Touching Scenes from Every Day Life

Guess where I am posting from right now? Okay, stop guessing already because you never will! I am in Portland staying the night in a swankified (in other words "cheapest one we could find") hotel. To be honest, it was kind of a long day, but it was strangely not that bad. I only cried once, and it wasn't even because of the long miserable sequence of events that transpired (don't worry, I'll tell the details, but I got to build up to it!). Actually, a few minutes ago I was wondering why it wasn't that bad and then I realized it wasn't because my somewhat moody disposition had become suddenly unconquerably optimistic, it was because of Lucy. She was the most optimistic 15 month old there ever was today! She was sooooooo good I can't even explain it! Sure she had her fidgety moments like when she wouldn't stop kicking the seat in front of us on the airplane (sorry to the guy sitting in front of us whoever you are. I tried!), but she was mostly all giggles and sweetness. For waking up at 5:00 a.m. and only taking one 45 minute nap in my arms the entire day, she was the happiest kid you could ever imagine all day. She was stealing glances and sweet smiles from over half the people in the airport because she was running around and skipping and then would get this little bashful look on her face and say, "hi." She kept me smiling all day. One kind man complimented me on my Mom skills (basically he just said he had been watching me and Lucy and could tell I was a good mother and I totally let it get to my head!) and I couldn't fully explain to him that I wasn't always this composed during trying times, and I sometimes get quite frustrated when chasing my little angel around, but Lucy was being as good as she possibly could.

So enough build up already, I will give you the story now that you are completely sucked in! We were supposed to leave for Spokane from San Diego this morning at 6:45 a.m. We barely missed our flight. We weren't that late, but the check in line was unbelievably long. It wound around the entire airport! Too long for my "cut it close" style and so now I guess we will have to go overly early for the rest of our lives, like Dave always wanted to do in the first place. We ended up hanging for a while and then flying standby to Portland, where we tried to fly standby to Spokane, but all the flights were cancelled due to the most humongous storm ever! To make a long story short (and those of you who have kids totally know this really was the short story... 10 hours in an airport or on an airplane with kids is just, well, a long story) hopefully we will be in Spokane sooner than later!

In the midst of my airport wanderings I witnessed a very touching scene that, as I mentioned earlier, brought me to tears. I don't know if it will have the same affect on you, but I thought it was worth sharing with all of you. While in line at the women's restroom, the lady ahead of me exclaimed under her breath to me "Is that a man in the women's restroom? He shouldn't be in here." I looked up to find that her statement was true, but it was completely different than what I expected to find. A sweet, feeble old man was helping his very disabled wife from her wheelchair into the handicapped stall. I responded to the women in line "Oh, well it looks like he is helping someone, so I am sure it's okay." She rudely answered "I don't think he should be doing that. I am sure they could have found someone to assist her. That is just wrong." I stumbled over my words and never really answered her, which is my common response when I feel strongly about something that involves my emotions. I wanted to say something to her, whether it be "Hey lady, lay off" or " well I hope my husband would care enough about me and not what other people think, to do the same thing for me someday." I wouldn't want to ask random airport people to help me go to the bathroom. He was old and feeble and rested in her wheelchair while she used the restroom. What a touching scene. I know some people might think it was wrong like the lady I talked to, but I felt like it was very chivalrous to put your wife above all else. I came out of the bathroom in tears thinking about how sweet that man was. I wanted to say something to him, to compliment him somehow, but that would have been kind of awkward. I was crying because of his sweetness, but also because of how judgmental some people can be. I just didn't understand how anyone could accuse such an act of kindness (that is a little hypocritical... I am judging someone for being judgmental, ha ha). I laughed at myself as tears gushed down my cheeks while trying to explain to Dave that I was crying because there was a Man in the Restroom. Anyway, I guess the moral is that it is all in your perspective. Everyday occurrences can be beautiful eye opening experiences and long airport journey's can be somewhat enjoyable. All we really have is the moment we are living, so why waste it being miserable when things don't go as planned or criticizing people for things that really don't matter or affect us at all? There is beauty all around... in the faces we see every morning and those we only see for one fleeting moment our entire life. There is a story behind every face you meet and rest assured that if you knew that story you would love them, so why not love them anyway?

I am in no way saying I am perfect or have this down (as I just mentioned, come on I judge people for judging for crying out loud!), but for today at least, this is the message ringing in my heart. Let us Love one Another this Christmas season as our gift to humankind in honor of Christ's birth. As we are so often asked the question at Christmas time "What do you want for Christmas?" let us Love one Another, which is surely how Christ would respond to this timeless question.

Christmas Cheer

It seems to me that I haven't put enough Christmas Cheer up on the blog lately, so why not have a photo shoot at the tree lot? Actually, we took all these tree pictures a week and a half ago, but I kind of checked out of the blog world the last two weeks while practicing for the play my family was doing, "Annie." I played the Police Officer (it sounds weird, but just picture a tough New York woman cop from the 30's. Doesn't make sense, but turned out great. When the video goes up on U-tube I will post) as well as a Servant (no pictures in my sweet cop getup! Sorry, camera ran out of batteries!)Sierra played Lily (Rooster's dumb blond girlfriend. She is absolutely hilarious and I can't picture anyone playing the role better) and my Dad played President F.D.R. himself (and yes he shaved his beard off)! Good times! Unfortunately as I mentioned in the last post, Lucy wasn't in the show. We were planning on it, but the directors seemed stressed toward opening night and I thought coordinating a dance number, including parts where we were supposed to freeze, with a 15 month old would have put undue stress on them, so we opted Lucy out! It was fun anyway, just to get out of the house and on the stage again (we practiced at least 4 hours every day last week), while Dave played Mr. Mom with Lucy, but I kind of had Lucy withdrawals being away from her every day and now we are stuck like glue (really she won't leave my side!)

