Andrew's Bat Wings

      One of the running jokes in our family is that all of our boys have bat wings.  Bat wings appear when the kids position their arms on their hips in just the right angle that causes their shoulder blades to protrude out.  Well, Andrew by far has the most prominent bat wings in our family!  It's almost disturbing how much his stick out.  He is a skinny kid, but man does he eat!  He is just so darn active he burns through all of his calories.  At first, Andrew, was a bit shy about showing them off, but I think he is enjoying the attention he gets from it now.  Every time the kids take their shirts off they just have to show off their bat wings to us. :-)

Ryan, Ashlynn, and Baby Bria

      What a treat it was to have Ryan and his family come for a visit after Christmas.  During their visit we were able to meet their five month old daughter, Bria, who is such a doll!  The boys were so excited to see Ryan.  They LOVE it when Ryan is in town because he plays hard with them.  They can play Monkey in the Middle all day long. 

      I am so glad that my kids are close to their cousins.  I grew up not really knowing mine, and now as an adult it feels awkward because we're family, but we don't know each other.  I know this won't be the case with my kids, and for that I am grateful!!

Our Christmas Holiday

      Christmas came WAY too fast this year!  I was ready for it, shopping wise, but not in the decoration category.  We got our tree up and ornaments put on.  Our stockings were hung and a few decorations were set out, but our tree never got it's skirt on, no outdoor lights were hung up, and my beloved nativity was never displayed.  Nevertheless, Christmas still happened and memories were still made.

     Spencer had to work Christmas Eve, so it was just the boys and I who partook in our tradition of bowling with friends and lunch at Burgerville.

      Christmas Eve festivities are always held at Mom & Dad's.  Dinner consists of a smorgasbord of homemade soups, and of course Mom's homemade bologna & cheese sandwiches. My contribution this year was Zuppa Toscana.  After dinner Caylin read the story of Christ's birth from the Bible, and then we played carols on the chimes. 

      Christmas morning we had to wake the boys up at 7:00 a.m. to open gifts.  It was evident that the boys were up during the night because presents had been shuffled around and stockings had been rifled through, but at some point they retired back to bed and zonked out.  Santa Claus was good to everyone.  He didn't go overboard this year because we opted to go on a family vacation instead, which we are all very excited about!

      Unfortunately, I woke up sick Christmas morning so after breakfast at Marie's house I came home and slept for about 5 hours.  During that time Spencer took the boys to see the second Hobbit movie.  I continued to lounge on the couch while everyone congregated at our house for dinner.  The good news was it got me out of setting the table and cooking :-)  But it didn't get me out of clean-up :-(  After dinner we put on our new Duck Dynasty DVD and drank some Reindeer Milk.  A pretty good combination in my opinion!  Christmas this year was pretty simple, and I found that I really liked simple.      

Overnight Retreat

      One of my favorite traditions in December is to get together with some of my closest friends for dinner and exchange Christmas gifts.  This has been our custom for years; and each year I worry if our tradition will continue on since life has taken us in different directions.  I feel really fortunate though to have such committed friends who are willing to travel great distances to keep our traditions alive!  For the past two years now, Shannon has made arrangements to fly into Portland for an overnight retreat.  It's exciting to not only get together with these friends, but to stay in a hotel room without distractions.  It is the best slumber party ever!!  And this year was no exception.  We shopped, we ate at a nice restaurant, we stayed up late talking, Jenn and I exchanged foot rubs ... and that was just the first night!  The second day included breakfast at IHOP, then back to our hotel room for our gift exchange, more shopping, an early dinner at Roythai and pedicures for everyone.  We even managed to navigate the extremely icy roads unscathed.  I am so grateful for these wonderful ladies in my life!  I am always uplifted and inspired by them and hope that we can keep this tradition alive for many more years to come!                      

Together For Thanksgiving

"Be thankful for what you have, you'll end up having more.

If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough!"

-Oprah Winfrey

      During the month of November we tried our best to keep up with a Thankful Tree I created for our wall.  My heart was full the first day when ALL of the kids wrote "Family" as the first thing they are grateful for!  Of course, toys and Santa Claus were pretty close to coming in second :-)  

      Thanksgiving just wouldn't be the same without a little family-friendly competition of clay bird shooting.  Despite a couple of minor accidents this year (Dad getting hit in the jaw by a clay bird, and Cameron getting grazed by a hot shell) we had a great time in the very cold, but beautiful weather.  It just felt good to be outdoors doing something together. 

 

     This year we were fortunate to have all but one of Spencer's siblings with us for Thanksgiving.  Because of the size of our group, Mom wanted to set up tables all throughout her house, but I think it's way more enjoyable when we're all together.  So after some convincing we talked her into letting us hold dinner in her garage so we could all be together.  So the garage it was, and I think it was perfect!  Dinner was delicious, and of course so were the pies!  After dinner, Kathryn, brought out several gingerbread houses she got for the kids to assemble.  All the cousins had a blast building and working together to make the best gingerbread house.                        

