Happy Halloween (Eve, that is)

This weekend, we spent Friday night and most of Saturday at the rink.  Surprise.  Middle had a game Friday night and then Oldest did.  Middle's team won 4-1, and Oldest's won 7-1.  Oldest's team was holding back- big time.  It was 4-0 within the first 6 minutes. We got home after 11:00.

Saturday we began our day at the rink- although thank goodness we didn't have a super early game.  Middle's team won 5-2 and Oldest's team won 10-2.  Again, they were holding back, but other than not taking any shots at all (which is super obvious), there wasn't much they could do.  These kids are going to do well in High School.  We got home after 2:00 and before I knew it, it was time for costumes and make-up.

This year's offerings were steps back in time:

Youngest is Athena, Goddess of Knowledge or Wisdom- or something like that.  It was this or a go go girl.

Middle is an 80's chick (Think the Material Girl in the early part of the decade only without the bare belly or bra showing)

And Oldest went way back in time to Caveman days.  He isn't too happy because I enforced the "you are too old to trick or treat".  But it wasn't like he didn't have access to our stash.  Thanks to a couple of Trunk or Treats and the rain that decided to start at 6:00- we didn't have too many come so he has plenty of sugar to rot his teeth.

Just a few friends along for the fun-

Dear Grandma Bunnie:

I am your daughter.

Shocking revelation, I know.  But seriously, I just spent many, many hours and way too much of the green backs for a class party.  It lasted 30 minutes-tops.  I am now stocked for several years for Halloween crafts and games.

I originally planned for them to make candy corn garlands.  Or Bat Pin Wheels.  I was also going for a carnival games theme- so I had cans and bottles ready to make pumpkin-ish for a ball throw game. I also planned a "guess how many candy corns. A ghost catching game. A pin the pumpkin's face on game.  A witch's brew game (sort of like the skittles game, but with Halloween shaped cut outs).

Having only 25 minutes for games made me simplify.

We played Halloween Bingo (which I made way back when Oldest was in 2nd grade), then Spooky Spin  (basically Twister with a Halloween theme), We caught ghosts, and made witch's brew.  We barely made it time wise.

Nobody said it was boring.  And everyone participated.  Successful party.

Thanks Mom.

Daddy's got a shot gun....

Miss Sophie came in heat the day we left for Moab.  She only does this about every 8-9 months, sometimes longer.

She has lived here for 6 years!!!  and has thus been in heat 9 times- give or take one.  We have never really had a problem with any male dogs hanging around.  I have plenty of experience with owning female dogs, so I was a little surprised by this.

Not this time.  Our new neighbors who live up around the curve have a male shih tzu and he is about to drive us to drink.  He is here pretty much all day long- barking and barking and barking.  Then, just when I think he finally gave up and went home, I hear him scratching at my back door.  And barking and barking and barking some more.  He is almost always here before 7:30 - 8:00 am. He stays for hours.  I am getting rather annoyed.

Then, this morning, I got to bed at about 1:30 because I was getting stuff ready for Youngest's class party.  At 4:50 AM!!!!!!!!!! that blasted dog was here AGAIN!!!  He runs from door to door, and goes to Oldest's window (which is where Miss Sophie is sleeping- well, supposed to be sleeping anyway) and is marking every where and every thing.

When the DR stumbled to his feet to go chase him off, I asked him if he had his shot gun ready.



One of his favorite lines to quote is " I'm not afraid to go back to prison"  ( Bil Engvell- blue collar comedy tour)

NOTE:  I was NOT insinuating that the DR should shoot the dog-  it was a joke about "shotgun weddings"-  just so nobody thinks we are horrible-

In the Eye of the Beholder

When your husband comments that you look really nice today, it means one of a few things.

A.  He wants something from you.

B. You have really dolled yourself up.

or C.  You have been looking pretty scroungy lately and thus by getting dressed and blow-drying your hair (no makeup- no curling), you have really stepped it up.

