tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41132261793650819782024-03-13T03:14:31.479-05:00Crow Family Happenings TooThe occassional insights, happenings and rantings of an average American MomBettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-42391506348934315892010-01-26T21:35:00.005-06:002010-01-26T22:28:00.931-06:00Fourteen Weeks and CountingFourteen. XIV. 14.<br /><br />The name of my brother's restuarant and the number of weeks my husband has been working as a consultant in Michigan. The first eleven weeks weren't that bad. Really. It was around the twelth week that really started to bother me. Like the kind of bother that makes you think drastic thoughts. The "I need a friend and where can I find one" kind of thoughts. The "Could we move out of state to be near loved ones" kind of thoughts.<br /><br />Sure, he comes home on the weekends and some weeks he is only gone three out of five days. Like this one. But tonight is the first night he is gone and I already miss him. Terribly. Not so much in the new love, romantic, sort of way, but in the he's my children's father and my favorite friend sort of way. The silent guy at the other end of the sofa sort of way. The I'll deal with the kids sort of way. Or the I'll clean up dinner way.<br /><br />Many others have similar if not longer seperations from their spouce. I get that. And I try not to complain. Really. The guys got a job. That's more then he could say this time last year. But the days are long and the nights are longer. I wonder how others handle the situation.<br /><br />I look to military wives. They aren't just seperated, but they fear for the safety and very lives of their loved ones. However they have something that I do not. A support system. Military bases in their very existence provide a wide range of opportunities to network and find others in the same situation, a sort of misery loves company senerio. A "I know how you feel....let's get togther to beat this thing" sort of support.<br /><br />I'm reading of the seperations our founding mothers went through while their husband's were on over seas assignments or serving in Washington while Congress was in session. I've read how they handled themselves. More often than not the wives and children moved to be near family while their husbands were away. Mothers, sisters, aunt's and dear friends stepped in to help with the family responsibilites. When surrounded by loved ones they were better able to endure the time apart.<br /><br />My nearest relative is a two day drive from Tenneesee and the friends I hold most dear live very far away. My efforts to reach out and find a friend that is as close to me as a sister, here, within a 15 mile radius from my house, just seems out of my reach too. But I won't give up.<br /><br />I will step up my service efforts at church. I have joined a political activity group. I drive one hour each way to homeschool group activities several times a month. I put myself out there. I am searching and hope that soon I will find another kindred soul who needs my friendship as much as I need hers.Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-66600223865032496942010-01-23T10:54:00.003-06:002010-01-23T11:23:13.923-06:00Lost Things FoundA good night's sleep is worth it's weight in gold. <br /><br />The morning after my frustrating evening, I walked down the stairs and noticed something shiny and red near the chairs in the living room. There was not one, not two but four teeny tiny screwdrivers just sitting askew on the seat of my chair. Indeed they had been laying there since Christmas. Apparently my mind was too clouded and annoyed to think clearly the night before. Of course they would be left laying around still in the living room. We really haven't graced that area of the house since Christmas morning. Who spends time in their formal living room anyway? I mean really. Isn't that room set aside for visitors and Christmas? I should have known.<br /><br />The towel bar has been successfully hung! Oh, and I found my husband standing innocently in the arrival level at the Nashville airport on Friday night. All is right with my world.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT10ZcMf3KQ9cGD4MdRykUW2wdtQNHSzIxKmabG54SNgMRusEeejG4lKCFqQwn0h9-MDpGHt6lOPFaQIgDc7NejkyVJzSC4nRuKIegk6u2Jjq-wpK-FgH0aoiLR3matlCti2u5BfgPQAY/s1600-h/IMG_0020.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT10ZcMf3KQ9cGD4MdRykUW2wdtQNHSzIxKmabG54SNgMRusEeejG4lKCFqQwn0h9-MDpGHt6lOPFaQIgDc7NejkyVJzSC4nRuKIegk6u2Jjq-wpK-FgH0aoiLR3matlCti2u5BfgPQAY/s320/IMG_0020.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429986701641693970" /></a>Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-74224235917198426912010-01-21T20:00:00.005-06:002010-01-21T20:54:24.463-06:00Teeny, Tiny Screwdriver & Other Missing ThingsThis evening after dinner I set out to do a simple task. Hang a towel bar in the Master bath. Simple enough. I gather the drill, drill bits, hammer & level and head off to tackle the job. Marking the screw holes and sinking the anchors is no problem. I am woman hear me roar.<br /><br />The next step is what throws me into a near meltdown tissy. Loosening the small screw on the bracket. All I need is one of those little teeny tiny screw drivers. <br /><br />"No problem", I think to myself. "I have my own tool bags in the garage and know exactly where one is."<br /><br />A few seconds later I'm puzzled to see the little red box that holds my small tools empty. "Darn. I guess I'll look in my other bag." I looked around for a minute or two for my other bag. The yellow tiny screwdriver holder is not in there either. Frustration sets in.<br /><br />"Well let's see. Here's a box labeled drill bits." None in there.<br /><br />I check a box of random tools. None there. I look on top of the work bench. None. It starts to dawn on me that these screwdrivers were probably used on Christmas Day toys. So into the kitchen tool drawer I head. Not a single one in sight. Next drawer, I start throwing items onto the counter in frustration. None there. Agggg. Back to the garage. I shove and move and throw things around on the tool bench. Still no luck. "I'm gonna scream! Boy when Bruce gets home is he going to hear an ear full about what a messy way he keeps his tools. And why am I left here all alone night after night, week after week all by myself? Taking care of the kids, the house, the finances, the cooking the shopping.....If he were here in the evenings I could just have him look for one."<br /><br />Resigned I head back upstairs in hopes of finding one on the nightstand or junk drawer or something. I really want to finish this project and have a place to hang my towels!<br /><br />"OWWHH! STOP IT!" I hear coming from the play room. <br /><br />Oh no. Not another bout of sibling rivalry. I barge right in, point to the offending child and condemn him to an early bed time. Boy what I wouldn't give to have a quiet evening, day, night, minute, hour to myself.<br /><br />Still looking for the small tool in a foul, foul mood.Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-63340375677198038222009-12-22T23:54:00.007-06:002009-12-23T00:44:42.740-06:00Merry Christmas - Year in ReviewI love getting cards and letters this time of year. I love the idea that someone thought of me and sent a warm holiday greeting. It's a welcome change to the bills that clog so many of our mailboxes. A bright cheery envelope to be taken inside and treasured.<br /><br />Unfortunately I have received only four cards this year. I suspect it's a sad reality of the poor economy and not the number of friends I've made over the years. I was able to send out cards this year in part because of the roll of .39 cent stamps that have been sitting in my drawer. And in part to the discounted box of cards I picked up earlier this month in Kentucky.<br /><br />To those lucky enough to experience mailbox bliss and receive Christmas greetings from the Crow family - the rest of this post may be a bit familiar. It is taken from what I call our "year end letter". Because it is the only time of year some of you hear from me I usually like to include a quick overview of our year. I hope it's not viewed as a letter of bragging or as a list of accomplishments. Rather a fairly honest look over the past year. With that in mind....here is my family's year in review.<br /><br />January started off with the passing of my Grandfather, Jack Fretz. Just days after Christmas we headed out on an impromptu cross country journey to Grants Pass, OR. We were able to stop and see many friends and family along the way. Later that month we began homeschooling our two boys, Austin and Andrew. This has turned out to be one of our biggest, unexpected blessings. Relationships have strengthened and family time is more enjoyable. I never thought I would be the homeschooling type but when God puts something in your path I believe he gives you the strength and courage to do His will. <br /><br />Not long after this there was a major layoff at Ernst & Young. They decided to close down their entire health care consulting office. Surprisingly there were several job openings in Bruce’s field and he was officially out of work for only three weeks. We were blessed to be able to stay in our home. We just have to put up with Bruce's 80% travel schedule!<br /><br />Springtime brought us nice weather and gardening. We started a home garden by building raised boxes to grow veggies and herbs. We planted blueberry bushes and peach trees too! We had a small harvest this year but expect better results in the future.<br /><br />In April the boys and I attended our first political rally. It was a tax day protest. The boys enjoyed it and were invited up to the stand to help with some of the activities. Since then we have been staying informed on the bills before congress and often make phone calls to our reps. <br /><br />Bruce has had a lot of fun pursuing more information about Mormon Tennessee history. His blog www.AmateurMormonHistorian.blogspot.com has been spotlighted on several important and well visited LDS related websites. This has been a great adventure for Bruce and he enjoys the relationships he has formed while digging up some fascinating stories.<br /><br />The summer brought on a second cross country adventure. This one planned. A Blakey family reunion in Grants Pass, OR. We took a little over three weeks to travel around the country. In addition to all the people we visited we saw some pretty awesome sights. River rafting on the Rouge, The Giant Sequoia trees, Hollywood, Laguna Beach, The Grand Canyon and the Petrified forest to name a few. <br /><br />This fall Alyssa decided to jump on the home school band wagon and came home too. I am now learning how to teach and inspire three different grades and learning styles. I’ve never felt more fulfilled as a mother in my life. What a blessing it is to be with my children all day, every day!