We have a whole week stretching out in front of us, and it should be a fun one. No school, no activities, nothing planned. The kids are at grandma's for a few days stay. So I'm going to have a whole day just to myself with Rob home in the evenings. Oh what bliss!
I've been trying to think of what has happened this last week, and I distinctly remember thinking of things to put on, but now I can't remember.
Caleb had fun this weekend playing with a big glider plane at Pap's. We almost gave it to Casey for his birthday, but decided that it was too young for him. The kids also rode bumper cars for the first time, had a cook out over a fire, and in general enjoyed themselves in Hickory--like always.
The drive home tonight was rough. We were nearly, very, very nearly in a car accident on the drive home. The weather was awful, and visibility was only about twenty feet. Cars started peeling off, and going off the road to avoid the accident that happened seconds before. It was pretty scary. All in all five cars were involved, but no one was hurt. It was one of those surreal moments, and I'm just grateful that we didn't hit anyone. The roads were really slick from the rain. And the road conditions got worse from there. There was a tornado siting in that area, and we are under a watch now. I'm sure we'll be fine, but it's not any fun driving in that kind of rain.
Later on, we're going to head to the beach. Just a day trip, and then the Easter bunny should come. Really it should be a lot of fun! I hope you guys all have a great week!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
My Poor Boys!
This week was spent at home. The boys were sick. All of my boys, although Rob did got to work. They boys finally felt better on Friday. Caleb went to school, Jacob had speech therapy. Things were getting back to normal. But then they both sacked out for several hour in the afternoon.
Everyone was a little stir crazy on Saturday. They wanted to go to the zoo. But I could tell they weren't up for that. We thought about a hike, since the weather was gorgeous, but no they couldn't handle that either. The solution was that we went and saw The Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Caleb and Beth really enjoyed it. Jacob lasted a good hour, and then we had races up and down the aisle. All in all it was enjoyable.
It was Stake Conference today, and so that meant Rob had meetings yesterday, and then we had church two hours this morning. Caleb told me when we were getting ready to leave that his ear hurt. I wasn't surprised since Rob (the bringer of the sickness) had started with an earache on Friday. But Rob had already left, so we headed on to church. Rob ended up leaving and taking Caleb to Instacare. And then the doctor prescribed Amoxicilian (I forgot to remind Rob that he's allergic), but Caleb's been a patient there before and I know that it's in his chart and the hospital's computer system. Fortunately the pharmacist caught it. I really adore Rite Aid pharmacists. They've caught so many mistakes made by a wide variety of healthcare professionals for my family.
After Rob got home from the doctor with Caleb, Jacob started crying, and pulling on his ear. He's on Motrin, and we'll get him in tomorrow. So yeah, great day, my poor boys. Rob may head in for his ear as well.
On a positive note, Beth put on a play in her drama class at school, and she was fantabulous. Really great. She said her lines very clearly and pulled a cow up the roof and then went up the chimney with real grace. I love Beth's school, and all it gives to her.
Well that's the week. Hope you guys have a great one!
Everyone was a little stir crazy on Saturday. They wanted to go to the zoo. But I could tell they weren't up for that. We thought about a hike, since the weather was gorgeous, but no they couldn't handle that either. The solution was that we went and saw The Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Caleb and Beth really enjoyed it. Jacob lasted a good hour, and then we had races up and down the aisle. All in all it was enjoyable.
It was Stake Conference today, and so that meant Rob had meetings yesterday, and then we had church two hours this morning. Caleb told me when we were getting ready to leave that his ear hurt. I wasn't surprised since Rob (the bringer of the sickness) had started with an earache on Friday. But Rob had already left, so we headed on to church. Rob ended up leaving and taking Caleb to Instacare. And then the doctor prescribed Amoxicilian (I forgot to remind Rob that he's allergic), but Caleb's been a patient there before and I know that it's in his chart and the hospital's computer system. Fortunately the pharmacist caught it. I really adore Rite Aid pharmacists. They've caught so many mistakes made by a wide variety of healthcare professionals for my family.
After Rob got home from the doctor with Caleb, Jacob started crying, and pulling on his ear. He's on Motrin, and we'll get him in tomorrow. So yeah, great day, my poor boys. Rob may head in for his ear as well.
