Previous Quote of the Blog

There should never be just two options: perfection or giving up. When learning the piano, are the only options performing at Carnegie Hall or quitting? No. Growth and development take time. Learning takes time. When we understand grace, we understand that God is long-suffering, that change is a process, and that repentance is a pattern in our lives. -- Brad Wilcox

Halloween Festivities

Our pumpkin graduated from over sized squash to jack-o-lantern this past weekend.  When asked what he thought was inside, Rhys replied, "Cookies."  When asked to help pull out the seeds he declared, "Too messy in the pumpkin!" but all took the opportunity to harvest the seeds.  Sophie drew a picture to show us how she wanted the mouth and Rhys choose triangles for eyes. 

 

The jack-o-lantern was complete and there were no injuries requiring a trip to the ER--so a success!



 



Our ward (congregation) co-hosted a Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat the weekend before Halloween.  Sophie and Rhys dressed in their costumes and were ready for the action.  Sophie was an eager Snow White but we were unsure if Rhys would cooperate.  He picked his costume over a month ago but ever since we made the second-hand purchase, he had been pining to be Superman (his all time favorite T-shirt), pointing to the astronaut costume and protesting, "No! No!"  or crying whenever we brought up the "space man" uniform.  Surprisingly, he was quite content to wear his Superman T-shirt under the costume without a single gripe.

The trunk was stuffed with coats (it was cold), our freshly carved jack-o-lantern, a pot of chili, and goodies to hand out.  We were happy to see neighbors and family accepted our invitation.

Opa and Oma even dressed up as gorillas!

Things got rolling with a chili cook-off in which we entered our favorite vegetarian chili from our friend Heather. It won an award for best vegetarian and nothing but a ghost of our double batch was left in the crock when we picked it up.

After dinner craziness ensued as the youth of the church manned stations for the kiddies to earn their candy.  They bowled down ghost pins, balanced eyeballs on a spoon, pinned the wart on the witch, and wrapped each other as mummies.

Then it was on to the Trunk or Treat!  We handed out mostly non-edibles treats as to not be tempted above that we are able (1 Cor. 10:13).  Of course with all the incoming candy that wasn't totally successful.  Sophie went ahead with her friend Kenzie while Keri took it slow with Rhys and Neal handed out goodies. 

Ella and Clara as 50s girls, Sophie as Snow White, Kenzie as her favorite "My Little Pony"--Rainbow Dash, Rhys as Superman posing as an astronaut *wink wink, Ben as Captain America, and up front, a little dragon.

S'more Halloween Fun

We had a good time assembling and delivering individual Halloween s'mores to friends and acquaintances. It was easy with two graham cracker squares, a orange, pumpkin Jet Puffed marshmallow, and snack size Hershey's bar. So cute all packaged up in printed bags and ribbon.

 

We have been finding new ways to entertain ourselves with the huge pumpkins we got for the kids (totally for the kids, eer, right?).  The kids have rolled them all over the house since they are too heavy to lift.  This is fine until the lights are out and Mom or Dad while reaching for the light switch kick their toes into the firmly planted squash.  Keri even split a toenail! Not pretty. 

They have drummed the pumpkins while listening to upbeat Halloween songs. 

We measured them with a tape measure and talked about circumference.  Sophie feels quite triumphant that hers is wider by 3 inches and higher by 1 inch.  Rhys could care less.  In fact, he feels that tape measure just needs to stay away from his pumpkin altogether.

Also, we have conceptualized various pumpkin faces and applied them by way of play dough.  Carving will come closer to Halloween.

We have been eating some "Halloween" soups.  That's how you get your kids to eat ugly soup--give it a fun name.

Black Bean Pumpkin Soup

Butternut Squash and Carrot Soup

The bubble bath took on an eerie glow with the glow-in-the-dark masks and braclets that were tossed in the tub (thanks for the goodies Grandma Sue!). 

The Most Beef We've Seen in a Long While

Since we've changed our eating habits, beef is seldom a part of our diet.  Every once in a very great while In-n-Out calls to us ("Moooo?" and we answer, "Yummy blessed cow!").  However, we did enjoy seeing beef in it's live form at this year's Texas Stampede Cattle Drive.  Texas Stampede comes to Allen to support children's charities throughout north Texas. We have done this 2 or 3 years in a row now and love it!  Too bad Sophie was in kindergarten and had to miss it.

