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!

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-

A REALLY busy saturday

Yesterday was such a busy great day- & guess what my pictures are up!! Saturdays are always busy, but yesterday we had a Young Women's Conference for church in the morning that was amazing- then headed straight to ballet for Nutcracker tryouts- next to Laggon. After last year's tryouts I was a little nervous about getting her hopes up. I kept telling Chloe & myself- it's all good... etc. but look at this face...YES!

She made it- we find out tomorrow night what part.

Next the whole family went to Brett's office Lagoon day. Talk about exciting- we only go to Lagoon once a year so this was a big day.We headed straight for the bumper cars- not sure why- after driving Chloe to ballet & all the big talk we were doing about smiling & being brave, & good attitudes, & doing our best... I decided - that's it- I'm going on "Wicked" and all the big rides this year! I was totally pumped.Then- we got on this- (such an innocent photo) the twirly whirl. HUGE mistake. I was a wreck. I had a little or big panic attack. I started screaming & holding onto the bar saying loudly

don't move- I mean it!

I thought for sure I was going to lose my lunch. Chloe thought the whole thing was funny- apparently some of the people waiting in line did too. That almost ruined the day. I was queasy for hours afterward- I guess I'm not as young as I used to be. Even talking about it right now is making me a wreck.

We opted for a something a little less traumatic. Sky Coaster. There is something so peaceful & fun about the sky coaster.

Chloe & me on the sky coaster.

Trent insisted he was going on the white roller coaster (a rickety old thing.) I told him I would go with him... we got in line & Trent started saying over & over- I'm not a scaredy cat- I'm not a scaredy cat- some of the neighbor kids had said he was a scaredy cat for not making it on last year.

We got up through the line where we could see this. We were next in line- Trent started getting a little panicky. I can't really say much can I? As soon as the gate opened & it was our turn- Trent jumped over the roller coaster seats & ran down the ramp- no go this time.

don't worry from here on out it was all good

We met up for dinner with the office folks. There was a mix up on times so we almost didn't eat- therefore no family photos...


Hailey & friend were there, but we didn't meet back up with them until the end of the night when they were leaving.

Megan & tony came too- ya here they are with the smarty pants teen who didn't want to be in the photo... is his hair thinning?

Karrie & her girls met up with us just as it was getting dark & you won't believe it- after hearing Trent's white roller coaster story- she asked him if he wanted to get on it with her & guess what? He did it! That girl can get him to do anything! She also got him to jump off the diving board this summer- I asked him why he would ride with her on it & not me? He said- she needed a partner, she couldn't go on it alone- so cute. Hurray for Karrie! He has been thrilled to tell everyone he can get to listen about the whole thing all day.

*do you like rides?

*do you have a friend who can get your kids to do things you can't?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARRIE!

WHY I am so glad today is karrie's birthday.....
1. NOw I'm not the only blogger mom in her- eek- 40's.
2. we are taking her out for the day & I can't wait- only 2 1/2 hours until we pick her up!
WhAt makes Karrie so great.... Everything- duh-but especially-
1. her adventurous spirit
2. she water skiis like a pro, plays tennis, travels, loves to go boating etc.
3. she owns several swimsuits. We were shopping once & saw some on sale, she stopped and said- "no I can't buy another swimsuit, I have way too many"- what the hell? I can not relate to that at all. I love that about her.
4. she's a very good/involved mom.
5. her kids have that same adventurous spirit- & so far it hasn't gotten them in too much trouble- hee hee.
6. she is very thoughtful and has dropped off loads of good mail at my house- thanks :)
7. she saved my butt during community council this year & took over the concert when I had a wedding & too much other stress on my plate- that was the best/kindest gift you could have given me this year- thank you.
8. she's a very good daughter. I sat behind her at chili's one day when she & troy were out to lunch with her dad. She is so good with him. She is constantly taking one of her parents to the doctor or shopping. It's truly amazing & so charitable- such an example to her kids & the rest of us!
9. she is very dependable! someone you know you can count on 100%. don't you just love those kind of people!?
10. she's real & is a great friend & fellow blogger!

life catch up

It's been a busy weekend. I wanted to do a little update on what's been happening in my life.

(karrie & I ran into Wende's brother- funny huh?)

Friday I went to my second day at the PTA convention at BYU. Man, I love that campus... anyhow, blogger mom Karrie came with me. I was so thrilled she let me drag her along. We went to a class, looked around, picked up some important information for next year
then went to lunch at ZUpas!
All I can say is-- why, why isn't there a ZUpa's near my house??
The food is delicious & healthy.
It was so fun to go with Karrie & get the chance to talk & get to know her better. She is amazing, she has a great family & she's a fantastic tennis player.
Saturday I took Trent to karate, ran errands & yep- cleaned the painted floor. It's an all day project. Only because I hate it so bad that I have to do a little- take a break & do something else, like laundry- then go back & scrub a little more-- yada yada yada. I got it done! woo hoo. Brett & I went to dinner with blogger mom Wende & her husband rich- really cool guy.
Brett took Hailey to her two lacrosse games- me being mother of the year, didn't go. I feel terrible that I haven't been to one game yet. Someone has to get other people other places- it's just been me lately. Besides, it was really hot- like HOt. I can't do HOT. Seriously, I just about die in slow painful misery when it's too hot- which for me is anywhere about 85 degrees. Maybe it's my Northwest upbringing, but I hate hot.

Today was another missionary farewell. Out of the missionary's closest six friends three are left still at home waiting for their 19th birthdays. These farewell's are fantastic- but the homecomings are going to be even better!!

This is Cory (corn chip)- going to Guatemala in July- Ryan (rye bread) who has to get his wisdom teeth pulled & the doctor's okay before he puts his papers in - and Spencer he's the one who is leaving in two weeks for Leeds, England. I am so excited for him- he is a wonderful young man & will make a fabulous missionary!

Tonight Brett put the kids up to testing the smoke alarm in the family room. This of course, put Trent into a tizzy deluxe.

Jack of course, was willing to do whatever he needed to help. It of course went off immediately?? What- I swear the house was FULL of smoke last week. Don't you hate it when you tell your husband something- like the house was full of smoke & the alarms didn't go off- then when he tests it they do??? I know he thinks I was exaggerating.

This is going to be a really busy week around here. Only 9 more days of school.

Oh my, you know what the good book says...

if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.

I'm not prepared. I guess that explains my fear.

I will be though!!!

I'm gonna start working on it right away, starting with my attitude. Actually, it's gonna be a great summer!