On a positive note, Beth put on a play in her drama class at school, and she was fantabulous. Really great. She said her lines very clearly and pulled a cow up the roof and then went up the chimney with real grace. I love Beth's school, and all it gives to her.
Well that's the week. Hope you guys have a great one!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Gymnastics
The kids really enjoy their gymnastics lessons each week. After trying out ballet, basketball, soccer, and other organized sports, it was nice to see the kids take to something so naturally. Caleb loves it. It's like the sport he was born to do. When I saw him walk a balance beam and swing from a bar the first time, I thought about how he's been swinging from his bed frames and walking roadside curbs for as long as I can remember. He's always been self-conscious of his smaller size, but gymnastics is something he can really excel at with his small size.
Thought you might like to see some photos. Sorry some of these are a bit blurry. It's tough taking action photos in dimly-lit gyms.
Thought you might like to see some photos. Sorry some of these are a bit blurry. It's tough taking action photos in dimly-lit gyms.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
So last week we went to the museum--this week we didn't. Rob spent most of the week suffering through a cold and trying to convince our stupid health insurance to cover the only medicine that works for him. (He did it because of HIPAA (secretly I was very happy for HIPAA since I deal with everyone else's stuff--we didn't know if he had authorized me on his forms, and then he had to talk to pharmacy's as well). The Jacob started running a fever Friday night, and he refuses to take any medicine. Literally he spits in your face. YOu can hold his mouth shut and do all sorts of things, and he ALWAYS wins the medicine battles. Thanks to Karen we tried chewables, and we had success. So he feels better today.
And then Karen and her family came into to town because Chloe had a gymnastics meet. I enjoyed it. Beth did too, and the boys did fairly well-though I think the only reason Jacob did so well is because he was sick. Then we took the kids over to the cousins' hotel and let them swim--yeah we let Jacob swim sick. But it brought his fever down, and there's chorine in the pool to kill germs right? They were up to late which resulted in Caleb being sick and no one going to church today. Actually I went to Sacrament meeting, but Rob told me he was too sick for me to to stay the whole time. He did sleep a lot once I got home.
My rant on the time change. I hate it! I just do. There is no need to mess with my body's schedule, and since there is confirmed germs in the house I really will get sick this year, just like I do every spring. Stupid time change. Rant done.
Tomorrow's my birthday--yeah I'm getting older. Sadly I wish I could freeze my body in that perfect state of youth--in some ways becoming a Twilight vampire has its appeal. But the whole blood lust thing is a major turn off in my book, even if I was planning on going vegetarian. I'd hie back to my 21 year old self. Maybe twenty. Yup that would be the perfect age for my body to be. But it's not, and I'm not going to dwell on what I don't have right now.
When I was thirty I had a list of 31 one things I wanted to accomplish and at the time I had accomplished one. Now I just looked it over, and I've still only accomplished one. Some of the things are lifelong things though, and I'm working on them. But I haven't exactly been idle. It's one thing to write a book--another to get it published, and published is what I had on my list. I've also found that I don't have quite the same desire to some of those things right now. For example one is to master calculus--which in my mind is passing a basic calculus class. Today I'm not really seeing the point of that. Is it a bad thing to revamp the list? I'm definitely putting thought into it. And another is to get my doctorate. And I'm thinking I'd rather have my MFA--is it all that different? Am I selling myself short?
The thing is about life is that I think it is one constant act of revision and reinvention. As we change, mature, grow older and wiser, which doesn't always happen in a specific order, life's priorities change. And I also think that there are seasons in life. Right now my kids are my top priority. I've only got two more years with babies at home, and then things will change. And I did things in a different order than a lot of people I know. (Everyone's got to do things their own way --so no judging on my part.)
