There is Sonshine in my soul today!

This week, Pop was really struggling with happiness.
She just wasn't.
She's 14.  I get it.  But it was ridiculous how difficult life really was NOT.
That being said, revelation came at a moment truly needed.  Pop now must present a list of at least 10 good things about each day.
It has changed her whole attitude.
I decided, to be fair, that I am going to list things for which I am grateful.  (I know it isn't Thanksgiving..  I don't care.  We should always be thankful for the blessings sent to us!)

1. My family is AMAZING!
2. We have a new roof over our heads
3. There are also new gutters to move the rain from the new roof to the gardens (some of which are starting inside this week!)
4. New siding protects our home!
5. The new windows offer a clearer perspective on life!
6. One bathroom renovation is almost finished... and it looks awesome.
7. The second bathroom renovation begins tomorrow.
8. The Master bedroom was rearranged and cleaned today (except carpets.  Those get cleaned after the renovation is finished.)
9. 5 pounds was lost over the last week starting Weight Watchers.
10. My friend came to Weight Watchers with me.
11. Asparagus was only 98 cents a bunch.  (I LOVE asparagus.)
12. My uncle and cousin are coming into town this week, as my cousin is playing baseball against the Huskers.
13. My manatee was found.  (See #7 above.)
14. I went out to a movie with some friends.  LOVED it!
15. I'm getting my hair done on Thursday!
16. Hawaii is ONLY 3 months and 3 days away.
17. My hands are going through a deep moisturizing treatment tonite.  They are going to feel so good tomorrow.
18. Even though I am not working this week (as school is on Spring Break), my job is the greatest job ever!  I got to play my violin, the bells and conduct this week.  I also got to hang out with some pretty fantastic high school students.
19. Only 8 more days until Frozen comes out on DVD and Blue Ray.
20. The gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I am blessed to know it, love it and live it!

What are you thankful for?

Appropriate Parent Noise

The other morning, Hailey texted me from seminary asking if she could go to a friends house to spend the night.  The standard questions followed...

• Is your homework done?
• Are your chores done?
• What are the details of the visit?

Questions 1 & 3 were pretty easy for her.  Question 2 stopped her short.  She told the friend she would not be able to spend the night, because she had to catch up on chores.  Not that chores are a gross imposition on time - when completed daily it usually only takes about 15 minutes TOTAL - but when not completed - all week - it takes awhile.  The point of the story...  I didn't have to tell her no.  She knew what the answer would be all on her own.

Saturday, the same progeny was at a friend's birthday party.  Her ride was ready to leave, but she was not.  She called for permission to stay.  The standard questions...

• Is your homework done?
• Are your chores done?
• Who are you with?
• Who is bringing you home?
• When will you be home?

Successfully answering all the questions brought her to the conclusion that she could, in fact, stay the extra time at the birthday party, with permission from her parents.

That was the point...  she, by thinking through the questions she knew I was going to ask, was able to process a reasonable explanation why what she wanted was valid.  This morning, as I met with each of my daughters, we ran through our normal questions.

• What is your schedule for the week, and do I have that information in my planner?
• What assignments do you have coming up, and when are you going to do them?
• What do your grades look like?
• How are you feeling about your family expectations? (chores, exercise, etc)
• How is Personal Progress coming along?

These are normal.  They are the standard.  So, why, then are they so hard to answer.

Then I thought about the questions we are asked, through loving leaders, by our Heavenly Father.  These questions include, but are not limited to:

• Did you read your scriptures today, personally? as a family?
• Did you pray today, personally? as a family?
• Did you have family Home Evening this week?
• Did you go to the temple this month?

The questions may repeat, but they set a foundation for our days, that will bring us closer to our Heavenly Father.  It is his Appropriate Parent Noise.  Are we listening, pondering, and responding???

On the move...

Yesterday, I went to the doctor.

I love my doctor.  He's awesome.

I do NOT like the effects my weight has on his scale.

However, I was motivated to begin walking everyday again.

This morning I met my friend, Brenda, for a 30 minute walk during seminary.  It felt so good.  When Wendy and Jennifer joined us after their run for their cool-down walk (incidentally, that was faster than Brenda and I had been walking...) it made the walk even more fun.

