Mom, I am hungry

The Fortune Cookie was Right: It is a Boy!

2010-02-16T19:15:00.000-08:00

After we found out that we were pregnant with Mambo #5 we were eating at an Asian restaurant. After dinner I opened the wrapper to the fortune cookie and said that the fortune would apply to the new baby.

My side read something plain and generic, but what Jared saw from across the table was the real fortune. It had a Chinese symbol with the English translation: Boy. We got a kick out of it then and now.

Turns out it was right. I kept that little piece of paper on my dresser for months just in case it was a boy so that I could tape it underneath the ultrasound pic revealing the sex of the baby. Where is it now that I want it? Who knows. Dumb.

The boys are thrilled. There were many high-fives given in the house.

Become as a Child

2010-01-31T13:34:00.000-08:00

This is what is meant by "become as a child...."

I was taking a nap with Ethan today after church. (post-church naps are sacred).

He woke up for a quick second, sweetly exclaimed, "Mom, I love Jesus so much!"---then went right back to sleep.

Mambo Number 5

2010-01-11T06:51:00.001-08:00

Or maybe it will be Chanel No. 5. Whichever it is, Mambo or Chanel, we know it is only one and it will make its grand debut in July, 2010.

This will be our third baby in a row with a July birthday. Apparently Jared and I need more planning skills. But, we are happy and grateful, nonetheless.

I am in my 2nd trimester and finally starting to feel a little human. The circles under my eyes are not quite as dark, I don't lay around quite as much, sometimes dinner is ready, I don't have to pull over on the side of the road on the way home from seminary to throw up, and my body is starting to make its own heat (weird side effect, I know).

I will update you on the sex of the little tyke in a month or so.

Thanksgiving--Rock Band style

2009-11-28T05:48:00.001-08:00

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year! Kristopher is here visiting us. It has been two years since we last saw him---too long!

Isabel just LOVES Kristopher! When she comes in the room crying from something the boys did, she goes right past me and Jared and clings to Kristopher's leg. Yesterday we were at the Renaissance festival and she only wanted to be carried, or have her hand held, by him. Then, last night we came home from The Nutcracker. We picked her up from Natalie's house and she came in running. I got down into my usual stoop, ready to pick her up and swing her as we celebrated being reunited---oh no.... She ran right past me and into Kristopher's arms. I was shafted! :)

Thanksgiving was spent with dear friends, the Bigneys and the Paces. And before our dinner, our wonderful friend and next door neighbor, Emily brought over her first-ever pumpkin pie for us. Isabel ran from the other room right into her arms. She is such a delight! We love Emily and Kurt.

This year Thanksgiving was tradition, with a twist. We had four of the most amazing turkeys ever cooked. Two cajun deep-fried, some kind of berry-infused brine turkey, and a jalapeno garlic turkey (courtesy of Jared, of course!). They were all sooooo good!

After stuffing ourselves with all the delicious food, the men-folk "retired to the den" to play Rockband. It was clear from early on that the planned board game was never going to happen, so if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. We all had a lot of fun singing and playing as 10 children under the age of 10 ran around us. Good times.

The next day we traveled to Plantersville, TX and hour and a half away to join in the festivities of the Renaissance festival. It was like medieval Disneyland. Great fun. The boys got swords and were swordfighting amongst each other all day. Ethan is really into the whole knight, King, Queen thing. He likes for me to "knight him." I knighted him and congratulated him for killing all 'ogres, dragons, creatures, and anything ugly'. He quickly reminded me, "don't forget to say 'bad guys'!" I love my kids so much.

There was food, entertainment, and just an overall feeling of being transferred in time. One funny thing was how many of the "cast" loved Jared's Thundercats t-shirt. They would call out, "Thundercats! Ho!" It was like King Arthur meets Anime.

After a big day at the festival, we spent the evening with some of our other dear friends, John and Shey Moniz. They took us to see The Nutcracker. It was my first time ever seeing it. It was a wonderful evening. Spending time with them is always fun because they have such great stories to tell. They too love Isabel and she adores them.

So, after a day of seeing men in medieval tights all day, and spending the evening at the ballet---I have had my share of men in tights for at least a year---maybe more.

I hope our Christmas in even close to as wonderful as our Thanksgiving.

Merry Christmas!

Fabulous Fathers

2009-11-25T05:19:00.000-08:00

This post is kind of a "count your many blessings", but that was not it's original intent.

Sunday we had dinner with Jared's good friend from Palmyra, Sarah Dahneke Hedengren and family. Her parents, Marilyn and Barton were visiting which was a plus---I love them.

What I came away with was how wonderful the men in our lives are. Jared is on the high council in our new stake so after spending three hours of church with us, he drove an hour away to spend three hours of church with the branch that he is assigned to.

John was gone to an additional meeting when we arrived at their house, helping boys get their eagle scout.

As the dads came home there were the traditional, "yeah! Daddy is here!" shouts of jubilee and hugs and kisses.

Then I was so impressed to watch as John helped with dinner, cleared the table, emptied the dishwasher, played (not watched, but played) with the kids upstairs so that we could all visit.

I saw "Papa" Dahneke help with the kids outside and at dinner.

Then as we left, the kids were screaming to drive home with dad in his car and he, of course, obliged by transferring car seats over for them.

Anyway, I was just overcome with gratitude for good men who work so hard and are dedicated to doing what is right.

Pokemon Mediator: You Think Your Day Was Bad!

2009-11-02T13:54:00.001-08:00

Today Tyler came home crying accusing Landon of trading his Marwaok pokemon to another boy at school. Landon denied it was ever Tyler's and quickly the Pokemon war ensued.

Tyler had a perfect memory of every card traded, all there names and the location, time of day, what we had for dinner that night, and what we all were wearing at the time the trade took place.

I quickly realized this was an argument for which I was of no use.

Here is a sample of a much more complicated dispute:

Landon: "No I didn't take Marwaok, Tyler!"

Tyler: "Yes, you did Landon!"

Landon: "I never traded that card with you. Why would I trade Eggcutor for Marwaok when it has a higher hp?"

Tyler: "Yes, you did! You traded Infernape, Stealix, Motham, Galade for Arceus with your friend!"

