Mom...grandma... oops, Teacher?

Welcome King

2007-04-01T18:42:00.000-07:00

Yes. That's the answer to the question, "are you crazy?" Maybe quitting my job for next year has loosened a few things, 'cause all of a sudden I assume I can handle a very busy toddler, a second baby boy (this July), and above all things, a lab puppy. I add the "lab" part because they are eternal puppies. So this is King. He is now 10 weeks old and thinks he has us figured out. Sorry about the barking coming from the garage... we are teaching him who is really the boss. Who knows, that might even be Josh eventually.

This was Josh and King's introduction. I couldn't get a face shot ever since Josh was always on the run.

Josh and King have many similar interests: putting everything in their mouths, sharing each other's food, and peeing wherever whenever.

Wouldn't you love to see how this goes down!

When asked for his opinion on what life has been like with King so far, Josh had no comment due to being much too busy seeing how many pieces of banana he could fit in to his mouth.

Number 1

2007-02-26T14:55:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Josh!!

"Why is that fire so close to my face, mom?"

"Dad, you know that I hate gooey stuff on my fingers. What do I do now?"

"Get ready everyone... I am on a huge sugar high!"

"Thanks for all the great gifts. I guess I'll see you about the same time next year."

Dumbing Down

2007-01-15T20:05:00.000-08:00

My dad was/is addicted to the philosophies of Bill Cosby, so we listened to his stand-up on road trips and stuff. He, Bill, would always say that he and his wife were intellectuals before having kids. Then they started to lose that. Now I am starting to understand.

We recently Josh-proofed the house: you know, those 1/2 locks on all cabinets and drawers. Josh isn't the only one stopped short. I can't seem to get anything open on the first try. It's like physical stuttering all over the house, and I feel dumber every time I attempt to do simple things like get a mixing bowl or mouthwash out their respective places.

If you are without restraints, enjoy it.

Reality

2006-12-30T20:15:00.000-08:00

Why do we get addicted to reality shows? (really dumb ones) Let me tell you how it happens in my house. When I am left alone because Dan is with a buddy playing video games, working on the computer, or at meetings, I end up settling on whatever grabs my attention. It doesn't take much these days.

My latest addiction: The Girls Next Door.

Now, I know the shows that some of you have mentioned so there is no judging allowed. This show is sad on so many levels. This is basically what you get:

- an 80 yr old man with 3 live-in girlfriends ranging from 20 to 26 yrs old (has a polygamy feel to it)
- so much drama ranging from forgetting dog's birthday cards to ill-fitting bunny costumes
- the blury-nudity special effect isn't all that effective
- Hugh Hefner wears pajams ALL THE TIME, and his nickname is "Puffin" (makes me gag)

I have seen so many episodes that I know the words to the theme song. No, I won't sing it for you. You know you all sang with Nick when you were watching the newlyweds.

I'm hooked.

The Return

2006-12-27T19:46:00.000-08:00

Okay, so it's been a while since I have surfaced. I can't control a crashing computer. So now I am sitting in my freezing, unfinished basement wrapped in a huge quilt blogging just so Rob has something to read! (that's Rob Wells, my famous-author cousin)

I will just make a list of the few things that have been going on around here to catch everyone up. (yeah, like there's an "everyone")

* laptop crashes
* Dan bought a 7 1/2 ft Christmas tree for our 7 ft high living room
* We finally have our 4-runner back! It has a new engine and purrs happily.
* I am now singing with the Salt Lake Symphonic Choir, which means that I got to mouth most of the first performance we had. (long story)
* I decided to take next year off from teaching. I did this so I can put off the bigger decision of continuing teaching in the public schools until next year.
*Baby Josh is going to be 1 year old in 3 weeks!
*Baby Josh is also going to be a big brother next July! (can't call him Baby Josh much longer)

Well, that's about it. Nothing too huge...

Waving with Coconuts

2006-11-29T21:42:00.001-08:00

I meet regularly with a woman in our neighborhood who says the most brainless things. She cracks me up now that I know her better, but if you didn't you wouldn't know how to react.

Tonight we were meeting with the stake young men's presidency, and one of the counselors mentioned that he grew up in Hawaii. Dan and I just returned from there over the weekend, so I expressed how we loved the laid back attitude, among everything else. So this woman, who doesn't think her thoughts all the way through, then said, "Yeah, I loved how mellow everyone is. It's like everyone just sitting in their palm trees, waving with their coconuts."

Big pause.

"Um, yeah. I guess you could say that." says the guy from Hawaii.

You really have to be proud of me for not laughing out loud at that moment. She means well.

When You Know it's Time to Stay Inside

2006-11-11T17:25:00.001-08:00

Dan has a friend, Steve, who has quite the history of injuries... especially as of late. A few years ago he rolled his jeep multiple times and broke his neck. He only survived because of a birth defect with his spine that he didn't even know about. (sorry, not a doctor so I don't know those details)

Earlier this year, Steve was driving home from Idaho when he rolled his jeep (a different one) again. This time, he was Life-Flighted to the Univ. Hospital. He had a bunch of bolts put in, since who knows what was left from before, and was in a brace for quite a while. As soon as he healed, he was back to his regular playin'.

