Soapbox 1: Halloween, Why the Scary?

I apologize to all you Halloween-a-holics in advance, I've read of your enthusiasm and anticipation on your blogs and adore you in your decorative devotion to the event, but I'm just not big on the holiday. Don't get me wrong, I get hugely excited about dressing up, especially dressing up the little people. We had a blast at our ward trunk-or-treat and taking our gals around the neighborhood. I'd be up for a good costume, candy giving party any time of the year! And I love sprucing up the home for the change of season and holiday...I just don't understand the scary factor. Why the little ghosts, witches, spiders, eerie jack-o-lanterns, oozy bloody/dead things, creepy tomb stone stuff? (I can't even do the cutified, nicknack versions of the tradtionally scary.)

I had a hard time explaining the purpose of the holiday to my little Adelaide and after researching it decided I preferred my naive version. Here's where my sister would add in "remember this is coming from someone who couldn't even handle the movies Pirates of the Caribbean or Spiderman", and she's right, I am extreme on my scare toleration monitor. I had to put down Harry Potter in the 4th book because it was feeling too dark and I even fast forward scenes with villains from classic disney movies. I just don't find any thrill in freaking myself out and anytime I have, I'm usually disturbed beyond the moment. Do I sound heated? I'm not really. I just don't understand how "scary" is so popular, when to me...it's just scary.

Now...I know I might scare some of you at my attempt as Cruella De Vil (Addy's request) but our sweet little sleeping beauty and cuddly 103rd dalmatian sure took any scare out of me.

Keep on :)

My Hair, Our Papa Bear, and the Big State Fair!

Another new do! Although I STILL get complaints from ward members for cutting my long hair, I've gone even shorter! The only rumor that I wish to dispel is that short hair is "easier to do". Such is not the case for me. To actually get my thickness of a mane to shape takes more time than I ever invested with the long locks. Don't get me wrong, a long time for me is like more than 5 minutes. I've worked out a sleep on the wet hair system though which has simplified the process. Wasn't sure I really liked it at first but it's growing on me! ...pun intended :)

My Dad, Papa Steve, used his vacation time to come and visit us Texans! He is a man of ambition, fun, curiosity, and tenderness. His ability to enjoy simple things, his attention to detail, and appreciation for history, make him the perfect sight seeing companion! And boy, did we see some sights! What a gift to have had that time time with him...sweet memories that will last forever. We love you!

One of our stops was Dallas/Ft. Worth- Our hopeful cheering sadly turned to admitted defeat for our Cougars at the TCU game... but we headed to "the biggest state fair in the country" and were thrilled to see our PIG pull out back to back come-from-behind wins...and let me tell you, we were a cheerin!


That State fair was as Texas as it gets...everything big, friendly, country and fun! Finally, close to closing time, we decided it was time we ought to head home...

Cheers And Tears!

It was with cheers and tears that we welcomed our new nephew, MalaKai, into our family (via long distance speakerphone). Tears of gratitude that we are so blessed to have a precious spirit join us and cheers for his rocking Mom, Heather-my beautifully talented, patient, valiant and humble sister-in-love, who non-complainingly championed her way through his birth...and to his new Dad, my brother McKay, who caught him with strong, faithful, tender arms! We love you three!

Tears...

I think I must be a crier. I am easily brought to tears in prayer, bearing testimony, hearing testimony, listening and watching children, hearing music, or any other time when I am still and brought to a realization of My God and his tender mercies in my life. I often feel like the Nephites after their witness of Heavens help "their hearts were swollen with joy, unto the gushing out of many tears, because of the great goodness of God in delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; and they knew it was because of their repentance and their humility that they had been delivered from an everlasting destruction." (3Nephi 4:33) It was only recently I read that among the obvious powerful gifts of the spirit is a simple gift of being able to weep. (Elder Marvin J. Ashton "There Are Many Gifts")

Very rarely in my life do I shed tears of sadness or frustration. Yesterday I had such an occasion...

I had just run to the bathroom when seconds later my little Kamorah came towards my direction with a plastic bag. I soon noticed it was medicine and that she had some remnants of the coding on her face. After quickly examining the bag I was in distress. I had no idea what medicine it was nor how many she could've taken. I got terribly concerned. Tragic thoughts spilled into my mind as I strategized what to do. I called my husband (trying not to freak out on him as I knew he was responsible for the medicine being left in a children accessible location). Indeed he had just cleaned out a bag of old IBUprofen from his car. At least I knew what it was.

A personal encounter my dad had with a child dying due to accidental overdose kept replaying in my mind. I tried gagging Kamorah to throw up into the sink, my tears gushing now. And with repeated efforts in plunging my hand down her throat she wouldn't throw up, and even occassionally would laugh at me, thinking I must be playing a game. Please Kamorah, just throw it up!

