Before Breakfast Conversation

(I'm just going to jump back in here and pretend I haven't been neglecting this blog. Play along with me mmmkay?)

This morning the kids were milling around the kitchen, as I was cooking pancakes for breakfast. George was looking at something and said "Hey this is made in Japan!" So what was the first thing that pops into my head.

Why this of course...

Turning Japanese <-----------Click on that link to watch the video on YouTube. It's worth it just to watch the lead singer swing a sword around.

I started singing it and my kids thought I had lost it.

Then I kept thinking that there was a song called "Made in Japan" but I couldn't think of the tune for the life of me.

Uh...that would be because the song was called "BIG in Japan" by Alphaville.



BTW I did not realize how creep-tastic the lead singer for Aphaville was until I watched this video.

Just another morning in the O. household.

This second Christmas season without dad has been harder than the first.

I have some dear friends who have lost their dads this year. And other dear friends who have also lost loved ones.

This song is for you.
And for me.
And for anyone who is missing someone this Christmas.

Love you dad.
Merry Christmas.

Denied!

So I figured I should update about the email from the talk show and, you know, other stuff.

I called the producer and he told me that they were doing a show about different parenting styles but that another staffer had taken over that specific project and he had given her my info. Supposedly she was going to call me but I've yet to hear the phone ring and have someone from the show on the other end.

(funny side story..as I typed "I've yet to hear the phone ring"...the phone actually rang. How bizarre would that have been if it was the show on the other end? It wasn't.)

I have a feeling that I wasn't "fanatical" enough in my parenting style to warrant the call back. That's okay. It was still interesting just to get a contact email from them. So I was Denied. ;)

Things have been busy here. I've been trying to get Christmas all "wrapped up" as it were. I did get out and get most of the shopping done but I know that I'll be going out on Christmas eve to finish things up. Tomorrow morning our church is doing a Breakfast with Santa which I'm in charge of. I have to be there at 6:45 to help get things cooking. It goes until 10:30.

Tuesday was George and McKenna's chance to perform at the local mall with the school choir. I got the times mixed up and totally missed the performance. McKenna was in tears when we arrived because she was so angry/sad that we had missed it.

(I'd just like to take the time now to tell any future psychiatrist "You're Welcome" as this event will probably line your pocket someday.)

Thankfully they had a show at the school later on that day so we were able to make it to that one. We sat smack dab on the front row. Maybe that will alleviate the time needed on the couch.

Thursday night was Jillian's 1st grade sing and Jona's Christmas band concert. They were an hour apart. And they both did great.

I've been working on cutting up my dad's old Levi's in order to make pillows out of them for my mom to give to the grandkids for Christmas. I have all but one pair cut up. I need to make 37 throw pillows total. That and I got it in my head that I wanted to make Cake Balls to take around for neighbor gifts this year. To facilitate this I have an 11 pound block of white dipping chocolate sitting on my counter. 11 pounds.

I don't know if I will accomplish everything but I'm going to give it a shot.

The Christmas Spirit has been slow in coming to me this year. I'm finally not changing the radio station when a Christmas song comes on. Hopefully the Spirit will be in full swing by next Friday. I hope it's in full swing at your house.

Just when I think that I've got nothing to blog about so I should just go on hiatus for a while

• I get an email from a nationally syndicated talk show wanting to talk to me about this post. Pretty crazy. I don't want to say too much here on the blog because I don't know exactly what's going on but I did talk to a producer of said show for a short time tonight and "supposedly" will be getting a call back. We shall see.
  

• I did not get the job as a scrapbook artist. Yes I was (am) bummed out about it. I'm still deciding if I want to try to get a different job elsewhere. I'm not really sure about being able to take a whole lot of rejection...which I am pretty sure would be coming my way. What with me not having been in the work force for 15 years and all.

• I have been sick for the last while. Not the flu but a bad enough cold/virus that all I have wanted to do is sleep. I'm finally feeling up to giving my blog it's Christmas make-over.

• Since all I've pretty much done is sleep I haven't been reading or commenting on blogs. Forgive me?

• I need to remember that things effect my oldest son differently than my other kids. We were almost in an accident on the freeway tonight and I'm pretty sure he thought we were going to die. He got very stressed out about it. Poor kid.

• I have pretty much no Christmas shopping done so I will probably be absent from blogland for another little while.

• Thanks for sticking with me.
  

Oh No She Di'int!

Time for another installment...

• I did did not sit at a stop sign a few extra seconds waiting for the light the next block up to change to green.

• I did did not wear my underwear inside out for almost a whole day without being aware of it.

• I did did not think that purple nerds that had been spilled in my downstairs bathroom were mice poop. This did did not make me panic until I figured out I was mistaken.

• I did did not mow the leaves up that were on my driveway and sidewalk instead of raking them or sweeping them up. That would just be lazy and make my neighbors wonder if I was crazy.

• When I went to see New Moon I did did not giggle slightly when Jacob "climbs" up to Bella's window because I was was not thinking of the episode of The Office where they were doing Parkour.
  

(If you haven't seen this clip then you MUST, MUST watch it
otherwise the last comment I make will not be as funny.)

