*won an art contest at school today for a watercolor she did. Grandpa E. will be proud.
*she also lost an ENORMOUS molar today. Quite the bloody mess. Seriously wondered if it was an adult tooth when I saw it.
*is taking tumbling classes with her sisters. Very entertaining, but she'll never see me laugh.
*had a boy at school tell her yesterday that she was "too pretty to be the shark" in a game they were playing. This made her (and my) day! Love playground innocence- if just for a few more months!
*was Cleopatra for half of Halloween and a Karate Kid for the other half. Perfectly reflects her girly girl and tomboy sides.
*FINALLY enjoys playing the piano. This is a miracle and might only last till next week's lesson.
*knows about Santa Claus and everyone else and is the perfect pretender in front of her sisters.
*still loves to cuddle and give me kisses. Something I treasure and hope will last longer than the playground innocence.
*has many nicknames. Maddie and Max are the two most common at the moment. For some reason she is NOT okay with occasionally changing "Max" to "Maxi Pad". Can't understand why.
*turns 11 this month. Where did the time go?
I love you, Madylin Elise Ericksen.
*I'd love to add a photo here, but our most recent ones were taken with Mark's camera and are still in a RAW format. Soon, I hope to erase this message and post one. :)
It's half time during a high-stress Alabama vs. South Carolina football game. The girls can tell I'm worried for the Crimson Tide. The score is 21-9 and South Carolina is in the lead and playing a near-perfect game.
Celeste just came over to me with these coupons and said, "You can use them as much as you want, millions of times." From the top left the coupons read, "Masaj," "Masaj feet," "Tickole," and "Play with here." Or, "massage," "massage feet," "tickle," and "play with hair," if you need it translated.
Maybe I should calm down a wee bit. Love my girl. :)
UPDATE: We lost 35-21 and those "masajes" are really gonna feel good.
Celeste just came over to me with these coupons and said, "You can use them as much as you want, millions of times." From the top left the coupons read, "Masaj," "Masaj feet," "Tickole," and "Play with here." Or, "massage," "massage feet," "tickle," and "play with hair," if you need it translated.
Maybe I should calm down a wee bit. Love my girl. :)
UPDATE: We lost 35-21 and those "masajes" are really gonna feel good.
I have a brown, kind-of rusty metal file box filled with letters from my college days. A time before cell phones and when email was still very new and only the rich kids had a pc. No one in college had laptops. Long-distance calls were expensive and rare. My parents actually paid to have a 1-800 number so my frequent calls home weren't so expensive.
This little box of mine is stuffed full of letters from friends and relatives who kept up with me while I was at BYU. I sat down to go through some of the letters and I remembered friends I'd forgotten and hilarious (and not-so-funny) experiences from my college days. Many envelopes are decorated with stickers or drawings. Some handwriting is sloppy and hard to decipher. I even have a 4-leaf clover a high school friend sent me for good luck.
My little box holds the emotions and LIFE of my past. It is filled with love and heartache and sometimes even silly, bathroom humor. It is priceless to me and I treasure its contents.
There's something uniquely special about opening an old envelope and unfolding the stationery and personal writings of a friend. Something invaluable is lost through emails and texts. The care, the love, the trueness of the message is lacking.
I don't hand write very many letters any more. I even subscribe to a card-sending service that literally does that- I type a message and the card is stamped and sent for me. But, as I reflect, I'm not sure I'm okay with this. How personal can a letter really be that comes from a business- even if my words are inside the card? How meaningful?
I never read my old emails because there are always more in my inbox. I don't treasure them. I might star a couple here and there, but usually even the starred ones are forgotten.
Can I fix this? Will my girls feel the excitement of getting mail in a mailbox when they're far from home? I am determined to make it so.
Ahhh, how I LOVE my letters. They still bring me joy, 15 years later. I can't wait to call up some of my friends and remind them of our college-day DRAMA! And I want to thank my Mom for her words of encouragement. Something I'm sure I took for granted back then. I am forever grateful for so many happy memories, preserved in my little brown box.
This little box of mine is stuffed full of letters from friends and relatives who kept up with me while I was at BYU. I sat down to go through some of the letters and I remembered friends I'd forgotten and hilarious (and not-so-funny) experiences from my college days. Many envelopes are decorated with stickers or drawings. Some handwriting is sloppy and hard to decipher. I even have a 4-leaf clover a high school friend sent me for good luck.
My little box holds the emotions and LIFE of my past. It is filled with love and heartache and sometimes even silly, bathroom humor. It is priceless to me and I treasure its contents.
There's something uniquely special about opening an old envelope and unfolding the stationery and personal writings of a friend. Something invaluable is lost through emails and texts. The care, the love, the trueness of the message is lacking.
I don't hand write very many letters any more. I even subscribe to a card-sending service that literally does that- I type a message and the card is stamped and sent for me. But, as I reflect, I'm not sure I'm okay with this. How personal can a letter really be that comes from a business- even if my words are inside the card? How meaningful?
I never read my old emails because there are always more in my inbox. I don't treasure them. I might star a couple here and there, but usually even the starred ones are forgotten.
Can I fix this? Will my girls feel the excitement of getting mail in a mailbox when they're far from home? I am determined to make it so.
Ahhh, how I LOVE my letters. They still bring me joy, 15 years later. I can't wait to call up some of my friends and remind them of our college-day DRAMA! And I want to thank my Mom for her words of encouragement. Something I'm sure I took for granted back then. I am forever grateful for so many happy memories, preserved in my little brown box.
Today at Old Navy Celeste grabbed the buns of one of the mannequins and squeezed them. She thought her risque behavior was hilarious. (and so did I!) When she's being mischievous, her right eyebrow arches up and it is the cutest thing. I love that girl.
