Deb, we are so sorry to hear about the illness that are still hanging around the Sorensen house. I am sure that can be really stressful as well as exhausting. Keeping goin girl, your family is always in our thoughts and prayers.
Arizona is treating us very well here. Elizabeth is staying happy and healthy. As of last week we have really tried to get an enforceable schedule for naps. She gets two naps a day and sleeps for about 3 hours for each nap. Last week I was getting 7-9 hours of straight sleep through the night, but this week she has been waking up after 3 or 4 hours. I think that she might be going through a growing spurt because she is definetely eating a lot more than last week. Hopefully we will get past this little bump and have her back to sleeping through the night.
I am very busy at school. I have put together my schedule for this semester with the goal of graduating in May. That means that March 7th I have an oral Techincal Review where I meet with my Graduate Committee to talk about my thesis and what still needs to be done. I have a lot of work to get ready for that. And then my defense of my Thesis is scheduled for the last part of April...very tight schedule. I hope I can get it all done, otherwise I will have to push graduation to August. I will keep you posted on the progress.
Adam is staying home with Elizabeth 3 days a week and he is doing a great job. It has really allowed him some time to work on the computer and get some stuff done. He is enjoying being able to feed the baby and help her to sleep. I feel so blessed to have such a great husband!
love you all
bec
Thursday, January 27, 2011
nick and deb sorensen
aGgIe gAme!
I can't tell you how cool those are to go to. Whenever Nick gets spare tickets to go to the game from his office, he usually calls every person he knows so that we can get as many people to come as possible. It is a SIGHT to SEE! The students take up about 1/4 of the stadium and are CRAZY! They have set dances, songs, jeers and cheers for all of the things that could possibly happen and ALL OF THEM DO IT SIMULTANEOUSLY! They chant out "left, right, left, right, left, right! whooooooooo!" when the opposing team has some one foul out. They have a cheer for getting twenty points ahead, forty points ahead, etc. They have a jeer if the opposing team causes a foul, (a very dignified and sportsman-like "you, you, you, you, you, you, SUCK!"). it is quite a sight to see. This last week we went to a game on Thursday. Claire and Matthew both came. Claire has gone to every game with her dad but one. She gets into it. There's this dance that she has become quite good at. It's specific to the USU Aggies called the "Scotsman". Honestly---it's great. We have a blast. Better than any movie in a theater. We also went to the game with Gramma Rosi and Grampa Bill. the kids didn't come because it was a 9pm game. Nick had special tickets to sit in the "elite" box with his boss and some other big wigs. It was super neat.
claire is charming...she's mostly over pneumonia and an ear infection...phew! doesn't like naps, sigh. But needs them! So mom is enforcing them whether she likes it or not.
Matthew still has his pneumonia and has developed an ear infection in the past few days. We just got back from the ENT specialist who still diagnosis him with laryngeal malasia and a horrible case of acid reflux. he's only put on 1 lbs in the last 2 months due to barfing so much. So, he's a medicated baby, which is something I was really trying to avoid. urgh.
We are working hard and smiling a lot. Lots of good times! We love you all so much. Hope to hear from you all soon.
-nick, deb, claire and matthew
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
adam and becky frus
Hi Family,
So nice to hear from so many different corners of the nation. We here in Arizona are doing great! We had a nice trip to Florida for Christmas. It was fun to see the Frus' and introduce the baby to all of the grandparents, aunts, uncles and her 9 month old cousin Violet. We are really looking forward to going to Utah to have her meet more family. I was so glad to hear the Ben and family were able to get to Utah for the holiday season. I knew that would be a great surprise! We are sure sorry we weren't able to be there for the celebration. We are excited to meet Sadie and hope that it is sooner than later.
Elizabeth Jane is so great! She is a healthy eater and at our 1 month visit on Jan 5th she was at a weight of 10.6lbs. Going strong and healthy. She sleeps for 4 hours at night, feeds and then goes right back to sleep for another 4 hours. It really allows me to get some good sleep. We are working on a napping schedule, hoping that we can get a routine for nap time. I start school next week and will be leaving the baby with Adam for 3-4 days each week. It is going to be hard to leave but I am so grateful that dad is able to be around to watch her. He is so great! He changes all the diapers and takes her when mom gets tired or frustrated.
On top of a new baby, I am in the process of applying for graduate schools and looking for jobs. My goal is to have as many open doors as possible upon graduation. I am looking at PhD programs with ASU as well as at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. I am also looking for jobs within the west to teach at community colleges and other places too. hopefully something will work out for us.