I looked down at Adelaide who had been lovingly stroking my leg and I sensed a calm feeling, a reassurance of the spirit saying "she's going to be fine". It slowed me in my panic, but unfortunately, I ignored it at first. "Don't worry, she only sucked on them" I heard in my mind...but too worried, too untrusting of "feelings", I didn't listen. I didn't think she could've had more than a few since she was literally only apart form me for a few seconds, but how could I know for sure? I was doubting and questioning. I tried to see if she would be tempted for another one and she strongly pushed me away. I called poison control who confirmed the peaceful promptings, saying IBUprofen was one of the safest drugs and that a child her size would've had to consume more than 13 to go to the hospital. Spencer said there were not even that many in the bag to begin with. I finally gave in. She would be okay. I let the peace and comfort in. I was so relieved. I just held my little Morzy, and began to cry again. This time the other tears. The tears when you realize you've been given a gift from Heaven. Tears when you're reminded of what really matters. That each day is precious, each child a miracle, each moment something to be grateful for. The tears of a heart swollen with joy.

:)

There's No Place Like Home

When we moved into our house the walls were eggshell white and the furniture was sparce. With a few craigslist/thrift store finds, some gallons of paint, a little sweat and creativity-we've transformed our blank house into a colorfully comfortable home. It's not one with fancy upgrades and top of the line furniture, but it's ours and we love it! It's more than sufficient for our needs, a place we feel blessed to own. Here's a look at some of our summer painting projects:






















































































































































































































A total of 12 colors (two of them mixes)

Beige-Tan (with a hint of olive), Paprika Red, Earth (a greenish tan), Mustardy Yellow, Pale Cloud Blue (with Spencer's array of Historical Places and Documents), Sagish Green, Bright Rose Pink, Light Rose Pink, Gray-brown, Dark Brown, and mixtures of lighter tones for the floral designs (created by adding white to some of the base colors).

How's that for a rainbow! Lots of work and late nights for these rooms! I actually find it exhilarating. Two more rooms to go!

His and Her Citations-Counting My Blessings!

On his way home from a meeting, Spencer got pulled over for "disregard [of a] stop sign". Too bad he didn't have his updated insurance card in his vehicle. Make that two citations.

I tried to comfort him when he came home. Reminding him that it happens to everyone, that it's not a big deal, that money comes and goes, and that what was most important to me was that he was safe. I wished I could take away some of his concern and frustration. Finally we went to bed with him saying "Oh' well" to the event, and I was happy.

I woke up the next morning and decided it was time to file away all the old car receipts and info that had been piling up in my van. So I took out everything in the glove compartment and started sorting. In the middle of sorting I decided to head over to the park for play group. Singing with the windows down (not only for fun but sanity- our AC is out) we slowly strolled our way towards the park. I even looked down at my speedometer, proud that I was gently braking so as to remain under the speed limit. Then... lights a flashin in my rear view window. I was more than shocked. The best part, (you got it) my updated insurance card was sitting at home in the sorting process. Make that another two citations (mine is the pink ticket) :)

So we drove to another park while I was attempting to control the shock and disappointment that was making its way out in tears. I was trying to tell myself what I had told Spencer the night before, but it wasn't working. I was feeling embarrassed,stupid, frustrated and concerned.

Sitting in the car at the park, my precious Adelaide asked me why I was crying. As I turned and looked upon my daughters faces, my mood instantly changed. I was overcome with love and gratitude. "Is that all?" I thought. So, i'd been pulled over (with a beautifully clean record I might add) the day after Spencer...So we both were ridiculously without our insurance cards...So we'll both have to go to court to show that we were insured and pay some fines... Maybe our insurance will go up, maybe the fines will be big, but-that is all?!!. As I looked at my girls I was overwhelmed by how simple, easy, and blessed my life is. Here I was with them, safe, happy, healthy-with plenty to meet our needs. If my biggest downer is something so trivial- I'll take it!

Oh' well!

The words to the song "Count Your Blessings" came to my mind repeatedly throughout the next few days and especially a week later when Spencer was actually in a car accident on the freeway. Again, no one was hurt, just scratched up (replaceable- you can't take them with you anyway) cars.

Talk about counting my blessings...and indeed feeling surprised at what the Lord hath done.

"When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end."

Jr. Vampire?

So I'm strollin down the aisles of Walmart, whistling actually, savoring the fact that my adorable little girls are content sitting in the shopping cart letting me pile food on them (you heard me: content, children and shopping in the same sentence). I noticed that Kamorah had her mouth on a yogurt and seemed to be trying to get into it for a while, and since there was no spillage- I let her continue. It wasn't until I got to the check out stand that I saw this

Exhibit A:

This would have been cute enough for me since I am in love with her fabulous gapped teeth.

Exhibit B:

The plot thickens. I find not one, not two, but three of these "marked" yogurts.

Best yet, two of them are nearly empty.

No other holes but the slants for the teeth. You tell me?

Exhibit C:(this is the culprit in one of her usual under the table hide outs- obviously trying to disguise herself with a new hairdo)