Tonight I had the privilege of listening to President Thomas S. Monson speak to the women of our church. I feel spiritually fed and eager to be better. The theme of his talk was to follow Christ's example and "Judge Not!" He quoted Mother Theresa who said, "If you judge people, you have no time to love them." How true! I love that! I am quick to negatively judge people (especially strangers). He counseled us to "wear the mantle of charity" and to be tolerant, lenient, forgiving, patient, sympathetic, compassionate, and merciful- especially in times of weakness and error of others. He encouraged us to be charitable towards the unnoticed and discouraged. He also quoted Horace Mann as saying, "To pity distress is but human, to relieve it is God like." Love it!!!
I am resolved to be kinder and more loving. Just tonight at the grocery store, the check-out lines were long and I noticed two people in line behind me who darted towards a newly opened line. The woman had been in front, but gestured for the man to go in front of her. The man didn't hesitate, but immediately took her up on her offer and moved to the front. My natural, reactive thought was, "Where is chivalry? I can't believe he had the gall to get in front of her! Pig!" Then, I stopped myself and tried to re-train my thought process. The Christ-like way to look at the situation would be to praise her gesture and her charitable act. And, then to assume that maybe he needs to hurry home to help a sick child or something noble like that. {Sigh} Thinking this way will take some major practice on my part.
I am grateful for my Savior and His sacrifice on my behalf so that I can repent and be better. I wonder how many times I will have to hear His words before I will actually heed them. I'll try today and then tomorrow and hopefully better habits will one day become second-nature for me.
I am resolved to be kinder and more loving. Just tonight at the grocery store, the check-out lines were long and I noticed two people in line behind me who darted towards a newly opened line. The woman had been in front, but gestured for the man to go in front of her. The man didn't hesitate, but immediately took her up on her offer and moved to the front. My natural, reactive thought was, "Where is chivalry? I can't believe he had the gall to get in front of her! Pig!" Then, I stopped myself and tried to re-train my thought process. The Christ-like way to look at the situation would be to praise her gesture and her charitable act. And, then to assume that maybe he needs to hurry home to help a sick child or something noble like that. {Sigh} Thinking this way will take some major practice on my part.
I am grateful for my Savior and His sacrifice on my behalf so that I can repent and be better. I wonder how many times I will have to hear His words before I will actually heed them. I'll try today and then tomorrow and hopefully better habits will one day become second-nature for me.
We just took our 1992 Toyota Camry in for some repairs and the total came to $1100. Yeah, a pretty big chunk, but everyone says Toyotas run forever and I know Madylin is going to be THRILLED to drive a car that is 7-yrs older than her one day. I think we'll even drive it to the high school on her birthday and put a big bow on it- just to humiliate her! I love planning more ways to harass and embarrass my kids. So fun!
The repairman told me they have a Camry that comes into the shop with 750,000 miles on it!!!! What the?!?! That means ours still has more than a half million miles to go! Makes me think we might actually take ours to get a Maaco-ver. Toyotas rock.
The repairman told me they have a Camry that comes into the shop with 750,000 miles on it!!!! What the?!?! That means ours still has more than a half million miles to go! Makes me think we might actually take ours to get a Maaco-ver. Toyotas rock.
I've recently discovered a GREAT way to get under my kids' skin. I simply refer to their Furreal pets as "robots". HEHEHEHEHEHEHE, Cackle, Cackle, Cackle!!! Sometimes it is TOO fun to be a parent! :)
When we lived in Trussville, the only place I visited that was within walking distance was my neighbor's house. I became very accustomed to driving around 15 minutes or more to nearly everything: stores, school, parks, etc. Many places I visited frequently were more like 30 minutes or more: church, doctor's office, mall, Whole Foods, etc. This was fine with me! I got used to listening to tunes or talking on the phone during my daily road-trips.
Since moving to Murray, I've gotten very spoiled. We are within walking distance from many of our favorite places to visit: school, church, park, library, tennis courts, pool, ice-skating rink, etc. Within 5 minutes: grocery stores, bike paths, mall, etc. 15 minutes: everything else, including all the hikes I could ever want to explore.
I find myself becoming very used to this new way of life. We wanted to go to a bookstore the other day and I warned Mark, "It's pretty far. I think it's 15 minutes from here." I meant it seriously, but then we both laughed at the absurdity of the statement!
It doesn't feel like we're in the middle of a big city because there are so many trees and our street is quiet and our backyard is private. But, we definitely have everything we need just around the corner. I expect we will really appreciate this when it starts snowing. And then, I'm sure I'll long for those 15 minute drives when my biggest concern was which song was coming on next and not whether I could safely drive through the ice and snow.
I have loved everywhere Mark and I have lived so far: Omaha, Trussville, and now Murray. I can think of things I especially appreciated about each place. While I miss the wind in Nebraska, the mild Alabama winters, and all our friends and family from both places, I will enjoy Murray's convenience and its beautiful mountainous view.
Since moving to Murray, I've gotten very spoiled. We are within walking distance from many of our favorite places to visit: school, church, park, library, tennis courts, pool, ice-skating rink, etc. Within 5 minutes: grocery stores, bike paths, mall, etc. 15 minutes: everything else, including all the hikes I could ever want to explore.
I find myself becoming very used to this new way of life. We wanted to go to a bookstore the other day and I warned Mark, "It's pretty far. I think it's 15 minutes from here." I meant it seriously, but then we both laughed at the absurdity of the statement!
It doesn't feel like we're in the middle of a big city because there are so many trees and our street is quiet and our backyard is private. But, we definitely have everything we need just around the corner. I expect we will really appreciate this when it starts snowing. And then, I'm sure I'll long for those 15 minute drives when my biggest concern was which song was coming on next and not whether I could safely drive through the ice and snow.
