My feet hurt

My feet hurt. I don’t know how far we walked today, but it must have been at least 4 miles. According to all my research the best park for today was Epcot. So we headed out the door 2 minutes before schedule at 8.13am. When we got to the parking gate, I realized I left the tickets in the trunk. Only when I went to retrieve them, they were not there. I got all stressed, and started sweating. I did barely remember that I had taken “The Folder” out of the bag. So we headed back to the hotel. Now we were off schedule! Turns out that when you plan to be at the park 30 minutes early, you can still get there around opening time, even if you have to go back to your hotel for your tickets. Disaster diverted.

I had read somewhere that right opening time is a great time to meet some characters at the character spot. So we headed over there (after I quickly ran to get a “Soarin” Fastpass). We had to wait for only 5 minutes, before we could see Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Belle. My kids were going crazy!!! Even other parents and cast members were just laughing at the excitement of the kids. I was not prepared at all. We had bought some scrapbooks for autographs, but I had only gotten out 1 page. Well, since there were 5 characters, I needed 5 sheets. I was also manning the camera and trying to make sure the kids waited their turn and didn’t maul Goofy. When we finally made it out of there, it felt like I just ran a 10 mile race.

After the aquarium and Soarin, we headed over to the World Showcase. I made some passports for the kids, to be signed at each country. They also give the kids a mask they can decorate at each “Kidcot center”. I was surprised at how much they got into the mask thing, especially Sterling. About half-way through the countries, my feet started to complaining, so we decided to forego some of the live shows (that we would have had to wait for) and just proceeded all the way around the lake.

We met up with our friends in Norway, and rode the boat ride. Winter was going crazy over Braden. Braden is about a year older, and she just couldn’t stop hanging on him. It was fun, but crazy to try and rangle 7! Kids. We got back to the hotel by 4.30, and Joe and I have a dinner date tonight. The kids will stay with Tiffani’s sisters, and we get to enjoy Epcot for a few hours with adults only.

I am definitely wearing different shoes tonight, because my rip-off Walmart crocks are not agreeing with my feet right now.

6 orphaned kittens

My cat had her 2nd litter of cats almost 4 weeks ago. A pretty big litter this time: 6 kittens. She was being a great momma cat, until a few days ago when she disappeared. I have no idea what happened to her. I don't know if she got sick of being a mom, and just left, or if something killed her. Either way,... I'm stuck with 6 kittens that are not weaned, and are crying like crazy.I didn't actually consciously realize the momma cat was gone, until I went to put the chickens up tonight and I could hear yelling coming from the shop. I started calling the momma cat and put food out, but nothing. Then I decided that it was time to bring the kittens inside and try to feed them.

They are too young to really drink from a bowl. I don't have any provisions, so my friend suggested trying to feed them with a syringe. Some of the kittens are pretty good at this, but others totally don't get it. Since they are still so little, they have the need to suck, and have started sucking on each other. They seem to prefer one poor kitten, and I keep pulling her out of the pack, so they don't damage her skin or anything.

Joe is supposed to bring some kitten nipples home, and I hope that stops them from screaming so loud! They just won't stop! I feel sad for them, and yet can't really help them. On top of all this, we are leaving on our vacation in just 2 days. What am I going to do with them?? I need to find a foster mom cat, or just take them to the vet or something.

Update: A super nice lady from my church said she will take care of my kittens until we get back from vacation!

Hair Salon

When I was 14, me and my friend Carla started cutting each other's hair. Mostly we just did trims, but I found that I enjoyed it, and that I had natural talent. In addition to my cutting my girlfriends' hair, I started cutting guy friends', my dad's, and missionaries hair as well.

Now that I have my own family I cut all of their hair. When Joe and I were dating I started cutting his hair. The only time it really mattered that I wasn't a professional was the day before our wedding. I let Joe talk me into doing it a different way, that his friends used, and I ended up cutting the sides way too short. This will be evident for the rest of my life, each time I look at our wedding photos.

I don't know exactly how much money I save each year by cutting my family's hair, but probably at least $150. Usually I still get my own hair cut at a salon, but after some disappointing cuts, I decided to just do it myself. So one day last week, I set up a chair in the bathroom, and converted it into a salon.

First I cut my own hair. I think I need to cut off a little more, because I was too conservative and still have some split ends. I just used 2 mirrors, and used similar techniques that hair dressers use (pulling my hair straight down etc). Then it was Sterling's turn. He and Winter had school pictures coming up, so he just got a quick trim. I let Winter take some pictures for me. It's funny to see what goes on behind my back!

