Daisy schedule

Tuesday, October 16 2:00-3:00 Bear Branch Pool House Troop 9486 Birthday Party
Tuesday, October 30 3:30-5:00 Juliette Gordon Low Birthday Party-Bear Branch Elementary
Tuesday, November 13 2:00-3:00 Bear Branch Pool House
Tuesday, November 27 2:00-3:00 Bear Branch Pool House
Tuesday, December 11 2:00-3:00 Bear Branch Pool House
Tuesday, January 15 2:00-3:00 Bear Branch Pool House
Tuesday, January 29 2:00-3:00 Bear Branch Pool House
Tuesday, February 12 2:00-3:00 Bear Branch Pool House
Tuesday, February26 2:00-3:00 Bear Branch Pool House
Tuesday, March 11 2:00-3:00 Bear Branch Pool House
Tuesday, March 25 2:00-3:00 Bear Branch Pool House
Tuesday, April 8 2:00-3:00 Bear Branch Pool House
Tuesday, April 22 2:00-3:00 Bear Branch Pool House
Tuesday, May 6 2:00-3:00 Bear Branch Pool House
Tuesday, May 20 2:00-3:00 Bear Branch Pool House

Sunday Nov 4th
I have not been journaling like I should. Today is fast Sunday. Everyone seemed a little more emotional than usual, I think because we are losing our bishop. President Fronk is out of town with family putting a stone on his father’s grave. Karren gave the lesson in RS today, said VTing was the biggest RS organizations for her.

Last week was Halloween, Autumn went as a ladybug, James a Thomas the Train, and Heather as a unicorn. James was most excited about it this year, and got many compliments on his outfit. He and Heather raced to the doors and fought over who got to ring the “ding bell” I think the “ding bell” got rang several times before the door was answered. RuthAnn and James were over. They taught us how to make Hawaiian Haystack for dinner – rice with chicken in a cream sauce and celerery, topped with pineapple, mushrooms, green onions, and pineapple. Pretty good! Institute on Wed – OT, the PT conference at school Mrs. Welch seems to really like Heather. Went to Mercer for a short time, Autumn became really fussy, got a fever, went home, she slept, then was ok. Thursday we went shopping, almost forgot Heather got out early, was late in picking her up – felt really bad. There were only a few kids still waiting on the front when we got there. Friday Heather was out early too, Doug took the van, rode bikes back and forth to school. Nice weather out. Heather got her report card, with really good grades. We went to Chucky Cheese to celebrate. Spent all day Saturday making Heather a poodle skirt for her 50’s day. Also worked on Christmas presents.

Halloween Picts

Picts from Heather’s field trip to old McDonalds’ farm – it rained, the kids got pretty muddy, James climbed into the hey after getting all muddy – he was quite a site! Heather’s class with Miss Welch, Heather with her friends Izzi and Kate. Lost James, then found him in with the rabbits. Getting pumpkins at the pumpkin patch, and all dressed up for the church Halloween festival.

Happy Halloween!

Autumn's birthday!

Monday Sept 24th 2007
Heather had drawing time today in school – we do not get to see what she drew though, because another little boy asked to take Heather’s drawing home – he promised to give it back on Friday though. This was Gavin. Heather’s friends are Zoe, Emily, Annah, Kate, and Gavin. While Heather was at school, I was working upstairs, and James opened all of Autumn’s birthday presents – I came downstairs, Autumn and James were both playing with the toys amid wrapping paper. James felt pretty bad when he realized that he had just ruined the surprise in opening the gifts… I wrapped them all back up, and he promised he would not do it again. Doug home a little late due to the training. On the way to work, two cars crashed right in front of him. One car driving on the shoulder hit another car edging through a traffic jam, both trying to get to the same exit. Got the kids to bed, looked at some news on the internet with Doug, saw a bit of the Columbia university speech – by their dean, and Iran’s president. They said they would have allowed Hitler to talk to uphold freedom of speech. Personally, I think they should have arrested the guy on the spot. Incredible to see people’s reaction – polite, clapping, the only boos were from the dictator’s policy of killing gays and lesbians. How anyone could just sit there while a mass murderer spouted off his propaganda is beyond me. Peace – love everyone; accept everyone for who they are...

Tuesday – pick up freezer, park play group
Rode bike to school this morning, dropped Heather off, then rode all the way up to Elm grove park. Janessa was there with Mary and Johnathan, and Holly came with Kalie, Ryan, and Tyler. Sad thing, Holly found a house in the woodlands, they will moving in about a week. I made them promise that we still need to get together every once in a while to go pick blueberries, or go to the zoo. It is really sad to see them go. Elizabeth called today, their babysitter was sick, and Elizabeth was stuck at work, so Daxton was able to come home with us and hang out for a bit. I warned Elizabeth that we did not have the van, and might be walking home in the rain – but the kids like the rain anyways.

