Let It Snow!

 

 December 5, 2011 The most heartbreaking comment of the morning:
"Do you think the snow will still be here after school? What if we don't get to play in it?" ~Allie
And that, my friends, is THE most convincing argument for a snow day. At least a delay. Come one...nothing?! On the plus side, it looks like we're only looking at a high of 32 today, so we're holding out hope for some snow play.

‎

"We're going to drive in the snow??! Allie, we're going to drive in the snow!!!"
"Wow, there's even snow on the doorknob."
"You sure can tell the difference between snow on trees and just frost on trees."

 "The rooftops are so beautiful."
"Those trees are so cool. No, THOSE trees are so cool. They're beautiful!"

Black and Gold Stole My Voice

Sister and sister were pitted against each other last night as Team Black and Team Gold pulled out all the stops in the Black and Gold Swim Meet. This is the swim meet that combines swimmers of all ages from  Andrews; the high school swim team (Aimee), the middle school swim team, and the Aquatics Club (Allie) are all placed on either the black team or the gold team so that each team has an equal number of older and younger swimmers and they duke it out for 3 hours to vie for bragging rights.  In reality, this is a pretty fun swim meet, which serves to get all the swimmers and their families together, and the Aquatics Club provides pizza for everyone afterward.  As far as family night is concerned, it covered all the grounds since it kept us all in one room supporting our family members, enjoying the company of friends, and cheering everyone on until our voices were only a memory.

Allie was especially excited because this was her very first swim meet. One of the things she kept wanting to do in practice was a longer event. They work on improving form and position one lap at a time for the most part, so when she saw that she could sign up for the 100 IM in the the meet, she jumped at it. I wasn't sure how that would go at the meet--100 yards, varied swim stroke, no breaks can be a long time for an 8 year old, but she was determined and she totally nailed it! She cycled through butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle and finished in 2 minutes 45 seconds on her first ever 100!  When we looked at the heat sheet, we discovered that Allie was the only one that signed up for the 100, but that didn't phase her at all. She wasn't nervous about being the only swimmer; in fact, she LOVED it!!  "It was so cool, because everyone was cheering, and the only name I could hear was Allie. Go Allie, go Allie. I was really out of breath by the end and it felt so awesome!"  She truly has some of the BEST friends who were at the sides of the pool cheering her on the whole time.  Besides being great swim competitors, Aimee, Natalie, Grace and Jenna were the best cheerleaders ever! For this particular event, Mrs Duzan, Allie's teacher from 1st grade, was one of her timers! Frosting on the cake. :)

Aimee also had a lengthy race this time. Whenever they pull out the plastic flip charts, you know it's time to settle in for about 10 minutes.  If you're unfamiliar with swimming, the plastic numbers are to dip into the pool, letting the swimmer know how many laps have gone by; for this event, they have 20 laps to complete. Aimee swam the 500, which she hasn't done in a meet since early middle school. The upside to that is that she improved her time by 4 minutes!!  Initially, she wasn't thrilled that her coach had put her in the 500, because she prefers shorter events, but in the end, she loved it.  "I just got into a groove and it felt almost relaxing. When I sprinted the last couple laps it felt exciting." With a time of 8:23, she can definitely be proud of her improvement in a year of swimming!

Lap count numbers (awesome flip turn)

Black or Gold? Who won?! After scoring all the events, a certain number going to to each place, the team with the most points was ... GOLD! The Gold boys had 389, Black boys had 308; Gold girls 339, Black girls received 295.  (Those scores are estimates, since I didn't write them down, but they're close).

Whose team was that?  Well, As I said, Aimee and Allie were on opposing teams.  Allie was also placed on the team opposite her two besties, Jenna and Grace.  But Aimee assured Allie that she had a great team because some of Aimee's fastest swimming buddies were on Allie's team. In the end, that must have paid off, because Allie's team, the GOLD team won.  Of course, swimming is all about beating your own times, right? :)

Some of their other events: (each of the events usually has about 6 - 8 swimmers...I recorded the times for my kids and their best friends. :)  )
Girls 8 & Under 50 Yard Freestyle
Allie (2nd place): 1:13
Grace (1st place): :56

Women 200 Yard IM High School
Aimee:

Girls 8 & Under 25 Yard Backstroke
Allie (2nd place): :29
Grace (1st place): :28
Jenna (3rd place): :33

Women 100 Yard Butterfly High School
Aimee: 1:39

Girls 8 & Under 25 Yard Breaststroke
Allie (2nd place): :38
Grace (1st place): :33
Jenna (3rd place): :39

Mixed 400 Yard Freestyle Relay High School
Jimmy, Patrick, Aimee, and Trish:

Herb Roasted Turkey

This is the turkey I have made for the past few years. I love it. I was one of those few who never understood the draw of turkey at Thanksgiving. This recipe fixed the problems I have with it.  The texture is awesome and the flavor is amazing. Seasoned rub + aromatics + brine + high temp to begin, then lowered = DELICIOUS.

