dancin'...

yesterday...

2010-12-19T23:36:00.000-08:00

she was 2

today...

NINE!

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9

Do we just skip count as we get older?

0 - 9

It seems more realistic that way.

I love this little girl more than melted butter.

If you haven't just eaten melted butter straight out of the pan, well . . . good for you, I guess.

But it's good, learned that from my mama.

This little girl has a bit-o-my mama in her too. (not so much the butter, but other good stuff!)

Love her. Happy to have her.

Happy Birthday, baby.

fall happenings...

2010-12-02T12:18:00.000-08:00

...on this cold, wet, white day.

What?! It's December?

Where's my memo?

Christmas? Okay, seriously have to go now.

p.s. Can someone tell me how to change my font color/size, I can't find the color changing thing anymore. Maybe the snow wiped it out with the rest of me? What?...what did I just say? what does that mean?!

Where's my money? my list?

What should I get for Christmas?!

I think I'm outta toilet paper.

What year is it?

Is your homework done?

We're homeschooling?!

Who's having a panic attack?!

"Cookie, Mama?"

"Oh, yeah, thanks, baby."

...'kay, I can do this now.

more sum'time

2010-11-06T10:36:00.000-07:00

cousins!! I have a blast doing a photo shoot with my neice, we went and took pictures of my two girls and one of her little sisters. How cute are they?

What's life without a car show?
(I dont' know what's come over me; my writing's so rusty with my summer sabbatical. Sabbatical? Sure, why not?)

Water. Water makes me happy. Except for the whole nausea thing that happens to us all when walking on a sound . . . what are these things called? docks? planks? Just thinking of it...I'm gonna have to shoot for the bathroom. 'Cuse me.

It's not just me, right?

Clearly, it's not Thanny and his friend Rachel. Not to be confused with my Rachel who did NOT sprout a head of hair over summer. Though she is spouting a bit of a mohawk. Very girly, I assure you.

I had the fabulous priviledge of attending the sealing of one of my friends from my young women days in Twin Falls this summer. Aren't these sisters beautiful? I was so happy to see them. I love 'em more than water. And they don't give me nausea.

How nice is that!

Summertime, summertime

2010-11-06T10:16:00.000-07:00

bit o' hiking

nieces and food

nieces and puppies

nieces and laughing...it's the stuff summers are made of!

I'm pretty sure I have nephews, too. I'm just not sure I have any camera-ready nephews.

I will get back to my blogging, I will, I will! Just gonna play a little summer-highlight-catch-up. I've missed my blog.

today

2010-07-09T17:28:00.000-07:00

I've kind of been dreading heading to this place and attempting to catch up on all the meanderings of the past month or so. In part because I would have to admit that I have no life 11 months out of the year, when I'm blessed with oodles of blog time.

But I'll go ahead and save myself the embarrassment of admitting such things, by not even mentioning it.

Huh?

Oops.

Anyhoo. Here's a shot of me peeping Jane out my very own window this morning. Or is that not what that means?

So...today. Today is always a good place to start. I was to leave to my parents place today with my massive (to some) family of eight. Unfortunately, the van protested. And won. She's cranky like that.

I'm a big girl though! I can take it.  We just moved onto the red car, red's been good to us. And he was all gung-ho right up to his AC fix--I dunno what goes on in that place, but he fell apart on the way home.
I feel for him...kinda. Mostly I'm just scowling.

Running down the line . . .we're going with green tomorrow. It starts, isn't full of sliced and frayed wires, and we relieved it of it's pack-rat stash. I had only a slight vision of driving with my hood on fire. That's gone now, so...hopefully we won't blow up.

That'd be nice.

I didn't mean to devote so much time to the beasts that ~~clutter our driveway~~ shield our home. Quite frankly, I shouldn't have even mention them...I think they're just doing it for the attention anyway.
Or am I getting all my ~~kids~~ ~~cars~~ issues confused?

Ah-ah-ah!

Okay, today. Right. Focusing here.

Today is about the men in my life. (Boy am I ever grateful I can stay on task...I know what I mean and I just do it. I don't stray from nuttin'. Anything. [I really, really want to use double negatives--it's just the problem of the nails-on-the-chalkboard thing it does to me]...so I was saying...I focus...)

Men.

Today.

Got it.

My little piggies. Don't mind that I refer to them as little piggies, k? I really am kind. Well, kind...a. I'm just looking to entertain myself. Cause I have nothing planned for today, cause I'm supposed to be on VACATION!   That's why.

Not that I'm bitter or anything.

Piggy. I love my little piggies.

This little piggy has some naaaasty pink eye today; I think you can do nothing but agree--it's even worse in real life.. (Perhaps the cars were only looking out for my mama's eye health...but I've moved on from them, right?.)   But. He's showing his manly-hood (have I mentioned he is taller than me now? yes, after making me stand back-to-back and measure incessantly on the wall for endless days--he's finally made it.) by getting out and doing yard work despite the blur and pain. I'm pretty sure it's maturity and not the million dollars we're paying him to do it.

My next little piggie (I like the 'ie' better) has a new found independence, humor, maturity, and good-naturedness. He usually goes to his room once a day just to play by himself for a spell. I think it's super sweet. Maybe that's just cause I'm his mom?

Then this guy...I just gotta srtay from pig here (the appeal is fading fast). Where did it come from anyway?! It was never there was it?

I love that he's always trying to make things work for us. He's playing mechanic today. He's like the brick house of us all. (What is it with pigs today?)

Bacon.

Bacon--that's it. I have peppered bacon in my fridge. I've never tried it before, but have heard great things said of it. I love it when dinner comes to me out of the middle of nowhere. See--focusing and staying on task is completely over-rated. If I'd been focusing, in an hour (oops...three minutes!) I'd have no idea what to make for dinner. Now I have it. Pancakes, eggs, bacon. Scratch the pancakes--toast is faster.

Before I go off to indulge my taste buds. Here's another reason I love the main man:

His girls are wrapped around his finger.

And he loves his boys.

And me.

Okay.

Wee-wee-wee for now. I'm gonna go drown my car sorrows with pig fat. Peppered pig fat.

Mmmmmmmmmm...

little charmers

2010-06-13T22:39:00.000-07:00

So several months ago two of my girls, who we shall call, oh, let's say...Hannah and Victoria! were busy writing away at the table. They were busy whispering, drawing, writing, rolling up their scrolls and tying them with twisty-ties. I didn't think too much of it; I just took a breath of contentment in at their working together and went about whatever havoc I was creating at the time.

A few weeks later when I was straightening their room, I ran across 25 of these little babies in a basket. And I admit, I was a bit excited to peer in on what was surely a warm fuzzies type of plan.

Pfft! So much for those rose-colored glasses.

I was left wondering how many of the neighbors had recieved one, and couldn't help but peer out the blinds whilst arming myself with oven spray.

Well, that and wet-my-pants howlin'.

Stable Girls

I see you mistreating your animals, am I right? I've seen you put a gag on her, and have her take it off until two weeks/days.

Tell me the truth, are you mean to animals?

Animals are meant to be nice to, not to push around. We keep them for fun, we don't keep them for being mean to. If you are that way, fine be mean to our kind and gentle friends. If you are that way . . . you are very, very mean.

Hannah and Victoria (what happened to all that gusto?!)

thanks!

(imagine happy horse drawing here)

Well, they told them.

Their love of animals runs deep. Here's a picture that Ellie took the other day of Megan with Tex (Uncle James' dog, and Allie). They decided they like the second picture because it "looks like they're helping these animals in this poor, poor place." It's their dream. What can I say?

Except...got any more oven spray?

It's happened

2010-06-04T11:03:00.000-07:00

My baby. A toddler. As much as I love toddlers and all their mischievousness and fun-loving discovering, I'll miss my baby. Who am I kidding? I miss her already.

Just last week, I picked out her clothes, the sweater wasn't noted.
Just last week, she giggle-squeaed, her hearty laugh well-hidden.
Just last week, she fit snug in my arms, I wish I'd held her longer.
Today as she was skateboarding, I cracked and soaked a tissue.

I've been doing okay with all the "firsts" of my last baby. The smiles, "love you's", high-fives, steps, thank-you's and kiddes. I just wasn't planning on this one. I'm such a wimp!

Time to start marking days 'til grandkids, I guess.

I know, pathetic.

But, hey! she's still bald, I have that! :)

Beautiful Dad

2010-06-02T22:31:00.000-07:00

Beautiful faces are they that wear

The light of a pleasant spirit there;

Beautiful hands are they that do

Deeds that are noble, good and true;

Beautiful feet are they that go

Swiftly to lighten another's woe.

what's up

2010-06-01T22:56:00.000-07:00

Scaring animals. Kidding! I was nice, I swear it!! Though I s'pect another mint might have helped.

In case I haven't scared you all off (you can't smell through these things, can you? please say no!). Give me another chance, cause I'm sure I can do it. I can be terrifying, really. Just ask the kids. On second thought, let's not ask them, I don't need them disrupting my sleep with nightmares. I'm thoughtful like that. :)

Anyway, I'm still not sure why (except I really had a hard time choosing between two blog layouts, and that may have played largely into it), but I made another blog. I've always wanted a homeschooling blog. So, that's what I'm kinda, sorta calling it.

Just don't quote me on that, k?

Thanks, I appreciate it.

So, if you're not sick of my ramblings yet. You can get another earful on the new blog.

I hope you at least enjoy the white tushes above. I must have a thing for them, isn't that two white tush pictures in the last few weeks?

Eek. Time for a new fascination, methinks.

repeat road trip

2010-05-31T11:52:00.000-07:00

We made another trip to Temple Square. There's just something about that place. :) It was neat to walk with two of my girls and show them where Andy and I were married and where we went for pictures.

Seeing them sit in front of the temple...no words, no sounds; just the beating of my heart.

new stuff

2010-05-25T21:46:00.000-07:00

I've had fun changing my blog. Part of my attention deficit charm. Not to be confused with my, ya know, other charm.

Huh?

I dunno.

Anyhoo, if you're up for some changes, here's a couple tips.

My friend Diedre showed me how to make my pictures big, I've been looking for that for.ev.er. Here's her tutorial. I think she's brilliant. Probably cause she is.

I've also been wanting a less cluttered look to my blog than the scrapbook type ones I've been using. (We'll see how long this lasts. :)) I ventured out into google land yesterday and ran across this charming site, which is where I got the template and a signature! I love my handwriting now. :) BTW, the link is for the 2-page layout templates...which is what you'll need if you use Deed's "big picture" tutorial.

Glitches:

~sometimes my pictures are too big, and part of it gets cut off (I don't know how to fix that except for changing it from xlarge to large--like I did with the duck pictures) feel free to chime in with what's probably an html? fix

