Our first taste of snow.

Today Albuquerque got its first real taste of snow this year. We don't get tons of snow but just enough to remind me of the single thing I do not miss about living in Logan, Utah.

I remember winters when Iw as in school as I walked the short distance from the parking lot to the art building and it being so cold my nose would run and my eyes would cry - then it would freeze! Oh, there is nothing fun about that!

But isn't it a beautiful city?

Today...

my sweet friend Carrie taught me how to make Chocolate covered cherries! Yum! It was very fun, except I don't think I was very good company, I wasn't feeling so great. But it was fun for me! It would be fun to insert a photo here, they came out very pretty. I need to get going on other fun Christmas treats. Makayla makes a fabulous caramel. I'd like to make those but am not sure how serious I am about them and since you age several years while making them...haha...we'll see.

How about that?

Hmmm. Well, perhaps CYFD does do the right thing occasionally. (Nothing about this thought is intended to mean that children should not be removed from abusive or neglectful homes.) These two kids that got here Friday night went home to their dad today. Although CYFD says all (most) kids come in on a 48 hour hold I have not heard of any that went home that quickly until now. The mother was the one who was drunk driving, but stopped to brawl in the street wtih her sister. So pleasant. This 6 year old said her dad was at home, I wondered why she was not jsut taken home to her dad to begin with. Apparently the mother was so drunk she couldn't even tell them her husband was at home and could care for the children. Anyway, she was sooo excited when I told her she was goign to be with her dad. (She also said her mom was really mean but her dad was nice, he even lets her watch tv first and he will watch it second, after they watch their shows. lol)

Anyway, I have been really irritated with CYFD in days of recent so it is nice to see something work like it ought to.

And now I know I can handle 3 babies...you know if I ever had triplets or something.

One more thing

or two more things.

Allori: Angela?

Angela: Yeah?

Allori: I love you.

Allori always tells her friends (Like Andrew, Don and Isaiah) that she loves them. It is so stinking cute. Theya re all little and generally they tell her that they love her back and it is a moment of pure Heaven for me every time I hear her. It makes me proud that she is so sweet. It makes me proud that she is so loving. And it makes me proud that she is my daughter.

Today Allori and Angela were in the back yard and she comes bookin it into the house and hurriedly says, "Mom! You know the green house? Taya (one of our dogs) jumped high...high...HIGH (hand motions showing me high, high and higher-she is a hand talker which I LOVE about her) and jumped right over the fence to nino's house!" The fence happens to be like 8 feet tall so surely the dog did not jump over this fence, right? Nino is the little boy who is particularly --well I think mostly he's not social...due to lack of opportunity? That's my guess-- who lives int he house behind ours. Our back yards touch. As an example he wills tand at the back fence and try to talk with us, in Spanish (That's why Allori things his name is Nino, because when he talks with us, his family comes out and tell him to get in the house that we are monsters. Ha! Bet they woudl be embarrassed if they knew Wayne wpoke Spanish and knew they called him a monster. Hehehe. Funny to us though, cause Wayne is so friendly looking, dont' you think? Anyway...) and I will always talk with him but I dont' go up the fnce close, I guess I don't see much of a point in it. But he can sometimes lure a child over there. Sounds friendly for him to want tot alk with us right? Well one of our experiences..he lured Jena over tot alk with him. I believe he was buck naked. And Jena went up to him (after she ran in to tell me he was naked of course) and then he POKED poor unsespecting Jena right in the eye. Yes! Through the chainlink fence he stuck his finger through and poked her eye. One time he grabbed her fingerand wouldn't let go. Anyway, it's a tiny bit funny to me.

Back to our previously scheduled story. So both Wayne and I hop up and head out to see if our dog truly jumped the fence. Sure enough Taya was over in Nino's yard. Huh. How did that happen? And how do we get her back? LOL

Wayne went closer to inspect and found that she had dug her way through...right under the fence. I called her (from the back door) and she tried to get back into our yard. Wayne had to help her a bit to squeeze through and then he blocked the hole temporarily. Crazy mutt.

Today

We've been finding some good Christmas movies on tv. I guess I generally don't look for them. Until this year. I would definitely recommend Silver Bells being shown on WE and The Christmas Choir showing on The Hallmark Channel. Today we found one that wasn't a Christmas movie but seemed watch worthy. It was titled Front of the Class on a local channel. It was quite good. I cried like 6 times. Ok, maybe 3, I'm not sure really...the last 4 times kind of ran together covering the last 1/2 hour. Horomones? Yeah I think so too. Then I was reading blogs and as I was reading my friends blog I called Wayne over to show him the feature pictures. Nearly right after that, I messaged my dad that I loved him and the tear ducks opened again making way for the flood. I don't know why. I pointed out to Wayne that I was obviously on the weepy part of my cycle. He looks over and says, "Are you crying cause Rasband shot a deer?" It sounded so ridiculous that I laughed hysterically...and yes...more tears. Happy ones this time! but tears none the less.


Trisha: Um someone named their blog (xxxx). [I found it interesting, name left out to protect the guilty-not Kristine, thought I would mention that since her blog is referenced above.]

Wayne: What is the name of your blog?

Trisha: These days...

Wayne: [From kitchen] That was the best you could come up with?

Trisha: Ummmm, yeah I guess so. [squinty eyes at his inquiry]

Wayne: [silence, though not an unusual response from Wayno]

Trisha: What would you have called it? [If he can judge, he can add imput. lol]

Wayne: Wayne's blog.

Trisha: Good idea but in order to have your name in the title, you might actually have to have something to do with it....like reading it. [Thinking I am clever cause to my knowledge he has never read it. I have asked if he wanted the address once and he declined. lol]

Wayne: [silence again but since he returned to the livingroom, I scould see his incriminating smile]

Trisha: [Stunned] You've read it?.....when did you read it? How did you find it?

Wayne: [Silence and silly smirk]

Trisha: [Lots of questions, still feeling stunned] You read it?

Wayne: I've read it.

Trisha: huh. Well good thing I don't talk bad about you.

Wayne: Except that one time.

Trisha: [wondering if he really ever reads it although as you know I don't talk poorly of him...on here...hehe. kidding. Hmm.]

