Good Mail.

I received an awesome box of 'good mail' on Thursday afternoon from across the country in Pennsylvania. My friend Kate is trying to de-junk her house and she was so kind to think of me and send some of it my way. Here are some pictures of my new loot.

A new to me stamp set. I coveted this set for a long time when I used to sell Stampin' Up! but there was always something else I wanted a little bit more.

 A rice bag. Love it! So does Nicole.

 SEVEN Moda Charm Packs. Look up 'Civil War Homefront' and 'Hushabye' so you can see the whole set. The colors and prints are great. My phone camera is no great.

 a whole bunch of other junk too. It was super exciting and I love it all.

 This little pin somehow made it's way in the box too. hmph! I guess that payback for sending her a bracelet that says she supports the rabid.

This little chicken is my most favorite thing that was in the box, even though I really do love everything I got. It's an Amish Pincushion. 

Here it is full of pins.

LASTLY, this didn't come in the mail on Thursday but arrived a day later from the local florist. Flowers from Kate on a day that might have been really difficult. She made it better. I love these flowers. A lot. When the flowers die, I'm going to clean the little square vase and fill it with peanut m&ms.

Thanks Kate! You're an awesome friend. I love you!

Sunday Stake Conference

Today I almost skipped Stake Conference. Ken had to work at 10 and I didn't want to to take the kids and sit through a 2 hour meeting by myself. If I'm being honest, I didn't want to sit through a 2 hour meeting period. But, I am so glad I went!  The spirit was really strong there but the best part was after it was over. I was able to reunite with an old friend from our ward in Utah. We live in the same Stake and figured it out when they came to visit for niece's baby blessing.

We were in a ward in Utah highly populated with newlyweds-as unofficial student ward. There were 8 of us pregnant at the same time and Stephanie and I sat next to each other in RS and compared our pregnancies. All 8 of us sat in row against the wall-'pregnancy row'-8 babies born within 2 1/2 months of each other.  Carson was born 3 weeks before Robert. She and I used to scrapbook together once a week. I clipped her baby's fingernails when she was too scared. I watched him while she went running and she watched Nicole and Matthew after I had to get a job,

I'm so excited that we were able to reconnect and I look forward to getting together with their family. Yay for friends and for it being such a small world, especially in the church.

I've got your back.

Once upon a time I wrote a long list swear words for my Mom because she 'didn't even know what to say.' That list was not appreciated the way it should have been. (click here for the recap.)

Today I have a friend who is in procrastination mode. Well, I'm here for her! Although this is an unsolicited list of ideas, I feel a need to share them with her. I'm hoping thinking it might be taken with a better spirit.

• Read your Ensign, New Era or Friend. My new issue came today.
• Make a list of excellent ideas of where to hide your pickle ornament this year.
• Look up 'The Elf on the Shelf.' (I wish I would have known about this about 8 years ago!
• Check Craigslist for a bass clarinet. (Seattle doesn't have one. I've been watching.)
• Sew! Although it would be avoiding procrastination, it is more fun that the paper work that needs done.
• Make me a sandwich.
• Look up the adoption credit and give me a review.
• Make me one of these please. My friend called it a snuggie with more mystery and romance. I. Want. One. 
• Watch Napoleon Dynamite.
• Read 'The Best Christmas Pageant Ever' (I typed pagan first one accident.)

that is all. you are welcome.

Hola Fencer! (You know who you are!)

Thanks for reading my blog. I hear I give you up the minute news. Who needs the news when you have my blog?  Here's a picture for your viewing pleasure.

PS, Become a follower! (Or prepare to die!) Right over there.-------->
gracias.
that is all.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry--in a non blasphemous way.

Tonight we had friends over for dinner.  We've been meaning to have them over for about 4 months and it finally happened tonight. It was so fun we've decided to do it again tomorrow for Family Home Evening and then some games. 

For dinner I made an awesome meatloaf. It was delicious.

I am thankful for friends and yummy meatloaf.

I also like leaves that change colors in the fall. I took this photo on my cell phone through a dirty windshield on a street in my neighborhood...not too shabby! I LOVE WHERE I LIVE!

Adventures with boys...part deux

Last night Matthew spent the night at his friends house so that means they move the party over to our house for the next night. (Have I mentioned that I love 4 day weekends?!!) Here are only a few of the things I have seen in the last six hours since Matthew and Jacob got here.

