A whole lot of Stuff

I have failed again as a blogger. I completely forgot to share our thanksgiving holiday with you, amongst other things.

The first slide show is of our trip to visit family in Vegas. We took the scenic route and boy was it amazing! It was faster and we saw many neat things in those desert mountain, like two different herd of deer (which were also different breeds), a coyote, several large birds of prey, bunnies, and also some plant-life I had never seen, like the Joshua Tree. There was always something to look at. We played travel games, that I bought from my Usborne Company, and the 9 hour road trip felt like 5. It was amazing. The girls didn't even start asking if we were there yet until an hour out. They did ask at the beginning so I explained to them that we would be in Vegas by the time the sun was in the right side windows. Kevin and I both decided that this was the best road trip ever and that we much prefer traveling with older children. What a difference older children make in a road trips.

The next is of our visit with family in St George for turkey dinner. I had so much fun visiting and playing that I forgot to take photos of more than just the girls playing in the rain. The other young lady with my girls is their Aunt. The girls had unbelievable fun in the rain. Emily was the last to poop out. She had a ball! But that girl loves anything involving water!

The next slide show is of Lydia's Birthday. I can't believe I have forgotten to post so many different things! Her Bday started on the Saturday before and ended on the actual day, Monday, in Vegas at Grandma's. We don't do a lot of wrapped gifts for birthdays. Our bday celebrations consist of outings and doing whatever the bday kid wants, well, with in reason anyway. Lydia chose to see Bolt, play at Artist for the Day, use her coupon for Monkey Dooz glitter manicure, and eat at TGIFridays.

Well, with Christmas right around the corner I will call this entry to a close and say, until next time, "Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Day!"

a Funny Narration

A couple nights ago the girls and I were in the car going to Archiver's to get some free prints. For reasons unknown to me the girls and I engage in some of the most interesting conversation while driving in the car. This night in particular was rather hilarious. I just listened, as making my way in the dark, to my sweet girls carry on the oddest conversation known to Mothers. I missed the beginning of the conversation, due to my own day dreaming, so I will just start my narration at the point when I tuned in.

Emily: "I wish I were more flexible like the girl on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Movie so that I can do all the flips and tricks I want without getting hurt or all the practice and hard work."

Lydia: "I am so frustrated that I am not a monkey. I wish that I were so that I could climb onto the top of all the buildings and swing from lights and trees, just like Curious George."

(So, as you can imagine, my ears perked up.)

The seriousness of my daughters' voices continues as their conversation continues.

Lydia: "I am also really worried."

ME: "WHY?" I asked, hoping I didn't cause the conversation to take a turn from serious to silly, because I thought it was too hilarious that my daughters were carrying on such a hilarious conversation without even breaking a smile, they were truly in complete and utter seriousness!

Lydia: "I know I am a really strong and fast girl, but I am worried because I can't learn to fly because I might fall and get hurt and I really really want to be a super hero but I am afraid of getting hurt while flying and doing tricks and stuff."

ME: holding breath, plugging nose, turning blue, just to prevent from cracking up.


Ok, so their conversation continued in this manner and for some reason my questions caused Emily to reprimand me.

Emily: "Mom you are hurting Lydia's feelings. I think she is going to cry. She is really serious Mom."

ME: "I am sorry Lydia, I do not mean to hurt your feelings. Are you really serious?"

Lydia: "Yes, Mommy, I am. I really am scared of not learning to fly because I am scared of falling."

I went on to explain to my girls that they will be able to do anything they want with hard work and focus. I also explained to them that when I was a girl driving in the car with my parents I used to pretend I was a horse and running alongside the car and high speeds and jumping over huge canyons and such. So, imaginations can be wonderful things but to remember what is pretend and what is real.

Since that night, every chance they have had to play together it is spent being monkeys and swinging from tree tops.

Children...AREN'T THEY THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Silly Girl

Yesterday my youngest and I spent a bit of time just goofing off. It is probably one of my favorite times being a mother, out of the blue have spontaneous nonsensicle fun.

