Evan's Family Tree

Evan and I worked on his school project today. He has show-and-tell every Friday and they are assigned different things each week.

The first week he needed to bring something that started with the letter "M". That was the letter they were focusing on that week. Evan chose to bring a stuffed Bigfoot and call it a monster for the "M". He got double "M" because he could say that we got it at a museum. He was very proud of that.

On the second week he needed to bring a "taste". One bite of something (cereal, chip, candy, etc.) for each kid in the class to eat. They were learning about our five senses and taste was the show-and-tell that week. Evan brought pretzels.

We are now into the third week and the class has been talking about how every family is different. So we have been given the assignment to build our family tree. This was a lot of fun for both of us to do together. Evan has a very low tolerance for crafty projects. But, as he gets older, he seems to be able to focus on them for longer periods of time. He cut out all the leaves and did all the gluing. I didn't trust him to cut out the pictures. I didn't want to print more and waste the printer ink (it's really low as it is). He really wanted to include all his aunts, uncles and cousins, but I had to convince him that we simply didn't have enough room on the tree. So, sorry family, we will try and work you in next time.

I will admit though, doing this project made me homesick for family. Sniff. Miss you guys!

Family Pictures

We got our family pictures taken  a couple of nights ago. It was....ok. I loved the photographer I think she did a good job and put up with us well. I was not so pleased the my younger two.

Evan was totally uninterested unless he had Heather's (photographer) full attention. He wanted to get his picture taken but he didn't want anyone else in his shot. He was not paying attention in just about every single family shot.

Alana was awful. She would not sit down, be held or smile for Heather. All she wanted to do was run and play with her Minnie Mouse. We got some good candid shots and lots of personality out of all the kids but I would have like just one family photo when everyone was looking at the camera and smiling.

McKenna was a dream. She loves to pose for cameras and had a really fun time when it was her turn to get single shots. She looked so beautiful in her green dress. We based what everyone else was wearing off this dress. I loved it.

Ryan did good. I think he is improving with practice. He has a lot of really good photos this year.

If you want to get a glimpse of how they turned out go to Heather's blog. I will be getting a CD from her with all the photos in a couple of weeks. I will be putting more in my blog at that time.

Mama's New Hair

I really like this photo. Good profile 

I got myself some new hair. Well, I changed the old hair a bit. I was getting bored with my plain brown hair and wanted to do something different. I knew I didn't want to cut it off. I am actually enjoying having it really long (which totally surprised me). I swore after I got my super long hair cut off four years ago that I would never have it long again. But, after I got a really atrocious hair cut after moving to TX I haven't cut it short since. I have been growing out the bad hair cut ever since.

I have gotten a lot of complements (but don't we always complement someones new hair, even if it's bad) and my kids love it. Ryan hasn't complained so I guess he likes it, too.

I am really happy with the red. I know it will fade and eventually it will be boring brown again. But, until then I am rockin the red.

I Am So Lame

This past week has been a struggle. I have had thoughts running through my head constantly - trying to think of something I can blog about. I have not intentionally avoided posting anything.  I just can't think of anything worth writing about.

I spent this week feeling exhausted. I blame it on not being able to workout. I tweaked something in my foot and it was difficult for me to walk for a few days. I didn't want to risk making it worse by running or going to my classes. It's been surprisingly difficult NOT to workout. I have come to love it.  So I think it depressed me a little when I couldn't go anymore. My foot is feeling better, so I think I will make it in on Monday.

My house is a total disaster. My hurt foot, coupled with feeling exhausted, did not a good housekeeper make. This only added to my depressed mood.  Just looking at all the mess makes me want to sit down and turn on the TV.

I did manage to scrub the bathtub, but that was only after Alana decided it would be funny to poop in it during her bath. I should have known it was coming. First she farted. The bubbles coming up between her legs were very interesting to her. She pointed them out to me and then laughed looking for more. At this point McKenna walked in and had me brush out her hair. When I turned around again there was a tub full of poo. Not the solid-easy-to-scoop kind but the runny/chunky kind that quickly spread throughout and infiltrated every toy in the tub.

