Arnold The State Police Pig

Rus and I have been married for how many years now, and I just learned of an important (and famous!) family relation...He is about my age, born in Gallup, and has survived years of being on the wrong side of a police revolver. But he can take it because he was made of a different metal that the rest of us. Really.
So to back up for a minute...years ago, Rus's dad Roger (then a state police officer), went to a welder to have some shooting targets made. It was then and there that Arnold was born to a life of dings, dents and holes.

Meet Arnold.
Arnold is a State Police Pig.  

And he's a tough old pig at that. He's had a few holes put through him with a muzzle loader but has since been welded up and is as good as new. He even has a sense of humor...
For April fools day one year Rus and Roger loaded up Arnold in the back of Roger's State Police Car and Roger took Arnold to work.  Arnold was placed outside Chief Taylor's office looking in.  When the Chief came in and saw Arnold he just started laughing. A pig born to take hundreds of hits now holds a respected and dignified post in front of the State Police Office. And here is where Arnold got famous: KRQE news in Santa Fe reported this story last Saturday:

Cops embrace pig they once shot at

Updated: Saturday, 22 Sep 2012, 5:19 PM MDT
Published : Saturday, 22 Sep 2012, 5:15 PM MDT

by Alex Tomlin
SANTA FE (KRQE) - People who think they're being clever sometimes oink at police officers or even more bluntly just call them pigs.
So you'd think that a pig is the last thing cops would want as their symbol.
But New Mexico State Police have taken the sting out of that insult by embracing it:
This isn't just any pig, though. This is Arnold, who watches over the state Law Enforcement Academy at Department of Public Safety headquarters in Santa Fe.
That's right -- where cops from all over the state spend time training and getting certified before they hit the streets.
Ok--let's address the, umm, pig in the room.
It's a common practice for pigs and cops to be linked. Usually police are not big fans of that connection.
"Pig was not a complimentary term for police officers, but they turned it around for themselves and now pig stand for Pride, Integrity and Guts," DPS spokesman Tony Lynn said. "And they love it. They absolutely love it."
This little guy stands for a lot and has put up with a lot over the years. He was originally made for target practice at the request of a state cop in Gallup.
He still bears the scars from there.
"He found his way to Santa Fe, and they put him outside of the office of one of the New Mexico State Police chiefs, Chief Taylor," Lynn said.
A few years later, when the state were sprucing up police headquarters, they let employees decide what art should be placed outside to represent the building and DPS.
"The pig, which wasn't even one of the art works up for vote, won," Lynn said. "They mounted him permanently outside the Law Enforcement Academy, and that's where he sits."
Everyone has embraced the little guy even putting a wig on him and saying he was undercover or dressing him up to look like a lieutenant or offering to get him a donut as they walk by..
No one knows exactly how long Arnold the pig has been hanging around headquarters, but officials say they plan to keep him there for good.

Soccer, Poppies, Lace, Gaps, Mud

The last few weeks have been busy. BUSY. It has a lot to do with Bekah and Jacob playing AYSO soccer for the first time this year. They both have practices twice a week at the same time at two different fields. Then they both have games every Saturday. [Can I insert here that gung-ho soccer moms and dads are confusing and intimidating to me? They are telling their almost pro-eight year old how to better evade the other team's defense and getting after them for off-sides. They own large and semi-effective shade equipment like over-sized umbrellas and chairs with built in shade-roof-things. Their kids also do dance and gymnastics. For a non-sports family, this all feels a little over the top...] Add to that other church and school obligations and BAM, none of us has any time to breathe. But life is still good. I love watching Bekah and Jacob play soccer. Bekah started off pretty aggressive but has since learned to be a little afraid of the ball. I think it has something to do with her getting hit in the face at a game. I'm hoping she'll gain back some confidence.

Jacob does pretty well. He pays attention, likes to have the ball, and usually knows what he is doing. It's a huge improvement over t-ball days (blah).

 

We obviously need to talk about looking where you kick the ball...
Last Monday we went to a park for family night and had a family scrimmage. It turns out that Beau is the one who really wants the ball the most. That kid is fast and pretty coordinated for his age. He will be so fun to watch when he's bigger and on a team. Hopefully between now and then he'll learn to not pick up the ball and run away when the other kids are being too threatening. Marianne even knows that soccer balls are for kicking. If I hold her hands, she'll kick the ball with her little feet.
Another thing that has been keeping me super busy is some prep work I've been doing for a "Decorating on a Dime" booth for my old stake's Women's Conference. I made a detailed handout (my sister Amy was amazed that it was four pages long and not some cute little thing...), and I'm still in the process of working on my display. I asked around to find a friend who wanted a wooden poppy wall art thing and then made it for her (she financed it), so that I could use it to show in my booth.

