Our stake just completed a women's tri-athalon. Well, I think it was a mini tri-athalon. The ladies swam 10 laps (20 times one way) biked 16 miles and ran/walked 3.
I was not excited when it was announced. I knew I needed to get in shape, but that was not what I was looking for. So I refused to train.
About three weeks ago, I started working out. My rebellious way of waiting until it was really to late to be ready and then starting my own plan. Did you know I was stubborn?
My sister was in charge of gathering volunteers to man the route. So in order to support her, I found myself standing on the street corner and directing the runners on their way to the course. I also became a cheerleader to the women who were finishing up.
I was a bit ashamed of myself. I am healthy and realitivly young. Grandmothers in their sixies were out on that course. Women, who looked like there was no way they were in better shape than I am, were out on the course.
I was on the side lines.
Then I learned that the last biker out was the wife of our patriarch. She has to be in her seventies. I don't think she swam or ran, but she was out there biking 16 miles.
Today, I pulled Craig's bike out and went farther than the 6 miles I have been doing for the past 2 weeks.
Craig thinks I did 12, I was hoping for 15. I'm going to go out and clock it. If it's not 16 than I'm going to figure out how far that is and I'm going to ride the bike for 16 miles. (Just not today.)
Good grief.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
The Old Testament
Today I finished Malachi. I started reading the Old Testament in January. I've been following along in the institute manual. I find it very helpful because it explains culture, idioms, geography, etc.
This is the third time I've read the OT completely (except for Song of Solomon.) It gets easier with each reading. I didn't get bogged down in the lists and the names. In fact, I discovered some the origins of several family names.
I rediscovered some wonderful stories and favorite verses. I'm getting a clearer picture of the history -- inside the Bible and out. I'm feeling more sympathetic to people that I just didn't get before -- like possibly Jonah.
All in all, I am a better person for taking the time to get to know the OT better. I have decided to read it at least every 4 years from now on. Each time we study it in Sunday School.
A few noted benefits from reading this year -- I am in love with Isaiah. I want to get to know the Proverbs and the Psalms better. I can hear the music of The Messaih by Handel and several of our current hymns playing through my head as I've read this year. I am learning some of the geography of the Holy Land. I am amazed at the patience and love of God for His stubborn children.
And being that I am stubborn myself, I am comforted. :)
I'm pretty sure I can read the Book of Mormon before January when I will dive into the New Testament again.
I'm looking forward to loving all the scriptures like I love the Book of Mormon. I've learned it just takes me reading them all, again and again.
This is the third time I've read the OT completely (except for Song of Solomon.) It gets easier with each reading. I didn't get bogged down in the lists and the names. In fact, I discovered some the origins of several family names.
I rediscovered some wonderful stories and favorite verses. I'm getting a clearer picture of the history -- inside the Bible and out. I'm feeling more sympathetic to people that I just didn't get before -- like possibly Jonah.
All in all, I am a better person for taking the time to get to know the OT better. I have decided to read it at least every 4 years from now on. Each time we study it in Sunday School.
A few noted benefits from reading this year -- I am in love with Isaiah. I want to get to know the Proverbs and the Psalms better. I can hear the music of The Messaih by Handel and several of our current hymns playing through my head as I've read this year. I am learning some of the geography of the Holy Land. I am amazed at the patience and love of God for His stubborn children.
And being that I am stubborn myself, I am comforted. :)
I'm pretty sure I can read the Book of Mormon before January when I will dive into the New Testament again.
I'm looking forward to loving all the scriptures like I love the Book of Mormon. I've learned it just takes me reading them all, again and again.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
My fifth grade homework
I didn't know I would be assigned homework for my son's 5th grade class. I forgot about it and Josh reminded me yesterday. I wrote notes last night and then wrote it up today. I thought I would share it here. This way it will end up in my journal, when I get this thing printed off. :)
Joshua Mark Oswald
Josh’s name comes from the Bible. We wanted him to be “strong and of good courage”(Joshua 1:9) and to choose to “serve the Lord” (24:15). Mark comes from his uncle. His Dad’s older brother. Oswald comes from Germany. His great, great, great grandfather was a stone mason who came to America and built bridges and houses everywhere he lived.
Josh is a son, a brother, a cousin, a nephew, and a grandson. Family is very important to us. We travel to Idaho and/or Utah for family reunions nearly every summer. Water usually plays a part in our summer activities. He likes to swim and ride water slides. He likes to challenge his cousins on the Wii. He is a Wii champion and a DS master. He likes the barbecues and dinners. He likes to watch movies and hang out. He likes the trampolines and games.
