Countdown...

to a much needed vacation!!

Warm sunshine and family time can't come soon enough! :)

Feed the Ducks

Before we went to feed the ducks today, I googled what ducks eat. I was just curious about what they eat when people don’t come to feed them. It was surprising! Bread is one of the worst things to feed ducks because there isn’t much nutritional value in it for them. (Too bad I’d already broken up our bread and tortillas to feed them.) Next time we’re trying lettuce. Here’s a list of nutritious things you can feed ducks:

• Cracked corn
• Wheat
• Barley
• Oats
• Milo
• Birdseed
• Grapes (cut in half)
• Frozen peas or corn (defrosted)
• Earthworms
• Chopped lettuce
• Vegetable trimmings or peels (chopped)

While we were at the nature park we saw an owl. He was a rather large fellow, and he was just chillin' on the grass. That’s the closest either of us has been to an owl. He was kinda pretty.

There was also a duck with a hurt foot. It made me want to cry. I wish I knew how we could help the poor thing. Joshua made sure that he got lots of food, even if it’s not very good food for him.

#1 Reason

My number one reason for being excited for the day when Joshua is a professor . . . attending events on campus!

**Unfinished blog post alert!**

2024 Commentary: We must have attended some awesome event on campus! 

Maybe it was the time we went to a Piano Guys concert or when Paul Jacobs  ravished us with his organ playing?

What Joshua's been up to...

Joshua brought home this stack of papers to grade one day:

He's still working on it. Plus, he's acquired a couple smaller stacks since then. And obviously this doesn't show online assignments that have to be graded.

Sometimes I complain and hate how much time he has to spend grading things, not to mention doing his own homework. But really, I love how hardworking he is! He does so much. And it's partly for me! So that one day he can be the one working hard and bringing home the bacon. (It's also partly just because he wants to be really smart.) My husband is the greatest. I love you, Joshua!!

I did it again.

 

I love it!

I've decided I should have been born with this hair color.

Manna from Heaven

But really it's keys from heaven. 

My keys went missing over six weeks ago. I searched everywhere, including all those really silly places that I was positive my keys would never be. Joshua also searched everywhere imaginable. Then I did again. And again. And again.

After about four weeks I became convinced that either my keys magically disappeared or they got thrown away. I held out a smidgen of hope for finding them in some unbelievably ridiculous place, but gave in to getting a new apartment key made. 

This morning, I picked up a plastic shopping bag to put away and between it and Joshua's backpack lay my keys. Right by my shoes by the front door. Exactly where they have not been for the past six weeks. It's actually their typical spot. I'm positive they were not there before we walked in the door after dinner last night. Somehow they must have fallen out of something and landed there. Exactly where I expected to find them six weeks ago.

I am truly baffled.

Baffled. I swear some angel dropped them there. Good timing too because I was finally going to make a copy of our car key today. :)

Christmas in my mouth.

Broulim's is already selling peppermint ice cream. And it was on sale. Life just got a little bit better.

Concussed?

Probably. 

Today I was telling a co-worker about how I slept so much this past weekend and I hope that doesn't mean I'm getting sick. She said maybe my body just needed lots of sleep. A little later she suggested maybe it's a concussion from when I hit my head really hard last week. I'd actually considered this, but said I didn't black out at all so that's not it. She told me I still could have gotten a mild concussion without losing consciousness at all. So I looked it up. And I think she's right.

When I say I hit my head really hard, I mean I hit it really, really, really hard. And it's so silly. I was bent over kind of in my washer Thursday night. When I stood up, I discovered (the hard way) that my dryer door apparently wasn't closed all the way. Rotten stackable washer and dryer. I crumpled to the floor in a heap and cried really hard. But I didn't black out.

According to the Mayo Clinic, most people don't lose consciousness when they get a concussion so they'd don't even realize they have one. Hmm.

