FAVORITE QUOTES FROM PHILOSOPHERS

  • "Without philosophy we would be little above the animals."
  • "By nature men are alike. Through practice they have become far apart."
  • "What is important is not liberation from the body but liberation from the mind. We are not entangled in our own body, but entangled in our own mind."
  • "To know what you do not know is best. To pretend to know what you do not know is a disease."
  • "When the people don't respect those in power, then what they greatly fear is about to arrive."
  • "Great man demands it of himself; petty man, of others."
  • "Great man is always at ease; petty man is always on edge."
  • "When strict with oneself one rarely fails."
  • "Whether you like it or not, you'd better accept reality the way it occurs: as highly imperfect and filled with most fallible human beings. Your alternative, continual anxiety and desperate disappointment."
  • "When the government is muddled and confused, the people are genuine and sincere. When the government is discriminate and clear, the people are crafty and cunning."
  • "When you find something that is bad or that turns out bad, drop it and leave it alone."
  • "Only the most intelligent and the most stupid do not change."

Friday, August 8, 2008

DRAPER TEMPLE





When we moved to Utah 3 years ago, the Draper temple was just a thought.  There wasn't any physical sign that a temple was to be erected there on the mountain.  While we were in Utah this past month, I made it a point to drive up there and see the progress that has taken place since we left.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that it in fact is coming along quite nicely.  Here are a few pics of the beautiful temple with the glorious mountains just to the east of it and a shot of the valley(part of it).  It's just gorgeous isn't it?! It was neat to be right there next to the temple....sometimes pictures don't quite cut it. I pray that many will take advantage of it and go there often to do the work that needs to be done.  It seems so strange that we lived just down the street from this temple, before the foundation was even poured.  It is a beautiful temple & in a beautiful spot on south mountain.  I have to admit that I am a tad bit jealous that we left before it's completion.  Put it to good use all of you Utahn's! 

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

PITCHER LANE SALON








Lately I have had the desire to cut Amber's hair, but I just couldn't do it.  I did give her one haircut(if that's what you call it) a while back, but we are talking a whopping 1/16 of an inch is all i could stand to take off.  I just didn't want to get rid of that whole "babyness" of it.  The way her curls blew in the wind, the way it swayed back & forth when she ran, the softness of it & oh how I loved her in Pigs.
Well she overheard Bill & I talking about haircuts and she piped up, "I wanna hair cut".  It was over at that point!  I hauled her into my bathroom and took the scissors to her hair.  She did really well for a 2 yr. old.  Just a little wiggling, leaning & turning etc.  I remember thinking, "If I ruin her hair I can take her to the pros who can fix it."  But I do have to give myself a pat on the back......just look!   Pictures say it all!  I love it, but it does make her look older.  Yes I did keep her hair in a baggie......she's my BABY!
I had to add a"before"pic to show how much was cut off!

Monday, August 4, 2008

BEST FRIENDS





This is something that I couldn't wait to post about because my heart swelled with happiness and I did cry real tears when my daughter, Ashley was able to visit her best friend from Utah, Chloe Benton.  
I can remember when our family first moved into that Draper house in January 2005.  Everything so new, so different.  New homes being erected to the east & west of us.  There were a few homes completed, but for the most part the building stage was in progress on most of the houses.  
Not knowing anyone we took the dive and moved in hoping to find people that would accept us for who we are.  Not only did we find that family, they were(and still are) more than we ever imagined. 
I can remember when Aaron Benton knocked on our door to introduce himself to us shortly after we moved in.  He wasn't shy, intimidating, boastful or conceited.  He was kind, welcoming, loving & accepting from the moment we let him through our door.  I was later pleased to meet his wife(my only true friend from that neighborhood), Brooke and their darling kids Chloe & Luke(since then they've had cute little Tess).  We fell in love with their family from the very start.  
Ashley and Chloe became friends after undergoing a couple of shy moments in the field across the street.  It didn't take long for them to become friends and playmates.
Well, I was so touched to have visited them when we went to Utah last week.  Words can't describe the way I felt as I watched Ashley & Chloe ardently embrace one another after one long year of no real contact. They were able to play, giggle, act silly, hug, eat together and just be.  I owe a huge "THANK YOU" to Brooke for her hospitality and willingness to have Ashley spend the whole day at their house.  Neither Ashley or I cannot thank her enough for that great day that two 7 yr. old princesses were able to forget about everything and return to what used to be.  My heart can not decipher which is worse, seeing them say goodbye with a gigantic hug or just not visiting to avoid the emotions that were tearing at my heart.
Here are some of the cute pics that I got of two friends that will never forget one another!
We love the Benton family!


