Day 5 - A picture of somewhere you've been

I did NOT take this picture.
And we weren't even able to stay long enough for the full guided tour.
But Oak Alley (in Vacherie, LA) is beautiful.

Back in Summer 2003, right before I started my last term of student teaching (which near about killed me. And, NO, that is NOT hyperbole or exaggeration.), Michael's family went on a family vacation to visit his grandparents in Mississippi.

I hadn't ever met a good chunk of his mom's family ... except for one aunt and her daughters, really. So I was nervous. Not only about making a good impression (as the Yankee girl that I am) ... but about travelling so far. AND making it back in time to start my term of student teaching.

It was an interesting trip. I usually travel with a bit of an itinerary -- What all do I WANT to do? Where are the places that I REALLY want to visit? Where, if we have time, should we stop?

I know that when I was REALLY little, like when I was two or three, my parents and some friends went to Louisiana. I have absolutely NO recollection of this. Except for some photographs and a memory of wearing a shirt that said "My parents went to Louisiana and all they brought me was this lousy shirt." It was a blue shirt.

This trip was different. I was traveling with a LARGE party. I had to check luggage (SO NERVE-WRACKING!! And this was even BEFORE all the TSA stuff REALLY got started. ... The only other plane trips that I'd been on [that I could RECALL] had been with my Dad. From Eugene to Portland and then to LAX and back. Twice. ... Well, that was the plan. The second time, the return trip went LAX to Seattle to circling Eugene to landing in Portland and taking a bus to Eugene. SUCH A LONG DAY. UGH). There was a layover in Las Vegas ... so I got to see the strip. From a distance, sitting in my seat the whole time.
One of my sisters-in-law, T1, had her birthday. And Cousin K (traveling with us), did some magic.
She talked a passenger into singing to T1 ... and talked the flight attendant into letting him do it OVER THE LOUDSPEAKER ... and so it was a full sing-along around 9 PM at night.
Where T1 was serenaded with the traditional birthday song of .... "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling."
Good times. Good times.
(And thank goodness for my repeated viewings of Top Gun, so I actually knew the lyrics!)

I made a good enough impression on people. Michael's Aunt S seems to still adore me. Which is VERY flattering. And I didn't come back with a Southern drawl that I couldn't shake. I sounded VERY Yankee the whole time I was there. And I think they appreciated that I like Grits. (Yum!) ... Although, I was too scared to try fried catfish (I really don't care for fish. I'll eat a tuna salad sandwich every so often. Or fish sticks on occasion. Or some clam chowder or Tilapia or Crab Rangoon ... but I haven't gotten a real love for seafood overall.)

I also got to walk around Bourbon Street in New Orleans. A drunk guy puked and it splashed on my shoe.
I've never been so grateful for NOT having been wearing flip-flops in my entire life. EVER.
I liked the architecture ... but, let me tell you something: Word to the wise -- "Gentlemen's clubs are NOT for real gentlemen. *shudders* Calling those places "gentlemen's clubs?" That is a HOUSE OF LIES. With a TOWER OF LIES on top. Sheltered by a ROOF OF LIES.

Because a REAL gentleman wouldn't solicit women to parade their goods in a state of undress.
A REAL gentleman would treat them with respect. And worry about their self-esteem.
Just sayin'.

I had really hoped to tour a graveyard down there ... since I'm obviously full of morbidity and ISSUES. (But, you know what? Michael wanted to, too. So THERE!) ... But we didn't get the chance. :(

We did get to go to a NASA museum. I don't know if it was in Lousiana or in Mississippi, though. (I wasn't driving.)

There still, sadly, are lots of race issues down there. I, for my part, did my best to look everyone in the eye and smile at them, regardless of skin color.
Because, as an abolitionist, that's my job. ^_^

And I got to learn what 'Nana Peppers are when we all went to Subway.
T1 got them on her sandwich, thinking they'd be like peperoncini peppers. But they're not. And they're pickled with dill. Which she didn't care for. But, hey, we learned something new. ... And that they're called BANANA PEPPERS by the rest of the continental US.

Michael had worried me by telling me that Grandpa I's accent was heavy enough that I should't worry if I couldn't understand him.
Um ... there was no problem.
(I had a harder time understanding my first boyfriend's dad. He was soft-spoken and in about the lowest register I've heard a speaking voice be! Nice guy, that dad. We don't quite share the same interests or sense of humor. But he was a nice man.)
So I worried SO MUCH about THAT for nothing.
(Unfounded worries are much better than the founded kind, though. So I was okay with that.)

But, overall, it was an interesting trip. I got to see a lot of the country as we flew over it. I got to meet lots of Michael's aunts, uncles, cousins, and his grandparents (Seriously, I have a total of seven first cousins. Technically eight ... but I only learned about that one about eight years ago. I've never met her. ... Michael has enough cousins on EITHER SIDE that he loses count. THAT'S A LOT OF COUSINS!! ... Whereas, I can keep track of ALL my first cousins AND more than a handful of first-cousins once removed. Because our families are smaller, I guess. And it's not that ALL his folks are from the South, so it's not like smaller families are a Yankee thing. Still, I just am boggled at it. Probably since I'm an only child. Who knows?)
I got to visit places I hadn't been before. And, best of all, I got to do it with Michael by my side.

Even though I was away from Ginger-cat and Diana-cat for just over a WHOLE WEEK. That was unprecedented. But they were fine.
At least the downstairs neighbors didn't have ANOTHER fire while we were gone. *rolls eyes*

Oh, make up your own title ...

Okay, where did I leave off?

