Galveston Pictures, the Doctor, and a Rushed Morning

Well, first thing first...Aaron went down to Galveston to help clean up last weekend. They worked on some members' homes and their neighbors' homes. I know he wanted to make a post about it whenever he gets the chance to take a breath, so for now...here is a link to the pictures he took with his cell phone: http://picasaweb.google.com/acvanslyke/GalvestonHurricaneIkeDamage

Yesterday I took the kids to the doctor. Three of them (David, Carissa, and Jacob) had their annual exams. The other two got to tag along. I did not think they were going to get shots. It turns out all three of them got shots. I learned something from this visit...the amount of pain you feel when getting a shot increases depending on how many people you see get shots ahead of you...

Jacob went first. He did not know what was happening (none of them did at this point). He laid back, I held his arms, he got poked. All he really did was open his mouth in a silent scream. The nurse put a bandaid on it, and he was down from the table with a slight smile. Then, Carissa went. She was tense as she waited because she knew what was going to happen now. She still laid down and let me hold her arms. She was tense as she waited. The needle went into her and she let out a small scream and started wimpering. She had to get two shots so she was at it awhile. She got Tweety Bird bandaids, was helped down from the table, and off she went to share her battle wounds and compare stories with Jacob. David went last. He was the worst of all. I had Jacob go first because I figured David and Carissa were old enough that it would be just a pinch to them. I think next time I'll switch it up. Anyway, he laid back and immediately grabbed my hands in a vise-grip, squeezing them as hard as he could, his little face all scrunched up, teeth gritted, waiting for the pain. When it came, he gave a scream. arched his back, and started wimpering and crying. He had tears coming and I don't think even a bandaid soothed him. All three stated they were never coming to the doctor again. Think they'll forget by next year?

This morning was kind of crazy. Aaron is off to Las Vegas again. His flight leaves at 7:30. He set the alarm for 4:00 am. Then he slept through it. I wake up at about 5:15, wake him up, and then we both rush around finishing his packing. It is a 45 minute drive *minimum* to the airport. I think he was out the door within 15 minutes. Hopefully he'll make it on time. He'll be gone until Friday night. We'll miss him lots and can't wait to see him again!

Daily Gem

"We long to be close to the Lord, for we know that He loves each of us and desires to encircle us 'eternally in the arms of his love' (2 Nephi 1:15). His touch can heal ailments spiritual, emotional, or physical. He is our Advocate, Exemplar, Good Shepherd, and Redeemer. Where else would we look, where else would we reach, where else would we come but to Jesus Christ, 'the author and finisher of our faith?' (Hebrews 12:2)."He pronounced: 'Yea, verily . . . , if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive' (3 Nephi 9:14). His promise invites us not only to reach towards Him but also to take the all-important next step: to come unto Him."

Anne C. Pingree, "To Look, Reach, and Come unto Christ," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 113

Gem of the Day

"We must strive to manifest the love of Christ, who always sought to please His Father by doing His will. . . . We must make every effort to follow His supreme example--to demonstrate such love through our thoughts, our speech, our actions--in all the things we do and are. We must not allow pride or vanity, selfishness or personal agendas to displace our reaching out to others in love. Quite simply and profoundly,we must first allow ourselves to be encircled by God's love. We do this best by embracing the Savior's eternal Atonement. Then we can expand that circle to include our family and all others. Such a circle is indeed heaven."

Bonnie D. Parkin, "Eternally Encircled in His Love," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 110

Weekend and Some Pictures

On Wednesday we saw the firetrucks at school. It was interesting. The firefighters were fun and talkative. I'm just not sure how much the Kindergartners enjoyed it since they see them every year.

Here are a few things I've been coming home to:

David's picture of "Super Dad"

Jacob decided to wear Joseph's clothes. He claimed they were his because they had cars on them.

Today we went to a birthday party for Lala Darling. It was fun and I am so impressed with Amanda for the way she came up with a great party after so much disaster. You can read all about it on her blog here. One of her friends set her up with a petting zoo and all of the kids enjoyed it.

