Darin & Rebecca's Blog

David Copperfield

2009-03-28T18:51:00.000-07:00

Today I did laundry, more laundry, and then some more laundry. While I was folding (and cleaning my room, which is no small incident) I watched Masterpiece Theater's David Copperfield starring the very young Daniel Radcliffe (spelling?). For the poor unfortunate souls out there who do not know what Masterpiece Theater is- it is exactly what the name implies. It airs on PBS every Sunday night. They take a classic novel (a masterpiece) and turn it into a movie. They do an excellent job. So if you don't want to read a 900 page novel from the eighteen century but you want a little culture than you should give Masterpiece Theater a try. Occasionally, and I really mean occasionally (hardly ever) they have something really distasteful. But usually they are so clean, so beautiful, and so compelling. We love them. Anyway....David Copperfield is my all time favorite novel by Charles Dickens and the movie is very true to the book. It is four hours long so it got me through mountains of laundry.

Schedule and Knitting

2009-03-27T18:02:00.000-07:00

We learned how to knit today! A small miracle. Even Anna can knit. Now, her knitting looks different than mine, but she loves it and is very proud of it, and spent hours on it. For those that don't know-knitting is with two long needles, pointy ant one end, like a nail at the other end. We are knitting bags for our knitting stuff. They started out as scarves unfortunately, but will end up being bags because they are turning out wider than we thought they would be.

So where did we learn to knit. 4-H. I feel like such a hick typing 4-H. 4-H is usually learning how to take care of livestock such as sheep, pigs, goats, ect. and then ultimately selling the animal for a profit at the end. It is a very big thing around here. But they also have homemaking areas of 4-H. My friend that invited us to her 4-H group is a homeschooling mom. She has 3 kids in college (all previously homeschooled) and 3 at home, currently homeschooled. She has been a great resource so far. Before I ever met her, I sat in front of her at stake conference. I was drawn to her for unexplainable reasons. I struck up a conversation with her after conference and the spirit kept screaming at me, "Ask her if she homeschools." Now what are the chances? Why would I ask that? After the spirit told me like 12 times, I asked her and she said "yes, for 20 years and I have 3 in college. We love it, ect, ect." Wow. That was amazing. So Amie is her name and she and her 16 year old daughter taught how to knit today.

I was really proud of my girls. They were so polite and patient. Knitting is pretty easy when you get the hang of it, but is pretty hard at first. I'm very excited about it.

Schedules. Oh boy. I feel like Mom. I have had many, many conversations with Mom about her schedule. I also spent a few hours this week discussing organizing containers with Amy....
Back to schedules. Sighhhhhhhh......... It is very hard for me. Hard like say......running a marathon would be for me, or going a whole week or even a day without hurting myself. However, I am wondering now that I've been home a whopping week, since I went on my California vacation, I am discovering I get confused and overwhelmed at how to use my time. I get an anxiety stomach ache. (I'm getting one now just thinking about all of this.) Then I get frustrated and depressed and surf the internet, sleep, or eat. Utter wastes of my life. Don't get me wrong, I have plenty to do. Plenty of fun things to do too, but can't bring myself to prioritize and commit to doing anything that ultimately is not super duper easy! Completely and totally pathetic! Sighhhhh again.

What to do about my problem? Become obsessed with it of course. I've read and read about schedules and decided I need to succumb. I found a web site that offers products to homeschoolers. They have a book/system that I bought called Managers of the Home, from here on out referred to as MOTH. I'm excited, scared and somewhat hopeful. The system includes a 200 page book, as well as charts and organizers. What I really need is to go to a week long "Schedule Camp for Moms" . However, I never saw that advertised online. If you ever see that available, let me know. Anyway, I have a gut feeling that MOTH is the next best thing to a mommy camp, and hope, so much, it will help me.

No Longer Confused

2009-03-04T15:36:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been 4 1/2 months since I've cared to post and share my life with anyone. But it's been a week now since I've had to teach at school and decided it's about time. I want to read all of your blogs and start participating again. I love you all and I miss you.

So, most of you know by now that I took my children out of school on my last day. We are officially homeschoolers, or home learners as Darin and I would like to label ourselves. We are not doing school at home. We are not bringing school home. However, we hope our home will be a place where learning flourishes--whether by study, experimentation, writing or play. Already the girls have shown me how motivated they are to learn. Anna found a Readers Digest book on North American birds at the library in the adult section. It is basically an encylopedia of birds. I assumed it would go unread. How wrong I was. Both girls have spent hours pouring over the book. Aliese just printed her third newspaper. Her most recent edition has two articles and the weather forecast. One of the articles is the second in a series about birds. The other article is about the Boston Tea Party spurned on by the reenactment of the Boston Tea Party that occured this past week. She spends hours researching, writing, rewriting, and typing her paper. Anna requested a math assignment today. Anna wrote a story yesterday for the Reading Rainbow contest. This is all with grandparents visiting!

I realize that it won't always be wonderful, but these last few days have been so wonderful. They are already playing together better, and laughing more. Some of you might like to know my plans for curriculum. Well, I'm not altogether sure. This much I know, for now while we detox our systems and minds from the pressures of school, it's going to be pretty laid back. They both read and write all day. I'm going to insist on music every day. Eventually I will probably adopt a math curriculum, but I'm not ready for that yet. Until then we will concentrate on math facts, money and telling time when they are in the mood for math. I've been very unimpressed with their math experience this far, and I think we need some good drilling in the basics. Otherwise, for now, I think all of the other subjects will easily be covered if I am here to help my children learn what they are interested at the moment. For now the interest seems to be birds and Aliese is particularly interested in the Great Depression. We have two libraries to go to and we will check out as much of whatever they want every week.

I am really, really excited. I probably read 1000 pages last month about homeschooling. The more I read, the more convinced I became. With each book I had more clarity of thought and more love and warmth for my children. I really really really hope that our home learning will last along time. I have a completely different perspective on it than I did last time when we did it with Aliese. I also have a different perspective on being home and working outside the home. I realize now how truly wonderful it is to be at home. I know now how awful it is to work outside the home. I appreciate my husband so much more than I ever did before. I'm so grateful he goes to work everyday without complaint even though he would rather be home with us or out golfing. I really hated working and I was not a happy person when I got home either. I, with the girls, took at least an hour to enjoy being together after a long day at school. The longer the evening went on, the better we got along. The further we were away from school the more we liked each other. And then we'd have to get up the next day and do it all over again. Now we wake up liking each other, and we get to be together all day liking each other!

I'm getting tired of typing. I'll fill you all in more later.
Love you all.

Confused

2008-10-21T15:32:00.000-07:00

It seems like I've done a post called "Confused" before. Or maybe that is just the meaning of my life. And I think the word "confused" so often in the day that I can't remember thinking anything else. My life has never been like this. For the first part of my life I knew I wanted to study piano at BYU. Then I knew I wanted to give those recitals even if it killed me. I always knew I wanted to get married in the temple, have kids, and stay home with them. It's that last part that got interrupted. I didn't like it, but I new Heavenly Father wanted me to go back to school. I have doubted my decision many times, but every time I pray about I get the same answer. So for almost two years now I've known that I wanted to get my teaching certificate. Well, I almost have it and I'm so confused. I suppose I really don't have any choices yet, Firth hasn't offered me a contract of any kind. However, I don't know if I even want to work in Firth, or anywhere for that matter. My mind changes almost daily. I dream of starting charter schools, research charter schools, and then the next day I dream of homeschooling my kids with an arts based curriculum. I go back and forth all the time. Then occassionally I think, well maybe this could work out in Firth. Of course it would have to be better if I was getting paid.

All of that said, today I'm tired, I just had a fight with my tired husband and it feels like there is no peace in our life. I'm learning exactly why the Lord wants the mother in the home. It's not easy being at home, however, it's more peaceful. A lot more peaceful, a lot less stressful. I realize I am working full time, and I have been hoping for a part time job, but I now think that it wouldn't be that different in the long run. And the idea would be to build the program and eventually be full time when Gracie is in school. I don't know if working is for me. I have seriously learned to appreciate what my husband has been going through everyday ever since we got married. Working to me is--not having the choice who you see everyday. Working is dealing with selfish people that lie, and are only looking out for themselves (yet like to appear they are looking out for you). Working has influenced me in bad ways. For the first time in my life there are people I really don't like, and people I don't trust. People I used to love, I have learned talk out of both sides of their mouth and say what people want to hear, not what really is. Even though I only live in Firth, it is still the world, and I don't know if I want to be in it. I have become negative, hateful, and angry. I have never been those things before. I have become a cynic.

So my question is "Am I suffering from 'the other side is greener' syndrome?" Or am a seeing things clearly? If I went back home, full time, would I sink back into my depression that I've been fighting for years, but not the last two? I honestly don't have time to get depressed right now. My mind is constantly thinking of everything I have to do. It doesn't have time to think about depressing things. But then, I don't have enough time to create peace, or atleast allow peace to enter my home. Is it possible to achieve balance?

I went to the temple last Saturday. I accidentally went to the Spanish session. Whoops! They had monitors with the English words on it. I went praying to know why I had to go back to school. I was praying and begging and pleading and I looked up at the monitor and I saw, "I know not save the Lord commanded it." It was as if those words were in flashing neon lights. So once again I know I am doing the right thing.

I don't know what to pray for anymore. It seems like I don't even know how to pray.

On lighter note, I lost 4 pounds last week. So miracles still happen everyday, even to me.

Love you all.

Intrenched in Firthite Life

2008-09-05T19:44:00.000-07:00

I'm presently wearing a Firth Cougars shirt right now. Not quite sure how I feel about that yet. One of my choir students sang the National Anthem so I went to support him and test the mike, ect. He sang at 7:30, I was in my car at 7:41. I hate to brag, but it was probably the best performance at Firth in years. Last year a parent put together a few groups to sing the national anthem at the games, but usually they just said the pledge of allegiance. Impressive, hugh? So, I decided to take it over. Last week 8 girls sang in 3 part harmony, it was nice, but tonight one of my basses sang a solo, accapella, the way it should be done. He sang way better tonight than he ever did in rehearsal. And here's the kicker, his mom was just diagnosed with cancer 2 weeks ago. Her brother and sister both died of cancer last year! She'll probably die. He's living by himself right now because she's in some sort of rest home, or rehab place. He told me he was so nervous he didn't eat all day, and skipped school until choir. Bless his heart. He was so awesome though. People will be talking about it for weeks. Anyway Darin is still their of course because he is the assistant coach!!! Ugh!!!!!!!! All volunteer of course. If we aren't careful (and of course we aren't) our whole lives will become the Firth school district. I'm terrified.

I know you're all dying to know my schedule. Here goes.

5th grade music (where I teach Aliese 1-2 times a week)
Elementary school music (where I teach Anna 1 time a week)
6th grade band
7th/8th grade band
High School Choir

Most days, I love it. Some days I feel worthless or pointless, that the kids didn't learn anything, or have any fun. But then there are days, where I know they learned something and I had fun and I can hear them singing in the halls, something that I taught them, and it makes it all worth it. Shirley claims it will be easier when I have a pay check. Sounds sensible. I don't know though. On the hard days, when I'm exhausted, there's no food in the house, and no clean poats to cook on anyway, I am convinced I shouldn't work after I'm certified, and give up this whole big mess I got myself into. However, when I pray about it I am still convinced I am supposed to be doing what I'm doing. I seriously have never been so confused in all my life.

Anna is almost to the end of a 14 day goal of "yes days". What is a "yes day" you might be asking. A "yes day" is a day when Anna goes all day without saying no. You know those toddlers that only say "no" all day long? Well, Anna was never like that at ages 1 and 2, but must be a late bloomer because she is very good at saying no now. The reward at the end of the 14 days (she made a chart to keep track) is a tea party with her friends. It has been wonderful. So much less fighting. The party is set for Wednesday.

