55 Things for 55 Days
I am not exaggerating when I say that I spent most of June in my car. (I had a great picture of my feet out the window, book in my hand... but my camera is being stupid and the picture is all washed out.) Since I don't have internet capability in my car yet- that made it really hard to blog and now I find myself overwhelmed with trying to record all the things I didn't want to forget. Lists are the easiest way for my mind to organize ideas so today's post is a list of 55 things that have happened or that I have thought about over the past 55 days since my last post.
1. Why did I spend so much of June in the car? Well- Band Camp, Skills Class, Sewing, Violin, Dance, Lacrosse, Craft Class, birthday parties... I miss the days when my kids were little and had nothing more to do than cuddle and walk to the park! The upside is that I read a lot and even took a couple of good naps.
2. Books I read while spending all that time in my car include: The Middle Place, an abridged version of The Count of Monte Cristo, most of The Power of One, Star Girl and the begining of One Thousand White Women.
3. My dad started his cancer medication and is doing well. In fact- he hasn't felt this good since before Christmas and although he still spends a lot of time at home and can't walk very far yet, he is getting out of the house every day and just sounds happier and more like his old self. I definitely count this as a blessing.
(taken in November 2008, intended for our Christmas card that did not even get made let alone sent. sigh.)
4. We celebrated our 1st Anniversary in this house on June 1st by inviting some friends to play Danish Ball and then have cake. It is hard to believe it has been a year already!
5. After 19 years of driving, I got my first speeding ticket in May. I opted to attend traffic school which was a colossal waste of time but my record stays clear as long as I can slow down (which is easier said than done when you have to get as many places as I do and always seem to be ten minutes behind schedule- sheesh!)
6. Ethan graduated from preschool. I know. It's just preschool. And he has a lot of years of school to go, but it was still fun to see him all dressed up and hear him recite the pledge of allegiance and sing the alphabet song. It's so hard to believe that my baby will be going to Kindergarten next month!
7. Kate attended her last day of elementary school. That's all I can say about that.
8. Kate received the Hope of America Award. Only one girl and one boy in each 6th grade class receives this award so it was a pretty big deal. Kelly and I were asked to come for the presentation and to be prepared to talk about Kate for a couple of minutes. I didn't really know what the award was for so I came up with why I would have given Kate an award-
Kate is an excellent reader- not because she reads above grade level, but because she loves to read and chooses to read- she almost always has a book in her hand. She reads to learn about life and people and places and she reads to be entertained.
Kate is committed. When Kate says she is going to do something, she follows through until it is finished. Even if it is hard or she doesn't like it, she still does the job and she does it the best that she knows how.
Kate understands that rules are there to keep us safe, to help us learn and to make it so we can get along better, so Kate follows the rules and respects her teachers. She expects those around her to do the same because she cares about people and wants what is best for them- just like we want what is best for her and we are so proud of her for always choosing to be her very best.
After the presentation, Kate's teacher stopped me in the hall and told me that Kate really deserved this award and she deserved it for exactly the reasons I gave- she was a great student and good example to her classmates and he was happy to nominate her for the award. I was happy too because Kate is definitely a great girl!
9. Megan turned 11. Her birthday was terrible- the whole day was spent running around and when she wasn't the one running, she was babysitting Ethan. After we all finally made it home (around 8:00pm), she opened a couple of presents and we had Iceberg shakes. No song. No cake. No friends. I'm sorry Mae- we'll make sure your friend party is awesome like you!!
10. Emily turned 8. Her birthday wasn't any better than Megan's. It was on a Sunday so the morning was spent at church and then we couldn't go out after, so we had some family over for the dinner of Emily's choice (chicken rolls with mashed potatoes and fresh green beans) and her favorite dessert (molten chocolate cake with David and Kristy's homemade vanilla ice-cream). She was first for a motorcycle ride and she got new scriptures and money from her Grandparents. Not a real exciting birthday, but HEY- she didn't have a giant hole in her roof or a mother with pneumonia! (NO. I'm not still bitter.)
