5.30.2010

It's Over, thank you.


The school year is over.
It's time for night games, Friday Friends Breakfast, popsicles, swimsuits, fireworks, time with cousins, watermelon on the deck, falling into bed exhausted as a cool breeze blows through the window.
It's been such a fantastic school year for my children.  
When I realize that some of my children spend 6 hours a day outside of 
our home learning it becomes very real how important a teacher is. 
 I love a teacher who takes my child's strengths and makes them grow.
  Who expects the best from my child, but loves them at their worst. 
I feel so lucky to have had such wonderful teachers in my children's lives this year. 
Here they are on the 1st day of school and the last, and a picture with their beloved teacher.




Aidan's teacher is coveted by many.  I wish she could follow him through High School. 
She loves him, laughs with him, and teaches in a way that gets him excited to learn. 
She hugs him and eats at his cheeks. 
He has excelled at reading and spelling.  Just the other day he came to me and said, 
"Mom, why don't you ever use idioms when you speak?"
When I read to him he says things under his breath like, "simile... metaphor". He loves to write little animal facts down on slips of paper throughout the house. 
How long elephants live, what kind of tracks a beaver would leave.  
He loved going to school and spending time with her. He soaked it all in. 
What a fantastic year it's been for him because of her. 



I was so grateful that Chloe had a teacher that understood her.  
Chloe felt at ease at school and became more confident in a lot of areas. 
 I have to credit her teacher with creating an atmosphere that allowed her to grow in those areas. She made some new friends and had an excellent school year.  At the end of the year award ceremony in her class she was awarded....Most Athletic Girl.  
While this came as a shock to me- it shouldn't have.  She loves to play sports- and the boys do not intimidate her.  She can often be found out front shooting hoops with Asher and his friends. We now share the same shoe size Women's 8.5.  She is growing up and turning into a beautiful young lady. 



Asher has a lot of natural ability.  He is a quick learner and sometimes this can lead to laziness. If things come easily, you may not have to work at hard to fill the status quo. 
Asher's teacher reminded him how hard his father has to work at school, 
and Asher should honor that and work just as hard.
 Asher's teacher was exactly what he needed.  
She recognized his abilities.  She pushed him to be better, do better, choose better. 
She encouraged him to make the kind of friends that will lift him up. 
She gave him responsibility and trusted him. 
She didn't bail him out when he didn't finish the task, but instead let him learn from his mistakes and 
loved him anyway.  She was wonderful for him.



Oh my Cole boy.  He went to his first year of preschool.  Cole learned so much this year.
He learned his alphabet, colors, shapes, and began reading.  
He learned that sometimes you have to "think about it", if you're not making a good choice.
Often when I would pick him up he'd say, "I didn't even have to think about it today!"
His teacher was so patient and really loved being there with these little kids. 
She helped him set a good foundation for all the learning years to come. 

5.29.2010

How I Ate My Way Through My 33rd Birthday.

It began at Communal in downtown Provo with Terri, Ging, and Mom.  
I went out on a limb and had the house made Hunter's Sausage with Spaetzle. 
It was ...interesting. I have to say the Potato and Leek Gratin was my favorite. 
After lunch we walked over to Rooster and enjoyed a chocolate molten dessert with whipped cream. 
This is my most favorite dessert I've ever eaten. 
I've eaten it thrice just to ensure it is my most favorite. 
Then I ate some Costco birthday cake. 
In case you're wondering it says, 
"Happy Birthday Princess Amy"
Scott had this whole theme going. I had a crown. The kids bowed when they addressed me. 
I look like a princess eating the corner off that cake don't I?



I enjoyed dinner at La Caille with Scott and our friends the Bentleys.
I have to admit I was feeling a bit uptight at this fancy French restaurant.
However, after a few good laughs we were all relaxed and had a fantastic time. 
I had the Cambridge shortribs. Oh they were tender and delicious. 




