Gripes ahead... but there's a silver lining.

Math has put a big fat rain cloud over me today....
UGH! I feel like crud today. My left arm feels like it's almost been yanked off. The reason why? I carried my math book all around with me this weekend hoping for even small portions of time to study for a big exam I had on Monday. Did I find time? No. Did I pay for it? Yes. Did I pass my test? No. I got a 57%. YIKES! I haven't done that bad since... well, never in my college education.  It hurts. It hurts inside and I hurt outside. Note to self: when carrying something heavy, use both shoulders. If carrying a book at work, leave it in the car, you'll never even get to crack it open. I did stay for tutoring today and plan to work really hard to catch up and stay caught up. Thankfully I also found out that my grade only dropped to 81%, and I still have a homework to turn in, so I'm not in the C's yet!

And the weather isn't helping....
It's cold again. Not winter cold, but cold enough that I don't want to sit outside in it.

People are telling me to get my seeds going soon. I don't know what I want to plant! Joel was looking up renting a sod cutter this morning. I'm not sure what it's going to cost to rent. We want to start a big space this year. Even if we don't grow in all of it we can prepare some of it for next year with fertilizing and weed control.  I have a friend whose offered me her seeder with plates, sounds really interesting! Might make my job easier!

I also am getting anxious to get some flowers going and clean up my flower garden. I have some weed control to do there, and also on our stone steps and stone patio (if you can call it that, it's only maybe 6'x8') where Joel put up my new love swing. I'd love to sit out on that with my BB gun and wait for that rascally gopher to pop it's head out so I can.... well, you know.... keep my yard from looking like a mine field.

But there is a silver lining...
I am so thankful that it's conference weekend! I need the upliftment! I also invited a family that lives nearby for dinner after the last session on Sunday. They have bunch of kids that are close in age to ours, and they live really close. I'm excited to get to know people in our ward better.
Small world... the lady Joel and I HT and VT knows my nephew in Oregon! crazy small world.

This last weekend I had a wonderful weekend. I worked this weekend, and it was tournament time for the Special Olympics! I got to take two of our guys, to play basketball with their teams, down to St. Thomas in St. Paul. Their teams played so great! Although it was fun, it was a very exhausting and I came home early last night very worn out.
Today I had a math test that I was not very prepared for. I had hoped to have time at the tournament to study, but ended up not having any time for it. I tried to study this morning, but nothing on the test looked like what I studied this morning.
I am very disappointed. I wish that I had done better today. I am not sure if there is much I can do to correct the damage it is going to do to my grade.
Tomorrow I have an art project due. I am excited about how this image turned out. I will have to share a picture of it soon! I am really glad I took drawing and have this weekly outlet for my artistic side. I hope that he grades me ok on it, I know that he was wanting me to do more on it than I had time for, but I think it turned out pretty good.
I haven't seen Jacob very much in the last few weeks, I am excited that he promised me he would come up next weekend and spend Sun-Tuesday morning with me!
Also, this week we bought the kids a trampoline from a friend who is moving and doesn't want to take hers with them. We also got her pool, the kids are so excited about it! I hope this summer is going to be better than they thought it would, because they are really upset with me that I have to start at my new school this summer, even though I promised them I wouldn't last year. But then I didn't know we'd be moving to such a fun house!
Tonight the children were fighting and so I decided that we should get out our scriptures and read. I'm sad to report that we have not been very good at family scripture study since we've moved. But tonight as we read, I could feel the Spirit re-enter our home and the children have been playing with each other so well since then. I am so thankful for the changes that happen when we invite the Spirit into our lives.

On the horns of a delema

I have a big decision to make this week. I have taken classes the last couple of summers and it's made for a not so fun summer for my kids. I promised them no more classes in the summer again. They are holding me to it. But that was before I knew that the program I wanted to get my Bachelor through is a 6 semester program that requires summer classes. Most are online, only a few are on campus, but still, that means me doing homework while the kids entertain themselves. Not fun, and they are already crying about it.
So do I keep my word and drag my graduation out for a couple more years, which, may I remind you I am already a bit old to be starting this venture....
Or do I make the best of it I can and take the classes anyway and try to minimize the effect it has on our summer?
The answer is not an easy one to find.

The weather is so beautiful here this week! The weather people are saying we are a month ahead of schedule and that we should be able to be in our gardens a month ahead. That would be nice to have an extra month of growing season. YAY!

Starving Artist

I am loving my art class very much, it has given me a great outlet for my creativity, but it hasn't been enough. My next art project is Photorealism in pencil. I have to pick a photograph for the project. Looking through my images on my photography blog has got me missing my photography so much. I didn't know I'd miss my photography this much!  The other day I drove past a pond that has been half melted. In the open water sat several swans. I wish I'd had my camera! Hoping for some sun tomorrow so I can get a shot.  I need to figure out some way to feed my hunger.

Sisters

The best thing about having a sister is that you'll always have a
friend.

This is the second year in a row now that I have been a horrible sister to two of my wonderful sisters.

