January 17, 2010

Somedays I feel really lonely. Here I am with a husband that I swear works 24/7, and a crazy life that seems to be almost overwhelming at times. I know Owen works hard for the benefit of the family. I just wish he would understand that sometimes work is just work, and his family needs him more. But then again, he just wants to make sure that we are taken care of. Oh well I have been through worse. I just miss being close to my family sometimes. Living away from everyone gets lonely. We are lucky that we aren't that far away, but because of our schedule, visits that last more than a few hours is really hard to come by. I have some really good friends up here, but I have found that friends come and go, family is the only consistent relationships that we can always count on. I tend to be the kind of person that really likes pretty much everyone I meet. And it is just hard that those friendships don't seem to last once it isn't convenient. I think what is getting me started is that I just spent a few moments on facebook. And really the comments are just hollow, no real concern seems to be felt by anyone. I really would like to converse and keep in touch with the many people that I so admire and respect. However, I am grossly disapointed by the meaningless chatter, and the pretty much repetitious words. Facebook is a really lousy way to keep in touch and build strong friendships. Unfortunatly, I feel like most of my time is spent studying, not building friendships. Even at school, my first thought is I need to get home to my family. I struggle with taking time for myself because, to me, family comes first. And when it comes down to it. My family are my best friends. I am so grateful that I have them.
School takes up a lot of my time. And any of my spare moments when I am not doing homework or going to class, I spend with my kids. I feel guilty to spend any more time away from them then I already do. It is amazing that Owen and I have kept our relationship as strong as it is, when dating him is so rare. Our time together usually consists of me telling him to get up, bccause he has now had his 8 hours of sleep, and then he pretty much gets ready and heads off to work again. Wow, life doesn't always turn out the way you expect it, didn't we get married so we could spend more time with each other. Well, the only thing that keeps me going with school, is the many blessings and strong feelings I have had with me finishing my education. I feel really strong that I need this degree. Why, I am not completly sure, maybe it will just be a great supplemental income. I don't know. Maybe I am meant to teach children, which I have felt strongly about. In most of my life, I have never thought of myself as a teacher, but now I can't see myself doing anything else (other than being a great mother and wife of course).
Tonight I spent several hours just singing. How I miss singing more. Singing and playing the piano are my true stress relievers in my life. I am just grateful that over the years I have been able to continue developing the talent of singing. I really lack confidence in a lot of ways with my voice. However, I have begun to realize that I am really improving. The only problem is, is that I am hard pressed to find time to practice. If I could, I would continue lessons, but I don't like taking more time than I have to away from my family. And in all reality, when I take lessons, music for me again becomes a stress, instead of my stress relief. My ward loves it when I perform, and over and over agian they tell me how well I do. I guess I don't know what to say. A part of me doesn't want to believe them. But another part of me feels so proud. I try really hard not to put myself above others when it comes to music. I really feel that music is for everyone, not just the naturally talented. And when someone tells me they always wanted to sing, but can't. I just look at them, and tell them that it took me years to sing as well as I do. I did not start out with that so called "natural talent". Singing for the most part is a matter of knowing how and hard work. I believe that almost everyone can learn to sing. And who cares how you sound. Singing is for everyone. Belt it out, I am just glad that you are singing. My dad taught me this. He is not the most on key man, but he sings anyway. He is a great example to me.
I just have to say again how blessed I am to have the family that I have. Both sides. Owen's family are amazing people, that I respect and love with all my heart. In fact sometimes I feel a little intimidated by there communication skills, and their memories. I study hard, and still feel like I forget everything I learned after I take the final. But, if you ask a Thompson, they seem to remember everything. They are amazing people. I love my family as well. Yes, we are a bit odd, with our workaholic ADD ethic. But hey, we are happy go lucky people, that just want to get things done. The one thing I love the most about my family is that they just love and accept everyone. I just hope everyday that I can live up to the expectations of both my families. They all are the most amazing people I have ever known.