<br /><br />So to sum it all up, our family is about as happy and healthy as the human experience allows. We do have our troubles but God has given those to use to learn and to grow. We hope that you too can say you are happy with your lives and praise God for the blessings you receive. <br /><br />Merry Christmas to one and all!Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-51688431568590158302009-10-05T19:41:00.003-05:002009-10-05T20:53:37.881-05:00Temper Tantrums and Love...do they go together?I sit here at my computer replaying the events of the day in my mind. My 'not to be mentioned by name' teenager had a temper tantrum today. Not the two year old kind where they throw themselves onto the floor and kick and scream until they get what they want, but the 13 year old kind. The stomping around the house and pushing siblings around one. The storming out the front door with threats of running away one. <br /><br />You probably know the kind. <br /><br />Well that's the kind I got to experience today.<br /><br />Soon after mentally registering the sound of a slammed door, I cautiously followed this barefooted child outside. I called out that a pair of shoes would probably help on their journey. After an age appropriate retort, this child snuck back into the house, while I was not looking, for the necessary footwear.<br /><br />Naturally I was worried about this child but my instict told me some space and time was all that they needed. I resumed my homeschooling activities with the other kids. Going over math with one and helping the other with reading. Snack time came and went. We started our science and language arts activities. Over two hours had passed and I was getting nervous. Once I got everyone settled into a groove I decided it was time for me to venture out to find this lost child.<br /><br />I grabbed a care package of a warm vest, a bottle of water and a snack and went in search of this lonely child. A slow drive around the neighborhood turned up nothing. So I drove slowly along the country road near our home. Still nothing. However, the forest remained unsearched. There is good probability I would find a hurting soul in there.<br /><br />So I returned home to grab my phone and ask the kids where the best place to look in the forest was. One concerned sibling greeted me at the garage door asking if I had found our lost child. When I said I had not their response was "Well, they'll have to come home sometime!" A sweet attempt at comfort.<br /><br />I grabbed my phone and decided to make a call...to see if I would get an answer. Surprisingly the child picked up and we had a quick conversation. I asked if they needed a jacket or something to eat or drink. They said they did not and that they needed more time to themselves. I reassured my love for this child and welcomed them home at anytime. <br /><br />About a half hour later I heard the creak of the front door and had the reassurance that my child had come home. I walked to the kitchen and gently offered a quick welcome home, not wanting to push things to far, I left it at that. About an hour later things seemed to return to normal and all seems well and good.<br /><br />So what I am contemplating now are the events that lead to such frustration and feelings of being different and unloved that my child chose to display such a dramatic gesture. Sure, they woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Sure they were being rude to siblings and parent. Sure they were being sarcastic and beligerent. And I called this child out on each one. I finally excused them from class and invited them to come back when they were ready to be polite. Enter...the temper tantrum.<br /><br />Did I go to far? Should I let rudeness and disrespect slide? My gut tells me no. But how do I teach appropriate behavior while still instilling love and patience? I'm pretty sure I did not raise my voice. I'm pretty sure I was not favoring one child. I'm pretty sure I was not being rude or sarcastic myself. Everyone knows the rules and everyone knows the consequences. <br /><br />So what's next? I'm not sure. To be honest I don't know what I could change. Would change. Where's the proverbial instruction book? <br /><br />Parenting was sure simpler when there were three basic needs and three basic responces. Hungery, Lonely or Messy. Feed them, Love them and Change their Clothes. Could parenting still be that easy?Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-86829257802189677312009-06-29T12:27:00.000-05:002009-06-29T12:29:11.468-05:00Crow Family update...modified for a general audienceI got an email the other day from a long time friend. It sat in my inbox for a couple of days because I didn't notice it at first. I have over 450 unread emails cramming up my inbox. Mostly junk. I'm afraid I've missed other emails in all that junk so if you have written me and I haven't responded that could be why. I have created a new email and will post to friends and family. If you would like the new address just let me know in the comments area.<br /><br />But my point was...she mentioned she checks my blog to get updates and finds I seem too busy to post to the blog. Which is not that far off the mark. In my return email to her I gave a pretty comprehensive update of my family. While proof reading before I hit the send button, I thought it would make a good blog update. So here is The Crow Family Happenings update...slightly modified for a general audience. Enjoy!<br /><br />"Glad to hear from you. We are doing great. Bruce is happy in his new job and we (me and the kids) are dealing with the frequent travel like champs. Bruce actually feels more comfortable and in his element in this new position so it was a blessing in disguise when he was laid off. Last week he interviewed for a new position within the company with encouragement from his boss. Bruce was told he is at the top of the short list for this position!<br /><br />I am doing good and feel good for the first time in a long time. I have increased the amount of exercise I get and decreased the amount of food I eat. With 3 months of this I have only managed to lose one pound! Frustrating beyound belief. But the true goal is to increase my energy, endurance and health. The side benefit was supposed to be better fitting clothes but we can't all have everything we want right?<br /><br />Alyssa has decided to be homeschooled with the boys this year. I am really excited about having all three kids home. It's amazing. It surprises me continually how much I enjoy teaching them and being with them all day. I have seen so many improvements in all the kids.<br /> <br />Austin is so much more relaxed and less stressed about school. Alyssa and Austin are getting along and on occasion actually act like friends! Andrew is just a little love and continues to bring happiness to all. Sibling rivalry is minimal and life seems more enjoyable without the demands of homework in the evenings. We now have uninterupted family time and less stressful mornings.<br /> <br />I love the research and planning involved in deciding what to teach the kids. I have settled on a literature based curriculum for history, geograpghy and language arts. Through reading both classics and "modern" classics we will study the cultures, history and places where we read. All of the writing and english type assignments will be based on what we read.<br /> <br />I am still looking at different sciences because a lot of homeschool science is based on "Christian" science. Meaning they believe in a young Earth (6000 years old) and there is no discussion of evolution. I have found science for the boys but still looking for something that will challenge Alyssa.<br /> <br />We just finished our plans for our family vacation. We are headed to Oregon for my Grandmothers family reunion. All of my siblings will be attending so we will also be doing a mini "Pratt family reunion". We finished planning our route and activities and decided we will stop in Utah for a couple of days. August 3rd-5th. Monday we'll hang out and go to Park City to do the Alpine Slide. (All Utah friends are welcome to meet us there!) Tuesday we are headed to Provo. Bruce wants to look at some documents in the BYU library and it would be fun to take the kids around campus, etc. Wednesday we'll spend in Salt Lake. Bruce has more documents he wants to see at in the Church Archives. (He's working on a historical book about The Cane Creek Masacre that happened in Tenessee in the 1800's.)<br /> <br />We'll leave Utah on Thursday and head to Oregon. Friday my sister and her family will be sealed in the LDS Medford temple. Saturday is the main reunion activities. Sunday we will head to Crater Lake for some hiking, etc. Monday we will go rafting on the Rogue River. Tuesday we drive to California through the Redwood National Forest and on to visit Bruce's parents in Stockton. Then down to Hollywood to visit my brother at his restuarant XIV. Our next stop will be the Grand Canyon! That was Alyssa's request for our vacation. We will travel through New Mexico, Texas, Oaklahoma and Arkansas. All places we've never been before. We will be gone a little over two weeks. We are excited for the family time and seeing many national parks, friends and family along the way."<br /> <br />So there you have it. Crow Family Happenings both past and future. Hope to see y'all soon!Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-77640554796175305552009-05-06T12:43:00.002-05:002009-05-06T13:31:02.111-05:00Bruce is out of town on business. Florida. His first trip with his new employer. He won't be gone long. He left Tuesday afternoon and will be back Thursday evening. Sure I miss him but a strange thing happens when he is away. I get more things done. Not that I consider him a hindrance to my duties at home. In fact he usually is a major contributor to the chores of daily family life. Its just different when he's away.<br /><br />I just seem to accomplish more. Sure, yesterday I could not decide what to have for dinner. And I let the kids play outside til 7:30pm before I called them in to eat. But boy...once dinner was made the domestic goddess descended upon my being and I hope she doesn't leave any time soon.<br /><br />After cleaning up dinner and doing the dishes I shuttled the youngest off to take a bath. While he bathed I folded a load of laundry and started a new one. I read and relaxed while absorbing my ear drops. Dried off child number 3 and sent the middle son to the water filled tub. While he cleansed and scrubbed I sorted soaks while watching Yard Crashers on the DIY channel. With two clean boys and tidy bedrooms I gathered the children for evening prayers. I sent the boys off the bed with kisses and hugs. Offical bedtime for the night....10:00pm.