Lizzie: 25/20. Sabrina: 15/14. Kate (not shown here): 20/20. ALL THREE GIRLS ACED THEIR SPELLING TESTS THIS WEEK!!!! #100percent #PlusBonusWords via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/dpz5iIBLaI/
Friday, August 30, 2013
August 30, 2013 at 08:24AM
My girls are awesome. I haven't even gotten out of bed yet this morning, but they're all dressed, lunches packed, reading calendars signed, teeth brushed, litter box scooped, beds made. no, I'm not sleeping (obviously), as I've been taking to then, signing reading calendars, checking lunch boxes, reminding them what to do next, etc.. All in all, a pretty ideal Friday morning! via Facebook
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
August 28, 2013 at 06:40PM
You're lucky I posted this today instead of taking care of it tomorrow, or the next day... #DoctorWhoTee #TeeFury #DalekProcrastinate via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/dk8s_tBLY2/
August 28, 2013 at 07:15PM
I just realized I absolutely MUST make chocolate chip cookies. Now. via Facebook
August 28, 2013 at 01:21PM
I was just typing the word "psychology" and got lost and ended up typing "chocolate" in the middle. I finally understand why there is a "ch" in that word! I will now type it "psychocology" so others will understand as well. via Facebook
August 28, 2013 at 01:20PM
I was just typing the word "psychology" and got lost in the middle and ended up typing "chocolate" in the middle. I finally understand why there is a "ch" in that word! I will now type it "psychocology" so others will understand as well. via Facebook
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
August 27, 2013 at 09:24PM
Feeding time at the cattery! Sabrina pushed the dining table over to sweep the floor. The cats and kittens shoved their food trays around to their preferred location since they had space. It's funny watching the "take one down pass it around" nature as they start checking to see if someone else's dish had more food than theirs. #cawsanimals #fosteringkittens via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/diqtNlBLYp/
August 27, 2013 at 07:10PM
Random time waster :) You got married. Look at your chat bar and fill in the order people appear. No cheating! I married: Michael Southern (I swear I didn't cheat!!!!!) Best man: Tara DeGrey Maid of honor: Stacey Shorter Southern person who tries to stop you: Holly So wedding crasher: Hyrum Erdman Priest: Rachel Jaggers will eat whole cake: Adam Southern cries the whole time: Jeanie M. Anderson best wedding gift: Tiscia Porter Westerman person who wanted to marry you: Sabine Roach via Facebook
Monday, August 26, 2013
August 26, 2013 at 04:43PM
It's sad to think that someday Lizzie is going to grow up. She'll want to move away and have a family of her own. She's only 9 years old now, but in no time at all she'll be ready to pack her bags. And darn it, when that happens *I'm* going to be the one who has to go downstairs to fix the internet when it goes down. via Facebook
August 26, 2013 at 12:01PM
A few First Day of School pictures from last Thursday. There are some color variances that are driving me crazy, but I'm going to have to wait to fix those until after I get the software I am waiting to get. via Facebook
August 26, 2013 at 09:16AM
I am NOT a morning person. Anybody who has attempted to wake me up or talk to me in the morning is no doubt laughing themselves silly at the understatement. BUT Last year I started something that has made school morning significantly easier. So, if you're not a morning person, or have a hard time getting the kids off to the bus on time, read on and I'll share my secrets ;) First, just for my own benefit, when my alarm goes off I've taken to staying in bed, but doing something on my phone. Usually it's just a FB check. Not because I feel so desperately in need to see what has happened while I'm asleep, but because the act wakes me up gradually and makes it easier for me to get out of bed. Also, on particularly stiff morning I can do a little VERY gentle stretching during that time so I can stand up when I get around to braving the day. The brilliant part, is the 3 call method for getting out the door. My girls love being the first ones to the bus stop. Each "call" is initiated by an alarm set on my phone. I actually have one alarm set for "first call", then hit snooze if they didn't all leave then. The snooze on that alarm is set for 2 minutes. "Second call" comes after those two minutes, then two minutes after that is "Last Call". If we're running behind, that gives us enough warning to fit in the necessary stuff. If they leave at first call they are almost always the