Wednesday, March 4, 2009

One of Those Days

Yesterday was one of those days! It began when Teagan missed the bus. I threw on some clothes and drove her to school stopping at Smith's on the way home just to pick up some hot deals on their ad. Seventy seven dollars later I came out and headed home. How does that happen? I came home to find Bruce getting ready for work and Benjamin climbing to the top (the TOP) of the dining room chairs and jumping onto the couch. All the chairs happened to be in the living room because I was going to mop the day before but was never able to finish the job. Anyway he kept getting hurt but just didn't want to stop jumping. I was able to get some laundry and other jobs done in the middle of the day thank goodness.

Now you have to know that our family is a tad overscheduled this school year. I'd rather think of it as being involved and busy. I'm very grateful our children are able to participate in different things of their choosing, I like the schedule we've worked out and I'm not complaining about it one bit. However, as 3:00 draws near I start getting anxious. We usually have neighbor friends I need to send home, then get everything we'll need for the rest of the day: snacks, water bottles, extra pants for my recently potty trained boy whose still having trouble in the bm department, get my workout gear on, motivate the kids to change into the gear they'll need for whatever they're participating in that day. Well, yesterday Trent had swimming from 4-5, Teagan had dance from 4:30-6:00, Brilee and Benjamin were going to go to the Kids Klub while I squeezed in a workout for myself at the gym. Then Trent and Teagan had early judging (cuz the girls have a dance performance out of town this weekend) for the Jr. Music Fest and they had to arrive in their Sunday best by 6:25 p.m.

So I was throwing dinner in the crock pot, making sure I had all the dressy clothes and sending kids to the car when I realized I couldn't find my keys anywhere. Nor could I seem to locate my spare set of keys. Finally, all the kids were in their seat belts and all the gear was in the car but I was still walking through the house wondering what in the world I had done with my keys when I'd gotten home from Smith's earlier in the day. They weren't in ANY of the places I put them and I was worried that Benjamin had played with them. I went out to the car to question him and let him out of his carseat to show me where he might have put them. Nothing came of it and by this time both Teagan and Brilee were praying we would find the keys but it just wasn't working.

Finally I called Bruce and he said he'd run his key home but I knew it would take him a good 15 minutes to get there. So I just took a deep breath and started folding the pile of clean clothes on my bed to calm down. What else could I do? When he made it home we finally got on our way and Teagan was only a little late for dance but Trent had pretty much missed his swim session and I canceled my Kids Klub reservation and tried to run some errands instead. We picked Teagan up from dance at 6:00 and the kids changed into their dressy clothes on the way to ISU. I pulled into my parking spot and looked at the clock - 6:20. Ahh, we're early. One good thing to happen today. We met up with Bruce inside and checked in. It was then I realized I completely forgot about their sheet music, it was sitting on the piano at home. They were each playing two songs. The director said Trent and Teagan needed the sheet music to give to the judges so they'd know if the song was being played right.

Sooooo, I jumped in the car and raced home all the while Benjamin screamed that he had changed his mind and didn't really want to go with mom but wanted to stay there with dad! By this time I seriously couldn't believe how the day was going. It took me a good 30 minutes to get home and back and I was FAST to say the least. Meanwhile, Trent and Teagan had been able to practice their pieces on pianos in the fine art building so they were ready to go. The best news of the day is that they both earned SUPERIOR scores! Next year the sheet music will be THEIR responsibility. They'll probably remember better than I and save me a trip home. Great job Trent and Teagan!

Benjamin entertaining himself by being a puppy.
Trent is showing off his new florescent green retainer.

Bruce and Teagan

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

I've Missed Skiing!

Tonight our ward (church congregation) rented the ski resort that's a 30 minute drive from where we live. I had a blast! The first couple of runs I was pretty rusty. Well, hey, there sure aren't any ski hills in the South! After a while I was loving it and can't wait to go again. I love that we live this close to a resort! Trent and I were the only ones to ski, Bruce chased the other three around the lodge. It was kind of funny cuz it was only Trent's third time to ski but he was giving me refresher pointers. I think it's been at least 13 years since I have snow skied. It sure felt good to go again, forgot my camera though. Next time...

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Top 8 of '08 even if its late

I've been wanting to post our family's top 8 events of '08 but thanks to the help of one certain three year old, I couldn't find my memory card. But, alas, I finally located it so decided to go ahead and post. Hey, don't look at me like that, the Oscars for best movies in '08 were just awarded yesterday.

