True Love!

Real!

No love in the sun … Anna-Lena and Mika, with Anna-Bell at left, in a photograph taken by German police in Hanover. Photo: AFP

Kate Connolly in BerlinJanuary 7, 2009

IT IS a dream that has been shared by lovers across the centuries - eloping to exotic lands. But few would have been as bold and spontaneous as six-year-old Mika and his seven-year-old sweetheart, Anna-Lena, who, after mulling over their options in secret, packed their suitcases on New Year's Eve and set off from Germany to tie the knot under the heat of the African sun.

The children left their homes in Hanover at dawn next day while their parents slept and took along Anna-Lena's five-year-old sister, Anna-Bell, as a witness to the wedding.

Donning sunglasses, swimming armbands and dragging a pink Lilo and suitcases on wheels packed with summer clothes, cuddly toys and a few provisions, they boarded a tram to Hanover train station and got as far as the express train for the airport before a station guard alerted police.

Anna-Lena later told the German TV station RTL: "We wanted to get married and so we just thought, 'Let's go there'." Mika said: "We wanted to go for a bit of a stroll in the sun." Anna-Lena's mother, who has not been identified publicly, said she had known nothing of the plan, saying: "I'm still in a state of shock."

Asked why they had not let their parents know, the children said they thought they would not be gone for long.

Mika and Anna-Lena "are very much in love", said a police spokesman. The idea for the romantic trip began when Mika told the two girls about his recent holiday in Italy while their families celebrated New Year's Eve together. "From this, the children began to make plans for the future," the spokesman said. Two police officers managed to convince the lovers they would struggle to get to Africa without money or a plane ticket.

To allay their disappointment at the change of plan, Hanover officers gave the children a guided tour of the police headquarters, where they were particularly fascinated with the detention cells.

Guardian News & Media, Agence France-Presse

11 Step Program - Part 1

Thinking of Having Kids? Do this 11 step program first!

Lesson 1
1. Go to the grocery store.
2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.
3. Go home .
4. Pick up the paper.
5. Read it for the last time.

Lesson 2
Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...
1. Methods of discipline.
2. Lack of patience.
3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.
4. Allowing their children to run wild.
5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breast feeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior. Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.

Lesson 3
A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...
1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly. (Eat cold food with one hand for dinner)
2. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.
3. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.
4. Set the alarm for 3AM.
5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink and watch an infomercial.
6. Go to bed at 2:45AM.
7. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.
8. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.
9. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive)
Repeat steps 1-9 each night. Keep this up for 3-5 years. Look cheerful and together.


Lesson 4
Can you stand the mess children make? To find out...
1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.
2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.
3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.
4. Then rub them on the clean walls.
5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.
6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?

Lesson 5
Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.
1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out.
Time allowed for this - all morning.


Lesson 6
Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don 't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don 't look like that.
1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there.
2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.
3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.
4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.

Lesson 7
Go to the local grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can find to a pre-school child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice). If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat. Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys. Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.


Lesson 8
1. Hollow out a melon.
2. Make a small hole in the side.
3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.
4. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.
5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.
6. Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air.
You are now ready to feed a nine- month-old baby.

Lesson 9
Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street , Barney, Disney, the Teletubbies, and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, the Disney channel or Noggin for at least five years. (I know, you're thinking What's 'Noggin'?) Exactly the point.

Lesson 10
Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'mommy' repeatedly. (Important: no more than a four second delay between each 'mommy'; occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required). Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years. You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.

Lesson 11
Start talking to an adult of your choice. Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt- sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'mommy' tape made from Lesson 10 above. You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.

. . . and that is only the beginning!!!!!

This is all very tongue in cheek; anyone who is parent will say 'it's all worth it!' Share it with your friends, both those who do and don 't have kids. I guarantee they'll get a chuckle out of it. Remember, a sense of humor is one of the most important things you'll need when you become a parent!

Walk for...... Garbage Cans!

Oh yes, you too could participate in this lovely action!