11. In addition to Megan and Emily, my brother-in-law, Micah, had a birthday in June. Happy Birthday Micah!
12. I went to prom! Yes- PROM!
I didn't go to prom in High School, so when my friend, SUPER Angie, gave me an invitation to 2nd Chance Prom, I was way excited! My other friend, Jenny Lynn, organized the group we went with and it was SO fun! The girls went dress shopping during the week (I ended up wearing Angela's purple dress) and the guys made secret plans including arranging a ride for the night:
It was hysterical fun to all ride together in this R.V. and have Chris blow the horn everywhere we went! We exchanged flowers, had dinner at Harvest Restaurant, danced and took pictures at the Apollo Dance Hall, then changed clothes to play LaserTag at Boondocks and watch Taken in the R.V. while enjoying dessert. I think we got home around 3:00am! It was really, really fun!
13. The Amazing Race (Saturday, May 30):
five cities.
three water stops.
two packages of sport beans.
three hours and twenty three minutes.
seventeen miles.
Kelly and Jennifer, you officially finished your longest run EVER!
(And my legs felt like Jell-O!)
14. I ran my best 5K time and FINALLY came in under 30 minutes at Running With Angels (29:46 on May 16th).
15. I beat my best 5K time at the Cedar Hills Family Fun Run (29:20 on June 20th).
16. I not only beat my best 5K time, but I beat Soren at the Lehi Round Up 5K (27:34 on June 27th).
(It was so fun to run with so many old friends in Lehi! These are a few.
hmmm- I wonder where Sheryl is?!!)
17. I also ran another half marathon, this time at Bear Lake and I met my goal of under two and a half hours (2:26 on June 11th). Hooray for me! I did not however meet my secret goal of 2:24 (ten minutes faster than my Vegas time back in December) because of a pit stop. I felt like the girls who were eliminated from the Amazing Race for having to find a bathroom. so dumb. No more secret goals!
(This is the best picture I have from the whole weekend! All my pictures turn out overexposed even if I try to adjust the settings. I guess I'll have to start toting my big camera everywhere.)
18. Kate had her final choir concert and did a great job. She has opted to do band (clarinet) instead of choir at the Junior High but school choir has given her enough confidence to come sing in the ward choir with me. I love doing this with her- we both love it even though we have no real talent for it.
19. Kate also had a piano recital. She taught herself The Battle Hymn of the Republic and played it as one of her pieces. I had no idea she had taught it to herself until her teacher announced it! I loved her other songs too. She is finally at a stage where it is fun to hear her play- it sounds like real music.
20. We dog sat Roxy again. She's a cute dog and really well behaved but I just don't want to own a dog. Kelly really wants a dog but I can't get behind the idea. Sorry Kelly.
21. It was so wonderful to be watching lacrosse again! Both Soren and Kate played. It was a nightmare to coordinate but I love this game and was so glad they had the opportunity to play. I hope Soren will go back again next spring but now he's moving on to tackle football. Anyone have any pointers?!!
22. Some of Soren's lacrosse games were in Lehi at our old neighborhood park. It was fun to be in the old stomp but the neighborhood has changed a lot. The park is used more by visitors than by people in the neighborhood now so we didn't see the people we had hoped to see. Luckily, as we were driving out by our old house, we found the Marcons in their front yard. The kids were thrilled to see these old friends who they had spent so many hours playing with! We let them laugh and catch up for a little bit before heading back to our "new" home. There were tears again from my kids who still miss Lehi that much and I am begining to think they will always feel like Lehi is "home" and where we live now will always be "new."
23. I started scrapbooking again- I came up with a format for my kids school books and that has made it easy to keep moving forward on the project. The only problem has been that Robert's is the only choice for products right now and they are ALWAYS out of what I need. ugh.
24. Megan went to the orthodontist. She has a couple of baby teeth that need to come out and then she'll be ready for braces. She is scheduled for the spacers on September 15th and for braces on September 22nd. That will be an adjustment (no pun intended)!
25. Seven thumbs up for the movie UP.
26. We've learned several new games including Shadows Over Camelot, Legretto and No Thanks. We like all of them- you should come and play with us!
27. My brother, Nate, bought a motorcycle. He and David offered to take us for rides on Sunday afternoon- not only was it a LOT of fun but I LOVE where I live! The mountains are still green and gorgeous and it was a perfect day for a ride!
28. With all my kids home all day long, there is no end to the laundry or dishes. I can't express how grateful I am to not have to do either of these jobs by hand!! And yet- they may just drive me crazy before the summer is out!
