i'm lucky to be alive

The other day I saw a snake.

In my house. 

Shawn saved my life by coming and uhhhh. . .disposing of it.  (Did you know snakes are protected in the this state?)

It took me 24 hours before I could go into the room again. 

I told Shawn that if I see another one, I'm moving in. 

Actually, all six of us.

He looked scared.

He should be.

Courtney is currently outside, uhhhh.  . .disposing of every sneaky little critter he finds.

He has a really good plan, but I can't tell you.  Just in case you like 'em.

If it doesn't work, I am moving. 

Really.

In the off-chance Shawn locks his door, do I have any takers? 

I have a mean chocolate cookie recipe, and I'll make them every day.

Every.  Single.  Day.

With the exception of the cookies, you won't even notice us.

Whatdya think?

The End.

our little ol' pumpkin-walk-ditching-halloween-party

Once upon a time, there was a good little elementary school that held lots of fun little traditions.  Lots and lots, in fact.  One fine day a little family sent their first child to this friendly little school.  Ahhh, kindergarten.  Mommy and Daddy were so happy with the school, and although a little sad to send their first child off to school, they were so happy it was a nice little school with nice teachers and nice little traditions. 

One such tradition was the annual pumpkin walk, at which each class picks a theme and the children decorate their pumpkin according to the theme.  So fun, and not too much work.  You see, one little child with one little pumpkin to decorate is not so difficult.  Soon, however, Mommy and Daddy sent daughter number two off to the nice school and the pumpkin walk became a little trickier.  After all, children wanted a "class pumpkin" and a carved pumpkin.  One pumpkin would not do. 

One day as Mommy was contemplating the multitude of pumpkin chores that lay before her, she had an epiphany.  The pumpkin walk was not vital to daughters wellbeing!  In fact, it was highly likely that they would survive without it!  On the other hand, with Daddy out of town, the likelihood of mommy (and therefore the children) surviving extensive pumpkin decorating was not good.   

Mommy hatched a plan.  A party plan that no one could refuse!  "We will skip the pumpkin walk!,"  she offered.  Instead?  A family party of monstrously simple proportions:  autumn food, pin the nose on the pumpkin, and donut-on-the-string. 

And so it was, a family tradition was born. . .

This year, Claire was not so happy about sharing her donuts.  Each time Emmy came close to getting a bite, Claire got upset and pushed her away.  After all, she had been eyeing up those donuts all. day. long.  When it came to sharing?  She was really naughty.

Like any good parents would do, we just laughed. 

Pumpkin-walk party #4. . .a smashing success!

daddy daughter fun

 The girls had their first daddy-daughter date last week.  They were sooo excited and Daddy made a point to be home that night so he could take them on their first "hot date".   They helped him come up with a costume idea, the mad scientist.  (He has the perfect hair, it looks just like this in the morning! . . . Handsome, I mean.)

The best story of this night is that a few guys were coming to deliver a new washer and dryer.  I had been making costumes all week and the house was a wreck.  Wreck with a capital W.  We had been living without a washer for about 2 weeks and so you can imagine the dirty laundry piled everywhere.  And dishes. . .and toys. . .although I don't really have an excuse for those. 

Anyway, the doorbell rang just as Courtney and the girls were getting ready to head out on their date.  I went to tell the delivery men which door to come to.  Pretty soon, Courtney arrived behind me to tell them a little something about the electrical work.  I could see their eyes grow a little big as they looked at him.  Crazy hair, bow tie. . . Courtney didn't even bat an eye.  He just brought them through the house (I'm sure it just added to their view of this being one of "those houses").   They watched without saying much as he showed them around the laundry room.  Finally, he shrugged and said, "Sorry.  It's a costume party." 

The two college-ish aged guys chuckled nervously and then the one answered, "Yeaaah right.  You should see what I dress up like on my days off."

The girls, of course, had a terrific time on their date.  And their Daddy? 

You betcha.  He's mad about girls, too. 

the reason i laughed at least once today

changing me

A big "thank you!" to those of you who stepped in with some great advice for my parenting woes. It's funny how I get in a slump every so often.  Although I know the answer deep down, it almost always takes some stumbling around to find the source of the problem. 

Let's be honest here.  The source is always me.

Last week I learned it yet one more time.  Sadly, I know it is a lesson I will have to relearn over and over.  When my kids are "naughty", it's almost always signals something I need to change in myself.

Am I praising more than I am reprimanding?

Am I taking the time to enjoy them?  Am I being present for those little moments that happen throughout our busy day?  Am I laughing with them?

Am I kind in my response? 

Do I treat them the way I would wish to be treated?  Even when I am tired, busy, or just plain grouchy?

Because, you see.   If I am not doing these things, why will they? 

When I do remember, I see things change.  It never takes long. . .and I can sense the transformation almost instantaneously.  A miracle, almost- right before my very eyes.  Never perfection, mind you.  (That would be silly of me to expect.)  But a change for the better, nonetheless. 

"The values of the world wrongly teach that "it's all about me."  That corrupting attitude produces no change and no growth.  It is contrary to eternal progress toward the destiny God has identified in His great plan for his children.  The plan of the gospel of Jesus Christ lifts us above our selfish desires and teaches us that life is all about what we can become.

A great example of unselfish service is the late Mother Teresa of Calcutta. . .She taught that "one thing will always secure heaven for us- the acts of charity and kindness with with we have filled our lives."  "We can do no great things," Mother Teresa maintained, "only small things with great love."  Dallin H. Oaks, May 2009.  (read more here.)

As a mother, I am learning that the direction of my family often depends upon the course of my own life.  So often it is the seemingly insignificant, daily interactions that make the biggest difference.  A big responsibility, yes.  The little things, such as the way I speak to my children, can do much to alter the feeling that we have in our home.  I know that in the scheme of things, I am only one person, doing a "small thing".  However, I can do this with greater love.  I can be kinder and more unselfish as I serve the people who I care about so much.

Because this small thing that I find myself in the midst of?  It happens to be the most important thing I will ever do.  One really good guy and four sweet girls.  They are my whole world.

And as such, they are worth changing for.

Happpppy Halloween!

From our family to yours. . .wishing you a frightfully good time!

pumpkin patch in the dark

Last week we decided it was time to get festive.  The best place to start?  The pumpkin patch, of course!  We have some friends who grew a patch this year and let us come and take our pick.  By the time we got there, it was dark.  The poor lighting did nothing to damper the spirit of things, though.  The girls were giddy at the sight. . . . and a little overwhelmed!  There were so many fabulous pumpkins to choose from!

Emmy and Kate each decided they wanted a middle sized pumpkin.  The girls helped Claire choose a leeetle, tiny baby sized pumpkin.  Ryenne wanted the biggest one she could find.

And me?  Well, I had to pick for me and daddy.  When I saw these two, I knew it was fate.  Lying there like two peas in a pod. . .or pumpkins on a vine (or something corny like that), I knew it must be fate.  Either that, or I was getting tired!

The girls were so happy as we lugged our pumpkins to the car and hauled them to their new home on the front porch.  We sent a picture to Daddy and a "wish you were here" text, and then I whisked everyone off to bed.  It was sweet autumn dreams for everyone. 

Happy fall, y'all!