Happiness

I just wanted to say...I am so happy! It's been a fairly constant emotion for a few months now. I think at this stage, there is so much joy to be found. Emily entertains herself and is amazing in her grasp of concepts, yet loves to be held and read to. Gianna is discovering life more each day and growing, literally, before my eyes. Eric may be busy with school and work, but we are used to it and know how to capitalize on his days off to better enjoy our family. I am happy with myself and feel like I'm involved in some great things to make my life more full (being a mother and wife is amazing, but I also love doing photography and book club and whatever other "hobby" comes up!). I enjoy going to church and my new calling...who knew taking care of 8-10 small kids would be such fun! I am still making new friends and have great "old" friends both near and far. It's just an amazing time of life. I feel so blessed and incredibly happy. It isn't hard to feel this way...I just have to remember the next time there is a trial knocking down my door.

Hannah the Hunter and Herder

As many of you know, we've had some issues with neighborhood dogs. Since Animal Control doesn't do anything about it AND they don't work on weekends in our area, we've taken it into our own hands to discourage dogs from coming onto our property.
I'm the proud owner of a Daisy BB Gun. When I was little, I really wanted one but never received one as a gift. So, I am really using the one my husband got us.
We pull it out to pop whichever dog or animal needs to be discouraged from our property. I've gotten to be a pretty good shot with it. Hey, and all of you wondering about cruelty to animals, it's such a low-powered gun that it won't penetrate skin AND it's more cruel for these dog owners to be letting their dogs run loose in the neighborhood. The BB gun is MUCH less dangerous than a vehicle.
Anytime Hannah sees me pull the gun out, she gets all sorts of excited. She knows there is some kind of "prey" out there. It's quite hilarious. This morning's prey were two squirrels running across the roof of my house. She doesn't bark at them, but she basically points them out to me.
Also, she will herd other dogs off the property. When we first moved in, we had a perimeter collar on her which trained her to her property line. Now, she won't cross that line without us, though there is no physical barrier. A few nights ago our neighbor's dog got loose (this one can't be helped, I understand). So, Hannah kept herding him off and wouldn't return to the house (remember, just over a yr ago, she was attacked from a K-9 police dog coming on our property) until he had crossed that line and was headed back to his home. Eric knocked on their door to notify him, while Hannah returned to our house.
So, my little Hannah-banna, you are a crack-up. It also goes to show how much influence a "parent" has on their "child" (not that I think I'm her mama, but I am her alpha...basically the same authority).

Law Enforcement Phone Call

If (whatever county) Law Enforcement appears on your caller ID, what thoughts come into your head? I admit, I was a bit concerned (as it was the general time that Eric would have been on lunch break) that I was getting notified of an accident. I quickly checked my answering machine. This is a big deal since I just normally ignore the thing...which is filled mostly by hang-ups or partial messages for this or that telemarketer. I figure, anyone really wanting to get in touch with me will call my cell or text me. If you don't have my cell, we probably aren't that close; nor would you need the secondary number (which, if you are reading this and find yourself w/o that number and realize that it would be beneficial, here's your opportunity to leave a comment!).
Back to the story...
As I kept deleting through the messages of dial tones and clicks, I came to what matched up with the time of the Law Enforcement call. Totally NOT law enforcement...I mean, unless libraries have really gotten serious about overdue books (none of which I have) or limiting the number you have out at one time (which can tend to be excessive for me). For some reason, our local library has as it's caller ID "----- County Law En"...thus leading to either panicked grabbing of the phone on the last ring or piling through annoying amounts of ridiculous messages on the answering machine only to discover that, oh, your book is in.

A Sampling of Eric

I claim this is our family blog, but it isn't. Let's be serious. I always write. So, for a treat, here is Eric. Now, a little background. He has a class this semester that is requiring him to keep a journal of his encounters with "interactive devices and their interfaces." So, he came home with this one and I thought it was funny. Remember, this is to be turned into to his college professor, a 60 yr old computer teacher.

