And Speaking of Vocabulary ...

Todd: Mom, I have a problem.
Me: What's the matter, sweetie?
Todd: Um, I'm a little like Grandpa, I think.
Me: What's that supposed to mean?
Todd: Ummmmm, I'm a little uncomfortable around too many people, and I don't think I like small places very much. I think I have, ummmmm, ummmmm, squishy-itis or something.
Me: Um, I think you mean claustrophobia. But, I have to say, I think your word is more descriptive, I'm tempted to add it to my vocabulary. Let's check with Webster's and see what they say.
Todd: Sounds like a plan, as long as I don't have to stand in any large crowds. :D

Aren't kids smart?

A Good Deed You Can Do Daily

One of my other frequent internet stops is a favorite site called freerice.com. I love it because if I'm waiting at my computer for any reason (slow connection, uploading, downloading, etc.) I can jump over to this site and learn something while contributing to the cause of ending hunger around the world. The concept is this: you are presented with a vocabulary word and four definitions under it. You select the word you think is the best synonym or definition for the presented word. If you're correct you have just donated 20 grains of rice to the UN World Food Program. The vocabulary words get more and more difficult as you answer them correctly. (Words are scored by difficulty, 60 being the highest level.) When you miss you drop back a level and must answer 3 in a row correctly to move to the next level again. 20 grains of rice doesn't sound like much, but it really adds up quickly! In the FAQ section of the website you'll find lots of good information about how much rice has been donated so far (the site has been up and running for less than a year, but has donated an incredible amount of food) and how the money to purchase the rice is generated. It's easy, fun, enriching, and benefits those who need it most -- all without ever leaving your cushy office chair. Nice, huh?

How to Waste A Whole Lot of Time

So I got it in my head this afternoon that I wanted to change the look of my boring blog page. So I started looking around for new templates, and 3 hours later I've finally put something in place. Can I just say that there are complete subcultures on the internet that I had absolutely no clue ever existed. Since I usually only visit my email, netflix, and favorite blogs, and maybe Amazon.com once in a while, when I'm on the internet, I am oblivious to all the crazy and amazing things people spend their time on. I can see how entire days and weeks can get eaten up on the internet doing something as inane as choosing a new blog skin. Now I must repent for completely wasting a huge block of time that could have been spent doing something much more worthwhile. However, it will be good to look at something new on my blog. As many of you know, I'm the girl who moves her furniture around for no good reason whatsoever, just because I can't stand to look at the same configuration for too long. (It's either that or buy new furniture, so I bet Brad is pretty glad I only move stuff around. :D)

The Giving Yard

I love this time of year, when your yard starts to pay you back for all the hard work you've done since April! I hadn't really looked at the garden in over a week, so this morning I was shocked and thrilled to find that we had a few things ready to harvest. Fresh fruit and veges are so much yummier than anything else -- dinner will be delicious tonight.

Rose Family Reunion

The abbreviated Rose Family Reunion took place this weekend. I forgot to pull out my camera, so I'll have to pull some pics from other family members later. It was so fun to be together even for a short period of time. The kids had a ball with the cousins, and I loved having some time to visit with Mom and Dad and Cindy and Julie. Our lives are all so busy that we rarely have these times together anymore. It was such a treat to spend even a few hours. Friday was spend at Mom and Dad's house. We had an amazing dinner (thanks Mom), followed by a fun FHE and the annual talent show. As usual we were wowed by all the great talents shared by each of the kids. My favorite this year was 3 year old Lily's word for word recitation of the book "The Three Billy Goats' Gruff" complete with character voices. She is a hoot. Each of the kids had something wonderful to share (including Kaleb, who danced and showed off his muscles -- way to go Little DJ Jr.!) One of the highlights of the evening was Grandma Johnson coming with Kim, Deron, and Collin, who were visiting from Arizona. It was so fun having a chance to catch up with them. They are such a terrific family. We love them so much.

