Reasons I haven't posted in awhile:

1.  Enjoying the fabulous weather.

2.  Biking with hubby (trying to get all the way to Middleton and back).

3.  Hanging out at Settler's Park.

4.  Working on a float with a friend for the Star Days Celebration Parade.

5.  Making loads of friendship books.

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’ve never done before? 

Be a single mother.  For two months Ivan was in Idaho while I wrapped things up in Ohio.  I was still working, serving at church, and packing.  (packing, selling, throwing, donating)

2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year? 

I resolve every year to make a resolution next year.  So, I did achieve my goal.  As for this year, so far so good!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

A couple of friends.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

A fomer neighbor and her son.  She and her two children were abducted.  The daughter held prisoner.  The mother & son dismembered, stuffed in garbage bags, hidden in a tree.  This was so very shocking to me.  I used to baby sit those kids.  They went to school with my kids.  I had been in their home; they in mine.  It still gives me chills and breaks my heart.

5. What countries did you visit?

Yeah, dumb question.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

A full savings account.

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched in your memory and why?

A cold day in March when we found out we would have to move or be unemployed.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Not falling apart.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I'm am pretty dang happy with how I handled all of last year's challenges.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? 

Had one of the nastiest cases of the flu since my BYU days.  Headaches became a daily reality.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Laptop!

12. Where did most of your money go?

Laptop!

13. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Laptop!

14. Happier or sadder?

Yes!

15. Thinner or fatter? 

Yes!

16. Richer or poorer?

Yes!

17. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Temple work.

18. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Where to start....

19. How did you spend Christmas?

Watching movies, playing games, eating, talking to family on the phone.

20. Did you fall in love in 2010?

No, I've always loved Johnny Depp.  I mean Ivan!!!  

21. What was your favorite TV show?

Sadly, there are too many to list.  (I guess I should go back to #18)

22. What was the best book you read?

Hunger Games Trilogy!

23. What was your greatest musical discovery of 2010? 

I got nothin'.

24. What did you want and get?

A laptop!!!

25. What did you want and not get?

iPad.

26. What was your favorite film this year?

Again with #18!

27. What did you do on your birthday?

Went to Church.

28. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? 

I wish we could've gone on a vacation.  (I wish that every year.)  And that we'd have movers to do all of the work.  

29. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? 

lol

30. What kept you sane?

Medicine.

31. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? 

Seriosly?!  Please refer to #20

32. What political issue stirred you the most? 

Not really in the mood for that question.

33. Who did you miss?

Family, friends, and familiar territory.

34. Who was the best new person you met?

Our Bishop & his wife & Kim & Daphne & Laura.

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.

I can do more than I thought I could.

Oh Christmas Tree

Sage and I adapted this crafthttp://taylordesign.wordpress.com/2008/10/30/curled-paper-christmas-tree-tutorial/  (I don't know how to make this link work, just google it.)
to make a craft at home.
I was determined to make it without buying any supplies.  So I had to make my own cones.

These were just stapled together.  Didn't have to be pretty because they were going to be covered.






 The next step is to cut out the little paper strips from scrapbook paper. I didn't have any two sided paper (which would look cuter) but I forged ahead anyway.  They each need to be curled.
Then begin gluing.  My tacky glue was a bit glumpy after a hot trek across the US of A, but it seemed to still do the job.



When all was glued on, I added some glitter glue at the top & a dollop on each "leaf" to add some sparkle.  Given more time, I could add a star or angle.  I'm going to make 4 more of these to use in the display at the middle school library.

 Sage wanted to make some too.  I think she did pretty good!  And I wasn't allowed to help her.

 

5 Random Thoughts

The City of Star is having a writing contest that ends in February.  The subject is "Living in Star."  I'm thinking about entering.

Ivan and I have been preparing for our first Thanksgiving away from home.  We have invited a family who has been good about making us feel welcome here.

Sage is drawing for Santa.  It is a dinosaur with a santa hat.  But she said she is too shy to give it to him.

Pictured to the right is the craft I made at our ward's Souper Saturday craft event.  Not sure why the photo is backwards, but you can get the general idea of it.  It was fun & easy to make!!!

Fall 2010 in Idaho is really cold!  -30 degrees F in the mountains tonight!  Glad I live in the valley!

Paradise Lost

Due to 4th grade time constraints, my teaching time has been greatly reduced.  I only get about one hour per month instead of one hour per week.  I am so sad.  I was really enjoying my weekly lessons on character related issues.   The kids would cheer when I came in & just beg to know what the weekly game was.  I hope they don't forget who I am!!!  Sigh.....

This week I was able have a PPI with my Bishop.  I am so amazed at what our Bishop's accomplish & all the hard work they do.  We have an awesome Bishop!!!  What a blessing to serve with him!!!


Saturday, I was able to attend my first baptism as the Primary President.  It was so neat.  The entire stake gets together to have all the baptisms for the month.  There was lovely music, nice talks, then in groups of three wards, we went to see "our" kids baptized.  The confirmations were done by individual wards.  I was prepared to do what I thought was the "standard" congratulations/welcome to activity days, etc.  Little did I know that they didn't do things like we did back in Ohio & everyone liked it.  I just thought everyone did the same thing.  I have started a new tradition.  I'm a trend setter.  Who knew?