Just a few weeks ago, Steve had his pelvis crushed by some drywall he was unloading at work. LifeFlight was called again, and as Steve was being loaded, recognized the crew from his 2nd crash. He even said, "Hey, aren't you the guys who picked me up in Idaho?" The reply was, "Oh yeah, aren't you Steve?"

Steve, why are you still alive?

Making the Most

2006-11-06T20:19:00.001-08:00

I was driving up to Sugarhouse to retrieve my son today when I was reminded why election season annoys me so much. Here are families of candidates who may not be so outgoing, or even like their candidate-relative very much, but are posted on every street corner waving signs and cheering to those driving by. I am amazed there aren't more accidents.

Today, though, one set of over-used relatives made me giggle. Just west of the freeway entrance, bearing signs of who-knows and who cares, were 2 teenage boys. One was facing away from me, and I got a glimpse of some wording that had been handwritten on the back. In big, boy-handwriting lettering was "Hi. I think you are pretty!"

I'd vote for this kid for making the most of his wasted afternoon, just because he is related to someone who needs family support just to gain position.

"Hi. I think you are pretty!"

Tis the Season

2006-10-26T22:09:00.000-07:00

We wanted to try a new family tradition, so we went to a local pumpkin patch. When we first moved out here, I thought the idea was kinda cheezy. Growing up, we went to the exciting grocery store to choose our pumpkins. Little did I know about all the farm land out in the west...

Wow, my head kinda resembles these orange things.

Yeah, I want one of these when I learn to drive.

I like this one.

Dad, go really fast around these stinkin' pumpkins. I promise to hold on tight.

Getting Old

2006-10-21T22:22:00.000-07:00

Today while walking away from our car, on the way to get a ton of blood taken out of me by a mean nurse, a car honked just as Dan went past. It caught us off gaurd 'cause it was that short, get-someone's-attention honk. I really didn' feel like seeing anyone we knew right before getting pricked with a needle. Anyway, inside the car were 2 "little old ladies" giggling. They were eyeing Dan, and I though they were flirting with him. Just past the giddy grandmas, though, was a third old lady searching for... yep, her car. Her friends were not being friendly with Dan, much to his disappointment. They were playing Marco Polo via car horn, guiding their lost friend home.

My Girls

2006-10-19T08:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my class played Red Rover for PE. (remember the last blog about RR?... I was a bit nervous) No injuries this time, but I witnessed something that was pretty funny.

After PE, we stay outside for recess. I told my class they could keep playing, but I wasn't in charge anymore since I had to watch the other classes. Some left for the playground, while a bunch still wanted to play. They mixed up the teams themselves: girls vs. boys. Immediately I heard a few boys say that they would win because boys are stronger.

Well, the girls called a name first and the boy didn't even break through. I thought, "way to show 'em, girls." Then they "caught" the 2nd one as well. The boys side ended up regaining their 2 lost teammates, and then the girls did something pretty tricky. (as adults, this may sound snotty, but these girls are not at all)

When the girls called out their next name, the boy backed up to get a good start. As he ran towards the line, all the girls ran from the game and headed to the playground. The game was over, leaving the boys thinking that they scared the girls with their strength and fast running.

Boys have a lot to learn about girls!

Reincarnation?

2006-10-15T13:13:00.000-07:00

So now that Josh is mobile, he gets in to everything! (which was expected) It has been interesting the items that he decides to head for when we put him on the ground. We are constantly comparing him to our former cat, Jackson. Here are a few of the major similarities: (we are not totally bad parents... Josh is mostly supervised)

Paper-
*Jackson would first lay on whatever piece or pile of paper he found around. Then he would wrestle it until he was sure it was dead. Finally, he would eat it.
*Josh doesn't wait for the kill, but can have 1 regular-sized paper gone before we even notice how quiet things have gotten!

Plastic Bags
*Jackson would either crawl inside and hang out in a bag for a while, or drag it around the house in his mouth as if he were claiming ownership.
*Josh will sit in the same spot and play with it, shaking it in front of him because it makes a noise louder than him.

Electrical Cords (think we're terrible now?)
*Jackson actually chewed through cords that connected some speakers to a computer. No cord-like objects were safe. (he also chewed through a bra strap...mine, not Dan's)
*Josh has a few to choose from since we have 2 laptops and all their cords throughout the house. He will put the cord (not the end) in his mouth and let go, as if saying, "Look mom, no hands!"

We hope that Josh won't end up on the tops of things (shelves, table, fridge) as he learns to climb.

Why I Teach

2006-10-10T17:10:00.000-07:00

Today I was reviewing some high-frequency words (aka: "magic words") with my class. We are at the point where putting them together creates readable sentences: "I see the cat." "I like me." I had them read three sentences, which they did as easily as if they had been reading forever. (this is the 1st year I have had no readers enter my class, so they are ALL on the same beginning level... which is rare)

I then asked, "How many of you wanted to learn how to read when you came to Kindergarten?" They all raised their hands. Then I told them, "You just read these sentences to me all by yourselves!"

These kids looked at each other with complete, honest amazement all over their faces, as if it had been done by magic. It was such special moment for all of us. It's nice to have 24 beaming faces looking at you with admiration, as well as earned pride for themselves.

Aaaaagh...

2006-09-30T15:35:00.000-07:00

I have a cavity. It makes me feel dirty and gross, like I don't brush my teeth 3 times a day. So Dan and I aren't regular dentist-goers, but when insurance doesn't cover 100%, who is? (if you are, that is great!)

