Home School Zoo Day

Cody made up a list of all the animals he thought he might see and put a line for how long they live and where they come from. He worked on it throughout the whole zoo and only missed about 7 animals on his 3 page list!

A peacock!

A spider monkey

Lubby liked the elephants... as did Bubba - they are his FAVORITE!

The ever-peeing rhino was a memorable attraction

Up close and personal!

The black bears were not hibernating as we thought they may be!

The baby giraffe is almost all grown up!

Petting a turtle in "Grandma's House"

"It's so cute Mom!"

him? not so much!

"Aunt Jenny would LOVE these!!"

hmmm.... not so sure I am likin' how big they are getting!

A little girl (probably 5 or so) turned to her mom as we were looking at these and said:

"Mom...remember them wise men? They forgot their rides!"

Bwahahahaha! It was so darn cute!!

A zoo keeper was showing off this gorgeous baby! We learned about how they turn their heads and what they eat... it was really neat!

Caleb waiting IMPATIENTLY for the train... LOL

"Is it really goin' to go Bubba?"

Dad & Em

"All Aboard!!!"

We had SO much fun at the Zoo!!!

Health & the Economy

The bug has passed. We are all feeling much better! Thank goodness! :)

The state of the economy has begun to effect our family. We are struggling like everyone else. We wonder what will happen next month, or even next week. We are at the mercy of this wave called a recession... and it sucks... really it does... but I have a thought. Or rather, my friend Maria shared a thought... a perspective if you will. And I have decided to fully embrace it!

If I spend my time reading the news websites, or watching the evening news with all the gloom and doom... and all the "Bailout" balogna... my heart and mind become negative and anxious. The media and even our *ahem* wondermous new leaders breed the very panic, sorrow discouragement and worry that is taking over almost everyone's mentality... and causing fear... which makes us all stop spending... which makes it worse... etc etc etc

And so... here is my goal... my hearts desire if you will. I am giving up being "in the know" by watching the news everyday. I am giving up being stressing about it, and dreaming about it, and letting it fester inside me. Besides... tomorrow they will just contradict themselves anyway and things will be just the oposite of how groom and doom they were today... but something else will be the gloom and doom. I am embracing the world around *me* right now... and it is not such a bad place to be.

Maybe that is sticking my head in the sand. Maybe that is not how a democracy should work... but has it been working the last decade? Maybe that is not "the right thing to do" for someone else....I mean really? The greedy lawyers/CEOs and the finatics are the ones leading this country right now... and I am not sure that is where *my* energy should be used. I feel like I am needed elsewhere...

I am doing THE most powerful thing I can do to help this country right now in my life as a mother of 4, home schooling 2, self employed twice over with a heart condition: I am praying. ;)And I am leaving it to Him. I *personally* can only control ME. And in my life right now... I need balance. I need peace. I need strength. And that can only come from Heavenly Father... and only because I am trying to live worthy of it. I must admit fully... that I am NOT sure I meet those requirements for the blessings on MOST days... but I am dusting myself off and trying again. I have to. My family needs me to. And it is NOT easy!

And so... I am boycotting the news. I dont want to watch the gloom and doom they spread anymore. I want to see joy in the neighbor playing with his daughter and listening to their giggles through my open window. I want to see the light in my child's eyes when he grasps a concept that has eluded him. I want to feel the arms of my strong and able husband around me. I want to cuddle with a little dog who loves me no matter what! I want to dance to the music in my soul!

Does any of this make sense? I guess I am chasing the law of attraction. If I think, feel, taste, hear, ponder and enjoy GOOD and HAPPY things... won't that bring more good and happy things to me and into my life? The trials in this life are "only but a moment"... "this too shall pass"... and we will be stronger for having lifted up our heads and hearts and not lost sight of our goals - to live in such a way that we can live again in the life to come. And I KNOW it will be worth it! And I HAVE to believe that! regardless of whether or not I can pay my bills or have work tomorrow... In 5 years, it likely will not matter that much if I stressed about it today. Faith. Not Fear. :)

The end is near....

We are all starting to be well again!! I am so dang excited!! WAHOO!!!

We all stayed home from church yesterday... well ok... Jess went to 6:30am Bishopbric meetings and Sacrament Meeting to count... but then we all crashed! LOL Half way through the day I got a phone call from the ER... Caleb's 24 hour test was positive. Yep. All 4 of the kids were positive for strep. Fer fun!

