Saturday, March 28, 2009
David Copperfield
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.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Schedule and Knitting
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
No Longer Confused
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Confused
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.
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.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Intrenched in Firthite Life
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!
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!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Love you all
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 : (
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!
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!
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