Little Bird Miracle



   Last Friday we got a bird in our dryer vent. Michael pulled out the nest, hoping to discourage the bird from coming back. Unfortunately, all day we heard the skitter-skitter of little bird feet above our heads. We think that moving the nest encouraged the bird deeper into the ventilation system, looking for it's nest. Then it couldn't find it's way out. 5 am the next morning, it woke us up trying to scratch and peck it's way out of the vent in our bedroom. We left the house, hoping it would find it's way out.

   But the next morning, Easter Sunday, it was the same story. The bird was in our bathroom, right above our fan. I showed Michael where the sounds were coming from and he pulled off the vent cover to see if we could find the bird and entice it out. Sure enough, we could see the little beak peeking out from between the ceiling and the fan. It had been trying to dig through to the light.

   Michael pushed the fun up high enough that the bird could escape. The poor thing was so desperate for freedom that it didn't even back away from him, as I'm sure its instincts were screaming to. It just perched on the side of the opening and looked at Michael as if it were saying, "What next?"

   At this point we realized that the bird had been stuck in there for three days without a source of food or water. I ran to get a piece of bread and Michael offered it to the bird, who flew out willingly and perched on the edge of the garbage can that Michael offered it. Then it pecked at the bread. I also brought back a little measuring cup of water and the bird abandoned the bread in order to satiate it's thirst which I am sure was tremendous. 

   Michael placed the bread and water in the bottom of the garbage can and the bird hopped right in. Then he covered it and took the bird outside to offer it freedom. The bird either didn't want to leave the water source, or it was merely too exhausted to fly away. Michael put his gloved finger in the waste basket and the little bird hopped trustingly on. Then Michael gently lifted the bird into the tree branches where it hopped off. It rested there for a few minutes and then flew off to find more nourishment. 

Here is our little bird friend.

 

 

  I am so grateful that the little guy survived! It was thrilling to Michael as well to play hero to a little bird. But all the rest of that day we kept seeing parallels with the bird's story and our own lives, especially because it was Easter.

   The bird got stuck by its own methods: whether it was curiosity or searching for a safe place, the bird trapped itself so that it was not only lost, but unable to escape by its own powers. The bird did the only thing that made sense, and went toward the only light it could see. But it was not very light and completely inaccessible. Despite using all it's strength and ingenuity, it could do little more than peck a centimeter sized gap that only allowed its beak to break through its prison. Although it let in more light, the bird was quickly starving and weakening.

   That's when help came: outside help that was desperately needed. Still it would not have saved the bird if the bird had reacted with fear and run away from the movement. But instead, the bird recognized that this was the only option that would save it. So the bird trusted the help and came out. Then the helper offered the bird bread of life and water to quench the bird's thirst. Those life-saving acts quickly helped give the bird strength to continue. But the helper (or should we call him a savior?) didn't cage the bird and take away it's freedom, but placed it back into the world where the bird could have its freedom to choose, and take care of itself the way a bird is supposed to. Even if it meant the bird would go right back into the dryer vent and lose its freedom again.

   Luckily, the bird had learned its lesson and is building a nest somewhere else much safer.   Anyway, I hope the analogy is as clear to you as it was to Michael and I. Really, the whole experience made Easter for us. It gave us a clear understanding of how necessary a Savior is to us. What a wonderful reminder!

 

 Matthew 10:29-31

A little out of season, but I'm still catching up!

 

Evelyn and Michael love to dance together. Sometimes of course, Michael has to spruce things up a little, as you see, and Evelyn follows his example by putting her knee in his throat. But mostly, it's very "romantic."
   We enrolled Evelyn in a kids ballroom dance club this winter. It only lasted a week, but it was so fun to watch her practice. She was so scared people would laugh at her during the performance, that she practiced and practiced. Here are some movies of Evelyn dancing. The one below is part of her performance from the kids club at Westlake High. I wish you could see her face, I'm sure she had quite a studious expression.

Pug Shots

There is something way too much fun in taking pictures of a pug. They are just so photogenic. .....Or...not so photogenic. You pick which. Anyway, I had to post some favorites.

Believe it or not, Penny is asleep here. Evidently she can sleep with her eyes open.

Can't beat this!

Nice and cozy, Mom!

Caught with her head stuck in her toy basket!

Our Nativity last Christmas. Yes, Jesus had to be played by a Lalaloopsie doll. Not exactly reverent, but...oh well.

Snoozing in front of the fire after a long sledding day.

Merry Christmas, Dogbreath!

Wall-eyed puppy!

I wish she'd have stayed this size!

Disneyland Memories 2014 by Evelyn

  We went to Disneyland! Daddy had to work during the day, and Mommy and I got to go into the park. Grandpa and Grandma didn't come this time.

(Our first ride: Jungle Cruise. Evelyn was very nervous for all the rides except Winnie the Pooh the first day.)

   Haunted mansion was different than last time. It wasn't Jack Skellington anymore. I liked it a little. At first I didn't like it at all. But I did like when we were done with it and the bride was as tiny as a dwarf. That was funny.
   I went on Indiana Jones for the very first time! It was scary! I telled my mom and dad I wouldn't go on that ride. Then my daddy asked if I wanted to go walk around in a jungle cave.

