Snow, Snow, Snow

February 24, 2013

Thank heavens for another snow storm and snow day this Friday. I needed a mental health day. I woke up exhausted and my back hurt and tried to mentally prepare myself to go shovel all the snow. I looked outside to gauge my nightmare and saw my neighbor snowblowing our driveway. I was literally in tears. How grateful I was that a simple prayer was answered in such a big way. Because of his kindness I was able to work over 8 hours on my portfolio and finish the rough draft! That was huge and I am immensely grateful!! If anyone wants to see it let me know.

On Saturday, I was ready to get down working on my spring cleaning. (When I was younger I could whip it out in a few days, now it takes me weeks. Getting old sucks.) Anyway, Alayna and I did the SISS workout AKA “Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Scrub”. We wear our swimsuits and I wear my compression stockings. It took us 3 hours and we deep scrubbed (and I mean deep) every inch of all 3 bathrooms. It was disgusting. We even took off the light fixtures and ran them through the dishwasher and now the bathrooms sparkle. So glad it’s done!!!

Marisa went on a fun date rock-climbing this week. Her dorm was asked out by a guy dorm and she said it was so much fun.

Yesterday Tyler had a clinic down at Coe College for Jazz Band. I know none of you will be shocked that he “forgot” to tell me there was a performance and that he had a solo. Grrrr! Thank heavens he had told Bob (who didn’t tell me until 20 minutes before it was time to leave and I was up to my elbows in bathroom goodness-communication is such a strong point in our family). So, Bob videotaped and my lifesaver friend, Patty, got pics. What would I do without you Patty???

I forgot to mention last week that Bob got to go on a test flight for work. He was in the air for 2 hours and I think it was to see how his software works on the actual plane. They even gave him hazard pay. He said it was very fun because they would go down to land, get a few feet from the runway, and head back up again.

I also forgot to mention that last Saturday Tyler was at another show choir event and he was gone almost 24 hours again. I picked him up at 1:30 AM. I think Linn-Mar’s top group placed 5^th in that competition? If it seems like I am losing my mind it is because I am.

Marisa’s Valentines

"I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon." - Author Unknown

 

Valentines Day was great! Bob always makes it perfect! He bought me these beautiful deep pink/red roses with a card that made me cry. We had our traditional heart-shaped pizza or as Tyler says “A regular pizza with a divet”.

Kayla had a very busy week. Her boyfriend showed up on Valentines Day (unexpectedly) and texted her that he was outside. He had lined up rocks to form an arrow that led to him. He took her out for dessert and got her a zookie that she loves (cookie with ice cream on top).

She also helped teach a class on indexing for Family History at the Youth activity yesterday. She said it went well. She had a fun time at the dance and a big group of them went to Perkins after to get dessert.

Alayna came to school again with me on Friday. We completely reorganized and redecorated the teach resource room. She cleaned ALL the tables, shelves, and computers in the library and labs. We processed 50 new books. We reorganized and reshelved all the honor books. We got subway and had a picnic in the back room. We had SO MUCH fun together!!

Alayna also had a fun birthday slumber party Saturday night with some friends from school. She also auditioned for a got a solo for the 5^th grade program this week. We also posted her “Show Me” digestive project. She has been doing those for fun. She has also been writing music on the piano and is debating changing from Viola to the Bass.

I am also so grateful for new technology. Jared got his mission call this week and we were ALL able to conference call on google+. It was so cool. We got to see him open his call live and he is going to Guatemala on June 12!! Congrats Jared!!! We are so excited for you!!!

Quick Week Update

Tyler had a choir concert this week and did a great job! Way to go Tyler!

He also had a showchoir competition in Wisconsin on Saturday.  They left by bus at 3:30AM and got home this morning at 3:30 AM.  Very long day.  His group did great- didn’t place though.  The other groups placed 1st in the prep category and Linn Mar 10th street placed 2nd in the top division!  But, I have to say that Jefferson were the grand champions (where I teach) Woot woot!!!