first ones to the bus stop. Even if they don't leave until last call, they have enough time to walk normally out the door and to the bus stop before the bus rounds the corner. Now days, instead of shoving them out the door as I see the bus coming, it's rare for them to leave even as late as last call. In the winter when it's really cold they will sometimes choose to stay in the house until last call, but they're ready before then. It has made mornings SO much easier! And since it's an alarm on my phone, they can't whine at me for rushing them ;) (I learned that trick years ago with when bedtime was a point of contention. If it was the phone alarm saying it was bedtime then they grumbled less at me ;) ) via Facebook
Saturday, August 24, 2013
August 24, 2013 at 08:09PM
#nofilter #sunset Taken by Lizzie. via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/dazwnGhLS-/
August 24, 2013 at 01:35PM
Sabrina (doing her chores list): "Mom, I am cleaning the living room and the harmonium {piano style pump organ} is really dusty, just like the piano was. The piano got wiped off, but not the harmonium. How come the harmonium gets no respect?!" I sent her to wipe the harmonium off. With respect. via Facebook
August 24, 2013 at 12:33PM
Warning: this is long. And rather introspective. Feel free to scroll on by. I needed to think it through by writing, and my blog is a terrible mess at the moment, so it gets to land here instead. Kate would like to be on student council. As a 6th grader she can run this year. I have been totally and completely torn about this. And feeling guilty and nervous and all sorts of lousy-mom. When I was a 6th grader I lost the outgoing personality I'd had in elementary school (6th grade for me was in middle school, so that's a big difference right there). Several things in life were challenging and there was some issues with being bullied, etc. I mostly hunkered down with very few friends and a lot of nerves. I didn't really improve until high school. Even then I was pretty content to stay on the side lines and not put myself out there for anything. There were, of course, situations that were exceptions, but I have never (for many reasons) regained the social confidence I had up through the end of elementary school. Now days I deal with a pretty hefty dose of social anxiety. I know I've been the reason many friendships haven't had a chance because it makes me so dang anxious. For many years now the anxiety has made me sick, which ends up being a reason to not "have to" put myself out there. I know this has led some people to classify me as stuck-up or snobby, when in reality it's the opposite. It's certainly not because I think I'm better than you. It's just that I'm terrified of you! :) In addition to social anxiety, I am a textbook introvert, so large groups -- even wonderful ones -- are draining. Friends of ours know how often we've had to cancel things because I've ended up sick. It doesn't mean I'm making up being sick. It doesn't mean I don't truly *want* to get together. It just means I have issues. My physiological reaction to even good stress makes me legitimately ill. Also, I just get sick a lot so the chance is pretty good that we'll have to cancel plans anyway. That's the nature of my "health" and my life. This is also another reason spontaneity is good for us when I'm doing okay -- no time for me to crash. Anyway, back to student council: There are a lot of responsibilities for student council member. Before school and after school meetings / activities. What if she embarrasses herself? What if I get sick and can't drive or keep up with helping her? What if she has to talk in front of people? She's not the kind of person to get in front of a crowd and be silly. What if someone makes fun of her? What if she forgets to finish a project? What if.......??? My hands are literally shaking right now thinking through this. BUT: I do not want my girls to have the limitations I have. I do not want them to be limited by my personality and preferences. I know they need the chance to develop those things on their own. She has seen what student councils have done in front of the student body. She has read through the responsibilities of student council members. She wants to give it a shot. Michael does not like most fruits or vegetables (stick with me here, I promise it's related). He knows that is a personal issue of his. He doesn't want our girls to grow up as unwilling to eat new things as he is. Even though they now know he doesn't eat many of the good dishes I make, they also know that he wishes it wasn't the way it is. He'll even try bites now and then, and actually he