Adam is very busy with glass. His schedule is full of shows, commission pieces and demonstrations. He has a big 1 week demonstration/show scheduled at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Feb and many other things as well.
We are happy and healthy and enjoying this wonderful new life in our family. Elizabeth is a good baby. Easily soothed, attentive and fun.
we love her and love all of you
becky
So nice to hear from so many different corners of the nation. We here in Arizona are doing great! We had a nice trip to Florida for Christmas. It was fun to see the Frus' and introduce the baby to all of the grandparents, aunts, uncles and her 9 month old cousin Violet. We are really looking forward to going to Utah to have her meet more family. I was so glad to hear the Ben and family were able to get to Utah for the holiday season. I knew that would be a great surprise! We are sure sorry we weren't able to be there for the celebration. We are excited to meet Sadie and hope that it is sooner than later.
Elizabeth Jane is so great! She is a healthy eater and at our 1 month visit on Jan 5th she was at a weight of 10.6lbs. Going strong and healthy. She sleeps for 4 hours at night, feeds and then goes right back to sleep for another 4 hours. It really allows me to get some good sleep. We are working on a napping schedule, hoping that we can get a routine for nap time. I start school next week and will be leaving the baby with Adam for 3-4 days each week. It is going to be hard to leave but I am so grateful that dad is able to be around to watch her. He is so great! He changes all the diapers and takes her when mom gets tired or frustrated.
On top of a new baby, I am in the process of applying for graduate schools and looking for jobs. My goal is to have as many open doors as possible upon graduation. I am looking at PhD programs with ASU as well as at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. I am also looking for jobs within the west to teach at community colleges and other places too. hopefully something will work out for us.
Adam is very busy with glass. His schedule is full of shows, commission pieces and demonstrations. He has a big 1 week demonstration/show scheduled at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Feb and many other things as well.
We are happy and healthy and enjoying this wonderful new life in our family. Elizabeth is a good baby. Easily soothed, attentive and fun.
we love her and love all of you
becky
ben and tamme mathews
Howdy ya'll!
Here is our top 10:
10. It snowed, we got about 6 inches. The kids got their first snow day and a late start, Monday and Tuesday.
9. We are home, safe but not warm. Its cold! After 40 plus hours of driving, we are really glad to be back home with no where to go for a while.
8. Kloey got lice. She was a trooper! She had to endure about 2 hours of Marlies and I picking through her hair. Thank you Marlies for helping me. I am glad to report no one else got it and there aren't any more in Kloey's hair.
7. Gali took a trip to the ER. She had a fever that just wouldn't come down. After getting a temperature reading of 105.8 and her honking cough, Ben took her in. They tested her for the flu and RSV, took x-rays of her chest and gave her a breathing treatment. She tested positive for RSV, but the next day she started to get better and is fine now. We can't wait to get that bill!
6. Kael and Kloey had their first basketball games last Saturday. They are in the Upwards program through the Baptist church and Ben is helping with Kael's team. Kael made 2 baskets and Kloey took one shot. They play at the same time so its a challenge to watch both games.
5. Sadee had her nine month appointment yesterday. She is our light weight, only 18lbs 11.5 oz and 28.5 inches in length. She is healthy and so happy. She has started doing the cutest little giggle. She does it all the time and at anything.
4. Ben had 12 days off for the holidays and was able to fix the lock on the door and helped Kael defeat the Joker on the PSP.
3. Kloey made the Honor Roll and received the Accelerated Reading Award for meeting her reading goals.
2. With the bad weather seminary was canceled and I got a steam floor cleaner.
1. We are looking forward to coming to Utah in the summer, when there is NO snow!
It was so fun to see so many of you after Christmas and wished we could have met little Elizabeth Jane on our trip.
Love to ya'll!
Ben, Tamme, Kloey, Kael, Galilee and Sadee
Here is our top 10:
10. It snowed, we got about 6 inches. The kids got their first snow day and a late start, Monday and Tuesday.
9. We are home, safe but not warm. Its cold! After 40 plus hours of driving, we are really glad to be back home with no where to go for a while.
8. Kloey got lice. She was a trooper! She had to endure about 2 hours of Marlies and I picking through her hair. Thank you Marlies for helping me. I am glad to report no one else got it and there aren't any more in Kloey's hair.