I have loved everywhere Mark and I have lived so far: Omaha, Trussville, and now Murray. I can think of things I especially appreciated about each place. While I miss the wind in Nebraska, the mild Alabama winters, and all our friends and family from both places, I will enjoy Murray's convenience and its beautiful mountainous view.
I've always admired creative people who can walk into a thrift store and find some rare treasure for their home or closet. I'm just not one of them.
For me, they're more aptly named air-conditioned landfills. I've tried again and again to like them, but after years of trying, it still ain't working! Take my most recent trip to the local D.I. Thrift Store for example:
Celeste needed a new bike. Little kid bikes cost anywhere from $50- $150. No joke. So, being frugally minded, I thought I'd try the thrift store. This particular one was very clean and organized. Big plus! Normally it's the chaotic way everything is thrown together that makes me hate them the most. But, this one seemed "nice". That is until I passed a group of shoppers and smelled my first whiff of b.o. Seriously, folks. Soap is cheap. I held my breath and tried to avoid the other dirty-looking people there. I know that sounds pretentious, but there were a lot of them at this particular store. We walked all through the store and never found a bike worth having. I'm not paying $15 for rips and rust. Then, as we headed toward the front on our way out, we walked into a repulsive fart cloud. I know this can happen anywhere, but in my case, it was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. We left with me swearing to NEVER go back.
I know that hidden behind the various shelves of junk, there are diamonds in the rough- I've seen the awesome finds my friends discover and I'm envious! But for the most part, I think that thrift stores are filled with thrown-out garbage that environmentally-minded people are trying to recycle.
If you are one of those talented people who can find treasures at the thrift store, I applaud you. You're better than me. I'm sure I'd be envious of your savings.
I did end up finding a bike at Toys-R-Us for Celeste. It was $40 on sale.
For me, they're more aptly named air-conditioned landfills. I've tried again and again to like them, but after years of trying, it still ain't working! Take my most recent trip to the local D.I. Thrift Store for example:
Celeste needed a new bike. Little kid bikes cost anywhere from $50- $150. No joke. So, being frugally minded, I thought I'd try the thrift store. This particular one was very clean and organized. Big plus! Normally it's the chaotic way everything is thrown together that makes me hate them the most. But, this one seemed "nice". That is until I passed a group of shoppers and smelled my first whiff of b.o. Seriously, folks. Soap is cheap. I held my breath and tried to avoid the other dirty-looking people there. I know that sounds pretentious, but there were a lot of them at this particular store. We walked all through the store and never found a bike worth having. I'm not paying $15 for rips and rust. Then, as we headed toward the front on our way out, we walked into a repulsive fart cloud. I know this can happen anywhere, but in my case, it was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. We left with me swearing to NEVER go back.
I know that hidden behind the various shelves of junk, there are diamonds in the rough- I've seen the awesome finds my friends discover and I'm envious! But for the most part, I think that thrift stores are filled with thrown-out garbage that environmentally-minded people are trying to recycle.
If you are one of those talented people who can find treasures at the thrift store, I applaud you. You're better than me. I'm sure I'd be envious of your savings.
I did end up finding a bike at Toys-R-Us for Celeste. It was $40 on sale.
Mt. Olympus is one of the prominent mountains in the Salt Lake Valley. For my sister Sarah's birthday, she wanted to climb to the top. Her mother-in-law offered to watch her kids and mine so we could both climb it together. We had a mountaineering guru (friend of Sarah's) who came with us (thankfully!). She warned us that it was pretty steep and said we should dress very lightly in work-out clothes. Boy, was she right!
The mountaintop has an elevation of just over 9,000 ft. and the trail head is at about 4,000 feet. So, the trail is only 3.1 miles long, but you climb 5,000 feet to the top, so it's super steep. It was HARD. VERY HARD. The 5K felt more like at least 10K. I thought I was in decent shape, but I've clearly not adapted to the higher altitude here, so at times my breathing sounded very whistle-y. The views were breathtaking though and so when I took breaks, it was very rewarding to look around at all of the scenery. This photo was taken of us along the trail. We saw one rattlesnake slithering through the brush, just off the trail. That was kind of cool! The last stretch of the hike took us bouldering over rocks, using our hands and feet. As I was going up I thought, "I hope I can get back down this b/c I am sooo not ready to die." Once we reached the top and I sat down, my legs started severely cramping- charlie horse style. I was dancing a jig like a crazy person trying to get the pain to go away!!! I wish I had video footage of that! The top was very rocky- definitely not the kind of place you can lay out a blanket for a picnic. The view was truly incredible. It was definitely worth all the hard work!
Heading down the mountain was the hardest part for me. I guess because my quadriceps were already feeling fatigued, the steep decline made me walk like an old person. I wasn't breathing hard, but I felt zapped of energy. I had already drank 80 oz. of water and I still felt very thirsty. I started feeling nauseous and dry-heaving and my head felt really, really hot. Our mountaineering friend got some muddy water from a stream and dripped it over my head and then Sarah carried my backpack and I felt 10X better and finished the hike strong! We were gone a total of 7 hrs. and hit a 7-11 on the way home. I know I looked and smelled like Pigpen from Charlie Brown, but I had no pride at that point and the cherry slushie never tasted so good!!!
When I got home my quads, feet, and toes started severely cramping again and I couldn't get them to stop. Mark did some on-line searching about heat exhaustion and we discovered that my cramps were from a sodium deficiency- I guess I sweated out too much sodium on the hike. So, he warmed me a cup of tomato soup and my cramps were gone within a half hour!
