Going Insane (Almost)

I'm surprised someone hasn't slipped one of the above on me this week because it feels like I am heading there. You've probably noticed I haven't been blogging much. Believe me, I have lots I want to say, just no chance to do it.

See, I've developed this 20 pound growth that is only removable during nap and bedtime. Said adorable growth thinks he needs to be attached to me at all times in order to be happy, unless it is during a brief period when he likes to climb all over the couch and do all sorts of death defying couch dives. Babies and colds don't mix. I feel like I've slowly been going insane because I have had little peace, even when I need to use the bathroom. It's amazing. I hope my poor little guy feels better soon so that we can both be happy.

But to add to the fun of my week, I woke up this morning to find our master bathroom wet thanks to a leaking toilet tank. It even got into our closet rug and the carpet downstairs in the toy room. Thankfully it was tank water and not actual used toilet water. Ugh. Just one more thing to keep us on our toes! (sob)

Thank goodness Halloween is tomorrow and we are all excited to go out and have fun. That's what is keeping me going! Trick-or-treat!

Go Phils!

I am not a fan of baseball. As a kid, I remember my dad watching it on tv and it seemed like time had stood still during those games because they would NEVER end. I agree with homer Simpson that baseball is boring to watch unless drunk. (Though I admit I've never watched baseball drunk.) It is not an exciting sport.

That being said, I think it is very cool that the Phillies have a chance at winning the World Series. The last time I remember the Phils being good was back in the days of Mike Schmidt. (But then again, that was when I knew his name thanks to my dad and I haven't followed them on my own.) There must be something in the water back there, which is nasty to the taste, but I still have great pride in the City of Brotherly love. I may not always agree with the politics there, but it has great people, culture, and food. At times I really miss being able to drive down town for a visit. Or hearing that sweet Philly accent.

So even though I haven't lived back east in over ten years and I can't stand baseball, I am cheering for the Phillies because they are a part of the place I love. (And maybe because I used to have a crush on Schmidt.) Go Phillies!

10 Months Old!!!!

It is finished

Two years ago in April we bought our house and thought we were getting a back yard with it. But actually we had a yard full of weeds, a little grass, and lots of over grown bushes and such that had been torn up by the dog of the previous owner. Like simple folk, we tried to add a few sprinklers to the poorly positioned ones that already existed and reseed grass. Ha! How our yard laughed at our efforts and mocked us by growing more weeds at an alarming rate. "You will not win!" it said!

Well, after much frustration, this spring Marshall took a shovel to the yard and started to tear it all up. But then summer came and so the work ceased and we were left with dirt. Yeah! Then in August Marshall and his amazing brother hit our yard with a vengeance. His parents helped to till up the evil yard and weeds (who's winning now?!) to get it ready to dig new sprinkler lines. Then Marshall and his brother worked hard to dig new trenches and put in a whole new sprinkler system. We all thought it would never end.

But then one day not too long ago, it was declared finished. So the process of filling trenches and smoothing the yard began. Then on Friday, that glorious day of the week, our sod arrived. We spent last night, with lots of help, laying all our sod. Now, after all this drama and work, we have a yard where the kids can play. (Take that weeds of doom!) It looks fantastic and I am giddy with joy! Hee hee! Thanks to everyone who helped!

Our yard when we first bought the house. No, don't be fooled by the green. It's mostly weeds my friends. Evil evil weeds that never would die!

What our yard has looked like since April. Dirt. Lots of it. This is actually a picture of Marshall and his brother finishing up filling the trenches and tilling one final time.

The finished project. Isn't it wonderful?

Busy, busy, busy

I'm still here, just been busy. I have become addicted to the "new.familysearch.org" website. People, genealogy couldn't be easier. I can do it from my own home and get it temple ready without having to go to the family history center. Bonus! I've kind of become obsessed with it and, my oh my, do I have a lot of work to do. I did manage to send 19 names off to my sister-in-law for her kids to do baptisms for. Did I mention I have a lot of work to do?

When I haven't been doing family history this week I have been trying to help Marshall in the yard. This usually means herding the kids. But tomorrow the sod comes and we will be laying actual grass. What will it be like to wake up on Saturday and find a backyard full of grass after seeing dirt, weeds, and random patches of grass for two years? I'm so giddy.

