Sammy loves to pray. His prayers are very brief, but frequent. Today after a couple of his prayers he announced:
"I say my prayers like a man."
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Chistmas Story
Paul's family and my family were together on Christmas Eve. The kids performed the Christmas story.
- Stephen
- Stephen
Friday, December 26, 2008
Sledding!
Paul and I took the kids--Elise, Mason, Sammy, Bianca, Cannon, and Christian--sledding in Orem. They had a blast. Citius! Altius! Fortius! (Faster! Higher! Stronger!)
- Stephen
- Stephen
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Sammy
Today at lunch Sammy all of a sudden said:
"No dinosaurs in the house and no singing at the table. Those are one two rules."
I must say that he is right - I made up both of those rules. Things I never thought I'd have to make rules about...the dinosaur rule is so that Sammy won't have scary dreams. He is a firm believer in rules, so he is perfectly assured that no dinosaurs can get him. :o) The singing rule...well, if you have ever been to my house you would understand that one!
"No dinosaurs in the house and no singing at the table. Those are one two rules."
I must say that he is right - I made up both of those rules. Things I never thought I'd have to make rules about...the dinosaur rule is so that Sammy won't have scary dreams. He is a firm believer in rules, so he is perfectly assured that no dinosaurs can get him. :o) The singing rule...well, if you have ever been to my house you would understand that one!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Christmas 2008
Merry Christmas! December 2008
What an exciting year this has been in our family! The biggest news is that we (meaning Stephen) are back in school. We sold our cute little home in August and moved to Provo, UT so that Stephen could attend Brigham Young University to get an MBA. It’s a lot different here in Provo than at home in Portland, but we like it, and are very happy. We have been very blessed, and I attribute it to the fact that we are in the right place right now. The Lord has truly blessed us.
Stephen is loving being back in school. He does nothing but schoolwork, and is gone much more now than when he was at Nike. He’s doing great in his classes (no surprise there…) and considering a Ph.D. program when he is finished here (April 2010). That’s 4 additional years, in case you were wondering. A couple of months ago he accepted perhaps his favorite church calling ever: stake choir director. He has had so much fun looking for music to sing!
I don’t know if I’ve ever been so relaxed and happy, which isn’t what I was expecting with how much I have to do now that Stephen is always studying. I stopped teaching piano lessons at the beginning of the summer, and decided not to pick it up after the move. I’m homeschooling the kids, and getting my own great education as well. I LOVE having my kids around. I also still run – I finished my 2nd half marathon in June – and have started practicing the piano again. This is a great time of life for me.
Elise turned 6 in June, and loves to help, learn and dance. She is always singing and dancing around the house. She is excited to have me teach her piano lessons – I told her that when she can read well enough to read my handwriting I’ll teach her, and that has been great motivation for her! The boys love it when she reads to them. She is a great little peacemaker, and very sensitive to the feelings of others. She ran her first race this autumn – a 1-mile race in 10:04! Holy cow! She also loves books – we have read all sorts, from “Winnie-the-Pooh” to “A Christmas Carol” to the “Little House on the Prairie” books.
Mason is a persistent, intelligent, creative, energetic 4½ year old. This child LOVES machines. I can always tell where he is by following his paper trail. He is constantly creating machines out of anything he can find (“MOM! Don’t throw that milk carton away – I can use it in a machine!”) He draws anything he sees, be it our Brita water pitcher (the brand is only important so that you know it is a type of machine) or “The Big Stink” (a factory in Albany). Mason is also a very good boy – he is always climbing on my lap and telling me that he loves me (“Just like the prophet told us to do, right Mommy?”)
Sammy is 2½, and personifies joy. He is such a happy boy, and always remembers to say “thank you”. He likes things to be correct, for example, when he started talking a couple of months ago he spoke in complete sentences, and if he stumbles over a word he will have me repeat it to him over and over, and he will practice saying it until he gets it to his satisfaction. Sammy loves trains, tractors (especially excavators) and books. We read lots of books about heavy machinery!
We hope you have seen the Lord’s hand in your life this year as we have. Have a wonderful Christmas season!
Much love,
Stephen, Claire, Elise, Mason & Sammy
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Travelling
Stephen is becoming quite the frequent flyer! Since we've been here (3 1/2 months) he has flown out of the SLC airport 5 times. Georgia was the first, then Ohio (P&G), Arkansas (by way of Oklahoma - FedEx competition), Portland (wedding), and now Illinois, just north of Chicago. Today he interviews with United Stationers in Deerfield. Pretty exciting!
The kids and I have taken him to the airport 3 of those times, and we do something fun after we drop him off. There is the nicest little zoo in Salt Lake - about a quarter of the size of the Portland Zoo, which I actually like - and we've gone there twice, and to Temple Square and lunch with a friend once. We meandered around the zoo today - I saw 3 other moms the entire time! It was fantastic to take our time at exhibits that interested the kids. We spent half an hour each at the gorillas/orangutans (they have a baby orang) and the giraffes. We could have touched the giraffes many times - we were that close to their heads, but settled with eating lunch and waving to them.
Poor Sammy is cutting 4 molars right now...I hope the buggers quit causing him so much pain soon!
The kids and I have taken him to the airport 3 of those times, and we do something fun after we drop him off. There is the nicest little zoo in Salt Lake - about a quarter of the size of the Portland Zoo, which I actually like - and we've gone there twice, and to Temple Square and lunch with a friend once. We meandered around the zoo today - I saw 3 other moms the entire time! It was fantastic to take our time at exhibits that interested the kids. We spent half an hour each at the gorillas/orangutans (they have a baby orang) and the giraffes. We could have touched the giraffes many times - we were that close to their heads, but settled with eating lunch and waving to them.
Poor Sammy is cutting 4 molars right now...I hope the buggers quit causing him so much pain soon!
Monday, December 8, 2008
The Dog House
Check out The Dog House - it's pretty hilarious!
I told Stephen that I need diamonds for Christmas. HA! What would I do with diamonds? I'll tell you what I'd do with diamonds - I'd lose them!
I told Stephen that I need diamonds for Christmas. HA! What would I do with diamonds? I'll tell you what I'd do with diamonds - I'd lose them!
The Clapper in the Crapper
This is Stephen writing. Claire objected to such a toilet-talk title, so I get to tell the story:
Claire was helping the children get their teeth brushed, and Mason was standing at the potty going potty. Right after he was done Claire saw him using some toilet paper to pat dry his little plastic clapper toy.
Claire: "Mason, what are you doing?"
Mason: "I dropped my toy in the toilet, but I got it out before I flushed."
Claire: "Yes, but did you drop it before or after you went?"
Mason: "After, but I got it before I flushed."
We're very proud of him for not flushing it down the toilet. Now we just owe him a lesson about cleanliness.
Claire was helping the children get their teeth brushed, and Mason was standing at the potty going potty. Right after he was done Claire saw him using some toilet paper to pat dry his little plastic clapper toy.
Claire: "Mason, what are you doing?"
Mason: "I dropped my toy in the toilet, but I got it out before I flushed."
Claire: "Yes, but did you drop it before or after you went?"
Mason: "After, but I got it before I flushed."
We're very proud of him for not flushing it down the toilet. Now we just owe him a lesson about cleanliness.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Daddy is almost home!!!
Stephen has been in Arkansas (woohoo!) for the past 5 days. And I have been amazing. I didn't even cry once! Go me! But really, the kids were so good, and we kept busy doing projects:
*Elise and I made hair clips for her friends for Christmas. Bows are all the rage here in Utah, and I must admit that I jumped on the band wagon with this project. It's been a bunch of fun to do with Miss Elise, tho, and we made a bunch of flower-bows for really cheap! :o) Here is Sammy modeling some of our fantastic bows.
