M: (turning on the TV) Word Girl is on. Do you want to watch it?
Annika: No. It has (mumble, mumble while eating an otter pop)...
M: It has what?
A: It has bad attitudes. I want Wonder Pets.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
All About Beck
Beck is 18 months old and I have been completely negligent about posting about him. You may avert your eyes if you hate those blog posts where people go on and on about their kids, 'cause this is that kind of post.
1. Beck climb out of his crib twice a few days ago, but thankfully hasn't thought of doing it again.
2. Beck still says, "What's that?" 50+ times a day.
3. Beck knows a ton of animal sounds including, but not limited to: cow, horse, cat, dog, pig, monkey, elephant, lion, and sheep.
4. Beck can identify the following body parts: head, nose, eyes, ears, tummy, bum, toes and tongue. The tongue is awesome. He sticks it in and out saying, "Liddle, liddle, liddle."
5. Beck has a problem eating inanimate objects such as erasers, crayons and small beads.
6. When above problem gives Beck diarrhea he cries, "It's a bum!" during diaper changes.
7. Beck thinks biting is a good way to get what he wants. We are working hard to stop this behavior.
8. Beck only has 8 teeth. The top front four, the bottom front two and two top one-year molars. Weird, huh?
9. Beck can say the name of every family member. When I'm calling the kids up stairs, he's my echo.
10. Beck's favorite people to call are Emma and "Aah-ka." (Annika)
11. Beck's favorite people to play with are me, Annika and Nate.
12. If Beck wakes up crying in the night, Wendell is the only person who can get him back to sleep. If I get him, he just cries harder until I put him in our bed. Apparently, I'm a sucker.
13. Beck is a scrawny little fellow. He weighs about 23 lbs and usually wears 12 month clothes. Even then, he often has to wear a belt so his pants don't fall off.
14. When Beck runs, he swings his right arm.
15. Beck loves to use, what I can only call, his falsetto. He loves to squeak way up high. This is good for mimicking the older kids and for creating a cat sound.
16. Beck loves to play the piano. Especially when it's someone's practice time. :)
17. Beck loves his Grandpa H. He will get all psyched if he knows we're going to see Grandpa and will push to get out of my arms and run to Grandpa.
18. Beck named his blanket "Bob." Every morning he throws Bob out of his bed, so I have to pick up Bob, then pick up Beck. Beck will also call for Bob when he's sad.
19. He calls his sippy--"One-y."
20. He loves Go Diego Go, which he calls, "Go, Go, Go!"
21. He can count to three. I wonder where he got that?
1. Beck climb out of his crib twice a few days ago, but thankfully hasn't thought of doing it again.
2. Beck still says, "What's that?" 50+ times a day.
3. Beck knows a ton of animal sounds including, but not limited to: cow, horse, cat, dog, pig, monkey, elephant, lion, and sheep.
4. Beck can identify the following body parts: head, nose, eyes, ears, tummy, bum, toes and tongue. The tongue is awesome. He sticks it in and out saying, "Liddle, liddle, liddle."
5. Beck has a problem eating inanimate objects such as erasers, crayons and small beads.
6. When above problem gives Beck diarrhea he cries, "It's a bum!" during diaper changes.
7. Beck thinks biting is a good way to get what he wants. We are working hard to stop this behavior.
8. Beck only has 8 teeth. The top front four, the bottom front two and two top one-year molars. Weird, huh?
9. Beck can say the name of every family member. When I'm calling the kids up stairs, he's my echo.
10. Beck's favorite people to call are Emma and "Aah-ka." (Annika)
11. Beck's favorite people to play with are me, Annika and Nate.
12. If Beck wakes up crying in the night, Wendell is the only person who can get him back to sleep. If I get him, he just cries harder until I put him in our bed. Apparently, I'm a sucker.
13. Beck is a scrawny little fellow. He weighs about 23 lbs and usually wears 12 month clothes. Even then, he often has to wear a belt so his pants don't fall off.
