A glimpse into my future...

Gabe started school a week and a half ago, since that time he has been asking me for our telephone number so that he can share it with his friends.  Now, a little background:  We are currently living with Grandma and Papa and Gabe and Ian do not attend the neighborhood school.  We found the school we want our kids to go to and plan on buying a house in that area next spring or summer so in order to eliminate ANOTHER transition we put them in the school we want them to go to.  So, we don't really have our own land line, but we have cell phones.  More background, in my heart of hearts I don't want to give out numbers to friends because then I would have to get to know parents and then drive Gabe or his friends to and from after school play-dates. I've got to be honest here, the overlying theme of my hesitation is sheer laziness.  I'm a busy person and I can't be bothered with things like socialization now can I?

For the greater good I suppose, I gave in and told Gabe to give his friends my cell phone number.  That was yesterday.  Today, approximately 5 minutes after we got home from picking up from school, my cell phone rang.  I didn't recognize the number but said "hello", there was nothing on the other end but breathing.  I said "hello" again and more breathing.  Finally I said, "Are you a friend of Gabe?"  On the other end, a little voice said, "yeah can I talk to Gabe?"  I said, "Yes, can I tell him who's calling"...
"What?" he said..."Can I tell him who this is?" "It's Alex."  So, I gave the phone to Gabe and told him it was his friend Alex.  Gabe lit up, took my phone from me and as he walked into the other room for "privacy" he started in on his conversation with his friend.  I got tears in my eyes because maybe we are a bit late to the party, but this is the first time Gabe has had a phone conversation that warranted a little bit of privacy. 

Being the good parent that I am, I followed Gabe into the family room and listened to what was being said. Gabe had it on speaker phone so that he could hear better and basically they were talking about the book order that they got from school today.  It has a zombie journal for 8 dollars and apparently they both want to get one. Then a quick transition to this conversation:

Alex: Do you want to hear my chickens?
Gabe: What?
Alex: I have chickens, do you want to hear them?
Gabe: Yeah.
Alex: ...(walking outside)...it's really windy here, is it windy at your house?
Gabe: What?
Alex: Is it windy at your house?
Gabe:  No.
Alex:Here are the chickens... (chicken noises ensued)
Gabe:  Cool.
Alex:Ok, Bye.
Gabe:  (Hung up the phone, without saying bye)

I have concluded that
1. Like it or not, I am going to be forced into the 2nd grade social scene.  Boo.
2. We need to brush up on our phone etiquette at our house.
3. Gabe may need to get his hearing checked.

I dread the day that phone call is from an adolescent girl...

Ian Starts Kindergarten!

Today marked Ian's first day of his school life, he began kindergarten.  He was so excited!

All last week he was counting down the days until he got to start school, he had his outfit planned and his backpack ready days ago.  Here is what he chose, Red is of course his favorite color.  As for the shorts, well I am not too fond of them, but they are shiny sports shorts and so he thinks that makes them fancy.  Shiny = fancy in the mind of a kindergartner, so I let him wear them.  He's too cute to say no to.

Ian had a lot of expectations about school based on what he has heard from his big brother Gabe, so I tried to remind him that this is a different school and things might be different than what he expects. He was cool with that. 

I made Nick come with us to drop the boys off this morning because I knew that it was going to be sad, and I wanted him to see how us stay at home parents feel.  I don't think you get the full effect of a child starting school unless you take them on their first morning.  As a result, we were on time for school and the pictures are significantly better than Gabe's first day pictures.

Gabe was a little worried, the first bell had just rang.

When we got to Ian's room, his really great teacher had the room in perfect order.  She had everyone's desk set up with a name tag where she wanted them all to sit.  There are two Ian's in Ian's class, so Ian is officially Ian J.  It brought back all those memories of forever being Emily M all throughout elementary school.  Ian thinks it is cool though.