"Nooooo! Ryan get in here now! I need your help!"

He swooped up the poo child and washed her in our bathroom while I proceeded to clean the tub. Thank goodness for rubber gloves and Lysol.

The rest of the house will have to wait. It's Sunday and I have a primary lesson to prepare and church to get ready for.

Hopefully I will emerge from my funk and get on with life this week. That's the plan anyhow.

Race for the Cure

McKenna, Evan and I are participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure this year. This is something that I have been interested in doing in the past, but my lazy nature did not allow. Since running my first 5k in March I have been itching to get out there more. It really is addictive (strange I know). I will not be able to run the 5k like I would like to. Ryan is already running it with a team from the cancer center. So I will be walking the 1 mile with the kids. I figure it is good for them to get out and feel apart of something. This is how I hope to raise runners.

If you are interested in sponsoring me or any of my kids your are welcome to proceed to this site.

McKenna's Audition Video

McKenna auditioned for a club called Destination Imagination or DI for short. I honestly don't know exactly what this club involves. McKenna's teacher is the coach and really pushed for McKenna to try out. I guess starting in third grade schools compete with each other doing skits and creating things out of random stuff (that's where the imagination part comes in). Second grade is when the kids start being groomed for next year.

McKenna needed to perform something in front of the judges to audition. Some kids danced, some sang a song. McKenna recited a poem. She used props and gestures. She impressed the judges so much that memorizing and reciting poetry is now going to be a DI monthly requirement. It's really no surprise that she got in. As you can see from the video she is too cute to turn away.

My Testimony of Tithing

I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. One of the commandments we follow is the paying of tithes. That means giving the church 10% of the income we earn. To some this may seem wrong, that we are expected to pay this money in order to stay in good standing with the church. To me, it just makes sense. We are taught that if we willingly give our tithing and have faith we will be blessed for it. In a talk given by Jeffrey R. Holland (an apostle), he recounts this story:

After she lost her husband in the martyrdom at Nauvoo and made her way west with five fatherless children, Mary Fielding Smith continued in her poverty to pay tithing. When someone at the tithing office inappropriately suggested one day that she should not contribute a tenth of the only potatoes she had been able to raise that year, she cried out to the man, “William, you ought to be ashamed of yourself. Would you deny me a blessing? If I did not pay my tithing, I should expect the Lord to withhold His blessings from me. I pay my tithing, not only because it is a law of God, but because I expect a blessing by doing it. [I need a blessing.] By keeping this and other laws, I expect to … be able to provide for my family." 

Here is my testimony (one of many instances) of how my family is provided for, because Ryan and I are faithful tithe payers.

As I previously stated in my post titled Blood Money, August was really tough financially. We depleted our savings, donated plasma and still ended up using the credit card just to survive the month. We expected the money to come pouring in once September hit. We were expecting a paycheck from Ryan's summer work, a paycheck from the Army, plus the leftover financial aid once tuition and fees were paid for by the scholarship.  All totaled it would be a good amount of money.

We already know from previous experience that the military is full of paperwork and delays. We got a nasty reminder of that this month. The Army paycheck did not come through. Apparently the recruiter entered our account number wrong so they won't pay us until it is resubmitted. He also didn't get everything right with the scholarship. There has never been any money paid to the university on Ryan's behalf. The school had no idea what Ryan was talking about when he inquired about it - they had never heard of the scholarship or the system used to pay it.  I really want to give the recruiter a piece of my mind.  But, of course, he retired last month so I can't get to him. Someone else in that office will have to fix the problem.

We did get the summer paycheck but it went quickly (it was not very big). At my last desperate moment I called my Mom and had to borrow money so I could  pay my mid-month bills. I knew we would make it through, somehow. I paid my tithing on that little paycheck so things had to work out. I had faith and I prayed.

