I felt my little bean of baby move this weekend.
I thought I had felt it for a few days...but wasn't positive until Saturday.
It is so cool and my favorite part of being pregnant!
(remind me of that in a month or two)
Now everyday, I come home from work, eat a snack and sit still just so I can feel that little stirring...
Now, more than ever, I want to know if we are having a he or she!
I have a doctors appointment on Monday...my last with this Ob
(she is moving)
and Brad and I are going to request (i.e...demand) that she order the 20 week ultrasound
with any luck...we will find out in a week or so...
I have my "cute" text announcement all planned...a version for a girl or boy...
and then...
I can start buying baby stuff!
(and hiding the receipts from Brad)
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Please tell me it's a generational thing
About a month ago, President Obama addressed the nations school children. I didn't know it was happening until I got the pre-recorded message from the school district giving me (as a parent) the option to have my children watch it or not.
Last years address, made me realize how completely ignorant we have become as a society.
What ever happened to teaching our children to RESPECT the office of president?
Now, we are so into being politically correct; monitoring everything we see or hear, so that no one is has to think differently.
The most amazing thing is that teachers are given the right to choose to show the address or not. And some at the High School made their politcal position known, by refusing to show it. THESE ARE COLLEGE EDUCATED ADULTS! and they can't listen to a simple 20 minute message! AIMED AT CHILDREN!!!
So the time is drawing near, we are to announce whether we will show it in our classrooms and simple invite those who don't want to listen to go to the commons. So about 8 or 9 kids leave. Then I say, If you can not be respectful, you may leave. That was enough for the freshman boys, and 6 or 7 left. On their way out, one kid in my class yelled, "Canada's borders are open!"
I decided right then and their to give that kid an A....no matter what he does for the rest of the quarter.
So I am getting whitehouse.gov on my projector, when a girl comes in and quietly tells me she is checking out because she CAN'T watch....and then she points to the screen. The twerp won't even say Obama's name! and by golly I wanted her to say Obama's name! But she just kept pointing to the screen and the door, like at any minute, Obama was going to start hypnotizing us! Finally, I said, "just go to the commons with everyone else". she said "no I have to check out for the rest of the day". And I said, "are you ill?" No, I just have to leave. And she looks over my shoulder, so I glance back and see her mom in the hall, giving me the biggest crusty/defiant look....hands on hips....ready to pounce stance....as if to challenge my decision to show the speech. I roll my eyes and let her go.
Another senior boy, left to call his mommy, to see if he was allowed to watch the speech...he never came back....he is already 18...he can vote and be drafted...but mommy said no.
So the speech starts, it was all about staying in school, trying your hardest, and getting involved. I didn't hear or see any socialist agenda; talk of health care, bank bailouts, etc... If I am being perfectly honest, it was less formal than last years address and a tad redundant.
So the speech ends and all of the "peasants" who could not listen come back to class. We do not discuss the speech. We simply start the class, like I would any other day. I think the "peasants" may have been a little dissapointed...they "kept asking what did he say". the kid with the canada remark said, "Guess if you wanted to know, you should have stayed".
(Its hard to be a "peasant"; the more educated and open-minded people never share their knowledge. So their are stuck in a politcally correct world...not having to think or judge for themselves.)
The most maddening thing is that if Mitt Romney had a snowballs chance in Hades to win the last election, and then spoke to the nations school children. Most of Utah's parents would force their children to watch...and take notes...and maybe play conference bingo... and then hump is leg after...
So I realize that all of this starts at home, Monday night Emily brought me her permission slip to watch. She asked if I would just check NO. Because last years speech "was boring"...sorry i said, you were born into the wrong family. and proudly checked YES ( i may have even circled and underlined yes)...so when Brad got home she tried with him....since he is from the other political party...sorry he said, when the President speaks, you listen. Emily rolled her eyes and stomped upstairs, probably wishing she was born into some "peasants" family.
It is my hope, that in 20 or so years, her kids will come and ask her to check no on the permission slip. and she will be able to say, "sorry you were born into the wrong family...in this house...we listen to the President."