14. When Beck runs, he swings his right arm.
15. Beck loves to use, what I can only call, his falsetto. He loves to squeak way up high. This is good for mimicking the older kids and for creating a cat sound.
16. Beck loves to play the piano. Especially when it's someone's practice time. :)
17. Beck loves his Grandpa H. He will get all psyched if he knows we're going to see Grandpa and will push to get out of my arms and run to Grandpa.
18. Beck named his blanket "Bob." Every morning he throws Bob out of his bed, so I have to pick up Bob, then pick up Beck. Beck will also call for Bob when he's sad.
19. He calls his sippy--"One-y."
20. He loves Go Diego Go, which he calls, "Go, Go, Go!"
21. He can count to three. I wonder where he got that?
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Like Me
I'm a likable person. So it's odd when someone doesn't like me. I actually work hard (these are called people pleasers) to get people who don't like me, to like me. And sometimes I'm wrong, you know. I get a "vibe" that someone doesn't like me, but maybe I got the vibe wrong and they actually do like me.
There are two people like that in my ward. One, is a friend of my mother's and my sister's, so it was weird when the vibe I got from her was rather cool. Over the last seven years of living here, I think I got her all wrong and perhaps she does like me. (Although they recently had a son get married and we never got an invite, but I'm functioning on the assumption that it was an accidental oversight.)
The other woman has constantly been in a position of authority in my ward and I think the reason she doesn't like me is that I have so many little kids. She's an ambitious career woman and I think her perception of me, is that I'm not. Unlike the first woman, I've never gotten a cold shoulder, but her friendliness has often seemed a bit forced. Like she's acting like she likes me, when deep down she doesn't.
This is the person that I had to pitch my class to for a midweek activity. Imagine my trepidation. But buoyed with the news that the local university wanted my class for their community education series, I called. She loved the idea! I will be teaching part of my class to my ward, in August, in conjunction with a cupcake exchange.
I could just hug her! And you. Thank you for all of the encouragement telling me, reminding me, that I can do this.
Update 6/29/09: Wendell has been bringing in the mail and never noticed the invite to the reception. We got one! I was too embarrassed to ask someone where the reception was, since I thought we weren't invited, even accidentally. But I got it, albeit four days late. We were, in fact, invited.
The lesson is all of this is don't make judgements. Even if you think someone doesn't like you, odds are you're wrong.
There are two people like that in my ward. One, is a friend of my mother's and my sister's, so it was weird when the vibe I got from her was rather cool. Over the last seven years of living here, I think I got her all wrong and perhaps she does like me. (Although they recently had a son get married and we never got an invite, but I'm functioning on the assumption that it was an accidental oversight.)
The other woman has constantly been in a position of authority in my ward and I think the reason she doesn't like me is that I have so many little kids. She's an ambitious career woman and I think her perception of me, is that I'm not. Unlike the first woman, I've never gotten a cold shoulder, but her friendliness has often seemed a bit forced. Like she's acting like she likes me, when deep down she doesn't.
This is the person that I had to pitch my class to for a midweek activity. Imagine my trepidation. But buoyed with the news that the local university wanted my class for their community education series, I called. She loved the idea! I will be teaching part of my class to my ward, in August, in conjunction with a cupcake exchange.
I could just hug her! And you. Thank you for all of the encouragement telling me, reminding me, that I can do this.
Update 6/29/09: Wendell has been bringing in the mail and never noticed the invite to the reception. We got one! I was too embarrassed to ask someone where the reception was, since I thought we weren't invited, even accidentally. But I got it, albeit four days late. We were, in fact, invited.
The lesson is all of this is don't make judgements. Even if you think someone doesn't like you, odds are you're wrong.
Friday, June 26, 2009
I Dreamed a Dream
After more than a week of email and phone tag, the woman at UVU in charge of Community Education and I connected. And....(drum roll, please)...they want the class!!!!
They want the class! I'm back from doing a happy dance all over my living room. This fall I will be teaching a class about time management and priorities. I'm so thrilled. This fall I will be a paid motivational speaker.