I remember that their birthdays are in February, and I even have cards ready to send to them, but somehow it slips my mind and then I end up missing their birthdays and feeling really crappy about it, because they are so awesome.

I was blessed with four sisters and one brother. Even though all of my sisters were born years before me and Dan, and were pretty much a different generation, they have always been interested in my life and being my friend. I am so lucky!

DeAnna- my first memories of DeAnna were when she was a new little mother living in Idaho. I remember visiting her with my parents, and once I remember being left there for a few days and then brought back down by DeAnna and her husband Terry. They had a little yellow beetle and I remember waiting until the moment we would turn the corner of their street and see the Volkswagen Beetle, my little brother and I would try to be the first to sock the other in the arm and yell, "SLUG BUG!"

DeAnna was always (and still is always) telling amusing stories, many of them poking fun of herself. I love that laughter and good humor are a big part of her life. She always seems so optimistic and looking at the sunny side of things. She also always had funny songs to sing to us. I remember her face she made when she sang, "Galumph Went the Little Green Frog", and her eyes would bat and bulge. Still makes me smile when I think about that. I remember singing funny songs all the way home back to Utah in that yellow Beetle.

Even now DeAnna is always keeping in touch with me. She sends me little notes on my blog, she reads my facebook sometimes, and she never forgets my birthday (how do you do it!?) even though it's so close to Christmas and easy to forget. She even prank texted me a few weeks ago when her and my other sisters got together for a silly evening. She offered to let my son live in her basement if he wanted to try BYU for a semester before his mission. I bet she's an amazing teacher, I'm so jealous of her students and would give anything if she could be my kid's teacher. I wish I lived closer to her. She has many talents. She made our wedding cake. She made a cabin by hand! She shows horses and is an amazing mom and grandmother.

Karen- my first memories of Karen is when she chased me into the basement and said something awful to me. Hahaha! Man, I was a little stinker and deserved it. I'm glad she loved me enough to chase me down. Karen and I have had some pretty close times. I have always wished I could be as pretty as her. She has so many talents too! Ever since I was little I remember being in awe of her artistic talents. She drew the best horses and painted the best pictures! "If I could have half the talent she has in one little finger"...seriously!

Karen was my roommate when I found out about sex from the neighbor's kid. Karen wasn't shy to clear things up for me and help me know what was right or wrong about that information. She saved mom the embarrassment of telling me, hee hee. Karen, I have two little girls I could use your help with! ;) Karen was amazing on the horses. I remember watching her ride Star and turning on a quarter. Somehow she made him look easy to ride, so much that I thought I could jump on him with just a halter and rope! Imagine my surprise when I landed next to the feed box! She always drove the funnest cars. I remember her taking Dan and me for rides in the back of a station wagon and letting us sliiiiiide across the back when she took corners. And her Camaro was so cool! She also has a rubber face. She is also full of good humor. I always thought it was amazing how she could turn her eyelids inside out, and swallow my socks and let me pull it out of her ear! I love her laugh.

Karen was the only one (I know of) who cared about how skinny I got when I was 13. I was 5 feet tall or so and 79 lbs. Karen was the one who cared enough to tell me, "people die when they get as thin as you." Karen cared when I came back to Utah after a horrific experience with a first fiancee. She talked to me and helped me know that things could be ok someday for me, when really I just wanted to die. She also noticed my talents and wanted us to write songs together. Too bad I have no musical ability, but she saw I could write. This last year she chose one of my photographs to turn into a painting! She painted the picture of my Joyanna riding her bike down the hill. I was SO TOUCHED when she sent me a canvased copy of the painting! It was even more beautiful in person than it was on the Internet! I put it right over my dresser so that every morning I can see this whimsical painting and smile with delight. I just LOVE it! She has no idea how much that painting means to me.

These are only two of my amazing sisters. I wish you could all know them. Everyone should be so lucky to have such amazing people in their lives.

DeAnna and Karen, I hope that you know I love you so very much and I am really sad about missing your birthdays, again. Please know you and your families are always in our prayers every night. Love you!

On the agenda today...

I get to have lunch with Joy today! Yippie!!!
We met with her teacher last night, for conferences. I'm really confused as to why Joy is hating school so much and why she feels like she's being yelled at (or in trouble) all the time. Her teacher said she is great. Well behaved, liked by the other kids, has self-control.... not like she is at home or church!
There was nothing that pointed us to why she is always saying she feels sick or needs to stay home/go home.
It's a mystery.  I am concerned about it, but glad that her teacher has caught onto what she is doing, and makes suggestions for what might make her feel better.

This morning it was very foggy on our way to Cambridge. Now I know what they mean when they say, "as thick as pea soup"! I couldn't see more than one car up! The sun is out and shining now, so it should all be gone soon.
 I have to get reading on two books I'm reading for class. One is The New Jim Crow, by Michelle Alexander. It's a tough read because I don't agree with her right at the beginning of the book where she claims that our judicial system and incarcerating blacks at a disproportionate rate are the way America has started a new caste system.  We will see if she can convince me.
The second book is Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis. It looks pretty good.

Happy things...

