Quite a Crowd

Today we were driving home and we had some library books in the car. (I had planned on getting them to the library today...) So to keep them thinking, I started reading a book of Riddles. They were cute, but some of them were hard to get - especially when you are 7, 5, or 3. Israel and I laughed at some, but the kids were quiet in the back seat. Israel said, "Man, it's a rough crowd back there." And immediately Arianna and Shem turned and looked behind them!

seeing Santa

A few weeks ago we were shopping at Costco. There was a man there who looked just like Santa, but was wearing jeans and a leather jacket. This kids did not know what to think. They were sure it was him.

Then Shem told us what was going on... Santa needed to buy some things like TVs (he was looking at TVs) because those are hard for the elves to make. He was not wearing his red suit, because he did not want anyone to recognize him.

Then the rest of the shopping trip they were angels because I was singing, "He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake...." They were sure he was watching them and they wanted to show him that they belong on the "NICE" list!

Halloween

Halloween night we had our "Trunk-or-Treat at the church. Just about everyone was dressed up. Shem was Iron Man. Arianna was Cinderella - complete with the black choker. Antonella was Tinkerbell. They had been not so patiently waiting for the chance to put on the costumes Tia bought for them.

As we walked around the church, Arianna stopped dead in her tracks and looked up at one brother who was dressed up like a long-haired tennis player. Maybe he was Andre Agassi. Arianna just stared at him with a look of awe and amazement. After he passed by, she looked up to me and asked, "Mom, did you see Jesus? He came to Halloween!" She really thought it was Him. When I explained that it was just someone in the ward dressed up for Halloween, she was truly disappointed.

Who Said?

Who said that time heals all wounds? I really would like to talk to that person. I really don't think that it is exactly true. I think that things change over time. I think that with the passing of time brings new events to fill our time. But does TIME really heal?

Arianna really doesn't understand what happened to Izellah. She knows I was pregnant. She was excited to have a new baby in the house. But she just doesn't get that she is gone. Every day she says we need to get something for the baby or she asks when the baby is coming or even touches my belly and asks if there is a baby in there. I don't care how much time has passed - that wound will always hurt.

I guess maybe the phrase should be that LOVE heals all wounds. I know she is asking about the baby out of love. The pure love of family. I can't get upset at her questions. Even when I feel like crying. As the wound is reopened with each inquiry, I have to remind myself that she lost someone too, but can't really make sense of her loss. Love of family is what hurts the most when it is lost, but it is that same love that heals. So here's the new phrase - Love heals all wounds.

The Ride Home

Last night we were on the ride home from Mom and Dad's. In the back of the car Arianna and Shem were playing and just being silly with each other. They are at the stage when it doesn't matter what they say, they laugh easily at each other.

Suddenly the laughter stopped and Arianna asked, "What the heck is that smell?"

It was silent and I sniffed, but didn't smell anything.

Then Shem said, with no embarrassment at all, "Oh, I just tutored."

Then with her question answered, they went back to playing and being silly as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

It was all I could do to not bust out laughing!

October

Here we are in the middle of October. The WORST time of the year to go shopping with the Da-Re family. Wouldn't you know, all three of our kids are the world's biggest scaredy cats? They scream and the ghosts and shiver at the gobblins. If there is a scary noise machine, forget about finishing the shopping! We have to leave! I told them that we should not trick-or-treat this year. They agreed with the idea until they realized they would not get candy. They have decided to just run past the scary houses and bring Aunt Cheryl along for protection.

Blogging again

So, I was so excited to start a family blog. A place to share news and be excited about a new baby. I hadn't even invited anyone to read it and we lost little Izellah (7-22-08). Talk about irony.

I gave a talk in church today. I shared a quote that says all will be made right - everything that is unfair in this life will be made right by the atonement. What a blessing to know that all is not lost.

So I will start again. I hope in some way it will mean something or at least be a way to work through emotions and thoughts, moments of complete happiness or utter despair - without having to vocalize it. Funny how unintimidating it is to type - even when you know you will invite your family and friends to read.

About us...

The Da-Re family - how do you define yourself with just a few words? We will do our best. Israel and Denise met in Argentina and were married in August of 1999. After finishing school in Utah we moved back to Arizona with our first addition - Shem. We have since added Arianna and Antonella. We are expecting baby #4 at the end of November!

We love playing, swimming, and riding trains together. We are all counting the days until school is out for summer and we can just play all day!

Welcome!

Welcome to the Da-Re family blog!