Family Pictures for 2015...

It felt like a small miracle but we all pulled it off... family pictures. 1 infant, 5 children, 2 teenagers, and 7 adults all smooshed into my parent's family room for pictures. We had to get rid of furniture, raise a chandelier (to get it out of the picture) and get my dad situated all without killing each other. Miracle of miracles we pulled it off. I scheduled the pictures and my sister-in-law and I decided that we were all wearing blues. Hopefully, once everything is cropped, the color is adjusted and whatever needs to be photoshopped is finished, we'll all be happy. I know we'll be happy.

My dad was a trooper. Sitting in a regular chair is difficult for him so we did any pictures with Reed/Dad/Grandpa first so we could get him back into his wheelchair. He didn't smile much (he's not really a smiler) and the day completely wore him out (and it will take him a few days to recover) but I am soooo grateful we did it!

The fantastic Scott Hancock of Scott Hancock Photography in Pleasant Grove came to my parent's house to shoot the pictures. There was absolutely no way we would have been able to get my dad to his studio so it was the absolute best option. We have loved the work he has done for us over the years.

We decided to take the pictures in front of my parent's fireplace. My dad collected all of the rocks from the canyon and did all of the rock work himself when I was a kid. I have just a few memories of him doing it because I was so young but I thought it would be a perfect place for the background for our family.

We had the professional in charge!

This is just a little picture I snapped on my cell phone as he was trying to get everyone situated. The baby actually did pretty well. He got a little fussy but we got plenty of laughs and smiles from him.

Again, just another little blurry cell phone picture of my younger brother and his cute family. I love how the kids are all holding hands - they did that on their own.

I'll share the final pictures when they are ready to proof. We had individual family pictures, pictures of just my mom and dad, and pictures of my immediate family - mom, dad, my two brothers and me. Ken and I had a picture taken of just the two of us, and I had a picture taken with just me and my dad. These pictures will be something to cherish in the near future as my dad's health is quickly declining. I'm so grateful for my family and that today is now frozen in time!

Yellow Rose of Texas...

I had a birthday on the 28th. 

I reached the big four zero.

40.

40 years.

40 years is 480 months.

It's 2,080 weeks.

It's 14,600 days.

It's 350,400 hours.

It's 21,024,000 minutes.

It's 1,261,440,000 seconds.

Give or take a leap year or two.

40 is hard. I certainly don't feel 40 and I don't feel like I am where I should be at for my age. I have friends my age with children - children in high school, children on missions and children who are married. I even have friends and high school acquaintances that are my age who have grandchildren. Sigh. The lack of my own children is a tough one for me. I have a hard time with it.

But, rather than focus on the "I can't believe this is where I'm not" things about being 40, I can focus on other things... like the beautiful flowers that my husband got for me.

He also got me a very nice card and wrote some really nice things in it (he's not really a card/note guy so that meant a lot to me) and got me a gift card to go see a movie. I don't get many flowers (I tend to see them as a waste of hard earned money) so it was a nice surprise. Maybe 40 will be the year that some things get better. We'll see!

Oh... it WILL happen!

2015 WILL be the year of my returning to regular blogging because...

• It's therapeutic for me to write
• My family/friends needs to stay current with our boring life
• I need to appreciate and find joy the daily things
• I need some sort of a journal - I'm terrible at journaling
• I need a place to put my random and irrational thoughts
• I feel the need to get back to blogging

Not sure that I can really catch up on 2014 but maybe I can here and there a little bit. No one really seems to blog much anymore but I'm vowing to get back on the wagon. Once upon a time I was a terrific blogger so here's to keeping updated on 2015!

A little fall, y'all...

Fall is my favorite season!

Here in Texas, it's not very fall-ish. It's still hot and humid. I don't have many fall decorations in Texas, most of them are in Utah. I pulled a few things out last week to add a little bit of to the house. It's not much but it makes me feel like there's a change in the air. 