Jacob was more interested in the kittens than the petting zoo for awhile.

He finally got interested in the guinea pigs.

Poor Joseph didn't do well in the Texas heat though. He is still sick, poor baby. It's just an ear infection, but I don't think the antibiotics have kicked in, if they are working at all. He is still running a fever and not sleeping. I was kind of glad I forgot Lala's birthday present just so that I could keep him sleeping in the car seat longer as I drove it back. I hope he feels better soon. He is normally so energetic, independent, playful, and curious. Now he is just cranky, tired, clingy, and sick.

Poor Joseph finally crashed.

After the party I started to watch the UW football game against Bowling Green. Then Aaron called and apparently they started discussing football in the car on the way back from Galveston and he wanted a score update. So, I looked up the score, got ticked off, and stopped watching the game. Apparently UW lost....again....45-10. Ah well. Better luck next week. Go Pokes.

Our new yard sign. They are all over Laramie and I asked my wonderful brother, Charlie, to pick one up for me.

Update

So, I don't think that I have too much to say. I've been busy and not a lot has been happening. Joseph has an ear infection. He started showing symptoms Wednesday with a diaper rash. Yesterday he was clingy and fussy and he started running a fever. Today it seemed a little better with Motrin and so I just blamed everything on teething and went to playgroup. We got home and he felt warm again and so I checked his temperature and it was 104!!! No more blaming teething. I called the doctor and luckily they could get me in later that day. We went in and after one look in his ear (which he fought like crazy!) she said it was infected. So now he's on antibiotics. Fun stuff. A couple of good things though...He is weighing in at 17 pounds, 4 ounces and while we were waiting he pulled up on me, holding my hands. I let go and he stood there by himself for several seconds. He'll be walking as soon as he realizes he can.

I'm beginning to feel like a widowed woman. Aaron got back from Las Vegas last night and went to work today. He was able to get off early when he thought he would have to work late and so he decided to go down with some of our wards members to help clean up in Galveston. He'll be back tomorrow night. We will have Sunday and Monday with him here and then Tuesday morning he'll be headed back to Vegas. He won't be back until Friday and *maybe* sooner if they get finished early. He is guessing Thursday or Frieday. I'll be glad when he's not traveling for awhile.

My class is going good. I'm taking on more teaching responsibilities and the kids are starting to feel more comfortable with me and call me by my name now. It's really weird to be called Miss Van Slyke. But then, it would be weird to be called Miss Cassandra too. We had upside down cake and worked under our tables for the letter U. We saw the fire trucks on Wednesday. That's been about it. They had apple pie today for Johnny Appleseed's birthday. Good thing I was gone. I don't need the calories. I think we're doing B next week and there were some goodies with that. I really need to start working out.

I think that's about it here. Sorry there's no pictures. I'll have some tomorrow. We're going to a birthday party that's going to be lots of fun for moms and kids alike.

Joseph's New Trick

I miss the kids while I am gone to kindergarten all day. I especially miss seeing Joseph grow and develop from a baby into a little boy.

We have recently started feeding him solids/finger foods and he LOVES his food. I think he enjoys his little chair as well. He discovered, probably by bouncing or leaning forward eagerly, that he can rock the chair. Now, whenever he gets excited or likes something he will rock it. Here is a video.

Aaron's Trip

Today Aaron is leaving for a work-related trip to Las Vegas. He'll be gone until Thursday night. The kids and I will miss him while he's gone.

He teases me for getting a kick out of his travel arrangements, but I think it's really cool he gets to go on the corporate jet. There will only be four other passengers. One of them is the owner and another one is one of the Vice Presidents. I think it's cool that he gets to fly in those conditions. It would be like flying first class. Plus to get face time with the heads of a company has got to be good.

I am very proud that he has earned some respect as an engineer and that his supervisor is giving him more responsibilities. But we will miss him.

The teacher I am working with, she and her husband have been married 20-some-odd years and they have only spent the night apart a handful of times. He had to go out of town one day last week. It was sweet to see how much she missed him.

