A Visit To Santa

We made our annual trek to the mall to visit Santa on Monday. It was Emma's turn to be in charge of the activity for Family Home Evening, so off we went, donned in gay apparel. Visiting Santa has a tendency to heighten my anxiety level - some of that may come from my own childhood experiences with the big bearded guy. But as a mom, when the girls were little, I was anxious about them sitting on his lap without a major fit of crying. I was afraid of traumatizing my child while at the same time not wanting the kindly Santa to feel bad because he was traumatizing my child. Now that they are past that stage the anxiety arises from what they'll say when they sit on his lap. This fear of mine is solely the fault of my cute-as-a-button youngest. When she was two she sat serenely next to her sister and when asked, "And what would you like Santa to bring you for Christmas?" the most astonishing thing escaped her lips - "A firetruck." I remember looking at Loren and mouthing, "A firetruck?" Needless to say, where that gift choice came from remains a mystery but to Santa's credit, Lucy found a bright red firetruck waiting for her under the tree on Christmas morning. This year, I wasn't very impressed with Old St. Nick's appearance. The past 3 years we've gone to the mall Santa has been far more authentic looking AND more outgoing. Perhaps he wasn't feeling quite himself when we visited but the girls didn't seem to notice and eagerly climbed up on his lap. (notice Lucy is holding his hand in the photo) So, the big moment came and I leaned in to hear their requests for the year. Emma's response, "A two wheel scooter." I already knew that; no sweat, took care of that on Black Friday. Lucy's answer, "Barbie on a moped..." not breaking news, we'd seen that at Toys R Us and a couple weeks ago they offered free shipping. But just as I thought we were in the clear she took a deep breath and added, "...AND an airplane with two wheels."

Happy Anniversary To Me!

20 September 1998 was the most defining day of my life. It was the day I was baptized by a missionary from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I remember that things were a bit disorganized, as baptisms can be when you belong to a small branch that doesn't have a font of it's own. There were no jumpsuits in my size, but the elders found a very large white dress of sorts that I donned for the occasion. As it turned out, the elder performing the ordinance bungled some part of the prayer so the initial dunking was for naught. After that the flowing folds of my frock floated above the surface of the water nullifying the 2nd and 3rd attempts. Finally, although it was a rather un-ladylike thing to do, I wound the abundance of fabric that swirled about me into a mass that I firmly squeezed between my knees before we proceeded with the fourth and final dousing. Afterward I teased the elder about messing up the prayer saying I wouldn't have had to get so waterlogged had he been more exact with his words. He, in good turn, professed I must have needed the extra submersions that I might stand truly clean before the Lord. In truth and hindsight, he was probably right.

That day in September eleven years ago was the start of a commitment the breadth and depth of which, I admit at the time, I had no idea. Do not misunderstand, I was well prepared and didn't go into things blindly, but as it goes with all of our learning in the gospel, things happen line upon line, here a little, there a little, and so it was and continues to be with me. The one thing that has stayed the same throughout is my unfailing, stalwart testimony that the Book of Mormon, translated by the prophet Joseph Smith, is true. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on earth and our prophet, Thomas S. Monson leads and guides its members as directed by our Lord and Savior, even the living, Jesus Christ.

I know that I was born with this testimony of the truth, yet it lay sleeping inside me for over thirty years until two missionaries teaching with the Spirit awakened that which I knew not I had. It truly was like coming out of a deep sleep. The elders would say something, (at the time a part of the lesson they had dutifully memorized,) and from somewhere beyond the far-reachings of my consciousness the long-forgotten truth would come through the haze to rest firmly, undeniably, before me. When the elders asked for confirmation of my understanding, many were the times I slowly nodded my head and replied, "Yes, I know...somehow I already know that."

