Time Flies

Although it would be humorous to see a clock flying, I've actually found that this week has come and gone so quickly, I hardly know what to say. We spent the weekend and the first half of the week enjoying time with extended family. It was great to hang out and visit and see the cousins play together.

Luke is learning correct form...he never held onto the saddle horn!

On Monday, we went to a local farm (sort of) to see the animals and enjoy the beautiful weather. Luke has his first pony ride (don't worry Grandpa, he's just getting ready for the mules).

Luke wanted to touch the Jacob Sheep...maybe another day.


I taught each morning, but tried to make time for visiting each day. Wednesday, I had a great lunch with a couple of friends. We sat at the park and ate sandwiches, apples, and cheese. We watched the kids play and talked and laughed together. What more could anyone want!
Me, Sharon, and Natalie...Natalie's 5-year-old son may have a future in photography.

I met an old friend (long-time, not old and aged) for dinner. She's ENGAGED! Hooray!! We caught up on all the happenings of the past year or so and had some laughs along the way. She's a wonderful friend and will make her soon-to-be-husband a fantastic companion. I'm so happy for her (sad for me, she's moving away - I guess that means I'll have to go visit)!
Maybe not the best shot of either of us, but oh well, I was just happy to see her and chat.


Today is my sister's birthday!! YEA!! We met my mom this afternoon for lunch and shopping. I found a dress and a couple of pieces for Spring. Lacee found a couple of tops, Mom chased the boiys around the store. It was crazy, but fun! HaPpY bIrThDaY!!

Easter

I've been out of school since Wednesday afternoon - Spring Break!! We've had fun. We cleaned our house, discussed our backyard, and Luke went on his first Easter egg hunt. What a kick in the pants! All these kids running around the baseball field looking for eggs. Some just wanted to play with the ones they had, others wanted as many as their baskets could carry (the rule is one dozen per kid)...it was great.

Luke finding his first egg.

We helped Luke look for eggs and found him to be rather disinterested in more eggs. Instead, he just wanted to play with the two in his hands.

I guess he needed a break.

On Sunday, we enjoyed Stake Conference (Luke was pretty good). I insisted on a picture of us together...hilarious. After three tries, we finally got one where all three of us were looking at the camera and NOT making some weird face.

Not bad, huh?

We had a great time visiting with family after church on Sunday. We had dinner at my sister's. Her son is two months older than Luke...the two of them together are a load of laughs! In the evening, Luke enjoyed a bath at home, and a car ride to Aunt Jill's to see lots of cousins. Rich's brother and his family are in town from Idaho...six fabulous kids and a dog, plus the three kids and dog that already live here. It was fun! Good times were had by all. The fun will continue over the next few days, then back to the old grind.

I have to say I read an anecdote from my mom that made me laugh out loud! Mom, can you email that to me? Thanks. A little farm language keeps it from being shared publicly...I'm sure you can imagine.

Just for kicks, here's how Luke spent some of his time during Spring Break:

He didn't make it out of the chair after lunch.

Enjoying a little time in the kitchen...

Feeling Refreshed and Ready!

So, I spent the weekend with my Dad and a few friends. We took the mules to Green River (yes, that's a town) to explore the local scenery. Oh my...the scenery was spectacular, beautiful, breath-taking, awe-inspiring. To try to convey the feelings I experience when I'm on the back of a good mule on top of a mountain in country that few people have ever seen is nearly impossible. There just aren't words that do justice to the views and land formations in this area. Here are a few pics:

This is a friend who ended up being the last one down "the crack." We ALL led our mules down due to steep terrain, narrow walls, and loose rocks under foot. Although it's hard to tell from this picture, it was quite a RUSH to look down this narrow spot and wonder...should I get off? Where will I land if my mule stumbles? Will I be able to get down on foot as quickly as my mule will? Should I stay on? In the end, we decided we would've been fine to ride down rather than lead our animals, but being the first little "spot" of the day, we were a little skittish. (Some would say we were smart rather than stupid...but you had to be there.)

I love to attempt to capture myself in interesting places...I often forget that while I'm enjoying myself, I rarely wear make-up and I look quite weathered...just enjoy the scenery.

This is on a rim overlooking the Green River. That dark line is a row of trees growing along the river on either bank. The river is rather wide here and a chunk of the landscape. However, from the elevation we are at, it's hard to tell there's a river anywhere at all! About 30 feet behind me (down a gentle slope) is a sheer drop about 300 feet down. That's definitely NOT a place to lose your hat. I love the "table"-like rock formation in the picture...it's about 150 feet away (as the crow flies) and probably 20 or 30 feet tall. Ya know, it's hard to believe the Earth has such diverse features until you have the opportunity to see a handful of them. This is one I won't soon forget.

Such one more. I hope my dad doesn't mind that I post this...he truly is a hero of mine.

