Princess quiz...

I saw this and thought it looked too fun NOT to try out. Here's my results:



You Are Aurora! (A.K.A. Sleeping Beauty.)

Thoughtful and loving. Authority figures probably have been sheltering you all of your life. Thankfully you're a very tranquil person who is content with what life has given you, but secretly you want to know how the outside world works.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

I don't know if I agree with the sheltering/wanting to know how the outside world works... I'm pretty aware of things, but- VERY thankful to be in my 'secluded' little Pocatello. Pretty fun,anyway- PLUS- Sleeping Beauty was my favorite princess growing up. YAY! ;)

Clinton's year finished out...

He's done- it's official. I like to think of it as Clinton's "leap year." The year of transition. Last Spring, when writing out his IEP- we (being his team at Lincoln and I) decided that he would benefit from spending one more year with them (in the mornings) and then going to Kindergarten in the afternoons. - I also tend to believe a small percentage of this decision was based purely in selfishness, as Clinton's teachers and therapists love him so much there- I think it was hard for them to let him go. ;) I was thankful, because I knew he would be much more at ease slipping into the school system if he was still able to see Kathy, Megan, Marie and 'Grandma Louise" everyday.

It's been such a huge success- I can't imagine a more perfectly planned out scenario for him. Now I'm just sad that it's over. I feel sick knowing that he won't be there next year. I was a blubbering mess the last day of school- matter of fact- Clinton kept saying I needed to "settle down!" - What can I say? I can't help it... three years of love, support, kindness, and an unbelievable amount of knowledge has been locked in him forever. I could never imagine a more beautiful gift for a mom. - I know it's their job, but they truly took it to the next level. I know they all LOVE Clinton, and they care about his future. It makes my heart swell to think of all that they've given him, and I'm so grateful to have experienced this kind of love and selflessness through them. Thank You Lincoln!


- So, in honor of his past years there, I wanted to post a few pictures of Clinton and his teachers and friends there. (I'll add to the pictures as I get more from this year)- Happy memories... :)

Clinton with Kathy Kane.

Feeding his baby at snack time.
Shoving his snack into Sydney's mouth at snack time, an inventive way to "hide his food", I thought.

Clinton with Jane, his beloved therapist.

Best buds, Clinty and Sydney.

Megan helping CR his first week of school.

Working with Chris, one of his favorite helpers.

I AM...

i am: thankful.
i know: I'm where I should be.
i want: to improve myself as a mom, wife, daughter, granddaughter, friend, student, and a person.
i wish: I could worry less about worldly things.
i hate: ugliness.
i miss: Time alone to myself. I'm a better mom when I get it.
i fear: spiders and regrets.
i feel: Happy to spend more time with my kids.
i hear: Clinton playing cars and Everybody Loves Raymond on the TV.- I love that show!
i smell: Black Raspberry Vanilla air freshener
i crave: water, a lot lately.
i search: for happiness and fulfillment.
i wonder: If I will ever make it through school.
i regret: not being more thankful for my mom when she was here.
i love: my kids, my husband, and my life.
i ache: when I see my kids struggling.
i always: try to look at the bright side.
i am not: doing what I should be doing right now.
i believe: in my children.
i dance: with my daughter.
i sing: always. I read once that it's impossible to be angry if you're singing... it's true.
i cry: more often than I used to. I'm getting more tender in my old age. Or maybe the world is getting sadder.
i don’t always: feel motivated.
i fight: for Clinton.
i write: to remember whats happened and to leave those memories for my kids.
i win: when I play Wii bowling with my dad!
i lose: motivation when my hard work doesn't last long enough.
i never: want to see my kids in pain.
i confuse: myself.
i listen: to my music- to save my sanity.
i can usually be found: at home.
i am scared: of getting older. :(
i need: a vacation with my family.
i am happy about: the day I spent with Clinton (his last day of school) and getting to see the way others love him.

SLC w/ Stephenie Meyer!

