Yesterday's Journal

I was writing in my journal yesterday about Devin and Layne. I thought I would post it, so you could hear the latest craziness:

Today I found Layne smearing blue Spiderman toothpaste all over the living room table
and in his hair, playing with knives on the kitchen counter several times, swinging the dining room chandelier while standing precariously on top of the table several times, squirting dish soap all over the kitchen counter, and coating his hair in sun block. He also dug all the chapstick out of my favorite tube, ate some of my toothpaste, and dragged my facial hair remover cream out of my drawer. He loves my perfumes and frequently drags all of them out and takes the lids off. I haven’t been able to find one, but he evidently sprayed it on himself because he smelled very strongly of perfume for a couple of days. Yesterday he took the butter off the table and smeared his legs with it.

Devin has been aiding and abetting Layne’s insanity in turns. The other morning, I took a shower while the boys were watching a movie. I stepped out to towel off and I heard Devin screaming. I went out to see what was going on and the front door was wide open, Layne was standing out on the curb waving at passing cars wearing nothing but his diaper, and I was completely naked. Apparently, Devin had decided to rescue his Thomas the Train DVD out of the mailbox. It was on its way back to Netflix. Although the door was shut and deadbolt locked, he managed to unlock it since the key was still in the lock, and open the door. When Layne tried to get out, Devin panicked and tried to close the door, but his foot was in the way. He has a bruise and a sore on his little foot now. So I dashed about putting on whatever clothes I could find laying around so that I could go rescue Layne. That was a relaxing shower!

So, I put Devin in timeout for opening the door. After I had calmed down, I went in and talked to him about why he should never go in the front yard without me there with him. I told him that Layne could have been hit by a car and died. I said a bad man could have taken him away from us. He really grabbed onto that idea. For the last two days I have heard little else but what clever ways Devin is going to “stop the bad man from taking our baby.” “I will trow a toy at the bad man!” he says furiously. He picks up his Mickey Mouse golf club, “I will hit the bad man!” He hefts his play grocery cart threateningly, “I will trow THIS at the bad man and he will run away!” I half wonder if he might venture into the front yard without me just to confront the bad man he likes the idea so much.

He is getting a more sophisticated idea of time. He is always saying, “not yet.” Daddy will be home, but not yet. Today, he took three cars and he assigned one to Layne, one to me, and one to himself. He said we were going to have a race. He lined the cars up on the table and announced, “We have a race, but not today. Not yet! We have a race tomorrow night.” Later he found another car and assigned it to Daddy. It joined the lineup to wait for tomorrow’s race.

What an adventure Motherhood is! Today, I bathed them both and washed all the toothpaste, dish soap, sunblock, and margerine out of their hair. They both looked and smelled so good, you would never have guessed what they looked like last night. Unfortunately, I only took one picture. I just get so focued on the mess and go directly into cleaning mode before I think to take any pictures. I really need to, because words just can't describe the disasters we endure here at our house.

Vinca Garden

I know I have already posted many pictures of this little garden, but every time I photograph it, the plants are bigger and more stunning. I just have to share. They also show a glimpse of our new lawn. It is coming in really well. We had to add an acidifier because some patches were not coming in very well and the grass was a sickly green color. The lawn next to this little flower garden is very healthy and full.

Here is a picture of the garden just a few weeks after I planted it.

Red Hibiscus

Our Presidential Red hibiscus continues to amaze with its extreme heat tolerance, dark forest green foliage, huge brilliant colored blossoms, and overall plant health. Even our expensive high voltage hibiscus pales in comparison to this hearty shrub. It has several buds ready to open right now, so this flower is just the beginning!

More Devin Says

Every day I remember things that Devin says that are funny. Bath time is a favorite time for Devin and because of that, he gets pretty wrinkly by the time he gets out. He used to look at his little fingers and say, "My fingers are pinched!" If I tried to take him out of the tub before he was ready, he would say, "My fingers are NOT pinched!" Anyway, it was really cute, but it didn't last. The last bath I gave him, he said, "My skin is all wrinkly." I said, "Are your fingers pinched?" He gave me a look like, Mom that is so babyish and said, "NO. My skin is NOT pinched. My skin is wrinkly."

