The Need For... Frostbite

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I overuse the dot dot dot. I know it. But really... I don't care. It suits my needs.

Joe left to go "snow camping".

Yes. "Snow Camping".

Perhaps I use quotations too much also.

Thank you Seinfield.

Here's my thing. If you have a house... with heat... why would you want to leave it for the bitter cold?

I mean really.... was it "manly" that the donner party ate each other?

God helped man make heaters for a purpose.

To end cannibalism.

And that's my thoughts on the matter.

When A Woman's Fed Up

R. Kelly's Mugshot

I could blog about Christmas, but instead I choose to grin over a moment in my life. A moment that can never be erased except possibly through memory related mental illnesses that you get when you're older or perhaps traumatic brain injuries stemming from a car accident or rabid squirrel mauling.

I don't remember the year. Probably 2000 or 2001. Road trip from Tempe, AZ to Reno, NV. Returning Ram from ASU after shopping for our latina pride shirts. Really, how do shirts like that not last a lifetime. And then 11 hours later, the last leg of the trip we "decide" to spend the remainder of the trip listening to 1 song.... when a woman's fed up. Possibly 2 hours of this song, 4 minutes long so 50 times repeated?? I don't really know how we remained friends after that, but we did.

Question: How. What. Why. Did we ever "decide" to do that? And isn't it weird. If you had continued at ASU you never would have married lateedo. Probably Furby....mmm... furby... oh wait... not... and cracked out Shayla would have been your maid of honor. And you'd be living in China.

So really, I'm grateful that we had that 2 hour period of time where we listened to "R".I'm adding a playlist.

I was searching for edited versions of made men "no limit soldier" and kanye west "late bonus track"... alas. None found. I'm curious as to what yours would include Ramya. I tried listening to the robert pattison song from the twilight soundtrack "let me sign".... but I just can't like it. It reminds me of your brother singing to you. Or one of your pitt bulls.

I wish to live in Hawaii or the tropics, really I'm not too choosy at this point

It has been cold of recent. Not that cold, but let's face it, I'm wimpy. I love flip flops. I love being barefoot and snow makes that unpleasant. But I am grateful for winter because:

• it makes me appreciate summer better
• it gives me a chance to feed little birds
• it gives me the opportunity to be darker than Joe
• Christmas lights

And while that is all I could come up with... I'm sure subconsciously there are many more ideas on why winter is fabulous. Note to self though... retirement in the tropics or bust.

Gingerbread Houses at Glen Duncan

Every year we get to go to Yaya's school to make gingerbread houses. Fun Times!!

This year you can see a little bit of our dream house in Joe's masterpiece.

Maria mostly just wanted to eat the candy, however she stuck on almost all the fence.

Captain, oh my Captain. Christina our little leader taking charge with Yaya showing the class what to do.

Newsweek: The Religious Case for Gay Marriage

So here is my problem. Writers who are quick to put down God, Jesus and His Prophets. Really? Really do you want to mess with the big man Lisa Miller?

I got my mag and was quickly interested because I've read the bible a lot and consider myself fairly versed. But the other problem is I believe in additional scripture and modern prophetic revelation which is a lot clearer than some points within the bible.

Within her first sentence she starts sarcastically on Abraham and goes down the line on how they were all polygamists. Then quote "The new testament model of marriage is hardly better. Jesus himself was single and preached an indifference to early attachments, especially family."
Really? Really Lisa, did He? Maybe you should reread the few things He said while dying on the cross- referencing the care of his mother. She also says, "most of us no longer heed Leviticus on haircuts or blood sacrifices. Why would we still accept its stance on homosexuality?"

I also saw this support for prop 8 video where Jack Black dresses up as Jesus and talks about shrimp cocktails. Ah, blasphemy.

1. When Jesus Christ came to earth, the Mosaic law was fulfilled. He gave a higher law. However, the 10 commandments still remained in tact.
2. Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery. Jesus even went further to define it as a sin for a man to even look upon a woman and lust after her in his heart.
3. Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed.

My whole problem is that this article oozed blasphemy and hate. We are all sinners. But do we need to put down the bible, God or His prophets? Good luck talking this one over with the big man when you're dead Miss Miller.

