Friday, March 26, 2010

Go Us!

Things went pretty well this week. Aaron started teaching me Italian. Maybe I'll know a little by the time we get there. I have about as long as Aaron was there.
Tuesday Aaron and I went to our first Caucus (however you spell that) meeting. It was interesting. During the meeting Grandma Reep called. She's glad Aaron sent the DVD and CD. I'm glad they have them.
Wednesday I registered Tanner for Kindergarten. The first thing he told Aaron when Aaron got home was that he had been registered that day. He's really excited. I spent Tuesday and Wednesday looking for the immunization cards. I lost them either in the flood or when we cleaned out the kitchen last Fall. I ended up getting a copy from the doctor. I still haven't found them. I'm really frustrated about this.
At least Tanner still got registered.
Thursday morning Tanner told me about a dream he had. He said that he dreamed about Grandpa Reep. I asked what they were doing and he said that he wasn't in the dream. He just saw Grandpa. He said he misses him. I'm so glad he is old enough that hopefully he will always have memories of Grandpa.
Today AJ received the Super Scholar Award at school. At our last Parent Teacher Conference we talked about AJ slowing down and not being the first person to turn in his work. He does a great job but would do even better if he slowed down. He has done just that and is doing so much better on his work. I'm proud of him. That is why he receive the award. Go AJ.
Mattina Ann also received her certificate for Honor Roll. She continues to have a 4.0. Nice job Mattina Ann. She has been working a little this week on her science project. Her science fair will be on Tuesday so I guess she'll finish it up tomorrow.
Aaron found out that Arby's was broken into twice this last Wednesday. I'm starting to get worried. What if these bad people decide to come in when they are open and have weapons? I don't want Aaron there if that were to happen. We've talked about him working as a waitor at Applebee's. They are hiring experienced waitor's right now. He might even make more money there. Plus he would be aloud to work more than twice a week. I guess I know what I'll be fasting about on Sunday.
I did something crazy today. I took my clothes to change into at the gym today. When I went to put them on I realized they weren't my usual pants. They were a few sizes smaller. I didn't have anything else to put on because I was at the gym so I put them on. They were tight but they fit. I was so excited. I later realized that they were Mattina Ann's pants. WOW!! I'm doing good. Go me!!!
This next week looks really busy. It was nice having an "easier" week. Here we go again.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Relief Society Done (for a while)

I spent Saturday thru Tuesday preparing for the Relief Society Birthday Party. I don't think I got as stressed out on this activity as I have on past activities. I was proud of me for that. Aaron spent Tuesday night helping me. I am so greatful for him and his help. He ran the video, did tons of dishes, and many more things. Thank you Aaron. The night was a success. I went to Brenda's and filled 38 balloons with helium. Then I tried to put them all in my van. I was so thankful for Rianna's help. We got them in and only lost 2 in the process. I then drove to the church with 5 children. What a car load. I don't have another RS meeting planned again for at least 2 months. Yeah!
We had dinner and family home evening over at Brenda's Monday night. Dinner turned out nice. I was frustrated that we started so late but that was my fault because I had had RS set up right before. Anyway, home evening went well too. Rianna gave the lesson and did a nice job. One day I'll have to figure out how to keep my children quiet. After all that Ryan had a hard night. Aaron wasn't pleased with Ryan's behavior and got involved. Rick said that Ryan tried to throw a big rock at our car. I'm glad Rick stopped him. The police were called and Ryan is now in detention. Hopefully Ryan will find his way back sooner than later. All this has been really hard on Brenda this week.
For our date this week Aaron and I saw the movie "Blind Side". If you haven't seen this movie I highly recommend it. We haven't seen that good of a movie in a long time.
This week AJ went flying with our wards cub scouts. He hasn't been on an airplane since he was 4 months old. He had a smile from ear to ear and was beaming when he got home. He said his favorite part was taking off and landing. Aaron got to go too and said that landing in St. George is different. I'm so glad they got to go. Mattina Ann is quite jealous.
AJ also had a word challenge at his school this week. They have been learning science and math words and definitions. On Wednesday they had a challenge to see who at his school could challenge Bloomington school. AJ did well enough to be involved in that challenge. Aaron and I are excited for him.
AJ has had quite a week. He also got offered drugs this week. I tried not to freak out when Aaron told me. I'm so glad Aaron and AJ ride together to and from school. It's great time for them to spend and talk. Anyway, AJ was getting angry and another child offered him something to calm him down. AJ immediately knew that was wrong and said no. The child kept offering and he continued to say no. I'm so greatful he listened to the spirit. Aaron talked to AJ's teacher to fix the problem. It sure is a different world we live in now.
Mattina Ann spoke in sacrament meeting last Sunday. She prepared her talk all by herself. I didn't hear any of it until she gave it. She was to talk on one of the articles in the New Era. She spoke on prayer. She pulled little parts from the article to talk about, gave some examples, gave her own experience, and then bore her testimony. I am so proud of her. She was great. Mattina Ann has a friend that is being baptized this morning. After all she went through in her classes last semester she did manage to get all A's again. She continues to have a 4.0 average. Let's hope I'm not jinxing her.
We paid off our car this week. Only student loans and the house for debt now. Yeah.
Well I'm off. Next week doesn't look so busy. We'll see what happens. That could change too easily.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Spring Break