HOME AGAIN

So, as all of my trips to Utah do, this one skipped right by me without notice, as well.  Here I sit at home in Oregon, like I never left.  I have so many memories to tell, hundreds of pictures to share and thousands of feelings surfacing through my skin.  I want to share all of them with you and I will.  But tonight I need to sleep.  I must sleep and my thoughts will be gathered a little better tomorrow.
The drive was great, but already I miss my 3 older kiddos!  Madison, Jacob and Ashley, whom went to Idaho Falls, Idaho, to spend a week with grandma and grandpa Crofts.  The silence is reminder enough, that I couldn't live without them.  I love you kids!( By the way, thay HATED going to grandma and grandpa Crofts. LITERERALLY HATED IT!

Love you all,    mom    xoxo

p.s. I lost about 150 pictures of my sisters and I, our golf game with Nate & dad before we headed home, my grandma and grandpa Taylor and my aunt Sue.   I am very sad to have lost those fun pictures! I will post the cute ones that were saved!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

14 HOUR ROAD TRIP

I have only been here in Utah for 16 hours now and my heart is already being pleasantly reminded of my younger life here in Sandy. The house I grew up in, the school I attended for 6 years Which is right behind my parents house, and the summer weather that can change from a scorching 98 degrees to a comfortable 65 in just a matter of moments as the wind and thunderstorm rolls in from the west, the family that I left behind to venture with my hubby & kids to Oregon for the second time, the mountains that beautify the bleak Salt Lake valley. I simply love it here. My whole self is overflowing with memories as my sisters & I talk about elementary school and take a jaunt over to it to reminisce. We talk of good & bad times. We talk of teachers that we remember and incidences that took place. We desire to relive it from a new prospective, as adults.
Just a journal entry to let you know we made it! Between me, my brother Nate and his wife Brooke, we somehow drove that treacherous 14 hour drive through the night killing only 6 jack rabbits out of the 50-60 spotted in the Nevada desert and arrived in the driveway @ a sickening 5:30 a.m. with kinked necks, tired eyes, fatigued bodies, but happy souls....we were beat. We are glad to be here and hope to do many things while we have the time.
Although Utah pulls at my heartstrings and it will always be home, I have to remind myself why we left.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

AND THESE ARE THE FEET

I thought that since I recognized my tattered hands, that I should tell about my well-walked feet, because after all, they are what got me to such destinations for the hands to experience what they did.

