Balance

Can there be none????

This month has been crazy at work. I have had a ton of stuff going on and considering how much time I spent sick, I really needed to get on top of things. After a highly successful Health Fair, meetings galore and some disciplinary action taken care of, the week topped off with me getting Employee of the Month. Feeling pretty good.
Then Rebekah called and told me she left her book report form at school. Of course it was due today, so she had to scramble to get the info from a classmate so she could at least hand something in. Ethan was sick on Monday and told me he didn't ever get his homework folder. He even went so far to tell me he didn't have one. Did I call the teacher to make sure? Of course not, I had four meetings this week.
It always seems like it is work or family. It can never be both. I had some serious thoughts about quitting last night because my focus has been so much on work that I have slacked off on my real responsibility. Unfortunately, funds won't allow such a drastic action in these economic times and the doctor would not recommend that for my own sanity.
So, how do I be a good mother and a good employee at the same time? Right now I haven't a clue!!! My house is a mess, my son is still in his PJ's, I have a couple of hours of meeting notes to type up and my kids are failing school (meaning they are getting B's instead of A's). I can't seem to be good at both.
I think this is the reason I was prompted to not continue with school. Can't handle more than one thing.
My goal went out the window yesterday (after 6 days) when I had to drive into work twice, put the kids in daycare twice and got yelled at by 15 people.

Whatsa poor woman to do?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYON

So you are 34 today, how do you feel?

Before he was mine

When he was mine

And since

I found this while I was looking through pics today.
FUNNY

Tribute Tuesday

I am focused on all things birthday because tomorrow is Bryon's That's when I realized I missed one.
So this weeks Tribute is for Staci Recksiek.
Staci and I have known each other since third grade. Man that seems like such a long time ago, but it seems like longer since I haven't seen her in person for oh about 6 years.
She was the first best friend I ever had and saw me through a lot of changes. She was the first person to sign off on Bryon and new before we did that we would end up together.
I had to dig for these pictures.
You might miss her in some of them. One is what she got for her 18th birthday with me behind it and the other one...she is in green.

Miss you Stac and love you forever.

 

Thanks Jyl

"There is a skinny person inside of me screaming to get out. But I keep sedating it with Chocolate"

Needs It's own Post

Forks just release info regarding Stephenie Meyer Day 2009.
Of course it will be September 13th (Bella's Birthday).
Since as far as I have heard, Stephenie doesn't have any big projects coming up, maybe she will be there this year. Steph Mac, since you are a facebook buddy, maybe you can persuade her.
I am currently in negotiations for a girls trip. Don't know if it will pan out or not.

New Moon Monday

According to the lovely Borders Calendar in my office, today is a New Moon. How appropriate that I start a new tradition of weekly New Moon Updates. Don't worry, posse, you will still get your emails when good stuff comes out. There isn't a lot of news going around right now because filming for the movie doesn't start until March.
I know all of the TM's will think fondly of the times when we actually had the filming location schedule a month ahead of time so that you all could show up and get us good stuff. That isn't going to happen this time. Someone caught on that this fandome is a major force to be reckoned with and the lid is going to be pretty tight. With all the fan sites out there and TM's working with Summit to get some official inside scoops, there won't be a lack of info, just not as much.

I can tell you the following RUMOR's right now.

Chris Wietz has visited Kalama High School to investigate the possibility of doing some more filming there for New Moon. I have a wristband from that High School hanging in my office thanks to lovely Steph (aka Alice-that was a nice dream).

Also Dakota Fanning is in negotiations with Summit to take on the role as JANE!! I have been stoked about this rumor since its reveal. Though she always plays someone sweet and adorable, Jane does fit that role as well in a sadistic, see how cute I am before I shock you to the ground kind of way. I hope they can come to an agreement soon so that it can be confirmed. Then she can be the first addition to the cast board on the back of my office door this year. I admit, I miss all the pics I had there.



I am seriously considering a party of some sort for the DVD release. Not sure if there are enough people intersted though.

