For the love of Chocolate

 

There is nothing like a child dressing up in whatever costume they can round up and running through the streets asking strangers for candy. I am not much of a Halloween type person but I do love seeing the tiniest of the tiny all decked out and running from house to house, not sure exactly what they should be doing or saying but seeing their eyes light up when they see the miniature version of a full size candy bar heading straight for the pail, bucket, plastic pumpkin or whatever their mother shoved into their hand. I especially love it when they immediately start to unwrap said energy in a wrapper and start devouring it before they get off of the porch. All they know is they have control over this little tasty tidbit and if past experience teaches them anything it is to get at it before mom notices it and spirits it away. Ahh the joys of childhood. It truly is amazing that this tiny little bit of confection can ward off a temper tantrum as easily as it can bring one on. Oh the power of chocolate.

I count my Blessings

I have just returned from spending a wonderful 3 days with 4 of my grandbabies. I think that there should be a law or a decree that it be mandatory for all responsible adults to spend more then 24 hours with those adorable little people that are wonderfully and delightfully sure that life is good and there is such a thing as happy endings. How refreshing to be in the presence of such a belief system. They remind me how I used to think and feel. They give me permission to live in the moment and experience the joy that is always there if you just close your eyes and believe. I consider myself to be a nurturing person but they gave me ample opportunity to expand on my natural nurturing and increase it ten fold. It was so exhausting and I was happy to be back home in my own bed not waking up to a fussy little one, but for some reason I am feeling, oh, I don't know,... lonely. I may sleep soundly tonight but I can't help but think that somewhere deep in my self-conscious mind I will be listening for that little voice calling out for GaaGaa.
I hope that my daughter and her husband know how grateful I am for the opportunity to spend this time with some of the best that my gene pool has to offer. It was time that I will always cherish.

Let's Carve a Pumpkin

Well, it is finally that time of year again, when the air is crisp and clean, the temperature drops and the pumpkin patches spring up around you like flowers in the spring. Ever since we (meaning Mr Darcy and I) have been blessed with the grandbabies we have taken them out to get their Halloween pumpkins. We have always only taken them when they were old enough to enjoy it and follow instructions but this year we took the little guys with us. Now being two, I knew that they would enjoy themselves but the following instructions idea seemed to be but a fleeting notion that they had no intent to capture. So if you notice the pictures I am posting, you will see that Faise and Kade were usually running past the frame or being restrained so that I would at least have photographic proof they were there. Kader monkey refused to look at the camera more then one time and I think I have exactly one picture with him looking at it. This particular pumpkin patch had a playground at the end and that is what captured the little boys special attention. It was a great memory for me to have even if I required a nap when I returned home (whoever invented naps is a genius).

Hmmm, not sure about this one

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

I am not sure how I feel about being Esme, she seems very wallflowerish. But I did take the test and apparently this is who I am most like. Oh well, everyone seems to like Esme. I'm not really sure about the name though, who would name their child Esme? Ok, I just reread this and decided I must apologize to anyone out there with the name of Esme. It is a perfectly adequate name and besides the picture of Esme is really quite pretty. She is the mother figure after all and I really love being a mother, not to mention the fact that she never ages, now that's a real perk!

Who are the animals here?

Here we are at Hogle Zoo. The kids were not only excited to go see the animals but to spend time with Tara's family. The kids love Will and Ems and Ty-Ty. They were so looking forward to spending time with them and at the zoo they were able to run and jump and in some cases climb right into the pens with the Turkeys. Here they are looking at the waterfall at the front entrance.

Ty escaped and wanted to join the turkeys, his mom was moving very fast trying to catch up to him before he confronted the turkeys. What a kid. He was so upset that his mom 'rescued' him that he cried and cried. The picture below shows the daring 'rescue'.

At the infamous drinking fountain they all wanted to get their pictures taken as well as get a little drink of water. They found joy in every little thing that we came across.

Here are only 5 of the 7. Faise and Ty were busy running and exploring and we had a hard time getting them in the picture. Any time we got them in the picture it was because we were quick on the shutter. Here Faise is running to the next place. I snapped quickly to get his picture.

We only were able to keep 5 of the kids standing still for this particular shot. But as the day wore on the two little ones did slow down just a little.
This particular elephant is expecting a baby elephant. She is 12 months along and only has another 10 months! That is just ridiculous. Who's idea was that?

