Book Tag

I was tagged and instructed to follow these directions.

Pick up the nearest book (one with at least 123 pages)

Open to page 123

Find the 5th sentence

Post the next 3 sentences

Tag 5 people (or as many as you'd like)

Well my nearest (and only book) out and about my house at the moment is East of Eden. John Steinbeck is NOT one of my beloved authors but I am reading the book because it was next on my list for my book group (just finished The Thirteenth Tale which I thought was absolutely fabulous). I actually didn't mind this book too much at first until the character of Cathy was introduced then the book went down hill for me from there. And so, ironically, the passage as requested by the tag, is some dialogue from Cathy.




He'll get a little drunk and he'll feel better."

Cathy modestly looked at her fingers. "Adam, I can't be a wife to you until I'm well."



No profound words of wisdom for those in the world but not of it - but great words for worldly people and it does rather some up the book.






I'll tag any one game to see what comes out of their book on page 123.

A Day Without a Cell Phone

You know we have all had it - the dream about being naked. Running around and hiding because we don't have any clothes on. Well that is how I felt today. I felt naked, or exposed, or missing a limb because my trusty security blanket was lost.

It is so funny that I felt so deprived and vulnerable because I hardly use my phone. My calling plan allows 700 minutes for both Chris and I and between us both I think we use an average of 30 minutes a month. Half the time I forget to recharge it so it is not working anyway. But it is always there for me just in case I need it. I mean it would be tragic if Chris couldn't get a hold of me at the grocery store and I forgot to buy his favorite potato chips that are on sell.

Seriously! What if I had not had it the day I picked up Sean from preschool and a couple of my friends were running late and needed me to keep their kids for a few minutes while they arrived to pick them up. :-) The poor kids would have been escorted back into the building and the parents severly reprimanded with dirty looks. Instead I got to host 6 preschool kids in my van while we all sang "Wheels on the Bus," and played musical chairs. It was the funnist moment I had had all day.

My tragic nightmare started as a result of going out to the movies last night. Before the movie started I set my phone on vibrate and then tucked it under my legs. (Just incase the babysitter had an emergency and needed to get a hold of me - I'm always such a positive thinker!) The movie ended and we gathered up our coats and popcorn bucket (very important detail as we had yet to get our free refill). We were also with friends, so my mind was occupied by adult conversation instead of lementing on how my kids and the poor babysitter were doing. Usually the first thing I do after the movie is to put my phone back on regular mode, so I can hear Mozart calling me if there is an emergency, and then put it back in my pocket or purse. But last night I didn't remember my trusty friend at all. Just let the poor phone drop onto the floor as we made a hasty exit from the theater.

I should have known something awful was about to happen. My premonition? Just before entering the theater I visited the little girls room and the zipper on my favorite pair of jeans (you know, the kind your husband says you look really good in) busted and I was left exposed. Thank goodness I was wearing a long shirt!!!!

It wasn't until this morning that I even realized I had abandoned my security blanket. I had a photography class at the church this morning and as I grabbed all my stuff to leave I couldn't find my cell phone anywhere. I searched and searched but to no avail. I knew I had had it at the movies but hadn't remembered seeing it since that point. So I guessed that I must have left it at the movies.

After the class, I asked my friend, who we had gone to the movies with, if she would search her car in case it had fallen out of my pocket on our way home. She looked, but the answer was no. When I returned home I called the theater - and again the answer was no. They had not found a cell phone. I started to panic partly because I didn't know where my phone was and mostly because I just couldn't remember what had happened to it. The thought of old age and loosing my mind just made me even more aggrevated.

I tried to go throughout my day normally but I couldn't. I felt so naked and vulnerable. I didn't even go down to the kids museum, even though I had promised to take my kids to see the tooth fairy who was visiting between 11am and 1pm. I was too stressed and struck with the fear of needing my cell phone but not being able to use it. How could I ever ask anyone else for help if I were in an emergency? You just don't do that now days do you?! (Okay, that and I was also over scheduled and had too many other things going on.)

It was almost time for us to leave for Chad's basketball game. I called the theater again in great hope that it had shown up. But again the answer was no. Then just as we are leaving the phone rings - it is the movie theater and they have found my phone. Hallelujah!!!!!!! I couldn't believe the relief I felt!!! I wasn't so crazy after all - just a little absent minded.

So, after Chad's basketball game, which was at Glover Middle School we swung on over to Northtown Mall. Chris dropped me off in the parking lot and I ran in to retrieve my long lost friend as fast as legs would take me (and also not so fast that I looked too dorky infront of all the smoking teenagers aligning the ramp to the entrance).

My phone was waiting for me and I could feel the electricity flow bewteen us as we touched yet again (okay - way cheesey but all too fun to write). United again at last and hopefully never to be seperated again. I held my precious phone in my hand the whole way home. It is now tucked snuggly and safely into my coat pocket once more. And if I am really good I will remember to give it a little recharging tonight before I go to bed.

