Week One

When I was a young mom (young in years, experience, and patience) there was nothing that would have convinced me to watch another person's child(ren). None!
My sanity was hanging on by a thread and how was I to know that that kid wouldn't have scissors?
Anyway, now that my kiddos are all in school and I have been child free during the day for 4 years or so, I have my sanity tied up real tight (though it threatens to unravel daily around homework time) I am loving having Camden here with me during the day.

Last week was our first week and it went off without a hitch. We had a playdate, took" field trips" to Walmart and Michael's (cuz that is where all toddlers want to be), had a parent/teacher meeting at the middle school, and had a nap everyday. Well, I did nap with him a couple of times but not everyday. (oh, the life!)
On Friday afternoon when Camden's mom came to pick him up he had a fit. I'm talking a drop to the ground, feet kicking, screaming fit when it was time to go. Did you read that? He didn't want to leave!!??

Needless to say, we had a good first week.
(that light saber didn't leave his hands,
he even took one home Friday!)

Embarrassing Moments

I must say I don't remember many "God, please let the earth open up and swallow me" type embarrassing moments. I have been involved in some embarrassing situations but have a bad memory so I tend not to remember them.

This is the only time when having a bad memory is a good thing.

So here is an embarrassing moment I can remember.

As many of you know I don't have much of a filter. I tend to say things as I see them, honestly, good or bad. K, here we go.

I was a missionary in my first area in Oak Harbor, Washington. My companion and I went to a member's house for some reason, possibly a dinner appointment. This member was a terrific woman. She was very crafty, and a great cook. In fact, she ran a catering business (mostly cakes) out of her home. She was the mother of 3 children the oldest of which was 12. She was busy. When we got to her home she apologized for the mess (laundry piled on the couch in the living room).

k, let me explain a little about my childhood. I am the oldest of 6 children. My mother was a very busy woman and there was always laundry either on the couch or in a basket or both. With that said, I will continue.

I said to this sister, "Don't worry about it, my mom is a bad housekeeper too!"

Yes, I did.

What I meant to say is "Don't worry, we have laundry at my house too" or maybe I should have just said 'no problem".

This BEST part of this story is that I didn't even realize I said it. I was oblivious!
My companion told me later on how I embarrassed her.

How's that? I have another one to share but I'll save that one for later!

My Faith

I'll admit that I am happiest when I am helping, serving, and lifting others. That is not the reason I do it though, just a benefit. I serve others for many reasons but the most important is because Jesus Christ served His whole life. He gave His life for others and by doing so He set the perfect example for all of mankind. I made a covenant at baptism to be more like Him and so I serve to make others' burdens light.
I realize that many people don't understand or have been misinformed about my religion. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Members of my church are often referred to as Mormons. I hope that while I am serving in the community I can help others understand who I am and what I believe.

I just watched this video and was amazed at how little the people interviewed knew about us, one of the largest religions in the world.

Will you please watch it and let me know if there is something I should be doing to help others better understand my faith?

Can you guess?

Can you guess what is happening outside?

Happy New Year!

K, I realize it is the 7th of January and I am a little late with the salutation.
We are still trying to get back into the groove of real life after a wild week long party at our house.

We are still working on our 2010 resolutions. I want to post them all but here are a few just to keep me honest.

1. Lose Weight. (I know you are surprised.) My weight loss calculator says I will have to lose 2 pounds a week to be back to my newlywed weight by July 12th. Yikes! (unofficially my scale says I have lost 2 pounds already this week)
   
2. Listen to my children when they talk to me. I am guilty of uh-huh-ing my way thru most of a conversation only to have to stop and ask them to repeat it all.
   
3. Spend more quality time with my family.
   
4. Watch less tv.
5. Read more.
   
6. Exercise regularly (ideally 3 times a week)
7. Better manage my time.

K, this isn't the whole list. I will be working on these for the first few weeks/months and will let you know how it goes.

The Second Day of Christmas

What, you actually expected me to blog on each "day of Christmas"? Yeah, me too.

I could try to come up with something clever... but instead will just give you...

Two Lame Excuses..... sick kids and errands.

Let's recap (come on, you have to sing it to get the full effect)

On the second day of Christmas our family gives to you....

