Thanks in advance,
The Mom
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Ketchup
I'm playing catch-up (get the title? hehe...I know I'm a HUGE dork, but I can't help it), so be watching over the next couple of days for a big bunch of back blogging. I've got a load of posts ready-to-go or halfway there. Once they are done, I should be right on track for the rest of Christmas break.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Over the River and Through the Woods...
...to Grammy's house we go.
Today we drive down to Salt Lake City where we'll stay the night. Then we'll wake up bright and early, hop on a plane headed for North Carolina (only after a layover, of course) and come see Grammy and Grampy! We really will go over a river (the Missouri, Mississippi and Ohio to name a few) and through the woods (anyone who has been to the East Coast likely knows what I mean). We are sure excited to visit all the family we haven't seen in far too long (about a year and a half in most cases) and to have Haylee and Miriam's first Carolina Christmas. In fact, this will be Miriam's first Christmas ever!
Today we drive down to Salt Lake City where we'll stay the night. Then we'll wake up bright and early, hop on a plane headed for North Carolina (only after a layover, of course) and come see Grammy and Grampy! We really will go over a river (the Missouri, Mississippi and Ohio to name a few) and through the woods (anyone who has been to the East Coast likely knows what I mean). We are sure excited to visit all the family we haven't seen in far too long (about a year and a half in most cases) and to have Haylee and Miriam's first Carolina Christmas. In fact, this will be Miriam's first Christmas ever!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Red Robin...Yum!
Our town is getting the newest Red Robin restaurant.
Now, lest you think I actually get this excited over a new restaurant chain in town, think again. We're excited because Owen has a job working as a server for them! He should earn much better tips here than the local restaurant he's been at based on sheer volume. More people to serve = more tips. Plus, we really, really like their food, so the Red Robin employee discount will be an added bonus (unless it means that we end up spending all the extra tips).
The new Red Robin opens January 19th and Owen starts training as soon as we're back from our Carolina Christmas. Yay for this new opportunity!
Now, lest you think I actually get this excited over a new restaurant chain in town, think again. We're excited because Owen has a job working as a server for them! He should earn much better tips here than the local restaurant he's been at based on sheer volume. More people to serve = more tips. Plus, we really, really like their food, so the Red Robin employee discount will be an added bonus (unless it means that we end up spending all the extra tips).
The new Red Robin opens January 19th and Owen starts training as soon as we're back from our Carolina Christmas. Yay for this new opportunity!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Think Inside the Box
Having a highly mobile (and curious too) Miriam has necessitated increased creativity in the baby-proofing category. Owen came up with this a month or so ago.
At first it worked great! She'd sit in the little basket and play and play and then when she was tired of it she would whine and whine until someone came to rescue her. She has since discovered how to climb out on her own. We can still keep her in it for a short time if there is an exciting toy (the one in the picture is a new Christmas present from Uncle Kurt and Aunt Suzette -- we opened it early so we wouldn't have to pack it to North Carolina) or if she's just too tired to care. But, even though it doesn't hold her any longer, it was good while it lasted!
At first it worked great! She'd sit in the little basket and play and play and then when she was tired of it she would whine and whine until someone came to rescue her. She has since discovered how to climb out on her own. We can still keep her in it for a short time if there is an exciting toy (the one in the picture is a new Christmas present from Uncle Kurt and Aunt Suzette -- we opened it early so we wouldn't have to pack it to North Carolina) or if she's just too tired to care. But, even though it doesn't hold her any longer, it was good while it lasted!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
I'm Glad That's Over!!
The past few weeks have been a bit stressful for me and not because of projects and finals as is typical for this time of year. No, this time it was because of my grades. Usually I'm such a perfectionist that my scores are right on or so close to 100% that I never think twice about my final grade in a class. This semester has been quite different. I haven't done my best and as a result I have recently troubled over the summative marks headed my way (and I only have to earn a C- in order to pass -- leave it to me to worry, worry, worry).
I suppose I knew all along that I would be in the clear, but there was still that nagging worry in the back of my mind that said, "What if?" Today, all concern was put to ease. My teachers have all the scores and totals from my semester's work updated online and although the official grades are not available until next week, I'm fairly certain things will be just fine. In fact, things are better than expected!
I suppose I knew all along that I would be in the clear, but there was still that nagging worry in the back of my mind that said, "What if?" Today, all concern was put to ease. My teachers have all the scores and totals from my semester's work updated online and although the official grades are not available until next week, I'm fairly certain things will be just fine. In fact, things are better than expected!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
My Home Away From Home
This is the Hinckley Building. It is devoted to the education majors at BYU-Idaho. I have spent the majority of my college education in the building, especially over the last three years. In fact, throughout the past three years, only seven of twenty-two classes has been anywhere other than there. Today I set foot in the Hinckley Building for the last time as an on-campus student. It was a bittersweet moment. I took my last two finals, stepped out into the frigid cold and didn't look back for fear I might cry.
I have made many great friends, both peers and professors, and had significant personal growth there. I am excited for the next big step toward completing my undergrad but some things will be considerably missed.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Every Girl's Right
Being a t-shirt and jeans girl, I mostly avoid all things that deal with fashion. I typically steer clear of overly-girly things for myself and Miriam, but when this red pinafore dress was passed down to me from my sister-in-law (I think this may have even been my dress at one time) I couldn't resist decking her out in ruffles for the day.
Miriam was being cranky, so I'm sorry, but this is the best picture I could get.
Who knows, maybe she'll end up being a girly girl and will love being dressed up, but based on her daily reaction to getting her hair done, I won't hold my breath.
