Some food for thought, at least until the world runs out...

So here's a little morsel for you all to chew on for a bit: Al Gore posted a blog yesterday citing a recent study of the Mayan Civilization which reveals that they were likely wiped out due to climactic changes which caused famine and other hardships. Al uses this example from the past to argue that our future will be just as disastrous because of the current "man-made" global climate crisis. Sounds good, right? Surely we don't want to end up like the Maya?

Just one question, Mr. Former in possession of a brain: How many SUVs were the Mayan people driving around between their coal burning power plants?

Enough said.

ROL

Do you ooVoo?

My sister Laura doesn't read this, but I'm feeling nostalgic, and since I deleted my Facebook and Myspace page so this is my only internet outlet, here's to my older sister. Man I miss her. Why is it that we can never seem to live near one another? My life would be so different, and I think so much better, if she were a more constant part in it. I haven't lived near her since I left home. So, here's to her. I love you, Laura. At least we have ooVoo! hehehe

Hold Tight and Pray for the Best

Please indulge my ramblings:

I keep telling myself that our country has been through this before. We've had democrats as president before. We've had democrat majorities in the House and Senate before. But I just can't shake the feeling that this time it might be a lot worse. A lot of people have compared Obama to Jimmy Carter: I can't wait for double digit inflation, unemployment, and interest rates. That is the legacy of Jimmy Carter. Everybody is so worried about the state of the economy, so we elect a socialist. I guess if you really believe that socialism is the answer, then good for you. But I live in America, a country founded on principles of freedom and capitalism. If you want socialism, there are plenty of countries around the world that I could suggest. Unfortunately, there's nowhere else that I can go in the world that offers what this country offers in terms of freedom and economic opportunity. Sadly, many of those freedoms have already been curtailed by liberals like Obama, and with a nearly bulletproof congress, I have a feeling that big brother is only going to get bigger.

I think the problem I have is that I don't see how we turn the tide. Hope is something that seems to be slipping away from me. But then I look back and see that Americans have always been resilient and I gain hope that enough people will open their eyes, quit sticking out their hands to the government and realize that freedom is more important than the federal government.

So I am doing my best to look forward with hope while thinking about how we can turn this around. We have two years to work on the Congress. Two more years after that to work on the Presidency. All is not lost, so long as we can hold on to what we believe and what we know is right. As the Lord said, the righteous need not fear. At least we know that no matter what happens politically in this country, or any other, the Gospel is true and God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

First day of snow!

Peter's School Picture

He's so funny. But isn't this picture out of focus and dark? I think he did a good job but I'm disapointed in the photography company.

Single but married

Randall is in UT for his second week, pounding the pavement, looking for a job. I think he's doing a good job and I'm proud of him. The boys just said bye to him this morning but already miss him. Unless he gets a job this week I am guessing we might not get to physically see him again for another couple of weeks. But it's a little difficult to project what is going to happen with things right now. Why am I blogging tonight? Oh yah, remember. Every night that Randall isn't home I don't sleep well. But tonight I came up with an idea. Instead of laying in my bed watching primetime then shutting things off and going to sleep I would watch my shows while on the treadmill. That way I can get myself nice and tired. Then after I get ready for bed I'm going to read scriptures. Right now I am downloading the audio of the New Testament. I can listen and/or read my scriptures until I'm too tired for wakefulness. Hopefully that will get me into a good sleep cycle and I'll be more restful through the night.
This last weekend the boys and myself were together with Randall for my brothers mission farewell. All in all the best word I could think of to describe how it went was 'perfect'. And it was. The beach on Saturday, church and family and friends on Sunday... perfect. I couldn't be more blessed. And now I'm home in a clean house. Clean! Lovely...though I wouldn't go so far as to call the cleanliness of my house perfect.
So eventhough I am for the time a single married woman, things are wonderful. And hopefully they will increase in blessings as Randall and I work together to give our little family what it needs so we can all be together again soon.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow...

there's another rainbow... no I'm just kidding. That's a quote from the TV show Arrested Development. But the title of this blog does reflect the current mood of our home now. Like I have told a couple of you, things are looking up for us now that Randall and I have had time to sit down and talk. We now have a plan of action. It's on! And we're gunna bring it.


Randall is going to head down to UT to apply for jobs. He will be getting a call this week from one company and hopefully he can have an interview while he's down. I'm very optimistic. Randall has been much happier since he quit his job and it has positively affected our home. Unhappiness occurs incrementally so I hadn't really noticed how much his misery was affecting everything until life became immediately better. AND... right now BYU is pummelling, destroying, killing, rippin it up, etc etc. That helps. *wink*


We are also making an insanely quick trip to So Cal which, though it will be difficult driving wih three pups that far, I am totally phsyched about! My brother is having his mission farewell. He's going to Billings, MT on the 24th. WOOHOO! His mission is right next door to us. How cute of him. We're going to be at the beach this time next Saturday. Awesome.