The barricaded Matthew's door and the hallway, except for little peep holes, so they could shoot nerf (nerd) guns at each other.

*take notice of all the lincoln logs in the lincoln log bin. We try to be organized!

 Matthew built me a table to hold scriptures.

 He's still working out some kinks.

 They built a fortress in the front room using twenty-four storage bins.

 Then they covered it with blankets and called it a fort.

They have since expanded their fort by lowering the walls. They've padded the ground with blankets and old couch cushions and they're 'exersicing.'

On another note, that is kind of related...the boys were calling each other 'dude' a lot. Ken interjected and asked them if they knew what a dude is?  Do YOU know what a dude is? Ken told them a dude is a mole on a camel's rear end. According the http://www.dictionary.com/, Ken is a liar. 

Dude
–noun


1. a man excessively concerned with his clothes, grooming, and manners.

2. Slang . fellow; chap.

3. a person reared in a large city.

4. Western U.S. an urban Easterner who vacations on a ranch.
 
*I just told the boys Ken was wrong and then explained it's a guy worried about his clothes and appearance. Jacob replied, 'That's even worse!'
 
Today I have to be thankful for little boys. Especially little boys who think they are big! They are hilarious and inventive and a little smelly.

Holy Pictures Batman--at the park

Today I am thankful for beautiful weather and no school. We were able to go to a park close to our home with some good friends. Here are 18 pictures for your viewing pleasure. My most favorite favorite picture is the very last one. I my opinion, it's totally worth the wait!

Matthew and Jake on pogo sticks. They were getting about 18 inches in the air. It was pretty awesome.

 Matthew jumping.

 Nicole scooting.

 Nicole riding a bike.

 Nicole and Jessy just sitting around.

 Tyler on a bike.

 Next we 'played' tennis. I use the term played very loosely. We actually swung the rackets and chased the balls. A. Lot. Be sure you notice how often the ball was not where it was supposed to be when the rackets were swinging.

 This is Nicole honest to truth 'pose' while she waits for the ball to make it to her side.

 Next the boys got tired of running for tennis balls so they decided to climb the fence.

 And now, for my MOST FAVORITE picture of the day....I LOVE IT!

I'm also thankful for children who like to have their pictures taken. It was a super fun day!

In memory of...(don't worry, no one died)

When I had only been married about a year my mom gave me a waffle iron. I LOVE my waffle iron! Do you know what you can do with a waffle iron? A lot more than make waffles, that for sure.

A little over a year ago, June 9, 2009 to be exact, our ward did an Enrichment Meeting (now known as Relief Society Meetings) where each sister brought their favorite gadget from home and gave a little 'infomercial' on it. I was stumped on what to bring until my genius friend, Liz, suggested I bring my waffle iron.

Why do I love my waffle iron so much? Because, like I said only 2 paragraphs earlier, you can do a lot with a waffle iron. Here is a short list of the things you can make/cook/iron in a waffle iron:

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Fried Eggs (not with a soft center)

Cake

Chicken (boneless)

Cookies

lastly, but not most importantly...

waffles (I don't heart waffles...unless they have my sister's homemade blackberry jam on top of them. Last night I heart-ed my waffle!)

At the Enrichment Meeting I decided I was going show the world (The Great Bend Ward) how to make cake in a waffle iron...german chocolate cake to be exact and I even bought the yummo frosting to go on top. When it was my turn to present, a horrible thing happened. My beloved waffle iron of 11 (ELEVIN!!) years would not heat up. It was a sad moment. Luckily because of the interest my friend Gloria had in my waffle iron demonstration, she quickly produced hers for me to borrow. (We were in her home. No, she doesn't just carry her waffle iron around with her. BUT, if she did...I'd love her even more.)

Her waffle iron was a fancy belgium waffle maker and it quickly heated up, much faster than mine ever did...even when it wasn't ancient. The german chocolate waffle cakes were a hit. There may have even been a run on waffle irons that evening at the local Wal*Mart. The only sad part of the evening was I left with no waffle iron, only the memory of it, and later a picture that was emailed to me by Liz...or Ben.