29. Sometimes I don't realize how much something is bothering me until I get a forum to talk about it in and then the flood gates open. Book club is where I can do that and I am so grateful for fabulous women who listen and sympathize. It doesn't hurt that it always involves good food too.
30. I want popcorn with M&M's or Skittles every night. I don't eat it every night but I could.
31. I have substituted in Primary more weeks than I have attended Relief Society in the last two months. I love the weeks of having nothing to prepare for but am so much happier in Primary. Funny.
32. We have the most amazing choir director right now. We sang America the Beautiful on Sunday and while the men sang the third verse, the women sang Onward Christian Soldiers and it was just cool. The choir director actually played the piano and she filled in this amazing accompaniment with only the hymn in front of her! I wish I had a talent like that but am grateful that they don't turn people away from the ward choir so I can at least enjoy her talents. She is delightful.
33. I am really enjoying our crazy and unusual weather. Kelly took this picture of our "Armageddon" sky one night. It was so beautiful. We have also had a crazy amount of rain and wind and thunder and 70 degree days. In fact, I think we have only had two days in the 90's and the afternoon storms just keep coming- I love it!
34. I was SO happy to get together with my old friends at Debbie's house for lunch. "My favorite Jenny" was in town from Seattle and it brought together some dearly missed faces! We laughed and cried and vented and caught up and had a really great afternoon! I wish I could see them more often.
35. I won a gift from my friend, Julie, on her blog. She brought it to our lunch and I was delighted! She is very talented and I love her stitch projects so it was such a treat to get one of her beautiful stitches for my house. THANKS Julie!!
36. Soren had a great time at the Pinewood Derby with his Lego Car. He and Kelly designed it while I was in Texas. I had my doubts as to if it would hold up through the night but it did and the other boys thought it was very cool. He wasn't the fastest car but he was definitely an original!
37. My little girl went to Girl's Camp! I was nervous for her but didn't know how much I would actually miss having her here at home. Camp wasn't perfect but she had a good time and even said, after her siblings had picked on her one too many times, that she wished she were back at girls' camp! I guess I won't have to twist her arm to go next year.
38. I love fireworks. We walked to the park just down the street and watched our city fireworks show light up the sky right over our heads- it was awesome.
39. I loved to plan things as a kid and really, I still do. But I have no follow through. My girls however are following through and have helped to organize a running group in our neighborhood. There are 7 or 8 girls who meet at 7:00am, Monday thru Thursday. They run, have a prayer and a spiritual thought, and plan a nutritious breakfast for each Thursday. All of this, their ideas. The girls who are in Young Women's will meet the requirements for a value project. All the girls plan to celebrate the accomplishment by going to Seven Peaks together- again, their plan. It has been great to see my girls make friends and find ways to entertain themselves.
40. Of course- these are tween girls and sometimes their plans get a little out of control. This is what walked in my door less than hour before band camp:
41. These are my favorites of 18 self portraits Megan took in one session with my camera. She has had many sessions. Needless to say, this girl got a camera for her birthday so she can stop stealing mine! Crazy girl.
42. The girls and I had a book club with another mom and her girls. We ate pizza and drank strawberry lemonade while sitting outside in some beautiful sunshine and we discussed Star Girl by Jerry Spinelli. It was a great book! And the girls did a great job contributing to the discussion! We will meet again in August to discuss Snow Treasure, Devil's Arithmetic and/or Number the Stars. (All the books are about the holocaust.)
43. Soren volunteered to sing in a small group for our Father's Day program- Soren! He and Emily joined three other children for the first verse of Fathers (CS, 209). He, like his mother, is not a great singer but it was cool that he would volunteer to do that!
44. Ethan gave a talk in Primary. I cut out some picture clues to help him and he learned it during Sacrament Meeting. He did amazing- even singing most of the first verse of How Firm a Foundation. This kid is smart. Really. Smart.
45. Kate picked up a "How to Survive Junior High" kit from the school last week. I want to know when the parent's survival kit is coming!
46. Megan and Emily both danced in their end of year recital and they've both come a long way since starting last September! Megan is so small compared to her class but she tries really hard and she hopes to make a competition team so she can learn even more this next year. Emily has decided to drop dance for now, even though she is a star on that stage! I may try to get her into drama- potential outlet for her big personality?!! (No pictures in their costumes and stage make-up?! What a terrible mother I am.)
