Our Halloween

This will probably very photo heavy, but you can scan through it if you want to. It was a long day, but fun. I searched out activities and had a plan well in advance for the day. Since Andy was sleeping and I knew the children would be stir crazy, it was all to take place away from the house.

Our first stop was not the crafts and coloring it promised to be. They handed the kids a bag and balloon and that was it. So, we spent the rest of the morning rotting our brains with TV.

The next stop we spent an hour waiting for a costume parade that lasted 3 minutes. So, I remembered seeing a safe street trick or treating advertised and on a whim we went. That was more like it. We went to several stores and got treats and a sticker for our map. At the end you turned in the map and got to pick a treasure out of the chest. Anneke chose lip gloss and Marcus chose a coloring craft. That tells you a lot about them right there. (Luke was napping at home with Daddy.)

Then, after dinner, we had the trunk or treat at the church. I had fun. I was bugged by the children that went around 4 and 5 times because we ran out of candy for those only going around once. One of our friends mentioned that you could tell it was an LDS trunk or treat because they were all mini vans.

Marc the Drac

Cookie Monster (since I wasn't going to buy a $30 costume and couldn't make one, this is what we came up with. He loved it, so that is what matters.)

Anneke was too pretty not to add these two. The first one was taken in the morning the second on the way to the trunk or treat. I call it "the evolution of a costume".

Face shot of my oldest.

Aren't you happy to actually see a picture of me? I had Andy take this because I think my chocolate chip is fabulous.

Up close. (Andy did not get a head shot, sorry. I know you are sad.)

Our children were worried about our costumes. This is what we came up with. If you can't tell, I am a cookie and Andy is milk. His shirt says "No Bull Brand Skim". (or just click on the picture.) My face looks weird because of my chocolate chip, that is why I needed a head shot.

Our "trunk" with our "treats".

Happy Nevada Day!

October 31, 1864 Nevada became a state. So, like Pioneer Day in Utah, we get Halloween off (or an observed holiday on Friday like this year.) Apparently though, it is not that simple. Nevada day as a holiday from school (and work) is the last Friday in October.

The parade every year is in Carson City, the capital of Nevada. (I think it is interesting that a lot of people don't know this.) Anyway, the theme this year was Nevada Salutes President Lincoln. So in honor of today you can think about that amazing man or read some random Nevada facts. Or, do both.

Nevada is the 36th state

State reptile - Desert tortoise

Nickname - Silver State

Motto - "All for our country"

State bird - Mountain bluebird

All right, enough. Go spend Halloween with your kids and eat some good candy. If you happen to have extra Whoppers I will take them off your hands gladly. (Anneke wouldn't mind Almond Joy, Marcus M&M's or Reese's and Andy likes 3 Musketeers. Luke just likes chocolate and sugar.)

Really?

Who are action figures for? Who are Barbies for? I guess I am very mistaken about them. You can buy all 4 New Moon action figures on Amazon for $69.95. Though, this isn't a bad depiction. I have ranted about this before. But, for the fans...another toy you can purchase. (And, I guess they need both Barbie and action figures.)

Henderson Havoc

I didn't have my camera, but after we picked our children up from their sleepover Saturday afternoon we immediately left for a Halloween party of sorts. It was fun and FREE.

The event was in the University of Phoenix school. Each room had a different theme with games and of course candy.

We started in the pirate room where the kids got fake tattoos and dug for buried treasure. There was a pile of shredded paper and under it was two treasure chests. *Luke got a rubber duck. (He is obsessed with them right now.)

We skipped Halloween Town and the Haunted Hotel (we didn't want the kids to be scared or have bad dreams) and went to Hogwarts. We made wands, got a coloring book and some awesome travel tooth brushes. Andy's proudest moment came in the Bat Cave. It was set up likeArkham Asylum. Marcus was able to identify Bane, the Joker, Poison Ivy, the Penguin, the Riddler and Two Face. Batman was there and had a great voice. The prize in this room was a bat shaped bag filled with goodies.