I'm so grateful to have friends who encourage me to get "on the move" to help our health.  My ability to work out has a lot to do with my willingness to walk.  When my friends walk too, it makes it so much easier!

Thanks ladies!

Seminary

I loved seminary as a youth.

Really...

Okay, the early morning wasn't my favorite, but I really did LOVE what I learned and the opportunity to bond with the other students and the teachers.

I loved serving on the Stake Seminary Council and helping to plan events.  It was awesome.

Driving the early morning carpool has also been an awesome experience!  I love talking with the kids... or not...  first thing in the morning.  It reminds me to start out the day happy.

Imagine my delight when I was asked to teach seminary for two days.  I was so excited.  Nothing prepared me for this morning's conversation, not even ALL the prep that went into the lesson.  (I'm about to go into a long story, which is awesome, but time-consuming...)

We were discussing how to study the scriptures, and there were several different methods recommended.  (If you would like a copy of the handout, let me know...  thanks LeAnne Hahne!!!)  As a demonstrative tool, we used 3 Nephi 17:1-10.

First, we read the passage.  No preamble, intro or anything.

 1 Behold, now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he looked round about again on the multitude, and he said unto them: Behold, my ^atime is at hand.

2 I ^aperceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot ^bunderstand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time.

 3 Therefore, go ye unto your homes, and ^aponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand, and ^bprepare your minds for the ^cmorrow, and I come unto you again.

 4 But now I ^ago unto the Father, and also to ^bshow myself unto the lost tribes of Israel, for they are not ^clost unto the Father, for he knoweth whither he hath taken them.

 5 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were^ain tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.

 6 And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with^acompassion towards you.

 7 Have ye any that are ^asick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or ^bleprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will ^cheal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.

 8 For I perceive that ye desire that I should show unto you what I have done unto your brethren at Jerusalem, for I see that your^afaith is ^bsufficient that I should heal you.

 9 And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their ^ablind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him.

 10 And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did ^akiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears.

Then I asked them to tell me about the history of the passage.
638 years before, a group of jews, including a prophet, left Jerusalem and traveled to the American continent.  Alone.  They fought amongst themselves for hundreds of years, but the gospel was always present.
38 years before, Samuel the Lamanite stood on a wall and prophesied about the coming of Jesus Christ.  He listed signs that would evidence of the arrival of the Savior.
33 years before, the wicked people in the Americas set a date by which the signs must be made manifest, or those believing in Christ would perish.  Nephi, a prophet, prayed to God.  He was promised that the signs would come the next day!
The signs came.
33 years went by.
Earthquakes, storms, destruction, death, injury, illness, and then darkness...  complete...  utter... darkness for 3 days.
A voice comes.
3 times.  It is the voice of GOD.
Then the Savior appears.
He greets them.  Spends time with them.

Then we talked about who was telling the story: Nephi
Who was he talking about:  The Savior and the Nephites...  his people.
What did the Savior do?  He was trying to leave, but they asked Him to stay.  He did and he healed all those with infirmities.

Awesome..  we get the literal, right?

Now for the cool part...

I then asked them what principle the Savior was teaching in this passage.  We started with verse 2-3 - after all the horribleness the people experienced.  After everything, Jesus tried to leave.  He told them they were not ready for the rest of the words He was to say.  That they should go home, ponder on what had been said, pray about it, and come back tomorrow to talk about it.  One of the students said, "He gave them HOMEWORK!" 

She was right!  It was homework.  The Savior asked, and still asks us, to ponder, pray and prepare for new light and further knowledge.

It gets cooler than that...

In verse 5, the Savior looks at the people, one last time, and realizes they are asking him to stay.  They want to see the same miracles He performed in Jerusalem.

Their faith is so great (verse 8) that HE CANNOT LEAVE!!!!  He stays to perform these miracles because they have done what was needed to receive the blessings.

MY MIND BLEW..

I have read that passage many times, but today, it came full circle...  It doesn't matter how rough I think my life is.  It doesn't matter how hard things get.  My Savior will be waiting until the time is right.  He wants me to watch, read, ponder, and pray.  He wants me to prepare to meet Him.  If I do what He asks of me, He will be there to issue the blessings that are best for me, and if I demonstrate that kind of faith, He CANNOT DENY the blessings.  He will be filled with compassion toward me.