My feet are like gold to me.  They are a priceless gift that I need to recognize.  I wouldn't trade them for anything and I hope that I never have to.  I often times think how hard it would be if I wasn't blessed with these sexy feet(ok, not sexy just cute & well worn). I sometimes can't decided which I'd rather do without, which hopefully is never a concern I have to face. Hands?.....Feet?.....NEITHER!   I think of the strain and stress that my feet endured as I went through life and the thousands of miles that were walked, skipped, jogged, worked and ran on & I have to admit that they are my love.  I have put my feet through many hours of strenuous work, very intense exercise, and many hours out on the hardwood playing ball.  The callouses are evidence that these feet have been victims of usage gone unnoticed, as many of my needed body parts have and not properly acknowledged as they should be.  My feet  are my life.  They are my transportation when I walk to the park with my kids, or when I walk with them in the yard searching for the ladybugs and butterflies, or when they want me to bike ride with them.  I need my feet to complete my life's passions and goals and I am thankful for them just as much as I am thankful for my hands. They give me the freedom to roam this wonderful earth and to go places that those who are without feet can't go.  Because I have been blessed with my feet I will always put them to good use and once again thank Heavenly Father for them.  As cute as they are they aren't getting a break from the daily struggles that feet go through until they have reached that point of exhaustion. Think for one moment how hard it would be to get along without your feet!  What a wonderful part of the body.  I love the feel of sand, cement, carpet, grass(if it is dry), socks, flip flops, my hubby's fingers massaging, and especially the warmth of a bubble bath to soak my tired feet in. Take a good long look at your feet and be thankful for them!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

THE STORY TOLD

I was studying the markings on my hands the other day, as I was deep in thought. I thought about how fast 34 years of life, has literally disappeared before my eyes!  I noticed scars, freckles, veins, the odd shape of my fingernails and even  a modicum of age marks, becoming more visible each day.  I was a bit bothered at the unsightly marks, until I began to remember all the things that these hands have been through....some good.....some bad. 
 
My hands are invisibly tattooed, with my life's circumstantial story written upon them.  Although it is written so boldly and brightly, with fine detail, it cannot be translated by others. The story is of my life, enriched with enthusiasm, tenderness, care, love, hate, anger, sadness, regret, giving & sharing(just to mention a few).  My story can only truly and precisely be read and translated by me, for I am the only one that sees my map of   life, etched upon my flesh, through the same lenses that were given to my soul. I know and remember very keenly, my road, well traveled. 

The story that is upon these hands, begins with a childhood full of many fond memories and many not so good ones.  The fond ones consist of games, vacations,  laughter, playing and loving.  My childhood, according to the story upon my hands, was one of adventure and athleticism. I remember being very active in all sports and quite frankly, I was very coordinated with these hands.  I loved action and adventure and was always up for trying anything. The bad memories need not be told, for often times, I was pushed beyond my limit and proceeded to do things, that I wish I could erase.

 I remember vividly, the chapter of high school. That chapter will forever remain written all over my knuckles.  My hands were indeed requisite, for the passion that I carried in my soul,  for playing basketball.  The feel of the ball on my fingertips, was like a drug injected intravenously. It gave me the drive to excel.  The sound of the ball on the court, still echoes within my frame. This chapter, is by far the most missed and dreamt of, but the remainders of many swollen knuckles, are ever so present.

Somewhere around chapter six, is where the love rolls in.  My hands, for the very first time, held ever so gently, a brand new baby girl.  I remember the heavenly cheeks and arms that my fingertips couldn't get enough of, as I stroked Madison's air deprived skin.  My fingers had never beheld such preciousness and innocence.  Three times again, I had the privilege to relive the feeling of newborn skin, on my fingertips.  I liken it to holding God's hand and being in His presence. The touch cannot be explained to those who have never experienced it.  It is however, remembered by my two hands, that beheld those heavenly digits. That feeling, is something that will never be forgotten and is still imprinted ever so vividly, on and in my hands.

My story continues still to this very day, with new and exciting chapters being locked away & tucked beneath my flesh.  I am thankful for my sense of  "touch", as it has allowed me to write a story upon my hands.  I now have a map, of which I can mentally trace back to those impressing moments and again, drive down memory lane, without getting lost. I get to relive what was written so long ago, with love and passion.

I thank my Heavenly Father for every freckle, scar, age mark, strangely shaped fingernail, swollen knuckle and veins that protrude.  I am ever so grateful for the story, written on my hands.

