sheer genius

But I can't take the credit.

I've decided to make my blog private.  I know, I know, it's a pain in the neck, but don't grumble yet because I am also creating a blog link site that will remain public!  That means you simply need to change my URL address on your blogroll to portreyfamlink.blogspot.com to continue getting my publishing updates. From that new site, you'll be able to enter my new & intriguing [but old, really] private blog, same as usual.

If you'd like an invite, leave a comment or email me at portreyfamily@ yahoo.com.


**To answer your questions, I don't have any HUGE reasons to go private, it just feels secure...kind of like closing my blinds at night.  :)

double whammy

Yesterday, Rick and I were BOTH released from our callings.  When does that ever happen?? We got a new bishop & bishopric and a new stake young women's presidency. Seems like we should take a trip or something with all the freedom.  The calendar is shockingly empty by comparison, but so are parts of us and we're just plain sad.  Yesterday the ward was so kind to the outgoing bishopric.  Rick is really going to miss serving with the bishop & other counselor.  They've become great friends to him.  Now that the change is official, he's starting to feel the relief of passing things on and looking forward to whatever is next for him.  I think he's lucky because he gets to build on the all of the associations of his calling.  Not quite the same scene on the stake level--I will SO miss it and ALL the people and experiences that are outside the realm of our ward.  I won't even see our presidency on a regular basis and that simply breaks my heart.  And the associations with so many young women and their amazing leaders and the events and spiritual experiences...SO much to miss.  It's really been an honor.  My heart is either full or empty, I'm not sure which.

eight is great

My favorite picture of the day

A special day for a special kid!

one of the perks

So...I'm in the car A LOT. Enough that lately, I've been playing a fun little game called Track-the-Kid-Shuttling-Mileage-from-Monday-to-Friday. I'm getting bored of this game (the winning week measured over 300 miles simply getting kids back and forth!?) so soon I will start to play the Track-the-Hours-Spent-in-the-Car game, even though I'm sure I don't want to know those results. In any case, all of this car time has given me more time to read!! I'm continually on the hunt for something gooood and I picked up my latest read from the New Arrivals shelf at the library:

Winter Garden by bestselling author Kristin Hannah. First time I've read her, but I'll be checking out her others. Put it on your list, it was very good. Heartbreaking along the way, but very compelling. Plus it's a twist on historical fiction, my favorite genre. What are your favorite historical fictions?

P.S. Scroll down a little to see a post I did last month (and finally published) about pioneer trek.

Also--are my pictures as blurry on your computer screen as they are on mine?? They look low resolution here and I'm not sure if it's my computer or a Blogger settings issue. And how do I get labels on my posts?  Oh, and my blog template disappeared suddenly, so now we are uber simple. The end.

i smell fall

...and I've got "the itch."

My life is full and busy. There are 7 people in our family with personalities, schedules, needs, wants...a recipe for hectic. I live in a dichotomy of personal satisfaction and depression, of 'I am on top of this' and 'I'm simply not cutting it.' Every day is an effort as I slide back and forth between the two. I am failing a lot. Other moments I surprise myself. Life is tricky and I have been grumpy. In any case, I've been ignoring "the itch" lately.

But not today.

Today I'm itching to transform our home into Fall.

To plan halloween costumes early.

To take the kids to the canyon.

To have good food in the house.

To feel in control.

To do things on purpose.

To be in touch with my girlfriends.

To go to the library.

To renovate my kitchen.

To hang with my sisters.

To talk to my mom.

To create a deliciously slow fall and winter.

To read with my kids.

To remember that I own a camera.

To forget the broken light in my fridge.

To redecorate our master bedroom.

To have FHE every week.

To hang curtains in my living room.

To figure out how to enjoy countless hours in the car.

To relax with my kids.

To treat Rick like a king.

To throw out the finances.

To turn the weird basement playroom into something sensical.

To make more traditions.

To get a family photo taken.

To be a better wife.

To be a better mom.

To feel like I'm making strides toward my potential.

It's a good itch, even if it makes me cry a little.