Bragging Rights

I know it's kind of annoying when people brag about their kids, but I just can't help it. This week has been exciting.

Odessa passed off her back walk-over series and running front limber yesterday....I was surprised to know they had official names. She was happy because she got 2 big bubble gums.

Braunté was one of the sixth grade officers at her school this year and she was trying to decide if she should run for 7th grade class office. I guess each elementary school gets to send one officer and one peer leader to the Jr. High. The kids vote and the student with the most votes is elected the class officer and the student with the second most votes becomes the peer leader. Braunté didn't know if she should run because the officers are expected to attend all the sporting events and have a lot of responsibilities (and a $200 sweater). She really wanted to be a peer leader though, so she decided to go for it. Anyway, she missed being elected class officer by just 2 votes! (I told her we could have bought their votes by passing out treats, haha). She is pretty excited that she gets to be the peer leader. Isn't she lucky she has a mom who writes her speeches and a dad who records her back-up rap music for them?

And then today some people came from PAL camp to audition the sixth graders. I guess this is a special summer camp for "talented children" where 1-2 kids in each of several different categories are selected from each school to attend. They audition kids for the performing arts area and the teachers select the others. Her teacher told me Braunté would be invited and I was kind of hoping she could go under leadership, creative writing, visual arts, or math, but she was chosen in auditions as the girl to attend in performing arts! She was pretty surprised and so was I. I guess she can sing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" pretty well :)

p.s. her school play is this Friday night at 6:00, call me for more info. if you want to come.

Men vs. Women

The other night John and I were sitting in bed and I guess I made a weird face. He asked what I was thinking about and I had no idea how to respond. I had been thinking of about 15 random thoughts in the previous 30 seconds.............I forgot to make some phone calls, who drives carpool in the morning? I need to work on the school newsletter, I hope I remember to email those Young Womens notes to Stacie, I wonder where that paper went, I need to check on my mother-in-law, I should have played more with Tolkien today, I only have a few days left to get our tax information ready, I need to finish sewing Braunté's costume, when am I going to be able to make it to the grocery store? Did I lock the back door? I hope I don't forget to put those things in my bag, I didn't start the dishwasher, I signed up to work at the Book Fair tomorrow................

Mark Gungor "Tale of Two Brains"

So my dad sent me an email with this video in it and it's too true. I thought it was pretty funny. This video really explains a lot about issues John and I have had. I already knew how my brain worked and now I know what's going on in John's, but the question is, is there a solution?

Here's a typical day in the life of us, do you think John is in "the nothing box"?

Room

Finally, here are some shots of the new and improved laundry room. A special thank you goes out to Nate S. for help framing, John for wiring and and hanging walls and shelves and paying for everything :), Todd C. for help with the ceiling, Jeff C. for help with the tile and to Adam H. for the hours of countertop intallation!

Although sometimes I look at it and think it's definately not a professional remodel, it's still far better than the cement walls and cement floor we started with. It's been interesting learning new skills and I'm proud of myself for designing the layout and getting it done. Now I have room for some of my stuff!








































I also miraculously cleaned my office 2 weeks ago! I actually have a floor. I should have taken a before picture so you could truly appreciate this. Now I have room to walk!

The next projects in line? 1. get John to put the bathroom sink back together 2. get john to stay home for a day and finish the coat rack/bench for the laundry room 3. clean out the family room and move the office stuff in there 4. remodel the office for Braunte' so she can have her own room!

2 Tag

2 favorite names: Braunté & Sofia

2 favorite months: September & April (because I am so ready for Spring)

2 favorite foods (and you can't say Pizza): most anything Italian or Mexican

2 favorite nuts: cashews & almonds (mostly when in an Almond Joy)

2 favorite stores: Wal-Mart (I know it shouldn't be, but look at the prices!) & any craft store

2 favorite activities: scrapbooking & reading

2 favorite huggers: Johnnyboy & each of my kids when they were the baby

2 favorite conversationalists (besides spouse): I can't pick 2...my mom (the most unselfish person in the world) & Shaury (who thinks like me) & Jennifer (I look forward to playdates) & each of my brothers (they can make me smile no matter what mood I have been in)

2 people to tag: Laura (I'd like to know more about you) & Tara (because she'll actually do it)

Braunté-Girl

Today was Jr. High pre-registration. Tough choices....pre-algebra or algebra, Spanish or German, choir or art. I can't believe my little baby is growing up.

She's gone from this....

to this...and now to this, in such a short time... This last shot was at her Christmas dance recital 2008. Thank goodness she still only wears make-up for dance recitals. The video clip was at the Reflections Contest Awards Assembly at Roy Jr. High this month. The 6th graders had to compete against 7th and 8th graders. She earned an Award of Excellence in Literature and an Award of Merit in Visual Arts.

Change is good?

(written Nov. 26) I got a major shock last Sunday when the Bishop called us in to his office. I was pretty sure John was going to be Young Men's President. Nope, I was called to be the Young Women's President instead. I already miss being in Relief Society. I am so thankful for the relationships I made when serving with the presidency and I am in denial that it's going to end. I feel so overwhelmed at this huge responsibility and the most stressful part for me (right now anyway) is calling counselors. I really struggle with knowing if things I think are the Holy Ghost's promptings or my own personal judgements. Although change is hard, I look back on all the opportunities I have had to serve in the church and I have great memories of all of them.(updated Dec. 27) I have a great presidency. We have held a couple of presidency meetings and two activities. So far so good!

Tolkien's photography skills

I just downloaded the pictures off my camera and I think about 65 of the 360 were taken by me. I spent about 45 minutes going through and sorting/deleting pictures. Why? Because Tolkien steals my camera whenever possible and goes around the house shooting pictures. They actually aren't that bad and it's interesting to view things from his perspective. Lots of pictures of toys, close-ups of household items, the family photo on the wall at every possible angle, his feet and door knobs around the house. I also seem to be a common target (I deleted all the ones of my backside). Thanks to my awesome sister-in-law, Kendra, I finally used my photoshop! Here are a few of my favorites he took this month...