Here's the story... I was sitting at the computer doing some research for an idea I had for our church christmas party. Lydia was tired of me not paying attention to her. She tried every trick in the book to get me off the computer and messing around with her, whether it was good or bad she got my attention. I decided that I had enough of all her tricks and gave in. She started this whole photo shoot with her own self portrait while sitting on my back (that was one of her last tricks she pulled before I gave in). We had some good laughs while being silly. I love Lydia. I love her silliness. I love how she makes me laugh, when I don't want to laugh, when I shouldn't laugh, and when I really really shouldn't laugh because I should be the parent telling her to stop when it is really not the right time, like when she is in trouble or it is a quiet moment at church.

The Cannery AKA Family Home Storage Center

NO, not canary the bird, cannery, a place to can food. My church has a cannery for members of the church and other food storaging type folk to come work and buy food. Today was my first trip to the cannery. It reminded me at first of the good ol days working in a huge industrial laundry service. INSAIN. When you first walk in you are required to sign in, net your hair, put on an apron, wash hands and then slip into fancy blue latex gloves. My friend and I then headed back into the factory where we were to be orientated on proper procedures and such like stuff. When the man in charge had finished his speech about not stuffing date stickers in our pockets to be applied at home, some OSHA rule about stickers being applied before leaving the warehouse, he invited someone to say a prayer. Yes, say a prayer. I was so touched by this. I will comment further on this later on.

Salsa was on the menu today, the air was filled with the aroma of spices and tomatoes. There were about 20 folks total, ranging in age from twenty to 70ish. We assembled ourselves around long metal tables with countless mason jars and lids awaiting the steamy scrumptiousness of salsa. The speed and quality of our work was amazing. There was no yelling, swearing, or laziness in a single individual. Everyone worked, everyone did their part. If their job was finished they went onto a different person to assist, whether it be by screwing on lids or wiping of the dribbles. We worked non-stop for 3 hours. When the work was done we had several paletts of scrumptious salsa to be enjoyed by those who had worked and also those who are in need. I failed to mention that the food that is made and canned at this facility is not only for those who come and work/buy, it is for the needy. The food is distributed as directed by eclesiastical leaders.

The whole system is brilliant. It wasn't just the system that touched me so much today. It was the warmth, love, friendship, that we all seemed to share. The spirit that started off the whole shift of work. Beginning with a prayer was literally just the beginning. I was touched by the happy chatter amongst all the people. Few were acquainted with each other, but communicated as if they were long lost friends. I especially loved seeing the elderly couples working side by side preparing the very food they would share with their children and children's children. One couple had 21 great grandchildren and they would all recieve various food items for their food storage as christmas gifts. These couples were such good examples to me of eternal marriage and the importance of working together as a team.

I feel priveledged to have been able to work today and be a part of such a divinely inspired system and to work along side such Christ-like lovely people.

Election Day

I was volunteering at my children's school today and there just happened to be an assembly. The assembly today was for first quarter awards and prizes and also to allow the second grade classes the opportunity to perform some songs they had been working on. The assembly started with the second graders leading us in our National Anthem and then we all recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Perphaps I am too sentimental but while singing the National Anthem I cared not whether or not I was heard, I belted out the song with all energy of heart with hand on my heart and tears filling my eyes. Then when it came time to say the Pledge my emotions overcame me and I got all choked up. I observed the other parents close by and saw some just standing, some saying the words but no hand on the heart, a couple doing as I did but probably with less emotion. Listening to the children is what brought on my emotion. These children are the ones who will lead us in the future. They are the ones whom we should look to, making sure they are properly educated, loved, and cared for. I love this country, I love what we stand for. I love my God! I know that He has given us this great land. I PRAY this country continues to be great!

My YW Personal Progress 10 hour Project

Thoughts on LIFE

These films are heart wrenching, obviously the goal of the makers of the videos. In all sincerity I have difficulty forming words to fully describe my thoughts and feelings on the issues that we face. The first thought that came to my mind is that we are America, Home of the Free. My opinion of freedom is based on my limited knowledge of the founding of this country and upon scripture. This land, America, is a gift. A place where we can exercise religious freedom. Freedom to worship God and freedom to obey His commandments the way He intended them to be, rather than the way man wants them to be followed. So, Where is the freedom? In the begining God set up laws and when He was through specifying those laws He said that we were free to choose for ourselves, and that there would be a consequence for whatever it was we chose. Something I teach my daughters is that we always have a choice and with every single choice we make there will be a consequence, that consequence will be either good or bad. I have great fear and sadness for anyone who chooses against God's law. I have difficulty even at this time finding words to express what pain I feel.

