End of Summer

School has started -- for Max. He is in the 2nd grade now. I absolutely love Max's new teacher. She was a 1st grade teacher last year and told me that she was so excited to see Max on her class list -- she said that he was a smart and cute little blondie. I really wanted to cry. I'm sure that she is so positive with all of the parents, but Max's Kindergarten teacher was an ancient teacher who kind of forgot the art of making the kids feel "warm and fuzzy", and his 1st grade teacher was young and very organized, but I don't know if Max really bonded with her. Every mother needs to hear that her child is well-liked.

I took Max to the audiologist last week to check his ears before school started. We've noticed a few problems, so I was expecting something bad, but the audiologist came out of the test and told me that Max can basically hear at 1/2 the volume that we speak. He has to go back to the ENT for more tests, but we can't get in until the beginning of September; so, in the meantime, the audiologist said that we are treating his hearing as a chronic problem. He would like the teacher to talk into the microphone during class so that Max can hear, and they are going to closely follow his progress. As I was talking to the teacher about the problem, I just really wanted to emphasize the point that I did not want him to be treated differently -- in fact, I want him to be pushed harder academically. He has a focusing problem because he can't hear very well, but his little mind and abilities are grades ahead of 2nd grade. He is extremely intelligent. I really hope that we can figure out this problem and find a solution. I just feel so bad for him.

We went on one last family outing last week before school started. (I remembered my camera, but forgot to charge the battery.) We went with another family to the new Living Planet Aquarium in Sandy. The kids had a good time. They were able to pet a sting ray, see the Nemo fish, and see shark. The aquarium is still expanding, but it was only 1/2 price on Monday night and worth it as it was something a little different to do. It only cost $11 to take our whole family. We were going to try the Mayan for dinner, but it was extremely crowded; so, we went to Eat at Joe's. We really don't venture to a lot of restaurants with the kids. Usually Carl's Jr. and Sonic are the safest bets if we go out. But, we thought that we would do something a little different for our outing -- and kids eat free on Monday night. Wow! We scored.


Today was Jake's 1/2 birthday. He's 5 1/2 today! Nate thinks that I'm crazy celebrating 1/2 birthdays, but I think that it's fun. Just another reason to celebrate! Yesterday, I took Jake and 2 of his friends to Chuck E. Cheese for lunch to celebrate (I forgot my camera); and today, he got to ride on my Uncle's motorcyle. That was present enough for him.

By the way, did I mention that I've started my nesting phase?!!? Woo-hoo! It started about 1 1/2 weeks ago after I went to my last OB appointment. I was asking the doctor if there was a magic pill because I was so tired. He asked if I was taking my iron pills. Yes -- as well as my prenatal vitamins, 1 baby aspirin, 800mg of folic acid, and my seizure medication. You would think that any one of those pills would jump start me a little bit. He told me that if I didn't start feeling better, that he would have to put me on a little bed rest everyday. I think that about did it. Mentally, I'm back. My 1st nesting project has been to scour, strip, and reseal all the travertine and granite in my house. It's quite a big project, but oh so satisfying to see the result.

Today was our babysitting night. One family couldn't make it, so we kind of got off easy. The kids had fun and were so good. We had our very healthy, but kid-friendly meal of chicken nuggets, watermelon, applesauce, carrots, popcorn, and cookies. The kids played so hard creating a Halloween haunted house in the basement (I didn't even think to use my camera), and then they watched "The Sandlot" and that was it. I even sat on the couch and read a book for about 1/2 hour while they played. It was fabulous.

Sincere Thank Yous

I am always impressed with those who are so thoughtful and very timely with thank yous. It's a quality that I admire -- and many of you possess it.

Tonight the door bell rang with a little boy holding a box from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and a thank you note. He was one of my piano students who just wanted to thank me for teaching him. Inside the box were (3) scrumptious dipped apples. They were so good. Sometimes it's easy to give a thank you without realizing the impact that it has on the recipient. Let's just say that I needed that thank you today.

There are a few times in my life when a thank you is just what was needed. One thank you that I'm thinking of goes back to when I was teaching Jr. High. It was my first year teaching, and the school that I was placed at did not have a curriculum established. I was the only teacher who had to teach 8th & 9th grade, and I had to basically establish my own curriculum with minimal materials. As I was in the classroom before school started, a mother entered my classroom and asked to see my curriculum. I showed her what I was planning on teaching and the books that we would be reading in that English class. She was actually quite rude and told me that one of the books that I had chosen was not suitable for the English class that her child was in. I later found out that this lady was a member of the Eagle Forum -- a very conservative parent group who is extremely vocal. Needless to say, that made me a lot more nervous for the school year to start. Long story short, at the end of the year, this lady sent me the nicest thank you note telling me that my class was her child's favorite and she really liked my teaching style. That is the kind of thank you that you just want to frame.

