I Bit the Bullet

Well, I succumbed. We did it, Dan is officially a Vet now and he can stop saying, “I don’t know if you knew this or not…but I’m a Vet.” He would always say that when we would argue about getting an animal. So, yes we got a pet. Five to be exact. Wandering around in Wal-Mart I took Dan to see the fishes. I didn’t know they had them there and found them yesterday. I didn’t mean for it to happen, but it did. Five fish have now joined our family. Dan says if they are still alive by Christmas we are getting a dog. I told him no way, but really, if that’s the bet, I feel pretty safe in saying we still aren’t getting a dog. I also made it quite clear that while I would help the kids remember to feed the fish, I would in no way be responsible for changing the water and cleaning the tank. Dan agreed, and we’ll see how long this lasts. But I’m not cleaning it. Yuck. Anyway, it all went a little overboard. I thought we’d buy a glass bowl, buy the 14 cent gold fish and be on our merry way. Nope. A five gallon fish tank complete with all the fixing and five non-gold fish later we left the store. We did draw the line at a frog. It probably would have gotten eaten by the dragon fish. “Dragon fish,” you say “What is a Dragon Fish?” Well, it’s a pretty cool looking fish and that’s what started this whole thing.
The Dragon fish is Dan’s. He named it Mr. Wiggles. I elected to get a crab. His name is Siddy. Kember got a “stripey fish” that we couldn’t get a good picture of (look for the little fish under Caden's big one), and named it Kaycee (yes, after her Pullman friend) or Daughter. She said that she named it both names and can go by either. Okay then.
Caden got a Blue Gorami and named it Joey (yes, after his cousin…do you guys just feel so privileged?) No, it isn’t blue. It’s white with two dark spots.

Cole got a Raphael cat fish. I thought it was a sucker fish and I really wanted one to help keep the tank clean, but now I don’t think he is one. Ah well. Dan said it was still a bottom feeder so it’s okay. We named him Bob in honor of the other fish we had when we got married (which died not long after we got it…and had a black growth on it that was probably cancer), the horse Dan’s family has, and to any Bob’s we now know.

After convincing Caden he didn’t want a fish that looked just like Kember’s we moved on to the tank decorations. Kember wanted a hideous rainbow colored rock thing. We suggested something else instead. She finally got excited when she found the log that has pink flowers on it. Caden really wanted a bridge. I think he thought it was a slide for a while. Ehh, he could have chosen worse.
The kids were sooo excited. After we watched them for a while Dan and I were getting ready for bed and the kids would come running to our room to tell us something the fish did. They get worried that Bob is gone (he likes to hide in the log) and that Mr. Wiggles, which Kember calls Dragon, is going to eat the other fish. They both tell the fish constantly to be nice to each other.
We might have been a little too excited. After we put everything together and introduced the fish into their new home Dan started to read the instructions. Turns out we didn’t do much right. Well, we’re off to a great start. We’ll see how long the excitement lasts. I’ll admit I was very into this process and just as excited as the rest of them (though I will also admit that I harbor many doubts). In the mean time…we’re pet owners! Look at us go.

Tolerance

Tonight I’ve discovered something about myself. Either I’m desperate to have the internet and that desperation has led me to be okay with things that normally I would never be okay with, or two, I’m growing up and realizing that ehh, they are just bugs. So to get the internet I sit on my porch or driveway so I can pick up the signal from the college (totally legal by the way). I can’t get the signal from inside my house, whatever. Anyway, once it gets dark here the crickets start chirping and the cockroaches start roaming and the little bugs (please keep them little) start flocking towards any light they can. Well, I was sitting on my porch tonight when I noticed a bug crawling in my general area. I took a minute and decided that it was a cockroach. Eh, whatever. Every once in a while my attention would get drawn toward movement on the ground. I decided that movement was a cricket. Mostly we tolerate each other. We don’t invade each other’s space and we give a wide berth to each other. I flick the flyie bugs off the computer screen (I mean if I am desperate for the internet, maybe they are too and just can’t resist even though we have our own spaces). I shake my foot if something crawls on it (just little something…nothing big like a roach or a cricket) and I continue on my merry way. In fact I noticed that I was surrounded by six crickets when I was finished. Those were the only ones I could see. So I gently stepped around and over them while I made my way to the door. There I noticed two more crickets either mating or eating. Well, they weren’t bugging (hehehe) me and I got to be on the internet. I suppose there are worse things.