NOW, imagine a whole year without a waffle iron. I missed it and wanted to make lovely waffle-ey treats and lunches for the famdango, but alas, we were unable to replace it. When I moved out of Kansas, a few of my closest friends threw a little going party for me. We all wore aprons and ate delicious food outside in Linda McCowan's lovely yard, including waffle cakes for dessert. My going away gift, from Gloria, was A NEW WAFFLE IRON! (Say it like Rod Roddy used to say it on The Price is Right. RIP Rod.) Not just ANY waffle iron either, it was a fancy belgium waffle maker. I love it. I've had it for 4 months and used it many times already. We learned last night, that it does make good waffles.

This is my old waffle iron...post mortem. This is my new waffle iron, after it made lovely waffles last night. I tried 4 times to get a picture that would show how shiny it was, but the only thing it really shows is the dirt spot on the bottom left side. Whatever. I love it!!

It's MAGIC!

Tonight we went to a magic show at the local city auditorum. It was an hour and half of free entertainment...a perfect evening if you ask me.

We met up with our friends, Ben and Liz. This is their handsome son, David.

During the course of the evening Matthew won a D.A.R.E. bracelet and 3 people sitting near us were picked to be volunteers on stage because our group was loud and got the guy's attention. The 2nd victim of the evening was our friend, Ben. I got a small part of his embarrassment on video but lucky for him, my battery went dead. I was worried that I was going to have to leave so that he didn't kill me or get me volunteered but sadley, their daughter threw up and they had to leave early. Sorry Ana got sick Liz and Ben! Here's video of the the short part of his embarrassment.

On another note....

Have you ever seen Napolean Dynamite? If not, we are no longer friends. If so, you know the part of the movie when Napolean is eating tator tots during class? Tonight I took the kids to Wendy's for dinner on the way to the magic show. Matthew stuck all his fries in his coat pocket and ate them during the show. I felt proud.

Here are the top 10 parts of Napolean Dynamite...if you have or have not seen it.

Here is the tator tot scene.

a non blog...

Current thoughts (right now as I type)...

Kate is a genius. (I copied this idea from her.)
It's too cold to go to work.
I'd like to have sticky corn for breakfast.
song lyrics...though I'm sniffing and sneezing, afraid that I'll freeze, it's the best time of the year.
I'm going to call in sick. (I really don't feel well...not just the psychosematic kind either)
I think I'll make beirocks for dinner.
Duncan is the only kid I know that can take cute little animal toys and make them weapons. (Direct quote...you want me to hit you this bunny rabbit?)

HAPPY FRIDAY!

I will go before your face

DC 84:88 I will go before you face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.

My friend, Ben Draper, photoshopped these 2 pictures together, and I LOVE IT! I just thought I'd share. He explains where the idea came from on his blog. Thanks Ben!

Ceramics Classes at the Rec. Center

My friends Ashley and Liz and I are taking ceramic classes at the Rec. Center. So far  I've painted a Turkey and a Santa.  Ashley and I took a toll painting class and we painted Reindeer.  I never thought I'd enjoy classes at the Rec Center but I LOVE THEM!

Tender Mercies

It's kind of a long story...

When we were in Utah last month Gina took our family pictures. I decided the clothes we would wear before we left Kansas and although I like all of us to match, this time I decided that Nicole would wear a different color. When we were all getting ready Gina commented that she thought it was weird that Nicole didn't match the rest of us. The pictures ended up turning out nice and I liked how it looked with her in a different color. I didn't think anymore of it.

This is the time of the year when things that have happened in our life gets to me. I LOVE the holiday season but there are some bittersweet memories that come along with it. As I was watching conference this weekend, I wrote down some of the things I've been thinking about lately in hopes of finding answers from the talks. A couple of the questions were about Robert, our son who passed away almost 8 years ago.

Before Robert was born I was very judgemental about family. I thought it was ridiculous that a family would only have 2 or 3 children. I was not thoughtful to women who had miscarried babies or had delivered stillbirths. If a woman lost her baby because of own addictions I did not feel bad for them, even if they were truly upset about their loss. I just didn't know better. When Robert died, I was moved to the receiving side of such judgements. I have been asked in the last month why we only have 2 children. (We have 3 actually, and I can't get pregnant.) People have asked about our son and when I told them he lived 2 hours, they disregaurded the whole story. Here are a few things that I had never thought about...