Picnic lunch with Daddy

Rescue Co. 4 - responded to the WTC on 9/11

All Rescue Co. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 lost no less than 7 members each on 9/11.  In the aftermath of 9/11, Rescues 1 and 2 lost their rigs at the WTC, and those of Rescues 3 and 5 required major repairs before being placed back into service. Immediately after 9/11, Rescue 4 was the only rescue company covering the City of New York.

The Remembrance Rescue Project involves former FDNY Rescue 4 and Rescue 5 and is an educational effort focused at society, especially youngsters who were too young to actually understand the events of September 11th and what that day means to members of the fire service and the country as a whole.  The Project is 100% operated by firefighters from across the country volunteering their time. There are no paid members.

 We said good-bye to Neal and got back in the car to follow the drive.  Whenever we lost view of them Rhys would say, "Cow?  Where aaaaaare you?  I don't see dem."  We caught up with them at the local shopping and event center.

The backdrop could not be more appropriate!

Can You Spell That, Please?

So what has more syllables than good sense?!  Multicentric Reticulohistiocytosis.  Say what?!  Okay, we will call it MRH for short.  It has no good sense because it is messing with Keri.

MRH is a rare (very rare in the U.S.) medical condition that she was diagnosed with in early July.  It presents as little nodule-like spots on the skin.  Ugly, but no biggy.  It, however, develops into destructive arthritis in 45% of it's cases.  Not good, but not life threatening either.

Curiously, in approximately 25% of cases, malignancy has been an associated disease.  Keri has had 2 of the 10 cancers that are reportedly associated with MRH.

Needless to say, we have had a lot of recent medical appointments to go over Keri with a fine tooth comb and collect information.  We are happy to report there does not appear to be any signs of cancer. 

Keri has been scanned previous to finding this condition, with clean results. Given the new diagnosis, we completed several scans again this October to see if anything new had popped up.  Keri's oncologist noted that lab work and scans were clear of any signs of cancer.

We also pursued additional genetic testing through UT Southwestern to understand if she or her family are predisposed to particular cancers given her history.  The three tests performed did not detect any mutations.  So we are not sure why Keri got cancer so young.  But as far as the genetic tests currently go, she is not at higher risk for any other cancers or recurrence due to genetic mutations and her children and siblings are at no greater risk. 

Also we just wanted to get her into their system in case any new information is made available about this condition.  Especially, because all the doctors we see start pulling up what they can find on Google when we visit with this diagnosis.  We have already done that part ourselves, thank you.  There is not a lot out there--only about 200 cases total in medical literature.  We have provided blood samples for future research, but not specifically for MRH.

Additionally, we have met with a rheumatologist to get on his radar. He has at least heard of it, as he attended a seminar that discussed 3 case studies.  We had baseline images done on my hands as the arthritis tends to begin in the extremities and digits.  Tests show no current signs of inflammatory disease.  Further testing can be done if symptoms develop.  Keri's regular exercise, improved eating habits, and religious practice of avoiding smoking and alcohol only aid in preventing arthritis' onset.  Our rheumatologist also gave us specific information regarding diet to prevent and slow the onset.

So who gets to be the quirky medical freak in the family, as if she wasn't already?!  You guessed it--Keri!

When we found out about Keri's MRH we were concerned but we would like everyone to know that we are okay and happily living life as usual, just with a few more doctor's visits.  We have felt the presence of the Holy Ghost guide us as to where we should put our energy.  We know that this could be nothing or this could be something so we will just take it as it comes.  Thanks to all who helped out with babysitting as we had doctor appointments.

Feelin' Like a 10!

10K that is!  Keri registered and trained for her first 10K (6.2 miles) that took place on October 20th.  It benefited a charity that is close to our hearts for all they do locally, Allen Community Outreach.  Keri surpassed her goal of running 11-11.5 minute miles when she finished the race in 1 hr., 7 min., 57 seconds, averaging 10 min., 56 sec. per mile! She is very pleased.

Our whole family is a 10, though.  Neal also helped our community that morning while laboring with hundreds of other Mormons in the area during an organized day of service.  He scraped down fire hydrants and repainted them.  His clothing hint that the paint colors were blue and silver.  He, with another family, completed 5 hydrants! 

