Yes, I guess it has. Wow -- I'm sorry! Not that there are many of you out there reading...but one of my friends commented a couple of weeks ago that she wished I would update my blog and I hadn't even realized how long it had been.
My excuse? Well, I don't have a good one. Things have been busy, but when are they not?
Here where we live, school starts again in just a couple of weeks. Really -- it starts at the beginning of August (much too early). So after next week, DH goes back to work to prepare for a new school year, A has softball tryouts, and B starts soccer camp and practice. We'll gear up for our annual "I-hate-August-and-September" schedule...because August and September are always, always, always the busiest months of the year for us. *Sigh*
In other news, B was asked to try out for Academy Soccer (a level above rec league) and she made it. She was really excited! Of course this means a bit more travel since she'll have tournaments and games that aren't always in our city, but we'll see how it goes. A is excited about softball tryouts...she'll make the team, no doubt...but she's still nervous about it. Keep your fingers crossed for her!
DH and the girls have been in Utah visiting his family for the last month. Yes, you read that right. The last month. I have been on my own for the last month. Well, not entirely on my own since my parents and my sister and her family live just around the block and have helped keep me occupied and from getting too lonely. But it's been a difficult month.
For one thing, I have never, ever in my entire life been alone for this long. OK, I haven't been entirely alone because I've had the two dogs to keep my company (yeah, two...I got a puppy for Mother's Day. Note to self: don't get a puppy right before your family leaves you for a month...). Up until now, I had only ever stayed in our own home by myself once overnight. LOL I've never lived alone in my entire adult life. So this has been an experience. Up until now, I always felt very nervous and anxious if I was alone at home for any amount of time, even a few hours. While my family has been gone, I've had to be home alone a lot, mostly because I had to be here to take care of the puppy in the evenings. I found that I actually felt better, felt more at peace and more calm, at home than anywhere else. It's been interesting.
That isn't to say that I enjoy being alone. No. No way. Not at all. Not one little bit. But I've learned that I can do it. I can actually fall asleep on my own -- that's pretty big because usually when DH is gone overnight I have a terrible time sleeping. I can even kill bugs -- of course, that's only out of sheer desperation when my dad, brother in law, or neighbor aren't home to come help me, and only if said bugs aren't big spiders. I even had to have my home teacher and his sons come over and clean off my back patio because of a spider problem (I owe them some cookies for that...). But I have killed a few bugs while they've been gone.
So I've learned that I can do hard things. Things I thought I would never be able to do. But I've also learned that I was not meant to be alone. That I'm not good at being alone. I have been moody, sad, mopey, miserable, etc. My friends at work are very glad, I'm sure, that my family will be home tomorrow. LOL For much of the time my family has been gone, I have felt like part of me was missing, like I was incomplete. I felt like I had lost my compass. I don't like that feeling. I need them here.
Oh, I also got a new calling -- Young Women President in our ward. That has kept me busy. Last night I went to the youth dance and had a lot of fun talking to and spending time with some of the youth. That has kept me busy.
But they're not a substitute for my family. I'm so glad my family is coming home tomorrow!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Summertime...
Summer is officially here. School is out and the temperature and humidity are both up. But the official sign the summer is here -- when I left for work this morning, both girls were still asleep! (Granted, it was 7:30 a.m. and they were both up really, really late last night). It's so hard to get up and go to work when everyone else in the house is asleep!
The end of another school year. It's hard to believe that A will be starting high school year this year. Wow! The last few weeks brought some exciting things for the girls....
A received more awards at her school awards ceremony than any other student in her grade. She received the citizenship award for her homeroom, straight A honor roll for the entire year, Science Fair (1st Place), Highest GPA in Honors Math, Academic Team, Writing Award, Principals Academic Award, and she was in a 3-way tie for Highest GPA in the Honors Program (she got a $100 savings bond for that one). A was also voted Most Talented Female for the eighth grade superlatives. It was a nice awards ceremony and she has had a really successful three years of middle school. A will be at girls' camp for church this week, and then the next week is softball playoffs.
