It's really quite simple: Just place your tongue on the roof of your mouth and as you lower it, form a circle with your lips. Isn't that easy? Ya, it's called, "NO!!!"
Ugghh. Frustration! There are some people who when they say "one hour", they mean two. When they say "two kids", they mean 3. Maybe they need to take a math class or something.
Or maybe I just need to take a Get A BackBone and Just Say No class...or something.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
25 Years Ago Today
I love living here in the Northwest. And one of my very favorite reasons why is Mt. St. Helens.
I wanted so much to be able to go to Mt. St. Helens today! Unfortunately, I have too much to do today. And besides, the weather wouldn't have cooperated.
It is a beautiful and humbling experience to visit Mt. St. Helens. I love going there and witnessing the power of nature. Here we are, 25 years later and still you can see the impact of the eruption that day. This was once a very thick, green forest. And still, all these years later the landscape remains treeless.
But you can also see the mountain working hard to rebuild herself and make the land around her beautiful again.
I wish that everyone could come experience her majesty in person. And I consider myself one of the lucky ones that actually has.
I wanted so much to be able to go to Mt. St. Helens today! Unfortunately, I have too much to do today. And besides, the weather wouldn't have cooperated.
It is a beautiful and humbling experience to visit Mt. St. Helens. I love going there and witnessing the power of nature. Here we are, 25 years later and still you can see the impact of the eruption that day. This was once a very thick, green forest. And still, all these years later the landscape remains treeless.
But you can also see the mountain working hard to rebuild herself and make the land around her beautiful again.
I wish that everyone could come experience her majesty in person. And I consider myself one of the lucky ones that actually has.
Like a Bridge over Troubled Waters
Last night, Acadia "bridged" to Brownies. Okay, if Cadi was actually going to be in Brownies, maybe I'd care...but... that's not likely. We went, we stayed until their group was done, then we left. It was after her bedtime and it was boring.
Do I have a bad attitude or something?
Today is Wacky Wednesday. I'm heading off to Acadia's classroom in a minute, then we're off to Cadi's final dance class (her final recital is this weekend), this afternoon is Girl Scouts (they are going to tour Krispy Kremes and I am babysitting the Hoffman kids), and tonight is mutual. Ugghh.
But the good news is that these Wacky Wednesdays are almost over. After this week, there will be no more dance classes. Soon Girl Scouts will be over and school will be out. All I'll be left with is mutual - I can totally handle that!
Now I'm off to battle the elements (it rained cats and dogs over night, still some showers today) and start my Wacky Wednesday. Wish me luck!
Do I have a bad attitude or something?
Today is Wacky Wednesday. I'm heading off to Acadia's classroom in a minute, then we're off to Cadi's final dance class (her final recital is this weekend), this afternoon is Girl Scouts (they are going to tour Krispy Kremes and I am babysitting the Hoffman kids), and tonight is mutual. Ugghh.
But the good news is that these Wacky Wednesdays are almost over. After this week, there will be no more dance classes. Soon Girl Scouts will be over and school will be out. All I'll be left with is mutual - I can totally handle that!
Now I'm off to battle the elements (it rained cats and dogs over night, still some showers today) and start my Wacky Wednesday. Wish me luck!
Monday, May 16, 2005
Rejoicing!!!
I can sum it all up in two words, "I'm Done!"
But who am I kidding...this is me, since when have I only said two words???
I finished painting today!!! I am SO happy with how it has turned out! The family and dining rooms are perfect! The color is just right - not too light, not too dark, and matches the furniture very nicely!
I cannot tell you just how good it feels!
The next project is molding. We've got a friend who will be helping us out with it. I will have to paint the molding pieces too, but it will be quick, easy, and in the garage - no prep work at all.
To celebrate, we let Acadia play in the rain. She stood out in the backyard while Ryan stood on the covered deck and they played catch. Now she is dripping wet - the dog is too. She's jumping in the tub for a nice warm bath.
All in all I think it's been a pretty good day.
But who am I kidding...this is me, since when have I only said two words???
I finished painting today!!! I am SO happy with how it has turned out! The family and dining rooms are perfect! The color is just right - not too light, not too dark, and matches the furniture very nicely!
I cannot tell you just how good it feels!
The next project is molding. We've got a friend who will be helping us out with it. I will have to paint the molding pieces too, but it will be quick, easy, and in the garage - no prep work at all.
