Pumpkin Fun

So--do you carve the coolest pumpkins ever without the kids because they are extremely scared of knifes since Brandon's recent ER trip.......or paint the ugliest pumpkins with the kids??  See what we chose--or the kids chose:)---(BTW--I saw some REALLY cool carved pumpkins this year!!--Kristin)  We had a lot of fun painting---Neal said mine was the worst--he said it looked like an elephant:)  He's kind of right....I have pics of the boys painting, but to see my "master piece pumpkin" of a BAT (not an elephant)-look at the Halloween pics on the post below.  

Halloween Fun

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays.  I LOVE seeing all the costumes and enjoy the people passing out candy--it's just FUN!  Or it's supposed to be--but my little Abby thought otherwise this year.  She insisted on sitting in the stroller, threw her bag at me while yelling, and didn'twant anything to do with it.--not my child.....

We went out for about an hour and had a blast--(once Abby parked her sweet behind in the stroller)--she still wanted nothing to do with the cute cat bag--but she wanted everyone to put candy on her lap!  Every time someone would give Carter a treat he'd come running to me, Llook mom, you love this!" or "This is my favorite!"  Brandon just walked a head of us most of the time--we were pretty slow with Ms. Muffet who sat on her tuffet in the stroller.  I think the boys enjoyed passing out candy more then they did floating around the neighborhood.  

After trick or treat was over, we had our "fire" and roasted hot dogs and s'mores.  It was a gorgeous night and we saw a shooting star!!  It was awesome-it was the first time Brandon or my mom had seen one and it was so fitting because my mom had Brandon snuggled in her arms.  I'm so mad that I had put the camera away--I would have loved to have had a picture of mom and B together while he was on her lap---oh well.

  

Miracles

If you've ever heard someone say that, "miracles have ceased in our day," they are wrong.  This past week I have been witnessing a miracle.  Let me take you back to last Sat. morning at 4:30 AM.

The phone rang at 4:30 AM--anytime you hear the phone ring at that hour in the morning, I think you internally know immediately you're about to receive bad news.  This call confirmed my fear.  My mother in law was on the phone hysterical.  She wanted to talk to Neal(my hubby).  After hearing, the, "Oh no!"  "Yes, what hospital?  I'll be right there."  I knew it was bad.

My husband's brother Collin, had taken a drug that sent him into cardiac arrest-stopped his heart and breathing.  He had been with some friends the day before and took a drug.  Another friend picked him up and took him to his brother's apt.  Collin was acting very tired and went to sleep on the friends couch.  After some time, the friend noticed Collin was breathing weird and then Collin made a weird sound.  The friend, reached to feel a pulse-nothing.  He called 911 and the operator talked him through CPR over the phone for 10 minutes until the squad arrived.  His friend literally gave him the breath he needed to survive.  The squad cut open his clothing and worked on him.  They used the pads on him and restarted his heart.

They took him to St. Ann's hospital and tried to reach Neal's parents by cell phone.  The cell phones were turned down and they didn't get the messages, and this is the exact message as I have listened to it over and over--"Hi Ms. Koenig.  This is so-in-so from St. Ann's hospital.  Your son Collin was brought in by squad and is in the ER.  We are currently working on him.  Please call us back at------"  They worked on him for at least 3 hours.  Neal's folks were finally called on the home phone at 4:15 AM.  

We arrived at the hospital at 5:00 AM.  (my mom lives a mile away and came rushing over to watch the littles.--grateful for family!!)  When we entered the ICU room, we saw a motionless Collin, the hospital's Chaplin at the foot of the bed, and Neal's mom and dad in shock.  I'll save you the details, but it was one of the worst sites and feelings I've ever had.  Collin was on a breathing machine and was unresponsive.  We stayed with him until the next shift of nurses came and they asked us to wait in the waiting room until they could brief the next shift of nurses.  We waited in that waiting room for what seemed like forever.  After an hour and a half, we were permitted back in to see him.  

In the late morning-he opened his eyes to where we could see the white of the eyeball.  Little by little as the morning became afternoon, we could see his eye-pupil.  

In my church we believe in the power of blessings.  We believe that a man can be ordained to have the priesthood(which is the authority to act in the name of God) and that through the power of the priesthood, a person can be healed according to their faith.  Neal and my brother are both worthy holders of the priesthood and came to the hospital and gave Collin a blessing.