I Want a Cookie Please

Maria is fully talking now. She is extremely patient and doesn't mind repeating herself upwards of 20 times if you aren't listening or are partially deaf. Her favorite phrases are "Do it again please" "I don't want to" "Christina be nice" "Christina GET OFF me" "More cookies, I want a cookie please, more cookies...."
When she was smaller she would put one hand in the air and open and close it as fast as she could while breathing heavily and looking like the world was ending. But those beautiful moments have passed and she now is 100% verbal. I love knowing what she wants. Life is so much easier. And she knows what I want too! It's funny because you love every stage of your baby's life and it just gets better and better.

Maria loves her grandparents especially. Tonight she climbed on the couch and started shouting at her yaya "Cuddle! Cuddle! Cuddle blanket too!!" So she cuddled right next to yaya, who covered her with a blanket and she was smiling like there was no tomorrow. Papa came home late and went off to change while she chased after screaming "BOB!! BOB!!!"

Nutcracker Take 2

The nutcracker is a holiday tradition in the making. I love going to see the ballet with my daughter. Granted... it's the Reno ballet, but this year there was less male prancing and ample anorexic ballerinas suffering from the shakes. We wore our best dresses, fake fur coats and blinged out courtesy Nono. I'm actually really lucky I wasn't mugged.

Now. Christina is beautiful and I expect to hear comments, because really, she's stunning. After about 30 people though stop to harass her, I noticed a bit of attitude.

Stranger: Oh! What a pretty coat you have!

Christina: Yeah. OK.

Stranger: What a beautiful girl you are!

Christina: I know.

Stranger: Oh look at how cute she is!

Christina then starts strutting and puckering?? her lips.

Stranger: ohmygosh!! She totally knows it too!

We obviously need to work on humility and just saying thank you. But it nonetheless entertained me, so maybe I won't say anything too soon. She is all that and a bag of chips.

On a sadder note, Maria was quite disappointed she didn't get to go. She kept saying, "Nutcracker. Rat King. Spooky. Oh No. Rat King."

Drug Cartels In Guatemala

Yesterday Christina came up to me and "told on" Maria. Whenever she does this I tell her not to be a nark. To which she'll reply I'm not a nark!!

Well, I decided to teach her some valuable information... little did I know the connection she'd make to which I'm quite proud.

Mom: Do you know what a drug cartel is?
Christina: What?
Mom: Like a family thats gone bad and does bad drugs.
Christina: So what's your point?
Mom: Do you know what drug cartels do to narks?
Christina: (silence)
Mom: They cut off peoples arms with machetes and feed it to the monkeys and macaws in the jungles of Guatemala.
Christina: Where's Guatemala?
Mom: A very lush/green place south of where we live.

2 days later.
Yes, we prepare. I feel it's never to early to learn about the dangers of drugs.

Mom: Hey man, you want some meth?
Christina: NO WAY!!!!
Mom: Well why not?
Christina: Because I'm not a drug cartel!!! I don't want my arms being fed to monkeys, they like bananas not my arms.

Brilliant child. I'm so glad she pays attention.

Makes Me Smile

Today Christina needed help with something so I helped her. She then turned to Maria and said, "Maria, we are just so lucky to have our mommy."

If only she knew how it was the other way around.

We had a busy day. A super fun birthday party at Build-a-Bear where Christina made "Snowflake" the reindeer, to which she renamed him "Blitzen" in the car. The outfit she chose (Out of a zillion) was a set of doctors scrubs. Tendencies?? Anyone??

Speaking of that... Maria has taken to saying "Anyone?? Anyone??". She has such a sense of humor and brilliant timing, just like Christina. She also is our runner. It must be the extra calf muscle she inherited from Joe. At the birthday party I asked her to do something and she did so. A mom was shocked and said, "What a good listener! She's almost 2??". Indeed, tis true. She and her sister are just always really obedient and awesome.

So my sweet Christina, it is the other way around. Mommy is the lucky and very blessed one to have such wonderful little girls!!

Also, Jody starred in the hometown parade today as his glorious and good looking self. The man knows everyone. E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E. He is the next Obama.

Trust and Faith in Prophecy

I wanted to just write down some thoughts I had today. Today we learned of the passing of one of our dear apostles Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin. He was the oldest apostle dying at age 91. I started to cry when I found out. I felt peace and comfort knowing that this man conversed with God and knew our Father's will concerning us.