B also received more awards at her school awards ceremony than any other student in her grade. She got the Girls' PE award for her grade, straight A honor roll, student council award, National Physical Fitness Award, Most Accelerated Reader Points in her grade, and third most Accelerated Reader Points in the school. She also got another award but I can't remember what it was....In addition to all of that, B was invited to try out for Academy Soccer (higher level than rec league and you have to try out and be accepted), and she was accepted. Yea! And if all of that wasn't enough, she also had her gymnastics and dance recitals last week and did a fabulous job with those. Her vision therapy is going really well and we are already noticing improvement. What a blessing that is!
And now, to add to the insanity that is our home, we are getting a new puppy this week. I know, we must be crazy. The puppy is my Mother's Day gift. If I can't have a human baby, I can at least get a dog baby! She is a miniature dachshund (I'm partial to that breed)...chocolate with tan markings and a white stripe on her chest. We can't wait to get her. Not sure what her name will be yet, but we'll figure that out. We're open to suggestions!
Although life is insanely busy (as it always is), things are going well and we can't complain.
The end of another school year. It's hard to believe that A will be starting high school year this year. Wow! The last few weeks brought some exciting things for the girls....
A received more awards at her school awards ceremony than any other student in her grade. She received the citizenship award for her homeroom, straight A honor roll for the entire year, Science Fair (1st Place), Highest GPA in Honors Math, Academic Team, Writing Award, Principals Academic Award, and she was in a 3-way tie for Highest GPA in the Honors Program (she got a $100 savings bond for that one). A was also voted Most Talented Female for the eighth grade superlatives. It was a nice awards ceremony and she has had a really successful three years of middle school. A will be at girls' camp for church this week, and then the next week is softball playoffs.
B also received more awards at her school awards ceremony than any other student in her grade. She got the Girls' PE award for her grade, straight A honor roll, student council award, National Physical Fitness Award, Most Accelerated Reader Points in her grade, and third most Accelerated Reader Points in the school. She also got another award but I can't remember what it was....In addition to all of that, B was invited to try out for Academy Soccer (higher level than rec league and you have to try out and be accepted), and she was accepted. Yea! And if all of that wasn't enough, she also had her gymnastics and dance recitals last week and did a fabulous job with those. Her vision therapy is going really well and we are already noticing improvement. What a blessing that is!
And now, to add to the insanity that is our home, we are getting a new puppy this week. I know, we must be crazy. The puppy is my Mother's Day gift. If I can't have a human baby, I can at least get a dog baby! She is a miniature dachshund (I'm partial to that breed)...chocolate with tan markings and a white stripe on her chest. We can't wait to get her. Not sure what her name will be yet, but we'll figure that out. We're open to suggestions!
Although life is insanely busy (as it always is), things are going well and we can't complain.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Life Should be a Beach
I know...I know...it's been a while! My lack of updates hasn't been from lack of goings-on to share, but from lack of time (too often the case for me).
It's been an event-filled couple of weeks. We went to Panama City Beach a couple of weeks ago with my parents and one of my sisters and her family. It was amazing. I have always enjoyed the beach (notice I said *the beach* -- not the ocean -- I don't care much for saltwater and seaweed). I have a friend who finds the beach to be very therapeutic and tries to go as often as possible. I now understand why. In fact, I almost passed up a shopping trip to the outlets just so I could sit on the beach! LOL Alas, the call of the outlets was stronger than the call of the beach...but not much stronger. It was so incredibly relaxing to just sit there with my feet in the warm sound, listening to and watching the ocean, watching my children and nieces and nephew playing, and spending time with my family. It was, I think, the first time in a long time that I was fully present and in the moment, not worried about work and what I wasn't getting done while I was on vacation.
I did get in the water a few times, although I must admit to preferring the hot tub over the cooler, salty ocean. We ate at two great restaurants, had fun shopping, and just enjoyed spending time together with our extended family. I have decided that we must make this an annual event -- my parents go every year for my Mom's job and they've been inviting us for some time. I don't know why we haven't gone sooner...but we'll definitely be going from now on. And until next year, I'll be scheming and trying as hard as I can to figure out a way to go back to the beach! It was incredibly relaxing and we all loved it.
In other news...my sister E had a baby boy last week. Apparently he inherited our family's tendency to be a little impatient and decided to make his grand entrance several weeks early. Not the best idea on his part, but he's doing really well and is a beautiful baby. We hope he'll be home from the hospital next week.
And in still other news, my sister M and her husband are getting a little 2-year-old foster child next week. We're so incredibly thrilled for them! They're going to be a wonderful family for this little girl and we can't wait to meet her!