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Wednesday –
Kalie and Ryan over for a bit, just a quiet day doing laundry. Heena’s piano lesson – Heena is feeling a bit overwhelmed with school, was not up to practicing. Was able to get Ammi to do a little bit though. It is hard to talk someone into sitting down and working on something. Went grocery shopping.
Lots of boxes in the mail from Granny and grampy, mom and dad. I asked Grampy if I could borrow a carving knife from him – Karren J. carves, and I thought it would be fun too. Grampy sent a whole box of stuff, knives, files, and carvings he had not quite finished. I have so many memories being with Grampy in the shop, smelling the wood, watching him work. Going through his unfinished works brought back a lot of memories… thanks grampy!

Thursday –
Picture day at school – accidentally sprayed Heather in the eyes with hairspray trying to get ready. Ended up giving up on the curling iron. I guess it is better to just get a real life picture than a doctored up one. We will see how they come out! Talked with Kate’s mom Barbara, might start getting together with them as Heather and Kate are becoming good friends. Little flouray with Jake in the bike lot after school. Jake birthday was today – he is now 6 years old. He is another one of Heather’s friends. Karren’s at 7:40, pick up mom from the airport 

Friday Sept 28th–
Happy Birthday Autumn! Can’t believe you are already one. You have grown up fast – you can walk, can say moma, dada, that, fish, sis – you have 7 teeth. Today we went swimming with Nammy, for our daily walks to school, made ladybug cup cakes, ate pizza, and went to see the Tai drummers at Miller Theatre. You liked the drummers, although they taught you to hit things… Heather and James fell asleep – you were the last one standing!

Saturday Sept 29th
Pic-nic at the Mercer park. Jannessa came with Mary and Jonathan, and Holly came with Kalee, Ryan, and Tyler. You got a little stroller from Kaylee and a bunny from Granny – you loaded the bunny up in the stroller, and pushed it all around the park. Ryan also gave you some cars, as you like those too – but the boys took those to go play with. We brought 18 cup cakes – at the end there was only 1 left which means some of the kids ate quite a few of them  There was a great big yellow spider – the same as the ones in the greenbelt that we got a picture of.

Monday Oct 1st
Went grocery shopping – saved $79 with coupons! I really need to start getting the paper, but I don’t want to make anyone work on Sunday to deliver it – so I guess I will just try and start picking them up at the grocery store.

Tuesday Oct 2nd
Park play day at Elm grove – quite a lot of people showed up today, including some from another ward. The weather is finally starting to cool off. Mornings are foggy and it makes the walks to school so nice. We can even turn the air conditioner off at night! Made doctors appointment for James and Autumn – I am afraid to find out that James – am hoping that he is not still anemic, and if he is, hoping that it will not end in finding he has celiac disease.

Wednesday Oct 3rd
Meeting at the park for the HotcookinMommas group. We divied out disposable containers, and set-up the date for the first frozen meal exchange. There will be 7 of us. Heena’s piano lesson went a little better today. I brought them a geode – told them story about Linda and Randy’s honeymoon – Linda told me how Randy pulled off the side of the road, jumped around taking pictures and pointing at something – as much as she looked, she could not see what he was pointing at or getting excited about. He is a geologist, and was excited about a pile of rocks on the side of the road… Also talked about how water is not very quenching until after you taste it after running a marathon. That all things in life can be appreciated on different levels… that it is just an old pile of rocks, or it is just a glass of water, or it is just boring classical music – until you learn more about it, then it becomes something beautiful. Heena and Ammi liked their geode.

Thursday Oct 4th
Babysat Kaylee and Ryan today while Holly and Alan closed on their first house. It will be sad to see them go.

Friday Oct 5th
Doctors appointment for Autumn and James.

Saturday /Sunday Oct 6th
General conference.

Friday Sept 7th
Got a new jogging stroller – that won’t tip over on the way to school hopefully. Almost done putting together bike trailer, fixing up bike. Heather’s teacher said Heather was doing really well. Ruthanne and James might come over and stay with us, so clean the house tomorrow. Poor little Autumn, she was rough housing with James, fell, and punctured her lip with her front tooth – just like James did when he was her age. Now we know to treat such a wound at home without running to the ER. Autumn and James have a lot in common!



Sunday Sept 9th
Doug had a headache. Took the kids to church – always a bit hard. We were late, ended up sitting in the metal folding chars in the overflow. Spent sacrament meeting trying to keep kids from using their crayons as drumsticks on the chairs. When the sacrament meeting ended, Heather and James ran for the back door – at least they like their primary class! Poor little Autumn has 8 months to go before nursery though, so playing the piano in relief society required Karen to stand with a crying, tired baby down the hall. RuthAnne, big James, and baby James over – luckily church kept us out of the house long enough for him to recover before company arrived.



