I miss writing.
I was doing so much for awhile...poetry, fiction, blogging...
Then I just stepped away. It's just my way, I suppose.

Anyway, I've missed my little blog here and the record it is of my family life. I've decided to take the time to write a lot more and by doing it here that somehow keeps me accountable for it.

I was inspired to write today because of someone writing to me. I married into a wonderful family. My in-laws have been so loving, gracious and accepting of me. I've never not felt like a Stringham. When we were engaged, I got to know a few of Cameron's cousins who were attending school in Utah and Cameron's mom would provide a delicious Sunday dinner for everyone.
Becca, seen here with Cam and me, is one of those wonderful cousins and we've been able to stay in contact over the years.

Today I got a letter (and actual letter with a stamp!) from her. It was a card with a picture of her cute kiddos. Why? Just to let me know she was thinking about me.

A hand-written note may not be big as trends go, but the feeling of getting one will certainly never go out of style. I let things hold me back on doing this myself. Stupid things like "I haven't hand-made any cards yet." 

Dumb. Sticky notes would probably work just as well.

If I took the time to write a note to someone every time I was truly thinking about them I am sure the world would be a happier place and I'd feel less disconnected to the world at large.

So thank you, Becca, (I know you're out there) you really made my day!

Last week, I started school.

And when I say started...there was a man with a racing pistol standing next to me.  He fired it and I began loping along like the tortoise in those old Looney Tunes "Tortoise and Hare" cartoons.

I believe in taking nasty medicine before eating from the box of chocolates so I began with Math. I only tested out of the very lowest class so I'm in Math 0950. I'm also a chicken so I'm only taking one class my first semester.

I am having such a great time! Seriously! Comprehension is a 180 degree turn-around from when I learned all this back in junior high. It's exciting to me and I'm thrilled to see hope in my brain for Math since I have a few more classes to go after this.

But math? I still hate you.
You irritate the snot out of me and the auto-reflex in my right arm that hits the calculator button for everything bigger than 12 + 12 is still functioning, but a big no-no.

I hate that today I tried to do what I thought was a new simple step and found that my answers were more wrong than right. Then when I asked for the example it turned out that my addition or subtraction of one or two digit problems was wrong. I finally had to just put it away until my brain gained back the suddenly-gone ability.

So math? Hate. School? Love.

Bryce was so excited to start school for the first time!

 I can't believe how big he looks.

Ella gets to line up pretty close by him before walking into the school so she watches out for him.

Off goes my little Phineas, off for his big first day!

Backing up a bit, here is Ella and her best friend. Such a cute photo. They're in different classes this year, but still get to play together a lot.

On another school note, we had some water damage from all that wonderful rain and I thought it best to wait on school for one more semester. I'm disappointed, but sometimes money has a better place to go. So, I know I have plenty to keep me busy and I'll look forward to Spring 2012. :)

We begin with Dane. Very excited to be going into 4th grade. After two days of attending, he keeps talking about all the "opportunities" that come with 4th grade. It'll be interesting to see what he takes advantage of this year.

On the same day (July 26th), Bryce got to attend the Kindergarten open house. He loved doing work at all the stations there and meeting his teacher. He couldn't stop beaming and pretty much danced back to the car.I officially enrolled at SLCC, starting small with a required math class, online. One small step for me, heading to the education I've been putting off for so long. No one will be surprised that I'm going for an English degree and I'm really excited about this. The best part is seeing how proud Dane and Ella are of me. They keep mentioning it to other people. Perhaps it's just that it's a novelty to have Mommy go to school at the same time as them, but either way, they think it's cool.This whole school thing seems to be a theme around here as Cam continues to teach at the Univ of Phoenix. He seems to really enjoy it. Its something that probably neither of us could have foreseen as something in his future, but it's been a pleasant surprise.

Today was Ella's first day of school (we met briefly with her teacher yesterday), her first day of first grade. I was so sad after B and I dropped her off. It was quick as we had to rush home to catch a delivery. It didn't bother her that it was quick. She got in line by her cousin (another school surprise) and went right in. My she's grown up! She is so much more confident in who she is. She loves all the girly-girls she hangs out with at school.After the delivery of our kitchen cabinets, Bryce and I rushed back to the school to meet Dane's teacher.

