Nice boots.
Check out the shoes.
Claire vs. Pears
I can roll!
My first ponytail.Friday, May 23, 2008
Our graduate
I know I'm a huge slacker. But I haven't had anything really remarkable or profound to say, so I just haven't said anything. But today I want to take a few minutes to talk about Caleb. He is 5 years old, and Monday night was his preschool graduation. Caleb is really smart--he reads as well as a first-grader... I don't know where he learned, because I haven't done anything besides read to him and encourage him to read. In school they have done some reading, but not everyone in the class reads as well as he does, so I don't know. I have a friend who is a school teacher, and she told me that 1/3 of kids will learn to read regardless of what you teach; you could teach them wrong and they would still get it right. Interesting statistic. Anyway, back to Caleb.
Caleb is nearly always happy, and very optimistic. A few weeks ago he went to a birthday party. He'd gotten the birthday boy a small present. Some of the other kids got him these big expensive things, but he didn't care--he said, "But he sure liked my present the best!" It was really great. At school he got an award for his JOY because he's always so happy.
Our buddy loves doing extra projects to earn money for a book he wants to buy. This sometimes creates extra work for me, but sometimes it saves me time (like when he folds towels). He loves spending time with Dad, and is looking forward to going fishing. When Caleb grows up he wants to be a "hospital man." We aren't sure exactly what that is, because its not a doctor. It might be a combination doctor, EMT, life-flight pilot, hospital administrator (because he always talks about going to meetings).
Caleb also loves Primary and Family Home Evening. He is so excited to get baptized when he is 8; his self-portrait at the end of the school year was of him getting baptized. We are very proud of him and love having him in our family.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Changing Weather
While I was working on the post earlier, Claire rolled from her back to her stomach. She's done this a couple times before but this time she got her arm out from under her body. But she hates being on her tummy, so I rolled her back over. She went right back to her tummy. So fun.
Between The time I dropped Caleb off at his preschool and the time I picked him up the weather changed from bright and sunny with very few clouds in the sky to dark and dreary, with very dark clouds and rain. There was a severe thunderstorm warning; a tornado warning had been issued for just east of here. It was raining so hard Natalie rode home from Caleb's school with her ears plugged. Caleb said, "Its sounds like a gun shooting!" Weird weather. So for those of you who want to know what its like to live in WY, there you have it. And I was so enjoying the Spring weather.
Between The time I dropped Caleb off at his preschool and the time I picked him up the weather changed from bright and sunny with very few clouds in the sky to dark and dreary, with very dark clouds and rain. There was a severe thunderstorm warning; a tornado warning had been issued for just east of here. It was raining so hard Natalie rode home from Caleb's school with her ears plugged. Caleb said, "Its sounds like a gun shooting!" Weird weather. So for those of you who want to know what its like to live in WY, there you have it. And I was so enjoying the Spring weather.
A lot of randomness
Sorry I haven't posted anything new for a couple of weeks. I haven't been able to think of anything that great to write. Not that this promises to be exciting, but here are some random thoughts I've been thinking.
I finally read the book, "To Kill a Mockingbird," and I really enjoyed it. I wouldn't put it on my "Top 10 Favorite books I've ever read" list, but it was really good and really thought-provoking. One thing that really stood out to me was how Atticus was such a great parent. His children always felt loved and safe. They could trust him. He was the same person, regardless of who he was with. Those are really important qualities to possess as a parent.
In October I was put in my ward Young Womens Presidency as the first couselor. I work mostly with the Mia Maids. I have a really great group of girls. We have really good youth in our ward. I was recently thinking back to what I was like when I was 14 and 15.... I think that as I look back to my teenage years these were two of the best. I had lots of friends, both guys and girls. I was on the Drill Team in 9th grade, and I really liked that. Once I got a little older I was a little TOO boy-crazy and flighty, but those two years were the ones that I look back on with a lot of great memories.
In completely unrelated news, Claire had her 4-month checkup last week. She's the biggest of the 3 kids.... she 13 1/2 lbs and 25 inches, which puts her on the 75th%ile for height. Caleb was never past the 10th, and Natalie didn't get past the 25th. So Claire is growing well. She sleeps all night and half the day, and eats great. I've started feeding solids.... She hated plain rice cereal but when I mixed it with bananas she really liked it. We've also tried pears and carrots. Yummy.
The weather has been beautiful, and I am SO SO SO SO SO glad.... Caleb and Natalie have really enjoyed being outside. But they think that in order to have fun outside they have to turn on the hose. But I guess thats why I have a mud room in my house.