Darn Inversion

As most of you are probably aware, my respiratory tract is a bit delicate lately. I didn't notice until my aunt asked me yesterday if I had been feeling better, that I have been coughing a lot the last week or so. Man, if I get sick again...
Ethen stayed home from school again today because he about threw up from coughing first thing this morning. When I called to excuse him from school the scretary mention that those coughs just never seem to go away.
I think I am moving to a sanitorium in Colorado.

Uber-ness

Have you ever used the word? I finally looked it up, but of course I spelled it oober. Funny the result that came back from Urban dictionary. It is against my new years res to repeat it.

Anyway-Definition

uber
The ultimate, above all, the best, top, something that nothing is better than.

So it made me think. Am I "UBER" anything?

Used to be an Uber Scraper (not so much now), an Uber singer, and a bunch of other things. Now there is only one attribute that I can consider myself Uber-ated.

I am an UBER TWILIGHT FAN!!

Dare you to disagree.

How hard is it to rent a movie?

The Weekend!! Bryon had a basketball game tonight so I was home from work. The kids love to have pj parties and sleep down stairs so I went on line and reserved two movies from Red Box. That is the way to go. Then you already know what is there and don't have to wait forever. I wish more people would pick up on this feature. The lines would be shorter. Plus there is one in Smith's so when we go and get treats, we just stop and get the movies.
So we all went and when I tried to get the movies, the machine said it didn't recognize my card. I decided to try again after we went shopping. Still a no go. They gave me a number to call, so I did since I already received an email confirmation. I called and waited (not kidding) 10 minutes in the car for them to come on the line. The kids were getting rowdy by this point. Then the lady tells me that I need to be at the kiosk. I drive over to the front of the store, leave the car running and hurry back into the foyer. Of course there is a line. Man was I getting mad. Then the lady tells me as we are waiting for people to scroll through all the movies (rent on line people!!) that there are two locations at this store. WHAT THE!!!! I always come here and have never seen a second machine. So I go out to the car, find another parking spot, instruct the children to stay put, lock the doors and RUN into the store. I ask the customer service lady where the other machine is. She looks befuddled for a minute and then says "there is one by the fuel pumps." OF COURSE!!! Get back in the car, drive to the fuel pumps and sure enough there it is, along with three people in line. Then I find out that I had rented one of the movies twice!! So mad by this time that I don't care. I will pay an extra buck just to get home. Then the neighbors pull up to get gas and start teasing me. I am good spirited, but want to scream.
Finally pick up the movies and go home. Only to realize that the one I got for the kids isn't exactly uplifting. Don't recommend Igor for anyone with impressionable kids.

By the way. I did all of that without one single swear word. At least there is a bright side right?

Jealousy

Sam too.

Jealousy

Rebekah thought that I should post a video with her in it. I think the star of this one is Cami though.

Ummmmm

We first discovered this talent when Rebekah and Ethen made up a play about the Alvin and the Chipmunks movie.
Don't quite know what to do. No boy should have this much control over his hips.
Bryon is worried.

Sleepy Boy

From the wedding on Thursday. He didn't get a nap at all. This is about 3 when we had to finally leave to get the other kids from school.

BUCK

After the kids went to school this morning, I saw that it was zero degrees. Much too cold for the dog to be out even though Ethen had just fed him and put him outside. I decided to let him in to warm up for a while until the sun heated things up a bit.
Sam loves to play with him and give him hugs.
Sophie, I think this is a marriage proposal?

Knowledge Bowl

Rebekah has been working hard after school and it has paid off.
She was informed today that she made the 3rd and 4th grade Knowledge Bowl District Competition Team for her school.

I wasn't worried.
The students have been practicing and learning since about October about the Arts. Each student picks a section to focus their work on. Rebekah choose music. I laughed because it would be the easiest for her. She has been taking piano lessons for about a year now and is progressing surprisingly fast. With my own music background I was in a position to help her study without too much sacrifice on my part.
The teams compete against other schools in a quiz type setting. One student is chosen to represent each area of focus on the team so there can be a wide variety of knowledge without a ton of work for one student.

Unofficial invitation:
Competition will be on March 14th at Oak Canyon Junior High in Lindon sometime between 8am and 2pm. I will post more details when they come, but we still have a few months so I don't think it will be until we get closer to competition.
We would love to have family and friends there to support her.