Later, while everyone was at school, after he lamented that he didn't get to go, Bryce used his "squirt-gun syringe" (obtained after this accident) to make designs in water on the deck. He LOVED it!We also worked on his handwriting. I've let him get into so bad habits with his letter forming (though it seems to be a theme with all my children). He had his moments of frustration and elation.

Here comes Ella! Fresh off of her first day. Mommy is much relieved to see her happy face and to hear she had a very wonderful day.We have an assessment Bryce's teacher in the morning. Nothing like jumping right back into things.

I got to go with Ella on her final Kindergarten field trip to Wheeler Farm. We sat by her best buddy on the way. Ellie the Elephant had to come too, of course.

The geese were friendly and the kids had a wonderful time running around. This was a brave thing for Ella.Her favorite part was this huge tree that turned itself into a playground. The children swarmed over it like bees in a hive.

It turned out to be a really great Mommy and Ella week. She got sick Tuesday afternoon and she just let me cuddle and coddle her. Before I knew it, that night and the following day, she was so chatty to me and wanted my attention and I felt so loved and needed by her. It was such a great thing. I don't exactly know how, but our relationship shifted into a good place. Yay!

I was just curious where I was a year ago. What I was doing and reporting on with this blog...

I was cleaning up my craft room.

Guess what my plans are this week? Yup. Craft room.

It's a joke that this keeps recurring.

I blame Christmas and all my well-intentioned, home-made gifts. Oh well...

I attended little Chloe's baby blessing today. She looked so perfect! Her momma was beautiful and calm as a cucumber...until the opening song...after which she had to say the opening prayer. :D It was a beautiful blessing and a wonderful spirit there. I sure helps that I've met so many members of Angie's extended family. Easy to feel comfortable there.

I'm once again looking forward to the annual Get Down with Scrapbooking charity crop, but this year Anisa is sleeping at my house (no, of course we won't be sleeping) and we're going to get caught up (we is me, Anisa, my mom, Angie and 200 of Angie's relatives) on all the scrapbooking we haven't done this past year...which is a lot!

It's been an insane week. I've been making signs for returning missionaries (not mine) and helping with the jungle background for Ella's Kindergarten operetta. I didn't even know what day it was half the time, I was just going from project to appointment to project. CRAZINESS!

And not a picture to show for all of it.

I've been washing clothes a lot, increasing the pile to unreasonable amounts (unless one has a book on cd to listen to). My plan of attack begins today. Oi! I hate out of control laundry. I'm usually pretty good at keeping it in place, but the holidays threw that off.

I've also been getting really excited for this charity crop I've attended for the past few years. Scrapbooking has been on the back burner for a long time now and I've got some fun catch up to do! I've been pouring over magazines for ideas. I'm really out of the loop. I know this because everything old is new again. Makes me laugh.

I've been listening to two things I've really been enjoying.

1. Brothers by The Black Keys
2. Certain selections from The Moulin Rouge soundtrack. Baz Luhrman films can always be a little quirky/odd, but the strength of the chemistry between Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman comes through, even in their duets. Such a sad story.

Cam and I have enjoyed some quiet evenings together, by-passing our video games (I got Street Fighter IV for Christmas!), and watching Big Bang Theory episodes and we just finished Inception the other night. Someone out there said they couldn't wait for me to see it, but I don't remember who...so my brain is available to pick on this. I did love it. I've also enjoyed laughing out loud with my husband (back to Big Bang Theory). It's a good time.

Anyway, hope all is good for you out there. What are you doing to keep busy?

As for the Christmas to-do, I:

