My stretches in blogging are getting farther and farther apart. My goal is to write everyday this week - hopefully kick-start myself into being a little more vigilant.
Today I am in a wonderful mood. It is warm, the sun is shinning, I heard the birds tweeting all morning as I had the windows open, and there are blossoms on the trees and my tulips are about to bloom into color. It is always amazing to me what warmth and sunshine can do to perk me up.
So - to catch up with myself. I am currently serving as the 1st counselor in Primary (the one that gets to be over Scouting - yippee - sarcastic, sarcastic). I love primary and all the kids in our ward. I learn so much from them and love the primary songs too. I'm currently working with Staci Baker, Stacy White and Toni Rathbone.
Unfortunately we are loosing lots of families - our ward is forever getting smaller. Recently we lost the Powells and the Welshes. Soon we are to loose the Rathbones, Cummens, and Bakers. All such great families. I hope and pray Heavenly Father blesses us with more families to come into our ward.
I am also the choir pianist. It is sometimes challenging but I love to hear the beautiful music we all make together. The only down part is having practice at my house. My house is always so messy and disorganized that it always takes all morning (even thought I have cleaned all day on Saturday) to get cleaned up enough to have people come over. So it feels like my whole day is taken up by choir - and I don't get to spend good Sunday time with my kids. So I need to work on how to make this situation better. I need to be spending time talking with my kids and helping them with their Faith in God and Scouting. I want to show them how to have a "good" Sunday and not just leave them to their own devices all the time.
At the moment I am also the Bear Den Leader - until another person can be called. Another family in our ward moved out until fall. And I am also unofficially the Cub Committee Secretary. How I always get these extra jobs - I don't know. Just glad that Sean will soon be in Cub Scouts and then it will seem worth it (I hope).
I'm still teaching piano (my 4th year in a row now). It too has been challenging this year. I had a lot of students drop throughout the year - which made my schedule less busy - but doesn't help with saving up any extra money. I hope I can find some new students for next year. I hope to keep learning and improving myself. I love music so much. I am so grateful to have a job where I teach others about music.
Today is Monday - so that means as soon as it turns 2:30pm it is busy time. At 2:30pm I drive to Adams to find a parking spot (there is only one small street to park on by the school). If you don't get there soon after 2:30pm you have to park another street or so down the road. At 3:00pm I make sure the kids do NOT get on the bus. It is time to drive them home so that we can get home quickly, have a snack, and get Halle ready for her gymnastics class. Halle and I will leave at 3:40pm. Chad will babysit Sean while I am gone. And then Grandmas will pick up Sean to be at soccer practice at 5:00pm. When Halle is done I will go and pick up Sean. Hopefully we will be home by 6:15pm and I can get dinner started. Nice and easy for tonight - spaghetti and garlic bread. Then it will be time to check kids homework, and chores. Then it will be family home evening and family scripture study - Yeah! - love time with my family and so far they all enjoy FHE too. Then it is time for getting ready for bed. Then - like always, I will turn into a vegetable - no thoughts what so ever - and read a book (I hope) and go to bed myself.
Already today I have sent out a bunch of emails for Cub Scouts and Primary, helped out at the kids school, passed on music to our new choir director (another yippee!), done some laundry, taken care of dishes, tidied the house - and am now blogging.
Nothing real exciting - but I have written for today. Goal - check!
Monday, April 23, 2012
Monday, December 26, 2011
Christmas Memories 2011
I thought I better take a moment to write these memories down before they disappeared.
Christmas Eve Repentance
I've heard of death bed repentance - but not Christmas Eve repentance. But I witnessed Christmas Eve repentance this year. After we had had our family dinner and Christmas Eve program the kids were getting ready for bed and for the arrival of Santa Clause. Pajamas were on, teeth were brushed, stockings were hung, a treat for Santa and his reindeer lay on the fireplace hearth. I'm ready to read scriptures and usher the all the kids to bed when I hear this:
Chad, "Sean, will you forgive me? I know that I have been really mean to you lately. Will you please forgive me?"
