Big Wins

November 30 I won the NamoWrimo, which means that I wrote a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. Hooray! I have until around June to edit it and then Amazon will print one free copy of my book.

I also had another literary conquest. In an effort to help my children practice writing I had them enter a local writing contest. I thought I should set a good example for the kids, so I wrote a poem as well. And, I won 1st place in the adult division--and I won money too.

Here is my poem.

Winter is coming!

Children cheer

Leaves tremble

Wind whirls

Winter is here!

Heaven opens

Snowflakes fall

Quietly

quietly

Winter’s still here!

Shovel snow

Heavy, wet

Dirty, slushy

Snow

Winter, perpetual winter!

Sip cocoa

Stir toffee

Play monopoly

Snuggle, cuddle

Spin yarns

Stifle yawns

Winter, ever winter

Toes tingle

Noses drip

Eyes water

Feet stomp

Teeth chatter

Winter raging winter

Snow drifts

Snow piles

Icicles growing

Icicles falling

Wind clawing

Wind howling

Winter wondrous winter

Frosted trees

Laced panes

Blanketed fields

Quail tracks

Colored lights

Starry nights

Manger scenes

October

Your eyes do not deceive you. Yes, that is a puppy in the picture. I have house broken four children and now I am working on a dog. So far, children are easier than puppies. Besides, children wear diapers. He is a furry little ball and we love him.

We're Still Here

Baby Girl is just so adorable. I love watching her propel herself around.
The MANY pumpkins we grew in our garden now adorn our front porch. The kids love arranging and re-arranging them.

The next few are my attempt at photographing the kids. Baby Girl needs a new photo-shoot so that her background will match the others.




Here we are--ready for church. Don't they look reverent?
Just before school started I took the kids to Flaming Gorge for a little outing. Lots-O-Fun!




I love this picture. The boys are all dressed up and feeling very serious in their uniforms. They are probably secret-spy-agents or something.
Daddy and Baby Girl.

I can't express how pleased I was to find this child so sweetly asleep. I put him in his bed and there he stayed until morning. His true colors shine through--what an angel.

Mommy-Daughter Fun Run

The 1st Daughter and I had lots of fun competing in a race together. I loved spending time with just her. Plus, we got matching "free" T-shirts.P.S. Notice the Great Wall of Daddy in the background.

Church

We were running a bit late (...that's another story...) for sacrament meeting. It was raining and I, the only one, was in a hurry. The 2nd boy spotted a "snake", commonly known as a night crawler in the gutter. He immediately picked it up. While holding the baby I tried to convince him to "put it down and hurry up!" He fully planned on taking it with him. Finally we persuaded him that the worm would be much happier in the grass with all the other worms. This made sense to him and he set it free.

We found our seat. And the meeting proceeded normally, until the sacrament. The deacon took the sacrament tray before the 2nd boy had a chance to properly dispose of his cup. He about flipped out. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he made the saddest face imaginable and cried. Other people noticed the commotion and sent the deacon back for the cup. After depositing his cup and lots of loves from the 1st daughter he was consoled. Peace was restored. (Until Primary)

Just a Couple More

Thanks for voting. I forgot to add these two.

J.

K.

Which One?

I am trying to decide which picture to put up on the wall with the other children. Vote for your favorite.
A. B.

C.

D.

E. F.

G.

H.

I.