After the blessing, it was the first time I had a feeling of comfort and peace.  In the blessing, Collin was told he would start recovering in the next few hours and over the next several days would make a full recovery.  That he would be able to walk and talk again.  I know that the Lord answers prayers and keeps his promises, as Collin started improving by leaps and bounds.

Within several days, Collin was doing all the things that a "normal" individual does.  The nurses and doctors have told us repeatedly that this just doesn't happen.  That this outcome doesn't happen.  They said they have seen many cases like this and that he is very lucky to be alive.   

I KNOW that God answers prayers.  I know that he performs miracles everyday if we just take the time and look around.  NOTHING is coincidental--He knows what we need to go through and when we need to.  I certainly don't know everything, but I do know that He loves me, as He does you.  I usually don't get all "religious" on my blog or fbook, but I can not, NOT share the peace, love, and comfort that comes only through a loving Heavenly Father.  I would be so ungrateful and undeserving if I didn't share my thoughts.  I know that miracles happen, as I am currently witnessing and living this miracle.

Collin is still in St. Ann's.  He was moved from ICU a couple days ago and is in a "normal" room.  He still has a long way to go on the road to recovery, as he needs to change a life style.  I know with prayer and support all things are possible.  Again, thanks to you all--your thoughts, prayers, and love mean more than you will ever know.  Thank you and God bless!  

Cosi

Here goes--trying my hand at adding more than 5 photos at a time.  Thanks Val and Kelly:)  These were taken last week at Cosi.  Cosi was having a cool NASA booth where you could touch a rock from the moon.  "We've landed on the moon!"  They said their are 7 rocks from the moon that are for people to view.  That was pretty cool....The other photos were inside hanging out.  

So why are my pictures so all over the place??  I'll get it one of these days, but for now I know how to post more than 5:)

Can you up this one?

I don't know about you, but my kids(boys) always have to "up" what the other says.  If you've seen the SNL skits with the girl who has done everything better then you etc., that's them. Today, was too much, so I have to share.  

I'm listening to the boys and Brandon starts talking about a baptism he went to with his grandfather.  No--he doesn't comment on how nice the baptism was, just all the refreshments he took in.  He kept saying, "We had hot chocolate, cider, brownies, donuts, cookies...."  Carter is drooling and says, "Well when you and dad went on that skiing trip, (which was like a year ago...)mom and I made cookies and she let me have 4!"  Then Brandon yells, "mom...(relays everything Carter just said) and says, "is that true?"  I don't remember!!  Then they start again.....

They certainly didn't get this from me.  Someday I hate to say, but I can just hear them now in the locker room---mine is bigger than yours.  I know I'm horrible, but at this point, I've got to prepare me for no surprises.  

For instance--today my son stops in the middle of our homeschool lesson and shares a show he watched last night.  He continues to tell me all about the show daddy let him watch with him--Dirty Jobs.  Have you seen it?  Well last night was on castrating sheep.  Let me tell you how disturbing it is having your 6 year old explain with motions how sheep "balls" as he called them(which I have NEVER heard him say) are cut off and then eaten for dinner.  WHAT!!  I stayed calm and said, "oh, how interesting.  Is there anything else you want to tell me?"  I'm really trying hard to keep the door of communication open while they are young, so later they can tell me whatever the locker room may bring.  Or if they are still homeschooled, whatever the "bathroom" talk is......

Trying to figure out how to post more then 5 photos for one post...here are more photos from Pigeon Roost..

A new found love...

It's been way to long since I've blogged.  We've been struck with the flu bug for the past week, but that's not the only reason.  I've been introduced to a new love---facebook.  What a cool thing we have.  We can virtually type in anyone we know and reconnect if they are on the network.  So amazing.  If you haven't checked it out, you should-it's pretty dope.

I actually started fbook because my hubby had one and one night last week I came downstairs after a rough day and found an email asking Neal to confirm a friend request from fbook.  The friend was someone from Argentina that I knew from my mission.  She said she had been trying to find me.  It made my day and I had no idea that fbook was world wide--I'm not all that up to date on the wireless world.  So I decided that next day to start facebooking and it has been so fun to reconnect with old pals and current pals.

Also--a few other things I want to say...

