Armed and Not So Dangerous

This is how I feel when I put on my work "garb." I've got the bright orange vest, a whistle, a fanny pack, a walkie talkie, and bathroom passes (the clothes pins dangling off my fanny pack). Honestly, I feel a bit like a mall cop - I've got the appearance of authority, but really I don't have all that much. I'm really just someone who can scare a little sense into them with my mere presence...usually. Now that I think about it, that is kind of powerful. I'll try not to let it go to my head. So far, I haven't had too many incidences. Of course there's the usual playground shenanigans - a kid spitting on someone's shirt, almost pushing someone off the slide, big long sticks almost poking someone in the eye, wrestling, and of course there are the usual tattle talers and tag alongs (You know, those kids who don't have too many friends so they hang out with the yard duty).

My second day on the job I blew the whistle way too hard at some kids (I didn't realize the power of the whistle) which made my ears ring it was so loud. Later that evening I was talking about my job to a friend and she said she heard the whistle blow from her house that day and she never hears the whistle. Sure enough that was me. I was a tad bit embarassed by that.Ethan was a bit nervous on his first day. The night before school started as he was gettting into bed he goes, "Maybe we should have done homeschool this year." Funny.

I get to be on Ethan's playground for his afternoon recess and he always comes up to me and says "hi" and admires my walkie talkie. I love it. It's cute. Luckily he's still young enough that he's not too embarassed by me. Honestly, I think by me working at his school it has made the transition for both of us quite smooth. He's really liking school and surprisingly has adjusted quite well to the long school days.Ethan and his good friend and carpool buddy.

life.

There's been a lot going on lately.

First, my mom just had surgery on her colon on Monday. She has colon cancer and just got 14 inches of her colon removed. She's doing well. I imagined she'd be really out of it, but when I saw her the day after her surgery I was surprised to see her moving around quite well and it was fun hearing her make jokes about her newest friend, which is the stand that she's currently plugged into for her ivy and medication and stuff. Hopefully her recovery will be quick.

And for some bigger news. Chad has two more days with his old job and is moving onto a new firm. He's leaving his first job out of law school. Although we've appreciated the experience he's gotten these last 3 years he's been given a great opportunity elsewhere and we're really excited about it. We're hoping its one of those 'good things come to those who wait' type of situations.

Ethan.He just had his first soccer practice last night, and guess what? No tears. He knew some kids from the team last year and he got right in there and played hard. We were really proud of him and he was proud of himself for not crying too. He's become quite the swimmer this summer and he's learned a few simple songs on the piano that he loves playing over and over. I finally got the "How do babies come out of the tummy?" question the other day. I'd been wondering when that day would come. Needless to say he was surprised by my answer and wondered how it was physically possible. He's nervous for school to start and I'm curious to see how he'll like the long day at school. I've heard it takes some getting used to for some kids. I'll keep you posted.This is one of Ethan's current favorite past times - carrying Tido, now that he'll let him do it with minimal nipping. What would a dog's life be like without some minor tormenting from the kid of the house?

And then there's me. I'm experiencing some major transition pains. Ethan is of course starting first grade on Monday and I'm pretty sad about it. Excited for him but sad for me. I've cried about it and feel like I'm experiencing some empty nest symdrome. For the last 6 1/2 years I've been his mommy full time and now he's going to be gone most the day. I'm feeling these 'What do I do now?' types of feelings. I've been working at the YMCA the last 2 1/2 years very part time mainly to make a little extra money while being able to bring Ethan with me. Since he'll no longer be with me I've been somewhat looking for another job opportunity. Well I very suddenly found another job at Ethan's school as a playground assistant (pretty much a yard duty person). I had the interview yesterday and then they called me a couple hours later to offer me the job. In the heat of the moment I said yes. So, I've got a new job, Monday through Friday. Its weird. Granted its only 3 1/2 hours a day, but still, its weird to be working everyday. I'm hoping this will be a foot in the door for other opportunities at the school, since braving the elements on the playground isn't really my thing.

Anyway, there's been a lot going on and some major changes in our life which are great and we feel very blessed, but of course with changes comes the adapting part and that's where we are right now. Wish us luck!

Celebrating 100

Dear blog,
I can't believe we've been together this long! And just think, when I first started I didn't think I had much to say and here I am writing my 100th post. I'm really glad you've allowed me to mold you just as I please. With you I can be light and fluffy, even a little clever at times. Sometimes I get to share my deeper feelings with you too. You've allowed me to record those important events and share those fun trips we've taken. More importantly, you've allowed me to share little bits of myself and my family with you. I know, I know, I've also neglected you at times, but it wasn't because I didn't enjoy you. Its just that sometimes I didn't feel like writing on you or I was just too busy. I'll try and stay more connected, but no promises. I know you'll understand.

