day one of roof

I am already a stress mess. so is dad. he tried to be happy and cheerful, and did so all morning. the problem came when he realized we need all new wood under the shingles, and not just shingles. the 4 day job just turned into an 8 day job. Poor Jacob and Tom, and dad. and dad's arms and hands are already numb. they do that after he works hard for a few hours. like if he does chain saw work, after an hour, the hands just can not hold the saw anymore. weird. and jacob came tired from the red eye, so he had to sleep during the afternoon. they really needed one more guy. I told dad to call duncan campbell, or scott sleater. they are strong and both hard workers. he is afraid of what would happen if they got hurt. I think our home owners would cover it, but I guess we shouldn't take a chance. so, needless to say, it is going up t 94 tomorrow, hottest day of the year, I will be gone at girls camp, so I can't even make them lunch or drinks, kathy will be at work, tom has to work 4-9, and they are in a bad spot. I really wanted don to have someone do this job. this is so stressful to me. and him. he is not mad, just frustrated and worried. so much for jake's vacation. and Kathy already had a nail go thru her ididas sandal all the way up thru her toe. and I had to go get groceries and tons of gatorade, and carry it all in myself, so my back now hurts. and I have to pack for camp and drive out there and none of them can help me do that either. I hope tomorrow is a better day. ;(

the new Jake

we met Stacie's finance last night. he is really an all-around basic nice guy. he speaks Korean, I guess from his mission. he is not asian. he is polite and cute around Stacie, of course. he slept here last night, but will go to the father-son campout tonight, and then is staying in the city tomorrow night. we won't see much of him. they asked if he had to check in when he comes over, as it will generally be late. :) he is easy-going, and doesn't seem to be too stressed about living here with people he never met. he is working with Bill doing tree work all summer. yikes. that will be hard.

Lonely in Detroit

I'm in Detroit, Michigan (Troy to be exact) in a Marriott as I am visiting one of my clients tomorrow (Delphi). It is a nice hotel, but I miss my wife and kids. I will see my wife and one kid tomorrow, but probably won't see Jarek and Malik for a few days as they are going up to Show Low tomorrow (another attempt after last week's delay). I did have a great dinner. We ate at a steakhouse called Shula's (named after the NFL coach). I ordered the filet mignon and lobster bisque. It was fantastic. I don't usually order steak, but since it was a steakhouse and that was really all we could order, I went with it. Now I am finishing up some emails and might go down to the gym and sauna.

Spare Tires, Shampoo and Fathers

This last week Tevia ran over a nail with the Kia Sedona (van). We have had the van over a year now and love it to death. But I have now found one thing I don't like about it - but I don't think it is just for Kia Sedonas. To change the tire was a major ordeal. I remember sitting down to change the tire and thinking of A Christmas Story movie when the father talks about changing the tire in record time. Well, you can't do that with spares these days. First, the spare is under the carriage and has to be released by unscrewing a bolt under a mat on in front of one of the chairs in the back. I happened to remember this from when we bought it, otherwise I would have been really confused. That took time to get off since I couldn't figure out how to get it off. Then the jack and lugnut remover were these tiny things (I guess to save space?) that you hooked together and took about 10 minutes just to lift the van high enough to remove the tire. So what I thought would be a 10 minute job took over 30 minutes. But Tevia took it to Discount Tire the next morning where they repaired the tire and put everything back in less than 15 minutes for the unbeatable price of "free."

My hair is at that odd stage where it isn't short enough or long enough to do anything. So recently I decided I was just going to use conditioner in my hair to style it. It was hard to find some, so I looked under the sink and found a small green bottle. I put it in my hair and noticed it got all sudsy. I was confused and just kept working it in and finally it was fine and worked. The next morning I looked at the bottle more closely and saw that it was shampoo AND conditioner. So I had used shampoo in my hair all day to style it. It made me laugh.

