I like to lead a simple life. Why? Because I like plenty of time to relax. One of the benefits of homeschool is that I don't have to get up and rush around getting kids ready. Instead, we start school when we feel like it. We have limited activities during the week so that when we go someplace, we can relax and enjoy the experience.
But I can't always have things my way. When Ammon turned 8, he started cub scouts. He loves it! But the timing is just inconvenient. I have to rush through dinner on Tuesdays and pile everyone in to get him to scouts by 6:30. Recently, the boys started baseball. It's a short season--but it is 4 nights a week. We've never been able to afford sports before, so this is something new for us. Sarah gets to start dance when baseball is over. We do piano lessons and co-op and we used to go to the library. Last Thursday, I ran from co-op to a dentist appointment, straight to baseball and then home for a primary meeting. I felt like my sister Lisa. No wonder she claims she has no time to facebook. My goodness. I don't like being busy.
Today Ammon had to go to his end-of-the-year testing thingy. He was in tests from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.--with a short lunch break. That's almost as long as kids go to public school, isn't it? My sister Rachel took him to the testing place. We have missed him all day. It was a weird thing to wake him up before he was done sleeping, make him take a shower when his eyes were half-closed, feed him breakfast before he was hungry, and then send him out the door. I even made him a lunch to take with him.
Last night, I rushed to Arctic Circle to get the kids some corndogs on our way to Nathan's t-ball game. Sarah and Beth played on the slides, but I had to keep running over there to remind Sarah to watch Beth. I tried watching Nathan play while helping Ammon review his math for his tests. I am not made to multi-task. I am made to relax and chat and occasionally get something worthwhile accomplished.
Since Ammon would be gone all day today, I decided to skip school with the others and just clean, clean, clean. I have been working all day and the house is messier than when I started. It's just crazy. But, we are packing and preparing to move, so I get sidetracked from the real cleaning pretty easily. While I was upstairs packing, Nathan got his own breakfast--a bowl of Cheerios topped with about 2 cups of powdered sugar. The entire kitchen is sticky. Every surface.
Well, I've got to run to pick up Ammon from his testing then get to baseball--double header tonight.
Finally, I feel like a normal mother. I'm not sure I'm cut out for this.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Ammon's baseball
Ammon's first baseball game was rained out. Then the next day, we got snowed out!! Then, finally it was dry enough to play. But it was cold. So cold. So very, very cold.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Nathan's first baseball game
The tongue helps with concentration.
There's a lot of waiting in baseball--best to bring a thumb for sucking.
He actually caught a ball and threw it to 1st from this position.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Biological Brothers
Oh, brother.
I feel like telling stories. Two stories. And you all know how long-winded I can be, so get comfortable.
Story #1: I think this took place in 1998. I was sitting in the Cougareat (big cafeteria thingy) at BYU with my brother, Jacob. Perhaps Rachel was there, too. Surrounding the eating area were several booths or tables. Students stationed themselves in said booths to promote their clubs, activities, or causes. Across the way there was a student in a booth. According to my memory, he was quite striking in his appearance. I thought I would like to make his acquaintance. But what would I say? Luckily, I have a helpful brother named Jacob. Jacob came up with all sorts of elaborate plans for me to meet this boy. Unfortunately, while his plans included ways to physically get me to the booth, they did not tell me what to say once I got there. He drew maps. He even got up and demonstrated the complicated paths around the tables. I was a geography major. I did not need someone to draw me a map of how to get around a table. I can draw my own maps, thank you. I needed someone to play Cyrano de Bergerac to my pathetic Christian--but with a happier ending.
Jacob got a little frustrated and called me "weak and stupid." Now, you may think this was rude. You may think I was offended. But if you think that, you don't know me or my relationship with my brother. I thought it was funny. We left. I did not approach the boy. I did not talk to the boy. I did not date the boy. I did not marry the boy.