• Which of course did did not mean that I couldn't contain myself and call out softly "Parkour!" into the darkness of the theater.
  

abc's of thankfulness

McKenna gave a talk in church last Sunday. She wrote it all on her own. She did. And she inspired this post. I wanted to get it written and posted before Thanksgiving but I didn't. I still want to do this so here goes..

A - A is for Atonement. I'm infinitely thankful for the Atonement in my life.

B - B is for Beauty. I'm thankful for the beauty that surrounds me.

C - C is for Children. I'm thankful for the four beautiful children in my home and for children everywhere. Children are amazing.

D - D is for Dinosaur. I'm thankful for my own personal Dinosaur who loves me and supports me and who is fiercely loyal.

E - E is for the Earth. I'm thankful for this beautiful blue planet that I live on. For the mountains and the oceans, the deserts for the beautiful diversity that surrounds me.

F - F is for Family. My family makes each and every day wonderful, exciting and challenging.

G - G is for Giggles. Giggles and Laughter. Oh how I am thankful for these things.

H -H is for Heavenly Father. I'm thankful for the knowledge of my Divine Nature. That I am a child of God. That He is my Father and loves me with the deep and abounding love.

I - I is for In-laws. I'm thankful for my in-laws. I married into a wonderful, amazing family and I am thankful for them.

J - J is for Joy. I'm thankful for the joy that I can find in every day things if I look hard enough.

K - K is for Kindness. I'm thankful for the kindness of family, friends and strangers.

L - L is for Liberty. The liberty that I have living in this country and for the liberty that comes with living the commandments.

M - M is for Music. I'm thankful for music that makes me laugh and cry and dance.

N - N is for Nation. I'm thankful for this amazing nation in which I live. For the rights and privileges that are afforded to me by living here.

O - O is for Obedience. Obedience brings me peace and joy.

P - P is for Peace. I'm thankful for the peace that I can find if I look in the right places.

Q - Q is for Quirks. I'm thankful for the quirks in life that make it interesting.

R - R is for Redeemer. I am so very thankful for my Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

S - S is for Seasons. I love the changing of the seasons and the differences that come with each one.

T - T is for Temples. I'm incredibly thankful for these amazing buildings and for the love, peace, and joy that I find in them.

U - U is for Unconditional Love.

V - V is for Values. I'm thankful for the values that were instilled in me by amazing parents, teachers and friends.

W - W is for Work. I'm thankful for knowing the value of work.

X - X is for XOXO. Those are the best. Especially coming from my personal dinosaur.

Y - Y is for you. I'm thankful for Y-O-U, whoever you are, out there reading this.

Z - Z is for Zaniness. I am thankful for the times when I can let my zany side out.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with the warmth and love of family and friends. May the coming Christmas season be filled with your hearts desires.

I'm into Free Range Parenting

And proud of it.

You may remember a few posts back when I posed this question to the blogging community. I asked because my son called me to bring something of his in.

I told him no. *gasp*

Nope. Not gonna do it. Wouldn't be prudent.

Does that mean I didn't want to do it? No. I totally wanted to get his project, jump in the car and run it down to him. But I didn't.

Why? You ask. Because he needs to learn that he is responsible for remembering his work. It's not my job. It's his job. If he wants to get the credit and the good grades then he needs to do the work and remember to hand it in. Not me.

I had a couple of friends post this article from Time to facebook. I loved it so much that I'm sharing the link here. Take some time to go and read it. It's worth it. Believe me.

Can These Parents Be Saved?

One of the highlights? I loved where it talks about the school that instituted a "No Rescuing" policy because one day "a mom rushed in with a necklace meant to complete her daughter's coordinated outfit." Is that crazy or what? I would love a "no rescuing" policy.

I also let my kids walk or ride their bikes down to a local gas station to get a drink. Granted, I have them take the cell phone with them. And my six year old hasn't joined their ranks yet, but one day she will. My 11 year old daughter has walked to her friends house that is close to a mile away from ours on her own. I still get nervous having my youngest walk around the block to play but I'm working on that.

Another thing that I thought of as I was reading this article was that I got a call the other day from the head of "Reflections"(a program here in Utah to help students develop their artistic sides. Great program) informing me about the awards ceremony that was to be held Thursday night.

Both George and McKenna entered this year. I was informed that George would be receiving and Judges Choice for Artistic Merit. Cool! George's artistic abilities have really taken off this year. He has found a love of doodling and drawing that is awesome.

But the this mom seemed very apologetic that George wasn't going on to the council level. And even more apologetic that McKenna would only receive a certificate instead of a medal or a trophy. She apologized about that exact fact saying "We know how hard it is when siblings are involved." What?

There is absolutely nothing wrong, in my mind, with the fact that George received a medal and McKenna received a certificate. Nothing. That is how life is. Sometimes we get the Judges Choice and sometimes we get certificate. Heck often times we don't even get either of those! McKenna has received awards for how well she's done in national testing and George hasn't. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. And kids need to learn this.

Last night as the kids got their awards I think that they did a fabulous job of presenting and making every one of those kids feel great. McKenna and George not only got their awards but they also got a Gift Bag that had some pretty cool stuff in it.

Anyhow....

My kids are pretty much free range kids. Maybe not completely free range because we do have rules but they are not over scheduled or stressed. At least I don't think they are. Maybe I need to ask them and make sure.

