trip to Victoria

I'm at my sister-in-law's in washington right now just back from Victoria BC. Yes, Victoria. This is where Dustin grew up (when he wasn't on an island on the other side of the world.) This is where my sister moved when I was nine. This is where I lived as a newly wed and had Maxwell. Dustin's parent have water front property and they have a sea lion living in their bay. Looking out over their lawn complete with palm trees and fountains, it inspires everything good. We have such good friends and awesome family there, and even through the fog and misty rain, it's gorgeous. The aroma of moss, mushrooms, and wild berries feels you with the sensation of life and growth. Ahhhhhh......oh well........back to the wind swept snowy treeless prairie. But, don't get me wrong. I don't want to be a dissatisfied snob. I love Cardston. I love my friends and family there. I'm happy staying there. You have to be happy with every stage of your life at every location of your life, or what's the point of life? I'm not pining for Victoria, but this trip has certainly renewed my love for it.

Until further notice...

Well, I am giving up my desktop computer for a month or two...or three. I will have our ipod touch and that's it, so this may be goodbye for now. Dustin sold his laptop to his dad and Dustin needs a computer for work, so "my" computer is now his work computer. We are saving up for the new 27" imac, but we won't be able to afford it for a while, and until we do, I'll just have to sacrifice. Remember, I have no TV or radio etc. I do have my movie projector, and my ipod, but I think I'll get out of the house more. I'll probably see even more of my Cardston friends who are in this photo, and that's better then emails and cyber/digital forms of entertainment anyway...right?

Halloween

Halloween was interesting this year. Cardston is under attack with the Swine Flu. Many people didn't go trick or treating or to parties or out at all so that the flu wouldn't spread more. Dustin's cousins put caution tape up all over with a sign that said "Swine flu in here...keep out!" as a welcome to trick or treaters. We had a small party anyway which the kids loved, and we couldn't resist going just around the block, but at the last house they said "we have the flu, so we're not giving candy" WHY DID YOU OPEN THE DOOR? But we did have a fun surprise: Dustin was gone on business, and said he wouldn't be home until wednesday but he showed up with his dad on Halloween and pretended to be trick or treating. I totally fell for it and thought it was kind of creepy that two grown ups would be trick or treating so late at night. Ha ha

Six Months

I borrowed my sister-in-law's camera because Daniel is just so incredibly cute, he deserves to be photographed with a good camera. He's my little buddy. He's my happiest baby yet. I don't know if it's because I know now that he will grow up fast like my other two, but I feel like he's my favourite baby ever. Isn't he just so loveable?

missionary

My parents are going on a mission soon, and I realized that this is the first of a never ending stream of missionaries. Before they come home, my nephew Steven will go, and before he comes home, my nephew Ruben will go, and before he comes home Alex then Ammon then Aaron then Jaeden etc. until it's time for my boys! I'm quite excited about the fact and it will be wonderful for my boys to have so many fantastic examples. I'm going to make a missionary board with pictures of missionaries who are out and have my boys write them.

Make your house clean by magic

Have you ever looked around at your house and thought that cleaning it was an insurmountable task? Did you look at the dishes and toys and junk and have absolutely no motivation to make your house sparkling once more? Then have no fear, I have the answer for you! You simply call up one of your friends. Someone you don't see too often. Invite them over to your house for dessert in two hours...or three depending on how messy your house is. (Note: do NOT invite them for dinner as this will just make you totally stressed out...) and Voila!!! You will magically become Mary Poppins. You will start frantically cleaning every mess in sight. Your speed and energy levels will be astoundingly high. Your children will also magically change into cleaning machines. Simply tell them of your plan for visitors and dessert, and they will jump up and start following your directions without wining! Yes, you too can have a clean house. What about the promised dessert you ask? A brownie mix in the back of your pantry (fair trade of course), some simple vanilla icecream....and POOF a really yummy and nice looking dessert without using very many dishes or mess. Feel free to actually eat this dessert, since you have ALREADY burned off all the calories that this morsel might create by cleaning your house. After your guests have eaten their dessert, start cleaning up the dishes right then...your guests will not be offended, but impressed at your cleanliness, and most will offer to help! Do not encourage them to stay too long, as this might create a mess, but after they leave, look around you...Your house is sparkly clean!!! Yes life can be grand.

spelling bee

I organized a spelling bee for our homeschool group here. It was pretty successful but busy. I am a big advocate of trying to make other people spell correctly, because I can't spell worth beans, and I feel stupid because of it. Spelling is also something you need to focus on with homeschoolers since it doesn't just come to you the way a lot of things do when you love to learn. When one kid recited a word, they got one piece of their bee costume until, after a few rounds, they all looked like bonafide bees. (Sort of) Too bad I don't have my camera anymore...these are just a portion of my bee kids.