First, brine the turkey overnight. 2 gallons of water + 2 cups kosher salt. Add the turkey to the brine and soak it overnight in the fridge.  The only problem with brining, is that you can't use the pan drippings to make gravy. Otherwise, your gravy is REALLY salty. Trust me. Been there, done that. Maybe you could use less salt for the brine, but the pan drippings are still going to be much more salty and seasoned than you're used to.  I have heard that as long as you still season the turkey with the recipe that follows, it will still be great, but I haven't tried it. If you do, let me know.

1 12 lb turkey, brined overnight
1 dried ancho pepper
1 celery stalk
3 large, fresh sage leaves
1 fresh bay leaf, or 2 dried
2 sprigs fresh thyme
3 large shallots
1 tsp cumin seeds, whole
2 TBSP dried sage
1 TBSP ground cumin
2 TBSP ground pepper
2 TBSP dried thyme
2 TBSP kosher salt
1/2 cup olive oil

Preheat oven to 425. Remove turkey from brine and pat dry inside and out. For the aromatics, tie together celery, fresh sage, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf into a bundle and place inside body cavity along with the ancho pepper and shallots. Mix ground cumin, pepper, dried thyme, dried sage, and salt with olive2 oil. Carefully loosen turkey's skin without tearing from the breast and legs, and massage oil and spice mixture all over and under the skin. Tie the end of the drumsticks together over the body opening and tuck the wing tips underneath. Place on roasting rack in large roasting pan and roast in oven for 30 minutes.

REDUCE oven temp to 350 and continue to roast for another 2 - 2 1/2 hours, basting every 30 minutes until thigh temp registers 170. Remove from oven and let turkey rest on serving platter for 15-30 minutes (while finishing prep or making gravy).

NOTE:  I have NEVER had to leave  the turkey in for the whole three hours. After the initial 30 minutes, mine is often done after an additional hour and fifteen minutes to 1 1/2 hours I think. I always have intentions of making a note on the recipe, but I always forget to. Anyway, plan to check the temp after it's been cooking for 1 1/2 hours (total time)

I think a 12 lb turkey is a perfect size. We haven't had giant get-togethers, but a smaller turkey has always been enough for us and whoever we have over. If you have a larger turkey, obviously it will need additional roasting time.

A Song of the Heart

Today church was awesome. 45 minutes of singing. Seriously.

This would have been nearly impossible last year at this time. In our little congregation, we haven't had a pianist since even before I moved here. This spring, our new branch president moved in, and as soon as their house sold, his wife joined us as well. Now we have a pianist. We love her for so many reasons, but today, she was particularly angelic since we got to switch up the meeting. President Owen started the meeting introducing his favorite hymn and why it was his favorite, and invited us all to the same. We sang one verse of each of them, and I loved the variety.

I wasn't sure if there would be long, awkward pauses, so at the beginning of time, I wrote a note to Alex and Aimee telling them I wanted them both to choose a song to share, and they had to have a GOOD reason (this to avoid, "I like this song because it's the shortest", not that I would expect them to actually do that in a meeting, but with teens, it's never a bad idea to be specific.)

Allie was the first child, and the first one from our family to get up to share her favorite hymn. I know that she has a few favorites, but she chose "Praise To The Man" because "we have been learning it in primary this year and it is a fun song to sing." It really is a catchy tune that even our youngest primary children were able to pick up on and sing, despite some pretty big word (which we actually went defined for understanding).

Alex chose "Hope of Israel" because it was the song they sang for his very first Priesthood meeting when he was 12. He said that he likes how the song invokes an active sense of strength and truth.

Aimee chose "Silent Night" because she loves the feeling on the song. Christmas is always a time of peace, love, joy, and family and she sings that song any time of year when she's feeling mad or sad to help calm her mind.

I was torn. I had three favorites, but then after we sang mine, I found another that I love as well. The first song I thought of was "Did You Think To Pray".  I love this song. I love prayer. I love that we have such a powerful tool for comfort, strength, focusing, healing, and communication.  By simply humbling ourselves before the Lord, we can have personal revelation for our own lives every moment of every day.

What I actually shared was my second choice. "Lord I Would Follow Thee" speaks of the basis of all Christianity. We are all here to share the Savior's light and follow His perfect example. We sang the first verse, "Savior, may I learn to love thee." I love the last verse too.
"Savior may I love my brother, as I know thou lovest me, find in thee, my strength, my beacon, For thy servant I would be. Savior, may I love my brother, Lord, I would follow thee."

My third choice was "There Is Sunshine In My Soul Today."  It's just a happy song. No deep meaning there. Not really a deep tune, either, but it's catchy. ( I also like "Scatter Sunshine" for this reason.)

"Master, the Tempest Is Raging" is the song that was the afterthought. I always love the chorus of this one. "Whether the wrath of the storm tossed sea, or demons, or men, or whatever it be, No waters can swallow the ship where lies The Master of ocean, of earth and skies. They all shall sweetly obey Thy will. Peace be still."  This is one of my favorite scriptures. Maybe it's because I always need to be reminded that having faith in His will and taking comfort in His watch will help ease the worry of the days. Maybe it's because there are such beautiful paintings portraying this event. Maybe it's because of a perfect and inspired Christmas lesson that my mom gave one year in Relief Society. I was lucky enough to be visiting her ward along with all of my sibling, and we all helped sing this little object leson/skit that she put together. The message, of course, was "Peace, be still."  Maybe it's just the simplicity of the message. I love that scripture. I love that song.

