Connor answering the class' questions about the President
Connor and I showing his poster. We also read them a book about him.
Owen as George Washington
Friday, April 23, 2010
George Washington
At the beginning of the school year each kid in Connor's class had to sign up for a report to do during the year. Connor really wanted to do it on George Washington. He was so excited all school year to do it and kept asking when his report was. A couple of months ago he finally got to do it (I am a little behind in blogging :) ). Back when we thought we might be moving to Iowa, one of Trent's reasons to not move was that Connor would not be able to do his George Washington report. What a nice dad, but can you see what a big deal this report was?!
Connor and I showing his poster. We also read them a book about him.
Owen as George Washington
Connor and I showing his poster. We also read them a book about him.Owen as George Washington
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Happy Spring!
This week is Spring Break. I am so glad today is nice. The kids are in shorts today (they are probably pushing it a bit). Utah weather is crazy. Two days ago Connor, Leah and their friend Tyler were out in our front yard building a snowman and today they are wearing shorts. I am so done with the snow, it makes me miss California weather.
Here are a few photos I have been meaning to post of the kids. My friend Melinda took them.
Here are a few photos I have been meaning to post of the kids. My friend Melinda took them.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wahooo!
Yesterday Connor had his first soccer game of the season. His team is the Red Dragons. I love how much he loves sports and how excited he gets about playing. He laid his soccer uniform out, socks and all on his bedroom floor the night before the game because he was so excited. I think he would've worn his uniform to school if I had let him. It was a fun game and the best part was Connor made his first soccer goal! He was trying to act all cool and not smile, but he couldn't hold back. I am kicking myself for not bringing my camera. Go Red Dragons!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Istanbul Not Constantinople
A couple of years ago I was able to go on a trip that I considered a once in a lifetime opportunity. I went on a girls trip to Paris and Turkey. Recently I found out that I have been given this chance again! This Spring I will be going back to Turkey. A lady in my mom's ward works for an airline and asked if my mom wouldn't go with her to Turkey and provide her with a buddy pass. She generously offered to have my sister Alissa (who didn't go on the trip last time) and I go along as well. I was a little worried at first about all the details like what to do with the kids and how I probably should be more practical with my money. Thankfully I have a very supprotive husband and a very generous mother in law. I love Istanbul and I had one of the most amazing experiences of my life going there. Here are a few pictures from the last adventure:
The lobby of the hotel. You go up the winding staircase to the rooms. We are going to stay here again. It is easily my favorite hotel.
Teresa, Janice, me, Kami, Aunt Gayla, and Breanne.
Now the big question is: Does anyone have any good ways of making some extra money? :)
Our Hotel: The Empress Zoe
The lobby of the hotel. You go up the winding staircase to the rooms. We are going to stay here again. It is easily my favorite hotel.
My mom, Aunt Teresa, me, sister Breanne and sister in law Kami inside The Blue Mosque.
Teresa, Janice, me, Kami, Aunt Gayla, and Breanne.
Now the big question is: Does anyone have any good ways of making some extra money? :)Friday, February 26, 2010
Crazy Lady
Yesterday Leah's Grandma got Leah the cutest swimsuit with matching coverup, sunglasses and swim bag. The lady at the store was telling us about an adorable swim cap that went with it, but was sold out within a few days. I checked online and they only had 0-6 months. I had to have it! Pathetic, I know. So, I called 44 stores and everyone was either sold out or had it in a o-6 months. I finally found a store in North Carolina (Thank you Charlotte!) that had one in a 2-3T even though I needed a 4T. Oh well- Leah will have to squeeze into it, because it is being shipped to our house.
I know I am crazy. It probably isn't the smartest thing to spend a chunk of money on a silly swim cap, but I had to have it! A matching swim cap?! Adorable. I'm creating jobs. Right?
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Ice Skating
I haven't posted forever. Does anyone even read this thing :)?
