Bishop Pollastro {Really...this is no joke, I'm not laughing...at all}

 About a month ago we had a fateful meeting with our Stake President. He contacted Christian while he was out of town on business, and said that he would like to meet with us. The only day we had available that week was Saturday. So, sure enough the Stake President showed up at our house on a Saturday night.

I was still holding out hope that maybe we were being called to be pioneer trek leaders, or stake Lagoon Day coordinators, but apparently the Stake President only shows up at your house on a Saturday night for one reason. In our case, that reason was to call Christian to be the bishop of our ward.

The following week was filled with a lot of anxiety and the exploration of potential work situations for Christian. I tried to forget about it...But I found out pretty quick it's not something that is easily forgetable.

On Sunday June 17th it was official, I am living with Bishop Pollastro. Saying it is not so weird, I could be referring to Christian's grandpa or dad. I always believe that life is a grand adventure, so here we go, I'm sure this is going to be a wild one!

The Wizard of Oz

 The same week in June that Bethany came for a visit (June 11-June17) Cali got a part in the children's theater production of the Wizard of Oz. Thankfully Bethany was able to help me run her to and from the many practices involved with this production. The kids auditioned on Monday and performed on Saturday. It was crazy, and even more crazy to see how well the whole thing came together.

She was a munchkin and had a couple lines and a few songs with her fellow munchkins. At one point during the production Christian turned to me and said, "did we pay for this". He obviously doesn't have a deep love of children's theater.

 Cali did a great job and learned a lot. She also started taking dancing this summer and is having a hard time deciding whether to focus on jazz and ballet or hip hop and cheer because, in her words, "I'm just so good at all of them." We're working on humility, but it's hard when you're awesome.

Just yesterday she said to me, "I hope I don't get too famous because I don't want to end up like a lot of the Hollywood stars, so I am just going to try from small movie parts so I don't get too famous..."  How do you argue with this stuff?

My Sister and Our Babies

 My sister and her sweet baby Brock came to visit us for a week in June. It was a really fun week, and it we packed it full of fun work-outs and tons of kid friendly activities. It was so fun for her to be here, I'm not sure it was as much fun for her. Tiny Brock may have been traumatized by the noise level.

Bethany and I have had way too many adventures to even begin to explain or name them. Suffice it to say that we've worked together at least twice, lived together more than once, and traded babysitting for laundry and food. One thing that we've never done, until now, was be moms together. It was so fun to see her take care of her little baby.

 Here's Bethany "helping" me with my baby as her baby watches from the background. I told her that this will be her future in a few years as she has more kids. She got some good practice wrestling a two year old while tending to a infant. Fun stuff!

I might add that it's not really a fair fight between Caleb and Bethany, as you can see, he's nearly her size. I'm sure her kids will be smaller and more manageable.

 In other random baby picture taking, we told Caleb to get on his Boppy and act like Brock. He thought it was pretty fun and even threw in a few "wa wa wa's" and weird head bobs for dramatic effect.

One of the reasons for Bethany's visit was to attend my Boot Camp. It was so fun working out with her. We've had so many fun fitness adventures together I was so glad she could come and be a part of my first session!

First 5K of the Season

I suffered a pretty ridiculous leg injury in the middle of April. It started in my hip flexor, affected my sciatic nerve, and settled in arch of my foot. I don't know if it started in my foot and I pulled my hip, or if my hip pulled my foot? I guess we'll never know.

What I do know is that I took some prednisone, which helped the inflammation, but led to a series of illnesses including a crazy cough and shingles...which all culminated at a critical point in my academic career i.e. my project defense and graduation. Phewww. I made it.

Needless to say it's taken a while to get my running back up to speed (ha ha...speed). There was a period of walking which finally led to running again, and then back to racing. It's been a weird spring to say the least. I talked my friend Jessy into running with me (it was her first 5K and she did awesome) and we had a really fun time.

It wasn't my fastest time, but I felt grateful that I could do it with minimal pain. Getting older is lame!

I Climb. All. The. Time.

 If there is something dangerous or high or steep Caleb will find a way to top of it. Unfortunately for him, I am usually his way down. As in me grabbing him and saving his young life all the time.

His climbing skills are pretty advanced, and most times I am too busy rescuing him to take a picture. These are just a few of his "safer" feats.

The Randomness of Childhood

When I became a mother I had no idea the amount of random behavior that children display. However, kids don't understand the concept of being "random".  If you were to ask a child, or think back on your own childhood, everything is perfectly logical and has a definite purpose. 

