I grow old... I grow old... I shall wear the bottom of my trousers rolled.
So that is the line that has been floating around in my head all week. Not that I'm really old. But birthdays have a way of making you step back and take stock of your life. It's funny how a poem that you read and studied and picked apart years ago will pop up at the strangest times. Words really have power. Since the poem was in my head, I looked it up online and read it again. And with the weight of my oh so many years behind me, compared to my college freshman and sophomore years when I really studied the poem, I've found a much deeper meaning in the poem than I did in the past. It still speaks to me, and I love the imagery Eliot evokes throughout the poem. Images still pop out at me years after I read it. If you have never read the poem, it's worth it.
This week the kids adjusted surprisingly well to the time change. They are growing up so much and getting more and more independent. Beth is waking herself up for school each day, and it's so much nicer in the morning now. Jacob loves getting up early in the morning and having a bit of time to chill out watching television before he goes to school. I think he looks forward to the quiet. He is usually the most agreeable about going to bed when I ask him to.
Not much happened this week. Rob and I were fighting colds most of the week, and Rob missed two days of work. I love having him home with me, even if it is a bit harder to be motivated when he is home, especially when he isn't working too.
We had stake conference this weekend, and ward conference next week. We have a new stake president, and I love hearing the new perspective and messages. Not that they've really changed--more that they are coming from different experiences and with a different way of sharing. It was also regional conference, so we had a broadcast from Salt Lake, and the talk that really stood out to me was self discipline. So many great quotes, and principles in that talk. I wish I could get a copy of it written down.
Anyway that was our week. Hope you have a great one!
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Sunday, March 9, 2014
No More Winter! Where the Heck Is Spring?
We missed another day of school to an ice storm. It didn't do much here, but I think they made the right call with no school on Tuesday. The kids are loving it, but I don't know how they'll feel when they are going to school in the middle of June, which is the solution to save Spring Break.
It's March, it's time for warm weather, flowers to grow and spring time. It's time to start wearing shorts, and to enjoy days of seventy degree weather that are absolutely perfect. It is time to embrace happiness and sunshine and even rainbows. Spring, it's time to bring it!
Rob went with the kids to visit his parents over the weekend. I got a house of quiet to myself. Every now and then I need that. The quiet, but also the not being responsible for everything else. I enjoy not cooking and not cleaning and not bathing the kids sometimes. I love my kids. They are great kids so kind and sweet and overall good natured.
I needed to brace myself for the week that Rob is going to be gone and I'll be flying solo. I'm not that great at that. I know I'll be a little crazy by end of the week when he comes back. I don't think I could handle it if he had to travel for work all of the time. Rob is going to be working on getting his Woodbadge, which is the equivalent of Eagle for scout leaders. It means he'll be gone camping for a week, and I'll basically be a single parent for that time.
This week I turn 36. Uggh! When did I get old, not that I'm really all that old. It's more like I look at my life and where I am, and where I thought I'd be at this age and I sigh. Still so much I want to accomplish and do. But then I look at what I have accomplished, and it does help to balance things out a bit.
We sang "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go Dear Lord" in sacrament meeting today, and it always makes me think. I love this song and I have since I first heard it. It's funny how different lines jump out at me at different times in my life. Today the thoughts were focused on the fact that I can serve Him from where I am. I don't have to be responded to a huge call from a mountaintop or on a mission (like that's going to happen right now) or with a huge calling. It doesn't have to be in a visible way, but I can still serve Him and be His mouthpiece, and His hands and His heart for someone else out there. I can still be the person that He wants me to be.
Continuing on a spiritual note, I just taught a lesson about Grace, and it is such an interesting topic that I really hadn't spent a lot of time focusing on before. I've seen the Lord's hand in my life again and again, and today was the first time that I connected it with Grace. It is through His grace that we are helped and strengthened.
As a parent I've realized just how unique every child is. Truly unique. It's a wonderful thing to see how their personalities and strengths and weaknesses are different. Each of my children have their own set of challenges and their own set of awesomeness. I'm sure you feel the same way about your kids.
Have a great week!
It's March, it's time for warm weather, flowers to grow and spring time. It's time to start wearing shorts, and to enjoy days of seventy degree weather that are absolutely perfect. It is time to embrace happiness and sunshine and even rainbows. Spring, it's time to bring it!