Kindergarten Snack Time

So, I think I mentioned before that we eat our way through the alphabet in my kindergarten class. Well, it's true. So far we have eaten "Ants on a log" (graham crackers with chocolate frosting and chocolate chips and raisins). I don't think I was there for "I". Then we had "Octopus" (hot dogs). Then we had "Green Eggs and Ham". Tomorrow we are having "Upside-down cake." And we are having Apple Pie for Johnny Appleseed's birthday. There is no way I am going to lose any weight this semester!

My Cowboys

Yes, folks, they lost again. 44 - 0. I was guessing they would lose, but I was at least hoping it wouldn't be a shut-out. Oh well. At least we didn't lose as bad as UCLA did...

Some may wonder why I continue to cheer for UW. First off, it's because they are my team and I have to root for them even if they are the underdogs. Secondly, it's because I remember a time when they were good. There was the time our fans more than doubled the apposing team's fans at a bowl game. There was the year that we should have had the New Mexico bowl, but they gave it to the home team.

And then there was the time we beat BYU at home. I was there in 1999 when they beat BYU 31 - 17. BYU was ranked 15th in the AP polls at the time. It was a home game and a bunch of us went to watch. We saw them win and knew it would be crazy afterwards so we left with like 2 minutes left. We were on the opposite side of the fence across from the goal posts. We had won. The crowd was going crazy. At that moment, they tore the goal posts down. We went back to the dorms after that spectacular event and listened to people cheering and hollering all night.

They marched the goal posts down Grand Avenue to a local bar, the BuckHorn. (Hey, it's a small town) This is a huge tradition whenever the team wins against a huge rival. Apparently the team has an extra set of goalposts for just such an event. That year they needed 2 or 3 extra sets if I remember right. Now while this has not happened in awhile, I'm sure it will. And until that day I will just keep cheering and hoping they get some better coaches.

Cats and Dogs

Have you ever noticed how many more dog owners there are compared to cat owners? I hadn't. That is until I took our cat to the vet's for his shots today. There were dogs, and their owners, filing the benches on both sides of the lobby, but not another cat in sight. Poor Kreacher was nervous as it was in his carrier. I wasn't quite sure where to sit. I finally decided on the side that seemed to be all small dogs. I figured if he was bigger than all of them he wouldn't be so scared. At least he was very well behaved and we are home safe and sound now.

I did see two funny signs in the office while I was there. The first one said, "Everyone at this office brings us joy. Some when they enter, and some when they leave." The second one said, "Unattended children will be given an espresso and a new puppy."

Friends

I Just love the little map and who's visiting applications I added. Oh, and my facebook account too. Because of these things I have found three more friends to add (so far) to my list. Elizabeth (Liz), Julie, and Julia. Liz is someone who we went to college with and hung out with. Julie and Julia are my friends from high school.

I Like Eggs

OK, right now a huge part of my day is spent in the kindergarten class. This blog is about my life. So therefore, many of the posts on this blog, at least until mid-December, will be about my kindergartners...

Anyway, for the past couple of days we have been studying the short e (as in egg, elephant, Elmo). Today the kids were supposed to draw a picture to finish the sentence "I like eggs with a ..." After they had drawn the picture they would come have us write the word to fill in the blank. I must not have explained it very clearly to this one little boy because when he came up to me and I said, "tell me about your picture." He said "This is the grass and this is the cave and these are the lights in the cave." I was silent for a moment trying to come up with something to say and finally I said, "But the words say, "I like eggs with a ... So what do you like eggs with?" He looks up at me and says, "Toast."

I guess I need to work on how to handle this situation...

We also eat a lot in this class as the teacher tries to make sure the kids use all their senses including taste. She makes a recipe to match each letter of the alphabet as we learn them. Today we had green eggs and ham to go along with the story. It was fun to see the kids' surprise at seeing green eggs after we had added blue food coloring. They were good eggs, too, although as one boy said, "They could use some salt."

Needless to say, it is a fun adventure every day.

Words from David

We just got done watching Jumanji and here is the conversation that followed.