Here's the mantel. Just a few pumpkins...

I found this lantern at Pier 1 Imports on clearance for $11.00. It was originally $45.00 - I love a good decorating deal!

I got a wicker and glass hurricane vase and filled with little mini pumpkin filler that I found there as well. I'm going to use the same lantern and hurricane and change it up for Christmas. Maybe fill it with little shiny glass ornaments?

I LOVE candlesticks!!

The dining room buffet got a few things added to it.

It's not much but it's nice to have fall colors around.

I had this little black lantern left over from a visiting teaching handout I gave to my sisters a while ago. It's kind of been kicking around here and there. I filled it with the last of the Pier 1 pumpkins and added it with everything else.

Just a little peek into the tiny bit of autumn that we have!

So late so soon?

More than ever, I completely feel like this quote from Dr. Seuss. How in the world did it get to be the second half of the month of September? The summer just went way too quickly! How did the beginning of the school year get here so fast? We're already into our 5th week here in Texas. The days seem to drag but the weeks are flying by. How is that even possible? I will hit the big 4-0 in a few months. How did THAT happen? There are so many things that I feel like I should have in my life by now that aren't. How did I allow that to happen and what do I do from here? There's a lot to think about. Blog neglect has been unintentional - it's just gotten so late so soon. Time has slipped away with life's worries, stresses and disappointments. I always feel better when I blog - there's something therapeutic about it. I have a lot of catching up to do so if anyone out there still checks my blog, updates are on their way!

It began in 1971...

I took it upon myself to make a Facebook account for my mom. All of her siblings use Facebook and I *think* my mom wants to as well so I have her all set up. Now I have to show her how to log in and use Facebook... that could take a while. Sigh. Anyway, I posted a few pictures on her Facebook page that I wanted to post here so I have a copy too.

Look at these two crazy kids. The picture below is the one that they sent out with their wedding invites. I should post pictures from their wedding - there are very few of them and their all small. My parents paid for their wedding and evidently a photographer wasn't in the budget. There are a some pictures that exist, taken by friends and family. They were married in my grandparents front room (the home is now owned by my aunt) during a big snowstorm. My dad wore a brown suit and my mom wore a pink knee length dress. It was 1971. I love this picture of my parents - I always have. When I was a kid they had a framed copy that sat on their dresser. Over the years its been replaced with other photos but it is still my favorite. They look so young. When they were married, my dad was two months shy of turning 27 and my mom was 23.

Little did they know what was a head of them.

Three kids with three very different personalities. Major ups and major downs. Good times. Bad times. Self employment and everything that came with it. 40 years in the same home. Home renovations and additions. A prize-winning yard and a meticulous garden. Family trips, camping trips, and a lot of family time. Family means everything to my parents. They have always given all of their children their full interest and support emotionally, physically and financially. They raised their family and provided far better than they'll ever give themselves credit for.

They raised an engineer, school teacher and commercial airline pilot. Two returned missionaries, two college graduates, and one who was blessed to gain an education through hands on experience working alongside our dad. The little kids in the picture would become community volunteers, coaches, hunters, mentors, fisherman, spouses and parents - adding 8 grandchildren to the family.

Everyone would get older.

Everyone began their own lives.

All three children are incredibly grateful for these amazing parents!

This picture was taken 30 years after the above family picture.

Life continues to change. 

Since this picture we've added more grandchildren, had a divorce, celebrated events together and cried alone for losses. Our family dynamic has changed immensely as our dad is battling Parkinson's. He is no longer able to go places to see his children or grandchildren - we go to him. His ability to walk is almost non-existent and what he has left is quickly leaving him. His body is shutting down and he has to have someone with him 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our mom selflessly takes care of his every need and provides nurses and aides to make sure he has the best possible care. We are able to have our dad with us because of our mom.

I love my family. 

