Water Fire and Ice Festival

Lindsay's first big performance, so cute.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZDGPzugZM4


This was her summer activity to be a Jr. Chatte, she also got a Jacket. She's been in a technique class, dance class and attending various activities with the High School Chatte's. They've been really nice and cute with her. Lindsay now wants to do cheer.

One more down, one more to go...

Way to go Lindsay you are more than prepared for school and have been a big help to us and your teacher, we are so proud of you. Keep up the good work!

Summer trip to St. George

we repeated a similar trip that we had gone on last summer. We traveled down to celebrate Grandma Frehener's birthday. We stayed in a hotel for two nights. The kids thought it was the most wonderful thing EVER! Ruby is still asking when we're going back to the hotel. One of the most memorable events, was Duncan standing out in Grandma's back yard and shooting off his first big fireworks. He got to hold a roman candle. I was terrified, but it was fun and he won't forget it either. I had taken the camera out. Not finding pictures, hope they weren't deleted. My kids have been loving to explore anything tech. I'll have to look into that.

Happy Birthday Grandma

My Grandma turned 85 on May the 4th. Too bad she isn't a Star Wars fan. We did get to scoop up the whole family and make it to Grandma's last night for cake and ice cream. It was nice to finally make it to her house, it's been too far between visits. My family had made grandma a card that was a flower pop up card and wrote "To a 1927 Original" on it and everyone signed it. I forgot my camera. Jack is really sensitive and refused to unplug his nose in the house, (gran has two cats)So, I spent some time walking her property with Jack. It has been a very long time. We saw some quail and I showed Jack the old chicken coop. (it hasn't been one in many MANY years) after walking around he said, this is like a farm! Well, it kind of was. A self sufficient family farm back in the day. So many new homes encroaching in on the surrounding area that used to be fields. I'm all for progress, but waxing a bit nostalgic. When it was time to go, Ruby had found and was carrying around a plush bunny my cousin had made. She wouldn't give it up. The stubbornness kicked in and she was determined that it was hers. Grandma didn't mind her having it, but it was my cousins. She was also there and was fine with Ruby having it. Ruby doesn't always get her way, and it probably wasn't the best lesson for her, but she did thank Shannon (my cousin) and I thank her too! I was amazed at what Ruby attaches herself to and what seems to mean so much to her. She clutched onto that bunny for the rest of the night. And has played with it today as well.

I can do it!

During our move, my "protected" sewing machine had taken a hit. The bobbin winder up top had been held inside with a plastic piece that was forced inside the machine and thus snapped. Highly irritated with this and not having the necessary funds to either upgrade sewing machines or have it professionally repaired. I decided to roll up my sleeves and take from what I've learned from my Dad and do it myself. I ordered the part online, it cost more to ship it than the part cost itself. Any way, Jared helped me out by holding the machine occasionally, my hands fall asleep these days. And he also helped keep track of where the screws were coming from, or so I thought. I did manage to repair it and it is in proper working order. I have one extra screw and no clue where it goes. At least it is stable and strong and most important, it works.

CRT end of year testing

Duncan is spending the whole day today from 8am-4pm and tomorrow from 8am-noon at the South Town Expo Center. All the K-12 homeschoolers are completing the end of year testing which covers Language Arts, Math, and Science. This is our first year with K-12, for the most part it has been a very good thing for Duncan. Dropping him off they gave me a wrist band to claim him at the end of the day. I kind of had the Mom leaving a kindergarten child off for the first day of school. I am just a bit high strung. Duncan did his usual barrel ahead to where they wanted him to sit in the room without even a glance back or "Bye". He thinks he wants to go back to regular school, but I think he just needs to find some friends... Having to move also has hindered the social side. Jared and I have just been praying that Duncan has a good experience today and tomorrow and finishes strong.

I HATE WALMART

I've been kind in the past since they were our families source of income. After the firing of two heroic men for tackling a man with a gun. And preventing injury and death... And then the cruel and unusual way in which they now, only now after a month and a half, have decided to lay off Jared.

