The Boy

Did you know that the month before a boy turns 8,

he is invited to the Cub Scout pack meeting?

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Did you know that this month's Pack meeting was the Pinewood Derby?

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Well, it is!

Aaron and Ben have worked on Ben's car off and on for the past month. Some extra parts from Hobby Lobby, a brand new uniform, and an already-loved Scout handbook completed the night for our boy - and he was so excited. He completed his race with a fastest time of 2.88 seconds (we have a brand new computed run shiny track), and won the award for the Most Innovative Car.

("Mom, what does innovative mean?")

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His eyes were gleaming as he said,

"Wow. I'm really a Cub Scout!"

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And by the way...

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frustration

*i love my employers. the kids and the parents are fantastic, and they are wonderful friends. however, my husband's employer is temporarily cooler. he's is in phoenix, at a conference, in a really posh hotel, having meals (really nice, fancy meals), brought at overly regular hours with snacks (DOVE ICE CREAM BARS!) provided. he went swimming in a heated pool tonight. hanging out with his friends - and not having to worry about anybody but himself (directly - he still worries about us at home).
*i'm jealous*
we had hamburger helper for dinner. with green beans. i cleaned up the kitchen. now i'm catching up on several hours of tv shows on the dvr.
my friends have invited me out twice. i don't want to pay a babysitter.
i asked aaron when i get to go on a business trip all by myself. he quipped, "when your employer pays for it." i love them, but i could never ask them for that.
*i still would love the escape. especially tomorrow morning, after i've been up too late tonight.

Welcome 2010, etc.

Happy New Year!
Some updates:
1. Christmas at our house was delightful. Aaron had the whole week off and spent it JUST being dad & husband. After 3 months of working downtown, we were thrilled to spend time together.
2. Santa was good to us this year! Some highlights include: Aaron's Bluetooth headset, my new phone that I am currently blogging on, Ben's Ben 10 toys, Alex's red boots, and Audrey's wagon and Dora toys.
3. Aaron is back at the Army hospital and we are all enjoying having him home. (Mostly because he gets to make dinners!) He will be at WBAMC until the end of March.
4. Ben will turn 8 in February - which means two things. He will be baptized on Feb. 13th at the Redd & Resler building (you are welcome to join us!) and he gets to join Cub Scouts. His first Scout Pack meeting is the Pinewood Derby. Aaron is already plotting ways to manipulate the car.
5. We have been released from Primary! I was called to be the Laurel advisor. I haven't done much yet, but I am looking forward to camp this summer!
6. I offered at the beginning of the school year to help the school PTA with their Boxtops for Education drive. As soon as the contest ended, the lady running it moved. So guess who is the new Boxtops Chairperson at Ben's school? This girl. :)
So 2010 has given us a whole new collection of opportunities. Stay tuned for new adventures!

The Christmas Letter that I Didn't Send

This year has been a busy one for our family. (Haven't they all been, though?) I sent out the Christmas cards, but failed to send out the traditional family Christmas letter/update. So, here it is. Feel free to comment - I do this for ya'll... :)

2009 has been an active year for the See Family. We've had some great trials, and have been witness to some beautiful miracles. It is wonderful to see the hand of the Lord in our lives.

This year began with the illness and passing of Aaron's sister, Bobbie Jo. It was hard to know how much she was suffering, and be so far away. We are grateful for our family and friends who were supportive of us as we were able to visit with her, and then be there for her funeral. We are so blessed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and His sacrifice that provides us peace.

We managed a few trips this summer. We spent a few weeks in Phoenix and got to visit with my parents, help out with our cousins while my sister was in Iraq, and see my sister get sealed to her husband. This was in addition to lots of swimming and seeing some old friends. Later, we got to visit Houston and see our nephew get baptized. Despite our busy schedules, it was great to be able to spend so much time with family.

Our little Audrey Elizabeth has grown from a baby into a little girl! She is chattering in full sentences, running everywhere, and getting into everything she isn't supposed to. Thanks to Dora, her Spanish is coming along well too! She had her 2nd birthday a week and a half ago, and has given up the high chair. Audrey makes sure that we know when it is her turn to say mealtime prayers. She loves to sing and give hugs and kisses.

Alexandra is in the second year of preschool and has discovered writing. She signs her name quite proficiently, and is starting to write MOM, DAD, BEN, and AUDREY. It's fun to see her little notes under the Christmas tree as her presents. Alex loves to take care of her little sister, and enjoys playing with/pestering her big brother. She cooks with Aaron every chance that she gets, and is getting pretty good at cracking eggs. I am constantly impressed with her new vocabulary.

Benjamin is in second grade and growing like a weed. His pants from the spring that were long enough now show his socks! Ben has become an accomplished Nintendo DS player, and learned to swim this summer at Grandma's house. He is still into Star Wars, but Ben 10 Alien Force has become the new language of our house. Ben's doing well in school, and is getting ready to get baptized over Valentine's weekend. We're excited to see him take this step.

This spring, I taught a fantastic group of 3 and 4 year olds in preschool. As we moved into fall, I decided to teach two classes - splitting up the age groups. This has kept me busy! Aaron and I have been Sunbeam teachers until last week - when I was called to be the Laurel Advisor. It's a new world, still requiring snacks during lessons. :) Being a full-time mom has taken on new meaning as Aaron has been working more. Fortunately, we have a great group of military doctor friends that well sympathize and support us in our current situation.