There are things I wish I could change. There are choices I wish I could remake. There are things I could have done better. But I would NEVER change my upbringing, parents, siblings, or life. I am who I am because of those two young faces who in 1971 decided to tackle to world together, and they're still tackling it one day at a time.

I'm here!!

I. Am. Here.

It's been too long but I am here and ready to blog! School is out and I'm patiently getting a few things finished here in Texas before we return to Utah for the summer. My goal this week is to do some serious catch up on my blog. Stay tuned...

Thankful Thursday...

I missed last week.

I was commanded assigned volunteering at a school community night, again. I got home and didn't even think about blogging. I was exhausted! Want to know what I'm thankful for this Thursday? I'm thankful that I'm going home to Utah for my Spring Break. We leave this weekend. Thankful and happy!

Baby Shower Centerpiece...

The school that I teach at does quarterly baby showers for teachers and staff. This week we're having a joint baby shower for 5 teachers, one of which is on my team. We all pitch in for a gift and each grade level is in charge of a centerpiece for the mother-to-be that they teach with. My team asked me to make the one for our coworker. Not having a clue what to make, I got online and searched for ideas. Diaper cakes scare the heck out of me - there's something I find creepy about rolling up diapers to make a "cake". I ruled that out and found this idea instead...

A baby onesie and washcloth bouquet. This picture gave me my idea so off to the store I went.

I ended up purchasing 9 onesies, 6 baby washcloths, ribbons, floral tape, wooden dowels, tape, rubber bands, etc. Yep. My blank canvas.

Ken even joined me for a while and rolled the onesies and washcloths onto dowels.

After they were rubber banded (to help them not unroll) I went over them with floral tape - it doesn't leave any sticky residue.

 I decided they needed some "foliage" so I added layers of ribbon to each one and taped that on as well.

I bought 2 different shades of green for contrast. 

I was going to put my bouquet in a large flower pot but I was able to get this basket for $5.00 - much less expensive than the pots I had been looking at. I found styrofoam that fit inside of it perfectly. Bonus!

I added green shredded crinkle paper (thank goodness Easter stuff is in the stores already) over the top of the styrofoam and started shoving the "flowers" into the basket. I also added some painted cut outs that I just taped onto dowels and added yellow ribbon to.

It's kind of a strange centerpiece but it's all completely useable. Hopefully it will work out for the baby shower. Not too shabby for my first attempt!

Parenting Saturday...

We were able to have my student Miss S. again this weekend. Her grandma sent me a text on Friday afternoon asking if we would like to have her again. I happily said yes. This time her brother, Mr. E., came too. Miss S. is 8 years old. Her brother is 7 years old. He is a quite a bit more hyper than she is. He talks a mile a minute and has one volume - loud. He and I have a lot in common. Ha ha! 

Miss S. wasn't exactly thrilled that her bother spent the day with us. Before we left their house, she asked her grandma why Mr. E's teacher couldn't come and take him for the day rather than come with us. I tried to make the day special for her and assured her that Mr. E was coming with us to make it more fun. I'm not sure she bought it.

They got along great and I'm glad that grandma allowed us to have them from 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. After I picked them up we came back to the house. They found our DVD of Disney's Tangled and wanted to watch it. I'm not a fan of kids sitting in front of a t.v. as entertainment but it did give me a chance to get a little cleaning done and fix them some lunch.

I don't have kids. I spend all day with other people's children but I'm not in charge of feeding them. Last time I made Miss S. a broiled ham and cheese on a bagel (best sandwich I know how to make) and she didn't touch it. This time? Grilled cheese, Cheetos, and some pieces of apple. They put blankets on the floor and had a picnic with each other. It was cute. They both ranted about my sandwich telling me it was better than what grandma makes and that the cheese was better than McDonald's cheese - not sure if that's a compliment or not. They munched the apples and neither of them ate their Cheetos, which I thought was interesting.

