So how much time does it take?

I mentioned before, how the book "Boys Adrift" influenced our decision to homeschool. In the book, the author suggests that there are five ideas to explain the "failure to launch" phenomenon in young men. One of those contributing ideas regarded education. Specifically, that the traditional education model today is not well suited for boys. Why? Well, boys (and some girls, if they're like me) are designed by nature to be active, hands-on, and always moving.

The majority of schools squelch these natural tendencies. Order, rules, and sitting quietly are paramount. I understand why this is seen as necessary. I recognize that there are a lot of kids, and to keep things under control, this works. Still, I was uncomfortable visiting my son's school and seeing how little the kids actually played, used their imaginations, and used their hands to learn things. In fact, my heart broke when I learned that the kids really only had one short recess a day.

When we started researching homeschool, we found a learning model that fit our hopes for our kids. It incorporates the things we saw public school was lacking. It just felt right, the more and more we researched it.

So why am I telling you all of this instead of just answering the question? I think it's important to understand that we are intentional about how we approach our kids education. It isn't by chance that we do the things we do. That's all.

So, how much time? Last year, we spent about half an hour three days a week sitting down, working on school. This year, we spend about an hour each day sitting down working on school. Surprised? I know I was. I had no idea how much learning a kid could get through every day things. I was amazed to see how much my child learned through several out of the box avenues. Time to think. Talking about things on a drive, walk, or horseback ride. Observing nature. Painting. Molding bees wax. Listening to stories. Learning verses. Creative play. Cooking and baking. Folding clothes. Doing dishes. Learning about bike mechanics. Coloring. Riding bikes. Knitting. Singing. Dancing. You name it!

I'll admit, I was worried. I wasn't sure if it would work. I wasn't fully convinced until the beginning of this year. This years curriculum called for Jeff to do quite a bit of reading. Last year, as per the educational model we were following, Jeff didn't focus on reading at all. When I got out the book that we were to read on the first day of school, I was in awe of how easily it all came to him. He transitioned right in to reading a chapter book. It was pretty incredible.

I can see that Jeff LOVES to learn. He has has plenty of time to run and play, and he's still right on track with his education. All things, we hoped for when we chose to homeschool.

With this all being said, I want to reaffirm that I don't think homeschool is the only way to educate a child. This is just our experience.

A year later...

About a year ago, I posted  here about how were starting homeschool the following day. At that point, I didn't have a clue what to expect or how things would go. I was just acting on faith, that I had received an answer to prayer, that this was a good option for us.

I guess it's fair to say that we've settled in. We've been doing this now for over a year, and I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. I think I can confidently say that we homeschool. For a long time, I just felt like a poser. I didn't want to give myself a label that I wasn't sure I could hold for longer than a few days.

Last year was a great time of transition for us. Many people may not realize it, but the decision to homeschool isn't just an educational decision. It's a lifestyle decision. Everything about the way you live your day to day life changes. Some of those changes come naturally, and some, not so much. With homeschool, my kids are involved in just about every aspect of my day, although I do insist on some alone time while I'm in the restroom.

My kids take part in everything I do, and at times it's hard to let them in. I can get a little possessive about my kitchen when I'm cooking, and there has been a big switch for me to let my children "help" me cook and bake. I have to give up a on some of my OCD tendencies to allow my children to grow through experiential learning. It's the same with doing laundry. I like my things folded and put away a certain way (just ask Scott), and I've learned new ways to fold. In fact, Jeff has developed a steam-roll method for folding shirts. I never would have thought of that one. My day to day tasks are not only mine anymore, they are a method for teaching.

I'm sure many are thinking, wait, where's the spelling tests? What about the worksheets? What are you actually doing to teach your kids?!? Last year I would often have people ask me, "So, how many hours a day do you teach your kids?" The sassy reply would be, EVERY hour of the day! But I don't think that's the answer they wanted. I think what they are really asking is, how many hours are you sitting down with your kids to do "school".

The answer to that question is for another blog post. Until next time...

About time for a post

I have a hard time coming up with things to post on here... but I figured I have some time right now and I might as well get something up.

Now the great quest to find something worthwhile to post about...

I guess I should just report on what we're up to right now. We moved! Sort of. The kids and I are in Idaho for a month and a half. It's been good, and hard. Very, very hard. We don't like being away from daddy. Not. one. bit.