• remade the caramels, didn't kill the poinsettia, got gifts divvied up and crafty gifts finished
• absolutely didn't exercise, unless you count walking around in 4" heels for two days and /or Wii Bowling exercise.
• The kids didn't break any Christmas decor
• didn't keep our outside bird feeders filled, but they are filled now. Happy New Year's, birdies.
• You know I made three snowmen. I also made a Christmas mix CD with the kids. They have loved it.
• My husband's mother made the popcorn balls for her son. My kids and I made the dough for gingerbread men. Santa almost didn't get any treats.
• Cam and I managed two dates this month. HEAVEN!!! Saw "True Grit." Loved it.
• Ooh, that stinkin' Christmas garland. I made the templates and bought the felt for it. I guess I'll just have to make it myself. Or have the kids help me over the next year.
• did take more pictures of my kids, even if the lighting is bad, because they're so cute and they just keep growing.
• sang in my parents ward last Sunday. It (my voice) worked.
• snuggled with babies, kept the house somewhat sane and watched the original Grinch movie.
• gave my grandparents a present.
• got no sleep until Christmas night when Cam and I stayed at my grandma's house while the kids stayed at their grandma's house. We went to bed at 10. They went to bed at midnight.
• did get to the DI and my neighbor gifts were pretty easy. Everyone brought ours to us and we just did a quick swap. Note to self: payback is next year. Get them out first.
• read to the kids. I loved my time with them and am sad that our four weeks together is almost over. As always, though, I'm glad we get to end the season with a bang (New Years) and a Birthday (DANE!)
• We read Luke 2 before bed on Christmas Eve. All was calm, all was bright.

Today so far:

• I've been organizing the formerly-crashed computer back to a functional system. Once more, I am so grateful for a husband who 'gets' technology and we never have to deal with tec support.
• I removed decorations and dismantled (with the help of my kids) our smaller tree. I'm excited to have this main room in our family's life clean and functional again.
• I suggested that Cam give a Family Home Evening lesson tonight on Resolutions. I was feeling brave. Last year I was a fussy, pathetic pill about resolutions and so I promised to be good.
• I've been throwing out those extra hang-on goodies that fill counters at the end of the season. I even put the bags of candy my mom gave me right into the freezer for another time.

As we got started on some fun Christmas stuff in the kitchen, Ella said it should have been Pink Day today (Wednesday) because "I like Pink Day to be on special days and I can tell that today is going to be a special day."

While Bryce and I got a new batch of caramel measured out, Dane and Ella worked together to make their first ginger bread dough.

Taking a break until I can help with the next stage...That night (or maybe it was the next? My days are blurring) we went to see the lights at Temple Square in downtown SLC. We haven't been here for years. Long enough for Bryce and Ella to not even remember or know about the place. Ella was very excited! (this vid is a subdued Ella while we were there)

Dane said the wider spread trees reminded him of Lehi's Vision of the Tree of Life. (another example below)

Lights everywhere!

I loved this feature on the reflective pond in the Main Street Plaza. After this we slipped over to the Joseph Smith Memorial Center and looked down on the Square from the 10th floor. The kids loved that.

It was just warm enough and it's always nice to not have to worry about slipping on ice. We went inside the North Visitors' Center.

The kids in the room with the Christus. They loved the depiction of the universe. Bryce was amazed by the size of the statue.

I was so happy to have a lovely time with no more than an occasional "When can we go home?" from Dane. I was a great taste of the Christmas spirit!

I suppose that sounds like a title for a post on blessings. Not really. Not exactly...

Cam and I rocked our costumes one more time at the Harry Potter event last night/early this morning.

Here we are with a fun group of kids that thought we were cool (if only for a moment) l to r Hagrid, Gilderoy Lockheart, Snape, Bellatrix, Harry Potter and Hermoine Granger.Now to the rewards...

Cam won really nice tickets to tonight's Jazz game. This is the third time he's won something in the last month. Time to play the Lotto, I guess. LOLMy reward?

I got to handle this lovely Woma Python. It was beautiful. I'd forgotten how relaxing it is to hold these amazing animals. I got to have it slither around my arms for around five minutes. What a treat!

This is why it's important to have fun, even when you're a 'grown-up.'

Hello.

I've been sick all week. Why does stuff like this happen? ie you begin a new goal, one that is really good for you and then it gets messed up? I'd been exercising. I was feeling more energy than I had in years and despite hate, hate, hating exercise I have LOVED that. Even my brain feels more alive!

Anyway, so despite hating exercise I got out there in the chilly cold before dawn and did it. I was just a few minutes under my when-I'm-not-sick goal so I was pleased with that.

I've gone back to writing poetry. I am so happy with it and have been quite prolific. (If you have a desire to check it out, click here) It feels like I have a piece of my soul back. In fact, I have entered three of my poems for the Segullah poetry contest. I haven't submitted writing for a contest since I was in Jr. High and was published in the good ole Spanish Fork Press, so this is a big deal for me personally.

