Fall Fest...

Today was Concordia's annual Fall Festival. Our Branch was part of a float. We decided to use our Primary theme for the year (I am a child of God). So, several of our Primary kids rode on the float. Some of them threw out candy in bags that contained pass along cards. :O) I think we gave out 175. Isn't that great? Even better, I only saw one on the ground as trash. <<>>

Here is Bethanie and The Dance Company dancing to "Slow Ride" (Fog Hat??) Bethanie is in the front on the end. She is such a good little dancer! This was a tap dance, but she doesn't have her tap shoes yet.


Here she is front and center-attitude and all. LOL!

Today, Bethanie's dream came true. She has ALWAYS wanted to ride on a horse. She was so happy and excited that all she could do was smile and laugh. All I saw was teeth through that huge grin!
COWGIRL BETHIE!

I had to give it a try, with Miss Madison. It has been more than 20 years since I was last on a horse. I was not sure I could even mount it. LOL! Madison giggled through the entire ride.

Our sweet Niece, Heather rode the horse also. Like Bethanie it was her first time on a horse. She was a little scared, but she loved it!



It was really neat this year, because we have a wind/energy farm coming in at the south of town, they brought a wind turbine blade for the community to sign. We all got to sign it. How fun! Haha, I just noticed, look at Matthew. Doesn't he look so happy?

It's all about Matthew...

I can NOT believe my sweet little boy isn't so little anymore! He is almost ten years old! Where does time go? Isn't this picture so cute? It really shows his personality! I love those sweet cheeks!!!

Matthew is now in 4th grade. This has so far been a very successful year for him. Next year he will be moving on to middle school, and I am sort of nervous about that...he will have several teachers and he will have to move from class room to class room. I am sure that he will do fine, but as a mom, I do worry!

Matthew has the most beautiful hazel eyes I have ever seen. He has some pretty intense interests. Transformers and Nintendo DS (Pokemon) are some of the interests at this point. He lives and breathes them! Matthew is a very bright and gifted student. He is a very wonderful reader (around an 11th grade level of comprehension) and he has a photographic memory. Nothing gets by him. I have seriously thought about asking him to tutor me in some of my college courses (Just kidding, kinda). :O)

I am so grateful that Father in Heaven sent Matthew to us, because he has been such a delight, and he has taught us so much, and mostly about not taking life too seriously. He is a master communicator, and has so much to talk about! He joined our family in a non traditional way, and looking back, I can see the Lord's hand in each step of the way in getting him into our family. He is such a sweet and loving child. He is very sentimental about things and holds things that are dear to him very close to his heart. Matthew brings us such great joy, and just looking at this picture, I can see his playfulness. I am proud to be his mommy!

It's all about Bethanie...

Here is such a wonderful sacred creature. Bethanie entered our lives in a very unexpected way. Ten years after we married, she came to be, and even though it took her that long to leave the presence of Heaven, she was in a hurry to meet us. She came 6 weeks early, but was healthy. She ws born on Memorial Day weekend. I know that my Father in Heaven gave her to us so that we can feel a peace and calmness in our lives. Bethanie is the most fun, thoughtful, considerate and gentle person I have ever met. She is shy, but a people pleaser. She is so perfect, and wonderful as a sister to both, her brother and her sister. She is patient, loving and kind with them. When I grow up, I want to be just like her. She is so soft, and snuggly. Bethanie was always clingy to me when she was a baby. We have a very close relationship, and there is quite a lot of trust between us. I am so blessed to have this wonderful little girl in my life. I know my Father in Heaven loves me, because he gave me such a wonderful gift! Of course I feel this way about all of my babies, but this is all about Bethanie.

Bethanie is in 1st grade this year. This picture (above) is her 1st grade picture. She has the most green of green eyes. She has several friends, and though right now they change a lot, she is loyal to only a couple of really close ones (one is a boy named Tristan). Bethanie is extremely shy. To speak out to people means she feels comfortable around them. Most of the time if people say hello to her, she will not likely respond, and it isn't because she doesn't like that person, she is just shy. Bethanie loves horses, cats, books (and her reading is coming along well). She loves to draw and create, usually for other people. I can see Bethanie wanting to be a teacher some day. I see so much of myself in her, and I love those qualities (GRIN). Anyway, I hope I can show it enough, but I respect this little gal for putting up with us, her wild and crazy family. She is a gem, and I am in love.....

