With Mark and the girls being gone right now, I'm having to take care of everything at the house by myself. I have discovered a few things I'm not good at...
1. Killing bugs of any kind. Yeah, you knew that already. In the first couple of days they were gone, I had to kill four bugs. Yuck! The bugs need to stay away.
2. Cutting watermelons and cantaloupes. I can't cut straight at all...the pieces come out in funny shapes and I made quite the mess.
3. Getting up early to deal with the dogs. Why do the dogs insist on getting up around 6 am, if not earlier? Especially on days I don't have to get up early?
4. Being alone. That's the worst part. I'm definitely not good at being alone.
1 week down...2 to go.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The Week in Review....
It's been an event filled week! We started off by spending Memorial Day weekend at the beach with some wonderful friends. We spent Saturday morning at the beach and then left the men at home while the ladies and kids went to the outlets for some shopping. We found some amazing deals! Gotta love outlet shopping! After that, we had a cookout together and just enjoyed each other's company. We went to the beach again Sunday morning and then did a little sightseeing and shopping Sunday afternoon, followed by dinner at a wonderful Italian restaurant where I had the best pasta primavera I've ever eaten. It was amazing! Then Monday morning we went back to the beach for a couple of hours before heading home. It was a fabulous weekend -- so relaxing, and so much fun. I'm already looking into plans to go back for at least a day trip before the end of summer...if not another weekend!
Yesterday was my ballet recital. Yes, I know -- you didn't know about it. That was intentional because I really didn't want anyone there -- my anxiety level would have been through the roof! Dress rehearsal couldn't have gone any better Friday night...unfortunately, I didn't do as well for the show yesterday (when my parents and Alyssa were there -- I blame them -- I knew they were there and it made me nervous! LOL). But it still went pretty well. To be completely honest, I'm pretty proud of myself for working towards a dream I've had since childhood! I will continue to take classes...although I'm not sure I want to perform in another recital!!
Alyssa is now enrolled in an online driver's training course, which means she is one step closer to getting her driver's license.
Brie is going to Mark's basketball camp this week...that should be interesting since she's never played basketball before! But she's excited about it. I hope she has a good time!
Yesterday was my ballet recital. Yes, I know -- you didn't know about it. That was intentional because I really didn't want anyone there -- my anxiety level would have been through the roof! Dress rehearsal couldn't have gone any better Friday night...unfortunately, I didn't do as well for the show yesterday (when my parents and Alyssa were there -- I blame them -- I knew they were there and it made me nervous! LOL). But it still went pretty well. To be completely honest, I'm pretty proud of myself for working towards a dream I've had since childhood! I will continue to take classes...although I'm not sure I want to perform in another recital!!
Alyssa is now enrolled in an online driver's training course, which means she is one step closer to getting her driver's license.
Brie is going to Mark's basketball camp this week...that should be interesting since she's never played basketball before! But she's excited about it. I hope she has a good time!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Random Thoughts....
It's time for another edition of random thoughts...and, in no particular order:
1. I went to a leadership class last week where I learned that I am now an ENFJ (I used to be ESFJ), that my preferred conflict resolution style is compromise (I am a people pleaser), and that my FIRO-B scores are 9/9 for inclusion, 9/4 for control, and 9/9 for affection. Yeah, tell me something I don't know! LOL I really did enjoy the class -- I learned a lot about myself and why I do some of the things I do. It's always good to develop new insights about yourself.
2. A woman who is terrified of elevators can convince three seemingly gruff, tough men (one bodybuilder and active duty member of the military, one marathon runner and retired member of the miitary, and one just plain big guy) to go up and down 16 flights of stairs repeatedly over the course of a 2 1/2 day class. And then those men will surprise her by not only offering to go up and down the stairs with her so she doesn't have to ride the elevator and doesn't have to take the stairs alone, but will also willingly offer their arms for her to dig her fingernails into during the elevator ride. Chivalry is not dead.
3. I have a hard time sitting still through anything and everything.
4. The windows in the chapel let in enough sunlight to be able to perform a piano solo when the electricity is off. Darn!
5. I cannot wait to go to the beach this weekend. I so desperately need some beach time. There is something so incredibly relaxing about sitting on the beach, listening to and watching the waves, and just being there in the moment. It recharges me. And being surrounded by friends will be fun, too!
6. Tomorrow is the last day of school. My baby is graduating from 5th grade. I am SO not ok with this. Sixth great definitely needs to be part of elementary school.