<br /><br />I stopped to fold another load of freshly dried clothes and poked my head into my oldests' room. "I'm headed out to get some groceries, keep an eye on the boys for me please." With a request for pretzels from my daughter I head off to the store.<br /><br />Walmart is a strange place at night. It's quiet. Very few customers. I have room for thought! Imagine that. In the fruit isle I come across a major bargain. Strawberries $1.42 lb. "Wow" I think to myself, "I should make some strawberry jam with prices like these." So I load over 10 lbs of strawberries into my cart. I worry that I might be turned away at the check out "Sorry Ma'am. The limits 2 per customer." I take my chances and load my cart up with 6 more pounds. I found fresh corn for $.25 an ear and asparagus for $2.00 a pound. Roma tomatoes were dollar a pound and bananas just $.50 a pound. I imagine tomorrow nights meal of freash corn and pasta with basil and roma tomatoes. With culinary thoughts filling my mind I happily finish my shopping and head home with all 16 lbs of strawberries.<br /><br />This morning I woke up earlier than normal and drove my daughter to school. I stopped at the pharmacy on the way home. The boys were still sleeping when I walked in the door so I decided to get started on the jam. I hulled and washed and smashed and crushed strawberries while listening to the morning show on the radio. The boys woke up and headed downstairs for breakfast. They were fascinated with what I was doing. Eager to help we spent the next hour making jam together and counting the experience towards todays school hours.<br /><br />I set the boys onto school and had them start their lessons. After lunch I weeded the garden, nursed a scrape, update my blog and started a new painting in my personal adventure as an artist. Tonight I'll head to church with my 10 year old for scouts and my 13 year old for youth group. I imagine we'll come home and have another quiet evening of domestic accomplishment.<br /><br />To some this may seem like an ordinary day, run of the mill, old hand....but for me someone whose mind and soul is muddled with depression this has been a splendid day of sucess. This is what life is all about. Enjoying the mundane everyday moments of living.<br /><br />And Bruce, when you get home please don't disturb the domestic spirit that has taken up residence in your absence. I rather like her and I'm sure you will too!Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-92045387957501409802009-03-25T10:07:00.009-05:002009-04-01T13:05:21.336-05:00Homeschooling and Lovin' It .......(So Long ADD Meds)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzugtFymmGOTnXrz0ZbLPOO-GM8V2O99JU4QL8T_SzsT6w8Vr6KzVGMKP4CAsS62I6KH9_anBx-lP9vaTEJTQnMmYT22Dg2I-pIPJz4DAPbWFTwzxqeGYgi7SRQ93EF0O0_RCeI3OxocM/s1600-h/PICT0283-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319785616301507010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzugtFymmGOTnXrz0ZbLPOO-GM8V2O99JU4QL8T_SzsT6w8Vr6KzVGMKP4CAsS62I6KH9_anBx-lP9vaTEJTQnMmYT22Dg2I-pIPJz4DAPbWFTwzxqeGYgi7SRQ93EF0O0_RCeI3OxocM/s320/PICT0283-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Not long ago I pulled my boys out of the local public school. Some could say it was a rash decision or that I acted to quickly. I don't agree. Home Schooling had been on my mind for several months.<br /><br />Austin was struggling with getting his work done while in the classroom. ADD. An all too common problem for young kids in today's classrooms. Focusing. The ability to hear what the teacher is instructing or the ability to focus on ones work while 30 other kids whisper, move about, and generally just breath. Austin has ADD. Always has. My friend Paige, the psychologist, had been hinting to me since Austin was 4 that he was having trouble focusing. Bruce and I thought "No, he's just a normal active boy." Well not long after first grade started the signs of ADD could no longer be ignored. Bruce and I decided to have him evaluated by our pediatrician.<br /><br />The doctor's finding confirmed our suspicions. To my surprise Bruce agreed to start Austin on a low dose medication. Within a week Austins' handwriting improved and his reading skills took off! We were convinced & converted.<br /><br />Unfortunately several months later the side effects out weighed the benefits. Sleepless nights and little to no appetite are two side effects a growing boy does not need. We started on the typical rounds of try this, try that. "Here's a new one that's working with some patients." After several years we finally settled on a non-stimulant variety. So "happily" medicated my son went off to school each day.<br /><br />In Maryland, our former home state, Austin struggled from time to time but in general he was a smart kid working with the advanced students. A month into his 4th grade year we moved to Tennessee. Not long into the school year he started to show problems with school. He had a great teacher that year who was skilled in helping kids with ADD. Near the end of the year she expressed her concerns for Austin. She said he was a smart kid but just wasn't able to get the work completed, etc. She wanted to do all she could to help him prepare for middle school. To succeed.<br /><br />Forgive me for the generalizations and broad strokes here but let me describe the TN vs. MD school difference. In Maryland the students would be grouped with similar skilled students. The students would shuffle from teacher to teacher for different subjects to be taught throughout the day. All 5th graders would be in reading class and each teacher would be teaching a different skilled group. Thus enabling the students to learn and be taught at their level of understanding. This method produces more engaged students and a higher level of learning retention.<br /><br />Tennessee classrooms have one teacher that teaches to all students at the lowest common denominator. Thanks to No Child Left Behind. The students who already understand the concepts being taught are bored and generally tune out. These students often become labeled as trouble makers, stupid, learning disabled, etc. Basically the reverse of what used to happen when teachers taught to the highest common denominator. Only now we are producing children who are common.<br /><br />Enough of my rantings....At any rate Austin was well on his way to being labeled by the staff. Two days after report cards were sent home I received a note from the teacher. She was concerned about Austin. I appreciate a teacher who expresses concern and wants a student to succeed. However, this was not the first note she had sent. We had been exchanging notes, emails and face to face conferences. This time she was concerned that Austin was not completing his assignments in class and that he was losing his homework somewhere between home and school. She said that she was keeping Austin in from recess to complete assignments and sending him to the office (during class time) to work quietly with the office staff!<br /><br />I can't begin to tell you how many things are wrong with that, but sadly that's not the end of the tale. She ended her note stating that she had tried everything she knew how to and was afraid Austin was going to fail 5th grade! She had given up.<br /><br />Austin's report card had A's, B's and 1 C. Those grades do not show a child ready to fail 5th grade.<br /><br />As a parent I was determined not to send my child back into that environment. A teacher has the responsibility to inspire and support the kids. With a written note of defeat from the teacher in hand, I headed to the Board of Education to withdraw my boys from the Robertson County School District.<br /><br />I am now a home schooling mom of two and loving every minute of it! Austin is no longer taking daily meds. He is no longer doing homework assignments two or three times because he can't find them stuffed away in his desk and he is no longer a stressed out 10 year old worrying that he is going to disappoint at school.<br /><br />I am actually thankful to Austin's former 5th grade teacher. Without her admitted defeat I would not have taken the challenge of teaching my boys at home and our family would be without the immense blessings of being together each and every day.</div>Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-11349248421742102942009-02-28T20:01:00.002-06:002009-02-28T20:16:55.334-06:00A quiet houseMy house is oddly quiet. All five of us are home. The tv is off and no one is in the office playing on computers. The Wii is not on nor is any music. All hand held games are tucked away in the electronics drawer. With all electrical entertainment turned off or put away what is it my family is doing at 8:00pm on a Saturday night?<br /><br />One child, my oldest, is napping in her room. She is recovering from her 13th birthday sleepover party. From what I heard the girls were up past 3am.<br /><br />Child number two just finished his bath and is building lego dragons in his room.<br /><br />Child number three is taking his bath and just called to have a towel delivered to him. He is becoming a little of what you might call high maintance.<br /><br />My husband was sitting next to me looking through his Mormon history research until he hopped up to bring child number three a towel. Now my husband is in the kitchen peeling an orange. Can you believe that is the loudest sound in the house? <br /><br />I can hear the rain drops hit the window next to me. It's a hollow sound like the drops might contain an ice crystal or two. I can hear the ice tray in the freezer refill with water. Are these the sounds we are supposed to hear when we are raising a family? or should we be hearing chatter and laughter. Sibling scabbles and minor fights?<br /><br />We do hear the sounds of our children quite often in fact but tonight is not one of them. I think I will enjoy the quiet while it is here because before too long someone will come bounding down those stairs to break the quiet and bring a smile to my face.Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-79587421444365946992009-02-10T02:38:00.003-06:002009-02-10T03:50:32.236-06:00What do Facebook and 25 Things have in Common?For those of you who don't know I am an active member of Facebook.com. That's right facebook is no longer the domain of the super young. Even the "been around the block a few times" crowd can be found facebooking. I have found high school friends, old boyfriends, and a long lost bridesmaid. Just this morning I received a friend request from an old neighbor. It's a pleasant surprise to receive a friend request in your inbox. It's tangable proof that you've touched someones life.