I leave it to you to guess which of these scenarios played out for me and the DR today.

Food For Thought

The most difficult thing I have ever had to do is follow the guidance I prayed for.




- Albert Schweitzer

A Few pics of the main attraction

Singing "Their" song

 

He asked. She said yes- then there was hugging and kissing.

Not sure what she is thinking here-  Maybe the DR was being entertaining

Right after she read the inscription-

O is Official!!!

Last night, the DR and I drove 2 hours (one way) out of our way, paid 7.00 a piece to enter a small concert venue, and risked permanent hearing loss, just so we could hear our son, Outpatient, serenade and propose to O in front of friends, strangers, and several surprise witnesses ( the parents of both parties and a few special friends who were hiding out with us).

She said yes.

Cost of Fuel: 35.00
Cost of Concert: 14.00
Feeling of watching our son propose to the sweetest girl-

Absolutely Priceless!

Good Food Friday- Black Bean Soup

While in Moab, we ate at the Brewery, which as you might imagine was a little low on super healthy choices.
I decided on a cup of Black Bean Soup and a basic salad with dressing on the side.

It was good, and since it has turned off cold here in Small Town (frosted windows the other morning) the season for soups, chowders, and other warming foods has arrived.

I looked around online and found a couple.  This one from allrecipes had great reviews and was super fast (a must around here).

The original was for 4 servings which just won't cut it in this wing- so I adjusted it for 8. And, I added to it.

Black Bean and Salsa Soup

4 (15 oz) cans black beans, drained and rinsed  ( I chose low sodium)
3 cups of  fat free vegetable broth
1  1/2 to 2 cups of chunky salsa ( I used 1 (12 oz) jar of med and what was left of a jar of mild in my fridge)
2  tsp ground cumin
 ***if desired**1 or 2 additional cans of beans, drained and rinsed, reserved

sour cream and sliced green onion for garnish.

In a blender or processor, combine beans, broth, salsa, and cumin.  I had to do two batches because it was too much for one- so I did 2 cans beans, 1 1/2 c of broth, half of the salsa and cumin.  Blend until smooth and put in a sauce pan.  Repeat with rest of the remaining ingredients except for your reserved beans. 

***If you want whole beans in your soup, add the reserved beans, and if not- that is okay too.

Heat through over medium heat and serve with garnish.

Oldest and DR loved it, girlies wouldn't even try it- I thought it was delicious. And- very healthy as well as vegetarian.

Moab- Day Three & Four

Saturday, we decided just one more short trip to Arches.  Those who missed out on the first walk through Park Ave could go plus any who wanted to go again.  I was a designated driver.  DR, Outpatient, O, and Middle missed out the first time, and Youngest and Oldest wanted to go again.

Our first trip was a lot cooler because the sun was not directly overhead.  But they found some cool things we hadn't seen the first time.  Like a Love Puddle.

Then we headed up to the Devil's Playground to go see Landscape Arch.  There are a lot more Arches to see in that area- but we were not up to that big hike that day.  I think we had to loop the parking lot three or four times before we finally found a parking space.

The nicest part about that walk was that most of it was in shade.  And we visited with a group of college students who were a mixed bag of loyalties. BYU, USU, and UVU.  Then we headed back to the trucks-  there was some amazing scenery!

We opted to call it good for Arches for this trip and headed back to the trailer for lunch.  The DR and other Cougar fans in our group tried to go to the Brewery to watch the game but someone else already had the Husker game on- they were going to stay anyway and watch after those people left, but after hearing the score- decided not to bother.

That afternoon, we drove out to Dead Horse Point- which is a State Park.  There was a film crew there, and it was tempting to ask them what they were filming.  But we restrained ourselves.  The canyon was very hazy- but massive.  We were a little late to catch the sun light in the canyon, but it was still beautiful, but hazy- I guess from a fire somewhere.

