Mary's Garden

Pinkies Up!

2012-01-29T23:34:00.000-08:00

My big event for the week was a tea party for my friends. I was a co-host with another friend of mine in the ward. I had an opportunity to pull out my fancy tea cups that I have been collecting over the years. I ordered my favorite tea (thanks to Heather who introduced it) from Montana and we had French Hot Chocolate. There were sugar cubes or honey for the tea and crushed peppermint candies or marshmallows for the hot cocoa. We offered cucumbers sandwiches, chicken salad sandwiches, mint chocolate cake balls, mixed nuts, buttermints, lemon-blueberry cake, and mini fruit skewers on toothpicks. Ultimately, it was an excuse to pull out the fine china, eat good food, and talk to friends. We had the party in the morning and an after-party in the evening for those who couldn't make the earlier one. I enjoyed the time with friends a lot!

It seems I have some friends who need help right now. One is severely enough depressed that her marriage seems, to her, on the edge of hopeless right now. Another one is having post-partum blues and feels completely overwhelmed by being a new mother. Another one is having a hard time with her husband is gone on Navy business, six kids, an infant, and they just moved into a new house. She needs physical help in getting settled. I'm feeling a bit helpless because while I understand to a certain degree what each of them are going through, I can't fix anything for them. So, I listen when I can, advise when it seems appropriate, watch kids when necessary, and pray a lot for them. Life is hard and we all have to find our own way to muddle through the tough times. It's hard to watch others struggle though. I guess we just do the best we can to help. At the same time, I think of so many of my other friends who would appreciate a call or with whom I would like to catch up or develop better friendships but I don't because I feel a bit overwhelmed with how many wonderful ladies there are in my life. I need to stop liking people.

So, I've been menu planning that covers an entire month. I'm liking it a lot and it makes for clear grocery lists and I feel more kindly toward cooking because I avoid the lack of response for the dreaded question, "What's for dinner?" Organization and planning; who knew? I've also realized that I have 36+ dinners that I more or less regularly make and am therefore comfortable with making.

Friday, Joe and I went to watch a round dance at a local square dance society. I would like to learn, hoping that we could find an activity to do together that we both enjoy. Round dancing is ballroom dancing with country terms. Instead of learning all the steps and memorizing dances, there is a caller (like for square dancing) to tell you what to do next. Everyone was SOOOO excited to see us when we walked in. They said they need more young people and so I am on a kick to recruit our friends and see if we can bring fresh blood into the square dance world. I loved watching my grandparents square dancing together at family reunion a couple years ago. I want to be like them in 50 years, dancing away together!

Abe and Noah are in basketball right now. It's fun to watch the cute five year old kids play. You know, running around with the ball with the coaches yelling to dribble. Noah plays on the outskirts of the court, watching what is going on as we yell encouragingly to "get in there!" and "go get the ball!" Our league has decided that up through Abe's age, the teams don't keep score during games. I really appreciate that so that the focus is on learning how to play instead of winning.

Noah is not getting stimulated enough in school. I've addressed it with the teacher before but I think he just gets lost in the shuffle of 20+ kids, lumped in with everyone else. He comes home with a "yay" on his paper for writing the letter "U" correctly. Seriously? He's reading and has been writing for a long time now! Mastering how to write letters is surely boring for him! I feel like he needs more: more friends, more attention at home, more exercise, more stimulation at school, more wrestling with Dad, more education at home. I love that kid and I get the feeling he's not as happy as he could be. He is pretty quiet in respect to his needs, it is my perception of his overall mood that makes me think all of that. I just worry about him. It's hard to be a little brother, I think. Anyway, he's fine. I think I need to be more physically proactive with him though as far as arranging play dates and doing activities with him.

Joe brought home a video game last week as an activity to keep the kids busy during the snow storm. Abe was more than thrilled because all his friends are into Skylanders too. It involves little toy characters that are placed on a portal of power to indicate what character you are playing with in the game. It requires frequent character changes so they have to get up off the couch regularly. Joe has sort of gone nuts. The $70 game comes with 3 guys but you can individually buy more for $8 each. Um, we now have 11 guys a week and a half after buying the game. The boys are obsessed and when they are not actually playing the videogame (we're still trying to keep it down to once a week), they are acting it out and talking nonstop about it. I had to stop Noah from listing all 32 of the guys to Mom and Dad on the phone today. Fun times. When it's not Skylanders, Grace is dictator of the TV, punishing us all with Dora the Explorer. And, like her brothers with Skylanders, when she is not watching Dora, she is eating, drinking, playing, singing, and sleeping Dora. "Skwiper no skwiping! Skwiper no skwiping! Skwiper NOOOO skwiping!" (Side note: she also says "skocks" for socks. It is very cute!)

Joe and I took Noah and Grace to an indoor play place on Friday. They had a blast! Noah was so cute riding around in the Little Tikes Police car, dressed up in police uniform or running around with the fire fighter uniform on. Grace got into a scuffle with an older child who was twice her size. Grace dressed up in a princess dress just added to the magic of the scene. I think initially the kid was trying to engage her in play and she didn't want it. He kept persisting though, turning it into teasing so she started pushing while screaming at him to go away. Finally, in ultimate frustration, she grabbed him and started shaking him, screaming in a tone that suggested that had she known any obscenities she would have been including them in her tirade. Joe and I were laughing behind our hands as mothers looked at us like we should be doing something about it. Well, she then burst into tears so we rescued her. At least we know she won't lie down for bullying from anyone, big or small.

Anyway, those are my thoughts. I'm abandoning my code names because I'm tired and Joe rolls his eyes about them. Have a great week!

A Fairy In Our Midst

2012-01-21T14:17:00.000-08:00

Eugenia wanted a toy fairy and, if possible, a real fairy for Christmas. Santa wanted to honor this request but the Disney plastic toys seemed too trite. This is the best he could do.

Tell me she's cute. I spent way too long trying to get the perfect picture to show her off for you not to tell me she's cute.

No Apologies

2012-01-11T21:11:00.000-08:00

For the first time, I have had no urge to apologize for a quilt that I have made. Yes, there are imperfections in it and things I would do differently next time but I am so pleased with the overall result that I was thrilled to gift it to a dear friend! Of course, I have been working on it off and on for a year and a half. I guess I needed time to create?

This turned out to be a lap size blanket. Originally, I was going to pair the colored fabric with white but last summer when I saw the pile of denim squares sitting next to the colored ones, I knew they were a perfect match!

I wish I had talked to Karen first about how she did her bows. If I had, I might not have had to hand stitch 98 bows in place. Needless to say, my fingers were very raw afterward.

I have always wanted an excuse to buy minky fabric. I was so excited to find my reason!

I love the varieties of texture in this quilt. And, between the denim and the minky and the batting, this makes a VERY warm blanket.

I am positive that this is my favorite quilt that I have made so far!

A Fly On The Wall Still Has To Buzz Every Which Way To Get There

2012-01-08T21:14:00.000-08:00

So, I'm not going to lie; this has been a rough week for me. Don't ask me why. Mostly just motivational issues. I hope it doesn't turn into post-holiday blues. You know, like post-partum blues? The anticipation, parties, and work are over and now I'm left with getting back into a regular (read: boring) routine with a hormone (or sugar) hangover and a bigger tummy than before all this started.

That aside, I did get to spend lots of money this week, seeing how it is the first of the month and another budgeted month begins. Okay, so most of that went to a big grocery run at Costco, but it counts for something, right?

We were eating dinner tonight when we heard a horrible racket of dogs and what sounded like chickens in serious distress. JDawg even thought I should go check. Oh, my goodness! In a panic I ran outside, afraid that the next door neighbor dogs had dug under the fence or something and were attacking my poor girls. As soon as I got outside I realized it was merely the guests of the neighbors next door and the dogs barking excitedly. I went back in and JDawg tied it all together by realizing that the Broncos had just won their game.

Alder and Nelumbo seem to be playing together better lately. It's nice, even when it is way past bedtime, to hear them chatting away. I remember my sister and I bonding over our nighttime games. Well, it was bonding for me anyway; I can't speak for her. We used to see who could call each other the most clever names. She always won though because she knew the names of microorganisms (I guess "microorganism" itself is impressive for a kid) and I was still stuck on vegetables and potty talk. We would also take turns identifying by sound (since this was after lights out) what body part the other person was scratching. Ah, fun times.

Eugenia is starting to talk smack which sometimes makes me want to smack her. Well, not really. Maybe just shake her a little. She argues in the filibuster style where I can't get a word in edgewise and she means it to be that way because she knows she won't like what she hears when I do get that word in. Oh well. She is still sweet and wonderful most of the time.

Ginger, for the third week in a row now, threw a fit about sitting in the pew at church. Thankfully, our lovely neighbor was sitting behind us and had Smarties a-plenty to pass out. I had also prepared in advance with snacks since church is from 11a-2p now. I'd like to congratulate myself on my forethought but it really was the candy that saved me.

I finished a queen size quilt for a Relief Society humanitarian project. I had to tell myself not to be a perfectionist about it and consequently, the binding is horrible. Seriously, I cringe at the memory. I really don't want my name attached to that quilt. But it is solidly constructed and cozy. Maybe they can give it to a blind person.

I really like Ninjas. Like cute fuzzy ninjas with big heads and small bodies. Is that weird? I don't know why I am drawn to them but I am.

So, I have nothing much to talk about. Not even spiritually enriching deep and meaningful stuff. I live so much on the surface these days or most days as I think about blog posts and family emails past that didn't say much by way of profundity either. Oh, guess what? David Archuleta is going on a mission. Isn't that exciting? I knew I loved that cute face and awesome voice for a reason. He is a righteous pop star! A stripling warrior on the stage! (Swoon)

Alright, alright. I'm signing off now. Hopefully next week will be better!

Truly Sad

2012-01-05T21:12:00.000-08:00

This is what Truly Scrumptious is SUPPOSED to look like (although I've never seen her look this fluffy even on a good day).

http://paraguinparadise.netfirms.com

This is what she looks like when it rains.

The one advantage to this mess is. . .

Now she can actually see.

Another Scavenging of Missionary Letters

2011-12-26T15:52:00.001-08:00

Hola Elder!

We had a lovely, quiet Christmas. JDawg and the kids have been home since Thursday and will be until Jan. 3. I am currently loving the time we have to spend together. Ask me in a week and a half; I might feel differently! I have been comfortably ready for Christmas for awhile now and got a huge kick out of myself for going to Walmart on Christmas Eve eve to smugly weave among the last minute shoppers buying the makings for laundry detergent and castor oil and a cuttle bone and other odds and ends that had nothing to do with Christmas.

I read that castor oil mixed with olive oil make a good face wash so I'd like to try it. I am also restarting my baking soda and vinegar hair wash and rinse. The effect on my curls were pretty immediate and I would like to bring them back again. That lice business threw me for a loop last week! We are still in the clear ten days later.

Anyway, we watched a Muppet Christmas Carol, read a story, and acted out the nativity last night. After the kids went to bed I finished a little fairy doll for Eugenia. I won't deny that I am totally pleased with myself at how cute it came out and I used stuff I had at home!

I now have four books stacked up to be read and a quilt to finish and a set of jammies for the family waiting to be started. I guess those will carry me through the rest of winter.

Sheesh, we should just call this a peek into my stream of consciousness!

JDawg used his GI Joe money (he started selling off the mountains of GI Joes that he has been rebuilding) to buy the family the big Hogwarts Lego set. Alder got the smaller Hogwarts set so when we put them together we have tons of guys and a fun Harry Potter set up. We had fun building that today.

