Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from Supergirl, Superman, and Mr. Incredible. In case you can't tell, they are trying to beat up bad guys so watch out!

Are You For Real?

I know the world has gone insane. I really do. I'm not talking about war, economics, or the upcoming election. I'm talking about the whacky safety devices designed to protect our children from any potential threats. I really think parents and manufacturers have lost it and have become overly paranoid. Protect our children from anything harmful, but don't encroach upon their individuality by teaching them to be responsible moral people. Next thing you know, they'll start telling us to leave our children in Ziploc bags until age 5 to allow maximum protection. Anyhow, let's look at a few items I found in one of the many catalogs I receive in the mail.


Our mission: design a shopping cart cover that you can truly put on while holding a squirmy baby! Our streamlined cover shields just as well as big, flouncy ones, but is a dream to handle — you can really put it on (and take it off) with just one hand. Adjusts to fit all carts. Nicely padded for baby's comfort, with side pockets, toy loops, harness, and carry bag.

"Our Mission: To make your life more complicated and induce feelings of guilt if you let your child touch anything in public." This item always makes me laugh when I see it. I don't care how easy they make it to use, it seems silly to me. When I am going grocery shopping, which I never do alone, I don't need to add one more item to drag along. I'm not going on vacation, I am going to the store and want to divide and conquer as quickly as possible. Plus I am not too worried about my child dying from some dread disease they pick up from a shopping cart. If I have a drooly baby who likes to suck on everything, I wipe the handle bar down with a wipe. And if they try to suck on the cart, I say "no" and teach them it's not a good thing. Problem solved. I don't see the need to bring along my own fortress against disease every time I go shopping.



Another brilliant idea! This just reminds me of wrapping my child up in bubble wrap. This is for parents who are too lazy to sled down the hill with their child. Seriously, the kid in the picture looks too young to be sledding anyhow. But we can't use a dangerous sled with metal runners. It could decapitate a child or sever some important body part. I know. I grew up in Pennsylvania and we went sledding every winter. The number of severing accidents by sleds were always . . . zero every year. I'm not kidding. And we can't have the child fall off the sled. No way! No pain is allowed. No fun permitted either.



See baby on the BIG screen, with the largest ever flat screen monitor! At 7", this video baby monitor delivers incredible color images, plus crisp black and white night vision, too.

Now I can watch my baby sleep on tv for only $230. Sweet! I love the night vision feature too because I can think of nothing better than popping up a big bowl of popcorn and watching my baby sleep on tv. Talk about party. I'm sorry, but someone is super paranoid. As if parents these days aren't hyperactive spazz people as it is. Unless you put your child to sleep in a room full of rabid dogs or snakes, there really isn't any reason to be able to watch them on tv. It'll be okay to let the little one sleep. He doesn't need to be monitored 24/7. Can you imagine the life that poor child has in store?

Just a few examples of how the world has gone insane. I know there are scary things that happen and evil people out there, but I don't think we can protect our children from everything. I think it's more important to teach our children correct principles and then allow them to put those teachings to use. Bubble wrap and Ziploc won't save them from the far more spiritually destructive forces of the world. Let the kids get a scrapped knee or fall off a sled. This is what being a kid is all about. Only as a child can they have such freedom to explore the world around them and experience things. Don't take that away from them. Of course I am an evil parent who lets her first grader walk home from the bus stop every day so I may already be condemning my child to a life of misery. But I think not since she LOVES her independence and will tell you without fail if you aren't choosing the right. That's what I call parenting.

Pumpkin Fun?

I love carving pumpkins. It is a tradition I grew up with and look forward to every year. The excitement of finding the perfect pumpkin. It has to be just right. I am all about round fat pumpkins. And then cutting it open and creating a cute jack-o-lantern. There is something so homey about a lit pumpkin. I love it! I always thought it would be fun to do with my children one day, but for some in my house it is just torture.



Rachel has made it known in past Halloweens that she does not care for the smell of the pumpkin. Her first time carving with us she actually gagged at the smell and ran away. Oh my. This year she insisted on watching it all, but plugged her nose the whole time, as you can tell.



I had hoped Jimmy would follow suit with Anna and actually like the activity. He sat in his chair the whole time, clutching his blanket and sucking on his fingers. He freaked out when Marshall put pumpkin goop on the table. When Jimmy wanted to walk past the pumpkin to get something I had to carry him lest the evil thing gooped him or something. But now that the process is complete, Jimmy really does enjoy looking at the jack-o-lantern.



That leaves Anna. We basically do pumpkin carving for her since she is the only one who enjoys it. She was sooo excited to do it this year. She loved de-gutting the pumpkin and was quite helpful. And she even designed the face for our jack-o-lantern. I am so glad she enjoyed herself. Maybe the others will eventually see the fun in it. Or maybe the new baby will one day like to join this fun tradition. One can hope, right?

He's ALL Boy

Who knew burps, toots, and poop could be so much fun? We have hit a new high in our home that centers around such conversation and it is all thanks to one Mr. Jimmy. He is all boy and seems to find such things hilarious. Of course, his sisters egg him on by laughing hysterically at him. The girls were never so interested in bodily functions. They learned quickly that we don't talk about such things. But for their brother it is a different story.

It's doesn't help that Jimmy is the ultimate class clown. I can just see his teacher sending home notes about Jimmy spending too much time trying to entertain the class and not enough doing his work. He will do anything for a good laugh and repeat it over and over again if it works. Whenever he burps or toots, especially at the dinner table, he has to announce it (as if we don't know) and then giggle hysterically. Then he'll try to recreate the same thing and end up faking it to get a laugh.

Not to mention all his talk about "poo". He thinks it is so funny to say the word and I am always hearing conversations about it from him in the back of the van. Today we ran into a ward member and Jimmy started telling him about poo and giggling. Thankfully, the brother has young kids and totally understands. But I wish this obsession over "poo talk" would end. We remind him quite frequently that we don't talk about such things, but Jimmy's desire to be a clown overrides his chances of being good.

Some days I'm not sure if my little 2 1/2 year old isn't actually 11 years old. I can only imagine the fun he'll stir up then. For now we'll keep working on not laughing hysterically about bodily functions. Thank goodness he is a cutie, despite his boy tendencies.

The Evil Bed

When my husband finally pulled himself out of bed at 7:10 this morning, he told me he was going to ban our bed from our room and sleep on pillows. It's not that my husband has anything against beds, it's just that our bed is evil. It has this power that makes it impossible to get up in the morning. I don't know if the mattress is laced with some sleep inducing drugs or the bed itself is possessed and uses invisible tentacles to keep its users trapped in perpetual slumber. All I know is that it is evil.

One pregnancy ago, there were two energetic and motivated people who would get up at 5:30 every morning to read scriptures, exercise, and work. It was a glorious time to reflect and recharge one's self for the day. But then the wife got pregnant and sick and those early mornings didn't happen. And the husband's calling and work somehow started to tire him out. Now it is a miracle if these poor souls can pull themselves out of bed before seven.

I could say it all has to do with the life changes we have experienced, but really it is because our bed is evil. It is just too comfortable. Who wants to get out of bed when they are snuggled under the covers? The cool Fall morning air blowing over you while you are nice and toasty in bed. Not to mention the fortress of pillows that surround me and keep me sleeping happily. Yeah, I'll leave that to take a hot shower and then freeze my bum off as I race to get dressed. I don't think so. It's all about the bed and the bed is a dark force of destruction, keeping me from reveling in my early morning peace.

The funny thing is that we still set our alarm for 5:30 every morning. And Marshall still reaches over every morning to turn it off and then we go back to sleep. Maybe one day we can escape the terrible grasp of the demonic bed and get up on time, but with the baby on the way I doubt that will ever happen. So beware of your bed and it's evil forces!

