Hello Family!
small things: Claire lines up her toys in the bathroom corners, facing the corners, and tells me they are in time out. "Bad atchen" she says. She SINGS. wow, she sings. I teach lessons in the front room and whenever she's not at the babysitters, she will do all the warm ups with the students. Her favorite one is "Zi zo zi zo zi zo zi zo za za za". The way she says it makes me think it would be the best advertising for a Twizzler commercial. "ZZZZZZZZeeeee! ZOOOO! ZEEEEEEEEEEE! Zo! Za Za Za!" Terrible 2's are awful and I've heard 3's are worse. Does anyone wanna child for the next year or so? I hate it how I ask her to do something and she does the exact opposite. I'm going to have to try the "energy drain" (from Love and Logic). We'll see how it goes.
Matthew has the worst eczema I've ever seen. It covers his poor face and it gets all swollen and painful looking. He just smiles through it until Claire whacks him in the face. Or even scratches him by accident and then he balls. Poor kid. He's so great.
Love you,
-deb
Monday, February 28, 2011
bill and rosi mathews
Feb. 27, 2011
Hello Family.
It’s Sunday night and I’ve been thinking about you.
It has been another fast paced week with some special moments.
Last Sunday Tyler, Emma and Quincey spent the night. Monday we all went swimming. It was such fun and the kids’ swimming skills have grown so much. At one point we had some Olympic games with “The Shark” Tyler, “Miss Dolphin” Emma and “The Minnow” Quincey. With a noodle I would smack the water (which sounded like a starting pistol) and the kids would be off to the races. Events included the longest leap off the edge of the pool, the crawl, the biggest jumper. We made some great memories. We even came home and looked up the various fishes on Google. The great artist, Gramma, then drew them for the kids. (None of them knew what a minnow looked like.) We decided that if Claire were here we would name her “Guppy”.
At school I am very busy getting ready to go on tour to Seattle, Washington. Last Thursday we had five different groups arrive for early morning rehearsals. We leave on tour March 9 and will be gone until March 14. On Wednesday we held a School Solo/Ensemble festival. We had an amazing 120 entries. We had 7 adjudicators (one was Aunt Dixie) who listened and gave the students scores. Next Wednesday we will be holding the Region Solo/Ensemble at our school. These are big days. It is the first time that we have held the Region event at our school while I have been here. Just a mention, our fundraising concert “An Evening with Andrew Lloyd Webber” was a tremendous success. We had three people enquire to see if Andrew would actually be there. One lady was adamant that he would be accompanying our concert. Actually we had our own organ playing phantom and with the huge organ we rented he took us over the top with his great organ skills. We actually made some money this year. Boy did we need it.
Dad and I attended the Adult session of Stake Conference last night. It was a good meeting. I came away with two meaningful thoughts. I would like to share them with you:
“When you are on your knees, you invite divinity.”
“When you are in the place where the Lord would have you be, you invite revelation”.
Cool, uh? Read them over a couple of times and look deeply. I think that you will see the truth in the statements.
We were excited to hear that Becky has a wonderful offer to go to the University of New Mexico and earn her PHD. Wow, that is terrific. She and Adam are looking carefully at that possibility. Nick begins his new job at Utah State in March. We understand that he got a whale of a raise. Congratulations, Nick O, Ben called from San Jose this week. He was there for a few days getting Cisco straightened out.
Sports? Some good news. Jimmer Fredette is amazing and BYU basketball is rising to the top. The Aggies at Utah State have also had lots of success. (We had the opportunity to see the Aggies play…sat in the “special” box because of Nick. What fun.) The Jazz, ouch!!! But I am glad that D Will is gone. MVHS sports?… basket ball, not looking so good.
Well, have a wonderful week. We love you ALL!!!!!!
Mom
Hello Family.
It’s Sunday night and I’ve been thinking about you.
It has been another fast paced week with some special moments.
Last Sunday Tyler, Emma and Quincey spent the night. Monday we all went swimming. It was such fun and the kids’ swimming skills have grown so much. At one point we had some Olympic games with “The Shark” Tyler, “Miss Dolphin” Emma and “The Minnow” Quincey. With a noodle I would smack the water (which sounded like a starting pistol) and the kids would be off to the races. Events included the longest leap off the edge of the pool, the crawl, the biggest jumper. We made some great memories. We even came home and looked up the various fishes on Google. The great artist, Gramma, then drew them for the kids. (None of them knew what a minnow looked like.) We decided that if Claire were here we would name her “Guppy”.