Church would have been a nice and spiritual reminder of the Savior's birth had Ginger not thrown a fit every time I sat down in the pew. I stood at the door or sat out in the foyer for the entire meeting holding tightly to Ginger so she wouldn't wiggle away. My efforts to make it as boring as possible in the foyer failed to induce her to go back in the chapel. Of course, it occurred to me AFTER church that she might be hungry since we hadn't eaten lunch. Even though we had a large, late breakfast, she had not touched it and so was going on virtually nothing but candy at 1:30pm. Oops!

Oh! I made the kids watch a Christmas episode of Dr. Who that involved A Santa band whose instruments were really guns, a killer Christmas tree, and the Sycorax. It was awesome! I'm not sure the kids were as impressed by it though.

Did I tell you that all five of my hens are laying eggs now? Even Truly Scrumptious is laying light brown little eggs. They are so noisy when they are announcing that they have laid an egg. The other day though, they were extra noisy and I think it was because they all use the same nest box (even though they have two) and it was currently occupied when Coco wanted/needed to use it. Kind of like when sisters want to use the bathroom while you're in it. They follow me around the yard. It is kind of fun to be loved like that. Even when i try to shoo them because they are underfoot they don't scare off easily; well, except Truly.

We are taking care of Alder's class pet; a box turtle. I have felt some compulsive need to make it as comfortable as possible (I attribute that to Mom) so I made it a bigger enclosure with a pool and a rock, etc. Alder's teacher had rescued the turtle from previous neglectful owners. It has a very long beak and even longer nails. I'm gathering the courage to file his beak and try clipping the nails. In the meantime, he has perked up since I moved him to the new space. According to the Internet, this turtle is at least 20-30 years old. Like I said, a compulsive need to research and improve this critter's quality of life.

We are headed to Oregon on Tuesday for a couple of days. I am looking forward to seeing the Tanners and the folks (too lazy to write their names but not lazy enough to not qualify my laziness while writing more than it would require had I simply written their names. But this is much more fun, isn't it?) and a few friends (Sarah? You reading this? I am going to hunt you down and make you talk to me!).

Whew! Apparently, I needed to vomit in words.

Aaaaaand that is an edited for relevance letter sent to my brother. This is currently the only way I am getting in blogging/journaling/letting my friends know what I/we are doing.

My Life Might Bore Most, But I Like It!

2011-12-05T09:35:00.001-08:00

So, I'm kind of a lame-o blogger these days. I don't feel like I have much to say, but I do. Maybe it is because my life happenings are being emailed to my brother on a mission so I don't feel a need to blog. So, in the spirit of lameness, I will post on my blog what I wrote to my brother.

Another day, another week. We have tithing settlement today followed by an opportunity to go to the Nativity Display at the church. I helped a little with set up so I'm excited to see it finished. I can't believe how much work goes into this event. The main lady in charge, I'm sure she's been practically living there all week. I don't know how she does it!

The missionaries have been meeting with a lady in our neighborhood. JDawg has accompanied them twice, I went last Friday with them. She's a great person to talk to because she is so open and honest about her beliefs and she is willing to ask questions and listen to answers about our beliefs. Because of these frank discussions, I felt comfortable challenging her beliefs. She doesn't believe that God is in a church or in a building. She believes that God is in nature and has felt His Spirit there and not in churches and she is adamant about that. She doesn't believe in organized religion and hates the hypocrisy found therein. I asked her, "What if you did walk into a church and you felt the same thing there that you feel in nature?" She also pointed out that there are so many interpretations of the Bible and people claim their interpretation is right and that how are we different from anybody else? So I told her, "That is why we want you to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it to see if there is truth in what we say we believe." And she acknowledged that I had made a valid point. I felt good about that! Anyway, she said she is impressed with what she knows about our church. We hope that she will read the Book of Mormon and pray about it, at least the parts that the missionaries challenged her to read. I don't think our conversations will bear much fruit for her unless she does.

I have a friend who is in the hospital for at least a couple of weeks because her baby is trying to come out 10 weeks early. I'm really hoping and praying that baby will stay put. She is in a hospital all the way in Seattle and her three other kids and husband are still over here trying to carry on. Thankfully his work is letting him work from home but I imagine this is a difficult time for all of them. Even if she was able to come home in two weeks she wouldn't be able to do any sort of caring for her kids. At present she is only allowed bathroom privileges and to get up for a short time every few hours. I can't imagine sitting in a hospital bed for two weeks straight, feeling relatively well with no one to visit and very few things to do. Will you keep them in your prayers? At least one or two prayers?

I got a haircut last week at my hairstylist friend's house. When it was time to go, Cristy's husband went upstairs to get Ginger and he found her in their girls' room, buck naked. We've entered a nudist phase! She was trying on princess dresses and felt it was necessary to take everything off in order to do so. She also walked out the side church door while I was talking to a friend. We watched her charge right out and down the sidewalk, confident as can be. I don't know where she thinks she was going or what she was thinking at all but she obviously wasn't feeling a need to stay close to mom! Later she also climbed on top of JDawg's car. That was when I finally grabbed her and put her in the car to go home. She's a funny kid.

In other news, Nelumbo is frustrating right now. Not that his behavior is any different than it has ever been but because it is now affecting important obligations. He is so easily distracted and really just wants to play all day. He has his own agenda and pretty much refuses to adhere to anyone else's agenda. Unless forced, he will take his own sweet little time doing anything of relative importance that is not play. Like getting ready for church and school in a timely fashion. Today, I locked him in the garage so he would finally get in the car while I got his socks, shoes, and coat. We were on a path to being late for school already and I still had to herd him into the car. He was crying at this point and it only escalated by the time we got to school. He refused to get out of the car and insisted on continuing his fit. So I started driving out of the school parking lot to take him home, making it clear that he would spend his school time in his room because the only reason he would stay home is if he were sick and if he were sick he should be in bed. He would also not get to play video games for the week and he would go to bed at 7:00pm for the rest of the week. He could get out of these consequences if he stopped crying and asked nicely if he could go to school by the time we got home. He wasn't able to do that. He just became a broken record about how he wanted to do what he wanted to do. So here we are at home with a crying five year old in his room. I don't know what else to do. I have no clue how to motivate this child. Any ideas?

Two Weeks After The Fact

2011-11-21T10:49:00.000-08:00

I was a lame-o mom for Halloween. We did it as simply as I could make it. Nelumbo's costume is the only one I really made much effort for, and it wasn't much (although he did look pretty cute, if you ask me!).

I guess I just don't care enough about this holiday. The kids were happy and I was happy they didn't require more than what they got.

I let the kids keep fifteen pieces each from the Trunk-or-Treat and Trick-or-Treating. They had to hand over the rest (minus what they had stuffed in their mouths before I made my 15/30 candy limit). Surprisingly, they did it with minimal complaining. JDawg was going to take the rest to work after I selected what I wanted.

The candy never made it out of the house. I kept wondering where the candy was as each little bag disappeared one at a time. I thought JDawg must have been responsible since the plan was for him to take it all to work but it didn't go all at once. He denied taking any to work. My only other conclusion is that Ginger sneaked it away a little at a time. I did find her with multiple wrappers from time to time. I just never put it all together that she had been eating SO MUCH CANDY!

Kayaking on the Wailua River

2011-11-12T10:47:00.001-08:00

Our guide was pretty laid back and allowed us to go at our own pace instead of requiring us to stay with the pack. I appreciated that!

We hiked a mile to the Secret Waterfall (which isn't a secret because they do daily tours here). Apparently, back in the day, the Wailua River and waterfall were to be used by royalty only. Anyone else would be dead.

I didn't feel an aching need to swim under this waterfall since I had already done something similar on this trip (and still remembered the cold!).

Various spots around the island, these little pools included, were considered sacred. Locals would pay tribute to their ancestors or dead loved ones by placing offerings of flowers on deliberately arranged stones.

I got to swing on a real vine! I had to climb a tree to get to it. I'd have to say this was another highlight of the entire vacation.

Coming nose to nose with a banana spider was not the most exciting part of the vacation. I almost ran into it before I saw it. Then, of course, I had to take a picture of it.

Ignore the thumb in the picture. There were hibiscus flowers all along the two mile stretch of river. Our guide told us that these flowers turn red as they age.

Aaaaand you can all breathe a sigh of relief that I am done making you relive Kauai with me.

Waimea Canyon

2011-11-08T10:05:00.000-08:00

Waimea Canyon is also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

We entered the canyon to fog and rain.

As we watched, the sun started chasing the clouds West.

We witnessed the birth of a rainbow

Until it covered the entire sky

And the canyon was revealed

In splendid glory!

Driving home, we discovered the sun had not finished its amazing show.

Chickens, Chickens Everywhere Unless You're Snorkeling

2011-11-05T13:58:00.000-07:00

We tried several different beaches, trying to find the best snorkel spots. I wish I had some pictures of what we saw. Especially at Poipu Beach. I can't believe how many different varieties of vividly colored, gorgeous fish were in one small area! Joe saw two sea turtles snorkeling at Poipu as well.

Chickens are everywhere. Apparently they were first introduced for cock fighting. Hurricane Iniki let them all loose in 1992 and since then they have bred with the local jungle fowl. Since there are no mongoose (mongeese? mongooses?) on the island, they have no natural predators except a car, which isn't really natural, I guess.

A Room With A View

2011-11-05T13:48:00.000-07:00

We couldn't have had a better location for a view than our condo.

We just won't mention the rust damage pretty much everywhere, including but not limited to the DVD player, the ceilings and light fixtures. The washing machine didn't clean our clothes, and we found a flea and a couple of cockroaches.

And we won't mention our red light district bed.

Okay, we will mention the bed. I wanted to share its awesomeness with all of you and for my posterity.

It is hard to see but the headboard's design is wicker hearts.

We were probably forty feet from the ocean and we enjoyed listening to it crash against the rocks below. I have to admit though, a couple of nights I woke up feeling a need to run to higher ground. This may or may not have been attributable to a serious fear of water. I was reminded of my recurring water dreams that, to me, represent my feelings of anxiety and overwhelmedness (I just made up a word). Those dreams present a vast ocean with rapidly elevating tides and angry waves that threaten to swallow me whole. Seriously scary. The reminders of those dreams were most profound at night when the swells picked up and the crashing waves sounded more desperate to leap beyond their bounds.

But look at that view!

zip, Zip, ZIP!

2011-11-05T12:39:00.000-07:00

Norfolk Pines were brought in the 1700's to serve as material for ship masts. They soon discovered that they were super dense with all the sap these trees produce. As a result, they were too heavy to serve as masts. This forest remains as evidence of a failed project.

Crossing bridges 80 feet above the ground kind of felt like Swiss Family Robinson. It was slightly nerve-wracking but fun!

Trying to get some perspective.

The guides told us that if we wanted to go faster we could pull our knees up.

The View

Swinging high above the ground.

Our longest line with a gorgeous view. We actually brushed the grass beneath us.

A different perspective on the heights we were flying at. The platforms were easily higher than this climbing wall.

Hanakapi'ai Falls

2011-11-02T21:17:00.000-07:00

This was our first outing. It is described on some websites as a difficult 8 mile round trip hike. I would agree, mostly because I'm out of shape. I was surprised at how good I felt hiking it though (maybe it is because the last big hiking I did was when I was in early pregnancy with a 35lb pack on my back). We crossed some streams, climbed over boulders and tangled roots, hiked up and down and up again. It was awesome!

This picture was taken on the path about 1,200 feet above the water.

Ah, the gorgeous Na Pali Coast!

The jungle.

This waterfall fell 100ft into the valley.

Of course JDawg is in first! He said it wasn't as cold as the lake at Zion's Camp. What a liar!

Here is proof that I got all the way in, then relatively quickly got out.

The bamboo forest was huge! Apparently from tip to tip, this size bamboo is stronger than steel! Wouldn't it make a great housing resource? I'm plotting my Hawaiian commune.

This is the only crab spider I saw. Isn't it awesome?