Today at church it was a little bit crazy. Three babies 17 months and under missing their naps makes for grumpy babies. Because our babies are all too young to attend nursery on their own and taking three babies to sunday school with only four arms between us isn't a great idea we will go to nursery and just stay there and help out a bit. Anyway today we were having singing time lead by my sweet friend Kristine (who's blog was referenced above) and we were singing lots of fun kid songs.

Now I know the song, "Where is Thumbkin." I sung it as a child and know all of the words...I thought. I had NO idea it had 5 verses. I only knew one. Unfortunately in the middle of Church Singing time for small children (under 4) I was struck with a sudden bout of juvenile humor. Now I have a few friends who I haven't seen in a while but who, when we hung out, juvenile humor was rampant. So when we started to sing verse two, "Where is pointer..." I was surious and interested...this was all new to me. I followed along pretty well. But then verse three started. "Where is tall man..." I just could not contain my laughter. I don't know ok. I obviously am not in control of my emotions (when am I?) and I laughed...out loud...several times. No one laughed with me. LOL. Still though, funny, right? I thought it was good times and hey, now I know. Wayne and I just sang a round of verse three. He apparently enjoyed it as well. As did the kids in the video. So they are 8....good times, right?

By the way, I do not flip people off...even when I am driving. I just thought it was funny that we were all waving our "tall men" around and singing. My friend Cammie-her dad used to say that I was simple. He's right. I am. And I am glad. I hope to find joy in simple everyday things more often.

Better get to bed soon...tomorrow Wayne leaves at 7:00am. He has his ultrasound on his hurting gut at 8:00 which means it will be my first day alone with five kids. Angela is in Kindergarten but she doesn't know what school she goes to and CYFD hasn't figured it out yet. So no school tomorrow. Might be interesting loading 5 kids up early enoguh to get her tos chool everyday. I wonder how thats going to work. I have gotten pretty good at having 2 babies on my hips (which are plentiful..ahhahahahah) at the same time. I don't think though that there is room for another one. I did however hold all three of them on (or near) my lap my lap duirng Sacrament. There was a lack of young men to pass the Sacrament so they asked Wayne (among a handful of other men) to pass it. He looked at me with a cute questioning smile. I gave him the go-ahead nod with the wish-me-luck look on my face. Josiah and Issy are jealous and generally want to be held when the other is being held, etc. And Leland wants to be held every waking moment. And that is no exageration. He cries constantly unless I am holding him or he is asleep. That's not really going to work well. Hopefully time will help.

By the way when we adopt Josiah, we will alter his current 4 part name to a 3 part name and will be calling him Porter. We have always called him both Josiah and Porter. I think because I felt right away we might get to adopt him. Nothing is ever certain with CYFD, but we hope to be able to adopt him next year. Porter is part of his four part name and although we will leave Josiah as his first name, we will call him Porter which will be his middle name. There are a couple of reasons we would alter his name. First I would want him to feel like he is our son in every way possible including having a hand in choosing his name. I think Porter is a very strong handsome name and is more unique, like I like. Also, Wayne goes by his middle name, did you know that? All of his brothers and his dad go by their middle names. Even one of his two sisters goes by her middle name. (Not sure why the other sister's name pattern got switched up.) I am not sure that I love the going by your middle name thing but I do see the value in doing special things in making an adopted child feel as much a part of our family as possible. This is something they can share, a similarity.

What do you think about a name change? In theory I think its wierd. But....I think my reasons trump that opinion so that's our plan.

I have a friend who just adopted two of her foster babies. She changed at least one of their names. It was kind of funny to me because she kept calling him by both names to me, for months, and finally I got the idea she was doing that for my benefit so I told her it was fine to call him whatever she wanted.

I get where she was on that though because at home we call Porter, Porter most of the time. But when we are out around others who have been introduced to him as Josiah, we call him that. How do we solve this dilemma? One of Wayne's brother's heard us call him Porter when we were recently in Blanding and asked why. I told him. Basically what I just told you and from then on he and my sister in law called him Porter. I thought it was cool. Cool, meaning I felt he stepped up and was very respectful. I might not have expected that. I know it seems like a simple thing...I guess he saw the value in his name and the value in him being part of OUR family, being part of his family. (I don't find it offensive or anything when others still call him Josiah after hearing our plan by the way, I think its a funny situation.) Anyway, share your thoughts.....

And goodnight. Sleep well....

babies

This is Allori with some of her babies. I think her bed looks big but it is a twin. She sometimes falls off because she gives her babies so much of the bed. She has taken to bringing a few of them with us when we leave. She buckles then so everyone is safe.

Speaking of babies...last night we got a call asking if we would take two more children. We got another baby boy (9 months old) and his 6 year old sister. Today went well. Hope it keeps going that way. :)

A day at the park

When we were in Chicago, we had a family day at the park, amongst 1200 other activities, We packed quite a lot into 5 days. Allori is braving this pole ladder thing. Isn't she beautiful?

Below is the most ridiculous, foolish thing I have done (since being a mom.) They had this HUGE swing. It was like the big chair in that old movie, "Big." Is was soo funny. I was laughing so hard while swinging, I nearly wet.

Above: My handsome brothers Jordan and Jacob. Below: My beautiful Allori.

Frisky

At Jena's birthday party, Juliana wanted to take lots and lots of pictures. she got this one...It kills me every time I see it. Looks like Wayne was trying to get a little bit frisky. hehehe...might have that next baby after all! Hahahaha.......

Happy Birthday Jena!

