Thanks for your comments! It's great to hear from (almost) everyone hehe! Mother guilt really works! Love hearing how everyone is doing. We're so glad the grandkids are adjusting to their school situations this year, and learning and growing. We are so proud of all of them. They are the greatest!
We spent a wonderful weekend with Amy. We are so glad she got to come, and she did an amazing job at the fireside. She "held court" for almost 2 hours after her presentation while people came up to her to thank her for her words, for her bravery in putting it all out there, for talking about things most people won't, and for her understanding. So many of them wanted to tell her of their struggles, and she listened with such love and patience. It was a wonderful night.
Sunday was great, too. We went to church where many more people talked to her and thanked her. We were invited to dinner at the Relief Society President's home, and had a wonderful meal. They had invited some friends over who had once lived in their ward, and now live in SLC. And guess what? Amy knows them! The lady used to sing in the choir, and her husband is the choir assistant to the president! How cool is that? We then visited the Calls, who I have mentioned before, the ones with the "Italian Villa", and they talked about troubles they have had with their children. They went into details they had never mentioned to us, and felt comfortable talking about it because of Amy's presentation. It was an awesome day! Then we had to say goodbye! It went by way too fast.
Here's proof she was here!
We can't wait to see more of our family out here in the future.
We went down to Carmel last week with another senior couple and had a great day. The weather was perfect, and it's always great to be at the ocean. We could spend every day down there! But I guess that's not what we are supposed to be doing.
We are keeping busy, and enjoying our association with the single adults. They are so fun to be around. We are having a murder mystery dinner tonight. Dad's character is a bird watcher named Madden Prescott. We found him a camo shirt and cargo pants at the Goodwill, and he is bring some binoculars. I am a hippy named Moonbeam Rainbow, and I own a store called the Greenery, where I sell eco-friendly products. I have a hippy costume consisting of a tie-died scarf, headband and peace necklace, and will be giving out coupons for 50% off dehydrated water! (Just pour contents into a one gallon jug, add water and stir!) We will have pictures next week!
So along with the work of knocking on doors at night, we also have lots of fun! We feel like we have helped put a spark into the single adult program, and are so happy to see it growing.
We are so grateful for your love and support, and hope things continue to go well for you. You are the wind beneath our wings!
Lets see if I can find a picture from last week's ocean visit.
The lone cypress
I think I have shown that one before, can't remember. We went along the same drive this time as last time we were down there. But it is a beautiful spot. The couple we took with us have been here for a month longer than us and hadn't been anywhere fun, so it was good to take them with us.
Love hearing about your weekend with Amy! Great pics of all of you. Of course Amy knew somebody out there...she knows everybody! The FHE sounds like it is going to be very amusing!
ReplyDeleteNothing going on here. I've been trying to walk every day and take advantage of some nicer weather. Knitting of course--almost finished with my first sweater. And that's about it. Love all.
T
I'm so glad you had a good weekend! And I'm happy to see that Amy is alive and well! Hee hee. I wish I could have heard her speak at the fireside. I bet it was awesome.
ReplyDeleteHi all! Did you all hear that Bruce is getting baptized?! October 11th. So exciting. Aubrey seems very supportive.
ReplyDeleteIt was so nice to be with Mom and Dad for a bit! They came into the airport and waited by the baggage claim for me. I was SOOOOO happy to see them!! They are doing well. The fireside went great, and it was fun to meet so many of the people Mom and Dad talk about on the blog. I agree with Mom, the visit was way too short. I hit the ground running when the plane landed back in Salt Lake.
School is a learning experience. hahahaha!!! duh!
Really though, I think I'm learning more than my students. They are very patient with me as I try to figure things out. I'm so incredibly overwhelmed too. I'm just floored by all the things real teachers (not substitutes) have to do every day. I don't get anywhere near to "catching up." I don't know what that would look like.
Here's a funny substitute story from this week. One of the third grade teachers, Diane, had to be away for two days. She had the same sub for both days. The students did very little of the work Diane had left. Much to Diane's surprise, the room was COMPLETELY rearranged: Diane's desk, furniture, student desks, bulletin boards, shelving…everything. The sub had taken anything that was posted on a board (including student work) and backed it with cute and fancy paper. We all were floored. Diane was so mad!! That sub is banned from our school and has been reported to the district. What the heck are some people thinking? lol! It's kind of funny though. Glad it didn't happen to me!
The kids are doing well. Katie has started a new cognitive therapy called DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy). The program is 18 months. A friend from choir is her therapist, and Katie loves her. I am hopeful it will do wonders for her and her relationships.
Caleb is taller than me now. Officially. He rubs it in every chance he gets, and he is feeling more like a man every day :) He's doing well in school, and because he is staying caught up on his work, he has not had any stress cankers in his mouth. I think he's figured out the key to school success!
