The first time

Don't read this if you're expecting it to be sek-sy. I'm not that kind of girl. Also, if it is still November 7 and the polls are still open and you haven't voted yet, PLEASE GO VOTE NOW.

This past month had a bunch of firsts, and I'd thought I'd share them with you.

When I woke up last Monday I experienced my first (and hopefully last) panic attack (I think) which probably stemmed from having an absolutely crazy schedule the prior week, along with the lack of sleep that is to be blamed on IBS after a visit to G0lden C0rral Saturday night. My heart felt like it was in labor as my chest contracted with intense pain. It would last about a minute then go away, but then it would come back stronger within ten minutes. The last time I felt it, I screamed in pain for my husband to help me and then I wailed like a child in time-out. My husband used his priesthood and gave me a blessing that calmed me and allowed me to sleep again. When I woke up, I canceled every unnecessary thing and allowed myself to rest most of the week.

Cutie wore underwear to our 3-hour church services on Sunday for the first time...and she kept them dry!  I was such a proud momma.

Bud was kicked out of the chapel since he was goofing off during the Primary program practice two Sunday's ago. Dh and I had to explain to him that it was hilarious when he was a goof during his school's fall concert, but it wasn't acceptable to be goofy during the reverent church program. I also threatened Bud that he would have to sit with me in my boring class if he was kicked out of practice the next week. His teacher reported that he was an angel during yesterday's practice, so I think we got through to him. I guess we'll see next week during the performance.

My sister Heidi moved into her own apartment after living in our unfinished bonus room for eight months. I've been wanting to post an "Ode to Heidi", but my creative juices just aren't flowin' at the moment. I'll just say that she brought into our home a spirit of ultra-coolness and I'm proud of the sweet bond she made with Cutie. I had set some strict rules to protect my children that Heidi totally respected, and about which she never complained (that I know of), although they must have been an inconvenience for her. For that I'm grateful. When she told me she was moving, I was happy for her, but I was sad that I wouldn't be seeing her as much, so she has agreed to come over for dinner at least once a week. Isn't she awesome?

Ant was a ninja for Halloween, which was a new costume for him; last year he was Ash the P0kemon trainer. Bud and Cutie chose to ignore their new costumes this year (a pirate and a hairdresser) and went trick-or-treating as Spiderman and a purple lion again. We first made the rounds at the trunk-or-treat at church and then they went to some of the neighbors' homes while I stayed home to pass out the goodies. We only had about eight groups of trick-or-treaters come to the door this year. I guess carrot and celery sticks aren't very popular. :)