We recently attended Jena's birthday party. She is three now! It was very fun. We were of course the only white people there and the only people other than Jena, Juliana and one other lady (and their dad a little) who spoke English. EVERYONE was watching us all night...I guess "the foster parents" were intriguing...? Jena's dad went all out. He had invites printed well in advance, had one of those big jumping things, a massive cake, a big traditional Mexican feast, pinata, etc. Jena, however was not interested in a thing. She only wanted Wayne or I which (selfishly) was wonderful, for the entire evening. We were very clear when she was making the transition home that she woudl no longer live with us but would be able to visit. So lots of times when they visit, Juliana also very clearly says, we came to VISIT you. Well at Jena's party she kept saying, "I want to come SLEEP at your house." She put all of her emphasis on SLEEP so I woudl know she didn't want to just come for a visit. I am far...FAR stricter than her dad. Of course they hated it when they were here, but I suppose it's right what they say...children need that stability. One thing I have noticed, being a strict parent, is that it really shows the children that you have expectations of them. most of the biological parents we have worked with have little or no expectations of their children. I think it shows them we lvoe and trust them to be good people when we have expectations of them. Anyway...happy birthday Jena! We miss you! Doesn't Wayne make a great princess? ;)

Allori get her ears pierced.

My mom wanted to pierce Allori's ears last year but Wayne didn't think she was quite old enough to make that decision so we held off but he thought she was big enough this year so when we went to Chicago, my mom got her ears pierced for her birthday. She was such a little trooper. Not a single tear did she shed! My mom bought her a second pair as a gift and so she woudl have a gift to open at the tri-bithday party we had for her, my brother Jake and my dad. So she got to pick out her earrings that her ears were pierced with. She chose cute little pink/clear flowers. They are darling. So is she! Also here is a picture (kind of) of Allori with her grandma.

Boys will be boys

So here are some pictures of my boys being....boys. In my house that equates to being naughty. ;)

It's interesting having two because one of them will figure out some naughty thing to do and the moment I tell him to stop the other one decides it looks fun. Hmm!

In the second picture, Josiah kept following Issy fom one side of the couch to the other and dog piling him. Issy didn't think it was so fun, but it was kind of funny.

The final one is the boys helping to unload groceries.

What a week....

Seriously. Wayne being sick has really throw our week off. I feel so bad for the poor guy. He is still out working on the roofs every day. And I have had a migraine for 2 days. That however is the least of my problems. Tonight my Josiah had a seizure and scared the daylights out of me.

He gets this terrible fever (up to 102.9) when he gets immunizations. Both times so far it has lasted for exactly 10 tens. So I talked with his Dr and she talked with the Infectious Disease specialist and they felt it was ok unless the fever spiked to 105 or he had a seizure. Well both times it went about the same so I felt I knew what to expect. Wrong! He has been grumpy, which is par and has the fever. Shots were last Wednesday. Tonight when we got home I put the boys in their highchairs and began to get their dinner when I suddenly noticed him--not sure what specifically caught my attention but I stopped and looked at him and his eyes closed a little and they suddenly started to bounce up and down. It only lasted 10 seconds or so but that was long enough.

He screamed the moment it was done. I grabbed him and ran to the phone. Is tarted to call the nurse hot line...hung up...started to call Wayne...hung up...called 911. (I do very well in emergencies except when they involve my kids. One of the last times Allori fell and got hurt, she screams awful sometimes and then she stops breathing. We can usually give her a small shake and blow in her face and she takes a breath. Well one time we were in Blanding she fell, screamed, no sound comes out, then she stops breathing. I follow protacol and blow in her face and jar her a little, nothing...again...nothing...again...nothing...her body goes limp...I freak...I scream....My sister in law grabs her and puts her on the floor...she starts CPR...I call 911....Chris got her back. I lost several years of my life. Thank Heavens Chris was there. Anyway, I apparently freeze when it's my own kid.)

They think it was due to his high fever and shots. Said it was ok if i just keep a really close eye on him. If it happens again we are so going to the hospital. For now I am nervous to let him out of my sight so he is asleep in my arms. He is a beautiful boy.

I was so afraid. I just kept thinking...what would I do without Josiah? I really feel that he is our baby. Forever....

We were told today that we get a new worker on Issy's case. YEAH! No one will cry about that. I don't know what that guy was getting paid for, he sure didn't seem to do much. We also learned that due to a hitch they found, Issy will not be going to live with his sister. We thought he would go home to her before or around Christmas. Looks like he will be with us for the long haul. That's fine with us. We love our babies!

No change on Wayne's illness. The Dr thinks he has pancreatitis. They should get his blood work back in the next day or so and He has an ultrasound on his gut scheduled for Monday. That will tell them definitively. Poor guy.

God thing I spent a lot of time last week on getting ready for Christmas cause that kind of came to a total hault! That's ok. As my friend and her mama say, "It came to pass, it didnt' come to stay." This too shall pass!

My Wayno is sick.

OK. Wayne and I have an understanding. He is not allowed to be sick. Our family just doesn't run right. OK. What it is is maybe I have made a rule...that he is not allowed to be sick...really it's that he doesn't allow me to do anything for him, like he doesn't need anything and I have a hard time with that and he gets kind of a weird grumpy that I don't comprehend when coming from his normal even keel self.

Well he is sick. He has a weird pain in his upper abdomen that wanes some and he isn't eating and is throwing up. (Sorry, I am a detail oriented person.) Gallbladder maybe? He won't let me take him to the doctor yet. He's been like two days and still went and did luminarias both days-long days, while not eating and feeling like crud. Apparently I am a baby when I am sick. Well I guess when I worked-that's just what you do, you work through stuff..but for heaven's sake.

This is the first time in a long time that I have been up at night worrying about something. The last time was probably when Allori was small and we were having nursing issues. It caused much stress.

Please pray for my husband. I...I am nervous for him. It is moments like this when your love for someone becomes such a keen perceptible thing, something nearly tangible. I couldn't imagine ever being without him. So my knowing he is in pain and not knowing what it is, is worrisome.

The Literary Circle

I thought I would take a post to introduce Michelle and my book group. This group is very laid back. We feature one (sometimes two) books a month and discuss them as we read them-all via the web. How convenient is that? Read, Get Smarter, Talk, Toss around ideas, Philosophize, Make friends. No pressure. (We released the pressure valve upon opening the group. True. Of course we want people who will read. We would also like people who will write about what they read, and comment on what other people wrote about what they read. We want people to read what others wrote. We want people who read sometimes, lots of the time or always. We want people who read. Do you read? If you read, you possibly could be a good match for this group. What do you say? It might be fun. If you fit into any of the above categories, I woudl suggest giving it a go. Or, maybe you're not so much a reader, but you know someone who does know how to read. Maybe they would like to see the site, take it for a spin. Here is the link, use it as you feel appropriate:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/The_Literary_Circle/

Here is a post I just posted if you want to taste it before you buy the whole package. This isn't my traditional post, but what is?