Sean, "Okay, Chad, I forgive you."
Sean, "Chad, will you forgive me for being such a pest lately?"
Chad, "I forgive you, Sean."
And then they hugged. Loved it! Wish they would do that every day! (I have been extremely tired of the fighting as of late - let's hope they can keep being nice to each other for at least a week!)
Believing in Santa
Sean: "Some kids say that it's their parents who are Santa. Mom and dad, there is no way you could be Santa, there is no way you would have bought all this stuff for us!"
True Gifts of Christmas
Halle had the right spirit of gift giving this year. She made and decorated everyone in the family a crown. She wrote everybody a nice note about how she loved them and what was special about them and then she gave out service coupons (massage, make bed, etc.). I loved that she came up with this idea all by herself. She is always looking for ways to help others.
Christmas Eve Repentance
I've heard of death bed repentance - but not Christmas Eve repentance. But I witnessed Christmas Eve repentance this year. After we had had our family dinner and Christmas Eve program the kids were getting ready for bed and for the arrival of Santa Clause. Pajamas were on, teeth were brushed, stockings were hung, a treat for Santa and his reindeer lay on the fireplace hearth. I'm ready to read scriptures and usher the all the kids to bed when I hear this:
Chad, "Sean, will you forgive me? I know that I have been really mean to you lately. Will you please forgive me?"
Sean, "Okay, Chad, I forgive you."
Sean, "Chad, will you forgive me for being such a pest lately?"
Chad, "I forgive you, Sean."
And then they hugged. Loved it! Wish they would do that every day! (I have been extremely tired of the fighting as of late - let's hope they can keep being nice to each other for at least a week!)
Believing in Santa
Sean: "Some kids say that it's their parents who are Santa. Mom and dad, there is no way you could be Santa, there is no way you would have bought all this stuff for us!"
True Gifts of Christmas
Halle had the right spirit of gift giving this year. She made and decorated everyone in the family a crown. She wrote everybody a nice note about how she loved them and what was special about them and then she gave out service coupons (massage, make bed, etc.). I loved that she came up with this idea all by herself. She is always looking for ways to help others.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Keep the Heat
I can hardly believe it is football and soccer season. Most of the Saturday games have been in 90 degree weather. (Only one not so warm Saturday so far).
Last Saturday I was looking forward to the continued warm weather and excited to be able to watch both Chad and Sean (their games keep overlapping lately).
But believe it or not, I actually got too hot. (I love the heat!!!!!! - very unusual reaction from me.) So during Chad's half time I decided to go find some shade to sit under for a few minutes. After walking a ways I found a tree to sit under. I was just enjoying some protection from the sun and watching the cute little birdies fly in and out of the tree when those cute little birdies decided to play target practice with me. Within 5 minutes I had little white poops all over -- gross!!!!!! That was the end of my shade brake and it was back into the sun for me.
After I came home from Sean's game, I was quite the Lobster. (I'd much rather be red from the sun than white from bird poop.) It was hot - but I so enjoyed it. I am not looking forward to Fall and Winter.
Last Saturday I was looking forward to the continued warm weather and excited to be able to watch both Chad and Sean (their games keep overlapping lately).
But believe it or not, I actually got too hot. (I love the heat!!!!!! - very unusual reaction from me.) So during Chad's half time I decided to go find some shade to sit under for a few minutes. After walking a ways I found a tree to sit under. I was just enjoying some protection from the sun and watching the cute little birdies fly in and out of the tree when those cute little birdies decided to play target practice with me. Within 5 minutes I had little white poops all over -- gross!!!!!! That was the end of my shade brake and it was back into the sun for me.
