March 16th
Went to my parents for dinner and we had taco salad. It was absolutely delicious and something I have been needing but with just Steven and I to eat a whole head of lettuce and two cans of beans and a can of olives takes forever. I don't make it a lot because I am definitely not a left-over eater.
March 17th
Music class was small, again. I have definitely gotten faster at getting there, not having to look at the directions for every turn. We got there 15 minutes early so Alaska and I turned into an apartment complex and got out to play at their playground to use up some time. I hadn't brought a jacket or anything and the slide was wet so I wasn't about to let her go down it. She ran around a little and then told me she was cold and we went and got back in the car. First time ever we have left a park because she was cold. Maybe we should leave the coats off more often. It's always me that is too cold to stay out longer than 10 minutes.
We made a little adventure by finding a Winco and then instead of turning around to go back the way I knew I just kept going, trusting that whatever road we were on would take us back to 1-5. Not so. It took us to 205 and dropped us off at the airport. That was an extra half hour of driving that we spent in the car that day and I really wish I were not so directionally challenged. We should have gone to IKEA while we were over there but I totally forgot. We've only got two chairs right now but it is easier for Alaska to sit at a chair than for me to be always getting her in and out of the highchair. Great benefits of having growing children.
March 18th
John did his court of honor tonight. It was combined with another boy from the ward and it was nice to have that many more people there to support both of them but it was a little longer due to that and we were all a little antsy by the end. We were sitting next to a little boy with a video game and Alaska watched him play like it was a movie. He was really sweet with her and even took the time to explain a few things to her about what was happening and all that. It was nice to have something extra for her to do to keep her quiet.
Afterwards she found all the kids and ran to keep up with them, starting a game of chase all by herself. She never actually said chase me or tagged anyone, but she would run up to a little girl her age and then run away, looking over her shoulder to be sure the little girl was going to follow. It was really adorable watching her interact with everyone.
When it was time to go and we were looking for her someone asked what she looked like and one of the young men piped up, "The little girl with the bows." Which is super ironic since that day Alaska had asked for bows in her hair all by herself. All my insistence upon wearing bows and doing hair is paying off! It happened one other time last week, too. When we went to the park after her nap she reminded me that she needed her hair done before we left. She's going to be alright.
March 19th
For mutual we made some healthy cookie bars and apple dip. The girls seemed to enjoy it enough though it was a little big of a group to have everyone helping with something.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Thursday, March 27, 2014
March 15
To celebrate bonus checks Les Schwab always hosts a dinner for the employees and their wives. Last year Steven hadn't been officially working for the St. Helens store but he went to the dinner anyway. I opted to stay home.
This dinner for this year was my first time seeing everyone at once and it's always interesting to see who the guys are married to. There were even some guys I didn't recognize at all because there are so many employees at that store. Made me feel a little foreign and I missed our Centerville crew with their guys and their wives that I knew and always made me feel comfortable.
We went to El Tapatio and used a whole string of tables and half another. We got there late, something I had forgotten as a huge 'no no' if you want to pick your own seat and not get seated at the table that takes all the left-over people. I was so nervous that we were the last ones there, too. Meaning we would be the only ones not at the main table. Fortunately we weren't and the guy that Steven works the most with and his wife came after us and sat at our table along with one other couple that came late. I was most definitely out of my comfort zone and watched everyone else. Thank goodness Shayna (the guy's wife) is super outgoing and has no qualms about what stories to share and started up a rowdy conversation with the other wife and I put-in when I could but mostly stayed quiet. One of Shayna's best friends from high school is also a wife of one of the guys and she came over and sat at our table to get in on Shayna's stories and share her own. It was fun to listen to them and they seemed quite content to run the conversation.
I ordered fajitas and they were definitely not as good as the ones that I make. Not even close. It was a little bit of a let-down, but not something that I didn't totally expect. El Tap and I have a hate/neutral relationship. There is a building in Rainier and we had to go there for an assignment for Spanish once and order in Spanish. It was humiliating and their food isn't really all that good. Also, it's 'the place' to go in Rainier, apparently. A lot of kids from high school would go there for their birthdays and special occasions and I just don't know why. I guess it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth being so connected to highs school and people from high school.
There was a baptism for some lady at 2 earlier that day. I had it on the calendar and everything and totally spaced it. I had no idea who it was, she's never been to all three hours of church and going to gospel essentials for Sunday School makes it easy to meet investigators. Why do they do that? Why would someone be baptized without first going to church? Seems backwards to me.