I really need to be better at sending thank yous. Sometimes it is the only way that other people have to realize that their efforts are appreciated. It's a very admirable quality to have.

p.s. Totally off the subject...but I was thinking about my fast sprint up to the stand last Sunday. You're right, Amy, funny and embarrassing things tend to always happen to me. Many of you will remember when I was pregnant with Devin and I pulled my groin muscle. It was November and Devin was born in January, so I was about as far along as I am now. I decided to be stupid then and run on my treadmill at the speed of 7. I can't remember how long it took for me to be able to walk correctly, but I do remember that it was extremely painful -- and embarrassing. Someday I will post a list of all of the embarrassing moments that I can remember from my life.

Church Callings

One of my callings is that of ward music coordinator. Besides planning the Sacrament music, I also lead the music in Sacrament meeting. I usually like to sit with my family in between songs to be with the kids. However, by the time that Nate gets there with the 3 kids on his own, they are usually sitting at the very back of the cultural hall. So, it's a long walk back up to the stand.

As the meeting on Sunday was coming to a close, I walked out the door to the hallway so that I could walk around to the front of the chapel. I left in plenty of time before the last song. Somebody stopped me in the hallway right as I walked out the door and started talking to me. Unfortunately, the speakers were turned off in the foyer so I couldn't hear when the speaker was finished, but I thought that I had plenty of time. All of a sudden, I heard the organ start playing the closing song. I couldn't believe it! Remember that I was in the hallway at the very back of the cultural hall. I ran all the way down the hall and onto the stand, grabbed my hymn book and started leading just as the congregation started singing. Needless to say, most people were laughing too hard to sing. I'm glad that I can be some comic relief during Sacrament meeting! I ran so fast that I couldn't breathe very well to sing and lead -- how can you sing a high "E" when you can't breathe? If they don't release me after that, I don't know what will make them!

My other two callings are MiaMaid Advisor and I'm also over all the music for the Young Women. I just found out today that they are calling another advisor to help while I am having my baby. Let me see if I can explain. We only have about 7 Mia Maids. There is already a counselor and two advisors for the MiaMaid class. Calling this other person would mean 4 leaders for 7 girls! I'm a little in shock. To me, that is totally unneccessary. I had a long talk with the presidency member today who basically told me that after I have the baby that nobody is allowed to talk to me for 2-3 months. Everything will be taken care of. I've never heard anything like it. Not only that, but I've been told that several people have told the Bishop to release me from ward music coordinator because I have too many callings. I don't know what to say. Isn't it normal to have several callings? I can't believe that I am being taken care of so well.

I was called as Young Women's president when I was barely pregnant with Jake. I had that calling through my pregnancy and after he was born until we moved here when Jake was 1 1/2. Those were some of the hardest years of my life, but I just believe that you serve to the best of your ability.

It feels good, though, to serve with women who understand that we are there not only to serve the girls, but to help and serve each other. The group of women that I work with are absolutely amazing.

First Babysitter of the Summer

We have a babysitting swap with two families in the neighborhood with whom we switch kids every Friday. All the kids are pretty much the same age, so they really entertain each other. Every three weeks, we end up having 9 kids at our house. We feed them dinner and let them play hard, put a movie on for the last hour or so, don't worry about the mess because it will keep getting messier, and then look forward to the next week when it isn't our turn. Each couple goes out from about 5:30-9:00 and does whatever they want.

So...I really haven't had to get a babysitter, which is fabulous, because who can afford to go out these days? Some friends asked us to go to the Hale Center Theater to see a play on Wednesday, so it was necessary to get a babysitter. It is the end of the summer, and I just hired my first babysitter of the summer. Is that amazing, or what? The play was a comedy and very good. I think that it was called "You Can't Take It With You."

The babysitter, I think, did a good job. The kids were all asleep, and the house was at least picked up when we got home. I just remember when I babysat, though, I always scrubbed their houses. I mopped or vacuumed, did the dishes, cleaned up, bathed the kids. It was a tough job! And, the going rate for a babysitter was $1.75/hour -- regardless of the number of kids. I remember watching a houseful of 7 kids for a minimal amount of money.

My number one concern is that my children have fun. I have had some nightmare babysitters in the past. I have come home to some of the following:
1. A babysitter who brought a friend along without my knowing.
2. A babysitter who decided to just play with my expensive label maker and waste all of the labels. The weird part was that she didn't even bother cleaning up the labels that she wasted. The labels were all over the floor when we got home with I Love _______ on them.
3. A babysitter who was asleep on my couch with the pizza and fruit and hotdogs just sitting on the counter ruined.
4. A babysitter who said to the kids, even before we left so that we could hear: "You play by yourselves. I'll just watch." She didn't play with the kids at all, didn't clean up, and according to the kids, just sat on the couch. And this girl's mother had told me that when they lived in Michigan, parents wouldn't go out unless they had one of her girls babysit. They must have been the only girls available to babysit, because I was so disappointed that I never had her come back.

