Leaves

 

 

 

 

Leaves falling while I am raking sound like rain.

Spider Bites

 

 

Yesterday afternoon, Waverly and I were outside on our driveway enjoying our lovely november weather when I was bitten by a spider! It hurt, I saw the culprit, stepped on it and then kind of freaked out! It was a brown spider which made me worry that it was a Brown Recluse, whose venom is more potent than a rattle snake I discovered! My toe swelled and turned red. I was talking to Sheila on the phone and did not know what to do! I was quite freaked out for a while. I googled spider bites and discovered that I needed to wash the site, ice it, elevate it, tie a bandage tightly to reduce flow of venom, and seek medical attention. It was bad timing. I decided to wait and see if I developed a pus filled blister, fever, nausea, headaches... Fortunately, nothing happened. The redness and swelling and pain went away. I had saved the squished spider in a baggy just in case I need to take it to the doctor with me! I have since thrown out the spider. Matt asked if I was bare foot, no, I had on flip flops and they are shoes, sort of.

Why I Love My Mom: by Sullivan

I found this paper the other day while I was cleaning out a drawer, Sullivan wrote it in 4th grade:

I love my mom for many different reasons. One of those reasons is because she gave birth to me and she loves me. I know that she loves me because she does tons of other stuff. She helps me with homework. Two nights ago I had to write a story about my ancestors.She gave me a big book full of information and she let me write from that. Another reason is that she cooks for us. She makes delicious meals. She hates going to the grocery store but she does it anyway. She does this because she loves us. She asks for our advice on what to cook so she knows we will like it. When she cooks it we offer to help her because that just shows that we love her just as much as she loves us. She always packs our lunches for school. She always puts really good stuff in it. Whenever we are sitting around she pulls out a game and asks if anyone wants to play. Everyone in my family comes running over to play and in the end we all have a great time. There is always laughter going around. Sometimes we play outside. This is why I love my mother.


This made me smile and giggle a little. It also kind of made me feel sad. I am not sure what he (they) would write if they were asked to do this same assignment today. I am afraid I am not being a very good mom and I need to do more and better. I think I just need to have more fun with them and help them to feel loved. I think I get to caught up in the busy-ness of our chaotic life and they get pushed along with the tide. I need to slow down, care a little less about the messes and schedule and enjoy my children. I know they will be all grown up and gone before I can blink.

Waverly's new habit

I would post a picture but I might get in trouble, so you just have to imagine her...
NAKED! I swear every time I turn around she is naked. I wrestle her kicking screaming cute softy chubby baby body back into diaper and clothes. Then in just a few minutes she comes to find me giggling and all naked. She is cute naked with her chubby thighs and squishy bum and belly that sticks out. But, she really should wear clothes, especially when the brothers are home. Today she even wanted to go outside and swing naked. It is cold and rainy, and she was naked! I have to admit I think it is cute and funny, so I give her a little naked time and then she is happy to wear her clothes for a little while.

On a completely different topic, Madsen has decided to try out for the wrestling team. So much for my easy winter sport season!

Here's Hoping

I just returned from voting this grand election day. Oh how I hope and pray that the silent majority will not be silent today and our voices will be heard and "they" will be forced to listen. I hope that there will be changes where changes are needed and we can elect leaders who actually care about this country and the people. I hope to see the results make me happy and all the network announcers and Dear Leader and Nancy shaking in their boots. I hope Nevada steps up and replaces Harry Reid. I hope North Carolina steps up and replaces Price and a few others.

No matter what the outcome, I am grateful for the opportunity to vote. I am grateful that I can peacefully walk into my polling place and cast my vote without any harassment or threat to my life. I am grateful to live in this country, that despite current leadership and problems, is still the promised land and the very best country on this earth. It is still the land of the free and the home of the brave.