I met the same dental professional that Makayla visits, and he is very nice. But he will be performing a ROOT CANAL on me Monday morning. I hate any work being done to my body that involved needles. I got anxious and nauseous the other day just filling out the dumb insurance forms.

This is how much I hate needles: I have to be gassed just a bit before the numbing shot so I can relax and not put myself into a anxious mess. (or pass out) Maybe I should carry around my own happy-gas for those really stressful times in life!

Figuring Things Out

2006-09-23T20:58:00.000-07:00

I have done quite the disappearing act on my blog lately, and thanks to a comment from a friend I decided to re-surface. I haven't felt that interesting lately, and even my new class hasn't provided me with the usual funnies that I expected. Actually, I have been doing a lot of wondering about what my future holds... the near future. As a teacher, I am constantly looking 2 weeks ahead and making daily plans. (I sound organized, but it doesn't follow me home unfortunately) But recently Dan told me that if I wanted to stop working and stay home I could now consider that. What that looks like in my head is that after June of next year there will be a black void with no plans.

My first reactions were totally selfish ones like I wouldn't have to be ready for the day at a certain time, and we could plan vacations whenever... not just during off-track times. Of course it will allow me to see Josh a lot more and watch his constant changes. Plus, I love being a mom more than I thought I would. Oh, and my house would stay much cleaner. (maybe)

My second reaction is that I won't have to put up with the teachers that make it hard to work at that school. (sometimes I want my own secret entrance to the bldg. so I can avoid these certain teachers) I can surround myself with the people I choose.

Then I think, what or who will I be if I am not teaching. When I am with my class I feel like that is where I am supposed to be. Yet, I feel the exact same way when I am at home during my breaks. That's why part-time has made perfect sense to me. I also hate to think that the only K teachers left at that school are ones who hate their job, and I feel bad for the coming students.

Do I love my family more because I get a break from them every day? What happens when that leave of absence is gone? Who am I if I am not teaching?

I have until February to figure it all out...

The Benjamins

2006-09-09T08:26:00.000-07:00

Last night, Dan's grandparents and Dad took us out to dinner. (they mostly wanted to see Josh, and we just tagged along!) Their favorite place is The Old Spaghetti Factory, which is yummy. Now, I used to live with these people for a bit and I learned a lot about them, which includes how frugal they are. (stay with me...) Grandma M. cuts her dryer sheets in 1/2 to prolong their use, as well as uses grocery sacks as garbage sacks. We were emptying garbages twice a day. This woman is not young or full of energy, yet she will spend an ENTIRE Saturday traveling to each grocery store to get the best deals she saw in the paper. (I am lucky to make it to even one store each week) She even drove up to Ogden once because she heard their corn prices were the best.

We were happy to have been invited to go to dinner with them, don't get me wrong. This is what stuck me as funny though. As the grandparents were taking care of the check, Dan and I see them pull out a $100 bill and smack it on the check-tray. It is rare for us to see good ol' Franklin, and there he was staring at us after leaving the grandparents' wallet. (of all people's)

"It's all about the Benjamins!"

Reservations

2006-09-03T11:04:00.003-07:00

A few weeks ago on the news I saw that some movie theaters are now offering patrons the opportunity to reserve their seats when they buy tickets. This would be great when you have more than 4 people going and you want that entire center row. It was clear to me that this service was optional, and if you wanted to "risk it" by finding your own seats than that was okay to.

Yesterday, 15 minutes before the movie started, we decided to see a matinee. There were few cars in the lot, and it was early in the day (obviously) so when we bought our tickets electronically we skipped the option to reserve seats. My in-laws were with us and decided to buy their tickets from a human, and they were stalled and forced to reserve their seats. The screen showed that only 8 other tickets to this film had been purchased... So why did we have to spend (waste) the extra minutes reserving a seat? When I told the human that the media had said this was optional, and we could plainly see that they entire theater was available, we were told that it was only optional in "some theaters." Stupid.

We stuck it to Larry H. Miller, (it was one of his theaters) and went in to sit wherever we wanted!

The Movies

2006-08-30T09:56:00.000-07:00

So, after a couple of good movies came up in conversation, I started thinking of the discussions Dan and I have had about these same movies. Dan loves Pulp Fiction. I love Dirty Dancing. (what girl doesn't... Oh, Johnny!) But we actually didn't choose to watch these movies for the 1st time.

When I was 7 yrs-old, I had a babysitter think that would be an appropriate choice of entertainment. My siblings were even younger than me! Oops. Dan was also shown Pulp Fiction when he was around 10-11 yrs-old. So we were kids and didn't have much choice other than to go along.

We have discussed which of us was more scarred as children. (even though we do still like these movies today) One is full of violence, blood, and the F-word. The other has a love scene, an abortion, and a lot of grinding.

Knowing us now, who was affected more? We're both a little messed up, right!? Atleast we found each other to share our madness.

Josh's 1st Plane

2006-08-28T10:12:00.000-07:00

We got so lucky with our boy. The day we left for CO, our plane had to land just after it took off because of a cabin pressure issue. So technically we were on 2 planes in 1 day, with 2 take-offs. Josh slept during both take-offs and the hour to Denver. I don't have tons to brag about, but this is a good one. On the way home yesterday he slept again. Maybe it was the fact that we had him sleeping on the floor in the hotels and he was exhausted, but we felt very lucky and relaxed that our family was not going to cause anyone else's flight to be a negative experience.

