OUT AND ABOUT

SITTING BABIES
I spent two afternoons over at my MS's home to watch kids for her so she could rest. The first day was just with the toddler, who got grumpy, fell asleep in my arms, and slept for an hour until her siblings came home from school. Easy peasy.

Friday, the mom thought I didn't need to come because the kids didn't have school and the oldest could watch the others, but I left the offer open. A few hours into her day, she said, "Maybe you'd better come." Probably a good idea.

I was kept very busy. The day before I read my book and relaxed. With all the kids (five, not counting the baby), I had my hands full. They had been given a cookie-decorating kit. So we did that first. Then they "took turns" watching movies and TV programs. It took some persuading to get them to not only take turns, but be good sports about it when it WASN'T their turn!

The toddler, this time, couldn't be persuaded to fall asleep in my lap. She threw an outright, won't-stop fit until the mom suggested she come in the room with her and nap. Then I offered the toddler an ultimatum: she had to quit crying to be with Mom and Baby. Worked.

Now it was four kids, but the two younger girls were a handful, especially the younger. On and off my lap, poking and prodding, asking me all kinds of questions. It was tiring. I love those kids, they're cute and fun, but it was exhausting. I found myself wanting to sleep about two hours in. When the mom got up and said I could go home...I nearly went home to take a nap!

WINDY ZOO
It took a lot of finagling, but all four of us managed to sync our schedules (with a lot of begging and reminding at work places) so that we could use our free zoo pass (courtesy of Janet @ Altus Public Library) and spend a day together.

Ken was ecstatic. He's been working 10-hour days, but only for four days a week, so his was the easiest schedule to arrange. He's wanted to do something as a family for a long time. I think our last time was our Oregon vacation. He enjoyed himself just because we were all together.

You'd think we were all a little old for the zoo. Nope. I enjoyed the kids examining the varieties and colors of the snakes with animated delight.

Analiese is showing the snake how it's done!

They are curious and intelligent and still see the wonder in God's creations. They were fascinated with the big cats, too. Jaguar and leopard markings were breathtaking!

We had our fun moments, as well. We went to a sea lion show (the Aquarium was closed though,

major bummer!) and had a few laughs.

We were very close to the front

One lady in the audience got startled by the barking of a large sea lion. Her expression was hilarious. We took silly pictures around the place, always on the lookout for a new angle.

Gotta see my Buffalo!

Heavily sedated butterfly?

But there were no puppets in the gift shop...so no play time there. 😔

I had to take a break (swollen knee and sore feet), so Ken & I rested on a bench while the kids explored the gorilla/monkey section by themselves (they are such pals!)

Never too big for the Children's Zoo!

. We had our own entertainment, with a rather chubby squirrel who wasn't shy at all!

He came right up to us, looking for food. Sorry, Augustus (named after the Willy Wonka character who eats everything), we ate all of our lunch!

The only really bad thing about the day was the wind. It was very brisk and quite cold. I had a jacket, but should have had a heavier coat. Analiese, per her usual, thought I was her personal warmer. Ken had gloves as well as a jacket, but Jonathan played it tough with shorts and a t-shirt. Crazy boy! We ended up eating our picnic lunch in the car rather than at one of the nice picnic areas in the zoo. It was too windy to eat outside!

Talking Talents
I had thought that, with Ken released from the Branch Presidency, that I wouldn't be called upon to speak anytime soon. After all, pretty much every month he conducted, I ended up speaking. But this was not the case. Two weeks ago, one of the Branch counselors texted me. Could I speak? 10-15 minutes about Recognizing and Developing Talents.

I've been playing with it in my head the last couple of weeks and trying to tie it down this week. I prepared my quotes, scriptures, and outline. I let Ken read it: he said I had enough for a talk double that amount. Good! I'd rather have too much than not enough. My hardest part is figuring out what to use and what to cut.