OK, I really thought about this. For the past few months we have featured respective holiday books. I am generally all for this but I have contemplated skipping a Christmas book and rather reading some gut wrenching drama or some other thing of the sort. My apologies to those who would have chosen the latter....but I promise it is coming soon. For the past several years I have taken the month of December and set it aside as a strictly Christmas themed book month. I love Christmas. I love nearly everything about it. I love the love that is freely given in gestures not necessary. I love the pleasant conversations at the early sales as you try to help each other (strangers generally, find their treasure.) I love making it a magical day for the people I love most. I love showing my family I love them as a representation of how the Savior loves us. I love the delectable treats and formal-ish dinners and the excitement of the children. I love finding the perfect gift. I love reading Luke 2 on Christmas eve and remembering the tragic yet beautiful circumstances that is the atonement in making. I love joy that in the deep of life is sometimes hard to locate, but seems abundant at this time of year.

So a Christmas book and a challenge too. Our feature book will be The Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Benton Frank. Please join us in reading this Holiday Book. I have read and truly enjoyed this author before so I have high hopes for this read.

By way of challenge. I would like to present one. I see all of these challenges and always say to myself, "self, I don't do challenges." Not that I won't, but simply that I don't. However upon further pondering I found that I do. Well 2 of them anyway. The first is to read the feature book on The Literary Circle each month. This may seem like a no brainer because I am choosing the book every other month, so obviously they are books I love right? Not exactly. The inspiration for this group was two fold. First, Michelle, my very best friend who lives a very long way could read the same book at the same timethat I read it, and then we would discuss it. I was so excited abotu our plan that I mentioned this to several friends who in turn all had the same response, "and you aren't going to let us/me/anyone else join?" Hmmm. I suppose we could do that. And how fun this has turned out for me and Michelle too I think. One of the complainers however un-joined a couple of months in saying she didn't have time to read. Hmm. Oh well, but that's for giving me the gumption. The second fold mission was to stretch ourselves and read things that we would enjoy but also choose things we might not otherwise choose. This particular issue presented it's own issues as now we weren't just trying to please ourselves but any number of group members. We aim to choose books that more people will read , will stretch the mind, will be entertaining and still mostly appropriate by many people's standards. No problem right? We have chosen a few books that have strung some intense and fabulous discussional posts. On the other hand, we have chosen books that only Michelle and I join in on. Anyway, back to the challenge. I have wonderful success in getting myself into the Christmas spirit by reading Christmas only books in December and would like to ask all willing readers to accept this challenge and begin by reading The Christmas Pearl together then chose a handful of Christmas novels from your local library and keep them going all month long. I know it's a busy time of year, but I use reading as my nighttime-cool off time. Who's with me?

(We have never offered a challenge on The Literary Circle until this very moment. Even the monthly reads have been voluntary so only Michelle and I have made those a challenge to complete. So here's to making Christmas great this year-here's to setting and reaching a goal and here's to a season celebrated for THE REASON, the true reason for this blessed season...our dear savior.

You have mail

Ok, do you guys get these emails? You know the ones, right? The obviously personal email that is simply sent to the wrong address. I mean I know there are the junk mail messages that are made to look like kosher emails.I get them frequently. Too frequently I think. I don't think my name/email address is THAT common. Is it? Here is the email in it's entirety:


please take a this to Holly in apt. 4. she can't get her mailbox without it. I promised it friday but kat was sick. thank you vonetta

(attachment file named, "rental agreement.")

Winter

It's hot chocolate weather and that is a sure tell that winter is here. mmm. Swing by and I'll make you a lovely mug of it.

Also our yard is full of leaves. Our HUGE cottonwood fills the neighborhood with leaves. I feel bad about that. Not bad enough to rake all the neighbors yards. Actually about every third house has a massive tree so its probably a combination of everyone's trees and wind filling every yard with leaves. Bummer for the non tree owners. Life isn't fair. Just another proof of this. But hot chocolate solves lots of problems and eases the pain and stress of the day.

VOTE!

Today is voting day. I love absentee voting...makes it so easy. Make sure you vote!

Allison sent this soo funny picture through email and thought it was too good to not share!

I think Obama is a great speaker and has some good ideas, but don't' think he is right for our President. Of course, I always support the President in office. Guess we will see how it turns out.

I am pink.

So this morning on our way to Israel's visit with his dad and sister I was singingwith Allori:

Jesus loves the little children
all the children of the world
red and yellow, black and white
they are precious in his site
Jesus loves the little children of the world

I wanted to see what she would say since J is African American so I asked, "Allori do we have any one in our family that is a different color?"

"Well......I am pink."

hahahahaha. She is a good girl. Yes she is pink. And beautiful. I love her so much!

Our Josiah

So thus far Josiah's mother cannot be located. They haven't seen one another since he was 2 weeks old when she dropped him at a friend's never to return. She raised, er.... had him, until a week before his first birthday when he was removed from her home for neglect. This was quite apparent when we got him. She sent a stroller with him. This was odd because she sent nothing else, no clothes, toys, etc. This is par for foster care, but odd that she sent the stroller. It soon became apparent shy she sent it. When this baby cried he would crawl up into his stroller. It didn't even occur to him to look for a person to console him. As soon as we realized this we put it away in the garage so we could teach him to come to a person for comfort. At first he was so confused...he would just crumble on the ground when he cried, at which point I woudl get him and love on him. It only took him a few days to realize he liked being loved. He easily learned to come to us when he needed to be comforted.

