A Day in the Life...

This afternoon I picked up two of my favorite kid clients from school and we headed to my program. I call them K and N for confidentiality reasons. They are nine and eleven year old girls, certainly old enough for the following conversation: N: Guess what Cassie? Jordan from my class told me he's sending me a valentine! I think he has a crush on me. I stopped talking to him because I was embarrased. K: Yea, he does have a crush on you. I eavesdropped during recess. N: Well I guess I have a crush on him too. He could be my boyfriend. Me: I think you're too young for boyfriends... K: Nope, my mom says we could have boyfriends if they get good grades. N: Well Jordan gets good grades. He's not really my type of guy. But he is a good guy, I mean, he does his homework and stuff. K: The guy I like is a good guy too. He likes sports, but you know, he's not obsessed with them. N: Well, you know, I'm a sucker for blond hair and blue eyes! K: Me too. I think ...

When I'm bored, I make messes... This is dry formula I somehow managed to get out of the kid proof container... And these are movies I thought I'd drool over since two buckets of toys aren't enough...

Loved this, Signed up for a class like this, Played this and this, Ate yummy ice cream here, Did a presentation here about this And RESTED! The best part? It's only Friday afternoon and there's still two days left before work again!

Copper loves to eat paper... Blowing out more than 2 candles... Too many people watching... Taryn's classic smile... Madisyn, Maci, and Copper

Thursday on the way to work Copper and I both cried. She cried because she didn't sleep, wouldn't eat, and is probably plumb sick of going and going and going places. I cried because I am sick of going and going and going. I felt sorry for myself the entire day and complained about having to work too long hours, too late at night, in too stressful situations. Not once this week did I make it home before eight or nine at night. So much for putting my family first, right? When I did see Copper this week, she was cranky, to say the least. And frankly, I was cranky right back with her to the point of not even wanting to be around her (note: Thank you Tim for being patient with both of us). Enter guilt. I don't sleep and my mind literally cannot stop. I cannot even get through a prayer without it bleeding into another thought of work, home, and life. I am tired. Stressed is a complete understatement. Now, I don't write this for pity but actually have a higher purpose! I am ...

Copper turns 7 months tomorrow. Yikes time flies! Seven great things about her are: 1. She invented her own way of getting around. It goes something like this if you want to try it at home: lay on back, chin to the ceiling, arch back, raise up the knees, and push. Repeat several times. When you hit a corner or wall, or the kitchen tile, pull head down, roll over several times, and begin at step one again. Yes, it would be easier to crawl. Maybe she doesn't want to be like everyone else, maybe we create originals, or maybe she just doesn't get it. 2. She also invented her own language. She has lasting conversations with herself. I think she learned it from me. No I don't (too often) talk to myself, but in the car I sing to her if she starts getting fussy (good advice from my sunny friend). Her favorite songs are: Popcorn popping on the apricot tree, you are my sunshine, and E.J.'s Benny & the Jets. Just kidding. But anyway- she has started parroting...

My little bro Ty got a snowmobile this week (a Happy 2010 present?) and invited us all sledding with it. Fun times! Copper's ready for some fun, except she won't keep her boots on and has remarkable skill at pulling them off... good thing it's sunny and a high of 34*! Here is Tim taking off... Ty and Shandee... You can't tell, but my sister's heart stopped beating momentarily due to how fast Ty took her... Grandpa and Copper taking a leisurely stoll... Grandpa and Copper after the thrill ride... Madisyn and Taryn loving their new sled... And poor Maci, too terrified to do anything but sit on an unmoving sled...

We went for a cool walk at the temple grounds on New Year's. Cold but fun!