has probably doubled his produce deemed "acceptable" in the last decade. This is huge, people! ;) If he can stand to encourage them to try artichokes and buy me a bunch of asparagus because it looks good... for me.... then I can stand to let the girls talk to other people. THIS MORNING: I read this. She has to write an essay as part of her application for student body. This is her first paragraph: "Some people ask “why? why does anybody ever want to be on student council?” well, I've got an answer. Everybody thinks its all about the popularity but some of us realize it's not about being popular it's about being able to help others, you should focus on giving and expect nothing in return. Everybody should have a chance to be on student council, and now that chance is in my grasp. I would try to make the school a better place, by being a good example, helping in any way I can, and I promise that every day I will try my absolute best." Crap. I gotta let her at least try. And not tell her that it terrifies me. Yet. (She already knows I have trouble with many things, I don't think it will affect her ability here to know that it makes me nervous. I just don't want her to be tempted to give it up for my comfort.) If she is selected, then we'll manage. I'll smile and cheer and be as supportive as I possibly can be. I'll watch her decorate posters and drive her to meetings. I will always celebrate when my girls show they can do the things that make them happy, even if they're things that make me want to curl up and hide. They are NOT me. They are unique and brave and capable. This is MY issue, not hers. I can do this. I can step back and let her make her own choice on this. Right? via Facebook
Friday, August 23, 2013
Thursday, August 22, 2013
August 22, 2013 at 09:16PM
I am amused when I can guess the direction a storm is moving according to when various fb friends comment on it. via Facebook
August 22, 2013 at 03:33PM
It's the "Congratulations on the first day of school" flowers to my girls from me. Just waiting for the bus to bring them home! via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/dVKiecBLY5/
August 22, 2013 at 02:51PM Brookside Elementary School
If you don't have your own school to vote for, vote for us!!! With 25 votes, the school will get $25.00 for school supplies and $1.00 for every vote after $25.00. It only takes a second. Thanks!!
August 22, 2013 at 08:42AM
just came home to the roaring silence. I'm glad this first "week" of school is only two days long. I need to ease into this more gradually. I miss my little fidgets. via Facebook
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
August 21, 2013 at 11:15PM
Grieving tonight. I just had to turn on my school year alarms. I hate having to acknowledge that the day exists before 8 am. or maybe even 9, am. I know the quiet time during the day will be good for me, but I sure will miss summer. via Facebook
August 21, 2013 at 10:43AM
Kate just came to me and said smugly: "Mom, a boy just took me to breakfast." and she literally waggled her eyebrows. Which was hilarious. Then she explained that Oscar (our little black foster kitten) came and sat on the chair next to her the whole time she was eating her bowl of cereal. via Facebook
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
August 19, 2013 at 09:55PM
After a rough day, hubs bought me some Dr Pepper, a bottle of Coco Real ("cream of coconut"), and 5 fresh limes. Thank you, Dirty Dr Pepper! I have no idea how much the Coco Real cost, but whatever it was, it was worth it. It only takes a little bit and it's way better than the sugary syrups out there. This is all your fault, Andrea Scanlon. All your delicious, delicious fault. via Facebook
August 19, 2013 at 08:29PM
No, this is not a severely deformed animal. It's a pile of three torbie kitty sisters! via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/dN-BcUhLd1/
Saturday, August 17, 2013
August 17, 2013 at 05:40PM
Southern family photos. It even happened between bursts of wind outside! via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/dIhCAYhLTa/
August 17, 2013 at 03:01PM
Driving an hour for extended family photos outdoors. Yeah, this will go well. via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/dIO7dDhLQD/
Friday, August 16, 2013
August 16, 2013 at 09:28PM
