The Cat Will is hoping to keep

So I got home from work several days ago and this stray kitty came out of nowhere. I called Will out to see it and of course he fed it, upset that someone had probably abandoned it. It is very skinny! So since it found a food source it has stayed finding shelter outside (I'm allergic and it's not coming in the house). Will loves having a "pet" cat again and pets it daily, Ben was excited at first but it doesn't really play with him so he's moved on.





So after buying cat food today I went to pick Ben up from daycare and noticed he had a Band-Aid on his leg. He said the cat bit him, Will didn't see it happen, so I posted a "Found Cat" notice on Craig's List tonight. Maybe some family is missing their pet, but I know Will is hoping to keep it. If it scratches or bites Ben again I'm calling Animal Control and that is that.



We haven't come up with a name yet. Any suggestions?

Wow this thing figured out what my Superpower is.

Your superpower should be Mindreading.

You are brilliant, insightful, and intuitive. You understand people better than they would like to be understood. Highly sensitive, you are good at putting together seemingly irrelevant details. You figure out what's going on before anyone knows that anything is going on! Why you would be a good superhero: You don't care what people think, and you'd do whatever needed to be done Your biggest problem as a superhero: Feeling even more isolated than you do now

What Should Your Superpower Be?

‘S Rioghal Mo Dhream

William E Herrington

Mom Herrington Joins the Community!

Mom Herrington has joined the wide world of bloggers! You can check out her site by using the link from my site.

‘S Rioghal Mo Dhream
William E Herrington

The Lion sleeps tonight

Steph has been begging me to throw this onto our sight for a while now. Benjamin Loves it and often asks us to play it for him. Hope every one enjoys.

‘S Rioghal Mo Dhream

William E Herrington

Beth is now Blogging.

My sister Beth has joined the Blogging community. It’s like a disease slowly spreading across families and friends alike. You can check out my Sisters blog by using the link Clan Benge.

‘S Rioghal Mo Dhream
William E Herrington

Return of the Bard

Most of you have known Will since he was a teenager, but for those who don't he is a music lover and poet. It was one of the things that really made me fall in love with him. When we were dating some people teased us and asked when we were going to start singing mushy love duets together since I was also a music major. We have only just now begun playing piano/guitar together after Ben goes to bed. Anyway, Will has written several songs and pieces through the years, but ever since we got married and he started working full-time he has put all of that on the back burner. Well his computer recently started acting up and he can no longer play his beloved PC games. It works just fine for email, pictures, etc so we have no plans for replacing it anytime soon. So in his downtime he has started picking up the guitar I bought him in college and he has gotten pretty good at it! Well he surprised me the other night with an early Mother's Day gift. He finally finished writing the lyrics to a piano song he has always played as long as I've known him. He's still tweaking the 3rd verse, but other than that here is the first song ever written and dedicated to me :)

"Deep As the Sea"
Do you remember the night we met
In a world of untold glory
Though we could not be together yet
We began a new love story
Now we parted for our own ways
Our roads did not start together
I hoped that one day we would say
We are meant to be Forever

Chorus
Oh my love do you know?
That forever our love will grow
Please remain, by my side,
My love for you, I'll never hide.
Oh my love, each new day
I devote to you in every way
Earn the love you give me
Our love, Deep as the Sea

Though I sit here all alone
I feel your heart near me
A face from my dreams
That sets my soul free
I take comfort in my faith
That God will bring us together
We will sit by the lover's moon
I will hold your hand forever

Chorus

One day I met a surprise
When I looked and saw your blue eyes
*Still tweaking :)*

I will love you for all of time
Once the moon stops it's changing
I'll hold you in my arms at night
When you will hear my heart singing

Chorus
Oh my love do you know?
That forever our love will grow
Please remain, by my side,
My love for you, I'll never hide.
Oh my love, each new day
I devote to you in every way
Earn the love you give me
Our love, deep as the sea.

All Dressed Up...

We got all dressed up for church last week and took some photos since we were out of town for Easter Sunday. Our ward meets at 1 pm, but imagine our surprise when we pulled into an empty parking lot. I have to work most Sundays and Will had been sick the past 2 weeks and we didn't get the memo on Stake Conference! Poor Ben was really looking forward to playing with his special church toys. He asked us "Church is closed?" So we took him to a new park and enjoyed the beautiful day together.