We left as it was starting to get dark and just barely managed to get pictures of Youngest by the two county signs in the park.  You may wonder why we did that.  Well- in 4th grade, they study the State of Utah and memorize the Counties and put on a big program with a power-point with pictures of the kids visiting around the state.  She got two counties just by running across the road (She also got a picture with Delicate Arch- as you might have noticed in the last post).  They are a little blurry because it really was a bit too dark.

We had a good dinner and then some watched movies, or just chilled.

Sunday, Outpatient and O headed out early, then we cleaned up camp and headed home.  We went a different way home, which ended up being about the same time-wise (hauling a big trailer is so much fun :P)-  but it used way more fuel going home- so I don't know what the DR will decide when we go back again.

We stopped for lunch, and had awesome bbq. We rolled into the neighborhood around 5:30- Tired, but everybody seemed to really like the trip- other than the "no swimming".

We learned a lot, and will do things a little differently next time, but all in all- it was a great vacation.

Moab- Day Two

Friday morning- just a repeat of Thursday- later start, but then we had everybody in tow and off we went.  Oldest was still feeling a little cruddy- especially if we didn't keep him on pain killers-  he had a headache, chills, and a sore throat, but he didn't want to stay behind.

We headed back to Arches and went to see Double Arches (really seemed like three with the open top),

Turret,

and North and South Windows


 as well as stopping for many of the other formations- like the petrified dunes.

   We had lunch on the truck tailgates since Arches is severely lacking in picnic areas.  We hiked all over and took tons of pictures. 

Then, by 4:00 we headed up to Delicate Arch. It was an interesting climb, and since we forgot to dope up Oldest, he started feeling really bad just about the time we got to the top of the hike. 

see the tiny people under the arch?  That would be Outpatient and O-

And those tiny people on the left side of the arch are the bulk of the Looney Bin inhabitants. Minus Oldest and Myself-

I did fine- heights-wise up until that point, which was when there was a drop on either side of me- then I was more than happy to just sit with Oldest and take pictures from there.  The DR came and took my camera for a few shots and J took some closer as well.  We decided not to sit there until full sunset- which was good since we didn't think to bring flash lights or anything, and I couldn't believe how many people we passed on the way down- most of them were no how no way going to make it in time for the sunset, but they didn't seem to care.

We headed back to camp and had dinner, then Outpatient was working on a project, we all had showers after our warm hike, and some watched movies-  I think I passed out for a while (not really, just fell asleep)

It was a great day.

So, Moab Trip...

A couple of months ago, my SIL-J- asked if we would be interested in making a trip to Moab.  We have never been, and thought it sounded fun.  We checked into a few trailer parks, but by the time we decided to do it for sure, we didn't have too many options.  Lesson learned. 

It started off with the adventure of Sophie coming in heat that morning and her not being able to be puppy-sat, and then our leaving town several hours later than we had hoped.  Then, we stopped (when will we ever learn) at the McD's in the next town over.  Good Gravy!  Now- to be fair, usually the service is sooooo slow- we have gone through the drive up when there was nobody inside and no one in line and had to wait 30-45 minutes (happened more than once, promise) so this time, we went in.  The girl was trying to match wits with the DR and she wasn't all that sharp.  When our food came, we decided to check because we had a few special orders- aka Youngest likes her burger naked, and Oldest won't eat cheese.  Amazingly, his was fine, hers- not so much, plus they forgot her chocolate milk.  The DR was getting that fixed when I noticed that not one of my snack wraps was there- nor was one of the DR's-  they had ordered and given us the burgers by mistake.  The DR made the executive decision that it wasn't worth the hassle to fix our food- because we would eat it- whereas the patients wouldn't.

So- we finally pulled into Moab at 11:15 pm.  Outpatient and O were coming from a different direction and should have made it there close to the same time- however- not so much.  They missed a turn and had to turn around and backtrack quite a bit- so they rolled in closer to 1:00 am. We didn't get up too early the next day.  We stayed at the KOA- which had very decent private bathroom/shower facilities, but the pool was closed for the season and there was no grass.  Plus it was on the opposite side of town from everything we wanted to do.  BUT- it was a first for us in camping with full hookups and that was nice-internet, power, water, sewer-  little too close to the neighbors, but it ended up working great for the DR- because he had to work and didn't think about a power cable, and our nice neighbors in front lent him one.  (sad life we live, huh?)