It's the random acts of childhood that as adults we struggle to recreate. Random acts of childhood are also the things that drive me crazy, at times.... like when we are trying to get somewhere or do something. These random pictures and events are also, for me, the first thing that leave my memory... So just in case I forget, here are a few random acts of childhood.

Above: Caleb taking full advantage of the sun glass display and the outdoor chair display at Hergergers. All of this took place while I was scrounging around in my bag for a pesky 20% coupon. Those precious extra seconds gave Caleb the ticket he needed to chill out in this display.

Carter and his friend/partner in kindergarten crime, Chandler after a ball game where they played each other. For days before the game Carter kept saying, "I am versing Chandler on Tuesday." It took me awhile to figure out that he was using the "vs" from the scheduling and reading it as "versing". Tuesday came and they versed each other and no one won because they don't keep score, but  they had  a great time on the field together.

Crazy sock day for Carter and Cali at school turned into crazy sock week for Caleb. No he's not potty trained, he just thought that underpants went better with his outfit than his usual diaper. We're all just glad he opted for any private covering material at all. If you've seen him lately you know all too well that his nakeness is hard to contain.

As parents of the year we often squirt condiments into our children's mouths. No. We really don't, but Caleb really really likes mustard and we think its funny for him to exclaim, "Mmmmm tastes goooooon!" after each tiny squirt. 

Finally, not sure if renting Puss in Boots was a good or bad idea. On one hand it entertained the boys for about an hour and a half. On the other hand, Carter wore this outfit on several occasions after being inspired by Puss' getup.

Kindergarten Graduation aka the Class of 2024

I can't believe it's taking me this long to update the end of the school year. Stay tuned to subsequent posts for some pretty legit reasons for my blog neglect. In the mean time, stick around and read this entry about Carter's kindergarten graduation.

Carter had the most wonderful kindergarten experience. His teacher, Miss Seeley, was a great influence on him. So much so, that he and several of the boys in his class had a contest going  as to which one could smell her hair the most. Apparently she has really good smelling hair, it drives 6 year old boys wild. 

And if it wasn't her beautiful great smelling hair that made them wild, it was having a class primarily made up of crazy boys to begin with. During the preliminary kindergarten testing and assessing and assigning my friend Melinda and I discovered that our boys were in the same class. They have a history of going wild together, so we were a little concerned. During the open house we asked each other if we should warn the teacher...then we shrugged and quietly exited the premise. 

On the first day of school Miss Seeley was all dressed up in a very cute outfit and four inch heals. Melinda and I laughed and giggled as we pictured her chasing all those boys in those shoes. However, I stand corrected, she managed those crazy kindergarteners and maintained her sassy style... If only I knew her secret!

I tried to get a good picture of Carter receiving his diploma, but Caleb made simple picture taking nearly impossible. He wanted to dart on the stage to be near Carter, so I opted for successfully containing a two year old, over quality photography. But, you get the picture. 

 

Carter had a great year and learned so much. He turned out to be a fantastic reader and attended a special morning class for those student who tested higher than grade level. He loved every second of the school year from the bus to the lunch room and everything in between.

 

It's hard to believe that this sweet little boy is growing up so fast. He is crazy mixed with sweetness and a dash of anxiety all thrown into one comic genius that keeps us on our toes and constantly laughing. 

End of School Wrap Up: Choir Concert

It seems like ages ago, but it was only the end of May {is it already the end of June?} that Cali had her final choir performance of the school year. The production was so cute. The choir teacher goes to great lengths and personal investment to select songs and themes that are perfect for the kids. This year the program was Stone Soup. It was very cute {and short...bonus!}and heart warming. 

Carter confessed that during the in-school performance he got tears in his eyes during one of the songs. It kept it together for the night performance, but pointed out the parts of the song that "touched his heart". 

 

Some of Cali's cute choir friends. Cali, Abby, Karter, and Kenya. Abby's mom, Apryl took Cali and Abby to all of the early morning practices. Cali's morning routine may have made her late for work on several occasions, but she never left her! Apryl is the real reason that Cali was able to be in choir this year, we love her!

The performer and her tender hearted little brother....how sweet. You may be wondering what is on Cali's forehead in all these pictures. Well.... right before it was time to go to the school Cali decided to "re-curl" her hair. She burned her forehead right between her eyes, and then in an attempt to "fix" the burn...rubbed {yes, rubbed} the blistered area with a terry cloth wash cloth. I looked so painful, and we all learned a valuable lesson.... I think...