Landon (thinking): " Okay, well I gave the Marwaok to my friend for the Vespequin, but I don't have it because he stayed home from school today."

Mom: "Landon, when you get your Vespequin, give it to Tyler.

Jared ran 10 miles!

2009-10-25T15:25:00.000-07:00

Okay- This is happened two weeks ago. I am slow! But Jared wasn't slow! He ran a 10 mile race and did awesome. He ran faster than his training time.

It was such a fun day for the family. The boys and I ran the 1 mile kid's race before. Landon legitimately beat me. He probably ran a 7:30 mile. He started at the back of the group of 100 or so kids and he finished in the top ten.

There was all-you-can-eat food from several vendors after the race---Ethan was in heaven and still continues to refer back to that "day where we got to eat all we wanted" as a "good day".

I have pictures of the kids in jackets and our fleece BYU blanket---It was a chilly 65 degrees that morning! We are so pathetic!

Speaking of kids who legitimately beat me---The day has come. My kids are both faster and smarter than I am---already! Tyler beat me at chess yesterday. He had me in check within three moves and continued chasing me down until he got me in check-mate. I only had one of his pawns. It was amazing. He was using all these terms like, "I skewered you" and working in combination moves. I had no idea what in the world he was talking about.

U2 360 Tour

2009-10-15T07:41:00.000-07:00

Last night I got to go see Bono and friends at the U2 concert! Super-fun. Poor Jared got tickets last March or something and was so excited to go, but got called to D.C. for work! He was really disappointed. I got to take Denise and we had a great girl's night out.

We had tickets on the floor. I kept teasing Denise that she was going to get lifted up in the mosh (sp) pit since she weighs like 95 lbs. I told her I was going to hold on to her ankle so we didn't get separated.

I have never been at a concert on the floor, or that close to the stage before. The acoustics are actually really good on the floor. I am usually a little dissapointed at concerts in a big arena like the Reliant Center because it never sounds very good. This was awesome!

Bono may be getting a bit older, but he still rocks the house. He was all over the place. "He moves in mysterious ways..." :)
I would post a pic, but they are on my cell phone and they just look like a blur.

2009-09-07T14:42:00.000-07:00

I think these pics are cute of the kids looking out for each other. I love the one where the boys are doing Isabel's hair. The look on Tyler's face as Landon tries to figure out how to do a ponytail is priceless.

First day of school

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

Here are the pics of the first day of school for the boys. Landon and Tyler get to ride their bikes now. It is funny how they have this new sense of freedom. It is great for me. No drop-offs or pick-ups.

Ethan started pre-school with me and two other moms and their kids. We rotate teaching every three weeks. Ethan is in HEAVEN! When I picked him up from his first day of school he yelled, "that was AWESOME!"

Isabel gets to participate when I teach and she has claimed her own little box of school supplies. It is funny to watch her mimick the older kids. She knows her colors thanks to Elin's girls teaching her over the summer.

Great day to be an Astros and a Cougar

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

Saturday was a great day to be a sports fan---if you are an Astros and a Cougar, that is. Although we missed the Cougars play in Dallas, we did get to see the Astros beat the Phillies.

We were invited by Baker Botts to watch the game in their suite at Minute Maid park. It was family night so the kids got to come. They got a real kick out of an all-you-can-eat buffet of peanuts, cracker jacks, hotdogs, cookies, nachos, ice-cream, and chicken strips.

Pioneer Trek family reunion 2009

2009-08-23T10:13:00.000-07:00

Jared and I had a great time at my mom's family reunion. (Barnes family). We went to Martin's Cove in Wyoming where the Martin handcart company was rescued. My great-great grandmother Margaret Ellen Clegg, came across as a baby. She was 13 months-old when they arrived in SLC.

The church has a mission there that is operable during the summer months. Visitors can camp down the road, then take the "re-created" trek during the day. It was such a great experience. The missionaries take you along and every mile or so tell stories and events that occurred on the trail. It was fun, spiritual, and educational.

Below is my contribution to a book my aunt is putting together of our insights and experiences. I thought I would post it as well.

(p.s.--some of us dressed up for the occasion. Jared did too. He wore his BYU shirt in honor of Brigham sending in the rescuers! :)

