stinkin' funny motorboat face, pass it on.

Ok, so some cousins on Heath's side (definitely Heath's side :) did a post with motorboat faces.
motorboat face: take a picture while you are doing motorboat sound.
Soooooooooooo stinkin' funny.
Then she wrote - 

now you want to try it

I know you want to

(if you do, post a comment with a link. maybe we'll even have a contest with a prize or something)

To see their funny pictures click here.

It's true, I did want to try and more than that I wanted Heath to try it. 

So, here it goes.

Asher had a hard time doing motorboat face so we got green smoothie (with lots of blueberries) face.

So, seriously, I can't remember the last time I laughed this hard. Really, try it and post a link in comments. Definitely a good time.
Also, not only does she make funny faces but she makes really cute baby bows, too. Click on her shop button on the right side of her blog. 

seeds for the garden.

It's probably a little late but HERE is a site to get great seeds for your garden.
They have heirloom seeds and I think all are organic.
I haven't planted mine yet,  still waiting to get past the fear of frost.
I do have my tomatoes, strawberries and peppers started inside.
This will be a good site for next year.

doing more research **this is not doctrine** just found more info. I think a worth while read.

I posted earlier about Mormon meaning "more good" (I got the info out of the Book of Mormon study Manual, pg. 130) well, here's more info on that. I don't actually know what is the true truth so if anyone really knows and can give references it would be nice but I am putting this to rest after this post. Just knowing that the book is true is good enough for me and I do know it. A quote by Gordon B. Hinckley is in red that says that the "more good" translation is incorrect. If you are wondering about this please read this entire post.

Meaning of the word

The May 15, 1843 issue of the official Mormon periodical Times and Seasons contains an article, purportedly written by Joseph Smith, Jr., deriving the etymology of the name "Mormon" from English "more" + Egyptian mon, "good", and extolling the meaning as follows:

It has been stated that this word [mormon] was derived from the Greek word mormo. This is not the case. There was no Greek or Latin upon the plates from which I, through the grace of God, translated the Book of Mormon. Let the language of that book speak for itself. On the 523d page, of the fourth edition, it reads: And now behold we have written this record according to our knowledge in the characters which are called among us the Reformed Egyptian ... none other people knoweth our language; therefore [God] hath prepared means for the interpretation thereof." ... [The] Bible in its widest sense, means good; for the Savior says according to the gospel of John, "I am the good shepherd;" and it will not be beyond the common use of terms, to say that good is among the most important in use, and though known by various names in different languages, still its meaning is the same, and is ever in opposition to bad. We say from the Saxon, good; the Dane, god; the Goth, goda; the German, gut; the Dutch, goed; the Latin, bonus; the Greek, kalos; the Hebrew, tob; and the Egyptian, mon. Hence, with the addition of more, or the contraction, mor, we have the word MOR-MON; which means, literally, more good.^[13]

Whether Smith was the actual author of this passage is uncertain. Official LDS Church historian B. H. Roberts removed the quote from his History of the Church compilation, saying he found evidence that W. W. Phelps wrote that paragraph and that it was "based on inaccurate premises and was offensively pedantic."^[14] LDS Church apostle Gordon B. Hinckley noted that the "more good" translation is incorrect but added that "Mormon means 'more good'" is a positive motto for members of the LDS Church.^[9]

Meaning in the Book of Mormon

According to the Book of Mormon, a man named Mormon compiled nearly 1000 years of writings as well as chronicled events during his lifetime. Most of the text of the Book of Mormon consists of this compilation and his own writings, which may account for its title.^[15] However, the name "Mormon" is also used in the Book of Mormon as a place name (e.g. Waters of Mormon), which Ancient America Foundation scholar David Lamb uses to offer an alternate explanation for the title:

[The prophet] Mormon was not named after his father; he was named after the land of Mormon. He had been taught about his heritage by his parents and understood the sacred significance associated with the name Mormon. No doubt his father also bore the name Mormon for the same reason. In 3 Nephi 5:12 he gives us a clear indication that the name Mormon is symbolically synonymous with the restoration of the covenant which took place in the land of Mormon by Alma and his people.
A study of the Introduction of the Book of Mormon tells us its main purpose is to restore a knowledge of the covenants to the house of Israel. This adds weight to the understanding that the name Mormon was always associated with the place of the restoration of the covenant to the Nephites. In fact, the name Mormon became synonymous with the concept of restoring the covenants.
In light of this understanding, the Book of Mormon is not named for a man. It is named for the place where the covenant was restored. Symbolically, the Book of Mormon bears the name "Book of the Restoration of the Covenant."^[16]

this information was taken from Wikipeida. Click on the numbers for the references. 