Remember my fascination with sprinklers here in Idaho.  Well, there's more.  The past month I've seen little signs everywhere advertising "Sprinkler Blowouts" for $25.  Having no clue, I asked my Relief Society President.  She explained it while a couple of other sisters were chuckling at my question.  At the end of summer you have to pay someone to come & blow all the water out of the sprinkler system/pipes so that they don't freeze & bust the pipes.  I had no idea.


My first Sunday not conducting, I took the opportunity to check out our GIGANTIC nursery.  Wow!  I am so grateful to have wonderful nursery leaders & a saintly counselor who's "only" responsibility is to take care of the GIGANTIC nursery & my wonderful leaders.  And, I have to call two more leaders & "borrow" another room to have them in.  Whew!!!


And, my wonderful Relief Society sisters insisted that they could teach me to make pie shells.  I came just to chit chat & get more acquainted (not really wanting to make a pie crust).  Well they quickly put me to work measuring, fluffling, kneading, whatever.  It was fun, but I'm not going to make pie crusts at home. The pre-made frozen kind are perfectly fine for me!!!  (But thanks anyways, ladies!)

Star Elementary: 4th Grade Thursdays

Problem Solving

This month I am teaching my son's 4th grade class about problem solving.

First we solved a mystery:  There is a a small room, with an open window, a small table, broken glass & water on the floor & two dead bodies.  Can you guess what happened?

Next, we learned about how to solve problems with a human flowchart:
     Identify the problem
     Generate Solutions
     Evaluate Solutions
     Is the problem solved?  Yes - then you are finished
                                            No - go back & generate more solutions

We used our new found knowledge to solve a couple of scenarios.

As usual, I read a story that went with our theme.  Today it was:

Then, because they were so quiet during the story, we got to play a game of "Beat the Rabbit."  (It's a racing game, not a violent one.)

After we were done & the recess bell rang, I got the sweetest note.  The teacher is using a program with the kids about filling other people's buckets.  Last week, the kids were noisy & the teacher asked them if they were filling my bucket or emptying it by being noisy.  (Emptying, of course.)  So I used that today because they were getting all wound up during the flowchart exercise.  Hence the message from the note.

Makes it all worthwhile!

The Arriola's do The Monster Mash!

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/E1Dh6B51xAfJXYq7

Volunteer

The school year has really begun for me.  I've started to help out with various activities at the kids' schools.

This past week I got to be a lap marker-offer at the Jog-r-walk event at Lucas' school.  For each lap, they earned whatever amount of money that their sponsors said they would donate.  It was fun cheering the kids on while they ticked off each quarter mile lap.  Although, I had one kid dis OSU (I was wearin' the colors!)

My next fun event was to teach a one hour class for Lucas' teacher.  Each week, I'll be doing a lesson/activity on the months' character trait.  We began the year with empathy.  I had the kids walking in Ivan's big shoes, role playing, and laughing.  (Have I ever taught a class without some laughter???)  It was loads of fun.  Lucas has a nice group of kids in this class!

Next week, I'll be starting my volunteering at the middle school in the library.  I've been asked to lead some teen reading groups and help with some book displays.  Don't know any details, yet, but I'll keep you posted!

P.S.  Tomorrow I'll be getting my first calling here.  What do you think it is?

General Conference Packets

Zucchini Part 2

(Thanks everyone, for not pointing out that I totally spelled zucchini wrong last time.)

A couple more recipes that we really liked:

And, you'll all be impressed:  I have been teaching Sage how to make ramen noodles in the microwave.  Now, if only she could reach it by herself, I'd never have to get out of bed!!!

Walking Part 2

When school started, my walks took on a different form.  Sage & I accompany Lucas to school, then take the long way home.  (She on her pink barbie bike with handle bar streamers waving & me on foot.)  We talk about the pretty flowers, bugs, what the boys will be doing at school, and Sage's favorite topic of late, what time it is. 

Sage must ask me 30 times a day what time it is.  I'm not sure why.  Doubt my answers mean anything to her, but she has to see me look at a clock or my cell phone, otherwise she doesn't believe my answers!

Back to walking.  I am happy to say that I find myself craving my morning walks.  I even walked on Labor Day (a day I had always reserved for not doing anything productive) and quite enjoyed it despite some chilly temps. 

In support of my walking, my sweetheart got me some new walking clothes.  (Now, I really can't slack!)  Hopefully, I can score me some new shoes if I keep this up!!!

The Routine

Although I love breaks & vacations as much as the next guy, I do have to say that I love having a routine!

It is very nice having a set time to get up & some deadlines for getting things done.

This year, I have an hour and a half in between getting the oldest on the school bus, and the middle child out the door headed to school.  This allows me some one on one time with each of them.

Thanks to some inspiration and the fact that he is now in the Young Men's program at church, I decided to start reading one section of For the Strength of Youth each morning before Ethan heads out to the bus stop.  We also share a prayer together.  It's sort of our mini seminary class.  (I guess technically it's a devotional of sorts, but I like mini seminary!)

Lucas enjoys having breakfast with me (as I am more awake at this later time in the morning).  We get to chit chat a bit without interruption (which is a rare thing around here).  This child is working on memorizing the 13 Articles of Faith.  We are on #7.

Lastly, my little girl will finally get to be with mommy with no one else around.  We spent our first "Girl's Day" calling our friend who always went shopping with us.  Then, we went to our favorite girl hangouts:  Target & Kohls.  Also, the local library does weekly story time with a craft!!!

Of course, my routine cut short this week as my mother-in-law came to visit.  Ethan will be ordained a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood Sunday!!!  Very exciting for all of us!!!