nic, who is a volunteer firefighter, was called in to assist. They were forced to evacuate several homes. Here are some crazy cool pictures from that day....

Heidi, my master-photographer-in-the-making, took these for me, as I was busy making dinner. I was jealous that I didn't get to do some as well! These were all taken just down the road from Eric's parents house.

Jane Austen Fight Club

This is just too awesome!

FINALLY.....

I am finally getting some pictures posted from our trip to Idaho!

Eric decided his parents were in desperate need of a new front porch. So, with the help of his brother Nic and cousin Danny, they constructed this beautiful new deck while we were there.
It took three days, and several trips to Lowe's, but the finished product was well worth the effort!!

The kids had so much fun with cousins!!!

And we took the opportunity for some family pictures, despite the windy conditions.

With twelve children of various ages, I'd say we got a pretty good shot of everyone!!! The last picture we were able to get of everyone together had three fewer kids. We're a growing bunch!

Idaho Fun....

Need I say more????

More pictures from the trip to follow.....

The Blind Side (winning me over)

I am a strange one when it comes to movies, especially the feel-good, motivational type. I almost always dig in my heels, not wanting to watch them. Part of me detests the cheesiness, and part of me dreads the inevitable upheaval of deep emotions that I encounter as I continue through the story.

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Yet, despite my unwillingness, I almost always love them.

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"The Blind Side" was no exception.

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I have put off watching it now for many months, despite hearing its praises from friends and strangers, even my teenage daughter. Heidi said it was"really good," with the emphasis only a teenager could add.

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So I gave in and rented it. As I was watching it last night I laughed more than I expected, cried just as much as I anticipated, and was thoroughly moved and entertained. It truly is a must-see.

The story, which amazingly is based on the lives of real people, really touched me. It made me ponder about what this world would be like if everyone befriended and helped inspire just one person. It would truly be a different place. And then it made me consider my own life. Have I been reaching out to those in need who are around me? Am I paying attention to the whisperings of the Spirit, prompting me to act when I might otherwise look the other way, or make that phone call another time? Have I hugged my children today and told them that I love them and am so proud of them?

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There can never be enough movies like that.

Summer Haircuts

Elise has needed a haircut for a long time. I love her long hair. It is so pretty, but it is always in the way. I pretty much always have it back in a ponytail to avoid the hair-in-the-mouth lunch mess, not to mention the baby-fine snarls which are almost impossible to get out!

However, Elise is not the easiest client to work on. I am usually the hairdresser who is trying to chase her head around, chopping it shorter and shorter just trying to make everything even. This time I decided to let the pros do it!!

So Elise had her first professional haircut! I wish I had my camera with me, she was so cute sitting in that huge chair! And yes, the poor stylist had to do a lot of running around the chair, chasing her turning head. Don't worry, she got a big tip for it!
The picture doesn't do it justice. This is what it looks like after three hours of wrestling at church! Still pretty cute, though! She looks like the little French Madeline character in the children's book.

Erica had her share with the scissors as well! Only this time I braved it myself. She got some new bangs, a little too short I would say, but that's what happens when Mom resorts to doing it herself! I saved what came off, such perfect little curls! How I love them!