Winter Weather Wonderland

THIS IS SATURDAY MORNING AFTER A NIGHT OF SNOW

THIS IS THE START OF THE STORM We have a big snowstorm coming today. We have known about it for days and have watched it cross the country. There is no question that we will have snow, lots of snow, maybe even a foot or more. They, the weather people, can even tell us pretty much when it will start and end, which is amazing when you think that a century or so ago, they would have no clue that it was coming and people went about their business just not knowing what was about to hit them. It was cold this morning but not too bad and, all in all, a decent day for December in New England. If you had no contact with humanity you just wouldn't be aware how the day would turn so quickly.

It made me think of watching hurricanes coming towards us when we lived in Alabama. We would watch the Weather Channel for days, seeing it coming, getting prepared with food, batteries, making sure the laundry is done just in case we lost power. We were too far inland to have to worry about boarding up windows or anything like that but we did put away lawn furniture and outside toys and then would just wait for it to come. It feels alot like that now except that it's a whole lot colder. The grocery store was crowded, everyone cramming in last minute errands so they could stay home this afternoon. We are really lucky to have that technology so we can be prepared.

Too bad we can't have radar for other things, other problems that affect us so strongly. But I guess we do sometimes. When Dave lost his job a few years ago, it seemingly came out of the blue with very little warning yet I was not surprised. I had been feeling for months that a big change was going to happen in our lives. I knew that we would be moving. I even almost told people that we were moving when there was no reason for me to think that we would be, it was that strong of a feeling. We have the blessing of a spiritual "radar" that can help prepare us for life's storms. Aren't we lucky!

It is now over 24 hours since the storm started and it is still snowing!

Moms aren't allowed to be sick

I really don't feel well today. I have a sore throat and my head hurts and I'm all congested. I really needed to take a day off and just stay home in bed but Christmas is next week and so is Erica's wedding and we have a major storm coming in, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. I had to go out. I had no choice. So I got Emma to school, went to the mall, the library, the post office, the grocery store, to Garrett's school to pick him up and to Emma's school to pick her up. I'm all done and home and hunkered down with the snow starting to pile up. I should be resting but I can't seem to relax. I mean there is laundry to do and the kitchen is dirty and phone calls to make, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera (I am thinking of the "King and I" as I type those). Someone needs to force me to take it easy but Dave is still at work (he has let all the employees go but he is still there-I think he's going to have to spend the night there if he doesn't get home fast:) and the kids, well you know kids, as soon as I lay down they will be knocking at my door, sure as shootin'. Moms just aren't allowed to be sick!

Bah, Humbug!

For some reason (could it be a wedding?) I am having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit. Oh, I'm doing my shopping alright, done and wrapped even, but I haven't been interested in listening to Christmas music, decorating (as the pictures show, that stuff has been out for several days), writing the Christmas letter, baking, and even watching Scrooge and It's a Wonderful Life isn't helping much. I think that this year just went by too fast, too jam-packed with things and events. It feels like it should maybe be September, definitely not December yet. I want to enjoy the nice fall days a little longer, have Halloween again, with a little less chaos, have a more relaxed Thanksgiving where I could really enjoy it and not just run around trying to get things done. I don't know why it is but life just is whizzing by full of have-to's instead of want-to's. I've been trying to ignore the housework and just enjoy the fun stuff but somehow that isn't helping much:) Maybe by Valentine's Day I will be ready for Christmas. That just may be when y'all get your Christmas cards from us!

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!

I had this song going through my head all Sunday morning. We woke up to rain mixed with snow which later turned to all snow. I love it when it falls gently with big flakes. I desperately wanted to skip church and just stay home, not just because I didn't want to drive in it, but because I love to sit by the fire with a good book and be able to look out the window at the falling snow. The kids, of course, just wanted to play in it. I could hardly get Emma dressed in her church clothes because she just wanted to put her snow pants on and go play! Alyssa especially loves the snow and will spend hours outside in it. When we got home from church it had pretty much stopped snowing so they all changed into their snowgear (a major project) and went outside. Alyssa went out and shoveled the driveway for us, although not all of it. Dave got to use his new snowblower. It was very cold the next day and the pond was starting to freeze over. (We have what is officially called a Great Pond near us which is really a lake. I'll get pictures of it sometime.) Today it is all gone and it is 60 degrees. That's my kind of snow-only an inch or two, just enough to play in, and it's all gone in a couple of days.

Marching Band

Diana has been playing in the band this year and since she plays the oboe, she had to pick another instrument to play in the marching band. She chose to play the bass drum, mostly because it is easy. She had some concerns about marching and playing at the same time but has done well with it. She did find out that playing the drum in a parade is exhausting because they play the entire time without a break!
The picture is before the Middleboro Christmas parade and the video is from the Thanksgiving day football game. Diana is the second in line of the bass drums. (Analisa is the first in line, for those of you who know her.)