Now, the pay is paltry mind you, but this is a step. Really, it's not about the money for me (although I was hoping to make more than $18), it's more about the practice. And frankly, the fun of public speaking. I love doing it. It makes me so happy.
Whether you like it or not, I'll keep you posted on what happens next.
They want the class! I'm back from doing a happy dance all over my living room. This fall I will be teaching a class about time management and priorities. I'm so thrilled. This fall I will be a paid motivational speaker.
Now, the pay is paltry mind you, but this is a step. Really, it's not about the money for me (although I was hoping to make more than $18), it's more about the practice. And frankly, the fun of public speaking. I love doing it. It makes me so happy.
Whether you like it or not, I'll keep you posted on what happens next.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
How Exactly Do I Do That?
When I was BYU Women's Conference, low these many weeks ago, I ran into a woman who, I learned, was an EFY/Education Week Circuit Speaker. We exchanged emails. So, after I hadn't heard anything back from UVU, I emailed her, asking for advice.
My basic question was, how do I become a motivational speaker? Her answer was to start with Enrichment meeting. Offer to do a special class. Then let other people know that you'd be willing to do this at other Enrichment meetings.
It's not like the thought hasn't crossed my mind, but how exactly do you say, "Boy do I have the Enrichment meeting for you--ME!" It's seems so...conceited.
In truth, her advice appeals to me because it would be so helpful to have some presentations under my belt before getting paid to do it, that is assuming UVU picks the class up.
Let's say that I am brave enough to offer to do Enrichment meetings (or a mid week activity), how do you go about finding the contact info?
I've done a fair amount of cold-calling in my day, but I've never cold-called Enrichment Counselors...
My basic question was, how do I become a motivational speaker? Her answer was to start with Enrichment meeting. Offer to do a special class. Then let other people know that you'd be willing to do this at other Enrichment meetings.
It's not like the thought hasn't crossed my mind, but how exactly do you say, "Boy do I have the Enrichment meeting for you--ME!" It's seems so...conceited.
In truth, her advice appeals to me because it would be so helpful to have some presentations under my belt before getting paid to do it, that is assuming UVU picks the class up.
Let's say that I am brave enough to offer to do Enrichment meetings (or a mid week activity), how do you go about finding the contact info?
I've done a fair amount of cold-calling in my day, but I've never cold-called Enrichment Counselors...
Monday, June 22, 2009
Can We Show Some Excitement?
It happened. UVU has returned contact with interest in my class for the fall semester. They were extremely non-committal, but they replied.
I'm so excited that I'm beside myself. It's seems possible that as soon as September, I may get paid for doing something that I love and all on my schedule.
My only disappointment is that, well, no one else is that excited. It's kinda like when you're announcing you're pregnant with your fifth baby. You can count the people who are actually happy for you on one hand. And big reactions are even harder to come by.
I need a friend grab me by the arms and swing round and round with delight. We'd giggle and fall on the couch. Then she'd say, "Can you believe your dreams are coming true?"
And I'd say that yes I can believe since I've been working hard on them for a while now and on the other hand, no I can't believe and she'd nod and say, "You can do it. You're going to be great at this." And I will hope against hope that she's right.
I'm so excited that I'm beside myself. It's seems possible that as soon as September, I may get paid for doing something that I love and all on my schedule.
My only disappointment is that, well, no one else is that excited. It's kinda like when you're announcing you're pregnant with your fifth baby. You can count the people who are actually happy for you on one hand. And big reactions are even harder to come by.
I need a friend grab me by the arms and swing round and round with delight. We'd giggle and fall on the couch. Then she'd say, "Can you believe your dreams are coming true?"
And I'd say that yes I can believe since I've been working hard on them for a while now and on the other hand, no I can't believe and she'd nod and say, "You can do it. You're going to be great at this." And I will hope against hope that she's right.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
You Could Call Him Rex
So I went for a walk yesterday morning alone and came home with company. This dog, with tiger-like brown and black stripes fell in step with me and walked right next to me, as if I'd asked him to heel, for blocks and blocks.