So, I wrote the letter to the missionaries. And emailed a copy to the Ward Mission Leader (so he'd know what was up). When I gave it to one of the elders at church, he's all, "SWEET! Thanks!" And... well, I just looked at him with an expression quite like this: O.o <-- See how there's no smile? And one eye is all BOGGLING. Yeah. There may have even been a quirked eyebrow.

Haven't heard anything back. However, I have a feeling that either they will or they won't be a little more considerate and effective in managing their schedule in regards to the members of the ward that volunteer to feed them.

It's kind of a crapshoot, though.

What else ... Oh. I was asked to talk to the Singles' Branch Relief Society (the women's class, for those of you not fluent in Mormon-speak) about eternal marriage ... and how Michael and I met, blah, blah, and how I feel blessed.
I brought in three pictures: One that went our with our wedding invitations (We're on a slide! We're so cute!), one from our wedding (We're KISSING!), and our last family photo last fall (where I have practically BLACK hair ... I wanted a change. :P).

And I talked about my crap dating record in high school, how I went to college with hopes of finding a husband (but I DID have a backup plan of being the crazy cat lady living in a Victorian house with 98 cats ... since 99 would just be TOO MANY. No, really. I had it ALLLLLL worked out. Well, except how to BUY that house ...) ...
And, well, you'd almost have thought I was doing comedy stand-up in that church lesson. I know that I have a  ... singular, per se, look on life ... but gosh, these gals were quite entertained.
I mean, I DID work to be spiritual when I could. I have a testimony of eternal marriage and the importance of being sealed together in the temple. I love that, as long as I am faithful to the covenants that I've made with Heavenly Father in the temple, I am GUARANTEED to have these blessings. And this even goes for the blessings that I received when I was sealed to my parents when I was a child.
I have a family where our relations are not just "till death do you part." And I love that. I love that my children will ALWAYS by my children (With all the frustration and effort I put into my relationships, I'm glad they are going to last.) ... And, as an added bonus, as long as I am faithful, I am promised that THEY will always come back to the church. (And, as a girl who has quite a few friends who've strayed from the proverbial fold, it comforts me that their parents have that reassurance.)

I mean ... it never made sense to me that God would command us to create families and these loving relationships only to end them when we leave this life. I'm just saying.
... And, if I may be so bold, it never made sense because that's NOT how it's supposed to be.

Also, I think it's lovely to KNOW FOR A FACT that my husband thinks I'm worth the sacrifices that he had to make to be worthy to be married and sealed to me in the place I've ALWAYS wanted to be married.
(And vice versa. I could have made many decisions that would have made me unable to attend the temple, without time and repentance ... but he knows that this was a priority for me, too. ^_^)

I can testify that our Heavenly Father loves us. And He wants the best for us. I know that He has commanded that we be sealed to our spouses and family so that these loving, familial bonds need not be broken at death. He wants this for us because it is a GOOD thing. It will give us joy. It will help increase our love for each other.

(At the same time, I will admit that not every marriage will work out. Even ones sealed in the temple. My mom's birthday present this year, the one that made it most memorable for her, was receiving a letter from the First Presidency of the church -- President Thomas S. Monson, our prophet; and his two counselors -- granting her a temple divorce from my father [who left the church over a decade ago] and giving her the freedom to be sealed to my stepdad. ... and I have other friends who've seen their marriages not work. But, I will say that I've received many blessings from being sealed in the temple. And I would be thrilled if everyone could receive them. They make me happy. I want everyone to be so happy.)

... Since Sunday, what's happened?
Let's see ....

I was productive and set up a doctor's appointment for the kiddos (need a new shot. Ugh. I TRIED to get everything done on time. But one was EARLY! So they need another. I have a feeling that I'll need to take them out for ice cream to make it up to them. :P

We have dentist appointments set up. They'll have theirs before they start school. I'll have mine after they've been in school a couple days.

I got to go to the OB. Set up a new appointment for next month ...
Also did the first of two tests for the Sequential Screening (check the nuchal ["New-KAHL"] tube for any threats of being born with something like spina bifida, run blood and urine tests to rule out any genetic issues [like Trisomies or something]) ...

The ultrasound was different ... there's only one in there, so I'm amazed at how much room the bean has. But the nuchal tube (when we could get the bean to cooperate. Ha. Takes after me. Ha.) looked normal. Yay.
Little Bean moved around, was swallowing, had his/her arms thrown up over his/her head ... like I do when I sleep. Ha. I got to see his/her brain, spine, ribs ... It's a very different experience having just one in there.

The blood draw (when I made it to the right floor. Oy. SO -- the ultrasound is done on the FIRST FLOOR. The LAB is on 2. I got mixed up and went to 3, the one where my OB's practice is. Then I had to go back to 2, THEN I started to head over to the side of THAT floor ... and then had to turn around and go back to the elevator and go to 3. *sigh*) was fine. I can't look when I get pricked. But once the needle's in (and, OH, my darlings ... I forget that Blood Drive needles are SO MUCH THICKER than these. This was such a tiny needle, since they only needed to fill, like, FIVE tiny vials ... Instead of a pint bag and THREE BIG vials.), I'm fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine.

Then I got to do a "clean urine catch." For this, you take your little cup, a piece of gauze, and a wet wipe. You clean your bits (front to back), wipe away the wet wipe residue with the gauze, make sure your cup is open ... and you start peeing in the toilet, move the cup in so that you're catching mid-stream pee, and move the cup away so that you FINISH peeing IN THE TOILET.
I always end up peeing ALL OVER my hand.
EVERY TIME.
(But, as my OB assures me [and I assured myself every time I have to clean up pee ... or when I'd change my son's diaper and he peed in my face that ONE time ... and Dad C cracked up. Can't blame him, really], healthy urine is sterile.)  ... But still, I worked to wipe off the outside of the cup as best as I could for those poor lab techs. And I washed my hands REALLY well so I wouldn't have pee-fingers. Gross.