This hike was another favorite activity of mine from our trip. I loved being a part of the experience, rather than seeing it from a distance. Almost needless to say, I was sore for awhile afterward!

The Na Pali Coast By Raft

2011-11-01T15:11:00.000-07:00

So, JDawg and I went to Kauai as a 10th Anniversary celebration. It was a wonderfully relaxing and fun experience with my husband all to myself! The Grandparents and Wiests were so great to care for our kids. I know the kids had a great time with them!

Anyway, I have so many pictures and more for some activities than another. These will be delivered in a couple of installments and not in chronological order. I am starting with my favorite big activity: The Na Pali Coast.

Our guide was a lot of fun. I don't know if it was the fact that we had four kids and were still very young or that I had on a modest swimsuit, or my BYU hat but he guessed that we were Mormon and then raved about all the Mormons he knew. He also thought it fun to not only wonder why we had so many kids (to which JDawg responded that once we figured out where babies came from, we stopped doing whatever it was that got them here) but he also questioned (with a twinkle in his eye) why there were no more June Cleavers anymore with clean houses and dinner ready when the husband got home. Of course that riled me a bit (I knew it was all in good fun so my responses were too, however genuine my opinion. You know what I mean?) so I told him it was a fairy tale fabricated by men. He went on about how his wife never kept the house clean and all the Mormon women he knew had messy houses too. "What's that verse in your Mormon Bible? The one at the very end? It says, 'Thy wife shalt be a good housekeeper.'" I responded, "I don't know what Bible you're talking about but it ain't the Mormon one!" Anyway, it was fun!

This coast is so rugged and gorgeous!

Weather conditions were perfect for going into all the sea caves. The guide kept exclaiming over the incredible color of the water. Knowing he had been taking people out on the tour for twenty years, we knew this must be an amazing day!

This section amplified sound so if someone were in the valley they would be able to hear us off the coast perfectly.

These were called The Guardians.

This hiker is taking a picture of us taking a picture of him! You can hike the 11 mile coast line but it is very steep and dangerous. Some parts of the path are only twenty inches wide 1,000 sheer feet above the ocean.

Snorkeling

The one sea turtle I saw the whole week!

The spinner dolphins gave us a big show. It was fun to watch!

Momma and Baby

Harvest

2011-10-02T17:25:00.000-07:00

So, I've missed pics of most of the harvest but here is a sampling. The squash was courtesy of Court's garden!

After last year's tomato debacle I planted a ton of plants all in separate containers, covered them, and prayed. Gratefully, we have had lots and lots of tomatoes this year! Oddly, I didn't think I planted any red ones, so why did I get red tomatoes? The black tomato is amazingly delicious and I'm definitely planting more next year.

See the little onions? Aren't they cute? We have also had loads of ground cherries that the chickens love. Which is a good thing because Joe is the only one in our house who likes them and he doesn't eat them that much.

I am still crossing my fingers and hoping for one little watermelon before serious frost sets in. It is about the size of a baseball right now.

We've had lots of carrots, chives, and Swiss Chard also. I just planted more lettuce and we'll see how that grows! My cabbages and finally my broccoli have been overrun by cabbage looper worms. I feed them to the chickens but my plants haven't really stood a chance. Oh, well!

And here is Pippy's first egg. It was a teeny little thing. See if you can spot it in the first picture! I was so proud of her! I still am proud of her. In the two weeks she has been laying she has moved into a one egg a day pattern. Considering we are moving into Fall and Winter when egg production usually slows and/or stops, I am surprised and pleased by this girl! I tend to favor her with the treats because of it. Her friendliness lends itself to favoritism too though.

Anyway, unless I get a watermelon, this will probably be the last garden post for the season. I'm sure you are all relieved!

As I write, J-Dawg and the kids are throwing foam blocks at each other. There are hits when I'm sure Alder is going to scream but then they all laugh and he does too. Do you think this is what the Prophet meant by "wholesome recreational activities" when spending time as a family?

Bunk Beds

2011-09-20T11:06:00.001-07:00

Camping in the Heart O' The Hills

2011-09-04T11:41:00.000-07:00

This was a totally packed campground with teensy weensy campsites. We were so close to our neighbors we could have spit on them. (But we didn't.)

We lucked out and found a site that backed up to forest. One side neighbored a few sites that had been closed due to hazardous trees. So, while everyone else was enjoying the view of their neighbors, we got mostly a view of the forest!

The kids explored the fallen trees and woods behind us. It was a gorgeous place that conjured up images of fairies, elves, and ewoks!

This was such an awesome place that the kids played HAPPILY together the ENTIRE time!

I think we'll have to go exploring the Olympic National Forest more often!

Our little Ewok

JDawg said the moss on this rock was an inch thick.

Evidence of the presence of fairies.

Can you guess what this is?

I love camping and I love summer (and I love fire)!

Temple Square

2011-08-30T11:25:00.000-07:00

While in Utah we took the opportunity to take the kids to Temple Square. I took this picture of the Salt Lake Temple from the roof of the Conference Center.

Alder and Grandma.

Snack time (which happened to be not long after we arrived)

This picture of Alder was taken inside the Conference Center. It has a waterfall from the roof.

On the roof of the Conference Center.

More roof. I love the view!

After looking at the temple we made our way to its doors.

I love the detailing in this temple. It took 40 years to build and every detail has a purpose.

Temple Square is always a feast of color and beauty.

Ginger, doing her thing, whatever that is!

Inside the Visitor's Center. An opportunity for the kids to see this well known sculpture and feel the Spirit witness of the divinity of Jesus Christ. That was the idea, anyway.

I love going to Temple Square. It was nice to be able to take our family. I'm pretty sure it wasn't the most fun place we introduced them to but it was for a purpose and I hope they felt the peace and calm and noticed the beauty that surrounds the Lord's House.

Pioneer Day Parade - July 25, 2011

2011-08-29T11:00:00.000-07:00

Yeah, yeah, I know this is long since passed but I thought I would document it anyway.

Playing games while we wait

Cousins

Plenty of modest princesses!

Hula girls!

I loved this float! It had a nod to many different religious groups, showing their different worship centers.

A celebration of the gospel around the world

Patriotic standing cowgirls

A celebration of literacy and reading

Cute!

And finally, a celebration of education

There were tons of floats. I only included a few but what really impressed me is that so many stakes put so much time and effort into each float. I also felt a sense of pride in the "Mormon Culture." By virtue of what we believe, our church culture champions diversity, education, creativity, service, families, unity, hard work, and wholesome fun. No, as a world wide church comprised of individual beings, we are not perfect. However, perhaps the fact that we are all imperfect can be unifying as we help each other on our quest for perfection.

So that last thought had little to do with the actual parade. I just made it up. But it makes sense to me!

Utah and A Birthday

2011-08-21T10:52:00.000-07:00

Eugenia turned 7 years old just after we arrived in Utah. I made an ice cream cake, at her request that was ugly but tasted good!

Grandma threw a picnic birthday party that included all the cousins, aunts, and uncles that were around. We ate and played games and visited.

Ginger's meeting with the lemon cupcake was a little messy.

Monday morning we went for a hike in the canyon. It was a gorgeous day!

I couldn't resist taking a picture of these rocks in the ground. I don't know what kind of stone it is but I love the shiny black with white veining!

Uncle Sam and Ginger

Chick, Chick, Chick, Chick, Chicken!

2011-08-16T21:47:00.000-07:00

Here is the flock. (Pippa is the brown speckled one and he is no longer with us.)

Truly Scrumptious, the white Silkie and Coco, the Barnevelder

I love Truly's fluffball tail! She kind of reminds me of Goldie Hawn.

I love Coco's coloring. Her black feathers have a green and purple sheen.

Pippy, the Barred Rock, is rather average but she is sweet nonetheless. Pretty feminine girl.

Cute Truly is also, sadly, at the bottom of the pecking order. She doesn't see well with all her feathers and is smaller than everyone else so she gets food and drink last and gets pecked on the most.

This is monster Ruby, our Light Sussex. We are still waiting to see if Ruby is a he or a she since she hasn't crowed yet but looks remarkably like a rooster. Ruby is also the leader of the flock. No wonder. If she is a he, we will be having a significant chicken dinner!

On a final note, the other night when we had chicken tacos that included the meat from our rooster, Alder requested us to "Please pass Pippa." I'm glad my kids are not traumatized by this new experience of eating our pets.

First Time For Everything!

2011-08-14T19:20:00.000-07:00

Crowing on a Saturday morning is not good self preservation. Our chicken tacos were pretty good tonight! Miss you, Pippa!

Fruit

2011-08-08T13:36:00.000-07:00

Here are the fruits of recent labors.

This was made from a shirt of mine that I don't wear anymore.

I am really pleased with how it turned out although my fingers were sore afterward from handstitching the flower!

This was a Goodwill shirt that was doomed from the start. I feel rather indifferent about it but at least it will get more wear as a skirt.

This blanket took me a long time to make because I was scared of ruining it. To be sure, it is not fabulous or even great but it is oh, so soft and I am slowly warming to it's amateur homemade appearance. I made it from Goodwill cashmere sweaters and flannel backed satin.

Colleen came to visit for the afternoon. We had a really fun and delicious lunch of broccoli and mashed potatoes with chives, all fresh from the garden; cottage cheese, applesauce, and tomatoes. Isn't it beautiful? I love summer!

Mary, Mary Quite Contrary, How Does Your Garden Grow?

2011-07-18T15:27:00.000-07:00

It is not beautiful, by any means, but it is growing well! All of my vegetables have been grown from seed. I bought them from the Seed Saver's Exchange that specializes in Heirloom varieties.

Tomatoes: I don't know which kind is which but they will be either yellow cherry-type, a yellow/green zebra stripe roma-type, or a black beefsteak-type. I have nine plants scattered throughout the yard.

I have four wood boxes on the back fence and multiple containers of varying degrees of sophistication.

I am really trying to keep birds and moths off my plants. These are (from l to r): cabbage, blue corn (a dwarf variety), beans that will be dried for soups, etc, lamb's quarters (a weed that I decided to keep because it can be substituted for lettuce and spinach and is super good for you), and another tomato.

Watermelon. I am really hopeful about this one because it is supposed to be a variety that grows well in cool, northern climates. Supposedly it came from Russia to Saskatchewan. It is white fleshed and supposedly has an exceptional flavor. Cross fingers! Or pray.

Peas, yeah, yeah. The standard easy grower. I planted a regular non-edible pod kind and next year will be planting the snap peas. Too much waste of potential food!

These are ground cherries. Apparently they originated in the Midwest. I have no idea how well they will do here but they do seem to be growing nicely. They are good for preserves and pies and eating. They are relatives of the tomatillo.

Broccoli. I had no idea these things were so HUGE!!! The leaves are like 18 inches long! We've tried eating the leaves while we wait for flowers. They are okay. They definitely need to be eaten cooked and with something and not on their own.

This is the second growth of lettuce. These pictures were taken two weeks ago so these are pretty much ready to harvest again. Cut and come again lettuce is definitely the way to go!

My cucumbers are doing fairly well this year, unlike last year. Just out of the picture are my chocolate colored sweet peppers. They are rather prolific and considering the cool weather, I'll be interested to see how well they fruit and mature.

Another picture of corn and cabbage. The blue corn apparently turns to a jade blue when boiled. So exciting!

These guys are crazy growers! The beans are supposed to be black and white yin/yang patterned and one of the best for soups and simmering.

Red fleshed Potatoes. I don't think these pots are deep enough but they are doing well. I just read about how to grow 100lbs of potatoes in four square feet. I will try that method next year.

Here is the front bed filled with perennial flowers, sedge grass, lavender, a rose, lamb's ears, blueberry bushes, Swiss Chard, chives, tomatoes and some other stuff. I like the bushy wild look but I do need to move some plants around so they aren't taking over other plants and covering walkways (as one of my lavender has done).

