'Methods of Madness'

If you haven't read Stephanie Black's latest release then you're missing out. I love her writing, not because she is a relation, but because she can actually write. And she does it so well. Seriously, this book had me guessing until then end. Her characters are believable and the story flows well. It never seems like she is trying too hard or filling her book up with lame cliches. It's genuine good fiction. I've already read it once and want to read it again. That is a big deal for me since I only like to read books once, unless they are among my favorites. This is one of those special favs. If you haven't checked out her other works, you best get your bum to the library. She rocks!

Car Seat Insanity

Today I read about a recent British study concerning car seats. Apparently they discovered the "safest way for a kid under 4 to ride is facing backwards". The article encouraged parents to keep their kids rear facing up until the seat's weight and height limit, beyond the American Academy of Pediatrics 1 year minimum.

Well, I always knew the British were a little loopy. Surely, you must be joking! That means right now I could have my three and a half year old facing backwards in the car. (Not that he could because he is so tall.) But what on earth would he do with his legs? Talk about uncomfortable. Not to mention the need to install chrome plated seats since he would kick the heck out of regular cloth or leather ones. Shoot, by the time my kids hit one year they are more than ready to turn around because they are so cramped riding backwards and bored out of their minds. Give me a break!

Why don't we just wrap our children in bubble wrap before we take them out? Or better yet, why take them out in the car at all? Horrible things could happen to them if they go out in public because no one is nice and everyone is out to get them. Better to keep them in the house, or the basement so no cancer causing sun rays can get to them. They could be home schooled, fed on an organic diet that no animals were harmed in the process of creating, read books that are printed on recycled paper, and wear Eco-friendly clothes colored from natural vegetable dyes. Thank goodness we have scientists who spend their time and our money to research out all these important questions! What would we do without them?

I'm sorry, but this is just plain stupid. I am all about car safety and such, but there comes a point when I have to say "chill". It's like what my mother-in-law said about babies sleeping on their backs. "They used to say to put them on their stomachs, now they say backs are safer. In another ten years they'll be telling us to hang them by their feet!" (And she is a nurse.) Enough is enough. Maybe it is safer for a child to ride backwards until the age of 4, but is it really what is best or wise for the child? See the above mentioned about what my 3 year old would do if I put him backwards in the car. It would not be safe because of the huge tantrums he would throw or he could push himself out of his seat with his feet.

Next they will be telling us it's best for the welfare of our children to not have them at all because the world isn't safe enough for them after all.

We're Idiots, But We're Trying Our Best

I've been pondering marriage a lot lately and what makes it work. (Yes, it is totally because I am such an intellectual philosophical person and not because I am teaching about eternal marriage on Sunday.) I love how my husband explained the marriage covenant the other day, "It's a covenant you work your butt off to keep for the rest of your life." Well said because anyone who's ever been married and has somewhat of a brain knows that it takes work. (I know I blog a lot about marriage, but I have a lot to say about it so deal.)

I've been thinking about what my husband said. It does take work because you have to constantly remind yourself that you and your husband are idiots. By that I mean no offense, simply that you're both imperfect and, therefore, will make some stupid mistakes in your marriage. It's a given. Aside from imperfection, throw in the natural tendencies that come from each gender and you've got youself some fun.

My husband knows that once a month for a week and a half, and every pregnancy, I go insane. I fully recognize these times of insanity and embrace them for what they are, hormones. My husband knows at those times I can cry, shout, or show an outpouring of love all within two minutes. He knows most likely he won't do things right at those times and tries his best to just endure. I do my best to not become a hormonal beast of doom, but sometimes it just happens and I apologize after the insanity has passed. (Robyne can back me on this one!) It's just something Marshall has learned to accept.