I took up my time and then some. The BP told me before church that his wife (the other speaker) wouldn't mind if I took more time. He would have even let me have the whole time, but I wouldn't do that! I gave her at least twelve minutes!

I was tired after that. I am told I am a very energetic speaker; this exhausts me. Unfortunately, I could not rest on my laurels for the second hour and sit quietly in RS. They needed a sub in Jr. Primary, so I went.  That was a circus in itself....one child crying and writhing on the floor, the others terribly distracted by her. I used my crazy wiles to keep them on track. I even printed up a coloring page for them (I was able to eprint right from my phone to the church copier. Cool! I showed the Primary Pres. and she was over the moon with that trick!) and used one of my VIPKid reward slides on my phone plus zoo videos as an incentive (bribe) to behave. Hey, I'm all about tricks!

BE MINE

Spring?
The trees want to believe it; they are bud-tipped. Daffodils and pushing up out of the ground. Squirrels are frisking and birds are busy chirping and nest-building. Skunk roadkill is on the rise (stinky AND messy). I have seen a few wasps and even swatted a rather large-ish mosquito.

But, it's not really there. Yes, Thursday was a balmy, wonderful 71 degrees. Turn off the heater and open up the windows! Yet by Friday, it was below freezing again. Saturday even saw a few, short-lived white flakes. Huddle down into those blankets once more!

The Crazy World of Mary Poppins
The hardest thing for me to reconcile on our busy, full schedule it Analiese's rehearsals. I'll tell Jonathan he can have the car and then turn around and realize he can't - Analiese has rehearsal before he gets home from work. I've done it to him at least twice now. I feel bad about that.

We went for a second round of sponsor-hunting this week. I just accompany her; she does all the talking. I think we've visited about 15 different businesses. She's had four sponsors, a few maybes and several nos...but everyone was willing to put up a poster when the company gets them. I think she's been very diligent (I would have dragged my feet, went out once...and only briefly) and I'm proud of her efforts.

She received her production t-shirt Friday evening.

Now, we'd hoped she would have had it BEFORE we went schlepping around for sponsors, but such is life. She's happy, though. It's been so much fun for her and an amazing opportunity.

More Babies
Okay, just one. I went over Wednesday to one of my MS's homes. The pregnant one. Well, she was pregnant until they induced her Monday morning. Now she has a sweet little baby boy.

I went over to help watch her toddler because the dad had work and the kids had school. Supposedly, Mom wouldn't come home from the hospital until that evening. But she managed to talk the doctor into letting her leave that morning. So when I got there, she was sleeping in bed with the baby and I was out in the livingroom with the toddler. Holding down the fort, as it were.

She did come out a little later to eat and try and feed the baby (he just wanted to sleep!). That's when my fun came in. I got to hold him while she ate lunch. Two days old! So tiny! But I had to give him back...he kept rooting at my finger...and this dairy's been closed for years!

She was back in her room sleeping when the kids came home. I had promised them PB chocolate chip cookies when the baby came so I had brought some, along with some soup I'd made, rolls, and a couple ham-and-cheese quiches (kid-friendly) for their freezer for later. Let me tell you, the minute they saw me, they asked about those cookies! The oldest, funnily, told me what kind of cookie I could make for them the next time I came over!

Sweet Valentine
I feel like our family is so close with love and unity right now. Everyone is thinking of and looking out for each other. Valentine's Day was another example of that.

I'd purchased little things for my seminary kids and small boxes of chocolate for my home kids (what else do I call them? My blood kin? LOL) and a large box for Ken (of course). I'd purchased an appropriately swarmy card for Ken - I really liked the message - and wrote personal notes for Jonathan and Analiese.

Ken and I made a special dinner for the missionaries that evening - grilled Italian chicken, green beans, pasta, and homemade cherry pie.

Look at those cut-outs! First time I've tried that!

