Oh so busy....

This is week 3 of my kiddos going back to school. They're doing well. There hasn't been one complaint about it starting so early...I wonder if they were tired of the many chores I had for them to keep them busy.

Alycia's in 7th grade and is not thrilled about the many projects she has to do. The workload and expectations can be a bit overwhelming for her at times. She's doing 9th grade Algebra now and hasn't really struggled with it...yet. She came to me the other day and asked a question on her math homework...

"ahh...I just finished up my Intermediate Algebra just last semester..I should know how to do this"....were my thoughts.
...click....I was actually able to help her. After I answered her questions, I directed her to Brent...the math wiz...He enjoyed helping her, and they even had a few laughs. It's so nice when she comes home from school and tells me about her day. I don't remember having these conversations with my mom, she was always at work and I was a latch-key kid. I think I'm a hip mom, since she likes to wear my t-shirts and jeans. Yes...she can fit into my clothes. She's taller than my 5 foot self and my jeans are getting to be too short. Scary, huh? The one thing we're thrilled about is, we now have full access to her grades via the school's website. Missed or late assignments...hah! You can't hide that from us missy! She is not happy about this...and I personally wouldn't be either. I'm so glad they didn't have this fancy technology back in my day. Well, she missed the bus this week. You may ask yourselves why? Jamba Juice. Jamba Juice was at the Jr. high after school, so she decided to buy herself a smoothie. I have a very resourceful little gal...That morning she gathered up all her pennies, stuffed them into a ziplock bag and paid for her smoothie with her change. Yes...$2 whole dollars worth of pennies. She said the guy behind the counter's jaw dropped, gave her a look like "what am I supposed to do with this?" and proceeded to count the 200 pennies. Mind you, there were a ton of kids waiting anxiously to order their smoothie. Well, by the time she got her smoothie, ran to the bus area, her bus was leaving. She even ran alongside the bus...oh that mean bus driver! (were my thoughts).. I hope she learned that time doesn't stand still when you need it to, and neither does the bus....

As for my little guy Joseph, he's really enjoying school. No complaints so far. His teacher is a very kind and patient lady. Joseph's best friend is in his class and they're both happy about that. He'll be turning 10 tomorrow and just had a birthday party. It was a swim birthday party with 6 of his friends attending. I seriously thought I was going to cry this morning, not over the fact that he'd be turning 10, but the rain...There was a monsoon storm that hit last night (I spent all morning yesterday cleaning and spraying the deck in 108 degree heat)...Grrr...When I woke up this morning it was raining. What was I to do with all those boys if it continued to rain? It almost NEVER rains here! We live in the desert! (sniffle, sniffle) ...Well, great news! The rain stopped and the party went as planned... I wish I remembered to take pictures. Brent took a video of the birthday cake festivities...what a great hubby I married...

As for an update on Brent, he's enjoying being the Scoutmaster. He plans on taking the boys camping late September, once he's done with training. It's been weird not having him at home some weeknights and weekends due to training and 0ther youth activities...I guess I didn't realize how much I miss having him here at home 'til now...

As for myself...I'm finished with Joseph's birthday party and Alycia's is next! It's going to be a sleepover/swim/birthday party. The stress is on! We have a theme, but I just need to get the party supplies. I start school on Monday...Anatomy and English 101 are the courses I'm taking for the semester. I think Anatomy will be interesting as well as very difficult. As everyone knows, I'm all about getting great deals. Well I must boast a bit. At the campus bookstore they were selling my Anatomy textbook for $215, I found the international version online for $80...and that included shipping. Hah! Take that campus bookstore! As for my English class, I'm not happy I have to take it since it will require a lot of writing. I do enjoy writing, just as long as the subject interests me. A thought just occurred to me...English 101 is a freshman class. ugg...I'll be dealing with freshmen...they can be soo annoying! Okay okay, I will stop my grumblings. (deep breath...exhale) Much better.

I hope this next week goes well...It will be utterly stressful and busy... I have enjoyed the break from school to spend time with the family and getting to know them better. My family is what's the most important thing in my life...and I have treasured these brief 3 months I have had to spend one on one time with them... Now I need to get back into school mode...not fun...

Wish me luck! I will seriously need it!

Fat dog.

Brent and I noticed that our dog Copper had been rapidly gaining weight. We don't feed him scraps from the table on a daily basis and the kids forget to feed him at times...I know...we're bad dog owners...but he's looking more like a sausage dog than a weiner dog. I found out why just a few days ago...

As I was on the computer ordering my books for school, I heard him eating his dog food.

"What good kids, I'm glad they remembered to feed the dog"...were my thoughts...

I then turn around to see that he's nowhere near his dog bowl. I could hear him chowing down. I followed the crunching sounds and found him eating out of his food bucket. He lifted the lid with his nose and when he saw me his ears fell back, tail tucked in, and he avoided all eye contact.

He was caught red-handed...poor dog...

The mystery has been solved and Copper no longer has access to his all dog can eat buffet...