Since then my life has taken many turns as all the while I've walked the straight and narrow. Every good thing that has happened in my life has come to me because of the actions of that September day eleven years ago. Life has not always been easy, but I have never felt a lack of purpose or direction as I did before I became a member of the church. I feel centered and rooted in the gospel - it infiltrates every aspect of my life. The way I walk, dress, speak and see others; what I eat, drink, watch, read, listen to and create; the atmosphere of my home, the way I parent my children, serve in the community and look at that world - all are influenced, all are determined by the teachings of the church. How much better, how much happier I am because of it...

I am forever grateful to those two missionaries that taught me, baptized me and confirmed me a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They brought the message of love and truth that I was looking for. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows me, cares about me, leads and guides me. I am grateful for all the wonderful people I meet through the church, for the example they set for me and the love and support they offer me. Truly, 20 September 1998 was the best day of my life.

Six Flags Great Escape

A Rite of Passage

All cultures have rites of passage - a test or a task that needs completion - something to prove a person is ready to move into the next stage of life. Well, last Wednesday, August 19, 2009, I completed a rite of passage. I had no warning I was about to be tested - no inclination that my life was about to undergo a monumental change....

We had traveled that morning to Lake George, NY and entered the Six Flags Great Escape park in the heat and humidity of early afternoon. We meandered our way to the "Loony Tunes" part of the park and the girls began knocking out the kiddie rides one right after another. The park had all the classic kid rides - the airplanes, the cars, the boats, the train, the swings, the hopper, the sky bus and even a roller coaster! The lines were short and more than once they were able to come off a ride only to re-enter the line and get right back on. They were having a blast.

I was hot. I tried to watch them going round and round from any small spot of shade I could find. I clicked pictures and energetically waved and smiled each time they came round for about the first 2 hours and then it got old. So I started to reminisse about my childhood and the amusement park rides that I loved. After a couple hours of that I wanted to do something - ride something. I wanted to move out of the kiddie area where one must be 54" or shorter to ride. The clock was ticking. It was nearing 5 pm. The park was on shortened hours of operation as the start of the school year was fast approaching. and would close at 7.

I talked the kids into moving on to find something to eat and maybe ride a couple of "family" rides. On our way to an eatery we came to the "Trabant." I was eager to ride - food could wait. I had been sitting out watching the fun for long enough - I wanted to feel the thrill of excitement - I wanted to enjoy the fun, not to mention the rush of the wind would definitely be a nice break from the heat.

Loren was up for it so we entered the gates and got right on. Loren rode with Emma and Lucy was with me. Before the ride started I snapped a couple of pictures and Lucy and I giggled in excitement.














Then it started. Around and around we spun. Faster and faster. Then the platform we were spinning on lifted and shifted up and down, side to side as all the while we continued to go round and round. The ride was in full tilt and Lucy made fun sounds like, "Whoaoaoaoa! Whoaoaoaoaoa!" At one point she asked, "Isn't this fun, Mommy?" I just took a deep breath and squeezed my eyes shut hoping that by not actually seeing the landscape spinning around me I might fool my body into thinking all was well and the overwhelming feeling of motion sickness would subside enough for me to exit the ride without the attendant having to clean up after me.

Maybe my idea worked or maybe my stomach was stronger than I gave it credit for. Either way I survived without publically embarassing myself. I told Loren I was feeling a bit green so he and the girls checked out the map for a nearby place to eat as I sat on a stone wall in the shade for a moment to gather myself. Once I was sure I wasn't going to need a restroom, I picked up my head from where it hung and opened my eyes. In front of me was the "Trabant" spinning and whirlling with a new set of passengers. It didn't look all that monumental. It didn't look life changing. It didn't look like a testing ground. But regardless of how it appeared, it was monumental. It was life changing. It had indeed tested me, and I had passed. No longer was I a member of the young, fun-loving, go-faster, give-me-more, let's-do-it-again generation. I had passed, officially, into the party-pooper, sit-and-watch, yes-I-know-I'm-boring group of people I thought one need be much older to belong to.