I pay between $5-$6/hour for a babysitter. There are some in the neighborhood who pay $7-$8. (How much do you all pay?)

Am I the only one who has a hard time spending money on a babysitter? And...when I spend money on a babysitter, I want it to be worth every penny. I want my children to have a really good time, I want them to feed and put my kids to bed, and I want my house to be cleaner than when I left it. Is that too much to ask?

Gratefully, I had a good experience with this last one. She is one of my Mia Maids, and I absolutely love her.

A Fun Birthday

We finally celebrated Max's 7th birthday a few weeks late. I've been so tired that the thought of 20 kids at the house seemed a bit overwhelming. And the idea of not having a party this year was just not an option. Max is my child who just loves birthday parties -- he dreams about them and talks about them several months in advance.

I've never done this before, but we kind of went the easy route this year for his party and went to a place called Backyard Adventures. I don't think that it was worth the amount of money that it cost me, but I really hope that the kids had a fun time.


Do you remember when I told you about the cake decorating that I "won" at a Relief Society Enrichment? Well...here it is. I had this lady make a Star Wars cake for Max. I don't know if this picture does it justice, but she really did such a cute job. She even used a little Spanish Moss for the twiggy hair. Max loved it.

Max is a really neat little boy. I can't believe that I have a 7-year-old. He grew up so fast. Max is:

1. a very good eater -- my only one!
2. very intelligent
   
3. a fantastic piano player (he has a little metronome in his head. His counting is unbelievable)
   
4. very imaginative. He has always had the ability to build and play by himself if needed.
   
5. a good artist. He loves to draw and color.
6. very quick at figuring out things like computer and XBox games (although these are not my favorite things so he doesn't get a lot of time with them)
7. a very good friend.
   

Happy 7th Birthday, Max! I love you!!!

Definitely not nesting

I am seriously wondering what is wrong with me right now. I am waiting for my pregnancy nesting phase to begin, and it just won't happen. I have so much to do, and I have no motivation whatsoever. I am just plain and simply tired. Those of you who know me well know that I am usually out-of-control and can't sit down. I guess that I still can't sit down, but I don't really have the desire to do anything.

Devin is still in the crib -- we need to buy him a bed and repaint and redo his room. I still have several framing projects that I have to finish in the next couple of weeks; I have not done any school shopping; I'm still finishing up with piano lessons; my "to do list" keeps growing everyday and I don't feel the desire to do any of it. Not only have I lost my desire to do anything, but I started to finally feel a little nausea.

A little side story about my nausea: I was teaching a cute little 7-year-old girl piano. Towards the end of the lesson, she sneezed and blood came spurting out of her nose. I took one look at her and started dry-heaving. It was so gross! I guess that she had a bloody nose before she came to the lesson, and it wasn't totally dried up. I tried really hard to be nice and positive, but I couldn't even help her clean it up. I felt so bad!

Anyway, our schedules are usually packed. But, last week after the kids' soccer games, we finally had a Saturday free to get things done, and I just couldn't move. I ended up lying down most of the day. It was so disappointing for me not to see things getting knocked off of my "to do list." I ended up reading and doing Sudoku number puzzles. Definitely not like me!

So my ultimate question is: How do I start this nesting phase?

A very thoughtful gift

Nate and I had our 10th anniversary on August 1st. We usually miss our anniversaries because we are on family vacations or I'm having babies, etc. This year was kind of no exception. I had just gotten back from San Diego the night before, and I was tired. We didn't have anything planned, but we did go out to dinner a couple of nights later.

Although we didn't go on a major vacation like some do for their 10th anniversary, Nate really put a lot of thought into my anniversary gift this year. I was so impressed with him that it made me cry.

I used to play the violin quite well. I started taking lessons when I was 4 and played throughout high school. Although I still played as I got into junior high and high school, piano was my greatest love, and so I concentrated on that talent. After high school, I never picked up my violin again. Nate has never heard me play. So, for my anniversary present, he took my violin to get it restrung and tuned up a bit. It still works after 13 years!!! I was surprised at how much I remember, yet still saddened by how much of a talent I lost.

Thank you, Nate, for being such a thoughtful and wonderful husband.

Oh...you mean they were serious?