In the same regard, I know my husband is often clueless about things because he is a man. That may sound like a harsh stereotype, but most men aren't mind readers or detailed oriented people. So there are times when I need to explain things to him that I may be feeling or need help with around the house. This helps us to avoid huge blow-ups that result from pent up frustrations from Marshall not knowing everything I think he should. He also has the added handicap of being a bishop at the moment. As such, he has lots of meetings, appointments, and phone calls that pop up or he may forget to tell me about. Yes, there are times when we sit down to dinner and he reminds me he is going to be gone that night and I respond "What the what?!" because it's my first time hearing about it. He has a lot to keep track of now and sometimes makes mistakes. But I don't sentence him to a lifetime of cold shouldering, maybe just a night of it, because I know he's doing his best and imperfect.

Marriage is something that you do work your butt off for the rest of your life to make successful. It takes a lot of effort, forgiveness, and love because, despite what you may think, you're flawed creatures trying to do your best to achieve unity. That takes time and serious effort. But it is totally worth it, not just in the end, but all during the jounrey to oneness. No other greater happiness can be found than a love sealed by the Lord and consecrated by the sacrifices of husband and wife as they become united.

Let's Be More Positive!

I am a prideful person. Nothing gets under my skin more than people telling me what I can and cannot do. I don't like to hear that something is impossible to do because I am stubborn enough that I believe a way can be found to do the said task. I hate it when people think the world is ending over some silly little thing. I don't buy into the sky falling on my head any time soon just because my kids were beasts for a day. (That doesn't mean that I am not above letting it ruin my mood for that day.) I like positive people who mind their own business and give advice only when I ask for it.

I cannot tell you how many times someone has shared a tid-bit of "wisdom" with me about parenting, marriage, womanhood, dieting, or sex (eek!)when I really didn't want or need it. I know sometimes they are just trying to be nice, but there is only so much kindness I can take. Despite being an open person, I am very private too. I like to figure things out on my own, seek advice or counsel when I need it, and move on with my life. I'd like to think I know what is going on in my own life and, therefore, can make good decisions based on that. I know, I don't know everything. Far from it! There's a heck of a lot I still need to learn. But I like to figure it out on my own. Sometimes I would like to say "Hello! I am not a complete moron! I do have some clue as to what I am doing so butt out!" But I don't.

What is it about human nature that makes us pry into other people's lives? Instead of running off our mouths about how much we know, wouldn't it be a lot better to cheer each other on and give positive support? To say "Good job! You're doing it!" to the young moms. Or "You are doing wonderfully at supporting your husband in his calling as x". And so on. Just think of the good effect it would have on people. We'd be a lot more confident in the what we are doing. People who offer unsolicited advice tend to ignore the fact that their way isn't always the right way because there are lots of right ways. Everyone does things differently. The way I approach parenting, marriage, or household chores may be different from your's. And that's okay. Tell me how awesome I am doing instead of what I am failing at.

Of course, there are times when we need advice and seek it out. I have no problem with that. And there are always a few people in my life that I do take unsolicated advice from , such as my husband and the Lord. Well, really only them. They know how I am doing and what I can be better at. But they do it with love because they see the full potential that I possess when I cannot. And I try my best to be humble when I do receive their counsel and advice.

But aside from those two, I'd rather figure out the rest for myself. That is what makes life fun! I'd prefer more positive feedback instead of negative. I think we all could benefit more from that.

Give Me Shakespeare Any Day!

I love Shakespeare. I really do. His whit, humor, and ability to write about man's shortcomings. I love the beautiful language. He has the great ability to make one laugh with his clever humor and, at other times, cause one to ponder his own faults. Reading his works cannot compare to seeing one performed live. When one sees his plays come to life there is whit, facial expressions, body language, and emotions that are lost in written form. The pure vileness of Iago that can chill to the bone or the stinging banter fired by passion between Beatrice and Benedict. Shakespeare knew human nature and portrayed it well. He was a true writer.

