Chrismas suprises

Brandon got me a Christmas cactus a few years back.  This is a plant for the soul.  When everything else is slowing, hunkering down for the months (and months-- in our case) of cold winter weather, this plant suddenly emerges with delicate blossoms.  A little bright spot for my day.  And the funny thing is, that every year come October I look at my little plant and think, 'it looks so weary!  I'm not sure I'll get any blossoms this year'.  And then not a month later those little buds appear, sometimes 2, on every single stem.

 One of God's little gifts to make me smile.

Another little bright spot in my day. Rin is always doing a craft, building shadow box, etc using whatever she can scrap together...here is this weeks creation 'Reindeer Dog'

Marshmallow roasting

 We finally got a firepit for the patio I put in last summer!  We got our first marshmallow roast (burn) in just before the first snowfall.  Really nice to be outside and actually USE our backyard.  Nala, our neighbors new hound puppy was going wild not being able to share in our feast, but we thought we probably shouldn't share (Henry did, however, get one marshmallow away from me when I wasn't looking).  We decided to go with the jumbo sized marshmallows that are advertised as being for roasting...not the best idea.  It takes forever to get the center soft before burning the outside (or before I lose patience), and there is no way to get a bite out of

one without smearing it all over every thing.  You can see my attempt  to the left there.  Not pretty.  Not pretty at all.  Not having graham crackers but having a leftover hershey's bar from Halloween, Catherine made chocolate sandwiches with hers...ah, well, everything is more fun when you are covered in sugar, right?

Thomas was more intrigued by the fire than the marshmallows

Sean doing a much better job than I was

Sticky hands!

november odds and ends

 Just thought I'd post some random things my kids have been up to.
 1.  Harp:  Milla has been taking harp for 2 1/2 years now (if my memory serves me right) and is coming along beautifully.  She first told me she wanted to play the harp when she was 3.  Although we went through a few rough patches, as most children do, when she really didn't want to practice, she now seems to genuinely being enjoying it.  The best thing for mom is that the harp sounds beautiful from day one.  Even when you don't know what you are doing.  And I get to sit outside her room or on her bed and listen in sometimes as she plays and just close my eyes and

relax.  It's lovely.  Catherine has been telling me for at least the last year that SHE wants to play the harp as well.  I don't know if it's for the love of the instrument or the love of her big sister.  She's going to begin piano in January and I told her after 2 years of that if she still wants to play harp she can give it a try.

2. Henry:  The kids are always asking me to take pictures of them with Henry.  Especially Catherine.  So I posted a couple.  Catherine with a genuine smile and Sean always wanting to make us laugh.

 3. Indoor baseball:  This game began while I was otherwise occupied.  I sort of winced when I came out and saw Thomas winding up, but the kids seemed to be having so much fun I didn't have the heart to stop them.  I'm always encouraging the kids to come up with non-media fun, so here you have it.  No tears, no fighting (yeah, we get a little of that at our house...), everyone taking turns.  And at the end of it, not one piece of the crystal chandelier above Catherine's head there was down on the carpet!

origami

So, I've been without my husband, Milla and Sean since Thursday night.  Not able to go to sleep without my honey, I was scanning netflix for something to distract me.  Came across a documentary on Origami, which was advertised as a 'provocative odyssey into the mesmerizing world of modern origami'.   I've always enjoyed my short experiences with origami, but never thought of it as 'provocative' or 'mesmerizing'.  So I decided to give it a go.  An hour has never gone so quickly.  It was fascinating and motivating and everyone doing it just seemed so happy! I guess like anyone with a great passion...but I was just awed!   Towards the end of the documentary it was talking about origami relating to mathmatical theories as well as practical applications.  I turned off the TV and immediately got a piece of paper and attempted to replicate one of the simpler things the math guys were showing. So basically just paper folded into 4 triangles and then concentric rectangles from the center out...two sides of the rectangle folded identically, the other 2 reverse folded and so on.  Shows how the paper naturally shapes into a pringle like curve...or it seems one of those ways they say the universe might be shaped or something.  Anyhow.  I was just excited my poorly creased paper actually began to take on the intended shape.   Now what to do next?

I have a teenager

 So Milla turned 13 last week.  One week into being the mother of a teen, I can say it's not nearly as bad as some people have warned me it would be. :)

Actually, Milla is quite an empathetic young lady.  She's always conscious of how I am doing and is quick to pitch in when she can tell I'm having a rough day.  She does LOVE to tease her younger siblings, but is certainly a friend as well.  Favorite past time is definitely still reading...she spent her career day for 6th grade at the library and, on her own initiative, picked up a volunteer form from the library just this last week as there is no place she would rather be.  Nearing 5'6'', she may catch her mother yet.  We'll see.  Although neither of us are big shoppers we do have a favorite consignment shop that we like to look for clothing deals together in.  She doesn't tend to run with a big crowd.  Prefers to be with just a couple of friends and her friends all seem to be unique.  A group of kids that each move to their own beat.  Although always hesitant while assessing a new environment, once she is comfortable Milla has no problem giving her opinion.  I'm looking forward to seeing what the next five years bring.

This year for her birthday, Milla picked an easy theme: Halloween.   Nana Clark and the kids had already spookified our house while mama and papa were in Italy.  Plenty of gourds (Thomas carried his around like a pet for a week), a spider, skulls and a poor witch that appeared to have smashed into our front door broom first.  Poor thing.  We added some cobwebs and more arachnids along with a tombstone cake, bubbling cauldron, and glass of 'blood' jello for Milla's birthday morning display and we were all set.  Although mama and papa had to head out to Utah right after morning present opening, Milla seemed to still have a good day.  After school a friend walked home with her, played her new Wii game, had pizza and cake and then went out to a community haunted house down the street which she maturely said 'wasn't tooo scary'.

Rin prepping for Milla's birthday morning

A prize for who can find what is wrong in this pic

Bright and early on the 28th

FHE prehalloween costume try out

Dr. Sean Who

the real Dr. Who with sonic screwdriver to compare

view of Mount Emily while the kids trick or treat

Halloween was a family affair with one of Sean's friends tagging along.  Sean and Wes dressed up as The Doctor from season's 10 and 11 respectively of 'Doctor Who'.  Milla went as Athena, Catherine as a Japanese girl, and Thomas went as a Cyberman from Dr. Who.  All the boy's were pleased when some college kids from EOU's residence halls where we were trick or treating recognized their costumes and welcomed them with, 'Ah look!  Some Whovians!'.  I guess most kids their age don't watch British TV.  We returned home with a decent load of candy, Mama and Papa took our required 10% cut, and we settled down for a good nights rest. ;)