According to this lady, and his birth certificate and CYFD's investigative work, there were two possible father's. Both were contacted and we did a DNA test to get the results of...dun dun dun...dun....niether. So, no mom and no dad. CYFD just located his maternal grandmother who is raising 3 of Josiah's siblings. This was surely a surprise--he has siblings! And surely she woudl want to see him, have visits, etc. right? She had a little info for the social worker. Firstly, there is another sibling that has been adopted....younger than the 3 she has but older than J. Secondly she hasn't heard from nor does she expect toe ver hear from J's mother again. Thirdly she said somethgin like, "Oh, he is with a family who loves him and wants to adopt him? Great. Good luck to them all." No questions..no inquiries about him...no request for visits....I just can't imagine. This little boy is adorable. He is so smart and loving and fun. He is also fiesty and stubborn and sometimes he throws tantrums. I have tried not to get my hopes up-you jsut can't when youa re doing foster care. Thats not what it's about. It's jsut abtou helping where we can, when we can. But I wonder if he was sent to our family....for now...forever.

We love him so much and he loves us. He adores Allori and we are mom and dad. I can't imagine not knowing him, now that I do. I hope we get to keep him...that he gets to keep us.

They still have to look for him mother for a while and CYFD does everything slowly.

I am thankful for the blessing he is to our family. It feels like he is my baby.

This mornign at CYFD, a mother who was there visiting her baby asked, "Who are his parents." I answered, "He doesn't have any." Another foster mom who Josiah had been playing with said, "Yes she does, he has you."

And now I am IT!

Tag, I'm it!

5 Things I was doing 10 years ago...
1.) Tracting
2.) Serving
3.) Teaching
4.) Learning
5.) Learning!!!
(I was on my mission)

5 Things on my "To-Do" list today...
1.) Take Dinner to Kristine :)
2.) Mail box to Brian
3.) Wrap Jena's birthday gifts
4.) Finish the laundry
5.) Make Mushroom Fajitas for Wayne


5 Snacks I enjoy...
1.) Smoothie
2.) Fruit! (almost any kind)
3.) Hummus and Pita Chips
4.) Beef Jerky
5.) Toasted French Bread w/butter

5 Things I'd do if I were a Millionaire...
1.) Pay off debt
2.) Buy a house for my parents
3.) Buy a house for Desiree
4.) Go to Rome
5.) Get a massage

5 Places I've Lived...
1.) All over California-seriously all over.
2.) Kentucky (Hopkinsville)
3.) Tennessee (all over)
4.) Utah (Logan and Blanding)
5.) Albuquerque, NM

5 Jobs I've Had
1.) Tele-stinkin-marketer (the armpit of all jobs)
2.) cashier, photo girl, manager-Wal mart
3.) AP/AR, Hubwest
4.) Teacher, Utah State & The Art Institute of California
5.) Assistant Manger, Vons
(not in order)

5 People I tag
1.) Michelle
2.) Makayla
3.) Natalie
4.) Natalie
5.) Brenda


Each player answers the question themselves. At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment letting them know that they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person that tagged you know when you’ve answered the questions on your blog.

A few funnies...

Ok, I babysit a little 3 year old boy from my ward and he said some stinking funny things yesterday. He and Allori say the greatest things. Anyway at one point he said, "I am Allori's boy sister, huh?" Um...not quite but I am glad you know you're a boy. He used to be a little obsessed with wearing Allori's shoes-funny. And much better as long as he he is confidant in his boyhood. hehe.

Then we were driving home after a meeting I had and I was headed to his house and I said something like, "Oh boy buddy, we'll have to keep our eyes peeled to find your road. It's dark and a little hard to see."

"You can't see it?"

"Well it's dark and I can't see the landmarks that normally help me find it."

"Well I can see it, it's the black stuff right there," pointing to the road directly in front of us..that we were driving on!!!!

Yeah, a little mis-communication....hahahahah

Love Note

When I got up this morning, I found this love note on my computer:

Dub-ya Luvs ya. (smiley face)

He is cute. I love him too!

More Stubborn....

I don't need any more stubborn from Allori but that's just too darn bad because she has plenty to offer. So at her Doctor's appointment they asked right in the beginning for her to pee in a cup. I had a hunch it wouldn't go well so I took her into the bathroom and with expectation in my voice asked her to please pee in the cup. Well it was unfortunate that this was at the beginning of the Doctor's visit because my stubborn little daughter-well it pissed her right off. I didn't force her, I simply asked her a few times and tried to talk her into it-but finally just came out and told the nurse I didn't know how to make her pee in the cup. Only it was too late-she was already mad. So the rest of the visit was a total nightmare. No she wouldn't look in the vision screening machine, and not only no but H*** no she wasn't taking her clothes off. Well she had to take her clothes off because she was getting 2 shots. So I put her on the table and took her shirt off without her permission. She screamed like I was molesting her. That wasn't embarrassing. I gave up at the pants. The Dr. came in and he was actually able to make her smile, he's much more patient than I am. But as he left he said she did need the pants to come off for her shots and as he left the room he said to the nurse is a pleasant but understanding tone with a hint of sarcasm-the man knows children, "Dawn, YOU try to get her pants off." Ha! He did say it in a way that I knew he was not judging or blaming but simply understood a stubborn child. Well when the nurse came in I had to remove the pants. all the while she is screaming at the top of her lungs. You know the one-the ear piercing lungs that go into overdrive when one is not getting her way. She is VERY loud. This is a conundrum to me considering her state of shyness. Ok, finally the end of the visit was near and we received a pee cup to take home (yeah that ought to fun) and instructions to do a "scotch tape" test on her rump and a blood test at the lab. The universe is against me.

I hate being embarrassed. I mean I know everyone does but it makes me sick to my stomach. I hate it. Just about worse than anything. And we left the office with a mortified mother and pissed off daughter.

So, Monday, six days after the said doctor's incident, I took her for her blood test. I needed a few days to recover. She screamed but actually did alright. She was apparently proud of herself, "Mom, didn't I do good? I screamed and screamed but I didn't kick my feet like at the doctor's." Yes thank you for that. Ok, one of three tests done.

For the scotch tape test I had to wait til she woke up crying in the night and lucky me last night was the night. This is horrifying in itself. The whole idea, but we need to figure out what is wrong. She screamed like a banshee and I had to wake Wayne up to help hold her. She felt like she was being molested. Who can blame her? That's done but we have to do a second tape test tomorrow morning. I am really looking forward to it.

