Trent and Nicole

Christmas Vacation..Idaho

2012-01-29T20:07:00.000-08:00

Trent had a break in-between semesters, so we ran out West to see family while we could.

(It almost didn't happen when Kyleigh's body couldn't push out another foreign invader. She had an almost similar bout last year, but this one was too severe to treat at home. No doubt, thanks to many prayers, she was able to come home, let Trent finish his finals without driving Brenden back and forth between the hospital and friends houses while I stayed with Kyleigh at the hospital. A big blessing of being in our Ward is the amazing ward families....Brenden was treated so well, he probably didn't have a moment to miss Mom or Kyleigh).

(Debated whether to post these pictures, but since the blog is going into a book for family history sake, this should probably be documented. I am going to call hospital to get all the exact stats, but if I remember right, she came in having a blood sugar at 40, and couldn't stay awake for more than 5 minutes put together. After starting the IV and giving her 2 juice boxes that she downed in a matter of seconds (and kept down!!), her blood sugar spiked up to over triple of what it was 30 minutes ago to 128. They changed her IV 3 times to get potassium, sodium and something else in her. She started keeping her food down and slowly began having normal bowels. For her....that was HUGE! Last year she went through the same thing but took her almost 3 months to become normal again. We had her tested for almost everything under the sun. (see this post for more details.) I hope it is something that they eventually grow out of as they reach adulthood. Meanwhile, her teddy bear with Grandma's voice was a welcome touch of home in a not so warm and cozy place. (It may have done just as good to Mom as it did to baby girl).

We were happy to have her back home, health restored, so that in a few days we could hitch a ride on a 737 to the West coast.

The day after we flew 6 hours and tucked the kids into bed well past their bedtimes, we went to Church....and Brenden was incredibly reverent (he slept the last 2 hours of Church on my lap).

Kyleigh, our animal lover, made sure Hope didn't feel any of winter's chill.

Brenden still talks about wanting to go over to his cousins house again. Can't blame him. Always a good time.

We stopped at Trent's SLC sister and played with the kids, went to Church, and visited. It was a fresh breath of everything familiar and fun family time. Then on Monday, we drove north to visit Trent's ID sister and her family. A visit to the temple (which after this shot, my camera died, and I was not smart enough to bring my phone as a backup...I was on vacation....so phone wasn't completely important/relevant).

We also made a visit to the local Museum where they display a WIDE variety of Santa Claus and Nativity scenes from around the world.

Jackpot.

Who knew Santa was such a sports fanatic.

3 Kids hunched together geeking out about all the variety of Santa Clauses on display.

I have alot of Nativity Scene pictures because they were so cool!! I really like seeing the scenes made from Countries all over the world and formed with anything from gum wrappers, to banana leaves to soapstone and marbles.

Israel. Hand carved olive wood.

Cameroon. Metal

Panama. carved soapstone made by Kuna Indians.

Zapoteca Indian. Mexico

Mexico. hand painted

Thailand. metal

Poland

Tag below says: Nativity Scene from Krakow, Poland made from foil from gum and candy wrappers.

I liked this one.

In the adjoining room to the Nativities, the museum had a couple rooms well decorated in rugged outdoors theme. Kids loved running around from tee pees, to rock climbing, to mini log house and through tree tunnels.

Trent's Mom recently sold their horse, but one way or another, the kids were still able to have an equestrian experience.

Hot Chocolate time. (Just doesn't have the same 'ring' as Tea Time).

A giant St. Nick anxiously awaiting all the children's letters. Brenden checking out how they do things in ID.

Kids enjoyed lots of play time and snuggle time with cousins! Adults traded sleep time for precious late night sibling talks with Trent's sister and brother in law. (All those technical names sound so sterile). The trip was over far too soon and once again we had to leave another sister but glad for the memories.

On Wednesday we drove to Trent's parents house. A ride behind the truck is almost tradition now...and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Trent's solo run. Always a little more thrilling than when going with the kids :)

We warmed up with some hot chocolate that Mary made and then the kids began taking turns climbing the stairs to the play loft above.

Kyleigh, of course, wanted to do it by herself.

But we had a safety line nearby.

It can be very hard to get them to come down for dinner from this play loft.

We did early Christmas exchange since we wouldn't see each other on the actual day. Trent's dad is a retired Airline pilot and made cross-globe flights regularly, so we found an airplane flying over the world for him.

Trent also got an airplane. This one was from the kids. Trent grew up with a nice collection of play airplanes to have plenty of mock battles with, and the one Brenden and Kyleigh found for him just happened to have Northwest Airline insignia on it. Happy coincidence:) (Made even better when Brenden received alot of planes and helicopters from another Grandma, so now Trent is able to recreate his childhood battles in a more full setting.....and believe me!!! they have had many serious struggles.

B & K are now very stylish in their handmade, to individual measurements, winter beanies. A very useful commodity here in Ohio.

All smiles for anything with wings or wheels.

Grandma is in her 100th year. She has seen, and done, alot in her life. I can never remember if it was 5 or 6 missions that she has served. And taught in the mtc. She wanted to call the Missionary Department and ask them, 20 years ago, if they had anything for an 80 year old to do. She hasn't waited around for a return phone call, though. She has special Book of Mormon Ensign issues ordered in bulk for friends with a warm invitation to read something that means a whole lot to her. Pretty amazing.

Kids never get tired of using Dad as their own personal, in-house jungle gym.

And just as truck sledding with Rodger has become tradition, so has singing Christmas carols with Mary at the piano. Glad that she doesn't mind a few impromptu helps on random keys here and there. We all enjoyed ourselves and glad to find everyone in good health and so nice to see Trent's parents, grandma and all 3 sisters and their families.

Men with hand drills

2012-01-22T18:41:00.000-08:00

Not much difference in look between the fake drill and the real one. Brenden probably thought so too.

Any responsible adult want to help Brenden put his safety goggles on right? He might get a citation later on in life if this foolery isn't corrected.

There, all up to code.

The dudes putting on a lock to the shed.

Brenden was such a good help. Phenomenal superintendent.

Indoor Smores

2012-01-22T15:16:00.000-08:00

In Ohio, fires are very nice during the winter (we are having a bit of a problem keeping the log burning...maybe the chimney needs cleaning? maybe the wood I bought from the woodworking dude is too wet and needs a year to 'season'?) So, to make this work, we have to get all the smore fixings together, then build the fire and throw the marshmallows in there quick! It's a fan favorite of the family.

Exhibit A

The mallow Kyleigh was cookin caught on fire. Dad blew it out. (do kids do that on purpose? makes it more interesting?)

Hey kids, how was your Smore? Kids! KIDS!!! (they are zoned out. Food coma).

Almost....but not quite.

2012-01-19T12:53:00.000-08:00

Someone figured out how to get one banana peel off, then couldn't wait to get the rest off....

Artist B

2012-01-19T05:05:00.000-08:00

Brenden likes to draw. It popped up very suddenly. From one day to the next, we had no recognizable features of his artwork to full on family drawings and now a nice proportioned airplane. I had to call Trent over to look at this one when I saw it...because some of them don't last too long before he erases them to start a new masterpiece.

????

Zoo time with friends

2012-01-18T06:26:00.000-08:00

The day after Thanksgiving, my family usually goes to the Zoo. It's been a tradition since I don't know how long. Our good friends down the street let us tag along with them as we all met up at the Cleveland zoo to show the kids a few live animals behind bars.
First one we met. Impressive property he has.

We rode the tram to get to the top of the exhibits (Cleveland zoo is huge), and Brenden believed we were on a train. A little slice of Heaven.

Uh oh, I hope this girl was just asking you directions, because Eleanor is close by and she is much cuter!!!

Kyleigh checking out the fat fishes and lazy sharks.

Except this guy. He never stopped circling as we all stood there. Probably so frustrating having the meat so close by you without ever being able to catch any.

Maybe we should give these guys a little privacy.

All the monkeys were pretty active. And there were a lot of varieties of monkeys.

What's up there?

Ok, maybe not all the monkeys were so active.

He's waiting around for some 112 or 113.

I love these ledges. Kids get to try out their own monkey skills. If it wasn't for climbing, then why such a thick ledge? Why not bring the window to a zero edge? They know what kind of crowd they draw at a zoo, and they catered to that crowd. Simple.

Brenden thinks, "Oh, brilliant, Eleanor! Good idea"

What's down there? This is the animal that Trent had never seen before. It was very shy. Would scurry over to the next rock and hide, then scurry over to the other one.

Armadillo

Doesn't seem like the brightest animal on the planet earth.

Bunch of monkeys

We let them run around their natural habitat for awhile as well.

The men were on slide guard duty....or just waiting their turn?

E was flying!! This girl needs to work for Disney....she has an imagination that can compete with the best of 'em. Never a dull moment of playtime for her. Makes it all more enjoyable.

Such a natural. And P so content to enjoy it all.

After exhausting himself walking down that large hill (it was a pretty big hill, people usually take the tram up and down), he decided Kyleigh's idea of a free ride looked mighty nice.

These guys also had an impressive piece of real estate.

3 3/4 ft tall. Not bad for his age. (He actually wears a size 6 pant for his 4 year old body. Last year was the same. Size 5 jeans for the 3 year old boy. In the summer it's about normal or only 1 size up since we don't need all the length).

Who could refuse a face like Penelope's? With all her sweetness, Brenden did the right thing....

...made some room for the pretty lady.

This was probably the most exciting of exhibits. We are dangerously close to the Christmas season...and they had live REINDEER out in the open. We assured the kids that Santa would pick them back up before he had to make his rounds on Christmas Eve.

OOooo, how we miss this family. They're the first of probably many families who we get to know and then have to leave. Part of the downside of being in a transitional ward with so many medical resident and graduate student families. NC better take good care of them for stealing such a great family!

Brenden sometimes tells me that Eleanor hasn't really moved and she still lives down the street. He's going to be real confused and never believe me again when they come for a visit later in the semester. But maybe watching them take off will make it more real. I hear they have great beaches over in that corner of the country.

Polar bear. He is probably extremely excited to be able to cool off with all this snow we've been receiving lately.

Brenden about to go for a swim.

These guys were SO playful. I have a couple videos at the end of the post of these playmates running after and trying to tackle each other. Really fun for the kids to watch.

So easy to get her to look at the camera. :)

Some girls check out each others shoes or purses. These girls switch strollers and check out their each others wheels.

Again, beautiful shot of her looking straight at me:)

Going to the zoo with friends was alot of fun. These kids were part entertained by the animals and part entertained with their friends. Good time all around.

Seals playing around in a very nice compoundBears rough-housing

More Grandparents visit!!!