We were able to share so many wonderful songs today. This would be one of my favorite meetings ever! I think we should repeat this sort of program at least yearly. You think there's any chance of that?!  :)

What's your favorite hymn? Has it changed, does it change regularly? Leave me a comment!

We Know What We Live: NFL

Growing up, I honestly didn't know there was such a huge following for NFL. I mean, I did know that it was "famous", but I had no idea that kids watched it...or even wanted to. When I was in 7th grade (i know, talk about sheltered) we had a substitute in a class who didn't know what we were supposed to be doing. So, instead, she gave us a "match the NFL team to the mascot" paper to do for "fun". 
LOL...being the dork that I was, I was a little panicked, thinking I would be graded on it.  LOL!!!!  Also, I felt like I was cheating by getting the 'answers' from my peers.  I had no idea that many people KNEW all the NFL stuff.  It was just not part of my life.

Four Letter Words

Tonight, Aimee was looking for a song for their cheer dance for the Halloween pep rally.  Of course, a lot of the hiphop songs often slip in some less-than-choice words.  On one particular song, I asked her
"What words are bleeped out of this?"
"Um, the "f" word"
Allie immediately chimed in, "What's the "f" word? .... Mom, Aimee, what's the 'f' word?.... Oh, is it *whispering* fat??"

Sure, babe.  It's fat.
*************************************

This conversation reminded me that I hadn't shared Aidan's choice phrase.  Apparently, while playing a video game, Dustin heard him exclaim, "Holy S&@*"  He asked him why he said it and Aidan told him it was because it means "when something is really awesome of cool, that's what it means."  WHAT??? Where did he get that?  Oh... "it was on "I Am Number Four". "

I know, I know.  I don't usually do such a horrible job of age-inappropriate movies.  But he watched this one while I was gone, and was totally addicted.  Those who watched it assured me that they skipped the scary parts. Great.

So, he has now been told that if he can't edit it from his language, the movie is bye-bye because there are lots of great words to use, but that isn't one of them.  He's only slipped a couple times.  Like, I'll hear him say it when something is really really cool, and then it is followed directly with "I mean HOLY COW".  Mostly it's gone, though.  I just thought it was pretty funny that he latched on to a cool new vocabulary word and used it in its proper context, as far as exclamations go.  This is why children develop such a vast vocabulary in such a small amount of time. Because their minds want to grow and learn and discover.  And generally, his mind learns all the right things. Really. I promise.

Model Contract

 Allie drew up this contract to set the guidelines for Aimee's photography. She was so proud of it.  Aimee was a little wary of signing it because the younger girls had been resisting photographs all morning.

    Oh, sneaky, sneaky Allie! 

This is what happens when you sign a contract written by a future spy.

 She thinks she's so clever. (I think she is too.)

New Flavors!!!

You know what the yellow tastes like? Banana. And the blue is water flavored. Red is peppers...it's spicy. Green is pickles and you know what black is right?! Yep, chocolate flavor.
~Aidan and his M&Ms. (I bet you and your taste buds never realized these candies were flavored before.)

Third Week of School

Aidan loves activity. He climbs, he runs, he throws, he fights (for pretend...at least mostly), he cartwheels, he jumps, and he keeps on going. I would think that his favorite parts of school would be recess and PE. I would be wrong.

"Do I have school in the morning?"
"Yep, tomorrow is Thursday."
"Aw, I don't want to go to PE"
"What??! Why not?  I thought you'd love PE. You get to play and exercise."
"Yeah, but that guy doesn't listen to me. Just everyone else. He said 'do we want to do crab walk or race?' I said race and the other kids said crab walk. And we had to do crab walk!!  Don't they remember we did that yesterday??"

As far as school goes, it's pretty great. He goes happily in the morning, comes home happily in the afternoon and is happy all day. He is learning some Spanish already. Last week he told me his Spanish word of the day.

"Today's Spanish word is lapiz."
"Cool, what does lapiz mean?"
"It means...the fan is on."
"No it doesn't."
"Well, it doesn't but I don't want to tell you. I want you to guess."
(Google Translate to the rescue.)

One down side is this. Sometimes he just wants to make up words. So he says weird sentences and says, "it's a different language. Not Spanish. Not English." 

Well, in that case, copasapata. :)

Allie: I Believe

"I believe in the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus and God and Jesus and the Holy Ghost and Wizards and fairies."

Leave it to the magic of childhood innocence to offend Christians, Atheists, Wiccans, and Pagans all in one fell swoop. Nope, I don't care that they're all together.  I think kids can just be kids. There are plenty of years to be adults. Childhood lasts only a short time, and even then, when the magic is gone, you can't really get it back.  Keep believing, Allie!

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 30: One of your favorite songs from 2000-2009:

Hey There Delilah:

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 29: One of your favorite songs from the 90's:

If I Had A Million Dollars, Barenaked Ladies

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 28: One of your favorite songs from the 80's

No One Is To Blame, Howard Jones

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 27: A song that mentions a famous person:
Vincent

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 26: A song that references another song or artist:
Party In The USA

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 25: One of your favorite one-hit wonders:

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 24: A song that tells a story:

Obviously, I listened to this from Genene's recording, so it's not exactly the way I like it. Still, this old English folk ballad is so sweet!

