Field Trip...

Jordy's class had a field trip to the Wildlife World Zoo and Dill and I tagged along. The boys were super excited to go, especially Dillon who wouldnt go to sleep last night he was so amped!

The "big" thing the kids were looking forward to was feeding the Giraffe's. Jordan told me all about how it's tongue would feel rough and stick to your hand.

Yeah that's not some random man holding Jordan, its his teacher Miss Brooke's husband, Chris.

The kids were so cute together. Jordan wanted Brinna to be his best friend and Brinna wanted Abigail to be hers.

These two are especially cute together!

Dillon had a great time climbing all the animal enclosures. I think he felt at home!

Such a fun day! And the weather was perfect. Lets hope tomorrow goes as smooth!

5 years, 9 months...

Since we said "I Do" and date night is still alive and well.

That is if you consider date night to be Me & the Hubs lounging in bed with dueling laptops. His blue, mine pink...natch.

He did share his power cord.... True love!

Work is for the dogs...

Thursday afternoon after a long days work I came home with my 2 Misters and our several bags in tow. We were greeted at the garage door (inside not out) by none other than Miss Tootsie.

Normal day's occurence? Not quite! You see we are some of "those" dog owners who have full-time jobs dont trust their doggy home alone...in the home alone anyways! She has a dog door and can come inside her crate to beat the heat but she does not have full access to roam our roost.

Now I won't mention by name who is to blame but I will say they share my bed....because that frankly could be any of them on a given night.

I also would have taken pictures but I was furiously searching the house for "presents" she may have left us. She did pee twice on the boy's floor...yeah! The worst of it was had by the boys toys & socks. I swear she had drug 50 toys and 10 pairs of socks out into the yard. Oh yeah and trailed toilet paper all the way down the stairs and around the kitchen table...twice. She also ate half a diaper. Jokes on her...it was dirty.

And just when I thought my night couldn't get any better Dillon fell out of bed at 1:30 and came screaming into my bed. Then his brother decided to come in too. Good thing I caught him before he laid down as he had wet the bed (first time since he was off pull-ups at night...1 in a month isnt too bad...right?).

Just another day in the Karafa 'hood!

Nicknames...

I call the boys all sorts of funny names, and they surprisingly respond to any of them. Dillon only calls Jordan Jo-Jo. Asking the kids, "Are you ready, Freddie?" has morphed into me calling them both Freddie. And occasionally Freddie 1 and Freddie 2.

Dillon lately has mostly gone by Pickles, which always makes me think of my sister Gillian (Gill Pickles). He's a goofy kid and Pickles totally fits him.

When we were in Snowflake my family played "Greed" (our new favorite dice game) and my Dad kept score. On the scorecard it said Lumpy, Pickles, Monkey, Hoover, Toast & Mom. Poor Mom! Or is it poor us? For the record it is:

Lumpy- Dad

Pickles- Gill

Monkey- Yours truly

Hoover- Betsy

Toast- Noah

Mom- Mom

Anyhoo.........

I think I have a new name for Jordan:

MOUTH

You know, like Mouth:

Because he is one sassy, smart MOUTHed little boy lately. Terrible 2's nothing. At least the 2 year old doesn't talk!

Conversations with Jordy...

"Mommy, I really need you to teach me High-Ya!"

High-Ya?

"You know, HIGH-YA!" (with a swift kick and karate chopping action in my face)

Boys are so fun!

P.S.

I think "High-Ya" fall under the Needs to be taught or facilitated by Daddy category!

Ash Wednesday...

Ever since I was a little girl I have been fascinated with Catholicism. I love the Gothic churches, the crucifix necklaces (in diamonds please), the sign of the cross, confession, Hail Mary's... All of it. The ritualistic nature of the faith is almost Romantic in a way.

Growing up my Dad worked in downtown Tempe right near the ASU campus. Every time we would drive by and I saw the Newman Center I secretly wished that I could get married in that beautiful church. I also wished that I could have my wedding reception on the Mill Ave. bridge.I may have also always wanted to live in Manzanita Hall... High hopes I say! ( I sort of love how my obsession with ASU area lead me to meeting my darling and is the site of our Love Story!)

While never fully giving up on my faith there were times that I wasn't 100% sure that it was the right thing for me. In the winter of 2000 I happened to be involved with a nice Catholic boy (who's mother did not approve of this nice (ha!) Mormon (cult in her eyes) girl) and decided to attend Mass with him. We happened to go to an evening Mass at the Newman Center. I was so excited! Something about those big wooden doors made me believe that there was a wonderful secret kept safe inside....

Once inside I was disappointed to find the interior did not match the exterior of the building. It was explained to me that this was because of the "vow of poverty" taken by the Priests. All i know is the plain white plaster walls and hard wooden benches were not what I had hoped to find.

The biggest disappointment however was the increasingly uncomfortable feeling I got as I sat there trying to follow along. Those romantic rituals now became a little weird and off-putting. After the Mass it was so clear to me that this was not the right place for me. It was such an odd experience to be in church and absolutely not feel the spirit with me. It was like there was a tangible void as I sat on that pew.

"To each his own", I believe. So for me it was my faith 100%.

Here I am years older, and hopefully wiser and I still appreciate the beauty of the churches. I enjoy the history of the Catholic church. I still would really like to wear a crucifix necklace but I think people would make fun of me. I am grateful for my Eternal partnership made possible through my Temple Marriage. Although I still think I would have liked my Mill Ave. reception....

One thing I haven't given up on though is the idea of Lent . I like to put my own spin on things, so I stand in fellowship with my Catholic friends and try to give something up for 40 days. The more I have researched Lent the more I like it. Forty days of Repentance, Resistance (of temptations), Fasting (not every day), Sacrifice (what I choose to give up), Spiritual feasting (my scriptures), Remembrance of my Savior's love and sacrifice, all culminating in the celebration of Easter Sunday. Celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord. Yes, I think I definitely like Lent.

I am giving up soda by the way...

"Our" day off...

Means the children do this:

 

  

While I get to do this:

Oh to be a kid again!