"Is it my Imagination...

...or does Cookie look really round and plump?"

That was the question I asked myself this morning when Scott carried our new rat into my room before school. Now, about six hours later, I know the reason why. I mean, when you look at this photo what's the first thought that pops inside your head? Yes, that's pretty much the same conclusion I came to.

P-R-E-G-N-A-N-T

There's absolutely no way you can look at this cute, furry rodent with her round belly and engorged nipples without coming to the conclusion that she will most likely become a mother rat really, really soon.

And you would be right.

At first I was a little in denial, so I started searching the internet for "how to tell if your rat is pregnant" sites. I even emailed some photos to my rat breeder, Hilloah, and asked her what her opinion was. Little did I know that while I was on the computer, Cookie was directly behind me on my bed preparing to give birth! After I got off of the computer, I picked Cookie up gently and put her in her cage. That's when I noticed she was acting a little strange. She started stretching, breathing hard, and she pressed her face against the glass walls of her cage. Then I noticed the blood discharge. YIKES! I immediately looked back at my bed and I noticed that there were blood spots and holes all over my sheets. Apparently, she decided that my bed would make the perfect nest for her babies and started "decorating" the sheets by breaking off bits and pieces. I immediately took action and began shredding paper towels and sticking them in her cage, making sure she would be as comfortable and clean as possible for when she delivered her babies. She then proceeded to give birth a few minutes later.

So, my Easter Rat Surprise story now has another unexpected twist. We have a whole litter of surprises! They're all doing very well at the moment, too. There are six baby rats in all. All of them are beautiful, healthy babies. Cookie knows how to be a good mother and she's taking very good care of them. It makes me very grateful that we found her and rescued her. She really is a sweet little blessing in our lives.

The Easter Rat Surprise

We got another pet rat for Easter this year. She was a surprise for all of us, because we were not expecting to add another addition to our rat family so soon. She came into our lives almost entirely by chance. Let me tell you her story...

It was the Saturday before Easter. Children were busily rushing back and forth in our front yard, gathering eggs from secret hiding spots while the rest of the adults watched and took pictures. I was one of the adults with a camera in hand, enthusiastically taking photos of Scott and Emma and their 10 cousins. During all of the chaotic hustling and bustling, Grandma North spotted a neighbor out in her yard and went to talk to her.

After the excitement from the Easter egg hunt, all of us went inside the house to chat and visit with one another. I was sitting on the couch near my mother-in-law and some of the rest of the family. While we were talking Emma came up to me and asked if she and two of her cousins could play in the backyard on the slide. I thought about it for a moment and then told them it was okay. A few minutes later, Margaret, my mother-in-law, told us what her neighbor Delyse told her. She explained that Delyse was a little worried that her house would be invaded by a domesticated rat roaming the neighborhood. Apparently, the neighbor living behind Delyse no longer wanted their pet rat so they decided to turn it loose "into the wild" to fend for itself. Delyse had been watching the rat run back and forth in her backyard all morning, and was worried that the rat would somehow find a way into her home.

Angry and saddened by the tale of the homeless rat, I knew that the rat was doomed to die from either exposure to the cold, starvation, or violence. I thought about looking for the rat myself, but quickly became pessimistic. Just then, Emma came rushing into the house saying, "Becky! Becky! There's a rat in our backyard!" My mother-in-law quickly asked what color it was and Emma answered in a rushed voice, "White!" I immediately jumped up and went into the backyard. The other two girls were on the grass looking through the fence. The rat had escaped.

After realizing that the rat was so close by, I went back into the house and asked Scott for assistance. Scott went out into the front yard and began searching for the rat while I decided to walk around our next-door neighbor's yard. By the time I came back Scott was holding the rat in his hands. Apparently, the rat was hiding under the giant fir-tree in our backyard.

We brought the rat into the house and immediately announced the news to the family. Scott was very pleased that the rat was a girl rather than a boy, because that would mean we could probably keep her. We already have three female rats in a giant cage in Scott's room, and one more shouldn't hurt anything. Our family loves pet rats.

We decided to keep her. Scott created a rat-name ballot and we all voted for which name we liked best. The winner was "Cookie," to match with our other "C" rat names we currently have: Cinnamon, Cocoa, and Checkers. Cookie is a red-eyed standard-ear Siamese rat. We are going to quarantine her for the next two weeks and then introduce her to the other rats at the end of that time. From what we can tell so far, Cookie is a very pretty, mellow, sociable rat, and we know she will make a delightful addition to our rat family. She was a great Easter surprise.