At school I am very busy getting ready to go on tour to Seattle, Washington. Last Thursday we had five different groups arrive for early morning rehearsals. We leave on tour March 9 and will be gone until March 14. On Wednesday we held a School Solo/Ensemble festival. We had an amazing 120 entries. We had 7 adjudicators (one was Aunt Dixie) who listened and gave the students scores. Next Wednesday we will be holding the Region Solo/Ensemble at our school. These are big days. It is the first time that we have held the Region event at our school while I have been here. Just a mention, our fundraising concert “An Evening with Andrew Lloyd Webber” was a tremendous success. We had three people enquire to see if Andrew would actually be there. One lady was adamant that he would be accompanying our concert. Actually we had our own organ playing phantom and with the huge organ we rented he took us over the top with his great organ skills. We actually made some money this year. Boy did we need it.
Dad and I attended the Adult session of Stake Conference last night. It was a good meeting. I came away with two meaningful thoughts. I would like to share them with you:
“When you are on your knees, you invite divinity.”
“When you are in the place where the Lord would have you be, you invite revelation”.
Cool, uh? Read them over a couple of times and look deeply. I think that you will see the truth in the statements.
We were excited to hear that Becky has a wonderful offer to go to the University of New Mexico and earn her PHD. Wow, that is terrific. She and Adam are looking carefully at that possibility. Nick begins his new job at Utah State in March. We understand that he got a whale of a raise. Congratulations, Nick O, Ben called from San Jose this week. He was there for a few days getting Cisco straightened out.
Sports? Some good news. Jimmer Fredette is amazing and BYU basketball is rising to the top. The Aggies at Utah State have also had lots of success. (We had the opportunity to see the Aggies play…sat in the “special” box because of Nick. What fun.) The Jazz, ouch!!! But I am glad that D Will is gone. MVHS sports?… basket ball, not looking so good.
Well, have a wonderful week. We love you ALL!!!!!!
Mom
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
ben and tamme mathews
The Texas Mathews are fat and happy. Well not all are fat, but all are happy.
Kloey is on the 4th installment of the Percy Jackson series. The last one took her 6 days to read. I had a meeting with her teacher and she told me that whenever there is free time in class, Kloey always asks to read. She also told me that Kloey is reading at a 4th grade level. I am grateful she loves to read. At pickup one day her 1st grade teacher said, "every time I see her, her book is bigger." She is in basketball (which she doesn't really like) and in her last game she scored 2 points. Her coach also put her on the tallest girl on the other team and she did a great job defending her. Kloey will be turning eight next month and she is really excited to have her big birthday party.
Kael is one silly boy. He just loves to make people laugh. I think he is the class clown at school. He really loves to play sports. Now that the weather is nicer, he spends most of his time outside, either shooting baskets or playing football. Every now and then Kloey will join him, but he is mostly out there by himself. I love watching him run plays and dodge imaginary players. He is excited to play baseball in the spring.
Galilee is a hoot. The other night after a bath she tooted while she was still naked. She was shocked and was bending over trying to see what happened and where it came from. Kael and I just laughed at her. I wish I could understand her more, but it doesn't stop her from talking. She is a chatterbox. She is really into her princess shoes and playing the "chicken game" on Ben's new phone.
Sadee has started crawling! She is still very vocal and VERY loud. The other day I was in the dressing room, Gali had Sadee laughing so loud. I could hear the ladies next door laughing at them. It was so cute. She is one smart cookie. She tries to put the little Cinderella doll shoes on her feet. She sets the on her big toes. She also just cut two new teeth. We will have a little vampire in the house for awhile, until the middle teeth grow in.
Ben is feeling the challenges of a new role at work. But he is amazing and tries hard to learn and do things right. He just got an new phone and sometimes, I lose to the phone and all its bells and whistles. He just returned from San Jose, CA and I am always glad to have him home.
I just bought my first pair of high heel shoes. They are purple and fabulous! Now I just need to find something to wear with them. I started a boot camp which is kicking my behind and I am realizing that I am getting older. But it is fun and I enjoy the hard work.
The weather is becoming nice and warm here. Spring is coming and my favorite thing about our large yard is all the bulbs that bloom. We have white, yellow, purple and red flowers. Plus the Blue Bonnets all around, the wild flowers in Texas are breathtaking. Y'all should come see them...hint, hint.