My OB visit went fine. I'm down to under 200 pounds. Yup, I've lost a bit of weight. Since I've been so nauseated. And I got to talk with my doctor about ... regularity. So I'm now drinking at least one glass of *shudders* Citrucel a day. Ugh.
I've found it easiest to get down later in the day. And with some crushed ice added before I mix it in the blender. It's a fiber smoothie.
And just writing about it is turning my stomach this early in the morning. Ugh.

But it was a good visit. My blood pressure is fine, the bean's moving around and has a healthy heartbeat (160 bpm, iirc. From both the ultrasound AND the Doppler).

My mom and I took the kids to Target. Bucket got Barbies (Barbie and Stacey roller-skating). Bruise got a new Lego game (NINGAQ, in case you were DESPERATE to know). I got deodorant, that GREAT Citrucel (blech), and a Zeno Blemish Reducing tool.
I have to say that it works. I've been breaking out a ton. And I've been working at washing my face with cleanser and my Derma-New brush. Then using a Microderm treatment (with the microderm scrub head on my Derma-New). THEN a little 1-minute peel Olay product  ... and my right side of my jaw was all SWOLLEN from all the zits. Ew. ... But, after only using it 3 times, the Zeno has really helped. My face is almost clear. YAY!!

Wednesday was mostly the regular ... Volunteering after McDonald's (since all the nausea I've had, my appetite is SO much smaller than normal. And I don't crave sweets. It's so odd. I mean, I don't recommend morning sickness as a diet tool, but if I can keep this up, I might just be a healthy weight after this pregnancy. And it'll be good to not eat HUGE portions.), then ordering pizza.

Oh! Monday night, the local library had a special presentation. The Reptile Man (OregonReptileMan.com) did a presentation. And it was pretty cool! Lots of snakes and lizards. And a few turtles. And a Gila Monster! (I don't think I've ever seen one in person). And a small alligator. ... The kids liked it. They liked it enough that while I volunteered, my mom took them to the second show on Wednesday.)
He does birthday parties and things ... It would definitely be worth looking into. He's really good with his animals (he's been handling them for 38 years) ... and he's REALLY good with the audience. He was HILARIOUS.

That's really most of what's gone on ... Oh, I did get sorta-fitted for my Savior of the World costume (in December, if I haven't mentioned it, we're doing Act 1, the nativity story). At least, I know my fabrics and how they'll be used. Since I'm pregnant and my measurements will be changing in the next three months, they're not going to sew it until MUCH later. ^_^ Can't blame them. I still need to find sandals. But that's okay. Who knows? Maybe my feet will get wider ... hopefully nowhere NEAR as wide as last time (With my preeclampsia, my feet swelled so BADLY. I normally wear around an 8 or 8-1/2. I had to buy a pair of size 11 loafers, and the tops of my feet were like overly-stuffed pillows out the top. Ugh.)

In other news, I'm feeling better. Much less puke-y. My neck still hurts, especially in the mornings ... but it's nothing that I can't deal with.

We got woken up around 3 AM with thunder and lightning. The kids slept through it all. But there was TONS of lightning. Sometimes, it'd even flash DURING the rolls of thunder. Pretty cool.
Freyja-cat wasn't bothered at all. I gave her some loves (since she was on the bed, snuggled against my legs) and she wasn't fazed at all. She's a good girl.

Oh, one other bit of fun ... was it last week or this week? Can't recall. But Bruise and Bucket were roughhousing in the living room and Bruise caught the back of his head on a corner of the TV stand. There was blood. But not for long. He's fine. No concussion or anything. Phew. ... I think it was last week.

I also need to turn in the kids' summer reading program sheets. *sigh* Work, work, work.
And, since we don't know when the kids' bento boxes are going to come in, we might need to buy them back-up lunchboxes. But, besides that, we're just about ready for school. PHEW!

So, yeah ... how's YOUR week been??

Decade

So, Wednesday was Michael's and my tenth anniversary.

Seriously, that's like seventy Hollywood years! How crazy is that?? :P

Mom came up and we took the kids to McDonald's. And I picked up the kids' immunization records (for registering for KINDERGARTEN) and volunteered at the library ... and I picked up the book I had accidentally turned in THERE and a note attesting that I DID turn it in before its due date ... then took THOSE over to the local library where my fine was waived. ^_^

And Michael was home early ... so we left the kiddos with Mom (who fed them dinner and got them in bed) and had ourselves a romantic date night.

Me: Wow, people are going to be all, "What did you do for your tenth anniversary?" And we'll be all, "Oh, we walked around the mall, bought washcloths, and went out to dinner."
Michael: OR "we spent time together."

Yeah, he says that he has no heart ... but then he says stuff like that. ^_^

We also drove around and looked at houses on the market. Just to keep our options open.
And we went to dinner at Carino's. We splurged a bit. We got the Italian nachos, Italian sodas (Michael had Cherry-Vanilla. I opted for Peach-Raspberry. Yum!). Michael was happy with the Five Meat Tuscany Pasta. I decided to try something new. I got the Chicken Picatta (fettuccine and chicken with artichoke hearts, mushrooms, and capers in a lemon basil sauce) ...Yeah, I didn't eat a whole lot of it. I would have been happier with the Rosemary Chicken or something in a marinara sauce.
But I figured that, hey, we've been married for ten years. I'll celebrate and be adventurous.
And we ordered a mini turtle cheesecake for dessert. SO GOOD.

