Make a Smilebox postcard

Happy Halloween

I hope everyone had a great Halloween. We sure have had a great time so far. We took Zach and Sarah out for about an hour earlier in the evening. It took Zach a little while to get the hang of it and not be so shy, but as soon as he understood that if he went to the door and said "Trick or Treat" he would get some candy, he was all for it. Both Brad and I went, since we really don't get trick or treaters on our tiny street (we did get some about 10 minutes ago, a big group from the family who lives in the cul-de-sac behind us, I was so excited). We took our sit and stand double stroller with both kids in it and went to a long cul-de-sac street about a block away. I kept Sarah in the stroller while Brad took Zach up to each house. It was so fun to watch Zach get into it. Sarah still doesn't get it, but she had a good time getting out for awhile. Brad and I really enjoyed it, we love seeing our little boy grow up and enjoy all the things of childhood.

Early Voting

I went today to take advantage of the early voting that is going on here in Utah. It turned out great. There were a bunch of locations to go to and I chose one one in South Jordan. I went in, filled out a form with a small amount of my info, and handed it to one of the workers with my ID. He gave me a card that looked a lot like a hotel car key which I put into one of the new touch-screen computer systems they are using. I did have to wait in a couple of lines for a few minutes, but it went really fast. The new system was so easy to use and I think it is much better than the old punch card system. It then lets you verify everything and you're done voting. I strongly encourage anyone to go tomorrow (Oct. 31) if you get a chance to vote early. They are only open until 5:00 PM though tomorrow and I do wonder how busy it is going to be on the last day. I just recommend it because I have no idea if they are using the touch-screens on Election Day and I really loved them. I believe every county in Utah is doing early voting, so look it up on your county website if you're interested.
Brad and I are wondering if it will make the lines any shorter at the polls on Election Day. We've decided that we are going to go on a walk up on Election Day to the place we'd normally vote at to see if the lines are shorter.
Oh, and if you are wondering who I voted for, I'm not going to talk about it. I guess I've just seen too many people be judgemental of others' choices. So. . . go vote and vote for who you think will do the best job. That's what makes this country so great is that we all have a voice.

Sleepover Parties

We hosted our first sleepover last Thursday night with Zach's cousin Paden (who is the same age as Zach). I was a little nervous about it because I thought Paden might get homesick at some point. He never did and the boys had a great time. Even Sarah loved having Paden over. She kept trying to keep up with the boys with her newly acquired walking skills. At one point they were playing stay away from Sarah, which is where this picture came from. Later, when the boys were supposed to be going to sleep, we would hear talking and giggling coming from Zach's room. I went in to tuck them in again and caught them sitting up with blankets on their heads just laughing at each other. All went well that night and in the morning. Zach was so upset when Paden left.

We then had our second sleepover party with Zach's other cousins Chase, Aspen, and Megan on Saturday. We started out the day at the zoo, went to the park, and ended up the night playing with toys (for the little ones), the guitar, and Disney Charades. I had a lot of fun with them here.

Retro Fashion

I was looking at the latest Target ad and noticed a page for tights. Not a big deal, except for the stirrup tights - I thought they were a little odd. But on the same page they had leg warmers. Are those coming back in style? That is one eighties style I would have bet would never come back into fashion. I about died of shock. I guess we'll have to see if they actually become popular again. It seems that all fashions seem to repeat themselves. What's next? I'll probably die if I start seeing tapered jeans again with the zippers at the bottom - oh, and they'll have to be acid wash too.

The Good Old Days

As I've gotten older, I find I keep thinking about the "Good Old Days" when I was a kid. I'm totally a 70's/80's kid and I get a real kick out of any of those emails that go around talking about things from that era. Things have changed for the better though. I can't imagine being without my cell phone or DVR among probably a thousand other things if I really sat and thought about it. But there are some things you just kind of miss. For instance (and what really started me thinking about it again) are board games. Have any of you seen the new Candy Land? It is nothing like what I had as a kid. It doesn't mean it's worse, it's just different and I miss what I had. I actually found a "retro" version of Candy Land a long time ago (long before I had kids) and bought it just because it was the same game board I remembered from when I was a kid. I've played both versions with Zach lately and they are both good. It just makes me feel good to see that familiar board from years ago.
Brad and I have talked about it lately and it does seem that as you get older, the more you feel like times were better when you were a kid. The question is if they really were. Probably not. I'm sure it's that things were simpler when we were kids and we didn't have all the responsibilities and worries we gain as adults. That's life though. I'm sure 30 years from now my kids will be thinking about the "Good Old Days."