On Friday it made sense that my head hurt really bad, but a concussion would certainly explain why I still have a bad headache, why my ears were ringing so much this weekend, and why I've been wanting to go to bed soo early. Good thing it's something that my body will fix itself! Our bodies are pretty nifty.

Ducky Pond

I love our ducky pond!! We went for a visit tonight, and it just feels so serene there. We fed our little duckies and went for a brief walk. The ducks are so fun to feed, and I love watching them grow (the babies from this year look like little teenager ducks now!).

I know our pictures are kinda blurry, but that's part of the reason I like them. It's so pretty at the nature park. We're kinda cute too.

 

I think this is my favorite time of year in Rexburg. It's still nice and warm during the day, but it cools off at night so you can open your windows and wear jackets. :) Plus, some leaves are starting to fall so the trees are colorful. And it smells good outside. I love it! I'm happy to have lived somewhere where we get to experience the changing seasons more. (Although a little...or a lot...less winter would be ideal.)

Back to School

I'm not sure if that should read "Back to School!!" or "Back to School..." Excitement or dread? Or at least wishing for a longer break? Maybe it's some of all of those.

Joshua and I had the same first day of school this year! Although that lucky boy gets to take college classes whereas I'm back in preschool again. . . .  ;) 

On Sunday I had the back-to-school jitters. Really bad. I'd met all of my kids during the week before, but for some reason I was feeling ridiculously nervous about the first day. I guess it's because I've never had to teach the rules before. Last year I had a great class of kids who knew the rules and expectations; I just had nothing to do with teaching those. I feel that a lot of how well the school year goes depends on how well the rules are taught and then enforced. And quite frankly, well behaved children = happier Shavonne. Thank goodness for my fabulous husband who was able to give me a blessing and help me feel better on Sunday night!

Joshua was mainly super excited for school to start! Also, just a little bit leery about Ancient Greek. He's off-track this semester, so he's only taking Ancient Greek and Latin II. Only. ha. His TAing and tutoring stuff is still kinda up in the air, but he should be a busy boy!

Well, we both survived the first day! Mine went surprisingly well. I feel like I deserve a pat on the back for a job well done in walking/talking my kids through the routine of our days and teaching the rules. It helps that preschoolers are so darn cute. Joshua's excited to be in his Latin class with only a handful of other students, and he's still leery about Greek. I suppose I've felt so much anticipation and relief with the first day of school because it's preschool. Preschoolers get excited for school! And teachers (at least this one!) are relieved when they've survived the first day.

Some Summer Fun

Yesterday we went on our first rollerblading adventure of the year! It wasn't really much of an adventure. We made it around Porter Park once, and then I was tuckered out. And Joshua feels like he has to relearn how to rollerblade. He hadn't quite mastered it last year, and it had been too long since we went last! With the weather cooling off some, it's our goal to go rollerblading daily.

Later in the day, we stopped by the park again to ride the carousel!! Since it's only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, we knew it was our last chance if we wanted to ride it this year. I love our carousel!

Joshua thinks he won the horse race.

Then we splashed around at the splash park. I like summertime. 

Today I was being nerdy and wanted to learn more about Rexburg's carousel. I read this on the Rexburg Chamber of Commerce website and wanted to share because I think it's cool: 

The Idaho Centennial Carousel is Idaho's only antique wooden carousel. It is one of 170 antique wooden carousels still existing in the United States. It has authentic carousel music from an organ run on paper rolls, providing old-fashioned original sounds. The carousel is housed in a new building at Porter Park.