#8
Trent and Teagan both participated in our city's Junior Music Fest after taking piano lessons for one year. They each played two songs and both earned a Superior rating. Teagan played "Frog on a Log" by Martha Mier and "Grandpa's Pocket Watch" by Deborah Brady. Trent played "Frolic" by Ronald Bennett - I really liked that one. I don't remember the other one though. They are currently preparing for this years Music Fest next month.

#7
Brilee started kindergarten! When we moved into our new house the family acrossed the street had moved in a couple months before us and happened to have a cute red headed girl just Brilee's age. They ended up in the same class and are the best of friends! It has been awesome for shy Brilee to have someone to hang with and walk home from the bus stop. Here they are eating donuts on a string at a school carnival.

#6
Trent turned 12, received the Aaronic Priesthood and began passing the sacrament at church. He attended his first full week of scout camp at beautiful Camp Loll near Yellowstone National Park. Bruce was able to go along and they had a great time.


#5
Walt Disney World! Bruce's parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Thanksgiving weekend and flew the whole family (46 people) to Orlando, Florida for five fun filled days! They are a great example to us, showing us how it's done. We love you Grandpa and Grandma!
#4
Bruce was able to secure a large research grant that was a collaboration between ISU, USU and the Army Corps of Engineers. It's a dam spillway study. Hurray, one step closer to tenure!

#3
Reflections Winners! Reflections is a PTA contest in the arts. Trent, Teagan, and Brilee all entered in the visual arts category and each placed in their individual divisions. No one could have been more shocked than me. There were 152 entries at their school. I mean I would have believed it if one placed, but all three? Wow! (BTW that was the theme for the contest this year). We found out last month that Teagan and Brilee placed at the district level and their pictures went on to state! We'll have to post the actual pictures when we get them back in June.
#2
The Nutcracker! The girls had a blast dancing in the Nutcracker, Teagan as an angel and Brilee as a lamb.
Add Image#1
By far the number stress relieving event in 2008 was finishing our new home and getting moved in!!! It was one grueling summer but we were (and are) so happy to be moved in. We have great neighbors and love it out here! Bruce has his acreage and I have a new home. (Pleeeaaaase no more remodeling projects!!!!) Can we just move in and live our lives now? Oh, thank you, thank you!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

My First Tag!

Jennifer, my cousin Tyson's wife, tagged me. Let's see, does that make her my cousin-in-law? Hmmm... It is my first tag in the blogosphere! The first one was supposed to be favorite TV shows but I changed it to movies since I watch so very little television. (Who has time?) Well, here goes...

8 Movies I liked:
1. Radio
2. Hitch
3. Remember the Titans
4. Pursuit of Happyness
5. Glory Road
6. Homeless to Harvard
7. White Chicks
8. Pride & Prejudice


8 Things I did yesterday:
1. Talked to my sister on the phone
2. A Turbo Kick class at the gym
3. Read books to Brilee and Benjamin
4. Baked two loaves of banana bread
5. Drove Brilee to TaVaci
6. Drove Teagan to tumbling
7. Vacuumed the bedrooms
8. Checked my email


8 Things I look forward to:
1. Benjamin being potty trained
2. Getting more snow
3. A Temple trip this Friday with girlfriends
4. Taking the kids roller skating Saturday if they make the bus all week
5. Getting our landscaping done
6. Date nights with Bruce
7. Time to read all the books sitting on my nightstand
8. Getting together with extended family


8 Favorite restaurants:
1. Ruby River
2. Texas Road House
3. Olive Garden
4. Red Lobster
5. Butter Burr's
6. The Lion House
7. Chilis
8. Applebees


8 Things on my wish list:
1. Bruce to get our humidifier installed
2. Shelves in the garage
3. More shelves in the storage room
4. Finding a good preschool for Ben before they all fill up (yes I mean for Fall)
5. A magnetic board in the kitchen to display all our art, notes etc.
6. My hair to grow
7. That we can get our lawn planted in early spring
8. The economy to improve


8 People I tag:
1. Melinda
2. Heather
3. Andrea
4. Lisa
5. Martina
6. Wendy
7. Amilyn
8. Lynetta

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Welcome to our new page

This is our new blog ..... I imagine it will be changing as Gayla tries new things.
Bruce