September 2016

Labor Day was a fun day.  We got new shelves for the living room down stairs.  Steve wanted to update the look of the entertainment center.  He and the boys picked out a really nice setup from IKEA.  They got it set up and I must admit it did look a ton better than the shelves we got when we were newly married.  We then went to the pool with our friends, the Tufts, and then chilled the rest of the day.  

September 6th was Naomi's first practice with her new AYSO team, The Intimidators.  She is really liking AYSO better than Striker's. 

September 10th our combined Young Men/Young Women activity was helping Hunter finish his Eagle Project.  We helped put together hygiene kits and we made blankets for the men in the homeless shelter.  When everything was ready we put everything into backpacks that the men could use to carry everything.  It was a great project and the kids really enjoyed helping out.  

Putting together the hygiene kits.

Steve helping tie one of the blankets.  The scouts were teasing him because they said he looked like an old lady working on her quilt in the corner.  These boys really love Steve.  

September 10th was the first soccer game.  Naomi made two goals.  She said it was because she was wearing her lucky necklace.  We will have to see if this method brings us luck at every game.  That night The University of Utah beat BYU 20 to 19.  It was a GREAT day!!!

September 16th I was subbing for one of the gym teachers at the high school.  During 6th period the office calls and asks if Nick is with me.  Immediately I started to worry.  They told me he got upset during science and the teacher let him use the restroom and he hadn't come back yet.  At this point, one of the teachers in his science class (it is a co-taught class) comes into the gym looking for Nick.  We are just discussing what happened when the school secretary comes in and tells me they found Nick but he is in no condition to go back to class -- can he come stay with you in the coach's office? So, here's the story -- A few weeks before Nick had told me about a really cute and nice girl in his math class named Lindsey.  They worked together on the math problems and everything was going well until Joshua started teasing Nick about being in love with Lindsey.  Josh would whisper things like "Ask her out.  Are you going to kiss her?"  Apparently, today in math class Josh whispered rather loudly, "Just ask her out already!"  Lindsey looked up and Nick, trying to save the situation, blurted out more loudly than intended, "Okay, Lindsey.  Now you know I like you."   They both became embarrassed which made Joshua laugh even more.  Lindsey quietly told Nick she liked him but not that way.  She had a boyfriend.  Nick was crushed but held it together until science which is when this whole scenario happened.  After we snuck Nick in the back door and got him situated in the office (Lindsey was in my gym class at the time) both Ms. Norris and Ms. Salamone left to get Joshua and take him to the vice principal's office to talk about leaving Nick alone.  The math teacher, Mr. McKay was also on hand in the weight room to fill in the blanks and explain what a pain Joshua has been the last little while.  It is really nice being a substitute teacher at the school and being on hand to clear up these situations.  I will tell you right now, Mama Bear is NOT happy and it is a good thing that Joshua wasn't anywhere near me right then.  

September 17th Nick ran in his first 5K.  It was our church Run Against Hunger and there was an impressive turn out.  Nick was one of 170 runners.  I wasn't sure how he would do since it was his first every 5K.  He finished in 28 minutes and placed 30th overall.  Not too shabby for his first try.  He is now getting excited about trying out for track in the spring  YAY!!!

Before the race

With his race buddies Isaac, Josh, Zach, Ravyn and her friend and Nick.

At the start line

At the finish line

The medal made it all worth it. 

Later that same day, Naomi played a very intense game where the other team led most of the game.  It was tied with only a few minutes left to play.  They scored the winning goal right as the game whistle was blown . It was rather exciting.  We left from the soccer field and took Naomi and Haylie down to the church for the primary practice.  Nick and I did a little grocery shopping before heading him.  He likes to help me pick out what we will eat for the week.  

September 18th  - the primary program was very good.  Naomi wrote her own part and was so proud when she delivered it flawlessly  

September 19th - Steve and I paid off the second mortgage.  That was very exciting.  Back at home I had to tackle the bonus room.  Remember how I mentioned we got a shelf set for the cookbooks and cast iron cookware which led to a discussion about moving the book shelves back down stairs which led to the discussion about how old the shelves were which led to getting a new entertainment center with shelves and everything.  Well...when I moved the shelves upstairs to take them to a friend who wanted them I discovered that the seam take was coming down.  This led to taking out those portions (which was pretty much the length of the wall times 2 since the opposite wall was just as bad) and replacing the tape and plaster.  Which led to a TON of sanding and replastering!!!!  This must be what they mean when they say making a mountain out of a mole hill.  More on this later. 

September 22nd - more bonus room mayhem while putting together a garage sale.  The house was a disaster!!!  During this time the Charlotte riots were going on down town because of the Keith Scott shooting.  It was a scary time.  

September 23rd I went and visited with Sister Ford.  She mentioned she wanted to throw a big party for her Sandra's birthday but she didn't know how to go about it.  The planning commenced.  We called Sandra's secretary and got a guest list together.  Vicky, Sandra's secretary, said she would take care of inviting everyone and getting food assignments made at the office.  Sister Ford and I came up with a small list of neighbors and people from church.  I would make sure the invitations got out to this list.  She picked out the kind of cake Sandra would like.  We decided on a color theme and the party was planned.  She was so excited about the party actually happening.  

That night was a spa night for Sara Muller's birthday.  Julie and I put together some snacks, drinks and a cake to make the night complete.  It was fun to give ourselves manicures and pedicures and just relax with each other.  

September 29th after a tip from one of the band mothers, I took Naomi to buy a clarinet.  There was a music store up in Concord that had a few refurbished clarinets they were selling for $300.  It was going to cost us $800 to rent to own her current clarinet . This was a no-brainer.  She was thrilled with the new clarinet and pleased that it was "all her own".  

That night Nick was awarded his Life Scout.  He is almost to Eagle.  Just a few merit badges and a project away. 

September 30th was an interesting day.  It started off with a frog on the wall in the house.  We got the frog back outside right before we left for school.  I was subbing for Mr. Willits and while the dance class was working on their choreography I heard giggles and a scream.  There was a frog hopping across the floor in the cafetorium floor.  We finally got him outside.  Over at the high school during theater class there was another frog.  WEIRD!!!!  I guess it could have been a lot worse.  At least frogs are cute.

That night Naomi had the opportunity to be a ball girl at the UNC Charlotte 49ers women's soccer game.  She came home talking about how she wants to play soccer in college and then go on to the pros.