Second week of June

So what has happened this week...I was released from the Relief Society Presidency today.  That is a big deal because of the time the calling takes and all the time it occupies in my thoughts.  There have been parts of the calling I have really enjoyed and parts that have been very difficult.  Eric and Rubie had swim lessons this week.  We went to the Swimming Hole with Shelia Morrison.  She was recommended by some parents of some of Eric's classmates.  She really is great.  She had the kids doing things I didn't think they would do.  They put on goggles and fins and started diving in the water, holding their breaths, and doing swim strokes.  We went every day for 30 minutes and they loved it.  We will take another week in July and August.

I also feel like I have started back into training and I'm very excited about it. I biked yesterday with a group of people the Alpine Loop.  There were so many cyclists out, I loved it!  I hope to be able to receive some training  to become better and more prepared for the Saints to Sinners relay in 8 weeks.

Last night we had Scott's siblings and family over for a bar-b-que.  It was Angela's birthday and a good reason to celebrate.  We had a great time.  The kids really enjoyed their cousins.  I loved to see how the kids all interacted.

Summer Vacation Official

We officially kicked off our summer time with a little trip to Capital Reef.  Scott booked an inexpensive hotel room in Bicknell, a few minutes North of Capital Reef.  We set out on Friday evening.  We all stayed in one room with 2 queen beds.  Saturday morning we went into the National Park (Rubie is convinced it is not a REAL park is there was no playground) to explore and hike.  We made our first stop at the Visitors Center to find out about appropriate hikes with the kids.  We spent some time there and then we to the Grand Gulch to hike to the Pioneer Registry and The Tanks.  It was easy going along a river bed with high steep red rock canyon walls.  When we were just a few minutes to the end and before hiking up to the tanks Eric and Rubie were insistent on turning around but we pretty much made them continue forward.  We hiked out just before the rainstorm came in.  Sam would not be happy in the baby carrier and insisted that I carry him in my arms.  He was tired and this trip was hard on him as we did not cater to him taking naps but expected him to fall asleep while hiking or driving.  On our second hike we figured out that if we gave him bunny in the baby carrier that helped him fall asleep.  The drive in the rain was beautiful.  We drove to Loa for some groceries and went back to the hotel to eat, swim, and watch a movie.  Sunday was much the same.  We did 3 little short hikes.  One to Hickman Bridge, a natural arch, the Petroglyphs, and Panoramic Lookout Point, and Sunset Point.  Again ending before rain came in the late afternoon.  We went back to the hotel for swimming, playing, and eating.  Monday morning we decided to go to Fish Lake.  It was a beautiful drive.  Scott rented a little aluminum motor boat.  We donned life jackets and boarded the boat.  It took both Scott and I to get Samuel into his life jacket.  He hated it from the second he saw it.  I got on the boat with him and he was uncontrollable.  He was screaming and sobbing and throwing such a fit.  He was trying to harm me and I was afraid he was going to go over in the water.  We went out for probably 15 minutes or so and Sam would not let up.  People on shore could hear him and he was not making it fun for the rest of us.  So I had Scott take us back to the dock.  As soon as I got him out of the boat and took the life jacket off, he calmed right down.  So while Scott took Eric and Rubie around the lake, Samuel and I explored a bit of the shore of Fish Lake, bought $16 worth of crackers at the little store and settled in for a snack when Scott and the kids showed up.  Apparently the boat was not a big hit with any of the kids.  Oh well, we tried.  So we headed home.  We made a lot of fun memories on this little trip and look forward to more to come.  We were reminded how important naps are for little toddlers.  Samuel loves his bed and his bedroom and his schedule.  He does not want to sit at restaurants and eat.  Each time we went somewhere to eat, I spent the whole time walking around the restaurant inside and out following Samuel around and keeping him safe and out of trouble.  I tried to send Scott out to get food as often as we could and bring it back to the hotel, or we just got snacks to eat in the car.

