Glasses

When I was about 15 (maybe even 16/17), I went for my yearly eye exam. I remember realizing that something was wrong when given a depth perception test and asked, which shape was floating I could only pick out the floating shape from the first row and couldn't tell any of the others. I knew that I could rattle them all off the year before. Sure enough, within one years time, my left eye had gone from 20/20 vision to 20/200! I needed glasses. I really wasn't thrilled with the idea, especially because it was just one of my eyes that needed them, the other side would be filled with plastic. That first year, I rarely wore my glasses, so the next year I got a contact for my bad eye. Lucky for my parents, they only had to purchase 1 and not 2. For the next few years I did better at wearing my contact, but really couldn't tell the difference in my vision when I would forget to put it in. Many years later (I'm just realizing that it's been almost 20 years!) I'm still bad about wearing my glasses and haven't had a contact for years.

So why am I pondering on this? A few weeks ago, we received a letter from the elementary school that Rachel had failed a vision exam. This morning I took her in to the optomitrist for an eye exam. Turns out that Rachel's left eye is lazy. Norm had a lazy eye and had to wear a patch at about the same age as Rachel. The same thing occured with Cory when he was in first grade. One of his teachers noticed his eye not tracking with his other. Luckily he didn't have to wear a patch, just getting glasses helped his lazy eye gain strength. We're hoping that the same thing occurs with Rachel.

She was very excited about picking out some glasses. They had to be pink of course. I was able to guide her into getting some light pink ones instead of the hot pink ones that she wanted at first. So, in a few weeks when you see Rachel, make sure you let her know how cute she looks in her new glasses.

Batmobile Update

I thought I'd give an update on the Batmobile. I drove to school with the bat still attached. When I returned to my car 8 hours later, the bat was gone!! I figured that someone noticed it (I park by a pathway that lots of people take to get onto camput) and was jealous of my fabulous Halloween decoration. So they decided to take the bat. Actually, I'm glad that I didn't have to figure out a way to get it off myself.

Batmobile

We found this guy yesterday morning attached to the grill of our car. We thought that he was just sleeping until I started the car and he didn't fly away. He is currently still stuck as I haven't wanted to try and attempt to get him off. The kids thought we should call our car the Batmobile. I guess it's a good Halloween decoration, right?

Backpacking Trip Follow Up

So, I thought I'd report back on how Cory's backpacking trip went. He left early Friday morning all packed up and ready as we could make him. He was very excited about the adventure that awaited him. I was still a bit worried about it all. There was the new knowledge that the weather was going to be cool (highs in the 80s), but there could be rain on Saturday. So off he went. I worried aloud to my friends at school and they assured me that he was most likely just fine.

Cory returned Satuday at about 2pm. He was dirty and tired, but said that he had a good time. He told me that he would've been home an hour & a half earlier but there was a wreck on the freeway that kept them stuck in traffic. They found the trail just fine and got to their camp. After setting up camp, they took a light pack with water & snacks and headed further up the trail to Rincon Peak. Cory said that the trail was tough and that only one of the deacons actually reached the top of the peak. The rest got within a mile of it. They headed back to camp, had a nice dinner & fire, then headed to bed. They got up early, ate breakfast, & headed down the trail. Cory told me that he ended up having too much water and that he dumped about 2 liters of it before headin down.

Cory's leaders said that he did great. No complaints. They said that they noticed that his pack was sitting mostly on his shoulders and helped him to adjust it properly. Cory said that it had been hurting for a while and now realizes that if he needs help to ask for it. All in all, I'll admit to some needless worry, but that's my job as a mom, right? ;)