~~I didn't save my template before uploading the new one and my navbar disappeared, kinda freaked me out. (Though, I did copy and past my sidebar stuff...but didn't need to.) It required another html fix...I really need to learn html, that stuff scares me. But I figured it out! after 20 more gray hairs sprouted, that is. **
~~~I didn't read all her instructions for installing the signature, so in case you miss it . . . after you get your signature code you can install it under "settings, formatting, post template".

What other cool stuff am I missing? Fill me in! :)

**in case you're missing your navbar...here's what it should look like (go under layout and html) mine said something like--which was something like "nothing -5 important!":

#navbar-iframe {

opacity:0.6;

filter:alpha(Opacity=60)

}

/* Variable definitions

If you're crazy enough to try this, you will need a hot bath and candles and chocolate once you're done. A foot rub won't hurt either.

met some cool families

2010-05-25T21:22:00.000-07:00

When we went to my Aunt and Uncle's place (during our Utah visit) I wasn't expecting this sight. There are geese and ducks everywhere. They live there year round, how cool would that be?! Well, except for the poop, unless you're in the midst of toilet training, in which case you might feell right at home.

We learned that the geese mate for life (unless one of them dies--then the other will, I guess--re-mate). I absolutely love how the geese stay in families. The father keeps an eye out and lures threatening predators away (not us, yay!) while the mother sits on them. After they're born, the mother will lead them to water and the father follow them. Both the mother and father watch over the young til they're ready to leave the flock.

Geese and their traditional families.
Beautiful.

"The things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least." -Goethe

I read this quote today, made me think of families.

Uh, you talkin' da me?

2010-05-25T00:45:00.000-07:00

I think we need ta work on our communicatin'

and cleaning

and showering

and blogging

and

nose pickin'

-n-

...5738 other things

But maybe we should start witt the vibes.

Seriously; creepin' me out, loves.

Or, maybe I should give the camera a rest.

Nah.

Cheap entertainment's my friend.

Road Trip

2010-05-20T00:41:00.000-07:00

Can you guess where we went? :) It was beautiful! I want to go back and spend the day there all by myself. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. (And I want a wall like that.)

Cuteness

2010-05-13T00:42:00.000-07:00

I can't stand it. This dog...wrapped around my finga cute. Fingacute? Seriously, what do people do with out dogs, really?

Ohh . . .oh yeah, that's right.

Breathe.

Go places.

Skip incessant hand washing and clothing changes and poop pick-ups.

Okay, I hear ya! not a bad point. Points! Pfft, who's counting anyway?!

But I can't stand it...augh, cute! Heart piercing cuteness.

I have a thing for cute.

Cure me now.

Speaking of cure me now, what happened to my paragraphs? I'm a walking facebook with my one-liners. (Not cute.)

Cure me twice.

Cure me three times, a lady.

What?

I don't know--these things just pop out.

I love her lil white tush.

Did I just type that?!

no words II

2010-05-09T23:10:00.000-07:00

no words

2010-05-08T22:20:00.000-07:00

No words. Cause I'm gonna watch a movie, that's why. Otherwise: "words, words, words". (Just thought I'd throw in a little Shakesphere for ya, in case you were feeling deprived or...mad. I like to be helpful like that.)

Papa's Home!

2010-04-30T19:26:00.000-07:00

I think one of Andy's gifts is to put joy into his kids. It's like opening a bag-o-m&m's and pouring them straight into your mouth (if that's your kinda thing, anyway). Ever since baby number one, when Andy comes home there is a screamous of papa's all around. Perhaps this is why: (you can click on the pics to enlarge)

He even sings:

Don't swing on a string

It's much too frail

The best kind of swing

Is a Tigger's tail

(Wheee)

Kinda makes me wanna be 2 feet tall and 200 pounds less. Though that would mean less m&m's.

Well, maybe not.

Sunday morning scramble

2010-04-29T18:35:00.000-07:00

This speaks more of independence, resourcefulness, and maturity rather than deprivation, desperation, and neglect, right? Right?!

I mean...

She's normal.

Healthy.

Cared for.

Yeah, yeah that's it.

Keep saying that...repeat 3,421 times.

Don't Cry For Me, Argentina

2010-04-24T21:12:00.000-07:00

The truth is, I never...

have been there. (I hate it when I have to interrupt a fab song with a bit of realism. My bad, sorry.)

The real truth (is there really a difference between the truth and the real truth? or is the better question...should there be a difference...? {too deep for me, nevermind.}) My children's grandparents have been. (Imagine me not being insanely jealous here.) And my children's grandparents are going to be there...again. For THREE YEARS! (Can you hear how much I'm not jealous?)

All we get is a stinkin' song (well, love the song--beside the point!). Well, we do get their car. And their computers. And their cell phones. And pictures. And homemade items. And letters. And visits. And...well, still it stinks! ;)

No, truth be told...

What is it with me and the truth tonight?

I am super excited for them.

I loved, loved, loved my time in Costa Rica and would love for my kids (and me...and Andy) to live in a foreign country. I hope they have as good of a time. Exciting. Exciting. But I really, really want a handmade musical instrument when they come back. (tap, tap, ya hear me?) Even if they don't make them there...I still want one...from there.

Truth is. I'm greedy. Selfish. Needy. But we already knew that. And I don't know what complete sentences are. Anymore.

And I really, really don't know how to take a family photo. (Truth or lie? I ask you...)

Yeppers. Truth. I'm on a roll tonight. What am I moaning about? We did get an airpost visit out of it...that's like a vacation around here. Everyone there was charmed by our good manners. Charmed, I tell ya.

She looks sane enough, right? Right? ~~Note how she's no where near us.~~

For all the goofing off, reality did set in.

Good-bye's were said.

some tears were shed....

We will miss you.

They will love you.

(Not to be confused with we won't, er, don't, er, you know what I mean...we already do!)

Have fun,

Your Argentinan singers

(who love ya)

~~and your car~~

~~isn't there a delete button on here?~~

wink 'n' a smile

excuses, excuses

2010-04-17T01:08:00.000-07:00

I'm full of 'em. Not to be confused with "it", of course. :) I've been missing my blogging, I plan on revisiting next week. My big, big goal is to get my house in order. And by order I mean gutting. (I've finally accepted that I have a small house and I need to fit into it. I hear ya, hallelujahing! I know, believe me! I know.) And by house, I mean the one that holds my family, not the one that holds my spirit (though a tweaking wouldn't hurt there either :)). That's for another ~~day~~ post.

So, that's excuse number one.

Excuse number two:
I'm pregnant.

~~Kidding.~~

No, really I am.

Kidding, that is.

Confused? Me too.

Okay, enough with the kidding already. I get it. Too much.

So I've been cleaning, but (and?) my computer time has been squelched by my trigger-happy finger. I've been working on my macro shots. (Well, technically I think only the first one is macro-ish, the others are more just close-ups--potato, potatoe right? No? Oh. Whatever) Anyhoo, here's a couple potatoes for your viewing pleasure (or is it torture? whatever.).

The blanket shot, I realize is terrible. I just had to add it in case my next 324 shots of it are just as bad, cause it's Rachel's baby blanket from her Grandma. Who can blame me?

Oh.

Well . . . cut that out!

Now for my entertainment. I'm curious if the bottom one looks like what it is--well, to you I mean--I already know what it is, silly! :) I'll give $500 to the commenter with the correct guess.

Ha.

I kid. (not to be confused with my belly bump)

(which is {in fact} my fat)

*~*~not pregnant~*~*

in case we missed that

The Best Christmas Card

2010-04-01T19:48:00.000-07:00

This came in the mail...before Christmas even. (I didn't get my tardiness from her, just my love of chocolate.) Can you guess which one is my mom?

Ohhh, impressive. How'd ya guess?

Here's the little ditty she sent with it (ditty? sure, everything souds better when sung...right? {don't mind my talking to myself...and while you're at it, can you find my keys?}):

Pictures (X=Memory Glitch)
Row 1 #1 Loren Keezer #2 Bucky #3 Me #4 Bobby Eder #5 Howard #6 Marlene Whitaker #7 X #8 last name Harvey #9 X #10 Donna Quigley (or Osterle) #11 Helen Lenz (or Lentz)
Row 2 #1 X #2 Norma Jean #3 X #4 X #5 X #6 X #7 Wanda Patrick #8 Sharon Slane #9 Frank Fredrick #10 Teacher -Mrs. Kelly (or possibly McLaughlin)

Merry Christmas Kids and Grandkids:

Now you know who some of these kids are; I just want to share some memories with you. Helen Lenz was my idol! She lived next to the school, and I went over to her house for baton and ballet lessons. I envied her long curls and shiny nails. I found out one day at her house they had clear nail polish on them. She put some on me as well. I was scheduled the second half of the year for morning kindergarten as before. I wanted to be with Helen, so I told my mom I was in afternoon, and when I got there the first day I started bawling and said I wanted to be with Helen. Teacher let me stay. :) Then my neighbor, Anita Eisema got mad at me because we no longer could play in the afternoons together. :( Helen was Catholic and the next year went to St. Mary's Catholic school, and I never saw her again.

You can read about Loren's and my "wedding" on the back of the picture. I cried that day because I thought I got to keep the dress!

Howard and Bucky were friends. Marlene and Wanda also were friends. Marlene was a little chubby and Wanda very skinny. We all tried to get her to drink milk, but she didn't. Sharon Slane lived on the other side of the tracks (literally). She had older sisters who were my sister's friends. We all thought Frank Frederick was so cute, but that day he was wearing the stocking cap to cover his shaved head (ringworm).

My friend Anita and I used to go 3/4 way around the block to the Harvey's house. She was the Harvey boys little sister. We'd knock on the door and say "can we take Bonnie?" Can you believe their mom would put Bonnie in her stroller and we'd head to my house to play "baby" wither her.

The only memory I have of Bobby Eder is my mom taking me out in the country to buy eggs from them. Bobby had just woke up from a nap and his mother was tying his brown shoes (see them?) for him. I remember being surprised he couldn't tie his own shoes.

Most of these kids lived out in the country as it was an agricultural town. I lived just 2 blocks from school.

Well, some of you may laugh at this--but I bet someday you will like it. I love you all.

Mom/Grandma

From the back of the picture:

. . . {We} were "married" in a "Tom Thumb Wedding" at Congregational church in Clelsea MI at this age. :) I sang "Sweet William I Love You" (tune "I Love You Truly").

I love it today, seriously it couldn't be any cuter! Sure clears up some things about my mom. ;)

Isn't that what memories are...bits and pieces of people (well, hopefully the whole person) and places? *sigh*

I love my mom. And her adorable classmates. And her memories.

And chocolate.

Picnic?

2010-03-26T13:13:00.000-07:00

Uh...'kay.

All you really need is a red checkered cloth. Right? Well, that and a fruit bowl with some...giganormous potatoes on top.

18 months

2010-03-23T22:08:00.000-07:00

...and a half. (I'm usually running late.)

Anyway. Lip look. I love it. Kind of her transitioning-decision furrow. I haven't caught it on camera before (probably). Truth be told, I didn't catch it this time either, I was busy snoring away behind her. That was one problem with the picture (not to be confused with parenting), the other was the yellow stain on her white shirt, and we won't get into the lighting. What's one to do? Laundry? Wake-up? A little late for that (are you seeing the pattern here?). So, I did what anyone with eight piles of laundry, a lysol-yearning toilet, and a pile of shoes on her lap (Rach's gather-n-give quirk) would do.

Photoshop.

And two hours later (sheesh!) her shirt is sparkly white and I'm more of a guardian angel rather than a face-o-neglect ma. Maybe next time I'll opt for a clean shirt and a useful sleep pattern.

But where's the wasted time in that?

Maybe I'll opt for real-time photoshop. Lifeshop. Lazeshop. (Ah!) Danashop.

Oh, boy. Why I simply don't delete sentences like that is beyond me.

Let me bid you a quick farewell before you run for cover.

and do some laundry for pete's sake.

okay, okay--farewell!

more canyon...

2010-03-22T23:37:00.000-07:00

I know. I know! More of the same. I clearly can. not. help. myself. Surely there is more to life than what I blog about--

nature
music
food
books

...mingled with the crew.

Right? Right? (I don't know why I keep repeating myself in italics, it must be infuriating. My apologies. ~~Apolo~~)

I'm sure, positively sure I can change. Please, just pardon me while I reevaluate my existence with a bag of m&m's and a paperback.

And check back tomorrow for . . . more of the same. And hopefully a new-found hobby to capture.

It will be fun. :)

(But they makes me smile. Is that so wrong?!)

there is beauty all around

2010-03-20T23:35:00.000-07:00

This weather is fascinating to me. Fascinating. Firework-fascinating. Baby-discovering-his-hands fascinating. Fantastically fascinating. Are you feelin' me here?

Get it?
Got it.
Good.

I remember doing that little chant with my siblings over and over back in the day. Alliterations still make me giggly. (So does this weather...if I haven't mentioned that yet.)

This first picture was taken maybe a week and a half ago--I think they called it seven inches. They also called it snow. I graced us for about 8 hours. Winter in the am spring in the pm.

Fascinating. Fascinating, people!

The next was was taken yesterday afternoon (courtesy of Dan) in the little canyon. Don't you just wanna dip your toes in it?
No?
Me neither.
Unfortunately Megan did...oops. Brrrrrrrrrrrrie!

Aren't the aspens beautiful in March? Here they are in the fall, in case you missed it. Thinking of climbing to
the tops of those babies leaves me heebie-jeebing. (So why I imagine it is really beyond me.) I much prefer this angle, plus, the canyon's better off minus my lunch.

Kid, tree. I just couldn't resist.
.

If you don't have a bubbly creek to lull you to sleep, this lil chant might help:

get it
got it
good

struttin' strummin' buds

2010-03-17T23:26:00.000-07:00

The reason my house is a mess (excuse 1 of 6,542,004):

They keep me glued to my seat in a can't-take-my-eyes-off-em, where's-the-popcorn kinda way.

Anyone seen my couch cushion?

books-n-babes

2010-03-15T16:33:00.000-07:00

Cherith came to find me last week, "Look at these pictures I took . . . "

Oh, bless my mama heart . . .

Love, love, love.

Perhaps it really does make the world go 'round.

Ready, Set, Go. Part 2

2010-03-11T13:12:00.000-08:00

It looks so much better all wrapped up like Christmas. The blue hose you see connects to another hose which connects to a cooler filled with ice water. Plug that baby in and whoo-lah, instant ice pack. Brilliant invention. Brilliant. Below is a shot of the ice pack itself--so thin! did I mention it's brilliant?