We have had spring break this past week. I like having the kids and Aaron home. Aaron ended up working 4 nights at Arby's this week. That will be a nice pay check. He didn't make much in February.
This week started out cold and rainy. Yuck. We are such whimps here. The children spent 3 days playing the wii. Aaron and I played on Monday and then had other things to do the rest of the week or I think we too would have played all week. Thursday I took the kids to the park. It was so nice to finally get out. I still had to wear my jacket but the weather was nicer. Today we went up to the Dixie. We hiked for about 1 1/2 hours and then had lunch. After lunch most of us continued to hike and play while Aaron and Mr. Phillips studied for their test tomorrow. We were up there about 4 hours. It was a lot of fun. I hid from the family at one point and played a little hide and seek. The weather was perfect. No jacket. In fact Tanner, Geremy, and I got sunburned on our faces.
Aaron has the Praxis test in the morning. He has to pass this test to continue teaching. As I listened to him studying with Charlie he sounds very ready. He is very smart and I'm hoping I'm not jinxing him. I've been praying all week for him to pass. He says he's nervous. Good Luck Aaron.
Aaron's parents and Aaron have been begging me to let him quit Arby's. Because I do the finances it's hard to say don't bring in that money. I sat down with Aaron this week and went over the finances. I decided that he could work through the summer and quit July 31. Then we started talking about our taxes and how we are going to spend them next year. Aaron wanted to go to Italy for our 5th anniversary and we couldn't afford it. He wanted to go for our 10th anniversary and we couldn't afford it. Now he has promised our 15th anniversary which is next year. We looked up online to see how much it will cost. He decided that if he works at Arby's until the end of September 2010 then all his money from Arby's can pay for Italy in 2011. We made a chain for his work days at Arby's and we are going to make a thermometer thing to mark off the money for Italy. He is so happy. He says "His days at Arby's are limited" plus his dream of going to Italy is going to come true. I can't believe we are going to Italy. But as my friend Marianne says, "You have to let him have his dreams". Aaron and I love to dream together. Planning this for the next year and a half will be fun. I guess I'll finally get him scuba certified so we can go in Italy. That'll be fun.
AJ received his Fitness, Naturalist, and Wildlife Conservation Belt Loop this past week at scouts. He has worked really hard at his Citizenship this week. We are hoping he'll get that and his Webelo's badge at the next meeting. He needs to start working on his car for the derby. Hopefully this next week.
I have the birthday party for relief society coming up this Tuesday. I'm doing all I can to keep it within the $100 budget. I'm in charge of the majority of the food. I can't wait until it's over. I tend to stay awake all night stressing over this stuff until it's over.
Mattina Ann finished her 3rd quarter this past week. We think she got all A's again. She worked really hard. We are so proud of her.
My friend Donna got married last Friday. I was asked to play the prelude music for it. She looked so happy. I'm excited for her and wish them the best.
Well I plan to write again next week. We'll see if that happens. Right now I don't know why it wouldn't.

Geremy's 4th Birthday