I pondered this as I sat through a mediocre comedy movie Saturday evening since I had just seen a Shakespeare play the night before. The difference between the quality of the two was amazing. The play was actually funny, clever, and entertaining while the movie was not. For some reason in our modern age we have lost the ability to use our brains to be entertained. We don't want whit, we want embarrassing sex scenes, a few obligatory swear words, and some potty jokes to make us laugh. Yeah, it takes real talent to come up with that stuff. And even more ability to chuckle at it. Hmmm. What does that say about us? What has happened to Hollywood and our society as a whole? Nothing is original or clever. Anything that is "labeled" as intellectual is really something that tries to push boundaries. I'm sorry, but I fail to see how a movie based on stretching the limits of morality or common decency can possibly be brain fodder. Maybe it's because after watching something deemed "intellectual" by modern standards that I have to use all my brain power to wipe it clean from my memory. Who knows? But I am not impressed. Movies that I have found clever and truly entertaining are far and few.

I would love to see someone, a writer who actually used his brain, the intelligent side, not the 12 year-old boy side, come up with an original movie idea and script. One that used words, and not passing gas or boobs, to make me laugh. One that has romance that is based one love and not one night stands. One that can show tragedy and drama without swearing or graphic violent scenes. How refreshing that would be!

I know, I set my hopes too high. So that's why I will stick to my Shakespeare and just keep on waiting.

Bedtime Ramblings Become a Lesson

I am trying to come up with something witty to write while trying to get my girls to stay in bed, which just further fuels my frustration. I hate the first week back to school. It's fun and exciting, but it also is a major pain to get kids back on a schedule. And the fact that they are in school and have all sorts of things to be excited about doesn't help.

Somehow they think of the greatest excuses to come out of their rooms at night. "Mom, our curtain rod is bent." Hmmm, I wonder why. Perhaps because you've been pulling on it. Do you really think at 8:45 I am going to whip out my tool box and fix it? C'mon! Or, always the best reason, to come out and tattle on each other. "Mom, Rachel kicked me because she wanted to play with the magic wand." What? It's light's out so you shouldn't be playing with anything. By coming out you're showing me that you too are being disobedient. It's also great when they come out because they've hurt themselves doing something they shouldn't. "Mom, I whacked my elbow when I was jumping on Anna's bed!" Um, unless going to bed includes sleeping in mid-air in someone else's bed then I think you're in trouble here. Let's get with it people!

But you can't stay mad at them for long, even though Anna did just come out to tell me that she was naked because her jammies got wet and she had to change them (how this happened, I don't know), because they're cute and sweet and so very innocent. And we are a lot like them. How often do we get caught doing something we shouldn't or incriminate ourselves on accident? But we still think we can pull a sly one over on the Lord. "No, I haven't been avoiding doing my scripture study because I am lacking in faith. I've just been too busy." Or, "It's my companion's fault that we don't go visiting teaching because she doesn't call me to schedule a time to go." How about, "We can't have family home evening because Monday night is soccer practice night. We still eat dinner together most nights. That counts." Let's try, "It's hard to not talk complain about my husband sometimes because he can be so stupid and only my girl friends understand what I am going through." Ah, the list of justifications could go on and on. We think we're being wise and honest with ourselves and the Lord, but we're not.

Like me when it comes to my kids at bedtime, the Lord knows exactly what is going on and what we are trying to do. He knows if our hearts are truly converted to Him or not. If we were trying our best, we'd do all we can to follow Him, His commandments, and His prophets. Sometimes our best may change and not be what we wish it was, but He can see where our faith and trust lay. We are allowed to have bad days after all since we are not perfect. (and boy, do I have those bad days!) We can't fool Him with our lame excuses or accusations that our failure is a result of someone else. He knows better.

See, there's a reason why we are commanded to have kids. Yes, for Heavenly Father's plan, but also so we as parents can be humbled and learn. There are numerous parallels I draw from my experience as a mother to that of my being a daughter of God. I have a lot to learn from my kids.

Jimmy's Person

The first time one of my children draws their interpretation of a person is always a milestone to me. Maybe it's the artist in me, but I love seeing their scribbles take form as they try to capture the world around them. Each of my kids has drawn people differently. It's neat to see their individual take on things. Yesterday Jimmy drew his first person. He drew the belly, legs, neck, and head. It's adorable and I just had to share. My little guy is growing up!