My poor little fat dog...

Little Anna at the Town hall meeting???

As I was running errands last Monday morning, I heard on the radio that there was going to be a town hall meeting with Congressman Jeff Flake. He was going to speak at Basha high, just two miles from my house. I thought to myself, I really should go and see what he has to say and it's not far from my house. As I kept pondering whether or not I should go I felt a bit nervous. I had seen on TV how some people were "roughed up" just for showing up.

Yes, I may be five feet tall and not super strong...but I'll be brave and go. Brent was a bit nervous that I was going by myself and told me to be very careful. When I arrived, the parking lot was almost full and there were tons of people moving quickly towards the gym. I did not see any protesters outside chanting or any signs. I did see however, some people being escorted outside the gates...they had signs...

As I walked into the gym, it was packed. There were many people present from different age groups. It was completely civil. Nothing like what I had seen on TV. It began with a prayer, which I was pleased to see a member from my stake offer. It was very patriotic and ground rules were given. Like I said, it was civil. It must me an Arizona thing....

What our Congressman informed us was frightening when he informed us what was in the "Health reform bill." It was a bill full of liberties we will lose as American citizens. This bill will restrict and ration our health benefits.Many think this would only affect the elderly but it also concerns premature babies. We all know that premature babies are in the hospital for a long period of time and the medical care and therapies they are to receive costs a lot of money. I do not want the government to have a say as to what's deemed "necessary"... They say will tax "the rich." Those who made over $250,000 gross... Small business owners will be affected by this in a major way.

I do not want this to pass...How are the American people going to pay for this? We're now trillions, not billions..but trillions of dollars in debt. This is fiscally irresponsible. The only way to pay for this is to tax the people...Many people are losing their jobs and homes, taxing is not the solution. This form of healthcare reform is a form of socialism no matter how those in favor of this paint it. They are taking away money from hard working citizens and giving it to those that don't. Sounds like a redistribution of wealth, right? Socialism, perhaps? Since when should we trust the government with our money? Bank bailouts, auto industry bailouts, and most recently "cash for clunkers"...We're all paying into the Social Security fund, right? The government runs this system and it's pretty much bankrupt. Will I see any of that money once I come of age to retire. Nope! How about the U.S. Postal system? The government is running it and continues to be in the red...What do they do when they are losing money? Up the postal rates! I think these are perfect examples of how we shouldn't trust the government with our money.

I am really disappointed in the direction our country is headed. People have this sense of entitlement...Is healthcare a constitutional right? The last time I looked it wasn't! People need to stop looking to the government to take care of them. Socialism is NOT the solution...So much of my tax dollars are being wasted on stupid projects..."cash for clunkers"...what a joke! Instead of dumping all that money into stupid programs, why not give the tax payers a rebate of some sort and let them stimulate the economy and let them choose how they spend the money. Just a thought...Okay, I'm done venting...

I just want to set the record straight...No one paid me to be there... I was not recruited... I am not astroturf as the speaker of the house stated... I am just a stay-at-home mom that wanted some questions answered by my Congressman... and I'm pleased to say that Congressman Jeff Flake did a fantastic job at addressing his constituents' questions. Should he run again, I will definitely vote for Flake!

Our lunch trader....

I meant to post this on Sunday....sorry..

This morning I decided to make some of my delicious homemade bread. I couldn't stomach eating the store bought stuff...While it was baking, Alycia said to me..

"Mom, I have to tell you something...At school last year, I grew tired of the bread you made and traded it with my fellow classmates. You have no idea how many kids wanted to trade my "homemade bread" (pb&j). I got multiple offers!"

"Hmm....well did you get anything good?" I asked.

"Yeah, I got a couple of things for just one sandwich." She answered.

When I told Brent about this, he wondered if she sold it as "homemade bread" in order to get a good trade.

When we got home from church today, I decided to make some of my favorite chocolate chip cookies. I'll have to post them to the family recipe blog sometime. Anyhow, as they were baking I could smell their delicious aroma. I thought to myself...someone will be coming down the stairs any minute now. Alycia was the first to arrive.

"Hey Mom. Do you know how many kids in my class would want to trade when I brought out the monster cookies you would make during snack time? I wouldn't trade if there was just one....well...I would trade half of my cookie for something...but it would have to be a really good trade though..."

I'm a bit speechless.
Should I be happy that I have such a resourceful child/tween that cuts deals?
Or should I be honored that she had multiple offers when trading?

School....already? AND a new calling?

Yes...our children started school already. Chandler is the only school in the country to start this early. It's been a week since they started and they are finally getting into the groove of things.

