Kindergarden Halloween Parade

Jacob had a parade at school today. They got to dress up and walk around the school for the older kids in the school and parents that wanted to come. Of course, I wanted to go and so did little Ricky. Just to be fun, I dressed Ricky up too! Jacob looked so adoreable in his little Super Mario Costume and Ricky cheered his brother while dressed as a walrus saying, " yay - Jacob", (sounded like yay-cub) as he went by.
















































I loved the costumes his teacher Mrs. Vazikez (on the left in the picture) and the other Kinder teacher Mrs. Mattotz decided on: A pair of die.

My friend Tashas daughter and is his classmate friend Allyssa was Jessie from Toy Story and also looked adoreable! I tried to get him to dress up as Woodie from Toy Story but it was to no avail. The power of Mario was too strong. I am glad he was though because he looked adoreable.

Saturday Togethe & Fun At The Pumpkin Farm

Every year since Jake was about 2, we have taken him to the pumpkin patches and set him loose. There are always fun things to do each time we go. Here in Pittsburgh there is a great farm called Roselin Farms (up North) that is a pretty drive to get there and the grounds are beautiful. They go all out each year and have everything available for kids from hey rides, haunted barns, pumpkin picking, cute corn mazes, treats, and petting farms. We took Ricky this year for the first time and had a ball! Both kids enjoyed each thing that they could do. Rick and I were just there to watch their cute faces light up at each new thing. I cannot deny though, that the kettle corn is always an extra good enough reason for me to attend as well.

This year, we decided to hit the huge market downtown and go to our favorite Italian import store Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. If you have been, you understand why we go down, fight crowds, stand in line forever and pay for parking. It is unlike any market most people have ever been to. If you have not been there, come visit and I promise to take you!

Here is some proof of our mischief at the Market:

LATER AT THE FARM:

Jakie's Dance Party

I frequently find Jacob doing ridiculously funny stuff, but today as I sat reading I heard the computer (PBS) Sprouts.com get turned up and some disco-y music come on I could never have imagined the laugh I was about to get! I turned toward the computer to find this little scene going on: SEE VIDEOS BELOW. Don't you just love it? I swear, I love having this kid! I am not quite sure if he was learning to dance or just inspired by the music. What is funny is that his whole dance is in rhythm to the music (wild as the movements may be). He did not know I was filming much of the dancing until he heard me laughing so some of it was just for his own groovy-ness. Seems reminiscent of Napoleon Dynamite don't you think? "Dance... Get on down", Remember the scene? SOMETIMES YOU JUST GOTTA DANCE!


Even Ricky Got Into The Action!

Nothing If Not Honnest! The Moment Moms Dread

Well, I had the moment I have dreaded for a long time now.

I was playing with Ricky on Friday and kissing his chubby belly when I called him a little chubby baby. We always call him this (even though he is not really that big). Jacob smiled, laughed a second and then asked. "mom, what does chubby mean"? I told him it was when there was extra weight on the belly & body (neck, legs, rear, what have you).

Jacob said,"oh, I understand", and thought to himself for a minute.

Here it comes....The moment I dreaded...

He looked up at me after that moment of reflection and said, " so are you chubby momma"? I wanted to ground him, sell him, or just do anything but answer! But, I being honest said, " well, unfortunately Jacob I am a bit chubby honey". It was like vinegar in my mouth to say it, but I would have confused him if I said no. Clearly, I am.

I was honest, however, I did not care to linger on the subject. Immediately, I explained that no one wants to be called chubby over the age of 2 years old. It was okay for Ricky, but not for others. I told him to be sure not to ask others if they were chubby! It was my own fault thought! I told him what it meant! I wish it was one of the times that I called Ricky beautiful that Jacob asked about! I could have used a compliment that day (actually, Jakie usually says that too thought...he is sweet).

I would love to say that I took it in strides and that I was okay with it since kids are brutally honest, but I wasn't. I have thought his very statement about myself for years now but have kinda just gotten through it the best I could. The truth is though that I hate feeling tired & uncomfortable & = I cant even tell you how much I hate that I don't enjoy shopping for clothing anymore. It was one of my favorite things to do! 2 kids and no exercise takes its toll! A schedule full of kids, husbands, dinners, chores, duties, etc. doesn't make it easy to find time to get to the gym either!