Update on Sarah

Sarah's fever finally broke yesterday afternoon, but this morning she had very small reddish spots on her face, chest, and back. So here I was back to freaking out about what is wrong with her and trying to decide on whether I needed to call the doctor's office again. I decided they already think I'm paranoid with my kids, so I called. They said it's too hard to try to diagnose a rash over the phone, so I made an appointment to see one of their nurse practitioners. Anyway, it ends up she has roseola (which the nurse said was in the measles family, which isn't something I liked hearing but I know that doesn't translate to measles and that it's different). I didn't ask if it had anything to do with the flu booster she got, but I figure I'll let myself feel better believing it doesn't because I was beating myself up for having her get that shot. I know Sarah and I went shopping earlier in the week and she was in shopping carts where I am wondering if that might be where she got it from (and stupid me, I forgot the nice cover we have for shopping carts). The nurse said she was contagious while she had the fever, so those of you we saw on Tuesday should be fine. It's something I was told we'll just have to ride it out and she should get over the rash soon. I feel so much better we went in, at least I know what it was even if there isn't anything we really can do about it.

Just a Therapy Post

I finally have 5 minutes to myself and I need to take some time for some writing therapy. Last week was a busy week, which included taking Sarah in for a booster for her flu shot. I had reservations about doing it, but since the doctor said to get her a booster, I did it. Maybe it didn't cause problems, but starting Friday (the day after her shot) Sarah developed a fever. Luckily, no other symptoms. Of course I called the doctor's office on Friday (you all know I would, I swear they know me all too well at that office). They said it was just the shot and to ride it out basically. Here we are on Monday and she still has a slight fever. I call again this morning and basically was told the same thing, except to bring her in tomorrow if she still has a fever. Poor thing, you can tell she feels sick, which includes lots of whining and crying at times. I was so glad to have had Brad helping me over the weekend, today by myself has been a little difficult. I feel so bad for Zach, he hasn't gotten much attention from me. He's a great kid though and tries so hard to help.
To add to my fun is that we had our fist practice for the Primary Program yesterday, which I'm basically in charge of because of my calling. Preparing and practicing for the Primary Program is enough stress on it's own without having a sick kid you are worrying about.
Anyway, there's my therapy. As with everything else that has come along in my life to cause me stress and worry, this will pass. Hopefully I'll be able to look back on it and laugh a little.

What Zach Says

Zach can say some of the cutest things and I wish I wasn't busy half the time he says something because I really need to write them down. I loved one from today. We were out driving and he saw a Frito Lay delivery truck that had potato chips (the actual chips, not the bags) painted all over it. He said to me "Mommy, there's the chip truck." I just thought it was so cute how he put that together from looking at it and said it like it was what it was actually called. It was like a chip truck was as common as any other vehicle on the road. I guess it might be something that only a mother would think is the cutest, but it's because of that I just had to share it with the world.

Sarah is On the Move

Sarah started walking the other day. She'd been trying a few steps here and there, but she is actually trying to make that her primary mode of transportation. I did take a video on my camera last night of her walking. Just ignore all the other things going on (messy house, TV on, Sarah in boy PJs, her hair out of control, and such).

Don't Bring Up Politics

Politics is a subject I usually avoid, since it is such a touchy thing. I couldn't leave this one alone though. I need everyone to understand, I'm not supporting any side, so I just bring this up because it is so darn funny. Brad told me yesterday about an interview Katie Couric did with Sarah Palin that Saturday Night Live parodied almost word for word. I looked it up on You Tube and it really was. Sarah Palin was asked a question relating to the economy and the proposed bailout and her answer was just some babbling about health care and increasing jobs. I couldn't believe it, I would have thought in her position she'd have a lot of people coaching her on what to say. And the economy is a hot topic right now, they should have known it'd come up in the interview. Then you see the parody on Saturday Night Live and they didn't have to change a word. Tina Fey does a great impression of Sarah Palin too (but I love Tina Fey, so I'd love her impression anyway). If you haven't seen the original interview or the Saturday Night Live sketch, go to You Tube and check it out. It is very interesting.