Where Have I Heard This Story Before?

I saw this article on Drudge Report yesterday.
I couldn't believe it. Are you kidding me?

http://www.infowars.com/san-diego-county-threatens-to-fine-couple-for-holding-bible-study-meetings/

I instantly thought of the story of Alma and his people being forbidden to worship out loud:

Mosiah 24: 10-12
10 And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God.
11 And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he put guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling upon God should be put to death.
12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.

I remember reading this story thinking that this sort of thing only happened in backward, fear-mongering societies. The people back then must not have been very smart. This kind of thing would NEVER happen HERE.

I stand corrected. History is repeating itself. It's like the scriptures coming to life. I am understanding now how peaceful, God-loving, free societies in the scriptures turn into self-serving, Godless societies where the people are in bondage. That couple in San Diego doesn't sound "free" to me.

The story goes on to say that the Lord was with the people of Alma. He did not take their burden away, but made them stronger so they were able to bare the burden. Time to toughen up. I'd like my country back.

In Hiding - A Week in Review

I feel like I haven't left my house in a week - but wait, I haven't!

My boss called me in and asked how my packing was going and how much longer it was going to take me. I was honest, and at the rate I was going (working full time, with a baby and no husband around to help) it would have taken me another month-solid. With that, he told me to go home for the week and get to work. With Ev being watched during working hours I could actually make some major progress. I got home as fast as I could, cranked up the music and went into hyper-active speed.

The rooms are near complete with just a few odds and ends left. It's such a relief to know that this project is almost over. In some strange way, I think I really needed this moving experience to show me what I was doing to myself. The main thought running through my head was, "Why do I have all of this stuff??" Projects I intended to do, band posters from when I was 17, invoices from years ago, things I took home from others just to be nice. It got to the point where I was pitching stuff left and right. It was all good, useful and mostly brand-new stuff, but I didn't NEED it. I've already had the donation truck come for a pick up THREE times, and I've got another pile started. It's kind of liberating.I found some more skinny clothes I didn't have the heart to get rid of. It's my weakness. I see it as my "hope-in-a-box". If I ever get off my butt and lose weight, I'll be the best dressed girl in Southern California.This weekend was nice having Aaron home. We took Saturday afternoon to spend a few hours together as a family. We walked to the park, had sodas and snacks, thew the ball to Moe and headed home. It was a PERFECT afternoon with my boys.

I made dinner while Aaron and Ev watched Kung Fu Panda. While we ate dinner I put a giant heap of rice on Ev's tray and let him have at it. He was a mess, but it was all worth it to be able to eat dinner in peace.

Aaron was in charge of clearing out the garage. It's all of his tools and fishing stuff. Without me even saying anything about my experience, he came to the same conclusion and started pitching stuff left and right. He called a couple of his fishing buddies to come pick out what they wanted from AARON'S BAIT AND TACKLE SHOP a/k/a our garage. For some reason, Aaron thought he could get through the garage in one day. He quickly realized his error and I rescheduled the PODS pick up for next week.

As for other Everett bits and pieces, immediately after he got his first tooth, a second and third tooth popped up right next to it, all in a row. He's getting better at crawling on his knees instead of doing the army crawl. And why is it that no matter how many cool toys I put out for him, he is magnetically drawn to the nasty dog bed? He was introduced to the Tupperware cabinet,learned how to stand up in his crib and pout at the same time, decided that hurling himself head first off the ottoman or couch is a fun idea,
and had a blast playing with Uncle Ben's mullet wig. It's amazing how much you can "pack" into just one week.

I Know You're Cooler Than Me, But Could Ya Help a Little, Please?

Last week I had to get my car smog checked. It gave me the opportunity to leave work early and spend extra time with my boy. I knew Everett would need to be entertained when we got there, so I went through the Del Taco drive through and got some tortillas and a cup of water. We pulled up to the smog check station in Chino, pictured below. Any mom knows to go anywhere, you have to be ready for anything. That requires the amount of baggage equivalent to going on a trip to China.