Anyway, It took me all afternoon to digest the honest comment and then at about 4pm I snapped. I decided to buy a treadmill for the house (scheduled to arrive this next week) that I could use daily for enough cardio to make a difference and (although I already eat pretty well), I am going to amp it up with my favorite eating habits on the ABS Diet. If you have never heard of it, It is awesome and it really works...fast. Rick does it with me just because If I cook, he ends up eating the healthy stuff I make, and we both see results each time. I will have to balance all cardio & eating efforts with 3 days of resistance training per week to see results, but I think I can commit if I make it the first thing I do in the mornings.

I guess I am just admitting that I need the change! Thank goodness it was Jake that said it. He is hard to hold a grudge against:) I wonder if there is someone else out there might be feeling the same as me & maybe someone wants to start with me? Why wait till New Years?

Oh well, Wish me luck!

I figured I could post monthly progress and tips that work (only ones that work) here in the blog so that I can remember my progress and so that I don't suddenly pop up looking too different (because come H*** or High Water, I am going to get back on track this time!). Well skip the starter photo because I don't really want to remember myself as I am right now. I mean I love myself and all, I just want to put up the first one that I am excited about.

See... Nothing if not honest!

Temple In Rome

The Rome, Italy Temple! Plans are all set! (I thought it was done, but looks like I was wrong. The planning is over and now it is just starting the actual development stage.)

It is hard to believe that I was there trying to get a district in Rome (first steps preparatory to a temple) almost 11 years ago. (99-2001) The grounds are still in development but it sure looks beautiful. Cant wait to see it when it is finished.

I can imagine the families and friends that I served going in and being sealed together forever. I sure miss everyone that I served with and hope that I can be there to join them! I will be back some day soon! I think that the missionaries that served to get this thing built should go back and see it dedicated! Anyone want to join me?

It really fits in with the feel of Italy don't you think? I cant wait to see the press on it when it is finished in.... well, whenever it is finished.

FHE Pumpkin Carving

Every year we do as millions of Americans do and we carve our pumpkins and eat pumpkin things. Rick took the lead and carved a great bat into his pumpkin and I started trying to make a web design and quickly gave up and carved a silly face. I forget how much work it is each year until about 15 minutes into it. Jacob was impressed with both and relished the "guts" being scooped, dumped and pulled out. Ricky loved watching, trying to grab the knives and generally climbing up to see what was going on. I capped of the night by making pumpkin chocolate chip cookies for us to snack on as we finished up our masterpieces. Everyone loved it.... Especially little Ricky. Big Ricky and Jake were fans as well though.

See our handy work:

Later that evening we answered the age old questions:

Question: If monkey sees, does monkey really do? Answer...Ours does!

Question: Why don't we run with buckets on our heads? Answer...Just see below:

-Video To Come-

Ricks New Calling

I wanted to announce to everyone that Rick was just called to a new position in our ward (Pittsburgh 2nd Ward). We got a call from the Stake President on Friday (while at Niagra Falls) asking to meet with us both that following Sunday (Oct 11th) morning before church.

Naturally, we began to think about all of the things that someone could have told about us. Just kidding!! Actually, we thought about all of the callings in the ward this could be for and narrowed it down to either Elders Quarum or Bishopric. None of the other callings would have required the Stake.

We thought about all of the possibilities and even worried for 4 seconds about Rick being called as bishop and then assured ourselves that it was not likely (to him, but I think he cold do it). We mulled it over and teased a bit and finally decided it did not matter what the calling or request would be. We would do what ever we were called to do.

We were relieved and surprised (simultaneously) when Rick was actually called to be the 1st councilor to the new Bishop. Bishop Harroldson requested that Rick be first councilor and another brother in the ward Josh Olsen (amazing guy) be the second councilor. Rick accepted and I agreed to support him in his duties. I know that With the Bishop Harroldson and Brother Olsens help, he will magnify the calling as he does with every other effort in his life!

