The Mormons

So, The Mormons. What do I really know about the Mormons other than the stereotypical walking around in the sweltering heat of summer in suits and pantyhose to be turned away at every door? What would happen if someone actually opened the door an invited them in? I did, ya know, well I didn’t actually let them in my actually house…

I was home on maternity leave. Emme was sleeping. I saw them coming, and I thought does anyone ever talk to them? What will they say? The door bell rings, I answer, but I can’t get the screen door open. I’m pulling and pulling, but it won’t open. Is it a sign? What will happen if I talk to them? Will their Mormonism get on me? Just a minute, I can’t get the door open, I say. I go out through the garage and ask them if they would like a bottle of water. They say yes, thank you. I hand them the water and sit down on the front bench. What’s up, I ask? They looked at me as if I had 3 heads.

To be fair, I was on maternity leave, perhaps I hadn’t showered in a while..or brushed my hair…or my teeth. OK OK, the hormones were in flux, maybe I did have 3 heads.

Finally, the boy asks, do you belong to a church?

Yes, I do, I respond.

They look at each other.

The girl says quietly, give her pamphlet on family.

Have a nice day they mutter are walk briskly away.

Hey, I yell, following them down the drive way, I thought we could talk a bit…

The Beginning

So, I’m at lunch with my friend and lunch pal, V, when she says to me, “I’ve been following this story about a woman who was burned over 85% of her body in a small plane crash. She survived and is in the burn unit at the hospital. Her kids have been split up between her sisters. One sister is a writer, she has a blog and on it she has been chronicling her journey as well as posting updates on her sister’s blog—the one in the plane crash. Oh, and they are Mormons.”

All the while I’m thinking to myself, what the heck is a blog and you’re following a story about a MORMON FAMILY!?!?!

“I’ll forward you the link”, V says.

Well, what can I say? Now, I’m following a story about a Mormon family.

Earth Day

You all know how much I love Oprah.

An exerpt from her show...


Currently, scientists believe the world's largest garbage dump isn't on land…it's in the Pacific Ocean. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch stretches from the coast of California to Japan, and it's estimated to be twice the size of Texas. In some places, the floating debris—estimated to be about 90 percent plastic—goes 90 feet deep. Elsewhere, there are six times more pieces of plastic than plankton, the main food source for many sea animals.







What small thing can you do to help?

Mammoth Cave

If you are looking for an interesting road trip, try Mammoth Cave National Park. These pictures don't do it justice; it's pretty amazing.

Did You Know?

Mammoth Cave is the world's longest known cave. In fact it is so long that if the second and third longest caves in the world were joined together, Mammoth Cave would still be the planet's longest cave and have nearly 100 miles left over.

Luckily there are better photographers than I.

And who knew the kids were such good travelers?

Awwwwwwww

Favorite Words

Frequently, at the end of the day, out of Noah's mouth, the words, "Let's wrestle" will trumpet. This is a call to Daddy and Emme and immediately the volume in the house rises. Dad moves the table out of the way, not far enough out of the way if you ask me. Of course, no one did, by the way, ask me. Emme comes running. She loves this game from the fringe. She wants to be just like Noah, but she isn't. She runs around on her tip toes, yelling me, me! She needs kid gloves. And Daddy is happy to oblige. Noah wants to be thrown into the air and slammed onto the couch. I wince from the corner. I just know someone is going to get hurt. But, through some miracle, no one ever does. I have, however, noticed Noah walking away rubbing his bum.

Noah's proudest moment is when he can actually knock Dad over.

Some days..

This is my daughter when asked to clean her room.

"I can't do it! It's back-breaking work", she sobs into the carpet.

Back-breaking work? I don't think I have ever said that. I swear, I don't know where she gets this stuff!

Usually, it's Noah who pitches a fit when asked to clean. I guess he figured I had my hands full when he saw Emme.

"I'll clean the bathroom", he says.

"Is it upside down day", I ask?

"Mom", he groans, "you know I'm a good cleaner".

Oh, it's opposite day, I get it.

Slide show

If you want to see the slideshow from Mom's memorial, it's here http://momsupdates-kk.blogspot.com/