Ken took me out to lunch, since we knew we had dinner guests. Plus, he purchased a special DVD of a movie I really liked. For some reason, it's been hard to locate. "Undercover Blues," with Kathleen Turner and Dennis Quaid. You should watch it. It's so cute and funny. Actually, the whole family did that afternoon...we laughed at it's silliness.

Jonathan came home from Walgreens the evening before with chocolates for everyone and a red rose for me.

I gave him an extra kiss - I love flowers. Wednesday night at YW, Analiese had dipped chocolates and brought them home for the family.

  See how thoughtful everyone was?

VIP Slow
Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Chinese New Year is interminable.

One of the workshop teachers this week (I try to do two every week) asked me how I was doing. I told him these last two weeks had me nervous. He said, "It's the same for everyone. It's the worst time of the year for teaching." So, I've let my anxiety simmer down a bit. I think they have one more week of the holiday, maybe two. I'm being positive here...March WILL be better!

Evening with a General Authority
It's that time of year for Seminary & Institute teachers to come together and watch a broadcast from Salt Lake. Our Stake provided us with a lovely take-out dinner from a popular Mexican chain here at the Institute, inviting our spouses as well, so we could dine, socialize, and enjoy the broadcast. Ken had to work, so he was unable to come, and neither child wanted to go with me, so I went solo.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband was the speaker this year. When he was introduced, it mentioned he became an Apostle in 2015. Has it really been that long? He's one I don't know very well, though Jonathan said he'd visited the Guatemala CCM (MTC) when Jonathan was there.

His message was sweet and poignant. He mentioned that the Prophet had asked him to be on the Utah Governor's task force about teen suicide. It was heartbreaking to hear the statistics and to think of the pain that these kids are going through. The upside of his message was about Jesus Christ's Atonement and how we really need to teach it and get it into the hearts of these kids. To give them hope and a reason to keep trying. The adversary it trying to stop these noble young souls from growing up and contributing to the kingdom. My momma bear instinct kicked in...I so want to love and protect them! But I do what little I can do, even if Elder Rasband called us "first responders."

BABY, I'VE GOT A NEW DO!

SNIP SNIP
Even though I'm not doing a chronological week on my blog, I generally don't put the last things first. Until now. Because this is the biggest news of my week.

My hair, lately, has just been AWFUL. It's gotten too long, so the curls are straggly. Also, everything has been just one big frizz. And don't get me started on the gray. I was starting to look like the witch at the beginning of Into the Woods. I'm pretty sure it didn't help me in my bio pic

Ugh! Is it any wonder I hate having my picture taken?

and video for VIPKid because I just look old and tired. Not fun and enthusiastic, which is what I need to be.

But Uncle Sam came through with a tax return, I consulted with a sister in my Branch who works at a snazzy salon in town, and I made an appointment for Friday morning. Cut...and color. No beating around the bush here...I need help. This is a business expense and a necessity.

Ten o'clock and 2 hours later, I not only looked better, I felt better. She cut it shorter in the back, with the front longer and framing my face. The color is a dark brown with a little red in it. I told her I needed to look not so tired and white. I needed warming up, especially since I have bright lighting when I teach online. She straightened it for me so I could see the color better.

There's that hairband. I swear it's my hair crutch!

It looks good straightened, but in all honesty, I'm too lazy to do it much. Or ever.

My kids, especially Analiese, liked it right away

New cut doesn't mean new personality. Goofs!

. Definitely younger looking. Ken knew he'd have to accept it no matter what, so has been supportive. I know he doesn't like me coloring my hair, but had to admit it made me look livelier.

PH - MY HAIR
I was born a bald baby: no hair. Mom had to glue bows onto my head with Karo syrup - this was before those cute headbands - so people would identify me as a girl. Not that it always worked.

That's me. The bald baby girl.

Mom was not expert in hair fashion. As my hair grew out, it was long and somewhat straight (I had a little wave).

Who's that cutie?