Lastly the pee in the cup test. At the blood test I asked for the little hat thing that you place in the toilet and all she has to do is pee normally and I can pour it into the cup. Easy enough right? No, because she is stubborn as a pissed off mule. She holds it until I am not paying attention then takes the "hat" out of the toilet, pees and replaces it. *sigh*

Tomorrow I am going to have to get serious. I guess I will have to take something away...treats, her shows...whatever. She's got to pee in that darn cup. I hate pee today and I hate cups. Again, I have no idea where she gets her stubborn streak from. :)

Personalities?

Ok, my daughter has multiple personalities. I am sure of it. She absolutely refuses to speak to people. I mean refuses. And if she happens to be upset in the situation in public she won't even talk to me. However, at home, she will not shut up. Will not shut up. Sometimes it is not so cute. Some days one needs a little quiet..not a lot, just a little. And seriously, I think she has said, "mom..." like 300 times today. Honestly. I didn't count but if I had a ticker to count, I am sure it would have been close. I love that girl more than anyone in the world, but one cannot listen constantly...one must have some quiet time. Just a little...here and there... I may lose my mind. I know she needs to talk and I want her to talk to me...but for the love of all things holy, every breath is not to speak with! I am sure it would help if she spoke to someone besides me. But alas, she refuses. I have no idea where she gets her stubborn streak from. ;)

funny friendship....

Ok, I would like to think I am slightly (and I mean slightly)more sensitive than this but I think it's very humorous and I especially love #1.

1. When you are sad,

I will jump on the person

who made you sad

like a spider monkey

jacked up on Mountain Dew!!!

2. When you are blue,

I will try to dislodge

whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile,

I will know you are

plotting something

that I must be involved in.

4. When you're scared,

we will high tail it out of here.

5. When you are worried,

I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse

it could be until you

quit whining, ya big baby!!!!

6. When you are confused,

I will use little words.

7. When you are sick,

Stay away from me

until you are well again.

I don't want whatever you have.

8. When you fall,

I'll pick you up

and dust you off--

After I laugh my butt off!!

9. This is my oath...

I pledge it to the end.

'Why?' you may ask;

-- because you are my FRIEND!

***********************
Friendship is like peeing your pants,

everyone can see it,

but only YOU

can feel the

true warmth..

Oh Baby!

Yeah! I just got the call from my mom (and then had to call my dad and other Sister of course, cause that's how the phone tree works) that Tawni had her baby! YEAH! No details yet, not even the weight....soon though! YEAH! I am an auntie! (I have been a fictive Auntie but not a blood Auntie until this very moment!)

Fast?

How fast are you? You can check here. I tried 3 times so far and made it to bobbing bobcat. Good luck. I'd like to hear how you do, by the way and how long it took you to get there. :)

baby

My sister just called to say she has been in labor and they at at the hospital and should have the baby tonight! Yeah! She's due on the 21st so its a little early. I am so excited! Our other sister and I are headed out there on the 30th!

I pray everything goes smoothly for mom and baby.....

Blast!

Today is Wayne's birthday and earlier in the week we went to shop for his gifts. We decided to get him new church clothes. I think most of his are all from his mission. I have replaced all of his regular clothes but his church clothes are suffering. He does have some nice ties though. Anyway, we went to Kohl's cause its not attached tot he mall and I tend to avoid malls at nearly all costs. (If you read between the lines, this means I don't love shopping, I am not a window shopper, I go, I get what I need and I am done.)

Well today I took the lovely pants and shirt out to wrap them (we also got him a lovely treat to go with it and add a bit of fun-it seemed kind of dull-A HUGE chocolate covered apple.) Anyway, to my utter horror I have the wrong size pants! AHHHHH! Well, they will fit him around the waist but will be abotu 4 inches to short. Think he will notice?

Dang. Now a second trip to Kohl's is a necessity. Blast!

I don't think I have it in me to go today so I will give him the midget pants (lol) and return them next week. *sigh*

At least I got him good cheesecake and he will like his stroganoff. :)

Good Breeder

So sometimes there are funny conversations. A little background information.

We got a call from a little modeling place about Allori and it kind of caught me by surprise. She is awfully shy and super cute. lol. So I took her to the seminar where they would have her do a little audition and of course they "called her" so then we had a decision to make. Basically they wanted her to be in their classes to learn to act and model, etc. I don't know anything about any of that. It's a reputable company, that's about all I know. (John Robert Powers) I liked them better because not only did a couple of people ask if I was auditioning, but then the director asked if I had been "doing some work?" Upon answering no, she studied my face further and looking stunned and sounding the same way asked, "Why not?" I will forever love the woman. Or at least for the month, until I forget.

True, I put make up on and got myself together a bit. Anyway you shake it, My week was made better. Compliments like those came around in college, but not so much in married life...and this from an obviously straight woman-it wasn't even weird. (lol)

But as some of you know from older posts, Allori does what she wants when she is in lessons. She has done both swim lessons and dance lessons (dance lessons two separate times now) and none of them have gone spectacularly well. She is shy. There is just no getting around it. The classes are quite expensive and I am certain that even though she was offered a partial scholarship, that this isn't the right time for her to do it. These decisions are hard to make. Most people don't decide until later what industry they go into and I just hope hope hope this is the right decision for her. We can always call and take her later. They loved her, even with her shyness.

Anyway, the director just called me and I told her we were going to hold off for a while and she said, "Well, have more babies! She is so beautiful! That's my only regret....I breed so well and I only had 2 babies." hahahaha. It was too funny. Breed well. It didn't sound bad when she said it, just kind of eccentric-sounding.

I like eccentric. I used to be eccentric. Maybe I should be more eccentric. I am happy when I am eccentric.

The director is or was an actress. She just started working for the modeling agency. She just finished a movie with Val Kilmer and mostly was a stunt lady. That's kinda fun, right?

What is or was your dream job that you knew you would never really do but you drempt (sp?) of anyway? (please post)

High School Tag

1. Did you date someone from your school? yeah

2. What kind of car did you drive? I didn't drive in high school although I had a car? Ok I didn't drive legally in high school.