This dinner for this year was my first time seeing everyone at once and it's always interesting to see who the guys are married to. There were even some guys I didn't recognize at all because there are so many employees at that store. Made me feel a little foreign and I missed our Centerville crew with their guys and their wives that I knew and always made me feel comfortable.
We went to El Tapatio and used a whole string of tables and half another. We got there late, something I had forgotten as a huge 'no no' if you want to pick your own seat and not get seated at the table that takes all the left-over people. I was so nervous that we were the last ones there, too. Meaning we would be the only ones not at the main table. Fortunately we weren't and the guy that Steven works the most with and his wife came after us and sat at our table along with one other couple that came late. I was most definitely out of my comfort zone and watched everyone else. Thank goodness Shayna (the guy's wife) is super outgoing and has no qualms about what stories to share and started up a rowdy conversation with the other wife and I put-in when I could but mostly stayed quiet. One of Shayna's best friends from high school is also a wife of one of the guys and she came over and sat at our table to get in on Shayna's stories and share her own. It was fun to listen to them and they seemed quite content to run the conversation.
I ordered fajitas and they were definitely not as good as the ones that I make. Not even close. It was a little bit of a let-down, but not something that I didn't totally expect. El Tap and I have a hate/neutral relationship. There is a building in Rainier and we had to go there for an assignment for Spanish once and order in Spanish. It was humiliating and their food isn't really all that good. Also, it's 'the place' to go in Rainier, apparently. A lot of kids from high school would go there for their birthdays and special occasions and I just don't know why. I guess it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth being so connected to highs school and people from high school.
There was a baptism for some lady at 2 earlier that day. I had it on the calendar and everything and totally spaced it. I had no idea who it was, she's never been to all three hours of church and going to gospel essentials for Sunday School makes it easy to meet investigators. Why do they do that? Why would someone be baptized without first going to church? Seems backwards to me.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
March 13 and 14
March 13
Such an incredibly busy day ahead of me that I only worked on the eliptical for half a hour before calling it quits with my mind churning with all the things I still had to do. Alaska wasn't ready to leave the daycare yet, she was having too much fun. I stayed and talked with the lady doing the watching for a little while until I was able to pull Alaska to the door.
Took off running as soon as we hit the home-front. The house wasn't nearly clean enough for the missionaries to come over and I needed to get dinner in the crockpot (Cafe Rio pork). Hurried along until nap time and my mom came out to watch Alaska while I went and did a funeral. There were only 6 or so people there and it was kept short since the man that died, his twin sister had to check in with her parole officer at 3. Easy peasy. John, the funeral director, had just sold the business the day before and so David, the new guy in charge, was there to oversee stuff. I did an extra-good job at releasing that dove.
When I got back, Alaska and Mommy hadn't left for the park yet. I changed quick and took a shot at going with them. We walked to Campbell and played for 30 or 45 minutes and then walked back. It barely gave me enough time to get the cilantro/tomatillo dressing done before the missionaries were knocking on the door. In my rush of getting everything ready I totally forgot about the rice. Thank goodness it was minute rice that took 10 minutes to make.
Megan's choir concert started at 7 and I knew we had to be there early to get a seat. We left right along with the missionaries, locking the door behind us. I stayed for the whole concert because I was enjoying it so much. Everyone else had to leave after the first song because of mutual or because they were hungry. Steven had come over straight from work and hadn't been home yet for dinner.
Dorian was in need of a date for his army banquet a few days ago and I instinctively had him ask Michelle (one of the yw in our ward). They had met on trek but he had always had a girlfriend since then. I know that she liked him and I was pretty sure that he had at least looked at her twice so when I offered to call her mom up and get permission he took me up on it in a heartbeat. He was a little timid about asking an LDS girl to an army banquet. Under good reason, I guess those things can get a little rowdy with the alcohol and a little grotesque with the humor. I told him not to worry about it. She could handle it. I am sure any LDS girl could handle it, really, sometimes I think he underestimates them.
After Megan's concert I went over to Michelle's house to help her pick a dress. Apparently banquets are dress up Prom-like. She was super excited and we ended up sending two photos to Dorian to get his opinion on a dress. Thank goodness he texted back the next day with his choice and that's what she ended up wearing.