• two lame excuses
• and a video requesting some room! :)

Falling

I love this time of year. I love the cool mornings, the leaves rustling in the wind, the smell of the air, the feel of the wind on my face.
I love the way I smell after I play in the leaves. I love having to wear a sweatshirt because all of the windows are open and it is just a little chilly.

With all of the things I love about this season there is one thing I don't like.

Depression

My depression is manageable. I take daily medications that make me functional, happy on most days. But every fall around mid-October, without fail, I become sad. I want to lay in bed, snuggled up, hiding from the world. I want to sleep the days, weeks, and months away. I want to hibernate like a bear until the spring comes.
Is it the change in the amount of sun I get? Possibly. Is it the added stress of homework times 4? I am sure that adds to it.

I have my good days and my bad days. I am able to function daily thanks to modern medicine.
The thing that always makes me whole again (even for just a minute) is the Spirit of Christ. I felt it today while I watched this:

Lifting Burdens

I know that true peace and happiness is found from only through Jesus Christ. He is my Redeemer, my Savior, my Advocate with the Father. He knows me and loves me.
He has felt my sadness and is there to comfort me. I am sad, but I won't always be. There is hope in Him. I will one day be whole and it is His gift to me.

PS. Please don't take this as a "pity post". It is a post about how I feel. My love of the changing weather and my dislike of hereditary medical issues. Nothing more. Maybe now you'll understand me (and my moods) a bit better.

The third time's the charm!

My phone is fine. It is in brand new condition.

It still has that new phone smell.

As great as that is, it is also the problem.

Did you know that a new phone has an empty calendar and contacts list? Yup, it is true. You have to add your own names, numbers, emails, addresses, and other important info to the phone to make it your own.

Here's the problem. My phone was backing up my info onto the server in the office. The server that my husband disconnected and then sold on Craigslist. So, I had no info to put into my phone. DOH!

I went to the apple store to retrieve the data from my old phone. The miracle is that they still had it in the back of the store. The really infuriating part is that the "genius" deleted the info on the phone in an attempt to transfer it from old phone to new phone. It was there... in the palm of his hand and then **poof** it was gone.

I am now starting over from scratch (no pun intended).

If you read this and I know you please send me your contact info! If you read this and I don't know you... give it a shot, what can it hurt?

Bad things DO happen in threes... at least I hope so.

Just My Luck

I heard somewhere that bad things happen in threes. I sure hope that isn't true.

About a month ago my iphone fell in the toilet. oops. If I close my eyes I can see it happen again in slow motion.
I reach for the handle,
I flush,
I see the phone fall from my other hand,
spinning, falling, spinning,
splash,
I remember grabbing it before it got flushed and thinking I was home free!

I was WRONG... a few minutes later the screen "melted" and I knew it was a goner.

Today, while being a good mom and taking my kids to the park, it happened again. kind of.

I did use the port-a-jon, but left the phone on the open magazine to hold my page. (I've learned the hard way that phones and toilets don't mix)
BUT on my way back to the table my son was smacked in the face with a football.
After applying a makeshift icepack to his face I decided it was time to go. I went to the table and grabbed the closed magazine.
See here is the tricky part. I left the magazine open and the wind blew it closed. I didn't remember that my phone was there!
As I lifted the magazine my phone fell face first onto the concrete below. After it landed, I once again fooled myself into thinking that I had dodged a bullet. There was no shattering and scattering of pieces. It looked fine... until I picked it up.

Good news: the phone still works! I called my hubby with it to share the bad news.

Bad news: the screen is shattered. I need a new phone.

My hubby is coming home early tonight so we can take my phone and get it replaced. I am considering immediately walking to where we parked the car, placing the phone behind a wheel, and backing over it. It would take away the suspense (paranoia) of waiting for my phone to have another (the third) accident. AND we would save gas and time cuz we'd already be at the store!

Hubby wouldn't go along with it. He said the next time I break my phone... it stays broken. :(
I bought a case to help protect it.

Wish me luck!

My Favorite Job!

I have had a lot of jobs in my life. My first job (besides babysitting) was at a Farmer's Market. I've waited tables, flipped burgers, run a register for a dept. store, college bookstore, and a gas station (11pm - 7am shift), scrubbed toilets, managed the night shift at a sub shop, and directed traffic around road construction. I have learned a little about what I don't want to do when I grow up but I still don't know what it is I do want to do.

