Trooly Blogworthy

2011-09-01T20:59:00.004-05:00

A letter to Caleb. About 3rd Grade...
Dear Caleb Dad says, roses are red, violets are blue, Encycolepedia Brown (maybe) is in 3rd grade and you are too. We really like Mrs. Tipton, and we hope you enjoy 3rd grade.
Love,
--Mom and Dad

At Granny's

2011-07-18T16:29:00.001-05:00

This was two years ago (around the 4th of July) when Mike's sister brought her family up for some time with Grandparents.

Boy and Dog

2011-07-16T16:55:00.001-05:00

Isn't she cute when she's groomed well ?

Currently

2010-11-26T16:07:00.000-06:00

And this is how we all look now-a-days...

We spent the Monday before Thanksgiving 2010 at Guadalupe River State Park with my sister, Brandy, and her family. It was amazingly warm and pleasantly deserted. More pictures to follow, eventually.

Flashback...

2010-11-26T15:35:00.002-06:00

I thought I may as well post some REALLY old photos (late 2005, early 2006) since I haven't posted in a LONG time...

When my Stockton was in kindergarten, right after we moved here.

What beautiful little boys; too bad they have to start fake smiling in every photo as they get older!

Mama's sweet little pumpkin!

We still love Guadalupe River State Park!

The fountain in front of the temple.

On the gulf...maybe Corpus?

Stockton's kindergarten class had face-painting as part of their study of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar"

\Caleb's clothes had a tendency to fly off his body when he was 2 and 3...hence the "Stay Dressed"...

We Have Molly !!!!

2010-06-08T19:32:00.009-05:00

Meet the newest addition to the family !

Baseball

2010-05-19T18:16:00.001-05:00

These are pics from caleb's baseball games

Molecule (Molly)

2010-05-05T16:26:00.024-05:00

Molly 6 Weeks Old

Yesterday was my b-day i got the best present ever !!! I got a puppy! her name will be Molecule. Molly for short.

Mom's 37th

2010-04-23T11:30:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was the 37th. Of Brithdays that is, yep yesterday was moms 37th.The Cheesecake was awesome. And I think she really liked her presents.

Flooding In Texas ???

2010-04-23T10:32:00.007-05:00

On the night of noodles (scout pasta) our backyard was flooding !! So where the Hall's yard but this is all about the Harker's right ?? But anyways the Hall"s yard was actually flooding more than ours so maybe a little is about them so look for it in the pics I posted

(Ours #1)
(The Hall's #2)

Say Candy!...... Candy!!!!!!

2010-04-04T11:42:00.000-05:00

cracking cascarone on dad's head

Easter was great!! I think Caleb likes it the most.But I don't think he likes the stomach ace.

Caleb's 7th

2010-02-22T16:27:00.001-06:00

Caleb's 7th b-day was a blast. And the cake we got from Wal-Mart was surprisingly good. Caleb LOVES the Guitar and all the presents he got. And the Piñata was a blast.

Swim Lessons 2009

2009-08-03T08:48:00.006-05:00

Miss Joni is still the BEST! Again, we were so lucky to get in a session with her. These pics are from the last day of lessons. Caleb is holding the coins Miss Joni placed in the pool as a treat for the kids to dive for on their last day. After lessons, we dried them off and they changed into their traveling clothes in the car as we headed off on our trip to see family and friends in NM, UT, and WY.

A Happy One We Know

2009-08-02T15:33:00.006-05:00

Stockton's 9th Birthday...

As requested, his mom made a chocolate fudge cake filled with Ben & Jerry's Brownie Batter ice cream, frosted with fudge (not fudge icing, but actual fudge). Good, but I'm guessing it won't be a repeated request...then again, maybe it will be...with the substitution of regular frosting...

Imagine That

2009-08-02T14:36:00.006-05:00

Not Mike's 3rd B-day, but his 36th... The bottom of the 6 that anchored it to the cake fell off (as mentioned at the end of the first video.)

and... for your enjoyment, a little pre-cake karaoke...

Random Spring-time Fun

2009-08-02T13:42:00.006-05:00

Though Caleb voted that his soccer team be called the "Mighty Mighty Meats," (Caleb is a mighty mighty fan of eating meat) the rest of the team voted for "Tigers."

Stockton was home-schooled for the last few months of the school year. Most Fridays, we conducted a science experiment. A few weeks before St. Patrick's day, we made plastic and formed it into a shamrock and attached a pin so it would be donnable. Later we painted it green for the lucky holiday.

Spring Break

2009-04-30T16:42:00.019-05:00

We spent a day of Spring Break at Guadalupe River State Park with our neighbors.

Here Beate and I are taking photos of each other.

I won!

Greg and Josh tossing a football.

Stockton, Caleb, and Isaiah looking at the tadpoles caught in the river.

Eternal Me

2009-04-30T16:41:00.001-05:00

I've been thinking about what it must be like to be an eternal being with total awareness at all times of all things, past, present, and future. A life where all of that could be forgotten for a little while might be enticing to such a person. It might be exciting to contemplate an existence where the past is remembered fuzzily, the present not fully understood, and the future a dark unknown.