If only the rest of the unwrapping would've been so pleasant. Good-bye Christmas. The bloody gauze took forever to get off; I could be found on the floor more than once during the ordeal. (Don't tell me my time to stop harassing Andy about the hospital episode is coming to a close!) Clearly, it was no picnic for him either. Admittedly, my queasiness is much easier to handle.

His leg was swollen, but I think it only looks this bad due to camera blur. (Though there's a dramatically different opinion coming from the couch. :))
The unveiling:

That last gauze was ornery-bellious, it was 10 minutes before my nauseated brain thought to just cut it off. (Actually I think Andy had to suggest it...three times, I was in slo-mo, bless real nurses!)

There's just the one other incision on the left that isn't showing (a total of five). Doesn't he have a fabulous left leg, though? That's my girls hope, right there.
The finished product:

And last, but not least.

The scoop:

fast break
jump stop
pop-out
blackout

Diagnosis:

acl tear (tendon that holds you knee together) and another little one (lcl? rcl?)
walkin' only

Pain:

Total. Pain.
This, Andy assures me, is why the surgeon wrote "TP" on his knee cap.

Ready...Set...Go...

2010-03-08T23:16:00.000-08:00

He told me I could drop him off...wouldn't that have been a lonely sight.
Much better:

Besides taking 542 pictures us waay more fun!

Okay, okay, I might be a smidgen on the obsessive side, but I like to think it's part of my charm. (Try as I might, which I haven't, I can't help myself.)

In his defense (fine, mine), he's actually not scowling at me (right?), he's prepping for the iv. I think this is the same face he wore when I got my first epidural (I was left confused when he and all the nurses disappeared...found him later on the couch. Not that I would ever mention it again. :))

While he doesn't remember this shot, on account of the meds hitting not just his leg but his head as well, the nurse and I had fun dressing him up in his little hat. What a cutie-patootie. Yes, I think he still loves me. I know where did I find him?!

A day in the sun

2010-03-02T20:50:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was gor.juss. Gorgeous. (Doesn't matter how you spell it--it was that kind of day.)

We took advantage.

Is there a better time to sport a pair of nylons than on a sunshine-y day? I think not. This may very well be my new favorite picture, if not my next style craze.

The girls made up different skits to some verses at the end of Matthew 5. I know Cherith is all blurry here, but some of us (yes, there was some dispute) thought it was sooo cool that the scriptures were in focus and "popping out" of the pic.

Learning is always easier with natural light and a toasty-warm back. Outdoor schooling, I'm a believer. Of that and chocolate.

Rachel believes in chocolate, too. She's nicer than me, she tried to share it with Daniel. In her defense, no one told her to hand it to him rather than kiss it to him. (Sorry, Dan.) (But not for long, look at your sister's face...it quickly trumped any woebegone stirrings I may have had sprouting.)

Sadly, his box is not filled with chocolate. However, his poses do about the same thing for me.

My shoes, aching for some burden-lifting, ran (if that's what you call running!) me around for a spell. I appreciated that, despite the jiggle.

Today was overcast.

That pretty much squelched any picture snapping and productivity for the day.

But I did think about putting hose on my head.

That's as far as I got.

One Year Ago

2010-03-01T16:01:00.000-08:00

Hard to believe it's the same girl. (link to before surgery footage--attempting to walk a straight line--heel-toe style)

Here she is today. (...today)

It's amazing. These videos make me want to do cartwheels and reach for the tissue at the same time.

****I think the link is working now...thanks, Tara.

"For the times, they are a-changin'..."

2010-03-01T09:37:00.000-08:00

...or are they?

My little brother used to wake me up at 5am (if not earlier) on Saturday mornings to watch 'toons. It was "the thing" to do. We were hip, I am sure. (Well, I must confess--I more did it to appease him, I never really liked the shows. Hanging with him at least makes me look hip--even today, this holds true. The only sure hip thing I have going on is located at the top of my legs. And it's screamin' hip--let. me. tell. you.)

While the 'toons may have been traded for a smaller screen and a different spelling, the lure, apparently, is just as strong.

It leaves me wondering:

Will the same paragraph(s) be Rachel's in 30+ years?
Or will she only ramble about their matching bald heads and strange clothing?
Or something else altogether?

I can only imagine. And, for today, the wonderment (is that a word?) is enough for me.

Ellie Poppins

2010-02-19T22:26:00.001-08:00

Baby number six. Well, technically number four, but when you're my age, er weight, er shoe size . . . well, whatever--numbers...muddle. (I'm afraid these straws I'm grasping at might be muddling too.)

So, we (and I mean we) call her Ellie unless we're (and I mean me) particularly excited and need the thrill of the expanded-notation-mingled-with- our (again, moi) -crescendo-ascending-soprano-pitch. Then one (and I mean you) might hear E-liiiz-abeth Marie. See, doesn't that have a nice ring to it? We all think so. Most of all her, I am sure.

So (and do you think I overuse that word? and do I or do I not need a comma after it?) as I've taken a week off due to a distracting 50-degree sun-heaven that's taken over February's blah, more illness bouts (Dan mostly), some spring cleaning (yep, still unpacking--pathetically disturbing, I know), book reading (Twilight {where's my bag?}, Hans Brinker, and some pre-chemistry book--that's like...pre-school chemistry, fyi:)), an insane amount of ground beef cooking (but I have freezer meals!...to be eaten once I can stand the sight of beef again, that is), and incessant oogling at the sunshine and the kids reveling in it, I've managed to abate the nag of neglecting the neglected I was going to stop neglecting. Time's up tonight though.   Lemme ramble (how could you have guessed?) on her.

She's eight (where I learned on Downy's site, is the age when kids start becoming "their own person"; I know...downy...fabric softener...what is that about?!) and can drown out my soprano any day.   And she does. I mean this in only the best of terms...usually. My drama girl. And by that, amongst other things, I mean singing, pretending, entertaining, creating, it's as if she ...puts in her thumb and pulls out a plumb (sorry, it's the best I an do tonight).

Just yesterday, as she was cleaning the bathroom, she gazed at herself in the mirror as she swayed to some unknown rhythm and let out these lyrics: "Who is she-ee? staaaring at me-ee? I doe know, but I wi-ish I di-id." I am pretty sure the bathroom shimmered with a cinderelly-mulan aurora as she floated along (I don't really know cause I didn't stay, on account of her cinderelly charm possibly colliding with my mouse phobia). By nightfall, she had the rest of us humming the tune (a mix of Mulan and Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On"). It was mesmerizing. I (and I mean all of us) were spell-bound as her vibrant, crystal-clear voice and fluid movements engulfed the house as she did things like . . . open the refrigerator door. Yeah. Crazy. Crazy Good.

I asked her where she came up with the song. She got all dreamy as she breathed out, "Well...you know how in movies..sometimes people look at themselves and they realize that they don't know who they are...ya know..like they're different than they were, and...I just thought of that song."

At some point, I've said this about each of my kids, and I'll say it about her. I wanna be like her.  *sigh*   As with her, I am often overcome by the beauty they possess. Call me rose-colored glasses, call me mom. Whatever. Doesn't change a thing.  I revel securely in my perceived reality.

Back to the topic at hand. (these lapses in postings leave me wordily chatty don't they?)

And what is wordily...if not chatty?

Topic. Right.

She has some quirk for not staying on task...wait, who are we talking about? It's all very confusing. That and about 78,684,291 other things.

Okay. Okay.

Things come easily to her (like the not staying on task thing--"and...snap, the job's a game!") and I love to see (want to see, is more like it) the way her brain works. I imagine sparkles and fairy dust mingled with maps and bookcases. While she can be creatively...fluttery...she can focus and put things into place in an instant's time.   When she listens to something...she gets it.  And once she decides to do something, it's done with determination, precision, and beauty.  Her snowmen, my kitchen cupboards, the music she makes, each holds it's own when sprinkled with her magic.

What's it's like living with Tink?

Exciting. Always exciting.

The Meg

2010-02-08T15:16:00.000-08:00

Everyone needs one of her, (and not just for her vampire abilities!) but lucky for us, we get her! :) She has these captivating eyes that show off her sweet spirit and drink in everything she sees. She has a talent for "soaking it up"--be it cooking, drawing, dancing, knitting, well, the list just goes on and on. I'm convinced there's nothing she can't do!

She inspires me to be better. The last couple of years she has made such an effort to serve her family. Not only will she jump to help someone out when they're having a tough time, but she'll also think about what she can do to help someone and then...do it! For example, she loves to make pre-school for Thanny. She'll plan out a letter to work on, some games to play, and read and sing with him. Occasionally she emails him about it, just makes his day.

From scratch...delish!

Yesterday, after some interesting dinner conversation, she was sporting the gangsta look.

Today she is busy cooking up a play with her sisters.

Tomorrow? Who knows? But I can't wait to find out!

Sometimes you just gotta go

2010-02-04T22:21:00.000-08:00

Do you ever have one of those days where you could use a good laugh? Today was one of those...and I got one.

I've been excited to see Thanny (I KNOW! I KNOW! It's just a quick funny detour and I'll continue with the neglected, I promise...probably.) go outside by himself and play on the deck. Apparently, left to his lonesome, he's creating quite the cozy little world out there. When I asked him today (he was inside) to put the cat outside, he responded in one jaunty breath, "OkayIpeedontheporch."

Well . . . alrighty then.

I encountered a small swell of emotions, as stress relieved itself with my school-girl giggles. Once I got over the shock, I thought of my nephew who shot a stream over bar (what are those called? the ones you "twirl" on?) at the school playground (in his defense, he wasn't in school yet) and his mom brushed it off as "farm boys who go when they need to" syndrome. When I heard the story I felt a bit sorry for my boys who had, to my knowledge, only used inside flushing bowls and the occasional pair of pants. Would they grow up right, missing such a manly experience?

Today, anxiety quelled, I stand proud . . . (?)

I'm not the only one.

So for anyone else in need of a laugh . . . use your own porch, please. ;-)

Cherry Rush

2010-02-01T07:28:00.000-08:00

Going down the line of ~~forgotten~~ post-free children. I had a child in '98, tambien. Yep, conceived in Costa Rica. (too much info? sorry.) Hard to believe she's eleven, she's been through a lot in those years. With a little sister after her snack, she's plenty privileged to practice patience.

If you have not heard this girl's highly-contagious laugh, you haven't lived. It's like the 8th wonder of the world, music to the ears, a rush that bubbles through you until surrender is your only option. A Cherry Rush.

Friends are so dear to her heart. She cannot have enough. It's hard when you parents keep moving and you have to say more goodbyes than you want to! But making new ones is oodles of laughter!

This past year has been especially enjoyable for me to watch her grow and develop. I've witnessed, what feels like, a resurrection of sorts. The rebirth of her smile, capabilities, energy, and zest for life. It's rewarding to see what we can endure, to see what she has endured and overcome, as well as who she is becoming. I feel privileged to be a part of her journey.

The Neglected

2010-01-31T14:24:00.000-08:00

From the looks of my blog lately, one might conclude I have two children. I'll admit, some days I breathe in fleeting images with just two kids in them. But my imagination won't allow them faces or sizes, because how could I choose just two of them? Really?

It's easier for me to blog about the little ones for several reasons:

I didn't blog when my older ones were younger (or take as many pictures) and want to capture the little cute things that disappear altogether too fast.
They don't change their behavior for the camera.
They do so many different things on a daily basis, that there's always a new moment to capture.
I have older ones to take care of the younger ones so I can blog!

Yes, it's wrong, and in so many ways. I see it, you don't even have to point it out. But if it's itching-your-scalp-irritating (as I can sympathize), go ahead. I'll read them your compassion. Poor things. I'm thinking of installing a Paypal donation link for their therapy bills. =)

Well, for those of you who may have forgotten--I have a 13-year-old. He starts his morning with a shower and reading from the best-books. (I don't know what the complaining is about teenagers! Or, perhaps I speak too soon, time will tell, I suppose. Until then, I'll gladly bask in my ignorance.)

He's helpful with the younger two. (Argh, see, even now--I can't leave them out of this! Just dare me to do a post without them...but...aren't they cute?!)

He'll even humor me with a pose now and then. (He's quite flexible, no?)

What was I talking about?! He's just as playful as ever. Apparently, one can never grow too old for a game of peek-a-boo.

In all honesty, I love this stage. I remember when I was younger, 12-14 year old boys...well, I just didn't get 'em. They were obnoxiously annoying, they whispered and giggled in colossal proportions.   However, now that I have one on a daily basis, I think they're great! It's fun to see him becoming his own person. He's getting his own little quirks, like drumming his fingers. (I was going to say more, though on account of the incessant drumming that jumped in my head, nothing else is getting through.)

The annoying humor I thought boys had at that age, is now quite endearing. I love watching him try to deal with things using humor. Instead of being annoyed or snapping when someone is on his case, he'll respond with some type of joke.  I think some people call it sass. Maybe I just don't get it (?); I see it as his way of feeling out...what works and what doesn't as far as communicating and interacting with others. Maybe my definition of sass is skewed. I think of sass as disrespect. I don't respond to that very well. :)   Anyhoo, I don't have any complaints of my two-month bout with a teen.

Well, enough with the ramblings. I'm off to capture "older" moments, cause I know we're all to poor to pay for that much therapy.   =)

Musings

2010-01-28T01:47:00.000-08:00