I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to learn and study the gospel of Jesus Christ with the ease of turning on my phone, opening my own copy of the scriptures, etc.  They are truly a blessing in my life!

This is a silver lining post...

Had you asked Wednesday night or Thursday, I would not have been enthusiastic about my location.

I would have been very scared and frustrated.

That's because I was in the cardiac unit of a local hospital with my hero.

Having chests pains two times in three days encouraged him to get checked out at the hospital.  (Okay... so my nagging and worry helped nudge him in that direction.  I also threatened to call his mother.  That was probably the "last straw" motivational tactic that worked.)  He went to the emergency room.  They began running tests...  and more tests...  and evaluations... and more tests...

Thursday afternoon (on his birthday), he was released with a clean bill of heart health.  They have no idea why his chest hurts, but his heart is fine.

The silver lining...  We now have x-rays, echo-cardio-grams, CT scans, EKG results, telemetry notes, blood work results, and vital sign checks that show just how healthy my hero's heart really is.  I'll be honest, I have always worried that his heart would go, and that he wouldn't make it.  I don't so much anymore.  As a matter of fact, I am more confident about his heart than mine right now... because we know.

Furthermore, we found out that his blood pressure is low enough, we should probably have our doctor adjust his meds down.  He didn't even take them the night he was in the hospital because he didn't need them.  We also found out that he has lost some weight, and that was truly a blessing.

While, in the moment, I was not thrilled about where I was, looking back, there really was no place I would rather him be.  Now we know, and knowing is half the battle!

To teach, or to mother... That is the question...

My mother was a stay at home sort.  She was always there to do laundry and housekeeping, and get on our case.  We were very blessed that my dad could provide well-enough for our family that she could be home with us.  I always wanted to be just like her.  I wanted to stay home and raise my kids and keep my house... but it was not meant to be.

Every morning I get up and wonder if I should work today in the schools, or if I should stay home and complete the tasks there.  I always feel guilty going to work, because I know that "no success can compensate for failure in the home."  And yet, I truly love what I do for work.

Yesterday, I had an epiphany.  My Heavenly Father did not bless me with the talents He did for the benefit of only my children.  Furthermore, I know that He has purposes in mind for me - I have no idea what's in store.  That being said, I decided to fall into His will.  I told Him that if he wanted me to work outside my home that day, there would be a job for me in the morning, ready to go.  But if it was more important for me to stay home and take care of my family, no job would come up.  I then told him that I would be happy with whatever the plan was and make the best use of my day either way.

It worked yesterday!

I accomplished everything on the "today's list."  I did not complete all the big "Sometime in the future" list, but I did finish what needed to be done yesterday.  Even better...  it was done before I picked the girls up from school.

I know that when we trust in the Lord, and align our will to His, He will help us do what is needful.  I know that we will accomplish what he has set out for us to accomplish, and I am so grateful for Him in my life!

My Life's Blueprint and Blogs

For those who didn't know, I recently started up a new blog based upon my experiences as a substitute teacher.  Basically the idea is to keep notes of what classroom teachers are doing that are AWESOME, so I can look back and say... Oh yeah... I should do that, should I ever decide to be a full-time teacher.

For the record, though, I love subbing.  I love seeing different students, and enjoying creative curriculum.  I have often heard it said that subbing is like being a grandma or aunt.  You get all the fun, but the parents eventually come back.

Always said I wanted to be the favorite aunt!!!

I was really impressed with this lesson plan and my comments about it are pretty amazing (if I do say so myself!).  Please take a look.

A brief synopsis:

 Develop an affirmation statement.  A process was given.

1. Write down your name.
2. Write down something at which you are good.
3. Write down a personal goal that you have.
4. Write down a goal you have for your family.
5. Write down a goal you have for your education.
6. Combine all of these ideas into one master affirmation statement.

My affirmation statement:

My name is Shannon and I am a good mom and a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father.  I will be participating in a triathlon when I turn 40 and would like to get my Master's Degree in the next 5 years.  I would like for my family to be more healthy, so we have many more years together!

