Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Checking in . . .

Life has been a whirlwind for a few weeks at the Powers' home - but I've been keeping notes so I can fill you in on all the excitement.

1. Remember the praying mantis? This morning we discovered an egg sack . . . . After a bit of research, it appears there can be as many as 2 to 300 mantis' to hatch in about 5 months.

Yippee Skippee.

And I thought the dog was a bad idea . . .

Apparently we were a little off giving it the male name Luther . . .


2. Brice finally had his teeth fixed. A long process - but he looks like a new man. I think they still need to be trimmed down some. Right now he REALLY looks like Mater. Tow Mater.










3
. A few Carra-isms to share:

* * * Keeping in mind Carra's love for pretty clothes vs. practical clothes . . .
Carra: "Mom, I know what I want to be when I grow up!"

Me: "Oh, really? What?"

Carra: "An Awana teacher."

Me: Thought to self: "Oh, my dear child wants to help other kids learn about Jesus . . . "

Me: "Why an Awana teacher?"

Carra: "Because Awana teachers don't have to wear tennis shoes to Awana!"
* * * The inconsistency of the English language strikes again:

Snuck vs. Sneaked - I still don't know which is correct. Apparently the confusion can be added to the word freak . . . Carra was explaining how she surprised someone recently. . .
"When I jumped out at her, it made her fruck out."
* * * Carra was paging through her Bible story book and came to the picture of Adam and Eve leaving the garden fully clothed in animal skins. She stopped and looked and then with a puzzled look said, "I didn't know God knew how to sew . . . "

I can't say that thought ever crossed my mind. I just assumed Adam and Eve made their own clothes . . .

4. Owen's imaginary friends . . . .

Owen generally bounces around the house happily playing with his many imaginary friends. Some days he imagines himself to be someone else - playing with someone else - and is kind enough to introduce himself to me and his imaginary friend (so I know who I am talking to).

This week, the conversation went something like this:

(You may have to have a little Star Wars history in order to understand this dialogue.)
Owen: "Hey, I'm Luke Skywalker."

Me: "Hey, Luke."

Owen: "This is Annikan. I'm goin' to his house to play."

Me: "That sounds like fun."

Owen: "Yeah, I like Annikan's house cuz he has Star Wars Legos."

Me: "How appropriate."

Owen: "Yeah, and George is coming too . . ."

Me: "Who in the world is George?"

Owen: "He's the monkey . . . ."
Does anyone else sense a new and exciting sequel? I hope we get royalty fees for this suggestion . . .

5. Brice has been playing with the cups left over from the party. He asked me to take a picture and blog is accomplishment. He even gave the mountain a name - Mount Saint Louis. Today he rebuilt the tower and is now making plans to go professional (I am being serious). He is contemplating how to make a life size model of a man - out of Solo cups. Stay tuned. If he can support a family on cup sculpturing, I'm moving in with him when I'm 80.


6. We had a reunion of sorts with the South Africa missions teams because of a visit from one of the pastors from that area. It was the first time I met the family, and they were able to stay with us for 3 days. It was a fun weekend.

Here is a picture of everyone who got together for the reunion (minus a few faces). . .


More amusing perhaps will be the challenge to see if anyone can find Brice in the picture . . . It's our version of "Where's Brice?".

8. Last but not least (because ironically it actually was the first event of the month) - Carra officially turned 6 years old. For her party we went trick-or-treating and ate birthday cake (imagine the princess is curtsying for my sake). The cake tasted as terrible as it looks. Fortunately, the 6 year old was amused.

And because silly girls were present when we took the pictures, we have to include the classic "rabbit ear" photo . . .

And that is about all for now.

Consider yourself officially up to date.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Pictures

We headed out recently for the excruciating task of attempting to get a family picture for our Christmas card. This year I tried to do it myself with a tripod and a remote for the camera.

Here is an idea of how well the photo session went . . .


"Here, Owen, let me fix your hair . . . "

"Carra, your too stiff. Try crossing your arms . . ."

"Ummm, okay, I better state that differently . . ."


Just had to share my perspective of Owen
being "encouraged" to stand still.
A little over-exposed, if you ask me . . .


"Ummm, Carra, I think you are in the way . . ."

Owen's "not-so-good" side. . .


Buff being "punished" for his side comments trying to make Brice smile.




So, in the end . . . here is our Christmas card picture for 2008 . . . I think it shares the true side of the Powers' family . . . .






Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Freedom to vote = Free stuff!

Apparently if you take the time to vote today and get that "I voted" sticker it could earn you some free treats.

Loyalty to country isn't enough to get people out to vote anymore . . . they have to go for the gut (and the hips and the thighs . . .).

Starbucks = free coffee

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts = free doughnut


Ben & Jerry's = free ice cream