another baby report

We'll find out on Monday from the doctor if Adam is right, but Adam thinks he's figured out Summer's position from feeling my stomach - head down, rear up. If this is the case, then about a week ago, Summer discovered that her butt fits quite nicely - for her - into my ribcage. This is not a happy thing for me - it causes a really sharp pain along with not being able to breathe properly. I have to do a weird looking stretch where I hang my head and shoulders upside down off the edge of the bed to get her to move. Not exactly something I can do at work. I'm also in another phase where I'm eating ALL THE TIME. I'm going to have to start bringing our mini-cooler to work just to have enough food over the course of the day. My stomach has gotten a lot bigger in the last week or so and I'm starting to become more of a contortionist to do basic things like putting on socks. But I'm still fine, and cruising along as usual.

We toured the hospital a couple of weeks ago - it's going to be nice. The labor/delivery are all in the same room, and they don't take the baby out at all. It's standard policy (instead of having to ask for it like you apparently used to) that the mother holds the baby immediately after birth, and once the baby is cleaned up and checked, the medical personnel leave us alone for a while before moving us to a recovery room. All recovery rooms are single occupancy, so Adam will be able to stay with us overnight. They do not take the baby to the nursery unless we specifically request it - she stays with us in my room. The most interesting thing to us was the security. Adam and I both have wristbands, and Summer will have 2 ankle bands. One will match our wristbands so we're all identified together, and the other has a computer chip in it. If she crosses an exit with it on, every door in maternity locks shut, AND every elevator in the ENTIRE hospital shuts down. I like having that kind of security, but at the same time, it's a disturbing thought that it's considered necessary and even standardized.

Last Saturday, we bought our first diapers. Adam about went into shellshock. We got a few other random things as well, and I think we're pretty much set to bring Summer home from the hospital. We could probably use another package of t-shirts to use while her belly button heals, and more pajamas. But I'll worry about that in another couple of weeks. The baby shower is next Saturday, and I can take Good Friday off as an optional) so I'll do the last minute stuff then.

A post that has nothing to do with the movie

Classes have been keeping me busy. I have a math quiz tomorrow -- we're working on trig. But there's no philosophy class, because the teacher will be out of town. He's giving a lecture in Utah. I'm working on my history paper on Yorktown; still in the research and not actual writing phase. In music history, I've been working on a project which requires me to listen to Mozart's 40th symphony about ten times.

And I've been going to the Quiz Bowl practices. The team is scheduled to go to the nationals -- we're 25th in the nation. And if any of them can't make it, I might be their back up.

I signed up for classes for next semester: German, astronomy, American civ, and I'm on the wait list for the Civil War class. (Which according to another guy means that I'm in the class.)

For those of you who do not check the BBC Meltdown blog, I have a date to the Spring Ball. His name is Brent; he's in my history class.

And of course there is my writing class. Today, my story was critiqued. I learned I really need to research warfare in the Middle Ages. (So that might not make it into the draft I'll turn in at the very end; I'm over the required word count already, and there's still information I could put into the story.)

And what did the infamous Orson Scott Card say about my writing? "I knew you had the ambition, but I didn't know you had the ability. This is PUBLISHABLE." So, it's not a best seller, but it's publishable. And about fifty times better than what I turned in the first time. I have the pacing right. It was good. I just need to do more research; that's all.

Emily

In response to Jared's comment.

Yes there has been a lot of talk about the movie lately. The script is done and sent out so it is on people's minds a little more. That isn't all we ever think or talk about, though. In the past week a few of us particiapated in the monthly Blog-FHE; Mindy posted why Tawnia thinks she's the best and Trina posted a very funny story. If you look back over the last couple of months, you'll find lots of interesting posts. Most of them have nothing to do with the movie. And, by the way, I commented on your suggestion of filming the games and other activities. Look at my comment to your post of last Tuesday.

As for the reunion schedule, I thought Dad was putting a little too much detail into it for this far in advance. Jared, your ideas weren't ignored. As for the games you mentioned, I guess we assumed those would be happening during the barbecue and at other times that are unscheduled. Since the temple will be closed, we can play all sorts of games on Wednesday. We might even figure out some kind of service to do that day. (And yes, Trina, I think going to the temple on Thursday is an excellent idea.)

I would like to hear what's up with your kids. Wasn't Brooke supposed to go into the doctor for a recheck on her bladder problems, soon? What's up there. I miss all the posts you used to put up - your answers to my questions, yours and the kids artwork, the silly holidays, those were all fun and I wish you would post more and keep us all informed. I wish everone would post more but I know I don't post everyday and not always every week.

What I've been up to this week is trying to keep my legs up. I've decided to change doctors because I haven't gotten any real help with this problem in the last 4 months. It's ridiculous. I've also been working on my curtains and helping JoAnne with her genealogy, but I haven't done many of the other things on my list.

Love to you all and I'm really looking forward to the reunion this summer.

MOM

What I did...

I went to Silver Creek Falls State Park and took pictures. I have since added them to my pictures page. They are in order of when I saw the different falls, I think. It was the most ideal day that I have ever been there. It was a little cool in the morning, but warmed up to around 60 or mid 60s, and because of all the rain the falls were full. I was there with a group of eight missionaries so the company wasn't too bad until they decided to toss a log over one of the falls. There was graffiti on many of the safety features, such as the rails on platforms and bridges. That bothered me, but not nearly as much as the graffiti on the rocks and cliff walls. Who cares if R likes E? They won’t like each other in the next few years. I was a little upset. Despite the graffiti and the immature elders, it was a good day. Though I do wish my wife had been able to go and share in the more beautiful scenery.

Nathan

????

My question wasn't answered either - WHAT conflict? I'd like to know what the heck Jared has conjured up in his mind, because I know of no major conflict that would necessitate the shutting down of the project. And what harsh realities? That someone MIGHT get in an argument? In 4 months from now? He's talking like "the war zone" is a done deal, and that's really off base. Getting everyone in the same location is not a guarantee for disaster - we did fine at the weddings 2 years ago, didn't we? And if 2 weddings in 8 days is NOT a major production, I don't know what is.

Jared, you're the only one who doesn't want to do the movie but you're willing to do your one scene ... everyone is okay with that. And I asked you to give me the music/song that you've already written. That's it. No one is forcing you to do anything. So what's the big deal here?

And after racking my brain for a good while about this, I genuinely do not remember fighting while making the movies. In fact, I remember those as GOOD times when we did NOT fight. We fought over plenty of things, but not while making a movie.

As for the why - because it's fun. It's how our family has fun. Anyone can film a talent show or a game. But we're not "anyone." We film a hide and seek game where we all hide "inside" a regular ol' beanbag chair, or scooting around on our butts with stop-action and sound effects, or whatever other nutty idea we come up with. And now we get to include Adam and Summer and Laurel and Stevie and Michelle and Brooke and Bryan and Amanda in our very own brand of lunacy. (Every family has lunacy. This is just our version.)