Tonight at Cub Scout Pack meeting Eli was asked "What job would say your Mom does?" and looking at me he answered "PTA?" Give that boy the GRAND PRIZE ~ He is right!

Last week I was busy with The McAlpine Mile fundraiser (we raised over $11,000), this Friday each class has their Spring Celebration (cookies and juice packs) I don't have to be there but I do have to remind the parents who volunteered to bring the stuff. Now I am heavily involved in planning for the Spring Book Fair. I LOVE my job! Next year my life should get a little easier with the change in position from Co-VP of Fundraising, Book Fair Chair, and Room Parent x 2 to PTA Co-President, but for now I am loving every busy minute of my job! Does this count as a job?

Eli and his first grade class after finishing the McAlpine Mile! (Yes, I made the sign too!)

My Mosaic

1. Laura'>http://www.flickr.com/photos/la_renata/1803988360/">Laura y el aire,
2. Will'>http://www.flickr.com/photos/altemark/142649790/">Will eat for food,
3. Spaulding'>http://www.flickr.com/photos/broyea/1024072566/">Spaulding High School - Sign - 8-4-07,
4. blue'>http://www.flickr.com/photos/bevcraigwhite/2228036867/">blue and white...2008,
5. movie still,
6. 23!,
7. Cosmic'>http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/2287920448/">Cosmic Dream:kerala:India,
8. Ben'>http://www.flickr.com/photos/normy/5275929/">Ben and Jerry's,
9. One'>http://www.flickr.com/photos/lozinho/2201523370/">One engine approach with Airbus A330 simulator,
10. Nace'>http://www.flickr.com/photos/happy-mami/2087556428/">Nace un bebé, nace una mamá / A baby is born, a mom is born,
11. Gisimba'>http://www.flickr.com/photos/camera_rwanda/210876438/">Gisimba Memorial Center,
12. Peanut'>http://www.flickr.com/photos/fornal/373418814/">Peanut Butter Cup Heart

The Rules: you answer the following 12 questions about yourself (my answers are in parentheses after each question):

1. What is your first name? (Laura)


2. What is our favorite food? (all)


3. What high school did you attend? (Spaulding High School)


4. What is your favorite color? (Blue)


5. Who is your celebrity crush? (Owen Wilson)


6. Favorite drink? (Diet Dr. Pepper)


7. Dream vacation? (anywhere but here)


8. Favorite dessert? (Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream)


9. What do (did) you want to be when you grow up? (Pilot)


10. What do you love most in life? (babies)


11. One word to describe you? (Volunteer)


12. Your Flickr name? (Laura)
    

Want to play? Type your answers to each of the above questions into Flickr's search. Using only the images that appear on the first page, choose your favorite and copy and paste each of the URL's into the Mosaic Maker. (3 columns, 4 rows)

Jury "dooty"

It has been quite some time since I posted anything....sorry. I HATE it when I go to your blog and it is still the same! So now you know how it feels, a little taste of your own medicine.

Anyway, I have been busy trying to keep my house and children in order. I know, it's probably a lost cause, but I am not ready to throw in the towel quite yet.

I had Jury Duty today. They actually call it Jury Service now....whoopee! It doesn't matter what the call it, I am convinced I will never be able to actually sit on a Jury. I spent all day at the courthouse. It wasn't actually a bad thing. I had 9 hours of kids free time. I watched a movie( The Great Debaters) uninterrupted and read my scriptures...I KNOW!, and read a few more chapters in The Host. (I am starting to get into it now)
What I didn't like was having to wait two hours in the court room to be called to sit in the box (as an alternate) and be shot down by the defense. The prosecution didn't have a problem with the fact that my father is a retired police officer and that *Carter (*relative whose name I changed) was convicted of a felony. She said...."thazzz cooo!" (ok, but she rested!) and then BAM! the defense said "we'd like to call a motion to dismiss this juror" no questions, no nothing! RUDE! I am perfectly capable of being fair and impartial. My father chose a career as a civil servant.... SO WHAT? It isn't like he came home every night and told me stories of all those bad bad people that were "allegedly" driving under the influence. And that I was forever swayed to think that the policeman is always right. Hello? I wasn't born yesterday. The saying "Good Cop, Bad Cop" had to come from somewhere!