This hike definitely stretched me. It was the hardest thing I've done in a long time- maybe ever! It just makes me want to get in better shape and take Mark up there next time. And for any of you brave enough to visit, maybe I can be your tour guide one day too!
So, I must really be losing my mind. Maybe the higher altitude has a strange effect on me.
I got an email notice from the library that The Yearling was overdue. We've been to the library a few times since we moved here and it's not uncommon for a book to disappear. So, the girls all wanted to go to the library again today and I told them that we couldn't go until we found The Yearling. Maddie insisted she didn't check it out. Heidi insisted she didn't check it out. I knew Celeste didn't check it out b/c it was too advanced for her. So, we commenced an all-out-search to no avail. No one remembered the book and no one knew where it was.
To prove to myself and the rest of the family that we DID in fact check out The Yearling, I logged on to Gmail to find the original email notice. Hmmm. Not there. I thought maybe I archived it. Nope. Thinking that I must have inadvertently deleted it, I checked my library account and Mark's which both showed no overdue books. I scanned the list of books we do have checked out and The Yearling was not among them.
So, I guess I dreamed it? But, I'm telling you that email looked REAL. I can still see it perfectly in my mind. I must not have enough to worry about right now and my brain is creating stress. I dunno. Maybe I just need to go check out The Yearling and be done with it.
I got an email notice from the library that The Yearling was overdue. We've been to the library a few times since we moved here and it's not uncommon for a book to disappear. So, the girls all wanted to go to the library again today and I told them that we couldn't go until we found The Yearling. Maddie insisted she didn't check it out. Heidi insisted she didn't check it out. I knew Celeste didn't check it out b/c it was too advanced for her. So, we commenced an all-out-search to no avail. No one remembered the book and no one knew where it was.
To prove to myself and the rest of the family that we DID in fact check out The Yearling, I logged on to Gmail to find the original email notice. Hmmm. Not there. I thought maybe I archived it. Nope. Thinking that I must have inadvertently deleted it, I checked my library account and Mark's which both showed no overdue books. I scanned the list of books we do have checked out and The Yearling was not among them.
So, I guess I dreamed it? But, I'm telling you that email looked REAL. I can still see it perfectly in my mind. I must not have enough to worry about right now and my brain is creating stress. I dunno. Maybe I just need to go check out The Yearling and be done with it.
Overheard conversation between Celeste and herself:
(while getting Wheat Thins out of the box)
"I am really excited to be eating something!"
"Self, you really shouldn't be so excited about eating food!"
"But, I am excited because I'm hungry!"
"Self! It's only food!"
"I know, but I'm hungry! Let's not argue anymore, okay?"
"Okay."
I'm not sure what this means, but I enjoyed listening.
(while getting Wheat Thins out of the box)
"I am really excited to be eating something!"
"Self, you really shouldn't be so excited about eating food!"
"But, I am excited because I'm hungry!"
"Self! It's only food!"
"I know, but I'm hungry! Let's not argue anymore, okay?"
"Okay."
I'm not sure what this means, but I enjoyed listening.
I did a really terrible thing today. I ran over a dog and killed it. We were almost home and I was driving about 35 mph, when this brown dog darted in front of me and it all happened so fast and before I knew it, we all felt the bump, bump. Oh!!!!! It was horrible. I feel so bad. We pulled over and Mark walked back to see if it had a collar and he heard the owner calling it and then the owner came over and got it. Poor dog. Poor family who owned the dog. *Sigh*. I'm sad. So very sad. And still really shaken up. That's the worst thing I've ever done.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee mushy, crunchy, salty, or sweet.
I love chicken, beef, fish- all kinds of meat.
I love thee broiled, poached, grilled, or sauteed.
I love bread in loaf form or in a rolled braid.
I love vegetables green and fruits red.
I like eating on the couch and occasionally in bed.
I devour thee at the kitchen table or at a booth in the mall.
I enjoy thee in winter, spring, summer, and fall.
I love thee cold. I love thee hot.
How thou art prepared, I certainly care not.
Without you, dear food, I surely would die.
But, would you please quit contributing to the size of my thighs?
Brought to you by an ENGLISH major and aspiring POET.
Perhaps this would explain why I can never seem to lose these last 15 lbs.
I love thee mushy, crunchy, salty, or sweet.
I love chicken, beef, fish- all kinds of meat.
I love thee broiled, poached, grilled, or sauteed.
I love bread in loaf form or in a rolled braid.
I love vegetables green and fruits red.
I like eating on the couch and occasionally in bed.
I devour thee at the kitchen table or at a booth in the mall.
I enjoy thee in winter, spring, summer, and fall.
I love thee cold. I love thee hot.
How thou art prepared, I certainly care not.
Without you, dear food, I surely would die.
But, would you please quit contributing to the size of my thighs?
Brought to you by an ENGLISH major and aspiring POET.
Perhaps this would explain why I can never seem to lose these last 15 lbs.
I was recently released as the Relief Society President for our ward after serving for a little over 2 years. The moment was bittersweet. At one time I thought I'd give anything to be released.
I spent hours
When I was called to serve, I seriously freaked out. Ask anyone. I mean I freaked out. I remember my mother-in-law telling me that it was her favorite calling ever. I thought she was insane. But, now that my service is over, I think I agree. I loved the way I was stretched and strengthened and I wouldn't trade the last two years for anything.
I spent hours
- on the phone
- driving all over creation
- counseling sisters
- filling out food order forms
- pacing the floors of my home
- crying
- worrying.
- praying
- relying on the Spirit
- listening
- learning
- growing
- serving.
