Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween! We do hope it was fun for everyone! We had a lot of fun - it was a nice mellow day, which seem abnormal for us for Halloween, but it was really nice. The weather was great - 67 degrees when we started out! I must admit I was thankful for that since the girls outfits would have been hard to "bulk up"!

Unlike other years, I didn't make all the costumes! Okay, so that's not entirely a first, but I generally make them all or most of them. This year three were store bought (two this year and one from a couple years ago) and the other, well I used a lot of safety pins. Spanish Princess on a budget! =)

Bob and the kids made jack-o-lanterns right after an early dinner. Then the boys played outside while I got the girls together (mostly Gabi) and then we got them into costume. They were, of course, very excited to go "trick-or-treating" and Gabi insisted it be a family affair... so it was. Peter, being Thomas, said "peep, peep" and "clickity clack" all along the way! It was fun, but everyone was happy to be home!





Thomas The Tank Engine! (yes, his smoke stack is missing, we just couldn't figure out where tha ended up!)



Princess Elizabeth - Or is she the Glenda, the Good Witch?



Jeremy the firefighter! He was so excited!


Spanish Princess - Not bad for a put it together yourself!

It's All About The Apple Cake

I was making dinner tonight and Peter wanted to help. The stockpot was hot and he couldn't see in it even standing on a chair, so I figured it wasn't really safe for him. That's when he told me that when he grew up he'd be a mommy....

I asked him if he was really going to be a mommy or if he was going to be a daddy... he said "Daddy" and then told me all the things that mommies cook and the things that daddies cook... ending with "And mommies make apple cake. I'm going to be a mommy when I get bigger"

Don't worry about gender, it's all about the apple cake!

License

I guess that's that last thing I needed to do before being officially a citizen of this state. My marriage certificate came amazingly fast - I had no idea that mail could go across the country and back in less than one week... I'd say that's a blessing!

Anyway, it arrived a couple days ago, this morning I went in - and blessings once again, I received someone else to deal with - someone who was actually nice. The test was, as tests go, filled with many questions that didn't have enough information to be certain which answer to give. Blessed again, I was some how able to come up with the answers they were seeking. Needless to say, I have officially passed (I feel like high school all over again) and my new ID / License will be in within the next two weeks.

I think that's all for the headaches of moving. I think everything else is just part of life!

Jack-O-Lanterns

We don't carve them until a day or two before - or if it's last year, the day of - halloween. The kids do get to draw on them before. Peter wanted to tell me (again) about his....

"Mama, you see my junky ladder?"

Blessings

So with all the ups and downs of moving, I've been thinking a lot about why we moved and what has come of that.... I realized, it's time to do a little blessing add-up - so forgive me, for a minute, while I indulge myself in some of the good things in my life.

I'm incredibly grateful for the many blessings I have - blessings that I treasure and blessings I can share. So, in no particular order, here are some that come readily to mind!

The Gospel - for it's guidance and direction, the knowledge of where I came from and why I'm here, the sealing of families together for eternity, they understanding and acceptance of Christ as my Savior

My husband - concerned, dedicated, loving, kind, strong, sweet, understanding, worthy to hold the priesthood, devoted, an amazing father, wonderful provider, forgiving, patient, generous, loving, all around incredible man. (And, yes, I am well aware that I've just embarrassed him, but I do hope he'll forgive me. After all, he truly is one of my greatest blessings)

My children - full of mischief, love, curiosity, joy, laughter, forgiveness, patience, they keep life so very interesting and full!

My mother - in all her struggles always taking time to listen, loving, generous, sweet, helpful, compassionate, enduring, for giving me this gift of life, for raising me in the gospel when all else was against it, for believing in me, understanding, accepting.

My father - for showing me what life means (second chances are special and to be cherished), for teaching through example things he would never have been able to teach me otherwise, for being someone my children can look to as an example of love and gospel endurance.