Wonderful day. We spent the day with Michael's work at Park City Resort. My mom came with us. We did the Alpine Slide, Alpine Coaster (<-- best ever), had lunch out with the company, the kids did some rock-climbing and funky slides and finished with the bungee trampoline. Oh, and don't forget the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory caramel apples! Then finished the day by stopping by the outlet mall near the point of the mountain and got new back-packs for the school year, then went out for dinner to finish off the day. I can barely move and am in incredible amounts of pain, but I wouldn't have skipped any of it. (Well, the insane reaction going on in my right eye all day could definitely have been skipped...). I'd flop into the tub now, but I think I'd be too tired to keep my breathers above water. Instead I think I'll do bed now, bath in the morning. Pictures coming tomorrow too, I'm sure :) via Facebook
Thursday, August 15, 2013
August 16, 2013 at 12:33AM
Sunset in smoke #nofilter #wildfiresunset via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/dEGtfOhLU5/
August 15, 2013 at 01:31PM
I am so extremely grateful for the new set of doctors I was sent to a while back! I'm working now through a pain management clinic, but not the kind that just throws meds at you until you're too wiped out to remember you feel lousy. There are three specialists I work with: Doctor who specializes in chronic, severe pain (organizing meds, trying various off-label treatments, coordinates care, etc.) Physical therapist (For me that means Functional Rehabilitation. That means that yes, I'll probably always have pain, but they are working carefully and gradually toward improving my ability to do things I want or need to do without causing significant increases in pain, and expecting to get to a point where the pain will decrease through continued exercises.) Psychologist (Not because the pain is "in my head", but to help with coping, acceptance, etc.). My pain is not significantly better, but I am able to do a little more and, most importantly, I feel a glimmer of hope that I *can* do this. The hope was starting to wear pretty darn thin. The co-pays may drown us ;) but at least we're seeing some good. I have had wonderful doctors and specialists through the last few years, and I'm grateful for all they have tried and worked on, and also grateful that they knew when to accept that I was beyond the norm and sent to new doctors with more experience in my particulars. via Facebook
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
August 13, 2013 at 11:59AM
Sabrina [after seeing a commercial]: "Mom, you know what's weird? Just to make money, people make cooler stuff. I just don't know how that works!" via Facebook
August 13, 2013 at 07:19AM
Good morning Vacation! Lizzie didn't get to sleep until nearly 1 am, Sabrina has a sore throat, and Kate has a blazing fever. via Facebook
Monday, August 12, 2013
August 12, 2013 at 10:43PM
Lesson Learned: when swimming at a hotel in a family with 4 girls, 3 of whom have very long hair, it's best to ask for several more little bottles of shampoo and conditioner *before* the last one (Mom, of course) gets in the shower with enough product to wash the chlorine from her bangs, and nothing more. via Facebook
August 12, 2013 at 09:53PM
I've decided it's not that sports are all stupid. It's that the commentary kills brain cells. Example: [bowler misses one pin] "Wow, that's going to leave him behind. He's going to have to really work to make up for that." (Yeah, I know, not so bad.) "What he needs to do now is make better shots." (OH! That's how it works! He has to launch the ball better to hit more pins down!) via Facebook
August 12, 2013 at 09:35PM
Vernal LDS temple. I love thati have a husband who not only accepts that I like to photograph everything, but who will reverse until the doors are perfectly framed in the gate without having to be asked via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/c8D9XNhLXi/
August 12, 2013 at 09:31PM
"Wait, not by m.....*sputters*" via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/c8DmPTBLXC/
August 12, 2013 at 09:28PM
Hot tubs are...hot?! Somehow this seemed surprising to the girls. via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/c8DMx7BLWd/
August 12, 2013 at 09:25PM
Kate jumping in the pool with an orange floaty around her waist. via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/c8C3ZrBLWC/
August 12, 2013 at 09:22PM
Kids heading to bed, Sabrina making faces at herself in the mirror (of the walk in closet!), fiddling on our laptops, and watching professional bowling. via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/c8Ce7rBLVb/
August 12, 2013 at 09:21PM
Empty hotel pool = childhood bliss. via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/c8CW9hBLVJ/
August 12, 2013 at 09:08PM
It's the Southern's mini vacation! via Instagram http://instagram.com/p/c8A-FHBLS5/
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