On Monday night we took the kids to the rec center to go ice skating for our Family Home Evening. It was Connor and Leah's first time. Poor little Owen had to play in the rec center's child care. But, I think he had fun crawling all over and exploring new toys.
The kids did great. First they started out with us holding both of their hands, then they went down to one hand, then they went to holding the wall, and then they did it ALL BY THEMSELVES! I was so impressed! It is funny what kids can learn in just an hour. Maybe Connor can be a hockey player and Leah can be a figure skater. I think they might enjoy watching the Olympics and seeing what they could learn to do with enough hard work and practice :).
The kids are begging to go again next Monday. I'll be sure to bring my camera next time.
On Monday night we took the kids to the rec center to go ice skating for our Family Home Evening. It was Connor and Leah's first time. Poor little Owen had to play in the rec center's child care. But, I think he had fun crawling all over and exploring new toys.
The kids did great. First they started out with us holding both of their hands, then they went down to one hand, then they went to holding the wall, and then they did it ALL BY THEMSELVES! I was so impressed! It is funny what kids can learn in just an hour. Maybe Connor can be a hockey player and Leah can be a figure skater. I think they might enjoy watching the Olympics and seeing what they could learn to do with enough hard work and practice :).
The kids are begging to go again next Monday. I'll be sure to bring my camera next time.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Sorry Alissa! :)
Check out my sister Alissa. She was nominated for Wastach Woman of the Year for her work in the community.
http://wasatchwoman.com/article.php?id=173
(ARTICLE TAKEN FROM WASATCH WOMAN MAGAZINE)
Support for the Broken
Community Honoree, Alissa Black
by Marcia Armstrong Chidester
Murray Police Department crime victims advocate Alissa Black knows the consequences her clients suffer after being raped, robbed and beaten by raging husbands. She's seen the black eyes, bloody noses and broken bones. She's witnessed the terror and plummeting self-esteem. She's been frustrated at the lack of emergency financial assistance — for a hotel room needed to escape an abusive spouse or food for hungry kids — that made the aftermath of an already awful situation much worse. But one day in 2005, after trying in vain to locate money to help a rape victim who'd been robbed of every cent in her bank account, the 31-year-old Alissa had an "aha" moment: The area needed an emergency fund for such things. And, she would have to organize it. "I wanted to take care of that totally unexpected, emergency need," she says. Alissa had organized a similar fund while working as a victims' advocate in San Diego two years earlier, so she knew the fundamentals of making it happen. After receiving permission from her boss, Murray Chief of Police Peter Fondaco, she started calling businesses and foundations across Salt Lake Valley, looking for money. What she got was dozens of rejection letters. "It was depressing that the foundations didn't want to give money to a new organization, but I don't blame them," she said. "We were so new, with no audited financial reports yet." Then, Chief Fondaco talked to Utah mogul Larry Miller, who discussed the concept with executives at Zions Bank and the Sorenson Legacy Foundation, Alissa says. Between the three organizations, Alissa soon had $225,000 in seed money, and in 2006, the Salt Lake Valley Emergency Fund (SLVEF) was born. In the last three years, she's written checks for such urgent expenditures as funerals, burial dresses and the home biohazard cleanups necessary when family members are killed or commit suicide. "I'm in awe of what she's accomplished in a few short years," said Lynda DeRushia, who nominated Alissa for the honor. Lynda was president of the Murray Chamber of Commerce when Alissa started raising funds. "Alissa was stepping into unknown territory to make things happen for people who needed immediate assistance," Lynda says. "She has a real compassion and a need to go the extra mile." Now, as executive director of SLVEF, Alissa fields calls for help from area police stations, rape crisis centers and domestic violence shelters. Victims fill out a one-page application explaining their emergency need and detailing exactly what help they are seeking. While most relief agencies use income to disqualify applicants, Alissa doesn't take family finances into account. "Some couples make a lot of money, but often the wife, who is a victim of domestic violence, doesn't have access to that funding," she says. To keep the organization's coffers filled, Alissa applies for grants and holds fundraisers. She also asks prosecutors to request reimbursement from perpetrators in court-ordered restitution. The paybacks help make the offenders accountable, a character trait sorely lacking in most domestic violence criminals, she says. "They are paying our emergency fund back for their bad choices." Not all donations have to be monetary. Businesses can also help by supplying such things as hotel rooms, food or clothing, at no charge to crime victims. Alissa willingly donates her lunch hours at work and uses the leisure time she could spend with her husband to scrutinize SLVEF applications, get checks signed and secure supplies. Such dedication has reaped great results, Chief Fondaco says. "She's invested a lot of time to make this thing work," he says, "and she is the only reason it is a success."