After that, I spent my time people watching from the side lines. I admired those my equal or older who dared take on such rides as the Pirate Ship and the Merry-Go-Round. I smiled meekly with understanding at others who sat out, looking in from the outside. I thought fondly of childhood and happy memories spun and whirled about me as I tried to come to grips with the fact that I would never again come out of an exit gate smiling.

A while back a good friend, (through a number of misunderstandings and errors that could have happened to anyone,) had a run-in with the law that landed her in the back of a police car with her young children looking on. The situation was eventually straightened out but I think my children are scarred for life after hearing her kids tell about their mommy being put in the back of a police car ready to be hauled off to jail! Now the standard response to my direction, "Buckle your seat belt," is something like, "Yeah, or the police man will get you, put you in the back of his car and take you to jail!"

Today we were at the gas station filling up and a State Trooper K-9 vehicle pulled in at the pump right next to us. There was a dog in the back and although you couldn't really see him - just the outline of his head and pointy ears due to the dark shades they had on the windows - you sure could hear him! He kept looking at me and barking so much that I wondered if I resembled someone on a wanted poster that lined the bottom of the his cage.

When I got in the car I said to the girls, "There is a dog in the back of that police car." They both turned their heads to look and Lucy asked, "Is the policeman taking him to jail?" I couldn't help but share the adorable comment with the officer and he was kind enough to give the girls one of CJ's official business cards!

Emma's Report Card

Okay - this is just too funny! Emma came home on this, her last day of kindergarten, report card in hand. She did very well and received nice comments from her teachers. The comment from her speech teacher made me laugh out loud. Remember, Emma doesn't need speech for articulation problems, but rather for "social pragmatic language skills" or conversation etiquette.

Here is the comment:
"Emma has been working on her conversational skills in a group setting, specifically letting others talk and responding to there comments. She has made gains, but continues to need reminders to listen to others and act interested in what they are saying."

Straight From The Horse's Mouth

The other day Lucy and I were driving into Watertown and I saw an Amish person waiting to turn into traffic from a side road. I said, "Look out your window, Lucy and you will see a horse and buggy."
Once we had passed it I asked, "Did you see it?" to which she replied, "I saw the horse, but not the bunny."

(FYI I didn't take this picture - that's not something the Amish like, so I've heard. This came straight off Google Images.)

Loren picked up some hay to put over the areas in the back yard that he seeded with grass. He totally over estimated the amount of hay he would need so we ended up with 7 extra bales. When he mentioned that he didn't know what we would do with the extra Lucy piped in, "Hay is for horses! Maybe we could get horses!"
"I don't know, Lucy," I replied, "I don't know anything about horses."
"I do!" she replied quite matter-of-factly, "You ride them."

Dance Recital

Emma and Lucy were in a dance recital on Saturday. It was Lucy's first ever recital of any kind! They both did well and looked sooooo cute! Emma looked way too old!! She is certainly not a little kid any more! Check out Lucy's updo! Thank goodness for hair gel and bobby pins!































It's true what they say, "What goes up, must come down!" And so it was with Lucy's hair. After the show we went for ice cream and on the way home in the car I started taking down her hair in preparation for washing, but before I put her in the tub I couldn't resist snapping a couple of pictures!