2012-01-16T20:31:00.000-08:00

We were VERY fortunate to have so many visitors in November. The week after my parents left, Trents parents came to visit, so we were able to go enjoy the sites some more! Trent's parents were able to make some family visits out of the trip....stopping in Wisconsin to see Rodger's brother and Iowa to see some of Mary's family and lastly, Ohio. Friday evening they arrived...just in time for some warm Clam Choweder (it was a request from Trent since he absolutely loves it). On Saturday we ran down to Amish country to show Rodger the impressive hardware store....Lehmans in Kidron....as well as see some of the beautiful countryside. Coming from a very brown, dry desert, I can never get enough of the variety of scenery Ohio boasts. It's incredible....and while Trent took his parents and Brenden inside Lehmans, I just drove around town and the surrounding area to look at it all while Kyleigh slept soundly in the back seat.

After dinner, Kyleigh got a little assist in some puzzle solving

While Brenden got to play good ol fashioned catch with Dad and Grandma.

Such a proud moment. Finished her puzzle

As we drove down to Amish to show Mary and Rodger around our side of 'town', we stopped by Smuckers again. Mary was able to find a few things for some of her good friends and neighbors back home.

Amazing.

Interesting.

All the companies that Smuckers owns.

I just liked these sleds and old bike.

And these kids all liked the activity center for toddlers.

After Smuckers, we ran down to The Amish Door for some fine Amish cuisine. Kids were more interested in the small house and play set outside than any type of food they had inside.

So we let them scout the place out and get their energy out since it was back in the car for about 45 min.

A house just his size.

On the way back home, we passed by this poor house. It kinda looked like a controlled burn since they had so many firemen and they were just watching it, not really fighting it. Sure gathered quite a few porch watchers along the road.

Sadly, after this trip, we met Rodger and Mary at Church and they had to take off directly from Church to head 1,770+ miles back home. We were happy to have them for the brief time we spent together. And glad that they made it home safely.

Today in Church....

2012-01-15T18:35:00.000-08:00

...we talked about Loving Our Neighbors. It was a great lesson. Of course, it made me reflect what I was doing for my neighbors and felt like I wasn't making the phone calls, providing dinner for, or stopping at the hospital like I should be doing. And then a sweet lady spoke up and said that the most important work of Charity isn't what we do outside the home, it's what we do inside it. I wrote her an email telling her thanks, and she wrote the following back:

I have hoped that I wasn't misunderstood and sounded like someone who was down on helping others. That is not the case at all, but I feel like we want so much to do well serving others that we are hard on ourselves at times. The fact that a mother and wife who tries to care for her family to the best of her ability IS a very charitable act. When we do it with loving kindness to our children we will nurture charity in them that will serve tenfold as they grow. Then we have more time to be charitable outside the walls of our home and we have raised up children who want to love others too. It's a win, win situation. This time in your life will be gone before you know it, and you can't bring it back to change what you do as a mother. Enjoy loving them by letting them know you think they are your most important focus. Spending time with our family and teaching them good principles of work and play and love are the most important charitable things you are doing right now.

Dave came home one day from Goodyear some years ago and told me that there was a fellow worker who did just the opposite of most people. He was a tough man in the office, but when he talked to his family on the phone he was loving and kind. All too often we become so stressed about being perfect "outside out home" or "in front of others", that we take the stress out on our own family which isn't good for anyone involved.

I think this is so important for a mother to remember: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Your most important charity is motherhood and a good wife. I see young mothers all to often trying to do well for EVERYONE THEY CAN POSSIBLY HELP while children suffer neglect. I am not promoting spoiling our children and ignoring others. Find peace in your heart by studying the scriptures and having time for prayer. The Lord will bless you, I know.

What would the neighbors think????

2012-01-13T12:05:00.000-08:00

Probably something along the lines of..."Oh, just excuse them....they're new around here. Probably haven't figured it out that this ain't Vegas anymore".

Here Sissy, it didn't work on the porch, so maybe out here in the middle of the yard you can give it a go...

Slow learner or am I just not clued into what kind of new game this is?

Eventually.....we figured it out. Snow= not good for bikes. Snow= good time for sledding.

It was coming down pretty hard this morning.

What do you do in Vegas during the dead of winter???

2012-01-02T21:07:00.000-08:00

Take the jeep for a spin with the top down...

Drive north for half hour and find the local shooting range.

Teach safe shooting habits to the kids.

Try to hit the squirrel target as many times as your youngest sister, Maddy. (That girl has a very steady hand).

And go for an easy 10 miler. So nice of the older people to go easy on us younger ones and only go 10 miles rather than his usual 20plus.

Stopped at Lone Mountain to turn back home.

Sure wish these guys could keep up.... (that is a total lie. Dad, who was hauling himself as well as my Mom on the tandem, was constantly having to wait for me. And I may have had a little help from Trent here and there). It was alot of fun, though. My 50 year old parents are in better shape than all 6 of their kids. Probably combined.

So nice to do so many outdoor activities before heading back to wet, cold, icy Ohio where there will probably not be any biking, jeep rides or shooting going on for awhile. Vegas is nice this time of year.

Beginning to look alot like Christmas....

2011-12-11T14:07:00.001-08:00

B & K's cousins set this whole thing up just before we arrived. Talk about fun cousin playtime... (It had a whole Wild West town with lincoln logs, train tracks, cowboys, indians, and even a few modern fighters like Army men and tank cars). With a giant Train going around the Christmas tree complete with whistle and smoke blowing.

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Morning Tea Time by the Fire

2011-12-11T13:53:00.001-08:00

Why not?

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Animal Lover

2011-12-11T13:37:00.001-08:00

We are visiting Trent's sister's family and Kyleigh thoroughly enjoys all the new play pals hanging around. I guess Hope was a little cold this morning...

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Lake Erie and Kirtland with the Folks

2011-12-04T19:05:00.001-08:00

Waaaay back in November, as mentioned previously, we had a visit from Poppy and Bamma. Along with a visit to Smuckers and Amish country, we saw a great lake and ran over to Kirtland to see some Church Historical sites. Bueno.

We stopped at a restaurant in Wilmot called The Amish Door.

They make Apple Pie, so we had to try a bite...

Dad needed to run some of that food off, I guess.

And he was so blazing fast, he was the first to spy the water.

There's alot of it. Seems like you're looking at the ocean because as far as you can see...it's just water

Nice day, too.

Mom said she wanted to find a rock shaped like a heart.

Brenden wanted to return them all into their native waters.

I found one for her. There may have been a motivating prize.

Path to the left. But this guy prefers to take the road less trodden.

And she prefers to be holding, playing and enjoying any grandbaby.

We lost Brenden. Lucky for us, Kyleigh has such keen eyes.

Mom and Dad should have arrived a few weeks earlier and they would have seen these bare branches covered in an impressive array of color.

This place is near Mentor, Ohio. I guess there are beaches right off Cleveland, but we travel a few more miles to the NE to find a less populated area to play and have all to ourselves.

Kirtland is only 3.35 miles from Mentor so we ran over to visit some of the old houses, stores and inns that the early Saints used to occupy. Kyleigh about to have sit where maybe the old men used to gather for a game while the women folk shopped and gathered the daily gossip.

Prunes and screw boxes make for great seating. Ask Kyleigh. She had no interest in what the sister missionaries were telling us about the original use of this room (Newel Whitney used this room as the Bishops Storehouse. Click here to learn more about the use and purpose of Bishops Storehouses).

Brenden manning the Storehouse.

There was something significant about this room. Maybe the place where Elizabeth Whitney and Emma Smith cooked the food for those who met for the School of the Prophets that was held upstairs?

Chair for Kyleigh.

This is where Brenden was asked what he thought about this room, or something like that, and Mom recorded an excellent answer he gave. Something about guys coming up the stairs and others hiding in the closet to escape... (At this point the sole focus was vying for a spot on Poppy's lap).

The Man Cave

Time for a siesta.

Mom is usually smiling when she has grandbabies to keep her company. And the grandbabies sure know that they are loved.

Learning about the Ashery. Whitney was a smart man to start this up. A very profitable endeavor.

I love it when I catch the kids being affectionate. They were holding hands all across this bridge...

...until they found something else more interesting to go check out.

Feelin' the love.

Whitney's home.

Kyleigh was collecting the leaves that were being blown away in the wind.

3 Generations.

Our coat hanger.

Woah, cool. On the way to lunch, we found a place hosting a model train show. (Couldn't hold a candle to the one at Thanksgiving Point).

This was about the only one that had a train moving. So, we kept on moving to our next stop....

Wendys! Traveling makes one hungry. Wendy's makes lunch, so we stopped. Who knew the Amish also frequented such fine dining?

On Sunday, after some Baked Sandwiches, we took a stroll around the block.

Kids really like going on a walk in the fall. Lots of local entertainment.

A couple of guys, walking off into the sunset.

Kids always ask when Poppy and Bamma are coming over once they leave....for about a week straight.

Fun visit.

Kyleigh's look-alike??

2011-12-04T18:17:00.001-08:00

What do you think?
(After seeing the picture, Trent said I should dress Kyleigh up just like Cindy Lou Who and take a picture. I might have to go snoopin' around for a pink pj and couple of red bows).

Just need a few chestnuts....

2011-12-02T16:19:00.001-08:00

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Somebody's hungry....

2011-11-29T11:08:00.001-08:00

And couldn't wait for Momma's help.

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Poppy and Bamma come visit!!!!!

2011-11-27T18:57:00.001-08:00

We got to have some familiar faces come visit us for a few days. (I took alot of phots), so here's a bit of a photo-journal of what we saw and did when Poppy and Bamma came over.
We met at McDonalds in the morning for some fine breakfast dining, and then decided to run down to Amish Country. Smuckers just happened to be on the way down, so we pulled over.
(All of the other companies you see...Hungry Jack, Crisco, Pillbury, etc. are owned by Smuckers. Who knew?)

We walked in the door and while Poppy and Brenden checked out the giant Christmas tree, Grandma and Kyleigh checked out the assortment of sweets.

They had a nice historical timeline of the company along with some era-piece relics (not pictured, but was neat to see the giant stoneware crocks they used to make applebutter from).

Kyleigh was 'hopping' for joy. (She did alot of that this trip).

Pretty sweet. They happily went wherever their grandparents led. (especially if it was back to the dessert bar).

As mentioned on an earlier post, Brenden tried out the Pillsbury dough boy, but he was broken..no giggling.

Kyleigh matches the store. How quaint.

Buddy giving me a good smile. Too bad I couldn't manage to get them both at the same time. Same story with every mother of 2 toddlers...

Further down the OH-57 and 30, you find Lehman's in Kidron, OH. Really neat store. Their ad bit says:
"At Lehman's, being old-fashioned is always in fashion. That's why our massive, 32,000-square-foot retail store contains not one, not two, but three pre-Civil War era buildings...Fall in love with our oil lamps, handmade pottery and copper cookie cutters. Marvel at our wood-burning cook stoves and retro refrigerators. Reminisce with our tin toys, cast iron cookware, hand tools and water pumps."

This is what you see when you walk into one of the several entrances.

Not everything in the store is old-fashioned.