They are also aware that sometimes life is going to throw them curve balls. And that life really isn't all that fair. And that sometimes they aren't going to be the winner or the best at something. I and they are okay with that (most of the time). And, as a parent, so am I. I love my kids no matter what and I guess when it comes down to it . As long as they know that....

That is all that matters.

A little piece of me died inside

As I was driving home from dropping my three older children off at piano lessons my youngest asked that dreaded three word question,

"Is Santa real?"

She didn't even give me a chance to answer she just went straight into, "Did you wrap my presents last year mom?" Asking in a slightly teasing and mischievous tone of voice.

My heart skipped a beat...or two. I drove on. Stunned. My six year old was asking me this.

My youngest.

I thought I would have at least a couple more years before this conversation occurred.

I kept driving. My mind working furiously.

I'm really not good at this conversation. In the past I have directed them to talk with their dad who does a much better job conveying the importance and understanding of the magic of Santa Claus. And here I was put on the spot, out of the blue.

This is an important conversation. Especially for "BELIEVERS", of which I am one.

(and yes that word deserves to be capitalized and italicized.)

So I parried her question with a question. "Do you think I wrapped your presents?"

Her reply? "Yes."

"Well I believe in Santa." I offered up to her. Not good enough. Then I gave her the standard "You know, Santa doesn't bring presents to those who don't believe."

"We'll Sally* doesn't believe in Santa and she got presents last year."

I went silent and drove on.

And a little piece of me died.

And somewhere Santa cried.


*names have been changed because I can't remember the actual name that she gave me.

She Shoots

I've had the privilege of taking some family pictures lately. And I've finally gotten around to editing some of them. I still have a TON to go through. This computer is uber slow when it comes to editing large photos. *sigh*

Anyhow I'd thought I would share. This is my cute nephew and his wife and their adorable son.

Just a couple of shots here. If you would like to see the rest head over to my Photog Blog.

So Random

I'm going to give this a shot....

1. I don't know if I'll be able to do it.
2. I applied for a job.
3. It's been 15 years since I was in the work force.
4. My hands were so cold before the interview I sat on them to see if I could get them warm.
5. It kind of worked.
6. I love Tangy Taffy. It's just so Tangy and Taffy-ee...
7. I love the song Party in the U.S.A. by Miley Cyrus.
8. I don't love the video. I think she looks kind of slutty.
9. I had to look on Google to see if I spelled Cyrus right
10. I didn't so I fixed it.
11. I do that with words or names a lot.
    
12. I'm hungry.
13. I'd like a Tangy Taffy.
14. Or something else.
15. The last job I had I worked at a restaurant called The Tiffin Room. They made some good food there.
16. I hurt my tailbone sledding last winter.
17. It still hurts.
18. Especially when I sit on the soft chairs in church.
19. And this chair in front of my computer at home.
    
20. My husband wants me to get it checked but really? What is there that can be done for the tailbone. It's one of those needless parts of the body.
    
21. Kind of like the appendix
22. Which, by the way, I still have.
23. And My husband doesn't.
24. Why is it called the appendix anyway?
25. I should probably Google that little tidbit.
26. But not right now because I'm slogging through this random post.
27. I probably think far too ahead.
28. I don't worry about things in the future but I do think about them.
29. I want to see 2012. It looks really good.
30. Do I think that the world will end then? Possibly. But I don't know. Haven't a clue. The world could end tomorrow for all I know.
    
31. But that would be sad because then not too many people would see this post.
32. Would that matter in the grand scheme of things? Naw.
33. I went back to Rooster Dumpling and Noodle bar and tried the Ramen.
34. It was FABULOUS! Perfect for the cold weather. Spicy but not "hot" spicy just flavorful spicy. It was the Shrimp Ramen.
35. I love seafood.
    
36. I need to buy a shrimp ring for the holidays.
37. My mouth is watering as I think about it.
38. I wish the company that I interviewed with would call or email me and let me know if I got the job.
39. So far the only calls that have come through this morning have all been from my mom.
40. She's the best
41. Have you heard that new song by Rhianna? Russian Roulette?
42. I had to Google Rhianna's name to make sure I spelled it right.
43. I did.
44. I didn't have to Google the word Roulette.
45. Is that bad?
    
46. That song is really good but also kind of terrifying to listen to.
47. And I worry about what the kids these days will do with it?
    
48. Will incidents of Russian Roulette rise because of that song?
49. Hey looky there!
50. I just hit the half way mark!
51. The clock in this office ticks really, really loud.
52. That is why it's in the office.
53. I fell asleep with my contacts in the other night and didn't realize it.
54. Even when I woke up at three a.m. not being able to sleep and when I got up to read my eyesight was all cloudy. I couldn't figure out why.
55. Until the next morning when I went to put my contacts in and they weren't in their case.
56. I probably should have saved that little bit for a "No She Di'int!" Post.
57. We had my brothers and sisters over for dinner last Thursday. Good times.
58. They always make me laugh.
59. We had a baked potato bar. Yum!
60. Bacon in a bottle is really good.
61. So is Ragu Cheddar Cheese sauce with broccoli added to it.
62. I change the radio station whenever the song "I got a Feelin'" by the Black Eyed Peas comes on.
    