We got a later start than planned, but we didn't want to do too much without him, so we went and saw a few things and checked into the Fiery Furnace hike- only available time was Sunday- so that will be next time.  Another lesson learned.  We drove the Potash Scenic Drive and had a picnic,

then went and got the DR and headed to Arches.

Most of us walked through the Park Ave-

it was so cool to see the formations and to guess how the water flow must have gone at one time- we found a giant split "kidney bean" rock, and one that looked rather serpent-ish.  Then we headed to Balanced Rock.

The sun was setting at that time, so we called it a day and went out to eat at the Moab Brewery.  They take reservations.  Another lesson learned.  Oh, and Oldest was starting to feel really sick.

Life Goes On-

We just returned from a family trip to Moab- and I will post about that- but tonight something else is on my mind.

Things happen.  People change.  Circumstances arise and/or change. Sometimes there are people who you thought you would always be friends with, do things with, talk to.  Then- one day, you realize it has been months or years since you saw them or spoke.  You know that there have been changes in their life as well as yours, but you still wonder how the loss of contact occurred.

You all still live in the same places, and yet- you never run into them.  Big events happen in their lives and in yours, but there is no communication.  It is sad, and yet it is what it is and time moves along. 

Then, there are other friends whom you very seldom see, and not that frequently contact because of distance and business, but the bond is still there.  You can go a year or more, but the connection is still there.  Maybe not as tight as before, but it is easily re-bonded.  When you/they call to say there is a big event on the horizon, they/you do everything you can to be there if at all possible.

The first group of people are friends of convenience. Friends because of circumstances, or common activities and as soon as those things alter or change, they are gone with the wind.

The second group are chosen family.  Family because they would do anything for you and you would do anything for them.

They are gold. Precious and rare.  The best who see the "real" you while on fertility drugs or struggling with depression and choose not to judge or hold grudges, but to love you unconditionally. Who give of their time, space, whatever they can to help you and to forge tighter those bonds.

When I think about past relationships which have dwindled-  all I can really think is that Life does indeed go on-

I fully support and sustain the prophets. Edited.

It does not surprise me that there is such an uproar over a talk given in General Conference. It is a new one every six months. What does surprise me is that some people are forgetting that they sustained the members of the First Presidency, and Quorum of Twelve Apostles as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators.  I firmly believe President Packer's address was in response to the legal battling in California, and not in the recent suicide of a young man who was cyber-bullied.  Unlike most of us slackers, I don't think that General Conference speakers wait until the last minute to prepare their talks.  As a matter of fact, they have to be typed up for the teleprompter. Not to mention they do try to have them memorized.  I know that the music for a session is chosen 6 months in advance.

"I say to Israel, the Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as president of the Church to lead you astray. It is not in the program. It is not in the mind of God." (The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, pp. 212-213.)

“Give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you...his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. (D&C 21:4-5)

"Any Latter-day Saint who denounces or opposes whether actively or otherwise, any plan or doctrine advocated by the prophets, seers, revelators' of the church, is cultivating the spirit of apostasy. One cannot speak evil of the lord's anointed... and retain the holy spirit in his heart. This sort of game is Satan's favorite pastime, and he has practiced it to believing souls since Adam. He wins a great victory when he can get members of the church to speak against their leaders and to do their own thinking."


"When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done. When they propose a plan--it is God's Plan. When they point the way, there is no other which is safe. When they give directions, it should mark the end of controversy, God works in no other way. To think otherwise, without immediate repentance, may cost one his faith, may destroy his testimony, and leave him a stranger to the kingdom of God."1

Ward Teachers Message, Deseret News, Church Section p. 5, May 26, 1945
 
There are many members of the Church who are walking on mighty thin ice right now. It is a sign of the times and the Lord will separate the wheat from the chaff.  We are seeing it right before our eyes.  The Lord's plan is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.  That cannot be done by two people of the same gender.
 