See all that mess around/behind it? I'm also trying out some other fun ideas from pinterest like using lace as a template to spray paint some wall panels and refinishing plain ol' oak cabinet doors.
Here are the lace panels. I ran out of white spray paint before I could do the brown panel. I think I'll trim up the sides of the boards...I think I like these...

I have really learned a lot; I hope people that walk by my booth will learn a little or at least be inspired.
Now on to other news:
It must be noted that Jacob has lost two teeth. I know the pic shows only one tooth missing, but there are two bottom ones gone now. Rus pulled the first one - and I mean pulled. It wasn't coming out although it was very loose and Jacob said, "It's okay, pull it again!" He really wanted his tooth money. Once it came out, he bolted down the hall to show me and by the time he got to me he was beaming - with a super bloody mouth. It was gross, and I told him so, and he wasn't phased a bit. He just washed his mouth out and went around with this goofy smile the rest of the day. He loves to tell me the foods he can and can't eat because of gaps in his mouth.

I also have to share that I did the Dirty Dash. And it was AWESOME. If you are not a runner and you want to do a 5k, do the dirty dash. It's basically a run for inebriated people, through the mud and muck and over/under obstacles, with lots of slipping and yelling. I say it was for drunk people because there were a good portion of the people around us who I am sure tipped the bottle before the race. They wore tutus and signs that said, "I've got the runs," with an arrow pointed down. I did the run with a couple of friends from church and we had a great time, despite the unbelievably cold weather that morning. OH, and the tshirt you get from that race is also AWESOME. It's blue and fitted. Need I say more?

I know, we look like cave-women. If you don't like mud or getting dirty, you won't understand and I accept that...
Now it's time to get off my fanny and go do some real work while the house is quiet...

Marianne the One Year Old

Marianne is officially one.

This crazy little fireball of cuteness and noise started out like this:

Adorable and sweet, alternating between hungry and sleepy 24/7.
And now she is the ladder-climber, the dog-tail-puller, the toy-stealer, and the mess-maker.

I am sure she knows that the box of straws holds close to a hundred and the box of baggies holds more than that. She can unroll a roll of toilet paper faster than Doc Holiday can empty a six shooter. She loves to play in the trash, splash in the toilet, and eat Colonel's food, and thus isn't too thrilled about washing her hands, washing her hands, and washing her hands, face and mouth.
The Bug's vocabulary consists mostly of Mamamama, Dadadada, and Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah (that's Elmo the dog's bark that she imitates.) She loves to drink dad's soda, drink real milk, sleep all night usually, wave goodbye, hug dolls and blankets and anything soft, practice walking, and did I mention make messes?
A few days ago I left her with a friend so I could go to an appointment, and when I returned she crawled to me, half crying, half yelling. I picked her up and she punched me in the shoulder with her little fist and then hugged me super tight. It was like she was saying, "How could you leave me I'm so glad you're back!"
She loves to play in the boy's room and aims straight for the ladder to Jacob's bed, which she will climb to the top and then stand there yelling because the last step is too hard. We have to put the ladder away so she doesn't climb it and fall, which she has done twice before. (Footie pajamas and ladders don't mix.) Since I am usually playing transformers with Beau, Marianne has taken quite a liking to his big Optimus Prime. She also likes the Buzz lightyear that spins around. She doesn't really like her own toys. She loves the time of night when all the other kids have to be in bed and she gets free reign of the living room. She loves to play and be tickled and chased.
According to the kids:
Jacob loves that she likes to laugh.
Bekah loves that Marianne crawls on her and that she can eat things and that she can do anything.
Beau's favorite thing about her is hugging her.

Marianne, you're so much fun! We love that you're a part of our family!