We've waited forever for our girls trip to SLC to see Stephenie Meyer- and it finally came! Here we are waiting to get our books signed (with our AWESOME Edward shirts!- Sorry Kris- wink-wink! ) It was PACKED! 1000 people came to see her. and I'm sure more would have also- except they put limits on the ticket sales. We made a few new friends, took lots of pictures, and soaked it all up. - Not to mention my NEW- Personalized copy of The Host that's sitting on my night stand. I've finally been able to start reading it and I'm liking it so far. The concept is quite intriguing (very different from Twilight Series)- but I am interested in seeing how the book will turn out.

Here's the best shot I got of Stephenie, the lighting was kinda crazy- but it was fun to watch her interact with her legions of fans!



Finally made it through the line! Very exciting! There were 2 signing sessions, one before the Q&A -and one afterward, we were in the last 3 people of the 1st session, which was great- because it saved us about 2 hours of waiting after the Q&A. - We lucked out!

Afterward we went to Olive Garden for lunch (one of my faves) - and then we went shopping for a bit. We visited Temple Square - Jaz had never been there- and walked through the Visitor's Center. I haven't been there since Clinty was in the hospital, so it was fun for me to see it again. All in all it was a great trip - a TON of walking - a little getting lost- but a lot of fun. I have to say- being in a big city and seeing how impatient and rude some of the people were there, REALLY made me thankful for Pocatello. I know there aren't as many fun places to go, but I'd trade that any day for kind people. Day trips are fun- but I'm always happy to come back home. ;) The best part by far was seeing Stephenie. - She's amazing! She's getting so big (The Host is #1 on the NY Times list now)- and she seems so down to earth and humble. She's an inspiration for imagination. I'm a huge fan, and love to support someone who seems so deserving of all of her success.

Oh the excitement...

I know I haven't posted in awhile, but pics are soon to come- promise! Jaz and I are finally going to see Stephanie Meyer (Saturday) and we are so stoked about it! I haven't been able to read The Host yet, because I'm waiting to get my copy there. I've never been to a big book signing before, so this will be fun. We plan on playing around in SLC for the day- so I will post pics as soon as I get them. Wish us luck! ;)

Mother's Day!!

I LOVE Mother's day! Not just because I'm a mother and I get pampered ALL day long (which is awesome, and I have to say that my husband REALLY knows what he's doing when it comes to holidays/gifts/pampering-and making me feel like the luckiest most-loved lady in the world! Thanks hon!) - but because I feel there isn't enough attention given to this day. For all of the days that mothers are 'giving' all day long, until their bones feel like they are literally melting from exhaustion, they get this ONE day of appreciation. When (husbands) and children take a step back and think of all of the sacrifices and efforts thier mothers have given. I loved trying to think of gifts for my mom, and remember thinking at one point, there was NO gift good enough. There's no way I could ever find any THING that could prove my appreciation. But- that's it. I think that's all a mom can really ask for- a little appreciation now and again. And yes, we would keep being moms even if we didn't get the appreciation (heaven knows, that happens much more frequently then not) - but it's those little hugs and kisses and 'thank you's ' that make the job even more worthwhile.
It is the most selfless, rewarding, patience-testing, miracle-witnessing, awe-inspiring job ever designed. I can think of no better way to test the human spirit- I am so blessed to have my kids...they make me smile more than anything else. I'm so thankful I have to opportunity to be their mom. ;)

A mother's arms are more comforting than anyone else's.-- Princess Diana (1961-1997)

Major Change...

I met with my academic advisor today, or who will be my advisor- I should say. Anyway, he filled me in on the details of the Special ED program- and I'm nothing short of overwhelmed. The courses are a lot more academic looking than I expected. But really, it's the time frame that makes me cringe. 2011. - EARLIEST graduation. Holy turd. I think I really started to realize how difficult it is to go to school with kids at home. Sure, If I could jump in head first into a full-time school schedule, then I could make it through-fairly quickly. But, when he started talking about the 12-18 credits I'd have to take in the Fall, I realized- there's no way. Not with Cara at home and Clinton just starting out in school. He is really going to need my help this year- we have lots of work to do to help get him caught up. At least to the point of being able to stay in the regular classroom. And he IS my first priority- I know as long as I'm putting my family first, I'm doing the right thing. And not only that- it will be Cara's last year at home before entering Kindergarten. SAD :( My baby is getting older and I want every shred of time I can get with her before she goes. But, it does get discouraging when I see others that are whizzing through their classes- with flying colors- and I'm barely able to keep up part-time. I feel like I've been in school forever, and after hearing what I heard today, I'll continue to be there -forever. I guess better late than never, eh? On the brighter side, I'm very excited to enter into Special Ed. I think it suits me much better, I can't think of a down side (other than school and the bills that come with it)- to that career. I feel like I'll be much more beneficial to human kind, and that's all I really want. I job that I KNOW helps others- changing lives- that's the only kind of work I could leave home for. Plus, it will prepare me to advocate for Clinton in the years to come. I know I will have battle with the school district (we've already had a couple)- so I will be much more educated in the laws and options we have for the future. I'm very excited, but very nervous for the years of hard-work to come.

