Life here in Lafayette has been rather busy, at least for me. Between work, my callings and my Christmas projects I'm going all the time. Nathan pointed out, yesterday, that I haven't posted in over a month, so I guess I should get with the program. I've been working on a few upgrades to the timeline and such but they aren't quite ready yet. But I figure it's time for us all to have a new question to answer...What is the best present you have received? What is the best one you gave? I'm looking forward to your answers.
Love ya,
MOM
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Cookies
So I just finished making cake mix cookies to take to Break the Fast tomorrow. I made one batch using devil's food with m'n'm's in them and one using funfinity with coconut in them. Good stuff!
Today was interesting. It was really overcast all day which was reminding me of a good old Oregon fall day... and then it started snowing. Not so Oregon like. When I left the RS Broadcast my friend Tiffany noted that it didn't smell like fall, it smelled like Christmas. So now I'm in the mood for Christmas music and all that Christmasy stuff. Speaking of Christmas, are we doing an exchange or not??
I am doing well in my classes. I got a 93% on of the tests I took on Friday. I'm not sure what I got on the other one. They were both on the computer but one had fill in the blanks, so the teacher (or more likely his TA) has to go in and manually correct each test. I took a different test earlier last week and got 100% on it. So I would say I'm doing well. I'm trying to stay caught up or ahead in everything, especially because once the week gets going I don't have a whole lot of time to spend on school.
I have been getting up at 6 a.m. and going walking on Mon, Wed, and Fridays. It has been a bit cold, but was actually a little warmer this last Friday. I'm not sure what Monday will be like (what with the snow and all). It is a nice start to my day. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I tutor at 7:20 in the morning, so I get up and get ready for the day at 6 am instead of going walking.
So yeah, Work, school, tutoring, walking, dancing, FHE, Institute, Choir, and Church are keeping me busy! And out of trouble.
Love,
Tawnia
Today was interesting. It was really overcast all day which was reminding me of a good old Oregon fall day... and then it started snowing. Not so Oregon like. When I left the RS Broadcast my friend Tiffany noted that it didn't smell like fall, it smelled like Christmas. So now I'm in the mood for Christmas music and all that Christmasy stuff. Speaking of Christmas, are we doing an exchange or not??
I am doing well in my classes. I got a 93% on of the tests I took on Friday. I'm not sure what I got on the other one. They were both on the computer but one had fill in the blanks, so the teacher (or more likely his TA) has to go in and manually correct each test. I took a different test earlier last week and got 100% on it. So I would say I'm doing well. I'm trying to stay caught up or ahead in everything, especially because once the week gets going I don't have a whole lot of time to spend on school.
I have been getting up at 6 a.m. and going walking on Mon, Wed, and Fridays. It has been a bit cold, but was actually a little warmer this last Friday. I'm not sure what Monday will be like (what with the snow and all). It is a nice start to my day. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I tutor at 7:20 in the morning, so I get up and get ready for the day at 6 am instead of going walking.
So yeah, Work, school, tutoring, walking, dancing, FHE, Institute, Choir, and Church are keeping me busy! And out of trouble.
Love,
Tawnia
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
This week at work
Last night at work was . . . interesting. One person is on vacation, and another is injured, so there are fewer people who have to work. And yesterday, a bag of sugar was spilled; there was a nice pile in the stockroom. Then a stack of juice bottles fell . . . twice. And people kept paying with one dollar bills, so I ended up with almost a hundred of them in my drawer. Fun day, right? And I can't work on Wednesday, because I'm one of the officers in the history honor society (I'm the historian) and we need to have a meeting. And I want to go to W&L in order to get some primary sources for my paper. But I could be the only one who can come in on Thursday. And I've got a biology test on Friday, and next week there are tests in Am Civ and German. In German, I'm still having some problems with dative and accusative cases; most prepositions are one or the other, but there are some that are either/or (auf, an, hinter, vor, in, uber, unter, neben zwischen). Those who have taken German might know what I'm talking about. For those who don't, I'll put it simply. Thank goodness English only has one word for "the."
Monday, September 24, 2007
Happy Monday
Hi all,
Lately I've been commenting that the family doesn't post nearly as much as everyone used to...and then today I realized that I ought to post - it sure has been awhile! Things are going pretty well with us. While we still have apartments we need to fill, it isn't quite as daunting when another 30-day notice jumps through our mail slot. Just a sigh...and on to more paperwork and phone calls, etc. I suppose it is calming down, but people aren't nearly as interested in renting these days - summer was crazy! Anyway - that's pretty boring...
Joshua is doing great! He's doing a lot that you can't quite see in pictures - grasping onto things...looking like he's scratching them, and generally doing a much better job of being able to grab what he wants to. He's enjoying some of his solid foods - rice cereal is pretty good...carrots are ok, green beans are the best, and bananas made his tummy upset.
He has finally become interested in rolling over, and sometimes he will keep on going - over and over...it is the end of an era - an era of leaving him on his back and knowing he'll stay there, and the era of poopy diapers not really being that scary. Now they are quite scary. Ah well. His feet can touch the ground now in his little play table like Summer's, but it may be awhile before he can actually push enough to move around in it. He figured out how to push this little whale, which makes the fish spin around in a circle...and when he figured it out, he did it over and over and over...we got a little film of him doing it - he was very proud.
Grandma and Grandpa Rozen came down to see him (and us, of course, but mostly Joshua!) this weekend and that was a whole lot of fun. He especially enjoyed singing with Grandma and playing with his caterpillar on the floor with Grandpa.
Joshua likes to sing some funny songs with his Mommy also - his all-time favorite (even more than Old McJoshy, amazingly!) is "Bubbles the Baby Spitbug." Some of you have been able to enjoy the amazing song, written by Joshua's Mommy. He also likes, "Poop-inator Poop-inator ate a little alligator" but that is generally reserved for the changing table.
Also, his "Aunt" Ashley got married this weekend! He is a bit upset about this because he loves his Aunt Ashley and she has been staying with us off and on since he was born, so he's not so sure about forgiving his new "Uncle" Adam (he already has a REAL uncle Adam) for taking Ashley away...but it'll be ok.
Things are going well for us across the board - worrying about money and the future and all of that, but it'll all work out, I have no doubt.
Well on that optimistic note, I gotta go play with my baby who is rather perturbed that I'm paying attention to the computer rather than him! He is just like his Daddy!
Love you all, and I hope to see more posts! Sorry that I haven't posted much, either.
Manda
Lately I've been commenting that the family doesn't post nearly as much as everyone used to...and then today I realized that I ought to post - it sure has been awhile! Things are going pretty well with us. While we still have apartments we need to fill, it isn't quite as daunting when another 30-day notice jumps through our mail slot. Just a sigh...and on to more paperwork and phone calls, etc. I suppose it is calming down, but people aren't nearly as interested in renting these days - summer was crazy! Anyway - that's pretty boring...
Joshua is doing great! He's doing a lot that you can't quite see in pictures - grasping onto things...looking like he's scratching them, and generally doing a much better job of being able to grab what he wants to. He's enjoying some of his solid foods - rice cereal is pretty good...carrots are ok, green beans are the best, and bananas made his tummy upset.
He has finally become interested in rolling over, and sometimes he will keep on going - over and over...it is the end of an era - an era of leaving him on his back and knowing he'll stay there, and the era of poopy diapers not really being that scary. Now they are quite scary. Ah well. His feet can touch the ground now in his little play table like Summer's, but it may be awhile before he can actually push enough to move around in it. He figured out how to push this little whale, which makes the fish spin around in a circle...and when he figured it out, he did it over and over and over...we got a little film of him doing it - he was very proud.
Grandma and Grandpa Rozen came down to see him (and us, of course, but mostly Joshua!) this weekend and that was a whole lot of fun. He especially enjoyed singing with Grandma and playing with his caterpillar on the floor with Grandpa.
Joshua likes to sing some funny songs with his Mommy also - his all-time favorite (even more than Old McJoshy, amazingly!) is "Bubbles the Baby Spitbug." Some of you have been able to enjoy the amazing song, written by Joshua's Mommy. He also likes, "Poop-inator Poop-inator ate a little alligator" but that is generally reserved for the changing table.
Also, his "Aunt" Ashley got married this weekend! He is a bit upset about this because he loves his Aunt Ashley and she has been staying with us off and on since he was born, so he's not so sure about forgiving his new "Uncle" Adam (he already has a REAL uncle Adam) for taking Ashley away...but it'll be ok.
Things are going well for us across the board - worrying about money and the future and all of that, but it'll all work out, I have no doubt.
Well on that optimistic note, I gotta go play with my baby who is rather perturbed that I'm paying attention to the computer rather than him! He is just like his Daddy!
Love you all, and I hope to see more posts! Sorry that I haven't posted much, either.
Manda
Friday, September 21, 2007
Live from Santa Ana
Let me begin tonight's post by expressing my condolences, sympathies, and concerns for Bryan's most recent injury. I hope he's healing up well.
It's been nice to read everyone's news. Sounds like you're all making good progress. Well done.
In honor of Allie's turning two months old today, and finding my long lost camera the other day, I've updated my family's little page. Check it out for very recent pictures (this afternoon) and other fun surprises.
As you can see from these pictures, Laurel gave Stevie a haircut yesterday. We're sad to see his curls go, but they'll be back. I think Laurel did it because the man at Albertson's thought he was a girl.
Allie has been a bit of a whiner these days. Maybe it's a growth spurt or something but she's eating all the time and wearing poor Laurel out.
Stevie is getting bigger and funnier and more talkative. He said "The Mommy's Book" today. He repeats everything we say, which is pretty dang cute. And a little scary.
I've been busy working. I have two big projects that are coming to fruition now. I had a conference call this morning at 5:30, then a Kinkos run, then a day at the office. I got a nap tonight which was very nice. Then Stevie woke me up by standing on me and stomping on my head.
It's been nice to read everyone's news. Sounds like you're all making good progress. Well done.
In honor of Allie's turning two months old today, and finding my long lost camera the other day, I've updated my family's little page. Check it out for very recent pictures (this afternoon) and other fun surprises.
As you can see from these pictures, Laurel gave Stevie a haircut yesterday. We're sad to see his curls go, but they'll be back. I think Laurel did it because the man at Albertson's thought he was a girl.
Allie has been a bit of a whiner these days. Maybe it's a growth spurt or something but she's eating all the time and wearing poor Laurel out.
Stevie is getting bigger and funnier and more talkative. He said "The Mommy's Book" today. He repeats everything we say, which is pretty dang cute. And a little scary.
I've been busy working. I have two big projects that are coming to fruition now. I had a conference call this morning at 5:30, then a Kinkos run, then a day at the office. I got a nap tonight which was very nice. Then Stevie woke me up by standing on me and stomping on my head.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Christmas
So Trina, Jared, and I think that a gift exchange would be a good idea... do the rest of you dislike it because you already have gifts going for everyone??
For Christmas I am going to visit Eric, Laurel, Stevie, and Allie. I'm very excited. I will be back in Utah for New Years though. I fly out on the evening of the 19th and back on the evening of the 30th. Speaking of that trip... I'd like to send Eric and Laurel my flight plans but I don't have a current e-mail for them. So please e-mail me. Also to Eric and Laurel - I'd love to see new pictures of Allie on the website.
Life is keeping me busy. I'll probably make a chain of the number of days I work between now and Christmas, or something like that, soon. I have to have something to keep me going through frustrating days at work.
Actually work isn't to bad at the moment. I feel like things are going well.
-Tawnia
For Christmas I am going to visit Eric, Laurel, Stevie, and Allie. I'm very excited. I will be back in Utah for New Years though. I fly out on the evening of the 19th and back on the evening of the 30th. Speaking of that trip... I'd like to send Eric and Laurel my flight plans but I don't have a current e-mail for them. So please e-mail me. Also to Eric and Laurel - I'd love to see new pictures of Allie on the website.
Life is keeping me busy. I'll probably make a chain of the number of days I work between now and Christmas, or something like that, soon. I have to have something to keep me going through frustrating days at work.
Actually work isn't to bad at the moment. I feel like things are going well.
-Tawnia
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Oh, by the way...
I noticed that no one seemed to be expressing any concern for Bryan... then I realized I had posted it on my page, but not here. If you haven't seen my page since the weekend, the news is there.
updated pictures
So, Clarissa, Mindy tells us on the sisters blog that you have news. So what's the deal?
Mindy The Great has also updated Summer's month-to-month pictures, adding 4 more shots (13, 14, 15, 16 months). Summer is growing like a weed. I have a couple of other new pages of pictures to add, but I need to figure out the specific pictures. I'm planning on getting that to Mindy in the next week or so, so that they'll hopefully be up by the end of the month. And when Mindy comes out here in November to help with the girls, she will show me how to do this stuff so that I can put the pictures up myself. (Imagine that! And it's one of my top 100 things - learn how to post pictures on the webpage.)
Rosemary is also growing like a weed. I'm going to the doctor every 2 weeks now, and in the last 2-week stretch, my stomach measured 4 inches larger. I expect a similar change at my next appointment (which is next Monday), and then I think I start going for checks every week. She's been getting up into my ribcage over the past week or so, which has definitely been the most painful part of this pregnancy. Lots of hassles with my hip joints and sciatic nerve and the like, which makes it rather difficult to move at all, but the ribcage thing hurts worse. It's either her head or her rear end, rather than her legs pushing up there.
Any other comments on the Christmas gift exchange ideas? Mom and Dad, what do YOU think?
Mindy The Great has also updated Summer's month-to-month pictures, adding 4 more shots (13, 14, 15, 16 months). Summer is growing like a weed. I have a couple of other new pages of pictures to add, but I need to figure out the specific pictures. I'm planning on getting that to Mindy in the next week or so, so that they'll hopefully be up by the end of the month. And when Mindy comes out here in November to help with the girls, she will show me how to do this stuff so that I can put the pictures up myself. (Imagine that! And it's one of my top 100 things - learn how to post pictures on the webpage.)
Rosemary is also growing like a weed. I'm going to the doctor every 2 weeks now, and in the last 2-week stretch, my stomach measured 4 inches larger. I expect a similar change at my next appointment (which is next Monday), and then I think I start going for checks every week. She's been getting up into my ribcage over the past week or so, which has definitely been the most painful part of this pregnancy. Lots of hassles with my hip joints and sciatic nerve and the like, which makes it rather difficult to move at all, but the ribcage thing hurts worse. It's either her head or her rear end, rather than her legs pushing up there.
Any other comments on the Christmas gift exchange ideas? Mom and Dad, what do YOU think?
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Hello, family
Hello, everyone. Trina, I sent you an e-mail with the dates for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the school's temple day. It's yahoo, right? (There's also plans for a temple trip in November sometime, I believe; I'm the ward temple trip coordinator. Isn't that one of the neatest callings?) I'll call you later, Trina, but right now I'm in the library. I need to do research for my senior paper, and write a little paper for biology.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Work
So my life just got slightly more busy and interesting. I was asked if I'd be willing to come in four days a week in the mornings and help with the reading groups in the second grade in the mornings. So I'll be doing that between 9 and 10 am Tuesday through Friday. I also just added tutoring one of my old students on Tuesday and Thursday mornings (7:30 to 8). And I decided to change my other tutoring to just Wednesday and Fridays frm 4:30 - 6:00, so that I could have my Mondays completely free for homework.
