Happy Halloween

Robbie asked me to come out to Winchester for Halloween~I left work a little early and drove out there to spend Halloween night with the Spadetti's. Dori made chili (which was VERY good) and I brought a salad and bread. Dori is ALWAYS doing nice things for her neighbors and decided at the last minute to bring some chili to two of her neighbors so they would not have to cook. She is the most selfless person I know.

As soon as we were done eating, the kids were clammoring to get out and get some CANDY!!!! I stayed at their house while Dori and Brian took the kids (and Dixie their dog) trick or treating. I was happy to stay so that Dori and Brian could go together.

CeCe was a "dancing with the stars" dancer. This picture makes me laugh. She's a natural centerfold.....we will have to keep an eye on her. She is getting quite a personality and I love her so much. When I leave her house to go home, she goes to the door and tries to open the door and yells "Ya Ya! Ya Ya!" Dori called me the other night and said "listen to this" and held the phone out so I could hear CeCe crying at the door and saying "Ya Ya, Ya Ya"....she melts my heart.

I call this "Popcorn Prayer".......I wonder what she was REALLY thinking!

It was a fun evening. I'm always sad to leave their home. I will be so happy when they move closer!!!!

2nd Annual Nephew Halloween Party

I love Halloween because it signifies (to me at least) that the Holidays are here. I have started doing a yearly Halloween party for my nephews - they come in their costumes and we eat, play games and then run around outside for a while. This year was a little different because Sterling is now living in Idaho (we miss him so much) and Robbie was suffering from a horrible headache due to his spinal tap earlier that week. He wanted so badly to be a part of everything but would scream in pain when he was up and around. He absolutely wanted to dress up in his costume for the pictures - so, here they are:



This is Drake. He is seven. Travis and I cracked up when I was taking his picture because he was totally posing. This "clone trooper" from Star Wars belongs on the cover of GQ. ( I mean really, he's even looking off in the distance...sooo funny!)







This is Luke. He is 4 and is a Gargoyle. You HAD to see this costume in person. ADORABLE!











This is Mason. He is 3. He was a dragon. Check out his "fierceness". LOVE IT.









This is Robbie. He is 4. He was outside a total of 4 minutes. Dori didn't have to do much make up around his eyes because he was still so sick. He was a vampire - with blood dripping from his mouth (though you can't really tell in this picture)








This is Shane. He is 3. He was a power ranger. Check out his muscles! I love Shane's smile !











This is CeCe. She was an honorary guest. She got into the chocolate. She was a dancing with the stars dancer but the picture will follow in a later blog.

It was a fun afternoon and I am glad that everyone was able to come. Can't wait until next year.



I just had to add this picture. Robbie spent most of the afternoon on my bed. CeCe climbed up and layed on him for about 10 minutes....just hugging him and giving him kisses. It was so cute it made me tear up. I have the best family ever.

Oh What A Night!

So, I get a voicemail from my sister Dori at 7:02pm last night. My sister starts out by saying "I am at the Emergency Room with Robert. They think he has meningitis and they have to do a spinal tap." Then she breaks down and starts sobbing and I can't understand much of what else was said except "come here, I need you, I need you, come now". I cannot even put into words what I felt at that very moment - I mean, first of all, this was ROBBIE and second of all my youngest sister "NEEDS" me for support. I wasn't sure how much support I was going to be because, let's face it, this was ROBBIE, the keeper of my heart. I was on my way to run an errand and quickly made a U-turn and headed toward Winchester, VA hospital.......a hospital I LOATHE. (Natalie will remember our little 9 hour jaunt to that very hospital when I severly burned my hand last year. Not a fun experience) I called Dori back and Brian picked up. He was calling someone from church to come over so they could give Robbie a blessing. He sounded very scared and very rattled. I called my neice Hannah because I knew she would be by a computer. I had her google "meningitis" and "spinal tap" because I wanted to know exactly what we might be dealing with. I also called my cousin Michelle who is a nurse to get some more facts.