Anneke's choice was the Princess Palace. Several Disney princesses and Prince Charming were there to greet everyone. (Nemo even made an appearance.) They made crowns, got their faces painted and glitter sprayed into their hair. There was a lollipop pull for a game. Marcus only got his face painted. (He chose a bat and was allergic so he has a bat shaped rash on his cheek.)

The highlight was going to be the Star Wars room. We waited in line for at least 20 minutes. It was sponsored by professional Star Wars actors and we saw Darth Vader walk past. All you did was go into a dark room and shoot balls at a Storm Trooper. Marcus's gun was not working well. Very anticlimactic. So, we had time and went to the Wild Jungle room. Luke didn't understand the duck pond. *He kept trying to take the duck instead of giving them the duck so they could check the number on the bottom. The girl found a rubber duck in the prize basket and traded him.

It was well put together and not overly gruesome as they tend to be. However, the boy I watch was scared and had nightmares after. It made me wonder if I have desensitized my children somehow. I think it is more that they knew it was pretend and Luke was going off of how they felt.

P.S. A lot of this blog is for reference for myself (and others) when planning a party later. Sorry if I bored you.

Little Philmont

(I should have posted this one before my book review.) Friday evening Andy and I dropped our three angels off at a willing soul's house for the night. (Her husband was going to be with us, so it was her alone with 6 children between the ages of 6 months and 9 years.) Then we headed west to boy scout camp. I was happy and excited. I was going camping. YEA! Andy tried to trick them into letting us bunk together, but it didn't work. Apparently the BSA has a rule about men and women sleeping separately, even if they are married. (Knowing that made me feel better. But is still made for a bad date.) So, he had a HUGE tent all to himself and I got to bunk in the cabins with a crying baby and snoring ladies.

The meeting was amazing and uplifting. It made me want to do my job better and made me super excited for Marcus to be in Cub Scouts starting in January. We made our ward flag. Andy drew a big pepper on it and I did the lettering, "Hacienda Habanero". We even made up a song to the Chili's baby back rib tune.

Did you know the red coat Dad wore all the time is part of the old Boy Scout uniform? I didn't until I saw all the more experienced hard core scouters wearing them this weekend. Honestly, a lot of what this weekend did was make me miss my dad and wish I had paid better attention to what he did. I am going to share my goals with the blog world so I have some sort of accountability.

1) Know the Cub Scout program and my role.

2) Make sure all active and inactive boys are registered (I already hit a snag with that one.)

3) Attend the meetings

4) Go to Round Table at least once a quarter.

I still miss my old ward and almost stood when they said the name. Our old bishop said, "See, you are still a part of us." I am pretty sure that will always be true.

It's that time again

I know you have all been wondering about the gems I have been reading in my spare time. But, in keeping with my resolve to be a more attentive mother and wife I have been rather frightened of reading. I finished all the Ramona Quimby books that I own and have started listening to books on CD while I clean. Still in the bathroom and stolen moments here and there I have read a couple of books worth mentioning.

For book group we read both Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll or Charles Dodgeson. I had to force my way through them. I enjoyed the first book okay, but the second book annoyed me. Nothing was what it seemed to be and there was no real order. It went against my nature so much that I struggled. Still, I can now say I read them. I enjoyed the pictures done by John Tenniel. I liked them even more when I found out they were all wood carvings. Such detail! I would say the books are worth reading, and they are not long. Plus, there is a lot of value in them if you can get past some things. I also have to remind myself that the children's literature genre was not developed at all and they had very little to read for youth in the mid 1800's. Also, don't delve too much into the life of the author or the books will be a turn off.
Above is the cover of the book I had to read in 5th grade. It made me quite nervous. I despised A Wrinkle in Time all the way through it. I didn't remember a lot about it. I just remembered how much I struggled to plod through the book and rejoiced when I could finally hand the book back into Mrs. Carlton. So, knowing all that, why would I reread this book? I have a few reasons. 1) I have a goal to read as many Newbery medal books as possible (including honor) 2) Since it was required reading when I was young, it may still be so for Marcus since it was written 20+ years ago then and 40+ years ago now. 3) I found it at the DI for 50 cents.