I am so proud of Rick. What a great example of willingness to serve and what a great thing to serve the ward. I cant wait to help him grow in the calling and see how it changes him, how it changes us and how it blesses our family. He even has the right name for the calling! Get it...Bishop Rick (bishopric). He was going to tell that joke if he was called on for a testimony his first Sunday.

We will miss the Bishop and Bishopric of the past (Bishop Burnette, 1st Councilor Brother Lefler, 2nd Councilor Brother Campbell. They did a wonderful job and left big shoes to fill.
-Picture of Bishopric to come here-

Palmyra, New York & The Sacred Grove

For the second time for me and I think 3rd for Rick (First for the kids) we made the trek north to Palmyra, NY. both times were mid fall and this time was every bit as beautiful as the first visit we made.

Palmyra is 4 & 1/2 hours north of us here in PA, and about 1 & 1/2 hours East of Niagara Falls, NY. We stayed the night before so it was a comfortable, early morning.

I was struck by the same peace, happiness, gratitude I felt as we once again we heard the testimonies of the Missionaries that walked us through the visitor centers, into the restored Smith home and property, and other historical sites, and finally, walked through the Sacred Grove. I loved waking through the property and seeing the colors, the trees and then in the middle, seeing the Palmyra Temple coming up out of the trees. It was so beautiful!

I also loved stood in the home that Joseph stood in as he went about his days, studied the scriptures and finally decided to ask God so that he could be given that knowledge "liberally", and "upbraided not", as he was promised in James 1: 5.

It was such an aid to my understanding to look over the artifacts that were either original to the family or perfect replica of what it would have been. Standing in that room I could really imagine Josephs mind being focused on which church to join as his family divided and chose different faiths to join. I could imagine his confusion over the scriptures being explained so differently by everyone around him. I can imagine how a boy of 14 would believe that the Lord would answer him. The simpler times I think lead to that kind of reflection that we so often miss during our day.

Walking through the grove was amazing and I don't believe I have ever felt more peace and quite! I wish I lived near by. I would go daily. I think regardless of where we live, everyone should go once. I recommend Spring and Fall. They are magnificent. I just kept thinking of the first lines of Josph's First Prayer: " Oh how lovely was the morning. Radiant beamed the sun above. Bees were humming, sweet birds singing, music ringing through the grove." It really felt that way. The beauty of the fall colors, the cool breeze, the soft, warm sun, and the woodsy smells made it all come to life for me. I loved it & the whole morning was such a great experience.

I loved being there with my husband and kids (even if Jake did wine for the entire hour that we were in the grove! Oh well, the Lord forgives us I am sure! He has kids too. He knows how it is.

My time in the grove really solidified the connection I feel Joseph Smiths account of the First Vision. I could not help but continually think to myself...." I believe, I believe". Some say it is silly to believe in God, in Religion, In a 14 year old's account of seeing God the Father and Jesus Christ, but I guess everyone has to find out for themselves. As for me.. all I can say is"I Believe". In fact, I would be better to say "I know".

Another great highlight of the trip was that we also got to enjoy a stop at the Hill Cumorah. It was a few miles from the Smith Farm and once heck of a trek! I decided that I need more cardie in my day as I huffed and puffed up that steep grade to the top where we reached a monument marking that great witness of Joseph taking the plates from the place that he had been told they would be (in vision by the angel Moroni). It was such a difficult terrain to maneuver through even with paths and walk ways. I cant imagine the difficulty it caused to get there and back to the Smith home under such scary circumstances (the physical attacks to take the plates).

The experiences of the day all made me even more grateful for the knowledge of the Gospel, the knowledge of what was done for me and the chance to stand in those places hundreds of years later. I recommend it to anyone that has the inclination, Mormon or not!

I could not help but get some pictures of the kids while in the beautiful fall colors. What can I say.... They are just cute & they smile so they are always my favorite subject to shoot! The light was way too harsh at 12pm & the kids were tired, but I think they came out cute anyway.