I kid you not, two days after having to borrow money from my parents. Ryan got an email from the school saying that they failed to apply some of his fee waivers and they were depositing $1,600.00 into his checking account. WOW! I knew I would be blessed, but this is beyond what I could have expected. I feel overwhelmed with love and gratitude towards my Father in Heaven. He knew we were in trouble, he heard our prayers, and we were blessed, in abundance.

I am not saying that every time I come into a money pinch I will be handed a huge amount of money from an unexpected source. But I am saying that I will be provided for one way or another. This I can testify!

If you want to read a really good talk by President James F. Faust on tithing continue on to this site.

A Service After All

Ryan found out from Mr. B's family that a service was planned after all.

The family was at his place Sunday night getting more stuff. Ryan just happened to be taking out the trash and saw them. The sister called out to him and asked if I was still collecting his mail. Ryan directed her to the office and asked about a memorial service. She told him that they were having one on Tuesday at 10:00am at Griffin funeral home. It's sad, but I didn't believe her. I checked the obituaries - nothing. So I called the funeral home and found out that they were having a graveside service at that time. Nothing was being held at the funeral home itself. Glad I called.

I arranged for my friend Tara (Thanks!) to watch Alana so I could go kid free. I arrived a little late because I got really lost (had to call Ryan and have him look it up and direct me there). I only caught the last 10 minutes. That means if they started on time then the entire thing was only 20 minutes long. At no point did anyone say anything about Royce. The preacher only talked about how Jesus can help us through this tough time. I don't disagree with that, but I would have liked to hear something about the man I came to honor. There were about 25 people there and I would say that five of us were dressed up. The remainder were in t-shirts and jeans. Just when I thought "this is not a very nice way to say goodbye to a family member" I realized that he was being buried in a cardboard box. I double checked, because I couldn't believe it. It was heavy-duty, but still cardboard. I know for a fact that Royce had money, so I don't believe that they couldn't have afforded a casket. Royce was always helping his family: giving them money, a place to stay, borrow the car - he was good to them. In the end, all they wanted was his money and big flat screen TV. It just makes me sad.

I did offer my condolences to his Mother. She is very old and the only nice one in the bunch. She talked to Royce on the phone every day (neither of his two sisters would ever bring her over to see him). She recognized me and knew who I was. Royce told her all about me. I know she is grateful for what I did for him. I honestly believe that she is the only one of his family who really loved him.

When the service was all over and I had a chance to reflect, I wished I hadn't known about it. I was left with bitter feelings toward his family - things that I had started to get past. I will move on just fine. But I have been taught a life lesson about greed and how nasty family can get when someone dies.

I am so thankful that I have the family that I do.

Best Garlic Rolls EVER

I was in charge of bringing garlic bread to the Thomas Sunday dinner this week. I had never really made garlic bread. I have always taken the easy route and bought garlic French bread from Walmart. Well, the Thomas family makes me want to go all out when I make something. This family loves food. They truly appreciate and understand the effort that goes into making things. Plus everyone is very free with complements. "Wow, that is amazing" is heard often.  It's very encouraging. 

So here is the recipe. I highly recommend you try it, if you love garlic and cheese that is.

Ingredients:
16 onces frozen bread dough -- thawed
12 cloves garlic -- minced fine
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 cup Six Cheese Italian Parmesan
1 tablespoon butter -- melted
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
vegetable oil spray

Directions:
Melt 2 tablespoons butter wit the olive oil in a small pan . Add garlic and cook until softened. Roll dough into 12in by 8in rectangle.

Spread dough with butter garlic mix. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Sprinkle with cheese.

Roll dough tightly and pinch seam to seal. Cut into 12 one inch slices. Place in a nine inch round pan that has been sprayed with vegetable spray. Let rise until doubled. heat oven to 375 F. melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Mix in garlic power. Brush over top of rolls. Bake at 375 F for 20-25 minutes.

ENJOY!!