Me to Aaron: Didn't they make a second one?
Aaron: I don't know.
David as if he is in a commercial: There are three! And you can watch them all on one DVD.

Apparently he had seen this advertisement in the previews of a different show. Maybe it's funny only if you know him and the way he talks...

My Friend, Amanda

Today we visited The Darling Ranch. The kids were able to play with the Darling Children and I got to visit with Amanda. We love it there. The kids always have fun running around and playing with toys and I enjoy adult conversation. Amanda is a great friend who always knows what to do or say to cheer me up if I'm in a bad mood or worried about some upcoming lesson. She makes me laugh and provides some entertainment through her blog on a boring day. She is always very willing to help when I need someone to watch the kids. We love you Amanda!

This one is for you, Amanda!

Quiet Afternoon

So, I get home from school today and I find a couple of cars along the sidewalk. I pick them up, not thinking much of it, and then I turn the corner to find a huge mud pit right near our front door. Apparently the kids had turned on the water and were playing in it and the mud, despite a couple of reprimands from the baby sitter. (They do this to me to, so don't judge her. They're sneaky, persistant little cusses). I think it had her a little frustrated and worn out, which I understand completely. Within 15 minutes of her walking out the door still trying to come up with a way to discipline them effectively, this is what I had on my hands...

I think they just needed separation and naps. Needless to say, it is very quiet. I think I may try to catch a nap myself.

Dog Days

I think one of the best things about living here in Texas is the beautiful fall season. Yesterday seemed like the perfect day! After I got back from the school I mowed the lawn and let the kids play outside. I also put our trampoline back up. We had taken it down for Ike, which was a pain, but probably better than it blowing away if we would've been hit harder. Here are a few pictures from our afternoon.

Isaiah playing with cars in the window

Jacob on the scooter

The snack David put together for us.

Hopefully there will be many more nice days before the cold, wet, yuck of winter sets in.

Busy Phone Day = More Errands

Ok, this afternoon was quite busy when nit came to phone calls. Around 3:00 I went to the post office to mail a portfolio for one of my classes. I passed a school. Mental note to self: do not drive past the school at 3:00. There were cars filling the drive and backed into the street waiting to pick up kids.

I get home and go into my room to put something away. My phone rings. I go back out to the living room to get it and find that David has answered it. I get it from him and see that it is our Primary President calling me in reference to an email I had sent her. As I am bringing the phone to my ear I see that I am getting another call, which I ignore. I finish my conversation and then dial voice mail. It turns out it was the doctor's office. Now how's this for the start of a message: "This is the doctor's office and you are not going to like me..." Oh boy! I had scheduled David, Carissa, and Jacob all for their annual well-child check up on Friday. It turns out the doctor is not going to be there Friday and so I have to reschedule all of them! Do you know how hard it is to get three appointments in a row for the same day? Oh well. Anyway, after listening to that message I call the doctor to reschedule and they had closed 10 minutes before that. While I am listening to the answering machine there, I get another call. This one is from Aaron saying the people at the computer place called and I get to go up to Dallas at some point to pick up my laptop. After I hang up with him my mom calls and gives me an update on my Aunt and Uncle who live in Conroe, just North of Houston. They are without power and water. I told my mom to let them know they were more than welcome to come here until things get a little better there. So who knows, maybe we'll have some company.

Anyway, that's my afternoon spent on the phone. And it just means that I'll have even more errands to run tomorrow or whenever I get to them. Such is life. At least we're not bored.

Kid-isms

I've heard a couple of funny things come out of my kids' mouths lately. The first is from Carissa as we're talking about me taking classes....

"Grown-ups go to school too?! Wowee Kazowee!"

The second is from Isaiah as I'm preparing dinner last night....
"Mmm...I like noodles [I was cooking Ramen]. But I don't want peas [sometimes I put vegetables in it]. I don't like peas [he's eaten them plenty of times before and loved them]!"

[me] "Yes you do."

"I'm a big boy now. I don't like peas anymore."

Clinton

My little brother had a 36 hour pass...that is a break from his training. He used his time to call and text message all of us (they don't get to email or use cell phones during training) and he sent this photo with his text to us...