We love Wii!

Garrett, Alyssa, and Dave show off some of their high scores in bowling.

Emma loves to play the drums.

Diana and Garrett playing guitar and bass.

Playing Wii has become a favorite family pastime. And why not? Bowling, tennis, golf, rock band...of course we enjoy it! Even the younger kids have gotten quite good at it. Emma and Alyssa have beaten me at bowling, embarrassing but true. Guess I need to practice a bit more:)

Thanksgiving

Post-feasting fun in the basement

Phase Ten-with no fighting this time (the Cook girls were there-they are too nice to fight)

Dave and Craig handled the cleanup. Muchas Gracias!

We kept up our traditional hosting of the Thanksgiving dinner at our house again this year. We have done this for many years now. We gather up friends who, like us, don't have family close by and have a big dinner and talk, play games, etc. with them. We have really enjoyed doing this and this year was no exception with the Metro, Cook, Culotta families and the missionaries all coming for dinner! I didn't get all the pictures I wanted to-too busy cooking! but here are a few. And yes, we had all our traditional dishes. Gotta love the sweet potato casserole!

Spencer and Erica

Playing wii bowling. Alyssa and Emma were winning until right at the end.

Erica helped make cupcakes for Thanksgiving.

Spencer and Erica came to visit us last week. Well, they also came to get their marriage license but we know that the most important thing was visiting us. It was a short visit, just a day and a half, but a lot of fun. They played all day with the kids, took them to the playground, played wii with them and after they were in bed, Spencer beat us in rummikub. It was a really nice visit! they left early Thanksgiving morning to go to Spencer's house for Thanksgiving dinner.

Simple Errand?

So I needed to get the oil changed in the car today. A simple errand, right? Nope! Not with a 3 year old in tow. Especially my 3 year old. Just getting out to the car is a major event! Just getting dressed is filled with drama. Today it was over socks, finding the right ones, and the fact that I dribbled one drop of water on her sweater, causing her to change her sweater despite my assertions that it'll dry in just a minute! Then we have to get in the car. I have learned that she has to be the one to close the door to the house so we made it over that hurdle but I didn't know that she would be mad about me opening the car door. Once inside I had to convince her to buckle in and then we could finally leave. We made it there safely although she did unbuckle the seat belt once. At first, the guy at the shop said it would take 2-2 1/2 hours to work on my car but after reviewing my records said that it would only be an hour. Whew!!! I knew I wouldn't have survived that long! So with a little bit of embarrassment due to the condition of my car (smashed crackers, several coats, shoes, tights, toys, and lots of trash) we handed over the keys and headed to the waiting room. She actually did quite well in the waiting room thanks to the tv, toys, and oh, yes, the vending machine. What is it about vending machines that gets kids all excited? I guess putting the coins in and getting a treat out is pretty neat. Come to think of it, vending machines get me a little excited too. Anyhow, the doritoes and poptarts were a life saver for me today. Not sure how Honda will feel with all the crumbs we left behind. But hey! at least she wasn't screaming! Now I can only hope that all those carbs make her sleepy...

Tae Kwon Do

Garrett has been taking tae kwon do (hereafter known as tkd) for almost 2 years now. It is a sport that really fits his personality. We went the usual route with him at first: soccer, t-ball, basketball, but none of those really worked for him. He liked the basketball somewhat but hated the soccer and was bored with t-ball, mostly because he was always stuck out in the outfield because he could throw pretty far. He has asked to play football lately, apparently they played alot at recess, but was too late to play fall ball. He says that he wants to play for BYU and then turn pro:) For now, however, tkd is it. I think he does much better with intense, mentally-challenging, individual sports than with team sports. And tkd has been great for him. It is a sport that emphasizes self-control, focus, and respect for others. Who doesn't want that for their child? They recite the student creed and pledge sometimes:

The Student Creed:
To build true confidence
through knowledge in the mind, honesty in the heart, and strength in the body.
To keep friendship with one another, and to build a strong and happy community.
Never fight to achieve selfish ends, but to develop
MIGHT FOR RIGHT

The Student Pledge:
I Will
Develop myself in a positive manner and avoid anything that can reduce my mental growth and physical health.
I Will
Develop self-discipline in order to bring out the best in myself and others.
I Will
Use what I have learned in class constructively and defensively to help myself and my fellow people, and to never be abusive or offensive.
We Are
A Black Di School, we are dedicated, we are motivated, we are on a quest to be the best.
KIA!!!

