Fall Break! Part Two: Sea World

We had an amazing time at Sea World.  I have wanted to go there since I was 13, and was excited we were finally able to go. The pace was nice and easy, we got to see a lot of shows and entertainment, and would definitely go again!

Everyone Waiting for the Shamu Show.

With Meal Wristbands, you get all the meals you would like to eat.  Including desserts!

Thankfully, not a lot of crowds.  Even Mark had a good time!

She's trying for a puppy dog look.  For her future as Drama Queen.

Seriously, the best four kid shot I could get.

One of the Aquariums

This was actually the first picture of the day, notice Katrina had a coat.

Jelly fish

Mason's cheezy grin.  But amazing roots on the tree behind him.

Remind me Red Head's Burn easily . Remember the coat earlier? Gone!

Hot and Tired at the end of the day!

The Shamu Bug.  Caroline wants to drive this when she gets older.

Fall Break! Part One: Getting There!

Vail School District has a three week fall break built into their schedule.  We got to go visit Mark over in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.  First, we had to get there though....

Stop 1: 2.2 miles Quik Mart for Gas

Stop 2: 3.2 Miles Target for Snacks and Entertainment

Stop 3: 5.5 Miles McDonald's East Tucson because they were already hungry

Stop 4: 25 Miles McDonald's West Tucson because they needed to use the restroom.

Stop 5: 28 Miles McDonald's Northwest Tucson because the food was made wrong at East Tucson, and I couldn't stop the fighting enough to eat it and I still have 8 hours to drive.

Stop 6: 285 Miles Quartzite for Gas and Restroom.   Yes, we made it this far!

Stop 7: 476 Miles Homewood Suites with Mark, 10 hours later!

Mark's Birthday

It was three weeks since Mark left for California, and I knew he was getting very lonely.  I lucked out and had Grandma babysit the kids, and I jumped in a car and drove to California. I told Mark not to leave his hotel room, because I had someone delivering a birthday cake to him.  The surprise on his face when I was the cake deliverer was priceless.  It was only 12 hours I could stay with him, but it made his birthday. 

We cruised over to the mall and the Apple Store, I got my first taste of California Pizza Kitchen (YUM! Carne Asada Pizza), and had a fun time acting like people who didn't have curfew for a babysitter.  

Greenlee County Fair 2010

Montierth Kids 2010 Greenlee County Fair

Katrina on the Mechanical Bull. She made it 8 seconds, but it started chasing her afterwards.

Cousin Tad and Mason on the roller coaster

The boys zooming through the carnival.

Caroline on a ride I think she may be growing out of.

My Sebastapol Geese. Since Mom has been taking care of them this year, she entered them in the fair under her name :) Best of Fair for all Birds, and Best Land/Waterfowl.

Taylor and Cousin Darrell, only 8 weeks apart in age, but inches apart in height! I think Taylor is going to be taller than even I thought.

My mother and her cousin Cheri Gale Gardner. She stopped by for a visit.

Don't wish for news if you don't want change!

Yes,  I jinxed myself.  From posting "Wishing I had News" now I have some.  Mark will be going on a three month detail to California. Which leaves me as single mom for a while. Wait, isn't this how this blog began?  Seriously, go back...further, further.  Yea, see that first month of posts? Re-read.  The four kids tipping the cart in Wal-Mart? Yes, that will be me once again. "THAT" lady at the store. Good news? I won't be shopping for diapers!

Wish I had some news....

Don't you hate it when you wait to post any good news you have, but it never comes?  I have been waiting for something big and exciting but I really don't have anything!  Wait, here's one.  All four kids are back in school! They have been for a month now. Only, Taylor is in half-day kindergarten so it's hard to say I'll have the whole day to myself.

If you are wondering about the "self-exam" from the last post, I put together a list of questions, and have been answering them.  In the light of everything, I did have an epiphany and decided that Occupational Therapy was my calling in life.

If you haven't heard of Occupational Therapy, or if you are not quite sure what it is, here is the quick synopsis: Occupational therapists help patients improve their ability to perform tasks in living and working environments. 

Okay, so the real-world synopsis: Helping people do what they need to do to get on with life. Helping someone recover from a stroke learn how to walk again, or use their hands. Helping children with disabilities learn how to cope in the classroom. Helping someone who cuts the tendon in his thumb with a pocketknife learn how to strengthen his muscles after surgery. (Ok, so the last one was a jab at my husband, Love you!)

