Ouch...School is Painful!

I didn't know going to school could cause pain in every part of my body. I must be getting old.

MY FEET HURT.
I was very wishy-washy about my major before school started. On my application to the U, I was a English major transfer student. On my financial aid I was Early Childhood Education. On other paperwork, I was Elementary Ed. I really wanted an English degree, but I didn't think it was as attainable with my busy family life. So I signed up for for the Early Childhood classes. After two weeks of classes, reading, and homework, I had an epiphany. School isn't just about getting a degree, it's about getting the degree you want. DUH.

By this time, it was too late to merely drop my classes, I had to withdraw. I had to run all over campus several times in driving snow with 2 children in a limo stroller trying to get papers signed, books returned, add cards signed, books bought. I later found out that by listening to advice from a kid at the financial aid window, I had missed the tuition refund deadline by one day. He told me I shouldn't drop classes until I was able to add the new classes. Now I am expected to pay not only for the courses I had withdrawn from, but also the courses I replaced them with. Yeah. I totally have thousands of extra dollars lying around to pay for NOTHING. RAAR. I now get to go through an appeals process in addition to trying to catch up for 2 weeks of missed English courses. Let me tell you a very important lesson I have learned: NEVER change your mind. (Unless you really need to.)

The reason why my feet hurt? I did this running all over campus in heeled boots. Why? I might say it was for the sake of fashion, but they are not the kind of boots that are actually in style. No, I don't have the kind of knee-high boots that every girl and her frog pulls on over skinny jeans (I could totally go for the boots, the tapered jeans, not so much). Mine are the chunky kind that were in style about 5 years ago. The kind I have to wear with Boot-cut jeans. Remember those kind of jeans that were in style, like, forever ago? (It's been at least 3 months, give or take). I can't bring myself to get excited about pulling on jeans like I wore in 7th grade, so I'm sticking with the boot-cut for now. I'm sure they'll come back in within 10 years or so, then I might be in style! That will be a huge relief. Anyway, I digress. So, did I kill my feet off for the sake of style? I really don't have an answer. I don't know what I was thinking, but this brings me to another important lesson. Disregard fashion for running shoes when on campus. It's okay for me to have discovered this lesson now, because I haven't come into contact with anyone in the English field who worries too much about style anyway. (I'm talking about those at school, Mom H. You have amazing style. As do you, Sam. ;) I could do a whole series of posts on the style (or lack thereof) that I encountered upon walking into my first English class at the U. SCARINESS. Anyway, back to my list of owies.

MY EYES HURT.
Trying to read Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, along with pages of poems, their explications, and explanations of their elements in a matter of a few days will do that to you. (Now that you've read that run-on, I just know that you're thinking I should switch back to teaching kindergartners who don't care about sentence structure.)

MY BRAIN HURTS.
It's been 12 years since I've tried to think deeply about poetry. Ouch! It's painful!

MY NECK HURTS.
I never knew that reading could be such a PAIN in the neck, literally. It makes me want to lay down to study. But then, there is no study. Only napping. Any volunteers for a neck rub?

MY BACK HURTS.
But that really has to do more with my really chubby baby and his desire to be held all the time because I've been more busy than usual. He's really heavy. No, I mean REALLY heavy.

What else hurts. Oh! MY ARMS HURT.
Actually they don't, but that's the problem. I've been having a harder time getting up at 5:45 to work out because I'm staying up too late studying. I only got up 1 day this week. (Sorry Christina! I'll meet you there more often next week!)

Lastly, MY HEART HURTS.
There's a really good book sitting on the counter, and every time I pass by it my mouth waters. I want to pick it up so bad, but I've restrained myself so far.

Well, that about covers it. The crazy thing is, even though I'm wishing several times a day that there was such a thing as a full body massage machine, and I had one in my room, I love school!
Learning is so invigorating! Being busier has also helped me to be better at spending more meaningful blocks of time with my kids. Taking my younger kids onto campus has introduced some great conversations, because they are seeing different people and places. I love the knowledge I've received so far, and the new discussion topics it has opened up at our house. I could go on and on. So, I guess my conclusion is Hooray for School! However, I still wouldn't say no if anyone has invented a massage machine and wants me to product test it for them.

