Red Door

There's a house down the street from us that has a red door and I get sad each time I drive/walk by it.

Our old house, meaning my family's, had a red door.

We never had our number address on our house, only on the sidewalk in front of our house, and there was generally a car parked so those numbers were blocked.  When giving someone directions, we'd say, "We're about the 11th or 12th house on your left...with the red door."

The night of my sister's first date, as a 16 year old, we also had the Missionaries over.  Elder Rothstein (right, folks?) took it upon himself to answer the red door when her date knocked.  "Is Kari home?" the boy asked.  "Nope!" and *SLAM* went the red door.  The Elder opened the door right up and said, "Just kidding!" but the boy was so embarrassed and his face resembled the shade of red on our door.

5th grade art class - Roller skating with the red door

Who knew a stinkin' door could create an entire blog post?  I miss the door and I miss the house.  Is it possible to not look forward to the Holidays because they just won't quite be the same?

I had a dream a few weeks ago that the new owners didn't change a thing about the place.  I know that's too good to be true but I'll honestly never know.  And so, I'd like to keep it the same...red door and all.

Aloha!

 a·lo·ha

1. hello; greetings.
2. farewell.

I was at Target a few weeks ago when LaVor called me to tell me the Bishopric would be coming to our house the following day to talk to me.  That only means 1 thing...a new calling.

Let me take you back 2 years.  Remember this post?  I was NOT looking forward to my new calling as the Primary Chorister.  Everyone told me how much fun it was and how I'd love every second of it.  I waited a LONG time to get to that point, but I can honestly say, I did end up loving it, for the most part.

As my last singing time, I took the kids on a "trip" (we took a 3 second airplane ride, I wrapped a piece of Hawaiian fabric around my waist and hung a shell lei around my neck) to Hawaii.  They all, thankfully, knew that Aloha was a way to say, "Hello" and "Goodbye".  And since that's what I was doing, it worked perfectly.  Aloha to the Primary Chorister and Aloha to the 1st Counselor in the Primary.

I've been wanting to teach the kids, "We'll Bring the World His Truth" since I got put into Primary but never got around to it.  So as my last wish, I had the Senior Primary sing it and I didn't last but 2 seconds before I began bawling like a baby.  The link is NOTHING compared to how my kids sang it.  There wasn't a dry adult eye in the room.

I can remember, being maybe 3 or 4, and singing that song during a Family Home Evening, and crying.  It's always been a song that can yank at my heart and last week was no exception.

The children in our ward are great kids and I'm blessed to still have the opportunity to work with them.

Tally Mark 20

-May just be in love with the Gardener.  Mondays are The Lime's favorite day.
-Is being weird with his naps.  Are we sticking with 2 or going down to 1?  Who knows.  He's crabby at night no matter what.
-Has started saying, "No" and as much as a I hate it, I also love it.  His little voice is so cute.
-After going to the A's game last week and hearing me say, "Oh no!" to all the horrible plays, The Lime now says it.  Especially if Daddy is watching or playing baseball.
-Knows that GrandPop says, "Ja" and "Nein".
-Also knows that GrandPop tickles him and takes him the the park.
-Has a little bear that LaVor's parents bought him at the Avon Walk last year, that he likes to sleep with.
-Is shy around people he's known his whole life and friendly with complete strangers.
-Prefers water and milk over anything else.  Yippee!  Although, he does ask for a sip of "bubbles" (soda) if Daddy gets one while we're out.
-Loves to "ride" his bike.  Loves when Mommy rides his bike too.  That's a sight.
-Loves homemade chocolate chip cookies.
-Likes to eat stickers.
-Is growing a little peach fuzz mustache.
-Hates watching the people get hurt on Ridiculousness. His little face cringes and he whimpers.
-Bites his nails.  I HATE this.
-But I sure love him.

All Eyes On You

I'm aware, and have been aware, that The Lime watches and hears everything we do.  Some good, some not so good.

After dinner tonight, he ran straight for my purse to get out me "lalalala" (wallet) and soon realized that I had taken all of my cards out of my "lalalala".  He grabbed my hand and led me to my room (where he thought the cards were).  We keep the doors closed or else he helps himself to a new room.  When we got to our room, he tried opening the door but couldn't (it wasn't locked, he just didn't have a good enough grip). 

What does he do next?

Goes to the dryer, which is next to the main bathroom (which door is actually locked) and grabs our hanger "key" and goes back to our door to try and unlock it.  Thankfully he's not that smart that he figured out which precise spot unlocks the door.

I know it's one of those "you had to be there" and "I love everything my kid does" moments but I got a kick out of it.

Our First & Last

We finally got to an A's game...with only a week left in their season. The Lime fell asleep on the way to the game and continued to stay asleep as we went through security and made it to our seats. When he woke up, he couldn't have been more confused as to how he got to this place. But it didn't take him long at all to get comfortable.

 

Since he's still not 2, we didn't have to get The Lime his own seat.  And, there were several open seats around us which made it perfect for him.  He could move around a bit and not go crazy sitting in one spot.  The girls sitting next to us were especially sweet with him.  He flirted his way into their nacho basket and scored a couple chips.

The Lime loved watching the ball, watching the players run, loved the food, the music, the games, pretty much everything.  He especially loved the bedazzled jacket on the lady in front of us and kicked her a couple times.  He also decided to throw his sippy cup, twice, at another forgiving group in front of us. I'm amazed we didn't get kicked out. 

Before the night ended, The Lime was able to score a free souvenir from Coach Waller.  I've started writing down the dates and who gave it to him, on each ball we get.  He may or may not care when he's older but we'll see.

For Show And For Blow

I had started my Senior year of high school only a few weeks before September 11, 2001.

That day, my deodorant mixed with my perfume made a (pleasant) smell that I've never been able to achieve since.

I'll remember every little, random detail from that day, but what I want to remember more are amazing stories about selfless heroes like Welles Crowther.




Watching his dad choke up when talking about Welles, is what gets me the most.  Losing a child must be devastating in and of itself.  But especially in such a senseless, careless, pointless way.

I would hope that there must be some sense of peace in knowing that your son lost his life by saving others. 

Gold Rush Days - Year 2

We made it up to Old Town Sacramento again this year for Labor Day weekend (actually, just Saturday) to celebrate their Gold Rush Days.

It was fun to look back on the pictures from last year and see how much The Lime has changed.  LaVor and I look exactly the same.  Which may be a good thing or a bad thing.  Who knows?

We did a lot of walking around and sitting but also enjoyed the (free admission!!!) Train Museum.

 The whole way there, The Lime kept asking for GrandPop & Omi.  They couldn't wait to see each other!

 For some must push and some must pull...

 Hi-5, Pop.

 

  I was a bit partial to the lime green but also loved the silhouette.

 My Rosie look-a-like.

 We need benches like this at church, so people don't invade your space.

The day wouldn't be complete without dinner and a picture with Grandma Mary.

After sweating bullets for 2 years, and since The Lime should be old enough by then, we've decided to skip Gold Rush Days next year and make a trip down the American River.