Mom could put it in a pony tail or two and sometimes even put curlers on the ends so they would be curly. But we were not into braiding or other fancy things. I do remember her having an old See's box full of ponytail holders (remember the glass balls?) and plastic barrettes.

As I grew older, it grew longer and - not being much of a groomer - would hang lank and scraggly down my back.

School pics. Gotta love 'em.

It got to be fairly long by the time I was in Jr. High and High School. I just couldn't figure out what to do with it. The story of my life.

But things changed my Senior year. First, there were Senior pictures and those were nicer than your generic school pics; we had to go to a special photography studio. Second, things were changing in my life (senior year, no scoliosis brace, upcoming college) and I wanted to change, too. So I got a haircut.

Not just any haircut. I got a perm! Now I know what you're thinking: would you give Tigger a pogo stick? But that was the rage in the 80's: layers, wings (think Farah Fawcette) and perms. I went to school looking, well, like a poodle. It was big, puffy and curly. Crazy, over the top.

Sorry it's blurry. But it was all the rage!

Come college time, I just bobbed it. I'd gone to a cosmetology school and they'd recommended a bob at chin-level for my facial shape, so I did it. And kept doing it. It was easy and maintained fairly well. A round brush and a hair dryer or a curling iron pretty much did the trick. This lasted me through college, my mission, and the first couple of years of my marriage.

Our engagement photo. Isn't he handsome?

But something happened after I had a baby or two. My hair CHANGED. I'd always had a little wave in it, courtesy of my father (you'd never know, he buzzes his head). However, baby hormones gripped me in unexpected ways. My hair began to curl. No sweet waves, but tight, often frizzy, all over curls. Holy moley!

Rings of curls at Analiese's 4th birthday!

It's been such a struggle, trying to figure out what to do with it. I won't spend a lot of time on it (remember the non-groomer) because I figure I have other things that I should or rather be doing. Most days its wash-and-wear. Fluff it up with my fingers and go and hope for the best. I use a lot of headbands, mainly to tame the mane and keep it out of my face.

GRANDMOTHER PRACTICE
For three days this week, I was able to babysit a 2-month-old baby girl in the afternoon.

She's a foster baby to a couple in our Branch and will be going to a special DHS daycare after she has her 8-week shots. But in the meantime, the Mom's job has her going to the schools and being with the kids in the afternoons for programs: no place for a baby. That's where I came in.

Oh, she's a tiny thing! A pretty one, too, with big dark eyes and lots of dark hair. She's got her own funny quirks and issues. One, she sucks wrong; she gulps in too much air while eating. This makes for lots of burps and gas and she gets very squirmy and uncomfortable. We had to hold her facing away from us so our hands could press up against her little tummy to try and work out the bubbles.

Cute baby, frizzled gray old lady in the back.

I did a bunch of tummy massaging and leg bending to try and help. Often, she wouldn't sleep lying down because of it and I ended up hold her - away from me - on my knee with her folded over my arm sleeping.

Another funny thing is she does not like any pee in her diaper. I mean like two drops. She pees a teeny bit and immediately wants you to change her. She goes through a lot of diapers! I examined her skin; she doesn't have a rash or any irritation. I guess she doesn't like the feeling. But she does love being changed! She coos and grins and kicks when you have her lying down. So cute and funny!

Poor thing had a cold on top of all this. I could feel the rumbling in her chest when I held her. I suggested a vaporizer to Foster Mom and talking to the doctor when they went on Friday. It made feeding and sleeping all the more difficult.

Ken actually held her a few times for me the first day, because sometimes a girl's gotta go. Analiese did the other two days when needed.

We kind of switched off between baby holding and dinner making. But Thursday, Analiese had dinner making on her own, because the baby had fallen asleep lying face-down on my lap (belly against my leg so I could jiggle it). She stayed that way for nearly two hours, sound asleep. With all her problems lately, I didn't want to put her down: she needed to nap. But, oh, did my tush and legs get stiff. Foster Mom came a little late and I was dying to move!