"How could God let this happen?" This is the cry of many who lack faith in God and his purposes, it is often said when good things happen to bad people. Some who witness a tragedy may be compelled to ask, "Where was God?" Or those who the tragedy happens to may be tempted to ask, "Why did this happen to me?" During our trek I was most impressed with the testimony given over and over from the pioneers that they knew God lived and that they felt so near to him. It seemed to go against the natural tendency to complain and question God and his purposes in hard times. What was it about the Martin handcart company and their adversity that brought them to know God lives? What was different about those saints that they could find tender mercies in the midst of such suffering when others, in easier circumstances, are so quick to question God, or betray what they once knew to be true? During our trek, and since, I have reflected on these differences. All throughout scripture we learn of a pattern the Lord has for refining his people. One aspect of his pattern is to lead them through a wilderness. One of the missionaries in the beginning devotional asked to reflect on our "handcarts" today. Instead of modern-day personal handcarts, I would like to speak of personal wildernesses. First, let me speak of scriptural wildernesses. Adam and Eve were lead to a wilderness, Abraham was lead to a wilderness, he Israelites were lead, then wandered in the wilderness. John the Baptist grew up in a wilderness, Lehi and his family were lead through the wilderness. In Lehi's dream he was lead through a wilderness before coming to the path, Enos speaks of the Lamanites who wandered in the wilderness as a blood thirsty people, the Jaredites were lead through a wilderness, Moroni had to live out the remainder of his days in a hidden wilderness. The pioneers were lead through multiple wildernesses, the Martin handcart company suffered in the wilderness. What is it with the Lord and wildernesses? As we study each account of the people in the wilderness, there is a common theme throughout: those who had faith in the Lord were lead by him, and those who did not have faith wandered. The Israelites were lead out of Egypt but as they lost faith and became disobedient, they were left to wander until through their trials they either perished or learned to look to the Lord. In Lehi's dream, he was lead through the wilderness by a man in a white robe. It was dark and dreary, but he was still being lead--he was not alone. By following with faith, he was eventually brought out of the dark and to the path and the rod which lead the way to salvation. In real life, Lehi and his family were alone in the wilderness, but the Lord sent a tender mercy: the Liahona. And why were the Jaredites in the boat for as long as they were? The Lord could have brought them to the Americas faster than he did. What did they learn in their wilderness that they could not have otherwise learned? We all have wildernesses. Sometimes they come just as a matter of life, sometimes we cause them, sometimes the Lord provides them for us. What I have learned is that what we do in our wildernesses determines our outcome and determines our faith in God. Findng God in the middle of the trial is key. After the women's pull, and at the end of the day I was convinced that the pioneers were being helped along the way by heavenly means. I am a healthy woman who exercises each day, I eat healthy food, and I am well-rested. I didn't have to look for my food or prepare a fire, I was wearing great shoes and the weather was good, and after visiting the Beehive house, I saw that I am twice the size of those pioneer women, yet I could barely pull the cart up one hill, and at the end of 6 miles and I was exhaustd from a long day, I realized that I had only gone half the distance that the pioneers went in one day. I am convinced of the accounts of pioneers who felt heavenly beings pushing their carts with them. When we look for God, we find him and he helps us. When we leave him out of our lives and determine to go about things our own way, we are left to our own strength. Making and keeping covenants were never meant to promise a person a life of ease. They were meant to promise a person strength through trials. We are promised that we can walk and not be weary and run and not faint, but we must still walk and we must still run. The Lord will support our efforts as we strive to become more like him. President Hinckley referred to the Cove as sacred. Another place I have been that is sacred and the Spirit is strong, is Liberty Jail. Two places where great suffering occurred. When suffering is done over the altar as a sacrifice to God, he consecrates our efforts and seals our sacrifice to him. This is done through the power of the Holy Ghost. This is why we can feel the Spirit so strong in these places. In our personal wildernesses, in our homes, our families, in our church callings, we can have this same Spirit when we have faith and hope in the Lord that he will mend hearts, perform miracles, and strengthen faith-- we will see the power of God at work in our lives. We will find those tender mercies and proclaim that we know God lives and answers prayers.

Powerful Laryngitis

2009-07-23T02:44:00.000-07:00

Sunday we had an amazing RS lesson on charity. The teacher used a definition for meekness that really resonated with me. She described it as "power under control". Then we were reading in 1 Cor. 13 about what you are not without charity. You are as "sounding brass and tinkling cymbals" and "nothing". One sister said, "You are powerless."

We all related with the sounding brass and tinkling cymbals as nagging and yelling at our kids all day. We as women have a lot of influence, but how we use it is imperative to how much power we actually have.

So I made a personal goal for the millionth time to be better at my tone of voice and requests of others, etc.

The Lord is kind and immediately blessed me the next day---Laryngitis.

Pictures

2009-06-15T12:18:00.001-07:00

These are random pics from the last month or so.

Ryan, Ann, and Baby Owen came to visit. It was wonderful for us to see them. I hope the feeling is mutual since we got all three of them sick with the stomach flu. (10 out of 11 in the house got it. Ethan is immune somehow)

Up!

2009-06-15T12:08:00.001-07:00

Yay for "UP"!

I love Pixar. My love for them equals my frustration with Dreamworks. This movie was funny, good message, great story, creative.

I left not feeling at all guilty for all the money we spent---Man! movies are so expensive!

Hey What's the Deal?

2009-06-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

I titled this post from a question raised by Pete, "Hey what's the deal? Nothing going on this past month?"

Unfortunately, like my private journal, the eventful parts of my life have no record! I get so busy that when I have a break I just want to sleep.

So life has taken a much appreciated "slow-down" and I plan to update again. Although, now I have nothing exciting to post. hmmm.

This last month has been full of fun changes. Seminary graduation, changing jobs, and the foster kids have started transition.

Graduation was great. I felt like a kid again when summer comes around and I get to stay up late and sleep in.

Staying up late and having Jared home at a religious hour has been wonderful! We are happier everyday with Exxon. He loves his work, loves his office, loves the hours, loves the people he works with, loves the benefits---seriously, this is the most relaxed I have EVER seen him in our marriage since our honeymoon.

A lot of good has come out of having them here. It has been challenging, but we have been helped and blessed (did I say how much we love Exxon?) in many ways.

When the kids came I started a field journal to notate all the changes they made. When I go back and look at it I am amazed at the difference in vocabulary, physical fitness, and behavior. It has been good for me to see that what I do as a mom is really making a difference in my kids now, as well as an investment for the future.

So life is lookin' good---

In-house for ExxonMobil

2009-05-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

The big news around here is that Jared has accepted an offer to be an attorney for ExxonMobil. We are really excited about this.

We have really appreciated Baker Botts and the opportunities it has provided. It has been difficult leaving them because he loves the people he works with so much. I have been to dinner with his whole group and their significant others and enjoyed each one of them.

He starts work for Exxon on May 26th. The hours fit a family lifestyle better and the company is a great company. We are lucky to be assigned to a refinery just 30 minutes away. He will be working at the Baytown refinery for three years with another attorney. Whatever comes their way, they will tackle. It sounds pretty exciting. After that he will receive a new assignment at a new location.

We are thrilled at the prospects of living overseas. That may never happen, or at least not for awhile, but a girl can hope!

Occupation: House Guard

2009-04-23T12:48:00.000-07:00

I am every woman, but the woman I like best is House Guard! I taught today out of the book of Titus. Paul teaches the younger women to learn these lessons from the older women:

Love your husband
Love your children
Be good
Be chaste
and to be KEEPERS AT HOME.

These are all fabulous "old school" lessons, especially for women today, but I have never liked the term "housekeeper". On forms when you have to fill in "housekeeper" for occupation it always seems so degrading. I do so much more than clean my house. Besides, people who work clean their house, so what sets me apart as someone who stays at home to clean my house? When I fill that section out I always end up feeling like a slacker.

The Greek translation of the word "keeper" is "guard". I like the title "House Guard" much better In fact, I think I will start writing that on those dumb forms. (maybe I will put House Guardian so that I don't sound like a bulldog).

