Love Letters...

Allow me to wax a little sentimental today, to dig into the deep, hopelessly romantic side of myself and say that I am just in love with love letters! Period. There is just something about a hand-written declaration of love that does something for the soul. The way you can save them and re-read them until the edges are frayed and worn, until the paper yellows and is almost see-through, the words like warming sunshine breaking through the clouds on a cold, stormy day. I can't think of a person in this entire universe that wouldn't benefit from a love letter. In fact, I think this world would be a much better place if we would all let our guards down a little bit more and express our love to others. The minute we think about it. No waiting. I was the recipient of a love letter this week...(giver shall remain anonymous--and as a side note- and quite possibly unrelated- let the record show that I have the best husband in the whole wide world)...and I feel like I am on cloud 89!! So people, get out your pens and papers, pick someone to write to, and please don't hold back. And it doesn't have to be a sonnet either...as long as it comes directly from the center of your heart. You most definitely will make some one's day- and probably so much more. Okay, that's all from me! Please forgive my cheesiness!! Love you all!

My Beautifully Good Looking Children.....

Tuckered Out!!
Dyson and his cousin Lawson--Best Friends...
Beautiful Boy
Brooklyn and Dyson
Dyson sleeping with his daddy

Brookie and Ashie!!

Bill Me Later

I have often thought that writing is the best form of therapy- so I hope you all don't mind if we have a little cyber-couch session. I will be sitting shoeless with my legs crossed on a worn, overstuffed leather armchair, and you all can take out your fancy pens and imaginary notebooks. Perfect. I feel better already. I suppose one of the most enjoyable parts of therapy (not that I would know...wink,wink...) is being able to say whatever comes to your mind the moment it comes to your mind and letting someone else (preferably a perfect stranger...but we will improvise here) put all the pieces together. So lets give it a go. Ready? Here are some random words off the top of my brain. pain worry family laugh skin gentle speak sad lonely cry break God funeral alcohol friend prayer peace. Hmmm- confusing...maybe slightly interesting--so glad I don't have to figure all of that out. Good luck and let me know what you come up with. I think our time is up.

Change

I have been thinking a lot about change lately, trying to figure out just what it is about it that scares us so badly. Okay, I won't speak for EVERYBODY here, I guess I should say, why it scares ME so badly! Is it the--I-just-woke-up-out-of-a-dead-sleep-body-hurtling-50-mph-through-space-fingers-just-barely-gripping-the-end-of-this-slippery-pole-vault-feeling that a lot of time accompanies change?? It can't be because it is unexpected. Because this is the one thing that I have probably been schooled in the most throughout my life--the fact that things change. Everything changes: friends, loves, relationships, hobbies,bodies,homes,cars,lunch menus...for heaven's sake Pluto is not even a PLANET anymore!! So we really should be planning on change. But do I? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. But I don't think that this is why change is so scary. I think it might be because change is Heavenly Father's way of moving us forward. Well, it should be moving us forward. We have to choose that part. And that shouldn't be scary, but sometimes, because we are human, it is. And most of the time I choose to let it move me backward, and then I waste a lot of time running in very small, very panicky circles. Because I haven't yet learned how to gracefully turn it all over to Him. But I will. Someday, when I feel like I am once again being pole-vaulted through space, I will be able to close my eyes, relax, and enjoy the ride. I hope.

New Year!

I am going to hopefully do things a little different with my blog this year. As some of you know, I love to write--but I don't take the time to do it very often. So I am going to start writing a lot more this year and then I am going to post it on my page. I am not promising anything fabulous, in fact, a lot of it probably won't be finished, but I would love your feedback. And if any of you are interested in forming some sort of online writing group let me know!! Okay-- here it goes. I put this one together during church today...so this is just a first draft.

Black. Foggy air pressed
against my face so thick
I can taste it. Heavy--my feet
slowly moving forward--
stumbling--one hand out in
front of my body frantic--
searching-- this night so
seemingly forsaken.
But I Am Not. Forsaken.
I sense you--My Shadow
through this fog-- I turn
and find you. My Pillar.
I feel your strength holding
me upright and I balance.
I take this mite--hard-pressed
in my cold, quivering fingers
--and give it to you. The
warmth of your hand
melting into my own.
My Brother.
And all again is light.

01-04-09

Disneyland Part 2!

More Disney pictures!

Disneyland Part 1!!

Sorry everyone! I have a lot of pictures from Disneyland and didn't want to cut any out...so if the slideshows are too long don't watch them all!! We had a great time! Thanks Grandpa and Grandma Turner!!

Grandpa Lemon

This past Friday, December 12th, my Grandpa Lemon passed away very peacefully in his sleep after being very sick for the last few months. This is my first experience losing a grandparent, and I have been very lucky not only to have had them all here for this long in my life, but to get to see them and spend time with them pretty regularly. I was able to spend time with him and the rest of the Lemon family over the last 2 weeks, and have had some very neat experiences. I am happy to have a knowledge that Heavenly Father loves each of us, and has a very important plan for each of us. I am happy to know that the Savior lives and that He atoned for our sins so that we can, if we choose, offer Him our broken hearts, repent, have faith, and endure. And not only endure but be happy, joyful. I am happy to have a hope in my Savior, Jesus Christ and a knowledge that this life is not the end. I love my Heavenly Father, I love my Savior. And I love you grandpa.