Friday the kids and I hung out at the The Pit with so many others in the neighborhood for the neighborhood party with a bounce house, blow up water slide, and lunch.  Friday night Scott and Eric went to the Father and Sons campout at Mutual Dell.  Rubie had Paige and Julie over for a late night play date.  And last night Scott and I went out with the Tulett's to Tucano's.  We had Eli, our nephew, come babysit.  Eric and Rubie are looking forward to having swimming lessons this next week.

Shakespeare Week and a Karate Tournament

This week we had two big things that we were looking forward to.  Shakespeare Week and the Karate Tournament.

Every year AHS has Shakespeare Week.  Everyone in the school may wear a period costume.  For the little girls the Disney Princess Dresses work pretty well.  Rubie wore a Belle dress, her Rapunzel dress (which really works, Belle not so much), and another princess dress I bought from the dance studio last year.  Eric wore his knight costume from last year and we got a new one that was just a pull over vest that he could put different shirts under.  He liked that one the best.  I don't know what all of the grades do, but for the younger grades, they had a Shakespeare Feast one day during the week. Each day they also got to see one Act of the play the older kids are performing.  This year it was A Mid Summer Night's Dream.  I loved to see how much the kids got into it.  They really loved the characters and understood some of the funny things that were happening.  Rubie wants to see a movie version of it now.  Such a great way to get the kids interested in Shakespeare.  I hope one year we get to go to the Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City.

Saturday morning we went to the South Towne Expo Center to participate in the BLK interschool tournament.  We were told to be there about 8:30 because they usually have the young kids go first, but when we got there they had some of the black belt competition going on.  We had to wait around for an hour.  With little kids, especially Samuel, that is a long time.  By the time Eric and Rubie were actually competing Sam was done with being there.  Rubie competed against 5 other kids.  She performed her Form well.  I made her practice to different neighbors throughout the week to get over her acting so shy.  It paid off.  She received a 2nd place medal for her form.  She also did flag sparing.  She received a participation medal also. Eric competed against 7 other kids.  He competed in his form, self-defense, and flag sparing.  I only saw his flag sparing.  Scott said he did well though.  But he only received a participation medal.  He was really disappointed at not placing in any of the other events.  There were a couple girls in his group that really did get 3 or 4 medals.  I felt so bad for him.  He works hard, but he could work harder and be more focused.  Those girls seemed pretty intense about it.  It's good for the kids to participate and see how serious some of the other kids take the competition.  I'd like to see Eric and Rubie put in more practice at home and find out from their teachers what they could do better.

Eric was also looking forward to the two birthday parties he attended.  Sam Smith from his class right after the tournament and right after that he and Rubie went to cousin Cougar's birthday party.  We are headed over to Dan and Brandee's in a bit to celebrate Eli and Cougar's birthdays.

Friday Rubie went to school in the morning.  Queen Elizabeth comes to visit the students and the final act of the play is just performed in the morning.  I loved the schedule that day.  I got a taste of what it could have been like all year, but oh well.  I picked her and Adam up from school, took Adam home and then we went shopping.  We went to the mall to the Children's Place.  I really enjoyed shopping with her.  She is adorable and can wear anything.  I love her style and the outfits she puts together.  One is so cute with a fedora hat, a one piece sun suit, and jelly shoes.  I hope we can have more shopping trips together.

Tomorrow Scott begins his job with @Task.  I know he is super excited.  Friday while I was out riding my bike he called me to tell me he already received a promotion.  The company seems to be growing and re-organizing, they made his position into a Director already and gave him 1,000 shares.  Pretty exciting.  I'm so proud of him and hope that he can do such a great job for this company and that this will take his career where he wants it to go.