<br /><br />A questionaire has been circulating around facebook. A 25 question get to know you sort of a deal. After several requests I took a moment and came up with my own list of 25 things about me. I'll post it here just because I know you are dying to know the trivia of my life. <br /><br />However, my real intent in writing is because I am inspired to write "25 things I love best about my husband". So I'll be making my list in the next few days and posting it Saturday, an ultra-modern Valentin's Day Card. There's no telling what good will come from thinking about the good things I love most about Bruce.<br /><br />So until then enjoy learning a few more things about me!<br /><br />1. I began home schooling my boys Jan 26th and have had the best time doing it! Motherhood seems more rewarding and life is more relaxed and enjoyable. Who would have thought?<br /><br />2. I am encouraging Alyssa to consider home schooling as well. Shh! Don't tell.<br /><br />3. When I was a toddler I sat in front of the fridge and ate 2 cubes of butter. Yum!<br /> <br />4. The basic break down of my growing up years looks like this....<br />Elementary School - Southern California<br />Middle School & Some High School - Utah<br />High School - Southern Oregon<br />College - Maryland<br /><br />5. I played Clarent in my High School Marching Band for two years then switched to choir for the remaing two years of High School.<br /><br />6. I was a member of Health Occupations Students of America in High School and took second place in the state of Oregon for the first aid competition. I went on to Nationals in Los Angeles and spoke with Luke Perry (90210) at the hotel.<br /><br />7. When I was in CT last Spring I stayed in the same hotel that many actors where staying while they filmed The Private Lives of Pippa Lee (not sure of release date). So...I ate lunch next to Sean Penn and Robin Wright Penn, said "Good Morning" to Keanu Reeves when it was actually evening, Saw Winona Ryder smoking with Keanu, and pretty much enjoyed knowing I could run into maggie gyllenhaal or Julianne Moore at any moment.<br /><br />8. I love living in small town America. I love the diary cows that live near my house. When I pass the farm and they are being milked I missed seeing them. And I love it in the summer when it's so hot the cows head for the forest and you can see their spots in the shadows of the trees.<br /><br />9. Back to the food thing...If someone brought a good rocky road ice cream into the house I could eat the whole container in one sitting, probably. But definately it would be empty in two days flat.<br /><br />10. I enjoy watching a good documentary (History Channel type) and would watch how it's made type shows every day of the year. I love to see how things are made.<br /><br />11. One of my favorite authors is Jody Piccoult but I refuse to read My Sisters Keeper.<br /><br />12. I love to read and am usually involed with more than one book at a time. However I have not read the Twilight series and do not intend to. <br /><br />13. Even though I love to read I just got my library card for TN last month. (I was told it was only open one day a week and that it was super small. Well it is super small but they are open all days but Sunday).<br /><br />14. I like nuts in my brownies and cookies but my family does not so I rarely get to eat them the way I would prefer. But when I do...boy I eat way to many!<br /><br />15. Almost every night after dinner I say "Wow, that was a good meal! I think that turned out pretty good don't you think?!" <br /><br />16. My husband is 6 1/2 years older than me but nobody ever believes me because Bruce is so darned good looking! .... Especially for his age!<br /><br />17. My first kiss with Bruce was on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. After that we went back to his car and talked til 4 in the morning. That night I knew he was going to be in my life for a very long time! Here we are 15 years later and still counting!<br /><br />18. I have always hoped that for my 15th wedding anniversary I could travel to Italy. Now that it's around the corner I think I'm going to have to push that to my 20th Anniversary. This economy does not lend it's self to traveling.<br /><br />19. I am so happy with the home I am living in now. This is the first house I have lived in as a married women that I have not felt it was too small or in the wrong area of town. I only hope the Lord allows us to stay! We have been so happy here in this house.<br /><br />20. If a friend did not come over this past Saturday to take down my Christmas decorations, they would still be up! Thanks Barbara!<br /><br />21. I was on the gymnastics team in my junior high and the balance beam was my best event. When we go the Wii fit and I did the first body fit test...I had near perfect balance after ??? many years!<br /><br />22. I love Relief Society and always have. One of the reasons (there were many) I could not wait to turn 18 was so that I could move on to become a member of the Relief Society.<br /><br />23. Bruce built me a shoe rack for my walk in closet. There is a top rack a lower rack and the floor. Even with all that space I still would like more shoes! (I once heard a study that women who make more than $85,000 a year have 25 or more pairs of shoes. I have a few more than that. I am just trying to keep the odds in my favor!)<br /><br />24. I like long epic movies. I generally will not go the the movie theater unless I think I will learn something or the movie is over an hour and a half long or that I think only the big screen will do the movie justice. Otherwise I prefer seeing the movie at home snuggled up with my honey and a blanket.<br /><br />25. I once told Bruce if I ever ran away from home he could find me in San Francisco. You can now add New York City to that list! As much as I love living in the country...I love the culture and variety of a big bustling well planned city. Last time I was in NYC with Bruce we talked about a time when we would be empty nesters and how much fun it would be to live/work in the city. However we would have to be one of those rich New Yorkers who had a weekend home. I would still need to re-center myself in the country.Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-9655976391913216482009-01-28T15:05:00.005-06:002009-01-28T16:16:30.749-06:00January Doldrums....True confessions here. I have slept the month of January away. <br /><br />Most days I would get up to take the youngest to school and go back to bed. I would wake up for a few hours when the kids returned home from school and stay awake through dinner. Some nights I would have insomnia so the next day I slept for hours at a time to make up for the sleep I had lost. I've missed church, doctors appointments and life in general. Case in Point, My Christmas decorations are still up. Is it depression, chronic fatigue, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Lupus, Exhaustion? <br /><br />Or could it just be that January has traditionally been a hard month for me. January has brought the loss of my Father and Grandfather. It is the month I buried a Son. It is also the month my youngest was hospitalized for an unknown breathing illness. January holds many sad memories and ghosts. <br /><br />Whatever it was I had had enough. Life is too good to sleep away. <br /><br />Sunday night my husband and a friend laid their hands on my head and pronounced a blessing of healing upon me. The hope I felt afterward was all the motivation I needed.<br /><br />I called a friend. The first phone call I had made in weeks. She too was sleeping the month of January away. We vowed to put an end to our days of hibernation and made plans for Monday. Later I called the leader of our church women's group to check in and let her know I was back up and running. She told me of other women's January doldrums. No names were mentioned but she recounted tales of fellow sisters whose January existence was in their beds with the covers pulled tight up over their heads.<br /><br />What is it about this month that sends so many of us to seek the shelter of our beds? Are we looking for an escape from our daily worries and troubles? Are the dreams that dance in our heads better than the reality of our lives? Or are we like the flora and fauna of the Earth and need this season to withdraw from production and activity to rest and rejuvenate? <br /><br />If the above statement is true and January is a season of rest and rejuvenation just imagine the things that will be accomplished in the months to come for we are fully rested!<br /><br />Let us all give thanks that there are only 3 days left of January and pledge that when we rise in the morning, we will stay awake to live and experience our day.Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-38987391546304260182009-01-13T15:41:00.007-06:002009-01-28T14:04:22.729-06:00Unexpected Road Trip....Part I<div>I am just returning back to my life after an unexpected trip to Oregon. I received a phone call late on Christmas Day from my sister in Utah. I had already spoken with her for the day so I was on the alert that something might not be right. She told me that grandpa was sick in the hospital and would probably not live through the night.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I quickly did an Internet search for flights to the West Coast and found it would cost anywhere from $650 to $800 for one ticket. Right away I knew that would not be possible. Plus I was not really interested in spending time away from my family over their Christmas vacation. I did that once before. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Bruce had arranged for two weeks off from work and the kids had no school until January 6th. Wait, what was that? Bruce no work obligations....kids no school? Two weeks of unscheduled family time? Sounds like a road trip to me! So the day after Christmas we started our trek to Southern Oregon making multiple family and historical stops along the way.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Our first stop was in Indiana to visit Bruce's sisters, Sandy and Judy. We visited Friday and Saturday and left Sunday morning for Nebraska. Nebraska would be our half way point to Salt Lake City. Along the way we made a stop in Independence, MO. We had a quick tour of the visitors center and a brief history lesson about the how many people used to live in a one room house (up to 10 families). We saw a reproduction printing press used to make the first Book of Commandments and Doctrine and Covenants. We listened to the story of two young girls, Mary Elizabeth Rollins and her sister Caroline (just about Alyssa's age) who rescued the Book of Commandments from a mob and hid in a field of corn just blocks away from where we sat.