A Miracle

Watching the grey turn to purple and blue in the predawn is an awesome sight.  Knowing that with the sun comes a new day.  The purples and blues fade into pink and orange.  Splashes of gold and bands of blue.  Suddenly the first glimpse of the sun is there.  Inexorably climbing.  Bringing with it the light of day.  New hope.  Refreshed.  Rejouvinated.  A beautiful new day.

Under the Tree

Christmas Eve.  The anticipation.  The eager-to-bed.  The grins and giggles as they fall asleep.  Although, around here it is a little different.  It isn't so much what each one was given.  Yeah, the presents are cool, and we all get nice things.  But it is about what the person.  The person who recieved the gift.  Do they like it?  Is it something that they will enjoy?  That is what Christmas is to these little kiddos.  Yeah, Santa comes and gives them treats in their stockings that they get to eat for breakfast.  Yes there are gifts for them under the tree.  But the real excitement comes when another person is opening something that they gave.  Something that they thought and pondered over (for at least 2 minutes).  Something from them. 

In Red Poinsettia Paper

There are so many wonderful things about this time of year, that it is really impossible to list them all.  There are the cookies, the tree, the lights, ornaments, candy canes, music, snow (if you are lucky), and many many more.  One thing stands out this year for me.  Over the last two weeks we have had a Secret Santa dropping off a little package every morning.  The tiny slips of paper each read something like this: On the 7th day of Christmas we'd like to give you a wise man visiting the King.  They change each day with each new package.  It is so sweet.  Someone taking time out of their day to make this season that much brighter for us.  The scene is unfolding like it was written in the Bible.  First came the stable for the weary couple who had knocked on doors all day, only to be told that there was no room.  Then entered Mary and Joseph, Mary ready to give birth to that precious child.  Joseph doing his best to stay strong and help his wife with the ordeal of labor.  They were alone, friendless in a strange city.  There to be counted and taxed according to law. 

Following the light of the star in the east to the stable rode the wise men.  Coming over the treacherous terrain as quickly as camels could go.  That night beneath the stars, slept shepherds with their flocks.  They were awakened up from their sleep by an angel of the Lord telling them to go and see the wonderous sight.  Everyone was in Awe.  Even the donkey and sheep were quiet for the new King.  Time seemed to stand still at the birth of the most wonderful person to ever walk the earth.  It is Christmas, and because of some wonderful person, we are enjoying the reason for this season in a whole new light.  Thank you, whoever you are.  For giving us hope.  With this simple manger scene, we are reminded that with God, anything is possible.

The Wait

A night to remember.  Everything is ready.  Waiting.  Will he come? 

Will he stop here?  Does he know where we live? 

Yes, yes and YES. 

Who's?

As I sit here on Christmas Eve, there are a few thoughts that are running through my mind.  We live in a nice little house in a  nice little town, for which I am very grateful.  We have a wonderful family and lovely friends.  We have so much more that I'm not even going to list it.  We are happy where we are.  Here, in this place, with these things, we are happy.  If it were all to disappear tomorrow, we would still be happy.  Sure life would be a little stressful, but our overall happiness would remain.  Why you ask.  How could we be happy with nothing.  Well, I refer you to Whoville with the Grinch-mas.  Yes, he only stole what he believed was Christmas from the Who's, but the concept is the same.  It is all about the attitude.  If all we have is each other, then happiness can be found.  Happiness is not purchased or obtained.  Happiness is an attitude.  A choice.  It does not matter how many or how few possessions you have, you may still not be happy.  Unless you choose to be.  Happiness is not a destination, it is the Journey.

Thin Blades of Steel

I love all the seasons.  Really, all four of them.  The year would not be complete without Spring and the newness of life.  Summer with all its heat and dust.  Fall and torrential rains.  And Winter with bone chilling winds and snow.  Each year I seem to fall more and more in love with each season.  Each one brings more and more things to light that just mean so much more to me.  We are enjoying a mild side of Winter, currently mild, right now.  Rain, wind, and the odd freeze.  Now I know that it probably won't last, and I'm not complaining either way.  But with Winter comes something that cannot be done in any other season.  Skating.  Ice-skating.  In a tent, next to a fountain that is still running in December.  I love skating.  Always have.  It was something that just seemed to be natural for me.

