Love at Home

The inevitable happened this weekend. My husband and I had the "opportunity to speak" in our ward. Everyone knows that when you move into a new ward, it is bound to happen. But the fact that our ward was new has meant that everyone has been given this chance. They asked us to speak way back in August, the week I had my tonsillectomy, so we got out of it. We kept on asking them when our chance would come up again, but they kept on holding us off, so we had determined this was the key. I think we forgot to ask last month. I knew we were in trouble when the bishopric member got up and stated that when they were trying to determine what topics to have what couples speak on they felt impressed to have us speak on this subject. Ouch. They always say that those who speak learn the most out of their talks and need it the most. As I recently learned of the "Mormon accent" on my friends blog, I tried really hard not to have it. I think she is talking of the change of voice many use when they get up and speak. Kind of funny if you think about it. We all know of at least one person who does it, for occasions such as talks, prayers, and lessons. Anyway, I felt like it went alright. I of course, took the scientific approach to explain the necessity of love, and then ways we can have "Love at Home". My husband had the "Recipe to Love at Home". He actually had a really cute story of how he made pancakes one Saturday morning that just didn't turn out so well and then related how we need to follow some concepts to have the right recipe to have "Love at Home". But the bottom line is this, scientist, psychologist, and politicians, along with church leaders, know that the foundation of society is the family unit, and in order for the community and nation to succeed depends on what happens in the walls of our own homes. And all that is good, is based on love. There is always room to spread a little more love around.

Ticket To Ride

http://www.daysofwonder.com/tickettoride/en/content/inside/

One of my husband and I's new favorite game is Ticket to Ride. The point of the game is to obviously WIN (OK, I realize for some of you out there who don't have the competitive nature that I have might choose to disagree, but it is my point in the game). Destination cards are drawn and you try to build transcontinental railroads to complete your destination while scoring the most points for size of railroads completed and destination routes completed. I have never played a game that has compelled me to have such internal bouts of anger fueled by the utterly shocking disgrace of losing. I have learned throughout the years to channel my competitiveness away. I believe, although others may not, that I have "toned it down" over time. But this game has brought it all back. It is the strangest thing, the relationship I have with this game. I love it, yet, it really drives me crazy. The problem lies within the fact that someone, out of nowhere, can sweep down and end the game while your plan that you have spent the whole game scheming about quickly dissolves right before your eyes. But the beauty of it is also lies therein. You can be the one who gracefully demoralizes all other players by your sheer ingenuity of playing the game. Some may say it is all just the "luck of the draw". I would say otherwise. Afterall, what fun is it if you don't WIN? I tend to think those who say winning isn't everything, never themselves have won, especially at such a bitterly intriguing game as this.

The Case of the Missing Camera

The other day I was frantic. I had remembered before my trip to St. George that I hadn't seen the camera for a few days and that I wanted to take it with me. I forgot. But then, when I got home, I had that sudden urge to figure out where it was. With Kid 3 hot on my heels, and the other kids fighting and screaming, my franticness soon turned to complete pandemonium. I just couldn't find it in the normal places I usually put it. Then I got that feeling in the pit of my stomach. You know the one. I was convinced that some of the workers who have been coming to our house to fix a few things had taken it. I felt bad for jumping to such hasty conclusions, but where else could it be? My brand new camera had disappeared. My husband had convinced me when we were getting it for my birthday to get the smaller one so I could take it places easier. I was quickly learning that this estute plan had backfired on me. Then, in walks my husband. By chance, I happened to ask him if he had seen it. He NEVER knows where things are. NEVER. And just so ever, nonchalantly he replies, Oh yeah, it is on top of the fridge. Mystery solved. Case closed. But still, I have to wonder, who put it on top of the FRIDGE? What a strange place to put a camera.

Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Mo

I have been tagged twice and am taking advantage of this format for the latest tagging and duplicating it for the both of you . . .Debbie and Karly.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 8:15. . .thanks, Honey!!!
2. Diamond or pearls? Diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw? Fool's Gold
4. Who always supports you? My husband and Mom
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Frosted Shredded Wheat
6. What is your first and middle name? It is classified
7. What food do you dislike? mushrooms and seafood
8. What is your favorite CD? Don't ahve one
9. What type of car do you drive? Minivan all the way
10. Favorite sandwich? Turkey
11. What characteristics do you despise? Pride
12. Favorite item of clothing? Wide strap cami
13. If you could go anywhere in the world for a vacation, where would you go? Australia
14. What color is your bathroom? Brown and greed
15. Favorite place to shop for clothing? Nordstrom and Ann Taylor, but I don't do it very often, I am to cheap
16. Where will I retire? Seeing how I am a Mother, I won't ever be retiring
17. What was your most memorable birthday? Turning 19 in Jerusalem
18. Favorite sport to watch? Basketball
19. When is your birthday? I plead the 5th
20. Are you a morning person or a night person? I used to be a morning, but I have turned more into a night (Believe it or not Nancy, it is true, since my little one won't sleep at night, I have a hard time getting up)
21. What is your shoe size? 9 1/2
22. Pets? NO WAY. I don't care for animals.
23. What did you want to be when you were little? A Doctor
24. What are you today? A Mother and Nurse
25. What is your favorite candy? chocolate stuff
26. What is your favorite flower? gerber daisy
27. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Like Karly said, DUDE, live in the moment!!!
28. What are you listening to right now? The kids playing a game with their Dad
29. Do you wish on stars? YES
30. Do you believe in Angels? YES
31. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? RED
32. Pet peeves? People who chomp their gum
33. Favorite Television show? Dancing with the Stars, Biggest Loser, 24, Prisonbreak
34. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Linda with Robert J. DeBry-AGAIN.
35. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Of course, why else would I do it?
36. Favorite soft drink? Don't drink soda
37. Favorite restaurant? Tiburon
38. Hair Color? brown
39. Siblings? 6 brothers and 1 sister
40. What do you like most about yourself? such a self revealing question only to be answered.
41. What was your favorite toy as a child? my bike
42. Summer or winter? Summer
43. Hugs or kisses? both
44. Chocolate or vanilla?Chocolate
45. What is under your bed? Nothing, maybe a few dust bunnies
46. Who is the friend you've had longest? Suzie and Stephanie
47. What did you do last night for dinner? Chicken and spagetti
48. Favorite smell? ginger lime
49. What are you afraid of? Having a kid die, or having me or my hubby die
50. How many keys on your key ring? 2
51. Favorite day of the week? Sunday
52. How many towns have you lived in? Pocatello, Rexburg, Salt Lake City, Murray, Jerusalem, Riverton

Tag. . . You're It. NANCY

The Plan Smashing Commute

My husband made plans for us to celebrate Valentine's Day tonight. A day early, but we figured we would beat the rush. Those plans quickly became squandered when he called me at 5:15 to tell me he was stuck in traffic and to call him in a few to see if he had moved any. We got hit pretty hard with a storm, AGAIN, and he wasn't sure if there was a wreck ahead of him or not. I watched the news and didn't hear much, but he finally found out on the radio a semi had jack-knifed. At 5:30, he had moved 500 yards since the last phone call. At 5:45 he was pretty convinced we weren't going to make our dinner reservations at 6:45 downtown. He hadn't told me where we were going, and when he finally did I was somewhat peeved with the snow and the whole nine yards. We were going to experience Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. I think I will have to take a rain check because I have heard the food is nothing but DELICIOUS. I had him call me about every half hour to check in. Finally at 8:30, he got home, after a FOUR hour commute that normally takes 30-45 minutes. Pretty impressive and deflating. Chalk it up to the fact that the plans surrounded that oh-so-ever elusive romantic holiday called Valentine's Day.

Just for Kicks. . . And a little Revelation

What My Name Means

You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

One of those Cherished Moments

As I was trying to get on the computer this morning, Kid 2 woke up and came into the room. Kid 1 was watching tv and Kid 3 was playing with all my bottles of stuff. Kid 3 heard Kid 2 come in and crawled toward her right about the time I was asking Kid 2 to come see me. Kid 3 started to reach for her, and continued to crawl toward her. Kid 2 was standing next to me and Kid 3 pulled herself up to her and embraced her in a hug. It was one of those moments as a parent that your heart flutters and your eyes swell up. It was one of the sweetest things I have ever seen. Despite the relentless torture, mauling, and wrestling that Kid 3 endures, it was nice to know that she loves her sister. She really reminds me of her older brother in that regard. She has a tender heart. Not to mention that she looks just like him. I only wish the cameras were rolling to capture that moment forever. I also had quite the refreshing night of sleep. I can't remember the last time I slept that long without interruption. So yes, Kid 3 is sleeping better, finally. I don't feel like I have a newborn all over again. I think my body is in shock.