Anyway, nothing like a good family trip to the Christmas Tree lot.

Gorgeous sunset, huh? We were trying desperately to get Lucy to smile and keep her elf hat on at the same time, an impossible feat as you can see! She hates hats and cute hair bows and her days of endless posing for photo shoots are definitely out the door! After about 10 seconds of posing she is on the run, so I just take what I can get these days! Luckily Sierra and Heidi like posing, so I can still take pictures of someone!

Welcome to our family photo shoot...here is what Lucy thinks of it:

"If you think I am going to smile with this stupid elf hat on your kidding yourself!""Seriously guys...take this thing off" "Wow, Heidi and Sierra really are funny. Ha ha Mom, trying to put my hat back on...your too slow and you missed my only smile!"

And that is the end of our awesome family photo shoot!

Lucy really loves playing with Grandpa Bob. If you don't know him you can't possibly imagine how much fun he is. She used to love going to him, but after he cut his beard off for the show, she isn't so sure. The first time he came home with it off, she heard him and started running toward the front door. When she saw him she ran away from him, crying, toward me. After 5 days now, she is starting to accept that he is still the same person, but she still exercises caution.

Well, just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! My address book is in the process of being shipped across the world in a box right now, so I am not going to get to the Christmas cards this year... this will have to do! Love you all!

Beauty and the Beast

My Sister and Father starred in "Beauty and the Beast" the last couple weeks as Belle and Maurice. They are both incredible actors with even more beautiful singing voices! I posted a few videos of the performance for your enjoyment at the bottom of this post, if you would rather just scroll through the pictures and watch videos, not that me blabbing about Lucy's every mortal experience isn't thrilling! They are so talented and very worth watching!

Lucy and I watched 5 of the 6 shows they performed! Wow! Lucy even made it through one full show (because she still had jet lag she slept half the time, which is very unlike her during an exciting event). The other 4 shows she made it through most of the first halves, but couldn't resist getting up and dancing in the isle for the second halves, so we migrated to the lobby.

During a rehearsal Lucy got to go on stage with her Grandpa and loved it, so she was confused why she couldn't go up during the real show. When Grandpa would come on stage she would put her arms out to try to go to him and then try to get down and go up to the stage herself. I guess you are never too young to get the theater bug, in fact Lucy has been invited to perform with me, my father and sister in "Annie" next week. I am going to be a tourist in New York with my baby, pointing everything out to her. The director is a little worried about Lucy upstaging the singers, but I can't blame anyone for wanting to look at her! I couldn't be more thrilled to perform with Lucy in her Theater Debut!

While at the shows we taught Lucy that the Beast was scary, and now whenever we talk about it she puts the most dramatic look on her face and pats her chest to sign "Scary." Although the show was over two weeks ago, Lucy still wants me to read her "Beauty and the Beast" book to her. As we read it she signs "scary" for the beast, "grandpa" for Maurice, says "Burg" for "Burger" when she sees Belle (it's a ridiculous and long story why she calls her Aunt Sierra "Burger") and when the beast changes to a prince she has to give the page a kiss (she just started doing that one on her own and I wonder if she thought of it herself or if one of my sister's taught it to her to be funny!).

Here's is my Dad showing some of his fans what Lucy thinks of the Beast. Sometimes she gets it mixed up and does the scary sign when we talk about Grandpa. I believe Lucy says "Scary" whenever there is anything dramatic!

Here is the whole Poppleton Gang after one of the shows (minus Brian who is stranded on a deserted island with incredible surfing waves! Poor Boy!) As you can see, my Dad is a little outnumbered these days!

I bet you wish you were there to see the show now, huh? Well, next best thing...watch the video!


Here is the Father/Daughter song Belle and Maurice sing together called "No Matter What" They are adorable! I completely teared up while watching them sing this. Both so talented and having way too much fun playing this kind of a role together (I will admit, I am soooooooo jealous Sierra got to do this with our Dad! This would have been my absolute dream come true to perform this with him!):

(Before watching scroll down to the "Prop 8" post and hit pause on the video. Sorry it's so annoying that it automatically plays! I will work on fixing it!)

Hungry for more? I know, it's pretty good! If you didn't get enough, here is Sierra performing my favorite song "Home":

So proud to be related to her!

If you still can't get enough here is one more clip of when Maurice enters the castle and meets the Beast:



If you absolutely love watching my family perform you can find some of their previous roles by searching "bpoppleton" on Youtube. We have put everything from my Dad playing Fagin in "Oliver Twist" singing "You've gotta pick a pocket or two" (which is by far the best character he has ever played), Sierra in "Sound of Music," and my Dad playing FDR in "Annie" last year.

I love my family and am so glad I grew up on the stage! It couldn't be more fun and I am excited to be on the stage again next week after almost 7 years (I did audition for one show at BYU, but that is a seriously talent overcrowded University and I gave up on ever making it on the stage there a long time ago)! Now if we can somehow get Dave on stage...hehehe

JOY

Joy, in the most full way it can be expressed! And I have to add Hallelujah since it is the Christmas Season! It's official, Dave bought his flights and everything! He is coming home on Saturday, much sooner than I had anticipated! I can almost feel my heart becoming whole again already! That will put our record at 31 days apart and will hopefully never be broken again! I feel like breaking into a chorus of "All I want for Christmas is You," but luckily since I have no one here to videotape me at the moment (although I'm sure Lucy would happily try her best with the ever so coveted video camera) you have been spared. So I will end by shouting one last "JOY."

RED HEAD

In all of my brilliancy, I decided I could outwit my little pumpkin. I had the most genius self feeding plan in centuries of mother's plotting. We could just take her outside to eat and then I wouldn't have to clean up too much of a mess off the ground, I could hose off the entirely plastic high chair, and Lucy could play to her heart's content...I mean we live in the most perfect weather possible so why not?

