It's An Autumn Time Soapbox Post.

I love this time of year.  I hate time changes.  I love the colors on the mountains.  I hate when it gets almost summer warm after I've gotten snow boots out.  I love crisp mornings.  I hate runny noses.  I love the smell of spiced pumpkin.  I hate the smell of spiced vanilla.  I love extra chocolate choices in the seasonal section of the grocery store.  I hate blood and gore and the living dead.

I really do love this time of year.  But as we have been coming up to Halloween we have been having some discussions here at our house.  A couple of weeks ago we went to Lagoon.  It was our last hurrah with our passes.  It was also Frightmares.  Last year we went in the evening and I hated it!  I hated the characters coming up and chasing and scaring.  So this year we went earlier in the day.  We rode rides and had fun and then headed to that side of the park.  The characters weren't as scary and it was light outside.  We got into one of the lines for a haunted house.  Daniel said it was an old movie theme.  Love it.  We were thinking Alfred Hitchcock. We stood in line for a while.  As we got closer to the building we could see the posters on the walls.  They were R-rated gore and living dead movies.  So we looked at the pamphlet again and read slower this time.  There was no old in the description.  They were gory, bloody, night of the living dead movies.  We got out of line and told the kids that the movies they would depict were R-rated and so we would be leaving.  We were all relieved.

Years ago I was taking an Institute class while in college.  Yep, I went to college!  I hope it doesn't surprise you.  Anyway, my Institute teacher was wonderful.  As we got closer to Halloween, he spoke of an experience he had had several years earlier.  His wife had just had a baby boy.  He passed away due to some difficulties.  As his wife recovered from pregnancy, delivery and loss, he went to the local mall in Provo to get white clothing for his son.  As he walked toward the mall there were movie posters up.  And they were graphic.  The one that caught his attention was of a grave with a bloody arm coming up out of the ground.  It stung him.  He had just lost his baby boy and he and his family were looking forward with joy and hope to the Morning of the First Resurrection.  And that poster, as well as the others around it, was mocking that great gift.

I walked away from my class that day with a renewed appreciation for the Resurrection.  Many years later, when my brother Aaron passed away, the Resurrection became our reality.  We have taught our children over these last 10 years that the Morning of the First Resurrection is going to be the best day ever.  Jesus will come and we will see Aaron, Opah, Grandma Shelba, Lyndsay and Rebecca again.  It will be a glorious day and we want to be there. 

But when we see these depictions of gore and blood and living dead, zombie like creatures, we become desensitized to what our bodies are.  Temples of God.  Death is not scary or ugly or gory.  When Jesus went to Lazurus to raise him from the dead, Lazurus did not rise from his tomb bloody and gross and scary.  He shined bright with the Light of Christ.  That is how death should be thought of.  Bright.  Lovely.  Reuniting with so many loved ones. 

While discussing Halloween and haunted houses and gore for Family Home Evening last week, we decided as a family that we would not go where the Holy Ghost would not.  Haunted houses are a red light for the Holy Ghost.  Gory costumes are a red light for the Holy Ghost.  We still love Halloween.  We love the excitement of dressing up and having fun with friends and getting candy.  But you will not see us gory or gross. 

And you will, I hope, see us the Morning of the First Resurrection.  Bright.  Beautiful.  Full of life.

Experiences.

Saturday morning beamed bright...  Ok, it was dark.  Middle of the night dark really.  Isaac, Daniel and I began our day before 6 am.  We headed down to the Bountiful temple with name cards in hand to do baptisms for the dead.  Isaac was baptized for 8 male ancestors and I was baptized for 11 female ancestors.  I had been doing some family history work and we have begun our part to get these family members closer to their eternal goal.  Isaac's one comment was "I didn't know I was going to get wet", which makes me wonder, what did he think when he was baptized at age 8??  And when we  talk about baptism we talk about immersion, going all the way in.  Wouldn't you expect to get wet?  Anyhoo, we went to breakfast after where Isaac made us laugh and we all had a good time.  He even brought home some of his breakfast to share with Sam and Ruthie. 