Rus and Keri Go To Zions

Just so you know, when you are married ten years you earn a trip away. I know this is not always possible because children are natural impediments to "alone time," but still. You have earned it. I earned it by putting up with Rus and he earned it by putting up with me. What made the trip enjoyable was the fact that we actually still really like each other. (It might even be love.)
The trip in a nutshell:
We left Monday and came home Friday. We spent one night in a tent at Jacob's Lake, three nights at a house in St. George, and at least 20 hours in the car.
Now the not-nutshell-version:
Cutesy showed up Saturday night. We spent a generous 24 hours with her informing and warning her of all possible "worst-case-scenarios," and then rushed off in a cloud of dust (yelling "WAHOO!") on Monday morning before she could re-think the whole situation.  
We rushed off in HER car.
That's right.
Gorgeous.
That's her name. The car's.
...with less than 7000 miles on it, well at least before the trip.
...in her fully loaded Ford Focus with every available accommodation including a slightly crappy navigation system. But it had Sirius radio with Blue Collar comedy, comfy seats, great gas mileage, and could really get up and go. (Not that we ever drove it like that. Promise.)
Right before we left my mom mentioned to Rus that she had just had it washed and noticed three and only three dings on the front bumper. Take that how you will...
Here I am the first night with Gorgeous.

Notice which of us was in focus? The Focus. Because Rus developed a slight crush - he's a sucker for bells and whistles. My mom also mentioned something to him about parking her far, far away from anything and we wound up in the boonies of every parking lot, giving deference to her shiny exterior and not my sore calves. I might have developed a slight jealousy complex by hearing my husband mention Gorgeous and not have it be me.
Anywho...
After Jacob's Lake (where they have a delectable restaurant and bakery), we headed to Zion's National Park, which is east of St. George. We pulled over to explain to my mom on the phone how to get Netflix (and the Transformer cartoon) working and Rus snapped some pictures. I was really there, but I look very photo-shopped in in this picture...

 We made our way down the very busy Zion canyon and took the shuttle up to the Grotto so we could go on a short-ish hike. (We had no food to our names besides an apple and some store-bought oatmeal cookies - that's why we kept it short.) Here is the Virgin River in Zion Canyon.

 We hiked up to the upper Emerald pools. Rus tried to get me to talk in a few pohnepain words (from his mission) so we could be foreign like everyone else, but I couldn't do it. Saying "hello," to hikers is reflexive for me; I was hopeless.

 The next day we prepared ourselves with plenty of food and half as much water as we would actually need and headed out to do a more vigorous hike. We chose the Lee Pass trailhead because it was on the west side of Zion's away from the main canyon and subsequently much less traffic. But it was still captivating and beautiful due in large part to the LaVerkin creek that it followed. Here is Rus at the trail head. I know this picture has that lens spot thing by his head, but it's better than the glare on the picture where he's not wearing his hat...and the scenery is breathtaking, too. No one but my hot-honey can (and does) enjoy hiking in a swanky button-up shirt. It breathes better than a regular t-shirt, fyi.

 About four-ish miles into the hike we heard the rush of the river before we could even see it. We had seen glimpses of the river off and on for miles but it was nothing like this. This was beautiful. It was my favorite part of the whole trip. We had lunch here, took a million pictures here, and enjoyed the water.

 Another picture from that hike...the sky was SO blue and the rocks were SO red, it was beautiful.

The half-way point in our hike was marked by the Kolob Arch. It was an obscure arch located .6 miles off the main trail on a much more strenuous trail than we'd encountered up to that point.

 This sign said, "Further travel not recommended." (Rus and I happily obliged.) Next to that, scratched in with a rock it said, "Kolob Arch, Look Up!" That is how obscure the arch was - you could be looking right at it and not really see that it was there. By the way this is also the point where we realized we were pretty much out of water. A forest ranger happened to mention that there was a spring nearby where some of them got water (and drank it without treating it). We decided to take our chances - the runs later was a more favorable option than three hours and seven miles of thirst - and we survived. The water actually tasted great, too.

This was the view when we finished our hike.

 The next day I convinced Rus to do something a little less strenuous. He made me pick the hike so I chose the Narrows, a super popular and thus super populated hike that was simultaneously breathtaking and wet. Very wet. The trail is the Virgin river. We moseyed up it for about two hours and then headed back and out.

 You should be aware that getting these pictures with no one else in them was actually a great feat, because there were people everywhere on the trail.

On Friday we drove home a long but pleasant nine hours. We were refreshed, rejuvenated, and excited to get back to our kids and to relieve Cutesy. She did a great job, the kids survived and we were all happy to see each other.

The end.

Please recognize that we actually took 417 pictures on this trip. You got 13 of them. You're welcome.

What do YOU pack for lunch?

