Welcome to Oz!

Given the Ozness of my blog, I feel compelled to share a new fantastic read that I've discovered this month. It turns out that "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" makes for a spectacular graphic novel. Reading it, I fell in love with the story all over again. For those of you poor souls who only now the Judy Garland movie, do yourselves a favour and treat yourself to this book faster than everyone else.

Another Poetry Pickle

Jason is at teacher's convention for the next few days, so here at home the boys and I all miss him terribly. I'd say that what Ben and Brigham miss the most are the tickle fights which so often ensue whenever Daddy is home. So today's offering is the poem Jason inspired. Love you sweetie.

The Tickleosaurus

The Tickleosaurus is coming!
The Tickleosaurus is here!
The Tickleosaurus will get you,
So run and hide my dear!

He’ll chase you around the table!
He’ll chase you around the chair!
He’ll chase you around the entire house,
Right into his lair!

You can run as fast as you’re able!
You can run with all of your might!
You can run, but soon he will catch you
For a great big Tickle-o-fight!

And then he’ll tickle your tummy!
And then he’ll tickle your toes!
And then he’ll tickle so very much,
You’re up and off you goes!

The Tickleosaurus will catch you, and from
The Tickleosaurus why hide?
The Tickleosaurus will tickle and tickle,
And you’ll laugh ‘till it hurts inside.

But here, I will tell you a secret,
But here, I will tell what to do.
But here-about Tickleosaurus…
Well he is ticklish too!

Balm for the Wound

Last week I took myself and my three little munchkins to Calgary for a family and city fix. Although we had a wonderful time at Nana's the one event of our stay that I'll never forget was the funeral.
My cousin Byron and his wife Rosie had their first baby just a few days before we headed to town. Amelia Mercedes only lived for seven hours. Living so far away as we do, my heart ached for them and yearned to help, but with something like this you can only do so much. I was very grateful that we were able to attend the funeral at least.
It was a bittersweet time, seeing loved ones and saying goodbye to this little cousin I shall now have to wait to meet. She is a beautiful little girl. I know that Amelia is safe in heaven, and that Byron and Rosie will not only see her again-but thanks to the temple-still get to raise their daughter, yet my heart is heavy nonetheless.
How grateful I am that families truly can be together forever! Over the past ten days I have been hugging my own precious little ones harder and longer than usual.I know that this is not the usual fare for my blog, but my mind has been churning ever since we were first told the news. I have yet to meet Amelia, but she has already taught me of two things. I suppose I knew them before in a way, but they're strongly reinforced now.
First of all that death is not the end, and what a glorious thing the gospel really is. The second thing is how precious children are. They're on loan to us from Heaven.
Anyhow, love to you all, and especial prayers for the Redd family right now.