So Much to Say:

This blog is lacking. it must be September. Here's where I'm spending my time:

-Preschool. It's going so well. I love my classes (as if there's any possibility that I wouldn't?) and like every year, I can't believe I ever considered taking a year off. I also originally worried I might regret the choice to teach twice a week, but I don't at all. I really love having the children separated into two separate age groups. We're having a preschool pajama party up in here, this week! Fun times!

-Soccer. Two consecutive late nights a week do not make for happy girls by wednesday. Reese rocked in her game tonight and played her hardest. The kids had good fun cheering for her. Quincy kept cheering for her own team "Go Team Beat! We got the Beat!" and Corbin enjoyed a nice box or two of Red #40.
Reese is really fast! I need to take her running and see just what kind of fire she's got in her. I might sort of really super love the idea of a potential little running buddy.

-Not that I am running lately. Cuz I'm not. Like at all.
-and to bust any questions, it's not because I'm pregnant. Cuz I'm not. Like at all.

-Pumpkin! Pie, muffins, bread, pancakes, I don't care what it is, just bring it to me and watch me eat. I promise you won't be disappointed. It's quite a show.

-Crafting. It's fall. I feel a crazy need to create, organize, clean, and make pretty things. Anything that uses creative energy. I suppose the blog could stand for me to put some of that creative energy toward writing and blog something that isn't a complete waste of your time.

-Yardwork. Under those ugly bushes were 2 tons of awful gravel. We killed ourselves digging and hauling it outta there on Saturday, and now I'm debating whether or not it is worth the money to put in a little flagstone retaining wall. The weather this week is PERFECT, so if I'm gonna do it, it should be now.

-Immunization Awareness. I really need to do something to spread the good news in my community, but I don't know what to do. Did you know that the national immunization rate is sitting at 74.9%? Did you know that the rate in Utah is only 66.7%? California is just as bad. Come on guys! Do some research. For every person that believes a conspiracy and tells false rumors that vaccines will give you cancer, an extra finger, autism, or a mullet, there needs to be 5 educated, sane people telling the truth. Vaccines are safe, and they work, but they're most effective if the entire community participates, so bully up, people. Your friends that are "opting out" for "personal reasons" are making a "personal" choice that affects YOUR health. That's not very fair, now is it? So let's change it, and speak up! Educate your friends, and let's work together to fortify our blanket of protection. As a family that has personally been affected by a communicable disease outbreak, we felt totally helpless when the girls got sick. I thought that by getting the vaccine, I'd done everything I could. Wrong. Tell OTHERS to get their vaccines, too. It's a collaborative effort. It's a civic duty.

I literally feel sick every time I hear an anti vaccine argument. Why? They are NEVER based on true information. "Vaccines gave my kid____ ." False. I have no problem telling you to your face that you are wrong, so do not try to sell me this argument. It is weak and unsupported. Do some research, your kid had ______ before the vaccine.

-Books. Still reading The Count of Monte Cristo, and I will be for the rest of my life. I should have known better than to start such a long book. I am not a "one chapter a night" kind of reader. I'd much prefer to rock the sweatpants, serve pb&j for dinner and devour a book in one day, and a few weeks later devour another book. I'm like a snake. Don't they eat one fat rabbit and then they're good for a month? I feel that way with books. I like to keep busy and let's face it, I should be mothering my small children instead of reading all the time. Monte Cristo isn't exactly a "one day" kind of book...not for me, anyway, so I've been attempting to read when my kids go to bed, but I think I'm still less than 10% though. I do enjoy the book, but reading in little spurts here and there is like snacking all day and never indulging in a real meal. I feel completely unsatisfied with this style of reading. I might have to take a break and read a short little book one day to give my ADD a fix.

-Preparations. I feel winter coming. Like an animal about to go into hibernation, I've been obsessing over making sure we are ready for it. Everything from: Are we prepared for an ice storm? Do the flashlights have batteries in them? Do we have enough firewood? How is our food storage looking? to making a list of indoor date ideas (we always end up just going to dinner and getting a redbox once winter hits), finishing up outdoor projects and painting things before it is too cold to complete them. I do hope winter stays away for another month. My squash (squashes?) are about 3 inches long and I'd love to get one good harvest in before the frost arrives.

-My kids. They are so amazing. They are growing so much so fast and it is thrilling and heartbreaking at the same time. I love them and I am so happy to be a mother.

-Cooking, baking, and most importantly, eating. Food is good, y'all. How sad would life be without bread and cheese? Mmm or chocolate? Or crisp grapes? And we have access to all of those things every day! We have so much to be grateful for. Have another cookie.