Josh is a student. He is a reader and a math wiz. This summer he and his mother read all five books in the Fablehaven series. His mother loves that Josh likes to read Fantasy books just as much as she does. His dad likes that Josh likes math. His dad is an accountant. Josh likes history. He watches historical documentaries. He likes science. He likes to learn about animals and the oceans. He watches those kind of documentaries too. When we go to the beach, we look at tide pools and try and find all the animals we can. He likes to learn about other people. He likes to learn about Greek and Roman mythologies.
Josh is a church member, a cub scout, a friend and a piano player. In church, Josh does church things like learning about the Bible, but he also learns how to give talks in front of people and how to memorize things. Josh’s good friends are in cub scouts too. Sometimes they do fun things, like ride their bikes and play chess and go to camp. Sometimes they do not so fun things, like listen to classical music and write stories and keep a diary for a week. Josh is a piano player because his mom tells him he has to be. His teacher says he is a good sight reader. His mom and dad like to listen to him practice.
Josh is a budding artist. He helped his mom design an ocean quilt. He wanted a blue ocean, a blue dolphin, a red octopus and red crabs. The red crabs became orange and the ocean quilt hangs in the office instead being on his bed. Josh is learning how to draw. He draws a lot of swords and soldiers and knights. He remembers things from the books he reads and likes to draw the weapons and the characters.
Josh likes to build things. He has lots of legos. He and his brother build with the legos. He and his friends build with the legos. He likes build castles at the beach. He likes to build mountains and then dig a tunnel underneath it. When Josh grows up he wants to build things and invent things.
Josh is an eater of his dad’s cookies and his mom’s brownies and pies. He is almost as tall as his mother. His mother is sure he will grow to be taller than his dad. He is loved. He is a protector. He is funny and clever. He is smart. He is kind. He is good.
Joshua Mark Oswald
Josh’s name comes from the Bible. We wanted him to be “strong and of good courage”(Joshua 1:9) and to choose to “serve the Lord” (24:15). Mark comes from his uncle. His Dad’s older brother. Oswald comes from Germany. His great, great, great grandfather was a stone mason who came to America and built bridges and houses everywhere he lived.
Josh is a son, a brother, a cousin, a nephew, and a grandson. Family is very important to us. We travel to Idaho and/or Utah for family reunions nearly every summer. Water usually plays a part in our summer activities. He likes to swim and ride water slides. He likes to challenge his cousins on the Wii. He is a Wii champion and a DS master. He likes the barbecues and dinners. He likes to watch movies and hang out. He likes the trampolines and games.
Josh is a student. He is a reader and a math wiz. This summer he and his mother read all five books in the Fablehaven series. His mother loves that Josh likes to read Fantasy books just as much as she does. His dad likes that Josh likes math. His dad is an accountant. Josh likes history. He watches historical documentaries. He likes science. He likes to learn about animals and the oceans. He watches those kind of documentaries too. When we go to the beach, we look at tide pools and try and find all the animals we can. He likes to learn about other people. He likes to learn about Greek and Roman mythologies.
Josh is a church member, a cub scout, a friend and a piano player. In church, Josh does church things like learning about the Bible, but he also learns how to give talks in front of people and how to memorize things. Josh’s good friends are in cub scouts too. Sometimes they do fun things, like ride their bikes and play chess and go to camp. Sometimes they do not so fun things, like listen to classical music and write stories and keep a diary for a week. Josh is a piano player because his mom tells him he has to be. His teacher says he is a good sight reader. His mom and dad like to listen to him practice.
Josh is a budding artist. He helped his mom design an ocean quilt. He wanted a blue ocean, a blue dolphin, a red octopus and red crabs. The red crabs became orange and the ocean quilt hangs in the office instead being on his bed. Josh is learning how to draw. He draws a lot of swords and soldiers and knights. He remembers things from the books he reads and likes to draw the weapons and the characters.
Josh likes to build things. He has lots of legos. He and his brother build with the legos. He and his friends build with the legos. He likes build castles at the beach. He likes to build mountains and then dig a tunnel underneath it. When Josh grows up he wants to build things and invent things.
Josh is an eater of his dad’s cookies and his mom’s brownies and pies. He is almost as tall as his mother. His mother is sure he will grow to be taller than his dad. He is loved. He is a protector. He is funny and clever. He is smart. He is kind. He is good.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Not a boy any longer
Josh has been 10 for about a month and half.
He just started 5th grade.
I have been thinking that next year he will be in middle school.
I thought I was projecting.
Today, he came home and told me, "Mom, I have visible peach fuzz."
He just started 5th grade.
I have been thinking that next year he will be in middle school.
I thought I was projecting.
Today, he came home and told me, "Mom, I have visible peach fuzz."
A glimpse into the future
Monday I was dashing into town to have my sewing machine looked at. It's been skipping stitches and breaking thread. When I started having to clean up messes under the quilt, I was done.
So after getting a few things done in the morning, I headed off to find the repair shop.
Just across from Walmart I saw the cutest sight ever.