Lies From the Beyond

"Stupid....Stupid...Stupid, Stupid. What? Stupid!"
"Hey Aidan, who are you talking to like that?"
"Grace's Magic 8 Ball. I keep asking if I am the Flash and it keeps saying no."
................................................................
"Aw, yes!!!  It said yes finally!" (dashes speedily down the hall)

Go For It

"Splashing through the mud is fun. You either get stuck and have to get towed out, or you have a lot of fun getting through it. You're not going to know unless you rev up and go."
~ Alex Greenwood

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 23: A song where the title isn't mentioned in the lyrics:

I'm posting two because I can't decide. Both bring so many perfect memories of friends, family, love, and fun! Plus, Unchained Melody embedding is disabled for the video that's best. If you want to see it, click the link.
Unchained Melody, Righteous Brothers
Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 22: A song with a recognizable intro that instantly brings a smile to your face:


Simple cello. I'll take it. :)

Color Spot

Guess who FINALLY finished the accent wall??!!!  That's right! ME!!  'Cause I'm awesome. Be impressed, K?!  :)  Aimee's room finally has the bed pushed back against the wall, instead of a few feet out to allow for painting. Hooray!!  Any bets on how long it takes her to fill the new space??
I'll post another pic once we get that art up on the wall. I think it will be perfect!

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 21: One of your favorite foreign language songs:
Complainte de la Butte, Rufus Wainwright



Second choice: Celtic Odyssey, Puirt a Beul, which apparently is a cheerful lilting tune from a mouth. A puirt a beaul can have different lyrics and tunes than this particular one did. Also, the best rendition is my sisters and cousins in the talent show, but I don't have that version.  I also love Donal Agus Morag/The New-Rigged Ship, singing about the festive wedding.

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 20: A song that would make a great national anthem:

Too bad My Country Tis of Thee is the same melody as God Bless The Queen. We probably couldn't have the same national anthem tune as the UK, right?! You're a Grand Old Flag is good too.
Stars and Stripes Forever is a pretty good melody. Depends on what words they use. Some of them are kind of bloody. 

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 19: A song you discovered through a TV advert:

I honestly don't remember if I already liked this and then saw it, or if I sought it out after seeing the commercial. Jump, Jive, and, Wail was on a Gap ad and is totally fun!



This is the ad, shortened version of the song.

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 18: A favorite instrumental:
In choosing which one to post, I turned on my instrumental playlist and enjoyed a morning of classics. What truly delighted me is that my kids actually hummed along and knew the pieces. I have mom-guilt about not exposing them to all the right things all the time, but at least I know they remember some classical tunes and I haven't entirely failed them on that front. True, a couple of times, they said, "hey, this was on...um...I can't remember, that one thing," or "I heard this on that movie."  But not all of them.

Celtic Odyssey

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 17: A song with one of the best videos ever:

Take On Me was pretty cool, but, seriously, Thriller is clearly awesome, throughout time.

First Day of School 2011 Teen Version

"Alex and I saw each other twice at school today. Once in the morning. He shook my hand and said, 'Nice to meet you.' Then we saw each other in the halls between class. We made crazy faces at each other."
Awesome that they're both at the same school this year, ey?!

Honestly, this picture of them together was the third day of school. The first day, is the picture on the right, but Alex had just gotten out of football and didn't want his picture taken. Aimee had to wear her cheer uniform on the first day for the beginning of the year Mustang Barbeque, in which the cheerleaders perform a skit, a couple cheers, and the swimmers and varsity football players were announced. The second day of school, she had to cheer at a game, and so, had to wear another cheer uniform. Today they have a game, but they can only cheer at one game a week (thank goodness for that rule!!!) so, she is wearing a cheer jersey with jeans. She was THRILLED to be able to wear her own clothes on Wednesday. :)

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 16: A song from an album with amazing cover art...

"Amazing" can mean so many things, and I certainly don't know the artwork for all albums. Bring on the conversation. On what album do you LOVE the artwork?

A song I like, the cover is cool...
Muse, Uprising

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 15: A great song from a film soundtrack:

I really could just post the entire Greencard soundtrack because Hans Zimmer kind of rocks. Check out this link for the instrumental pieces, including, Instinct, Cafe Afrika, Restless Elephants and the Greenhouse. Asking You gets its own direct link. Click here.

Eyes on the Prize, Hans Zimmer and the Emmaus Group Singers

Second Day of School

Today Aidan brought home a book that he colored and assembled in school today. He showed it to me in the rearview mirror on our way home from school, and even at that quick look, I could tell it was in Spanish.
"Oh, cool, you colored a Spanish book today?"
"No, It isn't Spanish. It's just a book about cleaning up the beach."
"Are you sure? Did you read it with your teacher? It looks like it's written in Spanish."
"Yep, I'm sure. See."
He flipped through a few pages and then said, "Oh, yep, it's in Spanish because I can't read any of it."
I laughed out loud because that reasoning totally caught me off guard. Obviously, he wouldn't have been able to read it in English or Spanish, but that didn't play into his conclusions.