Rob went with the kids to visit his parents over the weekend. I got a house of quiet to myself. Every now and then I need that. The quiet, but also the not being responsible for everything else. I enjoy not cooking and not cleaning and not bathing the kids sometimes. I love my kids. They are great kids so kind and sweet and overall good natured.
I needed to brace myself for the week that Rob is going to be gone and I'll be flying solo. I'm not that great at that. I know I'll be a little crazy by end of the week when he comes back. I don't think I could handle it if he had to travel for work all of the time. Rob is going to be working on getting his Woodbadge, which is the equivalent of Eagle for scout leaders. It means he'll be gone camping for a week, and I'll basically be a single parent for that time.
This week I turn 36. Uggh! When did I get old, not that I'm really all that old. It's more like I look at my life and where I am, and where I thought I'd be at this age and I sigh. Still so much I want to accomplish and do. But then I look at what I have accomplished, and it does help to balance things out a bit.
We sang "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go Dear Lord" in sacrament meeting today, and it always makes me think. I love this song and I have since I first heard it. It's funny how different lines jump out at me at different times in my life. Today the thoughts were focused on the fact that I can serve Him from where I am. I don't have to be responded to a huge call from a mountaintop or on a mission (like that's going to happen right now) or with a huge calling. It doesn't have to be in a visible way, but I can still serve Him and be His mouthpiece, and His hands and His heart for someone else out there. I can still be the person that He wants me to be.
Continuing on a spiritual note, I just taught a lesson about Grace, and it is such an interesting topic that I really hadn't spent a lot of time focusing on before. I've seen the Lord's hand in my life again and again, and today was the first time that I connected it with Grace. It is through His grace that we are helped and strengthened.
As a parent I've realized just how unique every child is. Truly unique. It's a wonderful thing to see how their personalities and strengths and weaknesses are different. Each of my children have their own set of challenges and their own set of awesomeness. I'm sure you feel the same way about your kids.
Have a great week!
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Wondering Where the Week Went
It seems like time is just slipping by super fast. This week was pretty busy, because it was Blue and Gold Banquet, which is a big deal for the Cub Scouts. Rob's committee chairman and somehow we ended up doing virtually everything for the meeting. We set up the church, tables and everything else. By the time it was over, we were all exhausted and cranky.
Jacob has been giving social studies projects this year. Something that has started with Common Core. Basically he has to make a poster, write a report and give an oral presentation every quarter. It needs to be all his own work, and you can imagine what that means they are getting from first graders. His next one is due tomorrow, and I sort of forgot about it. The others we finished earlier. he was quite upset that we wen't done, and so we sat down and did the poster. Then he worried and worried about the written report until it was done. It is really refreshing to have someone that willingly does his homework AND Wants to do a good job AND who doesn't wait until 9:30 the night before to start. I'm hoping this happy trend will follow him throughout out his school years. We were already fighting the other two with homework by this point.
Study hall is working overall most days. Wednesdays are rough with activities, but it's doing fairly well overall. I highly recommend it. Now the next goal is to get really consistent with family prayer. We are a family of non morning people so that option is out. We're getting there.
Beth has her first trip to the mall without parents. She seemed to have a great time, and I really didn't worry. But ob worried a lot. He thinks it is too dangerous. But she was safe the whole time.
Caleb is doing well too. Right now he is playing Minecraft as happy as he ever is. he loves video games.
Have a great week!
Jacob has been giving social studies projects this year. Something that has started with Common Core. Basically he has to make a poster, write a report and give an oral presentation every quarter. It needs to be all his own work, and you can imagine what that means they are getting from first graders. His next one is due tomorrow, and I sort of forgot about it. The others we finished earlier. he was quite upset that we wen't done, and so we sat down and did the poster. Then he worried and worried about the written report until it was done. It is really refreshing to have someone that willingly does his homework AND Wants to do a good job AND who doesn't wait until 9:30 the night before to start. I'm hoping this happy trend will follow him throughout out his school years. We were already fighting the other two with homework by this point.
Study hall is working overall most days. Wednesdays are rough with activities, but it's doing fairly well overall. I highly recommend it. Now the next goal is to get really consistent with family prayer. We are a family of non morning people so that option is out. We're getting there.
Beth has her first trip to the mall without parents. She seemed to have a great time, and I really didn't worry. But ob worried a lot. He thinks it is too dangerous. But she was safe the whole time.
