What I've Been Thinkin' Lately

I have been feeling the need to update my blog lately, but can't think of anything to write. It's caused me to wonder--do I really think so little about things that I can't write about them? I mean, what do I THINK about? Anyway, whatever. So here's a list of just--stuff.

1. I started teaching my new quarter of kids yesterday. One of the best things about my subject is that I teach every single 7th grader in the school--for only ten weeks, and then they are gone. I wonder what its like to have the SAME kids for an entire school year? What do you do when you get total stinkers? Not that I can't handle the stinkers, but I suppose it would be harder to handle them for that long. Wow.
2. Speaking of school, I had an interesting experience last quarter. I have a huge two-week activity where the kids are put into groups of 5. You know how working with groups is--there's always that one kid that doesn't do anything. Well, my 7th period was full of those kids. So--I put them all in the SAME GROUP. All the slackers together. And you know what? They totally rose to the occasion. I was so proud of those boys. They worked hard. They HAD to. And they did a great job!
3. Here's something momentous--for two days now, I am eating right AND exercising--AT THE SAME TIME. Whenever I try to lose weight, for some reason I can never do both. Hope it works. I forgot, actually, how much I enjoy working out--well, when it's over anyway. You feel so good!
4. I found out when I went to the gym yesterday (for the first time since July) that my pass at Gold's Gym allows me FREE DAYCARE. What the crap? Are you serious? And she doesn't have to be older than 2? Why did I think that? Do you mean to say I could have been going to the gym ALL THIS TIME???? I'm SO kicking my butt this summer!
5. I am still addicted to the Sims. I can't play it very often or for very long, but I've had the Sims 2 for two years now and I am still addicted. When will it end? When? It's constantly crashing, takes up GIGS and GIGS of space (since I have a million downloads for it) and every now and then I have to re-install it because it won't load. It's a pain. Why do I put up with it? Why?
6. It's DEAR right now. That means Drop Everything and Read. My kids in 1st period are all reading. Some of them are sleeping. Some of them are staring listlessly at their books counting the minutes until the 10 minute bell rings. (They have 6 left) I am supposed to be setting an example by reading too. But I never read during DEAR. I don't have prep this semester--I teach 7 periods a day. I don't have time to read! But somehow I did have time today. So--I'm updating my blog. What a great example, huh?
7. I went to the D.I. on Friday. I finally admitted to myself that my clothes don't fit and I'm sick of it and I need SOMETHING to wear. But I refuse to go buy a ton of clothes in my new size when I really do not want to be this size. So I bought six shirts at the DI for 14 bucks. And you know what? They are CUTE. And I feel a lot better. And somehow, this motivated me to start eating right and getting healthy. Yay DI!
8. I need to buck up. When Afton was born, Trevor was unemployed and always there. We do everything 50/50. But now he's in school and working, and I'm so used to having him do the other half of the work. I need to stop that. He needs more time to study. I might just have to give up the Sims or something. But its ok--she's the cutest thing ever so its not that big of a sacrifice, right?
9. Afton gives kisses. I love it.
10. I can't think of a tenth thing. But who in the right mind makes a list of NINE things? No one ever makes a nine-point list. It just doesn't make sense. So there's the tenth thing--I like ten. Not nine.

Afton is ONE!!

My baby is growing up too fast! It's amazing how it goes by so fast, and yet, life BEFORE her seems like AGES ago. I can hardly remember what it was like. How on earth did I exist day to day and not MISS her?

So yesterday we had a big party for her at my house. She was the center of attention and she was lovin' it. She got lots of presents, and was so excited about her new toys! We got her this little book called, "That's Not My Mermaid!" and she LOVES IT. She keeps licking it, actually, which is, apparently, the highest compliment she can give it. She turns the pages and listens to you read it and touches the "feely" parts of the book and she just laughs. So cute.

Her Auntie Andrea made her a "smash cake" in her cake decorating class. It was cute I hated to let her have at it. But it turns out, Afton was quite the lady. She just picked at it. She DID manage to get frosting all over her face, but it took a bit of time to get there. She was so careful! We gave her another piece of it today, and after sampling it awhile, she totally tossed it on the floor.

She also opened lots of presents, and then afterwards walked around with the BOXES and totally ignored the presents. Typical. Here's a picture of her that I just happened to snap right as she was stepping on the cat's tail. He didn't mind much--the cat is TOTALLY enamored of her. And here's another one of her playing with the lego blocks Andrea gave her. Isn't that dress cute? Seven bucks at Kid to Kid. Wahoo! And, of course, I made that ribbon to match.



We managed to take a couple of family photos at the birthday party too. It was so fun to give her a special day like that. I just love my little baby! The rest of these were taken today while Trevor was home with her. Then our battery ran out and we can't find the cord, so there goes that.

