I'm afraid I have raised a...

CHICKEN-ANNIBAL

And to her detractors she says:

Photo Shoot

I was involved in a photo shoot today.


It went a little something like this...






Ethan: Mom say cheese...(pause)...say CHEESE Mom...(pause--urgent)...SAY CHEESE MOM!

Me: (grumpy voice while I attempted to put his shoes on) cheese

*click*

Ethan: Say crackers...

Me: Crackers. :)

*click*

Ethan: Say Pig Mom...

Me:(giggling) Pig!

*click*

Ethan: Say DUCK Mom!

Me: (Definitely smilling now) DUCK!

*click*

How exactly should you smile when you say duck???

Photographer turned subject...

Impatient

I'm an impatient learner. Yep that's right, I hate things that take a long time to master. Probably the reason for my dabbling in a lot of things but master of none. I, however, am determined to work on this little character flaw of mine. I want to become good at something...not just good...really good. So bear with me. My chosen outlet for this little character building exercise is photography, which includes post production...or in other words photoshop. I just got Photoshop Elements a couple days ago and have since spent much too much time playing around with it. The nice thing is I happened across this fun little (big) blog and the author's easy to understand tutorials. Here's my first attempt that I feel is at least post worthy. Please remind me that it takes time to get good at hard things. :)

Straight out of the camera shot

Tinkered with shot

Well it will be a long path, but hopefully it will be fun too!

10 Random Reasons I love my Dad...Happy Birthday!

In honor of my Dad's birthday today...shh don't tell but he's 81, I have decided to share some random memories of why he is the BEST Dad in the world...and he doesn't need a shirt to prove it. Well he wears shirts, just not the one that says "Best Dad in the World". Ok, Ok now you are making me feel guilty...maybe I'll get him a mug. Anywhoo...

Sierra & Grandpa at Sierra's Baptism

1. I got a speeding ticket when I was 17 just a few measly months after getting my driver's license. He didn't yell, he didn't lecture me, he didn't even roll his eyes and laugh...or go on and on about how much our car insurance would go up. He quietly let me take care of it myself. He later told me he wondered if he should help me pay it...I'm glad he didn't though 75 smackers was a tough blow, I learned way more than from my Dad then I did getting the ticket. P.S. If your friends in the backseat are not wearing seatbelts, it doesn't help for them to buckle up after the fact...the police have eyes you know.

2. My Dad drove across the country on multiple occasions with me and one brother or the other. One time it was in a old broken down red Chevy pick-up truck. Held together by rust, my Dad fashioned a bunk bed across the back and the three of us slept in it on all the KOA's between Utah and Quebec. Because of him I know paper factories stink to high heaven. Minnesota has forests and forests of trees planted in perfect angles, the best side of Niagra Falls is the Canadian side, ordering food in French in Quebec is not necessary if you go to McDonalds, Maine is ABSOLUTELY beautiful, Michigan has TERRIBLE water, Boston has crazy roads--AND parishoners had their names on the pews at the Old North Church. I guess sitting in the same place every week at church is not such a new thing. Thanks Dad for incomparable memories of that trip, as well as visiting Williamsburg on Christmas Eve, driving through West Virginia and getting sick on chocolate peanut butter ice cream, driving down the east coast looking for a motel that didn't resemble the one in Psycho, eating pecan pie at the home of a wonderful southerner simply because you had served your mission there, getting to see where they launched the space shuttle, dipping my toes into the Gulf of Mexico, driving up, down and all around through Texas and putting up with me tipping the border agents off to our smuggled Florida oranges and grapefruit at the Arizona line. I have never received a better education than I did on those trips...they truly framed the way I looked at life and people. I can't say thank you enough.

3. Buying ice cream for us simply because the 0dometer in the car had turned over another 10,000 miles.

4. See how I got him up in the middle of the night to rescue my friend's car from the snowdrift in my front yard.

5. Eating waffles with you down at the Old Glass Factory while you tended the furnace and NOT yelling at me when I let out a blood curling scream as a snake scuttled across the floor while you were on a business call.

6. Taking me to church wherever we happened to be. Whether it be a Catholic Catherdral in Montreal or the local LDS wards in New England, or Alabama.