Yesterday was Father's Day. I listened to the talks in church and thought they were great. The speakers, of course, spoke about their fathers. This made me think of my father(s). I realized that out there somewhere is a man who has a child and has no idea what that child is doing with his life. He has no idea that he has a beautiful daughter-in-law and three amazing grand children. He lost his blessings of a father. And then there is another man who was willing to take a young boy along with the girl of his dreams. He tried his hardest to fill that role of a father and probably never realized how well he did. He wasn't perfect, but he did his best and now can enjoy all the blessings a real father deserves. I am eternally grateful for this man and the joys he has brought to me, my mother and my brothers and sister and my wife and children. I hope he knows what a great father he really is.

Children's Prayers

Well, I know I have said it before, but I just love listening to the prayers of my children. It is so amazing to watch their world open up before them and what things they are thankful for. Malik loves to pray that people (including Heavenly Father, Jesus, dead prophets etc...) will be "good". I think it is great that he wants things and people to be good. He is now praying for the moon and the stars and the clouds. His prayers stay consistent for a few weeks, then he mixes them up a little, but he always prays for everyone to be good.

Jarek's prayers, when he is taking the time to really say them, are so thoughtful and heartfelt. I believe he is so much like Bret in that he knows he is praying to God. A lot of kids his age still just pray because that is what they are told to do.

Jarek was taking a walk with me yesterday and we were talking about praying. For some reason we started talking about when he gets married (oh yeah, he wants to get married before Malik and that is what sparked the conversation). I asked him what kind of girl he wants to marry and he said that she has to be a Mormon and pretty. I asked him how he would know if he should marry her. And he thought for a minute and said "well, because I will be in love with her". I said that is good to be in love, but sometimes we don't always marry the person that we are first in love with. Then he said, "Well, I will pray about it then." I told him that is exactly what he should do. He asked if Bret and I prayed about getting married and I told him we did. I asked him what he thought would happen if you didn't pray about who you should marry. He said that probably we wouldn't be as happy as we should be. We talked about how even when Bret and I get mad at each other, we can always think back on when we prayed to the Lord if we should get married and know that our prayers were answered. I think he was thinking about this because I had a friend over who's marriage isn't doing too well. We were talking and you know how kids can listen in! She was telling me how neither her nor her husband had really prayed to see if they should get married. They both just figured that it was the next step they should take and wanted to get married. Anyhow, we (Jarek and I) talked about how when we don't ask the Lord about very important decisions, we have a higher chance of not being as happy as we could be. He was a little worried because of the love thing, but then he said, and I was amazed that he would think this at his age, "Well mom, I guess we can love a lot of people, and I should wait to find the one I love and that Heavenly father wants me to love, there has to be a perfect match for me and I will get her."He is amazing. :)

I love talking about these important things with my children. It is an amazing experience to be a parent.

men and books

did you hear on the news the report that most men after high school don't read a single book? and 85% of books are purchased by women. I am glad my boys all read! keep jarek and malik in the habit. :0

St. Louis Trip

So I thought I'd tell everyone about how my trip to St. Louis went and then this'll count as my journal entry for it and I can stop feeling guilty that I haven't written in my journal about it yet. :)

So Nicole and I arrived in St. Louis Thursday night after an uneventful flight. We got the grand tour of my parents' new kitchen, planned our activities for the next day, and then everyone but Nicole and I went to bed. Dang time difference. So I set up the Wii (I took our's with me to show it off to the family) and played Paper Mario until I was tired enough to sleep.
Friday morning we were off to the zoo with my parents, Nicole, my sister Wendy and her four kids. We met my sister Karen and her husband David and their four kids at the zoo a little later that day, which was when I learned that I was the last to find out that she's pregnant again. Apparently what happened is my mom told Nicole and just assumed that Nicole would tell me. Well, Nicole thought mom would tell me and didn't think to mention it. Needless to say, she's due in October. And then while we were on the subject, I also learned I was the last to know that my brother Michael's girlfriend Sarah is also pregnant and due in August. Same train of miscommunication for that information. So yeah, basically, everyone in my family with functioning reproductive systems is having babies except for me. Meh.