There was only one other car getting checked, and 3 mechanics. One mechanic took my information, handed me my invoice and instructed me to pay inside the office. I got out of the car, got my purse, diaper bag, camera bag, Del Taco bag, cup of water and baby packed up and waddled over to the office door. The 20something mechanic just watched me. No offer to help, didn't even make an attempt to open the office door. Thanks dude.

I got to the door and to my horror, it said "Pull". Oh sure, with what hand? With my elbow I got the door to crack open just enough to wedge my foot inside the door and kick it open. Upon entering the office I was met with the stares from three 20something girls just sitting there, watching me. Perhaps they had never seen a creature like me before, after all, they seemed to be from Paris Hilton Land complete with bug-eye sunglasses, skinny jeans and over-processed hair.
I handed the lady behind the counter my invoice and headed outside for a little picnic on the grass with my baby. A few minutes later the Hilton Trio's car was done. I watched the girls as they got in the car, checked their makeup, and made sure their hair was perfect.

I wondered to myself, "Was I ever like that?" Was there ever a time when I sat by and stared at someone else struggling when all I had to do was something as simple as open the door for them? I guess I just notice things like that more since I have a baby now and nothing is as easy as it once was. That will be something I will drill into Everett's head. "Get off your butt and help."

What Mother's Day Breakfast?

My first Mother’s Day was not anything that I thought it would be. Due to a series of unfortunate events, things did not go according to plan. On Mother’s Day, we are supposed to be taken away from our daily duties for a little bit, and take a little time to relax. In the end, I was completely exhausted, haggard-looking and my house is a complete disaster. I looked like, well, a mom.

Saturday Aaron spent the day at home. It was so nice to have him home. He had the idea of going to visit his parents who were camping at Lake Skinner. (They camp a lot and on occasion we will visit, have dinner and sit by the campfire, and head home late at night.) We had a great time visiting with Aaron’s parents. At 11pm we headed for home only to find that we were locked inside the campground. The ranger warned that the gates get locked at 10pm, but Aaron didn’t take the warning seriously. He said that campsites never really lock the gates in case there is a medical emergency, or natural disaster you have to be able to get out. FYI – don’t have a late night disaster at Lake Skinner. You’re stuck. Aaron inspected the gate, the lock, and the surrounding fences and came to the conclusion that there was no way around the gate. He instructed me to switch seats with him- it was “his turn to drive”. As I was buckling in the passenger seat, Aaron hits the gas and goes barreling toward the gate full speed. I about crapped my pants. I put my hands and knees up to brace for impact only to have Aaron stop the car and start laughing uncontrollably. Turd.

We headed back to his parents for a night of forced camping. Oh, did I mention we had the dog with us? Nice. Visions of all that I was NOT getting done at home bounced through my head. Aaron told me that he had a fabulous Mother’s Day breakfast planned to make for me. He had bought all of the groceries and proceeded to tell me about all of the yummy things I would NOT be having for breakfast the next day. Oh well.

I thank God that Aaron’s parents’ camp in a trailer with a kitchen, bathroom and sleeping areas. I was also thankful for my over-packing skills. I had enough formula, diapers and baby food to last until the morning. Aaron’s mom made up a nice bed for us. Ev and I slept on the bed and Aaron and Moe slept on the floor. Aaron and I tossed and turned all night. By 7:45 am we were on the road back home.

We finally made it home by about 9 am, exhausted. While I fed Everett, Aaron fell asleep on the couch. My only thought was, “Well…there goes my help.” I had 45 minutes to get myself showered and ready, Ev bathed and ready and the food thrown together and out the door. I left without Aaron, who was still waking from his slumber and couldn’t figure out why I was so frazzled.(I couldn't imagine WHY??)