So, why are we here for so long without Scott? I was planning on coming up the end of July to hit my family reunion and Scott would follow on the 14th of August after the class he's teaching for Texas A&M was over. Then a few things changed. I learned that my 95 year-old grandpa was sick. I wanted to see him before he passed away. Scott and I talked it over and decided we'd play things by ear and keep up on his health situation. Then we received a call that Scott's grandfather had passed away. He had been sick for a long time and was happy to move on. We determined the most cost effective way to make things work would be to drive up as a family to attend the funeral. The Scott would fly home to Texas (had to teach that class) then return mid August to spend some time with family then drive home with us. Great idea! Right?!?

It was a good idea, and I still think it has been our best option, but boy oh boy has it been hard. You see, we failed to recognize that we would be apart for 45 days! The longest we have ever been apart up til now has been two weeks. We hated it! We both swore we would never do that again... and yet, here I am, lamenting the fact that my sweet husband is miles and miles away.

We've called every day. Had scriptures and prayers together. Facetimed for hours (the kids love this). But still, I feel like half a person. I feel debilitated by some unseen source. And even as I sit here and complain, I know that there are so many people who have been separated for MUCH longer. And they have made this sacrifices while bringing new babies into the world and other life changing events.

I guess I've gained a new found respect for those who have been apart for military reasons, or even the early saints to left their families to serve missions. I'm just thankful we only have a month left. So, so thankful.

And there you have it... the things going on in my life. :)

Voice Lessons

I feel like I'm going through a nice phase of self development. I'm looking for ways to become more. One way I'm trying to do this is by developing my singing voice. I'm not a TERRIBLE singer, but I'm not far off. There's a joke in my family (not sure if it's true or not), that my Grandpa asked that none of his descendants sing at his funeral. So, as you can see, I'm not alone. Most in my family are not gifted in music. Perhaps that's one reason why I was attracted to Scott. In my sub-conscience I wanted to improve my gene pool. :) You're welcome, kids.

Okay, enough about them. Let's talk about me. I mentioned to my friend, Jen, that I was interested in taking voice lessons from her. I wasn't sure how much they would cost, but was pretty sure on a grad student income, we might only be able to afford a few lessons. As it turned out, I would be able to afford less than I thought. Jen has her masters in music performance and has trained with some pretty incredible people. She's done some different Broadway shows and is a part of a professional organization, even. Her time is worth much more than I could have guessed.

I determined that I would probably just have to wait till after grad school to look for voice development. Then one day Jen sent out an email inviting six people in our ward to be a part of a six week voice boot camp. She would do it for free, but we would each have to pitch in money to pay for an accompanist and music. We meet at our house, and Scott is our accompanist. It has worked out great!

I'm getting a chance to learn more about singing. I'm learning that I have to let go of looking "cool" to do that. Not that I've ever been too cool anyway. :) I'm learning about breathing, singing from a certain region in my head (if that doesn't make sense to you, I'm just figuring it out), and how to be more confident in my voice.

It has been awesome. I've loved every minute of it! While I know I'm not meant to become a vocal performer, I do find joy in developing some new talents.

Thanks, Jen! You're the best!

Right here. Right now.

Sometimes as the wife of a graduate student, I get a little bogged down with the life I’m excited to live after graduation that I forget to recolonize how great life is right here, right now. I tend to focus on living on a low income, making do as a family of five in a two bedroom condo, and the hardship of missing time with family. Today I had a moment of clarity while playing tennis with an 87 year old woman from Israel. She mentioned, “Oh, the sounds of the birds are so lovely.”

So, I took a moment to listen to the sounds of the birds, and then I started to see just how great my life is right now. It isn't exactly what I think I want forever, but it is so so good. Here are a few things I love about my life. Right here. Right now.

-   Playing tennis with my local women’s tennis league

-   Taking voice lessons from my amazingly talented friend, Jen

-   Biking with my friends Kristin and Keri

-   Basketball at 6 am (when I wake up) with Br. McConnell and company

-   Home schooling my children

-   Amazing friends

-   Park day, every day!

-   A clean and comfortable home

-   Healthy food

-   Healthy children

-   My perfect partner in crime, my dear husband

-   Learning to play the ukulele

-   Learning to play the mandolin

-   Writing club

-   Book club

-   Camping

-   Backpacking

-   Horses to use whenever I want to ride (thanks to Rebecca Durda)

-   Tucking in sweet sleeping children

-   Breakfast as a family complete with prayer and scriptures

-   Swim team for my boys

-   Working with the Young Women

-   Dates with my sweetheart

-   My growing plants

-   Sunny days

So next time I start lamenting the fact that Scott is a grad student, and I dream of my future, I plan to focus on the now. I love the now. I will never be here living this life again, and you better believe I’m going to enjoy it.

