My mercury is whack!

I have always prided myself on my ability to withstand the cold.

When I was 12, one time my family gathered at this lodge in the hills near Manti Utah for my uncles wedding.  This Lodge had a big wrap around porch-one side entertaining us with a hot tub.  Me and my cousins decided it would be fun to run from one side of the lodge (the hot tub side) to the other in our barefeet-and back.  It was april, but it snowed for us during out hot tub party which is why the run from one side of the lodge to the other was a fun idea.  After soaking in the hot tub, the snow was so cold it burned!  As we ran around, my feet went numb, but I was so "Alaskan tough" that I put on a face and sucked it up for sake of my state pride/ego.  A few of the younger cousins couldn't handle it, so then I carried them part of the way piggy back style-which was also cold, but I was just proving how "tough" I was...and what wussie's they were in the snow. 

When I went to school in Idaho-I refused to pull out my big winter down coat.  It was windy so I figured it was more logical to just wrap up in several layers of polar fleece anyways.  There were two days, only two that winter, that I will admit, to it actually being Cold.  I still say the rest of the winter was only chilly.  However, from the windy city of Rexdburg I did decide that Leg warmers aren't weird, but actually quite practical, and therefore, worth buying and cordinating with an outfit.  

I share these stories, to give you a picture of where my personal thermometor stood before.  I used to prefer cold to heat, I thought, "Theres only so much you can pull off when its hot out, but when its cold you can always pile more on."  My personal thermometer read 70 degrees as HOT.  And About 68 was ideal comfort level.  at 80 degrees, I thought I would fry.

That thermometer worked great for living in alaska.  However, I have a problem.  I'm in California this summer.  When I got here, they were having my ideal weather.  It felt great, but everyone else was complaining about the cool weather.  Then, it started warming up, gradually over the last 6 and a half weeks.  On monday, this pattern Climaxed at 100 degrees, at 3 pm.  And I enjoyed it.  I was outside in the sun, and I remembered my sunscreen, and to reapply it, so I didn't burn.  It was awesome!  Then, Tuesday night, at Sids softball game, it was 70 degrees outside, and I was chilly!  AAAAAH!   Help me!

California screwed up my thermometer! 

I'm gonna die this winter....

Dancin Tunes

So, I have my playlists of songs that I absolutely love.


Requirement of songs I love:
-Good strong catchy beat
-I have to be able to dance to it
-I have to be able to sing to it
       -The latter meaning, no swear words, and its lyrics are easy to remember and clean in message.

This being said, the songs I love are generally pretty likable.  And, easy for my 6 yr old cousin to catch onto and have stuck in his head.  I thought it was funny and cute when he's ask for the beatles, or start recognizing Billy Joel, and Elvis (all usually have a few numbers on my playlist) but today, while watching the world cup, and kicking his soccer ball  Balloon around, he shouted "Heeeeey I'l be gone today...." and started humming the rest of the song, I laughed tomyself.  I had to help him get part of the lyrics, but now (still incorrectly) he keeps singing "the more I need the less I know...I love you, I love you, I love you"  Its hilarious!!!!  His mom is gonna be so confused when he goes back to utah and out of nowhere he starts singing I love you I love you I love you.  I'm so proud.  :)

My poor future Children

They are going to have a bedtime that is enforced.  Wether they go to sleep or not is they're choice, but they will be in their beds at a resonalable hour, and then they will stay in their beds in the morning till a reasonable hour.   And they better be optimistic, or else we're going to have a hard time getting along.

The most frustrating thing in the world is a sleepy, cranky, pessimistic 6 yr old.

Today, in the world of nannying was a hard day.  But, we did still manage to have a good time at the pool.  There was one point when Alex started throwing a fit over a toy that "I had first."  I told him that his turn is up and he needed to let it go or we would go home.  And no more problems the rest of the afternoon.  Except my sunburn....but that isn't too bad.  I did put sun screen on, I just need to work on the reapplication bit.  :P  Anyways, I'm pooped, he's pooped, he'll crash soon-we hope. So I'm done.  Have a good night!

Note:  Not the Pool we went to today, but that is a pool we've been to.  I took that photo before all the chitlins ran in after the 20 min break.

