New Friend

Ok, so I don't really know this person that well, only as an aquaintance from Laramie. BUT, I consider a friend anyone who can make an impact in my life, for the better, no matter how small it is or how little I really know them.

So that is why I have added Bryony to my friends and family links. Every Thursday, or most Thursday's, she has "Thankful Thursday". These are not just everyday, obvious things, but things that make you think and smile. I like to read these because they make me think of the things I am thankful for and make me a little more appreciative.

Daily Gem

"God has known you individually . . . for a long, long time (see D&C93:23). He has loved you for a long, long time. He not only knows the names of all the stars (see Psalm 147:4; Isaiah 40:26); He knows your names and all your heartaches and your joys! By the way, you have never seen an immortal star; they finally expire. But seated by you tonight are immortal individuals--imperfect but who are, nevertheless, 'trying to be like Jesus'!"

Neal A. Maxwell, "Remember How Merciful the Lord Hath Been," Ensign, May 2004, 46

Third Twilight Book and 27 Dresses

I finished the third book in the Twilight Saga, Eclipse. I really got into it last night and couldn't put it down until I had finished at around 4:00 this morning. It was my favorite of the three. She's no Jodi Picoult, but it is a great story... I am excited for the next book to come out in August. I can't help but wonder though, how graphic would this book be if someone else had written it? I'm glad we won't have to find out.

I have also added a new movie to my favorites list...27 dresses. I thought it was a good movie. Next on the Netflix list...National Treasure: Book of Secrets. I'll have to watch the first one again though. Maybe tomorrow night. Aaron has to work during the day and I have plans to go to a bread making class followed by a lot of shopping.

Daily Gem

"Mercies and blessings come in different forms--sometimes as hard things. Yet the Lord said, 'Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things' (D&C 59:7). All things means just that: good things, difficult things--not just some things. He has commanded us to be grateful because He knows being grateful will make us happy. This is another evidence of His love."

Bonnie D. Parkin, "Gratitude: A Path to Happiness," Ensign, May 2007, 35

Announcing...

CONGRATULATIONS CHARLIE AND MICHELLE!!!

At 6:44 p.m. My new nephew arrived! Mom and baby are both doing fine. They named the baby Samuel David. This name may sound familiar because I almost named Joseph "Samuel Joseph", but both Aaron and I wanted to call him Joseph and he didn't really want to call the baby by his middle name when we'd named him something else, so we switched it to Joseph Samuel. Now we have 3 nephews and 3 nieces. Congrats again to the new parents. I'll post some pictures as I get them.

Baby Watch

No, this is not about me. I'm sure you are all expecting and waiting for an announcement at some point so I'll just clear that up right now. This strip is referring to my sister-in-law, Michelle. She and my brother, Charlie, are expecting their first baby. Her due date is actually June 5th or so, but due to my brother working on the mountain this summer and her doctor being out of town, and just sick of being pregnant, they decided to induce her yesterday. At least that was the plan...When they got to the hospital early in the afternoon they got her all set up and then found out/realized/remembered? that there was going to be a planned power outage at the hospital from 5:00 pm until 2:00 am today. Rather than start her and risk having to take her to Cody in the case of an emergency C-section because there would be no power, they decided to just keep going with the antibiotics and then start her this morning at around 3:00 am. So now we're just waiting for the baby to arrive. Their ultrasounds have said it's a boy, so we're excited that Joseph will have a buddy to play with.

I had to put this one in because I actually have a story to go with it...The other day I was in the other room and the three older kids were watching TV and Joseph was playing on a blanket. I hear him fussing a little, but not real bad, so I go in to check on him. He was over in front of the TV on Jacob's lap and Carissa and Isaiah were playing on his blanket. Now while he is starting to move, I know he didn't move that far or that fast, so I said, "who moved the baby?" Carissa and Jacob point to Isaiah and say "Isaiah did." Isaiah is a mostly truthful boy and will admit it when he is caught at something, but he may try to put a spin on it to make it sound better. In this case, his response was, "Me rolled the baby!" I just had to laugh at that, thinking of the comic strip as I put Joseph back on the blanket and said, "No more rolling the baby." Then I had to laugh as I though some more thinking, "Ah, the things that come out of your mouth when you're a parent..."

It sounds like David is having fun in Wyoming. My parents got him on a T-ball team and their first game was supposed to be yesterday but was cancelled due to the threat of thunderstorms. I think that was ok with him. He got to play video games instead. I guess he played Michelle's parents' Wii within the last couple of days. I'm sure that he'll be asking for one for Christmas now.

I'm glad he's having fun. We sure do miss him though. On Sunday, there was a definate gap in our family. It's like having a ghost around. Aaron was funny on Sunday. He went to pick him up from Primary and when nobody was in the room he came back to where I was waiting, asked where David was, and then felt stupid when he remembered. At least it won't be too much longer before we are up there with him for our vacation.

Daily Gem

"You have a choice. You can wring your hands and be consumed with concern for the future or choose to use the counsel the Lord has given to live with peace and happiness in a world awash with evil. If you choose to concentrate on the dark side, this is what you will see. . . . Now the brighter side. Despite pockets of evil, the world overall is majestically beautiful, filled with many good and sincere people. God has provided a way to live in this world and not be contaminated by the degrading pressures evil agents spread throughout it. You can live a virtuous, productive, righteous life by following the plan of protection created by your Father in Heaven: His plan of happiness."