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>While driving through Nebraska and Wyoming we saw the frozen North Platte river that the Saints crossed on their way to the Great Salt Lake Valley. We felt the bitter cold and winds of the Prairie. We thought of those faithful early Latter-Day Saints whose journey took months instead of days. Who walked along side wagons and slept on frozen ground. We thought of Saints who would never make it to their Promised Land. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>As we crossed into Utah and started our climb up the Wasatch mountains I thought of the struggle it would be to drive a team of oxen and a wagon up those steep inclines. I looked forward with anticipation of descending into the Salt Lake Valley through Parley's Canyon. To see Salt Lake City laid out before me in the way it did for my ancestors as they too looked upon their place of refuge. I shared stories with my children on how the canyon we traveled on came to be named after my 5th Great Grandfather, Parley P. Pratt.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Our first stop in Utah, after dinner, was Temple Square. The Christmas lights were still lit and I could not wait to show my children how fun it was to see over a million lights in one city block of space. Magical only begins to describe it. We meet my sister Sheri and her family there. How much fun for my kids to meet their cousins Alek and Annika. They all ran around like kids in a candy shop. The snow, the lights, the crowds, just being out of the car was a treat for them too! </div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzA_3kN2m6r5wi4pJQ6oOVPYSCVWc8jK6YziihZp01BW7Qa8P5FgBxRm_wBHzvyvXBkK_z-vcCDRHfUWjZ8URNYCr4KJCweJnb6ruZK1t9iuTAXx2dK6djgqDrBF8X7QOKngSeS8dlReA/s1600-h/Family+Trip+to+Oregon+038.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290957957224132194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzA_3kN2m6r5wi4pJQ6oOVPYSCVWc8jK6YziihZp01BW7Qa8P5FgBxRm_wBHzvyvXBkK_z-vcCDRHfUWjZ8URNYCr4KJCweJnb6ruZK1t9iuTAXx2dK6djgqDrBF8X7QOKngSeS8dlReA/s320/Family+Trip+to+Oregon+038.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>We planed on staying in Utah for several days while we waited to hear updates on Grandpa. Oregon was only a days drive from where we were. Grandpa was home and Grandma had hospice nurses helping with his care. We spent our nights with Bruce's Aunt Janice and our days with my sister and her kids. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Our first family outing was again to Temple Square. It is teaming with history. Specifically my childrens history. I want my children to soak it in. This is their heritage. This is the city their ancestors built and I love it alone for that reason. We stopped into the North Visitors Center to see the 11' statue of the Christus. We have seen similar ones in Washington D.C. and Independence, Missouri but what is special about this one is the circular ramp that leads to the Christus. The rotunda the statue is housed in is large and nearly imposing but what I find fascinating about this is the whole circular surface and ceiling is painted as the galaxy. It's amazing. And Christ at the center of all this is so very symbolic. We took a moment to sit and contemplate this as a family.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We went to the Tabernacle to listen to the daily concert held at noon. There is nothing quite like hearing 11,000 organ pipes in a near acoustically perfect building. To sit in the building my children's ancestors helped to build. To hear the organ my father once played. To return once again to a place I came to for personal enrichment and solace. I loved every minute of being in the Tabernacle. I loved visiting Temple Square!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We toured the LDS Conference Center. We learned that it is the largest open auditorium in the world. It holds 21,000 seats and over a million square feet of space. The roof holds 4 different gardens which we could not see because of the snow. We did however see the original art work for some of the prints we are so familiar with. Specifically the prints that are included in the missionary version of the Book of Mormon. The kids were most fascinated by the waterfalls that ran along the front of the building and backed by glass so that you could see out onto them.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aZK9u1nFtSup_UwzHqzIlDoYOU02kWvfdVfl-TSL7gNQnGAIR8kXtQrg7Kb-yCQjUyQAMhb_uhyvljzse5e3IvIFTImwJUK5ySHHZZI6nRRahTYtTmkYvrJy1gd8YOHtsVjTkDrhVOc/s1600-h/Family+Trip+to+Oregon+120.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290957462187269922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aZK9u1nFtSup_UwzHqzIlDoYOU02kWvfdVfl-TSL7gNQnGAIR8kXtQrg7Kb-yCQjUyQAMhb_uhyvljzse5e3IvIFTImwJUK5ySHHZZI6nRRahTYtTmkYvrJy1gd8YOHtsVjTkDrhVOc/s320/Family+Trip+to+Oregon+120.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>At the Church history museum the kids had a hands on exhibit of how printing presses work. They had a chance to print their names, but first they had to spell it backwards. They sat in a replica ship birth that early Saints sleep in on their journey to America. We saw personal artifacts from all the Presidents of the Church as well as the opportunity to stand behind the podium that once stood in the Tabernacle. There was a children's exhibit where Alyssa made rubbings of different CTR (choose the right) symbols in languages from around the world. Austin used blocks to play architect for a new temple and Andrew used color to create one of a kind stained glass art to be inserted in temple windows. All in all they had fun.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>After lunch we toured the home of Brigham Young also known as the Beehive house. We saw where the government of Utah was formed and the desks used by the early clerks. We saw the early filing system that was located on the balcony up a narrow stair case that was hidden in a closet. We saw the living quarters of the Young children and Brigham's bedroom. We snacked on famous rolls at the Lion House cafe and we ordered Root beer and Sassafras. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Our last stop for the day was the Joseph Smith Building, formerly known as the Hotel Utah. We meet my sister and her family and took an elevator to the top of the building. We enjoyed the view from the top and had the unexpected surprise of seeing the lights on Temple Square turn on for the evening.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>All said and done we were enjoying the first part of our unexpected family road trip to Oregon.</div><br /><div></div>Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-60682631893232548062008-12-25T11:06:00.022-06:002008-12-25T20:31:51.348-06:00Christmas 2008The evening started out (or I should say ended for the kids) with the traditional setting out of the Santa cookies. After evening prayers it was off to bed with the kids...and off to work for us! Like all good parents, Bruce and I were playing Santa's helpers. But our goal for the night was a little different than any year before.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlpWgXogyR8dMZFjXW2WkatW6Z1m0GRJSEpdSN6dw4-4SPrcjkLoaIOuizHT8-8xOl-Y6f9tP64WuIGkXZJWdmXHYXYUkcp9kbPy0Dz7FqfEZ9SIBkqNLtfDyW5gsnUWvXM8qnuJJ6GQ/s1600-h/PICT0094.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283776398470594034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlpWgXogyR8dMZFjXW2WkatW6Z1m0GRJSEpdSN6dw4-4SPrcjkLoaIOuizHT8-8xOl-Y6f9tP64WuIGkXZJWdmXHYXYUkcp9kbPy0Dz7FqfEZ9SIBkqNLtfDyW5gsnUWvXM8qnuJJ6GQ/s320/PICT0094.JPG" border="0" /></a> Our first order of business was to set out and fill the stockings. You see this was key because the stockings were playing an integral part of the morning. The children went to bed thinking they would find their stockings hung by the foyer mantel with care. Little did they know their morning would start with Mom and Dad in their room.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUchkJRHEDdaD318NZz-LSyCo4feFZcSiAGHhEn_HICQUqN2oilLrU5ro7qdtwYyVGkAa3g9_3EivWqUkxcURmQSIgBkrdiB7LXKegqy4izlvFSUoxjJkWxO9pTHrBs2TsXoIrHcQz6o/s1600-h/PICT0098.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283779476707654690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 223px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUchkJRHEDdaD318NZz-LSyCo4feFZcSiAGHhEn_HICQUqN2oilLrU5ro7qdtwYyVGkAa3g9_3EivWqUkxcURmQSIgBkrdiB7LXKegqy4izlvFSUoxjJkWxO9pTHrBs2TsXoIrHcQz6o/s320/PICT0098.JPG" border="0" /></a>We had some fun in store for the kids! We put a sheet up across the opening of the Living Room where the Christmas tree and presents were set up. We then corded off the stairs with a similar note for the kids to go wake Mom and Dad.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7I4KoRnfUNtCM83qj11AwHqwvCRncuMHG0uSomspSo0Psrmfjl5_QMkBqPGlJvCq46BuKvppSDfYKIfDd0p99PB5XuB_YEwNIEy-Zc1ohyJnrqD7TKIC74il-tmdns1gNCV_IrySMO5I/s1600-h/PICT0099.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283776412762833586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7I4KoRnfUNtCM83qj11AwHqwvCRncuMHG0uSomspSo0Psrmfjl5_QMkBqPGlJvCq46BuKvppSDfYKIfDd0p99PB5XuB_YEwNIEy-Zc1ohyJnrqD7TKIC74il-tmdns1gNCV_IrySMO5I/s320/PICT0099.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Christmas morning plan was to open stockings in a cozy enviornment with everyone gathered near.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_ZUQcSi5UmVl86e_GzXEYIPqXmv5MxcLqI-x52MOmW-U-yM-_spXVdHOK9IAiBiJXvqYMXSOLnE9I1p6m-9-Pskb87sko7BxwjL0QbL5Glek64UGzXrncSjYPjtjURFjXLtv8feOT34/s1600-h/PICT0119.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283791575285563218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_ZUQcSi5UmVl86e_GzXEYIPqXmv5MxcLqI-x52MOmW-U-yM-_spXVdHOK9IAiBiJXvqYMXSOLnE9I1p6m-9-Pskb87sko7BxwjL0QbL5Glek64UGzXrncSjYPjtjURFjXLtv8feOT34/s320/PICT0119.JPG" border="0" /></a> <em>Alyssa (12) with her stocking loot </em><br /><br />After opening our stocking gifts Santa wanted the us to go the kitchen for Hot Chocolate and Breakfast prep.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDOcUsaQWS6yrvgKC6gCm_ckOaXFK_xkluvjTcBlCYdOyKM3x7Ild6b-AvUo_ldXlJAYMLD9NmPegzeSBg5qHtxsfWSh3BO8qaD6gyd0VbUXZaWgE4Y5b67Tu9S13rI4UA6RCaENWfJA/s1600-h/PICT0113.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283788084707519346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDOcUsaQWS6yrvgKC6gCm_ckOaXFK_xkluvjTcBlCYdOyKM3x7Ild6b-AvUo_ldXlJAYMLD9NmPegzeSBg5qHtxsfWSh3BO8qaD6gyd0VbUXZaWgE4Y5b67Tu9S13rI4UA6RCaENWfJA/s320/PICT0113.JPG" border="0" /></a> We enjoyed a cup of steaming Peppermint Hot Chocolate. Market research has indicated that Tennesse Spice Girls cocoa is better than Starbucks or Ghiradelli peppermint hot chocolate<span style="font-size:0;">. </span><span style="font-size:100%;">(But we are not biased in the least!)<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8WH1hPkTyklsd0SV7JhrTDE30MS-nhO_3xNDteyAdVetg83F312fHFhVafC9U7xBvYd0mgTeey8y0n68y7Rp3qoWhD3C_dsQpIb9fWLwu8iZU1zQmnV1KZR3HLq9i1q6bPvGXXspXH8/s1600-h/PICT0129.