"House Guard" describes what I do so much better. I am keeping evil influences out of my home and my children's lives. I monitor what goes in those heads and out of those mouths. I am able to be involved with their choice of friends, media, and entertainment. I make certain that they are eating what they should, that they are studying as they should, and that they are learning the scriptures as they should.

I am a House Guard.

LDS Movers-R-Us

2009-04-20T17:44:00.000-07:00

LDS Moving Company: "We move for blessings". Every Elder's Quorum member knows what I am talking about! Tonight we went to visit a widow/new member of our ward. She is 90 years-old and wants to be my kids' "Houston Grandma." Her kids are out of state and our grandparents are out of state--works out.

I asked her what inspired her to get baptized at 90 years-old. She said that after her husband died she needed to move to a different home closer to the hospital. The people from her church sent over two guys and one truck to help.

When our church found out about her they sent the whole crew, she described. She was so impressed that she looked into it, and voila she got baptized.--Love it!

Of course, before going over I prepped the boys on why we were going and so forth. Tyler was to tell her that he will be getting baptized and to ask her why she got baptized. When it came time for him to talk he just kept saying, "I don't want to ask her anything."

Then, Ethan, sweet, always-has-the-best-things-to-say Ethan is given an opportunity to speak. What comes out of the mouth of that angel?----"We are all going to DIE!"

Not such a hot impression on our new grandma.

Armpits For My Birthday

2009-04-19T05:21:00.000-07:00

Bad Guys Beware: Ethan is going to wrap you up in armpits!

A couple of days ago Ethan asked me for "armpits" for his birthday. At first I thought that he was mis-pronouncing a word so I kept asking him to repeat himself. Sure enough, clear as day, he wanted armpits. He talked about it all day long.

I asked him what he was going to do with them. He said he wanted to "wrap up the bad guys." I thought, well I guess that is pretty good torture to put a nice sweaty, smelling armpit over a bad guy's face. It brought back memories of some of the wrestling holds my brothers would put me in as a kid.---pure torture. Waterboarding ain't got nothin' on that.

As the day went on he kept asking for them, I was given a suggestion to have him draw them, but as he is three, the drawing was just circles. That didn't help since armpits are circular in nature. :)

Then, I asked him what color they were. He said, "Umm, maybe white, yeah, I want white."

Apparently he likes Caucasion armpits.

The next day was Tommy's birthday (the boy we care for). I asked the boys what I should get for his birthday. Of course Ethan pipes up with, "Maybe he would like armpits."

Finally, after some good questioning, Landon figured out what he really wanted-----handcuffs!

Happy Girls, Sad Boys

2009-04-17T13:30:00.001-07:00

Can you tell which kids were good in church and which ones just lived through a "mama bear" tongue lickin' and time-out for irreverence in Sacrament meeting?

Besides that, the day was great. We always have fish and honey and bread for Easter to celebrate Christ eating with his apostles, post-resurrection.

We started with Honeycomb cereal for breakfast.

Dinner was swordfish, honey, french bread, mediterranean noodles, and grape juice.

Don't Try This at Home

2009-04-12T19:46:00.000-07:00

Jared heated up a boiled Easter egg in the microwave today. (I still can't figure out why---aren't boiled eggs better cold?)

After opening the microwave and putting his hands in to get the egg, it exploded! Hot egg got in his eye and it took a few moments to determine if I was going to have to find a babysitter for six kids on Easter.....I mean to determine if he was blind in one eye. :)

It's Easter, Not Carnival

2009-04-12T19:25:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter everyone-

When I found out that Landon was a boy in the ultrasound my first thought was, "Yay! clip-on ties!" I love clip-on ties.

When I found out that Isabel was a girl my first thought was, "Yay! Easter dresses!"

I was shopping for an Easter dress this year. What happened to little girls' dresses? They aren't cute and frilly like they used to be. My mom has a way of always finding the "birthday cake" princess dresses. She found one for Isabel that is adorable. This year I needed to get one for Angelina, who is older. This posed a bigger challenge.

I thought that I was alone in my quest for a modest, little girl dress. But as I was looking I heard another mom say to her sister, "Where do they think these girls are going---a nightclub?" I started to laugh and joined in with them and their frustration.

Thankfully I found the last (literally) cute, modest dress, and it matched perfectly with the one Isabel already had---fate! :)

BFFs

2009-04-12T05:26:00.000-07:00

Each place I live I pick up a new BFF or two. Our jaunt in Chicago during our law school era brought us into contact with the wonderful Wrights! Not only did I find Denise (pronounced "Neesie" by Tyler as a child, thus my nickname for her) but Landon found Loren.

We first saw them at an Enrichment activity that we both arrived early to help with. Loren ahd just turned two and Landon was 21 months. From the moment they saw each other they were best buddies and always have been. They look alike, love to roughhouse, have similar temperments, and are both very smart. When they were little, if either got annoyed with the other, unlike other kids who start fighting, they would just walk to the other side of the room and start playing on their own. It was so funny to watch because they were like guys who need their "alone time".

Denise and I are great friends. We both love running together (especially along Lake Michigan with the Chicago cityscape as our view). We have had most of our kids within months of each other. She is ahead with 5 to my 4! Go Denise! Every time we decide to do something it is always an adventure. One of our highlights is when we were both pregnant (I was 6 monts and she was 8) and going on the train to downtown Chicago. We both had strollers and a little one in tow. The turnstile at the train was broken so we had to hoist our stollers over it, then do some kind of gymnastic move to hoist ourselves over it--PREGNANT! then carry the stroller and kids up a gazillion stairs. All while looking chic! :)As fate would have it they came to Houston (Pearland) for medical school ,and thankfully stayed for residency. So now we get to see them, though never as much as we want.

Our latest adventure was on Friday. We went to East End Park in Kingwood. Between her kids and mine we had 11 kids with us 9 yrs-old and under. The kids were playing in Lake Houston and Landon and Loren came running down the path. They had come within a foot of stepping on a full-grown cottonmouth (water mocassin). That makes two times Landon has had close encounters with poisonous snakes.---Thank you, angels! I owe you a few.

