The Twilight Saga

I can now say that I have read the the Twilight Saga.  For those who truly know me, I am not a fast reader.  I read ALL four books in a week and a half! A personal best.  My poor kids - I know how Stephanie Meyer felt as she was writing.  

Not only was I enchanted by these books and their story, I've had a hard time starting any new books or finishing the series I had already started (note: NEVER do that! Finish one BEFORE you start another!).  I've never really enjoyed, loved, a book(series) so much that I've felt that way before.  Obviously I don't read much.  

All I've got to say is that I'll have to take the 'other' books back to the library until I'm ready to read them.  No matter how many times I start finishing the last series I started, I find myself wondering about my favorite parts of the Twilight books - and I will probably end up reading the whole series again.  Maybe with more time for my kids - but no promises!

I will never look at vampires the same way again!  (Which is one reason I can't finish my last series.)  I keep catching myself pondering things about the books - like, if I had a super power, what qualities do I have that could turn into a gift, or what kind would I like to have.  How exhilarating would it be to be able to run as fast and as far as I can and feel the wind and wonder of the experience.  No sleep!? Wow.  True love.  True family.  

Honestly, yeah, I'd love to be able to growl. 

Okay, enough of me spilling my guts.  I REALLY love this saga.

Read it!

Pumpkinland

Porter's learning program sponsored a pumpkin patch trip this year.  

So we went and had lots of fun!

Here are the pumpkins the girls picked!

They had all kinds of fun playground options!

This was their favorite scarecrow.

It was a great trip out of the house!

Pumpkin carving night and pictures to come!

Trunk or Treat 2008

Our ward had their 'Trunk-or-Treat' last night.  I spent all-day yesterday sewing and getting all the costumes and prizes together.  (Dane and I are in the Activities Committee in our ward. - This was our first activity since called.)  

It was a lot of fun!  The girls mostly ran around and played with their friends.  There were a lot of great costumes!  My personal favorite was 'The hiker family.' The parents dressed up as hikers with poison ivy wounds, and some 'serious' mosquito bites.  They have three kids: 'poison ivy', a 'mosquito', and a 'fly'.  Very creative and well done.  (Okay, here's the picture.)  The only thing that would've been better is if Dane could've participated!  He had to work late at the Chiropractic clinic.  

Other events were the chili cook-off and pie contest.

New Therapy

Our hopelessly left-handed Porter has a new therapy!   His left hand is temporarily strapped to his torso so that he is forced to use his right hand more.  He'll use it some, but only if pressed to.  We wrap his arm at least 30 mins. every day - hopefully twice or more.  

Lately, he's been wanting to use his feet instead of his right hand.  I can hardly wait until he walks and takes care of such distractions.  

We're going to be getting him into a physical therapist soon. He needs more work than he's getting.  And, they have a lot more available - like a walker to help him work his legs for walking while being supported in the ways he needs.  

Other therapies:  thicker liquids to help with swallowing issues; actually 'using' a spoon to eat with; structured time to help with attention span.  

In many ways, it's like emphasizing ALL the basic steps.  

Future Fiddlers

Today, Jenn pulled out her violin and decided to start prepping for violin lessons.  Not only are Debany and Myanna wanting to learn, but a friend has a daughter who has been playing some.  They have asked me to give lessons.  I'm very excited!  

I want to give good quality lessons, so I've decided to just get to practicing.  At least 30 mins. every day.  Today, it ended up being at least 1 hour!  Didn't even realize it until the kids wanted to try it.  Then 'lessons' lasted another 2 hours.

Needless to say, I've put off folding the laundry for a while.

Myanna took to singing while she played.  It was way cute!  

Debany was already putting on her own recitals!  

She'd leave and come back 'a different person' just to perform again.

What? Not music to your ears?!  

Enjoy!

It's the simple things...

Remember that it's the simple things that make all the difference.  

Stop and smell the roses.  Our children are growing before our eyes.  

Make sure you take the time to ENJOY them.  

After-all, we are to be child-like.  How are we to be like them if we never pause to admire they're qualities!

"Laughter is the best medicine.  Well, laughter and raspberries!"

--Jenn

The power of a sneeze.  

(You've got to read, "Because a Little Bug Went Ka-chooo!")

Freecycle & Craigslist

Have you ever heard of freecycle.org?

Or craigslist.org?

If you haven't, you've got to try it!  

If you're on a budget or always hunting for a great deal - or want to get rid of things that have been accumulating, this is a lifesaver!  

Freecycle is a yahoo group where you can post or read posts of things people what to get rid of. Only catch - it's 100% free.  I have a yahoo email specifically just for it because we get LOTS of posts every day.  It is everywhere!  And if for some reason there isn't one close enough, you can start one!

Craigslist, same idea, but not always free.  BUT great bargains.  

If you have more questions, or don't understand my explicit explanations, email me.

Enjoy!  And pass the word on.