Matching khaki pants and white socks. He had black shoes, she had white shoes. His jacket was dark blue, hers was powder blue. They had matching white hair. She stood straight, he was a bit hunched over. They were holding hands, fingers entwined.
The day melted away for just a minute and I wondered. Will my future look a bit like that?
So after getting a few things done in the morning, I headed off to find the repair shop.
Just across from Walmart I saw the cutest sight ever.
Matching khaki pants and white socks. He had black shoes, she had white shoes. His jacket was dark blue, hers was powder blue. They had matching white hair. She stood straight, he was a bit hunched over. They were holding hands, fingers entwined.
The day melted away for just a minute and I wondered. Will my future look a bit like that?
Friday, September 17, 2010
Boaz's first tooth
Yesterday on the way to Boaz's school's open house we made an important discovery. Boaz had his first loose tooth.
Boaz is much different than Karly or Thea was. Even a bit different than Josh. Less than 24 hours later he was ready for Daddy to try and pull it out.
The before picture. If you look very closely, you can see the loose tooth leaning a bit to the center.
I am amazed that he let Daddy do this twice this morning.
Success! He is now toothless like the rest of his class. It's hard to be one of the last ones to loose a tooth.
Boaz is much different than Karly or Thea was. Even a bit different than Josh. Less than 24 hours later he was ready for Daddy to try and pull it out.
The before picture. If you look very closely, you can see the loose tooth leaning a bit to the center.
I am amazed that he let Daddy do this twice this morning.
Success! He is now toothless like the rest of his class. It's hard to be one of the last ones to loose a tooth.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Gingerbread Men
A fun day. But I am tired. Who knew decorating over 50 gingerbread men with lots of kindergartners could be so tiring. Craig just laughed at me. My huge 5 hour work day compared to his more than 8 hours.
Oh well, I've worked 3 days so far and have two more scheduled. It's starting a bit slower than I wanted, but I'm happy I'm getting jobs.
Tomorrow I'm back to recess monitor. I hope it doesn't rain.
Oh well, I've worked 3 days so far and have two more scheduled. It's starting a bit slower than I wanted, but I'm happy I'm getting jobs.
Tomorrow I'm back to recess monitor. I hope it doesn't rain.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
First Job Scheduled
I'm so excited. I have my first two jobs scheduled. Starting tomorrow at 7:15 -- very early for me to be all put together. It sounds like I'll be the recess monitor -- for 5 hours.
But it's a job.
I'll do it all again next Friday. This will be a good way for me to meet the kids and get reacquainted with the kids I already know.
I'll have to make sure I have comfortable shoes and plaster a smile on my face. I hope it doesn't rain. The play shed is deafening.
But it's a job.
I'll do it all again next Friday. This will be a good way for me to meet the kids and get reacquainted with the kids I already know.
I'll have to make sure I have comfortable shoes and plaster a smile on my face. I hope it doesn't rain. The play shed is deafening.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
First day of school
Standing in front of the front door, without backpacks. The backpacks weigh a ton. First day schlepping of paper and school products.
Hoping you know somebody in your class.
Hoping some of the people you know are not in your class.
Hoping the teacher is nice.
Just hoping.
Boaz :)
Josh and Boaz :)
Josh :)
Boaz digging in last years crayons to color his letter "B". We were too early for me to get a picture of Josh in his class room. I met the teacher and he had to go straight outside while I hurried to Boaz's school.
I headed out shopping. Boaz knew I was going and worried I would not be home in time to meet him at the bus. I counted out the hours. It was almost 8 am. I needed to be home at 2 pm -- to meet the bus at 2:30. That gave me 6 hours.
But Boaz said it takes me 7 hours to shop. (It really doesn't. I just feels like forever to a little -- or big -- boy.)
I found myself at the mall. JCPenny's was having a sale. I have recently discovered the Red Zone. Clearance items up to 80% off. You just have to be willing to dig because it's utter chaos.
I found pants for $7.00. I must have tried on 20 pair. I felt guilty -- just a bit. I reveled in the luxury of being able to try on clothes without keeping track of two annoyed boys and the impossible task of trying to keep them happy in a clothing store.
I made it back -- just at 2. :)
Hoping you know somebody in your class.
Hoping some of the people you know are not in your class.
Hoping the teacher is nice.
Just hoping.
Boaz :)
Josh and Boaz :)
Josh :)
Boaz digging in last years crayons to color his letter "B". We were too early for me to get a picture of Josh in his class room. I met the teacher and he had to go straight outside while I hurried to Boaz's school.
I headed out shopping. Boaz knew I was going and worried I would not be home in time to meet him at the bus. I counted out the hours. It was almost 8 am. I needed to be home at 2 pm -- to meet the bus at 2:30. That gave me 6 hours.