Just think, only a few years ago I wouldn't have been able to write this story. I was not yet the proud owner of a cell phone. How quickly we fall into technology addictions! I don't think I could go cold turkey again. 18 hours without my phone fix was quite enough for me. I don't ever want to go through withdrawl symptoms again.

Leaving in Style

This week has been an emotional one with my in-laws taking off for their mission. We are so excited for them but also so sad that they wont' be around. I know there will be plenty of tears from my children when they finally figure out what going on a mission really means.

On Monday we got together for one last hurrah. We had a great BBQ dinner at Jeff and Linda's house. Then we celebrated Valentine's day with gifts and also celebrated my niece's Valentine birthday.

Happy 14th Birthday Alyssa!

Who wants to open presents?

The boys get puzzles and piggybanks.

The girls get heart-picture holders and piggybanks.

Thank you Grandma and Bompa! Have a great mission!!!!!

Then on Wednesday night, Herm and Jeraldine's last night here in Spokane, one of Chris' old high school friends drove by with a limosuine. He is just getting into the buisness (so give me a call if you want to use him) and drove by to say goodbye to Herm and Jeraldine. He (Tim) drove our family, Herm and Jeraldine, and Roger and Vonnie Reed around the nieghborhood a few times.


It was really fun. I've never been in a limo before - the kids had a great time. Lots of buttons to push, funky lights all over the place, two TVs. Why did we buy a minivan? We should have invested in a Limo!!!! (Wish I would have remembered to take a picture - I'll just have to have Tim drive us around again!)

Basketball Chad

It is basketball season! Chad really wanted to do basketball this year. Although I get so worn out from soccer and wasn't looking forward to more practices and Saturdays being used up - I signed him up. But I am already liking basketball so much better!!!! It is a much shorter season. Chris actually likes basketball (hates soccer) and so is more excited. And the best is that it is indoors where it is warm and there are chairs to sit on.

As usual it is pretty fun to watch a bunch of little kids running all over the court trying to figure out what to do. Chad didn't do too bad his first game, too bad his only basket was made during practice time. The other team they played only showed up with three players so two of our team's players helped them out. Unfortunately it was our team's best two players. The other team pretty much took over the game. But Chad still thought it was the coolest thing in the world to play a "real" basketball game.

The coach and team Hawkes - ready to get the game on.

Chad shoots and scores - too bad this was just warm ups.

The Caviness men - basketball players and fans.

I am so disappointed in my pictures - especially as I had just taken a photography class. But after some more advise and lots more practice I hope that I can take some good sport shots as the season progresses.

January Potpourri for 300

100 ~ Kidney Stones

Congratulations to Chris Caviness, who passed a kidney stone in the early hours of the morning of January 30th, 2008. This stone (just one of twins) has been trying to come for a couple of months and has caused several days of pain and inconvenience over the last several weeks. It is the biggest stone yet that he has passed. It is very disgusting and will be kept in a medical jar until further notice.

The top stone is the largest one Chris passed several years ago. The bottom one is the stone he passed this morning. It is a good 7mm in length and about 5mm in height. Chris is really good at kidney stones!!!!

200 ~ Loose Tooth

Halle Ann Caviness just keeps on growing and getting bigger. At 5 1/2 years of age she has grown out of most of her school clothes purchased at the beginning of the school year. Plus, she has been introduced to the tooth fairy and really likes it. She lost her first tooth on January 9th, the day we left for Utah and enjoyed showing off the gap in her smile to everyone she came in contact with. She was also extremely excited that the tooth fairy came and left her some money.

Since the beginning of a wiggly tooth, Halle has had a plan to catch the tooth fairy. When asked why she wanted to do that, she replied that she wanted to catch the tooth fairy so she could steal her magic wand. Asked why she would do such a thing, she innocently responded that she needed a real magic wand that really worked so that she could make daddy feel better (from his bad fevers).

It was not long after that she lost tooth #2. She is a very good tooth wigglier but had mom give the final tug. Again, the tooth was collected and money left. But the tooth fairy is very elusive and Halle was not able to catch her yet again. Halle can't wait for another loose tooth.

Happily holding her lost tooth and getting excited for the tooth fairy to come.

Missing her two bottom front teeth and showing off a nice red cool-aid smile.

300 ~ Pull-Ups

There are no longer any pull-ups or diapers at my house!!!!!!!! Sean (the baby of the family) has been working on being potty trained for over a year now. He finally gets it!!!!!!!!!!!

It has been a catch22 lately. Sean keeps having accidents, so Lara keeps putting him in pull-ups (especially for preschool). But when he has pull-ups on he knows he can wee in his pants. And then when he has them off, he forgets he doesn't have them on and wees in his pants. So, finally we went cold turkey and cut out the pull ups (Lara has said she would do this the last 3 times we ran out of pull-ups but then went and bought some more). But when we ran out of pull-ups last week Lara bought no more.