Saturday we got up (after sleeping in -- which was such a gift), ate a yummy breakfast, then headed to Idaho Falls to spend the day at Cindy and DJ's house. The kids played nonstop, and I got to hold the twins (which I had been aching to do!). We had the perfect relaxing day, just spent visiting, catching up, laughing, eating, and watching the kids. Even though it was short, it was great to be together.

The only thing that was rotten about the whole weekend was that Matt, Sara, Luke, Emma, and Gavin weren't there. We missed them so much. Thankfully we were able to spend some great time with them a couple of weeks ago when they were out. We love you all so much and thought about you often while we were together.

I'm so thankful for the Plan of Salvation and for the sealing power of the temple. Families are such a blessing. I love each of you and I'm so thankful for the opportunity to bound together for eternity.

Jack is Back

Because music camp week is so crazy busy, Cindy graciously offered to take Jack for the week in exchange for her girls. (She is a saint, considering she has newborn twins and a 2 year old of her own to care for, and I took her two best babysitters to my house for the week!). We laughed a lot about the fact that I had four heads of hair to do and she ended up with four little bums to change. I have to say that I definitely got the better end of that deal (no pun intended :)).

I missed my little Jack-Jack so much, and I wasn't the only one. Todd was absolutely heartbroken about his little bro being gone for such a long time. Halfway through the week he broke down and cried in my arms for a good 15 minutes because he missed our little man so much. It was so sweet and really touched my heart that he loves that little guy so much. As for me, I could hardly stand to think about him, I would get teary and just long to hold him, so I just tried hard not to think about how slowly the time crawled by without him. It was good that we were so busy as it helped the time go by much faster.

I am so grateful to Cindy for taking him, though, because there is no way he would have survived the week. The schedule was way too hectic -- he would have been absolutely miserable. As it was he had the best time with Kaleb. It was great for them to have some cousin time. We sure appreciate Kaleb being willing to share all his stuff with Jack. He's such a sweet little boy. Also, we're thankful that he taught Jack how to talk a little bit more. He is really trying to speak now that he's been around a little guy his size and seen that it's possible to communicate using the English language. Jackanese is still the preferred language, but we have high hopes that a transition is underway! Thanks Kaleb!!

As fun as the whole week was, we are so excited about going back to our regular routine again. We love our little Jackaboo so much. It's so good to have him home again.

A Fun Week With the Teichert Cousins

We were lucky enough to have Regan, Morgan, and Jordyn come stay with us for 5 days this past week. I teach at a Vocal Summer Music Camp called "Rise Up and Sing" and have been able to involve Cindy's and my kids for the last 3 years. This year Regan, Morgan, Jordyn, Todd and Kate all attended and we had a wonderful time! Morgan, Jordyn, and Kate were all in the Children's Chorus, and Kate and Morgan also attended an Acting class which they absolutely loved. Todd and Regan each took a master class (a small class where each member polishes a solo to be performed at the end of the week), a theory class, a musical theater class and an acting class. I taught master classes all day, so by the end of the week we were all absolutely exhausted (but in a good way!).

Kate, Jordy, and Morgan singing with the Children's Chorus (Tinga Layo).
We had time to swim and even squeezed in the swim lessons in the evenings.
This was the Super Karate Kick into the Pool move developed by Todd, Kate, and Regan!
The whole gang in their music camp t-shirts.
Jordyn was an absolute star at music camp after she sang "Rubber Duckie" in front of the whole camp! Everyone kept telling her what a great job she did (and they were right!). She developed quite the fan base while there. The other kids were her backup singers. They all wore swimsuits and sunglasses and carried towels and rubber duckies!

We were so busy that I forgot to take many more pictures, but we had the best time with the cousins. We were all completely worn out by the end of the week, but hopefully the kids had fun and thought it was worth the craziness. I sure did! It's wonderful to see the growth they experience each year. I'm thankful they can have these opportunities to build self confidence, and especially that they have had the opportunity to spend some time together.