Richard G. Scott, "How to Live Well amid Increasing Evil," Ensign, May 2004, 100

My long weekend

I last blogged about the trip up to Wyoming, so I'll now tell you about my 30 or so hours up there...

I don't remember much about Friday actually. I know I slept in a little, but woke up because I needed to feed Joseph. After waking him up and feeding him, I went out and visited with my parents for a while. We called up Charlie and he and his wife Michelle came over and we visited with them. It was a rainy, yucky day (think January-February weather here in Texas) so we didn't go outside or anything.

That night was Clinton's graduation. He's my baby brother, 9 1/2 years younger than me. I remember when he was born, when he walked, baby-sitting him, taking him swimming, and holding his hand to cross the street. I guess he's far too old for that now. He's all grown up and ready to enter the military. I am proud of the person he's become.

It was so odd seeing him march down the aisle to pomp and circumstances, sit through the speeches and slideshows, receive his diploma, change the tassel, and march back out to our school song. It was like deja-vu. It wasn't that long ago (or so it seems) that I was walking those same halls, sitting in that same gym, and going through the same motions of graduation. Being there reminded me that while some things never change, some things you just can't go back to. Time to grow up and move on I suppose. Oh well. I won't miss small town politics, that's for sure.

The next day we woke up early and made the trip back up to Billings so I could catch my flight back home. It was rainy and cold, but I knew I was going to be stepping off the plane in much warmer weather so I wore my capris and a T-shirt. I guess I've been away from Wyoming too long because after stepping outside I had to put my sweater on and make sure Joseph was bundled warm. It also made me wish I had remembered to pack David's coat for him. At least he'll have his sweatshirt I suppose. Hopefully that'll be warm enough.

Joseph all bundled up in one of his cuter moments...I decided he doesn't fly very well...

I got on the plane in Billings just fine and relaxed, knowing I would be home soon. I love the flight from Billings to Denver because it is low and you can see a lot. As the descent into Denver begins you can see Laramie and we have gotten some good pictures. It was cloudy on that day, and I wasn't right next to the window, but it was nice to know that some things in life will always be familiar.

Laramie from the plane

The mountains outside of Denver...why we will never be 100% happy in Texas.

When we landed in Denver, I immediately went to the gate where a plane was going to leave to go to Dallas. I was hoping to fly stand-by so I could get home earlier and go to the ward picnic. Unfortunately they had over-sold that flight so there was no way I was getting on. It's kind of ironic because when I did get on my scheduled flight 4 hours later it was half empty. We didn't have anyone else in our row so I was able to lay Joseph in the seat...he still didn't sleep, but I did play with him some.

It felt good to step off the plane, despite the humidity that hit us. We caught the shuttle to the remote parking lot, loaded up the truck, and headed home. Joseph fell asleep almost right away. Just another short nap in the midst of a long weekend.

Isn't Joseph sweet when he naps?

Sunday was a day for relaxation and catching up. We went to the drive-in theatre that night to watch Indiana Jones and Iron Man. It was the first time we'd gone since Aaron got the truck and it was fun sitting in the back and falling asleep under the stars. Yes, all of us, except Aaron fell asleep. I guess we'll have to just rent those movies when they come out on DVD.

On Monday, Aaron had a day off for Memorial Day and so we cleaned up around the house and then went to a barbeque at the Darling Ranch. It was lots of fun and a great end to the weekend.

Aaron and Joseph catch a nap at the Darling house. Their cat, Gilbert thought Aaron made a good pillow.

My red-eye night

Hello from Wyoming! Well, I don't remember paying the price for a red-eye flight when I got my airplane tickets to Wyoming, but that's what I wound up getting!

After rushing to get everything packed, I got out of the house about 15-30 minutes later than I wanted. I met up with Aaron so we could switch vehicles and then we (David, Joseph, and I) went to the airport. We parked in the remote parking lot and made our way via the shuttle to check in. Checking in went surprisingly smooth and everyone seemed to get a kick out of DAvid being so grown up.

We got a little something to munch on since we still had 30 minutes before our flight was to leave and made our way back to the gate. That's when we heard the announcement that there were thunderstorms and a tornado watch in Denver, delaying all the flights in and out of DIA. So our plane didn't get there until it was supposed to be leaving to go back and we were delayed by about 45 minutes or so.

When we got to Denver, I was worried because I didn't have any idea what had happened with our connecting flight to Billings. I made sure to make it out of the plane without having to wait for everyone and immediately after I exited there were some people telling passengers where to go to meet their next flight. I asked about the Billings flight and it wasn't on the man's list so he said to go check with customer service. I asked them and they said it was leaving at 10:05 and I would have to hurry. This was a short time before that and we still had to make the hike clear across the airport. If you have never been to DIA, trust me when I say it was a hike. We had landed at gate 32 or something, customer service was between gates 36 and 38, and our flight we were trying to catch was at gate 66. So we started to run, taking the first moving walkway, around the big open area, 2 more moving walkways (we had stopped running by this time, but were definately still hurrying), across a waiting area, down an escalator, and across a big stretch to the very end. We made it at 10:02, sat down so I could call my mom and tell her when we were leaving, and then they announced boarding right away. Whew! We got our seats and then had to wait for another half an hour and then we took off. And hour later we landed in Billings. We got in the car and made the 75 mile drive to my parents' place and got here a little before 2:00 am. I am just glad we didn't get stuck in Denver.