Caleb is doing well too. Right now he is playing Minecraft as happy as he ever is. he loves video games.
Have a great week!
Monday, February 24, 2014
No missed school!
We had a full week of school! Rob was home on Monday--working from home, and on Tuesday I must confess I wandered around a bit feeling a little bit lost. But I got a lot more done this week, and the kids seemed to have an overall good week at school. And somehow the school district worked it out so the kids still get a whole week off for Spring Break, and Memorial Day.
So far our study hall has been working. I think the kids like the break between school and homework, and they are working through their homework fairly quickly. Even Caleb (my toughest homework kid) is doing a good job with it.
I am hoping spring is here to stay. I am tired of the really cold winter we've had here, and it's nothing compared to the rest of the United States. I think the kids are getting andy and want to get out and do more too. Hopefully, we will do some Saturday trips soon. It's been a while since we've been to the beach or to the zoo.
The boys are doing well overall.It's all about Minecraft, YouTube and mods these days. We work out a balance of work and play and overall I think there are worse things they could be doing with their time. Now that the weather is warming up and its staying light longer, I know that they'll love to go out and spend some time on their bikes.
Beth is doing well and adjusting to young women's. Although she does complain when I assign her reading homework for her class. She is pulling good grades and juggling her friends and family. She is very, very 12 though. Dramatic, self involved and always thinks she is right. But she is also caring and loving and goes out of her way to help others.
Have a great week!
So far our study hall has been working. I think the kids like the break between school and homework, and they are working through their homework fairly quickly. Even Caleb (my toughest homework kid) is doing a good job with it.
I am hoping spring is here to stay. I am tired of the really cold winter we've had here, and it's nothing compared to the rest of the United States. I think the kids are getting andy and want to get out and do more too. Hopefully, we will do some Saturday trips soon. It's been a while since we've been to the beach or to the zoo.
The boys are doing well overall.It's all about Minecraft, YouTube and mods these days. We work out a balance of work and play and overall I think there are worse things they could be doing with their time. Now that the weather is warming up and its staying light longer, I know that they'll love to go out and spend some time on their bikes.
Beth is doing well and adjusting to young women's. Although she does complain when I assign her reading homework for her class. She is pulling good grades and juggling her friends and family. She is very, very 12 though. Dramatic, self involved and always thinks she is right. But she is also caring and loving and goes out of her way to help others.
Have a great week!
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Snow, Snow and Snow Again!
We had another week of no school, lots of snow and crazy kids at home. This week another storm hit and instead of two inches of snow, we got four and then some ice. We were lucky and didn't lose power. The kids were out on Wednesday and Rob came home early, right before it started snowing, so he was fortunate enough to miss out on the commuting mess.
He just missed the mess of everyone leaving and cars being abandoned and the entire debacle of trying to drive in the snow in traffic. Yes someone caught their car on fire trying to drive up a snow covered hill. Then Rob spent the rest of the day watching the traffic cams in the area and chuckling to himself. It wasn't the most productive of days for him.
The kids had fun sledding (though the last storm was a bit better--this snow was more slushy) building an igloo and having fun not going to school.
Tomorrow they head back on their first snow make up day for the storm two weeks ago. I don't know when or how we're going to make up the last week of school. Seven days in a year seems a bit extreme. I'm just glad spring is nearly here. We are going to be back up in the 70s this week, and I want it to stick around for awhile.
There really isn't much family news since our week mostly consisted sitting at home. Hope you all have a great week!
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Teleporting to the Museum
Caleb has advanced to Bear in Cub Scouts. And that means more family activities. It's actually easier in some ways because we do most of the stuff anyway throughout the year. I had planned a photo scavenger hunt to one of the museums we visit on a fairly regular basis. But the kids through up a revolt and protested. (We'll do it later.)
The boys just wanted to sit at home and play Minecraft, ALL DAY LONG! It was a beautiful day, warm, sunny, and just plain nice. So Rob convinced the boys that at the art museum they had installed a fixture that would actually teleport them. They had to be careful though so they didn't end up with the dragons.
Off we went to the art museum. We mostly visited the African, Egyptian and Ancient Rome galleries and didn't wander into the Romantics (my favorites). Then we went outside to look at the outdoor installations. The willow house that used to be there is no longer. I miss it. We hiked around and got lost (not really) and had a great time.