And I guess people aren't in the market anymore for GIANT metal bells. Dad says there used to be a really big one but now they only have these mediocre ones for the kids to ring. And we tried out quite a few.

I wasn't lyin....

Mom even found a heart bell. She has an eye for things in the heart shape.

As we passed this section, Dad mentioned to me something about getting me a new washer.....(no thanks, I prefer my electric one, thank you very much!)

And for the wide variety of people in the country who do not use electricity to light up their homes, Lehmans has any variety of lamp you never knew existed.

Anyone in the market for a Wheatgrass juicer?

This was a funny side note of the trip....Dad was incredibly impressed with the colorful wooden rolling pins. I probably shouldn't bring it up as he might have the non-buyers regret of missing out on an incredibly unique cooking tool. They were really cool...just the price wasn't too cool.

At their cafe, you can choose to eat in the jail.

One of Mom's favorite candy pieces.

The "SLOW Grandparents at play" sign doesn't exactly apply to B & K's grandparents. You almost have to workout before they come for a visit to keep up with the pace.

Some pretty cool signs.

A ton of these ancient stoves. And if you have an extra $5,000 laying around, you can pick one up.

Later, we found a tourist wilderness spot and let the kids climb around with bugs and insects.

And reptiles..

We saw Boris and Miss Piggy.

little ducks following the leader.....

Will add Lake Erie and Kirtland next...

Thanksgiving Dinner away from family

2011-11-24T18:04:00.001-08:00

Thankfully, this Thanksgiving we were able to be with several law students and their families who were also far away from home. We all divided up the food responsibilities (which, like most things as you hit your 'first' marks as a growing parent, realize what kind of work went into the many many many dinners that my Grandparents put on). Trent helped me get the tables ready the night before. We were anxious when people started showing up at 3 with dish after dish....
We all left very satisfied.

This was probably the bigger area and better for the round table, but I wanted to trap the kids in this room so that they wouldn't be able to run around near the couch with their food dripped hands and mouths. We had 7 kids under 5 years old.

I had Trent snip a few evergreen branches from our backyard. And went to the local grocery store to fill our candle jars with pecans, soybeans, almonds, peas and cranberries.

10 adults sat in our living room. It was cozy:)

The Wrights made the Turkey. It was moist and very flavorful. Must have been all those different onions and other stuffings.

They also brought the rolls and salad. I did some mashed potatoes.

Sarah made green bean casserole, stuffing, and gravy. Erica made candied yams.

A before (see above) and after (see below) picture.

Turkey...what's left...

Desserts. MUST have several options to choose from....

Erica made Pumpkin trifle and eggnog cheesecake. Sarah made chocolate pie and pumpkin cobbler. I had a cheesecake and pretzel jello dish.

We were even lucky enough that Snow White showed up to join us.

We didn't intentionally do this, but we happened to have all LDS Law Students and their families.

Our first Thanksgiving away from home, family and all that we've ever known during a heavily family-oriented holiday. We may go to the Zoo with some friends tomorrow...to keep with tradition and all that. We are very blessed to have such good friends....who can also make such good food. It was a nice time.

Disney, here we come!

2011-11-21T16:33:00.001-08:00

Such talent at caricatures. A promising future.

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Family Drawings by Brenden

2011-11-21T16:26:00.001-08:00

This is his first family drawing.

Oh, scratch that. I just asked him who he drew and he told me it's his friend next door Johnathan and his brothers and Kyleigh. That explains why so many head-feet people.

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Halloween

2011-11-20T20:08:00.001-08:00

Halloween was fun this year. We got to have 2 kids who enjoy running around in costume asking people to fork over the candy...all so that Trent can take some to school while he studies.
I got to go to a girls Witches party. A girl in the ward did such an incredible job decorating her entire house, preparing an elaborate menu (monkey brains, monster fingers, etc), and some fun games.

Donut eating on a string contest. Jen on the left won. She was good!

This game you had to guess what ingredient for the witches brew was in the jar. (more brains, claws, etc).

And Fear Factory between these 3 girls.

Another day, our Ward had the Halloween Carnival and Trunk or Treat. Trent and I were the lucky ones called to set this all up:)

There were 17 different booths, candy and prizes at each one. And a Costume contest with prizes.

My little Wonder Woman complete with lasso of truth.

Superheros unite.

Hard to get 2 small kids to look at the camera at the same time...while other cute kids are running around while their parents set up the booths before the party begins.

...At least Brenden was checking out the babes at the party....

Time to save some damsels in distress.

Kyleigh's good friend. (Just as I'm typing this, Brenden was in the kitchen, sees the picture and runs to the computer yelling her name! They are moving soon...the downside of being in a student populated area...but are going to a good place, so we're happy for them. Sorta.)

Here in Ohio, each city designates their own day and time for trick and treating. Our was Saturday from 5-7. It was a very nice evening and actually felt like a big tailgate party with all the neighbors out on their lawns with their firepits going and chatting with everyone who passes by. The kids loved it, we made really good time and almost 2 streets. We just stopped when the baskets got full and the kids were tired. Good night. Especially the baked potato soup and rolls after walking the 'hood with our neighbors in Medical residency.
Captain America and Wonder Woman did great and didn't even ask for more than 3 candy bars after all their work nor for any the next morning. What's wrong with these kids??!! Candy for crying out loud!!! (Trent doesn't mind one bit).

We are Story time alumns

2011-11-20T19:15:00.001-08:00

Someone recommended the Story time at the Downtown Library, so I took the kids and we checked it out. We've been back a few times since that first visit. We are story time alumni.

Guess Kyleigh couldn't find a seat anywhere so she choose Brenden's seat.

He obliged.

That day they had a brief music time with drums.

Kyleigh took no part in that. She is not as musically inclined as her brother. She will dance, but not play.

There is always a project or craft after story time and music. This time the kids got to paint.

One paints paper while the other one paints her hand.

(Must allow the hand to dry).

We either meet friends at the library or carpool there. It's nice to have a few pals around. Even if he is the only boy.

She doesn't sit as still as Brenden. He will follow along and listen to the whole story while she will go between sitting by her brother on a mat or on my lap.

They listened to the song that told them where on their body to put the bean bag.

Woah, 'scuse the interruption. Trent took us to the park one afternoon so he could play on the jungle jim.

The lady at the Library makes different things out of cardboad. She has done a castle and this week was a space ship. Pretty clever. Kids sure enjoyed it.

Oh, and we grab a few books while we are being entertained at the library. But don't you dare try to help Kyleigh fill her bag. She is plenty capable herself!!! Even if it takes her about 10 different tries to get the one book in the bag.

Booty bag full. Time to go.

These photos are out of order. This was our first time going.

And because they served ice cream with sprinkles, the kids didn't mind going back.

(And they looooove the play kitchen. Just sit for a spell and you might just be fed a five course meal. They do take orders, too).

Leaf war

2011-11-20T19:02:00.001-08:00

Brenden is about to get it...

...yep, he got it.

PS-when you let the kids play outside while you rake all the leaves, maybe check to see if they have tried to sneak your car/house keys outside and dropped them on a random pile of leaves...which you subsequently took to the curb. You may not even realize they are missing until later that night when you need to get something out of the car, and they are no longer in the drawer. You ask Brenden if he took them. He says yes. You ask him where he put them. He gets his shoes on, walks outside, and stops at the location of where one pile used to be. He bows his head as he realizes its gone and he has no idea where it is now.
You inform your husband that the car keys are in the giant pile of leaves on the curb and could be anywhere in there. You both don your beanies, gloves, heavy coats and grab a flashlight as you say a prayer to find the keys before the leaf removal people come. Thankfully, we find the keys before feeling is lost in the fingers and all is forgiven. Well, at least the keys have found a new location to rest.

Indigo Lake

2011-11-19T09:38:00.001-08:00

Our playgroup visited Indigo Lake one week, so we dragged Trent out one evening in early October to come see.
Buddy particularly liked the Train tracks.

But there was also the Emergency personnel doing some practice dives to keep his attention forward moving.

Not a big Lake, but a nice paved (for the most part) trail.

Kyleigh and I were winning. The boys wouldn't have any of it.

But when you look at her form, it's no question that she's the one with the speed in the family.

Oh dear, camera caught a crash landing in action. Luckily, not even a hole in the pants. Oh, or a skin abrasion.

Someone's catching up...

Walking is for the birds. Or is that flying?

I don't think she walked the entire time. It was straight running for the mini Mae.

We all mocked...I mean, ran with the kids' running form.

We heard the train coming and the kids got real excited.

But it was LOUD. Kyleigh kept telling us how loud it was the whole ride home. But it was cool to be so close and watch the people inside eating their dinner and being served like old times.

Good time?

It's True

2011-11-14T09:09:00.001-08:00

Sometimes, the things I read concerning the Gospel are stirring around too much and I kinda like to share. I normally would worry about sharing something personal in a public setting like a blog, but it seems like our leaders have counseled us to pipe up and join in on the noise about life, church, trials and anything relating to a Supreme Being. There is almost too much noise for a person trying to seek the Real Truth. How daunting to have to sort through all the Churches claiming to have God's stamp of approval. Fortunately, God is still in charge and has figured out a way to help the true seekers sort through all the mess of "see here!" preachings.
Missionary work (the proselyting ones, the online chat ones on mormon.org, the member neighbors next door as well as the ones with profiles on mormon.org, General Conference being on TV, and ads now being on major search engine websites as well as billboards across America sure helps to lead those to find out what has been revealed for us for our day....but I'm sure the Holy Ghost has a lot bigger role than we know....to lead us to speak up and lead those searching to find the right source).
I like to read and sometimes my novels are a lot more exciting and compelling than the scriptures, so I have to remind myself to pick up God's words before I can indulge in man's words. Every time I do, I'm not disappointed and am reminded why this one is inspired from a heavenly power and inevitably helps improve my day far more than JK Rowling, Katheryn Stockett, Jane Austen, JRR Tolkien or even the great C.S. Lewis.
Today, I read a living Apostle's words on "waiting on the Lord". It was great. Reminded me about the purpose of Life....to show us that we will use our agency to follow His Son, no matter how difficult our circumstances become..."all these things shall [be for our] experience, and ....[our] good". (D&C122:7)

We won't always know why or understand our challenges, and all of us at sometime will have reason to ask, "O God, where art thou?", but Psalm 30:5 reminds "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning". I believe that! Currently, I do not have any major tragedies going on in my life. It's not the life I thought I would have at 30 years old, but it's still a good one. However, I hope that I would answer like Job had I been tested and lost all my posessions, family members, reputation, and health...."For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though....worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him".
Job was wise. He removed himself from the situation, took a step back, put on an eternal view, and saw that the only thing that matters...even above family...is our own personal faith and absolute devotion to remain steadfast to God's commandments.
Sadly, I knew a man who loved his family more than God. His wife didn't want, for some reason or other, to go to Church and have to continually do all those things that upstanding citizens of God's kingdom do. He was sad, though. He missed the Church. He came with his 2 daughters one Sunday and I saw him smile. Happy. Doing what God asked, though it was probably hard....telling the wife were he was going and taking the 2 girls as well as seeing old friends in the chapel that he had not seen in a long time and hoping that they didn't judge him for his absence, only his presence.
If you love your family, you will love God more. You will serve Him and His Church faithfully, tirelessly, and happily and be blessed all the more for it. It is not possibly to loose your family by loving God above them. Job lost his children-7 sons and 3 daughters-all in one day. After the first servant came in telling me how all 7,000 sheep were lost in one swoop, I would have shut and locked the door to the other servants hurrying towards the house bearing the bad news regarding his camels, oxen, she asses and his own children. But after 42 chapters, Job never lost his faith. He had nothing. No possessions, no family and even his friends turned on him. He didn't, probably not even once, think that God isn't real, or loving or caring or mindful of him. He stood back, knew that it all would die anyway and choose to remain faithful to the Higher Being. But, after seeing what he had in the first chapter and then in the 42nd chapter, only one number remained the same. He started with 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 oxen, 500 she asses and 7 sons and 3 daughters. After loosing everything, he was rewarded more in "the latter end...than his beginning" and received 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 oxen and 1,000 she asses....and 7 sons and 3 daughters (and the daughters received special mention regarding their incredible beauty and 'fairness'). The only number to remain the same was the # of children.