Here is a map of DIA airport. It is deceiving in how big it is...I think I'm going to have to ask someone just how long this concourse is...The first red dot on the left is where we landed. The second is customer service, and the third clear down on the end is where we caught our connecting flight.

After watching the news I found out that there was a tornado that went through Northern Colorado and Southeastern Wyoming, including the town Aaron and I will always call Home, Laramie. It hit the Wal-Mart, high school, junior high, and some homes near Wal-Mart. Scary stuff. Here is a link to that story:
http://www.laramieboomerang.com/articles/2008/05/23/news/doc4835f0409114f056745041.txt

Something funny about David and the plane. He is such a friendly, talkative kid. When we were waiting in Dallas, right after the announcement, I went up to the counter to check on the flight to Billings. I turn around to go back to our seats, and David is up talking to some lady, telling her all about everything. A little while later he started playing with a little boy. I know that a criticism of homeschooling is that the kids don't get enough socialization and don't know how to talk to people. Well, if they ever met my kids they would realize that argument does not always apply.

Another funny story about David, not related to the trip; The other day when we were at the Doctor's office Joseph was getting his shots. He got the first one and started crying so of course all the kids gathered around to see what was going on. David saw the nurse preparing the next needle and he cries out "No!" and then turns around and burries his head in the chair. He said it made him remember his baby shots, but I think he was just feeling sorry for Joseph and didn't want to see him hurt.

New Blogging Friend, The Dragon Cloud, and Jacob

Well, I don't know who all reads this blog (leave a comment if you do!), but I got a comment from Nina Mortenson so I'm adding her blog to my "Friends and Family" list. Nina is a few years younger than me. I think she was in Cora's class, but she may have been a little younger than that. Anyway, that's how she knows me. And I know her because I remember her as a little girl. I remember my best friend would baby-sit her and her siblings and I just remember knowing who she was and watching her grow up. So "hi" Nina, and I'm glad you enjoy the blog.


As I posted yesterday, I found my camera! So now I am going to post a few stories/pictures that I didn't get the chance to yet.


The first is The Dragon Cloud. On the way to the birthday party I took Carissa to a couple of weeks agok, she is looking out the window and says, "Mom, that cloud looks like a dragon." I looked, and sure enough, it did look like a dragon, so much so that I stopped and took a picture.

These next two are of Jacob playing on our front stoop. This has become his favorite place to play lately. He will drive the `cars in the dirt and line them up along the door.

I don't know if I will be blogging much the next couple of days since I will be in Wyoming. Maybe in the Denver airport on the way home during a 4 hour layover if I can't get on the earlier flight. We'll see. So, have a great weekend everyone!

Daily Gem

"If we pay close attention to the uses of the word remember in the holy scriptures, we will recognize that remembering in the way God intends is a fundamental and saving principle of the gospel. This is so because prophetic admonitions to remember are frequently calls to action: to listen, to see, to do, to obey, to repent. When we remember in God's way, we overcome our human tendency simply to gird for the battle of life and actually engage in the battle itself, doing all in our power to resist temptation and avoid sinning."

Marlin K. Jensen, "Remember and Perish Not," Ensign, May 2007, 36

Found it!

Found the camera today. Hooray for me! Now maybe Amanda will find her SD card. :-)

Daily Gem

"We can have eternal life if we want it, but only if there is nothing else we want more."

Bruce C. Hafen, "The Atonement: All for All," Ensign, May 2004, 98

Another "Tag"

Since I really didn't blog much today, I thought I'd participate in the "tag" from Lauren's blog:

A- Attached or single: Attached
B- Best Friend: Aaron, and probably Amanda and Joni
C-Cake or Pie: cake
D-Day: Friday
E- Essential Item: My back pack which contains diapers, wipes, a few toys, snacks, a book, notebook, and my purse with cell phone and money.
F-Favorite Color: Blue
G-Gummi Bears or Worms: Bears
H-Home town: Byron, Wyoming
I- Indulgences: Diet soda, root beer freezes, chocolate
J- January or July?: July. But I still don't like the heat and humidity of Texas.
K-Kids: 5 balls of energy
L-Life is incomplete without: my family
M- Marriage Date: October 14, 2000
N-Number of Siblings: 2 brothers, 1 sister, all younger
O- Oranges or Apples: Usually apples, but I don't eat either very often.
P- Phobias or Fears: Heights, especially the high overpasses in Dallas.
Q- Quote: "Learn from yesterday, Live for today, Hope for tomorrow."
R- Reason To Smile: Life.
S- Season: Fall or spring
T- Tag Four: I don't know four people who blog who read this, so anyone who wants to can answer by leaving a comment.
U- Unknown fact about me: Why explore the unknown? No seriously, I just can't think of anything.
V- Very Favorite Store: Target
W- Worst Habit: Not exercising, poor diet
X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds
Y-Your favorite food: Chicken and Rice, Enchiladas
Z: Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Fun Day

This afternoon was fun. First we went to the doctor for Joseph's 4 month check-up. That wasn't the fun part. He hadn't gained any weight. I have to monitor his intake and go in for a weight check in a month. He got shots. He screamed until he found his thumb. Then he went to sleep.