March 14 -
Potluck at the church and I took fried rice. It wasn't super yummy, but at least it was edible. Which is saying a lot considering the other foods that were there. It was a passport potluck and you took your passport with you and checked off any foods that you tried from different countries. I was really surprised at how much variety there was. And as far as I could tell, no one had chosen China, lol. Not that fried rice is really Chinese, but you know. The missionaries were the hosts of the whole thing and they did a great job of keeping it interesting. After most people were done eating we had a little trivia. The questions were printed for us and put at each table and then when read out-loud we had to send someone up from our table as fast as we could with the right answer. We did a few of those, not the whole sheet, and then played some minute-to-win-it games. The primary kids were all over this and they did a great job. Then a little family feud of couples against couples but they had all the boys on one team and all the girls on another team so that couples were competing against each other. Some more minute-to-win-it and we had to leave to put Alaska to bed before they even started the 'messy skits' - I never found out what those were.
Alaska had a good time running around with all the other kids and made herself right at home even though she was the youngest by about a year. The older kids are so good to be gentle with her and she does her best to keep up. It's a good middle ground. The cutest thing ever was when the newest baby in the ward was sleeping in his carseat all the little girls gathered around him to watch. 5 girls around a carseat with ages varying from Alaska to 10 was the most precious thing ever!
Such an incredibly busy day ahead of me that I only worked on the eliptical for half a hour before calling it quits with my mind churning with all the things I still had to do. Alaska wasn't ready to leave the daycare yet, she was having too much fun. I stayed and talked with the lady doing the watching for a little while until I was able to pull Alaska to the door.
Took off running as soon as we hit the home-front. The house wasn't nearly clean enough for the missionaries to come over and I needed to get dinner in the crockpot (Cafe Rio pork). Hurried along until nap time and my mom came out to watch Alaska while I went and did a funeral. There were only 6 or so people there and it was kept short since the man that died, his twin sister had to check in with her parole officer at 3. Easy peasy. John, the funeral director, had just sold the business the day before and so David, the new guy in charge, was there to oversee stuff. I did an extra-good job at releasing that dove.
When I got back, Alaska and Mommy hadn't left for the park yet. I changed quick and took a shot at going with them. We walked to Campbell and played for 30 or 45 minutes and then walked back. It barely gave me enough time to get the cilantro/tomatillo dressing done before the missionaries were knocking on the door. In my rush of getting everything ready I totally forgot about the rice. Thank goodness it was minute rice that took 10 minutes to make.
Megan's choir concert started at 7 and I knew we had to be there early to get a seat. We left right along with the missionaries, locking the door behind us. I stayed for the whole concert because I was enjoying it so much. Everyone else had to leave after the first song because of mutual or because they were hungry. Steven had come over straight from work and hadn't been home yet for dinner.
Dorian was in need of a date for his army banquet a few days ago and I instinctively had him ask Michelle (one of the yw in our ward). They had met on trek but he had always had a girlfriend since then. I know that she liked him and I was pretty sure that he had at least looked at her twice so when I offered to call her mom up and get permission he took me up on it in a heartbeat. He was a little timid about asking an LDS girl to an army banquet. Under good reason, I guess those things can get a little rowdy with the alcohol and a little grotesque with the humor. I told him not to worry about it. She could handle it. I am sure any LDS girl could handle it, really, sometimes I think he underestimates them.
After Megan's concert I went over to Michelle's house to help her pick a dress. Apparently banquets are dress up Prom-like. She was super excited and we ended up sending two photos to Dorian to get his opinion on a dress. Thank goodness he texted back the next day with his choice and that's what she ended up wearing.
March 14 -
Potluck at the church and I took fried rice. It wasn't super yummy, but at least it was edible. Which is saying a lot considering the other foods that were there. It was a passport potluck and you took your passport with you and checked off any foods that you tried from different countries. I was really surprised at how much variety there was. And as far as I could tell, no one had chosen China, lol. Not that fried rice is really Chinese, but you know. The missionaries were the hosts of the whole thing and they did a great job of keeping it interesting. After most people were done eating we had a little trivia. The questions were printed for us and put at each table and then when read out-loud we had to send someone up from our table as fast as we could with the right answer. We did a few of those, not the whole sheet, and then played some minute-to-win-it games. The primary kids were all over this and they did a great job. Then a little family feud of couples against couples but they had all the boys on one team and all the girls on another team so that couples were competing against each other. Some more minute-to-win-it and we had to leave to put Alaska to bed before they even started the 'messy skits' - I never found out what those were.