But Boaz said it takes me 7 hours to shop. (It really doesn't. I just feels like forever to a little -- or big -- boy.)
I found myself at the mall. JCPenny's was having a sale. I have recently discovered the Red Zone. Clearance items up to 80% off. You just have to be willing to dig because it's utter chaos.
I found pants for $7.00. I must have tried on 20 pair. I felt guilty -- just a bit. I reveled in the luxury of being able to try on clothes without keeping track of two annoyed boys and the impossible task of trying to keep them happy in a clothing store.
I made it back -- just at 2. :)
Monday, September 6, 2010
Who is that?
Not aware of the camera, until too late.
I don't really recognize me anymore. I still think I am 30 lbs lighter and 20 years younger. What happened?
I don't really recognize me anymore. I still think I am 30 lbs lighter and 20 years younger. What happened?
Karly
Stretching out the cave to make it big enough.
Sliding out of the frame and frustrating her mother.
How did we miss a nice picture of a truly cute girl? Almost eighteen, in the picture anyway. Now she is there and getting ready for college.
Sliding out of the frame and frustrating her mother.
How did we miss a nice picture of a truly cute girl? Almost eighteen, in the picture anyway. Now she is there and getting ready for college.
In the caves
Josh is getting tall. He is up to my shoulder. Soon he will be taller than me. He is excited for that to happen. Very weird.
Boaz wants to do everything that Josh does. He'll catch him sometime and then he will be so happy to be as tall, or taller than Josh. Everything is a competition.
Looking through a peep hole.
Just hangin'.
Boaz wants to do everything that Josh does. He'll catch him sometime and then he will be so happy to be as tall, or taller than Josh. Everything is a competition.
Looking through a peep hole.
Just hangin'.
Joshua
He loves to look cool. Very GQ. Seldom smiles for the camera anymore, unless I ask specifically for one.
Both of them love the camouflage shirts. They blend in. :)
Yoga pose, inspired from the Last Airbender series.
Boaz needs to get in on the action.
Both of them love the camouflage shirts. They blend in. :)
Yoga pose, inspired from the Last Airbender series.
Boaz needs to get in on the action.
Josh with the binocs
In case you've forgotten, Josh got a pair of binoculars this year for his birthday -- thank you Auntie Brenda. :) So of course they came along on our hike.
He is very camera conscious. Loves to pose for the camera.
Boaz has to be in every picture -- if he can make it. He's still a bit of a goofy poser. :)
Josh looking up into an erosion chiminey. Totally awesome.
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He is very camera conscious. Loves to pose for the camera.
Boaz has to be in every picture -- if he can make it. He's still a bit of a goofy poser. :)
Josh looking up into an erosion chiminey. Totally awesome.
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Silver Falls
We love Silver Falls. It's close. It's beautiful. It has waterfalls and trees and lots of trails. It's a perfect family day. I don't know why we only visit once a year. Honestly, it makes no sense. But we went this year with Brenda and Karly. Craig was singing. It was a beautiful day.
A few pictures of the kids. And yes, Karly is still a kid. Just for a while longer.
Helping the boys up in a high cave. They went into every cave that they saw. Each one had to be properly explored. :)
A few pictures of the kids. And yes, Karly is still a kid. Just for a while longer.
Helping the boys up in a high cave. They went into every cave that they saw. Each one had to be properly explored. :)
Sunday, September 5, 2010
The wind break at the beach
Boaz was smart to want Craig to write it down. They didn't make it to the beach on Wednesday -- Craig couldn't get out of an afternoon meeting. But we went on Friday. It was worth the wait. We went to Pacific City. A new beach for us. We could drive out on the beach -- no toting gear, a huge sand mountain and tide pools. But the thing I remembered to take pictures of was the wind break. :)
The inside of our cozy shelter. We played in the morning and took shelter in the afternoon. Craig said we were the walrus family. We had just watched a nature program where all the walruses were packed on top of each other sunning. He was the middle walrus, of course. :)
Thea came and saw our sand castle method and shelter. It was probably the first time she could tan at the Oregon Beach. At least in the morning.
The man and his shelter. He is very proud. It's a good thing it is sturdy. The wind really picked up in the afternoon. He wondered if it might collapse under the force of the beach weather. But it stood it's ground. We were grateful.
The inside of our cozy shelter. We played in the morning and took shelter in the afternoon. Craig said we were the walrus family. We had just watched a nature program where all the walruses were packed on top of each other sunning. He was the middle walrus, of course. :)
Thea came and saw our sand castle method and shelter. It was probably the first time she could tan at the Oregon Beach. At least in the morning.
The man and his shelter. He is very proud. It's a good thing it is sturdy. The wind really picked up in the afternoon. He wondered if it might collapse under the force of the beach weather. But it stood it's ground. We were grateful.
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