We were all too tired and too sick to go get his antibiotics (in Provo since no where around here is open that I know of!) ... and he seemed to be a bit better so I didn't ask anyone to go pick it up for us... and so he didn't start them until today. *sigh* SO... the good news is... tomorrow afternoon I will have kids that are no longer contagious!! ... the bad news is... I have to RE-deelpy disinfect all the surfaces and bedding that Caleb has still been touching since my deep clean. LOL! Yea mom! I am so thankful to be that mom! :) Really and truly I AM! (It could be worse! LOL)

All in all... I am reminded of one special nugget of truth... do not become forgetful/ungrateful for our health and strength... and to ask for continued blessings for it ... daily. *giggle* It becomes so easy to take it for granted... that is for sure! Thank you Father in Heaven... for that reminder and for our healing bodies. Truly... I am thankful. :)

Sign Ups and Library Run

We got Cod's all signed up for the classes at the Charter School. I have a few questions about it still... but will seek my answers tommorow.

Then we went to the School Supply store... there we browsed books and such and dreamed.

Cody and I BOTH want to learn to play the piano! I am so pleased! That was so exciting to share together! It gives me more incentive to watch KSL closer and see if we can find one cheap for now. :) I have dreamed of playing since I was a little girl. I could listen to the piano for hours! There was a book there on teaching yourself... and we both were like worms with our noses in the book. A new adventure to strive for... and save up for! *wink*

We then went to the library. I found 3 Home School books I wanted to research more on, we got 2 books on Season's and the Earth's rotation for the week, and I got our names on a list to get "Summer of the Monkey's" when it comes back in for me to read aloud to him and Caleb. I read it a long time ago... and have wanted to re-read it again. I am looking forward to it. :) Then I think we should read "A Wrinkle in Time"... that was fun as a kid to... I think he might enjoy it.

Any other suggestions for fun reading? Our shared reading time I want to be fun and involving.... for ALL of us 3... and remember... Caleb's is just shy of 4! LOL

Starting Again - Last week of Feb - Mon

Hi! We are back at it today! Yea! Caleb has finally been diagnosed with strep (longer strep test) so in 24 hours all will be on antibiotics and we are headed to a full recovery! :)

Today Cody has:
* Read for over an hour - started his next Fablehaven book
* Done 2 Math pages and we played a dice game - speed: whoever can total the numbers the fastest wins... I am not as fast as he is! ack!
* Done 2 Language pages and reviewed analogies & idioms. (that was fun! I like sarcasm! tee hee)
* Had a fun coloring activity. We had him draw something that make him feel relaxed... he drew a detailed picture of a camp fire... including him looking relaxed... which turned out to look more like he needed to pee... we laughed and laughed!
* He also:
- played with the Leap Frog Letters and Numbers with Caleb and helped him practice some
- watched an episode of "Modern Marvels" with Dad - about Carbon. He learned how pencils are made (one of his desires! wahoo!) and more about the process of coal and it's use.

Now that lunch is over we are headed to sign him up for some classes at a local Charter School where the homeschoolers in our area meet, and to the library... he is ready to start some research on the change of seasons and the earth's rotation!

We also need to get some books on animals as we are heading to the Zoo on Wednesday for the Free Homeschooler's Day put on by our local Zoo. :)

Thankful for some Sunshine

What an awful few days we have had! :( Apperantly our little family likes to defy the odds and try new things. (ha ha) The Dr's said we "could not" have strep because it doesn't present with a cough! And then that "fevers from strep should be gone within 24hours on antibiotics"... well Cam kept his for 3 days! Our little family has not been well since last monday!

Ugh! So all 3 of the older ones ended up with strep... though because of some timing and confusion at the Dr's office, they only have *all* been on antibiotics for just shy of 24 hours now. All the kids have ALSO had a viral chest cold (yipee)... which: in taking my grey/blue 3 yr old to the ER yesturday, they said was Bronchitis/RSV. Joy! LOL! (Luckily we could medicate at home and he was not admitted! blessings!)

They have all been *really* sick. We have had coughs, aches, pains, chills, sweats, vomitting, blue spells, tears and sleepless nights. Add that to the fun of endless breathing treatments, and an array of various medications (I had to keep a list to know when who had what! ack!) for the last 4 days... and oh boy! Jess and I were bolted awake by a puking toddler at 4:45 am today... and Jess carpet cleaned my bathroom carpet and bedroom walk way at 5:00am while I coddled a 103 temped little man who only wanted to cry and cry. Good times. Good times.

