My Beautiful Boys

December Update

Michelle is here- Yay!! But things have happened before she got here. Like:

My 30 birthday! It was so cool; I had Kevin over, who has the same b-day as me and is my star twin, and Angie came too. We played games and then did a little service project- It was great!

Then of course, Christmas happened. Okay, Michelle and fam got here before that. It has been totally great having them stay with us. The kids are hilarious. I have been turned on to Sculpey, so watch out! I'll soon be mass producing lots of nonsensical knickknacks that I prolly couldn't give away if I wanted to.

Christmas Eve was tons of fun with my sister and brother-in-law and their families. We sang carols and read the Christmas story, and ate lots of food. Then my little family drove to my sister's house to play Rock Band 2 into the wee hours of the morn, well it was only till 11:30. We had to get home before Santa stopped by!

So much fun has happened and it isn't over yet. I have tons of pictures that I need to post, and one of these days, I'll do it!

So Sunday night I was in a church musical, well festival of music I should say, because it didn't include dancing and random bursts of song. It was a about Christmas, with narrations about Christ from the Bible and also the Book of Mormon. It was really neat to be a part of the choir for this. We had an awesome director, who went to school for that. He happens to be an albino too, which is pretty neat in itself. He is very strict about being at rehearsals and visualizing sound and breathing and the like. We were no Mormon Tabernacle Choir, but we were pretty good. I wish I could have sat in the audience and listened. But then I would have had to deal with my unruly son, like my husband, and missed half of it. There were a few solos and a quartet by some young men that was so awe inspiring. It made me wish that my boys would grow up to love to sing. It was beautiful, especially because of the theme. I happen to be on the Stake Music Committee, only because I make all the advertising posters, which is like 7, for each event, to go up into 7 different church buildings in our Stake, or area. I was a little disappointed that there weren't as many people there as there should have been considering the amount of time and effort that I put into, I mean we, put into advertising, but I would rather everyone have a seat than people having to stand for an hour and a half. It was really awesome though. Too bad you guys missed it (if you weren't there) ;p

Okay, so my birthday is coming up. But not just any birthday... it's the big 3 0! Why is that such a momentous number? Is it really mid-life crisis time? Come on all you 30-somethings out there. How was your 30th?

I self-tagged, again, from my friend Kelli's blog-

My rock star name: *Henrietta Nissan*
{First pet and current car}

2. My gangsta name: *Caramello Sugar*
{Favorite candy bar and favorite cookie}

3. My detective name: *Blue Moorfish*
{Favorite color and favorite animal}

4. My Star Wars name: *Olsev of Tylenol *
{First three letters of last name and first two letters of first name then the word "of" then a medication you are on}

5. My superhero name: *The Brown Water* (Ewww!)
{2nd favorite color and favorite drink with "The" in front}

6. My Nascar name: *Evelyn Aleksandra*
{First names of your grandmothers}

7. My "lover" name: *Sunflowers Chocolate *
{Name of your favorite perfume/cologne and your favorite candy}

8. Witness-protection name: *Elizabeth Lester*
{Mother's and father's middle names}

Okay, so it's really late, but my friend sent me this link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He7Ge7Sogrk
It is incredible, coming from an artist like myself, so I found a little info on elephants... yes, elephants. Curious yet? Watch the link.

Elephants have a well-developed system of communication that makes use of all of their senses.
The brain of the elephant is larger than any other land mammal and it is located in the back of the skull well away from the forehead.(However, in proportion to the size of the body, the elephant brain is smaller than the human brain. Just in case you started feeling a little inferior.)