Our hotel was right on 16th street, which is a outdoor mall (closed to traffic) that stretches quite a few blocks. Josh and I spent our days walking up and down looking at postcards in each of the little tourist traps, I mean shops. (postcards are a secret passion of mine... so send me one if you are somewhere cool!)

Josh got all lotioned up every time we went out, since it is the Mile-High city and this little boy is white as white. He is so interactive and engaging when he catches people's eyes that he stopped many people that we passed. He is a charmer just like his dad!

There are World Trade Towers in Denver. I didn't know that.

After Dan's meetings were done in Denver, we stayed in Estes Park which is the entrance to this nat'l park. This was a really neat town that sits in the valley at the base of some gorgeous mountains. Main Street is as jammed packed with tourists as the square in Jackson, WY. (just to compare) There were wild animals everywhere.

Inside the park were roads that went up as high as 12,000+ ft in elevation. There were places that overlooked many beautiful mountains and valleys. We were even higher than the clouds at some points. BUT, we live around some pretty good looking mountains here, so the mnts kinda got redundant. Dan and I felt that we would be in more awe if we had come from the midwest, or any other area without the ranges we see every day. I will say that just flying over the Rockies was really amazing. Pay attention if you ever have the chance to.

Now back to real life, and kindergarten.

Utah Pride?

2006-08-27T21:13:00.000-07:00

For the first time ever, Dan and I state-hopped to catch a concert of a favorite artist. (Ben Harper... check him out!) Anyway, we saw him here last Tues, then flew to Denver to see him the very next night. After the concert, having enjoyed it with a totally different crowd than the night before, I have been making a few comparisons of Utahns and non-Utahns. My own results did not make Utah look very good. (I am pulling from prior experiences here and in other states.) Really, these are just my personal thoughts.

It was interesting to see how the concerts differed in each state. Ben (we are on 1st names!) played a great show here, but in Denver debuted newly written music. Oh, we were at Red Rocks in CO. Such an amazing venue! Everyone in that venue went completely silent to listen to this newer, yet slower music. I have never seen that here. We all respected Ben as an artist doing his thing. Last Fall we saw Ben here in a venue 1/3 the size of Red Rocks, and there was no respect for the music. Instead, there were stupid frat. and high school kids constantly yelling whatever, even during his quiet songs, just to hear their own voices. It was just plain rude. So of course Ben wouldn't want to share anything new with "us" here because some crowds just talk and talk and talk during what could be a great moment. (I am so moved by his music, that when it is live it is almost spiritual.)

This does not just apply concerts. Drivers here really are meaner than other states. There is confident driving and defensive driving. Utah has mean drivers. (other states really do let other drivers merge on on-ramps... I've seen it!)

I have now been to 3 different cities in the just the last couple of months where pedestrians really do have the right of way. In Estes Park, CO, there were actual signs posting the law for peds being safe in crosswalks. We almost got in an accident because of an over cautious driver dealing with the crosswalks!

So what am I saying after this long-winded blog? What makes Utah different? I don't know if I want to share those thoughts, 'cause I might offend. Okay. I think that since there are too many, dare I say, Mormons being raised to think they are better than everyone else. This would result in prideful attitudes at concerts, or wherever. This may create the terrible drivers that are not aware of anyone else on the road or pedestrians in the crosswalks.

This is NOT all of Utah Mormons. But don't we all know some who think this way? Collectively they add up, and that's too bad.

So Long Kid

2006-08-22T09:15:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite neighbor kids is moving. He and his dad will be living somewhere else in Daybreak, but will be far enough away from my growing child. I recently had this conversation with his dad:

Me: What does [your kid] do while you work?

The Dad: He goes to daycare by my office. [My kid] has actually been kicked out of 2 daycares. I think these people overreact...

Me: What happened? (acting curious, but not being surprised at all)
(this is the same 4-yr-old kid who has tried to break in to our basement windows, runs off with the local 2-yr-old in his glorified power-wheel to the lake, and who rudely says no to every adult)

The Dad: Well, first they called to tell me that he was in line for the bathroom and pulled his "wee-wee" out. (that's really the word he used) I told them that was normal for that age, and they should just put him in time out to teach him not to. The next time they called, they said that he told another kid that he "would cut him with a knife." (sound familiar Annie... was it you who told me a story like that?) It was only the 1st time he's ever said that, so again I just told them to put him in time out.

Me: (no response)

The Dad: Obviously the head of the daycare runs it like a "Nazi Camp." (his words)

Me: (I am sitting there trying to be polite, but fearing for the people who deal with this child/time-bomb every day. And secretly glad he won't be around to cut my child with a knife.)

Colter Bay

2006-08-16T16:07:00.000-07:00

Last night around 2:00, I guess this morning, we returned from Colter Bay, WY. It was a type of family reunion trip now that every member of my family is home. (with a few additions which created many new stories, for later) I thought I would share just a few pics...

Dan saw this one and said it looked like he was praying to the smore's god. He likes to put on a good show for my family. He is never goofy.

If I seem a bit odd, it is because this is how my dad treated all of my family. So the next generation will be "tortured" the same way. J is very strong, loves his grandpa, and trusts him completely. That's more trust than other members have for my dad's type of play.

