Halloween and Homemade Costumes

This year for Halloween, we were forced by a lack of funds to get very creative with costumes. Marlowe and Mason dressed up as Dora and Diego. I had fun studying exactly what they wore and what color their clothes were. Using our local thrift stores, Wal-Mart, pieces of costumes from past Halloweens, and some paper and a marker, we were able to come up with everything we needed for about ten bucks. Mese's costume, Mr. T, which he came up with the morning of, was a huge hit at the family Halloween party. Somehow he always does that. Every year he has no idea what he is going to be, but at the last minute he comes up with something amazing. His costume was very budget friendly too and, yes, that is his real hair. It was a lot of fun. Thank you Darcy Patterson for the pictures.

Crib Wanted

I am looking for a crib. I keep checking all the thrift stores and the D.I. because we can't afford a brand new one right now, but I haven't had much luck. I was given one way back when I found out I was having Marlowe, but it was put in storage and now we can not find any of the hardware for it. Can't remember where I put it. Anyway, I thought I would just put it out there so that if anyone knows of one, let us know and we can make an offer, or something. Thanks for your help.

The New Nursery Leaders

As of three weeks ago Mese and I are the new nursery leaders for the senior nursery in the Banning ward. I know to some it may seem like the worst calling in the world and, I admit, for a few moments I had some hesitation. We were called the same week that our son, Mason, turned 18 months. I had been waiting for that week to come for about four months. I just wanted to be able to get some spiritual uplifting out of sunday school and relief society again. But, not much to my surprise, I have been spiritually uplifted so much more than I ever expected to be in the last two weeks that we have been with these beautiful children. I love being with them. Just their smiles seem to make my heart burst. It's nice for me to see that they are enjoying what we are doing. I feel successful. The little lessons are so simple and basic, but that almost makes them that much more powerful. I kinda wish it could all be that simple.
I love working with my husband. It helps me to see him in a whole new light to see him get down on these kid's level and play with and love them. Of course, I get to see him do it at home with our kids all the time, but there's just something so touching to see it with kids other than his own. I'm not surprised, just reminded how wonderful he is and why I love him so much. He is so excited to learn the songs that go along with each lesson on his guitar and to play and sing them each week. The kids looooove it.
I love our new calling. I love serving and teaching and being taught by your kids each week. They are such a joy. I see even more clearly now why Jesus said we should "become as a little child."

My wonderful, talented, and amazing husband...

This post is so that every one of my friends and anyone else who happens to stumble upon this page for whatever reason, will know that I am married to the most wonderful man in the world or at least in the city of Banning on the north west corner of the Lamp Lighter Apartments. We have made an agreement that if he would cook all of our meals, I would clean. He was quick to jump at that offer - quick like a stallion. Speaking of stallions he is probably as strong as a stallion. He is so talented too... Okay. This is Mese. The real reason behind me commandeering my wife's blog is to let YOU know that I have updated and completely made over my blog. CHECK IT OUT HERE!!! Oh, and by the way, I AM as strong as a stallion FYI.

Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert

Last Thursday my wonderful husband worked a twelve hour shift that made it so he didn't get home until 11:30 p.m. He, of course, stayed up to watch the premier of "The Office," so he didn't get to bed until 1 a.m. He had the next day off and I assumed he would sleep in until noon. Much to my surprise he was up at 8:30. He gets on the computer and the next thing I know he tells me to get the kids ready because he has a little surprise for us. My husband is the king of surprises. He loves them. But they usually involve food. Something he loves. So, you can imagine my surprise when he drove us to the Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert. We had so much fun. Our kids are even a little young for most of the stuff, but they still had a blast. Marlowe's favorite activity was painting the Volkswagon Bug. Yep, a real car. She also enjoyed the laser harp, the grocery store and dressing up upstairs in the attic. Mason loved the "tots" center where he rode on a real police motorcycle and spent 15 minutes pounding nails with a hammer. I had a blast just watching the kids and Mese was just happy to see all of us so happy and pleased with his surprise. Of course, I forgot the camera. Such a bummer.

THREE BATHS IN ONE DAY!!

WEDNESDAY MORNING THE KIDS HAD A BATH AS USUAL, THEN AFTER MARLOWE WOKE UP FROM HER NAP SHE REMEMBERED THAT DADDY SAID WE MIGHT GO SWIMMING SO SHE BEGGED AND BEGGED TO GO SWIMMING. SHE IS PERSISTENT. FINALLY SHE BROUGHT OUT HER BATHING SUIT AND ASKED AGAIN AND AT THAT POINT I FELT BAD SO I SAID "LET'S GO SWIMMING IN THE BATH TUB." WE PUT HER SUIT ON AND SHE AND MASON PLAYED IN THE TUB FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES. I THINK THAT'S THE LONGEST THEY HAVE EVER STAYED IN THE BATH. LATER THAT NIGHT, ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE BED TIME, I SUGGESTED WE GO PLAY OUTSIDE FOR A LITTLE WHILE BECAUSE IT FELT LIKE ALL WE DID, BESIDES THE BATH, WAS WATCH T.V. THAT DAY. WE NEEDED SOME FRESH AIR. WELL, THERE IS A BROKEN SPRINKLER RIGHT OUTSIDE OUR APARTMENT THAT LEAKS AND CREATES MUD. THAT IS USUALLY THE FIRST PLACE MASON GOES AND THIS TIME WAS NO EXCEPTION. AFTER A WHILE OF TRYING TO KEEP THEM OUT OF IT, MASON FELL IN IT AND I JUST GAVE UP. THEY HAD A GREAT TIME PLAYING IN THE MUD. MY KIDS LOVE TO PLAY IN THE DIRT. EVEN MARLOWE. SHE LIKES IT MORE THAN MASON. BATHS ARE KIND OF A LOT OF WORK. I HOPE I NEVER HAVE TO DO THREE IN ONE DAY AGAIN.

Marlowe and Mason Will Have a Baby Sister

Just a quick blog to confirm what we had been thinking. I had my ultra sound today and the doctor was 99% positive that it is a girl. We are so excited. I am happy that my Mason will remain my only little boy, for now. I have a huge crush on him. I think he will adjust to a girl better than a boy. He is kinda a mama's boy. I am hoping he grows out of that a little before baby sister comes. Oh, and Doctor Yoo says he is staying with March 7th as the due date. So that would make me only about 17 weeks along. Oh well. For now we are excited to start bonding with this baby girl and calling her by name. It already seems more real now. Girls:3, Boys:2.