Today I was in Walmart to grab some spray paint because Isaac is actually going to dress up for Halloween this year.  As I left the paint department an older lady called out, I think just for anyone to answer considering there were people all around and she wasn't looking at anyone in particular, that she needed help finding those little plastic containers that you put food in because she made too much stew.  So I strode over and said I could take her to them.  I pointed out the direction and she said she was glad she asked because she'd already been down that way.  So we got there and we looked at the plethora of choices.  Small, medium, large, extra large, 3 containers, 9 containers.  Then the sailor talk ansued.  She was just so sweet and most likely in her 80's and hunched over and talking about the excess of stew at her house and so when the swearing began I just went with it.  She was just so sweet.  Not shocking or in your face or crude. Just a very sweet and tender "sh*t, they're so big".  And on it went.  After choosing a set of 4 medium sized food containers with pretty red lids, she said she would like to find a really "cute" roaster pan.  Just a small one, mind you.  She also needed hydrogen peroxide. Her hair was pink.  I told her it was a beautiful white, to which she responded by pointing out that it was a wig.  She wore the wig because her hair is pink. Hydrogen peroxide it is then. But first we went to the pans and roasters and such.  She so didn't want the big black with gray specks roaster pan.  So we looked some more.  She found these pans and skillets that were red, green, purple and such and began with all the swearing about how d*mned cute they were.  Then she saw the tiny cast iron skillet which you could get and swat your man over the head with if he got outta line.  It was just the right size.  So we decided everything was too big or too expensive and headed to the hydrogen peroxide.  At one point she asked if we were lost.  I said no, it's just a big store.  I grabbed the smallest bottle when we got to the first aid stuff and told her it was .52 cents.  She took it and thanked me and said she was gonna get some kitty stuff now.  We said our goodbyes and I went to pay for my spray paint. 

So my question is, did you expect to get wet when you were baptized??

The Last Fly.

Since the end of August I have been killing what I thought was the last fly.  But then many more would appear.  Out of nowhere, I tell ya!  But now it's nearing the end of October.  The weather has turned chill.  And this is

THE LAST FLY.

Note: please don't notice that my faucet thingy there needs some good vinegar to get rid of the stains.  And don't notice that the counter place there behind the sink where the last fly has fallen to its doom is in need of a good scrubbing.  Now that the last fly has fallen, it will be cleaned.  Not that I was waiting for the last fly to fall to clean it.  But because the last fly has landed there.. It needs a good scrubbing.   And how many of you said "The Laaaaast Melon" when you read the title of this post?  Wouldn't it be fun if you could hear me just tell you the post?!  I mean, then I could really tell you some of this stuff with just the right inflection.  And stuff.  The last melon is from Ice Age. In case you were wondering. 

A Rose By Any Other Name Is Still A Rose.

So much for more posting!  But we've been busy.  More PTA stuff with the end of the fundraiser and then bookfair.  And then we came up on the weekend.  Friday our neice Audrey was sealed to her sweety Kevin in the Brigham city temple.  It was a beautiful day.  Luncheon afterward and then the reception that evening.  Isaac began his Robotics 4-H club that evening, as well.  Ruthie and I got to take some of the roses home from the reception.  Gorgeous.

Saturday morning we traveled to my sister's where cousin Zac was baptized.  It was so fun to hang out with Abby and Poppy and cousins.  After the brunch we changed into play clothes and headed to In and Out for lunch.  We were hungry again.  Then we went to Lagoon and played for a couple of hours.  That evening Daniel and I went to the wedding reception for a woman in our ward.  A beautiful day again.  Then we went out to dinner, because we hadn't already eaten enough that day, while the kids stayed home and watched a movie.  This is a rose from the rose bush Daniel gave me for Mother's day last year.  Today when we got home from church the rose had bloomed. 

The basement is completely framed.  The electrical and plumbing is next on the list.  The boys have already staked their claims on rooms and where their stuff will go.  This picture is a lead in (or down) to the basement pictures I will post as I keep a record of the finishing!

Hope your weekend was fun and awesome.  Fall is here.  The weather is cooling and rain is falling.  Turn up the heat and cuddle with the ones you love best!

Reflections.

Ruthann decided to enter the Reflections contest this year at school.  The theme was "the magic of a moment".  Ruthie decided to draw a picture. 

This is called "The Magic of Spring" 

It is a look at a tree growing its leaves. 

I Had A Time Out.

Have you ever feasted on spiritual things and been so spiritually filled that you realize you've been starving for a long time?  I went to Time Out For Women on Friday and Saturday with some fantastic women and I feasted and was filled and my spiritual starvation came to an end.  Friday night's speakers and music were meant especially for me.  I could have come home that night feeling that my cup was full and the ticket price paid.  Then we stayed up late and talked and laughed and ate and talked and laughed.  After a few moments of sleep, we were all up at 6 am to shower and have breakfast and get back to Saturday's events.  More feasting and filling and moments of joy.  The last 2 speakers were, again, meant for me.  The Spirit whispered the counsel I needed to hear.  TOFW is an event we all want to go back to for more feasting and bonding.  And laughing and eating. 