Kloey is on the 4th installment of the Percy Jackson series. The last one took her 6 days to read. I had a meeting with her teacher and she told me that whenever there is free time in class, Kloey always asks to read. She also told me that Kloey is reading at a 4th grade level. I am grateful she loves to read. At pickup one day her 1st grade teacher said, "every time I see her, her book is bigger." She is in basketball (which she doesn't really like) and in her last game she scored 2 points. Her coach also put her on the tallest girl on the other team and she did a great job defending her. Kloey will be turning eight next month and she is really excited to have her big birthday party.
Kael is one silly boy. He just loves to make people laugh. I think he is the class clown at school. He really loves to play sports. Now that the weather is nicer, he spends most of his time outside, either shooting baskets or playing football. Every now and then Kloey will join him, but he is mostly out there by himself. I love watching him run plays and dodge imaginary players. He is excited to play baseball in the spring.
Galilee is a hoot. The other night after a bath she tooted while she was still naked. She was shocked and was bending over trying to see what happened and where it came from. Kael and I just laughed at her. I wish I could understand her more, but it doesn't stop her from talking. She is a chatterbox. She is really into her princess shoes and playing the "chicken game" on Ben's new phone.
Sadee has started crawling! She is still very vocal and VERY loud. The other day I was in the dressing room, Gali had Sadee laughing so loud. I could hear the ladies next door laughing at them. It was so cute. She is one smart cookie. She tries to put the little Cinderella doll shoes on her feet. She sets the on her big toes. She also just cut two new teeth. We will have a little vampire in the house for awhile, until the middle teeth grow in.
Ben is feeling the challenges of a new role at work. But he is amazing and tries hard to learn and do things right. He just got an new phone and sometimes, I lose to the phone and all its bells and whistles. He just returned from San Jose, CA and I am always glad to have him home.
I just bought my first pair of high heel shoes. They are purple and fabulous! Now I just need to find something to wear with them. I started a boot camp which is kicking my behind and I am realizing that I am getting older. But it is fun and I enjoy the hard work.
The weather is becoming nice and warm here. Spring is coming and my favorite thing about our large yard is all the bulbs that bloom. We have white, yellow, purple and red flowers. Plus the Blue Bonnets all around, the wild flowers in Texas are breathtaking. Y'all should come see them...hint, hint.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
nick and deb sorensen
Matthew:
has been battling sickness and junk still. It seems never ending, and I guess it is. He was running 103 fever for a few days, but doc couldn't find a great reason but I did get chastised a bit for not bringing him in sooner.
I don't know what to say about him besides that he's adorable. Nick has found out that whenever you open your eyeballs really wide at him, he starts to giggle. If you shake your head from side to side, he starts to giggle. If Claire is within reach, the kid totally attacks her! Pulls her hair, clothes, whatever to get more of her. She's going to be in trouble when he can crawl over to her and pound her into the ground!
Claire:
LOVES everyone and everything. Is doing such a great job being a helper and big sister. She bosses everyone around, even me. She is constantly asking for food and that is okay with me because she has really started to EAT! I developed a thing lately because I was so tired of wrestling with her to eat and eating became my least patient time of the day. Tears were common (claire) and anger eminent (deb). So, finally I decided to let her choose how much to eat and what was on her plate was the only thing she was allowed to eat. As soon as she said she was all done, I let her be but then I wouldn't feed her until the next meal AT ALL! and the first few days I wasn't in positions to allow her to eat any sooner than breakfast at 8 amish and then lunch at almost 2! She was so hungry that she'd eat whatever I gave her. Now, it's not perfect but we are both so much happier! HURRAY!
She is still in pull ups and I feel like it's going to be until the end of time. She's so hit or miss with it. 3 days in a row she'll be GREAT and she'll be in panties the whole time. Then on the 4th day she won't pee in the toilet once, but will wet her pants all day long. Finally we'll just put her back in pull ups because I'm tired of trying to not yell, spank, etc. (which does happen at times...HELP MOMS!)
Yesterday was a day off for Nick. After baths/showers, Nick laid on the bed with a crying Matthew, gave him his sucker (pacifier) and a blanket and just held him. Matthew reached up and rubbed his daddy's whiskers and loved every minute of it. Claire watched and decided she wanted a turn when Nick put Matthew to bed. She sat still for 5 WHOLE MINUTES! very impressive.