After dinner Scott surprised me with reservations to stay the night in SL and do some birthday shopping.  
It was a delicious birthday. 

5.27.2010

Come on In and Make Yourself at Home

When I've thought about what kind of mother I want to be I've always wanted my children and their friends to feel welcome in my home.  I want them to feel accepted, loved, comfortable, and have a few laughs.  So when I  I finished working on the computer and walked in the family room to find this:

 It made me smile.
 




 And how cool of a Dad is Scott?!

5.23.2010

I answer your letters...from the 80's.




















Dear Dad,
I do keep busy probably a little bit more now than I did in 1986.  I am so excited to go to Disneyland. I believe Bear Country is closed down, but we will still have a lot of fun. I love you Dad. 
XOXOXO,
Amy




















Dear Britney,
Thank you for this picture you drew of me when I was so sick after getting my tonsils taken out. There were a lot of tears cried and blood thrown up (keepin it real), and I did have a nutritious drink every day but it was called Ensure not Nutura.
I love you and don't see you nearly enough for how close you are.
Love,
Aunt Amy






























Dear Em,
Thank you for the warning about cheese. I did have a cheese sandwich today, but I'm feeling okay. I sliced an apple on it too. It was delicious.  I am so glad your family moved back "home".  I love you and your crazy art skills.
Love,
Amy























Dear Jen,
Didn't you just have a root canal?  I'm just sayin.  
I luff you too big sistren.
Love,
Amy

















Dear Ging,
I was wondering...if you have any time this week could we go to Zoobie.  It sounds dreamy.  I would love to hit the dance floor with you and watch people's amazement as these two hot redheads tear it up. 
I love you too. 
Love,
Amy
p.s. I gave Em a big hug last time I saw her.
















Dear Terri,
How ironic that you would be asking me if I was a great typer in 1980-something.  I'm honored to be your typist sister.  I'm thinking you should call the girls, snuggle up on a bed, eat some fun fruit (?) and read them a story.  They'd love it. See you this week for some more quality type time. 
Love,
Amy
p.s. Thanks for always being there for me. 

5.12.2010

Our House around 7:00 pm

Grace fills the role of puppy at dinner. 
Aidan entertains the crowd with "handstands" which lead to a hurting back and him proclaiming "I need more meat!"
Chloe works tirelessly on "Linus & Lucy" for a duet @ school.  Asher builds a contraption on Crazy Machines. 

I sit and wonder "How long until bed time?"

Cole: MIA- check the tub. He's been trying out his goggles and snorkel at least 3 times a day. 

5.09.2010

A Mother's Day

Before I cover my Mother's Day I have to pay tribute to my own special mother.

As the years go by and I continue to watch my own children grow I understand you more.
Mothering isn't easy.  I am not always great at it, but, like you, my love for my children drives me.
I love you Mom- Happy Mother's Day!


I was startled from a dream by my children standing next to my bed
"Sit up Mom!"
I was served homemade banana pancakes in bed with juice.
I had to share a little bit, and the more I shared the more hungry mouths lined up while Chloe was downstairs flipping pancakes quickly.




Chloe told me later that it  was difficult to get the recipe because when Uncle Jared was giving it to her he'd say things like , "okay, then 1 cup of baking soda".  And she'd say, "ONE CUP of baking soda, really?"  And then he'd say, "One cup of gun powder".  And so Chloe's recipe is full of strange items scribbled out and rewritten.  She did a fabulous job!

After some mandatory morning cuddling we skyped Scotty and the kids all gave me their heartfelt Mother's Day gifts.

Chloe sewed me a little baggie and filled it with rocks she painted with reasons she loves me.





















Asher made me this fine piece of artwork.



















Aidan made me this book titled Mommy & Her Son


This is a story about a mommy and her son who, in many ways, are different.

