Settled Down

Now that things have settled down, I thought I'd post some pics of what we've been doing this summer!

ATVing on my parent's property in Washington. Everyone had fun!

We decided to stop in Fillmore, UT on the way home, to check out a museum. My great grandfather was involved with the building of this building which was supposed to be the State Captiol for Utah. It is only 1/3 or 1/4 finished. It was only one of the "wings". They did not finish building it because it was decided that the state captiol would be in Salt Lake city. We saw pictures of my relatives on the wall and there was a book of my great grandfather. I was thrilled to pieces!

Here is what the building was supposed to look like when completed.

An Evening at Huntington Beach

The cute kiddies

Of course! Andrew couldn't help but bring his fishing pole! He actually caught a few fish!

SHARKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually, it was a leopard shark that Andrew caught last weekend at Hungtinton Beach.

Rockin' N Rollin'

Earthquake!!!!!

Yes, you read right! I was on the videophone talking to my sister, and all of a sudden, I feel a loud BOOM! I was sitting on the couch- unable to think but hold on to my couch for dear life! It took me by surprise! Yes, I have been through many earthquakes, but still... My sister saw the shaking images, my t.v. was shaking and my couch was as well. Tigger ran around like crazy- meowing- unsure of what happened. I felt a few more aftershocks. The epicenter was a stone's throw away and it was scary to think, that if it was any worse, there would be a problem. I tried to call Andrew- the phone lines- no matter how many times or different numbers I tried to call had a busy signal. I finally got a hold of Andrew's work- I think it was the secretary- he had gone out to lunch. He paged me back and told me that he was out at lunch and didn't even feel it! Good Riddance! I called the children's schools, thankfully it happened during lunch recess, so the children were already outside. Everything was ok. So, I felt better- but this ordeal has made me realize that I better have my emergency kits ready, and I know we have one, but we probably need to update it. and make it possible so that if I'm at home alone with no hubby, I can carry it.

Blast from the Past

Hi All! Just thought I'd post some old pictures- my happy pictures as I call them. I still don't know where my cable is for my camera to transfer it to the computer, and I am clueless on how to transfer pictures from my blackberry- I did try!!! So, I came across these pictures when I scanned them for the family reunion last month, and thought I'd share! Enjoy!

Don't we make a cute couple? This was taken the day after he proposed to me.

My mother's father: Grandpa Call holding me.

I think this one is when I was 6 years old

This picture of Emma always cracks me up!!! Isn't she cute?!

Ash and Em at my favorite Pumpkin farm that doesnt exist anymore- Westside Farms

My father: Grandpa Potter, holding Emma in Yosemite

Back in my glory days when I used to run- I used to be fast!

Me napping with my father-

My little Monkey Lukey Pukey Wukey

Hello All!

Finally an update on the Clawson family! The kiddos have been out of school for 2 weeks! Ashley got an award for being on the honor roll for 5th grade. We're all proud of her, because we know how she works hard. Math is a hard subject for her. Her teacher has been really good with Ashley, and tutored her 2x's a week after school. I can't believe that my little girl is going into 6th grade!

Emma did well in school, we hope that she'll have Ashley's old 4th grade teacher. Mrs. Fairfax was tough, but we think Emma can rise up to the challenge. She's a smart little cookie!

Luke also did very well in school, he's hoping to get Emma's old 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Jimenez, who we loved. I spoke to her and told her that I hoped that Luke gets in her class, and she told me not to worry, because she'd already been "fighting" for him. Smile!

Andrew has been busy with work- same old- He likes his job- there are just some "idiots" as he calls it that he has to deal with. Smile.

I just finished a semester. I took 4 classes and I just found out that I got straight A's this semester!!! Kudos to my family -especially Andrew for always helping out; making dinner, helping clean, taking care of the kids etc... I love you!!!! Now I'm starting to get a bit nervous about taking a year of Anatomy along with Psych 9, Speech 9, English 1A. My counselor told me that once I've got those classes under my belt I would only need 4 more stinking units before I can get my A.S. degree! I have been doing some research on the deaf in the nursing program. There are not many deaf nurses, just a handful. There's even a club for the deaf in the medical field, and a book! It's exciting to research and find that it is POSSIBLE to do this! I have a VR counselor who doesn't really support me in pursuing my dream. She said to me, " Who the heck would hire a deaf nurse?" I told her that I did not appreciate her squashing my dream. She basically told me to be "realistic." UMMMM...

If I do get accepted into the nursing program, I'll have to find all the assistive listening devices to help me, like for the stethescope, and such. So.. wish me luck!!! If I do get accepted, I'll start next fall. It's nerve wracking to realize how fast time flies, and before I know it.. I'll be deep in the throes of a cadaver studying all the body parts!

We're all doing well! Andrew and I are very busy with our callings. It seems as though we never get a chance to just sit and relax at church. I am getting ready to go set up for Encrichment meeting. We're making aprons made out of towels. I have a fabulous committee, that is willing to help me with whatever needs to be done! KUDOS to you!!!