Anyway, along with taking the four more hours at work, I also got myself a pay raise of a dollar an hour. Actually they had originally promised me that amount and then on the contract it was a dollar lower... so I said that I could take the job if I could have the original amount. And they gave it to me. So I think I might actually survive the school year financially.
Now I just have to find the time to study between all those other things. That's why I have Mondays free... Monday is my BIG study day where I try to get as much done as possible. And then I almost always end up doing stuff on Saturdays... but this Saturday is the Manti Temple Trip so that might be tricky. Anyway, I have work to do.
Love,
Tawnia
Anyway, along with taking the four more hours at work, I also got myself a pay raise of a dollar an hour. Actually they had originally promised me that amount and then on the contract it was a dollar lower... so I said that I could take the job if I could have the original amount. And they gave it to me. So I think I might actually survive the school year financially.
Now I just have to find the time to study between all those other things. That's why I have Mondays free... Monday is my BIG study day where I try to get as much done as possible. And then I almost always end up doing stuff on Saturdays... but this Saturday is the Manti Temple Trip so that might be tricky. Anyway, I have work to do.
Love,
Tawnia
Thursday, September 13, 2007
another Christmas question
To answer Jared's question first ... we will be spending the holidays here in DC, as usual. Adam's sister Naomi and her family are coming up from Georgia for Thanksgiving. Adam is already planning to spend a lot of Christmas break at the library (also as usual) getting ready for moot court in February - he'll be in one of the top national competitions. I think the first one is regional, and if he places, he would compete at national in March or April. (Or something like that. Adam, feel free to correct me.) Anyway ... I also expect we'll go up to Baltimore once or twice to visit our friends there. Those are the plans so far.
My question is: does anyone want to do a gift exchange with the siblings? We could have some kind of theme, like something unique to the state you live in (since most of us live in different states), or your favorite children's book, or whatever. I think it would be cool to see what other people come up with, and it would be nice to be part of a larger family Christmas even though no one has any money right now and we'll all be in different places. It would one gift per couple for those of us who are married, and everyone could do what they want for Mom and Dad. Or Mom and Dad could participate in the exchange too - their choice.
Also, for those of us with kids - do you want to do a gift exchange among the cousins? I know they're mostly babies, but I still think it would be cute to do. Same logic behind it - be part of a larger family Christmas, and hopefully our kids will grow up with more awareness of their cousins even with the distance.
Other than that, all is normal around here. Adam is gone long hours at school, because he has evening classes 3 days a week but is still on campus studying in the library all day. Summer and I hang out at home or go to the park. Park time is starting to get cut because I'm having a harder time keeping up with her, and our park is not fenced in. Yes, she likes to take off running away from the playground in various directions, laughing the whole time. Baby prep currently involves going through clothes, and sorting them by size and season. I'm feeling okay for the most part - just generally starting to be more tired. Right when Summer's energy level is going up ... nice timing ...
My question is: does anyone want to do a gift exchange with the siblings? We could have some kind of theme, like something unique to the state you live in (since most of us live in different states), or your favorite children's book, or whatever. I think it would be cool to see what other people come up with, and it would be nice to be part of a larger family Christmas even though no one has any money right now and we'll all be in different places. It would one gift per couple for those of us who are married, and everyone could do what they want for Mom and Dad. Or Mom and Dad could participate in the exchange too - their choice.
Also, for those of us with kids - do you want to do a gift exchange among the cousins? I know they're mostly babies, but I still think it would be cute to do. Same logic behind it - be part of a larger family Christmas, and hopefully our kids will grow up with more awareness of their cousins even with the distance.
Other than that, all is normal around here. Adam is gone long hours at school, because he has evening classes 3 days a week but is still on campus studying in the library all day. Summer and I hang out at home or go to the park. Park time is starting to get cut because I'm having a harder time keeping up with her, and our park is not fenced in. Yes, she likes to take off running away from the playground in various directions, laughing the whole time. Baby prep currently involves going through clothes, and sorting them by size and season. I'm feeling okay for the most part - just generally starting to be more tired. Right when Summer's energy level is going up ... nice timing ...
Monday, September 10, 2007
Jared says Hi
I have a question for everybody... What are your plans for Christmas / New Years? I know that Mom and Dad have bought their tickets to come here to Texas over the holidays, and that Tawnia will be going to California to spend time with Eric and Laurel. What about everyone else?
In our latest news, we just went to Schlitterbahn on Saturday, and had a lot of fun. It was a company picnic, and so we got discounted tickets and lots of free food. I got a bit too much sun though. The kids are doing well in school, and Brooke starts Girls Scouts again this week. Michelle had a bit of bad news this week - she went to the dentist and ended up getting a crown and a root canal. I think that's her third one.
In our latest news, we just went to Schlitterbahn on Saturday, and had a lot of fun. It was a company picnic, and so we got discounted tickets and lots of free food. I got a bit too much sun though. The kids are doing well in school, and Brooke starts Girls Scouts again this week. Michelle had a bit of bad news this week - she went to the dentist and ended up getting a crown and a root canal. I think that's her third one.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Address
Laurel, I sent you an e-mail with my address but I'm not sure if it was to a current e-mail. Also, I think Mom sent out a list with everyone's up to date information awhile back... I know it's in my e-mail box somewhere. Maybe Mom could resend that to everyone. (Does it have current e-mail addresses on it? I don't remember!) Since this board can be viewed by any old Joe Schmo, I don't want to put addresses, etc. on it. And I'm sorry to hear about Allie's hernia. Is there anything they can do about it?
Off to more studying.
Tawnia
PS I'll see you at Christmas!
Off to more studying.
Tawnia
PS I'll see you at Christmas!
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Alli's Hernia
Alli is fine with the hernia. You can push it in and it pops back out over and over again. It makes a squishy noise when you push it in. The Doctor says it doesn't hurt her. She says it does not bother her at all. I'm getting used to it, although it gets bigger everyday. When it gets me down I just sing "living with a hernia" to myself. Then I don't feel so bad.
hola crumb-bums
This is laurel by the way, a.k.a. eric on this blogger. Hey, y'all, I want your addresses. The only correct address I have is Frankelyn's, so unless you all plan on moving back home by the time I get around to mailing the birth announcements you should post or email me the address you reside at.
This would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your attention and cooperation on this matter.
On a personal note, Stevie and I are getting back to a sort of normal life now that we've been interrupted by the new kid. She's O.K.. She cries sometimes. She also spends a lot of time pooping. She also eats.
We went swimming today, Stevie and I. Allison slept in the stroller. Someday all three of us will go swimming. Then the next new kid will sleep in the stroller.
You guys are awesome.
Love, Laurel, not Eric.
This would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your attention and cooperation on this matter.
On a personal note, Stevie and I are getting back to a sort of normal life now that we've been interrupted by the new kid. She's O.K.. She cries sometimes. She also spends a lot of time pooping. She also eats.
We went swimming today, Stevie and I. Allison slept in the stroller. Someday all three of us will go swimming. Then the next new kid will sleep in the stroller.
You guys are awesome.
Love, Laurel, not Eric.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
travel log
Thursday: I picked up Adam at school when his evening class finished, and then we picked up Summer at her buddy Ethan's house. She was there so I could take a nap and finish getting the car loaded. We were on our way at about 8 pm.
Friday: About 9:30 am, we got to Jill and Marc's new apartment in St. Augustine (the couple getting married - Jill is from Adam's high school group that is still in close contact with each other). I was wiped out and REALLY not liking the level of humidity outside. So I stayed indoors while Adam took Summer across the street to the beach for awhile. She loved it - she played in the waves and played in the sand, and came back completely dirty from head to toe. I was getting sand out of her ears for the rest of the weekend. After having lunch, we went to check into our hotel. We had to wait another hour or so, and it was pouring rain so touristy stuff was out, so we went to the outlet mall across the street. I went to the bachelorette dinner/party that evening - I was going to just the dinner and skipping out on the drinking and frivolity. Unfortunately, just the dinner took substantially longer than I had estimated ... needless to say that Adam and Summer were not particularly happy about being stranded at the hotel and that I took so long bringing them their dinner. That was not one of the highlights.
Saturday: Another "girls only" event in the morning at a salon to get nails done (I got a "repair job" done from my last haircut), and a girls-only lunch. I took Summer with me, and Adam went with a bunch of the other husbands to play golf and have their own lunch. We converged on Marc's grandparents' house - the wedding was in their backyard, so the rehearsal was there as well.
Then things got exciting ... we had a couple of run-throughs of walking up the aisle in the backyard, and a thunderstorm was coming in so everyone went inside. It POURED for a good couple of hours, and there were about 3 inches of rain in less than 1 hour, which proceeded to flood the house. One minute, Adam is telling me that he's going to help with a flood in the bathroom, where the rain was getting into the house. The next minute, there were 20-30 people rushing around with loads of towels to try to dam the 1-2 inch waves coming down the hall and into the living room, rolling up area rugs before the water could get to them, and moving furniture around. Most of the first floor of the house had over an inch of standing water by the time the mops and Shop-Vac came around. Meanwhile, many small children were VERY hungry (as well as 3 or 4 pregnant women) because we hadn't had the dinner yet. Adam finally went to ask if he could get something for Summer, and was told to take whatever he wanted that was ready. Summer was also frustrated because I had to keep her corralled while the water was being cleaned up - she couldn't run around. In the end, everything calmed down nicely - that couple would have been in a lot more trouble with the flood if so many people hadn't been there to get it under control so quickly.
Sunday: The wedding was at 9:30 am, and it was already suffocating outside with the heavy, heavy humidity. I have no idea if the photographer got any pictures of Summer coming down the aisle - I actually doubt it. We didn't get any either. Adam had the camera up at the front, and I was at the back with her. She wouldn't take her flower basket from me - I was holding it, and she would reach in and take petals out, but not hold it herself. When I finally got her pointed in the right direction (after all the other flower girls had gotten to the front, and one was coming back for her), she made it up to Adam in about 5 seconds, before he could get any pictures of her. The flower girls did not have to stand at the front with the bridal party - they were sent to sit with their parents. So we took Summer around to the back again and let her run around.
The reception was a brunch at a restaurant - we were happy to be in air conditioning. It was a very nice reception, and it was good for Adam to get caught up with so many people. I finally met the last one from the high school group who I hadn't met yet - he's in the Navy, and he's been overseas every other time we've been to Florida.
We left the reception early to visit Adam's sister Naomi in Georgia for the rest of the weekend, and got to her house at about dinnertime. We met her new husband, Eric, and had a good visit with them. We also learned that she will NOT be going to Iraq - her commanding officer said that he's not going to just randomly send people to Iraq just because they've finished their ROTC programs and training, and haven't deployed yet. He wants specific jobs and all, so he's not sending people over there just to get in the way. Makes sense ... (imagine! The US Army doing something that makes sense!) So for the moment at least, Naomi is off the hook.
Monday: After breakfast, we went swimming for a while at the pool at Naomi's complex. That felt SO GOOD. We headed for DC around 2 pm, when Summer was ready to crash for her nap. She was a good little traveler. We stopped as soon as possible when she started fussing and getting restless in her seat, which really wasn't that often. She would run around and stretch for 10-20 minutes, and then we were back on the road. She also fell asleep around 8:30 pm - her usual bedtime - and slept most of the rest of the way. We got home at 11:30 pm.
Today: My brain is awake but my body is very worn out from all the time in the car. Even when I would recline the passenger seat, I still wasn't really able to stretch out as much as I needed to for the baby. So I'm getting everything unpacked and put away, and there is lots of laundry to do. But mostly, I'm taking it easy.
Friday: About 9:30 am, we got to Jill and Marc's new apartment in St. Augustine (the couple getting married - Jill is from Adam's high school group that is still in close contact with each other). I was wiped out and REALLY not liking the level of humidity outside. So I stayed indoors while Adam took Summer across the street to the beach for awhile. She loved it - she played in the waves and played in the sand, and came back completely dirty from head to toe. I was getting sand out of her ears for the rest of the weekend. After having lunch, we went to check into our hotel. We had to wait another hour or so, and it was pouring rain so touristy stuff was out, so we went to the outlet mall across the street. I went to the bachelorette dinner/party that evening - I was going to just the dinner and skipping out on the drinking and frivolity. Unfortunately, just the dinner took substantially longer than I had estimated ... needless to say that Adam and Summer were not particularly happy about being stranded at the hotel and that I took so long bringing them their dinner. That was not one of the highlights.
Saturday: Another "girls only" event in the morning at a salon to get nails done (I got a "repair job" done from my last haircut), and a girls-only lunch. I took Summer with me, and Adam went with a bunch of the other husbands to play golf and have their own lunch. We converged on Marc's grandparents' house - the wedding was in their backyard, so the rehearsal was there as well.
Then things got exciting ... we had a couple of run-throughs of walking up the aisle in the backyard, and a thunderstorm was coming in so everyone went inside. It POURED for a good couple of hours, and there were about 3 inches of rain in less than 1 hour, which proceeded to flood the house. One minute, Adam is telling me that he's going to help with a flood in the bathroom, where the rain was getting into the house. The next minute, there were 20-30 people rushing around with loads of towels to try to dam the 1-2 inch waves coming down the hall and into the living room, rolling up area rugs before the water could get to them, and moving furniture around. Most of the first floor of the house had over an inch of standing water by the time the mops and Shop-Vac came around. Meanwhile, many small children were VERY hungry (as well as 3 or 4 pregnant women) because we hadn't had the dinner yet. Adam finally went to ask if he could get something for Summer, and was told to take whatever he wanted that was ready. Summer was also frustrated because I had to keep her corralled while the water was being cleaned up - she couldn't run around. In the end, everything calmed down nicely - that couple would have been in a lot more trouble with the flood if so many people hadn't been there to get it under control so quickly.
Sunday: The wedding was at 9:30 am, and it was already suffocating outside with the heavy, heavy humidity. I have no idea if the photographer got any pictures of Summer coming down the aisle - I actually doubt it. We didn't get any either. Adam had the camera up at the front, and I was at the back with her. She wouldn't take her flower basket from me - I was holding it, and she would reach in and take petals out, but not hold it herself. When I finally got her pointed in the right direction (after all the other flower girls had gotten to the front, and one was coming back for her), she made it up to Adam in about 5 seconds, before he could get any pictures of her. The flower girls did not have to stand at the front with the bridal party - they were sent to sit with their parents. So we took Summer around to the back again and let her run around.
The reception was a brunch at a restaurant - we were happy to be in air conditioning. It was a very nice reception, and it was good for Adam to get caught up with so many people. I finally met the last one from the high school group who I hadn't met yet - he's in the Navy, and he's been overseas every other time we've been to Florida.
We left the reception early to visit Adam's sister Naomi in Georgia for the rest of the weekend, and got to her house at about dinnertime. We met her new husband, Eric, and had a good visit with them. We also learned that she will NOT be going to Iraq - her commanding officer said that he's not going to just randomly send people to Iraq just because they've finished their ROTC programs and training, and haven't deployed yet. He wants specific jobs and all, so he's not sending people over there just to get in the way. Makes sense ... (imagine! The US Army doing something that makes sense!) So for the moment at least, Naomi is off the hook.
Monday: After breakfast, we went swimming for a while at the pool at Naomi's complex. That felt SO GOOD. We headed for DC around 2 pm, when Summer was ready to crash for her nap. She was a good little traveler. We stopped as soon as possible when she started fussing and getting restless in her seat, which really wasn't that often. She would run around and stretch for 10-20 minutes, and then we were back on the road. She also fell asleep around 8:30 pm - her usual bedtime - and slept most of the rest of the way. We got home at 11:30 pm.