Doesn't he look handsome in uniform? And really, he is happy to be there. He just likes to look macho and never smiles in any of his pictures. We are all very proud of him and can't wait until his next break so that he can call again.

Hurricane Ike

Well, I'm sure many of you have heard about Hurricane Ike. (See a few posts ago). Supposedly we were supposed to be right in the path of Ike while he was still a storm or hurricane. Well, it turns out that we were on the good side of the storm and he went to the east of us. So we are all fine and just had a bit of wind (30-40 mph maybe) and a little rain (1 inch instead of flooding). It's really quite a shame. I guess we took the trampoline legs off and tied it up for nothing.

Go Cowboys!

UW played North Dakota State University today and won 16-13. Yes it was close, but it was a win, so who's complaining. Now next week when we play BYU will be a different story...Apparently, from an email from an excited BYU fan in our ward, BYU won against UCLA today...59-0. Maybe somebody will get injured during practice this week. Here's to luck!

Shortest Personality Test

Ok, I saw this on my friend, Amanda's bog and I thought it was pretty accurate for her and her husband so I had to go try it. I'm not sure it fits me quite as well. My results are below.



You are pure, moral, and adaptable.
You tend to blend into your surroundings.
Shy on the outside, you're outspoken to your friends.

You believe that you live a virtuous life...
And you tend to judge others with a harsh eye.
As a result, people tend to crave your approval.

The World's Shortest Personality Test

You can take the test at the above link.

Hurricane Season

For those of you who don't live in a coastal area/state, hurricane season may not mean anything. It may not even be a term you are familiar with. Let me share a few things I've learned about hurricane season: It lasts from June1 to November 30. A Tropical Depression is when the winds are 38 mph or less. A Tropical Storm is when the winds are 39-73 mph. A Hurricane is 74 mph and above. There are 5 levels of hurricanes.(1: 74-95 mph, 2: 96-110 mph, 3: 111-130 mph, 4: 131-155 mph, 5: 156 mph and above).

At one time this information didn't mean anything to me either. But then we moved here and it has come to mean something. No, it doesn't mean we board up our windows or leave our homes everytime a hurricane blows in. But it does mean an influx of people to the area. Most of the time I don't really mind and don't even see much of a difference. But with Rita and now Ike I know I will see a difference, despite Houston not evacuating. Now this can be a good thing. After all, it does bring money into our area. But it also brings much heavier traffic. In fact, I am so sure that traffic heading up to North Dallas, on the route I take, will be so bad that it is not worth it to me to go drive in it. Like many other people, I will be waiting out this hurricane in my home and my poor laptop, waiting for me in a repair shop in North Dallas, will have to wait until it blows through and everyone leaves.

Where Were You?

I'm sure most of you have heard the song by Alan Jackson. It's a good song.

Anyway, 7 years ago today was tragic and sad. Much like the Kennedy Assassination people still ask "Where were you?" when you heard the news.

Me, I went to work in the Washakie computer lab at around 6 or 7. David was just a few weeks old so he came with me. I remember going through my emails and seeing subject line after subject line like "plane crashes into twin towers". I thought it was some mass spam email or a great big joke/hoax. Then I went to go to the restroom. I passed through the lobby in the basement of Washakie and was stopped in my tracks by what I saw on the TV. They were showing the footage of the towers burning and going down. Like the rest of the nation I was fixated. I didn't want to go back to work. I didn't want to go to classes. I couldn't take my eyes off of that horrific, unbelievable scene.

In the years since, I have watched a few documentaries on the event and I still can't believe it. So many lives lost, yet so many lives saved as well, in miraculous ways.

It makes me very happy to have my family with me now. And like all those many years ago, I think I'm going to go give my kids great big hugs and hold my baby close.

On Growing Older

Well, today is my birthday. At first I was not even going to mention it because I don't want to think about it. But then I decided, what the heck...might as well.