7. Driving me up to Beaver Mountain because I couldn't go skiing for perfect attendance day ( I think I missed one day for a funeral) then coming back up to pick me up. Then...feeling bad for me because I had second degree burns and blisters on my face because I didn't use sunscreen.

8. Going to all my parent teacher conferences even though you knew there weren't any big problems.

9. Camping..at Sunrise, Tony Grove, Arches & Zion's National Parks and instilling in me the leave it better than you found it philosophy.

10. Putting up with endless sleepovers, taking my friends swimming with us at USU, trying to help with my homework even though you were so tired you usually fell asleep. And most of all believing in me. I don't remember a time you ever said, no you can't do that. I always felt like I could accomplish anything.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

What have you done?

Rules: Anything you have done has to be in colored, bold, and/or underlined. Mine are in white. I've noted Bucket List items in yellow.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (Clarinet and Bassoon--not at the same time)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower (Almost every August at my family reunion)
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a Praying Mantis(Well it jumped on me..I might of screamed, but it wouldn't come off)
10. Sang a solo (I'm counting this one because when I sang with Emily, I had to sing my own part)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris (would like to...but not dying to)
13. Watched an amazing lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch (Currently learning photoshop--does that count?).
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (No but I've urged others to do so...Mental Health Day)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Ran a Marathon (no way)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise (To Alaska)
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person (even cooler from the Canadian side)
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (ASL and Japanese)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (yeah probably)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa (The Savanna specifically I want to go...and Botswana)
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea diving
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China( I think I want to see it...going to China scares me)
57. Started a business(3 actually)
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia (not visited, but I had 3 Russians live with me)
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (bought them)
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a motorcycle(hated every second of it)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person (in 11 days)
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible (started to...but haven't finished)
86. Visited the White House (went on the tour...can't remember a thing except waiting in line to get in)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (didn't kill it, but helped pluck--yuck)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury (sat in the jury BOX...field trip with Emily)
91. Met someone famous( I'll count this)
92. Joined a book club(13 years and going strong...miss you Brenda)
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone (FINALLY!)
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Visited Italy (Tippy top of the traveling wish list)

Done: 42 Bucket List: 20

The Secret Librarians Don't Want You to Know

Guess what? There is a whole big section of books in the library that are REALLY cool. Like super duper cool, but, the librarians don't want you to know about them. Do you want to know how I know? They file them with big long crazy number strings that make absolutely no sense. UNLESS of course you happen to be a librarian...or you actually paid attention in 5th grade when you learned how to use the card catalog.

The Dewey Decimal system, I have recently learned, was created by Melvil Dewey. Melvil, that's right, sounds like a librarian doesn't he. He wanted a logical easy way to classify books so they would be easily found and returned to their place. I used to think he did not achieve his dream. I remember 'learning' the system and it was usually associated with researching some boring subject and writing a report.

I am guessing that SOME people were not so book snobbish as I was as a child and did venture into the non-fiction section farther than the nearest World Book. But, I was not among them. In my my mind the equation went something like this:

Non-fiction = BORING!!!!

Oh the things I missed out on. I really did not grasp all the great books for kids hiding amongst the numbers until Tim came along. I had to bribe him to read a FICTION book. He was a walking encyclopedia and would camp out in that ever elusive library section.

BUT, now that I get to pretend I'm a librarian, I am actually learning the basics of the Melvil's categorization...and while I'm still not sure I understand his motive for putting things where he did, (See here for an explanation of the categories) I am starting to understand where to look for things.

Despite, my somewhat tongue-in-cheek approach here, it has been fun to really delve more deeply into the gems found in that 'other' corner of the library.

Check out some of the non-fiction nuggets we found yesterday at the library...

For Ethan:

YES! Diggers, dump trucks anything that is big and moves and makes clanking sounds is WAY up there on the favorite list right now. I think these type of books are ones I most often overlooked before. Of course there are similar books in the fiction section, but there is a bunch of untapped resources for even little guys in the non-fiction section.

