Back to School

It's been quite a week! It was the kids first week back to school. Seems like our long summer actually went faster than I imagined it would. We had all these fun summertime activities planned and while we did do most of them, there are a few that just didn't happen before school started. One of the things on my list of summertime activities was to get Emma in to see a Dr. about her separation anxiety. Since we moved a year ago, she has struggled with adapting to new friends, new ward, new school, new neighborhood, new bedroom.. etc. Her way of dealing with things has been to leach on to mom. This has definitely been different for me given that Emma has always been my most independent child. So, throughout the summer, we worked on different things and I thought she had come a long way. She was having playdates at other peoples homes, staying overnight at Grandma's, riding her bike to the park without me walking next to her.. and so on.

On August 19, the school posted the kids teachers and then the next day, we got to go meet them. Emma was put in a class with a male teacher and not one name on the class list was familiar. I think she was trying to be strong and told me it was okay. I wanted so badly to go have her moved to another class so that she wouldn't dread the first day. But, I was tough and I left her with the hopes that everything would go well. Now that it's Friday.. I can admit that things happen for a reason, but it has been the worst first week of school ever! Tuesday she called me and said her eyes were bothering her. I went down to the school only to find her in hysterics in the front office. We did later find out that she had Pink Eye and got her on an antibiotic, however, this was only the beginning of things. Wednesday came and by 10a.m. she called again. Bawling.. couldn't even catch her breath. So, I went down to the school again. This time completely prepared to NOT check her out. The last thing I wanted her to think is that I would come to her rescue every day and just take her home. So, we sat in the front office.. we sat in the School Counselors office, we sat in the sick room.. and finally.. we sat in the Principals office. We ended up filling out a request to move her to another class. I was out of ideas at this point. One of the 2nd grade teachers is Sister Wright (who happens to be our Primary President). So, we moved her to Sister/Mrs. Wrights class. All I could do is hope and pray that this was the solution. . as I sat with the principal regretting the fact that summer came to an end without me getting her in to see a dr. I felt like such a loser mom. Great way to start out the year at a new school.. in the principals office.

So, Thursday came and everything was going to be awesome! Emma was excited to go to school.. until we walked in the classroom and the one little girl from our ward that she knew was in the class.. wasn't there! So, the crying starts. The school counselor and Mrs. Wright had to literally pull her off of me just enough for me to escape out the door. Talk about tear your heart out. I don't think Emma understands how hard it is for me, too. I don't exactly enjoy running from her as she is crying out for me. So, after I left the school, I decided to go wander Costco. I thought maybe if she called and I wasn't just down the road from her, it would make it a little harder for me to just run and relieve her. And, at 11 am, I got a phone call. I was at Costco.. the phone rings and my heart sinks as soon as I see "Gerald Wright Elementary calling" on my phone. When I answered it, she was crying so hard she could hardly talk. I could here the counselor in the background telling her to say she loves me and hang up. She kept trying to get it out, but could hardly breath. Wow.. and I was supposed to just hang up the phone and trust that she would get through the rest of the day? Yes. And, I did. And, 3:45pm came around and she came walking out to get her bike with all the other kids.. smiling.. like nothing ever happened. She was fine. She was happy!

So here we are .. it's Friday and she just left with Josh on her bike. I haven't heard anything yet.. and we only have to make it till 1:30.

What a week! And to top things off, Jer was out of town all week for work, we've been fighting with getting Josh transferred to his new soccer team before the season starts (what a headache), last night was the Pinewood Derby (so we had to put together a car without dad :), and Erin had her preschool orientation. Anything else? Please no. So, wish me luck on next week. Keep me in your prayers! Okay.. maybe not me.. Emma.

p.s. Did you assume that Josh had a great first week? Okay, good. He did. It's almost frustrating how well his week went. . seems so unfair. He has like 4,000 friends and a million plans for after school with them every day.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Yesterday was my dad's 60th Birthday! He might not appreciate me announcing his age, but every time I tell people that we had a big party for him and that he just turned 60, people always respond with "Wow! Your dad is only 60? He is young!" So, I must hang out with people that are older than me or have older siblings because they always tell me that their parents are much older than 60.

Anyway, I have been much anticipating his Birthday! Over a year ago, he came to Jer and I and asked us to find a restaurant that would be fun to go to with the whole family. He said the only thing he wanted was to be with his family for this "Big One." So, yesterday we met down town and did family photos and then had dinner at The Roof Restaurant. It was super fun and seemed to end up just how dad wanted it to.

