One word answers

Cheri tagged me, I think to see if I could do one word answers! 1. Where is your cell phone? upstairs 2. Where is your significant other? Home! 3. Your hair color? Brown 4. Your mother? vital 5. Your father? thoughtful 6. Your favorite thing? hugs 7. Your dream last night? Forgot 8. Your dream/goal? consideration 9. The room you're in? Office 10. Your hobby? photography 11. Your fear? loss 12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? forward 13. Where were you last night? Twilight 14. What you're not? male 15. One of your wish-list items? camera 16. Where you grew up? marriage 17. The last thing you did? blink 18. What are you wearing? blanket 19. Your TV? Brad's 20. Your pet? hairy 21. Your computer? Tahnie's 22. Your mood? content 23. Missing someone? Dad 24. Your car? transport 25. Something you're not wearing? leotard 26. Favorite store? here 27. Your summer? adore 28. Love someone? Brad 29. Your favorite color? blue 30. When is the last time you laughed? minutes 31. Last time you cried? week Harder then it looks, you should try it.

Thankful: Part I

I'm thankful for my family

I'm thankful for my close family

I'm thankful to move forward in life and beyond

I'm thankful for kisses

I'm thankful we can rest and take it all in

I'm thankful I can hear my son laugh

I'm thankful my man loves his little man

I'm thankful my son has skills

I'm thankful my husband has one sexy behind!! Hmm.

I'm thankful I'm not raising my son on my own

I'm thankful I have a sense of humor

I'm thankful my child looks up to his Daddy

I'm thankful to be in the background once in a while

I'm thankful my son likes me

I'm really really thankful my son likes me

I'm thankful to Britta for doing such an awesome job with our family pictures! Go here to check out her website. (thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you)

Halloween

He doesn't have his white gloves on in these photos. All the same, I think he made a pretty cute Super Mario!

I had to quickly update this and show Brad and I as the Publisher's Clearing house couple for Halloween. I know I look terrible in this picture...that's what I was going for! Those curlers are harder then it looks to put in. Kudos to my Grandma for doing it by herself all these years! :) We won 1st prize for most creative!

Story Time-Elliott

Brad's youngest brother, Elliott, is one in a billion. I love his quirks and how he doesn't follow societies rules. I swear the world would be a better place if there were a few more Elliott's around. Drew posted some stories of Elliott on their blog here. He asked us to do the same. So, with love, here are some stories that always make the Roska's laugh...

Phone Conversation

Tahnie: Hi Elliott, it's Tahnie!

Elliott: Hey 'Tahn's of fun'. What's up?

Tahnie: Oh nothing much. Hey, I need to leave your Mom a message on the phone so I'm going to call back OK?

Elliott: Oh sure, no problem.

.......ring ring....

Elliott: Hello?

Tahnie: Hey Elliott it's Tahnie. I need to leave your Mom a message so don't answer the phone next time OK? I'm calling right back...

Elliott: Oh OK. Sure.

......ring ring.....

Elliott: Hello?

Tahnie: (laughing) Elliott! I need to leave your Mom a message so I'm going to call right back so I can get the answering machine.... DON'T answer the phone next time it rings OK?

Elliott: OK. Got it.

....ring ring.....

Elliott: Hello?

Tahnie: Elliott! Listen-to-me. Don't-answer-the-phone. I'm-calling-right-back-and-I-need-to-leave-your-Mom-a-message. Tell me what I just told you.

Elliott: To not answer the phone because you need to leave Mom a message.

Tahnie: Perfect. Now I'm calling right back OK? So don't answer.

Elliott: OK.

.....ring ring.....

Elliott: Hello?

Tahnie: Bud! Seriously! sigh.... Just tell your Mom I called OK?

Elliott: Yea sure.

Camping bag

I love the four things Elliott packed in his bag for a camping trip a few years back.

1. Digi Draw

2. Digi Draw (that's right he brought up a second one in case the first failed him)

3. pad of paper

4. pencil

Mission

When Brad was on his mission his companion Elder Martin loved the letter he got from Elliott so much he still has it from what I understand.

Dear Brad,

Guess what? Yup. Sock's bit me.

Love you

Brad also heard on his mission that Elliott called 911 because some kids wouldn't play with him in the neighborhood.

Prayer

Elliott was asked to give the prayer before Sunday dinner. He prayed among others things that his Dad's, "Raging indigestion" would get better. All 7 of us tried so hard to not laugh, but we couldn't help it and poor Elliott got his feelings hurt. What jerks we are!