Needless to say, it's been busy around these parts. But not too crazy for me to find the time to do one Halloween craft. We have to add to our decorations every year and this time I made some cute tombstones. Yeah, I am amazing. (Coming soon: pictures of our new yard. Boo-yah!)

Why I Hate HOAs

This morning as I was getting ready for the day, I had the rare chance to listen to the news and was once again determined to never live in a place with a Home Owner's Association. We rented in a place where there was an HOA filled with all sorts of fun loving kind elderly people. (Ha! As if that could exist!) Once we got fined $30 for our children coloring on our driveway with chalk. I know, it's unacceptable. How do we go out in public and look people in the eyes?! We let our children use chalk! Of all things. But now an HOA in Florida is taking things to a new level, as I listened on the television and realized the Grinch does in fact exist and he lives in Florida. Read on:
A retirement community in Largo, Florida is fighting to evict six-year-old Kimberly Broffman from the home of her grandparents Jimmy and Judie Stottler, the only parents she's ever known. According to the development's bylaws, all residents must be older than 55.
Kimberly is the only person expected to vacate the home.
Kimberly's grandparents have tried selling their house to leave the neighborhood, but because of the crash in the housing market, there are no buyers. They have lowered the price from $225,000 to $129,000.
The fight between Kimberly's grandparents and the community has been going on for years, but soon a judge will decide if the girl must leave. According to NBC News, there is a real possibility that she could be placed in state foster care

Oh yes, you did read correctly. This HOA is trying to kick out a little girl, who has no where else to go, because she is under the 55 and older age limit. Forget the fact that her grandparents have been trying to sell their home so they can live somewhere that would be conducive/kind to little Kimberly. No. She apparently has to go because she is causing all sorts of problems being only 6 years old. It would be far better for this child, who comes from a rough situation, to be thrown into foster care than stay with her grandparents until they can sell their home and move. What the what?!

The HOA president was asked on tv how he felt about being "the bad guy". He said he wasn't the "bad guy". That job would fall to the sheriff when he served papers to the family once the court sentencing took place. Oh really? You're not some heartless jerk? I find that hard to believe since the sheriff wouldn't be there unless you didn't start this whole process of trying to kick the little girl out. Nice try, bub.

This is why I will never live where there is an HOA. They can be good, in theory, to keep things looking nice and have a community pool or clubhouse for those who belong. But there are always a few insane idiots who have to bring misery to their fellow neighbors,patroling the neighborhood in search of rule breakers. Said people, whom we like to call "HOA Nazis", need to get a life. This type of behavior is not healthy. It is scary. And if they don't watch themselves, they may eventually sink so low as to prey on the innocent, like our dear pals in Florida. What is this world coming to?

Shoe Fetish?

Young Jacob's love of shoes began at an early age. He quickly discovered they made for great toys and playing with them got quite the reaction out of his parents. Sometimes his mom didn't know if she had a son or a puppy, as he would often emerge from the laundry room carrying a shoe in his mouth. One will have to see if this obsession stands the test of time.

Why is the clock not moving?!!!!

I think this has got to be the slowest Friday in the history of the world. It seems like time is just creeping by and I am slowly going insane. Why won't the clock move any faster? (I am sure it has nothing to do with the kids being out of school today. Stupid fall break!) So to take a few minutes, here are some random Friday ramblings:

-It's Friday. Who wants to cook dinner? Not me! Going to the Paris buffet in Vegas sounds good. Creamy mashed potatoes. Mmmm. Or I could have my own chef. Why don't I have one of those already?

-If patience is a virtue, then I am the most lacking in virtue woman around. I have no patience. The longer I have to wait for things the more crabby I get. (Ask my hubby about when I am 9 months and ready to pop!)

-Why must Anna always hum or make some loud obnoxious noise? I do love her, but could do with less noise. Not to mention how she always has to play the piano every time she walks by it.

-And Jimmy's blood must be made purely from apple juice the way he downs that stuff.

-Jacob thinks he should be able to climb the stairs all the time or pull out my earrings. Cute little monkey.

-Rachel is still determined to cause Jacob physical harm by loving him too much.

-We have two wedding receptions this weekend. Wow! We've had four in the past month. How exciting, but I am glad I'm not newly married. I like knowing my husband better and not being afraid to have bodily functions around him.