Sounds good in theory, right? I thought it was pretty smart.

I guess Lu thought I was challenging her abilities and with a devilish little smile she smeared the spaghetti all over her freshly washed hair!

I give up! We might as well just dye her hair red, with spaghetti being her favorite food and all! I mean, I'm starting to dream about spaghetti in my worst nightmares!

Ding! Round 1! But, don't get any ideas Lucy honey, I'm not giving up that easy! The war is on!

Never despair, there is always some good to be found in any mortal experience. Once I was past the point of caring about messes, I handed her a regular plastic cup of water without any handles and she drank perfectly all by herself without spilling a drop. She did it again perfectly at dinner tonight, so it wasn't just an ironic coincidence that she would be flawless when it mattered the least. The only problem is after she is done drinking she wants to fling it around, but merely drinking poses no hazards. Way to go my most coordinated almost 15 month old child!

Sorry, I can't resist bragging. It helps me cope with the more challenging aspects of her sweet personality! I'm pretty sure the reason she is so advanced is because she practices all of her skills all night, every night, when she wakes up multiple times. Maybe they should do a study to see if waking children frequently accelerates fine motor skill development or something, because if there was a correlation my life would be explained! I should have been a scientist!

Fashion Statement!!!!

So on Monday, Lucy found one of her Aunty Sierra's lovely frocks and was trying to put it on. Then inspiration struck and we both played dress up for a little while. I began wondering about the latest fashions.

First things first, is this a shirt or a dress?


Why is this frock so strange...it then dawned on me...something a little familiar...ah yes, it's a maternity shirt! Why the new fashion for high school girl's is to wear maternity shirts is beyond me, but nevertheless, there is no other explanation for the baggy saggy midsection.
And then there is the random clingy mini skirt strip at the bottom, which is just an annoying attempt at sexy...of course, when you pose like that you look sexy no matter what, right? My sister says some girls wear these without leggings underneath. Yuck, ew, make me gag! Are you kidding me? Please be kidding... has it really been that long since I was in high school? I graduated 6 1/2 years ago, but now it feels like 20!

But I am not one to rant without proof, and here it is folks! After feeling slightly like a pumpkin in this lovely frock, I decided to see how many pillows I could stuff up it... it took 3, the cute rigid kind you decorate your couch with (yeah, don't tell my mom I defiled her nice sofa pillows!)

Okay, can you tell I've been away from Dave too long (please come home soon or the fashion police is sure to lock me away! I mean it doesn't get much closer to a tellatubby!)? This is what happens when I don't have my other half, the sane half...or is it possibly just because me and Lucy with my two sisters still living at home, plus a third sister home for the holidays, without my brother who is desperately stranded in Hawaii (always complaining about his eternal surfing fate as you can imagine!)and then minus Dave in Korea, equals six girls living in one house with my way too outnumbered father?!! Yeah sounds like way too much fun, huh?
A short story that must be included: During the taking of this picture the neighbor and his son came out. I looked over and said "Hi." They laughed and greeted me. They have 2 sons, so to make fun of my ridiculous getup I asked "aren't you glad you don't have a house full of girls?" Anyway, I was a little embarrassed to be caught in this outfit, especially in this pose! We hurried to the backyard for the rest of the photoshoot (don't know why I didn't think of that in the first place). Dressing like a tellatubby does, however, make a good shelf for carrying a wee one!!Okay I made it look a lot worse than it really is. I was just in a silly mood and must give my many apologies to my sister for my attack on her wardrobe.

Well, I couldn't leave Lucy out. She wanted to try it on pretty badly. So first we put on her orange leggings. We realized that Lucy looked so good she was practically the inspiration behind Dr. Seuss's magical thneads! (Ever wondered what a thnead really is? I'm pretty sure this is as close as it gets.) I think orange is her color. Next, the frock...

Showing a little leg...And then, oh the drama.... ( This one speaks Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra to me:"Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have Immortal longings in me." - William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra, 5.2 )Like mother like daughter, I guess. More than ever this week Lucy's theatrical genius seems to be saturating her personality! (This picture was a toss up between the woes of Hamlet and Oedipus, the part where he realizes he married his Mom. We'll go with Hamlet: "Speak no more;Thou turn'st mine eyes into my very soul"- William Shakespeare, Hamlet, 3.4 It's either that or some serious opera gone wrong!lol!)Lucy says: Did you like my performance? I sure thought it was funny!And then she was stuffed.Well, we couldn't dress her up without going the entire mile! And does she not look like she knows how cute she is(?), even if she can't walk with three pillows stuffed up her shirt!
I sure love this bundle of joy and guess I should mention, since it is T-day evening (my tummy is agreeing with happy pie gurglings), I couldn't be more thankful to be loaned this little girl to raise. Although many a moment throughout the day I forget it, I remember right now, so I will shout it (as much as you can shout on a website) I am thankful to be a mom! I am thankful to have a Lucy, spaghetti face kisses and all! She is my joy and has made my life one-hundred times more fulfilling than I ever thought possible. I will keep this short and won't even start with how thankful I am for her father (just the smallest things like his calming and optimistic presence that I so often took for granted, I am especially thankful for these days...mmmm...Dave...okay, short...I promised).

LOVE-it's the only word to describe it!

Prop 8 - It's not over yet!

Saturday afternoon we spent the day in Oceanside, a bittersweet day as we watched my family's last performance of "Beauty and the Beast" (I watched every performance, except for one, for a grand total of 5 times to the show, of course, with Lucy that probably only amounted to 2 full shows after subtracting all the scenes we missed. She did make it through the full show the first time and I was impressed with her attention span most of the time.)

