July 4th Fun

For a couple of days prior to July 4th, we shot some fireworks in the backyard. We are a little nervous about fireworks, but Tod bought some for Utah and we had a safe and fun holiday! Though when Tod brought out the tape and started taping together bottle rockets, mom got nervous and headed into the house!

NEED!

If any of you have access to any furniture - we are in the market for affordable college student furniture. Specifically we need a

1) couch
2) end table for bedroom
3) some storage

Just a heads up and s.o.s.

Staring July in the face!!

WOW! What a day.. there is still so much left to do and it is already July!

Today I.... 1) took Utah to speed camp 2) tutored pre-algebra 3) shopped for furniture for Tuesday's apartment at flea markets 4) got a metal filling replaced 5) worked out

Still need to... 1) go to wal*mart and get the pictures I am framing for Tuesday 2) score the pre-algebra assessment and plan tutoring for Wednesday 3) go to Mosers and p/u planning books

I bought this awesome book, Math Doesn't Suck, by Danica McKellar.. it is a phenomenal book and resource. I think that is going to be my theme for math next year - though I hate the word 'suck' a lot, it is how most middle school students refer to, discuss, and feel about math. So, hopefully, this straightforward approach will convert some students.. has some great ideas and I am truly excited about this upcoming year!

This week is going to be another crazy week.. but we are excited about the 4th of July!

What a day of NOTHING

Thursday was my stay at home, do nothing day... except:

9:45 went to the gym for a spinning class

When I got home:

1. vacuumed (floor and walls for dust bunnies)

2. oiled wood floors and kitchen cabinets

3. scrubbed stove top (it was grosso)

4. cleaned two bathrooms

5. two loads of laundry

Baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies...

Yikes.. what a day! We then went to a ball game and Utah went to the movies with a friend...

fun day!

Tell me your plans for the week!

Tell me your plans for the week.... we are all so busy...

Due to a change in my thyroid medication (adjustment made due to over treatment of T3 and under treatment of T4), a required slow down has taken place on my daily accomplishments.. however, I am moving through my to do list fairly quickly. I just simply have to start earlier because by 7pm, my body is DONE. I am so exhausted that I ache. I hope I adjust quickly to this change in medication!

Still tutoring on Monday and Wednesday from 10:00am to 11:00am. Utah works out with a trainer immediately following tutoring sessions, and that is usually wen I work out on Monday and Wednesday. I am taking off one day each week from working out.. a little nervous this week because I took today (Monday) off and that makes for a long week. It is a good thing that I love working out :-)

Today I accomplished:
1. family passport pictures
2. picked up glasses, medication, paychecks (and deposited), and visited my doctor's office
3. Went to wal*mart and bought some necessities (trying to limit wal*mart visits to Sunday to curb spending).
4. Paid bills (though this remains ongoing each week)
5. filled out Utah's passport application (waiting on black ink cartridge to complete the remainder of the families passport applications)
6. Baked (possibly over baked) a lemon cake
7. Soaked of nails and am ala' natural now and I love it! My toes are still receiving their ever 3 to 4 weeks pedicure until September though.

Remaining for this week is to p/u Utah's baseball bag (being repaired), enter the Carroll Electric green contest (waiting on Carroll Electric bill), pick up and prepare potted plants around pool, p/u contacts, and begin planning Emmet's first birthday (he is in MI with his mom and family and we MISS HIM!).

I have a breakfast meeting with a friend on Tuesday... Hubb to the vet Tuesday afternoon.

Wednesday I tutor and train in the morning, dentist at 1:00pm, and chiropractor at 5pm.

Friday I take Utah to train and have a 1pm hair appointment (long overdue) with Robin.

I plan to watch Dr. Phil every day that I can and get some time by the pool at least a couple of days this week!

Tell me your plans for the week!

Sunflowers

Hannah and Trent sent these beautiful sunflowers in memory of Sarah. They are the most beautiful sunflowers I have ever seen and they have really brought me comfort.... thank you!

Always Missing Sarah Avery (December 2, 1992 - June 18, 1994)

Some of the family at Sarah's dedication. Uncle Jim, Mammie (my mom), Aunt Elizabeth, Uncle Bubba (Wilson Avery and Sarah was named after him, Sarah Avery), and me (nice hair, huh?). My beautiful mother and her granddaughter.

Mom's little angel..
We were SO broke this Christmas. We made all the kiddos gifts and one of the things Sarah loved the most was the house we built out of a refrigerator box. It had pictures, windows, curtains, and little furniture. She LOVED it!
Sunflowers are our 'in memory' symbol for Sarah. Her Aunt Elizabeth made this outfit for her and she looked beautiful every time she wore it.

Grandpa Doyle and Sarah at her dedication. Grandpa passed away on March 22, 2001 and my only comfort was knowing that he was doing this exact thing in heaven with Sarah right now.

Tod with Tuesday, Sarah, and Hannah. It is one of the few pictures we have with all the girls together.

I would listen to this song over and over again after Sarah left. I would stare out my window and think of her... miss her... though I doubt Melissa Etheridge ever knew the extent this song reached out to an empty and lonely mother... it brought me comfort.

Come to my window

Crawl inside, wait by the light

of the moon

Come to my window

I'll be home soon

I would dial the numbers

Just to listen to your breath

I would stand inside my hell

And hold the hand of death

You don't know how far I'd go

To ease this precious ache

You don't know how much I'd give

Or how much I can take

Just to reach you

Just to reach you

Just to reach you

Come to my window

Crawl inside, wait by the light

of the moon

Come to my window

I'll be home soon

Keeping my eyes open

I cannot afford to sleep

Giving away promises

I know that I can't keep

Nothing fills the blackness

That has seeped into my chest

I need you in my blood

I am forsaking all the rest

Just to reach you

Just to reach you

Oh to reach you

Come to my window

Crawl inside, wait by the light

of the moon

Come to my window

I'll be home soon

I don't care what they think

I don't care what they say

What do they know about this

love anyway

Come to my window

Crawl inside, wait by the light

of the moon

Come to my window

I'll be home soon

Sarah passed away 14 years ago early on the morning of June 18th. She would have been 16 years old this December 2... she is missed.

Always Missing Sarah