So, why don't I want to talk about it? Because, in my opinion, I will always be 23 forever. This is when it seems that age became relative and stopped becoming important. When I look at myself, I do not feel 28. To me 28 is old. I am reminded it is old every time I look at my 5 kids. I am reminded of it when I realize my 10-year high school reunion will be next year. I am reminded of it when I look at today's youth and compare the differences between me as a youth and them. On the other hand I still like the things I liked when I was 23 (and younger). I like the same food, the same music, the same activities. I feel like I would be right at home on a college campus. I get envious of a few of my friends who are still single or have just one or two kids. I think, "gosh, I wish I could do that and be that young again..." Ironically, they are older then me in some cases. But I know I am old and that's why I refuse to talk about it. Because really, age is relative and I will be 23 forever.

PS Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday from my baby-sitter who made me homemade cookies to the people who left messages via email, facebook, or voicemail, to my kids who very lovingly made homemade cards and wrapped up their toys for me to open. I love you all and am grateful for your friendship!

Adjustments

With me doing this student teaching this semester we've all had to make some adjustments around here. Poor Jacob cried when I left yesterday and I guess he checked the door a few times to see if I was coming back. Then today Joseph wanted me to hold him as soon as I walked in the door and wouldn't let me put him down for several minutes. I guess he missed me.

It's weird being away from the kids. I haven't been away from them since before Isaiah was born. I don't think I could go back to work now. My mind is always wandering, wondering what they are doing here at the house and I miss them. Especially my "babies" when I see the younger classes.

At least I know I am learning a lot and that it puts me one step closer to finishing my degree. And I know that the girl I got to watch them will do a good job. They love her. Especially Carissa.

Now, a couple of funny things I've learned from school..."Family friendly" does not necessarily equal "school appropriate"...The teacher had placed out magazines that were family friendly, like Parenting or Child or Baby Talk...that kind of thing. The kids were supposed to cut out things from the magazine to match the colors on their paper. This could be objects, letters, or just colors. The one little girl was looking for red things and found a word that had the letters in red. The word she found...S-E-X. Now these are kindergartners who can't even really read or understand what they read, but it was just something the teacher had to intercept before it got glued onto the paper. Then later on I was helping a little boy find green things. He found a wonderful green leaf...on an anti-drug ad. It was a marijuana leaf. Once again we made an interception. It was kind of funny, but it just goes to show how even the most innocent seeming things can really be not so innocents. Also how tough subjects are finding their ways into our homes and schools, seemingly out of nowhere.

A Good Sunday

Today was a good day. My class went alright. Really, the boy they told me was a challenge wasn't that bad. He just talked alot. But so did the other little boy in my class. Of course, maybe this was just a good day for him too...

Then, for the second block of classes the men all took charge of the kids so that all of the women could attend Relief Society. It was nice to be given a break and the message was pretty good too.

And now I'm home. Another Sunday under my belt, ready to start the week.

I did have to do a kind of funny double take during sacrament meeting though...Joseph had spit up all over Aaron so he quickly took him to the hallway to clean up. I'm not sure how it transpired, but somehow Aaron handed Joseph off to my friend, Amanda. I looked up, saw her, and waved, but didn't think anything of it (maybe she didn't even have Joseph at this time) and then looked down. A few minutes later I looked up again and realized she was holding not just any baby, but mine! I just had to laugh because she looked so natural holding a baby I didn't even make the connection right away. Who knows, maybe it's a sign she's supposed to have more. :) Just kidding, Amanda.

Wyoming Football

Ok, good or bad, I'm still a fan and so have to report on my team. The Cowboys played Air Force today. I don't know if it was just that they weren't sucking on oxygen the whole game like Ohio or what, but they won. 23 to 3. Our offense didn't do so hot. We had several turnovers. Our quarterback was doing so bad that the coach put in last year's starting quarterback, Karsten Sween, who did a bad job last year and apparently didn't improve any since then. Of course, I do have to admit they didn't put him in until the 4th quarter and maybe if he had been put in sooner he would have done at least as good as the quarterback they had in there. Ah well. There's always next week.

Stupid Question of the Day

Ok, I went in today to get Joseph a replacement social security card. I'm sure that the one we have for him is in a safe, secure place. I just can't find it. Anyway, this is what I hear from the lady at the social security office..."Child's social security number?"