Monday Sept 10th
Fun day. Walk Heather to school with new jogging stroller, then went to the zoo. Out to lunch with Doug to a really good Thai restaurant, then for a swim with Holly, Ruthanne, and kids. I should not do this to company – dragging them around all over Houston instead of letting them get some R&R. Made it to see the elephants, giraffes, tiger, sharks. Fun talking with Ruthanne. They will be closing on a house next weekend. Poor little Heather – the finish on the pool is a little rough, and made the bottom of her toes raw, so she had to stop swimming. The combo lock on her bike chain broke, could not unlock it, so had to leave her bike at school. Ended up putting 3 kids in the 2 person bike trailer, but it worked out well, and they had a fun ride. Heather missed out on the zoo because she was in school, and then she caught her finger in the swing chain. Bandaged up her feet, then let her watch Cinderella.



Tuesday Sept 11th
Quiet day, jog to school with new stroller, was able to get there much faster, made a big difference. Biked home, Heather jumped into the trailer with James and Autumn, and we bumped over the grass to the bike lot out back. No more lock for Heather’s bike – but there are a lot of bikes without locks, so we will just hope for luck. We went for a swim, had an early dinner. Dr. Sloan, Doug’s old advisor is in town – Doug is out with some other grad students, meeting/dinner with Sloan trying to figure out who can take his place when he retires - keep the hydrate lab running and keep industry support. Heather invited to Annah Juel’s birthday party at Pump it up.

Wednesday Sept 12th
Rainy day, had to drive to school, what a bummer. Still cloudy in the afternoon, but chanced it and went for a jog anyways. Heather was chosen with Kate to be in charge of the class while the teacher was busy – sounds like she is making a good impression on people at school. She was able to count to 100 too! Worked with James on colors, shapes, numbers etc… played the “ball game” – let Autumn in to play too. Sold the sit-n-stand stroller on KYS. Doug drove the church youth to a temple night thing. Neither of us remembered signing up to volunteer for this – maybe we did and just did not remember? In any event, canceled Heena’s lesson again – felt really bad, this is the second week in a row. Will be second night in a row for Doug getting very little sleep (Dr. Sloan meeting/dinner last night.) He made it back around 10:30. Called people on my new VT route. I get to work with Susan – am really looking forward to getting to know her better. Little Autumn has a runny nose, so got all the kids to bed early.

Thursday Sept 13th
Nice day out – contrary to the news. Granny called and was worried about a tropical storm that was supposed to be hitting us. Jogged to school in the morning, biked in the afternoon. Heather came home with a post card from Kate – saying Kate missed her while she was on her trip. Heather has been writing little notes to all her friends at home, and sneaking them into their backpacks at school. Today a boy fell and starting crying, Heather said I would be proud to know that she went and helped him – twice. There was a sale at the grocery store for candy – I picked up a bunch of “nerds” and “nerd rope” as Doug was running out of stuff to give them in the morning. The candy I got was way to big – all week they have been toting this horrible stuff around. I will have to remember not to do that again! Put on the “Moose” CD from Yellowstone, Autumn was really getting down to it! Talked HOA into painting over graffiti on the greenbelt benches. We will see how long the new coat of paint lasts.



Friday Sept 14
Holly and kids over for a swim, then went for a swim again with Heather after school. Pizza night.

Saturday Sept 15th
Baby Daze sale in the morning kind of fun. We were going to finish the floor today – but found out that 6 out of the 9 boxes of wood they gave us did not match, so had to take them back and re-order. Spent hour at Lowe’s trying to get this done. They had to refund the money, then re-order it. They made the mistake of refunding 9 boxes instead of just 6. So, instead of coming out of it even, have an extra $250 in our account. Pointed out their mistake – they were so impressed, they gave Doug a $25 gift card, but were still unable to fix the problem. Said they would try to fix it again next week when we picked it all up. We went for a swim, dinner from Taco Cabannas.

Sunday Sept 16th
Church this morning, Autumn fussy, so we listened from the fourier. Doug had to leave Heather and James unattended to get up and take attendance, came back to a bench covered with water and mushie tortilla stuffed into the back of the cushon. Then he had Autumn while I played in the piano in RS. She was asleep by the 3rd hour meetings, but kept him out of 2nd meetings. I should not enjoy hearing about Doug’s little experiences with the kids, but I do. It’s good to have similar experiences to chuckle over. Relief society and New testament class both happened to be over similar subjects.
1 Cor 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
First talked about relationship between Christ and God which is one of sacrifice, obedience, love, unity. Then translate these to husband/wife. I liked the word “unity”. Unity takes all unfairness out of anyone being the “head”. Unity makes you equal. Also talked about how to stay close as a couple. Quoted out of the littlest Prince – conversation with fox about the rose. One discussion was to talk with your spouse about things other than a “to-do” list. I need to get better about this.

Monday – Holly watched the kids while Autumn and I went Vting to Nona’s. She is a sweet lady, but with many health problems. Diabetes, arthritis, etc.