So, I was loading up the tank and scrubbing the windshield on the van tonight when it dawned on me I could hear someone. (For me... pretty impressionable.) I glanced around and noticed an animated woman on a nearby payphone; she had a plastic grocery bag with a few items in it on one arm and the phone in the other. I studied her, mainly out of curiosity, cause I wanted to see if I could understand anything she was saying (not in an eaves-dropping kinda way, but in a "can I really hear someone when I can't see their mouth" kind of way). When I realized I couldn't, I got sucked into deciphering her body language as I washed the windshield: "is she laughing or is she mad?" I knew the voice was going up and down, the head threw itself back occasionally, and the arms bobbed a bit, and her legs were basically in sync with the rest of her. As I was in the midst of assembling the mystery, I heard a very exasperated, "NO! I'm Not ...." and that was it. Definitely not laughing. Steaming.

Anyway, I don't know if it's 'cause I'd been reeling with disgust at my unhealthy relationship with my camera card (that had me in Walmart's photo lab for 48 minutes! and grumbling off empty handed) or a dawning that I am missing more sounds as the days go by, or what, but my emotions must've been a bit tangled.  As I was climbing back in the van, I had such a longing to help and know this woman, who, a stranger, suddenly felt like a sister to me.  As I got in the car and volleyed with is she a lunatic with a gun? a mother of four? and what's her story? I started the car still undecided about what to do.

When I looked up she was half-way across the large parking lot. That's fine, I can leave that way, I said to myself. So I slowly, um, stalked her across the parking lot. Then...well, I'll make this long story short. I kept on with my stealthy stalking for about three blocks.  I kept trying to go home, but the wheel kept turning after her. (Am I scaring you yet?) I'd really like to end this account with our meaningful conversation or even our heavily-awkward moment, but no. Probably three different times I was close enough to roll my window down and release some form of mouth-babble.  I didn't, I just watched her trudge on with the massive weight on her shoulders.  Eventually, with a silent prayer for her, I turned toward home. (Lucky girl! Who wants to know some lunatic's been following her around in the darkness? Not me.)

Her image stayed with me as I drove home. She looked as if she'd lived more lifetimes than her young age could afford, and I wondered where and what she'd come from.  As I took a moment to walk through what I imagined her life may have entailed, I found more gratitude for the life that is mine--for this road I've been privileged to walk, skip, and stumble on. I felt compelled to keep my new-found friend safely enfolded in the wrappings of my heart as a reminder to me that even if we (I) feel alone we're (I'm) not (not talkin' 'bout creepy follwers:)), and to nudge me out of my comfort zone when someone (who I'm not stalking) might be in need of a shoulder, a kind word...a friend.

I'm grateful for a moment that left me desiring to be and do a little more, a little better, than I am and do today.

And I hope I haven't scared you off of payphones. :)

Gwowin Up

2010-01-25T23:18:00.000-08:00

Well, Andy and I tried tossing the camera in the microwave, but it didn't seem to help our issues any. So, maybe tomorrow we'll see about a new card. :)

But what I did capture, before the aforementioned twister, was a lot of Thanny. Not only is he catching up to Ellie's height (sadly that's not sayin' much..but still!) he's growing all over the place. Here's a few tidbits of late dat has me heart a smilin':

words:

"thank-you" (yes, without prompt)
"I'm glad you're my mom" (how can I not mention that?!)

actions:

sharing, namely with Rachel

his beloved rag of a blanket
his milk (his own, not just hers!)
his mama's lap (often he'll give it up completely)
his banana
his smile

activities

art
somersaults
eating and eating new foods (ah, ahhh, ahhhhhh! yes, I'm singing)

where did he get those long fingers?

"uh...deez a wadda gue on my fingoes"

"Ahhh! She's poeing off my skin!"

Caught 'im! See...good manners. :)

Just toppin' it off

My angel.

Okay, I confess. We were making a get-well card for a dear friend of his who may or may not have been taken to the hospital after an incident with my adorable, *cough* tame . . . angel . . . as I was saying. :) (And Roxi, glad he's alright. I'm sure Owen would've liked the card, but sadly this pic is all that remains.)

He really is sweet, sometimes you just have to study a bit to see it.

In a way, he reminds me of someone else I know.

He appears (pretends) to be rough around the edges while his insides are teddy-bear soft. Okay, so you can't tell that from this picture either. But let me explain the pic at least . . . gas. It's a regular thing with him; he fires up a striking rendition of Yellowstone's fumaroles. He has other talents, too. But that's not what this post is about. Suffice it to say, he has layers...yes, like an onion. Potent, tearfully potent. :)

Yep, it's microwave man.

If you're wondering why I let him off so easy . . . well, he's fulla bull. (Plus, I didn't want to leave a 250 word comment full of number signs, exclamation points, at symbols, and the like on my family friendly blog.) :)

Did you really think I would leave it at that, little b? Did ya? I have more ammo; I will use it. ;p

For the record, I'm proud of you for using a crock-pot.

But. next time you're cooking, and I'll play. :)

Smotty Ponts

2010-01-22T22:38:00.000-08:00

I think you can safely assume, if I'm not posting, I'm having camera issues. The latest, according to fujifilm, is that "you have the wrong brand of memory card in your camera, and the camera finally figured it out" (?) . . . "yes, after three months."

Uhhhkay.

If that's the case, I've been jipped--I wanna be a camera!! I mean, how much figuring can one little cammy do whilst lounging around this place? I'm jealous. I've actually (okay, lie) been dreaming about it...just one day waking up (well, someone else waking me up, if we're being technical) and finding, that through no effort whatsoever, I have indeed "figured it all out." Seriously, is it just me? Is it cause I wasn't made in Japan? Am I missing some batteries? (K, don't answer that.)

Tomorrow I hope to get pictures off this unworthy card, insert a clever one, and proclaim that indeed, "I am not smarter than a . . . Fuji." I'll leave my pride hangin' out in Walmart, but I'll get pictures! and then cookies and . . . another diet book. All will be well.

But until then, enjoy our angelic, cutie-patootie kitten . . .which I may or may not be smarter than.

Discovering

2010-01-18T23:36:00.000-08:00

There are so many discoveries I've enjoyed watching my babies learn. For example, the finding of their feet, voice, nostrils, and belly button. But this one is dearest to my heart:

It's changed my life. I hope they discover the change, too.

Oh, how praying rests the weary!
Prayer will change the night to day.
So, when life gets dark and dreary,
Don't forget to pray.
-Mary A. Pepper Kiddler

Blank

2010-01-16T23:07:00.000-08:00

I'm wondering how-in-the-world I was able to blog for almost thirty days straight. My fingers are itching to crawl on its favorite board tonight, but as for the mind...blank. B-L-A-N-K. Perhaps, I'll run with it:

B: Bread. I've made more bread this week than I desire. Pumpkin bread, coffee cake (bread-ish!), wheat bread, wheat bread, cookies (okay, fine), wheat bread, and almost-wheat-cause-I'm-outta-wheat-flour bread. And even though I'm sick of it, Monday I'm gonna delve into all white in hope of sedating this hankering for crescent and cinnamon rolls. (I feel heavy just thinking about it. Or is that just cause I'm heavy? It's all very confusing.)

L: Too bad blank doesn't start with "B" cause's that's what I'm drawin'...again. Ooo, got it! Laundry. Do you know how much laundry there is with eight (8! when did that happen?) people in one house? Uhhhhlot. And unless Andy is doing the laundry, you can count on finding at least one load in the dryer. Always.

A: Always. Always check your teeth before going into nerve racking meetings. (Have I mentioned my bean story?) That just speaks for itself.

N: And while we're at it, never. Never assume I heard you. If always (see ''A") was speaking--never's gotta be screamin' in your ears. =)

K: Konfession (yeah, sush!): I've been spending extra time in the bathroom just to read "Nitty-Gritty Grammar". Yep, it's that good. And no, I'm not applying it tonight. (Remember my brain/finger issues?!) But just for fun, bonus points if you can find all my screw-ups. (Please limit yourself to just my writing. My brain can't handle real stuff. :p )

nights, all

What's This Supposed to Mean?

2010-01-14T15:51:00.000-08:00

They like their hands.

That's all I can come up with.

:)

Thanny Rush

2010-01-11T21:59:00.000-08:00

If you know Thanny at all, you know I could probably sub him for my daily sugar rush. But I don't. I'm in want, er, need of both.

I caught him in what can only be labled as thanny crash.

(I am clueless as to how we claimed an empty space in this house)

this is about as long as they last

Thanny's been sitting on my lap as I put his pictues up here. I asked him what I should write about it. He said he was in there "cause I was invisible. Me and Megan were playing swords. I had a carrot sword and she had a pencil sword." (Next time I'll give her something edible; he didn't stand a chance.) I must confess though--the last picture is a set-up. He really wanted one with him coming "outta there" so after some futile attempts, we got this. It's my favorite. Where would I be without this rush?

Delimma

2010-01-10T19:39:00.000-08:00

Yesterday's choice:

The unveiling:

I don't think I get it.

Poetic bleh...ing

2010-01-09T20:34:00.000-08:00

So I couldn't do it--wax poetic that is. But in my reading today, I came across (in sensible fashion!) what I pathetically attempted to express, and then some.

"...We seem to demand instant everything, including instant solutions to our problems...
It was meant to be that life would be a challenge. To suffer some anxiety, some depression, some disappointment, even some failure is normal.
...if {you} have a good, miserable day once in a while, or several in a row, {stand} steady and face them. Things will straighten out.
There is great purpose in our struggle in life." -President Boyd K. Packer

So still...cheers!...to miserable tomorrows.

For You, Peggy

2010-01-09T20:02:00.000-08:00

Dan's bed as I went to peer on his dreaming...no Dan, just a book and book light. He was busy with another business...

As for Cher's picture...I couldn't get it to load last night, but here she is arrayed in healthy slumber! :) (She's doing great; thanks for askin'!)

And just for fun...Rachel (precisely 10 minutes ago) in her new (slightly large) pj's sporting her favorite toy. (It's the Leap Frog gift you sent--she rocks out to it all the time!)

Bleh

2010-01-09T02:04:00.000-08:00

Blah. Meh. It was one of those days. Not bad, not even uneventful, just...bleh.

A day that induced this for dinner:

with a side of this:

yet still didn't hit the spot. (I know! that's what I said.)

A day that when all was said and done, left me ready for this:

(I seriously cannot handle this much sweetness)

and clamoring for this:

If you can't tell from the picture, it happens to be the coziest blanket ever and my fuzzy mismatched socks.(which dispite the day's 11 loads of laundy--still couldn't find their match)

A day that, perhaps by merely existing, just makes the rest...better.

So, in that vein...here's to miserable tomorrows...

promising... losses of...sorrows...?

Okay, I'm not waxing poetic tonight...though I did warn you...

bleh.

Thann's Plan

2010-01-07T14:24:00.000-08:00

Thanny made a discovery today. He was on all fours hunched over Rachel (not a new thing), but, gasp, she laughed. "She likes it!!!" He was totally floored. With this awesome discovery plastered across his face he announced with gasping breaths, "I'm going to be Papa when I grow up, and Rachel his going to be my kid." It was like a whole new world opened up to him.

I asked him what he was going to do with his kid when he was a papa. He had all sorts of ideas:

let them play nintendo all the time
go sledding all the time
play monsters with them all the time
play nintendo all the time
play cars with them
play nintendo with them
play cars with them and that's all...c'nnn I play nintendo now?

We'll make a list maker out of one of 'em. Or a pro 'tendo player. Whatever.

Oops...is that me?

New Year, Fresh Start

2010-01-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

I think I need to hire someone to either set my camera for me, or train my fingers to do it. I mean, I've been trying hard to train my brain on the matter, but it seems...not to work. (No offense, brain--I mean, I'm glad to have ya--but, let's get real...ya need help.) Anyway, after way too many hours of trying to slavage some photos, this is our best (the brain and I). (I still don't know what happened to make me look so wide!;))

Somehow my photo workings remind me a bit of the day: sprinkled with glitches (the set up crew didn't show), and showered with fixes (an earlier baptism meant the font was ready, and numerous persons pitched in with talks/songs/music--which, really, made it that much sweeter).

Fortunately, the day wasn't about the program or (gasp) the photos, it's all about the ordinance, which is and was, unmistakably perfect.

We were honored to share in your special day, El.

Ringing In

2010-01-04T20:44:00.000-08:00

Thus far, 2010 has kept us plenty busy, and since I'm looking for an early bed tonight,I'm begging off with another list. Yet a list of has-beens rather than should-have-beens. :)

Took in an endangered black kitten. We just couldn't resist after almost running over her and then watching her frozen in place as more cars drove by inches from her adorable body. She's perfect (a dose of that never hurts)
Enjoyed a weekend of joy and fun. My mom and brother Dan braved the storms for a weekend visit. We ate. We talked. We gym-ed (sorry, jus' sounds better). We played. We watched. But mostly we enjoyed each other and...
Ellie's baptism. So sweet, so touching. The whole thing just makes me want to relive this weekend. So good I'm gonna do a little hand-writing journaling before I'm fast asleep.
Wrote this close-enough-to-30-days-of-consecutive-posts posting. It's been fun.

It's for you...

2009-12-31T18:45:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year

Last List

2009-12-30T21:41:00.000-08:00

...of the year, for the last day of the year. (Not that I'm much of a list maker, but just in case it was one of 09's resolutions....:))

Library (check if open)

extra copy+ "Ida B" for read aloud
Nitty Gritty Grammar
Dan's English books
bill for addy verification

Pick extra treat to take to New Year's Eve Party

add needed item(s) to grocery list

Store

guacamole for dip
extra bag(s) of chips

Wrap / deliver "Ultimate Gift" to ...friends
***NAP*** for Thanny and Rachel
Hook up new (used) washer, (thanks to landlord)

do load for evening

See if Mom has another copy of her Christmas card
Blog

check comments for great party treat idea (anyone...please?) :)
write early post (only 2 more to go!)

Make dip and treat
