Really Good Day

Today was a really good day. Looking back now, I think it all started with catching the sunrise as I came out of the temple.

The sky looked amazing from over in South Jordan. It was pink across the whole valley, from the copper mine to Mt Olympus. I was soaking it in at 5:59 am after doing initiatories at the Jordan River Temple. I drove from there to the rec center, sat in the sauna for 30 min, reciting the Living Christ, then had more time alone with my thoughts as I swam for 60 minutes. 

I was just sending my evening report to Jill and Elasha (which started after our hike last week) and I had a 100% great day! I didn't have any junk today (eventhough we have ice cream and nutella in the house) I had two meals with one snack in between (bean kimchi salad for breakfast, 1 snack of sourdough, choc protein powder banana berry chia bowl) and I stopped eating at 3, finished my painting mostly/kinda (gonna put it on the wall and stare at it for a few days and see if there's anything I want to add or touch up)...

and while I painted I listened to 25 chapters of the old testament.. Then mowed the lawn this evening (it helps that tomorrow is garbage day). After Jill and Elasha told me good job, I remembered that I also went to the temple and the gym AND read a book (12 Hour Walk) for an hour! I didn't tell them those last 3 things cause I'd already tooted my horn enough, but oh yeah, it was a killer day! 

Cute Katharine this morning, coloring at the table while I ate my bean salad. 

I liked her tongue concentrating. 

She mostly colored this morning with markers, but as I was cleaning today I found this cute person she drew.

A few other things that helped today be great - Corey took Owen and Edmund biking. Abi took Natalie and Katharine thrifting, Abi face timed me to ask me a question and I took a few screen shots of her. 

She looks so cute. Her cheeks are obviously still puffy, and they are also still bruised, which hasn't happened to the other kids. 

She sent me this after, haha.

Her friends came by after she got back, and they brought her gelatto. Today I also listened to this video video by Sophie Winkelman that Corey sent while I did dishes. She talks about how kids are forgetting how to play with so much technology. Devices in school are actually hurting our youth. My thought is yes, kids need to be bored long enough to start getting creative on their own. It can be hard to not intervene during the boredom stretch before the creativity kicks in. I was pleased that, Natalie asked if she could WALK to Macey's with Daniel Peter and Katharine. I gave them by blessing. That was gonna be a long walk, but they were going to go buy ice cream for themselves with their own money. 

I was ready to sponsor this outing, but paying for yourselves is even better. They left at 5:11 and got back at 7:50. I didn't have the car or I would have gone looking for them. Instead that was when I went out to mow so I could watch for them. 

It was a long walk. I'm not sure they'll do it again, but if they do, I'll pay. It was nice to have time to paint knowing they were doing something good for their development. Now it's late (11pm). Corey just got back from taking the kids to the church to play. I've been blogging but also watching art videos. I liked this one by Ian Roberts about learning how to paint with bold brushstrokes and paint it and leave it (don't over work it). 

1) think structure BEFORE you put paint to canvas (horizon, spine, lines to focal point, focal point is sharper)
2) Mix color carefully
3) Think shapes
4) remember that confident brushwork requires a lot of attention, it doesn't happen automatically. 

I think I'll bring some paints and a canvas to Newport!! :)