1. I went to a leadership class last week where I learned that I am now an ENFJ (I used to be ESFJ), that my preferred conflict resolution style is compromise (I am a people pleaser), and that my FIRO-B scores are 9/9 for inclusion, 9/4 for control, and 9/9 for affection. Yeah, tell me something I don't know! LOL I really did enjoy the class -- I learned a lot about myself and why I do some of the things I do. It's always good to develop new insights about yourself.
2. A woman who is terrified of elevators can convince three seemingly gruff, tough men (one bodybuilder and active duty member of the military, one marathon runner and retired member of the miitary, and one just plain big guy) to go up and down 16 flights of stairs repeatedly over the course of a 2 1/2 day class. And then those men will surprise her by not only offering to go up and down the stairs with her so she doesn't have to ride the elevator and doesn't have to take the stairs alone, but will also willingly offer their arms for her to dig her fingernails into during the elevator ride. Chivalry is not dead.
3. I have a hard time sitting still through anything and everything.
4. The windows in the chapel let in enough sunlight to be able to perform a piano solo when the electricity is off. Darn!
5. I cannot wait to go to the beach this weekend. I so desperately need some beach time. There is something so incredibly relaxing about sitting on the beach, listening to and watching the waves, and just being there in the moment. It recharges me. And being surrounded by friends will be fun, too!
6. Tomorrow is the last day of school. My baby is graduating from 5th grade. I am SO not ok with this. Sixth great definitely needs to be part of elementary school.
Friday, May 21, 2010
And So it Goes...
My last post was my opportunity to reminisce about Brie as she nears a milestone in her life. Now I get to reminisce about Alyssa...
It's so hard to believe that she is done with her sophomore year in high school. What an amazingly successful year she has had! Straight As (actually, straight 100s!) in two AP classes, one gifted class, three honors classes, Spanish 3, and marketing...lettering in two sports...being nominated for a prestigious summer gifted program in four subjects...winning her regional DECA competion, then placing in the state competition, and the competing in the international competition...and just recently being selected for our city chamber of commerce's Youth Leadership Program and for a wonderful summer program for students who want to teach math or science in the future (only 25 students from the entire state are selected!). But what has really filled us with joy this year is her desire to do her best and to really work hard to achieve her goals. She has far outshone any of my high school accomplishments (which I used to think were numerous, LOL). And through all of this, she attended early morning seminary without complaint.
Her teachers have repeatedly expressed to us what a joy she is to work with and how impressed they are with her work ethic, her attitude, and her dedication. She truly is a remarkable young woman.
In the midst of her preparations for AP exams this year, she was getting a bit frustrated, stressed, and down on herself. I ordered her a necklace I found online, with a little silver tag that says "I can do hard things." I wanted to remind her not only CAN she do hard things, but that she can do them well and that she should do them -- that she should choose to do them.
One of the hardest things I ever did was leave her, as a tiny, precious little baby, in the hospital NICU after I was discharged. No new mother wants to leave her baby behind...and I'm so grateful it was only for a few days. But it was so very hard. It was hard to give birth to her only to have her rushed out of the room and away from me, not to see her for hours and hours and hours. (I won't even go into the fact that natural childbirth was *really* hard, LOL.) It was hard to go watch her go through some interesting health scares as a baby...chronic ear infections and a few ear surgeries as a toddler and child...and it has been hard to leave behind each phase of life (infancy, the toddler years, childhood....) and move with her into the next phase of life.
I feel sorry for her at times because she's stuck with rookie parents. She is the guinea pig. We've never had a teenager before and the road has had its share of bumps and potholes, along with rainbows and flowers. But I can honestly say that there isn't a teenager on the face of the earth that I would rather go on this journey with. She is an example to me of strength and determination. The poor girl inherited some of my perfectionist tendencies and it is hard to try to convince her that it's ok to let go a little bit...not that I've mastered that lesson yet.
It will be hard to let her get behind the wheel of a car by herself in a few months...and it will be hard to have her attend a different high school than the one her Daddy teaches at. It will be hard to let her go on her first date...and, when the time comes, I know it will be so very hard to send her off to college. I imagine I'll feel a bit like I did that early August morning almost 16 years ago when she was rushed out of the delivery room and away from me...like a piece of my heart has been ripped out. So very hard. But this is what parenting is about -- about letting go a little more each step of the way.
The fact that I can do hard things doesn't mean I have to like doing them. And letting her grow up is something I don't really like doing.