B's soccer season ends tomorrow. It has been a great season for her -- she's quite the tough little soccer player. She has enjoyed the season. A few people have mentioned that we should let her try out for the advanced teams but I'm not sure...too much travel, I think. But regardless, she has enjoyed the season and has really improved.
A's softball season is in full swing (no pun intended, really!). She is pitching really, really well and has pitched a couple of no-hitters. Not only is she pitching well, but she's also hitting well. She has turned out to be quite the softball player. Some of the coaches of opposing teams have come to watch her pitch (scouting out the competition) and jokingly said they wanted to reschedule their games for our vacation so they wouldn't have to go up against her! That made her feel good. She's focusing on high school softball next year and can't wait for that.
The school year is almost over here. Both girls have done very well academically this year. B has struggled with some issues with a classmate and it has been hard for her recently, so she is looking forward to the end of the school year so she can be away from that situation. Other than that, it has been a great year.
And that's about it...now, if you don't mind, I'm going to go back to my new relaxation technique: envisioning myself on the beach, feet in the warm white sand, listening to the waves, and not thinking about anything else!
It's been an event-filled couple of weeks. We went to Panama City Beach a couple of weeks ago with my parents and one of my sisters and her family. It was amazing. I have always enjoyed the beach (notice I said *the beach* -- not the ocean -- I don't care much for saltwater and seaweed). I have a friend who finds the beach to be very therapeutic and tries to go as often as possible. I now understand why. In fact, I almost passed up a shopping trip to the outlets just so I could sit on the beach! LOL Alas, the call of the outlets was stronger than the call of the beach...but not much stronger. It was so incredibly relaxing to just sit there with my feet in the warm sound, listening to and watching the ocean, watching my children and nieces and nephew playing, and spending time with my family. It was, I think, the first time in a long time that I was fully present and in the moment, not worried about work and what I wasn't getting done while I was on vacation.
I did get in the water a few times, although I must admit to preferring the hot tub over the cooler, salty ocean. We ate at two great restaurants, had fun shopping, and just enjoyed spending time together with our extended family. I have decided that we must make this an annual event -- my parents go every year for my Mom's job and they've been inviting us for some time. I don't know why we haven't gone sooner...but we'll definitely be going from now on. And until next year, I'll be scheming and trying as hard as I can to figure out a way to go back to the beach! It was incredibly relaxing and we all loved it.
In other news...my sister E had a baby boy last week. Apparently he inherited our family's tendency to be a little impatient and decided to make his grand entrance several weeks early. Not the best idea on his part, but he's doing really well and is a beautiful baby. We hope he'll be home from the hospital next week.
And in still other news, my sister M and her husband are getting a little 2-year-old foster child next week. We're so incredibly thrilled for them! They're going to be a wonderful family for this little girl and we can't wait to meet her!
B's soccer season ends tomorrow. It has been a great season for her -- she's quite the tough little soccer player. She has enjoyed the season. A few people have mentioned that we should let her try out for the advanced teams but I'm not sure...too much travel, I think. But regardless, she has enjoyed the season and has really improved.
A's softball season is in full swing (no pun intended, really!). She is pitching really, really well and has pitched a couple of no-hitters. Not only is she pitching well, but she's also hitting well. She has turned out to be quite the softball player. Some of the coaches of opposing teams have come to watch her pitch (scouting out the competition) and jokingly said they wanted to reschedule their games for our vacation so they wouldn't have to go up against her! That made her feel good. She's focusing on high school softball next year and can't wait for that.
The school year is almost over here. Both girls have done very well academically this year. B has struggled with some issues with a classmate and it has been hard for her recently, so she is looking forward to the end of the school year so she can be away from that situation. Other than that, it has been a great year.
And that's about it...now, if you don't mind, I'm going to go back to my new relaxation technique: envisioning myself on the beach, feet in the warm white sand, listening to the waves, and not thinking about anything else!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Sea World Trip Report
We took a mini family vacation to Sea World last week. It was great! The drive there was uneventful and took about 6 hours...a bit of rain on the way down and lots of overcast skies, but it's really not a bad drive. Thanks to Hilda (GPS system, gotta love her!) we found our hotel without any difficulties. We got checked in and settled for the night, at which point everyone but me drifted off to sleep, visions of Shamu dancing in their heads. Me? Well, I don't sleep well in hotels so it was a long night!