Alycia started Jr. High this year...I wanted to cry when I allowed her walk out the door. That's normal, right? How can my baby girl go off to JR. HIGH??? Yes, I know she's taller than my little 5 foot self, but she'll always be my little girl. I couldn't wait until she walked through the door to tell me how her first day went. She was glowing and was so enthused when she spoke to me. She had a fantastic day! ...big sigh of relief... She's in the gifted program and is not looking forward to all the work involved...Today was the first day she said she had an OK day...
When I asked why just OK..
She replied... "Ugg, I have so many projects due on Friday...I'm soo not looking forward to all that work"....
She'll be turning 12 this month and is anxious to start the Young Women's program. At our last Primary program, she just wanted to hide and was not enthused to be there. Her facial expression said it all...I was glad to see that she wasn't the only one making it clear that they didn't want to participate....big sigh....

Just before the first day of school, Brent and I were chatting about Jr. High and we couldn't come up with anything positive to say about it. I don't think it's just us that feels this way. We just ended up telling Alycia to just have a great time...

As for my little man Joseph...he's enjoying 4th grade. There's definitely more work expected from him, but he's dealing with it well...so far. His best friend is in his class, so that's fantastic for both myself and his best friend's mom. Joseph finished getting his Bear in Scouts. He's just not very driven when it comes to scouts. It can be a bit frustrating sometimes. Oh well...He'll be turning 10 this month and keeps telling me on a daily basis how many days are left until his birthday. Birthday countdown....

If I were a better Mom I would have posted pictures of my kid's first day...well...I guess I'm not. I completely forgot. Perhaps I'll post a second week of school picture. Is it too late? Hmm...we'll see...

Well, my wonderful husband has been released as Gospel Doctrine teacher. He absolutely loved that calling. When the Bishop called us in, I was nervous it was for me. Thankfully, it wasn't. Brent's been called as our ward Scoutmaster. Yes...Scoutmaster! When Bishop said Scoutmaster, I couldn't stop laughing. Seriously...it was so hard for me to keep a straight face. Brent kept a straight face. He's overwhelmed, since it's such a huge responsibility but he's excited. Good thing he likes camping, since he'll be doing a whole lot of it! Everyone knows I dislike camping, so my poor husband doesn't get to do a lot of it....not anymore!

Well....I better get back to sewing Scout patches for both Joseph and Brent...

Isn't there a sewing patch they could earn??? hahaha

Summer vacation in Utah...

Our vacation to Yellowstone....

After the Smith reunion, we went up to Yellowstone National Park. I never thought I'd survive all the camping involved. Our plan was to camp overnight for 3 nights. That in itself is almost an eternity for my pampered self. I am no pre-madonna...I know...I know...my siblings and stepdad call me "Mrs. Hollywood"....but I'm really not that difficult. Anywho, we ended up leaving a day earlier than anticipated. Here's why....

The first day went really well. We saw a bear 20 minutes after we entered the park, which was totally awesome! I've never seen a bear in the wild. We stopped to see an Elk or dear (are they the same?...just curious) and someone yelled that there was a bear across the river. I liked the fact that the river separated us from the brown beast. That night went very well. It wasn't freezing cold like we thought it would be, but it was quite chilly. I think it was cold to me, since I'm so used to really hot weather. We all slept peacefully....

The second day went well. We went and saw tons of Bison and wild animals throughout the park. It was absolutely amazing...Afterwards, we went to church at the outside amplitheatre of our campsite. It was interesting with everyone dressed in shorts and a t-shirt. I felt a bit strange wearing my sunglasses. After church we started to get our dinner ready and marshmellows roasted. By then I was feeling great...like I could totally do this camping thing. Boohoo...our campfire kept dying. So we ended up having to cook it with the stove. There goes my dutch oven experience. Oh well. The food smelled delicous. So delicous that I thought a bear would come to our campsite. Luckily, no bears paid us a visit for dinner. Then sprinkles started to make their presence. Oh no...great...they stopped. The family finally got to eat their marshmellows since our almost non existent fire turned to coal. Fun Fun Fun....grr...more sprinkles. We cleaned up everything, then the hail started. Yes...hail...I don't camp with hail! We all escaped to the van. Fun huh? Once it died down the temperature dropped. Like realy dropped! I could see my breath cold! We head for our tent and luckily we brought plenty of warm clothes and blankets. I married Mr. Outdoorsman/Perfect...he was smart to put a tarp above our tent. It kept us nice and dry. Thanks babe! By 2am...it started to rain, thunder and lightning. It felt like a bomb went off above us. That's it! We're leaving! Joseph and I start freaking out! Alycia just goes back to sleep. Brent calms us down and we go back to sleep. By morning I head up to the Ranger's station to get the weather update...and they predict the same weather as the night before. Early check-out please! Needless to say, we checkout and do a quick visit to rest of the sites we needed to see at the park. The kids got their Jr. Ranger patches and we took plenty of pictures.

We all had a wonderful time at Yellowstone. It's one of the most amazing National Parks I've ever been to. It's definantly a "must see" wonder. As for camping...I'm still not a fan. We did take showers every single day. They were worth the $3.50/each we ended up paying per day! I hope you enjoy the pictures I scrapbooked. We have tons more pictures, so I just did a condensed version...