I pulled up to the ER and Brian was waiting outside for me-looking scared to death. He brought me back to Robbie who was sitting on the bed with Dori. He was pretty out of it. He was happy to see me. Dori said he had been asking when YaYa was going to get there. He really liked the thing on his finger that made it glow red. Poor thing had to be stuck 6 times for them to get blood! You can see in this picture on his right arm all of the little cotton balls and tape he has on his arm! They were finally able to put an IV through his hand and that is why it is bandaged up so he couldn't pull it out. Anyway, we sat there for about 45 minutes as nurses kept coming in to check on him. He was pretty zoned out and just starred a lot. The Dr. finally came in to do the spinal tap. They LUCKILY put him under and we had to leave the room.

This is him just waking up from the spinal tap. He just starred for quite a while. I went around the bed to talk to him and he could only move his eyebrows. It was actually quite cute. The fluid was clear which meant he did not have bacterial meningitis which is much worse and very contagious. The Dr.'s think it might be viral meningitis so he was admitted for at least 2 days. It takes 24 hours to see if it's viral. He still had a headache and his fever was still high, plus, it still hurt his neck to move his head. The nurse had to stay in the room to observe him while he was waking up and stayed an additional 30 minutes after he was awake. THEN they could finally put him in his room. He was excited to go to his room because he had an X-box in there. The first thing he said when we got to the room was "this is a girls room, there are butterflies" Sure enough, the border around the ceiling was butterflies. Once he saw the nintendo though he was okay with the room. He was still very out of it and a very sick little boy. It was 11:45 by this time and I was getting ready to leave and Dori wanted to run home to get some clothes and things for Robbie since he'd be staying for a couple days. Brian stayed with Robbie and they put on video games while Dori ran home. I wish I could've seen Robbie play video games because he was SOOO out of it when I left, I am sure it was hilarious.

So, that was my night. Very scary and highly emotional. I am so happy that Robbie will be okay. I am sad he had to have a spinal tap....it did not look like a proceedure I would ever want to have. Poor thing....he was very brave. It really stinks to see a little 4 year old so sick and you can't do anything about it. I love this kid SOOOOO much.

Really? REALLY??????

So, I was driving on New York Avenue today and saw a church that advertised "Blessing of the Animals. We will even bless your stuffed animals" WHAT THE HECK? So, I googled this and evidently, it's a world wide effort. I never knew! I'm sure you all knew about this.....but I have never heard of this. Anyway, below is info from one of the churches I googled. Seriously, this is wrong on so many levels I just don't know what to say....

Blessing of the Animals
Sunday, October 7, 2007
12:30 P.M. (immediately after church)
Open to the whole community!

We will celebrate the "Blessing of the Animals" on the Sunday after St. Francis of Assisi day (October 7) and the following Sunday (October 14) . This custom is conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi's love for all creatures.

You are encouraged to bring your pets and stuffed animals/toys with you or bring photos of your furry and scaly friends to receive a belssing in the garden.

Hot Caramel Apple Cider

If I was into idol worshipping, I think I'd have to worship Starbuck's Hot Caramel Apple Cider. In the spring and summer, I look forward to the Fall and Winter and the crisp mornings/days when I can hold a grande apple cider in my little hands. It makes me joyful! I can remember the first time I ever had one. It was Christmas Eve day. I woke up with a terrible head cold and decided to get a pedicure before I headed up to our cabin for the holiday. Just thinking about the foot massage made my cold seem less terrible. I stopped by Starbucks to get a hot chocolate but in a crazy moment decided to try the hot apple cider. The heavens opened and light beamed down with my first sip. I heard angels sing. I've been a believer ever since.

I woke up this morning with another terrible head cold. I got in my car to go to work and ended up at Starbucks. The first sip of the first hot apple cider of the year has not let me down. I can still hear the angels singing....very faintly now.....but they are there.