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283794020275450978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8WH1hPkTyklsd0SV7JhrTDE30MS-nhO_3xNDteyAdVetg83F312fHFhVafC9U7xBvYd0mgTeey8y0n68y7Rp3qoWhD3C_dsQpIb9fWLwu8iZU1zQmnV1KZR3HLq9i1q6bPvGXXspXH8/s320/PICT0129.JPG" border="0" /></a> <em>Austin (10) with his sprinkle resistant cocoa</em><br /><br />Once the final drop of cocoa was consumed we followed the next step in our adventure.<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoaG2Ytd_jtux89xiZcG76EBYrajQnJjp04aKgw-xvjHUUyOe0er4cM0ll5csBU-jrQ4RepgG2YnHED_TewSCaYAvIBzleDF6T8Za9NZgASakw2xBNc477NRLkffK4tk1cmeBEoG6fDE/s1600-h/PICT0117.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283790831209127074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoaG2Ytd_jtux89xiZcG76EBYrajQnJjp04aKgw-xvjHUUyOe0er4cM0ll5csBU-jrQ4RepgG2YnHED_TewSCaYAvIBzleDF6T8Za9NZgASakw2xBNc477NRLkffK4tk1cmeBEoG6fDE/s320/PICT0117.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The Bonus Room is were Santa left his goods for the Crow Family & Children. Santa was instrumental in completeing our "Bonus" room. He brought us a TV from Craigs List and a Wii game system. Grandparents were key in supplimenting the game system with controls and games. Thanks Mom & Dad Crow! You're the best! </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGRlBDwatisQGQxK36Jo6eZv3N4sIM0dlLsEz7Nz9pLO8mKCJ6TjeBnbVqx4NqIp9hlKzQkGNK8QEoCkBlyMTfL2hqStcI7FhTLmUa_qaV0QNQ-05cTdQcrryoJ_eglD19BStuIz2cnY/s1600-h/PICT0143.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283800152279387154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGRlBDwatisQGQxK36Jo6eZv3N4sIM0dlLsEz7Nz9pLO8mKCJ6TjeBnbVqx4NqIp9hlKzQkGNK8QEoCkBlyMTfL2hqStcI7FhTLmUa_qaV0QNQ-05cTdQcrryoJ_eglD19BStuIz2cnY/s320/PICT0143.JPG" border="0" /></a>The Bonus Room instructed us to play until the Missionaries arrived.....</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-8TQ7ju1xV-tnKFTCJBtk_JKmO1YFi_x6WMmzrpF_XiCrg4NsmkPNUC1KZCaM7f9TdALBGe_tcY9XrLPyIx5N3BbIAF3GmHBl3mdFd1Vp14SKx4xzttJ2EEegmIf1zEdpzuJd0hpf4M/s1600-h/PICT0107.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283800946643559762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-8TQ7ju1xV-tnKFTCJBtk_JKmO1YFi_x6WMmzrpF_XiCrg4NsmkPNUC1KZCaM7f9TdALBGe_tcY9XrLPyIx5N3BbIAF3GmHBl3mdFd1Vp14SKx4xzttJ2EEegmIf1zEdpzuJd0hpf4M/s320/PICT0107.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The missionaries arrived just minutes before 7:00am! And the kids thought they would be bored waiting for them....little did the know!</p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-x9TvfVopx3RqlO2jVUYo2PIn47esjW022oSErULPjWvaCt4YbBWaCU3A0fRt4k-fQXS3mF0AsCEkxbrnIPRWzsmJCc3VPat9oR3PEZpT_VsgXovISaWRQ6RZ4Ve6RytVoL8bYUYQ4C4/s1600-h/PICT0134.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283802119136827106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-x9TvfVopx3RqlO2jVUYo2PIn47esjW022oSErULPjWvaCt4YbBWaCU3A0fRt4k-fQXS3mF0AsCEkxbrnIPRWzsmJCc3VPat9oR3PEZpT_VsgXovISaWRQ6RZ4Ve6RytVoL8bYUYQ4C4/s320/PICT0134.JPG" border="0" /></a> <em>Elder Carling, Elder Coronado, Elder Murff and Me </em></p><br /><p></p><p>The time had arrived for the Tree to be revealed. We gathered in the foyer as Bruce took down the sheet. Mom did achieve a Christmas morning mircale. Many presents under the tree for the Crow family and the Missionaries.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghS-SSkpuT5ml5LPWW5dNXurY8i892QI3hEbfwOO5ZecIZKG91EmOAtDAbj0hPC0nhh3i6a8KniRttfkcR8OZlbMZ2ckp1QPfFXWgHmnWSKtoneakV1ySA9EIsJp9k1BswwwtyjKgfmAU/s1600-h/PICT0088.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283806732215295426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghS-SSkpuT5ml5LPWW5dNXurY8i892QI3hEbfwOO5ZecIZKG91EmOAtDAbj0hPC0nhh3i6a8KniRttfkcR8OZlbMZ2ckp1QPfFXWgHmnWSKtoneakV1ySA9EIsJp9k1BswwwtyjKgfmAU/s320/PICT0088.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />One last note was left by Santa on the tree.<br />. </p><div><div><div><div><p></p><div><p></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHcyPP7YnDZj3zXdAwUW8ddo15S5wJdiBhB4Gy2ok4KTY37QbxaRwvWyl4FSvmfltMszu1M7r8QjkQjfYVhItpsE46C-ix855KKi0Ql9oc27l8KV6R_xcG6o48qZDmvyKN_StWe-H-xM/s1600-h/PICT0096.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283802127082639554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHcyPP7YnDZj3zXdAwUW8ddo15S5wJdiBhB4Gy2ok4KTY37QbxaRwvWyl4FSvmfltMszu1M7r8QjkQjfYVhItpsE46C-ix855KKi0Ql9oc27l8KV6R_xcG6o48qZDmvyKN_StWe-H-xM/s320/PICT0096.JPG" border="0" /></a> We took a few moments before enjoying our gifts to read the about our Saviors birth.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9ls2YlarfNgeu7gqfiRVWgbgHW_lNt7YPTMvhPK69XKRsK79UzKTagTK9qiSNj_TprQlurwcngCGTl0uCTEXP_ZrQbtMbjJ-elNIyHbZ0QeGAeAoHg5ZdopHBy2pojwZgI0nlCAEDuM/s1600-h/PICT0127.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283806177049785442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9ls2YlarfNgeu7gqfiRVWgbgHW_lNt7YPTMvhPK69XKRsK79UzKTagTK9qiSNj_TprQlurwcngCGTl0uCTEXP_ZrQbtMbjJ-elNIyHbZ0QeGAeAoHg5ZdopHBy2pojwZgI0nlCAEDuM/s320/PICT0127.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here are Andrew's thoughts on the day.<br /><br /><br /><div href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsivgY7cVyqPeAn0HvNddNiusaEQLW86fMH4O22eZDiXF13BpDjXNC0G_bl8VyK1_uUSnNnLmmH48ETDynco7cZSWWDANMWps6ABIwnRkxer8DIakTbBcjbDGBCXaUuuGYH9o7i6Jhwfo/s1600-h/PICT0141.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283776415284875778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsivgY7cVyqPeAn0HvNddNiusaEQLW86fMH4O22eZDiXF13BpDjXNC0G_bl8VyK1_uUSnNnLmmH48ETDynco7cZSWWDANMWps6ABIwnRkxer8DIakTbBcjbDGBCXaUuuGYH9o7i6Jhwfo/s320/PICT0141.JPG" border="0" /><br />Post Christmas Mayhem.<br /></div><div href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsivgY7cVyqPeAn0HvNddNiusaEQLW86fMH4O22eZDiXF13BpDjXNC0G_bl8VyK1_uUSnNnLmmH48ETDynco7cZSWWDANMWps6ABIwnRkxer8DIakTbBcjbDGBCXaUuuGYH9o7i6Jhwfo/s1600-h/PICT0141.JPG"></div><div href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsivgY7cVyqPeAn0HvNddNiusaEQLW86fMH4O22eZDiXF13BpDjXNC0G_bl8VyK1_uUSnNnLmmH48ETDynco7cZSWWDANMWps6ABIwnRkxer8DIakTbBcjbDGBCXaUuuGYH9o7i6Jhwfo/s1600-h/PICT0141.JPG">Merry Christmas to all our friends and family, </div><div href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsivgY7cVyqPeAn0HvNddNiusaEQLW86fMH4O22eZDiXF13BpDjXNC0G_bl8VyK1_uUSnNnLmmH48ETDynco7cZSWWDANMWps6ABIwnRkxer8DIakTbBcjbDGBCXaUuuGYH9o7i6Jhwfo/s1600-h/PICT0141.JPG"></div><div href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsivgY7cVyqPeAn0HvNddNiusaEQLW86fMH4O22eZDiXF13BpDjXNC0G_bl8VyK1_uUSnNnLmmH48ETDynco7cZSWWDANMWps6ABIwnRkxer8DIakTbBcjbDGBCXaUuuGYH9o7i6Jhwfo/s1600-h/PICT0141.JPG">Love, Jennifer<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-32883583800668823242008-12-24T08:09:00.001-06:002008-12-24T11:45:04.880-06:00Kitchen Aid Mixer & Other Good GiftsMonday marked the first day of Winter break. The kids were home from school, Bruce was home from work and I, well I was just plain home. Bruce is taking two weeks of vacation. Sort of a use it or lose it policy with Ernst & Young. So truely, the Crow family, will be enjoying a Family Winter Break!<br /><br />Monday also marked the arrival of my early Christmas present....my long awaited Kitchen Aid Mixer! Nearly 15 years of waiting. The blessed mixer arrived on my door step by a man in blue and orange...the FedEx guy. Like a kid I anxiously open the box and pull out the shiny black Artisan mixer. I dreamed of the delicatable goodies soon to be whipped up. Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Sugar Cookies, Gingerbread and Molasses Cookies. Oh and bread. Think of the breads I could make!<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CtQFdENuzHiGn13lC3RhvInBJyy_WTYcJEwC5ThP-TSCo8pwKDeUbWvN-jbRF_tGwYqTPnUP85AekY_SFPLVp-pHKER9OrwhrAYpwATO0PAXhWTqZsU7x6u_F62YkW1r3uBSmRvI6m4/s1600-h/PICT0087.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283384339508281426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 330px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CtQFdENuzHiGn13lC3RhvInBJyy_WTYcJEwC5ThP-TSCo8pwKDeUbWvN-jbRF_tGwYqTPnUP85AekY_SFPLVp-pHKER9OrwhrAYpwATO0PAXhWTqZsU7x6u_F62YkW1r3uBSmRvI6m4/s320/PICT0087.JPG" border="0" /></a>I decide the inaugural batch will be chocolate chip cookies. It's American, it's traditional, it's what I want to make as gifts for our children's friends at church and it's a favorite.</p><p>Oh my...this is easy! Creaming the butter, sugar and eggs is a breeze. The flour and other powder ingredients blend in a snap. Even the chocolate chips are no match for this beast. The dough...oh the dough is so smooth and tasty. I'd say one of the best I'd ever made. Bruce was even seduced by it's charms and had a finger full or two.</p><p>After the cookies are snugly tucked into the oven I begin the clean up process. Putting all the ingredients away, placing the dirty measuring cups in the sink and wiping down the counter and my new mixer. "Look at this white powder all over my mixer!" I exclaim to no one in particular. "I should have known a black mixer would show all the flour dust. Oh well. I am so much happier with this black one than the standard white mixer. It's not as bland."</p><p>"Jennifer", Bruce chimes in, "If I were to describe you, bland would not be the word I used."</p><p>Not missing a beat Andrew said "No. Beautiful is the word I would use to describe you Mommy." </p><p>Wow. I thought my gift had arrived at the front door hours earlier. Apparently it had been sitting in my kitchen all along.</p>Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-27878724406454542912008-12-16T05:34:00.006-06:002008-12-17T12:08:42.094-06:00Ice Days and Cookies<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">It's 5:32 am and the official call just came in. No school....we have an ice day! I'm not sure one can be as excited about ice as one is about snow...but none the less, my kids will be thrilled. Me, well let's just say my time sensitive errands will have no wait. Namely sending out packages to friends and family. My apologies go out to those of you whose holidays may not be complete without my gifts. I really, really wanted to have this done on Friday but something came up...Saturday too. Sunday was a day of rest. Monday again something came up...something about school closing early? And today only maniacs and medics will be on the roads and since I believe myself neither I will be Home.<br /><br />Home creating memories my children will carry with them their entire lives.<br /><br />That was a line I heard on the radio several days ago that has been sinking into my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">psyche</span>. It's what caused me to pull out the flour, sugar, vanilla, eggs, and chocolate chips <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">yesterday</span> when I heard school was letting out early. I imagined my eager boys bursting into the house full of expectant energy. School was out early and they needed something fun to do. One memory making experience coming right up.