Thoughts from today

My birthday/pumpkin party happened this morning. We had the Wrights, Moultries, Lees, Zobells, Johnson kids and Kelly Onstott. Other than Aaron giving himself a goose-egg by running full steam into our fireplace and Ashley crying b/c she didn't want to sit at the available seats, it was a nice time. Becky brought yummy treats and homemade root beer and we ended with a pinata which was fun.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes. Bryan and the girls bought me a hermit crab Hermy, but he died in the night. It could have been due to the fact that we kind of dropped him twice on the bathroom counter, or to the fact we didn't give him a heat lamp like we were supposed to, or it just could have been his time to go. We had a very nice burial service for Hermy in our backyard with many neighbor kids in attendance. He has a nice headstone which reads "Hermy He lived ocne. He died." It was the perfect tribute. Emily was in mourning for the next hour. Many flowers and leaves were brought to decorate the grave site. I can't say that I've missed him too much.

For my birthday my mom bought me some gorgeous roses and gave me an heirloom diamond ring; both were meaningful to me. Our family celebrated my birthday night with our own dance party. My sweetie knows I like to dance so we pushed the couches aside and rocked out with the girls for 45 minutes. It made me smile. I also spend my birthday talking on the phone with family, eating ice cream with some friends, enjoying a breakfast feast and a dinner I didn't have to cook. The more I taste the idea of 30, the more I am getting used to it and figuring out what flavor it is.

Today I was reading a book by Heidi Baker called Compelled by Love about her desire to help people around her and finding her faith and ministry by helping people in Mozambique. I too want to help people and be alive in Jesus. Right now I feel excited about other people and their adventures in serving and giving their lives to others in the spirit of God. For a while I was feeling pressure from Bryan and other expectations to have another child soon but wasn't feeling like I wanted to give other things up/away. I talked to my midwife who said that a good time to have a child is when your joy and lives are so full and fulfilling that you want to spill it over/share it with someone else. So I feel at peace with the decision to not get pregnant soon and I am more focusing on where I am and what I want from life. Especially since my birthday for some reason. Like my time to experiment life is transforming into what I am doing for the rest of my life. I am realizing I want it to be more giving and reaching out than it is right now. I am not training for any races currently. Becky and I have been running only on Friday mornings. I have been in withdrawals so I called her last week and said I needed twice a week again. It's painfully early for me, but I need it for the exercise, friendship and therapy. I am planning on the SLC Ragnar with my family in June 2011.

Bryan and I are good. I got scared for/about him when he went to visit Texas in September and he hung out with his brother Cameron for a few days. But after some hard days together, I feel like we are at a good/better place than we've been before. It's love (which means work and play) and it's good. Music studio is fun for Bryan when he's doing what he wants. He recorded his first band this month and thought their music was okay. Overall he liked pushing buttons, etc. but making it his profession isn't happening. He started holding weekly band practices for him and his friends on Wed nights and has had fun with composing new stuff with Jono recently.

Homeschooling is now not new anymore and it's been challenging for me to find a balance of where it's fun and where I get to be the enforcer. Since I don't have any formalized instruction plan Emily is testing my limits and I am realizing I need some goals. Both girls are starting to play piano with and without lessons. Ashley learned how to read this last week. Her first book was Green Eggs and Ham. Then Go Dogs Go and has launched from there. It's very fun and cool to watch someone learn how to read. When I asked her where she learned, she said "I guess I already knew how." Emily came home from school telling me what were our needs vs. wants. Points for public education.

Aaron is a curious toddler boy (16 months). He is challenging right now with him getting into everything (toilets, markers, kitchen cabinets). He dropped Bryan's cell phone in the toilet this week but luckily it got fixed ok. He loves being able to color like the girls but he eats markers, crayons and pencil erasers. And colors on everything so I end up giving him a yellow colored pencil and he is ok with that (for a while). He has some very cute words right now "none, two, fee (1, 2, 3); roar! (when sees a bear picture); ball; shoes; nana (all fruits); bye-bye; and No! (when he is getting into anything that he thinks is off limits, i.e. the garbage).

FYI- We are planning to spend Thanksgiving in WA with Bryan's brother Drew and the Christmas/New Years season with my family in Tucson. We will be driving to both places. Also we are considering relocating to Tucson in Feb/March for about 6 weeks. If you have an info on people wanting some renters in AZ or needing a place in SLC, let me know.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow I turn 30. I wanted to get Lasik eye surgery to feel better about my old age birthday but I really reconsidered when I asked Bry if he wanted to get it done too and he replied, "Optional surgery on my eyes? No way!" I guess I was only looking at the pluses: it's been tested for a lot of years, I already have seen my kids' faces so even if I go blind I could maybe remember them, I am the optimal age and my eyes measured good so I won't have night vision blurriness, and I won't be blind if there were any emergencies in the middle of the night. I guess I am waiting for more people to keep telling me all the good reasons and stories so I'll be convinced again. My current vision is -3.25 (contact) in both eyes.