Today: My brain is awake but my body is very worn out from all the time in the car. Even when I would recline the passenger seat, I still wasn't really able to stretch out as much as I needed to for the baby. So I'm getting everything unpacked and put away, and there is lots of laundry to do. But mostly, I'm taking it easy.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Why are college students such morons?
Okay, so my upstairs neighbors invited a bunch of people over for dinner, and we talked and we played a couple rounds of Mafia. Fun, fun.
Then I try to suggest playing some games from the Palmer Family Game book. Trying to get them to understand in the Manner of the Adverb was hard enough, and they decided not to play a game that singled someone out. Okay, I can deal with that. Then I try to suggest the Game of the States. One girl -- incidentally the blond -- says, in a rather disgusted tone, "History." Her roommate had to correct her; she meant geography. And the Game of the States has nothing to do with that anyway, but they wouldn't even let me explain. After being brushed aside for the second time in three minutes, I left. I knew if I stayed, I'd only get angry.
Any games in our book that one person can play alone?
Then I try to suggest playing some games from the Palmer Family Game book. Trying to get them to understand in the Manner of the Adverb was hard enough, and they decided not to play a game that singled someone out. Okay, I can deal with that. Then I try to suggest the Game of the States. One girl -- incidentally the blond -- says, in a rather disgusted tone, "History." Her roommate had to correct her; she meant geography. And the Game of the States has nothing to do with that anyway, but they wouldn't even let me explain. After being brushed aside for the second time in three minutes, I left. I knew if I stayed, I'd only get angry.
Any games in our book that one person can play alone?
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Keeping on Top of Things
Hey family -
Well, I've survived my first week of classes. So far, so good. I took my first test on Friday and got 100%. I have also taken four quizzes and received 100% on all of those and so far have 100% on all my assignments. So I'd say that I'm doing pretty well so far. Of course, this is only the first week. I am enjoying my classes so far. I am learning a lot and some of it is review (which is nice.) I had to write a couple of one page papers which I'll probably post to my blog. They are entertaining, at least I think they are. You'll have to tell me what you think.
Work is getting better. Things were tough the first week, but I'm learning the kids names, so I know which ones to keep an eye on more. I didn't have to work on Friday because everyone was on a field trip. That was nice because it gave me more time to work on my school work. I'm actually well on my way to having things done for this next week. I like the idea of being about a week ahead on things.
In other news I bought my plane ticket to LA for Christmas break. I'm looking forward to that one. I then looked into tickets for Thanksgiving but was unable to find anything within my budget. I'm thinking that I'll stay here and get a lot of school work/prep stuff for work done as well as working on Christmas presents. I finally finished Allison's present last night. (I'm only doing things for the grand-babies this year and I hope to get them done... at least that's the plan for right now.) They are rather time consuming gifts.
Jared - I really enjoyed your videos. I watched all of them... though I did fast forward through the fireworks one.
I love you all.
Tawnia
Well, I've survived my first week of classes. So far, so good. I took my first test on Friday and got 100%. I have also taken four quizzes and received 100% on all of those and so far have 100% on all my assignments. So I'd say that I'm doing pretty well so far. Of course, this is only the first week. I am enjoying my classes so far. I am learning a lot and some of it is review (which is nice.) I had to write a couple of one page papers which I'll probably post to my blog. They are entertaining, at least I think they are. You'll have to tell me what you think.
Work is getting better. Things were tough the first week, but I'm learning the kids names, so I know which ones to keep an eye on more. I didn't have to work on Friday because everyone was on a field trip. That was nice because it gave me more time to work on my school work. I'm actually well on my way to having things done for this next week. I like the idea of being about a week ahead on things.
In other news I bought my plane ticket to LA for Christmas break. I'm looking forward to that one. I then looked into tickets for Thanksgiving but was unable to find anything within my budget. I'm thinking that I'll stay here and get a lot of school work/prep stuff for work done as well as working on Christmas presents. I finally finished Allison's present last night. (I'm only doing things for the grand-babies this year and I hope to get them done... at least that's the plan for right now.) They are rather time consuming gifts.
Jared - I really enjoyed your videos. I watched all of them... though I did fast forward through the fireworks one.
I love you all.
Tawnia
Friday, August 31, 2007
Videos
Well, I finally figured out how to copy videos from my camera to my computer, and I've started uploading the first few to youtube now. Sure, they're over a year old, but hey, better late than never, right? http://www.youtube.com/user/palmer1112
Monday, August 27, 2007
Happy Birthday, Eric
As I print off my first homework assignment, I would like to take this moment to wish my brother a wonderful birthday. May this year be as good, if not better, than the last, as you enjoy your time with Stevie and little Allison. Hugs and lots of love from Emily.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Birthday Weekend
Stevie is sitting on my lap as I type this, trying to hit the keyboard and getting dangerously close to breaking more keys than those he's already broken. He's taken to the "terrible twos" like no other. But we love him all the more for it. We're just hoping Allie will survive it.
Speaking of Allie, she has an umbilical hernia which is basically a major outtie belly button. It's scary looking but it shouldn't be a problem. Laurel's taking her to the doctor next week to make sure she doesn't need surgery.
Stevie and I are having cake and ice cream tomorrow. I got books for my birthday. Stevie got toy cars (we took him to the toy store yesterday).
Thanks for the birthday greetings yesterday. Stevie loves all of you. He's a sweet boy. He means well, he really does. We'll get some updated pictures of the kids (gee that seems strange to type: "the kids"...) up soon.
Speaking of Allie, she has an umbilical hernia which is basically a major outtie belly button. It's scary looking but it shouldn't be a problem. Laurel's taking her to the doctor next week to make sure she doesn't need surgery.
Stevie and I are having cake and ice cream tomorrow. I got books for my birthday. Stevie got toy cars (we took him to the toy store yesterday).
Thanks for the birthday greetings yesterday. Stevie loves all of you. He's a sweet boy. He means well, he really does. We'll get some updated pictures of the kids (gee that seems strange to type: "the kids"...) up soon.
Friday, August 24, 2007
misc
Happy birthday to Stevie! How is he doing with his new baby sister? I agree that more pictures of Allison would be fun. Summer and I have been keeping up with the pictures of Joshua.
I do have more pictures of Summer from the past few months, but I don't know how to use our new photo program yet (or even how to get them attached to an email so Mindy could post them). We will be getting A LOT more pictures next weekend - we're going to Florida for Labor Day for a wedding, and Summer is one of the flower girls. Should be interesting! We're also stopping in Georgia to visit Adam's sister before she deploys to Iraq next month (she's in the Army). I'll get those up (or to Webmaster Mindy anyway) as soon as possible.
Jared, I don't know if this is the type of geek you're looking for, but Charles DeMar on "Better off dead" is the king of ... whatever category he belongs to. And of ALL TIME? That's a bit extreme considering there are billions of movies out there that none of us have ever seen.
Mom, are you serious? People actually ask you if you have a favorite child or grandchild? How lame! I knew a family once upon a time who had each of their children in a stereotypical category, including the kid who could do no wrong, and the kid who could do nothing right. It was awful, and I vowed I would never ever do that to my family.
Pssst ... it's Mindy and Clarissa's turn on the sisters blog.
I do have more pictures of Summer from the past few months, but I don't know how to use our new photo program yet (or even how to get them attached to an email so Mindy could post them). We will be getting A LOT more pictures next weekend - we're going to Florida for Labor Day for a wedding, and Summer is one of the flower girls. Should be interesting! We're also stopping in Georgia to visit Adam's sister before she deploys to Iraq next month (she's in the Army). I'll get those up (or to Webmaster Mindy anyway) as soon as possible.
Jared, I don't know if this is the type of geek you're looking for, but Charles DeMar on "Better off dead" is the king of ... whatever category he belongs to. And of ALL TIME? That's a bit extreme considering there are billions of movies out there that none of us have ever seen.
Mom, are you serious? People actually ask you if you have a favorite child or grandchild? How lame! I knew a family once upon a time who had each of their children in a stereotypical category, including the kid who could do no wrong, and the kid who could do nothing right. It was awful, and I vowed I would never ever do that to my family.
Pssst ... it's Mindy and Clarissa's turn on the sisters blog.
Small random question...
I have a random question for all of you... Who is the greatest movie geek of all time? I don't want to know which of us has seen the most movies though; I want to know which character is the geekiest. Thanks.
Running around
Well, school has now started, and so today I was rather busy. Okay, so classes started yesterday, and I had one, in which we were assigned 77 pages of reading and a short paper on it by Tuesday. Go figure. There are only six people in that class; half of us are writing 25-page research papers.
Today, I had biology. The class was huge -- well huge for this school, meaning over 40 people showed up. There will be two lab sections, but we meet together for the lecture. Then I had to buy a few supplies (namely notebooks . . . and chocolate) before I headed off to listen to the president of the university ramble. It went over (again, go figure), so I didn't have much time to eat lunch and I was a couple minutes late for German, also because I couldn't find it. Class consists of nine girls and Steve. (Two other guys who were in the class are on missions; I hear they're MTC companions before going to Frankfurt.)
After German, I had some other errands to do -- sign up to see the play this weekend ("The Crucible"), and check in at the financial aid office, and buy one more textbook that wasn't there on Tuesday. And now I'm checking some stuff on the computer.
This evening, there's a barbecue hosted by the Institute.
Well, this gives me an idea of how busy days are going to be from here on out. No more time for playing around on my computer all day. I haven't even gotten to the reading quite yet, but I intend to have a chapter read before dinner.
Eric and Laurel, wish Stevie a happy birthday for me, since I doubt he can read this.
-- Emily
Today, I had biology. The class was huge -- well huge for this school, meaning over 40 people showed up. There will be two lab sections, but we meet together for the lecture. Then I had to buy a few supplies (namely notebooks . . . and chocolate) before I headed off to listen to the president of the university ramble. It went over (again, go figure), so I didn't have much time to eat lunch and I was a couple minutes late for German, also because I couldn't find it. Class consists of nine girls and Steve. (Two other guys who were in the class are on missions; I hear they're MTC companions before going to Frankfurt.)
After German, I had some other errands to do -- sign up to see the play this weekend ("The Crucible"), and check in at the financial aid office, and buy one more textbook that wasn't there on Tuesday. And now I'm checking some stuff on the computer.
This evening, there's a barbecue hosted by the Institute.
Well, this gives me an idea of how busy days are going to be from here on out. No more time for playing around on my computer all day. I haven't even gotten to the reading quite yet, but I intend to have a chapter read before dinner.
Eric and Laurel, wish Stevie a happy birthday for me, since I doubt he can read this.
-- Emily
Notes from Home
I've been home almost a week now and am beginning to get things under control. I worked Monday and Tuesday - training for a curriculum to use with our autistic children. I went to the eye doctor to figure out what's wrong with my eye. I've had this huge floater in it for about two weeks. It should go away eventually so until then I just have to live with it. I've been updating my webpage; I answered a new question and checked off a few more things on my 100 list.
For some reason I can't seem to make comments to your posts so I'll make those comments and a few others here.
Frank - I'm glad I'm home because, although I had a great summer I missed you a lot.
Trina & Adam - I don't think you've stolen Trina away, you've just added a new son to our family and as a result soon to be 2 beautiful granddaughters. Good luck on finishing your class, Trina. I hope Summer lets you work on it.
Eric & Laurel - Please post more pictures of our beautiful little Allison. She was growing and changing so fast while I was there that I'm sure she's changed in the past two weeks. I wished Stevie a happy birthday this morning but you can give him an extra hug and kiss from Grandma.
Jared & Michelle - I think your musical will be a good one. I'm anxious to hear how your opening song works out. It sounds rather complex but I'm sure you can pull it off. Let us know how the kids first day of school goes. They're growing up so fast.
Tawnia - Have fun with your dancing and other activities and work hard at school. I saw a job here where they said they wanted someone with a masters in speech but would consider a bachelors degree.
Emily - Good luck with all your classes. Keep us posted on how they're going and don't get so caught up in the present that you forget to think about what you'll be doing after you graduate. Let us know if you're on the Quiz Bowl team and how that's going.
Nate - It was great to see Joshua again. He's getting so big. The eulogy for your fan was rather interesting. I'll see you tomorrow so we can can peaches, together.
Mindy - Remember our clothes project. Put me on your calendar real soon so we can figure out what I need to get rid of and what I should replace it with. I'm glad you're here.
Clarissa - Keep up the good work on your job search and your mission prep. I love our nice long talks.
Love always,
MOM
For some reason I can't seem to make comments to your posts so I'll make those comments and a few others here.
Frank - I'm glad I'm home because, although I had a great summer I missed you a lot.
Trina & Adam - I don't think you've stolen Trina away, you've just added a new son to our family and as a result soon to be 2 beautiful granddaughters. Good luck on finishing your class, Trina. I hope Summer lets you work on it.
Eric & Laurel - Please post more pictures of our beautiful little Allison. She was growing and changing so fast while I was there that I'm sure she's changed in the past two weeks. I wished Stevie a happy birthday this morning but you can give him an extra hug and kiss from Grandma.
Jared & Michelle - I think your musical will be a good one. I'm anxious to hear how your opening song works out. It sounds rather complex but I'm sure you can pull it off. Let us know how the kids first day of school goes. They're growing up so fast.
Tawnia - Have fun with your dancing and other activities and work hard at school. I saw a job here where they said they wanted someone with a masters in speech but would consider a bachelors degree.
Emily - Good luck with all your classes. Keep us posted on how they're going and don't get so caught up in the present that you forget to think about what you'll be doing after you graduate. Let us know if you're on the Quiz Bowl team and how that's going.
Nate - It was great to see Joshua again. He's getting so big. The eulogy for your fan was rather interesting. I'll see you tomorrow so we can can peaches, together.
Mindy - Remember our clothes project. Put me on your calendar real soon so we can figure out what I need to get rid of and what I should replace it with. I'm glad you're here.
Clarissa - Keep up the good work on your job search and your mission prep. I love our nice long talks.
Love always,
MOM
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
my life
I thought that it might be a good time to update everyone on my life as well. So, school's started & I'm taking the usual 15 credits. 6 hrs. each Tuesday and Thursday (11am - 8pm) and 4 hrs. Wed. (6-10pm). Which leaves me time to work three days a week. I've applied for a research position at the War Crimes Research Office on campus which requires 20 hrs. a week. Monday, Wed. & Friday will be just fine for that. I also have a 30 pg. paper due by December (I hope to have it done by Oct.). And there's the usual club obligations and whatnot. And I've decided to convince the Dean to put on a very large and very expensive conference in April on what I think is a gaping hole in international law. So I'm busy writing my proposal & drafting various organizations on campus to support me as I go to the dean. And I hear that there's a baby due sometime in my future. My family would probably like some more attention too. But I feel your pain Tawnia. I really do.
P.S. Sleep is good. So is Trina. She's awesome. Thanks for letting me steal her away from you all.
P.S. Sleep is good. So is Trina. She's awesome. Thanks for letting me steal her away from you all.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Crazy Busy
So my life just got incredibly crazy and busy. I started work officially last Thursday with two days of inservice. Today was the first day of school... and these kids are going to require quite a bit of energy. I only taught three hours today, but I'm exhausted.... plus it was basically the same lesson over and over. But I have some very supportive teachers to work with.