*Mason decided to make marshmallow guns for his friends for Christmas, so we made a trek to Lowes (where a VERY nice man cut all the pipes for me!) and bought 30 feet of 1/2" PVC pipe and a bunch (20 of each to be exact) of T's, elbows and caps. I showed him how to put one together, and he's made 8 on his own. Amazing machine-loving boy! He has also invented a balloon blower-upper with the leftover pipes.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that STEPHEN'S TEAM WON!!!!!!! The FedEx Case Competition is the supply chain competition in the nation, and BYU won! This is only the 2nd year they were invited (they took 2nd last year), so this is fantastic for the supply chain program!
*Elise and I made hair clips for her friends for Christmas. Bows are all the rage here in Utah, and I must admit that I jumped on the band wagon with this project. It's been a bunch of fun to do with Miss Elise, tho, and we made a bunch of flower-bows for really cheap! :o) Here is Sammy modeling some of our fantastic bows.
*Mason decided to make marshmallow guns for his friends for Christmas, so we made a trek to Lowes (where a VERY nice man cut all the pipes for me!) and bought 30 feet of 1/2" PVC pipe and a bunch (20 of each to be exact) of T's, elbows and caps. I showed him how to put one together, and he's made 8 on his own. Amazing machine-loving boy! He has also invented a balloon blower-upper with the leftover pipes.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that STEPHEN'S TEAM WON!!!!!!! The FedEx Case Competition is the supply chain competition in the nation, and BYU won! This is only the 2nd year they were invited (they took 2nd last year), so this is fantastic for the supply chain program!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
I wonder what he was dreaming about
I just took Mason to the bathroom, and as I was tucking him back into his bed he rolled over, smiled, looked me in the eye, and said, "My tail is getting poofy." And promptly was asleep again.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Squash
An ode to squash:
Squash is beautiful
Squash is neat.
Squash is squishy
And good to eat.
I put it in pasta,
I put it in soup,
I put it in eggs,
And I feed it to groups.
Okay, that was really, really bad. But I really do put it in everything! Here's my recipe for success:
1 squash, washed
1 oven, heated
1 hour of said squash in said oven (approximately)
1 blender
ice cube trays
If the squash skin is fairly thin (like a banana squash), I don't even peel it. I just scoop out the innards (is that a word?) and puree it in the blender. If the skin is thick (like my delicious Hubbard squashes from my grandpa) I use a spoon and scoop out the good stuff before I blend it. Then I pour it into the ice cube trays (or make lumps on wax paper on a jelly roll pan) and freeze it. When it is all frozen I put the squash cubes into a Ziploc bag and put them back in the freezer. Wah-lah! Then I throw a couple of cubes into whatever I happen to be making. Today Elise asked for squash in her cheesy eggs. Love it!
It goes without notice in mac & cheese (the homemade kind, of course!), scrambled eggs, bean soup...I know I've put it in other things, I just can't think of them right now. :o)
Squash is beautiful
Squash is neat.
Squash is squishy
And good to eat.
I put it in pasta,
I put it in soup,
I put it in eggs,
And I feed it to groups.
Okay, that was really, really bad. But I really do put it in everything! Here's my recipe for success:
1 squash, washed
1 oven, heated
1 hour of said squash in said oven (approximately)
1 blender
ice cube trays
If the squash skin is fairly thin (like a banana squash), I don't even peel it. I just scoop out the innards (is that a word?) and puree it in the blender. If the skin is thick (like my delicious Hubbard squashes from my grandpa) I use a spoon and scoop out the good stuff before I blend it. Then I pour it into the ice cube trays (or make lumps on wax paper on a jelly roll pan) and freeze it. When it is all frozen I put the squash cubes into a Ziploc bag and put them back in the freezer. Wah-lah! Then I throw a couple of cubes into whatever I happen to be making. Today Elise asked for squash in her cheesy eggs. Love it!
It goes without notice in mac & cheese (the homemade kind, of course!), scrambled eggs, bean soup...I know I've put it in other things, I just can't think of them right now. :o)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Wouldn't it be lover-ly
The kids and I made a quick trip to Oregon this last weekend (read: left Friday, got home Monday) to welcome home my baby brother from his mission in Colombia! It was so fun to see him, and it was the first time in 3 1/2 years that all my brothers and I were together. It was wonderful, and well worth the looooooooong car ride.
Anyhow, as I was driving back to Utah I fell in love with the mountains just west of LaGrande - so big and wide and solitary...as I continued home I noticed how bright the stars are in northern Utah, and how peaceful it was. Here's what I'd really like: 100 acres in the mountainous woods, away from everyone and all the busyness and noise that is all around me. A small house, some chickens, a cow, some horses and lots of room. Maybe I've been watching "The Waltons" and reading "By the Shores of Silver Lake" too much, but doesn't that sound lovely? Just me and my family and the big night sky, surrounded by nature. I could get used to that!
I know that will never happen - we are needed elsewhere - but I think I've figured out a way to get a piece of that solitude in my life: instead of having a big house (which I've NEVER wanted), I'll have 2 small houses. One near wherever Stephen ends up working, and one in my woods, with no one near me. I'll spend at least a month a year in my solitary retreat, and be the better for it!
Anyhow, as I was driving back to Utah I fell in love with the mountains just west of LaGrande - so big and wide and solitary...as I continued home I noticed how bright the stars are in northern Utah, and how peaceful it was. Here's what I'd really like: 100 acres in the mountainous woods, away from everyone and all the busyness and noise that is all around me. A small house, some chickens, a cow, some horses and lots of room. Maybe I've been watching "The Waltons" and reading "By the Shores of Silver Lake" too much, but doesn't that sound lovely? Just me and my family and the big night sky, surrounded by nature. I could get used to that!
I know that will never happen - we are needed elsewhere - but I think I've figured out a way to get a piece of that solitude in my life: instead of having a big house (which I've NEVER wanted), I'll have 2 small houses. One near wherever Stephen ends up working, and one in my woods, with no one near me. I'll spend at least a month a year in my solitary retreat, and be the better for it!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Business name...
I am tossing around the idea of starting to sell FuzziBunz diapers, but need a cute, catchy business name...HELP???????
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Mason quote
Yesterday I pulled out the Halloween costumes for dress-up, and there are 2 bird costumes: a toucan and a parrot.
Mason: What is this one?
Me: A parrot.
Mason: What is Sammy's?
Me: A toucan.
Mason: Hmm...is mine a one-can?
Mason: What is this one?
Me: A parrot.
Mason: What is Sammy's?
Me: A toucan.
Mason: Hmm...is mine a one-can?
Monday, October 13, 2008
Everyone needs to move...
I am of the opinion that people who live in Utah should live outside of Utah, at least for a little while. There is just so much more world than this little bubble. Since moving here I've realized that I really needed to get outside of Oregon - don't get me wrong, I can't think of a better place in the world...but my world view is rather limited, since it consists of...Oregon. My view is already expanding, and (now, Mom, don't get too upset) I don't really want to go back to Oregon for awhile. In fact, I really want to go international and have Stephen do some expatriate work for some years. My one condition is that he make enough that I can fly home at least once a year. :o) And maybe fly my family & friends out every so often, too.
BYU's motto is "Enter to learn, go forth to serve." And they really mean it - they don't want people sticking around Utah. There are enough and to spare of excellent people here! When we first came to look at BYU (last November) we talked with the professor over Supply Chain, Dr. Sawaya, and he told us that the first goal of the MBA program here is to train bishops, stake presidents and the like, and that if we get a good job, that's great, but they really want to train leaders and send them out to the world to strengthen the church. That was a turning point for me in thinking BYU would be okay. Now I know that it is FANTASTIC! Not just okay.