Swiss Chard. I'm kind of scared to eat it but it must be good because the slugs are having a hay-day! These guys had a really rough start because a cat dug them up a couple of times while they were little seedllings. I was sooooo mad! Fortunately they have rebounded well.

Anyway, I could go on and on about my garden and gardening in general but I'm not sure any of you are still here. Suffice it to say, I love watching my garden grow and reaping the benefits!

At What Point Do YOU Start Paying Attention To Your Kids?

2011-07-10T20:58:00.000-07:00

Pits and stems?

The smooth glisten of snot. At least it's clear, right?

Oh, dear!

This does not capture the full glory of her filthiness but you get the idea. She is licking her snot.

Perhaps I should free her leg from under the piano and she'll stop whimpering.

Bathtime, yes?

Pretty in Pink

2011-06-29T18:26:00.000-07:00

I made this dress for our neighbor girl's birthday. The fabric was on sale for $2 a yard and I thought I would just whip out a fun dress-up dress.

Well, I didn't exactly "whip out" this dress. It took a lot longer than expected and because I am a relative novice, I made enough mistakes to considerably lengthen the time and effort.

Of course I figured I could just make whatever I envisioned, with or without a pattern. I did end up using a pattern for the main structure of the dress but the ruffles were an embellishment I added. Lesson learned? Ruffle the skirt BEFORE I put the skirt together. Sewing flat material would have made straight rows of ruffles so much easier and faster! Another lesson learned? Fit the bodice before finishing the dress. I knew it would be big anyway but it's pretty huge. And there was no way I was going to go back into the lining and outside material and detach the bodice from the skirt to fix the sizing. I'm sure she'll get to wear it for at least a few years unless she grows too tall for it.

Lola (our neighbor) now has a dress-up dress that would probably be suitable as a fancy party dress. I only got it to her two weeks after her birthday!

While I feel like I put too much time and effort into this as a birthday gift for a friend, I do want to make one for Eugenia now. She made a very cute model, if I do say so myself! The dress really accentuates how slim she is since the top is HUGE on her!

I am overall pleased with the results as it is a solidly constructed dress (Thank you, my lovely serger!). Maybe I can make another one in less time with fewer mistakes?

I'm sure I could just whip it out in a couple of hours. . .

So Tired . . .

2011-06-23T13:48:00.000-07:00

We went to the play, "Savior of the World" last night. We didn't get home until 9:30pm. Ginger, in rare form because of no nap, fell asleep in my arms. Nelumbo barely made it into his bed. Alder brought him his toothbrush and when I went in to brush his teeth, this is what I found.

Little Miss Ginger is Two Years Old (and has been for a month!)

2011-06-14T20:17:00.000-07:00

Ginger got a little photoshoot this past Sunday.

It was her first time in pigtails.

And the debut of the dress I made out of an old dress from Eugenia.

I am pleased with how this turned out! I even finished all the edges carefully and drew a pattern of the bodice using a real pattern to make sure I got it right.

Ginger is a charismatic, affectionate, and pleasant little girl. We laugh at her antics a lot!

She constantly sings at the top of her lungs and is known to order people around. She loves the color red and picks red clothes any chance she gets. She yells "BUS!!!" whenever she sees one and since there is one that lives on our street we hear that quite often. She is starting to do the same for horsies and dogs and babies.

The other day, Eugenia and her friend were singing the Ariel song to each other. JDawg and I enjoyed it immensely while trying not to draw attention to it (they stop as soon as they know someone's paying attention). Ginger listened and then ran over to join in. She "ah-ah-ah"-ed with them and then did this growly "HAHA!!" before starting over then laughing again. It was hilarious and I wish I had had my camera!

We love our Ginger so so much!

More Chicken Stuff

2011-06-10T13:44:00.000-07:00

Did you miss me? Here is the finished coop that JDawg built. I love it! I believe the chickens do too.

They are growing a lot and when they are fully feathered out I'll post better pictures of them. Ruby, the white one with the black shawl, is the leader of the group. She insists on leading out where ever they go and they follow her around. The bigger black one is Coco and she LOVES worms. Truly, the white Silkie, is now smaller than almost everyone else. The little brown one, Pippa, is finally almost all feathered out and boy, is she going to be pretty! I'm afraid she'll be too pretty to be a hen and end up a rooster. I am reasonably confident that the others are hens but there is still time for them all to change.

Here is the sheltered "basement" where they can hang out when it rains.

They are big enough that we turned off the heat lamp. They like to pile on top of each other at the front window to sleep at night. They also kick away the shavings in that area, which I don't understand because then it's not as soft.

I am really enjoying our chickens although they poop a ton! Unfortunately they have discovered the back deck and like hanging out up there pooping where we walk. I think we'll be fencing that off soon.

I'll try to stop talking about my chickens. Next time I think I will show off either the dresses I've been making sans patterns or my garden.

Mother's Day Weekend

2011-05-08T11:05:00.000-07:00

I've had a really great Mother's Day weekend that kicked off on Friday with Joe having the day off. He did the laundry and took care of Grace.

I went to a Mother's Day Tea at Noah's preschool where they sang some songs in green tulle skirts and leis (kind of funny! I'm not sure the tulle was a great substitute for grass. It just looked like the boys were wearing tutus!). Noah was so cute singing his songs and dancing to all of them.

When I got home from that I found a new chick in the box with the other four that we got on Monday. She's a Silkie! I wanted one but decided not to get one because they are usually kept as pets, so not really functional. Joe drove all the way past Tacoma to get her! I was totally surprised and I love, love, love her already! She is kind of an ugly duckling right now but silkies are poodles in the chicken world. She's happy just to sit in my lap or perch on my hand. I finally decided to name her Truly Scrumptious.

This is what she should look like all grown up.

Joe took the kids the the ward Father/Kid campout and I had a ladies night at my house! It was small with no more than two people at a time but I got to talk to friends and hang out from 6:30pm-1am. Then I slept in Saturday morning, ran a bunch of errands (which included an impulsive stop at a quilting store and an impulsive purchase of MORE fabric!), finished the bulk of planting my garden, cleaned the chick's box, and shopped for a costume for that night's Fiesta Fantastico at a friend's house.

I'm sorry to say I don't have pictures yet of Joe in costume but he was a Mexican Wrestler, complete with stretchy pants and some shiny black hot pants, a pillow stuffed in a flesh colored shirt, red cape, and Lucha Libre wrestling mask. It was pretty awesome and no surprise that he won the best costume award at the party. I was a nun. The party was lots of fun with silly games and excellent food (it was all being judged so it had to be good) and fabulous company. Our bishop came as Zorro and a mom/daughter duo came as Mexican gangsters, complete with the side burn things that came practically to the chin and CTR knuckle tattoos. Oh, the detailing was amazing and not so politically correct!

This morning the kids brought me breakfast in bed (really at the computer) which was a baked apple pancake that was very sweet! The cards and gifts that they made at school were wonderful and it has just been a lovely weekend. Sorry for the play-by-play but it really has been great!

Check Out These Chicks!

2011-05-03T14:49:00.000-07:00

After JDawg committed me to chickens by starting an expensive coop I found a poultry farm nearby and brought these babies home.

The black one is a Barred Rock, which will be black/white speckled, or barred. Nelumbo named her Pippy. She was originally Rosalina, then Crystallina, and now Pippy.

This one with its wings more grown in than the other brown one is a Barnevelder. Alder named her Coco.

Yellow chicks are always white when they grow up. She's a light Sussex so she'll have a black shawl on the back over her neck. Eugenia named her Ruby.

The awake one is the Barnevelder again and the little brown one is a Speckled Sussex. I named her Pippa.

They try to sleep a lot but they wake easily and disrupt the others. I don't know how they get any sleep! Maybe they don't. That would explain why Pippa is always falling asleep on her feet and then falling over!

The kids are thrilled to have these chicks, especially Nelumbo. He has been sitting by them and trying to pet/hold them constantly since we got them yesterday afternoon.

We are crossing our fingers that they are all girls because otherwise, he/they will end up in the crock pot and I'm not looking forward to that process!

In the meantime, we are having lots of fun with them!

Just Thought I'd Share

2011-04-24T21:21:00.000-07:00

My youngest brother is on a mission right now in the Dominican Republic. Each week our family sends each other the emails we send to him. I thought I'd share a peek into my Easter via this family ritual.

Dear Elder Big Mac,

I hope you had a wonderful Easter! We did! I tried to get away from the commercialism of it and focus more on the Savior. We don't believe in the Easter Bunny over here. It's funny because lambs symbolize the Lamb of God and because they are typically associated with Spring I thought it wouldn't be hard to find some. Boy, was I wrong! The only animal I could find associated in any way with this season was the bunny. So annoying! So, no stuffed lambs for them. (I could have found them on eBay had I thought about it soon enough but they are fine with what they have.) JDawg and I got to go to the temple on Friday, which just so happened to be rather appropriate for the beginning of Easter weekend. I bought a couple sets of stickers of the Savior at Deseret Book, some Bible coloring books at the Dollar Store (there are perks to that store!), and some jelly beans. We had an Easter Egg hunt with scriptures and a token in them relating to the last days of Christ. A Primary teacher last year put that activity together for one of our kids and it is a great way to do an egg hunt! We had lamb, resurrection rolls (crescent rolls with marshmallows in the middle that melt when baked leaving an "empty tomb"), spinach and strawberry salad, and roasted asparagus for dinner with a chocolate trifle for dessert. It was pretty yummy! Because of my preparation, I had the best Sabbath Day I've had in years. I actually felt the Spirit multiple, yes, multiple times today! This morning I was sitting with Alder in the kitchen and church music was playing in the background and I was feeling the Spirit so I said so. Alder said he could feel the Spirit too, which helped him feel love for our family. It was a very sweet and special experience that we were able to share together.

I don't often bear testimony or say anything deep or particularly meaningful in my emails but I want you to know that I know God lives. I have felt that witnessed to me several times today; a reaffirmation of previous witnesses. I have an absolutely unshakable testimony of our Heavenly Father's love for me and for all of us. As inadequate as I often feel, I know He loves me. I am so grateful for the Atonement. I am grateful that someone, not just someone, but the Savior, knows my pain and heartache and struggles. I am grateful that through the Atonement I can try again by repenting. I am grateful for the Resurrection that we will live again and death is not the end. It is difficult to even begin to describe how amazing these blessings are to me and I don't think I understand even that much about them. I am grateful for the covenants we make in the temple and the opportunity to learn more of our Father's plan for us. It is within those holy walls that I feel His love the most. I've been thinking a lot about the scriptures in Ezekial 47 that talk about the waters issuing forth from the door of the temple, rising higher the further we walk through it until it is over our head. Symbolizing knowledge, I know there is so much to learn! I love going to the temple! Anyway, I know that what you are doing as a missionary is essential to the Lord's plan for His children. It is no small thing that you desired and worked to be worthy of this sacred calling. It is no small thing that you are still desiring and working to do the Lord's will. I know He is blessing you and your family for it. I love you and we pray for you daily.

Love,

Me, JDawg, Alder, Eugenia, Nelumbo, and Ginger

A Few Defining Moments In My Life

2011-04-17T10:13:00.000-07:00

Who knew you could fit three children into the JoAnn's shopping carts?

Scenes like this warm my heart!

I don't know who is behind the taking of this picture but they are in trouble if I find out!

Considering this picture appears to be shot during Sacrament Meeting, the CTR ring is rather ironic, don't you think?

Star Wars at the Pacific Science Center

2011-04-10T21:28:00.000-07:00

We spent a lovely Friday at the Pacific Science Center. Our main purpose for going was to see the Star Wars Exhibit but we had to wait four hours before we could go to that particular exhibit. So we explored the rest of the activities.