After the show, the family indulged at a nearby pizza joint and then went out for an evening stroll to Oceanside Pier. We had no idea the excitement we were headed for. Halfway down the Pier we met a large group of protesters, bitterly fighting the newly passed Proposition 8, heading toward us at full speed, and full volume for that matter. It was hard for me to quietly let them pass, although I knew that was the appropriate action (especially considering there were about 1,000 protesters that were for No and only our 5 family members were Yes). They had many very hateful signs, specifically targeting LDS people and I wished at that moment I had a BYU sweatshirt or anything to identify me as a Mormon, without standing on the bench and proclaiming that I was LDS and I didn't hate homosexual people! It pained my heart as I realized many of these people just honestly cared about equality and had no idea of the consequences legalizing marriage between same gender could pose.

After the heated event, we were caught by the local news where I felt very blessed to be able to explain my opinion, and even more grateful after I watched the broadcast and found that the splicing of what I said left my my message completely in tact and safe from the twisted effect editing comments can often have when being quoted by the media.

Watch my moment of fame in this quick 2 minute clip:




I know most of the people reading this blog are probably of the same opinion I am, but I can't sleep until I get my heart out!

It has nothing do with hating anybody. Homosexuals have all the same rights with a civil union that they would have with a marriage, so how does this have anything to do with equality? It's just a word, a different word for a different thing. We are standing up for a very important definition of a word, that doesn't deny anybody any rights, except ourselves if it does become legal. Making marriage legal between same gender couples forces society to treat it as acceptable and decent behavior. By voting Yes we were protecting our Religious Freedom (if it becomes legal how long will it be before our church leaders will be forced to marry same gender couples as has happened in other places?) and the sacred family unit, and Parent's Rights to teach our children our own morals without having to compete with such an influential party in our children's lives as the public school system (some people argue that wouldn't happen and that they don't teach about marriage in school, but there are already documented cases in Massachusetts of reading books about homosexuality without any prior notification to parents, as well as enticing literature about homosexuality being distributed at public schools). People say we discriminate, but this is about teaching our children what is appropriate behavior, not hating a certain type of people. Whether it is a born tendency or a learned trait, sexual preference is a choice, unlike skin color, which some No advocates are trying to compare this to. One of the greatest blessings of being human is the ability to control ourselves, unlike the rest of the creatures in this world. It really doesn't matter if people are born homosexual, because we are all born with an intense sexual appetite, but that doesn't make it right to express those desires whenever you want. I believe we must control our sexual desires. These intense emotions and the sacred creative power we have been blessed with is designed for our use in the holy bonds of matrimony between a man and a woman. You choose your sexual behavior regardless of gender. Behavior will always be a choice, and frowning upon a behavior isn't the same as treating someone differently based on the color of their skin. (This is in no way a rage against homosexuals, I realize it must be incredibly hard to control these desires and I am not trying to judge them and know I can't feel what they are going through and what has brought them to this point in their lives, but regardless of my sympathy they choose the behavior and I don't believe it should be taught as acceptable and appropriate behavior, which legalization of same gender marriage implies) I want to teach my daughter that it is important to wait to express those feelings with the man of her choosing until united by marriage, because I believe that is the path to happiness. Much in the same way, I want to teach her that a marriage between a Man and a Woman, and subsequently raising a family together is also an essential part of God's plan for happiness. This type of family is the fundamental unit of society, the unit which all good in this society stems from. The more corrupted the family becomes the darker and darker this world will become. We have to do all that is in our power to protect the integrity of the family in this society. To legalize marriage between same gender would be a step toward destroying the traditional family, making it easier for the world to teach to our children incorrect morals, making it more acceptable and easier for people in need of love who haven't yet chosen a sexual preference to turn to inappropriate behavior. This is about preserving families, not hatred for any people. I still love my friends who choose lifestyles that are against my moral standards, as does does God to an infinitesimally larger degree. (I have been accused that we believe that God doesn't love homosexual people, and to that I say: isn't there a way for God to entirely love an individual while frowning on that behavior? Any parent who has watched their child go down a path of drugs or crime or any behavior that brings misery upon themselves can answer that it is completely and entirely possible to love a child to no end, and be saddened by the path that they have chosen for themselves). I don't hate my friends who choose to have sexual relations before they are married, and I don't hate my homosexual friends either, but I will always stand for anything that makes either type of behavior a less inviting option for my child and the rest of this world.

Legalization of marriage between same gender makes it all that much easier for teachers and the entire world, for that matter, to present to our children that this is a normal and acceptable lifestyle. Children shouldn't have to wonder at such a young age what gender they should be attracted to (if they make that choice later, we can love them despite their choices and hope for a change of heart, but at least they would have made that choice once they are old enough to make a little more sense of this world).

Call us what you want. Protest us. Send hate mail to our leaders. Deface our churches. Try to destroy our holy temples. We will never back down from protecting our values and our families and for this reason I hold strong to my opinion and am constantly thankful to the 52% of California that voted the way they did. After the elections I thought this fight was over, but it appears to be only at the beginning of a long journey. I am prepared to see it through to the end.

Oh how I hate the cold...

...which reminds me why I always wanted to return to the home of my youth. Nothing like perfect weather in November! Only in San Diego, where even your wildest dreams come true! (I told Dave just about a week before all our hospital calamities that I had made a goal to enjoy winter this year. We both laughed at the idea and wondered how that would ever be possible. Then I promised, I really would find a way. Moving home wasn't what I had in mind at the time, but I certainly found a way to enjoy it now didn't I?) Really, living here in the gently perfect Fall sun after being away almost 7 years is like a dream come true, minus one big factor (Dave, of course! I couldn't miss him more. Our previous time apart record was 12 days, which we set in June...we are now going on about 18 days I think, with no end in sight for that matter. I always used to say we would never make any decision that caused us to be apart longer than 2 weeks, but I guess you should just never say never!). It's all so bitter sweet... like finally making it to paradise (or the Celestial Kingdom if you will), without your favorite and most wonderful e.c. (eternal companion, duh). On the one hand, it's better than you could ever dream of, on the other hand, why have everything you ever dreamed of without your favorite person to share it all with? Oh well, there is no use just droning on about it, so I am trying to enjoy what I can (besides that is what Dave would want me to do anyway) and Saturday at the beach was nothing less than enjoyable!