We got up the next morning, packed our day bag, and headed for Sea World. Again, Hilda got us there quickly. It was a gorgeous day -- in the mid 80s and sunny, with just a slight breeze and some clouds every now and again. First up, visiting the seals and sea lions. (Pictures will be posted soon...right now they're still on the camera). One sea lion in particular was the model and posed non-stop for pictures. The girls got to feed the sea lions and seals...they thought it was neat to see the creatures catch the fish in their mouths, but they didn't really like the actually touching of said fish, so DH ended up helping out. After that we headed to the seal lion show...Seamore and Clyde Take Pirate Island. Clyde decided he really didn't feel like being onstage and spent most of the show swimming around. It was fun to watch the actors improvise in Clyde's absence! LOL It was a fun show.
After that we saw the penguins (so cute!) and headed to the dolphin and bird show. We really enjoyed that...and then it was on to Journey to Atlantis, where DH, A, and B all rode the ride while I took pictures, did a little window shopping, and got a lovely sunburn (yes, I made sure everyone else used sunscreen but forgot it myself!). The verdict on the ride? DH and A loved it, B did not. Then lunch...Mama's Kitchen...food was only so-so and the prices were ridiculous ($7.99 for a kids meal: hot dog, chips, raisins, and juice). After lunch we went to see the dolphins. The girls wanted to touch one but weren't able to. We saw the Shamu show -- "Believe". It was fun but we were glad we weren't sitting in the "soak zone" (the first 16 rows of the stadium!). We then saw the shark exhibit and arctic exhibit (polar bears). The girls spent some time in Shamu's Happy Harbor -- a play area for kids. It had an amazing play/climbing structure and four or five cute kids rides (amusement park rides). We did a bit of shopping and before long it was time for dinner at The Cove (backstage dinner with reserved seating for Shamu Rocks -- the nighttime show).
Dinner was o.k. but not worth the price...we did get a few close-up views of one of the orcas. "Shamu Rocks" is an incredible show -- we all loved every minute of it (including the awesome pre-show music) and the cutest part was the little baby orca that tried to splash the audience. It may have splashed one person, but certainly not 16 rows like it's mama! But it was so cute. We then watched the nighttime water/fireworks show (Mistify) and headed out of the park.
The next day we went to Aquatica, Sea World's brand new water slide park. Little did we know it was grand opening day, so it was completely packed! Fortunately the park is laid out really well so it never felt like it was filled to capacity. The white sand beach is lovely and the two kids' areas are fantastic. The girls enjoyed some water slides and we all really enjoyed Roa Rapids -- a lazy river on steroids! It was so much fun. The food was yummy and A got to ride a water slide that was partially in a clear tube that went through a dolphin pond. That was cool. Unfortunately, we all got sunburns so we left around 3:30.
We went to dinner at one of my favorite places -- Tony Roma's. I haven't been there since we left Alaska! It was SO yummy. While we were there it started to rain really, really hard so we were glad we weren't at the water park or Sea World.
The next morning we headed back to Sea World to see the sea lion show again (this time it went very well and all performers stayed on stage, LOL!). The pre-show mime is SO hilarious -- if you go to the show you have got to get there at least 15 minutes to see the mime. The girls finally got to touch the dolphins (they were so excited!), and we also saw baby dolphins in the dolphin nursery, sea turtles, manatees (we couldn't stop singing "Barbara Manatee" from Veggie Tales), sting rays, and assorted other creatures. We did some shopping and headed out around 1:00. We drove by the Orlando Temple (again, thanks to Hilda who helped us find it) and then hit the road to head back to reality around 2 p.m. It was perfect timing as it started to rain as we got on the road to head home and rained almost the entire way home.
It was so much fun -- we really had a great time and it was nice to have a few days away to relax and recharge. A few tips for anyone planning a trip to Sea World:
1. Food and beverages are expensive in the park (and the water in the water fountains tastes a bit funny) -- bring your own water and a few snacks.
2. Wear sunscreen and reapply often! We're all finally over the painful part of the sunburns and into the peeling part. Gross.