7. Gali took a trip to the ER. She had a fever that just wouldn't come down. After getting a temperature reading of 105.8 and her honking cough, Ben took her in. They tested her for the flu and RSV, took x-rays of her chest and gave her a breathing treatment. She tested positive for RSV, but the next day she started to get better and is fine now. We can't wait to get that bill!
6. Kael and Kloey had their first basketball games last Saturday. They are in the Upwards program through the Baptist church and Ben is helping with Kael's team. Kael made 2 baskets and Kloey took one shot. They play at the same time so its a challenge to watch both games.
5. Sadee had her nine month appointment yesterday. She is our light weight, only 18lbs 11.5 oz and 28.5 inches in length. She is healthy and so happy. She has started doing the cutest little giggle. She does it all the time and at anything.
4. Ben had 12 days off for the holidays and was able to fix the lock on the door and helped Kael defeat the Joker on the PSP.
3. Kloey made the Honor Roll and received the Accelerated Reading Award for meeting her reading goals.
2. With the bad weather seminary was canceled and I got a steam floor cleaner.
1. We are looking forward to coming to Utah in the summer, when there is NO snow!
It was so fun to see so many of you after Christmas and wished we could have met little Elizabeth Jane on our trip.
Love to ya'll!
Ben, Tamme, Kloey, Kael, Galilee and Sadee
Monday, January 10, 2011
tim and jill mathews
Thank you Deb for continuing to remind me that there are others in my life that care about what happens in my small part of the world. It is good to know that I have a family that cares enough to read emails when they receive 25 a day.
We are doing well. Jill and I are becoming accustomed to going to the Mormon church on a regular basis. I think I got to the point that it was only a pipe dream to go every week and now that it is here, it can be a bit overwhelming. Jill is doing great! She really likes her calling because she gets to learn about the gospel from a young woman's perspective and can really relate to the girls in her class. She is the second counselor in the young women's and has to teach classes, plan activities, and execute them all without much guidance or help. She loves that she can make it her own and she has another project to work on in her "spare time". She is so awesome and will work sun up to sun up to make sure that her family is taken care of and happy. She has also begun to work hard at taking phone calls for infomercials. She will sit up in our bedroom and talk on the phone with people who call to order a magazine and will get them to buy 10 more. She should get paid on commission. She said that she likes doing it because she feels that she contributes to the family. She has recently gotten her mom to start and we hope that it will help her to have extra spending money as well.
Elle is doing really well. She is a home body like her dad and loves to stay at home and play with her dozens of princesses and their castles. She knows that if any of them break she can put on her puppy dog eyes and ask her parents for another one. They are cheap, but she literally has dozens of them. She has recently learned, thanks Santa, that if Daddy or Mommy will not replace her broken toys that she will, "just write a letter to Santa and he will get it for her." It was great to see her open all of her presents on Christmas and play with them for days. Elle is involved in dance, play groups, reading time at the library, and checking out books that she will read or have read to her. Her latest manipulation involves a friend named Claire, that lives in Utah. Anything that she does that would earn her a consequence, she blames it on Claire. We will say, "honey, you haven't seen Claire for a long time", and she will say,"but Daddy, Claire pushed me and wouldn't let me play with my toy." It takes me back to when mom used to call Deb the "little neighbor girl." We assume that this "Claire" is the perverbial excuse, so no offense to Deb and Claire Bear. We have really debated on how to use this to our advantage, it would be so much easier if she used another girl she knew, not a relative. I think it is really funny.
Liam is a bulldozer. This past year, he has almost broken my nose with his head, it started to bleed, and last week he gave Jill a huge black eye and scrap on her face. He doesn't feel a thing. He is crawling around on the floor like a truck and will almost run into things and stop just shy and then sit up and laugh. Mom and he have a game where he starts to rub his hands like crazy and she will do it and he will crack up laughing. It is one of the first belly laughs that he has done, so it is really special.
I am doing well in my new job, it is very different than being in Las Vegas, the weather, atmosphere, people, no mexican food, everyone is rude and blunt, so I fit in just fine. The campus and people that I work with are good for me, they are very different, but I am learning how to deal with different people. Gettting into middle management, you have to be so careful in how you deal and talk with people, while at the same time, getting the desired results. It's an art form. Last Sunday, I received two callings, sunday school teacher for our Spanish folks and teacher in the Elder's quorum, so that will keep me busy and going to church.
We love you all and appreciate your concern and love for us!