I will start with a little narrated Film strip, starring Lucy, of course:

First, examine the territory and pick the most deluctable plot of sand.


Second, disect the sand to find the juiciest bite possible.



Third, take the tiniest taste possible, as always with new foods.



Fourth, cram as much in as you can before Mom ruins the fun. (Where is her Mother, anyway?)



Fifth, sit back and just dwell on the magnificent, lingering flavor. (If you look really hard you can see that her tongue is on the tip of her lips)



Last, ask Mom in sweetest voice possible "Can I do it again, Mom. Please..."

We thought this trip to the beach was just going to be a quick walk in the sand, so I didn't bring Lucy's much needed swim suit. She was soaked and cold by the end of this trip because I just had to let her play in the water to her heart's content. You may be wondering why I let my child eat so much sand. Well, I had this brilliant logic that if I let her try it she would realize it was gross and not do it again, but apparently she likes that gritty feeling and salty taste, so now I guess I only played part in forming a new Lucy addicition. Honestly, I just don't know what to do with this little sweetie. She won't drink apple juice or eat anything yummy and sweet, but give her a plate of sand and she'll go to town. I'm curious to watch her tastebuds as they continue to develop!


But watching Lucy eat sand at the Beach isn't all we did. After my littlest sister, Heidi, went swiming, we decided with her long semi-wet hair and the aqua blue towel she was cuddled in (not to mention, the sunset glow) that she couldn't look more like a mermaid. Of course, in my family, such a realization called for a photoshoot, so here is our mermaid:

She is so beautiful! Sorry boys, she's only 14 so just back off already!

Chillin' in the glow of the sunset

Experimenting with the flash and the sunset behind us. A little dark, but cute.

If you get up closer it works!

A perfect sunset to end the perfect day! Of course the day was really no where close to being over, what with it being opening night for the big show, "Beauty and the Beast" that my father and sister, Sierra, star in as Maurice and Belle, but that is another story for another post!

Catnap anyone?

Catnap Anyone?

We a Cow! We a Pig!

I'm tired of all my long and wordy posts and ready for something lighthearted so here you go:

(I thought this picture was too funny to withold from you, even though I am back in the states and I am the author, this blog is about our family and so we still got to represent Dave, the lone man on the other side of the planet!)

This sign is on the butcher shop around the corner from where we live (or I guess I should say where Dave lives):


Now don't you feel like a barbeque?

There is nothing like a little good Korean advertising to get you chuckling and boost your spirits!

Thank You

Just a quick update... Lucy has kept her food down for 48 hours (other than a brief three day stretch Oct 31-Nov 2, it has been since Oct. 22 that she has kept food down, so this is actually quite exciting), no diarrhea, and resumed her normal playful and curious life. She does still have a residual cough and runny nose, but in general I think we are out of the woods. I had almost forgot what it was like to run around chasing a toddler, keeping her safe, entertained and well rested (Lucy seems to be thinking she has slept a lot the last few weeks and has to make up for all the missed time she should have been spending with the world, seriously nap time hasn't existed the last two days, even after hours of effort on my part) and now that I remember what it is like to have an active toddler, I realize that it really isn't any less tiring running around with a healthy child as opposed to being in the hospital with a somber bed ridden child (of course, it is definitely a lot happier!)!Lol! No, but really I couldn't be more grateful to run around my parent's house diverting her attention from the trash, computer on/off switch, VCR, stairs, pool, outlets, karioke machine, important documents, player piano (especially at 3:00 a.m. to spare the rest of the family, we are slowly conquering the jet lag ), etc.



I thought you might be curious about her diagnosis so here you go: Dave talked with the Doctor in Korea to get the results from Lucy's last stool culture on Nov 3. Apparently her system was already rid of the Salmonella infection when she got sick again and was hospitalized for the second time, so what we thought was just a flare up of her old condition was apparently another sickness altogether, which she could have caught easily from the many sick children we bunked with, especially given her body's weakened state from all the antibiotics (which I found out wasn't even how they treat Salmonella in the states, oh well, she is okay now).



I just wanted to say Thank You to all of you for your kind comments through this difficult time and especially for your prayers. Nothing was more comforting than to hear so many people say they would pray for us and I know the Lord was listening. I am a little shocked to be returning to normal life, and now realize it didn't even dawn on me how hard life had gotten the last few weeks because the Lord just kept me strong and wouldn't let me get my spirits down. He sent me so many people to share the gospel with while I was in the hospital, so I could continue to bare my testimony to them and myself that I know the Lord directs our paths for good and we are given our trials for a reason. Sometimes I think it is easier for me to be positive during the darkest trials than the small challenges of everyday life. When the going gets rough I start to feel so aware of Satan's temptations to be discouraged and easily say "get thee hence," but on the average day, not enough sleep, messes, and one misinterpreted look from my eternal companion can sometimes really bring me down. I find that I just have to keep on going through more extreme trials so that I can appreciate every moment of my more average days. I hope to improve this quality and start to appreciate the average moments more so that I can minimize any rough trials in store for the future, but then if I improve this quality there will always be another quality that needs a little fine tuning, so what is not to look forward to? Okay, so that was sarcastic, which I detest, but still end up using a lot, I'm sorry. Really I will just end by saying that we all have so much to be grateful for and there is no better day than today to start realizing it. As for me, I have Lucy, and after this experience I couldn't realize more fully than right now how truly wonderful that is. My love for her has only grown, so I guess I am just going to get all mushy and say that I am thankful for my trials. Never thought I would say it, but I did. On that note, I am still totally okay with not having any more. Anyway, I am totally done with this post and just jabbering now, so one last thank you to all of you.