The Inner Child

Its interesting, this nanny thing.  Like, I've always thought the life of stay at home mom was so glamourous.  When I was little, I dreamed of being mommy.  I was the pro babysitter-high in demand.  The kids loved me, I loved them, and 3 hrs while the parents went out for dinner and a movie just wasn't enough playtime for their kids or me.  Granted, as I'm not a stay at home mom, so this is all just observation, but, I'm discovering that it really is not glamourous at all.  In fact its kinda rough.  As nanny, I'm having a challenge with keeping just one, six year old boy entertained.  This kid constantly tests my creativity, my patience, my energy levels, my tolerance, and even in some cases my capacity for tenderness and love.  I was SO humbled on Saturday, we went to the Redwoods, and Alex fell down, twice. The first time, he barely scratched himself but cried and cried, granted, yes, falling down hurts but I was just thinking "seriously? Toughen up already!"  And then the 2nd time he fell, he busted skin and had a big drip of blood coming down.  He was dramatic and whiney and said he couldn't walk.  I was trying to be like "Hey battle wounds!  This is worth bragging about!"  But he wasn't buying it....finally, Travis-my dear wonderful patient Travis hoisted this big 6 yr old onto his shoulders and carried him part of the way.  I felt so un-compassionate.  I guess we forget what its like to be 6, and what it really is like to think that a bleeding knee is the end of the world.

Back to the glamour topic, I think the mothers who I've met through Sids ward, who invite me and Alex to play groups-have become my heros.  They're selflessness for their children is again, very humbling.  While talking to sis Andrus, it hit me how right now with my situation, when conversing with these mothers, life sounds so exciting, I'm young, I'm in school, making something of myself, I dance, I study, I travel to this place and that place, I'm just at that place where all the doors are opened to me.  But, I hope someday, when my time for motherhood comes, I can be like these mothers.  I really do hope and pray that theres some special power given from on high to us when we become mothers, because even though they say that the nurturing characteristic is just part of womanhood, I know that that alone won't be enough.  For me.  I used to think "Kids, no problem, I got this."  But its harder than it looks, no matter how much babysitting I did when I was 12.

After Travis put Alex back on the ground Saturday, I talked to Travis about it, and he said "Well, I guess I'm still just a big kid."  And I think he has a point.  I was better with Kids when I was more like the kids.  So, my goal is to rediscover my inner child.  How am I going to do this, and stay in touch with it for years to come?  Instead of watching the kids play on the trampoline and sprinkler, I'm gonna hop on with them.  I'm going to chase the ice cream truck, and ride my bike around and around and around the block cuz thats as far as we're allowed to go.  I'm gonna play at the park and paint my toes in fun bright colors!  I'm Going to collect all the catepillers and lady bugs I can find.  I will take time to hunt through the 4 leaf clover patch, and turn my music up loud and sing and dance like noone else is home.  I'm going to wear my sheets like I'm in ancient egypt or rome, and make popsicles in ice cube trays, and be daring and adventurous.  I'm gonna cover my bed in a massive arrangement of Teddybears and pillows and name everyone of them.

And this is just starters!

The Real Life Energizer Bunny

My cousin Alex, is the energizer buuny.  He has been getting way too little sleep for a 6 yr old, and he just keeps going and going and going!  Just an example, Last night, he didn't get to bed till close to midnight, we expected him to sleep past 9, he woke up 2 mins after Sid left, then he nibbled on breakfast all morning, only had 2 hots dogs for lunch, and didn't eat any dinner-after he spend several hours at the swimming pool in the hot hot sun-should be exhausted right?  Normally his bed time is an hour ago....and he won't settle down.  Crazy kid!

California Sunshine

Everyday is a hot day right?  Wrong.  Yesterday Sid had a Softball game, and I had anticipated the day being warm, so I was in Shorts and a T-shirt.  Well, at the game, I was freezing!   Shivering and goosebumps galore.  Its cheap!  I came to Cali for sunshine!

Anyways, I'm lovin it.  Adventure of the day yesterday:  At Sids game me and Alex were headed to the spectators bleachers when the ump guy (If you even have an ump in Baseball...idk) asked "You playing today?".

I said "Of course not-your crazy"

"Yeah you are"

"You don't want me to play"  I still thought he was joking

Then the rest of the team started saying "aw come on, we need you"  And something about tennis shoes and being short a girl and It hit me- They were serious.  AHH!  So, not being one to ruin the game by being a loser who won't go out of my comfort zone (WAY out of my comfort zone) I came around and put on a jersy.  I was a beast for day.  :P   But wait, the story gets even more funny!

They said, "we're at bat first, so we'll just put you at the end of the line and you probably won't even have to do anything."  But just in case, someone had an extra pair of tennis shoes-size 9 (I'm size 7.5) and they handed me a mitt.  Then as we're walking out there, oops.  We're not batting first.  So they put me in as catcher.  AHH!!!  I don't think I caught a single ball-cept one on a bounce.  :P  haha.  Thank goodness it was a short round because kinda quickly there were 3 outs.  So, back to the safety of the dug out?  Is that what they call it-even when it isn't dug out....which I think is the wrong way of putting it....it should be a dug-in.  Because you dig in to create a dugout.....oy.  I'm not a sports person.  But I was glad that Alex and me had had some much catch time, and that Travis has taught me how to throw-so that when tossing the ball back to the pitcher, I wasn't completely embarrassed, and I wasn't worried about hitting the batter in the head....lol.  Progress!

