Road tripping with a teenager

My 15-year old son and I went on a road trip to Bryce Canyon (my beloved) for his graduation from junior high. We talked about really annoying important things like video games, future dreams, Matchbox 20, getting his Eagle scout rank, girls, and his ability to create harmony in our home.

He said really sarcastic and cynical kind things like "Mom, why are you singing?" "you are the best mom in the world" and "the Native American music you are listening to is very annoying cool."

He really enjoyed our motels, particularly the one at Capitol Reef National Park because of the wireless internet and swimming pool splendid view from our room.

It sucked was fun eating out with him because he played with the salt and pepper shakers and knocked over his water which spilled all over me and into my purse was so polite and refined.

He was a really curt and gruff great conversationalist. When I asked him how he was enjoying his trip, he acted as though it pained his very soul to utter more than three words launched into a lengthy discourse of the positive attributes of the trip.

We have wanted to go on a trip together since he was ten years old. He was a distracted teenager warm and tender-hearted son who was anxious dreaded going home because he would rather be with anyone but me me than with his friends (yeah right).

Here are the only a few pictures he let me take of him:

Actually, Connor, you were totally fun and I loved every minute I spent with you! (But that's our little secret).

To Nurse or Not to Nurse

I need your opinions.

For as long as I can remember I've wanted to be a nurse. I've been once again mulling over the thought of going to nursing school.

The sight of blood doesn't creep me out (vomit's a different story but maybe I could get past that) and I thoroughly enjoy helping people. Besides, I think there is something inherently rewarding about being a nurse. I think living your life by trying to ease the suffering of others lends a certain contentment at the end of the day. Also, there is a huge shortage of nurses and I worry about the future of our country's healthcare. I have more time on my hands now that my kids are older. Okay - those are the pros to being a nurse.

Here are the cons (and there are quite a few).
*I'm old - 38
*Doctors - they have a reputation of being rude and demanding to nurses
*It will take at least two years to get the degree - the faster programs are considerably more expensive.
*Patients dying
*My dad and husband need my help with their real estate business (maybe I could do this on the side?)
*Do I have it in me to go back to school?
*I'm old - this seems to be a big hang up for me

So what do you think? Should I go for it and ignore the fears or are the fears trying to tell me something? Please give me your honest thoughts. I can take it... =)

Josh Groban

I asked Todd to stop by Deseret Book on his way home from work yesterday to pick up a cd that I wanted. He came home with a Josh Groban dvd that was filmed at the concert we attended last August. It came out a few weeks ago. I just have to say that it was the best concert I have ever been to.

Here are two clips from it. The first is of Josh Groban singing "In Her Eyes". The second clip is from a guest violinist - Lucia Micarelli. She is unbelievably talented. The first part of the song starts out pretty slow - but you need to watch the entire clip - it is sooo good. No one has posted the dvd version on youtube so I found a clip that was taken at the actual concert. Actually, I think this clip is from the same concert a few weeks earlier - but the same performance. Enjoy!



You really need to watch this entire clip - it gets good! Trust me. =)

Millcreek Canyon

This is the view this morning while studying for my real estate exam.

LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!

Graduation

Well, she did it. It's official. Elora graduated from high school.

She looks pretty happy about it!

And she should be happy - because she worked really hard.

And was very involved. And had lots of friends. And was kind to everyone.

And was very genuine and caring.

Her teachers tell her she was their favorite student. Her classmates tell her she is the best person they know.

Her family is blessed beyond measure because they have an angel living with them.

Elora wants to be a surgeon. I will be there for you all the way.

Dream big, Elora. We love you!

But there's more.

Guess who else was there?!

Recognize him?

How cool is that?!

Glorious food

About a month ago, I joined weight watchers. I saw immediate success the first 2 weeks. Then moderate success last week. Fat likes to cling to my body and hang on for dear life - so I was pleased that I had lost 5.8 pounds in three weeks.

My weekly weigh-in (wow, it sounds like I'm a pig that has been entered into a fair) is today. Because of the hibernation that I blogged about yesterday, I have serious concerns about seeing any weight loss. I've been stressed!

I'm sure I'm the only person that does this - but I stress eat. I'm certain this doesn't happen to any of you...does it?

When I'm stressed - I eat. When I have a deadline - I eat. When I'm feeling a happy type of stress - I eat.

When life is good and happy and no stress is in the forecast - when my pulse barely registers a blip - I am able to stick to the plan and monitor every morsel that enters my mouth.

Why?!

Is it because when I'm stressed I have only one thought on my mind - the stress itself? Or is it that I feel deserving of a yummy treat because I'm being tortured by some kind of anxiety?

I don't exactly know - but I think I'll pay more attention to it this week. Because, inevitably, stress will rear its ugly head and I will try to stuff it back down with pizza and twinkies.

This will be my goal this week - to monitor myself and my binging tendencies - and find out why I allow the unhealthy, calorie-saturated foods into my body.

A beautiful thing!

CHECK OUT MY HUSBAND'S MAD FENCE BUILDING SKILLS!

As if he wasn't amazing before - he goes and does something like this!

Jodi = Happy camper!