English vs. Spanish

Jared and I have come to a fork in the road.

Do we continue speaking Spanish to our boys, or do we start introducing more English?

It hurts my ears to hear such terrible Spanish, especially when I know that my boys can speak better. We want them to speak Spanish so that they can talk to their abuela in Argentina, or tia Olga in Mexico. We want them to be bi-lingual to help out other students in school, or to obtain a great job b/c of their language abilities.

With boys in school now, they are using English in all areas; playing with friends, church, playing video games, talking to neighbors and family.

Here is my proof:

"Muchos ants me hizo bite a yo," (Austin: A lot of ants bit me).

"Yo quiero el movie del rabbit, el unico one." (Austin: I want the only rabbit movie).

"El seed hizo grow." (Wesley: The seed grew).

"Yo hice break in half y no quiero esto." (Austin: I broke it in half and I don't want this).

"Yo hice loose a un pound." (Wesley: I lost a pound. He is obsessed with growing bigger, eating more than anyone else, being the tallest and strongest. He is now at 53lbs).

Do we give up speaking Spanish after 6.5 years? Each day brings a new challenge of encouraging vocabulary, conjugations and correcting them. Will we continue doing this or just give up???

AEPA

I have been studying for my AEPA (Arizona Education Proficiency Assessment) exam for over a month now. It is this SATURDAY. It is serious crunch time for me.

Education is a silly thing. They have you focus in on one specific thing during college so that you can teach it with fluency as a career. But, with this test, they now want you to know ALL subject areas K-8; grammar, science, history, math, reading comprehension and social studies.

My biggest area of concern is math. I have been trying to re-teach and remember all of those algebra formulas, my basic multiplications, geometry patterns and how to put decimals into percents, etc. It is not easy for me...and very frustrating at times b/c my brain hurts!

I get up to my fussy Isaac (who is now into slapping me and glaring), take boys to swim lessons, hit the gym, then study study study 'til boys are bouncing off the walls and driving us all crazy from being inside during this 112 heat.

There are two tests; Elementary Education and Professional Knowledge (where they give you a bunch of examples of things teachers should and shouldn't do in situations, etc).

If I don't pass, I have to pay more money to re-take them and it could possibly mean my 5th grade teaching job. I think my charter school would let my scores slide one time, but who wants to go through this again! I am scared enough about teaching math to my 5th graders, let along pass a huge boards exam.

Wish me luck...lots of it.

Update 7/10/10
Just took the test. It was intense! I hadn't sat in a classroom environment (Gilbert high school) in years. It was weird to be the one as a pupil, vs. as a teacher. The assessors were very strict; no talking, no sharpening pencils, no leaving the room without a pass, ID out at all times. etc. I took two 4- hour tests; Elementary Education and Professional Knowledge. I really did study my hardest for over a month, several hours per day and wracking my brain over simple math.

The math section was actually easy. Go figure! The science and history were tough. A few qeustions that I left not knowing:
- An example of Newton's law
-What were the Reconstruction Acts
- A phrase from the Constitution
-What were Lewis and Clark helpful in providing for the Oregon Trail
-What causes Thunderstorms
-Examples of a fable story

They don't seem to difficult, but when you narrow down your choices and see the great options, it really makes you second guess yourself. I tried to read the question slowly, figure out what they were really asking, and then decide for myself the answer BEFORE reading the options. That worked sometimes. Some questions were so easy for me, and others I kinda knew, and others I had NO clue about.

It was hard to focus with so many distractions; papers shuffling, people coughing, squeaky chairs, people going in and out of bathroom, pencils tapping, etc. If I spent too much time on a question, I really felt like my brain was turning to mush. I purposefully rushed through as many questions as I could, knowing that after 2 hours, my mind would not be as sharp. I also skipped to the back of the tests to read the essays first, jot down thoughts and ideas, and then as I went through the tests, I had a better idea of what to look for.

It was stressful! I know how people must feel with the LSAT or GMAT. Not at the same degree, but it sure did give me butterflies and a scratchy throat. I will find out results Aug 9th.

Run. Sleep. Drive. Repeat?

An emotional race in more than one way.

I was pregnant. I started my miscarriage the night before leaving for Utah. I was devastated and very concerned. I didn't want to have to experience that in a van in the middle of Utah during a race...so, should I even go to Utah? Or, do I just walk the race? Would I be hurting the baby?

I bled throughout the night, and decided to continue on with the race (since I had already begun to lose the baby). It was shocking. It was so sad. It was very hard. Who runs a race while losing a baby in the port-a-potty?

The race was my way of coping. I ran hard. I accomplished a lot. 3 legs in all. 18 miles for me. I averaged 8.3 miles per hour. No walking. I think the magical hot pink zebra socks gave me special powers (thanks Leslie!), as well as my Pocahontas bandanna. I was always worried about having a side ache from drinking water, or what to eat right before the race for extra "energy." A half of a bagel usually did the trick for me and no drinking while running.