Ok, it's really not that bad and this post is supposed to be about my trip to St. Louis and not my lack of fruit in the womb, so I'll stop whining now. I really am happy for all my siblings to be having babies and what-not. So the zoo actually was pretty fun. It wasn't too warm and it was cloudy, so for St. Louis, it was a pretty nice day. After the zoo it was back to my parents' house for lunch and then some clothes shopping with Nicole and my mom. Found some cute shirts at a second hand store that I like. After that we introduced the family to the Wii. My parents had already seen it at my oldest brother's house but the kids loved it. I think my brother-in-law David loved it the most though. We spent the rest of the night relaxing and playing with the kids.

Saturday morning we took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese, half of which was the first time for them. Let's just say I went there to compete for the best aunt in the universe award and I think I won. :) It was really fun for the kids and for us to see them having so much fun. We got some cute pictures and made some really good memories. After that, all of us non-grandparents and non-grandkids went to see Pirates (which was the first time I saw it). Some of us loved it and some of us didn't. I think everyone knows how I feel about it already. If you don't, here's a clue: I cried. A lot. And they were not happy tears. Moving on, my sisters and David and I went to dinner at Chipotle! They finally got a Chipotle in St. Louis, which might actually tip the scales enough for Jacob to consider going there with me sometime before my parents move or die. Then Wendy and Nicole and I went shopping at the cooler mall (i.e. the one with the store where I have a gift card) and I found 3 adorable dresses at the Macy's dress sale. Since I couldn't pick, I just got all 3. :) I very much had the intention to take 2 of the 3 back after I had some more time to think about it and after Jacob had seen pictures of me in them, but well, those intentions took a permenant vacation.

Sunday we just lazed around (my parents have afternoon church) and Nicole got to show off her plumbing skills. My mom dropped some random peice of jewelry down the sink and Nicole got it out. In the process, she discovered that my parents' sink had a leak. I think that was the part that most impressed my dad considering he hadn't even noticed it. Since my mom is now in the nursery, I got to just hang out in there with my youngest nephew, Jesse. I think the other nursery leaders (who didn't know me before I left home) were a little confused because I wasn't his mom and yet I was there...it was more fun than Sunday School though, I'm quite sure. :) Sunday night we sang around the piano for about four hours, which might not sound like fun to some people. But of all my memories from my younger years, singing around the piano on Sunday nights is one of my favorites. That was a lot of fun. Then we just sat around and talked until about 2 am (which is very, very late for my parents).

Monday Nicole was busy fixing the sink where she discovered the leak and my dad was helping her, so I played DDR and just relaxed and packed. We left Monday afternoon and after another uneventful flight, I was safely back in Jacob's arms. Overall, it was a very good trip. I missed Jacob, obviously, but it was fun. I am very happy to say that despite precedent and Jacob's predictions, we watched no movies at home. The only one we saw was Pirates and that was a planned activity and at the theater. Though after I found out that the last time my parents were at the movies was the see Return of the King, I'm really wishing I would have made them come with us.

Cinderella

Yesterday I was doing laundry and cleaning the house and in the middle of making lunch for the kids when Malik looked up at me and asked "mom, are you Cinderella?" I asked him why he would think that and he said, "because you do all the work." It made me laugh. He is so cute.

My Birthday and the Gila Monster

Friday was my 33rd birthday. What a wonderful day it was. I didn't take off of work, but I did leave a little early. The night before I had opened my gifts from my parents. They gave me a wonderful adidas shirt, a great button up shirt and tie and a Paul Cardall CD, who happens to be a friend I grew up with in Utah. They were generous and personal. I am actually listening to the CD right now and it is beautiful. Thank you mom and dad.

We were fortunate enough to have Jacob Webb and Mille and their daughter down so Friday night we ordered some Taco Bell and had a fun evening. Tevia got me some adidas Indiana Pacers shoes. They are awesome. Jarek got me some coupons which were hidden all over the house for giving me a massage and helping me with stretches. I am so lucky to have such a great family. We played RAGE with Jacob and Millie and Risa and I was able to pull off a win on my birthday. It was fun. We topped off the night with some Dairy Queen cake and Simpsons.

