Name Them One by One

Sometimes when it rains, it really pours! It seems to be pouring on our neighborhood these days. Our close friends across the street recently lost their mother/grandmother to cancer. That same week a favorite aunt of theirs took her own life. A few houses down, another friend with five young children lost the use of her leg and is now in a wheel chair while her husband is away on military service. Next door to her, we lost a friend with Downs Syndrome to pneumonia. Many neighbors are struggling to make ends meet during this time of economic stress and it doesn't appear that things will improve anytime soon in that area. These are only a few of the struggles that are happening around us.

In light of all this, I don't think Thanksgiving could have come a better time. The words to a familiar hymn come to mind. Many of you can sing along while you read the words. This is the perfect song to have stuck in your head for Thanksgiving!

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost.
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done....

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings; every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
Count you many blessings; money cannot buy,
Your reward in heaven nor you home on high.

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you till you journey's end.

So, in the spirit of counting blessings, we each made a small list of some random and simple things we are grateful for.....

JEFFREY:
1-Teacher Nicole
2- Winnie Dog
3- Spider man Band-Aids, for when he bleeds
4- Free balloons from the nice lady at Macey's
5- Bananas
6- and of course, KEYS! KEYS! KEYS!

JONATHAN:

1- Grandma Janice and Grandma Lynette

2- When mommy makes Macaroni-and-Cheese

3- Issac (his teddy bear)

4- Brother and Sister Gibert (sunbeam teachers)

5- French Toast

6- Watching Tom and Jerry

MARY KATE
1- Her white board and dry erase markers

2- El Matador Burritos

3- Her purple, fuzzy blanket

4- Her Tinker Bell lamp (to help her feel safe at night)

5- Webkinz

6- Her piano teacher Beverly

MIKE:
1- That his old lap-top still works

2- Wednesday night basketball

3- His mountain bike and road bike

4- H.D. TV

5- Dental Floss

6- His Sexy Wife (I added that)

ME:

1- When I call Mike's cell phone and he answers with "Hey, Babe!"

2- Mountain Spring Downy, Tide, and Antibacterial Kitchen Spray

3- Ken Burn's documentaries
4- Teacher Nicole (she gives me 6 hours of time to myself each week)

5- My neighbor Michelle who is so pleasant about watching my rowdy boys in a pinch

6- Talking to my mom on the phone almost everyday

With so much difficulty in the world it's very easy to get mired down in it all. Negative thoughts can take over. I think that's why God wants us to always be grateful. Not because he needs our praise, but because being grateful gives us perspective that helps us wade through the bad and focus on the good.

I know these lists we created are made up of mostly small things, but it's good to be grateful for everything. Look around you, you will see so much to be grateful for.

And can I just say, my gratitude is overflowing for the gigantic blessing pictured here:

For all the challenges and joys this family offers, thank you God!

Generous With Her Genius

My friend Kathy is a creative genius. This isn't opinion, it's fact. The lucky thing here.... she's incredibly generous with her genius.

Several years ago, as a group of friends who enjoy rubber stamping and paper crafts, we started a card group. You know the ones. Once a month you make a card for everyone, exchange with each other, and everyone goes home with several different homemade cards to give away. These groups are everywhere (here in Utah at least), but Kathy made ours special. Each month she would plan two extra cards for us to assemble, and in the process, teach us new paper crafting and rubber stamping skills. Here's a few of the cards we assembled under her guidance... click on the picture to see the great details, her genius is in the details.



I know..... they're fabulous. I told you, she's a genius!

After gathering for card group every month for two years, we felt we had a sufficient stash of homemade gorgeousness, and started begging Kathy to create scrapbook layouts that we could assemble each month and then complete with our own photos. Because she is amazing and generous she accepted the challenge, and now, as the year comes to an end, we all have an incredible scrapbook that documents our whole year with style. Last night we got together and assembled our last two layouts for the year.



Here we are displaying the layout for May, which I used to document our adoption of Winnie. I wish I could show you the whole scrapbook because it's marvelous. Every page is a work of art, created by a pro and, sadly, assembled by an amateur. It's okay though, Kathy makes amateurs look good. I love flipping through my scrapbook and enjoying the memories we've made as a family in 2008, feeling grateful for Kathy with every page turn.