School Time

School's in session! Anna started on Thursday. Second Grade! So far she is having a blast and loving life with her teacher.

Today was a big day for Rachel since it was her first day of kindergarten. I was very nervous about how my shy gal would do. She had been very anxious about it all weekend. Last night she told Marshall she didn't want to go because she was worried she didn't know everything and would be the only one. He explained that's why you go to school, to learn. Everyone else in her class wouldn't know how to do everything either. That gave her much relief and so she had no problem saying "goodbye" to me this morning. I almost cried, but didn't.

Now it's just me and the boys. It's been a long time since I've only had two kids at home. And Jacob napped the whole morning while Rachel was at kindergarten so Jimmy enjoyed Mommy time. I am sure every day won't be so easy and my very energetic little guys will keep me busy.

I can't believe how fast my girls have grown! (And yes, there is a Jonas Brothers theme going on in the form of shirts, backpacks, and sandals. My girls think they are so handsome. Oh dear. They aren't teenagers already, are they? We're sooo doomed!)

Get over it, get help, and move on

I've never understood why going to a counselor for help has such a negative connotation. I have known way too many people in my life who would seriously benefit from some visits with a therapist and yet refuse to do so. I just don't get it. How can learning how to be a better individual or couple be a bad thing?

Let's say I have a cut on my hand that got infected. I pretend it's no big deal,put a band-aid on it, and go on my merry way. A day or two passes and it gets worse with swelling and pus. I have soreness in my entire hand and have a hard time using it. But I insist it will get better on it's own and leave it be. Soon I am unable to use my entire arm that has the infected hand. If I don't get professional help I will most likely die or be very very sick. Wouldn't I be a complete idiot to continue to ignore my infection? Would you see me as a weakling for seeking out a professional, a doctor, who could help me?

The same applies for counseling. Too often I have seen people who are miserable and yet refuse to seek help because they don't want to be seen as weak or crazy. (Excuse me while I bang my head on the wall.) Life on this earth is too short to spend it in misery! The Lord doesn't want us to suffer! I've watched loved ones live their lives in sadness because they cannot overcome the pride that holds them back from seeking professional counseling.

Well I've been to counseling and am a better person for it. I grew up in quite the interesting family situation. I've gone through three marriages and divorces with my mom, not to mention a slew of other adventures. No matter what people say, your upbringing does shape you. And I realized that and did not want to continue that cycle of broken relationships and misery. So I did something "crazy" and got help. I learned more about who I am and how much I have internalized from my childhood and teenage experiences. I now have the tools I need to be a happy person and have a healthy marriage. I can catch myself when I start to fall into a pattern, recognize it for what it is, stop, and move on.

Marriage counseling is a wonderful thing. Again, I wish some members of my sweet family would give it a try. If you say you care about your marriage and you notice a problem forming, then why wouldn't you go and get help? It seems like you really don't care if you can't overcome your pride and seek counseling. Get over yourself and suck it up. It's not easy to admit needing help, but it doesn't mean you've failed or are a horrible person. On the contrary, I'd say you've failed in your marriage if you don't seek out the Lord and professional help before you let it get worse or even end. In fact, I think it would be great if all engaged couples had to go through a counseling course before being married. Men and women are different on their own without bringing in varying family backgrounds, cultures, and personalities. It'd do a lot of good to learn about those differences and how to communicate before entering into marriage.

Think of it in a Gospel perspective. We all are imperfect and can't do it on our own. Without the Lord we would suffer death, both physically and spiritually. But thanks to His Atonement we don't have to, if we come unto Him and be perfected through Him. That means we HAVE to admit that we have weaknesses. We HAVE to be humble. We HAVE to seek His help. If we don't, we're on our own and we're finished. If we can't admit it ourselves or our spouse that we have faults, how do we ever expect to humble ourselves before the Lord?

