"For God so loved the world. . ."

"That best portion of a good man's life; his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love. " William Wordsworth English Poet


"No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted. " Aesop Greek Fable Writer



Now after reading this next blog you'll be wondering how on earth I came up with that title. I know how the rest of it goes, but this small phrase just sticks with me everytime I look at "Manny". Manny is a praying mantis that Lauren found outside and decided to keep as a pet. One thing praying mantis' need to do is to shed their old skin and they do that while they hang upside down from a branch- then they just "drop" down out of it. Well even though Manny has 2 branches, 2 potted plants, fresh grass, a small piece of log and a hand drawn nature scene in his cage, he still managed to molt lying down which restricted his healthy new skin and left poor Manny all deformed. We couldn't let Manny go now- how could he feed himself? Or worse, he'd get eaten by a bird with no way of defending himself. So Manny became part of the family. Manny is given fresh grass everyday, sprinkles of purified water and hand fed cat food. We all find ourselves checking on him frequently- especially after we've been away and the kids are so good about feeding him everyday. All this makes me wonder "how on earth could we love a bug so much?" Who knew there's room enough in your heart to honestly, compassionately care for a bug!!! But we just love this little guy so much and I've spent a lifetime teaching these kids that we care for all of God's creatures- big and small. God loves us so much and I feel that it is our responsibility to love others- even a bug. (I don't always feel so loving toward the bunnies that eat my flowers but I just have to giggle and hope they enjoyed it!!!) We all have a purpose here and even poor mangled Manny is making a difference in our lives. He's teaching my children how to care for a pet, be responsible, to care for others even if they're different and most importantly, to love- in a world where so much anger & hate is all around them. (I wonder why Lauren's a modern day hippy!)

This what a praying mantis should look like

and this is poor Manny. Look at his two front arms. . . they both vear off to the side and he can't even open one of his little hands!

Gavin likes to study Manny too. Look at his poor body- he can't fly with those mangled wings
A face only a mother could love? (right now mom's going "eewwww, MELANIE") I like to think that what's going through his mind is "thank you for taking care of me" when really he's probably thinking " I want to bite your head off woman!!!" :0)
Here he is licking off some cat food that got on his arm

Did you know praying mantis' are really smart? After they mate they bite off their mates head and eat them! That'd be one way of doing it!! hee hee haa haa

The perfect rainy day activity

One of the things I worried alot about when I learned I was pregnant with Gavin was "OMG- how can I possibly spend quality time with so many kids? Raising two children and working full time had me stretched to the limit already. How was I going to volunteer in classrooms and be "room mom"? Where would we put all the artwork? Our fridge was already full of precious drawings and busy schedules. However- it's all working out beautifully. Thanks to "magnet paint" we transformed one of the walls into the "Wall of Fame", and Todd & I take turns spending one on one time with each of the kids. Lauren and I recently spent our time at a pottery shop called "Color Me Mine" where you can pick out any one of dozens of pieces of plain pottery, choose your color paint and create your own masterpiece. As a unique gift from Aunt Julie, Lauren was given a gift certificate for her birthday, so we spent a rainy afternoon crafting our own pottery pieces. I read books to Gavin and got him down for a nap, Todd and Hunter played their video game and Lauren and I spent a nice afternoon together- this is what we came up with. . .

No princesses or mermaids here- Lauren loves dragons and dinosaurs so naturally she picked this dragon. At least it's pink!

I chose this cute little tea light pumkin but don't look too closely- you'll see my splotches!

One last summer trip

Well we were able to get the kids to the dunes one last time to enjoy the beach. I'm planning on going again this fall when the leaves are changing and we'll just hike and explore. Lauren brings all he bug collecting gizmos and has fun collecting the little critters she finds. Gavin of course loves to pal around with Lauren and her collections and Hunter and Todd will probably take a more challenging trail so I know we'll all still have fun without the beach. Here's a memoir of our trip this time. . .

Gav had fun hiding his feet and then I had to find them

Our goal was to get to the beach by sunset- we made it but hiked back in the pitch black- not fun!
Lauren and Alex had a ball with this log- kept them busy for hours!
Gav was sure I wouldn't find his feet this time!