I think she has taught me, more than I have taught her, that we can do hard things. And that the hard things are worth doing.
It's so hard to believe that she is done with her sophomore year in high school. What an amazingly successful year she has had! Straight As (actually, straight 100s!) in two AP classes, one gifted class, three honors classes, Spanish 3, and marketing...lettering in two sports...being nominated for a prestigious summer gifted program in four subjects...winning her regional DECA competion, then placing in the state competition, and the competing in the international competition...and just recently being selected for our city chamber of commerce's Youth Leadership Program and for a wonderful summer program for students who want to teach math or science in the future (only 25 students from the entire state are selected!). But what has really filled us with joy this year is her desire to do her best and to really work hard to achieve her goals. She has far outshone any of my high school accomplishments (which I used to think were numerous, LOL). And through all of this, she attended early morning seminary without complaint.
Her teachers have repeatedly expressed to us what a joy she is to work with and how impressed they are with her work ethic, her attitude, and her dedication. She truly is a remarkable young woman.
In the midst of her preparations for AP exams this year, she was getting a bit frustrated, stressed, and down on herself. I ordered her a necklace I found online, with a little silver tag that says "I can do hard things." I wanted to remind her not only CAN she do hard things, but that she can do them well and that she should do them -- that she should choose to do them.
One of the hardest things I ever did was leave her, as a tiny, precious little baby, in the hospital NICU after I was discharged. No new mother wants to leave her baby behind...and I'm so grateful it was only for a few days. But it was so very hard. It was hard to give birth to her only to have her rushed out of the room and away from me, not to see her for hours and hours and hours. (I won't even go into the fact that natural childbirth was *really* hard, LOL.) It was hard to go watch her go through some interesting health scares as a baby...chronic ear infections and a few ear surgeries as a toddler and child...and it has been hard to leave behind each phase of life (infancy, the toddler years, childhood....) and move with her into the next phase of life.
I feel sorry for her at times because she's stuck with rookie parents. She is the guinea pig. We've never had a teenager before and the road has had its share of bumps and potholes, along with rainbows and flowers. But I can honestly say that there isn't a teenager on the face of the earth that I would rather go on this journey with. She is an example to me of strength and determination. The poor girl inherited some of my perfectionist tendencies and it is hard to try to convince her that it's ok to let go a little bit...not that I've mastered that lesson yet.
It will be hard to let her get behind the wheel of a car by herself in a few months...and it will be hard to have her attend a different high school than the one her Daddy teaches at. It will be hard to let her go on her first date...and, when the time comes, I know it will be so very hard to send her off to college. I imagine I'll feel a bit like I did that early August morning almost 16 years ago when she was rushed out of the delivery room and away from me...like a piece of my heart has been ripped out. So very hard. But this is what parenting is about -- about letting go a little more each step of the way.
The fact that I can do hard things doesn't mean I have to like doing them. And letting her grow up is something I don't really like doing.
I think she has taught me, more than I have taught her, that we can do hard things. And that the hard things are worth doing.
Friday, May 14, 2010
In the Blink of an Eye...
Our sweet Brie turned 11 last week. I know a lot of people say things like, "It seems like just yesterday...." and I used to roll my eyes when I heard that. But really, it does feel like just yesterday that this beautiful, adorable, charming, sweet, loving, smart, fabulous little girl joined our family. We prayed and waited and prayed and waited and prayed and waited a long time for her.
Her arrival in the world was a totally different experience from Alyssa's arrival...with Alyssa, there was trauma and risk and danger and all of those lovely (not) things, culminating in her being rushed off to the NICU before I could hold her. It was hours before I was able to see her...and then hold her a few hours later. The wait was terrible, and holding her for the first time was incredible, even with all of the wires, tubes and machines that she was hooked up to.
After all of that, I wasn't quite sure what to expect when Brie finally arrived. In fact, the L&D nurse looked at me like I was crazy when I asked her what was going to happen after the baby was born...but I really didn't know what to expect with a full-term (well, close enough to full-term) baby.
I will never forget the moment she arrived and they quickly handed her to me. Wow. I remember making almost instant eye contact with her, laying my hand on the side of her face and just looking at her, with her looking back at me. It was an incredible moment...one that I have not been blessed to have again. But it was wonderful. And she seemed so peaceful at first...LOL...I guess she was lulling into a sense of false security, thinking that she was a peaceful baby. Oh no -- she was mischievous from the start...and has brought us smiles and joy ever since.
