Are You Serious???

No, Really...Where did my week go? Maybe it was lost in all the stress and frustration that I have put myself through this week. Or, maybe time is really just flying by. I can't say that I am overly sad the weekend is here, but, I would like to have accomplished a little more with my class this week. I guess if I can get them back on track this week, next week will be a breeze! One can hope.

When I got home today, my wife told me a funny story about my 3-year old. This is how I picture it:

My wife is working in kitchen and my son approaches her.
M: "I'm hungry! Hungry says I need a fruit snack!"
My wife: (laughing I am sure) "Let's get you one."

Wait 30 minutes

M: "Mom, Hungry says that I need some ice cream."
My wife: "No. Maybe when dad gets home."

The End

This little boy sure does give us some really funny moments. I told my wife we should start a blog and just post the funny things our kids say. But, then my posts would be really boring, so probably not.

I also wanted to stop and promote my wife a little. She and a friend got together the other day and did birthday card tutorials for her friends blog. The cards are way fun. Click HERE to see the today's card designed by my totally amazing and totally wonderful wife.

Well, I have been working on getting out Tax info updated again tonight. I think I am pretty much done until all the W-2's pour in from the various places.

Happy Thursday Blogland,

Later...

Sprinkler Fun and Friends from the Past

Disclaimer:
I hereby claim upfront that this is a total rip-off of my wife's posting- verbatim! Thanks honey! :) I do resume with a my own posting at the bottom of hers!

"We figured we'd better let the kids run through the sprinklers! I can't believe that summer is almost over and we haven't let the kids do this yet! Better late than never I guess. They had so much fun. It was nearing evening and so it wasn't too hot outside either. Perfect conditions. :)

Micah showing me his muscles. LOL

We didn't put Eli in his swimming suit because we didn't figure he'd really want to be in the sprinklers. Don't know what we were thinking. This boy is a water bug!

A classic Micah face when asked to smile for the camera! This boy cracks me up.It wouldn't be playing in the sprinklers without a little getting warmed up on the cement. The kids were making an "I" for Ian.It was a good summer day. This is what it's all about. John and I loved watching the kids be kids. Running, laughing and smiling and just having fun. The kids ended water logged and happy. We'll have to do it again soon!"

Ok, now back to ME!

I forgot to mention the other day that on the way home from my wife's reunion, we stopped in Springville and visited our dear friends from our Orem days. It was SO nice to see them. We hadn't been to their house in about two years. Boy, they sure had made some major changes- stairs off the back patio, gardens, flower beds, and oh yes, a new baby. Though the visit was short, it was wonderful. We miss them so much.

Then today, we had some friends from our college days come and spend the day. They had their four kids and we had our five. It was quite the adventure. We went to the geyser this morning and hung out for a while. Then we went to the city park and had a picnic and let the kids play for a while. An couple hours later we headed back to our house as it was too hot to stay at the park (not that our house was any cooler- lol. But there were at least comfortable places to sit). It was nice to catch up on each other's lives and relive some of the funny times we had at CEU and MESA State, and SUU. Funny that we were together at all three colleges. They decided to leave around 6pm. After they headed home we took my bulletin board stuff that came from Oriental Trading today to the school. I LOVE the theme I am going with this year. Thanks to my little sister (yes the one who does Utah Coupon Deals AND has her own web-design business) for making the headers. Here, I will even show you one and then if you click HERE you can see how I used it on my wikispace.

As you can see my theme is based around the Indiana Jones idea. I found a font that mimics the Movie font, found a little icon that had the map and hat that someone had created (I am using these for the name cards- I added each students name over the picture in the Indy font and color.) 

I have purchased the movie theme song and I made a power point for the first day using it that will be playing while the kids come into the room. I wish I could show the actual Indy movie in the first few weeks, to help them make the connection and get the worked up a bit,  but it is PG and would require parent permission to show- blah!

I think that this theme will work out really well. Anyways, I digress. So we took the items we had received in the mail to the school and while we were there, I helped the 2nd grade teacher print out a certificate of attendance from a workshop she had attended while my wife apparently helped the 4th grade teacher (Ms. D- my Masters Classes buddy) get items on the student's desks. We finally made it out of there (expedited by the bat that was flying around the gym. Even the secretary decided to head home when we told her about that! lol). 