We are also looking forward to the end of the week.  We are taking a little family trip to Capital Reef and surrounding area this Memorial Day weekend.  Scott has set a goal to make memories as a family so we actually have some trips and day activities planned throughout the summer.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the women in my life.  How do I put into words how I feel about being a mother.  It is the hardest job I have ever taken on.  But I love it.  I love my three beautiful children, Eric, Rubie, and Samuel.  I love to see their personalities and character grow and develop.  I am scared for them to face life's challenges and heart-aches, but excited for them to experience the glories and happiness of life.  I feel such a heavy responsibility to make sure they have the best possible chance to take on life and its challenges.  I feel such a great responsibility to teach them the gospel and share my testimony with them and to make sure they know how to develop their own testimony.  I feel a great need to make sure they feel completely loved and accepted by me and that they know I think they are the greatest!  Some days are hard for me and I may not be happy with them or how much they demand.  I want to do better.  I want to show them that though I may not be happy with their behavior or choices, my love is not diminished.

Both Eric and Rubie made me wonderful gifts with the help of their school teachers.  From Rubie I received a love rock and a coupon book with certain chore coupons.  Eric brought home a recipe book and his account of us making cookies together.  In art they each made a banner with M O M on the flags.  Rubie also colored a bouquet of flowers.  It's a nice mother's day.  What I love most is the things I can get my family to do for me simply because it is Mother's Day.  In a few minutes we are off to visit my mom and grandma Perry.  I love my mother.  She is so dear and sweet and Grandma Perry is wonderful.  They both are so unselfish and want to always make things nice for all the family.  They are beautiful examples of hard work

38

Well, I turned 38 years old.  It was sort of anti-climatic.  No other parents in Rubie's class would trade or go in for that day so even though Scott worked from home to help me out or give me some time, I was not able to take good advantage of it.  Carlee did pick up Samuel and take him for the afternoon.  She brought him back with all of her boys.  She did the St. George 70.3 this weekend and needed some time to get ready so I watched her boys.  It was Finn's birthday too.  He turned 3.  After they left we did go out to dinner as a family to Pizza Pie Cafe because I didn't feel like making dinner.  They kids were good and we enjoyed it.  Scott did say I could go shopping but I have not had a chance yet.  He had drill this weekend starting Friday morning and I didn't feel like getting a babysitter so I could go shopping.  I feel like we have just had friends and cousins over all weekend to play.  And we have.  I'll have an extra kid tomorrow too that I'm a bit nervous about.  I received an assignment to call sisters to commit them to help with our ward's assignment of temple cleaning, but most of the sisters I was assigned to call also had young kids at home (doesn't really make sense to me why we(I mean my church leaders) are always asking moms with young kids to fulfill assignments that require us finding babysitters) anyway, I felt obligated to offer babysitting so other sisters could go clean the temple.  I hope it doesn't turn out to be too crazy.

Have I mentioned that I committed to James to be a part of his Saints to Sinners team relay?  I'm completely nervous about it in the sense of being ready physically--meaning trained, fit and in shape for this relay.  He gave me a couple of workouts to do and I'm trying.  I went on a ride last week with John Lloyd and Steve Bam.  We climbed Squaw Peak 3 + times.  The plus is because Steve couldn't start the ride with us and after John and I had gone up twice he started.  After a bit we decided to go down and meet him and ride back up with him.  He was only a little more than a mile down the road when we caught up to him.  It was a lot of climbing and totally kicked my butt.  I was not prepared with adequate food.  That is part of the training though too.  I still have like 15 pounds that I'd like to drop.  It's so hard!  I need to be more committed that way.  With Easter and my birthday I have not been too careful with food.  I'm committing right now to be better.  That ride will sneak up on me quick!

April 2014

I have now missed a couple of weeks and so must play catch-up.  Scott has a movie on in which I must read the subtitles and this is distracting, oh it just changed to English.  Good, I'm going to try to multi-task for a bit.