Despite my attempt to keep her from getting wet she managed to soak her shoes.

I got bored an hour and a half later but we managed to kill another hour before we decided to leave the Science Center and play around on the grass outside at the Seattle Center. We had a lot of fun playing hide and seek, eating popcorn and cotton candy, and just enjoying the sunshine.

Finally, the time arrived for us to go see the Star Wars stuff. It was pretty cool! Luke's landspeeder looked like it was a viable machine (although they did have comparisons throughout the exhibit between science fiction and real world technology. There are trains that hover over their tracks by magnetic force. We played with that concept) and the costuming was so authentic. You know, it is not just a costume but could be a real outfit.

I told them to look scared and this is what they gave me!

As part of the real world comparison for Darth Vader, they highlighted some of the biomedical technology that we have. Just as Vader is more machine than man, we have machines that improve our quality of life from pacemakers to prosthetic limbs and cochlear implants, etc. The coolest thing is that scientists are developing an electrode sensor (my jargon in this area is poor, forgive me!) that attaches to the brain and reads its impulses then translates the impulses into actions taken by a machine. For example, if someone who was quadriplegic wanted to change the tv station, he or she would think that action, the sensor would read and interpret it and change the channel by remote control. Amazing, eh?

In the gift shop on the way out I found a Star Wars Craft Book that I really want. It had all sorts of fun ideas for finger puppets and crocheted Yoda Beanies, among other things. But I was self disciplined and didn't buy it. Maybe I can buy it for less on Amazon.com! Ha, ha! Maybe not.

Anyway, we had a great time and the kids were sufficiently tired out. We stopped at Baja Fresh for dinner. I could totally drink the Baja Salsa there. Yummy! As we were sitting there eating, I looked over at my children and was reminded of how good they are. I love those moments!

The Face of Rage

2011-03-20T10:23:00.001-07:00

Eugenia's fits have long involved loud crying and screaming. It really, REALLY bothered me probably because it hurt my ears and I had no control over it.

As she has grown older (as in the last few months) her crying has turned into arguing and then yelling. She continues to argue and refuses to go to timeout until I make a step toward her (with the intention of taking her to time out by the ear if she hasn't already done so). This step of mine always makes her jump like a jackrabbit (I'm pretty sure she's really getting some air in that jump) and then indignantly races (with these itty bitty steps) to timeout yelling all the way, "Don't touch me! Don't follow me! Stay away from me! I don't like you!" The other day I had to carry her (nicely, I wasn't mad) to her room because she was so out of control. Of course she fought like a wild animal trying to scream and pinch and kick and hit the whole way. I had to hurry out of the room and lock the door because I couldn't control myself from laughing. For some reason, this particular brand of raging really amuses me.

Is that bad?

My Girl Is A Writer!!!

2011-02-23T22:27:00.000-08:00

Eugenia wants to be an author. She promised her teacher that she would give her the first story she wrote. Well, tonight Eugenia decided to be her own author, illustrator, and publisher. I wish I had a scanner to show her work but I will give you the story, complete with her spelling.

The 3 Girls by Eugenia

Ouns a pon a time thar wer a little gril named Elise. She had to wrck and wrck all day. It was varry varry hard. Av cors she was a slav. Oun day her master sed never come a gen. In less if you dont finde a oner. The master sed. So she did. Oun day she fownd a oner her name was Mis. Crogin. She a dopdid her. She dident even have to do any of the things the she did with the master so they lived haply ever after.

Ow and if you want to now the rest it is in a difrent story.

Oun day the master set off 2 mor slavere. So thar wer a little girl named Mary. Oun day she fawnd a oner her name was the same as Elise. She a dapdid her. The dident even have do eny of the things that she did with the master to. But you think that the story ends hear but it dos not end hear it ends at 3 more pajis.

The 2 slave was a lonly prson but the only frends that she has is. . .the anamls! But she was still loly. The girls name was Cristl it was a vary prity name. Oun day she fawnd a oner it was the same as the ether 2 girls but hers the problem it took over 2 years to find ware the sisters wer it was varry varry hard but at least she had anamals that cood find a warm plas to sleep and eat thay wer frendly the end

So, while typing her story I had to contain myself from writing the words and punctuation correctly. It was a conscious effort over the subconscious mind because I read the words how they were supposed to be and wrote accordingly then had to go back and type it the way she wrote it.

I hope she never ever loses interest in writing. I love it!

An Update

2011-02-16T20:50:00.000-08:00

I finally threw the poetry party that I've been intending for years. It was fabulous! The food was fun, the poetry was fun, the decor was fun, and my guests were the best part! I was so pleased to have so many friends come! I wish I had more pictures of the event! My only regret, besides lack of pictures, is that I didn't get my hair and face done in time. So I just looked like me instead of dazzling me.

That said, Ginger has been pretty sick for the last several days. A fever and chills with body aches have been the most constant symptoms. She's also had a bit of diarrhea and maybe a little throw up? (it didn't smell and it was yellow but I'm pretty sure it came out of her mouth. TMI?) Consequently, she has been laying in my lap since Sunday when she was not asleep in her bed. I finally took her to the doctor today, my be patient and let it pass tolerance level had passed. Of course, she has had no fever today and two hours before the appointment she started talking and walking again. So, not wanting to cancel the appointment, I went and felt dumb because there was nothing wrong with her other than what appears to be the end of a virus. Oh, well. Now that she is feeling a bit better she has been screaming and crying and fussing over everything. Woohoo! I hope that this part of recovery won't last as long as the illness but I am glad to see her starting to act something like herself again. I'm ready to get off the couch and do something, believe it or not.

So, JDawg told me that his company was freezing promotions this year because of the economy. Booooo!!!!!! I've been bitter since he said that awhile ago. Well, he was surprised today when he received notice that he was receiving a merit based raise this year. His boss told him that the average merit raise this time was 2 percent. I was floored when he told me that while I was looking at his salary increase of 6.77 percent! Needless to say, I am so proud of my hunny bunny smoochy poo! I am also rather pleased that he works for a company that rewards hard work, unlike his last job that just rewards hard work with more work.

That's all for now.

Showing Off. . .Again

2011-02-07T21:02:00.000-08:00

So, I really wanted to show off the dress I made for Ginger this afternoon. It took me an hour and a half from start to finish. I used a woman's shirt I found at Goodwill for $2.50. Thanks to the internet and creative bloggers who document their creativity and explain how they did it, I have been able to be creative too!

Ginger was having fun being the center of attention on a pedestal.

The back. Look at that diapered booty!

Apparently, all the kids love being the center of attention up on pedestals.

1:00pm Church

2011-01-30T20:41:00.000-08:00

I think we all feel like this after church on Sundays.

P.S. What is the correct way to use p.m.? Is it P.M.? or pm? or PM? or p.m.? Is there a space between it and the numbers?

Shamelessly and Sheepishly Requesting Accolades

2011-01-22T15:03:00.000-08:00

I spent the majority of last year trying my hand at quilting for the first time. I was so pleased with how they came together out of my own head. They are a bit wonky but I love them both! I forgot to photograph the first quilt but here is the second quilt I finished.

Getting the blocks arranged diagonally was hard for me to figure out!

The binding was made using scraps of fabric.

I tried a diamond pattern for the quilting.

All the lines crossed in the middle to make a star. I got that idea from a quilter's blog.

I'm a fan of owls right now. I embroidered this in April. The hardest part was drawing the pattern! Again, another quilt blog was the inspiration.

Can you tell I'm pleased with myself?

Now I have the quilting bug and have something like 50 bazillion more quilt projects I'd like to do. I would also like to try using a pattern and see if it is any easier.

In other news: Yet another inspiration (Stacy's white elephant gift) prompted me to give this to JDawg at Christmas.

And last but not least: Ginger is learning to put on clothes herself. She did this with no assistance! This kid cracks me up! It is so fun to watch her!

Monolithic Dome Homes

2011-01-12T21:59:00.000-08:00

I want one.

They are energy efficient, disaster resistant, and have soft round corners.

What's not to love? More stuff on www.monolithic.com

I also want to buy my dream property and live in a yurt on the property while we save to build my dream home.

We could spend $20k for a comfortable sized yurt. There are people who live in yurts on a permanent basis. Look carefully at the thumbnails. Or go to www.pacificyurts.com and look in their gallery. Doesn't it look fun for a little while? Totally liveable!

I'm having trouble convincing JDawg that these are good ideas. What's wrong with living outside the box, literally, I ask him (and you)?

Can someone back me up here? Anyone?

Ho! Ho! Ho!

2010-12-30T22:50:00.000-08:00

p.s. i quilt is having a giveaway.

Santa seems to know what's going on all the time. You know, "He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good so be good for goodness sake!"

Well, he might know what is going on at the time but he doesn't necessarily anticipate what is going to happen next.

Neither did I.

We joined our friends for their family tradition of Mexican food on Christmas Eve. The homemade mango salsa and guacamole were delicious and the company was delightful.

After dinner the kids started dressing up in the Nativity costumes to act out the Christmas Story from Luke 2. 18 month old Ginger even got in the action, cradling the baby doll that was to be Baby Jesus and wearing Mary's blue shawl. Nelumbo was first a shepherd, then a wise man, and then reconsidered and dressed in the shepherd costume.

We all gathered in the living room to read the story out of the Bible and our little actors gathered on the landing of the stairs. Nelumbo, in true Nelumbo character, decided to climb on the outside of the railing on the stairs. Before anyone realized anything we heard a sickening crack and a wail. Nelumbo lay in a heap on the hard wood floor. I picked him up and tried to comfort him.

Initially his face looked fine but then I saw a small drop of blood on the tip of his nose. However, I couldn't see its source until I looked under his head dress. As I pulled off the head dress, blood began pouring from a cut in his forehead, down his face, into his eyes. We knew stitches were probably needed for this injury so my friend and I headed to Urgent Care, leaving the rest of the kids with the dads.

Nelumbo was dazed and actually seemed to be asleep for the ride to the doctor. He didn't open his eyes until ten minutes after we arrived when I pointed out a cartoon on the waiting room television. He didn't speak for a full forty minutes after his accident.

Not knowing if he had a neck or serious head injury, the doctors didn't feel equipped to handle head trauma so they called the ambulance to transport him to the ER several miles away. Nelumbo was strapped to a board on a stretcher. I felt so bad for this little guy who wasn't overly demonstrative. He was quiet but tears were leaking out of his big blue eyes that he would rub away with his little fists. I could tell he was scared of all that was happening to him. I promised he could play videogames on my phone - a special treat.

Meanwhile, Santa, upon learning of Nelumbo's accident, grew agitated with concern. He urged his reindeer faster, trying to finish his other package drops in order to make his way over to Nelumbo's house more quickly. He was speeding high above Ohio, fingering his way through the presents, trying to find the ones designated for Nelumbo's family, when an airplane whooshed by and knocked the sleigh off course. Several packages fell off the seat and out into the night sky. Santa pulled hard on the reins, trying to regain control of his vehicle. In the darkness, it was too late to see where they fell, much less where they landed.

He held back a curse and took a deep breath. He needed to get to the hospital to make sure Nelumbo was okay and then to Nelumbo's house to drop off his gifts. So off he sped, trying to be a bit more careful about driving because it doesn't do anyone any good to have Santa killed in a sleigh crash.

At the hospital, Nelumbo's dad brought his little boy his special blankie and Grandma's gift to open. Nelumbo was acting considerably better now that time had passed and he had played on my phone. The doctor thought they would watch his behavior for awhile to determine if a CT scan was necessary or not. In the meantime, Nelumbo bravely sat through five stitches administered to his cut.