<br /><br />We made giant chocolate chip cookies. You know the kind. The ones you find sitting oh so tempting at the sides of cash registers at places like Noodle & Co. and Pei Wei. The ones that kids beg for and parents secretly want. Well we made those.<br /><br />Today our memory making adventure will be wrapping each cookie in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">cellophane</span>, tying a ribbon around it's plump face and making a gift tag for each one. If the weather holds maybe we could bundle up and visit our neighbors with some early Christmas cheer.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FTRlSSbugYYxVuCuEyEOLoLZmiAN89bcK24A4JGPyCMWt63hiZObdr57SdEYaSpxO7I-Zl5h5hePekTPJFWiGOcPOs8ZM7vFQMQq3Mp8G6OMHbMxgNWEEpg_aVOQU9hoUbpvxQwqh2Y/s1600-h/PICT0077.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280822277091930530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FTRlSSbugYYxVuCuEyEOLoLZmiAN89bcK24A4JGPyCMWt63hiZObdr57SdEYaSpxO7I-Zl5h5hePekTPJFWiGOcPOs8ZM7vFQMQq3Mp8G6OMHbMxgNWEEpg_aVOQU9hoUbpvxQwqh2Y/s320/PICT0077.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a> What memories will you be making today?</p>Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-84467511830198525542008-12-16T04:44:00.001-06:002009-02-28T20:00:21.357-06:00Unexcused Absence Update<div>I think I hit upon something here with this post. I've had so many comments and suggestions. Thanks for the suggestion...I was told that any absence without a doctors note is considered unexcused. State Law. But that if I call the pediatricians office the day they are sick, they will fax a note over to the school. I imagine doctors offices around the state have to employe an additional person just to handle the volume of absence notes! Thank heavens I have taken the kids to the doctor several times before this incident. At least I have a track record with an office willing to write an excuse a week after the illness and for multiple days. We're in the clear now. I can keep my kids...</div>Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-56917397256649825452008-12-11T22:23:00.003-06:002008-12-11T22:29:59.849-06:005th Grade Biome ReportI just have to share an exerpt from my sons report. He had to write a brief synopsis of each Biome type. Here is what he had to say about Grasslands.<br /><br />"Grasslands are home to many small rodents such as field mice and prairie dogs. Hawks are usually bigger here because animals such as the field mice and prairie dogs are its diet." - Austin Crow, age 10.<br /><br />Hope it's as funny at 10:30am as it is at 10:30pm.Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-58701963585324399292008-12-10T10:12:00.007-06:002008-12-10T12:45:23.555-06:00Unexcused AbsenceLast week my boys were home from school several days sick. In particular Andrew was out 4 of the 5 days of school. He was home Monday Tuesday, went in Wednesday, played with a kid who threw up and then was home again Thursday Friday.<br /><br />Last night I got a note from the school stating they had scheduled a meeting for me to meet with the school board because my kid has too many unexcused <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">absences</span>.<br /><br />I don't know...maybe I'm a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">maverick</span> but <strong>I don't send sick kids to school! </strong><br /><br />Does the school board really want to rummage in my house, send over a social worker, threaten to take away my kids because I don't send them to school when they are sick? I am outraged! I want to go to that meeting and say "what do you think you are doing? Check out my well adjusted kids, see the attendance of my other children, check out their test scores....aren't you the same people who told me my kids scored the highest in the school? Doesn't my Andrew have straight A's? What do you think a social worker can find by coming to my home? Find I am an unfit parent for keeping a sick child home?"<br /><br />I want to rant, I want to rave but my older and wiser husband interjects....."Do you think you could call the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">pediatrician</span> and explain the situation and see if she will give you a note? I really don't want to mess with the authorities who have a right to take away our children."<br /><br />Can you <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">believe</span> that in America a state will threaten to take your children because you believe the spread of germs is generally a bad thing? I suppose that is why Andrew's friend who threw up on Wednesday was sent to school. His mother would rather hang onto her own kids and make sure she can raise them herself then to be threatened by the state because of an unexcused absence. So what if other kids become infected?<br /><br />This morning Alyssa was not feeling well. Stomach ache. Her Dad encouraged her to go to school....An hour later we receive a call from the school nurse. Your daughter is not feeling well, please pick her up. I cut my errands short and head to the middle school. I'm admonished by the nurse to not send sick kids to school..."please keep the germs out of this building." These are words that actually spilled from her mouth! My jaw drops and my mind reels at the hypocrisy of it all. Someone other than the parent has the authority to say "Yes, your child is sick. Please take her home."<br /><br />At least this will not be an unexcused absence.Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-21510147020793468782008-12-08T10:52:00.003-06:002008-12-08T10:58:01.099-06:00Fast & Testimony MeetingThis is a post I pilfered off of my husbands blog Amateur Mormon Historian....Enjoy!<br /><br />Sunday found us in an traditional Mormon Fast & Testimony meeting. You know the kind. Adults taking about their last vacation, and primary children repeating the words whispered in their ear by Mom. Scattered throughout the meeting was the occasional testimony of the Savior or of the restored gospel and later a conversion story.<br /><br />But today was a little different, for me at least. All three of my children, ages 12, 10 and 6, decided to get up and share their testimony. Now this was without prompting from me. The only one who had done this before was my 10 year old and I think he was bribed by his Sunday School teacher. But I don't believe in manipulating my kids to share their testimony.<br /><br />The youngest wanted help from Mom. They walked up together and she stood by while he said "I know the church is true and I love my family. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. .....(Mom, what do I say next?) In Jesus' name, Amen."<br /><br />About 10 minutes later, my 12 year old daughter got up. Standing there in her pink sweater and her hair pulled back in a pony tail, my sweet demure little girl said "My brothers and I fight a lot, sometimes they annoy me so much I just want to rip their heads off. But during the holidays I get a little more tolerant and I feel like I love them so much I want to squeeze them until they burst! And I know it is Jesus who helps me feel this way."<br /><br />The 10 year old son wanted to get up and share his testimony so he asked his Mom for some time to think about what to say. "You only have five more minutes until the meeting is over" she told him "just say what is in your heart." So up to the stand he went. He started "My sister and I do fight a lot, but less at Christmas because we are usually visiting someone or they are visiting us so there are usually more adults than children or its even, so its easier to handle. Maybe I should go outside and play so I don't annoy her when I play my Gameboy when she is doing her homework." After which he started to leave but after being halfway down the steps realized he didn't properly end his testimony. So he ran back and said "Amen" and then sat down.<br /><br />I think I know what to do for tomorrow's Family Home Evening.Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-62557124400595384402008-12-08T08:10:00.005-06:002008-12-11T21:47:54.862-06:00Post Thanksgiving ConfessionsIt goes without saying, people love Christmas and they love Christmas music. I am no different, really. I just like to start my Christmas in December if possible. Thanksgiving is actually a great holiday on it's own and I love to savor that day. This year because Turkey day was so near the end of the month and I was playing host to my churches Relief Society Christmas Party, December 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span>, I started my holiday decorating the day after Thanksgiving. I know....that sounds like a confession.<br /><br />Hello, my name is Jennifer, and I decorated the day after Thanksgiving.<br /><span style="font-size:0;"></span><br />Guess what? I liked it! The garlands rolling down the stairs, the accent of greenery at the entrance to the living and dining rooms. The lighted wreaths with their cheerful red sparkly ribbons hung at each window, the Tree. I love the gentle glow the holiday lights give my foyer at night. I love that when I come home at night the oak tree in my front yard is lit up, directing me safely back to my home, my family. I love the Nativity sitting front and center in my family room. And I love the Music.<br /><br />Beautiful sweeping melodies about our Savior, Jesus Christ. Pianos, violins and harps blending together with voices so pure tears come easily to ones eyes. And that's just some of the music! There's the get out and dance and the sing with the kids songs too.<br /><br />My favorite versions of O Holy Night have been posted as a play list here. Last night as I was selecting the arrangements I liked best my daughter came into the office and asked me to turn up the volume. She too wanted to enjoy the sweet sounds of Christmas. I hope that you enjoy these selections for the few minutes your here and through out your Christmas celebrations. I know at least two people in my house that will.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:0;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#003300;">O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining, it is the night of our dear Saviors birth!<br />Long lay the world in Sin and Error pining til' he appeared and the Soul felt it's worth.<br />A thrill of Hope the weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.<br /><br />Fall on your knees, Oh hear the Angel voices, O night Divine, O night when Christ was born.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Truly</span> He taught us to love one another, His law is Love and His gospel is Peace.