Anyway--here is what you can do for me on my birthday--yeah I know I'm shameless asking for presents and everything. But really all I want you to do is leave a comment telling me which version of my query letter makes you want to pick up the book more. You don't have to say why--just pick one. I'm too lazy to set up a poll, which I should do. So in the comments just put query one, or query two. (For all you non-writers a query is a letter that you send to an agent or editor to convince them that they want to read your book--it should give you a good idea of what the book si about, and catch your interest--sort of what you'd find a book flap)
Query 1
Seventeen-year-old Isis didn’t believe in magic until she accidentally uses it to save her life. Dane, a classmate, witnesses the display and pulls her into a battle between two ancient societies. Isis learns that the strange things that happen around her and her crazy dreams aren’t signs of impending insanity. Isis’ dreams actually mean that she is the dreamer with a power more potent than any other. She has the ability to control people by altering their subconscious while they sleep and the ability to see the future.
As Dane teaches Isis to control her powers the feelings between them grow. Isis is finally finding a place in the world where she never quite fit in—until Kalli, her cousin, shows up to convince her that she’s joined the wrong side of the battle. As Isis pieces together the clues from her dreams she learns of an impending disaster planned by Kalli’s group.
Isis’ powers give her the ability to end the conflict and stop the killing once and for all, but she must choose between fighting for the good of all mankind and saving her cousin, a choice no ordinary girl should make. Good thing Isis is anything but ordinary.
DREAMING ISIS, a young adult fantasy novel, is complete at 65,000 words. It will appeal to readers who loved the intrigue of THE AWAKENING by Kelley Armstrong and to those who enjoyed the paranormal romance elements of NEED by Carrie Jones
Query 2
Seventeen-year-old Isis is tired. Tired of hiding the dreams that predict future events, and the strange things that happen around her. Tired of surviving her mom’s psychotic episodes anytime she hears about something strange Isis did. And she’s tired of her sanity being questioned at every family gathering. So she hides her headaches, which are steadily getting worse and hopes that insanity doesn’t really run in the family.
All that changes the day Isis accidentally uses her powers to save herself from an exploding car and all of her secrets start coming out. Dane, a classmate, pulls her into a battle between two ancient societies. Dane seems to have the answers that Isis has always wanted. He can help her control her powers, stop her headaches and hang onto her sanity. She finds herself drawn to his charms until her cousin Kalli shows up to convince her she’s joined the wrong side. Isis realizes that she’s not the only one who’s been hiding things.
As Isis pieces together the warnings from her dreams she learns of an impending disaster planned by Kalli’s group. Isis has the power to stop it from happening and ending the conflict for good, but she has to choose between fighting for the good of mankind or to keep the love of her family by continuing to hide. A choice no ordinary girl should make. Good thing Isis is anything but ordinary.
DREAMING ISIS, a young adult contemporary fantasy novel, is complete at 65,000 words. It will appeal to readers who loved the intrigue of THE AWAKENING by Kelley Armstrong and to those who enjoyed the paranormal romance elements of NEED by Carrie Jones
Well have a great week everyone!
And then Karen and her family came into to town because Chloe had a gymnastics meet. I enjoyed it. Beth did too, and the boys did fairly well-though I think the only reason Jacob did so well is because he was sick. Then we took the kids over to the cousins' hotel and let them swim--yeah we let Jacob swim sick. But it brought his fever down, and there's chorine in the pool to kill germs right? They were up to late which resulted in Caleb being sick and no one going to church today. Actually I went to Sacrament meeting, but Rob told me he was too sick for me to to stay the whole time. He did sleep a lot once I got home.
My rant on the time change. I hate it! I just do. There is no need to mess with my body's schedule, and since there is confirmed germs in the house I really will get sick this year, just like I do every spring. Stupid time change. Rant done.
Tomorrow's my birthday--yeah I'm getting older. Sadly I wish I could freeze my body in that perfect state of youth--in some ways becoming a Twilight vampire has its appeal. But the whole blood lust thing is a major turn off in my book, even if I was planning on going vegetarian. I'd hie back to my 21 year old self. Maybe twenty. Yup that would be the perfect age for my body to be. But it's not, and I'm not going to dwell on what I don't have right now.
When I was thirty I had a list of 31 one things I wanted to accomplish and at the time I had accomplished one. Now I just looked it over, and I've still only accomplished one. Some of the things are lifelong things though, and I'm working on them. But I haven't exactly been idle. It's one thing to write a book--another to get it published, and published is what I had on my list. I've also found that I don't have quite the same desire to some of those things right now. For example one is to master calculus--which in my mind is passing a basic calculus class. Today I'm not really seeing the point of that. Is it a bad thing to revamp the list? I'm definitely putting thought into it. And another is to get my doctorate. And I'm thinking I'd rather have my MFA--is it all that different? Am I selling myself short?
