I know it has been a very long time since I have posted to my blog and I feel terrible about it. I decided though, that since the point of this was to record my families moments it would be best not to ignore my family for the sake of writing about them. Much has happened since last I took the time to write and I am going to try to chronicle as much of it as possible.

First, we went to Yosemite. We had our annual trip with the family and had a wonderful time. The most memorable event was Grace swimming in the river. On our first afternoon there, as soon as the car was unloaded, I took her down to the water with my Grandpa. Assuming she would not actually be swimming, I did not bother to put on my swimsuit but chose to stay in my bermuda legnth shorts. Poor decision. She marched right into the water. Totally fearless she was up to her neck (and me well above the hem of my shorts) before she looked up at me and said "Mommy, its cold in the river". Well of course it is, it is melted snow off the mountain!!! Anyway, she had a wonderful time. She got to run around with her cousins, got out in Uncle Allen's boat, and be doted on by everyone. Hannah enjoyed her first trip as well. At least, she seemed to. Eileen had the magical sleeping powers and everytime Hannah was in her arms she would snuggle in for a good nap. What little time she was not being held she enjoyed laying on her back looking up at the trees and clouds. She is so mellow and easygoing that we just toted her along anywhere we went and she was content.

The rest of July passed very quickly and mostly uneventfully. Andrew left for his mission at the end of the month so we had a few days in Salem with the Fredrickson side of the family.

Gracie turned 3 on August 2nd. Hard to believe she is that old already. We had a big party at the house and she had a wonderful time. She really got the concept of the birthday this year. When we asked her what she wanted, everytime she would answer "a car". Heaven help us when she turns 16. We talked her down to a bike and got her her first two wheel bike. Granny and Poppy also got her a motorized quad so she was really happy!

This summer has been one of challenges as well as joys. Zach is still not working and that is causing much stress. Unfortunately the market is still very tough and he is new to this field so he does not have the experience to compete with a lot of the applicants. Also, no one seems to be in as big a hurry to hire as we are to be employed. Every potential employer he speaks with says it will be a few weeks before he hears anything, or his application is under consideration we will contact you when we have finished reviewing all the candidates. It is really stressing me out. With no income coming in, it feels like things get tighter every day. We are still praying something will work out soon.

Hannah is now 4 months old and she is such a doll. She is such a happy child that it is impossible not to smile everytime you look at her. She is nuring well and gaining lots of weight. I think it likely she will pass up her sister by 3 years old. She is wearing clothes now that Grace wore at 7 months. She is tall too, not just chubby, but with cute sound baby cheeks. She loves her toes and finds constant entertainment in chewing on them. Grace has the ability to make her happy even when she is crying. Grace will sing to her usually and Hannah's frown will turn to a smile. She wants desperately to be moving. She tries so hard to sit up by herself and much prefers standing to sitting or laying. We pulled out the exersaucer this week and she has been in heaven. She is so strong it takes me by surprise sometimes. I think she will probably be a very early walker. I am so very much in love with my baby girl. I still can not believe that it was possible to love anyone else as much as I love Grace but here is the proof in the flesh. I don't know where I would be without my girls and I am so glad and blessed to have them.

Speaking of, I went to the memorial service of a woman from my ward who I had known since the first day I showed up as an investigator in the church and who I loved for her spirit and kind heart. Her daughter spoke at the service and was telling of a lesson her mom had taught her just recently that touched me so deeply I have to share it. The daughter was at her mother's house helping out because her mom was very ill and she had come alone with her three children because her husband had to stay home and work. She said she was in the middle of doing something, probably seemingly very important like dishes or cooking or making the beds, when her five year old came up to her and said "mommy do you want to play with me?" She said I stood there for a minute thinking "Do I want to play? I have all this stuff to get done." Here mom looked at her, and seeing her struggle lokked her in the eyes and said, "The answer, is YES". I cried. How could I not cry when this very scenario has played out hundreds of times in my own home. Busy with what I thouight of as my important chores I have turned down opportunities to take Grace for walks, play in the yard, color together and even just to sit and snuggle. So, my new goal, as a mother is to remember the answer is "yes". The dishes are not going to grow moldy if they wait until naptime or bedtime to get done. The floors do not need to be vaccuumed every other day. a few things out of place will not hurt anyone but missing those precious moments will hurt me. Has hurt me. Thank you, Sue, for your incredibly simple but touching words which have changed the way I view my interactions with my daughters. From now on, the answer is Yes.