I am so glad that I did read it again. I understand so much more now and the cover is so much nicer. (I know, "Don't judge a book by it's cover" but I am sorry, a nice cover helps.) The book has a great message and was very enjoyable. I read it quickly this time and am now trying to get Andy to reread it. (He didn't enjoy it when he read it elementary school either.) It left me feeling at peace and not stirred up like last time. Though this book was written for late elementary age and middle school I think it is better read later in life. It takes on a new meaning. Since I am older I no longer see myself as Meg struggling along. I can see myself more in the Mrs. Ws and Aunt Beast. That probably helped my perspective as well. So, the moral of the story is not to give up on any book. It probably has value for someone and it may be best for another stage.

Injuries

I am not sure if four girls are supposed to get hurt or not, but we did. We were not able to sit and play dolls. Instead, we were very active. In fact our rule on outings was that when Heather got hurt we had to go home. I always wanted to break a bone so I could have a cast and have people sign it. I never managed it. So, here are some of our more memorable injuries. (If you are curious about me getting my face beat against a tree I have already posted about it.)

*When I was 3 I used my dad's razor to shave my face. I shaved both cheeks and under my chin. I had 3 vertical cuts in each location. I now have a scar under my chin and faintly on my right cheek still.

*I was running barefoot to pick my sisters up from school and cut my big toe open. I didn't realize it until I got to the car and was bleeding everywhere. It went through several layers of skin and I had to get 18 (I think) stitches. While they stitched me up my mom sang "Jingle Bells" over and over to me. I do not like that song much to this day. I can now put myself in her place. I didn't cry, I whimpered and was very uncomfortable. She was trying her best to comfort me and not fall apart herself. (I do not numb. It makes dental work and stitches after child birth even worse.)

*Carianne and Brandon Brophy had a pillow fight. A zipper caught next to her eye and she had a scab that looked like a longhorn for school pictures the next day. (Does anyone have a copy of that picture?)

*We were at the playground swinging on a chain stretched between two poles. Heather managed to flip over and get her forehead cut open. We took her to watch Conference with Mom. (Saturday afternoon session) Then, we all went home and Dad helped us make marks on our foreheads with Mom's make-up to match Heather's wound.

*(Not an injury.) We all put barrettes on our teeth to greet Carianne when she got braces.

*Riding my bike down Big Mama (a hill by our house) I only squeezed my front brakes and flipped over my bike. I had scraped elbows and knees. I know I still have scars on my knee from it.

*Anneke loved playing with Marcus when she was a baby (still does, actually) and accidently scraped him by his eye. He still has the scar.

*Pam jumped out of the tree house thinking she was a cartoon character and as long as she didn't look down she wouldn't fall.

*When I was two I crawled into the middle of a big fire ant hill.

*My freshman year in college I was hit by a car while walking to class. I didn't think I was hurt and since I had missed the last class I just continued on. My teacher didn't believe me when I told her. Then the security guard came in and made me go to the ER. I had whiplash and a hairline fracture in my right elbow. Really not a lot they could do for either injury. My elbow still hurts when there is a change in the weather or I carry my children too much on that side.

Okay, enough. I am grateful that my children have been healthy and happy. That the worst thing we had to go to the ER for has been a rock up Anneke's nose. Have a healthy day.

My life lately

I have not blogged much lately about my family. I have been trying to spend more time being a mom and wife. So, the computer isn't on much at all and neither is the TV. I have found that I love cleaning to a book on tape after my children are asleep. (Andy is usually at school, work or the church.) Anyway, this is what we have been up to.

Luke loves to help with the dishwasher. Since it is portable he pushes it where it goes and helps me load it sometimes.

Plus, he can snack when he thinks no one is looking.