With that in mind, I'm trying to embrace this mortal journey...fleeting as it may seem to the eternal me. I suppose my true self surfaces in the choices I make, whether noble, cowardly, selfish, merciful, or whatever I may be. Or maybe the true me is only good, and the mortal me only is capable of cruelty or anything else unholy. If that is so, descending to this blind place would have great value to me... Obviously I would want to retain the beauty of my pure character, but perhaps it was lacking in dimension and needed the depths of love attained only through overcoming the smallness of self-seeking, loathing and all other natural tendencies...

Caleb's Birthday

2009-04-30T10:20:00.012-05:00

Caleb's birthday, February 22nd, was a Sunday this year, so on Saturday, we went to the "World's Greatest Hobby Model Railroading Show" at the Convention Center downtown.

The boys really enjoyed playing with the train sets and riding the Thomas train, as well as looking at the amazing model trains on display.

Stockton made a birtday banner for Caleb all by himself (the green paper has the letters of "Happy Birthday" one to a page, and the white pages spell out Caleb's name).

Caleb really wanted a Sand Castle cake, so this was my best interpretation of that:

Rodeo

2009-04-30T08:20:00.010-05:00

(Yes, it's me... FINALLY posting!)

Though it was bitterly cold (for us southerners--windy and misty in the low 60's), we managed to have a pretty fun time together at San Antonio's annual RODEO!!

Caleb wanted to ride the "Super Shot" by himself. He was really happy going up, but not so much on the way down at speeds that put a terrified grimace on his face (not seen here due to poor camera work).

Stockton looks really gleeful at the thought of...

SMASHING into his brother!

And on the way out, we had to stop for a shot with the giant boot.

Broken Flu Shot

2009-02-05T18:12:00.004-06:00

Poor baby...:( Sick with the flu.

Here's Daddy making Lipton Noodle Soup for dinner, a comfort food that rarely fails.

Caleb gives the thumbs-down to indicate how poorly he feels.

Naughty

2009-01-31T15:12:00.001-06:00

Stolen

2009-01-31T11:50:00.003-06:00

Since it reflects my feelings precisely, I had to steal this post from Jana's blog:

"It's official... I am a huge Facebook fan. It has been so much fun to reconnect with old friends, to hear from people that I thought I would never have contact with again. I love being able to just leave a little note for someone for them to discover later- or instant message with a friend that I shared wonderful memories with that now lives clear across the country. Amazing technology!"

Last Sunday Before Christmas

2009-01-13T09:56:00.000-06:00

My little chipmunks! They look so handsome, in spite of their silliness.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

2009-01-13T09:46:00.000-06:00

Late November/early December gingersnaps & eggnog, decorating the tree, building a gingerbread house, Christmas music... these are a few of my favorite holiday things.

Thanksgiving 2008

2009-01-13T08:56:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Stockton, we have some photos of our Thanksgiving feast. After a wonderful meal, we spent some time enjoying November in San Antonio: Mike and Caleb shot some hoops while Stockton made friends with the natives. The fun continued indoors with a game of checkers while perusing Black Friday ads. And yes, we did find some smokin' deals!

Old Friend

2009-01-13T08:12:00.001-06:00

In the car on the way to school, Caleb saw someone he recognized.

Caleb: It's Caden!

Mom: You know him? (I was thinking, "How can you know a middleschooler?")

Caleb: Yeah, he's an old friend.

Fun in the Front Yard

2008-12-23T21:17:00.001-06:00

I love living on a cul-de-sac in the best neighborhood in the world! These photos are from some of the last warm days in November right before it got cold. (Note our dead grass while everyone else's is still green. We didn't realize that the water supply to our sprinkler system was shut off... I thought Mike was just waiting for the autumnal rains we usually get, which never came, I might add.)

Inuit...Caleb's Into It

2008-12-22T21:23:00.000-06:00

Realizing I forgot my camera on the day of Caleb's Kindergarten Native American Celebration, I rushed him home and requested an encore presentation in our back yard...

And here are the photos I told him I'd take; dig the mittens:

Santa

2008-11-09T15:20:00.001-06:00

Stockton: Mom, why doesn't Santa bring you presents?

Mom: Because I know the secret of Christmas, and once you know the secret of Christmas, it's more fun to give than to receive.

Caleb: I hope I don't find out the secret of Christmas until I'm 30 or 18!

Field Trip

2008-10-28T11:43:00.000-05:00

I felt really lucky to be able to go with Stockton on his field trip a few weeks ago. It was a lovely way to spend the day.

God's Gift to Mothers

2008-10-28T11:27:00.000-05:00

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am HORRIBLE at picking up after my kids. (My sister says I'm really good at NOT picking up after my kids. She thinks it would be a disservice to them for me to put their socks in the laundry.) My sons know that if they want clean socks, then their dirty ones need to go in to the basket of dirty whites. It is not uncommon for the same dirty sock to be seen in my front entry way for days. Until school started this year, the sight of dirty socks would trigger an eye roll and frustrated sigh.

I snapped this photo in an entirely different mood. My feelings were something like, "Oh...my sweet babies' feet were in those socks." All day, each time I passed, the same feeling swelled my heart. And I realized that if my guys were not in school, giving me time to miss them, I would probably take their presence for granted and feel irked at the "mess" of dirty socks not where they should be.

