What's up?

I've been remiss in posting to the blog. I was telling Jeremy yesterday that this might turn into an every nine weeks blog; since each set of classes is nine weeks. I finished my Research Writing class and my Economics class yesterday. Tomorrow I begin Ethics and Business Information Systems. I've enjoyed school. I wish I had done as well in High School as I am doing now. I didn't do poorly in High School but it feels like now I am more focused and understanding comes more easily. I guess that happens with getting older.

Yesterday we had a party with the kids we teach in Sunday School. I had fun after the initial freaking out internally when the first two kids showed up late and the others slowly trickled in. I shouldn't have been surprised kids were late, I mean, we do run on Mormon Standard Time. We played Guitar Hero and Super Mario Bros. Wii. and the teenagers were nice enough to let Sariah, Becca, and JD play. They had a ton of patience with my kids. They are a really great group. I bought way too much food. I thought they would eat more. That's OK, more chips and dip and chocolate covered peanuts for me.

I am really excited for this week since not only do I start a new set of classes, but I also get to go to the Bon Jovi concert with Jeremy on Tuesday. Because of the concert on Tuesday, I am taking the day off Wednesday so I can sleep in.

Becca has a lying problem. Any idea how to get her to stop? She got herself in trouble at school on Friday and then continued to get herself in trouble this weekend. She has me at my wits end.

JD was upset today because the girls were playing Guitar Hero. I told him "I hate to break it to you buddy but you are too small for that game." JD says "I like to break it to you Mommy, I am a big boy." Can't really argue with that one, can I?

Sariah went ice skating with a friend from school Saturday. It worked out for me since I was happy to have one less kid while trying to write my final papers. She had fun, I'm glad she's made a good friend.

17 days to Disneyland! March is going to be a good month.

Smarty Pants

In December Rebecca and Sariah both received Honor Roll at school, as well as awards for Accelerated Reader. We are very proud of both of them. On the way out, we saw Rebecca's teacher from Kindergarten last year. She said "Rebecca's still a smart one, huh?" We found this amusing since last year we were constantly getting notes from her regarding behavior, Becca's ability to spell her name, and other concerns. This year she has teachers that understand her for the most part. Although she still has some behavior issues, I think she has done better this year. Sariah also likes her teacher, enjoys reading, and has made a couple of good friends. I think she is having a good time too.

Picking out the Christmas Tree (Yes, I know it's now February)

I am slowly but surely working on getting current with this blog. The thing is, nothing much happens where I take pictures except for around the holidays. I'd like to be the kind of person that takes pictures all the time but I'm usually busy doing something else. My parents and brother came for a visit a few weeks ago and I forgot to take any pictures. This picture here is of the kids at the Christmas Tree farm. They have fun when we go every year. They get to play with cousins that they don't always see. It's always fun for them to run around outside and climb in this tree too. The only thing is the reservoir behind the shed is always a temptation for them. It looks like a swimming pool and they always want to go over to. I'm sure one of these years someone is going to fall in.

JD thought it was great that this tree was as tall as he. He and Becca kept running around from tree to tree, trying to pick the best one. I never know which one to pick. They pretty much all look the same to me. I think we did pretty good this time. The tree was full, not too tall since our ceilings aren't that tall, and there weren't any noticeable bald spots to speak of. The most frustrating thing was that the branches are always too weak for our heavy ornaments every year.

The kids like to help Jeremy cut the tree down. They had a power saw this time around. I was nervous about little fingers but Jeremy was careful.

The group was a little smaller this time around than in previous years. Hopefully next time more people will be able to make it. Everyone always has fun, regardless of how many people.

Thanksgiving

What on earth was my son thinking when he decided to put my failed attempt at home-made mac and cheese on his head. And can anyone tell me how the heck to temper an egg without scrambling it? Or a recipe for mac and cheese that doesn't involve tempering?

Thanksgiving was nice. I bought a turkey breast from Costco that turned out very flavorful and juicy. Jeremy got his butt whupped by one of the missionaries playing football. He was sore for a week. The kids were good, although they were impatient for Jeremy to be home. It was nice to spend some time at home with the family. Oh, and we went to Wal Mart because while I was trying to print the failed mac and cheese recipe, the printer decided to run out of ink. So we got some Christmas shopping in too.

JD was not very happy in this picture. He can be temperamental sometimes. If he decides he's in a bad mood, he won't smile for anything.

This pic was taken earlier in the morning when he was in a good mood. He decided to line up all his stuffed animals on the couch to watch a movie.

I thought I took more pictures of the day after Thanksgiving and Mike and Cindy's, but this was all I could find. JD was really funny with Brian. From the second Brian got there, JD was stuck to his side. Brian was really good with him too. What a good uncle.