So the other night I had an awakening. Not a "rude" awakening, because it was actually very nicely done, but still...I met with a bunch of other moms who shared things that they did for their kids' lunches - not just the actual food but how it was packaged in the lunch box.
I now know that there is a whole other level to kid's school lunches, a level that I was blissfully ignorant of beforehand. My kids were (are) perfectly content to take their lunches in a walmart bag. They don't have to, because they each own at least two lunchboxes from previous eras, but I guess they like the disposability of the brown paper sack or the walmart bag. They were (are) sick and tired of pb&h sandwiches and have been begging for something different. That is why I went to the lunch night.
And now I know how the other half do it. *sigh*
Let me first say that the following information came from fabulous mothers that my children would love to have pack their lunches. These women are truly amazing, but they are also many things that I will never be, which are super organized, super detail oriented and super health/food/environmentally conscious. I am sure that unlike me, all of you actually are aware of what I will call "The Art of Lunch," so just bear with me and my ignorance.
First. PB&J's (or PB&H's as I grew up with), are a thing of the past. If they are included in lunches they are made on homemade bread and are cut into cute shapes. They are even made without peanut butter somehow because other kids at school might have a peanut allergy. I ate PB&H's every day for 12 years, but if I make my kids do that I am...?
Second. Where routine lunches once offered stability, lunches high in variety are now important because they offer a break from the monotony and they say "I love you" better than plain old lunch food used to do. It is not acceptable to pack the same thing every day. At least alternate treats and cookies and vegetables so that your child can feign surprise and delight every other day.
Third. CONTAINERS. It is really ALL about using appropriate containers. They have to be the right size.  They have to be washable, but not cost a lot just in case your child throws them away on accident. They must be modular in design so that four different sizes can fit together in the lunchbox in a variety of formations without leaving any large gaps (because gaps mean that the contents might shift in unpleasant ways). ABOVE ALL THEY MUST NOT LEAK. Baggies are still used, I guess, but they are placed in the appropriate container as well.
Fourth. Hot and cold. You must be able to keep hot things hot and cold things cold. Your child will not eat his chili if it is not warm, his cantaloupe if it is not cold, or leftovers from the previous night if they are not at the appropriate temperature. Hummus and ranch and salsa, oh my. I know, I know...I am totally assuming that your kids like food that normal people eat. They should, because it packs better in the nifty containers that you're supposed to use. Thermoses are good for hot things and ice packs are necessary for cold things.
Fifth. Napkins and hand sanitizer. When you pack your child's lunch with a variety of colors and foods and flavors, napkins are just icing on the cake. They are also a tangible assumption that your child has manners, doesn't use his shirt to wipe off his mouth, and cares in general about being clean. Hand sanitizer is handily attached with a clip to the handle of the lunchbox and is likewise a tangible display of your naivety that your child actually cares about germs.

I'm sorry, you probably sense (you should sense) my sarcasm. It's the last defense mechanism I have before acceptance and compliance.
Now, below you will find my concessions to "the way lunches should be packed." I am not changing my methods because the crowd told me to, I am changing them because my kids were not happy and the crowd gave me reasonable alternatives. But I still refuse to spend a lot of money on their lunch food or spend a lot of time making another meal for them. Lunches should be fast and cheap. (But I concede, they can also taste good and offer variety).
Anyway, my kids happily reviewed the suggestions that I gleaned from my "Art of Lunch" group and are excited to see something different everyday from now on and never EVER eat a sandwich again. (ha.)
Bekah said she would like to try some kabobs with pepperonis, cheese, and olives on them. She also said she would like to take the JIF peanut butter cups with celery, apples, and carrots to dip in them. I also bought her cherry tomatoes and red bell peppers because she loves them.
Jacob said he would like to try pigs in a blanket, macaroni and cheese, and pancakes with syrup. He said he would eat carrots, too.

Also shown are cherries and Clif Z Bars, which I was told are protein bars for kids, so they could eat that instead of a sandwich. I have to look into that because the ingredients look suspiciously like a granola bar. I know that kraft mac and cheese would not be considered a healthy or even edible option by many a mother, but it is different than pb&j, right? The green container on the right is a small thermos that I bought at Sunflower market (Sprouts). It is Fuel brand and cost a wonderful $2.92. The small container on top of it is Glad brand and came in a pack of six for $2.28. It's good for holding syrup (for the pancakes) or anything else my kids might want to dip into.

I found these containers at Target that are sectioned and say that they will not leak from one section to the other. One package comes with two containers and costs $2.69.

 I bought them lunch boxes that are insulated and that perfectly hold their ziplock containers. The lunchboxes came with waterbottles; we'll have to see if they are leak-proof or not. They were on sale at Target for $9.08 each. It seems that other moms like the idea of their child being able to see all of their lunch when the lunchbox is open on the table, so I kept that in mind when selecting "the perfect lunchbox".