After I came home from Sean's game, I was quite the Lobster. (I'd much rather be red from the sun than white from bird poop.) It was hot - but I so enjoyed it. I am not looking forward to Fall and Winter.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Summer So Far
Summer is speeding away too quickly. I knew it would. When there is a ton of writing on your calendar, you know the time will go before you even realize it was here.
June
The school schedule this year meant not getting out of school until after the middle of June! We spent the first week of no school relaxing, trying to recuperate from the hectic school year, and doing some cleaning up projects. Chad attended a basketball camp every morning and hated every minute of it. (Chris still had to go to school for a whole week.) All three kids also took one week of swimming lessons at the Porter's house. We also had a Herm and Jeraldine reunion and cheered on Chris' brother, Mike, at Hoop Fest.
Our second week of June (and the first week of July) was spent in Utah. Every other year we have had a big Hansen reunion. This was the year to go. The reunion is always around the 4th because that is when my Grandma Hansen's birthday is. This year was a little hard as my Grandpa Hansen passed away last May and wasn't there. I wasn't able to attend his funeral because it was the same week as Halle's baptism. So it kind of finally hit me that he was gone. It felt very different with out him there. My Grandma is still doing well and turned 90 this year. But she is so hoping to go soon. She misses my Grandpa and doesn't feel like she has anything to live for.
Besides the reunion we spent time going to the Stadium of Fire, boating, setting off our own fireworks, celebrating Sean's 7th birthday, swimming, hanging out with cousins, going to dinosaur museums, jumping on the trampoline, and doing plenty of shopping at BYU and Seagull Book.
July
I spent the first week back at home recuperating from our trip and planning a friend birthday party for Sean. Chad and Halle started doing swim team in the morning. So far they think it is too cold! And they do not want to do any meets. I'm going to do my best to change thier attitudes.
The next week I had Activity Days and another trip to get ready for. We also spent the week taking care of my friend's garden and pet gecko.
Our next trip was to Deer Lake, Washington. (Just an hour north off of highway 395). This was for our yearly Caviness reunion. We stayed in a cute, rustic little cabin at the resort and spent our time watching our kids enjoy themselves on the play-set, running around in the woods, and swimming in the Lake. There were plenty of family activities like fishing, eating and playing "Minute to Win It" games.
Chad and I had to leave early on Saturday to attend his first tackle football meeting. Chad was pretty excited that I finally allowed him to play tackle, but now that he is signed up and has meet his coach and team mates I think he is a little nervous.
After his football meeting, Chad went to a friends birthday party. Then I waited and waited for Chris and the kids to come home. I told him I didn't want them home past nine. Ten at the latest!. They rolled in around eleven pm. 9:00am church was not fun the next day. All of us were very sleepy and grumpy.
This week has been busying trying to finish unpacking from this last trip and making sure that a friend of ours was okay after having emergency surgery on her hand. We also had another family over for dinner and FHE since they are moving out of our ward. I also took all three kids into the orthodontist for an evaluation.
August
Next week Chad has Cub Scout camp (for the last time - wahoo!). He also starts his football practices which will be Monday through Thursday from 6:00pm-8:30pm. And then we will leave for Seattle to visit with my Dad (who now has a job there) and my mom (who will fly up to visit). So now I need to figure out what it is we are going to do once we get there!
After that we have a ward campout on the next weekend. Chris and I still need to go to the Davenport (we won a free stay). And then it will be time to get ready for school and do some shopping.
So, goodbye summer. It was fun while you were here.
(I'd love to post some pictures - but since we got a new computer at Christmas - and thus new programs - I just haven't had time to figure out how to do my pictures! It is driving me nuts!!!!! Wish I had time to learn - maybe some day).
June
The school schedule this year meant not getting out of school until after the middle of June! We spent the first week of no school relaxing, trying to recuperate from the hectic school year, and doing some cleaning up projects. Chad attended a basketball camp every morning and hated every minute of it. (Chris still had to go to school for a whole week.) All three kids also took one week of swimming lessons at the Porter's house. We also had a Herm and Jeraldine reunion and cheered on Chris' brother, Mike, at Hoop Fest.