My college courses don't officially start until next Monday but I am already starting to do the reading for them. I would much rather be ahead of schedule then behind. Plus most of them require several chapters to be read each week... (And these are 50+ pages long and with small type!) I also have a test the first week and two quizzes and two assignments. So I figure the more reading I get done this week the better.
With all of that I am also still taking my two dance classes (which amount to about 4 hours in each week.... because I TA for a class and I have an extra class I go to every week.)
And I have two callings at church. FHE committee and Choir director. And I try to go to institute on Wednesdays... I was also thinking of signing up for a class on Mondays... but I'm still thinking about that one.
And to top it all off... I am tutoring on the side. One student for just an hour each week... and another one for three+ hours each week.
And I'm supposed to eat and sleep sometimes, and be social. Yeah... right.
So that is what I'm up to.
Love,
Tawnia
My college courses don't officially start until next Monday but I am already starting to do the reading for them. I would much rather be ahead of schedule then behind. Plus most of them require several chapters to be read each week... (And these are 50+ pages long and with small type!) I also have a test the first week and two quizzes and two assignments. So I figure the more reading I get done this week the better.
With all of that I am also still taking my two dance classes (which amount to about 4 hours in each week.... because I TA for a class and I have an extra class I go to every week.)
And I have two callings at church. FHE committee and Choir director. And I try to go to institute on Wednesdays... I was also thinking of signing up for a class on Mondays... but I'm still thinking about that one.
And to top it all off... I am tutoring on the side. One student for just an hour each week... and another one for three+ hours each week.
And I'm supposed to eat and sleep sometimes, and be social. Yeah... right.
So that is what I'm up to.
Love,
Tawnia
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Sunday, August 12, 2007
help on a project for Summer
First of all, happy birthday to Bryan a day late. Sorry about that. I meant to call yesterday, but things got a bit out of control around here. As usual. I did go through the party pictures - looks like everyone had a great time!
The project assistance is for a quiet book I want to make for Summer for church. She's getting to the stage where sitting (or playing) quietly through sacrament meeting is more and more of a chore. Her regular books and quiet toys are getting boring for her. So my thought is to have some specific things just for church. She does like looking at our photo albums, so I'm going to make a small family album with pictures of all of her aunts and uncles and cousins. One reason is of course to keep her quiet in church. The other reason is to familiarize her with all of your faces - when we finally are able to visit everyone (hopefully before the 2009 reunion), you're not complete strangers to her.
Now, there are lots of pictures of the cousins here on the website, but very few (if any) current pictures of all the grownups. So that's what I'm looking for here. I don't need individual shots of everyone - group/family pictures are fine. So if everyone could send me some CURRENT pictures in the next couple of weeks or so - either snail mail or email, I don't really care which (or refer me to your favorite pictures on the website) - I'd really appreciate it. Otherwise, I will be forced to draw stick figures, and you don't want that.
I was originally planning to do this as a Christmas gift for Summer, but Adam and I think it would better to have it sooner rather than later. Summer is really getting antsy about halfway through sacrament meeting, and has taken to crawling under the benches to the front of the chapel. Good thing we usually sit in just the 4th row or so.
Anyway, thanks in advance for your help!
The project assistance is for a quiet book I want to make for Summer for church. She's getting to the stage where sitting (or playing) quietly through sacrament meeting is more and more of a chore. Her regular books and quiet toys are getting boring for her. So my thought is to have some specific things just for church. She does like looking at our photo albums, so I'm going to make a small family album with pictures of all of her aunts and uncles and cousins. One reason is of course to keep her quiet in church. The other reason is to familiarize her with all of your faces - when we finally are able to visit everyone (hopefully before the 2009 reunion), you're not complete strangers to her.
Now, there are lots of pictures of the cousins here on the website, but very few (if any) current pictures of all the grownups. So that's what I'm looking for here. I don't need individual shots of everyone - group/family pictures are fine. So if everyone could send me some CURRENT pictures in the next couple of weeks or so - either snail mail or email, I don't really care which (or refer me to your favorite pictures on the website) - I'd really appreciate it. Otherwise, I will be forced to draw stick figures, and you don't want that.
I was originally planning to do this as a Christmas gift for Summer, but Adam and I think it would better to have it sooner rather than later. Summer is really getting antsy about halfway through sacrament meeting, and has taken to crawling under the benches to the front of the chapel. Good thing we usually sit in just the 4th row or so.
Anyway, thanks in advance for your help!
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Happy Birthday
Yes, I took pictures at Bryan's party. They are up on my page. Thanks to those who have called/blogged/emailed with birthday wishes!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYAN!!!!!
I hope Bryan is having a wonderful time at his party. I talked to him for a minute this morning but his cousins were there a little early for his party and he wanted to play with them. Real live cousins are much more fun than a Grandma on the phone. I can understand that. Have a great 5th birthday Bryan and enjoy yourself all year. 5 is a wonderful age to be.
I'm sorry I haven't done near as much posting on the computer as I had planned to do while here in California. Today we are heading to Cheryl's and over the next week we'll amble home. We'll see Jen and Ben on Monday and then on through Utah to see Tawnia and do a bit of genealogy in SLC. We should be home by next Saturday.
We'll miss Stevie and Allison but we're looking forward to seeing Joshua again. He's grown so much while I've been gone. Take care everyone and enjoy the rest of your summer.
Love ya,
MOM
I'm sorry I haven't done near as much posting on the computer as I had planned to do while here in California. Today we are heading to Cheryl's and over the next week we'll amble home. We'll see Jen and Ben on Monday and then on through Utah to see Tawnia and do a bit of genealogy in SLC. We should be home by next Saturday.
We'll miss Stevie and Allison but we're looking forward to seeing Joshua again. He's grown so much while I've been gone. Take care everyone and enjoy the rest of your summer.
Love ya,
MOM
Friday, August 10, 2007
President Faust
http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695199591,00.html
I hope this doesn't come as too much of a surprise to anyone - that you've already heard by now. President Faust died last night, and the link is an article in the Deseret News about it. It's a very nice profile.
It's Cranky Day around here. Summer got shots yesterday so she's had a fever off and on and is very clingy. We also think she's cutting another tooth (#8). Adam is super-stressing about job applications and potential interviews for next summer (yes, the law firms do this a year in advance). And I'm trying to stay out of the line of fire while preventing these 2 from killing each other. Good times.
We hope that Bryan's party tomorrow is fun! Post lots of pictures!
I hope this doesn't come as too much of a surprise to anyone - that you've already heard by now. President Faust died last night, and the link is an article in the Deseret News about it. It's a very nice profile.
It's Cranky Day around here. Summer got shots yesterday so she's had a fever off and on and is very clingy. We also think she's cutting another tooth (#8). Adam is super-stressing about job applications and potential interviews for next summer (yes, the law firms do this a year in advance). And I'm trying to stay out of the line of fire while preventing these 2 from killing each other. Good times.
We hope that Bryan's party tomorrow is fun! Post lots of pictures!
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
I'm Baa--aack
Hello my favorite family!
I am alive and doing... better. I can't say well, because I still have moments of vertigo and feeling like I'm going to puke (nausea, naseau, naseua... whatever.) I actually drove myself to FHE last night so that was a big deal.
So... let's see... in the last two weeks I have spent a lot of time reading, watching movies, working on Allison's Christmas present and sleeping. That's about it.
Now that I'm back to feeling healthier I have to get ready for both work and my classes to start. Work starts August 16th (school starts Aug 21st) and my classes start August 27th. So I'll be extremely busy by the end of this month. My biggest issue right now is trying to figure out the best way to earn enough money to survive. It should be interesting.
Well... I think my laundry should be dry by now so I need to run.
Love,
T
I am alive and doing... better. I can't say well, because I still have moments of vertigo and feeling like I'm going to puke (nausea, naseau, naseua... whatever.) I actually drove myself to FHE last night so that was a big deal.
So... let's see... in the last two weeks I have spent a lot of time reading, watching movies, working on Allison's Christmas present and sleeping. That's about it.
Now that I'm back to feeling healthier I have to get ready for both work and my classes to start. Work starts August 16th (school starts Aug 21st) and my classes start August 27th. So I'll be extremely busy by the end of this month. My biggest issue right now is trying to figure out the best way to earn enough money to survive. It should be interesting.
Well... I think my laundry should be dry by now so I need to run.
Love,
T
Sunday, August 05, 2007
fireside notes
We went to a really awesome fireside tonight up at the temple visitor's center, and I wanted to share my notes with you all. The speaker was Elder Clayton M. Christensen from the Seventy, who is also a professor up at Harvard. We went, in particular, because one of Adam's mission companions was his son. Elder Christensen has also written articles for the Ensign (the most recent was in Feb. 2007) - they're really excellent.
Anyway, the fireside really made me think a lot, and one of my thoughts was that I should post my notes on the blog for everyone to see. I hope you can get something out of them as well.
Overview: If we try to obey and gain a testimony of the commandments by focusing on them one at a time (tithing, geneology, etc.), they can be difficult or onerous. If we get to know the author of the commandments and the gospel - Christ - the commandments as a whole become easier to obey, less of a chore, and more of a joy. Some ideas on getting to know Christ (that, quite frankly, had never really occurred to me in this context) ...
1 - Teach about Christ. Focus more on Christ when teaching in church meetings, in the home, etc. Every sermon in the Book of Mormon - no matter what it's about - has the core of teaching about the Atonement and that salvation comes only through Christ.
2 - Introduce people to Christ. (He didn't say specifically that we should set a date, but the examples he gave all involved setting a date. Set a date to have the missionaries teach someone in your home.)
3 - Love and forgive as Christ loves and forgives. Forget the sin - focus on the present/future. Satan tries to trap people by holding the sin over your head, telling them that they can never repent, focusing on what they have done in the past by perpetuating the feelings of guilt and unworthiness. Christ lets it go, and focuses on the future and getting beyond all of that.
4 - Serve like Christ served - by focusing on the individual. Christ's sermons to the masses were very few compared to the stories in the scriptures of how He took the time to focus on people one at a time. Focus on blessing others within the context and talents that you've been given.
Two other thing that he discussed, in the midst of his 4 points, was how to really focus on studying the scriptures, and what to include in prayer.
Scriptures:
1 - Pray before beginning to read for the Spirit to instruct you in getting answers to whatever questions you have at the time.
2 - Read.
3 - Write a rough draft of your answers that the Spirit gave you. (Thoughts and impressions that came as you were reading.)
4 - Pray again to discuss/clarify your answers.
5 - Read the same scriptures again.
6 - More writing - revise your answers as further thoughts come.
7 - Pray again to know that what you've read is true.
Prayer:
1 - Before you begin prayer, ponder how the Lord has blessed you and shows His love for you.
2 - When you are praying, expressing intent (i.e. "real intent" in Moroni 10:4) is to tell the Lord what you intend to do with the answers He gives you.
Conclusion: Our calling is to be a Christian - to be Christ's hands, doers of the Word.
I definitely have more pondering to do about all of this, and some things to discuss with Adam. But I wanted to get this all out to everyone while it was still fresh. Enjoy!!
Anyway, the fireside really made me think a lot, and one of my thoughts was that I should post my notes on the blog for everyone to see. I hope you can get something out of them as well.
Overview: If we try to obey and gain a testimony of the commandments by focusing on them one at a time (tithing, geneology, etc.), they can be difficult or onerous. If we get to know the author of the commandments and the gospel - Christ - the commandments as a whole become easier to obey, less of a chore, and more of a joy. Some ideas on getting to know Christ (that, quite frankly, had never really occurred to me in this context) ...
1 - Teach about Christ. Focus more on Christ when teaching in church meetings, in the home, etc. Every sermon in the Book of Mormon - no matter what it's about - has the core of teaching about the Atonement and that salvation comes only through Christ.
2 - Introduce people to Christ. (He didn't say specifically that we should set a date, but the examples he gave all involved setting a date. Set a date to have the missionaries teach someone in your home.)
3 - Love and forgive as Christ loves and forgives. Forget the sin - focus on the present/future. Satan tries to trap people by holding the sin over your head, telling them that they can never repent, focusing on what they have done in the past by perpetuating the feelings of guilt and unworthiness. Christ lets it go, and focuses on the future and getting beyond all of that.
4 - Serve like Christ served - by focusing on the individual. Christ's sermons to the masses were very few compared to the stories in the scriptures of how He took the time to focus on people one at a time. Focus on blessing others within the context and talents that you've been given.
Two other thing that he discussed, in the midst of his 4 points, was how to really focus on studying the scriptures, and what to include in prayer.
Scriptures:
1 - Pray before beginning to read for the Spirit to instruct you in getting answers to whatever questions you have at the time.
2 - Read.
3 - Write a rough draft of your answers that the Spirit gave you. (Thoughts and impressions that came as you were reading.)
4 - Pray again to discuss/clarify your answers.
5 - Read the same scriptures again.
6 - More writing - revise your answers as further thoughts come.
7 - Pray again to know that what you've read is true.
Prayer:
1 - Before you begin prayer, ponder how the Lord has blessed you and shows His love for you.
2 - When you are praying, expressing intent (i.e. "real intent" in Moroni 10:4) is to tell the Lord what you intend to do with the answers He gives you.
Conclusion: Our calling is to be a Christian - to be Christ's hands, doers of the Word.
I definitely have more pondering to do about all of this, and some things to discuss with Adam. But I wanted to get this all out to everyone while it was still fresh. Enjoy!!
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Party planning
Well, only two weeks left until Bryan's birthday. He decided that he wants a Star Wars party this year. We're going to build podracers and have some Jedi training activities. It should be lots of fun -- well, I'm having fun with it, anyway. ;)
Bryan doesn't know that I've also invited Darth Vader - but I haven't heard back yet whether he'll be able to make it. I won't tell Bryan unless I know for sure he's coming, so that he doesn't get his hopes up. Although I may just not tell him anyway, and let it be a surprise when a Sith Lord knocks on the door.
If any of you want to come, you're certainly more than welcome. Our house on Saturday August 11, from 2-4 pm.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
A Very Full Day
I didn't get a chance to talk to Tawnia this evening but when I tried to call her back, the lady who took her to the hospital answered her phone and said that the tests all came back fine. She also said that Tawnia seemed to be feeling a bit better. I hope everything is fine and it was just a flu bug or something. Anyway, Tawnia, you're in our prayers.
Allison came home today. She is a beautiful little angel. She's a featherweight and she's not very fussy. She'll cry when she's hungry but not much else. Stevie really loves his baby sister and he's very glad that everyone is home.
I'm sorry I didn't communicate very well that I was going to Oakland for the weekend. It was great seeing the pageant and spending time with Clarissa. Gary (Knowlton) even came to see it with us. I went up with Cheryl and her boyfriend Karl. We got back Monday night just in time to see Allison before visiting hours were over.
I've been enjoying the updates that some of you are putting up. I especially love the pictures of my grandchildren, but then, I'm a bit partial.
Take care everyone and remember that I love you all.
Love,
MOM
Happy Birthday
Happy birthday, Mindy! Hooray! Another year older. I'll have to eat some ice cream for you. I hope you have a good one.
I'm enjoying today, since oddly enough this week, Tuesday and Wednesday are my weekend. Work is keeping me busy. I was on my feet for six or seven hours each day over the weekend, but I don't have quite as long days coming up.
I'm enjoying today, since oddly enough this week, Tuesday and Wednesday are my weekend. Work is keeping me busy. I was on my feet for six or seven hours each day over the weekend, but I don't have quite as long days coming up.
Happy happy to Mindy!