For Robyne

Here is me with two months left. Marshall laughed at the front on shot of me because he said I look like I am doing a "sexy" pose. I'm just trying to hold my belly that you can't see. But believe me, it's there. Though I must say I look good. Now you all can tell me that!

Almost Two Months!

Sue at 30 1/2 weeks

Have you ever seen a bug struggling on it's back to flip over? The legs are flailing, but the bug is stuck not matter what until something comes along to flip it over or eat it. That's how I feel most days now when I try to get out of a chair or sit up from laying down. The honeymoon phase is over and I am ready for this baby to come!

I appreciate the people who are concerned about me and ask how I am doing. We all know the last two months are a killer as you watch yourself get bigger and try to maneuver your new load around. And you get crabby sometimes because you feel like it will never end. Not that you aren't excited about having a new baby, but having your body stretched to all sorts of angles and hefting around some extra poundage does get tiring. Not to mention all the random other things, like how I would live off of pizza and ice cream if I could. But I rarely have either. For some reason I just want to forsake cooking and eat out every night. Nothing sounds good and I have no energy to create in the kitchen anyhow. I get evil killer leg cramps at night. My allergies are whacked out, giving me numerous sinus headaches. Not to mention feeling tired and being emotional. Sometimes more poor husband can do nothing right and I have no idea why. The only explanation I offer is that I have gone insane.

That is why I really love it when people commiserate with me on being pregnant. It is a wonderful experience for which I am grateful, but the last months are killer. Some people tell me it will just fly by. I know they are just trying to make me feel better, but it's not flying for me. I love it when people tell me instead "Oh, the last two months are the worst! They take forever." Thank you! Thank you for understanding that it isn't all fun and games. That it can seem like an eternity until the mom-to-be gets to meet the new little one. Thank you for not deeming me a horribly ungrateful person because I don't enjoy all the trials that come with pregnancy. For understanding that I do have bad days and want it to be over.

The same applies for having small children. I can't tell you how many times people have said to me "Enjoy it now because it won't last long." This is usually after I have had a crazy day with the kids and am ready to put them on the curb with "for sale" signs around their necks. We had one sister in our ward in Indiana who said this sentence to me followed by "But I know you don't feel that way right now. You probably want to laugh at people who tell you that because you're ready to sell your kids." Again, thank you. Thank you for remembering that there are hard days when it comes to parenting young children. There are lots of cute times, but there are many times that test one's patience to the extreme limit and make one question her sanity. I love these realistic people who remember the good and bad of every stage of life.

I wouldn't change my life for anything. I love my kids and I love being able to bring a new life into this world. I am very excited to meet him. But I also enjoy being able to be honest about my feelings and allowed to have a bad day. I very much appreciate all those people who understand, sympathize, and encourage me as I go through these tender years of life. I'd be lost without them!

In His Own Time

Often the Lord has His own time frame for things, which can be very trying and frustrating. Sometimes it feels like there never will be an end in sight to our trials and at those times we need to call upon our faith and trust in the Lord. We have to believe that one day all will be made right and enduring our trials will be worthwhile.

For sixteen years my mom has been inactive in the Gospel. For my father it has been twenty three years. I remember growing up and wishing so badly that I had parents who lived and taught the Gospel in our home. I remember sitting alone as a teenager in church and looking longingly at the families gathered together. I remember my wedding day, it was bitter sweet. Wonderful and all I had ever hoped and worked for because I was getting married in the temple to a righteous and worthy man, but sad because only my sister came to Utah to be in the temple with me. I think every girl dreams of having her parents be involved in her wedding, but mine could not be where I was. I remember committing to myself that my children would never know such sorrow.

For years I have prayed and hoped for my mom to return to the gospel. Her life has been filled with so much sadness and I know she would find joy in the Lord. I have spent countless hours on my knees praying on her behalf. I faithfully put her name, along with the rest of my family, on the temple prayer roll every month. We've had many gospel related discussions. We gave her a subscription to the "Ensign" as a gift on year. We've watched and cried as she has struggled to make her way through this life. Missionaries and visiting teachers have contacted her off and on, but she never really has had any interest. They say watching a child go astray is heart wrenching, but I say the same also applies to watching a parent fall away.

But now after all these years, there seems to be a light breaking through the clouds. For the past few months my mom has been meeting with the missionaries on a weekly basis. They come and share a spiritual message with her, which she welcomes. They invited her to church and she actually attended. She asked us to get her a subscription to the "Ensign", which we readily did. When the new temple was announced in Philadelphia, she was so excited when I told her. I joked about how we will have to go together one time when I visit. I've teased her before about going to Anna's wedding in the temple and she has always responded in some non-committal fashion. But this time she told me to give her some time and she would be ready. Good thing because the temple should be completed by the time she is ready. I actually had her tell me she would go!

Now I know this is just the beginning of the journey. But the steps, not matter how small, are moving in the right direction. I am almost afraid to believe it is happening after all these years. I'll watch it unfold in whatever time it takes and pray she keeps on this path. But it gives me great joy to know my prayers are being answered. To know that the Lord is aware of me. Sixteen years is a long time, but I've kept hope. There have been times when I doubted, but I have always come around. I don't know if my dad or my sisters will ever come around, but I can still hope and pray for them. What I do know is that the Lord will strengthen and sustain me as I exercise my faith and hope in Him and His plan for me, no matter the time frame.

Clueless

Imagine my horror when I read in Friday's paper that England is passing a law to start sex education in Kindergarten. England apparently has a very high teen pregnancy rate and is so taking measures they feel will help deal with this problem. (Excuse me while I bang my head against the wall.) The course won't be teaching the kids about sex, but more about the differences between girls and boys and how to deal with their emotions in that regard. Huh? My kindergartner was more concerned about not getting caught picking her nose and who got the most dessert, not sexual emotions. But maybe she was not as advanced as some kids. In India they had a kindergarten sex program, but then stopped it because they felt it "corrupted youth". Smart people.

Not only are the English hitting kids at an early age with all sorts of new vocabulary words and ideas, but also they are going to start teaching eleven year-olds and on about sex. And they are going to encourage kids to have safe sex by handing out free condoms. (I know this idea is not novel to the US either.)Wow! Times have changed! When I was eleven I was riding my bike around the neighborhood beating up boys and trying to avoid taking baths. Sex just wasn't on my mind at all. Boys were icky, gross, and smelly.

Now I know kids these days know a lot more about sex at an earlier age, but I blame a lot of that on the media, bad parenting, and educating children too early about sex. First off, I don't want the school stepping in to teach my child about sex, especially at age 5. That is my job. I want to handle how such a delicate and sacred subject is presented to my kids, thank you very much. I know many parents don't bother to teach their kids about sex, but I want the right do it when my kids are ready. Don't take that away from me.

Second,teaching kids about sex at an early age and handing out free condoms is only going to make them more curious about it. Why don't they just start pairing kids off to practice safe sex together? It's practically what they are doing by supplying kids with the knowledge and means to have sex. Yes, what a brilliant idea! (I am being sarcastic, in case you can't tell.)

Third, and even more scary, is how these educators are missing the whole big picture. Teaching kids about sex and the body and handing out free condoms may help cut back on teen pregnancies, but it still won't cut back on kids who have premarital sex. They will be protecting the students against the physical consequences of sex, but what about the far more destructive emotional affects? Now we live in a world where one night stands, non-committal relationships, and divorce are the norm. Gee, I wonder if there is a correlation? We are taught by the world that you can have sex as an adult and not suffer emotionally for it. It's just sex, right? But anyone who has half a brain and has not completely become spiritually deadened knows that is a lie. Sex is more than just the physical uniting of bodies, it is the uniting of spirits, an unspoken commitment that is deeply emotional, not to mention the sacred powers of pro-creation involved. At least that is what the Lord intended it to be. Allowing youth to unleash this awesome and sacred power will only cause great heartache and emotional instability. It is spiritually destructive, but, of course, the world is too blind to see that.