Anyway, I am hoping that my ranting and raving will help me calm down a bit because what started out as a great day ended with me in a really crappy mood. (mumble, mumble mumble)

Will I ever get to serve on a Jury? I will have to wait at least 2 years to find out! I'll keep you posted.

Book Fair

I know you ALL are dying to know what it is I do in my spare time. Some of you may have heard that I am the Book Fair Chairperson for the elementary school's PTA. I have proof now that the frequent excuse "I can't that day I have a book fair thing" is not a way of putting you off. I promise I am not really avoiding you...I actually am busy with the book fair. I have proof (photos) from this Spring's "Take a Reading Road Trip" Book Fair.



I have a great bunch of friends I get to work with. In fact if I didn't work with these women, I probably wouldn't do it. The first thing we do for the book fair is brainstorm for decorations. We don't HAVE to decorate, but it is a tradition that, as stressful as it may get, we love. We decorate the wall just inside the front door and near the entrance to the book fair. The kids LOVE this. They know the fair is coming soon when they see us decorating the wall.


With the "Road Trip" theme we decided on a US map with points of interest you could visit on a road trip. It is hard to see in this photo, but we have the name of each state on a license plate. We thought we might need to help the kids out...heck, WE had a hard time figuring out the states in the mid-west. They all seem to blend together! Plus, there was a kid who asked where Madagascar was.... I explained to him that this was a US map, but he asked again. That is when I realized he thought Madagascar was part of the US, so I set him straight. We all had a good laugh over that and told our friend Tanya (the principal). Funny though, she wasn't as amused as we were.



Here we are with some kindergarteners. They got to help the teacher pick out the books their class won in the door decorating contest. Oh an the adults in the photo are (l-r) Debbie, Me and Elissa. Stephanie either wasn't there or was avoiding the camera.
PS. Elissa's son is the boy with the serious look on his face. He is a cutey pa-tutey. He and Eli get along great.

So there it is. The book fair lasted for only one week (thank goodness) and our total sales were $14, 875 and some change. Not too bad for a few volunteer moms, huh?

Garden Party!

The garden is started! I was so industrious this morning and went to Lowe's (and then Home Depot and finally Pike Nursery, UGH!) to get the vermiculite, peat moss, and compost. Oh! and the rest of the plants/seeds. But by the time I got home I was hot and tired and honestly a bit cranky. (Home Depot no longer sells vermiculite? Some garden center!) So I took the afternoon off. Not very productive of me, but hey, it's my garden.

Later in the day (5pm) I finally felt a need to get it done. So here are the photos. Though the garden isn't complete, I am off to a great start!

Garrett hefting and pouring compost for the garden.

Okay, I know this isn't the most flattering photo of me. Keep in mind that Eli took this one and I had pretty much lost all feeling in my face because he took his dear sweet time!

Here's the cukes and beans (seeds planted)

From the top, tomatoes, and onions.

Here is part of the garden behind the family room (where the garden was last year) There is another box this shape and size mirrored to the left. This has carrots and onions in it so far.

Still to plant: zucchini, cantaloupe, watermelon and pumpkin.

Random Thoughts

So I have been reading a few blogs today. They are written by very funny, talented women. I am a bit jealous. I have my funny moments, but to write about everyday life and have it be laugh out loud funny...well, I won't put you through that. Maybe I just don't see the humor in life and I have turned into a grumpy old person....naaaaaw!

I have some things to blog about...like my garden, or what will soon become my garden. I have pictures of the process but they are on the card in my husband's phone. My husband is currently in Boston which means I can't post any of the pics until later this week. :(


I do have a picture of the poster I made. (Made might be a bit deceiving. I traced it from an overhead projector and then painted it. )
For all of you who wonder what it is I do for the Book Fair...this is one thing. Our theme this Spring is "Take a Reading Road Trip" so we have a wall in the school decorated with a map (photo coming soon) and this sign. I spend a lot of time doing the two Book fairs a year at the Elementary School, but I LOVE it. And I love the girls I work with.



I promised Noah that I would post a photo of this worm.
He is convinced it is a cankerworm that the county has recently sprayed to kill. I don't have the heart to tell him it is just some ugly run o' the mill worm. At least, now when he asks if I posted the photo I can honestly say "yes".













This (left) is a photo of a REAL Cankerworm.