Alaska had a good time running around with all the other kids and made herself right at home even though she was the youngest by about a year. The older kids are so good to be gentle with her and she does her best to keep up. It's a good middle ground. The cutest thing ever was when the newest baby in the ward was sleeping in his carseat all the little girls gathered around him to watch. 5 girls around a carseat with ages varying from Alaska to 10 was the most precious thing ever!
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
March 12
March 12th -
Got my Paula Dean on this morning to prepare a million dozen cookies for young womens tonight. The theme is dots so I carefully cut out and cooked circles. Half-way through baking I realized there was no way I was about to make home-made frosting and so I went to the cupboard and scrounged around for a pre-made frosting container. Also, next time for a dot theme I am most definitely coating vanilla wafers in frosting. Paula Dean, I am putting you back on the shelf.
Steven had the day off and had asked that I make him a doctor appointment. I had big plans to do some subbing that day but didn't sign up for another week so that I could be home with Alaska while he went and got told that nothing was wrong with him but a severe cold. Which is exactly what happened. Not even thinking about the time, I had totally jumped on a morning appointment and I ended up missing the gym, as well, because he had the car. Kind of a bummer day. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and Brittany is watching Elayna again so we invited them to the park with us. The girls had such a great time together and it was fun watching them run after one another. Elayna would go down the slide first and wait for Alaska to come down and then Alaska would take off running to do it again and Elayna would follow, taking the short-cut of the ladder rather than going around to the stairs. Which would give her the head-start to get down the slide again before Alaska.
The weather was just so warm and nice - perfect weather for a road trip. Steven came and picked us up. We don't live that far from the park and it's an easy 10 or 15 minute walk but it also hasn't got a sidewalk for part of the walk and always makes me nervous. He had been up at his dad's helping with some car/truck/tire something or other and took Alaska back up with him after dropping me off at the house. I so wanted to high-tail it out of town and go shopping or somewhere else awesome but I knew if we left at 3:30 there's no way we would be getting back before 7, when I needed to be at mutual for new beginnings.
I took my polka-dot cookies and come candies that I picked up at Winco that seemed to fit the theme all too well and went to mutual. I made sure that all the girls had a place and then when their moms came in that they also had a place to sit with someone to talk to. It felt nice to be self-appointed usherer and I loved making so many of them feel welcome.
Got my Paula Dean on this morning to prepare a million dozen cookies for young womens tonight. The theme is dots so I carefully cut out and cooked circles. Half-way through baking I realized there was no way I was about to make home-made frosting and so I went to the cupboard and scrounged around for a pre-made frosting container. Also, next time for a dot theme I am most definitely coating vanilla wafers in frosting. Paula Dean, I am putting you back on the shelf.
Steven had the day off and had asked that I make him a doctor appointment. I had big plans to do some subbing that day but didn't sign up for another week so that I could be home with Alaska while he went and got told that nothing was wrong with him but a severe cold. Which is exactly what happened. Not even thinking about the time, I had totally jumped on a morning appointment and I ended up missing the gym, as well, because he had the car. Kind of a bummer day. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and Brittany is watching Elayna again so we invited them to the park with us. The girls had such a great time together and it was fun watching them run after one another. Elayna would go down the slide first and wait for Alaska to come down and then Alaska would take off running to do it again and Elayna would follow, taking the short-cut of the ladder rather than going around to the stairs. Which would give her the head-start to get down the slide again before Alaska.
The weather was just so warm and nice - perfect weather for a road trip. Steven came and picked us up. We don't live that far from the park and it's an easy 10 or 15 minute walk but it also hasn't got a sidewalk for part of the walk and always makes me nervous. He had been up at his dad's helping with some car/truck/tire something or other and took Alaska back up with him after dropping me off at the house. I so wanted to high-tail it out of town and go shopping or somewhere else awesome but I knew if we left at 3:30 there's no way we would be getting back before 7, when I needed to be at mutual for new beginnings.
I took my polka-dot cookies and come candies that I picked up at Winco that seemed to fit the theme all too well and went to mutual. I made sure that all the girls had a place and then when their moms came in that they also had a place to sit with someone to talk to. It felt nice to be self-appointed usherer and I loved making so many of them feel welcome.
March 11th
March 11th
Pretty normal day. Went to the gym, came home, Alaska took a nap while I made cookie dough to put in the fridge for tomorrow and we headed off to Hillsboro to do grocery shopping. We didn't even really 'need' anything - but I did need ingredients for a few big events. New Beginnings, a dinner for the missionaries and stuff for a potluck side.