How grateful I am to experience the sweet longing that comes from absence, and I know that both of my kids being in school is a gift to me from a loving God.

Persuasion

2008-10-08T08:24:00.001-05:00

Stockton is incredibly inventive and has an immense interest in all things electronic. We have a "Good Idea" folder for him where he may store all of the detailed drawings of his inventions.

He has spent MANY hours over the last several months talking about and sketching an underground "building" which he wanted to ask Santa to bring him for Christmas. The building would be under our back yard going 11 stories down and spreading out way beyond our property lines with features like a church-style stage and cultural hall.

Mike and I have wanted to encourage his creativity, but as the time for the drafting of the annual letter to Santa has come again, I've had to say that Santa will only bring what is best for us. He insisted that his wish would be a benefit to the whole family and was not at all selfish. He even wrote a letter to Santa saying that he knows that Christmas is really about giving and not receiving and that is why he wants the building. I had to tell him that Santa knows our property taxes would increase to an amount Dad and I can not afford, so Santa probably wouldn't be bringing him the building.

I've wanted to steer Stockton toward a karaoke machine at Costco. He also has elaborate drawings for the kind of DJ system he wants. I have told him that when he has his own house, he can have all the speakers he wants and a key-locking mechanism on the controls and whatever else he imagines, but that I don't want 40 gazillion speakers throughout my house, etc. After learning that the Costco item I have suggested is around $150, Stockton is going to ask Santa for the elves to make a karoke machine in a box that looks like the one from Costco. His intention is to try it out and then return it to the store if he doesn't like it.

He said, "It's not really dishonest, because they can sell it to someone else."

Going Courting...

2008-10-08T07:56:00.000-05:00

Monday, I was surfing the web to find out what is the world's best chocolate. I discovered a small brother-sister operation in Tuscany that fits the bill. After reading reviews and other articles, I desperately wanted to hop a plane and sample some for myself. That being out of the question, for now, I found that there are two places to get the chocolate here in San Antonio: Neiman Marcus on La Cantera and Bootleggers Fine Wine and Spirits down on West Ave. I called both places and was so excited to learn of the offered variety at each location. I called Mike to tell him that I thought I knew what I'd like Santa to bring me in my stocking this year. Waiting for Christmas seemed prudent since a $22 bar of chocolate can't really find a place in the regular budget.

I was in absolute heaven when Mike came home that night with two varieties for me to sample, the Nine and the Porcelana...

The chocolate is brittle when breaking a piece off to taste, but it melts into a velvet river of layered nuances on the tongue. Ethereal floral, woody, earthy and even fruity hints tease the senses and blend to satisfy the deepest and most ardent chocolate yearnings.

The contentment remains even a full day after the supply is depleted... Christmas can't come soon enough! And then Valentine's day is only a few months after that... I'm giddy with anticipation!

(In case you didn't get the connection, the title of this post is a reference to my favorite musical, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.")

Octobers Past

2008-09-27T11:45:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd better post something since it's been so long. These are from a few years ago in October. I think October might be my favorite month: cool days after a LONG hot summer; hint of upcoming holidays stir memories of happy family time; giant cleansing rain drops; cooking comfort foods and baking begin again.

Mother Power

2008-09-09T09:48:00.000-05:00

There's little in life as soothing to the wounded heart as Mom's loving caress. The same bosom that once provided sustenance for body continues always to nourish soul. Mother's arms wrap lovingly around her own in a fierce protective embrace, and the tear streaked face is smooshed into that comforting pillow of flesh.

The power of God given to man is called priesthood, and the power of God given to woman is known to us only as Mother. Side by side, man and woman are intended to walk as vessels of God's power, pouring out His love to His children.

"How great, how glorious, how COMPLETE...."

Week's End

2008-08-29T15:15:00.000-05:00

This is Caleb coming off the bus on Monday, and the other two are Friday. LONG, HARD week!!!

Season's End

2008-08-26T19:58:00.000-05:00

I don't know if I was prepared for my pre-schooler years to come to an end so soon... My babies are in school now; yay? I know they have many needs for growth that are satisfied by going to school, but it sure is a long time away from home each day!

Kung-Fu Dad

2008-08-26T19:43:00.000-05:00

The boys pile all of the blankets and pillows they can gather on top of Dad and "Kung Fu" him. It's a riot, but somehow Dad still managed to get hurt the last time... Maybe it's time for new pillows.

Big Day

2008-08-18T13:20:00.000-05:00

My baby brother, Andrew, was married in Boulder, Wyoming on August 9th at the home of his parents-in-law. I couldn't help sobbing happy tears.

From left to right in this photo are Andy, Adam, Phil, and the best man, Jeff, who is Echo's, husband. (Echo is the oldest sibling in my family of 7 children; I'm second followed by Misty, Brandy, Phillip, Adam, and Andrew.)

I thought this horsefly on Andrew's leg was going to get some last minute bachelor blood before being shooed away.

The bride, Erika, was taken by carriage to the other side of the river and escorted by her father across the bridge to meet her groom.