Aliese seems to be doing really good. She is emailing a friend from school on a pretty regular basis, loves her teacher and the new lunch choices at the middle school.

Gracie....sigh....I miss her and love her! She is such a delight. She just asked if she could watch a Dora upstairs and assured me she wouldn't be scared (shaking her head with large eyes).

I've started Twilight again. I'm almost done with the first book. I usually don't read books twice, especially so soon after reading it the first time. However, if I read a book I haven't read, I have a hard time putting it down, and I don't have time for that. So because I already know the end to the Twilight series, I can enjoy it without inhaling it. It's actually a lot funnier the second time too. I'm catching a lot of innuendos about vampires, that totally went over my head before.

For anyone that's interested, I will be at the beach house September 28 through October 4. I can't wait to sink my feet into the sand and smell the salty, seaweedy, wet air.

I'm tired. I love you all. Goodnight!

Love you all

2008-08-15T20:35:00.000-07:00

I know, two posts in one evening. I amaze even myself. But I just finished reading everyone's blogs for the first time in 2 1/2 months and they were all so wonderful. I just love you all so much. Thank you for blogging and sharing your life with me. I'm sorry I'm not a more regular reader and poster. I suppose I'm just sporadic in general. But I just had to do this little post to tell my family how privileged I feel to be in your life, to have you in my life. You inspire me, make me laugh (which I always need) and make me want to be a better person. I love the pictures, and know I need to do better. I will try to post some pictures on Sunday. Take care. Love you all and always missing you.......

Summer's Over : (

2008-08-15T18:28:00.000-07:00

It's been forever since I've posted. School you know. Whatever. Hopefully I will stop using that as an excuse eventually. So I took 9 credits this summer, and because I'm so brilliant (or because ISU is so easy) I got straight A's.

Last week I attended Choral Academy at BYU (in Provo). Oh, where to start, where to end? I love BYU, love the choral department there, the "School of Music" caliber vs. a "Dpt. of Music". I love that all of my roommates read their scriptures every night or morning, it was just like being back at school (ha, that's funny, I am back in school, but what I meant was back at school at BYU). Inspiring, loving, respectful, intelligent people at every turn. Is that what the Celestial Kingdom is going to be like? Sorry to those of you who aren't BYU fans, hope you're not barfing now. Maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit, but of course I haven't described the fudge and candy counter yet. Oh the memories......

Back to reality. I just finished my "prep" week, or should I call it "dung out 3 different classrooms" week. Pretty overwhelming. Especially since I don't thrive on organizing and cleaning like Amy does. I have thrown away many garbage cans full, and I'm not even done. However, I'm done for now, because I have to teach starting Monday. So I did write up some lesson plans today finally. I liked that. Since music is the whole point, not being a garbage man (or woman in this case).

So when I was really into Harry Potter I really wanted to be a witch. Then when I was really into Lord of the Rings I wanted to be an elf, or an elf witch like that one in the forest who had one of the rings. Now I'm considering on changing my dreams a little and dreaming of being a vampire. The jury is still out and I haven't officially decided, but vampirism is sounding more tempting than witchcraft at the moment. I'm not sure which part is the most tempting--the strong, invincible, graceful and beautiful body, hidden talents, or just the hot and heavy sex (can you believe how racy it was?!). I'm not sure about the hunting part though.....Mmmmmmmmm. Witches seem to eat a lot better, atleast at Hogwarts.

My family. Well, I didn't think I'd ever say it, but I think we're ready for school. My kids have been fighting a lot lately and it's getting old. Anna will be in 2nd grade! Yikes. And Aliese in the 5th grade which happens to be in the middle school here. However, they keep the 5th graders very separate and they still have recess, unfortunately for Aliese. Gracie will be spending 2-4 days a week with a woman in my ward named Brittnee. I said a prayer and then looked over the roster, and there was her name shouting at me (I've done that method to recruit more choir members too). Brittnee lives around the corner from me and has two little girls. Her oldest daughter is 2 weeks difference in age from Gracie. Her name is Abby and they are good friends in nursery. Brittnee seems to be excited about it. She's very laid back and a happy sort of person. She has a brand new unfurnished house, so hopefully extra money will be motivating to her and she will stick with us. We were so blessed with my friend Joan last year, and we feel very blessed to have Brittnee this year. Because of Darin's weird schedule, he'll be home a few days during the week. That makes it a lot easier.

One cute thing Gracie said recently referring to a lipgloss, "Mommy, I promise I won't lost it. Promise Mommy." I love the amazing transformation of language in a child. It is such a miracle to me. In some ways it is an overnight learning process, in other ways it is so gradual.

My garden is typical in that some things are thriving and some things aren't. However, whenever I go out there I feel peace and calm and I don't want to leave it.

The girls successfully completed four sessions of swimming lessons this summer which is 8 weeks. Shirley says that Aliese has the same form as Michael Phelps. For those in my family that don't know who that is--shame on you. Aliese and Anna have both made tremendous strides with their swimming. Another miracle in the Leslie family.

We register for ballet next week. I'm so excited. It's a studio run by two sisters. It's artistic, they're educated, and it's real art. Unlike the pathetic so called dance Anna did last year. I'm hoping they'll like it and stick with it for atleast a few years. I love ballet. They actually dance to real music, not hip hop rap, or whatever that kind of music is.

The reunion. Fabulous. I had such a good time. It went by so fast that I have to concentrate to remember any of it. : ( But when I do concentrate, I do remember it. Especially the activities like the story telling (since my girls were the stars), the shirt painting (watching my brothers in law paint was amazing) and of course the swimming and all of the eating. It was way fun and I wish we could do it more often. Thank you Jacob and Lyndsey.

Who knows when I'll post again. It's all I can do to get up in the morning. I love you all and miss you. Bye!

Summer is really here

2008-06-18T15:59:00.001-07:00

So the good weather has finally showed up as I'm sure it has where ever you live. We have been having a wonderful few weeks. I have 4 1/2 days left of my break and am loving it. Darin has had the past several days off, so it has been constant, and I mean constant yard work. Unfortunately, starting tomorrow, he is beginning two 68 hour weeks, because the other PA will be on her honeymoon. And no, he will not be making extra money, because he is on salary.

I am almost done with a sandbox. I built it. I put the sand in it. I filled in dirt around the sides (it is in the ground). I am amazing. And yes, we will be covering it to keep the cats out. This morning Darin and I went around to the back of Dennis' land where it is basically a sand pit. However, you'd be amazed what will grow in sand. So basically I broke up the sod (wild field grass), and Darin dug and loaded up the truck. Hard work. But it was free, and good sand. Long story short, I think I am amazing, and Darin thinks this whole project is annoying, and up until yesterday I was going to get the sand myself. Then he decided he would help me, and thank goodness he did or I would never have finished. The kids love it and have played in it already. I'm just finishing putting a border of cinder blocks around it.

I woke up with a headache, probably from dehydration from not drinking enough while working in the heat. I actually had it all night, and started the day with an excedrin. I'm not sure if it's the excedrin, or starting the day with a shovel in my hand, but I've had so much energy. I made homemade hot dog buns (I've always wanted to do that, don't ask me why), homemade lemonade (with honey of course), some healthy cookies (sweetened with honey and molasses), and worked hours on the sandbox. And I have energy left, this is seriously a rarity.

We are having a barbecue tonight, at the girls request. Hot dogs, not hamburgers. Also their request. I really like hot dogs, if they are good hot dogs.

Yesterday we went to the movie together with the girls. We saw Ratatouie, very funny for an adult, the kids didn't get any of the jokes, and it was about 20 minutes too long, but otherwise, good. Our cheap theater is running a kid's movie deal, 12 tickets for $8! And Gracie is free! The movies are older kids movies, but still at the theater, so we still have enough tickets left for two more movies. Of course we got popcorn and pop. On the way to the movie both the older girls said, one after the other, "I brought my money and I'm going to buy candy." I was impressed and told them so, and then Gracie said, very worried, "Daddy, I didn't bring my money." Very cute. The kids shared their candy with her though, they were very generous.

Aliese and Anna have been in swimming lessons the last two weeks, and actually have improved a lot. Aliese dove off the diving board yesterday in the deep end! That is very exciting news, since she is usually hesitant with athletics. They've really loved it. However, last week it was really rough. One day it snowed, so they had a "safety day", teaching them about water safety. The other days they came out with their lips blue, literally, and shivered for an hour afterwards. But miraculously, summer has arrived. So now it is better. We're siging them up for another session. If we don't go broke over it, we actually plan on signing them up for the whole summer.

My garden. I built a new 4 x4 raised bed out of Trex, on Saturday. I planted carrots, parsnips, and onions in it. A few weeks ago I built a 4x 8 (or so) raised bed out of big rocks that Brandt didn't want. It looks really cool, not nearly as sturdy as the Trex, but a lot cheaper (free). I planted a bunch of herbs, green beans, lettuce and arugala in it. We already had planted tomatoes in previously built bed, and we have another one with strawberries. Our strawberries are going crazy and we have some starting to ripen. I can't wait.

The kids are busy reading, writing books, riding their scooters, building their forts (essentially smashing down the field grass and weeds out in the field) and of course being bored. Aliese and Anna have also had two sleepovers in Anna's room together. Darin and I were thrilled that they thought this was fun and a special treat, because they are always complaining about not being able to have sleepovers with friends. Both times I let them make hot cocoa, and stay up as late as they want to encourage contentment with their situation in life. Both times, they slept in until 10:00 the next morning. They used to be so close, and haven't been for about a year. It has made Anna very sad, and I have been praying that they would renew their friendship and my prayers are finally being answered. I love summer. It's just better than the rest of the year.

So last night I was reading gardening books. Two of them I couldn't put down, one in each hand, competing with each other, reading them almost simultaneously, and then I busted out laughing. I had a flashback to when I lived at home and I was noticing all of the gardening books on Mom's shelf, and saying to myself that I wouldn't last one page of those books. My have I changed. I wonder what I'll be like in 10 years. Different again I suppose.

If I allow myself to think about it, I'm crazy homesick. I can't wait for the reunion. I am so excited. For those who are wondering, we will be there Thur. night, and we will be returning on Monday morning. It will be a mad dash in and out because of my school. Arghh. But we will be visiting again, at spud harvest, the end of September or the beginning of October.

I need to sign off and go start the briquettes. Oh how I would love a gas grill. Just add it to the list, that's what Darin says.

Finally Breathing

2008-06-09T20:03:00.000-07:00

Wow, today is Monday and I didn't go to school. It was so refreshing. Today was supposed to be the nicest day of the week, so I wanted to get some gardening done, but alas only two plants were planted. I was hoping to plant some seeds. But I figured that they weren't going to germinate in this weather anyway, and so I would spare myself the experience of planting in a near hurricane. Have any of you had any summer yet? The girls keep reminding me that summer isn't technically here until June 21, but even so, it is definitely a global freezing spring.

So my new health kick is eating honey. I did a research paper last month on honey versus sugar. The nuts and bolts of the paper is that sugar is sooooooo bad for you, and honey is soooooooo good for you. There is no comparison. Mom and Lizzie wanted me to post my paper. So hear it goes.

The Sugar Problem and Its Solution

Americans are becoming larger and sicker every year. The United States is one of the most over fed and under nourished countries in the world. What is the culprit? According to U.S. News & World Report, “In 2003, each person consumed about 142 pounds of sugar per year” and “on average a dismal 8.3 pounds of broccoli and just over 25 pounds of dark lettuces” (2005). Sugar is taking over people’s diets in soda pop, prepackaged frozen meals, ketchup, cold cereals, candy, and even supposed health foods such as flavored yogurts and granola bars. With all of the sugar being consumed there is little room left for nutritious whole foods. Is there a way to combat the deluge of sugar in the diet without sacrificing the sweet flavor of food? Is there a replacement for sugar that is less harmful, and maybe even nutritious? Recent research is uncovering the mystery behind the thick sweet liquid called honey. In ancient times, honey was used for medicinal purposes. More recently however, Dr. Pratt and Dr. Matthews, authors of the book SuperFoods Healthstyle, dubbed honey as a “superfood”. (2006). Those who desire to improve their health need to consider the damage that sugar is doing to their bodies and choose honey as a healthy alternative because of its effects on weight, antioxidants, enzymes that aid in digestion, and its effects on blood sugar and cholesterol.

