find joy in the journey

vote for Anna

Last year when Anna's teacher sent home papers about running for class representative Anna threw it in the trash.  

When I discovered that they were in the middle of presentations & elections I asked her about it and her response was a panicked, no way mom.  I am NOT doing that.

Anna has a tendency to shy away from and resist anything that puts her in the spotlight.  Which totally makes me scratch my head because she has the brightest, goofiest, hey-watch-me-while-I-make-a-crazy-face personality every single day of the week!  

I told her right then that next year, in 4th grade, when those papers come home I want to see it.  And I want her to at least TRY. 

So the papers came home last Friday and she begrudgingly handed them to me, already knowing her fate and what was ahead of her.  Anna you will be great at this, I assured her.  And even if you don't win you get to make a cool powerpoint presentation and that will be fun!

ok.  [insert grumpy face]

She sat down at the computer, opened up PowerPoint, and stared at the screen with her shoulders slumped and a kill-me-now look on her face.

I left her to it and didn't bother her.

The next day I saw her at the computer again. And the next day.  By Sunday afternoon she began sharing her ideas with me and there was a hint of excitement.

Monday rolled around and somewhere a switch flipped.  She was sitting at the computer, tinkering with her presentation every spare moment of the day.  She scrolled through iPhoto and found photos of herself to insert into the slides.  She was talking about it nonstop and came up with an idea that could be an addition to the Be Kind program at school.

Tuesday she was persistent, "Mom you have to sign the parent permission form! It's due tomorrow!"  More planning and the excitement was definitely building.  She came home and made a t-shirt to promote her school initiative - a program to encourage kids to say "hi" to each other and be friends.

Wednesday I picked her up from school, "Mom thank you so much for making me do the Class Representative. I'm having so much fun with it."  Quiet fist pump - oh ya!  After Activity Days she collected scrapbook paper and ribbon and sat in her room for an hour creating 29 "Vote for Anna" ribbons.  And later added a Starburst to the back

Thursday the powerpoint presentation was ready to go. And the nerves began to set in.  She practiced the whole presentation several times, I suggested she add a fun chant/song to the end, we downloaded the power point file to a flash drive and gathered her t-shirt, ribbons, homemade posters, and notecards.

This morning she was SO nervous.  The kind of nervous where every little thing, and every little help from mom would set her off.  Ah!  While driving to school I tried to assure she would be great, but she said, "can we not talk about it?"  Ok.  With a kiss and hug I sent her off and hoped for the best, knowing it was going to be a long, stressful day for her. Presentations would be given during the last hour of school.

This afternoon I stood at the corner as she came across the crosswalk, carrying her basket of campaign materials, with no expression on her face.

As she neared me she spoke in a flat tone, "Class Representative."

Wait, what?

"I got Class Representative."

I beamed, Anna that is so great!

But her expression was still blank.  And her mouth tight-lipped.

Are you okay, sweetie?

"When they announced the winner Sienna started to cry and I felt bad for her.  When we lined up to leave I gave her a hug and told her that her presentation was awesome."

Well guess who wants to cry now?  Me!  Holy cow, I was so incredibly proud of this girl and her compassion and thoughtfulness.  I told her what an amazing girl she is and that I was so proud of her for being concerned about Sienna and reaching out to comfort her.

The whole way home she remained quiet and thoughtful -- I could tell she was thinking about the other girl. We talked through the details of the day, the other presentations, and the election process.  I think the whole thing took her back because she knew that she would have felt the exact same way had she lost the election.

Oh it's so hard!

But I'm so proud of her for being thoughtful, kind, and compassionate.

One of the slides in her presentation read:

I would be a good class representative because:
I am very responsible
I would attend all meetings on time
I have creative ideas and
I always like to smile at people and comfort them when they are sad.

