Activities

What I have been doing today:

What I hope to be doing tomorrow:

What I probably should be doing on Saturday:

Happy Thanksgiving, Lincoln-style

A favorite college professor gave this to me while I was a student at BYU. There are a couple of versions out there, but they are all similar. I thought it was blog-worthy for sharing this week.

May you have a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation

It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sings and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord.

We know that by His divine law, nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world. May we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people?

We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown.

But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.

(signed) A. Lincoln
October 3, 1863

My Secret Project

I can talk about it now.

Because it is done.

Hallelujah!

For the past four months, I have spent almost every moment of discretionary time (which isn't much these days!) scanning old photos. Like a maniac.

It has been one of those once-in-a-lifetime projects. And I can't believe I actually did it.

Over two years ago, I decided that *someday* I wanted to scan my parent's old photos into digital format, so that when my sentimental brothers and my sentimental self someday inherit their belongings, we can each have a copy of those sentimental photos.

In 2007, I decided to undertake the project. I scanned two pictures, and then I found out I was having twins. The project ceased.

In 2008, with twins and kids in tow, I decided to attempt it again.

I know, I am crazy.

Since August, I have scanned over 2,300 pictures.

Pictures, pictures, everywhere. Tin types, slides, wedding photos, pictures of great-great-great grandparents, pictures of my parents as children, pictures of grandparents as newlyweds, pictures of brothers and pictures of dogs and pictures of Halloweens and Christmases past. Pictures of people, be they loved or unknown, but all family, and all significant to our family tree.

It has been a powerful and emotional experience for me. (As well as time consuming and, at times, monotonous.)

I finished scanning about three weeks ago, and then I spent the better part of my "free" time (i.e., "Nathan-is-at-preschool-and-the-twins-are-napping" time) over the last three weeks taking select pictures and creating a photo history of my family. I love Blurb.

It's done. I sent the book to the printer on Monday. It will be quite the Christmas gift for my brothers, wouldn't you say?

I finally have mental space, a huge sense of relief, and a major testimony of the power of family history. I truly look forward to doing family history research & genealogy at a later date...like in 2018!

In the meantime, I think I will start reading a book--something I haven't done for four months. Just the thought is oh-so-delightful.

Our Most Recent Family Pics

Once again, many thanks to Mom!

The Snowplow

Meet Nathan's dump truck. (The child pictured here is not Nathan, in case you were wondering.)

Nathan loves his dump truck and employs it in many ways.

Most recently, this morning, it was--in his own words--a snowplow.

Saith he, "Look, Mom, at my snowplow!" as he PLOWS the truck into his baby brother and baby sister.

My son is just so very imaginative, wouldn't you agree?

Dinner Is Served

Welcome to our home. We hope you have an enjoyable experience dining with us this evening.

We offer a comfortable dining experience in a family atmosphere. Please dress accordingly by wearing machine-washable clothing. Bring along an apron and a stain stick for extra comfort and protection.

Our menu varies daily. The chef takes great pains to plan nourishing, wholesome, and balanced meals each day, the components of which are generally on hand in our kitchen. However, given the busy and unpredictable nature of our business, the meal plan frequently changes at the last minute. Please be aware that the item you see on our fridge-side menu may well be replaced by something simple and of far less nutritional value.

Please arrive ten minutes earlier than planned, as all adult guests are required to assist with serving our younger patrons.

Appetizers are served between the hours of two and four p.m., and you must wait at least an hour before ordering anything further.

Please refrain from inquiring about a dessert.

Our dining atmosphere is intimate and cozy. The table, designed for four, can accomodate up to seven people. Because of this, we do require proper etiquette and table setting to ensure space for all.

We do not permit dining alone. Instead, you will dine with a group whose general demeanor will cause you to forget, for a time, about the weariness of adult life. Please review books by Peggy Parrish, Don and Aubrey Wood, and Dr. Seuss, as well as music by Raffi or Rodgers and Hammerstein, in order to contribute to the discussion.