Sugar has many names: sucrose, fructose, glucose, dextrose, galactose, lactose, maltose, invert sugar, raw sugar, turbinado sugar, brown sugar, confectioner's sugar, granulated sugar, corn syrup, and high-fructose corn syrup (Lee, 2008). Sugar is in almost everything Americans eat from hamburger buns to granola. Most people do not realize the enormous quantity of sugar they consume on a daily basis. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends limiting sugar intake to eight teaspoons a day for a 2000-calorie diet (Alleman, 2008). For the average American, their 142 pounds of sugar a year equals 13,632 teaspoons, which works out to be 37 teaspoons a day per person. Thirty-seven teaspoons is four and a half times the daily USDA recommended sugar limit. It is no wonder that Americans are getting fatter each year and suffering from an endless list of ailments.

“White sugar has been linked to mood swings, irritability, headaches, insomnia, fatigue and emotional outbursts” (Turner, 2002, p. 56). Unfortunately, grumpiness and a few aches and pains are not all that sugar can cause. Sugar actually disrupts the body’s chemistry resulting in a terrible imbalance. Sugar affects the way minerals and enzymes work in the body. When the minerals and enzymes are malfunctioning, food is not properly digested. When the food is not digested properly, two things happen: 1) All of the nutrients from the food are not made available to the body; and 2) large food particles that are never fully digested swim around in the bloodstream. The body does not react well to food coursing around and the immune system spends all of its energy on fighting the excess undigested food instead of germs. The result is the body gets sick. (Beckstrom, 1991) “Exhausting and suppressing the immune system is the beginning of the longterm, degenerative, disease process” (Beckstrom, 1991, p. 28).

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons sugar causes so many problems is because of the weight gain associated with its consumption. Weight gain is one of the most significant causes of disease and bad health. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a way that doctors measure obesity. Dr. James M. Rippe, a cardiologist, has spent the last 25 years trying to lower the incidence of heart disease:

Dozens of scientific and medical organizations have agreed that a BMI between 19 and 24.9 is in the healthy range, a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is overweight, and a BMI of 30 or more is obese. These definitions are based on research showing that the risk of disease goes up when BMI is over 25, and the risk of death increases if BMI goes over 30. As weight goes out of the healthy range, risk increases for heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, several forms of cancer, metabolic syndrome, gallbladder disease and gout. (Weight Watchers, 2005, pp.33, 35)

“Sixty six percent of U.S. adults were overweight or obese in 2003-2004” ("Obesity rates continue to climb in the United States," 2007). It is interesting to note that while people in the U.S. are consuming an excessive amount of sugar, the majority of these people are also overweight or obese. Sugar is contributing to this weight problem. If weight gain is one of the biggest problems associated with sugar, which in turn causes diseases then there is an alternative. Honey does not cause as much weight gain as sugar, even when the same amounts of calories are consumed.

An animal study done with rats published in Journal of Food Science revealed new information about honey compared to sugar in relation to weight gain. Forty rats were weighed and divided into four groups. All of the rats were offered the same amount of calories and had a balanced diet of 15-16% protein, 35% fat, and 45-47% carbohydrates. However, the rats’ diets contained different kinds of sugars; a 1) sugar free group, 2) sucrose group (white sugar), 3) mixed sugars group, and a 4) honey group. At the conclusion of the study, the rats that ate sucrose and mixed sugars gained more weight than the other rats. L. M. Chepulis, with Honey Research Unit, Department of Biological Sciences at Waikato University made these conclusions following the study:

The results of this study suggest that there are beneficial effects of replacing sugar with honey in the diet. In particular, overall percentage weight gain in honey-fed rats was similar to that observed in rats fed a sugar-free diet, and was significantly reduced, by 16.7 %, compared with sucrose-fed rats after 6 weeks. As the results of this study demonstrate, the type of sugars that are ingested as a part of the daily diet can have a significant impact on levels of food intake and weight gain during free feeding. Importantly the increased weight gain observed with the mixed sugar-fed rats did not occur in the honey-fed rats even though both treatments had similar food/energy intakes. (2007, pp.226, 227)

It is possible that replacing sugar with honey in Americans’ diets could significantly reduce people’s weight gain. Less weight gain would result in fewer diseases.

Eating honey could not only prevent obesity, but also provide needed nutrition to a malnourished public. “Honey contains at least 181 known substances” (Pratt & Matthews, 2006, p.147). Of these 181 substances, there are many antioxidants. “Previous studies by the researchers suggest that honey may have the same level of disease-fighting antioxidants as that of some common fruits” (Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week, 2004, p. 936). According to Darin Leslie, a physician assistant, antioxidants are essential to health because their job is to kill free radicals, the rogue molecules that damage cells (personal communication, 2008).

The antioxidants in honey also come with enzymes. The enzymes in honey help digest food properly. Honey also increases good bacteria in the colon. Dr. Ronald E. Fessenden, Master of Public Health states: “Different varieties of honey possess a large amount of friendly bacteria (6 species of lactobacilli and 4 species of bifidobacteria), which may explain many of the mysterious therapeutic properties of honey” (Fessenden, 2008). Oligosaccharides in honey help prevent constipation and reduce toxin levels in the intestine. (Pratt & Matthews, 2007) The help that honey gives the body with digestion is the opposite effect of sugar on the body. In order to digest sugar, the body has to rob enzyme stores, which in turn cause problems with digesting other foods. The more sugar that is consumed, the more the body is robbed of essential nutrients, and the harder it has to work to digest food. (Beckstrom, 1991) In a country where pharmacy shelves are lined with expensive antacids and fiber supplements to aid digestion, honey could be a natural alternative. Replacing sugar with honey might very well reduce the number of people suffering from heartburn, acid reflux, and constipation.

Just as honey can help with digestive problems, replacing sugar with honey could help with anxiety and memory. “In a year-long animal study comparing the effects of sucrose, honey and a low glycemic index sugar-free diet, rats on the honey-based diet showed: decreased anxiety [and] better spatial recognition memory” (Fessenden, 2008). Sugar certainly does not have the reputation for lowering anxiety, unless the “sugar-high” a person experiences after a candy bar or soda counts. If sugar affects anxiety at all, it makes it worse because of the other problems that sugar can cause—such as weight gain and the fatigue that hits when the “sugar-high” crashes. Weight gain and so much fatigue that one cannot work or function is always cause for anxiety. Another reason that replacing sugar with honey could lower anxiety and improve memory is sugar can cause these very problems. In a human study, it was discovered that within three to six hours after ingesting two teaspoons of sugar people suffered the same problems as people under stress. “The same changes in the body chemistry that occur when we are angry or depressed occur after the ingestion of too much sugar” (Beckstrom, 1991, p. 28).

While honey can relieve the stress that sugar causes the body, it could also help people suffering from diabetes. Diabetes continually inflicts more people every year and is now affecting children. In a study with eight healthy subjects and seven patients with type 2 diabetes, it was found that honey was a better influence on blood sugar than sugar. The patients were given sugar, artificial honey or natural honey. In the healthy people, the natural honey actually lowered their blood sugar. Participants with type 2 diabetes who ate honey had a significantly lower rise in blood sugar compared to the other patients who ate sugar or artificial honey. (Al-Waili, 2004) Clearly, honey would be a better option than sugar for sweetening foods for diabetics. It may even be safe to conclude that honey could help prevent type 2 diabetes from occurring in healthy people because it will lower their blood sugar.

As diabetes forages through America, high cholesterol lowering prescription drugs dominate commercials on television screens. Honey can help cholesterol too—both kinds. There are two kinds of cholesterol—high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (Leslie, personal communication). HDL is the good cholesterol and LDL is the bad cholesterol. A study included eight healthy subjects and six patients with high cholesterol. The participants were given sugar, artificial honey or natural honey. Honey affected cholesterol more positively than sugar or artificial honey. In the healthy people, the sugar and artificial honey had very little effect on cholesterol, but the natural honey reduced total cholesterol 7%, triglycerides (cholesterol precursors) 2%, and increased HDL (good cholesterol) by 2%. In the patients with high cholesterol, the sugar and artificial honey increased LDL (bad cholesterol) a small amount, but the natural honey decreased total cholesterol 8% and LDL cholesterol 11%. (Al-Waili, 2004) If honey can help prevent high cholesterol for healthy people and lower high cholesterol it could influence the rate of heart disease—the number one killer of Americans (Leslie, personal communication). It is common knowledge for people with high cholesterol to avoid saturated fat but now science has found that honey could make a difference too.

Replacing sugar with honey sounds like a great idea but could be overwhelming if approached with too much zeal. Instead of quitting sugar all at once, it should be gradual process. Slowly adding honey and taking out sugar from one’s diet will eventually add up and make a big difference in health. Some suggestions from SuperFoods HealthStyle: Honey and fruit can be added to plain yogurt; oatmeal with honey instead of cold cereal can be eaten for breakfast; peanut butter sandwiches with honey and banana is a tasty meal; and honey can be added to tea. (Pratt & Matthews, 2006)

Honey can also be used in recipes. It is important to experiment and add it gradually to adapt to the taste. Honey is sweeter than sugar so less is used in recipes. The website worldshealthiestfoods.com offers many useful tips for substituting honey in recipes: Generally, substitute ½ to ¾ cup of honey for 1 cup of sugar. The sweetness of the honey will depend on the floral source the bees used. If only a tablespoon of honey is to replace the sugar, then the liquid in the recipe does not need to be adjusted. However, if the recipe calls for ½ cup of honey or more, then the liquid in the recipe should be adjusted. For every cup of honey that replaces sugar in a recipe, the liquid should be reduced by ¼ cup. Honey browns more easily than sugar, so the temperature on the oven needs to be reduced by 25 degrees. (Mateljan, 2008) Honey can be used successfully for beginners by only replacing half of the sugar in a recipe. For example if there is one cup of sugar called for in a recipe, ½ cup of sugar could be used and ¼ cup of honey.

When buying honey to eat or cook with the source should be considered. Not all honeys have the same nutritive qualities. Dark honey may be healthier than lighter colored honeys (Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week, 2004). In one study, “Illinois buckwheat honey, the darkest honey tested, had twenty times the antioxidant activity of California sage honey, one of the lightest-colored honeys tested” (Pratt & Matthew, 2006, p. 147). While all honey has nutritive properties, a recent study of Spanish honeydew honey (made from secretions insects leave on plants) has revealed that it contains even higher levels of antioxidant polyphenols than honey made from nectar (Perez, 2007). Unprocessed honeys have more nutrients than pasteurized honeys. Pasteurization kills many of the antioxidants, good bacteria and enzymes in the honey. Natural raw honey can be found locally at farmers markets.

Replacing sugar with honey is a giant step to improving one’s health. Eating honey is a way to fight disease and prolong life. Honey is full of antioxidants, live good bacteria, and enzymes, while sugar is only empty calories. However, the empty calories of sugar can wreak havoc on the human body by robbing important nutrients needed for digestion and preventing ultimate absorption of the nutrients found in healthful foods. Sugar increases cholesterol, anxiety, weight gain, cavities, headaches and fatigue. These conditions lead to diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Sugar is excessively consumed by Americans and is robbing them of needed nutrients while adding on pounds. In searching for a solution to health problems and weight gain, eliminating sugar and replacing it with honey should be considered. Sugar’s only benefit is taste. Honey tastes good too while providing a myriad of health benefits.