Jacob had been learning in his biology class about Darwin's theory of survival of the fittest. He told me I was "weak and stupid and would never reproduce." And then he wrote a paper about it. He turned the paper in to his biology professor. He even got an A!!! That Jacob, he can write. He even made it sound scientifically sound. I still have a copy of the paper, if anyone is interested. It's quite entertaining.
For the record, I have reproduced successfully. I am not weak or stupid. Of course, Chris did approach me....
Story #2: My brother, Michael, is currently taking a biology class at BYU. His professor is an avid scuba diver. He told the class about a time he was diving and came across an intriguing fish. He followed it for a while. The fish saw the diver as a danger. It panicked and resorted to a "fight or flight" syndrome. It swam and tried to get away. But the scuba diver was too clever for it. Eventually the fish gave up. It became passive and waited for its inevitable death.
The biology professor taught that in nature, there are different stages when responding to danger. First comes the "fight or flight." Later comes the "passive" stage, where the victim just gives up, or gives in to danger.
Michael raised his hand--right in the middle of class--and spoke. (This intrigues me! I got through 12 years of public school and 4 years of university without ever speaking in class.) Michael said, "What do you make of my sister? When faced with fear, she skips the 'fight or flight' stage and goes right to the 'passive' stage." The professor said, "Well, does your sister find that when she responds like this, people surround her to comfort her?" Michael said, "You do realize we are talking about my older sister?" The professor paused, and then said, "Hmmm. I have no idea."
The specific example in Michael's mind was when one of my toddlers almost knocked over a floor lamp. I (apparently) screamed and hid my eyes. I don't remember the incident, but find it easy to believe.
You are welcome, dear brothers. I am glad I could provide real-life examples for you to better understand your biology classeses. I know you see me as some sort of oddity. But in the end, you like me that way. Right?
Jeffrey, have I ever helped you get through a biology class? I'll wait for your story.
I feel like telling stories. Two stories. And you all know how long-winded I can be, so get comfortable.
Story #1: I think this took place in 1998. I was sitting in the Cougareat (big cafeteria thingy) at BYU with my brother, Jacob. Perhaps Rachel was there, too. Surrounding the eating area were several booths or tables. Students stationed themselves in said booths to promote their clubs, activities, or causes. Across the way there was a student in a booth. According to my memory, he was quite striking in his appearance. I thought I would like to make his acquaintance. But what would I say? Luckily, I have a helpful brother named Jacob. Jacob came up with all sorts of elaborate plans for me to meet this boy. Unfortunately, while his plans included ways to physically get me to the booth, they did not tell me what to say once I got there. He drew maps. He even got up and demonstrated the complicated paths around the tables. I was a geography major. I did not need someone to draw me a map of how to get around a table. I can draw my own maps, thank you. I needed someone to play Cyrano de Bergerac to my pathetic Christian--but with a happier ending.
Jacob got a little frustrated and called me "weak and stupid." Now, you may think this was rude. You may think I was offended. But if you think that, you don't know me or my relationship with my brother. I thought it was funny. We left. I did not approach the boy. I did not talk to the boy. I did not date the boy. I did not marry the boy.
Jacob had been learning in his biology class about Darwin's theory of survival of the fittest. He told me I was "weak and stupid and would never reproduce." And then he wrote a paper about it. He turned the paper in to his biology professor. He even got an A!!! That Jacob, he can write. He even made it sound scientifically sound. I still have a copy of the paper, if anyone is interested. It's quite entertaining.
For the record, I have reproduced successfully. I am not weak or stupid. Of course, Chris did approach me....
Story #2: My brother, Michael, is currently taking a biology class at BYU. His professor is an avid scuba diver. He told the class about a time he was diving and came across an intriguing fish. He followed it for a while. The fish saw the diver as a danger. It panicked and resorted to a "fight or flight" syndrome. It swam and tried to get away. But the scuba diver was too clever for it. Eventually the fish gave up. It became passive and waited for its inevitable death.
