Occasionally I stumble upon someones story that will forever change me... I found this blog today and have had a hard time stopping the tears. Read from January forward...
http://themcclenahans.blogspot.com/2009/01/sick.html
Disclaimer: Have a box of tissues ready... a huge box of tissues. Really.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Friends and Family coming to Boston!
We are getting anxious to pack up and make the move to Boston in less than 7 weeks!
Soon after we made the decision to go we found out that Scott's cousin Ashley (Kevin's sister) and her husband Regan are coming to Boston as well! They have a two year old son that Cohen will have so much fun with!
Also, our friends Jen and Carter have been considering working for APX since we started looking into it and they just decided they are coming for sure! They have a two year old son and a brand new baby girl!
We are so excited to hang out with our friends and family that are going to be out there. I am looking forward to hanging out with Ashley, Jen, Rachel and all the kids (and dogs). It will be awesome to be able to support each other while our husbands are all out working hard to protect families!
Soon after we made the decision to go we found out that Scott's cousin Ashley (Kevin's sister) and her husband Regan are coming to Boston as well! They have a two year old son that Cohen will have so much fun with!
Also, our friends Jen and Carter have been considering working for APX since we started looking into it and they just decided they are coming for sure! They have a two year old son and a brand new baby girl!
We are so excited to hang out with our friends and family that are going to be out there. I am looking forward to hanging out with Ashley, Jen, Rachel and all the kids (and dogs). It will be awesome to be able to support each other while our husbands are all out working hard to protect families!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
We are moving to BOSTON!
So, we just decided over the last couple days that we are going to take the leap and head to Boston, Massachusetts for the summer to sell alarms for APX!
There have been a lot of variables that have helped us come to this decision. A few things have also helped me feel comfortable with trying out a straight commission job... oh wait, Scott has already been trying to run his construction company in a crap economy for almost two years on straight commission! So the commission thing isn't too much of a worry. I think Scott will do great! We are going out with an awesome group that includes Scott's cousin Kevin Radebaugh and his wife Rachel. It will be awesome to already know someone! This will be Kevin's third year and it has helped us to see how he has been able to be successful.
There are also some major benefits in going to Boston compared to other cities. APX does a lot of research on the market and what cities would be most beneficial to sell in. The unemployment rate is really low in Boston at only 4% and the national average is 9%. It has basically been recession proof and APX is also the only company with licensing to sell in all of Massachusetts which cuts way down on any competition other states may have.
We are SO EXCITED to live somewhere else! I have been raised in Orem and I think this will be really good for me since I generally shy away from any form of change.
Scott's schedule will be different, but I think it will work out great. He will work Monday through Saturday (which he needs to be doing right now anyway) starting at noon with a meeting, come home for a quick lunch and then will be out knocking doors from 1 to 9 pm. Not as bad as I had thought originally. He will be busy, but if this gets us completely out of debt it will be so worth it!
I have never been to the east coast and am excited to experience it!
We will be leaving around the 20th of April and will be coming back at the end of August or beginning of September.
Has anyone been to Boston? It looks beautiful in pictures I have seen! Here are a few...
I have never been to the east coast and am excited to experience it!
We will be leaving around the 20th of April and will be coming back at the end of August or beginning of September.
Has anyone been to Boston? It looks beautiful in pictures I have seen! Here are a few...
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Play Group - Who wants to join?
So, I think it would be fun to set up a play group that meets once a week and I am wondering who would like to join in for those who live close.
We could rotate where we have it and for now while it is cold maybe we could have people host it at their homes or other indoor places that would be fun like the Kangaroo Zoo, the tree house at the mall or the library for story time. Any ideas would be awesome!
When it is warm, it will be a lot easier because we can just meet at parks and have picnics or do group walks up Provo canyon. And maybe go on car pooling field trips to the zoo or to Deer Creek, etc. I just don't see my friends enough and thought this would be fun. ALSO, even if you aren't a mommy yet, you are invited! I would never want to exclude anyone and everyone is welcome!
I think it would be a great thing for everyone, especially mom's stuck at home, to have something to look forward each week and to make new or closer friends and to have the support of each other.
What do ya think everyone?
On a side note, I am really happy it is the last day of January! Has anyone else got the January blues? I think this funk hits me about this time every year! Getting anxious for summer already, up until this point I have really enjoyed the winter snow, but now I am longing for warm sunny days and flip flops!
We could rotate where we have it and for now while it is cold maybe we could have people host it at their homes or other indoor places that would be fun like the Kangaroo Zoo, the tree house at the mall or the library for story time. Any ideas would be awesome!
When it is warm, it will be a lot easier because we can just meet at parks and have picnics or do group walks up Provo canyon. And maybe go on car pooling field trips to the zoo or to Deer Creek, etc. I just don't see my friends enough and thought this would be fun. ALSO, even if you aren't a mommy yet, you are invited! I would never want to exclude anyone and everyone is welcome!
I think it would be a great thing for everyone, especially mom's stuck at home, to have something to look forward each week and to make new or closer friends and to have the support of each other.
What do ya think everyone?