Another professor came to talk to just the spouses (insanely awesome (was that stereotypical Utah talk?) !!!) association, and said his biggest concern was that our husbands don't realize how amazing they are, and instead of settling for a good job they need to decide what it is they really want to do and go for it. Also that the world needs great LDS leaders, and that is what the MBA program at BYU is creating. He also said that we should not be afraid to take risks and go new places.
I'm still anti-big bugs, but not diametrically opposed to anything. Well, maybe New Orleans...yes, definitely there. I for sure want to be above sea level if we live near the ocean. :o) I really hope we get to go somewhere outside of the U.S. for awhile, but who knows where we'll end up! Hopefully somewhere where the church isn't strong. It's always nice to be needed. (I hope that didn't sound egotistical)
BYU's motto is "Enter to learn, go forth to serve." And they really mean it - they don't want people sticking around Utah. There are enough and to spare of excellent people here! When we first came to look at BYU (last November) we talked with the professor over Supply Chain, Dr. Sawaya, and he told us that the first goal of the MBA program here is to train bishops, stake presidents and the like, and that if we get a good job, that's great, but they really want to train leaders and send them out to the world to strengthen the church. That was a turning point for me in thinking BYU would be okay. Now I know that it is FANTASTIC! Not just okay.
Another professor came to talk to just the spouses (insanely awesome (was that stereotypical Utah talk?) !!!) association, and said his biggest concern was that our husbands don't realize how amazing they are, and instead of settling for a good job they need to decide what it is they really want to do and go for it. Also that the world needs great LDS leaders, and that is what the MBA program at BYU is creating. He also said that we should not be afraid to take risks and go new places.
I'm still anti-big bugs, but not diametrically opposed to anything. Well, maybe New Orleans...yes, definitely there. I for sure want to be above sea level if we live near the ocean. :o) I really hope we get to go somewhere outside of the U.S. for awhile, but who knows where we'll end up! Hopefully somewhere where the church isn't strong. It's always nice to be needed. (I hope that didn't sound egotistical)
Sunday, October 12, 2008
NSHMBA
By virtue of Stephen being able to locate Mexico on a map, he went to Atlanta this weekend to attend the National Society of Hispanic MBA student's career fair. Because he is so Hispanic. Or not...anyhow, he spent from Thursday through late Saturday in the peach state, networking and such. He interviewed with Target (located in MN), P&G (Proctor & Gamble, OH) and Johnson & Johnson (NJ), and talked to a bunch of other companies: Ocean Spray (they sound pretty cool! Located 30 miles south of Boston), IBM, Amazon, Campbell Soup Company, Kroger, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Sara Lee Corporation (can't you just see us eating pies all day long...), and a bunch of others. He has an interview with United Stationers (just north of Chicago) on Thursday, and he's pretty excited about it.
He went to a couple of cool parties on Friday night - the best one was P&G's - it was held in the Atlanta Aquarium, and he said there were some whale sharks, a hammerhead shark and other cool stuff. He went to a little hole-in-the-wall diner on Saturday, and ate the best ribs he's ever had! I'm glad he's home now, although he'll probably do some fly-backs for second interviews. The MBA program is definitely an investment, both money- and time-wise!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
5th Place!
Not me - Elise! 2 weeks ago she ran a 1-mile race put on by the BYU Cross Country team. There were 15 first-grade girls who ran, and Elise came in 5th! Her time was 10:04 - I was very impressed, and she was so proud of herself! The Saturday after she and I ran 1.3 miles. She is very excited to run with me, Stephen and Uncle Brett.
Also on Saturday she decided she wanted to ride her bike without training wheels, so Stephen took them off and helped her ride. She didn't ride again until yesterday, and I helped her for about 30 seconds - she doesn't need help anymore! My little girl is growing up! She is also so proud of herself for riding alone!
Seeing her ride her 2-wheeler alone after a minimal amount of help helped me realize (again - there have been a number of examples of this) that when she wants something bad enough, and is developmentally ready, she'll pick it up with no struggle. I don't have to push anything on her at this stage. She'll do...whatever...when she's ready.
I'll post some pictures once my computer is back to normal...poor computer! It's tough being sick!
Also on Saturday she decided she wanted to ride her bike without training wheels, so Stephen took them off and helped her ride. She didn't ride again until yesterday, and I helped her for about 30 seconds - she doesn't need help anymore! My little girl is growing up! She is also so proud of herself for riding alone!
Seeing her ride her 2-wheeler alone after a minimal amount of help helped me realize (again - there have been a number of examples of this) that when she wants something bad enough, and is developmentally ready, she'll pick it up with no struggle. I don't have to push anything on her at this stage. She'll do...whatever...when she's ready.
I'll post some pictures once my computer is back to normal...poor computer! It's tough being sick!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
pics from a friend
A fellow MBA friend took some pictures of us yesterday...I think they turned out great! And Missy, she really, really likes your style!!
redtulipphotography.blogspot.com
redtulipphotography.blogspot.com
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Some fun pictures
Beginning at home in Portland...here are my best friends! Me, Monica, Rose & Kelli
Stephen's first day of school - doesn't he look GREAT in his new suit?!?!
The Sunday after his first week of school...says it all...Mason put about 50 stickers on him before he woke up. :o)
Elise & Emma up a tree
Stephen's first day of school - doesn't he look GREAT in his new suit?!?!
The Sunday after his first week of school...says it all...Mason put about 50 stickers on him before he woke up. :o)
Elise & Emma up a tree
Homeschooling
Stephen thought I should write a little about how we are homeschooling, so here goes!
All of my kids are in the "Core Phase", which is from age 0 to about 8. I don't use a curriculum other than good/bad, right/wrong, and true/false, relationships, family values - especially spiritual culture, family identity & routines & responsibilities, accountability and the value of love of work and play. Imagine creating a curriculum that incorporates all of that! I think that a good core phase is much more difficult than teaching academics! Basically this is my time with my kids to teach them my values. We work together, read lots and lots of books, and play and serve. Our time is structured, not our content.
For example, a normal day is something like this:
7:30am - get up, make beds, get dressed, eat breakfast
8:30am - chores (clear and wash table, unload dishwasher, sweep, pick up any toys we missed from the night before...sometimes vacuum - but everything tailored to what the kids can do at their ages)
9:30am - "school" We don't do this every day, but most days, because the kids like it. :o) We start with a song, have a prayer, announcements (the kids love this! They tell about...anything), Scripture Picture (someone picks a Gospel Art picture and we learn the story), and Pledge of Allegiance.
Every day, whether we do our opening or not, we read books and play games. Right now the kids want to learn about dinosaurs, so we made lists of everything we know about them and questions that we have. As we read dinosaur books we write down the answers to the questions. Also during this time I play with the kids. Mexican Train and Mancala are two popular games at the moment, and we also build dinosaur homes with blocks (tho Sammy prefers to build trains with blocks).
I guess what I'm getting at is that the morning is my time to be with the kids. I try to not schedule anything for the mornings, unless it is service (for example, we sing at a nursing home every Tuesday morning, and then run errands).
12:00pm - lunch, and then books or music until quiet time
1 - 3:00pm - Quiet time. I am religious about this. I do not function very well when I don't have it. Neither do the kids. Sammy sleeps, Elise & Mason play quietly, I study. The Book of Mormon, "Parenting With Love", "Paradise Lost", "The Walking Drum", "Jane Eyre", "Leadership Education: The Phases of Learning" and "The Chosen" are all open right now. This is MY time to study and learn - and set an example of a love of learning.