PS- I suppose all of the spring flowers and sunny weather has prompted me to change up the page- I just can't get enough of bright colors lately!
SOTD- Still jammin to the new downloads of Paramore. I'm liking it more and more each day. ;)

Twilight obsession...

Alright- so I just found the new "teaser/trailer" for the Twilight movie. I've made very clear the LOVE I have for these books, well- the movie is looking pretty sweet as well. Check it out... ;)

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.fullscreen&videoid=33429578

Procrastination and changes...

There's so much I SHOULD be doing today, but I cannot pull myself away from the beautiful weather outside!! It's been such a long winter and now I feel like I won't accomplish a darn thing because I want to be OUT in the sun. Not that I accomplished that much before, but I know it will only get worse. Oh well, I may as well enjoy my procrastination while I'm blowing everything else off, right?
So- it's my last week of school for the semester and I am THRILLED. There's been a lot of time and thought that's gone into school for me lately, and I think I've finally decided to change my major. I'm kind of afraid, but I've had that little nagging voice in the back of my head that says "this isn't what you're meant to do" for awhile now, and I'm finally beginning to listen. Although, I'm not sure how much this will prolong my years of education, I'm wanting to get my special ed. degree. I think it's something that suits me better, I love nursing and anything in the medical field really intrigues me, but I feel more at ease with this decision. I know I want to work with kids- definitely. And the kind of nursing I would want to do (Picu) is not very prevalent here. Now that Clinton has entered the school district, I've seen all of the challenges that can be presented to a parent with a developmentally disabled child, and I think- not only will I be able to work with kids, have insurance, summer's off, ect... - I will also be a much more educated advocate for him. And more than anything, I want an education that will work to benefit my family- more than just financially. It is scary to change your plans after years OF planning, but I also feel an ease within me. Hopefully, it's the right choice. ;)

My Tunes...

OK- I haven't written about music in awhile, I haven't even been keeping up on my SOTD's. I feel like I've betrayed myself!! I really have guilt over it, so I'm gonna play catch up now. First of all, I have to thank Teresa for her awesome blogger/playlist idea that I so willingly stole. Thanks toots! So- now I have some lovely listening music for my page! I'll update those frequently of course. But a couple that I've really been liking are on there now. There's a remake of a Foo song that I really like- "My Hero" by Paramore. I LOVE that chick's voice. I want to say that she reminds me of Avril Lavigne- except I can't stand Avril Lavigne. This girl is like a Talented Avril. I've previewed their new album on Itunes, and most of it is still pretty 'pop-ee' sounding for me, but there's a couple of songs of theirs that I like. ( the remake of 'my hero' and 'when it rains') But I can't wait for them to mature a little bit as a band, because I think I'll really like them once they get over that -new band- sound.
"Sound of pulling heaven down" is on there, I found this song on the Stephenie Meyer page, and I know I've written about it- but this song gets some major play-time in my house. I love the lyrics- Clint loves it-period- and my kids like to sing and act out the "stars that I can reach" part. So cute! I also have Yellowcard on there- my fave is "only one" I just love that song. Unfortunately I couldn't find it in acoustic- which is my favorite version, but I like this one too. And there's the all encompassing Foo Fighters, what would I do without my fatihful foos? Pretender is on the list, but truth be told- I think there are too many songs to name. I'll just have to keep changing it up and cycle through them. How fun! Thanks again for the inspiration T! ;)