Emma's McQuotes

If you are Emma or Lucy, life doesn't get much better than lunch at McDonalds! Okay, so it would be better if I let them actually go IN and play in the Play Place but face it folks, that is like letting your kid play in germ pit, so my kids have learned to love the drive-thru. Since we needed to get home we didn't pull over in the parking lot and have a car picnic like we sometimes do but instead I kept driving with one hand and opened Happy Meal toy bags with the other.
I have a small mirror attached to the rear-view so that I can keep my eye on the back seat without turning my head - hey, safety first. So I was checking things out and noticed Emma's face was looking like she was not exactly enjoying her food. I asked her what was the matter and she said the chicken nugget she was eating tasted funny. Normally I would have told her to keep chewing, but her face seemed to indicate there was a real problem. So I gave her a napkin and told her to spit it out. I watched in the mirror as she did but apparently it didn't all come out of her mouth because she started to gag and I thought sure she was going to toss her nuggets.
Mind you, I'm still driving on I-81. So I started yelling directions to Lucy to give her her Happy Meal Box to act as a catch-basin and I pulled off the exit ramp. Somewhere amid the chaos Emma said, "It's okay. I'm okay," and from the looks of it she was. I sighed a HUGE sigh of relief and asked, "Are you sure?" to which she replied calmly as if she hadn't just had a close call with up-chucking all over the cloth upholstery of the back seat, "Yeah. That nugget was just REALLY crunchy." I burst out laughing. I'm sure it was one of those "you had to be there" things or maybe my laughter came from pure relief that I wasn't going to have drive the rest of the way home suppressing the urge to vomit myself because of the odor wafting up from the back. Either way I continued to chuckle and remembered yet another funny thing Emma said a while back after reading the writing on her McDonald's apple juice juice box. "Hey, Mommy! This apple juice has 100 vitamin C's and I can't even taste them!"

Sock Solution

So, what do you do when you are dressing for the Armed Forces Day parade and find your sister has patriotic socks and you don't?


Improvise!

Haircuts in Heaven

Lucy and I went to "Miss Linda's" the other day so that I cut get my hair trimmed. Linda cuts hair out of the front room of her house so the space is rather small with only one chair for folks to sit in while they wait. Lucy took that seat and quietly played with her Leapster while I got my hair cut. As Linda was finishing up her next customer arrived. She was an elderly woman and since there was no place for her to sit, she stood quietly by the door. I didn 't even realize Lucy had moved until the woman said, "Oh, honey, you don't have to give up your seat." When I looked I saw Lucy standing over behind me thus allowing the older lady to sit while she waited.
I looked at Lucy and smiled. I was sooo pleased. How cool is it when your 3, almost 4, year-old is aware enough to do something a lot of adults I know don't even do? I was really, really impressed!
When we got into the car I compliamented Lucy. I told her how happy I was that she gave up her chair for the other lady to sit in. I told her I couldn't wait to tell Dada how kind she was. I told her that I knew Heavenly Father had seen her act of kindness and that He was pleased with her, too. Then I said, "You did something like Jesus would do. Did you know that?" Lucy nodded and proudly said, "Mmm Huh." I continued, "Do you think that if Jesus was sitting in that chair and the lady came in He would stand up so that the lady could sit in the chair?" To that Lucy replied, "Nooo, Mommy!" in a voice like she was embarrassed and appalled at the suggestion. "Jesus doesn't get his hair cut at Miss Linda's! Jesus gets hair cut up in the clouds! Silly Mommy!"

Yes. Silly Mommy.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!! I don't usually make a big deal out of this holiday, but lately I've been using any excuse to use my stamps and/or cricut machine! Not only are cards fun to make but it usually involves friends coming over to join in and that makes it even better!

I'm not very creative, so I get all my ideas from a wonderful website splitcoaststampers.com.

Sarcasm

Is sarcasm considered a type of humor? I, frankly, find it very amusing. I've been known to use sarcasm on occasion, okay, often...but never to be malicious. I've been told, however, that not everyone appreciates sarcasm as I do, and some people are actually hurt by it. [Talk about sensitive! Can't you take a joke!?!] But, out of respect for others, I have tried to cut back considerably and I think I've been fairly successful. I will admit though, that I do find life a bit lacking without it. =(

There is a website called despair.com that sells all sorts of sarcastic things like mugs, t-shirts, posters, etc. Now, I would never don such apparel or display a piece of their artwork in my home, but I sure to enjoy browsing their website! I've copied some of their images and will post them below because I just can't believe that at least some of you won't find these hysterical! Here is the big disclaimer - these images and sayings are in no way intended hurt any one's feelings. Please don't think I'm singling you out - hey, this blog is PUBLIC so ANYONE can read it - how could I possibly be trying to imply something specific about you? Also, I tried to limit the number of images I would post but there were soooo many good ones! I've made them small so make sure you click on them to enlarge them for the full effect!

