The Chicken and the Faux-hawk

While we were going through some of the cupboards in the Rigby kitchen, we came across the infamous chicken basket. We all collectively said, "Awww, the chicken!!", and we added it to the pile of sentimental items to sort through later. I didn't see what happened to the chicken after that, but come to find out about a week ago, a smart sister-in-law had already "hatched" a plan!! The infamous chicken basket graced the dining room table at most family dinners. It was a chicken covered oblong basket filled with warm rolls...usually Rhodes rolls (which Laurie loved to make), or the very delicious Geraldine's rolls (which Laurie loved to eat!) LOL! Anyway, the chicken basket has been around a long time. And tradition is nothing to "bawk" at. You can imagine how excited I was to open a package from Moscow, Idaho last week and find my very own personal chicken topper!! What a sweet gift...it will definitely bring back some very happy memories. Thank you Mindy! You are awesome. Too bad Geraldine's is so far away!!



In other news, Parker's hair is finally growing!! This is what happened after she put all manner of slime in her hair during lunch one day and I used a wash cloth to give her a quick shampoo. I present to you...Parker with a Faux-Hawk!! Move over Sanjaya, you've got some stiff competition in town!!

Home & Garden Television

I knew when I finally got DISH that HGTV was going to be my downfall. I love me some interior design, and HGTV delivers. Recently I have become best friends with the show, "Designed to Sell". I luv it!! For $2000, you have a team of good-looking, friendly, enthusiastic, talented contractors and decorators at your beckoned call. They swoosh in with magnificent plans, tons of smiles, and get to work!! And within a matter of days, your home is transformed!! It's quite amazing. The only downside is, after they swoosh in, you have to swoosh out. The catch is that they help you to SELL your house. They fix all the problems you had to live with, but you never get to enjoy the upgrades and improvements. (Thumbs down!) I would love it if they revised the show to include people like me who just need a little help on a tight budget. Just nudge me in the right direction and I'd be happy. Or maybe I could scam the show...pretend like I'm moving and then hide the "For Sale" sign after the HGTV trucks rolled out of town. Shhhh...don't tell, it might just work!!

My favorite designer is definitely Monica Pederson. Besides the fact that she lives in the Chicago area, the girls think she looks like Aunt Melanie...the one whose baby is Maia. :-) Her style is still funky and eclectic. She still values the whimsy in design and uses color to make a statement. Her rooms look bright and friendly, but still well proportioned and functional. I like that.

My least favorite designer is John Gidding (aka Curb Appeal). Who does this guy think he is? His design may be economical, but it just isn't what normal people (with families) are looking for. His rooms don't flow, the colors aren't neutral enough, and I've seen him literally ruin a home's best features...removing unique architecture and character. In a recent episode, he painted a living room gold, a dining room purple, with pinky salmon drapes. Yuck.

My second favorite designer is Lisa LaPorta, and my second least favorite is Taniya Nayak. If it weren't for John being such a joke, Taniya's palette of brown, tan, and beige would bore me into a designing coma.

Do you watch the show? Who is your favorite designer and why?

Can you say funny?

Parker is not really talking yet. It's kind of concerning because the big girls were both talking by this time. I talked to the dr. at her last appt. and she said give her another month and by 18 months, we'll see what happens. I told the dr. she knows exactly what we're talking about and will point and mumble, but no real words. Unless you can count this...lately when I ask her if she wants something..."Parker, do you want some lunch?" she'll respond, "huh-uh." Which sounds like no, but really means yes because she'll run to her high-chair or the fridge. Precocious much? Sometimes I'll ask her, "Parker, do you want your binky?" and she'll shake her head no emphatically, whilst plucking the binky from my fingers and shoving it in her mouth as if to say, "thanks for the reminder Mom." So I know she knows what we're talking about. I just wonder if this is all her little game. To hold out on us as long as she can to prove her dominance. To make us spoil her just a little bit longer. To prove, once and for all, she IS the baby, forever and always, amen. I mean she has all these servants at her beckoned call. We jump when she cries, squeals, or squeaks. We clap and ooh and ahh when she makes funny faces or does new things. She knows she's got us right where she wants us. Could this be a form of manipulation? Sometimes when I look at her, I think yes (as I shake my head no), but other times when I hear her say "huh-uh" (for yes), or "mama" (for more food) I think she's doing just fine and to chill out. But this sweet little voice that is slowly emerging is just too much to handle...when I hear her babble as she plays, or sing along as I sing to her at bedtime, or bossily yell "mama" for more food...I think maybe she's holding out because my heart might just explode inside my chest. She is just too darn cute!! But seriously, any advice on how to get her talking???

Snowpocalypse of 2011

(Pictures taken this morning.)

So we pretty much got slammed last night...it was the craziest thing I've ever seen. There was a thunderstorm with lightening that bounced off the crazy blizzard sky and teamed up with the 60 mph winds for quite a spectacle. For a minute I seriously listened close for the sound of trumpets...is that sacrelig??? Hee hee. Anyhoo, what a blizzard! This morning there was no way anybody was going anywhere. The snow day for the girls and Mark had already been announced the day before. But that wasn't it...Wal-Mart, Culver's, and most banks closed down too. You know if Wal-Mart is shut down, it's serious. Mark called our neighbor Chris, who has a bobcat, and asked him to help us plow out our driveway. He agreed, and thank the heavens above! He did a great job. He must have thought so too, because he showed up at the door and asked for $45 to prove it. Ha ha!! No really, Mark offered to pay him and he said that diesel is pretty expensive, so that was that. But whatever, at least we could pull our cars out. Our front door is another story...completely snowed shut. Ah well, who needs to enter/exit from the front door anyway?