My in-laws - for patience, unconditional love, helping in more ways than can be counted, for raising my husband to be the man he is, for sharing the sacred bonds of the gospel with us

My friends - for support, encouragement, listening, guiding, teaching, helping, loving

T.S. - love, understanding, acceptance, family, example, teaching, for making me laugh at everything (especially when it seems there is nothing to laugh about)

A.J. - for never changing, still and always dear friends

J.G. - laughter, support

K.S. - Compassion, assistance, love

B.H. - generous, loving, understanding, supportive, concerned

G.E. - straight from the heart, an answer to prayer

Library - where I can volunteer and take my children and keep them reading! And where I can find a book to comfort myself from time to time.

School - where my girls are actually having fun, have friends, are being taught in a broad-spectrum so they can stay with their classes and still be challenged, and where I can also volunteer.

A view - that calms my heart and soul every time I see it

A steady job (for Bob) - that allows him to be down to one job!

Computer - that hasn't crashed, allows me to connect with distant friends and relatives, allows me to get much work done and pay the bills

Food - so we can eat, stay healthy and thus enjoy life

A ward family - truly, who so willing step in and help out even when they don't know me yet or at least not well

Being able to walk, run, jump, laugh, cry, shout, and anything else the body can do. I'm blessed to know be troubled with any major issues yet

A home - to live in, raise my children in, feel the Spirit in, keep us safe, warm and cool, dry

Van - to get us around

Toys for the kids, tools for Bob, craft things for me - we can all stay busy (we've been a bit too busy to enjoy all of that recently, but we've still got it)

Many "niceities" - which make life more comfortable

Phone - I'd be nearly lost without it as I don't have the time to write much any more! I love being able to keep in touch that way, even if it isn't often.

Friendly Neighbors - don't complain about the noisy kids (even when I do)

And I could get even more particular than that, but these things remind me of so much that I've been given. Especially when I see so much around me where such things are not all there. I've had so much to be grateful for, and never more so than now!

DMV - A WOMAN'S HEADACHE

I've noticed that over the last month or so I've been crazy emotional.... go figure, after all a lot has changed and happened. It's not like it happens ALL the time, though it does happen at strange times - not all strange times, but at times when I'd normally be able to hold myself together, get through whatever it is, and then be angry and mad and whatever.....

So... today.... off to go get my license, finally. This has been an interesting ordeal anyway - as in they want you to have an appointment but then the system for setting up appointments was down. On top of that, everything you need to know is, well, normal... unless you live somewhere where there is no such thing as a "light rail vehicle" for which the question (on a "practice test") didn't even have an answer listed in the book. I do hope common sense will provide the right answer should I get questions like that.

Anyway... a woman.... well, lets just say there's strong discrimination... I mean really.... okay, okay, let me back up....

I called to find out if the marriage certificate we had would be accepted... it had, after all, been on the wall in a frame since we got married. It was the one handed to us with the original signatures when we were married. It was the same one used to get my name changed with social security. Anyway, it did not have a raised seal - thus the reason for my call. I was assured by the person I was talking to that although they prefer the raised seal, it would not be necessary because my name had been changed with SS and I had my card and that was who they did the check with. I would not let her off the phone until I had this verified 5 times.

Okay... no big deal... I set up an appointment (the soonest is two weeks away) and think I'm okay. Bob had just walked in and apparently in this "small town" (that's all relative, right?) you don't have to wait for long periods of time... in fact, you don't take a number, just a row of seats. So I went in today thinking I'd get my license and take care of registering the van.

WRONG!!!!!!!!

Nope, apparently because they cannot verify that I was married (no raised seal on the document - and we never have had one with a raised seal) I am "possibly not who I claim to be" - never mind that I have both my new and old SS card and that can be verified (something they are suppose to do anyway), as well as several credit cards, and (more importantly) my old out-of-state license (which has a special marking so they can tell it's authentic). All these with my current name, which I've had for about 8 1/2 years! Nope, apparently no one else is smart enough to verify a person's identity except for the DMV of the state we're currently in. (At least that's the way it came across). And I was told that they needed the certified copy of the marriage certificate because it verifies a name change - WRONG - it simply states that my husband (his full name) and myself (my full maiden name, not my new name) were married!!!!!! The only official change - that would be recorded - for my name is with SS!