The biology professor taught that in nature, there are different stages when responding to danger. First comes the "fight or flight." Later comes the "passive" stage, where the victim just gives up, or gives in to danger.
Michael raised his hand--right in the middle of class--and spoke. (This intrigues me! I got through 12 years of public school and 4 years of university without ever speaking in class.) Michael said, "What do you make of my sister? When faced with fear, she skips the 'fight or flight' stage and goes right to the 'passive' stage." The professor said, "Well, does your sister find that when she responds like this, people surround her to comfort her?" Michael said, "You do realize we are talking about my older sister?" The professor paused, and then said, "Hmmm. I have no idea."
The specific example in Michael's mind was when one of my toddlers almost knocked over a floor lamp. I (apparently) screamed and hid my eyes. I don't remember the incident, but find it easy to believe.
You are welcome, dear brothers. I am glad I could provide real-life examples for you to better understand your biology classeses. I know you see me as some sort of oddity. But in the end, you like me that way. Right?
Jeffrey, have I ever helped you get through a biology class? I'll wait for your story.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Happy Easter
I think Easter is a powerful holiday. I see it as a time when Christians around the world unite in a celebration of life. The Life.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
(John 14:6)
As we celebrate the renewal of life in springtime, it's easy to reflect on the gift given us--to overcome death, both spiritual and temporal--through the Savior.
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.
(John 11:25-26)
Our Heavenly Father, who loves us each individually, sent us the greatest of all gifts.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
(John 3:16)
As we each struggle with different elements of sadness, pain and loss in this life, it is so reassuring and comforting to have hope in the Holy One.
But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ. He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.
(Mosiah 16:8-9)
I know that God lives and I know that He loves me. I have never doubted God's love for me. Because I have felt His love for me, I know He loves each of His children. His love is evidenced in the fact that He sent His Son to this earth to live a perfect life, suffer for our sins, die a cruel death, and then be resurrected. And all of this for us--for me. I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me. It truly is an amazing grace. I am grateful, so grateful, for my belief in Jesus Christ. This belief system provides structure and stability for every aspect of my life.
I am glad to share the Easter celebration with others who believe.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
(John 14:6)
As we celebrate the renewal of life in springtime, it's easy to reflect on the gift given us--to overcome death, both spiritual and temporal--through the Savior.
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.
(John 11:25-26)
Our Heavenly Father, who loves us each individually, sent us the greatest of all gifts.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
(John 3:16)
As we each struggle with different elements of sadness, pain and loss in this life, it is so reassuring and comforting to have hope in the Holy One.
But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ. He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.
(Mosiah 16:8-9)
I know that God lives and I know that He loves me. I have never doubted God's love for me. Because I have felt His love for me, I know He loves each of His children. His love is evidenced in the fact that He sent His Son to this earth to live a perfect life, suffer for our sins, die a cruel death, and then be resurrected. And all of this for us--for me. I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me. It truly is an amazing grace. I am grateful, so grateful, for my belief in Jesus Christ. This belief system provides structure and stability for every aspect of my life.
I am glad to share the Easter celebration with others who believe.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Think about it
It has taken me a while to come up with something to write. So, this is all I've got:
Today, Ammon said, "Fun and uno rhyme!"
I thought it was enormously clever. But then I told my mom and my sister Rachel the story. They were confused. Rachel thought Ammon didn't understand the concept of rhyming. She thought he meant that it was fun to play Uno. My mom didn't know what to think. Please tell me that someone out there can figure out what he meant. I'll be anxiously awaiting your comments.
(By the way, I totally got it. Right away. I'm clever like that.)
Today, Ammon said, "Fun and uno rhyme!"
I thought it was enormously clever. But then I told my mom and my sister Rachel the story. They were confused. Rachel thought Ammon didn't understand the concept of rhyming. She thought he meant that it was fun to play Uno. My mom didn't know what to think. Please tell me that someone out there can figure out what he meant. I'll be anxiously awaiting your comments.
(By the way, I totally got it. Right away. I'm clever like that.)
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