Journal Entry 3:
Today I cooked a corn dog in the microwave at work for my lunch. The corn dog is a simple, yet complex tasty treat that is ready for consumption after forty five seconds of heat application from the microwave. The microwave was just as simple as the corn dog, yet not as tasty.
The microwave that I used for my food preparation was a Magic Chef MCB780W. It is simple in design with a numeric keypad, a single line digital timer readout panel and a few more keys, preset for certain types of foods and their designated cook times.
To cook my meal all that I had to do was open the microwave door, place the corn dog on the rotating glass cooking platform, and close the door. With the corn dog placed in the oven portion, I then pressed the “4” key followed by the “5” key, and finished my entry by pressing the “start” key. The microwave immediately began to emit its heat-filled waves of preparation for the demise of my future meal.
After forty five seconds my meal was ready for its doom. My corn dog was cooked evenly and displayed a thin stream of steam. I was thoroughly grateful for the effectiveness of the microwave in cooking my corn dog and its efficiency and ease of use in data entry to hasten the process of consumption and digestion.

Death vs Unconscious

Judge me as you will, but I swear, we weren't watching anything terrible, though, I can't remember what it was. Anyway, one of the characters accidentally got hit on the head and was knocked unconscious. Emily immediately turns to me and says in an empathetic voice, "He dead, Mommy." I stiffle my giggle (I mean, really, why does she think the person is dead? and, have I mentioned that she plays CPR?) and reply, "He's not dead. He just got hit on the head and is sleeping." She gives me a questioning look, seems to process something and then asks, "Like a monkey?" Yes, like a monkey, my dear.
It took me a few days to figure this one out. I couldn't understand why she would associate a monkey with being unconscious. I then realized, after we played Mario Party, that it was the getting hit on the head part she was actually referring to. There's a game w/i that game that has a race of getting your monkey up the pole the fastest. The difficulty being the coconuts that are dropping from above and not knowing which side of the pole you need to swing the monkey to prevent it from getting knocked on the head, throwing the monkey back down the pole and freezing movement for a moment.
So, in case any of you are wondering, if you get knocked unconscious, it's "like a monkey" and you'll be okay.

On another note, Emily's comprehension of language astounds me! When offered something she doesn't want, she'll tell us, "No, I not want _____. I want _____, though." Really, "though?" Or, tonight she wanted to do something that wasn't a good choice. When we told her that it was bad to do that, she whipped out a pretend picture to show us "someone" else doing this (okay, so it is also the depth of her imagination). Where did the concept of "evidence" come in to justify permission for a desired action? Definitely, by raising kids, you learn more about yourself and the magic of learning/discovery than by anything else!

What Is Truth?

Is truth even something that can be qualified? I'm not sure. Now, I'm not talking about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am talking about life in the general sense.
Seriously, how do you KNOW what is truth? You can't take a single person's telling of "the truth" to be such as it is already tainted and twisted from their unique perspective. You can't take it from a mass of people as there will unfailingly be too many different situations within an occurrence to know what, again, was said and done and for what purpose. I know we have a system of law to defend the truth, but we all know that system if flawed.
So, again, how can you know truth in any given situation? You can't. You just have to trust pieces of the truth to exist and let that be enough. Hmmm...perhaps that is why we are told "judge not lest ye be judged." Kinda sucks for someone who wants to know the truth.

It's All in the Voice

I was always charmed by the "southern drawl" as portrayed in the film "Gone with the Wind." As I encountered other cultures and regions, I was just as intrigued with other various accents. It wasn't until earlier this year that I received a compliment on my own accent.
Being from Missouri and small mid-western towns, there didn't seem to be too much exciting about the way I spoke or did anything (just ask the Beach Boys...they seemed to like all girls but marked the mid-west as only being "alright"). I'd grown accustomed to that fact and got over myself. But, then, one day, a gentleman who, lets just define as being one who hears a lot more than just words in a person's voice, commented that he likes to hear me speak and sing because he can hear the gentle rolling accent from my roots in Missouri.
What? You can identify me, little old me, by a particular way of speech? I thought that was a great compliment. I've had a few other people who have commented about the way I speak (particularly the phrasing I use) and have thought that was a cool compliment, too.
Anyway, using this story-teller voice of mine, I was reading books to my daughter. I use different voices for different characters when I get a chance to do so and was thus reading (btw, I once was offered a job simply by the way I read a book aloud) this afternoon.
When I finished, Emily asked to read the book back to me. She does this a lot and remembers quite a bit of what she heard. However, this time it was different. Not only did she "read" it back to me...she used different voices! It was so cute to hear her interpret the story and recreate voices of the animals.