It was the 24th of July. We really didn't have any plans because Nate's family was in St. George where we were supposed to be. So...being the kind mother that I sometimes am, I decided that I would make Hannah's delicious strawberry shortcake recipe that is on her blog. Now, this may seem normal to most of you to make desserts, but I rarely even make cookies. Cooking and baking are just not at the top of my priority list. (By the way, I have a friend whose husband has to have a salad, meat, main dish, and dessert with every meal. Dessert, too! Honestly. I'd have to subscribe to the Dessert of the Month club. I am so glad that Nate's OK with peanut butter sandwiches and a glass of milk if necessary.)

Anyway, I whipped up the angel food cake (from a mix, of course). It looked and tasted pretty good. I was doing great! Then, I started to get the pan ready. Not that I've ever used it before, but I do have an angel food cake pan that we got for a wedding present 10 years ago. It looked almost brand new (except that I had a friend borrow it once). So as I was preparing to pour it into the pan, I see in bold letters on the cake mix box: Do not bake in a pan smaller than a 10x4 because it will overflow. My pan, of course, was a 9x3. What to do?

1) I could not find my bundt pan.
2) I already had the stupid cake mix ready to go so I had to do something.
3) My pan was an angel food cake pan -- how could there possibly be different sizes? Isn't everything standard?
4) My friend who borrowed it didn't seem to have a problem.

So...I thought that I would be just fine and I poured the mix into the pan and popped it into the oven. As the picture above suggests, that was not a good idea. The bold letters were indeed correct. The box did not lie. It was serious.

Embarrassing, but we happened to have friends come over just to talk because they were in the neighborhood. They witnessed the spill over and the burnt smell as it hit the bottom of the oven. Needless to say, I did not offer to have them stay for dinner.

The cake still tasted OK, but I completely lost my desire to make the delicious recipe on Hannah's blog. I decided that if my family wanted strawberry shortcake, they could just do it the old fashioned way -- by themselves. I did not even want to help.

As it turned out, we had friends invite us over for smores that night and we ended up having a firework show in our cul-de-sac. So, the strawberry shortcake was forgotten. It did not even have to be made in the first place.

And, not only that...I have a self-clean oven, but I have no desire to even turn on the self-clean. The mess is still there over a week later. I have a double oven, so I have just been using the other one. What a stupid mistake! Next time, I guess that I could read the directions. Oh yeah...the directions also said to remove the other racks and use the lowest rack of the oven. I kind of skipped that direction as well seeing as how my oven was already preheated and the rack was too hot to remove. Woops!

Michelle...I couldn't help but think of you and talking about the multiple steps that you have to do to make your yummy chocolate cake. Knowing my personality, I would probably try to combine the steps to get done faster and then waste time because the cake would be ruined.

Just out of curiosity -- do any of you make multiple course meals for your family on a regular basis?

Devin making smores at the neighbors. (Much more fun than eating my strawberry shortcake.)

So much fun!

I just got back from my San Diego/Arizona trip where I spent 5 fabulous days without kids. I highly recommend this for every mother. It was a much needed break. Nate was incredibly sweet to me and was glad that I had the opportunity to go. My inlaws were so supportive and came up to help Nate take care of the kids so that he could work. To all of them I give my sincere thanks.

The initial purpose of the trip was to go with my mom and sister to see "Wicked" in San Diego. Ever since buying the CD, I have absolutely loved the music. Seeing the actually show, though, was amazing. It was so well done. I LOVED it!!!!!!!

All three of us took the: "Is your personality more Glinda or more Elphaba" test. My mom's and sister's personalities, according to the test, are both more Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West). My personality, according to the test, is more Glinda (the Good Witch).
If I had to choose a role in the show to play, it would definitely be the role of Glinda. Her songs were so fun. I would love to get my voice back to where it used to be and play a role like that. Someday!

The initial plan was to fly home after the play, but Kelli was going to drive to Arizona to spend a week, so I decided to tag along for the drive and spend a day or two before flying back to Utah. I am very glad that I did.

I was able to meet my sister, Allison's, baby for the first time. He was born in May and she named him Barrett (our maiden name). He is absolutely adorable.
I was also able to visit with my brother, Kyle, who got into a horrible car accident a couple of weeks ago. After seeing his cute little bug that he was driving, I'm surprised that he is even alive. The car is totalled. When we got the call about the accident and were told that he was life flighted to the hospital, my mind automatically prepared for the worst. I am so glad that he is OK. He broke a few teeth, a little chunk came off of his nose, and he bit his tongue through and had to get stitches. He was in the hospital for about a week. The steering wheel is completely bent and twisted. I am surprised that he doesn't have chest trauma. He is still undergoing some tests, but I was so happy to see how well he is doing.

My trip was full, but successful. I even slept until 11 am one day. I think that it has been since college that I've had that opportunity!

I was excited to fly back and to see my kids. They are so cute. And they were so good while I was gone (or so I was told). I'm now putting my house back together and getting back into the swing of things. After being home for a full day, I think that I'm tired again and need another vacation!