pta convention 09

It's been a busy week for us all, I'm sure!

These last few weeks before school gets out- are jam packed with loads of goodness- plays, parties, college orientation (already?)

Plus, all the ol' regular activities- scouts, ballet... you get the idea.

Spring also brings- the Utah PTA convention at one of my favorite places in the whole world- BYU campus. Oh again... how I love that campus!

Yesterday I drove down by myself- I had to be there early & stay late for some legislative issues. The older I get the more I enjoy being alone with myself. Interesting... the younger me hated being alone & always wanted to be busy (well I guess that hasn't changed but I am doing better.)

I guess being in my 40's now- I'm finally coming to terms with myself & who I am.

(most of the time)

Brett was so great to work from home, get the kids off, be there when they got home- order pizza, the whole mom bit- he's so supportive of me always. I don't think I give him credit here on this blog enough- he is the best!

I found this fabulous parking spot right across the street from the Monte L. Bean life science museum. When Brett was in school I would take Megan & Brian there. It's full of taxidermy animals- kind of gross now that I think about it- but two toddlers loved it & it was free. The best price for our little college family. It was delightful walking down past the bell tower in the morning sun as the bells played "Come, Come Ye Saints."
And look at this-
Right down from my car...
loads & loads of blooming lilacs!!
I took this shot as I came around to the Wilkenson center. I love it. the sun is coming over the mountains, students walking & the Y in the background. Happiness. There is just a feeling here-

This year in PTA I am the region legislative representative. My goal is to educate & increase awareness of what the PTA locally & nationally does for children. Increase my own awareness & knowledge of local & national issues & use my voice to hopefully make a difference.

I love legislative issues, the legislative session, being at the capitol, etc. This position is a good fit for me & has made me excited to be involved on a different level.

At this meeting I was sitting next to my PTA friends, Charity & Natalie- (I should have gotten a photo) Charity was worried about here parking spot & left to move her car- I was of course telling her about my Fabulous spot near the bell tower- gush gush.
I met Janae for lunch- we shared a mint brownie- the verdict is in... hers are SO MUCH better! I feel so privileged to have experienced her mint brownies in real life.
Ms. Utah spoke- she was surprisingly excellent
Ryan Shupe & the Rubber band was there- they are FAntastic!
I went to three classes:
1. Legislative VP 101- been here before
2. Legislative VP- what is the National PTA's agenda
3. Protecting Children from Abuse
I checked out all the vendors trying to get fundraiser commitments, & I won a Marie Calendars Pie!! woo hoo- I didn't want to carry that around all day- so I called my newly engaged nephew Marcus aka: BYU student extraordinaire & he came & picked it up. I hope it was good, I don't even know what flavor it was!? Later I stayed & voted on this next year's resolutions.
As I walked back to my car... I saw something in the distance on my windshield?

WHAT THE???
how does that scripture go-
pride goeth before the fall
I guess I didn't see the "Y zone only parking" that was not clearly marked on the curb.
dang it!
When will I ever learn? I tell you I am just like one of my kids...
The good news?

I had a dinner date set up to meet Jill & this oh so fabulous Bacon, Blue Cheese Burger!

Jill is the best.

I talked and talked and talked my full blown head off & she was so GREat!

Jill is one of those people who just get it-

she is amazing & so warm & kind & even brought me Chocolate chip cookies!

I am so lucky to know her in REal life.

Thanks Jill!

I came home to find my two guys waiting for me.

Brett & Trent

What a great day

from the senate to the solar system

Yesterday was such a busy but great day.

I got up early & went with Karrie to PTA day at the legislature. I always love going to these things at the capitol. I just love being at the capitol & seeing all that is going on.

It's fascinating to me. Here is the senate floor. Karrie & I went into the House of Representatives for an hour or so, then to the Senate to see what was going down. After that we went to a class on what the PTA is supporting/not supporting as far as bills go. Interesting.

I wrote a note to my representative stating my point of view on a couple of bills & sent it in to the floor.

Pretty cool stuff!

One of the things I love most is the incredible art & architecture of the capitol building.

Oh, it is beautiful! Here is a shot of the ceiling in the Senate chambers.