These books were great because Sierra DID need to do a report on Frogs. We could of course, and did, use internet sources but there is something about holding a book and turning each page that helps the learning really sink in. The book 'Frogs' by Nic Bishop is one we actually own, but it was at the library too. I don't think I have ever seen a nature book with more beautiful photographs. Whether you like frogs or not, want to learn about them or not, I highly reccomend it for the photography alone. And it has great content as well.

Recently I checked out 7 or 8 books on the Grand Canyon for my kids to read, and be read to. It was really cool to have so many books on the same subject to peruse at the same time. Maybe, I'm slow, ok probably, but having multiple books at a time on the same subject really helped us see different dimensions that we wouldn't have seen before. We did the same thing with knots when Savanna learned to tie her shoe. It is a practice that I intend to keep up because it was, in short, a blast.

So...all of you that already KNEW the virtues of the 'boring' section of the library you can stop giggling under your breath now...and those that didn't go check it out! It's alot of fun. And all of you--let me know what you find. :)

Grocery Store Baggers

I'm pretty capable. I can schlop a 25 lb bag of sugar in and out of a cart without too much lower back pain. BUT...if I DON'T have to do it...its all the better right? So lately I've been stocking up on some food storage items. 45 lbs of wheat in a giant tub x 4 (well not so much giant as comfortably huge) takes some muscles. So I'm checking out, there is no bagger but the checker, and HE asks if I would like help out to the car. Sure I say...so he calls for a bagger to come help me. How come all the baggers assigned to help customers to the car are maybe 18...maybe weigh 100 lbs and maybe look like they could heft a box of Wheaties?

At that point I have 1 of two choices...let the poor wispy girl try to heft my 1 month (for 7 people) supply of wheat while I look like a lazy middle-aged prissy woman. OR...help her heft the grains into my trunk. Then she is left wondering...why am I here again? Good question.

Then there is the awkward moment where we decide if the bagger or I should push the cart to the parking lot. The dance begins as I reach for the handle to start pushing at the same time the bagger does. What would Miss Manners say? So if the bagger DOES push the cart I'm left wandering around with my receipt and nothing to hold on to. I have to play tourist guide to point out my car and hope that the 3 yr old in the child seat doesn't decide to start his power kicks...again. For as you know there is no more lovely a sound to a 3 yr old then the banging of metal against metal when applied with pressure from a 3 year old's shoe. 'Watch out...he may get you in the gut'

The one...good...and nice thing about having the bagger accompany you is SHE will take the cart back. It's against my 'religion' to leave a cart in the parking lot. I admit I have 'sinned' before...but only in Wal-Mart's parking lot where the cart returns are about as close as the equator to the north pole.

Is this why they invented online shopping?

The Wall

It's depressing...only 2 months into blogging and I hit a wall. I want to write. My fingers are crying for the keyboard. They long to move smoothly over the keys to form words that not only make sense but in some small way make a difference...but the brain is stuck. Mud...maybe its Spring up there in the 'ole attic. Need to pull the old frontal lobe out of the mire. Then on the other hand...it probably doesn't matter much one way or the other if I write or not. Other than the fact it BUGS me. Here I got all inspired to create...and then nothing. Oh sure I have some ideas. But for some unknown reason they all 'sound' silly, or stupid, or boring, or lame when I debate them in my head. Perhaps they are...but does that really matter???

So I think I'll make a list. A list of ideas. Some good some just so-so. But for when I do feel inspired once more I'll be able to remember those tidbits I wanted to pontificate about.

• Ethanisms...he's a master and has quite a list of great fodder for a 3 year old...problem? I can't seem to remember any when I sit down to write.



• Living life to the fullest...here's a preview of the picture I want to use. I just need to flesh out my ideas a bit.



• My Dad...My Hero There is a lot to say there but it is his birthday later this week so I think I'll save it for later.

• Grocery Store Baggers



• The Dr.s Office



• Venice Idaly (yeah I know its spelled wrong)



• Second Grade



• Leadership...being thrust or gently nudged upon you.



• Blessings



• Listening to the still small voice.

OK well that should give me a leg up next time my brain comes in contact with that big ugly brick behemoth of a wall. Wish me luck! And...where do you get your ideas???