Gavin's mustering up his last bit of balance and energy to get to the top!

The beach is just beyond that dune- the rest of the hike is behind us. Todd and Gav ran ahead. Hunter and Lauren ran really ahead. And I poked along to take pictures. (yeah right! I poked along at turtle speed because I just couldn't flippin' keep up- not even with the 2 year old!)
Here are the little foot prints of the wild turkeys that live there
check out how steep that climb is!
Hunter had fun playing with Gavin at the beach on Sunday

The kids sat patiently while Todd and I unloaded the truck

my buddy Hunter
Gavin was watching some little minnows down in the creek below
We got up and over 2 sand dunes to get to the beach in time for sunset
Gavin and Todd coming to get me- (I had to take several breaks on the way up :0) The beach is up over that hill
Lauren and Gavin went froggin'
Another picture of Hunter- we had a photo shoot while waiting for the others to catch up :0) He didn't care for it but I got some good pics!
Gav caught a froggy with big sister Lauren's help!
Lauren befriended this boy Alex and his log. Turns out our families bonded over some glasses and plan to keep in touch!
Hunter grabbed this shot Sunday morning on our short hike

Almost to the top!

Todd and Gavin walking off into the sunset. Actually Todd's walking- Gavin did a lot of riding along!
My beautiful girl taking a break after making it up that first dune. We then ran down this one and up over that next one to get to the beach. You can see the trail we followed.
The view from the first sand dune we climbed. Our feet sank about a foot into the sand with each step- I was exhausted! Our campsite's out there in the woods somewhere.
Lauren balancing on an old tree branch just as the sun set

Why you should always see your dentist!

Perhaps it was because she was half asleep and I was in shock when I told her, but after this next story, my BFF (in between cracking up) managed to sputter out "you've got to blog about that". So for her 3 am enjoyment and for yours, here's my story as to why you should always see your dentist.

Sunday morning 10am: I was home trying to Gorilla glue some Halloween knick knacks for the upcoming Halloween season. I finally gave up on this one particular piece and headed to Ace Hardware for some simple nails.

Sunday afternoon 1 ish: I'm strolling through the aisles of my local hardware store when all of a sudden I feel something on my front tooth. Being the nailbiter that I am, I thought maybe when I went to bite earlier, I got a glob of super glue stuck to my tooth. After wiping it away with my tongue I realized there were some "rough edges". After a more thorough investigation I realized "OMG- I think a chunk of my front tooth is gone!". I hightailed it out of there, got home and called an emergency meeting with Todd.

Sunday afternoon 1:30ish: We determined that yes indeed part of my front tooth is missing (and not only that, it's lying on the floor in aisle 12 at Ace Hardware!) so I go lecture the kids "see. . . this is why you should never open things with your teeth" with gentle reinforcement from Todd "yes kids, this is all your fault". Hunter asked what they're going to do about it so I told him, "oh, well, they'll probably take my teeth out and I'll get a fancy pair of dentures that I'll put in a cup at my bedside at night and you kids will play terrible tricks on me and hide them around the house." Lauren was cracking up. Gavin was looking up at me grinning his own teeth, so concerned. And Hunter sat there thinking "don't insult my intelligence mom."

Sunday afternoon 2ish: Called my dentist pleading to see me asap.

Monday morning: My beloved dentist couldn't see me until Thursday- no way!! Called another dentist appropriately named "Tooth Fixer Dental". Ater driving by many many many many times and thinking to myself "what a goofy name for a dentist", I found myself calling and saying "yes, Tooth Fixer Dental? I need my tooth fixed". Now mind you, I was cracking myself up as I called but there was dead silence on the other end. I finally broke out of my laughter and said "seriously, I need my tooth fixed." I then struck it rich with the appointment girl and we got along great. Got me in for Tuesday morning! Yippee!

Monday afternoon: sick call to work- after all, I can't be seen like that!!