He also used to call the fly swatter a hitter. He would spot a bug and say, "Momma! It's a bug. Quick, get the hitter." Now he calls it a fly swatter. He still calls the thorns on the rose bushes sharps. "Look out for the sharps Momma. They will give you owies!"

We have started limiting Devin's water intake before bed to cut down on bed wetting. Devin has generalized this to all food and drink. He tells Layne, "Don't eat any more cake. You will wet the bed Layne!" or at noon, "You get no more milk. You will wet the bed Layne!"

His little toddler accent makes for a few endearing words. He can't say the "th" sound like in mouth. He pronounces it "mouse." When I was putting sun block on his face the other day he was making vehement protestations of, "Don't get it in my mouse!"

The number five is his favorite number. When I am pushing him on the swing I will ask, "Do you want more pushes?" He replies, "I want FIVE more pushes." When Layne opened his presents, Devin was very jealous of his Harold the Helicopter. He said, "I get FIVE Harold the Helicopters for my birthday!" When he says "FIVE" he holds out his little hand with all five fingers spread. When he is nice to Layne or finishes his dinner he asks for five jelly beans. It is quite funny.

Fake Baby

I was reading on the news that the Australian police broke a car window to rescue what they thought was a baby, only to find what was actually a doll. The doll was so lifelike as to be impossible to differentiate from a real baby by just looking at it.

Fascinated, I decided to Google these dolls, or as I prefer to call them, fake babies. They are called Reborn Babies. I found this one on Ebay and was absolutely shocked! I had to keep reading the description to make certain that the pictures were not of a real newborn.

Newborn Lewis

I guess the moral of the story is, if you choose to buy a fake baby, take her into the store or leave her home. (If you don't want your window broken out that is.)

Incidentally, Baby Lewis was made by an obvious professional. I've never seen a doll like it. However, apparently reborn babies are all the rage in the doll making world. That would be a cool hobby!

Devin and Momma's Hair

Sometimes when one of the boys falls asleep or when it is just a quick errand, either Ben or I will go into the store while the other waits with the kids in the car. Devin hates sitting in the car when someone else gets to go into the store. The other day when Dad went into Walmart, we were waiting for him in the car and Devin said, "Momma, tip your seat back so I can play wiss your hair." Ever since that day, he is always asking me to tip my chair back so he can play with my hair. It is so cute!

Sometimes when he is talking to me he will take a section of my hair and just stroke it for a minute. It really warms my heart.

Yesterday we took family pictures and Ben was playing around with photography ideas. He took our fan and tried to position it so it would blow my hair. Today Devin picked up the fan and lugged it over to me while I was putting up train tracks. He said, "I want to blow your hair Momma."

Sleeping Beauty

Devin has been on a Sleeping Beauty kick the last week or so. We had a very funny conversation at lunch today.

Devin said, "I find sleeping beauty."

I asked, "Are you going to give her a kiss?"

"No. I will grow up big and find sleeping beauty."

"Will you give her a kiss when you grow up big?"

"No."

"Will you kill the dragon?"

"No. I have no sword. I don't have one at home."

"When you grow up big, you can get a sword. Will you kill the dragon then?"

Pause. Then he says, "No. I be too scared for that!" Pause. Then, "I wait FIVE years."

"So in five years you will kill the dragon?"

"Yes."

After this little conversation, I got the camera and took a video in hopes that he would repeat some of what he said. He did. I just posted the video.

Missionary Calendar

When the church appears in the national headlines, I think it is the responsibility of the members to clarify issues and speak their mind regarding those issues. There is a man in Las Vegas who has put together a calendar of returned missionaries without shirts. Thanks to the publicity this calendar has received in the news lately, I'm sure sales will be high, but is what he is doing ethical?

Aside from free speech issues and whether or not the calendar is in good taste, is what this man doing ethical? He is not even an active member, and yet he is using the Mormon brand, so to speak, to make a significant amount of money. I suppose that could be said of many people marketing anything from board games like Settlers of Zarahemla to church books, but where is the line drawn? What is next, Relief Society Presidents in bikinis?