Pay It Forward

Sharon challenged her blog readers to pay it forward. Sounds like fun! :)

So I'm going to take the challenge. Here's how it works...

The first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a handmade (Or at least a hand wrapped---honestly if I promise handmade it will be next century) gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise (to me too!). The catch is that you must participate as well. Before you leave your comment, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going (or copy, paste and edit to your needs as I did). Then come back, let me know you're going to play, and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift! Come and play!! :)

Anything to brighten a day! :)

Create

"The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I loved this when I first heard it and have been thinking about creating over the last little while (Thanks Emily). Sometimes, it seems the things that get created at my house are more mess than not. But, in reflection, those things we create are not necessarily art masterpieces or symphonies, they may not be revered by the world, or noted by those around you. But when we create whether it be something textile or a relationship as we were designed to do...the world is a little brighter for our effort. I ran across this post the other day on another blog and it made me smile. A Glorious Mess, Indeed.

What will you create today?

Oh Where, Oh Where...

have my little children gone?

As I sidle off to bed each night, I have to peek to see that they are alright. Yoohoo Ethan...where are you????

One night this is all I found in Ethan's bed...no child, no blanket, no sign of a struggle, and snakey sleeping peacefully.

Ahh there you are...bunk beds should be for two...right?

The next night...Savanna and Sierra were missing...Do we REALLY need beds in our house?

A Knotty Lesson

The proud owner of a

NOT so NAUGHTY KNOT!

Congratulations Savanna!

Science vs. Faith

There have been several letters to the editor in our local paper recently debating the long standing argument of science vs. faith. One side claims that those that believe in God are delusional, unrealistic and living in a fantasy world. The extreme on the other side discounts scientific discovery in the interest of faith. It has made me once again reflect on the battle that rages in today's society that for some reason faith and science cannot be reconciled.

To me there is no contradiction. The argument for both sides is really the same and in that it is a paradox.

Some proponents of scientific theories such as evolution claim that because of 'iron-clad' facts that have been proven through scientific methods faith in God is a crutch for weak minded individuals. I am always amazed at such arguments.

Scientists who are continually learning new things everyday, literally expanding our universe by their discoveries would have to be at the peak of arrogance to say that they understand the whole of the origin of man.

Looking through history it was not long ago that we did not know about atoms, then that there were smaller parts that made up atoms, then that there are subatomic particles. To think that we have 'reached' the pinnacle of scientific knowledge is folly at best.

I frankly don't understand why a person that can be so 'open minded' when it comes to the scientific method can be so small minded when thinking about what the big picture might contain. Any scientist worth his salt is continually looking for new breakthroughs, new ideas, new theories to explain the phenomenon of every facet of our lives.

I recently read a book about a scientist that did in fact embrace both views of science and faith. Mormon Scientist, The Life and Faith of Henry Eyring. Henry developed the Absolute Rate Theory (ART) that is a standard in current day quantum physics. I couldn't explain what it means in layman's terms, but it was a significant scientific break through, and he was nominated multiple times for the Nobel Prize in Science. He worked with scientific greats like Einstein and wrote an astounding number of scientific papers. He had a brilliant mind, loved everything science related but also had an unwavering faith in God, the Eternal Father and in his son Jesus Christ.

He had many contemporaries that did not understand how he could do both. They felt that he must compartmentalize his beliefs and didn't let them meet. He however, did not see that there was a problem. His method of discovery was to search for truth wherever it may be even if it seemed contradictory. When faced with such paradoxes he said, "Yes, these two facts seem contradictory. Let's assume that they are both true and see if we can find the missing pieces that reconcile them." Interestingly he regularly applied this method to scientific problems that seemed to not fit and often did find the missing piece.

His thoughts on truth reminded me of a recent talk by Dallin H. Oaks. He made the point that different types of knowledge are verifiable in different ways. For example you can scientifically know that the weather outside is hot or cold by looking at a thermometer. That is scientifically verifiable information. Just as important you can know that your parents, or kids or your spouse love you (or not I guess). Though it is not verifiable by a scientific method, it is still very important knowledge. Dallin H. Oaks said, "When we know spiritual truths by spiritual means, we can be just as sure of that knowledge as scholars and scientists are of the different kinds of knowledge they have acquired by different methods."

