Seriously?

Okay, what is wrong with people?

Seriously.

I was reading this article today about resumes, and how to improve them. (Not for any reasons in particular, it just caught my eye.)

Anyway, after detailing all the different ways to add a little pizzazz to your resume, at the very bottom was this statement:

*The numbers provided in examples are not real. Please use your own data if using example on your résumé.
**Awards and publications are for example only. Please use your own publications and awards if using example on your résumé.

Because, goodness knows, if they had not given this warning....then someone might have just cut and pasted the examples from the article into their own resume.

Sadly, this is probably EXACTLY what would have happened...and might still, even with the warning.

Sheesh.

Perfection Pending

Well, Troy is jet-setting around the world again.

And, I will have you know that we weren't just on time to church today, we were early.

So, I think that leads clearly to the conclusion that it really is Troy slowing us down on Sundays.

But, I would rather be late to church and have him with us, than be on time by myself!

And, on a semi-related note, I have started to attend the Gospel Essentials class (the basic Sunday School for newer or non-members of the church)...mostly because I can take Katie with me and no one seems to mind if she is noisy (which she usually is).

So, in addition to actually being able to go to class with my own personal noise maker, I have also been able to enjoy some of the most spiritual Sunday School lessons I can remember.

It is so funny to me that I should find so much powerful doctrine, really essential to my eternal salvation, in this class called Gospel Essentials, as opposed to the one entitled Gospel Doctrine.

Now, don't get me wrong, I always enjoy going to Gospel Doctrine, but what I have found missing in that class, as well as in Relief Society, is the opportunity to talk not only about WHAT we are supposed to do, but really HOW we are supposed to do it.

I don't know why there is an assumption that if we are lifelong members of the Church that we might have any better understanding of how to do things than newer members of the chuch.

I think most people struggle, at one time or another, and everyone has personal hills and valleys in their spirituality, but we don't talk about it.

I don't know if it's because we are afraid of how it might make us look to others, but I guess I just never had that fear.

I am a spirtual person. I have a testimony. But I still struggle with my spirituality and find I have ups and downs. But I think admitting this violates some unspoken rule in the church that we are supposed to be perfect and have it all down right now.

Frankly, in my book, that's a bunch of crap...because if we had it all down, if we were all as perfect as we really seem, well then, we wouldn't need to be here, now would we?

Oh...apparently, I have gotten out the soap box again...okay...let me climb down, and just say that I am really enjoying Gospel Essentials and I guess I will just have to be happy with the knowledge that I have finally found the benefit of having a noisy little daughter at church.

The End of Innocence

**big sigh**

So, once again, things happen in ways that I didn't anticipate...and I am left unprepared.

I knew that middle school would be a change.

I knew that Mikayla would experience a lot of new things.

I thought it might be difficult.

I was right, sort of.

Mikayla is actually really enjoying middle school and having a great experience.

I, on the other hand, am having issues.

I fully expected Mikayla to come home from school full of sordid stories about life in middle school...but much to my horror...all the sordid stories have come from home!

Wait...read the rest.

No, there isn't anything unseemly happening here at the house, but rather, Mikayla has been given an assignment to read the newspaper everyday and pick one story to write about in her current events journal.

She has learned more terrible things in two weeks of reading the newspaper than I think she might learn her entire time in middle school!

Just a sampling of recent news articles:

There was one story recapping the events surounding a boy who had been held prisoner by a stranger for 4 years.

There was a dicussion about the government's awarness of the torture of terriorism suspects.

There was one detailing the investigation into a bioweapons researcher who condcuted anthrax attachs through the mail.

There was another about Iraqi Aid Workers accused of taking bribes.

There was one about the affects of a school shooting on the survivors.

Another about a DC tax official who stole 46 million dollars from the city.

And one about a mentally ill man who shot his wife to death and then killed himself.

Holy cow.

What a world we live in.

There is deciet, treachery, murder, lying, and stealing everywhere we look.

It seems like every day the world grows darker...and I think it is only going to get worse.

I am sad that her innocence is being lost in this way, but I know I can't keep her from it forever...I just wish it could have lasted just a little longer.

And it seems more important than ever that we teach our children to look for the light...to be the light...to prepare them to live in the world, but not be of the world.

