Fall and Bubbles (IN THE EYE!)...

Fall is here! We spent the weekend at the cabin and the colors are so pretty! I love wearing fall clothes! I'm pretty excited but a part of me must be sad too, for fall means winter soon and winter means shutting the cabin for the season :( It's funny how quickly we came to LOVE our families little get away up in the mountains behind Midway! I'll miss the place this winter and pray for a short one so we can get back to our pretty moutain get away :)

I've also had the pleasure just recently (Ok, so in the last 6 months or so) to get quite a lovely surprise on my eye ball. 2 actually... They're harmless little cysts and the doctor assures me that the eye drops he's prescribed will likely take care of them, however if they don't work he can numb my eye ball and stick a needle in the cysts to drain them (TO WHICH I SAY "HELL NO! ARE YOU CRAZY!"). They have actually popped on their own more than once and they fill right back up so I don't know what makes this doctor think draining them by sticking a sharp pointy object IN MY EYE BALL is going to cause them to go away, I'm sure they'll just fill right back up again on their own right? Anyway, if they get any worse I've decided a patch is in my future and my wonderful sister-in-law, Kiersti, has agreed to help be Bedazzle the thing IF it comes to that (Likely I'll let the doctor stick that sharp pointy thing in my eye before I wear a patch, although the thought of it being bedazzled certainly is appealing) Here's the pics, I only hope this helps my friend with a stye in her eye feel a bit better ;)

and in case you can't see them here, there's more below for your veiwing pleasure

and keep in mind, I haven't worn makeup because who knows how that will

affect the bubbles on my eye!!!

Please don't find me hideous and run the opposite direction screaming hysterically next time we bump into each other! I promise it's not that noticeable ;)

September 11th

10 years ago 9/11 is somewhat of a blur, just like any other day, except for those few morning hours that are burned into my memory. I clearly remember sitting on my bed early in the morning watching the news, seeing Darrell in the bathroom getting ready for work. I remember the utter shock and disbelief when that first plane went through the WTC tower. I remember telling Darrell what happened and him replying in a serious tone that we've been attacked and this could not be an accident. I remember watching that 2nd plane shoot through the next tower and the revulsion and fear at seeing people hanging out of windows and some even jumping to their deaths. I remember the complete sadness that I felt for those people and their families and also for our country.

Immediately I wanted my hubby to stay home where it was safe, and I wanted our little kindergarten girl, Annie, to stay home from school unaware of the ugliness that was happening to us. Our country was under attack and I wanted her to remain naive and unafraid. But I also knew that wouldn't solve anything, I knew that if we stopped living our lives, stopped being free to live as we're able, then terrorism would win.

(Annie at the Healing Field in Sandy, UT 9/11/2011)

Yesterday for the anniversary of the attacks we went to the Healing Field in Sandy. We've done this several times before but for some reason I was especially touched by the thousands of flags, the new bronze statue "Hope Rising" and the absolute amazing number of people there. I saw a older couple planting the flag of their son, a soldier who died fighting the war on terror. I saw a couple other soldiers in their fatigues shaking the father's hand and hugging the mother. I was also touched at the stories each of the flags told, I only wish I had the time to read through every single flag! The cards attached to the flag have the name, age, location and a little story about each of the victims from the 9/11 attacks. Thinking of the sacrifices others have made for our country continues to bring tears to my eyes. Also, did you know that Sandy City was the first to do the Healing Field? It's inspired 100's of Healing Fields all over the country!

(the new bronze unveiled at Sandy City for the 10th Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks)

I'm so blessed to have been born in this country, to have my babies born here, and I am so eternally grateful for all those who died serving our country. I'm also grateful for those unspoken heroes that died not realizing the impact they had, those who went to work or just went about their regular daily routine on 9/11/2001 and had no idea that their death would mean so much to so many.

(Shawna at the Healing Field Sandy, UT 9/11/2011)

I will never forget...