A summer of treasures

I have had lots of projects and things I have done around the house all summer long. Now that fall is coming and we stay indoors more I was thinking about how fun it is to create and decorate! I thank my mom for sharing part of her talent with me. I am not as good as she is but some has rubbed off and I love to take old things and incorporate them into my decorating. This really has been a summer of treasure finding.
I found this bird one day while shopping around downtown at the antique shops. I love it! I have been sewing like crazy for a bazaar I am doing in October. Here are a couple of the aprons I have been working on. I also have made the most adorable dry erase boards. Even if nothing sales it is OK because I'll have most of my Christmas done!
When I went to town last week with Toshia I found this little side table. It is not old but just what I have been looking for for this little reading corner in my room.

Above my doorway I have this wonderful shelf. I have not done much with it. I have collected over time these old dolls and so thought I would put this together. It is not done and I am looking for a small trunk. I have more ideas but have to wait until I have more finds!
This is the other end of the shelf. Today I saw the coolest thing on HGTV for an area like this. I really want to do it but we are not carpenters so I will have to wait and see if I can get that together.
We finished our deck this summer. We added the lattice and made it so I could have hanging baskets out there. I just love it! David also made this bench along the sides of the deck and I found another cute bird to go out there. I have a couple of birdhouses that my boys made me out there and a basket with flowers. It is the end of the season but all summer long the flowers were so beautiful!
I found this shelf at a bazaar for $12.00. I love it! I have a few special teacup sets that were David grandmother's and a friend brought me one back from England last year. The lids on the wall I have collected over the years from yard sales. I hang them like plates and I just love the patterns and shapes. Lucky for me the bowls broke.

This family wall has been a work in progress for a long time. I think I have it like I want it for now. But if I find something new to add I know I will rearrange it. My family is so important to me and I want them to know it - so this family wall is for them
This dresser was along the side of the road with a sign for sale $10.00. I could not pass it up. I now houses all my trims and sewing notions. I have my eye on an antique closet that I want for the upstairs that will house all my fabrics. For now the fabric is in tubs in the garage.
The little box that the birdhouse and bird are on I got when David and I took our trip in August. I fell in love with it when I saw it and also a picture of a bird. That picture now hangs by my piano on a drawer pull that is a bird. It is so cute!
Finally we got our pot rack hung. It has a light so we had to do some electrical work (or should I say our friend Paul had to do some electrical work, thanks Paul). Now that it is up I think I should get some new pans. I like the old ones but my kids say I should get new ones. And finally my last find of the summer. This small shelf. I have been looking for something for this little corner in my hallway. It fit perfectly in the space and I spent only $5.00 on it. I have lots of books and so any thing I find that can house some of my books is always a treasure for me.

The hardest thing about trying to decorate when you have children is keeping things picked up so it looks like you decorated not just stuck stuff somewhere. It will not look the same though when they have all left and it is just me and David and our stuff. I love my finds and I love old things and love my family so much - I am so lucky to have all these beautiful things in my life to bring me joy on all different levels!

My crazy week!