I love American Idol. I was sad to see Brooke go--she was Caleb's favorite because he thinks she is pretty--but I knew she wouldn't win. So who do I think is going to win? I hope its David Cook because he rocks, but David Archuleta has a really good chance too, although I kinda hope he doesn't because it'll mess up his life for what he really needs to do. Jason Castro really needs to go home.
So those are my thoughts for the day. Enjoy.
I finally read the book, "To Kill a Mockingbird," and I really enjoyed it. I wouldn't put it on my "Top 10 Favorite books I've ever read" list, but it was really good and really thought-provoking. One thing that really stood out to me was how Atticus was such a great parent. His children always felt loved and safe. They could trust him. He was the same person, regardless of who he was with. Those are really important qualities to possess as a parent.
In October I was put in my ward Young Womens Presidency as the first couselor. I work mostly with the Mia Maids. I have a really great group of girls. We have really good youth in our ward. I was recently thinking back to what I was like when I was 14 and 15.... I think that as I look back to my teenage years these were two of the best. I had lots of friends, both guys and girls. I was on the Drill Team in 9th grade, and I really liked that. Once I got a little older I was a little TOO boy-crazy and flighty, but those two years were the ones that I look back on with a lot of great memories.
In completely unrelated news, Claire had her 4-month checkup last week. She's the biggest of the 3 kids.... she 13 1/2 lbs and 25 inches, which puts her on the 75th%ile for height. Caleb was never past the 10th, and Natalie didn't get past the 25th. So Claire is growing well. She sleeps all night and half the day, and eats great. I've started feeding solids.... She hated plain rice cereal but when I mixed it with bananas she really liked it. We've also tried pears and carrots. Yummy.
The weather has been beautiful, and I am SO SO SO SO SO glad.... Caleb and Natalie have really enjoyed being outside. But they think that in order to have fun outside they have to turn on the hose. But I guess thats why I have a mud room in my house.
I love American Idol. I was sad to see Brooke go--she was Caleb's favorite because he thinks she is pretty--but I knew she wouldn't win. So who do I think is going to win? I hope its David Cook because he rocks, but David Archuleta has a really good chance too, although I kinda hope he doesn't because it'll mess up his life for what he really needs to do. Jason Castro really needs to go home.
So those are my thoughts for the day. Enjoy.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
What's been going on.
Well I haven't really posted anything new for almost 2 weeks. I've been busy, but I can't say that I have really done too much. Last weekend my sister Erin and her family came to visit me. It was really fun to see them, and I love having company. If anyone has the urge to drive to the middle of Wyoming, you are welcome to stay with us. We had a good visit, and hopefully if was worth their time and effort, because we sure had fun.
Caleb got new teeth yesterday. Well, not really but pretty close. He's fortunate to have inherited my teeth--as in they get cavities really easily. Two years ago he had several cavities filled; at that time the dentist put something on the tops of the teeth that would supposedly help with future cavities. Well it didn't work for Caleb. Seven of his eight molars has silver caps on them, and his two front ones also have caps, although they have the white instead thankfully. It was quite an ordeal.... in order to save him the trauma of having to go to the dentist on 3 separate occasions, we took him to the surgical center, where a doctor put him under general anesthesia, and they did it all at once. When we first got there they gave him some sort of drug to help him relax. And relax he did. He just got goofy--it was hysterical. He kept telling every person that came in the room about how he had to miss school to go to the dentist. He was totally okay with everything else--he just hated having to miss school. At one point one of the nurses told him that he was going to get to ride in the wheel chair, then she walked out of the room. He said, "Ooh, goody, I get to ride in a wheelchair!" Then he paused, and, with an inquisitive look on his face, asked, "Whats a wheelchair?!" It made us laugh. He's pretty goofy as it is, then give him this drug and he gets even goofier.
Natalie, meanwhile, has regressed with her potty-trainedness. She has NOT been doing well in that category lately, and its getting to be quite frustrating. It ads so much more laundry. So I'm going to make up a chart for her, with a promised reward when it is full. But I still have to decide what the requirement is going to be, and what the reward is going to be. The other day at Target she was admiring a Princess swimming suit, so I may use that.
Claire has been spitting up more the last few days and I think its because she doesn't like it when I eat Hot Tamales (the candy not the Mexican Food). So I guess I'd better give those up and see if she does better. (Sigh) okay fine.
Finally for tonight: I love love love love love the show NCIS and last night was pretty much one of the best episodes EVER. So for you fellow fans... which of the 7 main characters is going to be leaving before the end of the season? Why do you think this? I think its going to be Jenny Shephard because for any of the others to leave it would totally mess up the dynamics of the show and its so great right now.