Question for you...

Could you live in one of these?

What if it looked like this on the inside?

What if it was only for a few years?

About the bikes

For a long time I have dreamed of owning one of these Bakfiets bikes...

The problem is, they cost about $3500 to get one of these babies. You read that right! $3500! I want to ride  bikes more as a means of transportation, but I'm not sure I can ride enough to justify spending almost as much on a bike as I did my minivan.

I worked on some ideas. How about I make my own. I looked into some different things others have done to build their own homemade Bakfiets. You take a kids bike, and adult bike, chop each in half, and then weld them together with a little extra metal in between.

I liked it, and thought I might try it out. I had some concerns about how well it would work, if the steering would be reliable, how much time and energy it would take to build something usable... Then Scott showed me this bad boy.

It's called an Xtracycle Hooptie. You can actually fit three kids behind you as you ride, one of which can be an infant bike seat. And some groceries too! One of the best benefits is that it rides like a bike, instead of driving like boat (referring to the Bakfiets).

But wait, there's more!!! It's not NEARLY as expensive. It is a third of the price of the Bakfiets!

Here's a video so you get the full experience...

I should also mention that this lady is my inspiration. Here's an article about her.

What am I?

My little brother accuses me of being a hippie. I've been changing a bit, and embracing things that are a little outside the typical Idaho-farm-girl mentality I've always had. I'm not sure when I stared to change my views on things, but I thought I'd make a list of the a few of the things that have evoked the "you're such a hippie" response from my little brother.

Things I do or would like to do that might make me a hippie...

Cloth Diapers. I actually do this. Sometimes I use disposable, but right now we are 100% cloth.

Homemade deodorant. I've been using this for about four months now. I love it.

Homemade dish detergent. I've been using this for about six months.

Homemade laundry soap. Six months on this one too.

Homeschool (Waldorf Style). We started in September, and we love it.

Biking. I totally want one of these! I'd love to bike to most places rather than drive. I've had a hard time finding a way to transport my kids and this seems like the perfect solution.

Grass fed farming dreams. Our big goal is to have some acreage, get some chickens, a milk cow, some pigs, and a horse or two, a dog. This might be our top priority for our ten-year-plan.

Tiny house fascination. I love the idea of building one of these things. I'm not sure why... but it just looks really cool.

Wooden toys, nothing battery operated. This is a product of homeschooling Waldorf style. We are slowly transitioning our toys to all be open ended imaginative toys.

Beekeeping dreams. Scott went to bee school. Now we want to have bees. I think we'll wait until we have more than a patio to keep them on.

Clean eating. I don't do this yet. But I wan to. We have slowly over the past few years been limiting our refined foods. We try to do more whole grain things. Less sugar. More foods in their natural state.

Juicing. I bought a juicer. I use it once a month or so. I'd like to use it more, but so far I've been neglecting it.

These are the thing I can come up with right now. So I have to ask myself. Am I a hippie. The answer I usually give myself and others is, "No". And I think that's an accurate answer, but I still have to ask myself. What am I? What motivates me to do these things? I'm not sure I've found the answer to these questions.

Natural Bridge Caverns and Safari Zoo

We went down to San Antonio to watch my brother's kids for a few days. While they went to school, we did too. :) We decided to check out a cavern near my brother's house. It was about ten minutes away. Right next to it they also had a safari style zoo. We drove through it and enjoyed feeding all sorts of animals. The most memorable were the zebras and the ostriches. I wish I had pictures of them.

The zebras came up to our window and opened their mouths for us to toss in the food pellets we were given. It took us a little while to understand what they were doing. Smart smart animals. It was all I could do not to reach out and pet their soft looking noses.

The ostriches were a little more scary. They have the longest necks. We were too afraid to try and feed them the way we did the zebras because they could easily fit their little heads into our car if we weren't careful. They even tried to get in though the sun roof. They also pecked our windows when we rolled them up. Wow, never thought I'd be afraid of an ostrich.

The caverns were cool too, but it was a little more stressful for me. Gracie didn't appreciate them as much as the boys did. She also loved practicing her squeal in the cavern since it made cool echos. Thankfully, the four other people in our group didn't seem to mind. I was happy it was a small group.