As was the case last year, the second day didn't go as smoothly as the first. Aidan becomes fully aware of exactly what happens at school, the length of time he is there, the activities presented, and weighs the information against his expectations and perceptions. He then decides that it isn't worth it and doesn't like to stay. I stayed at the school way too long at the school just hanging out in the background so that he felt comfortable there. There wasn't really an opportunity to leave, though because the teachers weren't really available to keep him engaged or from following me out the door. Tomorrow will be different. I have a new plan. :)

I'm always interested to know just what the children came away with from their lessons. Aidan told me what he learned today.
"My teacher teached...teached....teached?...taught. My teacher taught me the rules of don't do that.
Don't throw pencils.
Don't put scissors in your mouth.
And also glue."

"Really? Did you learn those because someone did that and she told you all not to?"
"Nope. That's just the don't do that rules. We just learned them."

Mmmmmkay.

His Kryptonite

My awesome little superhero put on the bravado and walked into Kindergarten like he owned the place. Aidan didn't do so well with shots. After not even crying for the first one, he realized she was doing more. It was all over for self-control at that point. When she accidentally threw one of the shots away, and went to get another, he told me, "if she does that again, I will kick her."  He wasn't lying. Our nurse brought in a helper, who immediately reassured me that it was fine if he kicked her, hit her, scratched her...that this was normal for children who are being hurt; they protect themselves, and she's cool with it. And yes, he growled and kicked and screamed and clawed. I found myself wondering just what I was doing. How much is too much? Because really, I don't feel strongly enough about any of those shots to warrant that kind of trauma for him. And of course I continue to dwell on it, replaying and deciding just what will and won't happen in the future.

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 14: A song that is good to exercise to:
I like a good strong beat and something that makes me want to get up and dance.
Wow...maybe the challenge should be finding one of them that has a blog-appropriate video. LOL

I already put Moves Like Jagger on the group song, so, I'm going with Who Says

First Day of School 2011

How sad is it that my baby is in Kindergarten??!!  As hesitant as he was last week at 'Meet The Teacher', he went right in this morning and seemed at ease.
When summer is coming to a close, I am never one to be heard saying, "oh,thank goodness school is back in." Never.  I like my kids. I love when they learn with each other, or with friends, through play. I love having the chance to be more of an influence in their lives than the few hours school allows. But, we're giving it a shot. Aidan is in the dual-language program, so we'll give it a while to see if it's worth 7 hours of school a day.  Allie loves the GT portion of her day, so we'll see if it makes it worth it for her to be bored during some of the other times. Here's to a happy first day of school with absolutely zero tears.  Now, when we finish up with Aidan's doctor appointment today, we'll see if the tears stay away. Immunizations might not even faze this little superhero.

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 13: A song that reminds you of first crushes:
This would be skating rink snowball skate, cheesy jr high dances, holding hands, passing notes in class, phone conversations. Life was a breeze.
INXS Need You Tonight

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 12: A song that reminds you of a holiday:
I guess Christmas songs remind me of Christmas. So, one of the greatest ones...

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 11: A song that reminds you of school:

Tears For Fears, Everybody Wants To Rule The World

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 10: A song you have influenced your parents to like:
I totally have no idea. I think that means I fail the challenge. Someone close to the situation better step in and help me out.  I'm sure I've shared songs with them that they've loved, because, well, why wouldn't they?!  But, I don't know of any specifics. Anyone close to the situation care to enlighten me?  So, today I'm posting another song that they influenced my to like.  My mom was The Beatles. My dad gets Creedence Clearwater and Three Dog Night. Here's to waking up at 3am (aka 0'dark thirty) to go hiking and fishing.
Joy to the World, Three Dog Night

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 9: A song that your parents influenced you to like:
The Beatles, She Loves You

I actually don't know what my mom's favorite Beatles song is. (Care to enlighten us, mom?)
While traveling between Salt Lake and Idaho Falls, weekend trip to visit our cousins, we sang. A lot.  We had a car full of awesome singers and the miles flew by. In addition to sing-alongs and rounds, we listened to the Beatles. Probably other stuff too, but I definitely remember the Beatles '64 album.
I wanted to post this live video of this song because it shows just how crazy the crowd is for The Beatles. Screaming, crying, biting hats...it was funny to me, while totally capturing the pandemonium that was The Beatles fans.