And then to add to the fun: *I* started with fever, bodyaches, painful cough and extreme fatigue yesterday morning. *sigh* We have been a barrel of fun this week!! LOL!

So... Our first official week of Home school has been delayed somewhat... which is one of the blessings of Home schooling anyway...right? We aren't behind... we will just begin where we left off!! *grin*

This afternoon, those on antibiotics, though still contagious, are finally feeling a bit better, so they have been quietly playing outside in this lovely 50 degree weather and sun we are finally being blessed with!! WAHOO!! I have opened windows throughout the house and lysoled/clorox wiped til I can barely stand to move anymore (and of course my tylenol wore off! *giggle*) Yea... for me!! I am going to go take some more tylenol and lay down in the quiet! tee hee hee! I will tackle the puked on couch cushion later...

Thankful for Sunshine! :)

What an awful few days we have had! Apperantly our little family likes to defy the odds and try new things. (ha ha) The Dr's said we could not have strep because it doesn't present with a cough! And that fevers from strep should be gone within 24hours... and Cam kept his for 3 days.

So all 3 of the older ones ended up with strep... though because of timing and confusing at the Dr's office, they only have *all* been on antibiotics for just shy of 24 hours now. All the kids have ALSO had a viral chest cold... which in taking my grey/blue 3 yr old to the ER yesturday, they said was Bronchitis/RSV. Joy! LOL! They have all been *really* sick. We have had coughs, vomitting, aches, pains, blue spells, tears and sleepless nights. Add that to the fun of endless breathing treatments, and various medications (I had to keep a list to know when who had what! LOL) for the last 4 days... and oh boy! *I* started with fever, bodyaches, painful cough and extreme fatigue yesterday morning. We have been a barrel of fun this week!!

So... Our first official week of Home school has been delayed somewhat... which is one of the blessings of Home schooling anyway...right? We aren't behind... we will just begin where we left off!! *grin*

This afternoon, those on antibiotics, though still contagious, are finally feeling a bit better, so they have been quietly playing outside in this lovely 50 degree weather and sun we are finally being blessed with!! (Yea... for me... I am going to go take some more tylenol and lay down in the quiet! tee hee hee)

We will comence again with our studies Monday Morning! ;)

Day 2

Today we have lost a bit of momentum...but with good reason. :)

We took Cam to the Dr. last night, and despite no tonsils, the boy has strep. This morning Emma & Caleb both aren't feeling well and have fevers.

Today Cody & I started with some timed math sheets, a reading exercise and 2 grammer pages. He read his Fablehaven for about an hour... and he started to say he was really tired and didn't feel well. Took his temp and sure enough 102 temp! Yeah sweetheart! I think you dont feel good! He was really torn between being sad to cancel the rest of "school" and thankful to just go curl up with the other 3 and be sick in front of a movie.

So... we did SOME school... but the day is a wash. Tylenol, Motrin, Benedryl and breathing treatments... that is the regime for this day. And maybe some antibiotics if not better tomorrow. :) So fun!

Day 1 - Continued...

Cody called me in to see what he had been working on.... I am IMPRESSED!

This is the sorting cycle of coal....

How's that for creative and fun??

First Day of Un-School

We have had a great day! See our Homeschool blog for more details!

Cam is home sick... fever and sore throat... AGAIN. :( Poor baby boy. He is eating and drinking though... so we are just fluiding him and watching him for now.

My computer is STILL in the shop... but I called today and they said it was on the slate to be worked on TODAY. I am almost holding my breath. I feel so out of wack on this laptop... and I miss *my* settings and automatic log-in's etc etc. Ahhh... I can't wait!!!

Day 1 - Second Half

We have had SUCH fun! After lunch, since we couldn't go to the library with a sick Cam, Cody started reading out of an old encyclopedia about Coal. He has taken all kinds of notes and written *more* things he wants to learn from the info he got out of it on coal! We have decided we want to visit a coal mine and get some coal to try some experiments with. Did you know that coal floats? that is how they sort it out from rocks! (purty cool dude!)

Then he read his Fablehaven book for about an hour. I went down and was cleaning the kitchen when he came down with one of his Activity Books. We did a science experiment!

Meet Cody the Penny Washer!! LOL
We took vinegar and salt and mixed them until it was clear...

Then we added dirty pennies to the water... (Caleb LOVED this!)