What I love about this group that we have going (other than the chance we get to create something beautiful) is that we have an excuse (I don't know why we need one) to get together once a month, do something we love, and enjoy each others company. We've been doing this for so long now that we've become very comfortable with each other. We have some great times. Tons of laughs, mostly thanks to Shannon and Karen, good food, thanks to everyone, and fabulous layouts and cards, thanks to Kathy. I look forward to scrapbook group every month.



Just an aside, check out these cookies Kathy brought last night. Not only do they look delicious, they taste awesome. They have cardamom in them! Even Kathy's cookies are genius. I'm so lucky she's my friend!

Harmless Glasses of Chocolate Milk?

All morning the boys begged and begged for some chocolate milk. I finally gave in. I poured the milk, mixed in the chocolate, gave them each a straw and went to make my bed. When I got back, they had disappeared and this is what they left in their wake!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

See why I hesitate to feed them? It takes them less than 2 minutes to leave this kind of mess and twenty minutes for me to clean it up.

I just don't understand? Is it my parenting abilities, or lack thereof? Just tell me the truth, because if it is, then I only have myself to blame.

(Notice Winnie, she's always hanging around to see what the slobs leave behind. Smart dog. There's usually plenty!)

Winnie

When Mary Kate's piano teacher found out I named my dog after my Grandma Winnie she was horrified. "I can't believe you named your dog after your sweet, darling Grandmother! Who does that?" Obviously Beverly doesn't understand how much I love my dog! I think it's a straight up compliment to Grandma. Who wouldn't want the cutest and most adorable dog on the planet named after them? I think Grandma would be flattered! Besides, Grandma always threatened that she would turn over in her grave if we named one of our children after her (she was never very fond of her name), but she never said anything about dogs.

Now don't freak out readers, I most certainly don't esteem my dog at the same level as my Grandma, but I must venture to say that Grandma Winnie and Winnie Dog (as Jeffrey calls her) have some similarities....

1- They're happy when I come home:

I lived with Grandma all through college. Whether she hadn't seen me for a weekend or just a few hours, she was always happy to see me and always extend an enthusiastic welcome. "Well here's my Jilly!" she would say with a huge grin on her face. Winnie Dog is the same way, she can't say "Jilly" but she practically crawls out of her fur with happiness when I come home.

2- They both sense when I'm down and give me extra love when I am:

Grandma was a cheering influence for me when I was down. She was comforting to be around too. After a terrible day I loved "hanging out" with Grandma. Winnie Dog seems to sense when I'm not quite right. She just knows, and gives me extra affection when I need it. I like "hanging out" with her too.

3- They're both loyal and love me unconditionally:

Grandma always managed to make me feel like she would love me no matter what. That was the best thing about Grandma. Unconditional love was what she offered to everyone. Isn't that what's so great about dogs, their unconditional love?

4- They both love treats:

Grandma always loved a treat. She appreciated a good home baked item and especially liked lemon desserts. If I really wanted to make Grandma happy I would come home from school and bake something yummy. If I want to make Winnie Dog's tail wag, I offer her a treat, only she prefers beggin' strips over lemon bars.

5- They both make me happy:

Grandma always made me happy, all my life. Being with her, seeing her, was always fabulous! And I have to say folks, my dog makes me happy too. I'm shamelessly in love with her.

Now, Grandma never fetched balls and thankfully she didn't bark annoyingly when someone rang the door bell. Winnie Dog doesn't watch Jeopardy with me, nor does she do the daily crossword in the paper with me like Grandma used too, but I'm glad I named my dog Winnie. Everyday when I call her name I get to think about my sweet Grandma who isn't with us anymore and it makes me happy, really happy.

Tummy Talk

"Mommy, guess what my tummy's talking about?"

"I don't know Jeffrey, what's it talking about."

"It's talking about vanilla yogurt and crackers!"

Jeffrey's tummy has been talking a lot these days. It is constantly, and I mean constantly, telling him what it would like to eat. Jeffrey doesn't bother with saying he's hungry anymore, he just says, "Guess what my tummy's talking about?" and then we are required to respond and bend to his tummy's demands.

Jeffrey's tummy language skills extend to others as well. This morning he told me that Jonathan's tummy was talking about toast and mine was talking about nothing because it was too full. He also says Winnie's tummy is always talking about dog food. Even the dog's tummy talks now!