First Plane Ride...

Okay-don't know why I am admitting this to all of you- but tomorrow will be my first ride in an airplane. Yes. I am almost 27 years old...I think it is time. We will be flying to California- so a pretty short ride to break me in. I have to say- I am a little tiny bit nervous. I know that sounds so silly...but what can I say...I don't get out much! I had all these grand pictures in my mind of how it would be...me sitting in the window seat, quietly gazing over all of the wonders of the planet between Utah and California-- everything looking like tiny ants...lulled to sleep by the gentle hum of the engines...and though I know it might be slightly different than that...:)...I think I will keep it that way in my head...and I will enjoy my peanuts and my small beverage in a plastic cup.

We had such a fun thanksgiving this year! We ran a 5k, had dinner, watched some football, and finished up with some pie and a rousing game of Bingo!! I am so thankful for my family and all that they mean to me. I love you all so much!

Turkey Run!!

This year my family thought it would be fun to start a new Thanksgiving Day tradition. We thought we would all get together in the morning and run our own little 5k in my parent's neighborhood. I think we all decided it was a good way to help cut down on the guilt that would ultimately follow the cramming of turkey, mashed potatoes and other traditional Thanksgiving delicacies into our smiling faces!! So at 9 AM we set out. I had warned the rest of the family that I would be quite a ways behind them, and to proceed at their own-much-faster paces. They all quickly disappeared and I was on my own. I was happy as a lark- listening to the birds chirping in one ear- and my IPod in the other (thank you new Taylor Swift CD.) I was slow- yes- but I was doing it!! Well, I was just coming down the last street- one more street and I was home! I was expecting the well rested cheering and applause that would come from my family who had all finished a good probably 15 minutes before (give or take:) ). So I turned the corner- spotted my parents house- and there was nobody. Where are they? I started running through the possibilites in my head. Behind the cars in the driveway- waiting to surprise me? No... Hiding on the front porch waiting to surprise me...No...once I realized that there would be no surprising going on I started getting a little angry. Did they all go inside to start the eating without me!!??!! Then I saw my mom and my niece Jerrica running up the street towards me. "Audrey are you okay....?" "What happened?" Then I realized that nobody was there because they were all out looking for me! Although they had been previously warned that it may take me some time to finish- the Hofheins Family doesn't leave people behind!! So while I was joyfully in my own little world- patting myself on the back for almost finishing this blasted race- my sweet family thought I had passed out or dropped dead somewhere on the trail, and they were all out canvasing the neighborhood for me!! I guess I took a different street home then the rest of them- and we had just missed each other! So--too late to make a long story short--we all had a fabulous time. It kicked my but- and I was so slow my family thought I had died--:)--but I finished and will look forward to doing it again next year. Maybe next year I will wear some sort of tracking device.

My Baby Girl is 3!!!

Ashlyn and Brookie helping bake the birthday cake!

The finished product-(don't be jealous of my mad cake decorating skills)

Out to lunch!

Ashlyn showing off her new My Little Pony named Pinkie Pie! (Yes...that was the name it came with...)

Ashlyn making her birthday wish!

New Haircut!!!!! AAAAHHHH

Okay...most of you that know me know that I have basically worn my hair the same since about 6th grade! The length varies every once in awhile- but that is about it. So, I decided I wanted a big change and finally got brave enough to have my friend Jane cut it for me. After I got over the initial shock of how different it was I decided that I love it!! What do you all think of the new me??!

Bradlee's B-Day Party!!

Here are some pictures from my nephew Bradlee's Birthday party last month. The kids had a lot of fun-- they loved hanging out with their cousins, and the Backyardigan's theme!! Good party Megan!!

6th Picture 6th Folder!!

Ang you tagged me!! I knew if I just waited long enough.....

This is a picture of aunt Amy holding baby Dyson the day after he was born...her reward for spending the entire day at the hospital with the rest of my family the day before!!

I tag Brooke and Marie....

This is a picture from the Hofheins family halloween party we had a few weeks before Halloween. Dyson, Olivia, and Lawson were all born within a few months of each other. So cute!!

Dyson's Baby Blessing

We had Dyson blessed in Sacrament Meeting last Sunday. It was such a special day. Derick did a beautiful job and the spirit was so strong. We had both of our families up, and everybody was able to come except for Derick's brother Chris, who had to work. The day was so nice, and it was really neat that Derick and I were able to bear our testimonies in Sacrament Meeting with both of our families there. It is so important for me for my family to know that I have a testimony of Jesus Christ and His atonement. After Sacrament Meeting we all went back to the house and had lunch. Thanks everybody for helping me with all of the food!! We were a little short on house space because we are still in the middle of remodeling the girls' bedroom, but we all squeezed in! Good thing we love each other! We had 16 children--14 under the age of 6!!! The day went great and I feel so blessed for all of the things Heavenly Father has given me!

Growing Up!

I can't believe almost 7 weeks have passed since we had Dyson!! He has changed so much!! But he is still so calm and sweet! Such a serious little boy- definitely a thinker!