What do you do? WALK! To find your much needed Garbage Can.......
Why? Well if you know the rules of suburbs (not saying that there are many.... Max of 3 bags and 1 blue bag....) everyone who is anyone places their most loved garbage can on the curb for the much anticipated Garbage Day (ours in Tuesdays!)....
"Most Favorite??!"... Yes! Would you really want to set out that one garbage can you have in the back of your garage with one wheel missing, lid gone..... Barely able to stand on its own without garbage in it??? HOW DARE YOU! Your garbage can represents you! Or at least the one on the curb does.... This is the Suburbs of course!
You mentioned walking? Right... So the 'walk' part comes in on those windy, windy days.... When you wake up in the morning and think "I should see if they came to get our garbage'" (Because really, who leaves their garbage can on the curb ALL day??!) only to realize that your can is rolling around in the middle of the street (GASP!)!!!
Now what??! You quickly throw on any clothes that are nearby (nothing too outrageous as the neighbors may talk!) and rush outside....... Gather your composure and calmly walk over to your garbage can (which is rolling back and forth now) and pick it up. Just like you do this every other day.....
And then? And then you realize, to your horror, that the Lid. Is. Missing. Ugggggghhhhh!
Okay, so now....? Walk your garbage can, lidless, to your Veranda and place it there (hidden behind your pillar so no neighbors can see it) while quickly scanning for your stupid lid.
Uh Huh.... Then, since you couldn't find it with your non-super human eyes, pretend that your scanning the neighbor hood for hooligans (oh yes!).... And see your lid... ALL the way at the beginning of the neighborhood! ACK!
Soooo....? Once again, calmly walk down the sidewalk as if you're off to get the mail......... And grab the lid. Stupid lid. Stupid wind. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Ummm... Walk back to your house, try to be as calm as possible (as smoke is bellowing for your ears), slam the lid onto the garbage can (try to be quiet though or else you may grab the attention of ALL the trades men building in your area!), screw it to the left to make it 'Lock' (why, WHY can't the garbage collectors do this themselves??!! Bah!) and walk away.
How often? It is only required to do the "Walk for Garbage Cans" once a week..... For 52.177457 weeks.
Cost? Nothing except many blows to your self-image, self-confidence and stupid Garbage Can. And don't forget to your status in the neighborhood (would they really knock you down below the house with the yard that looks like a trailer park??!)
Are there ANY hidden things...? You may have the wonderful opportunity to participate more then once a week.... Like when the wind blows your garbage can off of your side step and nearly misses where you have your car parked (oh yes!)....
Anything else? Not really... Don't forget that we have many, many other "Walk for...... " things as well.
Such as? Walk for...... BBQ Covers, Shoes (they do blow off your Verandas and Decks from time to time!), Chairs, Lawn furniture, Children's Toys, Bike Helmets.... The list goes on!

We hope that you decide to join your Suburb Neighbors in this lovely Walk for...... Garbage Cans! Not that you would ever tell your neighbors about joining....

And remember, don't you dare try to help out your neighbor..... That would make you look like you have gone soft....beating heart and all!

Classic! *L*

So I'm sitting on my bed reading over Emma's papers that her teacher sent home when all of a sudden my mind wanders....

And I hear....

"Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past You must fight just to keep them alive...."

AND THEN!

"It's the eye of the tiger, it's the cream of the fight Risin' up to the challenge of our rival And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night And he's watchin' us all in the eye of the tiger..."

And such!!

*LOL*

The construction guys across the street are rocking out to some 'oldies!!!!'....

*L*

The Sound Of Fluttering Garbage Bags!

I know that some of you have been waiting for the blogs about my anniversary, past weddings from this season, My Birthday... The return of my Mommy... Things like that.....

But tonight I would like to write about the fluttering sound of garbage bags on my street. Just a few minutes ago I took the garbage's out to our curb (which, BTW, we have city sidewalks now! Makes the walk a little prettier! *) for our specific garbage day pick up (ugh!)....

On my way back I stopped on our veranda to take in the night air..... And then I realized that I could hear a fluttering of sorts.... 'What could that be??' I thought.... AHHHHH the piles, of no more then 3, garbage bags in front of every house on our street were fluttering in the gentle breeze...

Funny.

Garbage, yucky.... Breeze, calming.... The fluttering sound that bags make in the wind, amazingly soothing! *LOL*

Who would have guessed??!!

PHOTOS!

Okay so they're not photos off of my camera yet (still have to download all the stuff onto the new computer before I can unload all of my photos... And believe me, there's a TON!)...

Anyhoo, these are from my cell (pardon the graininess of the photos... Old cell phone!) and I thought this might (maybe, possibly) be able to hold you over until I get the camera photos on here!


Zoë was in her car seat and we were driving home from our very first grocery trip in Leduc... She reached over, grabbed the middle seat belt and swung it... Smack right into her eye. She had a sweet black eye for awhile! (Just so happened that we had bought frozen veggies! I pulled over and placed those on her eye! *L*)

Along HWY39 (the entrance to our area) this was happening forever and at all hours of the day/night. They're making top soil. The girls loved watching this process! And then to our right (where we would park) they could also watch the sun set!