Here is one of the zoo's occupants, a noceros as Faise would say.

It was a fun adventure and the weather was actually very cooperative. It was warm enough without being too hot or too cold. I know that I haven't been to the zoo for at least 7 years so I was grateful that Jenny included me in the outing. If any of you out there haven't been lately I would recommend it, it was great.

Sometimes you just get lucky!

I was surfing around and found a great tag on one of my daughter's dear friend's blog and I decided to tag myself. I want my children to know how dear their dad is to me.

Husband tag

1 Where did you meet? We actually met at 'Taco Siesta' a local fast food joint I was working at. He claims that I made him the worst burrito ever and he came to complain. What actually happened was this, I worked with his good friend Bruce and Bruce needed Mr Darcy to double with him on a date and my Mr. Darcy couldn't get in touch with the girl he wanted to ask so Bruce (being desperate) said, 'what about her?' and he was pointing at me.

2 How long did you date before getting married? We dated for two years but considering I was only 16 when we first met that seems pretty darn fast to me.

3 How long have you been married? If I quoted Mr Darcy, he would say, '34 wonderful years'
We have started teaching the Marriage and family relations class in Sunday School and this has been said by him multiple times. But I also agree, it has been 34 wonderful years.

4. What does he do that surprises you? To be honest I am constantly surprised by him and yet I am totally NOT surprised. He will do the dearest kindest things just when I least expect it, and yet that is the kind of guy he is. His heart is as soft as a marshmellow, and I love that.

5. What is your favorite feature about him? I love, Love, LOVE the way his eyes twinkle when he really laughs about something or is teasing me. Okay, close your eyes kids, I also love his great little butt!

6. What is your favorite quality about him? He can see past my faults and frailties and loves me anyway. Somedays that is just amazing to me. He also can do anything-nothing wavering-anything he decides to do, I have never met anyone so capable in all my life.

7 Does he have a nickname for you? Mostly he calls me Hon. As a matter of fact a few years into our marriage I wondered if he remembered my real name, so I asked him. He still doesn't use it much. But my very most favorite nickname he has for me is Mrs Darcy! I know he only uses it when he is completely and perfectly and incandescently happy or when he wants me to be.


8 What is his favorite color? I don't know that he has one, but the color green and maroon look simply smashing on him, he also looks fabuloso in Pink. I know he loves BYU Blue.

9 What is his favorite food? He loves the shrimp fest at 'Red Lobster'. He also loves a great rib eye steak. But something I think he could live off is the Pico de Gallo (sp) he makes from scratch. He loves it!

10 What is his favorite sport? BYU football, of course.

11 Who said I love you first? He did! I am sure he doesn't remember, but I didn't quite know what to do with that. No one of the opposite sex (that wasn't related to me) had ever said that to me before. I didn't know quite what to do with it (remember I was very young and an idiot)

12 When and where was your first kiss? We had gone to a movie, Romeo and Juliet ( I love that theme music) and he leaned in and kissed me. That had never happened before and I think I just rolled with the punches. It was very sweet.

13 What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? For me, it is just that, being a couple. We enjoy going to football games, out to eat, football firesides, traveling in the car, watching TV, talking to each other on the phone (Mr Darcy gets all sweet on the phone), putting in a yard, going for a walk (are you starting to get the picture, if not I can go on)

14 Do you have kids? How many? Yes we have 4 wonderful children, a daughter and three sons. We also have 8 superduper grandbabies 4 granddaughters and 4 grandsons. (They are the joy in my day)


15 What is a hidden talent that he has? I think I have already answered that, he can do anything from remodeling the house to changing a diaper (he tries to keep that one really hidden). I have never seen anyone with the determination he has when he chooses to do something.

16 How old is he? Now that depends on who you are asking, if you ask him he doesn't know, or want to remember. He was born in August of 1953.

17 What is his favorite type of music? He loves music that reminds him of something. He listens to the 'sounds of Sunday' every Sunday. He likes the soft rock channels. He used to love 3 dog night but that was many, many moons ago.

18 What do you admire most about him? That is easy, I am married to the Pied Piper. People love him and follow him anywhere. He is Kind, Generous, loving, I wish I had that talent.