I remember going to church with her on Mother's Day that year -- she was less than a week old and I didn't want to go but my Mom insisted. We left in her in carseat and put it where no one could touch her...I was so nervous about her getting sick. But what a wonderful Mother's Day that was...I remember sitting on the couch just cuddling my new baby for most of the day.
It really does seem like yesterday. The days of infancy and toddlerhood passed so quickly...and now we're approaching the tail end, I suppose, of childhood. Just two more years until she's a teenager. We're approaching the end of elementary school in a few short days...the end of Primary in another year...the beginning of middle school and new adventures.
These 11 years have passed so quickly...literally in the blink of an eye. It's sad...but exciting at the same time.
Her arrival in the world was a totally different experience from Alyssa's arrival...with Alyssa, there was trauma and risk and danger and all of those lovely (not) things, culminating in her being rushed off to the NICU before I could hold her. It was hours before I was able to see her...and then hold her a few hours later. The wait was terrible, and holding her for the first time was incredible, even with all of the wires, tubes and machines that she was hooked up to.
After all of that, I wasn't quite sure what to expect when Brie finally arrived. In fact, the L&D nurse looked at me like I was crazy when I asked her what was going to happen after the baby was born...but I really didn't know what to expect with a full-term (well, close enough to full-term) baby.
I will never forget the moment she arrived and they quickly handed her to me. Wow. I remember making almost instant eye contact with her, laying my hand on the side of her face and just looking at her, with her looking back at me. It was an incredible moment...one that I have not been blessed to have again. But it was wonderful. And she seemed so peaceful at first...LOL...I guess she was lulling into a sense of false security, thinking that she was a peaceful baby. Oh no -- she was mischievous from the start...and has brought us smiles and joy ever since.
I remember going to church with her on Mother's Day that year -- she was less than a week old and I didn't want to go but my Mom insisted. We left in her in carseat and put it where no one could touch her...I was so nervous about her getting sick. But what a wonderful Mother's Day that was...I remember sitting on the couch just cuddling my new baby for most of the day.
It really does seem like yesterday. The days of infancy and toddlerhood passed so quickly...and now we're approaching the tail end, I suppose, of childhood. Just two more years until she's a teenager. We're approaching the end of elementary school in a few short days...the end of Primary in another year...the beginning of middle school and new adventures.
These 11 years have passed so quickly...literally in the blink of an eye. It's sad...but exciting at the same time.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
The Week in Review...
I'm a couple of weeks behind already! *Sigh*
It has been a busy two weeks...mostly due to an injury Brienna sustained at her school sports club. She fell, someone landed on top of her, and she "sprained" her jaw (that's what the pediatrician said -- personally, I didn't know the jaw could be sprained!). It has been quite painful to her and led to follow-up appointments with the dentist, the pediatrician again, and an oral surgeon just to make sure no serious damage was done. The poor girl is still having a hard time moving her jaw, and chewing has been very difficult. It's only been since yesterday that she's been able to eat anything that wasn't very soft, like applesauce, yogurt, oatmeal, soup, and macaroni. It has been very painful and one of the things that is hardest for me about being a parent is watching one of my children suffer. It is torture to the highest degree for me. Fortunately, is is starting to feel better and tonight for dinner we're going to try her with some meat (finely chopped, of course) and see how that goes.
Alyssa has finished her track season and says she never wants to run the 800M again. LOL It is not her favorite event. She really wanted to run the mile this season, and she did a few times, but her coach kept her in the 800M and she didn't like it at all. He has already told her she will be able to run the mile next season so she's happy about that. She is away for a few days at the international DECA competition (after a two hour flight delay...they barely made it to the location in time to register for the competition and take her written exam). Tomorrow is the role play competition, an exclusive DECA only concert by Lady Antebellum, and a tour of the Louisville Slugger museum and Churchill Downs. I think she'll have a great time.
Last weekend we had a formal youth dance at church and our ward was in charge of the decorations. It was a lot of hard work but it came together beautifully! I am glad it's over, though. A couple of pictures...
It's hard to believe Alyssa is growing up so quickly!!!
