Bob's been released plus I am behind!!

Today was Bob's last day of sitting on the stand during Sacrament Meeting. He has officially been released as 1st counselor. It's funny because on one side we're sad but the other we're happy. Go figure! Fun times ahead!! As for the reason my blog hasn't been updated.....well....I have been subbing for the seminary class (the one I'm hoping to get called to - hee-hee). In my preparation for the seminary lessons......I have suddenly remembered that I am EXTREMELY stupid as to the ways of the Old Testament!!!! So, after a run to Deseret book for a good commentary book.....I have been using every waking hour with my glasses on, a scripture marker in hand and a table full of books. The class is 90 minutes long and I find that to be a LONG time!!!!!!!!!! I sure am having fun though. I'll get caught up on this blog this week sometime. Right now, I need to study because I teach at 8:30am tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Peaceful and Beautiful Sound?????

This last week Nathan decided to join the band. Soooo....we are now the proud owners of a trumpet! What a riot!! It really is fun for us to listen to the beginning sounds of our child learning an instrument. Of course Nathan is so excited about it that he can't seem to put it down. He is constantly blowing into the thing and making up songs. He's been confined to his room if he's going to play it....however.....it still manages to vibrate throughout the house. I am mostly worried about our neighbors!! We must admit, however, he's doing quite well for never even touching a trumpet before this weekend. Once he gets some instruction, things could possible turn out nice.....loud....but nice.

WHAT A GAME!!!!!

Century Jags (Amanda) won their soccer game 3-2 in double overtime. It was against a local rival Hill-Hi (Hillsboro Highschool). Ohhhhh....My voice is crackly from yelling so much. It was a super fun game. Because of the double overtime, we were late for Nathan's school open house. So, we sped home in the car and then walk/ran to the school. We were 1/2 hour late but it all worked out. Nathan is doing so well in school so far. He has a great teacher. Fun year ahead for both kids.

The Time Usage Decision

OK....I think I'm getting more and more spiritual by the week. Today I went with one of my old-time bestest friends, Heather, to the temple then out for lunch and then shopping at Deseret Book. I haven't seen her since girls camp in June. Totally fun day!! So far this month I've gone to the temple twice - wow!! Tomorrow, I'm going in to be a parent volunteer for the career center at highschool. It's going to be an ongoing thing through the year. I meet with seniors and juniors about their plans for college and career. I'll give them the information for financial aid and applying to the different colleges they want to go to. It is going to be very informative for my own "mothering" of upcoming college bound kids. There's also a position available to teach a seminary class at Century....I informed the stake presidency that I would be available if needed.....let's cross our fingers!!!!! What a blast that would be!!!! I always struggle with how to use my time during the day since the kids are back in school. I don't want to commit myself to a job since I want to be available for the kids or Bob at any given moment.....which....has happened many times. There's not a lot of money to be doing house projects or decorating. My natural side just wants to sit around all day and eat popcorn and candy and read a book or watch TV. But....that never brings much happiness (at least that's what I've been told). So, I try to fill time with good things (like this blog :)..hee, hee )....I hope I'm OK.

Date night at the animal ER....AGAIN!!