Ben looks a lot like my younger brother Sean Christopher who is currently serving a mission in the Mesa, Arizona mission. He is in Winslow, AZ right (Song cue for "Take It Easy" by the Eagles)

Mommy Tag

1. Typically, what time do you wake up? As I am blessed to be a mother of only one toddler right now I get to sleep through the entire night and get up after 9!
2. On a good night, what time are your kids in bed? 9:30 is Ben's bedtime, but we sometimes let him stay up a little later than that, but refer to #1 he sleeps later in the morning than most kids
3. How long have you been a mommy? 3 years and 10 months
4. How old were you when you became a mom? I had just turned 23
5. What is your favorite kids T.V show? It changes as Ben gets older, but I would have to say Curious George is the absolute fav, and we are into Word World these days
6. What is your least favorite kids T.V. show? Barney, Teletubbies, Boobah
7. What is your favorite chore? Seriously? What kind of question is this? Are there any chores that are favorite chores? I don't have any.
8. What is your favorite meal to cook? Anything that is easy! Taco Soup for example
9. What meal do you cook most often? Pastas (Baked Ziti, spaghetti) My husband complains that it is not helping his diet.
10. What is your kids favorite meal? Mac and Cheese and Pizza
11. What is your favorite thing your husband does with your kids? Ticklefests, sword fights, basically everything! Ben and Daddy are best buds and spend a lot of time together.
12. What are 5 things that make you smile when you’re being a mom?
A) Ben's pronunciation and sentence structuring (No I amn't)
B) Watching him sleep looking all cute and innocent
C) Seeing him become a big boy and accomplishing new feats
D) Hearing him laugh at all the silly things he sees (like cars inside a building at the car dealerships, or ladders and bikes on tops of cars) That's so silly!
E) Snuggling up together to watch a movie
13. If you could take your kids anywhere, where would it be? I would love to take Benjamin to DisneyWorld so he could experience the magic while he's still young.
14. When was the last time you went out without your kids? We went on a date about a week ago and saw IronMan (against my will, but I actually really liked it! I recommend it to all couples!)
15. What is your favorite pastime/activity to do with your kids? I love taking Ben out on the town and going to fun places like the sprinkle park, pool, library, or all the fun places we go to like Pump It Up.
16. Name one thing you said you would never say as a mother? "Your A** is grass and I'm the lawnmower" (and no I am still not going to ever repeat this phrase in my house)
17. Name something you do, that your own mom did? Saturday morning pancakes
18. What is your favorite quality your mom has? I have to pick just one? I love how organized she is.
19. What is your favorite kids book? Hands down Harry Potter.
20. What is your favorite advice for new moms? Gosh there are so many things but I guess the most important would be to cherish every day because they grow up so fast!
21. What is your most heartbreaking moment as a mom? When I have to leave to go to work in the morning and Ben gets upsets and clings to my neck and asks me not to go so I can stay home and play with him. I spent all of Mother's Day at work this year.
22. What is your most joyful moment being a mom? I'd probably have to say when Ben first starting walking at 9 months.
23. When was the last time you told one of your kids, “I Love You”? Tonight at bedtime.
24. When was the last time you were told, “I love you” by one of your kids? Tonight, Ben randomly says it all day long!

First level Human

To my fellow geeks out there I thought you would get a kick out of this. To those of you who don't understand the joke, it's ok we still love you.

I suppose I should give credit for where I pulled this picture from.

http://humor.beecy.net/geeks/level1human/

‘S Rioghal Mo Dhream

William E Herrington

Old McDonald Had a Farm E I E I O

In Overland Park, KS there is a very cool children's farmstead (Deanna Rose) that is open April - October and is FREE to the public. There are all kinds of hands-on educational sites for the kids to learn about Kansas in the early days. We go every fall for their Pumpkin Patch, and whenever we want to have some outside family fun. After being cooped up all winter long, we are loving the fact that spring is finally here! We went to the Dairy Barn for the first time on this visit and Ben got to milk a toy cow. He thought that was neat!

Herrington and Son's Construction. We can build your house while we treat depression caused by the debt you will go into for it.

I can think of a few good captions for this one however in the interest of keeping this a clean family site perhaps I should keep them to myself.

Due to an unforseen decrease in the fan base of NASCAR the Indianapolis 500 this year will be done by four year olds on nitro boosted tractors. This was probably Ben's favorite part of the day.
Ben was not quite sure what to make of the Baby goats. (Yes this is not a funny caption but I have run out of good ideas, and still need to go and finish my billing for the month of April). The babies were quite greedy and would pull the bottle right out of your hand if you weren't holding on tight.