My kids have had OT's for a few years now in school, helping them with their sensory processing disorders. Haven't heard of this? It was the reason Katrina couldn't swing without getting petrified scared until she was 6 or ride in a car without crying the first three years. Or why Mason would throw up anytime he smelled anything bad. Or why Taylor refuses to eat any raw vegetable, or any fruit at all. Or the reason Caroline is a thrill seeker and wants to swing too high, climb to high, go too fast.  They all have problems with their senses being hyper or even hypo sensitive.    Sensory usually runs along side children with disorders in the autism spectrum, but it can be with other diagnoses, like AD/HD.  So working along side OT's I have long been interested in it. But, it is still very limited in terms of education, where you can receive the training. 

Tucson recently has been approved at two private colleges to offer an Occupational Therapy Assistant 2 year degree.  Think of it sort of like a 2 year nursing degree. A Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) can do all the therapy along side patients, but can not do the original observation.  Along side getting to work with the patients after this degree, you also have to have this degree to pursue a Masters in OT.   All OT's now have to have a Master's degree to practice in the US. So I have applied to the colleges here for the OTA programs. I was accepted into one, but found it so much more expensive than the other (nearly 15,000) I decided to pass and try the other school.  I am now either the first or second alternate for the OTA program at Pima Medical Institute. The possibility of me being accepted is still very real, but as the days keep passing on, my hope is fading. I suppose I am accepted, but this next class that starts on the 30th is full.  I will be in the next class, but it wouldn't be until next July when it starts.

So I was hoping to post that I was going back to school, but it looks like it might be a while.  I am leaning towards trying to get a job at the school as a Para-Pro (Aide) if I do need to wait. It would give me some more experience working in the school systems with the special needs kids and get me ready for school again.


So until I have news, or other random ramblings, TTFN!

All the small thoughts lead to one humongous one.

I would like to say that those who know me well, know that I often have moments of contemplation about life, where mine is heading, and who I will be. Although I am 32 this year, I would like to think there is still 2/3's of my life left to live.


So I have been having this running dialog in my head, what will I do with my life? What do I want to be when I grow up? I am often jealous of those with the burning conviction (like my sis-in-law Lindsey) who know what they want to be from the time they are little. For some reason, I cannot remember a time where I said I wanted to be something, neither can my parents. I had thoughts like "Maybe I'll be a writer" or "Maybe I'll be a lawyer" but never a statement of "I AM"

So as I keep switching back and forth, wondering what I'll do, I had this thought. I can not tell who I will be if I don't know who I am right now. Where do I stand on issues? What are my core beliefs? What are my strengths and weaknesses? I suppose we know the answer in general, but specifics are hazy for me. So I am compiling a list of the hard questions, to gather together the bits of information, to research "ME". I don't know if I will share the answers on here, or privately in a journal, but I do know writing them down will focus and set the ideas firm.

Here's what I would like you to do: Think of a question that the answer might put together a piece of the puzzle. Apply it to yourself, but also post the question here. Some examples:

What are your thoughts on the environment?

What are your thoughts on animal rights?

What are your thoughts on the Constitution?

What would be the most important skill to have in case of a loss of employment?

Please participate in this one! These questions will become a "Survey of Self". I am hoping the answers to the survey will then lead to goal setting and ultimately figuring out the future.

What is the definition of a "Casserole"?

Apparently I have never, ever made my husband a "Casserole". I'm sorry I thought that Chicken and Rice, Stacked Enchiladas, Chicken with Biscuit topping, and Shepherd's Pie were all considered casseroles. So here is the contest:

Define casserole, and post a recipe. I will try such recipe, and ask husband if it is up to snuff. Those with the "highest rating" will receive a prize from me. I don't know what it is yet, but it will be a well thought out and highly sought after prize. Have at it folks!

If you want, you can post the name of the recipe, and email it to me or redirect to your blog for the recipe if that is easier than typing a comment!

40 Days of Summer Vacation Left!

But who's counting?

I AM!

Happy Mother's Day???

Mason made me a beautiful flower pot for Mother's Day.


The lady bugs were his thumbprints. The flowers he cut out and colored with love. How sweet is that!

Here's what Mason had to say about it:

"Do you know why I wanted to give you that flower pot for Mother's Day?





Because it would hurt if I threw it at you."

The Boys!

Fresh haircuts, these boys both had birthdays this month. I don't know what I would do without my blue eyed boys! Now 7 and 5, I will have to start keeping the grade school girls away from them!

Taylor's Birthday Cake

Don't worry, I'm not going into business anytime soon. But I do enjoy making a few cake wrecks every year. They seem to like it!

