Twilight Fever

When I first picked up these books over a year ago, I had no idea what kind of craziness it would become. If I need a little pick-me-up, I can re-read the books and I am full of silly teenage romance. What more does a 30 something mom of 5 need to stay sane? Naturally I had to be there for the midnight release of Twilight. I'm no idiot though. I have read too many books and seen too many movies to have major expectations, but I LOVED it. Taking it for what it was, enjoying the love story, and inserting my little memories from the book, it was perfect. Even though it was 2:30am when we got out, I would have stayed for another showing if I could. It didn't even bother me that we were surrounded by the teeny-bopper crowd (and gay sidekicks), they treated us like any other girls. We were all girls, united in one cause- paying homage to the Cullens and our new-found love for vampires. Am I sounding pathetic yet? So if you haven't seen it yet, go. If you are still fighting the urge to jump on the bandwagon, jump!

Stupid Criminals

Okay, maybe this is only funny to me because I am a Lindner by marriage...

First, how many of you have ever met anyone named Lindner outside of our family? No, me either. Last night we were watching the news and they did this little bit at the end about a man from South Carolina. You know, the "stupid criminal" pieces? So this guy robs a convenience store and makes his getaway with $140 and a pack of cigarettes. Then his car breaks down and he flags down a taxi. The taxi driver didn't know how to get where the man needed to go, so he pulls over at a convenience store to get directions. That's right, the SAME convenience store that the man had just robbed. Only the delay in the taxi had given the police enough time to get on the scene. So he basically gets out of the taxi and into the cruiser.

Yeah, its funny/ironic, but the punchline? Yup, his name is Lindner. Johnny Lindner to be exact. No, we don't know him, but it is still funny. And even better, the reporter struggled throughout the story to pronounce his name. I guess they have never met a Lindner before either! (As a funny side-note, I went to paste his picture here on the blog and it was labelled "Lindler".

Perfect.

A reason to celebrate

So we woke up this morning hoping for the best. I am prepared to begin the Church marathon, just like any other week but my throat is finally sore and the "crud" in my head has reached critical mass. I say "finally" because the little girls have been this way for days and I know my close proximity to them means that my turn is coming. Tod wakes up and we compare notes- he's sick too- today is a sick day (We refuse to infect the entire ward).
Unfortunately this isn't just any day, it's Anna's birthday.
Anna is the last child in our family to celebrate her birthday in the calendar year, so it has been a long time coming for her. She had two simple gift requests- probably because she knows that they always get two gifts- she asked for a tea set and a Barbie head (you know, a bust of Barbie for practising your knot tying ;)) So I did my motherly job and delivered. I also failed to deliver. Wrong tea set, but the Barbie head was acceptable. This is Anna, you know. She is actually turning 45 this year, but someone failed to inform the rest of the world. I had been feeling bad all week that she wasn't having a party since it was on a Sunday, so I had planned a family tea party. We had tiny sandwiches and cookies, and apple juice for our "tea". I even let them use the teacups from my china. The boys even helped with the preparations. It was a smashing success! She kept telling me over and over again- "Thank you for a wonderful birthday!" this is an amazing compliment coming from Anna!

Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and grated chocolate on top were tonight's finale. So now I'm in my recliner, head, back and throat aching. The special day is over and it was exactly what she hoped for- thank goodness. Some things must be suffered through in order to be enjoyed. Secretly, I think even the boys are hoping for a birthday tea party...nah.

Myopia Madness

So it's that time of year...the time when we get eye exams. This year, Emma fulfilled her destiny and failed her eye test at school. So here are the results: Aaron needed double his previous prescription and Emma's were just as bad as his. If there is a silver lining to the kids' need for glasses it is seeing their reaction right after they get new ones- to hear how excited they are to see the fine details of things they haven't seen in a long time. I can't relate, but I am glad to see them enjoy the world. Oh, and the not silver lining...no vision insurance means that this new enjoyment comes with a hefty price tag- Aaron picked the most expensive pair he could find. Guess what Aaron?! Merry Christmas!

America...A Reason to Celebrate

My dad, our family's veteran

I just wanted to let everyone know about the annual Veteran's Program put on by Rusk Elementary. It is a HUGE production at the CAF hanger, every student is involved. Hundreds of local veterans and their families show up every year and it is a very special occasion for them. The are even given a gift and then they 'picnic under the planes' with the students- a free lunch sponsered by HEB. If your are, know, or happen upon a veteran, please let them know about it, we want to honor them!

10:30, Monday, November 10 at the CAF hanger- everyone is welcome, see you there!

Our scary clan- ready for trunk-or-treat. Emma as Sleeping Beauty, Josh as Prince Caspian, Anna as Snow White, Aaron as Ben 10, and Leah as Cinderella.

I love trunk-or-treat. It is a parent's dream come true. All the candy the kids think they need, and the limited space to keep us comfortable. Except for the fully grown women using their purses as trick-or-treat bags...what is that? And not to mention, I refuse to give candy to anyone who is taller than me! My favorite part of the night by far was Leah's impromptu 'candy corn dance' which I will share...Warning! This video may not be appropriate for all viewers, and no, I didn't teach her that!

This blog serves primarily as our family updates page, so most of the time, it is pretty business-like. There are times though, that I just want to talk like myself- not like the family representative.
Sometimes on a Sunday afternoon, when the rush for church is over and the ravenous herd has been satiated, I have these odd little introspective moments. A few minutes when all is quiet and I can hear the little voice of hope that lives deep inside my cynical heart. I talk big- I like people to think that I am tough- sturdy, focused and calm. To be honest, my mind is swimming. It's like looking at a stadium full of fans at a football game- a million things, stories, thoughts happening at once. I suppose it is easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer weight of it all, I know that I would excuse anyone in my own place. I think we all want to be everything. We are encouraged to do so much that we think we HAVE to do so much. I want to make birthday cakes and sew Halloween costumes, volunteer at the school, keep the perfect house, cook wonderful meals, not spend too much, do service, visit a friend, call my sister, read my scriptures, go to bed earlier, run and exercise more, worry less, and, and, and........are you as overwhelmed as I am?
So here is my little bit of revalation. No one loves my husband as much as I do. No one loves my kids as much as I do. The things I want for these 6 people could virtually be endless and they would deserve every one of them. In this thing, I am perfect. The visiting teaching message this past month was special to me. (To sum it up as it pertains to me) The world is full of tough women. It has enough of these ambitious, over-achieving mothers who when their children are raised can't remember a single distinct detail of their childhoods.
Sitting on my couch on this Sunday afternoon I had this moment of perfect clarity. I like Fall. Spring is supposed to be hopeful, but Fall is more like me- grateful for what I have, I am rich today in all the things that matter. It is getting colder outside, but inside you wouldn't ever know it. In here, the complete and total devotion of my family, their willingness to forgive all my short-comings is all the hope I need.
So I did make the Halloween costumes, and I'll still cook dinner, but there are clothes and toys on the floor. Who cares, they don't bite!