This is northwest of Green River looking back toward town. The point you see on the left side is actually the other side of a giant bowl that we were looking down upon from our mules. With the clouds and background, I couldn't resist snapping this shot of my dad in a state close to Nirvana.

I gain a greater appreciation for my Heavenly Father each time I am able to see for myself His hand on Earth. The diverse beauty I have seen on the back of a good mule make me want to be a better person and grow closer to my Heavenly Father. If I can't be in church, there's no place I'd rather be than enjoying nature with family and good friends.

100...

So...It's just been announced that a new Bearden will be joining the family...extended family, not immediate (that means it's NOT me). We are way excited! I also discovered that another family member is successfully working on a goals of self-betterment (?). I find that motivating! Now, as promised, my 100 things:

1. I recently learned that I not only "hear" music, but I "feel" music deep within.


2. I play the piano.


3. I love being a mom.


4. I love (mostly) teaching children.


5. I like to learn about history.


6. I enjoy traveling.


7. My favorite color is purple (ask my kindergarteners)


8. I enjoy eating (no veggies).


9. I like to be outside in good weather.


10. I find great pleasure in riding mules.


11. I have been on a bear hunt (nothing caught).


12. I have been on a lion - mountain lion - hunt (big one caught).


13. I love to play video games.


14. I want to be a good wife and companion to my husband.


15. I need friends to enjoy laughing at myself.


16. Sometimes I like to be by myself for an hour, just to regroup. Too much alone-time is detrimental to me.


17. I tend to be very impatient (especially at the end of the day).


18. I like to have things go my way, sometimes I can get a bit off-kilter when things don't quite happen as I imagined.


19. I like to be comfortable in my clothes - even when I dress up.


20. I love to spend money - that's something I'm working on...daily.


21. Being TOLD what to do makes me cranky; being ASKED to do something makes me feel needed.


22. I love to spend other people's money (i.e. shopping for Christmas for Mom from Dad, etc.).


23. Following The Spirit is difficult for me, but I'm learning to listen one step at a time.


24. When I think about something more than once, it's usually something I need to follow through with (calling friends, sharing a thought, going somewhere, NOT doing something).


25. I really like Johnny Depp...in all forms (waiting patiently for Sweeney Todd to be shown on an edited TV channel).


26. I love to laugh with my son! When he laughs, I laugh; when I laugh, he often laughs...what a cycle!


27. I am sentimental...no, no. I am extremely sentimental!


28. I still have my blanket from my childhood (only recently did it go into the cedar chest).


29. I still have my "teddy" from my childhood (It's a monkey...don't tell my husband I admitted this)...he lives in my son's room.


30. I enjoy cooking for a group...I find cooking for 2 1/2 to be tedious.


31. I enjoy cooking outdoors, especially in a dutch oven with all day to prepare.


32. I take pride in completing something challenging (recently put together a 1000-piece puzzle for my son's room - 3 days!!)


33. I love to see other people have an "aha" moment - it can often be rewarding and/or motivating.


34. I have a short attention span for things other than a good challenging puzzle.
35. I love to see my son playing and learning...he makes me laugh every day.
36. Oprah can be fun to watch...not ALL the time.
37. Right now...Oprah bugs.
38. I enjoy reading other people's blogs.
39. I can't wait to go riding with my dad.
40. I can't wait for my son to go riding with his grandpa!
41. I love hymns - they are my testimony.
42. I tend to lose sleep over silly things (contests at school...)
43. I love to laugh...ha ha ha ha (Mary Poppins)
44. Tea (on the ceiling) anyone?
45. "Enchanted" is my new favorite movie: oh, oh...I'm, I'm angry!
46. I'm finding myself short on words...rare.
47. Can you say, speechless?
48. 100 things...about me? things I like? not sure.
49. I'm not good at long-term goals...
50. I'm working on it...
51. tomorrow.
52. I love to squish mud between my toes.
53. I love to lay on the grass and watch the clouds make shapes.
54. Fruit roll-ups are my friend.
55. I love my friends.
56. Hurray Ronda!!
57. I miss my friends.
58. Hurray Ronda!! (this one counts, right?)
59. I don't enjoy adult reading (not "adult" just grown up)...too much thinking.
60. Did I mention that I could become addiction to Guitar Hero...if I owned it.
61. (Don't tell Rich).
62. Wow...I'm on #62!
63. I survived Parent-Teacher Conferences...
64. I almost enjoyed Parent-Teacher Conferences...
65. I'm SO glad Parent-Teacher Conferences are over.
66. My class won the contest at school that I lost sleep over...
67. A book for the winners! (Me, too.)
68. I could live in the mountains.
69. I love to go camping in the summer.
70. I would love to live in my jammies.
71. I'm tired of doing dishes.
72. Laundry is wearing on me (not my clothes...it's wearing me down mentally).
73. I can count back change.
74. I can stick out my tongue and touch my nose - who can't?
75. I have a mischievous son! (he's slightly sneaky)
76. The couch is my friend.
77. The recliner is a pal.
78. I'm lovin' my bed!
79. I have the best parents!
80. My husband is the only person who keeps me balanced and sane (although, there are moments of insanity with him, too!)
81. Settlers...need I say more?
82. I'm having a shallow moment...me me me!
83. Sunshine makes me smile.
84. Sunshine, on my shoulder, makes me happy...go John!
85. Sometimes I want a binkie to make me feel better, too.
86. I wonder if a BIG binkie would really work?
87. Sleep-deprivation does strange things to the mind.
88. I want to Ballroom dance...with my husband.
89. TV commercials suck!
90. Oops, I mean, TV commercials are lame!
91. Spit bubbles from a 13-month-old are funny.
92. I great fitting pair of jeans make the day perfect (at least the beginning).
93. I enjoy laughing...even if I'm laughing at myself.
94. I believe in the Cleaning Fairy...she hasn't visited for a while.
95. Five more.
96. 99 bottles of root beer on the wall, 99 bottles of root beer,...
97. 98 bottles of root beer on the wall, 98 bottles of root beer...
98. LOL!
99. I guess you had to be there.
100. I like me.