The DR has an uncle. I have a cousin. I have people I knew during my growing up years.  My son has friends.  I know that Satan is pulling out every trick in the book to destroy the family. He knows that we are getting near to the Second Coming.  He wants very badly to stop Heavenly Father's plan- and in this he will take prisoners for eternity.
 
I raised my hand to sustain the leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and I meant it.  I believe that those who are called to lead us and guide us in these days of turmoil were prepared from before this life, but also that through the experiences they have had in this life, they are uniquely prepared for leading us today.  They are not going to be swayed by popular opinion, what is acceptable to the world, or the angry outcry's of the masses. They are firmly rooted in the Gospel and if we are finding ourselves rooted a little too shallow- then we are the ones that will topple- like the trees in Florida.  They cannot withstand the winds.  The prophets can, have, and will continue to do so.
 
Of this I testify with every fiber of my being.


EDIT:  I sat down this morning and wrote this post.  Then, since I didn't have any work in my inbox-  I proceeded to do household chores and took the opportunity to listen to Saturday Morning session of General Conference.  All I can adequately say is WOW.  I can't imagine that the impact of some of the messages would have been the same had I watched it live versus listening to it with the hind site of the uproar.  I challenge each of you to re- listen (or listen) to the session with that in mind.  I had heard that it was a wonderful session.  I whole heartedly concur- but it has even more depth for me now.

Weekend Wrap up-

Even though the weekend is not quite over- it is close enough and the week to come will be super busy. Friday- our family had a new arrival- my nephew Pierce was born in slightly dramatic fashion.

 That afternoon, DR and Oldest left to go Elk Hunting (scrambling to get them ready) Then, the girls were all supposed to leave for soccer games- but we all were dragging our feet, relishing the concept of being home- so we did.  We left early in the morning, and had plenty of time to get there.  Middle's team won the first game 3-0, then we went to lunch with friends and Outpatient and O while Youngest was able to go with Grandma B to a Mad Hatter's Tea party with several of the cousins.  They had a blast! and in the spirit of new babies- several of them came home with new baby dolls (um- thanks grandma?) We gave the BYU tickets to my sis and her hubby.

Outpatient, O, Sophie, and I went to Middle's second game (they won 1-0 with only about 20 seconds left of stoppage time- stressful).  Then we did a few errands, and went to meet Pierce and pick up Youngest before heading home.

It was a late night, but I had a good conversation with Middle while we drove home-  she was trying to help me stay awake because I took her shopping at Justice before we left town- not like we had time for that- but it was all good.)  When we had about an hour or so left, she asked me if it was okay for her to go to sleep :)  I was jacked up on diet coke with lime- so I told her it was just fine. 

The DR and Oldest did not get an Elk, but our friend did.- and since we are headed to Moab in a few days- they won't get another chance to hunt- except Oldest can bow hunt until January I think- for deer.  I don't really want a deer in my freezer.

What did you say?

Outpatient and O at EFY (4 years ago)

Here is a little learning example in communication. 

My darling DIL-to-be, O,  (still not official, darn) thought for years that when someone sneezed, the response was "blechew", not bless you.  That is how she heard it and once hearing it that way, that is how her mind heard it every time.  It wasn't until she was in college that she learned differently.

I have thought about this off and on for a while-  not the blechew exactly because I didn't know about that-  but about how sometimes what we hear is not what is said. 

It is so common to misconstrue what someone says to you.  Sometimes it comes out wrong- I have a BIL with whom miscommunication is a byword- I have learned over the years to take what he said and fix it to what he meant to say. 

In married and family life, that is often what needs to happen.  We need to take what was said, and turn it into what was meant.  I don't mean that if someone says something nice- to turn it into something mean, of course.  What I mean is- if someone tells you "blechew", hear it as Bless You!