Then we went back to the mall and picked up the last two Pirates of the Caribbean movies (on a good sale. $17 for them both), then drove over to the next town to visit the places in our history:

• First date - Where we saw "Galaxy Quest" back in April 2000 ... now a parking lot for a bank.
• First impression of me - The Institute Building (a crazy game of Wink'Em.)
• First kiss - A friend's carport
• First "I love you"s - A local school's playground (Also where our wedding invite pictures were taken. It's since been completely redone.)
• Our first apartment together - Where we spent the first half (thus far) of our marriage together and became college graduates and parents. ... We joke that we'll drive by there in another ten years and they still won't have painted. (It was dark, so it's hard to tell if they did. The colors are still the same.)

We just drove by these places. After walking around the mall for so long, our feet HURT.

Then we went back home, chatted with Mom, and we all went to bed. And Michael and I FELL ASLEEP, we were both exhausted. Heh.
I apologized in the morning ... and he told me he was just as exhausted. So, phew! I didn't have to feel guilty.

But it was a nice way to celebrate our decade of being husband and wife. The first of many, many decades more to come.
At the same time, though it feels like we've been together since FOREVER ago, it's hard to believe that it's been TEN YEARS.
This means that I've been married for one-third of my life!
It seems kinda crazy! Ten years? That's a LONG TIME!
But, hey, the math doesn't lie. We've made it.

And we keep forbidding each other to die. Because we LIKE each other.
And we do NOT want to go back to the dating pool. Oh HECK no.

Michael appreciates that I get his sense of humor.
And I'm grateful that he understands me, makes me laugh, and keeps me calm.

I know that it's all cliché to say that I'm married to my best friend.
That doesn't change that it's true. (And I still have girl besties, too.)
I have a husband and friend that loves, trusts, amuses, and inspires me.
It's pretty awesome.

I hope that everyone can be so happy.  

It also made me laugh that, last weekend, my aunt remarked that Michael and I don't fight or yell at each other all the time. What's wrong with us? Ha ha ha. (It was facetious.)
But she was impressed with our marriage. Which is quite sweet of her.

Yes, I'll get frustrated (with situations) and snap at him. And he forgives me.
He's better than I deserve. I'm fully aware. ... and that makes me want to step it up.

Speaking of, I should clean up the house a bit, get dinner started, and finish that dang RS lesson for Sunday (give me strength).

Still, if you're married, I hope you and your spouse are as content as Michael and I are.
If you're single, I hope that you find the spouse that will make you feel complete.

You deserve it. And so does your spouse. ^_^ I hope you find/have found it, too.

30 Day Challenge - Day 21

Day 21 - A picture of something that makes you happy

© Kendall Davenport

One thing that can always make me happy is the temple. I mean, sure it's a beautiful building.
One of my college friends once called it "Mormon Disneyland." And I laughed, because it was funny ... and apt in a couple ways.
She was referring to how it's HUGE and right along the freeway.

However, really, it is the happiest place on earth.
It's where we are able to go to be sealed to our families for eternity -- so that our familial bonds are not broken when we die.
(Truly, I think that it's awful to consider that once people die, they aren't married or anything anymore. We are sent here to earth to have families ... but, if we choose not to be sealed to each other, marriages are dissolved upon death. And, therefore, our children aren't our children anymore. "'Til death do us part" is such a bittersweet idea to me. ... I love my family. I want to be with them for forever. Nothing else will cut it for me.)

Also, in the temple, we are able to do vicarious work for those who were not able to do it themselves. We can perform baptisms, endowments, and sealings. (Now, those that we do the work for are under no obligation to accept them. They still have their agency. But it allows us to serve them. And, in the cases of family members who have passed, we are able to create that eternal family bond. Which is quite a comfort.)

The temple (and I always think of the Portland Temple, because it's MY temple. I was sealed to my parents in the Seattle Temple ... but I was there for the dedication of the Portland Temple. It's where I always went for temple trips. It's where I was married and sealed to Michael. It's my temple. And I love it.) is a peaceful place where I can go to escape the cares and worries of the world. It's a taste of Heaven on earth. It's beautiful, tranquil, and sacred.

No matter what happens, I know that I can go to the temple to commune with my Heavenly Father, unimpeded by the bustle and distractions of everyday life. 

All I have to do is to keep the covenants that I've made so that I remain worthy of my temple recommend. As long as I strive to do my part, as long as I endure, Heavenly Father will bless me with wonderful blessings -- I will have a forever family, I will be protected; I will be able to see Him again, to be in His presence.

THIS is what I wanted, what I waited for, the whole time I was growing up.

When I was five, I was sealed to my mom and dad in the Seattle temple. I have some recollection of it.
One of the temple workers took me into the room where the brides get ready. She got in a little bit of trouble ... because I did NOT want to leave. I knew then that that was where I wanted to get married. In the temple.

Once, when I was dating Frankie, my first boyfriend, we were talking in his car.
"I don't see anything wrong with premarital sex, if it's with the right person." He told me.
"But how do you KNOW it's the right person?" I asked.
We talked some more ... and at one point, I told him, "Well, I know one person who'll be very disappointed if I don't get married in the temple."
"Who? Your MOM?" He scoffed.
"No. Me."

I really should have known right then and there that he was NOT going to be the right man for me.
But, hey, when you're young and stupid, you worry that THIS GUY might be the ONLY ONE who'll ever want you. Since, obviously, I wasn't fighting off the guys at school or church or ... anywhere.
Like I said, I was stupid. And I made many less-than-wonderful choices.

Still, because I had the temple as my goal, ... I didn't make any choices that were TOO stupid (at least for me).