On a side note, I am really happy it is the last day of January! Has anyone else got the January blues? I think this funk hits me about this time every year! Getting anxious for summer already, up until this point I have really enjoyed the winter snow, but now I am longing for warm sunny days and flip flops!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Parenting Class #2
Boredom is your WORST ENEMY
Keep 'em busy, keep 'em happy!
In the second parenting class we went over lots of ways to keep your kids moving and having fun which couldn't have come at a better time with the long winter days that still lie ahead...
Keep 'em busy, keep 'em happy!
In the second parenting class we went over lots of ways to keep your kids moving and having fun which couldn't have come at a better time with the long winter days that still lie ahead...
Play Dough- definitely one of my favorite growing up! Here is a great recipe if you need one.
No-Fail Kool-Aid Play Dough
2 1/2 cups flour 3 Tbsp oil
1/2 cup salt 2 cups boiling water
2 pkgs unsweetened Kool-Aid (any color of your choice)
Mix dry ingredients. Put oil in the center of dry mixture. Rapidly stir in boiling water. It will be sticky at this stage. Set mixture until it is cool to touch. Knead well. It should be soft and smooth and not sticky.
Bubble Cup- this one is awesome! Let me see if I can explain and if it doesn't make sense, I can show you.
2 1/2 cups flour 3 Tbsp oil
1/2 cup salt 2 cups boiling water
2 pkgs unsweetened Kool-Aid (any color of your choice)
Mix dry ingredients. Put oil in the center of dry mixture. Rapidly stir in boiling water. It will be sticky at this stage. Set mixture until it is cool to touch. Knead well. It should be soft and smooth and not sticky.
Bubble Cup- this one is awesome! Let me see if I can explain and if it doesn't make sense, I can show you.
You need a Styrofoam cup, a bendy straw, Dawn Soap, an old t-shirt you can cut up into 4x4 squares (and dampen) and a rubber band.
Make a hole with the straw just under the rim of the cup. Place damp fabric over the top of the cup and wrap the rubber band around it. Then put soap on the fabric and blow threw straw up through the fabric. Lots and lots of bubbles without the mess!
Pom Poms- safe to throw in the house and use for lots of different activities!Make a hole with the straw just under the rim of the cup. Place damp fabric over the top of the cup and wrap the rubber band around it. Then put soap on the fabric and blow threw straw up through the fabric. Lots and lots of bubbles without the mess!
To make: Use any color yarn (one of two) and wrap long ways around a vhs tape. Pull off and wrap and tie in center. Cut either ends and you have your yarn pom pom!
Shadows on the Wall- hand puppetsBooks- Taking pictures of your kids and making them their own books using words for them to learn are just as good, if not better than other books you can buy!
Picture Puzzle- Take a 5x7 or 8x10 picture of their face and cut it into pieces to make a puzzle.
Lacing Cards/Wind Chimes/Frozen Water Balloons
Dress up/Pretend Play- pull out shirts, shoes, hats, jewelry, scarves, glasses, etc and dress up! You can also use scarves for different kinds of activities on their own.
Sock Puppets-great for teaching kids their body parts. Take a sock and glue eyes on and hair made of yard. Have the puppet kiss their knees, ears, toes, etc.
Treasure Box- Fill with rocks or anything that is special to them. (This could be one thing that they never have to share, they just can't bring it out into a group if they aren't going to share it.)
Greeting Cards- Take pictures of drawings, the kids or anything and make a post card!
Puppet Show Stage- Great way to encourage language, pretend play, etc. You can have puppets that are made of Popsicle sticks, paper bags, socks, dolls, etc.
Balloon Rocket- fishing line tied to either side of room with one side on a slant, straw through fishing line, tape untied balloon to straw and let go!
Flying Balloons- Play Keep-Up (in the air), kick around or just blow up and let go!
Finger Painting- You can use different foods that are fun to taste, but don't stain, such as yogurt, whip cream, pudding, etc. Remember, it is OK to be messy!!!
Thumb Print People/Bean & Rice Box Songs/Finger Plays- Songs like The Itsy Bitsy Spider and Popcorn Popping Stop and Go Game- (Use hand hold with pinky in place.) Stop with a stomp. Great to teach kids to walk next to you and to practice at a curb to watch for cars. "Walk with me."
Musical Instruments- Pots and pans with spoons and whisks! Oatmeal boxes. Jars or cups with different levels of water for kids that know how to be soft, spoons make different sounds.
Seeds- Plant some seeds and watch them sprout! Lima beans in a wet napkin grow too!
Magnifying Glass- Keep as a special exploring toy, if you leave toys out, they will get bored of them. Also looking at body parts or books with it can be fun too.
Blanket Play- swing them in it, drag them, etc. Make forts/huts too! Boxes are great for this as well.
Past Art Work/Jewelry- color pasta with food coloring and glue to paper or put on sting.
Lacing Cards/Wind Chimes/Frozen Water Balloons
Dress up/Pretend Play- pull out shirts, shoes, hats, jewelry, scarves, glasses, etc and dress up! You can also use scarves for different kinds of activities on their own.