I couldn't have posed J any better for this pic. He is just the cutest kid!

My little family bunked with my parents and brother in a tent cabin. There was quite the chorus of snoring going on, so earplugs were my best friend. Even baby J is a snorer just like his dad!

Jackson, WY and the nat'l park is one of the most gorgeous places around. It's only 4-5 hrs north and always 15 degrees cooler than here. It is my favorite place, and one day we might just end up there. For now, we camp there whenever possible.

The Truth About Bears

2006-08-11T09:04:00.000-07:00

Dan may be getting a bit nervous about our upcoming trip, since it is in bear country:
(this conversation started out about how much Dan was eating in the morning...all healthy though)

Me: Wow, did you get enough to eat this morning?

Dan: Breakfast should be hearty. Besides the rest of the day I just graze on nuts and fruit.

Me: Oh, like bears.

Dan: No, Lindsey. Bears eat people.

Busted!

2006-08-10T18:35:00.000-07:00

We have been wondering what J does in his spare time...

"Hmmm. Which one is the "Q"?

"Dad, why do you keep changing the password? I gotta check in with my ladies!"

The Challenge

2006-08-08T09:31:00.000-07:00

I don't know that this is a challenge so much as who will give in first...

Dan is growing a beard. I think he thinks it will be cool, especially because we are going camping for a few days and he will have a jumpstart on the vacation from shaving. I will not give any lovin' until the sandpaper-y roughness is gone. (the lovin' hasn't been so often since a little boy takes all our time and energy, so the challenge really didn't mean anything until now) This beard has been going for a few days now, and Dan just pulled out a new trick to get me to cave in first:

He just now said that he had a "surprise" that he was going to tell me about "earlier than planned." The sly man bought tickets to the Dave Mathews concert and thought it would make me melt, or something. His tactics are good, but my will is very stubborn. He should know this.

So Dan, the answer is still NO!

Complete Honesty

2006-08-07T16:41:00.000-07:00

Today as I was taking attendance I came to realize that we were missing one friend. (names changed) So when I asked if anyone had seen Jake, most of the kids just said no, or that he was sick. I did have one yell louder than the others, "He's barfing!"

I love kids.

Real News

2006-08-03T21:50:00.000-07:00

I don't watch the news that often, especially because lately we are trying to go to bed early enough to be rested inspite of our son who likes to play at 2:00 am. Anyway, I guess I expect to learn something or be affected by some story when I do tune in to our media personalities. (don't ask my opinion of them...)

No. I end up listening to a story titled "texting mania." Yep, texting...on cell phones. With all the major life or death issues dealing with the teens of today, this was the topic the station felt we should all be aware of. Ooh, pretty dangerous. Our teens are spending their time texting messages to friends and family when they should be doing drugs or getting pregnant.

Watch out for those fast-moving fingers.

Read the signs

2006-07-28T19:09:00.000-07:00

So my mom is conducting interviews for a medical study that deals with people suffering from heart burn. She asks pretty routine questions, mostly about when symptoms occur and their severity. Last week she met a woman who teaches in a year-round school. When asked how often her syptoms are present this woman answered that she feels the worst right around the time she goes back on track, and feel great when she goes off track.

There was no light bulb going on over this woman's head at all when it came to realizing that her profession may be a major cause of her ailment. So, not all teachers are that bright I guess! (but we knew that, right Annie? :)

Small Pleasure

2006-07-21T06:51:00.000-07:00

If Annie can be excited over her new bed...

Yesterday I had a 14-hour day away from home, so I was past tired. I was not excited about waking up a few times since Josh likes to say hello occasionnaly at night.

My boy slept the whole night, letting me also sleep all night for the first time in 2 months!

Yipee for sleep.

Daily Battles

2006-07-19T21:34:00.000-07:00

So I expect complete selfishness and disregard for anyone else's feelings from the little personalities I work with. I cannot, however, believe that there are some grown-ups that live their life with this very thinking. (okay, I can because I sometimes see it from one very specific person every day) How does one deal with a person like this on a regular basis, especially when it is you who is being victimized? Is there really any statement or comment that can be made to a person like this that will ever change their thinking? The sad thing is that this person has reproduced and is probably molding these little spawns to act eactly the same way: nature vs. nurture... with nurture beating nature.

Josh's 1st Camping Trip

2006-07-15T20:08:00.000-07:00

Every year Dan and I (and anyone else who joins us) go up to Jackson, WY over the 4th of July because they have the BEST fireworks ever! This was a good chance for us to take Josh and see if he really is one of us - you know, crazy people who sleep on the hard ground for fun.

We camp on BLM land and usually have to create our own camp site. Dan digs us a fire pit, and we go and find our own "bathrooms." This is us and our tent. (in case anyone who looks at this has never been camping!)

Josh slept great, all bundled up. He especially liked listening to all the coyotes sing him to sleep both nights!

I'm not sure what Dan is doing... maybe doing the avoid-the-mosquito-dance!

This was the sad ending to this year's trip. I am totally car-jinxed, especially in Jackson. (ask me later) We had just made it to our 1/2 way point on the way home (Lava Hot Springs) when our engine decided it was done. Have you ever seen a 4-runner on a trailer? Probably not, so look hard 'cause it will never happen again!