Tuesday – Park play date with Janessa Tucker – Autumn is on her own at the park now – she runs around with the other kids, and will not let me just hold her. James and Autumn both ended up with fine sand caked in their hair. We were all quite a site when picking Heather up from school!

Wednesday – VTing Jensen’s, Heena’s piano lesson. Poor little Heena, she gets frustrated and discouraged. Tried to tell her that work solves most problems in life – don’t despair that you cannot do it, just practice until you can do it.

Thursday – VT to Karren r’s, then my VTers came over. Swim with Holly and kids, Heather’s feet raw from rough pool again. Math and science night at the school + book fair. Each grade had a table set up with a different science activity – there was bubbles, magnets, raisens dancing in Sprite, filling up balloons with backing soda and vinegar gas, sucking an egg into a bottle, and finding how raw vs boiled eggs behaved. Tin can telephones, etc. etc. The kids had fun I think.

Friday – Potty training James, clean-up for weekend.
Friday Bonds book discussion
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Platinum rule – Do unto others as they would have you do unto them.
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(ie – don’t buy your husband a diamond necklace because it is what you want him to get you – think about their needs, and give them what they want – not what you want). Finale to the “Christmas story” – True story of couple who had been arguing over Christmas preparations, wife trying to get hand-made presents for everyone in neighborhood/church/family – driving husband crazy with her demands, seeming to take all the fun out of it. Wife frustrated the her husband unwilling to help with Christmas preparations – if it was not for her, there would be no Christmas at all etc… story ends well – husband finds new affection for wife, starts helping her not out of obligation, but simply helping because he loves her. Wife becomes more considerate of husband, some projects go unfinished, but it is ok. The change of heart not something that they forced themselves to do – it was a gift from God.

Saturday
Yardwork whie Doug finished the floor in the new room, swim in the pool, to Pei-Wei’s to eat. Went through the drive-through car wash – James and Autumn were not too happy about it. I was just kidding around pretending to be scared when the big rollers came at the car – it really was scary for the little ones. Ordered a big freezer for laundry room – am now a member of Nicole’s “hot cookin mommas” group of moms – we are going to swap frozen dinners – ie cook the same thing to feed 100 – split it up – swap dinners – now everyone has variety of dinners for a month while only having to cook one meal. We will see how it goes! Went and got some movies – ended up being really weird ones, O well.

Sunday 23rd September
Church in the morning – talk on prophets by the Hansen’s. Interesting comments about Adam as the first prophet, that he had spent time walking, talking, face to face with God. It would have been pretty neat to have learned from Adam. RS lesson on standing for the right. The bishop sat in with us today, we were talking about all the things that help us stand for what is right – friends, scriptures, prayer, etc… the Bishop said “self” that we should have confidence that we are stronger than we think. Also made a comment about Martha and Lazerous – that when the going gets tough, if He does not seem to be with us in the storm, to be like Martha, running to the Savior for comfort after the storm rather than allowing the experience to distance ourselves. Bro Johnson’s lesson from 2 Cor. He brought in a jar os white sand (sugar) with pearls in it. If you know there are pearls in it – do you throw away the sand – or sift through it first to find what is precious. He sifted the sugar, and revealed pearls. Analogy of vines with sins – he had been taking vines off the trees – the vines formed a canopy over the tree keeping out the sunlight, weighing down the branches, and killing the tree. Removing vines a hard thing, and even once they were removed, new ones would start growing. Lesson on adversity – that it is not so bad. We would not be humble if we did not make mistakes, we would not need a Savior, would not need each other, would have more shallow untested friendships, a lot of good things in adversity.

Caught in the rain, Autumn's first steps

Monday Sept 2nd
Happy Labor Day! Poor Doug had a headache. We went to Lowe’s and ordered wood floor for the study, did yard work. Did not get a whole lot done for a vacation day, but was nice none the less.

Tuesday Sept 3rd
Back to school. Talked to some other moms on the greenbelt on the way to school, talked to a neighbor on the way back. Felt bad – neighbor new us from Chaco’s howling – did not know what the noise was, had to explain he howls when he gets lonely, that he is not hurt or anything. We took Chaco for a walk to the other bridge – quite a lot of turtles, a duck, and some other kind of bird – long skinny legs, long skinny beak. Just James, Autumn and I, we fed them left over waffles.

Wednesday Sept 4th
Jennifer brought over her old bike trailer for the kids – felt sorry for me pushing around the Jeep stroller. Holly called, so James, Autumn and I went swimming with them while Heather was in school. Went to bike shop, fixed Doug’s tire, gave them my bike for a tune up, and ordered new tires for the bike trailer. Went to Wallmart, got some material for making a new seat cushion for the trailer. Doug home late from work, stressful day trying to figure out budgeting. Another group had a 30 million project that went to 100 million, and now everyone is on their toes about trying to accurately predict costs. Doug guessed 2.7 million, someone else guessed almost 6 million, and management was in a tissy trying to figure out which figure to go with. 6 million is probably more appropriate as unexpected costs always come up, but how do you specifically identify and put a price tag on unknown future problems? A factor of 3 is generally used (predicted cost *3 = actual cost) but you can’t show something like *3 to management and let them ok it… Sounds like you have to sort of make up extra stuff that you might get, then use that money for other stuff when you need it. Poor Doug is still learning the right wording to use.

