Not all of our kids have cell phones. It's a luxury that is quickly becoming a necessity in today's world. Our 14 year-old Stef would love to have one--all of her friends have them and she feels a little left out. When she needs to have a cell phone with her, I loan her mine. This week she's been at Corpus with the orchestra so she has my phone with her.
The good news is we can call her whenever we want. The bad news is she's getting all my calls and texts.
Yesterday Erin came home! Yeah! She's home for the summer--it's about time! She's getting more used to flying, but texted me while waiting to board. "I'm a little scared to fly."
Stef texted her back, "It'll be OK. I love you."
What a sweet sister.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
The Kawaski Tribe
Last night Benj got into the craft box and got busy. We were watching "Australia" and occasionally would glance over at him being busy with dowels, fun foam, wire, and styrofoam balls.
During our self-proclaimed intermission (cause that's a really LONG movie) I asked him what he was working on and he said he was making artifacts from the Kawaski Tribe and he would give us a presentation tomorrow. Wow! What an imagination! I can hardly wait!
And then he said something about ancient torture devices. What is he learning in school? I'm sure he didn't pick that up at home. :)
Ayway, if we survive the presentation, I'll let you know.
During our self-proclaimed intermission (cause that's a really LONG movie) I asked him what he was working on and he said he was making artifacts from the Kawaski Tribe and he would give us a presentation tomorrow. Wow! What an imagination! I can hardly wait!
And then he said something about ancient torture devices. What is he learning in school? I'm sure he didn't pick that up at home. :)
Ayway, if we survive the presentation, I'll let you know.
Easter Picture
This is a CUTE picture of Benj and his cousin, Melanie, during our egg hunt. They had a great time. All of the big kids were gone to youth conference so they didn't have unfair competition.
When the big kids came home at 11 pm we had an egg hunt for them in the dark. It was fun but the next morning, Mitchell (or was it Ryan?) went out and found another armful that got missed in the dark. We found another 3 or 4 since then. I guess Benj and Mel did a great job hiding them!
Monday, April 13, 2009
What Works for Me
I'm borrowing the "What Works for Me" idea from Sharon's blog. I think it's a great way to pass on good ideas.
The idea I want to share is something I learned in Homemaking a long time ago. For those of you that already know this organizing technique, I apologize for being redundant. :)
I have many boxes. At last count we were up to 37. Don't make fun until you count yours! Recently we pulled 2 Easter boxes out of the attic. One was full of baskets and the other had decorations, grass, and plastic eggs. And now it's time to put it all away. Every few months we pull out boxes and put them away again. For Christmas, we have 7 boxes. Some have lights, another for ornaments, tree skirt, decorations, stockings, stocking holders, etc. Two boxes for Halloween plus one for fall decor. I also have many boxes with craft supplies. One for yarn, a few for fabric, one for craft paint, two for patterns. There's also camping stuff, Chris's mission stuff. Lots of stuff. You get the picture. Does this sound familiar?
This is how I organize it: I use Rubbermaid boxes because they are very durable and every lid fits every box. Another reason I like Rubbermaid is because even though some are deep and some are shallow, they still stack together. Every box has a number taped to the front. Every number corresponds to an index card that is kept in a recipe card box. Every card contains a list of what is in that box. For example, card number 22 says "Easter Baskets." We find box #22 in the attic and pull it down for the weekend. After Easter, we know that those baskets will fit back into that box.
If someone wants to borrow a Nativity scene in the middle of July, I can look at my cards and know that it is in box #37 and I can go right to that box and find the Nativity scene. If the kids need yarn for a school project I send them to box #17.
If we have to change what's in the box we just re-do the index card when we're packing it all back up. The boxes stay neat looking and accessible and we save a lot of time looking for things!
I would like to know how many boxes you all have. Is 37 a lot? I don't know--maybe it is. When you take into account 20+ years of being married, 5 kids, and lots of hobbies maybe we're doing OK on the stuff scale. I don't know. Maybe I got a big problem and I need to go to Stuff Savers Anonymous and do the 12-point program. :)
The idea I want to share is something I learned in Homemaking a long time ago. For those of you that already know this organizing technique, I apologize for being redundant. :)
I have many boxes. At last count we were up to 37. Don't make fun until you count yours! Recently we pulled 2 Easter boxes out of the attic. One was full of baskets and the other had decorations, grass, and plastic eggs. And now it's time to put it all away. Every few months we pull out boxes and put them away again. For Christmas, we have 7 boxes. Some have lights, another for ornaments, tree skirt, decorations, stockings, stocking holders, etc. Two boxes for Halloween plus one for fall decor. I also have many boxes with craft supplies. One for yarn, a few for fabric, one for craft paint, two for patterns. There's also camping stuff, Chris's mission stuff. Lots of stuff. You get the picture. Does this sound familiar?