Are we doing enough?

The Soft Sell

So, I got an e-mail from one of Mikayla's teachers who wanted to let me know that Mikayla had offered unusual and interesting debate during a class discussion about what makes a good president.

I was very anxious to speak to Mikayla when she got home from school to find out what had happened in class.

When she got home I asked her what she had said. She said that she thought a presidential candidate should be honest and moral.

Hummmm.

Do you we actuality live in a day and age when honesty and morality have become unusual and interesting?

And on an unrelated note, Joe stayed home sick from school.

And just to let you know how much our children have learned from our examples...Joe has learned that getting what you want is all about how you phrase it.

After spending the morning moping around, being bored, Joe came to me and said, "Mom, I have been laying around all morning. I think I need some exercise."

Now wait for it...

"Can I play the Wii?"

Yes, BOTH his parents ARE lawyers.

The Apple and the Tree

So last night was Josh's back to school night.

We got to go and meet Josh's teacher and find out about the life of a kindergartener.

It was very thrilling...okay, not really.

But, Josh's teacher is super great and we are so happy with how the year is going.

As the evening wrapped up many of the parents went to speak briefy with the teacher about their child...and the praise was free flowing.

"Oh, I love Johnny, he's so sweet."

"Oh, I love Susie, she's so smart."

"Oh, I love Timmy, he's so helpful."

So, I waited my turn to speak to the teacher, eagerly anticipating whatever bit of goodness she might share with me about Josh.



"Oh, I love Josh, he's so funny."

Yep.

Tha's my kid.

He's a hoot.

The Brutal Truth

Top Five Signs That You Need to Lose Weight

5. Your clothes fit a little too snugly.

4. Your husband can no longer put his arms all the way around you.

3. Your favorite chair has developed a permanent sag.

2. The kid at the Dunkin Donuts counter calls you by your first name.

1. Your three-year-old daughter says, "Mommy, your tummy is squishy."

Okay, so not all of these things have happened to me...but, out of the mouth of babes.

Working Definitions

So, today at Church Josh and I were having a little discussion as the sacrament was being passed.

After Josh took the bread we spent a moment talking about what types of things we should think about during the sacrament.

I asked Josh if he knew why we took the sacrament. He was unsure, so we talked about Jesus and all that Jesus did for us.

I asked Josh if he knew any of the things that Jesus did for us. He said that Jesus made the world and our bodies.

I asked Josh if he knew what the most important thing Jesus had ever done for us...and he wasn't sure about that either...so I told him that Jesus had died for us so that we could live with Heavenly Father again.

Then I asked Josh if he knew why Jesus had died for us. Again, uncertainty...so I explained that in order to live with Heavenly Father again we needed to be perfect...and since we weren't perfect Jesus died for us to overcome our sin.

Then one last question.

"Are you perfect Josh?"

"Yes. Yes I am," he said.

Well then. There you go.

New Discoveries

So, I knew it was going to happen...I just didn't think it would happen so soon.

Katie discovered crayons. **big sigh**



Just not in the way I thought she would.



But, isn't that how it always is?

I'm Horrible, I Know

Poor Troy.

He had to go to the dentist today...and he looked so miserable when I went to pick him up...I just had to take a picture.



I know. I'm horrible. It's my cross to bear.

On top of his pain and putting up with a wife who insists on photographing everything, I don't think the drugs wore off all the way, because Troy offered to take us out to dinner...at a restaurant. (I KNOW!)

Anyway, thanks for putting up with my awfulness.

And just for fun, I just thought I'd share a couple of Becky-isms.

When we went outside today there was a little butterfly sitting on the porch.

Becky looks at the butterfly and immediate looks at me and says, "I didn't see that one coming!"

And later on the car ride home Katie was getting very fussy. Becky tried to comfort her, but nothing seemed to help.

Becky turns to me and say, "Mom. She doesn't want anything. What are we going to do about that?"

phew. Glad to know we're in this together.

Updates

It was an interesting Sunday without our old ward members there...not as many new callings as I would have thought...but I am sure that will change soon.

One thing that I thought was funny was the closing song...they sang "Each Life That Touches Ours For Good" and I just kept thinking, who died? (I mean, the ward is different, but no one died!) And even as I am typing this Troy is telling me this is the song he would like sung at his funeral. LOL!