Job 1:2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

Job 42:12 So the Lord ^ablessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.

13 He had also seven sons and three daughters.

Why didn't Job receive 14 sons and 6 daughters? He'll sure need the extra manpower with all those extra sheep, camels, oxen and asses running around. He did receive double the amount of children that he had previously....because the first 7 sons and 3 daughters were not lost to him. He....so many thousands of years earlier....knew about the Plan of Salvation in a way that the majority of the human population does not either know about or believe in a way to influence their actions. Job, knew that his land and his animals were not the most prized or eternal things he had to his name. He probably spent more time crying over his sons and daughters than all 11,000 lost animals combined. And, the extra animals he was blessed with at the end was nice, but he probably would have thought about trading the now 22,000 lot of animals for his lost 7 boys and 3 girls. He most assuredly was grateful for the children he was given after the trial, and knew that he would again see his other 10 kids and be able to live eternally with 20 children surrounding him for eternity rather than lament and curse God for taking away a bunch of livestock for a short amount of time. I imagine the prayers during the trial and after didn't change much in tone....he was grateful and understanding of Who was really in charge...just the number of names included increased. I do pray for prosperity. I pray that Trent will be enlightened, enlarged beyond his own ability. I know that won't happen if he doesn't put in the time to study or if I call him home before he is done with his cases, so the days are longer without his help, but I can't pray for something and not expect to put something on the altar to show I'm serious about my plea. Job put everything on the altar. And he was greatly blessed.
I think that as Job was able to live to see his sons's sons to the 4th generation, he only increased in what he already knew....that God is in charge; He loves us; is mindful of us...even in trials.
"Every one of us is more beloved to the Lord than we can possibly understand or imagine" and when we realize this, it is important to notice the following admonition by the Apostle Robert Hales, "Let us therefore be kinder to one another and kinder towards ourselves".
Seems like President Dieter Uchtdorf was trying to help us see the same thing when he said,

"Just think of it: You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time!

He who created and knows the stars knows you and your name—you are the daughters of His kingdom. The Psalmist wrote:

“When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? …

“For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.”⁵

Probably one of the first songs I memorized as a kid was "I Am a Child of God". There's a reason why it's one of the most well-known songs of the church and the subject of our 1st Article of Faith. When we realize who we are in relation to God...a very real, powerful and kind person...we can understand better the trials we are dealt with individually as well as remember how to treat others around us. Like Joseph Smith taught, something about when we come to understand the Gospel, we cannot be content with knowing it ourselves, but must share it with the human race. Know God, know we are His kids, and treat others like we believe the former two are true.
In Spanish there are 2 ways to say know. Saber and Conocer. Saber is to know of someone. I can say "Yo se el presidente de los estados unidos" (I know the President of the United States). But I cannot say "Yo conozco el presidente de los estados unidos" (I know the President of the United States). I know (saber) the President in regards to his office, his duties, responsibilities, but I do not know him personally...his likes, dislikes, his favorite candy bar. I can say I know (conocer) my dad. I know he likes Diet Pepsi, to ride bikes, and sweetarts. God, with all his power and responsibilities, wants us to know him intimately...conocer, not saber. So much so, that when we die, our reunion won't be a foreign one. More of a natural, "i've missed you so much", good to be home, kind of a reunion.
God is real, His Church is on the earth again, and we get the chance to show ourselves that we do believe in Him and will return faithfully. Job didn't go the easy route, but he is easily one of the happy ones resting with his rich blessings now. It's our turn.

Friends

2011-11-14T05:49:00.001-08:00

It is a truth, universally known, that little kids are in need of good friends. Luckily, we moved to a location where there aren't enough days in the week to play with all the fun friends around the 'hood.
Warms a Mother's heart to see the kids having a good time with some good pals.

Even if it is to get together to watch Barbie;) No, they were watching Toy Story...a very manly-boyish movie with plenty of suspense, fighting and danger involved. My camera happened to click with her on the screen.

Meanwhile, the girls were upstairs taking care of the dollies, tea parties, and jewelry.

Cute girls!

Seems like P (on the left) is actually reading the book.

All 4 friends live within walking distance. They come from 2 different families. We watch each others kids while going on errands or dates. Works out nicely. Especially since our ward boundries are so large that just to get a babysitter can easily be an hour drive roundtrip.

Even Mickey Mouse & Co. got to join in on the tea party! E is very inclusive.

S calling over more friends? Why not?!

(Luckily, this is only a very small sampling of the good friends that are also currently in residency, grad or law school. I had no idea I was so incredibly fortunate to move to an area so heavily populated with young families all with kids around B & K's age. I've been to more baby showers, Holiday parties, and playdates in these last 3 months than I have in the last 3 years in Utah. Sure helps missing the family a whole lot more bearable).

Cool Gorge. Not so cool in 1759.

2011-11-13T18:31:00.001-08:00

Back in early October, we ran over to The Gorge to go see where Mary Campbell lived when kidnapped by Delaware Indians. On the Summit Metro Park website it says:

In 1759, a 12-year-old girl was captured in Pennsylvania by Delaware Indians and reportedly brought to a cave in present-day Gorge Metro Park, where she lived as a child of Chief Netawatwees. Young Mary Campbell, for whom the cave is named, unwittingly became the first white child in what was then the wild frontier of the Western Reserve. Mary later settled with the tribe in a village along the banks of the Cuyahoga River, not far from the cave. She was released in 1764 after a treaty ended the French and Indian War.

It was an easy hike down to the falls (too bad they had all that hydro plant stuff in the way of the rugged outdoor views. We should have left the stroller in the car instead of carry it down these steps and back up so that Mae could walk the course herself. :) (But she did ask to hitch a ride on the way back so it was useful to cart along. somewhat).

The waterfall is at the bottom of these cool stairs.

We went at a good time. It was still pretty with all the leaves still hanging on and just beginning to change colors.

Mary Campbell's home for a few years.

That's Kyleigh back there. This cave was huge.

Not the nicest of accomodations. But really neat to see what the glaciers cut when sliding slowly through solid rock.

Kyleigh wondering what those boys are up to...

Video of the falls at The Gorge.

Cool place not too far away from home. Not so cool around the 1760s. Glad we are so much more civilized in our advanced age of 2011? (I only wish it was so).

A better moment

2011-11-11T10:52:00.001-08:00

I had to rearrange that last outfit. It was unfit for public appearances. After playing awhile, she hops on this airplane with her play cell phone and says 'Poppy, Bama, Vegas'

She was chartering her own private airline flight. Must go to Vegas and see Poppy and Bama.

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Not her finest moment

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

I brought Brendens clothes downstairs to get him ready, go upstairs, and am later greeted with this little number.

Brenden's underwear on, but only using one leg slot. His socks inside out.

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Pillow Fort by B

2011-11-11T06:05:00.001-08:00

Nice handiwork. I finish breakfast, walk into the front room and see this...

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Fun visit

2011-11-08T19:15:00.000-08:00

When parents come into town, we get to have a little bit of fun.
This is a quick run down before a more photo-loaded post.
Brenden pushed the belly, but pillsbury man was broken. No giggling sound occurred.

We had to run down to Kidron to find a few bells to ring.

Kyleigh liked it. And tried out a few. Mom had gotten separated from us, but once we began testing these babies out, she said she had no problem finding where we had gone.

Brenden rang some bells and went crawling around with some insects.

Kyleigh tried to find a place to sit among all these boxes and bags in the way of an old store owned by Newel K.

The box-chair thing didn't work out, but she did manage to find a lumpy bed to rest her weary historical house viewing ridden feet.

Brenden acted as a nice coat rack for Gma while we took a quick photo of the 3 girls.

The next day Poppy took us through some large overgrown weeds. They happened to be near an extra-large lake.

Was Kyleigh the first one to the lake? I can't remember...

Mom wanted a Great Lake heart rock. I found her one. (And nearly at the last minute, too.)

We lost Brenden, but were lucky that Kyleigh had such keen eyes.

On Sunday, after Church and naps, we helped the kids get tired for bed (like they needed any help after being able to run all over Northeast Ohio with their fun grandparents)...

They asked for Poppy and Bama today. At least we only have to wait a month instead of 3 this time!!

Cleveland Zoo

2011-10-31T12:15:00.000-07:00

Awhile back, we ran up to the Cleveland Zoo one Saturday before Trent got crazy busy. It was a very nice day out, a little hot, but not too humid so we were happy. This Zoo is much larger and better 'presented' than the Akron Zoo, so we may follow our neighbors down the street who bought a Cleveland Zoo membership instead of an Akron Zoo one. It takes the same amount of time to get there as it did for us to go from Lehi to the Salt Lake City Zoo. If you're traveling to see animals ranging from large beasts to small reptiles, you may as well see the bigger and wider variety at Cleveland. Live and learn.
This was a really cool exhibit for the elephants. They even had a waterfall.

Waterfall...

We crossed train tracks and Brenden couldn't go on. He wanted to sit and wait for the next one to pass by, but we had no idea how long that would be, so somehow we encouraged him to keep moving and we'd probably see a train if we kept moving.

At Petting Zoo, Kyleigh could not be contained when getting the chance to touch, hold or ride any kind of 4 legged animal.

She pet this one till it ran away; then tried chasing it as it ran away from her.

No, Kyleigh, you are not getting a pet goat.

She can't help you either.

So many contained in one space...without the ability to run away from her...good thing she couldn't get in there.

But she was allowed in a snake. Snakes are better than goats anyway. This kind, anyway.