Marcus gave a family home evening (FHE) lesson. He used his stuffed animals as the characters. (Did you know Paul can be a lion? Hey, Moses has been a cucumber.)
Before the primary program I took this picture. (Luke isn't ready because we try to give him minimal time to get his nice clothes messy before church.) Anneke loved getting her hair "curlered". Unfortunately she has her daddy and Grammy's hair, it doesn't hold curl. Still, she felt pretty and kept saying "Now I look like Layla." (A little girl in her class with natural ringlets in her hair.)
Anneke managed to fall on the way to the bus stop skinning her knee, elbow and left eye. (It looked even more impressive the next day.) Poor girl.

If you ever listen to Anneke play it is quite enjoyable. She sings and talks in a sweet high pitched voice. As I listened yesterday she was talking about making her first sand castle but she had no idea how to do it. She had a bucket full of water and was singing while she dumped sand into it. So, I helped her. See that red sand? It turns to clay when wet. Anyone that knows me knows how hard it was for OCD me to get my hands dirty, let alone covered in clay. Still, she loved it and we had fun. She later covered the castle in purple flowers. Afterwards we hosed off our hands outside and washed them twice with soap. (She will be posting her version with the final picture on her blog after school, so stay tuned.)

My last story is called "Humble Pie". On Tuesday I was having a rough day. Several things just piled up, plus I now know it was(*TMI WARNING*) PMS hormones. One of my children shoved another face first down our slide and they almost busted their head open on the cement. Then the culprit said, "Mommy, why didn't you tell me that you could see me?" All of my children cried because I wouldn't take them to the playground when they were acting naughty. They cried over a lot of things. Once child was playing at dinner and fell out of their chair knocking it over. So, I took the chair away. The child then threw their dinner on the floor in retaliation. It was shower and bed time after that. By the time I put my three angels in bed I was exhausted and ready to go to bed myself. As Anneke knelt to pray she said for the first time, "Thank thee so much for giving me my mommy." I looked back at the day and realized how much I had just blown out of proportion and I knew I couldn't take it back. However, I also knew that I could try harder live up to those words.

Birthdays

Once upon a time I did cute posts for my family members birthdays, like this and this. However I have been very lax with it lately and I am sorry. Anyone that knows me knows that I DO remember birthdays, including ex boyfriends (Josh George April 17th) and elementary school friends (Mandy Gold June 7th). Anyway, my major hang up has been pictures. I don't want to put pictures that would embarrass people (unless they are immediate family like sisters). For example I have some cute ones of Sara, Julianna and Katherine, but I doubt they would appreciate them. So I am going to play catch up a bit sans photos.

August - Uncle Frank - My favorite memory is playing football in the front yard on Thanksgiving with his sister, brother in law, nephew and a bunch of crazy girls.

Katherine - My oldest Brugger cousin would walk on her tip toes and look so dainty all the time.

September - Jamie - My only sister in law is my oldest sister. I like that she takes me shopping with her and to girly movies.

Julianna - She doesn't need much sleep, at least it felt like it. I would stay the night and sing songs to her for hours trying to get her to nod off.

Aunt Marianne - My mom's younger sister is so talented and I loved doing "crafty things" with her. She is the one that started me on scrapbooking. She always had great ideas.

October - Aunt Susan - My dad's older sister is part of Anneke's namesake. She and I were pen-pals for years and collected cows together for a while.

Sara - My favorite Sara memory was the most recent one because I got to know her as an adult and meet her husband. She came to visit and have ice cream with me. She is so beautiful and happy.

Noah - My nephew is basically my daughter in male form. I love that he not afraid to be himself and that he doesn't care what others think.

Scott - My brother in law and I were good friends long before I married his brother. He is great at being an uncle and remembering things. He gave me the Hugga Bunch I wanted for 20 years.

TODAY is my oldest sisters special day. Carianne is getting older, but looks the same as she did in high school. She will deny this, but it is true! I love you sister and I look up to you so much.

FHE

I don't remember specific Family Home Evening lessons or activities except writing letters to missionaries, but we had a lot of fun on Monday nights.

My dad made a wooden chart that went opening song, prayer, lesson, closing song, family prayer and treat.

We loved leading the music.

We sang "I'm a VIP" and "Smiles" pretty much every week. I am pretty sure that Dad was very grateful when Carianne learned to play the piano because we finally diversified.