It was after the doctor visit that things got fun. We went to the Darling Ranch to visit with our friends. The older kids had fun playing with the water and mud outside, getting soaked, while Amanda, Baby, Joseph, Lala, and myself chatted. It was relaxing and fun to get to know her a little better. I am a shy, quiet, stick-to-myself person and so I am just now getting comfortable around others in the area. Thanks to Amanda and a few others it is easier for me to come out of my shell. I'll have to go over there more often, especially since the kids do enjoy playing together.

Daily Gem

"At . . . moments of crisis and challenge, some choose to abandon faith just at the time when it most needs to be embraced. Prayer is ignored at the very hour when it needs to be intensified. Virtue is carelessly tossed aside when it needs to be cherished. God is forsaken in the all-too-human yet mistaken fear that He has forsaken us. "The truth is that our only safety, our only security, our only hope is to hold fast to that which is good. As the mists of darkness gather around us, we are only lost if we choose to let go of the iron rod, whichis the word of God."

David S. Baxter, "Faith, Service, Constancy," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 14

Season Finales

I just finished watching the season finale of House. It wasn't quite what I expected. He seems to have had an awakening. I wonder how it will effect next season. Maybe they should have kept the Mormon doctor on the show after all...

Anyway, I hope any of you who have a show you watch regularly, that you enjoy the season finales.

Hot, Hot, Hot

Well, it reached over 90 today. (I know, it isn't Pheonix, Lauren, but it's still hot! Especially when you factor in the humidity.) And it's supposed to be highs in the 90s all week. I guess summer really is here. :-( Don't get me wrong, I love summer. I just like the high 80s-low 90s,no humidity kind of summer. At least I'll get a little break in Wyoming. Remind me to take my coat...

The funny thing is that when Aaron and I were checking out what the weather would be in Wyoming, he got curious and said, "I wonder what it will be like in Washington." So he types in his parents' zip code from memory, only to realize it wasn't their current zip code he typed in. What zip code was it? The one from Wenatchee, WA where he went to elementary school. We had a good laugh because there is a reason he has that one down and he'd better have it down...I have mentioned in blogging about him that his family moved around alot. Well, Wenatchee was where he finished kindergarten. One of the comments on his report card the first grading period he was there was that the teacher was concerned he didn't know his address and wouldn't be able to pass if he didn't learn it. Well, duh...of course he wouldn't have known it right away! It was his third kindergarten/home that year! Of course, he learned it, passed, and still has it in his head today since they lived there until he got into 6th grade.

That's another funny story about Aaron's moving around...When he was in the 6th grade, his family moved again. This is what he considers his hardest move school-wise because in Wenatchee 6th grade was in the junior high, but when they moved, his new school district had 6th grade in the elementary. So he had to go back to staying in one classroom, having PE and music on a weekly basis, and having to go outside for recess. Now that was some adjustment. I just have to shake my head and laugh. Only he would consider it hard getting an extra year of the good times that come with being in elementary.

Daily Gem

"For most of us . . . what is required is not to die for the Church but to live for it. For many, living a Christlike life every day may be even more difficult than laying down one's life. . . . "Many think that the price of discipleship is too costly and too burdensome. For some, it involves giving up too much. But the cross is not as heavy as itappears to be. Through obedience we acquire much greater strength to carry it."

James E. Faust, "Discipleship," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 22

The boys

As Cassandra said, we went on the Father & Sons campout Friday night. Isaiah and Jacob fell asleep on the 1 hour drive to the Johnson's ranch, so David and I pitched the tent and laid out all of the sleeping bags. After that I had to go wake Isaiah and Jacob up because they were still asleep in the van. Of course the first thing the boys wanted to do was eat, even though they had eaten mac & cheese for dinner less than 2 hours previously. So we borrowed a few hot dogs and roasted them, but then they didn't eat them. What can you do.

After dinner, the bonfire was started, and Jacob pulled out the soccer ball and we started kicking it around with some teenagers. Isaiah and David just ran around having fun. When we were done playing soccer, Jacob went and sat on a log next to the fire. Unfortunately is was filled with fire ants. So I spent the next 30 minutes stripping Jacob down to nothing and brushing off fire ants in the dark with David holding the flashlight for me. Once Jacob was dressed again it was like nothing was wrong. Ahh to be so focused on having fun.

All 3 boys kept fighting over the flashlight all night, so I had to keep it in my back pocket. Unfortunately, Isaiah has become quite the professional little pick-pocket. He would act all nice, but as soon as I would turn around he would slip it out of my pocket and run. By the time I realized what he had done and turned around he was 50-yards away and giggling like mad. I couldn't help but laugh.

Smores were interesting because at first there were no marshmallows. Bro. S brought all the stuff, but somehow the marshmellows didn't get unpacked before he left. So we spent what seemed like an eternity telling the boys to wait for Bro. S to come back before they could roast marshmellows. Oh well, patience is a virtue, right?

By 9:30 my 3 boys were exhausted, so I tried to pack them off to bed. One hour later, and I finally had them tucked in. I had every intention of going and playing a board game, but after struggling with kids for an hour I just laid down and crashed.

The next morning, I got to sleep in until 7am! Glorious sleep! The boys were still crashed, so I walked around the property a little, and cleaned up from last night some. The kids woke up shortly, and wanted food again. Imagine that. So we went and prodded the Deacons who were supposed to be cooking breakfast. Things got moving quickly, and the boys got all the food they wanted. Sadly, all the food was gone by the time I got the chance to go get some. The good deacons made another batch of pancakes, but I still only got two. First come, first served at these campouts.