Today he had a test for a new di (belt). He currently has a yellow/orange belt and tested for an orange belt. It was a rigorous 3 hour test that included lots of jumping jacks, pushups, situps, kicks, and some sparring. He did really well and should get his orange di. Sensei has always been very complimentary and supportive of Garrett. He has been a wonderful, positive role model for him. Garrett has even talked of having his own martial arts club some day. That remains to be seen but I know that Garrett will take with him many very positive things from his experiences with tkd!

Alyssa's palate expander

Emma is all ready to go to Alyssa's appointment in her new dress.

Alyssa's school picture

Alyssa is a beautiful girl who just happened to inherit her mother's narrow mouth. She has been moving her lower jaw over to the left in order to be able to chew (very visible in her school picture) so we decided that, even though she is only 7, we needed to go ahead and get started with the orthodontia. She has been very excited about this and has asked constantly when she would be getting the palate expander. It has taken a full month with 4 separate appointments but yesterday was the big day. She got the expander and a few braces to help guide the teeth into place. She did very well! The office staff were amazed at how well she handled the long 1 1/2 hour appointment. She is anxious to take good care of her teeth and wants to make sure she eats all the right things and none of the wrong ones. She has not been very sore so far. The scrape she got on her knee on Wednesday while running to the bus stop has bothered her more. Emma did amazingly well too. She liked being able to go out in her new dress. (The hot pink tights were her idea!)

Garrett's Testimony

Garrett is not the typical 10 year old boy. He has never been typical at whatever age he was. At 5 and 6 he was reading nutrition labels and discussing the vitamins in things. Now he is giving out marriage and parenting advice. His prayers have always been interesting. When he was little, his older sisters would all have to listen to his evening prayers because you just never knew what he was going to say, but I'll save all that for another post. What I want to talk about now is his testimony.
Garrett bears his testimony every single month in Testimony meeting. I mean every month. He never misses and hasn't for at least a year and a half. Now I know a lot of kids do the same but the difference is that he doesn't bear the typical little kid testimony with the same few sentences. Garrett gets up and gives a sermon. At first when he started doing this he said some things that really weren't appropriate for a testimony and we would find ourselves wanting to crawl under the bench. Even now we tense up a bit when he stands up. We have had many discussions on what constitutes a testimony. So now he has gotten pretty good at it. I have had branch members tell me that they love it when he stands up, although some say they get a little nervous just like we do. One went on and on one day about what a great missionary he'll make because he isn't nervous at all getting up and speaking in front of people. For a while he had the theme of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon and having to wait 4 years to handle the plates. This last meeting he got up after an older woman who sang a song during her testimony. Her voice was a bit warbly (Emma leaned over and said, "That's creepy"). When Garrett got up we were really worried what he would say. He started saying something about it being different and unique but then commented that it was nice. Then he talked about how life is like a video game and how every new step, such as getting baptized, takes us to a new level that is more challenging and how winning the game is like making it to the Celestial kingdom. It was an amazingly well-thought out analogy! We just never know what he is going to come up with!

No More Purple Bathroom!

I am so happy that my bathroom walls are no longer grape popsicle purple! Even the kids hated the color. Now it's a nice soft sagey green that goes soooo much better with the tile and cabinetry. We are slowly getting the house put together the way we want it!

George Bush

I wonder if anyone has noticed just how magnanimous George Bush has been? You don't have to agree with his politics or anything. I'm just talking aboout his behavior. I mean really, this is a guy who has been vilified in the press for 8 years, his approval ratings are in the toilet, he is constantly made fun of over stupid little things, and his own party treated him as a pariah during the election. You would think he would be giving everyone the finger, and then going off to Texas to sulk. Yet he doesn't. He has been gracious to the Obama's and has instructed his staff to do everything they can to make the transition go smoothly. I wonder if how things were for him 8 years ago has affected his decision to turn the other cheek. I remember how awful the Clintonites were to the incoming Bush staffers. They were mean and vindictive. Bush could have sat back and let things go how they may. Instead he has shown class and kindness. He is the kind of person I would like to have over for dinner. For that matter, I would like to have the Obamas over as well. I think that Obama behaves in a dignified manner and I would be comfortable having him in our home. I couldn't say the same about Bill Clinton.

I have been inspired by George. How many times when someone hurts our feelings or things don't go our way do we feel the need to let others know it? What good does it do? Sure we could gripe and complain about the way we are treated but why? Instead we can take the high road and do our best to treat others in a Christlike manner. If we have been wronged it'll come out in the long run and if it doesn't, at least we have behaved in way that can be respected. Thanks, George Bush. I, for one, appreciate your example.

Revenge is sweet!