I wasn't sure if Kyleigh could go on the big slide that you have to climb up to the top of this tree house to get to, so Trent took Brenden first to make sure it was ok for little mini-girls. This playground area was huge.

Mom and Dad are the coolest!!...there really was a train later on. We didn't have time to ride this one. Mom and Dad not so cool anymore :(

But we brought a cooler full of food and snacks....(somewhat cool again. At least thanks to the chips).

After some nutrition, we went into the enclosed bird area. Some people bought little nectar cups to feed the birds and so these guys are well fed.

Cool birds.

Cool kid.

Kyleigh, this is not a petting area anymore.

Woah, and I guess it's not a PG area anymore either.

Big, fat, lazy turtle.

Huge.

Yet another play place. Stick a steering wheel and it's a cool place. That even works on shopping carts in the grocery store.

Kyleigh rode the camel. Didn't move as well as the camels I got to ride in Phoenix as a little girl.

And this Aquarium came close to the one in Oregon, but not quite. Sure was colorful, though.

Speaking of colorful...

Beats the tiny, grassless, enclosed area the giraffes had to roam around in Salt Lake City Hogle zoo.

This thing didn't run away from her.

Kids did well so they got little Frostys for good behavior at the Zoo. Brenden going to dance with his Ice Cream? His Poppy has some dance moves when he gets excited about food as well. And they both enjoy a good scoop of it after dinner or a tiring activity.

Good day at the Zoo. Ice Cream just topped it off very nicely.

Mae Morning

2011-10-28T19:16:00.000-07:00

man at work. girl enjoying work.

2011-10-28T18:31:00.000-07:00

Kyleigh put on gardening gloves. Both have a stick. Kyleigh's looks a bit larger than Brenden's.

Texting his pals to come over and chill in the backyard. Might as well share a good thing. (No, he's not texting. He is just admiring his stick. But, the sun had peeked out while Kyleigh was napping, so he and I dragged a few chairs out into the only spot the sun was shining on our yard to enjoy the sparse rays. Once she got up, he must have wanted to improve on the getup more to Kyleigh's liking. A good accommodating big brother. He really does a good job looking after her and more than a couple times it has come back around....like tonight when Kyleigh shared her popcorn with Brenden while watching our movie together).

Mornin'

2011-10-28T18:23:00.000-07:00

At our house, it's the young male who gathers the most beauty sleep. And 2 mornings ago, I had to gently prod and poke, persuade and almost drag him out of bed at 9:30 to get him ready for Storytime at the Library with some of his best pals. The kid could probably have made it all the way until 10am. Maybe it's a growth spurt. I wouldn't doubt it. He's one of the taller kids in his group and can hang with the upperclassmen (5 year olds), sin problema.

So next time you're over...be careful not to wake the sleeping beast...

...wait until he's more awake...

...cause once he's up, he's a very pleasant, fun boy. He'll have you shooting arrows at the bad guys in no time.

Meanwhile, Kyleigh has read some good books, made breakfast and got her dollies ready for breakfast.

She excels in her nurturing instincts.

(They both have their own pillows, but looks like Piggy is the favorite. He/she got fed twice!)

America's Favorite Pastime

2011-10-28T14:00:00.000-07:00

A good ole' game of baseball seemed nice....especially when seated in a comfortable lawn chair. Brenden was actually trying to convince his Dad to let him take a few swings in this state of relaxation. It didn't fare too well.

He was forced to get up, stand there all by himself AND watch the ball....as it flew right by him. Maybe he should have sat in the chair.

Kyleigh was in danger of coming into the crossfire, so Brenden directed her back to the chair...

...he just forgot to mention which 'chair' to sit on.

Kyleigh seating at a safer distance, Brenden is safe to swing away.

Trent is willing Brenden to hit this one. To end the story with a happy ending, let's just pretend he was able to hit the tennis ball successful with the extra large Diego bat.

{At least someone was able to successfully connect with a ball that afternoon. No offense, bud, you're great. Fast pitch tennis ball isn't a sport anyway, maybe we should find a real baseball, or start with the tee.}

Fall is nice in Ohio

2011-10-25T07:14:00.000-07:00

Our friend, Jen T, told us about a book (http://www.amazon.com/Notable-Childrens-Books-Younger-Readers/dp/0152053042 ) she used to show kids she taught how to make animals or people out of different colored leaves you collect as you walk down the street. Brenden and I did our homework and went out to collect some cool leaves to make some animals. It's true, I did not grow up with such a wide variety of natural color. In the dry desert, anything other than brown is man-made; so this was pretty cool to see...

My favorites are the leaves with at least 3 distinct colors on them...

Should be enough for a few elephants, lions, tigers and bears...

It's on fire

And only in Ohio do you see squirrels running around like regular (outdoor) house pets. Kyleigh was dangerously close to one the other day. Unfortunately, some are getting too used to humans.

The view of red, yellow, gold and green trees are right outside my front window.

(While the trees are nice during the fall, once the leaves do fall, it's not so nice. Seems like you have to rake more than mow the lawn here)

K Mae dances to Disney's Pirate song

2011-10-24T13:39:00.001-07:00

Kyleigh Mae doing a morning jig...

Amazing

2011-10-21T13:29:00.000-07:00

      Cripple him, and you have a Sir Walter Scott. Lock him in a prison cell, and you have a John Bunyan. Bury him in the snows of Valley Forge, and you have a George Washington. Land him in poverty, and you have an Abraham Lincoln. Subject him to bitter religious strife, and you have a Disraeli. Strike him with Infantile Paralysis, and you have a Franklin D. Roosevelt, the only President of the United States to be elected to four terms of office. Burn him so severely in a schoolhouse fire that the doctors say he will never walk, and you have a Glenn Cunningham, who set a world record in 1934 for running the mile in 4 minutes, 6.7 seconds.
      Deafen a genius composer who continues to compose some of the world's most beautiful music, and you have a Beethoven. Drag him more dead than alive out of a rice paddy in Vietnam, and you have a Rocky Blaier, that beautiful running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Have him or her born black in a society filled with racial discrimination, and you have a Booker T. Washington, Harriet Tubman, or Martin Luther King Jr. Have him born of parents who survived a Nazi concentrations camp, paralyze him from the waist down at the age of four, and you have an Itzhak Perlman, the incomparable violinist. Call him "retarded" and write him off as "uneducatable," and you have an Albert Einstein.
      After loosing both his legs in an airplane crash, let an RAF fighter pilot fly, and you have a World War II ace, Douglas Bader, who was captured by the Germans three times and escaped three times on two artificial limbs. Label him too stupid to learn, and you have a Thomas Edison. Label him a hopeless alcoholic, and you have a Bill Wilson, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. Tell her she is too old to start painting at 80, and you have a Grandma Moses. Blind him at age 44, and you have a John Milton, who 10 years later, wrote Paradise Lost. Call him dull and hopeless and flunk him in the 6th grade, and you have a Winston Churchill.
     Tell a young boy who loved to draw and sketch that he had no talent, and you have a Walt Disney. Rate him mediocre in chemistry, and you have a Louis Pasteur. Take a crippled child whose only home was an orphanage, and you have a Louis E. West, who became the first chief executive of the Boy Scouts of America. Spit on him, humiliate him, betray his trust, say one thing and do another. Mistrust those whom he loves. Mock him. Make him carry a heaven wooden cross and then crucify him-and he forgives you and calls you a friend.
[Anonymous]

Pumpkin Earrings-Gender Neutral

2011-10-21T13:14:00.000-07:00

Or....maybe not so gender neutral. (Or any gender for that matter. These things should probably just stay on the window sill or mantle somewhere)

Brenden gives Kyleigh a horse ride

2011-10-20T19:43:00.001-07:00

Last night, the kids started horsing around....I remember having wrestle mania after family prayer every night. It usually lasted until someone got hurt and started crying. Good traditions to continue down the line. ;)

First Day of School

2011-10-20T19:38:00.000-07:00

All our Utah records transferred over and Brenden is now a part of the public school system here in Ohio. I told him he gets to meet new friends and have a new teacher...as well as play with some new toys.

When we arrive at Noon, the kids are all fed lunch in the classroom. (Then most of them line up at the sink after cleaning up to brush their teeth...In Utah, they were neither fed lunch nor directed to brush their teeth. But it serves alot of good for the kids here).

Now that the school year is further along, and they have placed all the kids, all 3 tables are full. (Kyleigh doesn't eat with them. She was just accompanying me on Brenden's first day of school).

Chocolate milk for lunch every day!!! What more could a kid ask for. This Ohio place must be with it.

The lady everyone calls Grandma on the left, and Brenden's 2 teachers on the right- Ms. R and Ms. J
They have circle time for reading on the rug, computers you can't see on the right, toys in the back, and a sand play area to the left of the garbage can on the left back wall. I still can't get Brenden to tell me what he does or learns each day, but every once in awhile he'll tell me: sand or paint or bikes. He seems to like his class and teachers. And the last time I picked him up, a girl sitting next to him asked for a hug goodbye, and when he did, the girl next to her asked for a hug, then the boy next to her and the boy next to him. That made me happy that he and his classmates were all getting along. Just about all a Momma cares about.

And once again, Kyleigh looses her best play pal for 4 days out of the week. At least now it's during her nap time so she hardly has time to notice that he's gone.
But it still gets lonely.

John Johnson Farm...you must come visit this place.

2011-10-19T14:44:00.000-07:00

This was a cool place. One of my favorite spots we've visited so far in this corner of Ohio.
Here's what The Church has to say about the place:

The John Johnson home is located in a beautiful, tranquil area amid rich farmland, rolling hills, and wooded areas. The Johnson family provided a home for Joseph Smith and his family from 1831 to 1832. While here, Joseph Smith received many revelations and faced serious opposition.

And here's what wikipedia had to say:
On the night of 24 March 1832 Joseph and Emma Smith were caring for their adopted twins. Both of the twins were sick with the measles. While Joseph was sleeping on the trundle bed on the first floor of the Johnson home a mob of about 25 attacked Joseph and dragged him out the front door. Joseph struggled with the mob but was overcome. The mob choked him, tried to put acid in his mouth, put tar all over his body and then covered him with feathers. When Joseph got back to the house, Emma thought that the tar was blood and fainted. Joseph's friends spent the rest of the night cleaning the tar off of his body. The next day, Joseph preached a sermon to a crowd which included some of the mobbers and baptized three people. One of the twin babies, the eleven-month-old boy named Joseph Murdock Smith died four days later.

And about the Johnsons:

The Johnson's were converted in the Spring of 1831 with the healing of John's wife Elsa from rheumatism in her shoulder.² Two of the Johnson's sons, Luke and Lyman Johnson became members of the original Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and their daughter, Marinda, married Orson Hyde.

The Church used the property as a Welfare Farm. Now it is used for Tours to show anyone who visits the places where exact historical events took place; and from what our Elderly Missionary guides told us, it's a very coveted hot spot for Girls Camps in the summer. Apparently you have to secure a spot early or you'll be left out. I can understand why. The location is gorgeous.