Aaron finished his intern year and is now full-time as a Orthopedic Surgery resident. He spent 3 months working at the Army hospital before spending 3 months at the hospital downtown. The speed increased and the case load has tripled. He's seen some interesting things - leading to the following recommendations: first, control your diabetes or you may lose your feet; second, avoid motorcycles, rock climbing, and jumping over the border fence; lastly, please follow your post-op regimen. He's at the hospital a lot, and his spare time is spent playing with the kids.

As we head into 2010, we are grateful for our blessings. We have fantastic kids, supportive parents, entertaining siblings, and awesome friends. In our ten years together, we have come so far, and are truly thankful for all we have.

Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year!

Aaron, Sarah,
and the kids

Family Pictures

It's Christmas card time again.

That means my husband's most dreaded time of the year - family picture time.

I wanted something different than the traditional photo studio ~

So I bartered. :)
I sewed custom baby bumper covers, she took family pictures.

Here are a few of the shots that are not on the card. Enjoy!

My handsome son, who is getting baptized in 8 weeks!

All the attitude of my beautiful daughter.

My sweet dollface.

By the way - if you would like a Christmas card,

and you are not positive that I have your address,

just email it to me.

ssavageua@yahoo.com

I'd love to share with you!

Conflicted

I am a teacher.

I have known that I was a teacher for my entire life.

I have dealt with wonderful, amazing students. I have had those students that were barely a blip on the radar. I have had students with illnesses, disabilities, and twisted conflicted lives. I have had students that were awful - truly horrible.

I have worked with all of them. Admittedly, there were some that I got through to, and others that it was an ongoing struggle.

I haven't given up on any of them.

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I have been teaching this recently 4 yr old girl for 4 months in preschool. I see her 4 hours a week. Dad is deployed - for a long time. Mom is doing the best she can with her and her little sister.

But she is naughty.

And I mean kicking, spitting, hitting, pushing, shoving, disobedient, disrespectful naughty.

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I have loved her. I have talked with her. I have reasoned with her. I have given her rules and limits. I have taught her about emotions and proper ways to deal with them. I have reinforced good behaviors. I have overlooked minor infractions as not to make her feel attacked. I have offered responsibilities, rewards, and lavish praise.

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Today, I said that enough was enough. Today, I told mom not to bring her back tomorrow. I let her know that I have made a valiant effort, but there are 5 other kids in the class - and with only 4 hours a week - I don't have enough time to make a difference. The behaviors of August haven't changed at all.

I gave up.

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It's making me a little crazy, and I'm beating myself up for it.

On one hand, I feel like a pathetic excuse for a teacher.

On the other, I feel like this is the benefit of owning your own business, and NOT teaching in the public school system.

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It's been a rough day. I need some chocolate.

Sarah See and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day by me

This morning, Sarah woke up to find the world covered in white. It was snow! Beautiful, marvelous snow! Sarah was very excited, so she grabbed her robe and her boots and ran outside. She built a tiny snowman, and threw a snowball at her husband who was trying to uncover his car to go to work. Sarah was happy.
By the time her husband had left, and Sarah had come inside, it was almost time for the three darling angels to wake up. Sarah looked up online and found that Ben's school was delaying opening until 10:15 am! Woohoo! An easy morning!
Alas, not so. Sarah pondered what to do about the preschool class that was coming at 9 am. Hmmm. She waited until 7:30 and called a friend to ask if Ben could have a ride.
"Nope! We're walking!" was the swift response from the neighbor down the street. I think life would be easier in the Bahamas.
Sarah proceeded to call the preschool parents to let them know that today's class was rescheduled until tomorrow. It was well received.
Sarah made hot chocolate to go along with the fruit loops and oatmeal for breakfast. What a fun treat!
Did you know that Fruit Loops turn their milk grayish blue? It wasn't long before the youngest little angel had covered her tray in said milk. Yuck.
The jeans in the dryer aren't dry. Not time to get dressed yet, she supposes.
Kids start begging to watch a show, but the beautiful wet mess has caused the dish to not pick up a signal. So - we pick out a movie.
Audrey doesn't like the movie, and uses this opportunity to climb. Are moms used as jungle gyms in the Bahamas?
The cell phone is beeping. Where is that charger?
After a few minutes of distraction, Sarah manages to drift off to sleep in the chair. At last - a quick trip to the Bahamas!
*front door slam*
"Mom! Audrey and Ben are outside!"
"Mom! It's time for me to go to school!"
"Mom! I go peepee potty!"
"Mom! I need a lunch!"
"Mom! Where are my jeans?"
"Mom! I firsty!"
Sarah, in a panic, makes a pb&j, throws Alex some jeans, and hands Audrey a glass of water - only to have her drop it.
The glass shatters on the floor.
I quit. I'm moving to the Bahamas.
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.
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The boy got to school a little late.
The cell phone charger was found.
The little one is asleep in the high chair.
And it's time for preschool.

The End. ( I realize that this writing could have been more masterful. However, it's been one of those days. Deal.)