We got home late that afternoon and I changed and started laundry and then went to the adult session of Stake Conference.  Wow.  More feasting.  Spiritually uplifting messages were abundant.  Then Sunday morning was the general session of Stake Conference.  Wow again.  This time they announced Miracle Choirs.  First the youth were called up to sing, then the women, then the men.  What an amazing thing to watch as almost every youth, sister and brother went up to participate.  By Sunday afternoon I was wiped out.  And now that Monday is here I am ready to take on PTA, kids, laundry, dishes, meals, service, cub scouts, and everything else. 

Wherever you live, look up Time Out and see when it will be near you.  Go. Enjoy. Feast. Live. 

Blogging should begin to happen more frequently.  At least that's the plan. 

The Date: 10-11-12.

Holy cannoli.  How long has it been since I've blogged?  Never mind.  Don't answer that.  I've been busy.  And I had a virus.  Well, not me.  My laptop.  Although it's not entirely out of the question that I have mono.  Just kidding.  I don't.  So here's what I'll do so I have a record of most of the stuff that's been going on here at our sweet abode.. I'll bullet point.  Isn't that cool?  Bullet points.  It will be awesome. And it has officially taken me 2 days to get all this down.  So you better read it!

* The Virus
I have been watching Cake Boss on Netflix recently.  As a natural result I have begun speaking with a Long Island accent.  But wait, you say.  They aren't in Long Island.  They aren't even in New York.  They are in New Jersey.  But my grandma grew up in/on Long Island.  Is it in or on?  I have no idea.  But I just tell my kiddos that their mama from Long Island is here and then just get all loud and Long Islandy.  It's fun.  Anyhoo, I got on the website for their cake shop.  I was curious about the cost of the cakes he makes.  There is no cost list.  I was bummed.  But there was an error message that kept coming up.  So I kept deleting it because it's just plain annoying.  And there was no error.  I must have hit the right deal on one of the messages because nasty viral shut downs ensued.  I called Daniel to say there is something wrong with it.  When he got home he stated the obvious.  To him.  Not me.  I still kept spreading said viral nastiness every time I tried getting rid of the error messages.  It took some doing to get it fixed.  He realized, after some time, that nothing was actually wiped out.  It was all hidden.  So he backed up all my precious files onto the backup hard drive and then began to rebuild the ugliness.  My laptop didn't want to cooperate so much.  So it took a while.  Then it was all fixed and all my files and stuff got put back on.  I didn't get back on to blog because I just didn't want to.  Until now. 

* The Basement
We purchased our home 13 1/2 years ago.  The basement has since filled with junk memory filled boxes.  Our boys have shared a room most of their young lives.  It's now time to spread out. Daniel and I have worked tirelessly to clean the basement out and have taken load after load to the dump, DI and the storage unit.  Today there are framers in the basement.  The basement's future never looked so bright.  They will finish up tomorrow today and then we will work on plumbing and electric.  Then we'll hire out the dry wall.  Then carpet, paint, finishing touches, furniture, all culminating in moving day.  Isaac and Sam will have their own rooms and we will have a storage room and a large play, game, family room  to boot, doubling our home's square footage.  It's only taken 13 1/2 years to get it done.  yay us!

* The PTA
As you may already know, I am on the PTA board at the elementary school this year.  I began the year waiting for the time that I would spend hours on end at the school doing, well, PTA stuff.  Well folks, it happened.  This is fundraiser week and next week is Book Fair.  I begin my day at the school at 8:30 and leave when money counting and candy bar box passing out is done.  Then I go help with the deposit if it can be done right then.  Next week will be more of the same.  Although it's kicking my butt, I am enjoying being in the school and doing my job.  It's also fun to see the happenings in the office and chatting with neat ladies. 

*The Announcement
Did you watch conference??  As I listened to President Monson on Saturday morning I cried.  I was in the car with Ruthie and I grabbed her arms (I was parked) and said, "YOU CAN GO ON A MISSION WHEN YOU'RE 19!!!!"  She didn't quite know how to react as I yelled and squeezed and cried.  But as it sunk in she counted the years till she can serve a mission. 10.  That's all.  She'll be 9 in a few weeks.  My boys will each turn 18 while they're still in school, so they will most likely be closer to 19 anyway.  But boy, what a monumental announcement.  I can't wait to see how the sister missionary numbers will rise in the coming months.  I think back to when I chose to serve a mission.  I was 21 1/2 when I left.  I know I never would have gone if the age was 19 then.  I'm sure I would have completely missed that opportunity. I am grateful I did and am so grateful that so many more young women will have the opportunity to serve!!