We would stand Cari's doll bed on end and use it as a podium.

Mostly our lessons consisted of reading a story from The Friend magazine. Dad intervened and told us not to read it but to tell it in our own words.

For treat I wanted to have candy bar milk shakes every time it was my turn. Since we lived in Texas my mom would ask me to choose something else since it was heavy and not refreshing in the heat. Usually that would mean OJ and ice mixed it the blender.

We had a fireplace with a "stage" in front of it and that made it great for conducting, leading and pretty much being the center of attention.

Elder Bednar mentioned in his talk that children will probably not remember specific lessons, but they will remember having FHE and how it made them feel. I guess that is true considering my recollections of Monday nights.

God Gave Us Families

Today we had our last rehearsal for the primary program. Our chorister was in class, so I was able to lead the music. (I don't know how she does it, my arm was so tired by the end.) The song titled "The Family is of God" really touched me. Some of you may know my husband's best friend, Dave Bone. He was the best man at our wedding and was there in the hospital when we had Marcus. My children still call him Uncle Dave. His wife gave birth at the beginning of the month to a beautiful little girl they named Avalyn. The baby has been in NICU ever since. Yesterday Avi's mom changed her diaper for the first time and was ecstatic. Imagine not being about to hold your newborn, nurse them or even change their diaper. Another friend from high school is going through something similar with her newborn son. I can't fathom the pain and frustration. I am so thankful for my healthy, beautiful children. If you remember or have time, send up some prayers for Avalyn and little Ryker.

As I listened to the beautiful young children singing their hearts out I nearly lost it right there. These babies were born into amazing families. We are all so blessed to know God and that he loves us. (I am trying to load the song as the only one on my playlist.) The words to the song are:

1. Our Father has a family. It’s me!
It’s you, all others too: we are His children.
He sent each one of us to earth, through birth,
To live and learn here in fam’lies.

2. A father’s place is to preside, provide,
To love and teach the gospel to his children.
A father leads in fam’ly prayer to share
Their love for Father in Heaven.

3. A mother’s purpose is to care, prepare,
To nurture and to strengthen all her children.
She teaches children to obey, to pray,
To love and serve in the fam’ly.

4. I’ll love and serve my family and be
A good example to each fam’ly member.
And when I am a mom or dad, so glad,
I’ll help my fam’ly remember:

[Chorus]
God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be—
This is how He shares His love, for the fam’ly is of God.

Words and music: Matthew Neeley

Autumn in a bowl

I don't know what it was about today, but it was pretty rough. It started out with the shelf the printer was on coming out of the wall and falling on my arm. Anyway, by the end of the day I needed something. I was looking for comfort food. I looked at the dinner list and my eyes fell on the breakfast for dinner option or "brinner" and knew that was what we were going to do. It was almost 90 degrees this afternoon. I love autumn and it doesn't seem to be coming to my home.

Andy made the sausage while I tried out the Pumpkin Gingerbread waffle recipe from my mom's blog. As I was mixing it up I kept inhaling and sighing. I finally looked at Andy and said, "it is like fall in a bowl." Marcus loved that and came over to smell. Our house was filled with the lovely aroma and it lifted our spirits. Even though I forgot to add the eggs, the waffles were a hit and we will make them again. As Marcus said, "If we like them can we have them whenever we want?"

My little sister writes 5 things she is thankful for at the end of her blog. I used to have a Thankful journal and every night I would write 5 things that I was thankful for that happened that day. I made sure I included a separate thing for each family member, ie Andy, Marcus and Anneke. Now, I do 6 thankful things. It is so great to reflect on the day and focus in on the positive. So, I encourage you to try it for a week. It makes such a difference. I stopped for a few years and just started again. It has helped greatly with my relationship with Anneke.

Once Upon a time

This will be a pretty lame Memory Monday because my scanner is acting weird and I only got 2 photos scanned before it decided it was done. If you missed my post yesterday, look below. If you missed my post last year, here is the link. When Marcus was a baby (9 months) and then when he was a toddler (21 months) we went to the Renaissance Festival.