I want to thank whomever "boo'd" us the other night.  Scared my kidos to death when we got a knock at the door that night, but it was so sweet.  Don't exactly know who it was, but thank you.  Brandon came upstairs and said, "That was just so sweet of someone to do that to us."  I agree.  Little acts of kindness go a long way and are very appreciated--Especially since we haven't been out of the house for a few days, that was just a nice way to feel some "fresh cold air".

I'm going to try to post some pics we took from Pigeon Roost Farm.  That place is da bomb if you haven't been there-check it out maybe Thursday or Friday this week--it should be nice weather wise.  It's way fun for the kids and you.  Suggestion--they have some places to sit, but when we go I take a lounge chair so I can take it to where ever the kids want to play.  I play some and then read while they have a blast.  It's nice....

Hope everyone is doing well.  I'll try to be better and get a balance between my two new lovers--blogging and facebook.  Oh real quick--here's a funny.  Talking about new loves....I recently made a wedding video for a friends wedding.  I was looking for good love songs and checked out itunes.  You can hear a clip of any song and then buy it.  Well I found this song that was cute about falling in love everyday.  I thought, "that's too cute!" so I bought it.  After buying it I was so excited to put it to the video--until I listened to it all the way.  It's about a dude falling in love everywhere, everyday--like new loves--on the bus, in the grocery store...not really a good marriage video, huh?:)

Speaking of videos--if you are looking for a very inexpensive WONDERFUL gift for a family member or friend, I'd love to help you make a video.  I know $ is tight for everyone these days, so I would be thrilled to help you create something--would be a nice Christmas present. If you're interested let me know.  Have a great day all!

Boo at the zoo

We can't get enough of the zoo!  Guess we feel right at home.....went Thursday, then Friday.  On 

Friday we met up with some friends at the zoo for a night of Halloween fun.  

Zoo Pals

Thursday we went to the zoo and had a great time.  We went with GLAD school and "we"moms let the animals loose.  Check it out.....

  

        

                      
          
  I'm still trying to figure out how to post pictures---obviously!!  (Sorry it's so hard to follow the pics.)

Sunday Naps

Ever since I was a wee tyke I have loved taking Sunday naps.  I don't always get them, but when I do, it's heaven.  So today we made it "family nap time"-which meant everyone was napping today.  Well-that's what we planned anyway.  After I got all warm in my covers, it started.  All the fussing, the getting out of bed, the "I'm not tired" in melt down mode--(of COURSE you're not tired.)  After some time, it was loud again.  This time it sounded like the boys were letting off cannon balls.  Neal gets up and the boys are jumping off the beds and getting all crazy together.  Neal was so tired, (he ran a half-marathon not stopping once this morning)(and yes I know what you're thinking--I already did the preaching to him!)  Neal exhausted tells the boys just to go downstairs.  They eat this up and say, "Can we watch TV?"  "Yes!"  "OH, can we play Wii?"  "YES!!  I don't care what you do, just go downstairs."  Well the boys did just that--they did what they wanted.  A little while later I came downstairs to find food out and a friend over.  Brandon comes in all happy and said, "Dad, told us we could do whatever we want, so Kaityln is over and we're playing Wii."  

Still in tack without Alice

Kids are the best!


                                              

I don't need an Alice "Brady" around, just a lot of alcohol.  JUST KIDDING!!  You know I don't drink....but if Coke was illegal, I'd be in trouble.

So my good friends children have left our nest.  I really did enjoy them and would do it again in a heartbeat--just next time I'll have Neal build me a sound proof room off the back of the house for Abby and Ethan.  Those two are the cutest little things, but ornery as anything.  I described to Neal they have a love/hate relationship.  One minute Abby is wiping off Ethan's face with a wipe and they are cracking up, and the next minute they are about to throw down over a toy.  Too funny!  I love the great age of 2.  

