We actually call her Katie. But isn't that the name of an old doll? I just can't resist sharing the video of this cute girl squealing with delight. Try to ignore the boys playing Legos in the background. Enjoy...
2 years ago
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Civics
Jacob just asked me if we are going to have a new president. Of course I had to give him WAY more information than he was looking for. In the end he had nothing to say except, "It's outrageous that 8 year olds can't vote."
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Homeschool Freaks!
Jon and I find this term endearing. Much like we, as Mormons, are a peculiar people, we as homeschoolers are homeschool freaks. Why would we bother homeschooling if not to be just a little bit different. That's the whole point. Sometimes the fact that we, and are children, are a just a little different is very clear...and funny.
Jacob went to a birthday party yesterday with several other 8/9 year old boys, all schooled outside the home. They played a game that goes something like this.
"I'm Joe, and when I go camping I bring a tent."
"Joe brings a tent, I'm Ryan and I bring a flashlight."
Etc...
So the boys are going along, all bringing normal 8/9 year old boy things (which include ridculous and gross thing, of course)...until they get to Jacob. He went through all the things the other boys were bring like a champ and then added his own item. Bee larve. BEE LARVE!!! Does that just SCREAM homeschool freak?!?!?
Ahhh. It's good to be different.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Leave a message...
This afternoon I was busy when the phone rang. As most of you know, I never feel beholden to the phone, but I do like to make sure I answer if Jon calls. So I had Jackson check the caller ID, and told him to just let them leave a message, I'd call back. (I did call back, by the way!) Jack didn't understand that I meant to let the voice mail pick it up. Instead he answered the phone and said, "Hi, this is Jack. Leave a message!" I was just waiting for him to make the little beeping sound! That kid is hilarious!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Tag, your it!
A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning. B. Each player answers the questions about themselves. C. At the end of the game the player tags 5 people, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment letting them know they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
10 years ago: I was a newly-wed thinking I'd made the biggest mistake of my life. Don't worry, that is no revelation to Jon...he felt the same way. Funny, I think we are happier than the average couple now! Oh, some contributing factors may be that Jon was in his first (and worst) semester of nursing school, I was also going to school full time, Jon was working 3-11 shifts at the hospital several days a week, I was working with hospice patients, etc... And just to add to my depression, all but one of my roommates and closest friends had either graduated or moved on. Again...we're happy now!
5 things on my to-do list today: 1) Make Pot stickers (Thanks Lindsey!!) 2) do schoolwork with my kids (shouldn't have to be a goal, but I struggle every day!) 3) fold laundry ( I think I have about 5 loads clean and waiting), 4) Play games with friends tonight, 5) get my kids to piano on time.
Snacks I enjoy: Boursin and good bread, Nachos with black beans, chocolate chip cookies, I could go on...and on...and on...I really like to eat.
I would do if I were suddenly a billionaire: Build my dream house (good one, Sharon). Buy a new car, and by car I mean a great big, gigantic van...oh, so sad. Fill my new house with all the books I dream about. Pay off debts for all my friends. Send some people on missions. Flood the micro-credit banking world with all the funds they could ever need. Stock the Perpetual Education fund. Hmmm.
3 of my bad habits: 1) Biting my nails. I don't do it all the time anymore, but it is still a problem. 2) I don't watch T.V. very often, but when I do I get completely sucked in. 3) I am a compulsive piler. I have piles all over my house. Piles of paper in the kitchen, piles of toys in the store room, piles of clothes on my floor. It is a miracle my house ever actually feels clean.
5 places I have lived: Red Bank, NJ; Provo, UT; East Bethel, MN; Boulder, CO; Portsmouth, VA (so I was a tiny little baby...it still counts!)
5 jobs that I have had: Wife, Mother, Family Life Educator, Nursing Assistant, Hardees (Oh yeah!)
5 things people don't know about me: Wow, I don't think I hide much, but... 1) People always seem surprised when I confess my problem with laziness. I waste a huge amount of time everyday, doing nothing. It is a childish attribute really...not being able to figure out what to do with myself. I often think to myself, "Wow, I wonder just how much I could accomplish if I actually used all this time that I waste?!" 2) My post partum depression manifests itself as rage. I know, yikes! I confess this for two reasons. Number one, I have NEVER acted on my rage. Number two, I think a lot of women know exactly what I'm talking about. We just don't usually say it out loud. 3) If I could justify it it, I would spend all of my time reading. I can't get enough, but I have to stop myself. Perhaps this goes along with my laziness issue...I know what I WANT to be doing, but also know that I shouldn't do it all day long. 4) I LOVE gardening, canning, freezing etc... But really don't like to cook. Although, I do really like to bake. It's a good thing my kids have Jon, who does enjoy cooking. 5) Ok, here is a good one...I have a wonderfully distorted body image. Most women look in the mirror and think they look twice as big as they really do. I look in the mirror and think, "Wow, I look good!" Then I look at the size of my pants and think, "That can't be right. I am hot!" If only I thought that way when I was a teenager.