I have been laughing a lot lately. Foolishly, I don't do this much. I take myself waaaay too seriously and my abdominal muscles suffer for it, as does my mental health. Thankfully, Cam and I are quite caught up in the sitcom Big Bang Theory. It's nerd heaven and I get all the jokes! We've been catching up on past seasons. Then the other night we watched Arsenic and Old Lace with Cary Grant and we were rolling. Hil-AR-ious!

I talked Cameron into doing the whole Harry Potter event at the District on Thursday. Oh yeah! (speaking of nerd heaven...) We'll be dressing up and doing all the fun stuff there is to do and we're doing it together. That's what's really awesome for me. Cam and I started reading Harry Potter books together (out loud and in British accents HA!) during the second year of our marriage. It's really been a fun thing to share.

My two favorite days of the week are Thursday and Sunday. The mix up of school schedules on Friday and lack of structure on Saturday really irritate me, but Thursday...Thursday is my least busy run-around day and it's just close enough to the end of the week to be blissfully appealing. (Anyone hear me on that?)

Sunday, I am happy to say, has become such a joy to me because of my calling. I love serving in the Primary and even to have people relying on my to do my job so that they can do theirs. Serving has brought me a lot of joy.

Babies seem to be everywhere! So happy about the arrival of sweet little Chloe (see below) and happy to hear about other friends that are expecting. There is a small tinge of baby-hunger, but honestly, when I look at what I have with my kids, I am so happy with them. I love the age that they are all at. I love seeing their progress, what they're learning, how the way they interact with me and each other changes. They are such a blessing and I am so pleased with them.

Oh yeah...a spent a few days as a blond this week. It's part of a very long, not-so-gripping drama of messing with my own hair color and having to bleach out the mistakes and so forth. Currently, I'm back to my normal light/medium brown and as content as a...whatever thing is truly content. Probably nothing getting a few gray hairs. I wouldn't be content in that state.

I'll have to ramble about the kiddies later, but here's an idea of where I am. Thanks for reading, if you got this far, or even if you just read the first stanza, er, paragraph...

I exercised again today. Yesterday, I learned that muscle soreness and fasting can confuse the weary mom into believing she may have the flu. Exercise caution. I wasn't sure if I was sick or not, but I've been drinking water like crazy and that seemed to be the main problem (the lack of water).

ANYWAY...

I meant to share this before Halloween but had not time for anything other than costume making.

Cameron works out several times a week at their work campus fitness center and they had a contest pre-Halloween to win this...

So the craziness is that I love most of this candy and it's in convenient big-mouth-sized pieces. Cam won by guessing how many calories the jar contained.

How many calories are were in jar? 12,528

I have this huge jar of candy now and no one in my family is really going to help me. Cam can't eat any of it. I gave away a couple of pounds of it pre-Halloween, but it's still 1/3 full.

And I choose to start eating healthier and exercising. CRAZY.

Peanuts are good protein, right?

Well, crazy or practical.

Case Point #1:

My house has been turned into a Winter Wonderland sans snow. It's only November 6th.

Dude, have you seen the whopper tree, Cameron bought me a year ago? It is insane! If I have to have two trees, one five feet taller than the other, I am getting maximum use time out of them.

Case Point # 2

I stood half-hidden behind a beam on our deck for 10 minutes while my legs cramped to get this one good (iffy) shot of one of the several varieties of bird that come to enjoy the seed we've put out.

We have a great summer/fall watching all the birds come. When people say that someone 'eats like a bird' they do not know what they're talking about.

Case Point #3:

I hate New Years Resolutions in a big, big way. With any change, I like to be one step, or in this case, two months ahead of the game. I have exercised two days in a row with a hope and even a desire to continue. My practical reasons for this are simple because I hate that I can't fit into my skinny jeans that I bought for the Muse concert this past April. I think I'm crazy for exercising because I hate it sooooo much!

This is a picture of me walk/running. (Not really, but this is almost what it looks like outside when I go)

I've also notice that my body is freezing up without exercise. I'm walking around like a stiff old lady half the time and want to be limber and have more energy. I know I definitely had more as I carried four boxes of Christmas decor up our stairs. Go mama!

Crazy or practical? You decide.

Unless you go with crazy, of course.