It is really stunning & I love to walk around all that marble.
You just can't take a photo that does it justice.

Because of traffic & snow- (yes it snowed 2 inches... I told you we've got a while to go of this winter stuff) Brett drove us up & dropped us off, then picked us up early. We live really close to downtown. It only took 15 minutes but still- thanks honey :).

{Trent- The Native American Program}

We left early, before lunch with our representatives because

HOoray

Trent had his third grade Native American program.

I wouldn't miss that for anything!!

funny thing- Trent left the house with a white button down shirt & church shoes on. When we got there- he was in his tennis shoes & undershirt...? he said "that shirt was too hot & the shoes are uncomfortable" (just in case he had put his tennis shoes in his backpack)- hmmm, boys-
Lucky for me I have such great friends- Kristy saved us seats in the front row, right in front of the little, big guy. He was not too thrilled about his part in the square dance- dancing with a girl in the third grade is pretty much the most embarrassing thing ever. The cool dance to be in was the Bear dance...you know- all boys, with arrows, mimicking killing a bear, well not really but- you know? Of course, all parts in programs are important, but dang it's hard being a kid.

Later that night-

It was time for our monthly scout field trip.

This month I planned a REally special trip.

We went to the U of U observatory & earned the observatory patch.

It was so much fun! SERiously!!

I had six boys- again Brett came with me- and we went up to the top floor of the physics building on the University of Utah campus to the observatory. Up there a couple of Physics majors (astronomy minors) met us & showed us the brilliant night sky.

I unfortunately forgot to tell the boys to dress warm. BIG OOPS.

They nearly froze to death, but had a lot of fun anyway.

It was an unusually clear night with an amazing view of Venus right next to the moon. Through the telescope you could even see the craters on the moon. We saw a nebula, Beattle Juice, the big dipper, seven sisters- I think brett & I enjoyed it as much as the scouts.

That little sliver of white on the left is the moon.
The pictures here are not too good... but you get the idea.

Lucky for the boys I had some blankets in the car.

It was a Great but busy day.

I think those kind of days are my favorite-

even though I am glad it's over.

random

I have been trying to finish up some things around here & haven't had the chance to REally blog or read/comment on blogs. Sometimes life just takes over.

But I want to document a few things.

I took my scouts to the police station this week for a tour & then to get cookies at a bakery. They were really good. I found my old scout shirt from when I was Jack's den mother... 2000. It doesn't fit- like really doesn't fit. I'm talking 6 inches of open space. It's a scout jacket. I'm debating on keeping it as incentive to get rid of this extra weight or just getting a new shirt?

My word of the year necklace broke on Wednesday. Do you think that's a bad sign?

I have started posts on my word of the year over & over. I don't know why it's hard to document for me? I guess I am thinking it has to be this big deal- maybe because it is a big deal to me. But- my word, no surprise to those who know me (I had the same word last year) is CREATE. I have so much to say about this, why is it so hard to blog about?

Last week we fingerprinted & made plaster aparis imprints of our feet. some of the boys wanted to do it with shoes on/some shoes off. It was pretty cold & I was glad I brought wipes! Funny, secretly I would want to make mine with my shoe off too, so I let them.

My big project- okay, I have been doing Reflections on the council level- is almost done. The eight schools I have been working with are picking up their entries & awards today. Only one has come so far & the time frame I gave them to come is up in 20 minutes.... ? I. don't. think. this. will. ever. end. I love kids, I love the arts, I love kids & the arts & think it is so important for them. Thus I get myself into these things.

Yesterday was creative thursday. We celebrated Kristy's birthday & took her to lunch. Really great day. But, my camera battery was dead. Really not cool.

It is raining & I am so happy. I LOVE a rainy day.

Except for..... rain + dogs = mud.

Mud + the painted floor= mess. I hate the mess.

Yesterday Bronco peed on the carpet right in front of the door to go out.

Today he peed on the couch.

Animal cruelty is now a felony in Utah.

It's a good thing.

day at the capitol, hailey's day, & religious hair??