I have been working hard on my ePortfolio for my class.  I also did a complete the (15,000 item) inventory for our library all by myself!  (I’m exhausted to say the least).  I also got 6 boxes shipped to Better World Books.  I am now the district lead for this project!

Got to talk to Marisa yesterday and she is doing great.  Busy with classes, taking pilates and zumba, and trying to survive the semester.  We miss you Marisa!!!

Kayla has been sick this weekend but has been a tremendous help around the house!  She made cookies, cleaned, took the kids where they needed to go.  Thank you to Kayla!

Alayna is doing great and excited to audition this week for an upcoming solo in her 5th grade program.  Good luck Alayna!

What the Weather???

What the Weather???

I think this is probably the craziest week of weather we have ever had while living in Iowa. Last Sunday church was cancelled due to the roads being covered in solid ice. On Monday, I woke up at 4:30AM to a thunderstorm. What? We had thunder, rain, hail, fog, and almost 50 degrees. Then on Tuesday the temps dropped fast. School was cancelled due to a foot of snow. We shoveled for almost 2 hours and the snow was so heavy because somehow underneath it was this slush crap. It was also extremely cold so shoveling was a nightmare. Thursday was a 2-hour delay. The roads were covered in a snow layer that was ice. That was fun. I have to drive in it anyway cause if I don’t go, I don’t get paid. Ugh! Friday was also a 2-hour delay because of the wind chill. When I left for work it was -29. Walking up the hill into the school I was pretty sure my entire insides would turn to icicles before I reached the entrance door. I guess the saying is true, “If you don’t like weather in Iowa, just wait a few hours”. I am counting on an early spring….

Alayna

Alayna had another orchestra concert this week and did a great job. It was hard to get a picture of her playing because there were so many kids, but I got a few of her before and after.

She also lost 2 teeth in the same day!!! When we were at Wal-Mart, she was eating a cheesy cracker thingy and crunched on something hard and realized it was her tooth. Then a couple hours later she came running out of the bathroom with another one!

Other Noteworthy News

Tyler went in on Friday morning hoping to get his cast off. Instead they put on another one until March 1^st. He was very bummed. It’s hard to dance with it and he has several show choir competitions this month. But the doctor wanted to make sure it fully healed. I agree.

On the snow day, I spent all day doing they layout for my concept map for my ePortfolio for my class. I would like to insert here how sick I am of school. I am 41 and so dang sick of it. I have GOT to get a full time library job this coming year. Please keep me in your prayers.

 

I got some cute pictures to share of Marisa and her roommate who decided last minute to hike to the Y yesterday. Crazy girls!

Kayla is getting tons of letters from colleges who want her. She is also preparing to take the AP Psychology exam! She has lots of studying ahead of her.

Also, I am not sure what has possessed me, but I have already started Spring Cleaning. I think it is filling the void in my life from missing my cruise.  Alayna volunteered her room 1^st. It took all week. We deep cleaned and got rid of a full trash bag of stuff (as she is a crap collector). It isn’t perfect since I let her be the executive decision maker. But she is thrilled because it is exactly the way she wants it.

Cruise Blues

Cruise Blues

It sure is tough to come back from an absolutely perfect vacation to a vast frozen wasteland with severe cold weather. It was BRUTALLY cold this week and I often went to work in temps below zero. There is just something really wrong with that! Today church was cancelled due to solid ice on the roads.

 

Friday Night

I love it when our kids get to perform at the same event. Makes it easier on us parents. There was a LM girls basketball game on Friday night. Tyler performed with the pep band and I was super impressed. They sounded great and he looked like he was having the time of his life!

 

Then Alayna’s choir group, Grace Notes, sang the National Anthem for the game. (Kids in color shirts are from her school, kids in white from another). She was so excited and did a great job.

She especially loved when she found who the mascot was and went to give him a giant hug (Tylers friend Logan).

My Girls