Laundry

So again, this is random, but I wanted to post it while I was in a good mood and remembered it. (ooo, and I'm posting this sitting on my driveway. I finally got hooked up to the college server...we'll see how long that lasts :)
One of my favorite things to do with my kids is the laundry. Yes, you read that right, the laundry. They are just so cute helping, and yes, they really do help. Here's our laundry process. Once the laundry comes out of the drier (they help before that, but it isn't really helping) I dump the clothes out on my living room floor. They they each pick which basket they want and they help me separate the clothes into each basket (because I'm picky and I hate folding one of Kember's shirts, then one of Dans pants...I want to fold all of one thing first). They sorting is rather fun. They throw things, if I mix something up and put it in the wrong basket they say, "Mooommm, this isn't mine...this is baby's!" Oh, so sorry. Then they fix it. That takes a bit of time. Then I ask Caden to find me all his shirts, pants, and so on. They I ask Kember to do the same. They once they are all organized I hand a stack to Kember and say, "K, put this in your top drawer." Then I give one to Caden and tell him to put them in which ever drawer they go in. Anyway, they run to their bedroom and then they run back for their next stack. Kember can even help me fold things (when she wants too). I get a great deal of enjoyment out of this ritual when I let them actually help me. I wonder if I could figure something out like this for the dishes.

Starting Over

This has nothing to do with anything (especially this post) but here it goes. So I realize that the picture I have on my blog is a wee bit out-dated...like missing one of my children out-dated and that child is almost a year old. Hmmm. I suppose that most mothers would fix that picture quickly after the arrival of a new one. I wonder what this says about me (other than I'm lazy, because we all already knew that). Well, maybe I don't want to know. So much for deep introspection. Okay, on to the post.

Starting Over Again
Well, it’s official. We moved into (well closed) our house on the 20th of May. Which would mean that we have been here for three and a half months (When I originally typed this it was closer to three and a half, not four, I can do the math). We’ve been in our callings for about two months (give-or-take). It’s apparently time to start over. Fun stuff. The stake switched the boundaries last night. Before the meeting all the talk and gossip about this I figured it didn’t really matter much to me…I mean, look at the length of time we’ve been here…not long. Well after they showed the boundary changes I decided I must have settled in here a little better than I originally thought. I’m thankful that I know at least one of my friends is in my new ward with me. Our old ward is no longer. They got rid of two wards, and ours was one of them. Well, hopefully there will be loads of people around my age with families in this new ward and Dan and I will make tons of friends. It will definitely be interesting to see what happens and what new callings we get. I’ve decided that I’m hoping if my calling can’t be in Relief Society than I would love a calling in Young Women’s. I know, I don’t get to choose, but there you have it. Knock on wood and all that sort of stuff. Let’s start over!
Speaking of starting over, I decided that the disaster that was my hair from the girls weekend (see older post) when I had it dyed, needed to change (boy that was a long run-on sentence). So, my visiting teacher, who I guess isn't my visiting teacher any more because of the changes mentioned above, used to be a hair dresser (is that what they are called? I go frequently you can tell). Her daughter is thinking about someday going to hair school and they volunteered to do my hair. Rock on. So, since we are starting over in a new ward I'm starting over with my hair. I like it. I'd post a picture, but I haven't taken one. It's brown. Picture my old not really blonde hair. Pick the darkest shade and then go one or two shades darker than that and there you have it. See, who needs a picture? Seriously, we're thinking of getting the internet and then I'll maybe post one, but no promises. So, here's to starting over with things. Rock on.