The bridal shoes could not make it over the bridge, so the groom placed them on her feet just after her crossing.

The wedding party was driven off in a horse drawn carriage to the reception.

Stockton Shots

2008-08-18T13:10:00.000-05:00

All of these photos were taken by Stockton on his camera. I think he might have a gift for photography.

Tess is the FATTEST dalmation you will ever see. These photos of her are actually very flattering and hide a considerable amount of her bulk.

Cousins

2008-08-18T13:00:00.000-05:00

Stockton and Caleb loved spending time with cousins they rarely see. There were four-wheeler rides, hide and seek in the tall hay, running through the sprinkler, PacMan, movies, and, of course, the trampoline.

Jane had to pose once she realized I was snapping photos.

This is a picture Stockton took of his cousins making a smiley face with their bodies on the trampoline.

23 Hours Away

2008-08-18T12:37:00.001-05:00

Stockton and I picked Caleb up from his last karate lesson on Thursday, July 31st and headed off for parts north. We drove straight through, and what was supposed to be a 21 hour drive turned into 23. Stockton wanted to just stay there and never come home, so he could avoid the long travel. We stayed in my mom's camper, which is actually very nice.

This is part of the view from my mom's front yard (to the south and west). No photo can do it justice; it is SOOO peaceful and beautiful!

Kiai!

2008-08-18T12:13:00.001-05:00

Caleb started out loving karate lessons this summer, but he grew less fond of them as each sparring session inevitably brought a below-the-belt whack.

Corner of My Mind

2008-07-22T11:42:00.000-05:00

I stole this idea from Becca...

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory (or more) that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing (but you don't have to) and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Swim Lessons 2008

2008-07-17T08:05:00.000-05:00

Miss Joni is the absolute best! We felt so fortunate to have her this year, and it was AMAZING how much progress the boys made after only 10 lessons!

Pity Pot

2008-07-06T11:24:00.000-05:00

I WAY over-did it late last week and have been back in bed since Friday afternoon. I really wanted to go to church, so with this purpose in mind, I chose to forego all Independence Day celebration and Saturday fun.

I guess the upside is that I've read a lot of church magazine articles and learned a lot of things from t.v. documentaries I never knew. Take hippos for instance. Who knew their dung was the foundation of an entire ecosystem? Another real revelation was the role of the moon in the earth's evolution of life. Did you know the moon is traveling away from the earth about an inch and a half each year, and without the tidal effects of the moon, life on earth would cease? And I had no idea that the t.v. western mini-series "Lonesome Dove" had such captivating characters. I've always liked Robert Duval, but now I'd rank him among my top ten favorite actors of all time.

This morning I woke up feeling so much better, but after doing very little, it was clear to me that I needed more rest. I argued with myself for a while about the dangers to my recovery of church attendance, but my rational side finally won, leaving me a home-bound whining blogger instead of a spiritually-nourished church-goer. If I promise to be good, can I please go out and play? Pleeeease?

Laugh 'Til It Hurts

2008-07-03T07:38:00.000-05:00

Laughing until it hurts has new meaning for me since the surgery. As laying in bed leaves me little to do besides t.v., Tuesday night I watched ABC's "Wipeout." I couldn't help laughing as the contestants bounced like pinballs off the Big Balls obstacle.

BIG mistake for me! Wednesday, I was SO sore! My recovery had a serious setback that left me in bed all day. Amazingly, I feel dramatically better today, even getting a few loads of laundry done... and it's not even 8 a.m. yet!

The Death of My Gallbladder

2008-06-28T08:17:00.001-05:00

!!!!WARNING!!!!! Gruesome photos below!!!!!

Recovery from surgery is better than I expected, as I am not filled with painful air that will take days to dissipate. Recovery is also MUCH worse than I expected. I was so so SOOO sore yesterday. I did manage to answer my mobile phone once for my sister's call, but all I could say was HURT! BAD! Now all I have to say is how grateful I am for precription pain meds!

After sleeping on and off all day and night, I do feel so much better.

Our friends have been wonderful to us! Besides all of the kind phone calls and offers of help, Jennifer C. watched the boys for us so Mike could come to the hospital, Dan and Nicole brought a BEAUTIFUL flower arrangement, Lisa and Steve brought dinner for Mike and the boys, and Jennifer Y. brought some red jello for me, which is all I've been able to ingest. Thank you so much!!!

The doctor was very gracious to agree to snap some photos for me. I was especially pleased that he opened up the gallbladder for the stones to be visible; I thought an interior view would have to wait until the pathologist did the exam at some future time when my camera would not be available. Bonus!

Those are some big, ugly stones, even if I do say so myself!

Pending Surgery

2008-06-19T20:38:00.001-05:00

Thank you so much for your concern about my gallstones!! I really haven't been too badly off. With relatively little discomfort, I was able to fully enjoy our family vacation in southern California.

I saw the general surgeon yesterday who recommended (surprise) surgery. He said that whenever there are gallstones present, the lining of the gallbladder is diseased. He said that with no really effective drugs to break up the stones, surgery is the best treatment, or I can choose to do nothing and just continue life like it is now. To me, surgery sounds better than the alternative. I'm still waiting on the scheduler to get back to me with a day and time, but it should be sometime soon.