Help girls with switching rooms...if clean
Love the list (for next year's inspiration's sake)
Party!
11pm addition--remind kids to flush...cause that's just not pleasant

A few weeks ago we were talking about New Year's Eve and staying up until midnight with the kids. After we put the kids to bed (these two slept on the couch in the living room) we watched a movie in our room. When the movie was over we went out to check on, I don't know, something--and found these two trying to keep their eyes open.

"What are you guys doing?!? It's almost midnight." I ...grimaced.

"Trying to stay up 'til twelve," they replied as they attempted sign language. (We'll see if Ellie fares any better tomorrow, lol!)

A Perfect Moment

2009-12-29T19:03:00.000-08:00

I remember when I just had Dan and spent oodles of time playing dinosaurs, cars, legos, etc. As a new mother, that was exactly what I wanted to do. As my life's boiled down (or is it up?) to six kids, the playing isn't remotely in the same ballpark. When I sit down to play these days, it's more guilt ridden and with half-hearted attempts as my mind whirls about with "what needs to be done next" thoughts.

Well, I had a morning a couple weeks back that put "play" back into perspective for me. I was thinking about the activities I had to do that afternoon, and what I needed to do that morning to get ready for them. The house was fairly quiet when Thanny asked me if I'd like to play with him...

I started to take a deep breath when it was as if someone placed an ingenious spark in my mind--and I had a sense, but didn't fully understand that it would turn out to be one of those moments where you're:

In the right place

At the right time

Doing the right thing

The equation for a perfect moment.

A modest smile found my lips as I cleared my mind, slithered onto the floor, and played like I haven't...in too long time. We traveled the world as we made farms, cars, boats, animals, and castles (strangely enough, there were no weapons or massacres involved)--and it was simply...joy. As we were drawing to a close, I discerned my longing to cling to the moment, and quick grabbed my camera (surprise!) for these precious shots.

A couple phone calls later and my not so busy day became cramped. That day, in my moments of stress, I relied heavily on these pictures to keep me grounded, to bring me calm. Even now, in my mind, I bring them out to relieve the perfect moment. Those enchanting eyes and smooth wood morsels do more for my spirits than I think they'll ever know.

Bit-O-Reading

2009-12-28T23:55:00.000-08:00

...and eating. Isn't that the perfect combo? Comfort food and thought...food. After I took this shot, I went to work on this post, when I remembered I need the Photoshop book--I must've gone to the kitchen four different times to retrieve it. I left only with buttery fingers. That's the thing about fresh bread, it just calls to be sliced, buttered, and enjoyed--if you can keep from swallowing it whole, that is. The repeated trips led me to tattooing "get book" on my palm; that worked...course I left with a buttery book though.

Ellie's stash. She can't just read one book at a time. (Where could she get that from?)

Megan has kitchen duty this week, I found this propped in front of the microwave. Busted, girl! ;)

This is what we were supposed to be reading for scriptures tonight. (I'm sure it's a fantastic chapter!) But this distracting little girl kept us in a fit of suppressed laughter. (I'd look up to see everyone, yes everyone! with their chin down, but eyes on up; really, who could blame them?) We'll do better tomorrow---if we wait 'til she's in bed, I mean. :)

Poor Dawn: pulled, pushed, prodded, patted, yanked, smacked, just generally terrorized; patient as could be that one. (Hmmm, even from this perspective she looks like her dad, huh?!) ;-)

It was like she hadn't seen her toys before.

At one point she traded in the cat for Ellie. Somehow it was just as humorous.

When all was said and done, Dan said, "Well, we know who rules this house, don't we?!" I think she agrees.

Happy Reading

p.s. I'm only pinkish today, but living in fear of showering and changing clothes. Pathetic, I know.

Lobster Fest

2009-12-27T23:02:00.000-08:00

Never been a fan of seafood. I don't know if cause of the story about instant death from my late brother-in-law's cousin when he ate seafood. Or more because of the disturbing creature's claustrophobic swimming in the supermarket tanks whilst awaiting their fatal demise.  Maybe it just has something to do with the pinchers. Whatever it is, whenever I drive by a Red Lobster, I get the heebie jeebies. (But thanks anyway for the Red Lobster gift card, Mom...kidding.:))

I've been heebie-jeebie-ing all day. I got up all excited to go to church and my little nursery class (did I mention I'm doing nursery? so fun...snacks! but not lobster :)) Anyhoo, I hopped in for a quick shower; which wasn't pleasant being that I hadn't eaten and sometimes steam just doesn't agree with me. I quick donned some attire and ran the comb through my matted hair when I noticed my neck was, um, red. But dizzy again again and a wee shaky--time for Rice Krispies.

Thanny drilled me, "Why do you get to eat on the couch?"

To which I have no good answer, "uh, cause I'm feeling...kinda...red?"

A few bites later and back to the bathroom I went for further investigation. That can be disturbing on any given day, but Holy Lobster Tails!! One glance at my tums (not to be confused with my heart-burn isses) and I felt like I was in Walmart's heart-palpitating claustrophobic tank. I was get-me-out-I-don't-belong-here-ventilating-red. Lobster-Sunburn-Red. From-my-chin-to-my-knees-lobstery.  I came to at some point--but still, even now, hours later, I can't shake the emerging-snapping-tentacles sensation.  Disconcertedly disturbing.

Too disturbing for my little nurserites. So Rach, and I cozied under the covers with some books and Benadryl--which graced me with a five hour nap. Whew! Strong stuff.   No worries--the fam was back before she awoke!

So in trying to figure what the cause of this little fest has been...I really have nothing. 'Cept of course a bit-o-itch, painful-to-look-at-body, and more drowsiness than I care to lug around. It's like anything--could be nothing, could be...death. My best guess (or hope) is the change in fabric softener (that'll teach me to take my own when I do laundry at the in-laws!) Which reminds me--I still need to figure out the washer problem...which somehow reminds me again of confined lobster sloshing.

Which has me apologizing for any lobster-phobia I may have induced on you. And if you happen to see Julie and Julia...there's a part you might want to skip. Sorry.

And for those of you who were hoping for some free lobster or something, all I can offer you is this never-to-be-tried-by-me lobster recipe.

Best of luck to you both.

As for me, I'm hoping to shed this crustacean crust by morning.

The Big Day

2009-12-26T20:37:00.000-08:00

I was hard pressed to get a picture of Thann with his present opening, he usually sat or stood right in front of my with his back to me. The lazy part of stayed in my seat hoping for a great over the shoulder shot. Didn't happen. When he wasn't in front of me, he was moving much too fast; so when he paused for a moment, I was all over it! I even got out of my chair!

Dan is quite the history buff. So when his grandma sent him an old calendar with lots of Civil War info, he couldn't get enough. I think he would've been content if the gift opening stopped there. If you ever need an history phone-a-friend, he's your guy.

There's nothing like an extra surprise on Christmas. Apparently a birthday gift was stashed under the tree when it came with the mail. Seriously, how many surprises can one little girl handle?!

The girls got some new clothes. And they weren't garage sale or hand-me-down new, now that's something to

talk about. They seemed to come complete with poses. Where do they get this from?!? (Rachel just couldn't stay away from the action.)

Megan was all about serious poses. Inbetween shots she was a bubble of giggles and laughs. Too funny.

This is what Santa brought us...our first ipod! (I'm pretty sure any passer-byer could tell it's our first, on account of the insane giddiness that surrounds it.)

There's something about Christmastime...

It's no secret...

2009-12-25T23:17:00.000-08:00

...Christmas is work. We put thoughts, time, energy, love, etc. into making the day and season what it is. I think there is such a thing as overdoing it and not enjoying it. This wasn't the case for us this year. We had a couple small parties/gatherings with new friends and family. We made a visit to the care center, caroled, baked goodies, did a-bit-o-shopping, listened to music, decorated (minimaly), watched snowflakes fall, reflected on the meaning of Christmas...okay, my list is starting to get pretty long, but really it wasn't cluttered!

Anyway, as I was watching the kids this morning, and thinking about what we put into Christmas (and what others put into Christmas for us) I had an epiphany. They they (we) were sitting together, relaxing, smiling with anticipation for both the gifts we would receive as well as give. There was no greed, no contention, just--peace, a perfect moment, evident in both expression and feeling. I didn't have my camera handy, but my mind seemed shot the scene just the same.

I thought how the Christmas season is a bit like life. We are working to make a good life. Good for ourselves, good for those around us. We do what we think is best and then hope it is enough. Sure we mess up (i.e. sending your packages to an old address, or ending up short a present for someone!) but we go on and deal the best we know. At some point our life ends--our work here is finished.

And it's like Christmas. We get to rest from our labors, to excitedly anticipate what's next for us,

and (I imagine) look over our work and see what it has meant.

(While I love this picture of Rachel's excitement for her new baby and recalling how she changed from fuss to satisfaction in a moment, what I really love and wish I had gotten a picture of is her Granny. There's a glimpse of her in the background with this expression of ... of what her choice and her work meant to her.)

And, just like Christmas--it's due to the One who made it possible. The One, who, without...there would be no Christmas...

...no rest when all is said and done.

I am glad for Christmas, that it is and that it will be.

The best gift...

2009-12-23T19:30:00.000-08:00

under the tree. :) Two in a row, I know. I just couldn't resist snapping scripture pictures. Christmas and scripts at the same time, irresistible!

The Greatest Story Ever Told

2009-12-22T21:20:00.000-08:00

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, from our house to yours.

Reflection

2009-12-22T01:01:00.000-08:00

Being a little over half-way done with my mini-challenge, I started writing a post about why I blog. "Why Blog" I was going to title it (how creative is that, wouldn't you be itchin' to read it?!). It's been on my mind a lot the last couple of days.   So I began with a ditty on why I started in the first place.   Two lengthy paragraphs later, I had barely scratched the surface, and was staring at way too many personal issues for one night.  Truth be told, too many issues for many, many, many a night.    (And why is it that "many" looks soo odd after spelling it thrice?)

But one thing I can say. I do it for perspective.

I battle. Battle with guilt, negative thinking, lack of confidence, and...stuff. I do my best to push it away and give, give--better, I guess, better, to both myself and others.  I think I do alright with it, but my mind is often exhausted by the task. (As I'm sure yours is just by reading this paragraph.)

But in a moment of blog-reflection tonight, I made a discovery or two. I've found that as I record these little things that make up my life, well, better yet as I look for these little things to record that make up my life, I'm not doing as much battling. I'm doing more creating.  Creating appreciation.  Creating gratitude.  Creating...satisfaction.

Creating, Perceiving.

One why-for for blogging. That'll do...for tonight.

O Night Divine...

Secrets for a Phenomenal Holiday Baking Experience

2009-12-20T23:42:00.000-08:00

1)   A (or many) previous disasterous holiday baking experiences

2)   Movie for the kids

3)   Three ingredient recipe (make necessary adaptations)

4)   A clean house, borrow one if necessary

5)   A camera to attest to it's reality

Number 1: Check, check, check, check, check, check...

Number 2: UP (apparently it's great!)

Number 3: Easy-peasy recipe: check

Number 4: I played the we-have-a-broken-washing-machine-can-I-come-over-and-do-some-laundry-and-you-can-see-the-grandkids? card. Worked like a charm.

Number 5: Ten loads of laundry (and a free tasty dinner) later, I was mesmerized:

Couldn't take my eyes off 'em. Perfection. Well, danafection anyway; cause when you have more number-ones-than-you-can-count, perfection is a very impressionable concept. But for me, it was an etched-forever-into-my-brain-fection moment. A fleeting-ten-second-before-they-disappeared-fection moment. But. still. Any 'fection moment is almost more than I can handle.

Perhaps in '10 I can hatch up a scheme in contemplation of secrets-for-phenonmenal-holiday-baking-with-your-kids-experience. (or did I eat one too many of those?)

Either way, I'm dreaming pretzels tonight.

Eight, Eight, Eight

2009-12-19T22:55:00.000-08:00

She came smiling.

I don't think she ever stopped.

Happy Birthday, my doll.

I'm gonna celebrate with a tissue now.

A time to laugh

2009-12-18T23:55:00.000-08:00

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When Rachel is super tired, she really wants to nurse. (With the hospital trip, we went cold turkey. I think we even ate some, interestingly enough..) Anyway, she gets sooo mad at me; she cries and does this two-steps-forward-two-steps-backward thing. She tries to stay mad at me, but finds it quite difficult. (I like to think it's my charm. :)) There is real risk involved if you are another human offering comfort (might wanna wear a glove). The vacuum, on the other hand, now that's someone you can depend on. He's like a teddy bear the way she loves on him. The tatooed "Hoover" across it's front is taking on personal meaning here. I think I'll call him Hoov. Shoot, now he's growin' on me. Excuse me, I think I feel a hug coming on.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Ellie, can you grab me a spoon or a fart, please?" -Me (have I mentioned this words-flying-out-of-my-mouth problem I have?)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Something terrible is happening to me! I'm starting to like cottage cheese!! -Ellie

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Mom, is Hoover Dam a bad word?" -Megan (Hoover's just taking over this week.)

"Hell or damn?!?" -Me

"No, HOOVER Dam! -The girls

"Oh...oops." -Me

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Yea, we have reason to praise him forever, for he is the Most High God, and has loosed our brethren from the chains of ...uh, I-I can't finish this scripture." -Cherith

"HELL!" -Me (my girls don't find me so funny)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I, apparently, find myself hilarious; this was really supposed to be this week's funnies from the kids, but I just couldn't get these out of my head...Hoover Dam.

