I Am In Love

with this dress! So chic. So elegant. So simple. So practically modest. {via sartorialist}

I won't let it die!

Dearest mothers-

I was half tempted to just write that I will be a real mother in nine months, but then I thought better of it. So, I am sitting her on Sunday, and I realized that it had been almost two months since I had even checked the blog. I was wondering to myself, "What's Whitney doing in D.C.? Does Jo still take naps with soft Church music, and if so, who is her partner? What is going through Sarah's head right now?" Then I decided to check the blog. And low and behold, it has an entirely different look. And I love it. Right then and there, I decided that I had to write.

I'm now the second counselor in the YW, which means I get to hang out with teenagers EVERY day. Actually, I am enjoying it. There's just something so very loveable about being awkward. I had forgotten so many things: combined YM/YW activities, YW in Excellence nights, New Beginnings, etc. And I get to help plan all of them.

Nigel and I are doing well. We went to the football game yesterday and cheered and laughed and ate greasy food. Last week we went to the state fair, where I informed Nigel that I had never been able to have a funnel cake when I was younger and we went as a family to the fair. This year, I would have one! So we ate corn dogs and hot dogs and icy lemonade and funnel cakes. We came home and couldn't move the rest of the night, so we watched a movie. I love the state fair. There is something so very American about watching teenagers sell cattle and sheep or viewing the 4H sewing items (people still sew?) and pie contests and a 700 lb. butter sculpture. We pet the pigs and smelled the cows. All in all, it was a delight. Except for the fact that Nigel now wants a pet pig. He claims they are smarter than dogs and will fetch the paper.

Now...well...we're trying to figure out internships for summer. Exxon Mobile took us out to dinner at Tuscano's which made me further wonder why I went into teaching. No school ever wined and dined me to convince me that I should be a teacher at their school. It was quite the opposite. However, I wasn't about to complain--I got free roasted pineapple.

And with that, I hereby intend to be a better blogger.

Playing Mom...

I love what Sarah has done with the blog! I am trying to do my part to keep it alive. I will write more about the happenings in my life later, but I just wanted to put up a bunch of pictures of Schuyler, Kirkland, and Roe from my 2 weeks playing watching them in Mesa. I know I'm biased, but I think they are so cute! Sorry about the blurry one, but it was just a funny moment with Roe waiting like a baby chick as Kirkland is trying to help her with her bottle. Love you all!

Is there anybody out there?

So, the blog is dead. I mean, really. But I'm going to puff one more breath into its lungs with hope of reviving it for good. I think now is the most logical time to keep it going anyway, since we're all sprawled all over the place. So much is happening - Whitney in DC, Jenny starting a new school year, Joanna figuring out what's next! I mean, really... it's probably one of the more interesting times we could be keeping track of each other. :)

September is going well so far. It's one of my favorite months. Or it has the potential to be. The weather slowly cools into crisp autumn days and evening comes ever-so-earlier luring us slowly inside for movie/tv/comfort food/cuddling goodness. I love fall.

On Labor Day Spencer and I rode our bikes up Emigration Canyon to Ruth's Diner for breakfast. Ruth's is one of Salt Lake's finest comfort food establishments. We've been three times now and we always sit at the same table on the patio with the trees and the lights and the musicians playing. It's a great little place. If ever there is another 4WM rendez-vous, we should put Ruth's on our list for sure!

Last week I went camping, in two weeks I'm going to San Francisco, and for now, I'm just waiting to hear what's happening with all of you.

Great Gift Idea

When searching for a gift idea for Mother's Day, Chelsea came up with this great idea. Harry and David's Fruit of the Month Club.

If you haven't heard of Harry and David, their fruit is famous, particularly their pears at Christmastime. Businesses love to give out their fruit baskets during the holidays and they have great gourmet (and pricey) fruit. Although it's not cheap, we all pitched in and signed up so that my Mom would get a gourmet fruit sample each month. This month the fruit was the peach. These amazing peaches were from Oregon. The fruit also comes with a little card explaining its origins and some serving options or recipes. I would definitely recommend this if you are looking for a Christmas or other gift for someone who would appreciate it.

Hmmmm....

This was on the back of a candy package of my sister. I don't think I need to explain why I couldn't stop laughing out loud when I read it.

Happy Birthday Whitney!

I hope your day is happy!

Jenny + Nigel

Your day was beautiful, Jenny. Thanks for letting us be a part of it.4WM4L.