The first couple times on the ice I fell like any other beginner.  But soon I had the basics and began to really go with it.  Oh what fun!  The joy of the smooth glide over fresh ice.  The cool wind rushing past.  The slight insanity of knowing that all that was between me and frozen water was a pair of shoes with shaped metal on the bottom.  Skating is a part of Winter.  This year, for the first time since, well, a long time, Handsome and I had the opportunity to go.  We were invited by a close friend and took the kids along.  They loved it!  Putting on the skates for the first time caused a little skepticism, they weren't entirely confidant that those weird shoes would keep their feet warm on the ice.  But then, we go onto the ice.  Whee!  Those kids took to it like pros.  They each fell a couple times, getting back up and trying again.  Wow, they really took off.  Mr O and Peaches were both skating on their own by the time we were done.  That is definitely something we will do again.

The Forever Kind of Things

As I sit and type this post (for the third time) I am reminded once again how precious the little things are.  Time spent with those we love.  Little snippits of songs sang to each other.  Stories upon stories read to one another.  Flying kites in the wind.  Hugs.  The little things.  Someday, when my children are grown, I want them to be able to look back at their childhood and say that it was good.  I want those little things to stick with them forever.  Things that they will, in turn, do with their children without knowing why really, just knowing that it is a good thing.  Remembering the good times and sharing them with those that they care about.

What Else is there to Say?

Just a little something.  These photos were taken after the Provo Tabernacle burned down.  Now, it doesn't matter what faith or religion you are, this is amazing. 

Pokies

Some days just are precious.  Where everything about that day is just something that you want to save forever.  We had one of those wonderful days.  It began with a bang.  Mr O's class had their Christmas Craft Day, and I was able to go.  There was snowman soup: delicious hot cocoa that we stir with a candycane.  Ornaments to finish for the tree.  A Santa face to make.  Cookies to frost.  And the one that all the kids were jumping up and down for was the Yule Log.  Taking a simple log and turning it into a beautiful centerpiece.  Starting with a ribbon.  Each child tied a pretty bow and then added the candle. 

Then came the prickly part, the branches.  Adding on enough green to be beautiful to each participant.  The excitement was palpable as each branch added more loveliness.  Once enough branches were placed there were more choices.  How many pine cones?  Where to put them?  Will mom want just one, or lots and lots?  The decisions, the chewed lips and fingure nails, the stress of a 7 year old.  But each finished product was beautiful.  Each child took home something lovely.  Because really, it isn't about the end product, it is about who made it.

One Cup Butter, Half Cup Milk, Dash of Vanilla, and Powdered Sugar

This year, as I have in years past, I did a gingerbread party.  There were a few differences.  We have new neighbors that we invited over for the evening.  Our children are significantly older and enjoy the process much more.  There wasn't as much mess as in years past.  Yes, the baking took a week.  I totally enjoyed every minute of it.  Baking is honestly something that, if I had the time, I would bake daily.  If there were enough hours in the day and if my family would eat my baked goods that quickly.  But, I'm a mom with other demands on my time, and as a family we don't eat many sweets.  Baking gingerbread is wonderful.  The whole house smells delightful.  As if it is readying for a festive night too.  Then comes the construction.  Our wonderful neighbor, Cassie, came and supplied the second needed set of hands.  Up went 12 houses in about 2 hours.  We worked fast.  Sticky frosting, delicious smelling sheets of gingerbread, and foil wrapped cardboard squares.  In not very long, there was a town where before there was just a pile of flat squares of gingerbread.  Lovely. 

Then there was the anticipation.  The opening of all the different candies.  Mixing up multiple batches of icing.  Giving each decorator a bag of icing.  And then the fun began!  Pass the M&M's please.  Oh it was lovely.  All those kids around our table, each having an idea of how to decorate their house.  Each one turning out beautiful.  Yes, there was the spilled frosting, wrappers on the floor, and sugar high kids.  But it was so nice to share our little tradition.  The grins and giggles were worth all the cleaning and baking and building.  Worth every second.

Shadows on the Wall

The past several years have been markedly different than the first Christmas that Handsome and I were together.  That first Christmas we had a lovely tree that smelled like a Christmas tree should.  Crisp and sharp and fresh and pine.  Naturally there were the other not-so-fun things about having a real tree: pine needle pick up, constantly watering, and the tree disposal after Christmas.  That is one of my favorite smells of winter.  The pine.  It is so sharp and fresh.  The smell seems to be in contrast with the deadness of winter.  When I think of winter, it is of sleeping trees, hard brown earth, snow and ice.  Pine just seems to break into that preconceived mould and let it be known that winter is beautiful and clean and fresh too.  This year, for the first time in many, we have a real tree.  Real as in it smells like pine.  It used to be alive.  Now I have pine needles to sweep and a tree to water every day.  I love it.  The whole house has that lovely smell of fresh and clean outdoors.  None of the mud or other unpleasant odors, just the freshness of a breeze as it wafts through the boughs of fir trees. 