References:

Al-Waili, N. S. (2004, Spring). Natural honey lowers plasma glucose, c-ractive protein, homocysteine, and blood lipids in healty, diabetic, and hyperlipidemic subjects: Comparison with dextrose and sucrose. Journal of Medical Food, 7(1), 100-107.

Alleman, G. (2008). How stuff works (USDA Nutrition Guidelines). Retrieved June 2, 2008, from Publications International, Ltd.: http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/usda-nutrition-guidelines-ga9.htm.

Beckstrom, L. (1991, June 1). Lick the sugar habit (it's vital to your health). Total Health, 13(3), 28.

Chepulis, L. M. (2007, April 1). The effect of honey compared to sucrose, mixed sugars, and a sugar-Free diet on weight gain in young rats. Journal of Food Science, 72(3), 224-229.

Fessenden, R. (2008, January 8). Report to the officers and board of directors of the committee for the promotion of honey and health (The First International Symposium on Honey and Human Health). .

Lee, H. (2006, April 20). Prevention (Smart Ways to Live Well). Retrieved June 2, 2008, from http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/the-many-names-of-sugar/20bc50d1fa803110VgnVCM10000013281eac____/health/healthy.living.centers/diabetes?print=true&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prevention.com%2Fcda%2Farticle%2Fthe-many-names-of-sugar%2F20bc50d1fa803110VgnVCM10000013281eac____%2Fhealth%2Fhealthy.living.centers%2Fdiabetes.

Mateljan, G. (2008). WHFoods: Honey. Retrieved May 26, 2008, from www.whfoods.com.

Obesity, F. &. W. W. (2004, November 13). Honey could be healthy alternative to high-fructose corn syrup in candy. Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week, p. 936.

Perez, R. A. (2007, January 24). Amino acid composition and antioxidant capacity of Spanish honeys. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 55(2), 360-365.

physorg.com. (2007, July 10). Obesity rates continue to climb in the United States. Retrieved June 2, 2008, from http://www.physorg.com/news103287224.html.

Pratt, S., & Matthews, K. (2007). Superfoods healthstyle. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.

Rippe, J., & Weight Watchers. (2005). Weight loss that lasts bread through the 10 big diet myths. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Turner, L. (2002, January 1). Sweet talk: Natural sugar alternatives. Better Nutrition, 64(12), 46.

So that's the paper. If you chose to skip it, which I don't blame you, it basically says honey is really good for you and sugar is really bad.

The girls are good. Tonight about 8:00 PM Gracie went out the door to play and told me to have a nice day. She is so cute. Aliese is reading Twilight. I know some of you think that is probably not good, but Darin thought it would be fine, I think most of it will go over her head, and if it doesn't I am confident she will ask me about it and it will provide for a good teaching opportunity. Anna just turned 7. We gave her a new bedspread set, a lamp, and a joke book. Of course the joke book was her favorite. We are hoping her jokes improve. She is constantly making up jokes, that don't make any sense. All of the girls have scooters for the summer and are riding them everywhere. They started swimming lessons today, in an outdoor pool and almost froze, poor things. There is a chance of snow on Wednesday. I can't even come up with anything to say about that.

I'm hoping to do a little dejunking this next few weeks, and my personal goal is to exercise a whopping 15 minutes a day. That's how pathetic my exercise regimen became--it got down to nothing. I'd also like to read an easy feel good read. Any suggestions? I have also bought stuff to build a 6x6 foot sandbox. I'm excited.

I'm tired. Love you all. Hope to read all of your blogs tomorrow and catch up.

Hello!

2008-05-29T05:13:00.000-07:00

It seems like I haven't blogged in forever, but according to my last post its only been a few weeks. I've been in summer school, and taking an independent study class. 6 credits in 1 month, is like taking 24 credits in one semester. Yikes. It will be over soon, and I will have 2 1/2 weeks off, haven't had that since Christmas.

It's 6:15 in the morning. I've been up for 2 hours! I haven't had a night with so little sleep since I was breastfeeding. Gracie had a rough night. I'm still not exactly sure why. Supposedly she had a tummy ache, but never threw up, and wouldn't eat anything. Then at 4:00, woke up when I tried to put her back to bed for the umpteenth time, she said her leg hurt, so I gave her some Motrin, rocked her back to sleep, and finally she sleeps, when I no longer can. I'm so tired but I don't think it would be worth it to sleep for 1 1/2 hours.

Anyway, this is so boring so far. Summer vacation is here. The summer season however, is being postponed. It's been raining, just like home: )

We decided to go unplugged for the summer, no TV, no movies. We are allowing one family movie night a week. That's it. Already the girls are getting along better. It helps to have cousins next door.

Good grief. Sorry. I'm so tired, I'm typing like a slug. Love you all and miss you. Sorry I haven't been reading your blogs, 1 1/2 more weeks, I'll be able to breathe again.

Loving Conducting

2008-05-09T07:47:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was my instrumental conducting final. We had to conduct a real band, maybe 30 college music majors. It was a 3 movement piece, a real score, which is very complicated. Anyway, I took a long time to prepare and I nailed it. He seemed to like my performance better than anyone else's, and I got good comments from the band as well. I loved it. I was nervous and shaking, but it went great. I think I could really do this. I'm really excited for next year.

Presently listening to Micheal Buble, Call Me Irresponsible, my early Mother's Day present. Oooooooo I love it and it has been so long since I've had a new CD. For those of you who like him on the radio, those are his cross over songs. Meaning he's really jazz, and latin jazz. Awesome. I can't even hold still.

So I have 3 days until Summer term. I'm just so excited for Monday to go over to the College of Ed where there is no music--I can hardly wait (not!). Oh well. I'm going to love this weekend. Hopefully I don't have too many bad dreams about forgetting to practice for a whole semester or some other such nonsense, since I did my recitals years ago! When will I finally accept that. Maybe I'll do a little practicing this weekend for fun though, that usually cuts my bad dreams down. I must clarify--severely annoying dreams, that to me are nightmarish, though they wouldn't be to you.

Oh, this CD is good.....

So do you want to hear about more deals?! Of course you do.

Rite Aide: One of my new favorite stores--who knew?!
They are running a deal (I am seriously having hard time typing because of this CD....), when you transfer a prescription to their store they'll give you a $20 gift card, per patient. We have two separate people with a prescription at our house, so I got $40 in gift cards. Okay, so they're running another deal for Procter and Gamble products, which is tons of stuff. If you buy $30 worth of stuff they'll send you a $10 gift card. So I used my $40 gift cards, and coupons, combined with sales, and bought
1) 2 packages of Pampers
2) 1 package of Always feminine products
3) Herbal Essence Shampoo
4) Herbal Essence Hairspray
5) Cover Girl Blush
6) Cover Girl Eyeliner
7) 2 enormous bottles of Head and Shoulders, which we have to use all winter, because of climate, whenever I use something else, my head starts to itch!

After my gift cards I paid $2.41, for my items, plus I will get $10 in the mail! Plus $2 in rebates, so in reality, they will be paying me $9.60 to take those products off of my hands. They are really thoughtful don't you think? I also got some other great deals this week, which I'm too tired to share.

Question: Do I need to pay tithing, on my free products, extra gift cards I earn? I'm very confused. I do think it's an increase though. Please respond. I certainly don't want to cheat the Lord, and I know he will bless me.

The Host by our dear Stephanie Meyer is waiting for me. I need to get some things done first though. Blogging, top priority, since I feel so much closer to you all when I read and write them. Then the pig sty of a house we've been living in.

Got an A in percussion since I'm such a natural on the drums. He, he. One day when I was at the drum set (rock n roll drums) in front of my class, I was concentrating very hard on getting it right and my class, including professor, busted out laughing. And then the professor said, "Just put a cigarette in your mouth and you'd fit right in at a night club. You totally look the part." Ha. Who knew? I sure didn't know. My friends told me afterward that I was totally grooving. I told them I was actually counting 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and, right foot right hand... I was anything but grooving....

I really must go, read all of your blogs, and clean, and READ!!!!!

I can't believe how great I feel today. Most days really. I'm so blessed. I sure have doubted about this school thing, but the Lord has more than made up for the sacrifice. I don't know why I'm so surprised. So my advice--find something you love more than anything else, don't do what you hate, follow the Lord--even when it doesn't make sense, love your family and friends, take your meds if you need them, and everything will really work out. Actually it will be even better than work out, especially if you listen to good music while doing it all... like Michael Buble, my new crush.

Love you all.

Gracie, High School Choir, Coupons

2008-04-27T17:29:00.000-07:00

Wow! We're doing great and it's been so long since I've blogged I hardly know where to start. So Darin called me Thursday night on the way home from work to tell me, "I'm feeling rather ambitious and I have several days off, I want to potty train Gracie. Should I go buy her some panties?" Well I told him he had my support but that I thought he would fail and that I refused to help. He understood--I don't believe in potty training. It doesn't work. So far Gracie has actually peed 3x in the toilet! Very exciting. However, not too impressive for 3 days. This is why I don't believe in it. At this rate it will take 6 months. Whatever, if he wants a project, he sure found one. She does look very cute in her panties though : )

So this fall I will be student teaching and one of my classes will be high school choir. Well, Firth hasn't had a successful (more than 2 people) choir in about 10 years. Because of this, choir is unfamiliar and has a stigma attached to it. So I decided to change that. Registration at the high school is in a few weeks and I decided to create some interest. I got a group together--6 girls and 6 guys and taught them a medley from Shrek. They had a great time and sounded great even though we only had 5 rehearsals. They sang at an assembly on Friday. It turned out awesome. Everyone loved it. Their parents came, and they loved it. Hopefully everyone will still remember it when they register. I had a great time with the kids. They were really great.

Coupons. Okay. So Darin and I had an unbelievable experience with buying soy milk at Freddies. I told my siblings about it and Danielle and Amy tried it too and it also worked for them. The milk was on sale for $1.25 a carton--a good deal. So I bought 2 cases--24 cartons. Well, after I bought them and my receipt printed it also printed tons and tons of coupons. One was specifically for soy milk and the others were for anything at Freddies. Well I went back and got more soy milk, used the coupons, and got more coupons. Now these coupons were good ones, $2 off your next purchase, or $2 off of 4 cartons. I couldn't seem to figure out how many I would get so I just kept buying, and when I got home to figure out how much I paid it was about 46 cents a carton--an amazing deal. Before this the cheapest we had ever paid was 92 cents a carton for the Kirkland brand. Well, Darin was determined to figure it out. The next week the cartons went down to $1 a carton. So Darin bought more. This time he figured out that if he bought 6 cartons he would get $6 worth of coupons. So after the first $6, everything is free and we just had to pay 6 cents a piece for tax. Well, we completely bought out everything they had 2x both in Idaho Falls and Pocatello. I have no idea how many we have. 100s for sure. Just in case you're wondering, we drink a lot of soy milk, and yes, we will drink it all before the expiration date in February. After this experience Darin and I were on a high. I would sit around and wonder if it was a once in a lifetime experience, or if we could find other deals like it. So I got online and found out with a little work, I could do similar things at other stores. I found a couple of great websites. On www.biblicalwomanhoodonline.com/blog.htm I discovered Crystal Paine, who is incredible and religious and wonderful in every way. Then she has another website www.moneysavingmom.com/.