Okay so the computer is now upstairs in my mom's room, so I might not read and post as much as I do now. But we are moving the playroom upstairs to coexist as a guestroom/playroom. Don't worry Michelle, we'll have the toys picked up and put away before you get here. It's warmer upstairs anyway. I went to Wally World to get some pictures taken of the kids. I did it last year for Erick, so I wanted to be fair and take one of the both of them to send out in Christmas cards, but also to frame and hang up. Yeah, I got a good hook up for that. Anyway, the little lady that was helping me was so nice, but when we finished the session, the camera card wasn't reading any pictures. After pressing the same buttons a lot, we decided to do a new session and use a new digital card. Which was slightly sad because there were some great poses. So she kept telling me how good my boys were the first time. Then the second session started and they knew what was going on. Finally I was happy with them and she went to upload them to the computer. But it had the same problem as before. I thought, there is no way I'm going to get them back on the table, plus I'd just noticed that Erick was starting to leak from his diaper-- come on kid, he drinks like he lives in the Sahara and pees enough to end the drought in GA. But then the little lady blew in the USB plug and WHA-LA! It worked. So I got the best of both sessions without totally breaking my purse. They are so cute.

Thanksgiving was good this year. I was playing with Erick's hair and I styled it in a mohawk. He was messing it up and joking around, but then he really wanted me to style it that way, so I gelled the crap out of it and hair sprayed it until he'd have to sleep on it to make it come down. Which is pretty much what happened later when he took a nap. I'll post pictures later.

Thanksgiving happened to land on the anniversary day of my sister's death, so Adam and I had a good talk about her on the way to my In-laws' place for the Meal. That was actually the second or third time I met Adam, at my Mom's house. He heard about what happened and he came over and sat on my couch, while there were a ton of people coming and going and talking. I vaguely remember him, but thinking about what I know of him now... that was so sweet of him. He didn't even know me that well, and he went out of his comfort zone to comfort me. He must really like me, ha ha.

Before we ate, Adam helped his Dad rebuild the chicken-coop, and Erick looked like the rooster of all those hens. My mother-in-law cooked almost everything, except the pumpkin pie and green bean casserole, which I did. I didn't make my traditional Thanksgiving deviled eggs, but I don't think I had room for anything else. It was so good. Then we played BUGOPOLY,a spoof on Monopoly. Adam's dad is an entomologist and well, he wound up winning. Not because of his knowledge of bugs, but because of his sweet real estate skills. I was really rich at one time, but Adam totally knocked me out with his Bug cage-houses and his Tree-hotels. It was fun.

Midnight Madness

There is a huge fan base for the Twilight Series among the woman in my church. We had it scheduled on our book club list, which not many people actually showed up for, but I think that was due to that it was around dinner time. But we all worked out our schedules to go to the 12:00 showing of Twilight Thursday, or should I say Friday. It was awesome!! I keep hearing on the news about teenagers and how they are making this movie so popular. Hello? How about us...

I thought it was great. I was afraid of it possibly being cheesy, but I didn't notice so much for the swooning of Edward and... Carlisle *sigh* I was surprised that I was okay with the movie's portrayal of the characters, because when I first Googled all about the movie, I wasn't happy with the cast. I must comment however on Rosalie's butt. It was pretty big, and I'm only saying that because she really stood out to me as not fitting with my mental picture of Rosalie. But maybe it's the animosity that I have toward her character anyway. And if you are concerned about my Twilight-obsession, pick up a copy for yourself... in fact you can borrow mine. (They're really my mom's.)

I'm sick today, I just want to go back to bed. Both of my babies are sick to. It started with Erick and then went to Tripp. Probably because when Erick sees Tripp's pacifier on the floor, he picks it up, blows it off, and gives it to me. But his blowing is really spitting, I know.. it's gross. And sometimes Erick likes to pretend that he is a puppy, so he runs around on all fours barking and retrieving things for me. I asked to find the pacifier and I saw him trying to pick it up with his teeth, and really trying hard not to use his hands which aided him in the end. Now I have a cold. I don't feel any better since yesterday, but I don't feel worse. I have a tendency of eating after Erick, I know.. gross, but in my defense Tripp sneezes on my without warning- in my hair, on my hands, and yes... in my face. His germs wind up on me anyway, because I nurse, but usually I don't ever get sick. So, sorry Michelle. Whereas I don't have migraines, but I'm sure they aren't good, I'll be sick with you.