47. Megan is taking a sewing class and it makes me want to learn so bad! The fabric she is using is SO cute and I'm sure fabric could become an addiction very much like my paper one, so maybe it is a good thing I don't sew. Still- wish I could.
48. Kelly bought me a big, beautiful planter for Mother's Day. It sits on my front porch and I love that it is there but I can't keep it healthy for my life! Why is keeping plants alive so hard? Good grief. And why can't you buy a green thumb?
49. The house next door is vacant so we have sort of taken over their trampoline. I don't know what we'll do when the house sells becaus it entertains my kids all day long- yes, even in the rain! Megan is doing consecutive front handsprings and Kate is doing a front flip. Oh- to be young, limber and fearless again.
50. Jill sent me this delightful piece of good mail and I think it is the happiest thing she has ever sent me! I never get tired of the colors, the happiness that is spring flowers and the thoughtfulness of my sweet friend.
51. Ethan's favorite game right now is the "What Game." He counts on me to save him anytime he has become "it" by saying the word "what." I heard him say to one of the other kids that "Mom always says the word if you don't want to be it." I love that he finds me so reliable. And I love that it has merged with our special conversation which now goes like this:
Mom: Ethan- guess what.
Ethan: What?
Mom: I love you.
Ethan: I know. And I'm it. But Mom.
Mom: What, Ethan?
Ethan: I love you too. And you're it. (laughs)
52. I was going to post about all our friends who have been sick, including with swine flu, and how blessed we have been to not be sick. Half way through my list, Emily came in moaning and with a fever. sigh. Please don't be swine flu.
53. We love So You Think You Can Dance!! We are thrilled that it is back on and we are thrilled that they will air a fall season! It is a family affair for us and we can't get enough. I don't know who my favorites are yet but I hope I love someone as much as I loved last season's dancers- seeing them in concert was one of the highlights of 2008 for me!
54. If you are still reading this then you are a REALLY good friend! And if you read any of it- thank you for being my friend! It is my friends who keep me sane in my crazy, insane life and I appreciate each of you who checks on me and worries about me and listens to me... "I (truly) get by with a little help from my friends."
55. Now- I am going to pull out my 4th of July box for the first time in 3 years! I am SO excited!! AND- I found new bunting for my porch! It makes me absolutely giddy! Happy 4th of July!!
1. Why did I spend so much of June in the car? Well- Band Camp, Skills Class, Sewing, Violin, Dance, Lacrosse, Craft Class, birthday parties... I miss the days when my kids were little and had nothing more to do than cuddle and walk to the park! The upside is that I read a lot and even took a couple of good naps.
2. Books I read while spending all that time in my car include: The Middle Place, an abridged version of The Count of Monte Cristo, most of The Power of One, Star Girl and the begining of One Thousand White Women.
3. My dad started his cancer medication and is doing well. In fact- he hasn't felt this good since before Christmas and although he still spends a lot of time at home and can't walk very far yet, he is getting out of the house every day and just sounds happier and more like his old self. I definitely count this as a blessing.
(taken in November 2008, intended for our Christmas card that did not even get made let alone sent. sigh.)
5. After 19 years of driving, I got my first speeding ticket in May. I opted to attend traffic school which was a colossal waste of time but my record stays clear as long as I can slow down (which is easier said than done when you have to get as many places as I do and always seem to be ten minutes behind schedule- sheesh!)
6. Ethan graduated from preschool. I know. It's just preschool. And he has a lot of years of school to go, but it was still fun to see him all dressed up and hear him recite the pledge of allegiance and sing the alphabet song. It's so hard to believe that my baby will be going to Kindergarten next month!
8. Kate received the Hope of America Award. Only one girl and one boy in each 6th grade class receives this award so it was a pretty big deal. Kelly and I were asked to come for the presentation and to be prepared to talk about Kate for a couple of minutes. I didn't really know what the award was for so I came up with why I would have given Kate an award-
Kate is an excellent reader- not because she reads above grade level, but because she loves to read and chooses to read- she almost always has a book in her hand. She reads to learn about life and people and places and she reads to be entertained.