A Tribute to Strong Women

Today I was driving past the Sandy Expo Center, and I saw a sign for the Home Show which is starting in two days. It made me think of my awesome sister Cindy, who is busily preparing to have a booth there. And then I thought about what an incredible person she is. And then I thought about my other sisters, and what incredible people they are. And I thought, "Man, I'm so lucky to have such amazing sisters."

My poor dear mother had five daughters in seven years. NOT on purpose I can promise you. And I'm sure it must have been so difficult for her when we were all small. But we sure are reaping the benefits now. I can't imagine what it must be like to NOT have a sister to call and ask random questions. Each of my sisters has an expertise in something, and if I need something, I'm sure that ONE of them will know.

My sisters are STRONG. No matter what they are up against, they find a way to conquer it. Cindy is starting a business--and everything is planned down to the last detail. She has spent her life doing things for free just out of the goodness of her heart. If you need something, she is THERE. She will drop everything--things that sometimes are a real stretch for her to drop--just to help you out. She's brilliant. Anything she tries, she can do. She was always the peacemaker in the family. The one that took me on "sister dates" when I was little, taking me to antique stores or driving down the Avenues just to look at architecture. She is an absolute expert at thinking outside of the box, and can tackle any problem and solve it with a completely unorthodox and brilliant solution. When I have a question, she's the first one I call. She's my human Google. She calls my baby a "mop-headed wildebeast" and she's totally dead on. I don't know what I would do without her. I watch what she is doing with this business--how she finds a way to make BIG things happen--and I'm just utterly amazed. One day she thought, "Hey, we should make a big playground in West Jordan." And then SHE DID IT. She and Jen teamed up and made the Wild West Jordan playground happen. Who DOES that? She knows how to make an idea a reality, and when she does it, she does it big.

Jen is the oldest. I think that she had the most influence on me to attend college. She just WENT. Even though mom's a beautician/housewife, and Dad is a carpenter, and money was always tight--she didn't let that stop her. She taught me that anyone can go to college if they want to. She went to BYU and got her education. She went on a mission, she married in the temple. She set a pattern that I instictively followed. She now works for a congressman and has the really amazing important job that she earned with volunteer hours, a talent for writing, and sheer brilliance. I am totally in awe of what she can acheive. And yet--she is so NORMAL. Sometimes I am so shocked when she googles over my baby or offers to babysit. She's not all snooty and self-important. She's just doing what she knows is right. I know for a fact that if she hadn't been there, my own life wouldn't have been the same. I wouldn't have known what I could achieve, if I hadn't seen her do it first. She is the ultimate oldest sister--she set an example worth of emulation, and yet never shoved it down your throat. She just DID IT.

Aundi is the third sister. I don't even know how to express what I feel about her. She is the one who doesn't look back. She doesn't wish and waste her life away. She is grateful for everything she has. She takes what she has, and she LOVES IT. And because she loves it, it loves her back. She has a wonderful life. Although sometimes her body is weak and betrays her, sometimes I think she is the strongest of us all. And she can talk your ear off. I'm not kidding. She says things with such conviction that you KNOW she is absolutely right. When I was a kid I used to repeat everything she said as gospel truth. Eh, who am I kidding? I STILL DO. She is so beautiful. She helps me with my ballroom team at school, and she loves every second of it. Aundi is the one who taught me about style, doing your hair, dressing up cute, and how to move. I watched her dance, and wondered if I could ever be as good. I never was, but I sure tried! And she sure helped me. I used to watch her get ready in the morning, and I'd wish I could be as pretty as her. And she's still just a stylin' now as she was then. Only--she's not pretentious like a lot of stylish people can be. She is a genuinely happy person. She doesn't brag. She is just HAPPY.

And then, of course, there's Nicki. Only 13 months separate us. We were not so close as kids, but things changed a lot when we grew up. Nicki was that sister that watched over me--winced at every dumb thing I said (which was A LOT) and silently cheered for every victory. She was SO COOL. Everyone thought she was cool. She's so smart, but she has the biggest heart. She feels things very keenly, and cares very deeply for the people she loves. She is absolutely gorgeous. The only one who got Mom's eyes, the lucky thing. She's the most educated, with a very difficult degree and an awesome job. But she isn't absorbed by these things. She knows what is important. She was there for me whenever I needed her when my baby was born. She'd had her third only 18 hours after me, and when I had a question, she was there--guiding me like she always has.