There's no point living life in misery. Counseling, either for ourselves or our marriage, is a good thing. I applaud people who seek out professional help. As in all things, the key is left to one's self to make the change once one goes through therapy. But one can't change unless one learns how. Hmmm, becoming a better person, what's to lose?

One of those weeks

I have so many ideas of things to write about, but time is an issue. Jacob has been working on four teeth at once. One finally popped through! And he is trying to figure out this crawling thing. We found him in his crib in the middle of the night on all fours, ready to go. (Jimmy had come to our room to tell us Jacob was being naughty and talking, which he was.) Since he is frustrated and in pain, my hands are full. Not to mention Marshall is getting over being sick, I am trying to stay healthy, and Rachel and Jimmy (tantrum king) seem to be competing to see who can kill the other first or get sold by Mom the fastest. (Ah, back to school changes the dynamics of everything. Thank goodness Rachel will be gone half a day starting Monday. At least I hope it's a good thing.) Anyhow, it's been crazy. One day I'll write more when I have the chance to put together some coherent thoughts. (Check back in 20 years.) Until then here are a few pictures of Jacob playing on the floor and getting mad because he can't crawl yet. It's a hard life.

My Life

I'm not trying to cop out by using comics, but this one was also too good to pass up. If it isn't Jimmy's white blankie, Rachel's boy baby toy, or Anna's shoes, then it's my sanity and patience that is lost when we try to go out.

True to Life

I love "Baby Blues". It's so true to life. Asking my kids to help with chores sometimes is the cruelest thing ever. The funny thing is that I remember feeling that same way as a child. What injustice!

Beware of Pools!!

Who knew swimming pools could be filled with such scandal and danger?! I had to laugh as I read the following story in a magazine while I was waiting to get my hair cut yesterday:

A WOMAN is suing an Egyptian hotel claiming her daughter got pregnant - from using the swimming pool.
Magdalena Kwiatkowska's 13-year-old returned to Poland from their holiday expecting a baby.

Magdalena believes the teenager conceived from stray sperm after taking a dip in the hotel's mixed pool. She is now seeking compensation from the hotel.

A travel industry source said: "The mother is adamant that her daughter didn't meet any boys while she was there.

"She is determined to go ahead with the case."

Tourist authorities in Warsaw, Poland, have confirmed they received the bizarre complaint.

If you wonder why I laughed, then you have serious issues. I remember hearing jokes about Polish people when I was a kid, but this goes to a whole new level. Obviously someone is in serious denial about the activities of her 13 year-old daughter. Not to mention how lame it is to claim that a woman could get pregnant from a stray sperm in a swimming pool. That would have to be one powerful little guy. (I must have been absent that day from Sex Ed.) And what on earth was the daughter doing in the pool that would make that happen? This woman needs to brush up a little bit on her biology because that just doesn't work. Nice try, though.

But if the mother is blind enough to say that swimming in this pool got her daughter pregnant, I could see how the girl got pregnant. She obviously didn't have someone looking out for her at home. Mom seems to be a tad off her rocker and in serious denial. So I am sure the little miss was able to get away with who-knows-what with who-knows.

The sad thing is that this completely idiotic case shows how irresponsible people are now-a-days. "My daughter got pregnant and so it has to be someone else's fault!" Right. Try talking to your kid about that one. She had to be involved with an actual person, not some random magical sperm in a pool, in order for life to be created. And take a good look at yourself too, mom, because you didn't do your job and teach your daughter about sex, abstinence, and responsibility. Stop trying to grab at random straws and just accept that you both messed up. Heaven forbid we actually place the blame on ourselves! Then one might actually have to pay the consequences for her actions. Who does that anymore, right?

So blame it on the pool. That's the ticket! That will make the problem go away and everything all better.

Watching Them Grow

I love being a mom. It is the best job in the world and I wouldn't want to be doing anything else. Often I am pushed to my limits, but I also am forced to grow and become a better person because of it. I love my kids and watching them grow and learn.