Without batting an eye, Ian joined his class and began in on learning the new routine.  I am pretty sure he didn't even turn around to say goodbye to us until we called out to him.  He is just ready!  On our way out, Ian's teacher had made a small gift for each of the parents to take.  It was a bag with an apple, a chamomile tea bag, some mints, a small candle, and some chocolates.  Attached was this poem that she wrote:

The first day of Kindergarten

I gave you a little wink and smile

as you entered my room today.

For I know how hard it is to leave 

knowing your child must stay.

You've been with him for five years now

and have been a loving guide,

but now, the time has come 

to leave him at my side.

Just know that as you drive away

and tears down your cheeks may flow,

I'll love him as I would my own

and help him learn and grow.

After you've gone home and dried 

your tears, make yourself a hot cup of tea.

Eat some chocolate and put up your feet.

Remember that together you and

I will work for your child to be the

best that he can be.  

Love Mrs. H

(Yes, Nick and I cried our way through reading that.)

Ian is such a great kid, I am going to miss having him home all day with me.  It's true, he has a great school and a fantastic teacher.  He is going to be so happy in kindergarten!

Gabe's First Day of School

We were only a little bit late this morning, but it was enough to set my 7 year old's nerves on edge.  The letter from his teacher had said that she would pick up his class at the front door of the school at 8:30 when the bell rang.  We arrived at the school at 8:31, had to quickly and illegally cross the street (j-walking, I'm surprised that I didn't get yelled at) and usher the boys into the school, then I remembered the traditional first-day-of-school picture in front of his new school.  Gabe and I hastily retreated out the front door, leaving Simon and Ian inside to snap a quick photo.

What now?  We didn't know which room was Gabe's room, it's a new school and a new neighborhood, and back to school night isn't until this Wednesday.  So, we quickly looked at the room directory, Mrs. M was in room 10.  Thank heaven I at least knew his teacher's name!  (Secretly I gave myself some mom points for that one, I got to take them where I can these days)  But...where was room 10?  We figured it out thanks to the help of a kind mom who could see we looked lost.

We got to the classroom last all the kids to arrive, everyone was in there seat and the parents were quickly being shooshed out the door. Gabe wouldn't go in at first, and he wouldn't let go of my hand.  He was worried about taking his backpack inside because the hooks were in the hall and he didn't know where to put his lunch.  So, I helped Gabe find his desk with his name tag and put his backpack on the back of his chair and that's when we realized that Mrs. M was expecting "Gabrielle" Jacobs rather than Gabe.  Gabe and I laughed about it for a minute and then I told him to tell his teacher when he could, she had printed a whole sheet of labels with "Gabrielle" printed on it in rainbow letters.

They were probably labeling everything from the lengthy list of school supplies we were asked to bring from home.  I snapped a few quick photos and we left the room, that's when I heard Gabe say to Mrs. M who had come to say Hi,  "Just so you know, you spelled my name wrong.  This is how a girl spells it."  To which she replied, "I didn't know how to spell it and couldn't find you".  Huh?  I'm sure the office had my number, and clearly she had my address. I even signed him up in my own writing for school, so how did it ever turn into Gabrielle?  It didn't matter for long though, because as I was leaving the school, I turned and snapped this photo.  Even though it is a new school, even though he doesn't know anybody, and even though his teacher thought he was going to be a girl, my Gabe is back in his element and he is going to have a great year!

Learning from our Elders

I've had two experiences this weekend where our family was able to learn from our Elders.

Nick and I had the unique opportunity this past Sunday to speak in a small branch for Retired Seniors.  There were only about 20 people there total, but the spirit was amazing!  We brought the boys with us because we were asked to, and they were so good.  Nick and I spoke a few weeks ago in out own ward about our pioneer heritage and we were asked to give those same talks at the Branch. 

My talk was all about my Grandma who recently passed away.  I was always really close to her, but after her death I have read her life story that she transcribed to a friend of her a few years ago before Alzheimer's took her memory.  There are so many things that I never knew!  My Grandparents on my dad's side grew up in East Germany through the Depression, World War II, and the Russian Occupation afterward.  It AMAZES me the things that they had to face, but also helps me to understand why they have such strong testimonies of the gospel. 