Anyways, otherwise, Dance classes ROCK!  Yesterday we did a psycho dance syllabus Blitz-hour one, the smooth dances.  Hour two-Rythm.  Cuban action-SO much fun!  Still working on it, but Its pretty simple to catch onto when in closed position, because its led to a certain extent.  I love it!

And FYI-Sesame street has a High School Musical rip off-they call it Preschool Musical.    Interesting. The things we learn about around 6 yr olds.

Also, just a shout out to LaMryl Sandholtz.  She's the woman I'm living with, and she is the sweetest most kind and thoughtful lady ever.  I want to be like her.  She's just so tuned in to the spirit that she's just so aware of the needs of others around her.  And its her Daughter that I fell in love with almost immediately my first week here-she's just so excited about the scriptures, Its refreshing and makes me want to read them more.  I love her too!

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE SID!  Me and Alex made him cards, and have a few other surprises up our sleeve-so thats fun.  Later today him and Alex are going to a Baseball game-Oakland A's vs LA Angels.  I think they're rooting for Oakland.

Oh-and send Robin Letters!  She needs em!  Tell her much you love her!

Till later, Adios!

To Utah and Back again-A Travel Log.

Ok, travel Log since Temple square:

   Went to Grama E's briefly then went to Logan with Wendy bird where we went country swing dancing-and I was told I have a commodity, and that "as far as girls go, you're a premium." Compliment came from the buisness major who likes redheads.  Made my night.  Also, saw the beautiful and Talented Erica Colvin, whom I danced with in Idaho.  We were on the Colligiate team together-totally forgot that she was in Logan and starting her own dance studio.  Awesome possum!

   Friday:  Went with Wendy as a volunteer where she works-a Spanish speaking headstart school.  3 yr old Jocelyn is my new best friend, and I fell in love with the troublesome Jose and charming Santiago.  Afterwards, went to the temple for baptisms-and spent the evening back in Tremonton.  I got grampa to Talk. About alot of things, his time in the airforce, where he went, how he also was in the Navy, but best of all what how he met Grama.  :D  He proposed to Grama while they were dancing!  :D  Made my life!

  Saturday, I made cinnamon rolls with Grama Elmer, then Grama Johnson came and got me, and we went to the Ogden Cemetary.  She had the most Beautiful Pink Tulips in her yard, made me kinda sad to pick them because they were SO pretty, but happy at the same time that I could put them in a place to special and share them with him in the way that I could.  Really a bittersweet expirience.  I was actually really glad to have Grama Johnson up there with me-even though she can be frustrating some times, and though I sobbed, having her shoulder there felt right.   

  Sunday, Sacrament with Grama J, then dinner with Elmers.  I met Grampa's Siblings for the first time, The Greats: uncle Delos, Aunt Reva, and Aunt Rada +Dels wife Leslie-whom I love!  She's so awesome! More discovery-Grampa talked alot about the house, how he tried to do a chin up on the bar at the hospitol when he was 10 and had an infection behind his ear-but fell.  Ammusing story.   

  Monday: Porterville Cemetary, where many of my ancesters; the Porters, Kershaws, Elmers, and Deardens are burried.  It was weird, I'd never seen a cemetary where they have mounds over the place where they're burried, and it kinda weirded me out at first, but then we cleaned up Grampa's family's plots, and reshaped the mounds and stuff, and I found out that it has a practical purpose, so, it wasn't so weird.  I also met Rada's hubby Boyce, who is a hoot, and Uncle George, and his wife Joyce, and daughter Lisa.  Then we had a good lunch at Rada/Boyce's house.  Met my mom's cousin Mike, that makes us 1st cousins once removed.  Weird.  

 

Then we (Sid, Alex and Me) drove to Wendover Nevada, stayed the night with Sids friend, and then Tuesday morning Drove the rest of the way to Cali.  Made it through Donner Pass (fun fun fun road!  I got to drive from Winnemucca NV to Sacramento Cali, NV not fun, Donner pass=Much fun!  Steep grades ~7% at one point, and winding roads-SO FUN!  I love driving!)   Then 7:30-9 I had two dance lessons back to back-very awesome.  Learned SO much!  Can't wait till tomorrows!

Today, me and Alex played at the park, made a calendar, found the pool, made copies of some keys, and played a few rounds of Bingo.  He's such a patient kid, which I'm really grateful for.  Tomorrow is his day to choose our lunch though, and he picked Hot Dogs...any creative ideas so they're not so boring?  I think we'll be having them alot....