Oh, I have glasses. Man! Someone should have warned me about glasses! My depth perception is totally messed up. If I had known it was going to mess with my head this much I would have waited longer... I mean I wasn't blind enough to have my liscence revoked...

Here's a pic. And a few random others. Good times.

Saturday isn't such a special day

Well, unless your only criteria for Saturday is that it is the day you get ready for Sunday. I guess then that Saturday is a special day. But at our home it doesn't seem much too different than the school week. Randall works on Saturdays. He does get Mondays off, and not to be a compainer, but it just isn't the same. I have to watch the kids all Saturday long- alone. And, as a bonus, Peter doesn't have school, so I really have to watch all the kids all day long- alone. I know, I know, I should be grateful that I "get to" "play with" the kids All! Day! Long! See, when you look at it like that, then it seems a lot more exciting. So maybe I just need an attitude adjustment. But then I could say that about everything. The boys think Saturday is extroardinary. They get to watch Saturday Morning Cartoons. And, well, that pretty much means they watch Tom an Jerry for and hour... it's pretty freakin' sweet. But then what? I have no money to go somewhere with them. And having three makes it rather impossible to take them by myself to a public place. Most neighboors around here go places each Saturday so there are no kids to play with.
So, what it comes down to... which is generally the conclusion most moms come to... is that I have the wrong attitude and I need to do something different so that Saturday is a special day with me and my boys. Yah. *sigh* why can't I just be 14 again... I had so much energy and such a drive to run and jump and skip and hop and spin and spin and spin around. Now I'm tired and probably lazy and I just don't feel like playing Hi Ho Cherry-O again. And since Monday is a school day it just seems like the other days of the week except that I see Randall around the house while I take care of the kids. I see him on the computer. I see him taking care of his truck. I see him working on the yard. I see him watching Price is Right. So I guess I feel like him having Monday off is much like him not having a day off. And I know he really dislikes having Monday instead of Saturday off as well. Especially since Peter is in school.
Hey so on a good note (because I could keep talking about this but I think you've had enough) I have 13 piano students now. Maybe I could just teach piano for a living and Randall could stay home. Muah! I got my very first pair of glasses, which, yes, I do consider that a "good note". Though it drives me a bit crazy, it is nice to see the world more crisp. Like my computer screen. Peter loves school and is making some great friends. Andrew is pretty hilarious. And Blake makes gutteral "uh-huh" sounds when I'm nursing him and I say it to him. It's awesome because he won't do it when we're not nursing. Silly kid. Oh and his hair is coming in and is this beautiful strawberry blond. Our bedroom is lookin wicked cool because we moved our theater stuff into it as well as the computer. I took Peter to get his foot fitted for his tap shoes. During the week I wake up at 5:30 so I can get ready and read my scriptures before the boys get up at 7. And I get to go shopping for piano books today! I love the piano store. LOVE IT! Though, having to take the boys there by myself is very dangerous to the instruments and books an very stressful to me... and we've gone full circle. Maybe I'll wait until Monday...

They are SO LOUD!

Could my boys be any louder at this moment? Let's see if the neighboors complain because I kicked them outside.
Anywhoo, I thought I'd type some stuff.
Life is kind of crazy right now for us. Randall is looking for a new job whilst barely holding on to the one he currently has. He just hates his job so much that it's affecting his mood and his ability to just function. So... the job search begins. And though he is searching the nearby areas, he has also applied for a job in Wyoming, Colorado (in two different locations), and Arizona. Can you imagine how much it makes my head spin to think about moving states again so soon? Peter just started school. He has made so many good friends. The way I see things is this: every aspect of my life and my children's lives is fantastic since we've moved here... but my husband is miserable. Isn't that an awful wrench to throw in? I feel so bad for him. And, since I am inextricably connected to him, and honestly his pocketbook, that wrench is pretty big.
So, what does this mean for us? I HAVE NO IDEA! He could find a job here and we could be staying until his parents get home. He could get a job within the month and want to be moving, or in the next few months. Who knows?! I really love it here. *sigh* I did suggest to Randall that if he finds a job in another state that he should go by himself, find a family in the church to stay with, and check out the area and the job for a while before we move the whole family. That doesn't sound like much fun, but I don't want to move so far again only for that not to work out and have to move again. It is so hard to move.
I really do just want Randall to be happy and satisfied with his job and his life. I will move anywhere for him so he can be successfull. He is so smart and clever and quick-witted. He is capable of so much. I don't want him doing some lame job that takes him nowhere and pays so little that we can barely afford to survive so that I can keep living in a WONDERFUL home that isn't mine, in a neighboorhood that though I love, I have not earned.
Randall talked to his awesome brother Kendall, who I am pretty sure always gives Randall exactly what he needs to hear (thanks Kendall), and has come to the conclusion that his first priority should be to get back to a position where he is able to provide for his family in the industry where he is knowledgeable. Then he can look for other things to help him get further. Randall thinks about going to school or changing his career path completely, but Kendall pointed out that those things are very overwhelming to consider when the basic needs for your family are not being met. Very good advice. And, trying not to make this already long blog any longer, I'm probably not giving the full brunt of his advice any justice. Seriously, Kendall and Randall think so similarly that when they talk to each other Kendall just seems to say aloud the things Randall is thinking or feeling in a way that Randall is able to step outside of his situations and look at them more clearly.
And that's where I'll end for now.
*smile*