Forgiveness

I didn't think that I had unspoken apologies or deeds I had yet to forgive, but when I read library books to the kids tonight, I wondered if the universe was telling me something.  I chose one book specifically.  I was sitting on the floor in the library, just pulling books from one particular shelf. I would glance them over then put them back.  The book, Sorry, by Jean Van Leeuwen didn't get placed back on the shelf. The cover picture, by Brad Sneed, was engaging enough and definitely told a story; yes, I judged the book by its cover. I often do. But just books. I hope.
Aidan looked through the Batman books while I sat on the small reading steps, taking in Sorry. If you haven't read it, you should. Except I'm a big baby and cry all the time over simple heart-touching stories, so if you have that problem too, you might need a standby reader. Otherwise your kids might think you're crazy. And they'll laugh at you. Especially if you make your teens listen.
The story is about two brother who are close, but they gradually drift apart further and further because they didn't mend the one little instance with a "sorry."  As the book goes on, I wondered when they were finally going to apologize to each other. If there can be a suspense build up in a children's picture book, it's here. Every page I kept thinking, "okay, now apologize."  Poor Ebenezer and Obadiah.  They could have saved themselves so much pain if they had just apologized.
The second book, I believe Allie chose. She was in the Dr Seuss section and wanted Aidan to hear this gooey story, Bartholomew and the Oobleck. I have never even read this one. The spoiler here, is that in the end, the magic words that make all the sticky, gluey, gooey muck go away are, "I'm sorry. It was my fault."
In today's world, I really have a problem with everyone trying to blame someone else and never taking responsibility for their own choices. I loved that this book made him just say that he asked for it. He requested it. He apologized and set it all straight and moved on.
Sorry brought to mind two things. First, a General Conference address by Thomas S Monson when he was First Counselor in the First Presidency. I think I may have posted about it before, in relation to a certain day at church. Maybe not. I've always remembered this particular message. Hidden Wedges retells the story written by Samuel T Whitman, about an ice storm and a metal wedge in the center of a tree. The tree survived for years with the metal wedged into its 'heart', but when the ice storm came, it was not as strong as it appeared.
The second thing that was brought to mind was the children's book we used to listen to and read. Forgiveness is one of the Standin' Tall books and it too relates a story about a small sliver that was left unattended. As time went by, the wound festered and became infected. When the young girl treated her small splinter, she was able to heal. Just as that small wound, the book helps kids realize that they need to forgive one another.
Hopefully my children are learning through word and example that they can apologize and forgive easily. Holding onto offense and anger is so easy to do in our earthly state. If we can overcome the "natural man" and become humble, we will be able to experience lighter hearts and happier days.  We don't need **spoiler alert: generations to by** as Ebenezer and Obadiah did to mend our relationships with our family, friends and neighbors.
Hopefully, the universe isn't telling me that we got, not just one book about saying sorry, but two, because that's what I need to see and address. I would like to think it was coincidence.

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 8: One of your favorite songs by a group:
I posted Rhythm of Love by The Plain White T's to facebook, but I think I already posted that one here.

So, since there are plenty of favorites to choose from in this crazy head of mine, including The Cave, by Mumford and Sons and Our Song, by The Plain White T's,  I'm just going with a fun song, Moves Like Jagger, by Maroon 5. Click here for the official video (the slightly edited version...they did two, almost identical, if you don't want to get flashed, this link is good.)
This is the live show when they first performed it on The Voice.  I never did watch a single episode of that, but I'll definitely enjoy the performance.

Act on the Spirit

How awesome is it that we can have personal revelation in our lives?!!   Simply by listening to our consciousness, our inner voice, and the Spirit of the Lord, we have the opportunity to affect our lives and the lives of those around us. Today was Stake Conference for us, and the youth were singing a couple of special musical numbers, in which Alex and Aimee were participating (which guaranteed me not slacking off and skipping out). So we hopped in the car to go to church 45 minutes away at the Stake center. It was a wonderful experience, of course, and I'm always thankful for the opportunity to be inspired.

What I took most to heart today was the reminder to listen to the Spirit and act on it.  I think we all have moments and times that we are doubting ourselves, doubting our intuition, doubting our own knowledge, and I needed to be brought back to myself, rather than the hesitations of the world.

Our Lubbock area mission president related a story from his own mission. They had asked about one woman in their area and were told that her adult son lived with her. The son hadn't been welcoming to the messages from the church, and they were told if they spoke with the woman, they should do so when he wasn't home, or be prepared to get an earful from her son. Some time passed and they stayed buys with other visits, but they felt strongly that they needed to visit this woman. They prayed about it and were certain that they should visit her. Arriving in front of her house, they prayed that she would be home, and felt certain that she would be, because the Spirit reassured them.  They prayed that the son wouldn't be home.  That prayer went unanswered. As they walked up the path, they saw the son looking out the window. They looked at each other and, again, were assured they should visit her home anyway. When they knocked at the door and introduced themselves, the son immediately got his mother.
For the entire visit, the son stayed in the corner, silently watching. When they finally left, he asked to accompany them out.  Again, silently, he followed them.  Upon arriving at their car, he finally spoke. "I don't know who you are, I don't know what you want, All I know is what I felt.  I felt purpose."  He went on to explain that before they came, he had an increasing sense of being lost and feeling no purpose. He was contemplating suicide, and then they showed up at his door.  He felt hope and he felt purpose.  The Spirit spoke to him through those Elders because they listened to the promptings of the Spirit. 

I needed this today. I am so grateful for personal revelation, knowing that the Lord loves us and continues to bless us each and every day.

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 7: One of your favorite songs by a female solo artist:

Adele, Rolling In The Deep

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 6: One of your favorite songs by a male solo artist:

I'm Yours, Jason Mraz

Sometimes I get tired of songs after awhile. Not this one. Still like it. :)

To listen to the studio recording with the official video, click here. Can't embed it.