(I'm really sorry, please don't stone me.)

May your days be merry and bright...

Little Baker

2009-12-17T22:12:00.000-08:00

Being inspired by yesterday's post (which actually took place a couple weeks ago) I set out to spread some Christmas cheer with Thanny. We washed up and put on crispy clean aprons with witch to enjoy our jolly afternoon.

We had more, uh, joy than we anticipated. It began with the cocoa. I was informing Thanny that opening cocoa was "tricky because sometimes it..." BAM--it exploded all over my apron, arms, face, hair, pants, shoes, up my nose, in my mouth, and onto the floor. As I was gasping for air, he kept at it. I looked up (or through) to see him covered with flour and the mix perfectly blended. It was as if he was trying to help me feel less awkward. (Though I'm sure it was more of an "awesome! we do that?! moment). I couldn't help but smile; he has a quirky way of bringing me the calm.

Things were much safer under his reign.

Even the screech and drama from the next room didn't faze him.

He just calmly and collectedly looked on and stayed the task.

While our home may not have the grace and style that enfolds my in-laws home, this reality does find a way of bringing me joy, despite the chaos. (Perhaps the Tylenol helped a smidgen.)

Scrumptious Kick-off

2009-12-16T12:52:00.000-08:00

Christmas joy with (and by I 'll add--I'm not nearly this on top of things!) grandparents. Don't they take good care of us?! It was every bit as cozy and tasty as it looks.

I hope you can refrain from licking the screen (if not, beware the fire).

Attempt II

2009-12-15T20:46:00.000-08:00

Snow pictures...maybe.

Let me know if it's not working...again, and I'll do some more scratchin'.

Puddles

2009-12-15T00:01:00.000-08:00

There's just something about jumping in puddles. If you ever were a kid, or have a kid, you probably know something of their irresistible nature. I was sweeping yesterday when Rachel wandered in and reminded me of puddles. She just graced over with this look of delightful intrigue and started gliding through the filth. I quick tossed the broom aside and lunged for my camera.

She forgot about the joy of puddles.

But embraced her other joy. I mourned puddles for but a fleeting moment, by reason of a brighter realization. She had a bit of me in her! It's in the food. Food, and it's claim over us.

SNOW!!!

2009-12-13T23:19:00.000-08:00

Whoo, figured out how to embed a video. It wasn't too bad, my scalp can rest easy tonight.

Church was cancelled on account of the 10 inches of snow we received.   'Cept we didn't get the phone call. So Andy was up at . . . 6ish. I dunno know, all I know is I was dreaming of sugarplums, whilst he was busily shoveling pathways and putting chains on the car long before I wanted to arise.

It worked out great for the rest of us at least. We met another couple at the church who also missed the call and they gave us the. best. cookies. ever. I didn't know I was a Snickerdoodle fan until today. (You really can learn something new everyday!)    Just like I also learned when I eat 8 of those babies...well, that's probably too much information. Nevermind.   Go to you happy place, think sugarplums if you're in need of help. Sugarplums. What are sugarplums anyway?!

I need a refresh button for my brain.

Sadly, I'm not finding it , probably on account of my scalp resting. So my advice is just enjoy the pix and...the sugarplums.

A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight.  Walking in a winter wonderland....

The Christmas Spirit

2009-12-13T11:43:00.000-08:00

The Christmas Spirit

I know, I did this already. I just can't get enough of it.

In the beginning

2009-12-12T23:48:00.000-08:00

it was me heading the Christmas festivities. This year, I owe it all to my darling husband. He planned the outing for the tree, retrieved the decorations from their tubs, led the tree trimming, stocking hanging, and even the clean-up.   I'm just a lucky duck with him around.

I got to play photographer. All would've been better off if I'd just stuck to handing out ornaments.   I was trying to get technical and play with my aperture and shutter speed . . . argggh, let's just say my scalp isn't getting better, and those carols in the background...there were carols in the background!! Bummer, would've been nice to listen 'em. I ended up with four, count them: 1.2.3.4. salvageable photos, and even that's disputable. (As an aside, can I just say how shy I am about putting my photos on here sometimes with all you pro/near pro/plain experienced photographers peering in on here. I'm just a Junie B when it comes to my skills. But I guess you knew that.)

But. I do have twinkle lights, shiny balls, green, and goodies.   What am I all whiny about again?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas . . . (thanks to my man)

My early gifts . . .

2009-12-11T23:04:00.000-08:00

Dan was asking me what I want for Christmas. Today I got it. A house full of cooperation, learning, playing, and bonding. The kids were delightful. I didn't ask for any of this, 'cept the chores. And they were done with nary a boo or hiss, just a hop and a jump. Come to think of it, there is something else I'd like.

An explanation. :)

Fall on your knees, oh, hear the angel...

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

2009-12-10T23:56:00.000-08:00

Have you ever received or given a gift that was simply winsome? If you're in need of an idea, here are a couple of my favorites:

The Buddha Board. This would be cool for anybody, in my opinion. It's a little board that you paint on with water and over time (few minutes) the picture fades and you have a blank board again. We got this for Megan a couple of years ago . . . winsome. It's on sale at Amazon for $22.xx right now, I paid the full price and don't regret it (if winsome wasn't good enough, that should impress you!) Artist or not, love. Okay, I'll stop.

The LightWedge. Where have you been all my life? Why isn't this on shelves all over the place?! We have had so many booklights, it's not funny. They break, their batteries die instantly...you know what I'm sayin'. Flashlights worked much better, but, hello, hand cramps! This one lies across the page of your book, it actually covers the whole page and the light is in the lens, so it just lights up your page. I thought it might be a pain to have to move it with every page turn, but it's not, it's fairly lightweight.

We got this for Dan for his birthday cause he always reads himself to sleep and his overhead light keeps Thanny up. Unfortunately he had the flu a week or two ago, and I loved that he wasn't reading--I snooked it and read while he was tossing. Sorry, Dan.

Anyway perfect for the avid reader...or the reluctant reader I would think. Let's face it, there's just something inspiringly irresistible about a light in the darkness. The link is for the Harry Potter one cause it's on sale for $11--it has a little piece on the side where you can change little Potter shapes. It's not screaming HP at all, but if you really have an aversion, you can get the $35 one.

I won't be mad, I promise.

Help me out, what other cool things are out there?

Sleep in heavenly peace. (Because starting and ending with a Christmas carol can only make stuff better.)

Gone Shopping

2009-12-09T22:15:00.000-08:00

Wasn't such a bad plan after all. I am really running out of things to say, and getting at least one other thing done, er, started.

Christmas Spirit

2009-12-08T23:26:00.000-08:00

For me, Christmas Spirit usually hits early, and I'm loving twinkle lights, nativities, homemade goodies, music galore, candy canes, snow, (fake if needs be!) shopping and those other little things that buoy the spirit. This year I've been in a bit of a funk. Is it because I've been changing in and out of too many boxes the last few months? Overwhelmed? Lazy? Blogging too much? (Don't be ridiculous!) Who knows. I finally found it. I had to fly over some land formations and dance with stress, but I found it. Or rather it found me. Fourth floor, Primary Children's Hospital. Oncology floor. It was like walking on hallowed ground, peering into an unknown land and tasting of the stress, heartache, and love. The Spirit of Christmas beckoned me from the end of the hallway and enveloped my now tender heart. The twinkle lights, pretty bows, and even homemade bon bons don't hold a candle to the beauty that makes Christmas what it is.

That babe in a manger.

The miracles He gives us, the miracle He is.

Do pre-dated posts count? :)

2009-12-07T17:18:00.000-08:00

Missed a day already. Boo.

I'm just hanging out at Primary Children's in Salt Lake. Don't get too excited. Cher is here getting her tests done a few days earlier than planned because of recurring symptoms, which seem to have dissipated since we've been here. Of course.

The did reprogram her shunt, because her ventricles were a bit bigger than before, but they're not seeing anthing major. So that's good. But it does get a little boring when there's not life threatening stress. I guess I'll take bored. They're just watching her for now. She had a CT scan, MRI, and a shunt series (x-rays to see if the shunt is damaged). She absolutely cannot stand the MRI's, she told me she'd rather have surgery and her hair shaved off than an MRI. Yikes.

We're just hanging out in the internet/piano room waiting for some kids to get off the piano so she can play.

We've been spotted.

Strike a pose

2009-12-05T19:30:00.000-08:00

Yep, Madonna. My music of choice in my younger days. I even had a couple of posters on my wall (I loved her as a brunette!). I remember one day my mom came into my room and said, "I'm sure one day I'll come in here and these posters will be gone." (Hint, hint.) That was my first clue (okay, maybe not my very first)that maybe there was something to the lyrics or girl that wasn't up to par. I wondered a bit, and continued to dance. We lived in the mountains, I was surrounded by pine trees and when it was dark out I liked to open up the curtains and watch myself dance. I stroked many a pose.

I was babysitting one day and saw a glimpse what my mom was talking about, on MTV. This really wasn't going to be a soapbox post. BUT. Doesn't MTV (or maybe it's tv in general?) just squelch curiosity and imagination? I remember when I saw those first few videos, it took away my love and interpretation of the songs. Songs that had cheered me up just kind of left this dark, bitter taste in my mouth. Anyway, a couple weeks later, I took the posters down. In part because I was a dutiful child, and in part because she wasn't quite up to par with my standards. But I still listen to her, and love her music (well, not all of it). And I dance. But I don't have any inkling to have her on my wall.

But when it comes to picture time, that "strike a pose" thing goes out the window and I freeze. (I blame MTV. Kidding. I think I got over that trauma.)

I came across this blog post the other day, and while it wasn't about how to relax in front of the camera, that's what I'm taking it as. I need to be trained, like McDonald's noticed, to get it right. Plus, what's not to love about looking little better in photos and not wanting to tear up every picture with you in it. (What? That's just me?!) So, here's the skinny on posing--non-Madonna style. Check it out!

Just see if you can hold back the impulse to walk around with one leg dragging behind you and ducking under people.

Hamburger. Plain. Only ketchup, extra ketchup, please.

2009-12-04T19:30:00.000-08:00

McD's was so nice to teach me the proper phraseology. At first I was stumbling with "um, hamburger...nothing on the hamburger except ketchup, and can you put extra ketchup on it, like more than usual, but not the other stuff? (What do I think they're incompent?? They don't know what "more" or "nothing" means?) They patiently trained me though, they even put the words on the screen for me. =)

So what you get is a patty, two buns, and an irrestible ozze of ketchup. (What do I think you're incompetent...yeah,I see how I can be offensive.)

Anyway today, (well, yesterday, since I'm cheating with my post-date:)) I laughed. I laughed a lot. This was my poor daughter's hamburger:

What's with the sticker, (if you can't see it, just click on the photo for a zoom) it had us all excited for the perfect burger--I mean, are ya really just stickin' it to her?! Cause that's just mean. Not funny, mean.

But, I laughed. I wanted to give them some kind of award; I'm not usually laughing when my order's messed up. But it was such a professional mess, how could I not be impressed?

Chomp. Chomp.

Day 2

2009-12-03T17:40:00.001-08:00

I'm definitely counting yesterday as day one!

Today was a get out of the house, fresh air, and fast food day. A perfect day from my kids perspective! And if I was the perfect mom, I may have even planned it. But, no, I was all about running overdue papers to the school district, while I had everyone trapped in the car. But it was lunch time, and Thanny's been asking all week to go to the park so,one thing led to... my kinda planning.

Now in case you haven't been coherent enough to take note, there is no worse time than 12:15 to run through McDonald's. Not only were there 7 cars in front of me, the car was loaded with all kinds of obnoxious energy which I keenly observed from my puny rear view mirror. In my hopes to turn it down a notch, I pulled out the camera:

Somehow, I was only rewarded with with more rounds of, um, glee. New note to self with that one.

The park was better, cause, naturally, more air to aid in dissipation. Only then (actually now) do I remember I can turn my hearing aids off. (Some things you'd think I catch on to, but, no.)

Can I just say, it's crazy good that we can go to the park in December with just a jacket! (Until December 24 hits when the lack-of-winter-wonderland-blues sink in. Still today was nice, especially nice after a week of housearresting vomit and rhea. And I had every intention of not taking you there, sorry.)

The best swings ever.

And slides.

We can't forget Spiderman's fortress (that's just a cool word).

Curiosity. (Can't get enough of that eye furrow.)

Lest my children think I neglect them for lack of wordy description on my blog, let me just say...mere words cannot touch my description of them. But I'll give it a go...delightful, cheerful, gleeful (in the good way!), precious, comforting, charming, smart, thoughtful, insightful, graceful, kind, caring, spiritual, endearing...my angelcubs. They take me through hard times and bless me beyond description.

This really was going to be shorter, I swear! It's like computer conspiracy--my images are taking for.ev.er. to load. So, since I'm waiting and playing "say what?" w/baby, I can put in another sentence here, another blurb there. Whoops, load didn't go through, well "Spiderman's fortress" sounds much better than "climbling...thing". Sadly my word addiction claims another day. (Doesn't "claims another day" sound better than "continues?) I know. I'm sick.

Here's to a shorter tomorrow, cause I'm taking people's advice and postdating tomorrow's, tonight! :) Plus, I'm pretty sure my word quota for the day is used up.

Sleep tight.

My Mini Challenge (to myself) (but you're always welcome to join me)

2009-12-02T22:36:00.001-08:00

30 consecutive days of posts.

I'm on a writing kick and need to, well, kick out of it. Some of my chatty posts can take upwards of two hours to compose. That's just crazy. Time consuming. Insane, really. I know I just said that; I really meant it that last time though.

