CERTIFIED

I AM A CERTIFIED TEACHER IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA!

Happy Day!

Happy Anniversary

Today is our 15th wedding anniversary. We had a wonderfully normal day of work and children. I made a beef Stroganoff recipe that has been in my possession for the last 15 years, but I never bothered to make before. It was DELICIOUS! Eliza made a slide show presentation for Paul and I as a gift, and Leah and Sarah made brownies for us. I love that our children are so capable now. We also had someone come and give us an estimate on replacing the windows in the old part of our home. Those will be a very expensive anniversary gift for Paul and I:)


The last 15 years have been every bit as wonderful as they have been challenging.

I love you Paul. I choose you.

What a boy! What a mother!

We did well tonight and had all the kids in bed by 8:15. A few moments ago, about 9:25, as I was finishing up my computer related activities, Sarah came into my office.

Sarah: Mom, Luke just sprayed me in the ear with a water bottle.

Me: He sprayed you in the ear? Weren't you sleeping?

Sarah: Yes.

Me: (Giggle. Smile.) Okay, come on, but try not to smile.

Sarah and I then hunted Luke down only to find him with the water bottle still in hand. I thought to myself, "I'll teach him a lesson." I grabbed the water bottle and sprayed him in the ear. Unfortunately I didn't consider that my aim is a bit better than his and my grip is stronger too. I also didn't notice that he had filled the bottle with hand soap as well. Wow, I'm a good mom! 

The poor boy started crying of course, and we went to the bathroom to rinse his ear out. It didn't occur to me that the faucet water might also be a little cool to put in his ear, so he cried more. After we dried him off, I reviewed the happenings with him.

Me: Luke, was it nice for mommy to spray your ear?

Luke: (still crying) Nooooo.

Me: Was it nice for you to spray sister in the ear when she was sleeping?

Luke: Nooooo.

Me: I'm sorry I sprayed you. Are you sorry for spraying sister in the ear?

Luke: Yes.

Me: I love you. Do you still love me? 

Luke: (still crying) Yes.

A joyful life

After Luke was born I found myself drowning. A newborn is difficult, but a newborn plus a two, a four and a six year-old was beyond overwhelming. I made a choice then to stay sane by eliminating anything that wasn't absolutely necessary in my life. I focused solely on feeding, clothing and caring for my children. Occasionally I would pay attention to my husband and when we ran out of clean clothes, I would wash some. I also attempted to complete my church assignments though complete probably wouldn't describe my end performance.

My newborn is now four and what a difference four years makes! The brainpower that I thought I had lost forever is back. I am now juggling family, home, teaching, writing (a little), and church assignments without freaking out. In fact, not only am I not freaking out, but I am finding joy in folding clothes, cooking and cleaning. I am so grateful to feel peace and joy.

A working woman

In an attempt to figure out what I want to be "when I grow up," I started teaching preschool this week. After just three mornings I haven't figured much out yet, but I do know this. 

• Hanging out with 17 three year olds is intense. (Duhh!)
  
• I love little kids. They are quick to give hugs and forgive.
• I am more comfortable hanging out with kids than adults.
• I love teaching children, and even better, I love watching children learn.
• I love recognizing the gifts Heavenly Father has blessed them with. 
• Children need structure and consequences. Without it chaos rules, and I do not like chaos. 

Oh and, Happy Valentine's Day!

Old goals, new goals

Last year I finished my first children's story . . . . This year I want to publish it.

Last year I began writing for the newspaper again . . . . This year I want to write MORE cheesy stories for the pet page!

Last year I tried to be more organized (I know it was a sad attempt) . . . . This year I will be more organized by putting an object in its place when I walk in the door. No more piles (by the entrance anyway!)

Last year I gave up on exercise . . . . This year will make friends with exercise again.

Last year I began (again) to write letters and notes on real paper with a pen . . . . This year I will continue this Sunday tradition.

Last year I set a goal for my temple attendance and didn't even come close . . . . This year I will visit the temple at least monthly. 

Last year I focused on feeding my family regular meals . . . . This year I will focus on feeding my family healthier meals (Please send me all your yummy, healthy recipes!)

Last year I quit practicing the piano . . . . This year I will practice 20 mins./day.

I love the verse in Ether that says the Lord can make our weaknesses our strengths. It gives me hope for the coming year.

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

Writing again!

So, I have been helping out at the school with the Box Tops for Education program, and I thought it would be great to have the local, weekly newspaper to do a story about it again. I talked to the publisher about it, and she asked me to write it for her. Even though it has been about nine years since I have written for publication, I agreed. After I turned the story in, the publisher contacted me and asked if I wanted to begin writing for them again on a regular basis. I decided to start very slowly with a couple stories a month. Hurray! I am a writer again. An extremely rusty writer, but a writer nonetheless. I am happy!

My Mosaic

I got this idea from my sister-in-law. It did take about an hour to complete, but I was so curious about what my mosaic would look like that I had to do it. It was fun though!