After a few minutes he took half of them out and rinsed them with water. The other half he laid on a paper towel without rinsing. The ones that were rinsed stayed pretty and clean. The ones not rinsed started to darken and turn blue-ish green as the air made *another* chemical reaction. It was really cool!

I was most impressed that the older the penny... the shinier it could become! Makes ya wonder if newer pennies are not all copper!

The shiniest of all was this 1960 penny!

Next time we are going to try dimes and nickles and see what happens! (we emptied out our solution before he thought of it... and his momma needs to get more vinegar! LOL)

Now he is playing legos with Caleb and creating his own layers of coal with them so he can teach his Dad when he gets home! *GRIN* Most of the ideas of today came from HIM! I have done litle but support him and ask questions... he loves being able to teach me what he has learned!

He came up to me earlier and said he felt like this was "the opportunity of a lifetime"! He wanted to know how long he could be homeschooled because he doesn't want it to end! :)

First Day of Un-School

LOL! Ok ok... so we aren't following the Unschooling Method very well yet today... but hey! No one's perfect! (tee hee)

So far today Cody has:
* Cleaned his room in the house (living room) and done his chores
* Dressed & breakfast, as well as got the other kids out of bed, Emma off to school and got Caleb dressed! (And I got a shower because of it! Thanks Bubba!)
* 2 pages of Math - Place values & a dice game
* He has read to me his story he had been working on at school (wow! I have an amazing detail writer on my hands! And his reading abilities are phenomenal! I was entranced while he was reading!) and now he is writing the next chapter! :)

We have covered: reading, writing, math, grammar, problem solving (he has been worried about his pencil box being left at school and he shared all the ways he thought of to get it back (ie; asking different friends etc). WAHOO! It's not even 11 am! *giggle*

We were planning on a big library trip today & possibly a trip to DI for a book explore, as well as creating our daily logs and getting our timeline/Goals set up - but Cam is home sick (again!) and my computer is still at the shop! So were are improvising today. :)

Our next project: He wants to start his research on how coal is turned into energy. Science here we come!

Google Me

Here’s how it works: Google “[your first name] needs” and share the first 10 results.
That's it: it is that simple.
But be honest! Anyone else want to play?
Here is my list:

1. Heather needs two therapists
2. Heather needs a childhood.
3. Heather needs something more to be satisfied.
4. Heather needs something more to be satisfied--preferably Pierre with that tall, dark, mouth-watering body of his, and those come-to-bed eyes. (ACK!)
5. Heather Needs Help Video on AOL Video
6. Heather doesn't need two mommies.
7. Heather needs to be herself and grow up.
8. Heather Needs Some Body...Guards.
9. Heather needs lots of breath mints.
10. Heather needs my help, she is depressed without me.

Holy Smokes! That was funny! Most of them were about Heather Locklear! Bwahahaha

Homemade Laundry Soap

So... my good friend Suzie (http://throckmortontattler.blogspot.com/2009/01/coupon-clipping-cloth-diapering-and.html) taught me how to make laundry soap the other night:
It was SO easy and fun! And it smells lovely and clean!

Here is my 1st load of laundry using my homemade laundry soap! I can't wait to see how it turns out! *GRIN*

Emma in Wax Museum

Emmalee as Emma Hale Smith.

Blogging time

It is time I stepped up and blogged a bit more! LOL! I have not posted yet about Cam's birthday, & I have skipped quite a few things! I am going to try and do better! *GRIN* (Been a little preoccupied lately with getting our homeschooling plans in order.)

We start tomorrow! :) Cody is SO excited!! Our office is almost all prepared... minus one huge item: my computer!! ((waaaaaa)) I am so sad! Today is day 12 that it has been 'at the shop'. And they still haven't even looked at it!! (grr!) We qualify for free labor at PC Laptops because it is a Totally Awesome computer... but appearantly we are not a priority by any means. They told us worst case it was going to be a week. Yeah. Uh huh. Day 12?!! Jerks.

I was considering getting a new desktop from them when our next purchase is needed... but I will not now. They have lost my respect. To not even have STARTED on it 10 days after dropping it off?? And they say it won't be *started* until WED of this week!!! I am so so so bummed. And lost! ACK!! I have no idea where our finances are, I can't make up any of the bills I need to, I can't work on my primary stuff, and most importantly... my homeschool stuff is ON MY COMPUTER!! We are going to be starting school without any of my resources prepared. (grr!) Blast PC Laptops. They suck.