I can honestly say that I know God created this world. I know that he provided a plan through his son Jesus Christ for his children to return to him. And while I know not all people agree with me, and I respect their views and defend their right to hold those views, nothing could disabuse me of this knowledge. Neither could you convince me that it must not be cold to get snow. I believe that in the end the paradox of science vs faith will be no contradiction at all. In the end all those missing pieces will fit into the grand puzzle and truth in whatever form it is found will be whole.

My Monday Mini-Rant

Now taking bets...



How long will it be until Kat remembers to do 10 Digit Dialing???






This is worse than writing out the wrong year on checks...I mean really how often do I write checks anymore? And yes I use my cell phone all the time...but almost ALL of the numbers stored don't have the area code in front.

For all you non-Utahns (all one of you. LOL) We have sadly run out of room on our 801 area code so instead of setting up a NEW area code for the state we now have an OVERLAY. End result we have to dial all 10 numbers to call anyone...even my sister across the street. URGGHH It is faster to run over there now.

UGH>>>>>I just took a break from this rant to make a quick phone call...and you guessed it...EVEN then I didn't remember. It's official...I'm brain dead.

Please leave your eulogies below.

(The font is so large because face it...you should talk a bit louder when you are ranting....right?)

Trippin with the Goblins...

So in my blog journeys I happened across an invitation to a virtual field trip at the blog Yarns of My Heart. The author Jena doesn't know me from Adam...but since she invited 'everyone' I thought I'd join in. You can too if you like.

So buckle up tight we are off...

DESTINATION: Goblin Valley (Central Utah)

Goblin valley is a Utah State Park. It is a hands on playground of sandstone formations that look very much like goblins. The great part of this park is rather than just 'viewing' the incredible red rock of Utah at this place you can experience it your self by climbing, hiking, hiding and exploring. Here is a quick video showing the park. It is located on just over 3 1/2 acres and includes a campground.

HISTORY: Goblin Valley was first discovered (by non-natives) in 1920 by ranchers looking for lost cattle. Can you imagine having to search for cattle in there!?! Later the name 'Mushroom Valley' was coined and in 1964 it was made a State Park with the name of Goblin Valley.

LOCATION: It is located in Central Utah in Emery County. It is 30-40 miles from the nearest town of Green River. YES it IS out in the middle of nowhere.

WEATHER: HOT--in summer anyway. There is no getting around the heat in this area. The most comfortable times to visit are Spring and Fall. We were there at the very beginning of June and the heat was definitely on.

OPPORTUNITIES: It is an awesome place to learn about geology, rocks, erosion and more. These rocks have been eroded by wind and if you are there for very long you will get to experience that for yourself. One time when Mike and I were there we were camping and the wind was so strong that it kept deflating our pop-up tent then letting it out like a firecracker. After being brutally jarred out of sleep 2 or 3 times we chose to pack up and sleep in the car. The rocks themselves are like a giant Nature-Made Playground. This newsletter highlights some of the fun to be had there. When we were there last there was a Scout Troop with HUGE semi-automatic type water guns. They were having a blast jumping from Goblin to Goblin trying to avoid the splatter. We were there during the State of Utah's 100 year anniversary. During that year at all the state parks they held Geo-Cache Treasure Hunts--complete with GPS coordinates and clues. You can find your own geo-hunt here. We had a blast and ACTUALLY found our treasure this time.

Ethan wants to touch the rocks too.

Savanna leads the way.

Looking for the treasure.

FOUND IT!

What's up with that--legislative edition

My state Senator has been sending me weekly updates of this year's legislature. Don't get me wrong, I am appreciative of his efforts to stay in contact with his constituents, but some of the things that are going on Utah's State Capitol...are mind boggling, some stupid, and some maddening and of course the odd good idea. Here's a slice of what's going on from my point of view.