Anyway.

Just thought you'd be interested in hearing what we decided about Emma.

We discussed it with her, and let me just tell you, she could not have been happier that so many of you were interested in her life...she read each and every comment and appreciated everyone who supported her in her quest (and for those of you who didn't she was just happy to know you were thinking of her!).

It turns out that Troy is WAY more of a fuddy-duddy than anyone could have imagined.

And I have to say that my favorite comment left on the Emma earring discussion actually came from Troy's mom...who wrote in requesting that we remind Troy of the time that HE got an earring! (Emma was quite pleased with this knowledge.)

So, we decided that Emma could not get her ears pierced at the same time as Mikayla, because we wanted this to be special for Mikayla. She has waited a long time and has really earned the opportunity to get her ears pierced. So, she is going to get her ears done next month.

Emma, however, has to wait until she is ten...six more months! I think that she is okay with this...but I know that she is counting down the days!

In other news...I don't know if anyone remembers the dirt babies that we made way back in the spring.

Well, we gave them to the Garver's for safe keeping while we were travelling this summer...and TOTALLY forgot about them!

But, they were returned to us this week. One had gone to dirt heaven, but the other one continues to thrive...and has quite the head of hair.



And finally, just had to share this cute photo of Becky and Evan. They just crack me up.



And this one of Katie. When did she get so big?!?!?!?!??

The Cure for the Common Pack Rat

Well, it's Saturday...and you know what that means.

Shopping!

No, seriously. It's project day.

I had a project that I had been putting off for quite some time.

Well, let's be honest, I wasn't really putting it off, I was waiting for Troy to do it...and I got tired of waiting (honestly, sometimes I think that's his plan!).

So, what was the project, you ask?

The garage. (insert ominous music here.)

And, as you know, no poject is complete without photos.

So, here is the before.



It's awful, isn't it?

And, if I hadn't gone to all the trouble of cleaning it up, believe me, there is NO WAY I would have been able to share that horror.

But, here is the after.



And lest you think I shoved eveything into a corner you can't see...here it is from another angle.



And what did I do with all that stuff cluttering up our garage?



Yes, that's right. I loaded up the trunk and made a trip to the Goodwill.

Good riddance.

I have been collecting some of these things for quite a while...but every time I get things ready to take them to the Goodwill, Troy will raid the bags and take stuff out...and hide it!

Then, I will find it again, try to get rid of it, and the vicious cycle will start all over.

Well, I have had enough of that. So today, as I cleaned, I just loaded everything right up into the van while Troy was otherwise occupied...and then drove it away before he could stop it.

It was awesome.

Good Times and a Rant

We had enrichment last night and it was a big success.

We had over 40 sisters attend, which for our ward is a really great turn out.

**WARNING**

Rant ahead...skip to the bottom if you don't want to hear me go on.

And while I am on the topic...because this is not something I could ever say at church...hang on, let me just get on my soapbox.

Why don't people come to enrichment?

I know that people are busy.

I know that sometimes the topics don't interest them.

But I also know that this is a program, divinely apppointed, for our growth and spiritual well being...and no matter what you do...some women still choose not to attend.

So, let me just say...YOU may not NEED to go to Enrichment. You may not NEED to get out and be social and learn something...but someone else may NEED YOU to be there...someone may need to feel YOUR spirit, or hear what YOU have to say.

Enrichments, ward activities, youth activites...everything that we do in the church takes somebody's effort and time and hard work...and when you raised your hand to sustain them...you said that you would support them...and that means attending!

You never know what opportunities you miss to have blessings in your life, or to bless the lives of others because you don't feel like it.

ETA: We have babysitting EVERY TIME!

**END OF RANT**

Phew.

Okay, let me climb down now...and just say that last night was really great.

We had some wonderful teachers (thanks to Tamee, Rachel, LeeAnn and Melanie). We had a wonderful meal (thanks to Sheri, Tina, Melonie, Andrea and Barbara).

And, on a lighter note...let me just say, Troy, that apparently, you are not the only one who doesn't like to have their photo taken.

Case in point.



And one more.

Remember

So, I heard the question today...where were you when IT happened? Do you remember?