On a brighter note, Jess has a couple of small jobs today. And one tomorrow. He has not really worked in over 3 weeks now. I am starting to get a little worried. Some of our bills are coming up on 30 days late... and there is nothing I can do. Dang economy! I just keep putting my faith in tithing, fast offerings and Heavenly Father. That is all I can do. We have our food storage. And well... aside from all our resources being fully tapped now... we aren't in poverty. We still have clean water to drink. We still have food to eat. We still have a roof over our heads. It will all work out... somehow. :) It just *has* to. Faith without fear is my goal! *WINK*

Scripture Cookies

Many requested this recipe... so here it is! Have fun!

“Kitchen Krafts: Scripture Cookies,” Friend, Aug 1989, 22

To find each ingredient, look up scripture reference and fill in blank. Some clues are subtle, so check list of ingredients on bottom of page before making cookies.

3/4 cup “The words of his mouth were smoother than ____” (Ps. 55:21)
1/3 cup “Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy ____ and honey” (2 Ne. 26:25)
1 1/2 cups “To what purpose cometh there to me … the ____ ____ from a far country?” (Jer. 6:20)
2 ___ “As one gathereth ____ that are left, have I gathered all the earth” (Isa. 10:14)
2 cups “And Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty measures of fine ____” (1 Kgs. 4:22)
1 teaspoon “Take thou also unto thee principal spices, … and of sweet ____ half so much” (Ex. 30:23)
1 teaspoon “Ye are the ____ of the earth” (Matt. 5:13)
1/2 teaspoon “The kingdom of heaven is like unto ____ (Matt. 13:33)
3 cups “Nevertheless, … ____ for the horse” (D&C 89:17)
1 cup “And they gave him … two clusters of ____” (1 Sam. 30:12)

1. Beat first four ingredients together.
2. Mix in remaining ingredients.
3. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet.
4. Bake at 350° F (175° C) for 15 minutes.


Notes

3/4 cup butter, 1/3 cup milk, 1 1/2 cups sugar (sweet cane), 2 eggs, 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (leaven), 3 cups oats, 1 cup raisins.

I love you

I mean it! I love you. Valentine's day tomorrow or not, I have so many people in my life that I love... each of you my dear friends, family and neighbors included.

And with this note of affection - I want to add there will be no flowers, candy or cards sent your way. It is not that I don't love you! I DO! I am just feeling a little bit commercialismed out.

I have been thinking about holidays, and why Thanksgiving is "my favorite" and it came down to this: It is the only holiday widely celebrated by no gift "requirements". At Thanksgiving we can share traditions and good times with friends and family and make memories. It isn't all about gifts.

And then it lead me to my next thought - I don't have a "favorite" holiday... I like them all!! Sans the gift "requirements". Giving gifts should be an option... not a requirement! My sweet husband should not have to run into the closest grocery store on the way home to find the flowers that cost double their normal price and a card that would be MUCH more appreciated and received on Tuesday... say the 8th of March. KWIM? I would be THRILLED with a gift like this on a random, stressful, NORMAL day...instead of it being his "obligation" from the printed writing on the calendar.

I feel the same about Mother's Day and Father's Day..and Easter for that matter! Enough with the endless giving of gifts... Let's hang out! Let's make yummy food we all love together! Let's share stories of the past or play a game. THAT is what makes a holiday a holiday for me.

Do you know what Jess did for me for Valentine's Day? It was THE BEST "gift"!! He did something around the house that was *my* idea and project. He didn't really care about it getting done or not... but it thrills me that he did it! He moved the phone line from one side of the kitchen to the other!! Now the counter space by the fridge is "the desk" area and I have more food prep area! And I couldn't be happier!! *GRIN*

And so... today... as I thought about the holiday tomorrow... I decided something:

I made Caleb's favorite lunch today, and invited his close-by neighbor friends over last minute to join us. I made some cupcakes and we had a pink treat! that's it. That is my gift to Caleb.

I made the other cupcakes for my older kids. That is it! We will be playing games together and it will perfect! I also am writing each of my children an appreciation letter. And that will be their Valentine. Life is good! ;)

For Jess, we are having dinner with close friends, and then I have a new apron... and I will serve some great treats (homemade) after the kids go to bed... and he will be thrilled *GRIN*. And I will express my deep appreciation for him and his love and support the last 15 years of my life as well.

Valentine's Day is about loving those that are in your life and celebrating them! I am gratefully boycotting the commercialism that is taking over our society. I am taking Valentine's Day back!