Sean has been doing great!!!! Only one day time accident and he has had one successful night so far. We are hoping he will get the night time potty training fairly soon too. Can't believe there are no more babies at my house!

Sean practicing way back in April 2007, we thought he was going to be a fast learner. Just took another 9 months.

Gordon B. Hinckley

What creates a connection between different people? How much does it hurt when that connection is severed?

Many new him as their father, brother, uncle, grandfather, friend, acquaintance, mentor, co-worker, home teacher, etc. To the world (believe or not) he was the prophet of God. And whether you knew President Hinckley well or not I think everyone has felt some sadness and some loss of light at the news of his passing.

I didn't know president Hinckley's favorite color, or his favorite food, or what he liked to do with his grandkids; but I did get to know him through the fruit of his labor. I got to know the love and wisdom of a servant of God through his words and actions. He was a great man. A defender of the faith and pursuer of truth and righteousness.

I did have the chance to meet President Hinckley personally and shake his hands. He came to our mission (England, Manchester the same area where he had served many years before) for the ground breaking of the new Preston Temple. We had a special mission wide conference in which he presided. I was so nervous to actually be in the presence of an apostle (he was at the time the 1st counselor in the First Presidency).

While I did work hard on my mission and follow the rules and did my best - it was not the easiest thing for me to do. I was really shy and it physically hurt to go up to people on the street and ask "golden questions" and to knock on door after door after door. So I was feeling some guilt about not being a "good" missionary and thought that after he talked I would be feeling even worse. I was so surprised when his talk was so light and comical. I don't remember all that he said but I do remember him saying how we needed to have joy in our lives, to enjoy each moment, and have some FUN while we were serving as missionaries. Not what I expected to hear, but exactly what I needed to hear!!!!! I took everything so seriously and only focused on the negatives. It really helped me get more lost in the work as I tried to have more fun and focus on the positive.

At the end of the meeting we were all allowed to go up and shake his and Marjorie's hand. Again, I was so nervous to meet him. But as I finally got my chance to shake hands and look him in the eye all I could see was love. I have always imagined that this will be kind of the same experience when I get the chance to see the Savior again. Nervousness, not quite believing that it is really happening, flashes of sin and quilt, but then the feeling of love and the feeling that I can be forgiven, that I can be something better than what I am, that there is an eternity of hope and unending possibilities.

I will miss President Hinckley. A part of my heart is broken, an earthly connection broken, but I know it will mend with the calling of a new Prophet and also knowing that this is all part of the plan of salvation. That in order to move on death must happen. I'm sure President Hinckley is already busy at work in the spirit world continuing to testify of Heavenly Father and Christ. And I am sure he was embraced in love himself by the Savior and by his own loved ones who have been waiting for him to come.

Snow Dinner

A very snowy view.

29, 24, 20, 18, 12. What do these numbers represent? The numbers my dinner party went through. Because of the snow storm that came in it was one cancellation after another. So, after all that work and food preparation we ended up having my family (5), Herm and Jeraldine (2), John and Lisa Erickson (2), Chris' sister, Sherri (1), and Chris' cousin and spouse, Cindy and Lonnie (2) for a grand total of 12 people.

The dinning room set up for 13 adults.

On the positive side we did have a great time and LOTS of great food. And with all the cancellations it wasn't too squishy for everyone to sit down and eat. (Plus, I won't have to cook for a week now!)

The 7 who were able to make it.

We prayed that Jeff, Linda and kids would be able to make it over in the morning so they wouldn't miss church. The big event? Herm and Jeraldine speaking in church before they leave on their mission. Our prayers were sort of answered. Jeff and Linda were able to get out of their neighborhood this morning, but then church was cancelled. So, no talks now until February 10th.

Lonnie and Cindy brought gifts for Herm and Jeraldine.

On the positive, no one at church will have to see how abused my poor kids are (black eye, head bump, and bite marks in the cheek).

But, what was really fun, is when Chris finally returned from church (after getting stuck several times coming home) we had our own little church meeting. We sang the kids' favorite primary songs, reviewed what we learned last FHE (plan of salvation), read a story from the friend and then we all bore our testimonies. It was one of the best spiritual experiences I have had in a long time!

Chad had wanted to bear his testimony last testimony meeting at church but got too scared. So, it was great to give him a chance to do it in front of a small loving audience. Halle and Sean also did great - it is fun to hear their thoughts out loud. And Chris and I bore our testimonies. It has been a long time since I have expressed my testimony out loud and it felt so good to share it intimately with my husband and children. Who would have thought so much snow could be such a good thing.

Later we will be going over to Chris' parent's house to have lunch, take care of financial and home maintenance plans while they are away, have dinner, and then listen to their talks.