You'll NEVER believe where I just got back from. We took a little drive the animal emergency room in Portland tonight!! Here's the scoop....Earlier today, I bought a nice dark chocolate Ghirardelli's chocolate bar.....craving that chocolate (nummy for the tummy). I actually bought two of them because I couldn't decide on the flavor I wanted (toffee crunch or orange citrus). I snarfed some of the toffee crunch in the car but left the citrus in the bag. It was wrapped in nice gold foil and slid into a nice cardboard cover and when I got home from the store, I threw the bag on the couch. I didn't even get to open/eat the chocolate bar. Well....to get to the point of the story......when we got home from the ward chili cook off.....Bob found my chocolate bar 3/4 eaten in the middle of the hallway. Toby had ripped into it with all his might. He must have spent the entire time we were gone working on getting into this thing. Well, chocolate is toxic to dogs. So, we called to see what we should do and the guy freaked me out by sharply saying, "You need to get him in here IMMEDIATELY!!" Oh my....we started running around, yelling at each other, Bob kept yelling, "Who was the idiot who left chocolate out?"....it was not a pretty scene. :) .....long story short....Toby had to be left over night for medication, monitoring, IV, etc. It will be $500. Anyway, once again, we spent a Friday night at that stupid pet emergency room. I've taken my dog to the ER more then my kids!! (Which, is OK with me...considering I'd much rather have my dog hurt than my kids!) On Saturday morning we got a call saying that he was OK and we can come in and pick him up. So, after Nathan's game, we headed into Portland one more time and waited in the lobby for our dog. We sure did miss him over night and this morning!! He's a funny dog...expensive...but funny! Here's a picture of us picking him up at the hospital (our favorite date location!) ....plus, this is a good Weight Watchers story to share concerning not giving into your cravings!! A $2.50 chocolate bar turned into a $500.00 one....not a wise choice!

Hurray Jags!

I just got back from Amanda's soccer game......THEY WON!!! In fact, they CREAMED them. It was a total skunk.... 7-0. I got lost trying to find the field... Boo-hoo.... but I made it about 1/2 way into the 1st half so I didn't miss much. It was fun seeing the girls happy!!

Kids' first day of school

Well, here I am a full week after the first day of school and I realized I didn't put the all time, most important picture......the 1st day of school with your backpack and new clothes. So, here's my freshman and 6th grader - Amanda and Nathan. They may not be as "adorable" and "cute" as their kindergarten days, but they're still adorable and cute to me!

Here's some more photos of Nathan's amazing talent with photography. These are from our Labor Day adventures. It makes my stomach knot up when I see this 11 year old kids climbing over things with a thousand dollar camera around his neck. But, I guess you can't put a price tag on your child discovering new talents and developing them. Keep your fingers crossed that nothing happens! Until then, enjoy the beauty.

Labor Day Weekend adventures

We decided to do some hiking for Labor Day. We hiked to the top of Larch mountain for a terrific view of the surrounding volcano peeks. Then drove down and stopped at Crown Point for a view of the Columbia Gorge. Then we hiked to the top of Moltnomouth Falls. This was a tough hike for me and I complained the whole time about how idiotic it was that I was doing it. But, when I accomplished getting to the top, I was extremely proud and happy. It is amazing scenery. Toby the dog joined us on our adventures and is a great hiker! He was pulling us up the entire time. After the hiking, we still managed to run to the outlets for some school clothes shopping. It was a fun filled weekend!

Amanda as Class President

Friday was Amanda's first big moment to be up in front of the school. They had a pep-assembly for the Friday night Football game. The Student body officers were the ones who ran the show. She got to narrate a skit, dance to the song thriller and have fun jumping around and yelling. She also got to wear her "spirit gear" all day. We tried our best to make her look outrageous in her school colors. When we were all done, we both said, "Well...this is crazy for me but you know, there are some students who actually look like this every day and consider it normal" Crazy Days!

It's soccer season

This last Saturday we left at 8:45am and didn't get back until 6:00pm. Nathan had 2 soccer games. He is an amazing soccer player. He played keeper and mid-fielder. Amanda had a jamboree where they played a bunch of highschools throughout the day for shortened game times. She is really excelling at soccer. She has started every one of her games and has played the entire game. I just watch her run up and down the entire field and get exhausted! Here's a couple of pictures of the latest game. As you can tell, both kids are pretty agressive. Wonder what parent they get that from. Take the poll on this blog!

I'm an official Blogger!!

The kids have been in school for a week now and I am finally heading out of my "sadness" haze. I can clearly see all the fun projects I can do! This blog is going to be one of them. Everyone is so busy. There are so many fun things going on. It's going to be fun for me to keep up with it all. Enjoy!