TAGGED

Here is my "tagged" photo.  Don't turn me in to domestic affairs please!  We are not training child rebels.  Well, I guess, in a way, we were!  That is scary.  The boys (including our neighbor) got paint ball guns for Christmas a few years ago.  They were a blast.  My dad came over and was very skeptical about the safety of these guns.  Ethan told him to just try it.  He begged him to just stand at our door and give it a shot.  My dad stood at our front door, and shot it.  He hit our flag pole in the front yard.  He let out a yelp of laughter.  I think grandpa was convinced they were a blast.  Fun memories!  

The greatest generation

I rarely write about books I have read.  I just finished reading The Book Thief, and I had to comment.  This book is one of the best books I have ever read.  I highly recommend it.  It is narrated by death.  Yes, death himself.  It is about Nazi Germany in World War 2.  If you haven't read it, get a copy today.  It makes me think about a Tom Brokaw book I read, The Greatest Generation.  I believe  the Lord has selected everyone to come at their right time.  I am intrigued by this so-called "greatest generation".  My grandparents lived in this era.  Heck, my parents were born in this era, and they are certainly the greatest.   I love reading about the sacrifices this generation made.  Just coming out of the great depression, and entering a world war.  How would I handle that?  Could I live on rations?  Would I help in an army hospital?  Worse yet, could I send my husband over seas to fight a war I couldn't follow on CNN?  Or would I moan and complain, and blame whoever I possibly could for the situation I was in.  Certainly it is was the president's fault right?  Maybe the cabinet or the senate.   

I am going to make a conscious effort to not complain.  We are so blessed to live in this time.  Sure we have our major problems, but we can learn so much from those who came before us.  What era would you visit if you had your choice?  

Politics as usual?

I can't help but post some thoughts about the election.  I posted this darling picture of my children.  They are about done with me always begging to take their picture!  My kids have been on my mind a lot throughout this election.  Now, I know we all vote differently.  That is why we live in America right?  Freedom to vote.  Freedom of religion. Hubby gave just an awesome talk to our youth last night on why we live in America, and the responsibilities we have living in this great land.  I have taken this probably to the extreme this election.  I look at my three little rug-rats, and wonder what I can possibly do to help them in these tough times.  They are our future.  Anything I can do to promote a better future for them, you bet I am going to do it.   I have read endlessly about the candidates.  I really have given more thought to this election than any other.  There were such good things and bad things about each candidate.  I went to the temple and gave it much thought and prayer.  I seriously felt like my vote really mattered, which in reality, it probably didn't.  Casting my vote did give me hope though.  After finally making my decision, I felt very confident and relieved that my stress was all over.  I did my part by researching and voting for the person I felt would most benefit my children in the future.  I am very relieved it is all over, and I can stop stressing about it!  I am so glad to have the freedom to vote.  It makes me feel  like in some way I do have control over what happens to my darling children.  Happy post-election day!!  WHEW!!

HALLOWEEN

This is our 5th annual Halloween family party.  The Sunday before Halloween, I have all the fam over in full costume.  We have soup (my mom's most famous soup ever), served in pumpkin bowls.  It is so fun seeing everyone come in full costume. My mom came as Dorothy.  She had red shoes.  Not the best costume this year.  Last year she was a very great Japaneese girl.  But we cut them some slack because they are still in shock about going to Russia.  We have had some great years.  Last year, our family dressed in cow costumes.  And, ketchup and mustard?  Aren't they great?  It's so much fun to all get together.  We look forward to this all year long!  The one thing that gets everybody...if you don't dress up, you don't get to eat!!  That really inspired my 14 year-old to pull through with a costume.  Happy Halloween! 

FALL

I LOVE fall.  I love "sweatshirt weather".  I feel the need to bulk up.  I buy lots of goods at the caselot sale.  I bake lots of yummy treats.  I pull up my flower beds, and rake the huge beautiful leaves that fall from my huge trees.  It is just great.  I also love to make my kids go on long walks with me.  They think I'm most crazy.  I stop about every five seconds and tell them to look and admire their surroundings.  They smile and say uh-huh, fully knowing that their mom is off her rocker.  I tell them that I always take pictures in my head.  That way, if I loose my eyesight, I will have these stored up pictures.  So we all walk around and pretend to "click" the picture.  I treasure these times with my husband and kids.  Even though they just about pass out everytime I bring up the word, once we get going, we all have fun.  I find out so much about each child.  It's a non-judgement zone.  We learn so much about each other while enjoying our beautiful world.   It doesn't take any preparation, and it's FREE!   What could be better?  

Missionaries!

Congratulations to my mom and dad.  They got their mission call to Belarus.  It is the western Russia mission.  My mom said she reads everyday about people her age dying, and she is going to Russia.  They will be great missionaries.  There mission is a welfare mission.  They cannot proselyte, or they will probably be hanged or something dreadful.  My parents are just the greatest.  I am so sad to see them leave!  They help me every single day of my little life.   It will be very hard for me to be without them.  But I am so excited for them to have this adventure.   I guess it's my turn to share them with the people of Russia.  They leave January 5th.  Just in time to grab one of those big furry Russian hats.  I'm sure there is a name for those.....  

"Speed Racer"

The red ribbon race was a huge success!  Rachael was determined to do the race.  We woke up to wind, cold, rain, then eventually, SNOW!  Supe had a soccer game, Ethan had a football game.  They could not participate.  I think Rachael just thought this was her race.  We started out running it together, and Rachael finished ahead of her dear mother.  I could tell she was sad to leave me in the dust.  I am so happy to finally have a runner in the family!  Those lanky little legs just sped her right to the finish line.  It was fun to watch her run past people in Supe's grade.  If you can't tell, I am overly proud.  Good job Rachey!!