Temple Square

So, I went today with my good friend Jared Wight to temple square-which I thought I had seen it all, but it gave us something to do while we caught up since we havn't seen eachother in years!  And well, we're walking along avoiding missionaries as best we could be cause they're EVERYWHERE and its always kinda akward because they should be talking to the tourists and nonmembers right?  Well, some got us when we stepped inside the tabernacle.  We chatted for a minute or two, and then asked them if there was anything we should see specifically-I expected them to say the Christus Statue, but was surprised to hear about this presentation on the family (only half surprised)  that most people don't know about because its in a room back behind the Christus-anyways, so we say sure. And oy-it was so good.  Of course, cheezey acting was part of it, but the message was about eternal families-and they were right, there were parts in it for everybody.  It started as just something to do, but ended up being a kinda poinant personal experience for me.  Good suggestion Jared/Sister Missionaries!  Thank you!

Road Trip!

What an adventure that was!  We set out at about 8:15 Wednesday Morning, and about 2 hrs into it, had to stop.  Apparently, there was a Semi turned over that was carrying tanks of Diesel and so east bound I-80 was completely shut down for the day-maybe even through the night while they tried to clean it all up.  :P  So, at the gas station, we got directions around it-which included back tracking 45 mins, and then taking a road through another town and then getting onto Highway 50 and taking that through the Eldorado National Forest.  Which-was kinda stressfull since Sid had to be to Utah for a hearing, and there was alot of rain which had the possibility of turning into Snow (Which would be really bad in California) and it was way far out of the way, but the scenery-was AMAZING!  So Beautiful.  I was amazed at the size of some of the trees there-I have a feeling that I'm really going to LOVE the redwoods.  Highway 80 took us up to lake Tahoe-which was Also a beautiful sight.    But, After we got through there, we headed up toward Carson City Nevada, and then to Reno-then hopped back onto I-80.  I was actually surprised at Nevada's scenery.  I drove from Reno to Elko-and really enjoyed it.  I guess I had pictured Nevada to be really really flat and brown and boring.  It was kinda boring...but there were some hills and it was mostly brown but there was also some green.  So, I enjoyed it.  Plus for part of the way we had watermelon, and watermelon makes everything better.  :)

We made it!

So, I have this habit of not packing till the day I leave (or in some cases the night I leave), so Wednesday morning came around and what did I have to do-everything!  But, long boring story short, I managed, with some time to spare. At 8 Travis and his mom came and picked me up and I had to say goodbye to Elyse and Liam and mommy, that was kinda hard.  I feel like I'm missing such a big chunk of time, like they'll be all grown up when I see them at the end of the summer-so that was kinda hard.  What I didn't expect to have a hard time with, was wanting to go see Robin.  I mean, she's just half an hour away!!!!  I think i'd be better handling it except her mission home called Wednesday morning asking if they could test her for Celiac's disease (inability to really digest gluten)-GAH!  My sister is just half an hour away and sick and I can't go see her and make it better.  :P  Bleh, thats what I think about that.


Anyways, coming into San Fransico was awesome, the weather was bright, warm and clear and we saw the golden gate bridge from the airplane.  I guess part of me wanted to see it because people have said its so cool, but from pictures, to be honest, I wasn't that impressed.  However, flying past it, and then driving past it later, I decided its actually really cool-its a big arrangement of the red steel and cables, but it just has this charm to it....I like it, and want to go see it up close again.  Travis lives practically at the bottom of it, and his front window has a veiw of the bridge, the bay and the big beautiful trees.  Alot of them are eucalyptus and so it smells really nice there too.  Saturday the plan is to figure out the busses back into the presidio and then to explore the City with him and Uncle Sid.


So excited, and loving the sunshine, can't wait till my cousin Alex is here so I can take him around with me to explore-for the meantime, I'm just enjoying the down time.  Its a strange feeling, I havn't had this much down time in ages, theres no chores nagging at the back of my head, no homework pressure on my mind, no appointments or meetings scheduled-its pretty sweet.  It probably won't happen again for a while, so-soaking it up now while I can!  YAY!  

6 days and counting!

In 6 days, Travis and I fly to California.  Why might you ask?  Because he will become a Jedi this summer at the Lucas Film Jedi internship, and I will be playingwith Nanny-ing my 6 yr old cousin and dancing.  Hehehehehe!  I can't wait!  Some of the things I will be doing:

My uncle Sid said that he has a friend who works at some stables-we could go ride horses everyday if we wanted!  I'll be able to ride like this when we're done.

Sid also Lives 3 miles away from an Arthur Murray Dance Studio, I've emailed them and got my appointment for my first lesson set up :D

Some of ^This^ too.  :)

I hope lots of this

But don't worry, I'll be their best customer: 

I'd love to see these:

I'll keep you posted.