I spent Mother’s Day at my Grandmas and then at my Mom’s without my husband. He fell back asleep after I left, and then mowed the lawn. I got back from my mom’s just in time to throw together a pan of enchiladas and head out the door to his sister’s house for a family party. Aaron could tell I was in a fowl mood. He tread lightly around me and was extra nice. He also apologized for not being awake to help me. Progress...

We finally made it to bed around 10 pm. The whole day Monday I was still a zombie and was just a mess. Maybe it was just the major disappointment. After I got home from work things started to look up. I got the dishes done and the kitchen looking somewhat presentable. I got the laundry going and all of the toys picked up. Aaron came home early (8pm) and made me my Mother’s Day breakfast for dinner. I got my waffles with fresh berry syrup topped with whipped cream and powdered sugar. I got Canadian bacon and orange juice and a giant mug of peppermint hot chocolate. Pure heaven. I was happy again, Aaron was my knight in shining armor again and Everett went to sleep in nothing flat. Nice. This is more like it!

Teeth, Dog Dishes & Crawling

For the last couple days, Everett hasn't been his usual sweet self. Oh sure, during the day he's a perfect angel for all of the Grandma's, but as soon as we get home he turns into "Mr. Crankypants". There's nothing I could do that would make him happy. Yesterday, magically, he was back to being the sweet little boy I knew - thank goodness. He was slobbering all over my finger while making baby noises - and there it was...I felt a tooth! Yup, there it was his front bottom tooth had broken through the gums. Well no wonder you've been so cranky. Sorry for not noticing you were in pain. Here we go! Teething officially begins!

Other fun stuff:
Monday I left Everett in the family room to play with his toys while I switched the laundry. While collecting a new batch of clothes, I hear CLINK! CLINK! coming from the other room. Oh no. Everett found Moe's water dish!

I hustled into the family room and sure enough, Everett had made it over to Moe's dog bed and water dish. He knocked over the dish sending water all over the kitchen floor with him in the middle of it. He was completely soaked and had this "Get me outta here!" look on his face. I think it's safe to say that Everett is officially crawling. It may not be as graceful as some other babies, but he can sure make his way across the room in a hurry if he wants.

He is also starting to understand and do the motions for clapping and arms up. It's amazing how quick this little boy is learning.

I am quite pleased with his timing on the last few measurements of progress since I started back to work. He has been nice enough to display his new tricks after 4pm. I was the first one to see him pull himself up on something - on his knees and standing. Aaron and I were the first to see him get up on his knees to start crawling. I was the first one to notice a tooth. I can't tell you how happy that makes me to not have to hear about those things second hand.

This is Temporary

That’s what I keep telling myself.

Saturday we had an amazing crew of Aaron’s friends and family over to help move the BIG furniture. To our amazement, they didn’t stop there. Not only did they get all of the big furniture moved, they packed all of the boxes into the PODS container with Tetris Master precision. I hope I didn’t accidentally pack anything I needed – this packing job is permanent! Aaron and I were so grateful for the much needed help.

Included with the BIG furniture was our bed. We have a futon in our extra bedroom and were planning on sleeping on that for the next year despite the fact that it slopes to the middle. We’d have to take the futon apart to get it out of the room so we opted to just take the mattress off and put it on the floor. Here is my shameless attempt to make our bedroom still look like a bedroom. I think the lamps and alarm clock on the floor add just the right touch, don’t you think?

After a long day of packing and moving, Aaron and I were beat. Sleeping on a mattress on the floor is much like having a slumber party as a kid. Had we not packed the couch cushions and large blankets I may have made a fort. I turned out the light and no sooner had our heads hit the pillow; Moe launched himself over the mattress and landed right in between us. Problem: we’re now at Moe level. Aaron thought it was cool to have the dog sleep with us, I thought it was gross especially since he wanted to rest his wet nose on my pillow. Aaron begged, I caved. I turned my body away from the smelly boys and went to sleep chanting, “This is temporary, this is temporary, this is temporary…”.