Last years address, made me realize how completely ignorant we have become as a society.
What ever happened to teaching our children to RESPECT the office of president?
Now, we are so into being politically correct; monitoring everything we see or hear, so that no one is has to think differently.
The most amazing thing is that teachers are given the right to choose to show the address or not. And some at the High School made their politcal position known, by refusing to show it. THESE ARE COLLEGE EDUCATED ADULTS! and they can't listen to a simple 20 minute message! AIMED AT CHILDREN!!!
So the time is drawing near, we are to announce whether we will show it in our classrooms and simple invite those who don't want to listen to go to the commons. So about 8 or 9 kids leave. Then I say, If you can not be respectful, you may leave. That was enough for the freshman boys, and 6 or 7 left. On their way out, one kid in my class yelled, "Canada's borders are open!"
I decided right then and their to give that kid an A....no matter what he does for the rest of the quarter.
So I am getting whitehouse.gov on my projector, when a girl comes in and quietly tells me she is checking out because she CAN'T watch....and then she points to the screen. The twerp won't even say Obama's name! and by golly I wanted her to say Obama's name! But she just kept pointing to the screen and the door, like at any minute, Obama was going to start hypnotizing us! Finally, I said, "just go to the commons with everyone else". she said "no I have to check out for the rest of the day". And I said, "are you ill?" No, I just have to leave. And she looks over my shoulder, so I glance back and see her mom in the hall, giving me the biggest crusty/defiant look....hands on hips....ready to pounce stance....as if to challenge my decision to show the speech. I roll my eyes and let her go.
Another senior boy, left to call his mommy, to see if he was allowed to watch the speech...he never came back....he is already 18...he can vote and be drafted...but mommy said no.
So the speech starts, it was all about staying in school, trying your hardest, and getting involved. I didn't hear or see any socialist agenda; talk of health care, bank bailouts, etc... If I am being perfectly honest, it was less formal than last years address and a tad redundant.
So the speech ends and all of the "peasants" who could not listen come back to class. We do not discuss the speech. We simply start the class, like I would any other day. I think the "peasants" may have been a little dissapointed...they "kept asking what did he say". the kid with the canada remark said, "Guess if you wanted to know, you should have stayed".
(Its hard to be a "peasant"; the more educated and open-minded people never share their knowledge. So their are stuck in a politcally correct world...not having to think or judge for themselves.)
The most maddening thing is that if Mitt Romney had a snowballs chance in Hades to win the last election, and then spoke to the nations school children. Most of Utah's parents would force their children to watch...and take notes...and maybe play conference bingo... and then hump is leg after...
So I realize that all of this starts at home, Monday night Emily brought me her permission slip to watch. She asked if I would just check NO. Because last years speech "was boring"...sorry i said, you were born into the wrong family. and proudly checked YES ( i may have even circled and underlined yes)...so when Brad got home she tried with him....since he is from the other political party...sorry he said, when the President speaks, you listen. Emily rolled her eyes and stomped upstairs, probably wishing she was born into some "peasants" family.
It is my hope, that in 20 or so years, her kids will come and ask her to check no on the permission slip. and she will be able to say, "sorry you were born into the wrong family...in this house...we listen to the President."
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Weekend Review
Brad had a "guys weekend" at the cabin in Wyoming.
He went there to close it up for winter.
His brother, Evan and my brother in laws, Jef and Keith went with him
They made a few stops in Evanston to purchase things that (ahem) can not be found in Utah and made it to the cabin a little after midnight.
It must be a guy thing, but they took a bigger TV and an Xbox.
Weird-os
Since it was just me and the girls all weekend, I had all of these plans to make soup every night for dinner.
Brad does not care for soup.
Some of you may have heard about the incident last fall, when I had the nerve to make soup 3 nights in a row. Now I would like to point out that all 3 were form scratch and it was a DIFFERENT soup each night. I did not open a can and call it dinner.
Brad was so bugged he complained to the neighbors about what a mean wife he has.
All I say is "what did you make for dinner?"