That is exactly right.

around here

around here I'm getting back into the meal planning and cooking groove.  That kind of goes out the window during summer when it's just too hot to think and life is irregular with our travels.  This was potato salad for Labor Day.

around here carpool is going great! And I'm loving these early mornings when the sun is golden and it feels good to be outside.

around here we walk to elementary school and Anna holds my hand the whole way.  This past week we saw lots of lizards and bunnies.

around here I'm trying to eat well.  Let's just say that I ended summer with a bang!  And now it's time to pay the piper.  I love having  a piece of toast (Dave's Killer Bread) with mashed up avocado, a bunch of veggies, peppers with cream cheese, and some deli meat.  My newest trick is to cut up and wash a variety of veggies and keep them in a plastic lidded container in the fridge.  It's all ready to go for lunch and snacks.

around here I'm reading about tidying up.  My house needs some serious attention in the area of clutter and stuff.  We have been here for almost 3 years and at that point where we need a big clean-out.  I think that if we haven't used it since moving in 3 years ago it should probably be thrown away or donated.  But first, I'll stop to tell the item "thank you" for serving it's purpose.  (You gotta read this book)

around here Anna is reading Nancy Drew, Conner is reading To Kill A Mockingbird, and Payton is reading Wonder.

around here you might find me standing in front of the garage having my photo taken by Payton.  Don't worry it's totally normal.  Even though it feels totally awkward.  Just getting photos for my LuLaRoe social media.

around here I'm teaching my 2 youngest about breastfeeding.  I purchased a breast pump from a friend's baby registry and the gift sat on my dining table for a couple days unwrapped.  As each child happened upon it they came to me with confused faces, "mom what IS this?"  Not only did I have to explain what it was for, but I also had to explain the fact that moms produce milk for their babies.  COMPLETE NEWS TO THEM! That's what happens when you have zero exposure to babies.  It was actually pretty hilarious to reveal this information not once, but twice! and to be met with similar confused, shocked, and why?! reactions.

around here I'm loving the activities that our Relief Society is putting together.  This Saturday we did projects at the church and I am loving my terrarium and tea towel.  And look at how CUTE this class set-up is?

 

around here we are all singing "Two guys -- on a scooter".  Studio C had it's season 6 premiere.

around here Anna started another fall soccer season.  She was SO incredibly nervous for the first game.  I had another commitment so I was a few minutes late, but during the warm-up Scott said that she kept coming over to him and hugging him because she was so nervous.  They were playing up a level this year, her team is down 1 player for the entire season, and she wasn't confident about her drop kicks in practice. Well, things ended up quite alright - they won!  She scored 2 goals, had 3 goal assists (one of those while playing keeper), had a bunch of great saves as keeper, and their team played so well together.  What a great way to start the season!

around here we're living the parent life which means you drop off your 14 year old son and friends at a church dance half way across town and then find something to do for 3 hours until they are ready to be picked up. We:

• walked around the Linq and decided this is our favorite outdoor part of the strip.  It's clean, there is outdoor air-conditioning!, good places to eat, and a cool outdoor vibe with a view of the High Roller.  But the biggest bonus point is that you aren't bombarded with any half-naked posers, riffraff, or call girl solicitors -- they aren't allowed in this area.
• had tacos for dinner at a yummy Mexican place - Chayo.  Our table was right next to a mechanical bull pit and by the end of our meal two women had had a go with the bull.  Wow - that was a first for me!
• tried walking down the strip a bit but turned around and came back because, seriously, it's just so icky at night. {shudder}
• grabbed a pair of Sprinkles cupcakes -- chocolate peanut butter and cinnamon sugar.

And then we drove back to the dance and sat in our van and ate those cupcakes while we waited for the boys.  

around here some good things are happening.  Some of those hard situations I mentioned in earlier posts are getting better.  We are cautious to add a checkmark to our trial, because it is still a work in progress and there is work to be done.  But this week has felt lighter and for that we are so grateful.

 

#mauibrowns2015

This summer we had the amazing opportunity to take our entire family to Maui!  Scott and I have been there several times ourselves (Maui 2006 - Maui 2009 - Kauai 2013 - Maui 2014) and we absolutely love it.  It is just so relaxing, peaceful, beautiful . . . paradise.

On our last trip to Maui we sat on our lanai one day taking in the ocean breezes, sweet smells, and sounds of the waves rolling in.  Enjoying a Melona bar too, I'm sure.  Ahhh.  And we talked about how amazing these vacations are.  Wonderful.  So fulfilling.  The break from real life and opportunity to reconnect is just priceless.  But we also felt a little tug in our hearts.  The kids are getting older.  Their lives are getting busier, homework is more involved, schedules are hectic, so many details to pay attention too (not like when they were toddlers and all you had to was feed them, play with duplos or trains, manage a tantrum, and lay them down for a nap) . . . it's a lot to ask someone to assume all of that work for a week while we go vacation.  AND (the bigger reason for the heart pulls) we only have a few years left with these kids.  It's time to turn our focus to family vacations, memories, and those bucket list items before it is too late.

