Halloween 2008

It was a fun Halloween.  We had the annual trunk or treat at the church parking lot.  Our friends, the Ellisons came with us, as they had their trunk or treat last week.  Livi and Aaron were pirates. Todd originally wanted to dress up as Star Wars, but then he saw an activity in one of our school books for a Mycenean (Greek) warrior helmet.  The idea evolved, as did the hours to create the look.  Was it worth it?  You decide.

So, it turned out better than the first picture would indicate.  We had a great time at Disneyland.  Thanks, Kathy and Glenn for a fun family weekend.  Our sister-in-law, Lucy, was with us, along with her 2-year-old Filipe.  We were half expecting Lucy to deliver her second baby sometimes during our stay, but it didn't happen.  Brandon was being a responsible adult and working while we all played.  Also, Ryan's younger siblings Ashley and Jordan came along.  We had a great time, with an occasional bit of drama.  My pictures wouldn't pop up in the right order, so don't expect a chronological tour.  We spent Monday and Tuesday at the parks.  We stayed all day both days, from 10:00-8:00.  Ben fell asleep to the world the first night and we couldn't even get him to wake up to change clothes and take a bath.  I was a little grossed out, but figured I could loosen up once in a while.  Todd was a trooper and hoofed it all the way home with only a wee bit of complaining.  The second night, Ben was running on his fourth wind and he couldn't stop talking until his clean bathed head hit the pillow.  Then he was out like a light.  We had a great time and can't wait for October 2010. (ugh...that sounds like an awfully long ways away).

This is a very happy Ben moment--the morning after two days of Disney just lounging at the pool

No lounging allowed for Grandpa.  Todd was a little attack monkey.  But Grandpa thrashed him around with some washing machine action, so it turned out fair and square.

The turning point in the trip for Ben was hanging out with Grandpa.  Seen here on the last ride of the trip, Autopia.  Ben was a horrible driver.

What?  A ride together?  He was even a gentleman and let me drive. 

Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters.  Very fun ride.  Ryan and Glenn were just like two little kids.  I did, by the way, kick Ryan's trash this round (granted he took me on the Toy Story ride earlier in the day)

"Dad, you are so cool.  Let me tell you about my great day."

"Arrrgghhhh, matey.  I'm stuck in a ball of bones."

Evidence of the McMillan tendency to only produce males.  Cousin Filipe with Todd, Ben, Grandma, and Grandpa.  Wonder what Jeremy and Liz will end up with?

Another fun shot of Ryan and Ben.  Waiting for the parade.

Waiting for the play parade in California Adventure

Ben in the California Adventure Ranger Course

Todd eating his "Corn Cow".  Really, it's just too big to be classified as a corn dog.  Disgusting.

We loved this sign in the streets of the Hollywood backlot.  "Ben Hair"--perhaps only a McMillan can fully appreciate just how important it is to consider one's hair.

Todd and Dad queue up for California Screamin--simply the best roller coaster I've ever ridden. Todd's favorite thrill ride.

Disneyland. . .The Happiest Place on Earth?

We just got home from Disneyland. You may be wondering--did it get any better than this? Stay tuned to find out.

Spoke too soon

There's a point in The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis where Wormwood (a tempter in training) is told about pride and humility.  The head tempter tells Wormwood of his "patient,"--"Catch him at the moment when he is really poor in spirit and smuggle into his mind the gratifying reflection, 'By jove! I'm being humble', and almost immediately pride - pride at his own humility - will appear."

So today as I was changing the second wet and poopy pair of underpants in the short time span of two hours, I thought of this quote for some reason.  Not really sure why I thought of this particular quote, but I did.  Perhaps I was too humble in my potty training and then became too prideful because I thought we had it licked?  Whatever the reason, at least there's an interesting quotation to twist your brain around as you read about my wet undies day.

With hesitation

With hesitation, I write of three dry potty training days.  On his own, Mr. Ben decided he should be a stander rather than a sitter, and it seems to have made the difference.  When I tell him to try using the potty, he doesn't have to strip down to his birthday suit, so he doesn't balk nearly as much.  

It's possible that I'm condemning myself to a day from potty training H-E-double hockey sticks by writing this, but I felt such love and support from my last declaration of frustration that I thought I shoud keep you all updated. 

Farewell from the land of underoos until we blog again.

97

A few weeks ago, I overheard Todd telling one of his friends (with obvious pride), "My grandma is 97. We just had a birthday party for her."

Actually, Todd's great, great grandma is 97. And we did have a party for her in April. Her birthday is on April Fool's Day, which she has always taken something of a little delight in.

Well, when we visited Boise a few weeks ago, we spent some time with Grammy. She is spry, cute, and funny. She stills lives on her own in an apartment complex for older folks and cooks her own meals. She is somewhat deaf, which really is her only limitation. But she smiles and nods mostly appropriately when she can't hear what you say.

Anyway, in the middle of the conversation, Todd says, "Grammy, I hope you make it to 100."

Quick as lightning, she said, "Well, I hope I do, too."

So, here's to Grammy, my sweet great grandmother. We're looking forward to your 100th birthday party. Todd can't wait.

Give me Another Time Out

Well, here's another broken thread in my time space continuum. We'll just refer to it as make-up blogging.