I'm Not a Paid Movie Critic-

2009-04-06T18:23:00.000-07:00

I am not a paid movie critic--I promise, and I normally do not (and will not) continue to critique movies on a regular basis. Partly because that doesn't interest me as much as other stuff and because I don't watch a lot of movies.

But it is only fair to tout the good ones if I am going to bash the bad ones. We watched "Meet the Robinsons" during Priesthood Session on Sat. night.----GREAT MOVIE!

Great story line, funny, engaging, creative. With wonderful values: Family matters, it is okay to make mistakes, personal responsibility for our choices, forgiveness, the list goes on. It could have been a church movie.

Well done, Disney!

Static Electricity

2009-04-05T20:29:00.000-07:00

Too bad we can't harness this energy and run our air conditioner

Monsters vs. Aliens

2009-04-05T06:36:00.000-07:00

You know the scripture that tells that once you've been warned you should warn your neighbor? Consider this your warning! :)

Every time we finish reading the Book of Mormon the kids get to go see a movie at the theatre. I have suffered through two horrible movies since we decided on this family activity---Shark Boy and Lava Girl--biggest waste of time and money ever spent! And the latest, Monsters vs. Aliens.

I have issues with Dreamworks in general. I know that a lot of their movies are popular, but I think that they have too much "adult" content that gets passed as a G rating just because it is animated. To a kid, it is all the same--actually it means MORE to a kid when it is animated because they actually pay attention.

Monsters vs. Aliens is a pretty shallow movie, but my real beef with it is its use of the Lord's name over and over (once is bad enough), the feminization of men, and its nuances to homosexuality.

The premise of the movie is that the girl can be strong and independent without her soon-to-be-husband. But throughout the movie they show scene after scene of men being rescued by women, a girl coming on to a guy at "lovers lane" and the guy not wanting anything, etc.

The one guy who is "manly" is the General and he is made to look like a lunatic.

Some people think that it is okay for kids to watch this stuff because it "goes over their heads". I don't believe that. Kids are like sponges and pick up on everything. Everything they see influences them. Besides, I am not so worried about whether they catch things cognitively right now, as I am worried about offending their spirits.

I am personally boycotting Dreamworks from now on.

Fireproof

2009-04-02T06:59:00.001-07:00

Great movie!!! Not the best acting throughout, but good enough. The story and message are spot on and very well done. And Kirk Cameron to boot!

Five stars for content.
Three stars for acting.

Apostle's Memorization Game

2009-04-02T06:47:00.000-07:00

Here is a great idea to help your family/church kids learn the names of the apostles and their order of seniority. We did this in seminary today and we learned it in 15 minutes---never to be forgotten again.

I can't remember the name for this type of memorization technique, but you start with a number, give it a rhyme then make an association with the name of the apostle. Here is our list (some might not make sense because we personalized them for us).

1. Sun, Monson
2. Blue, Blue Bay Packer
3. Tree, Perry Tree
4. Score, Four score and Nelson years ago
5. Drive, Through the Oaks (The Oaks is the neighborhood our church is in)
6. Mix, Power Ballard (A power Ballad mix)
7. Heaven, Beam me up Scotty
8. Late, due to Hales
9. Spine, PerspEYRING
10. Hens, from Holland (They imagined the hens wearing little wooden clogs)
11. Leaven, UchtDOUGHorf (My personal favorite)
12. Shelves, CLean your shelves and make your BEDnar
13. Bean, ChriSTALKerson (play on Jack and the bean stalk---Christofferson)
14.Quarintine, Quarintine the Cook (imagined a diseased person making your food---gross)
15. TBA

Pretty fun and very effective!

FYI: 150 lb. Post-Surgery Mastiffs Don't Swim!

2009-03-29T15:47:00.000-07:00

I should have listened to Jared. As he was leaving for bishopric meetings this morning I was busying myself getting six kids and a dog ready for a walk. He said to me, "Maybe you should leave Phoebe home. That is a lot to handle." I thought to myself, "Is he crazy? Does he have any idea what I do during the day? I do this every day! Going on a walk with six kids and a dog is my "leisure" time." Instead, I said something sweet like, "Oh, it is fine, I can handle it." :)

We went to the lake and fed the ducks. It was a crisp 50 degree morning. It was a beautiful site as 6 little angels frolicked and played with the ducks. Until....

Fire ants-- first! Anyone from the South knows about fire ants. They are the nastiest things you can get bit by. They sting like crazy as soon as they bite and burn like fire for days afterwards, not to mention the nice little pustules you get at each bite.

Tommy stepped in these little demons and was crying so I was frantically cleaning him and the stroller off where they infiltrated. It was necesarry that I let go of Phobe's leash in order to work fast enough to minimize the damage. Then....

Phoebe jumped in the lake after the ducks! Dumb dog. I was yelling for her to get back because I didn't want the children to witness a duck murder. By the time she finally decided to listen to me she was too deep to touch the bottom. Newsflash---0ne month post-surgery Mastiffs aren't great swimmers. She struggled and struggled to get to shore. It was futile. She began to sink. First her upper body went down, then her shoulders, and down to her little nose poking out of the water without any progression towards shore.

In comes mom to save the day! (again) Fully clothed, with neighbors watching I jumped into the lake and swam after my dog. Good thing she still had her leash on so that I could pull her more easily, because she was too deep for me to touch the bottom.

My friend, Natalie, upon seeing me walk home drenched (and cold) said that in the future I should remember that revelation for Phoebe comes through Jared and I should listen to him!

He gets the revelation, I get drenched!

Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures

2009-03-16T16:37:00.000-07:00

Some of you may have heard that Jared and I are taking care of two little kids while their parents work on some things. It is kind of scary. I always wanted six kids, but not like this! :) The little girl is two months younger than Ethan and the little boy was born the same month as Isabel. So it is like two sets of twins. Six kids, four of them are ages three and under, and three in diapers! Heaven help us!

I taught out of Romans last week before all this happened, and there is a scripture that means a lot to me. Romans 15:4 "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."
I asked my bishop yesterday to please not make a knee-jerk reaction and release me from seminary because of this added stress in our lives. He said that he was not. I told him that I needed seminary. It is only through really studying the scriptures and having the words go through my mind during the day that gets me through trials. As I am changing diapers, or mopping the floor, the comforting words of the scriptures is what makes the burden light and helps the work go by easier. I have to do the same work, regardless, but having thoughts from the Plan of Salvation go through my mind instead of thoughts of self-pity and anger is a lot more uplifting and beneficial.