Anyway, I've rambled on enough, so I'd better go for tonite.
Caleb got new teeth yesterday. Well, not really but pretty close. He's fortunate to have inherited my teeth--as in they get cavities really easily. Two years ago he had several cavities filled; at that time the dentist put something on the tops of the teeth that would supposedly help with future cavities. Well it didn't work for Caleb. Seven of his eight molars has silver caps on them, and his two front ones also have caps, although they have the white instead thankfully. It was quite an ordeal.... in order to save him the trauma of having to go to the dentist on 3 separate occasions, we took him to the surgical center, where a doctor put him under general anesthesia, and they did it all at once. When we first got there they gave him some sort of drug to help him relax. And relax he did. He just got goofy--it was hysterical. He kept telling every person that came in the room about how he had to miss school to go to the dentist. He was totally okay with everything else--he just hated having to miss school. At one point one of the nurses told him that he was going to get to ride in the wheel chair, then she walked out of the room. He said, "Ooh, goody, I get to ride in a wheelchair!" Then he paused, and, with an inquisitive look on his face, asked, "Whats a wheelchair?!" It made us laugh. He's pretty goofy as it is, then give him this drug and he gets even goofier.
Natalie, meanwhile, has regressed with her potty-trainedness. She has NOT been doing well in that category lately, and its getting to be quite frustrating. It ads so much more laundry. So I'm going to make up a chart for her, with a promised reward when it is full. But I still have to decide what the requirement is going to be, and what the reward is going to be. The other day at Target she was admiring a Princess swimming suit, so I may use that.
Claire has been spitting up more the last few days and I think its because she doesn't like it when I eat Hot Tamales (the candy not the Mexican Food). So I guess I'd better give those up and see if she does better. (Sigh) okay fine.
Finally for tonight: I love love love love love the show NCIS and last night was pretty much one of the best episodes EVER. So for you fellow fans... which of the 7 main characters is going to be leaving before the end of the season? Why do you think this? I think its going to be Jenny Shephard because for any of the others to leave it would totally mess up the dynamics of the show and its so great right now.
Anyway, I've rambled on enough, so I'd better go for tonite.
Friday, April 11, 2008
The wicked witch
"Mom, I got my Snow White dress on," Natalie said to me this morning as I was getting dressed. "Will you be the wicked witch?"
Some days I feel like a wicked witch. Finally, I have an excuse. There is this really funny book, called I Didn't Plan to be a Witch by Linda Eyre. She and her husband are internationally-renowned authors and public speakers. Probably their most famous book is Teaching Your Children Values. They are also the inventors of Joy School, for those who know what that is. They are LDS and have 10 kids. Anyway, in this book she talks about how every new mother thinks she is going to be the perfect mother with perfect children.... She never raises her voice, her house is always clean, the children are always groomed. Then reality sets in, and a lot of days we all become the witch. This book is hilarious, because her examples are all her own experiences, but it is also comforting to know that we all do it. I need to re-read it so I can remember how to take off the witch-hat. I recommend it to everyone. I also highly recommend reading A Joyful Mother of Children, also by her. It has fantastic and practical things you can do to enjoy your children more even though its hard when things are so crazy. Read them and let me know what you think. Be ready to laugh because they are funny. Also, here's a link to their website so you can learn about them. http://www.theeyres.com/
Some days I feel like a wicked witch. Finally, I have an excuse. There is this really funny book, called I Didn't Plan to be a Witch by Linda Eyre. She and her husband are internationally-renowned authors and public speakers. Probably their most famous book is Teaching Your Children Values. They are also the inventors of Joy School, for those who know what that is. They are LDS and have 10 kids. Anyway, in this book she talks about how every new mother thinks she is going to be the perfect mother with perfect children.... She never raises her voice, her house is always clean, the children are always groomed. Then reality sets in, and a lot of days we all become the witch. This book is hilarious, because her examples are all her own experiences, but it is also comforting to know that we all do it. I need to re-read it so I can remember how to take off the witch-hat. I recommend it to everyone. I also highly recommend reading A Joyful Mother of Children, also by her. It has fantastic and practical things you can do to enjoy your children more even though its hard when things are so crazy. Read them and let me know what you think. Be ready to laugh because they are funny. Also, here's a link to their website so you can learn about them. http://www.theeyres.com/
Tag
So my sister tagged me on her blog, so now I get to tell a little about myself. Here goes.