Kimberly Thompson

January 5, 2010

Today was an interesting day. I finally started to get the wallpaper off the walls in the downstairs bedroom. The problem is that I swear they super glued that stuff on. The top layer came off fairly easily, however, the rest is not coming off.
I also watched a little movie on you tube on how to mud the walls. And then, I mudded. It wasn't too bad, I have one more layer and then I can sand and texture the walls. Hopefully I am able to paint at least one room before school starts on monday.
Bre was funny this morning. She kept trying to get me to come upstairs, finally she told me she needed to go potty ( I suspect just so I would go upstairs). Anyway, when we got upstairs and I was all finished with my projects. I was helping Bre use the bathroom. When she was done, she looked at me and said, "mommy, you stink". I responded with a sarcastic, "well thanks a lot." She in her sweetest voice said, "Your welcome, mommy." Hmmm, what a compliment. Anyway it was probably true. Thats what happens when you work on remodeling projects.
Last night in Karate. The Karate teachers thought that Ty had advanced to Orange belt on accident. I was so proud of Ty for being honest, and letting them know that he did not advance to Orange yet, but that he had just barely advanced to yellow. Who knows how they got the idea that he was advancing to Orange already.
Well things are pretty good for the most part. I have decided that I need to lose all this holiday (and stress) weight. So I have made a goal to lose 20 pounds. I am still fairly active. I try really hard to get my excercising in. I am almost positive my problem is my eating. I have been addicted to sugar and carbs for the last couple years. Mostly since I started school, I am sure it is the stress. Anyway, this is the one part of my life that plagues me and that I am not proud of what I am doing. So, if I can get a handle on my eating, I will really feel successful in my life. The funny thing is, is that the majority of my life I have been a really healthy eater, so I just don't understand why all of a sudden within the last couple years I can't seem to get control of my diet. Well I am making the goal to get myself healthy again. And hopefully in the process help my family make better food choices.
Anyway, it has been an eventful day.
Kim

School has started again for the boys. They didn't seem as excited as I thought they might be. Most of the time they seem to really like school.
We took advantage of the boys being gone today and took Bre to see The Princess and the Frog. She loved it. In fact Owen and I quite enjoyed it as well. The only problem was when we went to the store afterward, she saw some Princess and the Frog books. And when I grabbed her hand and tried to lead her away, she did her flop thing. Her flop thing is the way that Bre throws fits. When I try to take her away from where she wants to be I will grab her hand, well instead of screaming and kicking she just goes completely limp. She is really hard to carry when she does this by the way. Well it was Owens first time seeing her just flop. and well, he thought it was pretty funny. Two year olds are so much fun.
Yesterday we were able to make it to Alora's baby blessing (my new niece). And we actually got there about an hour early. So while we were hanging out in the hall. I took Bre to the bathroom, since she is now potty training. Well when she goes to the bathroom, I make a big deal about it, by cheering and clapping. This has seemed to be working quite well (its a trick I learned from one of my preschool professors); simple yet effective. Anyway, when I sat down to take my turn using the restroom. Bre asked if I was going poop, and when I said yes, she started cheering and clapping for me. "Yay, mommy, good job". Is nothing sacred. apparently not with a two year old.
One week left until I start my semester, and I am still a little nervous. I just hope that I will be able to schedule a babysitter for Bre now that Owen will not be able to work his schedule out to work with mine.
Life is ready to be CRAZy once more, believe it or not, the holidays has really been a holiday for me.

Just Playing. A great eye opener for what "play" really is.

"Just Playing" by Anita Wadley

When I am building in the block room, please don't say I'm "just playing"

For you see I'm learning as I play

About balances and shapes

Who knows, I may be an architect someday

When I'm all dressed up, setting the table,caring for the babies

Don't get the idea that I'm "just playing"

For you see I'm learning as I play

I may be a mother or a father someday.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint

Or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay

Please don't let me hear you say, he is "just playing

For you see, I'm learning as I play

I'm expressing myself and being creative

I may be an artist or an inventor someday.

When you see me sitting in a chair "reading" to an imaginary audience

Please don't laugh and think I'm "just playing"

For you see, I'm learning as I play

I may be a teacher someday.

When you see me combing the bushes for bugs,

or packing my pockets with choice things I find

Don't pass it off as "just playng"

For you see, I'm learning as I play

I may be a scientist someday

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle or some "plaything" at my school

Please don't feel the time is wasted in "play"

I'm Learning to solve problems and concentrate

I may be in business someday

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run and move my body

Please don't say, I'm "just playing"

For you see, I'm learning as I play. I'm learning how my body works

I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday

When you ask me what I've done at school today

And I say, "I just played"

Please don't misunderstand me

For you see, I'm learning as I play

I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in my work. I'm preparing for tomorrow.