* The SEOP
In junior high there is a special meeting that takes place with parent, student, and counselor.  It's a time to go through the student's goals and make sure they are achieving all they want to.  Granted, they are 12 and in 7th grade, but it's never a bad time to see how they are coming in their goals for the future.  Isaac and I met with one of the teachers who quickly caught on to Isaac's love of building and engineering.  He suggested he take a Tech class in 8th grade with the teacher sitting close to us.  That teacher went through some of the things they do in class.  Isaac was excited.  Then he suggested a class he can take in 9th grade, which I can't remember.  But I'm sure we'll figure it out.  Isaac has less than 6 years left in school.  Then he'll go on a mission, since he can go right after high school.  Then he will get to work on what might just be an engineering degree.  Or maybe he'll bag groceries awesomely at a grocery store.  Who knows. But it's so wonderful to have the opportunities in junior and high school to help him get started on a career.

* The Field Trips
Sammy and Ruthie both had field trips last week.  On Tuesday I went with Ruthie's class to the Ogden Nature Center.  It was hot I tell ya!  One class mate came to sit by me while we ate lunch and said, "It's so cool that I can come on a field trip and have lunch with my scout leader". To which I replied, "I am Ruthie's mom, you know.  That's why I'm here." Oh.  I think he was a bit deflated.  At least he got to eat with his scout leader.  Sam and I went to the zoo on Friday.  It's wasn't so hot.  In fact I wore my sweatshirt most of the day.  Each of the kids was supposed to fill out some papers on animals.  When we got to the polar bear we had to wait until we could see him.  He finally came bounding out and dove into the water.  Sam was standing right next to the glass as he swam right passed him, then put his feet on the glass to push off and swim.  He did that several times, much to the crowd's amazement.  We cheered and laughed as the polar bear entertained us.  Then he got out of the water and walked away for a bit.  After a few minutes he was back.  Diving, swimming, pushing off, showing off for the crowds.  He's a people pleaser. 

* The Random Commercial Part
Have you seen that commercial that has the kid telling his mom, "Mommy, Mommy! I went potty!". The mom is excited and goes into the bathroom and looks in the toilet, which has not been peed into and says, "Where?".  The boy then points to the tub.  It's a Clorox commercial and cracks me up every time!!  It is so funny that the kid pees in the tub.  Because mine have done the very same thing.  Funny I tell ya!

* The Joy Part
I had a chance to talk to my good friend Laurie one day after school.  I had spent much of the day at the school.  I proceeded to go through all the craziness in my life right now.  PTA, weddings, cub scouts, field trips, sick hubby, basement, kids, nail polish all over my tub.  It just goes on and on.  The next day after school, she came over and gave me a gift bag with some Joy in it.  A book, foot cream, nail polish, nail polish remover, hand sanitizer.  All with a special purpose in helping me de-stress.  I loved the nail polish remover for cleaning out my tub.  I'll get to it some time.  I'm sure.  I realized how much I had complained, but also realized how well my friend listened and understood the stress and craziness going on.  Thank you Laurie.

* The I'm Not Pregnant Part
In case you're wondering.. I'm not.  But this is a bit of an emotional time for me.  If we had kept our paperwork in China we would be the parents of 4 children.  We would have traveled last month for another baby from China.  I would be in the Hell On Wheels part of attachment.  I would not be leaving the house at all.  I would be a basket case.  But I would be happy.  But here we are with our 3 awesome kiddos and all the craziness in our lives.  And I'm a basket case.  Crying and emotional and crazy and using my Long Island accent to break the monotony.  We don't second guess, we are right where we should be.  But for a few moments I've been what if-ing.  And I'm done now and moving on. And we are happy.

* The Time Out Part
Tomorrow I am going to Time Out For Women in Logan.  During all the stress and emotion and stuff, I told Daniel that I was going to back out. The Book Fair, Laps For Lyndsay, Stake Conference, money, kids.  He said to go and enjoy it and not worry about anything.  So I am going with several women from my ward.  I am looking forward to just being.  And just being there.  A short time out for mom. 

And with that I end this post.  Enjoy this once in a lifetime day of 10-11-12.

Here's The Deal

In case you were wondering.  My laptop got a virus.  A nasty one too.  Daniel has cleared out the hard drive and now he's just trying to get the lap top itself to work. We've been so busy with the basement that he hasn't had a chance to sit and work on it in a while.  When it's up and running I'll catch you up on everything!  Everything, I tell ya!  That's the deal.  In case you were wondering.