When you first enter the Farm, they have everyone gather here to give a brief introduction before taking us into the farmhouse. This was the gararge...but obviously for the horses. All the discolored and darker wood on the walls and ceiling is original.

(Below photo taken from http://lds.org/placestovisit/eng/historical-sites/historic-john-johnson-home) Go meet in the garage area on the right until a tour group is gathered, then they take you outside and into the farmhouse on the left.

Washroom? Current day Mudroom equivalent? I can't remember what she told us this was used for.

Well stocked pantry. And nice view as you grab your sugar.

Big Kitchen. Mrs Johnson was well-off for that time.

She even had decorative woodwork done.

Our guide is holding the wood piece that goes over the bread oven that's directly behind her. A hole in the brick fireplace. Would take a long time to make the bread as the hot/warm coals would slow bake it.

Original wood not retouched.

Formal sitting room?

This wasn't the last rope she tried to sneak under.

Happily trying to run away from being caught. Loves mischief.

This is the room where Joseph Smith was trying to sleep and take care of the sick (with measles) twin baby when the mob burst through the house, dragged him out to pour hot tar and feathers over his exposed body, and chip his tooth when trying to force acid down his throat. The baby that was sick, later died from exposure while in his already weakened condition.
Also, when they dragged Sidney Rigdon out of his house across the street the same night, they pulled him by the feet and let his head bang repeatedly against the cold, hard ice/snow and gave him a concussion they believe. Our guide told us this really affected Sidney alot.

Sad room to walk into when you think of what happened to its unsuspecting occupants.

When we were told the story, the kids were antsy and she was astute enough to have everyone sit on the floor like storytime at the library to keep them semi-still so that she could relate what had happened in this room some years back. I think it's good for the kids to hear the sad parts of the history as well as the good parts. Helps them, at least myself, appreciate the sacrifices our leaders endured to bring God's truth back to Earth. Even though some of mankind thought they were more powerful than God and could prevent such a thing from happening. Big mistake.

(Along with everything else you learn about what the people did who lived here, I'm glad I don't have to pull my bed tight by the ropes at the end, climb into a bug infested straw bed, wake up with no central heat and have to wear a long sleeve dress and uncomfortable shoes, go bake my bread and hand wash the laundry everyday). I did not mind, one bit, driving home in my warm car, slipping under my warm, comfortable, not lumpy bedsheets without having to share it with all other members of my family, and enjoying a peaceful sleep in a heated house. But they may be glad they don't have to go to through the current public school system either.

Pull ropes to tighten bed for a more comfortable sleep.

The spare bedroom, in an almost hidden room, for company when guests came to visit.

The table where Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon received more detailed revelation on what Heaven is like and who would go to which degree of glory.
For the full revelation, go here.
This was fascinating.
Joseph and Sidney sat at this desk while others were watching them and said it looked like Joseph and Sidney's face had changed, lighter. Joseph and Sidney saw Jesus in this room and the 3 Glories of Heaven. They were working on translating the Bible correctly and came across John 5:29, mediated on it together and then had this happen to them:

20 And we beheld the ^aglory of the Son, on the ^bright hand of the ^cFather, and received of his fulness;

21 And saw the holy ^aangels, and them who are ^bsanctified before his throne, worshiping God, and the Lamb, who ^cworship him forever and ever.

22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the ^atestimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he ^blives!

23 For we ^asaw him, even on the ^bright hand of ^cGod; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only ^dBegotten of the Father—

(D&C 76: 20-23)

The kids were coloring a Johnson Farmhouse picture while she told us the story of the Revelation happening here.

The door that the mob bust through, dragged Joseph out to hopefully kill or intimidate him, but they didn't quite succeed, so he dragged his beaten body back to the house and when Emma saw him, she fainted because she mistook the tar for blood. They spent the night tearing the tar off his body so he could speak to a group the next morning (a group of which included some of the aggressors from the previous night and ended up converted and baptized from what they heard the Prophet preach).

The steps where Joseph gave several speeches.

I stepped where great people have stood. Cool.

And Brenden was entertaining our group with a little jig.

As well as leading Kyleigh on a nightly stroll through the grounds.

But they did great overall.

When we were in the car driving to Hiram to visit the John Johnson farm, I was skeptical about viewing 'a farm'. A one house tour that we make the entire drive for? Didn't make a whole lot of sense since we had gone to Kirtland and went through several houses and took a good amount of time. But, I was wrong. Well worth the drive.

General Conference weekend ammended

2011-10-14T14:31:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to put to 'ink' what else occurred over General Conference weekend. These kids are amazing. Having General Conference (a time where we can listen to the Prophet and Apostles give us counsel, direction and warning for 2 days, 2 times a year) and having just read a blog of a Mom who just lost her 15 month old girl to congenital heart defects and after multiple surgeries (here)....really helps put what is most important into perspective.
Just this morning I was thinking about the difference between working outside the home and working the home. At an office, in a managerial position you have people who have to listen to what you tell them and if they don't do it right, you can fire them. At home, sometimes the people listen to you, sometimes they don't but the thought of firing them doesn't even enter the equation. Time out does, but not 'letting them go'. At work, people pay you for your time and when that time is done, you go home and leave all those troubles and cares behind. At home, you are constantly giving the 'paycheck' out to those 'under' you for your time you put in and when you're done with your time at work....no, you are never 'clocked out' of that job, never finished worrying about the countless responsibilities that come with raising a home. Now, there are way too many variations of what homemaking entails. Just this Conference we were reminded that Motherhood is not a hobby:

Many voices in the world today marginalize the importance of having children or suggest delaying or limiting children in a family. My daughters recently referred me to a blog written by a Christian mother (not of our faith) with five children. She commented: “[Growing] up in this culture, it is very hard to get a biblical perspective on motherhood. … Children rank way below college. Below world travel for sure. Below the ability to go out at night at your leisure. Below honing your body at the gym. Below any job you may have or hope to get.” She then adds: “Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.”⁷

Having young children is not easy. Many days are just difficult. A young mother got on a bus with seven children. The bus driver asked, “Are these all yours, lady? Or is it a picnic?”

“They’re all mine,” she replied. “And it’s no picnic!”⁸

^{That was one of my absolute favorite part of all General Conference....the idea that being a Mother is important. I don't know if it's growing up in this time of society where the world can't fathom a woman staying at home without having "her career".}

^{At the Law School dinner to welcome all the First year students and their 'partners', one of the high-ranked Professors came to our table to chat with the students and their wives (we happened to have an all married table unlike most). He went around the table asking the women what their jobs were. I was the only one with children and no job. I felt like I was taking the lazy way out. I felt a bit alienated from the other women who were supporting their husbands through law school and waiting to have children when it was more financially smart. Guess I'm not doing my job in supporting my husband or being financially savvy. After the Professor had asked the first girl if she has a job and her own career going for her, he said firmly, "Good for you". When he got to the girl next to me and she was pregnant, his eyes went wide. Then when it was my turn to be drilled, I told him I was not currently working and had 2 children. He had conversed with the other women at length regarding the difficulties of law school and finding time for each other but also respecting the husband for the length of time that he will need to be away from the home studying. After hearing my case, he either had nothing further to say or didn't think it wise/nice to say so he moved on to the next topic and then left our table. I get this alot when conversing with anyone outside of my faith. This isn't to say that I am firm against working. In the last 5 years, I have been packing, moving and unpacking for 4 of those summers. These kids have not had a complete summer where we were able to take advantage of every park and picnic area within driving and walking distance. I have not been able to stay in one place long enough for dust to settle and work on a hobby or talent or anything else with which I might find marketable to earn a little money for our family. Now, I will finally be in one place for more than 2 years put together. Not much more, but it's something I am very happy about. After looking at Kyleigh's first pictures, I realized that she alone, in 2 years, has lived in 4 different locations. She was born at West Jordan and came home to the apartment to live for a few months. Then we were able to move into a duplex in West Valley and felt like we lived in a mansion with all the space we now enjoyed. The following year, the couple below us was moving and a new family who drank alot and were big on partying were going to move in downstairs and with there being no secure lock between the two floors and an entrance to get to our space from inside the home, we decided to move to a safer area. In Lehi we really felt like we had finally 'arrived'. A place all to ourselves and a nice neighborhood. But that only lasted until we found out where we were going for Law School and had to pack everything back up and move to Ohio. So 2 year old Kyleigh has lived in West Jordan, West Valley, Lehi and now Ohio. I am finally settled enough where I can work on something to hopefully help the family finances. But nothing short of putting the kids into day care and going to work full time will really help out in any significant way. Even that would not fully cover Law School tuition over the next 3-4 years. Enough money talk, it just seems that that is all that has been going on lately and one of the reasons why Mothers are not staying home anymore. Anyway, after feeling lazy for not working outside the home, I read an excerpt in the book Heaven's Touch that contains several quotes from leaders of The Church regarding women. One by Bonnie D. Parkin from a talk "Sweet Moments" in the November 2005 Ensign was especially significant to me:}

^{Kristen was finishing a graduate degree and had recently given birth to her second child. She felt the other graduates had accomplished so much more and was reluctant to attend the graduation dinner. Her fears were confirmed when, at the dinner, the students were asked to list their professional accomplishments. Kristen recalled: "I suddenly felt embarrassed and ashamed. I had nothing to call myself, no lofty position, no impressive job title." To make matters worse, the professor read the lists as he presented a diploma to each student. The woman ahead of Kristen had many accomplishments: she already had a PhD, was receiving a second master's degree, and she'd even been a major! The woman received grand applause.}

^{Then it was Kristen's turn. She handed the professor her blank sheet, trying to hold back the tears. The professor had been one of her teachers and had praised her performance. He looked at her blank paper. Without missing a beat he announced, "Kristen holds the most critical role in all of society." He was quiet for a few seconds, then declared in a powerful voice, "She is the mother of her children." Instead of a few courteous claps, people rose to their feet. There was just one standing ovation that night; it was for the mother in the room.}

^{I guess the combination of General Conference, a blog by a Mother who just lost her child last night, and rubbing shoulders with wives of Law Students who are supporting their husbands has been running through my mind alot lately. I am very fortunate to have a healthy number of wives in the Church whose husbands are either in Law School, Medical Residency or Marriage and Family Therapy who are stay at home moms. We get together quite frequently, mingle, let the kids play together and build each other up....since we are all far from home at the moment.}

^{I am grateful for a husband who supports me staying at home so that I am the one who feeds them, cares for their bumps and bruises, reads to them, plays trucks and dolls with them and watches Bugs Bunny with them. I am grateful that I get to watch live and firsthand every milestone they reach. It only happens once. I am so grateful for Brenden and Kyleigh. Brenden is sweet, thoughtful, imaginative and helpful in the kitchen. Kyleigh can be sassy and sweet all in the same moment, playful and helpful with the clothes. Brenden is more moderate and mild. Kyleigh is either at one extreme or the other. But when she is sweet, like yesterday I think I was the unsuspecting recipient of at least 5 spontaneous hugs with an 'I love you Mommy', she is very very sweet. This blog, in a way, has become my 'paycheck'. Something tangible that I can go back on and view the times I have spent 'clocked in'. Of course it doesn't come close to replacing the real moments as they happen. But all too often I forget some of those funny, good, and crazy times and would like for the kids to see them when they grow old and have families of their own as well.}

^{Like the time Kyleigh tried to put both her feet into one boot.}

Little mermaid-girl.