3. Take more money for food than you think you'll need. Lunch for 4 was $45 (at Aquatica it was $50) and the dinner combination we did (buffet with reserved seating for the nighttime show) was $120. Ice cream bars are $3.25, sodas are also around $3, a ham roll-up was $8 (with no chips or drink). Food at Sea World is more expensive that Disney World.
4. Wear sunscreen and reapply often!
5. Be prepared for crowds. The walkways aren't as wide as those at Disney World and the park isn't laid out as well -- I kept getting lost (not hard for me to do, LOL). It gets really, really crowded and lots of the walkways are narrow.
6. Did I mention wear sunscreen and reapply often? A hat and sunglasses are also must-haves...poor B's eyelids and scalp got sunburned at the water park from not wearing her hat and sunglasses.
7. Have fun!!!
We got up the next morning, packed our day bag, and headed for Sea World. Again, Hilda got us there quickly. It was a gorgeous day -- in the mid 80s and sunny, with just a slight breeze and some clouds every now and again. First up, visiting the seals and sea lions. (Pictures will be posted soon...right now they're still on the camera). One sea lion in particular was the model and posed non-stop for pictures. The girls got to feed the sea lions and seals...they thought it was neat to see the creatures catch the fish in their mouths, but they didn't really like the actually touching of said fish, so DH ended up helping out. After that we headed to the seal lion show...Seamore and Clyde Take Pirate Island. Clyde decided he really didn't feel like being onstage and spent most of the show swimming around. It was fun to watch the actors improvise in Clyde's absence! LOL It was a fun show.
After that we saw the penguins (so cute!) and headed to the dolphin and bird show. We really enjoyed that...and then it was on to Journey to Atlantis, where DH, A, and B all rode the ride while I took pictures, did a little window shopping, and got a lovely sunburn (yes, I made sure everyone else used sunscreen but forgot it myself!). The verdict on the ride? DH and A loved it, B did not. Then lunch...Mama's Kitchen...food was only so-so and the prices were ridiculous ($7.99 for a kids meal: hot dog, chips, raisins, and juice). After lunch we went to see the dolphins. The girls wanted to touch one but weren't able to. We saw the Shamu show -- "Believe". It was fun but we were glad we weren't sitting in the "soak zone" (the first 16 rows of the stadium!). We then saw the shark exhibit and arctic exhibit (polar bears). The girls spent some time in Shamu's Happy Harbor -- a play area for kids. It had an amazing play/climbing structure and four or five cute kids rides (amusement park rides). We did a bit of shopping and before long it was time for dinner at The Cove (backstage dinner with reserved seating for Shamu Rocks -- the nighttime show).
Dinner was o.k. but not worth the price...we did get a few close-up views of one of the orcas. "Shamu Rocks" is an incredible show -- we all loved every minute of it (including the awesome pre-show music) and the cutest part was the little baby orca that tried to splash the audience. It may have splashed one person, but certainly not 16 rows like it's mama! But it was so cute. We then watched the nighttime water/fireworks show (Mistify) and headed out of the park.
The next day we went to Aquatica, Sea World's brand new water slide park. Little did we know it was grand opening day, so it was completely packed! Fortunately the park is laid out really well so it never felt like it was filled to capacity. The white sand beach is lovely and the two kids' areas are fantastic. The girls enjoyed some water slides and we all really enjoyed Roa Rapids -- a lazy river on steroids! It was so much fun. The food was yummy and A got to ride a water slide that was partially in a clear tube that went through a dolphin pond. That was cool. Unfortunately, we all got sunburns so we left around 3:30.
We went to dinner at one of my favorite places -- Tony Roma's. I haven't been there since we left Alaska! It was SO yummy. While we were there it started to rain really, really hard so we were glad we weren't at the water park or Sea World.
The next morning we headed back to Sea World to see the sea lion show again (this time it went very well and all performers stayed on stage, LOL!). The pre-show mime is SO hilarious -- if you go to the show you have got to get there at least 15 minutes to see the mime. The girls finally got to touch the dolphins (they were so excited!), and we also saw baby dolphins in the dolphin nursery, sea turtles, manatees (we couldn't stop singing "Barbara Manatee" from Veggie Tales), sting rays, and assorted other creatures. We did some shopping and headed out around 1:00. We drove by the Orlando Temple (again, thanks to Hilda who helped us find it) and then hit the road to head back to reality around 2 p.m. It was perfect timing as it started to rain as we got on the road to head home and rained almost the entire way home.