Big Baby!

2006-07-13T13:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Josh met a fellow 6-month-old who was big enough to eat smaller 6-month-olds for breakfast. He was hanging over all sides of his car seat and we though he was atleast 11 months old. He could, however, sit up on his own. Josh came away a bit jealous of the sitting thing, but figured that this kid probably couldn't get both legs behind his head and almost both feet in his mouth. 'Cause that's what the ladies really dig!

Okay, here we go...

2006-07-12T12:06:00.000-07:00

I know I can't get fired from anything by telling this story, but can I get kicked out of the ward? I don't know, but this neighbor of mine should be separated from all people under the age of 18. (the rest of us "adults" will have to deal with him) This same neighbor who sprays off his house at all hours of the day, whines about all of our weeds, has a wife who we have all learned how to avoid, has ADD/crazy children, and preaches to go to "drinking parties" to be a good missionary has now trumped all before-told stories.

Our scouts went camping last week. This group is made up mostly of 12-year-olds = children. This neighbor of mine (any good ideas for nicknames?) is one scout leader and who knows where any other adult was during all of this. I guess the first night or morning as he was changing clothes, to complete nakedness, did it IN FRONT of all the boys OUTSIDE OF HIS TENT and stated, "we're all adults here."

No. They were not adults, hence having adult leaders assigned to scouts.

So, since boys can be silly and probably didn't know how else to process what happened with their "trusted" leader, they proceeded to tease him about it. I don't know how they teased or what they said, but come on, they are children. To respond to the teasing of children, this leader/neighbor yelled "Just shut the Hell up." (specifically to our Bishop's son)

As one who works with children, there is NO excuse to talk to somebody else's child that way EVER. The yelling didn't surprise me since Dan and I constantly hear him shouting at his own 1 & 3 year-old children. (and wife, but that's a whole other story)

So how do I feel about having him as a neighbor? Does he even know how inappropriate his actions were? Will he ever be allowed to be with teens and children in our ward again? Will his wife defend him or not?

Stay tuned to this same bat-channel to find out.

Dead Animals

2006-07-11T09:48:00.000-07:00

So I was looking around my living room today as I stretched, (yep, going to the gym again!) and I spotted my brother's giant alligator head on one of my shelves. I borrowed this head when he came home from Florida to show my kindergarteners. (According to him, buying alligator heads is quite the touristy thing to do these days.) So I was just remembering their reactions. These are 5-6 year olds and I really thought I would have a few tears out of apprehension. I try not to be too sadistic in my classroom.

As the alligator head, one that is as big as their heads, was being passed around I did hear a few comments about the cool teeth and eyes. (both of which were replaced with fake materials) But instead of the reality of holding a real alligator's head hitting them, I mostly heard, "GROSS, there is a spider web in the neck!" They were all worried about a tiny cobweb inside the neck cavity of a dead alligator's head. Go figure.

Solids

2006-06-26T09:27:00.000-07:00

It was the boy's first time trying rice cereal.........

Things Unsaid

2006-06-24T12:03:00.001-07:00

I get irritated by stupid neighbors.

There is this guy who has made multiple comments on how nice it would be if our yard was finished so that his house would stop getting dirty. (apparently our tiny yard's dirt flies up on his great, big house daily... it couldn't be from all the dust storms we have) Dan and I have made our yard proposal, but are waiting to hear from the great and powerful OZ. So today we started harvesting our crop of weeds that we have successfully grown for 18 months. (our little babies have gotten so big!) This neighbor comes home from who-cares-where, and smirks as he asks us if we are starting our yard project. Here are some of the responses I wanted to give:

"We are starting slowly since it is expensive when doing it all from scratch on your own."
(he lives in a green court where his builder did everything... he just paid a little extra fee...tough life)

"Yes, because we can't wait to get a fence up so we don't have to put up with your out-of-control kids." (picture small kids running wild through the chapel, during a mtg., with no supervision; and this always right outside our door)

"Well, we noticed that your house was getting pretty dirty."

*This is not verbal: leave all the weeds and rocks on his porch.

I am too nice.

"MOM, come get me!"

2006-06-21T21:25:00.000-07:00

The boy has not been sleeping well lately, and he is usually a good little all-night sleeper. In the past 2 nights I have gotten a total of 7 hours of sleep. (who knows what the average for the past week might be) Some have said he may be teething, others said it might be an ear infection, and then there are those who smile and say "I've been there." That helps.

If only the little man could talk!

We visited the doc, (our least favorite person, but I haven't found a new one yet) and she deemed him totally healthy. After disussing some other things going on at home lately we decided that he has started to realize that he is being left alone in his room. He misses us. You might think that it is sweet and he just loves us so much. That is not what goes through my head at 12:30am, 2:00am, and 4:30am...

Help. I want to remember what it's like to sleep at night.

Chinese TV

2006-06-20T15:54:00.000-07:00

If Makayla can show off all her cooking skills...with visuals even... I think I get to share a cooking success. (I am not saying she is a show off...)

First of all, I don't have cable. (Rob, there are still the few of us left. Not you, though.) I have always wondered how people can spend hours watching the Food Network, but on Saturday I had our TV on for background noise and it was turned to PBS. (the only clear station these days) It was cooking shows back-to-back and I got sucked in. I even copied down a few recipes and even tried one last night.