We Loved to See the Temple

Our family feels very blessed to have been able to see inside a Temple!

The Draper temple is very beautiful, with dark wood from Africa, warm colors, gorgeous details.

We enjoyed our experience.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Lincoln! (Part 1)

Lincoln turned 2 on Jan 8, so now his age reflects his size (kind of). Here are some highlights from his big day.


Helping with the cake


See, wasn't he helpful? He totally cleaned off the beaters for me. And he was happy about it, too. What a great kid.

The finished product. A little bit amateur, but cute anyway.

He got his first Build-a-Bear. Here he is putting the heart in.


Giving Scubbers a bath.

We all had a great time. The big boys already have their bears picked out for their upcoming birthdays.


Birthday dinner!

Coming soon...the traditional journal quotes.

Help?

I'm getting REALLY tired of my background. It's time for a change. But last time I changed my background, I lost all of my links in the process. I'm too afraid to try and change it before I receive advice from an expert. Advice, anyone?

Pure

Bliss.

Let's see, what should I call this? A Christmas Letter? No, it's too late for that. A New Year letter? No. How about: THE LETTER.

Greetings to our family and friends! 2008 was a wonderful year for us. Here are a few of the highlights.

Lincoln (almost 2): He started out the year as a scrawny baby in the 13th percentile for weight. He grew quite a bit this year, and now weighs in at a whopping 32 lbs. (92nd percentile!) He's always happy and full of energy. He's sweet, obedient, laid back, and pretty much the most perfect baby anyone could ask for. My only complaint is when I have to lug him out of bed with his four blankets and any stuffed animals that might have napped with him. My arms definitely get a work out with this one.



Alyssa (4): Alyssa's life revolves around all things girly, pink, princessy, & glittery. She spends hours pretending and dressing up. She loves being with her family and helping me cook. She always takes her spot up on the counter to help me knead bread or make cookies. She loves to play with her friends, too, and "Blinkin" (Lincoln) is usually nominated as the handsome prince who has to dance with and marry all of the girls. He responds by trying to take off with their dollies and hide.



Joseph (8): Joe's biggest highlight of the year was his baptism in May. He's super smart and super sweet. He loves to read, roller blade, play games, and ride his bike. He says his favorite moments of 2008 are: a date with Mom and Dad to Kangaroo Zoo, winning the reflections contest with his painting titled "Colors", Friday night pizza and movies, and our annual trip to Bear Lake. He constantly stumps us with his deep questions.



Isaac (10): Ike is also super smart. He started piano lessons this year, and amazes us with his ability to sight read music. He also had fun this year playing basketball on Jr. Jazz, racing around on his bike and roller blades, winning everyone he plays in any game, and winning his school science fair with his project called, "Magnets R Cool." He is a great example of spiritual strength to his little brothers and sister.



Me!: My favorite things this year were spending time with family, being in our beautiful new house, serving in the church as a Young Women advisor then Wolf den leader, and getting in shape. I'm so grateful for my family and feel like with them by my side, I could lose everything else and still be happy.

Swen: Swen is staying busy as the Elders Quorum President of a giant ward, a Realtor in a stinky economy, and a Daddy of 4 kids. He has been a trooper this year, working extra hard to make things work since real estate isn't exactly booming right now. We're all excited when he can spend time at home with the family because he always makes us laugh.

We are grateful for our Father in Heaven and his watchful care for us. We are grateful for our Savior and his love and sacrifice for us. And we are thankful for the strength we receive from all of our loved ones. We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and we know 2009 will be a fantastic year for us all!

Love, The Howards

P.S. Feel free to comment, and come back as often as you'd like for Howard family updates!

Happy New Year!