What a crazy week last week. I cannot believe I got through it. I usually don't stress out to much about stuff and my week was going along just great - two really hard workouts, walking partner back for morning routine, piano lessons, managed to get four more aprons made for the bazaar, homeschool with Autumn, Monday movie date with little kids. On Wednesday after my workout I could not believe how tired and wiped out I felt. I just did not feel right. So after a short school time with Autumn and feeding her I laid on the recliner while she watched some "Dora". I just felt so sore and tired. I made it through piano lessons but just did not have any energy. I went to bunco and while there my throat started to get scratchy. After I got home and in bed I got so cold! I mean shaking I was so cold and could not warm up. My body ached so bad. I kept thinking I must have worked out way to hard. Needless to say I did not sleep well. Thursday I had Presidency meeting and I am sure they thought what is up with her? I did not talk much and thought I am so tired. I came home and just crashed upstairs. Autumn played games and watched her shows and I drifted in and out of sleep. I just kept praying she did not get into things she was not supposed to. I did not go to Steve's to do my work and by Thursday night I was finally not cold anymore but hot! Friday I rested most of the morning and by the afternoon was feeling pretty good. The only mishap was that Autumn called 911 and the police came. At that point I told her this was her second offense and I was sure they would take her downtown for questioning. (I was trying to scare her because she has done this before) When the officer came to the door she looked at me and started to run upstairs and said "I will be under Hayden's blankets tell them I don't live here anymore!" I guess I really scared her - I opened the door and she had to talk to him. But to make her happy he let her see the inside of his car and made her a junior officer if she promised to never do it again unless someone was really hurt. After that I taught a few more piano lessons. All week I had thought I really wanted to go to see Brad Wilcox who was giving a fireside for the adults and speaking to the youth the following day. But should I even try to go? It would be about an hour and a half to two hour drive. David said no, but I was feeling a lot better. When Eliza called and said if I could be ready in 15 minutes she would go with me. I was so excited. I did not want to miss this fireside. After my crazy sick week (I must have had the flu, I am sure working out does not do that to you:)) his words were just what I needed. Having missed education week this year I was in desperate need of a spiritual feeding. His message Friday was a simple one "If you can laugh at it, you can live with it". I really could put into perspective my week, not only that, but my feelings of inadequacy when it come to Paige. I have come to grips with my shortcomings with my older kids, but I am still working through things with my Paige. He said a lot of great things and made us laugh a lot but one thing in particular that really helped me was the comment he made regarding the fact that we are raising our kids in a sewer. The world now is so much of a sewer. We have no need to feel guilty about what we are teaching them or that maybe we could have done more, the fact that we did anything at all is part of the solution for them. Any effort of any kind is part of the solution. That really resonated with me. When Enoch was praying so hard to the Father the thing that kept coming back to his mind were the "teachings and words of his father". I pondered this one idea all evening and into the night. On Saturday we all got up very early and took the kids to youth conference. What another great day of spiritual feeding. David took the little ones to the beach while I stayed and listened to speakers. Then we met up for lunch and we all stayed and listened to one last talk from Brad Wilcox. In that talk the one phrase I took was to "learn to act instead of reacting". He really taught a valuable life lesson with that one phrase. I also took a lot from his talk he gave earlier in the day. Sister Papas taught a wonderful lesson as well as President Thomas. A lot to ponder. When I got up this morning to get ready for church I thought how blessed I was to make it through this tough week - tough for me - how much joy I have in my life - how grateful I am that the Lord puts people in our lives who can teach our spirits - how grateful I am for my calling and service in the gospel right now - how much I love and adore ALL my children even the ones who don't want that love right now - what a wonderful husband and friend I have and that I get to spend not just this life time but all of eternity with him! - how I have lots of great friends who hold me up and help me even though they don't know they are helping me - that I can finally see the humor and laugh at the little 911 incident - WOW! As I go to bed this evening I will ponder on what the new week will bring and know that whatever it is I will be able to find something in it to make me laugh!

Special Foods

How come when school starts the kids think they need all these special foods to get them through the day? Why is it that if the special food they think they need is not in the cupboard they think they are going to starve? All summer we did just fine without some of these items. The job I dislike the most about housekeeping is the food detail. I have often said I love the cleaning, laundry, dishes, all the other chores so I don't need a maid - but a cook - now that is something I wish I had. I spend so much of my time organizing, shuttling kids, cleaning, and having fun that when I have to think about groceries it really stresses me out. So this last week I had Chad go with me so that I bought all the right special food for school. Not only did he pick out the "good" stuff but hid it so that the little kids did not get it for after school. Now he has figured out that the only way anything lasts around here is to hide it - is that sad or what! But at least he is not "starving" anymore. I wonder how long his and Chloe's stash will stay hidden? Around here it seems that if there is something good to eat somewhere everyone can just smell it! They know there is something so the search is on. I just have to laugh as this morning they were checking their stash and trying to decide if they should re-hide it. (Is that a word re-hide?) Maybe I should teach Chad how to do all the grocery shopping and pay him with special food!Then I can get back to my "whatever" I was doing and not be stressed anymore about the subject. -Oh, I would have to still drive him - darn - I guess I still have to do it and learn to love it!

SHE DID IT!

