Power Ranger Barbies We Need You

I loved Kelly's blog about the barbies. Karin told me (after taking a human development class) that the most frequent interaction of toddlers is "conflict". Good thing, because on Saturday I asked Doug to please play with Emily in her kitchen/grocery store. He was so good buying all the delicious plastic treats available, spending money and even using his credit card (school ID card). All of a sudden Thomas came bursting from the bedroom with his beanie pulled down over his head, dark goggles on and carrying a gun. Yes, he was here to commit an armed robbery. It ended with Emily screaming (her favorite thing to do) and Emi and Doug chasing Thomas around and around the living room.

Alas, Babylon

It has been one of my goals to read whatever books my children are reading. Yes, this does mean that I am sometimes reading about 3 books at the same time (you should see my nightstand). But, I'm glad I've done it! It has led to so many great conversations, and yes, I'll do just about anything to keep my kids talking to me. I try to show them that I am interested in their thoughts, my favorite phrase is "tell me more".

I still keep a copy of "The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe in my car door, I have discussed this poem at length with a child, both of us being so moved by it. When I'm waiting in a parking lot somewhere I pull it out and enjoy not only the poem but also the feelings and memories it brings to me. There are other pieces of literature in my car - kept for the same reason - come have a look. I love it when one of my kids walks into my room and slaps a book on my nightstand and says, "Mom, you have to read this!"

BUT, now I'm starting Alas, Babylon and I must confess, I dislike science fiction. When I went to get the book and was pointed past the fiction, past the mysteries, and past the reference books I knew I was in trouble. I don't know why, science fiction has never appealed to me, perhaps too much Ray Bradbury in high school. So with a load of bricks on my shoulders I carried the book home and will begin it tonight. Wish me luck, it's for a good cause.

Inauguration

I loved the inauguration. I love events that remind us of values and promote patriotism. I'd like to read President Obama's speech with my children. I'll have to look for a copy. The first inauguration I remember watching was for President Reagan, I was pretty old to be tuning in for the first time, but I remember having the same feelings then as I do today. I recorded today's event so that my kids can see it tonight. Do you think they watched it as school? Doubtful. I hope this "first black" President marks a change in the heart of America, I hope we all strive to be better people. I think he inspires all of us to do that. He has a certain appeal and I wonder if leaders who have that charisma (for lack of a better word) have more followers. Do we follow leaders based on wrong, right or personal beliefs, or because we are attracted to them? I don't know, just thinking out loud. I guess because I believe in the role of this country, eternally speaking, I believe that as long as the people are striving towards God, the right people will be in place at the right time. It doesn't mean they all agree with each other (neither did the Founding Fathers) but they have a particular role to play. I know these are scattered thoughts.....just pondering.

Thank Goodness for Big Brothers

Today the Eagles lost. This is a big deal in our family. OK, not such a big deal to me personally or really to anyone but Thomas, but this was a big deal to him. Somewhere in the last year he fell in love with the Eagles. I honestly have no idea how this happened but he has been making "Go Eagles" posters and hanging them all over his room for months. He even has made Eagles jerseys. He takes one of his white t-shirts and colors on the Eagles uniform and McNabbs #5 and wears it around. This is a great activity because he uses washable markers and so after I do the laundry he gets to make a new t-shirt. Cheap entertainment. So today, even though we talked about the Sabbath, he was determined to watch the game. I don't think he has watched any other games, but somehow "the hype" got to him and he had to see the game. So we all watched it. Now the bummer part, when they lost....Tommy was in tears and cried for at least 20 minutes. Can you believe this? Finally Scott saved my inconsolable child, he got him to play catch in the backyard. Tonight, Tommy seems totally fine. Thank goodness, I was worried that he would be in mourning until next football season.

She's Off

Exciting morning! But also a nervous feeling, especially for Karin. We were up at 4:30 this morning and everything went pretty smooth getting her off. I know she'll have a fabulous time, but it's still hard to send a lovely daughter to anywhere away from me. Guess what was that last thing she did here at home? She painted Emily's nails, a true big sister.

Oooolala! Here she is getting ready for a Christmas party with high school friends. Don't you love how her "little black dress" covers her shoulders and comes down to her knees? She's beautiful.
So now I don't know what to do. Matt leaves for the Dominican Republic tonight and Jay is in the middle of sugery right now. I guess I'll just do the dishes and pray a lot.

Bird Refuge

I just got back from visiting our local bird refuge. I took Thomas and Emily with me and let Thomas have the camera. He did a pretty good job.




Merced National Wildlife Refuge
The Merced National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 10,258 acres of wetlands, native grasslands, vernal pools, and riparian areas. It was established in 1951 under the Lea Act to attract wintering waterfowl away from adjacent farmland where foraging ducks and geese were causing extensive damage to crops.
The refuge hosts the largest wintering populations of lesser sandhill cranes and Ross' geese along the Pacific Flyway. Each fall approximately 20,000 cranes and 60,000 arctic nesting geese terminate their annual migrations from Alaska and Canada to make the refuge home. Here they mingle with thousands of other visiting waterfowl and shorebirds to make the refuge a true winter phenomenon.
The refuge provide important breeding habitat for Swainson's hawks, tri-colored blackbirds, marsh wrens, mallards, gadwall, cinnamon teal and burrowing owls. Coyotes, ground squirrels, cottontail rabbits, beaver and long-tailed weasels can also be seen year round.

We Are What We Wish

By and large at the end of our lives I believe that we will be exactly what we wish. I know we can't always control our health or our circumstances, but there is so much we can do to become the person we want to be. Have you ever heard someone say "I wish I was thin" and then watch as they wish more to eat a large piece of chocolate cake? I have a musician friend who tires of hearing people "wish" they could play like her. She knows how many hours of practice she has put in, what she has sacrificed and that her talent didn't come just by wishing. I've also heard stories of people who despite their circumstances, work hard and accomplish something unbelievably great. I've thought a lot about a principle taught by President Kimball, he said, "We made vows, solemn vows, in the heavens before we came to this mortal life. We have made covenants. We made them before we accepted our position here on the earth." I think about that and wonder what promises I made. Somehow I feel like my desires are linked to promises made a long time ago, but do my actions reflect those wishes? So do you feel like you're on your way to becoming what you really wish? I'm curious, what do you wish?

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