Tuesday morning: had to call and blow off all my girlfriends from work who were doing lunch and a movie that afternoon (they saw "The Women"- said it was great)

Tuesday afternoon: Hopped in the seat at my new dentist's office (wonderful place) and they got to work. As I laid there in that big long chair that only dentist's have, I thought about the hygienest and how gross working on teeth would be- all day long- fixing and cleaning people's disgusting teeth. (I cringe right now thinking about it). Then it dawned on me, she probably wouldn't like to be a labor and delivery nurse either. After all I deal with, well. . . you know! That's funny though how we all have our thing!

Got my new tooth! And I love it! My teeth feel all pearly and white and clean! And I feel like walking around smiling at everybody :0)


Moral of the story: always brush your teeth!

Before

After

more cool shots with my new Canon

Just playin' some more. It really is the coolest little gadget. I'm having a fundraiser to make money for my Canon Rebel. Any donations are greatly appreciated!! hee hee I've been scouring the house looking for stuff to sell on ebay! That's how desperate I am! There's that little demon in my head who's saying "charge it, go ahead". But I just can't. I'd rather spend the $800 on a swingset for Gav, or finish furnishing this house. That's been my problem all along. I've got the money- it just goes to the wrong places! (out to eat and stupid stuff like that). Plus I've got to keep my credit clean because you-know-who is going to need a car soon! OMG!! Yes, I have to think about that! I can't believe it! Homecoming is Oct. 4th! We'll keep you posted on whether or not Hunter goes but I hope he does.

Happy Grandparent's Day Grandma and Grandpa!

Whoever made up that holiday anyway?

We celebrate Grandma and Grandpa everyday!

Arizona Grandma Joyce got a new eco-friendly car-not to be confused with G-dad's sports collection in the garages! :0) (Being Hallmark owners, they're probably the ones that made up "Grandparent's Day" hee hee :0)

My other new camera. . .

In my attempt to find the "perfect" pocket camera (until I can afford my Nikon D80 -or- Canon Rebel) I exchanged my beloved Coolpix for this one. . . the Canon SD1100- and I must say, I love it so much better. My favorite feature? The "color accent" that allows you to shoot in black and white while leaving one color accented- like this one below. I shot it from my front door, in black and white with only the blue accent. . .

Here is Gavin with our little friend Ella across the street

Here is Gav again, looking much like a future defensive tackle I must say, at the park where I was trying out my new camera :0)

Here is Lauren again, with the blue accented- and I kept some pink to accent her clothes

Here's Hunter chatting with the phone in one hand, and the computer mouse in the other, of course. I like this picture because my mom snapped one of me about this age doing the exact same thing!

Poor Hunter's football team got creamed again last Saturday. But he's playing hard and really enjoying being defensive tackle, number (say it with me. . . ) 79!!! Wahooie :0)

Some of Lauren's friends

Of course I can't find the picture that inspired this blog (see Murphy's blog below)- but I have the cutest picture of Lauren and one of her best friends, Sean. I wonder if this is the year I have to worry about how good of "friends" they actually are. She came home today and told me about the club she's in- the "Lauren and Sean club", and no one else is apparently invited! (If you recall, "clubs" are big at this age) Sean just came over to see if Lauren could play and together they left for the park across the street from his house (after of course, I called Sean's mom to be sure she was looking after them). As I was scanning through the many many many folders I have of the kids looking for Lauren and Sean's picture, I came across these other ones I thought were cute- and for those friends and family who don't see us often, here's a chance to see a small part of Lauren's "inner circle"- these are just a selected few mind you- I think I've got literally hundreds of pictures of Lauren with all her different friends. These are her best best friends that she spends time with almost every day- minus Sean because I can't find that one!

This was taken the night before school started- Lauren and Hanna have been best friends since Kindergarten.

I don't know why this one comes out sideways! It doesn't scan sideways when I upload it to blogger! But that's her friend Franseca who brought Lauren home a fresh pineapple from Hawaii.

Lauren and Mike have been friends since Kindergarten too. He lives close by and they play often.
This is Max and his women- Lauren, Amanda, Max and Isabelle -or any combo of the above- play together every day. They're the ones that are going to grow up together and be friends forever.


Here they are again enjoying watermelon this summer. I've got literally 100 different pictures of these guys- especially Lauren, Max and Isabelle- Halloween, Christmas, first day of school, this n' that. One day it will be homecoming and Prom! Yikes!!!