So, regardless of what I was told - and they lady didn't want to hear about that - I was not allowed to get my license. Fine. The only problem... I need one to register the van (which is in both names, not just Bob's) and that has to been done within 10 days of Bob having received his license.... well, let's just say the "certified copy of our marriage certificate" will take longer than that for me to receive.

Oh - but there's good news!!!!!! She'd be happy to go ahead and register the van using my ME license...... hummmmmmmmmm.... okay, I'm not going to argue.. but seriously, what the heck! My ME license proves I'm who I am to register the van, but not to take a test and get a driver's license in this state!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!? SERIOUSLY, WHO MAKES THESE RULES!?!?!?!?!?

Anyway - so there I am, frustrated at the situation and I immediately feel my eyes trying to whell up! What's wrong with me???? As I'm trying hard to pull myself together and deal with the rest of the issue.

So... marriage license..... it would have cost me $40 to go through the state we were married in, but I looked again directly at the town and cut the cost in half. So $20 instead... that's better.. the kicker.... no one takes a credit card any more so I have to mail them a check before they can turn around and mail it back.... let's say at least two week.

Guess, for all the emotional and irritating headache it was a good thing to walk in today... otherwise I would have gone in for an appointment and not been able to go through and it would have been a month from now instead of two weeks. As it is, I'm hoping the mail hasn't started to slow down (as it often does from now through Christmas)!

WHY DID WE MOVE AGAIN!?!?!?!?!?!? (I know, we weren't thinking about the DMV)

Back On Track

Potty Training Blues... well, maybe not. Peter was interested before we moved.. he even did well. But we weren't helpful and we were, well, not involved because of the packing and moving. I didn't really worry or encourage! We got here and it was time to start in again.

Problem - Peter could do it, but he knew he could also just go in his pull up.

Solution - No more pull ups. Just "undy pants".

Today - he got it... told me every single time (and even some times when he thought maybe and tried and nothing happened). Not a single accident - and that includes two bowl movements! He's back on track - let's hear it for cloth!

Our Newest Songs

Moving presents a challenge to children in many ways - but none so much as being in school when you're expected to know your address and phone number and you haven't had a moment to hear it let alone learn it! We, of course, ran into this problem being that we got here in just enough time to start the kids in school - our focus was not on address and phone number memorization, but rather on unpacking... uuuummmm, I wonder if our priorities were mixed up?

Needless to say we had a very upset Gabi when the class was apparently quizzed as to their phone numbers - she was, of course, the only kid in her class who didn't know hers. Ouch!!!!!! Talk about bad parenting... oh, wait, that's right, we'd only had a phone number for a few weeks and she'd never needed it and well, where was my head?!

Our very next FHE became a learn your phone number and address one. Important information... though apparently with a lot of stress. So we made it fun. We put together two songs - one for the address and one for the phone number. They are to the tunes of "I've Been Working On The Railroad" and "Pop Goes The Weasel". All the kids helped to create the songs, though they were fun and silly, and we spent that night singing them... as well as the following days. Everyone (yes, even Peter) knows both phone number and address because of the songs!

But, because it's so much fun, they go around singing those made up songs around the house and in the van just for fun! I guess reinforcement isn't a bad thing... so much for lousy parenting, I think I rank top notch for that one (even if I do say so myself)! (Okay... so it's really just catch up, I had to do something "fast")

Apples

One of the many blessings of living near Bob's parents is the apples they share with us. They have three trees - all of which produce tons of apples. Since I bake a lot of things with applesauce (okay maybe only a few things, but all the time) this is great! We've been able to pick way more apples than I would have ever thought about picking up somewhere else. And I've enjoyed making the applesauce as well as apple butter.