I just read that it's supposed to be bad weather for my pumpkin party on Saturday. Good thing I just started sweeping out and organizing the garage. The girls/ neighborhood kids love to collect flower petals, sticks, plants, berries and grass and make them into 'fairy stew.' Somehow or another all the dead plants end up on my garage floor. That is one positive with Bryan being out with the girls tonight birthday shopping (which took forever), I cleaned the garage since the van was gone. I picked up sand toys, plumbers tape and weed wacker string.

The girls and Bryan bought me a hermit crab for my birthday. It's black and has a jack-0-lantern painted on its back. I had known about this and agreed to it beforehand. After they came home with the crab and all its gear, I would now like to reconsider. Icky, maintenance and stinky already. And that's with me only having touched it once. It managed to climb up and out of it's 4" high cardboard box and landed on the bathroom counter. I moved it back inside the box but I don't know how long we can last. It's my job to name it. I am thinking about naming it Beta Fish and telling the girls it transformed in the night.

Halloween party Saturday night. Bryan picked out our costumes. All I will say now is that I will be learning Elf-ish language to play my part correctly. I don't love my character I am being, but I do love Bryan and want to support his dreams. The party with adults only and good food should be fun.

Went to the zoo today with the girls for homeschool. I think we spent about 3 hours there. I think our favorite was baby Zuri the female 1 year old elephant. After leaving the giraffe pen, Ashley says to me (in a quiet voice since the giraffe house says to be quiet), "Mom, I don't think I want a giraffe for a pet." I think she finally got the 'animal' part of the zoo. Like the animals are not just there to entertain us, but are alive with habits, etc. Earlier while we were feeding the birds at the duck pond, Ashley comes over to me crying. She told me that the big white bird (Trumpeter Swan) bit her thumb while trying to get the bread out of her hand.

Well, I got one hour left of being 29. I think I'll go spend it in bed since I am starting my day tomorrow with running at 7 a.m. Followed I think by Nutella crepes made by Bryan.

Why I love Fall

For me fall includes: pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting, raking leaves as a family and watching the kids jump in them, wearing jeans every day, taking Sunday naps in the sunny spot in my front room (maybe that's more winter-time), hot chocolate, watching the leaves change color every day, my birthday, going to the Barnyard Boo at Thanksgiving Point, picking out pumpkins at a pumpkin patch, hanging out with friends outside while it's still nice outdoors, and all yummy warm baked goods.

Last weekend we attended Bryan's annual work party. There were maybe 40 people in attendance: 5 partners, 6 associates, 3 secretaries and their families. We meet in someone's house with a huge backyard and play games, hire a balloon artist, eat yummy food and mingle. I think everyone had a great time and I loved ending up with yummy leftovers.

Home School Rocks!

Right now our plan is to homeschool Emily 3 mornings a week. I set up a little area in the basement with two kids' desks. Monday and Wednesday is just Em and I and on Thursdays Ashley joins us. Each day Emily goes to Adelaide school for lunch and the afternoon. Although, we've done it for 5 days now and each day is completely different. Yesterday we cancelled home school b/c Em wanted it and today we cancelled Adelaide b/c I wanted to.

Today was the best day by far. Em, Ash and I started with our regular routine: prayer, calendar (telling time, patterns), writing (Ash wrote d and 4 and Emily wrote the date 2 different ways), recess (girls roller skated), math (Aaron went down for a nap and we learned about $.23 and measuring), snack w/ reading (sandwiches, pears and Dr. Doolittle) and then took a lunch/play break. I love being able to see success at every event! Then we went to the library and picked up books on Autumn, Rosh Hashannah and space (all things Emily is interested in). Then onto Marie Callenders restaurant with Bryan, where we learned about manners and what is involved in eating out. We ate our early dinner at 4 in a near empty restaurant and had a great time. Then home for Emily's Adelaide homework, followed by piano lessons for both girls. It was so successful and fulfilling to me- a day to be remembered.

Especially when I went in yesterday to Em's school class to volunteer and she behaved horribly during the hour I was there. I was worried I was messing her up being in home school b/c now she doesn't know how to sit still. Afterwards I asked her about it and she said she was bored b/c she knew everything in there already; which was true.

I am thinking about signing Emily up for swim lessons on Mon and Wed mornings while Aaron and I do a mom & tot class. The only problem is that Ashley would be missing out b/c she'd be in her preschool. Ah the dilemma of too many fun educational things to fit in. The girls are involved with 'Up With Kids'- a dance, singing and acting class where they will be performing "Alice in Wonderland" in the spring. They have been twice and both love it!

Aaron our sailor man.

Triathalon Results

I did my first triathalon Labor Day Monday September 6th at South Davis Rec. Center.

SWIM,

There were 6 lengths of the pool to swim, totaling 150 yards. I've swam laps twice since 2004 so I wasn't prepared for this part. I think I did okay- at least I didn't stop or drown.