I did finally date ("We're dating, but we're not boyfriend and girlfriend.") another member of the church ... A returned missionary, even. Which meant that there was the total possibility that HE could take me to the temple. And, OH, I was excited.
BUT, he wasn't the right one.
Which I kinda understood when he told me that he'd gone to the temple. And he received revelation that I was not the one.

(Yeah ... that knife in my heart? Could you twist it juuuuuuuuuust a bit to the left? Ah. That's better. *slump*)
Not one of my better memories.
But, hey, he was honest with me. I do appreciate that. Not that it felt a whole lot better at the time ... but still.

BUT, as John Bytheway says, "Sometimes the wrong one is the right one to lead you to the best one."
And I can testify that this was the case. Michael was a mutual friend ... who became more than a friend.
And HE took me to the temple. Because he loves me. Because he was worthy. Because he knew how very, very much I wanted this. And he did, too.
He is, as the sweet Temple Matron said, my eternal sweetheart.

And, through our faithful keeping of our covenants, we will be together for all time and eternity as husband and wife.
And this makes me happy.
I'm happy because our children are sealed to us. No matter what happens, we will be able to raise them -- whether it's here on earth or after we've been resurrected.
I'm happy because, as much as I miss family members who have passed on, if their work's been done (by themselves -- Like Grandpa C-- or vicariously by others -- like Pop-pop or Grandma Darlene or Grandpa I), we CAN be together forever. Our family bonds will still be in place.

I'm happy because the temple and its blessings prove beyond a doubt that Heavenly Father and Jesus love us. VERY MUCH. And that their love is for ALL people.

And, no matter what, that always makes me happy.

Other things that make me happy:

• Baby animals. And cats, rabbits, hedgehogs, finches, turtles, tigers, manatees, ... lots of animals.
• Cheesecake, chocolate, Sour Patch Kids ... sweets. 
• BOOKS.
• Learning things. I like to be interesting. Being boring (or bored) is not allowed.
• My family (but that's one reason why the temple makes me happy).
• Coloring, coloring, coloring!! (Obligatory PPG video!)
• Cartoons, comic books, graphic novels, manga, anime ...
• Things that smell nice.
• Having a clean house (which I need to work on)
• Songs.
• Jokes.

Yeah, there are lots of things that make me happy. But the temple encompasses most of the REALLY important ones. And blows the other ones out of the competition.

The temple is a House of God,
a place of love and beauty...

The temple is a holy place
where we are sealed together.
As a child of God, I've learned this truth:
A family is forever.
(I Love to See the Temple - Hymn 95, The Children's Songbook)

For Aubri

(And for Michael, too, since he accused me of falling off the face of the earth. Blog-wise ... since he was across the room from me at the time said accusal was  ... accused. Yeah.)

20 YEARS AGO (1990):
1. I was nine years old and in Ms. Peter's class at Canyonville Elementary.
2. I was somewhat popular ... at least more so than the rest of my school career. ^_^
3. I was often grounded for having a messy room. Therefore, I read instead of going out to play. I read A LOT. Which explains a lot, come to think about it.
4. I adored my Rosie-cat, one of Mitten's kittens. She was a sweet, wonderful grey, cantalope, and white calico.

10 YEARS AGO (2000):
1. I lived in Corvallis, in an apartment with my finance's sister and two of her friends.
2. I was getting through my sophomore year of college.
3. I was FINALLY growing out the bangs I'd had since I was about four. For good this time.
4. I was surprised Christmas Eve by Michael coming to my parent's house early. (I didn't think I'd see him for at least another twelve hours. Sneaky guy. I almost think that my mom was more excited. Since she got me out of bed ... He wanted to surprise me by being there, by the tree, in the morning. ... And he also gave me my own set of The Chronicles of Narnia. With the Chris Van Allsburg covers! A man who knows what I want. No wonder I keep him. ^_^)
5. I was still around a size 8-10, like how I was through all of high school.

5 YEARS AGO (2005):
1. I had finished college ... and, instead of teaching, I was volunteering once a week at my library.
2. I was HEAVILY pregnant with twins
3. I almost got STUCK in a toilet stall on Thanksgiving. That taught me that being pregnant TOTALLY necessitates using the handicapped bathroom. You NEED that handrail to get back up. Your center of balance is TOTALLY changed.
4. My Bri-bri came over OFTEN to chat with me and keep me sane while Michael worked all day in Eugene. ^_^ (He still does. But I've had Bri withdrawals. I need to change that. ^_^ Right??)
5. My Nana, when we told her that I was pregnant, exclaimed, "I never thought I'd live to be a great-grandma!" ... Yes, it did take us a while to get cracking, didn't it?
6. I started getting preeclampsia. (That was the really low part ... One week of January saw me kept in a hospital bed. Mom and Michael came and stayed with me. And there was cable. And the nurses were all really nice ... so it wasn't TERRIBLE-HORRIBLE ... just, not what I was planning, you know?)
7. I had to stop volunteering at the library. :( I kept getting dizzy as I'd squat and stand up, shelving those new books. I was REALLY bummed about that. I love my library!!

1 YEAR AGO (2009):
1. My kiddos were still three, almost four.
2. We had two working vehicles.
3. I had started volunteering at my library again (Thanks to my mom coming up to watch/teach the kiddos while I shelved the holds).
4. We bought a new DVD player with surround sound, since our old one broke. Grr. But this one still works!
5. My Gingi-cat died the last day of July. I still miss her. But she was pretty old. She was almost 18.