Alaska and I stopped by Michael's before going to Winco and we picked up a few needed items so that I could get some craftiness made up. I had printed a printable at one of the copy shops in town and needed a cheap-o frame with good glass that I could paint up to put it in. I love shopping frames at Goodwill but sometimes it's a hit or miss and I really just wanted to get this project done. Found my frame and got a good paintbrush to go with it. Alaska did great to draw in the cart the whole time we were in there. She has definitely upped her shopping skills since Christmas and I am beginning to think it wasn't practice that she needed but just some growing time.
Grocery shopping was grocery shopping, nothing too super about it. The cashier did comment on how well Alaska behaved during check-out, though, despite the long wait. I had given her a note pad and pen and she was concentrating very hard on making lots of little circles and lines.
We got back just in time to unload groceries before going back to Steven's work to pick him up.
Pretty normal day. Went to the gym, came home, Alaska took a nap while I made cookie dough to put in the fridge for tomorrow and we headed off to Hillsboro to do grocery shopping. We didn't even really 'need' anything - but I did need ingredients for a few big events. New Beginnings, a dinner for the missionaries and stuff for a potluck side.
Alaska and I stopped by Michael's before going to Winco and we picked up a few needed items so that I could get some craftiness made up. I had printed a printable at one of the copy shops in town and needed a cheap-o frame with good glass that I could paint up to put it in. I love shopping frames at Goodwill but sometimes it's a hit or miss and I really just wanted to get this project done. Found my frame and got a good paintbrush to go with it. Alaska did great to draw in the cart the whole time we were in there. She has definitely upped her shopping skills since Christmas and I am beginning to think it wasn't practice that she needed but just some growing time.
Grocery shopping was grocery shopping, nothing too super about it. The cashier did comment on how well Alaska behaved during check-out, though, despite the long wait. I had given her a note pad and pen and she was concentrating very hard on making lots of little circles and lines.
We got back just in time to unload groceries before going back to Steven's work to pick him up.
March 9 - 10
March 9th -
Steven stayed home from church and slept most of the morning. I took Alaska to my 12:00 presidency meeting and she did absolutely fantastic. She colored and drew and ate fruitsnacks like a champ. We were in the chapel early so we were sure to get 'our spot' and she did fantastic the whole way through. I honestly feel for mommas who have girls first and don't know what a child is really like. I think I remember my brothers all too vividly and am absolutely amazed and grateful for Alaska's awesomeness at being quiet and still. I know I have it coming for me. But I won't stop enjoying what I have right now in fear of the future. Even though that as the days get closer to use meeting Talmage my heart has begun to beat a little bit faster with anxious nervousness. How in the world will I deal?
She loves nursery and always has. We've never had to leave her crying at the door and it's hard enough to get a kiss off her before she's off holding hands with one of the other kids or picking out her doll-of-the-day. On our way home she gave me the most grown-up toddler look she could muster and said, "No way" when I asked her to buckle up her seat-belt. It was absolutely hillarious and we both laughed at the silliness of it as she buckled her seat. "Alaska, you are so funny," I say. "Aska bunny. Me. Bunny," She says. And passes the compliment on, "Momma. Bunny." And we laughed some more. I love that little girl so so so much.
We had plans to go up to the Barnes' for dinner and I really didn't want to cancel. Thank goodness Steven didn't want to either and got dressed as quickly as he could when we came in the door. We had crepes and breakfast casserole for dinner, afterwards looking at prom dresses.
March 10th -
Steven stayed home from work and Alaska and I went ahead and went to music class. We were nearly the only ones there that day. I don't understand why a parent would sign up for something like music class and then not come? Seems like a hassle to do a make-up.
Had a doctor appointment. One of the last monthly ones. It seems to have gone so smoothly I have barely noticed there's a baby there for the past long while. Which is sooo nice. Everyone has started asking, since it's now obvious there's a baby bump, how I am feeling. And then hardy har har, "Feeling pregnant?" Well, I'll let you know. I felt more pregnant when I was puking my guts into the toilet twice a day than I do now. So hardy har har back at you. I feel normal and awesome and so excited about life. Especially when I can remember to take my vitamin D with my other vitamins.
