Talents

One of the HUGE blessings I receive through serving with the young women at church is to see them use their remarkable talents!  I am not afraid to admit that I enjoy allowing my girls to use their talents to bless my life.  One of my girls is teaching me to play the piano as one of her service projects.  Another just finished crocheting my unborn child a beautiful, and quite warm I might add, blanket.  And I asked another to take our Christmas pictures.  I love these girls with all my heart and I love that they are far more talented than I ever was.  I figure it's a win-win: I am blessed by their talents, and they are blessed for serving me.  Everybody wins, right?  Here are some Christmas pictures!!!!!

(My instructions to her were something along the lines of, "Ok, you know what Cheesy family pictures look like?  THAT'S what I'm going for!!!  Think, CHEESE.  and not like 'Smile and say, Cheese!'  I'm saying, 'Think, Cheese' "  She truly gets me.)  And I'd also like to thank Ryan for being a wonderful sport.

I LOVE PICTURES!!!

Introducing: Baby Chapman

That's right, Folks, there is a baby in my belly!!!  Ryan and I are thrilled to announce that I am pregnant and that Baby Chapman should be gracing us sometime around June 18th!!!  I am currently 9 weeks along, and I simply can't hold it in any longer!!!  Baby Chapman had his/her first debut on camera today and here are some pictures and a video.  The video is way more fun because you get to see some waves!!!  I am feeling pretty well.  I only feel nauseous sometimes and as long as I keep myself fed every 2 hours, I feel pretty good.  I have to nap more often, which I don't mind at all!  This will be grandbaby # 1 for my parents, so needless to say, I have become the favorite child for the time being. (Having said that, I am sure that once the baby comes, I'll be dropped like a hot rock.)  But I'm loving every minute and enjoy having someone to talk to at all times!!!  Of course we will be finding out whether Baby Chapman is a boy or a girl when the time comes.  I cant wait for that becuase I will finally be able to say he or she and not "it" or "the baby".  I will keep you all posted and hopefully once I've showered, I'll take a 9 week baby belly picture, (which is non-existant, but it'll give a good starting point!)

And the Video!!!  The voices in the background are my mother and me.....she didn't know the video recorded sound, so ha!

Back to School: A New Motivation

So I had a very depressing yet motivating experience today.  I am going to start working with 3 wonderfully perfect souls 3 days a week as a respite worker.  Although I've already got the job, I still have to go through the whole hiring process.  I was very happy to hear that both my Direct Service Professional (DSP) and CPR certifications will allow me to bypass almost all training.  So I turned in my resume filled out an application and felt VERY confident that my extensive experience, fantastic references (which include my boys Jay and Jeff who can account first hand of my abilities), and many qualifications should set me up for the highest starting pay.  Of course, I am not in this job for the money and would take the job for nothing.  It's very part time and I LOVE the kids I'll be working with and that is why I sought out the job opportunity.  But anyway, I met with a neat guy today who would be my supervisor.  He, of course, was just relaying the information from the HR department.  After we'd discussed what my responsibilities would be and after I was informed that I would have to join the union (not my first choice, but, no biggie), I was informed that although I was very much qualified, I could only make so much because I don't have a degree.  (I only have 3 years of college under my belt).  I smiled and nodded while I thought to myself, "Oh, so my time and effort is only worth so much because I don't have a piece of paper that would make me more worth it?  How about the millions of hours and scars from the bite marks!"  Of course, this mind-rant was quite dramatic, but I smiled and nodded and drove home. 

When I got home, I did some research, and called good ole' BYU to get some questions answered.  I am 30 credits away from a Bachelor of General Studies Major with an emphasis on Family History....All of which can conveniently be completed online......So, Ladies and Gents,  I am officially a BYU student......AGAIN! 

I have to finish 6 credits before I start the emphasis program.  Although I am super scared, and nervous because academics have always been not only not one of my strenghts, but its safe to say it has always been a weakness.  But I will have to trust in the Lord who promises, through faith, to "make weak thinks become strong unto them." -Ether 12:27.  I know education is a wonderful blessing, it's just never gone very well for me. I LOVE attending classes and I LOVE to learn, but spending all day in class to come home and slave over a paper on a topic I could care less about has never sat well with me.



I beg of you all to remind me of my motivation when I cry at the thought of an assignment.  Another motivation......My father told me and my sisters that when we graduated college, he would buy us a car of our choice.......It really doesn't get any better than that!

So first step: complete History 202, and Family Finance. Hopefully in the next 2-3 months if not sooner.
Then its on to 24 credits worth of courses relevant to my interests (genealogy) 

It's funny how one sentence can unleash such sudden motivation.  It just really bothered me that not having a degree would make a difference.  Whats even more bothersome is that if I had a degree in Political Science or International Relations,or even Mathematics, or Theatre, none of which have ANYTHING to do with my chosen career, would make me more "Qualified".  Oh well, thus is life.

In conclusion, I am THRILLED to be working again, especially with such a wonderful family and their perfect children.  And I really hope I will be able to stay motivated and do what needs to be done so I can reap the blessings and satisfaction of knowing I did it!!!
For your enjoyment, I've included a picture of me on my first day of Pre-school......It really explains a lot doesn't it? :)

Ready, Set, GO!!!

The big 2-3

I had an absolutely WONDERFUL birthday!!! 

My cake from Deerfield Bakery!  I've had a birthday cake from DB for as long as I can remember!!

This is me grating 6 cups of Zucchini to make a double recipe of what I like to call "Camilla Cake"  She gave me the recipe and it's to die for!!