That last leg was a killer! The 8 miles uphill in the Park City Canyon. Right from the exchange my right knee started THROBBING in pain. I was so bugged! All I wanted to do was have 100% health so I could run well and challenge myself. I kept thinking of the Biggest Loser and how they always pushed through the pain, despite the discomfort. I figured that I wouldn't be doing too much permanent damage...so I KEPT ON RUNNING. I didn't stop once to even walk...I pushed it hard. Eventually, after 2 miles, my knee went numb and I could finally just enjoy the race!

I kept telling myself, "one more mile. You CAN do this. You WILL do this." Every time you passed someone by, that was considered a "kill." I would tag the person mentally on their backs, close my eyes and push a tad bit extra to pass them by. I killed 23 people on that last leg. 43 total during the race. Never did get the guy in the red shirt that I had tagged from the beginning. I sprinted at the finish line, my eyes fixed on the goal and tears brimming with gratitude for being able to endure. My legs were on fire, my heart was pumping hard and I was excited to finish in just over an hour! Not bad for a girl who doesn't consider herself an avid runner.

So...now I am back to reality. Still sad. Still wishing I was prego. But, a week has passed by and I can now focus my "stress" back to my family life...vs. my unpregnant self.

I am grateful I had something else to distract me about. I am grateful I had good health to make it through the race. I emotionally connected with the scenery, good friends, inner strength, physical limitations and upbeat music to keep my head up. I can't think of a better situation when going through such an emotional roller coaster.

It was all about ME this weekend. It's what I needed. No phone calls. No kids begging for candy. No summer school lesson plans. No counting calories. No internet. Just ME and my girls :) It was exhausting only running on 2.5 hours of sleep, bagels, apple slices and water...but, that adrenaline always seemed to kick in right when I needed it.

Arrived in Logan, UT at 1:30am. Up by 5:30am. A great day to race!
Paul was a good sport...the only male. He played it cool, even when we got lost and missed our big exchange with Van #2. What else could we say but, "He's the only male and he didn't have the map! sorry!"
The magical socks of sprinting!



My sweet friends Leslie and April. So grateful to have them along my journey.
A classic moment of the giggles.
Seriously? Elvis? There were all types.
Yep, we think we are pretty hot mama's...+ Paul.


A hot, sticky, dusty and sweaty hug alongside the road.

I did love the countryside. Utah summers are the best!

This was the line for the outhouses! Are you serious?
Poor Paul got sick, but still ran his 9 mile leg uphill at midnight without stopping. Wow!
My 4 miler night run was fun with my headlight, reflector vest and I-pod. I was sad that no one was there to meet me at the finish line (I am just so speedy...or, they got lost...). Team #291? Where are you?
Trying to sleep in a van. 2 hours of sleep total.
But there's always room for pancakes at 1:45am! I wanted to experience ALL of Ragnar. Except for the 2$ showers...I preferred to run in my same clothes for 2 days straight.
My crew waking up from their cold caves outside of North Summit High school.
Leslie was a great physical therapist as she warmed up my ACL for my last leg. Deep Blue was also very refreshing.
Gearing up!
Last exchange!
Off she goes! Up up and away...
You can do it. You can do it. You can do it. No stopping. No walking. Keep running. Up up up.
Sprinting past April...ran back uphill to give her the band. I was on an adrenaline rush!
We felt like teenagers in such a fun ride as we cruised up to the Canyon's in Park City for the finale.
One last shot of our Hot Mama + Paul group!

Thanks John and Valerie Telford for your amazing support, and for being spies amidst the trees and boulders for some great photography. Your energy kept us all going!
Well done girls.

Returned home

Just got back from my Utah getaway. Pictures to be posted soon from Ragnar.

A few thoughts:

I loved going to the Utah Church museum with Julie Boam to share my mom's display with her. I missed my mom seeing her lovely picture and hearing her voice. I hugged the computer and wished that she wasn't so far away. I loved meeting Julie's family and playing with green eyeshadow.






I love my friends and family! I was able to catch up with high school and college friends. People came from afar to visit with me for just 10 minutes (on my way to the airport, and then another friend at the airport drop off). If that didn't make me feel loved, don't know what does. I left the airport with a full heart and a huge grin.

I loved visiting with my family at Tia Martha's house. Hugs, Costco lasagna and a gorgeous setting helped make the evening very fun.

I loved asking questions to Megan Christensen about her life as a medical student wife, and learning how she stays so positive and happy with her young children. A contagious smile. Thanks for the listening ear and compassionate heart.
What a trip down memory lane to see all the Utah stores: Dan's grocery store, JMR, Vanity, Zion's bank, Macey's, Training Table, Hires Big H, Seagull Book and Tape, and Smith's.