Tu Be or not Tu Be?

Ok, lame title. I will admit it. But that is the question, isn't it? I have decided to hold off on getting tubes for my little one. She has been off her antibiotics for a week now, and other than pulling at her right ear, has no other signs of an ear infection. I went to the ENT, and of course, he thought she could use them. She had fluid on her right ear, which is the ear that is normally clear, so I am hoping it will clear up. I was ecstatic to hear that her left ear was clear. It gives me hope that she has the ability to remain infection free, and I am hoping to get to fluid free. I thought I would wait until this summer, and if she still has recurrent otitis media, then I will pursue the course of appropriate action-tubes. But until then, the question remains, to be or not to be?

Must Be "The Lake Effect"

In the last 3 weeks I would have to say that we have gotten over 40 inches of snow at our house. I don't remember a winter quite like this since I lived in Idaho. Everyone here seems to think they have winters bad, and they do. Because it gets warm after every time it snows and then it gets all mushy and smushy and sloshy and yucky. I prefer it to stay cold, so the snow just stays and you don't have to worry about drenching the guy on the bus stop corner as you drive by. I don't think we have shoveled this much snow, EVER. We got hit pretty hard on Sunday and even got sent home from church. By the time we got home an hour later, there were 6 more inches of snow in our driveway. No one else except those on the south end of the valley got snow, PERIOD. I keep hearing it must be "The Lake Effect". It sounds like a good scapegoat for most things, so that is what I am going to start blaming everything on. When I am moody, it must be "The Lake Effect", when my kids are whiney, it must be "The Lake Effect", and when we are all just plain onery, it must be "The Lake Effect". It is a good thing it really does exist, otherwise, I wouldn't have a thing to blame.

Book Club Elitist (Atleast I like to Think)

Thanks Julie for the pictures. . .

I have admitted on my blog previously my love for reading. It is fueled partially by the great book club I am in. It has been going for 5+ years now and I must say, I think we have it figured out. Many people have asked me how we get it to work, especially for so long. Let's just put it this way, we are very selective on who we ask to join. When someone drops out, we start thinking of people who might fill the space. We don't just take anyone. It has to be someone we know will read the books, have great insight, come, and just be a great fit. We have found that having around 12 members is perfect. We meet once a month at the person's house who is choosing the book for the next month. We have desert (and there have been some awesome recipes. . .we are even putting together a Book Club Recipe Book), talk about the book (I promise, we really do) and catch up on how everyone is doing.
One of the things that makes are book club so perfect, is that we have all developed unique friendships through it. We have gotten to know each other in a different light than others, because we get to see opinions on books, which in turn relate to our own life experiences.
We also have started a yearly GNO (Girl's Night Out). This year we went to Logan, Utah and stayed at the Seasons Bed and Breakfast http://www.theritermansion.com/ (Thanks Collette and Arlette!!!). It was wonderful. It was an old Mansion built in the 1890's that has been kept up and is quite charming. We went to dinner at the Firehouse Pizzeria and then stayed up well into the night talking, listening to the old boiler heat the room, and wondering what the "beep, beep, beep" was that we heard for over an hour at 4:00 a.m. (a snow plow clearing the parking lot across the street). We woke to a yummy and delicious breakfast of apple pancakes with caramel syrup and bacon. So, if you are ever in need of a little get away, try this place out. The weekend ended all too quickly and I know we are all looking forward to the next one, which is not soon enough!!!
We have read some great books and some not so great books. I am always asked for some recommendations, so I have the latest list. If you would like a copy, let me know and I will email it to you. We spent some time at our GNO rating the books according to our book club. Some opinions differed, but this was the general consensus. If you have any questions, let me know and I might be able to find a good book in a genre you like. I also have started a book shelf on line that helps keep books organized. http://www.shelfari.com If you would like an invite to try this out and browse my shelf, let me know. It is a fast and easy way to get some book ideas.