Happy birthday, Mindy! We're very excited that you're going to visit us when the baby is born! It will be fun to have you here, and you can see some of DC again. We'll see how your perspective on things around here changes from when you were a kid to now that you're an adult.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Congratulations!
First off, allow me to wish Allison a happy birth. She looks adorable, but I had to dig around to get to the pictures. I found them, but only by going through Stevie's pictures.
My feet hurt. My job has me on my feet a lot, and so my feet are really, really hurt.
My feet hurt. My job has me on my feet a lot, and so my feet are really, really hurt.
Elder's Quorum record
Hey - just wanted real quick to let you know we are back online. We still won't be around much in the next week or 2 due to unpacking everything, and I have to go back to the other apartment and get that finished up (cleaning, a couple of pieces of furniture disposed of via craigslist hopefully, etc), but our internet is going again.
I think our Elder's Quorum set a record in getting us moved. About 10 guys showed up to help. I went out to get breakfast for our moving crew at about 8:30 am and no one was at our place yet. They trickled in at 8:45-9 ish. By the time I got back with the food, the entire apartment was almost empty and the moving truck was over half full. The truck was locked and ready to roll at 10:20. Our new apartment had everything moved in and pretty much set up, and everyone was gone by noon. WOOSH!! Very fast. It did help that we were entirely packed. Adam and I had spent some time on Friday moving a number of boxes, unpacking them, and taking them back to the old apartment to refill them Friday night. We've of course been unpacking ever since and it's starting to look like a home rather than just a pile of boxes. There's A LOT more to do, but it's a good start.
Congrats to Eric and Laurel and Stevie, with Allison joining your family!! Laurel, you look a lot more comfortable than you did in the pictures from Stevie's birth. Summer liked looking at the new pictures. (And she liked looking at the pictures of Joshua as well - she "played" peek-a-boo with him because in one of the new pictures, it looks like he's partially hiding.)
I think our Elder's Quorum set a record in getting us moved. About 10 guys showed up to help. I went out to get breakfast for our moving crew at about 8:30 am and no one was at our place yet. They trickled in at 8:45-9 ish. By the time I got back with the food, the entire apartment was almost empty and the moving truck was over half full. The truck was locked and ready to roll at 10:20. Our new apartment had everything moved in and pretty much set up, and everyone was gone by noon. WOOSH!! Very fast. It did help that we were entirely packed. Adam and I had spent some time on Friday moving a number of boxes, unpacking them, and taking them back to the old apartment to refill them Friday night. We've of course been unpacking ever since and it's starting to look like a home rather than just a pile of boxes. There's A LOT more to do, but it's a good start.
Congrats to Eric and Laurel and Stevie, with Allison joining your family!! Laurel, you look a lot more comfortable than you did in the pictures from Stevie's birth. Summer liked looking at the new pictures. (And she liked looking at the pictures of Joshua as well - she "played" peek-a-boo with him because in one of the new pictures, it looks like he's partially hiding.)
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Allison is here!
Our beautiful new baby girl is here! We're all very happy and tired and sore (well, we're not all sore...).
Anyway, I've posted some pictures.
I am half asleep, but I kept going and they're up. Videos will come, but not tonight.
Also notice Stevie's 23 month picture.
I enjoyed talking with each of you today. I love you all!
Anyway, I've posted some pictures.
I am half asleep, but I kept going and they're up. Videos will come, but not tonight.
Also notice Stevie's 23 month picture.
I enjoyed talking with each of you today. I love you all!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Get your votes in now!
Okay kids, I don't want to panic anyone, but you might want to get your baby weight votes in now. I'll give you a hint on the birthdate. It's July 21st. Okay, that's not really a hint, but that's a pretty strong guess. I think Jared's going to win on that one.
I'll be talking to you soon!
I'll be talking to you soon!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Website stuff
After much painstaking study (okay, not that much) I have scoured through this entire website and concluded that we have finally achieved "no dead link" status. Some pages were built with links in place, but nothing for them to link to. All those gaps have now been filled. Granted, some of those pages will still need to be updated, but at least there's something there.
Don't believe me? The big offenders were the Pure Chaos section and the Games page. Go check them out.
Oh, and I've also been updating my page from time to time.
Don't believe me? The big offenders were the Pure Chaos section and the Games page. Go check them out.
Oh, and I've also been updating my page from time to time.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Happy Anniversary Jared and Michelle!!!
I hope you're doing something special for your special day.
The latest update on Laurel is that she came home from the hospital on Monday and is on bed rest. That means she can only get up to shower and use the bathroom. Eric got her a tray so she can have her meals in bed. Stevie goes back to her room to visit her occasionally. Today she went to the doctor for a stress test for the baby and the nurse thought it looked fine. The doctor will call if he thinks there's a problem. He'll see her again on Friday. I'm keeping pretty busy doing what I came here for, taking care of Laurel and Stevie and sometimes even Eric.
I was talking to Dad the other day and he thinks it's time for everyone to post their guesses as to when Allison will be born and how big she'll be. Her due date is Aug 12th. Here is what we have so far.
Grandpa says July 25th weighing 5 1/2 pounds. (He says they should name her Allison Kendall Mindy Palmer.)
Grandma says Aug 4th weighing 6 pounds.
Laurel says July 29th weighing 5 pounds 12 ounces.
Eric says Aug 11th weighing 6 pounds 4 ounces.
So what does everyone else think?
Love ya,
MOM
The latest update on Laurel is that she came home from the hospital on Monday and is on bed rest. That means she can only get up to shower and use the bathroom. Eric got her a tray so she can have her meals in bed. Stevie goes back to her room to visit her occasionally. Today she went to the doctor for a stress test for the baby and the nurse thought it looked fine. The doctor will call if he thinks there's a problem. He'll see her again on Friday. I'm keeping pretty busy doing what I came here for, taking care of Laurel and Stevie and sometimes even Eric.
I was talking to Dad the other day and he thinks it's time for everyone to post their guesses as to when Allison will be born and how big she'll be. Her due date is Aug 12th. Here is what we have so far.
Grandpa says July 25th weighing 5 1/2 pounds. (He says they should name her Allison Kendall Mindy Palmer.)
Grandma says Aug 4th weighing 6 pounds.
Laurel says July 29th weighing 5 pounds 12 ounces.
Eric says Aug 11th weighing 6 pounds 4 ounces.
So what does everyone else think?
Love ya,
MOM
Monday, July 16, 2007
speaking of cars ...
With moving from the District to Maryland, and with Adam turning 25 last month, our car insurance just went down by 200 bucks. YEE HAW!! We've been paying over $100 a month for both of us (and our brand new car so we have to have full coverage), and it just dropped to $75 per month. YIPPEE!!! Just wanted to share that.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
I have a car!
That's right folks .. Mindy is officially a little bit more grown-up. Yesterday I bought my very first car. It's a 2002 Mazda Protege' with all the important stuff, like four doors, air-conditioning, a CD player, and a moon roof.
Dad and I hunted all over on Friday, with a lady trying her hardest to get me to buy a car at the first place we looked. This car was actually the LAST one we looked at, at the Capitol place in Salem. After going home and thinking about it, this one was what fit my original description of what I wanted in a car. So we went back last night, test drove it, and then filled out all the paperwork. And now I have a car!
catching up
It's been really busy around here lately, getting ready to move this coming Saturday. We have a lot packed already - I've been working on it for a couple of weeks already. In fact, that's about all I've been doing lately. I'll email out our new contact info this week. We have our new address and phone number confirmed, and we're keeping our cell numbers.
The new apartment is a 2-bedroom (we're still in a 1-bedroom place right now, with Summer's crib at the foot of our bed), but it's actually smaller than what we have now. We're more than doubling our counter and cupboard space in the kitchen, but everything else is substantially smaller. Go figure. But the plus side is that we will have a dishwasher (hooray!!) and a washer and dryer inside the apartment (double hooray and the Dance of Joy!!), and no upstairs neighbors stomping around at midnight (also a cause for much happiness). Parking the car also should no longer be an issue, and the parking space is right at the front door of the building. Right now, we have to just randomly park on the street wherever you can find a spot, and the closest to the building we can get is still 10 or 15 yards from the door. The area is right on the edge of a business area - the Metro is about 4 blocks away (very long blocks, but still). There's a major grocery store right behind our building, and the bank is right across the street from that. There's a small park around the corner with baby swings (Summer's favorite thing), and the library is about 3 blocks away. I've already looked up the summer reading group schedule for toddlers. There are also a ton of restaurants in the vicinity, so we'll need to be careful there. If we actually had money, it would be fun to try a lot of them out. That's all I can think of right now - we've only driven around the area. I'm sure we'll find more when we take walks in the neighborhood. I'm actually getting excited to move finally - we've only been working on paperwork for this apartment since March.
The only other thing of note lately is that Jori Wilson was here with her sister for 10 days, for the 4th of July. (Jori and I were at Western together.) We all went downtown to watch the fireworks on the Mall. We had a nice view of the Washington Monument. Summer didn't really react to the noise or anything, but she wanted to be on my lap or Adam's the entire time.
Summer is doing well. She's actually talking on the phone to people now instead of just listening. Still no intelligible words, but she has said something that sounds like "yes" and "boo." She's up to 7 teeth now - just cut another one on the bottom this week. She knows to point the remote at the TV and push buttons, and sometimes it actually works and does something. I can't think of anything else at the moment. Oh - Mom, yes, I'm planning to continue putting her month pictures on the webpage. Adam downloaded a new photo program, and I haven't figured out how to connect it into the email yet.
We didn't end up going to Cape Cod and Boston. We had to cancel that trip in favor of going to St. Augustine, Florida for Labor Day weekend - one of Adam's good friends from high school, Jill, is getting married and Summer is going to be one of the flower girls. That's going to be a riot. We'll also stop in Georgia on the way down and back to visit one of Adam's sisters. She's in the Army and will be going to Iraq at the end of September. (And for the record, Adam's brother is still over there and won't be back until January.)
Don't be surprised if you don't hear from us for a couple of weeks. Our phone and internet are supposed to be switched over to the new place on Friday, but that doesn't mean we'll have time to use either one for a while.
The new apartment is a 2-bedroom (we're still in a 1-bedroom place right now, with Summer's crib at the foot of our bed), but it's actually smaller than what we have now. We're more than doubling our counter and cupboard space in the kitchen, but everything else is substantially smaller. Go figure. But the plus side is that we will have a dishwasher (hooray!!) and a washer and dryer inside the apartment (double hooray and the Dance of Joy!!), and no upstairs neighbors stomping around at midnight (also a cause for much happiness). Parking the car also should no longer be an issue, and the parking space is right at the front door of the building. Right now, we have to just randomly park on the street wherever you can find a spot, and the closest to the building we can get is still 10 or 15 yards from the door. The area is right on the edge of a business area - the Metro is about 4 blocks away (very long blocks, but still). There's a major grocery store right behind our building, and the bank is right across the street from that. There's a small park around the corner with baby swings (Summer's favorite thing), and the library is about 3 blocks away. I've already looked up the summer reading group schedule for toddlers. There are also a ton of restaurants in the vicinity, so we'll need to be careful there. If we actually had money, it would be fun to try a lot of them out. That's all I can think of right now - we've only driven around the area. I'm sure we'll find more when we take walks in the neighborhood. I'm actually getting excited to move finally - we've only been working on paperwork for this apartment since March.
The only other thing of note lately is that Jori Wilson was here with her sister for 10 days, for the 4th of July. (Jori and I were at Western together.) We all went downtown to watch the fireworks on the Mall. We had a nice view of the Washington Monument. Summer didn't really react to the noise or anything, but she wanted to be on my lap or Adam's the entire time.
Summer is doing well. She's actually talking on the phone to people now instead of just listening. Still no intelligible words, but she has said something that sounds like "yes" and "boo." She's up to 7 teeth now - just cut another one on the bottom this week. She knows to point the remote at the TV and push buttons, and sometimes it actually works and does something. I can't think of anything else at the moment. Oh - Mom, yes, I'm planning to continue putting her month pictures on the webpage. Adam downloaded a new photo program, and I haven't figured out how to connect it into the email yet.
We didn't end up going to Cape Cod and Boston. We had to cancel that trip in favor of going to St. Augustine, Florida for Labor Day weekend - one of Adam's good friends from high school, Jill, is getting married and Summer is going to be one of the flower girls. That's going to be a riot. We'll also stop in Georgia on the way down and back to visit one of Adam's sisters. She's in the Army and will be going to Iraq at the end of September. (And for the record, Adam's brother is still over there and won't be back until January.)
Don't be surprised if you don't hear from us for a couple of weeks. Our phone and internet are supposed to be switched over to the new place on Friday, but that doesn't mean we'll have time to use either one for a while.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Update on Laurel
Laurel's blood pressure has been up for the past week; so today, when she went for her appointment, the doctor decided he wanted to keep a closer watch on her. They are monitoring both her and the baby for a couple of days. If things stay as they are she'll probably come home on Sunday. Right now there are no complications - they are trying to prevent that. If she comes home she'll be on bed rest until the baby comes. She's been taking it easy for the last week but she insists on doing more than she should. I'm glad I'm here to help. Stevie isn't real thrilled that Mom's been gone all day and he'll probably get upset when she doesn't come home tonight but at least I know his routine and we'll follow that. He asks for her occasionally but I'm sure we'll be fine. She'll be 36 weeks on Sunday and at 37 weeks the baby is no longer considered a preemie. Her water broke with Stevie at 32 weeks and he was born a few days later. Keep her in your prayers and I'll keep you informed of any changes.
Love ya,
MOM
Love ya,
MOM
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Registering
So today I finally registered for my classes. I also found out that I'd be getting some financial aid (not much) but enough to pay for classes and books. That's all I was expecting anyway. That's why I have a part time teaching job to help fill in with other money.
I have been keeping busy lately. Monday I spent the entire day at Lagoon. It was quite fun actually. We went on Rattlesnake Rapids five times and were completely SOAKED. But it was fine since it was rather hot the entire day. A group of us went and got one of those "old-time photos" taken. We dressed up as out-laws. It was quite fun actually. I'll eventually post one of those pictures if I can get it e-mailed to me. On the way back we stopped at IHOP and had "breakfast" at midnight. It was pretty good.
Tuesday I spent most of the day at home and then I met some friends at a little Italian restaurant in Provo for dinner. I had to rush through dinner in order to make it to tap on time and then after tap I went and got in line for Harry Potter. I LOVED the movie. I was in the midnight showing with Annie (Parker) Cox and also my friend Tiffany. (And a bunch of those two girls' family and friends.)
Wednesday I slept in quite a bit and then spent the day visiting with an old roommate from Ricks. She just moved to Draper (just south of SLC) and so she came down to visit for the day. Then I read a book all evening.
Today I have been cleaning my apartment and tonight I have ballet. I am hoping that I'll be able to continue to take classes, because money is going to be tight this fall... but my teacher is wonderful about making sure I don't quit.
Anyway, that is pretty much what I've been up to. I am keeping you all in my prayers and hope you are doing well.
Love,
Tawnia
I have been keeping busy lately. Monday I spent the entire day at Lagoon. It was quite fun actually. We went on Rattlesnake Rapids five times and were completely SOAKED. But it was fine since it was rather hot the entire day. A group of us went and got one of those "old-time photos" taken. We dressed up as out-laws. It was quite fun actually. I'll eventually post one of those pictures if I can get it e-mailed to me. On the way back we stopped at IHOP and had "breakfast" at midnight. It was pretty good.