63. Not because it isn't a good song it is just played FAR too much
64. I just yawned.
65. Now, did you yawn?
66. Because they say that yawning is contagious.
67. Just thinking about you yawning made me yawn.
68. There was just a loud noise outside my house.
69. I need to go check it out.
70. It was city workers digging a hole in the street to fix a water leak at the apartments next door.
71. Their truck is parked illegally in front of my mailbox and the fire hydrant next to my mailbox.
72. I wonder if they will get a ticket?
    
73. I just remembered that I have to take dinner in tonight to a couple who just had a baby.
74. It's a good thing because I need to defrost some meat.
75. Hey three quarters of the way done!
76. It's 20 after 12 and I'm still in my p.j.'s. Not good.
77. I only have a few things purchased for Christmas.
78. I wish I were more on the ball like other people who already have their shopping done.
79. I have no idea what to get for my husband.
80. Sometimes I enjoy listening to talk radio.
81. I must be getting old.
82. We still have fruit flies. Those suckers are hard to get rid of.
83. We have not raked our leaves yet. I'm hoping for good enough weather this week.
84. I want to make my Christmas cards this year.
85. Do you want one? If so email me your snail mail address and I'll shoot one off to you.
86. I usually put a family "newsletter" in with the card. I know some people hate them.
87. I'm not one of those people.
    
88. I do try to make my newsletters realistic by putting in struggles as well as achievements.
89. My feet are cold.
90. That's probably a sign that I need to get up and moving.
91. Come on brain! Only ten more to go.
92. I can't wait for Turkey day. I LOVE turkey.
93. And stuffing.
    
94. And rolls....oh the rolls.
95. Oh and pie.
96. But the very best thing about Thanksgiving? The leftovers.
97. Yeah. I said it. I love leftovers. I could do a whole post about leftovers.
98. Maybe I will.
    
99. I need to remember that we need to draw names on my side of the family because I don't think we did that last year at the Christmas party.
100. If you got through all of this randomness more power to you. Give yourself a gold star. You deserve one.
     
     

Wordless Wednesday

Fifteen there still time for you

Fifteen years ago I awoke to a small gush of water that was the prelude to the birth of a 9 pound 8 ounce amazing baby boy about 12 hours later.

He was always ahead of the curve physically. In fact he just had his wisdom teeth removed a couple of weeks ago.

Believe me, he's wise enough for those teeth to be coming in. He is wise beyond his years.

Fifteen years ago I held this little (okay not so little because when you have a 9 pound baby it's like giving birth to a three month old...really it is) bundle in my arms.Fifteen years ago my husband gave him a name and a blessing. He was an angel.


He still is an angel. Just a bit bigger.

Happy Birthday Jona!

The post in which I crow about the Rooster

Friday's. Friday's are good days. Ty works 4 10's and Friday's are is day off. After the kids have been ushered out the door to head to school (because the schools don't do 4-10's) we have all that time to ourselves.

On these days we take the time to go out on a lunch date. We have one or two "usual" places that we go to. Lately I've been trying to switch things up a bit because, although I LOVE Thai Village I need a change now and then. Ty's stomach has made it a little more difficult these past few months because it's decided that meat does not agree with it. Thankfully it can still handle fish and seafood but meat causes all types of problems. So Thai Village is a good safe place to go because we know the food is good and they serve awesome Tofu Curry dishes.

Yesterday when I posed the question of going out to lunch Ty was all for it. Then he asked the dreaded question, "Where do you want to go?" *sigh* I don't really want to go to Thai because I'm getting a little bored with sweet and sour chicken (non-breaded) along with Fresh rolls. So I scour my brain thinking of other places that might serve a good vegetarian fare.

And then my mind went back to this post by cjane. When I read that post I thought. I have got to try that restaurant! But it was a little bit further than we usually go for lunch so I kind put it out of my head.

But Friday. Friday was a good day. And the Rooster Noodle and Dumpling Bar jumped back into my frontal lobe and the idea of lunching there took root. I sat down at my computer to see if I could pull up a menu and find out if they did, indeed have something that Ty's stomach could...well .... stomach. They did. I sent the link to Ty who was on his laptop in the other room. (because isn't that how most couples communicate now a days?) He agreed that we should make the trek over to Provo to see what the Rooster held in store for us.

We hopped in our little Blue/Green car and headed down State Street in Utah County because Google maps said that was the quickest way. Google Maps lies. It said it would take 14 minutes to get there. Has anyone who actually makes Google Maps driven State Street in Utah County??? I think not. It took us 35 minutes. Not complaining because we weren't pressed for time right then and we were together so it was all good but just know, Google Maps lies.

Anyway, when we got there there were no parking places on the street in front and we didn't know if it had parking in the rear so we went around the corner and parked. It was a beautiful day and perfect for the short walk to the front door of Rooster.

We stepped up and were greeted by the owner Simy who seated us at the communal table. At first I wasn't too sure about that but it ended up being fine. Things were busy most of the seats were taken and it smelled wonderful. When we got the menu it was a little different from the one online and the one thing that Ty had been planning on ordering, tofu and veggie dumplings, was no longer there. There was, thankfully, another option. Spinach and fresh ginger with peanut dumplings. I was torn between the Bulgolgi Beef Dumplings (don't you just love that name? Bulgolgi? I do!) and a Ramen dish. In the end I went with the dumplings. It was a wise move.