Nothing.
Eat your soup buddy.
(I would also like to point out I ALWAYS make some sort of bread to go with soup.)
Anyhoo..I wasn't in the mood for soup while he was gone. ( I was still craving salmon)
Emily and I did watch Letters to Juliet (twice) and liked it.
We saw my mom on Saturday.
Brin was sick Sunday morning.
Sunday afternoon Emily fell out of a tree.
She can't walk.
The ER docs couldn't see a break on the x-ray but since there are a lot of growth plates in the foot we have to see a specialist on Thursday.
She is on crutches.
At first she thought they were super cool.
Now...not so much
We on the other hand are having heartattacks everytime she stumbles or drops a crutch.
Crutches+eleven year old=not graceful
Here she is in the ER
(yes I take pics in the ER. Its a scrap-able moment)
He went there to close it up for winter.
His brother, Evan and my brother in laws, Jef and Keith went with him
They made a few stops in Evanston to purchase things that (ahem) can not be found in Utah and made it to the cabin a little after midnight.
It must be a guy thing, but they took a bigger TV and an Xbox.
Weird-os
Since it was just me and the girls all weekend, I had all of these plans to make soup every night for dinner.
Brad does not care for soup.
Some of you may have heard about the incident last fall, when I had the nerve to make soup 3 nights in a row. Now I would like to point out that all 3 were form scratch and it was a DIFFERENT soup each night. I did not open a can and call it dinner.
Brad was so bugged he complained to the neighbors about what a mean wife he has.
All I say is "what did you make for dinner?"
Nothing.
Eat your soup buddy.
(I would also like to point out I ALWAYS make some sort of bread to go with soup.)
Anyhoo..I wasn't in the mood for soup while he was gone. ( I was still craving salmon)
Emily and I did watch Letters to Juliet (twice) and liked it.
We saw my mom on Saturday.
Brin was sick Sunday morning.
Sunday afternoon Emily fell out of a tree.
She can't walk.
The ER docs couldn't see a break on the x-ray but since there are a lot of growth plates in the foot we have to see a specialist on Thursday.
She is on crutches.
At first she thought they were super cool.
Now...not so much
We on the other hand are having heartattacks everytime she stumbles or drops a crutch.
Crutches+eleven year old=not graceful
Here she is in the ER
(yes I take pics in the ER. Its a scrap-able moment)
Brad came home Sunday evening.
He and the guys had driven the van to Wyoming.
anyone have an idea how to get rid of stinky man smell out of a car?
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Harvest
So I am not a great gardener.
Every year I want to channel my inner Martha Stewart and plant an
amazing garden.
But I don't actually enjoy gardening.
(its dirty and it's hot outside)
This year we made a small attempt to improve our tomato yield
and moved where we plant.
Brad even built a nifty box for our 3 tomato plants and 2 "zuquooney"
(thats what we call it at our house)
I had every intention of watering and weeding....
I remembered every couple of days and sent the girls out to do it.
Well, our half-butt attempt is proving fruitful!
We have tomatoes running out our ears!
Yesterday morning I sent the girls to pick the red ones and this is what they came back with.
I admit I was pretty impressed.
If I gave gardening a real try...
I could start my own farmers market.
But then reality set in...
"What in the hell am I gonna do with all these tomatoes?"
Brad was in Wyoming all weekend,
So I made a big batch of Cowboy Salsa
and took it and the girls to West Haven for a visit with my mom
(who is babysitting for my sister)
We ate the salsa and had a nice visit.
Only to drive home and see the bowl of tomatoes STILL sitting there.
I think they multiplied while I was gone,
I mean I did chop up 7 or 8 for salsa. And the bowl was still FULL.
So I did what any self-respecting FACS teacher would do.
I made 18 cups of tomato sauce to freeze!
I cooked up 2 different kinds.
One was a roasted tomato sauce.
and the other was one I adapted from Giada.
The only down side to my sauce making is that I have this teeny, wimpy food processor. It was taking forever to puree the sauce. Then about half way through, I remembered I have an immersion blender! I can just blend it right in the pot.