Tuesday I spent most of the day at home and then I met some friends at a little Italian restaurant in Provo for dinner. I had to rush through dinner in order to make it to tap on time and then after tap I went and got in line for Harry Potter. I LOVED the movie. I was in the midnight showing with Annie (Parker) Cox and also my friend Tiffany. (And a bunch of those two girls' family and friends.)
Wednesday I slept in quite a bit and then spent the day visiting with an old roommate from Ricks. She just moved to Draper (just south of SLC) and so she came down to visit for the day. Then I read a book all evening.
Today I have been cleaning my apartment and tonight I have ballet. I am hoping that I'll be able to continue to take classes, because money is going to be tight this fall... but my teacher is wonderful about making sure I don't quit.
Anyway, that is pretty much what I've been up to. I am keeping you all in my prayers and hope you are doing well.
Love,
Tawnia
BREAKING NEWS!
Sorry, family, but I am shocked at the amount of mis-quoting that has been going on in our home. The infamous "Super Funny" quote of "What's my line .... SURE!" Is wrong! The "sure" part is correct, but it wasn't "what's my line?" Mindy actually says, "Then what do I say?" The funny part is, I actually remember knowing what the line was, I was just nervous and didn't want to say it wrong, because it was probably my first "line" in a movie we had made.
To go along with that, I was watching some footage of my third birthday (since Dad is currently working on the mid 1980's movies), which was when I had the marshmellow elephants on my cake. Somewhere during the clip, Mom mentioned that I had to have one specific corner of the cake, because that's where I had been picking at it earlier in the day. And I remember that too! I have a mental picture of me looking up at the counter next to the refrigerator, where the cake was, and picking at the pink frosting where it sat on the yellow plastic cake-plate thing. Hooray for old family movies to bring back strange memories.
To go along with that, I was watching some footage of my third birthday (since Dad is currently working on the mid 1980's movies), which was when I had the marshmellow elephants on my cake. Somewhere during the clip, Mom mentioned that I had to have one specific corner of the cake, because that's where I had been picking at it earlier in the day. And I remember that too! I have a mental picture of me looking up at the counter next to the refrigerator, where the cake was, and picking at the pink frosting where it sat on the yellow plastic cake-plate thing. Hooray for old family movies to bring back strange memories.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Joshua link
Hi all - I don't know how to put the link to the youtube video on the page right now, but I'll repost the link so it's higher up on the blog! then you can put it in favorites :c) Talk to you soon!
Love,
Manda
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j52R_s9AnG0
Love,
Manda
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j52R_s9AnG0
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Training
Today was my first day of training for my new job. I spent a couple of hours at the store, reading over the rules and regulations, filling out forms, that sort of thing. I'll get my schedule on Friday.
Hey
I talked to our old EQ president who trained dogs and he thinks that Jenna is some sort of shepherd, but was saying how she could be a mix of so much that it is hard to tell.
Joshua pictures are coming (there are just so many to choose from) and we were wondering when people would start asking about them. But you knew that already because Eric told you when I was on the phone with him. Also there is a link to the video on our page. The link is just invisible. It is just below that image map at the bottom of the our main page.
All is going well here. We're getting excited to go see Grandma and Grandpa Rozen in Washington this coming weekend, and we're planning on starting Joshua on formula soon (maybe today) so that mommy can go to a training next week.
We got our new couch and chair today. Tomorrow we are getting our new dining table, chairs, and bench. Our place is finally becoming a home. Still a somewhat messy home, but we're getting there.
We miss all of you and hope to hang out again soon, or maybe just talk.
Nathan
Joshua pictures are coming (there are just so many to choose from) and we were wondering when people would start asking about them. But you knew that already because Eric told you when I was on the phone with him. Also there is a link to the video on our page. The link is just invisible. It is just below that image map at the bottom of the our main page.
All is going well here. We're getting excited to go see Grandma and Grandpa Rozen in Washington this coming weekend, and we're planning on starting Joshua on formula soon (maybe today) so that mommy can go to a training next week.
We got our new couch and chair today. Tomorrow we are getting our new dining table, chairs, and bench. Our place is finally becoming a home. Still a somewhat messy home, but we're getting there.
We miss all of you and hope to hang out again soon, or maybe just talk.
Nathan
Frustration
I couldn't get the blog to let me make a comment to Jared's post. It won't let me sign in. So here's my comment. I asked my friend who is a vet to look at the page and make his guess. This is what his wife emailed back, "Reed said he would guess German Shepard/Shar-pei or Chow mix." Maybe Nate knows more than he thinks.
I'm enjoying my stay here in California. Laurel's blood pressure has been up a bit so she's taking it easier this week. Stevie is a very busy boy, who keeps me running. Whenever I turn on the computer he wants to sit on my lap and look at pictures of the babies. His favorite movie is JOSHUA. Could you put a link to that on your page? It would also be nice to have more pictures of him. Are you waiting for someone to ask? If you notice, Eric put up Stevie's 22 month picture. Are you going to continue into Summer's second year, Trina? I'm looking forward to your pictures, too, Jared. I added my birthday picture to the timeline. You can add pictures and such, too, you know.
Keep posting all of your adventures.
Love ya,
MOM
I'm enjoying my stay here in California. Laurel's blood pressure has been up a bit so she's taking it easier this week. Stevie is a very busy boy, who keeps me running. Whenever I turn on the computer he wants to sit on my lap and look at pictures of the babies. His favorite movie is JOSHUA. Could you put a link to that on your page? It would also be nice to have more pictures of him. Are you waiting for someone to ask? If you notice, Eric put up Stevie's 22 month picture. Are you going to continue into Summer's second year, Trina? I'm looking forward to your pictures, too, Jared. I added my birthday picture to the timeline. You can add pictures and such, too, you know.
Keep posting all of your adventures.
Love ya,
MOM
Friday, July 06, 2007
What is she?
Yesterday, Michelle and the kids went to the animal shelter and adopted Jenna. We'll bring her home tomorrow, after she gets her rabies shot and microchip. She's two years old, housebroken, knows a few simple commands, and is good with children and other pets. Trouble is, we don't know what breed she is! They listed her as a shar-pei mix, but only the ears look shar-pei to me. What other breeds might be in Jenna's bloodline? Help us decide! Vote now!
Changes
My fourth was fun. I was up super early (5-ish) and headed out to Provo at 6 a.m. I went to the balloon festival and watched the hot air balloons get sent off. Then I went to the staging grounds of the parade. I got to hold on to a giant yellow care bear. Anyone know which bear that would be? It was actually the most fun I've ever had being in (or even watching) a parade. I highly recommend doing that if you get the opportunity. After we had finished walking the group of us that had walked that balloon played Ultimate Frisbee for an hour and a half. I finally got home around 1 pm absolutely exhausted. I spent several hours relaxing in the cool air of my swamp cooler and then left my place around 8:30 to go and watch the fireworks. I watched those with my friend Amanda and her friend Erik. It was a pretty good show, though I wish it had been longer. We waited for an hour or more afterwards before we even walked back to our cars... and the traffic was STILL insanely crazy. (It only took me 21 minutes to get home though.) The worst part was getting around one corner.
Then yesterday I was asked to babysit. I was babysitting for a family that I know through my old job. The parents had to go to Manti because some relative was going through the temple. I got to play with the four kids. In the midst of that I got a phone call from the school where I'll be teaching this fall. They want me to do science for Kindergarten and first grade also. That puts me up to 13 or 14 hours each week. (10 hours of teaching and then 3 or 4 of prep.) I was actually hoping that would happen. I also got the letter letting me know I was accepted to USU. And then last night my friend, Emily, said she wanted to move in, in August. So all the stuff that I've been waiting to figure out is finally starting to fall into place. I still need to figure out financial aid for school and some other stuff... but things are starting to get worked out.
Tomorrow I'm driving Sarah up to Rexburg so she can start school. It will be a very quick trip. Up on Saturday, taking her all over to make sure she's set for school on Monday, and then driving back down Sunday morning so I can make it to my ward. I promised that we'd have choir practice this week... so I have to be there for that. Plus Monday is our stake's lagoon day (you get discounted tickets for Lagoon) so I am going to go and do that.
Anyway, that's all my news. I hope everyone is happy and healthy. Congrats on the job Emily, I'm glad you were finally able to pee in that cup. (he he)
Tawnia
Then yesterday I was asked to babysit. I was babysitting for a family that I know through my old job. The parents had to go to Manti because some relative was going through the temple. I got to play with the four kids. In the midst of that I got a phone call from the school where I'll be teaching this fall. They want me to do science for Kindergarten and first grade also. That puts me up to 13 or 14 hours each week. (10 hours of teaching and then 3 or 4 of prep.) I was actually hoping that would happen. I also got the letter letting me know I was accepted to USU. And then last night my friend, Emily, said she wanted to move in, in August. So all the stuff that I've been waiting to figure out is finally starting to fall into place. I still need to figure out financial aid for school and some other stuff... but things are starting to get worked out.
Tomorrow I'm driving Sarah up to Rexburg so she can start school. It will be a very quick trip. Up on Saturday, taking her all over to make sure she's set for school on Monday, and then driving back down Sunday morning so I can make it to my ward. I promised that we'd have choir practice this week... so I have to be there for that. Plus Monday is our stake's lagoon day (you get discounted tickets for Lagoon) so I am going to go and do that.
Anyway, that's all my news. I hope everyone is happy and healthy. Congrats on the job Emily, I'm glad you were finally able to pee in that cup. (he he)
Tawnia
Thank you everyone.
It was great talking to all of you on my birthday. I had lots of fun with Cheryl and her boyfriend, Carl. We went to a 4th of July show put on by the Huntington Beach Stake. It was wonderful. They sang lots of patriotic songs and showed slides. It was quite a production. From there we went to the parade where Carl's ward had an awning and chairs set up so it was relaxing to watch. They also had a barbecue right afterwards. Then we went to Carl's trailer and swam and then to the fireworks at the beach. The show was a little disappointing because there was apparently no wind. We had a little breeze but it wasn't high enough to clear out the smoke and the fireworks kept getting lost in the smoke of the previous ones. Sometimes it would blow away a little but we missed a lot of it. Oh well. It was a fun day. Cheryl spent the night here both before and after. She got me a couple of t-shirts for my birthday. On the third Eric and Laurel took me to Olive Garden as my birthday gift. Yep. It was a great birthday and I'm so glad that I got to talk to each of you.
Love ya,
MOM
Love ya,
MOM
Why am I the only one posting on here?
Peeing in a cup. Doesn't sound that complicated. How hard can it be? Fifteen minutes and four glasses of water later -- yeah, it can get a little complicated.
Anyway, to make a long story short, that job I mentioned, at the Family Dollar -- I got it. I'll be filling out paperwork next week and starting my training on the 16th or thereabouts.
Anyway, to make a long story short, that job I mentioned, at the Family Dollar -- I got it. I'll be filling out paperwork next week and starting my training on the 16th or thereabouts.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Fourth of July
Hello, family. What did you all do for the Fourth of July?
In the evening, I went to a barbecue with the people in my ward. We drove out to one girl's house, and there was lots of food. We played a couple of group games, and we set off firecrackers in the driveway. The guys kept trying to jump through the fountains. Silly guys! I caught a glimpse of the local firework show on the way back.
In the evening, I went to a barbecue with the people in my ward. We drove out to one girl's house, and there was lots of food. We played a couple of group games, and we set off firecrackers in the driveway. The guys kept trying to jump through the fountains. Silly guys! I caught a glimpse of the local firework show on the way back.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Hello
Once again, I must offer a belated birthday wish to Michelle. I wasn't feeling very well yesterday. Today I had a job interview at the Family Dollar across the street from my house, and I should know by the end of the week whether or not I've got the job.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Birthday Greetings
Happy Birthday Michelle!
And belated birthday greetings to you too Adam. Sorry I missed the day.
I hope everyone's having a great summer. I've been sick for the past week or so, but it's been a lot of fun hanging out with Mom and having her take care of Stevie. I think she's really enjoying her Grandmotherly duties.
And belated birthday greetings to you too Adam. Sorry I missed the day.
I hope everyone's having a great summer. I've been sick for the past week or so, but it's been a lot of fun hanging out with Mom and having her take care of Stevie. I think she's really enjoying her Grandmotherly duties.
plans
So after a conversation with Trina this afternoon, I ended up buying a plane ticket to Washington DC for the end of October. I'll be there to help out with Rosemary and Summer for 2 1/2 weeks. Hooray! The ticket (down and back) was only $230, which is fabulous for flying cross country, so I splurged and got it. It's rather spontaneous, but I'm excited about it, and I know Trina and Adam will appreciate the help when they have their new baby.
Beyond that, I'm working a lot. My job is enjoyable enough, so it isn't a big deal. I don't think I've ever actually had a 40 hour job, so that's new, but the time generally goes quickly. And it isn't hard work, I'm just on my feet all day.
Beyond that, I'm working a lot. My job is enjoyable enough, so it isn't a big deal. I don't think I've ever actually had a 40 hour job, so that's new, but the time generally goes quickly. And it isn't hard work, I'm just on my feet all day.
Happy birthday, Michelle!
Just wanted to say that from the Caudles ... We hope you're enjoying your new house!
Also, thanks for the new pictures of all the kids and keep them coming! Holy cow, Stevie is looking like a miniature Eric! Summer likes to look at all of the pictures - we go through the website and identify everyone. With this habit, hopefully everyone will be at least kind of familiar to her at the next reunion (whenever that happens to be) or when there are visits.
We're officially moving in 3 weeks, on July 20 and 21. We'll actually get the keys Thursday evening, the 19th, and start moving stuff Friday morning. We'll have a moving truck and help from the ward on Saturday. We'll send out the new contact info that week. I've started packing and hope to make some good headway this week. I'm trying to take it a little slow so I can clean out and get stuff into the give-aways while we're at it. No point in hauling stuff around that we don't even use and has just been taking up space in a closet for the past 3 years.
Also, thanks for the new pictures of all the kids and keep them coming! Holy cow, Stevie is looking like a miniature Eric! Summer likes to look at all of the pictures - we go through the website and identify everyone. With this habit, hopefully everyone will be at least kind of familiar to her at the next reunion (whenever that happens to be) or when there are visits.
We're officially moving in 3 weeks, on July 20 and 21. We'll actually get the keys Thursday evening, the 19th, and start moving stuff Friday morning. We'll have a moving truck and help from the ward on Saturday. We'll send out the new contact info that week. I've started packing and hope to make some good headway this week. I'm trying to take it a little slow so I can clean out and get stuff into the give-aways while we're at it. No point in hauling stuff around that we don't even use and has just been taking up space in a closet for the past 3 years.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Happy birthday and anniversary
Sorry for not posting yesterday, so here's a belated happy birthday. And happy anniversary to Nathan and Amanda. I'm still busy at the library, reshelving all the books. We got some new shelves, so all the books have to be moved. Literally all the books. It's hard work, but I'm making a little money.
Monday, June 25, 2007
update
here is the youtube link for those whose computers aren't showing the video well!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j52R_s9AnG0
yay!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j52R_s9AnG0
yay!
the movie
Hi all,
First off - happy birthday Adam! Second - sorry that the video doesn't seem to be working smoothly. Can you let us know if it works well for anyone? On our computer it works perfectly...not jerky at all, so I'm not completely sure what the problem is. I uploaded it to Nathan's account on Youtube, though, so it should be working on there fairly soon...I think we'll send out an email when it is working...or put it on the blog. So yeah, please let us know if any of you are able to view it well and then keep a lookout for the youtube version.