Hop-A-Long-Daddy-Slipper. The girls invented this neat thing... Each took a 'Daddy Slipper' and placed both of their feet into it. Then they would hop! Hours of fun!

One day we were looking after Brooke-Lyn (a new friend the girls have made from down the street. Brooke-Lyn will start Kindergarten at the same time as Emma. Rebecca-Lyn is Brooke-Lyn's older sister who is already in grade school!) came over while her Mommy went for an interview... We had a great time playing, having lunch and making Father Day's paintings. Zoe got a little bit close to the table looking at Brook-Lyn's picture and ended up wearing the plate of paint! *L* We had a shower right after this (too funny!).

So on Monday the 16th I finally took the girls to the park during the day! *L* Tyler and I brought the girls to this awesome park that is right by a lake and many walking/biking paths here... But there's were too many 'flying bugs' and they ended up screaming and crying. We went home.... *L* Anyways, this day turned out really well... It was SO hot! We played at the park (were actually on our way for groceries...) and then took a walk on the path. Zoë realized just how much she LOVES the swing!
Oh! Remind me to write a blog about the path walk.... CHAOS! Ugh...

This was taken on this cute little bridge Emma found along an "off-side" of the main paths.... That's the lake in the background.... (like you couldn't figure that one out yourselves.... :P)

Last night us girls had dinner on the back deck for the first time ever. Daddy and Uncle Conor had been busy building a deck for a client after Tyler got off work (a very long day for him)... So I was left to find whatever we had in our freezer... The girls loved it! Emma was begging to eat outside (and like I'm going to argue, she didn't care if there were bugs!) so we did! Perogies, Sour Cream, Fresh Dill, Jalapeno Cheese.... Yum!

Tonight I stood on our back deck (okay so I call our back deck just that -or deck- and our front deck the 'Veranda'.... This way you'll not be confused!) and watched this beautiful sunset! I'll be sad when they get around to building Phase 3 (not anytime soon though, Phase 2 isn't even 50% complete! *L*) but will like it when someone else gets hit with the high winds, snow, etc. first! ;)
Here's Zoë after brushing her teeth tonight.... Cute as can be! She had a "wand" that helped her dance... And a magnifying glass to, ya know, see things... *L*
My beautiful Emma under her leaf above her bed... She loves that leaf!

That's all for now.... Hope this will hold you over until I get all of my camera photos onto this new computer!

Funny...

Saw this over at Mashed Taters 'N Groovy and had to share it with all of you! Sorry about how it transferred over... I've tried fixing it and gave up... *sigh*

PARENT:

Job Description

POSITION:
Mom, Mommy, Mama, MaDad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Long term team players needed for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills, be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings, weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule, yet be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat, in case this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses are never reimbursed. Must learn to multitask. This is a permanent position. Teams are encourages to apply, however, sadly, this is not a requirement.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
This is an infinite list. This list will forever, without warning, self adjust to the clients whims Candidates must be willing to adapt to ever-changing and ever-challenging time periods. Basic duties will include maintaining multiple calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must screen phone calls. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, and an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility, laundry, shopping, spare of the moment decision making, field trips, EMT, counselor, teacher, cook, disciplinary provider (often more painful for you than for them), chafer, caterer, must excel at all levels of the aforementioned skills and all the ones we failed to mention.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:
Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

Grand Parent same job except your old and tired. This position is limited to some weekends unless you failed at your previous assignment. Then it is a full time position, because rather than your charges moving out they multiply.

EDUCATION AND PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:
There is no amount of reference material that can be studied to prepare you for this job. As each candidents charge will be unique and unpredictable. On-the-job training will be offered on a continually exhausting basis. No previous experience is available.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION:
Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and only wish you could do more. **FOOTNOTE: THERE IS NO RETIREMENT – EVER

BENEFITS:

No health or dental insurance, No pension, No tuition reimbursement, No paid holidays and No stock options. There are no guarantees. This job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

Zoë came tearing upstairs today after playing downstairs with Emma for hours and says "Mommy, I fell... Can you rock me???!"

My heart melted.

Then a few minuets later...

Emma: Mommy, Zoe took the lid off of the green stuff...

Mommy: Can you find it all? Is it in my carpet??

Emma: Well.... We can't find it all......

And what do I do next??

I laugh!

Oh goodness...

STRESS!

So I was looking up images for 'Stress' to use for my Facebook picture when I came across this... Are you ready???!

Here is a very quick test to determine your stress level. Read the following description completely before looking at the picture.