 I'll have to let you know how all of this goes. In case you're interested, here are some other ideas for lunches that I'm hoping my kids will try:
Soft pretzels
pizza pockets
bagels with cream cheese
pasta noodles and cheese
kabobs with fruit or slices of deli meat
waffles and syrup
rice with soy sauce
meatballs

Ug. Farewell, plain old easy pb&h. Hopefully this all pays off and my children's happiness levels increase while their palates expand and their stomachs fill up with healthier and more satisfying food.
I give it a month.

Transformative

My boys are obsessed with Transformers. Te-totally, irrefutably, undeniably, irreversibly, uncompromisingly OBSESSED. Here is the extent of their obsession:
Exhibit A:
I have about a hundred of these pictures on my computer because Jacob loves to set up his transformers and take pictures of them. He does this about every three days. I remind him that he already has pictures of his transformers, but for some reason this does not discourage him in any way.

Exhibit B:
Last year Jacob was unfailingly unfocused in the mornings before school and I had to constantly remind him of what he should be doing. No more. This is what Jacob and I came up with as a "to-do" list in the mornings before school. It is Star Wars Transformers doing Jacob's chores - get dressed, eat breakfast, pack lunch and backpack, do job (he picked out a dog that looked like Colonel because twice a week it's his job to feed him), and brush teeth. I laugh every time I look at this thing. We glued magnets on the back and it has a place of honor on the fridge. I LOVE it.
 
Exhibit C:
Beau has been brainwashed into the Transformers club. That is why at least once a day (if I am lucky), I wind up being "Bad Wheeljack" and he gets to be "Good Wheeljack" and we have to fight each other in a very specifically choreographed way that always involves me dying at the end. And that is what I do every day, people. Anyway, Jacob got a transformers shirt for the first day of school and Beau really wanted one. But I knew that they didn't sell said shirt in a size four (and I was being very cheap), so I bought a plain red t-shirt at hobby lobby and busted out the Silhouette. Of course they don't make transformer designs, so I drew my own and cut it out of vinyl to make a stencil. He wanted Ratchet and the autobot symbol. Here he is painting his Ratchet with black paint mixed with fabric medium.

 


Jacob was a little envious and talked me into drawing him a Megatron. Here is my super happy husband modeling the Megatron shirt. Rus likes to make a game out of looking as ridiculous as possible for any picture I take of him. Sometimes he tries to look as zombie-like as possible just to throw me a curve. Not tonight, lucky you.

 And just for fun I thought I'd let you know that Marianne is a CRAZY climber! She LOVES to climb the bunk bed ladder - I have to put it up on Jacob's bed first thing in the morning everyday or else I'll find her there, just like this, when I get distracted and realize the house is too quiet. In truth she goes to the bathrooms first because it is SO fun to play in the toilet and unroll all the toilet paper. But Jacob's ladder is a close second.

 And this is the face she gives me when I say, "no, no, no, time to get down!"

 Such a tease. Gosh I love this crazy girl!

10 Years, Its always a Matter of Perspective (By Rus)

So Keri and I have been married to 10 years and there is a length list of things that she has exposed me to that need to be expounded upon as well...

Where to start?

Decorating

Picture Frames

Shelves

Shelves with decorations on them

Paintings (she is very talented)

Girl Cloths

Girl Shoes

Duvet; really why not just call it a blanket

That thing that hangs from the bottom of my bed to hide all the stuff underneath

Wood Working (not the use a 2x4 to patch a hole in the wall like I grew up with)

Emotions (I won't go there)

hair products (I don't even own a comb, but I blame my kids for that)

Crafts

Disneyland

Crafts

Vacations in general other than camping

Crafts

Is there really vacation with out camping?

Crafts

Chick Flicks

Eating a new food for every meal

Eating delicious food for every meal

Having the occasional questionable meal

Gaining 30 lbs

Dieting

Exercising to loose weight

Did I Mention Baking?

WOW good Baking

Meals ready to eat when I get home

Still Dieting

Crafts

Kids

Happy Kids

Sad Kids

Stinky Kids

3:00 AM bottle feedings

Some one to tell me I don't match

 Did I mention she does Crafts?

Art in general

Someone that has never been around a dog(I never new such a thing existed)

A perpetually happy person

Eternal companion

True Love

other mushy stuff...

Thanks for a wonderful 10 years,  I love you Keri

OH and Crafts...