Today, I am a child and my work is play.

January 1, 2010

Its amazing how fast the last year has gone. Ty is now 9, Jay 6 and Bre is 2 1/2 years old. This time last year I was excited to begin the elementary education program at USU, and now, 3 semsters later, I am looking forward to level 3. I am a little nervous, but I know I will make it through just like I have all the other semesters. I had almost all A's within the past year (if not an A an A-). It just makes me feel good that all my effort does pay off in the end. The last little while I have not been sleeping well, and I have decided that it is because I always have too much on my mind. So I decided that maybe keeping a blog, or a journal would be a great way to get those thoughts out of my head.
Owen's schedule is changing for work. He will now be working 12 hour shifts. The frustrating thing is that I will need a babysitter for my longest days that I have at school. I feel really bad about having to have Bre watched. I sometimes wish I could stay home and have all this stress taken away. However, I know I need to get my degree, why I am not sure. All's I know is that both Owen and I feel really strong about me getting my degree. So we do what we have to. But getting a babysitter is a stress that I just can barely handle. Right now with Owen's shift change, I am especially stressed. I am just grateful for Camie and all the help she has given me by helping watch Bre when Owen and my schedule conflicts.
Bre is being potty trained. I am hoping that she will be potty trained before I start school again, well at least far enough that she won't totally regress when I start school. She is into everything right now. If it is quiet for a second I immediatly know that I better see what Bre is into.
Ty and Jay are constantly fighting it seems like. But at the same time they are the best of friends. Ty and Jay are both now Yellow belts in karate. They really love karate, and are both doing really well in it. They are also both playing basketball. Between all the extra curricular activities, and school we are extremely busy. The last two weeks have been really nice, because we all had a break from everything. We had a really good christmas and a new year.
The last year was really tough in a lot of ways. Owen's family had several losses. Owen's uncle died of a brain tumor in september. Owen and I drove down with Paula and Alan. We stopped at disney land for a couple days first, that was our unofficial ten year anniversary trip. That part of the trip was a lot of fun. I even went on the tower of terror, which scares me to death. An asian woman was sitting beside me asking me if it was scary, I told her it freakes me out. unfortunatly we were already in the seats, and couldn't turn back. We finished the trip going to Uncle Lynn's funeral. It was really hard, but we are all glad that we knew such a great man.
On halloween we had the bad news that Grandma Thompson passed away. Another loss for the Thompson's. Ty and Jay took it pretty hard. They really enjoyed visiting with grandma. It is really hard knowing she won't be there to talk to and visit anymore. I loved how she always took an interest in everyone's lives. We will miss her.
On a happier note, we finally got a van. That took a lot of talking on my part, but we love it. It is so nice having the extra room for our kids. They were tight in the car, and now well, they can't sit there and poke and prod each other while we are driving.
Anyway, 2009 has been an eventful year, full of hard times and good times. In my opinion, this last fall was by far my hardest, even though my work load was much smaller. I feel it was partly because of the emotional roller coaster we were on along with school. I am amazed I pulled off a 4.0.

Google Doc

When were working collaboratively as teachers in a unit lesson plan. I can see how this program can be very effective. Instead of emailing back and forth, we can all work on the document at the same time and the changes will happen immediately. Its amazing all the technology that is out there that if used properly can make our jobs much easier, and less time consuming. As teachers, we have to put a lot of time into planning for our lessons, and any help in cutting that time down and making our lessons much more effective is well worth it. This course was very helpful in opening my eyes for what is out there for our use. Using technology in my classroom will be a high priority.

Web Site Evaluation

I really like the idea of evaluating websites. This way you can feel much more comfortable with the information you are recieveing from a particular website by it passing the evaluatin form. And also, in contrast, being able to stay away from sites that are less than reliable. the form I liked the most is the MidLink magazine evaluation form because it is easy to use and comprehensive at the same time. In other words it provides a lot of information with little effort from the evaluator. Anyway, I will definetly use these evaluation forms when I am considering websites and computer programs in my classroom. That way I can feel confident that my students are getting accurate and reliable computer learning experiences.