5 people I tag are: Tammy, Jenni, Jennifer...anyone else?
10 years ago: I was a newly-wed thinking I'd made the biggest mistake of my life. Don't worry, that is no revelation to Jon...he felt the same way. Funny, I think we are happier than the average couple now! Oh, some contributing factors may be that Jon was in his first (and worst) semester of nursing school, I was also going to school full time, Jon was working 3-11 shifts at the hospital several days a week, I was working with hospice patients, etc... And just to add to my depression, all but one of my roommates and closest friends had either graduated or moved on. Again...we're happy now!
5 things on my to-do list today: 1) Make Pot stickers (Thanks Lindsey!!) 2) do schoolwork with my kids (shouldn't have to be a goal, but I struggle every day!) 3) fold laundry ( I think I have about 5 loads clean and waiting), 4) Play games with friends tonight, 5) get my kids to piano on time.
Snacks I enjoy: Boursin and good bread, Nachos with black beans, chocolate chip cookies, I could go on...and on...and on...I really like to eat.
I would do if I were suddenly a billionaire: Build my dream house (good one, Sharon). Buy a new car, and by car I mean a great big, gigantic van...oh, so sad. Fill my new house with all the books I dream about. Pay off debts for all my friends. Send some people on missions. Flood the micro-credit banking world with all the funds they could ever need. Stock the Perpetual Education fund. Hmmm.
3 of my bad habits: 1) Biting my nails. I don't do it all the time anymore, but it is still a problem. 2) I don't watch T.V. very often, but when I do I get completely sucked in. 3) I am a compulsive piler. I have piles all over my house. Piles of paper in the kitchen, piles of toys in the store room, piles of clothes on my floor. It is a miracle my house ever actually feels clean.
5 places I have lived: Red Bank, NJ; Provo, UT; East Bethel, MN; Boulder, CO; Portsmouth, VA (so I was a tiny little baby...it still counts!)
5 jobs that I have had: Wife, Mother, Family Life Educator, Nursing Assistant, Hardees (Oh yeah!)
5 things people don't know about me: Wow, I don't think I hide much, but... 1) People always seem surprised when I confess my problem with laziness. I waste a huge amount of time everyday, doing nothing. It is a childish attribute really...not being able to figure out what to do with myself. I often think to myself, "Wow, I wonder just how much I could accomplish if I actually used all this time that I waste?!" 2) My post partum depression manifests itself as rage. I know, yikes! I confess this for two reasons. Number one, I have NEVER acted on my rage. Number two, I think a lot of women know exactly what I'm talking about. We just don't usually say it out loud. 3) If I could justify it it, I would spend all of my time reading. I can't get enough, but I have to stop myself. Perhaps this goes along with my laziness issue...I know what I WANT to be doing, but also know that I shouldn't do it all day long. 4) I LOVE gardening, canning, freezing etc... But really don't like to cook. Although, I do really like to bake. It's a good thing my kids have Jon, who does enjoy cooking. 5) Ok, here is a good one...I have a wonderfully distorted body image. Most women look in the mirror and think they look twice as big as they really do. I look in the mirror and think, "Wow, I look good!" Then I look at the size of my pants and think, "That can't be right. I am hot!" If only I thought that way when I was a teenager.
5 people I tag are: Tammy, Jenni, Jennifer...anyone else?
Monday, February 4, 2008
We thank thee, oh God, for a prophet...
It is official, Thomas S. Monson has been named as the new President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I won't gush, but I feel nothing but peace and joy with the announcement. I have no doubt that President Monson has been chosen, prepared and ordained of God to lead this Church. I am so thankful to know that such a man exists.
Why we need to support Mitt
The democrats can pay attention as well, but this is really for those of you who have a chance to make a difference for the GOP, especially those of you in Super Tuesday states!!
First of all, I hope I don't lose any credibility as a Mormon, supporting a Mormon. His religion and mine are completely irrelevant. Frankly, he wasn't my first choice, but now that we've lost the others, he is the ONLY choice!
So, why we need to support Mitt:
1. Above all, he is a businessman. this has obvious positive implications when it comes to the economy, but I think it is more encompassing than that. He knows how to look at an organization (as evidenced in a variety of settings), get to the bottom line, and fix it.