Thank you for your support and your prayers.

Thank You Thank You Thank You!!!!!!

Emergency Evacuation

I'm desperately trying not to fall asleep right now. It is 11:30 a.m. here in San Diego and the last couple days I have slept away the afternoon, as I ignored the need to get rid of jet lag. Today, I just have to stay awake, so I have to do something brain engaging, and I know I kind of left you hanging, so here is the end of the story. I will try to make it short and comprehendable given my quite unalert state right now. Once again this is a continuation of the last post, so if you feel confused please see the post before this one ("Just one of those days... part II")


We spent Tuesday in the hospital and Dave finally convinced me we just couldn't stick it out in Korea. After Lucy's first hospital visit we were considering coming home early. I wanted to be strong and stick it out so badly, probably mostly based on pride, while David just wanted to send our little girl home so no one else could touch her and get her sick again. I had been praying about the matter all weekend and knew what the Lord wanted, but just really didn't want to admit it and thought maybe we could at least wait a month and do all the last things I wanted to. After beginning a second hospital visit, and hearing her start to cough (knowing it was because of her previous close quarters with pneumonia patients) I knew the trip was swiftly upon us.




We looked at flights and determined that I had to go asap. Tomorrow would be the day. Lucy was still vomiting, related to her Salmonella infection, but now with the cough we thought "who knows what she is coming down with. We have gotta get her home before she gets any worse, so we can get some American medical treatment and get her a little farther away than 2 ft. from all these other probably contagious babies." I would fly with Lucy, while David would wait until they found a replacement at work to fly home (we loved his employer and couldn't just desert him with a bunch of English classes). I worried about bringing my sick baby on the plane, but prayed for comfort and confidence.


Wednesday morning at the hospital, I started vomiting. From about 3:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., I was not in good shape, running down the hall of the hospital hoping to make it to the restroom every hour if you get my drift. Dave wondered if we would be able to make it on the plane that evening and I assured him I would be fine, no matter how sick I got. Never before has the Lord fortified me with such confidence amidst such hopeless circumstances.


We asked the Doctor to release us (those demanding Americans) and said we were leaving for America. Knowing my current condition, he offered to put me on and IV to rehydrate me and give me the strength for the ensuing journey home. At first I was like "are you kidding me? An IV was practically the worst part of labor with Lucy, and you think I would willing hook up to one of those things?" but then as I tried to walk around the hospital only to get light headed after a few seconds, I acquiesced, seeing the wisdom. So Lucy and I spent our last few hours in Korea, just chillin' on the gurney, re hydrating together, while Dave called in sick at work and went home to pack for the two of us.





We left the hospital at 3:30 p.m. and were in the air at 9:45 p.m. I called all my dearest friends on the way to the airport and shared with them my sorrow that I would not get to say goodbye personally. I cried as I left my sweet husband at security and wondered when I would see him again. And then we were off. We had a whole row to ourselves on a moderately full flight. I couldn't have been more grateful, and knew once again that the Lord was keeping a special eye on us. Lucy slept a lot and didn't get sick too many times and we made it home. We practically kissed the ground as we got off the plane and met my Mom, who had been informed of our journey only 24 hours before. Life can change quick...one moment you think you won't see your grand baby for 9 more months and then 24 hours later she is by your side.


I am happy to be home (definitely looking forward to a winter in California as opposed to South Korea, or Utah, or any other cold place that I have suffered in for the last 6 years away from home), but missing Dave. There is nothing like having your Mom to take care of you, and I didn't realize how much I needed taking care of after the last 2 and 1/2 sleepless weeks. Lucy is improving, still pretty wiped out and vomiting a little, but with bouts of playfulness. I have called the doctors and am keeping a close watch for any signs we should head to the hospital. Once again, I am so grateful to have American doctors close by, who I can call and actually talk to.


So we aren't "Kickin' it in Korea" anymore, well me and Lucy aren't anyway. If you have any ideas for a new blog title do share. I guess the moral of the story is "there is no place like home." I had an awesome experience and will always look back fondly on my time abroad. What can I say? This is life with Lucy. She is absolutely in every way too adorable to survive in Korea, and I can't complain because it is half my fault. I guess she will have to wait until she is a little older and can stand up for herself to live abroad. For now this is the end except for one thing, a plea if you will:


Please tell anyone you think might be interested there is an awesome English Teaching job available in Korea! Best employer, Best City, Best pay, Best everything else you can think of! All you need is a four year degree in any subject. If you are interested I will get you details, leave me a comment with your email address! Please, help me search and get my husband home for Christmas!

Just one of those days...Part II

(This post is a continuation of the post "Just one of those days." To catch the entire comical feel for this day please read "Just one of those days" post first for the beginning of this comedy scene)

Monday, I thought I had been through it by 10:00 a.m. when I posted, but to leave out the rest of this comical day would just be a shame!

You heard how hard it was for us to come upon diapers Monday morning, well as the day unfolds it turns out downright ridiculous!

Where we left off: David bought a pack of three pullups, enough to tide us over until we could get a big pack at the grocery store and we put Lucy in bed.

A few hours later, Dave and I had split up to accomplish two errands before Lucy's follow up visit to the Doctor in Seoul. My task was to go buy the diapers. I knew where the diapers were located in the grocery store, although David had always bought them in the past, I was confident I wouldn't have any problems on my own. I found some really cheap store brand diapers, $7.20 for 72 diapers which now I can't recall American prices, but it seemed like a steal. With no time to head for home, I met up with Dave and we toted the large pack of diapers with us on the Subway as we rode into Seoul.

At the Doctor's they said Lucy seemed to be doing well, but wanted to do another stool culture. We cruised around our favorite hospital waiting for Lucy to go and then after a few hours brought in the diaper.