THIS YEAR (2010):
1. My kiddos turned four and started going to Primary (at church)
2. Michael and I took a family history class at church.
3. I applied for a part-time job. Didn't get it. But it's just as well.
4. I cut my hair shorter than I've had it since ... well, ever. And then Bucket cut hers. *sigh*
5. We got a membership to OMSI ... that's kind of exciting, right?(Also, 6. I tried waxing. And, overall, I like it. Seriously, not having to shave my underarms for DAYS in a row? Awesome. And, truly? Michael does an awesome job with Nad's on them. ... Yes, he loves me enough to help me rip out swathes of hair. He's so lucky, right? :P)
NEXT YEAR (2011):
1. I will get at least one more pedicure. I liked the one that I got a couple weeks ago. ^_^
2. Michael will PASS his Engineering License exam.
3. Michael and I will celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary a couple months after our kiddos turn 5.
4. The kiddos will have bunk beds. They've wanted bunk beds for about a year now. ^_^
5. I will have (at least) FOUR nieces and a nephew. (Currently, I have three nieces and one nephew. Not bad for a girl who NEVER thought she'd be an aunt. Because, being an only child, I never thought of marrying anyone with siblings. Yeah. Go fig! :P)
6. I will fit into the cute skirt that I got from Cousin Kathleen at Thanksgiving (I love hand-me-downs!)
7. I WILL get a Wii Fit Plus. By hook or by crook. :P Because, really? I'm rather awesome at the yoga on it. At least, the one time I did it, I rocked. Just sayin'. Ask Michael or Mom C. They'll vouch for me. ^_^
8. If it's up to me, Grandpa C (Michael's grandpa) will live out the year. And many, many more. *nods and tries not to get emotional.*

So, yeah, if y'all want to pray REALLY, REALLY hard that: 

1. Grandpa C will get over whatever infection the doctors haven't diagnosed and get healthy again, I'd really, really appreciate your efforts on seeing him become at least a nonogenarian.  Yes.
2. Michael passes his Licensing exam in April. Because we NEED him to pass it.

I would WILDLY, PASSIONATELY, and MADLY appreciate it.
I will pink, puffy heart you for forever and a day ... and even beyond that, really.

If you needed a fan club started, I'd totally do it. Totally.

So ... yeah. 

I'll write a catch-up blog. And maybe I'll come up with something interesting to write soon. ^_^

Bits of randomness-essence

So, where was I?

I have an awesome husband. Well, duh. Yes.
Also, bras fit a little differently over undergarments. Just saying. Maybe it's because my garments don't fit quite all that well. Ugh.
------------

Friday morning, there were some folks working on something across the street. I was being nosy and I opened my door to spy on them. When I closed the door, part of it caught my heel and ripped a slice/chunk of skin off.

It hurts. And is taking a while to heal.
I wish my heel would heal. ... Way to use homophones, right? Yeah.
Okaaaaaaaay ...
-----------

Saturday, we went to Mariner's Square in Newport. We opted for the tickets to go see all the exhibits: Ripley's Believe It or Not, the Undersea Garden, and The Wax Works.

Also, for an additional cost, during the summer months, they have a butterfly garden upstairs. We opted to do that, too. Make a real day of it. ^_^

(If you buy the tickets to do all three, they'll throw in either a free guidebook for wherever you're buying the tickets [Ripley's, in our case. These guidebooks are kinda nice. I think they usually cost $2.00] or a tote bag ... like the reusable ones you get at the grocery store. ]The bags have the names of all the exhibits on them. Just so you know.])

(If you want to do at least two of the exhibits, go for the tickets to do all three. It's worth it ... if you have the time. ... Seriously, the tickets for all three exhibits are just $2 more than buying tickets for just two of the places. And, if I recall correctly -- since I was taking the kids to the bathroom while Michael bought the tickets -- the butterfly garden [which is SMALL ... but it was kinda cool] was just another $3 per ticket.
And, since our littles are 4 -- and kids ages 0-4 are FREE -- it worked out VERY well for us. ^_^)

We did the Undersea Garden first, which was good for the kiddos.

It's a 30-minute presentation of a diver interacting with sea creatures while another employee tells you about what the diver is doing and what s/he is interacting with -- the different fish, sea stars, eels, crabs, and an octopus.

The show went well. Bruise and I sat together while Bucket and Michael sat a little ways away. The downstairs is all contained inside a metal cabin 50 feet x 150 feet. There's a stage inside where you can watch the show ... and you can look at the tank as you walk around. There's even a little tide pool set up at the other end.

Bruise enjoyed watching the diver pick up crabs and let them swim ... or toss them around (and one of the crabs was hitching a ride on his back). Bruise ESPECIALLY enjoyed when the diver was holding up a few sea stars and he put the sunflower sea star on his head like a hat.
"HE wooks wike he has GURL HAIR!!!" was Bruise's summation.
Unfortunately, the octopus was hiding ... since I remember (when I went here when I was ... five? six? seven?) the octopus being the REALLY COOL part. Oh well.

Then we went to Ripley's. I remember, when I was a little girl and my folks and I went here, getting VERY AFRAID and RUNNING OUT TO THE LOBBY. And I WOULDN'T GO BACK IN.

So my parents were RATHER upset, since I don't think they were able to get a refund. Oops.

I had warned the kiddos before we went that, if they got scared, I would hold them; that there wouldn't be anything in there that could hurt them. (I knew this for a fact since Michael and I went to Ripley's on our honeymoon. ... And, yes, I did feel pretty dumb in retrospect.)
Bucket did need to be held a couple of times. (The mummy was one. And walking in the emptiness of space was a CLOSE call.) Bruise, however, took it all in stride and was having a great time.

