Dakota

You'd be surprised that this blog isn't about the cutie in the foreground (sorry Dane-r's!).

See that huge black blob behind him? That is the Barlow family dog, Dakota, who passed away on Thursday night.

With his beautiful, slick black and golden (and greying) coat, he was just about as tall as I, standing, and definitely heavier, although always in fit shape and lean, due to his strict diabetic-yet-luxurious-for-a-dog diet that consisted of shots, scoops of doggy food, and strips of grilled chicken.

He was the best natured, mellow, even passive dog I've ever met, especially for his size. (Although I feel like smaller dogs pack so much energy into such a small space that they seem more yappy and energetic than large dogs.) He was very obedient to his parents, especially Momma Barlow who laid down the law, but always spoiled him for being such a good dog! A slice of buttered sourdough each morning, lots of treats, and an oh-so-comfortable life indoors for such a large dog is just not heard of.

Dakota was actually so timid, he was scared of other dogs, in particular, little dogs.

Dakota knew a few tricks! If you rested some bone treats on his muzzle, he would stay verrry still until you gave him the okay, and he'd lift up his nose and catch the bone mid air and trot off to enjoy them in the backyard.

I remember hearing stories about how when he was young, he would always get excited when visitors came over. The Barlow's would be SURE to put up the fence to keep him in the back of the house, but one day, even that was not enough to keep him away. He was so excited with one visitor, that he shot a steady stream of pee at her, all the way down the hall! He is an excited urinator.

One thing I'll always remember about him is that when I first met him in high school, when I was friends with Cody, he had a beautiful coat. And it happened to match the 'extreme' hairstyle Cody got that year to match me (or I'd like to think, Dakota)-- jet black hair with golden streaks left in his faux-hawk. What a pair they were.

The last few years, Dakota has been slowly losing his sight, never failing to bump into a wall, door, or person in his way, but can always hear you opening the pantry where the treats are. It made our walks very eventful when he would walk right into a pole. Reminds me of me.

At one point, he had to have what I call his "snaggle toe" removed, because it was infected, and on one foot he just had three toes on his paw, but he could walk just fine.

He also was growing what I liked to call his "baby," although his got much bigger than mine ever did. On his right side, he had this big bulge that kept growing and growing, full of fat, the doctors would say. Dad Barlow says perhaps Dakota may have had cancer, that in effect destroyed part of his digestive system. Perhaps the baby bulge was caused by that in part.

If you haven't read Marley and Me, and you love dogs, or at least love hearing stories about them, do read.

Feeling asian tonight.

Whenever I end up going to one of the asian supermarkets in irvine, I get asian cooking fever. 99 Ranch. Super Irvine.

This time, Zion's Market, korean.

I was surprised to find myself relating to and feeling relieved to see a middle aged, overweight American guy slowly carting past me, than the alien feeling I got with people that look 90% just like me. "You are not of this world."

I never get over how many older asians, more than any other grouping of shoppers, do not have the spacial awareness (or perhaps care) to occupy one side of a very small aisle, or to avoid walking right in front of traffic. :) I hope I can enjoy the same dominion over public circulation as they when I too am an old asian lady!

I came home with a basket full of veggies to cook a handful of asian dishes I can never be certain my whitey hyper-carnivorous husband will quite appreciate as much as I do. Mm, glad I passed on the jellyfish and the ox tail.

Tonight, pad thai! I even attempted to work on my presentation. See?? Super easy finger-licking-delicious peanut sauce: Yoshidas marinade and peanut butter. I could drunk that stuff!

I even practiced some food photography, niiice. Thanks Alex, for letting me practice with your much nicer 50 mm lens. *drool.

Patio Garden

Today I finally got over the denial that not all plants will live under my care, unlike my mommy-with-the-green-thumb. I pruned practically all of the leaves and flowers off the gold Magellans, with deep regret.

But my kimonos still look fluffy and bushy just like day one! I was most worried about them because they look so fragile. The third type of white flower is doing fine, too.

Mom also gave me a lemon verbena plant, I really does add a tinge of lemon flavor. I have yet to cook with that or the stevia.

Most Bizarre is the basil predicament. They sprouted at 2 weeks, fast, and have looked pale green and wilty for over a month. At least they're not dead, but they are so emaciated! :(

I may have to replant those.

I went by and really took stock of my parents' garden--jealousy.

Huge tomatoes, raspberries, green growing bananas, a hundred pomellos waiting to be eaten by my grand parents, lime tree, a lemon tree, squash vines, and so much more.

On Fourth of July, Corgan kept pumping me full of her grandmas ripe, orange cherry tomatoes. I could scarf pounds of cherry tomatoes. Jealous, I say. :)

Not so super nanny

One eventful game night, a fellow neighbor stopped by looking for a babysitter. I volunteered.

This past weekend I took on my first ever night shifts for twins.

Since, I have been asked to sit quite a few times, and I wonder what the big lesson is supposed to be. To keep me  contently at bay in the sea of not-getting-pregnant-like-everyone-else by spending time with everyone's beautiful babies, or to put me through training and get my mommy mind and hormones amped up.

We shall see :)

In the meantime, I still love babies, with all their challenges and sweetness.

Laughter non-negotiable

Not even a little inkling of sadness can stop Brian Regan from making my abs sore from laughing.

I can't even believe that I would start to have a small depression episode right as the show started. But Brian is the man, I could feel it dissolve right as he came goofily bouncing onto the stage.