Our second week of June (and the first week of July) was spent in Utah. Every other year we have had a big Hansen reunion. This was the year to go. The reunion is always around the 4th because that is when my Grandma Hansen's birthday is. This year was a little hard as my Grandpa Hansen passed away last May and wasn't there. I wasn't able to attend his funeral because it was the same week as Halle's baptism. So it kind of finally hit me that he was gone. It felt very different with out him there. My Grandma is still doing well and turned 90 this year. But she is so hoping to go soon. She misses my Grandpa and doesn't feel like she has anything to live for.
Besides the reunion we spent time going to the Stadium of Fire, boating, setting off our own fireworks, celebrating Sean's 7th birthday, swimming, hanging out with cousins, going to dinosaur museums, jumping on the trampoline, and doing plenty of shopping at BYU and Seagull Book.
July
I spent the first week back at home recuperating from our trip and planning a friend birthday party for Sean. Chad and Halle started doing swim team in the morning. So far they think it is too cold! And they do not want to do any meets. I'm going to do my best to change thier attitudes.
The next week I had Activity Days and another trip to get ready for. We also spent the week taking care of my friend's garden and pet gecko.
Our next trip was to Deer Lake, Washington. (Just an hour north off of highway 395). This was for our yearly Caviness reunion. We stayed in a cute, rustic little cabin at the resort and spent our time watching our kids enjoy themselves on the play-set, running around in the woods, and swimming in the Lake. There were plenty of family activities like fishing, eating and playing "Minute to Win It" games.
Chad and I had to leave early on Saturday to attend his first tackle football meeting. Chad was pretty excited that I finally allowed him to play tackle, but now that he is signed up and has meet his coach and team mates I think he is a little nervous.
After his football meeting, Chad went to a friends birthday party. Then I waited and waited for Chris and the kids to come home. I told him I didn't want them home past nine. Ten at the latest!. They rolled in around eleven pm. 9:00am church was not fun the next day. All of us were very sleepy and grumpy.
This week has been busying trying to finish unpacking from this last trip and making sure that a friend of ours was okay after having emergency surgery on her hand. We also had another family over for dinner and FHE since they are moving out of our ward. I also took all three kids into the orthodontist for an evaluation.
August
Next week Chad has Cub Scout camp (for the last time - wahoo!). He also starts his football practices which will be Monday through Thursday from 6:00pm-8:30pm. And then we will leave for Seattle to visit with my Dad (who now has a job there) and my mom (who will fly up to visit). So now I need to figure out what it is we are going to do once we get there!
After that we have a ward campout on the next weekend. Chris and I still need to go to the Davenport (we won a free stay). And then it will be time to get ready for school and do some shopping.
So, goodbye summer. It was fun while you were here.
(I'd love to post some pictures - but since we got a new computer at Christmas - and thus new programs - I just haven't had time to figure out how to do my pictures! It is driving me nuts!!!!! Wish I had time to learn - maybe some day).
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
New Callings
Some exciting changes have come my way.
I just got called as the Choir Pianist and as the Activity Day Leader for the younger girls in our ward. I'm excited to make practicing the piano a priority in my life - it is usually always on the back burner - but now I don't have to feel so guilty if I practice the piano instead of folding another stack of laundry.
I am so excited for Activity Days. That means I get to work with Halle and all her friends - basically I get to have a spiritual play date every other week with all the great girls in our ward. As soon as I was asked to do this calling my mind became flooded with ideas. I have at least 50 ideas already to go. I can't wait to get started.
I am still the Cub Scout Secretary. As long as Chad is a Cub Scout I might as well help out - I want to be involved and know what is going on any how.