Oh yah!

I guess you guys might like to know what's going on, huh? So American Idol was a bust. BUT, lemme tell you my funny story. When I went to register, I told them I was bringing my kid and the woman behind the table started freaking out. "You can't do that!" "What are we going to do?" It took her almost fifteen minutes hee-ing and haw-ing, so super-concerned about "the poor baby", before she came up with a "solution" to this overwhelming problem. I was given a handicap pass. I became, as my sissy likes to say, a "special circumstance". So I was able to completely bypass the line come audtition day, and was in and out of the audition process in five minutes. I guess that sucks since that also meant that I didn't make it to the second round of auditioning. But since I only had a 5-10% chance anyway (about 4,000 people and between 200-400 make it to the second round of auditions), it was pretty nice to be in and out instead of sitting around the entire day with nothing to show for it. So, eventhough I nothing came of it, I had a FANTASTIC time in UT. I was able to go to church with my Aunt Jeanine's family. I stayed at my GP McBeth's house. I saw cousins and friends and my kids saw their cousins and their aunts. Went to Chuck E. Cheeses. I got to visit BYU campus (a must for me) and I even was able to visit my GP in the hospital (he had knee surgery while we were down). Just fantastic. My kids drove me crazy and I vowed never to do a trip without my husband for a LONG time.
I actually came to a few conclusions while in UT that I think will improve my life. I've been working on starting a recycling company but I am putting that on HOLD for a while. I am only going to go take my children to the park and the library when without my spouse. I am going to start going out once in a while BY MYSELF and Randall and I are going to have a date every Saturday night.
Not that these rules will be permanent forever, but I'm GOING CRAZY with my three youngins right now and I need to Chillax.
Welp, that's all for now. My hubby is nearby. woot woot.

Andrew

Rediculously good looking

Getting to know Andrew

I thought you guys might like to see Andrew. After all, he is Andrew.

American Idol songs

So I'm working on 4 or so songs to use to audition for American Idol. I thoughtI would record myself doing these songs and get some feedback. Please don't critique my shirt, hair, or makeup but feel free to critique my facial expressions or anything to do with vocals. In the first round of auditions they give you about ten seconds, hence their length. I sat down and quickly did this so I forgot some words... or many words. This is my second attempt to get things recorded so hopefully by next time I might have all the words, another song or two added, and I might even try lookin' good. "Ah, The Ugly One, you are looking so makey-outey tonight." -Strong Bad

How are we, you ask?

(Our dream house)

Randall and I met at BYU-Provo and married five months later. We have since had three children and moved three times: each time to a new state. Palm Springs, CA was hot. I made a couple wonderful friends, but don't miss it. Reno, NV was almost perfect... except we had hit a dead end to Randall's career and didn't ever feel we'd be able to have a home. So we packed up our little family and moved to Rigby, ID. Randall's parents are on their second church mission and we are house-sitting. Ignorantly, we thought Randall would be able to find a job easily. Now, three-and-a-half months later, we are deeper in debt and have finally received our first meager paycheck. So, either the product of desperation or the product of blessings soon to be recognized, we are striking out on our biggest move yet. But this is not a physical move like so many before. We are going to take a big financial and career move. Or maybe I should just call it a risk. I just hope we are strong enough to suceed.


I know I'm being vague and so I'm not sure why I'm even bothering to write this down. But I wanted to write something to let everyone know what's going on with us. Yet at the same time I'm being vague because I don't want to face any scoffs from all my loved ones.


Let me give this example. When teams are playing basketball and someone takes a wild shot far outside the three-point line, one of two things happen. 1: The shot goes through the basket. 2: the shot misses. If the shot misses, inevitably the announcers denounce the risky shot as foolishness. Yet if the shot goes in the announcers inevitably apllaud the player for his brilliance and daring.