It was so much fun -- we really had a great time and it was nice to have a few days away to relax and recharge. A few tips for anyone planning a trip to Sea World:
1. Food and beverages are expensive in the park (and the water in the water fountains tastes a bit funny) -- bring your own water and a few snacks.
2. Wear sunscreen and reapply often! We're all finally over the painful part of the sunburns and into the peeling part. Gross.
3. Take more money for food than you think you'll need. Lunch for 4 was $45 (at Aquatica it was $50) and the dinner combination we did (buffet with reserved seating for the nighttime show) was $120. Ice cream bars are $3.25, sodas are also around $3, a ham roll-up was $8 (with no chips or drink). Food at Sea World is more expensive that Disney World.
4. Wear sunscreen and reapply often!
5. Be prepared for crowds. The walkways aren't as wide as those at Disney World and the park isn't laid out as well -- I kept getting lost (not hard for me to do, LOL). It gets really, really crowded and lots of the walkways are narrow.
6. Did I mention wear sunscreen and reapply often? A hat and sunglasses are also must-haves...poor B's eyelids and scalp got sunburned at the water park from not wearing her hat and sunglasses.
7. Have fun!!!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Home from Oz
We're home from Oz! We survived the trip there and back in fairly good shape. The play went really well and even included some backstage hijinks by a couple of cast members (not our daughter!). The play ended up being a family affair for us, as B and DH worked the concession stand for one performance, DH was a "backstage bouncer" for another performance and during the downtime between shows, B helped out and hung around backstage most of the time (when she wasn't watching the show or helping at the concession stand), and I was backstage for all performances doing hair and makeup. Of course, A was on stage the entire time and was amazing. Absolutely amazing!! We all had a great time but were definitely tired, in every possible way, when it was all over. We're still trying to recover!
And in other good news, B's soccer team won their game on Saturday! We are so excited -- her first team win! YEA! Doing the happy dance!
Easter was lovely -- the weather was beautiful and perfect. Some friends from another ward joined our ward choir to help with out musical numbers for Sacrament Meeting. It was so nice to see good friends that I don't get to see nearly often enough. I wish they were in our ward...
Report cards come out this week and we expect wonderful grades from both girls, as usual. Then spring break and our upcoming trip to Sea World. It will be nice to get away for just a few days and have some time to relax and reconnect as a family after the busy-ness of the last few weeks and the upcoming continued busy-ness. A's softball season starts this week, with B's soccer season going on. So the craziness isn't letting up yet, but it will be nice to have a short break from it!
I'll post pictures soon...
And in other good news, B's soccer team won their game on Saturday! We are so excited -- her first team win! YEA! Doing the happy dance!
Easter was lovely -- the weather was beautiful and perfect. Some friends from another ward joined our ward choir to help with out musical numbers for Sacrament Meeting. It was so nice to see good friends that I don't get to see nearly often enough. I wish they were in our ward...
Report cards come out this week and we expect wonderful grades from both girls, as usual. Then spring break and our upcoming trip to Sea World. It will be nice to get away for just a few days and have some time to relax and reconnect as a family after the busy-ness of the last few weeks and the upcoming continued busy-ness. A's softball season starts this week, with B's soccer season going on. So the craziness isn't letting up yet, but it will be nice to have a short break from it!
I'll post pictures soon...
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Stayin' Alive...
I know, it's been quite some time since my last update. I'm sorry! Life has been, as usual, insanely busy. I finished a two-week class for work (8 hours a day in class, plus homework and tests -- yuck), and A and I are now in full prep mode for her school play this week. She has the lead and I am in charge of hair and makeup(cast of approximately 50 kids -- thank goodness there will be several people helping). On Saturday, she and I helped paint scenery and props and hemmed new stage curtains. I now have muscles that hurt that I didn't even know existed! The play is coming together well and A is doing a beautiful job in her part. She'll even be singing a solo!
B's soccer season has started and she is enjoying it. She has really improved and is getting more aggressive. She isn't turning cartwheels on the soccer field during the games, either (at least not yet, LOL!). My friend J's husband is coaching the team again. It's a lot of fun for B to have soccer with her friend Jenny. B is also frantically reading everything she can get her hands on to rack up AR (accelerated reader) points at school. AR is a reading incentive program. We're having a hard time finding books that are challenging enough for B at her reading level, but still age appropriate. Suggestions are always welcome! B is also keeping busy with dance and gymnastics. She can now do back and front walkovers and has almost mastered back handsprings. To be that limber again!!!