It's sad to see how hard hearted the world has become. Yes, taking these measures may cut back on teenage pregnancies, but they also will create another generation of spiritually and emotionally dead adults who cannot maintain a normal relationship and who focus only on themselves. Haven't we learned that lesson yet? Thank goodness for the Gospel and for the knowledge we have in knowing the sacredness of sex. I will fight with all my power to make sure my kids know and are taught in my home, and not in school, about the sanctity of the body and marriage.

I Love Chocolate

I love chocolate over any candy. It is so smooth and creamy. Just perfect. My favorite kind of chocolate is dark. Sooo good! Plus dark chocolate is good for you, so they say. That's enough to convince me to eat some. And don't even get me started on white choclate. What is the point? It's missing that whole good flavor thing. Ugh.

Today after lunch I just had a craving for some chocolate. Just a little bit. I searched the cupboard and came up empty handed. Whoever does the grocery shopping around here should be fired! Oh, wait, that's me. Even though I am 29 and an adult, I still can't justify buying a big bag of candy for indulgence. I'd feel like such a glutton. Unless it's Halloween or on really good sale. But now I am trying to avoid candy due to the whole blood sugar thing.

So my search took me to the food storage closet in the toy room. My husband had bought some Hershey's Treasures last week to stock his candy jar at church. We snuck some before he took them to church and the bag exploded in the process of opening. For a few days the kids found some treats on the floor. So I was down on my hands and knees looking for some left-over missed candy. How pathetic is that? Hey, I'm pregnant and I got a craving. Don't mess with me.

So I ended up opening a bag of chocolate chips. I am going to make cookies later today, so I would have to open the bag anyhow. Now my craving is satisfied. Oh, woe is my life! The trials I have to endure to find some chocolate. But it could be worse. I could be my sweet husband who got up at 4:30 to go to work this morning because of the trial he is preparing for. Yep, I'll stick to my quest for chocolate and be happy with my "struggles".

Husband Tag

Okay Michelle, here you go!

1- WHAT IS YOUR HUSBANDS NAME? John Marshall. Isn't it just a great lawyer name?

2- HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MARRIED? 8 years, but it seems like always.

3-HOW LONG DID YOU DATE? 2 months, engaged 2 months

4-HOW OLD IS HE? 30

5 - WHO IS TALLER? He is and I love it! Though sometimes I feel like a midget next to him.

6 - WHO CAN SING BEST? He can by far. No competition. And I hope he never stops it. He can still make me turn to mush with his singing.

7 - WHO IS SMARTER? We both are. We have expertise in different areas, but we're both intelligent people.

8 - WHO DOES LAUNDRY? I do. It'd be crazy if he did because he's too busy providing for us and being bishop.

9 - WHO PAYS THE BILLS? I do. I'm more organized and have more time.

10 - WHO SLEEPS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BED? Me

11 - WHO MOWS THE LAWN? He does. I tried it once and hated it.

12 - WHO COOKS DINNER? I do, but some Sundays he'll claim dinner and come home from church meetings and cook. He makes awesome biscuits and is a great chef.

13 - WHO IS THE FIRST TO ADMIT THEY"RE WRONG? We're both stubborn, but I think it's me and then him.

14 - WHO KISSED WHO FIRST? He kissed me first and was so nervous. Of course, it took forever for me to kiss him back because I was nervous too.

15 - WHO WEARS THE PANTS? I prefer pants and I think Marshall would look funny in a skirt! Seriously, we are equal partners. I obviously make more decisions with the kids and home because that is my realm, but we always work together.

This was fun! Feel free to do it too!

Why?

My two year-old is always asking "why?" and so I thought I'd follow his example and do the same.

1. Why does someone always call right when I sit down to relax? Do other people have a sixth sense for this? (Mostly, it's my husband who has a knack for calling me like this.)

2. Why do I always see older people driving sports cars and going slower than the speed limit? I mean if I had a sweet Mustang or Porsche, I would be pushing the speed limit on these open desert roads. C'mon folks!

3. On the same note, why do people who drive SUVs and huge trucks always go super slow over bumps? Hello, you have a huge vehicle made to go over dirt roads. Be daring and bounce around a little!

4. Why do my kids still yell for me when I tell them I am going to the bathroom and will be right back? Can't a woman go potty in peace? I'm talking one minute here.

5. Why don't maternity pants have pockets? Some of my pants do, but not most. What, I have a huge belly and so no longer need pockets? I know it is possible to put them in. Where am I supposed to put my car keys and chap stick when I run out?

6. Why can't my kids play happily for a few minutes without anyone getting hurt? Seriously people, can't we all get along?

7. Why don't they make tops for women with busts and a small waist? I think I used to have a waist at some point in my life. Perhaps it'll reappear after some time.

8. Why do you get nose bleeds when you are pregnant? What's up with that?

9. Why can't my kids leave the timer for our Halloween and Christmas lights alone? Is it such a temptation? Do we have to have the lights on until 6am?

10. Why are there so many commercials on tv for male enhancement? Ugh. Enough already. I really don't want to know. Okay?

11. Why does America care so much about celebrities? Who cares who is getting divorced, who is gay, who got a D.U.I., or who has fake boobs? I'm more interested in making sure my kids are happy, I am sane, and my husband still smiles.

12. Why don't child proof locks work? Have the makers of such products met my son? Do I need to go into business and design my own?

13. Why do I have to pee all the time?

14. Why is it so much more fun to dump out all the toys instead of actually playing with them?

15. Why do people bleach the top layer of their hair and then leave the bottom dark? They look like skunks and it just isn't a pretty sight.

And so on and so forth . . . .

Promises, promises, promises

The other day I was driving in the van and listening to the news about the recent Obama rally in the Tampa Bay Ray's Stadium. The newscaster played a portion of the great one's speech. Hearing Obama's voice just made me want to stick my fingers in my ears and say "I'm not listening. Hummmmm." Thankfully, I didn't do that since I was driving and wouldn't want to crash, especially over Obama. Instead I changed the station. Does Obama make anyone else cringe? I just can't stand the man.

Later I switched back and heard some woman, maybe his wife, talk about how "we don't need four more years of . . .". I changed the station before she could finish. Why? Because I can't stand listening to garbage. I could be a politician. You just need to talk about how bad the other guy is and make lots of promises that can never be kept. That's how the game is played, that's how it always has worked.

I am curious about not needing "four more years of. . .". What? Economic trouble, war, terrorism problems, increased spending by the government, higher taxes, health care woes? Really now, we are going to fix all those problems with Obama as president? Does he carry a magic wand in his Hogwarts cloak that I don't know about. I'm smart enough to know if someone tells me they have invented a pill that will erase stretch marks and return my bust to it's 12th grade perkiness, that they are full of it. But I also know someone is telling a tall tale if they promise to fix all the major problems in the country too. Can they also make peanut butter brickle ice cream sold nationwide and not just in the little grocery store in Pennsylvania that I love? That would be nice.

