Ursaphobia

Most people have at least one phobia that just scares the life out of them. Fear of spiders is a common one...

Not so common is bear-phobia. It might sound ridiculous, nonetheless, it's very real! The sad part is I love camping! Right now it's 1 AM. Of a group of 30 campers, I am one of four awake. 3 of the men are playing Risk at the picnic table. Me? I'm listening to every creek, every breath, every whisper around us.

 We've had sightings of bears twice already this trip. Once, the rangers were around and scared them away. On their way back one remarked that they needed to be sure they took a hand held (gun) next time because that mother bear was awful feisty. Not the kind of thing I want to hear. 

People keep telling me that Benadryl and ear plugs are the way to get sleep while camping. I tell them, "if I'm going to be attacked by a bear, I need to have my wits about me." They keep saying the bears are harmless. Oh yeah? Then why do the rangers need a gun?! This is the third night of camping. I'm exhausted. I am positive I won't be sleeping though. Yet again...

Caffeine

Oh Caffeine, you little minx,

my dependence on you stinks.

I hate the way I love your zip

And always crave a tiny nip.

I hate the way I think I need you;

I hate the way I always heed you.

But, without you my days all fail;

It is a sad and awful tale.

I lay in bed; I watch TV;

I miss my magic energy.

Eventually I think I'll quit,

Say "Goodbye! This is it!"

And then I'm sure I'll need a nap

Without my special little zap.

Arms

I think Levi had a weird dream last night. He came into my room around 3 AM and kept talking about having an arm on his shoulder. I reassured him that yes there was an arm coming out of his shoulder...

But he hasn't dropped it. "There's an arm on my shoulder." And most recently, "where's mine other arm? I have these two... Where's the other one?"

What kind of dreams does this kid have? Is he a three armed alien?

What a weird dude.

Hyenas

My kids, particularly Adam and Caleb, (and then particularly Adam) have entered a new phase in life. It is the stage of the hyenas. Have you ever watched Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Well in it there are cartoon hyenas. The only way to kill most "toons" is with a nasty dip, but hyenas have a second way; they can laugh themselves to death.

If my kids had been drawn, they'd be dead.

Everything is funny. Eating, showering, of course the bathroom, somehow sleeping is hilarious. It is driving me crazy! I can't even discipline them because they get the giggles halfway through. They are ridiculous! 

And while its driving me crazy, how can I, as a parent, request that they stop laughing? How can I make a house mandate that giggling is outlawed? Take away their toys, force them to wear black and never smile? Seems wrong... 

I can't be upset that they are happy kids, but the truth is if their laughing is killing anyone, it's me.

8 years. 100 reasons.

Last year for my and Kyle's anniversary I wrote him a list of 49 things I loved about him. It's not a random number by the way, it was 7x7. (Not just cause I couldn't think of a 50th) I didn't think to add to the list till just last night, but I might have to add to it every year. Maybe just by 10s or something... It might be a nice running list to keep.

This year for our anniversary we didn't do anything super special, but the truth is, any time with Kyle is special. He is my very most favorite person/place/thing in the world. Being married to him and having a family with him is amazing. it is the greatest joy of my life. I just told him yesterday I hope we're married 72 more years and then die within an hour of each other. That might sound strange and morbid, but I'm kind of strange and morbid so I think it's beautiful! Plus I think he'd make an adorable 102 year old...

FHE quote

Talking about the Ten Commandments tonight, I asked the boys what they thought "Thou shalt not bear false witness" means.

Caleb said "don't steal bears from your neighbors?"

:)