9/11

Pearl Harbor day is December 7th. Most people, my age anyway, don't even realize the day has come and gone. But it is the day my little sister was born. So I also stop and give a few moments of quite reflection to Pearl Harbor and those who died there that day. I have never lived in a world without Pearl Harbor Day. But my grandparents can remember the day, and what they were doing when they heard the news.
I think much the same will be said of my kids. I don't know how significant 9/11 will be in their lives, but they have never known this world pre-9/11. They won't understand how the USA has suttly changed due to that horrifying experience. It will simply be a part of our history. I wonder if it will be much like Peral Harbor was to me growing up. Maybe not.
I was at Ricks/BYU-Idaho. I had an early French class. I got up and quietly got dress so as not to bother my fortuante roommates who were still sleeping. I got to class and my teacher asked if we'd like to spend a few minutes talking about it? Talking about what? I was horrified as my classmate finally leaned over and explained what happened. I worked at the Writing Center after class, and we didn't have anyone come in. We sat around a small radio and listened as things were unfolded.
I spent much of the evening watching the news and trying to get a hold of my mother. Not that she was in any remote danger of being near anything, nor did she need to worry about me in Idaho. But I wanted to talk to my mommy and hear her voice.
I believe Todd was working construction and heard on the radio on his way to work.?? I would have to double check that to be sure.
Anyway, I thank God that we know of the atonement. Death takes on a whole new light when we remember that those who died are truely in a better place. And we can see them again. And it renews my strength in keeping my convenants so that I am worthy. I pray we have no empty seats when we get there. God does heal us from death, sin, fear, and pain. And His peace is enough and worth striving for. I am learning the power in eternal families and just how important they truly are in His plan of happiness. I know His gospel has been restored and is here for us if we but seek it. I am so grateful for His gospel and His sacrafice that makes events like 9/11 bearable. I can't imagin my life without His light.

Kylee has a potty party!

Saturday we threw Kylee a potty party. She is in underwear now! We made some stationary by using stamps. We painted. We read stories in a pool full of balloons. I think Todd and I blew up 60-70 balloons. And Kylee and I popped most of them. We'd jump on them or jump in the pool. We read "No more diapers for ducky" and "The Prince and the Potty." We dressed up like movie stars and had a photo shoot. We lite leftover sparklers. Kylee enjoyed the treats and the drinks. But we didn't quite figure out how to get to the potty. It worked for Karla. But we haven't given up yet. Mom says that when the parents decide it will happen, it happens. And they use to potty train at two. I just think we will be better off if we persevere and finish this. I think she's ready. We are trying a new approach this afternoon. We will see how it goes.