The boys did a good job about not touching the stalagmites. They were really good and seemed to enjoy learning all about them. Jeff was most fascinated with how they got electricity into the caverns. He stumped the tour guide with a few of his questions.

Jeff is full of questions about almost every single thing he encounters. It's fun to teach him the things he is interested in learning about.

Thanks to my friend Keri for taking pictures for me. She also cam with me to help watch the kids. She was SOOO much help. And, she got good pictures for me to keep the memory as well.

A few days

Well, I've got a few days under my belt now. I've been excited to think about how limitless our possibilities are. For example, Today I talked to my friend who has horses and we worked it out that I can take Jeff to work with them. I'm planning on taking him once a week, but we'll have to see how it all flows. I'm discovering that developing a good rhythm is one of the most important and most difficult things to create. When I talked to Scott about it, we were both excited about making this available to Jeff. He LOVES riding horses, and is naturally confident with them. He just gets right on and lets the horse know what she needs to do. He rides a horse named Brownie. She's a sweet mare that is from Idaho. We had an immediate connection. :)

Homeschool

The short story is, I'm homeschooling my kids this year. The long story is much longer. But I want to write it down so I can remember it. The decision was actually quite a process. I've never been interested in homeschooling my kids. I've never had anything against it, I just didn't see that being a good fit for me. So here's the long story.

It really starts two years ago. I sent Jeff to pre-school. It was half day. He got to ride the bus (which he LOVED) every day. He loved school. In fact, he loved it so much that when I was putting him to bed at night, if he was resistant, I would tell him he wouldn't be able to go to school the next day if he didn't get enough sleep. He would promptly say, "Okay, I'm going right to bed".

Fast forward to kindergarten. The year started out with him being super excited about it. He got to meet and interact with lots of people. He loves people. I thought he was loving this year too, but over time. I found him to be less than excited about going to school. It became apparent to me that there might be a problem when one night when he wasn't going to bed very well, I offered him the same consequence I had the year before. "Jeff, if you don't get enough sleep I can't send you to school." To which he replied, "OKAY!"

I didn't read too much into it. I just changed my persuasive tactics. One day I had to take him out of school for a doctor's appointment. He lamented that he was going to miss recess. I asked him when his recess times were and he told me it was after lunch for about twenty minutes. I asked him when his other times for recess were. He said they only got another short one if all the "bad" kids in his class were being good so they could go. I should probably mention, that he was going to full-day kindergarten.

I told him that after his appointment we would grab some yummy lunch and go to the park to make a fun time out of it. He LOVED it! He ran, and played and was SO happy to be outside being active. While at the park, I saw a few of my friends from church who homeschool their kids. I stared asking them questions about how it worked. I asked about lots of things, got lots of answers and in the end told them that I thought what they were doing was awesome, but that I just didn't have what it took to do the same thing. Still, the seed was planted.

Then I read a book, "Boys Adrift", by Leonard Sax M.D., PhD. I'm pretty sure that the word "homeschool" never shows up in the book, but that didn't keep me from considering how the things he was talking about could be remedied through homeschool. The basic idea of his book is to explore why boys and men are less motivated these days, why we see so many twenty something guys living at home with their parents, with no apparent desire to do much else. He has five topics that he explores, and one is education.

Within education, he discussed how public education if often not the best fit for young boys. I don't have the book in front of me right now, but one of the things that really appealed to me was the idea of boys learning through doing. He talked about how in Spanish there are two words for "know". "Saber" is used to describe knowing of something while, "conocer" describes knowing something intimately. This resonated with me. I didn't want Jeff to grow up just regurgitating things from a book. I wanted him to learn in a way that he really understood something intimately. And, as luck would have it, that idea might just keep him from living in my basement twenty years from now. :)

That's about the time I remembered back on my conversation with my friends at the park. The type of education they were providing for their children was very much "out of the box" thinking. It was the type of education I wanted to provide for my son. I started doing some research into the method they used. It's called Waldorf (http://www.whywaldorfworks.org/). It's VERY different from public education. Just to give you an idea of how different it can be, it is not in the curriculum to start teaching your child to read until age seven. Wow! Different, right?

All along, Scott and I had been discussing things. We both read the same book. We both had some concerns. And I've been very happy with how supportive Scott has been through this whole process. We started praying about it. I continued to learn more. I met with my homeschool friends again, this time without kids and with a typed out list of concerns Scott and I had about the method. I came home and Scott and I continued to discuss and pray about if this would work for us.

