blessings...

Thank Heaven for the Joy of Cooking! My all-time favorite cookbook, and especially good at explaining all about food... So this afternoon I made the lovely, light, butter and milk- free chiffon cake. With orange zest in it and some orange juice and lemon juice squeezed into the whipped icing. mmmmm... Running out the door after supper on my way to the youth activity at church I almost forgot it, but thankfully remembered at the very last minute. Almost there with 4 kids when I realized I'd forgotten to pick up crochet hooks for the cotton smurf-stye beanie hats we were making tonight. Great. Never fear; I sent them in with my precious cake tottering in the hands of Jack, and raced away to buy the last of the equipment for our project. It was fun and everyone went home with a little beginning of a hat for our summer camp. Mary frosted the cake and served it up to us at the end, and that was that. Emma said it was very cute how I was proud of my creation and 'kept' referring...

Nothing is better than the rush I get when I'm out running. Well, maybe there are some better things- depending on what we are talking about. I am just saying that I love the beautiful feeling of 'YES!' that washes over me after I have been running for a few minutes and push past that initial 'no' from my leg muscles. After Kirby and I came home from a lovely refreshing walk after dinner, I was working here at the desk when Mary suggested we go for a run. That was all it took. We were out the door in about 5 minutes, joined by Emma. I was quickly passed by my lithe young daughters, so I had the pleasure of watching them run together with Jasper (the golden retriever) along Broadview. South-facing houses on one side of us, and a field of gently rolling hills on the other. We came home and stretched for a while, and I feel great! Except my right knee, of course. I will have to go back to doing my physiotherapy stuff for that old injury if I want to actually use my leg...

On Tuesday I walked with my little ones down to the library. (As much for the fresh air and exercise on the way there and back as for the literary adventures awaiting us inside ;) The toddlers are getting the hang of it- they play around the children's area in the stuffed toys, puzzle games, colorful computer, and board books. There is a little tiered seating place which they enjoy climbing on, with clear bookshelves up the sides and a little cubby place underneath. This is naturally a popular destination! Meanwhile I hustle around choosing books I can look forward to reading with them over and over during the next week or two.  Of course I search out ones the children will enjoy; anything with animals is a good choice as far as they are concerned, so that's simple enough. Going home is uphill, and frequently into the wind. Add several pounds of books (and sometimes a few vegetables or other groceries that can't wait) to the ever growing babies in the double stroller, and...

Today is my birthday! I am so happy that I get to pass it here with my husband and our children- at home. And it's general conference, so we are enjoying peaceful hours watching and listening to spiritually uplifting and heartening messages spoken to all the world by true prophets.  :) What could be better? I laughed with millions of others around the world when President Monson so comically told his boyhood story of starting a fire with his friend! It's pretty easy to take good advice from a him, not only because he speaks for God, but because he has such a great sense of humour- and knows how to direct it at himself! I have been receiving beautiful, thoughtful gifts I treasure all day, and I thank Heaven for the blessing of loved ones. Life is sweet.