Getting to the Root of the Problem

Steven's biyearly visit with our dentist didn't end with good news. His front tooth that had chipped off a year ago due to a scooter accident, is showing signs of dying. Dr. Vehawn referred us to an endodontic specialist, who after an x-ray and a thorough exam, concluded the same thing. The tooth was completely dead. Steven would need a root canal. The news did not settle well with him. Pain (even the slightest) is Steven's nemesis.

 

We arrived a bit early and used this time to say a word of prayer. The entire procedure took an hour and a half and Steven did great.

 

I am grateful Steven lives in a time where medical knowledge is vast and pain is minuscule with the aid of local anesthesia.

 

 

PIled High

 

 I am grateful there were enough leaves to rake into a pile for Dave-o to jump in before a big storm hits the bay area.

 I am thankful for children who are never too "big" to play with their little brother.

Family Night

It's the first Monday after Thanksgiving. You know what that means. Right? We all get to pull a name out of a hat.

To see who our "Secret Pal" will be from now until Christmas Eve. I'm VERY excited with the person I have. I can't wait to find creative ways of putting a smile on his/her face in the upcoming weeks.

Then we had fun decorating the Christmas tree that the kids have lovingly named "Doug". Afterall, it is a Douglas fir. Kirsten is a bit more formal and calls it "Uncle Doug".

I am thankful for traditions that bring our family together.

A Tangible Link

A picture of the Oakland Temple sits inside a special frame which has been displayed in every home that I've lived in since the age of eight. The Lewis family gave it to me on my baptismal day. Brother Ronald Lewis was an important part of my childhood and teenage years. Each Sunday, he and his family sat in the third row center pew, right behind our family. Brother Lewis always had a way of making everyone around him feel loved and special. He later took the stand as a member of my home ward's bishopric and a few years later was called to the stake presidency. During my teenage years, I had many private interviews with him. He was an impartial judge that I could pour my soul out to.

 

This picture and frame is my only tangible link to this great man, Brother Lewis. He, personally made and stained the wooden frame; and on the back, a greater treasure is found:

A couple of days ago, Dave-o pointed to this very picture and began to sing the first part of the Primary song, "I Love to See the Temple". However, he took the musical liberty to sing it like this, "I love to see MY temple..."

 

I am grateful that I did marry a boy who was worthy to take me to this special and sacred place. Thankfully the story doesn't end there. I now have the opportunity to raise five beautiful children in the gospel, whose hearts are hopefully set on living their life worthy to marry in the temple as well. I pray that each of them will look to the temple with Dave-o's words on their lips, "I love to see my temple, I'm going there someday..."

Meet our Christmas Tree

Who's ready to cut down a Christmas tree?

Dave-o is finally big enough to pull the tree cart.

Can you guess who picked out our tree? It was love at first sight. And smell at first scent for David.

Down it came

With lots of helpers.

(James and David)

(Steven and me)

(Kirsten and Justin)

(Steven and James)

In front of our tree. We weren't expecting the warm weather. It was 70 degrees!

Before we left, we took some family pictures for our Christmas card.

Then we strapped the tree and Steven to the top of our car and headed home singing carols all the way.

 

I am grateful to live near the beautiful mountains. To get to the Christmas tree farm we get to drive through a dense Redwood forest. It takes me breath away to see the groves of trees nestled together in their own family unit.

My Tomach's Full

I am thankful for a husband who took it upon himself to organize a Turkey Bowl within our ward. The boys spent three hours playing football, while Kirsten, Dave-o, and I watched the Macy's Parade and got the house in order.

I am thankful for my brother-in-law's love and kindness. Even though we couldn't have Thanksgiving dinner together, Michael took the time to bring Emily and Owen over to our house to hang out.

I am thankful for the sun that decided to shine today. It has been many days since I've felt it's warmth on my face.

I am thankful for friends to share our food and love with. We loved having Susanna, Ben and Jessica with us. They are an important part of our lives.

I am thankful for a tummy full of delicious food. Dave-o couldn't wait for the turkey to finish cooking. He plopped himself down on the kitchen floor with a sigh and said, "My tomach's empty. My food went all the way down to my foot. See?"

I am thankful for traditions. Tonight we all will be watching "Miracle on 34th Street" (the black and white version) just as we have done in Thanksgiving pasts.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Prep Work Complete

Kirsten and I have spent much of the day baking pies and other goodies for tomorrow's big feast. She loved fluting the edges of the crusts (a skill that she learned easily).

 

I am grateful for a baking buddy who loves being in the kitchen as much as I do.

Sweating Bullets

Today I had an appointment with my OBGYN (no, I am NOT pregnant). I hate these exams. I hate them more than the dentist. More than eating seafood. Even more than flying. While sitting on the exam table wearing that flimsy plastic gown, I could feel my blood pressure rising by the minute. Sweat was dripping from my armpits. (Too much info.?) My hands and feet were cold and clammy; and yet I was still able to smile and hold a conversation with my doctor. I'm positive that I didn't fool her. She could probably smell my fear even before entering the room. In the end, all went well. I am happy to say that I have ovaries and a uterus.

When I got home, I found Kirsten, Steven, and James playing Monopoly. They haven't played this game in ages. It brought back many fond memories from my childhood of playing this game with my siblings. I remember some games taking days to finish.

I am thankful to have a home full of happy, content children to come home to after a stressful and terrifying ordeal.

Dinner with Grandparents

(Dave-o doesn't like to pose for pictures anymore. Steven did his best to hold him still. As you can see, Dave-o won that fight.)

 

After church, we were able to spend a relaxing evening at Mom and Dad Zinn's house. Dinner was so good! I don't know how my mother-in-law does it, but her gravy is the best. I pour it on top of everything. It is that tasty!

 

Once we were all stuffed, the boys hung out with Grandpa doing what they love to do; muscle man tests. For example, fingertip push-ups or doing one push-up for a full minute without stopping. The girls and Dave-o played upstairs in the game room. It was a fun evening. We always look forward to these visits.

 

I am thankful for family nearby who loves us.

Painted Leaves

Our leaves are finally beginning to change colors!

 

While driving down a beautiful tree-lined neighborhood whose leaves were red, orange, and yellow, Dave-o commented to me that he wanted to paint our leaves blue.

For a couple of months now, Dave-o has been asking me when the leaves are going to fall. At one point, he even walked to our front tree and tried to push it while saying, "Fall leaves! Fall!"

 

A storm was preparing to blow through the bay area this afternoon causing a large gusts of wind to blow the autumn leaves off the trees. You can imagine Dave-o's delight in looking outside to see enough leaves to play in. Within the next few days (perhaps near Thanksgiving) there will be enough to rake into piles for him to jump in. Dave-o has already said that he wants to invite his friend Noah and cousin Owen to jump with him.

Minutes after Steven and Dave-o were done having their leaf war, it began to rain. So, the umbrellas came out and there was more fun to be had.

 

I am grateful for the diversity and joy that the seasons bring to us.