3 - 5:15pm - Outside play time. Believe me, my kids get "socialization"!!!!! I won't even begin to list all the kids on our cul-de-sac! From ages 2 - 8 there are 17 kids regularly out front playing. Elise's especial friends are a 6-year-old girl next door and 4- & 6-year old sisters across the street. And they are from top-knotch families that I would be friends with even if we weren't neighbors!
5:15pm - come in, wash up, set the table, pick up the random things that somehow congregate downstairs. :o)
5:45-ish - I'm so glad when Daddy comes home! And dinner, and all the clean-up that goes along with it...
6:45-ish - get-ready-for-bed time...baths, books, scriptures...all that jazz
8:00pm - I go downstairs and hope the kids will fall asleep soon. :o) And then I finish cleaning up and study some more. But not nearly as long as Stephen (...2am).
Mornings are for learning, afternoons are for setting an example, and evenings are for inspiring. It works well.
In case I somehow missed the point, we are not focused on academics right now. I'm not not teaching them by not having a set curriculum, I'm just teaching them different things that Stephen and I believe are more important. I don't run my home like a public school - my kids aren't in public school for a reason! With all my imperfections, Stephen & I know that the best place for our children is here, at home, where we can instill the values in them that will bless them the rest of their lives.
When we first learned about "A Thomas Jefferson Education" it felt right - unknowingly we were already trying to incorporate some of the principles, and it gave us the hope that we were moving in the right direction for our family. I know that I don't know much, but I also know that I'm doing what is right for my family. It is HARD sometimes. Many people don't agree with what I'm doing, and it is so different even than other homeschoolers that I often feel alone and uncertain. But it is right, and I take great comfort in that fact.
All of my kids are in the "Core Phase", which is from age 0 to about 8. I don't use a curriculum other than good/bad, right/wrong, and true/false, relationships, family values - especially spiritual culture, family identity & routines & responsibilities, accountability and the value of love of work and play. Imagine creating a curriculum that incorporates all of that! I think that a good core phase is much more difficult than teaching academics! Basically this is my time with my kids to teach them my values. We work together, read lots and lots of books, and play and serve. Our time is structured, not our content.
For example, a normal day is something like this:
7:30am - get up, make beds, get dressed, eat breakfast
8:30am - chores (clear and wash table, unload dishwasher, sweep, pick up any toys we missed from the night before...sometimes vacuum - but everything tailored to what the kids can do at their ages)
9:30am - "school" We don't do this every day, but most days, because the kids like it. :o) We start with a song, have a prayer, announcements (the kids love this! They tell about...anything), Scripture Picture (someone picks a Gospel Art picture and we learn the story), and Pledge of Allegiance.
Every day, whether we do our opening or not, we read books and play games. Right now the kids want to learn about dinosaurs, so we made lists of everything we know about them and questions that we have. As we read dinosaur books we write down the answers to the questions. Also during this time I play with the kids. Mexican Train and Mancala are two popular games at the moment, and we also build dinosaur homes with blocks (tho Sammy prefers to build trains with blocks).
I guess what I'm getting at is that the morning is my time to be with the kids. I try to not schedule anything for the mornings, unless it is service (for example, we sing at a nursing home every Tuesday morning, and then run errands).
12:00pm - lunch, and then books or music until quiet time
1 - 3:00pm - Quiet time. I am religious about this. I do not function very well when I don't have it. Neither do the kids. Sammy sleeps, Elise & Mason play quietly, I study. The Book of Mormon, "Parenting With Love", "Paradise Lost", "The Walking Drum", "Jane Eyre", "Leadership Education: The Phases of Learning" and "The Chosen" are all open right now. This is MY time to study and learn - and set an example of a love of learning.
3 - 5:15pm - Outside play time. Believe me, my kids get "socialization"!!!!! I won't even begin to list all the kids on our cul-de-sac! From ages 2 - 8 there are 17 kids regularly out front playing. Elise's especial friends are a 6-year-old girl next door and 4- & 6-year old sisters across the street. And they are from top-knotch families that I would be friends with even if we weren't neighbors!
5:15pm - come in, wash up, set the table, pick up the random things that somehow congregate downstairs. :o)
5:45-ish - I'm so glad when Daddy comes home! And dinner, and all the clean-up that goes along with it...
6:45-ish - get-ready-for-bed time...baths, books, scriptures...all that jazz
8:00pm - I go downstairs and hope the kids will fall asleep soon. :o) And then I finish cleaning up and study some more. But not nearly as long as Stephen (...2am).
Mornings are for learning, afternoons are for setting an example, and evenings are for inspiring. It works well.
In case I somehow missed the point, we are not focused on academics right now. I'm not not teaching them by not having a set curriculum, I'm just teaching them different things that Stephen and I believe are more important. I don't run my home like a public school - my kids aren't in public school for a reason! With all my imperfections, Stephen & I know that the best place for our children is here, at home, where we can instill the values in them that will bless them the rest of their lives.
When we first learned about "A Thomas Jefferson Education" it felt right - unknowingly we were already trying to incorporate some of the principles, and it gave us the hope that we were moving in the right direction for our family. I know that I don't know much, but I also know that I'm doing what is right for my family. It is HARD sometimes. Many people don't agree with what I'm doing, and it is so different even than other homeschoolers that I often feel alone and uncertain. But it is right, and I take great comfort in that fact.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
p.s.
Would you please help me out and leave a comment of your favorite knock-knock joke? We're running out of good ones!
Thanks!!!!! :o)
Thanks!!!!! :o)
Story problems & knock-knock jokes
After dinner almost every night we either tell (very bad) knock-knock jokes or Stephen gives the kids story problems. It's hard to say which they enjoy more!
Tonight Stephen was telling dinosaur story problems, because we are starting to learn about dinosaurs. I'll try to recreate part of the conversation:
Stephen: If T-rex had 8 eggs and his brother, P-rex came and said, 'Hey! Can I have half of those eggs', could T-rex give him half?
Elise: Yes.
S: So if T-rex divided them in half, how many would they each get?
E: 8, because he cut them in half and they'd each get 8 halves.
Gotta love how kids don't have a box to think in!
Tonight Stephen was telling dinosaur story problems, because we are starting to learn about dinosaurs. I'll try to recreate part of the conversation:
Stephen: If T-rex had 8 eggs and his brother, P-rex came and said, 'Hey! Can I have half of those eggs', could T-rex give him half?
Elise: Yes.
S: So if T-rex divided them in half, how many would they each get?
E: 8, because he cut them in half and they'd each get 8 halves.
Gotta love how kids don't have a box to think in!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
11.5 miles
No, not a run - a bike ride! My first, in fact, since I was pregnant with Elise - and then I was just a commuter biker! The first 5 were great, and I was thinking how easy it was. The second 5 were when I started feeling like I was getting a workout. It felt GREAT!!! There is a really cool trail that runs along the Provo River, from somewhere in the canyon to Utah lake. I felt like I was flying on my birthday bike! Maybe the best thing of all is that my knees didn't hurt at all. :o)
Here's my route:
Here's my route:
My big brother and his wife...
Kaelah: "And what are you, Trevor?"
Trevor: "A married man."
Kaelah: "So what does that make me?"
Trevor: "Insane."
Trevor: "A married man."
Kaelah: "So what does that make me?"
Trevor: "Insane."
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
We're not in Kansas anymore
On Sunday there was a big bag full of gigantic zucchini on a table in the foyer at church, with a "free" sign on them. Hilarious! The same Sunday Utah was referred to as "Zion." Love it!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
We are here! We are here!