This is how I organize it: I use Rubbermaid boxes because they are very durable and every lid fits every box. Another reason I like Rubbermaid is because even though some are deep and some are shallow, they still stack together. Every box has a number taped to the front. Every number corresponds to an index card that is kept in a recipe card box. Every card contains a list of what is in that box. For example, card number 22 says "Easter Baskets." We find box #22 in the attic and pull it down for the weekend. After Easter, we know that those baskets will fit back into that box.
If someone wants to borrow a Nativity scene in the middle of July, I can look at my cards and know that it is in box #37 and I can go right to that box and find the Nativity scene. If the kids need yarn for a school project I send them to box #17.
If we have to change what's in the box we just re-do the index card when we're packing it all back up. The boxes stay neat looking and accessible and we save a lot of time looking for things!
I would like to know how many boxes you all have. Is 37 a lot? I don't know--maybe it is. When you take into account 20+ years of being married, 5 kids, and lots of hobbies maybe we're doing OK on the stuff scale. I don't know. Maybe I got a big problem and I need to go to Stuff Savers Anonymous and do the 12-point program. :)
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Perspective on Right-handedness
I am always right.
Right-handed that is.
I have hardly ever used my left hand for anything. I don't seem to have a problem using my two hands together for tasks like typing, driving, sewing, playing the piano, etc., but if it's just a left-handed task forget about it. As a teenager I worked for hours at a time for months and months trying to train my left hand to paint the fingernails on my right hand. I got good enough so that it was presentable (good thing polish remover is cheap) but it was very hard to learn.
My oldest brother has actually taken the time to train himself to eat with his left hand. He decided that if anything ever happened to his right hand, he wanted to be prepared to use his left hand more. He chose to not be totally right-handed.
Being right-handed is how my brain is wired, but it is also my choice because I didn't change it. I had to eat with my left hand for a few weeks two years ago and it was hard--very slow and messy, but not impossible. I don't like to change my routine. It's what I'm familiar with and I like what I am used to.
Sometimes our perspective can get in a mindless rut. We are used to doing things a certain way and making conclusions based on what we know and see. It's a challenge to try and look at a situation from a different angle, but it's not impossible. When I married, my eyes were opened as I began to see things how Chris saw them. His perspective on people and situations continues to enlighten me and gets me out of the groove of only seeing things my way.
I just started reading C.S. Lewis' "Surprised by Joy." Early on in the book, he is reminiscing about his first glimpse of England. He was on his way from Ireland to boarding school and could not believe what an ugly country he was viewing. On page 24 it reads, "Well does the Kalevala say that in a stranger's house the floor is full of knots. I have made up the quarrel since; but at that moment I conceived a hatred for England which took many years to heal." The reason he hated England? Because England was flat and had red brick farmhouses instead of white cottages. It wasn't what he was used to.
Every time I meet a new friend and 'hear their story', my perspective changes and my view widens. They are like no one I have ever met before. Maybe they don't wash dishes how I do or maybe they've never been to California or maybe they don't like ice cream. Do I hate them because they're different? I will admit, sometimes I have to look for commonalities to base a relationship on but I always try and learn something from their experiences.
One thing that I love about blogging is reading different opinions and views. It makes you and your blogs all the more endearing to me. As I read about your adventures and opinions--everything from making goofy noises to get your baby to smile, to having a good day with the piano tuner, to sharing a product that works for you, a new way of looking at Twilight, a favorite song, a 20 year-old wedding picture--I grow and my vista widens.
I've decided that I'll always be right-handed even if I somehow lose my entire right arm, but my perspective can change daily as it's being fine-tuned through your opinions and adventures.
Right-handed that is.