The whole triathlon thing has me a bit freaked out since I will be turning 35 in 22 days.  That only gives me 5 years to get 'er done.  For this reason, I have really buckled down on my workouts and keeping track of attitude etc.  If you haven't taken a look at my other blog about my fitness, please feel free to do so.  Any motivation or encouragement is always appreciated.  (Not that I am into self-glorification or anything, but it helps when people are supporting my efforts.)  I use Runkeeper.com to track my walks/runs and (the dreaded) ellipticals.  If you wanna be Street Team Members, just let me know.

My family is the most important thing to me, so I am working really hard to find time to spend with them.  Hailey, Katie and I started a blog about Cult Classic movies, but were surprised when people kept suggesting movies (53 comments on Facebook.  CRAZY AWESOME).  I posted the list here.  If you have others to add, just add a comment!  If you have seen a movie that we watch and post about, leave a comment on the page for the movie!

Please enjoy my blogs, but remember that they are journals for me, so please keep comments positive and helpful!  These are my memories you are tampering with!

Doors and Windows

Open 'em up...  That's what I usually say.

In this heat and humidity, keep them closed so that the air conditioning can work.

Metaphorically speaking, however, I have been closing a lot of doors for better windows lately, and I can't say that I mind so much.  It was a pretty common occurrence for me to say "Things will slow down when summer comes."  It was also pretty common for me to say "Yes" to everything.  All of that is changing.  For the first month, life was pretty crazy, but now, there is a definite period of scheduling and  peace.

The girls are headed off to camp today.  Then 3 weeks at their dad's.  I have a standard routine at "work" and another at home.  It's hard to believe that school is only 8 weeks away.  The summer has just flown by.  I am grateful for the peace the Lord has given, and for the blessings He sends each day.

Have a beautiful week!

Youth Conference 2012 - Arise and Shine Forth

Wednesday night, after having Hailey pack her bags for her first ever Youth Conference, I drove the girls to see Hunger Games (again).

The phone rang.

"Sister Binkley, could you help as a group leader for Youth Conference...  you know...  in 12 hours?"

Yep.  I can.

I made arrangements for Kate to spend a night with grandma, called DJ to make sure it was okay with him, and then started packing.

Changing plans like this is not usually smooth sailing for me, but...  this time, it was cake.

The Lord had this in mind all along.

I still cannot think of the weekend with out the spiritual upliftment draining from my eyes.  The youth with whom I worked are valiant spirits.  They are loving, kind and know the gospel.  They know their Heavenly Father loves them, and they know how to pass that love onto others around them.  (The stripling penguins are superheros!)

I know that to be true because they did more for me than I ever could have done for them.

At testimony meeting today, I shared:

The fourth verse of "I Feel My Savior's Love" - 
I'll share my Savior's love by serving other's freely.  
In serving I am blessed.  
In giving I receive.  


He knows I will follow Him.  
Give all my life to Him. 
I feel my Savior's love, 
the love he freely gives me.


I know that the youth with whom I worked, I, myself, and all those served in Lincoln NE this weekend are children of a loving Heavenly Father.  He is there for us.  He sent us Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, to show us how to live, by serving others - every minute of every day.  He sacrificed His life so that we may return to live with our Heavenly Father again.  I know that Joseph Smith restored the gospel to the earth, and brought forth the Book of Mormon, and that Thomas S. Monson is the Lord's mouthpiece on earth today.  The principles they teach within the gospel of Jesus Christ, as taught within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are true.

This weekend's experience truly reinforced to me how grateful I am for the knowledge of the truth and the comraderie of the gospel.  I am so grateful for my Savior!

Memorial Day

This weekend has definitely been one of good memories.

Garage Sale-ing with mom and dad.

Hailey's birthday party.

Wendy's birthday run and movie party.

Going to church and playing piano for Primary.

Like I said...  Good memories.

Today, I am most grateful for the men and women that preserve our freedom.

My sister-in-law's brother just returned from Afghanistan on Friday evening.  He is amazing.

As I thought about those who serve, including my brother, father, and grandfather's, I am in awe of the strength, character and discipline they demonstrate.

Thank you to our service men and women!