We've started to call Claire, Miss Bare for 2 reasons: 1-Claire Bear shortened kinda name. 2- she loves to be naked...specifically when others are around. We had a house guest for three days this last weekend (JT Tullis) and she wanted so much to be naked all the time.
Nick:
Starts his new job officially on March 1st, but has really already begun the enormous work load. We are so blessed with this job change. It'll be something so hard and so new to him, but he's always so good about digging right in. His boss is retiring April 1st and has really set Nick up more than we could have ever dreamed. I cannot explain the blessings we've received for his hard work and God's love.
Deb:
I've just finished helping Rosi's concert last weekend. I was so sad that all of you couldn't have come. Mom really has vision. I didn't get to spend as much time as I have in the past and this wasn't Rosi's bestest ever fund raising concert (maybe because I wasn't there for six weeks...only for 2...ha ha ha), but it was still phenomenal. I've also been working on a CD for Dixie's American Mother's thingy. Been interesting and definitely a lot more work than I would have liked. But it'll be in the mail tomorrow and I'll be able to let a lot of things rest. I've been battling a cold and the stress level will help fight that more than almost anything, I'm sure.
I miss you all so much. I've been praying for you, thinking about you. Be safe, happy, healthy.
has been battling sickness and junk still. It seems never ending, and I guess it is. He was running 103 fever for a few days, but doc couldn't find a great reason but I did get chastised a bit for not bringing him in sooner.
I don't know what to say about him besides that he's adorable. Nick has found out that whenever you open your eyeballs really wide at him, he starts to giggle. If you shake your head from side to side, he starts to giggle. If Claire is within reach, the kid totally attacks her! Pulls her hair, clothes, whatever to get more of her. She's going to be in trouble when he can crawl over to her and pound her into the ground!
Claire:
LOVES everyone and everything. Is doing such a great job being a helper and big sister. She bosses everyone around, even me. She is constantly asking for food and that is okay with me because she has really started to EAT! I developed a thing lately because I was so tired of wrestling with her to eat and eating became my least patient time of the day. Tears were common (claire) and anger eminent (deb). So, finally I decided to let her choose how much to eat and what was on her plate was the only thing she was allowed to eat. As soon as she said she was all done, I let her be but then I wouldn't feed her until the next meal AT ALL! and the first few days I wasn't in positions to allow her to eat any sooner than breakfast at 8 amish and then lunch at almost 2! She was so hungry that she'd eat whatever I gave her. Now, it's not perfect but we are both so much happier! HURRAY!
She is still in pull ups and I feel like it's going to be until the end of time. She's so hit or miss with it. 3 days in a row she'll be GREAT and she'll be in panties the whole time. Then on the 4th day she won't pee in the toilet once, but will wet her pants all day long. Finally we'll just put her back in pull ups because I'm tired of trying to not yell, spank, etc. (which does happen at times...HELP MOMS!)
Yesterday was a day off for Nick. After baths/showers, Nick laid on the bed with a crying Matthew, gave him his sucker (pacifier) and a blanket and just held him. Matthew reached up and rubbed his daddy's whiskers and loved every minute of it. Claire watched and decided she wanted a turn when Nick put Matthew to bed. She sat still for 5 WHOLE MINUTES! very impressive.
We've started to call Claire, Miss Bare for 2 reasons: 1-Claire Bear shortened kinda name. 2- she loves to be naked...specifically when others are around. We had a house guest for three days this last weekend (JT Tullis) and she wanted so much to be naked all the time.
Nick:
Starts his new job officially on March 1st, but has really already begun the enormous work load. We are so blessed with this job change. It'll be something so hard and so new to him, but he's always so good about digging right in. His boss is retiring April 1st and has really set Nick up more than we could have ever dreamed. I cannot explain the blessings we've received for his hard work and God's love.
Deb:
I've just finished helping Rosi's concert last weekend. I was so sad that all of you couldn't have come. Mom really has vision. I didn't get to spend as much time as I have in the past and this wasn't Rosi's bestest ever fund raising concert (maybe because I wasn't there for six weeks...only for 2...ha ha ha), but it was still phenomenal. I've also been working on a CD for Dixie's American Mother's thingy. Been interesting and definitely a lot more work than I would have liked. But it'll be in the mail tomorrow and I'll be able to let a lot of things rest. I've been battling a cold and the stress level will help fight that more than almost anything, I'm sure.