The children loved having a "real" tree to decorate.  The giggles and grins, laughter and love. 

And when it was all done.  We stood back to see the final result.  Beautiful.  Breathtaking.  Wow.  Mr O and Peaches stood in awe when the lights went out and the tree shone on its own.  Bringing the tree into the house seemed to bring with it the spirit of kindness, helpfulness, and generosity.  Those two kids have been angels since we put it up (of course I'm probably saying this too soon).  All in all: totally worth it.  Every needle.  Every jar of water.  The pain of recycling it later.  Worth it.  Because for a little while we will have something beautiful, delightful, and lovely in our living room.  And also, I won't have to smell the dog for as long as we have the tree.

Noteworthy

Yesterday evening was a lovely time for our little family.  Mr O got a chance to participate in the Christmas program.  Oh my word!  So many cute kids!  The fun thing about this little concert is that all the little girls dress up in cute frilly dresses that I'm sure they only get to wear once or twice.  The little boys all look dapper in nice shirts and shiny shoes.  Then there was Mr O. 

His shirt of choice was bright blue.  With clown fish on it.  In his defence, it was button up, so technically it is a "dress shirt."  But, clown fish? 

And then there was tinsel.  It was Red, and shiny, and it swung from side to side.  Mr O couldn't resist.

On top of that our boy didn't really want to be there for the entire length of the concert, which was only 30 min.  So during the last couple songs he began drifting farther and farther towards the edge of the steps.  Just waiting for that last song to be done. 

All said and done Mr O did very well.  He sang most of the songs (singing is not something he enjoys at all), did wonderfully exuberant hand motions where they were used, and totally enjoyed himself.  That grin said it all.

That One. Yup, That One

Today is the beginning of the holiday for me.  Today is when the house starts to take on the Christmas feel. 

Today. 

I start baking gingerbread today.

Gooshy Socks

There are honestly very few things that I want out of life.  Firstly I want my wonderful husband to be able to retire early.  I want our two delightful kiddos to have happy and fulfilling childhoods.  And for me, I'd settle for warm toes.  You may think that it is a simple thing, but it isn't.  For me, warm toes is a rarity.  Especially once with weather cools off in the Fall.  It's nothing big, not really, but for someone with bad circulation, it is big.  Warm toes.  Fun fact: did you know that 80% of your body heat escapes from your head and feet.  True.  Which is why it is so important to have good boots and a warm hat on in the cold weather.  No I'm not asking for foot warmers for Christmas or anything like that, and I don't want to move to a warmer climate either.  It would just be nice to have warm toes. 

Silver and Gold

There are so many days in our lives that just seem to be downers.  Those days that are just dumpy.  When everything about life is hard.  No one does what they are supposed to.  Your inbox is full.  The kids are going crazy.  The dishes have been sitting for three days.  Laundry has piled up so high that no one has clean socks.  Driving to work you forget that one document that you needed.  Walking in 5 minutes late to a meeting that you are presenting at.  You know: those days.  This little post is just to remind you that despite what is going wrong, despite how you feel, there is sunshine.  The sun is just behind the clouds, it will come back out.  There is always, always a silver lining.  No one is perfect, and no one is expecting you to be.  Just be you.  Put your chin up and face the sun.  Get that vitamin D.  The sun is there.  The silver lining will turn to gold, and then the sun is there!

Seasoning

Just recently our little family made the trek across the snow covered mountains to a town.  A town that has grown in size since Handsome and I moved away so many years ago.  A town that holds many memories for both of us.  A town that still holds most of my extended family.  So we went.  Trekking with the trusty truck over the pass.  It was beautiful!  Glittering snow, huge icicles dangling from rocks, trees hugging to them their blanket of snow.  Lovely.  As we drew closer to our destination the excitement level inside the truck went up and up and up.  I'm not sure if is was in reaction to the people that we were going to get to see or that we were almost there and could get out of the truck.   But either way, the kids were bouncing off the windows by the time we arrived.  There was snow to play in, lots of food to eat, games to play, activities to do, and lots and lots of extended family to visit with.  Oh it was so good to see all of those people with whom we don't have very much face to face contact.  Getting the chance to actually visit with cousins and aunts and uncles and grandparents was fantastic.  I would love to see these people more often.  But we live over here.  It is nice to visit though, catch up on the news, and see everyone again.

