In case you were wondering...

Katelyn is having a fabulous time in high school. She enjoys early-morning seminary, is loving her drama class, and is quite busy with JV softball. I have some great pictures of her in all her softball-action glory, but she has said no more pictures on the blog--I'm not sure why because all the pictures of her are super cute, but I will honor her request. Consequently, her business directly translates into my business because I have been trying to make it to all of her home games and still pick up Carson from cross-country practice by 5 p.m. What usually results is a lot of circle-driving and catching just a few innings of the game. Fortunately, we have had perfect ball game watching weather for all but 2 games. I am hoping that this will hold true for the last week of the season (which is next week). Katelyn celebrates her 15th birthday this Saturday. She is having a boy/girl party on Friday night. My first boy/girl party that I hosted was an 8th grade graduation party. I hope hers is nothing like mine--boys and girls kissing in the bushes and some really smart kid brought beer and hid it in the bushes. My parents were thrilled and this may have been the last boy/girl party that was hosted in their house, but I can't be sure of that. Wish us, Katelyn's parents, luck for our first boy/girl party--I do take comfort in the fact that all of the kids who she has invited are in her early-morning seminary class and I know all of their parents AND we limited her to 11 kids AND it is being held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with most of that time being spent watching a movie in our family room.

Carson's BIG Weekend

I think one of the best parts of being a parent is watching your child accomplish a "first"...first word, first step, first day of school. You get the picture. Well this weekend Carson had a couple of "firsts" which are important in our family.

First, The HUNT. This weekend was Carson's first bird hunt carrying a gun. He went with Dave, Grandpa Graham, Josie, Cheloque, and Zoe. Look at the mighty hunter

Check out the spoils of his efforts

But he couldn't have done it without a little help from his friends:

By report, this bird was squaking and kicking trying to get out of Josie's clutches.

Also, it was reported that all of the guys had wonderful time and the old ones were impressed with the up-and-coming young, mighty hunter.

Second, today was Carson's first opportunity to pass the sacrament. He did it beautifully and mom made through without crying--matter-of-fact she wasn't even close to tears because he just looked like he should be up there doing what he was doing.

Look at how handsome he is in a white shirt and tie

But the picture Carson really wanted to include on this blog is this one:

Carson felt it was important to portray a realistic picture of him on the blog, since he thinks that in blogworld people only portray the best.

The Twilight Zone

Weird conversation #1 The following conversation took place this morning as I was driving my friend to the hospital. She had a 6 a.m. check-in time for her knee surgery. Friend: Sorry I was running a little late. I had to shower and shave this morning. Me: Shave? They told you not to shave. Friend: Don't worry, I didn't shave my knee. I just had to tidy and trim up some other areas. First, TMI! Second, do you think the doctors and nurses really care about tidied and trimmed areas. I doubt there are conversations about "Oh look, what a perfect little triangle" and "My aren't her legs nice and smooth." Weird conversation #2 I try to avoid any sort-of political discussion while at work--mostly because conservative/Republican viewpoints are not very popular in the public education setting. However, there are times when politics do come up. Co-worker: I bet you weren't very happy with McCain's pick as running mate. Me: Why would you say that? Co-worker: I just thought you wouldn't be happy. Me: Why? Because she's a woman? Co-worker: Exactly. Me: I think it is wonderful that she was picked. She is a lady who holds many of the same values that I hold. So why exactly did you think I wouldn't be happy? Co-worker: Well because your church doesn't like woman in leadership roles. Me: What?! They have nothing against women in leadership roles. Co-worker: Well they don't let women become bishops. Me: That has nothing to do with their feelings about women in leadership (you frickin' idiot). C0-worker: Well I bet no one in your congregation will vote for Barack. Me: I don't know that you can say that. I would venture to say that there are more than a handful who would. Co-worker: Oh that's good to know. That just proves my point that Washington Mormons are way cooler than Utah or Idaho Mormons. (conversation ends on that note because I left the room). Some people really sound stupid when they open their mouths.

Monday Memories

What a great day today was. I had a lovely 3-mile run this morning before work. David managed to get himself and Katelyn up before I got home from my run. When I got to work, I had a message on my work phone from a mother who had been absolutely rude and horrible to me last week. She called and apologized--I swear that almost made my whole day right then and there. Carson was cheerful when I picked him up from cross country practice--apparently 8th grade girls deciding you are so-o-o cute and wanting you to be their buddy makes practice a lot more bearable. Katelyn figured out the activity bus so that was one less stop on the "mom's taxi service" route. And to end the day, we had an incredibly fun dinner out with my folks (the Family Fun jar was finally full of loose change and dollar bills). When the week starts like this, you know everything is going your way.

Yep, they're getting big

Today was the first day of school. I don't think that Carson thought it was a big deal because he is at the same school as last year. Katelyn put on a brave face as she headed off to start her freshman year of high school. OK, really it was mom who put on the brave face as I wondered how I could be old enough to have a freshman?! But she is and there is no going back even if we could.

So here's to the obligatory "first day of school" picture. Thank you Carson for digging a smile out for the picture.

I almost never win

Are you one of those people who just doesn't seem to have luck roll your way? You know the kind...you enter drawings for awesome door prizes and your name NEVER gets called even though there are 4 door prizes and only 5 people entered the drawing, or you always seem to miss the raffle prize by just one number, or a whole lot of other examples where luck just isn't on your side? Yeah, well if you know that person than you know me. BUT, I think my luck is changing! I have been trying to win these earings to benefit the NieNie Recovery Fund (you can read more about this on her sister's website). I checked on Katie's website today and I think I was the last bidder! Yeh me! I hope I haven't jinxed myself, but I really think I might have won.