I will be editing this but I have it up for a few minutes and so will jot down some things I wanted to write about:

• karate tournament between AF and SS schools
• Easter
• School volunteer
• Idita-Read in Eric's classroom
• Reading for a Seven Peaks pass
• Parent Teacher Conference

• We are so proud of Eric for participating and completing the Idita-Read with his class.  It coincided with the Ididarod dog sled race in Alaska.  He had to read something like 1,131 minutes to finish the read in the month of March.  He was so motivated that he read almost 3,000 minutes.  He wanted to be one of the first finishers and ended up being in the top 6 finishers.  During the same month the kids in the school could read 500 minutes to earn a 7 Peaks Day Pass.  Even Rubie read 500 minutes and so both will be getting a Day Pass to 7 Peaks.  Mrs. Soderstrom had a celebration and ceremony in her classroom to award and reward the finishers of the Idida-Read.  Only one student in the class was not a finisher.  She gave a very cool speak on the Marks of a Finisher.  Each child was given a certificate and a sled dog--a stuffed Alaskan Husky type dog.  Eric's dog is named cutie.  He was so thrilled to receive that dog.
• I continue to be a volunteer in Rubie's classroom once per week.  Usually every Thursday.  I have loved seeing her in class.  It is good to know how she behaves and performs in class.  She is much shyer and quiet, but still must be called upon and reminded to pay attention, to sit straight, and keep eyes forward.  She is adorable and I am very pleased with my kids' efforts in school.  Not that I don't see some room for improvement, there is.  But they both want to do well.  For both classes I continue to be the room parent, arranging schedules for the parent classroom volunteers.  It has given our family more than our required 30 hours of volunteer hours.  I hope it is enough to get Eric and Rubie both re-admitted for next year.
• We were able to go and meet with Mrs. Strong and Mrs. Soderstrom for parent teacher conferences.  Both teachers are pleased with the kids' performances in class.  Mrs. Soderstrom loves Eric's smile and is so pleased with his positiveness.  We will be working on him math over the summer, even his reading.  But he is a great reader and speller.  Rubie will also need some good work in math but has learned so much in reading and spelling and other subjects.
• We had a great Easter holiday.  We started our celebration on the Saturday before.  Eric and Rubie participated in a small karate tournament just at their BLK school but the Saratoga Springs school joined.  Eric won a 1st and 2nd place ribbon and Rubie won a 2nd and 3rd place ribbon.  I did not go to the tournament, just Scott took them.  I stayed home with Sam knowing that Sam would not allow me to sit there and watch and would also need a nap.  So I am not exactly certain what the ribbons were for but I know they performed their kata/routine, did kick boxing, and I think some punches.
• After the tournament we went to Farmington to Mom and Dad's.  What a FUN time we had.  Joe and Tai were also there with their boys.  Mom and put together a fantastic Easter Egg Hunt.  She made it fun for all the kids.  The eggs were filled with all kinds of treasures they loved.  Then we played some games that I had prepared.  We played Roll the Egg, Pin the Tail on the Bunny, and Easter Charades.  During our lunch/dinner I had some Knock Knock Jokes and Easter Trivia in eggs that we opened and read.  We played outside and inside and also celebrated Dad's birthday.  Mom had Easter gifts for all the kids.  We all truly enjoyed the day and the time together.
• Sunday after church we did an Easter egg hunt here.  I had Rubie and Eric fill the eggs and I hid the while the kids colored boiled eggs with Dellitt and Scott and I did some too.  Then during the hunt our Easter Bunny made an appearance with some baskets for the kids.  I had more plans but didn't really get out shopping to get some gifts or clothes, but I had a few things.
• Next year I'd like to really make the holiday reflect more on Christ.  Saturday can be all about the fun, even Friday if need be.  But I'd like to learn more and focus more on Christ.

To Mrs. Soderstrom

Written from Eric to Mrs. Soderstrom for Teacher Appreciation week:

 

What I like about Mrs. Soderstrom is that she is so nice and loving.  I'm glad that we got to do cross-stitching with her.  She is the best 1st grade teacher I have ever had.  What I have learned from her is that you should be kind.  I like that she is fun.  And I am just grateful to be one of her students.  I'm so glad that she taught the class math and spelling.  It is so fun to be in Mrs. Soderstrom's class this year!