I was released from being a Relief Society Instructor. Most people would think that is a dream calling - only having to teach once a month. It was a big stress for me. I don't like to be in front of people - I always get so nervous and stutter over my thoughts and words. I am also my own biggest critic and would always beat up on myself after teaching. But I am grateful for the opportunity I had to confront my fears head on and to study the gospel on a whole different level. I got so much out of the lessons I had to teach as my mind would be on the subject all month and I would analyze different ways to present the material and anticipate questions that might come up so that I could answer them. I have grown a whole lot spiritually because of this calling.
I just got called as the Choir Pianist and as the Activity Day Leader for the younger girls in our ward. I'm excited to make practicing the piano a priority in my life - it is usually always on the back burner - but now I don't have to feel so guilty if I practice the piano instead of folding another stack of laundry.
I am so excited for Activity Days. That means I get to work with Halle and all her friends - basically I get to have a spiritual play date every other week with all the great girls in our ward. As soon as I was asked to do this calling my mind became flooded with ideas. I have at least 50 ideas already to go. I can't wait to get started.
I am still the Cub Scout Secretary. As long as Chad is a Cub Scout I might as well help out - I want to be involved and know what is going on any how.
I was released from being a Relief Society Instructor. Most people would think that is a dream calling - only having to teach once a month. It was a big stress for me. I don't like to be in front of people - I always get so nervous and stutter over my thoughts and words. I am also my own biggest critic and would always beat up on myself after teaching. But I am grateful for the opportunity I had to confront my fears head on and to study the gospel on a whole different level. I got so much out of the lessons I had to teach as my mind would be on the subject all month and I would analyze different ways to present the material and anticipate questions that might come up so that I could answer them. I have grown a whole lot spiritually because of this calling.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Ironic Crap!
Did I just offend anyone by using the word, "CRAP"? If so I am sorry and you better not read any more.
Yes, "crap," is one of my vices. It comes out of my mouth at least once a day. But, it is a lot better than a whole lot of other words that I sometimes wish to use. Unfortunately your little weaknesses can be passed down to your children.
Halle has a lot of "friends" that use a lot of bad words. (And when I say bad words - I mean the worst words that you can use!!!) She has come home several times crying because they have used words that she knows are bad and she has also been called a "lesbian" by these so called friends. She has had the courage to tell her friends she doesn't like that kind of language and to stop - but being the great "friends" that they are they haven't stopped one bit. She now walks away when they start using bad language. (This apparently all happens during lunch time - are there no adults around?!)
I was helping out in Halle's classroom yesterday. The kids all went outside to work on a science project for a few minutes while I was still inside grading spelling tests. As they were going out the door Mrs. Nye yelled at one of the students - telling her that her language was not appropriate and to never use that word at school again. I didn't hear what the student said so I have no idea to what word in particular she was referring too. She was mad at the student and yelled at her - but didn't give her any type of punishment.
As the kids all come back into the classroom the teacher approached me and warned me that she was giving Halle a Think Time for saying the word "crap." I was totally shocked. Seriously?! Another student that is always misbehaving and just said a bad word gets yelled at and my daughter who says the word, "crap," is getting a think time?! I was so in shock I didn't know what to do. I want to support the teachers - and if my kid is doing something wrong - they deserve what ever punishment they get. But I didn't think this was right at all. But I also didn't want to argue with her in front of the whole class.
Poor Halle was bawling and bawling. After their lesson on the floor concluded the teacher approached me again. "I think Halle has learned her lesson. I won't send her to think time this time." Gee thanks, lady - you think?!
I didn't get a chance to talk with Halle again until after school. We joked about not ever saying the word, "CRAP!" in front of Mrs. Nye again. I told her that her teacher went a little too far and to just remember the classroom rules. Halle explained that she was telling people not to step in the dog crap outside. So she actually used the word quite correctly and was trying to help people not step in crap or smell like crap by warning them about crap.
I guess we can just say that yesterday was a very crappy day!
What do you think about the word, "crap"?