The first year we were there Marcus was actually knighted. (That was one of the pictures I can't get to load scan.) We watched jousting, juggling with fire, and sheep herding that year. Andy bought me a rose made entirely of feathers, too. Marcus was not walking and didn't like being in the stroller, but I was not comfortable with him crawling around.

The photo from yesterday with Andy shooting is not nearly as impressive. The costume makes him seem more like Robin Hood in this one. (October '02)

The next year we convinced Dave (Andy's best friend since high school and best man for our wedding) to come with us. He dressed as a monk and I think was cooler than the rest of us. We saw some amazing costumes, even a walking tree. (another photo that I was going to add.) I don't remember a whole lot about this year except that it was crowded and not set up as well as the previous year.

At Heather's house before we left for the festival. October '03 (I am pretty sure you can tell who is who.) She was going to come with us, but they had a wedding to go to. I think it was an unexpected thing, too. (Heather, did you ever make it to the faire?)

October '04 we were supposed to move the weekend of the faire and couldn't go. October '05 we were working at the Utah Shakespearean Festival. The next 2 years we were in Boulder, Colorado. :)

Yep, we are nerds, geeks, dorks, etc. This is definitely Andy's thing but I don't have a bad time. It is getting very popular and that makes it crowded. I think if we went on Friday that would help with that issue, maybe. Sorry it was kind of dumb. Enjoy your Monday.

The Age of Chivalry

Yesterday we went to the renaissance festival here for the 4th time. When Marcus was a baby we went for the first time. I learned a few things about myself. The one being foremost = loud music overwhelms me to the point that I can hardly function. No joke. It was a lot warmer this year, than last year but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. (The wagon was soooo nice to have.) This may be a little picture heavy.

It was so popular this year we had to park a distance away. The walk wasn't too bad on the way in. On the way out it seemed so much longer.

They rode horses again. (Luke would only ride with me. However, I was nervous. So, sadly, Luke didn't ride. I, of course, regret it now.)

Anneke was so excited about her fairy wings. She knew what she wanted and we found some pretty quickly. She wore them most of the day.

Marcus seemed to feel he had plenty of swords, so he changed up his purchase this time with a bow and arrow set.

Luke got a sword (or "shing") and proceeded to "shing" everything from the dirt to this flag (pictured above). Luckily it was a dagger and not a long sword.

I was surprised that Anneke wanted to try archery. She was so proud that out of a quiver (7 arrows) she was able to shoot one. She didn't care that she missed hit the target every time. I love her little tongue sticking out.

Andy was excited to shoot with Marcus and even helped him. (Which I thought was cute.) Andy shot the first year we came and loved it.

Marcus's last shot he hit the bulls-eye. YEA Polo!

There were a lot of black powder explosions. Anneke is terrified of them. She holds her ears and has one of us hold her. This is Luke being like sister.

Anneke wanted her face painted. She talked about it for hours until we found a guy. Pretty?

Well, it doesn't matter what you think. She loved it. ;)

(After the LOUD music) Again, not many pictures of me. We were about to get in a loooooooong line for ice cream. (Seriously, it took about 45 minutes to get to the front.)

Anneke doesn't sit around and wait well. While we waited in line she did a lot of somersaulting.

Everyone in line was entertained by watching her and marveled at her stamina.

Luke decided to wear Aunt Tummy's wings.

(Yesterday my little sister Pam told me she wanted monarch butterfly wings to wear all the time. The first place we went I found the perfect pair. They were beautiful made all from feathers. However, I couldn't pay $65 for them. So, I got the lady's card and found the pair Luke is wearing at the place we found Anneke's for $50 less.)

We went to the Village Blacksmith again and loved it just as much as before. Next year we are going to let the children take even more of the lead. We did that this year mostly, but it will be all them next year, pretty much. We liked the cooler weather last year because it kept away the big crowd and sunburns. (My husband and I are introverts and don't do well with crowds.) All in all it was a nice saturday in the park.

To find out more about last year, you can read my blog.

I would never...