A few days ago I was talking on the phone with my good friend, Sandra. Usually when I'm on the phone, (especially if I'm having a great conversation, as I was), the girls always seem to misbehave or find something they need that requires my attention and it breaks up the thread of the conversation. Well, this particular time that didn't happen. And at first I didn't even notice it as I was so engrossed in the conversation. But after a while I got this odd feeling that something wasn't quite as it usually was - things were quiet, too quiet. Sandra and I got to a good stopping point and I told her it would probably be best if hung up and found out what was keeping the girls so occupied. I'll admit I had visions of their new tub dolls swimming in the bathroom sink, water all over the floor...or maybe a huge "fort" made from every blanket and pillow in the house that would require much effort to right but in fact I found this - Barbie and Teresa never looked better!

I love Primary!! So do my kids. I love how they learn gospel truths at such a young age and am always amazed how well they understand. Last week Lucy's lesson was "I am thankful for water." After class she presented me with this picture. She always rolls or "folds" her papers into the smallest wad she can and after giving it to you announces that you can "open it right now." When I opened it I did what every mom does - I made the big surprised-face, opened my eyes really wide and said, "Wow! this is awesome!" Then after a short pause politely asked, "What is it?" "It's you, Mommy, jumping in a mud puddle," Lucy told me. I nodded my head and replied, "Of course it is. I can't believe I didn't see it sooner."

If you click on the picture it will enlarge. Go ahead and try it - you'll see that the likeness is quite good. =)

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

It sure has been snowing a lot this past week! The pictures don't really give you the full effect, but the snow itself was high the drifts were even higher! It was every kids dream! Emma and Lucy just loved it!
*be sure to click on the pictures to enlarge them!*

Where Does the Time Go?

I was sorting through my box of photo cds in search of one specific picture disc when I happened across one labelled "July 05-Dec 05 incl. Lucy's birth" This picture was taken in the hospital as we prepared to bring her home. Emma looks so small. I remember she seemed to grow up quickly once Lucy arrived - I could no longer see her as a baby with a real baby in the house.

I miss those two little people!

Mrs. Briglin VS Mrs. Bellinger

Kindergarten was a rough year for me. I don't really have that many memories of it and the ones I do are pretty humiliating. Case in point, the picture to the right. Yep, that's me in my little pilgrim hat with my tongue out ready to enjoy the Thanksgiving feast housed in my Flintstone lunchbox. Hey, your tongue would hang out too if your mom packed a ho-ho every day! The only thing better than this picture being taken was the fact that it showed up in the school yearbook. Like I said, Kindergarten was a rough year for me. The only bright spot in an otherwise bleak beginning to my school career was my teacher, Mrs. Briglin. She comforted me when I cried (which was often, I'm told) and didn't make me eat the green beans the one and only time I ever bought school lunch in my entire k-12 experience. One day we were cutting the letters of the alphabet out of magazines to paste in a little booklet. I got all the way to "k" and then I got stuck. I went to Mrs. Briglin for help, magazine in hand, and asked her what an "lmno" looked like. Being the kind and loving person she was, she didn't laugh in my face but instead calmly explained that it was really "l," "m," "n," and "o" I needed to look for. Mrs. Briglin loved me and I knew it.
Mrs. Bellinger is Emma's kindergarten teacher. She's been teaching kindergarten for a long time and has probably showed a lot of kids what "lmno"s look like. She's not the warm-fuzzy type but Emma seems to really like her. Mrs. Bellinger has taught Emma a lot including what crying is for. One day when we were driving to school Lucy was crying and throwing a fit about something. Emma looked at her and said, "Mrs. Bellinger says crying is only for when you are bleeding. Are you bleeding, Lucy?" I thought it was rather humorous and when we arrived at school I walked Emma in so that I could share the story with Mrs. Bellinger. After I told her she elaborated telling me that she and Emma had had a conversation the day before when Emma was crying about not getting her way. "I told Emma that we don't cry over hurt feelings. Crying is only for when you are bleeding and since she wasn't bleeding she needed to stop crying." Hmmmm....I'm a bit undecided on the, "we don't cry over hurt feelings" philosophy. I hope Emma wont require counselling in years to come over that one. Anyway... the other day Emma wore a really cute dress her Aunt Stacy gave her for Christmas with a pair of rainbow striped tights I got her to complete the look. She was crazy excited to show Mrs. Bellinger her new tights. When she got home I asked Emma if Mrs. Bellinger liked her tights. Emma said, "Yeah. I asked her if she wanted to touch them to feel the silver sparklies in them. She said, 'no.'"
Told you - not the warm-fuzzy type. Would it have killed her to bend over, touch them and say, "Ohhh."? The whole thing bothered me more than it did Emma, which I guess is a good thing. I guess it's also a good thing that I had Mrs. Briglin for Kindergarten and not Mrs. Bellinger.

