At home with the Wrights

****Spoiler Alert! Do not let your children read this post!**** All clear from prying little eyes? Okay, now you can read on. As we were shopping for Christmas a few weeks ago, Trevor and I talked about Santa Claus and our eleven-year-old daughter, Aisling. He believed that she knew Santa was not necessarily a "real" person who comes down the chimney to bring presents and goodies for good boys and girls, but the embodiment of the Christmas spirit and the joy we feel (and want to share) at this time of year. I wasn't quite sure she completely understood that the "big guy" didn't really come to our house on Christmas eve when she was fast asleep. But Trevor was certain she knew, and so I conceded. A few days ago, while Aisling and I listened to "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" on the radio, I had a great idea on how to figure out what Aisling really believed. Our conversation went as follows: Mom: Do you understand this song? Why would ...

No, I'm not becoming a bigamist. (I can't believe you'd even think that!) And yes, Aisling is FAR too young! (Quit jumping to conclusions!) Let me just blurt it out to stem the tide of strange stray thoughts: My sister is getting married! Here's a picture of the happy couple. Aren't they cute? The date is set for November 7th of this year in the Oquirrh Mountain temple (Utah). Although I haven't met my future brother-in-law in person yet, I thoroughly approve of him. He's put up with three long phone conversations with me where I ruthlessly interviewed him, asked him a million hypothetical questions and expected all of them answered brilliantly on the spot, and divulged the inner mental craziness of his future sister-in-law (aka me). He answered all questions and concerns intelligently and compassionately without breaking a sweat. What a guy! Congratulations Nate and Ashli!

Trevor's: Pathetic! Whitni's: Prodding... Aisling's: Prophetic?

Do you see the middle red twirly-thingy? That's Tropical Storm Ana. And the red Lx to the right of Ana? Well, my friends, that is tropical depression 3, soon to be Tropical Storm Bill. Prophetic, aren't I? Actually, I'm just following the list of predetermined names for storms in the Atlantic for 2009. If you're interested in seeing the list of future hurricane names, click here . Both storms are so deep in the Atlantic right now that no one can really predict where they're going to hit. In the meantime, Trevor and I have altered our front shutters from "merely decorative" to "decorative with pragmatic purpose". (i.e. They actually can shutter the windows instead of just being bolted uselessly to our house. Why Louisiana code doesn't demand this, I'll never understand.) I'll post pictures later. Have a happy Saturday!

Okay, technically, it began on June 1st. But it's been uncharacteristically calm so far...only one tropical depression that lived in the Atlantic Ocean for a day or so back in May (before the official "H" season began.) Today, during my morning ritual of checking the NOAA site, this is what I saw: Pretty great, huh? Which "circle" do you think is bothering me most? (Hint: it's nearest to Africa.) Oh, sure; 3 is nearest to me, but the disorganized nature of the clouds and wind within that system might bring us rain (and boy do we need it!), but not much more. And 1 has a good chance of dissipating or merging with 2. 2 is a different beast, though. It's far away and already threatening to turn into a hurricane. And as it moves continually west, it travels over warmer water. warm water = heat = energy = bigger, longer sustained hurricanes that have a high chance of making landfall And when I see red circle #2 near Africa, crazy names begin popping into my h...

I've had this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach all day. We all went about our regular Saturday business: chores with plenty of play and rest interspersed. But something was different, off. And then I realized what made today different than any other Saturday. Alex is going home tomorrow. Home. Home . There's a part of me that cringes at this realization. Even though we accepted him with open arms into our home, he has a separate place that he calls home...far, far away from us. Maybe I subconsciously tricked myself into believing it, but I feel like he's my son, my child, the little brother Aisling should have had. With each comment from others in stores about my cute kids and the continual assumption by the people around us that they are brother and sister (and I guiltily admit that I hardly ever corrected anyone past our circle of friends), I forgot that I would have to give him back. He took this picture with his camera on the timer setting. I just found it today...

I just received a manila envelope from the IRS...they've accepted my application and approved me to be an Enrolled Agent! Woohoo!

There's a famous rookery and wildlife preserve only 20 miles from us named Lake Martin. I've known about it from day one in Lafayette, but had never visited...until last Saturday. Now, when I here the word "lake", I think of a vast, clean body of fresh water. Don't you? Well, in Louisiana, "lake" sometimes is interchangeable with "swamp". Tell me the truth: When you think of Louisiana, isn't this what you see? Well...this is what we really saw at Lake Martin on Saturday. Don't be fooled! This might look like a natural carpeted footpath, but in reality it's a mossy swamp path full of alligators! Did I mention all of the numerous life forms here? This is a banana spider, I think. There were many all around the lake. Truthfully, it is very beautiful. We finally found some clear(ish) water with lilypads. There were even people fishing in some areas. These two women were barefoot, and sitting inches from the water with their dog. About ...