Kate is committed. When Kate says she is going to do something, she follows through until it is finished. Even if it is hard or she doesn't like it, she still does the job and she does it the best that she knows how.
Kate understands that rules are there to keep us safe, to help us learn and to make it so we can get along better, so Kate follows the rules and respects her teachers. She expects those around her to do the same because she cares about people and wants what is best for them- just like we want what is best for her and we are so proud of her for always choosing to be her very best.
After the presentation, Kate's teacher stopped me in the hall and told me that Kate really deserved this award and she deserved it for exactly the reasons I gave- she was a great student and good example to her classmates and he was happy to nominate her for the award. I was happy too because Kate is definitely a great girl!
9. Megan turned 11. Her birthday was terrible- the whole day was spent running around and when she wasn't the one running, she was babysitting Ethan. After we all finally made it home (around 8:00pm), she opened a couple of presents and we had Iceberg shakes. No song. No cake. No friends. I'm sorry Mae- we'll make sure your friend party is awesome like you!!
10. Emily turned 8. Her birthday wasn't any better than Megan's. It was on a Sunday so the morning was spent at church and then we couldn't go out after, so we had some family over for the dinner of Emily's choice (chicken rolls with mashed potatoes and fresh green beans) and her favorite dessert (molten chocolate cake with David and Kristy's homemade vanilla ice-cream). She was first for a motorcycle ride and she got new scriptures and money from her Grandparents. Not a real exciting birthday, but HEY- she didn't have a giant hole in her roof or a mother with pneumonia! (NO. I'm not still bitter.)
11. In addition to Megan and Emily, my brother-in-law, Micah, had a birthday in June. Happy Birthday Micah!
12. I went to prom! Yes- PROM!
I didn't go to prom in High School, so when my friend, SUPER Angie, gave me an invitation to 2nd Chance Prom, I was way excited! My other friend, Jenny Lynn, organized the group we went with and it was SO fun! The girls went dress shopping during the week (I ended up wearing Angela's purple dress) and the guys made secret plans including arranging a ride for the night:
It was hysterical fun to all ride together in this R.V. and have Chris blow the horn everywhere we went! We exchanged flowers, had dinner at Harvest Restaurant, danced and took pictures at the Apollo Dance Hall, then changed clothes to play LaserTag at Boondocks and watch Taken in the R.V. while enjoying dessert. I think we got home around 3:00am! It was really, really fun!
13. The Amazing Race (Saturday, May 30):
five cities.
three water stops.
two packages of sport beans.
three hours and twenty three minutes.
seventeen miles.
Kelly and Jennifer, you officially finished your longest run EVER!
(And my legs felt like Jell-O!)
14. I ran my best 5K time and FINALLY came in under 30 minutes at Running With Angels (29:46 on May 16th).
15. I beat my best 5K time at the Cedar Hills Family Fun Run (29:20 on June 20th).
(It was so fun to run with so many old friends in Lehi! These are a few.hmmm- I wonder where Sheryl is?!!)
17. I also ran another half marathon, this time at Bear Lake and I met my goal of under two and a half hours (2:26 on June 11th). Hooray for me! I did not however meet my secret goal of 2:24 (ten minutes faster than my Vegas time back in December) because of a pit stop. I felt like the girls who were eliminated from the Amazing Race for having to find a bathroom. so dumb. No more secret goals!
(This is the best picture I have from the whole weekend! All my pictures turn out overexposed even if I try to adjust the settings. I guess I'll have to start toting my big camera everywhere.)18. Kate had her final choir concert and did a great job. She has opted to do band (clarinet) instead of choir at the Junior High but school choir has given her enough confidence to come sing in the ward choir with me. I love doing this with her- we both love it even though we have no real talent for it.
19. Kate also had a piano recital. She taught herself The Battle Hymn of the Republic and played it as one of her pieces. I had no idea she had taught it to herself until her teacher announced it! I loved her other songs too. She is finally at a stage where it is fun to hear her play- it sounds like real music.
20. We dog sat Roxy again. She's a cute dog and really well behaved but I just don't want to own a dog. Kelly really wants a dog but I can't get behind the idea. Sorry Kelly.
