End of an Era

In preparation for our move to Utah 9 years ago, we bought a full size van (not a cute mini van) that would be capable of pulling a U-haul trailer. The van did a great job of moving our little family and our belongings across the state of Alaska, down through Canada, and then into Utah.

The van has since been used for trips to Southern Utah, Disneyland, San Diego, San Fransisco, the Redwood Forest, the coast of Oregon, and many other places in and around Utah.

It has been to girls' camp and scout camp.

It has been used to hall furniture, lumber, concrete, bicycles, lawnmowers, and more.

It has carried me up and down the hill to work for the past 9 years.

It has carried the girls to and from school, piano lessons, violin lessons, theater groups, book clubs, swimming lessons, sleep-overs, jazz band, and hundreds of other places.

As much as I have loathed this van over the past couple of years, looking back makes me cherish ALL of the memories the van has given me! As Delaney said yesterday, "We have come to the end of an era!".

The van is being passed on to another family member that has 3 littles. They need more space for these kiddos to ride in. As much as I have wanted to be rid of the van, I agree with something else Delaney said--"Mom, it's going to be hard to go to Grandma's, see the van in the driveway, and then drive away knowing it is no longer ours."

Good-bye van-hello brand new car. I am ready to make some new memories!

Living the Wild Life

Today was filled with excitement! The girls and their friend knitted with their "Nifty Nitters" while watching Nancy Drew. They really know how to live it up!

It's Official-Not Only Are Teachers Underpaid-They Are Over-Germed

Teachers are at the top of the list for the germiest jobs. We are above the trash collectors and doctors when it comes to handling the most germs. This explains why for many years my mother-in-law would come home from teaching first grade and hop right into the shower. This explains why I constantly have a runny nose & seem to go from one cold to the next. Why, just yesterday one of my little lovelies sneezed right on me! If you want to know whether or not your profession is in the top 10 of the germiest read on at http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=5514726.

Bad or Good Hair Day??? YOU DECIDE

This was the result of 100 little braids that were left in for about 2 days and then brushed, and brushed, and brushed. She wears it well!

Baby Blue Eyes

Delaney recently got glasses. She picked electric blue frames. Being the cautious person I am, I asked her if she really wanted frames that stood out so much. Her reply---"Mom, I am almost 6 feet tall and have bright red hair. I already stand out." Enough said. She got the electric blue frames.

"Tagging"

Recently I have received many emails in which I have been "tagged" to do something. I HATE THESE. I also hate "spam" mail. Who has time to weed through all of this? The one thing I do like to weed through are my friends' blogs. So, today as I was going through my daily ritual of reading my favorite friend blogs, I noticed that my good friend Val had posted a blog "tag". I thought it was so interesting that I decided to try it myself. I know this will be a shocker to her, as she has sent me many email "tags" over the years, of which I have responded to none!

The first part of this particular tag is to take the fourth picture from your fourth picture file. My picture is of Addy. It was taken last April in Los Angeles at an Italian restaurant. I took the girls to see Wicked at the Pantages Theater in L.A. for their birthday. We had a great time.

The second part of the tag is to Google my name and the word "needs" after it, and return the first 10 phrases it gives to me. Here is what I got:

1. Sheri needs to find out why she is being contacted by a collection agency. I used to work for a collection agency while in high school (many years ago) but can’t imagine why one would be trying to contact me now.
2. Sheri needs a prosthesis that can keep up with… When I tried to click on this phrase to read the rest of it, a “forbidden” warning came up. So, I probably don’t really want to know what kind of prosthesis I may or may not need!
3. Sheri needs to go to a concert. This is true. Britney Spears IS coming to S.L.C. soon! No thanks…
4. Sheri needs help with Broodlord quest chain. I am not quite sure what this is. I think it has something to do with the World of Warcraft. Maybe my father-in-law needs this more than me-he is a gamer.
5. Sheri needs help with the annual march against the death penalty. I am actually for the death penalty, but don’t know if I am so for it that I would really get out and march.
6. Sheri needs your birth story. Sure. If you want to send me your birth story I would be happy to read it.
7. Sheri needs to take a chill pill. This could be true. I have been told by some (Thanks Val) that I can be a little “high strung”.
8. Sheri needs your prayers. Today it would be helpful for you to pray for my dad-not me. He is going in tomorrow for his first cancer "scan" after his lung removal and cancer treatments last fall. I pray that he is cancer free.
9. Sheri needs to find a WWII nurses uniform. I am not quite sure that I really need this.
10. Sheri needs to walk a mile. Or three or four! I do need to get back on the treadmill!

Thanks Val. I needed something "useless" to distract me today!

Guitar Girl

Today Addy added yet another instrument to our home. She spent her Christmas money from Nana & Papa & Uncle Jack to purchase a new guitar, case, and guitar lessons. Actually, she only had enough money for part of the guitar and she suckered her dad into paying for the rest!

A normal looking girl!

A crazed "rock-n-roll" looking girl!