i have had so much to say, but NO time to write it all out. we've had some seriously wonderful weeks, days, and hours lately. my heart is full, my house has been full, and my tummy's been full.
it was e's birthday last week, and i wanted more than anything to write a beautiful post about how much i love her with pics from her babyhood. but alas, i have never had the time to scan the pics and do it all! the guilt is just going to have to take a back burner this time because i've got too much good in my life to feel badly right now!

so this post is going to be here a little and there a little, but at least i'm posting!!! this is e with her cousins K and K... couldn't they pass as sisters? harmony all glamed up for her big sister's birthday party.four days of partying makes baby too tired to eat!

e has a buddy that is a leap year baby so her parents went all out for her 1st real birthday party in four years. they had all the girls come in dress up and put on a fashion show for their parents, complete with hair and make-up done up. it was so cute to see all these little girls timidly walking the cat walk. they had so much fun!!!
i made the UGLIEST cake ever for e's party. i was just starting to cry about it's lopsidedness and the fact that half of it stayed in the pan, when her cousin K walked through the kitchen and said, "ooooo, what a pretty cake!!!!" oh yeah, i apparently rock! it was yummy, but UGLY!last saturday we also got the chance to go to a home education forum. it was specifically on the thomas jefferson education model, which i hadn't previously studied. i love the ideas of it and found that most of the things that the book teaches we were already trying to implement in our home. i took three classes focused on creating an inspirational environment for my kids, inspiring myself and furthering my own education, and making deep, meaningful connections with my children. i felt so edified and uplifted as a mother after going.

we got there a few minutes late and walked into the keynote address using a side door. as we walked into the ballroom with +400 parents listening, i was struck by the emotional warmth coming from these people. their faces were literally glowing with excitement. i was surprised at the immediate difference that i felt in this type of meeting vs the school board/PTA meetings i've been privy too. every single person in that room wanted to be there, had sacrificed to be there, and wanted more that anything to be able to reach and teach their children on a different level than they had before. it was beautiful. each of the classes were taught with edification in mind. i just wish that everyone i know could have been there, home educators or not, because these conferences encourage parents to be their very best without guilt.
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i've got to share my moment of magic for this last week. in utah there is a fantastic chain of grocery stores called Harmon's. the commercials feature the two brothers that run the stores working in the produce department talking about why they're different than all the other grocery stores: why their produce is fresher, why their meat is from hormone free animals, why their staff is superior, etc. the answer is always, *because we're Harmon's!* i grew up going to this store because they have better prices, their store is super clean, the clerks helpful and kind, and they even have expectant mothers parking (this is something that would only be thought up in UTAH!). i just love their store.

so imagine my glee, my undeniable glee, when i see bob harmon working in the store just like on the commercials! he was talking kindly to another employee about the tortillas on the bread aisle. i tried to calmly walk by without freaking out, but as we passed him he stopped and asked ME how we were doing. at this point my star-struck giddiness came BUSTING out and i squealed, *you're the real bob aren't you?!?!?* and i asked him to pose for a picture. i could tell that he was surprised by the request, but he went along with my silliness. i tried in vain to explain why i carry a camera every where that i go, that this pic was going on the blog... but i just don't think he understood. haha.
i know, i know, i'm ridiculous. let's all just be grateful that it wasn't george clooney.

e just saw our weekly flyer of ads for harmons, she picks it up and goes, *That's Bob, huh!* and then a slow, shy little smile peels across her face. hehe.