Monday, July 21, 2008

NOTICEABLY SHORTER

I have always hated it when July rolls around(not to mention summer solstice in June), because that means that summer is coming to a close.  I know that there are at least another 6 weeks of summer left, but the days are getting noticeably shorter and the anxiety of getting school supplies  for all of the kids and the school clothes and choosing between hot or cold lunches all of that is just so buggy!  I hate the thought of getting up before 8:00 again, running the kids into town for school and just the whole homework thing.  It is a very unpleasant thought to say the least.
  
I have enjoyed summer with the kids home.  We laugh, play, picnic and just be.  It's a sad, sad day when you are already looking forward to next summer and here I am in the middle of the present summer as I type!  Typical depressed person?
That's how it goes these days....faster and faster.

Friday, July 18, 2008

THEY DON'T MAKE EM' CUTER THAN THIS!






I LOVE TO FIDDLE AROUND WITH MY NIKON, THAT I PURCHASED A WHILE AGO. I DISCOVERED THE BLACK & WHITE FEATURE SO I USED MY KIDS AS "GUINEA PIGS", FOR THESE FABULOUS PHOTOS, THAT I CAPTURED. I LOVE THE EXPRESSIONS ON EACH OF THEIR FACES, EACH SO DIFFERENT, YET SO TELLING OF THEIR PERSONALITY INSIDE. I HAVE THE CUTEST KIDS EVER! AS ALWAYS, JUST ANOTHER POST ON MY PRECIOUS PEEPS. I LOVE THEM MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY!
I LOVE YOU MADISON!
I LOVE YOU JACOB!
I LOVE YOU ASHLEY!
I LOVE YOU AMBER!



Mom.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

HIDDEN SNAKES

I had an unavoidable encounter with a red & gray striped serpent slithering amongst the lush grass the other day as I was mowing with our rider.  I had circled around our yard twice and was just cruising along when I saw movement in the lawn, thought it was surely a snake and that it would kick it in to high gear and avoid the sharp rotating blades slicing and dicing him up.  But he didn't make it!  I knew it was too late when I saw him and I was going full speed and then......the sound.  The sound still haunts me. The vision even more brutal! 
You all know that I am in no way a fan of snakes, in fact if they would just go anywhere but my yard I would be a happy lady. But I do hate to see them get hurt & even worse, when I do it!  I felt so sick to my stomach and then I had to make the passes around again and again....there lay his chopped up little body.  I hate it!  I feel bad.  It makes me feel so bad that it happened.  
Sorry little snake for the lawn mowing accident.  Poor little helpless guy.  

Monday, July 14, 2008

COTTAGE GROVE LAKE HANGOUT


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We have had some pretty hot weather here and for the past 2 weeks or so have been going to the lake often to let the kids play in the shallow water while we, the adults converse with friends from the ward.

  As I got to thinkin' one day I thought it would be a blast to buy his and hers three seater sea doos to use for for the family as clearly they are getting older faster than time itself.

  So I went on to craig's list and found just what I was looking for.  We met the seller in Veneta(40 min. away) and we bought them from him.  They are in excellent condition and both of them only have 20 hours of riding on them.  We got them for a great price so we couldn't pass it up with cottage Grove lake just a mere 8 minutes from home.  We are having a blast with them and the kids love to get pulled on the tube.....well I should I love to get pulled on the tube also!
 We do intend to spend our Saturdays and Mondays at the lake until the weather is no longer warm enough.

  So, we are glad that we purchased these "wave runners" and hope to enjoy them with friends(which we already have) & family(if they will ever come out to Oregon)!
Just a couple pics of the kids, bill and I enjoying the outdoors. 

Sunday, July 13, 2008

FROM BAD TO WORSE









I like to paint my toenails out on the patio in the warmth of the sun on Sunday mornings. I don't  know why, I just do.  As always, the kids seem to migrate wherever mom is even if I am quiet and I sneak out the back door.  Well, this morning was gloriously warm so I headed out with my nail painting goods and started up.  Amber ambitiously came out and I just can't get my nails done when she is out there so I quickly painted her toenails for her and then got her to head in to see dad and help him make bread so that I could finish up mine.  I was making progress when out she toddles again!  I decided to give her some little nail decals to fiddle with so that I can just get that last coat on and be done. 
So, she takes the decals(I thought) and I was ok with that.  A short 3 minutes later she was sitting a little too quietly beneath the rustling leaves of the trees when I glance over only to find this!  The pictures explain it all! 