You're like a journal to me and I can't wait to print you, and turn you into a real book. I just need to figure out when and how, that's all. Well, I just want to say thank you for letting me document bits of my life on you. And I also want to thank those fellow bloggers who stop by sometimes, even if you don't comment, don't worry I know you care.

Thanks for the memories! And here's to 100 more.

Sincerely,
Me, your author

I Crave It

This salad is so good and EASY. What's the key ingredient? This dressing made by Kraft. Who knew! And chances are you hardcore couponers have it on hand.
Its not much of a recipe, mostly just dump and stir. Here are some of the ingredients I like to put in it:

Spinach

Chow Mein noodles

Mandarin oranges

Feta Cheese

Almonds, sliced and toasted

Red onion

And anything else you think might taste good. Usually I just have the spinach, noodles and dressing on hand and it still tastes really good.

Flashback Friday: An Unfortunate "Style"

Grunge - "Clothing commonly worn by grunge musicians in Washington consisted of thrift store items and the typical outdoor clothing (most notably flannel shirts) of the region, as well as a general unkempt appearance." (Wikipedia.com)
My interpretation of Grunge at age 19:

• Thrift store leather leather jacket with fake fur
• Fake green Doc Martins, also from the thrift store
• Bagginess - jeans, t-shirts, flannels, thermal shirts, etc

The other day my friends and I started reminiscing of that good ol' Grunge era. Those unfortunate years where I fell victim to this unflattering style. When I look at pictures sometimes I wonder why in the heck I wasted some of my prime college years wearing baggy t-shirts and flannels. In public!! Have a look:
Brittany and I drove 7 hours to visit our friend in So. Cal and we're in big baggy t-shirts. I could only hope that these were our pajama tops and for some weird reason we agreed to take a picture anyway, but somehow I don't think that was the case. Oh well, I'm sure I'll look back on current pictures of myself and wonder how I fell victim to these styles.

Happy Signs of Childhood

I walked into my room and almost stepped on this. For some reason this just warmed the cockles of my heart. There's nothing like a battle between an army and a good honest king. Or maybe it was a bad king. It was a sure sign that a kid lives here.

Little shoes next to the big shoes in the house.

Their creativity is astounding. It never ends. Ethan always turns something we've left lying around into some kind of costume.

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And then there's the lovely decor that gets hung up on my walls and things. I left these hung up for a few months until I could quietly take them down without him noticing.

I love all the things around my house that remind me that a kid lives here. Although I'm a bit sad cause my kid is going off to school in a few weeks, ALL DAY LONG, which leaves me to be a semi-empty nester. Sniff. Sniff. I don't know who 1st grade is going to be harder for, me or Ethan.

What's For Summer?

Some aunties...

July started off with two of my aunts coming to visit us. It was a quick couple of days but it was fun having them in our neck of the woods, nonetheless. Aren't they cute?
Pictured: Aunt Caroline, mom, Aunt Jan

Add a little roadtrip...

Me, my mom, Court, Courtney's niece Millie, Spencer, Dave, Aunt Caroline and Aunt Jan all headed off together to Utah to my cousins wedding. My brother Ben and his family came from another state and met us there.

It was fun going on a roadtrip with blood relatives, and feeling quite vagabond-like as we camped out on Spencer's in-laws living room floor for two nights. Good times.


Pictured are my 3 brothers, sister, and mom.
(Spencer, me, Ben, mom, Dave, Courtney)

With a dash of wedding...

Here is the bride and groom right after their sealing. Congratulations guys! They're a really cute couple. They had a really nice reception, complete with not just a piece of cake in Matt's face, but the whole cake. Go Maggie!

Add some cousins to the mix...

After the wedding we all headed back home (without the aunts and Millie) where our official staycation began as Ben, Tasha and their 3 kids came for a week long visit. We all cleared our calendars and the whole fam partied day and night: bowling, swimming, guitar hero, tennis, volleyball, water parks, going to the lake, waterslide, free lunch, free movies, birthday parties, dinners, barbeques, etc. It was really fun and exhausting! Not to mention is was a major cousin frenzy. The cousins just LOVE being together.


Pictured: Most the cousins waiting for their dessert. In order to control the chaos we made them wait outside in line.

You can see more of the family festivities on Courtney's blog: Click here
And a little exhaustion...

Twenty minutes after our first house guests left we got a new set of house guests. Chad's mom and her two sisters. I'm thinking we should start a bed and breakfast. Anywho, Ethan is a 'party til you drop' kind of kid and this is a picture of when Ethan dropped. As we were chatting with our new guests Ethan conked out on the floor. He never does that.

And 2 more aunties and a grandma to top it off.

This is Aunt CarolLee, Chad's mom Judy, and Aunt Arlene. They're really cute and fun to have around. They were visiting a bunch of temples and visiting family and friends along the way. And lucky for us we were one of their pit stops.

This is a cute picture of Ethan snuggling up to Auntie Arlene.

And that's what we've had for summer!