The thing is about life is that I think it is one constant act of revision and reinvention. As we change, mature, grow older and wiser, which doesn't always happen in a specific order, life's priorities change. And I also think that there are seasons in life. Right now my kids are my top priority. I've only got two more years with babies at home, and then things will change. And I did things in a different order than a lot of people I know. (Everyone's got to do things their own way --so no judging on my part.)
Anyway--here is what you can do for me on my birthday--yeah I know I'm shameless asking for presents and everything. But really all I want you to do is leave a comment telling me which version of my query letter makes you want to pick up the book more. You don't have to say why--just pick one. I'm too lazy to set up a poll, which I should do. So in the comments just put query one, or query two. (For all you non-writers a query is a letter that you send to an agent or editor to convince them that they want to read your book--it should give you a good idea of what the book si about, and catch your interest--sort of what you'd find a book flap)
Query 1
Seventeen-year-old Isis didn’t believe in magic until she accidentally uses it to save her life. Dane, a classmate, witnesses the display and pulls her into a battle between two ancient societies. Isis learns that the strange things that happen around her and her crazy dreams aren’t signs of impending insanity. Isis’ dreams actually mean that she is the dreamer with a power more potent than any other. She has the ability to control people by altering their subconscious while they sleep and the ability to see the future.
As Dane teaches Isis to control her powers the feelings between them grow. Isis is finally finding a place in the world where she never quite fit in—until Kalli, her cousin, shows up to convince her that she’s joined the wrong side of the battle. As Isis pieces together the clues from her dreams she learns of an impending disaster planned by Kalli’s group.
Isis’ powers give her the ability to end the conflict and stop the killing once and for all, but she must choose between fighting for the good of all mankind and saving her cousin, a choice no ordinary girl should make. Good thing Isis is anything but ordinary.
DREAMING ISIS, a young adult fantasy novel, is complete at 65,000 words. It will appeal to readers who loved the intrigue of THE AWAKENING by Kelley Armstrong and to those who enjoyed the paranormal romance elements of NEED by Carrie Jones
Query 2
Seventeen-year-old Isis is tired. Tired of hiding the dreams that predict future events, and the strange things that happen around her. Tired of surviving her mom’s psychotic episodes anytime she hears about something strange Isis did. And she’s tired of her sanity being questioned at every family gathering. So she hides her headaches, which are steadily getting worse and hopes that insanity doesn’t really run in the family.
All that changes the day Isis accidentally uses her powers to save herself from an exploding car and all of her secrets start coming out. Dane, a classmate, pulls her into a battle between two ancient societies. Dane seems to have the answers that Isis has always wanted. He can help her control her powers, stop her headaches and hang onto her sanity. She finds herself drawn to his charms until her cousin Kalli shows up to convince her she’s joined the wrong side. Isis realizes that she’s not the only one who’s been hiding things.
As Isis pieces together the warnings from her dreams she learns of an impending disaster planned by Kalli’s group. Isis has the power to stop it from happening and ending the conflict for good, but she has to choose between fighting for the good of mankind or to keep the love of her family by continuing to hide. A choice no ordinary girl should make. Good thing Isis is anything but ordinary.
DREAMING ISIS, a young adult contemporary fantasy novel, is complete at 65,000 words. It will appeal to readers who loved the intrigue of THE AWAKENING by Kelley Armstrong and to those who enjoyed the paranormal romance elements of NEED by Carrie Jones
Well have a great week everyone!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Fun for the Weekend!
We had a fun filled weekend. Rob and Ifelt like the kids had earned something extra fun, since they put up with us moving for an entire month. Rob wanted to go to the beach, and I wanted to go to the zoo, but we ended up at the science museum instead. it's what the kids chose--go figure. It ended up being really nice out so we did the whole loop and visited the bears, wolves and lemurs. Plus we hit the wind exhibit and the kids had a blast sailing the boats around the little pond. My favorite part was the fact that all the water exhibits were closed due to the recent stretch of cold weather. We even went to the butterfly house. The museum was the most crowded that I'd ever seen it, but it didn't feel that bad wandering around.
