Shadow A Student Day

Today I lived through a (half) day of Junior High. It was the annual Shadow a Student Day at the Middle School where three fourths of my children attend. I spent most of the day with the youngest of the three, attending 7th grade Social Studies, Science, Girl's Choir and Language Arts and Gym. Then I went to Student Council with Courtney. Devon didn't really want me around. Can't say that I blame him.

I did learn a few things:

• I don't think I could make it through a whole day of Junior High again. 30 minute class times on this special schedule were just about all I could take. I came home and took a nap.
• Junior High gives me a headache.
• There is a huge range of boys in the 7th grade; those who wear too much cologne, those who don't shower, those who look like they should be in 2nd grade and those who look like they should be in 12th grade.
• Some Junior High boys are not afraid to say sexist remarks to girls right in front of their moms.
• When did the teachers get so young? When I was in Junior High, all of my teachers were ancient.

At least I did not have a repeat of last year. Junior High is embarrassing enough!

Young At Heart

This is not another blog post of me moaning about how old I am. Although, I could totally write one right now. Yesterday at choir practice a friend was complaining about being old, her 2nd daughter is getting married in two months, then she told me she just turned 41. Like I was supposed to feel sorry for her for being "so old". Whatev.

This Young at Heart post is about the most awesome movie that I watched over the weekend. I loved it.

It is a documentary about a choir of senior citizens (the average age is 80) from Massachusetts. They have traveled the world doing shows. They sing rock songs from The Talking Heads, The Clash and James Brown to name a few.

I laughed and I cried. My favorite part was when a former choir member who left after having a heart attack, returned and sang "Fix You" from Coldplay at one of their shows. I bawled my eyes out. He reminded me a lot of my dad.

Do yourself a favor and rent it.

I can't get the trailer to load here on the blog, but you can go here and watch it.

Heard In My Car Today...

During carpool, while listening to the ABBA Gold CD. My daughter sang her version of Take A Chance On Me...

"If you change your mind,
I'm the first in line,
Ally Oxen Free-
Take a chance on me..."

Too much hide and seek going on in our house.

Remembering...

I know there will be lots of September 11th posts today. I just want to put my little one up. Our flag is flying in front of our house right now. Our house that we have lived in for exactly seven years today.


We closed on this house in the evening of September 10th, 2001. We slept here that night on new beds we had delivered on that date. We woke up early on September 11th, 2001 so that we could enroll the three older kids in their new school and then get busy unpacking our moving truck.



While I was in the school office, parents were coming in hysterical and pulling their kids out of school. I had no idea what was going on. My kids teachers had already taken my kids to their classes but other teachers were coming up to the office asking the principal if they should tell the kids what had happened. I kept asking myself "what has happened?" but I had a nursing baby that I needed to get back to so I left. While I was driving home, my sister called me and told me that our country was being attacked and that I needed to get to a TV right away.



I called home and told Alan to unload one of our TVs and get it plugged in. When I got home we sat on the stairs (no furniture) and watched the news with tears streaming down our faces. We didn't unpack anything that day and when I had to go pick up the kids from school I tried to explain to them what had happened. I think that seven years later they are finally understanding what really happened that day.



That day I talked to everyone in my extended family and told them that I loved them. That day I prayed and prayed and prayed. That day I really understood what "terrorists" were and why they are called that. That day as I watched my husband play with our kids I cried for all of the kids whose daddies wouldn't come home. That day I realized that in the eternal scheme of things, a brand new home isn't all that important.

Rick Rolling

You have probably heard of the Rick rolling phenomenon. You can read about it here.

I think it is hilarious but I don't work in a cubicle. I think that is the aim of most of these kinds of things. I am a stay at home Mom so when funny things pop up on my computer it is okay. No one is going to look at me and wonder why I am playing 80s music really loud at my desk. Good thing, because I do that all of the time.

Someone with a lot of time on their hands made this video in the Rick Rolling spirit. I had to share.

Back on the Wagon

I have been off of the blogging wagon for a little while. There have been so many important things happening in the world that I have felt like I didn't really have anything important to say. I've been so moved by so many things going on that I have felt like blogging about birthdays and trips and recipes is so insignificant. But I am back at it.

First a word about the Nielsons. I have known the extended Nielson family since Jr. High. I went to school with Christian's older brother Peter and his sister Alice. Their oldest sister, Debbie, is in my ward now. My younger brother dated their sister Helena. They are an amazing family that has already endured the loss of one sister, Charity, to a brain tumor. My heart goes out to their entire family. I wish I could afford to do more for their recovery, I am keeping all of them in my prayers.

I have read the Nie Nie Dialogues for a while and at times have felt so insecure but have decided that one thing I can do is try to be more like her. I will cherish motherhood moments more. I will let my kids use my good scrapbook things for their projects. I will relish my time with Mr. Ridd. I will make my home a haven for my family and those who come to visit. I will probably not wear red lipstick but I will try harder to be more presentable.

Second, a word about politics. I've never been a John McCain fan - Never - and he's from Arizona - but I am becoming a Sarah Palin fan. The more I hear about what she has done with and for the state of Alaska, the more I like her. I read Scribbit, a motherhood, craft, recipe blog written by Michelle who lives in Alaska. She has shared her insight here and here. I think I like what I see and I think that my Morgan looks a little bit like her.

Another word about politics, if you live in Arizona, check out this website about proposition 102. It has so much information. If you live somewhere else and your state is taking on same sex marriage, I encourage you to read this document put out by my church and join the coalition to preserve the sanctity of marriage.

These are the things that have been occupying my mind and limiting my desire to blog. These things - and my husband's birthday. I have been loathe to post about Alan's day and include his picture because when you see this picture you will undoubtedly see the candles on the cake. If you have been reading my blog for a while or if you know me and know how old I am, you will see the candles on the cake and know that I married a younger man. I am a cradle robber. At our wedding dinner my dad told everyone that I met Alan while I was babysitting him. That is not true. He is my younger brother's best friend and I met him when I had to drive him home because he wasn't old enough to drive. That is a lot different.

Alan hates birthday partys. He never wants me to invite anyone over, he never wants to go out to eat for fear I will have the waiters bring over a cake or something. So we had a quiet dinner at home - creamy chicken piccata pasta and an ice cream cake for dessert. I feel like every year on Alan's birthday I should send his mom flowers to thank her for raising such a good boy that turned in to the incredible man that I married. I couldn't be more thankful to her or FOR him.

Brace Face

Dr. Glauser is an awesome orthodontist. My kids love him. His office is fun - he has video games in the waiting rooms and PSP's for the kids to play while in the chairs in the back. He is funny, rides dirtbikes and has cool cars. Every time we go, we take special note of what car is parked in Dr. Glauser's spot. He has a few different ones.

I'm pretty sure I have made several of his car payments and maybe a few mortgage payments as well. We are on our third set of braces over here - I think I deserve a parking place with my name on it. As soon as we get one out of braces another one goes on.

Courtney's beautiful smile was revealed in June.

Nicole's two front teeth came in really crazy. She now sports two little brackets that will straighten them out in preparation for more braces later on.