10 Years ago I was: a senior in high school. Anxiously awaiting graduation. Involved in a musical. Working at Arctic Circle. Flirting with boys. Not sure what I was going to do with life after high school.
Snacks I enjoy: Root Beer floats, Rice Krispies Treats, yogurt and granola, Haribo Gummy Bears, Apples with caramel sauce, Butterscotch Chip Cookies. Pretty much anything.
5 things on my TO DO list: Clean my storage room, Design my front yard so someone we can have the sprinkler system installed before Chad does the sod, Make curtains and pillows for my living room, Make quilts for the kids' beds, laundry (its ALWAYS on the list. it either needs to be gathered and sorted, washed, folded, or put away. I currently have some of each.)
Things I would suddenly do if I were a billionaire: hire someone to do all the above for me. Pay off debt for us and our families. Go to Europe. Take the kids to Disneyland.
Five places I have lived: Chubbuck, Idaho; Herndon, Virginia; Rochester, Minnesota; Miami, Florida; Rexburg, Idaho.
5 jobs I have had: Arctic Circle counter chick; ZCMI stationary area lead; Disney Store cast member (pretty much the most fun job I've ever had); Comfort Inn and Conference Center Sales and Catering secretary; Ace Hardware and Outdoor Sports person in charge of Apparel.
5 things people don't know about me:
1. In college I went to Chicago for a national competition in PowerPoint Presentations and my group placed 2nd. Pretty cool.
2. If I could have go back to school, I'd become a paralegal.
3. When my family lived in Florida I fell in love with Mickey Mouse and really wanted to go to DisneyWorld. It didn't happen. But I still really wanted to meet Mickey Mouse. I have a whole collection of MM stuff. Finally my senior year of HS I went to DisneyLand on Choir Tour and had my picture take with Mickey. I was really excited.
4. I love to eat out. This week we got to go to dinner at 2 different restaurants with Chad's work and I loved it. But I've learned that you have to read the menu closely because some things aren't good.
5. I love to dance. I was on Drill Team in 9th grade, and I wish I would have continued with it during high school because I was pretty good. Someday I want to take a dance class with Chad so we can learn cool dances together.
Did you know those things? Probably some of you did, but oh, well. I tag anyone who reads this and hasn't done this before. Have fun!
10 Years ago I was: a senior in high school. Anxiously awaiting graduation. Involved in a musical. Working at Arctic Circle. Flirting with boys. Not sure what I was going to do with life after high school.
Snacks I enjoy: Root Beer floats, Rice Krispies Treats, yogurt and granola, Haribo Gummy Bears, Apples with caramel sauce, Butterscotch Chip Cookies. Pretty much anything.
5 things on my TO DO list: Clean my storage room, Design my front yard so someone we can have the sprinkler system installed before Chad does the sod, Make curtains and pillows for my living room, Make quilts for the kids' beds, laundry (its ALWAYS on the list. it either needs to be gathered and sorted, washed, folded, or put away. I currently have some of each.)
Things I would suddenly do if I were a billionaire: hire someone to do all the above for me. Pay off debt for us and our families. Go to Europe. Take the kids to Disneyland.
Five places I have lived: Chubbuck, Idaho; Herndon, Virginia; Rochester, Minnesota; Miami, Florida; Rexburg, Idaho.
5 jobs I have had: Arctic Circle counter chick; ZCMI stationary area lead; Disney Store cast member (pretty much the most fun job I've ever had); Comfort Inn and Conference Center Sales and Catering secretary; Ace Hardware and Outdoor Sports person in charge of Apparel.
5 things people don't know about me:
1. In college I went to Chicago for a national competition in PowerPoint Presentations and my group placed 2nd. Pretty cool.
2. If I could have go back to school, I'd become a paralegal.
3. When my family lived in Florida I fell in love with Mickey Mouse and really wanted to go to DisneyWorld. It didn't happen. But I still really wanted to meet Mickey Mouse. I have a whole collection of MM stuff. Finally my senior year of HS I went to DisneyLand on Choir Tour and had my picture take with Mickey. I was really excited.
4. I love to eat out. This week we got to go to dinner at 2 different restaurants with Chad's work and I loved it. But I've learned that you have to read the menu closely because some things aren't good.
5. I love to dance. I was on Drill Team in 9th grade, and I wish I would have continued with it during high school because I was pretty good. Someday I want to take a dance class with Chad so we can learn cool dances together.
Did you know those things? Probably some of you did, but oh, well. I tag anyone who reads this and hasn't done this before. Have fun!
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