In the treetops

One of the cool things about having a tall daddy:

A legacy

Sometimes there are no words sufficient. Sometimes words are not needed.

As we gathered around the casket, the pallbearer's laid their lapel flower on top. Everyone else was invited to give a last tribute if they so wished. Without hesitation or coercion, one by one, each child took a flower and walked up and laid it on as well. As neices, nephews, sons, daughters, grand-daughters, grand-sons, sisters, step-daughters, son-in-laws and daughter-in-laws...for a solid 5 minutes there was a silent, symbolic laying down of our love. It was beautiful. It was overwhelming as there was not enough room to hold all of the love.

Linda Grace Streeper was a woman who was well loved. I don't believe she allowed herself to bask in that nearly enough. But this day I know she was aware of it. Her greatest legacy were all of the little ones gathered around her body...surely she was able to look upon it in spirit. I'm so very fortunate to be able to hold hands daily with a man who was shaped into a sensitive, caring, thoughtful, hard-working person due in large part to this woman. She instilled these values in her children and taught by example. More than once I arrived at her house to find her outside kneeling, pulling weeds or planting bulbs and aerating the soil. She loved beauty and had a respect for the divine.

The bold, beautiful, bright flowers that surrounded her on this day were simply not ornamental, they were representative of her.

Her beautiful children

Her Beautiful grandhildren gathered with their Grandpa Lanning

Gathered at the Idaho Falls Temple, remembering that Families are Forever. (we never got every child in this shot!)

Our family - a part of a much bigger and more extensive one.

(for a beautiful tribute to Linda please go over to Cami's blog at : http://cami-lu.blogspot.com/2010/10/my-moms-my-heroes.html Cami has a beautiful, descriptive way with words. A talent I don't possess to even half the degree. Sadly, Cami also lost her grandmother that week. I send my love to the side of the family who lost two very dear people within the same week.)

Sweet Smell of Success

Since moving to Holland I have had several bouquets of flowers. All of them have been beautiful and possessing such beauty has been so amazing. They are fresh, gorgeous and live for about a week with no effort on my part. I am going to start a series showing you my weekly arrangements. I pick my bouquets based on my mood or what is going on around me or just because it is unique...

This bouquet was bought right after we moved into our new house and I picked up my new lamp...how do you think I was feeling?

Creme de la Creme

I never finished blogging about our wonderful trip to Chantilly, France. In fact, I left off the all important second day when we actually visited Chantilly. By the way, that isn't Chantilly as in "Chantilly lace and a pretty face!" ala The Big Bopper...but it is said Shantee-ee. Oh yes! Make sure you get that right! Practice saying it.

Before we hit the bigtime Chateau we stopped and got a little breakfast...Yummy!

And then we rocked the castle!

After debating with David for a few days on what actually constituted a castle ... his response: A mote! We were finally able to see a castle. We won't discuss that the house we live in technically has a mote and it is definitely NOT a castle...

This is the outside of the beautiful church that is built into Chantilly. I want a church in my castle...sooo convenient!

I haven't said it yet...but pay attention...if there is ONE castle in all of France to take your children to see, this one is it! They even have toilettes specifically for the little ones down in the dungeon.

The insides were breathtakingly beautiful and well preserved.

Another feature that was absolutely beautiful were the stained glass windows.

After following a stained glass corridor you would enter into this small, very private and remote room which contained 2 pictures by Raphael. They were so close with no barriers. I could have touched them...I could have smelled them...I could have tasted them...there wasn't even glass between us. It was AMAZING. The picture I liked the best was called the Three Graces.

After spending a few minutes relaxing in the chapel, we were off to the horse stables where we were able to see some magnificent horses and watch a show.

We were pretty hungry at this point so we got on a tram (don't forget you have to buy your tickets seperately for this and since they don't believe in upselling, they won't tell you you need it until you can't get on, so purchase these at the start - you will be glad you did, the grounds are massive and there are lots of fun things to do!) We were torn over what to do first: eat or play in the maze! We chose food first which was located at the creamery. This little village, which included the creamery was built specifically for visitors to come and eat Chantilly Cream...which I expected to taste like whipped cream, but it was so much better than that!

While waiting for our order Parker was really hungry.

And this guy kept pestering us...specifically Parker.

But, Oh the JOY when it did arrive! It came in our hot chocolate, on our strawberry pie, on top of our gingerbread and just by itself. YUMMY! (a word to the wise...the cakes and hot chocolate ARE delicious, but a lot pricey. You can still have the experience of eating the famed Chantilly Creme by ordering the $4 version that comes in a large cup.) We had ordered way too much! BUT YUMMMMMMY!

The creme tasted like a cross between cream cheese and whipped cream...a velvety smooth and delicious treat!

After a brief potty break, because who knew how long the next portion of our journey might take, we were off to that labyrinth. It was massive and we were all bubbling with excitement.

The race was on! The winner would be declared soon!

or not...I would say it took us a good hour to get through the maze. Some of us were lost. Some of us, mainly me, cheated. Some had to be lifted with strong daddy arms over barriers. I stopped to take some shots of the beautiful flowers, so my can was getting kicked by the three gigglers running like mad.

In the end we made it out and decided to head through the wild flower garden which wound it's way around, but had only one path. This gave David and I an opportunity to wander slowly holding hands.

As we wandered the song, for the Beauty of the Earth was in my mind. It was a peaceful moment.

Before we left the garden area we stumbled upon a patch of these finger-numbing slugs. Ask us how we know!

Our day was finished, and we had no regrets for anything we chose to do, only for those things we didn't have time to do. We can't wait to have visitors who want to go so we can catch some of the things we missed like the lace museum and the princes rabbit farm.

Lost

Things that have been lost or broken so far during this move:

Homework

Shoes ( I still only have one flip flop)

Hair brushes ( for several morning finger brushes were used )

GPS #1 (my new garmin) GPS #2 (My new TomTom)

My heart ( Parker is in school now! He stayed home from school "sick" yesterday and I felt a little less broken )

Power cords (my video camera can't be charged and I can't get what is on there off....grrrreat)

2 of my best baking dishes completely smashed

an expensive color printer (the back must be taped in order for it to work)

my violin (broken in 2 spots)

my reputation (that's right! I'm looking like the worst mother EVER as I send my kids to school in reworn clothing, without pencils, lost homework and unbrushed hair - we won't discuss the day that my gps broke and I couldn't find the school to pick the kids up on time and was in fact 1 1/2 hours late!)

My Sanity ( I really hate losing things and being late...it makes me a crazy person)

this list will be added to when our big shipment arrives...no doubt this blog post will triple in size. Updates then!

And the one thing I wish I had lost, but haven't --- some weight!