Good times at the Organ

My latest calling in church is playing the organ. Our ward was very desperate when they issued the calling. Nonetheless I have enjoyed it as I get to sit up at the front and stare at people (one of my most favorite pastimes). But, I'm afraid more times than naught, I have been the recipient of many a stare. Here are a few organ stories:

*During the silence of the Sacrament being passed, Zannah decides to share some very important information with me from the pew: "MOM! I want to be a witch for Halloween!" I give her the shush sign and nod my head yes, hoping that will pacify her. "MOM!!! I really want to be a witch for Halloween, not an M&M!" I give her the thumbs up. "MOM!! I don't want to be an M&M, ok? I really, really want to be a witch!" The ward, including myself got it Z-meister.

*During prelude one Sunday, Max escapes from Marcus's grip. He just wants to tell me something and to sit with me on the bench, but not before he steps on every possible foot pedal he can.

*Today, I was feeling pretty smug after the Sacrament hymn as I had just finished the last verse with very few blunders. I even ended the notes right on cue with the chorister. Then there was silence. Too much silence. I look up and they are still breaking the bread and I am getting stares from the bread-breakers and the bishopric. So I clumsily start to play another verse of the hymn, but in my haste I play on the "Great" keys instead of the "Swell" keys, which was set really loud for the opening hymn of "Joy to the World". I barely get the first measure played when I notice they are now done breaking the bread. But, I am not too quick on my feet, or hands I should say, to end the song in any decent fashion. So I just play a really loud, boisterous Sacrament hymn solo with many mistakes mixed in because my sweaty hands are sliding all over the place. No staring for me today, I kept my head down.

Metta Miracle

Exactly one year ago my brothers were all at our house for Thanksgiving.  Marcus, Phillip, Lex, and Justin gave me a Priesthood blessing asking that my body would accept the medications I was about to start taking and eventually accept the embryo that would later be transferred.  That was the first of several blessings I recieved up until Metta was in my arms.  Looking back, I can easily recall the power I felt then.  It is pretty amazing that I am surrounded by worthy Priesthood holders and it is equally amazing that this little gal came to us.  And I can't leave out the fact that Swisser-pants gave me the first shot in the rump the following day and Ange-babe cheered us on.  Amazing sisters-in-law too.    

Ain't That the Truth

Marcus's contribution to our grateful tree we made for Family Home Evening.

Baby Eli

Mid-October we went to Pullman for baby Eli's baby blessing.  He is such an easy-going, happy baby.  And I'm not just saying that.  If you know Phillip and Ange-babe, you know they are happy and amiable and all that is good in the world.  Well, baby Eli is a perfect mix of them.  I couldn't get over how smiley he was.  And I'm not sure I ever heard him cry. 

Halloween 2013

 Quinton (one of Zannah's best buddies), Zannah and Max at her class party.

 Zannah riding her little broom out of a classroom during the parade.

 Metta and I on Halloween day.  She is so stinking cute.

 Trick or treating with friends.

Zannah was a good witch for Haloween.  Her class had a party/parade and Max and I attended. Max started out as batman and morphed into superman.  Yes his superman costume is a dress, what do you expect with an older sister.  Metta, Marcus and I were dress-up poopers this year.  I made it to Zannah's class party with camera in hand, so I felt like I had already succeeded this Haloween, costumed or not.    

Urban Farmers

We have chickens!  Friends of ours were moving and offered us their 4 chickens and their coop.  We couldn't pass it up.  Marcus was skeptical as I was the one who picked up that free kitten two years ago and then demanded he find it a new home a year and a half later.  I just couldn't handle the hair all over the stroller seats (where it slept outside) and the midnight escapades with other cats we could hear going on in our garage at night.  And to give credit where credit is due, Marcus was the only one who fed and watered Littlefoot.  But this time was going to be different, I had a back-up plan.  My dad said he would take them if we couldn't handle them.  I was just sure that this would be the perfect set-up to teach the kids a little bit of work.  We let them free-range all over the back yard for one week.  Too much poop everywhere!  So, we fenced them in the garden area.  It has been perfect.  The kids feed and water them each day and gather eggs.  So far, we get two eggs a day.  We were told in the summer that number will go up. 

They are friendly chickens and the kids can usually catch them.  They also composted all my leftover zuchinnis in the garden and eat most of our table scraps.  If you look at the last picture that is taken from my bedroom window.  That is the best part!  I don't even have to leave the house to oversee the kiddos feeding and gathering.  And I throw our table scraps right out the window. 

I like this urban farming thing. 

Metta's Blessing

Metta's blessing was November 3rd, 2013. Marcus gave her a wonderful blessing. We are used to blessing 6 month old babies, so she seemed so little. Grandma Dana made her a beatiful dress and bought her the most darling shoes. What a keepsake those will be. It was a delightful day with family and friends.