I also baby-sat a 5 yo-boy on Saturday while his dad went to a Stake Priesthood meeting with my husband and another brother. Not as adorable as the baby...that can't be helped. But I took him to Braum's (his choice) for a cheeseburger after we dropped Analiese off at work and we went home to (try to) put his toy from the lunch together. I also brought out a cookie sheet and some magnetic animals I use for my VIPKid lessons and let him play with them. He learned how magnets work: not on wood or furniture, but on metal like the cookie sheet or the front door! You always get an education at my house! LOL!

The kids think it's funny to tell me that they will have their kids one day call me Meemaw. I think this is HORRIBLE. I decided with the baby this week: I shall be Grammy. Like the award. Granny's too harsh, Grammy sounds lovable and fun. I also threatened my children: If they train their kids to say the other, I will gift their children roadkill. When they call me Grammy, it will be cookies and games and books and all sorts of fun. We'll see who gets called what, then!

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR
It's the year of the pig. Trust me, I know. It's all over VIPKid. But it means that bookings are at their lowest. So I haven't taught any this week. I have taken workshops: two from my two favorite workshop teachers. One is a gal from Georgia who has the greatest facial expressions and she just cracks me up. Believe it or not, she made a discussion on grammar sound interesting! I wish she'd been my grammar professor in college!

The second was at 9:30 p.m. Friday with another favorite, an American living in Thailand (hence, the time). He was doing a special workshop - for Chinese NY only - on using Improvisational techniques (think "Who's Line is it Anyway?") in the class. It focused a lot on listening, using sounds and gestures to help make word associations (and fun!), and learning to be flexible because you cannot plan 100% for what is going to happen! We played some really fun games. He's been a TV personality as well as teaching in Thailand and knows acting. Funny thing was, he could tell I knew a thing or two as well. He had 75 people in the workshop and picked me out of the group. He wanted to know how much improv I used in my classes. I said this was just the way I was: a ham. Still, it was a little flattering. I sure enjoyed the workshop, though, and came away with some games and tricks for not just VIPKid, but even Seminary and home!

BETTER

Illness Update
A slight cough remains, accompanied by sinus gunk, but for the most part, I'm doing much better. Analiese and I were even able to get out and walk after Seminary this week!

I've napped a little (no longer than an hour), but haven't felt the lassitude and weakness that the prior weeks had haunted me. I've actually had the energy to get a few things done. I've much more to do, but it's a start.

Shoot, it's shots!
I'm down to only two allergy injections per week now. It's a stronger "formula" and is stretched out for a longer duration. I get to decide when to do it, just as long as there are two days in between injections. I have chosen Tuesday and Friday. Don't ask me; they just work. Plus, I don't like to depress my weekends with the thought of a shot. Makes me grumpy.

Stupidly, on Tuesday, I jabbed my right hand just under my pointer finger with a spent needle. I was supposed to have clipped the needle off the syringe right away, but hadn't. Besides the jab pain and a little blood, the area swelled up and itched for quite a while. Each arm has a different "formula"; the left is animal allergens, the right is plants. I'm not sure which "formula" my hand received! Stupid.

Analiese
Her blog will talk all about the community musical production she's in: Mary Poppins. She won't mention all of the driving back and forth that parental figures (with an occasional brother) have to do. She also won't acknowledge the schedule-wrecking it does. Currently, it's put a strain on Family Home Evening, dinnertime, and dishes. I want her to have this experience, but I needed to grumble a bit. I'm glad it'll be over mid-March.

Also, we've been talking with her EPIC teachers (her regular one and his wife, who's teaching the Shakespeare class Analiese enrolled in) about her enrolling concurrently between EPIC and USAO this fall. The state only pays for her senior year at the college, but EPIC education funds can pay for her junior year. She's glad to kill two birds with one stone (college and high school credit simultaneously) and excited to try new things. She's my courageous explorer: confident, curious and enthusiastic. I really don't know what direction her life will take; she has so many interests and skills!