And other times what someone yells at you or about you can't possibly be mistaken.

Fifty Directions at Once

To say that the past few weeks have been busy would be a major understatement.  Since Monday afternoon, I have put 170 miles on my van.(update as of 4:45- 207!!!)  I cannot even begin to imagine how we will survive the 6 month hockey season to come.  On the plus side, the practice schedule is set. (set schedule is good- it has been catch as catch can) And Comp Soccer is about done.  Oldest is done and Middle will finish up this weekend. BUT- Middle has a total of 5 ice times per week (one she can't make due to Tavaci), and Oldest also has 5.  Two coaches asked for Youngest to return to the ice.  Why not?  We are already back to living there. Both Middle and Oldest hit the ice twice on Monday. Oldest is already having a tough time with hockey every day- no breaks.  I forsee a really early burnout.  DR is his coach and we are talking about dropping one ice time.  I certainly hope they do- or we will have to drop one personally.  Middle's problem stems from two teams.  We are trying it out- and we will see how she handles it.  So far, it is not going too great, but she is also still playing soccer.  No down time is not healthy.  I am going to request just one roster for her on PeeWee's instead of trying to play two.  Yes- you read that right- she has been on two rosters for the past few years, so add the girls team and that would make three.  To make matters worse-  the girls get the leftover ice time-  which is the latest night.  I did talk them into an early morning time instead of two late nights in a row.  Some of the coaches cant' make it, but they still have some who can.

Add to this insanity is an upcoming wedding.  I better start making my lists.  I have a feeling my brain is going to short-circuit

Tender Mercies Tuesday- General Conference

It has been a few conferences since I had the opportunity to listen to General Conference the way I like to listen.  Last April- there were a few too many bodies around here to make listening and paying close attention possible.  Last October, there were other, less happy distractions. This October, there were soccer games which annihilated the chance to listen on Saturday.  But- Sunday- glorious!  My sister had returned my punchkins (paperdoll paper punch set),  which youngest happily put to use.  Middle did too, for a while, and then she actually sat and listened.  Oldest listened/ dozed. The DR listened/dozed. Sophie kept my toes warm, and I listened and took notes. For two whole sessions.  In the years we lived outside of Utah, General Conference made me homesick, in part because we didn't have the blessing of listening to conference on the radio, or TV, or- GASP- the internet.  (I am that old ;)

I am grateful for the blessing of listening to our inspired and directed leaders.  I feel that the Lord is so mindful of us and our needs, and even more interestingly- so many of us share the same struggles and difficulties.  We are not alone.

Usually on the Monday after, I start "re-listening", but it was too crazy of a day.  I really want to listen and take notes from the Saturday sessions but there isn't time for that right now either.

My tender mercy is not only can we listen to every session because we live in Utah- but thanks to modern technology- I can listen when and as often as I want. And just like the temple, I am sure I will hear different messages every time

Happy Birthday/ Anniversary to:

SOPHIE!!!!!  She is 6.  We love her. Like, a lot.

David II

Noah

NEW ARRIVAL:  Pierce Stirling-

Andrew

Ellen

Amy

Cade

David I

Rick
Julie&Brent

Tyler

Cat's Out of the Bag

Apparently, I am expecting again.  It is a girl.  In the mad dashing that was yesterday afternoon, I had hurried to pick Youngest up from school so she wouldn't get on the bus.  As we were leaving the school, Youngest's former teacher and mother of one of Outpatient's good friends waved me down.  She said she had heard Outpatient was getting married.  Uh-

I said, well nothing is official yet, but it certainly looked that way.  I called Outpatient as soon as I got a second.  Apparently he doesn't care if everyone knows.

Outpatient and O (who needs a good bloggy name- any suggestions?) are strongly considering getting married in May.  I had told the grandmas and two sisters, but goodness, if Jane knows, the rest of you should too.