Of course--none of these amazing sisters of mine would be so amazing without one heck of a Mom. I think what I love most about my Mom is that she isn't afraid to be different, to do things different. She had a good father, but he was of that disposition that never says "I love you. I'm proud of you." Instead of carrying on that tradition, she broke it. She stepped away and said, "Not for my kids." We heard it every day. But she wasn't some gushy "you're so perfect" mom either. She'd tell you bluntly to your face what's wrong with you. Not in a mean way--but she knew she had to tell you or no one else would. She didn't sugar coat it or make us think we were all perfect and entitled. She loved us--and she DIDN'T TAKE ANY CRAP. I LOVE that. I like to think I've inherited a little of it. My mother is a strong woman. She taught all of us to be strong. It's ok to be different. It's ok to step outside the comfort zone. It's ok to speak your mind. Its ok to argue your case--but do so respectfully or you're DONE. She is always there to help me when I need it. It must have been so hard for her--living here in Utah away from her family, with no mother or sister to help her with her small children. She hasn't forgotten. And when I or my sisters need her--SHE'S THERE.

I feel bad not to mention my Dad--whom I love just as dearly. But this post is for the strong women of my family who have helped shape who I am. I've never really told any of my sisters how I feel about them--funny that its so much easier to do it this way! Anyway, as the youngest of five, with four such incredible sisters before me, it's hard to measure up. But somehow, we are never competitive with each other. We are genuinely happy for the good things, and we sorrow for the bad things. How could anyone fail with such amazing examples? How lucky I am to be the youngest--to have four sisters go through the world first and show me how it's done. I thank my Heavenly Father for them, and for my wonderful mother!

This family picture was taken around 1988. Yikes!

More Scrapbook Stuff

So I've been trying to think of what to update my blog with and can't think of anything. So I guess I'll put in a scrapbooking update! I got my 2009 yearbook printed! Hooray! It's so exciting when you get your book back. It's all bound and glossy and beautiful! I was late getting it finished, since I have really been far more interested in Afton's book. Cannot WAIT to finish that one! It's going to be done right on time, I think, and I'll publish it this month after her 1 year birthday! So, here are some shots from the book I just published. I have sacrified the 12x12 size to get a nice 8 1/2 x 11 bound book which is much easier to store and carry and it's TOTALLY been worth it. Hooray for Cherishbound!




And here is a couple of pages from Afton's book. Oh it's gonna be so fun to see it all printed! This is the BEST PART of digital scrapbooking!

Whenever I try to look up ideas for digital scrapbooking, I'm so annoyed. I mean, every example is the same--a huge 12x12 page with ONE photo, lots of blank space, and a MILLION little doo-dads to dress it up. How is that practical? How long are these books people make where they only scrapbook one photo on every page? Where's the journaling--just as important as the picture itself? I feel a little alone in the way I do it but, oh well. That just makes me practical I guess.

Divorce - A Metaphor

Fortunately for me, I havnen't had to deal with divorce in my immediate family. I have been very lucky. My parents have a loving and healthy relationship, as do all my sisters. And I have been so happy in my own marriage. But I have seen it's affects on some of my friends. I have seen how hard it can be, how it can rip a family apart and create resentment that can last a lifetime. I've seen how spouses, after more than 20 years since their split, can still hate each other with a heated and violent hate. It's a very sad thing.

There are many causes of divorce, but there's also the standard scenario you see in movies and sadly, in real life. Husband and wife work together for years to create a home, build up their resources, and educate and raise their children. Then one day the man just gets DONE. It's to hard. There's too many kids. What about what HE wants? Can't he have time for HIM? Does he have to keep sharing and compromising all the time? And his wife has gotten older--she's no longer young and pert. He wants the newer, younger model. He wants to shake off the responsibilities that come with years of marriage.

So he leaves. He doesn't ask the wife's permission--she gets no say in his decision. He takes with him all the resouces they have worked together to build, leaving her with little income and, of course, custody of the children. He gets a fast car, a new hot girlfriend, and lives high on the hog. The wife is enbittered, angry. Doesn't he care about all they worked for together? Doesn't he care about the welfare of their children? If he's a decent guy, he pays child support. Even alimony. He makes sure that, even if he doesn't want his first wife anymore, at least thier children are provided for. For they are, after all, the innocent bystanders in this mess. They are the ones who will pay for his choice.

It's an ugly thing. I have never experienced it myself--until now. Many have compared the Jordan/Canyons split as a divorce. And they are absolutely right. Canyons, desiring to have a hot new district with all the bells and whistles they can't afford without dropping the dead-weight of too many children, leaves Jordan. Jordan gets no say in the matter. They are just left behind with all the kids and no money to support them. Like the man in the scenario, Canyons takes all the resources, as well. With the dividing line between the districts being the Jordan River--far past the hotbeds of revenue-generating commercial properties like South Towne Mall, Winco, and Costco, not to mention all the commerical lined up on both sides of the 1-15 freeway, the resources are clearly leaning only one way. Jordan shops in Canyon's stores, because they are convenient and nearby. But Canyons does not shop at Jordan stores--they are too far away, and repeats of what they already have close to home. Although both sides contribute to the revenue coming from these places, only Canyons benefits. And HE WON'T SHARE.