Santa breathed a sigh of relief that nothing more serious occurred. It could have been so much worse. He hurried from the hospital to Nelumbo's house to deliver the family's gifts but I was already home with the other kids, who were still up. So he delivered a few more gifts in the neighborhood and waited until Nelumbo arrived home around 11pm. Nelumbo was soon safely tucked in his bed and fast asleep. Before Santa slipped away he stroked the boy's blonde hair and whispered, "Good night," grateful that he would be just fine.

A couple days later, a young momma named Rachel ventured outside for a walk in her Ohio neighborhood. She had been enjoying her Christmas with a surprise visit from her daddy, whom she loved dearly. Her family was now a bit sick so it was nice to get out. As she breathed deep the crisp fresh winter air, her eye caught the glint of gold in the bushes. Curious, she bent down to look. It was a wrapped package! Struck by the abnormality of this gift's location, she wondered where it came from. She picked it up and saw a name on it but no address. Determined to find out who it belonged to, she started home. She knew the internet had a lot of answers to many questions. As she walked she found another one, no two, no, three packages in various bushes and trees. All of them had names and no addresses.

After extensive searching for names on the internet, she was having trouble narrowing down the possibilities of who these gifts belonged to. Looking for a clue, she carefully unwrapped each one and peeked inside. They were filled with quilting fabrics! Charm packs and a jelly rolls galore in the cutest fabrics! She delighted in each of the gifts then remembered her purpose. So she carefully wrapped them up again and this time took the fabric clue to the internet. She posted on her blog that she had these packages. The lucky recipient needed to identify himself or herself by posting on their own blog their Christmas Eve story for Rachel to read.

And that is what I have hopefully done!

This is Why I Love Central Market

2010-12-17T21:29:00.000-08:00

It's coming to get you. . .

Little wormies . . .

Meet Buddha's Hand. It is related to lemons and oranges and limes and it smells amazingly delicious. Light citrus and sweet, like candy. They use it in some Asian countries as an air freshener.

I love it, I love it, I love it, I do!

My awesome friend, Emily, gave it to me as a Christmas gift. She is awesome. Thank you again and again!

Our First Baptism

2010-12-12T22:26:00.000-08:00

I have been away for awhile. Alder was baptized Saturday, November 27 on his dad's birthday.

I was so proud of him! He took it so seriously and was so excited to be baptized. I'm pretty sure he felt the Spirit with him that day. I know I felt it. He seemed so calm and peaceful. He had actually been kind of a bear for the last month or two before his birthday. His countenance changed after his baptism. JDawg and I both noticed it in the week or two following.

Today, has not been so great but he does seem more sensitive to seeing his poor choices. I love this kid! He is intense and serious (translation: kind of uptight) but wants so much to do the right thing. I can see him growing into a faithful young man and I am so grateful that he now has the Holy Ghost as his constant companion.

In other past due musings:

How could Nelumbo not notice the draft? Brrrrrr!!!!!

The Last Glorious Days Of Autumn

2010-11-08T19:17:00.000-08:00

We've had a stunningly warm and beautiful Fall.

We've all enjoyed it (although swim shorts were still a little out of place in 68 degree weather).

The afternoon sun makes everything golden.

Hopefully these warm memories will sustain us this winter.

Some Projects

2010-11-07T14:21:00.000-08:00

I've been crafting lately. It's lots of fun! I finally made this apron after my mom gave me the pattern and fabric several? years ago.

I also tried my hand at a pillowcase dress. Not perfect, but definitely easy!

I have more to show but some are gifts and can't be revealed yet. Others I'm just too lazy to go get the camera and take a picture and upload to the computer, yada yada yada. I'll post more later. I'm really enjoying making this stuff!

Grandma's Visit

2010-11-03T10:44:00.000-07:00

We were so excited to have Grandma come visit! JDawg had Friday off so we took the kids out of school to play. We explored Theler Wetlands, which was gorgeous. The weather was outstanding too! This has been a fabulous Fall!

Plenty of wildlife to be found.

Tons and tons of these caterpillars were out and about. Nelumbo is in Luigi costume.

JDawg was laughing at Ginger, whose feet kept sliding out from under her on these walkways.

Saturday we went to Fort Flagler. It was colder but still pretty nice. The bunkers were cool to walk through. I totally creeped myself out though because it was completely black through the middle section and I kept thinking about what could be hiding in there. Then I took a picture so I could get the flash to light up the room and there was something in there! I must admit, I ran to catch up to the group. JDawg went back with me and pulled out a tree branch. Seriously, from where I stood, it could have been a body.

Ginger practicing her newest development: Walking down the stairs.

Grandma: "You kids behave!" JDawg: "Yeah!"

The wind blowing in from the water was chilly! But the kids still had fun!

There were tons of beautifully colored rocks that we collected.

Having trouble?

Come back soon, Grandma! We love you!

Obligatory Halloween Documentation

2010-10-31T20:28:00.000-07:00

I forgot to carve our gray pumpkin. It would have made an awesome ghost. These guys turned out well, though!

Eugenia was a pink dragon ninja. I love the ghoul scampering by in the background.

Alder was, well, I'll let you guess.

Nelumbo removed his costume too quickly but he still has the Luigi 'stache. Ginger kept the hat on long enough for this picture. She was saying, "Cheese!"

I have a beef with Halloween. Do we really need to have fifty parties leading up to the actual holiday? Call me cheap, whatever, but I resent the obligation to spend loads of money on junk food for parties, including the loads spent for the actual night. We are basically buying our children $20-$30 worth of candy to shovel into their faces for the next week, or however long we can stand their, "Can I have a piece of candy? How many bites of dinner until I get a piece of candy?" harassment. Sure, sure, I could just let them binge, but that doesn't sit well with me either. And because everyone is throwing parties the week/month leading up to Halloween, it's not an isolated night of candy snarfing; they've been doing it all week. Nelumbo hasn't eaten anything but candy the last four days. I don't mind dressing up, that's fun. But the candy drives me crazy. Every holiday now we are pressured into buying candy and even if we don't buy it, our kids are fed the stuff from school, church, etc. Where is the moderation? We went to the kids' school harvest party Friday night. We swore off of it last year but I hated seeing them sad and disappointed not to go this time. So, when push came to shove, I wanted to do something the kids might enjoy since I say "no" a lot. The experience was awful! We stood in line for 30 minutes just to get in the front doors so we could wrap around a hallway and wait for 15 more minutes to trick or treat to the teachers and get five pieces of candy. The wait for the games was similar. It was worse than Disneyland on their most popular days and the games were over in thirty seconds. We made it through two games before the party ended. One game we waited in line for twenty minutes before they ran out of candy. I made it very clear to the kids that we were absolutely NOT doing this next year. Why does everyone feel a need to throw a party for Halloween? Is it really that important? Isn't trick-or-treating enough? What are we celebrating here?

Blegghhh!!!!!

That's all. You know where I stand. On the fence of cowardly passion to insist on making a stand. I feel like I would be such a killjoy to remove my children from traditions I think are stupid. Next year, I will have a plan for how to conduct Halloween in a manner satisfying to me. Really, I just want to get back to basics and a slightly shortened, more economical opportunity for bingeing.

Now I'm really done.

As my shirt says, "Bite Me! Oh, and by the way, Happy Halloween!"

The Punkin' Patch

2010-10-11T21:03:00.000-07:00

As in, Ginger got punked by the patch, big time!

Everyone else had fun! Except the neighbor boy, H, got slurped into the mud too and lost a boot. He did recover.

Ginger recovered too, especially after I got her dry and warm in the car.

It was an absolutely gorgeous October day to be out enjoying it. Isn't mud a part of the essence of Fall? What a great day. Even Ginger thinks so.

Today

2010-10-05T20:34:00.000-07:00

Today was a really stressful day. I went to bed late, which is never good, and Ginger awoke earlier than usual and was grumpy and wouldn't go back into her bed without screaming. I've been pretty calm and in control though. I actually unloaded the dishwasher, got dressed, and did some laundry after the kids went to school. Ginger has been super grouchy because she's getting over being sick. Nelumbo is sick and threw up a little this morning and wet his bed during his nap this afternoon. The kitchen sink overflowed mid-morning with my shower water and flooded the kitchen, into the dining room on the laminate floor.

I panicked. What if the laminate was ruined? What about the subfloor, since some water may have gotten under the laminate? What if this problem is way too big to fix? Where's JDawg when I need him? Oh, yeah, he's in Georgia on business. Although he's had his own adventure of pure inconvenience trying to get there.

The plumber did come out and fix it so now I have clean-up to do. At least I had cleaned the kitchen the night before. Apparently, the pipe under the house was back-graded, or in other words, was configured to flow uphill, thus causing things to back up. According to the plumber this is a big "No-no" and he's surprised it passed inspection (twice).

By the time dinner rolled around, which is the most stressful time of day, I was a bit overstimulated by fussy children and super hungry since lunch was sparse. So, we went out to dinner. I needed someone to take care of me. I was borderline melt-down at that point and I had to seriously control myself when the kids even asked the question, "Where are we going?"

Dinner was nice and gave me the strength to get through the rest of the night. Now I can relax a breathe by myself for awhile.

I would like to acknowledge the Lord's hand in my day. I've been trying to be better about scriptures and inviting the Spirit into my days through music, prayer, and conscious thought. I really have felt peaceful for most of the day, despite the obvious stresses. I have felt more grounded emotionally. Even in just the last day or two. I could actually control my impulses to lash out at my kids. I'm grateful that the Lord hears and answers prayers. I am grateful for His love and many blessings. I know I wouldn't have the strength to thrive without Him. Wasn't Conference fabulous? I love having it in our home. I'm grateful for our Prophet. I know he is called of God.

Anyway, I'm going to go now. Sorry this wasn't well written. I just wanted to say something. Thanks for reading.

Mr. Charles A. Bun

2010-09-30T11:41:00.001-07:00

Charlie has disappeared. It's been four weeks since we last saw him. This is actually very distressing to me. He was a good bunny. We miss him. At least he had a good life while he lasted, assuming he is no longer on this earth. There is still the hope that one day he will just show up again. As I started dismantling his cage, I felt like I was dismantling that hope. I'm really quite sad he's gone, which surprises me because he's an animal. Sigh. I can't even write "good-bye." It seems too final. He might still come back some day, right?

Nelumbo's 4th Birthday

2010-09-23T10:54:00.000-07:00

Yes, his birthday was four weeks ago.

Super Mario Brothers was the theme this year.

We started by coloring our treat bags.

We love our friends!

We played Throw The Fireballs At Bowser, if you don't get swallowed first.

And Stomp the Goomba.

These coins may have made a fun game but we used them as decor only.

Kids played on the trampoline.

And in the front yard on scooters and bikes.

And cars.

We ate mushrooms to make us big.

Nelumbo opened presents. I'm still working on Thank You notes; sorry guys!

We can't go without a pinata, it seems. Whack a coin block.

We love our Nelumbo and all the goofiness, affection, and sweetness he brings to our lives!

Disneyland!!!

2010-09-19T20:30:00.000-07:00

For lack of an imaginative title, let's just jump on in.

I would like to say that we would not have had nearly as much fun or done nearly as many things if Auntie Beiner did not come with us. She is my roommate from college and one of my best friends. We were so pleased that she could come with us to help with kids and hang out with us!

She rode lots of rides with us and when she wasn't she was watching a kid or two or four for us. California Screamin' was a fast and wild coaster that Abe initially cried on but wanted to ride again. Now, he claims it is one of his favorites.

We met plenty of characters, including these guys from Brother Bear. We've never seen the movie but hey, why not give 'em a hug? They're Disney!

Oh, joy! Rapture! To meet Princess Jasmine was a real treat! And Aladdin too.

Always a classic!

We rode lots of rides . . .

This was a wet one.