Today Karrie & I spent the day at the Capitol building. We went to the state legislative PTA conference. It was really great. We went to some fabulous classes on:Community councils, class size reduction, the state school plan- why we should have one- we don't, and gold medal schools. I really learned a lot & love being with such involved & educated women. We had lunch & witnessed some state awards given to two different people who happen to live in our school district- pretty cool.I love the capitol building. It is fantastic. I really need to go on a tour. I really want to go on a tour. I will definitely keep- going on a tour of the capitol- off my new years list for 2009- since I haven't done one single thing on my 2008 list....... (heavy sigh & rolling my eyes.) While walking to a class we spied this amazing room with the door open. We wanted so badly to go in. We discussed sneaking in & getting pictures of us sitting in the hot seat- hee hee hee. Then, noticed there were two people in there- dang. Surely we would've gotten in big trouble then kicked out of the building & kicked out of the PTA.

Cowards...

On the way there we drove by this bumper sticker...?

What in the world?

I didn't know the campaign was religious?

I won't say which is my candidate of choice,

(I think there are enough political blogs out there)

but I will say I think this is a very strange bumper sticker. Now I will also mention that the political sign in my front yard was stolen while we were in Wyoming... brett was totally ticked off. A neighbor brought it by tonight. He found it in his bushes.

Just to be fair- here's another bumper sticker we saw.

Strictly political, no religion attached.

I spent the whole first class listening intently & trying to get a good photo of the cutest haircut ever. This girl was so cute! I think I'm in love with her hair. Actually I'm pretty sure I am. I won't put her irritated, front face photo up. I think she may have guessed I was stalking her. I tried to find the right moment to tell her she had the best hair ever but didn't get the chance.

**

I got home before school got out- I ran a couple of errands- then took Hailey to a group piano lesson. While she was gone her friends came by to secretly decorate her room for her birthday. How fun!
When we got back from the lesson- I told her Chloe had put a birthday present on her bed. She opened her bedroom door & SurpRIse!! How exciting :)
What thoughtful girls! Good friends are such a blessing at every age.

We had our first of two birthday dinners.

The second one is Sunday when Megan & Tony can come down.

Jack had a rugby meeting- he is the captain this year-

so he had to skip out after the present opening.

She opened her presents- spoiled ;) -then- I told her about the girl with the great hair. She said- oh ya that's called the Mormon A line cut. What the world, again? Hairstyles religious too?

what's this world coming to?

Do YOU think this bumper sticker is weird, or am I just off?

Should I get my haircut like this... I really want to- but- Mormon A line? Have you heard of this?

Am I going mad? I think I need get some sleep for once!

2 busy 2 blog

Okay- I've had three phone calls now "checking on me" you guys are great!

Yes I'm good- Yes I'm way over my head busy right now with PTA stuff.

and Yes I haven't blogged since Sunday.

But-- I went to the doctor yesterday &

I'M OFF THE BOOT

-of course I took the darn thing off 5 days ago.... but I officially don't have to wear it.

I do have to:

1. be really careful walking

2. do some ankle exercises/stretches everyday

3. go back to the doctor if I'm not walking normally in 3 weeks.

Anyhow- I'm getting better & I am really busy with Community Council & PTA stuff right now. Not to mention dinner, laundry, carpool, dishes...... etc. etc. etc.

I'll be back!!

*what are you doing?

therapeutic thursday

So every thursday since school started us blogger moms have been getting together to work on projects & have a little lunch & gab time. It's been great for me- for all of us. So great in fact that we are calling our day- Therapeutic Thursday- cute huh?

Kristy, Janae & I have been working on the Sally Foster Fundraiser- sale starts tomorrow (we are in charge for the elementary school.) Wende was doing conference kits & karrie every week has been organizing family photos & putting them into books- amazing- I really need to do that.... Today I was in charge of lunch & brought roasted tomato soup & stuff for paninis.
Then Wende had a fabulous pumpkin pie & whipped cream for Lauri's birthday Saturday- happy birthday Lauri!! Wende took a cute picture but I'm way to lame to remember to do that!!!??

(E- sneaking drinks from Lauri's soda- hee hee)
Ethan & I had a fantastic time playing "tiny nemo." This little guy is darling & really improved my bad morning mood. I am learning that my mood is directly related to my taking/forgetting to take ibuprofen in the morning. gotta remember that. I'm down to 2 in the morning & sometimes 2 in the afternoon- not bad!?