This all occurs within seconds.


Our big risk will take more than just seconds for a final outcome to be realized. In the intterum I don't really want to face people "announcing" our foolishness. So hopefully, maybe 6 months to a year down the road, I'll give full-disclosure and my comment section will be full of applause.


And that is how we're doing. How are you?

Scarface

Well, what can I say? When it's baby vs kitty, kitty wins.

Silly dreams

Well, I know it's a bit foolish, being a mother of 3, but I can't help myself. I checked the American Idol website and they're doing auditions this year in SLC, UT and I've just gotta go. I know it's just a looooooooong shot (seriously the show is so unlike the real process where there are thousands of great singers and the show is looking for something specific for that year and blah blah blah) but it would just be so much fun. I told myself that I'd stop the crazy American Idol dreaming because I'm just "getting old" (not really that I'm getting old but that, in case you missed this point, I have 3 kids!) But I did say, in the recesses of my head, that I would audition if the oportunity fell into my lap. Well, living in Rigby, ID, you can't wish for a closer location than SLC. It's about 3 hours away and I have tons of family that I can ask/beg/plead to watch my children for me while I audition. But the biggest wrench is that I'm still nursing Blake so I'd really like him to stay with me. Which then means I'd probably need a friend to stand in line and be crazy with me. Like I say, it just has to fall into my lap to work... 3 kids... under the age of 4... well Peter will be 5 by the audition date. Auditions are July 29th. I know it's silly, but I guess sometimes dreams are.

-picture of AI auditions 2004

Little perfect Blake

Since most of you don't get to see us, I thought I could use this forum to tell you a little more about Blake Randall Larsen. Blake, so much quicker than our other two, at 7 months is pulling himself to stand. I will not be suprised if he's walking well before 9 months. I do not say this to brag, but I just think it's crazy. I remember my sister-in-law Katrina's third boy also being very quick to walk. Let me tell you, as cute as it is when your one year old is walking, having this little 7 month ball of joy pulling himself up is unexplainably adorable. Besides being a quick little buggah (which I attribute to wanting to catch up with his brothers that he adores), he reminds me of a cat. Since we have a kitty living with us, I get daily side-by-side comparisons. They are such good playmates. I never thought I'd want a cat while I was having babies (who wants more poop?) but this has totally changed my mind. He follows her around the house and laughs uncontrollably when she comes around the corner suprising him. And he adores his father! Whenever I'm nursing and Randall comes into the room, Blake immediately stops and turns to give his dad a huge goofy grin. And I SWEAR (in a good LDS way) he said 'Dad' today when looking at Randall. I just love when babies stop being babies and start being little kids. He's so much fun and I'm glad to have him.

Crazy mud Monsters

My children are quite cautious. So when I suggested they play in the mud, though they immediately cheered the idea, they were not so eager to actually get dirty. But after continual guidance ("Peter, why don't you step in the mud. Now rub it on your tummy.") they became a little more brave and this is the result.

Dumb cat

Cats are so funny, and I mean this in an endearing way, but are so dumb. I just thought I'd share... my sister Kari is living with us and she has a beautiful tabby kitten named Tiger Lilly. Tiger Lilly is currently freaking out when the mouse moves across the screen. Oh yah. It's like in those movies when people are watching tennis and the audiences heads move back and forth in perfect unison. I can move the mouse up, down, but my favorite are the rapid circles. Dumb cat.

Poor neglected Blake

I realize there isn't really a picture of Blake on our blog yet... a recent one. I know you guys have been crying yourselves to sleep at night, wondering why you are continually deprived of such a pleasure, so weep no longer. I have come not to mock you but to bless. So now, if you still feel the need to cry yourself to sleep, it can be due to the utter joy you feel at knowing Blake continues to be rediculously good-looking.

Andrew's Birthday (and Father's Day too)

I don't mind having to play second fiddle on Father's Day. Really I don't. I already gave up my birthday to Peter, and now this. Oh well. It was never about me anyway. I'm grateful to have such wonderful boys, and I'm happy to share these special occasions with them.

And now, without further ado, Andrew's first, last, and only 3rd birthday:

X-Men Unite

Peter says that he is now a treasure, because X marks the... well, you get it. I'm glad to say that Peter is still among the family treasures, in spite of being attacked by a vicious TV and its cart. You never think you'll have to extract your child from a toppled TV stand, but you also never thought he'd find some way to pull it over on himself. Live and learn. The good news is, he seems to be fine, in spite of the flashy new fashion statement he is wearing on his face.

In all seriousness, we are all extremely grateful that he is ok, and that we were not far away when the accident happened. Just one of those times when you realize that you need to be prepared for emergencies, because you never know when they will happen.