HELLO!!! If I knew it, would I be there asking for a replacement card? I've already got my SSN and my husband's SSN memorized...I have 5 kids. I am NOT going to have their SSNs memorized...birthdays are bad enough!

Ok, ok...it might be a legitimate question, but after waiting in line for over an hour (actually, we waited on the floor because all the chairs were taken) is it too much to ask for a little common sense?

Sad Song

So, I was driving up to Dallas today when I heard the saddest song on the radio. It's called Dig Two Graves by Randy Travis. Here are the lyrics:

I promised to you, on the day we wed
Till death do us part, yeah, that was what I said
But things have changed, since I made that vow
The love I felt for you is so much deeper now
So I’ve made up my mind.

When the family sings, sweet bye and bye
They might as well go on and tell us both good-bye
Because you've come to be, my heart and soul
The air I breathe the reason there’s life in these bones
So I’ve made up my mind, girl, if it’s your time.

They can dig two graves, just carve one stone
Because without you here, I won't last long
Your loves the blood, running through these veins
So if he calls you home, they can dig two graves.

Sure let the good lord one ask me to be that strong
Because it kills me just to think about you being gone.
They can dig two graves, just carve one stone
Because without you here, I won't last long
Your loves the blood, running through these veins

So if he calls you home, they can dig two graves.
Tell the lord above, no need to wait
If he calls you home, they can dig two graves...

How sad it is that some people don't know that family ties and love can extend beyond death, that they can be eternal. How grateful I am to have that knowledge, and the gift, that if I live worthy I will be with my family forever, not just until "death do us part".

I think of a couple in the other ward. He just died of cancer, leaving behind his wife and three very young children. I didn't go to the funeral because I really didn't know them that well and didn't know what to say, but I have thought of them and their situation. I'm sure while they would rather have their husband and father with them, they can take comfort in knowing they can be with him again. This isn't a forever situation. If they didn't have that knowledge, if I was without that knowledge and in their shoes, it would be nearly unbearable.

The Idaho Falls temple where Aaron and I were sealed to our children

On a happier note: we do have this knowledge. These blessings and privileges have been restored to the earth in this time and I am so grateful to have been sealed to my family so that we can be together forever. I just hope that everyone can come to know of and understand this truth so that they can find comfort during the hard times.

Hurricane Gustav, My Kindergarten Class, A Shopping Trip

Well, if you've been watching the news at all you may have heard about the mass evacuation of New Orleans for Hurricane Gustav.

Aaron's sister, her husband, and their 1-yr-old twins live in Baton Rouge and all week they contemplated evacuating since it was supposed to be so big even though it wasn't supposed to hit them that hard. They decided in the end they'd better leave, too and so on Saturday morning they left town. It was good they left when they did since they waited as long as they could and still beat the bad traffic from 1.9 million people. They got here Saturday night and were able to watch the news all weekend and find out that Baton Rouge had done quite a bit of damage done there. They left to go back this morning.

We are glad they are safe and hope that their home is in one piece when they get back. I hope they know they don't have to wait for the next hurricane to come visit. :-)

Here are some pictures from their visit:

The twins. Aren't they sweet!

As one can imagine, with the addition of two more kids we were wall to wall with beds.

All the cousins

While our visitors were here we asked them to watch the kids so we could go out shopping. First we looked at hardwood samples to replace the carpet and then, because he knew I had a stressful Sunday with the talk and new calling and all, Aaron took me on a kind of shopping spree at JC Penney. It was fun. I found some new tops and a skirt I liked. Now I just need to get a pair of pants or two.

On Tuesday I went to the Kindergarten class where I will be doing my student teaching. The drive isn't too bad. About 45 minutes one way. There are currently 11 kids in my class and will be 12 once they fill the empty spot. 5 are special needs children, so it will be a challenge. I hope I'm up for it. One cool thing I found out though is that the annual NAEYC conference will be held in Dallas. So I'm going! That will be fun to hear the speakers and see the expo.