Miriam was being cranky, so I'm sorry, but this is the best picture I could get.Who knows, maybe she'll end up being a girly girl and will love being dressed up, but based on her daily reaction to getting her hair done, I won't hold my breath.
Friday, December 05, 2008
Bah, Humbug!
I'm not sure what it is this year, but I am just not in the mood for Christmas, at all. I've been listening to the carols and I'm enjoying that. Also, I've had a tender mercy or two as I've read stories in the December Ensign.
I usually love this time of the year and all that comes along with it but I am feeling rather curmudgeonly this time around. Maybe I'm feeling homesick for my parents who are far away in Africa. I might just be emotionally drained from a long and irksome semester. It's possible I'm dreading the all-day flight to North Carolina just to be followed by a two and a half week break of routine, just to do it all over again and immediately jump into student teaching (which I'm also dreading...BIG TIME). The problem could be a combination of things or there may be something that's got me in the dumps that I've not even considered.
Either way, I don't even have the Christmas tree up yet (and with one week left at home, I'm past planning on it anyhow). There's even a summer wreath on the front door still...sad. My inner-Scrooge is completely defeating the Martha in me and I don't like it one bit.
I usually love this time of the year and all that comes along with it but I am feeling rather curmudgeonly this time around. Maybe I'm feeling homesick for my parents who are far away in Africa. I might just be emotionally drained from a long and irksome semester. It's possible I'm dreading the all-day flight to North Carolina just to be followed by a two and a half week break of routine, just to do it all over again and immediately jump into student teaching (which I'm also dreading...BIG TIME). The problem could be a combination of things or there may be something that's got me in the dumps that I've not even considered.
Either way, I don't even have the Christmas tree up yet (and with one week left at home, I'm past planning on it anyhow). There's even a summer wreath on the front door still...sad. My inner-Scrooge is completely defeating the Martha in me and I don't like it one bit.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Miriam's First Real 'Do
Today, we hauled everyone to my sister-in-law's salon today for professional cuts. I figured since almost everyone from Owen's family hasn't seen us in a year and a half, we should probably show up looking nice. Owen and I weren't looking for any spectacular changes, just a trim for both of us. But Miriam's first time getting a real haircut is a big deal to me, so naturally I took pictures.
I'm not sure why her mouth is hanging open like that, but she's cute anyway so it doesn't really matter.
She sat still almost the entire time. Almost.
Now that Miriam's hair has grown to be four or five inches in all directions combined with continuous movement, her hair always ends up in her face and it drives me crazy! So, since I'm not a huge fan of traditional bangs (not that I don't like them, I just don't like how they look during the growing out stage which inevitably ends up happening at some point) I had Tara taper the sides. Now she's got the nice shwoopy bangs (yes, shwoopy). I think it turned out pretty cute, even if she was fidgeting through the last half.
I'm not sure why her mouth is hanging open like that, but she's cute anyway so it doesn't really matter.
She sat still almost the entire time. Almost.
Now that Miriam's hair has grown to be four or five inches in all directions combined with continuous movement, her hair always ends up in her face and it drives me crazy! So, since I'm not a huge fan of traditional bangs (not that I don't like them, I just don't like how they look during the growing out stage which inevitably ends up happening at some point) I had Tara taper the sides. Now she's got the nice shwoopy bangs (yes, shwoopy). I think it turned out pretty cute, even if she was fidgeting through the last half.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Kickin' Off the Season
It's now post-Thanksgiving which means all things Christmas are fair game at our house, including music. Oh, the Christmas music!! I love it! So, here's my top ten favorite Christmas songs (more or less in order -- it changes from day to day).
- Sleigh Ride
- Angels We Have Heard on High
- Hark the Herald Angels Sing
- Still, Still, Still
- O Come All Ye Faithful
- Winter Wonderland
- Carol of the Bells
- Let it Snow
- It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas
- The Christmas Song
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
A Bit of Good News
My student teaching placement finally came!! And would you believe I've been placed at my elementary school?! I'd post the name, but I prefer to maintain a little bit of anonymity, so calling the school "Trips Canyon Elementary" will just have to suffice. Get it, Trips Canyon?! Hehe, I crack myself up. Anyway, I will be teaching in a 3rd grade class under Mrs. H.
I'm excited for this new (and final) stage of my college education (for now, at least).
I'm excited for this new (and final) stage of my college education (for now, at least).
Monday, December 01, 2008
Eleven Months and Going Strong
Miriam is officially eleven months now. Wow! My baby is almost a year old! It has whirled past and I am sad that she's growing so fast, but happy to watch it happen all at the same time. It's a love-hate thing.
One thing that I'm in no hurry to end is nursing. Miriam's teeth started coming in when she was just five month old and since then people have suddenly become interested in my breastfeeding choices. So, I'll answer some of the questions/rumors that have come our way concerning this topic.
One thing that I'm in no hurry to end is nursing. Miriam's teeth started coming in when she was just five month old and since then people have suddenly become interested in my breastfeeding choices. So, I'll answer some of the questions/rumors that have come our way concerning this topic.
- I am still nursing Miriam
- She has eight teeth
- She does NOT bite me...but she has. She's tried it a handful of times. At first I tried flicking her mouth. She bit again. Corporal punishment obviously doesn't work on her (which is fine with me because I really hate physical force being used as a form of
coerciondiscipline). My next plan of action was actually my original plan -- end the meal. Any time she bit me I'd say, "Hmm...I guess you're not hungry." Whether or not she was actually full, she understood the message and caught on quickly. - I hope to continue nursing Miriam until she's between 18 and 24 months old.
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