So I have been reading and clipping coupons and went shopping for the first time this last Friday with Darin. So you can truly understand why I am going to all of this effort here is what I got for $12 at Walmart, using coupons.
1) 120 oz. of Mini Shredded Wheat, Malt o Meal brand (equivalent to 6 regular cereal boxes)
2) 2 boxes Honey Bunches of Oats (the new chocolate variety that has just as much protein and fiber and only 1 gram more of sugar than the regular Honey Bunches, it's really not that chocolaty, but my kids feel pretty special)
3) 1 lb of strawberries
4) travel size Kleenex
5) 1 can organic tomatoes, Muir Glen brand
6) 4 packages of flushable wipes (for the potty training)
7) 1 box Noodle Roni
8) 2 boxes Kashi crackers (a health food brand)

$12 for all of that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We were so excited. Then we went to Rite Aide and bought a special hair product especially designed for curling hair, some loose face powder for me, and a nice toothbrush--all for FREE because of mail in rebates. Darin sent the rebates in online as soon as we got home. So all it will cost us is tax. And I'm really excited about the hair product, because Anna has a dance recital this week, and her hair is so hard to curl, I'm hoping this will help. (Curly hair is literally required, and part of the "uniform")

So today after church Darin and I clipped our coupons, looked at the ads and made a plan for this week. I am passed being embarrassed and am now a proud coupon clipper! I hope this is not a fleeting hobby. At least until we get some bills paid. Also--I forgot. Aliese needed some new Sunday shoes, so we went to DI and got a brand new pair of leather shoes for $5. Definitely had never been worn. She loves them too. Size 4 in women's!!! Yikes she's getting old.

Darin has always been extremely cheap and not ashamed, I'm finally catching on. It only takes a few times of getting an amazing deal (like soy milk for 6 cents a carton) or that list at Walmart for $12 to be convinced.

I am being summoned to go watch a softball game over at Brandt's. Playing sports on Sunday seems to be a major part of keeping the Sabbath day holy around here.
Love you all.

Wishing Upon a Star

2008-04-11T10:21:00.000-07:00

Oh I wish I was in Disneyland. Still wishing, still wishing. My question is when will it go away. I need something new to look forward to.

Update. Still playing percussion, and now playing the saxophone--way easier than the clarinet--no comparison. Started pasting my pictures in an album, so excited, I was listening to MOTAB singing "When you Wish Upon a Star" and then before I was even a quarter of the way through my pictures I ran out of the sticky things. Looked all over the house in all of my girls scrapbooking kits --no more sticky things! I debated over using tape, and decided against it. So I was really mad for a while, until I started reading blogs. Blogs. So fun. How empty our lives must have been before blogging. So Lizzie tagged all of us. Here it goes. I really enjoyed reading Lizzie's.

How did you meet your spouse? Provo, BYU, Campus Plaza, in front of Darin's apartment. He asked me, "Is that the real color of your eyes?" To this day he insists it wasn't a line but totally and utterly sincere.

Where did you go on your first date? He asked me to go ice blocking and I turned him down flat. "I don't do dangerous things, " states Rebecca. "It's not dangerous," replies Darin. "Everything is dangerous for me," insists Rebecca.

So he took me miniature golfing instead. We doubled with a very grumpy couple, so after golfing, we dropped them off and went out to ice cream at Carousel. Then we went back to Campus Plaza and talked in his car until 2:00 in the morning. We honestly couldn't stop talking.

How long have you been together? 11 years. Wow.

Who eats more? Darin eats more at one time, I snack more.

Who said I love you first? I did. Darin told me later on that same day immediately after our first french kiss. He insists that is not true, but I know it is.

Who is taller? Darin

Who sings better? I don't know. I know more about singing, but Darin has the biggest set of lungs, and the hugest range. He can be very entertaining. Especially at dinner.

Who is smarter? I don't know about that. Grammer--Darin, Math--Me, Music--Me, Science--Darin (by 100xs), Politics and History--same, Literature--Me. I.Q.--According to Darin--him and Aliese, then me.

Who does the laundry? Both. I sort, and spray with Shout on every conceivable stain, and start it, but Darin usually keeps it going. However, he does it my way (this took many years), and occasionally when I don't have time, he will give up and do the sorting and spotting himself, which is really a small miracle when I think of the way he did laundry when we got married. Darin usually folds, and I put away, it's a real team effort.

Who does the dishes? Me. Darin used to do so many more, but he will help when I ask him to. He is always good at putting his own dishes in the dishwasher though. The girls put away the dishes.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Darin.

Who pays the bills? Darin. If I did he would be looking over my shoulder the whole time.

Who mows the lawn? Darin, and I am so grateful. We have so much lawn, and will have even more over the next few years. It takes hours. I have never once mowed the lawn. I have a vague recollection of trying to do it once as a teenager, that's as far as my mowing experience goes.

Who cooks dinner? Me, my friends, and Darin. Another group effort. I belong to the world's greatest freezer club. We all cook 2 entrees for each other, meet once a month and trade. I end up with 8 meals a month from my friends, and several that I made and froze. Then depending on the day, Darin will put it in the oven, or I will. On Sundays we always have roast and mashed potatoes, Darin makes the potatoes. Thank goodness. I personally think making mashed potatoes on Sunday is breaking the Sabbath for me, because I hate it so much.

Who drives when you are together? Darin. Always. I never drive. Not even on the way to Oregon. It's a beautiful thing being a passenger, I love it.

Who is more stubborn? Neither. We really aren't. We compromise a lot. I think we both are lucky in that the things we feel really strongly about, we agree on.

Who is the first to admit when they’re wrong? Oh good grief. Me.

Who kissed who first? I suppose I waited for him to kiss me. However I was tempting him with every skill I could muster. It was less than a week after our first date.

Who proposed? Darin I guess. But the poor guy asked me what I would do if he didn't propose and I flipped out and stormed down the beach away from him, and he ran to catch up and then proposed (a few minutes too late), and I said, "So is this for real, or are you just teasing me." So he proposed, but I kind of forced him into it.

Who is more sensitive? Me. He is very sensitive for a man, but still a man.

Who has more friends? Me. I love to talk and meet people, have parties. Darin lives next door to his best friend though. Lucky duck.

Who has more siblings? Me.

Who wears the pants? Darin. But I'm trying to learn from Lizzie and her ways. She could write a book on how to be a good wife, but always get your way. She is the master.

So I went and got Gracie a haircut yesterday. It needed to happen. I wish I would've done it before our trip, the pictures would've been better. Tip for the future-- get haircuts before trip! Anyway, I couldn't handle it anymore and so I told our hair person to do a bob. It's layered, its short, I will never have to fix it, and it looked 10xs better and thicker. So here she is.

The pictures don't do the hair justice. Oh well. A few pics from her birthday.
I can't believe she's 3! She still loves to be a baby though, and I love to baby her--a perfect match.

I love you all. I'm so glad it's the weekend. So grateful for weekends.

Disneyland!

2008-04-02T15:32:00.000-07:00

I recently returned (on Saturday, but this is the first chance I've had to blog) from 5 wonderful and fabulous days in Disneyland. We went to Lizzie's first to spend Easter Sunday and then on to Disney. I am going to skip the itinerary and go to the highlights.

Starting with the truly most magical--
1) Monday night staying at the park with Anna alone for the fireworks where they repeat, "Dreams come true" like a mantra, and then walking down Main Street and her saying in a dreamy, hopeful, half afraid to ask way, "Mama, do dreams really come true?"

2) On our last day (having already gotten autographs and pictures with Cinderella, Jasmine, Snow White, Belle, and Ariel) running into Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) unexpectedly, getting pictures and autographs and Aliese holding her autograph book close to her heart, letting out a big sigh and saying with a twinkle in her eye, "I'm so relieved. I was so worried we wouldn't get to see her."

3) And last, but surely not the least, watching Ariel sing Part of Your World on top of her gorgeous float, and then look down at my Gracie, who had dirty stringy hair in her eyes, chocolate ice cream all over her face and shirt, and a snot nose to boot, but nevertheless, waving and smiling with all the excitement of being 20 feet from Ariel, look down at Gracie and say with all the sweetness, sincerity and grace of a perfect princess, in front of hundreds of people, into her microphone, "Oh, your so cute!" Gracie knew Ariel was talking to her. It was possibly the most magical experience of my life and I almost cried. Truly the happiest place on earth.

The most exciting experiences with rides--
1) Ridemax, ridemax, ridemax. Saved our hinies during one of the busiest weeks at Disneyland. Just google it if you don't know what it is.

2) Getting up at the crack of dawn to beat the crowds and then truly beating the crowds.

3) Doing fantasyland everyday in under an hour because we were there so early.

4) Gracie going on Dumbo 8 times and loving it more each time.

5) Going on the Go Go Coaster 3 times in a row in Toon Town, because it was the most thrilling ride my girls had ever gone on.

6) Riding Finding Nemo, first thing in the morning with almost no line, because Lizzie ran all the way there from the gate, in her flip flops, pushing a stroller, that we found out had locked wheels the whole time. Simply amazing. The ride normally has 2-3 hour wait. We felt like royalty the rest of the week. "Oh, yea, we rode Nemo, with almost no line. Yea it was amazing. You have to go really early in the morning. It's the only way." We thought we were cool.

7) The girls finally braving Splash Mountain on the last day. They loved it of course, dughhhhhhh, wish we could have talked them into it sooner.

Food Highlights--
1) The Blue Bayou in Pirates. So delicious, so much atmosphere.

2) The chocolate muffins at the bakery-perfect.

3) Fresh sourdough rolls at the nice restaurants.

4) Pooh Corner, unfortunately discovered our last day. Best treats in the park. Best cookies, fudge galore. Yum. I'm hungry.

Character Highlights--
1) Princess Luncheon in Ariel's Grotto. We met Cinderella, Ariel, Snow White, Belle, and Jasmine. Gracie talked about "my Snow White" all through lunch. They were all so beautiful, gracious and kind. We got autographs and pictures with all of them.

2) Minney and Mickey. Truly the stars of Disneyland. Fabulous, adorable. We all fell in love with them. Gracie didn't even know who they were, but after she met them, and got hugs from Minnie, it was "where's my Mickey, where's my Minnie?" the rest of the week.

Entertainment--
1) Wow. In a word--perfect. The fireworks, both parades, Fantasimic, and Alladin. We did them all and I couldn't tell you which one was my fav. They were all exquisite.

Other special highlights--
1) Mom being with us.

2) Mom taking her camera and using it almost every 5 minutes!

3) Everyone being so nice. The employees at Disneyland, the other families at the park, the people we met in line and on the bus. Truly, everyone there was so nice.

4) The wishing well by the castle that sang "I'm Wishing" from Snow White.

5) The castle at night when it turned pink.

6) Drinking in the fragrance of the flowers at California Disney.

7) Beautiful music everywhere, and I mean everywhere!

8) Main Street at night.

9) The candy shop and their almond roca.

10) And finally, Anna saying wistfully as we were leaving the park for the last time on Friday, "I don't want to leave this place."

Love you all. Mom or I will post pics later. I don't have them yet.

Hello

2008-03-18T16:52:00.000-07:00

I am very tired of being sick. As all of you are. I haven't had a cold like this in years. I was convinced I had an ear infection and had Darin check me. Luckily (I guess) I don't have one. But it hurts so bad! Darin said that the pressure from my sinuses could be out of balance and cause the pain? Something like that. Whatever, that's why I am not studying medicine. Way too confusing, way too many variables. It cracks me up that Dad's greatest dream was to have a daughter become a nurse. That would've been one big waste of tuition. Of course I wouldn't have even gotten into nursing school. Amy commented that she worries that she is going to die when she is sick. Well, I am not presently worried that I am going to die, but being sick makes me doubt everything in my life, become very depressed, and wish I could sleep for like 2 weeks without waking up. I don't want to face anything. I'm not even excited for my trip. I hope the excitement will return. I think I have officially given up on the house for the semester. It gets clean about once a week, and the maintenance is very minimal. I've decided I can barely get the essentials done, and I mean barely. Well Gracie is screaming at the top of her lungs for more fruit snacks, she's had her limit of one a day, and I can't concentrate. Sorry for all the gloom and doom. Love you all.

Wow!