It's all a game of who can make the best promises and convince the people that they'll actually do it. Too bad for McCain, but Obama has a lot more charisma and so is beloved by many people. (Not me. Listening to him speak is like fingernails on a chalkboard.) It doesn't matter what kind of promises these men make, they'll be spending the first half of their term, at least, dealing with whatever mess left by the previous presidency. That's always how it has been. Okay, it all really started with Bill Clinton. I'm still bitter at him. He was the first president I really remember being excited and aware about. I watched his inauguration in middle school and felt so proud to be an American. Then he had to go and be a nasty perv and dash my fond dreams of how wonderful presidents are. He's another one that makes me cringe, plus he reminds me of Ted Kennedy, the master of heebie-geebies.

Regardless, my point is that I am tired of this election. It seems like the promises and mud slinging get wilder every time. Gag. Enough of it! Tell me something you can accomplish that isn't ridiculous and won't cost me money. And if one of the two does come up with that magic pill, they will certainly have my vote.

Why We Don't Have a Pet

I love animals. I grew up having two cats, a beautiful black and white Persian and a tan colored Tabby. I worked for many years for a man that had the sweetest Golden Retriever. I also had parakeets growing up and raised baby squirrels whose mom had fallen out of the tree and died. I wouldn't mind having a pet of my own now, but unfortunately my adult body has become allergic to pet hair. But more importantly, we don't have a pet now because my children are terrified of animals.

This fear doesn't stop our kids from periodically begging for a pet. Monday night they were on a big beg fest and desperately pleaded for a pet. I was almost sold on the idea so that I might actually consider considering it. However, that evening we took a walk to the park and came across a woman walking her dog, sans leash, and the terror began. Anna, being older and faster, just rode her bike out of the park. Rachel ran to my side and cried hysterically as she clung to me. And Jimmy jumped into my arms, crying and shaking violently. They were not pleased with the dog.

This wasn't a random occurrence. This happens most times when we run into animals. Every morning at the bus stop there is a dog brought by one of the moms. My kids keep as far away from it as possible and scream if it comes near them. (Personally, I find the one forty year-old mom who wears Daisy Dukes more terrifying than the dog. "Cellulite". Okay? We can age gracefully, people. But I digress.) There is also a cat that roams the neighborhood and we often see at the stop. He also creates great hysteria. Of course, as we walk away from the bus stop, Rachel and Jimmy inform me that they both like dogs and cats. Right.

So for now, no amount of begging and pleading will buy my kids a pet. The funny thing is that this morning I am taking a group of preschool age kids, mine included, to tour a pet store. Let's hope not everyone feels the same way about animals like my kids do.

The Eco House

I get a lot of catalogs in the mail. That's what happens when you order on-line from a company. Somehow everyone wants to send you their catalog and get you to buy their nifty products. At times it's amusing to see the junk catalogs that arrive in the mail.

Today I got a catalog for fancy children's toys. We're talking a catalog filled with precocious looking children made for yuppy parents. "I must have this toy or my child will not reach his intellectual potential!" It was fun to look through the catalog and see what toys were available. Some of the toys were cute, but many were pointless. Regardless, I would never buy any for my kids because that would eat up their whole Christmas budget with one lame gift.

I found one item highly amusing and too over the top, the "Eco House." The description from the catalog is as follows:

"Dolls and kids can add the rewards of saving energy to pretend-play fun when they set up housekeeping in this ecologically friendly home that includes a windmill, rain barrel, solar panels, recycling bins, shower, and motor bike.

A great way to introduce an awareness of "green" living, the house includes handsome energy- and resource-saving furnishings, too. Made of renewable rubber wood and recycled wood, natch."



Wow! Can we get it? Maybe after we are done playing with it I can have a fun chat with my kids about global warming over tofu dogs and organically grown corn chips. Yes! But maybe not the chips because that may be too much fun and induce pleasure in my children.

Argh! Why do I need to introduce my 4 year old to "green" living? She knows the basics about how we should be nice to the earth, like don't throw trash on the ground, etc. But an Eco-Friendly Doll house? Yes, let's keep sucking all the fun out of childhood that we can. Think of the hours or pretend play the kids can have. I know Cinderella lived in an eco-house, right? My kids would be so confused as to what those silly looking solar panels on the roof are. Or the recycling containers. And I guess Eco people only believe in eating and sleeping since that is all the home offers. We can pretend to eat meals and then recycle. Whoa! Hold me back! How can I order one now?! I am all about being kind to the earth, but everything has it's place.

This "cool" new doll house is just another example of how insane our world has become. Let's shove "green" living down our children's throats at an early age. That is what is important. Forget about teaching them to be responsible and independent people. And don't even dare to mention morals or God. No, eco-living will save our problems! So we'll end up with a really nice planet full of a bunch of evil and corrupt people. Sweet! No, I think I'll stick with my kids' Christmas lists for Barbies and dump trucks. I know I'll screw them up for life with such corruption, but it's a chance I am willing to take. They are only children once!

What Makes Me Happy

Here are only a few things in my list of many:

- My two year old refusing to be called by his given name and insisting he IS Superman.

- My four year old wearing her brother's pjs and walking around in black boots.

- My six year old reading stories to her younger siblings.

- My kids feeling the baby inside me move for the first time and getting all giggly and excited over it.

- When my husband comes home early from church. Yes!

- Having my bathrooms all cleaned for the week. (I hate cleaning the bathroom.)

- Being able to exercise.

- Being able to listen to General Conference on my i-pod when I exercise. Double bonus.

- Watching a good movie and eating popcorn with my husband.

- Being able to snuggle with my cutie after a long day.

- Bedtime.

- Cool Fall air.

- Watching my kids get excited for Halloween.

- When my kids say "please" and "thank you" on their own.

- DVR and Direct tv.

- Internet and email.

- Treats.

- Changing leaves.

- Unexpected acts of kindness done to me and me doing to others.

- Being able to read my scriptures daily.

- Going to church.

- My two year old asking me if the butterflies on my new sweater kill people. Yes, I would wear killer butterflies on my clothes for church.

- Kind acts by my husband. I'll embarrass him, in a good way, like I did in Relief Society. Every Saturday I vacuum our house and since I am pregnant doing the stairs is difficult because of lugging the vacuum down. Every Saturday when he hears me at the top of the stairs, he comes running and carries the vacuum down behind me while I vacuum. I think it is so romantic.

- Good books.

- Happy kids.

- Hugs and kisses from my kids.

- Being able to pay my bills!

- Dates

- Saturdays

- The Spirit

- Watching my two year old ride his bike. So cute!

I Love My Job!

I love my kids and I love being able to stay at home with them. We get to go on all sorts of adventures. This morning we went to a nearby park that runs up against the bike trail. Everyone rode their bikes down the trail to the river and had a blast throwing rocks and wood into the water. We learned that rocks sink and wood floats. What could be more fun than throwing things into water? Too bad Superman fell and got a muddy bum. But he survived.

After we finished throwing rocks we rode back to the desert garden by the park. The kids had fun running around the winding rock trails and smelling the yummy flowers. We saw bees gathering pollen and all sorts of crazy plants.

When we were done with the plants we went over to the park and played for a while. The kids made up all sorts of games. It was great!

I love being able to take my kids out into nature and explore. I have so many memories of going on bike rides along the canals near the Delaware River, canoeing in Tyler Park, or driving to roads where the rivers actually ran over the road and getting out to explore. My mom took us on all sorts of adventures. It made me really love being outside and going on adventures. I'm not an avid camper, but I do enjoy nature and it's beauty. I am glad that I can take my children to explore the world around them, to learn, and to appreciate where we live.

And I love being at home to do it all. My husband works so hard so I can be at home with the kids. The moments I share with them are precious and most times he misses out on the adventures and tender times. He gets to slave away in an office preparing for trials and dealing with all sorts of fun. I hope the kids will learn to appreciate all he sacrifices for us because I know I certainly do. And I hope my kids grow up to have a love for nature and take their kids on outdoor adventures.