SUBJECT: FEDERAL STIMULUS--STATUS--UNSTIMULATING

So the federal government in all of their government glory has passed a
TRILLION dollar stimulus package...we already know none of us really has a clue what a gianormous number that is...spending $ 1million per day since the day Christ was born would only add up to about 3/4 of a trillion dollars. NASA says 1
trillion seconds would be more than 31 MILLION years. CNN delved into what
a trillion dollars means and you can find more on YouTube it's
staggering!The crazy thing is...no one really knows where all that money
is going. My senator sent me 8 PAGES of proposals to where that money might go in the state of Utah. But does anyone really know how long it is...some reports say 600, some 800, some over 1000. The devil is in the details and nobody even
knows WHERE the details are much less WHAT. There was less than 48
hours to review it after the final draft and many house members complained that
they didn't have time to review it. How could you?? Even my senator hasn't
had a chance to review Utah's piece of the pie. He says, "Our staff is working on an analysis". The 8 pages of where the money will go..it is what you might call a great Bedtime Stimulus for amnesics...it will definitely cure the ailment.

SUBJECT: ETHICS BILLS--STATUS--INCOMPLETE

I'll give some credit for effort. Two ethics bills HAVE passed the senate
this week. One, saying a retired politician can't use left over campaign
money for his own personal use...DUH. And two, a politician must
report any gifts over $10 and meals over $25...BIG WHOOP!

What we are MISSING...is the obvious elephant in the room. Politicians
should NOT be able to become paid lobbyists for at least a year after leaving
the legislature. It may surprise some to find out that last year's Speaker
of the House (who was quite popular among legislators though not popular enough
to get re-elected) is now a PAID lobbyist for the tobacco companies. Is it
any wonder that Utah has the 34th highest (16the
lowest) Tobacco tax in the nation? Now you know that I questioned WHERE
that tax should go...but it is a no brainer to make it higher. Tobacco is a health
detriment not only to those that use it but EVERYONE in the vicinity.

SUBJECT: CLAY'S LAW (Making it mandatory for insurance companies to cover Autism related Disorders)--STATUS--STILL HANGING IN THERE BUT AT RISK OF BEING DEFEATED

PROS: Children who are no routinely denied coverage and in turn therapies
for Autism Spectrum disorders would now have the opportunity to receive life
changing therapies that would not only help the child, but the family, AND
the community. This article explains how research based therapies that are currently available could save the state $1.8-$2.7 million dollars per child that is treated successfully. That is HUGE...we can pay for it now and get the benefit of
a child's life changed, a family life perhaps saved and a community debt
avoided or we can pay for it later, with higher medical bills, education
bills, criminal bills. See what the senate is saying about it here.

CONS: Hmmm...I guess there could be some (government intervention, modest
premium boosts--but this one to me seems that the pros far outweigh the
cons.)

SUBJECT: SINGAPORE MATH GRANTS--STATUS--POSSIBILITY

I looked into this program a bit when I heard my kid's school would be
using the method for their math classes. I read a lot of good reviews...but was
a bit surprised that it was a method that was used most often by homeschoolers. I can't really say whether or not it is a better method than what they used at our last school. I am happy that it has been good for Tim. He hasn't been bored and seems to be learning well...same goes for Sierra. So while I don't know if it is the solution to all our countries math problems, I do think it is a good step to allow for schools to test it out if they like, because that just adds another 'choice' for parents and kids in
their education.

SUBJECT: LIQUOR LAWS--STATUS--HAVE WE GONE DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE???

Apparently we have passed a law that our beer can now be 'heavy beer'
meaning resellers will be able to sell beer with more than 3.2% alcohol
content outside of the State liquor store. (currently and alcoholic drink
over 3.2% alcoholic content can only be sold in the state liquor store.) BUT
we are also on the way to passing the Zion curtain (meaning restaurants
would have to build a 10 ft wall around any place that prepared alcoholic
drinks.) As Alice said, "It would be so nice if something would make
sense for a change."

To contact your Utah State Legislators:

House Members & Senators

My experience is they really do listen...they won't always vote like you want them to, but that doesn't mean you can't make a difference--that, however, is fodder for another blog post.

I'm ready to scream at blogger and its weird formatting tonight...sorry if this is bizzare.