We spent the rest of the morning playing soccer, football, frisbee, throwing sticks into the water, and generally whatever boys like to do (myself included). We took our time because all the dew on the tent had to dry off before we could pack up. Still, we were ready to pull out at 9am. Too bad we couldn't actually leave at that time though.

Bro. G who has a nice new big truck, got stuck in the muddy creek that crosses the road. So we had a line of cars waiting for him to get pulled out by the tractor before we could all leave. Everyone driving small Hondas and Vans made it after the lesson on how not to drive. One hour later and we were home, and this time the boys were still awake, but still tired from not getting much sleep. They'll get over that in a few days, but the good memories will still last.

Daily Gem - Sunday

"True, enduring happiness, with the accompanying strength, courage,and capacity to overcome the greatest difficulties, will come as you center your life in Jesus Christ. Obedience to His teachings provides a secure ascent in the journey of life. That takes effort. While there is no guarantee of overnight results, there is the assurance that, in the Lord's time, solutions will come, peace will prevail, and happiness will be yours."

Richard G. Scott, "The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness," Ensign, Nov. 2006, p41

Daily Gem

"It matters not our circumstance, be we humble or arrogant, poor or rich, free or enslaved, learned or ignorant, loved or forsaken, we can address Him. We need no appointment. Our solicitation can be brief or can occupy all the time needed. It can be an extended expression of love and gratitude or an urgent plea for help. He has created numberless cosmos and populated them with worlds, yet you and I can talk with Him personally, and He will even answer."

Richard G. Scott, "Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer," Ensign, May 2007, p 8.

Boys vs. Girls

This weekend we had a kinda boys and girls weekend. On Friday was the Father-Son campout for church and Aaron took the three older boys. They all had fun. David even lost his other loose tooth. That's 2 on top and 2 on the bottom missing. The one bad thing...My poor baby Jacob sat on a log that had become home to a colony of fire ants. He got pretty bit up and Aaron got bit getting the ants off of him.

This is just a fraction of the bites. Isaiah said Jacob had polka-dots.

While the boys were gone Carissa and I just sat around watching movies and doing some last minute touch-ups to her costumes. I was really too anxious about the camera, which I never did find, to do much besides clean.

After the boys got back and unloaded the van I took Carissa to her dress rehearsal. Before I even got out of the drive way I made an idiot of myself. I'm not sure how I did it, but the driver's side front tire went off the curb and into the ditch. Lucky for us, we have our truck. Aaron tied on the tow straps and had it unstuck in ten minutes. Good thing I left early...

Aaron strapping up the van

Carissa's hair. It turned out nice if I do say so myself.

Stupid Cat

Kreacher in our shelves a few weeks ago

Ah, childhood fears...we've never really experienced these except when Isaiah went through a phase where he was scared of dogs a couple of years ago. But all of a sudden, Jacob is terrified of our cat, Kreacher. Not that I blame him.

Jacob and Kreacher as babies...Kreacher grew fast

We got this cat shortly before he was born and even as an infant, the cat would play with Jacob's little wiggly feet. Our cat has always been a playful/stealthlike animal and he would practice hunting on David. The two would even wrestle. This ended when David got bigger than the cat. This must have been good practice because he has been good at keeping the mice out of the house and thanks to him, the rabbit and bird population is kept under control. I believe he may have picked up on some of his habits from the family of foxes we had living under our deck two years ago.

Kreacher keeping up his hunting skills with a toy lizard

Kreacher sometimes seems to think he owns the place and will torment our neighbor's five or six dogs by just sitting there in front of the fence where they can see him but, of course can't get him. They go crazy barking until he leaves. He likes to eat whatever meat we may be having for dinner. Our cat also has a demanding way of letting us know he needs something. He may nibble at us or pounce on us, or most likely the kids, when he needs to be let in or out, fed, or just wants to play. Well, I guess he got Jacob one too many times because today whenever Jacob saw the cat outside he froze and started crying/screaming until I made sure he was protected or the cat went away. Poor baby. Of course, in a way I don't blame the cat either. After all, he has put up with a lot of tail pulling and being kicked at with tiny feet. I'm sure this will pass and the two will become friends again, but in the meantime there's going to be a lot of intervention. Maybe this will keep Jacob inside at least...

One of Kreacher's favorite places at Christmas is under the tree

Busy weekend and a missing camera

Missing: one camera. Where I put it...I have no clue. I know I had it at the birthday party last weekend and I have a vague recollection of playing with it on the way home...beyond that I am at a loss. Must be found by...Tonight. Tomorrow at the absolute latest. The boys and Aaron have a father-son campout that I wanted him to take pictures at with our old camera while I used the new camera tomorrow at Carissa's dress rehearsal...I guess we'll just have to see what we shall see. They may be forced to use the old one-time use cameras we have stashed away somewhere.

Anyway, it is another busy weekend. We have playgroup later today (please weather, hold out!), tonight I send Aaron and the three older boys on this overnight campout. Tomorrow is Carissa's dress rehearsal. And Sunday is church.