Like the lotion and the toothpaste and the syrup(that I didn't blog about) and now the fingernail polish she has yet again got it all over!  What is next?  Honestly friends & family, is my daughter really that sneaky, or am I that non-attentive?  We took her to church with her whole toes painted like that.  She was proud and kept saying, "Look pretty!"

Friday, July 11, 2008

NOW THAT'S A GOOD DADDY

The other night Amber was drawing(on paper) and Bill was patiently watching her doodle her darling doodles and even drawing with her when he started to praise her for her cute drawings.  She looked up at him, stared at him for a moment with that one look that all kids get when they have a wonderful idea brewing in their little pea brains.....and then with the weapon in hand, she decides that his face perhaps could use some cute markings of love.  And so she did! This went on for quite some time....dad didn't budge until amber was finished, and not a moment earlier!   And look!  the artwork is wonderful, very expressive and detailed. 

I believe that Amber's face painting occupation is already in the works.  
I just pray that my kids are blessed with Bill's patience & not my lack of it!
Next time though, since this is Cottage Grove I will encourage bill to go out to the store to show his little girl's talent.  Oh, wait people here wouldn't think twice!



Thursday, July 10, 2008

AS LUCK HAS IT



As OUR "housing" luck has it, once again the "for sale by owner" sign that I plunked out in the front today at approx. 1:00 pm,(just out of curiosity), attracted the first caller at 5:00!  I put the sign out mainly for kicks to see who and how many people are really out there looking.  As luck has it for us they are calling already!!  She seemed like a nice lady and was a little overwhelmed at the asking price, but said that she'd talk to her hubby.  
I doubt(and partly hope) that this is just a bored person with nothing else to do but drive around town and call on homes for sale.  We have only been here for 13 months and yes we would like to move and build our dream home, but we want to avoid capital gains too and the biggest thing---WE JUST FINISHED THE LANDSCAPING!!!!!!  
I just thought it was too strange as this has happened with EVERY one of our homes.  I guess if it does sell, we'll live in a shabby home for a while.  Too crazy!

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

THE BEGINNING



4:00 am the alarm clock sounds---that ever-so-annoying noise that makes you want to rip the clock out of the wall, throw the damn thing across the room hopefully breaking it & cussing at it while it is mid-air. Then, being satisfied with destroying such an annoying invention calmly grab the warm covers and tuck yourself tightly back in for a few hours more. Not today!

Today, I resisted because this is a very special day for Madison.  She is going with a very large group of young women & young men from our stake on a handcart pioneer trek.  She will experience a little of what the pioneers went through and some of the trials that they faced. I was so excited for her and for the experience that she will have,  that the alarm sound never did strike that nerve that it so very fragile.
  
Madison had her non-member friend(Maria Dresser) stay the night to avoid her mother too ruining her alarm clock & her good night's rest. Madison has been inviting Maria to young women's on Wednesday nights and Maria has been very interested as to why Mormons do what they do & she is impressed with Maddy and her values.  Honestly, I am amazed that Maria chose to experience the trek with a hundreds of Mormons not being one herself and really not knowing much about our religion. I pray this will be a time for Madison to teach Maria a little more about the sweet gospel that we so luckily have.  Good luck girlies and Maddy, good job being a missionary.
Here are the cute bonnets and skirts that they made for the trek(isn't she cute)!!!.  I am looking forward to having Maddy back. She has only been gone for 19 hours!!!  I will have pics from when she gets home too(I am sure there will be quite the difference).  