And so... MY LOVE TO YOU ALL!! I appreciate you all sharing this journey with me. I hope you have a wonderfully joyful Valentine's Day!! (((MUAH))

Sweet finds!

We found a set of office chairs on KSL for dirt cheap! And I also found both the Home Schooling books I wanted my own copies of used on Amazon for a grand total with shipping of $15. YEA!

Jess got Cody's desk moved to the office, and it is almost all set up. He also has repaired the light/fan combo in the office and so it is going to get put back together tonight.

Today was my last day with no kids (Caleb was at Preschool). It was bittersweet - but joyful too. I went to the temple and did initiatories. It was a perfect ending of my "days off" for a while.

Cody is sitting at this desk as we speak - workin' away. He has already started a few of his research desires...

This is going to be FUN! *wink*

Tagged - 60 Things About Me

1. What time did you get up this morning? Around 7:30 - go me!
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds - April baby after all!
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Bolt with my kids & the Wilkey's (Thanks for comin' Maria!)
4. What is your favorite TV show? CSI, or Good Eats, or Unwrapped, or How it's Made, or Extreme Home Make-over
5. What is your middle name? Leilani
6. What do you usually have for breakfast? Oatmeal w/honey a little milk, or granola cereal
7. What food do you dislike? Spagetti-O's - puked 'um once when I was a kid and they STILL smell like barf to me! LOL
8. What is your favorite CD at moment? Dont have one - my CD player in my car is broken, and my computer's sound card is fried
9. What kind of car do you drive? Ford Expedition (my dream car)
10. Favorite Sandwich? hmmm... Turkey Bacon Avacado? I like BLT's too
11. What characteristic in people do you despise? I try not to despise much, but I guess it would be Disrespect of others and the world around us
12. Favorite Item of clothing? Sweat pants & T-shirt - it means I have no where to be and I can putter around my house :)
13. If you could go anywhere where would you go? Hawaii, England, or Ireland
14. Favorite Brand of Clothing? Ones that dont cost much, but fit nicely
15. Where would you retire? On the beach
16. What is your most recent memorable birthday? My 30th - Jess got a hotel room in SLC, we went to the Melting Pot for dinner (holy smolly Y-U-M!) and our dear friends, the Smith's, came up and got a room too & we played cards and hung out until we couldn't keep our eyes open anymore. The next day we went to the SLC temple together. It was a lovely low key weekend! (otherwise birthdays kinda suck for me - but it's all good ;) )
17. Favorite sport to watch? anything my kids are playing
18. Shower or Bath? shower - I cant soak in my own dirt - ewwww!
19. What color is your kitchen? It is light brown, with maple cabinets. I like burgandy's and dark browns to accent it. :) I also have a slight Americana color scheme going on... LOL
20. When is your birthday? April 7
21. Are you a morning or night person? HOOT! I am SO not a morning person!
22. What is your shoe size? 7.5-8
23. Do you have pets? Yes - two sweet Yorkie's (Sophie & Zoey), a tankful of freshwater fish, my daughter's hamster and soon to be: my son's Beehive. We are also considering chickens?
24. Any new & exciting news you'd share? One more week until I officially have Cody home with me and we are Homeschooling! Gettin' more excited every day!
25. What did you want to be when you were little? A mom for as long as I can remember, as a teenager I really wanted to be a fight attendant - international if possible!
26. How are you today? Weird question. I'm good! I feel joyful. :)
27. What is your favorite candy? wow! just one? Chocolate & Caramel covered pretzels. yum!
28. What is your favorite flower? All color Daisies, but white daisies with red roses are my all time fav!
29. What are you most looking forward to this year? Each day I am given *grin*
30. What is your favorite pastime? Spending time with Jess and the kids, camping, reading
31. What are you listening to right now? Wonder Pets on the TV and silence otherwise (oh! guess that means the washer is done - better go rotate the wash!)
32. What was the last thing you ate? a Chocolate/Butterscotch Chip Cookie (yum!)
33. Do you wish upon a star? Always on shooting ones!
34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Blue
35. How is the weather right now? Very cloudy, cold
36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today? Wells Fargo. ugh.
37. Favorite drink? Water
38. Favorite restaurant? Melting Pot; then: Carrabas (DIVINE!), Sizzler, Ruby River, Pizza Factory, Olive Garden, etc.
39. Real hair color? Brown with grey streaks (Jess used to call me Rouge)
40. What was your favorite toy as child? Stuffed Dog named Beggar
41. Summer or winter? Summer
42. Hugs or kisses? Hugs - but not too tight!
43. Chocolate or vanilla? CHOCOLATE! LOL
44. Coffee or tea? Neither thanks
45. Laundry Soap? Tide with April Fresh downy (though Suzie I really want to learn to make some homemade with you!)
46. When was last time you cried? Teaching sharing time on Sunday
47. What is under your bed? Totes with all the wrapping paper & supplies
48. What did you do last night? Watched Extreme Home Make-over & then "The Secret" with DH & kids
49. What are you afraid of? Spiders, snakes, scorpions, and funny enough - bees. LOL
50. Salty or sweet? For my heart - salt. For my mood - sugar. LOL
51. Keys on your keychain? Expedition, House, Mail box + a little red hat & a stretchy wrist thingy
52. How many years in your job? Almost 12 years being a mom, and 14 years being a wife, almost 2 years being an Office Manager for JWD Electric & almost 3 years being a Realtor
53. Favorite day of the week? Sunday (church & the Sacrament, down time from housework, visiting family & friends, napping & spending time with DH & Kids)
54. How many towns have you lived in? ummm...I dunno... I do know: Coronado, CA, Fredrick, MD, Orem, American Fork & Spanish Fork (could be more when I was little)
55. Do you make friends easily? I think so.
56. What's on your agenda today? Ironing. Fisnish the office re-arrange to make it school friendly, plan FHE
57. Do you know what you are having for dinner tonight? DH has requested German Meatballs
58. What makes you happy? Peace, honesty, openess; hanging out with family or friends; my testimony & knowledge of eternal families
59. Where is the furthest you have been from home? Mexico
60. Who do you tag? Everyone who reads this and wants to do it! :) but they have to reply to this so I can go read their answers!