Sariah has been very helpful as she has grown bigger and become able to do things.

Halloween (only a few months late)

We celebrated Christmas with my parents, KC, Brad, and Jocelyn on Halloween since we wouldn't be able to see each other on Christmas. JD got some rubber insects and rats that they all just LOVED. They are really gross.

He must have tripped and fell like 10 times but he wouldn't let us hold his candy. I finally had to sneak some into my purse and pockets when he wasn't looking.

Here they are trick or treating at what used to be Becca's friend's house until they moved a short while afterward. I wish they still lived close. It was a lot easier having her come over.

JD was Batman for Halloween. The costume was a little small, but we made it work. He loved the cape and the mask, except for he got tired of the mask falling over his eyes.

Becca was a pop star. My favorite thing about this costume was that it was less than 20 bucks at Toys R Us. Halloween costumes are expensive. I wanted to do her hair cute and put some makeup on her. Between the baptism and the party that day, I was just too tired.

Here is Sariah, picking up JDs candy off the ground. Sariah was Hermoine. I bought her a wand, which Kilo ate a couple of weeks after Halloween. Dumb dog.

These is a family in our ward. They had spiders made out of glow bracelets hanging from the door and window. The kids really liked them.

Sariah's Party

After Sariah's baptism we had a party with the family at the house. Since her baptism was pretty close to her birthday and most of my family was there, we had ice cream and cake for her birthday. I made carne asada and spanish rice. I think it turned out to be pretty tasty.

Uncle Dan and Papa Boyd. Uncle Dan seemed to have a good time talking with Grammi and Mike about politics.


Jocelyn and Kyle came for the baptism. Unfortunately Kyle became sick while he was here and couldn't be at the party.


Here is Grammi and Grandma talking to my Mom. As you can tell from the shot of the entryway, there were a lot of people a the house.


Here are Brad and KC. I was glad that Brad was able to come, even though he recently started a new job.


Here are Pop and Jeremy


Sariah blowing out the candles on her birthday cake. She claims that she never actually ate any of her cake. I'm sure I gave her some though.

Here are Mom and I playing with JD. He has the funniest laugh, I love to tickle him.

This is my cousin Tracy and her youngest. For the life of me I can't remember her name right now, but she's a cutie. Mom, help with the name please?

Kilo really wanted to play with all the kids that were outside playing. My kids were having fun with Tracy's older girls since they are about the same age as Becca and Sariah.

Grandma Law came with my family. I was very happy about that since we haven't been able to visit since January and probably won't for a while.

I think everyone had a nice time and it was nice to see everyone. Sariah had a very special day and I know she felt loved.

Friends

I have never been good at making friends. I'll never forget 12 years ago when one of my friends told me that she thought I treated her condescendingly. She was one of the smartest people I knew back then; and although I only know what she's up to through her blog and Facebook now, she probably still is one of the smartest people I know. I never intended to treat her that way, but the damage was done. Other times I felt that people would pretend to be my friends and then make up excuses if I wanted to go do something, or make jokes at my expense.

Jeremy has a small group of loyal friends that he's had for a long time. However, since we've been married he's made very few new friends. I think it's a combination of being busy with work and kids and the fact that I no longer go out of my way to try to do things with people.

I have a point to all this I promise.

Between a gun-shy mom and a dad who just isn't worried about a social life, my kids haven't made many friends. Becca says she's friends with everyone, but there aren't really very many that she's ever asked to play with. Sariah (poor kid) is like a little mini-me. She looks very much like I did, she's book smart like I was, emotional, and small. She gets teased because she's small and too smart for her own good. JD is still too young to care. He does have a buddy at church though. Those two are like little twin terrors. I should get together with his buddy's mom; but being antisocial I haven't yet.

Becca has one friend at school that she REALLY loves. She writes her friends name all over everything, calls her, asks to play with her. Her friend used to live down the street from us and walk home from school. Becca would pretty much attack her with hugs when she would see her walking down the street. We all know how energetic Becca is.

Becca's friend called two nights ago and said she was moving. She was moving that very night. She said they would have the same number, but the next day when Becca tried to call, nobody answered. She wasn't at school either. Becca is a pretty plucky kid and didn't seem upset.

I was very upset. I want my kids to be happy and have lots of friends. It's hard to watch Sariah and remember how hard it was for me to have friends. I think that Becca hides how she feels a lot of the time. It takes a lot to make her really upset. I really wanted her to be able to keep that friend, but it looked like she disappeared.

Today Becca came home from school with good news. Her friend was back in school. Her mom decided not to pull the kids out during the middle of the school year. They are going to have a sleepover this weekend.

I think I was more excited than Becca. Now if only Sariah could get a friend to come over.....