Then we came home and I took Beth to her school's skating night. I didn't end up skating because I forgot socks, and who in their right mind wouldn't wear socks at a skating rink? But I did watch and think. First I thought about the few times I went skating in elementary school--I think I was over it by middle school. Hmm, and then all the stories about what "happened" at skating rinks--certainly never happened to me or my friends. And then I started thinking about college. I think I went skating in college almost as much as when I was a little kid. That's thanks to my best friend Suzanne who adored skating and she would orchestrate at least one group skate a year. So yeah--skating. The sweetest thing I saw was a couple (I could tell that they were married because of the panicked looks they kept sending each other) and their two little kids out on the rink. It was painfully obvious that the adults had never been skating before. The mom held tight to the rink wall the entire night, and the dad kept losing his balance, and they were skating so slow--but the point is that they were out there with their kids giving them the experience. It was awesome!
Then we got back and Rob had made some homemade ice cream! Yum! Yum! Yum!
today the kids went on a major throw things around the house rampage, and you couldn't see their bedroom floors or the floor in the hallway. I'm telling you this has to stop. But Caleb has made his bed every day for the last little bit--so you gotta take stock in the small things!
Funny story--this conversation occurred several times
Caleb-- Mom can you take me to the robber?
Me -- Where?
Caleb-- The robber--where they give me suckers
Me -- The robber?
Caleb--you know where they cut my hair
Me--Oh the barber
Caleb--Yes, please.
Needles to say all three got haircuts on Friday. Beth's hair is now at her chin--she looks adorable. Jacob's is super short, because she cut to fix the haircut Caleb gave him, and it makes him looks so young. Caleb looks cute and he's glad his hair isn't in his eyes anymore. The stylist told me she'd never seen three kids behave so well at the hair shop. I said thanks--but I was thinking that's the only place I'd ever get that comment.
But actually I got it again at church today--granted jacob slept through Sacrament meeting, but the other two did really well, and we didn't bring anything for them to do or eat. So i was pleased.
Well that's about it! have a great week!
Then we came home and I took Beth to her school's skating night. I didn't end up skating because I forgot socks, and who in their right mind wouldn't wear socks at a skating rink? But I did watch and think. First I thought about the few times I went skating in elementary school--I think I was over it by middle school. Hmm, and then all the stories about what "happened" at skating rinks--certainly never happened to me or my friends. And then I started thinking about college. I think I went skating in college almost as much as when I was a little kid. That's thanks to my best friend Suzanne who adored skating and she would orchestrate at least one group skate a year. So yeah--skating. The sweetest thing I saw was a couple (I could tell that they were married because of the panicked looks they kept sending each other) and their two little kids out on the rink. It was painfully obvious that the adults had never been skating before. The mom held tight to the rink wall the entire night, and the dad kept losing his balance, and they were skating so slow--but the point is that they were out there with their kids giving them the experience. It was awesome!
Then we got back and Rob had made some homemade ice cream! Yum! Yum! Yum!
today the kids went on a major throw things around the house rampage, and you couldn't see their bedroom floors or the floor in the hallway. I'm telling you this has to stop. But Caleb has made his bed every day for the last little bit--so you gotta take stock in the small things!
Funny story--this conversation occurred several times
Caleb-- Mom can you take me to the robber?
Me -- Where?
Caleb-- The robber--where they give me suckers
Me -- The robber?
Caleb--you know where they cut my hair
Me--Oh the barber
Caleb--Yes, please.
Needles to say all three got haircuts on Friday. Beth's hair is now at her chin--she looks adorable. Jacob's is super short, because she cut to fix the haircut Caleb gave him, and it makes him looks so young. Caleb looks cute and he's glad his hair isn't in his eyes anymore. The stylist told me she'd never seen three kids behave so well at the hair shop. I said thanks--but I was thinking that's the only place I'd ever get that comment.
But actually I got it again at church today--granted jacob slept through Sacrament meeting, but the other two did really well, and we didn't bring anything for them to do or eat. So i was pleased.
Well that's about it! have a great week!