1. Love, 2. Arriving at the Italian Riviera, 3. Point Loma Nazarene University, original Spaulding residence, 1901, 4. Meeting the pregnant princess of the forest, 5. More Johnny Depp . . ., 6. macro water drop, 7. The Village Pond, Blatherwyke, Northampshire, England, 8. 14th August 2007/Day 226, 9. The Voice of Water, 10. Joy of life, 11. Entering Hyperspace, 12. Jordan and Jessa

The Rules: you answer the following 12 questions about yourself (my answers are in parentheses after each question):

1. What is your first name? (Jessica)
2. What is our favorite food? (Italian)
3. What high school did you attend? (Spaulding High School)
4. What is your favorite color? (Green)
5. Who is your celebrity crush? (Johnny Depp) (I have seen way better pictures of him than this provided!)
6. Favorite drink? (Water)
7. Dream vacation? (European countryside)
8. Favorite dessert? (Baked goods)
9. What do you want to be when you grow up? (Writer)
10. What do you love most in life? (Family)
11. One word to describe you? (Crazy)
12. Your Flickr name? (Jessakita) (I had to use Jessa to get search results)

Want to play? Type your answers to each of the above questions into Flickr's search. Using only the images that appear on the first page, choose your favorite and copy and paste each of the URL's into the Mosaic Maker. (3 columns, 4 rows)

My birthday celebration

Please ignore all the mess in this photo. It was my birthday after all and where else do you put possibly-lice-ridden-pillow-stuffed-garbage bags? I might post about the lice thing later. Actually, I'd just rather try to forget about it. Yuck!  

My birthday was awesome this year. My husband took me out for lunch. Luke made and decorated my birthday cake (I helped a little with the measuring, blender, oven, etc.). I had an evening out with the ladies from church , and I didn't even have to cook supper. I am so blessed.

Oh, I forgot about all the cool gifts my children gave me too. Leah gave me picture of our Christmas tree from 2 years ago that she glued to a piece of paper with her name on it. Sarah gave me her Tinkerbell Christmas ornament, a pink rubber bracelet, and a small rock she painted with glittery, blue nail polish. Eliza gave me one of her school pictures in a frame, and Luke gave me a meat thermometer. Thank you to everyone else who sent me messages, cards, called or who just thought of me and wished me a happy day. It was very happy!

Backyard picnic

At times we find it necessary yet difficult to escape the daily grind of work and church. We also find that the very walls of our home feel as though they are crushing the very life out of us. I realize that sounds pretty bad, but I am trying to help you understand why I cooked sauerkraut and hotdogs in a skillet on charcoal briquettes in Alabama heat in my backyard when I had a functioning kitchen. Why I chose to carry a dining table and 6 chairs outside to my backyard to eat with bugs. Why I snuck around my home whispering orders to the children about all the condiments and such that they had to carry to the table in our backyard. As pathetic as it seems, it worked. We surprised Paul with a "BBQ?" or "Picnic?" We ate our dinner with the bugs, and Dad breathed a sigh of relief while he ate staring at the blue sky. I am sure our neighbors wondered, but we enjoyed it.

I forgot to get the camera out until after dinner, but here we are, Sorry!

My sweetheart turning the very large compost pile after dinner. We have had 3 volunteer tomato plants from it this summer. Note the "garden" in the background. Every year I honestly think I will be a better gardener. This year I have grown very healthy grass and 3 cucumbers. The tomatoes are growing but haven't ripened yet. My fertilizing in May only killed 4 or 5 tomato plants. I am so proud! I am amazed that I still have 4 children. I guess it's because they have learned to feed themselves to some extent, and they don't require weeding.

He was happy eating outside with the flies. Honest!

Yes, we did smores too. I hope the video below works. If so, check it out.

We weighed Luke last night, and he is officially 45 lbs. now. Leah is 50. Sarah is 56. Eliza might be mad if I told her weight. Let me just say that she is very tall, and her weight reflects that fact.

 

Youth Conference

Last week I went to a six stake Youth Conference at Troy University. There were more than 500 14-17 year olds and about 100 adults. It was awesome! Speakers were flown in from all over. My favorite was Chad Hymas. Please take a few minutes and go to this link. I suggest you read Just Cut the Dang Strings and One Stripe at a Time. If you are in need of inspiration or a little umph, you can find it in his life stories. Hearing him tell it in person was so moving. I will never forget it. What I took away from him . . . "You can't do it alone," "Many are called, but few are chosen because we choose to not follow," "Your greatest gift is your time," and "Those that know Him have no fear."

I also loved hearing Elder Cornish of the Seventy speak. Here are a few tidbits I gleaned from him:

"You can't pray a lie" -Huck Finn

You don't have to be perfect to pray.

If your prayers aren't being answered the way you want then Heavenly Father probably wants more for you. 

I can't end this post without mentioning that at the dance Thursday night I sat down on the bleachers and began to croquet. Yes, I was prepared for a long 4 hour dance without my sweetheart. I must admit I was feeling bad. The second song was a slow one, and the DJ encouraged the boys to find a dance partner. The next thing I know a young man, probably 14 years old, asked me to dance. I was in shock. Is the room that dark? Can't he see that I am an old person? Is he confused? "Me?" I asked. He replied "Yeah! It's okay. Come on!" I was very flattered, but I told him there were a lot of young women waiting to be asked. He understood and went merrily on his way to find a dancing partner. The young man, Taylor, made my night. Though he will never read this, Thank you Taylor!

Guess who the newest Tupperware Lady is?

Yes, it is true. I am a Tupperware Lady! I am very excited too. I am sure my mother is proud, and my father is shaking his head saying, "Poor Paul." This is my first adventure in sales of any type. It really isn't my thing considering I have some social anxiety, but I have been thinking about this for well over a year and decided to go for it. I will be selling primarily through book sales. If someone wants to have a party, they will have to ask me because I am not going to volunteer for it. I am willing but not pushy (at least not regarding this). So, what do you think? Have you bought any Tupperware lately? You know, it doesn't contain those nasty toxic chemicals that leach into your food from other plastic containers.