I read this morning about Christ hanging on the cross for You, Me, and every other person who ever lived or will live on this earth. While He hung in the most excrutiating agony He remained silent as non believers mocked and tormented Him further. His pain was unimaginable! Can you even begin to comprehend it? Not only was He suffering physical pain beyond any thing that a mortal has ever gone through, but he is suffering in his soul! For ALL of us. He knew this day would come. When I think of the sin in this world now and the Hell that our world will become with certain laws that may be passed or individuals who may become our so called leaders, I think of One Greater than us all. I think of what pain He continues to go through even to this day. I think of those innocent human lives being taken. Children of a loving Father in Heaven being tossed aside with the garbage, being left to die a miserable and lonely death. The corruption of our society! The thoughtlessness of God's power! He will not stand for such evil ways! But as angry, confused and wracked as I may feel I am reminded of what Jesus said just before dying, "Forgive them, they know not what they do". I can't help but wonder if "they" truly don't know what they do. Then again, Judas didn't fully know what he had done until it was too late, Satan already had a strong hold on him, and in the end took his life.

To the people who make such decisions that will not only effect unborn children of God but also those living, those desiring to keep Families in the units that God intended them to be, I pray for you. I pray for this country and those voting. I pray for humility that I forget not the ways of God, not to mention His great power.

weekend weirdness

Saturday I went shopping at Jo Ann Fabrics for some odd items for these super adorable bags I am making for Christmas gifts, I will post them when complete. I found myself staring blankly at some beaded stuff and was in serious need of an opinion. My girls would not be much help, they were distracted by the Halloween costume display. I noticed a nice looking woman not too far away and thought she a perfect victim to get an opinion from. The woman looked at me like was going to attack her or something. I said, "I am having a hard time choosing beads for this bag, what do you think?" Her eyes widened a bit and hesitatingly she says, "uh, maybe that one", that was when I noticed her backing a few inches away. I replied with, "Seriously, I can't make a decision for the life of me! Please tell me honestly, which do you think would be better?" Again I get the, "uh, maybe that one". Emily came up at that point and she jumps in with "I like that other one better". I turned to her and said, "Thanks, I agree!" The other woman then says, "uh, yeah that one works too." She was NO help at all. I seriously think she thought I would like stab her or something if she was caught disagreeing with me. OK, so do I look like a terrorist? Oh wait! Can I say that on the Internet? Oh well, anyway, the woman was so weird!

Within minutes I still stood alone at the rack of beads and such and still was mowing over another decision. Not even two feet away stood two of the oddest, yet beautiful, woman you'd ever see in a fabric store! They both had dreads to their waists, tattoos on their arms, funky hippie skirts, purple bangs with beads tied onto some locks of dread, piercings on their faces, and I over heard some of the oddest conversation, like their children's names which all seemed to start with the letter Z and how they found it difficult to home school their kids while the husband was home for fear he would jump on themselves. Anyway, these women would normally be intimidating to people. Nope, not me! I walked right up with my bags and choices, I found them rather friendly and fascinating! I said, "excuse me. I am having THE hardest time choosing. Which one do you think would look better with this bag. I thought this fringe would look best with the bohemian style handle of this bag. What do you think?" The taller and more beautiful one said, "I love the fringe. You were a flapper girl in your previous life weren't you?" I laughed and said, "Why yes I was!" The remainder of our time in that store was spent in the presence of those two women. Honestly, they were the two nicest people I have ever met in this city! They didn't question my friendliness toward them, they didn't look at me strangely or with fear for their lives.

Isn't it interesting how we look at a person and judge them wrongly? So next time you jump to conclusions on someones appearance remember that it is most likely the "normal" looking person who is most likely the "abnormal" human. Ya, so who's to say what "normal" is anyway?

Food for thought I guess.