And then there were 6

Anyone know why the Brady Bunch is so unrealistic?  Mike met Carrol when the kids weren't babies--Bobby and Cindy weren't even toddlers.  So how did they make it work?  I think it's because the kids were old enough to know if they acted out, Mike would take them in the den and give them the belt.  Just kidding--I think it's because the kids were old enough to understand how to behave and they had Alice.  Alice was like the "pretender".  That cool lady could do anything.  One minute she could be doing laundry, the next minute comforting the sad, the next minute chasing the dog, and still have the energy and the look to go to the meat market.  I mean, how many 65 year old women can go walking into a meat market and get free meat without showing a little.  You know what I'm talking about, she'd just say,"hi" to Sam and he'd melt.  Could you imagine if we all had an Alice around how much time and money we would save?  Let me get back on track to why I'm thinking about the Brady Bunch--It's almost been 24 hours since I've doubled in kid size.  Yesterday my good friend went out of town for the night to watch an NFL football game with her hubby and in laws.  She asked us if we could watch her kids for the night and my family has been so excited to have them.  We couldn't believe the day finally arrived!  I have the cupboards full, the books out, the costumes ready for play, cars, pack in plays, games, what else do you need?  Let me tell you, I need an Alice. The two 2 year olds fight over everything and have had several melt downs.  Actually here's another one-they are fighting over a play hairdryer.  The girl wants it for her doll and the other for a gun.  Gotta go comfort the melt downers.--I'm back, OK--I'm off again, they are yelling at each other.  Here we go.... Having 6 kids under 6--where's Alice when you need her?  And Breezi, when the fairy is done cleaning your pad, send her here--tell her to plan on staying a good week.:)

Update from read NOW post

As some of you might have read, Neal's parents neighbor was shot the other day.  We just got home from Neal's folk's house and here's the scoop.  

When the man came through the garage, he saw the 2 girls and the mom in the house.  He was wearing gloves, carrying a bag, and clip board with him.  He told them, "This is going to take long."  To save details, here's how it went down.  The mom (Beth) told the girls to run and then Beth started fighting with the man.  The man was 6.5", 320 lbs-big dude.  Beth is a small women, but has the courage of a lion.  She attacked him and they wrestled around-he shot her twice, once in the leg and on her side-missing major organs, thankfully.  He went after the girls who had locked themselves in the bathroom-they have one of those bathrooms that the shower and sink are in one area, and then the toilet is in a little closet like--they went in the toilet room and climbed out the window.  The man shot through the bathroom door shooting a bullet through the spa tub.  He shot a total of 7 rounds-only hitting Beth two times.  Get this though, Beth somehow got the gun turned around to his chest and tried to shoot him, but the gun jammed.  Can you imagine?  She was able to get out of the house and a neighbor ran into the house, and that's when the man escaped through the garage.  The neighbor got the license plate and a good look at the man, and so did another neighbor.  

On Thursday evening the police had been working on the investigation and ran his plates.  They used a picture line up with several neighbors and Beth.  They were all able to identify him right away.  Then they asked the husband to look at some photos.  They asked him if he knew any of the men.  He pointed to the one and said that the man had previously worked for him.  So clearly this wasn't random.  The man was going to kidnap the wife and daughters and hold them hostage for money from the company--The man had all of his plans written down and had the materials with him when he broke into the house.  The police used the plates and drivers license to locate the man.  The man was from Indiana-and was there.  The police located his cell number and traced it to where he was using it.  They actually called the man and told him that they were charging him with attempted kidnapping and murder.  The man then crashed his car and killed himself.  

The family is all home and seems to be doing well.  Last night they had a block get together and Beth was there and had support from everyone.  Her daughters, 13 and 15, were out playing together, too.  I saw her husband tonight and he seemed to be doing well.  I'm so grateful this guy is done and doesn't have to be judged here...he'll get his "piece".  Thankfully, Beth, Tad, and the girls have their "peace", too.  

Confession

I have a confession!  I LOVE the smell of camp fires!  Yes, I know all about Smokey the safety Bear, but when I smell wood burning on a fall night, I want to be there participating.  Even more enjoyable is spending time talking and sky viewing with family and friends around the fire.  Last Monday we bought a fire pit and have had a blast!  Monday nights FHE was around the fire with our neighbors and of course s'mores.  Tuesday night--night around the camp fire--s'mores.  Wed. night, wanted to be out by the fire, but it rained all day:( (Thought about making a s'more in the microwave.)  Thursday night-Neal wasn't home to start the fire:)--(yes, that's his thang.)  Friday night-around the campfire with some friends-roasted hot dogs and had s'mores again.  So my point in telling you all of this is not only to confess my love for camp fires and s'mores, but to see if any of you know how to make a low fat s'more!!--  At my rate I could be playing Santa at this years ward Christmas party.  Ho Ho Ho!