http://wasatchwoman.com/article.php?id=173
(ARTICLE TAKEN FROM WASATCH WOMAN MAGAZINE)
Support for the Broken
Community Honoree, Alissa Black
by Marcia Armstrong Chidester
Murray Police Department crime victims advocate Alissa Black knows the consequences her clients suffer after being raped, robbed and beaten by raging husbands. She's seen the black eyes, bloody noses and broken bones. She's witnessed the terror and plummeting self-esteem. She's been frustrated at the lack of emergency financial assistance — for a hotel room needed to escape an abusive spouse or food for hungry kids — that made the aftermath of an already awful situation much worse. But one day in 2005, after trying in vain to locate money to help a rape victim who'd been robbed of every cent in her bank account, the 31-year-old Alissa had an "aha" moment: The area needed an emergency fund for such things. And, she would have to organize it. "I wanted to take care of that totally unexpected, emergency need," she says. Alissa had organized a similar fund while working as a victims' advocate in San Diego two years earlier, so she knew the fundamentals of making it happen. After receiving permission from her boss, Murray Chief of Police Peter Fondaco, she started calling businesses and foundations across Salt Lake Valley, looking for money. What she got was dozens of rejection letters. "It was depressing that the foundations didn't want to give money to a new organization, but I don't blame them," she said. "We were so new, with no audited financial reports yet." Then, Chief Fondaco talked to Utah mogul Larry Miller, who discussed the concept with executives at Zions Bank and the Sorenson Legacy Foundation, Alissa says. Between the three organizations, Alissa soon had $225,000 in seed money, and in 2006, the Salt Lake Valley Emergency Fund (SLVEF) was born. In the last three years, she's written checks for such urgent expenditures as funerals, burial dresses and the home biohazard cleanups necessary when family members are killed or commit suicide. "I'm in awe of what she's accomplished in a few short years," said Lynda DeRushia, who nominated Alissa for the honor. Lynda was president of the Murray Chamber of Commerce when Alissa started raising funds. "Alissa was stepping into unknown territory to make things happen for people who needed immediate assistance," Lynda says. "She has a real compassion and a need to go the extra mile." Now, as executive director of SLVEF, Alissa fields calls for help from area police stations, rape crisis centers and domestic violence shelters. Victims fill out a one-page application explaining their emergency need and detailing exactly what help they are seeking. While most relief agencies use income to disqualify applicants, Alissa doesn't take family finances into account. "Some couples make a lot of money, but often the wife, who is a victim of domestic violence, doesn't have access to that funding," she says. To keep the organization's coffers filled, Alissa applies for grants and holds fundraisers. She also asks prosecutors to request reimbursement from perpetrators in court-ordered restitution. The paybacks help make the offenders accountable, a character trait sorely lacking in most domestic violence criminals, she says. "They are paying our emergency fund back for their bad choices." Not all donations have to be monetary. Businesses can also help by supplying such things as hotel rooms, food or clothing, at no charge to crime victims. Alissa willingly donates her lunch hours at work and uses the leisure time she could spend with her husband to scrutinize SLVEF applications, get checks signed and secure supplies. Such dedication has reaped great results, Chief Fondaco says. "She's invested a lot of time to make this thing work," he says, "and she is the only reason it is a success."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
