Are you pretty, Lizzie?

Our little Lizzie turned one month old today. I wish I could take her and freeze her just like she is now. I can't believe how big she has gotten in just a month. She is a good baby...a little fussy at bedtime is my only complaint about her. She is still sleeping with me. I know...it's a big no-no. I tried to put her in her cradle last night. The whole time she was in there I kept thinking about her and wishing she was with me. Finally, I just went and got her. I'm a softie.

She doesn't have any new accomplishments or talents. She is just cute and soft and smells really great. Most often she has a little perplexed look on her face. Its like she can't quite believe this is real. She also has quite a bit of baby acne. I'm hoping this is the only time she will have a less than flawless complexion. It's everything I can do to not pop those tiny zits.

She's really very sweet and I like her a lot.

Random Thoughts by Jennifer Vos

I didn't vote for either main party candidate for president. I didn't agree with either of them. However, when I listened to Obama's acceptance speech on Tuesday night, I felt energized and excited. I hope he does a good job. If we had to sit down together and discuss politics, he and I would probably not see eye to eye. But, unlike our last democrat in office, I have respect for him and his family. I'm looking forward to seeing what he does with this opportunity.

Regarding my last whining post, my trial has been our lack of financial security. We have been very insecure this past year. Chris had renegotiated with his employer in September for a deal that was going to take care of everything. The deal fell apart last month and not only are we not getting it, but we are taking a 50% pay cut on top of that. So it's back to the sending out resumes and job hunt. Chris is looking for something from 5-1am to supplement our income. It really stinks right now. I know it's not the worst crisis in the world but it affects us in a big way. I have been thinking about the challenge so much lately. I have faced challenges before that cause me to accept a change to my life that will stay that way forever. Like death or illness. But this challenge can easily be fixed. I guess that's why it seems harder or different because I'm looking for a fix or guidance towards the fix and it hasn't come yet. I will work hard and wait upon the Lord.

I haven't sent thank you notes out yet to people who brought meals and bought gifts for Lizzie. I'm working on them. If you are someone who knows you have one coming, I'm sorry it is taking so long.

I want to play games. Will someone please come over, bring some snacks and play games with me?

Thankful Thursday 10/6/2008

1. Surprise sandwich from Maya's Deli

2. Football practice is done

3. The fog is gone.

4. Mindless TV shows

5. Text Twist Turbo

Our RS lesson yesterday was based on Elder Uchtdorf's talk in General Conference about the power of hope. Our teacher defined the word hope as "a desire with expectation of obtainment." I sat listening to her and pondering in my mind the definition. I looked around the room at all the sisters sitting and listening and I wondered if any of them feel like I do. I feel like I am losing hope. I wonder if the Lord is hearing my prayers. I wonder how long I can endure this trial that I am going through right now. I am a big baby whiner.

Do other people lose hope? Do they feel lonely like me? Do they hear people bearing their testimonies of how much God loves them and wonder, "Does He love me, too?"

Of course, He loves me. Of course, He hears my prayers. I know these things. I know them. Right now, though, it feels like He isn't answering. I need Him to say, "Here's your solution," or "Here's what you should do," or "Sit tight, you're almost through this." I don't feel like he is saying any of these things to me.

What do I need to do better? Where can I improve? Am I failing His expectations of me? Is that why He is not blessing me now?

I know all the right answers...count your blessings, serve, look outside yourself, serve, read, pray, ponder, serve. I am trying to do these things. I fall short of perfection. I get discouraged. I don't understand right now. I am trying to smile through it. I am trying to see silver linings and lights at tunnel ends. But, the brightness of my hope is dim. I just have a tiny little birthday candle light.

What is He trying to teach me? What am I being prepared for?

Weekly Top Five 11/3/08

Top Five Favorite Movie Soundtracks

1. William Shakespeare's Romeo+Juliet

2. Forrest Gump

3. Evita

4. Some Kind of Wonderful

5. Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Ahh... Halloween's finest *trick*-ortreaters...

I really really really really love Halloween. I love the costumes and scary music and trick or treating and parties and everything. As a child, I usually had a homemade costume. I can remember 2nd grade being Annie. I was the "orphan" Annie complete with raggedy dress and curly red wig. My mom made the whole thing. I got to school and my nemesis, Sue Justen, was the "rich" Annie with the little red dress and the perfect curls. I was annoyed. From then on, I was determined to go the gross route. I was disgusting witch in 3rd grade and disgusting vampire in 4th grade. The more blood and warts the better. After having children of my own, I was determined to make their costumes every year. This worked for several years. Emily has been a homemade Dalmatian, Pooh, Teletubbie, Minnie Mouse, Dorothy, Jessie, Wonder Woman, and Hermione. I've slaved over monkeys, Pokemon, airplane and Mickey Mouse. I love to make costumes! However this year I didn't have time to make any of them. I was lucky to have Grammie sponsor a trip to Halloween USA to get the kids costumes.

This year we had fun going around the "Great Pumpkin Caper" at downtown Plymouth with the Kimballs. It is always so busy but it is still fun and the kids love it.
We carved pumpkins. This year they turned out a little lame. Cameron's pumpkin was so hard I could barely carve it. I just did a tiny mouth and little eyes. It looks stupid. We had fun, tho.





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We watched the kids parade at their school. That was really fun too.




Anna helped me plan and execute the Halloween Party for Christopher's class. The party turned out really fun. We had fun, "gross" food for the kids to eat and games for them. Chris did a really fun magic show. Christopher told me the party was "totally awesome" which made me feel good. I couldn't have done it without Anna's help. What would I do without her?






After the party, I took the kids to the hospital to see Grandpa. Everyone in the halls liked seeing the kids dressed up in their costumes. Grandpa seemed in good spirits and is hoping to come home on Monday. It was a short visit because HELLO HAS ANYONE EVER TAKEN 6 KIDS TO THE HOSPITAL????? It isn't pleasant.









After that we had a party for Lucy's birthday and then we went trick or treating. We always trick or treat in Grammy's neighborhood because they give out the best candy. Tons of whole bars. Tony's parents joined us halfway through as Salt and Pepper. They were really cute. We topped off the night with cake for Lucy and her presents, which was also very fun.



The kids all slept together in the basement and had themselves a "candy trading party." I love to here them all getting along and being friends.

Halloween 2008 was a great success! Only 364 days until next Halloween! I'm counting down.

Happy Birthday, Lucy. Make a wish.

Lucy Mae's 1st birthday was yesterday and it was a wonderful celebration. We had homemade mac 'n' cheese and hot dogs. Emily made a cute cake for her. The kids were so excited to be celebrating her birthday! I can't believe that she is one year old already!! She is such a sweet, adorable, cute, wonderful (interject any positive adjective here) little girl and I love her so much! One of the greatest blessings in my life is living 7 minutes away from this sweetheart. I get to see her at least once a week but usually more. I love the way she opens her arms and comes to me as soon as she sees me. I love her look of surprise. I love her smile and laugh. I love the way she growls. I love how she loves animals. I love how she says, "baby." She is the best niece ever and I feel so blessed to be her auntie! Happy Birthday, Miss Lu!

Yea for me, I'm 1 today!!

I'm not sure whats going on here but it looks like some kind of pull my finger game.

Lucy with her present.

Lizzie relaxin' with Uncle Tony

I like this cake.

Cake coma has set in.