-Not to mention all the embarrassing advice people give you about sex and kids when you are newlyweds. Yeah! How can you make this time more awkward by talking about something I would never dream of mentioning. Thanks for the info! TMI!!! Of course, now that I am an oldlywed, I wish I could think of some embarrassing frank sex advice to give out. It's only fair, right? Plus what good gossip it would create to have the bishop's wife spouting off about sex to everyone!

-It seems like Jimmy always has to go to the bathroom. Probably because of the above mentioned apple juice.

-And still no one has brought me dinner. For rude!

Have a good weekend!

He Did It!

Jacob finally made it to the top of the stairs today. You can see he is very proud of himself and the other kids are very excited. Anna deemed it "a miracle" while Rachel and Jimmy were in wonderment about how he made it to the top. I, on the other hand, know this means doom because he will now try to climb the stairs at every chance he gets. He's doing it as I write. Next step: learning how to go down stairs.

Feelin' Cheated

Most of you know my great love of Italian food. Being born and raised in Pennsylvania, close to Philadelphia, that good kind of eating is in my blood. That's why I was so excited when a new pizzeria, Bella Maria's, opened up near us, claiming to have good Philly style food. Well, I should have remembered that nothing good comes out of New Jersey.

You see, one of the owner's claim to fame and knowledge of "East Coast Cuisine" is the fact that she was born and raised in New Jersey. That should have warned me there. No one who is from New Jersey advertises it. But we still decided to try the place.

Two thumbs way down. Super overpriced mediocre food. I paid $9 for an eggplant sandwich that was tiny. Having just visited back East this summer, I know I could get a sandwich triple the size for 1/2 the price and know it was going to be good. The pizza was unimpressive and not at all what real "East Coast" pizza is. It was too hard of a crust and lacking flavor, but not salt. Sigh. It's times like these when I miss living back East, where "you can spit and hit a good Italian place to eat", as my English teacher brother-in-law puts it. And he's right. You want good Italian, go back East. If you want good Mexican, come to the West. Too bad one can't have the best of both worlds.

Instead, I'm crabby and want my money back. I'm even still a little hungry. Maybe one day I'll open my own Italian joint out here. Until then, thank goodness one saving grace we have in St. George is "Two Fat Guys Pizza". That, my friend, is authentic Philly/ New York style pizza and always makes me think of home.

Missing Cheerio

You know you are a mom when you go to undress after a busy day and a Cheerio rolls out of your bra. How, when, and why are questions that will never be answered. I can attest that I was not saving it for a later snack. I am sure it has something to do with a very busy, fluffy-haired baby in my house.

Who is more pompous, Columbus or us?

Happy Columbus Day! When I was a kid that actually meant something. Columbus was cool, not the villain he has been betrayed as in recent years. Christopher Columbus discovered America and was a great explorer. But now his reputation isn't so stellar and teachers are making sure students know about his "dark side".

A recent article about the upcoming Columbus Day school celebrations talked about what some teachers are doing to give their classes a more "fair" picture of the great explorer:
Jeffrey Kolowith's kindergarten students read a poem about Christopher Columbus, take a journey to the New World on three paper ships and place the explorer's picture on a timeline through history. "I also talk about the situation where he didn't even realize where he was," Kolowith said. "And we talked about how he was very, very mean, very bossy."

In McDonald, Pa., 30 miles southwest of Pittsburgh, fourth-grade students at Fort Cherry Elementary put Columbus on trial this year — charging him with misrepresenting the Spanish crown and thievery. They found him guilty and sentenced him to life in prison."In their own verbiage, he was a bad guy," teacher Laurie Crawford said.

Sweet. So Columbus is bad and we are making sure our kids know. That really comes as no surprise since our Founding Fathers had their faults and have been labeled in harsh terms because of some of their beliefs and practices. As a historian, I find this new curriculum of judging people, such as Columbus, by our standards completely asinine. It makes no sense at all because these historical figures were products of the society in which they lived, not ours. Slavery was acceptable, native populations were seen as barbaric, and everyone was out to discover land. That was the way most of Europe thought at Columbus' time.

Some argue that Columbus didn't really discover America because he thought he had hit the West Indies instead. Well, duh. He didn't know there was a bug mass of land blocking his way and so thought he had reached his destination. Maps back then were a joke, being highly inaccurate. They did believe in sea monsters after all and that the world was flat. They didn't have all the technology that we do today so cut the man some slack.