 

Christian was gone somewhere for work, and couldn't make it back in time for the production, so Grandma Vicki drove up from Salt Lake to see the concert!

Our Favorite Days! The First and Last Day of School

 

 

 

 

Spring and Summer Sports

Carter is playing his first year of baseball (T ball/Coach Pitch) this year. He loves every second of it. It took him a while to get used to wearing a Braves uniform, but now he's quite comfortable.

 

 

 

He also played soccer this spring, and had a great time meeting some new friends and playing on a bigger field than last year. We like going to his games, especially because each field has a park so that's a bonus for Cali and Caleb!

 

If you ask him which sport he likes best, he'll probably reply, "I don't know, I'm so good at both of them." So humble and such a lack of self esteem...really, where does he get it!

Fighting a Good Fight

 

 

On this day, my attempt to exhaust him through hours of playing at the park were successful. A little too successful, he collapsed at the college while I was signing Cali and Carter up for some summer camps. He fought a good fight, and I consider any time when he's holding still a small victory for me! 

Cali+Phone Camera=This

 

Not to Brag or Anything...But...Well...

 

On Saturday May 5th, I attended my graduation ceremony at the University of Wyoming. We drove through Laramie the night before the big day to pick up my ceremony gear, and I nearly died when I read the instructions for the proper wearing of the academic hood. 

Who writes this stuff? Seriously I about died laughing...especially the part, "you'll want to admire your distinguished and refined look..." Too bad that the hood, although legitimately earned, was only a rental and had to be returned right after the ceremony. Oh well, I felt like I sported the, "prestigious look" pretty well, if only for a few hours!

Here's a few photos chronicling this whirlwind of a day...

 

A quick snapshot of my favorite professor and mentor, Steve Aagard, as I greeted the faculty after receiving my diploma (i.e. empty diploma cover...I am still waiting for the official piece of paper to come in the mail!).

My dad greeted me on the floor as I came off the stage. I couldn't see him at first, but the cowboy hat soon gave him away. He is the truest fake cowboy one has ever met. I appreciated his enthusiasm for the cowboy mascot!

 

After it was all over, and I finished taking pictures with my friends and professors, I found my kids rolling around in the dirt on the ground. So I joined them for a minute!

I don't know what to day about this picture other than, it was supposed to be of me and my mom... Caleb, apparently really missed me for the 1.5 hours I was not by his side, so he was going now where. Plus, he thought that he had every right to open and close the diploma cover on Cali's head. Finally, a picture wouldn't be a picture without Cali...So you'll have to pretend that this is a lovely picture of me and my mom.

My parents are a great support to me. I know at times they thought I was crazy (well, many times I'm sure), but they supported me through this wild adventure. Plus, if your dad shows up to a cowboy graduation in a cowboy hat, you have to give him props!

We attempted several of these pictures. We both graduated with our bachelor's degrees exactly 10 years earlier, so I wanted to get a few for comparison sake...this is the best we could do.

Christian's parents and his little brother, Dustin made the treck eastward to join us too. 

Ahhhh, that's a better one. I promised Christian that I would pay him back someday for all the tuition money and the ridiculous stress, and the late nights that turned into mornings, but he declined my offer; saying that I was payment enough. I am pretty awesome, but that really touched my heart.

We also tried to get a family photo. Well, you can see how well that worked out. However, they are not unlike many of our other family photos, so I guess we'll just stick with the traditional chaos.

I really wanted the kids to be apart of this day, I thought that it was important that they see the graduation ceremony. When I asked Cali how she liked it she said it was hot. When I asked Carter, he said it was long. When I asked Caleb, well, he was already playing in the dirt. 

This day was made possible by the efforts of so many people. There is no way that I could have completed this without a huge support system and safety net. My deepest thanks to:

My husband and kids, they sacrificed a lot for me to do this.

My parents and siblings, especially my sister for the unending advice I sought from her.

My wonderful babysitters, I could never have done this without your loving care for my kids.

The people I work with, thank you for letting me do several case studies about you and your jobs.

My friends, who always acted interested in my endeavor and brought me dinner when I was on the verge.

My advisors, professors, and mentors, thank you for the encouragement to see this thing through to the end.

My previous employers, thank you for the letters of recommendation and experience to get here in the first place.