Cory's First Backpacking Outing

First off, this needs to be short because I should really be review for an exam I have this afternoon. Ah procrastination.
Cory came home from mutual last week and let me know that the deacon's quorum was going to be going for a backpacking trip this weekend. Actually Thurs-Sat. I was excited because as many of you know, Norm & I enjoy backpacking. I then asked him were they were going to go. He responded with Rincon Peak. For those of you who don't know, Rincon Peak is considered a very difficult hike and there is no place to obtain water along the trial. I feared right away that my 80 lb boy was going to wind up dehydrated. For a three day trip Cory would need at least 3 gallons of water which is about 21 lbs of weight right there! The boys were told that they would need to carry all of the gear & water on their own. I just saw a disaster with the leaders having 8 dehydraited & miserable boys. I mainly feared that Cory may decide that he never wanted to backpack again. I spoke with Norm about it and he had the same fears, but figured that it would be a learning experience for the YM leaders. Yes, but do they need to learn at the expense of my son? My outlook has brighted a bit because Norm & Cory came home from Priesthood session on Saturday letting me know that one of the leaders had spoken with the national park ranger and had been convinced to make it an overnighter only just to cut back on the amount of water that needs to be brought. I have decided that I need to be supportive and not complain too much, but I really wish that the leaders were a bit more organized (I'm still not sure what time they're leaving tomorrow). So, I will stop griping, prepare Cory as best as we can, and say a few extra prayers for them as they are out on the trail.

Remembering Blanche Marie Harward

I got the call from Mom last night letting me know that Grandma Blanche wasn't expected to make it through the night. Then this morning, I opened up facebook and saw Janette's status verifying the fact that Grandma had died during the night. I ran downstairs to check my phone. Sure enough, there was the message from Mom waiting for me. Why did I leave my ringer off & not bring the phone to bed with me?? I turned on the ringer, listened to the message, saved it and then pondered if it was too early to call Mom. Well, she must have heard me thinking because she called me not 2 minutes later.

I'm feeling sad & happy at the same time. I've already cried off & on this morning. I am happy that Grandma was allowed to go. She has been separated from her only son and husband for many years. Dad died almost 16 years ago and Grandpa Neal has been gone for almost 9. I know there was much rejoicing on the other side when those two great men were there to welcome her home. I almost envy her because I'd love to be able to give my daddy a hug. I'm sad to know that I will never see her again during this life. I have some regret that I wasn't better at calling, writing, & visiting her regularly. But, I will remember all the fun times that I had with my Grandma.

The sleepovers - she never told me no if I asked to come over.

The "parties" - a tupperware cup full of peanuts & m&ms while I watched tv.

The many crafts - she always had some cool craft for us to make she was so talented with her hands.

Christmas - oh how Grandma loved Christmas! I can picture her little tree set up on her table with all the fabulously wrapped presents. And how she creatively wrapped us each our bag of m&m's - you really could never guess which gift held them.

The 16th Birthday Dollars - Her creativity was shown once again. I need to find my picture.

The list could go on and on.

Grandma, I will miss you, but I am greatful for the ways you influenced me in my life.

Count to 6 for me

I got a little laugh from an occurance last week that I need to set up with some background. Norman received his Master's degree in Dec. 2005. As he took a class or two a semester, he found it best to stay at the office to study, but would at times study at home in our spare room. When he would study at home (or even when he sometimes works from home), I'd keep the kids away from the room & they could even be fooled to believe that he was gone and not at home.
Fast forward to when I returned to school. I did not have an office to stay late at & to stay at school to study just wasn't easy to do. So, I studied at home most of the time. My one complaint was that the kids seemed to sense that I was still at home (I too would try to trick them by beginning a Saturday study session before they were even awake and Norm was at home) and knock at the locked door for me. After ignoring the knocking (I was supposed to be gone you know) I would give in and ask what they needed. After 2 years of this, I just would answer them right away and not even pretend I wasn't in the room.
Well, last week was a busy one for me with 2 exams one day apart to prepare for. On Thursday night I was busy studying for exam #2. There was a knock on the door. I answered, "Yes?" It was Cory. "I need you to do something for me," he said. Me (a bit stressed, tired, & grumpy): " Can you ask Dad to do it?" Cory: "No, he's working (Norm had brought some work home with him)." Me: "What am I doing?" Cory: "You're just studying." Me (chuckling to myself): "What do you need?" Cory: "Count to 6 for me." And I counted to 6 for him. (He's working on his personal fitness merit badge & needs to keep track of his heart rate after excersize)
Lessoned learned: Sometimes only a Mom can count to 6 for you.
And even if it's slightly annoying that I'm interrupted frequently while studying, I need to be there for my kids even if it's a little thing they need.