A is also taking private saxophone lessons from a man at church. He offered to give her free lessons and she is enjoying them. He plays professionally and will be able to provide so much more for her than the school band does. It's fun to hear her play pop songs that we actually recognize!
M's basketball season is over and it's wonderful to have him at home more. Things are crazy for me at work as we're in another huge source selection, which means lots of extra hours for me. But I love doing it.
We are going to Sea World over spring break and are really looking forward to the break. We need it! We're also going to the new water park at Sea World -- Aquatica -- we'll be sure to provide a full report! We can't wait for the break. We're also excited about going to Panama City Beach with my parents and some of my family in April for a few days. My sister A and her family are coming down from Alaska, and we can't wait to see them.
All in all, life is good...just incredibly busy!
B's soccer season has started and she is enjoying it. She has really improved and is getting more aggressive. She isn't turning cartwheels on the soccer field during the games, either (at least not yet, LOL!). My friend J's husband is coaching the team again. It's a lot of fun for B to have soccer with her friend Jenny. B is also frantically reading everything she can get her hands on to rack up AR (accelerated reader) points at school. AR is a reading incentive program. We're having a hard time finding books that are challenging enough for B at her reading level, but still age appropriate. Suggestions are always welcome! B is also keeping busy with dance and gymnastics. She can now do back and front walkovers and has almost mastered back handsprings. To be that limber again!!!
A is also taking private saxophone lessons from a man at church. He offered to give her free lessons and she is enjoying them. He plays professionally and will be able to provide so much more for her than the school band does. It's fun to hear her play pop songs that we actually recognize!
M's basketball season is over and it's wonderful to have him at home more. Things are crazy for me at work as we're in another huge source selection, which means lots of extra hours for me. But I love doing it.
We are going to Sea World over spring break and are really looking forward to the break. We need it! We're also going to the new water park at Sea World -- Aquatica -- we'll be sure to provide a full report! We can't wait for the break. We're also excited about going to Panama City Beach with my parents and some of my family in April for a few days. My sister A and her family are coming down from Alaska, and we can't wait to see them.
All in all, life is good...just incredibly busy!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Another week....
DH and the girls were out of school this week...unfortunately they all got colds and spent the latter half of the week feeling puny, sniffly, sneezy, cough-y, and tired. So much fun at our house! I, on the other hand, still had to work and put in a few late nights at the office.
B's first soccer practice for the spring season was this week. We are all hoping for a great season. She is on the same team as her friend Jenny, whose Dad is one of the coaches. Soccer practice really wore B out on Tuesday...she said she's very out of shape. LOL
A is starting private saxophone lessons today. We have a professional musician in our ward at church who plays several instruments. He was trying to put a ward band together -- it went really well at first and the band played at the ward Christmas party and did a great job -- but since then, only him, A, me, and one other guy have shown up for weekly rehearsals. So we decided to put the band on hold and he offered to give Alyssa free lessons. She's SO bored with band class at school...we're hoping this will be fun for her. Today is also registration for the spring softball season, so we need to get that taken care of.
It has been rainy a lot over the past week but we really need the rain so I can't complain...although the overcast skies do get really dreary. Today the sun is shining so maybe our yard will dry out!
I've been working on organizing our Spring Break trip to SeaWorld. It will be a short trip (about 3 days) but it should be fun. I think I've got everything figured out, but I need to make the hotel reservations. SeaWorld is opening a new water park on March 1 so we're going to include that in our visit. I'm excited about it!
I'm going to be in school (for work) for the next two weeks. The campus is only about 10 minutes from home, but it looks like I'll be going in to the office most days when class is over......things are really crazy busy at work right now.
I'm still keeping an eye on the political situation...the Democratic race is getting more interesting by the day. It will be interesting to see how that plays out. I was surprised and disappointed that Romney came out in support of McCain so quickly -- I didn't expect that to happen until after McCain officially won the nomination. I'm trying to figure out why Romney did it...I have a few thoughts.