It's not just the writing, it's the figuring out which picture to use, where to put it, and that blasted photoshop/picasa that is messing with my mind, my sleep, and dare I say...mental health, again? (If anyone can point me to a great basic overview site of photoshop cs3, it would be much appreciated. And I don't mean the manual--what is that thing for anyway?!) I can do a few cool amateurish things on there like changing this:

to this:

or this:

(at least I think they're cool, if you don't count the missing nostril--cause I had to photo wash his face--and other unnatural blurs :)) but how in the world do I crop a photo?!?! I cannot move the crop tool as far over as I want on ps, so I end up doing it in Picassa; my computer does some serious rebelling when I swap between the two.

Really irritating. Scalp digging irritating in fact.

And not to blaspheme or anything, but this I find this scripture to be fitting: "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass" I'm convinced that my scalp and all that mental stuff it attempts to keep in order would be "great" if I could figure out this "simple" thing(s). (Who am I kidding, we all know there's more than one!)

K, nuff whining.

Well, about that I mean. I think I started out with a point originally; lemme go back and read. (ahh, yes too much time rambling--how could I forget?!)

The other problem is, I do this at midnight when the family is nestled warm in their beds with visions of sugarplums in their lil darlin' heads. And I'm freezing! The heating vents don't work in this room (actually the front half of the house) so every few moments I have to rub and thaw out my fingers, find a new nook to tuck my feet in, rub those arms.... I brought a candle over tonight for my mood, it's also a nifty little hand warmer, though I think I need about 50.

So, with all my combined challenges, I think the blood must have a hard time getting to my brain occasionally, if not more. Cause what happens is this. I'll reread a post a few days after I write it, when, ya know, the sun is shining and my mind is clear, and I realize I'm a bit coo coo. I also realize I'm a bit late in the game for noticing...not my point. (or is it?) See, it's getting late again.

Long story short, I'm issuing myself this little challenge to help get my life back in order.

One post a day.

Short...er or at least fast...er. (Can you hear me faltering already?!:))

I think it'll be more interesting and I can get other things accomplished like--

Christmas shopping (I have done NADA so far)
Christmas decorating (see above parenthesis)
Christmas baking (you're seeing the pattern here)
Bathing (well, maybe not quite so much)
Sleeping (who's list is this not on?)
Not causing my dear husband to think an iceberg disturbed his cozy slumber. (Ahh, could this be what prompted our discussion the other day on the Titanic?!) Poor guy.
I'd really like to add good mental health to the list, but I don't want to get ahead of myself.

Cheers.

Thirty of 'em.

Junie Me

2009-11-30T23:40:00.000-08:00

My seven year-old was sitting on the floor betwixt me legs reading some Junie B. My eleven year-old was beautifying my hair. I was stuck. My eyes wandered around taking in the happenings around me: the four year-old's dozing to the sound of his old man's reading of The Mysterious Benedict Society, the nine year-old's edge-of-her-seat enchantment with the aforementioned society, and the 13 (yikes 13!) year-old's flinging in the banana chair, and the one year-old's strutting and drumming with a two-foot dowel (which occasionally yielded an upset in the tranquil setting).

(Apparently there was some place switching going on, cause the girl on my lap better not be seven!) Anyway, I drank it in, quenched my thirst.

Much tastier than my previous dark purse moment.

This could actually be blogworthy, post worthy, (um, blog-addiction? who thinks these thing?) worthy of people leaving this little space in cyberworld not wishing they had possession of that two-foot dowel when they last peered in.

So, I broke the nine-year old's trance with some frantic signing of "camera" and "moving" and "clicking" and then tossed in a smile, cause, uh, "tranquil setting, dana--do it for the blog!" Okay, maybe those weren't my exact thoughts, but my fingers often have a mind of their own on here. What's a girl to do?

Well, as life was circling in the living room, I decided to read Junie B. over E's shoulder. I didn't like her as a kid. (Junie, that is.) But last night, stuck in the middle of the floor, we bonded. Heart to heart. She reached out to me like a long lost friend. I snagged to her like nails to hose, staggered by her beauty. How did I miss this all those years ago?

In an online review she was highly acclaimed: "... manic, melodramatic and grammatically challenged, in short, a lot like a real-life six-year old." In short, a lot like me, if I do say so myself. I am not smarter than a six-year old, that's for sure.

Seriously, how could one not instantly love her:

"Work is when you use your brain and a pencil.

Only sometimes I accidentally use the eraser too hard. And a big hole rubs in my paper.

'Hey! I did beautifully today!' I called out. 'Cause guess what? No hole! that's what!'"

See? Wow. Need I say more?

Probably.

Cause I'm crazy. And now you're just wishing for another purse moment. 'Cause at least that made sense. But, like me, you're stuck. Well, unless of course you click on one of those sane links on the side, or the bitty "x" in the corner.

But we won't mention that.

Instead let's focus on the eleven year old's work of art that cinched it for me.

Junie B. and Junie Me.

BFF

Now if you'll excuse me, I have some reading to do.

Love in a purse

2009-11-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

Spring cleaning, or so I tell myself; it's actually just continued downsizing. I got rid of sooo much stuff before we moved, I was proud. 'Til it didn't fit.

I actually did really good last night, who knows how those boxes of old Better Homes and Gardens mags got under the radar. Those were easy. Plus, good for bonfire at the grandparents.

I'd read an article about getting rid of clutter and why we hold onto it. Blah, blah, blah, really. One suggestion was to take a picture of those "harder-to-part-with" clut and, I guess, get on with it. Okay, I can do this. So I did.

Clearly Rachel was trying to tell me something.

But I tossed it, just gave it a little fling in the trash. Easy enough. Walked past it a couple of times. No big deal! 'Cept it looked at me like an unnamed child who really wanted that candy! Upset, yet still slightly hopeful, and...simply adorable. I turned my head, determined defiance. But alas, I peeked, turned, and couldn't take my eyes off it. (Could they have mentioned peeking in the article!) I choked on a sob and went running with my arms open, begging forgiveness. Pressed against my cheek, tears ran, relief washed over me.

My parents divorced when I was 2. I saw my dad all of 3 times before I was 23. Once when he came to visit he bought me a pen with 4 colors (remember those, or do they still make them?), a doll (April), and this purse. Who knows what happened to the pen, April died a few years ago; the purse is all that remains.

Including my dad.

He passed away in February of 2001. I got to know that man who gave me life, and I loved him. Love him. Boy, I'm gonna have to stop there tonight. Choke's back. Thoughts aren't turning into sentences.

I just want my purse. And all that it entails. What's wrong with that? Stoopid article.

In cheerier news...

I love to see these two in sweet embrace. Yes, embrace. The actual arms around each other doesn't always qualify as sweet, or embrace.

Saturdays

2009-11-22T22:02:00.001-08:00

Just chillin'. Well some of us were, Andy and I were in a spray of materials preparing for Sunday's talks, not the picture of chill, but fulfilling nevertheless.

Three posts in one night, off to frolic with a crossword.

G'nite

SiSters

2009-11-22T21:46:00.001-08:00

Isn't this how hearts are knitted together? Love grows.

Girl

2009-11-22T19:00:00.000-08:00

falls.

Meets wood.

A bond is formed.

Though time may fade the chance encounter, the memory will ever be visible. Unless, of course, she get hair.

I will never forget the raw edge on our entertainment center, or to make sure her seat is securely attached.

I definitely won't forget her.

First the Nip

2009-11-19T22:23:00.000-08:00

Way to vote--my blog has now become a democracy. Interesting. Does that make me a politician?

So my bro had a zit. A two month pimple, it seems. He'd pick at it; we're a family of pickers. That's why the current scab on my chin won't disappear, I pinch, scratch, squeeze, and it just bleeds 'cause there's no more white cream to be found. Truth is, there's always something to pick, even if one must turns to one's offspring. Not that I would do that. (That cheese ball picture would be great right here, huh?)

So, I was sayin' . . . . He'd pinch the pimple, and it would bleed all the way down to his foot in like two seconds. It wouldn't disappear. Finally he covered it with a band aid and some, I wanna say, melaleuca oil? (Did you notice the band aid burn around the area? Yeah, who looks that close?) He kept it on for a week or so and it formed some type of whitish/blistery covering. Course he flicked that off and there's this pink knobby thing under. He ended up covering it again and it would bleed when he'd roll over on it in his sleep, he'd wake up with a drenched top. Next thing he knew...well, you saw for yourself. Here's a side picture for your, er, entertainment. By the way, that's a nickel he's holding up for size reference.

Bean anyone?

Shiver me timbers.

Prognosis: Pyogenic Granuloma. Protruding blood vessel, if I'm understanding it right. Apparently it's non-cancerous and requires some tool to suck up the smell of burning flesh as it's seared off. In case you have one, read up on it here, but, please, spare us the picture. :)

Gash story to follow, but may have to wait until my talk is written. If you have any thoughts on gratitude, I'd love mull over them for my talk. Share, share, I only have two days to write this baby!

(Man, I'm getting bossy these days, aren't I?)

Careful with your zits. (again, boss; argh, my apologies!!)

What to do . . .

2009-11-14T00:04:00.000-08:00

I'm all conflicted. (Surprise, I know.) I get all excited about a blogish happenin' and along comes . . . Jones (well, not really but, this is a cool home video if you haven't seen it. I didn't actually get permission to link to this, so please don't stalk her. And, uh, Lyd, 'mission, please?)

I'll warn ya now-there's a sickly picture below, so quick, grab a barf bag if you're gonna look; please, I don't wanna be sued for your keyboard. (If you prefer to skip it altogether, it's picture number 4; perhaps you should just stick with the video. :))

As I was saying: conflicted, what to post?

Just Call Me Helen?

A New Best Friend?

Modern Pioneering? (and no, nothing to do with the gash on her head)

Is that a nipple, and why is it there? Bag--hurry! (No, it's not me, just one of my manly brothers.)

OR

My fields of gold? (no pic, just gold)

I'd love to blog about them all, but tomorrow's quite possibly a whole nutter batch of posts. It's just been one of those weeks.

So, help my confliction. Which one do you want to read about? (Feel free to suggest a new topic if those just reek.)

None of 'em?

That'd be alright, too.

Lemme know in the little comment box.

Or don't.

But do watch the video. And please, toss the barf bag, that stinks.

Buh,buh, buh, buuuuh . . .

2009-11-06T22:31:00.000-08:00

Got my camera! =) Feelin' giddy. No obnoxiously chatty post today. Sorry. ;)

This was Cherith yesterday after we finally found a pair of black shorts that fit her, without a black stripe on the side. Nazi bball over here. She had her second game yesterday (on her birthday, I might add) and played awesome! I can't believe she's 11, she's growing into such a thoughtful, wise, and competent young lady. Happy Birthday, my Cherry!! You light up my life.

I find this one hilarious--I've never seen this expression on her. The camera just happened to catch it between her squirming around in her seat. Don't mess with this sista!!

Even now, she's kind of scaring me.

This is what she usually looks like, flashing everyone everywhere a massive cheesy grin. I call her my cheese ball. Cheese. Ball.

This is kind of hard to see. Thanny's jumping off the (what are these things called?) climbing bar arch, thing. Taken around 5:15--can't see past your nose at that time of day. Makes me think 8 is bed time. Crazy.

I've mentioned the small house, right? Well, our front deck has this mass of "fluff" under the blue tarp (can you tell we've rummaged through it a time or five?!) The girls wanted to do their schoolwork outside. It was windy, so they set up under the tarp. I found it completely charming with the wind blowing up the tarp up like a tent. Couldn't stay away. Cheap entertainment thrills me. Clever little chicks. And, no, the saw isn't really ready to fall on her head. Knock on wood, of course.

Can't wait to see what else my camera's going to discover. :)

Probably I like cops

2009-11-01T19:09:00.000-08:00

No cutsie Halloween pictures from me, sorry. But an interesting Halloween, nonetheless.

So, Cherith was sick. I don't think she's been sick since her surgery. Friday she started complaining of a headache, and Saturday she was pretty lethargic. We contemplated--just a bug, or is her shunt not working? She said her headache felt like it did before the surgery. She was slept on four pillows and was ready for bed incredible early--other symptoms of years before.

What to do, what to do. We decided on taking her to Primary Children's in Salt Lake--in the middle of the night. It turns out, her brain looks great, shunt's working. We'll have her regular check-up in a couple of weeks. Awesome news! Fortunately, she's back to her old --well, her new--old self anyway, today. From now on--don't breathe on or even think about the girl if you are at all feeling ill!! Too much stress! She made it back in the nick of time for trunk or treating.

I know you're dying to hear the cop story. =)

Well, it seems I am a cop magnet whenever I move. When we moved to Washington, I was pulled over 4 times in the first month! FOUR! That did a number of my confidence. Do I really know how to drive? Should I have a licence? What does a red light mean, anyway?

Well, this time. We were pulling out for Salt Lake about midnight after a couple hours of ransacking boxes for the previous ct scans, with no luck, I might add. I turn on the deserted 4 lane highway. Andy and I were tossing the idea of going to the local hospital around. We decided to call Seattle and get their opinion when we discovered we'd left it and my purse at the house.

Then I noticed the car behind me was still following me, and why wasn't he passing? Nah, couldn't be. But sure enough, as I turned to head back:

Nice.

Hand on his holster, "Hello, ma'am; you have your license with you?"

Lamely, I squeak, "No . . . I was just, going to get it . . .?"

Sometime during the little exchange I mention I just moved here. He of course asks where I moved from. To which I reply, "Minnesota."

Minnesota?!

He says, "oh, well, you have NV plates . . ."