Once upon a time I said I would never do a few things.

*Have a child within my first year of marriage. (Luckily, Marcus was born 2 days after that deadline.)

*Call my child by their middle name. I said, "Why not just name them that anyway?"

*Spell my child's name oddly. (Sorry Niki Sue. But, in my defense it is a family name.)

*Yell at my children.

*Get married in the winter.

*Have children while going to school. (Let alone 3)

*Let my daughter go in public without her hair done.

*Marry a guy I hadn't been dating for very long.

*Own a minivan

*Live in Las Vegas (long before Heather lived here. "Why would anyone want to live there?")

*Live in Boulder, Colorado. (Still miss that place.)

*Neglect to send birthday cards/gifts.

It just goes to show, "Never say never." (I am sure there are more, so I may do an addendum.) What have you said you would "never" do and ended up doing anyway?

P.S. I am keeping my blog public. I tend to obsess, worry, research and gather as much information as possible when something comes into my life. (I got so many books and magazines when I found out i was pregnant with Marcus it was crazy.) But ultimately I prayed about it and it is the right thing to do. I am not putting anyone in danger. I started it to keep in contact with people and by making it private I would not be able to do that. This is a way people can find me. If it is the only way, I am all for that, too. Anyway, I am done with the drama. Thanks for bearing with me.

Paranoid

I put a site reader on my blog so if you visit for the next few days leave a comment so I can tell who you are. There are a couple of questionable areas already popping up. If you can't leave a comment e-mail me or something. I "googled" myself and was pretty nervous about how much information they have on me out there. (There is another Heidi Bahlmann living in Denver, Iowa. Her middle initial is an M. Weird.) As long as my children are safe I don't care honestly. I hope to keep my blog public, so let me know.

Enjoy the blog posted below. I posted it earlier today.

Luke's World

We tried on Luke's costume from last year to see if we could get away with it again this year. No such luck. It is just barely too small. He wouldn't take it off though.

Luke is talking a lot now. He is so funny to listen to, in my opinion of course. Here are some things he says:

"China" = chicken

"brolli" = broccoli

"my mommy" = me (no one else is allowed to think or say that I am theirs.)

"carry you" = pick him up

"green" = anything he likes automatically has this adjective attached as in "my green car" or "the green ball"

"quack quack" = duck

"oopy daze" = uh-oh or oops

"fine" = his version of a simple yes

(Sheesh, I once again cannot think of the things he says that are so funny. I am not sure why my brain isn't cooperating with me lately.)

We have to say prayers and sing a few songs before Luke will go to sleep both at night and nap time. He loves Cookie Monster and will even pretend to eat like him. I tried to get a video of it, but he just smiled like I was taking his picture. He has now perfected his fake scream for Halloween. Luke would rather eat veggies and fruits than carbs and meats. (which made his latest illness last longer than it should have.)

You remind me of someone...

I have been thinking about this lately. There are certain people that remind of members of my family. Other people don't see it, but I do. For example:

My father - Harrison Ford, Steve Martin,Mark Harmon (there was another one, but I can't remember it now, darn!)

Popi - Rex Harrison, Mr. Bennett in Pride and Prejudice (not to that extreme, but there are elements)

Carianne - Jennie Garth (still)

I have been told I look like Judy Garland, Alicia Silverstone, Britney Spears and Drew Barrymore.

Well, this wasn't very impressive, but I am posting it anyway. I want to know people that remind you of someone.

Suddenly nervous

A lot of people I know are going private with their blogs. Now, I am nervous about mine being public. I try to be careful and not reveal a whole lot about us. Still, am I being careful enough? I haven't said where my children go to school, their teacher's names, our address or even our ward. (Poor Marcus won an award but since i can't figure out how to edit it, he hasn't posted it. There is too much personal information on there. He was student of the month and got the writer award. It was given the day we all felt under the weather. Sad.) I don't post pictures taken near our house and say "this is right across the street" or anything. Still, I have to wonder what is making everyone go private. Am I being too naive because I am not? There was an article in the Ensign (October 2009) about blogging and I feel that I am doing pretty well. Thoughts?