What is a prophet? Who can be a prophet? How can we know a true prophet from a false one?

I also have been feeling a little off as late, so around 4 we've been watching Oprah. Today was on the RLDS church. That is reformed/twisted cult that also claims our church's name. When Joseph Smith was martyred there was a division among the early members, but God made it clear who was to succeed as president and leader of the church, that was Brigham Young. Some chose not to follow, even after clear miracles and signs were shown. So today, the RLDS church claims to have a prophet who advocates the principle of polygamy... and he's in prison.

What is the difference between this man in prison and Elder Wirthlin? It is blasphemous to even have them in the same sentence in my opinion.

Ether 4: 9-12 Jesus Christ is speaking to a prophet , " And at my command the heavens are opened and are shut; and at my word the earth shall shake; and at my command the inhabitants thereof shall pass away, even so as by fire. And he that believeth not my words believeth not my disciples; and if it so be that I do not speak, judge ye; for ye shall know that it is I that speaketh, at the last day. But he that believeth these things which I have spoken, him will I visit with the manifestations of my Spirit, and he shall know and bear record. For because of my Spirit he shall know that these things are true; for it persuadeth men to do good. And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me. I am the same that leadeth men to all good; he that will not believe my words will not believe me—that I am; and he that will not believe me will not believe the Father who sent me. For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world."

The bible is full of the words of prophets. God speaks through prophets. Prophets bring us closer to Jesus Christ and help us find happiness in life. I know Elder Wirthlin was a prophet of God because he did just that. I know God cares just as much for me as he did the ancient Israelites he led out of Egypt. He has provided a means whereby I may be saved, the atonement of Christ. Prophets testify of this and I humbly do also. I am nothing, but I know the feelings of peace and truth that come to me when I am doing what is right.

Black Friday Purchase

The day after Thanksgiving we were not out mobbing and killing people. We were being peaceful. Ahhh mankind.... how dreadful we've become. I was sick to my stomach after hearing about the man in NY mowed down by shoppers and the toysrus gang violence.

On a happier note, we did some shopping and found quite the bargain. This beauty, same model as the one we bid on before (A little less square feet) BUT CLEANER!!! And I love the kitchen even more!! There are beautiful cabinets and it's in great shape. We wouldn't even need to paint the walls! It's 5 bedrooms with a little Harry Potter room under the stairs that I can't wait to turn into a tea party room for the girls!! It's a short sale and our offer is pending the bank's approval now... so we have no clue how long it will take to go to escrow.

But in the mean time, I know that this did not come by luck or anything like that. God watches over us and His mercy and love never cease to amaze me. Thank you Lord!!

A Date with the Hubster

In Reno you can often find couples smoking tenderly together, sharing a light... flicking ash on each others clothes, adoringly singe-ing small holes... a burnt sacrifice of best friendship, that is to say their lungs.

I'd like to think Joe and I are levels above this form of Nevadan love. Our love runs deeper than the addictions of nicotine. And that says a lot my friends.

Where am I going with this? I'm trying to describe our last date but am having trouble finding the right words. We had headed to TMCC (where he works... so does that really constitute as a date?) to be entertained by the black student union club he is advisor for. It was TMCC Idol... and possibly better/worse than anything you'd see on the real American Idol.

No one had remotely any talent. It lasted 4 hours. I wanted to throw razor blades by hour 4.

The judges were possibly on meth. The crowd was huge and slowly diminished... I attribute this to one of Joe's friends "carlos"... the comedic relief. Talk about issues that need to be addressed on Dr.Phil. Then there was this creepy camera man that was filming one of the contestants. Joe didn't know who he was... but I did..... he seriously reminded me of the man who killed Bri and I was actually so worried I pointed this out to her father. Why was he all up on her and no one else? Why was he always talking to her and she seemed very nervous. Come to find out "rich" the camera man was with renobands?? doing a documentary on her... ummmmmm..... AND "rich" had a bacterial lung infection that was currently spreading to his heart that he felt he needed to share with all of us.