Would You Like Some Cheese?

There are few things that, at my age, I would think are completely odd.  You know what I'm talking (writing) about.  Those things that just are not ok at 30 (well not quite, but really close).  Dressing in rainbow tights and mini skirts for one, that is more of a high schooler's look.  To still have no direction in life (ie completing your fourth degree and still not using any of them professionally) isn't ok at my age.  Having a goal in life is important, even if it just extends to next month, that is good enough.  Just to have something to reach for is good.  Another thing that is just not ok at my age is major health problems.  I'm not talking broken leg or tendinitis.  I'm talking major health issues, the ones that don't allow you to live your daily life.  When something happens and you can't do your normal routine.  If this thing keeps going for longer than a week, then it is a major health issue in my mind.  For myself, it has been nearly four weeks.  Misery is a good way to put it.  Unable to do anything for any length of time.  There is a lot of sitting involved.  At least the sewing room is getting well loved.  It is just so tiring to do anything.  Loading the dishwasher requires a 45 minute recuperation period.  Keeping up with the kids is like running 5 back to back marathons.  To be honest, quitting isn't an option, but I sure would like this to end.  Going from a very active lifestyle to a whole lot of sitting really really stinks. 

Ok, I'm done whining.  I'll post something happy tomorrow.

Lucky Number

So, since I'm sure that you all have been waiting with bated breath to hear all about Mr O's birthday, here it is.  Mr O is now one year older, and supposedly one year wiser, but that is up for debate.  He's still the kid that loves challenges of any kind, Legos, anything with a little bit of engineering involved, and learning.  So for his day he got quite the load of enjoyable stuff.  A kit of fun things to do with light; refracting, different colors of light, rainbows, and more.  The prism and flashlight are a big hit, now he can make things have rainbows on them.  Another fun kit full of different simple electronics to build.  That one is going to be fun, he wants to skip all the way to the motor at the end.  Peaches gifted a Lego fire truck set that has already been assembled and played with enough to douse any fire within a 10 block radius. 

 A fuzzy blanket and wallet have disappeared into the depths of the room, and are getting well loved.  The noisy toy (yes there is one) thankfully isn't that noisy.  And also came with instructions on how to build a very very cool roller coaster.  So, construction has completed and the roller coaster car has done enough loops and turns to make even the most practiced thrill seeker ill.  Now we're listening to minor changes being made and practice runs being taken.  We'll see how long it takes for him to come down for breakfast...

Shake it Again Please!

The first snow of the season always seems magical.  In a sense, it is.  The snow falls lending a surreal quality to the world.  Small bits of frozen water, changing the world one tiny bit at a time.  The muffling quality of snow also lends to the other-worldliness.  While the snow is falling, as well as the snow on the ground, it makes any noises that are heard seem soft and forgiving.  The only way to get anyone's attention is to yell, and even then you may not be heard.  As the tiny flakes fall to the ground the cover the ugliness.  Slowly but surely covering up the blemishes and ugly parts of the world.  Lending to everything a new life full of beauty and love.

Retrospect

I'm sorry for not posting much, but I'm just not up to it.  My energies have been focused on staying strong for my family.  Yes, I'm still in a lot of pain.  No, we still don't know why.  No, it is not my heart, that is behaving as normal as it always does.  So, this is me letting you know, I'm here, but I'm taking some time.  Cheers!

Officially Official

So I really do have the best man on earth for my husband.  Not only has he taken time off of work to help out here at home, but he has re-arranged his work week so that he can take the kids to school this week.  Wow.  I mean really, WOW!  This man has gone above and beyond.  The house is clean, the laundry is done, and the dog got a bath.  This wonderful man of mine has been going to work, coming home, and then doing my job(s).  He is amazing!  And then, to top it all off, he gave me a wonderful massage.  My Handsome man is amazing.  He truly is the most wonderfully amazing awesome man.  I am so blessed that he chose me.  Thank you, Handsome, for everything. 