I'm a little absent minded lately.
Here is all my effort at sauce making.
Looks pretty cool.
The roasted tomato sauce was my favorite.
I can't wait to use it on homemade pizza.
As for our Zuquooney, I made a chocolate zuquooney cake last night. It was pretty good. The can of frosting I used helped a lot.
Now, I wonder if I will ever get the tomato pulp out from under my fingernails.
Every year I want to channel my inner Martha Stewart and plant an
amazing garden.
But I don't actually enjoy gardening.
(its dirty and it's hot outside)
This year we made a small attempt to improve our tomato yield
and moved where we plant.
Brad even built a nifty box for our 3 tomato plants and 2 "zuquooney"
(thats what we call it at our house)
I had every intention of watering and weeding....
I remembered every couple of days and sent the girls out to do it.
Well, our half-butt attempt is proving fruitful!
We have tomatoes running out our ears!
Yesterday morning I sent the girls to pick the red ones and this is what they came back with.
I admit I was pretty impressed.
If I gave gardening a real try...
I could start my own farmers market.
But then reality set in...
"What in the hell am I gonna do with all these tomatoes?"
Brad was in Wyoming all weekend,
So I made a big batch of Cowboy Salsa
and took it and the girls to West Haven for a visit with my mom
(who is babysitting for my sister)
We ate the salsa and had a nice visit.
Only to drive home and see the bowl of tomatoes STILL sitting there.
I think they multiplied while I was gone,
I mean I did chop up 7 or 8 for salsa. And the bowl was still FULL.
So I did what any self-respecting FACS teacher would do.
I made 18 cups of tomato sauce to freeze!
I cooked up 2 different kinds.
One was a roasted tomato sauce.
and the other was one I adapted from Giada.
The only down side to my sauce making is that I have this teeny, wimpy food processor. It was taking forever to puree the sauce. Then about half way through, I remembered I have an immersion blender! I can just blend it right in the pot.
I'm a little absent minded lately.
Here is all my effort at sauce making.
Looks pretty cool.
The roasted tomato sauce was my favorite.
I can't wait to use it on homemade pizza.
As for our Zuquooney, I made a chocolate zuquooney cake last night. It was pretty good. The can of frosting I used helped a lot.
Now, I wonder if I will ever get the tomato pulp out from under my fingernails.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Cravings
one of the worst things about being preggers
is the cravings!
I have these INTENSE food cravings
I OBSESS about a certain food
until I get it
and then I am fine.
My cravings this week
1-candy corn (I polished off a bag in like 4 days...i had help from em and brin)
2-cheese (and not any cheese will do...I want manchego or a crumbly gorgonzola...yummm...good thing costco carries both of these!)
3-watermelon-thursday in the cafeteria they have watermelon.
4-Salmon
I wanted salmon so bad I was tempted to have my Foods class prepare it, just so I could demonstrate cooking it first! But since I can barely afford to have my classes prepare chicken, I would have a hard time justifing salmon. I even looked up a recipe for canned salmon...you can make it into a "loaf" (I bet Erin is gagging at that. sorry i know how you feel about "loafs")
Brad kindly took me to Applebee's for dinner so I could order Salmon.
It was delish!
and since I didn't have to cook I FINALLY was able to eat and ENJOY dinner!
But...
Brad took a bite of my Applebee's salmon,
and said, "you make it better".
He's right.
My salmon is better
(and not quite as dry)
So now
I REALLY want MY Salmon.
damn cravings
(maybe my Omega 3 levels are low)
is the cravings!
I have these INTENSE food cravings
I OBSESS about a certain food
until I get it
and then I am fine.
My cravings this week
1-candy corn (I polished off a bag in like 4 days...i had help from em and brin)
2-cheese (and not any cheese will do...I want manchego or a crumbly gorgonzola...yummm...good thing costco carries both of these!)
3-watermelon-thursday in the cafeteria they have watermelon.