Ahh, Interesting

So my scripture study last night inspired me, and I thought I'd share and get your opinions on some things. It was Proverbs 31 about a virtuous woman. Don't get bored, trust me, this is a good one! Starting with verse 10. "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." Alright...let's define virtuous. According to the Random House Websters College Dictionary it means 1-Conforming to moral & ethical principles; upright 2-Chaste. Okay. Now we know what we are talking about, let's continue. Verse 11. "The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil." Excellent. To me this means that the husband will depend on her and that he doesn't need anything else (ie spoils. Okay, he will need other things obviously, but he's not going to depend on c0-workers or his job to satisfy him...these are all just things that need to be done, that he might even enjoy, but that he doesn't need). Verse 12- "She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life." So when you do your husband good you are putting him first...taking care of him. I'll admit, I struggle with this one quite a bit. I'm an inherently selfish creature and I'd like to think it's all about me...but it isn't...sigh. Verse 13- "She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands." She's a hard worker. Not sure about the wool and flax bit, unless it's referring to the fact that someone had to get the wool from the sheep and someone had to harvest the flax and she would be willing and able to do it. Verse 14- "She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar." Alright, I admit I'm stumped here and would like your input. the only thing I can think of is that she is cultured. But that is probably stretching it a bit. Verse 15- "She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens." Yuck...I don't like getting up early...sigh. I'll definitely have to work on that one. Verse 16- "She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard." Verse 17- “She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.” Obviously (well, to me any way…I’ve never claimed to be a deep thinker…if the poem is talking about blueberries, it means blueberries…not riches and treasure…don’t ask) she’s a strong woman, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Her body will handle what she puts it through because she is taking care of it, and in so doing is becoming strong. Verse 18- “She perceiveth that he merchandises is good: her candle goeth not out by night.” Love this verse. I take it to mean that she has good self-esteem. She knows who she is, she knows she’s a daughter of God and that she is worth something. She is constantly working on her testimony so it doesn’t dim like in the parable of the ten virgins.
I was going to just skip around to my favorite verses so if anyone is still reading they don’t bore themselves, but I just liked the whole thing, so if you are still reading you’ll just have to bear with me. Verse 19- “She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.” Which is a stick on which spinning materials are wound. So really, I have no idea other than she can sew (smile) Any thoughts? Verse 20- “She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.” Good things to do. Good things. Verse 21- “She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.” So I’m not going to pretend I have any idea what it means to be clothed with scarlet (it’s a color isn’t it?) But I love this verse because it says to me that she is prepared for whatever. Perhaps her she has a good food storage going, money saved in the bank, 72 hour kits, whatever, this is a lady who is prepared for it. She’s like the woman who whenever a crisis arrives she reaches into her purse and pulls out just what you need. ‘Your kid is poopy and you don’t have wipes, here I have some.’ ‘Band-aid? Not a problem. Would they like a princess one or spiderman?’ Okay, maybe that’s a little overboard, but whatever being prepared means to you, that’s what it should be. Verse 22- “She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.” Again, I love this verse. I’m not sure if I’m reading it right, but to me it translates to this. She is a daughter of God and since she knows this she dresses accordingly. She is put together. Did you guys read that article in the Ensign about this? I wish I could remember the name or the author, but it was amazing. Oh, it had something to do with refining our homes…maybe that was the title. It was recent...two or so months ago. It was awesome. Read it, love it. Verse 23- “Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.” No real thoughts about this…maybe it means when someone in the family achieves something, it is good for the whole family (see September Ensign Q&A article)? Maybe it’s the whole behind every good man there is a good woman bit. I don’t know. Verse 24- “She maketh find linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.” Well, since I can’t sew, and have no desire to wear a girdle I’m going to take this to mean that she is using her talents to the best of her abilities and making them grow. Verse 25- “Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.” Cool. Verse 26- “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” K, this is awesome and something I would really like to work on…with my kids, Dan, friends, everyone. Kindness, we could all use a little more couldn’t we? Verse 27- “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.” She isn’t lazy and she takes care of her house (sigh, I guess I should get the laundry done…) Verse 28- “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” I can only hope that someday my children will say nice things about me. But to get them to do this, this woman was a good mother. She focused on her family and had her priorities straight. Verse 29- “Many daughters have done virtuoutsly, but thou excellest them all.” Umm..okay.
Verse 30- “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” Look up fear in the Bible Dicionary. Very interesting. But again, this woman knows who God is. Verse 31- “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Sweet. So are my works going to praise me? I hope so. And if not maybe I need to get my works in order.
Anyway, if you made it through this, wasn’t that an awesome 21 verses? I was inspired by it. It made me extremely excited and I just wanted to share it with everyone. So go be that virtuous woman that God knows you are (or if you are a guy go support that virtuous woman in your life and be a man worthy of her)!