Grades, and how they are sooooo important...

I have to admit that I have placed a ton of unnecessary pressure on myself to get all A's in my classes. I am sure that it is not very realistic, but that is my standard anyway. In all of my classes (I don't know about Music Appreciation where my grade stands), I am getting 94% or better. I have worked hard for that. One assignment in my Literature class was confusing to me. I totally biffed it, and only did half of what my instructor asked of me, I don't know what I was thinking. Anyway, as I looked on the computer to see where my grade stood, I noticed that my instructor entered that assignment as a 20/20. But he gave the grade on my paper as a 10/20. That lowered my grade to a 90%. I emailed him yesterday and told him of the mistake, and that I knew by telling him that it would lower my grade and I would be sooooooooo close to a B. Today, he emailed me and thanked me for my honesty and he gave me the extra points for telling him (and for his mistake). WOOHOOO! So instead of a 50%, I got a 100%. :OP Awe, its the little things in life....

I also had another Myofascial Release treatment for my Fibromyalgia today. I feel bruised but BETTER. Having the pressure released is so wonderful, even though I feel bruised. All the gals at Jeff's job have been wanting to meet me (and Madison) so they finally did. They all wondered if he really was married or if he was story telling. :OP

I had a bad case of...

The giggles today in my Literature class. We were paired up into groups of 3 or 4. I was in a group of 3, and the other two were boys. We were discussing a story we read and were comparing the All American Boy to the All American Girl. One of the guys in my group (slightly younger than me, and is married) popped off with some off the wall comment he whispered to the two of us in his group and the comment wasn't too nice and I know when I heard him say it, my head snapped off my neck in his direction and my eyes were as big as saucers! But, the thing that was so funny was that even though he whispered it, the whole class heard it except the instructor, and it was hilarious (I cant say what it was because it was kind of naughty), but I started to laugh (because it was so funny, and my reaction surprised me) and others were laughing at his comment and I couldn't stop laughing, I tried to stifle it by covering my mouth, turning my back to my group but my face started feeling hot (red) and tears started to flow. I tried for a good 5 minutes to not laugh. :O) It was hard getting rid of those giggles and I wonder what my instructor must have thought. At least it wasn't just me that laughed. :OP

My Sweet Hubby...

Lookie what my sweet heart gave me today! He is so thoughtful. He just wanted to tell me how proud of me he is with the 50 lb weight loss and for doing well with my school. He is a wonderful support to me. I just loved these, and HIM!!!

getting in on the action...

The kidlets have really missed their dad. He has been working so much, and though I get to see him after he gets off work, he is usually getting home well after the kids are in bed. So, FINALLY for the first time in almost two weeks, he gets to play "get down" with them. He is chasing them through the living room, making them scream so much they are almost hoarse. Matthew likes to play "get down" too, but he was off doing something else.

They don't want to get too close because they know he will catch them. He got rug burn on his knees from this! :O)

These two girlers are so close to each other. It is a perfect sisterhood. Bethanie is 4 1/2 years older than Miss Madison. This morning, she got the baby up, chose her outfit for the day and almost had her [poopy] diaper changed. That was close! Anyway, they have been joined at the hip like this all day! I just love and admire their relationship! Isn't it cute how protective Bethie is with holding her and Madison on the horse she named "Moo"?

This evening...

We got over THREE inches of rain, and the best part is.........................


OUR BASEMENT IS STILL DRY!!!

(total rainfall was 5 inches)

Another "A"!!!

That makes me feel so happy! I got my psychology test today. I got another A. I would have had a perfect paper but I looked at two questions wrong, skipped one and put the answer to that one on the next question, which I then got wrong because it had the wrong answer. Sheesh! Oh well. An A is an A is an A, right? :O)

In other news...

Miss Bethanie has started dance again. Tonight was her second class since school has started. She doesn't know as many girlers in her class and she is struggling because of her shyness. I just don't know what to do to make her feel comfortable. Several girls recognized that she might need a friend and they approached her and encouraged her to play with them and she just wont. I don't know what to do with her!

In other other news...