Or the walk that Trent and Brenden took while Kyleigh was napping and came home with some pretty colorful leaves for me.

Or when we gave Brenden a paper to color and cut out. He heard cut and went to town! If you need the boy to be still for awhile, just grab a piece of paper, some scissors and let him have his way. He was doing such a fine job, that I couldn't let all his hard work go to waste....

....so we decorated a bit with it.

Ungrateful of my hard work, he shook it off.

"NOT funny, Mom"

Scissors and paper aren't exactly the most conventional of toys, so we rounded up some more kid-friendly ones and had our first family play doh creation station. Everything from Parrots, Snakes, Octopus, and Green Eggs and Ham.

Brenden really likes to cook. I'm not sure where he got it. Maybe he thinks its cool because his Poppy used to lift him up and watch as he cooked whenever we visited. One time I was watching the Food Network and got a call from Courtney so I stepped into the Kitchen to talk with her, forgetting to turn it to a cartoon for Brenden. I was on the phone for almost 20 minutes when I walk back into the room, and saw Brenden mesmerized by Giada cooking. What 4 year old can watch cooking just as easily and be entertained as he is watching cartoons? Just in case it was a fluke, I tested it a couple days later. He asked for Jake and the Pirates, so I turned it to Food Network. He started watching it immediately, forgetting that it wasn't Jake and the Pirates. Once a commercial came on and cooking was no longer featured, he asked for Jake and the Pirates. I distracted him long enough for the commercials to end and the cooking to start again and Jake was left to the wayside once again. If I am baking any kind of dessert (in this case it was Strawberry shortcakes), he drags a chair in from the dining room to get a closer look and wait around until he can participate.
If he is at your house and you're baking any kind of sweet, you better grab an extra spoon and make some room.

Strawberry shortcakes right before bedtime for the kids.

Here's a video I shot of Brenden flipping pancakes one day. I had just poured the batter onto the griddle. I turned to check on something and when I look back, Brenden had flipped a pancake...successfully too!! I was so proud of him. To my knowledge, I had never showed him how. My little boy had grabbed the spatula, saw it was ready to flip and got the job done, without throwing the pancake on the ground or on top of another pancake. He did so well, that I let him flip the rest of the pancakes and grabbed my phone to record it. (Of course the one flip I record is his worst one, but he still got it. And then patted the pancakes down. Didn't teach him that either. Guess he inherited some of his Poppy and Great Grandma's knack for cooking).

Sibling Love??

2011-10-13T12:22:00.000-07:00

Kyleigh, he means well. Just remember that when you watch or view the above or below:

Wrestling practice on the bed.

Kickin' back together.

Giving her a lift to grab balloon that was let loose. Thoughtful.

Holding on tight to ensure proper OSHA codes are regulated.

Another helpful boost, or maybe not so helpful to the poor recipient.

Comforting the girl during the traumatic eating time. [Back then (she's much better now) she used to consider eating akin to torture. Strap me in and force this stuff down my throat when I could be playing? Inconsiderate!]

Easy stroll around the house.

Throwing socks at your sister who can't catch them with her hands, only her face. -1 Ok, she was asking for it though. +1. Final score= 0

Keeping Kyleigh off hard surfaces to protect tiny knees.

Love

Cease your own playtime to spend a little R&R with Kyleigh who can't quite reciprocate your efforts yet. Selfless.

Ditto.

Yet again.

You were so good to her early on, she doesn't mind following you around everywhere. (You are beginning to want your own space now, so this phase is slowly phasing-out I think).

Teaching her how to groove. She has great moves thanks to you. (or no thanks to you. Depending on how you look at it).

Showing her how to properly watch 'toons (with Blanket and Teddy Bear).

Guiding her to the rivers edge. Not a good career move.

Making her laugh.

Taking her blanket away.

On this particular day, she shadowed your every move. Here, she's even trying to sit in your lap on the University campus.

Kyleigh, he meant well.

Where's my handbook?

2011-10-12T20:55:00.000-07:00

They give Handbooks to all professionals. Some have books, classes and even entire majors dedicated on telling you how to be 'skilled', 'proficient', and a 'professional' at your chosen occupation. They say Motherhood (and Fatherhood) is one of the most important occupations you can hold in life...so where's the handbook for Parenting?
After a whirlwind of a day, there was a moment where a little nudge was given to let me know where to find my answer. I've heard it before. Sometimes I remember to use it. But it works best if I figure out how to consistently and effectively put the teachings and references into practice myself before I enforce them upon my children.
There's a reason that one of the best Kings in Scriptural history (possibly all of history for that matter) included some key pieces of advice as he was about to pass on.
He reiterated and reminded the Parents of the importance in teaching their children to pray, not quarrel, be obedient and keep the commandments.
Tonight was a frustrating night. Trent had been gone all day, barely showed up for dinner (quite late) and had to rush off to Church to grab some papers for a calling that we received over the phone to put together a Ward Trunk or Treat in 2 weeks. He wasn't able to just grab the papers and come home like he said was supposed to happen, so meanwhile....I had bathed both kids (a mini skirmish to get them to stop playing ...and a toy ended up in the toilet. gross.), put their pj's on, but since Kyleigh is on a 'take-your-diaper-off-every-time-mom-isn't-looking' trend, I had to put her pj's back on about 4 times. At least. Inbetween putting Brenden's clean sheets and waterproof covering on his bed, brush these bedlamites' teeth (at one point, I found them hiding in the basement in the far corner after I finally finished putting Brenden's bed back together. I quickly threatened that the spiders were going to come out of the corner and they better get back upstairs...which worked like a charm....rushed through Scriptures and Prayer (all while making sure Kyleigh was quiet and still by drinking her milk during that whole episode), asked Brenden to please be my helper and grab some books for me to read and wait for me in his bed while I put Kyleigh down. He was obedient!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How exciting it was for someone to obey the first time I asked. (PS-dinner was a disaster. Kids didn't eat more than we force them by telling them that ice cream would follow for those who ate more of their rolls, at least).
After the kids have been sufficiently bribed, thoroughly cleansed, adequately clothed and hurriedly reminded to follow the ancient Prophets' teachings and tell God thanks, I send them up to their rooms to get a few nighttime stories read to send them off to sleep. FAST!
As I walked down the steps, tired, dragging, wishing so badly that the dishes just did themselves and I could just sit down with a book instead of finish the dinner clean up as well as the latest load of laundry, I couldn't get King Ben out of my head. How was I supposed to expect my kids to obey and have harmony between them if I didn't show them how that's done? Who else is supposed to pick up where I left off? From walking around the school halls, I heavily doubt that it is being taught in the school classroom. To expect the Church teachers to simultaneously teach my child individually the ethics and correct code of conduct in society as well as the spiritual lesson for that day is unthinkable. It certainly won't be taught on TV and probably not with his friends either. I have to do it. "arise from the dust...and be men". Get up, stop complaining, being lazy, finding excuses, thinking 'I'm entitled', and get the job done!
I can't get the comment someone told me once, "That which you look for, is what you'll find" out of my head. Simple, obvious, and undeniably true. All I looked at was the difficulties, unpleasant jobs, and menial tasks to finish.....and that's what I saw. I didn't see that I had alot of dishes to do because I got to feed alot of people. I had a husband that did come home (he wasn't away on business, military, church business or left me for good to be single) as well as 2 healthy kids. I know some friends who have to visit their kids in the hospital, some that have lost kids and even some who wish they could have more. I have a warm house and running water. A good portion of the world would be monumentally grateful for half as much. I don't see my husband much but it is (hopefully) for a short amount of time and for a really great reason....he wants to provide better for us and be home when the kids are home. He couldn't do that with his undergraduate degree. I'm proud of him. (Doesn't mean I don't wish I could see him more....he usually doesn't read this blog, so I'm not too worried about making him feel guilty or bad for being gone from home).
So, I found my handbook. (Here). Was taught a lesson. Will try harder tomorrow. I think all the effort to show a better example and outright teach with words at times will sink in sometime. At least that's the promise given in the handbook, and so far the outcome has proven to be a positive one in the past.
And I'm sure there is someone else a little Higher Up who wishes that I, too, would just be more obedient, more harmonious and keep all His commandments. He really doesn't ask much.

11 And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have ^atasted of his love, and have received a ^bremission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own ^cnothingness, and his ^dgoodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of ^ehumility, ^fcalling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing ^gsteadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel.

12 And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the ^alove of God, and always ^bretain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the ^cknowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.

(Mosiah 4:11-12)

A train? Indecision of what to watch?

2011-10-09T16:51:00.000-07:00

If we can't go outside, at least we know Kyleigh can make use of what she's given. Who needs real toys? Give her a bunch of videos and she's content....and darn pleased with herself and workmanship.

But we might run out of room. No, I bet she'd figure out how to maneuver around the obstacles. More likely, we'd run out of videos. (And this why I couldn't find Mulan the other day).

Great Outdoors

2011-10-09T16:23:00.000-07:00

I am, and cannot overstate, how grateful I am for a fenced backyard. These kids have found forts underneath the trees, conversed with the neighbor kids over the fence, climbed the vines, jumped on trampoline, shot some hoops and rode bikes under porch area. I'm sure Trent will help this desert rat figure out how to make the backyard fun while underneath a thick coat of cold snow. I'm at a loss.

Meanwhile, the kids have been excellent at making good use of the great outdoors while they still have a chance.

Great Lake

2011-10-08T19:31:00.000-07:00

A few Sundays ago, Trent wanted to go see another piece of Ohio, so we went to Lake Erie. Not a bad drive. About 45 minutes to the Northeast. We waited until Kyleigh got up from her nap, packed a quick dinner and a few videos and loaded up the car.
Once we get out of the car, this is what we see:

A little windy and cold. Another one of those days where you want to cover your ears so you don't get a headache. But nobody seemed to mind.

Sailboat, lighthouse, trees all the way up to the water front in places. Reminded me a bit of Portland. At least the tree part. I don't recall seeing many lighthouses or sailboats as we walked the coast of Oregon near Lincoln City, but I could be wrong.
That lighthouse looked cool. Next time we come, I'd like to see if we can go inside. (This was a beach near Mentor, OH).

Brenden wanted a ride, but couldn't reach the jet ski before he took off. (You can just see the large yachts and boats in the distance).

Didn't take her too long to regret that decision to walk instead of hitch a free ride in the stroller.