4-Salmon
I wanted salmon so bad I was tempted to have my Foods class prepare it, just so I could demonstrate cooking it first! But since I can barely afford to have my classes prepare chicken, I would have a hard time justifing salmon. I even looked up a recipe for canned salmon...you can make it into a "loaf" (I bet Erin is gagging at that. sorry i know how you feel about "loafs")
Brad kindly took me to Applebee's for dinner so I could order Salmon.
It was delish!
and since I didn't have to cook I FINALLY was able to eat and ENJOY dinner!
But...
Brad took a bite of my Applebee's salmon,
and said, "you make it better".
He's right.
My salmon is better
(and not quite as dry)
So now
I REALLY want MY Salmon.
damn cravings
(maybe my Omega 3 levels are low)
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Working "Outside"
The other day I was having a conversation with a woman in my ward.
She asked if I would continue working "outside" my home after the baby was born.
I told her I would take 6 weeks off and then go back to finish out the year.
"Oh, then you will be at home?"
Well, i said, "until school starts up in August."
The look she gave me was a mix 1-of complete horror 2- pity 3-a bit of disgust
she then ended our conversation.
Over the last 12 years I have dealt with this...
a lot.
Being a working "outside" the home mom is hard.
Being a Mormon mom who works "outside" is impossible.
I do not need for anyone to leave a copy of Presidents Benson talk from 20+ years ago in my door.
(this happened...with highlighted areas)
I also do not need you to quote the Proclamation to me...I have one in my living room... thank you.
You see, I can quote prophets too.
I can justify my life decisions with the scriptures just as well as the next person.
It has taken a long time for me to come to this acceptance with myself, my family, my religion and my career.
I am ashamed to say, that at one point, It was this very thing that I used as my excuse to become inactive.
I am a Mormon mom who works "outside".
I am trying, just like you are to fit everything together.
Sometimes, I am not very good at the puzzle.
But none of us are...that's why were here...to learn.
I do not need your pity.
I do not need special treatment.
I do not need your judgement.
I do not need you to compare your busy day with mine.
I know we all have busy days and stress and schedules and meetings and callings and practices and dinner to get on the table.
I do not work to pay for my wants.
We don't vacay in fancy places...we go to Pinedale, Wyoming
We don't wear fancy clothes...I am excited if I get to shop at Target and Kohl's is next to Christmas in my book
We don't have expensive toys.
And most months we struggle to get from paycheck to paycheck.
Just like you do.
I know I may complain, wail and gnash my teeth.
It's not a cry for pity.
Somedays I don't want to go to work
Just like you don't want to deal with morning rush and carpool drama and running kids to practice
but we all do what we have to do
For ourselves and our families
She asked if I would continue working "outside" my home after the baby was born.
I told her I would take 6 weeks off and then go back to finish out the year.
"Oh, then you will be at home?"
Well, i said, "until school starts up in August."
The look she gave me was a mix 1-of complete horror 2- pity 3-a bit of disgust
she then ended our conversation.
Over the last 12 years I have dealt with this...
a lot.
Being a working "outside" the home mom is hard.
Being a Mormon mom who works "outside" is impossible.
I do not need for anyone to leave a copy of Presidents Benson talk from 20+ years ago in my door.
(this happened...with highlighted areas)
I also do not need you to quote the Proclamation to me...I have one in my living room... thank you.
You see, I can quote prophets too.
I can justify my life decisions with the scriptures just as well as the next person.
It has taken a long time for me to come to this acceptance with myself, my family, my religion and my career.
I am ashamed to say, that at one point, It was this very thing that I used as my excuse to become inactive.
I am a Mormon mom who works "outside".
I am trying, just like you are to fit everything together.
Sometimes, I am not very good at the puzzle.
But none of us are...that's why were here...to learn.
I do not need your pity.
I do not need special treatment.
I do not need your judgement.
I do not need you to compare your busy day with mine.
I know we all have busy days and stress and schedules and meetings and callings and practices and dinner to get on the table.
I do not work to pay for my wants.
