Going Green

Though this transformation happened over a month ago, I still want to put a little post about my attempts at adding color to our home.

BEFORE


AFTER


You may be asking yourself, what is the difference? That is something I often ask myself when I go in there. I am just grateful that it morphed into a more subtle color since it was kind of Double Mint Gum wrapper looking for a while.

I would like to direct your attention to the mirror on the wall. I was hating the standard plain rectangular mirror that comes standard on homes. So, I just pried it off and replaced it will the bamboo framed mirror we have had for sometime now. The other mirror is sitting in the garage awaiting a makeover of its own.

Pigeon isn't the only one who wants a puppy

Mo Willems has some pretty clever books. I am slightly enamored by his Pigeon series that have such great titles as "Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog" , "Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!" or Drive the Bus" (sorry I condensed to titles. Consider it a sentaction instead of a contraction).

We were introduced to them by one of the greatest story tellers I have ever heard. Every Friday, at the Red Balloon Bookshop in Alamo Heights, we would be captivated by her mannerisms and slightly raspy voice (no doubt attributed to her many readings). Keep in mind that the pigeon is the embodiment of all children who beg for things that they just can't have. When you read the books, have the kids answer in a funny way "no, no, NO, NO!" to all the questions the pigeon asks.

Our children have been begging for an animal. Fernando and I don't want to get a pet that they can't take care of and has no real room to stay outside. To help them see how much responsibility goes in to taking care of a living thing, we let the kids pick out some flowers to plant and help make grow. Conference weekend seemed perfect. So before the first session, we headed to Lowes. Tiago, Mia, and I were there for several hours trying to find the best red flowers there were. (Yeah, Tiago is in love with red because of Lightening McQueen and so Mia also must have red.) Once purchased we bused home to watch Saturday morning session.

For a break between sessions, we prepped the ground. That was a bigger process then we expected. The kids started out being helpful, but the heat and the rigorous shoveling made sprinklers a better option.











It took so long that we didn't even plant the flowers before we were back inside for the Saturday afternoon session. (As you can see, Tiago wasn't too happy about switching outdoor fun for indoor tv watching.)

Then before Priesthood session, we finished up the rest. It brought a much needed change and splash of color. It was a good learning situation for all.




**I was really amazed at the fortitude the kids had with the Conference Marathon. It helped that we had activities and food that the kids could do as they listened for key words.

A Cascade of Gas

Have any of you ever driven with your gas light on? I do. Frequently. It isn't really an intentional thing. I just usually have other things to do (like get kids home for naps or food) that I figure I will get it on my next outing. Today I left early to Zumba with the goal of getting gas. Waiting at the pump, I usually play a game of guess how much it will cost. I am pretty close most of the time.

Today, when the numbers kept going past my guess, I got confused. I looked at the price per gallon, calculated again, and turned to see gas pouring out down the side of my car. Several thoughts ran through my head. Did I put it in wrong? Where was the trusted click that automatically turns off the pump when it is getting full? Is anyone smoking near by? As carefully and quickly as I could I stopped the gas that was going at full throttle.

I immediately pushed the attendant button. Good thing the connection was about as good as a fast food restaurant's drive thru window. "Blst What sofept do?" Says the woman in the darkened booth. "A whole bunch of gas just poured out of my tank onto the ground." I calmly try to explain. "Cknsft blsret?" "What? I am sorry. It is very loud out here and I can't hear you very well." Silence. I stare at the spilled gas and wished I didn't have the graphic drawings on the pump stand reminding me how flammable gas is. I am also glad that I didn't read this story.

After two minutes of waiting, I pushed the button again. "I am sorry. I don't really know what you want me to do here." I say hoping for a clearer response. I figure out the following from the muffled mess: The lady was trying to call somebody about the problem and wouldn't come out. The gas would evaporate. If nothing got on me, I should just leave.

Almost late for Zumba, and getting nauseous from the fumes, I pull hesitantly away. I hope things got taken care of, but I doubt it. I am glad that I always stay by the pump and I think I will never trust the automatic click off again.

Almost Got it

Sometimes I remember the days of 35mm cameras. You wait and hope and pray (especially when you lack talent) for a few shots turning out. Digital takes away most of those problems, but doesn't make for perfection. I guess that is what photoshop is for. (Fernando tired scaling the outside part of our playground thing which caught more attention from the kids then the camera lens.)

Eat lunch first

My mom and sister worked very hard on these Easter outfits for my kids. I wanted to get picture of them right after church and before we changed for lunch which was a bad idea. With only seconds left of the battery, I tried to take some precious pictures. (Talia already hit the sack for her nap)




Photo shoot tips:

Don't take pictures around noon. . .the sun is not a picture's friend.

Notice what's in the background

Recharge your batteries

Eat lunch first

Belated April Fools Day

This day came and went without a lot of hoopla. The biggest "joke" I pulled was having a silly dinner and dessert. For dinner we had cupcakes:

The cupcakes were mini Shepherd Pies. Which Mia enjoyed thoroughly despite what these pictures would lead you to believe.



and for dessert we had pizza aka sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting and fruit toppings. After dinner, the kids came with Fernando and I to weed our yard. The kids were promised 5 cents per weed. This allowed them to earn money for various toys Fernando and I weren't going to purchase. After 2 hours of yard work (mostly as time Fernando and I put into weeding, mowing and edging), Mia pulled 100 weeds and Tiago had a full bag that he prompting emptied into the garbage. Night was falling and the kids needed sleep, but still wanted the promised sugar. The joke was on me. The half of a pizza was met with screams and blame throwing such as "It's your fault we were weeding so late." etc Luckily, the sugar assuaged them long enough for me to recenter my chi.