Zorro's cupcakes, teeth, and more

This is Zorro!

told ya!

Heidi came over and brought cupcakes for the boys to decorate. Heidi is pregnant and she's going to name her baby Bathsheba even if it's a boy. She loves that name and really I do too. 

The teeth are coming in nicely. 

Another sweet pot by my hubby. 

It's true that I have been washing my face with baking soda this week. I saw it on a website. I just sprinkle a little in my hand, add some water, give the old face a little scrub and rinse. It's cheap and I can see improvements in my skin. I was having some skin trouble. My face really feels smoother and my pores are less noticeable. No, I do not work for Arm & Hammer.  Soon to come green cleaning with baking soda.

Also, I'll be making these soon (reusable snack bags).  There are a few different ideas out there this one was my favorite. Another one is here.

When it's time for bed:

Heath: I love you Skywalker.

Noah: I luf you Darf Vader

Heath: Goodnight Skywalker.

Noah: Goodnight Darf Vader.

could have been a little harsh.

Sorry if that last post came across in a harsh way. Just wanted to share what I learned. That's all.

some truth you may not know.

"...there is no valid reason why Latter-Day Saints should speak of themselves as 'Mormons' or of the church as the 'Mormon Church'. Missionaries should not be engaged in 'selling Mormonism' but in the mission of persuading people to believe in Christ, the Son of God, and of becoming members of his Church - The Church of Jesus Christ. The term Latter-day Saints is added to the name merely to distinguish us from the former-day saints...
"While there can be no disgrace nor condemnation in being called 'Mormons', and the Church, the 'Mormon Church', the fact remains, and this we should all emphasize, that we belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The name the Lord has given by which we are to be known and called" (Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 4:174-75)

You might be wondering now why the Book of Mormon is called the Book of Mormon. Well, from what I have found - "The word Mormon, means literally, more good." (in History of the Church, 5:399-400)

So the Book of "more good". It's more good because it complements the Bible which is good. They complement each other.

If you have never watched a video from my blog and never plan to, I don't care AS LONG AS YOU WATCH THIS ONE! This is part of the talk I mention in an earlier post.

This is the truth. I know it and love it!

If you would like a free King James version of the Bible, a Book of Mormon, information on Christ, or information of families and being happy go HERE , type in free media under search, click on "free media" and "request a copy". or just leave me a comment. :) (Even if your just a tiny bit curious.)

I'm a little more country than that.

I grew up in the country.
and not just the country but the country in Texas.
I don't and never did consider myself a cowgirl but maybe a country girl.
We lived in a small town where most everyone knew each other.
We had a humble home with rabbits, chickens, and goats. (Yes, we drank goats milk.)
We didn't have much but we didn't need much.
With becoming a teenager so came the desire to be a "city girl".
I tried to lose my accent and found good friends in the city.
When I was 18 I moved a few times, went to school, and finally found the boy of my dreams (at 24).
Now I reside in the country with that boy and two little boys.
I'm back (to the country) and it feels like home.
makes me wish I never left.
With the hustle and bustle of the world today and all the stress and anxiety that it brings, it makes me want to head in the opposite direction.
So, I have (started anyway). Sometimes it's a little like swimming up river.
Sometimes I have to pause and regroup.
I'm trying to make an efforts everyday to live a little more simply.

I'm sure I'll be posting about my adventures in simplicity.

We are putting up a clothesline soon.
The Amish in our area even hang clothes out in the winter. I guess it has to work or they wouldn't do it.

Why it's good:
1. Save money.
2. Clothes last longer.
3. Clothes and linens smell better.
4. It conserves energy and environmental resources.
5. Hanging laundry is a moderate physical activity that can be done outside.
6. Sunlight bleaches and disinfects.
7. Indoor racks can humidify in dry and cold climates.
8. It is safer. Clothes dryer fires account for about 17,700 fires, 15 deaths and 360 injuries annually.
9. It is a fun outdoor experience that can be meditative and community-building.
10. Small steps make a difference.