The part I mentioned from the Ensign is at the bottom of this post. It was very insightful for me. I was going to add my own comments, but decided to let everyone read it and take it their own way.

Blog Safety

Avoid Specifics

Chelsea Belton, who blogs to keep in touch with family and friends, never posts personal information online. She avoids mentioning addresses, birth dates, anniversaries, and other details that would make it easy to locate her family. Some bloggers also use partial or fictional names or general phrases like “my son” or “our friend” when referring to individuals in blog posts.

Moderate Comments

David Habben, who maintains both personal and business blogs, says that reviewing comments is an important part of safe blogging. While an author’s original post may be harmless, comments from readers may be less innocent. Some entities also use blog commenting to advertise or disseminate unwanted information. David uses a security feature that informs him by e-mail when someone wants to make a comment. He can then review each comment and delete those that are inappropriate or unwanted before they appear online.

Selectively Post Pictures

“Once I posted [a photo of] a birthday party invitation I had made [for my son],” says Rachel Davis, creator of a group blog for LDS women. “I used photo editing software to blur out the location of the party because I just didn’t want [to take a] chance. It was a small thing to do, but it made me feel safe.” Be aware of information you may be giving inadvertently in the photos you display on your blog. Wisely screening photos will allow you to share ideas while protecting yourself and your family.

Blog Courtesy

Think before You Post

Search engines are the “conscience” of the Internet. They can call up almost any Web site from any period of time. So assume that what you post on your blog is permanent. The pictures of your children doing silly things as little kids may be funny or cute right now, but imagine those same pictures appearing when your children are 12 or 45. Carefully consider the pictures you post and the things you write.

Be Positive

“I have been surprised when … ward members or even old friends from high school read my blog,” says Kacy Faulconer, who writes personal and group blogs. Blogs should not be a “forum to complain or criticize people behind their backs,” she says. Instead, keep your comments positive. You never know who may be reading.

Respect Others’ Work

Sue Anderson, who began a blog because she loved reading her daughter-in-law’s, says it’s important to respect other bloggers’ work. Instead of copying and pasting something from a blog you like, “send friends a link to the blog itself.” She also recommends that “if you want to use something on your blog from someone else’s, [including photos], ask them first.” This protects others’ work and keeps you honest.

Something good

As we were watching Conference we had one of those moments where there is perfect peace. Our children were watching and we were all snuggled on the couch. Andy looked at me and said, "We must be doing something good." (So, I have been singing the song from Sound of Music all day.) Anyway, go see the blog Marcus wrote and you will know what I mean.

Luke knew we were headed to the temple yesterday and kept saying "temple, temple" even though we were going to CiCi's pizza that is in the same area as the temple. (We went for an early dinner. Kids eat for $.99 right now.) Anneke was singing the prophet song when they spoke about John Taylor. Marcus loved Bednar's talk and is trying to apply it. A great weekend!

P.S. My music is back in honor of Halloween this month. If you want to turn it off I understand. The player is at the bottom of the screen.

Only young once

I have been thinking about being young. I loved my childhood. We explored. We played. I have so many fond memories. I can never have that back. I am getting wrinkles and my face is sagging. Now here is the question I asked Andy:

Have we given Marcus a good childhood? His is quickly passing by. When we are (hopefully) in a more permanent location he will be in middle school. So, I asked him what he remembered. Nothing. Oh wait, he remembers hitting one of his friends (Jalen) in the eye with a Nerf dart. I wanted to make sure and now he is obsessing. So, my question stands because I have no idea.

By the time we settle can I give to Anneke and Luke what I wanted for all my children? A yard and neighborhood friends. It seems odd, I know. That is it.

All this came up because Anneke and Marcus are having issues and "need their own space". So, we moved Marcus into the playroom. That is causing problems. It is time to separate them, but we don't have the space really, so Luke and Anneke still share. (I never realized how lucky my parents were having all girls, or Andy's with all boys for that matter.)

I know I am rambling and it may not make sense. I was just wondering.