(McGruff just wouldn't stand still for the picture!)

I had to leave early & hobble over to see the State PTA road trip assembly at one of the schools in my council. It was great- they had this amazing magician do a show on "real magic." He was fantastic & talked about how "real magic" is being an example, kind to others, keeping healthy, seeking wise adults and more. He had the kids completely captivated. It was great to see the state PTA in action & meet the executive board.

Later today I drove ballet carpool, taking Trent & his neighbor buddy who also has asperger's with me & letting them play at the park while we waited. It is quite the scene watching two asperger kids play... I found myself wanting to explain to the other family at the park-- hey they have asperger's, the rest of the family is normal, really... I resisted. They are just so different the way they play. They weren't being bad, it's just odd. I'm just keepin it real, man.

Two different times I had to rush (hobbling & rushing isn't a good thing) them each to a bathroom for quick relief. Max was with us too- he steers completely clear from them. I told them, he's scared of you guys. No quick jerking movements, loud sounds, just be quiet & gentle. Max won't have a thing to do with either one of them. He's not a snob, he's just not sure about the two of them, especially together.

We came home & Hailey had made Taco Salad for dinner- YAE HAILEY- that made my day. We had a nice family dinner, watched the Vice Presidential debate, I did the dishes, made visiting teaching apptoinments, replied to some emails, & finished my October card club cards. Now Chloe & I are up doing homework & listening to Utah play Oregon state. Utah just won.

-Busy Day-

today

Today I went here to attend the state PTA convention. I am a council president next year. I am really excited about it. It is going to be a good year. Lucky for us... Governor Huntsman spoke then, the keynote speaker was my favorite-
Shannon Hale!!
She was great- she's a great speaker & such an amazing author.
Loved it. Really- if you haven't read one of her books- if you have a daughter 10+ you really should get one of her books for the summer. They are fabulous. We have them all.

I am happy to say (after yesterday's fiasco) that there is not smoke damage in the kitchen, it looks like the oven still works, but my house really stinks.
*do you know how to get smoke smell out of your house?

Another Busy Day :)

Today I had such a great/busy day. I am the Legislative V.P. at the Jr high & today was PTA day at the Legislature. I have always wanted to go to -so I was really excited about it. The State Capitol of Utah is Salt Lake City & our Capitol building was recently remodeled to make it earthquake safe, etc. (I was really looking forward to seeing the building.) In fact Pres. Hinckley's last public address was the prayer at the dedication of the building. I left really early, just after Chloe & Trent left for school, hoping to go on the tour that was offered before the workshops started.
Well, I would've gone on the tour if it didn't take me 45 extra minutes to get into the building because of NO PARKING!! I literally parked so far away that you couldn't even see the building & my parking space was straight up a huge hill.
The conference was great. I learned so much about house & senate bills that affect children/schools & how to become more involved. I now wish I could be more involved with the process next year... we'll see.The walk down the hill wasn't too bad- piece of cake but the walk up- OH MY GOSH. How about some funds for parking? It was a hard treck in heals but I made it. I was in a hurry because I was trying to meet with Megan and a wedding photographer early, so that I could be home before the rush hour traffic. Me eating lunch & walking up that hill at the same time, all while having to go to the bathroom was scary for those cars driving by I'm sure.

I just want to document that I know now beyond a shadow of a doubt that God loves me. I know because, right after I got in the car & started driving down the hill it started to rain. Thank you, thank you to the heavens for not raining on me before I got in the car!

Megan & I met with the photographer who we absolutely loved, booked him & picked out invitations! Woo Hoo~ who says weddings have to be complicated?

(oh no I may have just jinxed myself)

I forgot to take a picture of us- I'm not sure she would be willing seeing as she sped up driving past me...

when she saw the camera in my hands!
COWARD

Well I'm home early- missed the traffic- and done with meetings for today.

(I had a bunch yesterday too.)

Everyone is busy with activities tonight...

(jack-rugby/hailey- early youth group/chloe-ballet/Brett - YM president)

so Trent & I are going to the library!

*don't you hate it when you can't find a parking place?

*are you interested in your state & local government?

*do you feel personally blessed when the weather goes your way?