We made a pros and cons list. As it turned out, all the pros were for Jeff. All the cons were for me. I don't see it that way anymore, but that was initially how things felt. Scott essentially told me that I would be the one making the most sacrifices so I should be the one to choose if this was something I wanted to do. I think he hoped I would choose to do it. And I did. But I already spoiled the ending for you, sorry.

We decided to use the summer as a trial period. I kept learning more, started applying more of the Waldorf principles. I was a bit surprised to find that I was feeling better about the idea, not worse. Honestly, I was a bit scared to admit, even to myself, that I might do this. I sort of hoped for an answer to prayer that said, "Nope, you should send him back to public school". That answer didn't come. I just kept feeling reassurances of going forward with homeschool.

And so, here I am, writing about how I will be homeschooling my kids. I have all sorts of hopes and fears, but still a feeling that this is the right decision for us now. I joke with my friends that we might put him back in public school in a few weeks. It's sort of a joke, but really, I don't know where this journey will take us. I don't know yet if Jeff will homeschool for two weeks or ten years. I've learned enough through the process to be open minded about where we might end up.

Tonight we are having a big "Back to School Feast" and Scott will be giving us all back-to-school blessings. We will start school in the morning and I am a ball of nerves. I know that blessing will be needed.

The kids

Here's the update on the kids.

Jeff - has "big" tooth coming in behind his baby tooth. He has a second row of teeth now. Sort of like a shark, which fits, since he's been swimming up a storm this summer. He started swim team about and month ago and I'm pretty sure he's going to be the next Phelps or Lockte. He loves it, and he's got a cute Coppertone tan line to prove it.

Nate - He's doing swim team too, and he's learning that since he's little and cute, and can get away with all kinds of silly things. He's still not swimming independently of his kick board, but I don't think it will be long before he builds of the courage. He tries new things every time we swim to test out his new found independence in the water. He's a brown little boy like Jeff, and I'm glad they both got their daddy's skin.

Gracie (Little Mae) - She has all kinds of personality. She has an overactive screaming reflex. If she's happy, scream. If she's sad, scream. If she's (add anything here), scream. She never seems to get a sore throat or anything. It's incredible! She's also starting to understand simple commands. She's also a climber. She found a way to get on the top bunk without using the ladder to get there. Crazy girl.

We love 'em. They are crazy, wonderful, energetic, helpful, loud, fun, entertaining, happy, cranky, adorable kids and they bring a lot of joy to our lives.

no car week, how it went

 I wouldn't say it was a compete failure, but it didn't go quite how I imagined either. To quickly own up to things, yes, I drove my car. Multiple times. Most of those times were for good reason. Toward the end, it came more down to being worn out, not just me, but my kids too.

So I guess, I didn't drive my car this week, except for when i drove to...

-Austin (3 hrs) to help my brother unload his moving van
-Conroe (1 hr) to go boating
-the grocery store, the one far away has the best produce/prices
-meet up with friends to go swimming
-buy ice cream with my buddy visiting from Dallas, very important!
-to run around town getting paperwork from girls I work with at church so we can go horseback riding

So, those are the times I drove my van. Full disclosure. It was harder in some ways, but easier in others. My legs are pretty worn out. Towing my kids behind me all over town has taken it's toll. However, the short trips to take Jeff to school, to church activities, to the gym... those weren't too bad. I realized that I can probably continue to only bike for some of those types of things. At least, until it gets too hot.

We're going to continue on our little adventure, allowing ourselves to drive when we need to drive. I think it'll make for toned calves, and a smaller gas bill. Also considering investing in something like this...

The first day, sans car

I have to admit, doing this whole thing probably sounds a lot more ambitious than it is. I live less than a mile from the following:

-Jeff's school
-Nate's pre-school
-Walmart
-the church
-Lowe's
-the park
-the health food store
-Walgreen's
-another park
-the gym
-the swimming pool
-Dairy Queen... that one's a must :)

So really, there isn't much reason for me to drive at all. Scott has a three mile ride to school, but he's been doing that since we moved here. The only hardship, really is the rain.

Yesterday went pretty well. Here's some things I observed:

-Nate scares me to death when he veers all over the road on his bike while cars are passing
-Jeff does a pretty good job of following and not veering
-Gracie does a fine job of sitting on her throne inside the cozy bike trailer
-Nate hates it when I make him ride in the bike trailer to give my heart a rest
-Speeding cars ignite a little bit of anger inside of me - very nearly chased one down
-Walking Jeff to school was peaceful and enjoyable - it's nice to slow down a bit
-It's really not that bad to ride in the rain

Day one, is a success!