This is our first official picture of 2009, taken a little after midnight January 1, 2009. Yes, we are crazy, and allowed all of our children to celebrate the dawning of the new year with a sparkling cider toast at the stroke of midnight. We had a great night filled with LOTS of family, some games, movies, and a little Wii playing.

Happy Birthday, Alyssa! (a.k.a. Princess, Lissy, Lulu, Cutie, Lyss, Beautiful, Lissy-Lou)

Alyssa celebrated her 4th birthday on December 5. To celebrate her life so far and the joy that she is to our family, I'm posting some highlights out of her journal.

January 2, 2005--1 month old

"They put you right onto my belly, then Daddy cut the cord. You were so sweet and little. I couldn't believe you were mine. We cuddled for a long time...You were so sweet and content... Your head was perfectly round...You peed all over the warming table while they were testing you" :)

"When you were 5 days old, Daddy and I finally decided on a name. I had been calling you Aubrey, and Daddy had been avoiding the subject totally. I finally MADE him discuss it with me. We decided on Alyssa Grace Howard."

March 5, 2004--3 months old

"One of the times you look the cutest is when Daddy wears you in the front pack. He made German pancakes this morning with you looking around attached to his belly. You were happy as can be. You're about my height or a little taller when he's carrying you like that, so every time we pass, you grin at me."

September 10, 2005--9 months old

"Oh, my beautiful Alyssa. It is hard to imagine anyone that's more loved than you are... You love to smile at people and babble... It's like you're on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what comes next. When we push you in your stroller, you slide up as much as possible, sit straight up and you hold onto the bar in front."

Nov. 26, 2006--almost 1 year old

"You love your brothers so much. You call them I-key and Jo-Jo. They love to play with you, too. Sometimes too much, but you're good at standing up for yourself. You yell, 'Stop!' or, 'No, Jo-Jo!'"

"Some fun things about you are:

-You love baths. You would stay in the bath for hours if you could.

-You love books. You sit and read books for long periods of time, or if you're lucky enough to find someone sitting down, you bring them a book and say, 'Lap!'"

- You love your Daddy. You are always excited to see him in the morning and when you've been apart.

-You're starting to get a few long hairs...It's still so sparse, though, that people are surprised when I tell them you're almost 2."

July 7, 2007--2 1/2 years old

"You are such a fireball. You exhaust me every day, but you also make me laugh every day. You fill my bucket with happiness. You constantly tell me how much you love me, that I'm beautiful, and that you love my 'dress' (my clothes.)"

"You have such a sweet little spirit, but you haven't caught on to the idea of reverence in prayer. You always carry a book with you and struggle to keep it closed during the prayer. You repeat, 'listen and to pray' under your breath a few times, then you walk around. During personal prayers, you won't repeat anything we say, and you usually end up laying on the ground by the end."

January 11, 2008 3 years old

"During the middle of the night you came tearing out of your room, FLAMING MAD yelling, 'Isaac, give it back you stinkin' monkey!' You came into our room to tattle on Isaac and we had to convince you it was only a dream. It was so funny because I have no idea where you came up with the phrase 'stinkin monkey.' I laugh every time I about it! You're so feisty!"

"Another funny thing that you've been saying is 'Mom, don't say no, or I'll have to do this in the other room.'"

November 12, 2008--almost 4 years old

"Alyssa, you love mustard! When I'm not looking, you put mustard on strange things. On Monday you put raisins in a bowl, doused them with mustard, and gobbled them right up. Today, you spread mustard on a piece of pumpkin chocolate chip bread. Where did you come from? I can't even stand to smell mustard! Almost every day you ask for a mustard sandwich. A mustard sandwich consists of mayo, mustard, 'red mustard' (ketchup), cheese, and ham if we have it. YUM!"

November 23, 2008--almost 4 years old

"You're hilarious! You make me laugh every day!"

Alyssa is our beautiful, happy, sweet little princess. She had a wonderful birthday filled with lots of pink, princesses, friends, and dress-ups.