3. What was the most embarrassing moment of HS? The most? My entire high school career was embarrassing but the nail in the hand at the movies probably tops them . Blood running out of my closed hand...Mr Movie Guy says, "Do you have a rat in you hand?" (A RAT? What kind of a girl do a look like?) No. But I need a tetnis shot and that's all of the story your getting.... (Right Michelle?)

4. Were you a party animal? Not really

5. Were you considered a flirt? Yes.

6. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? Not a chance.

7. Were you a nerd? No. but I felt like I was. lol.

8. Were you on any varsity teams? no.

9. Did you ever get suspended/expelled? no.

10. Can you still sing the fight song? no. but I bet I could if the music played. lol.

11. Who were your favorite teachers? Flem and Mr. Southard.

12. Where did you sit during lunch? Michelle and I ate our chicken sandwiches walking around.

13. School mascot? Wildcats of course.

14. Did you go to homecoming, and with who? Homecoming was always a group thing.

15. If you could go back and do it again, would you? no.

16. What do you remember most about graduation? the finality of it. that my mom embarrassed me. also the cool party.

17. Where did you go on senior skip day? Disneyland

18. Were you in any clubs? yes. s-club, yearbook, journalism.

19. Have you gained some weight since then? yes.

20. Who was your prom date? Denny.

21. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion? I did go to my 10 year. Won't go to another reunion. It was cliquier than high school.


Now I tag.... everyone who reads my blog.

Haunted

Ok, so every site I go to, there is a picture of Obama. My dad needed something he and mom saw on Dr Phil and there was a big picture of Obama. On facebook there was a big ad of Obama. Ok. I get advertising. I nearly went into advertising and my degree is truly an angled advertising-ish degree so I get all that in your face stuff. But enough. I don't want to see his face on every site I go to. It does'nt make me like him any more. The man does not have good ideas for our country, he does not have our goodness at heart. I say take that advertising money and use it in a better way right now. Heck, tell people you are re-purposeing it if you want, to make yourself look good if you need to. But use it to bolster the economy in a way that is going to do some good for someone other than you. I am appreciating the bumpersticker that I saw a few weeks ago tonight in a big way. It read simply, "No-bama."

Once in a while I feel particularly mean spirited. Welcome to that once in a while.

Rug Pulling

Today was such a strange day.

Have you ever had the rug pulled out from under you? In my adult life this has happened just a handful of times.

The last time time was when my parents moved. They moved here with us and this summer they moved to live closer to one of my sisters. I was sad. I was never all for the plan. I still am not completely on board but I am one that thinks people should and are able to make their own decisions so I did support them in that. Although I was sad, I felt it would be a bit of a relief.

I was in no way prepared for the two weeks of tears. The whole in my heart that seemed so endlessly void. I didn't realize that I had become closer to my dad than we had ever been. I didn't realize that I had a friendship with both my parents that no one else could ever fill. The moment I put them on the plane the flood gates opened and they stayed open. If anyone even mentioned my parents, or if I had a fleeting thought, out poured the tears. I ached for them. Ached.

There was nothing in me that wanted to stand up and fight for something different-I knew that wasn't my place. I simply needed to find a way to accept what was to be.

I have that same empty feeling today. And I never would have guessed...

....the event...or how it would effect me.

Last week at church we were told to please be at church, there would be an announcement made that would be important.

Indeed.

I didn't sleep last night. At all. I don't know why. The night before I slept fabulously well then last night I layed there all night long so by morning I was dizzy and going to church wasn't high on my priority list. However, setting a good example for my daughter was. Also, at about the moment I had myself nearly talked into staying home, I remembered the "announcement." So, ok, those two things were enough to get us ready and get us to church, where the rug was pulled right out from under me.

Of course we had all speculated briefly about what might be coming. Our ward is quite small in people although large in area so some thought the boundaries might be rearranged a little. I wondered if we would get a new Bishop. I love our Bishop but I think he's been in for a while. I don't think anyone was ready for the news (unless they had inside information.)

AS they announced that our ward would be completely dissolved, I kep trying to make sence of it in my mind and couldn't. It seemed like foreign verbage. I turned and whispered to Wayne that I didn't understand at which point it clicked and in question form I rephrased to him to see if I had understood correctly...? Surely not. Only I had. And I could not have forseen how it would effect me. I felt like I was being evicted from a comfortable warm home. I have had complaints about the running of the ward lately-I could list them, name them one by one... but I would take them all to stay "home."

I have no doubt that it is the right thing. It's quite logical really. Our ward doesn't have enough people to run it properly, and neither does Haines. And I feel the same as when I parents left, there isn't anything to fight against. It's simply the right thing that feels really really sad.

So the down low is that our ward was composed a number of years ago, before we were in it and looks liek 2 squares that meet only at corners. So now where the freeway divides it now will not only divide up into seperate wards and stakes (how our church divides congregations and organizes church families.) So most of my friends will now go to the other ward. And by most I mean pretty much all except one. (Thats you Kristine.) But I am pretty sure Kristine has family in our new ward so maybe she will feel right at home? I don't know...how are you feeling K?

I feel all kinds of crazy. All over the board. Very sad. A littel excited about new things, but maybe it was so sudden and not my idea...I am mostly feeling sad, like I am losing something. We have al lost are callings and our place.

I am nervous for Allori. She is so shy and just loves her primary teacher, Sister Croasdell. I had a talk with her that Sister Croasdell will only be her teacher for one more week and she seemed ok, but I know her....it won't be ok when we get to church. (I am not being negative-I use swim lessons, dance lessons, etc as a basis for this assumption.) lol. I will work on preparing her. :)

On another note, I will start to focus on the good things to come. There will be new friends, new callings, new activities, etc. Right?

Giveaways....

...don't post a lot of random things but maybe one of us can win something. The link to her site is:

http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/2008/09/official-bbaw-giveaway-list.html

info is as follows:

If you follow along for the festivities of BBAW at My Friend Amy, you will find many chances to win LOTS of goodies! Like what? Well have a look below. All of these things will be given away between September 15-19. There will be a huge variety of ways to win them and giveaways will be announced constantly throughout the week. So be sure to check in often!


