Fall Festival, formerly known as Trunk-or-Treat!

I love the Fall!!!  I love waking in the morning to the smell of the fire burning.  I especially love when Steve takes the initiative to wake in the morning, tend to the children while I get some rest, and build a fire--waking to the smell and warmth is so comforting. 

I also love the anticipation of Halloween.  I was at the hospital yesterday, wondering how I would come home and complete Connor's costume before our ward "Fall Festival".  Needless to say, it did get done, but it sure did leave a tired Mommy and Daddy (but a happy Connor) by days end!  He was so sweet on the way to the chapel, saying, "You and Daddy make a really good team, Mommy.  I love my costume!" It really did take two minds to pull this one off!

I tried so hard to convince Aiden to be the lion that Connor was 2 years ago, but he insisted that he was going to be ?????--we found it at Kohl's on clearance!  The reason for the ???? is because not only was I confused as to who he was, but he was as well.  He just LOVED the costume!  I took the boys to the ice cream shop after the party and found that two cute little boys knew exactly who he was.  They were there with their Mom, eating Halloween pretzels and doing homework (what a good Mom); they said that they love Anakin Skywalker , later known as Darth Vader from Star Wars!   Aiden was so happy to be receiving so much attention.  He scared me the first time I saw him with his mask on.

These two adore each other; I am a lucky Mom!

Not much to see here, but just a highlight of how the evening went.  Aiden didn't talk much at all, just played the mysterious ???? to all present.  He danced and played a few games, but mostly just enjoyed being a kid...he is so cute.  Connor glowed in the spotlight as one person after another complimented his costume.  You can also hear him calling me "Mommy Eve".  He really wanted me to get an Eve costume made for me--maybe I can still pull something off, we'll see!

All of this fun while Daddy had to stay home and study....our days with the books will be over someday!

WALL-E

This is my attempt at making a costume for the first time ever. There are still a few finishing touches to be done but this is what I got done in about an hour a couple Saturdays ago. 
I actually told Crystal I didn't want anything to do with making a costume just because of time but then swallowed my pride and ended up enjoying the task. I am not an artist but from a distance I think it will look alright. The best part about it is that it's dark when kids go trick-or-treating. Hopefully the kids at school will not be critics though. The most humbling thing about it was when Connor, who heard me criticising my work, said "It doesn't need to look exactly like WALL-E, Dad". Crystal is going to work on some of the accessories. We will give some updated pics when they are all dressed up for Halloween.

Tiny Hands

I walked into our room today after getting ready and was compelled to stop and read again the words to this song which was written by Kenneth Cope. It is called "Tiny Hands". It hangs in our bedroom alongside the painting you see of Joseph and Emma burying one of their children, both of which hang above the crib in our room. I could not hold back the tears as I read the lyrics which to us has become so real. I stared into the crib which has now stood empty for some 18 months. I can however appreciate the words which say to bring back my baby after the Lord has come again and made the Earth pure. I believe that is the only kind of place worthy for our Shane. He was always so bright and happy. There was something different about him, even before we saw his face. He was a beautiful boy. We are approaching that time of year when my thoughts turn to him even more than usual. I am faced with the excitement of welcoming another pair of tiny hands so very close to my birthday in a couple more months. I look back in remembrance of my birthday just two years ago with Shane still in my arms. It was the best birthday I ever had thanks largely to my sweet Princessa (Crystal). This season that is soon upon us has new meaning for us now. We were blessed with a little one during a time when we celebrate the birth of our Savior. He was taken from us just days before we were to celebrate the death and Resurrection of our Lord. Without either one of them, the other has no meaning. I look forward to the day when He who has made it all possible, even life itself, will prepare the Earth for those who have been given Eternal Life. I only hope that I too will be worthy of that gift.

Basic Writing!

I guess I was unaware that in Kindergarten, the children are taught to spell how it sounds--not how it is right.  I like that theory; I am glad someone older and wiser is teaching my son, I would have been all over him for missing most of the letters in a word when I worked so hard to teach him about silent "e's" and so forth.  I had to laugh the first time he came home with a journal from school...it was too cute to see the way he spelled everything.  The teacher--Steve's kindergarten teacher--does not help the children spell, she emphasizes that they do everything alone!

So, what happened here?  EVERYTHING is literally backwards...hmmmm!  Don't worry, it gets better.  Oh yeah, he is known as "Connor Dude", while the other children, so wisely, use their real names every day!

That looks better!

"I like to eat!"  I must have packed a chocolate chip granola bar for a snack that day.  His teacher also emphasizes only healthy snacks....don't worry, most days he has mandarin oranges!

Family Night

Well, it seems as though every Monday night something comes up (i.e. the kids are exhausted and grumpy) which makes it impossible to do family home evening on Mondays. We have been trying to then do it on Tuesday night which for some reason works better. We had our lesson tonight before dinner because we had a special dinner and a movie planned for afterwards. Our lesson was on using our talents which the Lord has given us and he will bless us with more. If we don't use them, then he will even take away the ones that we already have to some degree or another. Connor actually gave part of the lesson after Crystal told a story. He is an amazing boy and he truly loves and knows the scripture stories. So, afterwards we had some yummy steak, olive and broccoli pasta, and some scalloped potatoes for dinner. Then, for desert we had some delicious ice cream pie that Crystal made (she is trying to kill my pseudo diet I started this week). We ate while we watched the new Veggie Tales movie that came out today -- "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything". The thing is, they did do something and the movie had an excellent message. In fact, it fits in really well with life right now and all the time for that matter. Sometimes we are faced with challenges and it is what we choose to do with those challenges/trials that makes us who we are. The Lord blesses us with these growth opportunities so we can be more like Him with each passing day/week/month/year. It is what we do with them that counts. It's even okay to struggle, and to cry. That's what family and friends are for. We are all in this together. Sometimes we have to make hard choices in order to clear our path of all those things which are keeping us from being what we need to become. There is always a way. Sometimes, it is not the one we had planned or even one we thought of. In paraphrasing the words of another Veggie Tales (A Snoodles Tale), the Lord knows what he wants you to become because he made you.

