Jessica's birthday is next Monday. Every year I think I will plan her party early, and every year I get bombarded with school "stuff" and plan it at the last minute. Well, she wants to hold her party this Saturday, because she doesn't want to "deal with the party and homework on a school night." So, the invitations have been delivered, and the theme has been set. (Halloween theme)
Here's the question... What activities do you plan for 12 year old girls?
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
If you can't laugh at yourself...
Papa Echo sent me a link to a very funny comic. I will share it with you all despite the risk of bodily harm from Twilight fans everywhere.
This comic is for you Michelle.
Happy Monday everyone!!
This comic is for you Michelle.
Happy Monday everyone!!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Church Talk
Do you know how long it has been since I had to give a talk in church? It's been awhile. Moving from a little branch to a big 'ol ward has its advantages and disadvantages. Disadvantages? Getting lost in the crowd. Advantages? Not needing to give talks all the time.
Well, after a year of living in this ward, they found me. Say yes to a calling in young women's, and suddenly everyone knows you go to church and knows you know how to say yes...
So, I'll be stressing, and praying, and writing, and stressing and hoping that I can give a 10-15 minute talk that isn't so boring, people will be praying for my departure.
Wouldn't saying no have been easier?
Well, after a year of living in this ward, they found me. Say yes to a calling in young women's, and suddenly everyone knows you go to church and knows you know how to say yes...
So, I'll be stressing, and praying, and writing, and stressing and hoping that I can give a 10-15 minute talk that isn't so boring, people will be praying for my departure.
Wouldn't saying no have been easier?
Friday, September 11, 2009
9-11
I remember.
I had spent the weekend in Billings, MT to see my first nephew who had just been born. My mom and I drove back to Salt Lake on Sept. 10th and I was to fly out that evening. There was a problem with that flight, and so I spent an hour at the airport trying to figure out how I was going to get back to Sacramento to my family. Flying out the next morning on American Airlines to LA or United Airlines to San Francisco and then taking a small plane to Sacramento were options floating around. At the last minute (and I mean LAST) they found a spot on a flight to Vegas and then a connecting flight to Sacramento. I literally ran through the airport to catch that flight. I threw my carry on and purse on the x-ray machine and then ran to the gate while my parents waited for my bags. I made that flight and landed in Sacramento just after midnight, Sept. 11th. Jason picked me up and we went to bed very, very late.
The next morning, Jason jumped out of bed (he had heard something on his alarm/radio that caused a jump out of bed instead of the normal, slap the snooze) and I laid there hoping that the girls would sleep in so that I could sleep in. Jason went downstairs and then yelled for me to come. I got out of bed thinking, "this had better be good buddy, because you probably just woke up the kids by yelling". I walked down the stairs and was confused because he was standing, frozen, in the middle of the living room, watching TV with the remote still in his hand. I asked what was going on and he had to tell me a few times because my brain could not wrap around what he was saying. We both stood there watching it replay over and over again. Then, we hear from our innocent little four year old coming down the stairs, "what is that?" (on TV) And I slowly turned and looked at little Jessica with her eyes wide, watching a plane fly into a building. We turned off the TV and gave an explanation... How we explained, I don't remember. How do you explain something that terrible? How do you explain that things will never be the same?
I was still glued to the TV, but not with Jessica and Alyssa in the room. We tried to keep them away from the details.
I tried donating blood that night, but the lines were long, and they had started a list to donate at a later date. I was finally called five months later. (That's how long the list was...)
I bought a red white and blue ribbon to tie to the antennae of my car a few days later.
The following week, one of my neighbors organized a little march . Very little. There were probably only about six families, but we walked around the neighborhood with flags and "patriotic" music.
Another neighbor hung a big sheet on his garage that everyone could sign. Once it was filled, it was sent to New York.
It was actually a blessing to move to Montana a year later. I couldn't begin my day without turning on the TV to see if "something else had happened". If I heard a crop duster, I froze. I didn't even enjoy going into San Francisco anymore because I was afraid. Moving to Montana helped me release the panic feeling I harbored.
I use to LOVE flying in big jets. I now have a lot of anxiety. We almost didn't go to the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake because I was afraid of what might happen during the games. (Thank goodness I didn't let fear get in the way of that!!)
I don't hold a candlelight vigil anymore on Sept. 11th (like I did for a few years), but I still remember.
I still remember.
I had spent the weekend in Billings, MT to see my first nephew who had just been born. My mom and I drove back to Salt Lake on Sept. 10th and I was to fly out that evening. There was a problem with that flight, and so I spent an hour at the airport trying to figure out how I was going to get back to Sacramento to my family. Flying out the next morning on American Airlines to LA or United Airlines to San Francisco and then taking a small plane to Sacramento were options floating around. At the last minute (and I mean LAST) they found a spot on a flight to Vegas and then a connecting flight to Sacramento. I literally ran through the airport to catch that flight. I threw my carry on and purse on the x-ray machine and then ran to the gate while my parents waited for my bags. I made that flight and landed in Sacramento just after midnight, Sept. 11th. Jason picked me up and we went to bed very, very late.