The surgery is laprascopic, with four small incisions. No food or drink after midnight the night before, and I have to show up an hour before the surgery, spend an hour in the o.r. and 1-2 hours in the recovery room before being discharged. As an added bonus, one of the incisions will be in my belly button, so they will repair my umbilical hernia while they are in there. Nice!

So-Cal

2008-06-17T08:54:00.000-05:00

Thursday, June 5, the first day of our 2008 family vacation.

We left home at 5 a.m. to head to Austin for an early flight.

Here the boys are hangin' out by the window waiting to board the plane... It would be the first flight Caleb would remember (I don't know if flying as a three month fetus counts).

On the plane...

Daddy driving, and Caleb & Stockton being silly in the rented mini-van on the way to the beach.

Friday, June 6, 2008 at Disneyland

We decided to leave at the end of a full day, and it just so happened that the parade was beginning as we made our way to the exit. Though people had already found their places, there was a perfect spot for us behind this flower bed whose fragrance was so pleasant! I know it's corny and cliche, but our first day at Disneyland really was MAGICAL!!!

Caleb was SOOO tired by the end of our first day; this is how he sat to rest on the bench...

Saturday, June 7, 2008 at LegoLand

Mini-World is AMAZING!!! I didn't get any pictures of Mini-Vegas, but it was my favorite. Be sure to plan at least two days for Legoland; I don't think three would be too many...

Most of the rides at Legoland are geared toward younger riders, but there were a few I think would thrill even the most daring! (We stuck to the snoozers, whew!)

Monday, June 9, 2008 at LegoLand

Stockton was signed up for a class where he was able to program his robot to do various tasks. Though the instructions from the teacher were quite cryptic to some of our group, Stockton's robot successfully completed each of the challenges, as programmed by Stockton.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at Disneyland

We thought this little concession stand was HI-larious. We passed on the offered fare, but still felt the photo op couldn't be missed.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at California Adventure

After a harrowing ride on the Tower of Terror (TERROR IS AN UNDERSTATMENT!!!), Stockton and Caleb got Pluto's autograph and a few photos.

Mike was able to ride every ride that the rest of our group rode this day, so California Adventure is his new favorite.

The Pixar parade was a lot of fun! Besides seeing some famous characters, we got squirted with water and showered with bubbles.

Here Caleb is doing a little rock climbing before we headed for our last ride, Soaring Over California, which was a wonderful way to end our last day at the amusement parks.

Thursday, June 12, 2008 on the way home.

After checking out of the hotel, I was able to attend a session at the Newport Beach temple before catching our late afternoon flight. Mike and the boys got some lunch, walked around the temple, and watched some Scooby Doo on the DVD player in the rented van while they waited.

Once again, a window view was a MUST for Caleb while we waited to board the plane. Stockton was also examining the equipment visible from the window. He asked about the structural integrity of the jetway among other questions better suited for someone with more engineering knowledge than Mike or I possess.

It's not a tumah...

2008-06-04T08:58:00.000-05:00

But it is a stone, actually two of them. The gallstone in this ultrasound image is similar to what mine looked like at yesterday's exam, except that there were two stones.

I've researched treatment, and found that my doctor is probably correct in recommending surgery. Since I leave for Disneyland tomorrow, I asked if it could wait until I return in a little over a week. What could he say? So, I'm off to California with instructions to get to the nearest E.R. if I have "symptoms".

Stay tuned for exciting updates and possibly grotesque images of the grisly remains of internal organs and/or their contents.

Eight Really Is Great

2008-06-02T09:48:00.001-05:00

Besides a smashing fun birthday party, many great milestones are taking place for Stockton now that he is eight, like Cub Scouts...

And baptism...
Stockton was baptized on May 17, 2008 by his father who has priesthood authority. Mike also bestowed the Gift of the Holy Ghost to Stockton and confirmed him a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Here are the lyrics to the opening song at the baptismal service. It is titled "Baptism" and is from the Children's Songbook. (Here's a link if you want to listen and/or sing along: http://www.lds.org/churchmusic/detailmusicPlayer/index.html?searchlanguage=1&searchcollection=2&searchseqstart=100&searchsubseqstart=%20&searchseqend=100&searchsubseqend=ZZZ .)

Jesus came to John the Baptist,
In Judea long ago,
And was baptized by immersion
In the River Jordan's flow.

“To fulfill the law,” said Jesus,
When the Baptist questioned why,
“And to enter with my Father
In the kingdom up on high.”

Now we know that we must also
Witness faith in Jesus’ word,
Be baptized to show obedience,
As was Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Every time I sing it, I am especially moved by the second verse. I am really humbled that He who was sinless would seek baptism and am reminded of a Book of Mormon verse from 2nd Nephi, "And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!"

A Chocolate A Day...

2008-05-17T19:53:00.000-05:00

I brought some cookies and chocolates home from a church leadership training meeting tonight. I was happy to share the cookies, but when it comes to chocolate, I can be downright stingy.