When I was called to serve, I seriously freaked out. Ask anyone. I mean I freaked out. I remember my mother-in-law telling me that it was her favorite calling ever. I thought she was insane. But, now that my service is over, I think I agree. I loved the way I was stretched and strengthened and I wouldn't trade the last two years for anything.
Okay, so I hope I made the right decision.
Maddie just started sprouting little boobies a few months ago. They're tiny, but they're definitely there. She has to wear a training bra with most shirts.
Today I took her shopping for a new swimsuit and here was the dilemma: She is 10-yrs-old and fits into the little girl's swimwear. However, little girl's swimwear is not built with any kind of extra lining up there. I could see her little sprouts in everything she put on. So, we went to the junior dept. where everything has built-in bras. I don't want my 10-yr-old to have instant B cups. She's still a child, for crying out loud! So, I found a swimsuit that has the removable padding and it fits and looks super cute on her. But, it still makes her look bigger up there than she is b/c it has extra, gathered fabric. So, I hope this is okay. I've decided that shopping for swimwear isn't fun for ANY age.
Maddie just started sprouting little boobies a few months ago. They're tiny, but they're definitely there. She has to wear a training bra with most shirts.
Today I took her shopping for a new swimsuit and here was the dilemma: She is 10-yrs-old and fits into the little girl's swimwear. However, little girl's swimwear is not built with any kind of extra lining up there. I could see her little sprouts in everything she put on. So, we went to the junior dept. where everything has built-in bras. I don't want my 10-yr-old to have instant B cups. She's still a child, for crying out loud! So, I found a swimsuit that has the removable padding and it fits and looks super cute on her. But, it still makes her look bigger up there than she is b/c it has extra, gathered fabric. So, I hope this is okay. I've decided that shopping for swimwear isn't fun for ANY age.
Has anyone else heard of this word???
Mark just showed me something he's designing for a website and I have a hard enough time feigning interest without him throwing in geek speak. He's telling me this stuff and he says something that I don't understand and I think he's BURPED in the middle of his explanation. So, I look at him and say, "Grock? WHAT?" And he's like, "Yeah, grock." And so I say, "Whaddaya mean, 'grock'? What kind of word is that? I've never heard of such a thing." And he tells me it's used in the tech world and means something is easy to understand. Kind of funny since using that word made it NOT easy for me to understand.
So, then I had to see for myself so I googled it and sure enough, it's in the Urban Dictionary. I thought the definitions were pretty funny.
I go to the park to grock the trees. MCEscher really grocked Goedel's theorem
grock: To thoroughly understand something through the metaphorical process of drinking it in.
Mark just showed me something he's designing for a website and I have a hard enough time feigning interest without him throwing in geek speak. He's telling me this stuff and he says something that I don't understand and I think he's BURPED in the middle of his explanation. So, I look at him and say, "Grock? WHAT?" And he's like, "Yeah, grock." And so I say, "Whaddaya mean, 'grock'? What kind of word is that? I've never heard of such a thing." And he tells me it's used in the tech world and means something is easy to understand. Kind of funny since using that word made it NOT easy for me to understand.
So, then I had to see for myself so I googled it and sure enough, it's in the Urban Dictionary. I thought the definitions were pretty funny.
grock: understand,appreciate actively and profoundly, fully comprehend; also, to think about, listen to, play, or contemplate something or someone with full love and understanding, even ecstacy. Often done stoned.
She spent the whole museum visit just grocking one painting.I go to the park to grock the trees. MCEscher really grocked Goedel's theorem
grock: To thoroughly understand something through the metaphorical process of drinking it in.
"I've taken calculus four times, and I still don't grock it."
I remember when we were selling our home in Omaha, I was always going around with a paint brush and touching up the spots where one of the girls touched the walls. I've always been kind of anal about my walls and like them to look brand new. Flat paint makes this easy. Anyway, one day I was complaining about all of the finger prints and my brilliant and talented friend, Jennifer said, "Why don't you just teach your girls not to touch the walls?" Seriously?!?!? Could it be that easy? She said her Mom taught them not to touch walls (and her home was pristine!) and that it was really no big deal. So, I started doing that. Since then, my girls are pretty good at this. I figure it's no different than asking them to wash their hands after using the bathroom- a practice that soon becomes habit.
Welllllllll, my house is on the market again. My girls are very well trained and rarely touch my walls. But, this week I've had several kids over at the house and I've cringed as I see greasy fingers touch my walls. It really is a curse- this obsession with clean walls! I try very hard not to get crazy and tense up when even *gasp!* adults touch my walls! What are they thinking?!?!?
So, I won't apologize for being kind of a neat freak. I don't know how many of ME there are out there- I am grateful that at least my friend, Jennifer understands! I just try and remind myself that it is no big deal and nothing that a little tlc and a quart of touch-up paint can't take care of!
Welllllllll, my house is on the market again. My girls are very well trained and rarely touch my walls. But, this week I've had several kids over at the house and I've cringed as I see greasy fingers touch my walls. It really is a curse- this obsession with clean walls! I try very hard not to get crazy and tense up when even *gasp!* adults touch my walls! What are they thinking?!?!?
So, I won't apologize for being kind of a neat freak. I don't know how many of ME there are out there- I am grateful that at least my friend, Jennifer understands! I just try and remind myself that it is no big deal and nothing that a little tlc and a quart of touch-up paint can't take care of!
Discovery: Madylin + Melyssa + Math Homework = Anger and Tears
Hypothesis: Melyssa is the problem.
Conduct experiment.
Change one variable.
Replace Melyssa with Mark.
Results: Madylin + Mark + Math Homework= Anger and Tears
Constants: Madylin and Math Homework
Conclusion: No matter the variables, if Madylin and Math Homework remain the constants, anger and tears are highly probable.