Thursday Sept 5th
Doug had a pool car, so we slept in until 5:00 this morning! Took Chaco with us on our walk to school – tied him to the front of the stroller, and we were doing well until another dog came into view – chaco took off, and tipped the stroller over onto it’s side.… poor little Autumn, she was not hurt, but scared pretty badly. I untied Chaco from the stroller for the rest of the trip. Worked some more on fixing up the bike trailer, gave some baby stuff to Holly, sold some of it on KYS. Hard to part with it as each little thing has memories attached to it – a lot easier to give it to someone you know than sell it to a stranger. I will have to remember that and just give it all away from now on. Walked to pick Heather up – the last couple of days we have been lucky, it starts raining a little after we get home. We were not so lucky today – it started raining while we were crossing the bridge over the stream. Heather was excited, she likes going out in the rain. The sun covers on the stroller did not help James or Autumn out any, but they did not complain either even though rain here is a tropical downpour and we all got soaking wet (see picture.) Heather came home with a happy note from her teacher today – she was so excited to show it to me. She said it would make me so proud I would be taller than the trees. After I saw it, I told her I was proud of her and gave her a big hug. After we got changed out of wet clothes, she cleaned up the game room without asking, so they are watching Night at the Museum now.

Heather's first week at school

Monday August 27th
Heather’s first day of kindergarten! Heather rode her bike while I pushed the stroller with James and Autumn. We were able to walk her to her classroom. We picked her up at 1:50 and got the report. I asked what they learned in class, and Heather said they learned rules – don’t be late, don’t tip over the chairs, don’t tip over the table, and don’t play on the monkey bars because 2 other kindergarteners broke their arms on them. I sent her with an extra box of raisins to share, and she found a little girl to share them with, although she did not remember anyone’s name. They played dress up, played with animal babies. Little James, Autumn and I read books, and went swimming. I tried to get James to swim without his float suit. Doug is in Canada, so it was just us for dinner. Early bedtime so they can get up early.

Tuesday Aug 28th
This morning Heather impressed some other students by riding her bike all the way up the hill without stopping (as they had). A little girl looked Heather and her bike over, and said she thought any girl would kill to have a bike like that. Heather was happy for the compliment. Later that day Heather came back to class from the bathroom, and everyone was gone. They were just in the next classroom watching a short film, but Heather did not know it, looked everywhere for them, and ended up sitting in her seat alone crying. Mrs. Welch was nice to her, and apologized for not knowing she was gone. Poor little Heather – the trauma was short lived, and she is still excited about going to school.

Wednesday August 29th 2007
Piced up Doug from the airport, and then got Heather from school. It was raining, so instead of walking we picked her up in the car. There was a long line of cars waiting. Heather had an upset look on her face – we found out that they had made cookies, sent them to be cooked, and then the cookies disappeared. There was rumors about a bear possibly taking them, some cookie crumbs being found – but no cookies. They went home to make a map and think about how to track down the cookies. Sounded like a lot of fun.

Thursday Aug 30th
While doing Heather’s hair for school, found lice, so had to keep her home. Texas is so bad for bugs. We have been swimming, and giving the kids baths just about every day, and still, we end up with this. Heather was really upset, she was really looking forward to tracking down the bear and finding the cookies, now she has to miss it. Instead we went to the store, and had a long day of cleaning the house, car, and heads. $70 worth of shampoo, gels, combs, spray – and this will not be the last of it. So frustrating. I let Heather watch movies, and tried to make her feel better about having to stay home. I almost just sent her, but if they found her scratching her head at school, it could have been an even worse experience for her. The house got cleaned anyways.

Friday Aug 31st
The lice seem to be gone for now – so back to school. Heather asked Mrs. Welch if they found the cookies, and cried when she found out all the fun she missed. Some boys in Heather’s class were playing on the monkey bars when there not supposed to, and they got stung by wasps after they stuck sticks into a wasp nest. Heather said something like “boys are not very smart, are they?” I said boys can be smart too, they just like to play differently. I have been reading with James, we went through a book about mammals, and then a book on fish. There are some crazy critters out there! We ordered pizza in, looking forward to a nice 3 day weekend.

Saturday Sept 1st
Made waffles and scrambled eggs, then off to Haden’s birthday party. James had wrapped up some airplanes that both he and I had trouble giving up. He did well giving up the present – he was excited to be able to give it to Haden, and was smiling when he gave it to him. He spent the party playing with new toys. It is always hard to pry him away from new place. Janee and Holly were the only adults I knew at the party – I think the rest of the people there were family members. I was never a jock in school, and am always a little uncomfortable around a well dressed, died hair crowd. I am trying to better at being social. I talked to Haden’s grandfather a bit at least. Doug is working on the back room, finishing up the steps so a floor can be put down. It would be really nice to finally get that room finished up!