Anna has become quite the little cook. She can cook eggs and tortillas on her own. Marshall introduced the kids to one of his favorite treats, tortillas with cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on top. So every morning Anna makes breakfast, sugar tillas, for all three big kids. It's so nice!

Yesterday I caught Jimmy showing Jacob how to properly turn pages in a book. It was really quite funny because all Jacob really wanted to do was eat the book. What a good big brother!

(I love Rachel too, but catching her on film is tricky). I love my sweet kids and feel so blessed to spend my days with them.

Because it's Monday

I don't know about you, but my Monday has had a rough start. here are some pictures of Mr. Jacob eating his breakfast to make it all better. He has to eat in the buff now since he hates wearing a bib so much that he will pull at his clothes and smear them with food in an effort to get them off. What a cutie!

Just a cupcake to me

As part of our date last night we went to get dessert at a little cafe called "25 Main". We have heard from various people that their cupcakes are amazing. So good in fact that one of Marshall's good friends would drive 25 minutes both ways from his house to get one. Needless to say, our curiosity was peaked.

When we arrived we found that their only dessert was cupcakes. I was hoping they'd be big or something, but they were just your normal size cupcake. Since we bought our's after 8pm we only paid half price for our treats, $1 per cupcake instead of $2. After eating our cupcakes we both turned to each other and said "It was good, but it was still a cupcake." No matter how you decorate and disguise it, a cupcake is what it is. We just didn't find the magic.

When it comes down to it, it all lies in preferences. I like cake and have had some pretty darn good cake in my life, but it wasn't worth spending $2 for something I can make 24 of at home for the same price. Maybe I'm just not posh enough. But if I am going to buy a dessert, I want to it to "wow" me. I want it to be something that takes a lot of time and effort for me to make at home and well worth the shortcut. For example, I love cheesecake and have no qualms about shelling out $4 for a slice of it on occasion. To make it at home would cost more and be just plain annoying since I don't have the proper tools. Or I love fancy ice cream places like Cold Stone. Again, not something I can easily make myself. That is totally worth my money. But a cupcake, eh.

Sorry if you think those cupcakes are to die for, but I just don't get it. Dessert is too special to waste on a cupcake. I'll stick to my cheesecake instead.

I Believe

I believe in the power of chiropractors! I never was big on them, even though my mom has always gone to one and I went to a few as a child. It was just one of those things that was nice, but not necessary. Until now.

Three months ago I started to experience some nasty daily symptoms. I'd have cold chills to the point that I'd curl up in a ball at night and freeze. A sore back that made sleeping a nightmare, sharp pain in my abdomen, and fatigue. It was not fun. I am normally a very active person who likes to exercise and isn't happy when I can't. These physical problems made exercising impossible and being functional a challenge. I went to the doctor a few times and did all sorts of blood work, body scans, and exams. Hundreds of dollars later I found out that my body is in tip-top shape. Great to hear, but it didn't solve the problem of my feeling like crud. I tried cutting dairy out of my diet, regularity options, and all sorts of stuff with no avail. I didn't feel any better and was getting seriously depressed.

Then one morning after spending the night curled up in a ball with cold chills, I decided I was going to try going to a chiropractor as a last resort. It couldn't hurt, right? Plus it had been before I was married since I had had my back adjusted. Having four kids had to have had some effect on it.

I am so glad I went because I learned that two of my vertebrate had twisted. This had caused a pinching of nerves and pretty much all of the symptoms I had been experiencing. I didn't consider that a misaligned back could affect my nervous system, but it did and had made my life utterly miserable. I have been going in for adjustments bi-weekly for a month now and have seen huge results. I have energy and no longer suffer from back pain, cold chills, and ab discomfort. I can sleep at night! I can exercise and be the mom and wife to my family that I struggled to be while suffering those two months. It has been incredible! My back is improving now so I only have to go weekly for adjustments. My doctor is wonderful and very helpful. I have my little daily back stretches to do and am more conscious of how I use my back. I feel like a new person!

Thank goodness for modern medicine, chiropractors, and promptings of the Spirit! I believe in chiropractors!