We are so proud of the work that she had put into this program, and for her teacher for inspiring her to go for it last year.

Update

Been three days now. Not a single slip up since Tuesday night. I think that going to the Temple yesterday for my cousins wedding might have helped since that day was a hugely busy one. I stayed in my dress from 11am-7pm. I think that is a record. I usually am out of the dress and back in my pj's before everyone gets in the house from church.

Update

Captain's Log Stardate 0114.09

Yesterday went off without a hitch. I read with the kids, kept the house clean all day and did a few clutter projects. I also avoided a nap for the second day in a row. After a long day of being a mom, I returned to the Legacy Center to make some more preparations for the upcoming Health Fair. With only four days to go I feel like we are getting to crunch time. I managed to keep my language under control the entire night even with Jr. Jazz chaos and spent a few minutes exercising with Emilio about 10:30. After I had helped Jamie type up a rather long incident report (she types about two words a minute) we started to close down the building. Laurie reminded me that I forgot to clock out while I exercised and I slipped up. I only had 27 more minutes to go before I could claim two days in a row without swearing. Jamie and Laurie took the opportunity to laugh rather hard at me. I deserved it.

Looking forward to trying again today and making my goal once more.

Vigilance. Constant Vigilance

Bryon will be so proud

Sam was bugging me for a snack and after holding him in front of the pantry for entirely too long he decided he wanted graham crackers.
He is very specific about his snacks, so I wasn't surprised when he asked for a big cracker. Then he asked for milk. That was new.
I got him a small cup, having a hunch what he was going to do.


Does this gross anyone else out but me.
After only a few bites, this is where the cookie crumbled. He was happy though.

DAY ONE

I forgot to post last night that I made it one hole day without a single cuss word. And I started on January 1, so you can see how long it has taken my brain to switch.
I am half way through the day now and have only said crap (which Ethen told me this morning was a swear word).
Unfortunately I have to go to work in about 2 hours. Deep breaths, calm, calm thoughts.

Grandpa

I can't post the other pics without including this one of my Grandpa Henry. I had never seen this picture until the viewing when he died last September. I immediately fell in love with it. I finally was able to get the original and make a copy when I got the other pics from my aunt. It now hold a place on the living room wall right under the Families are Forever sign.

He took this himself with his camera on his mission. It reminds me so much of Bryon.

Tribute Tuesday

I know that I promised this every week, but I am more than I few things behind.
I realize that I end up making these great presents for people and then I don't have anything to show for it. You can't tell by my house that I love to make things.
Anyway, I thought I would post this week the present that I gave my mom for Christmas.
Bryon and I attended the temple in November. While we were waiting I got thinking about how I haven't been since my grandpa passed away more than a year before. PATHETIC. Anyway, I had a wonderful session and had a hard time stopping the tears from coming. I felt so lucky to have such a legacy of faith in my family. I had planned to do something else for mom but after that session I changed my mind. My bff Alison has this hanging in her house and I have meant to do it for years. Finally, but now I need to make me one. They are all attached to each other in a line.

My Legacy of Faith.

My Mom

My Grandma

My Great Grandma

Of course the one I do for me will have a picture of me at about the same age. I want to make one for Rebekah and just keep updating the photo as she grows to show 5 generations of righteous women.

New Year's Reso's

We are big goal people at our house. Mostly because Bryon sets them. I hardly ever do.
Anyway, I thought to develop some accountability, I would post them here. Watch out for the flaws.

1. Stop Swearing. (without quitting my job). I haven't gone a day yet, but it had defiantly decreased a bit. I am thinking about doing a ticker to keep track.
2. The proverbial get in shape. We are thinking about another baby this year and I don't want a bed rest repeat.
3.Finish a big project by May.
4. Make sure the kids and I read scriptures and pray every morning. This one is a struggle with how crazy mornings are, but I have a quote that I love.
"Never let your children out the door in the morning without arming them against the world with scripture and prayers on their behalf."

That is it. Ask me how I am doing so that I can keep it up past February.

Woah's of Motherhood.