We headed to my parents house for a few minutes to visit. It is nice to have them so close. It is also amazing how fast the kids can destroy their home- lol! We only stayed for a few minutes as the kids were "starving" and so we are now ready to eat dinner. That means I have to end this posting. 

One last note. I have spent a good chunk of time the last few days editing my short story I wrote a few years ago. I am planning on having it in published form (using Create Space- see posting above- AND if you haven't set up your free account- do it NOW!) and available for purchase. Not that I would push the sales on anyone, but I have had people ask if they could purchase it. It should be fairly cheap- like less than $7- so be looking out for that. 

I have to run, dinner is served... (it is sloppy joes, homemade stlye!)

Later...

A Relaxing Sabbath and A Birthday

Ok,
So I am going to be 1 year older tomorrow. I guess I can deal with that. My mom and wife went to my classroom this evening and decorated it. I am nervous to see exactly what has taken place! Whatever, It's all good.

I have driven my wife crazy these last few days. She wanted to know what I want for my birthday. I always tell her, "Nothing!". I truly mean that. We have enough financial stress in our lives without spending money on "stuff". She doesn't like that answer, but what I get never ceases to amaze me. I get a homemade book of the kids, or some other amazing scrapped gift. I love my wife. She is truly amazing. And the gifts she makes WAY out do anything she could have ever bought.

I gave my talk in church today. For more on that visit: LDSpointofview (one of my other blogs). The whole 3 hours of meetings went well. I felt like maybe what was said maybe made a little difference.

We had my parents over for dinner tonight. It was wonderful to have them here and let my children enjoy their grandparents. That has truly been one of the biggest blessings of moving back here. My kids get to enjoy something I never did- grandparents on demand. I hope they grow to love their grandparents. To cherish them, revere them, and follow their counsel.

Well, I need to read Little House on the Prairie to my kids before they head to bed in just a minute. I am signing off for now.

Later...

I Need To Brag About My Wife

Yep, it's true. I have the most amazing wife on the planet. Don't believe me? Just ask anyone who knows us and they will tell you that she is a very talented and amazing lady! Not only is she a scrapbooking guru and expert, she is amazing at crafting in general. And believe me, I fund some mighty amazing crafting. (I love you dear). Below is a small sample of what she will be selling next month at the local celebration here in town. We have rented a booth with my sister (http://www.petalspensandpots.com/) and I have a feeling that she will do amazingly well!

I think it is pretty clear how amazing my wife is. She even has people wanting her ideas so they can copy them and make money from them. Pretty tacky, but what ever works for them I guess. Just shows that she is even more talented than I thought. Everyday she completes a new set of words or several frame. Right now she is working on completing the words "baby". One in blue and one in pink. She will be doing "family", "love", "Joy", plus making many, many frames. Oh, she will even be doing some watermelon slices, and she already made a HUGE "summer" one. So much to brag about that I am rambling. So if you are in the area, swing by Melon Days and check out the goods.

I had to add this picture because 1) I took it and it is rare I get a good picture, but more importantly 2) It is such a great picture. I love this little 1 year trouble maker. He is INTO everything- and destroying it. We find things in the weirdest places (like the dirty clothes and even the toilet). Beware- he walks and opens!

Have a great day, and YEA! Michael Phelps won his 8th gold medal tonight! That was a close and exciting race. What an amazing athlete! Go America!

Later...

Another day has ended, where does the time go?

Greeting Readers,
Today was a GREAT day! I was able to do my presentation for my district. What made this even more challenging is that the district supervisor of elementary education came into watch and brought a bunch of other higher level administrators with him to watch. That was interesting. I enjoyed teaching the teachers, and I am glad that it is over and I get the chance to just attend this 3 day event as a participant now, and relax a little.
We had a great moment here in town today, the phones all went out- no credit card transactions in a tourist town- think about that. When I went to gas up the district car at the West Winds Truck Stop Several truckers were unable to pay for the fuel, but needed to get back on the road. It was causing LOTS of problems. My internet was also down- so that is why this is so late tonight.
My wife leaves in the morning. We got our van back. The mechanic said the car gave a code this time. It will require a $70 part, and he wants to be sure, so he said drive it this weekend and see if it does it again. Then he can check the code again and make sure it really is the correct fix for the car. I hate when cars do this. I stress out anyways, and don't need the extra stress- so I hope it gets figured out soon.
Well, since I have to be up and gone in 6 short hours, I better get some shut-eye. Have a great night-