So we decided to take the kids to Hawaii.  

Last August we booked our vacation.  Around that time life threw some wrenches into our plans - ha!  Finances were a bit more of a worry & concern.  But we went forward with our plans and just had to be more frugal and responsible about it.  We already own a villa in Maui - lodging, check!  We had a bunch of airline miles which enabled us to fly the entire family to Maui and we only had to pay for one ticket - yay!.  Our villa has a full kitchen so we made a plan to dine-in as much as possible -- made a trip to Costco, and we packed peanut butter, granola bars, other snacks, and laundry detergent in our luggage.  It worked out perfectly.

As we embarked on vacation Scott jokingly began second guessing our choice to bring the kids.  He thought that our trip hashtag should be #whydidwebringthekids.  He's very protective of his chilling time in Hawaii.  Understandable.

But it was good.  We needed to do this.  The kids are at great ages - 14, 12, 9.  They could swim & play on the beaches & pools and we didn't have to watch them.  They could wander around the resort and up to the room and back by themselves.  (Although there was that one time we lost them at 9pm after an outdoor movie.)  We really have reached a magic time. 

They all did great on the trip.  There was a few issues when it came time to learn how to snorkel.  And Anna tested Scott's patience with her occasional grumpiness (a combination of too much sun and having no friend/sister to play with, I think).  But it was a great trip and when we go back in a few years I'm sure it will be even better.

I took about 800 photos on this trip - yikes! - and I don't foresee myself taking the time to do a vacation play by play.  But an occasional post might pop up randomly here and there as I feel like it.

Yesterday I put together this little video of our trip and it brought back so many fun memories!  And made me miss Maui so much!  It really is the most perfect place on the planet.  

I'm glad we got to share it with our kids and build these memories!

MauiBrown2015 - Part 1 from Shannon on Vimeo.

first day 2015

Grade: 9
Height : 5 ft. 5 in.
What's for lunch : Bologna sandwich

Yes, we have a high schooler!  For many years every time I looked ahead to high school I just couldn't wrap my head around it.  Being a high school mom.  Having a high schooler.  Preparing for college.  SATs. Driving.  Dating.  Ack!!  It's one of those things that you know is coming but you put it out of your mind because in some irrational way you think that it will never happen to you.

But you know what? His 8th grade year ended and all of the high school stuff that I imagined would feel so weird . . . . suddenly just felt right.  We were there.  He was ready.  It all felt natural.  And so really, I felt no nervousness, anxiety, none of the my-baby-is-growing-up-too-fast syndrome. It was time and he was going to do great.

I have learned over & over again and loved that each new phase that appears to be so scary as it sits in the distance, comes upon us at the right time, the proper place in their development, and it just fits.  

All that aside, we have a lot to learn!  And I'm feeling like I have to be in super clued-in mode so I don't miss any opportunities, deadlines, strategies, etc.  I've found that talking with other high school moms is essential because inevitably they know a trick that I don't.  High school is a whole new ball game since I was there (almost 20 years ago!). It's more intense, ramped up, competitive, and there are so many options/paths to choose from.  We'll figure it out.  And once again Conner gets to be our guinea pig.  It's a good thing he's a smart, parent-pleasing (most of the time) kid.

So, Conner's first week of school . . . sounds like it went great!  He is doing Madrigals and Concert Choir which is a huge opportunity as a freshman.  So glad he gets to have that peer group right on the first day of school.  He started out as the lone freshman in Madrigals, but since then another boy auditioned and made the cut.  I don't think he knows anybody from middle school in his classes.  He eats lunch with a couple girls from church - a sophomore and junior.  I keep asking, "do you talk to them?"  I know how much he likes to focus on his food at lunch time.  His response, "a bit."  He has a locker but after 2 weeks he has never used it.  Not enough time in passing periods. 