Back to the doctor appointment. I am 24 weeks and measuring 23. Not surprising. Still holding those babies close. I never got huge with Alaska, either. I always wanted to be one of those ladies that just pops it all out the front like a basketball. No muffin tops or love handles, all baby right out the front. Not that lucky. I seem to grow a little rounder rather than ovaler. But I haven't gained as much weight as I did with Alaska... yet. I feel like it's going to be a little more tricky to keep it off these next few months than it has in the past. I am eating more and all that because I feel so good.
There was a lady resident following my usual man doctor and I totally understand why I love having a man. They're much more 'business and let's get you out of here' where as the lady was more interested in how I was feeling and asked follow-up questions to almost every answer I gave her. Took longer than I wanted but it was nice to feel cared about. But I think I am more all about being efficient and getting on my way than I care about talking about feelings and what's going on in life and all that. I mean, how well do you need to know a person to drop a baby in their hands?
Got out of there late, like I said, and hustled over to get my finger-prints taken for my substitute license. Jordan was coming over at 4:30 to work on an English paper and I needed to get back. Thank goodness fingerprints don't take too long and I was able to make it back just in time.
Jordan and I worked on her paper for about about 2 hours. 1 1/2 of it being actual writing and half hour of it being coming up with ideas and topics and looking at examples. The teacher has assigned an I Believe paper and I loved reading the examples we looked at. Brilliant. They are so short but so moving and loaded with thought. We went over the grading criteria and made sure that we found the same elements in each of the papers we read and then made hers a perfect example of everything she needed to get a good grade. I told her to re-write her rough draft and give me a kind of final copy on Sunday so that I could look over it and make any needed changes. She worked good and hard and it was absolutely awesome to have something to show for it at the end. I took her home after she had loaded me up with compliments about how easy I had made it become and how she was so relieved to get it done and how I should definitely be a teacher. If only she knew. My classroom management skills lack a lot, lol. I can handle working one-on-one but I am pretty much scarred from student teaching. As much as my cooperating teacher tried to help me and gave me literature to read about classroom management I am still a little nervous about that part.
Steven stayed home from church and slept most of the morning. I took Alaska to my 12:00 presidency meeting and she did absolutely fantastic. She colored and drew and ate fruitsnacks like a champ. We were in the chapel early so we were sure to get 'our spot' and she did fantastic the whole way through. I honestly feel for mommas who have girls first and don't know what a child is really like. I think I remember my brothers all too vividly and am absolutely amazed and grateful for Alaska's awesomeness at being quiet and still. I know I have it coming for me. But I won't stop enjoying what I have right now in fear of the future. Even though that as the days get closer to use meeting Talmage my heart has begun to beat a little bit faster with anxious nervousness. How in the world will I deal?
She loves nursery and always has. We've never had to leave her crying at the door and it's hard enough to get a kiss off her before she's off holding hands with one of the other kids or picking out her doll-of-the-day. On our way home she gave me the most grown-up toddler look she could muster and said, "No way" when I asked her to buckle up her seat-belt. It was absolutely hillarious and we both laughed at the silliness of it as she buckled her seat. "Alaska, you are so funny," I say. "Aska bunny. Me. Bunny," She says. And passes the compliment on, "Momma. Bunny." And we laughed some more. I love that little girl so so so much.
We had plans to go up to the Barnes' for dinner and I really didn't want to cancel. Thank goodness Steven didn't want to either and got dressed as quickly as he could when we came in the door. We had crepes and breakfast casserole for dinner, afterwards looking at prom dresses.
March 10th -
Steven stayed home from work and Alaska and I went ahead and went to music class. We were nearly the only ones there that day. I don't understand why a parent would sign up for something like music class and then not come? Seems like a hassle to do a make-up.
Had a doctor appointment. One of the last monthly ones. It seems to have gone so smoothly I have barely noticed there's a baby there for the past long while. Which is sooo nice. Everyone has started asking, since it's now obvious there's a baby bump, how I am feeling. And then hardy har har, "Feeling pregnant?" Well, I'll let you know. I felt more pregnant when I was puking my guts into the toilet twice a day than I do now. So hardy har har back at you. I feel normal and awesome and so excited about life. Especially when I can remember to take my vitamin D with my other vitamins.
Back to the doctor appointment. I am 24 weeks and measuring 23. Not surprising. Still holding those babies close. I never got huge with Alaska, either. I always wanted to be one of those ladies that just pops it all out the front like a basketball. No muffin tops or love handles, all baby right out the front. Not that lucky. I seem to grow a little rounder rather than ovaler. But I haven't gained as much weight as I did with Alaska... yet. I feel like it's going to be a little more tricky to keep it off these next few months than it has in the past. I am eating more and all that because I feel so good.