(information from www.care2.com)

Tips & Tricks for Hanging Out

Find an outdoor dryer and hanging style that suits you. It is a matter of taste in any case.
Turn most clothing inside out to prevent fading and faster drying of pockets and seams.
Hang T-shirts upside-down.
Use hangers for button shirts, or hang from collar points.
Shade dry Silk, and fine fabrics. Linen in hot sun = less wrinkles.
Give all items a good snap when hanging up, which will help prevent stiffness, especially on towels, and again when removing, this softens fabric and removes any creatures or tree bits, also cuts down on wrinkles.
If clothes or towels are still too stiff or slightly damp, throw ‘em in the dryer for a few minutes. It will still save you lots on your energy usage.
When hanging fitted sheets, fold elastic in around edges and hang over line with pins at folded edges.
If using plastic pins, do not leave on the line permanently, and use caution, as some varieties have been known to weaken with age and sun, and can break under spring tension causing sharp fragments to go into the eye, when using! Wood lasts a long time if taken off line.
Have a bag that slides along on the line, or pocket apron to keep pins handy.
It is air and wind as much as sun that dries clothes. Shade dry for best results on man-made fabrics.
Plant wonderful smells near your lines, lavender and lemon verbena and thyme

(linedry.com)

or do without!

Asher's dinner.

You probably don't think this is as cute as I think it is
but I know the grandparents will love it.
Asher's eating his mac n' cheese.
I make his with extra butter, whole milk, and extra cheese
talk about extra calories.

It's true that I found some peanut butter last night called The Bee's knees
It has honey already in it.
I love it.
now I don't have to mix anything to make Noah sandwiches.

Also, solar powered + LED light bulb = good things to look for in an emergency preparedness flashlight. Learned that from my dad. - the emergency preparedness tip of the day

our greatest fear.

Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate,
but that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.
It is not just in some; it is in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine,
we consciously give other people permission
to do the same.As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

-Nelson Mandela

There was a fight!

A sword fight. 

And I guess the reality of what Asher is going through and might have to go through has set in.
It just seems like a different world to me after the last few visits to the doctor.
He's so cute and sweet.
He is eating pretty well.
The doctor (well, really the dietitian) suggested that we try to switch to sippy cups and decrease the milk consumption and replace it with solid food.
We have been attempting this but today was the best day yet.
Honey nut "o"s (of the organic variety), part of a blueberry muffin, and whole milk (also organic) for breakfast
for a snack he had strawberry yogurt melts.
for lunch he ate some pasta with little pieces of meat and some kind of sauce (our bishop made it last night for a relief society meeting and we all got left overs) and some cake.
he had a snack of cheese and crackers. um...he also ate a small kit kat (what? I'm tryin' to help him gain weight)
For dinner fruit smoothie and garlic mashed potatoes. (tried to give him a little chicken, he wasn't into it)
He had 3 bottles in between all that.
Anyway, I call that a successful day.

Things have been good lately.
We have gotten to spend more time with Heath and the weather is nice enough to play outside.
It almost feels like we are a real family whose dad gets to come home in the evenings ;)
We play ball with a plastic bat and wiffle balls. Heath tries to strike me out but he can't.

 

what a good dad!

 The "show me your muscles" pose

The truth is that I would like to find a sugar maple tree and learn how to tap it next year (there is a season for it that has already passed) and make my own maple syrup. Some more truth is that we ran out of milk today and I decided to try out some powdered milk. I love milk and thought it wasn't half bad. I heard you can add a little vanilla and sugar to to enhance the flavor. It was pretty good both ways. Also, did you know that if your powdered milk gets bad (turns yellow and smells funny) you can use it to make cheese and yogurt (and that's the emergency preparedness tip of the day.)

A new friend. edited

I think I must have prayed her to my blog.
Her name is Heather and she is a friend of a friend but now a friend.
She read my blog about Asher and left a comment telling me her little girl has the same kind of injury.
Up until this point I have known no one with this type of injury.
She gave me her email address so I asked her a million questions
of which she responded to.
She also did a special post on her blog showing pictures and progression of her little girls injury.
Sorry, the blog is private.
Thank you Heather!




EDIT: she's gone public to help others with BPI 
click here to see her blog.

The brachial plexus is an arrangement of nerve fibers, running from the spine, formed by the ventral rami of the lower four cervical and first thoracic nerve roots (C5-T1). It proceeds through the neck, the axilla (armpit region), and into the arm.

not what I expected: news about Asher

Children's Hospital
said that the size difference in his arms and shoulders aren't that typical at this point for a brachial plexus injury.
They took an x-ray and said that the bones in that shoulder are "not normal"
They would like to do an MRI to get a better picture of what's going on.
He will have to be out for that. little scary
They want us to see the GI doctor before the MRI to make sure there aren't anymore test that need to be done while he's out.