"Yeah, it's my in-laws car. . . and I mean Washington, I'm from Washington." I think he may have taken his gun out then.

Finally he tells me why he pulled me over. "You were going 34 in a 55, and a few times you hit the white fog line."

Oh, well, in that case, I'm actually from Mars . . . or is it Venus?

I didn't actually say that; in fact, I don't think I said anything. Probably my smartest move.

I was stuck thinking, "drunk driving, I'm being pulled over for drunk driving?!" I wasn't sure if I should laugh or cry. And although I've never had a drink, I found myself looking for open containers. (See what I mean with the confidence thing?) The Tylenol and soda both had their lids on, so *whew*, that had to be a plus.

Finally, he tried to help me out, "Maybe . . . you were having a conversation or something?"

I took the bait, and started rambling how my daughter had a brain tumor, and should we go to this hospital (which was actually right next to us) or head over to Seattle, or uh, I mean, children's--uh, Salt Lake-- . . . . He helped me out by saying, "Primary Children's?" Uh, yeah that's it . . . sir. :)

I'm thinking, "I'm gonna have to walk, he's gonna walk me, I'm walkin'."

First, I don't know where I'm from and now my daughter has a brain tumor?! Riiiiight. I wasn't sure if I believed it! Drunks must make more sense though, cause I got to say in my warm seat while he ran my name and social.

No ticket, apparently nutso isn't ticketable. Though
I did get a friendly, "work to maintain your lane, please."

Right. Lane. Mine.

Gotcha.

I managed to make it all the way, yep. I was feeling quite young and adventurous. Had about 7 cops pass me in Utah; musta been in my lane. =) We found a hotel around 4:30am. I stayed w/Rachel while Andy took Cher after he slept a couple of hours.

Why, probably I like cops . . .

When my nephew was about 3 he was eating chicken (a leg, I believe) at a restaurant, when he started eating the bone. His parents were like, "Uh, buddy, the bones aren't the part you eat. . ."

He nonchalantly replied, "Well, probably I like bones."

It's a cool mantra, one I've always wanted to use.

'Cept I don't like bones.

So, tonight, I decided, I could probably like cops. I mean, they have bones, they don't give me tickets. Works for me.

Just maintain your lanes, folks.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

2009-10-27T20:54:00.000-07:00

My mom gave (or was it a loan?) the kids an old typewriter a while back. (It's not like the one in the picture, that's just one they really want!) They'd seen Kit Kitteredge (great movie, btw!) and were dying to make their own newspapers. They have so much fun making them. They have little sections all over the page. Ellie now has it set up in her room, and is always typing away. Here it is--today's paper, spelling and puncuation included. (Well, everything except the dollar sign--typewriters actually have the cent sign. I'm jealous.)

10/25/09

knock-knock
who, , ,s there?
cows go!
cow go who?
no, they don,t-cows go moo!

Wee have!

We have a phone & computere!
hray!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cherith is...
Cherith is on bascboll teme gave her $.45 to salabrat!!!

wather

It is going to be freezing! So put on your cote & paces (pants) & nake (knock) yoursafe out!

avertimise

Elizabeth will give you $.35 if you clen her room! Go & ake (ask)

give Megan tape if you come acrase any plese

if you have any thing to say in the nospaper come to ellies room at 12:00 today.

that all (this was going to be that's all folks--but she didn't know how to spell folks, go figure:))

If you are enticed to write a newspaper, but don't have a typewriter, do not despair! Check out this site, it has a template to set it all up for you. We'll get around to it once I get a printer hooked up.

Makin' memories.

Canyon Pics

2009-10-25T23:08:00.000-07:00

Compliments of Grampa. (One of many advantages of grandparents--pictures!)

Alive 'n' Kickin'

2009-10-24T23:36:00.000-07:00

With a husband!

Back to life, back to reality--I have internet and a phone! It's been like camping for the last couple of weeks. Good camping.

So, we made it. New state, new (borrowed aka rented) home, new views, new people, and a whole family again! I don't want to do that again!

It is beautiful here. The mountain ridges are stunning, and the trees . . . have I mentioned how much I love trees? Probably not, cause I think I just learned it myself. I could stare out our front window all day, there are 4 pine trees, two cottonwoods (yellow!), and an apple tree (with apples, yum!). Ohh, and there's a family of deer (4 of them!) that graze in our neighbor's and our yard. Yep, a little paradise.

And I do mean little.

Well, compared to the last place we were in, it's 800 sq feet smaller. Doesn't that just sound dreadful?! But, honestly, I love it. I love that I'm going to have to get rid of those things I've been toting around for years, meaning to get around to, but haven't. It'll be like getting rid of junk and should's at the same time. Can't beat that. I love that we won't have as much fluff to take our our time. I love that with less stuff we can "see" more of each other, we can "be" more of each other's . . . uh, stuff?? (I seriously need a thesaurus button on here.)

Have I mentioned I'm living with my husband again!?!

There's a beautiful canyon close to where we are (pic above). I can't wait until next year, I may move up for a month. It is absolutely stunning with the aspens, water, and mountain goats on the road (that was just crazy cool)! We've taken a couple walks up there and had a picnic. The aspens are so bright, they look like they are on fire, incredible to me eyes.

Other quick tidbits--it's way too late for a good fill in--

~~I live with my husband again!!! I can't believe we were apart for 2 months.

~~Some of the kids are going to sign up for a few classes at the local school. I'm excited for them.

~~We have a friendly ward (we're always lucky that way), who've sweetened us with cupcakes, dinner and fun visits.

~~The kids memorizd their parts for next weeks primary program in one day; sometimes they amaze me. Okay, more than sometimes. :)

~~We had two general authorities at our stake conference tonight. Loooved that. I always feel humbled with the messages that seem to be just for me, and I wonder "what are all these other people doing here?!" ;) Yeah . . . humble . . .

Enjoy your weekend.

Sorry if you don't have trees. Come see ours! :) (husband, wife, 6 kids in the same house!)

Oh, what a night . . .

2009-10-05T21:33:00.000-07:00

I know, you're thinking "it was late December . . . ." No, turn that off. :)

President Schulties called yesterday asking for a grocery list for our week. She had heard we were sick and and wanted to get food for us this week. She brought us a boatload of nourishment! She insisted on paying, and what a blessing that was as I have no money in my account this week, and the kids are in need of some good food. Everything from milk and spinach to soup and cupcakes. Megan and Ellie were the picture of Christmas morning putting away the goodies. :) I want to be more like Elaine.

For family home evening we talked about about the song "Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?" We talked about how the Schulties' service blessed our family. We talked about the little things we did for each other today and realized that we could even serve each other when we were not feeling well. Even though most of us were sick, there was a feeling of love and care in our home because of the little things each person did to help out. Somehow we felt warm fuzzies. . .

despite the rest of the story:

During our 15 mnute fhe, I rocked Thanny, who was moaning with fever. Cherith was wrapped in a blanket fighting fever chill, and Dan was on the floor trying not to move from his fever induced headache. I attempted to hold Rachel who spent the whole time crying/screaming, but who was not satisified to have to share my lap. She just wanted to nurse, and Thanny had my shirt pinned! (The nerve!) She clawed and swiped at him--got him a couple of times which led to sick boy howels (which lack normal gusto, but pierce the heart). Megan kept trying to take Rachel for me, but she just threw herself on the floor and continued to cry. Picture this sad sight--she rolled over, pulled her little pink baby doll against her tear dripping, mucus covered face and gently kissed and patted her back, allthewhile crying. We could not tear our eyes from her, she was trying so hard to get what she wanted. We listened. Back on my lap she went, on top of Thanny, soothed with gentle words and stroking and an appropriate chew toy from Dan. Peace was restored long enough for a song and prayer. A quick song and prayer that is. :)

As I write this I am thinking, "perhaps it was because of the rest of the story."

At the time all I was thinking was, "gold brush strokes, pretty field."

Later, I watched the videos on the sidebar when the kids got to bed (and out again--you know the story) when the impact of Elaine's gift and the kindness of my children really hit me. "Did God send a message that was just for me? Have I seen His hand in my life?" and "Find someone who is having a hard time and do something for them."
In their finding someone who was having a hard time, they sent a message to me . . . .

I am grateful.

Screenshot!

2009-09-30T21:14:00.000-07:00

a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_5bQQ4fryE8U/SsQtIzpIH1I/AAAAAAAAAUU/I8ljPo0xSxE/s1600-h/thisissand.com"><

My first screenshot; that was fun. It's Ellie's ocean picture from thisissand.com. I'm playing w/some html to turn the second one into a link. So, if there's 600 of these on here, welcome to my playground.

Update: The html code I found through google didn't work for me, so I cheated. I copied someone's source code and plugged it in here at apparently the right place (cause it worked!)after I changed the url. Problem is I didn't learn anything (a common problem w/plagiarism, lol!) And--obviously, I have some html in my post, I tried to cut it out but that wouldn't put the pic up at all. Does anyone understand this who's willing to give me a walk through? And if this is just over your head--well, you're in good company cause I don't know what the heck I'm talkin' about. :>

Crying babe; time's up for me.

time's a wastin'

2009-09-29T14:09:00.000-07:00

I have so many favorites, I often get lost and spend 30 minutes just trying to find that obscure one (they're all obscure, it seems). I've been wanting to make a website with some of our favorite sites so we can find them more quickly, but I haven't got that far. So, I'm going to occasionally list some here. Like today, when I have sick kids and this is the perfect remedy. Some of them are just fun, time wasting ones, well, perhaps it just depends on your perspective.

Perhaps it's really art.

This is sand is crazy fun. It's literally dots of sand that fall with a click of the mouse. You can set the artist in you free to create to your little heart's content. You can change the color of the sand by hitting "c" on your keyboard. There is a little box in the upper left-hand corner that gives you the run-down. A little tip my kids stumbled upon is right clicking the mouse for a constanst pour. You can post your picture in a gallery when you're done, and view others pictures. This always has made me a little anxious--but so far they've all been clean pictures. *whew* Some are quite impressive.

Need to work on those fine motor skills?! Another one they've enjoyed is virtual bubble wrap. What is better than popping bubble wrap, seriously? Well, according to my kids, maybe gassy bubble wrap. In case you have some time to kill, sick kids, or just don't want to clean, click away. Time's a wastin' for sure.

It Looks Like Rain

2009-09-26T22:08:00.000-07:00

It Looks Like Rain

It looks like rain
It looks like rain
It looks like rain
From my fingertips

It's comin' down
It's comin' fresh
It's coming now
From my fingertips

Dewey 'n' soft
Gentle but firm
Could it be rain
From my fingertips

Come on loud
Come on strong
Come on down
From my fingertips

Sprinklin' now
Drippin' around
Pourin' off
From my fingertips

From my fingertips

Fingertips

Just a little poem I wrote, of course I sing it note for note. And I'm happy.

Kidbits

2009-09-16T22:34:00.001-07:00

So, I was discussing my "weirdness" with Ellie the other day. I had called myself weird, and she was defending it with vigor. I, on the other hand, find being weird a compliment, so I was just busy trying not to be insulted. Until . . . she said, "well, expept for maybe that singing thing." WHAT, my sing . . . WHAT?!? Now, I have on occasion, been known to break out into song in the midst of . . . well, nothing I suppose. But, what's wrong with that, what's wrong with that?!? ("Happiest Millionaire" anyone?) Okay, so maybe she has a point, albiet a puny one.

Thanny (I really need a bag over my head smiley) who's finally potty trained (well sort of, but besides the point), is exploding in maturity, vocab and humor. It's so fun to watch him (he has the best expressions--he probably gets them from watching me sing:)) think about and say what's on his mind. Today, Daniel was asking everyone to do him "one teeny-tiny favor". We all know better and stood our ground with our chorus of no's (no, we weren't actually singing--I'm just throwing these words in cause I'm not offended). Dan was asking those of us in the room where Ellie was, and we were answering with our "hibernating from you" answers when he asked Thanny. Thanny's mammoth stops tromping in mid-air, he crouches over a bit (Thanny, not the mammoth), his eyes get wide and in a throaty "monster" voice he says, "GONE . . .Gone Forever!" As I write this, I realize this is probably not funny to anyone but me. But if you'll compare it to the little boy who a few months back often responded, "STOP TALKING TO ME!" perhaps you can appreciate it a puny. Puny. Strong word for one so little. (BTW, who ends their sentence with "puny"--I mean that is weird!) Sheesh.

We were playing cards a week or so ago at the table, and I was, ya know, singing. "Here in this holy house", when I paused for effect and breath. Megan apparently thought otherwise 'cause she interrupted with, "HA! Not even close!" She's always been a preceptive child; nothing like a cold glass of reality, lol. In her defense (or is it mine?) she claims she only said that 'cause Rachel farted, and dere ain't nuttin' holy 'bout that! I must concur. Excuse me.

And in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evenin' and g'night.

September 11

2009-09-14T23:17:00.000-07:00

Eat, eat, eat

2009-09-10T13:38:00.001-07:00

I often come across brilliant ideas, they rumble around in my head and occasionally I remember them. I ran across this one today from a blog that I peer in on from time to time. It's not exactly stalking, just kinda; I'm a kinda kind of girl. :) Whodathunk you could could freeze muffin mix in the muffin liners? Somebody brilliant, obviously--just not me. Now I just need to find a whole wheat, sugar free recipe. Ew . . . that sounds awful. I'll keep the sugar--it'll be my after work-out snack. And that will be my motivation to hit the gym more than one time this week. I may actually try the once-a-month cooking for my last month here. I could actually pack my pans that way! I'm really feeling inspired now. Who's gonna get me outta this chair though?