On another note, on Monday, Tigger got out of the house, and was missing for 3 days! We went looking for him, and we found him at our old house with another "friend" cat. So, we were all happy that he's home and safe. Now we know where to look for him. It was heart wrecnching to take him away from his "friend." Emma kept telling me that Tigger ran off and got married, so when we saw the 2 cats together, she kept telling me, " I told you mommy! he ran off and got married!"

Still Alive!!

Hello Everybody!

Yeah, I know it's been a month... Can't I make excuses huh? This post is just to let you know that yes, we're still alive and kicking! The children's last day of school is May 29th, so they're pretty stoked that there's only a few weeks left. My last day of school is June 11th (that's when I have my last final) As far as I know, I'm getting straight A's in all my classes, so hopefully I can just keep that going for a few more weeks.

Andrew is still being WONDERFUL! He surprised all the sisters in our branch, including me, by making huge cinnamon rolls for mother's day. The women had a hard time believing that Andrew made them. They thought it was either store bought or made in a bread machine. I know for a fact that there were quite a few women who were jealous that I have a husband that can make delicious cinnamon rolls! Smile! I'm lucky aren't I?

I took Luke in to the orthodontist, and he got fitted for an appliance to help him stop sucking his thumb. It's going to be costly, but I hope that this will work. It has 4 spikes and will be hanging on the roof of his mouth. He will need to wear it for between 4 to 5 months. He gets the appliance put on this coming Monday.

Last week, we celebrated Luke and Andrew's birthday, Luke wanted a build a bear, so we took him to the Build a Bear factory at the Ontario Mills Mall. He picked out a cute monkey and put a heart inside, stuffed it, and picked out clothes for it. He picked out a fly fisherman outfit, complete with a fishing pole with fish on the string! Luke named his new friend, Andy, it's cute!
Emma has one that she bought with her birthday money a cat named Sophia, and the 2 kids look so cute carrying it around and cuddling with their "friends"

Andrew purchased fly fishing stuff that got stolen out of the garage when our garage got broken into last year. He is planning on taking Luke on a fishing trip this weekend, so, we'll see!


Ashley has been going to different band concerts and playing the flute. She enjoys playing the flute, so hopefully she can keep at it and get better.

Hope all is well!

HEY!

Everyone's in bed, it's only 9:50 pm! I just finished writing an essay that's due tomorrow morning. It was very personal and healing for me to write. I really like my English teacher and even though I have a lot of homework, I don't feel stressed somehow. Hard to explain.

I have a busy week ahead of me. 3 midterms this week and one a few days after Spring break. I am looking forward to Friday!!! Yippiiieee!!! I know that the week will be over before I know it!

Tomorrow, Andrew and I will be celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary. Have we been married that long? Or better yet, it seems longer! Smile! I wrote him a love note and put it in his car, hoping that he finds it early in the morning when he goes to work.

I really enjoyed watching General Conference and liked how our new prophet opened up in his closing remarks. It makes him seem more human.

I'm sorry I have not been able to post any pictures as of yet. I have not been able to find my camera! Someone has been hiding it from me!!! Will have to find it and start taking snapshots of the young un's.

Tigger update: He's doing so much better!!!
Have a great week!!!

It's time again for me to post! We've been in the house for just over a month and we're still not settled in yet! I have been toooooo busy with school and homework. Andrew has been busy taking over some of my responsiblities, like doing the bills and cooking, etc. Even though I've been so busy, I haven't had any problems with vertigo or been sick- only had the stomach flu a few weeks ago, so I have been really blessed. It seems as though I am never caught up with homework, laundry or anything else for that matter. Oh well!!! I had a little talk with Andrew last night, about how busy we have been, and how maybe I shouldn't go back to school next semester, because I don't have as much time with the kids, but he says "NO.. it's important for the kids to see you go to college and strive for an education, and set that example for them." I moan and whine..."But it's hard!" hahaha! He always says, "Oh don't give me that! I've done it all!" Just wanted to murmur for a minute I guess. In reality, I love school even though there's a lot of homework, I feel better about myself. I feel my brain is now seeing the light and functioning again!

As for my excercise classes, I am doing really well.. I am now fitting into my too small clothes that I wasn't able to wear a year ago. SO!!!! tapping my back! Hopefully I'll be able to get smaller as time goes on. I love excercising!

I'm home today, Emma has the stomach flu, woke up in the night and started throwing up. I had an essay due this morning, so I left for a few minutes to go turn it in and get my homework assignments. So... Maybe I'll have the chance to get all caught up with homework!? We'll see!!!

We can't wait until my Spring break, that's in a few weeks in April. We got a free hotel stay for 2 nights in San Diego for signing with All State Insurance. So we're excited to go there for a few days, and just have fun! Andrew and I hope to go to the San Diego Temple, he has never been there, and I have wanted to take him since I went there last Aug. with Katrina. It's GORGEOUS!!!! So, thats something I'm really looking forward to!

Well! Hope all is well with you guys! Sorry I am so bad with posting...

Enjoy Spring!!!

Love ya all!