When I came home, I just walked into my back yard and gave the boy a drink. The dog I'd brought home: a pitbull.
We kept him over night and I called a friend who used to be connected to a dog rescue group. My poor dog cried and cried. So at the advice of about 5 vets offices, I called the pound the next day. A safety officer showed up at my house, just as I needed to leave and I left him there on my back porch with one of those long poles with the loops. When I came home he and "Rex" were gone.
But it's left us thinking about a dog...
When I came home, I just walked into my back yard and gave the boy a drink. The dog I'd brought home: a pitbull.
We kept him over night and I called a friend who used to be connected to a dog rescue group. My poor dog cried and cried. So at the advice of about 5 vets offices, I called the pound the next day. A safety officer showed up at my house, just as I needed to leave and I left him there on my back porch with one of those long poles with the loops. When I came home he and "Rex" were gone.
But it's left us thinking about a dog...
Friday, June 12, 2009
Lives of the Rich and Famous
For Christmas, Wendell's parents gave us a $100 gift certificate to the Park City Hotel. As our 12th anniversary approached, I thought that would make the perfect occasion for using our gift. I freaked out a little when I looked on line and found the cheapest prices at the hotel were $250 a night. Going golfing would tack another $110 on the trip. Obviously, we skipped the golf.
Still, I booked the trip and we had an amazing time. But living like the rich and famous taught us a few things that we otherwise would not know.
1. The word "hotel" is very loose. In this case it meant, "resort."
2. When staying at a resort, take cash with you. Otherwise you'll be forced to stiff the bellman.
3. If you aren't prompt with a tip for the bellman, he will stay in your suite for a ridiculous amount of time, explaining and explaining things.
4. Do not believe all websites. We found a website for a restaurant that looked wonderful, but was lame and Chuck-a-rama-esque. We backed out slowly and drove around to find something better.
5. Really fancy cars, whose names I don't know, are good indicators of nice restaurants. (Our restaurant, Easy Street, deserves it's own post.)
6. Always bring your swimming suit, even if you think you don't need it. We found ourselves with a hot tub on an outdoor deck overlooking a golf course, but we had no suits.
7. Wal-Mart in tourist towns is even scarier than in regular towns. But you can find plus size swimming suits there for $9.
8. There is no such thing as complimentary food at a resort. You want breakfast? That starts at $9. Unless you get room service which starts at $6, but you have to figure 20% gratuity, and $3 delivery charge.
9. In a tourist town, there are very few places that serve breakfast after 11:00am. Those places are not called Village Inn, Ihop or Denny's.
10. Rich people like fire places. In our suite we had a fire place in our bedroom, our living room and our deck with the hot tub.
11. Hot tubbing late at night by fire light is fun, even if you're wearing a $9 Wal-Mart swimming suit.
12. Living like the rich and famous is fun and I'd do it again in a second!
I'd like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Mom and Dad for the gift certificate to an amazing resort in Park City. You are welcome to give us this gift every year--it won't get old.
PS Thanks to Wendell for a great time in Park City. So far our 12th Anniversary was my favorite! Here's to the next 12, and the 12 after that, and the 12 after that, and the 12 after that...
Still, I booked the trip and we had an amazing time. But living like the rich and famous taught us a few things that we otherwise would not know.
1. The word "hotel" is very loose. In this case it meant, "resort."
2. When staying at a resort, take cash with you. Otherwise you'll be forced to stiff the bellman.
3. If you aren't prompt with a tip for the bellman, he will stay in your suite for a ridiculous amount of time, explaining and explaining things.
4. Do not believe all websites. We found a website for a restaurant that looked wonderful, but was lame and Chuck-a-rama-esque. We backed out slowly and drove around to find something better.
5. Really fancy cars, whose names I don't know, are good indicators of nice restaurants. (Our restaurant, Easy Street, deserves it's own post.)
6. Always bring your swimming suit, even if you think you don't need it. We found ourselves with a hot tub on an outdoor deck overlooking a golf course, but we had no suits.