Cinnamon

Cocoa

Checkers

Cookie

Roses on Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day 2008

Brad gave Emma and me roses for Valentine's Day this year, which pleased Emma immensly. She asked her daddy specifically for roses, because roses are her "favorite flower." I was also pleased with the thoughtful gift from Brad, especially the card that came with the roses. I love cards! Brad always knows what I like best.

"To my wife on Valentine's Day,
Feel treasured, feel beautiful because that's what you are and always will be to me..."


I knew that Brad didn't want something Valentine's Dayish for Valentine's Day, so I bought him something that I knew he would like: a new Jump Drive for his computer. Very romantic, eh? He appreciated the gift very much, more so than if I had gotten him a box of chocolates or a plush Valentine's bear.

But of course, the best present of all was having each other. We don't need Valentine's Day to declare our love-- we do that every day. I'm very happy to be married to my Brad.

~Becky N.

In Memory of President Gordon B. Hinckley

My Redeemer Lives
by President Gordon B. Hinckley
June 23, 1910 – January 27, 2008

I know that my Redeemer lives,
Triumphant Savior, Son of God.
Victorious over pain and death,
My King, my Leader, and my Lord.

He lives, my one sure rock of faith,
The one bright hope of men on earth,
The beacon to a better way,
The light beyond the veil of death.

Oh, give me thy sweet Spirit still,
The peace that comes alone from thee,
The faith to walk the lonely road
That leads to thine eternity.

Hymn #135

Some of my Favorite Quotes by President Hinckley:

"True love is not so much a matter of romance as it is a matter of anxious concern for the well being of ones companion."

"Let us all try to stand a little taller, rise a little higher, be a little better. Make the extra effort. You will be happier."

"There is no obstacle too great, no challenge too difficult, if we have faith."

"I am asking that we stop seeking out the storms in life and enjoy more fully the sunlight."

“Under the plan of heaven, the husband and the wife walk side by side as companions, neither one ahead of the other, but a daughter of God and a son of God walking side by side. Let your families be families of love and peace and happiness.”

"Let your children be exposed to great minds, great ideas, everlasting truth, and those things which will build and motivate for good."

"There is no substitute for virtue. Keep your thoughts virtuous. Rise above the filth that's all around you in this world and stand tall in strength and virtue. You can do this and you will be happier for it for as long as you live. God bless you in cherishing, developing and holding on to this great gift, the quality of personal virtue."

"Begin early in exposing children to books. The mother who fails to read to her small children does a disservice to them and a disservice to herself. It takes time, yes, much of it. It takes self-discipline. It takes organizing and budgeting the minutes and hours of the day. But it will never be a bore as you watch young minds come to know characters, expressions, and ideas. Good reading can become a love affair, far more fruitful in long term effects than many other activities in which children use their time."

"Get all the education you can. Cultivate skills of mind and hands. Education is the key to opportunity."

"Walk by faith. God will open the way."

"Every man ought to regard his wife as a daughter of God, a daughter who is equal, with whom he walks side by side. Marvelous is that concept that does not place a woman in an inferior position. One great man said a father can do nothing better for his children than to let them see that he loves their mother."

Sister Whitcomb's Homecoming!

My youngest sister, Rachel, just completed her 19-month-long mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served her mission in the Utah Ogden Mission from June 2006 to January 2008, serving in Farmingon, Logan, Morgan, and North Ogden. She had an absolutely wonderful time in Northern Utah! I had the opportunity to visit her on January 9th at the mission office. I loved being there in her environment, observing her as an energetic, happy, spiritual, and enthusiastic missionary. I'm sure she's blessed the lives of many people.

Brad and I flew to California on the 10th to be there when Sister Whitcomb arrived home. We had a small group of family and friends greet Rachel at the airport, then we all gathered at my parents' house for lunch and to listen to Rachel tell us missionary stories while we ate Subway sandwiches. It was wonderful being with her again and listening to her speak of her mission. Rachel has such an amazing, bubbling personality. Once she begins to talk it's almost impossible to get her quiet again. I loved visiting with her and the rest of my family last week, and I miss them now that I'm back in Utah. I look forward to seeing them all again soon.