In the marketing for this calendar, it is clear that this man is trying to make Mormon missionaries into sexy Gentleman's Quarterly poster boys instead of representatives of Jesus Christ. This is clearly contrary to what the church would have the world see these young men as. Associating missionaries with sex could have many nasty consequences as missionaries are supposed to be celibate and abstain completely from close association with the opposite sex.

I know that there are some in the church that would wish for us to have a more worldly image and, as this man says he wants to do, shake up typical Mormon stereotypes, but does that serve our purpose as standing as witnesses of Jesus Christ? We stand as a light to the world by being different from the world. The world doesn't need another calendar of half-naked men. What the world needs is to see a group of people, united with their leaders, and standing firm as witnesses of the Savior and his gospel.

Just one more comment on freedom of speech. Being somewhat of a Revolutionary War enthusiast, I know a little about why we have the Bill of Rights and what it means to have the freedom of speech. Throughout the history of the world, speaking out against authority was not something that was done. Terrible human rights abuses have occurred because of the inability of good people to join together and communicate about relevant and pressing issues. The freedom of speech is a person's ability to speak publicly, like I am right now, about issues and people and not have to fear retribution from the government. What it does not guarantee, is freedom from all consequence if you say or do something stupid.

For example, the Dixie Chicks decided to denounce George W. Bush in front of a foreign audience. I remember how shocked they were when country music fans all over the nation smashed their CDs and some even sent them death threats. The freedom of speech is not freedom from consequence my friends. If the Dixie Chicks had half a brain to share between them, they could have foreseen the vehement response of the country music fan base and avoided the entire controversy. It was an extremely stupid thing to do and their careers have suffered accordingly. Likewise, flag burning will not get you thrown in jail, but if you burn one in front of an Iraq War Vet and get the daylights beaten out of you, don't whine about freedom of speech to me!

In short, my message to Mr. Chad Hardy is, don't go around trying to destroy the pristine image of Mormon missionaries and then whine when the church leadership doesn't like it and tries to excommunicate you. You should have known when you started this project that you were unlikely to sell a copy to President Monson to hang on his wall at the Church Office Building. Whining freedom of speech is just an attempt to portray yourself as a victim, which you aren't.

CNG Aftermarket Conversion System

I have been doing a little research on natural gas and how it can become a more practical and immediate solution to our fuel woes. My findings have been interesting.

Apparently, there are kits on the market that you can buy to convert your car from a gas fuel car to a natural gas fuel car. These kits are called CNG (compressed natural gas) aftermarket conversion systems. The only problem with this is, from my reading I have deduced that you can't convert your car to CNG and then drive it on public roads because the EPA will not allow it. Apparently they are concerned about emissions.

After doing a Google search I found a CNG Outfitters at http://www.cngoutfitters.com/. It is a Utah based company that does conversions, but even they are not EPA approved. I don't think there is a company that is EPA certified to do CNG conversions in the country! According to my research, as of August of last year there were no companies EPA certified to make ethanol conversion of vehicles either. So my question is, what is the EPA so busy doing that they are not cranking out CNG and ethanol certifications for mechanic shops accross the nation? We should be seeing ads in our local papers every week for mechanic shops offering CNG and ethanol conversions of our vehicles! The fact that we are not seeing this is proof that the EPA is not doing its job. We need to hound our representatives on the state and national level to put the heat on the EPA to get those aftermarket conversion certifications out to every mechanic shop in the nation that wants one, and you know they all want one.

It is not the EPA's job to protect owls and wolves and Alaskan wilderness, it is their job to protect the American people and our rights to breathe clean air and drink clean water. The fact that they are prepared to issue $10,000 fines to every patriotic American who is ready to convert to a cleaner, cheaper, domestic fuel is criminal. Especially when they are not even issuing certifications to local mechanic shops.

If you are, like me, a bit perturbed about this situation, click below to contact the appropriate representatives.

House
Senate
State Representatives

Vinca Boys

Fence Garden

The boys like to put the spent vinca flowers behind their ears. They look so cute!