I got a new Weight Watcher star tonight for another 5 lbs!

Now...its 8:30 p.m. and I have lots of homework to wade through.

GETTING A GRIP...

OK, so things are getting somewhat easier. I am not meaning that going to school full time is easy, frankly it bites, but it is a little easier because I know what to expect for the exams, and a routine is [slowly] coming into play at home. I had my second Psychology test today, and it was another big test. I felt very confident with my answers, and so I am expecting no less than a B on it. We shall see, hopefully on Wednesday. I have an Education test on Wednesday, which isn't too big a deal, and an open book music test on Friday. Still no word on a Literature test, and that is OK by me! This has been a difficult past few weeks trying to do all of this work with also doing a Practicum. I have had more than one panic attack. My poor family, having to witness that. My sweet husband has given me more than my share of blessings, but I am grateful that I get those. I know that next semester, I will be sure to not take 13 hours. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have the Practicum, but it is kind of fun being there teaching the children. They look forward to me coming, and they love the stickers I give out as rewards (I use them for good behavior rewards and it is a good way for them to get to know me, and trust me).

I have been doing a bit of baking. Lots of zucchini bread. Matthew LOVES zucchini bread, so I had better get a stockpile of it. :O) I made a loaf of banana bread tonight. OH it is so good. I hope I get my star at WW this week.....would you doubt it if I did with all this baking? LOL!

The weather has been chilly here! I LOVE FALL! It is my most favorite time of year, but it sure did start early (like um...AUGUST!!)

Tonight is supposed to be in the low 40's! YEESH!

The Incredible Shrinking Woman...

OK, it has been a while since I have updated about my weight loss. This summer was way harder than I thought. It was tough getting out to walk with the kids home and our hectic schedules. I ended up at a plateau of sorts, which was really frustrating. I have 1/2 a pound to go to mark my 50 lbs loss. I am really glad to see some results that are positive. I have been so busy with school and stressed out a lot, and maybe that has been enough to push my plateau to the way side!

It's SEPTEMBER!!!

How WONDERFUL! The weather this past August was just really nice all month. Today it is rainy and cool, and it is supposed to be around 70 degrees all week! I was at Wal-mart yesterday and they already have fall/autumn stuff out! I LOVE IT!!!

**WARNING**

Stop reading now if you don't want to hear me whine for a bit!

I am sooooooo exhausted. I am not getting nearly enough sleep. By the time I get the kids to bed, pick up the house and do my homework, it is midnight or later. Then I am up by 7:00 a.m. getting kids ready for school, and then myself ready on days that I go. It has been quite non stop. Today I plan to take a nap (if Madison will cooperate). I am just dragging butt and I cant get any energy going. Over the summer, I was very stressed out dealing with children constantly at home, and serving in Primary (teaching the children at Church). I have been around them nearly non stop. Jeff's parents helped quite a bit, but it was just very hard. But we survived, though just barely. So because of that stress, my fibromyalgia started to flare up again. I have not had any problems with it for 2-3 years. I guess that isn't totally true. My lower back has been very cranky for some time, and I figured it was just sciatica, which is something I have suffered with since my pregnancy with Bethanie, and it never really went away (she is now 6). So when I went to my Dr a couple months ago or so, she said that it sounded like fibromyalgia pain (she is not the Dr. that dx me with Fibromyalgia, she didn't know I had it). So I started to do this treatment called Myofascial Release, which is a type of physical therapy, and WHOA NELLI! It makes a huge difference! I have had no pain for 2 weeks. The other day the pain started to come back, so on Thursday I will go in for another treatment. I think that the stress of things being turned upside down has really caused it to inflame, plus the cool and damp weather. So, I am looking forward to getting that treated again.

This afternoon before I pick up the kids from school, I am meeting the teacher that I worked with last week (the sub on my first day of practicum). She is a retired kindergarten teacher of 42 years. I have to interview a teacher and give an oral report (as well as having it typed and handed in) on Friday. I thought she certainly has experience in the teaching field and that she would be great to be the one I interview for my assignment. So, on we go for the rest of the day!

I also plan to make another 4 loaves of zucchini bread (I made 4 yesterday). Lets just hope I can keep it behind lock and key, safe from Matthew! :OP