The entertainment at our establishment is second-to-none. We offer a combination of packages, and these packages may take place before, during, and/or after dinner. A few examples of our entertainment packages are as follows:

#1. A truck race, a baby wailing contest, and the phone ringing.
#2. A piano concert, an cappella chorus recital, and spilled milk on a crying toddler.
#3. An angry exchange between children, a furious child in time out, and a squealing baby.
#4. A reading by a young student, a piano concert, the phone ringing, a crying baby, and a crash from the pantry.
#5. The door bell ringing, a truck race, a furious child in time out, a squealing baby, and a fire alarm being set off.
#6. A computer game with the volume turned up, two anguished babies, an exersaucer being pounded upon, a phone ringing, a washing machine buzzing, a reading by a young student, a frantic and yelling chef, a food spill, a piano concert with vocal accompaniment, and a truck race.

Please note that there is no opting out of the entertainment package. Participation is mandatory.

Our establishment also offers a degree of physical exercise as part of our dining routine. During your time at our home, you will encounter several obstacle courses, consisting of spit up puddles, strewn toys and crayons, baby equipment, piles of clean laundry, and discarded articles of clothing. As you encounter these obstacle courses, you will exert more energy than you will consume in calories. It is our belief that, in spite of the immediate risks of twisted ankles or broken necks, such obstacles are beneficial to your long-term agility and cardiovascular health.

Finally, our motto is "An Equal Opportunity Kitchen." It is our firm philosophy that all who come to our home for this enlightening experience will also have the satisfaction of contributing to the greater good in a very tangible way. As part of your visit, you may find yourself doing any number of domestic tasks. We thank you in advance.

Once again, welcome to our home. We hope you have an enjoyable experience dining with us this evening. Please note that we said hope. No further guarantees will be made.

Happy Veteran's Day

Happy Veteran's Day to the many men and women who have served our nation valiantly. May we always honor you and your sacrifices on our behalf.

And to my brother Justin Michael, who leaves for military basic training tomorrow, may you go knowing my prayers are with you, and may your wife and children have safety and peace amidst your long absence. I am proud of you, and I love you much!

The Orange Sweater and Its Unbelievable Resale

I tried to find a picture of the sweater online, but I failed. Sorry. But I have to tell the story anyway--even if it's trivial. Humor me.

Because I'm bugged.

About a month ago, I purchased a dressy sweater at an upscale women's clothing store. You know--one of the places with too-high prices, wide aisles, and pushy salespeople. I got it at a fair price, though, so I was excited about it.

I wore it twice, washing it once (delicate cycle, line dry) in between wearings.

The second time I wore it was earlier this week. At some point during the day, I noticed it had a small hole along one seam. I decided I could whip stitch it closed.

Later, I saw another hole, along the neck seam.

And then I found a third hole, along yet another seam. Excuse me! Unacceptable!

Yesterday, I marched it back to the store, with no tags and no receipt, and asked for a refund. The friendly manager also pointed out that the sleeves were fraying. "Right-o," thought I. "Piece of junk it is." The manager was very good about giving me a store credit for the full price.

Today I had a couple hours free of kids (unprecedented!), and I trotted back to the store, looking forward to using the credit.

Glancing through the racks, I did a double take. There was my mournful sweater, hanging on the rack, new (handwritten) tag affixed. The holes were there. The sleeves were frayed. There were even the remnants of my typical mommy day: Isaac's--um--snot was crusted on the shoulder, and baby food decorated the sleeve. (I didn't wash the sweater before returning it, as I thought it would just be returned to the manufacturer. How wrong I was.)

I don't know if I will ever shop at this store again. I couldn't believe it.

More Halloween

A few more Halloween pictures...

A very poor photo of our drowsy penguins-turned-pumpkins.

Our little doggie. He loved the treats.

Miss Annie, hair sprayed "red" (i.e., flourescent orange--oops!), posing as always.

Mr. S--

Brian was on call this weekend. Last night he was at home, awaiting test results for a patient to know if he needed to return to the hospital to operate.

He was killing some time, waiting.

At 10 p.m., I glanced over to the couch to see him lounging quietly, reading.

He was reading this:

I whipped out the camera, and he whipped the book behind his back, declaring that this would not be material for my blog.

Little did he know.

I am not teasing him. (OK, maybe I am, just a little ;)

Actually, I am admiring the fact that I married a thoughtful guy, who enjoys shows like King Kong and Iron Man, but who can also enjoy the more refined things of life.

So today, I will declare him my "Mr. S--" (last name truncated), in honor of Mr. Darcy.

Even if he doesn't own half of Darbyshire.