Treasures Found

 

This is from this summer, but I just came across the image in my photo files. There was an estate sale going on in our neighborhood, so we thought we'd drop by to see what they had. We found a great cedar chest that we now use as game storage (although I really intended to use it to store blankets...ah, well, this works for now) and all of these vintage dress patterns. I had so much fun sorting through the patterns but didn't purchase all I wanted (had I known she was basically giving them away, I probably would have grabbed more!).
Anyway, my dream is to make these dresses at some point. If not, they will sadly sit in the drawer and wait and wait and wait...

Gianna the Bulemic and Other Fun Stuff

Motherhood is two parts inspiration, one part forgetfulness. I do not remember Emily being such a Vomit Comet. Every bottle Gianna drinks ends up with at least one spit-up somewhere on the floor. I don't mind the hardwood floors, but the area rug in the living room is going to need to be seriously cleaned at some point. At least she is happy, though, right?
She also loves to torment her sister. Already!?! Yes. She sees whatever Emily is playing with and wants in on the action...as destructive and slobbery as she can be. So, I occasionally use myself as a barrier. Most often, this is only a deterrent for a moment as she skillfully climbs over anything in her path. I end up resorting to pretending that I am a floating log in a bog and try to turn slowly enough not to tip her over but quickly enough to keep her on the designated side.
Emily also likes to keep me busy with races in the backyard and constant bubble blowing. Do you know how much lung capacity it takes to be a successful mother? I'm just glad I developed some lungs in my years as an athlete and musician.
Oh, and just a tip to pass on...when mowing the lawn, remember to apply ample sunscreen and wear gloves if you want to pass off on Sunday that you are a lady.

Trying to be Like Emily

My daughter inspired this in conjunction with my reading the talk by President Uchtdorf in the September 2009 Ensign entitled "The Influence of Righteous Women." A thought came to my mind that there are certain talks and articles that I have heard or read that have given me the testimony I have of the gospel of Jesus Christ. How can I expect my children to understand where those testimonies came from if I do not prepare them with the same materials which brought that Spirit to me?
I am creating a Spiritual Notebook. I want to keep a binder with talks that are important to me and/or Eric. These talks will be a "quick" reference for us to use to teach our children specific aspects of the gospel. This will also require us to read more diligently the talks given by our Church authorities as we will select those talks that have greatest impact upon our lives. On my mission, we had "training binders" which had a small catalog of selected talks with different emphases. So, in like manner, I want a book to help my children understand important aspects to be a sort of companion to the Standard Works.
We continue to gain further insight as we grow, so this will be an ongoing project. I am excited for such an important purpose to my study of the words of the prophets.
What are some of the most impacting talks/articles you have heard/read?

Genealogy

I haven't done much of anything with my genealogy or that of my friend's for quite a few months. Other things have taken precedence or my attention. However, I am looking forward to preserving the autobiography of my friend, which he is entrusting me with in a month (he currently has visitors staying with him). I am so excited to get my hands on it and get to read this man's incredibly interesting life.
I also just got a message from a lady who has more information on this man's maternal grandmother's line. I mentioned this before, but this is also the line that goes back and ties into my own family line. How incredible to make those connections. I'm really excited to receive the documents she has which verify the pedigree charts I have already found and pieced together.
The internet, computers, and technology are amazing as they continue to connect me with such a varied amount of information. It's incredible to be able to post information and have a complete stranger in a location you would never look to be able to answer the request!!

Hi, "Offense" is My Middle Name

At different periods of time, I have unintentionally offended different individuals. I promise, it is never with the intent to offend. Perhaps I just have a knack for it. Give me a break! At one point in my life, I thought I would be interested in taking a semi-political stage. =)
Really, though, I do try to look at things from different perspectives. I try to educate myself and look at the future effects of decisions we make in the present. I know that my ideas are not perfect and not always popular. However, I am trying my best. Sure, that best can be lacking, but that's all I've got to work with.
I respect the right of each individual to see things from their perspective. I don't expect people to always agree with me, but I think the opposite should be true as well. Don't become angry enough to end friendship over it. Most likely, I had these ideas before while we were "friends". It just never came up before. If that one difference of opinion terminates the friendship, sorry to say it, but it wasn't really much of a friendship, then, was it?
In saying that, please know that the ideas contained in this blog are my own. I chose this forum and recognize the opportunity of others to create other forums to push forward their ideas. That, my friend, is the beauty of free-speech. Ain't it grand?!