 

(In the Queue to Indiana Jones before she knew where she was.)

So I did and in it was the Indiana Jones ride! I telled my mom and dad, "YOU TRICKED ME!!!!" Because they tricked me onto the ride.

(Her reaction after she figured out we just went on Indiana Jones. She wasn't scared, just offended that her Daddy had tricked her.)

Then Daddy bought me a bubble gun that lights up. When I went on it again, daddy bought me an Ewok toy. They didn't trick me that time. I was just brave, of course.

(Our second attempt at Indiana Jones: this time with a bribe. This was right after the ride: she was all smiles!)

(Tarzan's Treehouse)

 

 In the mornings Daddy went to work and me and Mommy went on the rides. Then we had to go back to the hotel to plug in Mommy's scooter because it would die. Then when Daddy came home, we would all go back to Disneyland!

(Outside the Luigi's Tires Ride.)

   Star Tours was my favorite ride this year because I know what it's about now. It's about robots and the Jedi and the bad guy who is Darth Vadar. I like Darth Vadar, but only when he repents.
   I liked Winnie the Pooh, but Mommy said we couldn't go on it anymore after the first couple days and that was sad. But we went on it lots and lots. That is because Small World was closed, and that made me sad.
   We went to the World of Color. The water splashed up and it was colorful! I even saw one little bit of fireworks. And some fireballs.
   We did pin trading again. It was fun because I got a big fat-sticking out guy and lots of orange birds.
   I liked the Mr. Lincoln Show. He telled us about Freedom and Liberty. He said that some people think freedom is doing whatever they want, but that's not freedom! Freedom is doing what is right. Also, they turned Abraham Lincoln's body into a robot!
   We went on Soarin' California, and we really smelled the oranges! It felt like we were really flying! It wasn't scary at all.
   Muppet theater was very silly. There was a bad Kermit, and I didn't know what was going to happen. And  guess what?! They really blowed up the theater! In real life.
   Disneyland is just magical because it feels  like you're in a real world. Everything gets bigger when you're in bugsland, just like you shrank and became a bug.
   I got lot of stuff on the drives. I got a flute, hair-things, necklaces and coloring books and sleepy toys. Mommy taked the flute away lots. We ate peaches and juice and applesauce and jelly beans and jerky and mangos. I liked everything.


(Entertaining herself in the car: She did AWESOME! No complaining during all twelve hours. She's the best kid EVER!)

   We gave Penny to Charles and Bryonone. Bryonese. Bryony.--while we were gone.  She did good.



(We found one of the famous Disneyland cats by Soarin' California. It even posed for us!)

(Snuggled with Itchy the Ewok after a long day in the park.)

My Sled Dog

It has been FOREVER since I last posted! The reason? My computer got an evil virus. Slowly and painfully my computer died, while I stood over it scratching my head over what to do for it. So then I was computer-less. Then we bought a new computer! HOORAY!! (just don't look at the bank account.) Then it's taken me a couple months to talk myself into learning how to navigate the stupid thing. We bought our last computer 10 years ago...so that will give you the general idea of how out of date it was.
   So now hopefully I will start blogging more often. Why is it always so painfully difficult to form a good habit and always ridiculously easy to waste all our time?
     Speaking of wasting time: here's how we spent the not-so-long, cold months of winter: Teaching our dog how to sled!  She is such a funny puppy! She adores jumping on the sled and attempting to keep her balance down the hill. Then she'd even help bring the sled back up the hill. She didn't so much like it when you told her it wasn't  her turn: she would chase the sled and quite often end up intercepting it and getting run over. It never stopped her though!


Here is Penny in all her winter regalia. During the first few snow storms she refused to do anything in the snow but sit and shiver. Hence the little booties. She did eventually learn to do her business in the snow though.

Trying to hold on down the hill!

Doing her part to help Evelyn

Let's go again!

It seems weird to post these pictures now. I have a video somewhere around here too.... ah there it is:

Unfortunately I didn't get a video where she actually stayed on the sled.

Falling for Fall

   As most of you know, we have a kindergarten girl now! Evelyn absolutely loves school. And when I say she loves it, I'm saying you have never met a child that loves it more. The other day I asked her if she had a choice between going to school and taking another trip to Disneyland, she said, "Ooh, that's kind of tough...but I think I would rather go to school. Yep, I definitely would."  Whenever I want to bribe her into something I tell her, "Evelyn, finish your lettuce, or you can't go to school today." You wouldn't believe how fast those veggies are consumed! 

   She is learning so quickly too! She is able to sound out almost all the words in her books. I keep writing the letter combo "Ou" and wincing because every time she comes across that one, she has to pinch me, to make me holler what sound it makes. I didn't realize how much it took to teach a kid how to read, and how much the English language doesn't conform to it's own rules.

 Here is my fall project this year. I also worked on a Halloween wall hanging with owls dressed in costumes. I guess I am into owls lately. But I didn't finish that one, so I guess you'll get to see it next year.