If nothing else, think of it as a way to incorporate the in-laws into the gang, and so the kids have their chance to bond with Grandpa on his hobby. They see him far too little as it is.

Responses

Wow, I got lots of responses. I figured I would. Michelle told me there were, so I came back and read them. I notice nobody actually called or emailed, despite some people saying they would, so I could just go on pretending you all realized I was right and cancelled the project. But no, I'm now here reminding you all of the harsh realities.

Could we pull this project off without turning 500 Park Avenue into a warzone? Possibly. Should we? I doubt it. I just read all sorts of arguments over how we can still do this. I saw no reasons WHY we should still do this. Because people have already put lots of work into it? I put in at least as much as anybody, if not more. Because Emily won't do another family project if we don't do this one? Perhaps we shouldn't do "family projects". They cause family contention. Because this is something unique that only our family does? There may be a reason why nobody else tries to do stuff like this.

If people are really afraid to see all their hard work go to waste, maybe we could do a talent show or something. Emily can read us a script, Mom can show us some costumes, Eric can show us some animation, and so on. If we really want to do a worthwhile project, why not some good old-fashioned community service? Is there a food pantry or anything like that in McMinnville? Fences that need painted? There are lots of options still available to us. We don't have to do this one just because Eric suggested it six months ago.

Eric, Laurel, and Stevie's Contribution

For our contribution this week, I thought we’d share a recent decision we’ve made.

We’ve chosen a family mission statement for our little family.

Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house•, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God; (Doctrine and Covenants 88:119)

This is what we’ve chosen to focus on doing as we work towards building an eternal family. Right now we’re working on having a house of prayer by holding family prayer every night. We’ve been doing pretty well at this since making the goal a few weeks ago, but we can always do a little better.

That’s all. I love you all.

Eric

Blog FHE

Yay!! It's time for the Palmer Clan Monthly Blog FHE!! Isn't that so WONDERFUL?!?! And Mom even beat me to the punch this month ...

This month's link from the Caudles is:
http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-315-30,00.html

It's a talk from October 2002 by F. Melvin Hammond of the Seventy. (He was just recently made temple president of the DC Temple, and we've heard him speak 2 or 3 times in the last few months.) The talk is called "Dad, are you awake?" and it apparently is something that has stuck with Adam all this time because he refers to it frequently. It talks specifically about how fathers should be spiritual leaders, and treat their wives and children with love and respect. This is a good thing, and I don't believe that anyone in our family has a problem with abuse or anything like that. But it's still a good talk in that I think it can apply to everyone in how we set an example for children, particularly Brooke and Bryan and Stevie and Summer (of course, and any other siblings/cousins they get). We can be spiritual leaders by how we behave around them, and how we treat other people in general (not just family members, although family members are the most important).

My contribution for the day is one of Trina's favorite songs

Some things in life are bad
They can really make you mad
Other things just make you swear and curse.
When you're chewing on life's gristle
Don't grumble, give a whistle
And this'll help things turn out for the best...

And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...

If life seems jolly rotten
There's something you've forgotten
And that's to laugh and smile and dance and sing.
When you're feeling in the dumps
Don't be silly chumps
Just purse your lips and whistle - that's the thing.

And...always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the light side of life...

For life is quite absurd
And death's the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin - give the audience a grin
Enjoy it - it's your last chance anyhow.

So always look on the bright side of death
Just before you draw your terminal breath

Life's a piece of s***
When you look at it
Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true.
You'll see it's all a show
Keep 'em laughing as you go
Just remember that the last laugh is on you.

And always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the right side of life...
(Come on Brian, cheer up!)
Always look on the bright side of life...
Always look on the bright side of life...
(Worse things happen at sea, you know.)
Always look on the bright side of life...
(I mean - what have you got to lose?)
(You know, you come from nothing - you're going back to nothing.
What have you lost? Nothing!)
Always look on the right side of life...

"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" by Monty Python

Smile Everybody

If you want to know my feelings about the movie - read my comment to Emily.

In other news: I put a new vacation on my page. I added 1989, when we went to Canada for the first time. I also typed up all the recipes for Cookies made with Cookie Mix. (Nathan asked for that one.) I'm enjoying my Spring Break - soon I'll go into town and get everything I need to finish the bedroom curtains as well as some groceries for the next few days. Then I'll come home and do some sewing on those curtains. .

I found this talk on LDS Living. It's my contribution to FHE for this month.

Love ya,
MOM



Treat Your Children Like the People You Want Them to Become
When I was young, my mother always whispered sweet things into my ear at bedtime. She would always tell me what a special part of the family I was. This helped me feel confident and loved.

Your children will likely become whatever you tell them they will. I know a mother who is constantly telling her children they are brats, spoiled, rotten, and terrible. It’s true, sometimes they are, but her labels only make the problem worse. Once I was talking to one of her little boys, who said, “My mommy is mean. She thinks I’m terrible.” How sad! Another example is a friend’s daughter who has been labeled as having “an attitude problem.” The parents reinforce her attitude by constantly reminding her of it. This principle is true: Your children will become what you tell them they will, whether for good or for bad. When someone in our family speaks unkindly about another person or themselves, I have them say ten nice things to make up for it.

I listened to a motivational tape by Diane Bills, who tells about being an awkward teenager. Now she can look back at her pictures and laugh. However, whenever the other kids were being mean to her, she would come inside the house for validation, comfort, and love. Her mother would always tell her how beautiful she was, saying she was prettier than one of the best-looking girls in the school. Perhaps the mother was a little biased, but Diane believed her mother, and she did become a beautiful woman. Let’s make our homes a safe haven for our children.

A friend reminded me that we should tell our kids they are smart. Every time my daughter is told she is pretty, I say, “And she’s smart, too!” I also ask her things like, “How did you know that?” The answer is always, “Because I’m smart!” Recently my husband told her how beautiful she is. She countered, “Yes, Daddy, but I’m smart, too!”


-Tamara A. Fackrell

The Writer Speaks

READ THE SCRIPT.

That way you can see exactly what we have planned before you cast your vote. In fact, I think it very likely that those who have voted against the movie have not read it.

Second, I spent a lot of work trying to put a lot of ideas together in order to make an almost coherent story that will be fun for the whole family. Role sizes, filming locations, and everyone's opinions were taken into consideration. Trina and I worked very hard on this.

Have you read the script yet?

Yes, there was some conflict -- "stop doing my job," "don't breathe down my neck," "I want a bigger part," "I want a little part." Yes, there were times when even I was tired of it, partially because I had a dozen other things going on at the same time. So I can understand Jared's feelings, but that's no excuse for telling up to scrap the whole thing, or to remove the movie page from the web site.

Besides, Jared, what's your problem? YOU WROTE THE MUSIC MONTHS AGO!!!