To celebrate, we let Acadia play in the rain. She stood out in the backyard while Ryan stood on the covered deck and they played catch. Now she is dripping wet - the dog is too. She's jumping in the tub for a nice warm bath.
All in all I think it's been a pretty good day.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
My boy is away, too.
Mom posted about what she did while her boys were away. I was going to comment, but then it got to be too long and I decided to post it here instead.
Ryan is at Stake Conference, I am home with a sick girl. Yesterday, Acadia came home from the sleepover and immediately threw up! Several times. :(
She seems to be feeling much better today but we decided to keep her home. It was a fight to see who would get to go and who had to stay. Ryan won because he ended up giving a ride to a guy he is fellowshipping. And the less-active girl I was hoping to take cancelled. :(
I was really looking forward to Stake Conference this weekend. After our amazing day at the temple on Tuesday, today's talks are sure to be awesome too. I told Ryan to take good notes. He said he doesn't take good notes. So I told him if he sees Beckie to tell her to take good notes!
We are supposed to go to Beckie's for dinner tonight. If Acadia keeps looking better we will probably still go. I talked to Beckie last night, she says what's been going around is only lasting a day. I hope we can go, we've had to postpone this dinner three times already!
Then after dinner I have a Youth Fireside. We are watching the second half of John Bytheway's Standard's Night video. *Plug- It is awesome - all youth and parents should watch it, together! I am going to purchase it for my family.* I am hoping my less-active Mia Maid will come with her non-LDS mom. I talked with them last night and will call again later today. *Crossing fingers!!!*
In the meantime, since I'm missing church, I've been searching for more YW activity ideas. So many good websites to help!!! Great discussion boards and support groups! I love that some people are organized enough to actually put sites like that together which make it easy for those of us who are "organizationally challenged" to share ideas, experiences, and support.
Ryan is at Stake Conference, I am home with a sick girl. Yesterday, Acadia came home from the sleepover and immediately threw up! Several times. :(
She seems to be feeling much better today but we decided to keep her home. It was a fight to see who would get to go and who had to stay. Ryan won because he ended up giving a ride to a guy he is fellowshipping. And the less-active girl I was hoping to take cancelled. :(
I was really looking forward to Stake Conference this weekend. After our amazing day at the temple on Tuesday, today's talks are sure to be awesome too. I told Ryan to take good notes. He said he doesn't take good notes. So I told him if he sees Beckie to tell her to take good notes!
We are supposed to go to Beckie's for dinner tonight. If Acadia keeps looking better we will probably still go. I talked to Beckie last night, she says what's been going around is only lasting a day. I hope we can go, we've had to postpone this dinner three times already!
Then after dinner I have a Youth Fireside. We are watching the second half of John Bytheway's Standard's Night video. *Plug- It is awesome - all youth and parents should watch it, together! I am going to purchase it for my family.* I am hoping my less-active Mia Maid will come with her non-LDS mom. I talked with them last night and will call again later today. *Crossing fingers!!!*
In the meantime, since I'm missing church, I've been searching for more YW activity ideas. So many good websites to help!!! Great discussion boards and support groups! I love that some people are organized enough to actually put sites like that together which make it easy for those of us who are "organizationally challenged" to share ideas, experiences, and support.
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Psychotic Bird
I mentioned the dumb bird.
It is still here. Everyday it tries flying into our windows - repeatedly. His favorite is the sliding glass door, he also really likes the family room windows, and yesterday I saw him trying Acadia's bedroom window. It is getting annoying.
Everytime he hits, it is with a loud noise - either a smack, thud, or sharp tap - depending on which part of his body hits the glass first. His beak is scratching up my windows and his body is smearing dirt and "stuff" on them.
ANNOYING!!!
Last night Ryan took down the mirrors in the dining room. We had nowhere else to put them, so for now they are out on the deck. I was hoping that the bird would turn his attentions to them, or be frightened by his reflection, or something - anything to keep him from flying into my windows! But, no. This morning he is already at it, throwing himself into the sliding door, over and over and over again.
He and his mate appear to be building a nest in our pear/apple tree. Normally this is a welcomed sight. But I'm not so sure I want this bird camped outside my windows all year, not to mention teaching his little offspring his favorite sport!
We believe this is the same bird who spent the last year flying himself into our neighbor's garage window. He would sit on the fence just staring at it, then throw himself into it. What is wrong with this bird?!?