Oh those dumplings were good. Served potsticker style and oh how I love me potstickers. But the flavor! Oh the flavor! And the dipping sauce! *sigh* I even tasted a half a one of Ty's spinach ginger dumplings (and I am not a big fan of spinach or ginger) and enjoyed those as well. The dumplings came with a small side salad. Mine was cucumbers and red peppers in a slight vinegar sauce and Ty's was apples and red peppers in the same sauce. (at least I think that's what the sauce was) It was a perfect compliment to the dumplings.

In the middle of our meal Simy came and asked us if we wanted to have dessert. She was asking us right then because if we wanted the lava cake it took 15 minutes to prepare so she needed to know. Lava Cake you ask? Yes.

Chocolate Lava Cake with Hazelnut whipped cream. Hazelnut Whipped Cream!!!! Oh yeah. We ordered one between the two of us.

We had come on the tale end of the lunch crowd so as we ate many of those who were there when we first arrived finished up their meals and left. After taking our dessert order Simy came back over to the table and said to me that I looked familiar. I told her that I have a blog and that I had actually heard about this place by reading cjane. We had a lovely conversation. Talking about the food and where Simy and her husband came up with the menu.

During this time the Lava Cake arrived. (And yes it deserves to be capitalized).

Oh. My. Taste buds.

It was Heavenly. Heavenly, I tell you. It's not very big but it was so richly delicious that it was the perfect amount for Ty and I to share.

Simy told me that her husband had a job up in Portland where he had worked for 11 years and one day he decided it wasn't what he wanted to do. So they moved down here and he tried his hand in the dental field. And quickly discovered that wasn't where he was supposed to be either. I'm SO grateful that they decided to go into the resteraunt business and open up the Rooster Noodle and Dumpling Bar.

When I asked Simy about their restaurant background she told me that it comes from their love of eating and good food. How cool is that? They try something they like and then figure out how to make it and improve upon it.

When I asked her about why they no longer had the tofu and veggie dumplings she told us that Friday was actually the first day that they didn't have it on there! That they had decided to scale back in some areas and focus more on others. She told me that recently they went to San Francisco and about the Ramen that they had there. This was why the had decided to focus more on the Ramen at the Rooster.

As ate I noticed the man next to us had ordered the Ramen. It looked good. I will definitely be going back to try the Ramen.

And the French Toast. Yes French Toast. On the dessert menu.

Simy recommended it. I'll be giving it a go.

* note this was totally and completely my own review of the Rooster Noodle and Dumpling Bar. I have not nor do I expect to receive anything in return for this review. Thankyouverymuch! I just loved it so much and think that others should know about it and give it a chance.

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

If your child called you from school to say that they had forgotten their homework and they wanted you to bring it to them what would you do? And what is the reasoning behind your decision to either take the homework to your child or not.

And for any teachers that may read this a question especially for you. What would you want the parents to do? Bring the homework to the child or not?

Thankful Thursday

Thanks to the Shark for letting me borrow her banner!

I have much to be Thankful for today so without further ado...

I am Thankful for...

• Cheerios on my kitchen floor and dirty dishes in my sink. This means that my family has food to eat, that my kids went to school with full belly's. Much of the worlds population cannot say this.
  

• Mount Washmore in my laundry room. Even though it is huge it helps me realize that my kids and my husband and I have clothes to wear to keep us safe and warm (and somewhat stylish). Especially with the colder months coming on. I am intent on making a small dent in that mountain today.
  

• For a supportive husband who has believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself. I put my application in for a job as a scrapbook artist at a local stamp company. Ty has always given me positive encouragement about my talent. So even though I was nervous to put myself out there I did it. And I have an interview with the company next Friday!!

• For supportive and loving friends who have, along with my husband, given me encouragement and compliments about my crafty endeavors.

• For clean kids' rooms even if the rest of the house is not. For some reason when the kids' rooms are clean it seems that all is right in the world. I am working on the rest of the house as well.

• For Fall and the memories that come with it. Even if they are hard ones.
  I am thankful for every. single. one.

• For the right I had to vote in our local election on Tuesday. It's a privilege that many people are denied and, sadly, one that much of our nation takes for granted.

• For prayer. Honestly, if you have needs, concerns, joys, sorrows...get on your knees and pray. You will be heard. You have a Father in Heaven who wants to hear from you. He listens. He knows you and your wants, needs and worries. He wants you to talk to Him about your concerns for the weather on Halloween or how you are fretting about possibly going back into the workforce after 14 years. He wants to share your joy as you get the call for that interview. He loves you. I know it because I know He loves me. And He has heard and answered my prayers. And today, for that, I am immeasurably Thankful.
  

Our October 31st

Was filled with Yoga Masters, Chili and cornbread

And crazed zombies with a green mohawk
Long pink eyelashes, pink hair and black finger nails with a skull and crossbones on them
Mario with his fabulous Mustache
A non-sparkly Vampire
And a woodland fairy.

It was a good October 31st.

Fallin' for You

I have enjoyed listening to this song on the radio.

I fell in love with it even more when I saw the video.

I'm betting you will too.