This beautiful antique wooden carousel was built by Spillman Engineering Company of New York in about 1926. It began life as a traveling carnival machine. In 1947 it was moved to Liberty Park in Salt Lake City, Utah and then to Ogden, Utah. In 1952, a public spirited group in Rexburg were disappointed by a cancellation of their expected 4th of July carnival. They heard of the merry-go-round for sale in Ogden, Utah, raised $5,500 in cash and pledges and went down and got it. It was set up with 2 days to spare and the community had a wonderful celebration. Two years later a dome was built on it to protect it from the weather. In 1976 the Teton Dam flood waters damaged it severely and several horses were lost. In 1988 the carousel was dismantled and skilled craftsmen restored it. It was renovated by 1990 in time to commemorate Idaho's 100th birthday. It has 12 newly carved horses and 26 repaired horses along with repaired chariots. Music is by Stinson Band Organ Company in Ohio. The organ runs on a paper roll, providing the old-fashioned original sounds.

This carousel is a major attraction in Rexburg and a delight to people of all ages. It is considered a "jewel" of Porter Park in Rexburg. Although it is unique and has a rich history, it is not considered a museum piece but rather a working carousel for people to ride.

One Half

We celebrated Joshua's half-birthday this week! He might not have remembered that it was here, but I did! I hid his half-present and half-card so that he'd find them while I was at work. It was fun. He got half a package of cookies. When I got home from work we played a rousing game of hot/cold for him to find the other half of his present (the rest of the cookies), the other half of his card, and his other half-present.

I've felt bad that Joshua didn't get to blow out any candles on his birthday this year, so he had his choice of what to put candles in. He opted for just ice cream. Since he didn't want his candles to melt on his ice cream or his candles to melt his ice cream, he chose to have half a candle instead of candles for half of his age. And of course I sang him half of a birthday song.

 

I tried to get Joshua to agree to watch just half of a movie to celebrate the day, but he thought it was a better idea to watch half of a series. So we compromised with one whole movie. ;)  

I hope you had a happy half-birthday, Joshua!

Pick me! Pick me!

Rose, my manager, called at the beginning of last week to tell me that Connie quit and moved to Indiana. And I said, "Whaaaaaattt????" I was surprised, and it makes me really sad because I loved working with her! But that also meant her job was open. Apparently Rose had talked to the hiring people about me getting the job, and they told her not to worry because I would just notice the internal job opening and could apply then. But Rose wanted to give me a heads up and make sure that I noticed and applied. (It's a great feeling to know my boss wanted me to get that job!) So I applied. And I had an interview. And . . . I GOT THE JOB!! So now I'm lead teacher. Happy, happy day! 

And of course, with the job (and lots more responsibility) comes a raise! Woohooo!! I was up for a raise anyway, but I'm sure this is much nicer than that would have been. 

I'm so ready for school to start now. And also just a little bit nervous. (I already had a nightmare about the first day of school. But I know there is no way on earth it could ever turn out as bad as that dream. So that's encouraging.)

Do these pictures make me look older?

Because I totally am! Happy 23 years to me!! (We have my parents to thank for that.)

Joshua had good ideas to celebrate today: sleeping in and a relaxed morning followed by a picnic lunch in the park. We sat in the shade, and the weather was perfect!! Here's a view of our picnic:

I realize this is a horrendous picture.

And I still love it.

Our picnic was followed by a really long nap (not in the plan . . . we're just lazy). And then we hurried to tidy up our living room so we could commence the highlight of my day. We built a fort!!!

At this point it was already after 8:00. I kept complaining to Joshua that I'd never had dinner on my 23rd birthday before. So we hurried to go buy our Cocoa Bean cupcakes (we really didn't need an entire cake for just the two of us) and ice cream. Then we stopped to pick up Taco Time for dinner. I seriously think I could eat one of their sweet pork burritos every day of my life, and I would be so happy. The Taco Time guy even gave us two free empanadas! (Note to self: go to Taco Time around 9:15 at night when they want to get rid of food.)

We both really enjoyed our dinner. A lot. Seriously. I can't get enough of those burritos. And I was enlightened when Joshua said, "Taco Time makes me feel like a Mexican." Not sure what that means. But it was hilarious. And we should eat Taco Time more often.