He also has early-early morning seminary.  He has done great with his new schedule -- always wakes up with his alarm and kicks it into gear to get ready, pack a lunch, and eat breakfast before family scriptures.  Believe me when I say it is early!  I wake up with him and M-F I find myself in bed asleep before 10pm.  Seminary meets in a church building across the street from the high school so that makes it super convenient.

His classes:  Madrigals, Japanese I, English 9Honors, Biology Honors, Geometry Honors, P.E., Concert Choir

 

Grade: 7
Height : 57.5 inches
What's for lunch : Honey ham + Kraft Singles sandwich

Our lone Middle Schooler!  He was a bit sad over the summer knowing that Conner would not be joining him at Middle School again this year.  But when he heard that we were going to carpool he was happy all over again.  Yep, we carpool in the mornings with 4 kids (Jonah, Seth, Avery, & Payton) and in the afternoon with 6 kids (Jonah, Seth, Avery, Payton, Rachel, & Carlie) -- all from church.  This is going to be so nice this year as we're juggling 3 kids in 3 schools.

The first day / week of school was a breeze.  Payton is a pretty happy, fun-loving kid.  He's easily amused, finds or creates humor in just about every situation, and just gets along with everybody.  He was a little disappointed (for a moment) that he has no friends in any of his classes but he quickly got over that.  He was most excited for his media/broadcasting class.  Each day they film a News segment that is broadcast to every classroom -- it includes morning announcements, and occasional features like interviews, fun videos, etc.  He received a lanyard name tag -- essentially a "press pass" / hall pass -- that allows him to go anywhere in the school during that class hour.  Can you even imagine how cool that would feel?

He has the same Reading and English teachers that Conner did in 7th grade so we know what to expect there.  One of those teachers was pretty tough on Conner.  But at the same time, Payton also had Conner's "tough" Reading teacher in 6th grade and it was a breeze for him.  The boys are wired a little differently when it comes to school work so I wouldn't be surprised if Payton breezes through this class as well.

At lunch time he bounces back and forth between sitting with his 7th grade friends and Seth & Jonah.  This year he wants to join the Drama Club and Archery club.  I also want him to join NJHS.  

His classes:  English Acc, Reading Acc, Math Acc, US History Acc, Science Acc, Intro to Media Technology

 

Grade : 4
Height : 57 inches
What's in her lunch : bagels + cream cheese

Well, what to say about this girl . . . she has been DYING to go back to school!  Ever since we bought a few new uniform pieces the beginning of August she has been moaning, "How much longer until school starts?? I just want to wear my new clothes!"

We did get some pretty cute pieces for her this year.  The jumper she is wearing above, a couple skorts, and a button up t-shirt dress, knee high socks, and floral & polka dot tennis shoes.  She is a pretty sporty girl, loves to play soccer at school, would choose a simple pony tail every day of the week, and is a little "rough" around the edges compared to other girls her age.  One of the things I want to work with her this year is balancing out the sporty / toughness with some girliness.  Our back to school shopping trip was a huge success - she tried on all those skirts/dresses and fell in love.  I've been shocked to see her wear knee high socks several days a week (something she previously scoffed at & refused), she loves her dresses, and we take the time to do her hair (with a few pony tails here and there).  We're not the kind to get all primped out for elementary school, but it's 4th grade and time for her to start thinking a little more like a girl.

She loves her teacher (and is loving being inside the school this year - last year it was a portable).  There are a total of 6 kids from church in her class. Crazy how that worked out!  Her best friend from last year is also in her class as well as several girls & boys she has been classmates & friends with over the years.  It looks like it's going to be a really good class.

Her school moved to a year-round schedule this year.  Not my ideal - especially with older boys - but we'll make the best of it.  During her months off (November and March) I'm looking forward to bike rides, outings that are too boring for the boys, crafts, library visits, and playdates.

 

 

 

Grade : 52 - combined years of personal schooling and my kids schooling, because I'm pretty much doing it all over again
Height : 5 ft 5.5 in
What's in her lunch : Turkey + Spinach on Dave's Killer Bread (the green bag)

As for my first 2 weeks of school, it looked like:  Laundry, grocery shopping, LuLaRoe, Presidency Meeting, shopping for the straggling school supplies, religion class, pilates class, a PTA meeting, one lunch date with girlfriends, one lunch date with my boyfriend, and morning carpool duty.