Our Trip to the Pumpking Patch

We took our annual trip to the pumpking patch yesterday. The weather was perfect and we were able to enjoy hunting for the perfect pumpkins. We usually go earlier in the month, but this year, our October was pretty scheduled. So, as a result, the pumpkins were on sale! All were a dollar. There weren't any briars and thorns as in years past, but there were smushed pumpkins we had to dodge.

After our hayride back to the "farmhouse", we each enjoyed a scoop of ice cream. As we were pulling up to the farmhouse, Ethan said, "Oh yeah, I remember, this is where I got the ice cream with the bubble gum, and it was blue." How in the world, it had been 2 years since we were at this exact pumpkin patch. Anyway, we were lucky enough to get tasters of their apple cider and fudge. Both delicious!

Okay, here is a picture collage. My SIL Debbie likes to do these and I always admire them on her blog, so I wanted to give it a try. It worked!!! You should be able to double-click on it to enlarge it for better viewing.

Last Night...A Comedy of Errors

Okay, so last night was one of those nights for us here at our house. This morning, I told Steve that nights like this made me laugh. He couldn't understand why, until I said, "Otherwise, I'd cry."

First, I didn't make it to sleep until around 11:15, highly unusual for me but Steve and I went on a date. It all starts about 12:45 when Ethan comes to my side of the bed, and tells me...tells me what? I can't even remember because I am so tired. I do, however, remember tucking him back into bed with a kiss, and thinking: that should be that. As I settled back into my bed, I heard him coughing and was debating the whole, should I give him cold medicine, does he really need it, and should he have it (because of the recalls). Well, I was still wrestling with this indecision, when Alayna cries out. Too late. She demands my attention now. As I walk around the corner of my bed, I debate briefly stopping by the bathroom, but thought: No, I'll just rub her back and be back in here in no time. As soon as I entered her room, the scent assaulted me: she has a messy diaper. I could tell as soon as I was holding her that she had a diaper rash and a bad one! How long has she been sitting in this messy diaper? Oh no!

So, Alayna and I head downstairs where both of our Desitin tubes are. Why are both of them downstairs? I am sure there was a logical reason that makes sense during the light of day, but in the dark of night, when all I want is sleep, there was no logical reason that could make sense to me. Once I had her diaper off, I decided that there was no way I could use wipes on her flaming red bum. Poor girl. So, off to the sink we head for a warm, short bath. Luckily for me, this worked well and Laney enjoyed the short stint in the sink. Once again, back upstairs, in Laney's room, I was in the process of getting her dressed, when Tyler appears in the hallway. "Mom, I feel like I am going to throw up." "Okay, just go into the bathroom until I can get there." Deciding I couldn't handle all of this by myself--afterall, I've had all 3 children need me--I went and woke Steve. Luckily he is really good during nights like this.

Steve moved Tyler to our bathroom, because he had parked his shaking little body in the bathroom attached to Laney's room. Not a good idea when I am trying to get Alayna back to sleep. I finally "cuddled" with Alayna and got her back to bed, not asleep. As I approached our bathroom, retreating from Laney's screams, I got the nod from Steve, indeed indicating the worst had happened. Tyler had gotten sick. So, Steve somehow with all of this, asks me if I have given Ethan medicine. Oh shoot, I had forgotten about that! As I am exiting the bathroom my mind was on Tyler when Steve says, "We should get him the heating pad." What, why would Tyler need the heating pad? Well, I didn't agree, but I wasn't going "there" at this hour in the morning.

When I walked into Ethan's room to get him his badly needed medicine, there was the heating pad on Ethan's bed. Oh, this makes much more sense. Turns out, Ethan had told Steve his ear was hurting. (Two days later I took Ethan to the doctor and he has a double ear infection.)

After a short debate, Steve and I moved Tyler to the bathroom downstairs. We figured he would get the most rest down there. As I move my bedding downstairs, this must be my 10th trip down the stairs, I think what else can happen? Poor little Alayna didn't settle down for a few more hours. Tyler's poor body was betraying him with those awful dry heaves. I was the loving mom right there with a cool washclothe each time. When am I going to be able to enter dreamland again?

Well, I took Alayna to the doctor's today and she has another ear infection (either that or she never overcame the ear infection from two weeks ago). At least there's an antibiotic to help!

Youth Retreat

I have been so excited for this activity and knew I would blog about it. We had our Youth Retreat this past Friday and part of Saturday. It was an amazing experience, and I came away feeling totally spirtually fed.

This was the view from the "cabin" (it seemed too big to be called a cabin) where we were. Utah is so beautiful! There were around 45 people (both leaders and youth) at Youth Conference. On Friday, as we pulled up to the bottom of the driveway, I saw two young deers. It was amazing and the girls and I sat and watched them for a few minutes before other cars pulled up behind us. Later, Bishop said he say a doe, a buck, and two babies. How amazing!

The youth (as well as the leaders) were uplifted and edified in "classes" as they learned how to be leaders, set goals, run meetings, follow the Savior's example, as well as plan out our calendar for next year.