I want one of these, but as always Steph will not let me do anything fun. A bobcat would be the perfect pet!

We followed the nature trail with Ben and enjoyed the beautiful day.
These things were bloody cool! When I have my own plot of forest land I am totally going to add ten foot tall windchimes somewhere. We went on a very windy day so the music from the chimes was continuous.

The force is strong with this one

As I am working full-time right now William takes care of Ben about 4 days of the week until 3 pm when he goes to work. They are best buds and Benjamin totally idolizes Daddy. They do all kinds of fun boy things together. Will regrets that he was gone so much while going to school full-time for his Masters and working full-time, and missed a lot of the baby days. They like to go outside to burn off the never-ending energy that all 3 year-olds seem to have, especially now that spring is here. Will found two big sticks in the yard and well you know the rest of the story...

Will recounted the day to me (with bruised knuckles after missing some shots from the little Jedi) "Benjamin, I am your father" and Ben replying without a beat "NO, you are not my father!"

-Stephanie

Out of the mouths of babes

While Aunt Shannon was visiting Benjamin walked through the kitchen and I heard him say a curse word. I don't know where he picked it up, but it wasn't from me! He had to sit on the steps for a time-out. He was crying and upset because he doesn't have many time-outs. When I went to get his apology I explained to him that he was put on the naughty step because he had said a bad word and we don't say bad words in our house. He stopped crying and looked me in the eyes and said questioningly "What about outside?" I had to keep from laughing and sternly say "No Ben, we don't say bad words inside our house or outside. We don't say bad words at all!" And then he calmly asked "How about in outer space?" I had to look away to keep from laughing!

-Stephanie

Pics of Will

It's a good thing I have started contributing to the family blog or nobody would ever see a picture of my husband Will who is not fond of having his picture taken much less posted. So I hope everybody sees this before he deletes it! Benjamin and Daddy are best buds!

Wonderscope

In January my parents (Mammaw and Pappaw) came to visit us. We took Benjamin to Wonderscope Children's Museum, which was fun but in no way comes close to comparing with the 5 story Museum in Indianapolis! Yes, I just uploaded these pictures off of our camera from four months ago. This room was one of our favorites. Air traveled continuously through the tubes and kids can put silk scarves and yarn balls in to see them travel the tubes. You could also change the direction of the air flow and you never knew which exit the ball would come flying out of. Ben loved it!

Ben explored several career options that day. He especially enjoyed being behind the camera filming Mommy's puppet show.

Note the camera is at least 3 times as big as Ben!

Maybe Benjamin will be a doctor when he grows up. Putting the skeleton back together was no problem for him. Ben loves puzzles, that was all he got for Easter this year. The baby board puzzles were retired to the storage unit (which we wouldn't need if Mommy didn't insist on saving every outgrown toy and outfit) and Ben got new Big Boy puzzles (48 pieces :)

Or maybe Ben will go on the next space mission. Moving moon rocks is a piece of cake for mighty superhero Ben.

This is the room we spent the most time in. It was called Raceways and there were all kinds of hands-on exhibits to play with teaching physics using golf balls. This one explained how roller coasters worked.

-Stephanie

What’s New

I am sure this will cause some people to have a heart attack, but I’m back. In addition Stephanie has decided that she is interested in blogging. She however is not interested in having her own blog but instead has decreed that the one I occasionally post to will be the family blog. As such you can expect to see posts from both of us.

‘S Rioghal Mo Dhream
William E Herrington

The Passing of the Herrington Patriarch.

I am not going to spend Too much Time Writing about this event, Instead I am going to include the comments my Father made at my Grandfathers Memorial.

March 24, 2008

Fathers Memorial.

Family and Friends.

Brothers and Sisters;

I have prayed that the Holy Ghost would attend and comfort each of us during this difficult time. I have pondered upon how I should present my words to you and what my goals or intentions should be. Like many of you I went to Church last Sunday and listened to talks from a pulpit on the resurrected Lord Jesus. One of the brethren speaking told of the burdens placed upon the Lord for our salvation. He spoke of Heavenly Father’s plan that through the atonement of Jesus Christ we can return to his presence when our life is over. He spoke of the pain and suffering for us that the Lord endured so we can have our disobedience to God’s laws forgiven us. He spoke of the tomb where the Lord’s body was placed after the crucifixion being empty when it was visited. He spoke of the times when Jesus was seen; first by one person, then two, and then by the apostles in a room with no windows and the door barred. He told of the Savior being seen by 500. And my friend testified that He Lives. He lives who once was dead.