It has been a busy two weeks...mostly due to an injury Brienna sustained at her school sports club. She fell, someone landed on top of her, and she "sprained" her jaw (that's what the pediatrician said -- personally, I didn't know the jaw could be sprained!). It has been quite painful to her and led to follow-up appointments with the dentist, the pediatrician again, and an oral surgeon just to make sure no serious damage was done. The poor girl is still having a hard time moving her jaw, and chewing has been very difficult. It's only been since yesterday that she's been able to eat anything that wasn't very soft, like applesauce, yogurt, oatmeal, soup, and macaroni. It has been very painful and one of the things that is hardest for me about being a parent is watching one of my children suffer. It is torture to the highest degree for me. Fortunately, is is starting to feel better and tonight for dinner we're going to try her with some meat (finely chopped, of course) and see how that goes.
Alyssa has finished her track season and says she never wants to run the 800M again. LOL It is not her favorite event. She really wanted to run the mile this season, and she did a few times, but her coach kept her in the 800M and she didn't like it at all. He has already told her she will be able to run the mile next season so she's happy about that. She is away for a few days at the international DECA competition (after a two hour flight delay...they barely made it to the location in time to register for the competition and take her written exam). Tomorrow is the role play competition, an exclusive DECA only concert by Lady Antebellum, and a tour of the Louisville Slugger museum and Churchill Downs. I think she'll have a great time.
Last weekend we had a formal youth dance at church and our ward was in charge of the decorations. It was a lot of hard work but it came together beautifully! I am glad it's over, though. A couple of pictures...
It's hard to believe Alyssa is growing up so quickly!!!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Synthetic Division
Alyssa brought home her math test the other day and I had to sign it (standard classroom procedure -- don't worry, she got 102 on the test!). In the written responses, I saw the term "synthetically divide". Having never heard the term before, I asked her what it meant. She responded that, even if she explained it to me, I wouldn't understand it. She wasn't being rude or disrespectful -- she was stating a fact. I don't understand math well at all. I would rather do almost anything than work a math problem!
But this little exchange has stuck with me for the last day or so and I've found myself thinking a lot about it. Not about synthetic division itself, whatever that is. But about the fact that there are areas of my daughters' lives where they have, or will soon, far outrun me in knowledge and learning. I think that's the way it's suposed to be. I am proud of my girls and their amazing gifts for learning, particularly in math and science. I want them to do well. I think as parents it is our job to equip our children with the tools they need to learn and succeed and encourage and help them along the way. But in some areas, Alyssa has reached the point where I can no longer help her and teach her...I have to rely on someone else to do that, while I stand by and be the best cheerleader for her that I can be. My children have a love of learning and I am proud of that. Now I just stand on the sidelines and cheer her on.
I hope, though, that I do not allow my spiritual learning, growth, and development to be at a level where I am no longer able to help and teach my children and set a good example for them. I fear that I have allowed too much stagnation to take place and have not set a good example of talking openly and frequently of spiritual things in our home. I need to work on this. I know my girls have testimonies, and I know that Mark and I have testimonies. And while I may not be able to understand synthetic division and help Alyssa with her math homework (truth be told, I haven't been able to help her with her math homework for years!), I can teach them about the gospel and share my knowledge, understanding, and testimony with them. My role as a hands-on teacher in the sense of basic education and skills may be drawing to a close with Alyssa, and Brie is sure to outrun me as well before too much longer, but my role as a spiritual teacher is far from ended.
But this little exchange has stuck with me for the last day or so and I've found myself thinking a lot about it. Not about synthetic division itself, whatever that is. But about the fact that there are areas of my daughters' lives where they have, or will soon, far outrun me in knowledge and learning. I think that's the way it's suposed to be. I am proud of my girls and their amazing gifts for learning, particularly in math and science. I want them to do well. I think as parents it is our job to equip our children with the tools they need to learn and succeed and encourage and help them along the way. But in some areas, Alyssa has reached the point where I can no longer help her and teach her...I have to rely on someone else to do that, while I stand by and be the best cheerleader for her that I can be. My children have a love of learning and I am proud of that. Now I just stand on the sidelines and cheer her on.
I hope, though, that I do not allow my spiritual learning, growth, and development to be at a level where I am no longer able to help and teach my children and set a good example for them. I fear that I have allowed too much stagnation to take place and have not set a good example of talking openly and frequently of spiritual things in our home. I need to work on this. I know my girls have testimonies, and I know that Mark and I have testimonies. And while I may not be able to understand synthetic division and help Alyssa with her math homework (truth be told, I haven't been able to help her with her math homework for years!), I can teach them about the gospel and share my knowledge, understanding, and testimony with them. My role as a hands-on teacher in the sense of basic education and skills may be drawing to a close with Alyssa, and Brie is sure to outrun me as well before too much longer, but my role as a spiritual teacher is far from ended.
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