A couple of months ago, I wrote a letter to anyone I could think of that has had any kind of relationship with my dad. I asked them to write a letter to him and send me any photos. I compiled everything into one book and had it printed through a company online. This picture is of him looking at it. It turned out great! A big thanks to everyone that participated. He loves it.

The Farmer's Market

One thing we look forward to every year is the Farmer's Market. It has definitely become a regular thing for us to do on Saturdays during the summer. It puts a small damper on Saturday's Cleaning, but it's worth it. I just have to lay down the law sometimes and make everyone clean on Friday with the Farmer's Market being the reward.

I think we all love it for different reasons. Jer loves it for the fresh herbs and produce. He also loves to try all the new food vendors out. His favorite a couple of years back was the Pancake girls. They served pancakes full of anything you can imagine - chocolate chips, bananas, berries, m & m's, bacon, sausage... I think this was a favorite of the kids, too. As of late, Jer has fallen in love with the Sudanese food. It is a mix of potatoes, peas and a gravy that is so yummy. It always surprises me how willing the kids are to try new foods at the Farmer's Market. Emma loves the Sudanese food, too, and usually has to fight Jer for another bite. You all know how great of a cook Jer is.. he loves to walk down the row of fresh fruits, veggies and herbs. He will buy a sack full of goodies and then head over to Aquarius and buy an assortment of fresh fish. Then, he puts it all together for the most delicious summer dinner. I never argue.

Josh loves the Farmer's Market because he is the King of Samples. (Same reason he loves Sam's Club and Costco). He wanders from stand to stand trying local honey, cheese, and salsa. He makes me laugh because we can't ever walk by a booth with samples without giving it a try. Sometimes I think they could have local poo and he would try it. When the Salsa Kings are there (haven't seen them this year) he will stand and try EVERY salsa they have. He cracks me up. This year he brought his best buddy, Matthew with us to the Farmer's Market. After trying all the samples, they discovered the park over on the other side. I gave him my cell phone and told them they could go check it out. Jer was about ready to explode when he heard what I had done. Apparently he didn't think Pioneer Park in downtown Salt Lake is the safest place for a couple of 10 year old boys. So, Jer took off to find them. When he got over there, they were playing a game of Baci ball with two other boys they had just met. Pretty funny.

Emma loves the Farmer's Market for the dogs, cats and any other animal you might see. It's a little bazaar how many people bring their animals. Dogs.. sure. Snakes? Hmm. Emma also loves the fruit drinks and the fruit parfaits. She mopes around until dad buys her something to munch on. Once she has something in her hands, she is happy. She never wants to leave.

Erin is a lot like Emma. She loves the animals. Erin loves to be outside and she loves her stroller. So, it really wouldn't matter where we went, as long as she is in her stroller she is happy. This particular Saturday, she decided to go with her Favorite Aunt Care to get her nails done. She came home with orange fingernails and green toenails. Hmm.

I love the Farmer's Market for the cherries and the tomatoes. But, mostly for the family time. I love being outside and I love being with my family. It's fun to see what local farmer's have to offer, but in the end, I just love watching the kids take it all in (including Jer). Every year we take someone with us that has never been to our local Farmer's Market. A couple of years ago, we took Brady and Staci. I remember eating the loaded pancakes and talking about how they were having a bbq that night to celebrate her being cancer free. Every time I walk through the Farmer's Market I think of that conversation. On a brighter note, we have taken Cari (who loves the "other side" of the Market where there is jewelry, headbands, and "stuff"), Lynsee and Devin who now go quite often without us (like 2 or 3 hours later than us), Mom and Dad who love to look at what their own garden would be worth if they were selling it, and anyone else who can tolerate a Saturday Morning with us. Jer is always thinking of everyone else. If they can't come, he will buy them a loaf of bread or a couple of ears of corn and take it to them. He loves to spoil his mom and his grandma.

We love the Farmer's Market and look forward to it year after year. I am curious to know if we are a little crazy - leave a comment and tell me if you love it, too.

Tradition! Tradition!