When cookie fervor passed and too much attention was being paid to my candies, I let the boys know that I would be saving the chocolate for myself for future cravings. This led to a discussion about the power of chocolate in a woman's life. I explained that when women eat chocolate, there is a chemical released in the brain that gives a sense of well-being.

Stockton suggested that from now on if I was in a bad mood, he would give me chocolate. I agreed that my mood would likely be elevated by such a gift. He then said, "A chocolate a day keeps the Mean Mom away."

Pool Play

2008-05-14T08:21:00.000-05:00

Last week for Family Home Evening, we went over to the pool. The water was still too cold for me, but I enjoyed the pool-side visiting with other mom's and watching my guys have a good time. Stockton was a total water hound, and except for getting out to jump in from the side, he stayed in the pool the whole two hours we were there. Caleb was a little less cold tolerant. I enjoyed hugging his shivering towel wrapped body every now and then to warm him up before he went back for more water fun.

The boys LOVE Daddy piggy-back rides!

This is as far in as Caleb goes at the deep-end, but he still manages to have a splashing good time!

Jumping in from the side is one of Stockton's favorites...as long as Dad is there to catch him.

Fly Free

2008-05-08T12:33:00.000-05:00

I was thinking about going to back to bed this morning after getting Stockton off to school but decided against it. I was really glad of my choice when a little while later I heard rustling sounds that I thought were made by Caleb getting up earlier than expected. When the unidentifiable tinkling and rustling continued and when Caleb didn't come to get his morning hugs, I went to investigate. I disovered that he was still in bed, but we had an uninvited visitor. A little bird was flying around the ceiling and landing on the window valance and on the hanging light in the front entry way. I was able to snap a few photos before the bird flew out of one of the doors I had opened. I hope you can discern the bird in this photo; it was the best shot I was able to get with all the flitting and flying about. I think you can see an enlarged version by clicking on the photo.

Party Time!

2008-05-05T08:04:00.000-05:00

Here are some pics from Stockton's birthday party at Pump It Up.

Everyone seemed to have a good time, inspite of a few incidents requiring bandaids. Stockton dragged me up the giant slide and into the obstacle course. I sat at the top of the slide a little uncertain and let several other children go before me, so I could see how it was done. When I finally got up the nerve to go, I went flying down at about 70 miles per hour, leaving a piece of elbow skin behind. I flew way over the end of the slide, where all the kids stop, and landed on the mat at the foot of the slide. Luckily there were no serious injuries or collisions.
Then in the obstacle course, I made it over the first hill, but I found myself in a valley, unable to go back out. I HAD to go forward, so with GREAT difficulty, I heaved myself over the next hill which was titled, "Squeeze," because of the very narrow passage. Stockton was annoyed at having to wait for me, and irritated at my whining pleas of "Stockton, help me!" Huffing and puffing I crawled through the tunnel and was mortified to see a 20 foot wall I had to climb. Stockton kept saying, "Maybe you should only do the slide from now on, Mom." I finally made it up the wall and down the final slide. WHEW! I was out, and that was the end of my inflatable adventures for the evening.

Here Stockton is on the throne in the party room awaiting gifts.

This is a failed attempt to get a group photo prior to adjourning to the party room for pizza, cake, ice cream and presents.

Overall, I'd say it was a smash hit!!

Incognito

2008-05-04T17:59:00.001-05:00

So, Mike is unhappy with our family name as part of the blog title. He said, "People could find us. I don't like it...I don't like it at all." Then he suggested I name the blog, "Non-personally Identifiable Blog." Since that is less than welcoming, I asked him to think of something else... I guess "Trooly Blogworthy" will do....

As Promised

2008-05-01T11:24:00.000-05:00

Awww! Aren't they so adorable!!?!

Eight Fives and One Ten

2008-04-29T14:22:00.000-05:00

Tagged by Becca!

10 years ago I had been married for just over a year and living in the Habitat East apartments on 4th South and 10th East in SLC. I had recently miscarried my first pregnancy at 12 weeks. Mike and I worked at Parking Services while attending the University of Utah. We had just bought our first new car together on our one-year wedding anniversary.

5 years ago we lived in Phoenix, AZ and were building our first home in Gilbert. Our second son, Caleb, was 2 months old. I spent a lot of time watching cable t.v. that was included with rent while "hanging out" breastfeeding all day! I especially loved "A Baby Story" and "Trading Spaces", not to mention "Oprah" and "Dr. Phil".

5 months ago I was revelling in the last few days of sleeping-in over Christmas vacation.

5 things on my to do list today: 1. Contact the printer about referral cards for the Church Open House scheduled for Saturday. 2. Work on getting neighborhood directory ready. 3. Finalize plans for 8-year-old birthday party on Friday. 4. Attend HOA Board of Directors meeting. 5. Conquer stomach bug contracted from loving husband.

5 snacks I enjoy: 1. COOKIES!!!!! chewy, crunchy, peanut butter, chocolate chip, oatmeal, snickerdoodle, sandwich, Girl Scout, YOU NAME IT! 2. peanut M&M's 3. Red Vines and cherry Nibs 4. fresh fruit and vegetables if somebody else does the prep work 5. high quality CHOCOLATE!!!!!! preferably dark.