These guys make any location a fun place to be.

Seagulls, yachts, jet skis, sailboats. Lots to look at.

Buddy was allowed to take his shoes off and get feet wet, but it was too cold for Mom and baby girl. No thank you. I can enjoy it from my warm, dry vantage point.

My favorite shot of the day.

Found a seat reserved just for him.

...until a couple other beach goers barged in.

He made room for the intruders. He likes the company.

There were a few other couples walking the length of the beach, but not many. And no families, just couples. We had the lake to ourselves for the most part. That was nice as I stole quite a few rocks. They had sooo many brilliant colors to choose from and maybe I can put it together on a frame or something.

He had a good time. He would come out of the water just for a bit, get a little sandy walking around and then march right back into the water.

Scaling mountain sides.

Deep sea fishing.

Beautiful day, beach all to ourselves, lake that looked more like the ocean, and kids who slept real nice that night. Good time at Erie.

General Conference

2011-10-07T06:03:00.000-07:00

We were busy during General Conference. Brenden is getting better in his draftsmanship. Much better. He is, for the most part, sticking to one object for each color instead of blindly scribbling over the entire page. Such accomplishment.

But can't let the kids have all the fun either. This thing took me about half the afternoon session! (I inherited my coloring dexterity from my paternal Grandpa. Still have a long way to go, though. He is good. He receives requests for his work, and I am the happy recipient of a Hawaiian sea creature coloring book. That's right, an entire coloring book of his work. And it has been our loyal companion through these last 7 moves we have made. I am not loosing that lil' gem).

What's a girl to do while waiting??

2011-10-05T19:55:00.000-07:00

She is usually up for about an hour or so before her older brother finally drags his body out of bed. (One morning, we were being loud, so he opened his door and yelled down "I sleeping. Quiet!" Closed the door and we didn't see or hear back from him for awhile). We let him sleep because after he gets his beauty rest, he is a pleasant boy.
Kyleigh wakes up between 6-7 every morning and when she is finally released from her cage/crib, she will jump on the carpet, sing songs, and be ready for any upbeat physical activity....while I'm still trying to get my eyes adjusted to the light (by light, I mean the ones we turn on in the house...we don't have any that actually filter in from outside).
This particular morning, she had been fed breakfast (and was onto some snacks), dressed, and was watching 'toons in her preferred position while waiting for her big bro.

He, like Kyleigh, always brings down his blanket and the stuffed animal that he slept with. For Buddy, it's this dog he got at Powell when he fell down on the rough deck and broke skin so a dog helped heal the emotional trauma of it all, and if not the dog, then it's a bear that has soothing scents inside that I sometimes wish I could steal because it does smell 'relaxing'. Kyleigh usually has Piglet with her. (Today I caught her feeding Piglet a bottle and then rocking him to sleep. I recorded it. May upload to youtube later. She was so serious during it all).

When $1 leads to an animal hunt

2011-10-02T15:17:00.001-07:00

Target dollar selection was particularly good the last time we went. He even roars. Didn't scare the cowboy though.

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MIA

2011-10-01T05:22:00.001-07:00

Since Trent has to be a little more MIA lately, the kids {and Trent too} soak up their time together when it happens. I was completely boxed out from snuggling with Trent. Luckily it was almost 8pm ;)

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Feliz Cumpleanos

2011-09-28T19:13:00.000-07:00

We also celebrated my birthday in the month of August. I turned the big 3-0. Now I feel like I am no longer in the 'young' category and must start acting more like an adult. Well, if you check the news any, that might not be a good idea either.
We ran out of candles to put on the chocolate wafer cake that Trent whipped up.

I needed some extra air to blow all that fire out.

Trent had class and studying to do so we sang, blew out candles, ate cake and went to bed. (But he did surprise me with breakfast in bed. So very nice). We got to go out to our favorite restaurant (Olive Garden) and the movie 'The Help' that weekend (thanks Emily and Ben for watching the kids!) With so many student families around, we all take turns babysitting and are able to save that money but still have date nights. The people around here are so great. Kyleigh is pretty good at blowing out candles, too.

Raspberry pickers

2011-09-28T19:09:00.000-07:00

You want two able and {sometimes} helpful raspberry pickers? They did great. Didn't have to show them twice how to get the red stuff off the vine. Once I told them they could eat the berry instead of put it in my basket, I was left a solo picker. The were not allowed to pick them out of my basket (cause they tried...it was easier...already there for the eating), but as long as they picked it, they could eat it.
The forecast called for rain. Brenden doesn't have rain boots (we're almost into winter anyway...his boots can pull double duty).

We drove about 25 minutes South to the local Orchard.

They had a nice view.

Found our next picnic spot.

(Lately, when we go to the grocery store, or anywhere for that matter, I can get these guys to hold each others' hands without any complaining, convincing, or bribing. And they hold on tight to each other so I don't worry about kids running into oncoming cars. Nice to give Brenden the chance to take care of his sissy rather than hog that role all to myself).

Look at the form. A natural.

Buddy getting the visual before trying it out.

For all you novice pickers, here's Kyleigh's 3 easy steps:
Step 1: pick the berry
Step 2: slip berry onto tiny finger

Step 3: get berry all over your face and some into your mouth

Repeat steps 1-3

Brenden got more of it into his mouth and less on his face than his counterpart.

Don't skip this step! It takes concentration to do it right.

I forgot to count how many rows of raspberry bushes they had. The rows made their way up the hill quite a bit.

Why would Brenden halt the raspberry picking fest? A train. He heard the whistle and you could just barely see it passing through the trees in the distance. The picture doesn't show it, but trust me, this little boy knows his locomotives.

Again, don't skimp this part!

She's a regular now.

Meanwhile, he was still trying to search for the last traces of the train. Don't bother him until the last car has departed.

Ok, it's gone. Back to berries. Which one to choose???

The rows of berries went up a few rows. I can't remember what was growing beyond that.

The lady in red kept coming over and dumping her basket that she picked into my basket. She knew I was not getting very many by being a solo picker. She and her husband are frequent visitors to this orchard.

Brenden tried to roll down the grassy hill again. He still didn't get low enough for a good roll...

...so he got up and ran down.

And then circled the john deere a few times on our way to the main building to pay for our picked goods.

Nice afternoon at the Orchard.

Apple Picker

2011-09-21T14:36:00.001-07:00

I'm going through the too many pictures I took at the apple orchard today and before downloading then onto my computer (these are all from my phone since I forgot my blasted camera), I wanted to upload this one as it sums up our day....foggy day, lots of rain off and on, but some good ol fun at the local apple orchard. We definitely got enough from my 2 small helpers to make a warm brown bag apple pie later this week. Little Mae and Buddy did great.

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Superhero

2011-09-21T14:10:00.001-07:00

He has a couple of their capes at home, but at the apple orchard he was working on his bow and arrow action. Maybe he's concocting a new brand of Superhero.

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Night night

2011-09-18T17:27:00.001-07:00

When I ask Kyleigh for her feet to put her socks on at night, this is what she does....

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Bikes and Parks=Happy Kids

2011-09-17T13:53:00.000-07:00

Nice day out, so a bike ride and park play sounded especially nice for all involved. We understand there aren't very many of these types of days left, so we strapped the kids up and took off to find some nearby slides and swings.
This one was straight down Hawkins about 2 miles and there was no one around. Kids had the whole place to themselves and took full advantage.

Little Mae is my big park player. Unfortunately, at the last park, they had a big kids stairs thing that curves at the top and you have to walk on top of the bars to get to the main jungle jim part...you know, where the kids can fall through and catch a limb on the way down....that she saw the big kids going on and without hesitation climbed up and over. Thankfully, she didn't fall or even slip a bit. I was standing next to her with my hands under the bars in case her little body fell through, but she did great. And was equally successful the subsequent 2 or 3 times she tried it. She's a little fearless which is fear-inducing to her mom at times with the stuff she comes up with. Little 2 year old trying to do everything the 4-6 year olds are doing is not a relaxing day at the park. But she's steady-footed and sure-minded.

Brenden follows the leader.

So much fun the first time around, this was repeated several times.

Then they moved onto the swings, and Kyleigh actually started to catch on to the leg pumping coordination.

All my kids.

My camera was being slow in the action mode, so I had to follow him with the camera to somewhat catch an action shot.

He and Kyleigh both love this invention. (It may be because Trent will push them really high. My little pushes are no longer sufficient. I have to get them really going. But their squeals are really fun to hear when they get going high).

Time to go home. I think it was almost 5 miles round trip and we made it under 30 minutes. This was before the STOMP bike tour so I was anxious to see how long it would take us and we figured about an hour, which is what it came out to be (almost...we made it under an hour) :) Kids do real well in the bike trailer.

Cobblestone laid by the first settlers of the area. Maybe?

Ready for round 2 already?

The real story behind How to Teach Your Dragon.

2011-09-15T11:19:00.001-07:00

This morning I got to listen in on Brenden's play as he made up his scenario for the day. Kyleigh wasn't in the room, so he reprised all the characters.

"Dragon?!"
"Come touch his nose"
"No! I tan't. It scary."
"He no hurt you. I kill him ober dere (over there). He want his mommy"

From what Brenden saw on the movie, when Hiccup was going to kill the dragon, the reason he stopped was because he saw the dragon wanted his Mommy.
I missed that part in the movie and was glad to be filled in.
Some things are viewed differently through the eyes of a kid.

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The Invisible Mother

2011-09-14T05:23:00.000-07:00

I like what she said, and since talking with many moms here somewhat dealing with the same things (it's a very common struggle), I thought I would share it's entirety (was written in 2008, but seems to continue making its rounds the cyberspace 3 years later with over 8,000 recommendations on Facebook alone):
http://www.morningsun.net/living/x934432237/The-Invisible-Mother

By ANDRA STEFANONI

The Morning Sun

Posted May 25, 2008 @ 11:08 PM

PITTSBURG —

On a day when I was wondering why no one had nominated me for a major award because I was able to get three beds stripped and cleaned and remade, a colorful and balanced supper on the table, a toddler entertained on my own from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., an entertaining column written and submitted, and a first grader taken to school with everything he needed and brought home with nothing that he didn't, I received this in my inbox.

I am grateful to Mother-in-Law for passing it along. I can give no credit to the author, because I don't know who wrote it, but from the sound of things she seeks none.

Religious or not, an at-home-mom or professional mom, read it and take from it what you need.

Invisible Mother

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, “Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The Invisible Mom.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this?
Can you open this??

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, “What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, “Right around 5:30, please.”

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!?

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in.

I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, “I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription:

To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.

These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, “Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof, no one will ever see it.” And the workman replied, “Because God sees.”

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, “I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.”

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, '”My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.” That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, “You're gonna love it there.”

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

(most cathedral pictures from http://factoidz.com/worlds-most-beautiful-and-spectacular-buildings-the-rise-of-europe-gothic-cathedrals/ but others from just googling cathedrals).