Others argue that the natives were the first ones there and so they really discovered America. True, they were the first to inhabit the land, but Columbus is the one who came across them. Furthermore, the European world had no idea America was there, let alone the people, so that would make Columbus the first one to discover that this land and people did exist. And, to be honest and not politically correct, the side that has the more power and education is usually the one that gets the credit for discoveries.

People also say Columbus is wicked for bringing disease and death to the natives. Well, idiot, do you really think he knew about germs and what he was doing by bringing two worlds together? Have you any idea of the medical knowledge in that time period? Not the best. It's unfair to blame Columbus for introducing those germs into those indigenous societies because he didn't even know they existed. The only way we know that is through hindsight. Thanks to modern medicine we know about germs and how disease spreads and we can look back and see how native populations were affected by European diseases. But don't say Columbus came knowingly carrying plague and death with him. That's just stupid.

When it comes down to it, those who hold historical figures like Columbus up to our modern standards are hypocrites and no better then those they profess superiority to. If Columbus was bad for judging the natives by his European standards, are we not even worse off because we impose the same sentences on him based on our modern philosophies. We have the advantage of time and, therefore, an increase of knowledge. We know about disease, the shape and land in the world, and that all men are equal. Are we not just as pompous and imperialistic when we look down our noses at Columbus and call him wicked because he does not meet our standards?

Yeah for Columbus and his discovery of America. He forever changed history. He helped bring in an era of discovery and exploration that has made us who we are today. For that I am grateful and see him as hero.

Obama won what??!!!

My brain is very confused and doing the above. Could someone please explain? President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize?! What the what?! I mean what has the man done to show he is worthy of it? What has he done? Well, he has torn the country apart in a heated debate over health care. But that has nothing to do with peace. I am really confused. I can pick up stuff with my toes. Does that mean I can win too? It's just a tad insulting to those who have won in the past and actually did something amazing and worthy of the prize. Seriously, this is a joke. Right?

The Chosen

I just finished reading Chaim Potok's "The Chosen". It was recommended by a friend and I was a little wary upon seeing the bland cover. However, I was wrong. It was fascinating and very well written. Potok shows us a world of the Jew and the stark contrasts between Hasidic and non-Hadsidic Judaism. But he interweaves his story and facts in such a way that keeps the reader interested and wanting to know more about the unlikely friendship between Reuven and Danny. I truly felt as if I was taking a journey into an unknown world, feeling that I myself knew the characters on a personal level. What an amazing read!

A Little Bit of Jacob

This is how Jacob helps out around the house, by sucking clean the ledges by the entry windows. Yum!

This is also one of Jacob's favorite spots to stand because he can see outside and be near the door in case of a possible escape opening up.

Waiting by the door pays off when Jimmy and Rachel go out to play. Freedom and a stick to snack on!

Wisdom in Turning the Other Cheek

I recently received a harsh email from a relative, accusing me of supporting immoral behavior and railing on me for being judgemental and cruel. Needless to say, I was very shocked and hurt at first. My initial reaction was to write back and defend myself against such lies. I was mad. But I was hesitant because I knew that person would not see the truth since he had already distorted my original view on the subject at hand. I didn't see what good would come from furthering the debate. It would only add fuel to a raging fire and pull me down as a result of a senseless debate. I knew the people who mattered in the situation were well aware of my feelings on the matter.

By doing nothing, I came to understand and see the wisdom in "turning the other cheek". We are counseled to do so in the scriptures, but it's not always the easiest thing to attempt. Believe me, I am one that is quick to fire up and get heated over something, especially when someone falsely accuses me of something. I am a very passionate person. However, this time I didn't and the moment I decided not to act, this relative no longer had any power over me. My anger quickly subsided and I got over the whole incident. Instead of anger, I felt compassion for this person who felt the need to lash out at someone because he himself is miserable.

Wow! We live in a world that follows the mantra "an eye for an eye". If someone burns you, you need to get them back twice as badly. It's your right and you deserve it. But this kind of behavior doesn't fix anything. It perpetuates the problem and those involved completely give themselves over the to spirit of contention. No wonder there is so much bitterness in the world! However, the idea of "turning the other cheek" stops what could be a hate and spite filled situation cold. The spirit of contention is cut down, leaving the "cheek turner" in complete control of himself, instead of losing self control to rage. The other party involved may not ever stop hassling the one who decides to let go, but their power is completely lost. It is a wonderful feeling and very liberating. For me, I don't fear what this person has or may say about me. It doesn't matter because I know the truth and the people who matter know the truth. And more importantly, I have no appetite to "bite" at the temptation of falling into a huge argument over the matter. Not worth it!