SNOW Much FUN!

Emma's friend and schoolmate, Devin, had his birthday party yesterday at a snow tubing park!! It was a COLD day with the temperature reaching a balmy high of 13 degrees, so we got seriously bundled up and hit the slopes.

(don't forget you can click on the pictures to enlarge them!)

Downhill sledding - pulling your sled to the top of the hill = nothing but serious fun!!

Yes, Lucy started out like this, but by the end of the day she was riding the flats with her hands raised high!

The green stuff you see is hay that the attendants spread out at the end of the flats to help slow you down. Just past the hay there is a steep up slope that ends abruptly at a crash wall for bigger folks who work up some serious speed! If you enlarge the picture of Emma coming down, notice the adults at the top of the hill - aside from one attendant who unhooks you from the tow rope and another that shouts out "Go" once all is clear below, the rest are parents of the party goers, including me. While Loren lounged at the bottom I was getting a workout up top! =) It was a serious challenge to hold back the tubes and keep the kids from prematurely jumping the gate! Often I had 2 or 3 tube ropes in my heavily gloved hands trying to pull them away from the tow rope and maneuver them into their different lanes. I imagine the experience to be a lot like arctic dog-walking. Needless to say, after about an hour I was sweating and glad it was time to go in and do the birthday cake thing. While the kids were happy eating, Devin's mom told us to feel free to stay as long as we wanted because the tickets the kids had were good until 5pm. Loren and I took one look at each other and decided there was no way we were going freeze our buns off watching the girls tube down that hill for another 2+ hours. So... we bought tickets to join them! All I have to say is it was a BLAST!!! Loren thinks we were going at least 30 mph by the time we got to the bottom. Both Loren and I got up close and personal with the crash wall. Lucy lamented that she never got to "go up that hill" - just one perk of being heavy on a tubing hill! We always beat the girls to the bottom even if we gave them head starts! I would whiz by Lucy laughing and wave but careful to close my mouth before I hit the hay otherwise I got a mouthful of chaf!! By the time we were ready to leave it was nearly 5pm. We tipped the nice attendent that smiled everytime Lucy asked him to spin her as he sent her off down the hill and waved good-bye on our final run.

All in all it was a FANTASTIC day.

As I lounged in my tube being pulled up hill I couldn't help but think how much fun it would be to do this with friends and family. Wish you were here!


A quick disclaimer for my mom's sake - don't think I was out there in 13 degree weather without adequate head covering, I had my cool 360 earmuffs on that wrap around the back of my neck - gotta look cool when your on the slopes!