21. It was so wonderful to be watching lacrosse again! Both Soren and Kate played. It was a nightmare to coordinate but I love this game and was so glad they had the opportunity to play. I hope Soren will go back again next spring but now he's moving on to tackle football. Anyone have any pointers?!!
22. Some of Soren's lacrosse games were in Lehi at our old neighborhood park. It was fun to be in the old stomp but the neighborhood has changed a lot. The park is used more by visitors than by people in the neighborhood now so we didn't see the people we had hoped to see. Luckily, as we were driving out by our old house, we found the Marcons in their front yard. The kids were thrilled to see these old friends who they had spent so many hours playing with! We let them laugh and catch up for a little bit before heading back to our "new" home. There were tears again from my kids who still miss Lehi that much and I am begining to think they will always feel like Lehi is "home" and where we live now will always be "new."
23. I started scrapbooking again- I came up with a format for my kids school books and that has made it easy to keep moving forward on the project. The only problem has been that Robert's is the only choice for products right now and they are ALWAYS out of what I need. ugh.
24. Megan went to the orthodontist. She has a couple of baby teeth that need to come out and then she'll be ready for braces. She is scheduled for the spacers on September 15th and for braces on September 22nd. That will be an adjustment (no pun intended)!
25. Seven thumbs up for the movie UP.
26. We've learned several new games including Shadows Over Camelot, Legretto and No Thanks. We like all of them- you should come and play with us!
28. With all my kids home all day long, there is no end to the laundry or dishes. I can't express how grateful I am to not have to do either of these jobs by hand!! And yet- they may just drive me crazy before the summer is out!
29. Sometimes I don't realize how much something is bothering me until I get a forum to talk about it in and then the flood gates open. Book club is where I can do that and I am so grateful for fabulous women who listen and sympathize. It doesn't hurt that it always involves good food too.
30. I want popcorn with M&M's or Skittles every night. I don't eat it every night but I could.
31. I have substituted in Primary more weeks than I have attended Relief Society in the last two months. I love the weeks of having nothing to prepare for but am so much happier in Primary. Funny.
32. We have the most amazing choir director right now. We sang America the Beautiful on Sunday and while the men sang the third verse, the women sang Onward Christian Soldiers and it was just cool. The choir director actually played the piano and she filled in this amazing accompaniment with only the hymn in front of her! I wish I had a talent like that but am grateful that they don't turn people away from the ward choir so I can at least enjoy her talents. She is delightful.
34. I was SO happy to get together with my old friends at Debbie's house for lunch. "My favorite Jenny" was in town from Seattle and it brought together some dearly missed faces! We laughed and cried and vented and caught up and had a really great afternoon! I wish I could see them more often.
(Alisa, Melanie, MFJenny, Julie, Sarah, Jenn, Sheryl, Wendy, Debbie)
35. I won a gift from my friend, Julie, on her blog. She brought it to our lunch and I was delighted! She is very talented and I love her stitch projects so it was such a treat to get one of her beautiful stitches for my house. THANKS Julie!!
36. Soren had a great time at the Pinewood Derby with his Lego Car. He and Kelly designed it while I was in Texas. I had my doubts as to if it would hold up through the night but it did and the other boys thought it was very cool. He wasn't the fastest car but he was definitely an original!37. My little girl went to Girl's Camp! I was nervous for her but didn't know how much I would actually miss having her here at home. Camp wasn't perfect but she had a good time and even said, after her siblings had picked on her one too many times, that she wished she were back at girls' camp! I guess I won't have to twist her arm to go next year.
38. I love fireworks. We walked to the park just down the street and watched our city fireworks show light up the sky right over our heads- it was awesome.
39. I loved to plan things as a kid and really, I still do. But I have no follow through. My girls however are following through and have helped to organize a running group in our neighborhood. There are 7 or 8 girls who meet at 7:00am, Monday thru Thursday. They run, have a prayer and a spiritual thought, and plan a nutritious breakfast for each Thursday. All of this, their ideas. The girls who are in Young Women's will meet the requirements for a value project. All the girls plan to celebrate the accomplishment by going to Seven Peaks together- again, their plan. It has been great to see my girls make friends and find ways to entertain themselves.