I am the WRITER. I say we should do it. If we don't, this will cause even more stife and conflict, because you will never get me to waste my time on another family-related project again.

response to J's post

Yes, I'll email this to him as well so he'll actually READ it ... my question is - WHAT strife and contention? I honestly have no clue what Jared is talking about. The only conflict of any sort that I know of at all from the beginning of the movie project was a brief time that I felt Eric was stepping on people's toes with trying to do everyone's job - and we discussed it and it's fine. No blow up. And Emily got a little upset because she wanted more on-screen time in the movie, and that was easily resolved by just messing around with the script. Done! No more conflict! Moving on ... So yeah. I have no idea what he's talking about. These 2 things were not huge blow-ups or really even anything to get all concerned about.

And really - most of the work on the movie will be completed before we even get there. I can't check my script right now because it's on the computer at home and I'm at work, but if I remember right, most scenes can/will be filmed before we even get to the reunion. We'll just have a couple of scenes to take care of on The Movie Day - the Acme scene with Jared and Dad, the Minions introduction and the Girl Power song, the basketball game, and the final ending with everyone. That's 4 out of 12 or 13.

I say we proceed as planned and once the filming is done in the morning, Eric and Dad and Nathan will be doing the editing all afternoon anyway. During that time, we can do Jared's video scavenger hunt or whatever. Since Jared doesn't want to do the music anymore, hopefully we can get from him what's already done, and maybe Nathan could take it from there for the background music? Nathan's done a fair amount of that sort of music playing.

So there's my vote. And now I must do more work, since I'm - you know - at work.

bestest sister

Not to appear to be bragging or anything, but I'll share why Tawnia thinks I'm the bestest sister in the world. To start the story off, I'll mention that last fall Tawnia paid for my deposit on the apartment, as well as my plane ticket home for Christmas. I owed her approximately $450. I paid her back here and there, and got it down to $220. And then I thought of her birthday present. I wanted to pay her all back, because I could feasibly do it in one big chunk, and I thought it would be a great present. And instead of just handing her $250 cash, or a check, I made 25 birthday cards. Why 25, instead of 28? Well, her birthday is on the 25th, and my birthday is on the 25th, and lower numbers are generally a better thing when it comes to birthdays. So I made these 25 birthday cards, and put a ten dollar bill in each of them, and handed them to her throughout the day. It was VERY fun to do, and I got lots of compliments on my idea. Besides all that, I helped cook lots of food (potato salad, redneck salad, jello salad) and was there to hang out with and laugh with.

Jared speaks! (collective gasp)

Michelle cried out "No, don't do it!" But I did it anyway. I opened the blog. I even read Trina's funny story about the missionaries. I didn't read past that, but it looked like people were wishing Tawnia happy birthday. (Actually Michelle was saying not to open the can of worms that follows. She was not saying not to read the blog.)

Anyway, I talked to both Tawnia and Mom on the phone today (yes there are other methods of communication in the world) and they both thought I should get on here so there would be no confusion. I say whatever, there's always confusion, but that's beside the point.

Mom asked me about the movie script. I said yes I got it, but I didn't really read it. You see, I really don't want to make the movie. I'm not interested anymore. In my opinion (let me say that again so that it's perfectly clear: IN MY OPINION)this movie thing has caused a bunch of strife and contention, and that's all that will happen at the reunion. We will all argue all day long, a bunch of people will go away mad, and some of it will be caught on video. If you ask me, we could do that just as easily without months of preparation.

Does this mean I don't want to come to the reunion? Of course not! It's a family reunion! The movie thing was supposed to be just one part of the reunion. But if we really want to foster togetherness-ness and stuff, let's do something else. I wrote up a video scavenger hunt a few months ago. We could do that. We could go to the beach and play beach ball volleyball or something. I think there are plenty of activities that could briong us all closer together as a family, and even create lasting memories, and actually be FUN at the same time.

Now I realize that not everyone will agree with my opinion. If everyone rises up and says "No! We want to do this movie!" then obviously people will be doing movie stuff at the reunion. I'm not thrilled at that prospect, but so be it. I'm still willing to participate -- to a degree. I'll do my one little scene. But I don't want to write any music. I don't have the time or the energy, much less the desire. And if I'm spending ~$1200 just getting there, I'm not going to put a bunch of effort into a project I don't like anyway.

There, it's been said. If you want to comment on this, go ahead. But if you want me to get your comments, you may want to email them to me, or maybe call on the phone (although I might not be home).

I figure you all want to know what's going on with us and stuff. I work alot. Anywhere from 50 to 70 hours a week. I also recently took a motorcycle traing class, and I'm going to get the license tomorrow. We're having a Book of Mormon-related ward talent show next month, and I'm helping coordinate the skits and scenes and stuff. They originally wanted me to write a song for it, or do something from that musical I was writing, but I opted not to. (See? It's not just the movie. I didn't want to write music for that either.) Brooke is doing well in kindergarten. She read a book to Mom over the phone today. She also goes to Daisy Scouts once a week, and has nine out of ten petals. Michelle is into pets right now. We have two rats, one frog, and one snail. She's thinking about getting a fish to add to the fishbowl. (Yes there was a fish before, but we took it back when it got sick.) Bryan is doing well. He had a sinus infection, but he's much better now. He was also excited to talk to Grandma today, and he told her all about his Sunbeams class. He also gets to go to two different playgroups during the week.

So that's a little window into our lives. If you read all this, then hopefully you know a little more about me now. If you didn't, I'm not at all offended. After all, I haven't read anything any of you have written in the last two months.

funny story of the week

So, Tawnia, what did Mindy do for your birthday that made it so great and her the most wonderful sister ever?

The funny story is that last night, the missionaries stopped by so Adam could meet the new elder (Adam is the ass't. ward mission leader) and because they were in our neighborhood anyway. They were also with our friend Jared, who is graduating from medical school next month. We were talking about the baby, and Elder Brague said something about he'd heard that you could tell a woman was about to go into labor because the pupils of her eyes were dilated. Everyone was really confused until he said something about centimeters, and I caught on first. I just said, "Elder, when they're talking about dilation, they're NOT talking about the mother's eyes." That was as far as I got before the light came on. Jared and Adam started laughing, and Dr. Jared asked if he needed to give the missionaries an anatomy lesson. Even the new missionary looked at Brague like "Are you KIDDING??? You don't know that?" I don't know if Brague figured it out completely, but he realized that he didn't want to know any more right now. This isn't something I'm too likely to forget. Ever. HA!!

Thank you everyone for wishing me happy birthday on the blog. Trina, said she hoped that my day was full of phone calls. So far I've recieved three of those. One from Mom (Dad, Melanie, and Annika) wishing me a happy birthday. One from Mindy wondering why I wasn't home from breakfast with Shawna yet (We ended up going shopping.) And one from a guy in my ward wanting a ride to work (he had already called someone else and gotten a ride.) SO, why haven't any of the rest of you called me??? Hmmm..??? Did you not know my phone number, because that is a silly excuse, since you can call Mom and get it from her.

Oh, and I'm having an excellent birthday. Mindy is the bestest sister anyone could ever wish for.

Love,
Tawnia

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TAWNIA!!!

I would have gotten up early and wished you a happy birthday but it's spring break baby! Of course I still want to get up before noon. I hope that you have a great 28 and eat lots of cake. Amanda and I will have a cake fight for you. I do not know when, but I am sure someday we will. Good luck with the next couple months of finishing up this year of teaching. I'll see you later.

Love,
Nathan

Tawnia's Birthday

Today is Tawnia's birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAWNIA!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAWNIA!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAWNIA!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAWNIA!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAWNIA!!!

That's all.

Happy Birthday, Tawnia.

You know, Mom, if you'd wanted to post before Trina, you'd have to have gotten up before 3 a.m.

Tawnia, have a wonderful birthday, and don't eat too much cake.

By the way, my picture is up on Orson Scott Card's webpage. http://www.hatrack.com/svu/tolkien_lewis/index.html
I'm there with the rest of my class. It's at the bottom of the page. Rebecca, who is going to be my roommate next year, is the tall girl with glasses standing in the back.

Good Morning!

You have to get up early to beat Trina to the punch. Sorry about my comment Trina - I was in Mommy Mode.

Happy Birthday Tawnia

This morning we're going to Sam and Deb's to keep an eye on the kids for a few hours. Sam and Deb are out of town celebrating their anniversary, so they asked if we could come for a little while. This afternoon we'll be going to Costco to do some shopping then we'll go back to Deb's and give Amber the things we want to send to Tawnia. She and Sarah are driving down for Spring break.

Thanks Mindy, for putting the Tuna Melt recipe in our cookbook. Look in Breads and Breakfast if you want to check it out. Nathan asked for the cookie mix recipe so I'll be posting that soon. I'm sure some of the rest of you have recipes to post. If you're not sure how to do it, or where to put it just put it in the ftp and have Mindy add it. I didn't want to mess things up so that's the way I did it.

I'd better get some breakfast and a shower so we can get over to Deb's by 8.

Love to all,

MOM

happy happy happy!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TAWNIA!!!

I hope you have a lovely day with lots of phone calls and cake!!!

My resting/not resting while sick wasn't THAT bad, Mom. "Cleaning the junk and clutter" out of our bedroom meant going through random stacks of paper that were all over the place, because I apparently keep EVERYTHING that's handed to me. I had a bunch of sacrament meeting programs, for crying out loud. Those can go! The only "heavy" work I did the entire week while staying home was standing long enough to wash the dishes. And really - when I was home, I felt fine which is what made the whole situation so dumb. Stay home - feel fine. Go to work - feel like crap. Probably because you have to be up to full speed every second of the day at work, and you can't just stop and lie down whenever you want to rest. When I went to work on Wednesday morning and came home early - that was the day I slept the entire afternoon.

For those who are wondering, yes, the movie script is done and was sent to Eric a few days ago. I haven't seen it show up on the website yet, but it's done. If you want it right away, I'll email it to you.

Spring Break

Just before 4:00 this afternoon I arrived home from work. I don't have to go back until April 3rd. Also this week we aren't having mutual because they want the families to have the time together. So I, hopefully have time to do some of the things I've been wanting around here. I still have this stupid problem with my legs but it seems better when I wear support hose. (Yuck! Those are for OLD ladies)

My plans are to get the curtains made for my bedroom and paint the bathroom; clean up the yard; help a couple people with their genealogy; do my spring cleaning; go visiting teaching and do some shopping. Do you think I'll get it all done? I'd also like to get more done on my history - travels, questions, etc. I definitely won't have time to be bored.

I can't wait until next summer when everyone will be here. It's going to be so much fun. It will definitely be a busy summer. Right after school is out we'll go to D.C. then the reunions and a little break before girl's camp then a McCune reunion in Las Vegas and it will be time for school to start again. Being busy is a good thing.

Where I've been

I've been kind of busy, and I'm sure you can all relate. I've been meaning to get caught up with the blog and all, I really have.

Anyway, it's been an action-packed week. FHE on Monday, Ward basketball Tuesday and Wednesday, EQ visits and meeting on Thursday, and a ward activity tonight. SWEET!

Last weekend we helped a team of about 20 youth from the stake put on a 5 minute skit. We had 24 hours to put it on. It was quite an adventure. All of the skits were combinations of Disney cartoons. Ours was a mix of Alice in Wonderland and Monsters Inc. It was pretty darn awesome. I ran the script group (and also recorded and mixed the soundtrack) and Laurel ran the art department. A young woman from our ward, Jenny, put together props and some costumes, and the dance. We were the only group with a pre-recorded soundtrack, which was cool because everyone could hear all our lines and we weren't tied to a microphone. It was also funny since different actors had different voices. Laurel ran the lights during the show, but I just kicked back and watched. It was a lot of fun to see how well they did and how much they got into it.

Anyway, it got me thinking about how crazy this family activity is going to be this summer, and also how fun. I know one thing we really have to do is log all the video we do. I have an idea for a tape log I'll send to Dad before he starts shooting anything.

I'm hoping to update my page this weekend. I know, I've made this sort of statement before and nothing happened, but I think if I just put my mind to it, it just might happen.

REMINDER

This is your friendly reminder that the monthly Blog FHE is this coming Monday - March 27 - I already have the talk picked out that I'll post.

I've been home most of this week - a really bad cold and sore throat have totally flattened me. It's been going on since last week. I finally stayed home on Tuesday and felt a lot better so I went to work yesterday. Ha ha ha! I should have stayed home again because I woke up with entirely no voice at all - only whispering. I worked half the day and then came home because it was a losing battle. So, I stayed home today. Feeling better. We'll see how tomorrow goes. Now is a REALLY bad time to miss work because we're only 2 weeks from our spring conference. But really - with "only" 4 committees now instead of 6, this prep period has been a cakewalk. The bosses are a bit agitated but whatever. I'm caught up. I still have plenty to do, but most of the conference work is done and I still have all of next week.

I'm wondering if Heavenly Father let me get sick so I could stay home and get stuff done. On Tuesday, I totally cleaned out our bedroom - the junk and clutter have all been taken care of so we have space for Summer now. I've spent all morning today creating my Family Book. I have a section for talks on marriage and a section for parenting stuff, a nice copy of the Proclamation on the Family, and even pictures of the temple. I thought about giving it to Adam for his Father's Day gift, but I want to share it with him now because it's really cool. And now I will go do the dishes and study for a couple of hours to finish this section of Anatomy.

a quick seven weeks

Today I went to the post office to get the mail. I saw an envelope in there that was labeled official government mail. I thought maybe I was in trouble for leaking out the Clarissa is a secret agent for ODOT. After taking it to my detoxification zone I carefully opened the mail. To my surprise it was my passport. I did not expect it for another 4 weeks because the lady at the post office where we sent it in at said that it would take seven weeks, and it only took three. What a joyous day. I am really leaving the country for a month. Now I am scared.

Nathan

my day

My day was really weird.