I enjoyed holding my husbands hand for 4 hours. I enjoyed all the shout outs at Joe... he knows everyone. I exaggerate not. I did not really enjoy meeting the contestants.... thank you, "I'm doing His Eye is on the sparrow .... by Lauren Hill.... I'm doing killing me softly by Lauren Hill." Ok you stupid stupid TMCC idol contestant. Gospel Classic and Roberta Flack. I finally was so fed up I started shouting at her... yes... I informed her of the correct artist, the original artist. She was in her own world. They all were. And perhaps that's why even after 4 hours of pure horror and boredom and ?? I still semi-enjoyed myself. I always have something to talk about because of Joe, that's for sure.

Swimming in November

If ever I thought I'd catch the black plague or ebola it'd be from dipping my feet in this here pool. On the way back from "swimming" aka just putting our toes in we ran into a blind lady. We helped her to her room/home but it was an overwhelming feeling. She was about 60. Why was she all alone living in a motel? What has happened to our society.

Apple Hill, Placerville CA

I think Apple Hill could be one of the world's most beautiful places easily. We hit it in the middle of the week, so nothing was really open, but we did manage to find a couple places selling pears. Mmmmmmmmm.... Also, the drive from Sacramento was 30 minutes and NOT curvy!! So no road sickness!!!!!!!! Hoo-ray! I will never drive to apple hill any other way.

The Sacramento Temple

We pray a lot for the spirit to be with us. The Holy Ghost is one of God's greatest blessings to us. By Him we can know the truth and divinity of Christ and Heavenly Father. We receive this gift after our Baptism. He leads us, gives us direction, helps to calm and give peace....

At the Temple the spirit can be felt very strongly. While we don't see God face to face (although we could if we were pure in heart) we can surely know of His existence. And I do. Countless times have I felt this spirit tell me truth after truth.

And one day, I pray that my girls will find a righteous priesthood holder who can take them to God's Holy House to be sealed for time and all eternity. No other marriage can ever compare.

As Thanksgiving comes up, I truly am grateful for His spirit and it's amazing form in my life.

Arden Fair Mall and The Worst Motel I've ever stayed in... thank you travelocity.

Arden mall has lots of memories for me. It may not be the greatest mall ever, but it's better than Park Lane Mall (torn down 1 year now... moment of trick or treat silence) and MeadowHOOD mall here in Reno.

We got to visit Santa BEFORE Thanksgiving. Wow. He had a large zit on his nose and was trying to get another guy walking by to try out for the Santa position. I'm grateful we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas in our home.

In the Lego store Yaya made "friends" with the Lego man. I don't know if it's because she's in the singles ward, but weirdos seem to flock to her. Actually, it can't be that because even before this we were having homeless people over for dinners. Thank you 1995? Because really, a truck can't be a home.

This picture is courtesy a hyper-flaming elf. "Ohhhhh!!! Yiah-yiah!!! Everyone has to get in a picture with the Yiah-yiah!!" Maria was really impressed. I think the highlight of the mall was watching the girls play in the potterybarn kids store, getting free mall patrol carts and cashing them in for $.50 score... and lastly, not dying in the parking lot.

The hotel, rather motel, was quote "Gross. I will never go swimming there ever ever ever again. YUCK!" Thank you Christina. For your information, and my own record keeping seeing as I'm possibly senile... Sacramento Travelodge on Micron Way can be compared to something out of my - you fill in the blank- . Brown drainage/water back up in the shower, exposed electric outlets, maids who throw your stuff in a pile and don't clean in a timely manner, the VERY strong smell of curry that oozes from your body as you leave the room, a continental breakfast that included stale little debbie products probably found in a trash can, a COLD pool adorned with cigarette butts...

Cali Break!!!

I LOVE Year Round School!!! Let me tell you 3 reasons why I love year round school.

1. My mother is off for a month.

2. My mother is a party animal.

3. My mother likes to move it, move it... as they would say in the movie Madagascar.

First stop was the zoo! The Casino neon lights can't compare much to God's beautiful creations.

A little bit of sisterly love. "NINA!!!!!!" "MARIA, I don't have ANY WATER!!!!!!!" "NINA!!!! Water please!!!!!" "MARIA!!! I don't HAVE ANY WATER!!!!!!" Conversation continues another 5 minutes... with the same exact words.

Here the girls were looking at the cutest little monkey!! He was just sitting and picking fleas from his head. You could actually see his little butt cheeks. It reminded me of my parents single ward. Reference reason #3.