Wow! That actually took me 2 days to finish. What a shallow look at myself...digging deep is hard when it's going to be posted for anyone to read...I'm not ready for that yet.

Love you all!

So many Things

Well, well, well. First I have to thank the Academy for this prestigous award...?? No, I have to send a huge THANK YOU to Anna for wondering if I was ok when I hadn't blogged in a while. I'm great!! Now, on to the update and remembering.

When we got back from Boise, I spent the entire next day in two places, recliner and couch. Luke and I snuggled and slept the entire day away. It was splendid! After that I never really got back into the swing of things. I started laundry (still working on it), I attempted to clean my house (still working on it), I even tried to finish my students' report card (finished those yesterday!). I guess as long as I continue to try I'm doing ok.

Last week, my sister came up and helped me make bread in my brand new Kitchen-Aid! She did a fabulous job (I watched a lot and chased babies around the house). The bread turned out great! I think I had more laughing about silly things we'd done (can you imagine?).

On Wednesday, I attended and participated in my first spinning class. Imagine sitting on a stationary bike for 45 minutes while a plesant-voiced instructor cheers you on for "making it up that hill" and "pushing yourself". I had imagined this a thousand times before I actually went, but I have to admit: I wasn't that bad. I can't say I "love" it as my sister does, but I could tolerate it if I had a doctor's insistence on doing this activity. I may even try it again, but next time I will have a better attitude going in.

I started back to school on Monday (ugh). I was pleasantly surprised at how well-behaved my students were. They have really turned a corner in their Kindergarten career. Our Parent-Teacher Conferences are next week, that means we're on the downhill side of the school year! While I truly enjoy visiting with each parent for a few minutes, I loath the preparation: assessments, report cards, SEP forms, substitute plans (yes, I have to plan for a sub for one day of conferencing), planning my week as usual, keeping my head on straight, making sure I get to school dressed (worst nightmare is finding myself at school and I've forgotten to shower and dress for the day). Now, having told you how much is on my plate during this time of year, you may have a little more understanding for this next incident:

Tuesday, I went to the car dealership to have a second car key made. 1-1/2 hours later...I had a new key and a washed car (all for free!). Wednesday morning I grabbed Rich's keys, as usual, to drive his car to school (he then brings Luke and my car to trade). The day went well; I heard my phone ring a couple of times during class (oops) but didn't think much about it. After school, I see a turquoise car coming thru the pick up lane...it looks like Rich's mom's car...it IS Rich's mom's car. There next to Grandma Lois is Rich - Luke is asleep in the backseat. Rich made a gesture like turning the ignition of a car...huh? I was so confused. Well, patient as ever, Rich told me that I had both keys to my car - the one on my ring and the new one on his ring. What a dork!!! I felt like the biggest moron. Everything worked out fine...Rich's mom (Saint-that-she-is) dropped Rich off at work and a friend dropped him home that night. I managed to remember NOT to grab Rich's keys on Thursday and Friday. Oh, on Monday or Tuesday, I had gone to school a couple of hours early and driven with the car lights on. When Rich came to drop of Luke several hours later, his car had a dead battery...oops again...It's been one of those weeks.

Now it's Saturday and we're getting ready for a new week - a fresh start, if you will. Although I have to admit we're not getting much of a "fresh start". Luke woke up every 2 hours last night...no one got much sleep. It's about 9 AM and I have two sleeping boys - I hope that means that our "fresh start" is just a little delayed.

So much for a quick update. Anna and Jill - I love the 100 things....I'll get to that, just give me a day or so.

Bye for now. (I'm going to have a nap)