40. Of course- these are tween girls and sometimes their plans get a little out of control. This is what walked in my door less than hour before band camp:
(Kaitlyn, Amber, Kate, Sienna and Megan)
41. These are my favorites of 18 self portraits Megan took in one session with my camera. She has had many sessions. Needless to say, this girl got a camera for her birthday so she can stop stealing mine! Crazy girl.
42. The girls and I had a book club with another mom and her girls. We ate pizza and drank strawberry lemonade while sitting outside in some beautiful sunshine and we discussed Star Girl by Jerry Spinelli. It was a great book! And the girls did a great job contributing to the discussion! We will meet again in August to discuss Snow Treasure, Devil's Arithmetic and/or Number the Stars. (All the books are about the holocaust.)
43. Soren volunteered to sing in a small group for our Father's Day program- Soren! He and Emily joined three other children for the first verse of Fathers (CS, 209). He, like his mother, is not a great singer but it was cool that he would volunteer to do that!
44. Ethan gave a talk in Primary. I cut out some picture clues to help him and he learned it during Sacrament Meeting. He did amazing- even singing most of the first verse of How Firm a Foundation. This kid is smart. Really. Smart.
45. Kate picked up a "How to Survive Junior High" kit from the school last week. I want to know when the parent's survival kit is coming!
46. Megan and Emily both danced in their end of year recital and they've both come a long way since starting last September! Megan is so small compared to her class but she tries really hard and she hopes to make a competition team so she can learn even more this next year. Emily has decided to drop dance for now, even though she is a star on that stage! I may try to get her into drama- potential outlet for her big personality?!! (No pictures in their costumes and stage make-up?! What a terrible mother I am.)
47. Megan is taking a sewing class and it makes me want to learn so bad! The fabric she is using is SO cute and I'm sure fabric could become an addiction very much like my paper one, so maybe it is a good thing I don't sew. Still- wish I could.
48. Kelly bought me a big, beautiful planter for Mother's Day. It sits on my front porch and I love that it is there but I can't keep it healthy for my life! Why is keeping plants alive so hard? Good grief. And why can't you buy a green thumb?
50. Jill sent me this delightful piece of good mail and I think it is the happiest thing she has ever sent me! I never get tired of the colors, the happiness that is spring flowers and the thoughtfulness of my sweet friend.51. Ethan's favorite game right now is the "What Game." He counts on me to save him anytime he has become "it" by saying the word "what." I heard him say to one of the other kids that "Mom always says the word if you don't want to be it." I love that he finds me so reliable. And I love that it has merged with our special conversation which now goes like this:
Mom: Ethan- guess what.
Ethan: What?
Mom: I love you.
Ethan: I know. And I'm it. But Mom.
Mom: What, Ethan?
Ethan: I love you too. And you're it. (laughs)
52. I was going to post about all our friends who have been sick, including with swine flu, and how blessed we have been to not be sick. Half way through my list, Emily came in moaning and with a fever. sigh. Please don't be swine flu.
53. We love So You Think You Can Dance!! We are thrilled that it is back on and we are thrilled that they will air a fall season! It is a family affair for us and we can't get enough. I don't know who my favorites are yet but I hope I love someone as much as I loved last season's dancers- seeing them in concert was one of the highlights of 2008 for me!
54. If you are still reading this then you are a REALLY good friend! And if you read any of it- thank you for being my friend! It is my friends who keep me sane in my crazy, insane life and I appreciate each of you who checks on me and worries about me and listens to me... "I (truly) get by with a little help from my friends."
55. Now- I am going to pull out my 4th of July box for the first time in 3 years! I am SO excited!! AND- I found new bunting for my porch! It makes me absolutely giddy! Happy 4th of July!!
posted by jenn | 7/02/2009
16 Comments:
That is an awesome post!
1. Awesome on the running! Tell me more about the Amazing Race.
2. Tell Kelly to get a swingset and you won't have to bring your kids everywhere.
3. 2nd Prom - I love it! I would have a way better time with Kevin than I did with my original date. Ideas...
4. Happy Birthday to everyone - good people are born in June:) (I sympathize with the lousy party thing - Maryn was completely jipped last year. And 34 apparently doesn't warrent any real celebrating.)
