Which Twilight Character are you?

You're Jasper Hale - You have a calming personality and a simplistic way of looking at life. People like to be around you because you can help keep peace and are friendly to everyone. Although you do have a quiet side, you would be well balanced with a bubbly, spunky mate.
Take this quiz!

This result was a real shocker for me... it doesn't much sound like the me I know, but oh well, it was fun taking the quiz. If you've read these books, you might have fun taking the quiz too.

Chasing Deals

For the past two weeks, Smiths grocery store has had some great prices on products that support schools. Well, I'm never one to miss out on a great deal, so I've made SEVERAL trips to more than one Smiths location hoping to purchase the varieties we use most. Unfortunately, everyone else must like the same items we do, because everytime I made a trip, the shelves were cleaned out. And of course, not wanting to leave without purchasing something, I proceeded to pick fifteen items that we'll probably use (in order to take advantage of the deal, you had to purchase fifteen). Well the sale ends today. I got tired of taking chances with what was left, so I asked the cashier yesterday what time I needed to be at the store to ensure I would find what I wanted. She said they've had a run at the store about 9:00am every day with people leaving the store with carts full. If I came at 4 or 5am I would probably miss the rush. Well, at 5am this morning I was awake with Aeris anyway, so after I tucked her back into bed I whispered to Nate that I was leaving her home and going to the store. The store was empty of customers, but they had the Prego sauce I had been looking for for two weeks. So, with my mission accomplished I headed home feeling great! Nate thinks I'm crazy, but I'm glad our food storage shelves have been filling up!

Piano Lessons

Jade came to her first piano lesson two weeks ago. She has been so excited to start for quite some time, but from what I've seen with my other students, they learn much quicker when they're a little older. I also wanted her to be able to practice independently. So far, it's been perfect! She listened well and then spent a TON of time at the piano all week. She even learned the next song in the book all by herself. We've now had three lessons and she's really taking off. She's willing to count out loud and play with the metronome... two things that are so important in music, but most students really complain about.

It's been difficult getting back into the groove of teaching lessons after having nearly six weeks off, but we're making it work. Jade doesn't mind my lesson time because it means she gets to watch TV for the first time all day. Logan has never been very interested in TV, so he just sees it as "Mom is busy time" and comes out to bug me like he does when I'm trying to use the phone. Jade is a big help though in keeping him entertained. Mostly, I just feel guilty when Aeris gets hungry early and I'm still teaching. Nothing else will soothe her and she doesn't understand why she has to wait. I think she can sense when I'm feeling stressed out too, which makes it harder for her to relax. We've made it through two weeks though and the second week was better than the first. I'm just grateful that I can work from home. I'll never forget how hard it was leaving Jade the day I went back to teaching school when she was six weeks old.

Snakes, Horses, and a Waterfall

We spent Labor Day Weekend at the Hansen's property in Midway, Utah. The weather was beautiful, but a little hot. Jade and Logan were thrilled to spend two nights in a tent all by themselves... too bad they didn't want to sleep. Aeris, on the other hand, slept better than she does at home. All tucked in with me in the back of the van, she slept through the night for the first time! We all had fun taking rides around town on a trailer pulled by Pop-Pop's tractor and visiting the horses on the neighboring acreage. Nate and I enjoyed having three days without the work of home. On Sunday the kids took turns trying to break open a pinate at Nate's family dinner and holding a snake their uncle Ryan Clift caught by the creek. On the way home we stopped at Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon and let the kids wade in the water.

First Day of Preschool

Logan started at Discovery Days Preschool today. It has been a much anticipated event. He rode his scooter around the corner, gave me a quick hug good-bye at the driveway, and didn't look back. I would have felt a little sad that he wasn't going to miss me more, but what can I say, that place is heaven for a kid. It's loaded with everything Logan loves... a water table, giant sand box, train table, toy cars... After attending the open house last week and seeing all of those things, he's been able to talk about nothing else. "Do I go to preschool today Mom? I want to play in the sand." When class ended for the day he had second thoughts about whether or not he wanted to leave. I'm glad he chose to come home with me. As happy as I was to have some time to get some things done (Aeris slept through most of the two hours), I missed my little buddy.