Tutoring, teaching, whatever
I can say fairly confidently that I have a regular student. It's the 11-yo boy in level three that I've been teaching weekly now. He has been so quiet and shy, but it starting to open up to me. Last time I made him laugh, this week, he not only laughed (at and with me) but attempted true personal conversation. It's really fun to see him come out of his shell and trust sharing with me. He's even being playful!

When talking with Analiese's teachers, I mentioned my VIPKid work. They suggested I sign up as an EPIC vendor and tutor kids locally. I guess they really need reading and Spanish tutors. I'm up for that. EPIC can fill in the VIPKid blanks and I can do much more VIPKid teaching in the summer when EPIC is out. Not a bad little side hustle!

Grandma Practice
It seems so weird to even think of it...grandparenthood. My kids are not ready for that stage yet (thank goodness, in Analiese's case), but I do like the little ones. And miss them, I'll admit that.

One of my MS's is about ready to Pop! She is so very uncomfortably pregnant. She asked if I would watch her toddler and the baby they've been fostering so she could go to the OB on Thursday. This meant getting everything done in the morning, but I was up for it. Plus, I was hoping the doctor would say (for MS's sake) "Let's get this kiddo out of here." That, sadly, didn't happen.

Her toddler sat on my lap a good bit of the time, watching a Disney movie and making commentary. She's an adorable kiddo. I also got some baby time - gosh, it's been so long since I changed a diaper! The older kids came home from school and offered to hold the baby for me. Nah, I was good! I wanted to cuddle that tiny little girl!

My Hair
Seriously, I need a haircut. My hair is past my shoulders; frizzled and grizzled, I call it. It looks dragged out, tired and old. And I can do nothing with it.

Shirley Temple-type curls...out of control!

Luckily, a sister in our ward works for a nice (read: expensive) salon in town. I am splurging a little from our tax return to get a cut (and color!) next week. It's not really a splurge; it's also a business expense. I need a better bio photo and video for VIPKid. I've been delaying that until I could get this hair under control.

Strengths & Weaknesses
When Ken was first diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, I was considering writing a "church" book: Asperger's, Agency, and the Atonement. Mainly, I wanted to try and figure out where the line is between the condition and the control/agency the person has over it. How much of it can't a person help? How much is up to them? How does the Atonement of Jesus Christ figure into that?

Of course, as I've grown and had my own weakness diagnosed and exposed - Anxiety - I realized I needed to change the title: Asperger's, Anxiety, Agency, and the Atonement.  In many ways, I think it's made me more sympathetic to Ken's cause, because I know I have my own struggles. Still, I wonder (and worry, cuz that's Anxiety) how much of that is up to me?

It makes me ponder the Book of Ether in the Book of Mormon, chapter 12, verse 27: "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

So how does a weakness, like Anxiety, become a strength through Jesus Christ's grace (enabling power)? I've often wondered that. Today, while pondering during testimony meeting in Church, I had a little answer come to me. I remember being thought of as a sensitive child. And it was a weakness: "She's too sensitive." Easy to cry, easy to get angry, easy to get upset. Too much of it and a bit out of control.

Yet these last few years, as I've known and acknowledged my Anxiety, recognized the causes for negative reactions, etc., I've also grown. I've learned to handle things better, be more aware of what I'm feeling, why, and how to deal with it. And that sensitivity has turned into something better. Instead of being negatively sensitive (cry, anger, upset), it's more of awareness, empathy, and desire to love and serve. As a strength, the sensitivity helps me understand others better, desire to give more and be more. And it helps me to love and feel love deeper. I can make better choices because of my awareness and open my heart freely because I understand the love of God and Christ for myself and others better.

I was glad to see that today. To understand how Christ can turn weaknesses into strengths. And I'm so very grateful for the opportunities these last few years have afforded me to learn that and improve. I feel closer to Him because of it!