5. Have a game night and we'll be there. I've never heard of any of those.
6. I'm glad you're in Book club. (And, I love that your girls are doing one with Moms. Again, ideas...)
7. Tween running group WITH spiritual thought AND breakfast - IMPRESSIVE!
8. Now that summer heat is here, I am longing for the rainy days with cool afternoons. I can't bring myself to weed while I'm sweltering.
9. I like the "What" game. Maybe if I used it I wouldn't be so annoyed everytime my kids say "What!?"
10. Love the show "So YOu Think You Can Dance". So far I'm in agreement to the ones who have left. The happy hawaiian is buggin me as are the alien couple. I'm waiting for the really knockout choreography - so far most of it's been just wierd.
Happy 4th Jen - may you feel a little more "independance" in July - especially from your van!
That's how you spell it? Mae?
I always spelled it May or Mey
So glad you posted. I have a question, if you lack follow thru, and I lack follow thru, how are we ever going to get together for a creative day? ;)
AWESOME POST! I have been wondering why you weren't posting. I'm missing Busy Jenn...you really are one of the few people in our ward that I think of as a friend. I think you are amazing and your list of 55 is amazing too. What great kids you have, great sports, lots of fun times and memories, good job on your runs and yes, you are a great singer!
Happy 4th of July!
PS...thanks for posting that pic of me and you at Prom. I was feeling REALLY down at that moment and it cheered me up a lot that you'd want your pic with me. :)
Holy cow, you've done a lot of races lately! You rock so hard.
2nd Chance Prom is hilarious, looks like you guys had tons of fun.
I haven't heard of any of those games!
SYTYCD is a family affair for us as well. I'm sad we will miss the fall season!
I for one am so happy you found a new bunting for your porch... happy 4th!
I'm mentioned once AND pictured once...WHOO-HOO!
Um...I LOVE THAT PICTURE of your family on the couch in front of the house. Super SUPER cute.
And I've been to traffic school 5 times.
And I love and adore you and read every word.
What a great update...I'm not sure I could give such a great accounting of the last 55 days of my life.
I'm just so glad all is well in your little corner of the world. What a blessing it is to be able to report good things from the last 55 days of your life.
Hope the next 55 are just as productive and fulfilling!
I look amazing in those portraits! I didn't know we've had so much going on over the last 55 days. Congratulations on your runs, and thanks for being my running buddy on the 4th!
I loved getting caught up. I've checked on you almost every one of those 55 days, sometimes even more than once in hopes of hear what you've been up to.
Like Sheryl I love the family photo.
I stand behind you on the no dog thing. If you ever start to waiver, give me a call and I'll set you straight.
I'm so impressed with those girls and that idea to not only run but to have a prayer and spiritual thought. It's wonderful to hear about the youth when they not only do the right thing but do great things.
P.S. I'm glad to hear your dad is doing better.
Welcome back. That is a heck of a way to catch up!! There were several things in there that I didn't know. What is with the new games that I've never heard of??? We need to talk!
Glad you are back!
I love the prom idea and your flag rice krispies are the cutest.
You have been BUSY!!
What in the world? How can writing a post like this be a better alternative to posting regularly? I would be so overwhelmed with trying to write something this big, but you seem to have a gift for it.
I can't even remember all the stuff I have comments for, but a few that come to mind are...Holy crap your kids are getting old! I didn't recognize Ethan in his graduation photos, for real. Megan and Kate look like teenagers! That family photo on the couch is darling. What in the world with the 2nd chance prom? I can't imagine doing something like that now.
Jenn,
You amaze me. So much I wanted to comment on as I read, but can't remember them all now. You are a rockin crazy runner, now! Way to go!
And all the things your kids are doing...it's so fun to see how they are growing and maturing from the little kidlets they were when we knew them.
And that's funny that your kids miss Lehi, and call it "home". My kids are exactly the same way. It still doesn't feel like home here. I think Lehi will always be home to them. So weird. By the way, where DO you live now?
And the picture of all the Lehi gals....it made me homesick! So many great memories. I miss the other Jenny too.
Thanks for such a fun update! It was great fun to read.
Love,
Shelli
I can read this post over and over again. I love your family and I love reading about what you do. You are still "busy jenn."
Hey! You won the Doodle Bugs giveaway on my blog!! Email me and I will give you the code to start shop!! kacey@doodlebugspaper.com
Post a Comment
<< Home