Halloween 2008

Happy Halloween!!

We had such a fun day. After lunch we had our own little Halloween party. We started by trick-or-treating at our local Wal-Mart. The kids really enjoyed that. It wasn't that busy, so I had a lot of fun too. I didn't have to worry too much.

When we got home we played Halloween Pictionary and Hot Pumpkin. The kids really enjoyed both games. It's funny that as they get older they still enjoy playing games that even the little ones like.

We decorated our own cupcakes while we watched, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. That is always one of my favorite traditions because it reminds me of when I was little. I always looked forward to the Charlie Brown cartoons.

We ended the night with our annual ward Trunk-or-Treat. Dustin got so creative this year. We (yes, I said WE) built a hangman's noose and he hung himself from it. He borrowed a harness from work, so he could suspend in the air. They made a false noose and put it around his neck. It looked so great! He stuffed himself with batting so people would think it was a dummy. After a while of standing there, he would grab them and scream. The kids were so scared! The kids got lots of candy. They then decided later they didn't have enough so we made a round to the neighbors. They are definitely not lacking in the candy department.

We hope you all had a Happy Halloween! Here are some pictures we thought we'd share!

Kate was a cheerleader. She was so cute , she made up her own little cheer. "Let's go Chipmunks, let's go!"

Bec was a scarecrow. She walked around the whole night letting everybody know it. As we walked she was shouting, "I'm a scarecrow, I'm a scarecrow!"

Aaron was knight. He made a very handsome one, I thought. I'm not sure why he's not wearing his helmet.

Grace was a 50s Soda Girl. She was so cute. She was so excited to wear make-up!

Ryan was the Grim Reaper. He is missing his sickle in this picture. We added a crack in his skull too. He looked so good. He was happy to be out of the "character" costumes. He's too big.

This is Dustin hanging. It looked so cool in the dark. He really was pretty scary.

It Never Is too Late

The news has been rather disheartening lately. I have found my self upset after reading it. For example in one paper I found quite a few articles all dealing with religion. I didn't feel they were uplifting, maybe I'm wrong.

The first article I came to was dealing with the fact that a man was suing God. He is a Nebraska State Senator. He was trying to prove some dumb point about everyone having access to the courts, I don't know I didn't understand his thinking. He is a man who skips morning prayers and criticizes Christians.

The next article in big, bold letters read, "Trial starts in killing of LDS wife". This man was angry that his wife had joined the church and was trying to make him join. He didn't support her decisions that had to do with church, so he killed her and her 11 year-old son!

The last article took place in Rome. (I'm so happy there is going to be a temple there) Women "marched across the Tiber River." They were upset because the Catholic church bans women from the Priesthood. They feel it is "sexist, unjust." They have been ordained priests, but the church says any "women taking part in ordinations will be excommunicated."

All these articles bugged me! I feel like righteousness is being attacked at every side. It made me feel as if it was now the minority. There is a lot of work in spreading the gospel. How is it ever going to be done?

Then the Saturday paper came. The Church News is always in it. I received a new hope. I found some very uplifting stories.

Did you know there is a little old lady in AR who is 104 years old and she was baptized only a year ago? I was so tickled (I sound like my mom) by her. She stumbled upon the church last Easter Sunday. She went in, introduced herself, and was baptized a short time later. I guess it is never too late! I love the Church News, it is always so positive!

Then I remembered the words of our Prophet in Conference. I had been praying lately to be able to share the gospel with someone. I felt like my prayers hadn't been answered. Then he said this, "I urge you to pray for the opening of those areas, that we might share with them the joy of the gospel." I felt like that was an answer for me. So I have been asking for that instead. I'm still aware that I must share it with others, but I feel this is what the Lord wants of me right now.

As we share the gospel, people's hearts will be softened. Righteousness will be the majority once again, although I really think it probably still is. It just doesn't feel like it. I just need to believe in the power of prayer.

Fall Family Pictures

I have been bugging Dustin for a new family picture for a while (Becca is 6 mo old in the last one). He has always been for it, but never took the initiative to do it. I told him a few days ago that we were going up to the mountains to take them.

We packed our camera and tripod and headed up Butterfield Canyon. After driving to the very tip top (had to find the best spot), looking at the Kennecott Mine, we decided the best spot was at the bottom. Imagine that! We had to cross a small little creek, luckily everyone was able to stay out of the mud and water!

The actual picture taking was an adventure in itself! Trying to get 5 kids to look HAPPILY at the camera at the same time proved to be a challenge. I was glad we ended up with some that were usable. We got some very "real" family moments caught on film. Dustin even received an injury from tripping over a root sticking out of the ground as he tried to beat the timer! Who knew taking pictures could be so dangerous. We were lucky enough to catch him on camera giving that root a piece of his mind. It was quite comical!