Heather starting Kindergarten!

Today (Friday Aug 24th) We went to meet the teachers. Heather’s friends from church, ballet class, and the park were there – Honor, Brealyn, Gracie, and Daxon. We are so excited, Bear Branch was rated exemplary this year - the highest school rating there is. Heather's teacher is Mrs. Welch - after our morning “meet the teachers” session we requested that she be put in Mrs. Welch's class as she seemed to be the best fit for Heather. Even though it was really late for us to request a teacher, they were able to get her in with that class. She will not be in the same class with anyone she knows, but she will be seeing a lot of all of the teachers/classes as they rotate through workstations in all of the kindergarten classrooms. Something a little funny – they say both the pledge of allegiance and a pledge to Texas. There is a “silent activity” in the morning where everyone can say their prayers. They have two fruit snacks and lunch during the stay and go from 7:50AM to 1:50PM.
Heather said that she will work hard if it is hard, that her favorite subject will be art, that she will choose friends who are nice, and that her first pick out of all the teachers was Mrs. Welch. She is very excited!
Heather will start school on Monday – wish her luck!

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And Now, My Granddaughter's in School....

Thirty years or so it seems
I’ve had you on my mind
Wondering what your day will bring
Countless days and times.

The moments you spend with others,
Those I do not know
What you’ll chose to learn from them
As you challenge yourself to grow.

Once I knew your every move
I carefully guarded your day
Especially the early preschool years
Orchestrating work and play.

Now, we e-mail and talk on the phone
Of how you are or might be,
On a given day when I am wondering most
Where you are or what’’s happening.

Jamie, I miss you often
More than you can know
But I watch your joy of being mom
and smile; the children reflect your glow.

Little girls - how they grow up!
Mine and yours will change
But how happy I am to know
That some things will stay the same!

Your journey we can continue to share
Older, wiser, and gentler too
Remembering places; some present, some past
Sharing God’’ lessons and care—His blessings so true.

We trust God to guide and to guard
Sweet Heather as her life will unfold
To watch and preserve her as He did you...
And know that the half has not yet been Told!
- Nammy
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Hello out there!

July 23, 2007
Computer had trouble, so have not journal in a while.

July 4th Michigan trip to see Lisa and Becky’s family was really fun. It was Amish country, we went on a horse and buggy ride, to the flea market, to Amish museum, puppet show, out to eat at a fancy Amish restaurant, stayed up late catching fireflies, swim in the lake, and camped out in Lisa’s back yard the last night – and went to see the fireworks. Lisa and Becky’s kids are so big, did not realize how long it had been. Kimberly is all grown up, and into photography, so we have lots of pictures of this trip. Christina and Heather got a long really well, Christina sent Heather home with some barby dolls, and horses. They wrote a book together. Jonathan and James were close in age, both into Thomas the Train, and both had a bit of a hard time sharing.

Quilting Bee – 200 + quilts donated, progressive dinner with the Hedingrens and Rasmusen’s. Swimming, trying to get things fixed after lightning struck the house. Trying to fix pool, put up new fence, do some work in back yard, trying to get it to be a little more kid friendly. Planted avocado tree in front. Doug got another raise at work, getting ready to go to Canada, and Colorado for the consortium meeting. Baptism I got to play the piano at, really nice little family, was a really nice baptism. Cooking with the kids – made cinimon bread, James burned his finger on the pan. Got 3 months of food storage from last canning trip. Learning how to make baked beans, starting to enjoy cooking more. Book club – Bonds that Make us Free – really good book about becoming selfless, although in the end, you cannot force yourself to become this, it is a gift that is given to you… am still reading through it trying to figure it out. Pam Melendez through back surgery – hard recovery, she thought she was going to die for awhile, but in the end, I think she will be ok. Adriane having trouble again, in hospital after a bad date.. everyone going to Dallas for awhile. Hard to know what kind of service to try and give them. Watched the kids during the surgery – did not call Pam, wish I would have.

Heather
We went and got her school supplies, sewed the unicorn patch on her back pack. Her first day of kindergarten is getting closer. She said the scripture in church last week – Doctrine and Covenants 6:36 – Look unto me in all things. Doubt not fear not. She did the scripture really well, but forgot the reference – so she stood there and waited until Doug went up and helped her. I was playing the piano in RS so I did not get to come hear her. Heather still doing her ballet class.

James
Is still into cars. We found his lost lightning McQueen the other day, which was very exciting to him. They all play make believe – especially after watching bridge to terribithia. James says he is Jess, and they run around the house reenacting parts of the movie. It will be a hard thing when Heather goes to school and James is stuck at home. James would really like to go to school too – we can get out the desk, and start doing some home schooling perhaps.