The picture below was used in a case study on stress levels at St. Mary's Hospital. Look at both dolphins jumping out of the water. The dolphins are identical. A closely monitored, scientific study revealed that, in spite of the fact that the dolphins are identical, a person under stress would find differences between the two dolphins. The more differences a person finds between the dolphins, the more stress that person is experiencing.

Look at the photograph, and if you find more than one or two differences, you may want to take a vacation or at least get a massage.

Click here to see the picture before reading more.



How did you do? Do you need a vacation?! Apparently I do!
Hope you got a good laugh! On a serious note, laughter is a great way to reduce stress and boost immune function. Next time you're feeling overwhelmed, call a friend who makes you chuckle or head off for a comedy club. You'll feel better for it!

**This was kindly borrowed from here**

Too cute!

Alright, so my friend sent me this link (for my Husband but I thought it was adorable and just had to share it with all of you!)

So here it is Star Wars Fans....

Star Wars according to a 3 year old.

Please check it out and let me know what you think!

I think it's adorable... But that's just me! *wink*

The last few days.... And playdates!

I'll start with today as it's happening right now.... *L*

A cute, quiet little girl named Eleanor came over today while her Mommy and Daddy's work schedules overlapped.... And the girls have been having SO much fun! They went downstairs to the girls big bedroom and played sleepover and such... Eleanor gets excited when the cats walk by with a cute squeal but still isn't sure about petting them....

I believe Eleanor is 3 so she fits right in with our girls ages (4 and 2.5).... They've been all over the house where there is some room (as there are boxes everywhere!). Right now Zoë and Eleanor are watching 'Finding Nemo' while Emma takes a much needed nap (after a much un-desired fit -kicking, screaming, etc.)....

After dealing with Emma I came out to find that Zoë had kindly placed art on herself..... 'Fishes' as she informed me...

Doesn't this look like a mug-shot?! *L*

'Fishes!'

Moving on....

Yesterday (I think) I checked in on Emma who was having a really deep-sleep nap.... This is what I found:

She's sleeping the width way at the head of the bed... She was pinned right up against the metal bar... You should have seen the mark on her face right after I moved her after this shot!

This past Saturday Emma has her Primary Activity Day.... I wasn't sure what was going to be happening but I hauled her and Zoe out to it for 10am (it ran until 12pm).... They had a TON of fun! Zoë was way more into it then Emma... Not really sure why... Emma just didn't feel like playing in any of the games.... But they did make cupcakes! Icing and all! They made one for them and one for Daddy (isn't he lucky??!!)... Here's the photo I sent to Daddy who was at work:

They even made the sticks!

I'll write more about the weekend later tonight!

My girls!

My girls.

I love them... And often they make me laugh.... Sometimes cry.... But I always get a warm feeling in my heart when I think of them....

My girls 'Practicing Church'... They usually end up doing this when they've misbehaved earlier at Church.... Especially through Sacrament! Last night Emma said 'Mommy, Can we practice Church' in an eager voice! It made me laugh... 'Of course you can!'... And then silence!

Afterwards thy girls hugged each other. This is huge for Zoë since she doesn't like to hug Emma all the time (in fact she'll deck her one if Emma pulls a surprise hug on her! *L*)... Right about now Zoë is saying 'I love you Emma, you're my best friend!'...

This morning the girls were watching TV while eating (nothing new) but instead of changing the channel when the kid shows ended on PBS I let the exercise program play... It's this elderly woman who sits in a chair and does low impact exercises... here we have Zoë doing the arm lifts.... After this she did the foot tap and stretch routine... *L*

The First Children

***Just something that made me chuckle***

Whenever your kids are out of control, you can take comfort from the thought that even God's omnipotence did not extend to God's kids.

After creating heaven and earth, God created Adam and Eve.

And the first thing He said was: "Don't.

"Don't what?" Adam replied.

"Don't eat the forbidden fruit," God said.

"Forbidden fruit? We got forbidden fruit? Hey, Eve ... we got forbidden fruit!"

"No way!"

"Yes way!"

"Don't eat that fruit!" said God.

"Why?"

"Because I am your Father and I said so!" said God, wondering why he hadn't stopped after making the elephants.

A few minutes later God saw his kids having an apple break and was angry.

"Didn't I tell you not to eat the fruit?" the First Parent asked.

"Uh huh, " Adam replied.

"Then why did you?"

"I dunno," Eve answered.

"She started it!" Adam said.

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"DID NOT!!"

Having had it with the two of them, God's punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own.

Thus the pattern was set and it has never changed.

But there is reassurance in this story. If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give them wisdom and they haven't taken it, don't be hard on yourself. If God had trouble handling children, what makes you think it would be a piece of cake for you?

~Author unknown