I like McDonald's. My mom, she thinks of it as a pest.
My mom likes salad. To me, it looks like leaves.
I think mice are cute because they look like bunnies a little bit.
My mom, she thinks they're ugly.
I like cats because they're furry. My mom had a cat, but it clawed her lip. (true story)
I like all flavors of jellybeans. My mom thinks some taste like dirt or mud, so she gives them to me.

The mom and her son are alike in many ways too.

We like giraffes because of the spots. We like Mrs.Geddes because she's nice, funny, and intelligent. (Mrs. Geddes is his teacher).  We like to watch the sunset because of the colors. We like zebras because of the stripes.  We like making cookie together so I can spend some time with her.

But the way we are most alike is the most special way of all.  Because, you see, they love each other so very much!


Scotty really surprised me with a new GARMIN!!!!  Oh the joy.

I was very much looking forward to church today.  However, Pretty Baby had ideas all her own.  She barely made it through the  the first meeting and then I had to take the screaming Pretty Baby home to bed.

After lunch I got a Mother's Day nap and at some point Cole joined me just to play with my hair.  See it wrapped up under his chin.  Very interesting, because he has told me more than once that he never wants a mustache.  I thought maybe he had a fear of facial hair.  Maybe he's just getting a feel for it.


We had a lovely dinner of brisket, rolls, braised potatoes, and jell-0 jigglers formed into a heart shape.

We finished off the day with a walk around the neighborhood where the children tried to avoid every crack in honor of their mother today.



So, I don't do this very often.  And when I do I certainly don't share it, but I thought I would this time.


Mother’s Day



By Amy Browning


When I sit and reflect on the most sacred moments in my life.


The moments when I have felt as if my spirit and my body are in sync,


I immediately think of the birth of each of my children.


That moment when a little being enters an earthly existence.


That tiny person I have named and dreamt of and wished great things for


goes from my mind’s eye - to right before my eyes.


Sometimes screaming,


sometimes silent,


and once I waited some agonizing minutes


for that moment when flesh meets flesh, but our spirits are old friends.


This feeling is a love so deep, so real, so affirming of a living and loving God.


My spirit glows and my body knows this is its greatest work.















5.08.2010

Since you've been gone...

Friday:
Cobb Salad
30 minute pick up
Movie Night

Saturday:
Soccer, Soccer, Soccer


5.06.2010

Embarrassing Bulk

I'd heard so much.  I had to go.  Even though I'd be breaking one of the cardinal rules of grocery shopping: Thou shalt not grocery shop with children during their nap time.
Ah well, rules are meant to be broken.

I hit some good deals, but I was really looking forward to wandering the bulk food section.
Something about food in bulk form really excites me.
(note to self: mention the bulk food attraction to therapist)
I actually was thinking of the dry pack canning I'd be doing later in the day.
I started with hot cocoa mix, because as Jenny says, what good is food storage if you don't want to eat it.
I was really filling up that bag when Cole says, "Mom that has a hole in it, look at the mess."
crap.
Indeed it had a hole and while I was busy filling the bag the bottom half was busy emptying onto the bins below.
Not to bad though, so I moved on to the cornmeal.
I filled my bag to the top, put on my labeled twist tie, and then promptly got the bag caught on the handle of a bin.
RIP!
Cornmeal filled my shoes.
A sweet woman helped me double bag as I slipped through the mess to my cart.  Cornmeal on polished concrete floors is super slippery.
An employee quickly saw my plight and swept the mess.
(He should've followed me around with the broom.  This is foreshadowing.)
I filled a few more bags with bulk items and wandered the store.
At check out my bulk bag of bread crumbs got caught on my cart and you guessed it..ripped.
I gave the automatic belt a nice coating of delicious Panko breading.
The checker double bagged it for me.
As I bagged my own groceries after checking out my bulk bag of rice caught on the plastic bag holder.  It was more than I could take.  I wanted to hurl that bag of rice all the way across that Winco.

I've made it home now with my remaining bulk, and I'm thinking it's a good thing I have children who humble me so that spilling food all over a new grocery store only embarrasses me slightly.