The most "entertaining" was some Chinese equivalent to Rachel Rae. (those with cable know about her) He was making a yummy-looking "beef stir-fry spinach salad." He was using all authentic (of course) ingredients only found at an Asian market, and just kind of dumping stuff together without informing us of amounts. Luckily, I had all the ingredients since Dan and I used to have Asian markets close by before moving to nowhere.

So I pretty much just did what this chef did and pour in whatever stuff he did. Stir-fry is easy, but it was the dressing that I pretty much guessed on. Dang, it was good. Dan was impressed, and since he is the only one of us who has had real Chinese food, I think it was a success. The boy didn't care so much about the food as he did about our cups and chopsticks. He can play with the cups, but I didn't feel much like a visit to the emergency room.

I am not as prepared with pictures of my meal. Maybe next time.

Red Rover, Red Rover

2006-06-10T12:08:00.000-07:00

Do you remember this game? It's fun for kids, but as an adult you see the many potential dangers involved...

I have a boy in my class, (we'll call him Brandon) who had me laughing pretty hard during a red rover mishap the other day. He is just a little guy; a whole head shorter than most of my students. Currently his head is buzzed so he looks like a mix between an elf and curious George. He is also missing most of his front teeth. I adore him because of his HUGE personality.

Anyway, my class was playing Red Rover and the opposite team chose "Brandon". Now visualize this. He starts to back up from his line of teammates to get a good start, I guess. But as he is charging the other side, he is doing the Braveheart war yell. He gets to the other side, is completely clotheslined by the 2 kids holding hands, and his feet fly up over his head before he lands on the ground.

I first made sure he was okay, which he was, then laughed for a good 5 minutes. It was one of those moments that if filmed, would be watched over and over again!

Useless Tests

2006-06-09T20:09:00.000-07:00

So tomorrow at 6:30 AM, (on a Saturday) I have to travel to my very least favorite place to take a test that I shouldn't have to take. Any guesses on the place... Provo. The BYU campus. Hell.

Because of our __________ (you fill in the blank) US president, all teachers have to prove they are worthy of teaching. Hey, wasn't that what all those tests, projects, and portfolios were for in college? This test would be useful to the government, or whoever wastes their life reading them, if this was a test on teaching practice or philosophy. But no, I have to take a 2-hour multiple choice test on content up to 6th grade. I teach Kindergarten, and won't ever teach past 3rd grade. (because of my degree) Is this fair? The info. on this test is stuff that normal people, even today's students, can just google. Why do I have to go and stress about guessing on most of the questions that I never have to teach? What will these results say about my teaching... ? Absolutely nothing. If I fail what happens? I have no idea. But if this is how the government really wants to evaluate its teachers than maybe I don't want to be involved.

I hope I have a job next year.

Home Run

2006-06-08T21:12:00.000-07:00

Tonight Dan had 2 fence-hits and finally a home run during his company softball game. Congrats Babe!!
Our boy was so excited he chewed extra hard on my finger and drooled just a little more.

String Bikini

2006-06-06T12:36:00.000-07:00

So our neighborhood has this "cute," LITTLE splash pad designed for 7-yr-olds and younger to go and... splash around. It isn't quite a pool and it isn't quite fountains, but the little ones have fun.
I was driving past it on my way home from work just now and saw the usual moms in tank tops, shorts, and sunglasses watching their youngens. But one mom (?) really stuck out of the group: blonde, big-boobed, wearing a black string bikini. I only make the boob comment because they were practically falling out of the tiny top.
What do ya'll think of this? I love the sun and getting a summer tan. I think wearing sleeveless stuff and shorts would provide this. I also think that when you are around little kids, and remember that most people bend down when talking to little kids, you should not be giving an anatomy lesson.
When I told Dan about "the mom," he changed his work-out plans to jogging past the splash pool. Typical.

PCMC

2006-05-27T10:25:00.002-07:00

Yep, I changed my title because this is my very own personal nickname on a daily basis. A few of my students go through this roll call before deciding which one to land on! It's funny, especially when one of my "tougher" guys does it and starts blushing because they don't want to look silly.

I decided this week that Primary Children's Medical Center (PCMC) is its own contradiction. I had to spend the better part of Thursday there as my 4-month old was being tested for cystic fibrosis (which, of course, he does not have). I have never been a fan of hospitals but the atmosphere in this one is so child-friendly it's almost pleasant. I observed many nurses, doctors, and other staff members interacting so warmly with every child that it made things a bit more comfortable. On the flip-side it is a children's hospital with sick to very, very sick kids. I watched as small children arrived at the outpatient clinic, where blood is taken or shots are given, and began to cry as soon as they saw which room they were in. It was sad. These kids obviously have to visit that clinic enough to learn to hate it. My heart goes out to anyone who has spent more than just a few hours there.

Doctors know nothing...

2006-05-22T22:07:00.000-07:00

So a few years ago I swore off all doctors for a little over a year after I was tested for all sorts of nasty things. There was something wrong with me and I really wanted answers. I even waited months to see a specialist just to be told that it was all in my head, and that I probably had a lazy lifestyle. Then after tests for major diseases were given, and going through emotional hell each time, I decided that I'd had enough. Doctors are just big guessers, and patients have to build up tough skins to put up with all the scary terms being thrown around. I know this is pretty abstract, but I eventually found a doctor willing to admit that she didn't know what was going on and promised to not give up until things were figured out. I was feeling good about the medical world again... until today.