Chloe finally got her license today! She tried last month and failed the driver part of the test.That is a funny story in itself. She did not even realize until we were leaving that she had failed. And when it hit her she was devastated! She thought the lady that gave her the test was just talking to me and kept wondering why she wasn't getting her picture taken. It was kind of funny, but she did not think so. She has worked really hard all month and practiced and let her dad and I really drill her on everything. She was great. She took all the advice and really paid attention. I think she knew that we kind of knew what we were talking about:) She not only passed but got 100%! Of all the children she definitely scored the highest. It is such a weird feeling as you watch your little baby drive away all by themselves but at the same time we know this is not the first of the many steps she has taken to grow into the beautiful young woman that she is! It also will not be the end of her "firsts".




As she drove away I was filled with such love and admiration for this child. She really has shown so much maturity and for the most part been a great teenager! Everyone needs a Chloe in their family. Her smile is infectious and it was the biggest, happiest smile I have ever seen on her face when she got in her own car and drove away down the street. I love this time of independence, especially I think for Chloe because she has showed she can handle it. School is going so great for her this year and her work is fun and she says things just feel like they are falling into place the way they should. I told her when you are doing what is right that is how things work out. She still will face many many challenges in her life but with her attitude she will come out on top! Love you baby girl!

Best Day Ever

Tonight when David got home from work he asked Autumn the same question he always asks "How was your day?" To which she replied, "It was the best day ever!" He looked over at me and asked "Why was that?" She said, "Mom said YES to everything I asked her!" He just laughed. That is how it is with this little one. It does not take that much to make her happy.

Today we went to the library and out for our Tuesday lunch date. We did homeschool. She painted. She got to "secretly" play with one of Hayden's toys. She played outside with the big kids. She played in the sprinkler in her bathing suit. She played in the playhouse. We went to the dollar store for a couple of things and she got her own pen and notebook. She ate "Mucho's" for dinner (she was the only one home and I did not want to cook). When the big kids got home they let her do what she calls "big kid stuff". (I am not to sure what that is but I think it means they let her sit and talk with them and they let her play with their phone and take pictures) I guess it really was the best day ever if you are four. It was a pretty good day if you are 48 and that is all you have to do to make someone happy!

James Lester Danks III

My oldest brother James Lester Danks III was born on this day 60 years ago. James passed away in 1996. He died of a heroine overdose. Many times in life he had tried to get away from the kind of life that one leads when one does drugs. Many times he succeeded. This time he did not. My brother was a wonderful man most of the days he lived on this earth. He was lost and confused it seems for just as many days. My brother wrote a lot of poetry among his many talents. When he died we were given a couple of his poems. When he was 42 he wrote a poem called "I've". In 22 paragraphs he describes his life and everything that he had every done. Some of it was very revealing and scary other parts were the James I knew and loved. I love his opening lines "Forty-two years upon this planet, forty-two revolutions, forty-two trips around the sun and I've gone in and out of balance from nearly every angle." The rest of the poem goes on to describe every experience or event he could recall that happened in his life. It is really moving and for me I feel he was trying to teach us all something as well. Today some of my family are going to meet where he is buried and have a memorial for him. To honor his birth and celebrate all his goodness in life. I wrote the following for that memorial and want my family to know that I celebrate with you as you gather. I honor and remember by older brother today - all day he will be on mind. I loved him, I did not always understand him, but through everything I learned from him.

"There are two things I think of when I hear James' name. Music and food. He was very gifted at both! I loved it when he would let me play along with him when he was playing the guitar or playing his flute. I was always amazed at how he knew music in his head. That is not one of my strengths so it impressed me very much. I know he always made a mess in the kitchen but what he cooked was always delicious! At least I don't remember anything that tasted bad. James had a great smile and it was infectious. Although we were not as close, mostly because of our age difference, he blessed my life and taught me many things. He taught me how important it is to learn about something you love! When Jesse was born he let me stay with him and Linda to help take care of him. He loved being a dad at that time. I remember when we came to Oregon to visit him in Ashland. I fell in love with the Northwest! I miss everyone so much but I love it up here in Oregon and I think it is because James gave me the chance to experience it. I am sad at the way he died and want to say that even that part of his life taught me a lot. I always felt that James was looking for joy and happiness in his life. At times he had found it and at other times I think it alluded him. I wish I could have shared the things that give me joy like he had shared with me the things that made him the happiest. What I learned the most from him has carried with me all my adult days and that is - things can't make you happy. Joy and happiness are found deep in your soul and if your soul is troubled the happiness you are searching for is always out of reach. The things that he thought would bring him that deep joy were only superficial. I think that is why he struggled so much. But I gained strength from his struggles and I would like to think that he knows that now. That where he is now he will find that happiness that goes deep in your soul. I learned to take the things that troubled me deeply and let go - I wanted a life of joy and happiness and because of James I had a strong desire to reach for that. I love you James! And I love all you brothers and sisters and know that I am there in thought. I will be thinking of you all at the time you are gathered and I hope that you will feel my joy and happiness! Love you all! Candy"