Still Good for a Laugh

I stopped watching Saturday Night Live a looooong time ago, mostly because it wasn't very funny. Then I had kids and fell under their magic spell that makes me sleepy by 9pm. So I was pleasantly surprised last Thursday after watching "The Office" to see that SNL has a "Weekend Update Thursdays" on tv right after and, even more impressive, that it is funny. The Thursday updates will be going on until the elections and cover a variety of topics, of course. I have included a bit about the big government bail-out because it's hilarious and sadly true. Hopefully it will be as amusing in print. Thanks SNL for making me laugh again after all these years!

MEYERS: "At a House Committee hearing on Tuesday it was revealed that after receiving an eighty-five million dollar government bailout, insurance giant AIG spent $440,000 on a luxury retreat for top earners. Which brings us to a segment we like to call 'REALLY WITH SETH AND AMY.'"

MEYERS: "Really, AIG? You went on this retreat only six days after receiving an 85 billion dollar bailout? Really? Even the mafia knows not spend money that soon after a heist. I mean, really."

POEHLER: "And the retreat was planned to recognize AIG's top earners? Really? What does it take to be a top earner at AIG right now? You sell your office furniture on Craigslist?"

MEYERS: "And you spent $150,000 on banquets? Really? Was your waiter Prince? Did you hire robot chefs? You better have because if there were any humans in the kitchen you drank urine."

POEHLER: "And you defended the retreat saying it had been planned before the bailout. That's like going ahead with Grandma's birthday even though grandma died three days ago."

POEHLER: "And Martin Sullivan, receipts show you speant $1,500 at a salon. Really? You spent that much at a salon and didn't fix this?"

MEYERS: "And Really, you had to go there for teambuilding? Here's a cheaper way to do team building. You know all those empty sacks that used to be filled with money? Get in those and race."

POEHLER: "Also the Federal Reserve on Wednesday agreed to provide AIG with a second 37 billion dollar loan on top of the original 85 billion dollar loan. Which brings us to a new segment we like to call, 'Oh My God, Are You Serious?!?'"

POEHLER: "Oh my God, Federal Government, are you serious!?! It's like you gave you your junkie cousin a hundred dollars for rent, ran into him at the dog track, and then gave him another 37 billion dollars. I mean Oh my God!"

MEYERS: "And also, really?"

DON PARDO: "This has been 'Oh my God, Are You Serious?!?' within a 'Really with Seth & Amy.'"

Bike Riding Fiend

Jimmy has been curious about riding a bike and has dabbled off and on with Rachel's bike. Yesterday afternoon we were outside and saw one of the neighbor's, who is Jimmy's age, riding bike. I asked Jimmy if he wanted to try riding and he eagerly agreed that he would. Well I must have created a monster because we spent the next hour outside riding bike.



At first we rode around the sidewalk and driveway at our house. Then we ended up going up and down on our street. One time, two times, three times. Rachel did pretty well with letting Jimmy share her bike, but after three times was ready to get it back. When Jimmy heard her ask for her bike back, he pedalled his little heart out and rode all the way down the street. Rachel thought it was hilarious. When it was time to go make dinner, Jimmy continued his bike riding in the back yard on the cement walkway. He was addicted.



So now we have a bike riding fiend in our home. Santa was going to bring him a bike for Christmas, but I don't think we'll make it until then. Jimmy has already informed me that he wants a Superman bike. He is growing up so much this year. Now we just need to tackle the potty next!

One of My Favorite Stores

I love the store Motherhood Maternity. I always feel like a princess whenever I go shopping there. They know how to treat a customer right, at least the store in our mall. (Not to mention their new Secret Belly Fit line of pants!)

Every time I go into the store, I immediately have someone ask if I need help finding anything. Usually I hate this, but when it comes to maternity clothes I could use all the help I can get. They are a pain to shop for. The associate always picks out a few things for me to try on and then puts them in a dressing room for me while I continue to shop. I feel so special! Plus the people who work there are always so personable and kind. Pregnant women want to be pampered, right?

The other day I discovered another reason to love the store. I was daring, and perhaps insane, and decided to take my very active two year-old shopping with me for jeans. The sales person thought he was adorable in his Superman outfit and then showed me where they have a collection of toys for kids to play with while Mom shops. What a great idea! The store was small enough that I was close by to him, but I could look at clothes without having to chase my little man out from under clothing racks or other horrific things. We spent a good amount, forty minutes, in the store. I tried on various clothes and Superman was content because he had toys to play with. Wow! And miracle of miracles, I did find a pair of jeans that worked. Jeans and no tantrums, happy day!

Even though Motherhood Maternity doesn't always have the fashions I am looking for, I think they do a great job of catering to their customers. Pampering pregnant women and being prepared for small children. They can have my business any day!

Another Reason Why Marshall is Awesome

For some reason I just thought of this story from a month or so ago involving Marshall and a young man in our ward. It's a hoot and shows how great of a bishop my husband is.

One Sunday morning said young man was nowhere to be found at church. Marshall checked with his brother after sacrament to see where this priest aged boy was. The brother told Marshall that he was asleep in his bed. No one had been able to get him up for church. Now mind you, these two teenage boys are awesome kids and are being raised by their single mom. They are a great family. So Marshall took it upon himself to rectify the situation. During the last hour of church, Marshall paid the boy a visit. He went to their house, went downstairs, and knocked on this boy's bedroom door. The young man responded "Who is it?" to which Marshall said "The bishop." One can only imagine what was going through the boy's head at that moment. (I would just die.) The youth then is startled awake and completely amazed at the time. Then Marshall has a nice chat with him about going to bed on time so he can make it to church on Sunday.

Not only is this story funny, but it shows how serious my husband takes his calling. As bishop his main focus is on the Young Men. They all love him and think he is amazing. But for Marshall to go out and wake up this kid and visit him lets this guy know that he is important. This youth doesn't have a dad at home to kick his butt in gear. How cool is it that the bishop does it instead? Marshall does a great job at letting the youth know he is aware of them and cares about them. Just another reason why he is awesome!

Welcome to the Jungle

Am I the only one who has "Welcome to the Jungle" immediately play through my head whenever I see someone wearing skin tight tapered jeans? I hate this fashion that has come back because I think it looks nasty. I never thought Axl Rose (Guns-n-Roses)looked hot in his tight pants, but at least he could get away with the look. In order to pull off this fashion one must live on a diet of drugs, sex, and cigarette, or be a walking stick figure. I only know two people who can pull the latter off, my sister and her husband, because they are in fact walking stick figures. They don't look scary in their tight pants, they just look like they need to eat a good meal.



However, most of the population doesn't look this way. Men just should not wear tight pants. There are so many reasons why, but I don't go into those. It just looks wrong. It's not flattering. Yeech! The same goes for women. All I think of when I see someone sporting this fashion is "Wow. His butt is big." or "She's got some thighs goin' on there." It's like walking around with big arrows pointing at your butt and thighs. No one, unless they are in the above mentioned select few stick figure category, has a butt or legs that lets them get away with it. But that doesn't stop people from wearing the pants. Oh how I wish there was a fashion card, like an ID card to buy alcohol or cigarettes, everyone had to carry and show when making clothing purchases. "Sorry Ma'am, you say you are a size 6, but your card shows you are an 8. These pants are only made for someone who is a 6. For the good of humanity you'll have to put the clothes down." Wouldn't we all be spared some horrific sights if this policy was enforced? I wish!

So let me make myself clear, in case I haven't. I hate the tight tapered pants look. It's dorky and just plain nasty. If you wear pants like that around me, I will mock you and think about how big your butt looks.

