November Classroom

This is our November classroom.



I have a friend. Melody. She is a painter. Her house has fabulous artwork from her own two hands. Seeing her house gave me an itch. I've got to paint. I took some Robert's Craft store painting classes, once upon a time. Let's be honest. That really isn't going to cut it. My renewed attempt (seeing as I have attempted painting before), turned out rather "paint by number-ish". And possibly, a tad bit, too "cute". Right now, that is all my "skills" are capable of. But, I have plans...



Blessings.
Although our blessings are abundant all year long, this season brings our hearts to greater recognition of our many blessings.



Share.
The more we desire to share, the easier it is to allow people into our lives, sharing what we have to offer for the spirit, body and soul.



Give.
Giving of our self is the greatest teacher in humility and the love of the Savior.



Thank.
Such a simple word.
Such a powerful word.
In giving thanks, we recognize the hand of the Lord in all things.



How could I resist showing off Rylee and Johnny's fall artwork.




Brian (Moondoggie. He hates that I call him that), assures me that these birds are hideous. He is afraid that I am going to become the refined older lady with the purple hair and headache inducing perfume. I affirmed his fear by wearing a turquoise shower cap in order to deep condition my hair.

Cogitation:
Remember when you were a teenager? Those houses with plastic flowers, attrocious wallpaper, and old furniture were so not cool. Was that because they really weren't cool? Or because we just weren't "grown up" enough to recognize "good taste"? All of a sudden plastic flowers are now silk flowers. Old furniture and crazy walpaper is now vintage. While we are on the topic, remember when mom's who wore skirts to the swimming pool seemed so old? And now it is considered trendy to wear a skirt? Is that because it really is trendy or because we now need the skirts so we want them to be trendy?

For the record. I am still not a fan of plastic flowers except in my classroom setting. I love antique furniture. Not so sure about the wall paper. I could be swayed. As for the skirt. I probably need it, but I vowed not to wear it.

The purple hair and headache inducing perfume?
We'll see.

Halloween Monsters

Friday night:

Out to fright
at the ward halloween party-ight.
What a sight.
(I think I might
have rhymed-ight
it really is hard to fight.)
Alright.
alright.

I'm done.



Saturday night:

(I'll spare you the riduculous -ights)
The kids wanted their faces painted.
So out came the paints.





Molly wanted nothing to do with her hat.
I have no idea why. It is such a fashion statement.











Cogitation:
Poor kids.
No one knew what they were.
Go figure.
They were monsters! Duh.

Rotten

Brian's work of art all lit up:



We don't go out our front door very often.

The garage is in the back. The van is in the garage (hallelujah). Therefore, we exit and enter through the back.

Although,

Our mailbox is attached to the front of the house so I do crack open the front door to get the days "junk". Today, I saw the mail carrier (who happens to also be a mailman. Gotta be politically correct...right?) drop the mail off and noticed that he was assaulted by a swarm of flies.

What?

I step out the front door and what do I see?



Ugghh! That is horrid.

Sorry Mr. Mail carrier.

Cogitation:
We carved our pumpkins too early. Rookie mistake. I don't think we will be winning the ward pumpkin carving contest. Unless...we could use that thing as a threat. What do you think?

Shattered

My friend Terra had a baby shower yesterday.

It was lovely.

There’s something about baby showers that brings out the best conversations:

“When did you get rid of the binki?”

“So cute.”

“My bladder control, is out of control…”

“So, so cute.”

“Let me tell you about my stretch marks…”

“So, so, so cute.”

And of course, the labor and delivery story.

Baby boy Terra was showered with gifts of equal “so cuteness.” I had the pleasure of preparing some goodies: pizza pinwheels, party pinwheels, and artichoke and spinach dip.

The party was winding down. I div-eed out the leftovers, stacked my dishes, and headed out the door.

Diane (the lady with the bedazzled rhinestone pants. Sweet!): “Do you need some help?”

Me: “No. I’ve got it. Thanks though.”

Leah: “Can I open that door for you?”

Me: “Nah. I’ve got it.”

Leah: (Rushing over)

Me: “Well. Sure. That would be nice.”

(I maneuver dishes to press the unlock button located so conveniently on my key chain). Then...

Crash

(Instant replay in slow motion)

Ccccrrrrraaaaaassssshhhhhh.