We don't vacay in fancy places...we go to Pinedale, Wyoming
We don't wear fancy clothes...I am excited if I get to shop at Target and Kohl's is next to Christmas in my book
We don't have expensive toys.
And most months we struggle to get from paycheck to paycheck.
Just like you do.
I know I may complain, wail and gnash my teeth.
It's not a cry for pity.
Somedays I don't want to go to work
Just like you don't want to deal with morning rush and carpool drama and running kids to practice
but we all do what we have to do
For ourselves and our families
You should see their parents!
Somedays, I have to shake my head at the teenagers in my classes.
Other days I go home and have fake arguments to myself and say all of the things that the law or my union forbids me say. (Ask Emily, she always asks "are you talking to yourself or a student?")
Sometimes I wonder, "who are your parents?"
well, I met some of them over the last 2 days at Parent Teacher Conferences
and let me tell you...
the kids are normal
compared the FREAKY parents we have in Tooele.
One freshman boy's mom is dating a kid I taught 3 years ago...
WEIRD!
(i use the word taught loosely...he NEVER came to class)
Another mom could NOT understand why her kid had an F.
"He only has missed 6 classes and has not turned in 7 assignments...
and did not take the test..."
but how DARE I give him an F!
"you really need to come up with a better grading system" she said
Ummmm-Bi*** you need to get your kid to school
(I didn't say this...but I thought it...SEVERAL times)
I peeked at his midterm...
straight F's
Guess we all need a "better grading system"
Another mom STUNK so bad
I had to breathe out of my mouth to keep from dry heaving...
but that didn't help because then I could sort of "taste" the funk.
The smell was a mix of garbage and (how should I say) "woman's monthly" that needed to be taken care of...a week ago.
It was disgusting.
I had two sets of parents that had to bring an interpreter because they didn't speak English.
I was never sure who I should look at...the parent or the interpreter...
so my eyes kept darting back and forth
I know I looked all "shifty"
(and I got a little dizzy)
Another parent lamented the fact that her teenage son will not speak to her...
at all.
She went on and on about how close they use to be...they went to the store together, church, ball games, practices....trust me it went on and on and on.
Other days I go home and have fake arguments to myself and say all of the things that the law or my union forbids me say. (Ask Emily, she always asks "are you talking to yourself or a student?")
Sometimes I wonder, "who are your parents?"
well, I met some of them over the last 2 days at Parent Teacher Conferences
and let me tell you...
the kids are normal
compared the FREAKY parents we have in Tooele.
One freshman boy's mom is dating a kid I taught 3 years ago...
WEIRD!
(i use the word taught loosely...he NEVER came to class)
Another mom could NOT understand why her kid had an F.
"He only has missed 6 classes and has not turned in 7 assignments...
and did not take the test..."
but how DARE I give him an F!
"you really need to come up with a better grading system" she said
Ummmm-Bi*** you need to get your kid to school
(I didn't say this...but I thought it...SEVERAL times)
I peeked at his midterm...
straight F's
Guess we all need a "better grading system"
Another mom STUNK so bad
I had to breathe out of my mouth to keep from dry heaving...
but that didn't help because then I could sort of "taste" the funk.
The smell was a mix of garbage and (how should I say) "woman's monthly" that needed to be taken care of...a week ago.
It was disgusting.
I had two sets of parents that had to bring an interpreter because they didn't speak English.
I was never sure who I should look at...the parent or the interpreter...
so my eyes kept darting back and forth
I know I looked all "shifty"
(and I got a little dizzy)
Another parent lamented the fact that her teenage son will not speak to her...
at all.
She went on and on about how close they use to be...they went to the store together, church, ball games, practices....trust me it went on and on and on.
then a mother told me all about the troubles in her marriage...
RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER TEENAGE DAUGHTER!
(trust me, her daughter did not need to hear about their sex life...
neither did I, for that matter)
at this point I sent a text to Brad about my being a family/marriage counselor. His response was, Since my department insists on being called Family and Consumer Sciences (instead of Home Ec) I need to be ready for such things.
the next parent teacher conference is in December.
I will be charging extra for family counseling.
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