Monday, July 7, 2008

MAKING OUR OWN BEACH




Today we got a wild hair(those wild hairs that seem to come more often to the Crofts' parents than anyone else)and tore(literally broke and crumbled)down the play set with the John Deere and moved the play chips out of the way and had Eugene Sand and Gravel haul in sand straight from the beach of Florence, Oregon.  This sand is to die for.  When I say beach sand, I am talkin' BEACH SAND!  We ordered 24 cubic yards and decided that perhaps that wouldn't suffice and ordered another 24 for delivery next Monday. 48 cubic yards of sand in our back yard!  Wonderful if it can stay in the yard.  My kids spend hours out there on their knolls in the silence of  mid-day sun and used their imagination sculpting, digging, resting, pretending and enjoying the cool, wet sand that is hidden beneath the scorching hot surface sand. 
I have found that when I visit our little beach(with or without kids) and just let the sand tickle my toes and run along the tops of my feet, or if I grab a handful and watch as it slowly sifts through my fingers I get lost in imagination. I dream. I'm calm. I am impressible. All of the above mentioned are quite anomalous....considering Maryann's ways.
  
I have to remember though, when I walk into the kitchen with my bare pigs and shuffle through piles of gritty sand spread so unevenly on the floor, or when the kids' clothes are caked with wet, sticky sand, or the the sand trail down the hall....that it's all fine. It all cleans up so quickly once it's dry. I watch them as they completely enjoy themselves when they play out there and it lifts my soul to see that. It's even better when I get a personal invite to join them in their beach parties.  Granted, I have to be in the mood, but I try to ardently accept all invites(how can I not when I see their beautiful faces and bright smiles and unleashed excitement)?

So in all, we love our sand. I try hard to forget about the small "sandy" stuff.  We have yet another piece of heaven right here in our yard.

p.s. Amber wanted nothing to do with the feet pose! 

Sunday, July 6, 2008

SATURDAY NIGHT DATE

I always look forward to Saturdays for many reasons.  One is because I can sleep in, two Bill doesn't have to work and we can all play and  three Bill and I go to dinner EVERY Saturday night together alone.

Well Saturday came and we played at home and after lunch decided to go to Eugene and watch a movie(WALL-E or whatever it's called).  I got to do a little shopping because I can't stand to sit still and watch movies, they put me to sleep.  By the time the movie ended it was around 4:30 and so we headed home with the kids.

Bill and I were talking about heading back up to Eugene where all the good eating is, but then decided not to which was fine with me.  The next thing I know, Bill invites me to take a seat out on our patio table.  He planned dinner out there with just he and I and the best part was that the kids were the waiters and waitresses.  It was the cutest dang thing I'd ever seen. The made-up menu items were darling I have to admit.  It was pretty funny and the weather was gorgeous!  Here are some pics of our "date".  It was a great idea and the kids should be aware that there will be many more of these dates for Bill and I.  I love Bill's cute ideas like this one.  Thanks hub.





Saturday, July 5, 2008

INDEPENDENCE DAY

It's late, the party is over, crowd has gone home and I sit here in complete silence.  The only sounds that I can hear are my plethora of clocks that are hanging on my beautiful green wall, ticking away my precious sleep moments.  And the quiet tapping noise of these keys I am pressing.

Today was a good day indeed. We went to breakfast at the Ord's this morning with many people from the ward and what a glorious morning it was.  Sausage, eggs, oatmeal, fruit, pancakes, waffles and bacon.  We then scurried out of there to go to the Creswell parade which all I can about that is......LAME!!!!  We have been to this parade many times before and it was fun and successful, but this one was LACKING!!  Oh well.  At 5:00 we had many of our good friends over for a BBQ with lots of good food and luckily it wasn't hot. We had bunches of fun. Kids....happy.  

We decided to stay home and do our own fireworks as we really do have to force ourselves to be in crowds especially when it isn't that great anyway.  Our kids had a blast with only us and nobody else to bug and get in the way. We are very glad that we stayed home. 


HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!
signed July 4, 1776