Riding a tractor. As with most things, it took Maria a little while to warm up to it. Thank goodness I have a cautious child!! There were children walking by saying "I want to ride that. Why don't you ever let me ride that!" I thought to myself I probably wouldn't put quarters to have them ride BUT we had YAYA with us. Again, I reference reason #2 why I love year round school.

The animals were fantastic, the snake slide super, but the girls loved the choo choo the best! The whole time Maria was screaming "Bye-Bye Yaya." We saw probably 2 animals on the ride, but they just loved it.

So while I am philosophically opposed to zoos, I really do love taking my children to them. Hoo-ray.

Turkey Me Turkolina Tahquisha Tuesdays

It was our first annual Turkey sleepover at Papa and Yaya's.... grand indeed! We probably spent about 2 hours doing fun turkey related things. Family Fun had some great ideas, all hail creative staff. We read my favorite Thanksgiving book "Twas the Night before Thanksgiving" by Dav Pilkey (Think Vegetarian!!) Yaya Sofia came over and we feasted on turkey in a loaf pan, had "fun" conversations and basically just enjoyed each other. Ahhhh, the whole reason we moved back!! What a blessing!

Happy Veteran's Day!

What an experience we had this day! There was a parade downtown so we thought we'd check it out. We are not much of parade people because, well... there aren't many parades in Reno. There were not a lot of people there, which was disheartening but what struck me most was when I saw all the NJROTC?? kids walking in their uniforms. They were so young. And it hit me, throughout our country's history kids like these have been fighting for our freedom.

I was grateful, but I was also extremely sickened by what mankind is. I was crying. A lot.

Why does my Stina's husband have to be gone from his family? Why do so many other countless families have to suffer because daddy is away at war? Why should mothers have to mourn the loss of their sons? Why should men and women have to fight their brothers and their sisters?

A lone group of 3 women were in the parade holding signs, "Support the warrior, not the war."

It's a hard topic. But I believe in peace. I believe we are capable of peace. I only know of one answer that can solve the problem of war and that is Jesus Christ Himself. When He comes to rule and reign on the earth.

Mi Amore

Joe is the love of my life. Christina took this picture and the reason it's a favorite of mine is because the tracks are stretching out into eternity. And that is what Joe and I will always have, forever. When I first married Joe I thought life couldn't get better, but somehow it did. At a baby shower someone was talking about their daughter who got married a year ago and how the honeymoon is finally wearing off. I feel like everyday with Joe is a honeymoon, blissful and warm, calm and relaxing.

Mind you, we have our spats. Mostly over his sense of "non-existent time". But it passes, quickly. I never thought when I first met him that life would be so happy. I had glimpses as to how wonderful he is, but as life brings more and more his way, he just measures up to the challenges and then some. I'm proud of my husband. He is making the world a better place. He is a good father and the best husband anyone could ever ask for.

My Meth/Twilight

Thursday night I saw a book Ram had dropped off last time she was up from Vegas. I wasn't particularly excited to read it, even chapter one had me thinking, what is all the fuss about?

But then, it picked up. By Sunday, 10:00 PM, I had finished all 4 books, about 600 pages each....

So basically the following is for Ram and Stina (or any other obsessive person who read this series) and I look forward to your thoughts.

And here's the thing. I liked the books, but I didn't. The concept was a little foreign to me as I'm not all about the vampires falling in love type person. I couldn't even compare it to Harry Potter, because it was nothing... nothing... compared to Harry Potter. But still, I found myself on Saturday night dragging my family around in the rain to 3 different stores to find Breaking Dawn. Because really, I have an addictive streak to me I think.

Here are my thoughts: Book 4 (my fave) freaked me out. I'm happy it all worked out perfectly but it seemed like everything was too perfect. I felt that way a little in the last Harry Potter Book. I still liked Jacob better than Edward. Why does the tan brotha always seem to get the shaft? Hello. And the whole imprint thing... weird. Why couldn't he imprint with Leah?

I thought it was funny she got pregnant. And the wedding was a glorious description, I could picture myself right there. I'm grateful that Edward was a gentleman, but I still wouldn't let my daughters read these books until they weren't 17... hello, we don't need to get ideas like sleeping with vampires all night long as long as there is no touching is OK. Am I babbling? I think so.

Point: Good books. Would recommend. Seeing the movie and looking forward to it. Can't believe I got sucked in, but I did. Kudos Stephanie... Kudos.