Hope comes from our faith in Christ and in The Plan of Salvation. Yesterday we learned in RS about Joseph Smith and his ability to stay calm in times of persecution and threats to his life. I want to be that way. I want to understand the Plan so well and have such a faith in the Savior that I can truly put my trust in Him and hope for a better day and always believe without doubting that He will do what He promised He would do.

Yesterday in Sunday School we learned about Emma Smith in D&C 25. This revelation to her reminded me of the Mary and Martha story. The Lord exhorts her to use her time in writing and learning much and to expound the scriptures and exhort the church. He cautions her to lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better. I love that the Lord expects us to study and learn--what a blessing to know that I am justified in making that a priority in my life.

I don't have many temptations in super "sinful" things of this world, but sometimes I have to lay aside my laundry or a perfectly dusted house in order to partake of Christ's living waters. I know that my "branch" only blooms because of the strength I receive from his roots. If He has the power to make me what I am now, He has the power to make me better to be able to endure what more He may ask of me. I just need to learn to lay aside the things of the world, and really seek that help through the scriptures.

Mystery revealed: Little Corn Island, NICARAGUA!

2009-03-06T06:47:00.000-08:00

I am finally publishing my mystery vacation post. Nicaragua?! Who would have thought Nicaragau? I always thought there was some embargo on that country, like Cuba. Or that I would get captured and tortured for being American or something. :) But, no. No drugs, no illegal weapons, and no tyrant dictator kidnapping me through terrorists in order to make demands on my country---maybe next time. :)

We actually went to a little island off the coast of a bigger island, off the coast of Nicaragua. It is called Little Corn Island. (The bigger island is called, Big Corn Island--interestingly enough.) It has no roads, and no motor vehicles on the island. It's a lot like what the Carribean was 100 years ago. The villagers mainly live off of lobster catching. No resorts (or even two story buildings). Just cabins on the beach. Electricity is all solar or wind. Because it's still untouched, the water is clean and blue.

To get there, we flew into Managua, then caught a little jumper airplane and flew across the country to Big Corn Island. From there we got on a little boat, called the Panga, and rode out to sea to Little Corn Island.

All along I was expecting to know the location once we arrived at the airport and I saw the destination. Well, the flight only listed the city, not the country. I have never heard of Managua so all I knew is that it was somewhere Spanish speaking. It was never said on the plane, no one wore a shirt with the country name--nothing until we landed and the pilot mentioned "Nicaragua" as he directed us to customs. My jaw dropped! (See 1st paragraph). I started laughing and kept saying, "I am in Nicaragua?!" It was a lot of fun to not have any idea where you are in the world.

The little jumper plane was like the plane on fantasy island. The terminal was a kool-aid stand terminal. You had to stand on a scale with all your luggage (we only took a back pack) in order to determine the total weight on the plane. There is nothing like getting weighed in front of a long line of people! I wanted to yell out, "my scriptures are REALLY HEAVY!"

Once we got on the plane I felt like Fred Flintstone. My first reaction was to put my feet down and start running to help the plane get enough momentum for liftoff. Then once in the air, the plane would shimmy from side to side depending on the gusts of wind. It was a great adventure.
The jumper plane was fun, but nowhere near as adventurous as the Panga!!!! This was one of the highlights of the trip. To travel to the small island one has to get into a small boat that fits 40 people, jammed in like sardines. The boat sits so low to the water that your arm is only inches away from the ocean. Together with all the people, there are supplies stored all around you. Jared had a big bag of melons at his feet. Surprisingly, no chickens--at least not alive, plenty of bags of meat dripping with blood.

As the boat leaves the harbor, you begin immediately to pray for your life! The waves are huge and the driver goes at lightning speed. Every wave brings you out of your seat, only to fall back hard. This together with melons rolling around, waves crashing in, and the lady next to me with a throw up bad at her mouth made for a lot of laughing! To make it better, it started to rain. Shelter was provided in the form of a big black plastic tarp that we all crouched down and held over our heads. I felt like a sardine! A can of sardines that was tossed into an agitator. Earlier, Jared had thanked me for not needing a vacation with a swanky hotel. I looked over at him, and yelled, "what did you say about the swanky hotel?!" It was so fun. The vacation could have ended there and it would have all been worth it.

But there were more good times to be had. Our cabin was right on a cliff overlooking the bluest ocean I have ever seen. The weather was perfect, and there was this strong breeze that blue all day and all night. It was the most relaxing thing to sit in a hammock or sleep to the sound of the waves below, and the to have the cool breeze blowing over us at night. I loved waking up to the ocean right outside our cabin, and taking an outdoor shower as everybody walked by and said hello--weird. It was refreshing though to shower with cool water while looking at the Caribbean and palm trees swaying around you. The food was incredible and really cheap. Every day was an adventure in eating amazing food. I never understood the love affair with lobster until now---it is all about getting it fresh (probably caught that day)! There's nothing better than sitting on a cliff overlooking the bluest water you've ever seen, while eating coconut bread french toast. Wow! And Fresca---Soda outside of the US is made with cane sugar. We make ours with corn syrup---huge difference in taste. Ours is far inferior.

The island is only a couple of miles in circumference. We stayed in a cabin on one end, away from the village. Each day we made the 40 minute trek each way through the jungle. It was so green and beautiful. It was especially exciting at night since there is not electricity on the island except for a few places which use wind energy from their own windmills or solar energy. We got lost in the jungle a couple of times, but it was great fun. As we walked the small, unlit path with our flashlights we would come across HUGE crabs of all sorts. Jared was perplexed as to why they frightened me so much. I just kept imagining them jumping out of the coconut shells and latching on to the back of my heel as I walked.---Don't ask. The second half of the week we stayed in a place called "Farm Peace and Love." It sounds like a hippy commune, but it was actually owned by Paula, an Italian lady who used to be a journalist but fell in love with the island and settled down. She married a local islander named "Bing Crosby" (no joke). We called him Brother Bing. Brother Bing has a brother name "Elvis Presley." His dad really liked music. At night Paula would cook authentic Italian food. Really good. We met lots of other really great people, usually from Europe. Not a lot of Americans, but we made some great friends from England, Sweeden, and Germany.