 

      I am so thankful for my family, quirky as we may be!  I feel that within this unit love abounds and forgiveness is given.  I am also grateful for holidays and the way it brings my extended family together.     

A Rough Work Week

      This last work week is one that I would like to forget!!!  I spent the majority of the week feeling angry and bitter, and when you carry those feelings it's hard to feel anything else. 

      In my office we have 3 legal secretaries working at one time.  Our office is small, and our working quarters are cramped, which means it's extremely important to have a group of people who get along well.  In all of the years I have worked there I have always been fortunate to have co-workers I loved and got along with well.  About six years ago, shortly after I retired for the second time, a secretary was hired.  This secretary is really good at her job, but her personality stinks.  She is very much a passive-aggressive bully with a superior mentality.  She is extremely condescending and bi-polar.  Our office has even had to bring in a Mediator TWICE to help resolve conflicts between this particular secretary and two others at different times.  But she is darn good at her job, so they can't get rid of her. 

      Things started looking up when this secretary announced her retirement.  Her last day was Friday and I naively agreed to work until her position is filled.  Since her position is completely different from mine, I spent the last week in training with her to learn it.  Thus begins my nightmare in the work place.  Monday and Tuesday was horrible!  I have never in my life been talked to so rudely.  Even though I was in training, she treated me like I was an idiot and should know the stuff she's training me to do.  Hello ... I obviously don't, that's why you're training me!  By Tuesday morning her antics brought me to tears.  I was furious.  That's when the bitterness started to creep in.  I left work early that day and spent the rest of the day fuming. 

      Tuesday night Spencer gave me a pep talk and explained from his own experience how to best handle those types of people.  I went to work Wednesday and not even 10 minutes had gone by before I was fit to be tied and decided to stand up for myself.  I very firmly told her (okay, I might have yelled) that I would no longer allow her to talk down to me.  I gave her a couple minute spiel about how she treats me and that I would no longer allow her to do so.  I was so proud of myself.  Her response was surprising.  She apologized and told me that she didn't mean to make me feel that way, but like I said, I was already resentful.  Her demeanor from then on was night and day different.  I don't know if she just needed someone to stand up to her or what, but she treated me respectfully the rest of the week.  Her new behavior didn't change the fact that I was still angry.  Every time I would look at her or think about her all I felt was hatred. 

      By Friday I really felt consumed by my negative feelings.  It was hard to feel anything positive.  That afternoon something in me finally clicked and I realized that I had to repent of my behavior.  I had absolutely no room for peace being in the state that I was.  It was a hard way to learn this, but my experience this week taught me how quickly the Spirit can leave you if you allow negative feelings to consume you.  Maybe in the future I don't wait so long to stand up for myself!? 

     Today, two days later, I can honestly say that it was only through the atonement of Christ that I was able to forgive and let go of my anger so quickly.  I could never have done that on my own.  I am so grateful that I know what it feels like to have the Spirit with me, and therefore be able to recognize when I don't.  And I much prefer having the Spirit with me.  Life is way more joyful that way! :-)   

Mom Frustrations

      I love being a Mom!  I wouldn't trade it for anything.  But I have to say that a lot of the time it is the most frustrating and exhausting job out there.  I am really trying to teach my kids to be responsible and hard working, but I don't feel like I am doing a good job at it.  Getting my kids to do chores or their homework is like pulling teeth.  Without fail, my requests to get them to do stuff always resorts in yelling and threats.  It's exhausting!  I need help.  I need to know how to successfully motivate my kids. 

      Recently the kids brought home their report cards and I was shocked, and literally sick to my stomach, when I read Austin's.  Throughout most of the first quarter he hadn't been turning in his assignments.  I had NO idea.  His overall grade percentage is extremely low, and the sad part is, upon searching every nook and cranny of his backpack we found most of his assignments nearly halfway completed.  Pure laziness.  It makes me want to scream!

         That is just one example, of which I have many, that makes me feel like I suck at parenting.  I am at a loss as to how to remedy the situation.  Is it possible to train your kids, kindly, to be responsible?  I hate being the mean mommy!  I really need reassurance that my exhausted efforts can, and will, one day pay off!

After 24 Years ...

... I was reunited with my childhood best friend! 

      Whenever I think of my childhood there is one person who just warms my heart, it was my best friend, Lisa.  Lisa lived across the street and down a couple of houses from me in good old Sandy, Utah.  We played together everyday.  We built forts together.  We roller skated together.  We caught tag poles together.  We watched every episode of Punky Brewster together.  We even had crushes on the same boys.  Needless to say, we were inseparable!  That is until the day that my Mom and I moved to Washington state when I was ten years old.  After that we tried to keep in touch, but it was just too hard.  For years I tried searching for her with no luck.  Finally, I came across her name a couple of months ago on Facebook and made contact.  It was heart-warming to learn that she too had been searching for me over the years as well.  The timing of it couldn't have been more perfect either.  With my upcoming trip to Salt Lake we were able to make plans to meet up. 