First, we had an evacuation drill this morning that the large signs posted last week said would be over the weekend. It took 15 minutes to get everyone out of the building and over thirty minutes to get everyone back through security. And it was cold.

Second, I met a man who claimed to be a messenger from God. Yes, he was wearing white. However, he also carried a large staff and had lots of dangling talismans on it. Also, he was looking for the "Judiciary Review Board." We finally figured out that he was looking for the Judiciary Committee, which was us. Then, he announced that he was serving us with papers from God. He claimed that as of last Friday, we had declared war on God and that these papers were his [God's] response. These papers formed a 2 inch stack, partially typed and partially scribbled. At this point, I left the front office where this guy was and I happened to have unfortunately stepped into at the wrong time.

Third, we received a letter about a police shooting in Georgia two years ago. Contained in this letter was a video from the dashboard camera of a police cruiser. My coworkers and I had to watch this video several times to figure out what was happening, including the part where the guy was shot and killed. It was very somber and rather disturbing.

Fourth, we went to the hospital where Summer will be born. That was fun.

How was your day?

who knows

I'm not sure that I would agree with the alien bit, although my family definitely puts on a very convincing show of being from one of the more remote planets in this universe. I, however, prefer to think of myself as merely from another dimension, which would explain where I am when I'm not all here myself. Any thoughts?

Hello, family. Just so you know that I didn't fall off the face of the earth, here's what I've been doing lately.

Mostly homework.

In my history class, we've started working on our term papers, so I have a lot to read on the Battle of Yorktown. That's what I decided to do my paper on, partially because I've actually been there. In music history, we're analyzing symphonies, so I've been listening to Mozart's 40th almost every day this week. And I've checked out four books about Mozart. I had a quiz in math today; we're learning about logarithms. And this quiz was open book. I wonder how many people noticed that the problems were taken straight out of the book. Philosophy reading in time consuming; we're learning about Locke now. And finally, there's novel writing. Actually, I haven't worked a lot on that, partially because I have a lot of other things to do, and partially because I want to make sure I'm doing it right.

I haven't just been doing homework, of course. On Friday night, I went to see the improv group, Shenanigans. It was pretty funny. And on Sunday, Rebecca Morgan invited me to have dinner with her. Rebecca is in my writing class. We're planning on being roommates next year, and we'll be staying with Grace Mullen, one of the math teachers. Okay, sit down before you read this next part. My other two "roommates" are Zachary and Noah. Zachary is an Australian shepherd, and Noah is a collie. Yes, she has dogs. And I'm going to live with them. But they still should be better than some roommates I could name.

stuff

Emily and I took an extra week on the movie script because we hit some glitches in it that we couldn't quite figure out. But we talked last week over IM and got it taken care of. I made the final edits to the script on Friday and emailed it to her for approval (since she is the head writer and I am but a mere assistant) ... I haven't heard from her since then, so I don't know if she's sent it on to Eric or what. We made notes about location suggestions for Eric and Tawnia (in red) and music suggestions for Jared (in blue) - take it or leave it, but that's how we pictured some of those scenes.

Tonight for FHE, Adam and I are touring the hospital where Summer will be born and doing the pre-registration paperwork. It's the Holy Cross hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland rather than in DC. It's about the same distance from our house as the DC hospital (my insurance gave us the option of which one we wanted to go to), but it's a lot easier to get to. We also talked to a couple of medical students in our ward who did rotations at both of them, and the unanimous recommendation was that we go to Holy Cross. The DC hospital is commonly characterized as a zoo because it's so hectic there.

It's getting close enough to be a little scary ... this coming weekend, Adam and I are doing some shopping for things like a bassinet mattress and diapers - stuff we need for when Summer comes home but that aren't "baby shower items." Then is General Conference. Then my work conference and the baby shower (and then we'll have another shopping spree to fill in the blanks). Then Easter, when I hit 37 weeks and am into the "full term" zone. A mere 4 weeks away ... I'm now at 33 weeks.

Movie

Wow Nate. That was quite the post. I'm glad you made up those stories even though you didn't want to. That showed real maturity.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you all know there is a schedule of events up on the movie page. This will probably (and should probably) change as time goes on, so please let me know what you would like to adjust.

Tawnia is the one who is in some ways "taking over" at this point, as she turns the screenplay into a shooting script, but we all have some part to play. And if you don't have some part to play, talk to me and we'll come up with a part for you to play.

I would post more, and post pictures of Stevie, and tell you all about our exciting weekend at the Stake youth activity, but It's 10:30 and I have to get up early.

I love you all and that means you.

hmmm...

I hope y'all weren't out on the town getting drunk this weekend while celebrating Saint Patrick's Day. Why the heck haven't any of you posted? I don't want to make up stories as to why you haven't been, but I think I will.
Mom and Dad have to be relocated due to witness protection because they witnessed Clarissa in a covert operation for the ODOT. Clarissa hasn't been posting because of her top secret job and she is afraid she may slip and tell us something she is not supposed to.
Trina hasn't posted because she was really impregnated by an alien and is pretty embarrassed to just now be realizing that Adam is from another planet. Adam hasn’t posted because he has gone home to visit his real family on some planet in some galaxy far far away. He will be returning for the birth of his alien human mix.
Eric hasn’t posted not because he is busy but because he realized he really isn’t part of this family. Why would he want to continue relationships with whackos like any of us? Not to say he isn’t one. Laurel is relieved to know now that she isn’t related to any of us even through marriage. Stevie can’t type yet, and that is why he isn’t posting. Or is it because after filming that movie clip, the lizard turned around and ate him?
Jared is also working on top secret jobs for the government. He really is Acme-rent-a-hero, and rents out his wife and children for super hero jobs. They are all off saving the world, and so they don’t have time to post.
Tawnia just thinks that she is teaching at an elementary school. She is really in an insane asylum and gets to post on occasion and is on a strict schedule because of her random acts of violence.
Mindy is Tawnia’s doctor/counselor/woman in white coat to make sure Tawnia doesn’t push little kids off of trampolines into fireplaces anymore. Be careful Mindy.
Emily is the creator of the universe and is busy writing the apocalypse. So don’t make her mad.
Nathan is a ninja and doesn’t write all the time because he is busy training for some martial arts competition that no one can know about. Oh shoot… I just mentioned it… never mind.
Amanda is too busy playing computer games to post… oh… that’s true.

If I have offended anyone in posting this I am sorry. That was not my intent. I hope that all of you are safe and enjoying life.

Nathan

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Don't forget to where your green today. This year is flying by so I hope that everyone is looking forward to the great Palmer and Beers family reunions. I sure am. It is too early to be typing on the blog. I do not have a whole lot to say. So have a great St. Patrick's day and watch where you're pinching.

Nathan

Script????