So maybe I'm OCD

{OCD} Kat's definition:

Obsessive...Compulsive...Direction


I tend to like to learn new things. And when I learn new things I tend to be a bit obsessive about the process. And then if I like what I'm learning I tend to have a compulsion about delving into said subject with even greater gusto. And then my direction (for the time being) is plowing through, nothing wavering and straight on 'til morning.

(I'm pretty sure this is a quality that on some level drives my dear sweet husband nuts...thanks for hanging in there with my honey.) In my defense...I don't think this is necessarily a BAD quality...it can just take those around you by surprise and maybe give them a little whiplash when all the sudden you are 'totally into' something new.


So what is my latest OCD? Blog reading. I blame you...you know who you are...the ones that got me all psyched about this blogging thing anyway. :) Thank you. I've been enjoying myself immensely.


What kind of blogs have you been reading? You ask. Oh this, that, the other...and several on education. If you know me that is a hot topic and has been an OCD of mine with hot and cold moments for years. I have strong opinions on the subject and regularly bore my friends with my ideas. (Thanks for still being my friend...you know who you are.)


My educational philosophy is basic.

'Don't let schooling get in the way of your education'.

I inherited this philosophy from my father. He is an educated and a wise man.

To me, it means...that learning moments are all around us. There is really no time or place that learning cannot occur. Some of these things are 'academic' some are 'lilfe skills' and some are from the school of 'hard knocks'. You would 'think' that certain types of learning might be more likely to occur in a school setting as opposed to a home setting, but that is not always true.

This philosophy is especially important to me because I have 5 kids whom I'm educating. It is my (& that dear sweet husband of mine's) responsibility to ensure they have the 'education' to be successful in the world. I most want my kids to have a LOVE of learning. I think they do. I am especially pleased that this love is being nurtured at school and home this year.

Alot of the blogs I have read are homeschooling blogs. I think blogging is a great way to show the product of learning. It has been very interesting reading these blogs because they have given me lots of ideas. And I LOVE ideas. In a way you could say that our family is a homeschooling family, though perhaps in an untraditional way. Untraditional in that my kids do go to an organized school, traditional because we still try to 'learn' in the moment. I'm guessing that this is not unique to our family but it is a fun way to be. Ideas happen...and when they happen I think you should hold on to them...inspect them....look at them upside down and sideways...then see where they lead.

I love when my kids get an idea and we can go all out and explore all the facets of it. My latest example was with Savanna and Ethan. We are headed to the Grand Canyon in a few weeks as a family...in preparation we have read a bunch of books on the subject, talked about how canyons are made and what erosion is. Savanna can tell you that erosion is caused by wind or water and she is excited to look for the animals that we might see there. I hope that the actual trip will be a bit more exciting now that she knows that the different colors in the rocks are actually different layers...and that in SOME of the layers lie fossils. Fossils sounded pretty dang cool to Savanna.

Savanna made my day while were exploring the Grand Canyon...she said, 'Mom, I love it when you are my teacher.' Man talk about an ego boost. It brought to my mind this quote by

M. Russell Ballard:

"Recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction. "

DESPITE all those times that the 'moments' where frustrating, challenging or anything BUT shining...isn't it great when that small sunbeam breaks through? THAT is what IT is all about.

What were you doing 11 years ago today?

I was recovering from the best epidural I ever had. :) With a wonderful, cute, bouncing (ok not bouncing) but definitely starving baby boy.

And 11 years later...He's still starving.

Yes the eggs are green...He does share his special day with Dr. Suess you know.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIM!

Taking a Field Trip

Today Savanna, Ethan and I took a trip to the Grand Canyon. Did you know it is more than 275 miles long? It has 10 different rock layers. It became a National Park in 1919 but the first evidence of human life dates to 2000 BC. You can find big horn sheep, lizards, squirrels, birds and other animals there.

These are the pictures from our journey....medium...crayons and watercolors.

Look close to find the very happy big horn sheep who is ready to take flying lessons. :)

Ethan took a more expressionistic approach...he is positive there are train tracks somewhere in the canyon.

Originals currently on display at the Clark Art Gallery. Admission: Free.