Brian Regan will definitely be right there on the shelf of family favorites. Our kids will be raised on a stay diet of "Donut Lady" "Spider Webs" and his entire volume of Airline jokes. But tonight we heard all new material, and yes, Jared cried out of laughter the first twenty minutes. Getting "broken" in his old age, his dance moves, his failure to learn. Ahh, he is amazing!!

The Family, at the center of it all.

Saturday, the one non-structured day of the week, and on my mind: Polygamy. Heavy!

The news is spotlighting "Mormons" right now, with Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman, the Book of Mormon musical, "Big Love," ...even "Twilight" featuring prominently in the media. I read the article "Mormons Rock!" in Newsweek, and it must have planted in my mind the question, why is polygamy still tied so strongly to the media's conversations about Mormons?

I couldn't help but feel this morning that a misunderstanding of the role of polygamy in the Church's history is inevitable, if others misunderstand our beliefs about #1 the Family, #2 the role of Priesthood power in the Family, and #3 Revelation (God's divine communication with us).

Perhaps knowing what the actual role of polygamy plays in my religion isn't important to you. But if you'd like to hear my understanding of it, read on.

Revelation. In the Book of Mormon, the Bible, Today.

Yes, the Book of Mormon does contain a passage of scripture where the current prophet is teaching the people the Lord's purpose for polygamy, and specifically, that it was currently being abused by the people! Read for yourself (Jacob ch. 2, vs. 23-35). A Biblical comparison is made of David and Solomon's misuse of the principle with their concubines, versus the Lord's intent which is to "raise up unto me a righteous branch" (25, 30) or in other words, righteous Families. As with Jacob (Israel), so it was with the few men authorized to practice in the early Church.

At the time of the Declaration by the prophet to formally forbid further exercise of polygamy in 1890, polygamy was being spread without the authorization of the Church, and recent legislation made it imperative that the Church make clear it's position that it polygamy was not being taught or encouraged, and that we stand by the laws of our country.

The Lord even reserves the right to determine the correct use of polygamy: "For if I will,...raise up seed unto me, I will command my people" (30). Only those commanded by him. It wasn't intended to be a community-wide, or Church-wide practice. But what's the big deal about raising righteous 'seed'?

The Family

Families are of the utmost importance to God, as are each of us, as children of God. The practice of polygamy is one small way that the Lord, in the strictest of circumstances, provides a way for more of his children to come to this earth within the sacred bounds of marriage, within a righteous family, most especially during a time when His people were few in numbers and strength (again, early Church, Jacob in the Old Testament). Ultimately, it's about the salvation of the family, of each of His children, not about male dominance, or female subordination, or even having a provider to feed more mouths. All of the worldly things we think about polygamy are secondary to God's ultimate purpose of bringing us all home to him in Families. Our modern prophets on The Family: A Proclamation to the World.

The Priesthood -- Why Men?

It's easy to see the concept of polygamy in general as giving male's preference. But, the way God utilizes polygamy, it's more about placing more families within the reach of the Priesthood. In the Church, in the family, worthy men hold the priesthood, or the authority and to act in God's name given to men on earth for the purpose of blessing His children. While many may be worthy to have the authority, they must work to maintain it in order to exercise God's power. That power is given only by God, and He's very clear that His standard of worthiness and the use of the priesthood include only that which will bless and uplift others--love unfeigned, gentleness, persuasion. (Again, only select worthy men have been authorized by God to practice polygamy.) The priesthood can't even be used for personal gain, God will not allow it.

Why do only men hold the priesthood? "In order to obtain the highest [degree of glory, or heaven], a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage]" (revelation to the prophet Joseph Smith in 1843, D&C 131). I can't say it any clearer. The highest level, if we may, of the priesthood and of heaven is secured only by a man and woman, joined together in the covenant, or sacred promise, of marriage. The greatest access to His power is reserved for the Family.

I like to think of it as my husband bearing the responsibility and authority to use the power, and as a wife, I can provide the necessary influence and direction for the proper use of that power. (Women in the Church, see Video)

The more I learn about God's plan for our families, the more aware I become that God's purposes are, yes, to save us each and all, but more so to help us gain the greatest gift and happiness we can attain, which is an eternal life with Him, Our Loving Heavenly Father, and our families. So, whether it's understanding polygamy, our Health Law, why we start families so soon, or our push for Humanitarian Aid, I believe they are all ways the Lord and his leaders set out to bless, protect and guide the family, home. And, for me, it comes down to trusting that whatever God requires of me will be for the benefit of me and my family, and with time, it has always proven true.

I am a member of the LDS faith, married, and my personal belief that my family can be together forever, through the power of God, has been my rock. It's what started me on the path to believing and living the gospel, and following the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My parents both joined this Church when they were my age, and continue to dedicate themselves to serving in and out of the Church, in my mind driven by that same doctrine of the family.

May Flowers

As usual, Saturday I had cravings for creativity, to grow or create something beautiful. I added some color to my patio this weekend with some kick butt flowers. Golden and red Kimono flowers, marigolds, and some tall fluffy Magellans.

I love my Mom, she is such a gardeners advocate! She is definitely sponsoring and teaching me so much about gardening, and life.

The other day, about how much to water my baby plants, she begins telling me how over watering can stunt their growth, stops mid sentence and says, "Well, it's a lot like life and the gospel. When we face adversity (or drought) we have to reach deeper for substance and sustenance, which makes us stronger. That's why it's good to let the water soak deep into the soil, and force the roots to grow deeper to find it." Ah yes, the key to deep strong roots and a solid mental attitude.