So, I talked a lot about how special it has been for me to get to know another side of my Grandma after her death through her records. The transcription is word for word and in some parts she directly speaks to her children and grandchildren.  I love those parts, I can hear her voice saying those words to me as I read.  I love her so much and I miss her.  At the branch,  I couldn't help but look into all of those members faces and think they all must have amazing stories to tell.  I really hope that they get written down for posterity, there is so much to learn!

Nick gave a great talk about his lineage, Zina Huntington Jacobs Young.  It's always an interesting story, but afterward we heard from the President's wife that one of the Sisters that day comes from a polygamist marriage and is now in her 80's coming back to church.  I wonder what she thought about the talk?

Saturday, Nick and I went into a grocery store leaving our kids with Papa to wait in the car.  When we came out about 10 feet away from the front door we saw Simon with his trousers to his ankles relieving himself against the side of the store.  We quickly ran over, horrified, to find that all the boys had done the same thing.  The reason?  They all had to go and that just seemed like the logical thing to do.  My boys pretty much were delighted by the whole thing, but we bee-lined it right out of that parking lot.  Luckily, the store we were at was an Associated Food Store, so I guess that's what they get for firing Nick back in May?  Well, it makes me feel better to think that anyway.   


Speaking of Polygamy, have I mentioned how nice it is to have two of us women cooking together in the kitchen?  I think it is one of my favorite parts of living here with Nick's parents.  We even enlisted Nick's help on Sunday so we could have the following menu:

Grilled New york Strip Steaks (Nick grilled them perfectly!)
Greek Orzo Salad
Homebaked rolls (Rhodes bake and serve, can't really beat them)
Grilled Zuchinni
Not Yo'  Mama's Banana Pudding,  (Paula Deen Recipe, hence the name)

If that made you hungry, head on over to my food blog and see the recipes for the Orzo Salad and the Pudding.  They are easy to make and so yummy.  Here is a picture depicting how Gabe and Ian felt about dessert.  Great picture there, going in the family records!

Listen

So there I was, shopping at Costco, when I saw Ellen Switzer who is the author of a blog I follow. A very cool, clever, and creative blog.   Has that ever happened to you?  Well, for me it was kind of like seeing a celebrity.  As a reader, you feel like you get to know this person, this blog author through their writing.  Especially when they can write well as Ellen does.    The blog author in turn,  knows nothing about you as a reader other than what you have contributed via comments or by following their blog.  You could remain anonymous if you wish, many people do. 

Back to the story, I saw Ellen at Costco.  Walked right past her!  The thought occurred to me to "hi" and tell her that I love her blog and think she's the bee's knees but I thought it would be silly and she would think I was a weirdo.  I  talked myself out of that one, and didn't say anything.  I immediately regretted it, so much in fact that I actually jogged to the rest of my groceries while keeping my eye on which way she was headed.  (Yes, I kind of did stalk Ellen.  Ellen if you are reading this, I am sorry.  I am a weirdo after all.)  I headed to the same check stand she was in just in time to go over and say Hi.  She was sooo nice!  Her face lit up when I told her I read her blog and then she explained that she has just been too tired from her new job to create anything new to post about.  I told her I understood and that I quit teaching when I had kids because I just didn't have enough to give of myself.   I said that one day I would love to have her make all of my clothes and I really meant it! (Ellen is a genius, do yourself a favor and look at all her blog archives and then follow her blog.  She is just so talented and I love her philosophy on clothing your actual body rather than what you you wish your body was or what the world thinks your body should be!)