Since half my kitchen is filled with apples, I'll not only make more applesauce and apple butter, but I think we'll try making apple fruit leather - if we really like it, we'll probably make more.

In addition to the apples, I have pumpkins to process and we have beats to pull up and then process. So though we left behind our own garden and we don't have nearly the variety of foods to "put away" this year, we certainly have our work before us. And we're happy and excited about it - maybe not so much about the work ahead, but about having the food stored and ready for winter use!

Oh... and did I mention we're suppose to be getting a storm... I almost have to laugh because back in Maine a storm meant snow (or severe thunder and lighting). Because of our location, we're not likely to get snow (though the mountains should see plenty of it). We are, however, suppose to get 2-6 inches of rain (which might not sound like much, but for here, that's a lot). I understand because of how fast the rain will come that things around here might be a bit scary out there - especially when you add the 40-65 mph winds we're suppose to get (better than the 125 mph projected for the mountains).

Anyway, this is our first "storm" since we've moved - so this should be interesting. It's suppose to be chilly, but that's okay... we'll be processing apples and drinking hot cocoa - I think we'll stay fairly warm.... I hope!

Oh What Do We Do....

Okay... I know... it's about time... here are some pictures of some of the fun things we get to do and see here... in our new home! (Sorry no pictures of the home yet...)


We have views! Wonderful, beautiful, glorious views! When I was first struggling with some much change and getting unpacked and all that, the views from my living room were a great comfort! I still love to look out the sliding glass door and see these wonderful mountains - it's peaceful! And the back is not the only place we have views... we have them out the front and down the road as we walk to school!

The kids can bike ride and roller skate in our own driveway! Can you tell they are having tons of fun with this?

The girls can see Dad at school... and he can see them too! We always stop in to see him in the morning and before we leave to come home... okay, so they sometimes go in with Dad and sometimes they come home by themselves....



When we walk, it looks something like this.... (when I don't take the stroller for the "long way home").

A favorite reading spot is out on the deck... it's quiet, peaceful, beautiful, and if you forget you're reading you can stare at the mountains! (And no bugs to eat you alive!)


We're settling in... I have tons more pictures.. but I thought you'd enjoy seeing the fun side of our lives... not just the crazy, unexpected - expected stresses!

The Power Of Love

While eating lunch we were discussing choices (since our children often choose actions they know are not okay).

Jeremy: I'm going to be on Jesus' Team!
Peter: I want be on the devil's team.
Me: What? You do? Oh, I will really miss you!
Peter: No. I want be on Jesus' Team to be with you.

Never under estimate the power of love!

(Of course, knowing my kids, Peter said the first simply to get a reaction... still, it's nice to know he'd rather be with me!)

Family - Trials And Blessings

I arrived back last night - Thanks so much, Bob, for the date... and thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for babysitting!

The service was beautiful -if a funeral service can be that. The greatest gift Jeani gave me was my Dad - she's the one who made him who he is. Someone that I not only love, but can admire and look up to.

The time with his family, as well as with my sister, was certainly taxing emotionally, but I was grateful for the chance to be there for them both. To listen - because I really had nothing else to offer.

I'm also very grateful for those who helped out, even not really knowing us, to make it possible for me to attend the funeral and be there for them.

Over the week I've had the opportunity to once again see just how blessed I am right now. My husband is dear and loving. He adores his children, loves them with all his heart, and wants what is best for them. He cherishes our marriage - encourages us to grow closer. My children may be full of energy and brains (far smarter than is necessary or good at their age, causing anguish and frustration) but they are also some of the sweetest gentlest children in the world. They love each other, reach out to others, cherish family and the time we have, and give us great insight into what's really important.

My extended family is going through a lot right now - death, divorce, betrayal, grief, anger, loss, anguish, fear, depression, addictions, and more. How easy it would be to wallow in the endless despair that can accompany such a mess. And yet, what would that serve? Nothing but the will of one who wants nothing more than to take us away from what matters - the only thing that can truly make us happy.