What's up with the movie script? I checked on the Pure Chaos page and on Emily's page and haven't found anything new. Trina and Emily said they were going to work on it while Emily was in DC. Did you get anywhere with it? I'd like to figure out what I need to get ready here at home - costumes, etc. I have the last week of the month off to do some planning or sewing or whatever. There won't be much time after school gets out because we'll be heading off to DC ourselves about a week after I get done with work. And we'll get home in time for everyone to come. Also, Dad wants to film some of the early scenes soon, but I told him he can't film any outdoor scenes until there are leaves on the trees, not bare branches or blossoms becuase that would look silly in our summer movie. So let us know what's up.

Love ya,
MOM

Words - 3

I think it is funny how you ladies both posted about words. One of my classes has me reading almost constantly, and more times than not there are several words on each page that I do not know. I tend to keep a list of them to look up later which happens sometimes. I was about to look some up when I decided to read the blog and low and behold you're talking about words. One of the words that is on my list from tonight is ardor. Another one is exacerbating. I think it is good to look up words. I never really liked reading when I was growing up and now I wish I read a lot more because of all the great words that could have been in my vocabulary.

About 45 minutes ago I called Eric to ask him about a word that he used in one of his past posts that I could not remember. It was denizen. I had to look that one up when I first read it, and tonight I could remember the definition, but not the word. The reason I thought of it was because he used the word nuance in his post, and I was not sure exactly what it meant.

Instead of being pi day, today should be look up word day.

Nathan

Words - 2

I also like the word "superfluous." I also like the word "exacerbate." It means to make a situation worse. I use it in letters to Congress all the time but I don't usually SAY it. Yesterday on our way home, I used it in conversation - I was quite proud of myself. It's a bit of a mouthful to wrap your tongue around.

I'm also learning lots of vocab in my medical transcription course. I'm now up to the anatomy section, which you go through before starting on the sections that go through medical specialties individually - I did the disease processes tonight (like - acute: symptoms surface very severely in a short amount of time) and next is bones and joints.

Words

We often use a dictionary in fourth grade. In fact, my students are assigned to look up words. I have had them look up "gross" and other such words. Tomorrows words will come from our reading assignment in Pollyanna. Words such as: remonstrances, ardor, efface, and ensconced.

Last night I was watching "Pirates" and Captain Jack Sparrow said one of my favorite words from studying for the GRE... superfluous which, according to Webster's Dictionary, means: Being more than is wanted; redundant; unnecessary.

For The Record

Bashing (as defined in political usage) - The pejorative bashing is a gratuitous and threatening attack on a subject, group or individual. (wikipedia)

Disagreements with political leaders based upon careful analysis of facts are not bashing in any form. Please do not confuse the two issues. Thank you.

Adam

New Movie Time!

There's a new movie on my page. We made this one Saturday. Laurel was taking a nap most of the time I was shooting it, but she did create the music. It's pretty sweet. She also helped coach Stevie into what I think is one of the most nuanced performances by an infant I've ever seen. Especially when you consider that he's working opposite a stuffed lizard.

The lizard toy I created a week ago Saturday with surprisingly little help from Laurel. (Surprising that I could do so much of it myself.) She did thread the sewing machine though. And she came up with some key ideas, including the two fabrics to use, and the idea of using buttons for eyes.

Anyway, just watch the movie. Hopefully it will inspire as well as educate.

one of THOSE weeks

Not much of a baby report this time ... doctor's appointments continue to be normal. We're touring a hospital in a couple of weeks. I've put the brakes on Adam buying more clothes for Summer until after the baby shower. I'm still the same with perpetual pain in my lower back and hips, and I can't move very well. Since hitting the 3rd trimester a couple of weeks ago, my energy level has really gone downhill. I'm exhausted all the time.

Work has been really hectic the last couple of weeks, with major lobbying activity with Congress and tracking amendments flying every which way in hearings. And we're a month from our spring conference here in DC, so I have lengthy phone call and email lists that just get longer no matter how much I do. I also had my mid-year review this week (our "year" for reviews and raises starts in Sept. so March is halfway). With 2 bosses instead of 3, it's been a much nicer working environment since December because I can get deeper into a project without getting yanked around all the time on different things. I'm doing well with everything and my bosses are pleased, but at the same time, they want me to really step it up to see what I'm fully capable of. Interesting timing. On one hand, I totally agree - I've been waiting for an opening like this for a good long time, to see how far I can go with this job. On the other hand ... NOW?? When I'm 2 months away from maternity leave, and I feel successful just for surviving a day? Talk about caught between a rock and a hard place.

Can't think of much else at the moment. It sounds like everyone's super busy, and that's why we've had a lag in postings. I'll try to keep up, but I suspect that for the next couple of months, I'm going to be on the downside because I'm just too stinkin' tired to even think. Good luck with everything, everyone!

Treasure

At school we have been reading "Treasure Island" as a class, and I have been reading "A Certain Kind of Treasure" as my read aloud. We finished both books within a day of each other and then we had to celebrate. The first thing we did was compare the types of treasures in each book. Then I had each student write a paragraph called "What I Treasure" and draw a picture of what they treasure. Then the next day I had each of them bring in their treasure (or a representation of it.) In the morning all of the kids put their treasures in our class treasure chest (which I had made the day before.) We went through the morning and then the kids went out to recess. During recess our treasure was "stolen." And a clue was left for us. These clues led us around the school. The best was getting our second clue. My friend Natalie was standing outside at the playground dressed as a pirate. She had a blue bandana and had given herself a mustache, and a toothbrush hook. She was hilarious. "Ah, this, I just wanted to remind ye te brush yer teeth!" Along with the clues, we received pieces of the treasure map. At the end, the class had to tape the treasure map together and then they had to silently follow me back to the classroom. We did a "follow the leader" game and skipped, hopped, jumped, twirled, and crept our way back to the classroom. When we got to outside our classroom I told the kids that I would go in to check the place out first. I handed the map to one of the kids, "in case I didn't make it back", looked both ways, and then leapt through the door, slamming it behind me. I had told one of the girls to count to ten and then bring the class in. The funniest part was that I forgot that I'd locked my classroom door. So I had to open it for them and then run back to my seat at my desk. The last treasure told them that the treasure was "somewhere close to me" and it was. It was under my desk. So then we pulled out the treasure chest and I gave each student their treasure and had them explain to me why it was a treasure. There were some really touching stories too. Anyway, it was one of the most fun activities I have ever done with my class and plan on doing it again next year, only closer to the beginning of the school year.

-T

P.S. My treasure was a picture of my family, to represent all of you.

Playing tourist

Hello, family.

I've been having a good time in D. C. I went to the Smithsonian -- I especially liked the "Price of Freedom" exhibit at the history museum and the mineral and gemstone collection at the Natural History museum. I also visited some museums I'd never been to before -- the Asian and African art museums and the Native American museum, and today I went to the postal museum. I also went to the Arlington House and saw the eternal flame at the Kennedys' grave. Then I had lunch by the Potomac. It's been a very busy week.

oops

that sure is what I meant, Mindy. So I have corrected my error. I think. For those of you that do not know what I mean.... read the blog more often.

Nathan

A funny story

When I put up my last post on the Daily Eric blog I thought I was posting to this blog. That just goes to show how tired I was this morning.