I miss you all so much. I've been praying for you, thinking about you. Be safe, happy, healthy.
bill and rosi mathews
Hello Family,
I feel like a stranger to all of you. I wanted to send out word that "I love you and care about each of you" even though I have been a absenteeism mother as of late.
I hope you are all doing well. Dad and I keep each of you...by name... in our prayers daily and are anxious that you are healthy, happy and wealthy.... (well, maybe not the wealthy part... but I am sure you wouldn't mind being rich)
Luke is now officially 40. Wow, where have all of the years gone? I am so proud of all you have accomplished in your life, Luke. You are taking on those years with esteem and with wisdom. I am grateful that you are part of my life and that I can feel of your strength... for I truly do.
Marlies, I am sorry that Rick beats up on you three times a week. I am going to have to come down there and give him a body slam. (If I could only catch him.) I know that he brings a lot of blessings and action into your life. We love spending "short" vacations at your home. Las Vegas is very alluring.
Becky Jane.... a new Mom of beautiful Elizabeth. Dad and I are so happy for you and Adam. We are also excited for you to finish that Master's Degree and are so grateful that you have had the opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills. Look out in the world of geology for that name: "Rebecca Frus".
Benjamin D... What an amazing family you have down there in Texas. We have loved our visits with you. I can see you, in my mind's eye, going about your daily lives... your yard, your children's schools, Princeton and Farmersville, your church but especially the home and people who live in it (but I am glad that I do not have to take care of your "farm".)
Timmy... we are anxious to spend time with you in Rhode Island. I have heard so much about the area you live in and it will be fun to see you and yours and get acquainted with that part of the U.S. We know that your family is going through some growing processes right now, but hang on as you will come out the better for it.
Deb... thanks so much for helping me through my efforts at MVHS. It has been very special to share time together and see your skills in teaching grow. Dad and I are concerned about the health of your kiddies... but are grateful that Claire is doing better and hope that little Matthew will soon be on the mend. Go Aggies!!!!!
So... I want you all to know that I am so proud of you. You are truly the things that are most important to Dad and I. You are always the focus of our prayers and our heart's concern. We pray that there is love, patience, trust, loyalty and kindness in your homes.
Love Mom
I feel like a stranger to all of you. I wanted to send out word that "I love you and care about each of you" even though I have been a absenteeism mother as of late.
I hope you are all doing well. Dad and I keep each of you...by name... in our prayers daily and are anxious that you are healthy, happy and wealthy.... (well, maybe not the wealthy part... but I am sure you wouldn't mind being rich)
Luke is now officially 40. Wow, where have all of the years gone? I am so proud of all you have accomplished in your life, Luke. You are taking on those years with esteem and with wisdom. I am grateful that you are part of my life and that I can feel of your strength... for I truly do.
Marlies, I am sorry that Rick beats up on you three times a week. I am going to have to come down there and give him a body slam. (If I could only catch him.) I know that he brings a lot of blessings and action into your life. We love spending "short" vacations at your home. Las Vegas is very alluring.
Becky Jane.... a new Mom of beautiful Elizabeth. Dad and I are so happy for you and Adam. We are also excited for you to finish that Master's Degree and are so grateful that you have had the opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills. Look out in the world of geology for that name: "Rebecca Frus".
Benjamin D... What an amazing family you have down there in Texas. We have loved our visits with you. I can see you, in my mind's eye, going about your daily lives... your yard, your children's schools, Princeton and Farmersville, your church but especially the home and people who live in it (but I am glad that I do not have to take care of your "farm".)
Timmy... we are anxious to spend time with you in Rhode Island. I have heard so much about the area you live in and it will be fun to see you and yours and get acquainted with that part of the U.S. We know that your family is going through some growing processes right now, but hang on as you will come out the better for it.
Deb... thanks so much for helping me through my efforts at MVHS. It has been very special to share time together and see your skills in teaching grow. Dad and I are concerned about the health of your kiddies... but are grateful that Claire is doing better and hope that little Matthew will soon be on the mend. Go Aggies!!!!!
So... I want you all to know that I am so proud of you. You are truly the things that are most important to Dad and I. You are always the focus of our prayers and our heart's concern. We pray that there is love, patience, trust, loyalty and kindness in your homes.
Love Mom
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