5 things I would do if I were instantly a billionaire: 1. make Church donations and set up trust funds for loved ones. 2. Build my mom a house and trick out her landscaping. 3. Run for President just because I'm old enough now (just kidding-I really am old enough, but I don't wanna be President). 3. Start my own clothing, shoe and fragrance line and call it "Trooly Fitting". 4. Build roads, wells, and schools in suffering lands. 5. Invent ultra super capacity battery to store energy from renewable resources like solar, wind, and water, and freely share the technology.

5 of my bad habits: 1. Interrupting people. Mike's a slow talker, so I've developed the habit of finishing his sentences or just talking over him...I've probably done it to you too, sorry... 2. Work avoidance/procrastination. 3. Eating to feel better emotionally. 4. I'm horrible at tidying! 5. I don't necessarily think this is a bad habit, but it's not the best use of my time: I watch a lot of missed/old t.v. shows online (like the original "Star Trek").

5 places I have lived: Utah; Wyoming; Chicago (and many surrounding suburbs); near Seattle; Arizona; and San Antonio. (Seattle's climate is my favorite, but I've been VERY happy here with my home, neighborhood, church, and friends.)

5 things people may not know about me: (Tough one; I'm pretty open.) 1. I had a completely natural childbirth with Stockton (ouch!). 2. My parachute didn't open when I went skydiving--had to use the back-up chute. 3. My abnormally wide feet and short, squat stature make me extremely sure-footed when hiking. 4. I have pretty bad vertigo, so that's why you'll see me picking things up with my toes to avoid bending over. 5. My first boyfriend was from Kuwait.

I tag Brandy, Nicole, Cathy, Suzie, and Kristin. If you don't have a blog yet, here's a perfect way to get started!

Do you know the Muffin Man?

2008-04-26T22:43:00.000-05:00

Not every Sunday, but many Sundays, Mike and the boys make muffins and scrambled eggs. It's something they really enjoy doing together. I never let my sons lick the muffin batter spoon because of my salmonella fear, so Dad is super cool to the boys because he's not so uptight (I just have to be sure I'm in the other room during all the raw egg licking).

Caleb and Stockton LOVE to wear an apron in the kitchen. In these photos Stockton is wearing my Pampered Chef apron, and Caleb is wearing his Home Depot Kids' Workshop apron. They did receive their own Chef's hats and aprons from their Uncle Andrew for Christmas, and I'll add pics in some future post.

Too Cool

2008-04-25T00:30:00.000-05:00

These photos are all taken on the same day. I was scrambling to get good photos of the boys for a calendar Christmas gift for the grandparents. It was late autumn, and I realized I had taken very few pics all year. Poor Caleb... he was FREEZING when I told him to take off his jacket and sweater for a "summer" photo. Ahhh well... what is a procrastinator to do?

Sylvia

2008-04-25T00:17:00.000-05:00

This is a photo of the only family "pet" we've had since living in San Antonio. We named her Sylvia. I was really pleased that she would choose our deck to build her web on late last summer. She is an argiope aurantia (argiope means silver face).

From the research I did, I learned that she would eat her web each night and work hard all night to build a new one. She sat at the middle of the web all day waiting for a meal. Each morning, I would go out to see if she was still there and felt really grateful when she was.

It was pretty sad one day when her web was gone and she was hiding out under the bench on the deck. I figured her life cycle was coming to a close and felt sad to say goodbye. At least we have the memories.

Chapter 1

2008-04-24T22:27:00.000-05:00

I'm writing a book... This is the rough draft of chapter one...

************************************************

She reluctantly reached into the bucket of sudsy water and angrily sloshed the sponge onto the right front fender of Mark Jacobson’s 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass.

“Don’t take it all out on this one, Bel. There’ll be plenty more cars for you to get yer revenge on before the day’s over,” Danny said then danced out of the way of the sponge flung in his direction.

Mark laughed as he deftly caught the missile and tossed it back into the bucket. “I dunno, yer sister has a point, Danny,” he said good naturedly. “How would you like to have been bought as a slave by your big ugly brother?”

“No one told her she had ta run fer Sophomore Class President,” Danny retorted with a grin. “And who are YOU callin’ ugly!?”

“I wanted to spend Homecoming Week with MY classmates, Danny, not yours, and certainly not with you!”

“I know, I know,” he said in a faux soothing tone, “but I couldn’t let that rat, Roger, win the bid, now could I?”

“You’re such a caveman!! What did you think Roger would get me to do?” Mabel was standing with her fists on her hips glaring at Danny, daring him with her eyes to say what was on the tip of his tongue.

It was an old argument by now. They’d been in disagreement about Roger Ferris since the Homecoming dance her freshman year. Danny was overly suspicious of Roger, and Mabel was overly naïve. Roger’s intentions were not entirely sleazy as Danny had suspected, but he definitely had some below the belt motives, like most teenage boys. So when the Student Council Slave Auction fundraiser began in the high school cafeteria, Danny’s gut began to churn when it seemed Roger would bid the highest for his sister. He knew that out-bidding Roger would mean postponing the purchase of the stereo system he’d been saving for, but at the time, Danny cared more about keeping his sister out of the slimy grasp of that dirty little clod kicker.