Happy Mother's Day

Today in sacrament meeting, a member of our ward (a mom) spoke about what a mother thinks.  She shared a beautiful quote from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's "Because She is a Mother" talk during the April 1997 General Conference.

But one thing, she said, keeps her going: “Through the thick and the thin of this, and through the occasional tears of it all, I know deep down inside I am doing God’s work. I know that in my motherhood I am in an eternal partnership with Him. I am deeply moved that God finds His ultimate purpose and meaning in being a parent, even if some of His children make Him weep.

“It is this realization,” she says, “that I try to recall on those inevitably difficult days when all of this can be a bit overwhelming. Maybe it is precisely our inability and anxiousness that urge us to reach out to Him and enhance His ability to reach back to us. Maybe He secretly hopes wewill be anxious,” she said, “and will plead for His help. Then, I believe, He can teach these children directly, through us, but with no resistance offered. I like that idea,” she concludes. “It gives me hope. If I can be right before my Father in Heaven, perhaps His guidance to our children can be unimpeded. Maybe then it can be His work and His glory in a very literal sense.” ⁷

Mother's Day was not my favorite this year.  Healthwise, I have been struggling a lot, and today was very uncomfortable for me.  Were it not for my Primary class, I probably would have not even gone to church.  Then, during Sharing Time, one of my little friends leaned over and cuddled into me.  Intuitively, because he is like that, he must have known that I needed the little extra cuddles.  The difference it made was astounding.  He's not even my kid, but I love him so much.  I love all of my Primary friends so much.

When I got home, I did not take care of myself as I should.  I didn't eat, and needed a nap.  The business of being a mom took over, and, instead of relishing the time I had to enjoy my family.  Without thinking twice, I ruined the whole day in the motions of completing the daily grind.

Often, I think of the Savior chastising me, in his words...  "Thou art cumbered about by many things...  choose the better part."  It is so hard to determine what that really is.  If I don't clean the house, then how can the Lord be here?  If I spend time playing with the kids, then how is dinner going to get made?  The lists of things that must be done go on and on, and never does there seem to be a break. My children are growing up so fast, and I am missing out on so much.  It's becoming harder to send them away rather than easier, and where they go, I am not permitted to follow.  6 more years...  That's it.  Then they will be adults and off on their own.  How do I make that time count?

The instructions set by the Lord answer these questions time and time again.  Family prayer, family scripture study, family home evening...  It always goes back to those family activities.  It's truly all about the family.

That ending seems so anti-climactic, but it really is the pinnacle of all.  Without Hailey and Katie, there is no me.  They are my reason for living each day of my life.  I am a mother because they are the greatest gifts a loving Heavenly Father could ever give.  My thanks be to Him.

I decided, this year, to write thank you notes to my children on Mother's Day.  They always try so hard to make it special for me, and I want to express gratitude for them.  For the beauty they bring into my life.  While they are too personal to share here, they are written on my heart.

To my readers who are mothers:  Happy Mother's Day.  May you bask in the warmth and love of a partnership with your Heavenly Father, raising His children in peace and love!

Summer Fun!!!!

As tradition, here is the latest and greatest of Lincoln and Nebraska ready for summer entertainment and fun.  We have some of the old die-hards, and some new amazings...  (For those who are new to this...  I don't like being bored, so I look for stuff to do over the summer.  Here are some of the activities I found!  If you find more, then please let me know!  I'm always up for an adventure!)  Are you ready???

(A note first - some of these may have charges incurred.  It is up to you to check...)

Nebraska Passport - 10 Tours, 60 locations all over Nebraska, and rewards when you go.  Don't forget the Prize Entry form!  I printed out my information, but I think you can pick these up at some of the listed locations.

Here is the Lincoln Passport - A little closer to home, still amazing fun!!!

As always, I encourage childhood literacy, so take advantage of the Library Reading Program (this is for the little kids) and the Teen Reading Program (obviously for the big ones).  It's free and there are prizes for completing the activities!

The Great Park Pursuit - Sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is a great way to see all beauty that Nebraska has to offer.  Once again, you may be headed on a drive, but the view is amazing!  (And there are prizes!)

