someone is growing up

Time seems to have escaped me. I don't like going too long between posts because I feel like I have to catch up.  But I won't.  At least, not everything.

Yesterday Zara had her four month check up.  FOUR MONTH!  She's been such a darling to me I just can't stand watching her grow so fast.  Because I want a record of her facts, here they are before I forget.

:: weight - 12 lbs 10oz., 25 percentile

:: length - 26 inches, 97th percentile

Yep, she sure lengthened out the last two months.  I wouldn't have it any other way.  To be perfectly honest, no matter how short/long, chubby/lean, tanned/fair (etc) Zara is I will always think she's perfect, because she's my baby.  Oh yes, all mine!  And I'm enjoying every minute of the sunshine she brings to me!

book review: Bitterblue

Bitterblue is third in Cashore's fantasy book series following Graceling and Fire.  This book, like the other two, is centered around a completely new cast and main character.  It follows Bitterblue, the daughter of book one's villain, and her struggles with queenship.  Although it's not a mystery or suspense novel it is filled with mysteries and puzzles.  She seeks out what her father, Leck, did while he ruled and why.  I felt the book focused too much the negative things her father did rather than what he was trying to discover with his "scientific experiences".  Because of the mysteries in this book I wanted to keep reading to find out what was going on because nothing made sense but felt disappointed and a little unsatisfied by the end.  I was also hoping this book will connect the first two together but nothing was addressed until the end of the book and it felt rushed.  Even with my disappointments this novel was creative and well written, if a little worldly.  Not sure I can recommend it to you, Geneva, but you can borrow it if you're interested!

kayak at the lake

You know how Andrew goes through phases of hobbies and such.  Some of his recent ones have included soap nuts, ukulele, knives, his phone - Stella, and now his Kayak.  We named it Sir Freedom Fred.  The last month or two Andrew kept talking about how fun it would be to have a kayak or canoe so when a neighbor had one for sale I snagged it up as an early Father's Day gift.  Andrew was thrilled so of course we took the first available opportunity to try it out.  We had some family come along with us to Canyon Lake and we had a blast!  Warning:  lots of pictures of Sir Freedom Fred, the newest addition to the Freeman Family!

This was a family outing we're definitely repeating soon!

Also, the photo below is close to my ❤!

Grandpa with my girls.  They are quite smitten!

book review: Fire

Fire is the sequel to the fantasy book Graceling but is in a different land, with a whole new cast, and centered around a completely different character.  In the land of Dell there are no Graceling but there are Monsters.  A monster is a colorful animal of irresistible beauty.  There is also one last human Monster and her name is Fire.  Read how she saves the Dells and encounters a younger version of the villian from the first book.  I really enjoyed this book apart from a couple gay references.  Lame!  I would rate this PG-13 for mild sensuality and some violence.

I tried to match the lips from the book up with mine :)

sewing project: navy top

This top was my May sewing project.  I wore before I even hemmed the bottom or put sleeves on.  Of course it didn't matter in this outfit.  Sleeves are one of my least favorite things to sew.  Sleeves, buttons and zippers.  If you sew what tries your patience?  That's a funny question because everything tries my patience when I sew, I just do it because I'm so excited to see the finished product.  I also love learning and getting better as I go.  It's hard to see in this picture but there is a lovely collar on this top.  Gives it a classy look, don't you think?

Inspiration here.

book review: Graceling

A friend of mine introduced me to Graceling a year or so ago and since the third book just came out a few weeks ago I went ahead and reread the first two books to refresh my memory.  This is an awesome fantasy book about a girl named Katsa who is graced with killing.  To be graced means to have a skill that you are better than any human at.  It could be anything - you could be graced to not sleep, cook well, read minds, swim without breathing, etc. . .  You can identify a graceling by their two eye colors that appear within a few years after birth.  Katsa's eyes are green and blue.  Her problem is that the king uses her for her grace and she wants to be free to discover who she is without being told what to do.  It's a really interesting story.  The only downside is the author doesn't believe in marriage.  Even though she doesn't get into any details, it's still a disappointment.  If you're looking for an adventure to read, this book is great!  I would rate it pg-13 for mild sensuality and some violence.

Linked up with other life adventures here.

heart of a mother

Yesterday I took the kids to the store and when we were there Zara's car seat tipped off the shopping cart and landed flat on the ground.  It shook me up.  I nearly cried on the spot but there were other people around - women -  and I didn't want to be embarrassed.  One lady helped me by getting a damp paper towel to put on Zara's red forehead.  Another lady told me the same thing happened to with her son and he was ok.  I was grateful for the encouragement but still worried.

Half an hour after the fall Zara smiled at me.  I knew she was ok and it was just what I needed to breath easy again.  Something about being a mom brings the worst scenarios to mind in those situations.  The other day my dad told me he had to fill out a fun survey for everyone going to girl's camp.  He's the bishop.  One of the questions on it was "What's your greatest fear?".  He said it's not something he ever contemplated but he wrote "being alone".  My dad is one of 10 kids and he has 8 children so I can totally understand.

The incident with Zara reminded me how terrible it is as a mom and see my kids go through pain without being able to do something about it.  I would rather it be mine than see them suffer.  That is one of my greatest fears - not being to help my kids in physical, mental, or emotional pain.

I feel so blessed that Zara is fine.  She smiled a lot the rest of the day yesterday and today too.  For my heart I wanted to be with her every minute to reassure myself everything was ok.

I've been reading Stephanie Nielson's book and it has been a great reminder of how special being a mother really is.  I love my children so much and I love my life.

What are some scary parenting experiences you've had?