Scary, but True

Another Reason Why I am Amazing (Not For the Faint of Heart)

I'm on my second outfit for the day. No, I'm not that much of a fashionista. But I do have children.

Five minutes before it was time to drive to the bus stop, we had passed the time to walk since my children were in slow-motion, I went to get Jimmy dressed. He told me that he was poopy which is no biggie. If only he would care about trying in the potty. So I began the changing process and out rolls a poop covered bead across my floor. What? I had forgotten that he told me he had eaten a bead yesterday. Yum. The diaper was a very messy one and somehow leaked out. He needed a wipe bath because it got all over his legs and time didn't permit more than that. By the time I was done changing him, I had a mound of used wipes and poo on my floor and my clothes. Not to mention the escaped bead. Ugh.

But we made it to the bus stop on time with everyone dressed and ready for the day.

This is why I rock at my job and am just totally and completely amazing.

Picture Tag

I'm answering Annjeanette's picture tag, which I think is a fun idea. You can do it if you want too. Find the 4th picture in the 4th folder of your picture file and then post it on your blog and tell about it. I didn't have a 4th picture in my 4th folder, but oh well.

Anyhow, to the picture!

It was taken in Valparaiso, Indiana during our first year of law school in our first apartment in Valpo. Anna, sweet cute little toddler girl at the time, was having lots of fun playing with a flashlight. I am sure it was one of my desperate attempts to amuse her during the long Indiana winters. She was such a good toddler and lots of fun. Very curios too, which is still apparent now that she is in school and learning all sorts of new things. I was pregnant with Rachel at the time and Jimmy was still waiting his turn. I can't imagine life without all three of them being in the family. Of course, at the time I thought entertaining one child was a great undertaking. Now it would be a piece of cake!

Looking back on this time in law school makes me nostalgic. It was so much fun, though at the time we didn't always think so. The whole poor student life thing. We did have so much fun in Valpo with our little ward family. We saw a lot more of Marshall then. But it is nice to have those big questions answered now, like "Where are we going to end up living?", "Will Marshall like his job?", "Will we ever not be students?", and so forth. I miss the freedom of those school days, but wouldn't change them for the blessings we enjoy now. I know if we hadn't gone through that phase of life I wouldn't appreciate all I have now.

Thanks for the little trip down memory lane!

Staheli Farm Fun

My sister-in-law invited us to go to Staheli Farm with her sons' Joy School group. So this morning we went on an adventure to the farm. (Anna will just hate us when she finds out what we did while she was at school.) Rachel announced shortly after arriving that she wanted to go home. She was cautious of all the animals and noises. Jimmy thought all the farm animals were great. He touched the pig and goat. My memory card is being dorky so I don't have many of the animal pictures up, but you can see what else we did. We had fun playing on the slides, taking a hayride to the pumpkin patch, picking pumpkins, and going on a kiddie train ride. It was a fun and tiring morning!



Rachel checking out the horses.


On the ride to the pumpkin patch.


On the kiddie train.


Corn slide fun!


Jimmy pulling his pumpkin to the van. He insisted on having his own wagon to pull his pumpkin in and he pulled it all the way to the van.

Mom: The Woman of Many Talents

Last night as I was on the Internet I saw an advertisement for earning degrees on-line. There was a list of various occupations one could receive training for. As I read through each profession, I thought to myself "Hey, I do that now!" I know I am not trained and in the know-how of all the little details of each profession, but as a mom I play a variety of roles that require numerous skills. Such as:

Criminal Investigator

Have you ever tried to figure out "Who dunnit?" when everyone is pointing fingers and blaming the other? Who ate the last cookie? Who hit Jimmy? Who spilled milk all over the floor? It takes great detective skill to see who is actually telling the truth and who is the culprit.

Graphic Designer

Try drawing a picture for your kids on demand. They are tough critics. A mom has to get it just right.

Teacher

Do I even have to go into this one? We all know that Mom is the one who usually is there to encourage the children in their reading and writing. Mom is the one who gets to help with homework, sometimes quite the impossible task. And Mom is there to set the tone for the home. To invite the Spirit in and answer those little questions about the Gospel that pop up at the most random times. Mom teaches by her example, in all she does, whether for good or bad.

Psychologist

Most moms usually need to talk to one of these on a weekly basis. But we also play psychologist when it comes to figuring out what is wrong with our kids. Why are they sad or shy? How can we help them overcome their fears? How can we help them when they get their feelings hurt? How do we teach them how to release anger? Why in the world is Jimmy throwing a tantrum because I dare to eat breakfast? These are the great mysteries of life.

Project Manager

Kids and chores. Enough said.

Counselor

Moms are always there to help with problems. And we are expected to know everything, until our kids hit teenage years. Then we know nothing. But hopefully they still come to us for help. And being a counselor takes great patience sometimes because we often need to let our kids figure things out for themselves.

Accountant

Most women I know handle the budget. Being the one who does the main shopping in the family, a mom had better have some sense of money management. If not, her family is doomed. When Marshall was on law school I fed a family of 5 for $160 a month. Now if that doesn't take skill then I don't know what does.

Health Care Manager

Who is in charge of overseeing the proper care of owies? Moms have magical kisses that can help heal any wound. And Mom has to be good at managing the dispensing of band-aids or else they would run out in two minutes. She needs to be able to determine what is a real owie and what is not. Sometimes it's a tough call that can receive a lot of criticism.

Moms are amazing. We don't get any training aside from what we learn as we go along. Sometimes we have to fake it, but for the most part we do know everything. No wonder the estimate pay for a home maker would be around $160,000 a year. It's a demanding, multi-skilled, sometimes hostile job. Only the tough ones make it through sane.

Spam or Cream of Celery

VS.



Do you ever go grocery shopping and then the same day try to make dinner, but nothing sounds good? There is an abundance of choices and you know you should make something at home, but all you want to do is eat out? (Probably none of you ever feel this way because you all are more saintly than I.) I hate when this happens to me. It happens most often when I am pregnant or sick. Sometimes I give in and eat out; and sometimes I am good and cook dinner. There is just something about not having to cook or clean up. Food always seems to taste better when someone else makes it.

I explained to my husband that this is how I feel about the upcoming presidential election, with only a few twists added. I'm at home and have to make dinner, but my only options are SPAM and cream of celery soup. Since I am a vegetarian, the thought of SPAM just sounds nasty. Heck, even if I did eat meat, I wouldn't want to eat it canned. SPAM just sounds chewy, smelly, and pink. Yum! And as for creamed celery, why do they even make it? Celery lacks flavor and so creaming it will somehow make it taste better? As if it doesn't look like puke. No thanks.

So I am left with these two option to make dinner with. Neither one appeals to me. Both in fact make me want to gag. But there is no third option. Someone has stolen my wallet, the phone cord has been cut, and my car is dead. No take-out help will be coming! Prime rib isn't a realistic option (and I wouldn't like it anyway since I don't eat meat), but I would be happy with at least a box of Mac-n-Cheese. Yet I only have two options. I'm stuck with making a necessary decision I cannot escape. Talk about pure torture, at least to a person who likes to eat food that is palatable.

This is my analogy for the election. Neither candidate invokes any sense of passion or excitement in me for their cause. I dislike McCain a little less than I do Obama. But both just seem "meh". Maybe it's because instead of actually taking time to focus on issues, they focus on how they are better than the other. It's like watching and listening to a never ending commercial. Ah! It's like high school all over, "I'm better than you because. . . " Or maybe it's because I'm not impressed with their solutions to some of the major problems we are having. With some of Obama's ideas I wonder if he has actually thought them through. I have no political experience, but his tax plans seems completely insane. However, McCain doesn't seem like the sharpest tool in the shed at times either. I don't want to hear anymore about bail-outs or how either candidate is to blame for their part in the economic crisis. Gag. Why don't they stop fighting and take a good look at the problems to see if they can come up with a reasonable solution? Novel idea.