2008-03-13T18:27:00.000-07:00

I changed my colors. That's how bored I am.

Nothing exciting

2008-03-13T14:08:00.000-07:00

I've been in bed essentially since Saturday night. That is uuuuuuuuuuuu, 5 days, including today. I tried to go to church on Sunday, and came home immediately after I arrived at the church and found subs for my callings. I tried to go to class on Monday, I drove all the way to Pocatello just to attend half a class and leave early. So if you haven't had this horrendous cold yet, drink your water, sleep and pray that you don't get sick.

All of this quality time in bed has given me the opportunity to explore the Hallmark channel. I have watched many episodes of 7th Heaven, and Little House on the Prairie, or Little Blouse on the Fairy, as Darin calls it. I can't believe how many years that show ran. I've been watching the later episodes.

I have also been obsessing over trying to plan the perfect trip to Disneyland. I have done every search on google that I can think of to help me plan the perfect trip. Any tips? We will be there a week from Monday. We'll spend Easter at Lizzie's and then onto Disneyland. I am so excited. I am at least as excited as the girls, maybe more so.

School, hmmmmmm, didn't really go this week, so there is nothing to say.

This is a very boring blog. I wish there was something fun to say, but there isn't. I'm way excited for the reunion. I haven't been camping since we had Gracie. Ah, and camping in Oregon will be very different from camping in Idaho. Idaho--dry, barren, brown. Oregon--lots of water, lush, green. Sounds great.

I also watched the Masterpiece Theater version of Jane Eyre again. It is my new favorite thing, I think Anne Shirely will have to take a second row seat for a while. There isn't anyone like Jane. If you haven't seen this version, you can get it off of Netflicks, it is 4 long, wonderful hours. Oh, so good, so romantic. Of course the book is better, and way more romantic, but the movie is very much worth watching.

Speaking of romance........

Edward, Bella, Jacob, Bella, oh the drama. Darin finished them finally. It took him two weeks! I thought he would never finish. Anyway, who is for Edward, and who is for Jacob? Both Darin and I are for Jacob. It is completely obvious why, and that Stephanie Meyer is going to end it that way. Otherwise Bella will have to become a vampire, and then she will be a blood sucking murderer for a few years, or want to be one under lock and key--unless Edward somehow becomes mortal, that would be great, but even cheesier than it already is, so I don't think that'll happen. Does the book come out before the reunion? I can't believe we forgot to talk about it at the funeral, of course Danielle wasn't there so it wouldn't have been fair. Okay, so of the men-- Who reads, and who is going to read the Twilight books?! You are only missing out if you choose not to read them, have you read them Amy? Oh I hope so, if not--Spring Break, you have too.

Getting tired, so love you all, back to bed I go.

Anna, Oh Dear

2008-03-02T09:07:00.000-08:00

Here are two videos of Anna and her "play". Some play. It's more like an mtv video. That girl scares me. To let you all know, the lyrics and melody are entirely composed by her. In the play with her are Kate her cousin who lives next door, and Jay Lynn, a friend, who evidently isn't into the spotlight.

So Aliese just came to me and asked, "How can I help people?" I say,"What people?" She says,"Poor people." I have to rat on my daughter's goodness. She donated some of her own money to humanitarian aide and perpetual education fund last year. She has already started donating this year, in addition to tithing and savings. She's an amazing girl. So after she asked me what she could do, I told her to continue donating, but she told me she wanted to do more. I told her for family night we could go to the humanitarian aide center in Idaho Falls. I have never been there, and of course it is my lovely daughter that will drag me there the first time, instead of myself. At the humanitarian aide center they supplies to make needed items for people all over the world. She has such a good heart. She has learned some hard lessons this year about friendship. All of the girls she invited to her birthday party (less than a month ago), which all came, and may I say was perhaps the coolest 10 year birthday party ever (at least in Firth) have completely ditched her. They have been cruel. Don't ask her about it though. She is trying to move on. She had a successful playdate yesterday. She asked someone who isn't in the popular crowd. Finally. I have been trying to get her to invite people that she'll have a little more success with. Well this girl was a real sweetheart. A little shy, and different, just like Aliese. Aliese is different because she has no desire to do sports, or do dance, writes books for fun, is the oldest child which makes her a little awkward socially, (I've observed the more popular kids are never the oldest). This girl is hispanic, not LDS and very poor--not the norm in Firth. We drove out to timbucktoo to get her. Her mother doesn't speak a word of English, and is afraid to drive. They live in a house(shack) next door to the "boss". It is a farm. Anyway, they had fun, I hope it is a start. Aliese hasn't even noticed any of their differences, and I would love it if they became close. They both have stick straight hair, and wear glasses. Another way Aliese is different from other kids is she is nice. I have learned, being nice as a kid doesn't necessarily pay off. It does later on in life, but being a kid is hard. I have a feeling that Lizeth is nice as well. I hope my instincts are correct. Otherwise I guess Aliese will start over again trying to find a friend. I never realized making a friend for some people is an actual project.
On a lighter note, I taught dancing in my classes last week at the elementary school. I am done with my little stint of student teaching. Wow I learned a lot. So the lower grades didn't mind at all holding hands with the opposite sex. But I thought it was going to kill the 4th grade. They seemed so grossed out with each other. I couldn't decide if it was because they were really grossed out, or if they secretly were just embarrassed. I asked Aliese why she didn't want to hold their hands, and she gave me the look,"Are you serious, duh!" and then she said with the most put out face, "Mom, they pick their nose!"

Darin went to the State playoffs for basketball, in Boise, rooting for Firth of course. Evidently, the fans watch all the teams, all day for two days, so they know what their team is up against! All day, two days, on bleachers, watching high school boys that you don't know. Most of Firth was there, with all their kids! I'm the weird one. So Darin went with Brandt, Sayre, and Cooper. Doesn't sound like any fun to me. When he was packing Gracie asked, "Packing for Disneylan?" She is very excited to go to "Disneylan". We look at the rides online nearly everyday. Darin finished the first book in the Twilight series, he's on the second presently! Hehe. Darin reading a high school romance. Wow. The power of Stephanie Meyer. I knew he would love them, and finally told him in a very firm voice that he had to read them, no if ands or buts! So he finally gave in and will be thanking me for the rest of his life. Another humorous thing about my husband, we are still listening to a Christmas CD. Every Sunday he puts on Sissel singing with the MOTAB (Mormon Tabernacle...) Every week I say, "Darin, it's a Christmas CD!" He replies, "But it is a good CD." I can't disagree, so right now I am listening to Angels We Have Heard on High, because it is a "good CD".

School. Not much more to say about that.

Tisha. My bookclub book this month. A true story. Told in first person. Very good. But frustrating. About Alaska. This is the second book I have read about Alaska and so far I am not impressed. The people that live there are very annoying, but anyone who would live in Alaska by choice doesn't seem very bright to me. The person it is about is amazing, it is everyone else that drove me off the cliff!

I was just informed that it is always me everyone waits on to go to church and that I need to get off. I miss you, love you all. Once again, Jake, so glad you're blogging!

Hello

2008-02-26T19:45:00.001-08:00

It's been a while. I have been busy with school of course--boring. I am presently learning the clarinet, I aced my flute exam, and am still beating away on the snare drum. I am doing some teaching in the elementary school here in Firth, for my elementary music methods class. I taught for an hour each day last week, and I will do the same this week. Last week I taught them songs to sing, and this week I am supposed to teach them movement--some sort of dancing. My lessons plans are obviously not written yet. I can't tell you however, how much fun I had teaching last week. It was so fun. I can't believe how many kids can't sing!!! So many. I am so grateful I can sing. And when I say they can't sing, I mean sing on pitch, or anywhere close. However, they got better as the lesson progressed. Singing is like anything else, a skill, and nothing more. Yes, some people have more aptitude, but 90% of people are the same. It just depends on what you are subjected to. Sing to your kids. Sing all of the time. It's fun, it's easy, and it's important. And put on music to dance to, and turn it up loud enough to hear! I love that mom listened to music loud. That's the only way as far as I'm concerned, otherwise it's just white noise in the back ground. Speaking of listening to music loud and dancing to it, Gracie is obsessed lately. She dresses up in her princess dresses, and dances and dances. She always requests that the music is louder. "Louda Mama, Louda." She is such a pleasure to have around. Listening to Nora Jones at the moment. Love her. The most recent CD I listen to all the time, minimum of two times a day--Lionel Richie. I hope I haven't already blogged about that. Got it for Christmas and I just love it. At the moment Nora is doing a duet with Dolly Parton. I think I need one of hers too. Darin's kicking me off. Love you all.

SE Idaho

2008-01-19T09:16:00.000-08:00

Miss you all. Last night I went to a restaurant that was so Eugene. A big rarity in SE Idaho. It was in Pocatello. I invited my friend Joan to go to a piano recital with me, and very typical Rebecca, no one was there! I went up to the building to look at the poster, and the concert was scheduled for the next day. So we drove all the way down to Poky, for no reason. So we decided to go out to eat. It's called the Bistro. A great restaurant that I had forgotten about. When Darin and I lived there, we were poor because of Darin's schooling, and therefore lack of employment, oh the joy. So we went there two times, I had totally forgotten about it. I was so excited. You have to understand there is a famine of decent dining where I live. Sizzler is considered fine dining here. Have you eaten at Sizzler? Have you had there fish? Please don't be tempted if you haven't. I hear they have a good steak. Darin and I order steak about once a decade and always regret it, so we have little to say on the subject. So back to the Bistro. It was a lovely, eclectic atmosphere, crumbling brick walls, wine corks plugging small holes in the wall, and they sat us down right on top of a heating vent. Oh my. That is going to be my new request, "Could we have a table by a heating vent please?" The food was wonderful, they were having a cajun theme that night. I ordered Crawfish Stew over rice. Then dessert was the real showstopper. A chocolate bread pudding, and I swear I couldn't even find the bread. Very decadent. The dessert was definitely made on the premise. I always ask before I order dessert if it was made on the premise. In SE Idaho, I always get the same answer, "Uhhh, we thaw it out the night before?" It's like they don't even understand the question. They actually employ a pastry chef at this restaurant! What an exciting discovery. There used to be a restaurant by the river by the temple that was also called the Bistro, but different owners. It was fabulous, Darin and I ate there all the time, but of course it went out of business, because no one here understands the difference between good and poor food! Oh the drama of my life. New subject. Movies. We saw Miss Potter this week. Love it! Megan if you haven't seen it you have to. Weren't you the one that always checked out the Beatrix Potter books at the library? Beautiful, inspiring movie. My children loved it also. Even though Anna said, "It's kind of a grown up movie though." So I ran to the library to get some of her books to read to Gracie, and they don't have a single original Beatrix Potter. They were all changed. Either the illustrations or the size of the book was huge instead of the little size that children love. I asked the librarian if there were some originals in a different place. She took me to the same books I had been looking at and showed them to me. I said those aren't her illustrations. She said, "Oh these are her's." I said, "No. See here." I found the title page and showed her who the illustrator was. She looked confused. Pathetic. I hadn't even looked at the title page before that, and even though I had just seen the movie, I would have known before what her illustrations looked like because of all the time we spent at the library as kids. Oh I miss the Springfield library. I should send them a thank you card. As mom always said, "They have real librarians." My librarians don't even know what the illustrations look like for the best selling picture books of all time! Sigh. I will endure. Moral of the story, Miss Potter was a wonderful movie. We watched the Illusionist last night. Hadn't seen it. Most of you probably have. Oh my gosh. Talk about entertaining. We loved it. I think we need to watch the whole thing again. So I know you are wondering about school. The short version, I am presently learning the flute, the drums, conducting with a baton, and music technology. Doesn't music technology seem like an oxi moron? Seriously, it is a challenge. Can't I just practice? It's so much easier. I don't want to learn about software. Ughhhhhh... The weather. Very, very cold. Cold in a way you Oregonians, and Cali people, can't even comprehend. It seems unearthly, unnatural, wrong somehow to be so cold. Did Brigham Young send people up here that were unfaithful to weed them out? And I have a heater! They didn't. There are places inside my body that become cold that I didn't even know existed. I feel acutely every part of my bones. The marrow I'm telling you. My marrow speaks to me now, "I am cold. Why do you live here? I will not allow you to be comfortable in these temperatures. I was not designed to endure this." Then I say, "I know. I have no idea why I live here! No idea. I can't remember! I faintly remember using my cute yellow house, as an excuse. But that seems pretty silly now, doesn't it?" The marrow replies, "Silly? More than silly. Ludicrous! Absurd!" Oh the drama of living in the cold. I will persist. I will survive. I will endure this cold, fine dining barren, ignorant librarian infested place that I for some reason love. With love, adieu.

