Parenting Vacation!

Seth is probably going to Justin's next week for a visit, and I, for one, am ready for a vacation from parenting! Although a kid in the house is cheering, for some reason he doesn't want to watch shows like Meet Me in St. Louis or Little Women with me. Neither does he want to blog together, decorate, or watch ANTM. He doesn't do craft projects. He doesn't swoon over Edward or even Bella! Not interested in garage sales, shabby chic furniture, or Craig's List. He doesn't even want to visit our library, which is only a few blocks away.

He does like to fish, but, alas, no fishing holes within walking distance, at least not pushing a wheelchair.

I've watched some Cold Steel videos with him, watched weapons demonstrations on youtube, seen his self-defense techniques, and tried out picking locks and holding fire balls in my hand. I've observed as he lifts weights and works out, and I've felt his giant biceps. I've seen him beat the bosses on numerous video games, and I even tried learning to use the X-Box (it made me seasick, but I did learn to play Halo for pc on the Legendary setting).

All fascinating!

However...I'm still really ready for my parenting vacation (please, oh please, oh please!). :)

Our Weekend

Hi! I've been enjoying your posts immensely, and want to thank all of you for when you do post! I'm up still, in the middle of the night, because my tank is out of oxygen (for some reason they didn't come or call, and I forgot to call them myself, to see where my refill was), so I really don't get any rest when I sleep. I'll try it in a little while, though. In the meantime, I thought I'd update you on what we've been doing. First, I got called as a Primary Assistant a couple of weeks ago, and it's so fun! I get to go to Primary and attend their mtgs., too. And they have me make little things for them and assist here and there. Right up my alley! The Primary presidency and the others are so fun to work with! It makes me feel like a part of the ward. :) Secondly, we went and saw Miyasaki's movie, "Ponyo," at the cheap movie theater. I loved it! If you're a Miyasaki fan, you will, too. Here's my little Sunday confession: I take Lifesavers or something to church with me and we sneak-eat them during church. It makes me feel secure to have my own little stash! And then I save any wrapped candy they give us in our classes (you can really get a good haul in Primary!), and eat it later, at home. Hehehe. Aren't I wicked? I just take fast-acting insulin for sweet things. You estimate the carbs and it's fine, even for diabetics. What a change from the old days! Then, today after church Mark was cooking and also working in the office/Phillip's bedroom, and I was out on the couch reading "The Hunger Games," and I finished it! I can't wait to read the next one! It was so nice to sit in the family room, with the sun warming the leather on the couch. I love that you can see the sun until it sets from there. Sigh...I am just a sun and fire lover! It was so peaceful and pleasant. Mark came in there with me after a while, and we just relaxed. Ahhh. And tonight Mark made me a cup of hot chocolate. That was so relaxing too. I love this time of year. It was beautiful outside today. As far as I'm concerned, it can just stay like this all year! So, that's all the news from here right now. I hope your day was as good as mine! I love you!

Polyvore

I'm so glad to see Megan posting again, and to hear that Melinda is recovering from the swine flu. I hope that everyone gets through this all right, and that little Alex gets better soon!

The title of my post is referring to a site that is about the best thing since un-sliced bread!

It was so hard to make myself get off of there!

It's so hard to explain, but you can use elements that they provide (from everywhere!)

to make collages

of fashion sets, home interiors (for inspiration boards), exteriors, artwork, photograhy

or anything you can possible imagine

Just go to 'Explore' to see the possibilities!

When I was gathering elements for my own collages

It felt like I was dreaming!

And, for those who want to publish their collages to that site

you can do so

which is great, 'cause then the rest of us get to look at them!

When you look at someone else's collage, you are shown what elements they used

and you can save any elements for your own use, as well

When you save an element, you're also shown related elements

plus you're shown how it's been used in other people's collages.

You can save the ones you like in collections

on the site

Is this making any sense?

You'll just have to go there to see what I'm talking about

But I'm warning you - It's very addictive!

The Way

When I was young, I spent a lot of energy just trying to establish who I was

I wanted to be clean, responsible, good, pretty, intelligent, creative, all of that

I was always a tomboy

Very physical and athletic

My siblings and I used to come home from school field days with a ton of ribbons

Running, high jump, long jump We did them all

I was the fastest kid in 5th and 6th grade, even outrunning the boys

And I could do the most chin ups and sit ups

I loved all of that

As an adult I rode horses, ran long distances, and loved to backpack and hike

I worked hard and I was a good mother

I worked on making my home and my person attractive and positive

I gardened all day in the summers and I helped my husband with his work

I was an active person

And then there came a time when I had to let go of all that

I lost my legs and I wasn't a runner anymore

I became unable to use my dominant arm and I couldn't do my makeup or my hair

I couldn't clean my house

I developed a tremor and numbness and contractures in my hands

My eyesight became blurry My hearing became fuzzy

I had sleep apnea and a lung disorder and phantom limb pain

Diabetes and bypass surgery and osteoporosis and anemia and autonomic neuropathy biochemical depression and dissociation

Healing difficulties and sepsis and gastroparesis and unhealed fractures

I couldn't use prosthetics

I lost my teeth

I literally lost my teeth

And I finally learned that I am what I am each day

Happy or sad or well or sick or inept or diligent

Through my relationship with my Heavenly Father

That is what defines me and takes me from my efforts, whatever they are

To a place of peace and acceptance and joy

And that's the only thing that takes me there

I may be a slow learner, but I'm finding the way

xoxoxo

PS The same day I posted this, Haley posted this

What We Did Last Saturday!