P.S. I just realized at the end of this that I am now 48 years old, the age he was when he died. That just hit me kind of strange.

First day "tradtions"

The first day of school is always a very much anticipated time at our house. Because I threaten to homeschool all summer long they never really know for sure if I am sending them to school:) That said, our first day went very well! Everyone had their first day new outfit (a tradition of ours) and all their personal school supplies. I asked the kids what some of their first day "traditions" were.

CHAD: I never take the tags off my clothes until the morning I get dressed for school. I love the smell of brand new jeans.

CHLOE: I make sure I have something different to wear each day the first week. After that I don't care.

NOAH: I wait until the morning of the first day to even worry if I have my school supplies. Sometimes that works for me and sometimes it doesn't. Since I am last to get my stuff sometimes I don't get the colors I want.

TAYLOR: I make sure everything is laid out the night before and then for some reason I always wake up early the first day. I just am happy when it's the first day!

HAYDEN: I don't know of a tradition I do because I have only gone to school for a couple of years. I like having new shoes.

Everyone was very happy with their teachers and this year we are doing the bus thing. The first year we were here I had the boys ride the bus but there were a couple of problems so I ended up just taking them to school. The bus experience was new for us because I had always taken and picked kids up from school. This year with the price of gas and wanting more time for Autumn's homeschooling we are letting the bus do all the running around. I think I am going to like not being in the car all that time but I will miss the conversations that always take place at that time of day. Maybe I can be better this year about having sweet smelling snacks for the kids when the walk in the door! At least I will give it a try at least once a week. Yesterday went so fast that I could not believe it was time for everyone to be home already. Autumn loved the work I had for her but did tell me it was a bit easy and could she also write all her lower case letters any time I had her writing something. I am just reviewing stuff I told her and she was going to get the "hard" stuff starting next week. She just said "I bet you forget to make it hard". I just laughed because she is right that I do forget a lot of things. She knows me to well. I am happy that all went well for the first day - we will see how happy and cheerful everyone is in a couple of weeks when they all get settled into the routine of it all!

Father's Blessings

Every year on this Monday before school starts David gives the children "father's blessings" for school. Some years the older children have come home just for this event. He used to give me one before the seminary year started when I was teaching. At that time you were not set apart for that because it was an assignment from CES. It was so comforting for me to hear the words of his blessing and I knew that Heavenly Father knew me and what I desired and what I needed to make it be a successful year. I know He knows the children in the same way. Recently I came across an article that said one way to be more spiritual and have more spirituality in your home was to use the priesthood more. Even though this is an annual event and everyone looks forward to starting school with this special blessing, it does not have to be the only time we use it. I have been really good at knowing when there is a test or something really hard coming up at school for one of the children and taking time out to pray for them at that time of day. As we were talking about this article it occurred to me that a father's blessing could help also during some of those times. We use blessings occasionally but not as often as maybe we should. I think if the children can see the priesthood in action more maybe they will come to reverence it more and have a greater desire to have it in their homes when they are older. I know that Heavenly Father is just waiting to pour out blessings to us. All we have to do is ask. It will bring us closer to Him as we learn to lean on Him and love Him more for what He has blessed us with. I am so grateful for the priesthood in my home. I am a stronger mother and woman because of the blessings that the priesthood brings to my life. So as we end this day with the blessings for the school year I will resolve to be better at using the priesthood more in my home.