What to do? I guess I'll sit and look at my can of SPAM and my can of cream of celery and hope and pray that one of them will jump out at me. Decisons, decisions, decisons.

Pickles

As a perpetual worrier, this made me laugh.

Sworn Virgins

I love the country that I live in and the freedoms I enjoy. Today I am even more grateful after reading an article in the paper entitled "'Sworn Virgin' Practice Dying Out". The title enough caught my attention and the story that followed was even more unbelievable.

Six decades ago Drene Markgjoni spent 12 years in a hard-labor camp as punishment for her fiancee's attempt to flee Albania's regime, one of the world's most repressive and isolationist. When she finally finished serving her time, she swore she would never suffer like that for somebody else. She pledged to forgo sex and marriage for the rest of her life, and declared herself a man.

Now we're not talking about getting a sex change operation here, we're talking about women in Albania who became "Sworn Virgins" by living a life of abstinence. They dress, act, and are treated as men. Markgjoni says she has never regretted her decision to become a man. It has made her happier and given her freedom and respect she would never be able to enjoy as a woman. For centuries women had no standing in this patriarchal society, but sworn virgins enjoyed the same respect and rights as men. They could inherit property, work for a living, and sit in on the village council. Often women who chose this lifestyle came from families where the head died with no male heir. Or sometimes a woman didn't want to marry the man chosen for her.

What a fascinating practice, although it is dying out in modern Albania. What boggles my mind is that these women were accepted and treated as men after taking their oath of celibacy, even though they were still women. Something is seriously wrong in a society that encourages the denying of one's God given gender and ability to marry. How sad that these women gave up their chance for marriage and family, happiness to me, in order to enjoy rights. That should never have to be the case, but unfortunately women haven't always been treated properly by society.

It's interesting to compare these sworn virgins to the feminists of our time. The virgins did it out of what they thought was necessity. If there is no male to lead a family or if one has no rights, how will one survive? In a society that only valued men, one either suffers or take on the role of a man. It was more of a survival tactic for these women in some ways. But in our society feminists deny themselves of their divine womanhood more out of selfishness. We can own property, vote, receive an education, work, and support a family on our own if needs be. We don't have to become men to enjoy those freedoms. But some women in our country and times don't want to be bothered with the burden of being a woman. Having children and being a full-time mom just are too much of a hassle. No commitments and responsibilities, please! That's not wanting to be equal to men, that's just wanting to justify one's selfish desires in the guise of equality. If only those women could spend some time in the regime that Markgjoni did then maybe they would shut up and be grateful for what they have.

I am smart enough to know that I am very blessed to live where I do and enjoy the freedoms I do. I would take this country any day over any other. I am glad that I can be a woman, wife and mother, without any harsh repercussions. I am grateful that I can walk down the street with my head held high because I have the right to and I know my worth as a daughter of God.

Angels

There were so many wonderful and inspiring talks given this weekend in General Conference. One that really hit home with me was Elder Holland's talk on angels. Usually we get lots of fire and brimstone from him. I love it when he speaks and tells us to repent and be better. There are no gray areas with him. So I was surprised when he spoke on a more tender subject, that of heavenly and earthly angels who bless and help us in our lives. It gave me a lot to ponder as I thought about how I have been blessed and protected in my life by the Lord and people I have come into contact with.

The first "angel" I thought of was my old Young Women's leader and then Seminary teacher, Sister Rolph. She went out of her way to make me feel welcomed at church. When I was gone on the weekends that we spent at my dad's house, she asked me the following week how the visit went and expressed her sadness at not having me at church when I was away. If I missed a seminary class, she would follow-up to see if I was okay. This meant the world to me, even if I didn't realize it then. At the time I loved knowing that someone at church was paying attention to what I was doing and looked out for me. I WAS important! I didn't have support at home when it came to church and going was left up to me. As an adult I appreciate Sister Rolph even more because she didn't let me fall through the cracks and be forgotten. On the days when I didn't want to go to church I knew she would notice and if I didn't go she would follow-up with me. I am so glad she kept tabs on me. She could have easily done the minimum with her callings and let me fall away, but she didn't. I have no doubt that because of her I am as active in the Gospel today as I am. I still keep in touch with this dear sister and will be forever grateful to her for her love and devotion to me and her calling.

Right now I have a sweet "angel" in my life in the form of sister Darci Pugh. During the two weeks between Marshall being called as bishop and actually sustained, I fretted over how I was going to handle the immense responsibility put on me. My main worry was sacrament meeting because of our young children. How was I going to handle them all? How would I keep them from running up to the stand to see Daddy? The Lord let me know it would be okay, but I couldn't see how that would possibly be. On the Sunday Marshall was put in as bishop, sweet Darci came up to me in Relief Society and announced to me that she would sit with me and help with the kids. There was no question, she was going to do it. She told me how she had cried when Marshall was sustained as bishop because she knew it was right. She then told me how she loved children and would be prepared the following Sunday with things to entertain the kids. I was blown away. Every Sunday since Darci has sat with us, even when I am sick she sits with the kids. We have come to love her so much, she's like our adopted grandmother. She has lifted a huge burden to me and answered my prayers. She is an angel.

The last "angel" that comes to mind is my husband. He has always been there to support and comfort me. Throughout our married life we've had challenges and trials and he has always been a rock of peace and calm that I can emulate. He helps to remind me to turn to the Lord at hard times and have faith. When I doubt myself he is always there to show me my worth and the good that I do. He has incredible faith in the Lord and in me. That has given me the strength to do all that is required of me. And he has always helped me at home and with the kids when his schedule allows it. He has stood by me and helped me fight to overcome the trials I have experienced as a result of my upbringing. He is an incredible person and having him in my life has refined me into the women I am now.

These examples are only a few of the numerous people who have touched my life. I am grateful for the "angels" I come in contact with. Their faith and example help me to become a better person.

It's the End of the World (okay, not really)

I love dessert. I could live on sweets. After every meal I crave something sweet. When my husband and I go out for dinner, I always have room for dessert. When I was reactivated in the Gospel, I was so sad to learn that I had to give up my most favorite dessert, Tiramasu, because it had coffee in it. (Well, no one forced me to give it up. It was my choice.) I could eat dessert by the table loads. When I go to some one's house for dinner, I am always curious if they made dessert and if it is good. Who cares about the meal, right?

Well now I have to be better and exercise some control. I found out yesterday that I need to start monitoring my blood sugar because I am border-line for gestational diabetes. Now this knowledge is nothing new. I've had this issue with my previous three pregnancies, but I only had to monitor my sugars with Anna. I guess my doctor in Indiana wasn't too worried about me.I have nothing against my doctor now. I think he is awesome and I can understand why he wants to keep tabs on me. So far my sugars have been fine. It's just the idea of having to prick my finger 4 times a day. It hurts! My kids find it fascinating and scary. "Mom! You're bleeding!" I assure them it's okay because it's just a little blood and I have to do it. I know, I could have regular diabetes and do this for the rest of my life. Or I could be my sister-in-law who has to go through all sorts of painful ordeals when it comes to her pregnancies. It could be worse. But going without treats? No that's just evil.

I found it rather amusing while I was waiting for my prescription for my lancets and test strips to fill that I came across a heavenly new body spray. I was wondering the store to kill time and thought I'd see what fragrances were there because right now my Vanilla spray makes me want to gag. I found the most yummy smelling spray. It's light and sweet. When I looked at the label it said "Frosted Cupcake Delight". Okay, not funny. So maybe if I can't eat tons of treats I can at least smell like one.