They also like to balance on the wall and jump off.

Who knew that having a backyard could be so fun!

Devin Says

Devin has become quite proficient in his use of language these days. I suppose it is a common fault for a mother to think her children will always stay babies, so it suprises me every time he says something that shows he is really growing up.

The other day I was trying to get the boys dressed and in the car to run some errands. I found everyone's shoes and started putting them on. I put on Layne's Bob the Builder sandals and then I was putting on Devin's Spider Man sandals. I didn't have my shoes on yet. Devin said, "Devin don't have Bob the Builder shoes. " I said, "No, you have Spider Man sandals." He said, "Momma have no shoes on. We get you some BIG Bob the Builder shoes Momma!" I'm sure he thought there was nothing I would like better. I had to laugh thinking of my big feet with Bob the Builder's cheesy face stuck to the side.

This morning I couldn't find Devin's favorite trains, Thomas and James. The boys had been playing with them the night before, but I couldn't find them. I told Devin not to worry, that I would ask Daddy if he knew where they were. Devin followed me into the computer room as I booted up the computer to instant message Ben. He looked at me earnestly and said, "Are you going to talk to Daddy on the phone or on the 'puter?"

At the camp out this last weekend, Devin and I trekked through the brush and got some poison ivy on our feet. I treated the rashes with some Calamine lotion in my first aid kit. Later, Layne had found the lotion. Layne loves little bottles and can't resist carrying them around to obscure locations. Devin was very upset seeing Layne with the bottle. He said in his best Mom impersonation, "Layne! That NOT a toy. It for sore foots!"

Camp Out

Hello Family,

This is a picture of the boys relaxing at Lake Whitney on the Fourth of July. More pictures will be posted soon on the Burbank Family Blog.

Primary Class

I mention in my little autobiography on the side of the blog, that I am a Primary teacher for eight and nine year old children. Today at church, our Primary president did this wonderful sharing time about family history. My heart was very touched by how she did it. She had called all the children's parents that week and found stories about an ancestor in their line. I was amazed as I heard about the illustrious ancestors of these little ones some of which had crossed the plains with the early Latter-Day Saints and others who had served missions or in various wars. One girl had an ancestor who helped save the Liberty Bell during the Revolutionary War. As a teacher or parent trying to cram some fragment of logical knowledge into these children's protesting heads, it is hard to remember that these little ones are precious; more precious than jewels.

I had a very powerful impression, one of the strongest I have ever had, that those ancestors mentioned in Primary today are very much aware of their descendants. In fact, I think that they are much more concerned about what goes on in the primary classes of their descendents than they are about what happens in the meetings of the First Presidency of the church, or the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. They know that we, the lowly primary teachers, are the ones responsible for much of the gospel instruction that these children recieve in their formative years. They know that whether or not the children gain a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, whether or not they enjoy coming to church, or whether or not they remain active members is dependent in part, on how we perform our duties. The very spiritual survival of their family tree is dependent on the teachers in Primary. I felt a strong desire to improve my teaching and make my calling a higher priority because of this impression.

I want you, my friends and family, to know that I believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that he lives and guides his people today. I know that the time and effort I invest into teaching in the Primary is a blessing to me and my family. I love you and thank you so much for reading this. God bless you all!

Crape Myrtle

The crape myrtle is flowering at last! It should get even more beautiful because many of the branches have not started blooming.

FLDS vs. LDS Church

I read a disturbing story on the LDS church website. Apparently, the church did a survey about the FLDS church which has been in the news for the past two or three months. Thirty-six percent of those surveyed said that the FLDS church was a part of the LDS church and 29% were not sure.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I want to make it clear that we are not affiliated with this small polygamist sect. We do not believe that one has to accept and practice polygamy to get into heaven. Quite the contrary, our church believes that polygamy can only be practiced lawfully with the Lord's direction. When God commands that it be discontinued, it is sin to continue practicing it. Such is the case with the FLDS church. When God commanded the church to discontinue the practice of polygamy, a group of people refused to follow the prophet's counsel and a century later, they have become the FLDS church, a doctrinal and ethical disaster.