All in all I think for not being professionals and not having a fancy camera we did a pretty good job. There are more. I'll post them later. I'm on Dust's computer and they are not all downloaded on his. The one on our header is from there as well.

The family

Dustin and I

Quiet Time

It is not very often that I get to lay down with Becca. The girl never holds still! I was able to read a book with her. Ten in the Meadow is one of her favorites. We read the words and played hide and seek with the cute little animals in the story. She has so much fun finding where those little critters are hiding.

After the story, she rolled over and said, "Goodnight, Mom." I felt like singing her to sleep, so I did. I started with I Love to See the Temple. She then asked for Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam. Before I knew it I had sung about all the Primary songs I could remember and she had finally given up and fallen asleep. I held her hand for what seemed like forever, kissed her, and I was able to sneak in a few Zs of my own. I love it when that happens!

Dustin Surprised Me

Today my joy came from being surprised by my husband. Grace and I were making dinner. He came in and said, "Oh, I wish you hadn't made that. I'm taking you to dinner tonight." I smiled because when I sarted dinner the thought came how much I really didn't want to cook.

"We need a sitter," I told him.

"I already took care of it," he replied.

I was not even ready for a night out. I had sweats on and no make-up, but I hurried and got ready. I like surprises.

We had a fun dinner. It was nice to have one-on-one time!

Today I Was Made Queen

Kate loves to play pretend. We always play some sort of "let's pretend." Today she was the teenage princess and she made me queen. We lived in a castle located at the top of the playground, had pretty dresses, and talked politely. A princess always uses her manners.

She squeezed my face between her tiny hands and said, "You're beautiful, mama. I love you." I am always mesmerized by her cute little smile and her genuine love for me. That is pure joy.

Finding Joy in the Journey

I decided I would journal all the things that bring me joy. It might be something my kids say or do, an event that happened, whatever.

I was mopping the kitchen floor today. In doing so, I took the bar stools from the bar. Somehow Becca got up on the bar. She was standing up there dancing, having a blast. When it came time to get down she couldn't. She was too frightened. She called out, "Momma, Momma help me. I can't get down!" I let her sweat it out a little, just long enough to teach her the lesson of not climbing up in the first place.

After another cry for help, I ran and got her. She cheerfully yelled out, "Oh, thank you mom. You are a super hero!" She ran around the room with arms stretched out in front of her, making flying noises.

It's great to be a Super Hero. I'd definitely rescue my kids to the ends of the earth!

Likening the Scriptures Unto Ourselves

One of the highlights of Thursday morning, for me, is the paper. Why? The Mormon Times section is published, I enjoy reading it.

Today it really hit home for me. Scott Card is one of the writers. He always has his own little section where he shares thoughts and feelings and different topics. Today he was writing about how the world today portrays and glorifies a life of ease. If you would like to read it click here.

He referred to the pride cycle in the Book of Mormon. I never thought of likening that to our day! (I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE SAYING, "WHERE HAS SHE BEEN") We are at the top of the pride cycle and on our way down. No wonder our nation is in such chaos, that's the only word I can think of to describe it!

The quote I really like out of it I'll share with you. he said:

"Wickedness is a luxury, a parasite; it thrives on excess and breathes the air of idleness."

I took a big gulp when I read this. I believe I am very guilty of the "I" word at times. I choose an easier path out of convenience for me. I used to visualize and anticipate the day I would inherit my eternal mansions and glory. How I saw myself sitting back and relaxing without a care in the world. How naive. Idleness is not a characteristic of our Heavenly Father! It is associated with Satan, one of his great tactics to enroll life-long members of his club.

I thought how I need to change this flaw. How can I change my thinking? How can I make my days more productive?

I think I am guilty of what I want to call the "mom syndrome." Maybe some of you suffer from it, maybe some of you don't, if you don't consider yourself lucky. I sometimes get so caught up in what I can offer this world I start to resent being a mom at times. After wiping up pee, completely scrubbing the house spotless, and literally giving all of myself at times, I start to question what I am doing. Am I really making a difference? Does anybody really care that Larae Merritt just cleaned her house for the 5000th time, that she made a paper doll with her girls, that she helped her boys build a fort, or SLAVE over the stove to make her husband a meal every night? After answering no to these questions I seem to shut down, I get lazy. I get an attitude that what I do doesn't matter anyway, so why try.

"How cunning the [tactics] of the evil one." That's all I can say! Satan would have me believe that no one cares. My family cares and isn't that what this life is all about? Who cares what the world thinks of me! Satan would have me think I'm not successful without the recognition and fame.