We made it to Utah! Leaving was a very odd thing for me - I didn't cry like I thought I would. I guess I got it all out in the weeks prior, and by the time it was time to leave I was ready to be done with goodbyes. Not that I'm not going to miss my friends - I am - but we've been preparing for this move for a year and a half, and it was just time to leave!
We packed up the (incredibly huge) truck last Thursday, drove to Boise on Friday and then Provo on Saturday, getting the (incredibly huge - did I already say that?) truck unloaded about 8pm. We were a little bit exhausted, and I was (am) a little overwhelmed with all the STUFF we still have to put away. Where did it all come from? I thought I was good at getting rid of stuff! Oh well, someone will benefit from all our castoffs - only good stuff is left! :o)
Our place (I can't quite bring myself to call it "home" yet) is nice - a 2-story, 3-bed, 1 1/2-bath duplex with a big fenced back yard. I think I'm going to like it here. Who am I kidding? I love everywhere we've ever lived, so I know I'm going to like it here. We have some great neighbors, and are 10 minutes away from Stephen's brother, Paul, and his family! They have pretty much saved us these past few days! Meals, washer & dryer, calmness, a home with no boxes...
Stephen started his orientation yesterday, and is really excited about his team of 5. All the MBA candidates went to a military training camp for some leadership exercises today, and Stephen's team won the competitions with Stephen as their leader. I already like his team (even though I haven't met them yet), because it seems they recognize how great he is! :o)
Stephen and I celebrated our eighth anniversary on Monday! I think that we remembered it around lunch time. We took the kids to Ikea to get a dresser in the morning, and got a great deal from the as-is section. I consider it a tender mercy from the Lord. He really is always watching out for me - even in Ikea!
We packed up the (incredibly huge) truck last Thursday, drove to Boise on Friday and then Provo on Saturday, getting the (incredibly huge - did I already say that?) truck unloaded about 8pm. We were a little bit exhausted, and I was (am) a little overwhelmed with all the STUFF we still have to put away. Where did it all come from? I thought I was good at getting rid of stuff! Oh well, someone will benefit from all our castoffs - only good stuff is left! :o)
Our place (I can't quite bring myself to call it "home" yet) is nice - a 2-story, 3-bed, 1 1/2-bath duplex with a big fenced back yard. I think I'm going to like it here. Who am I kidding? I love everywhere we've ever lived, so I know I'm going to like it here. We have some great neighbors, and are 10 minutes away from Stephen's brother, Paul, and his family! They have pretty much saved us these past few days! Meals, washer & dryer, calmness, a home with no boxes...
Stephen started his orientation yesterday, and is really excited about his team of 5. All the MBA candidates went to a military training camp for some leadership exercises today, and Stephen's team won the competitions with Stephen as their leader. I already like his team (even though I haven't met them yet), because it seems they recognize how great he is! :o)
Stephen and I celebrated our eighth anniversary on Monday! I think that we remembered it around lunch time. We took the kids to Ikea to get a dresser in the morning, and got a great deal from the as-is section. I consider it a tender mercy from the Lord. He really is always watching out for me - even in Ikea!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Food storage
My wonderful SIL, Missy, convinced me to go to the cannery and can a years supply of the basics (wheat, rice, oats, sugar, beans). So, on Thursday she and I went and got it all! Isn't it beautiful!!! Stephen laughed at it, since we are moving to Utah in 2 weeks, but if I am happy, he is happy, so we are both doing great!
Another exciting fact is that we closed on our house 2 weeks ago! It is such a great feeling to not have to worry about it. We love the couple that bought it, and I have been detaching from it, and am quite excited for our new adventure. What a change of heart! Stephen had 3 days off this week, and we got everything down from the attic, mostly sorted, and sent a dozen tubs down to Mom's house for storage while we are away. Speaking of my wonderful mother, she took Elise and Mason to Corvallis for a fun weekend so that Stephen and I could pack. Which we did!
Yesterday Stephen emptied the shed, cleaned it up, sorted through and packed everything and now it is working as our "garage" - holding moving stuff. Ward members have been so generous in sharing their moving boxes, so after Stephen's last day of work (Aug. 8 - he is going through withdrawals...) we can pack up all non-essential items and be off! The plan is to load up the truck on the 14th and leave early on the 15th. Crazy. So soon! We are really leaving.
Having one child all weekend has been really weird for me. We are probably spoiling him! I have so much time, and I'm not used to it, so I am sure that I haven't used it to its fullest potential. :o) When I only had Elise I couldn't get anything done, when Mason came along I couldn't do much - but if I only had one, I could do lots! Now that I have 3 kids I can do a fair amount, and if I only have 2 -- it is so easy, and just 1 - I am amazing, although a little lost without interruptions!
Happy Sabbath!
Another exciting fact is that we closed on our house 2 weeks ago! It is such a great feeling to not have to worry about it. We love the couple that bought it, and I have been detaching from it, and am quite excited for our new adventure. What a change of heart! Stephen had 3 days off this week, and we got everything down from the attic, mostly sorted, and sent a dozen tubs down to Mom's house for storage while we are away. Speaking of my wonderful mother, she took Elise and Mason to Corvallis for a fun weekend so that Stephen and I could pack. Which we did!
Yesterday Stephen emptied the shed, cleaned it up, sorted through and packed everything and now it is working as our "garage" - holding moving stuff. Ward members have been so generous in sharing their moving boxes, so after Stephen's last day of work (Aug. 8 - he is going through withdrawals...) we can pack up all non-essential items and be off! The plan is to load up the truck on the 14th and leave early on the 15th. Crazy. So soon! We are really leaving.
Having one child all weekend has been really weird for me. We are probably spoiling him! I have so much time, and I'm not used to it, so I am sure that I haven't used it to its fullest potential. :o) When I only had Elise I couldn't get anything done, when Mason came along I couldn't do much - but if I only had one, I could do lots! Now that I have 3 kids I can do a fair amount, and if I only have 2 -- it is so easy, and just 1 - I am amazing, although a little lost without interruptions!
Happy Sabbath!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
A real, true vacation - who would've thought it from us?!?! part 1
I have decided that when we make our millions we are going to buy a house on Mission Beach in San Diego San Diego
Sammy wouldn't put his feet on the sand...
This is the bay. Beautiful, isn't it? Like that hat? I broke down and went all touristy - my Oregon fairness couldn't handle the California sun.
Elise and her minnows. She never did catch one. :o)
My palm trees...aah...
Sammy wouldn't put his feet on the sand...
This is the bay. Beautiful, isn't it? Like that hat? I broke down and went all touristy - my Oregon fairness couldn't handle the California sun.
Elise and her minnows. She never did catch one. :o)
My palm trees...aah...
We stayed with my cousin and his wife, in their cute house that was super close to everything! We had a great time there, and hope to go back to visit them again. Sammy loved Flynn's motorcycle, even if it was a bit loud. My cousin has some crazy stories about SEAL training, and I really admire him for making it through! I have a new respect for the navy!
Vacation, part 2
SEAWORLD: I LOVE this place. The shows were so much fun, and the aquariums were great. It wasn’t too big, and even when it was crowded it wasn’t too bad. Cirque de la Mer was my favorite show – we went twice to it, 3 times to Shamu (once was the night show), 2 times to the dolphins (again, one was the night show), 2 times to the sea lion & otter show (the night show was hilarious! – they did spoofs on all the other shows), and once to the pet show. Tips: go first thing in the morning, leave during the afternoon, and go again in the evening. And two days is a great amount of time to go – then you aren’t too rushed to take your time. Oh yeah, don’t forget sunscreen. Lots and lots of sunscreen. The sun is hot and it really beats down on you as you sit in the stadiums. Don’t forget under the eyes and your knees. :o) Trust me on this one.