A HUGE thank you to Hachette Book Group, Penguin Group USA, Harlequin, The B&B Media Group, Shera of SNS Blog Design, WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, Catherine Delors, Pamela Binnings Ewen, Andromeda Romano-Lax, Ceceilia Dowdy, Sormag, Book Club Girl, Savvy Verse and Wit, Cafe of Dreams, Fashionista Piranha, and Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin'?.

Daily Raffles:
Monday--Books and Chocolate sponsored by My Friend Amy and Hey Lady! Whatcha' Readin?
Tuesday--Books and Going Green sponsored by My Friend Amy
Wednesday--Books and Coffee sponsored by My Friend Amy
Thursday--Books and Charity sponsored by My Friend Amy and Fashionista Piranha
Friday--Books and Movies sponsored by My Friend Amy

Win a Book Club Girl Hostess Survival Kit!
Do you find it's your turn to host book club and not only do you not know what to serve but you don't know what books to offer up for the next month's selection?! Let Book Club Girl come to your rescue with the Book Club Girl Hostess Survival Kit.

One lucky winner of the kit will receive:

* A basket of cheese, crackers, cookies and wine for up to 12 people
* 5 great book group books to vote on for your group's next pick. And Book Club Girl will then donate 12 copies whichever book is chosen for your entire group to read.
* 12 Book Club Girl mousepads to give out as party favors that night
* 12 Book Club Girl bookmarks to mark everyone's favorite passages
* 12 Book Club Girl coasters to protect your coffee table from all those wine glasses!

TWO SORMAG Goody Bags containing books and more!


A Special Pamper Me Basket from Cafe of Dreams!
From Avon Foot Works
~ Inflatable watermelon shaped foot tub
~ 3.4 FL oz Watermelon Cooling Foot Lotion
~ 3.4 FL oz Watermelon Exfoliating Foot Scrub
~ 12 count Watermelon Effervescent Foot Tablets
~ An ARC of So Long At The Fair by Christina Schwarz
~ A variety of Hot Chocolate and Tea mixes

A pre-made blog template from SNSDesign!

A Subscription to Poetry Magazine from Savvy Verse and Wit!

BOOKS
Mistress of the Revolution by Catherine Delors
The Moon in the Mango Tree by Pamela Binnings Ewen
The Spanish Bow by Andromeda Romano-Lax
John's Quest by Cecelia Dowdy
Confessions of a Contractor by Richard Murphy
Acedia & Me by Kathleen Norris
The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell
The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
The Book of Lies by Brad Meltzer
Supreme Courtship by Christopher Buckley
A Tale Out of Luck by Willie Nelson with Mike Blakely
The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent
When Will There Be Good News by Kate Atkinson
An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination by Elizabeth McCracken
Exit Music by Ian Rankin
The Smart One and the Pretty One by Claire LaZebnik
Gunmetal Black by Daniel Serrano
Isolation by Travis Thrasher
The Miracle Girls by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt
Every Freaking! Day With Rachell Ray by Elizabeth Hilts
Dewey by Vicki Myron
The Shiniest Jewel by Marian Henley
Keep the Faith by Faith Evans
The Book of Calamities by Peter Trachtenberg
A is for Atticus by Lorilee Craker
After the Fire by Robin Gaby Fisher
Mike's Election Guide by Michael Moore
War as They Knew It by Michael Rosenberg
Fixing Hell By Col. (ret.) Larry C. James
Wild Boy: My Life with Duran Duran by Andy Taylor
The Last Under-Cover: The True Story of an FBI Agent's Dangerous Dance with Evil By Bob Hamer
Border Lass by Amanda Scott
Insatiable Desire by Rita Heron
Hungry for More by Diana Holquist
Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee
Trespassers Will Be Baptized by Elizabeth Emerson Hancock
He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not by Trish Ryan
Never Surrender by General Jerry Boykin
Dream in Color by Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, Congresswoman Loretta Sánchez
Beyond Belief by Josh Hamilton
Cobain Unseen by Charles R. Cross
Doing Business in 21st Century India by Gunjan Bagla
Branding Only Works on Cattle by Jonathan Salem Baskin
Launching a Leadership Revolution by Chris Brady, Orrin Woodward
How to Hear from God by Joyce Meyer
Knowing Right from Wrong by Thomas D. Williams
Pope John Paul II: An Intimate Life by Caroline Pigozzi
Pure by Rebecca St. James
He Loves Me! by Wayne Jacobson
So You Don't Want to Go to Church Anymore by Wayne Jacobson and Dave Coleman
Move On, Move Up by Paula White
The Rosary by Gary Jansen
Shoot the Moon by Billie Letts
The Choice by Nicholas Sparks
Right Livelihoods by Rick Moody
by George by Wesley Stace
The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold
Trunk Music by Michael Connelly
Hollywood Crows by Joseph Wambaugh
Dead Boys by Richard Lange
The Gifted Gabaldon Sisters by Lorraine Lopez
Sisterchicks Go Brit! by Robin Jones Gunn
Beyond the Night by Marlo Schalesky
With Endless Sight by Allison Pittman
Harlequin Titles: To Be Announced

Many other blogs are giving away books and prizes for BBAW as well! You can see the links to all of these giveaways here.

Interested in gaining entries into the daily raffles? Post this complete list on your blog with links and you'll earn two extra entries!

Seeing double

We have a new baby. Its kind of like having twins. So far...so good! Israel is 9 weeks younger than Josiah. He will have his 1st birthday this month. (Josiah turned 1 in July.)

Celebration

My sweet sisters sent me money to go to a nice dinner for my birthday last week. We went to the Elephant Bar because my favorite desert is creme brule and I know they have a fabulous one (shown below.) Wayne and Allori gave me flowers! I had to take a picture! The flowers were a HUGE surprise. I LOVE flowers and they are scarce these days. :) Notice I am not in any of the pictures...Allori is the only other person that thinks to take pictures and although I think that is great (kind of) they are generally not the most flattering, if my head is even included. lol. Oh and the silly picture of Allori is her saying, "mmmmm!" She was quite pleased with our dinner! She is the appreciator of quality eats. I have some fun gift cards to spend too! That is always fun! Thank you everyone for your sweetness! I love you too!