2. Mitt Romney is the clearest, most logical THINKER in the running. We need someone who knows how to solve problems, think them through and make decisions. There is ample evidence of Mitt Romney's ability to do this.
3. Romney will protect our country. This is our president's most basic consitutional responsibility, and Romney takes it seriously. This is the one area where McCain would do just as well as Romney, but probably not better.
4. Of course, Romney fits the bill on all of the basic republican values and beliefs. I have to believe that he not only supports them for his campaign, but lives them in his life. I am especially concerned that we can't say the same for McCain, as he seems to be the one to beat. McCain is a good, principled man, but he is not the right choice.
SO WHAT CAN YOU DO???
Here is the important part. If you are in a Super Tuesday state, you NEED to go to your caucus!!! I know most people don't do this, so let me walk you through the basics. It is a relatively casual and informal process. They follow Robert's Rules of Order, but you can wear jeans. :) Every state is different in how they caucus, so this is specific to Minnesota, although most states will be similar. For the specifics on your state, google GOP with your state. what you do:
1. you elect delegates to move forward in the caucus process (there is a series of caucus' that make different decisions at each level). In my precinct, so few people come that every once who wants to be a delegate can. I think that is pretty common.
2. you discuss the party platform and vote on any resolutions that will also move up the caucus process. If you want to be involved in this process, it would be helpful to read the platform before you go...I don't bother. Most of the stuff people suggest is ridiculous!
3. You will vote in a straw pole. Now this doesn't mean anything officially, but it gives candidates a HUGE amount of momentum, which is why we need to do it!!
My goal is to get 20 people to a caucus who have never been before (which is most of you!) I'm already up to 10!!! If you are in Minnesota I will take you by the hand and walk you through the process. CALL ME!!! I also know the process in Utah if you are there. Frankly, even if you don't support Romney, you need to get involved. It is the only way we have any real choices about our candidates.
End of Soap Box.
First of all, I hope I don't lose any credibility as a Mormon, supporting a Mormon. His religion and mine are completely irrelevant. Frankly, he wasn't my first choice, but now that we've lost the others, he is the ONLY choice!
So, why we need to support Mitt:
1. Above all, he is a businessman. this has obvious positive implications when it comes to the economy, but I think it is more encompassing than that. He knows how to look at an organization (as evidenced in a variety of settings), get to the bottom line, and fix it.
2. Mitt Romney is the clearest, most logical THINKER in the running. We need someone who knows how to solve problems, think them through and make decisions. There is ample evidence of Mitt Romney's ability to do this.
3. Romney will protect our country. This is our president's most basic consitutional responsibility, and Romney takes it seriously. This is the one area where McCain would do just as well as Romney, but probably not better.
4. Of course, Romney fits the bill on all of the basic republican values and beliefs. I have to believe that he not only supports them for his campaign, but lives them in his life. I am especially concerned that we can't say the same for McCain, as he seems to be the one to beat. McCain is a good, principled man, but he is not the right choice.
SO WHAT CAN YOU DO???
Here is the important part. If you are in a Super Tuesday state, you NEED to go to your caucus!!! I know most people don't do this, so let me walk you through the basics. It is a relatively casual and informal process. They follow Robert's Rules of Order, but you can wear jeans. :) Every state is different in how they caucus, so this is specific to Minnesota, although most states will be similar. For the specifics on your state, google GOP with your state. what you do:
1. you elect delegates to move forward in the caucus process (there is a series of caucus' that make different decisions at each level). In my precinct, so few people come that every once who wants to be a delegate can. I think that is pretty common.
2. you discuss the party platform and vote on any resolutions that will also move up the caucus process. If you want to be involved in this process, it would be helpful to read the platform before you go...I don't bother. Most of the stuff people suggest is ridiculous!
3. You will vote in a straw pole. Now this doesn't mean anything officially, but it gives candidates a HUGE amount of momentum, which is why we need to do it!!
My goal is to get 20 people to a caucus who have never been before (which is most of you!) I'm already up to 10!!! If you are in Minnesota I will take you by the hand and walk you through the process. CALL ME!!! I also know the process in Utah if you are there. Frankly, even if you don't support Romney, you need to get involved. It is the only way we have any real choices about our candidates.
End of Soap Box.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
So much blogging, so little time...
So it's 10:30 on a Saturday night, I got home from a mini-vacation at about 4:00, left for a Mitt rally at 5:30, checked my email at 9:30 when I got home to find that I've been "blog tagged" (TWICE!). All of this needs to be blogged, and I haven't even started my YW lesson for tomorrow!! What is a girl to do ???? Blog tomorrow I suppose.
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