Beiner took the kids for awhile so J-Dawg and I could ride some grown-up rides. They never made it past the fountains.

Teacups are always good for some familial posing. . .

And lots of spinning!

Lots of posing spots in this place. The kids were happy to oblige.

Alder valiantly fought Darth Maul during Jedi Training Academy.

Becoming a Jedi is serious business.

Being a packaged toy, not so much.

Look at all this treasure! Eugenia was a bit disappointed that she could not remove any of the treasure.

Monkeying around on Tom Sawyer's Island

Mr. Toad's wild ride was pretty fun. We really loved Peter Pan's Flight too.

The lines were relatively non-existent but we did have to wait in line a couple of times.

Small World is one of my favorites.

We love Mickey!

This really was a magical trip. The kids had fun, the grown-ups had fun, we had a couple date nights and with four days in the parks we weren't rushed to get to things. We stayed in a hotel with a full kitchen in each room and a breakfast buffet every morning. We packed lunches into the park and returned home each evening for easy but satisfying home cooked dinners and a dip in the pool. We were exhausted by the end of each day but the kids did very well with all the walking. I think it helped to be taking our time and having an extra adult.

My favorite rides were Soarin' Over California, Tower of Terror and Small World. Let's see, flying, falling, and global happiness. What does this say about me?

I am awed by the detail and scope of Disneyland. Each ride looks like it was a massive undertaking to engineer, design, and pay for. I wonder how many people work for the park itself. The garbage cans were even clean and well maintained. The public restrooms were nice. I think of the sheer masses of people that go through these parks daily, weekly, yearly. How much effort must be spent on all of it! On the one hand it can seem a waste of resources. On the other hand, I loved having an opportunity to be in a place that took so much care to make sure we had a good time. Even at closing time the ride operators were pleasant, going so far as to offer us another go around and saying, "Have a fun time!" Such a great place!

We also saw tons of LDS people there. I don't know what it was but it seemed like everywhere we turned we could identify an LDS family by garment lines or family size or BYU paraphernalia or shorts length. It's always fun to identify fellow church member and then start talking loudly in Mormon jargon to see what kind of response you get. Most people's ears perk up and you can tell they are listening intently or else they jump in the conversation. We met several people that way. It is so fun to find people like you far away from home. We Mormons are pretty easy to spot.

Anyway, I loved being with my family and watching them enjoy themselves. I am so grateful that Beiner came along! Hopefully this will be a memory imprinted in the kids' brains as a happy time together. I know it is in mine!

Just Not Feeling It

2010-08-15T21:25:00.000-07:00

I'm just not that motivated to blog right now. We have been doing lots of fun things but I'm not using my camera as much and I don't really feel like putting myself on the internet much. I'm not on FB nearly as much as I used to be either. In fact, I think I'm feeling a bit introverted right now.

I will say that this has been an extraordinarily lovely summer. I always love summer but we've had opportunities to enjoy the beauty around us and I love, love, love living here. Swimming in the lake the other day with friends was fabulous. I can't remember the last time I've been in any lake for that amount of time. Visiting with friends on the porch in perfect weather is so relaxing.

Having my brother-in-law and his new wife come to visit was so fun. I was absolutely delighted to discover that she and I had so much in common! I think I was giddy while talking to her as more and more obscure delights were shared.

I went to my parents' house to take my daily party somewhere else for a few days. We hung out with friends down there, including a wonderful trip to an outdoor kiddie pool that lasted for three and a half hours. I never stay at pools that long. I enjoyed my dad's company and Debbie's company and Sarah's company. Sarah, who is still in high school, even hung out with me after the kids were put away for the night. We played Scrabble and watched Psych. As I think about these activities that I'm enjoying and the girls' nights out that I go to, sometimes I feel like I'm back in high school; getting a ride home with friends late at night (well, you know, like, 10:00 or 10:30pm) and sneaking into a dark house. It's fun!

These times make me think about the phrase President Monson has quoted more than once about good memories are so that we can have June (or in our case in this area, July) roses in the Decembers of our lives. As I anticipate the next winter, which is always hard on me, I am so grateful for wonderful things to look forward to and look back on.

Anyway, those are my thoughts for now. Maybe someday soon I'll get my act together and blog more frequently. I don't want it to die, I just feel like I have a lot of other things pulling for my time and attention right now. Have a great week!

What a Great Mommy/Auntie!

2010-07-22T20:18:00.000-07:00

My niece and nephew came for a visit a few weeks ago. All the kids played so hard every single minute of every single day that I was thoroughly exhausted just being around them. I don't know how kids have that much energy! I did try to do some fun things with them. One of those things was a trip to the tide pools.

The first tip-off to the failure of our outing was when we stepped out of the bushy path onto the shoreline and Eugenia said, "This is why I hate the beach: IT STINKS!" Alder proceeded to warn everyone of the dangers of barnacles. Nelumbo demonstrated such dangers by tripping and cutting his leg on them.

Daphne, my niece, was wearing her ballet flats, even though I had included her running shoes in the car. She was not a fan of the barnacles, mud, or slimey seaweed.

Ginger was not a fan of being carried so she started crying. At this point I was still hoping to amaze them with some tidepool critters so I coaxed them over to me, each of them wailing in distress over each tenuous footstep.

This was all I had the motivation to find. Can you see the crabs?

Alder, stressed out, apparently for the same reasons Daphne was crying, yelled at me, "This is YOUR fault!" "This," meaning four crying children and one angry one and all of us sticking in the mud. So, we made our way back to the path that led up to the picnic area.

As it turns out, I wasn't even in the right place. However, my neighbor showed up in time to save the day and I received some redemption as the kids played with friends up in the grass, in an abandoned building, and in the water from the water spigot.

We didn't leave home much after that. Which didn't matter to the kids because they got to play to their hearts' content with the neighborhood kids.

Civil War Reenactment

2010-07-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

We went to a Civil War Reenactment over Independence Day Weekend. It was sobering and cool to watch a battle progress. I was excited for an opportunity to show my kids a piece of history. I was pretty sure they'd like the guns and canons, at any rate.

The Confederate States won this battle. I am grateful they didn't win the war so that we have a unified country today where everyone has, protected by the government, the freedom to choose what they will do with his or her own life.

Afterward, we walked around and talked to some of the reenactors who live as if they were in the 1860's for the entire weekend. We learned about their horses, and got to feed them some carrots, and the kids got to play with some of the toys that a child in the 1860's would play with. We had a great time!

Life is Full of Happy Moments, Especially in the Summer

2010-07-10T22:53:00.000-07:00

Showering in the dark is relaxing.

Shaving in the dark is not very accurate and can be dangerous.

Alder had been in bed for twenty minutes. It was around 10pm when I heard his voice through the shower curtain. He wanted to tell me to buy the boxes with Mario on them next time I went to buy Mini Wheats, Frosted Flakes, or Fruit Loops. "Sure, Alder."

Toward the end of my shower Ginger poked her head in singing, "AHHLLO!!!" She promptly choked on something she found while wandering around my room. She handed it to me when I told her, "Yucky, spit it out!" In the dim light it looked like a button. I bit it to see. It was sweet. I bit it some more and enjoyed a rare Smartie. Ginger was not pleased.

I left the bathroom to wade through the catastrophe that had been Ginger's entertainment while I showered. Dirty clothes littered the hallway, papers and who-knows-what-else from my purse were scattered (still are) around my room: the sewing machine pedal, mail, checkbook, a videogame, and jewelry block the door.

While I surveyed the damage, Ginger found a stale Cheerio from my purse and helped herself. She's a busy child. I love her little toes and squat legs and flat, dimpled bum. I love her jabbering and singing. I love her ducky curl at the end of her mullet. She was diving into her bed while I was saying her prayer. She giggled and snuggled with her blankets and bed.

Tonight I picked up six slugs out of my lawn and garden. Yuck! Yuck! Yuck! My glove fingers were sticking together from the slime. Yuck!

If you ever want to feel like you have a green thumb, grow stuff in the squash family. My leaves are probably twelve inches wide on my zucchini, pumpkins, and pattipans.

I love sleeping with the windows open at night and the fans going. I love smelling the fresh night air and feeling the house cool down after a warm day.

It's kind of sickeningly satisfying to feel the snap of aphids between my fingers as I squish them off my roses. I've killed hundreds this summer.

My front garden smell so yummy! On a warm breeze I catch whiffs of apricot, lavender, and sweet roses.

I have Phineas and Ferb running through my head and surprisingly, I don't mind. "Like a ninja of love repelling down from above, you snuck your way right into my heart!" Thanks, Kylie.

Nelumbo was so overtired from the weekend's activities that, when it came time to get in the shower, all he could do was run around in a circle on tiptoe, screaming.

We arrived home late tonight after spending the weekend with our friends an hour away. We went to hang out yesterday afternoon. We had an amazingly wonderful time canoeing on the beautiful lake and swimming, eating yummy pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw, roasting s'mores over the fire, and enjoying awesome company. It was so great that we stayed the night. JDawg got up with Chris at 4:30am this morning to golf after which he went on the Youth Temple Trip and chaperoned a Stake Dance. I stayed at the Green's house and sewed while the kids played like crazy. For dinner we roasted hamburgers, hot dogs, and s'more s'mores over the fire before we finally packed up and went home. Ahhhh . . .bliss!

I'm going to bed. Church come so early in the morning!

What moments have you had this summer?

Birth

2010-06-19T23:52:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm insane for staying up this late to write this on the eve of 9am church with four kids and myself to dress and breakfast. Maybe I'm trying to prolong the inevitable. If I don't go to sleep then I don't have to wake up to the rush, right?

Anyway, I found a journaling blog called "Sunday Scribblings" and would like to try it. This week's writing prompt was "Birth." This is what immediately came to mind.

I think of my voluntarily un-medicated and underprepared birth of my third baby. I think of screaming out of control at the end and feeling shaken by my response. I think of my desperate need for redemption after that experience. I think of my fourth baby, Ginger. I think of my decision to give birth at home. I think of all that I researched and envisioned for months on end. I think of all the other women who understand the process and imagine them there with me that night as I labored to bring this child into the world. I think of my midwife who understands and appreciates and supports natural childbirth. I think of home and the quiet lights, the dead of night, intense contractions, trembling, no turning back, enduring, breathing, moaning, warm water, pushing, bursting, gushing, relief, pushing, downward movement, pushing, awareness, jamming, rotating baby’s shoulders, pushing, done. Cradling that naked not-so-little package of arms and legs and lungs and exhaling “wow!” Both of us were born into a new world that night.

It's Me Again.

2010-06-12T10:38:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile. I guess I've felt the pull in other directions to do other things besides blog. I've also run out of pictures. But then, I was thinking, variety is the spice of life. I don't need to do just pictures and I haven't written in a long time. So, here goes a thought or two that I wrote down on our car trip to Utah few weeks ago.

"During this depressive episode I have been learning things about how the Lord deals with us. In Mosiah we learn of two groups: the people of Limhi and the people of Alma. Both groups were afflicted and enslaved by the Lamanites. But the people of Limhi fought their oppressors, their situation and suffered even greater loss and hardship as a result. They looked to their own strength and did not repent of their wickedness. The Lord was slow to hear their cries.

On the other hand, the people of Alma were humble and bore their afflictions and burdens with patience, faith, and cheerfulness. As a result, the Lord lightened their burdens and was with them. Their great faith led to their deliverance.

It is important for me to remember, though, that the Lord didn't take their trials away from them. He helped them through it. I had an extremely difficult and painful experience this time around. This lesson came as a revelation and was inspiring to me as I struggled for relief from my trial. A scripture that has come to mean a lot to me lately is D&C 123:17:

"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."

I need to cheerfully do all things in my power, then stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the arm of the Lord revealed.