Sock Puppets-great for teaching kids their body parts. Take a sock and glue eyes on and hair made of yard. Have the puppet kiss their knees, ears, toes, etc.
Treasure Box- Fill with rocks or anything that is special to them. (This could be one thing that they never have to share, they just can't bring it out into a group if they aren't going to share it.)
Greeting Cards- Take pictures of drawings, the kids or anything and make a post card!
Puppet Show Stage- Great way to encourage language, pretend play, etc. You can have puppets that are made of Popsicle sticks, paper bags, socks, dolls, etc.
Balloon Rocket- fishing line tied to either side of room with one side on a slant, straw through fishing line, tape untied balloon to straw and let go!
Flying Balloons- Play Keep-Up (in the air), kick around or just blow up and let go!
Finger Painting- You can use different foods that are fun to taste, but don't stain, such as yogurt, whip cream, pudding, etc. Remember, it is OK to be messy!!!
Thumb Print People/Bean & Rice Box Songs/Finger Plays- Songs like The Itsy Bitsy Spider and Popcorn Popping Stop and Go Game- (Use hand hold with pinky in place.) Stop with a stomp. Great to teach kids to walk next to you and to practice at a curb to watch for cars. "Walk with me."
Musical Instruments- Pots and pans with spoons and whisks! Oatmeal boxes. Jars or cups with different levels of water for kids that know how to be soft, spoons make different sounds.
Seeds- Plant some seeds and watch them sprout! Lima beans in a wet napkin grow too!
Magnifying Glass- Keep as a special exploring toy, if you leave toys out, they will get bored of them. Also looking at body parts or books with it can be fun too.
Blanket Play- swing them in it, drag them, etc. Make forts/huts too! Boxes are great for this as well.
Past Art Work/Jewelry- color pasta with food coloring and glue to paper or put on sting.
Dinosaur Bread- Use Rhodes Rolls and cut out stencils for different shapes!
Binoculars- Make them by duct taping two toilet paper rolls together, tie string and decorate. A paper towel roll could be used as a telescope.
Binoculars- Make them by duct taping two toilet paper rolls together, tie string and decorate. A paper towel roll could be used as a telescope.
Play catch with milk jugs- cut in half and using top half hold handle and catch pom poms or balls. Tape Record Household Noises- record phone, doorbell, toilet, dogs, water, etc. and guess what they are. You can also take pics as well and make a bingo game out of it.
Make Cheerio/Fruit Loop Necklaces
Flashlight Play
Body Cutouts on paper/outline with chalk
Sponge toss- throw through hole
Squeeze/Stress Balls- Fill small balloons with flour. Double up the balloon (roll up one and place inside the other) and funnel flour in.
Summer Time:
Fill the bucket- steady cup and pour water into bucket
Bug Hunts- take magnifying glass and search for bugs
Notes:
*Kids need a beginning, a middle and an end to everything.
*Put toys up or away or they will just get bored when they see them all the time.
*Special fun box and blanket: teaches them to play on their own and shows there is a limit. Use the same blanket each time and only for this. Have a special box with sorted bags of activities like coloring, easy puzzles, etc that they can do on their own. Don't bring it out any other time except for the specific time. You can use it when you need to be on the phone, as a breastfeeding box or cleaning time, etc. Set a timer for short amounts at first and make sure you are the one ending it and clean it up together.
*When reading books, have your child to sit in front of you, facing each other. You can get up on your knees to encourage them to sit on their own.
Make Cheerio/Fruit Loop Necklaces
Flashlight Play
Body Cutouts on paper/outline with chalk
Sponge toss- throw through hole
Squeeze/Stress Balls- Fill small balloons with flour. Double up the balloon (roll up one and place inside the other) and funnel flour in.
Summer Time:
Fill the bucket- steady cup and pour water into bucket
Bug Hunts- take magnifying glass and search for bugs
Notes:
*Kids need a beginning, a middle and an end to everything.
*Put toys up or away or they will just get bored when they see them all the time.
*Special fun box and blanket: teaches them to play on their own and shows there is a limit. Use the same blanket each time and only for this. Have a special box with sorted bags of activities like coloring, easy puzzles, etc that they can do on their own. Don't bring it out any other time except for the specific time. You can use it when you need to be on the phone, as a breastfeeding box or cleaning time, etc. Set a timer for short amounts at first and make sure you are the one ending it and clean it up together.
*When reading books, have your child to sit in front of you, facing each other. You can get up on your knees to encourage them to sit on their own.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Watercoloring Cohen
I have had a hard time keeping Cohen busy lately, since we can't go outside because it's an enormous freezer right now. He doesn't care much for coloring with crayons, but we discovered that he really LOVES to paint! He concentrates hard on repeatedly dipping his brush into the water and paint and back and forth it goes. Occasionally he actually places the paint on the paper!
Obviously I helped him with the one above, but here is one he did today all on his own!I think it's adorable!
We recently were finally able to start taking Cohen to Nursery at church and he ran out with this to show me on his first day. This little scribbley, wrinkled paper means so much to Scott and I. It is the first little art project of many to come from our little "joy baby".
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