A miscarriage, stillbirth and infant death is a horrible loss. Just because a child wasn't known on this life for very long, or at all, there were dreams and hopes for the lost person. A chair is still empty at the dinner table. If a woman loses her baby because she has an addiction, she still loses a part of her. ok, enough of my soapbox...

This season I have wondered how I am doing as a mother. I know I do my best with Nicole and Matthew but I am also a mother to a perfect little boy who is not on this earth. The questions that has eaten at me are, Am I a good mom to Robert? Is it wrong that I say I have 2 children when asked? How can I make sure that my children remember they have a little brother? I thought about these things this weekend but nothing came to me.

Today Nicole, Matthew and Ken are all sick. We've had fevers, hacking coughs, loads of kleenexes used and it's not very fun here today.

When I got the mail this afternoon, a midst all the bills and boring mail was a padded envelope from an address I didn't recognize right away. It was from Orem, UT. The kids thought maybe it was from my sister, Gina. After a second I told them it actually looks like my friend Trishelle's handwriting. I guessed correctly.

Trishelle is a dear friend of mine and I do not deserve her friendship. I am VERY blessed to have it though. She wrote our family a love note and enclosed a treasure she found at a yard sale. It is an angel ornament with the name Robert written on it.
When I read her note and saw the ornament, I immediately felt that she was an answer to my prayers. This beautiful little ornament is the perfect way to help my kids, and me, remember our sweet little baby. I decided to hang it on the wall, next to our family picture. The neatest part about that is...

the wings on the ornament are the exact same color as Nicole's shirt.

This is one example of the Lord's tender mercies in my life. If you have stories to tell, I encourage you to share them on your blog too. I'd love to read them.

A Super Fun Day!

Yesterday I was able to spend the WHOLE DAY with my Sister, Wendi and her famdango. They have been on vacation in Missouri/Illinois/Iowa/etc for the last week and when they got to Kansas City for a couple of nights we went over to see them. The kids and I picked Ken up from Emporia on Monday and then drove over to KCK to spend the night and then the day with them.

The night we got there we went swimming and ordered pizza.

The next morning we went to Leavenworth, KS. We saw the Federal Penn and were able to get on base. Larry (My Brother in Law) said it was the easiest base he's ever gotten on. He works on a Military Base in Washington.

While we were on the base we were able to go to the Ft. Leavenworth Museum, see the National Cemetary, we got a tour of a base housing neighborhood(Courtesy of Ken's shortcut LOL!), and while en route, Wendi got to take a photo of the Base Fire Station.

Next we went to St. Joseph, MO and toured the Patee Museum. It was AWESOME! The picture of our famdango at the top of the blog right now was taken in that museum in front of an old horse pulled hearse. It was awesome. A little morbid side note...there was a toe pincher casket in that hearse that was child sized and they had a doll in it that you could see. Weird!

We were able to visit the Fire Museum in St. Jo as well. I enjoy seeing Fire Trucks. I like lights and sirens as much as the next person. I'm not going to lie...I'm a gawker when it comes to accidents on the road and I've followed a truck before. My BIL Larry is a Fireman. So was his Dad, so was his Grandpa. Larry LOVES seeing Fire Trucks. HoWeVeR, It was difficult to enjoy the tour guide who was79 (he told us),retired from a Fire Station, seriously quizzing Larry down about procedure and the names/job of each member of the crew. It was funny, he couldn't keep Wendi and I straight (Because we look so much a like! HA HA) and he didn't like Ken's profession (A Mortician)so he didn't talk to him much. That could be because when Tommy asked Ken if he was a Fireman too, he replie, "No, I'm a mortician. I step in when you're done.) Our 45 minutes tour could have lasted 3 minutes. When it was over, Larry went back with our guide, Tommy, and bought a shirt. The guide was persistant that I help Larry find the shirt that he wants and I told him he could get it himself. I reminded him I wasn't his wife...he never really figured it out. We all ended up leaving Larry there and we got the kids loaded back into our cars and then Ken said someone should probably rescue Larry, but no one was willing to go in! He came about 5 minutes later. It added some spice to our day.

The highlight of the day for me was when we went to Liberty Jail. It was my 2nd visit and I already can't wait to go back.

We got back to the hotel around 6 I think. We all went swimming again, then Ken and I left for home around 8-8:15. We got home at 1 O'clock this morning. It was a super fun day.