Cook Family Reunion

The Cook family all met up at Lake Chelan. It was fun to see those who could make it. We had Grandma and Grandpa Cook. Terry and Anita. Their 3 kids couldn't make it, but they are expecting their first grandchild in October. Brent couldn't make it either because he has 8 dogs. But Marci and Christy came along with Dominique and Terry. Terry is married to LaRissa and they have two girls. While Dominique is married to Nicole and they have two boys. They are still very close and live in the Tri-cities. John brough his three kids: Corey, Courtney (Out from NC), and Kadell. Helena and Ben were out with their 6 Kids. Darren, I think is the oldest and he is short like Rodney was; Cassie, who loved saying my name; Beth, another boy, Jason, . . . As you can see, I didn't quite pass the name test. It was kind of nice not having the youngest kid. And Mom with Lorna and I.
Karla loved seeing her cousins. Whenever we'd go somewhere in the car, she'd make sure her cousins were in a car near by. And when we went to go back home, she said she wanted to go back to her cousins house. We stayed in a cute bed and breakfast. We rented all but two of the rooms. And it kind of felt like a huge house. It had a seafaring theme. We stayed in the Commander room.
The fun part was listening to the stories as "the brothers and sisters" told stories. They talked about how young they started driving. I think Helena was the youngest at 8, but I may be getting my stories mixed up. They talked about looking through the steering wheel to see. Farm accidents and not on the farm accidents. One insurance dropped grandma and grandpa for having 29 accidents in 5 years. Mom shared her memories of bringing each baby home. The one I remember best is Terry. They had a long drive way at that house. And all the way down the driveway, mom told him "This is your new home. And you are my little brother." She was so excited to have a new brother. But did you know, she wasn't as excited to get Brent. She wanted a sister. But she named Brent. She wanted to name him David. And on the way into pick him up, she was reading the friend about a Brent. So they named him Brent David.
Todd came after work, after all of us, and got stopped by a fire in Quincy. A 3 hour drive became 6 hours. He drove in just after 1 am. He then stayed Wednesday night, but had to be back to work by Thursday morning. So he left at 3 am and kissed Mom and Helena goodbye.
We spent Wednesday at the Beach. Catching kids who jumped off the side or pierre. Sand castles, or more accurately large motes and lakes in the sand. The older kids got a Jet ski and did other fun, older activities--I couldn't tell you what exactly. But we had fun in the sand and kitty end of the lake. A lot of the adults sat and watched and talked. Todd got our cell phone wet, and we were grateful that mom had told us about the rice trick just that morning. And it worked!! We also had a lot of splashing and teasing.
It seemed like I spent most of the vacation in the bathroom or running to since Karla is still getting potty training down. We also fed the ducks once a day while there. And just before bedtime we went for a walk in the park across the street.
We had one night where we honored Grandma and Grandpa Cook. What an honor to be part of their posterity. Thank you.
We then went to Levinsworth, out of the way but on the way home, and we all went our own ways. It was fun to just focus on my kids. We liked the hat shop, wood toys, wind chimes and water fountains, mood rings, and polished rocks. We found out that Nef means Nephew. Grandma K and Karla looked at the nut crackers and really enjoyed the Christmas village. It's surprising because Karla's Grandma Mann loves the villages, but Karla hasn't see Grandma's village yet. It was a fun day

Paper Boy

We deliver the newspapers again. I started delivering newspapers the summer after my dad left. And it just seems that I can't shake it--it's in my blood now or something. In Albuquerque Todd had 3 routes he did in the morning, and I delivered one route in the afternoon. Now we are only doing it part time. They don't pay what the big city pays. But it's an extra car payment. We are only subs. Which means that we don't have to collect. We don't deliver Sundays--they don't pay enough for Sundays. We leave and dont' have to find subs. And we move routes often. But it has been fun. Todd and I switch off when we have small enough routes that we can. This last week we did a bigger route. We would get the kids up and let them sleep in the back seat. When they do wake up they want to help throw. "I walk momma." But they are starting to sleep through it. And it is kind of fun to do it with Todd. I hate waking up, but once we are up. It is nice to have that time together. That was the way it was delivering with my sisters too. You say the funniest things that early in the morning. One morning, I hadn't slept well. And my sister said "if you couldn't sleep why didn't you just get up and do it so I could continue to sleep." I asked her "Why didn't you do it and leave me sleeping?" She didn't say anything. And she didn't say anything. "Yeah for the same reason." She then looked at me and said "Because I'm a snot!" We like papers because we are done by the time the kids wake up. It's better than Todd getting a second job after work. We really enjoy taking Sunday's off and getting to sleep in at least one day a week. It really does make a difference. The Lord knew what he was saying when he said to rest on the seventh day. It has made it okay.

Salt and Pepper

Growing up Cyntha, my sister, and I compared ourselves to salt and pepper. We were as different as can be but complemented each other so nicely. She was tall; I was short. She was dark; I was blond. She was skinny; I was . . . not. She was quite; I wasn't. I played clarinet; she played drums. It has been interesting to see this happening with Karla and Kylee. Most people ask if they are twins, or assume they are twins. Karla is small for her age. Kylee is a little tall for hers. Karla is morning person--and wakes up in two minutes. Kylee is my night owl and takes 10 minutes to a half an hour before she is ready to face the world. Karla is very vocal, whereas Kylee has nonverbal communication down. Kylee is my snuggle bug, and Karla had to learn to give hugs. It has been fun to watch their personalities develop. I love them both very much. And I hope that they are best friends through out their entire life.