Hypothesis: Melyssa is the problem.
Conduct experiment.
Change one variable.
Replace Melyssa with Mark.
Results: Madylin + Mark + Math Homework= Anger and Tears
Constants: Madylin and Math Homework
Conclusion: No matter the variables, if Madylin and Math Homework remain the constants, anger and tears are highly probable.
Since Mark and I are moving soon, I've been reflecting on our time in Trussville, AL. I have absolutely loved it here! When we moved here, Celeste was barely 1 and now she's about to turn 6! The other night I was thinking about our family, friends, and church service and I started feeling emotional. I felt so much gratitude for all that I've experienced here and even though I'm excited for this new adventure, I started feeling sad. I kept feeling that I'm not ready for this to end! I'm not ready to leave so much behind. I sat in my bed and cried.
Then, it occurred to me that this must be the kind of feelings we have when we're about to die. I've always wondered why an old person who is in pain and clearly suffering continues to hold on. And I can imagine that dying might be a very hard step to take. This time on Earth is what we were looking forward to for so long. We live every day and enjoy so many experiences. This is familiar. It's what we know and love. I can imagine thinking, "Wait! I'm not done yet! I have more to do!" It could be a panicky feeling, even though we know something better awaits us.
So, I want to be more committed to seizing the day. When it is my time to leave this Earth, I want to look back and feel happy. I want to breathe a peaceful sigh and feel ready to embrace my future.
I've loved it here in small-town Trussville. I love eating Sunday dinner at my parents' house. I love my neighbors, the elementary school, my church friends, my bunco buddies, and having a sister I can hang out with and depend on. I love the GREEN here and that we are only a few hours from the ocean. I love that my kids can take swim lessons from the Red Cross for only $3 each. I love that a dear friend shares her pool with us every summer. We spend about 5 days a week there! I love the attitude of the South! The other day I saw a guy on a Harley wearing a black leather jacket with an American flag on the back. Underneath the flag were the words: "I'd like to see you try and burn this flag." I love that! There are so many, MANY things I am grateful for- I can't begin to list them all. I am sad to leave Alabama behind, but I'm looking forward to our move to Salt Lake and I plan to embrace all that Utah has to offer.
Then, it occurred to me that this must be the kind of feelings we have when we're about to die. I've always wondered why an old person who is in pain and clearly suffering continues to hold on. And I can imagine that dying might be a very hard step to take. This time on Earth is what we were looking forward to for so long. We live every day and enjoy so many experiences. This is familiar. It's what we know and love. I can imagine thinking, "Wait! I'm not done yet! I have more to do!" It could be a panicky feeling, even though we know something better awaits us.
So, I want to be more committed to seizing the day. When it is my time to leave this Earth, I want to look back and feel happy. I want to breathe a peaceful sigh and feel ready to embrace my future.
I've loved it here in small-town Trussville. I love eating Sunday dinner at my parents' house. I love my neighbors, the elementary school, my church friends, my bunco buddies, and having a sister I can hang out with and depend on. I love the GREEN here and that we are only a few hours from the ocean. I love that my kids can take swim lessons from the Red Cross for only $3 each. I love that a dear friend shares her pool with us every summer. We spend about 5 days a week there! I love the attitude of the South! The other day I saw a guy on a Harley wearing a black leather jacket with an American flag on the back. Underneath the flag were the words: "I'd like to see you try and burn this flag." I love that! There are so many, MANY things I am grateful for- I can't begin to list them all. I am sad to leave Alabama behind, but I'm looking forward to our move to Salt Lake and I plan to embrace all that Utah has to offer.
Heidi just learned that the color white reflects the sun. Therefore, it is the coolest color to wear in the heat of summer.
Today she wore a solid white shirt and solid white shorts.
Tomorrow she's wearing a different solid white shirt and a solid white skirt.
I wonder how long this trend will continue?
Today she wore a solid white shirt and solid white shorts.
Tomorrow she's wearing a different solid white shirt and a solid white skirt.
I wonder how long this trend will continue?
Yesterday I asked Celeste to put away her rest mat (for naps in Kindergarten) and she put her hand on her hip and forcefully announced, " I am NOT using that rest mat anymore. It has STARS on it and NO ONE has a rest mat with stars. I am NOT using that thing. I HATE it!"
So, I calmly reasoned, "Celeste. You only have 3 more weeks of school. I'm not buying you another rest mat. You can use this one until school is out."
She wouldn't hear of it. "But, MOMMMMMM! What if I have to REPEAT Kindergarten? What, then???? I am NOT using that rest mat for another year!!!!! I HATE that rest mat!!!!!"
So, I asked her, "Celeste, do you really think you're going to repeat Kindergarten? Do you WANT to repeat Kindergarten?"
Her response: "Well, if I do repeat Kindergarten, at least I won't cry on the first day again!"
And then she went on to talk about how she used to cry in Kindergarten and the rest mat issue was forgotten.
Problems are so easily solved when dealing with a 5-yr-old.
But, I can just imagine how a similar conversation might play out in a few years:
While stomping her foot and FREAKING out, Celeste screams, "I am NOT wearing Heidi's prom dress! She wore it LAST year! NO ONE wears dresses with sequins anymore! I HATE that dress!!!!"
I calmly respond, "Celeste. You're only going to wear the dress one time. You and Heidi look very different. No one will ever notice. We'll find you a new necklace to wear with it. I'm not buying another prom dress that will only be worn one night! "
And, from there I'm sure it will just get UGLY!
So, I will treasure these 5-yr-old "crises" while I still can!
So, I calmly reasoned, "Celeste. You only have 3 more weeks of school. I'm not buying you another rest mat. You can use this one until school is out."