Holy cow. Do I remember?

How could I forget?

I wanted to take a moment to remember, and to write this down so that the children will know where they were...and what we were doing on that day.

On September 11, 7 years ago...it was a day, like any other.

Mikayla was in preschool and Troy was working in DC at the firm.

Troy was working so much at that time that I had been driving him to work in the mornings just so we could spend some time together (holy cow, how sad is that?!?).

Well, Mikayla had to be at school at 9:30 am and I was going to drop her off and continue on to take Troy to work.

As we were getting ready, I turned the tv on to listen to the news...and was frozen at the destruction on the screen. One of the twin towers was ablaze as the tv annoucer explained that a plane had just crashed into it.

The plane had crashed at 8:46 am and I had turned the tv on some 10 minutes later. Somebody on the news was speculating as to whether this had been a terrible accident or an act of terrorim.

And to my horror, as I was WATCHING the tv, LIVE, listening to this speculation, I ACTUALLY witnessed the second plane crash into the second tower of the world trade center AS IT HAPPENED.

I remember just feeling like the world had stopped spinning. I really wanted to stay home and not let Troy go to work, or take Mikayla to school...but you know my work-a-holic husband. He just had to get to work.

So...after pulling myself back together, we drove to the preschool and dropped Mikayla off...and the twins and I and Troy proceeded to drive downtown.

I kept telling Troy that I didn't think that this was a good idea, and that I really wanted to go home...but we continued on just the same.

We were listening to the radio...and as we turned towards the tunnel between Virginia and DC, and we heard them announce that a plane had crashed into the Pentagon.

My heart stopped.

I looked at Troy and said, "Can we go home now?"

By this time we had entered the tunnel, but upon listening to reports of bomb threats all over DC, and other potential disater at every turn, we made a quick decision to turn around...but the only exit we could take was the one that took us towards the Pentagon.

As we came out of the tunnel, we could see the huge plumes of black smoke rising from the Pentagon.

We made it to the road in front of the Iwo Jima War Memorial when we were stopped by the military police, who were turning everyone around...so that no one could go toward the wreckage.

We managed to turn up towards the memorial, and exit back onto the freeway. What had been a quick twenty minute drive into DC, turned into an hour long ordeal to make it home.

When we arrived at the preschool the kids were outside on the playground.

The parents started to arrive in droves to pick up their children and the poor preschool teachers didn't even know anything had happened.

We got Mikayla and returned home.

We didn't leave the house for days.

It was so sad, and horrible.

I watched the news for hours on end afterward...afraid to turn the tv off...afraid to go outside.

I lost something of myself that day.

And I mourned and continue to mourn with all those who lost loved ones...and I promised that I would never forget.

We live in an amazing country...and I was so proud of how we pulled together as a nation. We were truly united.

So when someone asks, do you remember?

How can I answer anything other than an emphatic, yes. Yes I do.

Just For Fun

So I said to Becky, "Are you excited to go to school tomorrow?"

She said, "Oh, I already did that."

Apparently, she thought it was a one time thing. LOL!

Little does she know!

ABCs of ME

So, it's been a while since I have been tagged.

Mariann had this on her blog and she tagged me...so I am spreading the joy.

Here are the ABC's of ME.

A-Attached or Single: Attached

B-Best Friend: Well, the PC answer would be Troy, but when am I PC? No, but I guess he really is.

C-Cake or Pie: Cake

D-Day: Friday...I love knowing the weekend is coming.

E-Essential Item: Computer...sadly.

F-Favorite Color: Red

G-Gummi bears or gummi worms: Worms.

H-Hometown: I still consider it Huntington Beach, CA.

I-Indulgences: Anything chocolate...or something from the cheesecake factory (thanks Rob and Andrea!).

J-January or July: July. No question.

K-Kids: Too many. Just kidding. 6 awesome kids.

L-Life is incomplete without: Friends. Even when they leave the ward.

M-Marriage Date: August 19, 1995

N-Number of Siblings: Just 1.

O-Oranges or Apples: Apples.

P-Phobias or Fears: So many...the dark, heights, drowning...I could go on.

Q-Quote: "The greatest work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home." Harold B. Lee

R-Reason to Smile: I have six. And Troy too.