I took the boy for his 4-month check-up and after his weight and height was charted, his doctor shared her concern about how small he is. Now, he has my genes and I was tiny until I was 3. He has dropped a little weight, but he is heathy and happy. I think I would know if he was uncomfortable, feeling sick, or hungry all the time. (trust me, he is good eater!) So what does she start spouting?... go to Primary Children's Hospital for Cystic Fibrosis testing. Yep, that's just what every new mom wants to hear. I realize she wants to rule out all reasons for a little weight loss, but my gosh, ease a parent in to something like that. Or, I don't know, listen to the mom trying to explain the child's genetic make-up.

The point: doctors really don't know much, and they shouldn't act like they do.

Hell Yeah!

2006-05-05T22:50:00.000-07:00

We used to live in Sugar House, and sometimes we really miss it. We miss the noises, the closeness of commerce, the uniqueness, and the variety of people. Out here in the suberbs... well, not so much variety. For example I saw exactly what we are missing out here today while waiting for a movie to start up in good ol' Sugar House. Walking up the street, to his own beat, was a black man shouting "Hell yeah!" over and over. I say to his own beat because it was really as if he had some song or lyrics going through his head. It made me and Dan miss our old home and I thought, "yes, this is what Daybreak needs." But then I also thought, if (not all, just most of) my neighbors saw and heard his exclamations they would end calling the cops.

The Best Medicine

2006-05-02T20:31:00.000-07:00

So my 3 1/2 - month-old is just starting to laugh, and the sound is golden. Today he belly laughed for a good 10 minutes when his grandma was playing with him. Of course I was a bit jealous that it wasn't me making him laugh so hard, but I am addicted to it so it doesn't matter. I just never imagined that someone a fraction of my size and age could make me laugh so hard. Yep, we'll keep him!

Pillow Talk

2006-04-28T21:13:00.000-07:00

So after 6-7 minutes of laying silently together going to bed....

Dan: "Is Timothy McVeigh still alive?"

Me: "I think so, why?"

Dan: "Do you want to know my train of thought?"

*dangerous after a long day, and such a random comment*

Me: "Sure."

Dan: "I was thinking about how green our lawn is getting, and that I did a good job fertilizing. So I thought I should get some more soon. Then I thought about how people make bombs out of fertilizer. Then I remembered that Timothy McVeigh used fertilizer in his bombs, so I wondered if he was still alive."

Yeah, our conversations are thrilling.

I'm IT

2006-04-27T21:20:00.000-07:00

Like I have time... Mother and grandmother-in-law in town, tracking-off tomorrow (huh?), early faculty mtg, cleaning to impress mother-in-law. Talk about myself? Okay, twist my arm.

4 Jobs I've Had

1. Boy Scout of America. Yep, spent a crazy summer outside Jackson, WY teaching 14-18 yr old boys how to overcome fear of climbing. High up there I saw some tears that will never be owned up to!
2. Jewish Community Center preschool teacher. We took the 2 & 3 yr olds swimming twice a week, changed community style, and it was the first time (and only time) seeing anyting uncircumcised. Interesting...
3. LDS Brighton Girls Camp. Yes, I had a camp name. Yes, I was surrounded by way too bubbly girls for a summer. Yes, that is why I worked with boys the very next summer.
4. Kindergarten Teacher. Currently. Oh the stories I get to share. (names changed of course)

4 Movies I never get sick of

1. Happy, Texas (independent film... so funny)
2. Keeping the Faith (even Dan, the husband, enjoys this funny chick-flick)
3. Gone in 60 Seconds (if only I could drive like that)
4. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (need I explain)

4 Places I have Lived

1. Salt Lake City, UT
2. Dana Point, CA
3. Hoback Junction, WY
4. South Jordan, UT

4 TV Shows I can't miss

1. "Lost"
2. "The Office"
3. "Crossing Jordan"
4. I would have 4, but the other shows I liked in the fall have turned out to be repetitive, predictable, or dumb.

4 Favorite Foods

1. This new pasta dish I just learned to make... yeah that's specific.
2. Cafe Rio Pork Salad
3. The Pie's cheese with fresh tomatoes- pizza
4. A dang good steak with garlic mashed potatoes

4 Sites I visit Daily

1. my email - I know it's sad
2. work email - :( :(
3.
4.

4 Places I'd Rather be Right Now

1. camping up in WY
2. camping near Bluff, UT
3. lying on a beach somewhere - I like the sun!
4. cuddling with Dan, the husband

3 People I am Tagging

1. Okay Karen, then pass this on to Larrie
2. Larrie
3. Robison Wells, the famous author with the new and exciting book coming out

never say never

2006-04-26T20:38:00.000-07:00

So after listening to all the interesting stories about codenames, revenge, and coming out of the closet in a group of "bloggers," I have to say I felt a bit out of the club. I have always said that blogging is not for me. When would I have time? Who would even want to read it? What could I say without offending certain parties? But then, when have I cared (or thought ahead) about what offensive things pop out of my mouth. I do enjoy telling crazy kindergarten stories (I teach kindergarten...), I do have a new and adventurous baby boy, and my husband is pretty entertaining- and not just to me, sometimes! I don't know, we'll see.