The whole SeaWorld day 1 clan!Elise, Dad, Mom, Lisa, Lori, Mason, Grandma & Grandpa.
This is part of the Cirque de la Mer set. Those little spotted guys are amazing!
The whole SeaWorld day 1 clan!Elise, Dad, Mom, Lisa, Lori, Mason, Grandma & Grandpa.
This is part of the Cirque de la Mer set. Those little spotted guys are amazing!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Hamburgers
I can tell that BBQ season is back: over an 8 day period I had a hamburger for dinner 6 times. Well, I guess once I chose a hot dog to break things up. :o)
Things are progressing well for the house sale - the appraiser came on Monday, he was a really nice guy - letting Mason help measure the walls and such. He couldn't tell me what the appraisal would come back at, but he did say that we should have listed it at $265,000 instead of $249,900. Oh well...we're happy with the family that is buying it, and we're still coming out ahead. We close on Tuesday!!!!!
And then on Friday we're heading to...DisneyLand! Woohoo! Stephen has never been, and we're going to spend 3 days there. Elise is so excited to meet a princess. It ought to be very fun, and very tiring, but we won't try to do too much, so we should be okay.
Things are progressing well for the house sale - the appraiser came on Monday, he was a really nice guy - letting Mason help measure the walls and such. He couldn't tell me what the appraisal would come back at, but he did say that we should have listed it at $265,000 instead of $249,900. Oh well...we're happy with the family that is buying it, and we're still coming out ahead. We close on Tuesday!!!!!
And then on Friday we're heading to...DisneyLand! Woohoo! Stephen has never been, and we're going to spend 3 days there. Elise is so excited to meet a princess. It ought to be very fun, and very tiring, but we won't try to do too much, so we should be okay.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Almost in the clear
We are thisclose to closing on the house! July 15th is the date set, and things are going smoothly. None of the things Stephen was worried about even showed up on the house inspection (which is a great compliment to Stephen), and we've taken care of the things that did show up (that we are willing to do :).
Life has slowed down greatly since my marathon week, and it is such a relief! Stephen and I don't like weeks like that, and although it is inevitable that we have them, we plan pretty well and they don't happen very often. Thank goodness!!! I've had time to read to the kids, work in the garden with the kids, cook with the kids (that is a challenge for me...but I am learning patience, and that I don't have to have everything clean while I'm mixing things up - spills are okay...), play with the kids, read my book (The Count of Monte Cristo - the unabridged version), prepare my lesson for Sunday (Alma 36-38 - FANTASTIC stuff!), and live life slowly, just how I like it. I have no demands on my time, and it is a wonderful feeling!
Life has slowed down greatly since my marathon week, and it is such a relief! Stephen and I don't like weeks like that, and although it is inevitable that we have them, we plan pretty well and they don't happen very often. Thank goodness!!! I've had time to read to the kids, work in the garden with the kids, cook with the kids (that is a challenge for me...but I am learning patience, and that I don't have to have everything clean while I'm mixing things up - spills are okay...), play with the kids, read my book (The Count of Monte Cristo - the unabridged version), prepare my lesson for Sunday (Alma 36-38 - FANTASTIC stuff!), and live life slowly, just how I like it. I have no demands on my time, and it is a wonderful feeling!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Inspection time
We had an offer, we countered, they countered, we countered, they accepted!!!!! The home inspection is tonight. Stephen is a little bit nervous, but I'm not - we've fixed everything there is to fix! Stephen is worried because he did all the work. In fact, over the last 2 days he has done a complete inspection on his own. We are so ready for this! He's home today to perfect the last few things, and we're going to have a celebratory picnic this evening. Woohoo!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Another house flyer
Here is the flyer that Stephen made:
Oh yeah, and if you want to, you can visit my house's website: 12960EdgewoodSt.blogspot.com
Sunday, June 15, 2008
What a week!!!
This last week was literally a marathon week! We did so many little things - which really add up, especially when Stephen is super busy at work and I still have to run the household (i.e. laundry, cooking, normal cleaning, etc., etc.). Here is a look...it's long...it's more for me to write than anyone to read! :o)
TUESDAY:
Normal laundry day (meaning it didn't get finished)
Put up FSBO sign @ 5pm (thanks, Brett!)
Worked on flyer - I've worked on this forever because it took me a long time to get the pictures that I wanted (because the rooms had to be perfectly clean). Here it is:
WEDNESDAY:
9:15 - Dropped kids off @ FunSchool
9:30 - Bought shutters @ Home Depot, came home to paint said shutters
10:00 - Had a woman stop by with a request to see the house (remember laundry??? It was still out...)
10:15 - 1pm Worked like a crazy woman to get the house ready to show - THANK YOU Rose & Kelli!!!!! Rose helped clean & Kelli took my kids for the afternoon. :o)
1:30pm - 2:45pm Relaxed for a bit...I'm 600 pages into "The Count of Monte Christo"
3:00 - 4:45 Picked up neighbor kids from school, dropped them off at Activity Days & Scouts, picked up my kids and back home
6:30pm - worked in the garden, had another couple (the Yorks) drive by and request a flyer. I showed them the house, and they really liked it.
7:15pm - the EQ presidency came by in their painting clothes to help finish up the house painting. THANK YOU!!!!!
THURSDAY
8:30am - back in the garden (it's all planted now and looks beautiful! It's killing me that I'm going to have to leave it just at harvest time!), received a call from the Yorks' realtor, letting me know that they want to make an offer. I told him that I wasn't going to pay a broker's commission.
I don't know what happened the rest of the day - I think that I was on cloud nine thinking about an offer before I even put signs and flyers out!
Oh yeah, I did go to James (my physical therapist) to get my knees taped in the afternoon. I also picked up my orthotics. They are kind of weird, but I'm sure that they'll help!
FRIDAY
Played with kids and worked on house all day long. At 4:30 or so, the Yorks' realtor, Bill, came over with an official offer!!!! I wasn't very impressed...but Stephen was all for accepting it, just to get the headache of selling the house out of the way.
SATURDAY
6:20 - 11:30am - Helvatia Half!!! Woohoo!!! The race began at 8am, and I finished in 2:02:50. It was a tough race for me. I started off strong - my first miles were 8:16, 8:04, 8:15, 9:22 (the first big hill), 8:25, 8:35, 9:25...then I started dying. I got tingly all over and had to walk. I don't walk. I just don't. It killed me to do it, but my body wasn't working like it needed to. I'm sure it had to do with my not eating well for the 2 weeks prior to the race, my jittery nerves, not having eaten that morning, and not being hydrated like I should have been. I barely made it to the water stops from miles 7-10, when I would down 3 cups of glukos, dump water on me and walk a few paces. I probably walked 1/2 mile. It was awful. I felt like I was going to faint, and my legs were cramping up. My friend Christy caught up with me at mile 10, and we ran most of the last bit together, though I had to stop and stretch my calves a few times. My brother, Brett, ran with me, and he really pushed me - I don't think if I could have made it without him. THANK YOU!!!
I had a bunch of friends run the half: Kelli, John, Christy, Rose & Brett. And Monica, Camille & my grandpa (!!!) did the 10k. It is so fun to have good friends to run with! And the cheering squad at the end was fantastic!!! There were so many people to cheer me on. I'm glad that I could finish. My goal was to beat my previous time (1:58), which I didn't do, but I did make it. I wasn't sure I would, but I did, so I'm happy! My knees didn't hurt either (Vitamin I is wonderful...), and I'm only a little sore today.