I have to start packing for our quick visit to Wyoming. Next Thursday I will take Joseph and David to my parents' place for my youngest brother's graduation. I'll leave David there so he can play T-ball, take swimming lessons, go on fishing and camping trips, and have all sorts of fun without us. I get back on Saturday. From there we will just do our thing here at the house until mid-June when we go back to Wyoming for a long vacation that, by the time we get back home, will have added well over 3,000 miles to the car and taken us through 9 states. Fun, fun. Let the craziness of summer begin...after I find the camera. :-)

Gem of the Day

"As we serve we grow. President George Albert Smith taught that, 'It is not what we receive that enriches our lives, it is what we give' (in Conference Report, April 1935, p 46). Selfless service is a wonderful antidote to the ills that flow from the worldwide epidemic of self-indulgence. Some grow bitter or anxious when it seems that not enough attention is being paid to them, when their lives would be so enriched if only they paid more attention to the needs of others.

"The answer lies in helping to solve the problems of those around us rather than worrying about our own, living to lift burdens even when we ourselves feel weighed down, putting our shoulder to the wheel instead of complaining that the wagons of life seem to be passing us by."

David S. Baxter, "Faith, Service, Constancy," Ensign, Nov. 2006, p 14

Old Directory?

So, Aaron and I have been watching this reality TV show and I found out that one of the "actors" on it played basketball for UW while we were there. We think he may actually have lived across the street from us. So if anyone has a student directory from 2001-2002 or 2002-2003, let me know. Thanks!

Daily Gem

So, I thought I'd try something new...I subscribe to a group that sends out a daily quote from a talk or article or the like and if I especially like it, I'll post it here. If not, well, I have several hundreds of old ones to keep me supplied for awhile. Maybe it'll give this blog a little more of a spiritual, inspirational side and keep you all from getting too bored.

So here's today's:

"May we pledge to rededicate our lives to the work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who so willingly died that we might live. May we follow in his footsteps each day."

Thomas S. Monson, "Tabernacle Memories," Ensign, May 2007, p.42

Simple Survey

I don't have anything to say today so I thought I'd just do a survey thing I'd seen...If any of you who blog read this, then you can consider yourself tagged, although I won't hold you to it, but am curious as to your answers...

10 years ago:
I was finishing up my Junior year in high school, getting ready for Girl's State and UW Engineering Summer Program.

5 Things on my to do list:
1. Fold clothes
2. Finish Carissa's Room (cleaning, vacuuming)
3. Move crib to Carissa's room
4. Wipe down bathroom counter
5. Pick up living room floor

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. Frosty Floats and Root Beer Freezes
2. Fudgy brownies
3. Twix
4. Soft cookies
5. Dippin Dots

5 foods I love:
1. Chicken Cor Don Bleu
2. Enchiladas
3. Roast Beef and Potatoes
4. Fried Rice
5. Chicken Wraps

What would I do if I were suddenly a billionaire:
Pay tithing, Pay off debt, pay off any family member's debt (why have money if you can't help family). Buy a new 11-15 passenger van, set up accounts for each of the children, go on a nice cruise, and put the rest aside, probably forgetting I even have it.

5 places I have lived:
1. Powell, Wyoming
2. Byron, Wyoming
3. Laramie, Wyoming
4. College Station, Texas
5. Palmer,Texas

Favorite Quote:
I like this one from Nathan and Lindsay's blog...."Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow."

Obsession With Cars

So, Jacob has a major obsession with cars. Toy cars, real cars, cars in magazines...it doesn't matter. He loves cars. He (and the other boys as well) even identify Hotwheels cars. Now, I hadn't thought anything of this, them calling little cars "hotwheels" until this morning. Jacob was looking at the bottom of one of his cars and he said, "no hotwheels". I wasn't sure what he was talking about so I had him show me the bottom of the car and sure enough, it was the "Matchbox" logo and not the familiar "Hotwheels" logo that I was seeing. I would have never thought a two year old would have that eye for detail, but I suppose when you're obsessed with cars you would notice that.

Poor Parents

I just saw a news video about a little boy who doesn't sleep 24/7. He hasn't since he was born. And I thought Isaiah was terrible...All I can say is those poor parents...Here is the link:

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?cl=7780397

The Trouble With Books

Gosh darnit...I'm sure there is some saying about how reading is just trouble, or leads to trouble, or something of the like, but I can't think of one and don't feel like searching for one right now. Why is reading such a problem? Well, my friend Amanda lent me the book, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. She said it was a great book and I wouldn't be able to put it down. I'm always a sceptic when I hear that about good books. It took several months for me to be convinced to read The Work and the Glory and Harry Potter. I'm not sure why I don't believe in that statement more since I usually end up enjoying the books. At any rate, I started reading Twilight, and sure enough, I can't put it down. And that's why books are trouble. Because I'm sitting here reading a book when I should be cleaning my bathroom or folding clothes or doing some other household task. Oh well, at least the sooner I finish, the sooner I'll get back to work.

Oh, I just realized why the name Stephenie Meyer sounded so familier...it was the author featured in Mother's Day 101 that I posted a week or so ago. I guess it must be a pretty good book.

I also found out when I looked for a picture of the book to post here, that a movie based on the book is coming out in December...Maybe we should make our husbands baby-sit and have a girls night out at the theater.