Then we went through the Wax Works. Michael auditioned for American Idol (complete with Simon Cowell with a permascowl and facepalm). We didn't receive any feedback from the judges.
I declined from draping myself over Johnny Depp. But we did snap a picture of him by himself. Bucket and Michael pulled a handle on a box in a pirate's ship which emitted a scream. The box, not the ship.

Bruise, oddly enough, was the one who nearly made a run for it. He was VERY worried by the Indiana Jones-style exhibit (where there were some spiked walls that closed in a little around you -- and Michael made sure he didn't get a glimpse of the one spiked wall with a [fake] body impaled in it). He nearly went running from a rock that rolled away to show a dragon/sea serpent that rolled toward you (with bars separating it from you) and a mermaid a little ways behind it. (Gotta LOVE those 80s bangs. I used to HAVE those 80s bangs ... Wow.)
But after those, there was the Star Wars exhibit (after a rather poorly-done Lord of the Rings set ... none of the was figures really resembled the actors they were supposed to portray. Probably because, as Michael and I both recall [since we haven't been to the Wax Works for ... um ... around 15-20 years?], that scene USED to be the sermon on the mount. Ha!). Bruise and Bucket enjoyed the Star Wars stuff -- Princess Leia, Luke, Yoda, Darth Vader, Darth Maul ... and E.T.? ... Well, he was in the room, but set off from the others.

Then we made our way upstairs to the butterflies. ... The area (more than one room) is filled with flowers for Painted Lady and Monarch butterflies. Some landed on Bucket and me. We got to see butterfly eggs and caterpillars. I showed the kids the butterflies' proboscis-es/probosckes (what's the plural of "proboscis?" I didn't take Latin in school! Argh!) as they ate.
The kids weren't all that keen about butterflies landing on them ... but, for a total of around six dollars, it wasn't too bad, really.

Then we let the kids choose what we should eat. It was VERY close to having a trip to McDonald's ... but, rather remarkably, we ended up going out for pizza.

Then we went out to Otter Rock to walk on the beach.
(And I had to keep my shoes and socks on since I'm an eedjit with a huge scratch on the back of my heel. Bucket was very disappointed that I wasn't able to go walk in the tide with her. Oh well!)
The kids were ready to stay out there all day ... but we grown-ups were TIRED from waking up early ... and we headed home.

And I took a nap. Then got up, talked with my mom on the phone, and walked down the road a bit to drop a note off (to finish my Visiting Teaching. YAY!!!!! I got it done for JULY!!! Just in the nick of time!!! -- Now I have a new route. Which is cool. I think it'll be really fun. I'm sad to lose some of the sisters from my route last month ... but this will be new and exciting).

Yesterday, Sunday, was pretty normal ...

Except for the fact that our whole YW presidency was rearranged.
(For those of you who don't know what the dickens I'm talking about, we have a lay clergy in our church. It's all volunteer work ... but we're actually issued these opportunities. It sounds crazy to sum it up, I know. But just smile and nod your head. And if you have questions/whatever, comment and I'll do my best to clear it up. ^_^)
So, our YW President was released. With her being released, her two counselors would have been released, too ... Except that we haven't had any counselors for a while (it's been a few months since we've had a Beehives [the 12-13 year-old girls] counselor ... And the Mia Maids [the 14-15 year-old girls] leader moved last month).
The Advisor (teacher for the Beehive class) is our new YW president. She has two counselors who are really fun. We're keeping the advisors (teachers) for the Laurel (16-18 year-old girls) and the Mia Maid classes. We have a new advisor for the Beehives. ... And I get to stay in my calling as YW Secretary.

So, I've been updating rosters and emailing tons of things to new counselors/advisors ... It's been a little busy, but it's a good thing. I am going to miss our old YW President (she is a great lady and a wonderful friend), but I'm trying to be welcoming to this change, too.

Okay ... my kids have woken up from naptime ... and I still have been LAZY and haven't finished doing the housework or getting a shower or anything. *sigh*

Does it count that I went out early in the morning to mail off the mortgage check and to retrieve the garbage can? That counts for something, right?

And I finished up some binder covers for YW, right????

But, yeah, a good deal of the day has been on Facebook and chatting with a few friends online.

So, now to finish the dishes, fold some laundry, vacuum the house, tidy up the bathrooms, and ... oh, that's right! Make some more things for YW binders for the class presidencies. And fix up the rolls. I can do this. ... Right?

And what should I make for dinner? Choices, choices.

And we're getting groceries tonight. That'll be nice ... and will REQUIRE that I get a shower. *sigh*

Overhearing myself

So, since I'm always around me, I get to narc on all my ...idiosyncrasies.

During the holidays, we've been able to have some friends come by as they're in town to visit us. One of Michael's past roommates dropped by. It was great to see him, since it's been a few years. Michael had some great roommates. (Another Michael's roommate, but different roommate, story coming up. I just have to remember to tell it before I stop blogging this entry. ^_^)

As we're chatting and the kidlets are playing around us, the topic goes to how it was so nice being two years old and not having to be responsible ... how everything was taken care of for you and you got to play all day and you got naptime ... And Michael and W were both saying that they'd think it would be worth it to go back to being two.

Now, W is a nice bachelor friend. The only reason he's not married yet (and he admits to this) is that he's got high standards. Or as we refer to it, he's picky. ^_^

I turn to Michael and say, "Well, honey, you'd be giving up your favorite activity."