I'm so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. For that testimony that rings bright and true within my soul. I'm so grateful for the peace that is brings into my life, as I understand that trials will help us to grow and become better people - bringing us blessings and bringing us closer to Christ. I know that's difficult for others to understand - trails bringing blessings, but they do. In all things there is something good that can be seen - something good that will come of it. Growth is something we allow to happen by facing our trials with the help of our Savior to overcome and thus reaching those blessings that are just waiting to be poured out upon us.

Though my heart weeps for my sister, for my brother, for my father and his family, for my mother, for my sister, I know that the other side of their trials will bring them joy. It may not be visible right now, certainly difficult to see at best. I worry about them, I share their concerns and their pains, but I know that the end result will bring much happiness if they can see what is most important. My prayer is that they will see it, grab hold of it, take the hand of the Savior and walk through this mess to a happier tomorrow.

Peaceful Passing

Jeani, my step-mother, passed peacefully this morning near 6:30 EST. Although expected and long in coming with her cancer, her passing marks a sad point. She touched so many lives and taught so many people lessons that can only be shared through knowing another and watching how they live. It is also a happy time, as Jeani is now in the next part of this eternal progression - she is reunited with her own mother and together they have work to do. We know, through sacred priesthood power, that she will be a great missionary in the work that needs to be done on the other side of the veil.

Though she leaves behind much family, the truth of eternal families (and knowing she was sealed to hers) is a great source of strength. It is the light of hope and truth which makes such passing bareable.

Jeani, your great love, sacrifice and friendship to so many will never be forgotten. Your memory will serve as a reminder of what we are working towards. May peace find its way into all our hearts until we meet you on the other side.

To My Sister

There is too much hurt and pain in this world. Though I understand that hurt and pain are part of the trials that help us grow and change and become who we are, it doesn't make it seem any more fair.

I go through my own moments of hurt and pain - often trying to work my way out of it. But what's hardest is the hurt and pain of a loved one. Especially when there is no way to take the hurt and pain away.

Clarissa, I love you... I'm sorry you are going through this. I'm grateful you have a strong testimony - that you understand how very much the Lord loves you. I pray that this love and understanding along with support from family and friend will see you through triumphant. That in the end, through all the trials that are a part of this, you will be in a better place.

A Really Nice Day

Today was really nice. Our Friends J & G E were kind enough to watch all four of our children all day (along with their own 3) so we could go with Bob's folks to Reno to the Temple. We stopped and picked up a few things, then headed over to Great Grandma's (Bob's grandmother) where we visited for a quick minute and then picked up the old car that she was giving to Bob. Don't know what year it's from (I'm sure he could tell you) - it's old enough not to have airbags... but does have cruise control, auto windows, air conditioning and a moon roof. But it looks like it should be too old for any of that!

Anyway, before I get too far along, there is a slight problem with the car which Dad figures is an easy fix... he's good with fixing cars so he's probably right. Never the less, getting from grandma's house to the Temple was interesting... the car stalls out when you take your foot off the gas. Bob basically treated it much like a standard. Except for a few hard jolts, it was actually pretty funny... and yes, Bob drove it all the way home, where it's sitting right now.

But, once in the Temple we had a wonderful time. It was my first time needing to wear a headset - the session was in Spanish! That was great for Bob - it's been awhile since he's had the opportunity to enjoy it in Spanish. What I loved most from that experience is how sad I would be if I was not able to speak the "common language" but my husband was and therefore I was to be left out. There is an opportunity to gather where the "most commonly spoke language for the group" is used but where there is no translation. Fortunately we were able to participate anyway. But having that experience and realizing how it would be the same with the "spiritual language" needed for the eternities. How sad our loved ones (friends and family) will be if they do not know the needed language. How sad if we do not share it and allow them to be a part.