My Father crossed the veil Saturday afternoon while someone with a sweet voice sang to him. I am grateful to that person for the time they took to be to be with him. As the message of my fathers passing reached us, we were celebrating the marriage of my son John to his eternal companion. We were in the process of cleaning up after the reception and trying to get John and his bride, Sara out of the building, and on to what newlyweds do. But he forgot this, she forgot that, they had to talk to so and so about whatever. The Herrington clan with the exception of Alex who was unable to attend were gathering to leave. William and his family, Elizabeth and her family, Darran, Greg, David and myself, were called in to the Chapel area where my wife was waiting, she then broke the news of Fathers passing. As the news of this registered my wife declared to us and my son John that this was a day to rejoice and not to let my fathers passing interrupt or take away from the wedding. As the tears started to flow my wife spoke of how sick Dad had been and how he was too weak to travel to John’s wedding in the body, that he attended literally in the spirit. How John was the last of my kids that Dad knew well as he had held him and fed him while my clan was living with him in his home.

As many of you know, even better than I, my Father was a man of great energy. (I see this energy in my brother Bob) I know of few times before his stroke 20 some years ago, when he was idle. As a kid I remember my dad would come home from work and take a nap while mom prepared supper. I got stuck with waking dad up for supper so I would sneak into his room on hands and knees, and reach out arm extended and touch his foot. It was the only safe place. He would jump half out of the bed as if I had struck two pan lids together. After supper dad would disappear in to the garage to work on something or other. There was a T. V. show one night that dad had said that he wanted to watch about the birth of an island. Before the show started I went out to the garage to tell him. His reply I will be in in a minute. At the commercials I would go out and tell him his show was on, His reply I’ll be in in a minute. It was a good show and he never saw it. Did you know my dad made his own weed eater? Yep he took an old electric blender and added a broom handle to it. Did you know that dad loved Ray Price’s music or that he had played snow bird so often that we all have it memorized.

My dads favorite comment to me was some form of “Do you ever think before you do something? What were you thinking?” When I was very young mom had asked me to help her wash the dishes after supper and my responses was that was women’s work. My dad got up without a word to wash the dishes. When I was 17 my dad came into my room crying he said it was because he had bought me my first bicycle and had planned on buying my first car, and he could not do it. I had joined the same branch of the military in which my dad served. He is a hard shell,while I am just a pollywog. My dad is a war hero, there is an article on the front of the Kalamazoo Gazette with his picture. I served during peace time. Because of what I was taught as a kid I get teary eyed during the national Anthem. I think the greatest program for young boys is scouting because where else can they learn how to handle the nations flag properly.

If you notice I am wearing an old coat. It has some holes in it. It is worn from years of use and has served me well. The prophets have taught us that there is a purpose and a plan to why we are here. It is not just an accident that we are here. We came here to earth and a life of mortality to gain a body among other things. It is part of the plan that we die. That we take off this body and lay it down even as I take off this old coat and lay it down because I am done with it. My father has laid down his body for a time and because of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s we too will be resurrected. I cannot imagine how it must have been for my father to be trapped in a body in which the mind and body were both damaged and difficult to control. Can you imagine driving a car that shakes all the time as you drive down the road and once in a while the engine just stops on you. How frustrating it was for him not to go out and work in the garage and putter with things.

I lost my father. He has stepped across the veil. As a father; would you not want to see your kids after being separated for some time. My father when he stepped across the veil was greeted first by his mother, then by his father, with his brothers and sisters, and loved ones who have crossed the veil. I have lost my father but he is with his family. I rejoice in my fathers passing and his freedom from bondage to his body.

I mentioned the marvelous talk I had heard on Easter Sunday, which was preceded by the congregation singing the song “I Believe In Christ” with words written by Bruce R. McConkie. While listening to this musical testimony of Christ’s love for us I felt his loving spirit fill my soul and I looked down and read the words on the paper I was holding, an auto-biography written by my father, Allow me to share the words I heard in my ear even as I read them “ and to both you boys, thanks for not giving me a lot of troubles like some fathers and mothers have had to go through and thanks a million for marrying and giving your mother and me two of the nicest daughter-in-laws, we could have ever expected and the grand kids that has and will bring us a lot of pleasures in our older years.” Having read this as prompted by the Holy Ghost during a hymn on Easter Sunday I broke into sobs that just shook me and it was with difficulty that I even heard my friends talk on the resurrection of the Lord. I know that Jesus lives and so does my earthy father’s spirit in the paradise of our Lord. In Jesus name Amen