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Dad,
It's been a year since we said goodbye.
A whole year.
Halloween without you there to exclaim over my kids' costumes.
Thanksgiving dinner with you missing from your chair at the table.
Christmas without you on the couch enjoying your family and grandkids all around you.
A Winter where it wasn't you laying the fire in the wood burning stove and keeping the living room toasty warm.
No trips down to "the shed" for visits while you rolled copper and listened to Johnny Cash.
Summer wasn't the same since you were missing from the rows of beans in the garden.
I missed you on the Fourth of July.

Oh how I miss you.

Yet at the same time you have been there. I have felt your presence and your love strongly.

And I think...

It's been a year where you have felt no pain.
Where you have been able to stand straight and tall and walk with your head held high.
It's been time you've been able to spend with your mom and dad and grandparents that are there with you. Give them my love.
I'm sure you've played with those great-grandchildren who have passed on as well as those who have joined our family this year.
As I am sure you are playing those who are getting ready to join our family.

Last night we enjoyed some chocolate cake and seven minute frosting as we gathered in your memory. That was always one of your favorite things. I miss you. I love you. And I'll see you again some day.

Until then keep watching over us. Okay?

Love,
Your Daughter

Not Quite Wordless Wednesday

Yes this is mine. It's a hot pad that we received as a wedding gift 16 years ago. I pulled it out of my cedar chest about a month back and had to take a picture of this tag.

Oh No She Di'int!

I haven't done a post like this for a bit so....

Things I did did not do in the last little while.

• I did did not make a seriously bad joke about Bat guano that made me look like a complete and utter nerd/geek at a recent lunch that I attended with some very cool and funny ladies.

• I did did not drop my glasses in the toilet. And my flat iron. While it was turned on and hot. It did not sizzle as it hit the water.

• I did did not pass a small amount of gas in yoga class. It did not make a teeny tiny amount of noise.

• I was was not highly embarrassed by that.
  

• I did did not laugh heartily when I read about how he took this challenge.

• I did did not make two chocolate cakes on Sunday just because I needed something sweet to eat.

• I also did did not make them just so I could eat the cake batter and I absolutely did not spoon out some of said batter into a cup so that I could eat it separately.

• I did did not get choked up upon seeing someone had surfed to my blog by typing in "Levi's 501's Reams' as search words.

• I did did not take an inordinate amount of silly pictures of myself so that I could have some new Facebook profile pictures.

• I did did not decide that I don't really care for the new Bejeweled game on facebook just because I can't get a decent score. Those flaming jewels do not distract me and the new voice in the game does not creep me out just a little bit.

• I did did not die a little bit inside when I found out my laptop is getting ready to kick the bucket.

• I did did not Google Lady Gaga to see if there was any credence to the rumor that she is a hermaphrodite.
  

Is there something that you did did not do in the last little while that you'd care to share.

Tighty-whities

Amen.

From start to finish

Tiburon threw down a challenge on her blog the other day. A total double dog dare.

So of course I jumped on that wagon because, hey I need something to blog about.

Me after coming home from a morning walk.

Just out of the shower

And this is the finished product.
I am sporadic with my make up wearing. I go in fits and spurts. I usually wear some makeup to church but have been know to go days with out it. Do I think I look better with it? Absolutely. I'm not a natural beauty by any stretch of the imagination. I love how makeup can enhance my eyes, smooth out my skin tone and give me some color in my cheeks.

However there have been some thoughts that have been niggling at my mind this last little while. I've been thinking. If I can't come to accept and love who I am and how I look without makeup will I have problems with this in the next life? Hmmm...

Strange I know but it has crossed my mind. So I've been trying to come to terms being myself. Inside and out. It's been fairly interesting.

Thanks for the dare Tib.

More than the World

Another song. From Mindy Gledhill. I think that the girl who put the video together did a tremedous job.

It's beautiful.

Happy Sunday

Is there a better bet than Love?

I know that I haven't put a whole lot of "meat" in this blog lately. I haven't had much time. And quite honestly it seems that what runs through my head I really don't want flowing out over the vastness of the internet. I don't even know that I could do justice to those thoughts with words. So I've been quiet.

But yet I have again found a new song that I love. Music speaks to me. I love the little phrases that reach out and grab me through a well placed lyric. Don't you?

The title of this post is my favorite line from this song. Really, is there a better bet than love?

I think not.

The song is Chances by Five for Fighting. (whose song "Superman (It's not Easy)" I also love.)

A couple of my other favorite lines? It's actually the line that made me sit up and take notice of this song. (My husband, I'm sure, will understand why it did.)

"Still chances are more than expectations, but possibilities."

And the last two lines of the song.

"Chances are only what we make them.
And all I need"

Great song. Enjoy.

Five For Fighting |MTV Music

FALL

Flying.

All Leaves Lightly Fly Around.

Listing.

Lovely.

Fire Above

Laughing Loudly.

Falling And Leaving

Longingly For Another Lifetime.

Love.

Free At Long Last.

Progresso Soup Commercial

This comes on and I stop and watch. Every time. Makes me laugh/giggle/snort. Every time.

I love the voice of the husband. Just thinking it about it makes me giggle.

I'm not turning gray, I'm going Platinum!

Actual conversation at my house.

Jilli: "Mom you have silver in your hair!"

Me: "I know."

Jilli: "How did it get there?"

Me: "Go talk to Grandma Norma about that."