Unfortunately, Jeffrey's tummy does not usually talk to him about nutritious food. Mostly it jabbers on and on about candy and cookies. I wish he and his tummy would have a conversation about enjoying junk foods only in moderation, but apparently he and his gut do not concern themselves with health issues. Sometimes there is tummy dialogue about bananas, apples, and whole wheat toast, but vegetables and meat are taboo subjects.



I read the other day that your small intestine is your second brain, that 95% of your body's serotonin, which is the feel-good hormone, is in your gut. So maybe our stomachs do talk to us in a way. Come to think of it, mine is talking to me right now. It's been nagging me about the same thing ever since the weather turned cold. It's like a broken record, harping incessantly about crisp almond biscotti dipped in a steaming cup of rich hot chocolate. I intend to listen, because tummies don't like being ignored. Just ask Jeffrey.

A Teacher is Born

Very often I walk into Mary Kate's room and this is the scene before me...





...her bedroom is transformed into a thriving girl's school. She has four regular students, one of which is African American (it's important to have some diversity). As you can see, the atmosphere at her school is very relaxed. The students are welcome to come to class in their nightgowns, or maybe it's Pajama Day, who knows?






Her students are taught all the subjects, spelling among them. Above is the spelling section of the "back bord." (I'm afraid Mary Kate inherited her spelling abilities from her mother).



This is a boarding school. After a long day of studying the girls can climb right into bed and go to sleep, they're already in their PJ's.


Sometimes Jonathan and Jeffrey are invited to attend Mary Kate's school. A few days ago she delivered this schedule to me so I would know when to send the boys to class:


This is obviously a church sponsored preschool since Sunday School is offered at anytime.

I faithfully send the boys to school during the scheduled times and enjoy the peace and quiet while they're attending class, but unfortunately this is short lived as Jeffrey gets kicked out of class almost everyday for disruptive behavior. Jonathan manages to remain in class though and is learning all kinds of useful things, he even has a folder stuffed with worksheets and tests. I'm sure Jeffrey has been issued a folder too, but I bet it's not quite so full. How can you complete worksheets and take tests if you're never in class for more than 3 minutes? I'm worried about that kid's educational future!

As a daughter of educators, and a trained educator myself, I love that Mary Kate plays "school" in her free time. I asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up and she said she wanted to be a teacher or an artist. Maybe she could be an art teacher? That would be great, after all, being a teacher is a very noble profession.

A New First Family

I wish I was better with words, especially today as I try to write about how I felt last night as I watched the Presidential election, or more importantly, how I felt as I watched my daughter watch it. I'm going to try to write a little about this though, despite my limitations, because I want to record this historical event in American history, in my history. I want to write about my feelings of gratitude for this great democracy called the United States of America, a country I am very proud today, to call home.

I found myself in tears last night and more tears this morning as I watch the news and as I think about the amazing thing that has just taken place in America. I have been studying some American history lately and as I've studied I've felt a mixture of awe, shame, and heartache. We Americans have accomplished amazing things in our relatively short history as a country and there are many beautiful and unique aspects about us as a people and the way we are able to live our lives here, but much of what we have accomplished and become has come at a huge price. African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics and others have paid that price heavily. Feelings of racism and hate have resulted and are still a part of our country, understandably so, but we are continuously moving in a positive direction. Last night's election proved that in a way that nothing else could.

Mary Kate asked the other day why this election was such a big deal, why everyone was watching and talking about it so much? I explained that much of it was because we are facing some difficult problems in America and people want those problems solved. I explained that people have passionately different opinions about how they want the problems solved, and who they feel would be the best at solving them. After a short lesson on two party politics, I asked her to think about the two candidates. I wanted to see if she was aware of the other reason why this election was so interesting and important to our country. I gave her plenty of time to think, but she couldn't come up with anything. Then I realized: how beautiful that my 9 year old daughter cannot see that one candidate's skin color makes a difference. To her there's nothing significant about it. I'm not sure she had even noticed it at all.

Of course I wanted her to understand that it is significant in so many ways and yet not in other ways, so we had a discussion about what it means in America that potentially we would have an African American family in the White House. We discussed some of the history of blacks in America and talked about racism, where we've been and how far we've come concerning it. Last night as we watched that beautiful family come out on the stage, seeing so many of the crowd in tears, I was thrilled that she was there watching. I hope she understands, even a little, what has happened and what it means for me, for her, and for millions of other Americans that this man has been elected.

I understand that there is much more to this election than the fact that our new president will be black, but I hope that no matter what our political ideas are, that we recognize the significance of what has happened. It says something about us as a people. I think it says something great.