It is easy for the people in a society to define right and wrong by the customs and traditions they have grown up with. For example, in our society, most people would not be appalled at meeting a young couple living in the same apartment, unmarried. On the other hand, those same people would be appalled at meeting a man who was married to two women. These people might consider their revulsion to be based in Biblical law, but it is not. Jacob had three wives and the Lord chose him as a Patriarch of Israel and forefather of the Savior himself. On the other hand, there has never been the slightest variation of God's condemnation of fornication, or the sexual relationship of two unmarried people, in the Bible. These people judge right and wrong, not by the Bible, or by God's prophets, but by society's standards.

Right and wrong is not determined by man and his wisdom and reason, but by God. If God commands a thing, it is right. If he forbids an act, it is wrong. Our responsibility is to be able to recognize God's commands and follow them. Hence, the importance of following the Lord's authorized servants or prophets.

One of the reasons I know that our prophet, Thomas S. Monson, is a true prophet of God, is that he is unique. There is no one in the world that leads a group of over ten million people and claims to speak for God. A creep like Warren Jeffs couldn't even lead a group of six thousand while claiming to speak for God. In fact, all the false prophets who have lived on the Earth for the last hundred years or so have all looked similar. They lead small groups of people, known as cults, commanding all kinds of crazy things like stock-piling weapons, practicing sexual perversions, and even engaging in mass suicides. No one of discretion or sense would seek to associate themselves with such people, let alone follow them. In contrast, Thomas S. Monson embodies the ideal of American values.

I think it interesting that those who seek to attack our church choose to pick at the past. Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, two prominent leaders in our early history, are their usual targets. They are dead, and any eye witnesses to what they did or did not do are long dead. We are therefore, left to speculation. What of our leadership today? What of our living prophet? They dare not attack these men because they are among the most honorable men living on the Earth today.

Thomas S. Monson spent his time as a young husband and father caring for the widows of the congregation he lead and served without pay for many years. He took a week off of work every Christmas holiday so that he could personally deliver a dressed hen from his own hen house to each of the 85 widows in this congregation. Later, he would speak at every one of their funerals. He has been honored in many ways including the Eagle Scout award, the Silver Beaver, and the Bronze Wolf awards. The Bronze Wolf is the highest award in the International Scouting program. He was also outstanding in his career, working as the editor of a major newspaper in Salt Lake City.

What outlandish things does this man say when he speaks the commandments of God? He tells us to reach out to those not of our faith in love and tolerance, to avoid debt, get education and training, and save for the future. The membership of the church love him. His colleagues and family love him and follow him voluntarily and willingly. I defy anyone who would claim that they would not be proud to have him as a son, son-in-law, friend, or neighbor. Is this man not truly a prophet of God? I testify to you that he is.

It is wonderful news! It is a testament to the love God has for his children that he sends us his servants, the prophets, to teach us his word and show us the way to go in this wicked world. Those who seek to know the true commandments of God, and not just go with the flow of society's standards, the invitation is open to you to read the words of his true prophet. Click here for the latest message he has given to the world.

Crape Myrtle Blossom

One of the buds on the crape myrtle bloomed today. It kind of looks like an explosion of some kind. I'm sure that there will be many more soon, so keep checking back!

Dusty Miller

I took this picture of one of my dusty miller plants. I thought it was kind of cool.

Moonstone Rose

My newest rosebush has just had three blossoms open. I think the thrips might have gotten into them because some of their inner petals are misshapen. The roses look pure white, but they actually have some pink tint on the very edge of the petals. It is easier to see this tint when the flower is a bud. I am hoping the next flower to open will have better form and I can post a macro close up of it.

Flowers

My fence flower garden is doing so well! The vinca plants are really getting big and blooming profusely.
The canna plants around the property are blooming and getting bud stalks. It is very exciting to see these showy flowers strut their stuff.
Speaking of showy flowers, I am green with envy because there are crape myrtles flowering all over the metroplex and mine hasn't yet. When it does finally bloom though, it is going to be so beautiful! The entire bush is covered in these little buds.