As I changed her into one of her new diapers, it was as if all of Korea had just played some big joke on me! The diapers didn't have any way to be fastened. Yup! No sticky tabs! Just a totally normal diaper without tabs. Okay...you can use pads without wings, but how can you use diapers without sticky tabs? Do you just tote around your own tape or use a diaper cover or what? Well, whatever it is you are supposed to do, we didn't have the means, so I just put the diaper on her and tried to roll it around her pants so it wouldn't fall off.

How can you screw up buying diapers? I don't know, but I did. Well, as cheap as we are, we actually wanted to try to use the diapers, so after the long Subway ride home carrying Lucy in this flimsy diaper arrangement, we bought one more pack of pullups to put over these strange diaper inserts, thinking we could keep using the same pullup on the outside for a while.

It was pretty difficult to align the two diapers properly, but we managed to put one double decker diaper on. I wasn't a fan, but decided once again we could wait until the next morning before heading to the grocery store to right this wrong.

As chance would have it, just when we left the Doctor's office and travelled all the way home (1 and 1/2 hour Subway ride plus a taxi to and from the Sub stop), Lucy started vomitting again, after no signs of illness (other than diaharrea) for 4 days. After lots of tears and a little too much vomitting, especially given her recent bout with Salmonella, we headed to the hospital at 10:30 p.m. I knew she was okay at the time, but really wanted to prevent her getting dehydrated again and since we couldn't find any pedialyte in Korea or anything, the next best option was an I.V. Oh joy rapture now (that one was for you girls, you know who you are)!

After arriving at the hospital, Lucy started running around and saying in her most chipper voice to all the ER staff "hi," little wave and then again "hi." She just magically stopped vomitting and got all her energy back the moment we got to the hospital, so I am sure the hospital staff thought we were a little nutty! Anyway, not really wanting to sleep in the hospital we decided to give Lucy an hour and see if she continued to act fine.

She ran around, just happy go lucky for about a half hour and then wanted to nurse. I figured it would be a good test to see if she vomitted again after nursing, but much to my surprise while nursing it came out the other end instead, and her make shift diaper didn't really do the trick. The funny thing is the way I was holding her in my lap, the (we'll just call it a mess and spare you the details) mess Lucy made came out the side of her diaper and went right under my bottom on the chair I was sitting. So the back of my pants just looked like I had a serious accident and when Dave saw it he asked me if I was okay, and gave a somewhat doubtful expression as I tried to explain how Lucy had gotten her poo onto my bum (I guess it did really look like I was trying to blame an accident on my child. I seriously had more on myself than she did, but really guys, it was Lucy).

And so the diaper episode continues. As I began to change my dear little child, I realized due to the volume of the explosion, the diaper liner and the pull up were in need of replacement. I searched the diaper bag and pulled out one of my liners and then continued to search, all the while becoming more frantic as I did not see another pull up. Finally after pouring the entire contents of the backpack onto the bench, I admitted to myself that I had not put the other two pull ups into the diaper bag. Among other things, I also forgot a spare change of clothes for Lucy and therefore even with a diaper liner, I had absolutely no way to keep it around my child.

I reported the serious tragedy to my first mate, and Dave was off for the second time that day, with lightning speed, on a quest for diapers. And now that it was about 11:50 p.m. and the grocery stores clothes at midnight, it was truly a race against time. He raced to the opening of the grocery store and raced to the closing of the grocery store this diaperly disastrous Monday. Of course, I never doubted my trackstar, but I still had to contain a diaperless child full of energy (in public might I add).

But there is always mercy...and always something to be grateful for. There was one other baby in the emergency room, just Lucy's size. I don't know how they sensed my need, what with my nudy child and all, but they handed me a diaper and our hearts communicated, although I couldn't find the words in Korean to accurately express my deep gratitude. I put the diaper on, with no pants to cover it, only socks and shoes.

As she began to wander the hospital dressed in this attire, I felt an overwhelming spirit come over me, speaking of the importance to never judge another, and especially a mother. How true the saying "You could love anyone once you knew their story" and so we might as well love them without knowing the story and assume they have a good heart, realizing that insurmountable circumstances may have lead them to their current state. I am sure many a Mom would have looked at my daughter running around in public, with a dirty shirt, a diaper, no pants, socks and shoes and thought I was unqualified for the great responsibility of parenting, but at that moment I'll be the first to say that given the circumstances I was doing an outstanding job. I mean talk about tough, I didn't even cry once through this experience (okay well, I broke down a little later that night after inserting the IV and taking her for x-rays and making me leave the room). And so I was reminded of this important gospel principal to love one another and give no thought to how things may appear and am grateful for my reinvigorated perspective.

Just then, Dave sprinted through the automatic hospital doors, my hero, with a glorious pack of real diapers. I never knew how glorious diapers could look, but really in the right circumstance a pack of normal diapers can fill your complete soul with nothing other than joy! At some points in his life, Dave was a hero because he had superman like capabilites to jump higher and sprint faster than 99.999999999999% of the people in this world, but tonight he was a brave, optimistic (yep, he was still laughing and making jokes) worn out father, loving husband hero and to me he is grand and these are his real superman like capabilities.

And by now you are wondering if this post ever ends and I know it is long, but it is 4:30 a.m. and I just can't sleep, so I might as well write the night away and you can choose if you want to keep reading, but if you have read this far I know you will finish because, although you are tired of reading (yes, even regardless of my talented writing abitities) you are wondering if our Monday ever ends. And yes it ends and I will make it as short as my descriptive and detailed writing style can allow.

The whole day with the diaper thing was really comical and other than my moody awakening, we were really laughing a great deal of the day (I mean I honestly feel like we were living in a sit com), but from here on out the comedy ends. Just wanted to warn you about the not so sunny next paragraph and mood shift (I really wish I could keep the funny phrases coming, but I just can't think of any other way to describe the next somber hour).