I'm thankful for sinus medicine and my warm bed and pillows *sniffle, sniffle*

I am thankful for the frame shop that I part-time at. It helps me feel productive economically, and I get to frame stuff for my house for a really good deal. I started working there when I was a senior in high school. My art teacher asked me if I was looking for a job, and that her friend needed an apprentice. I worked for him for three years solid, and then I quit to prepare for my mission. It was ten years ago when I started that job, and I've kept in touch with DJ over the years. I stopped by and asked how he was doing one day, and he said that he could use some help. So, here I am, having a much better work relationship with him now that I am an "adult"- meaning married with two kids? Whatever the reason, it isn't as stressful as it was in high school. I have only been at it for about a year, and only a day or two a week, but I like it. It's a great job for an artist!
(I have some pictures to post later.)

Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching and I'm going to start listing thing I'm thankful for everyday, because there are a lot of things to be complaining and whining about this year. I don't want those to overshadow the meaningful things in my life.
I'm thankful for: FAMILY
1. My Mom- she's been gone to Idaho for only two weeks, and I miss her terribly. And someday she won't be here, so I better stop taking her for granted.
2. My Dad- let's face it, I wouldn't be here without him, and I wouldn't be the person I am today-I have a deep sense of family, and I have a respect for my mom's example of strength in times of adversity. I still have tons of issues, and I keep thinking that they'll disappear after he's gone or something. They won't, but it might be easier if he can't talk back. I know he's trying- that means a lot.
3. My Husband- the pros totally outweigh the cons with this one. Most of the hard trials are temporal, materialistic that involve finances. And the most wonderful things have to do with the faith and hope of knowing that we'll be together forever, and that he loves me.
4. My kids- Erick and Tripp are constantly helping me grow and develop my patience and tolerance. I'm sure they will help me their entire lives. But they each bring a special something to our family,Erick's sense of humor and Tripp's happiness. They really feed off each other and it's fun.
5. My brothers and sisters- We're all in different places and stages of our lives and I learn so much from them. Everyone has a role and they are all equal. I can see one of them everyday, and some I can only talk to on the phone, and one I can only see through pictures and can no longer hear her voice, but I know she's there and is still playing her role in our family. She isn't gone, but she's waiting, listening, and helping when she can. The anniversary of her death is coming soon this month, and the memories of Sarah won't keep me from missing her, but they will keep me from being sad. She's still playing her role, even if I don't see it.


I never would have thought I would have so much to be thankful for in such a small word as Family.

Art

A little something that I have been working on, but started a while ago.
Elvis is 3X5
Marilyn is 5X7
I have also done a Bruce Lee and a Bob Marley, but I gave those away a couple of years ago. I plan on doing one of Tripp . I wanted a different medium than from Erick's.

There were so many things that I wanted to do the past week, but I forgot about them. It didn't help that I did not put them on my calendar, which has become my brain. My husband is so cute! He always says, "What are our plans for tonight," and I go look at the calendar to tell him.

My days this week seem like they have run together. I think I'm just in a funk. I need to get out of the house more, good thing that the weather today was so pleasant. I did just watch a very funny movie, Get Smart. But I really wish that I could go visit my sister in Idaho and see her new baby. He is such a cutie!

These are some paintings by a Finnish artist, note the flag, Kaj Stenvall. They are so neat. I sent all the postcards that I found with his paintings to Michelle, she thought they were weird... didn't you? I know you really liked them, he he. They're big, so you should click on them to get the full picture.



This is one of my favorites. It's a sort of copy of Waterhouse's "Lady of Shalott". Waterhouse is awesome by the way!

New President

I think that this is a really exciting time in the history of America, and that it definitely has come a long way in equality since slavery and segregation. I'm just bummed at some peoples' motives and that my pick didn't win. I don't like Obama's politics, but I did appreciate a few things in his speech and I hope that some of his campaigning was just to get votes and not socialist in intention. My mother is pretty scared for what might happen to our country. I am of Ukrainian descent and I have been taught of the trials and many sufferings of a nation struck down by Communism. I think, no... I hope that our country could never succumb to such treacheries, and that America will always stand for Freedom.

Obama said,

"In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long...
And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too."