Autumn
Climbed into bathtub with James while I was taking care of Heather in other bathtub. Luckily there was not a lot of water in the bathtub, so she was ok.
Autumn climbed up and fell down stairs. She is a climber like her brother. Se can stand very well, but is not walking yet. By the end of the day, the knees on her pants are all dirty. She is up to 6 teeth, and has quite a cute grin.







July 27-29
Sea world with Nammy and Grampa Moose! Nammy and Grampa paid for everything – made me feel guilty… It was really fun though, Heather and James are old enough to enjoy stuff like this now, little Autumn figuring out how the wheels on her stroller worked – but was a little tropper and did very well for getting drug around all day. It was good to get kids together with grandparents.



Tuesday July 31st
Savannah over, dinner to Hedingrins

Wednesday August 1st

Thursday August 2nd
Enrichment night – last minute cancellation, so instead of self-defense class by a cop – we had cinnamon roll class by Karen. Interesting discussion afterwards – how old do you picture yourself in the pre-existence? For me – college student, lots of knowledge, no experience. For the war, and the other 2/3 who came here – interesting thought about 3 different groups of people, not all necessarily the same size – one group just wanted bodies, one group wanted celestial kingdom? But just speculations.

Friday August 3rd
Tadpoles at Elm grove Park with Brealyn and Kensington Vincent.

Saturday August 4th
Saturday night BBQ at Farrarers – Colorado reunion. It was fun to see everyone – has not been that long, some things about everyone the same, others different. Now we are all having kids, working instead of going to school etc. Life goes on!


Wednesday August 8th
Happy anniversary! 9 years – that is a long time! Canceled Heena’s piano lesson, got stuff for sis kabobs. Pool back up and running, went swimming again, felt good. I had the bobs all ready to cook – Doug cooked while kids and I went for one last quick swim. Watched a movie – back to the future. Simple, relaxed, nice anniversary.

Thursday August 9th
I think Doug is going to be in Canada next week Wed - Sat - then Colorado the week after. I think he is staying with Dorothy, sounds like he will only have one day to try and see everyone. Got some free plants today, and traded your old glider chair -I hope you don't mind, the cushions were not doing so well in the humidity - traded it for a wood porch swing that does not require cushions - still have to try and hang the porch swing up on the porch though. Doug and the kids are a little sick. I might cancel weekend stuff (Bonds that make us Free Book club, Pam Malendez work party, …. ) and use sick kids as an excuse… but it probably is not just an excuse.
Friday Aug 10th
Ditched Bonds book discussion to be home with family, went to Cici’s, watched new Winnie the Pooh movie.

Saturday Aug 11th
Ditched Pam Mel work party – used gift certificate to go out to breakfast. Put my family first right? Until the kids get older, I will have to be more considerate about not serving others at their expense. Got porch swing, went swimming, Elijah’s birthday party, watched Pink Panther and Davinchi Code. Met baby possum by Chaco’s food dish – put cat and dog in garage for the night. Autumn is taking her first steps – she called out mama to me. She sleeps in her car seat – can’t get her to sleep otherwise…


Sunday Aug 12th
Doug sick, I took all the kids to church. Slept in the afternoon, Sunday phone calls. Kalya is married, they will be living in the barn next to Marjorie Dale’s – helping out Marjorie – hopefully it will be good for everyone. Dad is still working on his computer class, mom is coming out on Thursday which will be fun.

Monday Aug 13th
Doug stayed home from work sick – I made him spend his sick day hanging up the porch swing. He dropped it on his foot while trying to hang it up – poor Doug, that would be really embarrassing to have to admit to an off work injury on a sick day where he was outside with no shoes on! It was nice to have him home though, and he really was sick!

Tuesday August 14th
Heena’s piano lesson.

Wednesday August 15th
Said goodbye to Doug in the morning, he will take a limo to the airport to Colorado today. Spent day cleaning the house, went through Heather’s box of pre-school stuff, stacked up the papers and crafts, and put them in a bag in the cedar chest. Went to Lowe’s and got hardware for hanging up the little swing, picked up a new phone and a cute little birdhouse.

Thursday August 16 2007
Rainy day – tropical storm. Went grocery shopping and did some last minute cleaning. Hopefully mom’s flight will not be delayed too much because of the weather. Nicole wrote this morning about the grocery game again – I really need to get organized and do this. She also referred me to her blog site – decided to start my own as it is an easy way to share photos etc. without large email attachments. It might also be good motivation to journal more consistently.

Greg and Katie news – Brooke Renee Turner born August 4th 2007, 8 lbs 5 oz and 20.5 inches long. Born 3:18 aM at Lutheran Hospital in Wheatridge.