I'm still that tired. Maybe a little more.

I'm hoping for a full night's sleep tonight.

I can't believe I won the contest, and I did it all by not calling. Sometimes dreams really do come true. I wonder what I won.

Nathan (if you'll recall) won my blog contest last time, but he hasn't collected his prize, which is a cool Flash animation. Oh, that reminds me Nate: Laurel's doing more art these days. I'll bug her again about illustrating your poem if you want. (I just thought of that.)
In other news, I'm going to go home and then make some calls and prepare for a meeting and then go on visits and then go to a meeting and then go home and sleep.

The End?

Yes, the end.

Congratulations

I would like to congratulate all those that participated in the first ever Palmer Blog contest brought to you by Skippy and His Beautiful Wife. The top three winners are Mindy, Tawnia, and Eric. Since The Mama and the Captain called without posting on the blog, they were disqualified, but still got to know before everyone else because they asked. Now I should disqualify Mindy and Tawnia for calling and asking, but they did ask on the blog first. In the official handbook on blog contests I could not find a section on calling and asking, but I am sure if there were an official handbook there would be something about using nonblogs to get information which would result in disqualification. So I am sorry to announce that Tawnia and Mindy have also been disqualified along with Mom and Dad. But this is not just a blog full of sad news. I have some good news for y’all. I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to Geico. Ok, I didn’t really. The good news is that now that more than half the family knows my new calling, and that I have to go do something for it tonight, I will let you all know. Drum roll please. Ratty tat ratty tat ratty tat tat. I am now the second counselor in the Elders Quorum Presidency. Not the Bishop or Prophet or anything. Many people tell me congratulations and so what I wonder is why people say congratulations to this calling and just laughed at me when I was called to be the eleven year old scout leader. What gives? And other good news is that Eric is the winner of the first ever blog contest.

On another note. Did anyone find my secret message from one of my earlier posts. The one titled “wrong way, heart monitors”? If anyone finds it let me know. I will let everyone know in a few days if no one has found it.

Nathan

wrong way, heart monitors

As I was driving to the doctors today I was stopped at a stop light and waited for traffic to move through so I could go. I saw a cars coming from the right and the left and I thought, "Isn't this a one way road?" Then I realized it was a one way road and some dumby was driving the wrong way on it. Sure I've been that dumby before, or I've been with dumbys like that before but that doesn't excuse this dumby in the least. When I was the dumby it was night. this was at 10:45 in the morning. Well, after several cars honked at this person they turned into a parking lot to rethink what they were doing. I actually think the one way road is annoying sometimes and I don't blame them for driving the wrong way. Maybe they were just trying to make a statement. Who knows?

While at the doctor I got a heart monitor to wear. I get to wear it for the next two weeks. I do not think that I am dying or anything, but you never know, and I have always wanted to have a heart monitor, so they let me wear one before that fateful day (when I die comes). So what I am trying to say is the only reason that I am wearing this is to say that I have done it. little white lie.

Well I guess I will let you all go now. Oh yeah, Tawnia is now in second for asking about my calling. Mother is out of the contest, and anyone else she tells, because she called and did not follow the rules of blog contests which state that you can only discuss contests of blogness on blogs. Especially when I am making them up as I go. So No More Cheating. Ask me, not Mom. and No Telling.

fin

Nathan

I'm not completely crazy

In my conversation with Tawnia, this afternoon, I mentioned that Cheryl went to Arizona for Gary's wedding. She chastised me but I thought I'd mentioned it earlier and I was right. If you look at my post from Feb 5th this is what you'll see:

I also wanted to let you know that I got a wedding invitation a few days ago from my brother, Gary. He and Marleen are getting married on February 25th. I talked to her on the phone this afternoon. She's 52, (Gary is 59) and she has twins, but I don't know how old they are. You can meet her at the reunion in Seattle this summer.

See, Tawnia? I do pass on the news I get around here.

Love ya,
MOM

Mindy Wins!!!

Mindy you win the awesomeness of being the first to ask about my new calling. Good for you. I was wondering who it was going to be. I thought maybe Mom or Trina. Amanda couldn't participate because she already knows. But I think everyone should congratulate Mindy on being number one.

I am glad the story made you laugh Tawnia. It made Amanda laugh too. I like to make people laugh. Especially at others expense, and esecially when those "others" don't, and never will find out about it. Of course I won't use real people's names when retelling stories.

I just found this out by accident. When you hold down ctrl and hit backspace the whole previous word (not just the letter) is deleted. At least on the blog thing here it is. Also when you hit backspace when the cursor is not in a text window and you are in internet explorer, it is like hitting the back button.

I think that is enough...

Nathan

New story

I put up a new story. The second car touble one. uhhh... I have a new calling...

The Library of Congress

Today, I went to the dentist to get my tooth glued in, and then I went to the Supreme Court Building and the Library of Congress. I saw a film about the Supreme Court, and then I went into the courtroom where we heard about who sits where and about the architecture and history. It was pretty neat. Then I went to the Library of Congress. I joined a guided tour, and we heard about how the library was built. There was a Gutenberg Bible, as well as one of the last hand-copied bibles. There is a lot of amazing architecture -- paintings on the ceilings, mosaics on the floors, sculptures in between. And we went to a balcony that overlooked the main reading room. There are always people doing research, but with the Internet, there aren't as many as there used to be. After the tour I looked at one exhibit on American treasures, including a lot of the writings of Benjamin Franklin, and then I saw an exhibit on Bob Hope. I also walked across the street to the Madison Building (there are multiple buildings that make up the Library of Congress), and I saw an exhibit of different kinds of maps. Then I met Trina at Union Station. Tomorrow, I'm planning on seeing the American History Museum.

JARED!!!

Good to hear from you Jared. I hope that all is going well. Thanks for putting the webpage back. I have a new calling at church. I am not the scout leader for the 11 year olds anymore. Just in time for all of the campouts to start again, so I missed all of them. Pretty lame if you ask me.

Well, I have to go help finish cleaning the apartment because some friends are coming over, I think.

Nathan

Mom called me and said Trina was begging for the movie webpage or something. So I put it back.

February FHE

Well, I was busy last Monday, so I realize that this is a week late. But, I was just on the computer and read this article. It's really great and talks about an important principle that we all need in our homes.... forgiveness.

Enjoy!
http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Ensign/2003.htm/ensign%20may%202003.htm/forgiveness%20will%20change%20bitterness%20to%20love.htm?fn=document-frame.htm$f=templates$3.0

Love,
T

meeting the in-laws

I met the first in-laws at the weddings - I was 13 or 14, so I was so engrossed in my own life that I didn't really care who my brothers were marrying, and I just accepted it. (Not that I wouldn't have accepted it otherwise, but there you go.) I still haven't met Adam, so I'll have to report back to you this summer on that. And I don't remember the specific time meeting Amanda, because she was around so often after the first time, that it just blurred together. I agree with Trina, it's much more enjoyable and memorable getting to know the in-laws, instead of just meeting them the first time. Meeting Jason's family was interesting. We went to out to dinner with his Dad and sister, Lisa, and I was very nervous. They were very welcoming and accepting of me, and were always happy to see me after that. I probably met his Mom and her boyfriend (now husband) and their apartment, and although I was equally as nervous they were equally as accepting.