Love,
Tim, Jill, Elle, and Liam-
We are doing well. Jill and I are becoming accustomed to going to the Mormon church on a regular basis. I think I got to the point that it was only a pipe dream to go every week and now that it is here, it can be a bit overwhelming. Jill is doing great! She really likes her calling because she gets to learn about the gospel from a young woman's perspective and can really relate to the girls in her class. She is the second counselor in the young women's and has to teach classes, plan activities, and execute them all without much guidance or help. She loves that she can make it her own and she has another project to work on in her "spare time". She is so awesome and will work sun up to sun up to make sure that her family is taken care of and happy. She has also begun to work hard at taking phone calls for infomercials. She will sit up in our bedroom and talk on the phone with people who call to order a magazine and will get them to buy 10 more. She should get paid on commission. She said that she likes doing it because she feels that she contributes to the family. She has recently gotten her mom to start and we hope that it will help her to have extra spending money as well.
Elle is doing really well. She is a home body like her dad and loves to stay at home and play with her dozens of princesses and their castles. She knows that if any of them break she can put on her puppy dog eyes and ask her parents for another one. They are cheap, but she literally has dozens of them. She has recently learned, thanks Santa, that if Daddy or Mommy will not replace her broken toys that she will, "just write a letter to Santa and he will get it for her." It was great to see her open all of her presents on Christmas and play with them for days. Elle is involved in dance, play groups, reading time at the library, and checking out books that she will read or have read to her. Her latest manipulation involves a friend named Claire, that lives in Utah. Anything that she does that would earn her a consequence, she blames it on Claire. We will say, "honey, you haven't seen Claire for a long time", and she will say,"but Daddy, Claire pushed me and wouldn't let me play with my toy." It takes me back to when mom used to call Deb the "little neighbor girl." We assume that this "Claire" is the perverbial excuse, so no offense to Deb and Claire Bear. We have really debated on how to use this to our advantage, it would be so much easier if she used another girl she knew, not a relative. I think it is really funny.
Liam is a bulldozer. This past year, he has almost broken my nose with his head, it started to bleed, and last week he gave Jill a huge black eye and scrap on her face. He doesn't feel a thing. He is crawling around on the floor like a truck and will almost run into things and stop just shy and then sit up and laugh. Mom and he have a game where he starts to rub his hands like crazy and she will do it and he will crack up laughing. It is one of the first belly laughs that he has done, so it is really special.
I am doing well in my new job, it is very different than being in Las Vegas, the weather, atmosphere, people, no mexican food, everyone is rude and blunt, so I fit in just fine. The campus and people that I work with are good for me, they are very different, but I am learning how to deal with different people. Gettting into middle management, you have to be so careful in how you deal and talk with people, while at the same time, getting the desired results. It's an art form. Last Sunday, I received two callings, sunday school teacher for our Spanish folks and teacher in the Elder's quorum, so that will keep me busy and going to church.
We love you all and appreciate your concern and love for us!
Love,
Tim, Jill, Elle, and Liam-
nick and deb sorensen
Hello Family!
It’s been a long break, but I’ve been busy. As I’m sure you all have been. It has been so nice to see all the photos of the families this Christmas. I have you all on my fridge and Claire talks about Emma and Quincey all the time (because she sees them the most, not because she doesn’t love all of you tons).
Our Christmas holiday was long, but good. My brother-in-law (Daniel) was married on the 18th of December to his high school sweetheart (Sarah). They live in Rexburg, ID while she finishes student teaching and he goes to school. It was really different to be a part of that side of the family’s wedding plans. I didn’t really do anything but listen to the plans, but it was very different.
Matthew and Claire have been on the sicker side this week and I’ve been working (I have a job in Nick's office to scan the financial docs to make them digital) a ton before my students start (this week), so Nick has been Mr. Mom when he gets home from work. This last weekend, Nick went through a two page list (figurative list) of items he saw that needed done. He did about 12 loads of laundry, caulked the windows, took out garbage, fed the kids, made dinner and generally was amazing. I think I got a pretty good husband.
Claire is crazy! She is SO bossy! She pushes kids around, hits others and then immediately says "sorry". ARGH! the angrier I get with her the worse her behavior. We've really been working on using a positive voice with her even when we are mad to help this. We'll see. She was an angel this weekend, but she's been so sick we'll see if it'll wear off.
Matthew is adorable. He sits up. Claire can start him laughing like nothing I've ever seen. She loves her brother a lot.