Creative Justice

I'm not one who condones taking the law into one's own hands, but I have to admit that there are times when people deal out justice that make me think "Rock on!"

The latest such is from Wisconsin where a winner of a guy was found tied to a motel bed with his, um, manly parts super glued to his stomach. It turns out our genius was married, but also sleeping with two women on the side. When his wife found out about his extramarital activities, she contact the other two women and together sought out revenge. They lured him to a motel room and well, I already told you the rest.

I had to chuckle when I read this story for so many reasons. Part of me can't help but think that the guy got what he deserved and give a high-five to those ladies. Sleeping around is stupid. Sleeping around while married is really stupid. Sleeping around with two women while married is just asking for it. And he got it! That rarely happens, but this time it did.

I also have to laugh at the creativity of the women. They didn't do any long lasting Bobbitt-ish procedures. Just some simple glue that caused some pain and a whole lot of embarrassment for our Romeo. How ingenious and perfect!

So what can we learn from this little episode? If you act like a jerk, you will most likely get what's coming to you. And the use of superglue is limitless. Be careful the next time you visit Wisconsin!

Trip Pictures

We took a lot of pictures on our adventures back east in beautiful Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. It was so much fun to see family, eat good food, and take in the scenery. The first picture is the view from my mom's front porch. She is in farm country, so much so that one night a cow from the neighboring farm got lose and broke up our marshmallow roasting awfully fast. The kids thought it was very exciting and scary.

My dad and Arlene, my wonderful step-mom, took us to Dutch Wonderland. It's an amusement park just for kids. Our children all had a blast. Rollercoasters, a log flume, and all sorts of rides just for kids. And there was a water park. Jimmy was fascinated by the water squirting out of the ground. It was cute to watch him figure it out.

Here is a shot of the girls flying an airplane and getting bad guys at the park. The kids also got to drive their own gas powered cars and ride on all sorts of fun things.

A big highlight at my mom's house was being able to catch fire flies. She lives out in farm country and so it was easy to catch the glowing critters. Here is Rachel sporting her catch. I think we caught fire flies every night we were there.

My mom works as a driver for Amish people. One girl near my mom offered to give the kids rides with her pony and cart. The kids all thought that was awesome. She took them out on some roads. While they waited their turns the other kids got to see the horses, pet kittens, and check out their dairy. It was neat.

We had so much fun back east. We also had the chance to play at some fun parks, visit the delicious local Wilbur Chocolate Factory, and get ice cream at Oregon Dairy. Now it's back to reality and back to school!

Nine Years!!

Nine years, four kids, four vehicles, five apartments, one house, two bachelor degrees, one law degree, two cross-country moves, and a few pounds and stretch marks ago we were married in the St. George Temple. It has been a wonderful adventure. There has been laughter and tears (Marshall's still not perfect yet like me) and a lot of faith building experiences. Marshall has far exceeded my hopes. He is much more adorable than the day I married him and I love him even more.

To celebrate tonight Marshall will be spending the evening in bishopric training meetings. Now I could feel bad for myself, but I don't. (Not to mention that we have a sitter ready for a date out this Friday.) I can't think of a better place for my husband to be on our anniversary. Why? Because it means he has kept his covenants with the Lord and me and has been doing what he should be these past nine years. It means that I choose wisely. Who cares about fame, wealth, or worldly glory when it comes down to it? I don't have a huge diamond ring or a spacious new home to show for all these years of marriage. But I do have four beautiful children who know and see that their father loves and serves the Lord. That is priceless.

So Happy Anniversary to us! I love my sweetie and feel so blessed to have him. My life would be so void without the daily sunshine and laughter he brings into it. Life IS good!

We're Home!

We arrived home at 2 am Saturday morning thanks to delays from thunder storms. We didn't think the flight would ever end! But we are home and it is so nice to be back! We had a lot of fun on our trip and many adventures. If I can figure how to get pictures from my memory card, I will share them. Now it's back to reality and laundry. (ugh)