Not one of my finer mommy moments

We don't have TV. There are a lot of reasons for this, a few being that there's not a lot on that's worth watching, what we do deem worth watching we would waste whole heaps of time on watching it there by ignoring those things (aka our kids and each other) which actually are worth watching. So, when we do visit home we all like to watch a little TV (or a lot of TV depending on some points of view). Anyway, today we were in my parents living room and Dan was channel surfing. He found Monk on. We love Monk. Good show...right? Well, maybe not so much. When he turned to it some lady was drowning another lady in a bathtub. Really, we didn't think much of it (I was on the computer not really paying any attention....again, probably a large reason we don't have the internet at home) then Kember asks me why that lady was killing the other lady. Okay, hold on...how does she know about "killing"? Dan very quickly changed the station. I tried to explain without explaining too much, but I probably glossed over it and missed a great teaching moment. Anyway, I was hoping that it was forgotten, out of mind out of sight type thing. Well, driving home tonight from Salt Lake tonight Kember proceeds to describe what the lady was wearing, what she was doing, what the other lady looked like and all sorts of stuff. Okay...this was definitely not one of my finer moments today letting her see that. Dan turns to me and says, "We are definitely not getting cable!" Well, at least we are agreed on that. Lets hope these moments are few and far between, and when they do happen I'll have inspiration and make it a great teaching moment.

Date Night

So I realize that Family Home Evening is supposed to include, well...the family. I'm not sure if we just didn't think about that, or if we just got our timing wrong or whatever, but for FHE (minus the family) last night we went on a date to Annie Get Your Gun. I loved it! I love that Dan will take me to things like this. I love that it was his idea! I love that G & G Christensen are willing to watch the kids for 3 hours (okay, they were in bed, but the baby wasn't, and there have been plenty of times that they've kept the kids up because they'd rather have them awake...crazy eh?) I love the theater. I love that we live so close to a theater (even though we drove because Dan was on call and didn't want to have to walk home should some emergency arise. Luckily it didn't, but he did inform me that we are never going to a show again while he is on call. He had a death grip on his phone the whole evening and couldn't relax enough to just enjoy...poor guy). I love musicals especially. I miss the theater. I miss being a part of it, and I sat there wishing that it was possible to do again...but then I was thinking that really...maybe not. I won't go into detail about everything I thought of (I was thinking about it for most of the show...7:30-10 you do the math...2 1/2 hours if you needed help)but suffice it to say, that I loved doing it, and probably won't ever do it again. I was also thinking that Frank totally wasn't good enough for Annie. I realize I shouldn't judge, he was her choice, but seriously folks...I'm apparently missing something here. She was too good for him, but I guess if they were happy together then that is all that matters. I'm glad she stuck up for herself most of the time though, and didn't let him walk all over her. I love how naive she was though. Innocent, in a not so innocent way. I'm not explaining this well, but the points that I am trying to make are 1- I'm glad Dan took me on a date 2- I love the theater 3- I'm glad Frank is not my husband and that Dan is nothing like him. Yep that about sums it up.