Christmas present pics

2008-01-11T18:22:00.001-08:00

Cabin Pictures

2008-01-11T18:09:00.000-08:00

Videos!

2008-01-11T17:01:00.000-08:00

Jane Eyre, Booklist

2008-01-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

Jane Eyre. Oh my. The most romantic book ever written. Definitely. If you have a more romantic book, let me know. Not only romantic, but very moral, right, good, full of truth. I felt like I needed to mark it up like my scriptures. So a few quotes from the book.
"No sooner did I see that his attention was riveted on them, and that I might gaze without being observed, than my eyes were drawn involuntarily to his face: I could not keep their lids under control; they would rise, and the irids would fix on him. I looked, and had an acute pleasure in looking--a precious yet poignant pleasure; pure gold, with a steely point of agony: a pleasure like what the thirst- perishing man might feel who knows the well to which he has crept is poisoned, yet stoops and drinks divine draughts nevertheless.
Most true is it that "beauty is in the eye of the gazer". My master's colorless, olive face, square, massive brow, broad and jetty eyebrows, deep eyes, strong features, firm grim mouth --all energy, decision, will--were not beautiful, according to rule: but they were more than beautiful to me; they were full of an interest, and influence that quite mastered me--that took my feelings from my own power and fettered them in his. I had not intended to love him--the reader knows I had wrought hard to extirpate from my soul the germs of love there detected--and now, at the first renewed view of him, they spontaneously revived, green and strong! He made me love him without looking at me."
-Jane Eyre
There is an amazing quote by the man, Mr. Rochester in the novel, but of course I can't find it. Then one more quote from the book about temptation. "I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad--as I am now. laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation; they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour: stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. " Jane Eyre
Truly as masterpiece. PBS just aired a new version of Jane Eyre. We dvr'd it and the past two nights, Darin and I have watched it. We probably have two more nights left. We are both loving it. So far it is very true to the book. Anyway, a must read at some point in your life. I know everyone wanted my book club list for the year and I never gave it so here it is.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (yes, they are sisters)
Tisha by Robert Specht
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (much better read aloud, Darin and I have read this together, aloud, twice, a book on CD would be a good option, I'm sure your library would have it)
The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley (hoping this will influence some of my liberal friends)
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
All Moms Go to Heaven by Dean Hughes (short, hilarious, I heard him speak at Time Out For Women on this book, I laughed so hard I almost cryed)
Red Tent by Nita Diamant
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier (Rebecca by du Maurier was so creepy, I'm excited for this one, ooooo, and it's in October, perfect month for it)
Dr. Zhivago by Boris Pasternak (very excited for this one, tragic, dramatic, Russia, revolution, forbidden love)
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (one of my all time favorite authors, easier to read than you would think, and A Christmas Carol is very short, less than 100 pages)

All of these books came highly recommended or was researched, so I am confident that most will be very good.
The girls are very good. Disappointed however because school was indeed held. We were holding our breath for a cancellation, but of course it didn't happen. It has been snowing here like it rains in Oregon. A constant flow of very small snowflakes, like a drizzle of rain I suppose. The first real winter we've had since I moved to Idaho. School for me starts Monday. Entirely depressing. I try to be grateful. And I am. But is depresses me so. My drug of choice last semester was food. I don't want to do that this time. I went back to WW. Another very depressing subject. So I need another safe drug to replace the food. Any ideas? More prozac? A combination of antidepressants? Caffeine? So few choices. So sad. Love you all. Signing off until next time.

Snow

2007-12-24T10:24:00.001-08:00

This is Anna, Gracie, and Anna's friend Lauren from dance. She was so excited to have a play date in the snow. This is today, Christmas Eve. Anna and Gracie.

For those of you who don't know, they are wearing snow clothes. : )

Gracie Singing

2007-12-24T09:49:00.000-08:00

Ahhhh. A sigh of relief

2007-12-23T17:07:00.000-08:00

I am feeling truly relaxed. I'm in my jammies(there seems to be a lot of talk about jammies lately) and my children are typing up the Christmas program for tomorrow night, which I love. I love children that take over a project. One less thing for me to do. Plus if they don't like the way it turns out, its their own fault. That may sound really negative, but children love to blame their parents for everything, even the Christmas program that went bad. Right Mom? So I am really excited that they are taking over this year. I can hardly believe they are that old. Amazing. So I delivered 25 plates yesterday and today. And let me tell you, the return treats are pouring in. That is not why I handed out so many, but it is certainly a fringe benefit! So I guess it is obvious that I have decided to be like Megan, (so sorry to be unsupportive of you healthy eaters, Mom and Grandma). I unfortunately don't even want to broach that subject. Megan asked about my goody plate--here are the specifics--
Double Decker Fudge (Grandma on the hill's peanut butter fudge, and Walt's fudge, layered in a pan, both recipes in my cookbook)
Chocolate Chip, Hazelnut, Toffee Cookies (from Foodnetwork chef Giada, Everyday Italian)
Almond Roca (which by the way I don't even use a thermometer anymore, I go by color and smell, much easier, color of a paper bag, smells like it is starting to burn or smoke, also in the cookbook)
Butterscotch Haystacks (chow mien noodles, salted peanuts, with melted butterscotch chips, essentially clusters, must use Guitard chips)
7 layer Magic Bars (the girls had a hay day making these, we used salted peanuts unfortunately because Anna is allergic to pecans : (
I thought it was a pretty good plate.
Gracie at this moment is feeding her baby. Now her baby is Baby Alive. She comes with baby food, and a special bottle and actually eats, drinks, and then pees and poops. Unfortunately for Baby Alive, we have lost her bottle. She has had quite a bit of food without water to wash it down. I am amazed the poor dear doesn't stink, hopefully she doesn't vomit too! Gracie loves to be a mommy. Aliese and Anna each got a Baby Alive last year from Santa, and loved them for 3-4 hours, after which they declared that, "She is too much work." She tells you when she is hungry, thirsty, tired, she sings, and says I love you too. Very cute. Gracie loves her. I think however, that Gracie isn't concerned when the baby cries and she doesn't want to help her, she'll just turn her off. The other girls were always worried about her, and it really did turn into work (maybe we should have Baby Alives in High Schools!).
Church was really nice. We had a lovely program, mainly music. My choir sang Oh Holy Night. It went well, even though I was so tired, I barely made it through the song. Conducting is tiring as it is, and I have a cold to boot. I think my body hung on until finals were over, and then it said, "Finally, I have a break!" So now I'm constantly tired, but it gives me an excuse to go to my favorite place--bed. (he, he)
I love you all. I wish you the merriest of Christmases. I wish I was at the coast with you. Happy eating, sleeping, unwrapping(and wrapping), laughing, and loving. Kisses!

Christmas Dancing

2007-12-21T17:55:00.000-08:00

This is obviously Anna. She is truly my free spirit. We tried to get Gracie to dance but as you can see, she just didn't get it. A sign I don't take enough pictures.

I have 3 weeks

2007-12-21T07:33:00.000-08:00

Actually 23 1/2 days if you start counting from when I finished my final yesterday. Yipee! I can hardly believe it. A regular mom and wife for 3 weeks. I so took it for granted before. I miss it, and treasure it more when life seems normal. So I am going to try to make life as "normal" as it can be over my vacation. Of course there is nothing normal about Christmas, but now we can have a "normal" Christmas! I am going to bake all day, with and with out my kids. They have early release and I am saving the easy things for them to make with me. Butterscotch chow mein noodles, 7 layer bars. Before they come home I am going to make a double decker peanut butter and chocolate fudge, and chocolate chip, heath, hazelnut cookies. OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHH, yum. The last few years I have not handed out goodies because it seems like people are always complaining about all of the treats. Atleast my friends have compained, not specifically to me about my treats, but about the practice in general. Well, I decided the hell with it, I am giving out treats. I am in the mood. I think people say they are tired of treats because it is the popular thing to say. They appear healthy that way. Well, I think that my choir eats every crumb of my treats every Sunday because they like treats! What a shock?! So I'm doing it this year. It's festive. It's Christmas. It's tradition. Enough of that. So I realized yesterday that it was Dec. 20!!!!!!!!! Yikes. I totally freaked out. When I was writing out my check to Joan for babysitting Gracie and I wrote out Dec. 20 I thought that I must have figured it out wrong. Oh dear. It was an uncomfortable realization. So I decided that I would finish all of my shopping that night (last night). I needed to go to the mall, and was hoping I could get the rest at Wal-mart, (and of course Wal-mart, as much as I love that place, didn't have everything, so I have to go to Broulims today to get butterscotch chips, decent milk chocolate chips, and hopefully hazelnuts). It was 42 degrees when I left and humid. It felt great. Oregon weather, right? Wrong. I don't know what I was thinking. I left wearing a hooded sweatshirt, and birkenstocks. An old standby in Oregon. Well, when I got out of the mall, it snowing. And had been snowing. There was at least an in on the ground. So I shuffled to my car, and drove to Wal-mart. When I got out of Wal-mart, the snow coming down hard and it was getting deep. Unfortunately my cart was not four wheel drive. It was a challenge getting to the van. Then I had to sit in my van and wait for the defrost to defrost (ha, ha), for 10 minutes, because I was not about to scrape in the middle of a snow storm, in my hooded sweatshirt, and birks. The roads were fine, and I could see until Shelley. Then the blizzard really started. Darin would not have even cared or noticed, but for me, I was nervous. It took me 20 minutes to get home from Shelley. Normally a 7 minute trip. By the time I got home it was after midnight and my shoulders were burning from being so tense, but I was home and safe. Oh was I feeling grateful. I felt like a true Idahoan. Idahoans don't dress warmly until it is below zero, and wouldn't think twice about shopping in a snow storm. Wow. New topic. Finals. I hate tests. I hate studying. I like practicing. I am good at that. I was a wreck on Wed. night, very nervous for my math final. At 11:30 that night I was still studying, not understanding and convinced that I would fail and have to take the class again next term. I was so depressed. I can do a pity party with the best of them. I dreamt about math problems and woke up with a headache, and a nervous stomach ache. I couldn't even eat breakfast. Well, I prayed and I prayed, and I had last minute inspiration, as well as many tender mercies, and the test was easier than the study guide. I am sure I won't be getting an A, but I will not fail either, thanks to the holy ghost and love from the Almighty God. He doesn't hold back if you will show faith. I love you all. Merry Christmas!