I'm sure my words do not do justice to the impression I had, but it really sent home the message of Temple work and just how important it is. Not just because of the known reasons for it to be done, but because of the sadness that lingers as people wait for their work to be completed - waiting, but being able to partake or be part until that work is completed. What urgency there really is! And the great need for Missionary work. It's so vital - giving understanding and meaning to the life we are in as well as what is to come. Our spirits are always seeking for such truths.

Because it's such a small Temple, there was an hour gap between the end of the session and the start of the next "session" - it was so nice to just sit together visiting and talking about things that matter and concern us. We've not had much time over this summer, and it's really taken it's toll. It was nice to recapture some of those important elements. Especially in such a peaceful place.

We ended our night with dinner at our friends' house. It was great to hear the kids did so well and to see them all playing and getting along. It was wonderful to visit with another couple near our own age and to just really enjoy ourselves... I believe a game night is in the works! It's very good to feel that our surroundings are a part of our "home" - that we're settling in and finding things that uplift us!

Maryland

After the museum we scurried over to AJ's for the night. It was nice to see Anna (who was teething and certainly ready for a change of face... it's amazing how little kids do that). Peter had me awake at 2am... it was really way to early and I was really hoping he'd go back to sleep... no such luck. So while I tried and tried and tried, well, I didn't either... by 4am I packed the kids into the van and off we went. I figured if I wasn't sleeping I ought to be driving!

It made for a nice get through of major areas before rush hour traffic hit - it also meant that we arrived at my father's house about 2-3 hours earlier! That was nice... it gave the kids a great break to run around, me time to get things settled into the apartment (which is where we stayed for the week), and then to be ready to sleep that night.

Time at my father's was nice.. a bit stressful from time to time, but that's to be expected under the circumstances. Two different families - two different age groups - as well as a dying step-mother (Grandma D) and all that... I was able to be around to assist Jeani during the mornings. It was interesting, and though I know I got her food and even stuff for the nurse to change the bedding and all, I really didn't do a whole lot there. Jeani slept a lot, and so I just rounded the kids up in front of movie to keep them quiet... or, when that wasn't working, sent them up to the apartment to play a game. (Thank goodness they couldn't get into any trouble at the apartment and that it was all part of the same property!)

For the afternoon on Wednesday we took the kids to the park. It was a nice little park that had a pond of sorts when we first arrived. There were two swans sleeping and tons of ducks. I loved watching the ducks as they puffed themselves up and flapped there wings hard against the water! When we first got there, Gabi noticed the swans and yelled "It's Swan Lake!" My father really liked that - thought it was cute and special and made sure to tell Jeani about it later. The kids' favorite part was playing on the merry-go-round (I can't blame them, that was always my favorite thing to do as a kid).

Bob arrived very late Wednesday night - crawled into the apartment and slept hard. He and Gabi left Thursday (I left some updates about that during the time). But, Thursday as they were getting everything ready, we set off some gysers and loaded up the van. Peter thought it was most fun to play under the truck - reaching up and getting grease all over his fingers, which then promptly became part of his face! He looked like a little chimney sweep!

After they left, I spent time talking with Papa and Nanny - remembering stories and remembering PopPop. The last night we were there, Papa brought out his guitar and sang us a few songs. He'd not played in a rather long time so his fingers got sore quickly. Still it made for a nice FHE and a nice end to the trip. I was able to record the songs that Papa sang- and no, Amber, I've not forgotten to make you a disk, I've just not gotten there yet. By Christmas for sure! =) My favorite song to be sung is "Bringing Mary Home" which is actually a sad song, but it means so much for me to hear it because it was the one that PopPop always sung. Papa used that as his warm-up song and I told him he'd cheated... that I was going to record that one. So he played it again - that's not normal. Usually "Bringing Mary Home" is a one time deal.

Next Stop - MOS

Next stop along our traveling route was to pick up my long time best friend from 7th grade up. We met AJ at her office and then all headed over to the Boston Museum of Science for about 4 hours of fun. The museum, of course, is much bigger than what 4 hours can accomplish, but it was a nice break and end to the day. They got to play a lot.