A few weekends ago (before the Boise trip), my mom flew in to attend/volunteer at Time Out For Women here in Vegas. We had a fantastic time.

It was a two day event with speakers and musicians. I had really needed a break and it was perfect. Now, I just need someone to give me a time out for misbehavior every month.

A few of my favorite speakers were Virginia H. Pearce and Tom Smith. Tom Smith is a businessman who teaches people how to change the culture of thier business. He spoke about relationships and how we need to focus on beliefs and experiences because that is what will change actions. We can't just change people's actions. We have to change what they believe and experience. For me, it was a practical study/application of President Packer's, "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior."

The other speaker I loved was Sister Pearce. She spoke about prayer and developing a relationship with our Father in Heaven. When we know who we are and who he is, our prayers will take on different meaning. She also said that everywhere she goes peoople ask her how she is doing since her father passed away (President Hinckley). Then they always say thank you for sharing your parents with us, or for sacrificing all you did or something of that nature. Sister Pearce said, (not a direct quote but close), "It wasn't a sacrifice. I don't feel like I missed out on anything because of who my father was. We were blessed. I was happy to share him."

For some reason, that really struck me; I have pondered that for hours and come to a few conclusions. First, I would guess that there were times years ago that it perhaps did feel like a sacrifice. But time and growth have changed that perception. So, I'm grateful that there is hope that my sometimes negative attitude can and will change. Also, I am grateful for all those who serve in the church and feel exactly as Sister Pearce feels. I'm sure she is grateful for the love of an entire world who got to know her father as a prophet of God. What a blessing in her life to feel that love, even today.

So, the conference was great. I would highly recommend it to anyone who needs a boost. Follow it up three weeks later with General Conference and you're good for another six months.

Besides my mom, I also got to see my friend Megen, who was back in town with her sisters/mom. We also spent the day with Juanita, our carpooling buddy. We saw Allyson several times as well. Very good times.

Potty Training Woes

I hate potty training. If you missed that, let me repeat it again. I HATE POTTY TRAINING. Capitals mean yelling, right? Then, you got my point clearly. I meant to yell. I'd rather yell into my computer than yell at my three year old. . .again.

I thought we had it licked a couple weeks ago. While at my parent's house, completely out of his element, Ben had two straight days of complete dryness/cleanness with NO accidents. Now that we're home, back in our routine, right in the middle of all our own stuff, we have had seven accidents in the last two days. Two of them involved poop. How much do I love cleaning poop out of underoos? Not much.

It really would be better if he hadn't put that tantalizing carrot in front of my face. If he had just consistently had accident after accident with no success, I would know that he wasn't ready, and I would back off yet again. But, oh no. I know he can do it. So that just makes spending that $10 on another bag of pull ups all the more frustrating.

So I'm blogging my frustration to the great big world of cyberspace in an attempt to keep it in perspective. Ben will be potty trained. It will happen soon. And it will be a beautiful day. Until then I will smile. I will laugh. I will bravely swish poop-laden undies in the toilet. I will love my three year old regardless of his lack of potty-trainedness.

(Side note. . .Todd just walked up behind me as I was typing this. "Gross mom," he said, "I just read that whole thing.")

Space, Time, and Conference

I feel a great burden to keep all blogs in some sort of linear order. So, when I don't have time to blog on certain events, I then feel that I can't blog the next event in order without disrupting the space time continuum. It weighs heavily upon my mind.

However, I'm throwing caution to the wind here and attempting to just blog what is currently on my mind, without any thought to how it might send my blog into a timeline upheaval. I have other things that still need to be blogged, but I'm not going to do that right now. I think this is why I have never been a successful scrapbooker--too many guilt feelings. Maybe I should blog sometime about guilt. Our family has a long running history of success in that area. But, alas, I digress. On to my thoughts.

I just wanted to put a shout out there for a wonderful conference weekend. For anyone unfamiliar, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds a semi-annual general conference in April and October each year in which our prophet , apostles, and other church leaders speak and offer counsel and direction. It is broadcast via satellite throughout the world. It was a fabulous one for our family. We made a few discoveries:

• We discovered that Legos can keep children happy and content for hours in a relatively quiet fashion. Both boys were in the room for probably 90% of conference, and for the most part were in control. Several times I saw Todd thoroughly engrossed in a story one of the speakers was telling. And Ben would often comment when he heard a funny word. So, I know they got something out of it. We love Legos.
• We also discovered that NOT planning other stuff really allowed us to make conference our number one priority. We made a few store runs in between sessions and did some projects around the house, but we didn't plan anything else.
• We discovered that conference weekend means we get our husband/dad at home all day Sunday. We will look forward to these two weekends a year like no other for the next five or so years while Ryan is bishop.
• I discovered that when I prepared myself for conference and thought about questions that I was searching for answers to, I was blessed to hear the things I needed.

I am grateful to live in a time when a prophet of God lives on the earth. More than that, I am grateful that I have been blessed to have that knowledge. I realize more and more each day that because of this blessing, I also have an obligation to share that knowledge with others. So, I'm first sharing it with you. If you didn't have a chance to hear the prophet speak last weekend, go to LDS.org and check it out. Amazing stuff. Five new temples. Amazing.