Sandwich

Kent brought a friend home that Elliott had never met (bigger guy). They walked in the front door and Elliott looked at him and said, "You must be hungry! Let me make you a sandwich."

I had to limit it to five stories but I seriously have more. You've gotta love this kid. He's great and sweet and thoughtful and so funny!!! Great idea to write these down Drew. I hope he'll appreciate them when he gets older.

Memories of Grandpa Moon

My Grandpa Moon passed away on October 8, 2008. I was asked to speak at his funeral and tell of a few memories I had of him as a Grandchild. I wanted to share with you my talk...

Along with my sadness at Grandpa's death, I also find something to be glad about. I’m glad he is not suffering and that he is at peace. I’m glad for having known him and for the things he taught me.

Lives which have been closely tied together for 63 years cannot be separated without pain. So my thoughts today are particularly with Grandma. I hope you enjoy and find some comfort in the memories I have of Grandpa. Grandpa showed me how to be still, quiet, and gentle while he fed the birds outside in his yard. I was in awe as I watched all the chickadees and the occasional blue jay fly down from the trees and land all over his hat, shoulders and hands. One time he even let me wear his hat that he had placed bird seed on. He said I had to stand as still as a mouse so they would come to me. Some did come but they wouldn’t flock to me like they did Grandpa. Grandpa encouraged our wild imaginations from the time I was very young. One of the largest Aspen trees in his yard had a hollowed out portion at the base of it. He showed my sister, Cheri, and I and proceeded to tell us about the elves that lived in that tree. He helped us build a small mailbox right outside the hole. I don’t remember what we would write on the tiny pieces of paper, but I do remember we would anxiously wait for the elves to get our letter and send their reply. Sometimes two or three days would pass but eventually there would be a little note from the elves that lived in Grandpa’s big tree. Grandpa had a cute sense of humour and loved to tease us grand kids. Each year he would set the bear trap in his fireplace and let us know that this year he was going to catch Santa Clause and play with all of the toys. As you can imagine, we were horrified at this thought! When Easter would come around he would tell us how he was going to use that darn bear trap again and get the Easter bunny and make some good rabbit stew while he ate the candy and eggs. I also vividly remember him cautioning us about not eating the black seeds in a watermelon because if you did, you’d have watermelons growing out of your ears! I recall being very troubled and thoroughly inspecting each piece before I’d put it in my mouth. Grandpa also had a sweet tooth. You couldn’t get out of seeing Grandma and Grandpa without being offered candy or chocolates. A few years ago I made a chocolate cake for a family gathering. We took some food over to Grandma and Grandpa along with a few pieces of cake. Grandpa thoroughly enjoyed that piece of cake and happily accepted a second piece ensuring he scraped the plate clean so he got every last morsel. He didn’t eat much then so we were all happy to see his appetite even if it was for chocolate cake. These are all special memories to me and to my brother and sister and I feel honoured to be the one to share them with you. I made some of that chocolate cake today for the gathering afterward and hope you’ll have a piece….. or two and remember all the sweet things about my Grandpa. I know through prayer we can be comforted in our times of need if we but ask our Heavenly Father. I have a testimony that I will be able to see him again. Families do go on forever. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Shedding in defense

Why must my dog shed soooo much?? Seriously. Hair is all I notice lately. Vacuuming twice a week is just not cutting it. For the next two month I'm going to have to double that if I ever want to get any visitors ever again. Scratch that......I'm going to have to triple it. In fact I won't be able to get anything else done so don't ask me why I don't shower anymore, cook, converse, or leave comments on your blog...I'm vacuuming-leave me alone! We've even resorted to attacking what (few) visitors we get with our roller thing-a-ma-bob-hair-taker-off-er as they leave because we can't remember if they had pants on or not and frankly I'm concerned what the neighbors might think?!! To avoid this I guess you could check your pants at the door and we'll give you a towel to lounge around in. I don't think that's so weird. Some people make you take off your shoes...why not your pants?! Trust me, you'll thank me later as you see all the other guests line up for their roll down. I do have one theory why he must shed so much. To get back at us for letting Brynner poke, grab, sit one, drive into/over, stare at, and yank his tail...just to name a few.

I am amazed at how easy going Rusty is and maybe vacuuming for two months straight twice a year (yes, it happens in the spring as well) won't be so bad. He'll have to endure like what honey..... 3 more kids :) ?

Evidence that we do feed Rusty. Check out that booty!

12 Step Program

Update: Brynner has taken some huge steps with his toilet paper addiction and enrolled in the 12 step program! Count em up....there's 12 in there! We're so proud of our little man. Today he's 10 months and 10 days old.