Ten and One

Ten things that make me instantly happy:

1) Being around the grandkids 2) Going fishing or rock hunting 3) Listening to President Ucktdorf 4) Playing tricks or planning surprises 5) Being in the great outdoors 6) Getting mail or seeing new family blog posts 7) Drinking hot cocoa and looking at books 8) Riding on roller coasters 9) Autumn leaves 10) Seeing Mark :) One thing that makes me feel instantly peaceful: 1) Reading the scriptures while listening to peaceful music Sooo...What things make you feel instantly happy and peaceful? I want to hear about yours!! xoxoxo

Nothing Complicated Here...

I'm just postin'. Whatchu doin'? It's mostly cloudy here, with a few rays of sunshine from time to time. I ate some roasted red pepper and tomato soup this a.m. Yummee! It's the kind that comes in a carton. Those are the best soups! They have curry lentil and ginger carrot and all kinds. I love all those spices, right Tamathy? Remember how much fun we had buying curry and things at the store? And eating your curried vegetables? I plan on finishing some things up today, if I can get up the energy. I'm feeling like a party pooper because I'm tired this a.m. No particular reason, though. I thought of doing a mommy confessions post a la Megan, but I can't really think of anything to confess about right now. I'll think of some later, 'kay? So, have a good day! xoxoxo PS I talked to Megan and Melinda made it there okay! They are with Audrey and Anya, looking at some stores in Columbus, before they head back to Parkersburg. I heard Anya squawking in the background, "Bwock, bwock, bwock," because she'd lost her shoe. She sounded just like some kind of bird. It was so cute, and I wish I could hold her! Have fun, you peeps!

What Mark Sees in the Morning...Yikes!

I'm just trying to keep the light from bothering Mark

Unh hunh... Really. It was dark when I got up. Okay... And then Mark took this picture of me - Do I get a phone call?

Additional Pictures from Sheri's

Can you believe how big Marissa and Amy have become?

One of several family rooms

Notice this is the second kitchen?

Crazy!

Adventures in Being Human

Above are some pictures of Tristan eating a Halloween cookie

Plus, the Campbell kitchen and just a few of their Halloween decorations

Btw, I loooove Melinda and Danny's home! It's just right, and the decor is beautiful!

This is Mark's stepsister Sheri and family's home in SLC

Notice that part way off in the distance?

That's still their house!

Below are a few of the pictures taken around their home

They don't even begin to cover it.

See the twin big screen tvs?!

They have these teeny tiny porcelein commodes for their three kids

Isn't it cute?

Their gymnasium

Some girls were having a game practice while the dinner was going on,

and

you wouldn't even know it

They have 3 grand pianos!

One for each kid?

The Usual Suspects

And Grandma Jeanie

Sorry this is so washed out

I was trying to remove the shadows

so you could see all of Scott and Debbie's family

See Grandpa hiding from the camera?

We see you, Grandpa!

And, finally, the sunset view from the house

------------------

Yes, I am. I admit it. I am very human. I even lost my dentures for eternity, apparently. Just can't remember what happened. I skated over any difficulties, though, by telling the whole Relief Society about losing them, when being forgetful came up in a discussion. Did the same at Book Club. At least now people will know why my mouth looks so funny.

It's very freeing.

Meanwhile, I'm praying a lot and focusing on what I can do about my looks, my health, my service to others, and the love and gratitude I show to Heavenly Father.

Just when I think I don't feel as I want to, Heavenly Father helps me out.

He is the source of all blessings.

The best Autumn days fairly burst with happiness. The sky is a fullsome blue, yellowed leaves let go their anchors and sail on unseen waterspouts, and the sun is gracious and open.

Don't you cherish those days? Don't they invite celebration?

I always long for my family.

Speaking of family,

we're planning a family weiner roast/Halloween get-together on the Friday before Halloween (Oct. 30th). Y'all come, and tell yer families!

Yesterday was Phillip's 19th birthday. Happy birthday, Phillip! As you probably know, he's in the military, at Ft. Leonardwood right now. He has some good friends there, and they went into Springfield and looked around, watched a movie, and then went home and played Halo. Sounds fun! Halo is a great game, imho. And you're shooting alien monsters who are killing all the humans, so it's a bit like hunting. It doesn't seem violent per se - although I did try to vaporize Mark with the remote control one time, after playing Halo. :)

I've been working on projects, went to Book Club at Mel's, looked at Sierra crafts Saturday. They had some chipboard holiday decorations that would make a wonderful Christman tableau. I want to make shadow box scenes. I can't get that out of my mind.

Do you ever do that, where you don't buy something and then you can't quit thinking about it?