Kids Bowl Free - Seriously....  This is one of my favorite programs!!!  Sign up and your kids, ages 5-15, can bowl two games per day all summer long for FREE!  (You just have to buy them shoes, or rent shoes each time.)  If you go to Parkway Lanes (where we go...), they will sell you a little card for $10 that covers your shoe rental for the entire summer.  If mom and dad want to get in on the bowling action, $24.95 will cover the Family Pass, which gets mom and dad 2 games each day for the whole summer (but there is no special on bowling shoe rental).

The KFOR Punch Ticket - sold to promote PTO's at each elementary school, this $5 coupon sheet gives you access to a bunch of activities in and around Lincoln for free or majorly discounted.  Worth the $5, and all $5 go to your child's school.  (If your school isn't selling these, let me know and I can take your money and get these at H&K's school.)

Lincoln Parks and Rec also has some great activities going on this summer.

If you are interested in visiting particular cities, here are the links to their travel and tourism!

Omaha, 
Grand Island
Kearney
Nebraska City

Get out and have fun!  There is a lot to do!!!

Subterranian

This evening my family ended up in the basement.

No tornado warnings or anything like that.  Just a lot of laundry, couponing and watching tv.

This evening it was the Chopped Season Finale and Cupcake Wars.

More importantly, it was four people, busy in the world, taking a break from the crazy to just be together.

5 loads of laundry, 3 piles of coupon inserts and 2 baskets of unmatched socks later, I remember what my husband and kids look like.

As I reflect on our summer and the tons of things we are doing, it is becoming increasingly important to me that I slow down and give us one day each week clear of the "everyday" and just be together.  No place to go, nothing to see here.  It was so nice.

I'm getting too old...

There was a long period of time in my life when late nights were not a problem for me.

Honestly, I blame my stint at BYU.  I could be gone all hours of the day or night, and have the energy to go to class the next day.  It was awesome.

AHHH  YOUTH!

It continued into my adult years.  After I moved back to Lincoln, my social hour was after the munchkins went to bed.  My friends would come over around 9pm, and we would sit and talk almost overnight.  The first time, we were all eating pie, out of the same tin, around 2am when the first husband called to make sure his wife was alive.  This continued, party after party.  It became an institution.  If your wife was out at all hours, and you hadn't heard from her, odds are good I had something to do with it.  The true highlight was the night there was no power in my house, and we still sat around and talked in the dark until 2am.

I digress....

Then I had a job where I wouldn't get off work until 11 pm at night, and then I was totally wired for hours.
Unfortunately, approaching 35 (there...  I said it....) has led me to believe that the nights of midnight showings, dancing and hanging out until all hours are pretty much ending.

And then...  ENTER THE TEENAGER.

I'm not gonna lie.  My kids are good.

However...

Imagine a dark bedroom.  The mother and father are sleeping (soundly.. as in snoring).  The red numbers on the alarm clock indicate 3AM...

And the mother wakes.

There has been a disturbance in her force.  She can feel it.

The father wakes also.  He sees the light.

They watch through their open bedroom door, waiting for the tell-tale sign of life in the lair of the teenager.

The big light in the room comes on.

The teenager is warned.

One word.

Her first name.

The light goes off.

The parents wait.  That was too easy.

Only moments later, a smaller, fainter light flickers, then dies quickly.

The mother waits a moment then steals out of her room.

She stands in the dark, right in the doorway of the teenager's room.

She waits...  watching with the patience of predatory cat...  knowing the mistake will come.

(Interruption...  This was a lot less entertaining last night.  Trust me...)


And then...  the lighted vibration of the cell phone illuminates the darkness.

The teenager reaches over the side of the bed.

"BUSTED!"  cries the mother, and the teenager jumps.

The 13 year old is texting.  In the middle of the night.

Can you believe it?


Of course, the phone is now mine for the undetermined future.

The other electronics in the room, books and "crafting" supplies are also being confiscated.

Where did she get this???

Oh wait..  that was me...  23 years ago, with my desk lamp and a book under my covers.

Once again.

I'm sorry mom.

Part of me thought about keeping her up all night, 36 hours straight, just to teach her.

Then I realized that I would have to stay up with her.

I am way too old for that...