Yes, "crap," is one of my vices. It comes out of my mouth at least once a day. But, it is a lot better than a whole lot of other words that I sometimes wish to use. Unfortunately your little weaknesses can be passed down to your children.
Halle has a lot of "friends" that use a lot of bad words. (And when I say bad words - I mean the worst words that you can use!!!) She has come home several times crying because they have used words that she knows are bad and she has also been called a "lesbian" by these so called friends. She has had the courage to tell her friends she doesn't like that kind of language and to stop - but being the great "friends" that they are they haven't stopped one bit. She now walks away when they start using bad language. (This apparently all happens during lunch time - are there no adults around?!)
I was helping out in Halle's classroom yesterday. The kids all went outside to work on a science project for a few minutes while I was still inside grading spelling tests. As they were going out the door Mrs. Nye yelled at one of the students - telling her that her language was not appropriate and to never use that word at school again. I didn't hear what the student said so I have no idea to what word in particular she was referring too. She was mad at the student and yelled at her - but didn't give her any type of punishment.
As the kids all come back into the classroom the teacher approached me and warned me that she was giving Halle a Think Time for saying the word "crap." I was totally shocked. Seriously?! Another student that is always misbehaving and just said a bad word gets yelled at and my daughter who says the word, "crap," is getting a think time?! I was so in shock I didn't know what to do. I want to support the teachers - and if my kid is doing something wrong - they deserve what ever punishment they get. But I didn't think this was right at all. But I also didn't want to argue with her in front of the whole class.
Poor Halle was bawling and bawling. After their lesson on the floor concluded the teacher approached me again. "I think Halle has learned her lesson. I won't send her to think time this time." Gee thanks, lady - you think?!
I didn't get a chance to talk with Halle again until after school. We joked about not ever saying the word, "CRAP!" in front of Mrs. Nye again. I told her that her teacher went a little too far and to just remember the classroom rules. Halle explained that she was telling people not to step in the dog crap outside. So she actually used the word quite correctly and was trying to help people not step in crap or smell like crap by warning them about crap.
I guess we can just say that yesterday was a very crappy day!
What do you think about the word, "crap"?
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Daughter Date to the Dancing Princesses
Last night Halle and I attended the Spokane Youth Ballet's performance of The Dancing Princesses.
I have been wanting to take Halle to a ballet for some time now. I vividly remember the first ballet I saw. I was 10 years old, I was living in England, it was Sleeping Beauty, and it was a school field trip. My memories are a swirl of beautiful emotion seeing music alive through movement. I was completely enthralled. I remember getting books about ballet from the library afterwards and trying to practice all the steps and moves in the illustrations. But I quickly realized I would never be a dancer - just an appreciator.
I was very nervous about the whole ordeal. I've never really spent money on entertainment before (except date nights with my hubby). I hate driving into downtown Spokane and I really, really loath finding parking. But all went well!!! No getting lost, no accidents, and I found a great parking spot - totally free.
Halle and I had a small walk in the rain and had fun avoiding all the ginormous puddles accumulated on the sidewalks and crosswalks. Our seats were great. Pretty close - where we could really see the stage, and a little off to the side. There were mostly kids and moms seated around us. Just one dad to be seen in our little section. Just one 6'5" dad with the biggest, broadest head you have ever seen. And who was he sitting in front of? Me of course. Luckily his little kid was sitting in front of Halle and she had a great view. My view was great as long as leaned to the left or right of the BIG HEAD! I had stuffed our coats under Halle to help give her a boost up in her seat - I should have brought a couple more so that I could have had a boost too.
The dancers, costumes, and back drops were fantastic. Especially cute were a bunch of 3 to 4 year olds running around in overly sparkly fairy costumes. The funnest part for me though was to turn and face my daughter and watch her face. She was completely engaged - every story line and emotion written on her face. I hope she had a great of a time as I did and that this will be one of those memories she will cherish for ever.
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