In Honor of Tea

My sister-in-law, Tea has just finished her first month as a "Weekday Widow." Her hubby, JusTea, has been in Law School and is only home on the weekends. Tea also had a baby during this time, so she's One Amazing Lady!

"Keep Calm and Carry On!" is Tea's family motto. She has it posted, and also written on the wall in a strategic location. I've heard her kids recite it, I've heard the Young Women in our ward (congregation) talk about it, after Tea taught them the beautiful simplicity of it and I've been influenced for the better, by Tea's example.

Tea really is someone who KEEPS CALM. She parents with a quiet, loving voice. She is raising her kids (mostly alone, at this point) in a peaceful, sweet environment. Maybe more importantly, she CARRYS ON!! Others might not be able to be a single parent, yet remain so supportive of their husband leaving for school, all week. She continues to serve others through church. She is involved in her kids school lives. She is One Amazing Lady and I am so proud she is my sister.

Chocolate/Cheese Field Trip

Rachel (green shirt) and her 3rd grade class went on a field trip to Our Local Chocolate Factory. I, of course, was the first parent volunteer to sign up. It would be un-American to miss out on Free Samples.

The kids were fascinated watching the man put the soft caramel center into chocolates. I was able to sneak away to the sample table more than once, during this interesting demonstration.

The best product I sampled was these mouthwatering, spicy/pricey treats. I bought some for Damian (they're really for me). Just like those hamburgers he always buys when we go out.

After the Chocolate Factory, we went next door to Our Local Cheese Factory. Apparently, this is the only Raw Milk Cheese Co. in the US that is allowed to export cheese to Europe! I found it very cool that there are two award winning little factories in my little town. Next time you come visit, I'll take you to both. It'll take 10 minutes!

Rachel enjoyed taste testing her favorite food, and I liked the Lavender Cheddar variety. I also tried Curds for the first time . . . delicious!

One of the best parts of being a stay-at-home mom is the Field Trips!! Thanks Rach, for asking me along!

I snuck into Katrina's class to see her in action. It was free time and she was "playing school" with her BFF. I love her cute letters written on her wipe board!

Ben hadn't wanted me to leave him at Preschool today, for Rachel's field trip. I promised to come back early and help in his classroom. When I arrived (just in time for snacks!!) Ben ran to the board to show off learning to write his FIRST LETTER!! He now writes the letter "B" on everything. I have to keep pencils/markers put away, or I find his "Tags" all over the walls!

Ben's favorite book is Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. After I called him "Pigeon" for awhile, he decided I didn't EVER need to come early to his Preschool, again. Here is an important parenting technique you may want to pick up from me.

Ready for the Big Secret, by Sarah Idiart?

"Annoy your Kids into Independence"

Carpool Mom Playlist

I spend one hour in my car each morning. I take Emma and 2 of her friends to Middle School every day. Then, 3 days a week I add Benjamin and 3 of his Pre-School friends to the mix. I don't do any after school pick-ups, so that leaves my whole morning free, almost all week. I love the arrangement!

I really enjoy my time with Emma and her friends. They talk about assignments, interesting hairdos they see at school, teachers, music and their clothes/hair/perfume/lipgloss. I like just hearing their chatter.

Ben's crowd giggles, wrestles (with their seatbelts on!), plays air guitar, tells me to "TURN UP THE ROCK AND ROLL!" and admits interesting things about their parents/boogers. It's very entertaining.

When I've dropped them all off, I forward Emma's CDs to the songs I like and TURN IT UP!!

I've added a playlist of some of her current music to help you all get as up to date as I think I am. For those of you that might be wishing we were still in the 80s . . . I think you'll like this stuff! Scroll down and turn the music on!

Jared's BIRTHDAY!!

This is the first recorded picture of Damian's baby brother, Jared, one week before his birth. He turned out pretty handsome, despite his alien beginnings.

These are the Idiart kids (Damian is the boy in the pink shirt) with his dad's parents. The littlest one is Jared, the birthday boy!!

When I look at each kid in the photo, I can see THEIR future children, in their likenesses! Allison's Mary looks just like her. Ever wonder where Ben's eyes go when he smiles? Same place as his Daddy's!! JusTea looks just like Pie. Although, I really don't think Jared's babies look like him, as a newborn . . .

WHOA!! I stand corrected. This little "Thigh Master" Jared, looks just like his future daughter, Elise!

I love this photo of Damian and Jared playing in the sprinklers! Emma sure looks like her Daddy, minus the buck teeth! They have the same body and legs! The cutie with no shirt is Jared. You can tell by his smile that he is ALL fun.

Jared and some of his friends from San Francisco, on Halloween (I hope!) I had the privilege of scanning all Jared's baby photos for his wedding video, so now I can blackmail him anytime I want.


Jared, if you don't slip $1000 in unmarked bills under my doormat by 9pm tonight (or some of your wife's slush), I will post this photo to all the Young Men you serve at church. They'll never look at you the same again. I certainly don't!

Oh, never mind . . . I forgot all about what a great uncle and brother you are, in my moment of blackmail weakness. But if you want to tell Christine to make me some slush, I wouldn't mind.

This is Jared (21) with my little Rachel (6 months). Jared really is the greatest and I'm thankful for him, especially today, on his Birthday!! Have a good one, we love you!

Oh, and Jared . . . Credit Card, SHWIPE!!

20 Worst Habits: PART ONE

I thought I'd share the worst about me. Maybe these will make you think, "Hey, I'm not too annoying compared to Sarah!"

When I started, I thought I could fit 20 short, terrible habits into one post. As I self reflect, I realize there is enough material here for a month. I'll condense and horrify you over four days.

20. I have distance judging problems, when driving. Last month I knocked over my friend's 2 garbage cans, as I pulled up to her house for piano lessons. I've knocked down stone walls around my driveway and run over landscaping lights. I've never run over a child or animal, so I've got that going for me.

19. I drive FAST. After I drove my Best Friend, Emily, off a cliff as a teenager, you'd think I would have learned. I enjoy the speed too much. I can't stop myself.

18. When I'm ALONE in the car, I turn the stereo up ALL THE WAY and pretend I'm young, again. This is while hitting curbs going WAY TOO FAST. I especially love to peel out of the church parking lot, to show off (I don't think it's working, none of those church types seem impressed and none will go with me in my car, unless I let THEM drive.)

17. I eat WAY TOO MUCH. I still eat like I'm racing the Butterfly Stroke everyday . . . I probably down enough calories to feed a small nation. I've been exercising every day and REALLY trying to watch this little problem, but my greatest temptation in life is food. And lots of it.

16. I drool in my sleep, and let's face it, sometimes I drool drinking from a glass, when I'm awake. I've learned from my fellow drooler, Allison, to ask for a straw at restraunts.

Well, readers . . . Until next time, Drool and Drive like a MANIAC!