      I met Lisa, and her two beautiful daughters, at an ice cream shop.  I was so anxious to see her again and wondered if after all this time our visit was going to be awkward, but it wasn't at all!  I recognized her right away.  We reminisced about the good old days, and we filled each other in on the missing years.  It was awesome!  I learned an interesting fact too.  Lisa's oldest daughter has been best friends with a girl who lives in my old house.  It's like history repeated itself.  How funny!  Being reunited with my childhood best friend after 24 years was definitely an added highlight to my trip! 

Daddy's Girl

No matter how old I get; no matter how

far away I move with my husband; no matter how many children

or grandchildren I have ... Dad, I will always be your little girl! 

I love you more than the world will ever know!!

My Niece, Lydia

      On the first of November I had a wonderful opportunity to meet my beautiful niece, Lydia, who was officially adopted into my Sister's family.  Lydia has been a part of our family since birth, but the law states that there be a six month waiting period before the adoption is finalized.  Once it is finalized though, the family may be sealed together in the temple and a blessing may be given.  Those two events are what brought me to Utah. 

      Both my nephew and my niece came to our family through the miracle of adoption.  After battling with infertility for almost a decade, my Sister, Brittany, and her husband Que, prayerfully decided to abandon the medical route and use adoption to build their family, and it has been such a joy to see their family grow!   

 

"Adoption is an unselfish, loving decision that blesses the child, birth parents,

and adoptive parents in this life and throughout the eternities. We commend

all those who strengthen children and families by promoting adoption.”

 

~The 1st Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Oct. 4, 2006)

      On Friday, November 1, 2013, Lydia was officially adopted into the Mangus family.  On Saturday she was sealed to her parents in the Manti, Utah temple; and on Sunday, she was given a baby blessing.  What a special weekend it was in our family!  Being able to witness a loved one's dream come true was both emotional and humbling.  I am so grateful to be a part of a gospel that not only honors the family, but makes it the central point.  I love my family to pieces!  I am so thankful that I have been trusted with the care of my own three beautiful children of my Heavenly Father. 

A Very Stressful Month

     This past month has been just awful on my nerves!  I hate the feeling of being in limbo and that is exactly where we have been in regards to Spencer's employment.  It has now been six weeks since he received his two weeks notice.  Since that time he has had a couple of great prospects, and was even offered an opportunity to work for Portland State University, but the position just didn't feel right to him.  I trust his judgment, but it was hard to let go of that option when you may, or may not, have a better one. 

      Well, I am happy to say that a better option did finally come.  A couple of days ago Spencer was offered a position with OHSU (Oregon Health & Science University) as a Refrigeration Mechanic.  Obtaining this job was not an easy process though.  It took a full month worth of interviews, which wrecked havoc on my fingernails, and I wasn't even the one going through them!  I have never seen such an in depth interview process before, but in the end it proved to be worth it.  I can't wait to look back on this moment in our lives one day with clarity knowing why we went through this.  I do have a really great feeling about it though.  I feel like it was meant to be, I'm just not sure yet why!?        
          

         

Happy Birthday Baby Andrew



      In our family Andrew has been, and will probably always be, referred to as Baby Andrew.  But my baby is growing up.  He is almost as tall as Cameron.  He attends Kindergarten.  He plays recreational sports; and he knows just how to work me over to try and get his way.  How do they learn this so young?  At any rate, Andrew just celebrated his sixth birthday. 

      My flight home after a short visit to Salt Lake was scheduled in the early afternoon the day of his birthday.  Spencer let Andrew skip school so he could ride along and pick me up from the airport.  Right after that we ate lunch at Red Robin and Andrew was given an ice cream sundae for his birthday.  Later that evening we invited a couple of close family friends to join us at Chuck E. Cheese to help celebrate.  Andrew had a great time and he was definitely spoiled all day long.  My wish would be to keep all of my kids the ages they are now: 11, 8 & 6.  I LOVE this stage!!!

         

                            

Halloween 2013

Halloween Traditions:

Taco Soup with the Madden's

Trunk-or-Treating in the church parking lot

Trick-or-Treating in our neighborhood

Sorting through the piles of candy 

      And I can't forget the tradition of dressing up in costume.  I went as a scarecrow; Austin as a Reaper; Cameron as a Ninja; and Andrew as Obi-Wan Kenobi.  Spencer's costume ... sadly I have to admit, was an epic fail!  Only a small handful of people could name it ... Cousin Eddie from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.  I thought that movie was a classic and everyone watched it every year like we do, but nope.  Anyway, it was funny for those who got it.  The weather this Halloween was great.  No rain during the evening portion and because day light savings time was later this year it was light out until at least 6:30 p.m.  The kids made out like bandits.  They scored 2 full sized candy bars and a bag of microwave popcorn.  I would have died when I was a kid receiving stuff like that!          