I still feel very strongly that I cannot vote for McCain. I have always voted along straight party lines, but am really wondering what to do this year. No, I will not vote for Hillary or Obama, but I also do not feel that I can support McCain. I haven't seen/heard of any great independent candidates, and since Romney through his support to McCain, I can't do a write-in vote for Romney. What to do?
I think this is the year of voting against...not voting for. The conservative Republicans will vote for McCain -- not because they support McCain or even really want him as president, but because they are voting AGAINST the Democrats. Many Democrats and independents will vote for whoever the Democratic candidate is because they are voting AGAINST Bush, and therefore against any Republican. I really think the Democrats will win because the anti-Bush/anti-war sentiment is so strong.
And the primary voting...good grief people...I cannot understand people who vote for Hillary on the sole grounds that she is a woman...for Obama on the sole grounds that he is African-American...and even among those of my own religion, those who voted for Romney on the sole grounds that he is Mormon. Granted, knowing that Romney is a Mormon gives me a good undertanding of his values, but Sen. Harry Reid (D) is a Mormon and there is no way on earth that I would ever vote for that man.
As for those voting for Hillary because she's a woman and Obama because he's African-American, I just have one thing to say. What sense is there in voting for a candidate because of something that is genetic, over which they have absolutely no control? Please. Take time to research the issues, their positions, their experience, etc.....and make an informed choice based on something other than genetics!
B's first soccer practice for the spring season was this week. We are all hoping for a great season. She is on the same team as her friend Jenny, whose Dad is one of the coaches. Soccer practice really wore B out on Tuesday...she said she's very out of shape. LOL
A is starting private saxophone lessons today. We have a professional musician in our ward at church who plays several instruments. He was trying to put a ward band together -- it went really well at first and the band played at the ward Christmas party and did a great job -- but since then, only him, A, me, and one other guy have shown up for weekly rehearsals. So we decided to put the band on hold and he offered to give Alyssa free lessons. She's SO bored with band class at school...we're hoping this will be fun for her. Today is also registration for the spring softball season, so we need to get that taken care of.
It has been rainy a lot over the past week but we really need the rain so I can't complain...although the overcast skies do get really dreary. Today the sun is shining so maybe our yard will dry out!
I've been working on organizing our Spring Break trip to SeaWorld. It will be a short trip (about 3 days) but it should be fun. I think I've got everything figured out, but I need to make the hotel reservations. SeaWorld is opening a new water park on March 1 so we're going to include that in our visit. I'm excited about it!
I'm going to be in school (for work) for the next two weeks. The campus is only about 10 minutes from home, but it looks like I'll be going in to the office most days when class is over......things are really crazy busy at work right now.
I'm still keeping an eye on the political situation...the Democratic race is getting more interesting by the day. It will be interesting to see how that plays out. I was surprised and disappointed that Romney came out in support of McCain so quickly -- I didn't expect that to happen until after McCain officially won the nomination. I'm trying to figure out why Romney did it...I have a few thoughts.
I still feel very strongly that I cannot vote for McCain. I have always voted along straight party lines, but am really wondering what to do this year. No, I will not vote for Hillary or Obama, but I also do not feel that I can support McCain. I haven't seen/heard of any great independent candidates, and since Romney through his support to McCain, I can't do a write-in vote for Romney. What to do?
I think this is the year of voting against...not voting for. The conservative Republicans will vote for McCain -- not because they support McCain or even really want him as president, but because they are voting AGAINST the Democrats. Many Democrats and independents will vote for whoever the Democratic candidate is because they are voting AGAINST Bush, and therefore against any Republican. I really think the Democrats will win because the anti-Bush/anti-war sentiment is so strong.
And the primary voting...good grief people...I cannot understand people who vote for Hillary on the sole grounds that she is a woman...for Obama on the sole grounds that he is African-American...and even among those of my own religion, those who voted for Romney on the sole grounds that he is Mormon. Granted, knowing that Romney is a Mormon gives me a good undertanding of his values, but Sen. Harry Reid (D) is a Mormon and there is no way on earth that I would ever vote for that man.
As for those voting for Hillary because she's a woman and Obama because he's African-American, I just have one thing to say. What sense is there in voting for a candidate because of something that is genetic, over which they have absolutely no control? Please. Take time to research the issues, their positions, their experience, etc.....and make an informed choice based on something other than genetics!
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