Tell me if this makes sense to you, because I have not even begun to be able to wrap my head around the nonsensical tyrannical hypocrisy of that which is Wal-mart. It began with excuses of managers when Jared showed up to work a month and a half ago. When he tried to clock in. It said that he didn't work that day. He thought that very odd, since he had just had his two days off. He went to the manager and they apologized for not having called him, but that they were over on there hours and needed him to not work that night. Not all that startling, that's happened in the past. They've asked people to go home a bit early or give up a shift to save them money. Just a little irritating that he wasn't called and prepared for a nights work and drove to the store. Then it happened again, and again, and again. Then the system locked him out. Apology after apology came from the store manager and upper management. They said an investigation was taking place. Jared called the corporate office and they said the same thing. He was told he was cleared to work the next day and then went in to find the system said he was locked out. It came to today. We gave up on them only last week and began filling out a new resume. But today is when the office called to say his employment was terminated. They apologized and said that there was an investigation and that people were coached. They were also busy with inventory. This all came from a poor receptionist. No word from the store manager or explanation. Apparently since Jared transferred from the store and they were doing "regular" lay offs the newest ones were the ones to go, which included Jared.
So, needless to say, Wal-mart is no longer a career.

New info: somebody is using Jared's social security and working for a painting company for the last year and a half, in Arizona. We just found this out by trying to apply for unemployment and they said Jared has been working in Arizona. But they at least acknowledge that impossibility of him working both full time jobs at Wal-mart here and in a paint store in Arizona. Identity theft too? REALLY? Oh great there is always a third. Pray for us, I'm bracing for impact!

We love the cousins!

I've been feeling down in the dumps, have had a lingering cold for quite some time and a bunch of other whiny complaints. So, it's been bitter-sweet having the kids cousins come up. I haven't really participated in there visit as much as I'd like. But, Jared has gone above and beyond and has happily taken the kids off my hands to be with their cousins. And they've been busy! We've also had an inspection on our house... a bunch of busy stuff. It looks as though it may finally settle down. And we are hosting a simple dinner party for the visiting family, cousins aunts and the like. We are so grateful that they made the trip, it's been a real treat. And easy to tell they are cousins!

quick update...

Jack started at a new school in a class that is focused on higher functioning autism. It seems to be a great fit so far. This past parent teacher conference they raved at Jack's brilliance. I hear this across the board from other parents and such, so sometimes it makes me wonder if this is just positive reinforcement to parents when you're on the right track? It's still good to hear. With this new school, the bus comes and picks Jack up right from our front door. Which is mostly nice, the downside being the get ready and out the door by 7:10 AM.

LRE meeting...

I have a meeting today with Jack's school. (A new school as well, district, and barrage of people claiming to want what is best for Jack) Apparently they aren't equipt to handle Jack. The most interesting phenomenon that I have found true with ALL school districts and the education of our children on a whole. Is that they use their jargon and acronyms as though they believe we are to know them as if it were common place. I find myself having to rush home and research online. I'm not knocking this current district, nor the school. They have been far more help to us than the previous. It's just the ability they have to instantly make me feel as though I haven't a clue. Does your child have an IEP? Have you had to go to a LRE meeting? Do you have a 1060J form or a BAC or LBD forms filled out? Yeah some of that was made up, but it's how it feels sometimes. Use real words people! I think the acronyms are about the only government feel the school decided to implement. I could think of five better things to use. I've also come across the differences between districts and what they decide to call things, again call things what they are. Just because you've decided to call a behavioral class a "Cluster group" doesn't change what it is. They love to tout they're successes but they seem to try to hide the rest. I am really sick of the politics and games that seem to be played by schools. There really needs to be an overhaul and big changes should be made. Do I attempt to? Or do I recess back and pull kids out and find new innovative teaching implements such as K-12. Leave the old behind for the new? I'm halfway there already. Wish me luck.

What a difference a month makes!

So it's been longer than a month since my last post, but I'm referring to the month of December. So very much occurred to our family in that month, that my head is still spinning and I'm not certain this life is even mine anymore, it doesn't resemble my life... But that isn't entirely a bad thing. Change is good and I am seeing many benefits of this drastic change. I don't recommend these types of changes for everyone and if it can be avoided chose the easier route. I also must thank all whom had a hand in safely getting my family to our new home within 4 days and all before Christmas! Freezing weather, snow and rain. But we had our tree up and had our Charlie Brown Christmas. The kids so excited for the new home said, "Mom, this was the BEST Christmas EVER!" Which totally made it worth it. Jared is still having gout flare ups nearly every other week. Fresh cherries that are in season somewhere and being shipped to us are staving off some of the full blown attacks. He has begun his physical therapy here and has found his niche in the transfer to the Jordan Landing store. It truly has been a blessing and more things are fitting as though they were meant to be. Jared hopes to learn Spanish to help further and show dedication to his job. We have many in our ward that could help him practice. For now we are still sorting and unloading boxes. Many trips to the D.I. and Dump ahead of us. Thanks again for everyone's support, concern, and care... We love you all!