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 5: A song you didn't initially realize was a cover:
Because the Night, by 10,000 Maniacs

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 4: One of the worst cover versions you've heard:

I like Fergie; I like Sweet Child o Mine. I hated them together.  If you want to watch the video, click here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FauHsI7A0nc&feature=related

Instead of posting a bad cover, I'm embedding another good cover. Rolling in the Deep, by Adele, is a great song.  Covered by Linkin Park it's still great.

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 3: One of your favorite cover versions:

Aerosmith: Come Together

Because there aren't many bands who can pull it off, but Aerosmith pretty much nailed it.

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 2: A song that sounds best played live:

U2 With or Without You (Well, really, anything live from U2 sounds great!)

30 Day Song Challenge

Day 1: A song that's been stuck in your head lately:
Mulan: I'll Make a Man Out of You

Spy Like Me

Question: When is a Smackers Lip Gloss multi-pack not just a fruity way to moisturize your lips?

Answer: When Allie and her bestie spend the first 20 minutes of their play time assembling their spy kits, including making a reference sheet indicating each flavor's true power and purpose.

"Mom, how do you spell 'knockout,' like 'knockout gas'?  Is it the same as 'knock on a door' with a 'k' at the front?" (Allie)

"Yes."

"I'm definitely going to have to keep this paper in my spy kit so I remember all the right secret powers." (This was Allie's friend, Grace.)

If you can keep a secret, I'll share the goods with you...tropical punch is knockout gas. Strawberry is laser.  Watch out for that one.  I didn't have the credentials to hear any of the other flavors, sorry. You're on your own.

TMI (sort of)

As I pulled the cookies out of the oven, Aidan came in, curious.

"What are those?"
"They're cookies!"
"Well, they look like cookies, but they don't smell like cookies.  It smells like rolls."
"Well, maybe that's because they have cinnamon." (Although I don't exactly put cinnamon in rolls; it was just the more savory smell, perhaps.)
"Oh, yeah. Smells good."
"Yeah, since they're oatmeal, and we like cinnamon with oatmeal, I thought that would taste yummy in the cookies, but it makes them...."
"Okay, okay, enough talk mom, can you tie my costume."

Obviously, he was not up for a long discussion about food and seasonings while there were more important matters to be addressed.  I could just see it in his body language that it was taking all he had to keep control and feign interest for a few small moments.  He was actually in the middle of a fight, which required his Batman Beyond costume to be tied (which he informed me HE was the one tying it, for pretend, but I needed to help because it was behind him).

I'm quite certain I recognized his "barely-listening" because I've felt it myself on occasion.  For example, when you're at the check-out and you're sort of in a time-crunch, and the cashier feels the need to launch into a long story about her nieces and nephews, when, really, you'd just like her to punch in the numbers and get a move on.  Or when you hesitantly opened the door, only to find a salesman on the other side, who, no matter your answer in the negative, continues to try to sell you some worthless junk.  Like that.  :)

The Alarm Clock

Alex is at Scout camp this week. Those of us who aren't were awakened by his really annoying beeping alarm. When I realized that everyone else was trying to go about their tasks doing their best to ignore it, I went in to turn it off. (Since we had heard it across the house, you can imagine how loud and irritating it was in close quarters.)
So, being greeted by 3, yes three, separate clocks, I proceeded to try to find snooze buttons and off buttons on each of them, to no avail. The buzzing continued and threatened to irritate the nerves right out of the depths of my soul. Just as I was deciding to find the cords and unplug them all, I found a sneaky little button on one of them. 
Phew.
How that kid can sleep through his alarm I have NO idea!
(In his defense, he ususally does get up... at least to turn the alarm off..)
It must be the sneaky little button...you have to be awake enough to find it, in which case, you won't be falling back asleep.
In morning conversation, it would seem that the girls had both incorporated the alarm into their dreams before giving in to the light. :)

Teens Think They Know Everything

"Just because I won't let you go to an R rated movie on opening night, doesn't mean I'm the meanest mom ever."

"Yeah, it does. And when I grow up, I'm going to buy an $80 shirt too."

More Aidan Shenanigans and Graduation!

Pleading and appealing to mom's sympathies seemed to be Aidan's new trick yesterday.  He loves to get wet, and he loves to get muddy. He just doesn't love to stay in wet muddy clothes for very long.  So, at the end of a very wet, muddy day, 2 showers, and 7 clothes changes later, bed time finally arrived!  As we walked back to his room, I told him we were getting pajamas and a book so we could brush teeth and get to bed. MELTDOWN!


You would have thought the world was ending if you heard the pleas of that little boy. "But the sun is STILL shining! It's not time for bed. But I didn't even get to go to my friend's house." After a brief pause, in which he realized he did go to friends' houses, and had friends over, he got a little more specific. "My friend that's a girl, and her name starts with an "M". Why can Allie go to Maria's house and not me?"  


We managed to get teeth brushed with major dramatics in the mirror. I had to hide my laughing because I was certain he wouldn't find it very funny, but he was at the crying point where he wanted to keep crying because of the release, the emotion, and the look of it all.  He admired his open mouth wailing when he took over the brushing, and then we headed out to read. I thought he was over the "going to a friend's house", but apparently I was wrong. "How about now can I go? How about now? How about now?"  What???  When did this kid learn to beg?