More about Love

Yesterday I posted the impressions I got from President Uchtdorf's talk about how a true disciple of Christ is full of Love.

In today's post I'm focusing on President Henry B. Eyring's talk about Love as well.

Love was a bit theme for me this conference. Huge.

Without further ado my thoughts on President Eyring's talk. I'll have more of my own voice in this post.

"We share a desire to become better than we are. Now there may be a few who mistakenly believe they are good enough. And a few who have given up trying to be better. But for all the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is that we can and must expect to become better as long as we live."

Gosh I have fallen into both of those categories at one time or another. I am sad to say that you will usually find me either place instead of actually striving to become better. *sigh*

"Love is the motivating principle by which the Lord leads us along the way towards becoming like Him."

"It is love of God that will lead us to keep His commandments. And love of others is at the heart of our capacity to obey Him."

I really understand the first part of this statement. The second part? Not so much. Anyone want to share your thoughts on this?

"He has offered us the family as an example of an ideal setting in which we can learn how to love as He loves. That is because the greatest joys and the greatest sorrows we experience are in family relationships. The joys come from putting the welfare of others above our own. That is what love is. And the sorrow comes primarily from selfishness which is the absence of love."

That right there is truth. So true.

"First I give counsel to husbands and wives:

• Pray for the love which allows you to see the good in your companion
• Pray for the love which makes the weaknesses and mistakes seems small.
• Pray for the love to make your companions joy your own.
• Pray for the love to lessen the load and soften the sorrows of your companion."

What would the divorce rate be if spouses were to pray for these things? I know that I can do so much better in this area. I love my husband. I need to let him know that more and if I follow this advice how much more will my love for him grow?

"To the parents of a wandering child.

'Pray for your careless and disobedient children.
Hold on to them with your faith.
Hope on.
Trust on.
Until you see the salvation of God'
(Orson F. Whitney)"

"You can pray for your children. Love them. Reach out to them with confidence that Jesus reaches for them with you."

I don't have any wayward children and I hope and pray not to have to deal with that. But I do and have had wayward siblings. The Orson F. Whitney quote that was used resounded in my soul and has re-awakened hope that has been dormant for too long. My mother still holds on to them with her faith. She is amazing.

"For all of us it may be hard to see in our lives an increasing power to love and becoming more like our Savior our perfect example. I wish to encourage you. You have had evidences that you are moving along the road to becoming more like Jesus. It will help to remember how you have felt, at times, like a little child even in the midst of cares and trials."

Oh to have the faith of a little child again.

"Because of His atonement for you, your childlike obedience will bring a feeling of love of the Savior for you and your love for Him. That is on of the gifts that is promised to His faithful disciples. And this gift can come not only to you alone but also to the loving members of your family. A promise was given in third Nephi 'And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord. And great shall be the peace of they children.' "

I need to work on being more childlike. Especially in my obedience.

"None of us is perfect yet. But we can have frequent assurance that we are following along the way."

My favorite word in that quote? Yet.

Yet.

Yet.

The Internet Rocks

And this is why. I can go to lds.org and listen to my favorite talks from General Conference and take better notes because I can stop it and start it so I can get everything down that I want to.

I can also go back and watch the Saturday afternoon session which I missed entirely.

I truly believe that I heard messages that were meant just for me.

I hope you don't mind if I share two of that I felt spoke directly to me here. I'll share one today and one tomorrow.

BTW my laptop totally died on me as I was typing up this post. But I will not let it deter me. There is a message here that I believe is amazingly wonderful. There are truths to be found in these words. Words that have come from God through his servants on the earth today. So I'm not going to let a little thing like a bum laptop stop me from sharing them.

(Although prayers for the recovery of said laptop would be appreciated. )

The first talk is from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf who was the last speaker of the first session on Saturday. He spoke on how we become a true disciple of Christ. If you want to hear the whole talk you can go here.

Here is what stood out to me (emphasis added by me) and yes this is a long, long post but I believe every word in it is precious and will help and guide those who take the time to read it. They are not my words, but I love them and wish to share them.

"Because love is the great commandment it ought to be at the center of all and everything we do in our own family, in our church family and in our livelihood. Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families communities and countries."

"Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility and respect. It is the source that over comes divisiveness and hate."

"Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope."

"Love should be our walk and our talk."

With love "Obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden."

"Now why should we love God? God, The Eternal Father, did not give that first great commandment because He needs us to love Him. his power and glory are not diminished should we disregard, deny or even defile His name. His influence and dominion extend through time and space, independent of our acceptance approval or admiration. No God does not need us to love Him, but oh how we need to love God."

"What we love determines what we seek.
What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are
and who we become."

"We are Gods spirit children, therefore we have a vast capacity of love."

"What and how we love not only defines us as individuals, it also defines us as a church. Love is truly the defining characteristic of a disciple of Christ."

"At the heart of misery from the days of Adam until today you will find the love of wrong things. And at the heart of JOY you will find the love good things. And the greatest of all good things is God."

"We love Him because He first loved us."

"God does not look on the outward appearance. I believe that He doesn't care one bit if we live in a castle or a cottage. If we are handsome or homely. If we are famous or forgotten. Though we are incomplete God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass. Gods love encompasses us completely. He loves us because he is filled with an infinite measure of holy and indescribable love."