 This is how Evelyn ran around looking all month. Seriously.

 My little puppy is getting so big! We all adore her though. And I am flattered that she has picked me as her favorite. It's not that I am anything special, but she loves me. It's nice to be adored. We all went up to Vivian Park in the canyon a few weeks ago, and we just dropped her leash and gave her freedom. Whenever Michael or Evelyn called her, she ignored them. But when I called, she came frolicking up, and she would follow me anywhere: whether it was on the child's playground or down the slide! What a cutie! She did develop a taste for going down slides. All I had to do was say, "One, two, THREE!" And she'd plunge headfirst down it. If I was still sitting at the top, She would desperately try to climb back up to me.

Here was Penny's Halloween Costume. Lol! She's the spookiest Minnie Mouse I ever saw! Michael thought I was nuts to buy a costume for a dog, but I told him she is my replacement baby, and then he quieted down. After we bought her costume, Evelyn decided she wanted to be Minnie Mouse too, so they could match.

This is Evelyn's pumpkin. Designed by Evelyn, Carved by Daddy-Boy. I thought it turned out rather nice. Though I don't know why she named it "Pene". (That's her way of spelling "Penny.") We carved it too early in the season though. About a week and a half ago Evelyn came in from taking Penny out and she was bawling! I asked her what was the matter and she exclaimed that her bat's head fell backwards into the pumpkin! If that was ten days ago, you can imagine how it looked by last night. I tried to tell her that her pumpkin was just getting spookier, but I don't think she agreed.

Here was my Halloween costume. It's the first time in years that I have actually really dressed up for Halloween. I thought it was fun to try and emulate Belle's hair. I thought it turned out pretty well despite that it's too short. The dress is so gorgeous and I was glad to find an excuse to wear it. It's a bit too flashy for church.

Here are our (OW!) twin girls. I wish we would have been able to find a matching red costume for Evelyn, but I suppose it's better this way so that you can tell them apart. ;) Evelyn is so funny with Penny. She is definitely having a harder time with this puppy training thing than Penny. She always wants to be a dog and she runs around dragon-style and gets Penny nipping at her, and we have to charge her money for the Penny-Jar. The other day I just got sick of the whole thing being so ineffective, and we grounded her from Penny that evening. A few minutes later, we heard Evelyn serenading Penny, "I love you so much, Penny, I would to anything for you! But I can't because I am grounded from you!" I thought it would make a great 50's love ballad.

   Elvis returned once again this year.  We had an extra great Halloween this year. Usually I hate Halloween: I am not impressed by the scary things, the gore, or the immodesty. When I tried to explain that to Evelyn at the beginning of the season, she exclaimed, "But why!? I LOVE Halloween!" I tried to help her see that there were good things and bad things about the season, and we tried to make it fun by focusing on the good things. Then for her scripture this month we worked on articles of faith number 13.

   Then all through the month Evelyn's enthusiasm carried the whole family, and I remembered how I felt about the season before I became aware of all the nastiness. By the time Halloween night came around all of us were just as excited as if we were the ones going trick-or-treating for the first time. (Evelyn only has done the mall, or just a couple houses in years past.) We went out for two hours and had had such a fun time! There were a few pretty scary experiences, and I was even grateful for that. When I asked Evelyn at the end of the night if she had a good time, she said, "Yes, but I understand what you meant about Halloween now." When I asked her what she meant, she said, "Most of it was fun, but I didn't like the scary parts and the selfishness. Most kids didn't even say thank you!"

    She is such an amazing little girl! I love that little one!

Penny-Penelope-Pug, Oh my!

This is our new addition! Why did we buy a pug puppy? Well in Evelyn's words: "We are adopting a baby. But I can't wait that long." Evelyn definitely needs companionship and practice being responsible. She's been doing a great job being a puppy trainer.


  We named our puppy Penelope, but we call her Penny. I think I have had the song "Pennies From Heaven stuck in my head for 3 weeks straight. It keeps me awake at night longer than Penny's protests at being put in bed.

   Really it's the perfect time to get a puppy. Evelyn is just old enough to be...well...mostly responsible and helpful. She even takes Penny out in the morning and plays with her so I can pretend to get more sleep. In the background of my snoozing I hear, "Penny! No! Don't eat my toes! No, don't eat the cords either! Oh, who's a good dog?! Who's-a-good-dog?! Yes, you are! Go get a toy! A TOY!  No, no! You stinker, Penny! Don't eat my toes!!!!" It's absolutely restful, I can assure you.

We've had so much fun with our pretty little Penny. She's a bright Penny too! We didn't think so at first because we bought her at seven weeks and she was dumb as a brick. But now we have found a little spark of intelligence and sheltered it and encouraged it. I had forgotten how tricky it is to train a puppy. Especially when the other people in your household aren't necessarily consistent with your training methods. It turns out to be a husband training session and a child training session as well. Luckily everyone around me is pretty receptive to training. (You want a treat Evelyn? You want it? Than tell the puppy to get down.) Here is some of our success: