kirsten-ism

The other night at Young Women's, Anna's group did the Color Code Personality Test.

When the girls got home Anna told us all about her experience and what color she was.

Jim turned to kirsten (assuming she too had taken the test) and said:

"So, what color are you Kirst?"

Her reply: "Color Awesome!"

Most Smartest

Anna was inducted into the National Junior Honor's Society tonight.

You have to have at least a 3.8 GPA to get in.

This is a really big deal.
Almost as big as the time I was asked to be in the Who's Who Among American High School Students book... Well up until my dad informed me that all they wanted was my money which was really his loving way of saying "honey you're not smart enough to be in something like this--it has to be a scam. If you think I am sending in $75.00 to have your name typed in some book, you have another think commin" he was probably right. I mean that 12 on my ACT probably wasn't doing me any favors! but I digress

We are so proud of Anna. Jim suggested getting her something since she really does work hard and completely on her own too!
So I popped on over to the mall to get her a pair of Tom's. Now for those of you who aren't hip to the shoe scene: Tom's are very cool and all the kids are wearing them.


Why?

Well, the owner is a philanthropic cobbler who has vowed that with every shoe bought another pair will be given to a shoeless child living in some obscure and remote impoverished nation.

I don't mean to be cynical, I am all about helping the poor and shoeing the shoeless BUT the grand total for a pair of these "shoes" well let's just say I could feed my family for a week.

Hey Shoeless Joe Jackson, here's an idea: how about I bring in a pair of shoes my daughter hasn't really ever worn (there are several) and you knock off about $30 from the price. You will still make some serious cash and I can feel better about putting a pair of shoes on my own kid.

Listen, I'll be the first to admit that I'm no "cordwainer" but these so called shoes hardly seem worthy of such a hefty price. A little canvas, some thread and what looks to me like marshmallows for soles. Anna will be lucky if these shoes make it from the bus stop to her first period tomorrow morning.

We secretly put the box on her bed and awaited her reaction later that night. She was overjoyed when she saw them. She gave us both a hug and said thanks.

Worth the price now?

Maybe.

I may have not been a part of any smart society growing up and Mensa certainly isn't knocking on my door, but I do know one thing: Who ever said that money can't buy love never had a teenager!

We love you Anna!
Congrats smarty pants!

love

This has my heart today:

[SIGH]

I wish I could beautifully and eloquently write the thoughts of my heart. If you could read what I am feeling it would match the poetics works of Hemingway or the heartfelt musings of Jane Austen. But alas the gift of the written word is not mine...however if you need help with drywall, mudding and taping or a flower arrangement or a goofy way to remember the 10 commandments I am totally your gal.

SO here it is-what my sigh is all about and written in the only way I know how:

AHHHHHHHHH my baby is in a big bed!!!

Last night after crawling out of her crib and being put back in several times she went into Lilly's room, got in the bed and there she slept. I thought it may have been a fluke but when it was nap time today she walked into Lilly's room and got in her "new" bed.

Our baby phase has officially come to an end.

Over.

Done.

We are putting the crib away tomorrow.

I think Michael McClean wrote it and sang/spoke it best: "I cried the day that they took the crib down. And I want the baby phase to last more years round."

A dear friend (who has the gift of writing) said that she thinks most women go through some sort of grieving phase when they choose to be done having babies.

After finally getting married at the ripe age of 34 years and 8 months...In my mind I was barely 21 and ready to have a whole slew of kids.

I have 4.

There are days that those 4 seem like 20.

And then there are days when 4 just isn't enough.

I guess that's part of the grieving process.

Even though my baby phase certainly was shorter than I had imagined,

I am SO grateful that I even got to have one!

SOUL SURFER

SOUL GOOD!!!!

This movie is an absolute must see.
We all loved it!

Walgreens

To the lady behind me in line today
who felt justified in openly and rudely mocking me and my coupon I say:

"PPPFFFFFTTTTTT!"

or

"Really?"

or

You're not even worth the change I just saved!"

or

"The Jerk Factory called...they're all out of you!"

or

"You really hurt my feelings and almost made me cry."

FHE

After team teaching with Anna and then Jim for the past 2 weeks,

Lilly insisted on doing it...All. By. Her. Self!

So we let her.

She taped a picture of Jesus and handouts to the TV hutch


She called us in promptly at 7:00

She started off by informing us of her agenda

She TOLD Anna to give the prayer.

She TOLD us to stand and sing:
Once there was a snowman.
Singing a song if fun to do, fun to do, to do, to do....
And just the chorus of Follow the Prophet while marching in a circle around the room.

We were then instructed to sit on the floor where we were each given a coloring page and crayons.


After coloring she explained the rules to the game and shook her finger at Kirsten as she said "...And no cheating Kirsten!"

Then we played a rousing game of Duck, Duck, Goose.

We wrapped it all up with bowls of ice cream which apprised us of our lack of bowls -so we took a trip to Ikea to buy some more.

And as a side note: if you have ever wondered what I was like as a child.... :)