Sadly, the bad humor spread to the next day. The walk to school turned into a big power struggle and anger management issues. Mia was bawling and screaming almost the whole way. Then she would stop for long periods of time making a tardy seem unavoidable. I tried desperately to distract her with questions about upcoming activities or told her to find 5 beautiful things. I pointed out the flowers. All of these were flops. Then I reminded her that we would have to run for a long time to avoid being late if she didn't hurry up. She could have cared less. Finally, I pulled the Thumper advice and told her to zip it if she didn't have anything pleasant to say. This set off an explosions of "I can't stop" and "It's too hard" excuses. A neighbor, noticing the time and struggle, offered to take Mia the rest of the way. Mia wouldn't go without me (strange she made it seem like my presence was less then desirable). We made it with 30 seconds to spare. I gave her a pep talk and a hug.

The whole walk home I felt embarrassed and very hypocritical. Here I was grumping at my grumpy daughter who was really just tired from working the night before. Why didn't I do a better job looking for beautiful things in Mia instead of pointing out the obvious annoyances.

On a more positive note, Tiago started out the walk with the same attitude, but decided to just enjoy being outside. Talia, who was in a baby backpack due to our broken stroller, was giggling the whole way. She loves being outside.

Mini Miracles

“Earth’s crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God; And only he who sees takes off his shoes.”
Elizabeth Barrett Browning

For FHE the other night, the kids and I played a 'board' game from the Friend magazine. Admittedly, the game was a little more advance then the group we were playing with, but we made do. Instead of the kids having to do a Pictionary guess of the scripture event, I let one kid draw and then we would talk about the scripture passage. (click on the link to see the game with the rules and the passages)The only passage that they really knew enough to guess was Daniel and the Lion's Den. Tiago did some pretty ferocious lions. Too bad my batteries died in my camera and I haven't recharged them yet.

With that said, the miracles that happened in the scriptures always are so fantastical. Yet, when I am looking, I see just as miraculous things happening to us daily. Here are just a few from the past few days.


Monday:
Beautiful weather and new shovels take Tiago, Talia, and I into the backyard for some good old outdoor noth'n doing. I happened to grab the phone for who knows what reason. Talia and I were not appropriately dressed for the hot sun and both of us were feeling a bit on the wilted side. After a good half hour or so, I decide it is time to hydrate and change into better clothes. Only problem is the house is completely locked up. Fernando was sleeping upstairs (do to night float) so I quickly called his cell phone. No answer. I wasn't shocked. He is a dead sleeper.

Funny side note: While banging on the front door and ringing the doorbell and calling the cell phone, I mutter in dismay "come on, Fernando. You can't be that dead of a sleeper." Tiago inquired, "Daddy's dead?" It took me a second to put the two together and rephrased the idea in less morbid terms. Though dead really is the best description for Fernando's sleep.

Back to the problem. No amount of banging and doorbell ringing was working. Talia was over heated and trying to eat bug carcasses while I was distracted with my barrage of banging. Finally, after 15 minutes of failed attempts, I came to my senses. I asked Tiago to offer a prayer. It was short and to the point. We abandoned the front door options and headed to the backyard, all the while wishing I would have reprogrammed our garage door key pad to avoid this mess.

As soon as we get back there, I picked up a flat plastic duck bath tub floor thingy. Then, in boomerang fashion, I launch them up to the second story bedroom window in hopes of Fernando hearing. The first duck that hit the window brought our salvation.(the ducks had a weird weight distribution so it took a few tries) Fernando peeked through the blinds and stumbled downstairs in time to hear the amen of our thankful prayer.

Tuesday:
We have been trying hard to walk to school in the mornings. There are so many positive benefits that it makes me sad when it just doesn't work out. Tuesday morning started out with high hopes of walking, but Mia just seemed to be dragging her feet. We were coming too close to the critical time when walking is no longer and option. Just as we were about the head out the door, the heavens opened and dumped torrential rain. If we would have left when we normal leave, we would have been half way to school sopping wet and too far away to run home, change, and make it to school on time. Since we left late, we rode safely and dry in the car. We made it early to school and got to have fun running into school under a huge umbrella that barely kept the rain from pelting us.

Today:
Although we were up earlier, we seemed to take much longer to get ready. I did have both kids make their beds and tried to french braid Mia's hair (a non existent talent for me), but we were running really late. We drove in a speedy manor to school and saw a friend desperately trying to get her son to school holding her younger girl on her hip. I have totally been in her shoes. It reminded me of the time when Fernando's battery died and he took the civic to work. No problem, I thought. I'd just walk the kids to school with the stroller. Unfortunately, the stroller was no where to be found. (Later I found out that the stroller was in the garage. Fernando had taken it out of the Civic's trunk so I could walk the kids to school. I some how missed it when I looked.) That was the longest walk. Talia has always been solid, but I was really feeling every pound near the top of the hill that takes us to school.

Enough with reminiscing. We were able to take the boy and make it just in time for school to start. If I would have left any earlier, I would have missed them entirely.

Celestial Choreography at its best.