A Life Lesson for Connor

Today Connor and I were out pulling weeds. Now, don't picture in your head us kneeling down in a beautiful garden pulling little weeds. We have a hill in our backyard that has tumble weeds growing. Huge tumble weeds. So he pulled the little stuff and I pulled the huge ones and had to use a pitchfork to throw them in our big garbage cans. During this process I have to use a shovel to smash the weeds down so I can fit more in.

When the garbage can was about half way full, I threw in a pile of weeds and noticed a little praying mantis running around on the weed. I saved him, and moved him to his new home, my tomato plant, where he can feast on little bugs for the rest of his life. Connor was extremely excited that we saved this little bug.

As we walk back to the can I notice ANOTHER praying mantis. After chasing it around the weeds, I saved him and placed him with his brother (assuming they are even related) and he was happy, I can tell.

Then I start inspecting all of the weeds I am putting in the can (I am such a girl) and we find two more praying mantis'. We moved them to my burning bush (which isn't really on fire, it is a name for a plant that turns red in the fall) and they seemed quite satisfied with their new surroundings.

I only had one huge weed left and I look, but no praying mantis, so I throw it in the garbage. As soon as I was about to smash it down, I see a praying mantis run from branch to branch. "Another one!!" I yell to Connor. "FIVE!" he yells back and runs over to help save him. I worked on saving this bug for 20 minutes. Then the unthinkable happens, he fell to the very bottom of the can, never to be seen again. We were devastated that we couldn't save this poor creature. Gone for good. I don't even want to think about how many I crushed before I even noticed the first praying mantis. Who knows, maybe he survived my big huge muscles crushing the remaining weeds. I am pretty buff, so I doubt it (ha!). I would like to think he lived a good life.

RIP Praying Mantis*

2008-2008*This is not an actual picture of the praying mantis. Austin took this one last year.

I heart music

I wrote this blog on myspace a billion years ago (ok, January) and wanted to post it here. Mainly because I finally broke down and downloaded the people I am talking about. And I love love love these guys. I also need to add is Damien Rice. That man is AMAZING!!! I will add a video link as well. The girl in the video is Lisa Hannagin. She is on all his cds too. Their voices are perfect together. Their songs are extremely moving. If you listen to the words it will give you chills. Beautiful and sad. This video is also from Live at Abbey Road.
Here is the original blog:


Ok, we watch Live from Abbey Road on the Sundance Channel. It is just musicians that play in the Abbey Road studio (you know, the Beatles' Abbey Road). So ANYWAY... they have some awesome people on there. I have learned of a few new ones that I thought I would share. Nerina Pallot is great. She is a lot like Tori Amos. But not as weird (hey, I love her, but Tori IS kinda weird, not that it is a bad thing.) And also The Zutons. Very cool. And another, is Ray LaMontagne. If you google him, and see a picture, then hear him sing, you will be shocked. I can't really put into words what he looks like and what he sounds like, but he is super cool. And one I love that wasn't from that show is Feist. If you haven't heard her, listen to her. She is great! All of these guys are on itunes. Nerina Pallot only has one cd on there, and it doesn't have the song I totally LOVE, which is "Idaho". But still check her out. And I love Ray LaMontagne's song "Trouble". Ok, I have gone on long enough, so look into these guys!


videos: Ray:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrZkaj37kA0
Feist:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68zVCdYrsjg&feature=related
Nerina Pallot (this video is from Live at Abbey Road!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCdpcQAcBZ0
Damien Rice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOn5Eudj5tI&feature=related

Does mommy like coffee?

So, on the fourth of July we are sitting outside my in-laws backyard and Connor is playing on his bike. He zooms over to us, gets off his bike and "delivers pizza" to us. We "eat" it and thank him. Then he comes over and gives us "chocolate cake". Sure, we "eat" it, and he is on his way again. He flies around the patio, and then brings us a "grande iced americano with vanilla, extra ice, and a splash of cream." Not kidding. He has my drink down perfect. I don't know if I should be proud or saddened. I am a little both.

Coffee does sound REALLY good right now...

Busy busy busy

We had quite a busy weekend. Friday was the 4th of July (AND my birthday) and we went to Austin's parents house for some BBQ and fireworks. It was fun. Connor actually wanted to watch them this year. He is getting over his fear! Woo Hoo! Sometimes it was still a little scary, bu tmost of the time he enjoyed them! Clara thought they were pretty neat. She did start crying at one of the fireworks that popped. But she quickly got over it and went back to "ooooohhhhh". It was great.

On Saturday Austin and I took pictures at a wedding. We were there for 7 hours! I was sooo tired being out in the hot sun that long, working. I know, I am lame and a baby, but I slept HARD that night. I would post the pictures, but Austin hasn't edited any yet, and I don't think he wants me too. But I think they turned out great. The wedding was beautiful and lots of fun.

On Sunday our great friend's Jeff and Shelly were in town. We hung out at our place and then went to Shanghai (the restaurant, not the city) for lunch. Yummo! It is our favorite! It was great seeing them and baby Scarlet. But now I am still tired. And it is Monday. I was going to take the kids up to my parent's house in Wenatchee, but I DO NOT have the energy. I am way to tired. I am so glad I didn't have to go to work today. Yikes, that would have been terrible!

My Family

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