Parking Lot Idiots

It was after school, and I had all three kids with me for an outing of shopping. Generally I try to avoid going to the store right after school/work, but this time it was unavoidable. There is something about a busy parking lot that makes people crazy and inconsiderate.

I had driven up one row and was attempting to drive down the next when the Honda in front of me stopped. She had noticed that the car in the very first space had put on the reverse lights and wanted out. Well Honda was directly behind the car that wanted out. Honda flipped on her blinker (claiming her turf) and sat there. After about 3 minutes she finally figured out that the car was not going to magically remove itself while she waited... in the way.  The idiot Honda pulled forward down the aisle, kept her blinker on and put on her reverse lights. She wanted to make sure I knew that she intended to back up into the spot once the car was out.

Because of the diagonal direction the spots were painted in, and the location the Honda was waiting in, the car had to back out going in the wrong direction and into the main road in front of the store. It took a four point turn and more waiting for traffic to stop so the parked car could get out. In the mean time I am stuck watching all this and getting more annoyed by the second. The cars are stacked up behind me and this Honda woman is determined to back up. If I was my husband I would have pulled forward and taken the spot once the car was gone. I was perfectly lined up and in the prime location. But I don't do avoidable confrontation with strangers. Instead I pulled down the row and passed the Honda coming within two inches of touching mirrors and gave her my best "Seriously! You're and idiot" look.

I was most pleased to see that the car behind me pulled into the spot. Idiot Honda honked her horn and had a tantrum in her car. She parked five spaces down - but still got out and ran up to yell at the guy who "took her spot". I proceeded down the row, parked at the end, unloaded all my kids into a cart, and got to the store before those two were done fighting about the spot.

I hate parking lot idiots.

I am so glad I didn't take the spot.

Evan's first day of school

My little preschooler is back in action.

Evan had his first day at St. Luke's on Tuesday. It is a preschool run by a Methodist church. Just about every Mormon mom I know sends their kids to this school, so I figured I would follow suit. I think it is going to be a great match for him. Evan goes five days a week from 9am-12pm. He thought it was pretty neat that his school is a church. They do teach some bible stories and they pray over their snack but religion is not the focus of the school. When I told him that he would learn about Jesus he was pretty excited. In fact, after the first day I asked him how it went and he said, "Mommy I didn't learn a thing about Jesus". He had spent the whole morning waiting to learn something and was very disappointed when he didn't. If only his enthusiasm for learning about Christ could stay this strong forever. :)

He is one fine looking boy. If I don't say so myself.

Labor Day Fun

I feel extremely lucky to have been adopted by the Thomas family. They have us over every Sunday for dinner and we celebrate most holidays with them as well. They are a large family full of aunts, uncles, brothers, nephews, nieces, cousins, grandparents and in-laws. They don't have us over because they are lacking people to talk to. I think they have us over because they are incredibly generous and loving people. They found something in our little family that they liked well enough to keep asking us back. We are to the point now where there is no asking, it's assumed that we'll be there. This family has really made living here awesome for me.

One of our favorite things to do at their house is swim. As you can see in McKenna's picture they have a large pool in the backyard complete with diving board and basketball hoop. On Labor Day we spent the afternoon swimming and enjoying the company of some of the Thomas clan. As always, there was tons of good food and the BBQ was going all day. Unfortunately, due to Ryan's crazy work load this semester (you can read about here) he was not able to come to the fun pool day with us. The kids were pretty well behaved so I managed. It also helps that I can ask some of the older Thomas kids to help out with the older two in the pool while I exclusively manage Alana.

It was a wonderful day and I am truly blessed.

Goodbye to a Friend

The time came and my friend Royce Bradley has passed away. It was no surprise to hear but I was very disappointed with how I heard about it (or rather didn't hear about it).