Red Frosting

So as a few of you who know me personally have found out, I'm having some health problems right now.  Not to play up how severe this is, but it is my heart.  It hurts.  Bad.  It is painful enough that I take percocet.  Now, I'm not a pill popper, never have been.  I take two advil for a severe headache.  But this is bad enough that nothing else helps.  And percocet only takes the pain down by about half.  It's a lot of pain.  I am unable to function.  Walking is challenging, stairs are horrendous.  Forget about laundry and dishes.  Each breath that I take and beat of my heart is excruciating.  In all honesty I put the pain above what labor and delivery was like, and I did that unmedicated.  But, and here's the fun part: nothing is wrong with me.  Nothing.  I've gone through many tests, blood tests, electrical scans, even an ultrasound of my heart.  Everything has come back clean.  I'm the picture of health and vitality.  Exept for all the pain and being unable to do anything.  Now as you can imagine, this has become increasingly more frustraiting as time goes on with test after test coming back clean and the pain not going away or decreasing at all. 

The doctors shake their heads and tell me to go home.  But I still hurt.  And the next doctor that tells me it's all in my head is going to get kicked.  Hard.  In the shin. 

No, not really.  But I might dream about it.

So, this is me, shouting out that I'm tired of being tired.  I'm tired of not being able to take care of my family.  But most of all, I'm tired of hurting.  I want this pain to go away.  Please.  All I want is an answer. 

Please.

Glitz

There is something that has really irritated me for years.  No, not the kids, though they do make a good effort there.  It's the Christmas seasonal stuff.  Each year it seems that the decorations, commercials, and gift ideas start earlier and earlier.  This year I noticed an entire isle dedicated to Christmas stuff...Right next to the Halloween stuff in early October.  October.  Why is Christmas stuff getting put out in early October?  Really, that makes absolutely no sense to me.  It means that the kids are going to start writing their Santa lists early, they are going to start begging for the tree to be put up early, and I have a very firm rule of no Christmas stuff until after Thanksgiving.  It just really bothers me that Thanksgiving, which is a wonderful holiday, does not get much attention.  Yes, I do realize that Thanksgiving isn't a holiday for big decorations.  But still, that doesn't mean that it should be completely ignored.  I guess I'm a little traditional about it.  But I also believe that Christmas isn't a holiday, it is an attitude.  A way to live.  Christmas is about the joy of giving, and that is something that can be done any time that you see a need.  I guess what really bugs me isn't so much that the Christmas stuff is out, and has been for a while, it is that the "I want" and "gimme" attitudes of most people are already ramping up for the coming "what will I get under the tree this year" season.  The Christmas season has seen many changes over time.  It used to be all about giving.  Now it seems to have morphed into how big, how expensive, and how many will a person get.  It seems that people have forgotten how much joy can be had with the simple gift of love.  It isn't about the stuff, the decorations, food, or presents.  It is about the joy and caring that anyone can experience just by giving a hug.  A gift from the heart.

Optomistic

1.  Here's a conundrum: is the glass half full, half empty, or just over-designed?

2.  I use a water bottle.
Not because I really like a water bottle, it just doesn't break when I drop it.

3.  Is water really blue, or is it clear?

4.  I'm really not sure.

5.  The trees in the back yard make my yard seem so much friendlier.

6.  yellow and red are my favorite colors.

7.  Especially Yellow.

8.  It really cheers me up on those "grey" days of Fall and Winter.

9.  It is time to break out the hot cocoa.

10.  I love hot cocoa! 
We make it from scratch.  Whole milk (or 2%), cocoa powder, sugar, dash of vanilla, and whatever else you want to put in (peppermint, cinnamon, blackberries, etc).  Bring it almost to a boil, and there you have delicious home-made, from scratch, hot cocoa.  MmmmmHmmmm. 

11.  I have a little hand mixer from last Christmas (thanks to my in-laws!) that I use constantly with cocoa.

12.  Chocolate Chip Cookies sound really good right now.

13.  Handsome would not like me making them today.

14.  I'm still not feeling well.

15.  Life is good though!

16.  I'll have the kids make the cookies later.

17.  I love having the kids make stuff.  The whole kitchen gets messy.  Both kids take showers afterwards.  There is flour everywhere.  And the grins and giggles never stop.  I love it!

18.  They are getting pretty good about cooking too.

19.  They can follow a recipe (so long as someone reads it to them, I have horrible handwriting), make mac-n-cheese without help, and really really want to start getting things out of the oven.  I'm not ready for that yet, they aren't quite tall enough to balance that way.