 

13 Years Later...

...And it still fits!!! 

      A few months ago, the Young Women asked to borrow wedding dresses so they could have a fashion show.  The girls wanted to try them on and see what it was like to wear one.  I dug mine out and offered it to them.  When I got it back later that night, I got to hear details about how much fun the girls had and who tried it on.  I decided after that to have my own little fashion show in my room.  I am happy to say that 13 years, and three kids later, it still fits!  Whoo hoo!!! 

Halloween Costume Party

      I think Halloween costume parties rock!  I love getting all dressed up and seeing how others choose to dress up, so I was super excited when we were invited to a costume party right before Halloween.  It was a family-friendly party with a nacho bar for dinner.  Dessert consisted of candied apples and a sugar cookie station.  You could tell that a lot of time and effort went into this party.  For starters, the invitations were awesome.  Inside a small box were homemade treats made to look like eyeballs.  Along with a fake spider and cobwebs.  They were almost too cute to eat ... but of course we did :-)  The decorations inside the house were really done well too, there were cobwebs everywhere.  It looked amazing.  Every room was dimly lit and decorated to the hilt.  Some people are just so talented!  Spencer wasn't able to attend because he had to chaperon a youth dance, but the boys and I had a great time.  Unfortunately, these pictures don't capture the beauty of the decorations, or the party goers that showed up late.        

Hunting With Heroes

      Last weekend Spencer had an incredible opportunity to be involved in a pretty great event called, Hunting With Heroes.  The Hunting with Heroes program includes three-days of camaraderie and festivities for veterans built around the outdoor experience of hunting and fishing.  Fifty veterans who were selected from a list of men and women nominated for the program, were given a patriotic welcome by the people of Klickitat. This tribute was just the beginning of three days of hunting, fishing, food and music. 

 

      So how did Spencer get involved in this?  Well his good buddy, Ryan, who is a pheasant hunting guide pulled a few strings and was able to bring Spencer on board as their game keeper.  He also assisted the Vets in shooting clay birds.  Through this experience he was able to meet a lot of people, get to know a lot of the Veterans, and even rub shoulders with a few famous people.  He was able to spend quite a bit of time with Jack Hoffman and Jim Thurber of Discovery Channel's Gold Rush, and country music star, Darryl Worley.  At the conclusion of the event, Darryl Worley put on a concert to raise funds for the organization.  

 

      With all the stress of Spencer being laid off, I don't think that the timing of this event could have been any more perfect.  He was able to wrap things up with his employer and then take off and forget about himself for a few days.  And with an event like this where you honor heroes, it's hard not to feel good about what you're doing.      

Zombie Apocalypse Run

      At our very first exchange during Hood to Coast, there was a group of zombies walking around promoting an up coming race.  I took a free t-shirt, thought the premise of the race sounded fun, but didn't really believe I would participate.  A month later, I was talking to a friend who had participated in it the previous year and he convinced me I had to do it.  It's called the Zombie Apocalypse Run.

      When you sign up for this run you have a choice: to run as a Survivor, or to run as a Zombie.  I chose Survivor.  I just loved the idea of being chased!  As a Survivor you wear a belt with 2 vinyl breakaway flags.  We also got a 2 minute head start before a siren went off and the zombies were unleashed.  The whole goal of the zombie is to get as many flags from the survivors as they can.  I knew there was going to be tons of people in costume and the best idea I could come up with was to dress in camo so we could blend in well.

      The event was held in Dayton, OR at a pumpkin patch right before dusk.  It was a 5K course and we ran through a corn maze, into a forest, and out on an open trail.  There were so many things going on while we ran.  A helicopter hovered overhead yelling things down to us;  there were tanks with people dressed in military attire telling us to hurry "they were coming!"; there were zombies walking around reaching out while you ran by; it was super fun!  One family that I ran along with had a backpack full of water balloon grenades.  Hearing their running commentary was comical.  Spencer was originally signed up to run with me, but he ended up being invited to participate in his own super fun event, which I will post about later.  So in place of Spencer, I recruited my friend Julie-Anne.  Both of us were 9 minutes into the run when we got our flags ripped off.  

     One of the compelling reasons I wanted to participate in this event was because of the dessert you can get afterwards.  I was told they sell apple slices that are battered and deep fried; then tossed in cinnamon sugar and covered with whipped topping and caramel sauce.  Oh boy, the goodness of it lived up to every inch of the hype.  It was heavenly, and I didn't feel an ounce of guilt! :-) This was such a fun event!  I will definitely be doing it again next year.