Tired

I think my main reason for not posting is because I'm just so tired all the time. I get home from work and literally just crash on the couch until I can find the energy to get myself up and go to bed. I still did some stuff this week (FHE, ballet, etc.) And, of course, I was at work for ten hours every day. Work is frustrating right now, but I won't go into that.

How I met my in-laws. I drove from Oregon to Idaho to meet Laurel the first time. I met Michelle on a weekend excursion from Rexburg to Provo. I met Adam when I flew out to D.C. And I don't remember how I met Amanda. We were in the branch together and I thought she was great! And Nate and Manda had a cake fight at my birthday party one year. I think what I've enjoyed is getting to know my in-laws over time. I enjoy the phone calls and deep conversations and such. THAT is how I actually get to KNOW them.

Anyway, it's Friday and all the plans I'd thought of having have fallen through, so I'm going to go and figure out something to do now.
-T

Am I blind?

Where is the corporate history page? Don't tell me someone took that off too!! Anywho... How are you all doing? I have had a cold these last couple of days and so I have not wanted to do a whole lot, but I'm still kicking. ok, bye.

uhhh...

Trina, I put a comment under your last post. Mom, I like the pictures that you are putting up. I saw the ones from Christmas you put up on your digital camera pictures page. You need to tell us though when you put pictures of old trips up because they end up in the middle of your list, and I don't always remember what is and isn't there. uhhh... I have to go read and eat food.

Nathan

Spring break

It is, in my mind, officially spring break. Actually, I've felt that way since about 11:20, when I finished my math quiz. So class got out early. And I have virtually no homework. Well, I can start on my big music project or start on my history paper or write a synopsis for my book. But I am free for the next week.

Trina is coming to pick me up tomorrow. I did have a ride figured out, but then he bailed on me at the last minute. But I am going to spend the week in D.C. with Adam and Trina. They'll go to work; I'll go to the Smithsonian and the Library of Congress and so on.

mmm, yeah

Since this is my 7th post out of the last 25 on the blog, I feel like I've been doing a majority of the talking around here lately. What gives? Mom isn't the only one getting annoyed - I'm not a fan of talking to dead space either.

Jared: Emily will be at my house tomorrow and we're going to finish the movie script. Please put the movie pages back up this weekend - you made this handy dandy source that I'd like to use, and some of the information is not written down anywhere else that I know of. I have no idea why you took it down but I'd appreciate it if you'd put it back up. Thank you.

Mom and Dad: Mom's last post about the reunion said something about planning "done so far" - I think what you have figured out "so far" is plenty. If there's something crucial missing (family portraits?), okay. The only other thing I might add is a comparable guys time at the same time as the girls time out. Beyond that, I think it would be trying to schedule too much. Unstructured time is not a bad thing, and we'll have to be flexible for baby naps and feeding anyway. I don't know how Laurel and Stevie will be at that point, but Summer will only be about 10 weeks old. I will need a nap.

To give Laurel and Michelle and Amanda a little background on the girl time: the 5 of us sisters started doing stuff just on our own a few years ago. Sometimes Mom is included, and sometimes she's not. Our thought for the reunion is that ALL of us - the "original" Palmer girls and Mom, married into the family, and now the next generation of Brooke and Summer - take a couple of hours without the guys to go hang out. We hope that you'll join us.

Mom: I was looking over your Top 100 list real quick this morning, and I found 4 things that you can do on your trip out here. Hike on the Appalachian Trail, and go to Gettysburg, Mt. Vernon, and the Jefferson Memorial. I will make sure that these things get done for you. I don't see Dad's Top 100 list on the website to check his things, but I know it has "Watch the Independence Day fireworks over the National Mall." We'll get you to that too ... maybe at the Jefferson Memorial. We've watched them from the Capitol steps (which sucked because the orchestra shell for the concert was in the way) and from Iwo Jima, which is a great view but pretty far away. To be up close and personal - the steps of the Jefferson are supposed to be really good.

Oh, and the in-laws question. Actually meeting my in-laws has not exactly brought stellar memories because I always met them at the end of very long trips - either I was going to them or they were coming to me. (i.e. when we drove to Idaho and Utah to meet Laurel and Michelle, or after an all-day flight to Oregon from Florida when I met Adam's sisters.) Lots of forced politeness because of extreme tired-ness from one side or the other, and always a lot of nervousness because of feeling like I was required to like this person no matter what because there was already a wedding in the works. The next day, when everyone was much more rested and the initial shock was over, was always a lot better. I know it's not a very cheerful answer, but it's the truth. Meeting in-laws: not so fun. Getting to know them: much, much better and nicer.

Rats

I got 2 pet rats for the kids. They are great pets. The kids love them. One is white and one black and white.

Jared is working a lot lately. They have a lot of orders this month. Bryan has had a sinus infection, but he feels fine now . He is still taking amoxicillan. I am doing fine. Things are pretty calm with me.

About meeting in-laws, I figure most of you were there. So, I will share how I met my sister-in-law Katrina. I actually met here and we were friends before she met my brother Matthew. We both worked at Golden Corral and attended the same high school. We would hang out on the weekends and have fun together. I got Matthew a job a Golden Corral. That is when he started dating Katrina. Really they were already interested in each other at school. They actually were high school sweethearts. She still teases him that she knew me first. They live about 45 minutes from me.

Is anybody out there?

This site has been rather quiet lately so I thought I'd ask another question and see if we can wake it up. It didn't work last time - I guess nobody liked that question - but we'll try another one anyway. How did you first meet your in-laws? Now don't think that if you're not married you don't have to answer this one, you have in-laws, too. A brother-in-law and some sisters-in-law. I know some of you met them ahead of time so let's hear your stories and your first impressions. It should prove interesting, or at least get someone talking. By the way, have any of you seen the things I've put on my site lately?

Also, Jared, Dad would like a copy of the thing he put on the movie site about his acting experience. Better yet, why not put the page back up so we can all see it and add to it?

Dad is getting so excited about the reunion that he wants me to put up a tentative schedule. He's also talking about planning meals already. I guess you can let me know if you have any particular preferences. As for the schedule - this is the way I see it.

Saturday or Sunday everyone arrives.
Sunday we all go to church in Yamhill at 10:00 Dinner that afternoon about 3:00
Monday we can do our girls time out thing and have a barbecue for dinner.
Tuesday is movie day
Wednesday is temple day.
Thursday we'll be getting ready to head for Seattle. Max doesn't expect us there too early and dinner will be on our own tht night, so we'll probably all go out for pizza or something.

That's about what we've come up with so far.

Love ya....Mom

and Dad