The doctor saw Lucy's diaper explosion of all explosions (I guess he couldn't look away as I cleaned up the puddle of mess on the floor, not to mention my own pants) and recommended that even with her cheery disposition she should be admitted because her little mess looked like bile, which meant her digestive system had completely stopped digesting anything. (This diaper did look and smell different than anything I have ever seen). So it was our choice and we willingly let them stick our little girl four times trying to get the IV in and then they shipped her in for X-rays and only let Dave come, so I cried outside as I listened to my scared daughter cry behind the doors. We entered our room and it was nothing near as nice as the first hospital we stayed at (which I wasn't very grateful for at the time, but now I am). 7 beds, all of them full, except one, Lucy's. Completely unsafe shaky railing, two feet away from another sick baby on either side, no curtains, hacking babies, signs on the end of the beds that say pneumonia, small cot for Dave, without even enough room to pull it out and sleep next to me and Lucy's rickety bed.

There was nothing left to do, but say a humble family prayer in whispered tones and then curl up in our little bed listening to the snoring and wheezing around us and hope this was just a dream.

So the last two Mondays we were admitted to hospital and I am hoping this next Monday will prove to be the third times the charm and Lucy will be cured. I will continue to explain our weeks adventures in future posts, but on behalf of my weary brain and yours, I will take a break and say...to be continued...

Just one of those days...

Today was just one of those days that you were so glad you had a blog because if you couldn't share how ridiculous things were going, you might start melting down a little, but in light of technology you kept remembering in the back of your mind at least you had something funny to share, so you were happy anyway. Okay, so it didn't start out funny, but I was laughing after a few hours.

Woke up 5:15 a.m. "

Time to start the day" says Lucy.

"No way" says Mommy!

However after attempting to put her back to sleep for the next half hour without any luck, I turned on the light and said "Good Morning Lucy," with a big ugly frown on my face. I really just can't lie, even though you know I am attempting in earnest to be happy no matter what, there is no other word for my emotion this morning than completely and utterly MAD! Lucy didn't get a very good nap the day before so I put her to bed early, but I didn't get into bed until midnight, and Lucy woke me up about every 20 minutes the entire night (she still isn't in top shape and started sniffling last night so I don't blame her) so I just got up on the wrong side of the bed.

Now a night like that would be bad and all on any day, but this particular morning held some really joyous experiences in store. It just so happens that on Saturday I realized we needed more diapers soon (Lucy has had the runs for a while so we are going through them pretty quickly). While we were out we stopped by the grocery store, but of course, forgot to pick up the diapers. I didn't realize we had forgot them until about 11:00 p.m. and without our bikes (that were stolen 2 weeks ago) going to the grocery store is about a 20 minute walk, plus freezing weather and we were tired people. So I rounded up all the diapers from all the corners and diaper bags of our house and we had 7 diapers. Not wanting to break the Sabbath I continued to repeat in my mind "We can make it until Monday morning, I just know it" but Sunday night as I put Lucy to sleep, I put the last diaper on her. Still trying to be as positive as possible "It's okay" I calculated in my head "usually we wake up around 8 or 9 a.m. Dave can run to the store while we give Lucy a good morning bath and let her little bum air out and we should be fine," but as you have already heard that just isn't what happened.

So we woke up at 5:15 a.m. and I figured we would run down to the Local Mart just downstairs around 6:00 a.m., although they would rip us off on the price. Dave informed me they didn't open until 8:00 a.m. Alright...naked baby...a few hours away from a diaper...all on just a few 20 minute sleep sessions lumped together to hopefully add up to 4 hours...does this sound like a happy morning? Wait, wait, wait did I even mention Lucy is still on antibiotics which give her diarrhea? All I can say is thank you Korea for not having carpet! Many times I have wished for that blessed soft substance to roll and play on with my daughter. Many times Lucy has fallen to obtain large bruises and I thought of those wonderful days when we used to have short cushiony fabric lining our hallways. Many times I have realized how ungrateful I had been for the carpet in my life as I envisioned my feet in many luscious yesterdays, but today fake wood pleased me in a way no other floor could. Of course, I can't forget to thank the many paper towels, cleaning products and baby wipes who walked me through the last few hours of my life. I'll spare you the details and just say that without any exaggeration we cleaned over 20 messes, #1 and #2 combined.

8:00 a.m. I praise your arrival! Dave ran down to the local market to find the diapers were off the charts expensive and we didn't even have enough cash laying around to buy them even if we were willing to get ripped off so badly, so he sprinted to the bank. Meanwhile Lucy couldn't hold out for a nap any longer and fell asleep naked in my arms, while I tried to protect myself with a blanket. Dave, after hitting up the bank, ran to the grocery store and found it didn't open until 10:00 a.m., so he cruised to a few markets to try to find a decent price, all at top speed for his demanding wife, of course. He finally found a pack of three diapers for $2.00 and completed his Marathon home. Just enought to tide us 'til the grocery store opened. I couldn't believe all he had done in the amount of time, because he was really only gone about 15 or 20 minutes, but then Dave does sprint faster than anyone else I have seen and his forehead was dripping with sweat to prove his bravery, speed and endurance. Thank You Thank You Oh amazing and most in shape husband!

So after the greatest naked session of all times, we slipped a diaper on our sleepy bundle and put her in bed. Anyway the moral of the story is when your ox is in the meir just go get it out! I think the Lord would have understood. It only takes one time running out of diapers for any parent to never let it happen again!

Fall

Nothing like a little Lucy to put the crunch in your leaves on a beautiful, crisp Autumn day.

(There were some magical fall looking trees in the background I wanted to capture, but the bus came before I got the chance, so a few crunchy leaves and the cutest girl ever, complete with lopsided pigtails, all walking home from church in her Sunday dress and coat, will have to do it for this November photo shoot! )