The next morning, Jason jumped out of bed (he had heard something on his alarm/radio that caused a jump out of bed instead of the normal, slap the snooze) and I laid there hoping that the girls would sleep in so that I could sleep in. Jason went downstairs and then yelled for me to come. I got out of bed thinking, "this had better be good buddy, because you probably just woke up the kids by yelling". I walked down the stairs and was confused because he was standing, frozen, in the middle of the living room, watching TV with the remote still in his hand. I asked what was going on and he had to tell me a few times because my brain could not wrap around what he was saying. We both stood there watching it replay over and over again. Then, we hear from our innocent little four year old coming down the stairs, "what is that?" (on TV) And I slowly turned and looked at little Jessica with her eyes wide, watching a plane fly into a building. We turned off the TV and gave an explanation... How we explained, I don't remember. How do you explain something that terrible? How do you explain that things will never be the same?
I was still glued to the TV, but not with Jessica and Alyssa in the room. We tried to keep them away from the details.
I tried donating blood that night, but the lines were long, and they had started a list to donate at a later date. I was finally called five months later. (That's how long the list was...)
I bought a red white and blue ribbon to tie to the antennae of my car a few days later.
The following week, one of my neighbors organized a little march . Very little. There were probably only about six families, but we walked around the neighborhood with flags and "patriotic" music.
Another neighbor hung a big sheet on his garage that everyone could sign. Once it was filled, it was sent to New York.
It was actually a blessing to move to Montana a year later. I couldn't begin my day without turning on the TV to see if "something else had happened". If I heard a crop duster, I froze. I didn't even enjoy going into San Francisco anymore because I was afraid. Moving to Montana helped me release the panic feeling I harbored.
I use to LOVE flying in big jets. I now have a lot of anxiety. We almost didn't go to the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake because I was afraid of what might happen during the games. (Thank goodness I didn't let fear get in the way of that!!)
I don't hold a candlelight vigil anymore on Sept. 11th (like I did for a few years), but I still remember.
I still remember.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Political Soap Box
Today we received a note/permission slip from the school district. It said:
"As you may be aware, the President of the United States will be addressing the school children of America at 10 a.m. on Tuesday morning,.... During this special address, the President will speak directly to the nation's children and youth about persisting and succeeding in school. The President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning. This broadcast will be made available at this time in the classrooms..... in grades 3-12.
We fully recognize that there may be some of you who are not comfortable allowing your child to tune into this broadcast. For those students we will provide an alternate setting. Please notify us..."
Here I go on my soap box...
To make my position very clear, I did not vote for President Obama. I do not like most of his policies. For the most part, I think he is taking America down a very, very bad path.
BUT, it doesn't sound like he is talking about anything controversial. (i.e. health care reform) And, we are talking about a PUBLIC school system sending out this letter. We, as a country, voted for President Obama. He is our President and deserves a certain level of respect. During election time my kids have been taught who is running and the basics (very basic) of the candidates platform. Do parents "pull" their kids out of school every time any of that is discussed?
Here's my questions for the parents that will demand an alternate setting for their child next Tuesday. Exactly what are you afraid the President might say? Are you using your kids to show YOUR political agenda? Don't you think that Tuesday evening would be a great time for a discussion about what was said? Maybe a discussion on tolerance for opinions that differ from our own? Or better yet, even though there are differing opinions, there are some things we can agree on. Like, the importance of an education, working hard and setting goals.
Personally, I think it's a good thing for my kids to hear from the President. I encourage them to listen to the debates during election time (although they are usually bored to tears after a few minutes). Frankly, it will be nice to hear him talk about something so "non-controversial". I will be listening in. Because, I'm the parent. And if clarification or conversation needs to happen, then I want to know what was said. But I'm not going to arbitrarily boycott the President's speech and take something that can be good away from my kids.
"As you may be aware, the President of the United States will be addressing the school children of America at 10 a.m. on Tuesday morning,.... During this special address, the President will speak directly to the nation's children and youth about persisting and succeeding in school. The President will challenge students to work hard, set educational goals, and take responsibility for their learning. This broadcast will be made available at this time in the classrooms..... in grades 3-12.
We fully recognize that there may be some of you who are not comfortable allowing your child to tune into this broadcast. For those students we will provide an alternate setting. Please notify us..."
Here I go on my soap box...
To make my position very clear, I did not vote for President Obama. I do not like most of his policies. For the most part, I think he is taking America down a very, very bad path.
BUT, it doesn't sound like he is talking about anything controversial. (i.e. health care reform) And, we are talking about a PUBLIC school system sending out this letter. We, as a country, voted for President Obama. He is our President and deserves a certain level of respect. During election time my kids have been taught who is running and the basics (very basic) of the candidates platform. Do parents "pull" their kids out of school every time any of that is discussed?
Here's my questions for the parents that will demand an alternate setting for their child next Tuesday. Exactly what are you afraid the President might say? Are you using your kids to show YOUR political agenda? Don't you think that Tuesday evening would be a great time for a discussion about what was said? Maybe a discussion on tolerance for opinions that differ from our own? Or better yet, even though there are differing opinions, there are some things we can agree on. Like, the importance of an education, working hard and setting goals.
Personally, I think it's a good thing for my kids to hear from the President. I encourage them to listen to the debates during election time (although they are usually bored to tears after a few minutes). Frankly, it will be nice to hear him talk about something so "non-controversial". I will be listening in. Because, I'm the parent. And if clarification or conversation needs to happen, then I want to know what was said. But I'm not going to arbitrarily boycott the President's speech and take something that can be good away from my kids.
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