So, I have a new job, I'm working at a group home for handicapped people. I work every Friday, which is kind of neat because then I get to go with them to go to practice for Special Olympics, basketball.  I heard this is the first year they are offering basketball to these guys. It's pretty cool.  I saw a lot of great players there.

It's a pretty good job to have since I have to work. It fits our schedule really well, also it's doing stuff I am already doing now. It will be great on my resume. Also, we decided when we bought this house to do "whatever it takes" to make it happen. And this, apparently, is whatever it takes. But it's so worth it! We are so happy here! Some days I am struck with a great feeling of joy, especially when I drive down my driveway and look at the pretty land we have, and all the space around us. I love it! And it fills me with joy. =) The campus I go to school at now is so pretty too. It's on the Rum River and it's a new building. The classes are smaller and the building is very nice.  I never have trouble getting a close parking spot, which is very unlikely at the old campus. Sometimes I had to park about a half mile away, and walk in the cold and snow! So, can you tell how happy I am here!? VERY HAPPY!!!!

Today it snowed.  I am so happy about it! This whole winter has been brown and ugly and very depressing. Now, much of the ugly brown is covered in beautiful white. White is my most favorite color. It's clean and pure and full of hope. A clean slate, where many possibilities lie. I also love that at night the world isn't so dark.  I wish I had my camera with me today.  It's so beautiful.

Short news items...

I haven't had internet to write for a long time. Rats. Maybe more posts will happen now with having internet at school.
A few news items for us....
The kids got a new puppy, Duke, for Christmas. He started pooping worms last night. ICK! That makes me itchy just thinking about it. Got him and Buddy into the vet today for meds.
I have a new job, working Fridays and every other weekend. I'm working in a foster home for adults with disabilities. I like the job. It's a lot of long hours, but it's pretty easy work. It's just like being "mom" to the guys. I make their dinner, play games with them, make them do chores. Not unlike what I would be doing at home.
I have a new calling at church. 1st counselor in the Primary. I'm also in charge of Activity Days, boys, and have to do the activities for them until we have someone called. They tried to call Joel to it, but they were told that they can't touch him. They must have a calling in mind for him.... hmmmmm......
I have started a new semester at school. I have classes four days a week, and an online class. I'm doing 14 credits.  Yikes!  Can you say BUSY!?
Christmas was good. The kids had a good time. Josh knows about Santa now. I made him take a secret handshake and if he keeps it a secret he can be a helper next year.
We have basically no snow. This has been a really wierd and dry winter. I don't like it! I want snow! If it is going to be cold, at least let it be pretty with snow and not this ugly brown.

Update!

Oh I have so much I would have written about in the last few weeks, if only I had Internet, I would have! And now, I can only think of a few things to write about.
The move into the house went really well. I love our church! The men got our truck loaded up in one evening, and it was amazing. I didn't think our whole house would fit into such a small box, but they did it! They worked every piece like a puzzle, moving here, sliding there, squishing here and adjusting there, making it all fit. They were amazing! And then the next morning people from our new ward came to help us unpack the truck and they had it all out and in rooms in under 35 minutes! Then they also helped us put together beds and move around furniture. We are so lucky our church is such a service oriented well oiled machine! I can't imagine making the move without them. And JoAnne even brought us dinner so I could pack up our dishes and not have to worry about cooking. <3 Thank you friend!
I have the upstairs almost unpacked. Just a few more boxes in the living room need to be dispersed and tossed downstairs to be broken down. The kids all did their rooms the second day we were in the house, and that helped me so much. Plus, they got to make the choices about how their rooms should look. I got the kitchen unpacked this Sunday after church and that was a big deal. I have so much kitchen stuff! Oh and we need to put up shelving in our master closet and get the clothes boxes unpacked. Our closet is lined with cedar wood and it smells soooo gooood!
We have now seen one deer, heard pheasants, heard foxes, found fox poop and seen lots of deer tracks. I didn't know what I was hearing the other night and had to google YouTube on my phone to watch videos of foxes and coyotes and listen for the sound I heard. Turns out it was a red fox. Neat! Joel found a den out in the woods in an old log, so that makes sense.
We can't get internet at the new house for a while. We are out in the boonies and there is pretty much only one company that can offer us internet for streaming tv, I need my Hulu and Netflix! They came out the other day and told us that the antenna that came with the house needs a $129.00 part. Ouch. I was kinda hoping to spend that money on a water softener that takes iron out.  So now we are tipping scales. One side, internet. Other side, water softener that makes my water not smell like rotten eggs or chlorine. One is only $200, one is $5-600.  Decisions, decisions. In the meantime I am driving down to the campus to use their internet, which is how I am making this post today! :)
I am registered for next semester, but might make an addition if I can find a fun class to add.  Otherwise it's just 3 classes (11 credits) for me this semester.
Ummmm.... that's about all I can think of for now.
Oh! When you buy sheets and they are a bright color, wash them and rinse them several times before you use them! Jake got sent home from work the other day, and followed by his boss, because they thought he was turning blue. Turns out, it was just the new sheets I bought him that had bled onto him, lol! Love that kid!

Crunch

Click to see larger image.

Ouch!