Funny story . . . we got home from Taco Time and I was really sad that we'd forgotten to get a drink. We had no water in the fridge, and I sure did not want orange juice with my dinner. I probably whined a lot. So Joshua offered to get me a drink, and I heard him get ice out and run the water. I was really confused when he brought me a cup with just ice, but then he had me open an oddly shaped present. It was a bottle of IBC root beer. And there was more where that came from. Sneaky, huh? I was then able to resume being happy. :)

After dinner, I finally got to open my presents! And even better, I got to open them in a fort. Like I said, Joshua had good ideas. He sure knows how to make me happy!

So it was impossible to pick less pictures to share. We do know these pictures are completely ridiculous, but we were feeling super silly and now I think they're very enjoyable to look at. They make me laugh a bunch.

We always joke about how I would be so happy just to get Post-its as a present. And I was. But they were even better than that — Joshua put coupons for free back massages on them!

My "you can never have too much Scotch tape" face.

My "new" face — because they're a new kind of Skittles.

Just excited and surprised!

A "BIRTHDAY!!" face.

I've been wanting this Willow Tree. 

Joshua was going to buy it for me, but I found it at D.I. for $4! That's a steal. So I made him buy it then. Sorry to ruin any chance for that surprise! (But I did save us money.)

After presents, we watched Kung Fu Panda in our fort. We had pillows and blankets so we could lean against the back of the couch. Have a look at the inside of our fort:

Joshua sang me a lovely rendition of "Happy birthday" and we finished the night with my blowing out my candles!

Mexican Chocolate and Grasshopper — both heavenly!

I got them all in one big breath! (Not very hard.) That means my wish should come true!! :D 

Thank you, Joshua, for the spectacular birthday celebration! And all of the many other people who sent lots of love and birthday wishes!

July in a Nutshell

. . . minus the nuts.

Sometimes things happen that are exciting, but I don’t really think they’re worthy of having their own blog post. But all the little things add up, so eventually I just need to write a post like this with a list of all those little things. Really I should just master the art of short blog posts. We’d all be better off. Big Gulps, huh? Welp, here’s July:

• After 2+ months of not being able to answer my phone, I called T-Mobile, listened to the automated troubleshooting suggestions, tried the most obvious one (the one I should have known to do the day my phone stopped working properly), and now I'm a phone-answerer again!

• Joshua and I saw Oedipus on campus. We were both way impressed with the set. I thought the guy who played Oedipus looked really funny when he was trying to make angry faces, but he did a great job at sounding angry, so I guess that made up for it.

• I got to go to the temple with some of my favorite people!! Kristy, Heidi, Carly, and I were planning on going. Carly didn’t make it, but Kristy brought me a surprise in the form of a Jenna!! I love that I got to see her and go to the temple with her before she leaves on her mission. And I love that I finally got to go with Kristy and Heidi! The temple is incredible, and it’s even better when you get to share the experience with people you love!

• After the temple, I got to hang out with Heidi! I really, really like her. I could (and did) easily talk with her for hours at a time.

• With all this talk about roommates, let’s not forget my most favoritest and loved roommate ever . . . Joshua read a lot of textbooks and articles.

• I went to a couple baby showers. I left both feeling like I want to be a craftier person.

• I cleaned our apartment. Our kitchen still is nearly spotless! It makes my unbelievably happy. Truly, I had no idea having such a clean kitchen could make me so happy.

• Joshua wrote a ton of papers.

• I read some really good books. And a boring one.

• The Leavitts visited Rexburg for a night! Tami is one of Joshua’s “moms” from his mission. We love their family! They brought us a few different kinds of homemade jam. (Can’t wait to try them!) And they took us out to dinner at Craigo’s. (Side story . . . Joshua and I hadn’t been there since December 2009. It’s a pizza/pasta buffet, and the last time we went we both stuffed ourselves and felt soo sick afterwards that we made a family pact not to go there unless other people invited us to go with them.) It was delicious. And neither of us ate too much. We hung out with the Leavitts at their hotel room for a few hours. Abigail is getting so grown up! She kept us entertained. We really enjoyed getting to see and spend some time with all of them.