Yeah, I'm a classy girl. Very classy, indeed.
(Of course, if you know me, you know that I tend to be a bit outspoken. Especially when I'm comfortable with those around me. So, if I say anything that could be offensive, you should totally feel flattered. Because if I'm being all prim-and-proper ... well, it's because I don't feel comfortable being completely myself. ^_^

OKAY, so the other roommate story that I alluded to above:
B is another of Michael's roommates. He's pretty fun, too. (Truth be told, ALL of Michael's roommates are really good guys. They're all very different, but I like all of them immensely.)
B is a microbiology major. He's also really into being in shape. He served his mission around Mexico City --- and the stories he can tell about it? Oy vey, my dears! He's got the best "You do NOT want to eat THAT" story I've ever heard.

SO, one time we're all at a party at the apartment of P (and her roommates. P and B are married now, just so you know. Not that it has ANYTHING AT ALL to do with this story).
As we're playing a game, B keeps throwing a pillow at me. I'm getting a leeeeeeeetle fed up with being smacked in the HEAD with a pillow. So I tell him that if he does it again, I'm gonna beat him up.

Truly, my dears, that is about the most ludicrous threat ever made. It's like a newborn bunny threatening Queen Ranavalona the First with a full-scale martial warfare. Or maybe a manatee's planned poisoning of Lucrezia Borgia.

I mean, I'm stronger than I appear (mostly due to the fact that I'm very stubborn and usually VERY unwilling to accept that my body might not want to lift/carry/do things ... Something half my body weight? Sure, I can pick it up! ... Over my head, even! Sure! ... Well ... Maybe.), but still, in comparison to a guy over a head taller than me AND in good shape?

I'm not all that threatening.

So people were a little surprised when, after then next bop in the head with the pillow, Scrappy-Doo little me leaps OVER the coffee table and starts pummeling B in the arm.

Seriously, it's like a kitten boxing the ears of a racehorse. Rather ... surprising and ... surreal.

No, I didn't even leave a bruise ... but I did succeed in keeping my head free from pillow-bops for the rest of the evening.

And most people gave me a little wider of a berth from that moment on.

Because, yo, I'm all UNPREDICTABLE like that. Don't be getting in mah FACE, bro. 'Cuz I be all UP INS yo' face, dude. I'z got street cred, yo.
(and yes, I'm such the whitey-mcwhitersons that when I try to be all ganstah ... yeah, it's very ... ironic.)

So, in short ... Um ... I forgot my point. Never mind.

Still no word on the van getting fixed. *deep sigh*
Please pray that it'll get taken care of SOON, so I can start to get a full-night's sleep again. And I'll be able to take my kiddos to storytime and dentist appointments and stuff.

I'm TRYING not to worry. I'm trying REALLY, REALLY, REALLY (!!!!1!) hard ... but, you know, some more prayers couldn't hurt.

Bonus story #1

Yeah, here's the first story from "Michael and Allanna History 101: Before they were Michael and Allanna"

The infamous Wink-Em Game:

For FHE (Family Home Evening -- It's really hard to explain. If you don't know what it is, comment. I'll write it up later. I'm tired now.), the University First ward combined their groups into a big game of Wink-Em, which is a pioneer-era game.

The main point of WInk-Em, is that you have a circle of chairs ... like in musical chairs ... but the chairs face the inside of the circle. Girls sit in the chairs. Guys stand behind the chair of their (girl) partner, looking down at her, their hands clasped behind their backs. One guy stands behind an empty chair. The girls watch him.

The guy behind the empty chair winks at a girl. Her goal is to get out of her chair and reach the partnerless guy before her partner can stop her (by putting his hands on her shoulders, preventing her from leaving her chair). Her partner's goal is to stop her, like I mentioned in the preceding parenthetical phrase. If the girl evades her partner and makes it to the empty chair, the winking guy becomes her new partner and her old partner goes back to the now-empty chair to wink. If she doesn't make it, the partnerless guy has to try winking at someone else.

OKAY. I hope that makes sense.
This is happening back when A and I were seeing each other. People decided to switch things up by having the BOYS be sitting in the chairs and the girls behind them.
Of course, A and I are partnering.

Well, he's kinda popular. He's a fun guy. And someone winks at him. So I miss his shoulders and grab on to the bottom of his coat.
(Aside: I don't like sports because I'm kinda competitive. I hate losing. and I'm not very good at sports ... so I avoid them so I won't lose.)

There I am, hanging on the back of his coat. I'm dragged to where I'm on the back of the metal fold-up chair, caught on my hips, and then I'm chair-surfing though the circle. The chair falls and I'm dragged along for a foot or two. As A is about to sit down, he notices that I'm there, panting, on the ground, my white-knuckled fingers still holding his jacket.

"Oh, you're still there?"

I nod.

I won that round.

And then we repeated for a while. Finally, they switched to the more traditional girls-in-the-chairs ... I keep A as my partner.

Eventually, the game is called. I'm rather beat up and trying SO. HARD. not to cry.
All I really want at this point is a bottle of aspirin and a dark corner in which to lick my many, many wounds.

A couple guys came up to me and told me that I should play lineman in football. I try to retain my composure and thank them.

After my bruises bloom, I have goose eggs on each calf and, seriously, purple Nike swooshes on my hips. I enjoy pulling part of my jeans' waistline down past my high-rise panties to show my friends at school. As I'm showing Jenny and Chauna my battle scars, a guy across the room shouts, "How'd you do THAT?!?"
And then I'm embarassed that he's seen part of my panties. Oh, I'm a slut!

A few months later, I go to an Institute class (Not Brother Kirby's) and I run into a couple from that college town. They remember me. Because of that game of Wink-Em.
I die a little.

What brings this around to Michael, you may ask? I'll tell you.

After we were engaged (or was it after we were married?), we were talking about that game. He was there. This was before I knew him at all.

He remembers that game. And being impressed that I was that ... DETERMINED.
He thought it was cool.

Thanks be. Or else I'd have had to die a little bit more.
Oy.