I'm Here

Really, I promise, I didn't disappear on you. I've just been busy. We ran out to my parents on Friday night to get some wood. We came back on Saturday and were able to go to the harvest fest. That we pretty fun. Then I ran over to my friends and made some bead things. Whew. On Sunday we had church and then I helped Chad with some homework. Now it is Monday. My house is turned inside out the day has started and things might get back to normal around here. Well, normal for us anyway. I started a fire this morning in the fireplace. It feels nice, but it is a little hot. I still need to get the hang of having the fire create heat, but not boil the downstairs. It's an art. However, at least I don't have to worry about heating downstairs for the rest of the day. All in all, life is good.

God Said

I really couldn't think of another title for this post. Really it's not irreverent, I promise. My family and I are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Common names are LDS or Mormons. Anyway, we are a very religious family and we have faith that our lives are in the hands of a loving Heavenly Father. Sometimes it's not easy having faith. I know this is true for members of any faith and the general population. We have trials! Some are big huge explosions that rip our world apart and others or small every day trials. It's the small everyday trials that I find wearing me down. Chad tries to do 4-6 hours of homework everyday on top of working full time. That leaves me with the house work, yard work and child care. Most days I think I have things under control, but some days I wonder why we are putting ourselves through this torture. My husband and I have come up with the saying "God Said!" Think of it in the tone that a child would use saying, "mom said". It's that all powerful thing to say to a sibling. To us this means that we are doing what we feel is right. We are encouraged to get an education. At some point, I too will go back to school and receive my Master's degree. We feel that I need to be home with the kids. I have nothing against daycare and those that use them. We just had some rotten luck with our oldest in daycare. She had a lot of problems that have gotten better since I started staying home with her. 5 years ago I would have never seen myself as a stay at home mother. Now I can't see myself doing anything else. Of course I miss the kids I worked with, my co-workers, and the parents, but my kids need me. There are times when I just want to run away and hide, but God Said. We find comfort that we are traveling the path that we need to. We are learning to find joy in the journey. It is tough and it always will be. We try not to focus on the future when things will magically get better, we know this will never really happen. Instead we focus on what is and placing one foot in front of the other.

Good Cause

This is my wonderful husband Chad. Now I want you to look very closely at his feet.

Yes, he is wearing heels. My manly man is wearing women's shoes. You may be asking why is he doing this.

Here is why: Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is a fundraiser to help programs that help those victims of domestic violence.

All of these men choose to walk a mile in heels for a cause that they believe in.

This cause is very important to us because of a very good friend of ours. She was the victim of domestic violence and her story is amazing and scary because no one knew of her suffering. Even after she left, she had to fight for her freedom everyday. Domestic violence is something that happens more than we think. We need to be aware and if we suspect it, then we need to be willing to step forth and call the police. It may save lives.

Stair Races

Yep, this kept them busy for 45 minutes. I hope they don't have bruises tomorrow.
I can't figure out how to turn the video. Sorry.

Name Change

I have decided to change my name. Not that I dislike my name, but it is out of necessity. "MOM" gets shouted way too much around here. And I think that McKayla has forgotten that my name is just mom. Usually it's Mom-Ariana. Such as "Mom, Ariana..." I'm sure you get the point. So, to cure this problem I have decided that I need to change my name into something much longer. Maybe 30 to 40 letters ought to do it. That way, by the time my kids finish saying my name, they will have forgotten what it was they were going to whine about. Of course this plan does have it's down side. Ariana can't sat a whole lot, so she would find the change most distressing. And I would miss the "Mom, I love you". Okay, so maybe I don't want to change my name, maybe I just want to hear in a sweet sound tune of happy girls. Hum...not sure that will work either because sometimes when they are happy their volume goes through the roof. Well, as I can find no solution at 6:00am perhaps I will later in the day.

Information

I hate the hospital. I don't like the look or smell of it. Today I had to go to the hospital for some lab work. I remember the other thing I hate about hospitals-they make you go everywhere to end up where you were to begin with. Chad works at the hospital so I asked him what I should do. He said I'd better check with admissions first before heading to the lab. I went to admissions and waited for someone to help me. I finally noticed a lady eating and talking at a desk. She abruptly told me that I needed to check in. Huh? I thought that was what admissions was. Apparently not. Checking in meant you went to the front desk that says information. How could I have missed that? Of course you check in where it says information. Then the information people take your information and tell you to wait. Then they take you back to admissions to give them your information. See why it's is called information. Anyway, then admissions takes more information from you and has you sign your soul away for the visit. Then they tell you to follow the arrows to the lab. Upon arriving at the lab I wait some more while admissions shares my information with the lab. Then I proceed to get blood drawn numerous amounts of time. Then, I am allowed to come home wondering if I was better off before everyone started poking me and getting my information.

Snow

I'm not ready for winter yet. I love fall. I love cooler temperatures and wearing light jackets. I love watching the leaves change colors. I love going for walks with my kids and stomping the leaves. I love jumping in the leaves and having leaf wars. However, this year winter came. i have to wait a few day for the rain to clear up so that I can work in my garden. Even then it won't be above 60 degrees. Sigh. I simply wanted a few more weeks.