A week ago Saturday we had conference breakfast with Dallin, Haley, and Hunter. Hunter loved Doc's blueberry muffins! (jk) Then we went fishing! It was sooo much fun, even though we had nary a nibble. Haley tells about it on her blog. I just want to add that Dallin helped us very kindly, and I feel like I got to know him better. Yay for Dallin!

Friday night Mark and Seth drove down to SLC, where Mark's stepsister, Sheri, was giving a dinner for Sid and Jeannie and the family, at their huge home overlooking the Salt Lake Valley. I put some pictures of it up above, along with some shots at Melinda's house on Book Club night. Thanks, Melinda, for letting me hold my book selection night at your house! The decorates were so very pretty! (see pictures for some of them, but they don't do them justice)

Mark and Seth said they enjoyed the trip to Sheri's and that Grandpa gave them a tour of Sheri's house, which even has its own gymnasium, three kitchens, two home theater rooms, a workout room, a rec room, a tennis court. and a bazillion bathrooms. I'm sure Sheri and family must get tired of people exclaiming over their house size, but you can't really stop yourself, it's so over-the-top humongous. Thank you to Sheri and family for hosting Seth and Mark

at that nice dinner and visit!

Saturday evening, after looking at Sierra's, Mark and I went on a date; it seemed so long since we'd gone somewhere by ourselves, and we just relaxed and had fun together.

On Sunday Seth had to work (again!) - he told us last night that he might become the shift manager or another, new position. That's great for him, but he's still going to try to get some Sundays off. I hope he can get work where it's not on Sundays at all!

Mark and I went ahead and attended church. Afterwards I fell asleep, and when I woke up, I didn't know if it was day or night - with dark around 7 pm, it was hard to tell!

And that's it! Now, Mark is off to work and I'm doing this and Seth is still asleep.

Have a good day, and I'll try to, too!

xoxoxo

PS This darned computer, or blogger, the site, messes up my posts so much

It's amazing I ever get anything posted

Every time I add an edit or a picture, it won't let me arrange them

Plus it puts mile-long spaces in my post

Yikes!

Opposition: A Positive Sign

I just feel impressed to write about this topic today, especially since most, if not all, of you are probably on an after-conference spiritual high, and making new efforts to improve your lives in various ways. Keep on with those plans, no matter what, and let Heavenly Father deal with any opposition that you encounter, because it is a true principle that when we try to be obedient opposition increases, but if we persist in trying, every effort will be blessed. Those blessings may come in unexpected ways that you can't anticipate, maybe later on down the road, but they will come, and your example of faithful effort in the midst of trials will be that much more powerful. Think of the pioneers - we gain so much from their examples of obedience, and their posterity and all who know their stories gain tremendous strength and blessings from them. Often, when we are striving to live our daily lives as best we can, there will be distractions and seeming threats hanging over our heads. Do not let those things sway you from your course. Most of those threats will come to nothing. Really. If they do materialize, they will be turned toward good in some way. Trust Heavenly Father - He can do all kinds of things. :) If you study the scriptures and history, particularly church history, you will see this pattern in the lives of most everyone. You will also see the good that was accomplished despite Satan's best efforts. And just think how he would be getting so desperate in these latter days, right before he is bound for a thousand years! Remember, you are accomplishing so much more than you are aware of. Maybe you should really contemplate the effect one person, or one couple or family, can make in the world, and record it in your journal, or even put it on a piece of posterboard, where you'll see it often. You could do the same about someone you know and admire. That might help you to have some perspective, as you note how their true effectiveness is accomplished through small, daily efforts. I'm going to use Stephanie Nielson (of the NieNie Dialogues) as an example. She's going to be on Oprah Winfrey's show tomorrow, speaking as a survivor of a terrible plane accident that also burned her husband and killed their friend. That is her overt story. NieNie has touched many, many lives, including my own. She's helped me be myself, to be more creative and open, and to love life more fully. But the qualities that have influenced all of us existed independently of her accident, before it ever happened. In fact, one of the most memorable, for me, things she has done involved helping her children write little messages of love and encouragement on colored strips of paper, which they then dropped on a busy sidewalk. Stephanie blogged about the experience and of their delight when a man picked up one of their little strips, read it, and smiled. Such a small thing, yet so powerful. I think of George Bailey, in "It's a Wonderful Life." He had no idea how many lives he had touched with his life, and how his whole town would be changed for the worse if he had not existed. Please remember that your efforts are so incredibly important, and that by small means much good is accomplished. If you are experiencing opposition, take it as a sign that you are on the right track, would you? To paraphrase President Hinckley: Put a smile on your face and walk forward in the dignity of daughters and sons of God. xoxoxo

(photo credit: nienie)

Hey Howdy, It's Friday!

Mmmm...Don't you love October? It just makes me want to do things that are fun! The world feels full of possibilities, like roasting things over an open fire, playing in a pile of leaves, making the house all cozy with lighted fires and autumn decorations, baking goodies for the neighbors, and snuggling up with a good book. It's great.

Even though I may not do many of those things, it's great to want to do them. October feels like a warming fire in my heart. I love it!!!

And now I'm going to go watch tv on the bed, in my fuzzy robe, and drink Ginger-Carrot soup from my mug!