How Zombies Inspire Gratitude

Mark and I have discovered AMC's new series, "The Walking Dead". It isn't your typical brain eating Zombie sitcom...it is SO much more...well, not really but we like it. While we were watching last week, Mark and I got on the topic of what we would like to have at our disposal in a post apocalyptic situation- so on this Thanksgiving, I will be grateful for the things that would be taken with me should I have to flee the Zombie strewn city of West Jordan or things I would miss in life should I have to live in a tent avoiding the "Walkers" that were out to eat my brains.

1) Photo albums. Oddly enough, in the series, the main character knew his wife was still alive because when he woke up(think coma in a hospital, fever comes, everyone is infected, he lives because the Zombies thought he was dead) and found that his wife had taken all the photos and albums from their home. Remember, zombies don't care much for mementos. I too would miss my albums, Mc's baby book and all the journals I have kept since high school. I would be so grateful for those memories.
2) A shower/hot water. Living outside means no running water. No electricity means no pilot lights. I am so glad that every day (well, on the days I find time) I get a warm shower and truly only have to take a cold one by choice.
3) A compass. Mark's suggestion. Too often we use our little "rear view" digital direction to tell us which way we are going. Bless the mountains in Utah for I now have a little better sense of East/West but if you were living in the woods, a compass would be handy in finding your way to the "safe zones".
4) A crossbow and impeccable aim. Zombies are apparently drawn to the sound of gun shots- you could kill a deer for dinner or shoot a Zombie directly in the head with an arrow and no one would be the wiser. I am grateful that Mark owns a bow and that I took archery classes in 7th grade.
5) A gas siphon. All the abandoned cars and no way to get the gas out. How glad I am for the Chevron and being able to just go and fill up my car.
6) A toothbrush. Although a Zombie wouldn't care if I had 14 days worth of plaque on my teeth, I however appreciate a minty refreshing brush at least 3 times a day.
7) Tampons. Need I say more.
8) Water purification system. Man, do I take clean water for granted. This week in Park City, lots of people couldn't drink their tap water. Assuming you had no water storage, no bottled water....think about what you would do. So glad that I can drink water straight from the tap or buy fresh water readily at the store.
9) Washing machine/dryer. This week, all the ladies in the camp were talking about how they missed their Maytags as they hand washed clothes. Don't get me wrong, I am sure the clothes smelled and looked "better" (let's face it Zombie blood just doesn't come out) but really, there is nothing like taking a shirt fresh from the dryer and knowing that your stain stick did the job.
10) Scissors- Had never thought much about giving or getting a haircut in the wilderness but consider the massive amount of mullet-sporting men roaming around after weeks of not a trim. Not only could they be used for cutting hair, fabric, fingernails but a great close range stabbing tool. But really, what would you do without scissors? No more "coupon clipping" more like coupon tearing, how would you open go-gurts? Crafting would lose it's lustre and going to a hairdresser- the flowbee (vacuum haircutting system) failed. Miserably.

All Zombies aside, there are so many small things to be thankful for. I don't think I take enough time to think about what I would really bring or miss if I had to leave my home in a hurry. I thought about it briefly as my family's homes were in peril with the fire in Herriman, but I am grateful for our new found sitcom to remind me on a weekly basis, there are things that I take for granted EVERY. DAY.

Quartet

legs on a dog, cat, or iguana

Nations in the United Kingdom

The Beatles

sides of a square

Years to a US Presidential term

seasons in a year

noble truths in the Buddhist religion

quattro

williamson family members

that's right...our family is expanding to F O U R. this pregnancy hasn't been as smooth as mc's. morning sickness is a beast and i am hoping 2nd trimester brings some relief. we are excited, scared, nervous, anxious and surprised that unlike with mckinley, this process happened rather quickly. the focus is now being shifted to potty training, diaper hoarding and preparing for all the joys of a newborn. (*totally stole this idea from my friend Amy)

This is Halloween

I love me some Halloween! We had a little pumpkin carving party on Tues. and it was great fun! We blasted some "Nightmare Before Christmas" and displayed our best knife skills. We also discovered, in our attempt to find the perfect pumpkins, the Winco in all it's money saving glory. That night, we also got our first snow for the year. It was cold but beautiful and the smell of the wet grass, candles in pumpkins and FALL was intoxicating.

Mckinley made a beautiful brightly markered pumpkin.

Mimi, Papa, Britty and Brayden were able to share in the festivities.

Mark- joined Mc in just "drawing" on his pumpkin and decided to place it so lovingly in the back of the pack because it was the "reject" pumpkin.