S-Season: Winter...I LOVE Christmas.

T-Tag Three: Andrea, Jolinda, Lara

U-Unknown fact about me: I have a burning desire to learn to play the banjo...I don't know why.

V-Vegetarian or Oppressor of Meat: Oppressor, all the way baby!

W-Worst Habit: Procrastination.

X-X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds...I think I could give my own now.

Y-your favorite food: Anything Korean.

Z-Zodiac Sign: Cancer. That's why I'm a crab. haha.

In other news, Katie has started to bow her head and fold her arms when we pray.

OMGosh cute.

If it weren't so irreverent, I would take a photo. Maybe we will have to pretend so I can get a picture of it...that isn't sacrilegious, right?

I Pity the Fool (And Today, That's Me)

Well, our ward got split today, and I have to say...it sucks.

We have lived through this once before, but it wasn't too big a deal then because I wasn't especially close to anyone who changed.

But that isn't the case this time.

And I know that I am just being dumb...these people aren't moving...their houses are just as far away this evening as they were this morning! But for some reason, the wall that is called a ward boundary seems so high.

I am sure that it will all be just fine...but for today, I am having a little pity party.

In addition to finding out that the ward was being split, we found our that our other really good friends are moving...to BUTTSVILLE. Okay, that isn't what it's really called...but wouldn't it have been funny?

You Get What You Pay For, and Other Life Lessons

So, as you might be aware Troy is an international man of mystery.

Okay, not really. But he does get to travel quite a bit.

And what did Troy get to do today?




Looks lovely, doesn't it?

And, what, you ask, did I get to do today?



Well, my friend Lara wrote this lovely post about her children frolicing in the remants of Hurricane Hanna.

I, on the hard, wouldn't call what I did for two hours in the rain so much frolicing, as bailing. Well, really, vaccuuming.

I know, you are asking yourself, vaccumming, in the rain?

Yep.

One of our window wells filled with water and flooded our basement.





I know, it looks like fun and you are just wishing you could have been here.

I wish you could have been here too.

Oh, and on a little side note. I have learned once again, that you get what you pay for.

Troy, my dear, sweet husband, was very excited to have found this ROCKIN' deal on a shop vac at Wal-Mart. It was only $20.00.



And, I have to say, it has been a fine little vaccumm...but today, when I really needed it, I found out why it came so cheaply.

Standing in the rain, using the little shop vac was okay when it was just drizzling. But when it began to pour, the little shop vac was overwhelmed.

I finally ran over to the neighbor's house to see if he had another shop vac so that I could use them both.

Well, he pulled out this bad boy...



Need I say more?

Let's just say don't be surprised when the little shop vac goes to the big work room in the sky, and the big red machine is sitting underneath the Christmas Tree with Troy's name on it.

It Isn't That I Don't WANT to Sleep

So, in addition to making jam and trying to survive our first week of middle school...I haven't been sleeping.

I never do when my husband is away. What can I say...I'm a wuss.

Bad for me, good for my scrapbook.

Just a few (okay, a lot) of layouts that I have been working on...these were not all created this week. Really.

Becky and her "friend" Evan at the water park.


Here's one of just Evan at the water park. I couldn't resist.


Mikayla on the first day of school.


Emma at the peach farm.


Joe on the first day of school.


Becky at the peach farm.


Josh at the Beatty Reunion.


Katie at the peach farm.


Beatty Family Reunion fun.


Troy in Paris.

While The Cat's Away

Troy is out of town...and you know what that means...

A project.

So, this time was using up the rest of the peaches that we had picked...Stacy came over and we whipped out 40 half-pints of jam.



I am sure that my family will appreciate this. Right?

Maybe next time we will pick a fruit I actually liked.

And just for fun, I had to share a couple more photos of Katie.

Her hair is finally getting long-ish, and we were able to do pig tails.



So cute.

And here is one of her pretending to be her dad.



I think she nailed it.

Not So Much

**WARNING**

The following may contain strong language inappropriate for parents without middle schoolers.

**WARNING**

So, I knew middle school was going to be bad.

I think middle school is bad everywhere, and I actually think our middle school is okay.

But it isn't making a good first impression!

Mikayla went to middle school orientation last Friday. Parents are not welcome.