• Joshua studied A LOT!!

• I got to visit Bree before she and her family moved to Washington. I really like her too. (I just got lucky with lots of super awesome roommates over the years!) I finally met her newest little man, and her kids are both so cute.

• Joshua wrote some more papers.

• Joshua and I went to Craigo’s again!! (Twice in one week! It was like a feast after a famine.) His friend Justin is graduating, so we went to lunch with him, his family, and Brother Baron. I consumed pizza while they had stimulating discussions, and then sat back and laughed at some entertaining stories. It was fun for both of us.

Independence Day

I'm pretty sure it's one of the best holidays. I love the feeling of unity within communities. Our country is a wonderful place to live, and I have a deep appreciation for all the men and women that have sacrificed to make it what it is today.

We started off the day at the Rexburg parade with the Barrons. We ended up sitting with Carissa's cousin's in-laws family. Funny sounding, but they were really nice people! They'd gone early to reserve good seats. He was telling us that some people said they'd gotten there as early as 5 a.m. I think that's crazy absurd for a parade that started at 10. . .in Rexburg, but at least they probably got the best seats (in the shade). We were fine in the sun though because we remembered to wear sunscreen! Happy day.

Apparently Rexburg is inundated with dance studios, and their floats full of scantily clad children took up at least half of the parade. Lame. But the rest of the parade had lots of really old cars and firetrucks, cool floats for local businesses, and just some random things. Overall, we had fun at the parade! Here are some of our favorites:

This was so cool! They were riding with one foot on each horse.

The Broulim's cart. It's a classic.

This float was a long trampoline. 

People were doing gymnastics while the float was driving!!

Watching the parade while wearing some sweet shades.

Random much?

Some military vehicle. 

We're not exactly sure what it's for, but it looks cool.

We had hamburgers for lunch. I know I always say it, but we make very toothsome hamburgers. (I recently learned that word and have been wanting to use it! Go look it up.) We had a little picnic outside in the shade. Rexburg summers do have really nice weather going for them . . . sometimes. We might have been super hot at the parade, but eating lunch in the shade was perfect! It's too bad Joshua's got allergies because we could have taken a long nap outside. Poor guy.

I snuck in a baby nap before we had to go back inside.

This picture was supposed to be of me sleeping, but it caught me waking up. :/

Our friend's friend's friend's sister (got that?) works for Melaleuca, and she could get us in to the Melaleuca thingy to watch the fireworks. (Really we went with all the same people we watched the parade with. We were just joking about how funny that relation sounds.)
largest fireworks display west of the Mississippi.

Farmer's Market

Today Joshua and I went to the Farmer's Market in town. The weather was beautiful! I love Rexburg in the summer. . .when it's playing along and giving us summer weather. So we took a side trip and walked to Broulim's so we could get cash back to buy some food at the Farmer's Market.

Joshua got a bratwurst from some German guy. It smelled heavenly, and Joshua says it tasted good too. I got a ginormous scone. It was so big and delicious!


We decided to be adventurous and tried a strawberry colada boba drink. I don't even know how to describe the boba thingys at the bottom. I should google it. Anyway, you have a fat straw so it can suck up the boba things along with the drink. Then you can pop them in your mouth, and you get a burst of flavor. So the strawberry colada was scrumptious, but we both thought the boba things were a little weird.


So after the drink was gone I started shooting the boba things from the straw. (We'd left most of them at the bottom.) It kinda turned into a game, and we were probably acting a little bit like 14 year olds. We sort of had a contest going on, and Joshua can shoot them a bajillion times farther than I can. It was pretty funny. Great for cheap Friday night entertainment.

Joshua might or might not have been aiming his bobas at that tree. . .
It's alright, they're biodegradable.