My heart is sick...

We had to send the following email tonight:

I wanted to share my outrage and utter disappointment at a situation that happened at the Beekeeping 4H class I took my 9 yr old son to tonight. During the presentation, the instructor attempted to bring up a picture of a bee swarm to show the children, and instead brang up two seperate photos of nude women! I am VERY hesitant to allow my son to continue this class, but as his heart has been set on beekeeping since age of 5, I find myself quite torn. Should the instructor bring up any further INAPPROPRIATE material, I will be notifying the proper authorities immediately! And should he be the leader for the regular clubs following this class my son will not be attending. The instructors reaction to the "accidental" images was LESS than heartfelt or apologetic for what may now be seared on my sons memory for life. I thought you should be made aware as I was not positive your 4H representative was in the room at the time, nor could I catch her for comment after class. Please contact me if you have any questions. (801-836-8726) Jestin Dorius

Better health & now a sense of mourning...

This morning as the sun rose, Heather Dorius, of Spanish Fork, arose from her bed free from the grips of the awful ailment that has been plaguing her. Her family was jubilant as she joined them for breakfast, able to swallow each well chewed bite with little discomfort. She has gone about her day disinfecting the house and all washable surfaces, as to prevent the spread of this horrible illness.

In the early to mid afternoon, Heather sat down at the computer desk in the office and discovered to her dismay, the family's almost 9 year old computer will not turn on. It has given some warning signs the last few months; turning off at random and locking up, however these symptoms were noted and slightly disregarded.

And now, as the afternoon passes, a deep sense of longing, sorrow and mourning are overcoming this overworked, under-paid Spanish Forkian. The torment at the thought of the 100's of photos lost, of documents that must be re-made to make their business's function, and most of all, for the months of reconstruction and hours that must take place in order to recover some sense of what the family's two business' did this last year as their Quickbooks records may be lost. Taxes!? Oh the anguish!

In lieu of flowers, the community is asked to donate their own time to backing up their precious computers.

(thank heavens for the laptop - I can at least do the bid that was emailed today! ack!)

My "mantra" on the right side of your screen...

So, I have moved the thought for the day from our family blog to this one - I was struggling with changing the daily thought over there for fear I would loose it - and it has made such an impact on my resolve and motivation in this homeschooling endeavor.

Find a purpose in life so big it will challenge every capacity to be at your best!~~ David O. McKay

What better way of reminding me that mothering this child of God is my purpose in life - and right now this is how God needs me to mother him.

I have to admit... Satan is playing on me. Last night I felt sort of a panic about my qualifications/abilities/desires/motivations to actually follow through with this - and possibly long term:

* What if my brilliant son falls behind because of me?
* What if I neglect to teach him something he needs to know?
* What if my health issues crop up again and we are left with failure?