Anyhow...after getting home from the race we did the last few things to get the house ready for the open house at 1pm. We had 3 interested people, 1 friend and 1 realtor stop by. Mom took the kids to visit my friend Michell, and Stephen and I did stuff in between visitors. One of my friends came over in the evening and spent 3 hours with us going over the offer from the Yorks. She was SOSOSO helpful! We wrote up a counter offer, which I am happy with. I really hope that they accept it, because they are just the couple we have been praying for - I love my house so much, and want it to go to a young family who will appreciate all the kid-friendly touches.
The kids have been troopers while Stephen and I have been so busy with the house. It has been such a great blessing!
That was long. I should write little bits more frequently.
TUESDAY:
Normal laundry day (meaning it didn't get finished)
Put up FSBO sign @ 5pm (thanks, Brett!)
Worked on flyer - I've worked on this forever because it took me a long time to get the pictures that I wanted (because the rooms had to be perfectly clean). Here it is:
WEDNESDAY:9:15 - Dropped kids off @ FunSchool
9:30 - Bought shutters @ Home Depot, came home to paint said shutters
10:00 - Had a woman stop by with a request to see the house (remember laundry??? It was still out...)
10:15 - 1pm Worked like a crazy woman to get the house ready to show - THANK YOU Rose & Kelli!!!!! Rose helped clean & Kelli took my kids for the afternoon. :o)
1:30pm - 2:45pm Relaxed for a bit...I'm 600 pages into "The Count of Monte Christo"
3:00 - 4:45 Picked up neighbor kids from school, dropped them off at Activity Days & Scouts, picked up my kids and back home
6:30pm - worked in the garden, had another couple (the Yorks) drive by and request a flyer. I showed them the house, and they really liked it.
7:15pm - the EQ presidency came by in their painting clothes to help finish up the house painting. THANK YOU!!!!!
THURSDAY
8:30am - back in the garden (it's all planted now and looks beautiful! It's killing me that I'm going to have to leave it just at harvest time!), received a call from the Yorks' realtor, letting me know that they want to make an offer. I told him that I wasn't going to pay a broker's commission.
I don't know what happened the rest of the day - I think that I was on cloud nine thinking about an offer before I even put signs and flyers out!
Oh yeah, I did go to James (my physical therapist) to get my knees taped in the afternoon. I also picked up my orthotics. They are kind of weird, but I'm sure that they'll help!
FRIDAY
Played with kids and worked on house all day long. At 4:30 or so, the Yorks' realtor, Bill, came over with an official offer!!!! I wasn't very impressed...but Stephen was all for accepting it, just to get the headache of selling the house out of the way.
SATURDAY
6:20 - 11:30am - Helvatia Half!!! Woohoo!!! The race began at 8am, and I finished in 2:02:50. It was a tough race for me. I started off strong - my first miles were 8:16, 8:04, 8:15, 9:22 (the first big hill), 8:25, 8:35, 9:25...then I started dying. I got tingly all over and had to walk. I don't walk. I just don't. It killed me to do it, but my body wasn't working like it needed to. I'm sure it had to do with my not eating well for the 2 weeks prior to the race, my jittery nerves, not having eaten that morning, and not being hydrated like I should have been. I barely made it to the water stops from miles 7-10, when I would down 3 cups of glukos, dump water on me and walk a few paces. I probably walked 1/2 mile. It was awful. I felt like I was going to faint, and my legs were cramping up. My friend Christy caught up with me at mile 10, and we ran most of the last bit together, though I had to stop and stretch my calves a few times. My brother, Brett, ran with me, and he really pushed me - I don't think if I could have made it without him. THANK YOU!!!
I had a bunch of friends run the half: Kelli, John, Christy, Rose & Brett. And Monica, Camille & my grandpa (!!!) did the 10k. It is so fun to have good friends to run with! And the cheering squad at the end was fantastic!!! There were so many people to cheer me on. I'm glad that I could finish. My goal was to beat my previous time (1:58), which I didn't do, but I did make it. I wasn't sure I would, but I did, so I'm happy! My knees didn't hurt either (Vitamin I is wonderful...), and I'm only a little sore today.
Anyhow...after getting home from the race we did the last few things to get the house ready for the open house at 1pm. We had 3 interested people, 1 friend and 1 realtor stop by. Mom took the kids to visit my friend Michell, and Stephen and I did stuff in between visitors. One of my friends came over in the evening and spent 3 hours with us going over the offer from the Yorks. She was SOSOSO helpful! We wrote up a counter offer, which I am happy with. I really hope that they accept it, because they are just the couple we have been praying for - I love my house so much, and want it to go to a young family who will appreciate all the kid-friendly touches.
The kids have been troopers while Stephen and I have been so busy with the house. It has been such a great blessing!
That was long. I should write little bits more frequently.
Friday, May 30, 2008
13.1
WOOHOO!!!!! I did it, I did it, I did it!!!!! At yesterday's physical therapy session I got the go-ahead to run the Helvatia Half Marathon on June 14th! I ran 13.1 this morning at a 9:01 pace, which is great, because I want to be at about an 8:30 pace on race day. My knee has been bothering me a bit this morning (who am I kidding? I was totally limping all morning long!), but it's just fine now. I am SO incredibly excited that I can run the "hilly half"!
Almost all my blogs are about house projects, kids and running...that's just what I do! :o)
Almost all my blogs are about house projects, kids and running...that's just what I do! :o)
Saturday, May 10, 2008
10.3
That is how far I ran this morning! That's the farthest I've gone since the half marathon before Sammy was born! My average pace was 9:25/mile. The first 8 miles were faster (right around a 9:00/mile), but I had to slow down because of my knees. But they held out and never hurt!!! I'm dead tired now, but it was SOOOO worth it!!!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Is there life beyond?????
Stephen's brother made the comment that,
"There is life beyond house projects. It is kind of nice to just relax in the evening!"
For the last few days I have been wondering if there is really life beyond, so Paul's comment was very timely. But what do people do in the evenings? What is this word, "relax"? How does one do it? I think I'd like to learn.
Stephen was up until 1am again last night (this morning?), and since he is working in our room, I slept on the couch. Falling asleep to hammering and sawing...I'm glad we have a comfy couch. The more we work, the more it kills me that we are leaving in 3 months. I hope that whoever buys our house appreciates all the improvements!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Family "portraits"!
To see some super-cute pictures of my family, go to artisanphotographics.com, click on "Portraits", then "Online Proofing" and type in the password "jones" (without quote marks). Let me know what you think! My sister-in-law, Missy, is the photographer, and isn't she great?!?!?!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Our little helpers
House work
To celebrate Mason's birthday on Saturday we had a demolition crew (namely: Dad, Trevor, Brett & Stephen, with a little help from Elise, Mason & Sammy) take out the walls and windows in my room. What is a birthday (or any event, for that matter) without a project? What do people do when they don't have house projects? Is there life without them?
Anyhow, they got the walls down, the windows and closets out, new electrical, insulation, and windows in, as well as hung sheetrock! Stephen and I finished nailing the sheetrock up last night, and I got blisters - ouch! It's been a long time since I've pounded sheetrock - since the family room, I think. It is great to be on the last room in the house; every other room has been re-done. There are only a couple of walls that are original to the house, and even they have been re-wired, textured and painted. Sigh...sometimes it kills me that we are going to be leaving just as we get the house how we like it. Maybe I can talk Stephen into waiting to go back to school until next year.
