Fitting In

I think I've mentioned the reunions my dad used to put on for my Grandpa's World War II buddies. The one held during my 7th grade school year was in Troy, MI. Just down the street from our hotel was Somerset Collection (a mall). One day, my brother and I walked to the mall to check things out. Dressed in our casual shorts and t-shirts, we could see that we weren't fitting in the second we walked in the door. When we saw the janitors sporting tuxedos, we turned around and went back to the hotel. The next day, we got dressed in khaki bottoms and white button up tops, and ventured back to the mall. We no longer stood out like sore thumbs and we blended right in with everyone else.

Earlier this month, LaVor and I were given passes to the local "club", which has a gym, swimming pools, tennis courts, etc. There have been a few extremely hot days and the passes to the pool have come in handy. The only thing is that I'm having flashbacks of Somerset Collection. There is an attitude in the air, at the club, that haunts me each time we go. I feel like we're constantly being looked at and we don't dress like everyone else or drive the same cars as everyone else and our son wears his cowboy boots instead of flip flops.

It makes me wish I was seven years old again and we had a place like "Swim Club" to go to. Summers at my club were the best! Zipping down the slide, playing ping pong, eating otter pops, frozen Twix and hot dogs, waiting 20 minutes before we could get back in the pool after eating, being brave enough to jump off the diving board, having lessons at the butt crack of dawn and being embarrassed to get too close to the teacher because I didn't brush my teeth, hearing the "buzz" of the gate that let us into this Summer paradise.

Those were the days. And I didn't have to wear khakis or a white shirt to fit in. Swim Club accepted me with my fuzzy bottom swimsuit and pink goggles. And I'm sure they'd accept The Lime with his boots.

(Just a glimpse of Somerset)

Doppelgänger

Definition of DOPPELGÄNGER

1: a ghostly counterpart of a living person

2a : double 

2a b : alter ego

 

 

I had no clue what a "Doppelgänger" was until we joined Facebook and I saw several people posting pictures of their famous "doppelgänger".

 

For probably my entire life, I've wondered if there was someone out there with my exact first, middle, and last name.  Then after being introduced to "doppelgänger", I wondered if I had one?

 

Whenever I watch "Teen Mom", and I see little Bentley, I'm reminded of The Lime.

 

 

Not just the way they look, but the way they hate to leave their moms', how they call their Grandmas' "Mimi" (that was before The Lime learned how to say Omi), their love for all things drivable.  Twins...just born over a year apart.

 

My brother, Kenny, has a doppelgänger that used to work at our local Chili's.  I never got a chance to make the connection because the doppelgänger worked at the bar but I ran into him one day at Target and completely embarrassed myself.  "I've seen you a lot at Chili's and I've gotta say...you look EXACTLY like my brother!" I said.  He did that awkward laugh and said, "That's funny."  

Do you remember the show "Weakest Link"?  Remember the host?

When my mom had red framed glasses, they were identical.  

During the most recent tryouts of American Idol, we got many phone calls and notices on Facebook that people had seen LaVor.

 

 

Nope, just Jason "Wolf" Hamlin.  But they both happen to be from the same town and are both mechanics.

 

So please, if you see my doppelgänger, take a picture!  I want to be part of the club.

Golden Ticket

Let me preface this post by saying I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. The things, or perceptions, that come out of the mouths' of its members is sometimes not.

When it comes to discussions about missions, I get a little uncomfortable.

LaVor didn't serve a full-time mission and regrets that decision. Life is unique for everyone and choices are made daily that have consequences.

Few things are more awkward than when we have the Elders over for dinner and they ask where LaVor served. The dead silence after he responds with, "I didn't" is nothing new to us.

There is no need to sugarcoat this next part. I hate the idea, amongst church members, that if you serve a mission, you are granted an automatic pass to the Celestial Kingdom. By not serving a mission, you are doomed in your personal life, marital relationship, and role as a father.

During my Sophomore year of Seminary, we kept a journal on what we learned each day. Like every youth in the church does, we wrote down what characteristics we wanted in a spouse. Because it had been embedded in my mind that a return missionary was the only way to go, that was number one on my list.

Thankfully I grew a pair (figuratively) and crossed that off, as well as "owns a Harley" and "doesn't like rap".

I have no doubt in my mind that individuals are blessed when they serve a mission. Heck, if it weren't for two missionaries 38+ years ago, I would either not be here or my life would be completely different.

But I do doubt the fantasies that people have, that allow them to think (for themselves and their daughters) that a missionary is the Golden Ticket to live a happy, righteous life, and return to Heavenly Father.

I know people that go on missions because their parents want them to and come home a completely changed person. I know people who had a strong desire to serve a mission and were in the field but shortly after, came home. I know people who served an honorable mission but left the church later in life. I know people who didn't serve missions at all and people that served faithfully the entire two years or eighteen months. I only wish everyone in the above mentioned situations were viewed the same way. But unfortunately, they are not.