Everything is Super Mario Brothers this year with Taylor. It is a nice change from "Cars" though I should brace myself for the new movie coming out next year. It will start the fad all over again.

This cake was about four layers plus mini cupcakes, it took 7 cake mixes, 2 lbs of powdered sugar, and a pound of butter. It took me almost all day to bake, frost, and decorate. It was worth it though.

Life: Scrapbook Paper Poll and Giveaway!

Life: Scrapbook Paper Poll and Giveaway!

My good friend Jessica from high school has begun to sell her own scrapbook papers, both printed and digital form. Here is her work, and she is having a drawing for a free giveaway! Check it out!

April's Post

Yes, April is almost over, and there hasn't been a post! My camera that has been found, is actually not working, so you get another boring word post.

Temping has taken over for the last two weeks, I am averaging 2 days a week now. It's a huge blessing financially and for my resume. It is really difficult to try and show a resume to someone and show that you haven't held a job in the last 10 years and tell them to take a chance on you. I even had to add Primary Secretary (Volunteer) to fill in a few places, but that was still 5 years ago! A few companies are asking for me specifically, so I must be doing something right!

Katrina started flute lessons this month. She knows 5 notes, and how to play "Mary had a Little Lamb" on the mouth piece. I'm a super proud mom! Her teacher said she is picking it up very fast, and she can read all the notes even!

We had an Activity Day of sharing our talents for Caroline and Katrina. It was very cute, if not well thought out (by my girls, the others were fantastic). Caroline told about how her talent is sports and baseball. Even though she isn't participating this year, she feels like that is her talent. Although, an hour before the activity, her talent was going to be playing piano. I had to remind her she doesn't play the piano. Oh yea..... Katrina showed her art work, and did a quick sketch of a couple outside a temple. She is certainly leaning more into a cartoon work, than realistic, but it is a very good developing talent. I will have to scan some in for her and post!

This month has been a final push to close out the St. David house. A lot of work, and bittersweet. Hard to let go of dreams you put into a home, but we are so blessed to be where we are now. I think the hardest lesson in life is learning how to trust the Lord and do what he's prompting you to do. We're doing it, but that leap of faith certainly feels like the scene from Indiana Jones III sometimes....

This weekend is our visit to the Gila Valley Temple, and a college reunion, and I am meeting up with all my extended family and brothers. I am so excited, and can't wait to tell you all about it!

Temping: The corporate world

I've been temping (temporary/substitute employee) for almost two months now, and I usually have a day or two a week now. I was "Employee of the Week" my second week on the job (Got a $10 Target gift card and a cute note), and they are always telling me how much the companies like me. I don't know if they are trying to butter me up, or if its the truth, I guess time will tell.

Mostly I work for a behavior health clinic (they have 5 offices all over town). The offices are so busy they all take two receptionists. If one schedules a day off, or calls in sick, I get called in sometimes. I must say there is never a dull moment. The second day I worked as a temp, I was called in and found out there were two of us temps as receptionists. The clients that came in were asking us about their medications, and their appointments, and who is teaching what class on which day. It's not so easy to step into someone else's job for a day I am finding. It does get easier the longer I work and sometimes work the same place.

My third day I had another fun story. A gal walked in and was upset the doctors and nurses wouldn't see her right away (she walked in 30 minutes late for her appointment, and missed two before that). She had just said she needed her meds right away, because she was feeling shaky, and told us that if she wasn't allowed to see the doctor right then she was going to the hospital. We explained that the nurses were working as quick as possible. Ten minutes later my alarm is going off that someone in the lobby called 911, and the ambulances came running to help her with her "chest pains". The case managers later told me she did this almost every time she had an appointment. It's really hard to work there, and feel sympathy for people who you know waste so much of our tax-payer dollars. If they had to pay for that ambulance ride or emergency room visit themselves (or even a co-pay) would they call it so frequently?

This last week I worked for OMA doing basic data entry and filing. OMA stands for Opening Minds though the Arts. Its a foundation that was started by TUSD, teaching the core standards through art and music. The idea sounds fascinating and I wish the website gave more information on the program. Basically, they hire actors, dancers, and musicians to incorporate math, reading, and language arts skills into their performances. I just wonder why I haven't heard of this foundation before. I lucked out with them, because not only did I get to work there, they let me work from home for the weekend doing the data entry online.

Temping has been a huge blessing, not only giving us a little extra income, but helping me get back out to the corporate world, learn how businesses are run again, and refining my skills. In fact, I'm now curious to see how the agency itself is run, because I feel like there are a few growing towns I know of that could benefit from something like this!