This picture was taken Saturday morning before sunrise. We started early! Luckily the girls didn't stay up too late the night before.

I know I shouldn't, but these are two of my favorites. Jessica, (on the left) is a Mia Maid, and Marshelle is our only Laural. They both are amazing, have such great spirits, and bring so much fun to our meetings. They are so much more together than I was at their age. I've never heard either one of them say or do anything to misrepresent the Lord. They do stand as "witnesses at all times, in all things, and in all places." They are both great exmaples to me.

Lots of games were planned for the youth. Of course, each game had an object lesson that was suppose to be applied to life. The kids had a great time playing them and seemed to get the lesson that was attached to each one.

The weather couldn't have been more perfect. We were able to eat 2 of our 3 meals outside. There were so many beautiful spots to choose from. Sorry this picture is a little dark, but my camera isn't very good.

Rock Climbing for Family Home Evening

Inspiring Words from our Beloved Prophet:

We have a family home evening program once a week, usually Monday night across the Church in which parents sit down with their children. They study the scriptures. They talk about family problems. They plan family activities and things of that kind. I don’t hesitate to say if every family in the world practiced that one thing, you’d see a very great difference in the solidarity of the families of the world” (President Hinckley's interview, Boston Globe, 14 Aug. 2000).

Ethan has been anticipating this week's FHE since last Monday night when he realized that he was going to be "activity." By this, I mean that his name is in the "activity" slot on our Family Home Evening Chart. Even though Steve and I are both fighting colds, we didn't have the heart to say "not tonight" to our darling, brown-eyed little boy. With a big smile on his face, he announced, "I want to do the rock climbing wall for activity." It was a great choice and both boys had so much fun.

Alayna had fun rolling on the black mats in the corner. She was a good little cheerleader for her brothers.

You Know You Are Living In 2007 When...

I saw this list on another blog and could totally relate. So, I just coulnd't resist posting it:

1. You accidentally enter your password on the microwave.

2. You haven't played Solitaire with real cards in years.

3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 4.

4 You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.

5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.

6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.

7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen.

8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't have the first 20 or 30 (or 50) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.

10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your breakfast.

11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. : )

12 You're reading this and nodding and laughing.

13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.

14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.

15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't#9 on this list AND NOW YOU ARE LAUGHING at yourself.

Rainy Day Bowling

Today was one of those overcast, gray days! It has rained off and on all day, along with some scattered snowflakes. (Yikes, so not ready for snow!) And, to top all that off, I am the only one NOT sick at my house. Everyone has a pretty bad cold/cough and Ty and Laney have ear infections on top of that. Today was also one of those days where the boys played nicely for the most part. After some drawing, quiet play, and a trip to the store, the boys decided they wanted to bowl, indoor style. They were playing so nicely and it was such an endearing time for me. And it was their idea. They had so much fun; I hope you can see it portrayed in these pictures. I LOVE MY BOYS!! Sometimes, I don't want them to grow up so fast.

And Then It Struck Me...

The other day was one of those rare, perfect days where you are just so glad to be alive! It was a perfect 75 degrees, blue skies, and a scattered breeze, and I was running on the trails that decorate our neighborhood. Mt. Timpanogos was looming in the distance, I had Alayna in the jogging stroller (an early birthday present from DH) and Ethan was ahead of me on his bike being obedient to my request that he not go too far ahead of me. (I am the over protective mom after all.) It was simply, a perfect moment. And then it struck me...I am living my dream.

It's not the dream of yesteryear, where my prince charming rides in on a white horse, has castles in 3 major European cities, and several estates in the countryside, where we jet set to our favorite restaurant in our favorite foreign city just because we can. No, this is my more mature, practical side of me dream. (The one where my mansion is waiting for me in heaven.) I am so happy with my life and the direction it is taking. (Yes there are things I want to work on, but that's another blog.) My prince charming drives a Mitsubishi Outlander, we live in our brand new mansion, and we have favorite restaurants in all the neighboring cities. This is the dream of my now.

Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me on that beautiful day. But, out for a run on another-not quite as beautiful-day, I took my camera with me. Here are some pictures of the sites I see as I exercise around my neighborhood. And, although I wasn't quick enough with my camera the day I had it, I was lucky enough to have 3 deer run across my path about 25 yards ahead of me. I love experiences like that.

This is the beginning of my run. Mt. Timpanogos is behind me. I think we are looking at the Ochre Mountains in the distance. Also, the police man in the picture is there to make sure I am not exceeding the speed limit (haha) as I run by.

That is our chuch in front of me. I am now running East, with Mt. Timpanogos in the distance.

This is towards the end of my run, at the entrance to my development. This park has been visited often by my chidren and me. The distant view is Utah Lake at the foot of Mt. Timpanogos. Also, from our house we can see the "Y" on the other mountain (on the right) when it is lit for homecoming. Awesome!!

This is my final site. My Alayna usually falls fast asleep as we start heading towards home. I am glad she finds our excursions relaxing. It's always amazing how peaceful it seems to me when I take my ipod headphones off.