Written By,

William C Herrington

In honor of his Father,

William L Herrington

‘S Rioghal Mo Dhream

William E Herrington

John's Wedding

As has become tradition Mom Herrington spent all night constructing a huge cake. Somehow Steph and I got suckered (okay we volunteered, and will never make that mistake again) into transporting the cake through back country roads. It is important to note Steph got to carry an already assembled cake (complete with cake topper) on her lap. We caravanned to the church while everyone else was running at or above the speed limit we were limited to driving at about ten. Steph spent the whole trip emphatically yelling "Slow down!" Poor Steph had to balance the 20 pounds of cake, frosting, and topper as I raced down (at under ten miles an hour) unfinished dirt roads with monster potholes, over Railroad tracks, hills, and not to mention Dad, who was right in front of us, stopping (Steph almost wearing the cake as I attempted to decelerate before hitting Dad) to point out the reindeer farm.

The happy couple. I'll be nice to the poor boy and not mention what it was that Steph and I got them as a wedding present.

Left to right: Pa Herrington, Sara, John Boy, and Ma Herrington. (Steph and I both approve of the new addition to Clan Herrington)

Sara made a lovely bride. Poor girl has no Idea what she has just married into. (Think Mob but worse)

Mom and John during the Mother/Son dance. We did not get a good picture of the Father/Son dance.

A large chunk of the newly expanded Clan Herrington. Alex and his brood were not available. Steph tells me that Emily was very pregnant, and unable to travel. We got to meet Phil, Beth's new husband (we like him too!) and their new baby Phisher. Ben loved playing with his uncles at Grandma's house. In fact he came home with a few new habits and behaviors. (Thanks Guys! He's obsessed with Sonic the Hedgehog now)

As they were not at the Wedding here is a quick picture of Alex and Emily's Kiddos. Timmy is the older one and new baby Talitha Ann (who is the only daughter born of Clan Herrington other than Beth.)

‘S Rioghal Mo Dhream

William E Herrington

Winter Quarters Temple

Ok, It's only taken a few months, but I have finally caught the blog fever:) Maybe between Will and myself we can have some updates on our family more often! Cali, you have a gift for writing. When I read your postings I feel as though I am there with you experiencing all of your joys and trials. BTW Gideon is one of the cutest baby boys I've ever seen and I work at the baby store! Erica, I love laughing at the true funny stories that you take the time to journal about your kids.

We have lived in Kansas City for the past four years. We are therefore blessed to be so very near to many of the Church Historic sites such as the Independence Visitors Center and the Liberty Jail. When I (Stephanie) was in high school we drove from Indiana to Utah so my sister and I could attend EFY at BYU. My dad is a big church history buff and we traveled the Mormon Trail all the way west getting out of the car at every historical road sign and river crossing. Of all of the sites I saw I was most touched by the Spirit at Liberty Jail, imagining what all Joseph Smith and company experienced there for many months. The D & C chapters that came from this time are some of my favorites. We also stopped at Winter Quarters along the way. This statue was there at that time.

When I saw this statue at the age of 15 it moved me with so many emotions. For those who are not familiar with it, it depicts a mother and father burying their small child. They built a small temple in Omaha which is only 3 hours from where we live. I have been able to go twice now (Will still hasn't had the chance). The pioneer cemetery is literally right behind the temple and there is a new Visitor's center across the street. Seeing this statue again 10 years later and being a mother myself now it struck me in an even deeper, more powerful and meaningful way. One that words can't truly express. I'm truly grateful for all of the many sacrifices the pioneers made. Actually the theme of that year's EFY was "Living the Legacy."

You can't see the detail in this picture, but the 12 circles in the center are stained glass depicting scenes unique to the Saints time at Winter Quarters. One is of Brigham Young, one is of the local Indians that aided them, one is of a wagon of course for example.

There is a TON of symbolism with the Winter Quarters Temple which I'm sure is true of all of the temples, but this temple is very unique. One of the temple workers was kind enough to explain some of it to me. There were a lot of trees and vines art.

This is the stained glass that you can see in the chapel. It was very beautiful. There are five flowers shown near the bottom of each panel. They represent the five state flowers of the five states the Pioneers crossed.

These pictures were taken in October and as you can see the landscaping was still beautiful. Up the hill beyond the terraced garden is the Pioneer Cemetery.