I've said my peace, amen.

The list...that describes LaVor perfectly

All Aboard!

We've noticed the commercials for Roaring Camp Railroad recently and decided we needed to check it out.

 It's a cute little spot near Scotts Valley, nestled between the redwoods.  We got there a little early so we roamed around.

"Wawa!"

Crying because he smashed his finger in the door.

There's a new Sheriff in town!

The dog then pooped on the grass in front of everyone.

The funny mirror.

He loved the water tower!

Climbing on the benches.

We waited a bit more and then we heard it...the horn of the train!

The previous train riders came off, we went on, they filled the train up with water and we were off!

The trees were huge and amazing and some were even growing at an angle.

This cute man and I'm assuming either his grandson or great grandson, were riding on the car in front of us.  I slyly tried to take a picture of them.

We made our way up to Bear Mountain (where we told The Lime that Mama, Papa, Brother, and Sister Bear live), hung out for a little bit, and then made our way back down.

Proof that I was there too.

He looks like he has to go to the bathroom but he still wears diaper.

 

View from the top.

Cute!

Back over the bridge.

We threw around the idea of stopping at Marianne's on the way home but decided we'd already be hitting traffic and a stop would just make things worse.

The Lime and I fell asleep on the way back but woke up just in time to find out we were in the 7-11 parking lot, where LaVor was buying us treats.

It was a great day!

Her Hunk

The last couple of times we've gone up to visit Grandma, she's been calling The Lime "Her Hunk".  When introducing us to the other residents, she says, "This is my granddaughter and my hunk."  It's cute.

It's also cute to see how he, and the other great grand babies, melt her heart.

She gave us hugs and kisses growing up, when we'd come to visit her and when we left.  But she wasn't always the most affectionate, warm and cuddly type of Grandma.

That has since changed.

The second we got to her place, she said, "Where's my hunk?  I need a hug from my hunk!"

And proceeded to give him hugs and kisses throughout our visit.  He had several lip marks on his rosy little cheeks, that showed how much Grandma loves him.

We got to go to lunch with my aunt and uncle, who The Lime loved.  My uncle and dad look similar and I think it confused The Lime.  At one point, he pointed to my aunt and uncle and said, "Bop Bop?  Omi?"  I think The Lime also enjoyed that Uncle Chuck had the same name as Chuck the Truck.  While driving to lunch, we followed my aunt, uncle, and Grandma to the restaurant.  Despite their car being right in front of us, The Lime asked the entire way, "Where Chuck go?"

It was a fun little visit that we'll make again soon.

Spoiled Brat

Ask any of my siblings and they will tell you that dishes were the dreaded chore in our home, growing up. More fights were started over the dishes than any other subject. A lot of the fights were because the previous dishwasher didn't wash every.single.dish.- sometimes even a spoon. If there was a dish left, that same person had dishes the next night.

For Christmas, my mom always made us coupons and there was always one for a night off of dishes. Those were golden! Any break from doing the dishes was the best!

Nothing has changed my feelings regarding dishes, even 6 years after I left home.

So you can imagine how angry I was when our dishwasher went out and I didn't hear from the repair man for a week. Doing dishes by hand, when your house is 90 degrees, is torture. Torture, I tell you! I'm just glad I didn't have a pump and a million bottles to wash everyday.

For that reason, I am a spoiled brat and will NEVER take advantage of my dishwasher again!

The last load by hand

County Fair

We were lucky enough to score two free tickets and a parking pass to the Fair this year.  Thank goodness because it would have cost us an arm and a leg just to get in!  Jeepers creepers!

Our first stop was to see the animals (and Mama and Papa Hoxie).  The sheep were closest to the entrance and that's where we saw Mama Hoxie.  LaVor and I were talking with her while we thought The Lime was checking things out.  Within a few minutes, another couple walks over and asks if that was our son.  We said it was and they said, "Well he was just licking the gate that the sheep are in."  Blah!  Good thing he was on anti-biotics for an infected hangnail.

LaVor told The Lime that he could go on one ride (which ended up being three).  His first choice was to ride the ponies.  He was a natural and the second he got on, he yelled, "Ye haw!!!!"  It was fitting since he had his hat and boots on.

We then went over to the little kid roller coaster rides and came across a generic Dumbo.  Although I didn't think The Lime was tall enough, the ex-convict looking Carnie let him on.  The Lime initially had his own seat but a nice boy climbed onto the ride with him, which made me feel a little better that in case The Lime freaked out, there would be someone right there with him.

Hi Friend!

Look Mom!  No Hands!

The Lime actually loved every second of it!  He couldn't wait to go on one more ride.

Nice farmers tan.

This ride TOTALLY stole the "Cars" characters.  I should have taken a picture of the sign above the ride that had all of the main characters, just with different names.  Thieves!

With one more stop to see the animals, and to pet a steer which freaked The Lime out, we were finished with our trip to the fair.

Until next year!