Politics

As if you haven't heard enough about politics lately, I am giving you some more. This, however, is different. This is a place for your voice to be heard. You may agree with me or not. Whatever the case, please make yourself heard. It is time to take back this nation and replace the evil with good. Please visit my new site by clicking here!

Moments to Cherish!

It's not often that daddy gets the love and attention when you have young boys. They seem to love momma for awhile, which according Freud, is normal. I will have my day with them but until then, there are those moments to cherish which come from time to time. Mommy will understand those rare moments when I get to experience having "daddy's little girl". I have so much to be grateful for and I love my boys (and my Princessa too). I am so grateful for my family. When all is said and done, they are all that matters. So, I hope you will enjoy these pictures as much as I do.

I Love.....

Can't help but share the cuteness!  You may want to pause the music at the bottom of the page to hear these little voices!

A Touch of Yellow, A Grateful Wife!

I was motivated to get up on Thursday morning and accomplish "beyond the ordinary" tasks.  Clinicals on Tuesday and Wednesday leave me drained, but as I layed in bed Thursday morning, knowing that Connor was off and Aiden was ready to get up (evidenced by "Mommy, I'm hungry and thirsty" in my ear), my mind drew to unfinished tasks, and I knew I could accomplish much with Steve still sleeping!  So, into the kitchen I went with a container of yellow paint that was torturous to open and a paint brush that was dripping with paint.  I placed the tape along the counter tops and was trying so hard to cut in, thinking "Oh my gosh, this is going to take 5 coats of paint!"  When Steve woke, half of the first wall had been cut in once, he watched for a few minutes and asked how well I mixed the paint.  I reassured him that it was the best I could do!  I told him that I had to get a shower and go upstairs to meet with my Visiting Teacher, BUT I WOULD FINISH LATER, he had to study for an upcoming exam.  When I came downstairs 2 hours later, the entire kitchen was done, top to bottom with several coats of beautiful yellow paint.  
Needless to say, I am so grateful for my wonderful husband.  He's always stepping up lately to give me a little bit of a break.  Hey, by the weeks end, the laundry was done--just waiting for me to fold it--but it was done, and I was happy!  He's my "handsome boy" and I am his "Princessa", what more can I say!!! (I love when he calls me that :) )

I guess we can't forget to update the BELLY!!!  My goodness, I am BIG!  I am 27 weeks along right now, and I have people looking at me in disbelief when I tell them I am due In January.  I had a woman follow her look of disbelief the other day (at the hospital) with, "How big are your babies?"  Yes, they may be big considering standards 25 years ago, but they are just about the perfect size for the modern medicine standards today!  It's ME...I'm the BIG one.  I guess we'll let Lydia make her way first and then determine exactly who got big through this pregnancy!

It looks like she should come any day now though!!!

Future Philadelphia Temple Site

Well, I know it says something about McDonald's, but this is actually the future site of the Philadelphia Temple. We will all have to use our imagination at this point because the design is not yet finished. It is exciting for us living here in the Philadelphia area to be getting a temple so close, reducing our 3+ hour drive down to about 45 minutes. Seeing as though it may take 4 or more years for completion, we may not even be around when the doors open, but the thought of it finally happening is awesome. Pennsylvania is one of the last states in the United States to get a temple. However, the city of Philadelphia is one of the fastest growing areas of membership in the church which may be why the time has finally come. I love going to the temple and wish I could be there more often. I wish everyone could enjoy the peace and beauty of what is within those walls. For more information on the purpose of temples go to the LDS Church website or visit my other blog.

It's Been Awhile...

It's been awhile since I last posted. Things have been super busy as has been the case for many others as well, I'm sure. The things needing done associated with our move are still on the to do list as I try and squeeze them in with the school work as well. Crystal and I are already 1/4 of the way through another semester. I managed to forget to attend a required observation experience in an operating room and received a clinical warning for it. I was told I will be able to make it up and the warning will be dropped, but it's just an example of how at times I feel like I am running around with my head cut off. Crystal is much more organized as usual which is even more impressive considering the fact that she is over 26 weeks pregnant now. We are so excited for our little Lydia though! I recently did some clothes shopping for our first little princess and found some sweet deals at Kohl's at 90% off. I couldn't help myself. It is apparent now that every married woman in our family is now pregnant due at some point next year. Congratulations to all of you (Sharon, Sunny, Sara). Tana, your time will come and it will be so exciting. We are looking forward to a possible marriage announcement sometime soon from what I hear. It was wonderful this last weekend to take somewhat of a break and listen to the church leaders during General Conference. I always feel a little recharged afterwards. For more information on that click here! It was even more exciting to hear that Philadelphia is getting a Temple (click for news article). Well, I hope all is well with everyone, but if not, the clouds will clear at some point to a brilliant new morning; even if it is in the next life, that day will come! I have doubted at times myself, but deep inside me the spirit tells me it is so. The Lord wishes to bless us and make us happy. All of these things will give us experience.