So, then I thought of my good friend, Jill. She had a post a month ago about making every moment count. She told how the missionaries make a goal for every hour. She had been doing it as well. I think I need to honestly and whole-heartedly try it. In doing so I will also have to have an attitude adjustment. I will follow the counsel of Our Prophet and "find joy in the journey." That's all I can do. Another friend, Julie, just posted how she has been viewing tasks in a different light and it has really helped her. I'm so glad she loves laundry! What a good example to me.

So now that I am heading down on my own pride cycle, now it's time to be humble and do what I'm supposed to. Good attitude and all!

Just Another Normal Sat...or so I Thought!

I was sitting at my computer during conference sessions and heard a knock at my front door. I was tempted not to answer it and just keep my lazy self in the chair. Something told me I should answer the door. Since I'm home alone, I looked out the window first. To my amazement there were 3 cop cars surrounding my house! I opened the door and my neighbor, Don, from across the street was there. He was out of breath and couldn't speak well, but this is what I heard, "There is a kid in a black stocking cap going around breaking into cars. These guys (the cops) are out looking for him. I just saw him jump into your back yard!"

I could feel the fear and panic begin to creep in. I said, "Thanks Don, I'll go lock my back door." My back door wasn't even locked. I always keep the front locked, but the kids go in and out so much I gave up trying to patrol the back door.

I ran to the door, pulled down the charlie bar, and peeked out the curtains. I wanted to make sure he was not still back there. I was a little jumpy! I was startled by an officer turning the corner. It was a sobering experience to see him with his weapon drawn, IN MY BACKYARD! He walked to the side of the house. I could tell he had just found the shed. I thought, "Oh, my goodness he's in our shed!" I waited to see him reappear. It seemed like forever. He took so long I couldn't watch.

I came back to the window and he was looking over the fence. Whew! He was not in the shed. He came back to the front of the house. I opened the door and could hear him talking. They believe he was jumping fences. That was somewhat of a relief to me. Chances are he's gone and will get away from here as far as possible. I'm still pretty nervous though.

We are staying put for the afternoon. I don't want to chance leaving my home empty. Grace has devised a plan to catch the "bad guy." She wants to camouflage a net and a place jewelry inside it. When they go for the jewelry we would pull the net and catch them! I believe that came from an episode of Suite Life.

How grateful I am right now for the safety and protection we received from Heavenly Father. I pray for it everyday. I think if this kid really wanted something he could have turned violent and entered my home through an open door. I'm thankful he kept on going. I hope all my other neighbors were blessed in the same manner.

I'm thankful for the opportunity it gave as a teaching lesson to my children. Ryan was "really freaking out." I let him know it is times like this we are able to pray and ask for comfort. I let him know I have done it and feel calm. It also gave me the chance to talk about keeping our doors locked and being careful of strangers.

How grateful I am for a watchful neighbor. Who despite his own safety came to my house to warn me. I thought it a little funny that it was him who knocked on my door and not the cops. I know he was aware Dustin was out of town and I was home alone. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father was watching over us and protecting us.

The Answer to One Important Question...

Remember when I asked if there was a recipe that your whole family would eat without complaints? Well, for me that question has been answered.

Dustin has been gone for the hunting season. He's on hunt #2. Thankfully that is all for the year. While he was gone, I went on strike! I refused to cook. So what have my kids been eating? Let me tell ya...hot dogs, french bread pizza, breakfast burritos, and the biggest hit yet, Ramen Noodles!! Am I kidding? No I am not. They have loved dinner, no complaints. I guess all I needed was some pre-packaged food to do the trick-although I made the burritos and the pizza. Now if I can only convince the BIG kid when he gets back!

My girls liked the Ramen so much. I came down the stairs to this:

Have to get every last drop!

They wouldn't even stop to say, "cheese." Very unusual. What does this say about my cooking?

A four year-old, a pen, and 1 distracted mother...

Last night I was a little occupied -I was blog surfing. It was late, so I tuned off the computer and went to get ready for bed. Becca was still up due to a late nap. I looked at her and she had a few pen markings on her. I ignored it and put her to bed. I next scooped up Kate and noticed she had more than a few pen markings all over her. She was asleep, so I decided to talk to her about it in the morning.

This morning she explained, "Mom I made me some friends! I needed some friends."

"Well, what about your sister?" I asked.

"Oh, well she needed some too," she said as a matter of fact.

I thought,"Well I guess we're wearing pants today. Good thing it's cool today."

As I washed her friends away, Kate said,"Oh, good. They were being mean." She makes me laugh.

These crazy girls. I never know what will happen with them! Here are some pics of their "friends." Sorry for the immodest shots. You wouldn't be able to see them if they had their pants on.

There was a friend on each knee,

one on each foot.

Becca's were just everywhere!

Their faces say it all.

How can you get angry at these cute little mugs?