Satisfied to have her safely away from Roger, he didn’t feel the need to push it any further. Letting his unuttered thought go, Danny’s posture relaxed and he gently put his large open hand over Mabel’s face scrunching the front of her hair down in the process.

“Hey, not the hair!” Mabel said leaning back out of his reach. She examined her tall poof of bangs in the side mirror of the car, and felt reassured that her Stiff Stuff hairspray was still doing its job.

Danny said in mock anger, “I didn’t hand over my hard-earned money for you to stand gawkin’ at yerself in the mirror all day; get back to work, slave!”
In response, she made eye contact and gave a withering crusty look like only a little sister can.

Nothing more was said about Roger as the three continued washing Mark’s car in the school parking lot. They had just finished drying the Cutlass when their first paying customer pulled in behind the cardboard fundraiser sign Mark had stapled to a wooden stake and planted in the grass so it would be visible to Main Street traffic.

Late September in southwestern Wyoming was usually too cold for the shorts and t-shirts these kids were wearing, but they were comfortable enough under the Indian summer sun, even in the ever-present wind. Danny knew that when the sun went down, the temperature would plummet. He looked at Mabel in her black spandex shorts and damp neon-pink t-shirt, and he felt an urgency to get the last few cars washed and on their way before dusk. He didn’t need to hear a lecture from his parents if he showed up at home with Bel, wet and shivering.

Mark had also noticed Mabel’s damp t-shirt and the faint outline of her maturing body beneath it. He had to keep averting his gaze any time she came into his line of sight. It was the first time he had ever noticed that she was more than just his best friend’s kid sister. He couldn’t keep his stomach from doing somersaults that sent shocking sensations all the way down to his toes. He kept his eyes on the ground as much as he could, but this didn’t prevent her bare shapely legs from coming into view. He stifled the need to touch her skin, the urge to reach out and run his hand down her calf. This uninvited physical attraction made him feel ashamed, as if he were betraying Danny’s trust. Mark wrestled with these thoughts while they washed each car in line and didn’t notice how dark and cold it had become by the time the final car drove away.

“Hey buddy, could you take Bel home for me? I need to get the hose back to the maintenance shed and this money turned in at the office.” Danny dreaded the tongue-lashing he was sure would be waiting at home if he showed up with his soggy sister. He thought maybe his parents would be over it by the time he got home if he lolly-gagged with the last little bit that had to be done at the school. Danny’s request was like a slap to the back of Mark’s head, pulling him away from his internal struggle.

“Sure thing,” he said, unable to come up with any believable excuse, and for the first time in all the years he’d known her, Mark Jacobson was nervous about being alone with Mabel Fisher.

She plopped down on the seat of the car with an exhausted sigh and shut the door. Mark dug his keys out of the pocket of his button-fly Levi’s 501 cut-offs. He started the 450 Rocket engine and began the familiar trek to Danny’s house. Mark was afraid the silence would expose him, so he tried to think of something to say that wouldn’t sound forced or unnatural. Nothing came to mind. Then he noticed the goose bumps on Mabel’s arms and legs. “How ‘bout some heat?” he asked, and then added, “You look cold.” He slid the lever over to high, not waiting for her to answer.

“Thanks,” she said, and then as the warmth began to penetrate her chilled flesh, she said, “Mmmm, that feels good. I didn’t realize how cold I was.”

When Mark heard in her tone the same familiarity as usual, he was released from his former reluctance to be alone with her. Now, in defiance of his earlier guilt and as their destination drew closer, Mark searched for an excuse to extend their time together.

“I was gonna stop at the Sev’ on my way home for some hot cocoa, why don’t you come too,” he said, trying to sound casual.

“Oh, yum. That sounds awesome,” she said with adolescent exuberance. As she shifted in her seat, Mabel’s dirt-spattered knees rubbed together, reminding her of how much she wanted to bathe. In an apologetic tone she implored, “But can I take a rain-check? I really need a shower; I’m totally gross to the max!”

“Yeah, I guess I could use one too; maybe next time,” he said hiding his disappointment with a smile.

The Best Laid Plans

2008-04-24T21:26:00.000-05:00

So, every year for my birthday, I like to get a pedicure. I've only actually done it once-4 years ago, but I think about doing it every year. And I make a special effort to grow my toenails out the month before my birthday, but I always end up breaking a toenail right before the pedicure.

So this was going to be my year for a home pedicure since we are trying spend every spare cent on food storage. Exactly one week before my birthday, I bought a pedicure kit from my dear friend and MaryKay lady, Jackie.

I drove home from her house and parked in the garage, opened the back hatch on the van and walked into the house to make room for the load of food storage I had just canned at the cannery. I didn't even make it back out to the van before, yep you guessed it, I stubbed my big fat toe and broke the nail!

That was over a week ago, and I waited to trim the nail until I could get a photo for a blog entry. Maybe by blogging about it , the curse will be broken and my toenails will be beautifully painted next year on my birthday!

P.S. That big red and purple splotch of veins is not a bruise. It's my beloved birthmark! It's comforting to know that if the mob whacks me and tries to hide my identity by chopping off my head and hands, I can still be recognized by my feet!