Seriously, it was so hard to send her off and just let her go.

Well, she had a whole series of classes that she was supposed to be taking, but the school, instead of putting her into the classes they told us they were going to put her in, they gave her a generic schedule.

Luckily, Mikayla had the presence of mind on Friday to notice that she was not scheduled to take Orchestra and French, so she went to the guidance counselor and had them fix it.

Well, what she didn't know was that her math and language arts classes were both wrong...and the "nice" guidance counselor didn't notice either.

So, after coming home from school on Tuesday, Mikayla knew for sure now that her classes were wrong, so I drove down to the school to speak to the guidance counselor myself. (This was after having called and being told that the guidance counselors were too busy to talk to me and that there wasn't really a point in leaving a message because they weren't going to call me back. Nice.)

So, when I got to the school 20 minutes after school had ended, the guidance counselors had all left for the date. Yeah. Wonder why everything is all messed up?

So, I sat and waited for 45 minutes to talk to the 6th grade administrator. When someone finally came to get me, they said that the administrator was still in the meeting but that they didn't want me to wait any longer, so they took me back.

As I entered the room I found myself greeting the principal and both assistant principals. There's nothing like starting at the top!

The school principal was lovely. She took a copy of the schedule and assured me that she would take care of this first thing in the morning.

Any guesses as to what happened?

Nothing. That's right. Nothing.

So, when Mikayla came home from school yesterday, she came home with EXACTLY the same schedule that she went to school with.

It isn't that it didn't get fixed that makes me mad, it's that when the principal gives you her personal assurance that she is going to take care of it, you expect that, right?

So, I called her. And she apologized and said that she would see to it.

Yeah. I only buy that once.

So, I went to the school today, determined not to leave until they saw me. I took Katie and Becky and decided that they could run wild through the school until someone was ready to help me.

I waited another 45 minutes before they did.

And, when they finally got around to seeing me, they didn't know Mikayla needed a schedule change. (And she had already been there herself, TWICE!)

They did actually changed her schedule, but the only way to make it work, was not only the change every single class that she was taking, but to change every single teacher too!

The best part of it all? If we had gotten it fixed yesterday, she would have been allowed to keep her teaches and just switch periods.

Ack.

Did I mention that the kids swear like sailors, some of the teachers dress like hoochies, and we have already had to have a "what does this word" mean conversation?

I don't like middle school yet.

Is it going to get better?

Pucker Up

You know how when your kids do really cute things and you wish you had your camera?

Well, I did.



Katie's new thing is to pucker up and making smacking noises when she wants to give you a kiss.

Holy cow, it's cute.

And now for a little priceless Joeism.

Yesterday in school they played charades about all the fun things they did this summer.

Joe could have talked about going to Knott's Berry Farm, or going to the water park, or shooting BB guns, or riding 4 wheelers...the list is endless.

But, no.

What did he do?

He said, "Well, I sat in a chair with my arms folded, staring straight ahead."

"Oh really? What were you doing?"

"Sitting in the car."

Nice.

Tears of Joy?

Well, there were no tears...I knew that the kids wouldn't cry, but I thought I might!

Everyone was just too excited and so far, so good.

Mikayla went first. The bus was supposed to come at 7:30, but didn't show up until 7:45...typical.



I was going to walk her to the bus stop on her first day, but apparently that isn't cool when you are in middle school.

So, I was relegated to standing on the porch, covertly taking photos.

Lucky for Mikayla we have a good view and I have a good camera lens! (I am sure she would shudder at the thought of me right there next to the bus asking her to smile for the camera! LOL!)




At least it was okay to walk the other kids to the bus. In fact, we were one of the only families there that only had mom walk them...most brought mom AND dad!







I think Katie was only one who didn't enjoy seeing the kids go off to school!

One Last Hurrah

It's the last day of summer vacation. Can you believe it?

I can't!

This summer just seemed to fly by.

I have to say, that after all the travelling we did, it has been so nice to stay home!

We wanted to kids to get to bed at a decent time, so today we just hung out at home and made a quick trip to the water park for one last hurrah.

They had a blast.

This has been such a fun summer.

Definitely one to remember!








And, of course, I have to have one of Troy. LOL!