There go all of my dishes.

And the artichoke spinach dip.

Guess I could have used a hand or two.

That’s how I am. I think I can do everything. Scratch that. I can’t dance. I REALLY can’t dance. Otherwise, If I want to, I think I can do anything. Some things I have to REALLY want to do, but eventually, it will happen.

My mom raised a somewhat stubborn, determined little girl. Into what has now become a little bit more stubborn, determined but hopefully wiser woman (I certainly proved that today).

But, you know what?

I don’t have to do everything.

I don’t think anyone expects me to do everything.

Brian calls me on this a lot. Let’s be honest. It’s a daily occurrence:

“You can’t do everything.” “We have 4 children.” “Of course the house is a mess.” “Did you forget? We have 4 children.” “RELAX.” “We have 4 kids.” “Chill.” Blah, Blah, blah.

Lesson learned.

If you need some help,

Ask for it.

Certainly, do not turn it down when it is offered,

Or you might find your life a little bit like my dishes,

SHATTERED.

Cogitation:

Does anyone have any leftover pyrex from their, “I really don’t need this, think I’ll re-gift it” wedding stash? It should be in close proximity to the 10 waffle makers and crochet toilet paper cover from Aunt Millie. I could really use a 9x13 and 10x12. Thanks!

And the winner is...

Johnny picked a random number:

Thirteen

Katherine Fields!

You get your very own owly thing!

For the rest of you, Brian put this together (thank you Terra for giving us the idea):

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Starring:
Me as crazy doctor.
Brian as Frank.
Johnny as Vamp.
Rylee as The Bride of Frank
Bryce as Wolfy.
Molly didn't fit.
Poor Molly.
She's too adorable to resemble any sort of monster anyway.

Cogitation:

I love that I get to laugh at myself.
If I could not laugh at myself,
then I would be endlessly
embarrassed
about all the
ridiculous
things I do (and that is a lot).

Pumpkins

We went to the Farmer's Market to get our pumpkins.

The whole buy 2 get 2 free kind of swayed us.

Please forgive us for skipping out on the pumpkin patch.
We did get A LOT of delicious apples. We tried 5 different varieties.
We'll get a whole box or two once we discover our favorite.



The scarecrow's head didn't make it in the picture. I remember when I went to a school dance with a REALLY tall guy, my dad completely cut his head out of the picture. Poor scarecrow. He probably won't ever make it in the pictures with his dates.



Johnny is convinced his is the biggest.



Rylee was frustrated with me. I made her go outside to take a picture.



A squirrel tried to eat our pumpkin.
There are A LOT of squirrels here.
Brian is convinced that he saw a squirrel stop at a 4-way stop,
look both ways,
then use the crosswalk.



Rylee is frustrated with me...again.
I made her wear daddy's t-shirt and it is inside out.



She got over it.



Johnny never got frustrated with me.



Brian used his carving skills to make this beauty.
He got the idea from this.



We can't wait to see it all lit up.

This is your last chance to enter my "cool" giveway. I will post the winner on Monday. I know. You are all so anxious. Maybe I'll make more owls so there can be more winners...or maybe not.

Cogitation:

My friend had a dream about me.
Apparently I am an FBI agent. I'm talkin' undercover, Sidney Bristow, type FBI agent. (If you don't know who Sidney Bristow is, you better find out quickly. You are missing out.)
What do you think?
Do I have it in me to save the world?
I could find new ways to use my knitting needles and crochet hooks.

October Spooks

The most important news first.




Molly is officially a bi-ped.
Who did she walk for?
Why, Johnny of course.

It was great. She is the first child of ours to actually think this process through. She looked at Johnny. Then Rylee. Then Bryce. Johnny again. Then off she went. She's a whiz I tell ya.

A Whiz.

Next news of import.



The October class is officially done.



I used my amazing crocheting ability to whip out some...things? for thumbtacks.



Glitter is my new best friend.



Those crocheting skills come in handy. These...things? came straight out of this ol' noggin' of mine. Whatever they are.

Next important news.



This...thing? could be yours for the taking.

This is officially my first give away. Why? Because it is the "cool" thing to do. And I am certainly "cool". So it must be done.

If you want a chance at this owlish bird like thing, just leave me a comment with your email address. I will draw a name out of a hat in about a weekish.

Cogitation:

That was fun.