For more of our story and for pictures take a look at:

Fly Away Home - Boston Museum of Science

Boston Temple

Okay, ready for some "flash backs"... I'm going back in time to share some stories and pictures... these next few blog entries will be scattered here and there, but pictures are on the computer, so I'll try to set aside time to get them up.

The day we left Maine was very emotional. Gabi and I kept having our moments, but with lots of redirect, we made it through just fine. It's hard to walk away (or drive away) from a place of so many memories and so many friends. It was always my intention that we would stop at the Boston Temple. I had wanted the whole family to have a chance to be there together, but that just didn't work out. Still, it was important to me that all the kids were there. Both the girls have been before, but I don't believe either of the boys had been.



The ride was long - for kids - and they were certainly ready to get out. Peter fell asleep about 15 minutes before we arrived and really didn't want to wake up. Still, I pulled him out of the car and set him down beside me. As he began to fuss (being tired), turning towards me, he saw the temple down the path between the trees. His eyes lit up and with the largest smile I've ever seen from him he says "We're at the Temple! Mommy, we're at the Temple!"



Priceless. My little two and half year old knew without a doubt that we were at the Temple, The House of the Lord!

The other three had already run up the path and to the Temple. They ran from flower to flower, up to the walls and back down the various sidewalks. They climbed on the decorative walls, looked up at Moroni, and enjoyed themselves.


Peter and Jeremy were hard to take pictures of. I had really wanted to get a picture of all four kids right in front of the Temple where Bob and I had our picture taken when we were married, but the two little boys couldn't be bothered to stand still. I did get a foursome on the side, so I was at least content to say I had them all.



I don't know when we'll get to the Boston Temple again - though we'll be to a temple more often here. Boston is our Temple.. the one where our family was sealed for eternity. It will always, for us, be more special in our hearts than all the others. But we are very grateful to have the Reno Temple close enough that we can much more easily visit - and take the kids.

Temples are sacred - the Spirit felt there is divine. Children know of the presence and even though they are too young to go inside, they want to be there. Want to see, touch and feel. I am so grateful for Temples and what they mean for families, both living and dead!

Moon Rise

Last night Bob and I sat out on our deck after tucking in kids (who don't like not being able to stay up late). Just chatting and relaxing, looking out at the dark shadows of mountains and seeing the lights of the city far in the distance at the base. It was beautiful... and I'll even admit it, more relaxing that sitting out back East. (Can't believe I'm really saying that.) I do still love my back east heritage, but there is something calmingly different about where we are.

To look out, from our own deck, and see the great expanse of the universe laid out before us - it was unlike what I'm familiar with in the east laying out in a big field. Bob says it has something to do with the sky disappearing into the trees at the edges of such fields. I don't know - I just know it was awe inspiring.

As if that weren't enough, as we looked out over towards one of the mountains, a glow began to show at the tip of it. I noticed it, not certain what it was. Bob pointed it out and asked me if I knew what it was. At my admittance, he than told me it was the Moon Rise. Seriously - a Moon Rise. I had never noticed a moon rise before - never really thought it happened, though never really thought about it. Back east the moon would just always be there.

Apparently the moon rises every night - just often times it's before it really gets dark. So it's not really noticed. It was so beautiful... I couldn't get over it and Bob had a good chuckle at my constant awe filled comments! Had I know it wasn't something that would happen every night, I might have gotten kids up (they had only just gone to bed a little while before). Oh well... Bob also says the moon is predictable, so I'll check some charts and things and plan a "late night" with the kids... maybe even tape it!

Who's Calling The Shots?

Here are a couple of things heard today:

As we were waking up:

Jeremy: I'm hungry
Peter: No. You not hungry. You need play with me.

Later in the afternoon Jeremy wanted to know why Norman (the cat) was under the car in the Grandma's garage.

Grandma: He probably just wants some space right now.
Jeremy: That's good. That means I can ride my bike lots as long as Norman stays out of my way.