Nick starts school this week, too. He spent ALL of last week at work and then at a refresher course to brush up his math skills. He will be taking Accounting 2030 (or something like that) this semester to work on his prereques for his MBA. He’s received 3 different options of job offers. We call them A, B and C.
A- He would work with Alumni Chapters to establish events and parties to further the alumni’s interest in what’s going on with USU.
B- Development Officer of the Jon Huntsman School of Business. He would be a fundraiser to bring more money into the college.
C- Sponsorships within the community for specific events. Some of what he’s doing currently, just a more focused position.
Keep us in your prayers so that we make the right decision. We are leaning toward option B. There isn’t much of a pay raise for any of these positions, but the fact that he’s been asked is more than we could hope for.
I start teaching this week. I’m hoping to take a smaller load from USU because they don’t pay so well. I also will plan on helping Mom with her fundraising concert again this year (I’ve helped for the last 2 years). Last year, a principal from Mom’s school saw me teaching and asked if I would be the one to take Mom’s place when she retires. I only wish that was possible! I guess that will be for a different time in my life, I pray. Mom is truly amazing and I’m so grateful that she shows me the reins of music so willingly and so often.
Dixie has asked that I compete in that American Mother’s thing this year. There’s a vocal competition that I’m excited to do. It’s been a while since I’ve performed, but I think it will be good for me. It’s on Feb 4th at Maddox in Brigham for anyone that wants to come!!! ;)
I saw several of you this Christmas. It was really good to catch up. We love you all so much. Please keep us updated on your families.
-Nick, deb, Claire, and Matthew Sorensen
It’s been a long break, but I’ve been busy. As I’m sure you all have been. It has been so nice to see all the photos of the families this Christmas. I have you all on my fridge and Claire talks about Emma and Quincey all the time (because she sees them the most, not because she doesn’t love all of you tons).
Our Christmas holiday was long, but good. My brother-in-law (Daniel) was married on the 18th of December to his high school sweetheart (Sarah). They live in Rexburg, ID while she finishes student teaching and he goes to school. It was really different to be a part of that side of the family’s wedding plans. I didn’t really do anything but listen to the plans, but it was very different.
Matthew and Claire have been on the sicker side this week and I’ve been working (I have a job in Nick's office to scan the financial docs to make them digital) a ton before my students start (this week), so Nick has been Mr. Mom when he gets home from work. This last weekend, Nick went through a two page list (figurative list) of items he saw that needed done. He did about 12 loads of laundry, caulked the windows, took out garbage, fed the kids, made dinner and generally was amazing. I think I got a pretty good husband.
Claire is crazy! She is SO bossy! She pushes kids around, hits others and then immediately says "sorry". ARGH! the angrier I get with her the worse her behavior. We've really been working on using a positive voice with her even when we are mad to help this. We'll see. She was an angel this weekend, but she's been so sick we'll see if it'll wear off.
Matthew is adorable. He sits up. Claire can start him laughing like nothing I've ever seen. She loves her brother a lot.
Nick starts school this week, too. He spent ALL of last week at work and then at a refresher course to brush up his math skills. He will be taking Accounting 2030 (or something like that) this semester to work on his prereques for his MBA. He’s received 3 different options of job offers. We call them A, B and C.
A- He would work with Alumni Chapters to establish events and parties to further the alumni’s interest in what’s going on with USU.
B- Development Officer of the Jon Huntsman School of Business. He would be a fundraiser to bring more money into the college.
C- Sponsorships within the community for specific events. Some of what he’s doing currently, just a more focused position.
Keep us in your prayers so that we make the right decision. We are leaning toward option B. There isn’t much of a pay raise for any of these positions, but the fact that he’s been asked is more than we could hope for.
I start teaching this week. I’m hoping to take a smaller load from USU because they don’t pay so well. I also will plan on helping Mom with her fundraising concert again this year (I’ve helped for the last 2 years). Last year, a principal from Mom’s school saw me teaching and asked if I would be the one to take Mom’s place when she retires. I only wish that was possible! I guess that will be for a different time in my life, I pray. Mom is truly amazing and I’m so grateful that she shows me the reins of music so willingly and so often.
Dixie has asked that I compete in that American Mother’s thing this year. There’s a vocal competition that I’m excited to do. It’s been a while since I’ve performed, but I think it will be good for me. It’s on Feb 4th at Maddox in Brigham for anyone that wants to come!!! ;)
I saw several of you this Christmas. It was really good to catch up. We love you all so much. Please keep us updated on your families.
-Nick, deb, Claire, and Matthew Sorensen
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