There was a lady resident following my usual man doctor and I totally understand why I love having a man. They're much more 'business and let's get you out of here' where as the lady was more interested in how I was feeling and asked follow-up questions to almost every answer I gave her. Took longer than I wanted but it was nice to feel cared about. But I think I am more all about being efficient and getting on my way than I care about talking about feelings and what's going on in life and all that. I mean, how well do you need to know a person to drop a baby in their hands?
Got out of there late, like I said, and hustled over to get my finger-prints taken for my substitute license. Jordan was coming over at 4:30 to work on an English paper and I needed to get back. Thank goodness fingerprints don't take too long and I was able to make it back just in time.
Jordan and I worked on her paper for about about 2 hours. 1 1/2 of it being actual writing and half hour of it being coming up with ideas and topics and looking at examples. The teacher has assigned an I Believe paper and I loved reading the examples we looked at. Brilliant. They are so short but so moving and loaded with thought. We went over the grading criteria and made sure that we found the same elements in each of the papers we read and then made hers a perfect example of everything she needed to get a good grade. I told her to re-write her rough draft and give me a kind of final copy on Sunday so that I could look over it and make any needed changes. She worked good and hard and it was absolutely awesome to have something to show for it at the end. I took her home after she had loaded me up with compliments about how easy I had made it become and how she was so relieved to get it done and how I should definitely be a teacher. If only she knew. My classroom management skills lack a lot, lol. I can handle working one-on-one but I am pretty much scarred from student teaching. As much as my cooperating teacher tried to help me and gave me literature to read about classroom management I am still a little nervous about that part.
Friday, March 14, 2014
March 6th - 8th
March 6th -
Released a bird at a funeral for the first time since December. And December was a crazy busy month for people to be dying in. On top of all the Christmas stuff going on I also did 4 funerals. Usually I get one or two a month so it was nice to have some extra cash around the holiday season but then also a huge let-down when I didn't get any calls for January or February. I was beginning to wonder if they had forgotten all about me. Not that the weather was all that good for standing outside anyways. It would have been harder money to earn than being outside on a nice day. But of course it drizzled the whole way through the service, which is nice because the preacher man keeps them short when the weather is bad, but also kind of miserable for speaking because you have to talk above not only the traffic along the highway, but also above the raindrops hitting umbrellas and the canopy and this particular time we were set up next to the central water fountain that was making all kinds of watery noise. I spoke extra loud and because of that, had to speak extra slow in order to get the volume out. Quite a few older people came by and told me I did a great job as I was leaving so I am glad I could appease their hard-of-hearing ears.
It was an enjoyable service, as far as friendly people go. There were a lot of friends from clubs and church so I didn't stick out too much like I do when it's just family. One of the ladies was telling me 'his story' which became 'her story' which then became 'their story' and it was just so sweet it made me want him to come back for her. They were both living in retirement homes placed just down the street from one another. He was out for a walk one day and saw her coasting along in her wheel chair and was instantly smitten. He got in contact with the preacher that did Sunday services for both homes and found out a little about her before introducing himself. He made her laugh, a lot. And they always had a good time together. He would come over every day to visit her. She loved him a lot and they made a care contract. They didn't get married, but did say some kind of vows in a church setting about how they would look out for one another. He stayed at his retirement home and her at hers but he was over every day to spend time with her. So sweet!
Alaska's appointment went well. She was super well-behaved and everyone that saw her commented on how adorable she was. At the doctor's office and at WalMart afterwards when we picked up her prescription. We had to wait a half hour for it to be filled so I let her walk around and look and see whatever her heart desired. We went up and down the toy isles a few times before she was bold enough to start exploring other things. I let her do her thing and followed after her, making sure she wasn't running infront of shopping carts and such.
She ended up having a cold that was severe enough to turn into an ear infection and the doctor gave me medicine to start right away.
March 7th -
I don't even remember what happened on Friday. No notes on the calendar which means nothing was planned. We probably just stayed home and hung out. But it must not have been too painful since I can't really remember what was going on.