Mr. B was taken from his home just over a week ago. I was pulling up to park as the medics were about to bring him out. His family was there so I didn't want to get in the way by going inside. I did talk to his niece and told her that I would get his mail and please let me know if anything happens. That was the last I heard anything. I found out he was in the nursing home (and not coming home this time) from my apartment manager when I went to let her know that he was taken to the hospital and wouldn't be around to pay rent on time. She found the address of where he was for me and let me know that he was not expected to make it through the week.  Turns out he didn't make it two days. But I was unaware of this. 

I found out four days after he passed. The only reason I even know is because I ran into another neighbor who also looked in on him from time to time. I asked her if she has been to see him. She said no and told me that he had died. She also told me that his family came the night before and cleaned out his apartment. I have never felt like an outsider as much as I do now. I have met his family (several times) and they knew that I checked on him everyday. The courtesy of a knock on my door would have been nice. I understand that this is a hard time for them and I don't want to come off as not being compassionate to their situation. But, I can't help but feel that I wasn't even worth their time. They were never shy in the past about their dislike for me because of my skin color. To them I was just the "white woman". They never even bothered to learn my name. 

I see that this may come off as bitter and whiny - maybe even a bit hyper-sensitive. But what I really feel is sad. Sad that I spent four days trying to figure out how to juggle the kids' and Ryan's schedule so I could go and see him. Sad that I spent four days thinking about what I would say once I could go. Sad that I never got to say goodbye. Lastly I am sad that his family made me feel discriminated against when all I did was care for Mr. Bradley. 

I wanted so badly to go and see him one last time. I was going to bring him a picture of Jesus Christ to have in his room. I wanted to tell him how much I had enjoyed getting to know him. That the Mother's Day card and kids' Birthday cards were wonderful. That helping to take care of him for the past year was a blessing in my life. Mostly I just wanted to get to say goodbye.

There has been no obituary or death notice in the paper. I have called every funeral home in the city without finding him. No one I can find seems to know anything about a memorial service. It's like he vanished. I ended up giving all his mail to the apartment office. I don't think the family will come to me for it at this point. 

Ryan said to me this morning that he is worried that I won't get my closure. I hadn't cried until I wrote this. It's hard for it to seem real with the way it all went down. With no memorial service of any kind in sight I guess this post is all the closure I will get.

So, Mr. Bradley, thank you for being a part of my life. It will be a long time before I can walk past your place without looking to see if your door is open and that you are ok. I will miss you.

Two Moms

Well it has finally  happened. McKenna's new best friend at school has two Moms. I suppose it was only a matter of time. I fear this will be a bit tricky to handle.

I met them one day when I stayed after school to let the kids play on the playground for a while. The family came over just to introduce themselves to me. They had heard so much about McKenna from their daughter Zoe so I guess they figured it was time for parent introductions.  Amber (who I had met at the open house) reintroduced herself and then introduced me to her partner Julie.

We talked for a while and I was a bit taken back with how forthcoming they were with personal info. Maybe they felt that it was better to just get it all out there. I have a feeling there will be invites to outside-of-school activities. I enjoyed talking to them very much and I think that we can be "friends because our kids are friends", but it does put me in a delicate situation.

Zoe is a great girl and she attached herself to McKenna right away. She spent last year as the only white/blond haired/super tall/with glasses girl in her class. I guess she got a lot of flack for it and never really had a good friend. Well, in walks McKenna who is white/blond/with glasses (but not so tall) and Zoe found her new BFF. So how do I explain our religious beliefs about homosexuality to a seven-year-old in a way that she will understand and still be sensitive to Zoe. The last thing I want is for McKenna to say "Having two moms is wrong and God doesn't like it". What a nightmare that would be. I would never want Zoe to feel bad about her situation. She has two Moms and a Dad. She is very loved. But....it's wrong in the eyes of God.

Now is the point where McKenna has to learn that the world is not simple. That she needs to love and accept the person even if she knows what they are doing is wrong. She needs to understand that what she says to Zoe about what we believe could really hurt her feelings and possibly end a friendship. That is some really heavy stuff for a seven-year-old who just wants to play with her new friend.

Now I have a headache.