I've also been appreciating more the Savior's Atonement. As God said to Joseph Smith in D&C 121:8: "The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than He?" He suffered below all pain, trial, suffering. No one escapes difficulty but we can turn to our Savior because He knows how to succor us in our infirmities.

I love Him. I am grateful for Him. I know He loves me. I know He lives. I know the Book of Mormon is true and it testifies of Christ. I love its plainness. I am grateful for Joseph Smith's sacrifice as well. That he lived and died to restore this gospel is humbling. I know he is a prophet of God, as is President Monson today. This is my testimony. The Spirit has confirmed the truth of these things to me many times. I cannot deny it. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Happy 1st Birthday Ginger!

2010-06-01T10:20:00.000-07:00

My baby girl is growing up way too fast. Here is her first birthday, laid back and simple. She actually ate a blueberry or two! This child invariably rejects every piece of fruit offered.

We were waiting for the explosion of mess but she is so dainty, picking at her cake with two fingers at a time.

She is in an early phase of trying on clothes. She sat in front of the dirty clothes pile for awhile and tried to get the clothes on. She finally had success with Alder's pajama shorts. She got one leg over her head and her arm through the other leg. Good girl!

I love, love, love this girl! She is happy and snuggly and playful. She is oh, so smart as she mimics our sounds and actions. I love watching her pretend to talk on the phone, carry around a baby doll in the crook of her arm, and try on clothes. I love hearing her talk and sing and laugh. I love seeing her make baby signs for "milk," "all done," "down," "eat" and "more."

She loves to play "Peek-a-Boo" and she'll throw curtains or blankets over her head and giggle about it. And I love that she freezes when you stroke her neck or back. No matter what she's doing she'll stop as soon as you touch her and stay still until you stop.

I remember so clearly the day she was born. What a wonderful day that was! Happy birthday, baby girl! We're so glad you're part of our family!

The Only Clothes That Are Hers Are Her Underwear. . .

2010-05-26T20:51:00.000-07:00

. . .Both pairs.

This seems to be a new favorite face for the camera.

That's my girl!

Who's Your Friend?

2010-05-24T14:18:00.000-07:00

Would you rather have this guy as your backyard friend. . .

. . .Or this guy?

As cool as this Red Striped Racer(?) is, I think I'd rather have Freddie Frog for a friend. He eats slugs.

Unfortunately, I think the internet said that amphibians are this guy's favorite food. And I haven't heard Freddie in awhile.

I'm very sad.

The Reception

2010-05-17T15:40:00.000-07:00

Saturday evening we all reconvened for more pictures and the reception. By then, we (especially kids) were tired of smiling for cameras as I'm sure S and A were even more tired of pictures.

Nelumbo, come back for the picture!

Smile!

However, all dressed up, this proved an ideal opportunity for a rare picture of me and my Hunny-Bunny.

A delightful family!

The little flower girls loving their job of carrying the bride's train once or twice.

Ginger enthusiastically tore apart Daddy's flowers as soon as she saw them.

Beautiful Eugenia. Thanks, L, for doing her hair!

Lovely Leah

All the girls looked so pretty and sweet for their picture. . .

. . .And then we have the boys. I love it!

The grown-ups milled around socializing. I wished I could have captured this moment better. Grandma and the oldest grandchild enjoying some time together. It warmed my heart to watch them.

S is the youngest child and thus, the longest standing Fun Uncle. Here is a moment between uncle and niece that I found sweet.

One of the great things about A is that she is so loving. I love how she jumped right into the family and loved all the kids. Even as busy as she is, she still takes time to make her new niece feel important. I also love how animated Cami is about whatever she's talking about.

A lovely view of N and baby Ollie.

J-Dawg's dad. He lives pretty far away. We were happy to see him again!

The kids, despite being dressed up, really let loose and played hard at the reception. It was a fabulous warm, spring day and gratefully, they did most of their running around outside. Alder tore his church pants at the knee.

Yes, if you look closely, Nelumbo does have his finger in his nose.

This is Lincoln eating grass. He says, "It tastes good!"

S tried hiding his car so we couldn't decorate it. But, he has participated in five other wedding car vandalisms so we were not going to let him get away without his turn as receiver. Even though we had to decorate next to a bunch of foul dumpsters, most of the family and some friends wanted in on the action.

Because S is a clean-freak and bigger and stronger than all of us we were even relatively nice about it. You know, nothing that really damages or is too hard to clean up.

Here they are at the end of the night, ready to get-away to their honeymoon.

He had enough smiles for the nieces and nephews. . .

. . .but started fading as he examined the job and realized he didn't have his keys. A, who is the oldest and hasn't witnessed this type of newly married inconvenience, thought it was great fun. S tore stuff off before stalking back in the reception center to change his clothes. N promptly put the stuff back on or threw it in his car. Aren't families great?!

And with exhausted children and the deep satisfaction of successful familial mischief, we left them to their new married life and went home to throw kids in bed and play games (although I think I went to bed too).

THE END. (which is not really our end because we stayed a few more days and played)

Grace

2010-05-14T15:44:00.000-07:00

My baby is 1 year old today. Where DID that year go?

The Wedding

2010-05-11T10:04:00.000-07:00

The temple grounds at the Salt Lake Temple were gorgeous! The kids were enamored with the beauty that was before them! Which, of course, makes for fun picture taking.

E's parents were so generous and took 11 of the older grandkids while we were in the temple. Thank goodness for them and the Party Van! Once we collected all 17 children (the babies were watched by Sadie and Daisy and Addie's sisters), we began the long wait for the Bride and Groom to dress and emerge from the temple.

CB and Ollie

B and E with Judd and Cami

He's a Momma's Boy!

Love, love, love the cousin interactions! (Josh and H)

Alder lost his first tooth! (Thanks, CB for being sadistic enough to pay my son for the opportunity to pull his tooth! Yuck!)

George in contemplation

Cami was a fellow photographer. She was trying to keep her face hidden behind the camera . . .

. . .But I caught her!

Father and son.

A and M with baby Eli

Tired baby J

Sadie kept trying to avoid the camera but I caught a couple of her that are really lovely!

N and A. A and her husband J are long time family friends. Pretty much considered family. It was so nice to see them!

Wait, are they coming? Are they coming? After 45 minutes and two other couples, can it really be them?

Yes! Yes! Yes! Look how happy!

Look how in love!

I love weddings! Do you remember your wedding? I'm not talking about all the fiascoes in the wedding day. Do you remember how happy you were at the actual ceremony and just after, when you couldn't stop smiling? I love weddings because they remind me of those first magical moments of married bliss.

Next time: Yes, there will be one more post - The Reception

The Zoo

2010-05-06T11:38:00.000-07:00

The kids were in heaven to be able to wake up to playmates every morning.

The morning of the wedding we went to the zoo.

Although, I think I was more interested in the monkeys related to me than those in the cages.

Grandma didn't come but encouraged the kids to take notes. Alder took his job very seriously.

Uncle A was caught unawares. I love candid shots!

P-man is such a cute little guy. Soft eyes that melt your heart!

J was all over the place, interested in everything! He was hard to catch!

These are the parents of my brother-in-law's wife. It is their Saturday morning tradition to attend the zoo that we usually tag along with when we are in town. Fabulous, fabulous people!

It is more like this guy's tradition to go to the zoo every Saturday. The male gibbon at the zoo recognizes him every time he comes. I've seen it! I am very fond of him. It is so flattering that he seems fond of me and J-Dawg too! (He is my brother-in-law's wife's brother. (E - that's for you! Ever since you clarified your familial relation to me, I can't seem to say it any other way!)) Can you double parentheses? I think I just made a noun into a verb.

I love cousin interactions.

I love playing with my camera! This is J-Dawg's younger brother and his son. I love this picture of them!

More delightful monkeys!

Look, Mom!

Uncle B and Nelumbo. I love witnessing other people loving my children. You will be my best friend if you do.

Oh, yeah. There were some real animals there, too. Like this mama and her four month old baby. So sweet!

It was such a beautiful warm morning! What a great way to start the day!

Tomorrow: The Wedding

Bouncin' Off The Walls

2010-05-05T13:25:00.000-07:00

I neglected to get pictures of our swimming pool fun or the park. Suffice it to say, both were loads of fun! I particularly enjoyed the sisters-in-law get-together around the warm water vents in the pool!

Grandma rented Bouncin' Off The Walls for our family. Everyone got in on the action!

Afterwards we overwhelmed the local Schlotsky's Deli.

Later that evening, seven women piled into a rented minivan and headed over to Nordstrom Rack where no one came home empty handed. I've rarely enjoyed shopping so much.

And let's not forget the nightly games with the required junk food that come out after the kids go to bed. Uno, Scum, Dark Tower, The Farming Game, and Risk were all played late into the night (sometimes too late into the night)!

Tomorrow: The Zoo

The Drive: Part 1 of The Wedding

2010-05-04T10:20:00.001-07:00

I have loads of pictures and don't want to overwhelm anyone so we'll do this in installments.

I bought some bendy sticks for the drive to keep little hands busy. It turned out to be a great idea!

Of course, by the end of the 15 hours I was threatening anyone who asked, "Are we there yet?" or "How much longer?"

It rained a good portion of the drive and at one point, J-Dawg had to slow down significantly because we couldn't see through the rain. It was kind of nerve-racking. I've never been in rain that heavy!

When we arrived at Grandma's house we were greeted by fourteen other relatives who had arrived earlier that day. In order to disperse some of the pent-up energy and noise, we all walked to the park where it rained on us. I must say, though, I do enjoy a good soaking followed by a warm house and a dry change of clothes. The contrast is just so satisfying!

Tomorrow: Bouncin' Off The Walls and other fun

Family Photo

2010-04-19T09:27:00.000-07:00

We are having a professional family photo done in a few weeks but my Great Uncle is putting together a genealogy and needed a current photo several months ago. So we took a few yesterday and came out with a classic. I'm all about showing things as they really are.

Let's Try This Again...

2010-04-12T14:33:00.000-07:00

Okay, okay, I get it! My methods are complicated at best, ridiculous at worst. So, in the theme of the blog, I'm renaming my children after plants. Everyone else will be reduced to their first letter of their first name or any nickname that I deem worthy. Better? Better be!

"Alder" (which is a tree)

"Eugenia" (a tropical tree or shrub with flowers and fruit)

"Nelumbo" (which is a lotus)

"Ginger" (as in the spice plant)

P.S. I'm really not trying to take myself too seriously here. How can I when I'm giving my kids pseudonyms?

Name Changes

2010-04-11T11:48:00.000-07:00

So, in an effort to increase security, I have changed all names in here and most references to places.

T=Thing

# = Birth Order

MT = Mary's side of the family specifically referring to siblings Thing 1, Thing 2, Thing 3, etc

If it is the first child of MT1 they will be MT1C1

If it is the husband of MT1 he is MT1H

Or the wife of MT4 is MT4W

JT - J-Dawg's side of the family

Friends are designated by first letter of first name

Parents, grandparents are designated by Granny, Granddad, Grandma, Mom, Dad, etc.

Make sense? Good.

Perfectionist I Ain't . . .

2010-04-10T21:09:00.000-07:00

. . . At least when it comes to bunny cakes.

Maybe It's Genetic...

2010-04-08T12:24:00.000-07:00

Contagious Infection At Our House!

2010-04-05T21:25:00.000-07:00

Nelumbo and Eugenia have caught a case of the sillies.

Do you see Eugenia's short shorts?

Wardrobe complements of Ginger.

My Ode To Spring

2010-03-22T14:37:00.000-07:00

Winter's chill has held its sway

Comes the sun, a warmer day

Softening Grey Winter's hold

Melting ice, glowing gold

Bringing newness, warmth, and light

Welcome Spring, our own delight!

Feel her come, the Gentle Victor

Won't look back. Good-bye Winter!