As a child it never did make sense to me to turn the other cheek. How can someone do that? You can't just back down from a challenge! It's not fair! True, life isn't always fair, but walking away from such a situation takes a lot more strength and control than continuing it further. The Lord knew that by avoiding such pitfalls we would truly triumph and be free from yet another snare of the adversary.

A Powerful Witness

Another General Conference is over and I have yet again been spiritually enriched and fed. I know what I need to do to be better and I have the peace that comes from the Gospel. There were so many great talks shared that were full of wisdom, counsel, and hope. I can't say that I had one that was my particular favorite. (There were too many favorites!) But I can say there was one talk that stands out vividly in my mind, that of Elder Holland.

I have always enjoyed listening to Elder Holland speak. When he teaches, he does so with perfect clarity, power, and love. He can tear up with emotion and at the same time lay down the law of the Gospel in such force it gives me goosebumps. I love the powerful witness he bore of the Book of Mormon. How he stood firm and made it clear to the whole world that it is a book from God and not man. I was humbled by his powerful witness.

It made me realize that we all need to be more like Elder Holland. We live in a time where sin abounds. Society is in decay. No one wants to be responsible. Our children are constantly surrounded by temptation. Satan does a wonderful job of making sin look so delicious and fun. Now more than ever we, as members and parents, need to boldly declare to our children and those around us that we believe in God and live His commandments. No more hinting, implying, or assuming. We need to let it made known who we are and what we believe, especially to our children. One of the best ways we can do that is through our example. Our children and others will not heed a word we say if we don't live by what we claim to believe. At the risk of awkward situations or offending, we need to not be afraid to live the Gospel standards. Such adherence will teach our children that above all else, the Gospel is key.

I was touched this past week when my seven year-old came home from playing with her friend, who doesn't regularly attend church. My daughter, who is shy, had the courage to invite her friend to church. I am so proud of her. She has never been afraid to share her beliefs with others. She's given both my inactive parents lectures on drinking coffee and not attending church. She knows the Gospel is important and it supersedes her shyness.

We need to be more like my daughter and Elder Holland. The time for subtlety has far passed. We need to stand in holy places and boldly declare, by our words and actions, who we are, what we believe, and what God expects of us. We need to make it absolutely clear, as did Elder Holland, to our families where we stand. If we have any hope in our children holding fast to the truth, it must begin with us and our example.

Budding Young Artist

The kids really enjoy painting on our driveway with washable paint. I remember painting on our glass sliding doors when I was a kid. It's so much fun to have a different canvas to use. This morning Jimmy wanted to paint and he came up with some cute creations that I had to share.

Ice cream scoops. Yum!

Me! I think his little portrait is adorable!

A Portrait of the Artist as a young man (Mr. Cute Jimmy)

Revenge: A Dish Best Served Fried?

In my dating days I never was the kind of girl to take a baseball bat to my ex boyfriend's prized truck. Yeah, I dated some real winners and have been burned by one or two, but still I didn't become obsessed with revenge or outlaw justice. (Losing out on me was a big enough punishment for them!) But that doesn't mean all women are like me.

One Pasadena, Texas woman decided to get back at her common-law husband after being burned by him. They had been fighting over some jewelry he had given her and then taken back. And what did she do to make things even? Well fry up and eat their pet goldfish, of course! She stole the fish from his apartment to do her ghastly deeds. When police found her she had already eaten three of the seven pet fish. That'll show him!

Seriously?! Um, the whole idea of revenge is to make the other person suffer, not one's self. Frying up and eating goldfish sounds like torture to me. I know, I am a vegetarian, but I don't think most sane people would want to eat goldfish. That's just plain nasty! Why couldn't she have just flushed them down the toilet or fed them to a cat? Did she feel better knowing she was actually ingesting them, taking complete part in seeking justice for her broken heart? Yum!

But then again the whole idea of revenge just doesn't make sense to me. What good does it do, but add gas to an already raging inferno? The best thing would be to get over it and move on, no matter how bad the case may be. Or maybe I'm just not creative enough to seek the perfect revenge. Either way, I promise that your pets are safe with me.