Sunday Quote of the Day

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. The fact is that most putts don’t drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just like people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, and most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is just like an old time rail journey ... delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."
— Gordon B. Hinckley

(emphasis added by me, but copied off another blogger.)

Violin -lin -lin

Connor, my big 5th grader, has the opportunity to play in his new school's orchestra. He has chosen to play the violin. We picked it up today and oh boy is that kid excited. He wants to start leaning NOW. I've always loved the violin, and I'm excited to see him learn.

What a day!

Wednesdays have always been pretty busy around these parts. Now that school is in full swing, they are even busier. Connor and Anna get out of school early on Wednesdays (1pm) so that necessitates another trip to North Salt Lake (there and back 3 times!) It's about 15 minutes each way. Fun times.

Today I got pulled over after dropping Tristan off at school. I failed to come to a complete stop. It's true, I did just do the rolling stop thing. I can't believe the police officer gave me a ticket! I can't even just call in and pay it either. I actually have to go to court. LAME. Go pick on someone who is really breaking the law.

Tristan only had an ok day at school. I guess he had trouble following directions when he was reading aloud during Science. The teacher's aide was really upset. I have some words of advice for her. "when you work with 13 and 14 year old boys, there are going to be days when simple directions aren't followed." thanks.

I was feeling kind of lonely today and actually wishing they would call me in to Substitute. I know now that I need to save my energy for everything that happens after school!

oh, I updated my book blog. there is a link to it over on the left of the page. I've read 6 books in August (and about 200+ pages of Shell Seekers but gave it up (yawn)). I've read some good ones this month, go check it out.

Also, please leave a comment if you are reading this. I feel like there are maybe 3 readers if I'm lucky. I'd like to know that someone out there is reading me!

Beginning of school tradition

We have a tradition of getting ice cream on the first day of school. Since the kids didn't all start on the same day, we decided to go on Tristan's first day and Connor and Anna's first full day (which was yesterday). We went to Leatherby's and got a sampler which is 5 different kinds of ice cream (with 4 spoons!). We had lots of fun but I had a hard time getting a good picture. I have some really goofy kids!

and then there were 3

So yesterday Tristan started 8th grade. Did you just read that? 8TH GRADE! (sorry for the blurry picture, we were running late!) We brought Connor and Anna to school, they start at 8:10. Tristan doesn't start school until 9:00 and their schools are only about 5 minutes apart. What to do for the 50 minute wait? Walk the track! Spectrum is next to a nature trail that surrounds a marsh. So we walked the track (1 mile) and then did the 1/2 mile ( a little bit of running was involved in the half mile). It was fun to have some time with just Tristan and I. So when it was time for school to start, I walked in with him. He said, "why are you walking with me?" then, "why are you in my classroom?" All grown up and doesn't need his mom anymore! He picked a sunflower for his teacher and put it on her desk. He had a good day, which made me very very happy!

two down, one to go!

Connor and Anna started school today. They had great days! They are lucky because they only had to go half a day. It was different because their classes were bigger (their classes at their old school were very small 12-15 students). Now they have a chance to make even more friends! The carpool was a little bit , ah, hmmmm... crazy and a stinkin' long wait, but with practice it will be better. Can't wait for tomorrow!

Due West at the Take Back Utah Rally

Today, Chris and I attended the Take Back Utah Rally. It was all about public land use. I probably wouldn't have gone to the rally, had it not been for the fact that Due West was performing there. But it was interesting and I learned alot.

The concert was really good. Chris left and went home to get the kids so they could watch too. They thought it was pretty cool that I knew the lead singer. Tim Gates was in my class in school. I knew him in middle school and high school. I remember him singing in talent shows in 6th grade and he helped me get interested in country music. It's so cool to see him following his dreams and doing so well at it. I really think they're going to make it big!

Thanks for an awesome concert guys!

summer is coming to a close

With only 13 days until Connor and Anna go to back to school, summer vacation is almost over! This is one of the first summers in a long time that I haven't been really anxious for school to start. I guess I'm a bit nervous because of the new school, and because Tristan is also getting a new teacher (she's new to his school and we've never met her). He ended the year in a negative way, so I'm really hoping he will be able to turn it around and have a great beginning to this year!

I talked about it in other posts, but I decided not to go back to work. I will only be subbing occasionally. I'm pretty excited about the situation, and hope to work 1 or 2 days a week max. We'll see how it goes. Who knows, maybe I'll get so bored at home that I'll call and beg to work! I'm hoping that being home more often will allow me to feel like I'm doing a better job doing my REAL job as a wife and mom. That's the most important thing for me to do at this time in my life. Plus, Chris is working out of town a lot more often lately, so I want to be home when he's home.

Connor and Anna have uniforms this year for school. It's been fun looking for all the needed items. I'm really excited to not have the usual morning drama of Anna changing her clothes 3 or 4 times and still not liking what she's wearing. Now I can just say "red or blue" and call it done! Connor's never really given me a hard time about his clothes. He's always been happy with an orange shirt and camo pants. In fact, one time he was with me when I was shopping and he said, just find something orange and soft and then we can go. Orange and soft are his only requirements. Unfortunately, orange isn't a choice for his school clothes this year, but he still has plenty to change into after school.

I still need school shoes for all 3 kids, but have decided to take them shopping individually. Tristan takes 5 minutes to pick out his shoes. 2 to measure, 1 to find a pair in his size, 2 to pay. then he is READY. TO. GO. Connor likes to look a bit longer and try them on and walk around, but he's usually done pretty quick too. Anna, on the other hand, would love to try on every shoe in her size and look at the next size too, just in case, and then try to get me to buy her more shoes, etc. So I do believe it will be easier if I just do it all individually this time. Wish me luck!