Saturday we got up early as it was Tevia's grandmother's 70th birthday. She was having a party up in Globe, AZ so we got up and on the way stopped at Boyce Thompson Arboretum. It was beautiful as we saw many birds and plants. The coolest part of that trip was hearing Jarek say, "hey, I see a gila monster." Most of us were incredulous as we had never seen a gila monster, but sure enough there was a gila monster! We went down to get a closer look. It was so cool. Tevia took some pics and I'll try to post it on here later. Gila monsters, though poisonous, are extremely slow, so we weren't too worried. It was a lot of fun.

The birthday for Tevia's grandmother was nice as we saw a lot of family we haven't seen in a long time. It was a great birthday weekend.

unprepared for test

I administered an 8th grade social studies 2 hour statewide test yesterday at WJ High. there was a fairly good-looking boy, who just sat and stared most of the time. when one of us 4 teachers walked by, (yes, 4 to a class of 28, how ridiculous), he would kind of pretend to write something. I took a look at the test. soooo easy! I could answer every question, and I haven't read a s studies book in years. there were pictures of lots of people standing in line in 1929 or so, and the question was, "what are these people standing in line for?" now, I have seen that pic hundreds of times. it was a soup line in the depression, and, they are studying the depression. duh. who wouldn't know that.
back to my topic. the poor kid looked pretty sad. I think it hit him that he was now suffering the consequences of not preparing for the test, even in the smallest way by paying attention in class.
later, I administered a math test. same reaction to another cute, athletic type guy. he looked lost, not bored. he looked sad, not rebellious. all his friends were busily writing away. he didn't know any of the answers.
I quickly paralled this to our life. we are continuously being tested. we are here to prepare. the next world is just a continuation of what we have learned. if we don't prepare now, we are going to look and feel so stupid when we pass on to that world, if we pass.
the boy's look of confusion and bewilderment was sad to me. he had the same chance to prepare as the others. he had the same teachers, the same books, albeit, maybe different trials at home. we all have different trials here, but we all have the same opportunity. the Lord makes sure of that. he had to face the consequences, and for the moment, they were sad for him,... but I would bet not much later he was over it.
we will all have to face our consequences. what will we say when some angel at the next gate says, why didn't we read our scriptures? etc.
this could be a great talk. I want all of you to know the answers. I want all of you to pass!

Disappearing Bees

Colony Collapse Disorder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This has been pretty big news in AZ and now I saw this in Wikipedia today. Interesting article. I also found it odd that beekeepers make more money renting their bees for pollination than for honey. Makes sense, but never thought of it.

My quick two cents

About Pirates, I liked it... for the most part. I can see how some people would fall asleep, and there were some parts that were entirely too cheesy (the wedding)... ALTHOUGH... it would probably be a wedding I wouldn't mind being at... better than any other bore-fest I've had to attend (don't worry Millie, I'm not talking about our wedding).

I too have heard several people say how they had a hard time following the plot and understanding the accents... not sure how that's possible... they are all speaking English after all... meh.

Anyway... I agree overall, it was a good movie. But... the end scene after the credits was not worth staying for. bleh.

birthday ideas and hints,

Not that I expect anything, but., there are a few things I want. new scripture case, but a really cool one. money for a hanging flower basket, $15. will do, a new toaster, or a small toaster oven that fits well on the counter, or money to buy one, $33. target, 29. kmart. Gift certificate for Borders or Barnes and Noble.

Tevia, did I tell you that the one necklace you made me, (brown), is too tight. if you could bring some (or buy some here) additional links to add to it?

Bret, hope you are having a good birthday week!

Jarek's just keeps growing up.