Sam has been trying lately.
Thursday he broke the microwave tray (following in his brother's footsteps)
Friday he knocked over a glass of water onto a book that we borrowed from a friend.
Saturday he wasn't doing well in Walmart and a lady from the day care at work noticed how difficult he was being. She was shocked because he is always so good in there.
Sunday he kicked me in the face and stomach while I was trying to get his church shoes on. Bryon actuallycommented on it during his talk. Sam was throwing a fit during most of sacrament meeting because he wanted to sit with daddy. I finally let him after Bryon finished and he sat up there for the closing song. Then when it was time to leave he ran all over the church, into the gyms, onto the stage. I finally had to pin him down and carry him to the car.
Ahhhhhh!!! If he wasn't so cute, I might put him back.

About Time

After 6 weeks of just about every disease known to man, and one week of recovery, I am finally back to feeling almost 100%.
I actually worked out this morning, though it was only a tiny bit. I still cough occasionally and am using an inhaler but I hope to be finished with that soon.

Ode to Mater

ITS MY HOOD. ITS MY HOOD!!!!


Who needs a sled when you have an old truck hood.
Sam from his perch in the truck

A girl and her horse

In August when Bryon and Rebekah went to Monroe to help Dane and Cami move into their new house, they stopped by and looked and Cami's dad's horses. Rebekah has been in love with horses since she was about 3. I keep thinking that it is a phase, but alas. Leon has one horse that is...how shall we say...one small step from the glue factory. He asked her if she wanted it. He figured that it was going to die before the end of the week anyway. Of course she was elated when she came home and told me that she had a horse. Thanks for that one Leon. She has been talking about Her Horse for months and every time she sees Dane and Cami she has to ask if she is still alive. Well beyond the odds, Rebekah got the best New Years present of her life.
We told her that we would go to the pasture and see the horses on New Years day. She came down stairs in her snow gear at 8:30 and asked when we were leaving. Half of us were still in PJ's. We didn't get down there until about 11 and it was the longest hour and half of her life (and mine).

You could see which one was Penny from across the Field. Cami said we should change her name to Sway. Poor looking thing.

Sam had no problem with the other four horses that Dane kept occupied while Cami took Rebekah to Penny.After reacquainting, everyone got a chance to ride her. Rebekah of course was first since it was her horse.Cami brought a halter and Rebekah had just as much fun leading Penny around as she did riding her. With constant direction and correction from Cami, she managed to not get her foot stepped on.

"Finally I got to ride my horse!"

With Sam

Ethen all by himself.

It was almost time to go when Leon started giving them hay. Rebekah chipped in and ending up feeding the lot. Then she just stood and starred at Penny while she ate. These were too precious not to include.

It was one of those moments in life that will remain with you forever. Watching your daughter as she adores something she loves and has waited for.I guess the real test to see whose horse it was came in the first few moments. All the horses came running when the grain bucket was shaken over the fence. Poor Penny came lumbering in behind the others. Rebekah walked out to her and they came into the fence side by side.

She stood and watched for about 20 minutes while the rest of us got ready to go sledding. There were some tiny tears on the outsides of her eyes when we left (after much persuasion), with a promise to come back.

Sweet memories measured with every breath.

Thanks Leon for making a little girls dream come true, even in this small unobtrusive way. Thanks Cami for having the patience to help her live that dream. Love to you both for making her the happiest child on the planet that day.

New Years with Dane and Cami

We headed down to Monroe to hang out with Bryon's brother's family and see their new house. We had a ton of fun. Thanks for being such great hosts!
The kids getting ready to go sledding. Cute Chesley

Ethen was so comfortable he didn't want to move.

Ches and Bailee in the truck.

At the house.

Christmas Morn

We had the annual Dahn Christmas party at Kay's church this year.

The pinata is one of our favorites.

Dinner was fun with Sam raiding the olives before we had even all sat down.

Neil is trying to look Sexy for his fiance Natasha.

Jeremiah and Alicia came for a little while. Alicia is really camera shy. The nativity was small but it was a good thing that Rebekah brought one of her dolls just in case we needed one fore baby Jesus.