This divorce has causes a schism in our valley like the North and South, where everyone is taking sides and starting use words like "Them" and "Us." A valley where Christianity is king, is now falling into a divided battle, where one side says--"we don't care about your kids. We don't care if they have a lesser education. We don't care if your teachers lose their jobs. We have what WE want. We have more money for OUR kids." Nevermind that many of the east-siders have children, brothers, cousins, aunts and grand-children on the west side. They don't care. They got their hot new car and they are happy with it.

We are calling for child support. Representative Bird is bringing out a bill to equalize the per pupil spending between the districts. This bill would allow Jordan to get some of the revunue from businesses they are already supporting. It would allow teachers to keep their jobs. It would allow us to keep our homes, as taxes go sky high. If you or your child is a victim of this divorce--DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Write to your legislators. Write to the education committee. Tell them to support this bill! I have--and have already recieved two emails from two different members telling me they are supporting it. This may be the only chance our kids have to recover from this ugly divorce.

My New "BOW-dacious" Hobby!

So I've always been a "hobby" person. I've gone through various hobbies that have lasted for various lengths of time over the years. My oldest hobby is probably making paper dolls, which I still dabble in every now and then. I'll go through a few month's obsession, and then not do it again for a couple years. But, since I had a baby, this hobby--like most hobbies--has been pushed to the side for lack of time.

Then of course there's the old stand-by--scrapbooking. Like every other female in the 90's, I cut up my old priceless photos with reckless abandon--a move that I and pretty much every female in the 90's regrets. (Disclaimer: Scrapbooking nowadays isn't near as annoying and digital pictures have taken away the fear of ruining beloved photos. I am not bashing scrapbookers. End Disclaimer.) Anyway, I later discovered Digital Scrapbooking, and am much happier. It fits my personality much better.

I've tried other hobbies like crocheting--something I can do but am not all that good at--and singing--I got nodules on my vocal chords in 2003 and have never completely recovered--but now that I'm married with a baby and in "baby jail" I don't have time for a lot of my hobbies.

So now, I have a NEW hobby.

*What is it! What is it??* you all chant in excitement....

Baby Hair Bows!!! I went a little crazy. I bought a lot of stuff and just went for it. I made them first at a releif society shin-dig, and have been wanting to try it on my own ever since. So this week I just went for it. Started on Tuesday. And Afton is already sporting a ton of new bows! Not that she's all that excited about it. She isn't exactly the ideal model when I take pictures of them...

On the good side, its a hobby that is practical and has an actual use. On the bad side, Afton does NOT like the play quietly while I make them. She's pretty clingy right now. So getting time to do it is pretty challenging.

Well, here are some pictures of the ones I've made!

Here are the single bows. I love them! I just made the black one and the yellow one and haven't tried them on Afton yet--I hope the black one isn't too heavy! The blue one on the bottom was my first attempt at making a "Seattle Seahawks" bow to go with her Seahawks jersey that she's going to wear this weekend for the Super Bowl. But then I got some ribbon from Cindy that matched the Seahawks colors much better. I made these piggy tail bows:

So you can see the new cute Seattle Seahawks one. She will look adorable on Sunday! Though, I really ought to make her gold and black ones since I'm a Saints fan and MY TEAM actually MADE IT to the Super Bowl! (Ouch! Sorry Trevor! I love you!)

Anyway, I am very much obsessed with my new hobby. I guess I like the feel of something in my hands again--an aspect of scrapbooking that I miss now that I've switched to digital. I love choosing colors and ribbons and buttons and thinking of how they can go together. I am probably going to make a LOT more of them. Poor Afton. She'll be bow-bedecked for YEARS!!!

Well, I'll end this post with a picture of Afton wearing one of them. She was NOT a happy model. I took a ton of them, but this is the best I had. Sad huh?

Stubborn Like Her Father

So, the other day Trevor was watching the baby while I was at work. She would NOT go to sleep. Frustrated, he decided to put her in the crib and let her cry it out. She knows how to stand up against the crib, so once you get to that point, you know she ain't goin' to sleep. Why? Because she's STUBBORN. I'm not stubborn. That's one thing I can say about me. That's the good side. The bad side is that I give in really easy and forgive people quickly--so quickly sometimes that I forget what the did and don't learn from it. And I expect everyone else to forgive ME quickly, which doesn't always happen. Anyway, I'm not stubborn. She gets this from her daddy. There are times when that kid ain't going down without a fight.

Do you want proof? Well here it is. After standing against the crib, crying, and INSISTING she would NOT go to sleep, she finally quieted down. Surprised, Trevor went to check on her. This is what he found.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Now, maybe out there in Mommy land you are nodding your head and saying, "oh yeah, ALL babies do that. My kid did that five times. A day. For five years. That is nothing new and exciting." If this what you are thinking, keep it to yourself. Because in MY Mommy land, this is friggin' hilarous.