Carson is still figuring it out. I think he was having some major anxiety at the beginning of the year with one teacher in particular. I wrote the teacher a polite but exact-to-the-point email that all but said, "you better talk to my kid more respectfully or mama bear is coming to get you." I cc'd the principal and the school counselor. The teacher's tune changed immediately, and Carson is much happier. I think it helped being a teacher and knowing exactly what to say, using some teacher lingo. The teacher emails me once a week now to make sure Carson is doing well. He calls me Amy in the email and signs it with his first name. haha!
Both boys are extremely social and are hardly inside the house. They are playing outside or running the neighborhood with the kids that are around here. They are good boys.
I have no idea how Jen and Brandon are. lol! I haven't seen them for almost two weeks. I think since Jen sees Rob every day at work that it counts for both of us. It doesn't. I miss her and she lives down the stinkin road! They are coming for dinner tomorrow though, so I'm sure I'll get all caught up.
Rob is OK. He has been sick. He went to the doctor yesterday and is on blood pressure meds. He also has ear infections that have been keeping him up at night for months. Yes. Months. Getting that man to go to the doctor is like pulling teeth. Wait….it's like ME pulling teeth.
I was glad to read some comments from Meg and Tracy. Hope Erin's doing well. I texted her yesterday about Bruce's baptism and I haven't heard back.
Guess I better go start on two weeks' worth of laundry. See ya!
I cannot believe that substitute did that! Holy cow! People are so bizarre sometimes.
DeleteAubrey emailed us yesterday with the news! We are so very excited. We know Bruce will get lots of support from all of you. It is very hard not to be there, but Dad assures me we are where we are supposed to be, and Bruce knows we support and love him. Please, please take lots of pictures and post them, k?
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear from all of you - seems like there is always one holdout for every blog! C'mon, Ere Bear! Make it unanimous! We love the updates on the grandkids, and hearing about everything you ladies are involved in. You are all so busy, it's dizzying! We love you and miss you all so much, but are happy in our work here. Our weeks are full and we are learning a lot about ourselves, and our relationship as husband and wife has improved. Amy noticed we are more patient with each other, and we feel that, too. So life is good. God bless you all. Murder mystery dinner pictures coming next week!
I love hearing about what's going on with everyone! Mom, I am anxious to hear all about the mystery dinner and see pictures of Dad the birdwatcher and Mom the hippie! Ha ha! I bet you had fun. We did that once and it was hysterical.
ReplyDeleteI also want to see a picture of that sweater, Tracy. That is so awesome. You are very talented! I wish I knew how to knit, but my brain just can't seem to grasp it. Plus I like instant gratification and I no longer possess the motivation to do many creative things. I had to force myself take down my few summer decorations around my house and put up some fall stuff yesterday. I hope I don't turn into that person who has Christmas stuff up until March, but it seems likely. Lol. I think about those days when I used to paint entire rooms in one day and it feels like I am a completely different person now. It's weird. I guess in a way I am.
Amy!!! I have been thinking about you for weeks now, wondering how everything is going in your life. Since we both started school (lol), life has been crazy busy for both of us. It sounds like teaching is very stressful for you, but I am absolutely positive that you are amazing at it. It might not feel like it to you because it seems like it is the things that we aren't doing or are struggling with are easier to see than all the positive and wonderful things we are doing as well. I know I do that ALL THE TIME. Believe in yourself because you are extraordinary! You will get there because you are passionate about what you do.
Nothing is really new with us this past week. School was a little better for me. At least I avoided having a meltdown anyway. I found out that lots of people are just as frustrated as me so even though that doesn't make it any less difficult, it makes me feel a little better.
Love you all!
p.s. Oh Errrriiiiiin.... Where aaaaaaare you?
I forgot to tell you guys that Alex and Nate both auditioned for the CCM band program again and they both made it in! They are so excited. They are in the same band, too. They are going to be in a Ska band called Lo-fi Riot, which is what they both wanted. If you don't know what Ska music is, it's like punk, reggae, jazz and rock all combined, mixed with an awesome horn line. It sounds weird, but it's pretty cool. Loud, but cool.
ReplyDeleteMegan thank you so much for those words of encouragement! I need them right now. Love you
ReplyDeleteI'm here sorry. Amy tried to text me and I was out on a hot date and I left my phone home with JJ. Then I left early the next day to babysit and forgot all about the text. Amy called me yesterday though and I think Bruce getting baptized is awesome! I will be there. Dave and I are actually getting a hotel room for our anniversary. We have never been able to do that. We're going on my birthday weekend though. I'm very excited.
ReplyDeleteJJ is getting better. That crappy child has been going through our house. I'm the only one (knock on wood) that hasn't gotten it. JJ had to be put on an inhaler because his O2 stats were down around 79-80. He also had an ear infection but he's doing good now. Other than that not much else new. Sorry it took me so long to get on. Love you all.
Sorry I did not check that before I sent it lol! I meant crappy cold not child. Oh dear. That's what I get for writing this on my phone
ReplyDeletePoor JJ, the crappy child. Hahaha! That was hilarious! I'm still laughing. Don't you love auto correct?
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