She wouldn't hear of it. "But, MOMMMMMM! What if I have to REPEAT Kindergarten? What, then???? I am NOT using that rest mat for another year!!!!! I HATE that rest mat!!!!!"
So, I asked her, "Celeste, do you really think you're going to repeat Kindergarten? Do you WANT to repeat Kindergarten?"
Her response: "Well, if I do repeat Kindergarten, at least I won't cry on the first day again!"
And then she went on to talk about how she used to cry in Kindergarten and the rest mat issue was forgotten.
Problems are so easily solved when dealing with a 5-yr-old.
But, I can just imagine how a similar conversation might play out in a few years:
While stomping her foot and FREAKING out, Celeste screams, "I am NOT wearing Heidi's prom dress! She wore it LAST year! NO ONE wears dresses with sequins anymore! I HATE that dress!!!!"
I calmly respond, "Celeste. You're only going to wear the dress one time. You and Heidi look very different. No one will ever notice. We'll find you a new necklace to wear with it. I'm not buying another prom dress that will only be worn one night! "
And, from there I'm sure it will just get UGLY!
So, I will treasure these 5-yr-old "crises" while I still can!
Mark's Mom gave me a book a few years ago that I just picked up and read again. Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse. A 14-yr-old girl tells her story of living in the Dust Bowl during the Great Depression. It is such a beautiful piece. It's won several awards. Go check it out- you can read it in an afternoon!
We rented 2012 this weekend after it was highly recommended to us. I've decided that the director and screenwriter must have meant for the entire movie to be metaphorically interpreted. At least that would explain:
I usually like John Cusack, so it was a real disappointment for me.
I don't know how it ended because I fell asleep.
- the predictably lame script
- the terrible acting
- the repeated, implausible, narrow escapes from sudden death of the actors
I usually like John Cusack, so it was a real disappointment for me.
I don't know how it ended because I fell asleep.
I love making smoothies. Especially after working out in this humid climate. I've really perfected them so they're super tasty and very low cal. Here's how I made today's smoothie:
8 oz. cold water
1 1/2 cups frozen mango
1/2 packet Greens to Go
Blend until smooooooooothe! Very simple, right?
Drink 8 oz for a 75 calorie treat or drink 16 oz (like me!) for a 150 calorie meal!
8 oz. cold water
1 1/2 cups frozen mango
1/2 packet Greens to Go
Blend until smooooooooothe! Very simple, right?
Drink 8 oz for a 75 calorie treat or drink 16 oz (like me!) for a 150 calorie meal!
My kids attend public school. They ride a bus and are gone for 8 hours of the day. Some days I miss them, but not every day. I'm so happy for the real-world, real-LIFE experiences they gain from attending school away from home. Away from Mom.
I have a lot of friends who homeschool. I've watched them and admired their dedication to their kids' education. I'm impressed by most of them and sometimes think I'm missing out. But, then I remember all of the things my kids have learned from attending school away from home. And it makes me glad.
1. Adult Mentors
My girls have teachers who have built UP their self esteem. There's something very special about sincere praise from an adult outside of the family. Maddie's artistic and leadership talents have been praised by many of her teachers and this has helped her be even better. I know if she was only getting this praise from Mark and I that it wouldn't mean as much to her. Heidi has received countless compliments on her writing skills. She beams when her teacher praises her for this and it makes her strive to be a better writer! She tries harder and does her best. Thank you teachers, for helping me improve my girls' self image! Thank you for encouraging them to be better!
2. Developing Independence
We don't feel our kids can ever really decide who they are unless they're away from Mom and Dad. We help them define and develop themselves mentally, socially, emotionally, and spiritually- but they're not really tested until they're away from us. They are learning to deal with bullies, gossip, varying religious and political beliefs, unfair/unjust real-life situations and we feel this doesn't bring them down b/c our home is a haven away from the world. Instead, we think these experiences strengthen them and help them learn greater independence.
3. Spiritual Growth
I've heard public school referred to as "Godless" and I have to disagree. While study from the scriptures isn't part of the curriculum, God is most definitely a part of my girls' schooling away from home. We happen to be blessed to live in the Bible Belt where teachers talk about Christ at Christmas and where prayer is still a part of large group activities. But even if this were not the case, my girls discuss their beliefs with their close friends. Since Madylin's baptism, she's received the gift of the Holy Ghost and relies on His influence daily. Each of my girls have talked about reaching out to classmates who are feeling sad or have their feelings hurt. Celeste has learned tolerance and forgiveness after dealing with a bully in her class. I am grateful my girls have the opportunity to leave the nest and learn to "live in the world, but not of the world."
From my own public schooling experience, I have no doubt that my testimony of the Gospel was strengthened by going to school. I didn't show my spiritual side to my parents. I felt vulnerable and kept it hidden from them for the most part. At school, it was a different story. I remember standing up to my friends on the issue of abortion and bearing testimony of Sabbath-day observance, morality, honesty and the temple. I was able to do that b/c I knew these classmates well enough that they felt comfortable sincerely asking me. I don't think I could have had those kinds of experiences if I hadn't been around those kids 5 days a week. Their questions tested me and helped build my testimony- separate from my parents.
4. A Variety of Teaching Methods
Madylin is 10-years-old and can multiply double digit numbers in her head. Like 24 X 87. No joke. She's not a math whiz. She doesn't even like math very much. But, her teacher taught the class several different ways to multiply and let them choose the method they preferred and now Maddie gets it. I would have taught her 1 way to multiply- the way I know how. Her teachers are constantly trained and re-taught ways of improving their teaching methods. When would I ever find time to do this? How would I even know where to look? Or how would I even know that I needed to look? I just don't think that one mind or one personality can replace what many minds and personalities can. The girls regularly come home with phenomenal learning experiences they share with me. I'm grateful that I don't feel the pressure to be in charge of all of that by myself.