School is out again for the girls tomorrow, but life is probably back to "normal" for the rest of the community. Maryn and I made a Target run and it seemed like the roads had pretty much been cleared by late this afternoon. Target was open, but Wal-Mart was not. Does that say anything?!? LOL!

Sicky

This little munchkin hasn't been officially "sick" yet. I guess that's good for 17 months old!! This was her first real bout with anything more than just a runny nose or a little cough. I guess she's had the flu, of some variation. No vomiting, a little diarrhea, but mostly just lethargic, whiny, uncomfortable, high fever, no appetite. She has been out.of.it!! It started Wednesday and literally hasn't let up until yesterday. Anyway, I am glad she is sloooowly getting back to her old self. It has been a looong weekend. She is sleeping A LOT now, which I guess is good because she is making up for 4 straight nights of no sleep. Ey-yi-yi...we are tooooo old for sleepless nights!! Sick babies break my heart!! No more of this stuff, Parker Foo Foo!! (Now I'm not feeling too hot myself.) Ugh!

Without Winter...

...we wouldn't have moments like these. I guess it's not all that bad. (These pics were taken after Christmas. Originally tried to post a video of the toboggan run, but it took forever and then never posted...argh!)






We are forecasted for a doozy of a blizzard over the next few days...hopefully you'll hear from us before Spring!!

Not Sure Where to Start

So much has happened in a matter of weeks that I'm not sure where to start in terms of playing catch up, letting you know what's been going on, how we're all doing, what we're doing next, etc. I can't just skip the past month in favor of just starting afresh either. When I write/blog, I feel better in many ways. In processing my feelings, I find clarity, closure, and support from my readers. I could use some of that right now. So...here goes.

It's hard to express the tremendous sense of loss and sadness we feel right now. An entire generation is gone. We are now the next generation. That carries with it a lot of responsibility. So much of what we used to rely on our parents to do, we now have to do for ourselves and each other. We have to figure out how to carry the legacy they've worked their whole lives for on to the next generation. We have to keep their memories alive. We have to carry on.

I have so many questions. So much of this just isn't fair. At times the reality of their loss, and it's effects on the family is overwhelming. Yet in those times, I find comfort and solace in some important truths. These truths are the blessings that help make sense of everything for me.

Here are some things that I know:

1. I know that everything happens for a reason. Heavenly Father is in charge, He has a plan for all of His children. He doesn't make mistakes. Everything is intentional.

2. I know the Plan of Salvation is true and real. I am seeing it's blessings and reality first-hand. My testimony of it is strengthened and enriched.

3. Marriages that are sealed on earth continue in Heaven. I believe Dennis and Laurie are together again, and stronger and happier than ever. I believe that they are serving the mission they intended to serve on earth in Paradise.

4. Our loved ones who have passed are not that far away. I believe we can feel their presence, their influence, and their love from beyond the veil. I have felt their happiness, approval, and support so far in many different situations. I can hear Dennis' laugh, or his funny way of saying "huh" often. I have heard Laurie say, "everything is going to be okay" when I needed it the most. Their spirits are still connected to us here on earth.

5. I know that we will see our families again after this life. I believe that Dennis was greeted by his Dad, his brother Roy, and many other loved ones on the other side after he passed. And I also know that Laurie was greeted by her loving husband (who had a lot to do in the timing of her death, make no mistake about that!), her parents, and the children she lost in this life. I believe that when a person dies, there is sadness on earth, but a joyous reunion in Paradise!!

6. I know that through trial and tribulation we can be refined. The Lord never gives us more than we can handle. We can learn great lessons which can strengthen us and those around us, and find peace in the midst of darkness.

7. I know that after the trial of your faith, there are unlimited blessings in store for you. If you prove faithful and believe, there is increase and abundance awaiting you. Both spiritually and temporally.

8. Devastation and loss can bring families closer together. This is a blessing of the Spirit. Satan breeds selfishness, greed, and jealousy which drives families apart. As long as you can feel and are worthy of the Spirit, you can avoid unnecessary hurt and anger.

9. Happiness and joy are what Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want for each one of us. Despite the trials we are given, we can experience these emotions on a daily basis. This is done by focusing on our blessings, continuing to be humble, and seeking the Lord's light daily.

10. Life will feel normal again. It will be a new normal. (Okay, this one I don't actually know yet, but I really believe it.)

Navigating life right now often feels surreal. It's a daunting task. They could do so many things better than us. We will miss their love, calling them on the phone, getting cards in the mail, Laurie's sacks of love, Dennis' hours of manual labor on our behalf, seeing our children through their eyes... It's hard to imagine life without them. But despite everything, I know we can get through this. The Dennis and Laurie Brown family will go on, it will continue to grow and expand, their love and influence will continue to be felt. Even though they are on the other side, they are still as much a part of it as they ever were. This is part of the beauty and truth of the Gospel.

I know it's true.