I loved feeling of Tasha Hew-Len's love for special needs children and how her eyes lit up whenever we talked about ballroom stories.
I loved my energetic, refreshing, exposing and cheerful reunion with Kariann Young. Liberty Park was a perfect place to chow down ice cream calories together, and let the kids play for hours while we read text messages together, reminisced, shared dreams and vented.
I am feeling excited about next year to return for Ragnar (unless I get to be pregnant). I loved seeing all my boys pull up at the curb at the airport, full of bright eyes and smiles. I loved looking at Isaac in his car seat as he recognized my face and then gave me a smile full of toofies. I loved kissing on my boys and remembering how big their brown eyes look with their new haircuts. I didn't even mind the disciplining that went on when they kept hitting each other on the way home! I loved the "Good job Mama" sign that they made for me, and showing off my pictures of the race, "Mama? Ganaste first place? Seventh place?" I even didn't mind playing a game of U-No where the boys were able to win...and then start up the bedtime routine. Jared looks extra handsome tonight.



I loved my late night sleepover with Michelle Clark, and waking up to her and her mom for a couch chit chat about life. She knows the ins and outs of all my family and always asks so many intimate questions. The run down memory lane (1000 east and Sandy Highland condos) was so special to share with you.

Chit chatting has always been a favorite past time of mine. This time around, it meant that much more to me b/c I was seeing friends that I usually only see ONCE a year. Between our cheese fries at Training Table, Hires Big H onion rings and homemade shakes or Little Cesar's crazy bread...we shared some great conversations over calories.

I felt like my friends really were so interested in my life, as I was theirs. Never once did I get tired of talking and talking and talking. About life, family, dreams, trials, children, college, the Ragnar, and religion.

It was exhausting having my "polite" and "best face" for all these friends (b/c that is what you do when you are catching up after a year of no contact!) I loved the sharing of stories and how wonderful it is to just feel like despite the years and distance, you really can connect with so many people on different levels and about different things. As my friend Kariann put it, some friends are friends of the "heart" and others are of the "road." Both friendships are equally important during your life, and whether your friendships last throughout the years, or diminish with time...it is just another fact to me about why friendships mean so much to me. I really felt like I have both sides of the friendship scale. I cherish my "road" friendships, but the majority of my Utah friends were reuniting with those "heart" friendships. I left feeling renewed, loved, valued, missed and happy. I felt like the 'ol Adrienne from high school and SUU was able to come out again, not worried about bedtime routines or discipline...just pure chit chatting.

It's now late. I am still on an emotional high. I am excited to get back on track with my 1300 calorie diet, teaching summer school and even studying for my re-cert test.

I am grateful for good friends. I am grateful for a wonderful family. I am grateful for health.

Cracked head

Wesley got stitches yesterday.

We went to the Boley's pool for a nice afternoon of swimming...it was 107 and hot! We had been there less than 10 min when Wesley was in full swing of swimming. I was on the ledge of the pool and he told Jared, "Mira papa!" Next thing we know...he is doing a front flip off the ledge, but on his way up, he cracked his head onto a plastic jet that was protruding out.

Blood immediately started spilling, and so did the screaming. Jared acted out in anger about the situation, and I of course turned into mother hen wanting to hold and nurture him. We whisked him outside of the pool and onto the patio where Nurse Leslie ran for some IBProfen, rags and ice.

What to do next? Gave Wesley a fudge bar. That makes everything in life better!

We started applying pressure and the tears were streaming as fast as the blood. Wesley was more afraid at all the blood more than anything, so were we. Leslie pulled out the phone ward directory and started calling around at the medical students to see if we could get a professional opinion about it all. No one was around! Jared sent our bishop a text to see if we could go to his office (he is a Physician's assistant).

Paul arrived and help administer a blessing for Wesley with Jared. I love worthy men.

I asked Wesley who he wanted to stay with him (someone had to watch the other 4 little boys still swimming, including toddlers Isaac and Drake). Jared wanted me to do the babysitting, but of course Wesley wanted his mama...so, I happily pulled him up onto my lap and started loving on him. He is such a big boy, at 53 lbs and where his feet almost touch the floor when he is on my lap. Nontheless, he turned back into my little baby as I hugged, kissed, soothed and talked with him.

Dr. Hall texted Jared back and we headed to his office last minute to get medical attention. Wesley didn't shed one more tear after we left the pool. He was such a strong and brave boy as he endured the injections for the stitches on the top of his head. A lot of pressure was applied as Dr. Hall even spewed Wesley's blood onto his shirt from squeezing so hard!

We sure do love our Wesley. Good brave boy.

No more diving.

Slide Rock, Sedona,

We headed up the mountains to Sedona, AZ with the Boley's for a fun day out. Packed up with sunscreen, swimsuits, towels, chips, drinks and 7 bouncing boys...we were ready for fun.

The weather looks warm, but it was a bit chilly. We enjoyed the sunshine and the boys splashed around in the freezing water. I didn't dare go on b/c I am a wimp with the cold water. We made it back in time to our car minutes before it started raining!

We hit up Subway on the way home, and the DVD in the car kept the boys happy. Beautiful AZ.








It was super super chilly
My husband looks fantastic
Isaac had to squeeze his toesies tight so he wouldn't fall off the rocks!

BBQ chili fritos...yum

Isaac wanted more