Let me make it clear that I'm not against homeschooling. I think it can be a wonderful way to educate children. I am most impressed with a relative of mine, Connie who has been successfully educating her son at home for many years. The last time I saw Martin, I was so impressed by his vast knowledge and effective communication skills. Connie is an inspiration to me.
With that said, I am also clearly not against public schooling. I am ever grateful for talented teachers who influence my children for good. I'm grateful for other children who treat my kids with respect and help them experience the joys of friendship. I'm grateful for a bus driver who cares enough to call me when my kids aren't on the bus for a few days, to make sure everything is okay. I am thankful for art, music, and p.e. teachers who expose my children to the varieties of life and not just those things I think will be of interest to them.
I'm not going to make any blanket statements about home or public schooling. There's not a "one size fits all" approach to educating children. However, I am pleased with my girls' public school experience so far and wanted to sing its praises.
I have a lot of friends who homeschool. I've watched them and admired their dedication to their kids' education. I'm impressed by most of them and sometimes think I'm missing out. But, then I remember all of the things my kids have learned from attending school away from home. And it makes me glad.
1. Adult Mentors
My girls have teachers who have built UP their self esteem. There's something very special about sincere praise from an adult outside of the family. Maddie's artistic and leadership talents have been praised by many of her teachers and this has helped her be even better. I know if she was only getting this praise from Mark and I that it wouldn't mean as much to her. Heidi has received countless compliments on her writing skills. She beams when her teacher praises her for this and it makes her strive to be a better writer! She tries harder and does her best. Thank you teachers, for helping me improve my girls' self image! Thank you for encouraging them to be better!
2. Developing Independence
We don't feel our kids can ever really decide who they are unless they're away from Mom and Dad. We help them define and develop themselves mentally, socially, emotionally, and spiritually- but they're not really tested until they're away from us. They are learning to deal with bullies, gossip, varying religious and political beliefs, unfair/unjust real-life situations and we feel this doesn't bring them down b/c our home is a haven away from the world. Instead, we think these experiences strengthen them and help them learn greater independence.
3. Spiritual Growth
I've heard public school referred to as "Godless" and I have to disagree. While study from the scriptures isn't part of the curriculum, God is most definitely a part of my girls' schooling away from home. We happen to be blessed to live in the Bible Belt where teachers talk about Christ at Christmas and where prayer is still a part of large group activities. But even if this were not the case, my girls discuss their beliefs with their close friends. Since Madylin's baptism, she's received the gift of the Holy Ghost and relies on His influence daily. Each of my girls have talked about reaching out to classmates who are feeling sad or have their feelings hurt. Celeste has learned tolerance and forgiveness after dealing with a bully in her class. I am grateful my girls have the opportunity to leave the nest and learn to "live in the world, but not of the world."
From my own public schooling experience, I have no doubt that my testimony of the Gospel was strengthened by going to school. I didn't show my spiritual side to my parents. I felt vulnerable and kept it hidden from them for the most part. At school, it was a different story. I remember standing up to my friends on the issue of abortion and bearing testimony of Sabbath-day observance, morality, honesty and the temple. I was able to do that b/c I knew these classmates well enough that they felt comfortable sincerely asking me. I don't think I could have had those kinds of experiences if I hadn't been around those kids 5 days a week. Their questions tested me and helped build my testimony- separate from my parents.
4. A Variety of Teaching Methods
Madylin is 10-years-old and can multiply double digit numbers in her head. Like 24 X 87. No joke. She's not a math whiz. She doesn't even like math very much. But, her teacher taught the class several different ways to multiply and let them choose the method they preferred and now Maddie gets it. I would have taught her 1 way to multiply- the way I know how. Her teachers are constantly trained and re-taught ways of improving their teaching methods. When would I ever find time to do this? How would I even know where to look? Or how would I even know that I needed to look? I just don't think that one mind or one personality can replace what many minds and personalities can. The girls regularly come home with phenomenal learning experiences they share with me. I'm grateful that I don't feel the pressure to be in charge of all of that by myself.
Let me make it clear that I'm not against homeschooling. I think it can be a wonderful way to educate children. I am most impressed with a relative of mine, Connie who has been successfully educating her son at home for many years. The last time I saw Martin, I was so impressed by his vast knowledge and effective communication skills. Connie is an inspiration to me.
With that said, I am also clearly not against public schooling. I am ever grateful for talented teachers who influence my children for good. I'm grateful for other children who treat my kids with respect and help them experience the joys of friendship. I'm grateful for a bus driver who cares enough to call me when my kids aren't on the bus for a few days, to make sure everything is okay. I am thankful for art, music, and p.e. teachers who expose my children to the varieties of life and not just those things I think will be of interest to them.
I'm not going to make any blanket statements about home or public schooling. There's not a "one size fits all" approach to educating children. However, I am pleased with my girls' public school experience so far and wanted to sing its praises.
So, apparently orange is the color of the day. Or, at least MY color of the day. I got a free coupon to try out a spray mystic tan at the salon and I left feeling beautifully bronzed. When the girls came home, Madylin shrieked, "Mom! How did you get so tan?? And so skinny??" I felt pretty good. She even asked if we could go somewhere so she could show me off. This 33-yr-old was feeling like a hot mama!
But, as they say, all good things must come to an end, and I'm afraid my brush with vanity took a wrong turn. My beautiful bronze has faded to a very orangutan orange.
But, as they say, all good things must come to an end, and I'm afraid my brush with vanity took a wrong turn. My beautiful bronze has faded to a very orangutan orange.
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