Mother's Day

Mother's day and I have a love-hate relationship. On the one hand, I have always enjoyed giving my mom and other moms the praise they deserve. I enjoy a little pampering this special day and I like the reminder that this is a wonderful calling. On the other hand, when I hear those messages praising mothers, I feel so inadequate and unworthy. I know I must be doing something right when Carissa says she wants to be a mom when she grows up and is so loving towards Joseph, but I know I have so far to go...Anyway, Happy Mother's Day! to all of the mothers in my life and the lives of my children. This includes moms, grandmas, great grandmas, great-great grandma, aunts, sisters, and anyone else who may take on the role of mother when they are needed. Thank you and we love you.

A JOB DESCRIPTION FOR MOM:

Position: Mom, Mama, Mother, Mommy

Job Description: Long-term team players needed for challenging and permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings, weekends, and frequent 24-hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in faraway cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required

Responsibilities: For the rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets, and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars, and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have the ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half-million cheap plastic toy and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete responsibility for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

Possibility for Advancement and Promotion: Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

Previous Experience: None required. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

Wages and Compensation: You pay them--frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because assumption that college will help become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

Benefits: While no health or dental insurance,no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered, this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, and free hugs for life.

Our Weekend So Far

Well, we made it through last night and today without any scars...well, not too many anyway.

The birthday parties (well, one birthday and one get-together at the Darling Ranch) were lots of fun and a nice way to relax. And even though the kids shouldn't have been the center of attention, seeing how it wasn't their birthday's, David and Carissa each managed to get their 5 minutes of fame.

What happened you ask? Well, at the birthday on Friday night, the one Carissa went to, she was going down a little water slide. I was in the concession area getting a drink and as I looked over to where she was, I see a couple of the mothers leading her out of the water, her nose gushing blood and a big smile on her face. I guess she bumped her nose on the side of the slide as she came down but wasn't even phased. In fact, I don't know that she even realized she was bleeding and wondered what all the fuss was about at first. Then tonight, towards the end of the evening we had a bonfire and David was roasting marshmallows. I guess his caught on fire and so he waved it around to put it out and some of the marshmallow landed on his hand. Amanda was quick though and brought him in and put his hand under the water and he's fine now. I think it'll blister up and he may have a scar, but he'll be fine. Hopefully he'll be more careful while roasting marshmallows though. He definately wasn't too traumatized by the event seeing as how he wanted to roast another marshmallow even as we were telling him that it was time to go home.

The older kids had fun at their primary activity. They played games, made little Family Home Evening folders, and made Mother's Day gifts of Cookie Mix in a jar. It was really sweet and I think I know what we'll be doing sometime next week. It was also kind of nice to have a quiet house with just Joseph, Jacob, and me.

Not Alot Today

Well, today was another run-of-the-mill, fairly ordinary day.

David got to spend his dollar from the tooth fairy for the tooth he lost on Monday. He looks like a jack-o-lantern and has a very pronounced lisp. And he still has one tooth that's fairly loose. I do not remember losing all my teeth this quickly one after the other and I know I wasn't this young. Aaron says he lost his teeth this way, but not quite this young.

So I put Joseph in the boys' special outfit on Sunday. This is the outfit that was made for Aaron by his mom when he was a baby and he was blessed in it. She gave it to him when David was born. I think that of all our boys, Joseph looks the cutest in it.

It's going to be a busy weekend. Tonight Carissa and I are going to a birthday party for a little girl in her dance class, tomorrow morning is a primary activity that the three older ones will go to, and tomorrow night the whole family is going to a birthday party for a little girl in our ward. (See Amanda in my friends and family list). This will be the fourth birthday that at least one of the kids has gone to in just two or three weeks. I'm about birthday partied out. Not only is Sunday Mother's Day, but I have to give the lesson in Relief Society as well and am not near as prepared as I'd like to be. Guess what I will be doing while the kids are at the primary activity...

Anyway, that's life these days.

Games, Movies, and Books

GAMES:
I just had the worst game of "It Came to Pass" ever! If you've never played it, it's a really fun card game that might be even more fun to make up our own rules to...Anyway, the final score was Aaron: -185 to Me: 370. For a random game, the deck sure seems stacked at times. Ah well, it's quality time and fun to see how large the difference can get.

MOVIES AND BOOKS:
So I thought about breaking my own set rule and rent "The Seeker". Why? To satisfy Aaron's curiosity (and my own) as to how off the movie is from the books. Yes, that's right. After trying to get him to read "The Dark is Rising" sequence almost since the time we've been married, he finally asks out of the blue the other day where the book is so he can read it. He has been reading it during his lunch breaks and before bed ever since and I expect him to finish it tonight or tomorrow. He's hooked. And I told him so.

I thout about it...but then I went and looked at the trailer again and got sick and sad just watching them, so there is no way I could watch the movie butcher one of my favorite books. Many people who reviewed the movie felt the same.

If you have never read these books, you should. The title is deceiving as to the quality of the story. It is a series of 5 books that follow Will Stanton, a boy who finds out on his 11th birthday that he is the last of the old ones. There is a bit of mystery, magic, legand, and folk-lore all rolled into one, specifically connected to Celtic lore and King Arthur.

After the movie came out I heard it compared to Harry Potter several times, but I would like to set the record straight...The two are not alike! And if one must be like the other, then Harry Potter is like The Dark is Rising considering he came more than a decade or two later. To say that these books are like Harry Potter is an insult to literature. Not that Harry Potter is bad. I enjoyed those books as well. But there's just something about this series that seems so magical. As much as I enjoyed Harry Potter, those books will never be considered "classics" like the Dark is Rising Series. At least in my opinion.