Love you everyone!
Manda
First off - happy birthday Adam! Second - sorry that the video doesn't seem to be working smoothly. Can you let us know if it works well for anyone? On our computer it works perfectly...not jerky at all, so I'm not completely sure what the problem is. I uploaded it to Nathan's account on Youtube, though, so it should be working on there fairly soon...I think we'll send out an email when it is working...or put it on the blog. So yeah, please let us know if any of you are able to view it well and then keep a lookout for the youtube version.
Love you everyone!
Manda
Manti/Zion
So I have been having many adventures this summer. Last Wednesday I went to the Manti Pageant. It was nice to go on a week night because it is a lot less crowded (so I hear.) It really wasn't bad. We still didn't get home until around 1 a.m. though.
Then over the weekend (Friday and Saturday) I went to Zion National Park with a few friends. We ended up hiking up the Virgin River. Literally in the river. The hike is called the Narrows. We were going to start at the top and hike all the way down (It's only 16 miles) but we figured that we didn't have time to do the whole thing... so we just hiked in for 3 and 1/2 hours.... and then out for 1 and 1/2 hours. Yeah, that's how it worked. Hiking in we were going UP stream, so coming out was much easier. After that I was absolutely exhausted and extremely sore, but it was fun.
Yesterday was Stake Converence. We had some really good talks and it was nice. In the evening I went visiting teaching.
Today I had a job interview. It is for a part time job teaching science to 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders at a private school. It would be 8 hours a week. So not a lot, but I'd still be teaching. (I would most likely just do that for two days each week and then sub for the other three days in the week.) I am still waiting to hear back from USU. My biggest frustration right now is that I have not received any mail in the last week and just found another little "vacant" sign in my mailbox. It's like the mail people think I don't exist. (Neither do the male people for that matter.) I crossed off the word vacant and put my name on it and then taped it to the front of my mailbox. I'm hoping that the postal service will get the hint.
Tonight, as Mindy pointed out, is my dance recital. I'm sure I'll perform flawlessly (haha). It should be fun.
Happy Birthday Adam! And Happy Anniversary to Nate and Manda (as I'm sure I probably won't make it to the library tomorrow.)
Love,
Tawnia
Then over the weekend (Friday and Saturday) I went to Zion National Park with a few friends. We ended up hiking up the Virgin River. Literally in the river. The hike is called the Narrows. We were going to start at the top and hike all the way down (It's only 16 miles) but we figured that we didn't have time to do the whole thing... so we just hiked in for 3 and 1/2 hours.... and then out for 1 and 1/2 hours. Yeah, that's how it worked. Hiking in we were going UP stream, so coming out was much easier. After that I was absolutely exhausted and extremely sore, but it was fun.
Yesterday was Stake Converence. We had some really good talks and it was nice. In the evening I went visiting teaching.
Today I had a job interview. It is for a part time job teaching science to 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders at a private school. It would be 8 hours a week. So not a lot, but I'd still be teaching. (I would most likely just do that for two days each week and then sub for the other three days in the week.) I am still waiting to hear back from USU. My biggest frustration right now is that I have not received any mail in the last week and just found another little "vacant" sign in my mailbox. It's like the mail people think I don't exist. (Neither do the male people for that matter.) I crossed off the word vacant and put my name on it and then taped it to the front of my mailbox. I'm hoping that the postal service will get the hint.
Tonight, as Mindy pointed out, is my dance recital. I'm sure I'll perform flawlessly (haha). It should be fun.
Happy Birthday Adam! And Happy Anniversary to Nate and Manda (as I'm sure I probably won't make it to the library tomorrow.)
Love,
Tawnia
comments
First off, Happy Birthday Adam! Nice job getting older.
Nathan, is your movie supposed to be a little jerky? If so, then fabulous! If not, then it needs a little work. The music runs nice the whole time (I like the sneeze in the middle), but the actual movie clips (there are movie clips, right?) you put in are jumpy. But I still like it.
And Tawnia, good luck at your recital tonight! I wish I could be there to perform with you. Try hard not to mess up, but really, don't worry if you do! Besides, you can always post on the blog that you did perfectly, and no one here would know the difference. Either way, I'm proud of you.
I'm doing fine. Working lots and fixing lots of pictures for the "slide project". Working all the time actually saves a lot of money - besides all the money I'm earning, I don't feel like going anywhere to spend it! My goal is to buy a car, and then get out of debt.
Nathan, is your movie supposed to be a little jerky? If so, then fabulous! If not, then it needs a little work. The music runs nice the whole time (I like the sneeze in the middle), but the actual movie clips (there are movie clips, right?) you put in are jumpy. But I still like it.
And Tawnia, good luck at your recital tonight! I wish I could be there to perform with you. Try hard not to mess up, but really, don't worry if you do! Besides, you can always post on the blog that you did perfectly, and no one here would know the difference. Either way, I'm proud of you.
I'm doing fine. Working lots and fixing lots of pictures for the "slide project". Working all the time actually saves a lot of money - besides all the money I'm earning, I don't feel like going anywhere to spend it! My goal is to buy a car, and then get out of debt.
Joshua stuff
Alright... it is here.
http://www.insanityinc.net/nathan/test.html
We hope that you all enjoy his little show. and I put up more pictures today.
http://www.insanityinc.net/nathan/test.html
We hope that you all enjoy his little show. and I put up more pictures today.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
A word from Mom
I thought I'd better say something on here. I've been busy getting acquainted with Stevie and helping around here. Stevie certainly is a sweetheart. I put some pictures of him on my What's New page. Right now he's singing to me. Mommy and Daddy went to visit some friends for the evening so I've been here with Stevie. I've been teaching him a few signs. He knows "please" real well. He's also learning "more" and a few others.
Eric and Laurel are home now and it's time to go to sleep.
Love ya,
MOM
Eric and Laurel are home now and it's time to go to sleep.
Love ya,
MOM
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Happy Saturday
I got up at 4:30 in the morning to go to the temple. Most everyone slept on the way up, and on the way back too. The session was great. And the temple is so beautiful. By the way, Trina, I saw Sister Hampton on the way out. (She's in Trina's ward.)
Drive back -- not so great.
Anyway, it used to be just me hanging out at Main with my laptop, doing nothing in particular. But now I have an excuse. Someone has to greet the EFY counselors and see that they get their keys and things. So I will be providing that service.
Drive back -- not so great.
Anyway, it used to be just me hanging out at Main with my laptop, doing nothing in particular. But now I have an excuse. Someone has to greet the EFY counselors and see that they get their keys and things. So I will be providing that service.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Hellos
So I've had this new job for a week. Things are finally slowing down a bit, and after this weekend the whole store should be back in order. Sunday night they're having a cleaning "party" and having a bunch of people in there to clean under the racks, and finally finish getting everything out on the racks and in order. Alas, I won't be there (hello, it's Sunday!) but I'll see all their work on Monday. Should be nice to actually see how the store is supposed to be. In the meantime, I spend a lot of hours putting things in order, but I like that. I'd rather have a project to be working on than running the register - not that it's hard, but I look at the clock when I'm up there! Last night I was shown how to close, tonight I'll review, make sure I know what I'm doing, because Monday I'm on my own! I'll have someone else there, at the store, but they're newer than I am, so I'll be in charge of taking care of the money and locking the door and everything. AHH! It isn't hard, it's just having to learn how they do it.
One of the perks of this job is running into people. After not being in town for four years, it's fun to see who comes into the store. Sometimes I catch glimpses of people, and think I recognize them, but then I realize that the person I'm thinking of is from Utah, and it's not likely that they'd be walking into the store! So anyway, I've run into Lindsey Potter and her mom and son; Fern and Edith Belnap; one of the Parker sisters (with Audrey and her 2-week old son); Joey Beardan with his girlfriend/wife(?) and their two kids (this would be the boy I had my first crush on in elementary school); and Jamie Riley! Mom and I were just talking about Jamie right before she left. We saw eachother and she said, "Hi Mindy!" I was just amazed that she remembered my name, and not just as a Palmer. She said her family is doing great and that Brooks just graduated high school and is going into the marines. Of course, she said to say hello to the family, so HELLO!
Beyond work I haven't been doing much. I spend a lot of time on the computer, either doing my own art projects or helping out Mom and Dad with the slide project. I'm still looking for a dance class in the area, but I don't quite have the money to start taking it anyway! After next weeks 40 hours, which will probably continue for quite a while, I'll have the money soon.
One of the perks of this job is running into people. After not being in town for four years, it's fun to see who comes into the store. Sometimes I catch glimpses of people, and think I recognize them, but then I realize that the person I'm thinking of is from Utah, and it's not likely that they'd be walking into the store! So anyway, I've run into Lindsey Potter and her mom and son; Fern and Edith Belnap; one of the Parker sisters (with Audrey and her 2-week old son); Joey Beardan with his girlfriend/wife(?) and their two kids (this would be the boy I had my first crush on in elementary school); and Jamie Riley! Mom and I were just talking about Jamie right before she left. We saw eachother and she said, "Hi Mindy!" I was just amazed that she remembered my name, and not just as a Palmer. She said her family is doing great and that Brooks just graduated high school and is going into the marines. Of course, she said to say hello to the family, so HELLO!
Beyond work I haven't been doing much. I spend a lot of time on the computer, either doing my own art projects or helping out Mom and Dad with the slide project. I'm still looking for a dance class in the area, but I don't quite have the money to start taking it anyway! After next weeks 40 hours, which will probably continue for quite a while, I'll have the money soon.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
EFY
Well, due to the fact that I have no internet connection at my current dwelling place, I've taken to hanging out in Main Hall during the evenings. EFY is going on right now, and I made an interesting discovery. Wednesday night is pizza night.
finally!!!
After 3 months of chasing paper here and there and everywhere, we FINALLY got final approval for the new apartment. HALLELUJAH!!! We will be moving on Friday July 20, and I'll send an email out with the new address at that time. We'll likely get a new land line phone so we can continue to have DSL internet - it works best for my class and costs the same as cable internet (plus we're not always tempted to watch TV with no cable). That will be a new number because we're changing area codes because of moving to the Maryland side of the line. But our cell phones will stay the same. This news isn't nearly as awesome as Jared's moving news into HIS OWN HOUSE ... but it's all we've got at the moment. And we're finally moving into a 2-bedroom apartment. It's about 5 miles from where we are now - the same complex where half of our play group already lives, so that will make things even easier for play group.
Thank you for the anniversary greetings ... I must admit that it's been a rough week with all the stress of the apartment stuff, and Summer hasn't been feeling too well this week. Tuesday night, we both bagged our studying and walked to a little barbecue restaurant out on Wisconsin Ave. Then we got ice cream and took Summer to a park right across the street to play on the swings for a little while. We'll go to the temple next week for an actual anniversary date. And now that we have the apartment stuff finalized, that takes a huge stress load off. Now we have a different stress load with moving ... but at least the decision making part is over and that's the worst of it.
Thank you for the anniversary greetings ... I must admit that it's been a rough week with all the stress of the apartment stuff, and Summer hasn't been feeling too well this week. Tuesday night, we both bagged our studying and walked to a little barbecue restaurant out on Wisconsin Ave. Then we got ice cream and took Summer to a park right across the street to play on the swings for a little while. We'll go to the temple next week for an actual anniversary date. And now that we have the apartment stuff finalized, that takes a huge stress load off. Now we have a different stress load with moving ... but at least the decision making part is over and that's the worst of it.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
At the library
First off, allow me to wish a happy anniversary to Trina and Adam. Go out and do something special.
In other news, I'm busy at the library. We take books off a bookcase, move the case, and then put them back on. It gets rather tiring, and it can be complicated if a stack of books falls, or we get them out of order and put them on the shelves in the wrong order. Both of these things have happened.
There's plans for a temple trip on Saturday, and I'm looking forward to that. I don't know what time we're going to be leaving. The bishop said he'd send out an e-mail. It will probably be five or six, but the bishop said it wouldn't matter if we left at two in the morning; I'd still be there.
In other news, I'm busy at the library. We take books off a bookcase, move the case, and then put them back on. It gets rather tiring, and it can be complicated if a stack of books falls, or we get them out of order and put them on the shelves in the wrong order. Both of these things have happened.
There's plans for a temple trip on Saturday, and I'm looking forward to that. I don't know what time we're going to be leaving. The bishop said he'd send out an e-mail. It will probably be five or six, but the bishop said it wouldn't matter if we left at two in the morning; I'd still be there.
Updates
I saw that Trina's page has been updated... cool pics of her last trip. I've also added a couple more games to the games page.
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary Trina and Adam! Three years have gone by quickly. We wish you and your growing family everything you have coming to you (which is all good things).
Love,
Eric, Laurel & Stevie
Love,
Eric, Laurel & Stevie
A (kinda sorta, it works for now) Job
A single father in my stake was looking an every other week summer baby-sitter, for his 5-year-old son (Jordan) and 3-year-old daughter (Shelby). I start tomorrow. It's not much but it's something for now.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Comic of the Week...
... has been moved onto my own page. You know, click over there on the left where it says Jared... I've got #2 posted there now. I just recieved #3 today, but I'll wait a couple more days before I post it.
Other than that, a belated Happy Father's Day to everyone I didn't talk to yesterday. We had a good day, and no real "news" from us right now... just getting ready to move next week. We'll send out the new address and phone number via email when we're closer to actually being at that address and phone number.
Other than that, a belated Happy Father's Day to everyone I didn't talk to yesterday. We had a good day, and no real "news" from us right now... just getting ready to move next week. We'll send out the new address and phone number via email when we're closer to actually being at that address and phone number.
Friday, June 15, 2007
I think I'm ready
I have two big suitcases packed and in the car. I've got everything together that I think I might need. Now I just need to relax. That's the hard part. I'm very excited about going to California for the summer. I'm also excited for all the adventures everyone else is having. For little Allison and Rosemary who will soon join our family, for Jared and Michelle's new house, and for all the jobs that the girls have or will soon have. I'll miss playing with Joshua and I'm sure he'll learn lots of new things while I'm gone. I'll have fun playing with Stevie. I'll have fun talking to Brooke, Bryan and Summer on the phone. I'll miss Daddy the most but I know he loves me and he'll come down when Allison is born. I have lots of projects to keep me busy.
Have a great summer! I will.
Love ya,
MOM
Have a great summer! I will.
Love ya,
MOM
everyone knows now
Okay, so everyone knows that we're having a girl. You're free to talk amongst yourselves about it now. Since I talked to everyone today (well, at least Laurel and Michelle instead of Eric and Jared because they were already gone to work - sorry about that, but I wanted to tell your families right away) ... really not much else to fill you in on at this point! Just wanted to let you all know that the word is out.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Back in Utah
Well... I left Oregon on Friday and spent the night in Boise with my friends Steph and Bill. It was nice visiting them and I'm glad I took the opportunity to because they are moving to Minnesota at the end of this month. So I got back to Utah on Saturday. It just happened to be "Art City Days" (Springville's city fair) so that night I ended up going and sitting on someone's lawn and watching the fireworks. It was a really good show actually.
Sunday it was back to church. I had people to sit by during all the meetings... but then everyone asked how things were without Mindy... so it didn't really help me to not miss her any. After church we had choir practice and then that evening we had a fireside.