It is still here. Everyday it tries flying into our windows - repeatedly. His favorite is the sliding glass door, he also really likes the family room windows, and yesterday I saw him trying Acadia's bedroom window. It is getting annoying.
Everytime he hits, it is with a loud noise - either a smack, thud, or sharp tap - depending on which part of his body hits the glass first. His beak is scratching up my windows and his body is smearing dirt and "stuff" on them.
ANNOYING!!!
Last night Ryan took down the mirrors in the dining room. We had nowhere else to put them, so for now they are out on the deck. I was hoping that the bird would turn his attentions to them, or be frightened by his reflection, or something - anything to keep him from flying into my windows! But, no. This morning he is already at it, throwing himself into the sliding door, over and over and over again.
He and his mate appear to be building a nest in our pear/apple tree. Normally this is a welcomed sight. But I'm not so sure I want this bird camped outside my windows all year, not to mention teaching his little offspring his favorite sport!
We believe this is the same bird who spent the last year flying himself into our neighbor's garage window. He would sit on the fence just staring at it, then throw himself into it. What is wrong with this bird?!?
Friday, May 13, 2005
Tough Decision
Acadia got invited to spend the night at a friend's house tonight. Generally, our rule has been that she is too young for a sleep over. We hadn't even decided if we would ever let her have sleep overs just because the statistics for sexual abuse at over-nighters is alarming - even in the church.
But Ryan and I let her go tonight. It is a family we know really well, who live across the street from us. They were going to babysit her tomorrow while I had activities to attend, this is convenient. We trust both the parents and the only brothers are 7 years and 18 months old.
I wonder if we should have just said no even though we completely trust the family she is with tonight. I think that we will have to talk to her and let her know that just because she was allowed to spend the night there tonight, does not mean she will get to spend the night at other people's homes or even that she will get to spend the night at the same house later on. It will have to be on a case-by-case thing. We will have to know and trust both parents and any older siblings. And we may just change our minds and decide to say No Sleepovers - No Exceptions.
Even when you think you know and trust a person, there can be dangers. It is a scary thing to realize. I cannot imagine any of the people we trust most doing something awful, but in most the stories you hear, the people say the same thing. I would rather be safe than sorry.
But that being said, I also think that in a safe environment, sleepovers can be fun and beneficial. They are not necessary, but they can be a way to strengthen friendships. In fact, I am considering having my 14-15 year old girls over for a sleepover this summer. The purpose to help the girls bond more, help me to get to know them more, as well as the other way around... and to simply have fun!
I wouldn't be surprised if later tonight Acadia chooses to come home. She has never been to a sleepover before, besides at grandmas' (and an adopted grandma's) houses. She never seemed to have any problems those times, but this is a little different. She actually teared up a bit before deciding whether to go tonight or not. She said she would miss me. Awww. I told her she can call us or come home at any time. And I reminded her that it is just across the street.
But Ryan and I let her go tonight. It is a family we know really well, who live across the street from us. They were going to babysit her tomorrow while I had activities to attend, this is convenient. We trust both the parents and the only brothers are 7 years and 18 months old.
I wonder if we should have just said no even though we completely trust the family she is with tonight. I think that we will have to talk to her and let her know that just because she was allowed to spend the night there tonight, does not mean she will get to spend the night at other people's homes or even that she will get to spend the night at the same house later on. It will have to be on a case-by-case thing. We will have to know and trust both parents and any older siblings. And we may just change our minds and decide to say No Sleepovers - No Exceptions.
Even when you think you know and trust a person, there can be dangers. It is a scary thing to realize. I cannot imagine any of the people we trust most doing something awful, but in most the stories you hear, the people say the same thing. I would rather be safe than sorry.
But that being said, I also think that in a safe environment, sleepovers can be fun and beneficial. They are not necessary, but they can be a way to strengthen friendships. In fact, I am considering having my 14-15 year old girls over for a sleepover this summer. The purpose to help the girls bond more, help me to get to know them more, as well as the other way around... and to simply have fun!
I wouldn't be surprised if later tonight Acadia chooses to come home. She has never been to a sleepover before, besides at grandmas' (and an adopted grandma's) houses. She never seemed to have any problems those times, but this is a little different. She actually teared up a bit before deciding whether to go tonight or not. She said she would miss me. Awww. I told her she can call us or come home at any time. And I reminded her that it is just across the street.
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