7. Wal-Mart in tourist towns is even scarier than in regular towns. But you can find plus size swimming suits there for $9.
8. There is no such thing as complimentary food at a resort. You want breakfast? That starts at $9. Unless you get room service which starts at $6, but you have to figure 20% gratuity, and $3 delivery charge.
9. In a tourist town, there are very few places that serve breakfast after 11:00am. Those places are not called Village Inn, Ihop or Denny's.
10. Rich people like fire places. In our suite we had a fire place in our bedroom, our living room and our deck with the hot tub.
11. Hot tubbing late at night by fire light is fun, even if you're wearing a $9 Wal-Mart swimming suit.
12. Living like the rich and famous is fun and I'd do it again in a second!
I'd like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Mom and Dad for the gift certificate to an amazing resort in Park City. You are welcome to give us this gift every year--it won't get old.
PS Thanks to Wendell for a great time in Park City. So far our 12th Anniversary was my favorite! Here's to the next 12, and the 12 after that, and the 12 after that, and the 12 after that...
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Minor Miracle
I'm in need of a minor miracle. I discovered today that Beck has swiped my memory card from my camera. 9 months worth of pictures, that aren't down loaded, are on that card. Everything from birthdays, Anson's baptism, Christmas, start of school pictures, end of school pictures with the kids teachers--all of it gone.
Wendell and I have gone through our entire recycle bin and 3 garbage sacks from different points in the week. That was so rank, I thought Wendell was going to hurl. We've looked under the fridge, the stove, the computer desk where the card had been plugged into my card reader. We've even looked down most of the heat vents.
As silly as it sounds, I'm praying to find it. It's one of those tiny memory cards. Please send any thoughts and prayers my way.
Wendell and I have gone through our entire recycle bin and 3 garbage sacks from different points in the week. That was so rank, I thought Wendell was going to hurl. We've looked under the fridge, the stove, the computer desk where the card had been plugged into my card reader. We've even looked down most of the heat vents.
As silly as it sounds, I'm praying to find it. It's one of those tiny memory cards. Please send any thoughts and prayers my way.
Update: Less than an hour after I posted this, I found the media card in the garbage in our family room. I'm still shaking my head. Ya know what? I think God knows who I am and He cares about what's important to me. I'm so grateful for the divine help in locating this memory card.
As further proof, here are the last 3 pics I took from the last day of school.
Nate with his 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Ward. She's moving to Texas and will be a stay at home mom.
This is Anson with his teacher, Miss Munson, soon to be Mrs. Wilson. We got invited to her reception so we'll see her again in just a couple of weeks.
This is all 3 of my kids with Mr. Davies, our principal. After 5 years at my kids' school he's transferring to another school. We will miss him!
I'm Just Your "Friend"
What I've learned on Facebook so far...
1. I'm probably not your friend, I'm just your "friend."
2. The person with the most friends spends the most time on Facebook.
3. People who were not popular in high school can be very popular on Facebook.
4. You have to work hard to avoid weird conversations. Apparently it's not cool to say, "How do I know you?"
5. Nobody cares about your stupid poll.
6. Begin all "share" posts with verbs. For example, type-- got jury duty. Hooray! This will turn out: Jenna got jury duty. Hooray!
1. I'm probably not your friend, I'm just your "friend."
2. The person with the most friends spends the most time on Facebook.
3. People who were not popular in high school can be very popular on Facebook.
4. You have to work hard to avoid weird conversations. Apparently it's not cool to say, "How do I know you?"
5. Nobody cares about your stupid poll.
6. Begin all "share" posts with verbs. For example, type-- got jury duty. Hooray! This will turn out: Jenna got jury duty. Hooray!
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
I've Broken Down and Joined
It's true. I'm on FaceBook now. I wanted to find out when my high school class reunion was and apparently you can only find out if you are on facebook. So I joined and I'm proud to say that I already have 41 friends including at least 2 people who "friended" me and I have absolutely no idea who they are.
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