What I wish I would have said to Ellen if we'd had more time to talk is:  Keep working hard, you just never know when the things you are learning will change your life someday.  I know how it feels to be working at a job you don't really enjoy, or that just works you to the bone.  Keep at it though, life is not passing you by and sometimes you just have to pay the bills. (Did I mention that even though I don't teach I still work and I always have?  But, I've been lucky enough to make money doing things that give me time and energy to still be a mom to my boys)  Make sure you take time for your family and for yourself, but remember to forgive yourself if you put your dream on a the long-term goal shelf.  Just don't forget to take it down once in a while. On the other hand, stay prayerful and there will be a time when you will know it is right to focus on your dream.   When that time comes don't give up for anything!  Knock on every door and ask for help.  You would be amazed at the amount of good people  in the world who want to help deserving people such as yourself.  Plus, when it's right then it's going to work out.  That is just the gospel truth.

So, today I am glad that I listened to that thought.  I know that it wasn't my own thought because mine tend to be sort of muddled and usually revolve around food.  It is my life's goal to listen to those thoughts that come from a higher source and I am learning that is is usually if not always the first original thing that comes into my mind when I am doing what I should be doing in life.  If I stew over things, then I usually let my brain take over and convince myself of something else.  Those first quiet thoughts or feelings are golden and they make people feel good, including me!

Simple Gifts.

I've been really busy lately. 

Mostly because I am running a business, working at a part-time job, and just for kicks I am teaching music classes this summer.  Plus there's those mommy things that we do. 

Also, I have this weird problem that I over-schedule myself and my kids.  Always.  I really hate it about myself, in fact I would even say that I loathe it about myself.  It is really hard for me to "waste-time", that's what down time feels like to me.  It's really hard for me to do nothing, and I force my kids most of the time to follow in my crazy chicken-with-a-head-cut-off ways. 

Anyway, today is Friday.  I finished all of my tax stuff for work, got pay-roll finished for the business, and had no classes scheduled to teach today.  So, the boys and I decided that we would visit the Discover Gateway museum with the pass that Shelly gave us.  (Thank you Shelly!)  We set about to make all the beds, tidy the rooms, dress the bodies, and brush the teeth. (I also put on some make-up for the benefit of all those whom I encounter today, your welcome).  We ate lunch and marched outside to get into the van and go to the museum.  That's when I realized that my keys were in the van, and it was locked.

The boys were dissapointed, but I think I was more dissapointed than them.  No car?  We are stuck home with nowhere to go and nothing to do until Nick get's home at 5. Oh Dear.

I actually called Nick, in a half-hearted attempt to see if he would waste 45 minutes of his day and gas to help me out.  I can't believe I actually did that in retrospect.  Luckily in our phone conversation I came to my senses and said, "we will just find something else to do". 

So, we scootered down to the south end of our neighborhood where there is a beautiful creek that runs through the property.  We took our time in that sweltering noon heat, looking at anything that caught our fancy.  There was no need to rush because we have nowhere to be and no way to get there.  We stopped at the big cottonwood trees and tried to climb them.  We stopped behind the carports to seek cover for two little boys who need to "go".  We stepped over dead worms and snails, then stopped to analyze them and think about how gross they were.  We said hello to the mailman.  When we got to the river we just sat in the cool shade and stared at the beautiful water.  We drank from the artisan well, it was so good and so cold!  It reminded me of Tuck Everlasting,it's kind of what I imagine that well looks like, all mossy and beautiful and green.  I told my boys about that book, they thought it was cool and might be true, so we all drank (Except Simon, he doesn't like the idea of being so close to the river, good on him I say).
We took pictures in posing like pirates and spies.  Then when we were finished, we walked back home.

We came in the cool house and had some ice cream,  why not?  It was delicious.  We leisurely watched Elmo's world and then read a book for naps.  I kissed my boys and tucked them in.  We took our time.  It was beautiful!

Now I had some time for myself, I've updated my blog, and I've reflected on what a gift this day way.  I am thankful that we were locked out of our car, it helped me to slow down and we all needed that at our house.  I am so glad that my Heavenly Father knows what I need and he makes sure I get it despite my best efforts to thwart it all.  Whenever I hear this song by Mindy Gledhill, I feel horrible that I am moving life along too quickly.  I am so glad that today I got to slow down!