This next week is a big week. 100 days of school, Valentine's day and possible snow. Again. Jacob doesn't want it snow simply so he can do his celebrations. The other two don't want to go to school. Right now the forecast is jumping all over the place, and we shall see what actually happens again. I'm prepared for the storm, so we'll eat if it snows or if it doesn't. And in the end that's all that really matters. The term ice has been mentioned. I don't mind ice as long as I don't lose power. So here's hoping, we don't lose power.
Have a great week!
The boys just wanted to sit at home and play Minecraft, ALL DAY LONG! It was a beautiful day, warm, sunny, and just plain nice. So Rob convinced the boys that at the art museum they had installed a fixture that would actually teleport them. They had to be careful though so they didn't end up with the dragons.
Off we went to the art museum. We mostly visited the African, Egyptian and Ancient Rome galleries and didn't wander into the Romantics (my favorites). Then we went outside to look at the outdoor installations. The willow house that used to be there is no longer. I miss it. We hiked around and got lost (not really) and had a great time.
This next week is a big week. 100 days of school, Valentine's day and possible snow. Again. Jacob doesn't want it snow simply so he can do his celebrations. The other two don't want to go to school. Right now the forecast is jumping all over the place, and we shall see what actually happens again. I'm prepared for the storm, so we'll eat if it snows or if it doesn't. And in the end that's all that really matters. The term ice has been mentioned. I don't mind ice as long as I don't lose power. So here's hoping, we don't lose power.
Have a great week!
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Six Saturdays in a Row
Last week I posted about how we might just get some snow. The great news is that it came. The kids had school canceled on Tuesday and they haven't been back yet. It started snowing late Tuesday and so Wednesday was a day full of sledding and going out and coming in and a ton dirty wet socks and pants that needed to be washed and cared for.
It was awesome to finally get to see my kids go sledding for real. They were so focused on that they didn't build a snowman (plus they did that a week ago in the half inch of snow we got) or get into a snowball fight. Wednesday was fun and awesome. Thursday we headed to a nearby park with some great hills and the kids went sledding again. It started to warm up a bit on Thursday and things started to melt, so on Friday there really wasn't any snow to play in. But still no school. It was like the kids got an official winter break, even though it was unscheduled.
I think nearly everyone is dreading heading back to school this week. Every day should be a snow day. Since it is Ground Hog's Day, and it has been predicted that we have six more weeks of winter. So maybe we'll have another snow day this year. When I told Caleb he scoffed at me, and told me I was silly for thinking about it. But it's what makes life fun, right?
I just got called to be the Beehive Advisor. It should be fun to work with Beth. I really like everyone I'm going to be serving with and it is going to be fun. So far Beth is cool with it, excited even, but I keep waiting for the moment that I'm no longer cool to be around. (I hope it doesn't happen, but I was a fickle teenager, very fickle.)
The kids had a great relaxing week at home. Rob even stayed home on Wednesday, and he made pancakes. They were great. It's been a good week overall, really focused on family without the stress of homework or other silliness!
Have a great one!
It was awesome to finally get to see my kids go sledding for real. They were so focused on that they didn't build a snowman (plus they did that a week ago in the half inch of snow we got) or get into a snowball fight. Wednesday was fun and awesome. Thursday we headed to a nearby park with some great hills and the kids went sledding again. It started to warm up a bit on Thursday and things started to melt, so on Friday there really wasn't any snow to play in. But still no school. It was like the kids got an official winter break, even though it was unscheduled.
I think nearly everyone is dreading heading back to school this week. Every day should be a snow day. Since it is Ground Hog's Day, and it has been predicted that we have six more weeks of winter. So maybe we'll have another snow day this year. When I told Caleb he scoffed at me, and told me I was silly for thinking about it. But it's what makes life fun, right?
I just got called to be the Beehive Advisor. It should be fun to work with Beth. I really like everyone I'm going to be serving with and it is going to be fun. So far Beth is cool with it, excited even, but I keep waiting for the moment that I'm no longer cool to be around. (I hope it doesn't happen, but I was a fickle teenager, very fickle.)
The kids had a great relaxing week at home. Rob even stayed home on Wednesday, and he made pancakes. They were great. It's been a good week overall, really focused on family without the stress of homework or other silliness!
Have a great one!