Shriner's
They were very impressed at the variety of food he is eating.
I asked them about the x-ray they took of his shoulder a little while ago
They said the bones look small but not necessarily "not normal"
but what was a little "not normal" is his diaphragm.
It's up higher on the right side then it should be. That means the right lung isn't being used to it's full capacity.
they think it might be paralyzed on that side
The pediatrician said it doesn't seem to be something to worry over too much.
He's breathing fine.
and she said that because it happened while he is so young that his body will just compensate for it.
so there's the quick update.

Break over!

Another doctor...that applesauce is just not working

Just wanted to say thanks to all those who left a comment on my blog for the scripture reading.
Also, we have a new occupational therapist that comes to our home for Asher's arm.
She suggested that we see a specialist.
Isn't that what we were seeing at Shriner's?
I guess not.
She said I should call the Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh.
We are familiar with that hospital.
He's been there two other times for ear, nose and throat, and for his jaundice.
We have always taken the grape elevator.
and this time we will again.
I called today.
There is one doctor that specializes in brachial plexus injuries. 
She is there once a month and that day for this month is tomorrow.
Don't know why this has switched to italics and it won't fix.
Anyway, the OT was saying that there is a limited amount of time to get good results from treatment
up until about 18 mo. 
I wanted to get him in ASAP
so tomorrow we have an early appointment and have to drive two hours to get there.
It is possible that Asher will have to have surgery. 
The muscles in his shoulder are just not developing.
I guess with going to see the specialist they can see where the nerve injury is and if there is any way 
to repair it. 
Asher has hit a plateau with very little improvement seen in the last few months. 
I'm glad we are seeing this new therapist with her ideas.
I do love Shriners 's (I think)
but I'm wondering what in the world they were doing all this time.

You can see the difference in his shoulders.

I hope tomorrow goes well with good news.

Also, I'm not scared or nervous. I know everything will work out the way it's suppose to.

Happy Easter!

Heidi set up an awesome Easter egg hunt for Noah. We love Heidi and Deric. My camera batteries were no good so Heidi has pictures. On the way home we talked to Noah about Christ. I'm not sure how much he understood but we wanted him to know what Easter was really about. We are grateful for Jesus Christ and add our testimony to that of those in the video that He lives!

HAPPY EASTER!

Exactly how many paint chips did you eat?

The weather has been so nice here.
in the 80's today.
We played outside
I was doing some yard work and looked over and
saw that Asher thought it was a good idea to put dirt in his mouth.
Yuck!
When we got inside I noticed he was doing funny things with his mouth
I looked in and then decided to do a swipe with a wet paper towel.
There was grass, a twig, some pieces of dirt and then there was the worst
paint chips. Yes, paint chips.
This house we live in was built in the late 1800's so on the outside there is a lot of chipping paint.
Not good. You always hear those jokes about eating paint chips when you were a kid.
I tried not to freak out by telling myself that if he swallowed some there's nothing I can do about it now.
Oh, me! no more playing by the house.
Noah wasn't big into putting things into his mouth. Asher is.

The onesie in this picture is from his Auntie Suz. The size is 3 months. We've gotten some good wear on a lot of his clothes. Still in size 2 diapers. Still as cute as can be.

 

digging in the dirt 

Noah has been saying lately, "Can I hold it?" referring to Asher. 

Noah went on an Easter egg hunt on Wednesday in the nursery.

He loves going outside. He can almost reach the handle. 

Oh, the places he goes. 

New stuff that Heath has been working on. That's light shining through. Cool, huh?

A sculpture Heath's been working on.

This is a soup latrine (edit: not so much a toilet) terrine he still needs to glaze. 

and this is a drawing of Deric sleeping in class. 

It's true that Noah calls our house Magenta's house (blue's friend). He doesn't say, "I want to go home." He says,"I want to go to Magenta's house." Also true that I haven't been to Shriner's in a while to get Asher weighed (about a month and a half ish). They called me so he has an appointment next Wednesday. I am curious. I know he's put on some weight. He sure is eating more. We'll see what they have to say.

I'm on a video kick???

Don't know why.

Well, a little while ago the pediatrician at Shriner's was telling me that "they" may start keeping children rear facing in their car seats until they're 2. I thought no way. I even thought about turning Asher around even though he's still a few pounds away from the 20 mark. This video has changed my mind and just wanted to share. Asher is so small. I can't imagine him forward facing after watching this.

Emergency preparedness tip of the day: when kids meals toys lose their thrill put them in your children's 72 hour kit. It will be good to have something for them to play with in an emergency.