The wallpaper is off in our bathroom, but we still haven't textured or painted

Then I cut Winter's hair. She really wanted me to cut a bob, but I decided to just trim about 5 inches instead. That way, I had less of a chance of messing up right before pictures. Now she still wants me to cut it off, so I might do that later this week.

Ginger and Joe still need to get their cut. Joe has been complaining about his hair. I think it looks better when it's a little longer on him. I just love those curls that show up when it's really long on toop. What do you think?

Brain Tumor

We are in the middle of some scary times right now. A few years ago, my mom was diagnosed with having a small tumor near her brain. It was small enough, that the doctors wanted to wait and see what happened. They waited, and this year it had grown considerably. She has looked into several methods of treatment (laser, surgery), and has decided to go ahead with surgery.

America has the best doctors in the World. A ear clinic in Los Angeles California has the best doctors, who have the most experience with these kind of surgeries. My mom will have her surgery there on October 16th. There are many risks associated with this surgery. Some of the most common problems include loss of hearing, balance problems, and facial parallelization.

I want to be able to be there with her. I'm not sure if I'll go before the surgery, or after, but I am so blessed to be able to go and visit with her for a few days. My sister Wendy, from Boise, will also be there, so that's an added bonus. We can use all your prayers for a successful surgery.

New Mailbox

Our old mailbox finally hit the dust. It needed to be replaced when we first moved here, but it was just so cute. It was a red mailbox in the shape of a barn. What you can't see in this picture is how it was held together with duct tape. Also, because of the angle, it was the perfect container to catch rainwater, and soak it up if there was mail in it. The second to last big storm blew the door off, making the above problem even more severe. Hurricane Ike took care of it. The whole post got ripped out of the ground, and pieces of mailbox strewn around.

After about a week without a mailbox, I got a nice shiny black one at Lowes. I picked, what looked like a medium size. It's actually quite big, which will be good, because there are times we don't get the mail for days. I also got some nice big number and letter stickers, so next time people visit our house, they will actually be able to see our house number.

Joe's dad has graciously offered to help me make a sign to dangle above the mailbox. He is a very talented woodworker, and I am looking through patterns of scroll saw designs. It will be so nice!

pictures will follow

Adopt a Highway

Our church has adopted a 1-mile stretch of highway going north and south from the building. I have lived in other wards that did this, but I have to admit I never helped out to keep it maintained. This morning the bishop asked Joe to represent the bishopric (he is the executive secretary). So, even though we have plenty of projects around our own house -including trash pickup- we headed over to Bonham.
As expected, the crowd was much smaller than at the pioneer breakfast a few months ago. We stuffed the kids full of sugar, pulled on our cute orange vests, grabbed a bunch of trash bags, and set off. The kids stayed behind at the church with some very unfortunate young women.We were dropped off at the far end of the stretch of road, and started making our way back. I was on one side of the road with a few teenagers. They made me feel so old and out of touch. Or maybe just grown up? They were being silly, and also stupid. I probably used to be much worse. Like I said: Old!

The after we met the other group half-way, we crossed the road and started heading back to the other group. Joe was with this other group, and apparently they picked up every single little piece of trash. He said he got to the point where he picked up every single piece, yet these 2 women kept lagging behind picking up even more (that wasn't even visible to the naked eye)

When we were almost done, a man stopped on the side of the road. He asked us if we were from that church up the road? He then thanked us for cleaning up, and proceeded to offer us a donation. He wasn't talking to me, but I was wondering what I would have said. On the one hand you don't want to accept, because it's just a service we are doing; but on the other hand you don't want to offend them either. The church member accepted the donation ($20), and said thanks.

I think this highway clean up was a great way to show the folks here in Texas that we are good Christian people. I have never lived in a place where I have heard so many people say that the LDS church isn't Christian. We believe in Christ, doesn't that define Christianity? Anyways, we had a good time, and I'm sure I will feel it in my legs tomorrow, from bending over and squatting.

Look Familiar?

I usually don't mind folding laundry. It's actually one of my favorite household chores. Reason? Because it's something I can do while watching TV, and it's clean. No germs, stains, filth, or wet rags involved. I just don't like it when it gets to this point. ( I think this is 5 or 6 big loads worth)

For the past few weeks I took a break from my coupon shopping, and delved into Disney research. As a result, my coupon binder was a mess. I still had to cut out several weeks worth of coupons, and sort them all into their appropriate sections of the binder. So instead of folding laundry while watching TV, I did coupons. I guess I need to watch more TV.....

Just as a bonus, a cute picture of Ginger brushing her teeth, in front of the mountains of laundry