 

We went down to the lake and fed the ducks. Can you see all of the bread floating in the water? Miss S. and Mr. E. just started throwing in entire pieces of bread. The lake looked terrible when we left. Oh well.Hopefully the ducks got their fill.

 We went to the park in the neighborhood just a few streets over. It was a beautiful, warm day. Mr. E found an new monkey toy in Tank's toy basket and fell in love with it. He wouldn't put it down and it went everywhere with us. Whatever he did at the park, the monkey did too. It went on the swings...

and glided across the playground on the slider.

Later in the afternoon we took them to an indoor bounce house place. It is basically a big warehouse with a ton of different bounce houses in it. Cheap and fun.

A few of the inflatables were a little bit frightening, I'm not going to lie.

Would you like a hat? $10.00. What about a t-shrit? That's right... shrit. A shrit will cost you $15.00. Shrits are hard to come by!

After the bounce houses, the kids chose to go to Golden Corral for dinner. We had a fun visit during dinner and before we knew it, it was time to go home. We drove them back into Fort Worth. I was exhausted but what a fun day for those two kids. I'm grateful to be able to spend some time with them.

Thankful Thursday...

I've decided I need to start something new and add a post every Thursday. I have several friends who do "throwback Thursday", which is fun. Today was just one of those days where I felt so much gratitude for my life. Here's to 'Thankful Thursdays'.

Tonight it was my turn to volunteer at a community night held at my school. It was fun to have all of the kids and their parents come for a free night of science experiments and food. I teach within a community that is at and below the poverty level. The people are real, hard working, considerate, endearing, and proud of the things they have. I often get rocks, small used toys, bouquets of dandelions, and leftover apples from lunch as gifts from my students. They are genuinely excited to give me anything they have, and I accept it all with enthusiasm, excitement, and hugs.

Tonight as I was wandering around the activity watching the kids it made me think of the opportunities that these kids most likely will not have in their lives. I hope they all fight to graduate from high school. I hope advantages will come along for them that help them along their way. I hope they will find a way to attend college. I hope they will be able to find good employment and be able to support a family. I hope their lives are easier than the lives of their parents. A lot of the parents in the community work 2, 3, 4 minimum wage jobs, barely scraping by. They have no advantages, aren't cut any breaks, and go without necessities. Life isn't fair. Most of us are a product of our environment. Sometimes we can rise above it.

I am beyond thankful for the advantages that I have had throughout my life, and continue to have. There are many! I am thankful for the parents who raised me and provided not only advantages but countless opportunities for me to succeed. I am thankful that I have an education and a career in which I can be involved in the lives of these kids who need extra encouragement and love. They are just as capable as any other child in this world!

Sometimes I just need to remind myself that even though I wonder what in the world I'm doing with my life, I sure am thankful for where I'm at. I'm one lucky girl.

Midweek Day Off...

Last Monday I opened the garage door to head to work and saw Ken's car covered in ice. We haven't really had a lot of ice or snow here in Texas. We did have a big ice storm in December that shut everything down for 5 days. It was kind of nice being trapped in a warm house... in my pj's... eating junk food... taking naps... you get the drift.

I went to work and it snowed a little bit. These pictures were taken from my school - the parking lot and a field. "Treacherous", I know. Being from Utah, I giggle at the reactions that Texans have to a few flurries. I've figured out that people can't drive in the stuff AND ice is just plain scary anyway.

Due to the massive storm (insert eye rolling here) I was sent home from work at 1:30 p.m. Yup. They had a paraprofessional cover my class so I could brave the elements and head home. The freeway was completely dry. I felt guilty. In fact, I felt so guilty that as soon as I got home Ken and I went out to lunch.

Our neighbor's fountain did freeze, which was kind of pretty.

I got a text Monday night that our superintendent had cancelled school for Tuesday. Day off for me. It was great because I was able to run a few errands - the roads were completely dry. I don't know... it may have been an overreaction. 

But seriously,

this is how it is.

I'll take an "ice day" off anytime!