On Monday I went to the dentist and let him yank two of my teeth. NOt very pleasant, but I survived. The recovery is taking a bit longer than I'd like, but at least I can eat solid foods instead of just drinking liquids. Monday evening I went to FHE. I sat and watched a lot of people playing the games, but I couldn't really participate. Then after I got home I was bored... so I called a couple of my friends and had them come over for to play games.
Tuesday I was pretty miserable from the teeth, but then I started feeling better so I rearranged the furniture in my living room. I then went to my tap classes that evening. My teacher told me to take it easy because of the dental work, so I sat and relaxed a bit. It turns out I will be dancing in FOUR dances at the recital on June 25th. Crazy.
Wednesday I spent a lot of time organizing my room. I have four bookshelves FULL of books and still have a few more books to find homes for. I hope to get my room finished up this week. Wednesday night I went to institute. It was a good class and the teacher remembered me from the few times I've gone before.
So that gets you up to speed on my life. I am staying busy and will start looking for a job as soon as my apartment is neat and organized. I have a couple of girls who have talked about moving in with me. I just need to get a commitment out of one of them.
Anyway, my time on the computer is about to end. I will have to look into getting a computer and internet at my own home, especially since I plan on doing school on-line this fall. Any advice on buying a computer? Should I get a PC or a laptop? Where is a good place to go? I really know nothing about computers (other than how to use them) so I would appreciate any good advice in this area.
Love to you all!
Tawnia
Sunday it was back to church. I had people to sit by during all the meetings... but then everyone asked how things were without Mindy... so it didn't really help me to not miss her any. After church we had choir practice and then that evening we had a fireside.
On Monday I went to the dentist and let him yank two of my teeth. NOt very pleasant, but I survived. The recovery is taking a bit longer than I'd like, but at least I can eat solid foods instead of just drinking liquids. Monday evening I went to FHE. I sat and watched a lot of people playing the games, but I couldn't really participate. Then after I got home I was bored... so I called a couple of my friends and had them come over for to play games.
Tuesday I was pretty miserable from the teeth, but then I started feeling better so I rearranged the furniture in my living room. I then went to my tap classes that evening. My teacher told me to take it easy because of the dental work, so I sat and relaxed a bit. It turns out I will be dancing in FOUR dances at the recital on June 25th. Crazy.
Wednesday I spent a lot of time organizing my room. I have four bookshelves FULL of books and still have a few more books to find homes for. I hope to get my room finished up this week. Wednesday night I went to institute. It was a good class and the teacher remembered me from the few times I've gone before.
So that gets you up to speed on my life. I am staying busy and will start looking for a job as soon as my apartment is neat and organized. I have a couple of girls who have talked about moving in with me. I just need to get a commitment out of one of them.
Anyway, my time on the computer is about to end. I will have to look into getting a computer and internet at my own home, especially since I plan on doing school on-line this fall. Any advice on buying a computer? Should I get a PC or a laptop? Where is a good place to go? I really know nothing about computers (other than how to use them) so I would appreciate any good advice in this area.
Love to you all!
Tawnia
the job hunt
So yesterday I finally made the trip into McMinnville to start the part of the job hunt where I go around to all the places I'd be willing to work and pick up applications. I started at Fashion Bug, not only because it was at this end of town, but because I've wanted to go shopping there for a while, and I figured I'd help motivate myself by doing some browsing first. I ended up picking up a black leather jacket and an application.
The next stop was Payless shoes, another favorite shopping place, because it was right next door. I walked in and asked the lady there if they were hiring. She said YES, and asked me if I had the time to fill out a survey thing on the computer (no surprise, I had to do it when I applied at Payless in Provo). Sure! When I finished, she sat down and explained the situation: she is the Regional Manager (covering a bunch of Oregon and some of California), and the other girl in the store is the brand new manager of this store (her first day). Apparently the last manager made a great assistant manager, but when the other guy got promoted, and she got moved up, she didn't do so well. Everyone on her crew quit. No one gave two weeks notice, they just stopped showing up. So the manager quit too. It was really no surprise, because the store was not how it should be. To the customer, it probably wasn't noticable, but the racks are supposed to be organized a certain way (and they weren't), and nothing was priced for the new sale, and the back storeroom was a horrible horrible mess. They asked me if I could start right away. THEN I filled out the application. I worked for the next several hours, until I needed to go pick up Mom (because I had dropped her off at work so I could use the car). I work a full eight hour shift this afternoon (12:30-9:30), and I'll get all the paperwork finished, so I can actually get paid, because it was just hectic yesterday, and no one knew where the paperwork was. It'll all get worked out though, and I have a job!
The next stop was Payless shoes, another favorite shopping place, because it was right next door. I walked in and asked the lady there if they were hiring. She said YES, and asked me if I had the time to fill out a survey thing on the computer (no surprise, I had to do it when I applied at Payless in Provo). Sure! When I finished, she sat down and explained the situation: she is the Regional Manager (covering a bunch of Oregon and some of California), and the other girl in the store is the brand new manager of this store (her first day). Apparently the last manager made a great assistant manager, but when the other guy got promoted, and she got moved up, she didn't do so well. Everyone on her crew quit. No one gave two weeks notice, they just stopped showing up. So the manager quit too. It was really no surprise, because the store was not how it should be. To the customer, it probably wasn't noticable, but the racks are supposed to be organized a certain way (and they weren't), and nothing was priced for the new sale, and the back storeroom was a horrible horrible mess. They asked me if I could start right away. THEN I filled out the application. I worked for the next several hours, until I needed to go pick up Mom (because I had dropped her off at work so I could use the car). I work a full eight hour shift this afternoon (12:30-9:30), and I'll get all the paperwork finished, so I can actually get paid, because it was just hectic yesterday, and no one knew where the paperwork was. It'll all get worked out though, and I have a job!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
At the library
Today I was at the library, and I was offered a job for the next couple of weeks, shelving and moving books. It may only be for a couple of weeks, but it's something. Hooray!
-- Emily
-- Emily
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Comic of the Week...
If the end of the comic strip is cut off, click on the picture, or right-click and select "Open Link in New Window"...
Sunday, June 10, 2007
ultrasound
It's time to take the poll on if you think our baby is a boy or girl. The ultrasound is Friday morning, so you have until Thursday night to make your guesses. The names we have selected are Michael Abbott for a boy, or Rosemary Grace for a girl.
Abbott is Nancy's maiden name. I was never really settled on William as the middle name, like we talked about last time. I think Abbott sounds pretty cool - different, but not weird. And Adam still gets the initials MAC, so he can call him Mac if he wants to. I figure that Grace is a family name somewhere, since it's Aunt Cheryl's middle name as well. I'd like to use family names for the middle names - not necessarily our side for girls and Adam's side for boys, although that's how it has just worked out so far. And Rosemary Grace just seems to be right, whether or not it's a family name.
Abbott is Nancy's maiden name. I was never really settled on William as the middle name, like we talked about last time. I think Abbott sounds pretty cool - different, but not weird. And Adam still gets the initials MAC, so he can call him Mac if he wants to. I figure that Grace is a family name somewhere, since it's Aunt Cheryl's middle name as well. I'd like to use family names for the middle names - not necessarily our side for girls and Adam's side for boys, although that's how it has just worked out so far. And Rosemary Grace just seems to be right, whether or not it's a family name.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
What is, in fact, cooking?
Hi guys!
I know many of you are checking insanityinc on a regular basis, looking for updates and whatnot. Well, here is one.
I noticed Mindy has added a few pictures.
Also, I've changed the Stevie calendar. Nathan copied mine, so I copied Trina's. But that's the way of progress.
Laurel and I made some changes to another part of the page. Who can find it? (There's a clue in this post.)
We're going swimming tonight. The basketball finals was between our ward's two teams. My team lost in double overtime. One of the players from the other team is putting on a BBQ for both teams. He's also a friend of mine. We work in Priests together.
Laurel had a baby shower with the ward this week, the same night as semi-finals (which we won, to get into the finals). She was very happy with the turnout and all the presents and how nice everyone was. To answer Trina's questions, Laurel is due August 11th, and she'll be at 32 weeks when Mom comes next Saturday, and where Stevie would've been born on the Wednesday after that. She's taking medicine for her blood pressure and it seems to be helping.
Laurel is giving Stevie a bath, and then we're going to Deseret Book to get my Father's Day present. It'll be a fun day.
Oh, by the way Mom, Bekah's baptism will be about an hour and a half after you arrive, so we'll probably be heading straight there after we pick you up. You may want to wear something nice.
I know many of you are checking insanityinc on a regular basis, looking for updates and whatnot. Well, here is one.
I noticed Mindy has added a few pictures.
Also, I've changed the Stevie calendar. Nathan copied mine, so I copied Trina's. But that's the way of progress.
Laurel and I made some changes to another part of the page. Who can find it? (There's a clue in this post.)
We're going swimming tonight. The basketball finals was between our ward's two teams. My team lost in double overtime. One of the players from the other team is putting on a BBQ for both teams. He's also a friend of mine. We work in Priests together.
Laurel had a baby shower with the ward this week, the same night as semi-finals (which we won, to get into the finals). She was very happy with the turnout and all the presents and how nice everyone was. To answer Trina's questions, Laurel is due August 11th, and she'll be at 32 weeks when Mom comes next Saturday, and where Stevie would've been born on the Wednesday after that. She's taking medicine for her blood pressure and it seems to be helping.
Laurel is giving Stevie a bath, and then we're going to Deseret Book to get my Father's Day present. It'll be a fun day.
Oh, by the way Mom, Bekah's baptism will be about an hour and a half after you arrive, so we'll probably be heading straight there after we pick you up. You may want to wear something nice.
Monday, June 04, 2007
hellos
So I went to my first FHE in the singles branch back here in McMinnville. It was a baptism for a guy named Shawn. It was a nice meeting, but I hardly knew anyone there. It will take a while to build up a group of friends, especially without the charm of Tawnia to help me out. I did meet a few new people though, so that was nice. And I ran into a few people I knew, and they all say hi. More specifically:
Nathan and Amanda - Kim and Eddie say Congratulations (along with the rest of the Sanchez clan) about the baby. They're excited for you.
Emily - Kim says hello, and thinks that Library Science is absolutely perfect for you.
Clarissa - Savannah and Wendy both give a hearty hello, and wish that you would stay in better contact with them.
Jenna - Sister Rasband also says hello. Oh wait .. I guess I have to tell that to Jenna myself. And if no one has heard - Jenna is getting married in July. I know I get frustrated when I'm out of the loop of weddings and babies and stuff, so there's your loop.
Nathan and Amanda - Kim and Eddie say Congratulations (along with the rest of the Sanchez clan) about the baby. They're excited for you.
Emily - Kim says hello, and thinks that Library Science is absolutely perfect for you.
Clarissa - Savannah and Wendy both give a hearty hello, and wish that you would stay in better contact with them.
Jenna - Sister Rasband also says hello. Oh wait .. I guess I have to tell that to Jenna myself. And if no one has heard - Jenna is getting married in July. I know I get frustrated when I'm out of the loop of weddings and babies and stuff, so there's your loop.
home pages
Mindy updated the Caudle home page - it looks good! Check it out! We'll get together soon to post the vacation pictures ... I still need to go through them and choose the good ones.
Also, Eric's home page is changed ... looks good! I like the colors around your mug shots! Is that a photoshopping thing, or is that actually how the pictures were taken? Also, noting the list under Laurel's picture ... have you decided to name the baby Allison, or are there still some other options floating around? Middle name decided yet? What's the actual due date? Are you inside the 7-week window from when Stevie was born early yet? Just wondering ... since it's been a while since we've gotten a baby update.
Our baby updates on both is that Summer is getting better and better at her walking, due to walking all over on vacation, and then last week at the aquarium and the zoo. (We went to the zoo on Saturday.) We find out on the 15th - a week from Friday - if the next little munchkin is Michael or Rosemary. I've sort of felt some movement, but not really the baby shifting around in position - more like just stretching and pushing outward sometimes.
If you didn't believe that weather patterns could affect when babies are born ... I have some proof now. In January and February, we had a huge cold snap that lasted for a few weeks, complete with ice storms and power outages. Apparently there was lots of cuddling going on, because I now know of SIX babies here in DC who are due within 2 weeks of each other in October. 3 in our ward are due 3 days in a row (we're the middle day), a friend up in Maryland, and 2 people in the Bethesda ward next to us (one of which is in our play group). Crazy crazy!! I wonder how crowded the hospital will be this time ... since the triage check-in was full when I got there to have Summer, and then we were rushed out of the delivery room after she was born because they needed it for someone else. We'll be going to the same hospital with this baby.
Also, Eric's home page is changed ... looks good! I like the colors around your mug shots! Is that a photoshopping thing, or is that actually how the pictures were taken? Also, noting the list under Laurel's picture ... have you decided to name the baby Allison, or are there still some other options floating around? Middle name decided yet? What's the actual due date? Are you inside the 7-week window from when Stevie was born early yet? Just wondering ... since it's been a while since we've gotten a baby update.
Our baby updates on both is that Summer is getting better and better at her walking, due to walking all over on vacation, and then last week at the aquarium and the zoo. (We went to the zoo on Saturday.) We find out on the 15th - a week from Friday - if the next little munchkin is Michael or Rosemary. I've sort of felt some movement, but not really the baby shifting around in position - more like just stretching and pushing outward sometimes.
If you didn't believe that weather patterns could affect when babies are born ... I have some proof now. In January and February, we had a huge cold snap that lasted for a few weeks, complete with ice storms and power outages. Apparently there was lots of cuddling going on, because I now know of SIX babies here in DC who are due within 2 weeks of each other in October. 3 in our ward are due 3 days in a row (we're the middle day), a friend up in Maryland, and 2 people in the Bethesda ward next to us (one of which is in our play group). Crazy crazy!! I wonder how crowded the hospital will be this time ... since the triage check-in was full when I got there to have Summer, and then we were rushed out of the delivery room after she was born because they needed it for someone else. We'll be going to the same hospital with this baby.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
What do you remember about Trina's wedding?
I'm working on a piece of creative non-fiction for my writing class, and I decided to write about Trina's wedding day. I thought I could get ten pages out of that.
But I've only got half that at the moment, and if I don't plan on writing about two weddings, I need more details. So what do you remember?
I have forty-eight hours before the first draft is due. So please help me out here.
Thanks!
But I've only got half that at the moment, and if I don't plan on writing about two weddings, I need more details. So what do you remember?
I have forty-eight hours before the first draft is due. So please help me out here.
Thanks!
Friday, June 01, 2007
question for Nathan
Hey Nathan - do you still collect foreign coins? We have some friends who just got back from a trip to South Africa and had lots of extra coins. I got one of each for you. I'm getting a box of clothes ready to send to Mom - I'll put them in there.
We got free tickets to the Baltimore Aquarium that we used yesterday - it was pretty neat. They had a fun dolphin show and lots of really cool displays of fish. We also saw frogs and a couple of "rain forest" type things. It was all indoors, which was a little odd to me because of the Oregon one being all outdoors. But at the same time, with the humidity out here hitting last weekend, I didn't mind being indoors.
We got free tickets to the Baltimore Aquarium that we used yesterday - it was pretty neat. They had a fun dolphin show and lots of really cool displays of fish. We also saw frogs and a couple of "rain forest" type things. It was all indoors, which was a little odd to me because of the Oregon one being all outdoors. But at the same time, with the humidity out here hitting last weekend, I didn't mind being indoors.
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