Fail. Fail. Fail. He chants this in my ear. Really he does.

Which is why I am so stubbornly moving forward despite my deepest fears. This must truly be guidance from my Heavenly Father if Satan wants me to feel so despairingly about it in dark moments. And of course, the day I begin to struggle with myself about our decision, Cody wanders in with a new list of things he can't wait to start learning, and how excited he is; and being sick and sitting down I pick up my "Everything Home Schooled Book" from the library and the next chapter reviews my concerns. *Peace* It will be fine. It will be wonderful! I need to get to a Book Store and buy this book (OH! As well as the book Bubba needs for his Beekeeping class this Friday! Blast this sickness! I am getting myself behind! ack!) It has been such an amazing resource and is so full of websites etc I can gather support and resources from, it is a must have. I will use it again and again I believe.

We also have been invited to Free Homeschooling Day at the Zoo. One day in the last week in Feb Hoogle Zoo lets homeschooling families come for free... and they have worksheets and animal enrichment activities etc for the kids! Both Caleb and Cody will love that! I hope it is as nice and warm of a day as today was! *wink*

I have started some lesson plans. I have decided to "detox" Cody from traditional schooling the last two weeks of Feb by making trips to the Library, the used book store & making more lesson plans together. We also need to get our Home School log made up - one that he can fill out - and I would like to give him free reading time and time to finish the story he started at school that he is really looking forward to having time to finish. We will set up his study area and a basic daily schedule. He will be as hands on as I am in this - and I think the two week break will give him some down time from bells and schedules...

We are going to try mostly an eclectic homeschooling method: I want most of it to be the Un-schooling method, as I believe he will flourish the most on this system, but we all will do some Unit study, with some Workbook/Curriculum based study here and there. We are open to most of the learning styles and I am interested to see which ones fit Cody the best and with which subjects. Now...to only have him decide where he wants to start... LOL

I am getting more nervous and excited as the days go by.... what an adventure!

Adding to his list...

So, Cody brought me his list of things he wants to learn about last night... he has added quite a few... here is a small portion of the things that make him go hmmm....

* Why do we itch?
* How do you make or find diamonds?
* How is sunlight turned to energy?
* How do they make the internet?
* How does sunblock work?
* Is all cloth made from sheeps wool?
* What makes cars work?
* How exactly did the dinosaurs die?

Oh boy! Doesn't that sound like an absolute blast?? *GRIN*

"Emma Smith"

I am so proud of my Emmalee. Her 5th grade class does a "Wax Museum" presentation of people from American History. She brought home a list a month ago, and we discussed the options of who she could be; not Pocahantas - her best friend was being that, Shirley Temple? did we really want to try that hair?? (LOL). I asked her about her name sake... and she asked what I meant. I know that I had told her before, but I told her how I have such admiration for Emma Smith - the wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith - and for her faith and courage, and how we named her after Emma. She lit up! She had to ask special permission, but chose Emma Smith as her Special Person in History.

She has worked really hard in her study of Emma Smith's life. She has gained her own admiration and love for this great woman. And today they are doing the wax museum - and with her Aunt Millie's trek outfit on, she looks and feels the part!

If any of you have nothing better to do tonight... would you go and support my cute daughter at this event? It starts at 7:00pm at their school. I am still quite sick... and it breaks my heart to miss it... :(

Cody's Free Desk :)

Can't seem to find the joy...

It's been a rough few days. I was lucky enough to start some kind of ailment that gave me body aches, chills, extreme weakness & fatigue with a mild fever. I have felt just plain crumby. Today made day 4. My fever has been spiking quite high with little repreeve, and my throat hurts so severely I could not swallow - at all. Jess took me to the insta care this evening and the Dr., concerned that I was dehydrated and the effects it could have on my heart, gave me a pain med to relieve the throat pain so I can swallow. I tested negative for strep, but he said there is a virus going around that mimics strep. I barely gagged down my pain pill (with a few tears) and 2 hours later I woke up to be able to move my body without wanting to whimper, and I drank a glass of fluid without too much pain. It still hurt - but it was better. I would not wish this on my worst enemy. I have not been so ill in a long time... the joy is hard to find today. :(

FHE Scripture Cookies

We had so much fun last week... Cam was in charge of lesson & we played a scripture chase that gave us the ingredients to make cookies! It was a lot of fun!

Caleb loves his apron - and "heppen"