Fall Family Festival

There were pumpkins being thrown through the air, tombstones being used as tennis rackets, and donuts dangling from the ceiling. It was our traditional Grandma Jaylynn fall extravaganza. We didn't do it last year. We were all still in shock and all too afraid to even try to assume Jaylynn’s place. This year was different. This year I realized that if I am truly going to honor Jaylynn and keep her memory alive it will be by doing the things that she would have done. So I called Katelyn and asked her for her birthday dinner request. We did pumpkin bowling and bobbing for apples (even though that totally grosses me out). But the best part of the evening was being together, and laughing. 

Bunny anyone?

For Lexi's birthday we decided to surprise her with a bunny to care for and love. Every day on my to the kids' school I pass a house that usually has bunny hutches in its yard that are for sale. One day I stopped, rang the doorbell and nervously waited to introduce myself to whoever opened the door. The door swung open and an older man wearing jeans and a plaid shirt said, "Can I help you?"
“Yes”, I responded,”how much do you charge for your rabbit hutches?” He told me and we struck a deal. I had just bought my first bunny hutch from Kurt the farmer.
“What you gonna put in that hutch”, he asked.
“Um… a rabbit?” (really this guy was not too bright)
Kurt answered with, “Well in that case turn right onto this street right here and go to the third house. That guy there raises rabbits”.
“Excellent!” I said appreciatively and turned my car that direction.
I knocked and was greeted for the second time that day by a man in jeans and an old plaid shirt.
“What can I do you for?”
“Well, I just bought a rabbit hutch from Kurt and he said that you raise rabbits.”
His face brightened. “I do!” He exclaimed” I have some that are just about ready now. Follow me.” I was so excited and totally prepared to see cute baby bunnies just learning to be away from their mom; bunnies who were fuzzy bunnies who were lovable and soft. HOORAY
We headed to the backyard. Just short of the door the man stopped, opened the oven and produced a Dutch oven laden with meat.
“I've been marinating this batch for five days now. Gonna cook them up for dinner tonight”
“Ewwwww!”
I paused, dumbfounded. Finally I managed a sentence. “Um I kind of don’t want to eat the bunnies, I just want to love the bunnies”
“Oh.” The man said disappointingly. “You want to head across the street to meet Dave.”
“Awesome. Thanks.” I gathered all of my courage and headed to Dave’s. For the third time that day I was greeted by an old man in a plaid shirt.
“Yes?”
“Hi,” I said “ I am looking for a bunny. (Pause) um a bunny to love. Not eat.”
Dave rolled his eyes and said, “you a must have just done gone and seen Roy. Sorry bout that”.
Trauma behind me I found two adorable mini Rex bunnies that Lexi loves and and has named Sassy and Phoebe.
Phew! Glad that's behind me!

ER Trip #2 This month

At about 4 o'clock this afternoon Parker's face began to swell. And it didn't stop. It just kept swelling and swelling. Finally, when his breathing started to become labored we headed to the ER. I should seriously get a punch card. Buy two ER visits get one free....with one look at Parker's face they sat him in a wheelchair, called some code and rushed us to the procedure room. With amazing efficiency they gave him oral medication, a breathing treatment, and an EKG. So far so good...

The Attitude Equation

Have you seen the Attitude Equation yet? If we number the alphabet 1-26, A being number and Z being number 26 and spell out the word and add up the corresponding numbers:

H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K = 98%

and

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E = 96%

but

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E = 100%!!!!

Go ahead and try it!  The point is that our attitude is the number one factor in determining everything in our lives.  It is the one aspect that we have constant control over. How is your attitude? Do you have an attitude of gratitude?  Do you have a high self-esteem? Are you in control?

Summer, Here We Come!

I am a material girl

I have attended church long enough to know that I am supposed to find joy in serving others, spending time with my family, and making good choices. I have read about happiness and the path to fulfillment in books by the Dali Lama and Buddhist monks. I even took an entire semester class called, "Enhancing Happiness and Life Satisfaction" while attaining my QOLT Therapy certificate. But nowhere in any of my studies did I come across shopping as a way to increase levels of happiness. I may be brain damaged but nothing brings me quite as much happiness as finding the perfect pair of summer sandals AND a bag to match! I am not kidding. Every time I look at my new purse I smile. It is that good. And today, not even the kids bickering during sacrament meeting could upset me. I just stared down at my shoes, took long circular yoga breaths, and felt waves of endorphins rushing through my bloodstream. So, here's to a little retail therapy and the beginning of my beautiful friendship with my new purse.

 

Gloppity Gloup

Before Dave's mom Jaylynn died we were incredibly blessed with weekly Sunday dinners at Grandma's house. Since July of last year we have been on our own. Last week we received an invitation that we thought would never come again. Dave's dad called and invited us to his house for Sunday dinner. Let me say right out of the chute that Dave's dad is not a cook. Prior to his wife's death he could make two meals: microwave scrambled eggs and frozen burritos. Now his repertory has grown to include one Sunday worthy dinner that he has named Gloppity Gloup.
"What is gloppity gloup, Grandpa?" Parker asked.
"Shhhh!" grandpa responded. "if you say the word gloppity gloup you have to whisper! If the neighbors hear you they will all want some".
"Okay" Parker said. "what is (insert stage whisper here) gloppity gloup?

"Nobody knows" was the answer. But I made this batch on Wednesday to give it time to marinate before you all tried it. Dig In!"

Gloppity gloup and Sunday dinner...I love this family!