In Bed

2007-12-10T10:08:00.000-08:00

Many of you know of my dream to do everything from bed. There have been many times I have sincerely wished it. I keep telling Darin that we need a fridge, and one of those water cooler things that they have in offices. Then recently I told him we needed a third dishwasher--for our bathroom. It is amazing how much Darin and I eat up here. Our night stands and bathroom counters are covered with dishes. Really, I think the master bedroom suite needs to be rethought. So for a few days I have gotten my wish. I go to the bathroom (no bed pans, thank you), but otherwise I stay in bed. Tomorrow I have a huge day and am trying to rest up for it. I think the moral of the story is I need to be cautious of small staircases that entail 1-2 stairs. I need to take them as seriously as my stairs at home that go from the 2nd story to the main floor. I fell all the way down them last year three times, I am now very cautious and haven't fallen down them in a long time. Darin has put me on a physical therapy regime of writing my name in cursive in the air with my foot. I think it is helping. Aliese very thoughtfully volunteered to stay home. What a girl, willing to miss here least favorite part of life--school. So Gracie and Anna are on my bed with me and watching Wonder Pets. Possibly the cutest show since Little Bear. I love it. It is also snowing. It is beautiful. It's coming down pretty thick. Aliese opened up the blinds and told me I had to see it. I agreed, something not to be missed. I am so grateful for the beauty of nature. Well, I should really get back to school work. I am giving a speech tomorrow. I am so ready to graduate from speech. I have actually really enjoyed preparing for my speeches, because I am a nerd. I have given 3 speeches thus far. Informative--Making truffles. Argumentative--Parents should not spank. Refutation--Milk is bad for you. (that speech was done with a partner, my partner of course argued that milk is good for you.) My speech tomorrow is a persuasive, and I wanted to do it on depression, or music, something that means a lot to me, but that is just too hard. So I am doing a stupid speech that I think will be well received about college students and their stress level, and how to get rid of some of the stress. So you're probably tired of reading and I'm tired of typing. I love you all. Bye.

I Am Bella

2007-12-08T21:37:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, I married a Jacob, and not an Edward. Meaning that Jacob trusted Bella, and didn't worry, and Edward was always worried and was always there to catch Bella when she fell (well almost always). For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, that is just sad and you need to read the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. I sprained my ankle last night. And as usual, I had an audience. The last time I sprained my ankle it was in front of the entire ward when I was coming down the stairs from playing the organ. Darin didn't even notice and the person speaking had to mention my accident at the pulpit to get Darin to get up and help me. This time it was at Darin's work party at a restaurant. I was going down two little steps. I rolled my left foot, causing me to fall, my ankle popped many times. I have not had it x-rayed, however, I have broken 3 bones before, and it doesn't feel the same. I really think it is sprained, just like last year. This time I went into shock, again in front of Darin's work people. Horribly embarrassing. I was shaking so violently it felt and probably looked like I was going through a seizure. I felt like I was going to freeze to death, and vomit. Luckily, through the tender mercies, I did not vomit in front of everyone. They carried me out to the van on a chair. It was so exciting (yeah right). I am doing better. I stayed in bed all day. It is swollen, but not severely. I am going to stay home from church tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be able to go to school next week. Ugh!!! Tonight was Darin's sibling Christmas party. I wanted to stay home. He begged me to go so I went. We went to Chinese (far from my favorite), and then to play Laser Tag. Some Christmas party, huh? Very festive. I was already planning to refuse the Laser Tag thing and sitting out before the ankle thing happened. I mean really. I would never expect them to all go to the opera! So why do they expect me to be athletic. So that's the bright side of my ankle, it wasn't even a discussion. And I know it would've been. Love you all.

Tired but Good

2007-12-07T08:18:00.000-08:00

I'm so ready for Christmas break. For a number of obvious reasons, more sleep (naps, I can hardly wait), healthier food (I know what you're thinking, but I have no where to go but up once I have a break from school, I think I'll go buy some oranges), no school, no commuting, more time with the girls, more time with Darin, more time studying the scriptures and fun books (instead of school books), baking and finishing up Christmas stuff. We're going to the cabin for 5 days after Christmas. I've already gotten Darin to commit to leaving his laptop at home. That is what he did last year. It was 5 days of reading, sleeping, movies, and snow. I can't wait. I think it was perhaps the most relaxing 5 days for all of us that we've ever had. Right now I am listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, last years Christmas CD with Sissel. If you want to treat yourself, this is the one. Oh, I just love it.
So to update on my last blog. Thank you for all of your thoughtful and kind responses. I did have a meeting with the superintendent and middle school principal who is my biggest advocate, and it went really well. All the details aren't worked out yet. But hopefully they will be soon, like in a week or two. First is it legal to student teach as a real teacher and get paid? They need to get a grant to be able to pay me because of our shrinking student population. They predict letting go of 1-2 teachers for next year. So if they do get the grant, will the state pay for a student teacher? Then if they won't pay for a student teacher, but they will pay for a certified teacher then is it legal for me to student teach without a supervising teacher in the room? These are the details that need to be worked out. However, they want me, they want music, they want part time for now (thank goodness). They are very willing to let me do my student teaching there as long as we can figure out the legalities.
My ward choir sang sleigh ride at the ward party this week. It went fabulous, more than anything the choir had so much fun doing it. We had about 45 people sing. We have been having 40+ people at rehearsal every week. Especially since we sang Come Thou Fount. Everyone flipped out about that one. I am so blessed. It is the best calling in the church. My choir members are so wonderful. We will be singing Oh Holy Night, and What Child Is This? for Dec. sacrament meetings. I'm excited. Everyone loves Christmas music. Especially the traditional songs, that everyone knows. I am also directing the children's choir for the Community Christmas Concert in Firth. I have had two rehearsals so far. I hope I haven't already blogged this. Oh well. I had 48 kids at this week's rehearsal. 29 girls, and 19 boys. Grades 3rd-8th. The girls were so wonderful. The naughtiest boys were my nephew, and the son of one of my best friends--Joan. I don't understand boys. I don't have any, only had one brother. It is a bit of concern to me, but I try to just go into my mom mode and snap my finger, point, give the "look", and they shape pretty fast. The thing I don't get about them is that they are very obedient, when I ask them to be, but become disobedient very quickly. The other thing about the boys that is very annoying and I will need to figure out is that they all think that their voices have changed and that they can't sing as high as the girls. Oh please. If they are lucky they will start going through puberty in 8th grade, but according to Darin it doesn't really happen until around 15. So I have little boys, trying to sing like men, and they sound like raspy smokers, because they are trying so hard to sing low. It is pathetic. Is it that they don't want to be like the girls, or that they want to be older than they are. The girls are angels, as usual, I love the girls. But I have to confess, the boys crack me up, and I enjoy them as much, they are just more exhausting.
Gracie is growing up so fast all of the sudden. She is learning new words everyday. She is hard to understand, but is getting more expressive everyday. Last night, I took the girls up to read scriptures and go to bed. Usually she follows, but she was playing. Well, we were up there for about 10 minutes, and we had just finished scriptures and were still in my bed, when Gracie came up. She dropped her jaw in disbelief and with very big eyes asked,"Guys! Wai fo me?" Meaning,"Why didn't you wait for me?" So cute. I just love her and wish she would stop growing. She is my little sweet potato and we love to be together. I can't wait until Christmas break, so I don't have to drop her off at Gabe's (Joan's) anymore. 3 whole weeks!
I joined a freezer cooking club last month. We're having our second trade today. It has been such a blessing. We started with 5 people, and we each cooked enough of two different meals to give one to each person and ourselves, so 5x each recipe basically. Wow, good cooks. Unfortunately, two of our ladies (who I don't understand), dropped out. So that left three of us, Des (just love her), and Donnette (a fabulous cook). So this month we will be bringing 3 different meals for everyone. So including the meals I made, I will be getting 9 meals. These are nice meals too. I highly recommend it, however, I realize everyone doesn't want to be just like me, just most people (just kidding, he he he).
I love you all. Merry Christmas. I miss you. I really do plan on getting new batteries for my camera soon, and will take some pics. Bye.

Frustrated

2007-11-30T12:10:00.000-08:00

So last Wednesday I had an appointment with the superintendent and the middle school principal (my absolute biggest fan and advocate) to set up my student teaching/job for next year, Fall of 08. But they both got sick and it was rescheduled for today. Then today they both went home sick again, and it has been rescheduled for next Wed!!! Ugh!!!! I keep psyching myself up for nothing. For those of you who don't know, because of the dire circumstances of music in SE Idaho, a student can be hired on as a school teacher and be paid, and count it as student teaching. So I am supposed to be setting that up right now, and I am getting tired of it being put off. I hate not knowing what is happening in my future. I went back to school because Heavenly Father told me to, but because of my lack of faith, I am continually worried about next year. Darin is not worried at all, and says I went back to school because we felt good about it, and that we don't know what the reason is, and that that is okay. Usually, our roles are reversed. It's a bit strange for Darin to have more blind faith than me. Oh well. I plan on getting batteries for my camera today, and then I can post some more picks. I think I don't have the energy this year to put up all of my decorations this year. I am just too tired. I can't believe after Dec. I will only be half done! I will survive. I am having a committee meeting next week to pick out books for my book club for next year. Anybody have any must read suggestions? I am really excited for the committee. Last year everyone got to pick one book to read. I wasn't satisfied with those results. This year a committee was nominated, myself and two other people. We will be picking out all of the books. Des (my good friend), thinks I'll get my way on everything with the committee : ) For those of you who think I am crazy for continuing to be involved with the bookclub while in school, it is one of those things that keeps me sane. I have to have fun in this life. Book club is fun for me. It gets boring to only read things you have to read, or to never see your friends. It is only once a month. And that brings me to an important point--having fun is important. I have friends who claim to not have any time for fun, that it would stress them out. Well in my opinion, these same people are stressed out no matter what they do, and I think a little fun might lighten their load. What do you think? Is it necassary to carve out personal fun time, or do some people really truly not need it? This has been weighing my mind lately. I just wish more women could be happy. Is that such a bad thing?

Recentish Pictures

2007-11-23T21:00:00.000-08:00

Gracie asleep. So sweet. My perfect angel. Anna the rock star for Halloween.

Gracie a cow.

Aliese a witch!

The babysitter curled the girls hair!

This is the next day, and they still looked great. It lasted for a week!

Enchanted

2007-11-23T20:58:00.000-08:00

Mom took us to the movie today. We saw Enchanted. It was so fun. I thought it would be cheesy, but I laughed and laughed. It was hilarious. Mom, Danielle, and the girls liked it as well.

Thanksgiving

2007-11-22T10:21:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone. I am learning to blog again. Will it work this time?! Mom and Dad, and Clay and Danielle are hear. Tara (my sister in law) will be coming soon. I haven't had school all week and it has been wonderful. I am so ready to be done. Finish your schooling before you have babies! Of course I thought that I did. Oh well. I thought I would be done with the school part in May. But it is ending up that I will have to go to school this summer as well. Then student teaching in Fall of 08. That is what I am excited about. My adviser wants me to go to the superintendent with a resume and just apply for a job. So Darin and I have been working on my resume. I can't believe I even have a resume. It doesn't look half bad.

The menu for today.
Turkey with fresh Parsley, Rosemary, Sage and Thyme
Stuffing with Artisan Bread and Fresh Herbs
Mashed Potatoes (with lots of butter and half and half)
Struessel Stuffed Sweet Potatoes (Yams, but I prefer the word sweet potato)
Green Beans with Garlic and Sauteed Almonds
Crescent Rolls (Shirley's to die for recipe)
Relish Tray (Tara's bringing it)
Sparking Apple Cider

Desserts:
Chocolate Cream Pie
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Apple Pie
Carmel Apples
Chocolate Cream Cheese Dessert

Breakfast:
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

I miss you all so much and am so grateful for you all. I love my sisters, my brother, and grandparents so much and wish you were here. I hope you all have a fun day. Hope your turkey's turn out.

Mom, Danielle, and I all got matching pajamas.

My Girls

2007-07-20T12:08:00.000-07:00

Aliese is 9 yrs old. She loves to write stories.

Anna is 6 years old and loves to pretend more than anything.

Gracie is 2 years old and is just plain adorable.

Learning Blogging

2007-07-20T11:47:00.000-07:00

I'm at Mom's and she is teaching me how to blog!