In the afternoon, Neal along with the rest of the Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT), were busy bringing their creative plans of a simulated disaster to fruition.  Soon CERT trainees will be put to the test.  The planners are doing their best to take an unused space and see what havoc they can do.  Creating disaster--seemingly self-contradictory nonetheless fun!

Our kids just played most the morning in free child care offered at the race (thanks to Goddard School and A Real Bookstore) so we made sure they got some of their service time in too.  They decorated holiday food boxes that are later filled for our citizens that are enduring rougher times.

Not a bad Saturday!  We love organized service days but know we must continue daily to look for chances to work, opportunities in our way to do good.  We never lose when we love others.  It is a win-win everytime. I also love what President Eyring said in this last General Conference, "You will be strengthened and yet inspired to know the limits and extent of your ability to serve."  Isn't it wonderful that Heavenly Father knows us and those we care for so personally!

Growing Their Forever Family

We are so happy for our friends, the Garvins!  Friday, we looked on while the adoption of their littlest was finalized.  Both sides of the family were present as well as their wonderful case worker.  This is the second adoption finalization we have had the opportunity to attend.  They are very quick but very touching as we witness the parents feel the magnitude of the blessing being bestowed upon them.

Saturday, the rejoicing was multiplied as this sweet baby was sealed to her family for time and all eternity in the Dallas Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Mormons believe family ties can exist after this life when made valid and performed by proper priesthood authority on earth (Matthew 16:19).  Sealings in the temple are completed for marriages as well as adoptions.

Outside the temple, following the ceremony

Following the sealing ceremony and back at their home, the Garvin's new baby received a blessing by her father--a worthy priesthood holder, and from her Heavenly Father.  In this blessing she is given the name by which she will be known on the records of the church and also any blessings her Heavenly Father sees fit to pronounce upon her at that time. Neighbors, friends, and family attended and enjoyed getting to know one another and catching up with one another at the luncheon that followed.

It was wonderful to participate in such a meaningful weekend and to celebrate with our friends this long-awaited blessing.  We love them very much!

On the Dallas Temple grounds with my eternal companion

Fire Prevention Week

Sophie learned a lot about fire safety and prevention at school this week.  She met real firefighters and practiced "stop, drop, and roll" in front of her classroom.  Her teacher pretended to be the fire--intimidating!  She came home with a fire fighter hat, information, and a ribbon and trophy for the poster she turned in for this event.  Way to go, Sophie!

Check the battery in your smoke detectors every 6 months.
"Daddy is on the ladder checking the smoke detector's battery.  Mommy and I are holding the calendar."

I Can See It

What do all the words in this post title have in common?  They are all sight words. 

I found this great idea at Sprinkles to Kindergarten to help Sophie learn her sight words or "hot words" as she calls them.  It's a simple game of "Guess where the pom-pom is?" I thought it was wasteful have to use a cup for each word, especially as her list grows. And also, what if I wanted to use the same game for another skill?  So I used blank labels and covered them with clear packaging tape so I could use erasable white board markers to right on them again, and again, and again. 

You can put whatever you have on hand or interests your kid as the item to find. I used an old, holey sock to wipe off the words for the next game/round.

By the way, Sophie loved this!  She simply had to label the cup I was to lift for her.  She didn't even know she was practicing.  She just enjoyed the game!

Hair-raising Rituals

We are certainly enjoying the ghoulish goings-on of Halloween.  This weekend we busted open the holiday bins and decorated with all things spooky.  Grandma J supplied us with some new additions this year: Our very large, furry spider and the kids' glowing ghosts--adored by them at bedtime.

Sophie giving her best "Wooooooo!"

The decorations didn't stop there.  We got crafty too.  The kids painted cut-out egg cartons in black, added googly eyes and ribbon and wha-la! Bizarre little bats to display and share. 

This weekend we had pumpkin pancakes with chocolate chip jack-o-lantern faces!  They were bland as could be because Keri forgot to put the cinnamon and nutmeg in the batter.  The last few were saved from having a vapid existence with a few dashes thrown in last minute.  Thankfully my children do not have sophisticated palates yet.

Lunches are getting a little extra fright factor this month with these creepy critters encased in their boxes. After they bring them home from school, they get tossed in the bathtub along with the kids.

Autumn and winter are always so exciting because of the great holidays.  However, by the time New Year's rolls around Keri is SO ready to get all decorations down and derive great pleasure from the minimalistic surroundings again.