Mom gets here – there was some flooding at the airport, so she was a little late getting in. Stephanie and Martin came in late – at around 11:30, we almost missed them! I think they were only outside fo around 5 minutes before I heard them, got up out of bed, and came down. Thought they decided just to head straight to Colorado when they did not call or come by earlier. They said it took them longer to pack then they had expected.

Friday august 17th
We went for a walk so Heather could show Nammy how she can ride her bike, and where her school is. It is pretty hot out, so after the walk, we went swimming – a little cold for Nammy, but felt good to me! We had some lunch, and then went shopping for school cloths – a new experience for me, we always just get hand-me-downs / yardsale stuff, but with grandparents, we will make an actual shopping trip. What luck – it just happened to be tax free weekend. We ended up getting all her cloths at one store, Gymbore, they are really cute outfits! Back home, made pizzas and watched little kids movies.

Saturday august 18th
Hurricane Dean looking like it might be a threat. Mom watched the kids while I ran out and got water, food, extra gas tanks filled up. Dean would not be here until Wednesday, if it gets here at all – still there were long lines at the grocery store, and all the water was was sold out at Wal-Mart. Heather went to Daxon’s birthday party – it was a pirates theme, looked like a lot of fun. We had lunch, went to the park, and then dropped Nammy off at the airport. Felt homesick to watch her go. It was raining hard out, and that added to the gloomy atmosphere.

Sunday August 19th
Got up at 6:30, was able to give all the kids a bath, dressed, and to church. Checked hurricane Dean on the news, it is over Jamaica today, predictions say it should hit Mexico instead of us – there is one prediction that it does come straight for Houston though, so it is nice that we have some extra bottled water in the garage! Went to open house at Karen’s to say goodbye to the Knorpps, then off to the airport to pick Doug up. Granny and Grampy went to the Western slope, sounds like there was a pretty big Snyder reunion for a wedding, around 250 people came. Dad bought a new motorcycle, this one has a larger gas tank and can go on long road trips. It is also water cooled.

Monday August 20th.
Went for a jog to Heather’s school and back – just trying to get used to it. Tied the dog to the stroller, and he pulled it like a sled dog. Heather is getting good on her bike, it is turning into a morning run instead of morning jog to keep up with her! The home for a quick swim, then bath, lunch, nap, then to the park with Holly, Kaylee, Ryan, and Tyler. This is Holly’s first day with the newborn all alone, Alan is in Chicago. FHE tonight, had lasagna, story in friend about quality is better than a rushing.
Heather asked Doug if she could “change” her shoes, Doug said yes – thinking she was just playing dress up. A little later, the shoes came back colored in marker… but Doug said she could “change” them, so she did not get in trouble. Little James was pretending to be a character named “Jess”. Heather said James thought he was Jess, then Doug said, no he is just pretending. Heather said, do you think you are Jess? James kept saying “what?” rather than answering her. Then Heather said “ Do you think you are Jess!! Say yes or no!!! so James said “yes or no” – exactly what he was told to say. The problem with 2yo, you don’t quite know if they are being ornery on purpose or not. Autumn is on the go, I can’t just hold her at the park anymore, she climbs on the play equipment with the big kids now. She laughs at James and Heather, and likes to tackle them. I found James pushing on her back, holding her down – James was sent to time out, but I think Autumn may have instigated the tackle as she was laying on the floor laughing about the situation. New bedtime – 8:00, have to get used to a different schedule with school starting next week!

Tuesday Aug 21st
Yardwork in the morning, then went for a swim, gave all the kids a bath. Went to Bear Branch, signed all the paperwork for Heather. 7:00 VT Karen and Edith Jensen.

Wednesday august 22nd
Dry run for Heather’s first day at school. Dropped Doug off at work, ate breakfast in the dark, got changed, then went for a jog to school. Made it there and back in 25 minutes. Went for a swim, baths.

Thursday august 23rd
Another jog to school, then swimming. Gave the dog a flea bath, then sprayed him with bug poison – just can’t seem to kill those little buggers! Went KYS- got some really cool toys – Bob the builder set with tons of the little character vehicles and roads to drive on, Caliou set with big treehouse and airplane, pirates set with little people, boats, treasure boxes, etc. – I might save them for Christmas/birthdays coming up – is that horrible to give KYS toys for holidays to your kids? They are cheaper, and better than anything I could find in the stores though, I don’t think my kids will care they don’t come in their original box. We will test it out – give one KYS present, and one new present and see which one they like better. New videos came in the mail, Legacy, and New Testament, they are pretty good but do not compare to just reading about the events. There will always be something “fake” about watching actors on a set in a movie where reading it – it just makes it more real. Funny thing came in the mail – the lightning loss affidavit from the electrical company who first came out to give us a quote – they came out on June 21st, so it only took them a little over 2 months to get it to us… I don’t know if it will do any good at this point, but sent it on to our insurance claims adjuster just in case. Autumn has discovered her tongue, and now likes to keep it sticking out of her mouth wherever she goes. 8:00 VT Karen Rasmussen.