For as long as I can remember, I have spent Pioneer Day in Spanish Fork. While there are some things that have changed (main street), the tradition and the people are the same. My mom was raised in Spanish Fork and most of her family still live there. Her brothers and her dad have been volunteer Firemen for the Spanish Fork Fire Dept. for as long as I can remember. She actually just blogged about them recently (check her blog a couple of posts back). So, we have always met in front of the Fire Station on Main Street to watch the parade. Even now, we meet there. And, as soon as the parade is over, the kids run into the Fire Station and climb on the old Fire Truck. Mom's and Dad's stand around taking pictures and then the kids go for a ride around the block. I remember doing this as a kid, and now my kids will hopefully have the same memories. This year, Cari and I let mom take all the pictures while we cruised town on the Fire Truck with the kids (no need to mention that the Fire Fighter that was driving was somewhat attractive and Cari is single again). And, after the excitement dies down at the Fire Station, next stop is Glades, of course. We don't even wait for noon to hit.. it's so yummy! My kids were worn out by the time lunch was over. I think the 100+ degree weather helped tucker them out. So, we left with only seeing a few of the booths by the park. Cari and my parents stayed in Utah County until the rodeo at 8 that night. Die hards, huh? I love the 24th. I love tradition.

GRUB BOX - NOW OPEN!

Have you been craving a shake from Grub Box? How 'bout a cold soda from the fountain with crushed ice? A BLT with fresh tomatoes from the garden? So many yummy things that you can only get from the Grub in Magna. Unfortunately, the Grub has been closed for a good part of the summer. But, it's all good... they are open again and in a better place! (Sounds like it died, huh? It did. The old building died). Grub Box is now in with Five Buck Pizza. What a great idea.. a shake and a pizza from the same place?! Yum! How 'bout a pizza with a fountain drink? I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!

Many of you know, Jer's brother, Ben is the owner of several Five Buck Pizza's and the Grub Box. This has been a work in progress for him to get the Grub moved over, but it's done and it's great! The Grand ReOpening was August 1st and they have been swamped! So, since so many people have asked, I thought I would let you all know that they are open again. Yippee! So, get over there! Check it out! When was the last time you had a Grub Burger? Is your mouth watering? Mine is.

A is A

Check it out! Jer (the number 1 blog stalker out there) has created his own blog! His favorite thing to do to wind down after a busy day is to sit and bounce from blog to blog. A lot of times, he searches for blogs about different places or restaurants or people or music.. not just "our" blogs. Though, he has found a lot of old friends through the blogging world (as we all have). So, his blog is not about him or about his darling children or about his most recent accomplishment.. it's about what ticks in his little brain. . okay big brain. If you know him at all, you know that his mind is always ticking.. 100 mph. So now, for the curious, he is going to try and pull information from his memory warehouse and share via a blog. Beware, he is too smart for some (me) and it is rather humorous. Check it out.. leave him a comment.. he thrives on it!http://theconcertoofdeliverance.blogspot.com/

A New Creative Outlet

For a few years, I have noticed how many "stay at home mom's" have a business of their own. For a long time, I couldn't figure out why so many people thought that this was such a great thing. I guess for me, I love being a mom. I love that I don't have to get up early in the morning (its not like I like to sleep in or anything), go into work, punch in, answer to someone else.. you get the point. I love it. I have been blessed to be able to stay home with my kids. I love that I can do fun things with my kids (have you hung out with my kids?) and not feel like I am "stuck" home with them. So, why would I even consider having a business of my own? I decided to to jump on the wagon for one main reason: a creative outlet. That probably sounds silly to some. But, for me, I have always had some kind of hobby that helps me keep things balanced. I have always been a scrapbooker, I love to sew (but have never felt like I am very good at it), I look forward to the Bead Show every six months, and super Saturday at Enrichment (Jer likes this one as its usually free) is a definite favorite. Swiss Days in Midway (not so free), Utah is a crafters dream. If you have ever been, you know exactly what I mean. I always go with a small wad of cash, but the fun is really in wandering from booth to booth taking in the creativity. I am always amazed. With that said, I give you (drum roll please...)Pigtails and Petals. I have started a "creative outlet" for myself and thought I would share. My business blog is: http://www.pigtailsandpetals.blogspot.com/. I am in the process of setting up an Etsy account so that my "handmade items" can be purchased there. Until then, I will be doing boutiques and parties. I will keep the blog updated with dates and times but, for now, mark your calendars for this Saturday, August 2 and Thursday, August 14. My Favorite Things Boutique (another "creative outlet" of mine and Jamie's) is traveling! We will be at Alisha Bringhurst's on August 2nd from 10 am to 4 pm (7513 South Park Maple in West Jordan). And, Jenn Johnson is having an open house August 14 from 6 pm to 8 pm (2748 South 8500 West in Magna). For a sneak peek at what will be there, check out http://www.pigtailsandpetals.blogspot.com/.