I don't envy President Obama. He has a heavy load on his shoulders, high expectations to live up to, and difficult problems to solve. I hope he will do his job with grace and thoughtfulness. I know we won't all agree about every decision he makes, but, I hope we will keep in mind that he is only human, albeit, an exceptional one.

How President Obama will govern remains to be seen, but I for one am looking at America in a new light today and am feeling kind of warm and fuzzy inside. Considering the last 8 years (the last 200 and something for that matter), I'm enjoying the good feelings and loving the fact that my children will grow up in a country where a person can become whatever they want, no matter what the color of their skin. Thank you for this America!

Votes for Women!

On July 19th, 1848 a convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York. It was the first convention for women's rights held in the United States. This convention was the beginning of the movement for women's suffrage in America. After 72 long years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice by women all over the country the 19th Amendment was at last added to the Constitution. Finally, no one could be denied the right to vote because of their sex.



Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton were the masterminds behind the women's suffrage movement. They dedicated their lives to the cause and worked tirelessly until their deaths. This week I watched the Ken Burn's film, Not for Ourselves Alone, a superb documentary about these two women and their amazing accomplishments in American history. I've seen this film many times before and have always been inspired and touched by it, but even more so this time. We have spent many months watching an interesting and tough campaign during a critical time in our nation's history. Tomorrow is election day, because of these two women and many more like them, I can take part in this election and have a say in my future.

Now folks, I live in Utah. As far as voting is concerned, it isn't too exciting here. I think it would be great to live in a swing state where it would feel more like my vote actually makes a difference, but nonetheless, I always vote. I owe it to Susan, Elizabeth and all the other women who went before me who didn't have the right, wanted it desperately, and worked for it so tirelessly. I simply won't take for granted my hard earned right.

Female or not, I hope we will all take the time to vote tomorrow, even though we may spend hours in line. It's our right, our privilege, and our responsibility, swing state or not.

There, I climbed on my soap box and said my peace, now I can go to bed and sleep soundly. I voted earlier this week thus wont be at the polls tomorrow, I will be home, glued to my television set, watching this amazing event in America history. May the best man win.

While on a tour in New York City, our bus stopped right

by this sign. I took a picture to remember two of my hero's.

Wonderland

Twas brillig, and the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe....

Five years ago, after finding out I was having twin boys, my mom had the idea that some Halloween it would be perfect to dress the twins up as Tweedledee and Tweedledum from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. I've wanted to do that ever since, and this Halloween we made it happen. Mary Kate and I joined the fun too. She dressed like Alice and I, the Queen of Hearts (or Queen of Love, as Jonathan mistakenly called her). I thought we all looked perfectly story-book, especially the boys!


Mary Kate makes a better red-head, but Alice must be blond



We hit a Halloween home run with these costumes. They were perfect!



Check out Jonathan's face in this picture, priceless



The Queen of Love does not say, "OFF WITH HER HEAD!"

The Queen and her royal subjects


Where was Mike for all of this Wonderland excitement?



I talked him into wearing a Mad Hatter hat while handing out treats to the kids, but this was all I could get him to do. I guess he didn't think dressing in an over sized, bright blue velveteen suit and bow tie was very manly. I figure, if you're going to wear the dorky hat you might as well go whole hog!

The kids had a fantastic time trick-or-treating and didn't even notice the light drizzle of rain as they sprinted from house to house. At one point Jeffrey's shoe came untied. I had to stop him mid-run to tie it. I had hardly bent down to begin when he said,

"Mommy, are you done tying my shoe?"

"No, not yet, hold still!"

"Are you done? Now?.....now?.....now?......now?......now?....now?.....now?.....now?"

"O.K. now!"

and he took off like lightening as if waiting one more second would result in the candy being all gone.

By the end of the night he was tuckered out. We had two doors left to knock on when he said, "Mom, we're having a long day today huh?"

Halloween usually ends up being tons of work for me and only fun for the kids, but I really enjoyed myself this year. I was delighted with the boys costumes. They looked more perfect than I ever imagined they would. I also scored major points with Mary Kate by being one of the "cool" moms who dressed up to come to the costume parade and class party.

It was a fun-filled pagan holiday, but after coming home from trick-or-treating, I collapsed on the couch and vegged in front of the television for the rest of the night. I was completely worn out!



I hope everyone had a great Halloween!