I just have to say that I come from a very creative family. My sister-in-law is a photographer, my older brother invented an awesome thing (I can't say more since the patent hasn't gone through yet...and I don't know what it is called...), Elise sings, my mom does calligraphy, my grandpa writes, and my brothers create their own power tools. Enjoy the redneck table saw!
Brett & Trevor
Anyhow, they got the walls down, the windows and closets out, new electrical, insulation, and windows in, as well as hung sheetrock! Stephen and I finished nailing the sheetrock up last night, and I got blisters - ouch! It's been a long time since I've pounded sheetrock - since the family room, I think. It is great to be on the last room in the house; every other room has been re-done. There are only a couple of walls that are original to the house, and even they have been re-wired, textured and painted. Sigh...sometimes it kills me that we are going to be leaving just as we get the house how we like it. Maybe I can talk Stephen into waiting to go back to school until next year.
I just have to say that I come from a very creative family. My sister-in-law is a photographer, my older brother invented an awesome thing (I can't say more since the patent hasn't gone through yet...and I don't know what it is called...), Elise sings, my mom does calligraphy, my grandpa writes, and my brothers create their own power tools. Enjoy the redneck table saw!
Brett & Trevor
Coyote scare
During a break in the rain yesterday the kids and I visited a local nature park to wander around. We identified animal tracks in the interpretive center and then went on a little walk. We got lost and I couldn't understand the map that I had picked up, but I figured that we'd make it back to the main trail eventually, so we kept wandering. When we passed a sign that said "Educational Experience Ahead", I knew we were getting close. Mason ran on ahead, and when I came around the corner with Elise and Sammy I stopped dead in my tracks and my heart started racing: Through the brush about 15 feet in front of me was a coyote, and it wasn't running away. A million thoughts flashed through my head - Mason had just run by - where was he? Was he going to be safe? We were making lots of noise and yet there was still a wild animal mere feet away - what was wrong with it? Why wasn't it running away? If it attacked - what would I do? My adrenaline was pumping and I was about ready to attack it!
After standing stock still for a few seconds and seeing that the thing still wasn't moving, I took a step closer and started laughing hysterically (because, you know, that is what you do after a scare turns out this way) - it was a coyote skin! It had been placed so that it looked like it was walking through the forest, and it was very successful in conveying that image! Using my Sherlock Holmes-like stills I deduced that it was there as part of the "Educational Experience", and sure enough, as we walked further down the path we noticed a fake dragonfly in a tree, a picture of a skunk near the trail, etc., etc.
When I told Stephen about my heart-stopping experience later that evening he laughed and laughed - especially thinking of the scene of me attacking a coyote pelt - "It's all right, kids, this coyote was so scared that he ran away and left his skin. I took care of him all right! You're safe now."
What fun we have in nature!
After standing stock still for a few seconds and seeing that the thing still wasn't moving, I took a step closer and started laughing hysterically (because, you know, that is what you do after a scare turns out this way) - it was a coyote skin! It had been placed so that it looked like it was walking through the forest, and it was very successful in conveying that image! Using my Sherlock Holmes-like stills I deduced that it was there as part of the "Educational Experience", and sure enough, as we walked further down the path we noticed a fake dragonfly in a tree, a picture of a skunk near the trail, etc., etc.
When I told Stephen about my heart-stopping experience later that evening he laughed and laughed - especially thinking of the scene of me attacking a coyote pelt - "It's all right, kids, this coyote was so scared that he ran away and left his skin. I took care of him all right! You're safe now."
What fun we have in nature!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Out...
The sun is shining for the 3rd day in a row, and it feels like Spring has finally arrived! The daffodils and tulips are blooming, my plants are starting to grow, and the kids have their first sunburns of the year. I'm getting around to planting my garden a little later than normal this year (it was still freezing at nights April 1st and has been raining ever since!), but it is at the top of my list for the next sunny day that is not a Sunday. :o)
The one downside to this beautiful weather is that I can't really run. My knee is still giving me trouble, so I'm doing some physical therapy for the next month or so. I'm glad to be doing something that will help me feel better...I only hope I'll be able to run again soon. :o( Swimming and doing the eliptical just aren't the same as getting outside and going somewhere!
Yesterday Stephen and I went to Corvallis to teach a budgeting class for my mom's stake Relief Society Women's Conference. It went well - Stephen is the best at that kind of thing! I just added in personal experiences, and he gave the meat of the presentation. It was so odd to have people taking notes of things that I said! Chieko Okazaki was the key note speaker. She is pretty amazing! I really want to buy and read her books, now that I have heard and met her. The more I grow up, the more I realize that our leaders are normal people - people with extraordinary abilities, but normal. It gives me hope that I can do extraordinary things one day, too. Because I'm pretty normal! :o)
The one downside to this beautiful weather is that I can't really run. My knee is still giving me trouble, so I'm doing some physical therapy for the next month or so. I'm glad to be doing something that will help me feel better...I only hope I'll be able to run again soon. :o( Swimming and doing the eliptical just aren't the same as getting outside and going somewhere!
Yesterday Stephen and I went to Corvallis to teach a budgeting class for my mom's stake Relief Society Women's Conference. It went well - Stephen is the best at that kind of thing! I just added in personal experiences, and he gave the meat of the presentation. It was so odd to have people taking notes of things that I said! Chieko Okazaki was the key note speaker. She is pretty amazing! I really want to buy and read her books, now that I have heard and met her. The more I grow up, the more I realize that our leaders are normal people - people with extraordinary abilities, but normal. It gives me hope that I can do extraordinary things one day, too. Because I'm pretty normal! :o)
Monday, March 3, 2008
Exercise...
So I'm training for a half marathon right now - the Helvatia Half, also known as the "Hilly Half". I ran it almost 3 years ago - before Sammy was born - all by myself (with the exception of all the other runners that ran it...my friends all opted for the "Flat Half"). However, this year most of my friends are going to run it, and I am very excited! My only setback has been that my left knee has been giving me some trouble, but I'm hoping with the rest (meaning swimming instead of running) I'm giving it I'll be okay. If anyone has any knee tips, feel free to chime in!
It's funny because I used to think that getting up before 7:30 a.m. was really early. Now my only time to myself is before 7 a.m.! How times have changed - or, more appropriately - how I have changed! Now I swim at 5:30 a.m. and run at 6 a.m. (not the same day, of course). And, I should add, am exhausted most days...
This is really boring. I need to go to bed so that I can get up and go swimming. Goodnight!
It's funny because I used to think that getting up before 7:30 a.m. was really early. Now my only time to myself is before 7 a.m.! How times have changed - or, more appropriately - how I have changed! Now I swim at 5:30 a.m. and run at 6 a.m. (not the same day, of course). And, I should add, am exhausted most days...
This is really boring. I need to go to bed so that I can get up and go swimming. Goodnight!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
My Latest Idea...
Ok so this was one of my "playing with photoshop" sessions, and i kinda started to think about maybe trying to sell birth announcements, holiday cards, etc. So here is one attempt, what do you think, is it sell-able, any suggestions, comments, ideas....
I'm too silly for this song
Look at me Look at me I am contributing to a blog! I may say odd things, but then I may say odd things as well. Term is winding down and I am looking to complete some rather interesting projects. I'm going to call Dee to talk about patenting my Senior Project and my one and only business class of my college carreer has me presenting to a panel of capitalists in a couple of weeks. I'm lucky that everything can be done on excel, or all this business terminology would kill me. At any Rate it keeps me busy (I got home at 7am this morning) and Stephen wants to work on windows lol.
Well if anyone reads this I'm sorry, it wasn't your fault.
-TDC
Well if anyone reads this I'm sorry, it wasn't your fault.
-TDC
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
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