All lit up...my favorite part of Halloween!

Retraction- Princess style

In my previous post, I had mentioned that Mckinley seemed disinterested in all things Princess. That WAS until Miss Kate, graciously gifted her with a box of Disney Princess Dress ups. At first, she was mainly interested in the rings, "pearl" necklace and bracelets but then she discovered the dresses. Since Monday, we have had the Aurora/Sleeping Beauty dress and crown as the daily staple. She LOVES it. Just glad that I was able to catch Mckinley discovering her "inner princess" with the camera.

One year older and wiser too....

10:22 AM and you made your entrance into the world. I should have known that being six (Yes, SIX!!) days late, this would set the pace for the stubborn, strong willed little girl that was entering our lives. You were an angel- a stork bitten, blond angel and all ours. What a blessing you are and we are so thankful you chose us to raise you and be with you on your journey.

Some things we love about you right now-


1) You love go-gurts!


2) No princesses or dollies at this house. You are all about "dine-saurs" and "dagons".


3) You love bath time and to "schwim". Your little nakey bum is so edible!!


4) "Shoes on", "shoes off"- a pretty good indicator of if we are staying or going.


5) You love to be outside!


6) You are learning to "snuggle"- every now and then we (daddy more often) get a few minutes before bed time.


7) You can count to 10- "seben" is my personal favorite.


8) You are the master of unscrewing, uncapping and opening anything.


9) You love "pretties" and to put on lip gloss and chapstick.


10) You are so empathetic and compassionate to others.


WE LOVE YOU! Happy 2nd Birthday, Mickey Doo!

You call me a WITCH as if it's a bad thing

Living in Utah definitely has it perks and I can now add one more to the list-- WITCHAPALOOZA!! We had an excellent time @ Gardner Village for a ladies night- myself, my mother, Bree, Heidi, and Kelly. We met together Saturday afternoon to embellish our own hats- feather boas, glitter, ribbons and bows, and then met @ 5:30 to visit with other witches and bask in the Halloween decor @ all the fabulous little shops. The show commenced @ 7:00- food, singing and a great show! The theme was "Ghosts of Withes Past" (cleverly adapted from "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past"). It was great! We had so much fun singing along, dancing and just enjoying each other's company. I can't wait to go next year and now that we know there are people that go WAY beyond black clothes and green face paint, I will be on the look out for a sweet dress and witch shoes for next year.

Until next year ladies-" i'll get you my pretties!"

My mother and my sister and I.

The Witches!

Just a little patience

I guess I started this post below last week...never posted it. I think I got too busy or Mckinley threw her lunch on the floor or something. She has become quite challenging (no need for "I told you so's") but it seems like sometimes that EVERYONE makes a comment about how "active" our child is. She tests my patience pretty much everyday and I sometimes wonder how in the world can I handle working from home (40 hours a week), handling a toddler who needs constant attention or she is coloring on the wall( herself, the couch, the dog), and then eventually, having another child at home.

**I started today with a goal of not using the word "no" to Mckinley. That goal got chucked out the window at 9:34 AM, as she dumped crushed up goldfish crackers all over my new leather ottoman. My patience has been super thin lately and I am really not sure why. Yes, she is a toddler--the phrase "Terrible Twos" is all too familiar but it is funny, I pray for patience and to be a better Mother and it seems like the Lord sends those tantrums and screaming fits as a "test".

I went and listened to Stephanie Nielson (nieniedialogues.blogspot.com) @ BYU last night. First off, that is one kooky place. Nerdy kids all over sporting their BYU blue- I hope the Aggs beat them! :) Second, I went with my sister-in-law, Marianne (who bless her heart is the Young Women's President) and a bunch of 16 year olds texting and rambling about Taylor Swift...wow was that agonizing ( is that what I have to look forward to?!?!?). Anyway, Stephanie was amazing. What an inspirational spirit. She just radiates- now, for reals, I am not just "drinking the Kool-aid" and on this kick....I have followed her blog for a long time and think she is really a great example of patience and the kind of mother I want to be.

Here it is 10:15- still have a few hours left to work, Mark was a dear and has mopped the floor and dusted the furniture...I have to give that man mad props too. He is super receptive to my Mt. Saint Helens breaking points. He comes home from a 12 hour day, takes Mc without complaint and let's me do my thing. I am sure I am not the easiest to live with most days but he really is my match and is able to talk me off the ledge.

Anyway- there you have it. A not so fluffy post and kind of a glimpse into the craziness of my life. So next time you see me, take a look at the cuticles- They are a pretty good judge of my stress level and right now, they resemble something close to ground beef.