Aaron part 2

I haven't had a lot to say for a few days, so I'll tell you all a little more about Aaron and his family. Here is the most recent professional picture taken in December, 2003:

I believe that in my last post on Aaron I mentioned that he was the oldest of 5, so you may be wondering where the 5th child is and what the teddy bear is doing in the picture. The teddy bear represents Matthew, who died in 1999 at age 2 1/2.

This is Matthew, shortly before he died. I know he is missed, but at least everyone is blessed with knowing we can be with him again someday.

Here is a picture of his family taken at his sister's wedding in August, 2006.

His sister and her husband now have 2 beautiful little children born in August, 2007.

This is just a small representation of his family as his mom has 9 brothers and sisters and his dad has 3 brothers and sisters. He has over 50 cousins if I remember right.

It has been awhile since we have seen his family, so we're planning to take part of our summer vacation to see everyone and we are excited to see them. I'm sure I'll be blogging more about that as it gets closer, so I won't bore you with the details now.

Too funny...

Aaron sent this to me from work and I thought it was funny. He said that I'm the answer to America's economy problems...

HOW TO USE YOUR IRS REBATE CHECK...

As you may have heard, each of us will be getting a tax rebate check to stimulate the economy.

If we spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China.

If we spend it on gasoline it will go to the Arabs.

If we purchase a computer it will go to India.

If we purchase fruits and vegetables it will go to the Honduras, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.

If we purchase a good car it will go to Japan.

If we purchase useless stuff it will go to Taiwan.

And none of it will help the American economy.

We need to keep that money here in America.

The only way to keep that money here at home is to spend it at yard sales, since those are the only businesses left owned by Americans!!

The changing of the Seasons

The signs of summer have been showing themselves down here in Texas lately. Everything has greened up, the spring wildflowers have given way to the summer ones, the weather has been nice and warm during the days. We've started going to the park, riding our bikes, playing outside, and have even talked of pulling out the swimming pool. It has been lots of fun. Of course with all that fun comes a chore I dred...Putting up the winter clothes and bringing out the summer clothes.

It seems like I am always changing out clothes from one season to the next. And when I am not changing out clothes, I'm putting away clothes the kids have outgrown. It reminds me of this Baby's Blues comic strip....I love that comic strip.

Click on the picture above and you can read the labels on the laundry baskets better.

So, I'm changing out the seasonal clothes and I realize that Isaiah and David are really sharing all David's clothes from last summer. So I decide to buy David new clothes. I was showing Aaron the clothes and as I held up the shirt, I look down and realize that I could be wearing it. To prove it, I even tried to put it on, but the neck hole was too small. Other than that, it would have fit. My little boy isn't going to be my little boy much longer.

Mothers Day 101

For all you men who may not have any ideas this year....go check this out.

http://shelliedesign.blogspot.com/2008/04/mothers-day-101.html

The Tooth Fairy's Night Off

So, David lost 2 teeth earlier this month. They had been sitting in my purse and he finally reminded me at a good moment to pull them out for him. He put them under his pillow that night and went to sleep. The next morning he came into the living room and said that his teeth were still under his pillow. He blamed it on Isaiah sleeping with him. Now I could have let him think that, ensuring his belief in the tooth fairy a little longer, but I couldn't do that to poor Isaiah. So, I told him the first thing I could think of: that the tooth fairy must have taken the night off. I'm not sure he buys it, but I think he still believes in the tooth fairy at least. I'm sure he won't believe in Santa Clause too many more years, so I'd like to hold on to some childhood fantasies with him while I still can. He's growing up so fast, but as long as he still believes, then I know he'll still be my little boy for a while longer.

Help!

I know that not all of you who read this blog are members of the church and may not be interested in or understand the church related parts. For that, I apologize. However, the church is very near and dear to my heart and a part of my life and so it will be mentioned in the blog frequently and I can't apologize for that. Sorry if none of that makes sense, I guess I'm just wanting to warn you ahead of time that this specific entry is completely church related and so if you are not interested, skip it.

Anyway, for those of you who are interested....I am the 2nd Sunday Relief Society teacher. I don't know if it is just me or what, but it seems like lately I get the hard lessons. The last one was on the mission of John the Baptist and this time around it's on the Melchizedek Priesthood. That's Chapter 8: The Everlasting Priesthood in the Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith book. I am stuck. It seems so hard for me to understand everything that's being explained and I would like any help or suggestions for those of you who may understand it a little better than me or who have already had this lesson.

At least I know I am not alone is this. In the Yahoo Group I belong to (LDS Teachers) there were several other women who also were having difficulty with this lesson. Ironically, many of us are teaching it on Mother's Day. Think of it...a lesson specifically on the Priesthood on Mother's Day. I may have to be sure to mention that even though it is something the Men hold, we women receive countless blessings from it as well...

Anyway, please leave a comment below or email me directly at acvanslyke@gmail.com if you have any comments, suggestions, or ideas. Thanks ahead of time!

Oh Yeah! A little PS....Congratulations to my best friend while growing up, Mary, and her husband who were sealed in the Billings, Montana temple this past week. I'm proud of you, happy for you, miss you, and love you! BFFE!