I know it's not the end of the world and I will survive monitoring my sugars. And I know it's worth every finger prick to have a healthy little guy come to our family in December. I just hope that if I do buy "Frosted Cupcake Delight" that I don't start drinking it out of desperation. I have to have at least some control.

Just a Reminder

In case you have forgotten, my husband is awesome. Sometimes I sit back and wonder how on earth he does everything required of him and still keep his cool. He gets little time to himself and is always in demand. If it were me, I would have had a freak attack by now that ended in a screaming fit at anyone who talked to me. "Leave me alone!" But not him. He is Mr. Calm and Cool.

It seems like things have really picked up in the bishop department. The economy slumps and the bishop business booms. Ah, how easy would a bishop's life be if people actually took his counsel? I guess some people find fun in having to repeatedly meet with him over the same issues. Who doesn't have time to waste, right? It seems like our phone has been ringing off the hook every night. Sometimes I want to rip it out of the wall. Wednesday night we did unplug it after 3 or 4 calls in ten minutes. We were actually trying to watch a movie and got sick of being interrupted. I have little patience for such things when Marshall is home. I want to hog him all to myself. Sometimes I contemplate kidnapping him for a few days just so I don't have to share him.

If I feel this way sometimes I cannot imagine how he must feel. And yet he rarely complains and is always positive. I am sure a lot of that has to do with the gifts of the Spirit. I've noticed those tender mercies in my life even more since he has been called as bishop. But I tell you, the man is amazing. What a great example he is to me. Maybe one day some of his goodness/ patience will rub off on me!

It's Not Okay

Sometimes you have to wonder about people. What on earth are they thinking when they do stupid things? Are they even from this planet? Do they have a functioning brain? I'm referring to the article I read on Thursday morning about a former math teacher from Nebraska who was sentenced to federal prison for a sex crime with a 13 year old school boy. Excuse me while I go puke.

Okay, now I am better we can get back to the issue. This teacher, Kelsey Peterson, obviously has some serious problems, as seen in her statement about the "love affair". Peterson remarked:

"We didn't see age anymore. ...In my mind he quit being a teenage boy... to me, he was a man." (She was 26 and he was 13 at the time.)

Sweetheart, you need to get somethings straight. First off, I don't know what your experiences have been like with adult men, but I have yet to meet a 13 year old boy who would qualify as one. That is a lame excuse. Second, I don't care what your hormones tell you, but age is an issue. He is a minor. Um, that's against the law. So you need to get a brain and get over any inappropriate feelings you may have for the boy. It's wrong, wrong, wrong, even if you and the student think it is okay. It's still wrong.

Now Peterson feels remorse for the problems this has caused her family, especially her 9 year old daughter. That's great, but maybe she should have thought about the consequences beforehand. However, the general populous doesn't do that in this day and age. Look at all that is going on with the government bail-out program. Act now and justify later when you get caught. Everyone does it, right? So because this 12 year old boy was so "mature", Peterson can justify her little liaison. Excuse me while I bang my head against the wall.

When will people learn? Despite whatever excuses they can make, wrong is still wrong. Consequences do exist. That's part of life, part of the whole plan. I'd love to see people wake-up and do something novel like take the blame for their stupidity. No lame excuses, but the ability to say "Hey, I screwed up. There's no reason for my behavior. I need to be better and make things right." Wow. Wouldn't that be refreshing? Sadly, it's not realistic. So I guess I'll just keep being amazed at the never ending stupidity and lack of responsibility of the world I live in. Too bad I'll never run out of material.

Focus on the Good

Aside from Halloween, I love this time of year because it means General Conference. As a child from an inactive family, I grew up seeing General Conference as a day off from church. Not so anymore. I look forward to the counsel given. There is always such power in the messages and a few talks that seem to be meant just for me.

For instance, this past weekend was the General Relief Society Broadcast. All the talks were wonderful, but I felt President Utchdorf was talking to me when he spoke to women on focusing on the positive things we do. He described how his wife Harriet cooks elaborate meals that are both pleasing to the eyes and stomach. Yet with every meal she always finds something to apologize for, not using enough spice or something else trivial. In comparison, he is good at cooking eggs and twice toasted bread. When he cooks he doesn't feel the need to apologize because he's too proud of the feat he accomplished. He made a meal! Let that celebration begin! I think too often we, as women, focus on what is missing and not what is present, like President Utchdorf described.

I can't tell you how many times Marshall will come home from church on Sunday and sit down to dinner with me apologizing about something. The rolls aren't big enough or the corn is canned because we ran out of frozen. He always tells me, repeatedly, that the meal is delicious, but I can't let go of those imperfections. And forget the fact that he has been gone all day and comes home with church music playing and the kids and I happy and harmonious. Yeah, what's the bigger accomplishment there and yet I am too blind to see it? Or how about my feeling guilty for eating some M&Ms after lunch and end up feeling "huge" because of it. Forget the fact that I exercise regularly, right? Marshall always looks at me like I am insane when I complain about splurging on a treat. He reminds me that I am 7 months pregnant and still have a figure. But no, I can't focus on the good, right? Ah, the list of examples could go on.

Why are women so hard on themselves? It doesn't do any good. My husband has often told me that if someone else talked to me the way I talk about myself sometimes, I would be seriously offended. So why can't I let myself be imperfect? I think it's just a challenge most women face. Coming to grips with the fact that we can't do everything and that it is okay. It's funny because I have friends who can't clean house to save themselves, and they admit it, and yet I don't think less of them for it. So why think less of myself for my imperfections? We need to have the same mercy for ourselves that we show towards others.

I was given a great piece of wisdom once that at the end of every day I need to give myself an "A+". No matter if I got everything done I wanted to, or if I lost patience with my husband or children, or if I failed in some other way, I still need to end the day feeling good about what I did do. We all make mistakes and we all fall short in big and small ways. But focusing on the negative won't help us have the Spirit or move on. I'm not talking about sin, I'm talking about silly every day things we think we fail at. We have to end each day being able to think we have worth and are good. When we accomplish anything we should say to ourselves "I rock! Look what I did!" Now I need to take my own advice (which I am sure I will often forget) and copy a page out of President Utchdorf's book of counsel.

The Second Most Wonderful Time of Year

It's the most wonderful time of the year! No, I'm not talking about Christmas, I'm talking about the holiday that comes second to the fun of Christmas, Halloween. Now that it is October, I can officially be excited. Not to mention the fact that the inside of my house has been decorated for Halloween for two weeks, I put up cobwebs on my bushes yesterday, and already bought every one's costumes. Today I found myself making ghosts out of white pillow cases to hang in our trees. I love Halloween and I love to decorate for it!

I learned to love holidays from the master of fun, my mom. We always went all out for all the the holidays, especially Halloween and Christmas. My mom was great at making inexpensive, but cute decorations. As a kid we had a big ghost, made from a white bed sheet, hanging out of our front tree. We also had a little cemetery in our yard made from pieces of flat board we had painted ourselves with the fictional names and dates of our dearly departed. The cemetery even had a white picket fence around it from left over fence. I was talking to my mom this morning and she told me how to make a ghost tree for next year, with white lights and little ghosts holding hands around a tree. It sounds adorable. The woman is just full of ideas for decorations.

I am glad to carry on the tradition for holidays in our home. Our kids get so excited for each holiday and it makes things so much fun. Jimmy has been wearing his Superman costume for two days. Rachel and Jimmy have been filling their Halloween pumpkins with toys in practice for the big night. You're only a kid once so why not party? And as a parent you can make holidays like Halloween fun for your kids and relive all the good times. Thanks Mom for giving my love of holidays and some creative genes to go with it!