Community

I believe in community.  The community you live in, the community of friends, and the community that comes together for those affected by tragedy.  I grew up in a small town, where everyone knows everyone else in one way or another, and what happens to somebody affects all of us.  Last week, an 18-year old girl lost her parents and brother to the ocean, and watched it happen.  She had graduated from high school the year before, and her brother went to the high school where my parents work.  My mom is the crisis counselor at the school, so she has spent long hours helping students, staff, and faculty navigate the grieving process.  I believe in the support a community can offer those who suffer.  I know that when one suffers, many suffer with them.  I'm proud to come from that community.  To know that the people there come together in times of grief and sorrow to help lift up those who are affected most.

I know that nothing will make things better for the daughter left behind, but I hope that the knowledge of her community rallying behind her will make her grief a little easier to bear.  

Where did I pick that up?

For awhile now, the phrase "amaze-balls" has been in my head. As in, "that chocolate cake looks amaze-balls." I'm not sure where I picked it up. Or why. Did someone else say it? Did I read it somewhere? Am I acquainted with someone who said/says it and only my subconscious picked it up? It is a mystery. I try not to use it in conversation or in response to something on social media. People might not get it or might be offended. But I am curious as to why it's been going through my mind lately. And where I got it from.

Shedding

I am once again losing hair like a dog in the summer.  My internet research has led me to self-diagnos my hair loss as post-partum shedding, which is cruel.  After my first trimester, I stopped shedding altogether and was able to keep my hair where it belonged; on my head.  But hormones giveth and hormones taketh away, and I am back to helping birds build their nests across California.  I really hope I'm not bald in 2013.  Finding hair all over the place is getting to be really annoying.    

Lily Chronicles

Lots of changes are happening to our Lily-bean.  She is three months old, and has started transitioning out of the 0-3 month size.  Some stuff is to small, and some fits perfectly, while the 3-6 month stuff is still a scootch too big.  Lily is still sleeping through the night (hooray!), but has dialed down on the length and frequency of her naps (boo!).  She is eating a ton, and we have introduced rice cereal a couple times; it was well received.

According to the doctor, Lily is approximately 13 pounds and is a month ahead in her social interaction and development.  She can sit up if we're holding her waist and prefers standing as long as she can with us holding her hands.  I have felt the strength in her legs when she's kicked me in the face.  I'm enrolling her in kickboxing, ASAP.

Lily has a great fear of being bored and is constantly searching for entertainment and interaction.  She is more focused on the world around her and loves to be the center of attention.  It's pretty entertaining.  Unless I have something to do.  And then it gets annoying.  But overall, we love having her around, and have decided we're keeping her.

Bamboozled by the baby

Driving along in the car this afternoon, Lily started fussing from the backseat.  I fixed a bottle and leaned over to put it in her mouth to calm her down a little.  She quieted down right away and so we pulled off the freeway so I could hop in the backseat and feed her.  As soon as I got back there and stuck the bottle back in her mouth, she started smiling and playing.  She wasn't hungry.  The little stinker just wanted some company and someone to pay attention to her.  I was hoodwinked by a three-month old.  Well played, Lily.  Well played.  

Hanging at the homestead

We spent the past week in Eureka for Klima-ween (aka Halloween--I kid you not, the people in my parents ward call it Klima-ween.  Even newly transferred missionaries heard about it and came by to check out the decor.) and played tourist to some of my favorite places in the area.  And took lots of pictures.  Enjoy!

We got there on Mom's birthday.  She had fun with her favorite visitor. 

The traditional candy pumpkins on Mom's chocolate cake.  

The high school has a fundraiser where they show a silent movie and the orchestra plays the score. It was fantastic.

I had my Turkey Lurkey! (Turkey, cranberry sauce, and cornbread dressing on sourdough. Divine.)

Kevin happily got mud on Jeep going four-wheeling in Prairie Creek State Park.

One of my favorite places is Fern Canyon.  It is beyond gorgeous and I LOVED going back. I can't wait until we can go back in the summer when you can get further in the canyon.

Lily was a champ and did not fuss during the hike at all.  She enjoyed her trip through the woods.

Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox at Trees of Mystery.

One of four Golden Bears at Klamath Bridge.  I love these guys.

And there were some elk, just chillin' off the side of the road.

The new Klima-ween mascot.

More elk.  In someone's front yard.

The Halloween ballerina.

Halloween decor around the house.  It was a light decorating year for Dad.

We make our own Halloween chocolates.  Because my parents are Martha Stewart that way.

The traditional flaming pumpkin.