This is Lydia.  Ryan got her for me for my birthday!  She isn't real, so I can have her all year round!!! 

Like the Basket?  I got it from my sister!!! 

I was shaking my bum at Ryan who was riding behind me.

As  rode, I sang the theme of the Wicked Witch.  I also giggled the whole ride.

I love living on Lisa Marie!

Ryan finally broke down and wore my "Onion Goggles" (Patent Pending) 

I hope this means he'll stop making fun of me when I wear them!  I mean it's better than wearing my ski goggles like I did in college!

Two of my very favorite almost 2 year olds!

Me and a small number of the kids that came with their parents to my birthday!  I was in heaven!!!

I assured their parents that I didn't invite them just so I could play with their kids....but lets be honest......

Just kidding!  I LOVE all my friends!

Thank you so much to those who made my birthday wonderful!  Especially those who helped me celebrate with love from a far!!

I also recieved a birthday card from my wonderful father that wished me a happy 22nd birthday......Love that man!!!

Church ball at its best

Disclaimer- this post mentions the intensity of certain wonderful people whom I adore.  I mean all I say and I mean it in a completely humorous way. 

Last Tuesday I witnessed what was quite possibly the most intense game of church dodge ball ever played.  I knew going into the game that it could get dirty.  The last time Ryan played Dodge ball at church, he ended up getting knee surgery!  Anyway, as I am newly called to serve with the young women (ages 12-18), I go to youth activities on Tuesday nights.  It was the boys' night to plan so we played dodge ball.  There are many other youth leaders like myself.  I normally only see them dressed in their Sunday best at church each week, but of course on Tuesday nights, everyone dresses in jeans and such.  I'd like to mention a few leaders who got so into the game, I figured an ambulance may be necessary. 

Brother Pike is a man in his early thirties.He's the young men's president.  He is married and has 2 very small children. Brother Pike is normally the most pulled together, kind, spiritual whiz. Dodge ball offered a new side to him. He was a beast! Everyone tried to stay clear of him, but his mad athletic abilities, none of which I was previously aware of, made it difficult to escape from him when he had the ball in his hand. I warned him not to get me because I would be babysitting his toddler and new baby later in the week. I threatened to give them Red Bull, drums, and a new puppy to make his life miserable. He must have forgotten, because he used his cannon-like arm to get me out.......

The next culprit was Sister Rands.  Sister Rands is the Young Women's President.  She was amazing!  She sacrificed her own daughter in the game and was another that we all avoided at all costs!  I love her to pieces.

I have no picture of Brother Payne, but WOW!  He had the most deadly arm of them all and spared no one...not even the newest 12 year old Beehive. 

The final noteworthy adult was the Bishop!  He is the head of our congregation and until Tuesday I had only ever seen him in anything other than a suit once.  He also showed no mercy to his two high school aged daughters. 

All in all it was one the most fun activities I've ever been to and I cant wait for future Tuesdays!!!

Kids Today!

I sang this song in a show in High School and of course I made fun of it.....now I'm beginning to rethink that

Kids!

I don't know what's wrong with these kids today!

Kids!
Who can understand anything they say?

Kids!

They a disobedient, disrespectful oafs!

Noisy, crazy, dirty, lazy, loafers!

While we're on the subject:

Kids!

You can talk and talk till your face is blue!

Kids!

But they still just do what they want to do!

Why can't they be like we were,

Perfect in every way?

What's the matter with kids today?

Kids!

I've tried to raise him the best I could

Kids! Kids!

Laughing, singing, dancing, grinning, morons!

And while we're on the subject!

Kids! They are just impossible to control!

Kids! With their awful clothes and their rock an' roll!

Why can't they dance like we did

What's wrong with Sammy Caine?

What's the matter with kids today!

I walk out of Jewel today in a great mood.  It had been a good morning, I had gotten everything in my shopping bags on sale, life was good. 

I then see 4 boys, each about 10 years old, riding their bikes on the sidewalk near the entrance.  I then hear one of them say to another, "SUCK ON THAT!!!"  I was appalled!  I looked back and said, "You are far too young to be saying, 'Suck on THAT'"  ( when really I meant that nobody is old enough to say that)  Then the little snot said to me, "SUCK ON THAT!"  I wanted to smack the kid, but of course there  were too many witnesses....and I don't really agree with hitting children, but that's not the point!  Luckily they weren't all bad: another boy stood up for me and told the other to shut up. 
What punks! 
I looked back after getting to my car, and one of the boys was texting as he rode his bike (sans helmet!) 
The whole situation made me feel like a cranky old woman, but I feel completely justified with my jaw-drop of a reaction.

I secretly hope his mother made liver and onions for dinner tonight and makes him eat EVERY BITE!

Ryan's Birthday Part Two The Concert

For those of you not from around here, American English is an excellent Beatles tribute band.  They just happened to be playing in Deerfield for free on Ryan's birthday!  There were a bunch of people from church there and we enjoyed cupcakes, cheesecake, good music, and cute kids!!!

Ryan saving some seats!

Me and Baby Charlie....I love this kid!

Charlie right before he spit up on me.   I considered it my "Welcome to Motherhood someday" induction.  I didn't mind at all, a little spit up never hurt anyone. 

The beautiful view from the concert!

Ryan's reaction when the band called his name so they could sing the Beatles Birthday song to him!! 

(I wrote it on a napkin so they wouldn't forget ;)"

All sweaty after a fun, long day!

Ryan with John!