March 8th -
Steven woke up with a fever but insisted on going to work since it was a Saturday and that's the busiest day. We had plans to go to a game night at a ward member's house at 6:30 so I had Alaska go to Tamera's for the night. They took her in the later afternoon and I ran around doing a few errands. When Steven got home he wasn't feeling any better so we spent the night watching a movie and I went and got a Papa Murphys pizza to make it feel a little more festive. Which is really too bad, since we need that socialization of hanging out with people. But it never seems to work. Mostly because I will only go through so much effort to make sure it works out that we get there and all that. I am just too much of a home-body and it's more of a hassle to find someone to watch Alaska and figure out when to drop her off and when to pick her up than it is of a relief that she's being watched by someone else. I just don't want it bad enough. Same with evening church activities. It stresses me out more to have Steven home by 7 to watch Alaska so I can go to mutual than the relief that comes of getting to escape the house. Perhaps that will change as we add more kids and I think it definitely makes a difference as to their age. Because before it was kind of a relief, though still stressful to leave Alaska, but now she's communicating and it's so much simpler to get her to do things and there's less negative impact on my part about what to do to keep her entertained because she can do that herself now.
Released a bird at a funeral for the first time since December. And December was a crazy busy month for people to be dying in. On top of all the Christmas stuff going on I also did 4 funerals. Usually I get one or two a month so it was nice to have some extra cash around the holiday season but then also a huge let-down when I didn't get any calls for January or February. I was beginning to wonder if they had forgotten all about me. Not that the weather was all that good for standing outside anyways. It would have been harder money to earn than being outside on a nice day. But of course it drizzled the whole way through the service, which is nice because the preacher man keeps them short when the weather is bad, but also kind of miserable for speaking because you have to talk above not only the traffic along the highway, but also above the raindrops hitting umbrellas and the canopy and this particular time we were set up next to the central water fountain that was making all kinds of watery noise. I spoke extra loud and because of that, had to speak extra slow in order to get the volume out. Quite a few older people came by and told me I did a great job as I was leaving so I am glad I could appease their hard-of-hearing ears.
It was an enjoyable service, as far as friendly people go. There were a lot of friends from clubs and church so I didn't stick out too much like I do when it's just family. One of the ladies was telling me 'his story' which became 'her story' which then became 'their story' and it was just so sweet it made me want him to come back for her. They were both living in retirement homes placed just down the street from one another. He was out for a walk one day and saw her coasting along in her wheel chair and was instantly smitten. He got in contact with the preacher that did Sunday services for both homes and found out a little about her before introducing himself. He made her laugh, a lot. And they always had a good time together. He would come over every day to visit her. She loved him a lot and they made a care contract. They didn't get married, but did say some kind of vows in a church setting about how they would look out for one another. He stayed at his retirement home and her at hers but he was over every day to spend time with her. So sweet!
Alaska's appointment went well. She was super well-behaved and everyone that saw her commented on how adorable she was. At the doctor's office and at WalMart afterwards when we picked up her prescription. We had to wait a half hour for it to be filled so I let her walk around and look and see whatever her heart desired. We went up and down the toy isles a few times before she was bold enough to start exploring other things. I let her do her thing and followed after her, making sure she wasn't running infront of shopping carts and such.
She ended up having a cold that was severe enough to turn into an ear infection and the doctor gave me medicine to start right away.
March 7th -
I don't even remember what happened on Friday. No notes on the calendar which means nothing was planned. We probably just stayed home and hung out. But it must not have been too painful since I can't really remember what was going on.
March 8th -
Steven woke up with a fever but insisted on going to work since it was a Saturday and that's the busiest day. We had plans to go to a game night at a ward member's house at 6:30 so I had Alaska go to Tamera's for the night. They took her in the later afternoon and I ran around doing a few errands. When Steven got home he wasn't feeling any better so we spent the night watching a movie and I went and got a Papa Murphys pizza to make it feel a little more festive. Which is really too bad, since we need that socialization of hanging out with people. But it never seems to work. Mostly because I will only go through so much effort to make sure it works out that we get there and all that. I am just too much of a home-body and it's more of a hassle to find someone to watch Alaska and figure out when to drop her off and when to pick her up than it is of a relief that she's being watched by someone else. I just don't want it bad enough. Same with evening church activities. It stresses me out more to have Steven home by 7 to watch Alaska so I can go to mutual than the relief that comes of getting to escape the house. Perhaps that will change as we add more kids and I think it definitely makes a difference as to their age. Because before it was kind of a relief, though still stressful to leave Alaska, but now she's communicating and it's so much simpler to get her to do things and there's less negative impact on my part about what to do to keep her entertained because she can do that herself now.
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