No car, just bikes

We've been toying with this idea for a while. We live close to everything we need. Why not park our car and try to make it without. We've had reasons to NOT go forward with it. Rain. Laziness... Okay, maybe not as many reasons as I thought. Anyway, we finally decided that since it's "bike to work week" this week would be as good as any to give it a try.

We'll be putting our keys away, and using our bikes and bike trailer (maybe two if we can get one on loan) to get around town as a family. I'm excited and a little nervous. Can we do it? I think so. I hope so, otherwise anyone who reads this will know I'm a complete wuss. I just don't think I could handle that. So, onto the adventure. I'll let you know how it goes.

Peace out,
Sadie

My marathon

Here's a link to my marathon blog. It gives all the details about my recent run. :)

Enjoy!

Sadie

http://thebattleofthemarathon.blogspot.com

Average

I had an epiphany this week...

If there's one thing about me that I understand very well, it is that I am a very average person in almost every aspect of my life. And I'm okay with that. This isn't a post to solicit moral boosting comments. This is also not a post to suggest that we shouldn't seek the be the best we can be.

Let me explain. I do a lot of things. I would say I'm well-rounded. However, being well-rounded takes time. The time it takes to become an expert in something usually takes about 10,000 hours.

So if I spend the next ten years practicing something for three hours a day, I can become an expert in that subject... Three hours a day. For TEN years! So that basically means that if I live to be 100 years old, and my entire life I work diligently to master skills, I might get about ten.

You can see why this would be a problem for someone who likes to do a LOT of things. If I divide my time too much, I may never become any good at anything. So in essence, I have to come to understand, that I am average. And that is okay. I'm average at a lot of things. Hopefully things that matter.

And THIS is where the epiphany comes. I have learned recently that a gift/talent has been given to me. It isn't anything flashy or exciting that can be done on a talent-show stage, but it is something that can change the lives of those with whom I come into contact. Through the talent my Heavenly Father blessed me with (and prepared a way that I could develop through thousands of hours of practice) I can bless others' lives.

So maybe I'm average in almost every way, but there is one very small way that I am an expert.

"...by small and simple things are great things brought to pass..."

Alma 37:6

Why I don't blog

I've been asking myself, why am I not blogging these days... and I'm not sure I have a good answer. But I have an answer none the less.

It's because...

1. I don't take pictures, and a blog without pictures is lame. And then there's the guilt, that I don't take pictures of my adorable children and the fun things we do.

2. Things are not changing much, life is good and happy and wonderful so what's there to write about?

3. It's because I keep my house spotless all the time and therefore, there's no time to blog... this one is a lie. I waste plenty of time in a day that could be spent blogging. And, my house is not spotless. It's covered in sand from the sand box, toys, books, fruit snack wrappers, and little shoes and socks. I promise I won't lie anymore.

4. I'm busy. While that is true, I found time today to take a nice hour long nap. It was one of those that you have to use a metaphorical pry-bar to get yourself awake. But boy, did that feel nice. The nap, not the pry-bar... that was actually almost painful.

5. I'm busy running, and recovering from running. This is actually true. I've got a marathon in a little more than a month and it seems my life is pretty consumed in preparation. I only run three days a week, but when you get into high mileage, that equates to about ten hours a week. That's like a part-time, part-time job. I'm excited for the day my runs only take half an hour instead of half a day.

So, that's me. That's why I'm not blogging. That's my excuse. But I'm going to try and do better. Maybe if I splurge and get a nice new camera I'll be more motivated to take pictures... and that could be my springboard back into the business. Scott'll love that one. :) "Honey, I need to spend lots of money to buy a new camera so I can be motivated to blog." I'll phrase it differently. It just might work. I'll use my PR skills and see what kind of spin I can put on the situation. Stay tuned.

We're still alive

So yeah, we didn't fall off he face of the planet. We've just been busy. :) I'll resume writing blogs one of these days.

The first day of school!

Jeff started his first day of kindergarten. He was super excited about it. Especially since he gets to ride his bike to school. I love that he is so close to us this year. I'm planning on spending lots of time in his classroom. It's so quiet having him gone all day long. Our favorite part of the day is after-school-snacks. We all love them... me too. :)