The greatest highlight of the trip was the DOLPHINS!!! Before leaving, I knew that we would take a scuba diving course on the vacation (we passed our tests and are now open water certified!!!) We really thought that it would be cool if we got to see dolphins while on a dive. We prayed with the kids before we left that if it were possible, the dolphins could be sent our way. When we arrived at the dive shop (called Dolphin Dive) I asked the instructor if he could take us to a spot that was known for dolphins. He said that dolphins don't normally live in that part of the carribean. The are usually more north. He said that he had only seen them one time on the surface from a distance. I told him that I wanted to see that and that I believe in miracles! He thought I was crazy, I am sure.

We made a total of 6 dives in three days, plus all our shallow water dives. Each dive I would pray the whole time to see the dolphins. Our last training dive was Friday morning. It was a great dive and we saw great fish every time, star fish, sting rays, drum fish, giant lobsters, baracuda, angel fish, puffer fish, all sorts of groupers, and more (lots of great pics below). We finished the dive and got back into the boat, happy to have passed all our skill training, but let down for not seeing dolphins. I thought, well, maybe the Lord needed the dolphins in another part of the carribean today. :)

As we were sitting on the boat, getting ready to leave, lo and behold, Jared looked out and saw DOLPHINS! No one believed it at first, because they had gone back down, but then they jumped back up! They were coming STRAIGHT at our boat! (I like to think that they had been directed there a couple days before and they were thinking to themselves, "wait, wait, don't leave yet, we're coming!")

It became a frenzy on the boat, and all safety training went out the window. I did hear my instructor say, "stay close to the boat"--but even he didn't follow that! We all jumped in. I thought to put on a mask, but no fins. Another girl didn't put anything on, she just jumped. We laughed about that afterward when she said that before she got her mask from someone on the boat all she could see was a blur. But she wanted to say that she swam with the dolphins before they swam away.

There were 16 of them. They just swam around the boat for awhile playing around. We could hear them make their chirping sound. My favorite was watching a baby calf swim around and spin around its mother. So adorable!! Half of our group was coming up from their dive and were still under water when the dolphins swam past them. It was a great sight to see all of us in the water yelling and cheering! I just kept thanking Heavenly Father over and over and over!
When we popped back up and were getting on the boat, I yelled to my instructor, "See Adam, I told you that I believe in miracles!" He laughed this time.

Word spread fast on the island. All during the day people would ask, "were you on that boat this morning with the dolphins?" Unfortunately there are no pictures to prove our miracle! We didn't have a camera because we were still in training, and the girl who did bring a camera--it broke while she was on the dive. Bummer, but I will always remember that experience!

We needed one last experience to make the trip perfect. Jared still wanted to see a turtle and the boys wanted us to see sharks. We decided to go on another dive Friday afternoon. This was our first dive as "graduates". It was a lot of fun and we were able to take pictures. Again, we needed an answer to a prayer to see the turtle. The spot where we were going had sharks there quite a bit lately so we were expecting them, but turtles are harder to find--especially in the afternoon, they are more active at night.

Prayer 2 answered! We saw a turtle and a couple of nurse sharks! Also a giant spotted eagle ray. It made the trip complete and perfect! There was another boat that was diving next to ours and they couldn't believe we saw the turtle. I kept thinking to myself, man I hope everyone here is happy for this miracle since my kids were praying for these things!

The trip home was exhausting! We almost didn't get on the jumper plane back to Managua. The kool-aid stand airline messed up our reservations. Thankfully we got on, otherwise we would have been stranded on the island for three more days when there was an open seat.
Mine and Jared's ears were hurting so bad from all the dives, then a flight on that little kool-aid stand airplane that does not have good pressurization. It was a bit alarming when Jared's nose would keep bleeding. He had been diving with a cold (not supposed to do that, but whadda ya do) he probably blew some blood vessels as he equalized so hard under water. Then the plane just messed us all up. I have been deaf for a week now! So worth it! So worth it!

Little Corn Island is beautiful, comparatively untouched, safe, and really cheap. I would recommend it to anyone for a vacation. If you go, I recommend staying at Casa Iguana. Great view, cabins, and amazing food.

Diving On Little Corn Island, Nicaragua

(click on the pictures to see them bigger)

Sting Ray

Tamany chillin with the nurse sharks

Nurse shark

Spotted Eagle Ray (click to see spots)

Loggerhead Sea-Turtle (click on this one; very cool)

Hiking through the island jungle

Home-made wind mill powered out cabin.

Tamany saying "good morning" to the other guests.

View from our breakfast table.

Enjoying the wind and a good book.

Tamany relaxing on a cliff overlooking the ocean.

View from our bed. Good way to wake up in the morning.

Crazy panga boat that took us to the island.

Ticket for our puddle-jumper airplane looked like
a licence plate.

Miracles come, but they're not cheap

2009-02-22T07:20:00.000-08:00

I believe in miracles! But I found out they can be pricey.

Miracle number one: We found a leak in a water heater that has been poisoning us for who knows how long.

But it required buying a new stove to find it. Our old stove broke, it was a piece of builder-grade garbage so we bought a new one. The new one also smelled really bad so I called the gas gusy to check it, too. They came and found a leak at the regulator. Upon being called to the house they are required to search all "gaseous areas" of my house. They found a leak in my water heater. Oh goodie for us! We were left with no hot water and no stove to heat hot water. There was a lot of whooping and hollering going on in the bathrooms last week.

The repairman came Monday, but found no leak. Apparently the smell was from the burn-off material from the factory.

Plumber comes next. He confirms there is no leak in the stove, but confirms the leak in the water heater. Goodie for us-- the water heater is under a class action law suit because it is a builder-grade piece of garbage. We tried replacing the part, but it broke after one day, leaving us with cold showers again!

Miracle number two: Hot showers, but it required buying a new water heater.

Miracle number three: Phoebe is alive.