20.  They try to clean up the mess too.  They just don't quite succeed.

21.  Fun times!

A Place to Start

If you are ever in the area, come on by.  We'll help you down the road to adventure! 

To start out, we'll go down some roads that look like this:

Next, if you want, we'll find lots of beautiful things.

We may get a little wet along the way.

We may find one or two of these in your hair once we're done.

But really, the view is worth it!

And even though a picture is worth a thousand words,

This is nowhere close to what this looked like in reality.

Not So Simple Anymore

I love being a wife and mother.  Really, I love it.  I wouldn't trade my two full-time jobs for anything, ever.  Granted I'm not always very good at them, but the effort is there.  I try my best.  In return my husband loves me and spoils me rotten, buys me chocolate, and lets me snuggle with him endlessly.  Peaches and Mr O give tons of hugs, kisses, and help (or hinder) in any way that they can with any given task.  They really try.  I'm loved.  I'm blessed.  My cup of joy runs over constantly.  Right now there is a little bit of a worry on the horizon.  I'm suffering with some minor health issues that make it impossible for me to comfortably do what I need to do throughout the day.  To put it simply, I hurt.  And I want to know why.  I want the Dr to be able to find this problem, and fix it.  I want to feel good again.  I'm tired, in pain, and unable to sleep well.  All I'm asking for is an answer.  I just want to know what is wrong.  Please.

Decisions Decisions

Hey hon!  We need to figure out where to go on our date. 

Let's meet on the corner to figure it out.

I'd like to go somewhere a little different.

Not that different.

Well, we could just go to another country, they might have something different.

Then again, if we need to follow that road, I think we may have a problem.

Well, we do need to stop for gas somewhere, this place looks good!

it's a good thing they let us know that it's the only station in town,

otherwise we may have kept driving.

Oh maybe these guys have food!

Well, I guess you would need a "u" in there if it were food.

Well, we need to go, so long!  We'll be back,

Because, with this town..

It really is about the people. 

I want to go visit again.

Really.  Like tomorrow.

Gold

This very well may be one of my favorite photos that I have ever taken.  Not just because it is a good photo (it is a straight out of camara shot, no editing), not just because of the subject (wheat trucks rock!), but because of what it symbolizes.  A full wheat truck is the end of the story for farmers.  It is the end of the road of a long hard hot summer.  Fighting the weather.  Praying for rain, then praying for sun.  Plowing, planting, spraying, praying, watching, hoping, anticipating, harvesting, and finally unloading.  Every day of labor culminates in the harvest season.  That golden grain represents months of labor.  Mending equipment.  Purchasing fertilizer and insecticide.  Praying that the weather cooperates.  Working from dawn until past sundown to get the crop in.  Mending whatever equipment needs it along the way.  Thanking God when everything is in.  And then repeating it all in a few short months.

Reason #749

There are so many thousands of hundreds of millions of reasons that I love and fall deeper into love with my wonderful man.  He really does so much for me and our children that I feel humbled and amazed that he chose me.  In our house there are a few things that run smoothly, or rather are supposed to run smoothly.  Well, one of those things decided to break.  Not the slow limp along for a while and shop for a new one, oh no.  This was a full-on, Boom, Busted, no coming back or limping along or any of that.

  It was done and told us so with a lovely puddle in the kitchen/dining area.  So my wonderful man went shopping for a new one.  Right then.  Handsome didn't wait around for a few days pricing, shopping, and crunching numbers.  He went out right then and came home with a new one in about 3 hours.  Wow, he sure does get things done!  Then there was the removal of the old unit, shoving, grunting, and adding more water to the towel.  Then in with the new!  Oooooh!  Shiny!  Black!  And my personal favorite: Quiet.  Really, really, quiet.  When I turn this one on, I have to listen specifically for it, otherwise I can't tell whether it is going or not.  I love it!  Oh.  My. Word.  Awesome!  My Man is Awesome! 

 Oh, and by the way, if you didn't figure it out, "it" is a dishwasher.

One, Two, Three

If anyone is still wondering what happens when you take kids, a 4 wheel drive truck, dog, and husband up an old gravel road, this should clear a few things up.

If any water is spotted on the road, it needs to be driven through.

At high speed.

So that you can get the biggest splash possible.

A splash that is capable of hiding the truck from view.

Such splashing will induce laughter, giggling, and chuckles, a shell-shocked dog, and a grinning Handsome. 


...And a filthy truck.