Beatrix Potter

Since the time I was a little girl I always loved stories by Beatrix Potter. My grandmother introduced them to me at a young age, probably due to my interest in small animals and wildlife, not to mention my artistic knack for drawing little furry creatures. I remember my grandmother showing me the carefully drawn pictures of Tabitha Twitchet, Benjamin Bunny, and of course foolish little Peter Rabbit. Even today I cannot read a Beatrix Potter book without remembering my childhood days.

"But Peter, who was very naughty, ran straight away to Mr. McGregor's garden, and squeezed under the gate! First he ate some lettuces and some French beans; and then he ate some radishes."

Beatrix Potter was an excellent artist and children's author; loved and adorned by many. She was a remarkable woman, with a truly original imagination and literary talent. I really enjoyed watching the recent movie of her life titled "Miss Potter," starring Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor. The movie did an excellent job portraying Beatrix Potter's love for animals and her brilliant, creative imagination. A very beautiful film which will leave you feeling awed and inspired. I highly recommend it.

~Becky N.

Family Christmas Newsletter

Merry Christmas 2007!

We hope to find you well and happy this holiday season. Our family has prospered much this year, and we are thankful for all the blessings we have received. We have been blessed tremendously, and we thank you all of you for your love and support.

Brad continues to work as the purchasing manager for Del Sol; a company that sells products that change colors in the sun. He loves his job and the people he works with. This past autumn he entered a weight-loss contest for Del Sol employees, and WON! He lost weight by going to the gym every morning (except on Sundays) and eating a very strict, healthy diet.

Becky finally got her driver’s license in June. She also attended her college graduation in May, graduating with an AA Degree in Early Childhood Education from Long Beach City College. Becky loves being a part of the N. family and being a fulltime step-mom. She helps the children do their homework every day, and reads and sings to them every night.

Scott continues to do well in school. He’s one of the top readers in his class and reads at a fifth grade level. He’s currently in fourth grade at Westbrook Elementary School. Scott has developed a new passion for Legos. He constantly builds new things and makes movies with them. Scott also enjoys playing with our new baby rats: Cinnamon, Cocoa, and Checkers. Sadly, we lost our other two rats, Annie and Brenna, earlier this year.

Emma started first grade in September. She made huge improvements with her reading and writing skills since the beginning of the school year and does about an hour’s worth of homework every night with Becky. Emma loves going to school and making new friends. Emma constantly befriends new people everywhere she goes. She enjoyed going to Disneyland with her family for the very first time in February. She and Scott had never been there before, so it was a real treat for them.

Our love to all of you! Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love,
Our Family

Rosie in the Snow

Rosie in the Snow

by Rebecca N.
sung to the tune of "Jingle Bells"

Crashing through the snow,
On a cold and frosty day!
Kicking up her feet,
Slobbering all the way!

She zooms around the street,
In the pale December light.
She puts a smile on those she greets,
Because she's such a sight!

Oh, in the snow!
In the snow!
Watch our Rosie go!
She runs around and sniffs the ground
through the white and fluffy snow, oh!

In the snow!
In the snow!
Watch our Rosie go!
She runs around and sniffs the ground
through the white and fluffy snow!

Family Photos November 2007

At the Jordan River Temple in Utah

Scott and Emma

Halloween 2007

We had a wonderful Halloween! Brad and I dressed up for two Halloween Parties-- one at his work and one with our family. Brad was Ned Flanders, from the Simpsons TV show. He was a perfect Flanders, by the way! It was almost scary the way he would impersonate him, especially when he would start quoting various lines from the movie. I don't know how many times I heard the lines "Hidilly-ho!" and "Okilly-dokilly." My favorite quote was: "I just follow the three C's : clean living, chewing thoroughly, and a daily dose of vitamin church." I would start bursting out laughing every time I heard him say that! He was so good!

As for me, I dressed up as a nun. It was quite fun being a nun, actually. I think what I enjoyed most was Ned Flanders following me around throughout the day saying, "Now Sister Rebecca, I think it is my job to explain the evils of celibacy to you..." Needless to say I think he convinced me that being a nun was not the right path for me. : )

Scott and Emma had a wonderful Halloween as well. Scott dressed up as a storm trooper from Star Wars, and Emma was a vampiress. They went to five different Halloween parties throughout October, and made fine use of their costumes. They had a wonderful time going trick-or-treating with their cousins. Overall, our family had a wonderful Halloween.

~Becky N.