So, lying in bed, I figured he could use company while Allie was showering. He asked me to "go to your bathroom and tell her to 'get clean and get out', but come right back." (That's my go-to phrase for anyone in the shower; otherwise they seem to take all day. Well, they still take an eternity, maybe I need a new catch phrase.)  I was right. He wanted company and peace and fell straight to sleep. Even before Allie came in for pajamas. 

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My happy little la-la world had a small ending as well.  Aidan just graduated from PreK this week. I didn't thing it would be a big deal, but the song they had playing with their slide show was just too sweet.  After the kids all recited the Pledge, the alphabet, counting, Spanish colors, and some fun songs they learned, they each got their certificate and told the audience what they wanted to be when they grew up. Bull Rider, Cow Roper, NFL Football player, veterinarian, and ballerina were all popular choices. Just one of those cuties wanted to be Spiderman when he grows up. Yep, that's Aidan.  He told me this in advance and I tried to ask him about some other career choices. "So, you want to help people? Do you want to be a police officer? Or a detective?"  No, he insisted. "Police men don't get to do cool moves like Spiderman."  Okay. He's totally right. And can you totally tell we live in Texas? Not only do these kids choose "Bull Rider" as their future career, they also know how to do it. One of these little guys, at 3 and 4 years old, goes out with his dad and rounds up the cattle. He knows all the official terminology and it's slightly adorable and a little amazing. 


Aidan's school career is a little up in the air right now. In Texas, children have to turn 5 before September 1 to be eligible to start Kindergarten.  Since Aidan's birthday is just before that deadline, I might normally be feeling lucky to just make the cut.  But, I have so many hesitations about starting him, and also many about having him stay in PreK for another year.  

At this point, I preregistered him for Kindergarten and also preregistered him for PreK.  In this area, many of the parents wait an extra year before starting their children in Kindergarten, especially the boys.  It's my opinion, and experience in discussions, that it isn't just that boys aren't ready. Honestly,they want them to be bigger for football.  Which really has its own set of pros and cons, more pros in this area, really, otherwise, they'll just get killed on the field, so their concern is valid.  


So, size is a slight factor, if we were looking to stay here in Andrews until Aidan is in football, which really begins next year for kids here.  haha


My main concern is that Kindergarten here is 8-3. In my opinion, the school system is set up to be a taxpayer-funded babysitting service. I think it's unfair for the teachers to have to discipline children just because the parents don't want to. I think it's really unfair to the children who don't need to be at school for 7 or 8 hours when they really aren't learning 7 or 8 hours of info.  I feel hesitant to send him to a 7 hour school day because I feel like he would get much more out of his day by NOT being in school.


As Aidan's birthday is right at the end of the cut-off, he is already one of the youngest.  There are kids who have April and May birthdays who have already waited a year, which makes Aidan 1 and 1/2 years younger than some of his fellow Kindergarteners.  I'm not sure this makes a big difference education-wise.  They will all always be on the same grade level.  My concern comes in the later years when milestones are measured by school year.  Milestones and "rites of passage" are already coming sooner and sooner and with school peers a year and a half older, there will surely be expectations at a younger age for him.  


But, if we move, which we intend to do sometime, there will be more kids who are the same age as him in the same grade if we start now, right?!  And, if he starts K at barely 5, he will graduate when he's 17 and have all summer before turning 18, where a lot of kids will already be 18. But if he starts K at 6, he will be starting his senior year at 18 already. Does that make it harder or easier, peer wise? 


See the dillema?  I'm overthinking it all and can't come to a conclussion.  


Maybe I should send him to PreK for the friendships he likes, but basically do Kindergarten homeschool, then send him to 1st grade next year, just to avoid my little 5 year old having to have a 7 hour school day. 


....and off I go to think about it and not think about it some more.

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Wanna know what Aidan was doing while I typed this?  He had a water fight with his siblings in the backyard, managing to throw some mudblobs also...in his church clothes. Then he sat down to eat dinner, which D so kindly served them, and dipped his bread in his drink, shaking it and spreading liquid around. I didn't have to clean it up. D did. :)

Carrie Underwood sings How Great Thou Art

...and some other links I thought were share-worthy. If you've checked out my Facebook lately, you've seen them already. Enjoy, again!





A Mother's Prayer For Her Daughter, by Tina Fey, in her Memoirs, Bossy Pants
http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/04/tina-feys-prayer-for-her-daughter/

Onion News:
Weather Weary Nation Not Surprised By Forecast of Blood Storms
http://www.theonion.com/articles/weatherweary-nation-not-surprised-by-forecast-of-b,1859/
CIA's 'Facebook' Program

CIA's 'Facebook' Program Dramatically Cut Agency's Costs

Royal Wedding, Cinderella Style
Obviously, the photos are photoshopped for color, but it was too funny:

Wanna know what Prince Charming actually wore?




Although, the 'fascinators' were remarkably similar, and my high-school friend who lives in France said this, on the comments of this photo "Too funny! The French gossip rags already refer to B&E that way!"