The day that we got the water heater put in, and thought our woes were over, and our bank account holes plugged up, Phoebe got bloat. What is bloat you ask? A sickness in cows and horses, and dogs as big as horses! Her stomach and intestines filled with air and her stomach eventually floated up, twisted around and pinched off her blood flow to her organs.

That night I thought that she just needed to throw up from eating bark at the park. I put her outside and went to bed. I told Jared to leave her out until she finished throwing up. Something didn't set right with him and he went outside to check on her. He instinctively knew to roll her over and feel her stomach. It was a huge balloon. Her spleen had gotten so big that it felt like a nerf football inside of her.

Jared took her to the emergency nighttime vet where she underwent major surgery. She had to spend three days at our vet recovering. The doctor was amazed at how quickly we caught it and attributed it to our being "astute owners". Whatever! I sent her outside to her death! Thanks to Jared being prompted by the Spirit to know something was wrong we still have our dog. Landon said, "It is a good thing you have dad, mom." Very true!

So in a nutshell, all worked out for the best this week and we felt Heavenly Father caring for us. But it was pricey. :)

Cold Showers

2009-02-16T06:45:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday we got a new oven because our old one filled the house with gas. The "gas guy" said that it was probably a part that wasn't getting hot enough to burn off all the gas. The appliance repair guy confirmed it. It was a cheap, builder-grade stove so we opted for a new one.

Turns out our new one, after installed, seems to have a gas leak at the regulator which is causing the same problem. So the repair guy's earliest time to come would be Monday. (today) So the "gas guy" after checking that had to check all other gaseuous areas of our house. He found a leak in our water heater! Yeah for us. So, I called the plumber out on Friday. Turns out our cheap, builder-grade water heater is a piece of garbage and has a class action law suit on it so the plumber can't order the parts. We can get the part, but apparently they only have a 50% success rate. Yeah, for us! We are supposed to get the part today and spend $200 on a plumber for a part that might not work. It seemed worth the risk rather than pay $1,000 for a new water heater.

In the meantime (since Thursday) we have no hot water and no stove. We have also had a cold front come in, making our pipes even colder than normal. Yeah, for us! Cold, cold showers--and no way to heat them up from the stove.

Cold showers are quite invigorating!

Never Cry Wolf

2009-02-08T19:03:00.000-08:00

Last week Tyler was complaining of a stomach ache. This is something he does often when he doesn't feel like moving it for school. He had no fever, no throwing up, etc. He went to school. The week before he pulled that move on me and I made him clean with no TV. He asked to go to school at 11:00 am.

Well after going to school the school nurse called me and said he had a stomach ache and headache, but no fever. I have been to that school and witnessed all the kids going into the nurses station for a hangnail! I was afraid that Tyler was learning some bad behavior from bad examples. The nurse agreed with me that he should go back to class. She called two hours later and said once a teacher sends them down twice she doesn't feel good about sending them back to class.

I went and picked him up, but I was livid. I told him to never go down to the nurses station without a fever or throwing up. I took him home and made him WASH WALLS FOR OVER TWO HOURS! After washing the walls I sent him to bed for a nap.

Upon waking up two hours later he had a fever of 102 degrees!

Yeah, I am a good mom.

A Successful F.H.E.

2009-02-01T22:27:00.000-08:00

Last summer when we went to St. Louis, Rachel and I took 9 kids ages 8 and under to see the church history sites in Independence, Far West, Liberty, and Adam ondi Ahman. It was a wonderful trip! Before we left we prepped them on what the sites were about. I was a little hesitant in doing this, but am soooo grateful I did: I asked those little tikes to pay attention to their feelings to see when they felt the Spirit. At the end I was almost afraid to ask if anyone felt the Spirit because of my own lack of faith that any of them did. Tyler was very quiet and embarrassed to say anything. He told me that he felt it when we were under the statue of Jesus and we sang "I Am a Child of God". He has referred to that day many times and always gets a huge smile on his face (which he tries to hide).

Last week in FHE he asked how we know if things are true if we passed through the veil and forgot everything. I explained that it is by the Spirit that we know all things. He teaches us and confirms what is truth through our feelings in our hearts.

I then asked him when he has felt the Spirit. He brought up the statue again (with attempted hidden smile). We went through the words of the song, "I Am a Child of God" line by line and explained that the Holy Ghost was confirming that the words in that song are true. We are children of God, He has sent us here (away from Him), I am a dear and kind parent(hehe--actually Jared), it is our job to teach him the truth, if we keep the commandments we WILL live with Him someday! The whole Plan of Salvation in a nutshell.

It was a good night.

Stop the Guesses!

2009-01-31T05:40:00.000-08:00

Okay, okay, okay.

I know that I asked for guesses, but now I am afraid that somebody (like Lana) might actually figure it out and ruin my surprise. So now you can't guess anything closer than a continent! :) But, if you do know and want to see if you are right you can ask Jared.

And just to be a good sport, for all my adoring fans who guessed, I will send you a postcard anyway. :)

Mystery Anniversary Vacation

2009-01-28T06:42:00.000-08:00

Feb. 19th, 2009 will mark mine and Jared's TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY! This seems so monumental to me---a whole decade. Sure, it is not our 25th, or 50th, or eternity for that matter, but it feels like an important step towards those milestones.

To celebrate we are going to take a trip--together--alone. This will be the first time we have ever been alone for more than a few hours since we had an overnight stay in Park City when Landon was little.

My oh-so-romantic husband has planned a trip, but isn't telling me where we are going! I won't know 'til the airport. The only thing that I know is that I haven't heard of the place, I need to renew my passport, possible snorkeling and/or scuba diving, and that it has something to do with corn! Corn?! He said that that hint was meant to confuse, not clarify. Trust me, I am confused!

So, here is my question: Where do you think this mysterious place could be? I am going to do a game. Whoever chooses the closest location I will send you a postcard--and maybe a rock. :)

I'm good for something....

2009-01-21T19:17:00.000-08:00

Today as I entered the bathroom to help Ethan, I turned on the light for him. He said, "Mom you are good at turning on lights."

This kid has such a way with words. He makes everyone laugh and melt in his presence. On the way to the hospital to deliver him a torrential summer rainstorm came out of nowhere. I always say that the heaven's were crying to lose their Ethan.