"We are important to God not because of our resume but because we are His children. He loves everyone of us. Even those who are flawed rejected, awkward, sorrowful or broken. God's love is so great that he loves even the proud, the selfish, the arrogant and the wicked."

"Our infinitely compassionate Heavenly Father
desires that we draw near to Him
so that He can draw near to us."

"Since God is love the closer we approach Him the more profoundly we experience love."

"Heaven may seem distant at times but the scriptures offer hope..."Ye shall seek me and find me. When ye shall search for me with all your heart."

"Don't ever get discouraged if you stumble at times."

"The first step to walking in righteousness is simply to try. Try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you."

"The divine love of God turns ordinary acts into extra ordinary service. Divine love is the motive that transports simple words into sacred scripture. Divine love is the factor that transforms reluctant compliance with Gods commandments into blessed dedication and consecration."

"Love is the measure of our faith, the inspiration for our obedience and the true altitude of our discipleship. Love is the way of the disciple."

"Let us all be known as a people who love God with all our heart, soul and mind and who love our neighbor as ourselves."

Listening

Is what I will be doing this weekend.

If you would like you can go here and listen as well.

Care to join me?

You are Wonderful

I caught the end of this song on the radio today as I was out and about. More songs need to be like this. I love the line "We are a miracles wrapped in chemicals. We are incredible. Don't take it for granted" And the fact that it tells you to tell yourself "I am wonderful." Enjoy Gary Go and Wonderful.

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Lobstah Killah

Have you seen Julie & Julia yet?

No? Why not? If you haven't seen this you simply MUST. If just to see the "lobsta killa" scene.

Oh and to watch Meryl Streep actually become Julia Child.

I loved this show! It will be mine when it comes out on video.

I could have watched a whole movie that was only about Julia and her husband (played by Stanley Tucci who was also fabulous in this. But then I really *heart* Stanley Tucci so there could be some bias there.)

And seriously? If Meryl Streep doesn't win an Oscar for this role there is something inherently wrong in Hollywood.

Without further ado...."Lobsta killa"



Now....RUN don't walk to the nearest showing of this movie and be thoroughly entertained.

Words

Meandering about the blogisphere you come across all different types of blogs. Photography Blogs (of which I have one that I've been seriously neglecting). Crafting blogs. Family Blogs. Music Blogs. Funny Blogs. Blogs about cool things on the internet.

Honestly if you have something that you love or are interested in I am sure that there are blogs out there for you.

This is what I love about blogging. That you can find people half way across the world that have the same interests and connect with them. Isn't it cool to know that you are not alone in your love for the Snuggie? Or that you too like pictures of animals dressed in human clothes? (BTW can someone remind me the address of this blog? I remember meeting the person at the Brittany's shower but can't remember the blog name!)

Do you know what blogs that I am really drawn to lately? The writers blogs. Which probably makes sense. I mean who doesn't love a well written post? The last little while I've found myself longing to belong to this group of blogs. Which is surprising. Really it is.

I never was big on writing. I didn't enjoy it in school. I was more on the "sporty" end of things. Now? Now I would love nothing more than to be able to find words that would touch others through their magic. To be able to put my thoughts into words like....

See there? That is the problem. I get to a point where the words don't/won't come. Or if they do come they sound cheesy or forced. I really wanted my Ode to a Yellow Couch to actually be an Ode but didn't have a clue how to go about that.

Words are not my talent. So for now I'll be content with being on the receiving end. (And maybe get to work adding to my photography blog.)

Thank you to all the amazing writers out there who share their joys and pains and everyday life through amazing words. Really my days are so much the more (more what I can't say because I'm at a loss for words) when I read you.

Finally...

It all began back on the first of June. Ty was going out of town for 10 days and I wanted to paint the kitchen. We decided on colors Dipped Chocolate, Tropical Hideaway and Graceful Willow.

I started early the morning after Ty left. Here are the before pictures. I didn't clean it before I took the pictures so don't judge too harshly.

When we first moved into the house I was pregnant with George so I couldn't really paint because of the fumes. But the cabinets were a really dark, dark brown wood that I hated. So I went and got contact paper that looked like a light oak. It looked really nice and they were very easy to clean.

Unfortunately when it came time to paint the cabinets I had to remove this contact paper. That was not fun. I had to scrub with Goo Be Gone and Mineral Spirits to get the left over adhesive off of the cupboards. It was a pitb.


Here are some during shots. You can see the original color of the cabinets in these pictures. See how dark they were? We were beginning to prime them when I snapped these.I did not finish in the ten days that Ty was gone. I was pretty much done with the painting except for some touch up work but I didn't have everything loaded back in and I felt bad because Ty came home to a hugely messy house.

It's still not completely done. The brown wall is nowhere near done. I'm still trying to figure out what exactly to put there. But I LOVE it. I love the colors and I know having it this color will help out in the middle of winter when it's dark and gray.

Here's the "almost" finished product.


LOOK! There is my one pop of red...my new toaster. I'm really considering painting my table and benches and chair red. Do you think that would be too much?
There it is. My Tropical Hideaway kitchen. I love it. I know it's not for everyone and that's okay. It makes me happy. The color. The swirly knobs. The red toaster. My happy place.