19 What is his favorite pasttime? He love accomplishing things. What ever he is involved in gets his full attention until it is done. He is never sitting still unless he has fallen asleep. He also is an avid deer hunter. He has been known to start planning the next hunt as early as January. Now he generally just goes to get away and enjoy the companionship of his boys. I always threaten him that I do not want a dead carcass hanging up in my carport so he had better not come home with one. In recent years he has been very obliging.

20 Do you think he is going to read this? No, not unless I insist upon it, and I won't. He has a pretty good idea who he is and what he is about, so this may or may not interest him, except for the fact that it came from me, his Mrs Darcy!

Success! At least so far.

Those of you that visit my blog frequently, I mean occasionally, make that have ever visited, even once, will notice, might notice, could possibly think to themselves, 'something looks different.' Well, you would be correct. I am stepping outside my comfort zone and trying not only a new background but a 3 (count them) column background. Whew! It made me so nervous to think that I might possibly erase all my months of occasional blogging, but I plunged ahead, without fear or reservation. Now before you start thinking 'my isn't she brave', I must confess, I didn't do this alone. My beautiful daughter-in-law who also has a very awesome blog (that I would send you to but it is private) helped me tremendously. She just changed over to 3 columns and so she walked me through it. It was more complex then I expected it would be and every time I clicked on view blog I wasn't sure it would reappear. Now I know that some of you professional bloggers change blogs like you do your unnerwear (yes I know it is mis-spelled but I didn't want an R rating, right Marivic) but I am timid and not really adventurous and lazy and I didn't want to have to recreate everything up to this point. I am actually quite pleased with the results of my labors and now am trying to create a personal heading/title box. If any of you out there in blogging lurkerville have any helpful hints or suggestions, I am open.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words, (or at least 16)

I've been playing around with Picasa and this was the result. I've seen this kind of thing on other people's blogs and I think it is quite fun. This is my ode to my most recent visit to 'the Happiest Place on Earth'. My next attempt will be with photos of my favorite people on earth, the grandbabies. I am hopeful it will turn out splendidly. Time will tell.

A Dream is a Wish your Heart Makes

Everyone who truly knows me can tell you I have a passion for all things Disneyland, so when the opportunity came along to be one of the princesses I grabbed it with both hands.
You Are Cinderella!

Dignified and hard working. With a gentle and soft-spoken manner you have something many people don't. Patience. Even through the moments of heartbreak you're still able to hold onto all of your hopes and dreams. Bide your time; your dream will come true.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Don't tell anyone, but several of my dreams have already come true, isn't that right Mr Darcy?

One of my Favorite things

I love this particular hymn, I cry every time I watch it or sing it. Music is the one constant that can move me even when I don't want to be moved. It is the one constant and immovable link to my heart and soul.

Butch, Sundance and the Hole in the Wall Gang

I am not sure which is which, would the real Sundance kid please stand up

Butch, I think we have him surrounded

Call Me Mrs. Darcy!

Dad, Mom and Mr and Mrs Darcy, Sundance ski lift October 1 2008

Ma Ma and Pa Pa framed by the mountain

How can you not admire the general splendor, it is truly breathtaking

Today we took advantage of the beautiful weather we are experiencing, grabbed mom and dad and headed up the canyon to see the beautiful leaves and enjoy the sunshine. May I say, It was Glorious. Just when you think you appreciate the place you live as much as you can, all of a sudden you have an experience like this and it takes your breath away. We headed up to Sundance and rode the lift up the mountain and then back down (dad was a little disgruntled as he thought he was going to walk down the mountain). Even though Dad wanted to walk down the mountain, I had to put my foot down because I knew that if he walked down, I would have to join him and that just wasn't going to happen. What an amazing place we live in. When you are up in those mountains you forget all about the stock market and the elections and the bills and anything else that can wear you out and down and you just get to refill your well. My lovely husband, Mr. Darcy, is such a great guy and he knew this would be wonderful, and he was right. I am in awe when I see the majesty of those mountains and the richness of the changing colors, how the Lord must love us to give us not only a world to live in but also created the light and dark hues of the changing leaves and the whisper of the wind when you are feeling a little too much heat on your brow. The sound of a mountain stream running over and around rocks and boulders drowns out even the most insistent little voices in my head telling me about the things that need to be done. I love our world! And then as if that were not enough, he gives us precious family to share the most tender and miraculous moments of our life. My cup runneth over.
Today I am truly Mrs Darcy, completely and perfectly and incandescently happy.