Okay, so we all know that we will be embarrassed by or upset with our kids at some point. It's to be expected. After all, we did it to our parents, didn't we? And kids are good at it! They know just how to get you. The fashion-conscious mother is bound to get a child who insists on wearing snow boots and a sleep mask to the grocery store in July (actually, I'm not fashion-conscious particularly but I did take Emma to the store like this) or gets vomited on by her 1 year-old at her kids soccer game. The shy parent will have a child who sings "If You're Happy and You Know It" at the top of her lungs while bouncing all through Walmart. The sensitive parent gets called an idiot by her 3-year-old (a couple of weeks ago) and gets kicked out of Denny's because her child is having a major tantrum. Yes, all of these have happened to me and I'm okay. I've even become inured to it somewhat. Because I know what happens when they become teenagers. Yes, I got back at them somewhat by eating their halloween candy but that
isn't the best part.
They become embarrassed by everything you do, even the fact that you exist. (Oh, Mom!) It's so easy. Even the mere threat that you might show up to chaperone a dance or (horrors!) get on facebook is enough to send them into a tizzy. So...if your children are young and driving you crazy just hang in there, eat a few fun-sized candy bars, and remember, your time will come!

Smile for the camera Emma!

So, if you ask Emma to smile for the camera she will make all kinds of faces rather than just smile prettily. Close her eyes, make a goofy face, stick out her gum, anything other than just smiling. Emma has her own mind, without a doubt but she has absolutely no problem telling everyone else what to do! She regularly comes out of her room at night and tells me it is time for me to go to sleep. She will not hold my hand when we walk through parking lots and refuses to wear a coat when it is cold outside. Now, I have had others who also were strong-willed and stubborn when they were her age and they have turned out just fine. We know that she will too, if we can just survive...

Halloween!

Emma's preschool had a Halloween party today. They wore their costumes and paraded through the school.

These are my Frankenstein cupcakes.

Alyssa and Katherine

Emma and Lorelei wore the same dress!

These pictures were taken at last week's trunk or treat.

They were so excited for Halloween of course! Emma thought she got to take all the candy from our candy bowl. Alyssa got spacers a few days ago in preparation for her palate expander and is not allowed anything chewy or sticky. She is so bummed! She'll be able to eat them after the spacers are taken out next week. She doesn't get the expander for a few weeks.

Diana is not home for all the festivities. She went with the field hockey team to Nantucket for a playoff game. (They lost.) She said that it was really cool there and that they had a big Halloween parade.

Stolen Innocence

I just finished reading this book and found it to be very interesting on several levels. It was strange to read about a girl growing up in a large city-she lived in Salt Lake City until she was 13 but she had very little interaction with anyone outside of the FLDS members and was taught that outsiders were evil. The community was so controlling that they had very little idea of what most people would consider normal. Everything about their lives was controlled by their church including the style of their clothing and hair, their schooling, jobs, etc. Very strange. And then to be forced into marriage at age 14 when she was in many ways because of the extreme contol much younger than most 14-year-olds. She really was just a child. After reading all that she went through I'm surprised that she has handled things as well as she has. She should be a basket case. I have been aware of the FLDS community for quite awhile, long before the El Dorado stuff of this past summer but had not been aware of their doctrine. They believe in the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith but then they take an extreme right turn and much of what they believe is hard for me to understand or I imagine for any outsider to understand. I found this to be a very interesting, well-written read.

So we were watching the BYU game on one channel and the Sox game on another, flipping back and forth between the two and thoroughly disgusted with both of them. About 11 pm I had had enough. It was the 7th inning and the Red Sox were down 7-0 so I went to bed. 5:30 does come early you know. This morning I'm walking on the treadmill and watching the news and what the heck! The Red Sox won! We had a chance to get tickets for the game but Garrett had Open House at his school and Dave was coming back from New Jersey. Even if we had gone we would have been part of the crowd leaving early. Wow!

GO SOX!

Pretty Diana

Diana didn't care for that last picture so I am putting up a nice one of her. Pretty!!

How to Torture a Teenager

1. Force her to go on an all-day drive with her family. (See previous post)

2. Drive for hours out in the country where there is no cellphone service.

3. Have her sit next to a 3-year-old who screams half the time (I want Chinese food!)

4. Have her sit in front of a 10-year-old brother who puts his feet up on her seat.

5. Watch endless hours of Max and Ruby dvd's in an effort to keep said 3-year-old quiet.

6. Tease her about moving there and homeschooling her.

How to make it up to her: Find a mall with a Chick-Fil-A and an Arby's-both restaurants that we miss!

New England beauty

On Monday the kids had a day off from school so we decided to take a drive to see all the beautiful fall colors and some of the quintessential New England towns. This is such a beautiful time of year here. The weather is nice-in the 60's most days and the 40's-50's at night. The leaves are beautiful of course. It's amazing how brilliant they can be! We drove in a loop up through New Hampshire with its hills and quaint towns. At one point we drove up a hill where you could see out across a valley. Gorgeous!