(Transition)

I was worried about how it would be to change events, run bare foot from the pool, factor in the cold (50's) while wet, if I would forget something, etc. It all worked out pretty good.

BIKE,

I've owned my bike for 3 weeks or so now and been on a bike 4-5 times this year. Included was 1 pretty decent fall, which did not include stitches but multiple bandages and bruises on elbows and legs. The 2.5 mile ride was pretty good. The hardest part of the race was my breathing. After getting out of the pool I was panting hard and never seemed to catch my breath the whole race. I got passed by 4 people.

& RUN

This was the part I felt the most comfortable doing. I have been running 2-3 miles a couple days a week most of the summer. I passed 3 people. I still had a hard time breathing. At the finish line I thought someone was catching me and hauled in to find that no one was there.

OVERALL

I did it 31:06 minutes. I had anticipated doing it in around 40-45 minutes so I am pleased I did better than that. I ended up placing 1st in my division {Novice, Women, age 16 and older.} Pretty good considering I didn't really train for 2 of the 3 events. I think I will do it again next year with a friend, more swimming practice and keep the same distances. Bryan was awesome to get up early and get the kids all ready to come and cheer me on. I won an engraved hammer for my prize and everyone got a tape measure. You know- for Labor Day. Since we're celebrating... labor?

Ashley & Education

My sweet Ashley is 4, almost 4 1/2 and she is shy. I have a neighbor who likes to tease kids and calls my girls "boys" when he sees them. Emily gets the joke and thinks it's silly. Ashley avoids him, and all other similar embarrassing situations, with her head down and a straight face.

Today Aaron, she and I were on my bed giving Aaron his morning bottle (yes he will be 15 months this week and still takes bottles). She and I sang 2.5 songs to him before he squirmed away. I then held Ashley and sang her 1.5 songs before she informed me that, "That is enough singing mom." I told her to sing to me and she said she couldn't because I wasn't a kid. I told her that I was still a person and that I would love it if she would sing to me. She said she was too scared. I asked her if it was because she would forget the words or I would tease her, etc. She said she thought she might forget the words. (The song I requested was either Twinkle, Twinkle or ABCs song).

I told her of a few times when I have been nervous scared and told her that some people call that feeling butterflies-in-your-stomach because it feels all jumbly in there. She told me that it feels more like dragonflies.... with butterflies.... and sometimes also ladybugs. No wonder she's so shy. I'd feel shy too if I had all those bugs in there acting up.

Here is Emily on her first morning of public school first grade on August 23rd. We thought her teacher was Miss Ryan whom she knew and was happy about. We got to school and discovered she was put in a new teacher's class Mrs. Gleed. She handled it fine and thinks it's funny b/c she is in the same room as she was in Kindergarden.

She likes school okay although did come home complaining for the 3rd time that she had to sit still for so long watching cartoons. Yep you heard it. My first grader is bored watching cartoons at school. Thank you public education. Emily doesn't love getting up early in the mornings, but does love riding her bike to and from school which we have been able to do a lot of thanks to my friend Becky and her jogging stroller (in this picture too). Bryan and I are still going forward with our decision to part time homeschool Emily starting Sept 13th for three mornings a week. We feel it will be good b/c 1) Emily has a hard time staying focused/staying on task. With this challenge she gets ‘lost’ during assignments and can tends to rush to complete assignments resulting in poor work quality. 2) She has a very creative and bright mind and we would like challenge her and enrich her education by studying at home. 3) We would like to take a more active role in her education.

I have loved purchasing education math supplies for the last few weeks. I am excited to try it out. If it fails and she hates we are not opposed to sending her back and if she loves it, I am not opposed to having her stay home most of the time.

I can't say for sure what made us decide this. Factors include: I've always like the idea of homeschooling, Bryan switching from strong objections to strong support for, numerous people telling us their ideas on why homeschooling worked for them, but I guess the most exciting one to me what the day I found out you can part time homeschool. The day I called the district office (with butterflies in my stomach) and they told me it was no big deal to part time enroll and I only had to submit a 1 page form, I was giddy with excitement.

I did some school stuff with my kids this summer and I also try to do something every day after school. I am so comfortable in pulling out books and helping her with language. It takes more effort in math, which is where Emily needs some help, so it will be a good challenge for me to think math and push her learning more that direction for a while.

Anyone for tea?

Our neighbors/friends the Lees invited our girls over for a Tea/Garden Party. They had lunch, colored, made and ate dessert all in their loveliest clothes. I think there were maybe 9 little girls as guests in all with 2 grandmas, Kristi the mom, her sister and a sleeping toddler to make it all a successful event. The girls loved it and are already excited about doing it again next year. The table decorations and every detail were just lovely. Emily called herself 'Madame' and it fit in very nicely with the Fancy Nancy book we had been enjoying that morning.