Our Hobby: Once Upon a Time...

...there was a young newly wed couple with nothing to do. They went in search of something to occupy their time, and decided to purchase a 10 Gallon fish tank with 6 goldfish. After a month each one had it's turn down the toiletbowl pathway to fishy heaven. We.. I mean "they" decided to take on the world of fish for pets and started with Tetra's and Mollys, and then the hobby became bigger when we... I mean "they" started getting Cichlids. Now anyone who has had cichleds knows that they are not the nicest fish. They can be purchased under the label "Aggressive Fish" By aggressive, they mean cannibal. Needless to say, they ate all of our other fish. So we had a Cichlid Tank. By this time the tank we had was much too small, so we upgraded to a 29 gallon Tank. In less than a year, the 29 Gallon Tank seemed to be getting a bit squishy. In search for a bigger tank we were converted to the idea that Salt Water Fish are much more fun! SO we snagged ourselves a 50 Gallon Tank. Hikari built a nice lid out of wood, and it looked very nice, except we didn't have stand. In search of a stand, we came across on a steal of deal for a stand AND a new fish tank. The catch? It was 110 GALLONS! So we now have a nice big 110 Gallon Salt Water Fish Tank with near 100 lbs of Rock, 7 soft corals, 3 hard corals, 9 Fish, 2 Starfish, several snail and crabs, and a partridge in a pear tree! And we all are living happily ever after!

Orange and Green Zooanthids

Pink Zooanthids

Toadstool Leather and Cleaner Wrasse

Frogspawn, Blue Hippo Tang, Clown Fish, and Cleaner Wrasse Finger Leather

Our newest Addition: Firefish

Our Red Mushroom Family

A day at the Salon...

I would love to say that this was Munchkin's first haircut, but it was actually her second. About a month ago, or so, she went with me to my sisters salon to get my hair done. When she say the wash sink, she wanted to do it too. Although once she got there, she got a little nervous. But when her hair was all done and curly, she had to show everyone her new haircut!

Munchkin's Celebrity Match

My Dad always said she looks like a brown-haired Shirley Temple!

From faraway lands...

This week, has been one of reflection. I got set apart as the Primary Pianist on Sunday, and although it's not an "Oh-so-glorious" calling, when I was set-apart, a received a truly inspirational blessing. It made me think about all of the changes and opportunities for growth our Heavenly Father puts in our paths. One challenge that has faced me (and my family, I can't be selfish) was when my wonderful sister, and one of my best friends, made the decision to serve a mission almost 2 years ago. She has been faithfully serving and sharing the gospel with the wonderful people of Japan. When I say I can't be selfish, I refer to the call for growth that these challenges present to us. I know that I was not the only one in my family that found it hard to let her go... and not the only to experience the personal growth that only comes from supporting those that have been called to serve the Lord. We had shared a room growing up since I was 5(until we moved to Syracuse). We shared so much over the years...laughing, crying, yelling, and screaming. But there were the tender moments that reminded us how important sisters are. One instance I can remember was when we were young, I think I was 9 years old, and she had just turned 7. She came over to my bed one night in tears. For her birthday, a few days earlier, she had received a 10 dollar bill as gift. She had lost it, and didn't know what to do. She had knelt to pray and asked Heavenly Father to help her find it. When she couldn't find it, she came to me in tears. I remember her saying, "Can you pray to find it, because I don't think Heavenly Father answers my prayers, but I know he answers yours, because you told me that he did one time." I hugged and said that Heavenly Father answers all prayers, but you have to listen and have the Holy Ghost help you. I suggested we pray together, and she insisted that I say it. Sure enough, the next morning, she found her money, and gave me a smile, that I felt all the way across the room. As we've gotten older, at least in my mind, the roles have changed. She has been such a rock and beacon in my life. Although she lived over an hour away, I could call her at a moments notice to cry or to laugh again. The week after she left, I had a bad week, and I picked up the phone, and realized that I couldn't call her for comfort. I realized that as much as I leaned on her, I didn't lean nearly as much as I should on the Savior and the promise that we should take his yoke upon us, and our burdens will be light. The last 18 months have been a challenge, and I have grown more than I ever thought possible. She will be home in 6 weeks, and I have never been more eager to talk to her, not to share my burdens with her, but to share my triumphs.

Just Keep Swimming...

We got a Blue Hippo Tang yesterday. For those unfamiliar with the community of Salt Water Aquariums...its a "Dory." The little blue fish from "Finding Nemo" that follows Marlin around. She's just a baby. (A guess it's a she...I really have no idea.) We had one before, and it passed on in the move to our new house. We've been reluctant to replace her, but it was time. Our old Dory was a hider. She would find the deepest cavity in the rock, and not come out. This one is just the opposite. You can almost see her saying, "Swimming, Swimming, just keep swimming." She's a lot like...my munchkin! Running in circles, and never seeming to stop anywhere.

Night Time Ritual

Here we are. Just the three of us. Munchkin always pulls a fast one at the last minute. Even in pictures. I guess the camera must have been more exciting to look at sideways! We have certainly been blessed with a beautiful bundle of enregy. Her most recent antics are her good night hugs. You see, Hikari taught Munchkin to "Sqwiiiisssshhhhh!" And she tries to squeeze you with her little arms and makes a funny face. So now when she says goodnight. First "kisses"..."and hugs"..."and Squishes!" and then she can go to bed. Miss one, and you're in for it!