My weekend in Utah

I went to Utah this past weekend to attend General Conference and to see friends and family. It was a quick trip and I felt like I was going non-stop. I was able to stay with my friend Sissy and her husband and 3 kids. I hadn't seen Sissy in 8 years and it was great to spend time with her and her cute family! She has 2 boys and a girl and they were FULL of personality. I was able to be there when they had their "family night" and it was so sweet to see how Timothy and Sissy are teaching their kids how to love one another and the gospel. I LOVED it!

I was also able to see my friend Ron who happened to be my boss YEARS ago when I was going to the "U" and working at Franklin Quest (now Franklin Covey). It was so fun to catch up and reconnect.

My niece Hannah and I went to the Saturday morning session and it was an amazing experience. When the Prophet walked into the room, the Spirit was INCREDIBLE and almost overwhelming. I felt so blessed to be there at this time in the history of the church and to see all of the brethern and to witness the love and support they have for each other. You miss a lot of interaction by watching the broadcast. My neice was elated that she got to sing "live" with the Mormon Tabernacle choir. I was happy that I could share this moment with her. When we were pulling up to the conference center she said "Oh my gosh....look at all the Mormons!".......it really is a site to behold. I loved being there; feeling what I was feeling, seeing what I was seeing, and KNOWING that I was being taught by prophets of God. What a humbling and wonderful knowledge to have.

After conference my brother and childhood friend Chris came to pick us up and we went back to Chris's house to visit with his family. His wife Sandy and I were close friends in High School. They have 4 kids and I hadn't seen them for about 15 years! It was so fun and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. PLUS....it snowed and we took a drive up the canyon....BEAUTIFUL!!!

Saturday night I went out with my dear friend Julianna. I hadn't seen her in a year and it was so nice to talk and be in her company. She and I talked for hours. She calms my spirit and knows some of my most sacred experiences and has such great insight to share with me. I always treasure the time we spend together. It could not have been a better day.

There were so many people I did not get to see because of time constraints and I plan on returning soon. I had such a good weekend and loved spending time with old friends. I have been blessed through out my life to have so many good friends with generous hearts. I feel very lucky to be surrounded by so much love from friends and family. I love my life.

I need your help.....

Okay...so I got this message on my myspace account from Amr. He's 30 years old from Alexandria, Egypt. Does anyone out there have a response for me? I have several, however, would LOVE to have your input. READ ON.....

Kara, If it's meant to be, You will like my messege and you will like me though the differences in religion, nationality and background. But if it isn't meant to be, You won't like me and you will think that my messege is over the top, and you will tell me one of the following ( Sorry, I've a boyfriend....Sorry, I'm not looking for a relationship.....Sorry, You are too far away.....Sorry, our religion are different.......Sorry, I'm looking for an american). If it's meant to be, I'll honestly be the happiest person on this planet.......But if it's not meant to be, then all I can do is wish you all the best luck in your life and Goodbye:) Kara.........When I looked at your charming eyes, I felt a spark running all over my body, I felt that I'm living in heaven......And when I looked at your warm irresistible smile, I felt that I'm the happiest person on this planet, I felt that this world is smilling to me......And when I looked at your beautiful angelic face, I felt that I'm flying in the sky, I felt that this world is mine!! And honestly I was looking soooooooooo hard, I was looking everywhere and anywhere untill I gave up and realized that the princess of my dreams doesn't and will never exist, untill I saw you!......And Please don't think me pervert or player because I'm not:) And I could have said ( hi kara, wanna chat?)....or ( kara, can we be friends?)....or ( you look good kara, what's up girl?).......But I wrote you a romantic messege because that's the person I'm, that's me!.....I'm a romantic person and can't change that in me.....May be you think my messege is over the top , but I think it's romantic......So if you are not interested in me, no hard feelings, it just wasn't meant to be.....It's life :)Please Kara........I'm not a bad guy :)