<br />Chains shall He break for the slave is our Brother, and in His name all <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">oppression</span> shall cease.<br />Sweet hymns of Joy in Grateful chorus raise we, let all within Us praise His Holy name.</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="color:#003300;"></span></span>Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-33635738419819337192008-12-02T09:43:00.004-06:002008-12-07T18:31:19.817-06:00ToothacheToothache....That's what I have. It settled on me Friday night while sleeping. I rubbed my gums and cried like a kid hoping that someone (Bruce, preferably) would come to my rescue and care for me. But I'm the Mom so I had to drag myself out of bed to fetch my own pain killing drugs.<br /><br />I cheerfully faked my way through my Saturday craft show peddling Gourmet Hot Chocolate and Dip Mixes. Behind every "Have a Merry Christmas" was a reminder of my throbbing tooth.<br /><br />Sunday, my day of rest, I opted out of church to nurse my aching jaw. "Thank heavens I can call the dentist tomorrow for some relief" where my constant thoughts.<br /><br />Monday AM I am told the Doctor can not see me until Tuesday. I'm not sure if I can mentally take another day of aching pain. I have places to go and things to do...pain free of coarse. Heck it was only 24 days until Christmas. Not much time for a Mom of 3 to accomplish a Christmas morning miracle! I need to get this fixed! Add another bottle of Advil to the shopping list.<br /><br />Tuesday the blessed day has arrived. Nervously I enter the dental office in little White House, TN pop. 7000, expecting to see an old fashioned dental office (or a the very least outdated). Thankfully I was pleasantly surprised by the modern, up to date office, friendly staff and technologically savvy dental equipment. Digital x-rays were taken and the verdict was announced....a root canal. "How does Wednesday look for you?" the dentist asked. "Seriously, another day of this pain?" I thought to myself. "How are you with Percocet?" I hear from Dr. Jones. Maybe I can handle another day.<br /><br />Wednesday I dress comfortably for my long awaited root canal. I even pad into the office wearing my slippers! The goal is as little discomfort as possible. The dental assistant administers the gas and I drift off to la la land for a couple of hours while the decaying roots of my throbbing molar are drilled away.<br /><br />It's a full week later and although I no longer have excruciating pain in my upper jaw, I still can not use the left side of my mouth to chew.Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-68304903657034032262008-11-27T22:19:00.004-06:002008-12-07T21:48:05.007-06:00O Christmas Tree<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteKCFM6H2by9A9WKkIDxQs8e5UjSNGh6RKGBw-hgGawrlaMEIL3xfKkmrRQjzqko7O8aVDdFimM06kuxkOf9G8HOYEo2Cvtqe5kunLa1D6wAhSj5zass5h0ebmEiExFpnzh-BEJrHHXs/s1600-h/PICT0002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277252532444779794" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteKCFM6H2by9A9WKkIDxQs8e5UjSNGh6RKGBw-hgGawrlaMEIL3xfKkmrRQjzqko7O8aVDdFimM06kuxkOf9G8HOYEo2Cvtqe5kunLa1D6wAhSj5zass5h0ebmEiExFpnzh-BEJrHHXs/s320/PICT0002.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><p>The day after Thanksgiving dawns bright and early. Millions of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">shopppers</span> are poised at retail outlets ready to scoop up the post-holiday specials. I, myself am tucked <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">snuggly</span> in bed with my husband listening to the sounds my 3 children make as they start their morning. I am looking forward to this day of early Christmas preparations and lazy post Thanksgiving food.</p><p>My children however are looking forward to hunting down the best tree for our humble living room. They chatter about the decorations, the lights and their favorite ornaments from years gone by. After a brief <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">internet</span> search for local tree farms I settle on one only 10 miles down the road. In fact a neighbor of one of our friends, so I knew right where to go. </p><p>The boys jumped out of the car practically before it was parked. They ran towards the entrance and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">immediately</span> were drawn to the fire pit. The fire held their interest for about 2 minutes before they laid eyes on the two beautiful, brown coated, tail waging girls barking in their pen. </p><p>I walked over to the Douglas Fir trees standing so nobly in a line. This one looks nice. It's about the right height. Ow, $55 a little more than I was expecting for small town Tennessee. I wonder over to the long needle White Pines. A fun little shape and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">surprisingly</span> soft needles. I contemplate this variety of tree for a bit but decide the weight of my larger ornaments will pull down the fragile branches. So back to the first tree I liked for a second look. I move on down to the taller and fuller trees. $95, $135, $155....Well that certainly makes my $55 tree look like a bargain. Excuse me mister but I think I'll take this tree.</p><p>I gather the family in front of our treasure and point my camera in their general direction hoping I can capture a smile on each one of those dirty but adorable faces. I'm rather successful and without to much ado the tree is packaged and tied to the top of the car for our proud drive home.</p><p>The lights, What about the lights? Do we have enough? Will they still work from last year? O shoot, we better stop at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Walmart</span> on the way home. No use making two trips. But wait a minute...It's Black Friday....<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Walmart</span>? Seriously??? </p><p>Seriously, we pulled into the crowded parking lot, but edged our way over to the garden center <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">entrance</span>. "Less people over here!" I think to myself. As the electronic doors open with that swish of a noise it makes, I hold my breath to see what <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">mayhem</span> lays before me. I see no one. Not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">literally</span>, but seriously, no one is in line! I can't <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">believe</span> my luck. I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">immediately</span> see the $2.98 light sets and think these will work. I grab 6 boxes then foolishly walk over to the larger display of lights to contemplate all my options. 400 light strands, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">LEDs</span>, Red, Colored, Blinking, Netted, I could go on. I stand there dumbfounded while my children run around and my poor husband tries to coral them into better behavior. Having achieved Christmas light overload, I look down at the boxes in my arms and think "I'm sure these ones will do".</p><p>Now I'm not so lucky. There is a line about 6 people long. How did this happen? Where did all these people come from? Just a minute ago I could have walked out of here in 30 seconds flat.</p><p>After paying for our purchase I walk out of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Walmart</span> holding my youngest sons hand. He spots our tree perched on top of our car and says "Mom, we're the luckiest family at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Walmart</span>" and I agree. "Yes, Yes we are."</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-79978176618090687182008-11-26T13:59:00.003-06:002008-11-26T14:43:38.117-06:00What About Me?When I woke up this morning, my beloved, Bruce was still in bed with me. This has got to be a sign of a good day. No School for the Kids and No Work for the Husband...pure together Family Time! But wait a minute, it dawns on me. I still have chiropractor visits, allergy shots, last minute holiday errands and pre-Thanksgiving food prep ahead of me. Not to mention the never ending laundry, dishes, vacuuming and other household chores one would like to have completed before friends and family descend upon ones home. Where is the change in routine for me? "Where is my holiday?" I think to myself. Oh, but that is where the danger lies. When one begins to ask..."What about me?"<br /><br />"What about me?" results in...walking in the door after hours of errands and only seeing what still needs to be done. The children not dressed, lunch still on the table and kids in front of the TV with eyes glazed over as if they have been there for hours. A few cranky words are spoken and children and spouse disappear from view. "Good", I think to myself. Now I can put the groceries away in peace. Once I have eaten lunch and my blood sugar returns to normal the scene replays in my mind..."Now there will be peace?" on what planet could I believe that true. Does the absence of my family bring me peace? Of course not. So I humbly trudge up the stairs to find my husband sorting laundry. My bed has been made, my bathroom cleaned and all the children's rooms picked up and clean. Even the yucky boys bathroom is sparkling. All this accomplished while I ran errands.<br /><br />So "What about Me?" I have a husband and children who want to please me. Want to make my day easier and want what I want too. A home where every day is a holiday when we get to spend time together. Yes, today will be a good day.Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113226179365081978.post-73368326118696288932008-11-25T08:08:00.001-06:002008-11-25T18:21:39.319-06:00School MorningsI just dropped the kids off at school and I am home creating my first blog post. The older kids missed the bus, or I should say woke up after the bus pick up time. The younger one, Andrew, came to my bed to cuddle instead of getting dressed. Needless to say we had a rushed morning. On mornings such as these I wonder "how can I help this go better next time?" And the answer always seems to be "Wake up earlier and get your tired self out of bed to crack the whip on those kids!" But I never like that answer. First of all it requires personal responsibility, ugh. Shoot, that's something we've been working on with our kids.... And I've been wondering why our lessons are not sinking in.<br /><br />So come Monday morning, I, Jennifer Crow, will drag my tired, oh, so not ready for the morning, self out of bed to lead my children through their morning. Then maybe, just maybe, our mornings will run more smoothly and the lesson of personal responsibility just might have a surface to sink into.Bettie Clairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17638960113993995760noreply@blogger.com0