August 22nd, 2010.
We're excited, and hoping it's a girl.
I'd do something cute or fun or clever, but I'm exhausted after 2 weeks of vacation during which Guy took few naps, I stayed up late every night, and partied a bit too much.
And several of the PhD programs start August 23rd. It's going to be exciting, to say the least!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
That's one down, six to go
We got an e-mail from Michigan State, informing us that because they have no doctoral candidates graduating this year they will not be accepting any new students.
They dang well better give us back the fee, that's all I have to say. And I'm sad that we don't have even the chance to live by my in-laws, whom I adore. Josh, on the contrary, thinks this is hilarious.
Especially since Michigan State is the top application choice for a number of current and former BYU students this year.
They dang well better give us back the fee, that's all I have to say. And I'm sad that we don't have even the chance to live by my in-laws, whom I adore. Josh, on the contrary, thinks this is hilarious.
Especially since Michigan State is the top application choice for a number of current and former BYU students this year.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
The Abolition of Man
Last week, while waiting to have my bishop fill a huge hole in one of my teeth (thank goodness he's an amazing dentist and gives us wonderful discounts), I started reading The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis.
It's the first non-fiction piece of writing I'd read by Lewis, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I had to read it much slower than I am accustomed, as his writing style was dense and deep.
The basic idea behind this writing (it's more of an essay than a book) was the damage being done to children by well-meaning educators. He argued that there are those who would, in examining value systems, demolish all values save those they deem appropriate. The end result is a posterity who do not recognize the importance of values at all, because their only value is to question.
He discusses what he refers to as "The Tao", or the underlying laws of the universe. Things have inherent value; having inherent value they demand certain reactions, such as appreciation, respect, or disdain. The importance then is placed on teaching children to recognize what is inherently good and what is not. When they reach an age where they begin to reason for themselves, they have a solid value system as a starting point, and have greater chances for success in this universe.
My takeaway is that I need to make certain to give my children the opportunities to experience beauty in art, music, literature, nature, and human interactions, to give them a better chance of having a joyful life.
It's the first non-fiction piece of writing I'd read by Lewis, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I had to read it much slower than I am accustomed, as his writing style was dense and deep.
The basic idea behind this writing (it's more of an essay than a book) was the damage being done to children by well-meaning educators. He argued that there are those who would, in examining value systems, demolish all values save those they deem appropriate. The end result is a posterity who do not recognize the importance of values at all, because their only value is to question.
He discusses what he refers to as "The Tao", or the underlying laws of the universe. Things have inherent value; having inherent value they demand certain reactions, such as appreciation, respect, or disdain. The importance then is placed on teaching children to recognize what is inherently good and what is not. When they reach an age where they begin to reason for themselves, they have a solid value system as a starting point, and have greater chances for success in this universe.
My takeaway is that I need to make certain to give my children the opportunities to experience beauty in art, music, literature, nature, and human interactions, to give them a better chance of having a joyful life.
TEETH
Everybody would like nice ones.
Hence the reason why I have asked favors of most of my good friends, so that I can spend 3 1/2 hours driving or in the dentist's chair.
I just had my second of what looks like four appointments.
I had a chunk of tooth fall out the night of Leo's birthday. I went to get it fixed, and had another small cavity filled in the process.
Today I went for a cleaning and x-rays, where the dentist found five (!!!) more. I don't get it; the hygienist and the dentist said my teeth look really good, free of plaque, they can tell I've been flossing, etc. But FIVE?
Lame. So two more appointments to get those taken care of, since right now we have a wonderful bishop who is kind enough to do it at cost for us.
LAME. Wonderful, I'm grateful, but LAME.
Hence the reason why I have asked favors of most of my good friends, so that I can spend 3 1/2 hours driving or in the dentist's chair.
I just had my second of what looks like four appointments.
I had a chunk of tooth fall out the night of Leo's birthday. I went to get it fixed, and had another small cavity filled in the process.
Today I went for a cleaning and x-rays, where the dentist found five (!!!) more. I don't get it; the hygienist and the dentist said my teeth look really good, free of plaque, they can tell I've been flossing, etc. But FIVE?
Lame. So two more appointments to get those taken care of, since right now we have a wonderful bishop who is kind enough to do it at cost for us.
LAME. Wonderful, I'm grateful, but LAME.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Silence
I apologize for the absence these past two weeks, to any who read regularly.
Life has kept me busy. That and a new goal to get my work out of the way during the day so that I'm available to hang out with Josh in the evenings. Really it's been awesome, but it means less internet, which is also good.
I'm working speedily on Guy's birthday present (which is going to be awesome). Christmas presents for some members of my family have not yet been started, but I'm done shopping for my brother and his family, and my sister's son.
We already put up the Christmas tree, which has been such a bright spot. I'm listening to Christmas music right now and I love how cheerful and festive it helps me to feel.
Oh, the other reason I haven't been blogging? I've been running on an average of 6 hours of sleep lately. Some nights I get more, some nights I get less, most nights it's interrupted by nursing Leo. Need to get him out of the habit. Need to get more sleep.
PhD applications are done! That also took a considerable amount of time. The final list:
Stanford
USC
U of Arizona
U of Pennsylvania
Michigan State
UBC in Vancouver
Cornell
Now the ball is in someone else's court, and we're waiting.
Ah! And Leo is walking! Go Leo!
I promise I'll post more pictures soon; they're infinitely more interesting than my ramblings.
Life has kept me busy. That and a new goal to get my work out of the way during the day so that I'm available to hang out with Josh in the evenings. Really it's been awesome, but it means less internet, which is also good.
I'm working speedily on Guy's birthday present (which is going to be awesome). Christmas presents for some members of my family have not yet been started, but I'm done shopping for my brother and his family, and my sister's son.
We already put up the Christmas tree, which has been such a bright spot. I'm listening to Christmas music right now and I love how cheerful and festive it helps me to feel.
Oh, the other reason I haven't been blogging? I've been running on an average of 6 hours of sleep lately. Some nights I get more, some nights I get less, most nights it's interrupted by nursing Leo. Need to get him out of the habit. Need to get more sleep.
PhD applications are done! That also took a considerable amount of time. The final list:
Stanford
USC
U of Arizona
U of Pennsylvania
Michigan State
UBC in Vancouver
Cornell
Now the ball is in someone else's court, and we're waiting.
Ah! And Leo is walking! Go Leo!
I promise I'll post more pictures soon; they're infinitely more interesting than my ramblings.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
New Hair!
My big sis surprised me on Saturday by taking me to a salon for a pedicure, color, and haircut. Josh watched our boys for seven hours *seriously awesome*
This is after I washed it, and blow dried it. I'm loving the color, it's a nice rich brown that's a bit deeper than my natural color. I'll go blonde again someday, but for now I'm really happy.
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