I have hardly ever used my left hand for anything. I don't seem to have a problem using my two hands together for tasks like typing, driving, sewing, playing the piano, etc., but if it's just a left-handed task forget about it. As a teenager I worked for hours at a time for months and months trying to train my left hand to paint the fingernails on my right hand. I got good enough so that it was presentable (good thing polish remover is cheap) but it was very hard to learn.
My oldest brother has actually taken the time to train himself to eat with his left hand. He decided that if anything ever happened to his right hand, he wanted to be prepared to use his left hand more. He chose to not be totally right-handed.
Being right-handed is how my brain is wired, but it is also my choice because I didn't change it. I had to eat with my left hand for a few weeks two years ago and it was hard--very slow and messy, but not impossible. I don't like to change my routine. It's what I'm familiar with and I like what I am used to.
Sometimes our perspective can get in a mindless rut. We are used to doing things a certain way and making conclusions based on what we know and see. It's a challenge to try and look at a situation from a different angle, but it's not impossible. When I married, my eyes were opened as I began to see things how Chris saw them. His perspective on people and situations continues to enlighten me and gets me out of the groove of only seeing things my way.
I just started reading C.S. Lewis' "Surprised by Joy." Early on in the book, he is reminiscing about his first glimpse of England. He was on his way from Ireland to boarding school and could not believe what an ugly country he was viewing. On page 24 it reads, "Well does the Kalevala say that in a stranger's house the floor is full of knots. I have made up the quarrel since; but at that moment I conceived a hatred for England which took many years to heal." The reason he hated England? Because England was flat and had red brick farmhouses instead of white cottages. It wasn't what he was used to.
Every time I meet a new friend and 'hear their story', my perspective changes and my view widens. They are like no one I have ever met before. Maybe they don't wash dishes how I do or maybe they've never been to California or maybe they don't like ice cream. Do I hate them because they're different? I will admit, sometimes I have to look for commonalities to base a relationship on but I always try and learn something from their experiences.
One thing that I love about blogging is reading different opinions and views. It makes you and your blogs all the more endearing to me. As I read about your adventures and opinions--everything from making goofy noises to get your baby to smile, to having a good day with the piano tuner, to sharing a product that works for you, a new way of looking at Twilight, a favorite song, a 20 year-old wedding picture--I grow and my vista widens.
I've decided that I'll always be right-handed even if I somehow lose my entire right arm, but my perspective can change daily as it's being fine-tuned through your opinions and adventures.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Big Ten
This month is our 10th anniversary of moving to Texas. I can't believe we've been here that long! When we moved, we were seriously thinking we'd be here maybe 3 or 4 years. I think our roots have taken hold without us really noticing.
We've been here long enough to redecorate our redecorating.
When we moved here, our oldest was in 3rd grade, now she's a college freshman. Our youngest was born here.
We're considering purchasing burial plots in this area.
We've experienced two hurricanes, Galveston beaches, Blue Bell ice cream, the birth of the Texans, the Dynamo, and the Astro's going to the World Series. We love camping in the winter and on the beach, seeing the alligators at Brazo's and the azaleas in the spring.
We love it here. It's a great place to raise a family. We've got great schools, great neighbors, a great ward with a fantastic bishop :), and the temple is within walking distance.
We're glad we came and we're glad we've been here this long.
Who knows what the next 10 years will bring.
We've been here long enough to redecorate our redecorating.
When we moved here, our oldest was in 3rd grade, now she's a college freshman. Our youngest was born here.
We're considering purchasing burial plots in this area.
We've experienced two hurricanes, Galveston beaches, Blue Bell ice cream, the birth of the Texans, the Dynamo, and the Astro's going to the World Series. We love camping in the winter and on the beach, seeing the alligators at Brazo's and the azaleas in the spring.
We love it here. It's a great place to raise a family. We've got great schools, great neighbors, a great ward with a fantastic bishop :), and the temple is within walking distance.
We're glad we came and we're glad we've been here this long.
Who knows what the next 10 years will bring.
Conversation with Benj
Benj: Mom, I really want to go get a pocketknife from the I.R.S. Jace says they have some for only 5 bucks.
Me (half-listening): What are you talking about?
Benj: Seriously! I want to get a pocketknife from I.R.S.!
Jace: Benj, it's called R.E.I., not I.R.S.
Me (half-listening): What are you talking about?
Benj: Seriously! I want to get a pocketknife from I.R.S.!
Jace: Benj, it's called R.E.I., not I.R.S.
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