We've had Alex visiting with us since the beginning of June, and we absolutely love having him with us. We're ready to adopt him, but Ashli (my sister) says no (vehemently.) Alas, we only have two more weeks with him before we have to give him back to his mother. Brother and sister. Alex and Aisling. That's what everyone thinks. You'd never realize they were only cousins. They play together, they tease each other constantly, they are fiercely loyal to one another, and they love each other (although Alex would never admit it in all his 8-year-old boy glory.) These pictures are awful, but at least I caught them unaware. Remind me to never take pictures stealthily through a window ever again. Sigh. Although I couldn't hear them, I could tell they were playing some sort of game...sometimes sitting and discussing the rules, other times jumping and chasing each other. I'm so thankful Alex came to us this summer and last. Maybe I can convince my sister to let us ta...

It finally rained about two days ago, after months of no rain in Southern Louisiana. It's very rare that Louisiana experiences drought, and this is the first time in over three years that I've seen everyone's grass brown and scorched. (My family in Utah teasingly told me that they stole all of our moisture over the past months.) Aisling loves the rain here. It's so different from Utah rain. Here, it comes down in sheets for hours at a time. The ditches and coolies fill up quickly and start flowing, and the crawfish, turtles, eels, snakes, frogs, toads, and minnows come out to play. (i.e. I tend to have wild "guests" in and around my home during rainy days, courtesy of Aisling.) For instance, I came home yesterday from running errands, and Aisling introduced me to Blaze and Pecan, two crawfish with distinctive markings that she had found in the backyard and decided to keep in our home for a while. Although Blaze and Pecan made it into the house, Aisling knew...

Trevor is such a great father. See how he gently coerces Aisling to to smile for the camera (instead of ducking behind him, like she originally wanted to do when I said I was taking a picture of them)? Yes, Trevor firmly, but lovingly, steers Aisling to do what is right every chance he gets. And through his intensely thorough teaching methods, Aisling has learned the art of the head lock, tickle torture, and the occasional need and protocol for "aggressive negotiations" in addition to all of the social graces that every young lady should know. She's prepared for almost anything at only ten years old. Ah...how lucky she is to have Trevor for a father!

Which activity would you choose to do on a bright, sunny, 95 degree (with 90% humidity) Saturday in Southern Louisiana? A. Drive two hours north to Alexandria and take a 4-hour IRS exam. B. Drive two hours north to Alexandria and visit one of my favorite zoos. Reluctantly, I chose option A while Trevor, Aisling, and Alex (we have my nephew for the summer!) happily selected option B. ***NEWS FLASH*** I CAN NOW RECLAIM MY LIFE! I passed all three tax exams (May 7th, May 30th, and June 13th) and I'm mailing my Enrolled Agent application today. Oh, happy day! My part is done, and now I'm just waiting on the IRS (and we all know how efficient and quickly they handle things, right?...uh...right.) They'll do a background check, check all of my personal tax returns and payments, past tax work, etc. and get back to me within 60-300 days (?!?!?!) The speed of the government always amazes me. But, back to my happy place...my part is done! Yippee!!!!! Thank you, and good night!*** In...

Once upon a time, there was a caterpillar named Mr. Poopoo. (Admit it--I know you see the resemblance.) He lived in a small orange tree, happily munching on leaves. One day, a giant named Trevor found him while examining the neighboring giants' fruit trees, and gently carried Mr. Poopoo to his own home. Trevor's daughter, Aisling, loved Mr. Poopoo at first sight, and adopted him. She made him a wonderful, safe, and secure home (in a big glass jar, with a nice stick). She picked the finest orange leaves daily for Mr. Poopoo. He happily ate, and ate, and ate, until finally, he began to spin a nice, snug bed for himself. Aisling was VERY excited to see Mr. Poopoo resting in his bed (cocoon). She knew, from her research on Mr. Poopoo's breed, that he would awaken in about two-weeks' time and experience an amazing metamorphosis. Aisling protected and kept watch over the sleeping Mr. Poopoo. After two weeks had passed, Aisling decided to gently move the sleeping Mr. Poopoo to...