Inspired

Let's just see how long it lasts.
A friend of mine just let me in on a "secret". She is currently writing a novel. She's one of my heroes. This woman is seriously amazing. What I love about her: she accomplishes her dreams and ideas because she DOES. That's it. She just actually says she wants to do something and then she does. No procrastination. No self-doubt. She just DOES. I love that!
Now, to work on it myself. I am going to start a bit smaller, but I have so many ideas for children's books (I know, who would have thought!). I just need to sit down and write them out. Of course, I love to type, but there is something so rewarding and, dare I say it, magical about the pen and paper. So, if I seem to be a bit of a recluse in the next months, blame it on the rain....but really, I don't think I'll stray to far from this forum (even if I'm talking to myself). =)

UPS Brings a Smile

I just watched a UPS truck (and trailer...how exciting!) drive into our little cul-de-sac. I couldn't help but feel those wonderful butterflies of excitement. Perhaps there was a package in that big brown truck for me!!
There wasn't. He didn't even slow down in front of my house. Still, there is joy in the air because someone is receiving something good. I just know it!
On the mission, district meetings were ended with the doling out of the precious material known as mail. If you were EXTREMELY loved, you would get a big, squarish box taped on every end and sealed with a packing label. Ah, to be so lucky!! Mail was the one outlet to your "old" life and the "real" world that was happily going on without you. Don't ask me how this actually makes you feel good to know you are "left out"...it just does.
Anyway, (and not complaining) I didn't receive very many of those highly anticipated envelopes. Even fewer packages. However, each one I received was like the Christmas orange: devoured yet trying to savor each piece. In fact, some of my companions and I chose to share our mail and would read our treasures aloud to one another. Oh, the wonderful words of a companion's letter shared on a disastrous week of enforced mail fasting!
Thank you to both those who sent letters or packages as well as those companions who shared their wealth with me. And, thank you, UPS man, for brightening my day even without delivering me a package!

Home Economics

I had an interesting conversation with one of my nephews yesterday. After arriving at my home, he asked me, "Aunt Liz, can I ask you a question." I accepted. "Why don't you ever have your air conditioner on?" Not realizing that it was possible to have had it on, I replied, "Because we po'." I then corrected my statement and was a bit more honest and serious with him. "No. Actually, I'm just cheap. It's comfortable to me, so we don't run the AC because it costs so much and it isn't necessary." We then had a conversation about conserving energy and money.
What an important conversation! A few months ago I taught a lesson at church about the same concept. It takes time and maturity to learn this principle. However, just because you can have something/do something/pay for something, it doesn't mean you should. This is another form of what the scriptures refer to as "bridling" our passions.
How many of us have a passion for having "just the right" temperature in our homes? We have to have new clothes or a certain brand of clothing? We have to drive a certain type of car or live in a certain type of house? I think a lot of these things have driven this country to the point of the economic issues currently facing our generation. It's a sense of entitlement rather than reward for working and saving for something. This sense of entitlement has driven so many of us to purchase before saving or, at times, researching to know a good deal on a planned purchase.
My daughter loves watching School House Rock. One of these is a segment about interest. You can either have interest pay you or you pay interest. Either way, interest is working constantly. You just have to choose which end of interest you want to be on. It takes hard work, patience, and a lot of sacrifice, but it is worth it to be on the side of interest paying you.
Another movie I will cite is "Confessions of a Shopaholic." Such a funny movie with such an important message. If you haven't seen it, I apologize for the spoiler. However, the message is important. In the end, no one can bail her out of her huge debt. She must take control and sell everything she has to pay back her debt. When she realizes her self-worth is in no way entwined with the items surrounding her, she is able to break free from the cycle and take control of her financial freedom.
It is so extremely important to learn from this time of economic downturn. We can all be more frugal. We can all spend more wisely. Be wary of the traps of "sales" and offers. Take time to think about your purchases (contracted or uncontracted) and evaluate the true necessity of the item/service. Find ways to do things yourself. Know your limits. These are all keys to financial success and the way to bringing our society out of the hole we have decidedly jumped into.