I certainly hope he has the courage to do what is right... not necessarily "right". I do fear for him too. There are a lot of close-minded people out there who don't see how far we've come as a nation, and who are still stuck in their selfish pride. I have to have hope that America will still be a great nation, and survive whatever the future holds. I just hope my posterity doesn't suffer too much.




Do you think he has what it takes?

Sweet Baby

I wish I could hold you little Ben!

Little "Things"

A baby will be born today. His name will be Benjamin Grimm Rasmussen. You might be saying, "Wait a minute. That name sounds familiar," and some of you might not. But to any comic guru or fan out there, Benjamin Grimm is The Thing from The Fantastic 4.

Let's just hope he doesn't come out looking like that, but if he did, then it really would be fate.

Halloween Spooktacular

Some of our decorations that we have up.



Our church party last Friday is what started of the Halloween festivities. I wish I had actually taken more pictures of the decorations that Heather, Amy, and I labored over, especially the awesome moon "OOOO-ing" that I painted. We have a Trunk or Treat every year, with a traditional chili cook-off of four categories:Hot, Medium, Mild, and Veggie. We also had the pumpkin carving which I had to enter. Unfortunately only three people entered.

President Gordon B. Hinkley
I talked with the award giver, who lightheartedly was considering giving me a certificate for The-Most -Inappropriate-Way-to-Depict-a-Prophet category, but instead handed me The Most Exalted award.
We also have costume contests.The Best Couple went to the Hills-
for being Annie, Daddy Warbucks, and Punjab.

Tripp was Dopey, the seventh dwarf, but I didn't get a good picture of his outfit.
Erick on the other hand was a very good Thomas the Train engineer.
James was there too.
For Halloween yesterday, we put the little boy in a little pumpkin suit, he is so cute! I'm sure all the people giving out candy on the square knew exactly what was going to happen to his candy.
We went to a Halloween party that our friends put on for the second time. A huge 20-25 foot fire pit, which was so awesome. And Lynette did so great on the brain soup and other cakes and treats that were decorated so festively. They have a neat graveyard with fog that looked pretty creepy too and we hit all the houses on their street. Then we came home for our late movie night with my friend Beccah and her kids and Christine with my nieces and nephews. The kids watched Wallace and Gromit's Tale of the Were-Rabbit. We watched The Sixth Sence, such a good movie! With loads of candy left over and the 100 Most Scariest Moments on TV, I was the last to go to bed. I really had a great time!

Art class

On Thursdays I teach two great aspiring artists- Kirsten and Jenifer. We worked on "Our Favorite Animals" today. While they were drawing and coloring their elephant and dog, I did their portraits in "blind art".Something I learned to do on my mission, thanks Gina!

Jenifer's dog, it wasn't finished when I snapped the picture. Kirsten's elephant, also not completed at time of shot.

They had a little help on their drawings, but I thought they did an excellent job, especially on the faces!

Bekah, I hope you don't get offended, because I had a lot of fun making this!

Tripp loves the camera!

You can get a peek at Tripp's two teeth.


He also loves to come over and mess with the wires at the computer. I finally gave him a cord that he could gum on, but he does have little chompers.


Erick loves to torment his brother.


But he's a pretty happy guy.


Tripp is starting to sneak. His favorite thing to sneak... up stairs.




Aren't stairs just the darnedest places to clean? I knew you would understand.

Erick's last day of school

This was a program called Puddle Jumpers. I really liked it, although I wish that it was for more than one day a week and longer than 12 wks. It was kind of hard for me to convince Erick that it wasn't just a play group, but we were their to actually listen and follow directions. He had good days.

And bad. I think he would have done even better without me there, but I did enjoy being with him.

This is his tantrum face. He wanted to play with the train book, but it was time to clean up. So he quietly rebelled. But don't think I have it easy, he was yelling later on.


This is his classmate, Dalton. They played pretty nicely together.




They have a big parachute and they get to play on it, under it and go through the "Rainbow Bridge".


A little video of his train obsession.






Then it was time to hand out the diplomas.

Erick decided it was his time to shine...



Up until the very end. They were very patient teachers! Hopefully next year we'll do better at listening, but this class definitely helped me see that he needs a lot of help with "following directions" skills.