So, yesterday Jarek decided to fast for the first time. Neither Bret nor I put the idea in his head and I told him he really didn't have to if he didn't want to, but he was determined. We told him the when we fast, we fast with a purpose, not just to go without food. So he fasted for my sister Risa. He wants her to get married. While we were in sacrament meeting, I passed a water bottle to Malik and then Jarek accidentally took a sip. He realized what he had done and got very upset and worried that his fast wouldn't count since he took a drink. He got very teary-eyed and my heart was so sad for him. I explained that sometimes we forget and make a mistake like that (I told him that sometimes Bret forgets and will accidentally take a drink after he brushes his teeth) and we just apologize to the Lord and then start from that point on with a new resolve not to forget again. He was comforted after that and did a good job fasting.

It is so amazing seeing him grow up. We just switched the rooms around and let him have his own room for the summer. Malik and Enok are in the bigger room and Jarek is in Enok's old room. Jarek loves it and Malik hates it. Malik has been so sad that he has nobody to talk to and he is so lonely. Jarek loves not having Malik in the same room to pester him. I can understand how they both feel. So last night, after Malik was particularly sad, Jarek went into his room and gave him a big hug and a kiss and told him that he loved him. Malik was still sad, but I think it meant a lot to him. Jarek is a very good big brother to Malik.

And I have to say that Malik is a very good big brother to Enok. He really takes good care of him.I have the most wonderful children ever!

Pirates and Food Wars

So we finally got to go see Pirates III (Tevia and I). It was a great date as she got the babysitter and we headed up to see the movie. I was excited to see it, but had read some of the mixed reviews (including ones right on this blog!). I had loved the first one, enjoyed the second one even more, and so had high hopes for the third, but was cautious seeing how some people hated it and I heard of more than one person falling asleep in the movie.

In the end: I loved it! I am not sure if all of us are seeing the same movie. First of all, a few people including Tommy and Risa, had mentioned it was a hard plot to follow. I didn't find this to be true. It seemed to flow very well for me. I think that perhaps some people literally just don't understand what is being said due to the accents. I was captivated from the first scene and loved so many of the performances. Johnny Depp was fantastic as usual, but in this film he had some competition. Geoffrey Rush was amazing as Captain Barbosa - even better than in the first film. I loved, once again, Tia Dalma as her persona steals each scene she is in. Even Davey Jones is amazing and performs well in his dramatic scenes. Hey, I even enjoyed the monkey Jack after hating him in the previous two. I see today that it retained its #1 ranking this weekend which I think will be a surprise to most people. But I thought the film was entertaining and, for a sequel, different. Each film brings new things in this series and this film adds an air of mystery and "Alias-ness" to it. Keira Knightley, after not being impressed with her in the second film, returns in this film with flair and some hotness. She looked mighty fine and tan in this movie which adds a nice dessert for the fine meal that At World's End was. I liked the ending as it was not predictable and made sense. I also enjoyed the setup for a possible fourth film which I am sure will happen. If you stayed til the end, which I doubt most of you did, I also enjoyed the final scene with Will and Keira's kid. Orlando Bloom will never be a great actor, but he certainly does well in fantasy roles where he has to look brave and confident. Legolas and Will Turner were great roles for him.

Last week, or perhaps the week before, Jarek was in a play at his school. The play was called Food Wars and was a spoof on Star Wars that takes place in a food shop. They had tryouts for the parts and Jarek tried out for Dark Chocolate - the equivalent of our fallen Jedi. He did not get the part, but was then asked to be Fruit Juicedrinker (Luke Skywalker). I was so proud of him and saw how he practiced his lines so hard. As I attended the performance the morning before I went to Dayton, Ohio, it was so fun to see him perform. Tevia did a great job on his costume. He was the only one who had all of his lines memorized (with a substantial part) and, besides Darth Chocolate, was really the only kid who understood how to use his voice as a tool to show emotion, humor and emphasis. He got the most laughs from the audience. Later that day apparently he was asked to give his autograph to a few people, which when he told us said that people had given him their autograph. He is a talented child and I'm so glad to have him in our family.

cape cod!

I am so excited about the upcoming trip! it will be great being together. I have some fun ideas for the kids.